I'm RICH!!!....in CHRIST

As I was correcting some behavior of my children recently, I realized that I too struggle with the very same attitude that they (my wonderful kiddies) were showing...that I was supposed to be correcting.

The kids and I were sitting down having our daily afternoon chat, and all I was hearing from them that day were a list of things they still yet to have.  I couldn’t believe my ears!  I told them to look around at all that they DO have.  They have much!!! 

Soon after talking with them, God in His kindness reminded me that I am totally just like them.  I find reasons to complain, not be content, and always looking for more. 

The Lord brought me to a passage in Psalm 103:1-5

¹ Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
² Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
³ Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
⁴ Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
⁵ Who satisfies your ^[a]years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

He reminded me NOT to forget all of His benefits that I now have in Christ. 

1.       I am forgiven

2.      My health is in His hands

3.      Redeemed from hell

4.      Loved and recipient of His compassion

5.      Satisfies my physical body with good things

Indeed I am rich…in Christ!

STAR Testing Awards Ceremony

This was a ceremony to honor the students who did well in last year's STAR Testing.  Our charter school sponsored this event, and Tay & I thought it would be a fun way for the whole family to show support to our Jazzy.

                                        Pre-Celebration Dinner

                     Jasmine's award certificate.  Good job, Jazzy!

                                                             The gang                                

                                                          Her moment

                                                           Her buddies

                                                        The mamas

Jazzy ~ "What!  A book!  Yippee!"  Aside from a certificate, the students also got to pick a book of their choice from a variety titles.  Of course, Jazzy was delight and surprised.  Can you tell?

He Who Is Near..

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans that I ^[a]have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 23:23-24

²³ “Am I a God who is near,” declares the LORD,
“And not a God far off?
²⁴ “Can a man hide himself in hiding places
So I do not see him?” declares the LORD.
“Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD.

Just a couple of days ago, God allowed our big boy to undergo a seizure.  We were all surprised because it hadn’t happened in 9 years.  As we were going through the motions of helping him and caring for him, God showed me a glimpse of what He’s been accomplishing in my life these past years.

I have known the above verses for years and yet I’m only now grasping what they truly mean for me, as a believer.

I’m bent on worry.  My natural response to unexpected “calamity” is anxiousness.  When this circumstance happened, a few dear friends asked how I was doing with the whole thing.  “Was I worried?  Am I getting anxious because it might happen again?”

As I thought about it, I realized, I actually wasn’t worried.  I was concerned for my son, but not worried. All that kept popping in mind was that God is sovereign and He is near.  There is nothing that happens without His mighty hand controlling every instance.  He sees and is in control of all things happening, and all things to happen.  He is a loving, gracious, and holy God.  This means that everything He allows in my life comes with a loving, perfect purpose.  God isn’t “out to get me?  My suffering has a wonderful purpose that is for my ultimate good.  

I praise Him because He continues to help me understand who He is.  He is the ONE TRUE GOD who is near ; sees all things; controls all things and whose plans are always for my good.  Therefore, I need not worry about the “unexpected, unknown hardships/calamities that may or may not come.”  They are not unexpected to my God who is near.

First Field Trip of 2011-2012 School Year

Pumpkins here we come!  Thanks to a dear friend who organized a field trip to a local pumpkin patch, the children and I got to spend our afternoon playing and spending time with our friends.  The kids got to go through a couple of Corn Mazes, climb a haystack pyramid, and have just good old outdoor fun.

Here are the "free" pumpkins the children got to pick as part of the field trip package.

Offie climbing the haystack pyramid

Mia's turn!

The kiddies

The mamas

The Mazes

The Last of the September Birthdays!!!

Yes, September ended with a bang!  After celebrating Timmy's 13th, my ?, and Tay's ?, it was Jazzy's turn to celebrate her 11th.  She was so very happy and thankful to have her friends over to celebrate with.  Until party day, I had forgotten the kind of  LOUD, SHRIEKING fun that girls tend to have.  I was sure reminded though.  Actually, it was a pleasure seeing their smiling faces and hearing their laughter.  Happy birthday to our lovely, little lady!

The girls decorated cupcakes, played "Telephone", Charades, and had a Scavenger Hunt.  It was a happy day!