Growing up this was one of the sayings my Dad always told us as kids that we should "love people and like things." Well, as a child I remember hearing it but never truly putting it into practice. Of course a new bike took preface over any person in My book for just about anything when I was a young child, and then as a teenager getting my first car was the most important thing possible! It was more important than going to see my grandma (spending time with her), it was important than studying (and being a good student), and it was more important than spending time with my parents on the weekends. Now all of that time is gone! Looking back I see that there was so much wisdom in those words. In Children's Church right now we are studying about creation. In Noah's homeschool right not we are studying creation (think God is teaching me anything?) God made everything and then he saw that it was good. He liked what he saw. He enjoyed his creation, and he made man to be in HIS likeness! God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature." Genesis 1:26 (MSG)
He made all the other things; Sun, Birds, Flowers, Dirt; THEN he made man. He made man to be in His own image that is how very much he thinks of his creation! Listen to this: Psalm 139: 13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous -- and how well I know it. 15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. 16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. 17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable! This is out of the Message Bible, it's really great to read several versions to get an idea of what the text it really saying to us! Did you hear that? He thinks of us all the time! He thought about us in our mother's womb, when he Knitted us together with such precision and beauty.
God loves the creation he made. He made the beautiful oceans and in the summer (and winter) there is no place I would rather be! God loves all the animals he made from the smallest to the tallest he loves them all! But above all, God loves People. He chose to only give US a soul. He gave US a choice to serve him! Will we choose to do that today?
When you look at others, what do you see? Do you see the widow who has lost her husband and feel compassion? Christ has compassion on you: it says we are not consumed because of his great compassions in the book of Lamentations in the Bible. The widow you see might have lost her husband 3 years ago, but she still might be struggling and hurting every night. Did you take the time to talk to her? I know I am very guilty of not paying attention sometimes to others when they are crying out that they need to talk.
Love People and like things. Do we put our "things" above people in our lives. I know it is so easy to get on my phone and just get lost in what is going on online, but who am I shutting out in the waiting rooms at dr's offices; at other places I go and have to "wait"? Why did God give me that time to "wait?" Maybe it was because he wanted and foreordained me to talk to someone at the dr's office. People are the most precious of all of God's creation to Him, and if you have Christ in your life PEOPLE should be the most precious thing to you as well! (I'm telling myself the same thing!)
God, Please help me to Open my eyes and see the people that you want me to reach right in front of me. Help me to see with your eyes! I don't have to go to Montana, Japan, or Central America to see people that need you. There are those right here in Morrilton, AR that need Jesus' comfort, healing, and salvation. God, please help me to lead them to you. Lord, thank you for your thoughts toward me while I was in my mother's womb. Thank you for the thoughts toward Cody while he was in his biological mother's womb. Thank you for your protecting hand and loving heart toward me each and every day!
Your Girl,
Jamie
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Taking Time to Teach
So, I don't know if any of you read the post before last one with the pictures. The one I am talking about is titled "provision" and, the topic of that day was being worried that something bad was going to happen when it might not ever happen. This particular blog post goes back to that idea. I have been thinking lots about what my tests or trials are in my life right now. As a housewife/manager, mother of 3 beautiful little children I have lots of things that happen throughout of the course of one day. From when I wake up at about 7:00 ish to when I go to bed which is sometimes 12:30-1:00 ish I am faced with all kinds of tests, most of which are not multiple choice but TRUE/FALSE tests! I used to hate multiple choice in college. I would make 100%'s on essay tests, but multiple choice tests, well those were a different story. So, back to present day. I'm at home all day everyday with my 3 gorgeous children, whom I love, but drive me insane at times!! So, my husband might not have died, my kids might not have cancer (not that those things couldn't happen at any time), but I still have tests/trials at home! What am I doing with these hours that I have at home with them?
Most of my hours "feel" like I am cleaning up messes being made. I try to make them clean up a lot of their messes, but sometimes it's simply easier to get the 'do it yourself' mentality. But, does that type of mentality teach them anything? I think there has to be a balance between the extreme of slave labor (LOL), and not making your children do anything. I can let the times that my kids are moving slow, or simply don't want to pick up as a disappointment or HIS appointment. I can either choose do it myself to save the time/energy of talking and doing, or I can show them how to do things the right way. This is so much more difficult in practice than in thought! Just like most other things are in this life!
Next, I can let those opportunities slip, and then I become somewhat "bitter" at my kids for making the messes to begin with. Then, what usually happens is that we often have an explosion of frustration! These are what the trials in my life are right now. I know this might be a "duh" moment to most of you, but to me it is as though Satan has been blinding my eyes so that could not see these everyday issues as trials/test from God. God does not tempt as stated in James (chapter 1), but he does tests our spiritual muscles to see how strong we are. I have to admit and be honest to you, I fail my tests and reveal my weak muscles much of the time. This is because when presented with the option of teaching my kids to pick up or doing it myself (which is JUST ONE example), I usually just do it myself which is quickly followed by my explosion later because there is YET another mess. I was listening to a sermon on oneplace.com the other day by John MacArthur. Excellent sermon about the Model prayer. It was explaining that when it says "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" it is asking God help you "pass" those tests so that we won't be tempted to react to our situations, but act.
Let me say it like this: Say, for example Noah & Elijah make a mess in their room. I go in there and instead of getting upset with them I nicely (calmly) ask them to pick up the mess they have made, supervise them until they do (they're only 3 &4, sometimes I have to remind myself), and don't NAG them to keep picking up but ENCOURAGE them to pick up and put the toys exactly where they go. Then, I have passed my test/trial God has sent me. However, let's give the other scenario that happens far too often around here; the kids make a monstrous mess, I go in there and tell them very sweetly to pick up their mess. I walk away to go do something else that needs to be done (most of the time), and then I go back to find that they are still playing with the toys and haven't picked up at all, so I get a little more upset his time. I might even raise my voice! I tell them again, PICK UP the MESS! I get even more specific, and then walk away and come back in another 5 minutes to find that guess what? It is still there!!! I'm furious by this time and my test has now been taken by Satan and turned into Temptation to which is succumb to with OPEN ARMS. Why? All because I didn't take the time to Teach.
This applies to all areas of life, not just with children. I just used this because it is what I deal with most of the time! However, I have other areas of my life where I have examined and found the same thing to be true! How Deceitful, How Monstrous can one person be? Satan is the author of LIES. He is the Ruler of the this World that we can see is getting worse and worse daily! Why should we be surprised when he does things like this to us? He is trying to ruin our reputation. No, they might not be the executives of a big corporation, but they could be the NEXT NOAH (found Grace in God's eyes), THE NEXT ELIJAH (cast down the Baals), THE NEXT KATE( Kate = PURE Girl). Wow. We wonder why our influence won't go out our doors when we do, this is why. I struggle more with this than anything else. How do I react to my husband? Do I get mad at him right away when he does something that frustrates me or do I take the time to consider what God is teaching me through this. Because just was we (women) are tyring to TEACH our children, God is trying to TEACH us! Are we willing to listen? Are we willing to be corrected (hard one for me!!!)? Are we willing to try to change? A hard challenge for us all.
My struggles may not be a child with cancer, losing a husband, or even battling an illness of some type myself, but my battles are loneliness, impatience, bitterness, resentment, etc. And, how I handle those are going to be a good indicator of my relationship with God in others' eyes!
