Embracing this season...

I know some of you new mommas go through the struggle of letting go, for now the things you burn for.  I can speak from experience, and I know how it feels, BUT I also know that the Lord is faithful and that JOY does spring up during this point in life when you have to set aside many areas in your life, to give your 100% to your children.  And, for me, the call still remains, as it's here, the opportunity to sing in the prayer room once again, they even offer childcare for free now & the team I have always hoped to join is now going to be on the perfect time schedule that works for me, AND I would get to join IHOP staff!! It all sounds so awesome, and o how my heart longs to sing again.  It has been over 2 yrs since I have sang in the prayer room, or sang at all. ( really sang)

BUT....

Why does my heart tell me it is not time? and when will the time finally come?!?  One thing I can say, is that though at the moment I don't feel released to step on a team just yet, I am ok with that.  I know the time is slowly approaching, and I also know, my heart is here, in my house, with my babies.  Not to say I cant do both, but I feel the Lord calling me to give my 100%  to my children, husband and home.  It took A LONG time in these last couple of yrs to be OK with sitting on the side, with laying down something I am really passionate about, something I know He has called me to do,  to EMBRACE this season of motherhood..I know this time wont last forever. 

So I will continue to labor, to EMBRACE, to diligently give my heart and serve my family to the best of my ability!!! and now, I can say, from the bottom of my heart, that I find PLEASURE & JOY, in this season.  However long it may be....

Toddler devotional time...

Over the past yr, I have been trying to figure out different ways to have a fun, interactive devotional time with Grace.  It has been a challenge, there have been times when I have expected to much out of her.  I had it in my head that she would enjoy sitting down, having a thorough time of prayer, and reading the word.....I mean, what in the world was I thinking?!? After all Grace is only a toddler!!!

My goal, is to make daily time with Jesus a part of my children's lives.  So daily devotional time in the mornings is a must in our house.  I feel that if I set the foundation now, it will play a big part in their lives in the future.  I have come up with some tips on how to have a successful ( for the most part) lol, fun, interactive devotional time with your toddler. 

1. Mornings is best:  From personal experience, I have found that when I start devotional time right after breakfast, I have more of my kids attention.  They are ready to do something fun, and their mind is nice and clear.

2. Stick to the same music:  We use the same praise song and CD every morning for a long period of time before changing it up.  Once I turn the music on and Grace hears her favorite praise song, she knows its time to get her instruments, and dance ;)

3. Use instruments:  Instruments are so much fun.  Grace loves to beat the drum and shake her shakers, it adds to the enjoyment of praising Jesus.

4.  Use paint & crayons:  This one of the best ways to keep your toddler engaged.  I normally pick a scripture, and draw it out, then share the picture with her.  She loves it, and it is a good way to teach them scripture.

5. Pick a scripture:  Every morning, I have a verse  picked out.  I read the verse, ask Grace a question, and draw it for her. You can even stick with a theme! like creation!

7. Worship extravagantly:  Give Jesus your ALL..sing with all that you have, and dance your heart out.  Teach your children how to worship, show them the enjoyment that is found in worshiping God. 

6. Keep it short and simple:  I try to keep devotional time to 30 min.  Sometimes we even go less, depending on how Grace is doing.

Well that is all! I hope this helps....;) What are some of the things you do with your children during devotional??? 

Understanding the blessedness of motherood

I have been reading on Mary, and her reaction to the news that she would conceive of the Holy Spirit and give birth to the Son of God.  Not only was she a virgin, young, but she was CHOSEN by the almighty God, to take part in this big master plan of bringing His Son down to earth.  Did she run? Did she deny Him?  Was she not willing to ruin her reputation?.......She said YES to the call of motherhood, she set aside her own personal circumstances and said " Let it be unto me according to your word."

She was to become the mother of GOD himself.  wow! In her acceptance, she showed her willingness, her surrender, her servanthood, her obedience, her selflessness, and her love for God. 

O that we would rejoice with Mary, that we would understand and accept that motherhood is a blessing, that we would sing and rejoice, and thank the Lord for making us mommas.  No matter that circumstance that may stand in our way, whether finances, or space, whatever it may be, lets sing the song of Mary, the song of rejoicing, and lets magnify the Lord, being forever grateful for considering us as mothers and for CHOOSING us to nurture and raise the children He ordained for us.

The song of Mary: Luke 1:46-56

" My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.  for He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.  For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And Holy is His name.  And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.  He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.  He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly.  he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to this seed forever."

LORD, I REJOICE AND FIND JOY, THAT YOU HAVE REGARDED ME, AND HAVE FOUND ME WORTHY ENOUGH TO BE THE MOTHER OF GRACE & JOSHUA AND TO RAISE THEM FOR YOU! FOR THAT I AM SO GRATEFUL!

Vacation...bitter sweet!

OK! So after over a yr of living in KC we finally got to come back to FL to visit out family and friends!  Our flight didnt arrive to FL till 12am and I didnt get the kiddies to bed until 2am....It was tough, and today my babies were running on about 6 hrs of sleep, although troopers, Joshua had outburst of small crying sessions.  This is our first family vacation, AND both kids are not used to sleeping away from home, so it has been quite the challenge. 

I love being around my family! It will be sooo hard to leave them, once again...

Nevertheless, I do have some things on my heart, that I just cant figure out how to put on paper, and I will be doing a guest post on my wonderful friends Nicole Arrozollos blog. I prob wont be able to blog for a little, while on vacation, but will as soon as I get back home.

