He is the Calmer of Storms

Not the greatest photo, but these were some mammatus clouds we saw at the end of our street about a year ago...these are  commonly present with mega super cell storms...

The air is thick and muggy outside. I'm on my couch watching and waiting for a long predicted storm to roll in.  I do not know if it will actually make it here or not, but I know it has already arrived many places to the west, southwest and north of us.  

Here, where I am, the air waits in thick stillness only to be interrupted by sudden bursts of wind  blowing the boughs of the trees and shaking the gentle leaves.  Oh, I love the sound when the wind blows strong  outside my windows...that quiet roar.

Please do not get me wrong here, I have a healthy fear and tremendous respect for Mother Nature and am not one to make light of storm warnings, damages or tragedies caused by weather.  However, when those winds kick up and the earth is stirred and there is nothing we can do but take cover, part of me just cannot help but feel thrilled to witness a mere fraction of His power and might with my own eyes. 

His word tells us that he is the calmer of storms and is with us in the storms of our lives and from my own experiences I know this to be true.  I once read in a Beth Moore bible study something that I have never forgotten when facing some of life's trials.  She wrote that Jesus often addresses his children before he calms the storms they are facing.  I love that.  It has brought me so much comfort during struggles I have faced and I pray that it does you as well.  

-  ²³ Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. ²⁴ Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. ²⁵ The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

 ²⁶ He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

 ²⁷ The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

                    - Matthew 8:23-27

Blessings to you on this stormy Saturday evening....especially if you happen to be in the path of these giant storms!

 

A Fragile Clay Vessel

I dont know what to write.  I have so much spinning through my head these days that I honestly feel a tad bit lost, direction-less and on the fragile side.  My heart was broken last week as our church family mourned the sudden loss of an incredible, godly 35 year old husband and father.  Suddenly, I was reminded afresh that God offers no guarantees to his followers.  While I did not personally know this man well, his life and story has forever impacted my own.  As a result, I have been acutely aware of the blessings my dear family and friends are in my life and I have been trying to be more intentional with the ways that I cherish my time with them.

Among many other things going on, our house is back on the market which is both a good and a bad thing.  I love it because it means we are one step closer to our next chapter as a family- making a house a home together.   I dread it because all the work of preparing has been completed and now I have to simply W-A-I-T.  And I'm not a good wait-er....  

When I wait, I feel anxious.  It is easy to say with my words that I'm trusting, that I'm being still and that I have faith things will work out.  However, my thoughts tell a different story...and God knows my thoughts and sees my heart which has not been the prettiest or most peaceful as of late.  I am so thankful that he is the God who sees, who knows and who loves me in spite of all of my faults.  I am thankful today that his strength is perfected in my weakness(es).  I am thankful that He has given me purpose today and my job is to listen up and be obedient to his guidance. I am thankful that He has a plan and that I'm a part of it.  

    Father,

        I thank you that in seasons like this one, where you have me way out of my comfort zone and  so much ahead is unknown, you have reminded me to be still and know you are God.  I thank you that you have a plan, that you can be trusted, that you love me and have called me for your purposes.  Forgive my unbelief, my doubts, my anxiousness and my worries. I love you, and I trust you.  Renew my mind and transform my heart as only you, the Potter, can do.

        In Christ's Name,

                             Amen

Lily is 11 Months Old!

Hello Everyone!

I'm eleven months old today!  Can you believe it?

I am getting busier and busier as the days go by and I have been LOVING the spring weather.

I am still a great sleeper, although when I am cutting teeth (I'm currently working on numbers 6 and 7) all of which have come in during the past two months, I don't tend to sleep very well.  I also am fighting my second cold in the past month.  The first one gave me my first ear infection and my mom is really hoping that this second one does not give me another one! 

She likes it when we are all healthy and we just have not been very healthy around our house this past month.  Mom says that is why there has not been much posting on the blog.  I'm glad she let me on here to write my post so there would be something for you all to read!

Although we have all been fighting colds, I helped mom to get the house all ready and organized and cleaned to put back on the market to sell.  We listed it on Monday, April 2, 2012 and are hopeful that someone will come along and love it as much as we have.  Mom is always wanting me to help keep my room picked up in case someone wants to see the house, but I am not much help because I just LOVE to get out my books and toys and spread them out everywhere!

One of my favorite things to do these days is to look at my books.  I enjoy all kinds, but I especially love my board books or books that have special textures in them where I can touch and feel them.  I am really good at turning the pages all by myself too.  I sometimes don't even really want to hear the stories, just look at the pictures, feel the textures and turn the pages.  Mom and dad say that I'm a very good reader. 

This is a picture of my favorite face that I love to make these days.  I make it when I'm feeling determined or am having an especially good time.  I wrinkle up my nose and breathe really loud, kind of making a "shh-ing" sound.  It is loads of fun.

This little guy is named "Baa-Baa" and he is my FAVORITE.  I got him when I was just a little baby and I have always loved to hold him and he fits just perfectly in my hand.  He goes everywhere with me these days and is rapidly becoming a gray-ish color instead of a fluffy white.  Mom keeps wiping him down but it doesn't really help.  He makes me very happy and I just light up any time I hear his little "baa-baa" sound.  Luckily my Nana has bought me some back-ups in case anything happens to my little buddy.

Although you can't really see them in these photos, my two top and two bottom teeth are really growing big and show when I smile or laugh.  I'm becoming much more giggly these days and enjoy cracking myself up and being tickled by my mom and dad.  My mom loves my laugh so much that she sometimes starts crying.  I do not really understand that but it's okay.  She loves me lots and lots, so I don't mind.

I enjoy chewing on everything, going for walks, reading books, playing and listening to music.  Mom and Dad say that I'm a great eater.  I'm getting better and better with feeding myself, but sometimes it is just a huge mess because I like to throw the food on the floor when mom isn't looking.  Sometimes food with sticky textures gets my hands all messy.  When that happens, I like to wipe my hands in my hair to clean them off. 

One of my favorite things to do now is to point to things and have my parents tell me what they are.  I especially love to look at ceiling fans, the mural on my bedroom wall, items on my shelf and out the front glass door.  I especially love to stand in the front door and watch all of the life that is going on outside.  I also love to play peek-a-boo and like to hide my eyes until my parents find me and say, "peek a boo!" I love it.

I have also taken a great interest in cats and dogs over the past month.  I get very excited whenever I see any and have even been brave enough to try petting some.  I love to try and talk with them too!

I can say "Mama" and "Dada" but "Dada" is by far my favorite word to say.  I love to talk with my dad and have gotten very good at waving hello and goodbye to people too.  It is fun.

I enjoy clapping my hands and was very excited and did a lot of clapping when in my very first attempt in the family's March Madness pool, my bracket won the whole thing!  Mom and dad are making me save my winnings and put them in my college fund, but I don't care.  I have bragging rights for a whole year! Way to go Jayhawks!

I love to go to church and Sunday school.  I have made lots of friends and I enjoy playing with everyone.  I am not walking on my own yet, but I easily pull up and stand on my own.  I'm getting braver and braver as far as my reaching for things out of my grasp and getting myself there without falling down.  I know it's just a matter of time before I'm running around here and then my life will be even busier! I can't wait!

I hope you all are doing well. I can't  believe that the next time I post I will be one! Time flies when you are having this much fun!

xo

love,

Lily

* We had some technical difficulties with our internet this week, so while the photos were all taken on her 11 month birthday, this post has been backdated.