Summertime Steadiness

Is anyone else having trouble finding routine in the craziness that is summer 2020?

I am a planner. Yes, I still carry around a paper planner. I have a dry-erase calendar on the wall for my family. I like to know what to expect and when to expect it. I cannot remember a time in my life that was so up in the air, so uncertain, so scary.

There is so much uncertainty about our future. So many decisions for parents to make about school... Virtual school, private school online, Send my kids to brick and mortar that's open, homeschool them? Decisions about activities in these last few weeks of summer-- Do we go on vacation? If we go, we have to wear a mask 24/7, how will that be fun? Can we swim in the resort pool or go to the beach without wearing a mask? Will it be safe to put my children at risk? Do we stay at home? How many more times can I hear the kids favorite movie? How many times do I need to remind the kids to do their daily responsibilities?

I have so many mixed emotions. I'm sure you do too. If you don't, you must be a robot of some kind. While I am uncertain, one thing I do know, is that God knows what the future holds. He also told us that we will have trouble(John 16). So, what did I do to ease my stress? I started diggin' into my bible to see what God tells us about being steadfast.

1Corinthians 15:58 says Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

And one of my all-time favorites--

Phillipians 4:6 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything  by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

I also was reading in Ruth about Naomi- and it struck me differently this time. I love the story of Naomi in the bible- and how her story encourages me to remain steadfast in my faith.  Her story encourages me to rest assured that God provides for the restoration and redemption of all of his people.  Naomi wasn't naive to her bitterness- She told others, showed us through her story, and even blamed the Lord and said that "He has afflicted me; the Almighty as brought misfortune upon me" (Ruth 1:20-21)

But, in the end, what happened? God didn't snap his fingers and change her life-- he restored her  and redeemed her through the laws and faithfulness of his people.

I believe that this time in history may be one of the hardest our generation goes through... and God may not snap his fingers tomorrow and make it all better. However, I encourage you to trust in Him. Believe in His truth's. With thanksgiving, put your trust in him and let God know what you need. If I have learned one thing about trials (and believe me, I have seen my share of hard times), God doesn't always answer my prayers in the way I want.  He does, however, always shows himself. His blessings overcome the hardships. His ways are better than my own, and I know my life would be so much harder without His Peace and Joy that He instills in my heart.

So, I encourage you-- When you struggle making plans, when you can't fill in your calendar the way you like, and when you're discouraged... SEEK HIM. Hold tight to his Steadiness. Be steadfast in your FAITH. God never waivers, never fails, and always has a plan--even if we can't see it clearly.

And if you're in a season of waiting, hold onto your babies. Watch The Greatest Showman for the 2,427th time. Eat some chocolate. Drink some coffee.

And for goodness sake, hold on to your faith my friend. Hold on tight.

~Rach

Faith of a Princess

Today I took my shopping buddy to Walmart  a popular retail store.  Caroline loves going shopping with me, and does very well helping me out.  Sometimes she walks and helps put things in the cart and other times she rides in the front.  Sometimes she loves to ride in the back of the cart and organize everything I put in it-- Just like her momma, she loves to organize! ha!

Today I had a lot on my plate to do and wanted to get out of there quickly.  I had a list and I was stickin' to it.  Caroline wanted to bring her little Barbie ballerina in the store with her.  I told her it wasn't a good idea because she might loose it.  Now, this isn't any Barbie doll.  It was so much smaller than a regular sized barbie-- I'm talking tiny.  Maybe 3 inches tall.  She had won it in an Easter BINGO game yesterday at a friends house and loved this little barbie doll!  She has carried it around since yesterday.  With that in mind,  I could feel a fit coming on and since it was before nap time,  I chose not to have that battle, and let her take it in the store.  She promised she would hold on to her (the barbie of course) the whole time and not lose it, and on we went inside.

I'm on a roll.  I'm making good time shopping.  I'm almost done with my list and out of nowhere Caroline starts screaming and crying hysterically.  I have no idea what she could be carrying on about. I honestly thought some insect had stung her or something.  Then it hit me.  The Barbie was gone!  OH. MY. WORD.  What on earth was I going to do?

We went up and down the isles and backtracked. No sight of it.  I went to customer service and asked if someone had turned it in.  I even desperately searched the toy aisle's for a new one.  I know, not the smartest parenting move.  Like I said, I was desperate.  I knew this would affect our entire day, and maybe week.  If you know my dramatic daughter, you know what I mean.  Finally, I reluctantly headed toward the check out lines after grabbing the last couple of items from my list.  We were waiting in line and Caroline said, "Mommy, can I pray for my Barbie?"

"Okay. That sounds like a good idea." I replied. I mean, what was I going to say?  No?  I don't think so.  I'm a prayer warrior and I pray about things out loud with my kids all the time.  So, I let her pray from her heart.

"Jesus, please bring my Barbie back to me and please help her not to be broken.  Amen." She said in her sweet little voice.  I wanted to cry.  I told her that sometimes I pray for things and they don't happen, but God is Good and cares about us and wants us to be happy, even if our prayers don't get answered. She knew what I was saying and loudly replied,
"NO, mommy! Jesus can give it to me again! He can see everything and he knows where she is"

OH MY GOODNESS. I was in trouble!  I bought our items and we headed to the car.