Love you all! ;)

12 principles: Apply in relationship to our Children...

This past Sunday on Fathers day, Mike gave an amazing message called God's Fatherhood released in the church and the home.  In my eyes and for my life, I would have to say that the success of parenting is being connected with the Father heart of God, and then releasing it into our homes.  When we better understand how His Father heart feels towards US and towards our CHILDREN we can teach better, guide better, and love stronger. 

This week, I have been asking the Lord to show me His heart, to reveal His love for me.  In all honesty I feel like I almost lost sight of His supremacy as God, as Yahweh and as MY FATHER.  When the revelation of who He is begins to fade, we live differently, get frustrated easily, lose sight of what our hearts burn for and then, there is patience....what patience?? sigh, yes I am guilty of sometimes being the most impatient momma ever!

I tried something different this week, I started out my days asking the Lord to show Himself to me, I opened the Word, and just surrendered it all to Him.  Praying He would reveal His love for me, that He would open His Father heart towards me expressing every emotion and thought, not only for me but for Grace and Joshua.  My one desire as I work on my relationship with my babies, is to love them rightly, to discipline them in a correct manner, and to speak life daily into their hearts...Lord, I want to know and EXPERIENCE your FATHER HEART!

Well, Mike shared 12 principles to apply in relationship to God, our family and others.   I found these principles so helpful, and this week I have been trying my best ( not always being succeful) at applying these principles in my home, and towards my children..

Here they are!

1. Relationship building: Invest in others according to their hearts cry and passions.  ( What are the passions of your children's heart? what is something they relate too?)  Even God connects with us according to our gifting and passions.
2. Affirming:  Our greatest emotional need is for assurance of being ENJOYED.  Even in their negative parts or their failures, make sure they feel enjoyed.
3. Calling forth: Envisioning and inspiring them to take action. Tell them things about their hearts they cant see.
4. Coaching: Training them, giving them responsibilities, then overseeing it.
5. Encouraging: Speaking words of Life and reminding them of God's perspective.
6. Serving: Seeking for the greatness of the children with a servant spirit.  Comminting ourselves to the childrens greatness and not ours.
7. Enduring: Being patient and gentle with their failures without giving up on them.
8. Celebrating: Supporting them emotionally and enjoying God's blessing on them.  Celebrate the small things.
9. Providing: Investing our resources (time and money) in them in practical ways.
10. Taking initiative in reconciliation: Take the lead in humbling yourself in strife. Even if it is only 10% your fault.
11. Correcting: pointing out blind spots without provoking them to anger.
12. Standing in difficulty: Supporting them in battles and difficulties.

Lord, I just pray for all mothers, that You would reveal yourself to them as Father, as our comforter, our defender, our greatest cheerleader, and as our  faithful leader.  Lavish the tenderness of Your heart on all of us.  That we would in return demonstrate Your Father heart to our children.  We know that without You there is no good in us, apart from You we will not be successful in anything we do.  Come Lord, with the spirit of wisdom and revelation and the knowledge of You, that the eyes of our understanding may be enlightened...Let us see you Lord and let our children encounter You through our parenting.  Amen.

Building strong relationships.

Yesterday, it seemed that my kiddies were tugging at me for more of my attention.  One side of me was thinking of all the things I had to do and the other side was telling me "sometimes house stuff just has to wait".  So as I looked down at my little girl who was telling me to sit and color with her, I set aside my routine and schedule and gave her all my attention.  As I sat down and looked into her big brown eyes, I was filled with such satisfaction and joy, and her smile and giggles were priceless!

One of the most crucial things in the life of a child is having strong godly relationships that are filled with the love of God, and the knowledge of Him.  As a parent, I know that my relationship with my kids will lead way to their relationship with God. 

Children long for love, for attention and it is up to us to demonstrate that to them, once they trust the love we have given them, they will trust the love the Lord has for them.  We are the gateway and the very thing that connects our children to Jesus. 

I am currently  reading a book called Raising Spiritual Children, and yesterday's chapter was on building strong relationships with our kids.  I had read this chapter after I had finished playing with Grace.  I felt like the Lord was confirming what I had felt that morning and telling me that it is in those times, when I give her my attention, my love and when I make her feel important, that I am not only building a good relationship with her but building a good foundation for the relationship she will one day have with Him.

As parents, we are the vessels that are being used by the Holy Spirit to lead their hearts into the love of God and our relationships have an incredible impact on their spiritual health and wholeness. 

Grace, momma promises that she will always give you her love and attention! forever & ever baby girl!

 

Joshua,  momma promises to always give you her love and attention! forever & ever baby boy!

My new blessing...

In April, one our dreams came true!! We bought a house, a place of our own where we can be at peace and where we can raise Grace and Joshua, a home we can call ours!  Although our house isn't something huge and outstanding, it is perfect for us in every way.  We would of never thought we would be homeowners at this point in our lives and after trying for a while the door finally opened up.  We found the perfect house, and the perfect seller ever!


I promised one of my friends I would post pics of the house last month...so here it is! =) Enjoy!!

My house, with a new porch built by my father in law =)

Living room area, we have added a new area rug & new modern fan (not in pic)

My kitchen

Laundry room

Kids bedrooms

Master bedroom

Bathroom

and my pretty back yard =)

I took these pics a few wks back, and we have added somethings and of coarse there are still stuff we have to get up on the walls and such! but this is it =) Thank you to all who kept us prayer through the process, it was smooth and we know for sure this is the house Jesus had for us all along!