"The LORD! But who is the Lord? What is His character? Does He have adequate credentials to be my Shepherd - my manager - my owner?...
Our view of Him is often too small - too cramped - too provincial - too human. And because it is we feel unwilling to allow Him to have authority or control - much less outright ownership of our lives.
...So when the simple - though sublime - statement is made by a man or woman that "The Lord is my Shepherd," it immediately implies a profound yet practical working relationship between a human being and his Maker.
It links a lump of common clay to divine destiny - it means a mere mortal becomes the cherished object of divine diligence.
This thought alone should stir my spirit, quicken my own sense of awareness, and lend enormous dignity to myself as an individual. To think that God in Christ is deeply concerned about me as a particular person immediately gives great purpose and enormous meaning to my short sojourn upon this planet.
And the greater, the wider, the more majestic my concept is of the Christ - the more vital will be my relationship to Him."
-----A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, Phillip W. Keller
I'm going through this book a second time, and I find the text once again drawing me to worship Christ for Who He is. Since I'm on summer break from my regular Bible study group, I've found a few devotionals I'd like to get through, to keep me accountable in reading His Word/delving into more aspects about the Lord and how He cares for me/us. If you have any suggested books or devotionals, please do comment, as I'd enjoy checking them out for my personal reading this summer :)
Monday, May 25, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Beautiful Beaches
Pensacola Beach, Pensacola, Florida. Such gorgeous white sand.
There's something about little girls and braids...
Though it looked white and fluffy, Brilla discovered the sand was not tasty!!
We didn't bring swimming clothes, but that didn't stop my girl. Nor did I really care!
If I didn't stop her, she'd be out there by the reef! My daughter is half fish.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Happy Friday to You!
Good-bye week, hello weekend. Don't you love Fridays?
Even if you're a stay-at-home Mom like me, Fridays are wonderful. There's just something about them. Since my husband is in construction, he works super hard during the days, then we party like old people by watching TV at night and getting to bed early. On the weekends, however, we go really wild and stay up until like midnight. Haha!
This Friday's a little different in that my hubby is gone and enjoying himself- immensely- I am sure. I can't remember a last time he got to hang with "the guys". Meanwhile, I am enjoying hanging with my girl. Last night, we stayed up way too late eating tomato/basil pizza and watching "Little Miss Broadway". Brilla simply eats up Shirley Temple. In fact, sometimes my little singer and drama queen reminds me of the tiny actress. Today we plan to deliver a belated Mother's Day gift to my mom, or "Mamang" as Brilla calls her, since she was down in Missouri last weekend. We also hope to paint our toenails a bright red tonight! I bought this bottle of polish for about 74 cents at Target and we'll see how redly it shines.
Speaking of shopping at Target, I shopped there, at TJ Maxx and Ross yesterday. I have a shopping bug. Of course, I end up taking 75% of it all back, but you know. I bought some cute dresses at Target for only $6.24 each. One is black with white dots all over, and the other is a plain black dress. Yes, it is Spring, but I love the fact that I can dress up black/white for any season. And for so inexpensive and cute, I couldn't pass them up. I also got some mineral makeup that I really like, a cute scarf, bundt pan, cutting board, and whole wheat bunny crackers for B. From TJ Maxx I got a sweet box that says "Count Your Blessings", bamboo board and drinking bottle for the gym. At Ross, I got some decorative containers, another scarf, and a video/DVD holder that I had bought at BBB when they were clearing out stuff...guess Ross got the rest of them in the end. Now I'll have matching ones. I have something against Ross though...a couple weeks ago (just before I left for FL), I gave them my card with store credit on it toward some purchases. After the lady checked me out, she gave me the receipt that said I had $1.60 still left on the card, then she looked at me and said "you no need card right?" and promptly tossed it. I assumed this meant I still had the receipt as a voucher for next time. Wrong. I tried to do so yesterday, and they said, "You need the card." I was upset. I know, only a $1.60, but that's still my money. I pushed it with the manager, too (don't you hate it when people do that when you're behind them in line?), but she reemphasized needing the card as well. And actually, the cashier I was checking out with was the gal who had thrown it away in the first place, which I tried to prick her memory about, but she lied and said something like, "I only work here for week." So, anyway that is my bone I have to pick with Ross. I love that store, but won't be shopping it again for a while.
Did any of you realize that next Monday is Memorial Day? Well, I didn't! I hadn't a clue until a student asked me if I would be having lessons. My husband doesn't usually ever take off those kind of "holidays", so nope we're not going anywhere. Besides, we both will have gotten back from vacations. I'll likely do something exciting like fill out IRS paperwork and scrub my bathroom :)
There is still an awful lot of today left and the weather is beautiful. So I'd better sign off and go take a walk or something. Cheerio!
