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Just wanted to give those passing through an update on what’s going on.
I have been on strict bedrest for about 2 weeks now. I am still dialated to 4cm, PTL! They would really like me to last to 36 weeks, but every week, everyday is another blessing. The baby has dropped which puts added pressure on my cervix so makes bedrest even more crucial. I have an OB appt. tomorrow – I don’t know whether she will check me or not. I really would feel more comfortable if she did just so we know where we stand. I am currently 33 weeks, 1 day along.
I have an AWESOME support system through my church. I have different people coming over everyday to care for my children and the house while I basically lay and watch. Boy has that been hard, but it is a huge blessing. I have another set of people making us meals so Jon doesn’t have to worry about cooking after working all day.
That’s basically the jist of things as of now. Please pray for us. Thanks everyone and I hope to be up and blogging in a month or so! 
30-Day Water Challenge Update:This is day 14 of my water challenge and I am still only averaging about 3.5 cups of water a day – however, that is more then I was averaging! So praise the Lord! Also, not only am I averaging more water, but also LESS caffiene. A lot less. I don’t drink pop and have 1-2 cups of coffee per day – and most days it’s closer to 1-1 1/2 cups. Like this morning I only poured one cup and didn’t even finish it (I got busy and it got cold, lol). I can tell a difference in my energy levels, that’s for sure. I will create a new challenge after this one and just bump it up a hair. But for now, I will continue to concentrate on drinking water daily – even if it’s not 8 cups a day! Some water is better then none, and I know eventually I will work my way up to that 8 cups a day!
I pray you are all doing well with your goals! Click the icon above for more wonderful, encouraging stories!
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“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8
I don’t know how many times I’ve come across this verse and learned so many different things from it. I believe this verse is pretty clear, yet somehow we miss the point at the same time. For my family, we don’t watch or listen to anything vulgar or indecent. To me, it seems obvious God doesn’t want that stuff going in. It is not honoring in anyway. But there are other areas that can be worked on in regards to this verse. Like instead of JUST avoiding the bad, taking in the good – the Truth. This would mean reading and standing up for the Word of God. I’ve learned that you can’t train for a battle while you’re in a battle. The training must be done before the battle so that we have the proper weapons prepared to fight. Yet this revelation is still dead for me, because I have not put it into action. I still sit around during a battle and wonder why I am struggling so bad: I hadn’t prepared for it.
Life is a battle. The battles will never go away. How am I going to fight and win at each one if I am not training and preparing myself for them?
There are so many things living out this verse will do for us and others. It will help us be less critical, less pessimisstic, believe the lies of the enemy less, etc., etc. It is wonderful advice!
Visit Nina for more wonderful thoughts on this week’s In Other Words!
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Philip. 4:4 (KJV) Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
This is obviously something that cannot be picked up over night for some people. It must be learned. But how does one go about doing that? How do I so easily neglect the One True Source of my joy? Perhaps that’s the answer right there….I neglect spending regular time with Jesus. I am always trying to set up systems and routines and plans and schedules that all end in failure. Why don’t I see Him as a priority? I mean, I do spend time with Him during the day just talking to Him and constantly asking for help. It’s those segragated quiet times that I have trouble with.
I think many times I believe time with Jesus has to “feel” a certain way. Like it has to “feel spiritual” or emotional or something along those lines, and when I walk away “feeling” nothing, I “feel” like I did nothing. Does that make sense? I guess that is wrong thinking right there: believing I have to “feel” a certain way after spending time with God.
I am left frequently with the feeling that I’m never doing enough for Him or that I’ve missed my calling – just feeling empty – A LOT. I can never stay focused on one thing and believe I have to change all my imperfect ways overnight.
OK, time for me to go and get into the Word to defeat those lies – because I know that’s what they are. Yet somehow I still feel beat down by them.
Joy doesn’t come as a result of circumstances; it is a choice we have to make everyday. We either choose to be beaten down or choose to be filled with the Holy Spirit – which will produce joy. The greek word for joy used in Galatians 5:22 is chara, which means cheerfulness or delight.
Tonight, I choose joy.
For today: June 9, 2008
Outside My Window…is clear, blue skies. The trees are gently swaying with the wind and the neighborhood is quiet ~ all except for the birds chanting with each other.
I am thinking…that I have a lot to get done today but am too hot and sticky to move – even though it’s not even 11am yet. We have a man coming by today to give us a quote on installing central air. I am praying the price is reasonable so that we can move forward with it.
I am thankful for…my children. In the past I have really taken them for granted, I think. And although this sounds crazy, I believe ever since we’ve moved I’ve come to have a new appreciation for them. With less chaos and clutter in our new home, I spend less time cleaning and more time hanging out with my children. I am very thankful for them and the time I get to be with them.
