new layout!

My sister's recent blogging has inspired me to rework my blog and try to make it more active again. I enjoyed it so much at one time, and it is a great way to share what is going on in my life!

repost from 2006..Pain doesn't kill

I stole this blog post from myself...I wrote it almost 4 years ago. I was thinking about this book that I had read by Beth Moore. These quotes have stuck with me, and I have been thinking about them alot since Sully's death. I don't blog much anymore, Facebook makes communication soo easy that I get lazy about it. But sometimes, whether there are readers or not, I want to share what is going on in my life. As most of you know, our family has had a painful year so far. My sister's beautiful Sully went home to be Safe in the Arms on Jesus on January 11. We have been kind of shell shocked ever since. But I am thankful to say that God has been active and presently in charge of our lives and circumstances. I am so proud of my family, and how they have each reacted, held each other up, and pointed each other toward God. Especially my sister, she has dealt with this pain with such grace. These quotes from Beth Moore's book remind us that it is always good to have loved, even when we lose what we love.

Pain doesn't kill
I started reading "Feathers from My Nest" by Beth Moore. I love Beth Moore. I can always hear her southern accent speaking when I read her books, and it is soothing. I bought this book a few years ago when I attended a conference where she spoke. I am just starting it again, and I thought it would be a bit lighter that my last book. I guess not. I read this last night, when I was having a "painful moment." Thankfully, today hasn't been like that.

"I have learned that pain doesn't kill...I threw my hands over my heart and fought like a Trojan not to give way to it. God gently pulled my hands away and said, 'My child, go ahead and feel it. The pain will not kill you. It will be a reminder that you are very much alive, engaged, and that you loved with abandon. That was your primary assignment. Your present pain proved you did it.' It was at this moment God spoke a transforming truth into my life: The goal of life is not the absence of pain. It's the presence of glory. God's glory. And sometimes that comes most vividly with pain. Not only have I learned that pain doesn't kill; I have learned that I will never lose or be betrayed by the one thing with absolute power to destroy me-God Himself."

Christmas is coming!

What a year!  I sadly have little time for blogging.  What with working, chasing a walking running toddler around, and homeschooling two very active 5th graders.  I still check and participate in Facebook daily, though.  Reese has now had her first birthday.  It was a fun (large) celebration, and very bittersweet.  My very last baby is not much of a baby anymore!  The good news is that the big girls still love to cuddle with me and be babied, I am a very lucky mom!  James has finished his training for the Danville Police Department and is now out on his own.  He loves his job, and I couldn’t be happier for him.    My sister got a call in September to come and get a two day old (yes, TWO DAYS OLD) and we have been loving on him ever since.  She is doing great as a first time mom.  He is a foster child, but we love him as if he was born right into our family.  However, he IS a boy, and we don’t know anything about those!  We don’t know if God has in store for him to be in our family for a few months, a few years, or forever, but we are all loving him just the same (except maybe Reese, she could be a tad jealous…or just kind of rough)!

 

God has been wonderfully good to us.  I complain about soooo many little things, but I am truly thankful for all my blessings!  Here is our Christmas card 2010…

Time for a new post...Doubt vs faith

Since I haven't posted in 6 months..I think it is time! No cute kid pics right now..you can check out my facebook for that..my nearly 9 month old Reesie keeps me pretty busy, and blogging and sharing pics just hasn't been happening! This has been an eventful summer, and my Ladies Bible Study has been one of the high lights. Last week, we discussed what living with doubt about God's promises can do to your life. This week, we will be discussing the replacement for doubt, which is faith. We have been going through James McDonald's "Lord Change My Attitude." This has been a great book, and I am seeing gradual changes in my life along the way. I was very bothered by part of last week's chapter, and I openly shared with the group that I wasn't sure how I felt about what he was saying. It was clear to me that I didn't think I had a doubting problem..but I did.

I hate to be all over the place with this, but I have to back up a bit. Over 10 years ago, I was blessed with twins. Paige and Peyton were born very small and very early. However, they threatened throughout the pregnancy to be born too early for life, and then again too early for a normal life. God answered the fervent prayers for our family in a positive way. Now not everything went wonderful. They were in the hospital for 9 weeks, there were ups and downs, Paige was very sick and fragile for most of her first 2 months. But we brought them home, and they flourished! Even today, they are wonderful. We still have some physical and emotional scars, as well as a little asthma..but overall healthy (almost) 5th graders! They are a blessing to me and they are two of my best friends. I prayed..everybody prayed..and God gave me the desire of my heart.

When I was going through my divorce, I grew closer to God that ever before. I know that it isn't unusual to grow especially close to God during times of turmoil..that is probably the reason we HAVE turmoil! God took care of me..he took care of Paige and Peyton, but it didn't look at all like I expected it to. It has been hard to trust God, because I doubted that he wanted best for me, or for Paige and Peyton! But wait a minute..do I really know what is best for us? So arrogant, wanting to fix everything, make it peaceful for us all. While we as mothers wish to make things the easiest we can and what we think is best, that isn't necessarily what God has in mind for us. Earlier in the summer, our Bible study discussed thankfulness. I learned I need to be thankful for EVERY circumstance..not just the ones that seem to be a blessing. Nothing touches me (or my kids) without God's consent! So what does that say about worry in my life? I guess it is a waste of time.

I learned a verse this week that first thoroughly bothered me, because I didn't believe that God would protect me from harm.I wasn't sure if I could believe it..but then I read it again..
Isaiah 53:17 in NLT (try reading the whole chapter..click here to read it)
17 But in that coming day, no weapon turned against you will succeed. And everyone who tells lies in court will be brought to justice. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the LORD; their vindication will come from me. I, the LORD, have spoken

So...this morning (if you are still with me) I was cleaning blood off of the carpet in Reese's room (as many know, she has spit up blood in the past, did it most of Sunday, and unfortunately, has been doing it a bit today)...and I was listening to the radio in her room. A segment of encouragement for moms came on that was sponsored by Hearts at Home. They were speaking of worrying about our kids..I can't ever remember the examples, just the verses about how God knows the number of hairs on our heads. Not a new verse to me at all, but in that moment, when I was lost in thought, worrying about my daughter, wondering what to do next about her health issue, I stopped and realized that I needed to try a little more faith and alot less worry, and God has been growing me in this area..sometimes using a 2X4 to my head!

Reese has had a scope, appropriate lab work..and she is SOOO happy and active right now, so it is time to relax, pray about right choices for managing her health, and enjoy my children a little! (of course, we start homeschooling next week..so I will have all kinds of new reasons to worry.) Please pray for Reese and her health, Paige and Peyton as they start 5th grade, at home again with me, James as he continues in the training of his new job, and for me!

10th Birthday bash

Paige and Peyton celebrated almost 10 years since their birth with an ice skating party.  Skating is one of their favorite activities, so 9 of their friends joined us at the rink last Saturday night.  Aunt Jame caught everyone on camera!

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Reese…two months old!

Reese rolled over last night..twice!  She has failed to do it again today, despite lots of coaxing from her mother and sisters.  She did, however, pose for some pictures to mark her two months of life with us..these are unedited, but here are my favorites!

Meet Paige and Peyton’s sister!

Reese Madelynn Snyder was born at 9:51 am yesterday, Sunday, November 22.  I will post more about her birth later, but I am including some pictures!

 

check out two full albums of pictures!

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