I loaded all the groceries in the car and went to strap Caroline in her car seat.  She didn't want to get strapped in.  She said, "We can't leave yet! Jesus didn't give me my Barbie back yet."

My heart immediately sunk. I knew I had to explain why he hadn't allowed us to find it.  I thought that I would just call my friend and see where she bought it, then I would replace it later this week and not let Caroline know I bought a new one.  I know, that's really low.  What would you have done?

Well, I strapped her in and walked around the car to push the cart to the cart corral.  As I pushed my cart in the corral I said a prayer for wisdom to flow from my mouth as I explained to Caroline on the way home why we hadn't found the Barbie.  When I turned around there was a gray haired lady there who I had noticed earlier.  She had walked quite a distance to put her cart away.  I looked up at her and smiled and said, "There aren't many cart corral's here are there?"  She smiled back and said, "NO, there aren't enough." Then she asked, "Your little girl didn't lose a little doll did she?"  and she reached in her pocket and pulled out Caroline's Barbie doll.  She said, "I picked it up and thought I'd see someone with a little girl and asked if they dropped it."

I know what you're thinking.  I was in shock too!  I was overjoyed and thanked her tremendously and told her she had saved the day!  With a sigh of relief and an audible thanks to God,  I walked around the car and opened the door and said, "Look what I found!"

Caroline didn't even act that surprised as she replied, "See mommy! I told you He would find it!"

She had such faith, and God delivered.  He cares about the little desires of our hearts, even a four year old little girl's heart.  I think God did this today to strengthen my faith.  Just when I needed a little nudge, a reminder, and something to be thankful for, He delivered.


Psalm 37:4 
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

My Mini-Me

This photo is me, when i was 2, maybe? This is Caroline. (yes, I know I never posted Easter pics... but it's not the 4th of July yet, people. I've got plenty of time, right? Sheesh!)

I cannot tell you how much my sweet Caroline is like me. She has an attitude like me. She loves being girlie(just like me). She is so kind hearted and sweet, but sensitive and moody at the same time (also like me, I guess). She loves babies (who doesn't!?). She is beautiful (well, hello!). okay, you get the point... she is a lot like me. I've said before I wanted to be a mommy. Have I ever said how blessed I am to be a mommy!? I do not deserve Caroline's sweet cuddles and kisses and "i wuv you too"'s. I do however deserve her fits and meltdowns. Why, you ask? Well, I also gave my mother fits and meltdowns. I mean, seriously ... I've given Tony (my wonderful husband) fits and meltdowns. My dad once said, "Rachel is the best girl in the world 80% of the time". I have to say that is also the case with our sweet Caroline. Hopefully I'll master that 20% (soon) and can then show her how to do the same. I can't believe I get the privilege to help shape a cute, moody little girl into a beautiful, Godly woman... with the Lord's help, of course... and Tony's too!

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

ps- thanks to my Mom (and daddy too) for shaping me into the woman I am today. I know now, what a hard job it was! Love you!

He made me a Mommy

This week I can't help but think about becoming a Mommy for the first time. I grew up dreaming about being pregnant, and having a baby, and being a wife and mommy. I feel so blessed to have my sweet Tobin. Only God knew he would come so soon (less than 2 years into marriage), and only God knew what a blessing he would be to us!

Tobin, in the Hebrew language, means "God is good". Oh, how good God was to us to give us our sweet Tobin boy. He is so smart, he blows me away sometimes. His memory is ridiculous! The kid can remember things that even I can't remember. It seriously amazes me- the things he remembers. He is so sweet and kind and loving towards his friends and family. Last night at church, Caroline was throwing a HUGE fit! I mean, a stomping her feat waving her arms fit. I said, "Come on Tobin, let's leave her alone". He immediately burst into tears as if I meant we were actually going to leave her at church. ugh... No, not ever. He is so protective of Caroline. He always makes sure she has her snack or juice or sticker before he does. He helps her on and off he trampoline, and in and out of the car. He really does take good care of her!

Tobin Loves Jesus! He never ever lets us eat food or go to bed, or take a road trip without praying. He always prays when he hears sirens down the street. The other night at bedtime prayer he said, "Lord, please help me ask you into my heart one day so I can get baptised for mommy and daddy" Sheesh, talk about the water works! Lately with my health issues he always prays that God will "heal mommy". He seriously believes God can do anything! I'm so thankful for that!

I guess I could go on and on with how great he is. I'm sure all you "Mommies" out there thing your child is the best child. But seriously, I can't imagine what my life would be like now without Tobin, my sweet Tobin, the gift that made me a mommy.

Thank you, Lord for using Tobin to make me a Mommy! I am so undeservedly blessed!

Little Mommy

In honor of Mother's Day, I thought I'd share these photos of my "little mommy" I took last week. I always dreamed of being a mommy when I was a little girl. All I ever wanted to do, my whole life, was be a mommy. Someone is taking after her mommy!

.... Now, It's time to tackle my mommy duties. Have a great week all you Mommies out there!