Thoughts, Lessons, and Randomness

     It says in 1 Thessalonians that we are supposed to pray without ceasing. I was thinking about that the other day as I repeated the same prayer over and over again and I realized something. There is a difference between praying without ceasing and praying on repeat. What I mean by praying on repeat is this, I often find myself praying the same request over and over. But, it wasn't because I was doing what Paul was talking about, rather my repetition stems from a lack of faith, it is like prayer OCD. Some part of me seems to think that in order for God to get my point, I need to mention it multiple times, but that just is not the case. Now I don't mean that we should ever only pray for something once and then be done with it, rather I realize that in my case my repetitive praying is from a place of a lack of faith or just feeling like once can't be good enough. Yes, pray without ceasing, but know that when you bring a need to The Creator of all that is or ever will be, He hears you and you don't need to have prayer OCD.

    Buirlen likes to be held, a lot. Because of this I've been using the carrier frequently. I put him in and he snuggles down and ends up sleeping through whatever it is I am working on. As I was lugging him around the other day, I started thinking about how God desires this same thing from us. The One who created the baby's need to be held and loved desires to carry us through the ups and downs of our lives. I believe that our souls long for that as well, to be held in the arms of The One who is our ultimate safe place, and yet all to often we choose not to accept His offer to hold us. But that offer is always there. It says in Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Rest, security, the knowing that we are loved, it is all there for us in the arms of our Heavenly Father. He so wants to hold us close.

    It is just crazy that this cute little kangaroo is already 7 weeks old. 

     

    My life holds some beautiful memories. Moments in time that I love to look back on. I absolutely love where my life is right now, and don't want to go backwards but I do love thinking back to certain points in my life and letting the feelings of those memories wash over me. And the wonderful thing is that each day of this beautiful life holds the potential for new moments, memories and adventures.

    And lastly there is a new song on repeat in this house. I love the simple sweet lyrics. So much happiness. Have a great night!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

"Memories are special moments that tell our story." ~Unknown

"The best thing about memories is making them."~Unknown

Happy Easter

     A most happy Easter to you! This morning at Church we sang the song "Because He Lives." Now I have sung this hymn many times before, but it stood out in particular today because of the verse, "How sweet to hold a new born baby, and feel the pride and joy he gives..." How sweet indeed, this little guy is so wonderful and I am so blessed to get to be his mom. But today, I noticed the second half of the verse for kind of the first time, "But greater still the calm assurance, this child can face uncertain days because He lives." Buirlen is in God's hands! Luke's and my goal is to raise this little boy to love and honor the LORD and to stand in faith and truth.

Looking pretty snazzy.

     So a bit of randomness for you, the other day I was sitting on the couch and I looked out the window to see a girl and a cow walking down the road in front of our house. And then another cow and another. I have no idea why they were herding cows down the road or where they were going. Later on while we were outside we found several cow pie surprises left in the yard.

    So, Buirlen likes to sleep with his face smashed into things. He seems to particularly like Luke's armpit and they snuggle this way frequently. Silly boy!

My sweet little Honey Bee

"Because He Lives" by William and Gloria Gaither

Happy Sunday!

"It is not joy that makes us grateful, it is gratitude that makes us joyful." ~Unknown

A Perfect Match

    It is Sunday afternoon which means yet another week is gone and a new one is beginning. Our new normal is starting to settle into a routine and life is good. I'm learning that some days you get things done in chunks while the little mister is sleeping and other days you get things done while carrying him around because he refuses to be set down, and then there are the days we just choose not to get much done.
     The other day Buirlen and I went to visit The Lovely Keren Ruth and Mr. Ephraim and she took some pictures for us(Benjamin did the editing). I do believe they turned out beautifully!      
     When Luke and I were first married, I was still in school and Keren was working at Walmart. I was often home around lunch time and she had an hour long lunch break. This meant that we frequently spent our lunch times together, and it was great. Then I got a full time job that didn't allow me to leave for lunch and our mid-day meetings ended. I must say I'm quite happy that we are now both in a place where we can resume our occasional lunch dates.

This weekend, my sweet friend Polly and her husband Isaac came up to visit and meet Buirlen. It was lovely to see them. This weekend was also Buirlen and Brody's joint baby shower. Keren and Abbi did a spectacular job of putting together a Bee themed party.

Polly and Buirlen

Brody wasn't to sure he wanted to be a model.

 My Sweet little Bumble Bee. Abbi made the adorable little sweater and hat. 

I've mentioned before that Keren and I have a "Spot" where we like to take our picture. Shortly after Luke and I got married we took a picture of the two of us there and over the years it just became the place where we would pose for pictures. Today we got the first one of us and our babies. 

Ephraim really likes his cousin. 

     Today Luke and I were talking about how, as men and women, God designed us to have different rolls. Luke has often mentioned how God created men and women to be different and how that is such a beautiful thing. It's like a pair of shoes, you really wouldn't want to have to wear two left shoes because it just wouldn't fit right. God beautifully designed marriage to have a left and a right "shoe" you need one of each to be a pair, not two lefts or two rights. 

    I am so happy to be in a place now where I get the opportunity to be a stay at home mom, wife, and homemaker. I loved working outside the home, but my dream and our goal was always that eventually I would stay at home and now is the time. It says in Titus 2:3 "Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored." To love my husband, to love my children to work at home, these are all things that God designed and I think He delights to see happening. 

    The part of this verse that says, "[Wives] being subject to their own husbands," was also something that Luke and I were discussing this afternoon. In this day and age,  I think that this is a verse that might rub some people the wrong way, but I actually find comfort in it. I love the fact that I can rest in the knowledge that my husband is wise and loves us, and is doing what is right for our family. I love that the stress of many big decisions does not rest solely on my shoulders. In marriage, God gave each party strengths and responsibilities. Luke has his part and I have mine and together it makes a beautiful whole. 

   So happy Sunday and may your new week be full to the brim of goodness. Here is the cutest little smile to get you started off on the right foot!

"The goal in marriage is not to think alike, but to think together." ~Robert C. Dodds

"The family is God's greatest masterpiece." ~Unknown 

1 Month?!?

      How can it be that my sweet baby is already 1 month old?! March has come and gone like a whirlwind and it has been a lovely adventure for sure. Buirlen is chubbing out and is the most cuddly little guy. He has an amazing fluff of blond hair and though I know it is still early and anything could happen, his eyes are definitely looking blue. He seems to quite enjoy tubby time and head massages are always welcome too. He has also decided that his binky is a nice accessory to have around, and he is just plain adorable!

    I'm starting to realize that being a mom is going to be a great lesson in trust. When I was pregnant I remember thinking that it would be easier and I wouldn't worry so much once he was born. Well that certainly isn't the case and so my journey of trust continues. Learning to trust my life, and now my sweet boy's life, to The One who designed us both. 

    Really, Burilen is the perfect example of what I should be doing in my walk of faith--completely relying on someone bigger than himself. This tiny human being has a better handle on faith than I do and so I learn from him. 

  

Oh my heart!

He has the Shearer one eyebrow raise down pat. 

Happy Tuesday. 

"Faith is all about believing. You don't know how it will happen, but you know it will." ~Unknown