I am committed...
I am committed to reading through the Bible this year!
I've started and stopped SO many times. I've picked up where I left off, I've taken off days, weeks, months, restarted, just done the Old Testament, just done the New Testament, read all the Gospels, read all the letters, done Bible Studies on topics and books; BUT, I've never, in one year, read through the whole Bible.
So, a group of ladies from Vanguard Church, where I attended MOPS for several years, started an accountability group to read through the Bible in a year. You can do it anyway you want. I chose Chronologically because I think and process things that way, in a linear line. Probably one of the reasons I love Tapestry of Grace so much; but, I digress!
I knew about, and was honestly slightly dreading reading through the rest of Moses' books...he was such a great writer in Genesis and most of Exodus, what happened in Leviticus, Numbers and parts of Deuteronomy???? My husband says I need to be careful not to be offensive; but, if you're honest with me, I think most of us feel the same way. We all KNOW that if it's in the Bible it's there for a reason, that all scripture is God breathed (2 Tim 3:16-17); but, for those of us that aren't Bible scholars or into hermeneutics or the original Latin or Greek meaning of a word, we're looking for insight from the Lord and the story of HIStory! We're looking for how we can use what we're reading for teaching or training, so we can be equipped to do His work...what do I do with this chapter? At times, getting bogged down in the 'poetry' of repetition of what each tribe did and brought for the tabernacle is a bit overwhelming and in Numbers 7...well, by the end I was convinced it was the longest chapter in the Bible (I know that is actually Psalm 119...but again, I digress.)
You can read it for yourself, I prefer NASB or NIV, you can update/change the version at the top...
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%207&version=NASB
So, at the end, I had been distracted a few times by my children, the phone rang, something else happened (can't even remember)...but I was left thinking, and actually said out loud to my husband, "Why, why did I just read about how each of the twelve tribes had a different son of the family bring the exact same offering? Couldn't he have just said, these are all the sons of each tribe and they each brought 'blank' as an offering, and list the items? Did he have to list the same items 12 times???"
Again, don't get mad at me... I KNOW it's there for a reason; but, what is it? If you have thoughts, I'm open, I would love to hear them, really! I left the chapter at that time; but, came back a day later...what was I missing? I noticed a few things. The tribes are out of order, or are they in an order I'm not recognizing...it certainly isn't by birth order or seniority. They all bring the same thing...is this reminding me that we are all responsible for the same things (ie. the Mosaic Law or the 10 Commandments) to the Lord? It doesn't matter if we are of the Tribe of Judah or the Tribe of Dan, we are all to bring the same things to the Lord as an offering, whether it is a sin offering, a peace offering, a fellowship offering, a burnt offering... Is the tribes being in no particular order to show me that it doesn't matter if you are from the first, the last or the lesser known tribe, the Lord looks on you and feels for you the same way??? It doesn't have to be some amazing revelation; but, there are lots of times I will read some of these chapters by Moses and sit and wonder, what AM I missing... Do any of you feel the same way?
Sunday, February 27, 2011
House for Sale!
Is it possible, has it really been 4 years since we first found this house on MilitarybyOwner.com and we called and talked to Jerry and Kim and just knew that this was the house for us? NOTHING else looked good compared to it, they all needed work (and being pregnant, I wasn't up for that ;)) and so we would always come back to and compare everything to the "Flintridge house". We've had our last baby here, this is the first house that our whole family has lived in together, we've never lived anywhere this long as a married couple...lots of memories and thoughts run through my mind. At times I get scared, I'm moving out of my comfort zone. This house works for us, it has everything we need right now...WHY are we moving???? Then that voice comes back and reminds me why, and I feel the peace again. Thank you Lord for the peace that passes all understanding. When we are in Your will, I know we'll be alright!
Here's the listing for our house. If you are interested or know someone that is...please pass it along. Thanks!
http://www.militarybyowner.com/homes/CO/Colorado_Springs/Flintridge_Drive/MBO178790.aspx
Centrally located 2101 sq ft. cul-de-sac home, close to all the bases in town! Large and well-landscaped backyard with play structure, trampoline, and garden. Has formal LR and 2 other large Family/Rec Rooms, one with fireplace. Updated kitchen and bathrooms. Exterior painted less than 4 yrs ago.