Thank you, Lord, for all you do for me! You are so good to me I am unable to write everything good that you have done. Lord, I love my 3 children that you have blessed me with. They are wonderful, creative, and so willing to learn. Help me to be willing to teach them the lessons they need to learn in this life so that they may grow up to be prepared for the next life to come with worshipping our Almighty Savior and King, YOU!
Couldn't leave without posting these verses: "2 Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. 3 For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything"
Your Girl,
Jamie
Most of my hours "feel" like I am cleaning up messes being made. I try to make them clean up a lot of their messes, but sometimes it's simply easier to get the 'do it yourself' mentality. But, does that type of mentality teach them anything? I think there has to be a balance between the extreme of slave labor (LOL), and not making your children do anything. I can let the times that my kids are moving slow, or simply don't want to pick up as a disappointment or HIS appointment. I can either choose do it myself to save the time/energy of talking and doing, or I can show them how to do things the right way. This is so much more difficult in practice than in thought! Just like most other things are in this life!
Next, I can let those opportunities slip, and then I become somewhat "bitter" at my kids for making the messes to begin with. Then, what usually happens is that we often have an explosion of frustration! These are what the trials in my life are right now. I know this might be a "duh" moment to most of you, but to me it is as though Satan has been blinding my eyes so that could not see these everyday issues as trials/test from God. God does not tempt as stated in James (chapter 1), but he does tests our spiritual muscles to see how strong we are. I have to admit and be honest to you, I fail my tests and reveal my weak muscles much of the time. This is because when presented with the option of teaching my kids to pick up or doing it myself (which is JUST ONE example), I usually just do it myself which is quickly followed by my explosion later because there is YET another mess. I was listening to a sermon on oneplace.com the other day by John MacArthur. Excellent sermon about the Model prayer. It was explaining that when it says "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" it is asking God help you "pass" those tests so that we won't be tempted to react to our situations, but act.
Let me say it like this: Say, for example Noah & Elijah make a mess in their room. I go in there and instead of getting upset with them I nicely (calmly) ask them to pick up the mess they have made, supervise them until they do (they're only 3 &4, sometimes I have to remind myself), and don't NAG them to keep picking up but ENCOURAGE them to pick up and put the toys exactly where they go. Then, I have passed my test/trial God has sent me. However, let's give the other scenario that happens far too often around here; the kids make a monstrous mess, I go in there and tell them very sweetly to pick up their mess. I walk away to go do something else that needs to be done (most of the time), and then I go back to find that they are still playing with the toys and haven't picked up at all, so I get a little more upset his time. I might even raise my voice! I tell them again, PICK UP the MESS! I get even more specific, and then walk away and come back in another 5 minutes to find that guess what? It is still there!!! I'm furious by this time and my test has now been taken by Satan and turned into Temptation to which is succumb to with OPEN ARMS. Why? All because I didn't take the time to Teach.
This applies to all areas of life, not just with children. I just used this because it is what I deal with most of the time! However, I have other areas of my life where I have examined and found the same thing to be true! How Deceitful, How Monstrous can one person be? Satan is the author of LIES. He is the Ruler of the this World that we can see is getting worse and worse daily! Why should we be surprised when he does things like this to us? He is trying to ruin our reputation. No, they might not be the executives of a big corporation, but they could be the NEXT NOAH (found Grace in God's eyes), THE NEXT ELIJAH (cast down the Baals), THE NEXT KATE( Kate = PURE Girl). Wow. We wonder why our influence won't go out our doors when we do, this is why. I struggle more with this than anything else. How do I react to my husband? Do I get mad at him right away when he does something that frustrates me or do I take the time to consider what God is teaching me through this. Because just was we (women) are tyring to TEACH our children, God is trying to TEACH us! Are we willing to listen? Are we willing to be corrected (hard one for me!!!)? Are we willing to try to change? A hard challenge for us all.
My struggles may not be a child with cancer, losing a husband, or even battling an illness of some type myself, but my battles are loneliness, impatience, bitterness, resentment, etc. And, how I handle those are going to be a good indicator of my relationship with God in others' eyes!
Thank you, Lord, for all you do for me! You are so good to me I am unable to write everything good that you have done. Lord, I love my 3 children that you have blessed me with. They are wonderful, creative, and so willing to learn. Help me to be willing to teach them the lessons they need to learn in this life so that they may grow up to be prepared for the next life to come with worshipping our Almighty Savior and King, YOU!
Couldn't leave without posting these verses: "2 Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. 3 For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything"
Your Girl,
Jamie
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Falling back on Fall
It seems that my ministry pages have neglected my family's pics pages so I have to do some catching up on pics before its nearly irreversable!!! So, here we go!
We went to Chick-Fil-A one day and they had the best time. Just me and the kids. The same day we picked out the pumpkin stuff in fact. The ONLY picture I got was of Ellie!!! I hate how it ends up sometimes! The boys were too busy at the top of the play tunnel
We went to the Pumpkin Patch with Bethel and had a great time!
They had so much fun picking out stuff from Hobby Lobby to make their pumpkins with! I never knew it would be so fun for them! It was just one of those off the cuff ideas!! We still have them outside the door, I ust don't have the hear to get rid of them yet!
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| Ellie Kate playing by herself :( There were no more little kids in there then!! |
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| Ellie Kate & Grace Windham at the Pumpkin Patch in Mayflower |
We went to the Pumpkin Patch with Bethel and had a great time!
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| Ellie being the "scarecrow" with NOah's head poking through the other side |
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| Noah driving the "tractor" at the PUmpkin Patch. |
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| Mama & Eli on the hayride. I don't think he really wanted me, but he didn't have a choice! |
We Went Camping with the "Little" family from Clarksville in October....I think it was. We had a great time. We camped at Dardanelle State Park, and it was perfect. The weather wasn't too cold, and the kids had the best time playing together. Cara is 1 month older than Ellie Kate; and Clayton is in between Noah & Elijah. Cody and I had a great time just visiting with Matt & Judi! We only get to see them once a year usually at Family Camp. I think we're gonna try and do a longer Spring Camping trip...I wonder which STate Park will be next? Arkansas is so blessed! :)
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| Eli loved riding the toys...in the dark |
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| Of Course, Ellie Kate had to "climb" the tree too!!! |
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| We were at the Visitor's Center looking out @ the beautiful lake! |
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| Blurry, I know, but it was Eli & Daddy all cuddled up |
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| The adults had the most fun putting the glow sticks in the fire....they explode...really fun the green are the best! Mature, I know! |
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| Matt stoking the fire after a glow stick and Noah watching on.... |
They had so much fun picking out stuff from Hobby Lobby to make their pumpkins with! I never knew it would be so fun for them! It was just one of those off the cuff ideas!! We still have them outside the door, I ust don't have the hear to get rid of them yet!
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| We call her "Her Majesty's pumpkin" - Ellie Kate's :) |
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| Elijah's pumpkin - he wanted a cowboy pumpkin |
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| We Made cookies one day...It was really messy, but we had lots of fun, in case you coudn't tell!!!! Well, I still have pictures, but this covers a lot of them!!! I love these kids so much! MY life wouldn't be the same withou them. Thank you, Lord for the wonderful blessing of my children. Even if it does mean changing stinkie diapers, breaking up fights, cleaning up mess after mess. I wouldn't want to do it for anyone else!!! Your Girl, Jamie |
Thursday, October 27, 2011
FROM FEAR TO PROVISION
All of my life I have been an "afraid" kind of person all of my life. I have never had anything horrible happen in my family or in my life to warrant this kind of attitude, but I can remember being young and waiting on my dad to get home from a business trip worried that he would be killed in a car accident. This is when I was about 7-9 years old. I had thoughts like this for most of my life. I was reading in Genesis 22 when Abraham was living a happy life. His wife in her old age bore a son, named Isaac who was their beloved! One day, God spoke to Abraham and told him, "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you." I cannot imagine the thought process that went through Abraham's mind. I don't know if he was thinking, God, why would you give me this perfect little gift only to have it taken away? Let's look at Abraham's response to this statement. 3 "So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son ; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance. 5 Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there ; and we will worship and return to you."
