THE "story"...

This time of year~~it's the remembrance of the start of the story. 

THE story that weaves into lives and creates who we are, how we live.  We are blessed to have been shared the story....to have been told how God became a man and how He himself bore OUR sin and death.  

This is no special day....I am monogramming gifts.  I unloaded the dishwasher.  I fed my children.  I swept the floor.  I went to church, yet that in itself, made my day extraordinary.  I adore my church family.  Each of them have a story---one that bears both great victory and pain.  Some share it verbally, some just wear it in their smiles. Each one of them challenge me.  They create for me a much more real view of why Christ came.  Love that goes beyond the blood of family and into the lives of those I am blessed to call friends.  

God is stretching me right now to share His story in a new way.  I have prayed and pondered and listened.  (and honestly tried to wiggle my way out from underneath the call).  But, today when Pastor Jeremy said to "share the story," I knew exactly what God had on my plate. I am still unaware of how that will look or play out in the days/years ahead.  But, I saw a glimpse into another great chapter of His story that continues to take place through me.  I am grateful.  I am terrified.  I am standing with what feels weak but I have faith He will make strong.  

Through a season of life for the past couple of years, I lost part of the girl I was meant to be.  This past week, I saw and felt glimpses of her again.  I slowed down the pace of life and peeked at life through a different lens.  It was surreal.  I am so grateful to those who are digging that ole gal back out again.  

Each Christmas we try to do at least one very special weekend/evening getaway with just our family of 5.  We have had some pretty exciting memories over the past 10 years.  This year, we are creating those special memories at home, taking things at a different pace, basking in the season from the warmth of our own four walls.  Our lives this Fall have been busy---whole bunches of fun but BUSY!!  So, this special season, we are cutting back.  Saying no to things that seem so inviting, yet we have found nothing is as entertaining to us this year as snuggling one another by a warm fire in the glow of our lights while watching an old Christmas movie.  Ailee just said last week, "It's like the same day keeps happening over and over again."  And Anna Grace responded with, "And, its the best day ever!"  I think we all need a break~~~the chance to find who we were designed to be again.  

A simple pause to find how He has weaved His story into each of our own.  

Enjoy my Christmas Angels...

  

 

 

A woman of rest...

This blog has been put on hold lately.  Despite my best intentions to keep the family journal/scrapbook via blog yearbooks ongoing, I honestly just got over committed last December.  So, I am playing catch up and adding events from previous months.  But, at the same time, I plan to start journaling the present too.  God is doing some major molding and revamping of my heart and it just helps to get it all out sometimes!  I hope one day you girls can see the ways God works through the "ordinary" by reading my non-formal vomiting of feelings on here every once and a while.  And, non of it is genius or rocket science~so just try to have patience with me!

 

The past couple of weeks of adjusting from summer, lazy fun-filled days to fully packed, don't waste a minute days of school and activities has mommy really squirming under the pressure.  Adelynn, you are in school now five mornings a week and so I have some time to think (maybe too much).  God is teaching me some lessons about going into battle lately.  This is a somewhat simple revelation but in the midst of my current circumstance, it felt like a huge victory!

REST~~~
That's been a reoccurring topic God undoubtedly wants me to settle into--

rest of my mind
rest of my soul
rest of my body
rest in my thoughts
rest in my heart
rest in my actions
just overall a woman in REST!

I caught myself crying out to Him that I got the message.  I know I desperately need to rest in the peace that comes from His truth and love.  I just have trouble engaging in the active state of REST.  (and although that might sounds contradictory to some, to me, rest is very much going to be a result of actively choosing it on my part!)  At first anyway, but I have complete faith that soon it will come as natural to me as driving, eating, playing, etc.

So, back to the crying out~~"What do you mean by rest?  Really, I know you know my current calendar and the schedules I am trying to keep up with.  Don't you think I want to REST?  I just can't figure out what you mean exactly."  While I was hoping He was saying "lay down and take a little nap, my beloved Mande"  I knew too well that He was asking me to find rest in the midst of the choas!  To find a stillness in my soul in the midst of my current circumstances of mom of many, wife of one, friend to all, daughter of two, manager of a at home job, volunteer of the less fortunate, servant of church, coordinator and cleaner of the home, landscaper of the yard, and on and on.

Kindly, I was shown a picture of what it would look like this week.  And, as simple as it was...it sent chills across my body to feel and hear His presence ever so real and close to my plea, a supplying of my answer from so many prayers lately.  And, as much as I would have liked it to be a vision of what the "outcome" of this heart change would look like through the completion of certain circumstances, it was actually SO much better!  See, I think rest can only come when a job is finished.  When the work load is over.  I can only feel relief when the crisis is over and I know the outcome.  Otherwise, I settle into the anxiety of analyzing all the different ways it could play out.  Are you getting the picture of why He might be calling me into a place of "rest." 