This is a GREAT family home! There are lots of windows and excellent lighting. Warranty is still in place on the exterior paint. Central air/AC was installed with a whole house humidifier (essential in Colorado's dry climate). Automatic sprinkler system makes yard and garden maintenance a breeze. Large walk-in shed in the backyard for all your tools and extra storage. Extensive woodpile will be left and 2 compost piles for the 40x40 vegetable garden plot. Numerous flower beds with both annuals, perennials, and strawberries. Spacious deck off the Dining Room, with views of Pikes Peak, is amazing for entertaining. Basement has large storage room/pantry, finished bedroom/guest room, and large Rec room that could be a game room, library, large office, etc., very flexible! It is within walking distance of the elementary school, less than .25 miles to Pikes Peak Christian School, and just over .5 mile to the East Branch Library. Please call with any questions or to set up a viewing!
Here's the listing for our house. If you are interested or know someone that is...please pass it along. Thanks!
http://www.militarybyowner.com/homes/CO/Colorado_Springs/Flintridge_Drive/MBO178790.aspx
Centrally located 2101 sq ft. cul-de-sac home, close to all the bases in town! Large and well-landscaped backyard with play structure, trampoline, and garden. Has formal LR and 2 other large Family/Rec Rooms, one with fireplace. Updated kitchen and bathrooms. Exterior painted less than 4 yrs ago.
This is a GREAT family home! There are lots of windows and excellent lighting. Warranty is still in place on the exterior paint. Central air/AC was installed with a whole house humidifier (essential in Colorado's dry climate). Automatic sprinkler system makes yard and garden maintenance a breeze. Large walk-in shed in the backyard for all your tools and extra storage. Extensive woodpile will be left and 2 compost piles for the 40x40 vegetable garden plot. Numerous flower beds with both annuals, perennials, and strawberries. Spacious deck off the Dining Room, with views of Pikes Peak, is amazing for entertaining. Basement has large storage room/pantry, finished bedroom/guest room, and large Rec room that could be a game room, library, large office, etc., very flexible! It is within walking distance of the elementary school, less than .25 miles to Pikes Peak Christian School, and just over .5 mile to the East Branch Library. Please call with any questions or to set up a viewing!
We're moving on...
It is really hard to believe it's the end of February...
I know lots of us say that; "where did the time go", "how did that come to happen so quickly", etc...but really, Indy and I feel like we lost the entire month between the middle of January to the middle of February. Literally, a flash in the pan!
My sister visited us over MLK weekend and we had such a wonderful time, so relaxing and peaceful. Two days after she left the reign of the flu, strep throat, pneumonia, ear infections and sinus infections began. There was only enough energy and wellness to maintain the house, the kids, fix some meals, do some laundry and pretend to at times do some school work ;)! We were so thankful for our friends that brought us meals and groceries, THANK YOU again!
So, the past two weeks have been catch-up and I do mean it...catch up on the house and school work and catch up on research and work to get our house on the market because can you believe it...we're moving out in 2 MONTHS!
People ask, "Why are you moving out of your house so early?" Well, the month of May is pretty crazy at the AF Academy, there are finals to be given, grading to do, wrapping up paperwork and course commentaries at the end of the semester, and then about 1,000 cadets will graduate, be commissioned in the AF and they ALL need to move, at the same time. Getting movers during the week or so around graduation is just about impossible. We want to be done with the move and have our stuff on the way to NC before Indy has to start dealing with finals and graduation and retirement stuff. We have to be in Springfield on the 11th of June, so we can't dilly-dally too much.
Enter the "house for sale" phase of existence. Not my best or favorite time, I'll be honest. The clean freak in me has tried so hard to relax with three kids in the house and since we homeschool, I ALWAYS have 3 kids in the house! But, as many of you know, when your house is on the market, you get testy about things that normally wouldn't bother you....ie. You put that coaster in the center of something and it's just where you want it to be...don't move it, or else. You just cleaned all the sliding glass doors in the house and your kids, with wet hands, decide they need to put their hands all over the glass (normally, I would say, here's a paper towel, clean it up, or ahhh, we'll get it next week, whether it needs it or not. Not now, I get upset and they look at me like they don't recognize me, which honestly, they probably don't.) You've just vacuumed and they decide at lunch to shred their bread into tiny little pieces or crumble their chips all over the floor making me growl like the animal that I know I'm not : (.
