Jan 14 to 20

131. Gabriel sleeping 6 hours
132. Having a plan for the day
133. School going well with 3 kids
134. Jamey and Lillian both eager to learn
135. Getting caught up on Russian lessons
136. Getting the kids drawers organized
137. Writing some
138. Reading the Word
139. Time to pray alone
140. Block party at the Ivey's house
141. Connecting with more Sojourners
142. Gabriel sleeping almost 6 hours again
143. Getting all school stuff done and snack before playgroup
144. Walking to playgroup
145. Having new people and others that haven't been in awhile at playgroup
146. Coffee with Dawn
147. Jim getting to pick up some bonus hours
148. Taking dinner to Caroline
149. Cooperating kids for bed
150. Early bed time
151. BSF
152. Working with the kids this morning
153. Jim having lunch ready when we got home
154. Getting a little cleaning done
155. All 5 of us napping for a couple hours!
156. Eating dinner with Reuben while the rest slept
157. Helping Jamey with spelling (one of his favorite play activities)
158. Reading "Excellent Wife" to Lillian
159. Saying Psalm 23 with my kids
160. Easy bed time!
161. Finding out Amir is coming home! We serve a great God!
162. God teaching me about scheduling and prioritizing my time
163. Learning to really enjoy the life God has given me
164. Going to water aerobics
165. Being encouraged by Mandy Groce
166. Being challenged everyday by life
167. Time to really pray in the car
168. Feeling the Holy Spirit moving mightily in me
169. Getting 5 days of school done this week!
170. Getting 5 days of Russian lessons done this week
171. Journaling a little every day
172. Learning more about time management
173. Jim getting to work more extra hours
174. Having Jim home and a fun Friday evening
175. Watching Jamey learn to draw
176. Spending time reading to Lillian
177. Having time to talk with Jim
178. Getting to read more this week
179. Preparing for a new semester of SWI
180. Meeting new women whom I can encourage and encourage me
181. God's grace
182. Writing Group
183. Praising God with other believers
184. Learning to really rejoice in others successes without comparing
185. Jamey spontaneously giving Gabriel kisses all day
186. Lillian using the toilet!!!!!
187. Getting lots of free ebooks this week
188. Family getting here safely
189. Getting a blog post done
190. Keeping up with Bible reading this week!
191. Seeing Becca baptized this morning!!!!!
192. Learning more about God's sovereignty
193. Yummy lunch
194. Spending the afternoon with family and friends
195. Having fun conversations
196. Watching Lillian mimic worship
197. Having Jamey and Lillian learn more about baptism
198. Watching a Falcons game (even though we lost)
199. Learning from those younger than me
200. Jamey and Lillian playing together
201. Kids going to be easily
202. Reuben mostly walking!
203. Gabriel growing and getting stronger
204. Teaching Jamey to use the camera
205. Having all 4 kids in the room during a Russian lesson

JOY

Last Friday at MOMStogether we talked about Joy! What a great way to start the year and be encouraged in the Lord.

Be joyful always. Pray continuously. Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

These verses have always been encouraging to me and they were the basis of our discussion. As our speaker  pointed out we are commanded to be joyful ALWAYS. But how do we do that? By praying continuously and giving thanks in all circumstances. It is an attitude of the heart.

The catch? We must have Jesus to have joy! If you have been in the Christian seen for awhile you have likely heard the acronym Jesus Others You to represent joy and this was reiterated in our discussion. To punctuate this point our speaker told us that without the J all you have is Oy, which is a Yiddish expression that means "whoa is me"! How appropriate is that? Because it is so true, without Jesus, whoa to us! We must have Jesus to have joy! The J is necessary.

How does Joy compare to happiness? In discussing with our small group we realized it depends on your understanding of the words, but for the purpose of the talk Joy is everlasting and based on Jesus. Happiness is temporary and based on circumstances. Another way to look at it is joy is the foundation and happiness is an expression of joy.

