Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Just Keep Going

What do you do when something you have been believing for hasn't happened or seems to end in disappointment?

Just keep going. Life goes on. Baby steps.

We must remember: His Grace IS Sufficient. When things don't go they way you want or expect, don't forget God is the author of our story, and tests our motives. His Grace is sufficient. 2 Corinthians 12:9. We need to believe that not only will we make it, but when we are in God's Will we will not only survive in it, but thrive.

Another thing that has been swirling around in my head is something Pastor Mark Batterson says all the time: "Don't put a period where God puts a comma, and don't put a comma where God puts a period."

Just keep going.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Being Intentional

There are so many thing we need to be intentional on, our relationship with God, being a good friend, keeping marriage lively, raising non-mediocre kids, and the list goes on...

One area that has been on my heart a lot recently is being intentional to have a Christ- Centered Family. We can not just say we have a Christian home because we go to church, and Ross and I happen to be pastors. I went to the Focus on the Family Parenting Conference a few months ago, where I realized we need to be more intentional in changing the culture in our homes for Christ, not just outside our homes, hoping that rubs off on the kids.

We as parents have to take responsibility to change in the home and spiritually develop our kids, not just hope that they get it from an average of under 30 hrs a year in Sunday school or going to youth group. Mom's and Dad's are 2-3x's more influential than church programs. (which on a ministry side note, makes me realize we need to be spending more time, energy and resources in equipping parents to be able to have faith in the home) Deut. 6:1-20 really addresses our role as parents.

To being changing the culture in your home we need to know, you can't pass something on to your kids, that you don't have yourself. 61% of Churched teens don't got to church after 20- the #1 reason: Hypocracy. Do you live what you say you believe behind closed doors?

We are trying to start a new tradition as a family, we call it: Sunday Night Lights (well, I call it that, Ross just laughs) :) We try, at least 1x a month to do a small group bible study as a family. Originally the goal was to do it every week, but that was near impossible to be consistent because of schedules and random things popping up, so we have resolved to 1x a month. Glad to say we're on month 3, and it seems to be going good & the boys get excited about it! This isn't the only way we are trying to do to place Christ at the center of our home, but one of many. Another thing we do every night is read a bible story with the kids. FYI: So far my 2 fav. kids bibles are This One and This One. :)

Here are some things we've done so far:
Ross and I rotate leading each time. The elements we try to have each time are Worship, Bible Story, Illustration, Scripture Memory, Prayer. We keep it simple.

The 1st Sunday Night Lights we Read and Reenacted the story about David and Goliath. It was hilarious how into it the boys got with their swords, pretend sling shots and knocking daddy-Goliath down! They learned: God always wins his battles!

2nd we read about Elijah and the prophets of Baal. We actually went outside and had 2 clay flower pots, put paper in them, got one wet and left one dry. We showed how God lit Elijah's sacrifice on fire, but the prophets couldn't get their god to do it. They LOVED the fire, lol. They learned: God is most powerful!

3rd we read Jonah, I put a big blanket on me, and when Jonah was thrown out of the boat during the reading, I "swam" up to the boys and swallowed them in the blanket, they had to say "sorry for running away" to get out. Needless to say, it was a hit. :) They learned: Never run away from God, and Obey God.

I, as a parent, need as much help as I can get, and want to share what I'm trying out. I would love to hear your ideas too!

Monday, April 05, 2010

Bedtime Battles

We are into a new phase in our house... we affectionately have deemed it "bedtime battles". The boys are GREAT sleepers, I am so thankful for that... but actually getting them to sleep is getting harder and harder, this is new for us.

I would love any advice... here is what happens:

We have a consistent routine, starting at 7 or 7:30 we bathe, brush teeth, get p.j.'s on, pick out a book and a bible story to read, pray and sing a few songs together. That generally goes smoothly. Then the lights go out, and the battles begin...

Aiden is having the hardest time. Eli is usually pretty calm and quiet, unless Aiden tells him to do something naughty. We have 2 simple rules- 1. stay in bed. 2. be quiet. I don't mind if they talk, laugh or sing (as long as it's quietly), but lately they (Aiden) are breaking the 2 simple rules over and over and over and over...

We are super consistent about the rules and disciplining when they aren't followed, but Aiden is king of stalling and both of them are oh so stubborn! Yelling for bathroom, water, kisses, hugs, blanket put just right, or certain stuffed animals. I am trying my hardest to be strong, but I would love any suggestions if you have gone though this battle! I feel like I am forced to get my "angry eyes" on every night, and it is making me sad. I don't want them going to sleep with me having to be so hard on them!

What to do.

Friday, April 02, 2010

Where God gives the Vision, He gives the ProVision

That is a saying our pastor at NCC, Mark Batterson, says all the time, and more and more I see how true it is.

Ross and I have been living on financial support from many partners (from individuals and a few churches) for the past 7 years. It's been amazing how God has provided every pay check, and above.

