Dating Temptations

"For God wants you to be holy and pure and to keep clear of all sexual sin so that each of you will marry in holiness and honor."  1 Thessalonians 4:3-4  Living Bible

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Lord, watch over my babies.  You want them to be holy and pure and to keep clear of all sexual sin so that they may marry in holiness and honor.  Make their hearts set on your desires and hopes for their lives and give them the strength to withstand temptation and pressures.  You, Lord, call us to be holy because you are holy.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle choose this day whom they will serve!

 

 

Thankful Thursday

"I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in the truth."  3 John 1:4 HCSB

I have to admit I struggled with doubts and fears this week about my kid's faith.  Both Alyssa and Kyle have been raised in the church. and have probably had more church related experiences than most kids, but they are coming to the age where they are beginning to make their own choices about their church commitments.  And sometimes, leaving it up to them, makes me a nervous mom.  I know it's the way it should be, but darn it, can't I just tell them what to do?! 

Even though, neither child did what I hoped they would in regard to Sunday opportunities, I saw other signs that they are choosing to make their faith their own.  For that, I am thankful and I will hold on to the hope I have that God is working on them!  I'm thankful for His promises!

"Dear friends, don’t let this one thing escape you: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance."  2 Peter 3:8, 9 HCSB

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."  Hebrews 10:23 NIV

A different kind of "Thankful Thursday", but there you have it. (Sickness has been running rampant in our house, and laying around and doing nothing for a week doesn't give way to huge list of things to be thankful for...for now, I'll be thankful that we are finally on the mend!)

Lord, thank you for the ways I see you working in Alyssa and Kyle's lives.  Thank you for the ways you're calling their names and drawing them to yourself.  I can trust you with my hopes and fears, and with my children's hearts and souls.  You are my anchor and I pray that Alyssa and Kyle know that truth as well!

 And one more funny Mac picture...

He loves television.

 

Wordless Wednesday

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With All Your Might

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Today, a new semester begins for Kyle.  He closed out the last semester with a 4.2 GPA and we are so proud of him. I pray that he works as hard this semester!

Work at it with all your might, Kyle!

Lord, as the new week and semester begins, push Kyle to be and do his best.  Instill in him a strong work ethic and remind him that you are pleased with his efforts.  Help Kyle to see the rewards of working hard and being disciplined in every area of his life.  Thank you, Father, for such a precious son.  You have made him smart, able, and confident and they are all gifts that will bring him success. 


 

An Additional "Thankful Thursday"

A text conversation with Kyle today...

Yeah God!!

 

Thankful Thursday

"I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God!"  Deuteronomy 32:3

This week Kyle was invited to the Sweethearts Dance.

*  Kyle attended a big baseball camp this last weekend. He spent almost 30 hours in four days being taught, stretched, and observed.

*  We are 3/4 the way through finals week and Kyle's done a great job!  Tuesday, he got a 87% on his calculus final and ended the semester with 95%.  By tomorrow, we may just be able to celebrate a straight "A" semester!  Yahoo for Kyle!

*  A facetime call from Lyss was a treat.  It's good to see her happy and enjoying her new apartment and new semester.  Ken's headed today to see her...so jealous.

*  Ken would like to add that the Denver Broncos won and are going to the Superbowl.  I had two very happy boys in my house on Sunday!

 It's been a blessed week!

Thank you, Lord, for your continual presence and work in our lives.  You shower us with blessing and I delight in the ways I see you.  I love you, precious Savior!

And just on a funny note...Mac thinks this is a pretty great toy! (not a great picture because he kept moving!  Ha!)

Wordless Wednesday

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Finals Week!

"Listen to instruction and do your best to learn."  Proverbs 23:12 (CEV)

Kyle (2009)

It's finals week around here!  Today is a test in calculus and Kyle's been studying hard.  I pray that whatever he's learned over the last semester, and all that he has studied this weekend, can be applied to his big tests this week.

Kyle's been doing his best to learn and we're sure proud of him!

Lord, I pray for Kyle today.  Help him to apply the things he has learned and keep his head on straight when the questions seem hard.  You have made Kyle smart and gifted and he can do much with you by his side.  Give Kyle success as he works hard this week, dear Jesus!

 

Determined Steps

"A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps."  Proverbs 16:9

Kyle has spent the entire weekend hanging out with some big-time baseball coaches.  Mostly its been a time for training and coaching, but I think there's a little scouting going on as well.  As a junior, Kyle has no idea where he wants to go to school after he graduates, but believe it or not it's time to start thinking about it, and baseball seems to help get him serious about making plans.  Maybe Kyle won't make the "big leagues", but his mom sees potential for him to play for a college.  Of course, he says I'm a little bias.

My prayer is that God will open doors (and close them as well) as He sees fit, and that Kyle will be sensitive to His leading and guiding.  I can't wait to see what God has planned for Kyle's future and how He will determine each of his steps. 