Abraham first of all followed directions and took Isaac his only son and went up to the exact place God told him to. This reminds me of the story of Jonah when he (Jonah) went the opposite direction God told him to. We see that Abraham told his "men" that were with him that they would worship and be back. The faith that it must have taken to act even with the unknown. He didn't know if God would call him to sacrifice his only son, and he didn't know if he would test him to see if he was simply going to be obedient. Let's continue to read, "6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. 7 Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, "My father !" And he said, "Here I am, my son." And he said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering ?" 8 Abraham said, "God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." So the two of them walked on together. 9 Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.
At this point, Abraham was certain that God WOULD provide. He knew that if he was to sacrifice his son that he would STILL provide a generation for his people other than Isaac. Abraham also knew that if he was not going sacrifice Isaac that he would offer that thanks and praise to God in heaven for the gift of his son and the generation that he would PROVIDE through Isaac. We know eventually that God did PROVIDE a ram in the thicket so that his son did not have to be sacrificed. In saying this I would like to remind you that some of us might not ever have to sacrifice someone we love and care for other than through natural causes (i.e., old age), but we will have to offer them up none the less. We still have to live as though they could be offered up to Christ at any time, none the less. I have known several families recently who have lost young children or spouses through either cancer, car accidents, or other sudden illnesses. In my mind I think, am I next? Will I be the next person who will have a child diagnosed with some severe illness? Will I be the next person to lose a spouse in a car accident? The question cannot be answered by anyone other than by God himself. I can live my life in fear that God will choose to take someone I love or I can Love God without Fear in knowing he will PROVIDE.
I am writing this blogpost without full knowledge of what is going to happen next in my life. I might lose someone I love very dearly today. But like Abraham, I MUST lift them up to God in sacrifice knowing his plan is going to be accomplished. More importantly, I must remember that Jesus gave his ONE AND ONLY, SINLESS son up on a cross knowing that he would be in pain, agony, and embarassed because of the conditions the soldiers and others would put him through. Yet he fully gave him up for the plan of PROVISION of Eternal Life for you and I. Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. 11 He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors."
What a Beautiful Plan, What a Beautiful PROVISION.
Jamie
Abraham first of all followed directions and took Isaac his only son and went up to the exact place God told him to. This reminds me of the story of Jonah when he (Jonah) went the opposite direction God told him to. We see that Abraham told his "men" that were with him that they would worship and be back. The faith that it must have taken to act even with the unknown. He didn't know if God would call him to sacrifice his only son, and he didn't know if he would test him to see if he was simply going to be obedient. Let's continue to read, "6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. 7 Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, "My father !" And he said, "Here I am, my son." And he said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering ?" 8 Abraham said, "God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." So the two of them walked on together. 9 Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.
At this point, Abraham was certain that God WOULD provide. He knew that if he was to sacrifice his son that he would STILL provide a generation for his people other than Isaac. Abraham also knew that if he was not going sacrifice Isaac that he would offer that thanks and praise to God in heaven for the gift of his son and the generation that he would PROVIDE through Isaac. We know eventually that God did PROVIDE a ram in the thicket so that his son did not have to be sacrificed. In saying this I would like to remind you that some of us might not ever have to sacrifice someone we love and care for other than through natural causes (i.e., old age), but we will have to offer them up none the less. We still have to live as though they could be offered up to Christ at any time, none the less. I have known several families recently who have lost young children or spouses through either cancer, car accidents, or other sudden illnesses. In my mind I think, am I next? Will I be the next person who will have a child diagnosed with some severe illness? Will I be the next person to lose a spouse in a car accident? The question cannot be answered by anyone other than by God himself. I can live my life in fear that God will choose to take someone I love or I can Love God without Fear in knowing he will PROVIDE.
I am writing this blogpost without full knowledge of what is going to happen next in my life. I might lose someone I love very dearly today. But like Abraham, I MUST lift them up to God in sacrifice knowing his plan is going to be accomplished. More importantly, I must remember that Jesus gave his ONE AND ONLY, SINLESS son up on a cross knowing that he would be in pain, agony, and embarassed because of the conditions the soldiers and others would put him through. Yet he fully gave him up for the plan of PROVISION of Eternal Life for you and I. Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. 11 He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors."
What a Beautiful Plan, What a Beautiful PROVISION.
Jamie
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Made to Be Shade
As most of you know that read my blog regularly my children are the inspiration for most of my blogs. They say things and do things on a regular basis that spur my thoughts toward Biblical things to write about. The other day, I was reading a story in my homeschool teacher's book from Alpha Omega. In the story a little boy went to the park with his parents, he played on the slide and the swing, then his mother called him to come sit on the blanket for a picnic with her and the boys father. The little boy ended up taking a nap under a big shade tree. When he woke up he asked the father, "Why did God make trees so big?" To which the father replied, "So that we could use them for their shade." We've been talking about shadows this past week in school, and it reminded me that shade is a shadow. That might seem like a no brainer to most of you, but I want you to really think of the spiritual application of this. In our lives we start out as a seed when we accept Christ as our personal Savior. God convicts us, and we grow, God chastens us, and we grow. All this while our tree seed should be sprouting into a small tree. Trials come, the winter causes hardening of branches, but in comes the Spring and the Tree grows. It grows and grows and grows. One day, you look up and the tree has made a large shadow or shade spot to be used for someone who doesn't know Christ to be able to see him in your life. You are becoming more and more like the "tree" your father made you to be.
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of scoffers: But his delight is in the law of Jehovah; And on his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water, That bringeth forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also doth not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." Psalm 1:1-3 God has made us in his image. He desires for us to be like him and be that "shade" tree for those to come to the knowledge of him as their Savior. Listen to this Paraphrase in the Message of 2 Corinthians 3:16-18: "Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are - face to face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We're free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him." God desires for us to be more like him and be that shade so that others might rest in the shadow of the Almighty just as we desire to. We were Made to BE shade!
God is so good!
Jamie
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of scoffers: But his delight is in the law of Jehovah; And on his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water, That bringeth forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also doth not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." Psalm 1:1-3 God has made us in his image. He desires for us to be like him and be that "shade" tree for those to come to the knowledge of him as their Savior. Listen to this Paraphrase in the Message of 2 Corinthians 3:16-18: "Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are - face to face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We're free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him." God desires for us to be more like him and be that shade so that others might rest in the shadow of the Almighty just as we desire to. We were Made to BE shade!
God is so good!
Jamie
Friday, September 30, 2011
Elijah:(Hebrew), The Lord is My God
As a child I can remember thinking how cool it was to look back at pictures and souvenirs from times past whether they were my own experiences or of someone else. In my mind questions like, 'what was I thinking when I saw this?' or 'how did we get to do that?' would come up while searching through the treasures of the past. Now, having my own family to make memories with and keep memories for I so enjoy times like Birthdays and have made it a tradition to look at baby pictures of that child the day before their birthday. Elijah will turn 3 years old on Saturday, October 1st. We will have a Lightening McQueen Birthday with Flo's V-8 Cafe, Luigi's Tires, and Sally's Cozy Cone motel, but most of all we will be making memories, taking pictures, and reminiscing on times past. So, here's a few thoughts about my almost 3 year old.