What gets in the way of joy?
Bad choices, Busyness and Bad days are a few examples. I am quite sure you can think of more.
Bad choices are fairly self explanatory. When we made bad decisions we are straying from the Lord and it will diminish our joy.
With busyness we need to evaluate our time. Pray about what you put in your schedule. If your day is filling up and there is no "J" there is a problem! Where does Jesus fit in your day? I was also encouraged by being reminded of allowing a little "Y" time. Even if it is just 15 minutes to journal, read, paint your nails or something else you enjoy, it can seriously help. I am learning this.
As for bad days, Jesus told us these would come. Many times these are not up to us. Things happen that we cannot control. When we have bad days it is ok to cry and feel emotions. It is how we respond to these days that is telling. Remember that pain is evident, misery is optional.

How do we protect and project joy in our homes?
Put on the armor of God: Ephesians 6:11-18
The armor of God calls us to stand strong in the Word and defend, not retreat. Through the power of the Holy Spirit we can do that, which fills us when we pray, read the Word and seeks God's face.
Renew your mind: Romans 12:2
When we become a child of God we are given a new mind. Again we need to pray and read the Bible to renew our minds so that they are like Christ.

We also protect ourselves by not comparing and following God's plan for our lives. We are not somebody else. We are who God has made us; a unique individual made in His image. Therefore, our lives will not be the same as someone else.
Ask God what is not honoring Him in your home.
Pray continually!

We each have a unique opportunity to cultivate joy in our homes! Ask God how you can do that today.

I hope that I will project and cultivate joy in my heart and in my home. How about you? What's keeping you from experiencing God's joy? How can you project joy in your life and home?

Jan 7 to 13

61. Arising early and spending time in the Word
62. Staying on a schedule this morning
63. Starting school by 8am!
64. Having children ready and eager to learn
65. Jamey wanting to read
66. Lillian wanting to read
67. Jamey wanting to write
68. Reuben almost walking (up to about 50% of the time)
69. Gabriel growing
70. Reuben saying Hi and waving
71. Getting errand done in an hour
72. All 4 kids napping for 2 hours at the same time
73. Getting to Journal
74. Writing!!!!!
75. Blogging
76. Rising early with stamina
77. Playgroup
78. Meeting new moms and reconnecting with others after the holiday season
79. Fellowship
80. Starbucks with Dawn
81. Sisterhood
82. Getting to take the kids to the pool
83. Lillian sort of trying to swim
84. Reuben chilling in the water
85. Date night with Jim!
86. Indian food and frozen yogurt
87. Gabriel mostly cooperating while out
88. Gabriel liking the Ergo
89. Seeing Jamey learn so much so fast
90. Trying out BSF! (excited to see what all God will teach me through this)
91. Meeting new people
92. More time to write
93. Member meeting
94. Getting to talk to many Brothers and Sisters
95. Gabriel participating in member meeting
96. Free childcare
97. Yummy food
98. Having Becca to help rally the troops in chaotic situations
99. Quiet moments
100. Bible reading
101. Being able to get up early after little sleep
102. Seeing Jamey read his first word by himself
103. Jamey loving on Gabriel and wanting to hold him
104. Jamey and Lillian learning to share and work together
105. Reading to all my kids at the same time
106. Lillian asking me to read "Excellent Wife" and handing me the Bible turned to Proverbs 31
107. Hearing Jamey say Psalm 23:1-4a with little help and God preparing a "coffee table"
108. Getting 4 days of school completed this week
109. MOMSTogether
110. Sisterhood
111. Having conversations with people in the waiting room of the Doctor's office
112. The Lord removing fear
113. Learning about JOY
114. Being encouraged by others
115. LOTS of free E-books
116. A nice relaxing day at home
117. Getting some organizing done
118. Writing a little
119. Bible Study
120. Playing as a family
121. Reuben giving Gabriel kisses!!!! (HUGE blessing)
122. Gabriel becoming more alert
123. Visiting Erin and Amir and seeing Amir doing well
124. Watching the Falcons win a post-season game
125. Being reminded we are created to enjoy a life with God
126. Finding a great deal on the high efficiency light bulbs
127. Getting an overall plan together for the week
128. Having a daily schedule thought out for Monday
129. Seeking how to enjoy life with God
130. Being able to take everything to God

10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman

This song is such a beautiful reminder of what we were created to do: bless the Lord and worship His Holy Name! It is things song that inspired me to not stop at 1,000 gifts in 2013 but to see out every blessing and find 10,000 reasons to praise the Lord and thank Him for His goodness. 