Even if you're a stay-at-home Mom like me, Fridays are wonderful. There's just something about them. Since my husband is in construction, he works super hard during the days, then we party like old people by watching TV at night and getting to bed early. On the weekends, however, we go really wild and stay up until like midnight. Haha!
This Friday's a little different in that my hubby is gone and enjoying himself- immensely- I am sure. I can't remember a last time he got to hang with "the guys". Meanwhile, I am enjoying hanging with my girl. Last night, we stayed up way too late eating tomato/basil pizza and watching "Little Miss Broadway". Brilla simply eats up Shirley Temple. In fact, sometimes my little singer and drama queen reminds me of the tiny actress. Today we plan to deliver a belated Mother's Day gift to my mom, or "Mamang" as Brilla calls her, since she was down in Missouri last weekend. We also hope to paint our toenails a bright red tonight! I bought this bottle of polish for about 74 cents at Target and we'll see how redly it shines.
Speaking of shopping at Target, I shopped there, at TJ Maxx and Ross yesterday. I have a shopping bug. Of course, I end up taking 75% of it all back, but you know. I bought some cute dresses at Target for only $6.24 each. One is black with white dots all over, and the other is a plain black dress. Yes, it is Spring, but I love the fact that I can dress up black/white for any season. And for so inexpensive and cute, I couldn't pass them up. I also got some mineral makeup that I really like, a cute scarf, bundt pan, cutting board, and whole wheat bunny crackers for B. From TJ Maxx I got a sweet box that says "Count Your Blessings", bamboo board and drinking bottle for the gym. At Ross, I got some decorative containers, another scarf, and a video/DVD holder that I had bought at BBB when they were clearing out stuff...guess Ross got the rest of them in the end. Now I'll have matching ones. I have something against Ross though...a couple weeks ago (just before I left for FL), I gave them my card with store credit on it toward some purchases. After the lady checked me out, she gave me the receipt that said I had $1.60 still left on the card, then she looked at me and said "you no need card right?" and promptly tossed it. I assumed this meant I still had the receipt as a voucher for next time. Wrong. I tried to do so yesterday, and they said, "You need the card." I was upset. I know, only a $1.60, but that's still my money. I pushed it with the manager, too (don't you hate it when people do that when you're behind them in line?), but she reemphasized needing the card as well. And actually, the cashier I was checking out with was the gal who had thrown it away in the first place, which I tried to prick her memory about, but she lied and said something like, "I only work here for week." So, anyway that is my bone I have to pick with Ross. I love that store, but won't be shopping it again for a while.
Did any of you realize that next Monday is Memorial Day? Well, I didn't! I hadn't a clue until a student asked me if I would be having lessons. My husband doesn't usually ever take off those kind of "holidays", so nope we're not going anywhere. Besides, we both will have gotten back from vacations. I'll likely do something exciting like fill out IRS paperwork and scrub my bathroom :)
There is still an awful lot of today left and the weather is beautiful. So I'd better sign off and go take a walk or something. Cheerio!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
One of my favorite poems...
This is one of my absolute favorite poems...and though it's a bit behind for Mother's Day, every day is a mother's day, so thought I'd share anyhow~
THE GIRL I USED TO BE
She came tonight as I sat alone...
The girl I used to be.
And she gazed at me with her earnest eye
And questioned reproachfully:
Have you forgotten the many plans
And hopes I had for you?
The great career, the splendid fame,
all the wonderful things to do?
Where is the mansion of stately height
With all its gardens rare?
The silken robes that I dreamed for you
And the jewels in your hair?
And as she spoke, I was very sad
For I wanted her pleased with me...
This slender girl from the shadowy past
The girl that I used to be.
So gently rising, I took her hand
And guided her up the stairs
Where peacefully sleeping, my babies lay
Innocent, sweet, and fair.
And I told her that these are my only gems,
And precious they are to me;
That silken robes is my motherhood
Of costly simplicity.
And my mansion of stately height is love,
And the only career I know
Is serving each day in these sheltered walls
For the dear ones who come and go
And as I spoke to my shadowy guest,
She smiled through her tears at me.
And I saw the woman that I am now
Pleased... the girl I used to be.
~~ Author Unknown ~~
Monday, May 11, 2009
A Blessed Mama
Oh, golly. I haven't written here for a while! I have been back from Florida since Friday, but just haven't had the chance to sit for a nice, long post. I can't post up pictures yet because my computer's been revamped and I haven't had a chance to upload our Kodak Gallery software. So...pics will have to wait a while longer!
Anyway, I got back Friday night, late. Mom, Brian, Sean, Brilla and I all arrived on the same flight. That was one loooong airplane trip. At 3:45 am the next day, I took my mom and brothers back to the airport, yes, I said back to the airport, for a flight back across country to Oklahoma City for visiting more relatives. Crazy and hectic? Yep, that's my family for ya.