I just wanted to testify on one of the many levels to His Goodness on this Good Friday. In marriage, it is so important to keep a consistent date night, for many reasons. I am so incredibly thankful that where God has given us a vision to keep consistent date nights in our marriage, he has amazed us with his Provision.

We joke that we are the King/Queen of the hook up... and I don't say it to brag on us, but on God! These hook ups aren't shabby, from vacations to restaurants. I am extremely thankful. It almost seems silly or trivial to think the Almighty God would care about a simple date night, but He does!

Our budget is beyond "tight" right now... and there is no way we would be able to keep our date nights (which more and more I see how crucial they are!) without God providing in special ways. I am blown away week to week to see the way He is providing. It sounds funny, but I can't remember the last time Ross and I have had to pay out of pocket for a date! We have been blessed in creative ways and with gift cards, and babysitting since we have had kids! I'm not kidding, even thinking back it blows my mind.

All this to say... build your faith! If you have a vision for consistent date nights, pray and believe God and have faith to ask him to provide. He won't let you down!

A quick (but not exhaustive) thank you list:
Joel
Elizabeth
Grace
Mom & Dad
Jim & Martha
Anonymous NCCers
Stephanie
Shelby
and the list goes on...

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Miami Fall 2010!!

Here is why we are moving to Miami... and how YOU can play a part!


Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Not dead but Asleep

I was reading Mark 5: 21-43 today and the reality of this passage lights me up.

So the man's daughter is going to die, and he wants Jesus to go touch her. Jesus starts going in that direction, but gets "side tracked" by mobs of people needing/wanting him, and he stops to spend time "healing another with His touch" (the lady with the issue of blood). So the man gets upset that it's too late now, and his daughter has died. Jesus ignores what they say, goes and raises her from the dead.

Here are some points to consider:
1- Jesus demonstrated a healing through touch (just what the man wanted Him to do for his daughter), but that still didn't sink in to him- to have faith, like the woman w/ blood.
2- God's timing and order are perfect, and have a purpose.
3- God is God and we are not. We may grumble and complain that our prayers aren't answered the way we think or as fast as we think they should be, but there is a reason.
4- It just takes one word, one touch, one thought from Jesus and it's done.

So... do you have a prayer or a dream that you have asked God to come touch?
  • Maybe God has to do a few other miracles first on the way to fulfilling your dream.
  • Maybe God is building Hope and Trust in you, even when the dream looks dead.
  • Maybe God is wanting to demonstrate His greater power in your situation, rather than answer your prayer the easy way like you expect.
  • Maybe God wants to see if your Hope is in Him, more than in the dream you seek.
  • Maybe God wants to build your faith first by doing something else that looks to you like He's gettting side tracked. We need to think bigger picture!

"Don't be afraid. Just Believe"- Mark 5:36

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Thoughts by Martin Luther

I was reading some great quotes by Martin Luther, and thought I would share some powerful ones:

Pray, and let God worry.

If I am not allowed to laugh in heaven, I don't want to go there.

Every man must do two things alone; he must do his own believing and his own dying.

Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.

Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God.

There are so many other great quotes, I recommend you check out some of his writings!

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

So True.

Saw this quote in an article this week and it has stuck with me. I'm reading through the Bible in one year with NCC right now and it truly is coming to life for me!

When asked if he accepted the historical existence of Jesus, the famous scientist, Albert Einstein, once told George Sylvester Viereck in a 1929 interview: "Unquestionably. No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life. How different, for instance, is the impression which we receive from an account of legendary heroes of antiquity like Theseus. Theseus and other heroes of his type lack the authentic vitality of Jesus."

Friday, February 19, 2010

They Never Cease to Amaze Me

It's hard not to compare my boys to each other. It's amazing to me how the DNA passed and they are so different. Aiden's personality is a lot like mine, and Eli's like Ross. Yet they share some, go figure.

I try not to compare them too much, because they ARE so different. Aiden was running by 10 months old and could read the whole alphabet by 18 mo, Eli didn't even try to walk until 17 months and is 26 months old now and still hasn't done the whole alphabet. haha. Aiden is mr. social, and just the other day on our walk home from school, passing the Capitol and all the "important Hill staffers" and he waved to EVERY person and said "Good Afternoon!". (that was a fun social experiment!). Where Eli is a little timid when he firsts meets people and it takes a minute for him to warm up (then he's about just as social).

So the other day we were at church and I was trying to pass the time while waiting for Ross to finish talking. It's always a battle to keep the boys content, so I asked them to start counting the chairs. Eli just started right up! From the kid who has only counted to 3 ONE TIME before, he, just plain as day, counted perfectly and loudly 1 all the way through to 10!!! I didn't even know he had it in him!!!

Now I don't feel as guilty that I haven't had as much 1 on 1 time with him teaching him (being the 2nd child) stuff like that as I did with Aiden, he has somehow absorbed it without me even trying! Phew! :)

Saturday, February 06, 2010

Never Thought I'd Admit....

...that I miss Florida Weather. There. I said it. :) I grew up in Florida pretty much my whole life. I always thought I'd want to live more up North where I could have all 4 seasons. After being gone for 5 months now, it's true, I miss it!