How about you? How many reasons can you find to bless the Lord and worship His Holy Name?

Bless the lord oh my soul

Oh my soul

Worship his holy name

Sing like never before

Oh my soul

I worship your holy name

The sun comes up 

It's a new day dawning

It's time to sing your song again

What ever may pass and whatever lies before me

Let me be singing when the evening comes

Bless the lord oh my soul

Oh my soul

Worship his holy name

Sing like never before 

Oh my soul

I worship your holy name

You're rich in love and you're slow to anger

Your name is great and your heart is kind

For all your goodness i will keep on singing

10,000 reasons for my heart to find

Bless the lord oh my soul

Oh my soul

Worship his holy name

Sing like never before

Oh my soul

I worship your holy name

And on that day when my strength is failing

The end draws near and my time has come

Still my soul will sing your praise unending

10,000 years and then forever more

Bless the lord oh my soul 

Oh my soul

Worship his holy name

Sing like never before

Oh my soul

I worship your holy name

Bless the lord oh my soul 

Oh my soul

Worship his holy name

Sing like never before

Oh my soul

I worship your holy name (repeat 3x)

Sing like never before

Oh my soul

I worship your holy name (repeat 3x)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jYLTn4fKYQ

Jan 1 to 7

1. Living to see another year
2. Getting to sleep extra this morning
3. Having a nice family day at home
4. Watching the kids play together
5. Having some one on one time with Reuben
6. Jamey responding well to correction
7. Seeing God's grace at work in all of us
8. Free e-books
9. Free planning printables (seriously they are every where! Not good for someone who wants to see all their options :) )
10. People who are a head of me in life that I can glean from
11. Hearing from a couple of friends in other countries
12. Getting some cleaning and straightening done
13. Jim getting stronger and able to wrestle with all the kids at the same time
14. Reading to Lillian
15. Snuggling with all my kids
16. Reuben giving kisses
17. Having a girls movie night with my sister while Jim went out with the guys
18. Getting a day of school done
19. Having kids who are eager to do school
20. Jim ending up with another day off of work
21. Women's prayer
22. Having one of our current workers at women's prayer
23. Getting to spend some time talking with Anastasia
24. Growing closer to precious sisters in Christ
25. Running a couple errands by myself
26. Feeling to Holy Spirit increasing in me again
27. Learning how to pray more for my husband and kids
28. Making it until 5pm without turning on the TV!
29. Learning to enjoy my kids more
30. Learning more grace with others and myself
31. Finding out Jim will be switching to a WOW position at work!!!!!
32. Getting to spend some time with Asmaa and Sarah
33. Free Pizzas!!!!!
34. A meeting for Sojourn artist and writers (very encouraging)
35. Meeting Jennifer and talking with her
36. Catching up with Shannon
37. Quills coffee
38. Being reminded that everything under the sun is meaningless without Christ
39. Being reminded that if God wants us to do something that it is meaningful if done for His glory
40. Jim getting up with the kids so I could sleep in!!!!!
41. Getting mostly organized this past week
42. Watching Jamey marvel at Gabriel
43. Jamey loving on his siblings
44. Lillian wanting to read
45. Left over food
46. Gathering with brothers and sisters to pray
47. Hearing God answer specific prayer requests
48. Being reminded that God loves His children and responds to our requests
49. Brownies, amazing chocolates and hot chocolate
50. Managing to get meal planning done before going to bed
51. Staying on task with the cleaning calendar this week
52. Getting the kids involved with cleaning
53. Reuben beginning to show some interest in Gabriel
54. Enjoying a snow day
55. Jamey making a snowman
56. Staying on my Bible reading plan
57. Being able to get some sleep even with kids getting up early
58. Having children who want to do puzzles
59. Having children who want to play together
60. Hearing God's voice

