What have I learned?

I've learned that there are only two times to love God; when you feel like it and when you don't .

I've learned that God wants every heart, even yours.

I've learned to get "it" over with. Whatever "it" is. Then get on to the good stuff.

I've learned that life speaks volumes. So keep your mouth SHUT!

I've learned that whatever is the hardest is usually worth it.

I've learned it is not about me.

I've learned that only you can stand up for your kids.

I've learned that things about other people that bother me are probably things I need to examine in my own life.

I've learned no one is perfect, just forgiven.

I've learned that I am commanded to forgive but I am not required to be a doormat.

I've learned that God loves me even if I don't.

4x4 catch up

Previous four years . . .

1. God saving my family.

2. Becoming a stay at home homeschooling parent.

3. God totally changing my life.

4. Getting a dog. (may not seem like much but I don't really like dogs.)

Next four years . . .

1. Becoming totally dependent on God.

2. Seeing friends and family saved.

3. Seeing some my children drive.

4. Becoming more like my parents. (Where did you get that from?!)

S'memes I'm behind . . .

I guess I should start with the first meme.

Thirty things that don't bother me:

1. OPK - Other people's kids in my home. If I don't like them, I can send them home.

2. Kids eating in the car. (This drives my DH nuts!)

3. Attending family reunions with people I'm related to but have no idea about.

4. Dirty clothes.

5. Messy but not dirty houses. (There is a difference!)

6. Situations I don't understand. I have learned that the outcome is up to HIM.

7. Waiting my turn.

8. Doing things the long way.

9. Opera and classical music.

10. Sharing clothes and shoes with my girls.

11. People who worship differently than I do.

12. Questions. Open season for sharing my opinion.

13. Mowing the lawn. (would trade the vacuuming though!)

14. Washing dishes. (got it from Grandma!)

15. People who don't speak/understand English.

16. High fines for parking in the handicapped spots. Just shouldn't be done unless you need it!

17. Thunderstorms.

18. Tornados. Sounds weird, I know, but grew up in tornado alley.

19. I'm with Heather . . . unmatched clothing. If it fits and it's clean. GO FOR IT!

20. Bare feet. My youngest takes her shoes off in church!

21. Dirty kids when they are done playing. You have to wonder if they aren't!

22. Spending all day at the pool.

23. Peanut butter and dog hair on the floor. (again, drives DH nuts!)

24. Shoveling snow.

25. Knotted yarn.

26. Bugs.

27. Napping.

28. Turning off the TV. (again, drives kids and DH nuts.)

29. DH - Randy :)

30. my girls :)

Something just occurred to me . . .

The Bible says that God is God and He changes not.

We know that is true but some people have a hard time reconciling to that.

I think people who have a hard time with it don't realize that only our understanding of who He is changes. How I think about God now, after having a personal relationship with Him, is definitely different than before I really knew Him.

I am so glad He doesn't change!

Is God still amazing?

YES!!!!

He still speaks in that still, small voice.

I was listening to a Phillips Craig & Dean CD that was fairly new. I had listened to this particular song several times and thought nothing of the lyrics. Until Jesus spoke.

The lyrics were that He sings all around us and we never hear a sound. He said to me, "My sheep know my voice." How can we know His voice if we never hear a sound?

I am so blessed to be able to hear His voice.

She hates to read.

My parents gave my 12 yodd a book, "The Seven Habit of Highly Effective Teens". She made a very poor choice while in their care and they felt that this reference would help her learn from her mistake.

Of course, she protested. "No one else has to do this!" "I hate reading!" " This is stupid!" She finally finished it with written summaries of each chapter. She did a nice job.

Today, she told her friend that she stayed up to finish a different book and that she loved it.

I guess liking reading is all relative.

That still small voice

I don't know if any of you have moments like this. I can be doing the most mundane thing and God drops something into my brain.

I was driving on one of my many endless journeys with our girls, listening to CDs. Steven Curtis Chapman. The song was about not feeling like you had a home. God whispered the word "heartbroken".

I had been musing on the topic of heartbreak the week before. (God sends weird muses!) I write some of these muses down. Anyway, God said that we should not be surprised by heartbreak because He is heartbroken. I had never thought about it in that way before.

He is heartbroken by the separation from His beloved. He created us to be close to Him. He longs to be with us more than we long to be with Him. His Creation will not be complete until it is reunited.

Does this sound like any of the heartache you have had? The Book says we are to "think it not strange" when troubles come our way. This was His little reminder for me that He knows what it feels like.

I am so thankful for His reminders!