Elijah was not a surprise to our family in the least bit. From the time Noah was about 6 months old I knew that I wanted to have another child, and that I wanted them to be close in age. I have nieces that are about 19 months apart and saw how well they got along and played well together so, naturally I thought it was a great idea. I found out I was pregnant February 2, 2008. Noah's first birthday was February 25th so they would be about 19 months apart! I had just moved jobs as we had just moved from Mountain Home to Casscoe so that Cody could go to Seminary (we thought it would be easier). I didn't have very much morning sickness and things were going great. We wanted to find out in May if we were having a girl/boy, and we didn't find out until June because he was a little squirmy! The funny thing about Elijah is that he was the most wiggly child in my tummy out of the 3 kids. Noah was about "normal" i guess. Ellie Kate was very quiet (not a lot of movement). With Elijah I worked in the Prairie Couty DHS office and I ate good! I ordered chicken strips, honey mustard, baked potato for lunch nearly everyday from the Pizza Parlor.
My pregnancy was going pretty good. I hated being on call and being pregnant. Leaving the house at 2:30 in the morning to find placement for foster kids when you are 7 months pregnant is NOT fun! But, he and I did it all together. We went to court (at least every month, sometimes more) for work, we went to VBS together at New Salem (Outrigger Island), we played the piano together. Then, in August Cody went in view of a call to Bethel in Morrilton. In my 8th Month of pregnancy we moved 2 hours away from family and my favorite job I'd ever had! One awesome thing was that the hospital was only 40 minutes instead of an hour and a half! In September only 3 days of being in Morrilton I started having contractions. It was still too soon for Elijah to be born (36 weeks) so Dr. Selby who had been my OB-GYN since I was 17 ( and I trusted alot) put me on Brethine to stop the contractions and I had to take the next month off work for bed rest. I had FMLA time for work which was great but it would mean that I would only get to spend 2 months after Eli was born at home with him instead of 3! I was heartbroken, but relieved all at the same time. It would save me from having to drive an hour and a half to DeValls Bluff until my transfer happened for work, but I wanted 3 full months with my new little baby!
September passed quickly with Mid South Youth Conference, Fireproof, and other activities through the Youth Group at Bethel. Then, when Bethel was in Revival with Bro. Terry Simmons as evangelist I started having worse contractions and I was off my brethine for good by this time. So, I called my Dr. who said to lie down, take 2 tylenol and drink a large glass of water because sometimes contractions can be due to being slightly dehydrated. So, I did all of those things and they didn't really help. My mom and Daddy had come for Revival that night. I couldn't go and my mom stayed home with me. She helped me pack my hospital bag, Noah's bag, and get stuff ready just in case. Well, they went home and we figured I still wouldn't have him until the surgery date (like the 7th?). So, I just tried to go to sleep. Well, I couldn't, so i got up and got in the internet to get my mind off of things, and it just got worse and worse. Finally, I woke Cody up and said, we have to go to the hospital! He groggily got up, got ready and we got Noah ready, bless his little heart. I grabbed a blanket from the house and he kept covering his face in the car on the way there because I was yelling!! We got to St. Vincent's and had the C-Section within 1 hour of getting there! It was quick, and easy! In fact, Cody's mom and dad didn't get there from Jonesboro until about an hour and a half after he was born! I remember right after the surgery when I got to really hold him I thought it was the best day of my life up until that point. I had my little toddler, my wonderful husband, and now my New beautiful baby Eli. I had never been happier.
The last 3 years have been an adventure with Eli. We've seen him fall, laugh, walk, cry, smile,roll over, flip over, scoot, crawl, and everything in between. We've seen him go to class for the first time in Discovery, Sunday School, and Children's Church, VBS! We've fallen in Love with Elijah Garrett Simpson, and can't imagine a day without his adorable smile and personality. When I named my Elijah, I wanted him to be reminded of the prophet Elijah who was such a Godly man! He prayed for a drought, God gave it. He prayed for rain, God granted it. He prayed fire down on the Baals, and God provided! I desire that my Elijah would Pray and God would grant him the things not because he's some great person, but because in his inward self he truly desires to seek and honor Christ no matter the cost. Garrett is my Elijah's middle name. It is a family name to remind him of the importance that family is to have in one's life, and Simpson is the last name to remind him that although we don't know who Cody's real parents are that we are blessed to have grandparents on both sides that love and care for our family. It also reminds us that God has and will "adopt" us all into his family if we will accept. Lord, please help my Eli to grow physically, and spiritually. Most of all I pray that one day he will accept you as his personal Savior. I pray not only that he'll accept you as his Savior, but he will LIVE out loud for you, Just as Elijah did in the Old Testament. Thank You God, for the 3 years of life you have blessed us with in Elijah.
Your Girl,
Jamie
Elijah was not a surprise to our family in the least bit. From the time Noah was about 6 months old I knew that I wanted to have another child, and that I wanted them to be close in age. I have nieces that are about 19 months apart and saw how well they got along and played well together so, naturally I thought it was a great idea. I found out I was pregnant February 2, 2008. Noah's first birthday was February 25th so they would be about 19 months apart! I had just moved jobs as we had just moved from Mountain Home to Casscoe so that Cody could go to Seminary (we thought it would be easier). I didn't have very much morning sickness and things were going great. We wanted to find out in May if we were having a girl/boy, and we didn't find out until June because he was a little squirmy! The funny thing about Elijah is that he was the most wiggly child in my tummy out of the 3 kids. Noah was about "normal" i guess. Ellie Kate was very quiet (not a lot of movement). With Elijah I worked in the Prairie Couty DHS office and I ate good! I ordered chicken strips, honey mustard, baked potato for lunch nearly everyday from the Pizza Parlor.
My pregnancy was going pretty good. I hated being on call and being pregnant. Leaving the house at 2:30 in the morning to find placement for foster kids when you are 7 months pregnant is NOT fun! But, he and I did it all together. We went to court (at least every month, sometimes more) for work, we went to VBS together at New Salem (Outrigger Island), we played the piano together. Then, in August Cody went in view of a call to Bethel in Morrilton. In my 8th Month of pregnancy we moved 2 hours away from family and my favorite job I'd ever had! One awesome thing was that the hospital was only 40 minutes instead of an hour and a half! In September only 3 days of being in Morrilton I started having contractions. It was still too soon for Elijah to be born (36 weeks) so Dr. Selby who had been my OB-GYN since I was 17 ( and I trusted alot) put me on Brethine to stop the contractions and I had to take the next month off work for bed rest. I had FMLA time for work which was great but it would mean that I would only get to spend 2 months after Eli was born at home with him instead of 3! I was heartbroken, but relieved all at the same time. It would save me from having to drive an hour and a half to DeValls Bluff until my transfer happened for work, but I wanted 3 full months with my new little baby!
