Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Friday, January 27, 2012

Being made

I am like dough. Really.
As of right now, I don't know what I will turn out to be.
But I a have to be open to whatever the Maker does to me.
I am kneaded.



I am rolled.


I am prepared.



I am put under the fire. tested.



But what is the result?
Is all this to no purpose?
I know that Someone does it all.
But what for?
Maybe He's making something... something beautiful.
Something... I can't even imagine? Maybe that is why it feels hard sometimes.
There has to be the pain, the trials, the stretching and pulling to make something beautiful.
And through it all....
I can have a deep contentment. So deep, that, really, I could just leave everything up to the Maker.
I think He knows what He's doing.
I am just dough.
He has a purpose.
To make something beautiful.
A work of art...



Me? a work of art? Don't I think that that is worth it? I mean.... to actually BE a piece of art that God Himself made! Thats crazy..... wonder why I hadn't thought of it that way all along...
So what kind of dough will you be in His hands?



There are so many things my human mind could totally go crazy over.
But I have given it all to Him. The Maker.
I cannot change what I, a lump of dough, looks like.
I cannot change what my future may be. So why try to?
And the result of giving it to Him, trusting?
Not less work on me.
Not less pain.
Not less kneading and stretching.
But such a deep peace I cannot explain.
Such a joy, that, it's even still there when my "self" is joy-less.
Even when it looks messy.
Even when my life as a lump looks like a flop.
It's part of the process.
Reminds me of the Potter and the clay.
He builds. He shapes. But sometimes.... He has to tear down to make it even more beautiful.
So I can trust! He does have a plan, and I am being shaped.
And in the really hard times...
maybe, just maybe, it hurts more because He decided to change His mind and make me into something even more beautiful. Maybe like a dessert pizza instead.....



It sounds odd...
But really, this is real life. This is living in tune with His Spirit. No matter whats happening. I want it always. I thirst. So I.....



And yet I...





So I trust.

"Wherever you are, be there all the way."

Monday, January 23, 2012

"There are times when… silence is wiser than speech.
We should be better … if we were more alone, waiting upon God.
And gathering through meditation on His Word spiritual strength for labour in his service.
We ought to muse upon the things of God
because we thus get the real nutriment out of them. . . .”
-Charles Spurgeon

Thank You, Father, for all the wonderful gifts you give...
even when I don't even try to look for them.
When I wait on You and learn to be still, then there is strength for the hour....

#124. morning light on wood floor
#125. cleaning out and getting rid
#126. lemonade tea
#127. house shoes
...
#130.bright blue skies
#131. sweaters
...
#133. chocolate covered coffee beans
...
#137. little boy lemonade
#138. keyboards
......








Thank You, Lord, for letting me find and count gifts even in the smallest of the everyday things.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Getting things done...

Okay... so, now for today....



So here was my list for the day... didn't really come up with them all at once, but wrote things down when i thought of them. The Lord was so faithful. He IS faithful! He helped me to get a lot done today. Things I don't usually find the time to do.



Thank You Jesus, for taking time out of my day to fellowship.
Check!



Biology-Check!


Menu plan for the whole week-Check!


Clean Fridge-Check! 
(How does it look??)



Practice Violin-Check!



Laundry (even had a helper)-Check!


Clean Room-Check!
(i think mom will be impressed. hehe)



Make Bread-Check!

Love on kids-Check! <3



#118. Being called to walk with God
         in even the mundane of life
#119. The peace of Christ
#120. Diligence
#121. Getting things done
#122. A clean refridgerator
#123. Being physically able to work hard

Giving thanks today for all His wonderful gifts!

"He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them then to rejoice and to do good in one's lifetime; moreover that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor-it is the gift of God.
I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has so worked that man should fear Him....
I have seen that nothing is better than that man should be happy in his activities, for that is his lot. For who will bring Him to see what will occur after him?" Ecclesiastes 3:11-14,22


Happy Birthday!

On January 17th was Elijah's 14th birthday. Wow. Can't really believe he's already 14!
I am SO blessed to have him as a brother. I have been so blessd to watch him walk with the Lord and grow in his relationship with Him. Love you Buddy! ;)

We had a fun day at the skate park(Although it was EXTREMELY cold), christian bookstore and a fun evening birthday party at home with the Coopers!










Yes!












Even mom showed us some of her tricks! =)


Best Buds-Luke and Micah (playing  Angry Birds... who would've guessed??)


Dale... He was completely intrigued with something...


The Coopemeyer guys (all wearing their real personalities right now):
Will:"it's a picture, smile!"; Steven: same thoughts as Will; Ryan: Happy go lucky...as always; Dave: still got a smile on... even if he is half squished; E.J: wanting to look good but completely weirded out by the touch of Joel; Joel: just being himself, really. Andrew: jumped into the picture at the last second. and... yeah. He's had too much ice cream...


Micah and Luke. Dressed up as matching basketball players.
And Seth beside Luke. =)

Vanessa... she's really tired. But i still think she's the cutest little girl, even when she is crying. =)

And there you have it. Happy Birthday Elijah!

Happy Anniversary!

On January 16 was Mom and Dad's 24th wedding anniversary! I have been so blessed and priveledged to have these two as my parents, guides, mentors, and loved  ones. The Father gives such good gifts!
Also very blessed to watch them day after day grow in their love for eachother!




















I love you both very much! <3