Set apart for a great purpose

I have known from the very beginning that God had great plans for our Annika Grace.  The moment I received the news that she might have a genetic disorder (ok, it may have taken me a couple of moments to wrap my brain around everything) I knew God had a reason for placing her in our lives and I could not even imagine what was in store for all of us.  As we started to plan for Cri du Chat awareness week I have been blown away by the love and compassion we have seen from our friend, family and community.  

We started with Annika Hatch day at the baseball game last week.  The night before I felt and overwhelming anxiety in my chest and I prepared to put my tiny, 15 pound little girl out there in front of everyone and I was just not sure I could handle it.  Luckily God has surrounded me with people who constantly remind me to turn my eyes to Jesus in all circumstances.  So, as soon as I called my sister and started to freak out she stopped me and said, "Let's pray."  Right then and there she prayed for all that would hear about Annika and the plans that God had for her and I remember that it was not about me.  He is greater than all my fears.  The ball game was fantastic and we brought awareness to the rare disorder.  

Gayle and John on Annika Hatch Day

Madelynn and Chris at the baseball game

I have LOVED seeing the pictures of everyone in their Team Annika shirts.  When we first got them Madelynn wanted to wear it everyday.  Again, I am touched by the amazing love that has been shown to us.  My sister and Beau created these shirts to show their love and support for the niece they love so much and it gives me great pride to wear my shirt around and have people ask me about it.  I can't wait to get all the pictures of people in their shirts and make a book to show Annika all the lives she has touched and how loved she is.  Many people wanted the money from shirts to go toward Annika and because of this we were able to pay for her entire hospital stay (at least the bills we have received so far) in full.  Again, I am so grateful and humbled buy the love people have shown us.

On Sunday May 3rd we had a walk here in Bloomfield to raise awareness for Cri du Chat and we had such a great turn out.  It took my family a bit to get started and as we rounded the corner and began walking up the street and I saw all of our friends and family there to show their support I just felt my heart fill with love and thought, "This is just one of the small ways God is using Annika's life."  I can't even imagine what is to come.  My absolute favorite part of the day was sitting around on the grass at the fire station with all of our friends and just enjoying life.  God used her tiny life to remind us the importance of friends and the importance of slowing down and taking time for each other.  I can't even say thank you enough for all people have done for us.  My heart is full.

The love of a daddy and his little girl

Sitting around and having fun

Big Sister Madelynn having fun

Nothing like a good Popsicle after a walk

The Bloomfield, NM 5k for 5p- Group

Thank you Lord for crying kids..

Thank you Lord for crying kids, even in the middle of the night, because it means I have kids.  There are many out there who would love to be in my shoes.  Thank you that I have kids who need me because one day they won't, as much.  Thank you for reminding me of all my blessings, even though they can make life messy and crazy and sad and busy, they make my life LIFE!  And I am so very blessed.  Thank you for reminding me Lord of all you have given me.  Kids to take care of, a husband to love, good food to eat so there are dishes to wash, nice clothes to wear that I now have to fold, and so many other amazing blessings.  Thank you Lord for these reminders of all my blessings even though I am tired at times.  That is all for today :)


Okay, as I am writing this post I am remembering a song I used to play on the piano, Thank God for Kids by the Oak Ridge Boys.  I loved this song as a kid, but now that I am a parent it has even more meaning.  The lyrics are below.  All those things we as parents complain about and dread go along with all those wonderful things that make life exciting when you have a child (or a child that is part of your life).  Read through the words and thank God for all those little things in your life.

"Thank God For Kids"

If it weren't for kids have you ever thought
There wouldn't be no Santa Claus
Or look what the stork just brought
Thank God for kids.

We'd all live in a quiet house
Without Big Bird or a Mickey Mouse
And Kool Aid on the couch
Thank God for kids.

Thank God for kids, there's magic for a while
A special kind of sunshine in a smile.
Do you ever stop to think or wonder why
The nearest thing to heaven is a child?

Daddy, how does this thing fly?
And a hundred other wheres and whys
I really don't know but I try
Thank God for kids.

When I look down in those trusting eyes
That look to me I realize
There's love that I can't buy
Thank God for kids.

Thank God for kids, there's magic for a while
A special kind of sunshine in a smile.
Do you ever stop to think or wonder why
The nearest thing to heaven is a child?

When you get down on your knees tonight
And thank the Lord for His guiding light
Pray they turn out right.
Thank God for kids.
Mmm, Thank God for kids.

Never let up...

"So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members." Romans 7:21-23

Sometimes, ok most of the time, it feels like I can never let up. Just when I think I can relax and maybe not be as diligent about my prayer time or reading my Bible or just keeping God's plan for me in the front of my mind; BAM! Satan creeps right in. Just when I think, "I know this stuff, I know what God wants for me and I am on the right path"



WHAMMY!

There it is, spiritual warfare at it finest. It seems small at first. Maybe I am annoyed with my husband and then I have a bad attitude towards him. Or I let my students get to me and then I am rude to other students. Or I just let Satan into my thoughts and I am very negative and judgemental.

"And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light" 1 Corinthians 11:14

Whatever form it takes, I know it is Satan trying to get to me because he knows I let my guard down. Satan is the Prince of this world; he rules it. I know this and yet I let him get the best of me at times. It just seems like I am always fighting always having to move forward. As soon as I let up; whether it be in my prayer time, working out, laundry, getting packed for the next day....or a litany of things. As soon as I think I am "ahead" then something happens.

How do I avoid this? How do I stay on top? Oh that's right, don't rely on my own strength, remember that I can't do it on my own, and as Pastor Bob says, "Die to self everyday. Everyday He must increase and I must decrease." And this will be a fight/battle/war everyday until the day Jesus comes again. So I guess I just needs to succumb to that fact and trust God.

"Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

Me? June Cleaver?...I think not

When I picture June Cleaver I see a beautiful woman in her apron tiding an already tidy house, preparing dinner at 5:30, pressing the clothes, checking on the kids and their homework, and awaiting the arrival of her husband and I think, "Where in the heck is Ward to help her?"
I have often found myself griping or merely stating that if Bruce had to coordinate this house he wouldn't even know where to start. I tell him when the baby needs to eat, when there are appointments, what the plans are for next weekend and who's taking Madelynn during practice. The list goes on and at times I begrudge him the he just gets to ease through his day and just do the things he is told. Why doesn't he have to worry about what's for dinner and who can watch the baby so I can go to Zumba and have an hour to myself. We both work (and I love my job so I don't see myself staying at home anytime soon - not feeling that calling) and I think running the house should be a shared job.
Well, I had a bit of an eye opener the other day. Proverbs 31:27 (good old Proverbs 31 Woman to set me straight with my duties as a wife) says "She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." I read more that a home is to be built with wisdom and realized that it is my job, from God, to take care of these things. Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord not men." I don't have to be "June Cleaver", but I do have to have a heart to serve the Lord at what He has called me to do, even if I work during the day.
So I realized that building a home does start with me and God has called me to this place in life. Not that Bruce is not to help me - and he does - but I can't complain as I am watching over the affairs; it is my job and I need to have a joyful heart about it. So, June Cleaver - look out!