This will hurt me more than you...

Galatians 6:9

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."  NIV

"And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint."

AMP

This is the verse on my heart tonight.  

Parents know how much love we feel for our children...my mind is blown to think no matter how much I love my girls, God loves us more.  Jesus - perfect in all ways - had to endure punishment you and I will never, ever know.  God had to watch his son suffer...he could have intervened.  He could have stopped it all.  God, being the perfect parent, knew that through the suffering, great things would happen. 

I have to remember Galatians 6:9 when I see Karsyn's alligator tears.  I have to stay strong and not become weary when it comes to disciplining both of our girls.  It truly is easier to look the other way and not address the issues, but in the end, the girls will suffer.  I know that in the proper time, Ryan and I will see the the rich harvest in our girls...we just can't give up.


 

You can't be happy and complain at the same time....

This morning (and every morning) I am thankful for...

Jesus.  Forgiveness.  His promises.  Waking up.  Ryan.  Karsyn.  Rilyn.  Libby.  Mom.  Dad.  Jenny.  Rita.  Tom.  Kara and her family.  Papaw.  Memaw and Frank.  Granny and Grampa. My extended family - every single aunt, uncle, cousin, and great aunts/uncles. Friends who are more like family.  Neighbors.  Co-workers.  St. Andrew's Episcopal Church.  Health.  Home.  Family dinner around the table.  Daily devotionals.  My job.  Vehicles.  Air conditioning.  First Friends Day School.  Summer vacation.  Air 1 radio.  You Version Bible App.  SLC.  RBC.  Video games.  Sparkly nail polish.  Bird feeders.  Squirrels.  Trees.  Rain.  Sunshine.  Books.  Sunflowers.  Parks.  Clean water to drink.  Zoo membership.  Children's Museum.  Shoes.   Guitars.  Internet.  Holding hands.  Music.  Swimming pools.  Tropical vacations.  Relaxed staycations.  Snocones.  Quirks.  Electricity.  KSBJ.  NGen.  Cough drop pep talks.  Smart phones.  Porches.  Rivers.  Nature.  Opportunities to serve others.  Keeping in touch.  Quiet time.  Noisy time.  Arguments and resolutions.  Smiles.  Laughs.  Tears.  Hugs.  Kisses.  The hundred wondrous things my children do each day.  Cuddles on the couch.  Indoor plumbing...

Rilyn is awake or I'd keep going.  Count your blessings today and see how happy you feel!

War of Words

God's power is limitless.

My words matter.  What I say about my husband, children, finances, job, health...my words matter.

I have been working on my words for a while.  I realize my words have been putting limits on an unlimited God.

I am taking this time to remind myself to speak God's word over all aspects of my life or remain silent.

I am so thankful for www.prevailingfaith.org and the online sermons.

I know God has great things in store for us.  I know that he is my rock and my strength.   I know he is our provider and wants us to prosper.  I am so thankful.

Freedom to reflect

Independence Day is a great time for me to reflect.  Half of 2013 has come and gone and I feel confident that the second half of this year is going to be full of God's blessings.

I won't dwell too much on the past, but I am going to consider where my family has been and where we (God willing) are headed.  Those close to us know that this past year or so could put even the best Six Flags rides to shame.  Highs, lows, twists, turns, loops, spins...enough to make us and those around us dizzy.

Maintaining a healthy, happy marriage is a struggle.  Period.  Mix in two kids, wacky family dynamics, jobs, etc. and there's a recipe for all sorts of drama.

Reflections:

*God has to be my focus.  Always.  As long as He is my center, all things, good or bad will be fine.


*Ryan and I thought we were ready to be married.  Turns out, we are two selfish individuals.  One year and 5 months later, we realize our selfishness and resolve to turn that into selflessness.  Marriage works best when husbands and wives put their personal wants and needs behind those of their spouse.  Not easy.  Necessary.


*Boundaries have to be defined, respected, enforced.  Those who fail to honor the boundaries must accept the outcome.  I struggle with this.  Setting limits and boundaries, especially concerning loved ones can be tricky.  I do not like hurting people's feelings...and that seems to be the result when I'm put in a situation to enforce a crossed over boundary.


