LUCKY ME :)

See this guy:

He is the best thing since sliced bread. Sometimes I feel like I have to pinch myself. He is a gift from God. An imperfect, flawed, human example of how BIG our God is...how mighty He is, and how amazing his work is if we just get out of His way. I love you, Brad. You will probably never see this but you are so wonderful!!

He is great but we are small...

BIG: 1 large as in size, height, width, or amount
2 of major concern, importance, gravity, or the like
3 outstanding for a specified quality
4 important, as in influence, standing, or wealth
5 grown up; mature


Big is relative. My kids think that our house is GIANT. I realize that it is quite average and that the house my husband sprays that is 19,000 square feet is actually the giant house. It's all about perspective.

Two days ago a friend posted on her facebook that she was looking forward to BIG changes in 2012. I think we all are. But what is big? A new job, a new house, moving to a new state or even country, a new marriage, a new addition to your family...those would be considered big by anyone's standards.

But something on that day and that particular status began to challenge my thinking. How much of God's BIG changes do I miss because I am watching for something "large in size" or "of major concern?" God's BIG changes are often so subtle that we miss them...your child learning the ABC's, serving in a new capacity, reading "The Ministry of Motherhood" by Sally Clarkson. HIS big can be quite small and yet just as life changing as your child learning to read because they are going to move mountains for Him someday. Or serving as a Sunday School teacher while the children open your heart in unimaginable ways. Or reading a book that completely changes the way you view motherhood and realizing that your children are your biggest ministry. (Read the book, Moms...just read it:)

This particular friend is wanting a way to move back to Texas...she needs God's hand to do big and mighty things. But I can almost guarantee that his big will start out very small. My word for the year is INTENTIONAL. I want to be intent on watching for HIS big movements in my heart and in my world. Big is relative, after all:)

I don't have to be right...

I know that Brad and I are getting older. We have more aches and pains. We have traded in fancy date night outs for casual early dinners and a bottle of wine at home. I'm less worried about the high heels and more worried about processed foods. The other day we went out for brunch (see...we do BRUNCH for dates now:) and after being seated Brad said, "Could that girl's skirt be ANY shorter?" Yep...things have definitely changed.

I am also learning in my old age. I have always been a very passionate person. I have this burning desire to prove my point because you see...I am usually right. (That was REALLY sarcastic for those who don't really know me...we REALLY need a sarcastic font:) I am learning...prepare yourself...I don't have to be right. I don't have to prove my point. People can think I am wrong....they can even think I am crazy. I am learning to let them. Shocking, I know.
Now...if you want to come after my kids or husband I won't back down quite as easy...I am STILL a work in progress:). But as for me...I CAN BE WRONG.

It's amazing how not arguing has freed up a lot of time. I don't get on the Star Telegram site and comment anymore. I don't get passive aggressive on Myspace. YES, myspace...I told you we are OLD:) I am striving to be uplifting and encouraging even when what I want to do is stomp my feet and say BUT YOU ARE WRONG:).

God is good, friends. If he can soften my heart for his glory...he really can move mountains. Have a beautiful Friday and weekend...much love:)

I want a LUNCHBOT:)

I am a Bzz Agent and I want a :

I am a homeschool mom with two kids who are ALWAYS on the go!! I need this!! It is the perfect snack and lunch container!! Forget lunchables and all that plastic wrap...I'm GOING GREEN:)!!

Pick me! Pick me!!!

Convicted...for the millionth time

I love my church. I love my church family. I even love my preacher. I love him because he is not afraid to step on my toes or make me wiggle in my seat. I know in my heart that when he looks around the room he is not singling me out but often times I feel like he is staring into my soul saying...are you listening Shana? I know that it is really God who is whispering that but it is Pastor Rick that makes me feel his conviciton. This Saturday night (yea...a Presbytarian church with a Saturday service...we are rebels:) was no different.

He talked about the obstacles we all face. You know the ones...the car needs a new transmission, the kids need new shoes, the electric bill doubled thanks to a record heat wave. Aging parents with ailments that cause us MUCH worry. Children who stray from church, children who are experimenting with things we don't want to think about, children who are sick. Bad backs, cancer, job loss...obstacles basically suck. This was the mental image that was running through my head...

Well, actually, my mental image was a woman in high heels with a baby on her hip and a Coach briefcase slung over her shoulder while jumping hurdles but for some reason Google couldn't come up with that image:). BUT the longer I sat there I realized I was missing the BIG picture. These are obstacles that we ALL face...but the biggest hurdle that I face...the one that robs me of the most joy is this one...

Yep. I am the biggest hurdle I face. I am the one who worries. I am the one who panics. I am the one who tries to be in control and handle things on my own. I AM MY BIGGEST HURDLE. Who knew?! I am pretty good about letting God handle the big stuff that I know I can't handle on my own. But as I sat there staring at the cross I realized that I try to stay in control of the day to day stuff. The little stuff that I feel like I shouldn't bother him with or if I am being completely honest...the little stuff that I want to be in charge of. And it is the little everday stuff that drags us down into a pit of stress and worry and eventually despair. The pit I have been wallowing in because I became too overwhelmed.

I'm slow God. But I get there. I will not stand in my own way anymore. This week our preacher challenged us to just pray prayers of thanksgiving and not ask God for anything. He challenged us to just talk to Him...get to know him. I failed already...I have already asked for relief for my back:). BUT...I am giving thanks in the storm...I am thankful that I can still walk and that I have gotten smart enough to let Him have complete control meaning He gets to be the one to worry:)

Don't be your own hurdle...

My faith

My faith defines me. It is my identity. I have a relationship with a man named Jesus. Someone posed the question, "What would happen if you get to Heaven and there is no Jesus?" I would be devestated. I know him. I love him. Jesus is a REAL part of who I am.

I am a Christian but I am not perfect. Christ is the perfect one. I am constantly humbled that He chooses to love me...I fail Him on a regular basis. I know God is working on me...on us...on our family. I know that we will glorify him through our failures in some way.

Nike

So I got a little behind...I know we are all shocked:).
Today's picture is in honor of Nike the cat.

My parents inherited her about 4 years ago and she is the meanest cat we have ever had. She hid in the closet for the first 2 years they had her. Once they moved to the new house she became more tolerable. In the last year she started being social...climbing on cabinets, sitting in your lap, letting you pet her without biting:).

Sadly...she died last week...and she will be missed.