A sweet day

Today was a sweet day among the usual. The way it started out caused me to expect otherwise. The kids were having a rough time from the moment they woke up. Juliana was crying b/c she had dug in a box and found some body glitter that happened to come with a pair of tennis shoes I just bought for her (I had put them up in her closet and had intended to throw the make-up junk away). She found the make-up and was distraught that I would not let her have it. Evan was crying b/c he did not want Juliana to touch him with her feet as we cuddled on the couch and read books. All this mixed in with various "I wants" and angry looks. Oh, and let us not forget my own frustration and selfish desires to be doing something else at that moment. The Lord was gracious to help me be clear-headed enough to gather the troops in the living room and we prayed for help for ALL of our hearts this morning. The Bible describes the gospel as being the "power of God" and what a joy it is to bring my children near to the cross along with their mama who desperately needs the help of her Savior. What a difference this made in our morning! Though we still had many opportunities for "training" (translation: my kids still disobeyed) it was a sweet time together where we again were brought to the cross together to rejoice that our sins are forgiven and ask for help where needed.

As for the body glitter, Juliana and I had a great conversation about how God's idea of beauty is much different than the world's. I am fascinated lately at how the Lord so obviously writes it on the hearts of girls that they want to be beautiful, they want to be fought for and rescued. The burden, then, is on us to direct them to the Jesus Christ to show them what true love and beauty are. Christ is sufficient and the only one who can satisfy our hearts in this way. We had a great discussion of the verse, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news" Romans 10:16. In her 3-year old logic, she probably thinks that God thinks her feet are pretty, but at least she now knows they don't need glitter on them for God to think she is beautiful.

The past few weeks Evan has really started talking. He points to things around the house just so that he can tell us what they are like light, blocks, truck, books, snow, etc. Elmo is his most favorite word and he said rain and rainbow for the first time today. He gets very excited when we know what he is talking about :) Training toddlers often makes a momma weary, but this week I have begun to see some fruit! Juliana and Evan have been playing so well together lately. Though I used to be the most vocal proponent for "We're kids, fighting is our job!" excuse I don't buy it anymore. It is so encouraging to see them thinking of the other and cheering one another on. Praise God for his grace which is able to cover over my mistakes as their momma - and believe me I make them.

We had a visit from Grandma Cheryl this week and made a new friend who just moved to town. We also heard from our agency that after we recieve our referral the wait time until we travel has been extended. I am tempted to become discouraged. The foundation of the world keeps moving on us, so I return again to the rock of my salvation that will never be moved.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is God's will for us in Christ Jesus" 1 Thess 5:16-18.

Thank you, Lord that I need not rely on the workings of man in anything. "You are watching to see that your word is fulfilled." Jeremiah 1:12 The boundary lines you have set for my life fall in pleasant places. I rejoice that in a great rescue, because of that true love that is yearned for in this world, my Savior fought for me and saved me. Sinners are made beautiful in the shadow of the cross. Haven't you been so good to us!