I've been challenged to live life today. To stop looking ahead, either in excited anticipation or in dreaded fear. I really desire to just be what God wants me to be TODAY. Not to think "I'll work on that and maybe I'll 'arrive' sometime before Jesus comes" or "I'll never be that good or faithful or patient or kind, etc". But to wake up in the morning and know that He has given me right now... to greet my children with the same grace that He greets me with every morning. To start the day in prayer and in His word.
This morning I was sitting on the couch in my regular spot as my girl came out of her room; completely sleepy-eyed and as she finished her first question *which is ALWAYS-Where is Daddy?* she asked "Mommy are you praying?" And that did my heart good because she recognized that is something I like to take time for in the morning before the day begins and I rarely sit back down to spend time with Him. I'm not saying this to 'brag' that I do this in the morning but to remind myself how important it is to show my kids that this is a 'normal' thing and it should happen more than just in the morning...
But having said that, as I told a friend this morning, I have been in a dry land lately with my prayer... I feel as though I don't have words anymore and am relying on the Spirit to pray for me. I need Him to carry me right now. So as Olivia asked me that question I was surprised that she knew something was happening even if I didn't know. God speaks to children and they are so close to Him - it amazes me.
Thank you Jesus for a simple gift today. Let me view your mercy as a Daily Gift.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
First Choice
Lately I've been thinking about our family and how beautiful it is. How I cherish it with all I have and how I'm so thankful that WE choose this. I so often think that adoption is viewed as a second choice (or third or last resort). It's not. It wasn't for us and I'm thankful that God made a way for our family to come together the way that it did.
Just had to voice that ... now I'll sleep and have something more inspiring on that topic later...
Just had to voice that ... now I'll sleep and have something more inspiring on that topic later...
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Just Love Coffee
Hey just a little plug for some 'fundraising' we're trying out. Came upon this website...
so if you like coffee and would like to purchase some please visit the website:
http://www.justlovecoffee.com/TheFriesenFamily
Thanks so much!
so if you like coffee and would like to purchase some please visit the website:
http://www.justlovecoffee.com/TheFriesenFamily
Thanks so much!
Faith
"Faith is the confidence that what we HOPE for will actually happen; it gives us ASSURANCE about things we cannot see." Hebrews 11:1
It's been some time since I sat down and read Hebrews 11 and I usually read more than a chapter at a time but I couldn't get passed this one this morning. It struck me at how faith is so important in our daily walk. God requires it from us and yet I live in worry and fear for most of the day or I get side tracked by stresses of my circumstances.
"Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation." vs2 ~ I want to earn a good reputation! I want to be faithful!! I think it would help if I would look at today and concentrate on how to glorify Him TODAY. Look forward to tomorrow and the opportunity to do it again but not to be anxious about something you can't change!!
And what should we HOPE for? Is it a new home, a vehicle that we think we need because this one is not feeling so reliable, a house that cleans itself, kids that obey, good weather, more children, laundry that magically disappears, meals on wheels??? I want what I HOPE for to be something that He has put on my heart because then I think it will truly be something I'm not anxious over but something I know He will bring...maybe not for me but for someone... "All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it." vs13
It's been some time since I sat down and read Hebrews 11 and I usually read more than a chapter at a time but I couldn't get passed this one this morning. It struck me at how faith is so important in our daily walk. God requires it from us and yet I live in worry and fear for most of the day or I get side tracked by stresses of my circumstances.
"Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation." vs2 ~ I want to earn a good reputation! I want to be faithful!! I think it would help if I would look at today and concentrate on how to glorify Him TODAY. Look forward to tomorrow and the opportunity to do it again but not to be anxious about something you can't change!!
And what should we HOPE for? Is it a new home, a vehicle that we think we need because this one is not feeling so reliable, a house that cleans itself, kids that obey, good weather, more children, laundry that magically disappears, meals on wheels??? I want what I HOPE for to be something that He has put on my heart because then I think it will truly be something I'm not anxious over but something I know He will bring...maybe not for me but for someone... "All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it." vs13
Friday, June 10, 2011
What you don't have...
I've thought about those words lately. Again, watching the movie "Gifted Hands" has made me consider a lot of things and has inspired me to change a lot of things when it comes to motherhood.
The mother in the movie gave what she did not have. She instilled amazing values and worth into your children. Here I had listened to the words that said "You cannot give what you do not have." I see that is so wrong! We have nothing!! God has everything and if we want to be good mothers we should be giving what GOD has - which is everything!! I'm encouraged because I don't have a lot of self worth, inspiration, insight, decrement, knowledge, wisdom, grace....etc. etc.... but I can give my children those things if I allow Him to pour out into me and out again into the beautiful children he has given me. What an amazing opportunity!!!!
Be encouraged!! Breathe life into those around you!
