Grace in the Midst

Have you ever met anyone who, given the choice, would CHOOSE to be irritable, achy (and not just a little achy), tired, discouraged, bloated and as a good friend recently described me - totally up and down?  I have.  Introducing - Me.  Those things don't sound like something anyone would CHOOSE, do they?  And how do I even know I have a CHOICE?  Well, because I have experienced life on the other side - for months at a time.  And, it is amazing!  I KNOW that I can feel energetic, motivated, painless (well, almost - I did take a nose dive off a 20 foot cliff), stable and consistently happier!  I've done it.  Then, I didn't.  Then, I did again.  What is IT?  Sugar.  Sugar and I are like two peas in a pod - except the pod squeezes the life out of me and I keep choosing to jump back in the pod.  My most recent success in the sugar area lasted almost 6 months and even my husband couldn't believe the difference in my overall...

I've recently been reading the book 7:An experimental mutiny against excess , by Jen Hatmaker, and once again have found myself completely convicted.  Actually if I'm honest, I go back and forth between laughing my head off (she is hilarious) and feeling convicted. "7  is the true story of how Jen (along with her husband and her children to varying degrees) took seven months, identified seven areas of excess, and made seven simple choices to fight back against the modern-day diseases of greed, materialism, and overindulgence." ( Food. Clothes. Spending. Media. Possessions. Waste. Stress.  ) This morning in my prayer closet (the shower) I was struggling with how much I have and how little I give.  Though Jen Hatmaker is in no way condemning (actually quite the opposite), I have a tendency to figure out a way to condemn myself without much prodding.  As I was beating myself up, I heard His still small voice (I think it was His, I never know for sure) whisperin...

I have often struggled with Matthew 6:15:  "But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins", but I recently had an "Aha" moment and I think I've found a way of looking at it that makes a bit more since to me.  I don't know if it is doctrinally correct, but I thought I'd shoot it out as an idea anyway.   Could it be, perhaps, that if we do not truly accept Christ's forgiveness in our own lives that we will be unable to offer forgiveness to those around us?  In the often quoted John 3:16, we are reminded that "whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life".  Believing, truly believing, means accepting the fullness of His sacrifice for our sins - knowing that we in no way deserve His grace and yet He gives it.  Once we have grasped the wonderful reality of the forgiveness that God offers us, it seems like it should be impossible not to extend it to others.  So, maybe the core issue of ...

1806. The fact that there have been so many blessings poured upon my life in the last 2 months that I could never possibly remember, let alone record them all. 1807. The birth of our precious son, Teal Gregory Lecher! 1808. He was almost two weeks early (and totally healthy), praise God! 1809. God softened my heart the night he was born...I wasn't in a good place - but I couldn't sleep so I stayed up and read and prayed...and God worked miraculously within me. 1810. Praying the baby would come early, then standing up  - and the process starting immediately My mom being right around the corner, and coming at the drop of a hat 1811. A smooth and peaceful birth and recovery 1812. Our new little man is a great eater, and very content 1813. Our three older children gathered around the new baby - with big smiles and lots of enthusiasm. 1814. Starting out our new year with a fun filled visit with my sister in law and the kids' cousins 1815. Avonlea's gleeful expressi...

I think I've heard the serenity prayer a million and one times, but I just recently found out that it is never quoted in full.  The second half is wonderfully encouraging! "God grant me the serenity To accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world As it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right If I surrender to His Will; So that I may be reasonably happy in this life And supremely happy with Him Forever and ever in the next"

Proverbs 4:18 "The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day" Ah, there is something so encouraging to me about this verse!  I am righteous because of what Christ has done for me - and though my light may not be quite as bright as I'd like it to be, it is slowly but surely brightening - and one day will be as bright as the sun on a beautiful summers afternoon!  What a wonderful and amazing promise! Prayer: Lord, thank you that you don't leave us where we are at.  Thank you that your Holy Spirit continues to work in us and through us - helping us shine a little bit more with each passing moment. May we be encouraged knowing that You are at work in us and that one day we will be a perfect picture of your holiness.

1790. Getting a great bean bag sale that wouldn't have worked out if we hadn't just changed our plans 1791. My new kitchen island and blinds that my mom brought with her from Florida (though the blinds came with their share of heartache as we tried to install them) 1792. My mom joining us at church 1793. Our family visiting her in her new home for popcorn and a movie 1794. Avonlea standing on her own in the middle of the room - and how proud she is to be able to do so 1795. Working side by side with Matt as we try to improve our website 1796. Running errands with mom and the kids 1797. Enjoying tweaking my blog 1798. Getting lots of laundry done - and the kids playing together nicely while I did so 1799. Making 3 cauliflower pizza crusts ahead of time (even though my house smells like a giant cauliflower) 1800. A quiet evening reflecting on life, choices, and habits with a few dear friends 1801. My mom's new part time job and the incredibly sweet lady she is work...

