So we had a fun Easter weekend. For the first time CGJ and SGJ dyed Easter eggs.
Then we used the left over colored water as water color paints. This held their attention for a very long time. LVJ played in her activity seat and I relaxed. Water color painting for the win!
The kids got new Easter outfits. We all sang, "Jesus is alive. He is risen --risen!!!" It was an awesome celebration and weekend of worship.
After church we hunted eggs and ate a lot of candy.
Well, we are in a season of change. It started in 2016. Some changes were big like...
* I resigned from my teaching position and entered into a full time stay at home wife and mom lifestyle.
* Handsome Husband resigned from his job and moved into a different position and company.
* LVJ was born.
Some changes were small yet still really important like...
*Pumpkin britches is now 5 and she has out grown that nickname. Here I'll call her CGJ. She spent a year being a ballerina.
*Sammy G (SGJ) turned 4 and decided he liked green beans and mashed potatoes.
* We have a long haired energetic mixed Weiner dog named Riemann.
*We have a cat named Davros the exterminator.
* I have a hairstyle instead of mom hair. (See photo)
Some changes have unexpectedly influenced our lives like...
* The kids and I committed our Thursday mornings to Bible study with Bible Study Fellowship International. <--- so many changes have occurred in the kids and me... The study of John has changed our hearts, minds, and actions and I'm excited to study Romans next year.
One recent and major change is that I deleted all social media and mindless gaming apps from my phone. Through the study the Holy Spirit showed me that social media had become an idol for me. God asked me to give it up and choose obedience over my desire to seek others approval, over my laziness of chilling out on my phone, and over my false need to be "connected". I'm still navigating this one. Blogging occasionally is what is appropriate for my family and self right now. It will allow me to still document and share our life while I actually live my life intentionally in the moment.
* My pregnancy and LVJ's fourth term resulted in a dependency on TV to make it through the day. We gave up TV for a month to break our habit and committed to spending more time outside as spring like weather blessed the TN valley early this year.
* My dear friend asked me to do a book study with her. She chose One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. My heart has been transformed and soften more than I ever imagined. I didn't even realize how ungrateful I truly was/am until reading this devotional. I now have a better understanding of praying without ceasing and having joy regardless of circumstances.
All these changes are evidence of God's love and grace for me (and my family).
Some of the changes have been easy while some have been difficult. Some have been undeniable joyous blessings from our Mighty Father while other have been hidden blessings as he has painfully pruned things from our lives leaving us better when we didn't know we were unwell.
All the productive change takes faith and a greater dependency on God. When I handle the change in my own strength or when I try to control, manipulate, or compromise the change I grow weary. It's not my job! My job is the daily choice to surrender to the change. The daily choice to recognize God's graces and hold to his promises.
Promises!
He will always be with me (Hebrews 15:5). He desires for me to be complete and changes me for the betterment of myself and others resulting in His glory (James 1:2-4). He has already triumphed over the sin I get entangled in (1 Corinthians 15:57). When I repent and choose His ways, he makes me clean again (1 John 1:9). His ways are better than mine (2 Samuel 22:31).
So on this adventure I go (some days kicking, whining, and pouting but always choosing to believe God's promises). And, when I can't rejoice in the change itself, I praise God for the purpose of the change. He has never stopped sanctifying me and for that I am grateful.
