There Is A Season - Intro

Break a Leg!

Lu auditioned, last week, for a part in our high school's upcoming drama. They held a special audition for 5 to 10yr olds. She and half the school turned out to audition. I think she was a little overwhelmed by the turnout.

I was able to hear her read the lines they gave her and she did great! We received an email late yesterday afternoon that she received a part. She was so excited. Rehearsals start next Monday!

She really enjoyed watching Lib's rehearsals when Lib did community theatre a while back. Last year, she wanted to do a drama camp but decided to play softball instead. However, this year she is definitely not playing ball this year, so maybe she will get to do a camp after all. The play will be performed in April, so we'll have to see how she enjoys this.

We are both proud of Lu as she finds herself and her hobbies / interests. She is quite a character! I'll leave you with a funny from Lu, from last night. We were watching Men's Figure Skating and she said: "I'd rather watch 'paid programming' than this!"

"This is the day which the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it." - Psalm 118:24

My Blog

Blog is defined as -

online diary on Web site: a frequently updated personal journal chronicling links at a Web site, intended for public viewing.

 

 

This morning, at 1:30a.m, while most of us were asleep, someone left their opinions on my post below.  I deleted it because they call me by maiden name and I would rather not leave up any association for my children's sake.  My blog is not my "attempt at literacy", it is indeed my diary.  The last time I had really negative comments, I password protected the blog and I quit blogging so much.  I won't be doing that this time.  I do what I do for me, my girls, my friends who don't see us so often and my family.

 

My daughters need to know there are truly mean-spirited people in this world and those people will face their own judgement, one day, for their actions.  They need to know that you have to persevere beyond these events.  After going through some of the things I've gone through, this is ok. 

 

I leave you all with this verse.  Hope you have a blessed day!

 

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

1 Thessalonians 5:15

 

Weekend Recap

It's been a crazy weekend! Yes, I know it's Tuesday but I was off work yesterday so I am officially coming off of my weekend. The weekend started a little early for me Friday, when work dismissed us due to the snowy weather. I was very thankful I was able to get back to see Lib off on her missions trip. Youth and chaperones were all a buzz as the snow was really coming down and blowing in our faces. They would be driving away from the snow so a nice ride was ahead of them. I was scheduled to judge a pageant that evening but they rescheduled it due to the weather, as well. I was thankful to have not been faced with being out late and driving home on questionable roads.

Saturday was a busy day as I took Lu & BB out to run errands across town. I was able to leave BB with my Mom briefly for Lu and I to run part of the errands. BB seemed to have a slight upset tummy but wasn't too worrisome to any of us. Little did we know what lie ahead of us!

Hubs wrapped up his fishing tourney early and came in since the fish weren't biting what he was offering. Then, we took the girls to Parent's Night Out so we could go share our Valentine's Dinner. After picking the girls up, we had a short ride home where BB grew EXTREMELY sick in the car. This resulted in us being on the side of the road with a really sick little girl. Not a pretty sight! She ran fever and was pretty lethargic for a while. Then she was up crying every few hours for the rest of the night.

Sunday morning came way too early and I had a full day ahead of me as a volunteer with a big, local pageant. It was an exciting and rewarding day despite being tired. In the middle of the day's events, I received a text from Lib that they were coming home that night rather than Monday. So my night ended with me rushing out of the pageant to pick up Lib at 10:30pm! On the way home, we had a text from hubs that we had lost power at home. Nothing like being tired and walking in to a cold, dark house! We bundled up by flashlight and "hit the hay". We were all too tired to care, LOL.

Thankfully, BB was better all day Sunday while I was gone and did well Monday too. I judged the rescheduled pageant on Monday night and even had to round up two new judges between Saturday and Monday! Then, received word a judge had to cancel for another pageant this coming weekend. I found a replacement in a few hours and problem solved! Yay! I left last night's pageant to drive home in flurries and roads starting to freeze. Needless, to say I was glad to get home!

Today, we had a 2 hour school delay and our week resumes again in full force! The girls have their own school pageant in a few weeks. Lib will be crowning two grades and Lu will be competing after being 3rd alternate last year. They are both excited. Hubs has some tournaments coming up and horse shows are resuming as well. Fun times ahead!

Hope you have a blessed week! Love those around you.....

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

Sowing Seeds

Lib and the church group are out and about, as I type, sowing seeds for the Kingdom.  They are currently in an inner city housing development praying with people and sharing God's word.  Later today, they will be helping a former homeless couple prepare their house for the baby they are about to have and will be working with a shelter and another ministry for the homeless. 

You know the saying- "You reap what you sow" ?  Well, for years (even as a toddler) Lib was on my Mom's heels as she worked tirelessly in a homeless ministry.  I didn't always agree with Lib being around some of the people she was around but those times were impactful to Lib.  I'm glad those seeds were planted back then to hopefully prepare her heart for a time such as this.  When I typed those words- " a time such as this ", it made me remember that Lib even dressed up as Esther for Biblical Character day at her private, Christian school one year.  She had seen the Veggie Tales movie about Esther and that's what she wanted to dress up as.

