Capturing Sacrifice

We can't do it all.  We can't be everything to everyone.  The only one who could gave up His life.  Sacrificing it all, so that we can be all that we are.
Make your sacrifices wisely.  Keep in mind that what you do is a reflection of Him because He is a part of all of us.  Do everything that you do with thought and effort to glorify your Father.
Sacrifices are everywhere, in many things, throughout your days.  Do you recognize them for what they are?
Imagine, a crown of thorns, ugly words, being denied three times by your own disciple and yet shedding your blood for those that hate you.
What are you willing to give up so that your Father might live on through you?  Any of it or even all of it?  Will you answer the call?

Deo Volente
NMV

Capturing Daddy's Love

A post over at incourage.me is the inspiration for this post.  Tonia Booker shared this http://www.incourage.me/2011/10/whos-your-daddy.html post.  Then she asked for others to share their experiences.
So, what's my story of My Daddy's love for me?  I find myself constantly amazed at His unconditional love.  I know that that's what a father does, he loves you not in spite of your imperfections but because they make you, you.  That's just it, I'm not perfect, nor will I ever be.  I forget to clean up after my every little mess.  I don't keep up with the laundry.  I burn supper and show up late more often than not.
The most beautiful gifts He's ever given me are my children.  My husband and I didn't manage to keep rein of our sinful passion before marriage.  God doesn't make mistakes but He is great at surprises.  Our first born arrived in October 2000 three and half months after our June wedding day.  What an amazing blessing!!  Jayden was my first hint at the great things My Daddy had in store for me.  When we thought we were ready for baby number two God taught us another small lesson.  It was something along the lines of patience, but mainly just to trust in Him.  Our second baby dances safely in the presence of Our Father.  Lost to miscarriage in "February 2003 I learned a bit of what losing a child is like.  Amazingly we were blessed quickly after that and babe number three was due early January 2004.  I got to become a stay-at-home mom in the fall of 2003 enjoying time with Jayden while preparing for a new baby.  Jayden came early so I sorta expected that the next time around.  The only thing I said was that I didn't want a 'Christmas baby'.  I didn't want to miss out on the festivities of such a wonderful family focused day.  Then I learned that children will often do the opposite of what you want them to and got my first hint at My Dad's sense of humor.  Andrew made his arrival in the wee morning hours of Christmas 2003.  A Daddy's gifts are amazing and beautiful.  I just didn't realize how absolutely good He is at them.  We still thought we were in control of our plans as we made plans to expand our family again.  Again the blessing of babes and loss came our way.  One in early summer 2005 and one in spring 2006.  I was so sad but I knew that God had a greater plan for me.  Broken and healing I was learning to turn to My Daddy and His all knowing love to handle my days.  Daddies love their children, through the good times and bad, happy and sad, loving them through it all.  Once upon a time I went through my days amazed at the families with kiddos aged so closely together.  I was always thankful my blessings were spread apart.  Then I was blessed with twins.  Mack and Madi came in March of 2008 bringing with them lessons and experiences that only a Daddy knows I need.  After their amazing arrival and adjustment as a family of six from four we (still) thought we were in control of family planning.  Oh, Dad must have loved laughing at us.  He knows that some learn their lessons quickly and others need reminder upon reminder that we're not in control of this earthly life.  When asked if we're done having kids I've learned to say 'only if God thinks so' because, yes I finally learned.  Huh?!?!  See we have this amusing little comic relief blessing that came in the form of a ornery little boy in May of 2009.  A quick 14 months after M&M.
Wow, My Daddy loves me!!  In less than ten years I had experienced more than I ever dreamed.  Blessings that included gifts of squalling babes, the pain of loss, the love of connections through all of this.  Oh, yes, my Daddy loves me.  He spoils me daily when I but take the time to look around and see all that He's done for me.  I know I wouldn't know the value in having my babies without feeling the pain of the loss of my babies.  I wouldn't know how to recognize all the beauty in my days without having seen the sadness that comes in them too.
Oh, Daddy, how you love me, even me to give me so much.  I couldn't ask for more than what I already have, but I'm learning that you have so much in store for me and I shall simply prepare myself.
Daddy, I love you!  Thanx, so much, for loving me!!