1757. Woody, Buzz Light Year and Jessie - Lecher versions :) 1758. A kind hearted young boy giving Blake and Cole his Woody & Buzz Light Year toys, when he found out they were dressing up like the Toy Story characters 1759. Jumping in balls and bounce houses with my three precious blessings...and their laughter whenever Matt turned off the air and we went "down, down, down"...and back "up up up" 1760. Praying with friends 1761. Two wide eyed boys watching the winters first snow 1762. Miniature snow men 1763. Celebrating a new friend's birthday and looking forward to the many blessings God is going to pour out on her this year 1764. Heavenly Bean Bags 10th year anniversary...and the ability to display it beautifully at the Artfull Gifts fine art show and Camden's festival of lights craft show. 1765. How Matt makes everything he touches beautiful & artistic 1766. The three day trip across the country that my mom and GiGi made...though it was...

1726. A hardworking husband that still puts his family first 1727. Morning snuggles with my early bird (Cole) 1728. A delightful fun filled, miracle filled, two week visit with Grandma (my mom) 1729. Grandma's desire to move to Maine, and lots of open doors 1730. Learning to trust in God's timing 1731. A two day women's retreat where I was able to spend time with a dear friend, make new friends and reflect on how much God has given me 1732. Matt and Grandma spending time together with the kids while I was gone - train rides, breakfasts at the diner, and enjoying our home 1733. Our newest blessing (due in January) receiving more attention than usual...women at the retreat noticed this big ol' belly of mine a lot more than people do when I have 3 other little ones by my side. 1734. Being served meals 1735. Finally giving in to the idea of floaties, actually finding them at the store (at the end of summer...and the last two pairs), and watching the kids enjoy the ...

1706. Spontaneous evenings with dear friends 1707. Mini vacations/shopping trips 1708. Lots of beautiful fabrics from Auburn's  fabric warehouse  and of course, Marden's 1709. Blake and Cole helping carry fabric rolls that were bigger than they are 1710. Blake, Cole and Avonlea's delight in the water (at the hotel pool) 1711. New razors :) 1712. Boys on wood piles 1713. Boys (including daddys) throwing & stacking wood 1714. Cole's enthusiasm in the music/spoon banging tent at the Common ground fair 1715. The joy children bring to all ages 1716. Hay piles and big jumps 1717. Cole holding my hand the first 10 times he jumped - and then being ready to jump on his own (thankful that in most areas he still needs my hand) 1718. Avonlea maturing a months worth in 3 days time (pulling up, climbing stairs - wanting to walk etc..) 1719. Cole showing Avonlea the right way to eat watermelon (she was trying to eat it rind first) and then saying "Yeah, Avi"...

1688. Blake consistently asking for Avonlea to be by his side 1689. Kiddo compliments from strangers 1690. Housework compliments from my hubby 1691. A lunch date in Camden with 3 of my favorite people - Blake, Cole & Avi 1692. Avi's continued progress...especially her new crawl/walk (crawling with legs in walking position) 1693. Beautiful weather - and kids that notice 1694. Cole seeing Jesus everywhere (even if its actually a civil war monument) 1695. Special outings made possible by GiGi 1696. The boys impromptu dance/song when they got their special outing money 1697. A new, much less expensive payroll company 1698. Blake & Cole asking to feel the baby kick (even though they can't really feel him yet) 1699. Governor's restaurant - specifically their mozzarella cheese sticks 1700. Friends that I miss - and the hope of reconnecting soon 1701. How well Cole is communicating 1702. Weekend plans 1703. A 2 day/3 night women's retreat at the end of...

1667. Quiet mornings before kids wake up 1667. Reading the word and other inspiring books on my kindle 1668. A fun last minute road trip with a friend (in which I got a new charger for my kindle) 1669. REALLY good news from a friend's doctor concerning her HEALTHY baby girl 1670. God working miraculously in another friends job - after she asked me to pray about it ("The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective" James 5:16" KIDDING - I'm not exactly righteous...well, ok, ok - I am through his blood :) 1671. I am righteous through His blood 1672. I am learning how to make i mperfect progress in many areas of my life 1673. Baking (yes, I baked) yummy sugar/flour free cookies 1674. Blake and Cole throwing a ball with Avonlea - and her sheer delight 1675. Realizing (and recording) how much Blake and Cole have grown in 6 months 1676. How much joy stickers bring to Blake and Cole (and to mommy who uses them to encourage them to do their chores) ...

