Resting in the Shadow of the Almighty

As a homeschooling mom of two very active boys, I often feel weary.  I'm sure that most mothers can relate to the feeling of "just one more thing to do."  The dishes, laundry, discipline, and training are never ending.  I am thankful for the rest that a good night sleep provides. 

Lately, God has been dealing with me about the rest that my spirit needs.  If I wake up and hit the ground running, without taking the time to stop and spend time with Him in His Word, I feel worn out and undone come bedtime.  Slowly, I am learning that true rest comes from Him.  Psalm 91 says, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."  Rest for my soul comes from spending that precious time in His presence, reading His Word and conversing with Him in prayer.  Psalm 91:4 paints a beautiful picture of rest, "He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." 

Last spring, a robin made it's nest under our deck.  We had a great vantage point from our basement window.  I loved watching that mama bird taking care of her little babies.  Every time she flew to the nest, I just thought for sure that she would smash one of her babies.  As I watched her, I thought about how cozy those baby birds felt under the shelter of her wings. Psalm 91:4 came to mind.  Isn't that how God wants me to feel; all snug and cozy under His shadow; resting in His presence?

I know this seems a bit simplistic, but this is the area of my walk with Christ that I have struggled the most.  I've often wondered why is something so simple, so hard.  I believe, it is because the enemy wants to keep me tired and weary.  I will be the least productive when I'm tired.  As mothers, we will be the least effective when we are weary.  So I will listen to what Jesus says in Matthew 11:28 and I encourage you to do the same, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest."


*Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience is offering a scholarship opportunity to attend the She Speaks Conference.  "She Speaks is about women connecting the hearts of women to the heart of Father God."  I'm finding my voice and would like to win the scholarship, if you'd like to join me go to:
http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/03/how-christians-create-art-she-speaks-scholarship/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HolyExperience+%28Holy+Experience%29&utm_content=Yahoo%21+Mail

Love Lists

Today, on their own and without any prompting from me, the boys made what Luke called a "love list."  I thought it was really precious.  Please don't take it personally if you weren't listed by name.  Luke said he ran out of room!  We love you all and wish you a very Happy Valentine's Day! The first one is Nathan's

 Here is Luke's

Winter Fun

We received almost 7 inches of snow the other day.  Since our townhome is on the end, most of the snow from the street is plowed into our yard.  The boys love this since it is a great supply of snow for snow balls and blocks.  Several neighbor kids came to join the fun too.  So here are a few pictures of the boys hard at play.  Thanks again to Aunt Rachel for the snowball and snow block makers.  They are awesome!!!

Let the Little Children Come to Me

On Wednesday evening, April 21st Luke expressed his desire to ask Jesus into his heart.  We had a sweet conversation about Jesus and how our sin separates us from Him.  When I asked Luke if he would like to ask Jesus to forgive him of his sins Luke said, "I already did that Mom; one night in my room!"  We prayed thanking Jesus for His forgiveness and love to us. 

Several months later, again on a Wednesday evening traveling to church, Luke asked, "When can I get in the water?"  That was his precious way of telling us he wanted to be baptized. 

Today, during the 11 o'clock service Luke was baptized. 

Matthew 18:2-3 reads, "He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said, 'I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.' "

I love that Jesus simply asks us to come and believe.  We don't have to have full understanding of faith, theology, scripture, etc.  We just have to come believing and trusting Him.  I'm so incredibly grateful that Luke has come to know Jesus at a young age.  Now he can spend the rest of his life walking and growing in relationship with Him. 

Pastor Drew asked Luke, "Who is Jesus to you?"  Luke's answer, "my Savior." 

I wish all of our family could have been here with us to celebrate Luke's public profession of faith.  I'm grateful that now we will have all eternity to celebrate together!

Fourth & Fifth of July

We finally ventured to Washington, D.C. So here is our trip in pictures with a few captions in between!  We started at Arlington National Cemetery.

                                                         

We then traveled to the National Mall.  We saw part of the Independence Day Parade.  We visited the Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and the Vietnam War Memorial.  I don't have any pictures of the Vietnam War Memorial wall because there were a lot of people and I just wasn't able to get a good picture of the wall. 

It was a hot long day, but totally worth it at the end of the day!  This is definitely one Fourth of July that I will never forget!  The only way it could have been better is if all our friends and family were there with us too!

  The next day we visited the Smithsonian Museum of American History. 

We were able to see the 30'x42' flag that flew over Fort McHenry during the battle of the War of 1812.  It was the same flag that Francis Scott Key saw that inspired him to write his poem that eventually became the Star Spangled Banner.  We were not able to take a picture of the flag because it is so fragile. 

This was probably the boys' favorite thing; C3PO.

The Abraham Lincoln exhibit was my favorite.  On the left is Abraham Lincoln's top hat.  The last time he wore it was the night he went to Ford's Theatre.  The picture on the right is Abraham Lincoln's inaugural suit.  The shirt and tie were reproductions, but the coat and trousers were the real deal.  The gown was Mary Todd Lincoln's inaugural gown.  

The next few pictures are for my sister:  Julia Child's Kitchen

 

There was so much more to see.  I can't wait to go back!  We had a really great time!