Fortunately, I got to crawl back in bed and sleep away. After waking, we three went out for breakfast at IHOP so I wouldn't have to cook my first day back from vacation :)
Sunday, of course, was Mother's Day! It was a real special day. Mike and Brilla got me some beautiful mums! They are now sitting outside soaking up the rain. We got a splendid nap in (all three of us!). We then met up with Mike's sister, mom and grandma at Azteca, a Mexican restaurant that's popular around here. Afterward, they all gathered at our house for some cake and ice cream. Mother's Day was a little of an emotional roller coaster for me (in part due to pms) but also due in part to the fact that I didn't have my second daughter, Amelia, with me. How I longed for her to be right alongside Brilla this year. I am comforted by the fact that we will all be together in heaven sooner than we think. God has a marvelous plan for our family. I just can't see that far ahead, but He can, and that is all I have to trust.
Mike is off at Malibu in Canada for a men's retreat. I'm so happy that he's getting away with a bunch of Christian guys for encouragement in his relationship with the Lord. Brilla and I are solo for a bit. We will have lots of fun drinking coffee and shopping! Woohoo! I don't have to cook big dinners since it's just the two of us and we'll get to do fun girly stuff like paint our toenails and eat Oreos (okay, that's not girly, but it's still fun!).
I had my biopsy today. I was shocked! See, I was nervous that the procedure would be painful. I do not like needles stuck inside of me in any shape or form. But to my surprise, it didn't hurt at all, the doctor was excellent at explaining everything and I was out of there in 30 minutes. Honestly, easier than going to the dentist! Praise God. The Lord is good, He answered my prayer for calm nerves :) Now I am just padding it with ice and bandage until the soreness and tenderness wear off. Again, there is more than likely no cancer; just a fibroid-something (no, I'm not medically savvy). This biopsy was standard procedure, and I hear the results next week.
I must tell you that I have never snuggled harder, kissed more, hugged tighter, loved greater my bright and beautiful Brilla than during these days. I am amazingly blessed to be her mama!! To be a mom is such a gift from God; I never want to take that for granted. In fact, even though she has an awful runny nose tonight, I tucked her in tight and let her smother me with her gooey, loving kisses. She is my sweet angel.
I hope that God bountifully blessed you this last Mother's Day, whether you are a mother yourself or celebrated your mother's special day!
Anyway, I got back Friday night, late. Mom, Brian, Sean, Brilla and I all arrived on the same flight. That was one loooong airplane trip. At 3:45 am the next day, I took my mom and brothers back to the airport, yes, I said back to the airport, for a flight back across country to Oklahoma City for visiting more relatives. Crazy and hectic? Yep, that's my family for ya.
Fortunately, I got to crawl back in bed and sleep away. After waking, we three went out for breakfast at IHOP so I wouldn't have to cook my first day back from vacation :)
Sunday, of course, was Mother's Day! It was a real special day. Mike and Brilla got me some beautiful mums! They are now sitting outside soaking up the rain. We got a splendid nap in (all three of us!). We then met up with Mike's sister, mom and grandma at Azteca, a Mexican restaurant that's popular around here. Afterward, they all gathered at our house for some cake and ice cream. Mother's Day was a little of an emotional roller coaster for me (in part due to pms) but also due in part to the fact that I didn't have my second daughter, Amelia, with me. How I longed for her to be right alongside Brilla this year. I am comforted by the fact that we will all be together in heaven sooner than we think. God has a marvelous plan for our family. I just can't see that far ahead, but He can, and that is all I have to trust.
Mike is off at Malibu in Canada for a men's retreat. I'm so happy that he's getting away with a bunch of Christian guys for encouragement in his relationship with the Lord. Brilla and I are solo for a bit. We will have lots of fun drinking coffee and shopping! Woohoo! I don't have to cook big dinners since it's just the two of us and we'll get to do fun girly stuff like paint our toenails and eat Oreos (okay, that's not girly, but it's still fun!).
I had my biopsy today. I was shocked! See, I was nervous that the procedure would be painful. I do not like needles stuck inside of me in any shape or form. But to my surprise, it didn't hurt at all, the doctor was excellent at explaining everything and I was out of there in 30 minutes. Honestly, easier than going to the dentist! Praise God. The Lord is good, He answered my prayer for calm nerves :) Now I am just padding it with ice and bandage until the soreness and tenderness wear off. Again, there is more than likely no cancer; just a fibroid-something (no, I'm not medically savvy). This biopsy was standard procedure, and I hear the results next week.
I must tell you that I have never snuggled harder, kissed more, hugged tighter, loved greater my bright and beautiful Brilla than during these days. I am amazingly blessed to be her mama!! To be a mom is such a gift from God; I never want to take that for granted. In fact, even though she has an awful runny nose tonight, I tucked her in tight and let her smother me with her gooey, loving kisses. She is my sweet angel.
I hope that God bountifully blessed you this last Mother's Day, whether you are a mother yourself or celebrated your mother's special day!
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