DV-NMV

Capturing Strength

Philippians 4:13 NLT - For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

I only need to remember these words to get me through my day.  There is a song sung by Matthew West that includes this verse and words that will lift me up no matter how I feel in that moment.

Strength is not something I can capture, not really. It's not something I can grab onto and hold in storage for when I need it.  It's not something I can stock up on at the store.  It truly is only something I can get from My Father.  Turning to Him in my weakest moments and getting the strength to get through from Him.  Capturing strength is really just capturing my connection to Him.

Deo Volente
NMV

Capturing Me Time

I don't do it often.  Occasionally I find a way to schedule a few minutes, hours or even an evening of 'me time'.  I love a hot shower taken alone, with no one sitting on the bathroom floor waiting.  Better yet is a soak in the tub with no knocks on the door.  Great fun is time out with friends laughing.  I'm even happy to share my 'me time' with my husband.  Playing cards, games and sharing laughs with friends without kiddos around to ask if they can join in is a much welcome reprieve to have that reminds us we aren't just parents, but adults with friends and lives too.  Tonight I spent a few hours with a girlfriend at our first EBW Fit Event.  Meeting new women and sharing laughter, knowing that it is good to remember how to take care of the "me" part of "women".
Ah, yes, me time.  Thank you Lord for reminding me that the best way to take care of my family is to take care of me!  Sometimes I need a kick in the tush for a reminder, I'll always appreciate it though!!
LuvNHugz - SupportNPrayerz
DV-NMV

Takin' Five on Friday - Relevant

Just as Gypsy Mama requests, I am here.

GO

What is relevant?  It's a big word that I don't use very much in my little world of children, chaos and family issues.  I don't have time for big words that I have to explain.  I don't have time for a phone that doesn't want to upload blog posts for the last two days.  They were good, even if I must say so only myself.  Maybe eventually they'll load, maybe not.  It is the 28th of October so I've been here attempting to capture words for 28 days and have been surprisingly successful.  There have been failures and glitches leaving me with days and words unspoken and uncaptured.  Grammar check that!
Anyway, what is relevant?  Does this matter right here, right now?  Yeah, I guess these short quick sentences capture my day, maybe even my week and give me something.  Something to look back on someday when I wonder what in the world I was doing, thinking and being 'at that time'.

It's all relevant, really.

DONE

Have a blessedly beautiful weekend!!

Deo Volente
Nicki

Capturing Fall

A delightful time of year.  Piles of leaves heaped for jumping into.  Trips to fall festivals and pumpkin patches for hay rack rides and making family memories.  The scent of burning leaves drifts through the air and the lure of gathering around bonfires is strong.
Take a drive across the county or state and see the rainbow of fall colors.  Leaves in every shade of gold, orange, red and brown.  Walk the hiking trails listening to the crunch of leaves beneath your feet and keep watch for foraging animals such as deer.  Animals out and about preparing for the winter ahead.  From summer and a time of fun in the sun to fall and it's crisp days of warm afternoons and cool evenings.  A change of seasons, so enjoyable!
Fall brings with it the excitement of hunting.  Gathering as a group to track pheasant or deer and bring home meat for the freezer.  A time to leave behind the office or factory job and spend it on a bit of recreation that feeds the soul as well as the stomach. 
Ah, wonderful fall!

DV-NMV

Capturing Harvest

Harvest is all around us.  Bean fields are smooth and barren, the stalks of standing corn shrink in number daily.  The ground is getting tilled, the gardens have been cleared of their bounty.  It's a wonderful time of year.  I try to remember that this time of 'harvest' is not something that happens only a few weeks a year.

Galatians 6:9 NIV - Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Physically there is one harvest a year of some specific crops.  A bountiful harvest that is payment for work and effort of sowing and taking care over that responsibility which God has given us.
Sometimes I need a reminder that the sowing needs to be done daily by harvesting God's good words captured in the Bible.  In turn I shall sow the good news of His love to my children, family, friends and anyone that I meet.
Ah, capturing harvest.  Seeing the good news of His love all around me.  Counting my blessings, so grateful that the harvest of life is bountiful.

LuvNHugz - SupportNPrayerz
DV-NMV