God works to will and to do

A very dear friend recently encouraged me with words from Phillipians 2:13.
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to act of his good pleasure." (KJV)

This truth is exactly what I need for today! 

In order to make sure that I had a good understanding of the verse, I looked the word 'will' up in the concordance. And this is what it means: to have in mind, to purpose or be determined, to desire, to love, and to take desire in.

So, if you're like me today or any other day for that matter, please seek and find comfort in the Word. Be not weary in well doing. God is intimately aware of all that you endure. Whatever is needed for mine and your situation, God has made crooked paths straight and is a lamp unto our feet.

I'm going to take my own advice and relax.... "Ahhhhh....Woooo-sah..."

Not on the beach in a bikini, but in the words of my dear Saviour. I'm going to rest in his grace--aware that I am deficient but that He is all sufficient. He is all that I need to get through. HE works (operates, puts forth power) in me, to desire, to take pleasure in, and to be determined to do of His good pleasure (which is His will and His delight).

*Blessings

Congrats and well wishes!

     I went away for a while...a 4 day trip to Las Vegas! Whoot, whoot!! What a way to rest and recoup, right??? Nah... Not so much!  Vegas is not that type of vacation... Not to mention, I had my 4 children with me. <go ahead and insert the sound of a toilet flushing right here> LOL.....
     More seriously though, I went to Vegas last week because my sister got hitched! How exciting is that? We all gathered our families and best looking luggage together and met her at the airport. We wanted to be present to celebrate and support her on her big day. She was an absolutely smashing bride and her makeup was on fleek! (inside joke about being too old to use the latest slang). The ceremony was great. The wine we toasted ,wedding cake, and family dinner afterward were all most delicious.
     While the Austins begin anew, it is my prayer that they have given and are giving intensive thought into how they will lay the foundation of their new lives as "one". The Bible says, "...and the two shall become one" right? Well, that becoming one is a process. It doesn't just happen when the minister makes the pronouncement. All of us who have been married longer than 30 days have come to know that! It is of utmost importance that we begin and continue on, in the Word of God. It is here that we find what to do and how to do it. "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness... (2 Tim. 3:16)"  To add to that, prayer and fellowship with God are definitely invaluable when it comes to those areas that aren't specifically addressed in the scripture... Like what you should do when your husband, every day without fail, leaves a trail of his dirty clothes from the front door to your bedroom! "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach (James 1:5)"
     I pray that Mr. Austin is aware that he has found his good thing, is expecting the resultant favor of the Lord (Proverbs 18:22) and endeavoring to love her as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25)! I hope that Mrs. Austin prayerfully and dutifully maintains her position as a wise woman who builds her house (Proverbs 14:1) and respects her husband (Ephesians 5:33).
     I am very proud of what they have done and am looking forward to watching their love grow. They have each other.  Ecclesiastes 4:12 says that, "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves." I will be pushing, encouraging, and applauding their efforts to as Hebrews 12:1-2 says, "To lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Taking, not making....

Moms, hear my heart...

It is imperative that we make sure that we are taking time for ourselves. Often, we hear the suggestion, "make" time... But if you are like me, you may have to push the envelope a little bit...  You may have to take time for yourself. I think when we say 'make time', there still exists the possibility and chance that something "more important" will cut into those moments that we've set aside.

Take time! It is something that you need like your next breath, or the next beat of your heart... Moms wear so many different hats. We are so many different things to so many different people. We are vessels and we hold the substance that so many others need and desire.

Everything can be used up. Everything can be used to its capacity. And as mothers, so can we. If we have not taken the time to replenish ourselves, to refill ourselves, we will inevitably become empty vessels.  How then, can we continue to pour out into the lives which so desperately need what only we can provide? Or, how about when the substance that you hold has become contaminated? How can you knowingly pour that out into the ones who depend on you with their very lives?

How can you tell if you have become an empty vessel? How can you tell if what you have to give isn't quite worth giving?