     I finally got my hands on the book Unglued  that I mentioned in my previous post .  I haven't even finished the second chapter and I'm already feeling inspired enough to write again.  Sweet.  Inspiration feels so good these days, and having the energy to follow through with the inspiration - even better!  Anyway, back to  Lysa TerKeurst  (the author of Unglued).  So she had another one liner that really stuck out to me...  "I can face  things  that are out of my  control  and not  act  out of  control ."  She proceeded to tell of a time when her computer broke down mid project and she totally lost it (or should I say became unglued).  She ended up having to get a new computer, but luckily the tech-support guy was able to make a copy of her hard drive - so she still had access to pertinent files.  A few months later, her new laptop was stolen.  She held it together a li...

     More than a year ago my mother and I started a project.  Puzzles.  My kids love puzzles.  There were pieces everywhere - and broken boxes - and missing boxes (not to mention missing pieces).  I had the bright idea of getting rid of all the boxes, numbering the puzzles (so when I find a random piece I know where to put it) and hanging them, in order of course, in perfectly crafted plastic bags.  So we started.  We numbered the puzzles...well at least half of them - and then decided to go shopping for the perfect bags and/or rack to hang them on.  We couldn't find either.  So there I was with a whole bunch of puzzles out of their boxes and shoved into zip lock bags (and not even the kind with those cool slider things).  Well, there wasn't time to finish the project - so all the bags got shoved into a box and plopped in the basement.  I kept thinking I'd either find the perfect bags or at least borrow my husbands gromitt...

1649. Avonlea's delight as she puts things in and takes things out of small boxes, cups etc... 1650. A receptive heart 1651. Blake looking for ways to help his mommy, daddy and siblings on a regular basis 1652. Losing the letter "E" of a vowel game - and then, finding it after praying I would 1653. Helping a friend create an inviting and comfy place to chat with friends 1654. Enjoying time with friends 1655. A curious little mouse 1656. Dishwasher soap - you don't realize how much you appreciate it until you run out :) 1657. Thankful list reminders on pre-scribbled paper 1658. Watching Avonlea interact happily and bring joy to her Drs and therapists 1659. Begging God for contentment and joy, feeling so far from it - and Him pouring out more and more blessing - until I couldn't help but smile 1660. A friend who prayed for me as soon as I asked her to 1661. Watching God answer her prayers 1662. Being used despite myself 1663. An unexpected break and ev...

Wow, it has been a while since I've blogged (other than my gifts list)- and, to be honest I wasn't sure if I'd blog again.  I've been putting up walls in so many areas of my life.  Letting hurts control me...not wanting to let anyone in to this broken soul of mine.  But, tonight I realized that the walls aren't protecting me - their just hurting me...and probably, hurting others.  So here I am.  I'm ready to stop protecting myself and start being myself again.  The thickest wall I've built has been between God and I - but luckily he sees right through the bricks I lay.  He loves me - bricks and all.  He is longing for me to accept His love.  He isn't witholding His love until I  read 15 chapters of scripture a day or spend hours in an uninterrupted prayer closet (though I'm sure He longs for me to long for Him).  He just keeps loving me, and keeps pouring out blessing after blessing.  His unconditional love is something that I ...

1628. A friend painting my toe nails 1629. Avonlea giggling, jumping and swinging in her Johnny Jump Up. 1630. God's patience with me. 1631. Intercessors 1632. Blake asking if we could pray for Avonlea at dinner (after he brought up the bible story where Jesus heals a mans eyes) 1633. Sharing our favorites/least favorites at dinner 1634. Friends coming over for dinner and entertaining & enjoying our kiddos for more than an hour 1635. Skyping with GiGi & Gdad 1636. Running out of clothes for Avonlea, & getting beautiful dresses and pjs from GiGi 1637. Blake - after getting a new plate from GiGi "I am so, so, so, so happy - I think I'll go out and buy GiGi a big ol' present." 1638. God's sovereignty through difficult times - both in my life and in the lives of those I care about 1639. Answered prayer - in the form of a table and chairs 1640. Unexpected time to myself 1641. Psalm 127:3 1642. Playing "vowel games" with the boys ...

1607. A care package straight from GiGi's heart 1608. Avonlea blowing kisses 1609. Petting a camel 1610. Evening strolls in down town belfast 1611. Blake and Cole throwing sticks for a cute dog named Una 1612. Pink clouds 1613. Ice cream cones filled with animal feed 1614. Cole's expression each time he shouted "he eat it mamma, he eat it" (referring to the goat he was feeding) 1615. Chicken on the grill 1616. Avonlea in the sand box 1617. The boys running from their dad (who happened to have a hose in his hand) 1618. Reading lessons with the boys ("The ordinary parents guide to teaching reading") 1619. Close calls in the water - so thankful for God's protection 1620. Kids piled up in a small car 1621. Daily rides to Seth's (our mechanic) - luckily he lives on our street :) 1622. Cole making Avonlea laugh on a regular basis 1623. Blake counting down the days to things he is looking forward to - the latest, "my cousin's house...