So, here Adelynn and I were in the hottest part of the day on one of the hottest days this year.  I desperately needed to go for a run to allow my mind some time to "deal."  Running lets me sort of veg-out.  I guess because I am not at home to let my hands find work to get into so my legs just take me somewhere, anywhere and my mind can just follow it's own path.  I loaded her in the stroller with all she might need to take the journey-water, snack, sunglasses, toys, and a few more things she snuck in there.  Off we went.  My praise music going in my ears and my mind found a happy place.  Then, God joined right in step with me.  As Christy Nuckols was singing about coming "out of the ordinary and into the glorious" I felt His glazed fall directly on me.  In the heat, I felt the chills of His awesome presence.  And, He simply said "look down at your girl."  There she laid in the stroller with sunglasses on, sweat dripping down her face, arms limp and in a complete and total state of REST despite and chaos surrounding her.  It was HOT, cars zooming by with loud noises, bumps constantly in the road, the constant voice of her momma as I prayed aloud, speeding up and slowing down and, yet, she was at peace during the "battle."  I was carrying the burden for her--all she had to do was agree to take the ride with me.  And, it hit me right in the heart, instead of trying to find a way out of the "battle,"  if I just with hop in with Him, He will take my burdens (even give me some sunglasses to help block out the devils schemes against me) and rest is possible through it all.  I will be made new through the challenges, I will be molded into more like Christ BUT I must stop squirming in the heat and put on the armor He has given me and start taking one victory at a time.  I don't have to know the route or the destination--the ordinary for me no longer is enough.  He is calling me "into the GLORIOUS" and I am jumping in.  I hope I will showcase the "rest" aspect.  I caught a glimpse of it and now I crave more.  Not depending on my circumstance, but because of the peace offered in spite of it. 

Happy Labor Day weekend!!

A Different Kind of Freedom Celebration...

Rain, Rain GO away~

Well, this july 4th week, it did not go away!  It lingered all week off and on just enough to cause the whole town to cancel all activities.  BUT, not us!  We still had the neighborhood parade which you girls look forward to all summer.  I handed you the bucket of decorations and you just did up your bikes and the golf cart all alone this year.  A new type of FREEDOM in itself!  You girls are growing up---

some days I love it, and some days it's so depressing!

 The England Family July 2013

 It's hard for me to believe that Adelynn can ride alone on her bike and keep up right along side her big sisters.  Actually, come to think about it--that's pretty much been the story of your life, sweet girl.  You are so adaptable and I guess being the 3rd born has just caused you to roll with the punches.

 

Then, mommy and daddy's highlight of the week was getting to spend the evening celebrating America's freedom with some of our most cherished friends!   BBQ, sweets, outlawed fireworks and cornhole made for a pretty fabulous evening despite the rain.  

And, the weekend went on pretty much the same way...

we ventured from house to house with these special families playing dodgeball and kickball in the rain, cooled off in the pool (in the rain), played cards and had yummy dessert (while it rained) and soaked in sweet friendships that we are forever thankful for-BIG and small!  

Guiding our Steps...Ballet Recital 2013

BLESSED~

We are.  No exceptions!  I could go on forever.  I get so giddy just making a mental list in my head of all the countless ways.  But today, I want to focus on this particular blessing---

***Ballet ***

The studio we attend is more than a building that teaches technique and grace.  It lays a foundation for why we perform.  Why we do anything at all rather.  These girls are taught from the minute they step inside the ballet rooms, that they are dancing for God's glory.  The are loved on with God's love from EVERY adult there and their "dance Sisters" show them peer love in this way too.  I just can't express my gratitude for this organization! 

When these girls are dancing~they are worshiping.

And it makes my heart dance too!  

You three girls did a fantastic job and showcased your talents so beautifully.  

Grace is not taught, it is given as a gift from above. 

 

  

Anna Grace and your Timothy 2 girls.  I adore the friendship you all have together.  What a special treat it is each time you show up for class that it is also a time to bond with such godly little tweens! 

 This, my friend, is the Sweetest little cupcake I have ever seen!  I could eat you up, adelynn, with all your cuteness and that precious smile.  You stole the show center-stage with your huge grin and adorable determination to not miss a step.  I think all the drive came from the desire to impress your bis sisters and that you did! 

 I love this photo Ailee because it captures you truly in your moment of worship.  You shined up there with your confidence and strong technique.  I know the road ahead is changing for you but I will support and love you no matter what path you choose to showcase your talents.  Stay true to your God and to yourself and Mommy & Daddy will cheer you on every step of the way. 

 Dear Lord, you have blessed my sweet middle girl with personality and skills that are unique to her and her alone.  Please guide her steps to lead her where you can use these things to better her for your service.  Amen

 My whole world~

You amaze me, Anna Grace, with your constant improvement.  You hit your positions and used all the technique from this years training so wonderfully.  You are a gorgeous ballerina!  I can see it in your heart, as well as, your ability. That's a difference you'll hang onto when push come to shove as the years pass by! 

Thank you for this BLESSING~we are forever grateful!

Daddy Paradise~Three Beautiful Little Dates

Daddy Daughter Dance 2013

Country Club Princesses

 

 

 

 

January 2013...Ready or Not, Here you come!

 Happy New Year!

It's a place to start over---to strive to make changes and vow to do better.  I have my list of "resolutions."  Some of significant in the present tense, some mean absolutely nothing  in the grand scheme of life and most are just ways to make my daily life easier.  But, the ones I truly want to achieve are the ones but will matter when things all go down...when the trumpets sounds and I am crossing the river.  These are the changes I pray I will stick to my guns on this year!

Also, this year, I want to soak in the small things.  Spend more time not stressing over getting everything done and being the best at my job but being the most patience and understanding mommy to my most precious gifts.   So, as a tribute to my "new year changes," these pics are a good start and reminder for me.   

Two of my favorite things on little angels....Rainboots and pigtails.  

 

This face says it all-- Mommy, I can really get all wet and you don't even care?

Yep, sweet girls- mom's no longer sweating the small stuff!  Now, let's go enjoy some 2013 and have a blast doing it!   Love you all three to heaven and back,  Mommy