*Parenting has no rule book.  Ryan and I may not always agree on how to handle a parenting situation, but we must always back each other.  Too much fun or discipline is harmful.  The thing I find myself thinking about is the fact that one day, Karsyn and Rilyn will grow up, move out and have families of their own.  When that day comes, I want Ryan and I to be in love, happy and content.  I do not want to be like most empty nest couples who realize they don't even really know who they're married to anymore because the kids came first and not their marriage.

Looking forward....

God has been working hard in our family. Relationships have been renewed and restored.  Selfishness is slowly turning into selflessness.  We aren't perfect and we are okay with that.  Thank you to all those who have prayed for us...prayers do work!

I feel as though we are truly happy.  We are facing adversity as a team.  We are finding new ways to spend time together as a couple and as a family.  Praise God!

Ryan and I are excited to see where God leads us next.

Until next time, take care.

Kim

Green beans and carrots

My little Rilyn is five months old and such a treasure.  She's eating green beans, carrots and cereal.  Not sure what we'll add to the menu next.  She is rolling over, sitting up without much help and talks up a storm.

As challenging as two girls can be, I cannot imagine my life without them.  Karsyn is an amazing big sister.  She helps with what she can - fetching things, putting things away, holding baby's hand while she cries, making baby laugh.  I am so incredibly blessed.

Outside circumstances try to steal our joy and happiness, but when I look at these girls - no matter what is happening around us, I know God is bigger than any situation Ryan and I face.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"

I am clinging to that verse.  I repeat it in my mind, heart, and aloud.  I am claiming God's promise for my family.  I don't know how things will work out - I just know they will.

Faith, like patience cannot develop unless it is tested.  We are relying on you Lord.  See us through.

I hope all of you are well and have the happiest holidays.

The Power of Words

 Prevailing Faith  > Streaming Sermons > Recently Added Streams > Faith The Word System part 1 and 2

I must say, God surely works in amazing ways.  I have visited Prevailing Faith Church twice and both times my heart is just full.  

The sermons I listed above are lengthy, but worth every second of your time.  I know my heart has changed because of the message.  

I will learn to "pause my mouth," and remember that my words have power over my life.

"There is nothing so chaotic in your life that the spoken word of God in faith cannot bring light out of the darkness and put things back in the right place." 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Our little family is doing well.  Rilyn will be 5 months old on the 21st.  At her last doctor's appointment, she weighed in at a whopping 15.2 lbs!  She's rolling over, drooling, and cooing like crazy.

Karsyn is officially 3 1/2 years old.  She LOVES to remind me that she's going to be four soon.  Of course, I'm happy to watch her grow and learn, but it stings just a bit to think about how quickly she has grown.

Ryan and I are doing well.  Some of you know, Ryan has been suffering from migraines/general pain for several years now.  Thanks to God and good doctors, we see a light at the end of this tunnel.  Ryan will have surgery December 6 to help clear up a majority of the pain he feels in his sinuses.  After this surgery, we will re-evaluate the other symptoms and decide where to go from there.

Enjoy the sermons.  I pray you will find time to listen to them...I'm listening as I type...turns out, I'd rather listen than blog.  =)

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Parenting - the most rewarding, frustrating, thankless, rewarding job ever.  There is no greater satisfaction than holding those little miracles and knowing God has trusted us to raise them.  Ryan and I are both determined to raise our girls in a manner pleasing to Him.

Karsyn - the most beautiful, kind-hearted, intelligent, creative, happiest little girl I've ever known has been testing boundaries in ways I never could imagine.  The challenge:  how to properly discipline a 3 year old for lying, stealing, and disobedience? 

I'm posting this in hopes some of you experienced parents could lend some advice.  

Once we discovered she stole from a store, we took her back to the store where she returned the merchandise and apologized to the manager.  We have also taken away her TV/Movie privileges for a week.

In response to her lying, we have taken away some of her toys.

Time out doesn't seem to work.  Spankings don't work (we gave up on that a loooong time ago).

Of course with every offense, we discuss the situation, explain why it's wrong, brainstorm ways we can do the right thing, and exchange hugs and kisses along with reassurance that we love her, she's a good person, we just don't like her behavior....

Feel free to chime in.

Kim and Ryan