DEEP WATER

I know I have touched on the subject of “wildernesses” before, and I think this goes right along with that, but it is just a little different perspective that I want to share with you.

I have a book that I write down all the ideas I have to write about on this blog. The sentence I wrote down to remind me to write about this says this:

The bigger your “deep water” the more opportunity you have to see God’s miracles.

I love that sentence. Especially when I am dealing with a stubborn kid. I go back a lot to this example, but it has been the biggest challenge for me in teaching my daughter something. It seems that she excelled at everything but this (not anymore!!). Potty training. Just typing those words makes my heart race. It took exactly 1 year for my daughter to get this and I have to be honest when I say that this was not a pretty year for my parenting skills...haha. The patience I had was slim to none. Looking back over the last year I have to say that it was a “deep water” moment for me. I truly thought that she would be 4 before she was potty trained. I thought we would be buying the biggest size diapers for years to come. I honestly believed that. I couldn’t understand why she didn’t get it. I thought I was a failure as a mother in that area of her life. I thought I did something completely wrong in teaching her.

But, a miracle happened and I saw it. I was shocked by it. I cried the day that she told me she wanted to wear panties again. I told her no. She asked me again the next day, I cried and put her in panties. In ONE week, I saw the most drastic change I never thought I would witness and yes, I am saying it was a miracle.

I know you are probably reading this saying “silly Bobbi, she just wasn’t ready when you tried before.” I am sure that was the case, but when I was in that moment, I didn’t think that way at all.

There are so many other “deep water” examples I could give you. I did just a quick google search. I searched “miracles of God.” Here are the first 5 in the search results:

1. Jesus lived among us
2. God’s tiny miracles - little babies
3. A man with 100% heart blockage who survived numerous heart attacks
4. Miracles! The miracles described in the Bible happen today.
5. The awesome power of God

I have hear "deep water" stories that deal with people having cancer and seeing God's miracles through their healing. Infertility stories that showed God's miracles. It is incredible the way God shows himself to us while we are facing our rock bottom. I am not saying that I want to be at rock bottom, but I love seeing God work in my life.

I just try to remember that in my struggles with being wife, mommy and Bobbi I will (and do!) see God’s miracles.

WOW GOD WEDNESDAY

Obviously I am a little late posting today's post. Truthfully, I was just putting it off because I didn't know what to type. I haven't really felt God wow me this past week. There have been a lot of good things happen in the last week and a lot of things that I am thankful for, but I just haven't been wowed.

However, just an hour a go a friend posted on facebook about the struggles that she was having with her baby girl and nap time. She said she was listening to her daughter "scream like she was being tortured" while trying to go down for a nap. It made me giggle a bit, but in all actuality it gave me a bit of relief because I, too, was listening to one of my daughters cry her heart out because she wanted mommy to hold her instead of take a nap. When I listen to my daughter cry like that at naptime I feel like I am the only one who is dealing with this (even at 18 months). So, it was so comforting to me to know at that point in time someone else was too struggling with it.

God has pretty good timing huh?

How has God wowed you today? Please share!

MOOCHER

We just finished up a Bible study at my church and it really was a great study. This woman told a story about how they moved into this amazing new house, but the only downside of this new house is that they couldn’t get high speed internet. So, after a few days she met a neighbor and that neighbors house was positioned in the right spot to be able to get high speed internet. Eventually this woman would go over to her neighbors house with a cup of coffee and “mooch” wireless high speed internet from her neighbor.

In the Bible study this woman teaching it relates that story to having friends that have a strong faith that you can go over and mooch that faith off of. I think that is a fantastic point and I touched on that a bit when I talked about being a good influencer and being surrounded by others that want to be good influencers. There is NO harm in mooching a little faith off your friends when you need some! But for today I am going to take this a different direction and relate it to us mothers.

I know that I need friends that I can mooch off of. I need mommy friends that have more patience than me and less patience than me. I need mommy friends that have been through things that are more difficult than what I have been through. I need mommy friends that are very optimistic. I need to be able to mooch of these mommy friends in my time of need because I know that I can't be a mommy all by myself. What is that saying? It take a village to raise a child. I truly believe that. I need to be able to mooch off the knowledge and love and patience of other mommy friends.

Mooching is a good thing in this instance and I would be honored for any of you to mooch off of me! :)

INFLUENCER

What kind of influencer are you? Have you ever thought about that? As a mother I think it is very important to think about that simple question because the type of influencer you are determines what your kids experience on a daily basis.