The Bible says in Galatians 5:22 that "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control..."

Are you lacking in any of these areas? Perhaps you already recognize the need to shore up in the Word of God concerning the absence or deficiency of these qualities in your life?
The spiritual fruit referred to above is cultivated in the same way that natural fruit is cultivated. Natural fruit comes by way of its connection to the life giving sources of nutrients found in the soil (its foundation) and the sun.
Likewise, the fruit of the Spirit comes by way of our connection to the life giving sources of our foundation in the Word of God and His Son, Jesus.

Replenishing ourselves spiritually, physically, and emotionally gives us the opportunity to better reflect Christ to those around us. There are several ways to do this and only you will know what works best for you:

Spiritually- Spend time with the Lord in prayer seeking His face, His will for your life.  Fast. Sing songs unto the Lord. Gather together in fellowship with other believers. Give of yourself, your time, and your resources.

Physically- Eat well balanced meals and exercise regularly.  Talk to a nutrition counselor, a dietitian or that friend that you have that is well versed in this area. Discuss with them how you can realistically make some adjustments in not only your diet, but in your family's diet as well.

Emotionally- Relax with your girlfriends (without the kids, if possible). Have date night with your spouse. Find a hobby, journal or even blog :) :P


Take the time!!!

Only you can truly define what taking care of yourself in these areas really is. But it is of vital importance that you sit down and think on every aspect and commit to doing it. Not only is it beneficial to you and your health/well-being, it is beneficial to those you love as well.

*Blessings

It's been a LOOOOOONNNG time!

     Friends!! It's been a long time since I have written anything here.  Wait, what's longer than long? Extremely long?? Well, it's been longer than that!!  In fact, I had to reacquaint myself with what was written here (shame, shame, shame).  My profile says that I have three children. But guess what??!!  I now have four--and #4 is almost 2 years old! Additionally, I have gone back to work... I'm sure I'll get around to talking about that later.

 Goodness gracious!!

     But as I stated before (in another post where I attempted to explain my absence :/ ), I miss this.
It is therapeutic for me. Soooo.... Go right on ahead! Put 2 and 2 together! What you're thinking is absolutely right... and even I have to admit it. If I haven't participated in my "therapy" in over two years, you know I'm 'bout crazy by now, LOL!!
     Anywho, please come by my place. Hang up your coat and stay and while... I promise I'll be here when you get here!

*Blessings.
   
   

Time!! Where are you??!!!

     Hello...Or not. It's been a long time, huh? Well, to be honest, it's hard to keep blogging when you have no audience!!! LOL! I am writing and writing and writing and no one is reading! But that's okay, I suppose. All in due time....
     I have been a bit busy and that pretty much sucks because I have had to squeeze the homeschooling tasks in between all the other things that are going on. Giving my children the short end of the stick is NOT the goal. But, on a positive note, I guess that that is the beauty of homeschooling--the flexibility!
      I've had a full week thus far. In fact, last week I was dreading the start of this one because of the many obligations I knew were in place. Tomorrow, I have nothing to do (except clean house :/ and teach my babies) and no place to go! And it feels darn good!! Thursday holds a mid-day appointment, nothing Friday, and a full Saturday. I just need to make it to Sunday afternoon and then I can rest!
     So, I'll be making the most of the little time that I have. Praying and prioritizing! Let's see how this goes!!  Hoping for the best.....

    

Beyond tired of this!

