2 years later

Hello,

Wow 2 years since last blog post!

That's sad...nah, that's not sad, much sadder things in the world.

On a good note, I went from grumpy to grateful in less than 2 hours today.
All it takes is some coffee, Holy Spirit reminding me to look beyond my present circumstances, and 45 minutes of prayer time with some wise ladies in our church. That was a great time, Thanks God.

Life:
The children are well, sniffles (again), nothing unusual for this time of year. Caden likes what he is learning with numbers and letters, spelling out words with our help, and being as rambunctious as possible in the middle of winter. "Please tickle me", "Grace, grab a sword to fight me!"
Grace is way past baby stage, she should already be 3, but she won't be until April 30, in fact she should be in preschool, but not until Sept. She's so vocal, likes people, loves her brother, likes her nap, and loves babies, fake or real.
Quinn is still working away, of course there are daily struggles for him, lately I think, it's kinda like being sick all the time...that helps me imagine what it might be like for him...just not physically but in the mind. God continues His work in both our lives.
The last 2 years I have been learning a lot. There has been a lot of repenting on my part. I will learn and am learning more and more about grace, empathy, unconditional love, compassion, helping not enabling, pray, Holy Spirit.

"During a British conference on comparative religions, experts from around the world were discussing whether any one belief was unique to the Christian faith. They began eliminating possibilities. Incarnation? Other religions had different versions of gods appearing in human form. Resurrection? Again, other religions had accounts of return from death. The debate went on for some time, until C. S. Lewis wandered into the room. “What’s the rumpus about?” he asked, and heard in reply that his colleagues were discussing Christianity’s unique contribution among world religions. In his forthright manner, Lewis responded, “Oh, that’s easy. It’s grace.”

It's grace. I mentioned to one individual last week, when one suffers from mental illness and I do not, it's not because I have done any one thing right, it's grace. And in that grace, there is grace to be given to those suffering. There is nothing I deserve or have a right to. Life is a privilege and every good thing comes from the Father. So I should not squander the liberties that I am given without mental illness nor reduce or ignore the battle raging in another. There is thanks to be given in every circumstance, although my struggle the last year has been giving thanks, living thankfully.  Rather resorting to anger. By His grace, I see the Lord helping me out, providing me a way out of anger, found by Him rescuing me and telling me to go to Him when circumstances want to take me to anger.

But I know so very little...

Question

Posing a question, no need to answer me, just ponder.

What is the greatest desire you have for your husband?

Arrived.

The more you think you've arrived and the less you see yourself as daily needing rescuing grace, the more you will tend to be self-referencing and self-congratulating. - Paul Tripp

I keep wanting to 'arrive'. Definitions of where I want to be in my relationship, are hindering me from change. While it is my desire to see Quinn overcome OCD related stuff, that's not going to help me in the long run. Yes, there will be benefits to our lifestyle, Quinn's personal freedom, my freedom, our kids benefit, but most of it is earthly benefits in that realm. Ugh, so frustrated with the way I 'preach'change to Quinn, yet take liberties in my own life because my issues aren't center stage like his are. I cannot continue to wish to 'arrive' in my spiritual walk with God or in my marriage, it's an ongoing need and acceptance for contemplation and change. To 'arrive' at a certain plateau in my spiritual life or my marriage, the party would soon be over, complacency would set in, boredom.

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 5:24
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

2 Corinthians 4:8
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;

(Romans 12:1, 6-12
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to hisfaith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

SB's White Chocolate Mocha

Absolutely yummy!!!

http://www.mommyskitchen.net/2008/12/copy-cat-starbucks-white-chocolate.html?m=1