To be completely honest I cannot tell you what type of influencer I am. I want to be a good one, that’s for sure. I TRY my hardest to be a good one.

When I think about how I can be a good influence to my children, my mind tends to wonder to THE influencer. I try to think about what kind of mother God wants me to be. But how do I be successful in being a good influence to my kids and others?

One thing stood out to me when I was thinking and reading about this: Surround yourself with other good influencers. Here are a few scriptures to share with you:

A wise man is strong, yes, a man of knowledge increases strength; for by wise counsel you will wage your own war, and in a multitude of counselors there is safety.” (Proverbs 24:5)

“Every purpose is established by counsel; by wise counsel wage war.” (Proverbs 20:18)

“Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.” (Proverbs 15:22)

I have to say that I have found when I surround myself with others that are (as my church says) loving God, loving others and loving life, I too find myself loving God, loving others and loving life.

It is incredible how easily influenced we all are. I know I want to be the one that influences in the best way I know how!

EVERYBODY TALKS AT ONCE

Okay, so you know when you are on the phone and the tv is going, one kid is talking to you, the other is getting into something they aren’t supposed to, the dog wants to go outside and the doorbell rings? Been there? I have. Isn’t is so overwhelming? And when you get off the phone do you feel like you have no idea what you just talked to that person about?

So, now imagine that you have millions of people talking to you at once. Asking for everything and anything you can possibly think of. I know for me and my OCD brain that it would probably drive me insane.

As some of you may or may not know I am not a very good pray”er.” I may have a bit of ADD or something because as soon as I try to start praying my mind starts wondering about all that I have to do. I truly believe that Satan knows that is a weakness of mine and so he attacks me in that way. He puts those thought in my head to interfere with my time with God.

A recent “attack” I had was in church. We were praying and I was trying so hard to really focus on praying for God to open my eyes and ears to the teaching that day. But my mind started wondering and I starting thinking about how everyone in that room and probably thousands and millions of other people were praying at that exact same time. Could you imagine having that many people talk to you at the same time? It amazes me how God hears those prayers. He must be the most organized person. I would like to know some of his organizational techniques!!!

I remember in out high school youth group learning about our all knowing God and I never thought about it in this way. God knows our prayers before we pray them, yet He still listens to us. A.m.a.z.i.n.g G.o.d

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Romans 11:33

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

We have been having a love series at church and one thing our preacher talked about is the unconditional love God has for us. No matter what we do, God still loves us. I think that we can all agree that no matter how crazy our kids drive us we will love them unconditionally and would do anything for them.

When I think about this, I think of a conversation that I had a with a friend of mine. She has a now 1 year old, but for a long time that sweet sweet baby of hers had a very hard time sleeping without mommy. I asked my friend why she continued to “give in” to her daughter each time she cried or needed mommy. My friend said (with VERY tired eyes) to me, “She cries and she needs me, so what else am I supposed to do.”

There were so many things that came to my head that I wanted to say to her, however it wasn’t the time or place to do that. This happened about 7 months ago and 2 weeks ago in church that same conversation popped in my head as we were talking about unconditional love. My sweet friend sacrificed her precious sleep (and so much more) because of the unconditional love that she has for her daughter.

Sleep is a very precious thing to us mothers (as I am yawning!), but our kiddos are on a whole different level of being precious. We would do just about anything for them. My friend sacrificed sleep, but our God sacrificed His own Son for me. I don’t know of another person that has unconditional love like that. Not one. As I just typed those sentences I thought about how silly and small the sacrifices I make for my kids are. How I think that it is such a big deal that I don’t seem to have any time to my self or I don’t really have a life outside of being a wife and mommy or my nice figure is now a soft fluffy one because I don’t have time to go to the gym. All those are nothing compared to the sacrifice of giving your own Son for someone else’s sin because of the unconditional love you have for them.

Thank you God for loving me even in my darkest moments. I wish I had just a little of the unconditional love that You have for us and that my friend has for her daughter. I pray that you help me find JOY in those sacrifices and in loving not only my kids unconditionally, but also my husband, friends and family. Thank you again God for loving me.

WOW GOD WEDNESDAY

These past two weeks I have been thinking a lot about how God has been working in my life. There hasn't been this big moment where God just threw something in my face, however it has been small subtle changes that has wowed me.

