Thanks for stopping by to watch our family of six as we grow, love and have fun together!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Ok, I have to say I didn't know how much fun it would be getting on facebook! After prompting from a few friends, Eric and I both joined last week and we've had so much fun connecting with people from high school, college and everywhere else! It's funny to see who pops up on a daily basis...if you haven't tried it, you should!We seem to have a friendly contest going to see who "wants to be my friend." I guess it's time we joined the younger world.My energy from entertaining the kids for the summer is about drained, but I have one last hurrah in me. With only one week of summer left, we are celebrating with "Mommy Camp." I have a different outing planned every day and themed activities to go with it (thank you, familyfun.com). Yesterday was hiking in the canyon, going on a treasure hunt, identifying butterflies and leaves, and then root beer floats after dinner. Today is water day, tomorrow is Movie day, Thursday is "help others" and cooking day, and Friday will be beach day! We did this last year and the kids had a blast. I'll post photos soon.We went to Walking with Dinosaurs on Saturday (free tickets from Eric's co-worker) and it was pretty amazing. Life sized dinosaurs roamed the floor of the Honda Center in Anaheim (where the Ducks play). They told the story of the dinosaur, and were very realistic looking. All of the kids enjoyed it, and they really didn't get scared. When the t-rex roar filled the stadium, it made me want to crawl under my seat! That's about all in our world. I hope you are all enjoying the end of summer/beginning of school. Halloween will be here before we know it!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Living The Dream
This morning, as I sit here in Laguna Beach listening to the surf, watching people play and just enjoying the sunshine and peace around me, I am reminded of the bumper sticker I saw yesterday that has really made me think. It simply said, “Living the Dream.” My first thought was, “who is she and what dream is she living?” My questions quickly turned to myself as I thought of how I would define for myself, “living the dream.” I look down the coast, and just 200 yards away is a perfectly fit 50-year-old man who is running in and out of the surf, lifting boulders with his hands as a workout, and is now leading a team of people down the beach in lunges and knee lifts. And I wonder....is this man living his dream?
I often think of what I want my life to be like. What is the dream that God gave me?What does he want me to do with the gifts He gave me? For the past six months or so, I have been listening too much to the lies that Satan has put in my head…you aren’t good enough, you stink at being a mom, why can’t you be more organized? But God’s words are now resounding once again in my head…What about living the way I want you to live or doing what I want you to do? God made each of us in His image, unique in every aspect, so that we could glorify Him. By listening to the lies Satan has put in my head, I’ve been distracted from doing the things God made me to do.
When it comes to my purpose in life, I do know that my number one goal is to share the word of Christ and His love for everyone in the world. I know he has given me 4 busy, wonderful children to love, instruct and guide in His ways. It is your ways, Oh, Lord, that I want to follow. What greater gift to give your kids than eternal life?
There are so many unanswered questions in life, and so many hard times, good times and difficulties. Today, I feel great. I am happy, encouraged and loved. Tomorrow might be a different thing. But knowing that no matter what, Jesus died for me and He loves me, I can’t ever give up on that.
My dream is to have Jesus look at me on judgement day and say “well done, good and faithful servant.” I want to follow his will, follow his ways and bring others to Him. I want to live the life he has for me. I want to be in tune with his wishes, his dreams and his plan for my life instead of thinking I know best.
The waves never stop, the sun always rises and sets, and His love is always there for me. I just have to ask for it, enjoy it, and understand the gift of life he is giving me.
Many people are searching for “something more.” They feel like this life here isn’t enough, whether it is staying at home being a mom, or working 80 hours a week in a high profile job. Even famous, successful people who everyone wants to emulate struggle with their own identities and goals, their own search for significance. Pastor Rick always talks about the difference between success and significance. You can be successful in so many earthly ways, but so insignificant in your own eyes or that of others. How do you go from being successful to being significant? What are you doing today to make a difference in the life of someone else? What significant thing have you done that will mean so much to someone? To the world, you may be one person. But to one person, you may be the world. Are you choosing daily to make a difference to those around you? What about your kids? Are you so busy cleaning, cooking and taking care of others that you forget the gifts God gave you? What can you do today to change their lives, to make an eternal difference?
Well, my 40 minutes of peace and quiet has gone, and I must turn off the computer, say goodbye to the beach and head back into my life and a visit to the Dr. My prayer today is that I will quit looking for significance in other people’s opinions of me, in my crossed off to do list, or things that don't matter. I want to find significance in the way I interact with others, the people who I am involved with every day, so that I can live the life Christ wants for me, accept Who I am and How God Made me, and let His love shine through me.
God, please bless me today as I talk and teach my children, as I interact with others, including friends family and strangers. May your love shine through me and may I feel the love and acceptance you give me. I need to remember that in the end, all that matters is you and what I did with you. Let me make that difference today.
In Jesus name, amen.
Natalie
July 24, 2008
I often think of what I want my life to be like. What is the dream that God gave me?What does he want me to do with the gifts He gave me? For the past six months or so, I have been listening too much to the lies that Satan has put in my head…you aren’t good enough, you stink at being a mom, why can’t you be more organized? But God’s words are now resounding once again in my head…What about living the way I want you to live or doing what I want you to do? God made each of us in His image, unique in every aspect, so that we could glorify Him. By listening to the lies Satan has put in my head, I’ve been distracted from doing the things God made me to do.
When it comes to my purpose in life, I do know that my number one goal is to share the word of Christ and His love for everyone in the world. I know he has given me 4 busy, wonderful children to love, instruct and guide in His ways. It is your ways, Oh, Lord, that I want to follow. What greater gift to give your kids than eternal life?
There are so many unanswered questions in life, and so many hard times, good times and difficulties. Today, I feel great. I am happy, encouraged and loved. Tomorrow might be a different thing. But knowing that no matter what, Jesus died for me and He loves me, I can’t ever give up on that.
My dream is to have Jesus look at me on judgement day and say “well done, good and faithful servant.” I want to follow his will, follow his ways and bring others to Him. I want to live the life he has for me. I want to be in tune with his wishes, his dreams and his plan for my life instead of thinking I know best.
The waves never stop, the sun always rises and sets, and His love is always there for me. I just have to ask for it, enjoy it, and understand the gift of life he is giving me.
Many people are searching for “something more.” They feel like this life here isn’t enough, whether it is staying at home being a mom, or working 80 hours a week in a high profile job. Even famous, successful people who everyone wants to emulate struggle with their own identities and goals, their own search for significance. Pastor Rick always talks about the difference between success and significance. You can be successful in so many earthly ways, but so insignificant in your own eyes or that of others. How do you go from being successful to being significant? What are you doing today to make a difference in the life of someone else? What significant thing have you done that will mean so much to someone? To the world, you may be one person. But to one person, you may be the world. Are you choosing daily to make a difference to those around you? What about your kids? Are you so busy cleaning, cooking and taking care of others that you forget the gifts God gave you? What can you do today to change their lives, to make an eternal difference?
Well, my 40 minutes of peace and quiet has gone, and I must turn off the computer, say goodbye to the beach and head back into my life and a visit to the Dr. My prayer today is that I will quit looking for significance in other people’s opinions of me, in my crossed off to do list, or things that don't matter. I want to find significance in the way I interact with others, the people who I am involved with every day, so that I can live the life Christ wants for me, accept Who I am and How God Made me, and let His love shine through me.
God, please bless me today as I talk and teach my children, as I interact with others, including friends family and strangers. May your love shine through me and may I feel the love and acceptance you give me. I need to remember that in the end, all that matters is you and what I did with you. Let me make that difference today.
In Jesus name, amen.
Natalie
July 24, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)