sweet blessing.....

As Christians, we sometimes wonder about our value. I heard this song this afternoon and just had to share. I have been right here a time too many, so this really was such a blessing to me today.

In His gracious love,
Along the Way

The Daughter of the King

Who am I, that He would steal away to sit with me.

Who am I, that He would rush to comfort me. 

Who am I, that He would step down to rescue me.

Who am I

But His Beloved,

Beloved Daughter.

~by  Along the way~

~"You've so focused on becoming a mother; have you ever wondered if God wants you to focus first on being His Daughter?"~The Beautiful fight, by Gary Thomas

I came across this line while reading Gary Thomas's "The Beautiful Fight" (who is, by the way, an amazing author; one who challenges you to step into the role God has called you to.)

And  my heart began to ponder so many questions......what does a daughter of  the King of Kings look like? What does it feel like to be HIS daughter? How does she behave? how does she sound? 

I don't quite know. I should, I really should know a little by now, and maybe a little is all I know. I know that I've been forgiven time and time again. I've been restored and given a promise. A promise of Hope, love and long suffering.

~As she got off her donkey Caleb asked her, "What do you want?" She answered him, "Give me a blessing. Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me springs of water also." So Caleb gave her both the upper and lower springs.~ Judges 1:14-15

*I encourage you to read the whole account in Judges 1:12-15*

There was such beauty in this passage. He gave his daughter to someone who (he thought) could keep her safe and who would die for her. She was able to ask whatever her heart desired from her father and he gave it to her. She knew him and she knew his love for her. This is but one precious example from the Word, but we are still writing our story. God is still dispelling the enemy and creating a haven for us. He is still answering our request.

              And I will leave you with something I've heard the Father say to me time and time again.......

~Daughter ,O , Daughter lift up your eyes to the hills and there you will find me. There you will hear my voice.~

~Look at how great a love the Father has given us that we should be called God's children.~ 

1 John 3:1

~....and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with HIS son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.~ 1 John 1:3b-4

Part of the Journey......

The question arose while pondering this new quest of God's peace, "If I had the chance to go back would I choose differently......would I make the choice to home school? Would I choose to stay at home with my children and build my home?"

I believe in my heart of hearts I choose the high road. I choose the path that Christ has laid out for me. 

For me.....I miss that sometimes. 

I get caught up in the thoughts that I'm doing this for them only, that they may know the Lord ( which is a major reason why I'm doing this but not that alone). That they may in turn choose the way of our Lord. Today as I began the book of Judges, I read how an entire generation arose that did not know the Lord. The very people who swore to keep the commandments that Moses brought to them from the Lord. The same people that were miraculously delivered.

 Oh, how I began to cry out that the Lord might make this word a mirror to me. Show me, Father, the reflections of my heart. 

Is my life exemplifying the Father in  such a way that just 2 generations  later my offspring will still proclaim the name of Jesus or is it just enough to save my children for now?

I wondered in the beginning how does this tie in with the aforementioned questions. Oh, but it is so inter-woven through every fiber. Praise God that He didn't desire to save Abraham for salvation sake for Abraham alone, but for the seed that was within Abraham. That I might be saved today and proclaiming HE is Lord to my family. How awesome is that! How dare I entertain the notion of anything less.

Yes, yes, a million times YES......I would choose this way. I would choose the high road. I want to know Him with all that is within me, even as I've been know. He is so good :)

"....another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel."  Judges 2:10b

Building our homes....

"Every wise woman builds her house...." Proverbs 14:1

I came across this topic in a generation ceder post and it got me to thinking; in my everyday activities such as homeschooling, Sunday service, wednesday night prayer and other serving opportunities that we do along this road to godliness; what are we doing to build our homes?

All the things that we do to "glorify" God are good things in themselves but do you find yourself just going and going.....Are we really building our homes in all of this?
In all of our trivial pursuits as a wife and mother we find that this title bears a much greater calling then many of us can even comprehend. And might I add creates a desire for many to achieve excellence.

As wives and mother's we tend to get caught up in getting everything done and teaching every lesson; and the question God is asking me and many of you is "In all of this, what are you doing to build your homes?" Making it a place where MY Presence is known and abides..... Where the hearts are receptive and seeking My Voice...Where love,worship and servanthood is a center focus....??

So here I am on this pursuit of finding who I am by discovering who HE is, and HE drops this question......
I'm not quite sure of why, but I am learning that I cannot do this apart from HIM. And that it is only by faith that I can do this with HIM.

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him,for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6

" In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge."

Proverbs 14:26

So here we go.....Transitioning

Wow :) I have considered going natural for a while now. I finally decided to take the leap. I have been 4 months relaxer free and counting....YAY!!! Okay now, I know this is not going to be easy with four little ones but i am so excited about this; I can hardly contain it :) ! There have already been days when i just want to "big chop" and get it over with. Dealing with two different types of hair is not easy, but thoroughly encouraging to see my natural hair coming through.

I have tried two different transition hairstyles thus far. Hopefully i can get a few more that work well for me :)

This style up above has been my favorite. I don't know why other than it is just plain simple; and i am loving simple right now. It is just a scarf and my hair pulled back in a ponytail and tucked under.

  This style is in a rod and braid-out. It is okay but does not hold up with my hair very well. By the end of the day it is just frizzy.But it holds the moisture very well. And i love how shiny it is.

 

Now, what am I using right now?
-Shampoo-Avlon Kera Care ( I don't use this often but this is the only shampoo i use. It is a sulfate free shampoo.)
-Co-wash-Silk Elements mega cholesterol conditioner.(I use this to clean my hair at least once a week.)
I am using a Shea butter whip that is homemade. I found this recipe on Naptural85 youtube page.(I love her page, she has great advice on natural hair and natural products for your hair :)) Love it.

It seems God has me on a journey to a more natural way of living, every aspect of my life.
One of the major aspects of this journey i am a learning is natural eating. A healthier way of eating. My complexion and skin looks so much better today than it did even a few months ago. I am enjoying all the things I am learning. I praise God for all of this. How He cares for every part of our being. It is amazing :)


"For by Wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life." Proverbs 9:11

More Birthday fun...

I can remember the cool Saturday morning I began having contractions. A few hours later my precious little Indy-girl was born. Happy Birthday Indya Nicole, mommy loves you very much. I hope you have a wonderful day filled with lots of love and kindness:)

Birthday wishes...

I have been so blessed to be called mommy by this little sweet heart! I wanted to give a very special Happy Birthday to her. I love you my sweet Israel Makayla! You are a very special little girl with lots of love. 

"Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word."

Psalm 103:20