September passed quickly with Mid South Youth Conference, Fireproof, and other activities through the Youth Group at Bethel. Then, when Bethel was in Revival with Bro. Terry Simmons as evangelist I started having worse contractions and I was off my brethine for good by this time. So, I called my Dr. who said to lie down, take 2 tylenol and drink a large glass of water because sometimes contractions can be due to being slightly dehydrated. So, I did all of those things and they didn't really help. My mom and Daddy had come for Revival that night. I couldn't go and my mom stayed home with me. She helped me pack my hospital bag, Noah's bag, and get stuff ready just in case. Well, they went home and we figured I still wouldn't have him until the surgery date (like the 7th?). So, I just tried to go to sleep. Well, I couldn't, so i got up and got in the internet to get my mind off of things, and it just got worse and worse. Finally, I woke Cody up and said, we have to go to the hospital! He groggily got up, got ready and we got Noah ready, bless his little heart. I grabbed a blanket from the house and he kept covering his face in the car on the way there because I was yelling!! We got to St. Vincent's and had the C-Section within 1 hour of getting there! It was quick, and easy! In fact, Cody's mom and dad didn't get there from Jonesboro until about an hour and a half after he was born! I remember right after the surgery when I got to really hold him I thought it was the best day of my life up until that point. I had my little toddler, my wonderful husband, and now my New beautiful baby Eli. I had never been happier.
The last 3 years have been an adventure with Eli. We've seen him fall, laugh, walk, cry, smile,roll over, flip over, scoot, crawl, and everything in between. We've seen him go to class for the first time in Discovery, Sunday School, and Children's Church, VBS! We've fallen in Love with Elijah Garrett Simpson, and can't imagine a day without his adorable smile and personality. When I named my Elijah, I wanted him to be reminded of the prophet Elijah who was such a Godly man! He prayed for a drought, God gave it. He prayed for rain, God granted it. He prayed fire down on the Baals, and God provided! I desire that my Elijah would Pray and God would grant him the things not because he's some great person, but because in his inward self he truly desires to seek and honor Christ no matter the cost. Garrett is my Elijah's middle name. It is a family name to remind him of the importance that family is to have in one's life, and Simpson is the last name to remind him that although we don't know who Cody's real parents are that we are blessed to have grandparents on both sides that love and care for our family. It also reminds us that God has and will "adopt" us all into his family if we will accept. Lord, please help my Eli to grow physically, and spiritually. Most of all I pray that one day he will accept you as his personal Savior. I pray not only that he'll accept you as his Savior, but he will LIVE out loud for you, Just as Elijah did in the Old Testament. Thank You God, for the 3 years of life you have blessed us with in Elijah.
Your Girl,
Jamie
Thursday, September 15, 2011
New Beginnings
This week has began our first week of "real homeschool". We got our books in last week and we have been so excited! It has been a blast! I have been so anxious to get started, and it was tough not to started before Monday, but I held off! Monday was a trial day. We started at 9:00 (as suggested), we did our pledges, put the correct date on the calendar, and began our lessons. For the past month I have been very nervous about starting homeschool. I have questioned my ability to stick with it for however many years (until they all graduate), I have questioned my ability to stay at home ALL DAY long with 3 kids by myself, I have questioned Finances whether or not we can afford to homeschool, and I have questioned the room in our house whether or not there is enough room. After all of this questioning, I started on Monday not knowing if I would have peace about it all, and by Monday evening, I had the Peace I had been wanting for the past month. When we finished our lessons on Monday, I was very tired and a little cranky (trying to control all 3 kids and get them to learn at the same time is somewhat challenging). As the night went on, and I began to reflect on the day we had together, I realized that this is what God gave me to do in my life. I have been saying this for about a year now, but it wasn't until I actually started doing it that I realized how much it is a part of being a mommy! God gave me MY children to watch over, to teach, to encourage spiritually, to love, to hold, and to push to learn more! It is so rewarding. I feel as though I am finally doing what God made me to do! All of my insecure feelings were replaced with confidence from God alone! I love in Titus when God's word says that the women should be makers of their home, and in some versions it says "managers" of their home. I feel like I am managing my home, and my children!
Every night when my kids and my husband go to bed, I get up and go to our "classroom" to work on the next days lesson, then I cut out, color, and get everything ready. It is tiring, but the best part is when I unlock the door the next morning, and Noah sees all that hard work (the posters, the crafts,etc) and he says "oh, mommy I love this!" or "o Mommy, look at this!" It truly makes all of that work worth it. I love seeing that beautiful smile on his face when his Squirrel gets an acorn when he has good behavior! I am exhausted because I have 2 sick babies, but overall, it has been a great week! Excited to see what God has in store.
Jamie
Every night when my kids and my husband go to bed, I get up and go to our "classroom" to work on the next days lesson, then I cut out, color, and get everything ready. It is tiring, but the best part is when I unlock the door the next morning, and Noah sees all that hard work (the posters, the crafts,etc) and he says "oh, mommy I love this!" or "o Mommy, look at this!" It truly makes all of that work worth it. I love seeing that beautiful smile on his face when his Squirrel gets an acorn when he has good behavior! I am exhausted because I have 2 sick babies, but overall, it has been a great week! Excited to see what God has in store.
Jamie
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Mourning Comfort
We have recently had a man in our church that has brain tumor. He went to the ER one day and has not gone home since. As soon as we found out that he would be moving hospitals, I began looking up scripture used in comforting those that mourn. One of the first verses I came to was 2 Corinthians1:3-4, " Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." When I read it I had to read it again! It's one of those verses that you know you've probably read before, but NOW it comes alive to you! Here are some thoughts about comfort. The greek word in these verses is parakaleo which means to call to ones side, to speak to, refreshment, supplication, instruction, and exhortation. The same word that is used here is also used in Matthew 5:4, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted," where Jesus is teaching the Disciples and the multitudes what we know as the "Beatitudes". This same greek word is in Luke 2:25 where an old man, named Simeon came to see the Messiah who was in the flesh of a baby. It says," And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon ; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel ; and the Holy Spirit was upon him." This man was righteous and devout he had been a Jew for a long time! He knew that there was a coming Messiah and that Jesus was him. Verse 25 calls Jesus the 'consolation' of Israel. O, What a joy it must have been for Simeon to have seen the Messiah!
In going back to 2 Corinithians and the Greek Word Parakaleo which is our word that means Comfort we have a job to do for those who need comfort. There have been times in my life that I have needed comfort and God has swiftly provided someone to come along, maybe even a child and encourage/exhort me that I may continue in the work that I was doing! I believe that through life we can find 3 different types of comfort: instructional comfort, personal comfort, and God's comfort.
One of the definitions of the word Parakaleo was instruction. There will be times in your life where you will encounter someone that needs comfort that you have NO type of experience in. You might have seen someone go through it, but you have never, personally been through it. This type of comfort is very important because in giving comfort, words of advice you can teach what you know from the Bible as Truth so that they will have that foundation to come back to. For example, let's say that you have a friend who is considering a divorce, but you have never personally been in this situation. As a friend, it is your job to encourage your friend to do as the Bbile says, and if she/he doesn't know then it is your job to give Instructional comfort to them so that they might make a Godly decision. Since comfort means to instruct, you are Biblically fulfilling God's will in that situation.
Next, we have Personal comfort, this comes from personal experience. When someone you know is going through a similiar situation and you can reach out your hand and say, 'I've been there' , that often means so much to that person. We have church members who have been in the similar situation as the family I mentioned is going through with this brain cancer. It wasn't the same kind of cancer, but they have BEEN there, and they made it through with the Lord's help. This type of comfort is just beautiful in my eyes, and I believe in the Lord's eyes because he says that there is no temptation that we will go through that he has not already been through! Imagine yourself in an AA, NA meeting. You have been addicted to drugs or alcohol. Some of the best testimonies for you to hear are those who have been there, and come out! Take this one seriously. If you see someone in a similiar situation don't just turn away from them when you have the key to help unlock the door of understanding. It might be something small such as dealing with 3 kids under 3; it might be something as big as losing a spouse. Whatever it is, take the time to reach out and care.
