The Eve of 45

In 2 hours (okay I am rounding), I will be 45 years old.  Now if you talk to my mother, she will tell you I am not officially 45 until 6:45 p.m. on September 1st. 

Does 45 bother me? No, it doesn't. I'm ready for it.  I'm ready for the year to come to be all that God has planned for me, no matter what that may be. 

He has truly blessed me with an amazing husband and two incredible kids - people who I love but fail time and time again because I try to do things myself and not turn them or circumstances over to God.  What I long to do is be a better helper to my husband and mother to my kids this year. Perfect? Not by a long shot, but all that God intends me to be for them. 

I have some amazing friends - some old (times wise) and some new. God has given me some honest friendships where we are able to sharpen each other and for that I am incredibly thankful.

My family (Papp & Wessel) lives far away in miles and yet I know that they love and pray for me, Dave, Emily and Matt and for that I will always be grateful.  I'm thankful my parents had me (one of 4 in 5 years), thankful for my upbringing and how it has molded me to be the person I am today, thankful for the Wessel's for having Dave and that my dad and his dad had the crazy idea to introduce us which in turn will be 17 years of marriage October 6th.

I'm thankful to my God!  Someone I have "known" for a long time but am only really feeling like I am coming to know personally more and more each day. For His love, His grace, the salvation He has gifted me, the plans He has for me and will bring me through.  

I have to say that most years my wish list for the year to come include "me" motivated things, like looking the best I can for my age, being more committed to things I fall short on, being the best mom and wife I can be.  What I want for this year is to know what God wants for me, for my family and to act on it.  I want to be bold in my faith and show Christ to those around me so they can know Him too in an incredible personal relationship - not one that will keep struggles, pain and hardships away but that will allow God to be seen in the reactions and obedience that stands firm in the midst of the good and the bad.

Is my goal lofty? No, not if I give it over to God, the one who loves me.  Will I struggle? Yes, because I have that human nature.  But that is not an excuse, obedience is a choice and "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". 

What I ask for the year to come is prayer. Prayer to stay in communion with God and find blessing in the circumstances that He brings my way and to my family.  

45 I am ready!!  I think I've been saying I am 45 for the last 6 months so it isn't much of a change.  :)

An Incredible Treat

I'm still on vacation here at the lake with the kids. Dave was able to come back and spend the day with us on Wednesday.

He gifted me the most awesome day of 5 hours of reading in this big comfy chair that I turned to face the lake outside our window. 

On Tuesday, I had started this book "Lies Women Believe" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.  I was so glad to have the quiet to read this book as it really spoke to me.  

There are so many things I have gotten out of this book the biggest thing I took away, which I "knew" but has been made more clear to my heart, is that "It is not all about me, it is all about Him".  There are so many facets to this book that have touched my heart:  God is always good; my role as a wife is to be my husband's helper and the best way I can do that is through submission to his authority; my role as a woman is being a mother; I'm responsible for my behaviors, responses and choices (no blame shifting); garbage in, garbage out - I must guard my heart and mind; personal holiness is more important than temporal happiness; it is impossible to be godly without suffering and suffering is an essential tool in the hand of God to conform us to the image of His Son; God's plans and purposes far exceed the things that I have planned and He does give me enough time in the day to do what He has for me - I just need to "hear" His to do list and put my to do list aside. 

This is a book I will definitely keep going back.  It reveals the lies that Satan wants us to believe and shows the Truth God reveals through His Word.

I would recommend that every woman read this book.  What you take away from it will be personal to you but I would be shocked if you do not come away with a changed heart. I know I did!! 

A Year Ago Today - Irene

It is hard to believe that a year ago today we were dealing with the aftermath of Irene. When the storm came our way, our biggest concern was that the huge oak tree on the property behind our house stay upright. It did and thankfully has since then been removed. The start of school was delayed for the kids due to flooding inside their school. 

Now, we are hearing the reports of Isaac making landfall in the South. 

I'm reminded of the mighty hand of God.  How He is always in control and of all things.  God is mighty and worthy of all praise.  He holds all things in His hands. 

May His hand of protection be on those who are feeling the effects of this storm. 

My Day with the Kids

Majestic

Being on vacation alone with the kids is out of the "norm" for me but I'm determined to make it work. 

Yesterday, our first day alone, we spent the day playing outdoor games, going to the pool and lake after dinner. Today I promised them a "real" activity (something we usually do as a family or to be honest, Dave does with them).  The kids are obsessed with animals so we decided on a local animal park name "Claws N Paws". This place had so many cats.  The first animal we saw walking into the park was this lion perched on his rock.  He was beautiful and majestic.  The kids loved seeing all the animals. Emily's favorites were the chinchillas, Arctic fox and lion. Matt's favorite animal was "everything". 

This boy loves throwing rocks

We came back after the park to eat lunch and relax with the intention of heading to the indoor pool before it closed at 5.  Instead, we headed to dinner at 5 and the kids decided they wanted to go back down to the lake to throw in rocks, not the outdoor pool. Tonight, we were a little smarter and brought bathing suits in case anyone got a little wet (yesterday Matt sat in the water by "mistake"). Matt was busy moving rocks looking for secret passages in the water. I don't know where these passages would lead and he wasn't giving any information.  

My favorite part was taking pics of the lake and the sunset. Being on the lake and seeing the amazing sunset just makes you feel hugged by God.  It was beautiful.

My beauty

A Full Day

Yesterday was a day full of activity. 

We started the morning at the outdoor pool. Dave got to play some pool volleyball with the kids. The water was a little on the cool side so the kids only lasted about an hour but I was able to read that whole time. Woohoo!! 

Once they finished with the pool, Dave and the kids headed into the recreation center to do a few video games and ping pong. Me? I got to sit by the pool and continue reading my book.  

After taking a walk by the lake, we headed back to our place for lunch and a little nap (okay, only I fell asleep) before we headed back out again.  This time to the beach. 

The kids love any beach!  Once again, they spent most of the time digging and building in the sand. Me? I  was still reading my book. Dave was wonderful and headed off to get me an incredible cup of coffee as my energy was dwindling.  While sitting at a picnic table near the beach (watching the kids & reading), a woman came and with me.  We ended up having an amazing conversation and I was able to share with her my faith in Jesus Christ.  

The evening ended having dinner at a restaurant on their outdoor patio overlooking the lake.

Sadly, Dave had to head back to work this morning, so the kids and I are on our own.  Should be interesting!