The Greatest of These

Of all God's commands, the greatest is love.  Sunday was  a day packed full of love!  Worship time is always dear to me, but yesterday I was overwhelmed because I actually felt how much God loves me.  I read it in His word frequently and talk about His love for me often with others.  But while singing this chorus..." Lord, I'm amazed by you...how you love me"  it  goes on to say..." How deep, how wide, how great is your love for me".  Something was different this time.  It was as if God was whispering (or yelling rather) Leah, it doesn't matter what your past is, there is nothing you can do that will separate you from my love.  I sent my only son to die for all that you have and will do.  And because I love you so much, I have blessed you with a wonderful church family who loves you and cares for you and your family dearly.  I have blessed you with a tight knit family that has strong bonds of love.  I have blessed you with a husband with a new heart that is bent towards me...remember when I said...just trust in me and I will show you the way- well, this is it, baby girl!  I have given you two bundles of joy that remind you of me when you see them smile and hear them belly laugh.    I have given you friends that love me and that provide you with fellowship and fun to enjoy life with! I love you so much that I have let you witness the miracles of expecting mothers who never thought they would be mothers. God loved on me and my cup was and still is running over, even as I type my tears are many.  I hope you know and have experienced the love of Christ!  I challenge you to go and love others as He loves you!

Let your goodness become godliness!

I have always considered myself a good person.  Don't misunderstand me, I have done my share of bad things- but overall, I am a good person.  Until recent years, I thought that was all that was required of me.  The more I have come to know and love my Savior, I have realized that goodness is not good enough.  No matter what!  It doesn't matter how "good" you are to people and how many "good" things you do...it matters none in the eyes of God.  Yes, to this world, one can easily take on the characteristics of being a good and sometimes even great person.  Webster defines godliness as conforming to the laws and wishes of God; devout; coming from God.  The confusion begins when you really get to know good people and realize that there is not many godly characteristics about them.  So yes, in the eyes of this world...they are great and to themselves they are great. I am thankful that I now know the difference.  I pray for God to break my heart for what breaks His and I find myself thinking of these people often.  In fact, last night God awakened me and my heart was heavy for people in situations such as this.  Oh how I wish I could help others experience the love of God!  If people could experience this... truly experience this- their desire would be to know God and take on His characteristics...therefore, become a godly person. I have to put a sock in my mouth as I witness selfish motives from good people.  Perhaps, my heart was heavy for my reactions towards these people.  Perhaps, I need help loving these people.  Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps!  Perhaps, I was then kissed on the cheek as I rolled over...and perhaps, he doesn't even know I noticed.  Well, I did!  Contentment!

1 Timothy 6:6
Godliness with contentment is great gain!

Madness

115 Parker Street is booming with business tonight!  I wish you guys could be with me right now...it is pure madness at my house!  I am laughing on the inside and loving every moment.

 My handsome is attempting to fix his "Lob-ster" tennis ball machine.  It is blowing...and blowing loudly; popping...and popping even louder...there are tennis balls being propelled from in the air... hitting the wall (he's coaching tennis by the way)
The Burns kids are here.  Britton and Gracie are going back and forth from playing Headbanz and Connect Four to running and screaming around the house giving Holly lots of exercise. 
Pizza is in the oven and making me very hungry as the aroma fills the air, I am tempted to eat before my run but afraid I will regret it.
The preceding events are all taking place in one room...the one I am in ;)
Oh yeah, Jordan is practicing one of her latest piano pieces...called Pterodactyls (a flying dinosaur-so I have learned)...it is loud, monotonous...and very "bassy" (is that a word?) at that. She is doing great, might I add.
I looked out in the field earlier and  saw Laura Kate, Allie, and Jordan running circles in the field...I then saw them stretching like Bonnie and I do.  Ha! Monkey see -Monkey do!  I realize how crazy it is how much they have grown.  It seems like it was just yesterday the three of them were toddlers. 

Bonnie has arrived and notifies me it is time for our run!  As Jason has given up on the lob machine, I leave him with the clan, he wishes me a good run. It's a good night:)

I love my crazy life!

A Blessed Day!