"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" (Est 4:14-15).

I'm so proud that my Mom planted those seeds with Lib and that C and I have tried to continue that planting in all our girls.  When I encounter bitter people, I wonder what seeds were planted in their lives that allowed them to turn this way?  I think of a briar patch, there is some type of seed that allows those to grow and flourish.  I wonder why a briar patch should even flourish?  I Googled briar patches and found this in Wikipedia: "The Book of Genesis recounts the creation of thorns as one of the punishments for the sin of Adam and Eve, stating 'Thorns also and thistles shall [the ground] bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field.' Genesis, 3:18."  And one of the most notable biblical images of thorns, is the crown of thorns placed on Jesus' head during the crucifixion.

I know there are times when I've tried to shield myself from further hurts and have put up my own barrier of thorns.  But those thorns were designed as punishment, a cursing of Adam and Eve's ground and to make a mockery of Christ the King.  After reading this, I'm determined more so to remove any thorns, till up new ground and pursue planting seeds for the Kingdom.

My reflection in this takes me back to the saying "we reap what we sow".  I'm encouraged by Lib and the life she is living that we have planted "good seed" in her life.  Are you planting seeds for the Kingdom or seeds for a briar patch?  Are you planting seeds of cursedness or seeds of encouragement?  Praying for you (& me) today as we seek to be used for "The Harvest".  

Please keep Lib and the church group in your prayers as they minister.  They will be coming home Monday so please keep their return trip home in your prayers too.

"Under Construction"

Yesterday, a friend posted this little comment:

"PSA: No amount of wardrobe, posturing nor makeup will overcome an ugly attitude....". I commented with a heart AMEN. She then replied how she thought my attitude is beautiful! Well, I know "me" better than anyone and I know, for sure, my attitude is not always beautiful. But, I'm glad that's the side she has seen of me. That's not being two-faced its called trying to always put your best foot forward and portray the Christian we are called to be. So, I replied back to her and said "Thanks, you're sweet. I'm a work in progress, constantly hanging out the 'under construction' sign."

When we go in a business that's remodeling, they'll have signs "Pardon our Mess". They don't want us to think that state of disarray is commonplace and want us to know what is occurring. They want us to come back and see them after they’ve cleaned up the construction mess. I want everyone to see and know I'm under construction and being crafted by the Master. I really and truly want people to "pardon my mess(es)" too! The old Christian cliché says "I'm not perfect, just forgiven" and thank God we are forgiven. We just have to try to extend that same forgiveness and pardon to others. “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”  Matthew 6:14-15

So, pardon my messes and I'll pardon yours, walk carefully in each others construction zones and take joy in know God's not finished with any of us yet!

“But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.'"
(2 Corinthians 12:9)

Your Load

“It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it.” Lena Horne

As a person who's experienced my share of back ailments, issues and even surgery, I can say that Ms Horne's quote is so literally true. Even a heavy load can be tolerated if distributed evenly and carried properly. Then there's the "other load" we carry - the load of life. I know that all too often I carry the weight of the world on my shoulders and my heart on my sleeve. Carrying these things around in their precarious places has caused their share of pain.

It wasn't until my third child was born that I gave up control of the household finances. I just didn't see how I could manage the bills, nursing a baby and sleepless nights. It has taken some getting used to but it was a great relief to have that gone. I'm also a planner and have our calendar made out for the next few months. It's hard for me to stray from those plans or have curve-balls thrown in to the scheduling. But sometimes I have had to just let go and go with the flow. Somethings are totally out of mine and your control.

It's hard to wear your feelings on your sleeve and not expect to get hurt, possibly even more often than others. Being a people pleaser, heart on sleeves kind of person has lent itself to its share of disappointments. When someone says, "don't take this personally" they are saying it to the wrong person (insert smile). You can know I take everything personal. I don't think that makes me flawed, its just my make-up. I guess I'd rather be me than hard, callous and unconcerned by what others think.

Ultimately, I'm setting a example for three daughters. Most of all I'd like for myself and them to be God-pleasers, not people pleasers. I'd like for them to only wear their heart on their sleeves to have it there to share God's love and amazing Grace. And lastly, I'd like to give our loads to God-
Matthew 11:28-30
28 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
29 "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls.
30 "For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.

Will you let Him carry your load today?
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Peace

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.  2 Thessalonians 3:16

Last night I noticed my blog's statcounter had an amazingly high number of visitors to the site yesterday.  I have been blogging a little more but I certainly didn't think for a second it was because I'm so interesting, ha ha.  I noticed everyone that ended up here was searching on "Ella Kathryn Watson".  So many of my Facebook friends have been praying for her and the family.  I don't personally know them but have been praying for her healing right along with my Facebook friends.  I learned through Facebook that little Ella Kathryn went to be with the Lord on Monday night.  I am praying the verse above for her sweet family and their many, many friends.