Lastly, we have Godly comfort. This is of couse the best kind you can get! The next verse of 2 Corinthians 1, where we started is this; "For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ." The pain and agony Jesus Christ suffered on the cross is unimaginable to me! I cannot imagine being so alone, and my Father having to turn his face. Jesus saw a great purpose behind the pain. He saw a person- you, and me behind all the shame! No matter what we are going through our pain and suffering can never compare to Jesus' on the cross. Just like Jesus we can look through the pain, the shame, and see the GAIN at the end of it all. In verse 5, it says that our comfort is abundant in Christ! Not that our pain is abundant in Christ, not that our embarassment is abundant in Christ, but our COMFORT is abundant. It reminds me of Ephesians 3:20, which says," Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to HIM be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen"
Have a Blessed Day!
Jamie
In going back to 2 Corinithians and the Greek Word Parakaleo which is our word that means Comfort we have a job to do for those who need comfort. There have been times in my life that I have needed comfort and God has swiftly provided someone to come along, maybe even a child and encourage/exhort me that I may continue in the work that I was doing! I believe that through life we can find 3 different types of comfort: instructional comfort, personal comfort, and God's comfort.
One of the definitions of the word Parakaleo was instruction. There will be times in your life where you will encounter someone that needs comfort that you have NO type of experience in. You might have seen someone go through it, but you have never, personally been through it. This type of comfort is very important because in giving comfort, words of advice you can teach what you know from the Bible as Truth so that they will have that foundation to come back to. For example, let's say that you have a friend who is considering a divorce, but you have never personally been in this situation. As a friend, it is your job to encourage your friend to do as the Bbile says, and if she/he doesn't know then it is your job to give Instructional comfort to them so that they might make a Godly decision. Since comfort means to instruct, you are Biblically fulfilling God's will in that situation.
Next, we have Personal comfort, this comes from personal experience. When someone you know is going through a similiar situation and you can reach out your hand and say, 'I've been there' , that often means so much to that person. We have church members who have been in the similar situation as the family I mentioned is going through with this brain cancer. It wasn't the same kind of cancer, but they have BEEN there, and they made it through with the Lord's help. This type of comfort is just beautiful in my eyes, and I believe in the Lord's eyes because he says that there is no temptation that we will go through that he has not already been through! Imagine yourself in an AA, NA meeting. You have been addicted to drugs or alcohol. Some of the best testimonies for you to hear are those who have been there, and come out! Take this one seriously. If you see someone in a similiar situation don't just turn away from them when you have the key to help unlock the door of understanding. It might be something small such as dealing with 3 kids under 3; it might be something as big as losing a spouse. Whatever it is, take the time to reach out and care.
Lastly, we have Godly comfort. This is of couse the best kind you can get! The next verse of 2 Corinthians 1, where we started is this; "For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ." The pain and agony Jesus Christ suffered on the cross is unimaginable to me! I cannot imagine being so alone, and my Father having to turn his face. Jesus saw a great purpose behind the pain. He saw a person- you, and me behind all the shame! No matter what we are going through our pain and suffering can never compare to Jesus' on the cross. Just like Jesus we can look through the pain, the shame, and see the GAIN at the end of it all. In verse 5, it says that our comfort is abundant in Christ! Not that our pain is abundant in Christ, not that our embarassment is abundant in Christ, but our COMFORT is abundant. It reminds me of Ephesians 3:20, which says," Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to HIM be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen"
Have a Blessed Day!
Jamie
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
This and That
Hello, all! It's been a while since I've been able to update, but we are doing great. We are actually getting settled in our new house. We moved, again? Yes, this time just down the road from where we were living. Try explaining this to the bank, post office, and others who ask. Needless to say it was a very weird move. However, the reasons behind the move were wonderful. A month ago the lady that helps manage our houses that we live in came approached Cody about possibly being the maintenance man for StoneRidge Homes. Well, when Cody first told me this, I was very skeptical. I married Cody for many reasons, all of which had nothing to do with being a maintenance man kind of person. Don't get me wrong, he CAN do just about anything he wants (he's too smart), but it's just a matter of actually doing it. So, as the story goes Cody and I talked about it and decided that maintenace man and opening the office for 2 hours on M, T, TH, F which is all the job entails in exchange for rent would be a great deal. We don't have to pay rent! This has been such a blessing. We are praying that we can get Cody a cheap vehicle with the extra money from not paying rent.
So, here we are, toward the end of August, moved in (still putting things away), and enjoying starting school with the youth at the church. Noah's school books have been ordered from Alpha Omega and we're using the Horizons Curriculum. It is so bright and beautiful, plus it seems to have all of the basic curriculum steps we want for him during his Pre-K year. It is so hard to believe that my little red haired boy who was only 5lbs 3 oz. is growing up. It hit Cody that next year at this time they will be 2 1/2, 4, and 5 1/2. Somedays I don't think I can go on, and I want to just give up, go back to work, and send the kids to someone else who I think might have more patience, but that's not really what I want for my children. My job is to Raise them, not until they get in Kindergarten, 3rd grade, or jr high, but for life.
Lord, please help me to be the Titus 2 woman that desires to lead her children into a life of submission for you. May you help them to grow into the adults that you want them to be. Maybe into a preacher, evangelist, missionary, whatever you desire for your honor and glory.
Jamie
So, here we are, toward the end of August, moved in (still putting things away), and enjoying starting school with the youth at the church. Noah's school books have been ordered from Alpha Omega and we're using the Horizons Curriculum. It is so bright and beautiful, plus it seems to have all of the basic curriculum steps we want for him during his Pre-K year. It is so hard to believe that my little red haired boy who was only 5lbs 3 oz. is growing up. It hit Cody that next year at this time they will be 2 1/2, 4, and 5 1/2. Somedays I don't think I can go on, and I want to just give up, go back to work, and send the kids to someone else who I think might have more patience, but that's not really what I want for my children. My job is to Raise them, not until they get in Kindergarten, 3rd grade, or jr high, but for life.
Lord, please help me to be the Titus 2 woman that desires to lead her children into a life of submission for you. May you help them to grow into the adults that you want them to be. Maybe into a preacher, evangelist, missionary, whatever you desire for your honor and glory.
Jamie
Sunday, July 31, 2011
2 Church Camps, 1 VBS, 1 Revival and a Partridge in a Pear Tree??
This summer has just flown by riduclously fast. It is almost August, and time for Noah to start his PreKindergarten Home Schooling. I am so excited for him. I really want this to be exciting to Him too. We have a very nice lady that is in our church's association (First United) and she has helped me tremendously in making decisions, information giving, and in friendship as well. We have had a lot to talk about when we do get to talk! Now that school is about to start back I will get to see her and her sweet family at Youth Rally's, Mission Rally's, and Ladies Auxiliary District Meeting.
We have had lots to celebrate this summer we had several saved at teen camp, and 6 saved at VBS. I am so looking forward to the Revival this week that Cody will be preaching at New Salem, which is my home church. I truly enjoy getting to hear my husband preach. I have seen God take and use him in HUGE ways, and I just think, WOW that's MY husband! The other day at VBS we had a mom thank Cody on facebook for giving her son a BIBLE at VBS. She said it really "made his day". Well, she has no idea how much her encouraging words helped remind Cody that what he is doing is worth it all, and that IS what it's all about. I would really love to see her in church as well, maybe one day! :)
I don't have many pictures to post, because I have been using my phone more, and it's all the way in my bedroom....so, just words for now! We have "Preaching in the Park" tomorrow evening, with Antioch in Perryville, and Temple that we are going to enjoy some fellowship with. I am getting tired just talking about everything we've got going on, but I am definitely ready for Fall time, back to school, football, and all of the beautiful things that the Lord blesses us with in the Fall time! Good Night, all!