The mother in the movie gave what she did not have. She instilled amazing values and worth into your children. Here I had listened to the words that said "You cannot give what you do not have." I see that is so wrong! We have nothing!! God has everything and if we want to be good mothers we should be giving what GOD has - which is everything!! I'm encouraged because I don't have a lot of self worth, inspiration, insight, decrement, knowledge, wisdom, grace....etc. etc.... but I can give my children those things if I allow Him to pour out into me and out again into the beautiful children he has given me. What an amazing opportunity!!!!
Be encouraged!! Breathe life into those around you!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Not Keeping Up
So apparently my inspiration only lasted a short while... To be completely honest (which is always better than just a little honest) I've had no energy to do anything lately. I'm so super lazy and I can't seem to get going on anything let alone finish what I get going on. I'm hoping this is a phase that will pass quickly!
I am amazed at the fact that Samuel's first year of school is almost over!! He has 3 more days of school. How can that be??? And I become that mom that says "Where did the time go?" I will learn to cherish more!! I have always pushed Sam and have expected so much from him and now I see how quickly they grow up and I think I'll start applying the breaks!!
I watched a movie last weekend (which is a super rare occurrence so I'm so glad it was a gooder!), called Gifted Hands. And even though it was a riveting drama it touched my soul like no other movie has. I needed to watch it at the stage that my parenting is at right now. The mother in the movie is the most inspiring mother I've ever seen! She instilled an amazing sense of self worth in her boys that she did not possess. I can't really explain it so if you haven't seen it you should! God has given every child EVERYTHING and I think it's our job as parents to see who they are and to draw out of them what He intended them to use. To show them what imagination is and to show them what potential is. I sometimes feel like I'm in a spectator sport and I'm just watching my kids grow up instead of actively 'growing up' with them.
Wow I have so much changing to do and I want to...and then I think of my lack of energy and I stay on the couch... time to sign off and go play 'restaurant' with my girl.
Hope you have a great day! Know that God's mercies are new EVERY morning.
I am amazed at the fact that Samuel's first year of school is almost over!! He has 3 more days of school. How can that be??? And I become that mom that says "Where did the time go?" I will learn to cherish more!! I have always pushed Sam and have expected so much from him and now I see how quickly they grow up and I think I'll start applying the breaks!!
I watched a movie last weekend (which is a super rare occurrence so I'm so glad it was a gooder!), called Gifted Hands. And even though it was a riveting drama it touched my soul like no other movie has. I needed to watch it at the stage that my parenting is at right now. The mother in the movie is the most inspiring mother I've ever seen! She instilled an amazing sense of self worth in her boys that she did not possess. I can't really explain it so if you haven't seen it you should! God has given every child EVERYTHING and I think it's our job as parents to see who they are and to draw out of them what He intended them to use. To show them what imagination is and to show them what potential is. I sometimes feel like I'm in a spectator sport and I'm just watching my kids grow up instead of actively 'growing up' with them.
Wow I have so much changing to do and I want to...and then I think of my lack of energy and I stay on the couch... time to sign off and go play 'restaurant' with my girl.
Hope you have a great day! Know that God's mercies are new EVERY morning.
Monday, April 25, 2011
It's Been a While
Well a friend of mine inspired me to continue writing on this blog that I started over 2 years ago, before we headed to Texas/Mississippi to work with MDS... I didn't think much happens in our day to day life that would be worthy of updating but I guess for all of you who don't live here this would still be remotely helpful.
Life is full of uncertainties and I've been struggling with that and the fact that I'm not in control. This Easter I've just come to a very real realization that God is a God of LOVE and He is always with us regardless if it's through good things or bad. Why do I want to be in control??? He's got it figured out...why stress about not knowing. I should spend more time getting to know the One that knows - and rest in that.
I'm so thankful for the beautiful children I have the pleasure of raising for God and for the man that was placed in my life for a reason... he is my rock and the one that has made me the woman I am today.
Thanks Mel for getting me to write again... It forces me to see the beauty in every day knowing that others are 'reading' my thoughts (well some of the thoughts that run through this crazy head in a day).
Praying for a year that is filled with His glory in a million different ways!
Life is full of uncertainties and I've been struggling with that and the fact that I'm not in control. This Easter I've just come to a very real realization that God is a God of LOVE and He is always with us regardless if it's through good things or bad. Why do I want to be in control??? He's got it figured out...why stress about not knowing. I should spend more time getting to know the One that knows - and rest in that.
I'm so thankful for the beautiful children I have the pleasure of raising for God and for the man that was placed in my life for a reason... he is my rock and the one that has made me the woman I am today.
Thanks Mel for getting me to write again... It forces me to see the beauty in every day knowing that others are 'reading' my thoughts (well some of the thoughts that run through this crazy head in a day).
Praying for a year that is filled with His glory in a million different ways!
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