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The other day I got the words to "It is Well" stuck in my head.  My 7yo is a Rising Star to a Miss Alabama contestant and when she won, she sang "It is Well" (acapella) for talent.  It was a beautiful rendition and one of those times that you have chill bumps on top of chill bumps. 

"When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul."

The story behind the song is even more impactful:

"Horatio Gates Spafford (1828-1888), a long-time Christian, had been a wealthy businessman, but lost his entire fortune in the great Chicago fire of 1871.  Shortly after, Spafford's wife, Anna, survived a shipwreck while crossing the ocean, then sent him the telegram, "Saved alone."  Spafford's only four daughters had been killed in a ship accident. While crossing the Atlantic in 1873, near the location where his daughters were said to have drowned, he stared out at the waves and wrote the lyrics to the hymn."

That is truly the peace of God that passes all understanding, it's the peace you get when you feel like you can't go on anymore, it's the peace you have when you have to tell you're child her Daddy is gone to Heaven.....it's a Peace I've known and thank God for!

I pray "whatever your lot" today, you can say "it is well, with my soul".

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  John 14:27

"The Harvest"

Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together.  For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.'  John 4:35-37

Sunday's sermon was on "The Harvest" and around doing for others.  We watched an awesome short video titled "The Harvest".  In it there's a family on a farm and the dad passes away before they can harvest the wheat.  The son prayed and prayed God would send people to help with the harvest.  The most amazing scene was when a dozen combines came over the hill to help the family.  I watched across the church as I was hoping Lib wasn't being upset over the plot and the fact that the Dad passed away in the video.  But she was doing well and I knew her giving heart was overriding any upheaval the video could cause.  It's so encouraging to see my 11yo so excited about being able to give back and ready to put those feelings to action.  I've had a few opportunities lately to "give back" and its the most rewarding experience. 

She'll be going on an out of state missions trip this weekend and I'm so excited for her. They've already been told they may see some things they've never been exposed to before so I'm praying over her heart and mind as she makes this trip.  This will be her second church trip in a month.  She came back like the energizer bunny last month and it did my heart good to have the Youth Leaders tell me what a great kid she is and how we, as parents, must be doing something right.  I'm so glad she has a heart after God and her younger sisters can see that in her!

Pray with me over these young people as they go to minister and, in turn, be ministered to themselves!  What a blessing to see our young people, my daughter and others be willing to be a part of "The Harvest".

Hope you have a blessed week and find plenty of opportunities to show real LOVE this Valentine's week and give back.

Love is......

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

1 Corinthians 13:4-8



It's less than a week away from Valentine's Day and the stores are filled with all the stuffed animals, gold foil covered heart shaped boxes of candy and heart embellished apparel you can fathom! It's a "holiday" dedicated to showing our LOVE for those close to us. Kids will exchange cards and candy at school, while couples will share a special dinner. But do we really show "love" as defined by the scripture above? I can assure I most likely fail in one of those areas every day!



This morning my patience was tested as Lib alerted us this morning about an important event happening TODAY at school. I know she did not feel LOVE in my response to her. I pray my kids will see and feel love from me, more often than not. I hope they don't ever feel emptiness behind my words when I say "I love you". And I certainly hope they don't need Valentine's Day to know I love them!

Sunday Salt

I receive a devotion called Weekly Wisdom from Christnotes.org.  I'd like to share the one I received this week.  Pray you all have a blessed Sunday.  I'll be doing my usual of voice/piano lessons and choir for the oldest.  Praying hubs and his brother do well in their tournament today and are enjoying their time together!

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We want God to change our circumstances, but God wants to use our circumstances to change us.

It can be easy to think that God is obligated to make life easy for us and to remove all of our difficult circumstances. But, the truth is that during hard times God is preparing us for greater things. If He removed the difficult circumstances in our lives, we would probably never mature. 

James 1:2-4 says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." In other words, rejoice in "trials of many kinds", because they test your faith, which causes you to grow closer to God. Indeed, God assures us that something beneficial can come from the hard times in life.

If you are going through trials now, take hope in the fact that almost everyone in the Bible who did great things for God also had to endure great hardships. For example, in 2 Corinthians 11:24-27, Paul recounts many of the difficult circumstances that he had gone through: "Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked."

Clearly, Paul had suffered greatly for the Gospel. However, God used those circumstances to make Paul more mature and to give him a great love for God and for spreading God's Word. Now, Paul is widely considered the second most important person in the New Testament—behind Jesus, of course. However, we must remember that Paul had to go through many difficult trials. It was those times of testing that caused Paul to grow closer to God, qualifying him to be a great witness for Christ.

This same principle can be seen in almost every other person in the Bible who did great things for God. It was during times of testing that such people developed the strength and character for which we respect them.

Therefore, don't always beg God to change your circumstances. Instead, view each as an opportunity for God to change you, making you "mature and complete, not lacking anything."