For those of you who don't know me, I am a very emotional person. For the most part you know how I feel just by looking at me. I don't hide my feelings very well. I think this is a blessing and a curse. I tend to take things extremely personally, get anxious very quickly, lose my patience easily, and get angry or sad at a moments notice. I have noticed a change in myself lately. I change that only God could make happen in me. Situations where I had the tendency to get very angry I am now dealing with in different ways. My anxiety and patience has been under control a little more these days. I have been praying for these things. Even my husband has seen a change. Only God can do that.

Please share with me how God wowed you this last week. It can be a small thing like looking at your sweet baby and being amazed that God created that in you or it can be a big thing that drastically changed your life.

Have a great Wednesday and don't forget to look for and expect miracles to happen!

TRULY COMPLETELY 100%

So, most of the entries on this blog are not written the morning that I post them. I have so many thoughts going on inside this crazy brain of mine that I have to write stuff down when I am thinking about it or it will be forgotten. However, today is totally impromptu, which means my grammar will probably be worse than it normally is.

This really is just a sappy post that most of you moms can relate with, but I just feel the need to share.

I was having a conversation with a friend today while I was holding her week old baby. I was trying to get him to go to sleep so I could take his adorable picture (and adorable they were!!). We were talking about the precious gift that our children are. Both of us were fortunate to NEVER experience a miscarriage or the loss of a child. I feel so lucky and blessed that I have not had to go through that type of pain. Many people close to me have had to go through this pain and some are still going through this pain. It absolutely breaks my heart for them. It makes me look at my children who drive me oh so crazy sometimes and think, THANK YOU GOD.

I hope that if God's plan includes one of my kids going to Heaven before I do or before I am ready for them to, that I can have the faith, the strength, and the courage to face that like some of these women have who have been there. Life is such a precious gift that I am so lucky to have.

God, I come to you today with a heavy heart for those mothers who have lost their most precious gift of a child. I pray that they find strength through you, that they have faith that you have a perfect plan, and that they can continue to find happiness in their lives. I thank you so much for my blessings. For J & A and the joy, pride, happiness and frustrations that they bring me. You have trust me with your children and I am honored that I get to be apart of their lives. Thank you God for blessing me with those children.

EXCITEMENT FOR HEAVEN

This is another post that really doesn’t have anything to do with being a mommy. It is just something that is on my heart to share. A few months ago at church we closed out a series by talking about Heaven and eternal life. It is kind of weird for me to say this, but when I walked out of Church I was actually very excited to go to Heaven. I have always been happy that I will go to heaven (at least I think I will!!!) versus the alternative, but for some reason on that Sunday I was overly excited.

Why was I excited? So many things of course. For one, I have many questions that I would like to ask God (don't we all!). Second, I can’t wait to tell Pat (my mother in law) and Bobba (my grandpa) all about my kids. I know they love them so much and I would love to just sit down and talk for hours and hours and hours about the kids to both of them. I can’t wait to meet Richard (Alan’s dad) and tell him what a wonderful son he has and how I lucky I am to have gotten him.

This excitement makes me want to make sure that I teach my kids about Heaven and eternal life and how to have salvation. The thought of living in eternity with Pat & Bobba & Richard and all those who will go on before me and with Alan and the kids is so incredibly exciting. To know that Pat will get to meet her granddaughters and talk to them and play with them makes me smile so big.

Thank you God for giving us eternal life through you. It is so refreshing to know that when our time here on earth is done, our life is not done. We have so much to look forward to after death and I am so grateful for that.

Who are you excited to see and spend eternal life with?

Next Week

Next week is spring break for my kiddos and we will be traveling. I am going to take the week off and then I'll be back on the 21st! Happy Spring break for those of you who get it next week!

THE LAW

“But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law.’ So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, ‘It is through FAITH that a righteous person has life.’ This way of FAITH is very different from the way of law which says, ‘It is through obeying the law that a person has life.’ But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” Galatians 3:10-13

Some of the things that I talk about come from sermons that I hear at church. Alan and I found a fantastic church and a pastor that really speaks our language. It seems that what he preaches on really relates to our lives. I know it is God speaking to us through him, but it is incredible the way that it pertains to us.

That being said, we had a series called Flip This Life. Our preacher talked about the Israelites leaving Egypt and going to the Promise Land. I could go on and on about the whole series, but I want to talk about the Ten Commandments and how they pertain our lives.