Don't get me wrong, it is really pretty seeing the leaves change, and to get to play in snow. That is really fun. But the cold is just relentless! I have been used to N. Florida for the past 10 years and it getting pretty cold, then the next day up in the 70's. :) I loved wearing jackets and everything, but now after having to wear jackets and gloves and hats every day since October, I'm over it. lol.

I cannot wait for Spring! I Never thought I'd admit it, but I'm a Florida Girl. I am getting the most out of my time here in DC while I can, and enjoying the almost 30" of snow we got today... but I am now honestly really excited to move back to Florida in the Fall!

Saturday, January 23, 2010

The Way to My Little Man's Heart

The cutest thing happened today. Eli was taking a sweet long nap this afternoon. I had to wake him up to get to Sat. night church. Aiden and I were both sweetly trying to wake him up and he was sleeping so hard. He started getting mad and kicking.

Then Aiden walked in with a bag of popcorn.

Without Eli even opening his eyes he softly says "popcorn?" and got a little grin (eyes still closed) and slowly started sitting up. My Little Man has a good sniffer! I can't believe that made him get up so happily and that he knew the smell so good!

Friday, January 22, 2010

Using some Johnny Maxwell in the Family :)

Something we are working on in our household lately is a simple little concept known as Self-Control. I am so convicted lately because I realize that "everything rises and falls on leadership" as John Maxwell says, and that doesn't just apply to the workplace, it completely relates to family life. How I go, is how the family tends to go.

If I want my kids to show self-control, I HAVE to show it first.
This doesn't sound that a "light bulb" moment, but it is in my head. Every time I start to feel my blood pressure start to rise when the boys are getting wild, the first question that pops in my head now is "what am I doing?". It can spin out of control FAST if I don't take that second to pause and collect myself and assess.

Some tips I've heard that seem to help us with a 2 & 4 yr old are:
1. Get your kid to say the word. example: if they are being impatient and want something, make them stop and say the word "patient" and go over the definition. By the time they repeat it, it usually gets them to calm down enough that you can "talk". If it gets ugly from there, you know discipline must ensue. :) This works when trying to get them to learn any of the fruits of the Spirit.
2. The calmer you are, the quicker you see a change in their attitude. I am definitely working on. I get easily revved up, and I learned this lesson from watching the few episodes of the Duggar family with 18 kids, that mom is amazing how calm she stays in chaos.
3. Take a time out. As much as the kids may need it, I do too. :) If I don't take a few minutes to recollect myself, it's not pretty. This also goes for "time off". I don't like using that term, but it's the best way I can describe it. Taking a few hours, have someone stay with the kids (usually my hubby in my case) and decompress. My goal is to try to do that once a week.

So I in no way have it all figured out, and would love ANY tips you may have for teaching self-control and patience. This is a work in progress. :)

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Kid Friendly Big Cities?




We got to travel up to NYC the 1st week of January to visit my sister in law and her hubby. We had a great time, but I discovered 1 thing, NYC is not kid friendly. I love visiting the Big Apple. This was our first trip with the boys. We had a great time. The 2 famous huge toy stores were the big hit for sure. NYC does have some great things to offer for little kids, Central Park, Times Square Toys R Us, FAO Schwartz, and a few others.... but the NYC Subway system is NOT, I repeat NOT kid friendly. I think I have gotten spoiled in DC with their Metro system & free events/museums.
#1 We don't have a rat problem here,
#2 we have elevators at every Metro stop, and escalators too,
#3 you have to pay for just about everything.
The entire time we were in NYC we didn't see 1 elevator or escalator for the stroller. Luckily we just brought our small umbrella one and we had extra hands, because we would have been out of luck if we had the double stroller.

So note to self, if you feel the itch to go to a big city with little kids, I recommend Washington, DC... so many free great places to go with kids, and a friendly Metro for sure! If you live in NYC- God Bless you if you have children, I don't know HOW you do it. :) Don't worry I still {heart} NYC!




Friday, January 08, 2010

Monthly Ministry Newsletters

If you are interested in reading our monthly ministry newsletters or signing up to be on the email list for them, let me know. Here is a link to check it out!

Middleton Monthly Ministry Newsletter

Thursday, January 07, 2010

Peer Pressure Paying Off?

There is good peer pressure, that pushes you to do the right thing, then there is bad peer pressure.... i'm sure we all know about that one.

Tonight we moved Eli into a big boy bed for the 1st time! I am optimistic that this will go well from the looks of it tonight. After thinking about it, I honestly think it's because of good peer pressure! Aiden and Eli share a room, and Eli has been asking and asking to sleep in a big bed for weeks now. He started climbing out of his crib, so we had to make the decision. We didn't have such luck when Aiden made this transition... that was a battle. But I really think that since Eli has Aiden there (to tell on him) and to show by example Eli should do better.

Maybe it's a theory, we'll have to see how it goes. :) I can't believe how fast they grow up!!