 Lord, determine Kyle's steps as he looks towards his future.  Open and close doors in such a way that we can confidently say "this is the way" and walk in it.  We trust you and lean not on our own understanding, but acknowledge you as the giver and maker of life and our future.  Make Kyle's path's straight, dear Jesus, and lead him in the ways he should go. Thank you for a future filled with hope, purpose, and joy. 

 

Hanging Out

"Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”  1 Corinthians 15:33

 Kyle (#12) and his friend Jake (2005)

Weekends bring out the "party animal" in my son.  Now, he's a good kid, don't get me wrong, but weekends seem to be made for friends, sleep overs, dates, movie nights, etc.  And as Kyle gets older it seems harder and harder to know the kids he wants to hang out with. So, as he makes plans through the weekend, my prayer is that God helps Kyle choose good friends with GREAT character!

Lord, don't let Alyssa and Kyle be misled by bad company that could possibly corrupt their good character.  Help them to be wise in picking their friends and smart in what they do when they hang out together.  Holy Spirit, guide Alyssa and Kyle through the maze of friendships!


 

Thankful Thursday

 ^"For these reasons I kneel before the Father..."  Ephesians 3:14 (words in italics are changed for my use on this blog)

• Finding a Bible and devotional by my kid's bed.
• A special lunch with our daughter before she headed off to college. 
• Bible Quizzers around my kitchen table quoting scripture.
• A nephew's pride in Bible Quizzing well...and a wave to his auntie when he came in first place!
• The sweetness of my man on a hard parenting day.  Two candy bars...a Milky Way for being an "out of this world mom" and a Payday to remind me that though I don't get paid well to be a mom, there will be rewards one day.  What a good guy I have!
• My boys cheering during the Denver Bronco game.
• Monday grade reports came out and Kyle is going into the final week of the semester with straight A's.  Kyle is a disciplined kid and I'm so proud of him. Even with 6 am workouts, and 3 pm hitting practices, he still gets his homework done and heads to the gym a few times each week.

Lord, I kneel before you in awe, adoration, and thanksgiving for the ways I see you in the lives of my family.  You are moving in each of our lives and my heart is full of trust and hope as I see evidence of your hand.  You are Father, Lord, and King, and I love you!  Thank you for your graciousness to us this week!

 

An "Overprotective" Mom

Oh I laughed at this commercial.  After I got over that Kyle said this was me.


 Praying for Alyssa and Kyle's relationships with the opposite sex. Sometimes I want to be an overprotective and nosy mom, but ultimately trusting God the watch over them is a better plan.


 

Time Changes Things!

 (2003)

(2013)

My Struggles

 Our annual Christmas picture (2013).

Hello, patient friends!  If you've kept coming back to my blog over the last month looking for an updated post, you're faithful and forgiving. 

My absence has been, in part, needing a break during the busy holidays.  I felt challenged with a packed schedule and wanting to be present with my kids while they where home for Christmas break.  Lyssa just headed back to college on Friday and begins a new semester today.

The other reason for my absence is my own personal inner struggle to know if I'm still following God's leading to post a prayer daily.  I've waffled to know if I'm doing it with the right heart and if its making a difference anywhere, especially in my and my kids lives.  Doubt can often be a tool of the enemy to discourage and frustrate the one following God in obedience.  I also know the opposite is true and that doubt can lead us further into the arms of the One who knows us and loves us.  Lately, I think doubt has been a "gift" of the enemy.

My kids have come to the age where I've begun to fear if I've done enough in my parenting. Its almost like I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I regret if I've peddled hard enough, took the right turns, and will come out the other side having said all that I've needed to say. The tunnel seemed really like a long journey in the beginning and I would have all the time in the world to prepare my kids for being adults, but now it feels like it's been just a blink of the eye and I wish I had done better.

I doubt if I've shared enough of Jesus.
I doubt if I gave them enough tools to work hard in their relationships with others.
I doubt if I taught them to work hard, give generously, and be content.
I doubt if I was hard enough, present enough, and loving enough.

Then I am reminded that this parenting this isn't all about ME (thank goodness!).  Its also about my kids and how well they've chosen to listen and learn.  And more importantly, it's about God and His work in my kids lives, despite my parenting gaps and deficits. 

I'm still struggling, but I'm trying to trust Him deeper.  I'm not sure what my blog will look like in the coming days or months, but I hope you'll forgive me, pray for me, and keep checking back if you're interested.  Over the years, this has been a therapeutic discipline, especially when I was prone to worrying about Alyssa and Kyle, and for some reason I can't just give it up completely.  Maybe it's because I know that I'm really not done parenting, nor ever will be, it's just changing.


I personalized this verse to make it my prayer.
"May the God of hope fill me with all joy and peace as I trust in him, so that I may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  Romans 15:13 NIV