What do you think of when you think of the when think of the 10 Commandments? I have always thought of them as rules that I have to follow because that is what the Bible says to do. I thought it was something that I had to do to make God happy. What I learned through this series at church is that I don’t have to follow the law to make God happy. Now, that doesn’t mean that I can just break each of the ten commandments. I have changed my way of thinking. Instead of “following the rules” to make God happy, I am passionate about living through and for Christ, so I OBEY His law.

Now, to relate this to my life and my kids. If you have been around me and my kids any you know that I make them behave. That is just the way it is. I mean we have fun, they get to act like kids, but when mommy or daddy says that is enough and we need to use our manners, then it is time to straighten up and use your manners. No ifs, ands or buts. I am trying so hard to make both of the kids understand that they don’t have to behave and do the right thing because mommy or daddy says so. That there is a reason behind it and they need to have FAITH in us. My husband and I both are trying teach them (just as I think God is trying to teach us) that a simple faith in mommy and daddy will go a long ways. I would rather my girls TRUST me than obey my every command.

I think God wants the same thing from me that I want from my kiddos. Trust & FAITH.

PRAYER TAKE 3

I came across this on the internet and really liked it and thought of y’all. I have to admit that this will be a challenge for me, but I am going to give it my all. Maybe it will help us all pray for our kids a little better!

I challenge you to print it out, stick it on your fridge and each morning say a specific prayer for that day. I’ll check back with you in 31 days to see how you did. I hope that it helps you (and me!) to be a better praying parent.

http://www.freemethodistchurch.org/Magazine/PDF%20Files/31-Days-Calendar-Color.PDF

WOW GOD WEDNESDAY

This past weekend we had a thing at our church called "The Student Event." It was essentially a weekend retreat for students grades 7-12th. Long days, shorts night, fun stuff.

Alan and I volunteer with the youth on Wednesday nights, but since I have to bring the kids with me I don't get to interact with the kids much. I watch my kids, another volunteer's baby, and whoever else decides to show up! This weekend was the first time that I have ever gotten to really interact with the kids and I loved it. I worked with our neighbor Lindsey with the 9th grade girls.

I have to tell you that I had a few Wow God moments this weekend. Some of the things the kids said & some of the things the kids knew was amazing to me. They seemed so mature for their age.

Anyways, there were 2 very big Wow God moments for me this past weekend.

1. 5, yes 5 kids were baptized this weekend. For some of you, you may be reading this and thinking 'cool, 5 kids got baptized.' But for me and the way I was raised accepting Christ as your Lord and Savior and getting baptized goes hand in hand. So, for me, I watched 5 kids profess and proclaim that they believe in Jesus Christ. WOW GOD!

2. "There is an absolute and victorious truth of the divinity and power of Jesus Christ. I don't deserve to be a part of it, and especially don't deserve to complain about my struggles, but God's love for us and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, allows us to be a part of something bigger." That statement was written by a student this weekend at a church event that we had. I don't know who wrote it, I found it on the ground, but I am in awe that a teenager could have that kind of conviction. I have shared this numerous times and I wanted to share it with you. I hope I can teach my kids to have the same type of faith that this kid does. Another high five God!

Please, please, please share with us how God has WOWed you this last week!

PRAYER TAKE 2

When I hear people my parents age talk about how they prayed for their childs spouse when they were just a little kid I kind of giggle. When I think about my prayers, they are more about me getting through the day with both kiddos. I know I should but I seriously don’t want to think about the future and my babies growing up. Do you pray for your kids spouses already?

I find myself saying (or writing) in my prayers stuff like, “God, just give me the strength to make it through the day.” Now, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing to pray for because trust me, there are days where I don’t know if me or the kids will make it. However, I want to and need to pray things more like, “God, please give me the wisdom to teach my kids the things they need to learn and give my kids the open heart and mind to accept the things that I am trying to teach them.”

Here are a few other prayers that I had for myself so I could in return bless my kids:

*for God to teach me about His love, mercy and grace so I can show all those things to my kids

*for self confidence to show through so my kids see that it is okay and good to be confident in who you are because we were all created in HIS own beautiful image.

*for protection. there is so much in this world that is scares me when I am raising 2 sweet girls.

Do you pray specific prayers for your children?

