Salvation Saturday

“I will seek the lost,  
bring back the strays, 
bandage the injured, 
and strengthen the weak
but I will destroy the fat and the strong. 
I will shepherd them with justice." 
Ezekiel 34:16 HCSB



Lord, when Alyssa and Kyle are lost, seek after them.
Chase after them.
Don't let them out of your sight.
Woo them.
Draw them near to you.
May the lost be found!

When Alyssa and Kyle walk their own way, 
or go down paths that don't lead to you,
keep them from straying 
and bring them back to the place they belong.





Be the Healer of Alyssa and Kyle's wounds.
Bandage up their injuries,
and mend their hearts. 
Make Alyssa and Kyle's hearts your own.
Clean them,
Make them new,
and mark them with your Name.

And when Alyssa and Kyle are weak, 
be their strength.
Help them to stand firm,
and be strong and courageous,
because with you, all things are possible.





Amen, Amen, and Amen

 

Praying for Mom

 

Thankful Thursday

"All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen."  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Since I haven't blogged in a while, its easy to think of many things to give God thanks for.  However, I'll stick to sharing a few things about this last week.  I'm so blessed by God's intimate presence in our every-day lives.  He is so good...ALL the time!

I'm thankful for a week-long vacation with my family.  We went to the zoo, took a skytram, visited a farmer's market, ate donuts, got majorly wet on a jet boat ride down the Willamette river. and ate clam chowder at the ocean.  We laughed, laughed, and laughed.  God provided fun family moments, safety despite a blown tire on the Portland freeways, and memories that we will hold onto for a long time to come.

 My precious family.

I'm thankful for extended family and God's healing hand.  Ken's mom was in the hospital for a couple of months recently following a stroke and infection.  She was just released to have visitors the day before we arrived for a short visit.  We enjoyed going through pictures, playing card games, and reminiscing family history.  Lyssa especially had some tender moments with Grandma (picture below).  It's hard living far a part so this time was extra special after the trials of the last months.

 Grandpa and Grandma

Grandma and Lyssa

 

While on vacation we found a used pickup.  I'd like to think that God cares about the things that bring us joy, and in the process can provide wisdom to make decision, and even blessing when it comes to finding a good deal.  Of course, our first added expense was four new tires after one of them blew out on the freeway.  I'm thankful for God protecting my boys (especially Kyle as the driver) and bringing them to a safe stop along a highly busy road.  

One added note of thanksgiving.  I haven't been driving for four weeks, due to some eye problems, and over and over again I've been blessed by my kids ability to take me where I needed to go.   Even on the long drives through Oregon Alyssa and Kyle did a great job driving!

 New truck

I'm thankful for the beginning of a new school year.  I have troubles believing that my daughter is beginning her sophomore year in college, and my son his junior year in high school.  Kyle's first day of school was this week and he looks so grown up!

First day of school

I'm also thankful for a mother-daughter day with Lyssa before she leaves for college.  We soaked our feet, went out to lunch, did a little shopping, and she bought me a coffee.  The gift of this time made saying good-bye just a little more bearable.

 Pedicures

Alyssa is not sad to leave home for her sophomore year of college (just sad to say goodbye to our dog).  The thing I like about that is that it shows she loves where she's going, she enjoys the people she knows there, and the classes are just the right thing for her.  How much more difficult it would be to send her off to a place she doesn't like or feel safe in.  Alyssa is confident, excited, and ready for whatever it is God has for her this school year.  You go, girl!

 Lyssa is college bound!

I was sad to see Lyssa drive out yesterday morning, on her grand adventure, but I am trusting God that He holds her and her future.

"All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen."--Emerson

 AMEN!

 

In Sync with the Spirit

^"Wherever the Spirit wanted to go, the creatures went in the direction the Spirit was moving."  Ezekiel 1:20 (HCSB)

Kyle in his new truck (August 2013)

Not only do the last four weeks mark a "sabbatical" from blogging, it marks a period of my summer where I couldn't drive.  I've been dependent on friends, my kids and my hubby to take me everywhere I've had to go.  That's hard for a mom who is used to helping everyone else, and being free to go and do whatever whenever. 

Another thing that was sometimes frustrating, in this driving dependance, was that my kids weren't always good listeners to directions. Sure, I wasn't always the best back seat driver, but still there were times when my guidance was ignored or unappreciated.

It gave me pause to think that sometimes it's hard for us to let go of what we think, or assume we know what is right, and listen to the wisdom of someone else.  I pray, that when it comes to Alyssa and Kyle's relationship with God, that they will be attentive to His voice, and willing to go in whatever direction He moves them in.  Where He goes, or where he sends, may they always follow!

My Sweet and Present Father, I pray that you are forever near Alyssa and Kyle in ways that they see you, sense you, and are intimately aware of your voice leading them in the ways they ought to go.  And wherever you lead, may they go in the direction your Spirit is moving.  Mirroring your movement, and following your leading, will always take trust, obedience, and discipline to pay attention to your presence.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle will always be in tune with you, Jesus!  Amen.


 

A New School Year Begins

I'mmmmmmmmm baaaaaaaaaaaaack!  Let the school year begin. It's time to get on my knees in prayer! 

Today, my son walks through the school doors as a Junior in high school.  I remember his first day of kindergarten like it was just yesterday (sniff-sniff), with his little back pack, new red t-shirt, and all the school supplies a 5 year old could ever need.  Today, he's got his car keys, a new binder, and fancy mechanical pencil.  Still, no matter the age difference, I am praying for God to be with Kyle on his first day of school!

Dear Precious Savior,
Thank you for the new school year that is about to begin.
Thank you for teachers who have made preparations.
Thank you for new classes,
amazing things to learn,
opportunities to grow,
friends that will challenge and encourage,
and for the surprises along thew way.

Keep Kyle safe from home to school and back again.
Walk beside him as he drives into the school parking lot ready to face the day.
Use your calming presence to instill in him 
strength, 
confidence, 
and courage
to work hard,
make wise choices,
and find you in the daily-ness of being a student.

When Kyle has doubts, may he seek your face.
And when he walks in fear, I pray that he calls to you,
and hears your voice giving him assurance.

I pray, dear Jesus, that school gives Kyle
the practical wisdom he needs for life,
the discipline to be a successful man,
and the training to do whatever it is you've made him to do.

Lord, today is the first day of an important year, 
and I ask that you keep Kyle safely protected in your hands. 

Amen.