We have had lots to celebrate this summer we had several saved at teen camp, and 6 saved at VBS. I am so looking forward to the Revival this week that Cody will be preaching at New Salem, which is my home church. I truly enjoy getting to hear my husband preach. I have seen God take and use him in HUGE ways, and I just think, WOW that's MY husband! The other day at VBS we had a mom thank Cody on facebook for giving her son a BIBLE at VBS. She said it really "made his day". Well, she has no idea how much her encouraging words helped remind Cody that what he is doing is worth it all, and that IS what it's all about. I would really love to see her in church as well, maybe one day! :)
I don't have many pictures to post, because I have been using my phone more, and it's all the way in my bedroom....so, just words for now! We have "Preaching in the Park" tomorrow evening, with Antioch in Perryville, and Temple that we are going to enjoy some fellowship with. I am getting tired just talking about everything we've got going on, but I am definitely ready for Fall time, back to school, football, and all of the beautiful things that the Lord blesses us with in the Fall time! Good Night, all!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Awesome God!
Ellie Kate had her friend Cara at camp to play with. I enjoyed visiting with Cara's mommy, Judi Little last week. That is what our camp is for those that have been saved. It is a week of refreshing fellowship between believers and God. It is a time to learn more about God's word, and how to share it with others. The friendships that are born there are amazing! I have never been a part of a camp that has such a close relationship. Everyone loves everyone. There are of course a few exceptions, but hey 1 out of 370 is not bad, right? LOL. Don't know how to rotate my photo and so, this is Cara and Ellie talking on the phone in the nursery in the back of the tabernacle during service one night! They are about a month apart, and are precious together!
One of my favorite things about Budd Creek Camp is the food! They have wonderful food, homecooked food at that!! The other reason I like meal times is because they do it "family style" where you have what is called "table monitors" who go before everyone else does and they set the tables (in our case we had 5 tables) so we had to have 5 table monitors. This year I made out the list before camp...because if you wait until camp people think you're picking on them if they have to do it more than once. Every meal the table monitors had an adult to go with them and "assist" them to make sure none of them leave before everything is done at the end of the meal, and to teach those who are "new" to it. Some people like to do it for themselves, but in doing this you really "rob" others in this case the kids of the blessing of learning to serve others. So, I had to tell Bro Mullins (our pastor) not to do stuff on more than one occasion because he could "do it faster" than the table monitors! LOL, especially if you know him!! Noah really got in on being a table monitor. He would take the "baskets" when they were empty and get them refilled with food and put them back on the table, and at the end of the meal, he would help sweep, and try to help put up the chairs as well. He is such a big boy now.
The best thing about camp is the end of the week when the one's who have been saved ring the bell. The whole Idea is to picture what heaven is like when just 1 lost soul is saved, the amount of rejoicing is incomparable.
The topic of this week was set by Bro Doyle Glass whom I have known since I was a kid, and he is at one of our churches in Birdtown just a little north of Morrilton (it really is a small, small world!) and in his sermon he preached to the saved about a marquee sign he had seen outside of a Baptist church somewhere in Quitman, Ar a while back. He asked us the question, "Will there be anyone in Heaven because of You?" That questions played on everyone's conscience that week because if they had been saved, it was so convicting about how we are living our lives for Christ, and if they were not saved, they knew that they needed the assurance of Heaven after they leave this world! God greatly blessed us this past week with wonderful preaching, just a few were Bro Glass, Bro Cody (yes Cody preached one morning), Bro Mullins, Bro. Eli Maynard, Bro. Zach Garrigus, Bro. Kenny Haney, Bro Mike Haney, and so many more. They were all great preacher's for the Lord. I have to say this, Bro. Kenny Haney is a young man. I cannot remember if Kenny is 16, 17, or what, but he gave a devotional one morning before Breakfast and it was awesome. He challenged the kids/teens and he didn't hold anything back. It was so great because it came from someone that is "their" age. He is on fire for the Lord and I hope he will remain that way! My children are now running wild, so I must go. O, and by the way, Cody & I celebrated our Anniversary the Last day of camp, Friday June 17th! We enjoyed getting sang to by the Budd Creek staff, and little cake too! It was sweet. We had a great time talking which is something we don't get a of time to do. Have a Great week!
Jamie
Monday, June 6, 2011
Takes More Time, but less money
So for the last few months I have been on a mission to try and not spend much money. When we decided it would be best for our family that I quit my job 2 years ago in May we knew that we would have to cut way down on the spending. Since then I have struggled with spending more than I ever have before! It seems like Satan has used it as a breeding ground for temptation. Something that I have really been learning is that the things in life that are lasting and the things that are often best for us take more time to do (like couponing), and you have to do them more than once (shop at 2 or 3 different stores to get the best deal). This is extremely difficut for me to do, because I have grown up in a "fast food" culture. Everything is quick, fast, and "easy". That word "easy" is often misused because it might be easier on the front end of things, but much harder at the end! I think I might have even blogged about this before, but I cannot remember. Obviously I didn't learn much from it because I'm taking the "test" again, and again!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
O Glorious Day!
We just celebrated the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ this past Sunday. It was a wonderful day that we celebrated by having a Sunrise Service at 6:30 a.m. then having breakfast, and then our Easter "Cantata" conducted by none other Daddy. We were able to stay in the church service for about 2 1/2 songs one of which, "Feels Like Redemption" was wonderful!!! The choir has been working very hard on it, and it was great. We did manage to get one family picture. This is my beautiful family. We had a great day. Later that day we went to Casscoe since we didn't have church at Bethel that night we got to go to New Salem. I love be able to go back home. I grew up in that church, and it will always hold a very special place in my heart. I was in the womb in that church! I enjoy so much getting to spend time with family and friends of the family. Somedays I would love to live right in the middle of them again. However, I don't know if the Lord will ever allow us to move back to Casscoe.
My kiddos enjoyed so much dyeing easter eggs this year. We don't "do" the Easter Bunny or anything, but we do like to dye eggs and hunt for them. It's a "hide 'n' seek" game for them with a twist. Elijah was so cute hunting them at Nanny's house. There's a few pictures, but I couldn't possibly post them all! Elijah was like a little scientist dyeing his eggs, it was so cute. He took his job VERY seriously! Ellie Kate was just so precious. Her dress was so beautiful on her, and she knew it too! She liked hunting the easter eggs, but wasn't really into dyeing them this year, now next year might be a very different story! Noah didn't care too much for hunting them either just because he wanted to play with Trey. They could play together all day long!
Cody had his cantata, I've had the kids' Easter Musical so we're done until camp! Yeah!!!
It's Bedtime, so I have to run! May the Lord bless you as we are in the middle of this tornado season!!! Praying especially for all those in Vilonia and those who have family hurt and killed there.
Jamie
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Monster Jam & Monster Fever?
Cody and Noah at Monster Jam with Big Foot the Monster Truck! Noah was WAY excited, if you can't tell! 
