Props to Amber Poole for designing the new camp logo!!
Since I've had children, I have found it to be a quite a challenge to be in the Word daily. Even to sit and listen to messages on Sundays and Tuesdays because I'm usually in the nursery or tending to one of my children. To spend that quality time with my Saviour. My intentions are good but the follow through is zero. I used to be so keen to study God's word and to pray on my knees faithfully multiple times a day. To be honest, I'm ashamed of my spiritual life right now. I think something that I've learned though is that I'm not alone. Life is busy. As a woman, taking care of your home, your husband, and your children is very time consuming. Not to mention all the ministries that you may be involved in at your local assembly and other life happenings. I know others out there are struggling too. Something else that I've realized for my own self is that it's not ok to be too busy to get to know my Saviour more. In the end, I will see Him face to face and I want to know Him and recognize Him and I want to do these things well.
I was encouraged by two ladies at the retreat who assured me that this time in my life is the toughest. It's the hardest part and one lady admitted that it has just been in the last 5 years that she has really developed that relationship with the Lord. I think I need to stop being so hard on myself that I don't have 2-3 hours out of my day to read and pray, but I do have some time. Even if I can read a passage, make notes, have some quick prayers, take a verse with me or read a devotional - something is better than nothing.
Nadia spoke on godly wisdom and how we can attain it as a woman. The messages were exactly what I needed to hear right now in this point in my life. We are making some pretty big decisions like buying a house etc. Everyone makes big decisions and often times we pray for certain things we want.....but do we ask for wisdom in making these decisions? Do we ask these things in His will? Not our will but His? AND do we listen for the answer!!?? Something to think about. It's shouldn't be about what we want, but what He wants and we know that is what is best. Sometimes it's hard to wait, but while we are waiting we can be listening for the answer!
All in all, it was a great weekend in the Word. I was encouraged and uplifted by other believers. Good food and great fellowship and most importantly I was inspired to be in the Word again, even if I can only get a few minutes each day.
Since being back home, life has been busy (as usual) but I've taken the time to do the Daily Breads each day. I read the portion of scripture a couple of times through and some of the verses are sticking with me throughout the day. I encourage you friends, it's never too late to get back in close fellowship with the Lord. He is waiting for you.
So, Monday rolls along. I'm super tired....uh...exhausted might be a better word from the weekend. But knowing it was my own fault for staying up late, I try to be on my best behaviour towards our children :) The day went well. But I noticed something different.....Titus is wanting to come to me without using his hands......and so it begins.....the walking :) Check it out! I'm a tad bit proud!
So, that was a highlight from Monday. I'm glad that I was here to witness it!
In rolls Tuesday. Another great day - still exhausted. As I napped after supper before prayer meeting, the kids went out to play.....Galilee got bit in the eye. Some of you may know what happens to her when she gets bit....she swells! So, as I put her into the van to head out to prayer meeting, I notice her eye and give her medication before we leave....but it's more swollen when we arrive at the chapel. The meds don't really help....obviously because this morning this is what she looked like!
Well, this picture was taken this evening before bed, but it's worse anyways! She's a trooper and was so excited when she could see out of her eye even the littlest bit.
This little gem just lights up my life. She was extra talkative today. It was a little hard on the head but how can you get annoyed at such a sweet little face! She is such a stinker :) Mischief all over!
Adaya was 6 weeks old yesterday. She is growing up so fast. I can't even believe it. She is mostly a good baby. Last night was an exception. She cried so much. She is still in our room (the longest any of our children were in our room). As we contemplated a house purchase, we were convinced that she needed her own room. So please pray for us as we look for a house and that the Lord will guide and direct our decisions according to His will. Today was a different story. She was such a content baby. She started smiling this past week. A jewel in our family!
Now, I'd like to talk about my AMAZING husband for a minute or two. He just had our 4 children for the whole weekend by himself with no help. Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday. He had a house showing on Saturday morning which meant that he had to leave the house with all of them. He had to preach in Upton on Sunday morning, so he got up and got them all ready for meeting and drove 30 minutes to get there (and he made it on time). Then when I went back to camp for lunch on Sunday, he packed them up, took them home and got them lunch and he had to preach again in the evening at our home assembly. Amazing! I am truly a blessed woman to have a husband like this. He is so good to me all the time. And today after he worked all day, he brought home flowers for ME. So glad God gave me this wonderful man.
I'm truly thankful to the Lord for saving me and giving me a wonderful life with wonderful people in it. Thank you to those who encouraged me this past weekend. Continue to pray for me as I deepen my relationship with the Lord and to seek His will for my life.
Here are two phrases that stuck out in my mind from this past weekend.
- It's not whether it's right or wrong what you do, but is it honouring to the Lord?
- It doesn't matter if you don't see it, or I don't see it, the Lord sees it. In everything you do, bring glory to Him!
Praying about the house situation- we're there with you too... apparently the market is really bad in PEI which is discouraging but we know that we can trust the Lord to provide what we need and when we need it!
ReplyDeleteLaura Pattison