The buzz of my alarm awakened me early this morning.  I got up and dressed for my exciting challenge.  Awaiting Bonnie's  headlights to come through the field, I began to feel the butterflies.  Was I ready? Would I really finish my first half marathon today? What in the world should I eat for breakfast? How will I survive without my coffee until after the race...hours later?   It seems like it was just yesterday when I asked Bonnie to train for the marathon with me.  I knew Stephanie was a shoe in...she's a pro now! Well, we all have been training and Bonnie and I set out for our first half marathon today!  We succeeded and it was an awesome feeling!  My only negative thought the whole time was ...I can't imagine doing double this distance in March.  Whew!  This was only the beginning of my blessed day!  Afterwards, our first stop was Krispy Creme:) These were of course for "the kids" but we both knew that we would sneak some after we ate/devoured lunch! We then had a sweet visit with a special family at the Coliseum Hospital...(one of the matriarchs of our church) God is good!  She looked amazing!  We then headed home and I had the best hot shower and nap I have ever had in my entire existence.  Finished the night off with supper at The Brick...just the four of us :)  I am now tucked away in my closet again, eyelids very heavy.  About to call it a night and I am truly blessed and thankful God gives me the ability to run, an amazing family to share my life with, an awesome church family, wonderful friends that help keep me sane, and last but certainly not least...a bed that I am soooo about to crawl in!  Blessed indeed! 

Winding Down

The year 2012 brought with it lots of challenges for me.  My work relocated to a brand spankin' new, huge, modern, cool,  and any other adjective you can think of...facility (without furry visitors with long tails might I add).  I am super excited!  But reality set in upon my return after the holidays- along with a new facility came lots of other changes.  Everything changed  and I finally had to surrender to the fight of not wanting to learn the ropes of the new layout and routine.   I am not one who works well in chaos, at least I need  organized chaos....a plan.  This aspect makes me realize why I never wanted to be an ER nurse.  I don't react well on the fly and  I have to be settled and know what is to come so I can be prepared as much as possible.  The whole idea of being prepared for the masses of students this semester is relative.  The plan we put into place may not work. My coworkers have probably gotten many laughs  because I tend to get panicky when trying to figure out different scenarios of how it will be.  But that is just it- nobody knows how it will be until it comes to be!  ((((Insert loud scream))))  Hopefully, I won't be written off as a psychiatric case and they will be patient with my neurotic self!  So needless to say, I have had a couple of frustrating days at work.  It will be great as usual once all of the kinks are worked out and everyone simmers down.

To top off my day...I tried a new pinterest dessert after supper and it was a flop!  So I am now tucked away in my closet, my latest and greatest sanctuary I  created for my quiet time.  Kicked back in my papasan chair, as far away as possible from everyone else, I sip my coffee and eat my ice cream.  I hear the quiet roar of my space heater and I slowly wind down from this crazy day! I better crawl back out- its bath time for the kids.  Until next time...

365 Days & Counting

New Years always brings me to a time of reflection and as I have done so...2011 was the best year ever! I realized on December 31st at about 1130pm that I had experienced a peace in my marriage for 365 days.  If you have read my previous posts or know me well enough, you are aware that what Satan intended for bad- God intended for good! 

These things I took away from 2011:

I learned to let go of doubt and live in the fullness of God's promises.

I openly and freely worship my Savior through song...and love doing it!

I have read the Bible and prayed with my husband...almost every night.

I witnessed the love of my life being baptized and now he can't talk about the things God has done for him without holding back tears. 

Jordan was saved and baptized.... on the same day her father was!  What a sweet day!

I have watched Jordan grow up and she has a sweet, quiet (usually...unless her brother is around) spirit! I am very proud to call her my daughter.

Britton has grown into the most loving young lad... he gives me frequent hugs and lovin' and tells me he loves me ....randomly- I love it!  I am glad he takes after the Barbee's with his affection! 

God has proved himself so faithful to me!

Parker Street has been repopulated 10 fold!  I have gained some awesome new friends and neighbors!

I realized I worry way too much of what others think of me!  This is the most ridiculous problem I have...If I tried to please God as much as I did others...everything would be more than alright!

I have strengthened some friendships due to God being the common denominator! I have also learned to let go of other friendships that were obstacles to me growing in the Lord.

I learned I can't change people and make them choose a Godly lifestyle.

God has blessed me indeed! I have learned so much in 2011- I can't wait to see what God has for me in 2012!  It's back to the real world tomorrow!  I pray that each of you have a Happy New Year and make this year be your best year ever!