I get a daily devotional from Homeword Devotional (www.homeword.com) and I loved this one and wanted to share it. I have many days where I have to constantly tell myself to choose my attitude...in fact, I have those words written on our chalkboard in the computer nook upstairs. Enjoy!
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.—James 1:2-4
The story has been told of an elderly blind woman who was being moved to a nursing home. When she arrived, she was taken to her room. She entered and told her attendant enthusiastically, "I love it!" The attendant questioned the woman, "How can you say you love it, when you've never been in it before - and you can't see what it looks like?" The woman spoke up, "Seeing the room doesn't have anything to do with it. Happiness is my choice. I have decided to love my room. Every morning, I have a choice on whether I focus on what I don't like about my life or what I do like about it. I'm choosing right now to love the new room where I'm going to live."
Life has its share of trials and everyone will face situations that are less than desirable. Yet, so much about the quality of our lives is determined not by the situation itself, but rather how we respond to it. Honestly, I don't know if I could handle being moved into a nursing home with the grace demonstrated by the woman in the story. I hope I would, but I'm not sure.
I am always amazed at stories I read or hear along life's journey of people who choose joy, and even happiness, in the face of difficult life situations. Recently, I saw another example of someone choosing to celebrate in the midst of pain. I learned of an acquaintance who died at the age of 46 of melanoma. In the obituary, the reporter remarked how the man's wife didn't sound like someone who had just lost her husband. Instead, she was smiling, beaming with pride, because of the life and character of the man she had been married to for 20 years. This is not to say the woman is not experiencing deep pain and grief. I'm certain she is. But it is remarkable to me that even in the midst of grief, she chose joy.
One thing we all can count on for sure: Our lives will not be lived without trial, struggle and pain. It would be ridiculous to suggest that we ought to be happy when tragedy strikes. Still, it is clear from the Scriptures that God can bring good even out of life's most difficult situations. Here's a most important question: How will we respond to difficult seasons in our lives? Within ourselves, we all have the power to choose joy. It's God's desire for our lives that we do so, and I believe that for our own sakes, joy will always prove to be the better option over bitterness or despair.
Today, choose joy.
March 28, 2008
Choosing Joy
March 25, 2008
Easter Weekend
Easter weekend was so much fun for us! It started on Thursday morning with an egg hunt at our friend Eunice's house. The kids hunted eggs and played while the mommies talked and tried to catch up while chasing kids and taking care of babies. It was a nice morning and fun to see our friends. On Thursday night, we went to San Antonio to visit my sweet Nana. Mom and Dad met us there and we got to see my aunt, uncle and cousins as well. It was so special to me to see Nana with Ella and Jackson. She loves them so much and when she saw Ella for the first time she started crying and told me that Ella takes her breath away...so precious and forever etched in my mind. I just wish my Papa could have met her, but I know he, along with Uncle John are watching her and Jackson from heaven everyday!
Jackson had a ball seeing all of his family and playing with Granny, Pop and cousin Ali. Aunt Carolyn brought over lots of fun toys and a new tent for him to play in. She always finds the neatest toys! On Saturday, we took him to Peter Piper Pizza while the guys played golf and Nana and Aunt Carolyn kept Ella. He loved it and had so much fun playing games and winning prizes! He later informed us that he was tired of being "with the girls" and that he wanted to "be with the guys." Daddy has taught him that he is to take care of the girls while he is at work everyday and so now he loves to use this term. He is a funny kid. A big thing happened...Ella laughed for the first time. I was so excited and it was such a sweet sound to my ears :)
The Easter bunny came to visit on Sunday morning and Jackson was super excited. He could not wait to hunt the eggs and had to open each one as he collected them. Pick one up, eat a piece of candy, pick one up, eat a piece of candy, etc. I had to cut him off and he never even finished picking up all of the eggs. He and Granny did the chicken dance about 100 times and it was quite entertaining!
What a special day Easter is and we hope that you had a wonderful and blessed day!
March 19, 2008
"Indescribable" by Chris Tomlin
We sang this song at church on Sunday and it hits me every time. I love the words. My favorite part is when it says, "You placed the stars in the sky and you know them by name, you are amazing God." Think about that...I just wanted to share this because I love it so much.
"Indescribable"
From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
You are amazing God
2 months
I am amazed that Ella is already 2 months old! What a blessing this baby girl is to us. She is growing so much, smiling, cooing, kicking her arms and legs and really waking up to discover this world. I love to watch her and see her discover things. She LOVES the fan, she will see it and grin so big. It is so cute and so funny because Jackson did the same thing. We love our friend, the fan :) We went to her 2 month check up yesterday and she is doing great. She weighs 11 lbs. 11 oz. and is 22 3/4 inches long. She is in the 75th percentile for both height and weight. She had to get 5 shots, which was really sad. She obviously did not like that one bit. Bless her heart. Anyway, she is now eating 5 oz. every 3 to 4 hours. Her hair is still like a wild woman, sticking straight up and is looking a little bit red. Her eyes are still a dark grey, too soon to tell what color they will be. The best news yet is that she is FINALLY sleeping in her crib!! After 7 weeks of holding her to sleep and sleeping on the couch, we decided it was time for her to move to the crib (we swore we would never do this...but we actually kind of enjoyed it). She is doing great in there and loves to look at her Ocean Aquarium that her GG gave her. She is not sleeping through the night yet, but she is beginning to have longer stretches of 4, sometimes 5 hours. Someday we will sleep...I'm kidding, it's not that bad.
Jackson story...
Yesterday at the doctor J was getting restless and was` ready to go. I told him that we were waiting on the nurse to bring Ella some Tylenol and he says, "Tyrone...Mommy who is Tyrone??" I laughed out loud, it was so funny!
Here are a few pictures of the last month. Enjoy!
*We have several new friends that were welcomed into the world this past week.
Nathan & Lindsay - Baby Emerson
Giselle, Colin & big sister Molly - Baby Sam
Deb & Dennis - Baby Kate
Chris, Chrissy & big sister Elliott - Baby Berkley
Congratulations on your sweet babies!
March 16, 2008
Do you think Ella looks like Jackson?
OK, are Jazen and I really the only ones who think that Ella looks just like Jackson? When I look at her, I see so much of him and looking back at pictures of when he was 2 months old, I am amazed at how much they look alike! Post your comments and tell me what you think!
March 6, 2008
Ella Grace Slideshow
I finally figured out how to do this (although some of them are cut off a little bit...not sure how to fix this)! A few weeks late, but better late than never! What a special day this was for us all. We love you Ella Grace!
Snowing or just raining snow?
Funny Jackson story...
We were driving home from school today and it started snowing really hard. The flakes were HUGE and so beautiful! I said to Jackson, "Look baby, it is snowing!" He responds with, "NO, Mommy. It's not snowing, it's just raining snow!" Love it. He is so adorable.
He also had his first Starbuck's today...a decaf Americano with cream and two splenda. I'm kidding, a kid's hot chocolate!
