STUFF

We recently renewed our Sams Club membership because our boys are starting to eat like horses (and they're only 6, 8, and 10!  Please help us, God!)  So, yesterday Selah and I went to check it out...and spent just under our monthly budget--the entire thing--in a pop.  Yikes.  I guess I have some figurin' to do!

Okay, that's not the point (although I guess that could be a point).  The point is that in making room for the bulk stuff, I went down to the basement to clear a shelf...and can I just say that my basement is PA-THETIC?!?  Truly, completely pathetic.  Have you ever had a secret desire that there would be a house fire so you could just clear all the clutter from your life and not think about it?  Yeah, I've been having those thoughts a lot lately.

Please don't call the authorities because I don't have a plan in place to become an arsonist (which would tell you I'm not really serious about it), but OH, THE STUFF!!!

I HATE IT.

The worst thing?  We take goodwill/Salvation Army runs or have a garage sale Every. Single. Year.  Please, God, make it stop.  No more.  I'm really, really serious that I'm going to give away the bulk of my clothes this summer at the garage sale we're doing for Awake and Alive.  And lots more stuff, too.

I mean it!!!

Feel free to follow suit.  In fact, Jolene and I had an idea.  What if people had garage sales this summer on their own and then donated the proceeds to starting the school in Ethiopia or sponsoring a child for a year.  Would that not be AWESOME!??!  Redemption from the crap. 

Man, summer can't come soon enough...

Gratitude and Answered Prayer

Unfortunately, sometimes I totally miss the fact that God has answered my prayer.  Maybe that's because I'm too busy to notice.  Maybe it's because I'm consumed with my newest prayer request.  Regardless, it happens, and it happens much more than I even realize.

For a long time I've been feeling anxious and overwhelmed by the things my boys (especially the two older ones--10 and 8) gravitate towards.  Take Braden, for instance: he has been obsessed with books by Rick Riordan, particularly the Percy Jackson series (he's read some of them--300-400+ pages--5 times!)  Now, this is not a statement about Rick Riordan or those types of books.  They're well-written, exciting, and keep you in their grasp until the end.  I totally understand why the boys love them.

But I've also been concerned.

Between these, and the first three Harry Potter books we've finally let them read/watch, and the plethora of other book and movie influences they are drawn to, I have felt overwhelmed with the one-sided influence in the print and media department.  It doesn't matter that we're considered the "strict parents" in our spheres of influence; I have still felt like we were at the bottom of this uphill battle that has absolutely NO END IN SIGHT.  And I didn't know what to do about it.  So, I prayed.  To be honest, I'm not even sure how much concentrated prayer I gave it.  It was more my heart's cry as I found myself worried or anxious.  This went on for some time.

And then, today, as Braden sat on the couch listening to one of their new favorite things, I realized something.

God totally answered my prayer.

Without even realizing it, the boys have been listening, often more than once a day, to an episode of  Adventures in Odyssey.   This program has been around since I was young and continues to be relevant and thoughtful-provoking.  It teaches important life lessons, as well as encouraging a deep faith and relationship with Jesus.  It even reminds me of important lessons regularly!  We've listened to it sporadically for years, but recently, the boys do it of their own volition A LOT.  And this realization made my heart well up with thanksgiving.  God is good.  He cares about my kids more than me.  He knows that the negative cultural influences are so prevalent and overwhelming at times.....and He answered my prayer in a very real way.  Thank you, Lord, for the ways you show your love for the people of the world, including my family.  I am incredibly grateful.

Kisses from Katie

Wow, it's been a really long time.  I started working (for money, that is ;) in December and my free time meter went down so drastically, there's little time for freelance writing!  But, as I sat here and stole a few moments to read Kisses from Katie my heart was resounding so strongly that I had to jump on and write an excerpt.  PLEASE read this book!!  And in case you didn't know, by ordering it from christianbooksbibles.com and putting Awake&Alive as the promo code, you get free shipping for orders of $25 or more and Awake and Alive raises more money to start the school for children in Kechene, Ethiopia.

Many times, as I looked at the candle illuminating my room on those dark and sometimes lonely nights, He reminded me that I could light candles in the hearts of others as long as I let Him fill my heart first.  He reminded me that I was indeed the light of the world and I was to shine before those around me so that they would glorify Him (see Matthew 5:14).  In the soft glow of candlelight one black night in my room, I opened my journal and began to write:  My candle is lit; I am on fire for God, for this place, for these people.  My purpose here is to spread His light.  One candle can light up my entire room.  Jesus can light up this entire nation, and my flame can be a part of that.  I am blown away that my Gd, who could do this all by Himself, would choose to let me be a little part of it.

This is my heart's cry, as I imagine it's countless others' as well.  May we all be strong and courageous in order to put this cry into action, by the grace of God!!

Today's Jesus Calling Devotional

Many of my Taylor girlfriends on our last trip together were reading the book Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.  Since then, I have also started and found it so simple yet so powerful in my own life.  Today's spoke so to me that I wanted to share it with those of you who don't have it yourselves:

Be willing to go out on a limb with Me.  If that is where I am leading you, it is the safest place to be.  Your desire to live a risk-free life is a form of unbelief.  Your longing to live close to Me is at odds with your attempts to minimize risk.  You are approaching a crossroads in your journey.  In order to follow Me wholeheartedly, you must relinquish your tendency to play it safe.

Let Me lead you step by step through this day.  If your primary focus is on Me, you can walk along perilous paths without being afraid.  Eventually, you will learn to relax and enjoy the adventure of our journey together.  As long as you stay close to Me, My sovereign Presence protects you wherever you go. 

What outlandish, scary dream has God put on your heart?

Seek Him, and then...
GO FOR IT!!!

From the mouth of babes...

I was going to post this as a facebook update, but it's too long and I have pictures to go with it :)  So, my birthday was this past week and with Grandma and Grandad's money, I got some cute stuff to wear--including a fun pair of boots and an INCREDIBLY high pair of heals from Charlotte Russe (Karl measured--4 inch heals).  I LOVE them for a totally impractical way to change things up for a night out, but the kids were intrigued to say the least.  They all (yes, even the 10 year old boy) wanted to try them on and walk with them.  Mom doesn't usually wear such things.

So, after trying them on, Kole had some very wise words.  First, he said that he was glad he wasn't a girl.  And then, the real wisdom poured forth:

"They look good, but they sure don't feel good."

Can I get an amen from any ladies out there?  I mean, seriously.  Didn't he just sum up women's fashion?  With the exception, perhaps, of the silky, flow-y shirts and, at some level, leggings that are in right now, women's fashion is NOT comfortable.  Whether it's skinny jeans, tight....well, everything, or high heals (and corsets back in the day), women have regularly had to choose between what "looks" good and what feels good.   Thanks, Kole, for saying it so well.  You are wise beyond your years!