Distracted

Notes from Adoration April 19, 2018 6:30-9pm I opened in prayers of thanksgiving and praise. Personal and friends intentions followed. One hour was dedicated to my parents celebrating 40 years of marriage, for their marriage, their needs, and intentions they hold in their hearts. The first thought that entered my mind was the song, You Raise Me Up as sung by Josh Groban. I always knew the chorus, but never paid attention to the first verse until now. Jesus speaks to me, and in a clear, strong voice he let me know I needed to attend perpetual adoration and that there I would find healing...

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Is it Vanity or Grace

  While looking for a Bible verse for a completely different thought, I came upon this reading that touches on the pursuit of happiness in this life. It helped me answer: What is a gift from God and What is vanity? It all comes down the decision to live a life consumed in discipleship, or a life lived for ourselves. Which will you choose? In pleasing God, we find grace, but if we displease Him we find ourselves laboring for others. Yes, there is work to be done to live, but how we do it and our reasons why determine its fruits.  Ecclesiastes 2:22-26    "For what profit...

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My Grace is Sufficient

I was printing some favorite artwork to hang in my hallway to brighten it up. Artwork by others I loved but knew I didn't have time to recreate myself. I pieced together a favorite image I found online with one of my favorite Bible verses that inspires this Blog - Growing in Grace. Thought you might like to see the final piece.   It's nice to have inspirational quotes around the house. I can just pause in the hallway, stare from my toilet, ponder from my sewing chair. What do you have around your house that you reflect on or are inspired by whenever you see it? I also love our family's...

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Conviction and Grace

No one is perfect. I do not strive for perfection, rather I am daily compelled to achieve sainthood. To me, this means that I do my best to know, love and serve God each day. I offer my days, my trials and my achievements - my life - to Him. In my youth, I was more of a spontaneous person, which got me ahead in ways and in trouble at other times. As I approach this middle part of my life, I'm getting better at having actions that are well thought out. Spontaneity is reserved for playing with my children and the adventures we have together. I am consumed with wanting to be a more mature, responsible...

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Having More Babies

Just a quick note for my little crowd of readers, I'm Pregnant! Yup, this will be pregnancy #9 (lost 2), my 7th cesearean, and the 7th one to tear apart our house someday. Lets just say that despite our best efforts to avoid pregnancy, I didn't account for my breast milk supplements running out for the reason I had dry signs. I thought I was clearly in phase 3. NOPE, it was peak day. Oh well, we've had plenty of time to process our worries, fears, concerns, excitement, and the fact I was only 5 1/2 months post partum when it happened. Our youngest will be 14 months old when the baby is born....

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NOTICE

Children are a gift from God. Motherhood is a vocation. God never gives you more than you can handle. His grace is enough. God knows better. He knows what he's doing. He doesn't make mistakes.   If this is so, than what God has gifted me with is just as He intended and He will give me the grace to fulfill His will.     Can I have such confidence in this, when every day I wake up tired and dreading the work to be done? Or is it me, that in dreading it, that has not accepted the gifts He's given? Can I work myself into a state of dragging myself to bed late each night after...

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Family Centered SIXTH Cesarean

It was out of our humanity that we conceived a child, but it was from our faith in God and cherishing all life that she was born.   An eighth pregnancy was definitely a surprise. But as before, we knew it would be a good one.   I knew I'd get bigger, when I was already big.   I knew my youngest wouldn't be my baby anymore.   I knew we'd be maxing out our suburban.   And I knew it would mean more diapers, more food, and more self help books.   But when I packed up our children for Grandma Packed my bags And hitched a ride to the Hospital...

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Family Centered Cesarean Planning

We are so excited!   A Family Centered Cesarean is the result of my search for the best, most natural c-section delivery I can possibly have. Thus far my doctor is on board and we're very excited for these little but marvelous changes. The main difference with this repeat cesarean is that I will be allowed to see the birth, hold my baby to my chest immediately and keep her with me during recovery. Minimal separation. Here is the ICAN post about it: http://blog.ican-online.org/2012/04/14/the-family-centered-cesarean/ And this is the inspiring video featuring the God-send of a midwife...

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