From the kitchen…it’s sloppy joe’s and peas for dinner tonight. I need to spend this week in the kitchen cleaning it up. It’s my week in that zone. It doesn’t need a whole lot of work, but it will if I let it go.
I am wearing…a sky blue, maternity, ribbed tank and a pair of khaki bermuda’s with bare feet.
I am creating…ways to help my children be creative from day to day. I would like to have Gabriella create a box from a cleaned out ice cream carton that will hold new and fun “mommy and me” activities that we can draw from. I am thinking I ought to have Ben create a second box for him and Jeremiah since they are a bit younger. Actually, Jeremiah may need his own box, too, since he is also at a whole other level. That gives us lots to do when the rain starts later!
I am going…nowhere today, but tomorrow I will be going to a girlfriends house for a BBQ with some other ladies. It is a wonderful time of fellowship and connection. Something I look forward to, but not so much that I don’t miss my children and husband while I’m gone! 
I am reading…several books at the moment. One is “Created to Be His Help Meet” by Debi Pearl. Another is “Emma” by Jane Austen. I admit, I am having a hard time getting into the book. It may be because I borrowed it from the library and I feel like I am “rushed” to finish it before I need to return it. So I don’t feel like I’m getting the most from it. But alas! I found a copy while garage saling this weekend for 25 cents, so I picked up my very own copy! Now I can read it at my own pace and comfort!
I am hoping…it will actually rain soon so it can cool down and be less sticky! However, as of right now, I am still looking at blue skies!
I am hearing… a lawn mower outside, and the two boys fighting over something.
Around the house…the place is in need of a major tidy. I am truly having motivational issues today, but am going to really try to get some things in order after I finish this.
One of my favorite things… ice cream! Esp. during these hot months!
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Tomorrow night is the bbq w/my friends, Wednesday I have an appt. to see my OB and see how the baby is doing. I am 31 weeks pregnant today. Thursday my husband has a late interview with a Lexus dealer. Saturday is my daughters 6th birthday so we will be doing a small, family celebration with cake and ice cream. Gabriella has requested we spend some time at the park that day.
Here is picture thought I am sharing…
~Walking in the rain sounds so refreshing~
Please visit The Simple Woman for more wonderful daybook entries.
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“….the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly
enough. They are there to stop the other people…..Brick walls are there for a reason. They give us a chance to show how badly we want something.”
This is such a true statement and it is something I have recently gone through myself (and my husband).
We just recently bought a new house, yet in the process of doing it all, we literally kept hitting wall after wall after wall. NOTHING and I mean NOTHING was going our way. We prayed earnestly about moving for a couple of years and knew clearly God was speaking to us about it being time. The stress rose and frustration grew, and our friends and family could tell. As we continued to literally pray and war through the process – through all the uncertainty, yet still having full faith we knew what God wanted us to do – several friends and family members told us “Did you ever think this may not be God’s will because it’s been so stressful and frustrating?” We were both rather taken aback. No, the thought never crossed our minds to be honest! We’d been praying throughout the whole process. We knew the “brick walls” – all the attacks and delays – were from the enemy.
He didn’t want to happen what God had told us to do.
In short, the mobile home we were living in, we gave to my mom, free of charge, for her to live in because her income is very low and she is on disability. She is fairly knewly saved – about 18 months – and satan has a hold on her (or he thinks he does). He didn’t want ANYTHING good happening to her, esp. if it came from the Lord. We knew he wouldn’t give up without a fight.
We pressed and prayed through it and truth be told, we are not done yet. There are still some “walls” to break through. We have our house, we are now in it – my mom is in her house, but we still have details to deal with, that again, are not going
our way. But we will continue to press through and trust God.
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I sit here this morning with my coffee flavored with chocolate raspberry creamer and ponder our day. The idea of my 30-day water challenge hasn’t completely gone out the window. I, of course, just missed my coffee more then I expected. But I will continue on with the challenege of getting enough water in each day. I didn’t do too great this weekend, however, I did drink PowerAid. Though it has sugar in it, it also has the salts to restore you quickly to hydration.
Today is supposed to be a beautiful 82 degrees. I do have a lot to get done around here but after that I want to spend time outdoors. Tonight is also the Red Wings game – the game that could win them the Stanley Cup! Woot woot! I can’t wait for that.
Well, guess that’s about it for my Monday Morning Musings this morning. I have a nice list of “Things To Do” that I need to get done:
dishes
clean counters
sweep floor
laundry
tidy bedrooms
clean out cooler and put away
tidy entry way
water flowers (outdoors)
“Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God”