This past week has been very busy at the Simpsons' house. The kids have been battling a fever, cough, and runny nose on the side. Cody's dad had bought tickets to the Monster Jam at the Convocation center in Jonesboro about 2 or 3 weeks ago, and even though the boys had been to the doctor on Monday by Friday they were still not completely better! Elijah was especially sick. He has asthma and colds always hit him worse than the other two. He ran a fever for 3 or 4 days. We knew Friday night that Elijah wouldn't be able to go to Monster Jam, but Noah shouldn't have to miss out, so we went to Jonesboro which is a good 3 hour drive from our house in Morrilton and we were armed with kleenex, and lots of medicine ( I looked as though I had a small pharmacy in my bag!). Noah, Cody and I headed to the Convo and left Elijah in Mimi's arms and Ellie Kate (reluctantly) with Papaw. Noah had so much fun. He got a glow in the dark necklace, checkered flag, and some of the driver's autographs. After Monster Jam was over we had to head to Casscoe so that Cody could make it to the VBS Seminar at Olive Branch in Pine Bluff. Needless to say since it was 9:00-11:00 it was a quiet ride there. Elijah slept with Nanny and Noah slept with Pop. Elijah's fever was very high friday night and into Saturday morning.
By Saturday morning Elijah was feeling just a teeny bit better, but still had fever. Between Antibiotics, cough medicine, and tylenol the poor kid was getting fed up with medicine, and I was too! Sunday I stayed home with Elijah and Ellie Kate and Cody came in with Great news from Men's Meeting. I'll post more about that Later this week if It goes well!
Jamie
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
"The Author Shows Up"
Last Friday night Cody and I got a treat. We were able to go on a date without any kids (even Ellie) to a Gideons' Appreciation Banquet. The food was wonderful, and it was a very uplifting service. We were all reminded of how that just sharing the Word of God with one person can make a big difference.
Bob Jones was the speaker for the evening, and he told a story of how he met a girl named Marlem in Chile on a mission trip. Marlem was a translator for the Gideon's who went on the trip, and most of the translators were not "christians" they just volunteered to translate. So, Marlem was translating for one of the evangelists and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a person on the streets of Chile, and as she was reading through the Roman Road she realized she needed Salvation and she accepted Christ as the Lord of her life. Bob Jones stated that when someone reads the Word of God that the author always shows up. I loved that statement! It's so beautifully true. God always shows up to show us our needs. What a beautiful ministry to be involved with.
There was also a story of how that the Bishop would not allow the Gideons to take Bibles into the private schools of Chile but they could in the Public Schools. So as they were taking them around and even to the University they saw a bus of high school seniors getting out and then were told that every highschool senior would be at the University for college orientation! God made a way for EVERY senior not just the public school seniors to have a Bible in their hand! God is so good.
This Sunday night, my husband was preaching and he did an invitation at the beginning of the service. A little girl who rides the bus came forward and she accepted Jesus as Lord of her life and repented of her sins. She was so happy to be a child of God.
When God allows his word to be handed out and preached the "Author does indeed, Show up"!
Praise the Lord.
How can they know without a preacher? Will you be that lifeline for someone to get to God?
Bob Jones was the speaker for the evening, and he told a story of how he met a girl named Marlem in Chile on a mission trip. Marlem was a translator for the Gideon's who went on the trip, and most of the translators were not "christians" they just volunteered to translate. So, Marlem was translating for one of the evangelists and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a person on the streets of Chile, and as she was reading through the Roman Road she realized she needed Salvation and she accepted Christ as the Lord of her life. Bob Jones stated that when someone reads the Word of God that the author always shows up. I loved that statement! It's so beautifully true. God always shows up to show us our needs. What a beautiful ministry to be involved with.
There was also a story of how that the Bishop would not allow the Gideons to take Bibles into the private schools of Chile but they could in the Public Schools. So as they were taking them around and even to the University they saw a bus of high school seniors getting out and then were told that every highschool senior would be at the University for college orientation! God made a way for EVERY senior not just the public school seniors to have a Bible in their hand! God is so good.
This Sunday night, my husband was preaching and he did an invitation at the beginning of the service. A little girl who rides the bus came forward and she accepted Jesus as Lord of her life and repented of her sins. She was so happy to be a child of God.
When God allows his word to be handed out and preached the "Author does indeed, Show up"!
Praise the Lord.
How can they know without a preacher? Will you be that lifeline for someone to get to God?
Thursday, February 24, 2011
1 Person with many Names
I teach the teens at our church on Wednesday Nights. I am very blessed to have a wonderful group of teens that really do want to serve Christ. Last night our Discovery Lesson was about God and how he is everything. He is the Creator, Redeemer, Savior, and Rock. He is something different to everyone at certain points in their life. I had 3 people give me who God is to them right now. One said judge, another said Creator, and the last teen said he is his defender. So today, I want to ask you, what is Christ to you at this very point in your life? If you have been ill, he is your healer, if you have been blinded by the principals of this world then he is your eyesight (spiritual), and so on.
I have found out through past experiences that my teens want their teacher to answer the question that they are asking the kids. This makes for great relationship building. So, I volunteered my answer. I said that right now in my life my kids are all very young, and I am building their "foundations" for learning, physical growth, and spiritual growth and that means quite a bit of temper tantrums, fit throwing, and crocodile tears to experience each day. Most of the time more than once in a day. I told my teens that right now, God is my Peace. He is the Peace in the middle of the chaos at my home! To some that may not sound very spiritual, but there are times throughout my day I need God's peace to come over me and help me control my beautiful children. Peace is defined as being, "a period maked by the cessation of open and hostile aggression between people and nations." Another definition of the Hebrew word for peace, is "well-being, and wholeness". Both of these describe what I need at my home during the course of a day. I need God to give me the physical strength (well being) to make it and the spiritual strength to teach my children God's word. Then, I need God's peace to make me "whole", and fill me up with him so that I don't get disappointed at my kids when they don't fill a needed spot in my life. He is the ONLY one or thing that can make us whole.
I encourage you to think about who God is to you and thank him for that. Then, I encourage you to figure out the opposite of your word for him (mine is chaos or anxiousness) and then look up a verse in the Bible that corresponds with how God gives you what you need. For example, My verse is "Be anxious for nothing, but anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made to God; and the Peace of God , which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts, and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7.
May you experience the Peace, comfort, Healing, I AM, Word, Creator, and Fortress today in your life.
In His Love,
Jamie
I have found out through past experiences that my teens want their teacher to answer the question that they are asking the kids. This makes for great relationship building. So, I volunteered my answer. I said that right now in my life my kids are all very young, and I am building their "foundations" for learning, physical growth, and spiritual growth and that means quite a bit of temper tantrums, fit throwing, and crocodile tears to experience each day. Most of the time more than once in a day. I told my teens that right now, God is my Peace. He is the Peace in the middle of the chaos at my home! To some that may not sound very spiritual, but there are times throughout my day I need God's peace to come over me and help me control my beautiful children. Peace is defined as being, "a period maked by the cessation of open and hostile aggression between people and nations." Another definition of the Hebrew word for peace, is "well-being, and wholeness". Both of these describe what I need at my home during the course of a day. I need God to give me the physical strength (well being) to make it and the spiritual strength to teach my children God's word. Then, I need God's peace to make me "whole", and fill me up with him so that I don't get disappointed at my kids when they don't fill a needed spot in my life. He is the ONLY one or thing that can make us whole.
I encourage you to think about who God is to you and thank him for that. Then, I encourage you to figure out the opposite of your word for him (mine is chaos or anxiousness) and then look up a verse in the Bible that corresponds with how God gives you what you need. For example, My verse is "Be anxious for nothing, but anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made to God; and the Peace of God , which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts, and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7.
May you experience the Peace, comfort, Healing, I AM, Word, Creator, and Fortress today in your life.
In His Love,
Jamie
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