PRAYER

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6

I am just going to admit right now that I am a very bad pray”er.” If that make sense. I have a hard time really focusing on what I am trying to say. I blame it on mommy brain. Making sure everything is done, thinking about what else needs to be done and how to do it all.

I am a good writer. I don’t mean grammatically a good writer (as you have probably read...ha!). I am a good writer as in I like to write and I tend to say exactly what I want to say and exactly what I feel when I write it down.

So I started a prayer journal. I just write a letter to God. I think about what I am saying, I write it down and I concentrate on it. My mind doesn’t wonder when I do this. It is focused and I feel like I am in that time of prayer with him when I am writing.

How do you get in the mindset to pray? Are you able to calm your mind and your thoughts to really have a good conversation with God? I would really love to hear how you have your quite time!

GOD'S GOT IT UNDER CONTROL!

This morning I need some scripture to help me not worry, to know that God is in control. So many times I want to be in control and make sure that everyone is okay. I need to step back and remember God has this. Whatever "this" will be, God has it. And God has me too. He has it all taken care of. I just need to let go of control and trust

Luke 12:22-29

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.

Matthew 6:34

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:25

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

Luke 12:7

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Matthew 6:31-33

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

MOMMY FRIENDS

“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” Proverbs 17:17

Some of you may relate to this, some of you may not. This really goes back to my days as a military wife and the struggles I had making friends. I don’t know about you, but I feel like one of the most important things in my life is a mommy friend that I can call when I am either down in the dumps, at my wits end, or my kids did something really funny that I just have to share with someone. The reason that I say that I think it is the most important is because they have been there (wherever “there” is for you) too.

A lot of times I try to confide in my husband, which isn’t a bad thing. However, moms just think differently. Moms have their own little world they live in and I believe that most of us just get each other.

There have been many times (after a move!) that I have thought it is just easier for me to do this all on my own. Making friends is sometimes very difficult. But after a while God has shown me that isn’t the case. Friendships are a gift from God!

I am potty training my oldest daughter right now for the 2nd time. We tried for almost a year and it just wasn’t working out. It was causing more stress and tension between the 2 of us than it was actually helping the situation. I was completely discouraged. I was mad at myself for not doing better and not making it work. I called a friend of mine who I knew could help me. What a blessing she was to me during this time of making the transition from panties BACK to diapers. Now, here we are again. Giving this potty training thing a go and who is the first person I call to get some advice from? My dear sweet friend who helped me before. God put her in my life for SO many reasons and I believe this is one of them. Thank you God!

WOW GOD WEDNESDAY

I want to start something new today. Every Wednesday I would like to share with you how God has "wowed" me the past week. I think that it helps all of us to sit back at least one day a week think about the great things (big or small) that God has done in our lives. God has wowed me in my own life this last week, but I want to share with you a wow God moment that a new friend of mine just had.

I attend a Tuesday morning Bible study at our church and I have met the sweetest people at the table where I sit. Over the past 4 weeks we have gotten to know each other and I thank God for these ladies. They really are a sweet bunch! One of the ladies, Corrie, has a little girl Landrie who is just 2 weeks older than Ashlee. I won't go in to great detail, but Corrie and her husband tried to get pregnant for a very long time and tried many fertility treatments that ultimately failed. They went through the journey of adoption and God blessed them with Landrie. You can read their whole store here. Get a tissue. You'll need it. Such a wonderful story.

Now, to the WOW GOD moment. Yesterday I hopped on the computer real fast and received an email that Corrie had updated her blog, so I went to read it and again, I needed a tissue. After all they went through to try to get pregnant, all the heartbreak they endured when they didn't get pregnant, God showed them what an AMAZING, AWESOME, POWERFUL, LOVING God He is by blessing them with a baby. You can read her announcement here. I am so incredibly happy for them.

Our God is Greater

Our God is Stronger

God you are higher than any other

I would love to hear how God wowed you this past week!

LUKE 10:20

Today is one of those mornings that I don't have time to write something long to you, but I wanted to leave you with a verse that is encouraging to me this morning.

However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in Heaven." Luke 10:20

Because I have received Jesus Christ into my life my name is written in Heaven. What an AMAZING feeling. On so many days I feel that I don't deserve to go to Heaven, but God is sitting up there waiting to accept me with open, loving arms.

Today when you are stressed out at work or with the kids, pause for just a few seconds and remember that. It makes me smile just thinking about it.