     I am blogging now because I need to vent. And I'm kinda open to suggestions, kinda not. I have just had the 6-millionth bedtime battle with my 3 year old and just like the title states, I am BEYOND tired of this malarkey (btw, thanks for the terminology Mr. VP)!!!
     I was skimming through a few forums on bedtime battles and most of the comments and advice given just angered me. Thus, my trolling session was pretty short. I am weary of suggestions like: "Go to bed with your child", "Make sure there is a bedtime routine", and "Conduct a super-deep analysis into the psyche of your child to figure out what issues he or she may be dealing with that are only exacerbated during the night time hours..." Please!!!!! Give me a break!!!!
     I am sorry but this child of mine will be 4 years old in less than a month. I have two other children beside her. I am home with them all day, spending heavy quality time. When I say bedtime, I mean bedtime! Don't get me wrong, there is some legitimacy to what's listed above. I slept with the child for the first two years of her life, we have a bedtime routine, and as far asthe super deep analysis of her issues goes..... The only issue that has merit in my book right now is the fact that she is being disobedient. And it needs to be addressed.
     Believe it or not, I actually need time after the day is done to decompress. To have some quiet time to myself. To spend time with my husband if he is actually home. To run to the grocery store for the next morning's breakfast. Is that asking too much??? I don't think so!
    I feel as though I have addressed every possible scenario and am at my wits end. I am not going to the bookstore to buy some sleep book. There is a very simple solution. Go.To.Bed. Or else!

I don't know or else what since my or elses haven't worked thus far...but I mean it, or else! Sigh...

Finding the upside

     Well, family... It's been a couple of days since I posted here and just thought that I would come and pay my respects.  Hope that you all had a swell day 'cause I surely did...not.

I was awakened by a gentle south wind, the warm sun gently kissing my eyelids, and the sound of birds chirping my name.  UMMMM!!! NO!!! It was actually the sound of my husband getting ready for work. Which, I guess is a good thing. The Bible says if a man doesn't work, he ought not to eat (2 Thess 3:10). And since I am no longer employed, the sound of somebody going to work ought to be pleasantries in my ears, right? Yeahhh, about that..

I'll make sure to keep repeating that to myself...

In the mornings, I am forced to "listen" to the sounds of:

1. the rapid fire sound of machine gun pee pellets hitting the toilet water
2. the shower head screaming as hot water finally makes it way to the master bath, and
3. my husband's body release the night's pent up farts and  raucous pig-face snorting that I'm sure a surgical procedure is needed to correct.

Great start. Well, at least I am alive to see another day.

Jesus, coffee, kids and cake. The name of my blog. Pretty much sums up my life, I suppose. Oh wait, the above mentioned that I am married. Where's that in the blog title? That's the cake. Duh! Because being married to a man completely my opposite is SO easy! It's a cake-walk!

NOT!!!

The cake in my blog title is actually...cake, folks. I am a sucker for sweets. Hence, my ever expanding waist line...

Well, back to my un-swell day.... Homeschooling the children today was like trying to catch a greasy pig or asking the Texas sun to leave the sky or trying to sell used matches or...you get the picture, right? It just took them sooooo long to do everything. I had planned on a short day but they made sure to foil my plans. Lots of resistance, lots of protests, and lots of breaks... They were definitely trying my patience. And my 3 year old has been the brattiest little booger for the last couple of weeks!!

Aaargh! What have I done to deserve this treatment?
Is this you Lord, lol? Are you trying to get my attention?
Are you showing me myself again? I surely hope not!

I've got to get a game plan together to deal with these children of mine. I love them to death
but they need some twirking. There are a few bugs and kinks to work out before I can confidently present them to anybody. I offered my youngest to my sister today. She refused. :/

Maybe next week, we will spend our time discussing and working on behavior. I've never put any stock in this but maybe there are some things in their diets that need to be taken out? They definitely need more physical exercise. So, time to re-invent this at-home learning thing again.

Soon, I will find what works "perfectly" (knock on wood) for our family.

On the upside, I am still ecstatic about the opportunity to homeschool. I love opening their little brains and pouring in Jesus, who has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Pe 1:3)

Upside #2, when my husband and his bodily sounds returned home, I was able to steal away a few moments to ride my bike around the subdivision and walk the darn dog :P

Upside #3, tomorrow is the women's fellowship. Brunch at the Grand Lux Cafe. Looking forward to some "me" time!