Women's Prayer

Today several women from Sojourn gathered to pray for our workers and the world. This time was such a blessing as we shared each others lives and things from the lives of those serving our God in the world. Not only did we pray for our workers but we prayed for Asia as we know the Holy Spirit is moving there. It was a pleasure to have one of our workers from Asia with us as well as a worker who is preparing to go and a Sojourn member who is from an Asian country.
If you are a woman at Sojourn let me encourage you to be a part of these meetings. Even if you do not know the workers, it means so much to them to know that we are lifting them up monthly together. God moves when His people pray!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

I cannot believe it is already 2013! How the time flies. I am thankful to begin the new year with a healthy family and am looking forward to getting back into a routine. I am excited to have some tangible goals for this year and some great resources to help me stay organized with a family of 7. The Lord has really been working on my heart to live the life He has called me to live and showing me that I need a plan to help me do that. I must be open to Him changing my plans at any moment, but I know He has called me to do certain things and has shown me areas where I need to grow and change for His glory. Will it be easy? Probably not, but I am excited to learn and grow this year.

So with that I would like to share some of my goals for this year as accountability and to hopefully encourage others who may be seeking to make goals but need some help in doing that. I am still growing in this area, but others writing about it has helped me, so hopefully me writing mine may help someone else.

At http://www.motherhoodonadime.com/living/30-day-challenge-finally-writing-my-mom-mission-statement/
I learned about writing a mom mission statement, which I attempted and want to share first.

My Mission:
To wholeheartedly follow Christ and bring Him glory by:

• Seeking Christ daily
• Loving, respecting and encouraging my husband
• Loving my children and teaching them the ways of the Lord
• Supporting those working for the Lord through prayer, encouragement, resources and talents
• Seeking to share Christ with those around me
• Encouraging and educating women
• Using my time talents and resources wisely

I went through a lot of questions that brought to light a lot of things I need to work on, but after already praying over goals for the year I decided to mostly stick with what I had already thought about as they are things that seem to be where the Lord is leading me right now. I also want attainable goals so I do not immediately get discouraged and give up. 

Spiritual

• Read through the entire Bible in a year following a chronological reading plan
• Memorize a verse a week (for full disclosure I am starting with verses that I have previously memorized but have lost full memory of)
• Spend 30 minutes daily concentrated on prayer and Bible reading
• Continue to record daily blessings to cultivate thankfulness (Goal is 10,000 things)
• Praying throughout the day for specified things (still developing lists and plan for this)

Personal

• Read a book a month apart from SWI matrerial
• Journal 5 days a week
• Write (working on books) 5 days a week
• Finish my first fiction book
• Write 3 blog posts a week
• Continue to meet once a month with writing group
• Have one day a month for personal retreat time to pray, read the Bible and write
• Complete Level 1 of Rosetta Stone Russian
• Begin working on a Christ-centered prenatal/delivery/postnatal education

Marriage

• Go on a date once a month
• Go on one overnight trip away
• Read together for 30 minutes once a week
• Discuss and plan the week to come on Sunday afternoon

Kids

• Take each child on a "date" once a month
• Spend individual time with each child at home once a week (at least 20 minutes)
• Work on memorizing Psalm 23 with Jamey and Lillian
• Finish current Pre-K curriculum with Jamey and Lillian
• Continue going to playgroup on Tuesdays
• (I need to develop more educational goals, so I guess a goal for this year will be learning to do this for next year)

Homemaking

• Begin a garden planting at least tomatoes (hoping to do more)
• Try 1 new recipe a month
• Keep up with cleaning calendar 
• Develop general cleaning schedule

Health and Fitness

• Exercise for at least 30 minutes 3 days a week
• Lose 30 lbs

Ministry

• Continue hosting Women's prayer once a month
• Email workers once a month
• Send 2 encouraging notes a month

And weaving through all of these areas is the goal of consistency. My desire is to be consistent in all I do for all of us. I can tell a huge difference in all of us when we are planned and know what's coming and the days are somewhat predictable. I know that God will bring whatever we need to bring Him glory and grow us in His ways. 

May God bless you in 2013 and make you more like Christ everyday!