Local Heritage Festival

We went to a local heritage festival at Blackwater forest preserve. It was really neat. The kids had a blast! They were able to shuck corn the old fashioned way, watch a blacksmith soder iron over a fire and look at some really interesting taxidermy. This guy had a stuffed alligator he caught himself and the thing was almost 20 feet long! The alligator feasted on stray dogs that would get too close to the water he was in. When the guy killed him he found like five or six dog collars in his stomache! Hmmmm... A local gentleman brought his mini army museum with him. He showed Ian all the weaponry and even how to kill the enemy three ways with one weapon. Yeah, Bob! Not! We all had a great time bonding as a family. The Forest preserve was beautiful (even if the leaves don't change down here in Florida).

Denying Your Child Wisely

I went to a ladies bible study today and I thought I would share what I have learned.

"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself or be a cast away?" Luke 9:23-25

The host began by reading a quote from someone from the 1800s. This is not word for word, but here it goes..."At no other time in history have american children been given so many gifts without earning them and in such excess that they receive more on one birthday than their grandparents received in their whole lives." I just chuckle to myself as I think of all the Paul Family scenarios that played out in my mind as she said that. "Mom, can I have this and this and this for Christmas?" "Oh, Mom, but it's only a dollar, can I have it?" These things are said constantly to me when I am out with the children, that I have to explain in advance and fine detail, that when we are at the store we are not there to buy anything for them except food. They are kids and they are going to think of themselves. I am an adult and I still tend to be rather selfish, so, how typical for our kids not to be so brushed up on the denial of themselves without the proper training to do so.

The host also went around the room asking us what we have denied ourselves this week for Christ or for others. What have we sacrificed? How have we taken up our cross of self-denial? Boy, I was groping for an answer as she asked these questions. I was knee-deep in my own conviction. How often, in just the past week, had I given myself the best and gave someone else my leftovers. How often had I given God my leftover time and consideration in this past week.

One example would be that my husband is trying to renovate my sons' bedroom and he wanted to buy some really nice Ralph Lauren paint for their room. I just thought, goodness, that's (the price tag) is a bit much for some paint for the boys' room. I told him that I didn't think we had the money this week for such an expense, but yet I managed to buy a few things I like this week. What I bought was only a few dollars and not near the price of the paint, but I was still thinking of myself rather than thinking of the money that could have been put toward the paint. And surely, if I think hard enough there are so many areas in my life where my cross is not being taken up.

The point is that if we are ever going to learn to deny our child wisely in this life, we better be ready to live it out in our own lives as parents to the best of our ability...openly giving your best to God and others at the expense of giving yourself second best or being in last place...living simply so that you can give more. Self-denial is tough, but God never asked us to do something authentically in our heart without giving us the gift of peace and a good feeling for doing what was right. Ultimately, our love for our Heavenly Father is the reason for our selflessness. What a wonderful motivation to fuel our entire lives and what an example to our children!

Wonderful Life

How great is our God!

Thoughts from the week to reveal the greatness of my God:

My daughter's (she's 1 and a half) first prayer. It was dinner time around our table. We were all holding hands for our prayer of thanks for God's provision of food. I asked Sarah if she wanted to pray. She said, "Yeah." We all closed our eyes, but I still had my eyes open. She squinted her eyes tightly and began to mumble a prayer while she shoveled food into her mouth. Well, her eyes were closed, so she kept missing her mouth. She mumbled a little more and quietly said Amen. How great is my God!

My cousin, Ann-Marie was kept from very serious injury in a terrible car accident. Now, her car was demolished as the jaws of life were used to get her out, but she is doing well. Prayers for another car and continued healing of the bumps and bruises, aches and pains. How great is my God!

I went to my local midwife and it was a great report! I only gained one pound in three weeks! And only a total of 9 pounds. For 6 months of pregnancy that's not bad!! My blood pressure, urine test and sugar were excellent and the baby seems ultra healthy! How great is my God!

Homeschooling went well this week when we did it! It seems all parties involved are learning something...including me! How great is my God!

My husband was chosen to be (because of his excellent nursing skills- I am so proud of him!) the one on his floor at West Florida Hospital to go for a trauma workshop weekend at the Hilton on Pensacola beach and live in the lap of luxury for two days. He will miss work, but they pay for that, too. He deserves it! How great is my God!

A pipe busted under the house and my husband was able to fix it without the help of a plumber. It only cost $12 to fix! How great is my God!

I was able to go to a refreshing ladies bible study and also get away with friends before for some dinner. We also met up with some dear friends on Sunday and had a great time in the word and in fellowship. How great is my God!

I could go on and on....

Thank you Lord, for blesssing my life above measure!