Oh Lord, I'm just not pretty right now! I'm being brutally honest. Again, not my best time or example of good "mommy" behavior!
We've been praying about putting the house on the market for months...so this seems like a culmination of so much work. We've been praying for the family that will buy the house, that the Lord will be directing them to this house, that He will bless them financially and that we will get along and that the whole process will go quickly and smoothly. We know that the Lord has a plan and a family already in mind. Please, Lord, help us to wait on You for that family. Help us to know them when we see them! I also pray that we won't have to live in this 'phase' too long...I know I need to grow in my level of patience; but, I pray that I'm not stretched too thin. I'm claiming the promises of 1 Cor 10:13, that the Lord will not give me 'more than the Lord will help me to handle'.... Often times the Lord does give us more than we can bear, so that we'll lean on Him more, and I know that is what this time is all about. Help me Lord to remember that I CAN'T do it all on my own, I HAVE to lean on you. Please also help me to remember that my children are children, and that they still have to play, to make messes, to learn...if a family is interested in our home, they will realize that a family lives here...big surprise, we don't live in a museum!!! Amen!
I know lots of us say that; "where did the time go", "how did that come to happen so quickly", etc...but really, Indy and I feel like we lost the entire month between the middle of January to the middle of February. Literally, a flash in the pan!
My sister visited us over MLK weekend and we had such a wonderful time, so relaxing and peaceful. Two days after she left the reign of the flu, strep throat, pneumonia, ear infections and sinus infections began. There was only enough energy and wellness to maintain the house, the kids, fix some meals, do some laundry and pretend to at times do some school work ;)! We were so thankful for our friends that brought us meals and groceries, THANK YOU again!
So, the past two weeks have been catch-up and I do mean it...catch up on the house and school work and catch up on research and work to get our house on the market because can you believe it...we're moving out in 2 MONTHS!
People ask, "Why are you moving out of your house so early?" Well, the month of May is pretty crazy at the AF Academy, there are finals to be given, grading to do, wrapping up paperwork and course commentaries at the end of the semester, and then about 1,000 cadets will graduate, be commissioned in the AF and they ALL need to move, at the same time. Getting movers during the week or so around graduation is just about impossible. We want to be done with the move and have our stuff on the way to NC before Indy has to start dealing with finals and graduation and retirement stuff. We have to be in Springfield on the 11th of June, so we can't dilly-dally too much.
Enter the "house for sale" phase of existence. Not my best or favorite time, I'll be honest. The clean freak in me has tried so hard to relax with three kids in the house and since we homeschool, I ALWAYS have 3 kids in the house! But, as many of you know, when your house is on the market, you get testy about things that normally wouldn't bother you....ie. You put that coaster in the center of something and it's just where you want it to be...don't move it, or else. You just cleaned all the sliding glass doors in the house and your kids, with wet hands, decide they need to put their hands all over the glass (normally, I would say, here's a paper towel, clean it up, or ahhh, we'll get it next week, whether it needs it or not. Not now, I get upset and they look at me like they don't recognize me, which honestly, they probably don't.) You've just vacuumed and they decide at lunch to shred their bread into tiny little pieces or crumble their chips all over the floor making me growl like the animal that I know I'm not : (.
Oh Lord, I'm just not pretty right now! I'm being brutally honest. Again, not my best time or example of good "mommy" behavior!
We've been praying about putting the house on the market for months...so this seems like a culmination of so much work. We've been praying for the family that will buy the house, that the Lord will be directing them to this house, that He will bless them financially and that we will get along and that the whole process will go quickly and smoothly. We know that the Lord has a plan and a family already in mind. Please, Lord, help us to wait on You for that family. Help us to know them when we see them! I also pray that we won't have to live in this 'phase' too long...I know I need to grow in my level of patience; but, I pray that I'm not stretched too thin. I'm claiming the promises of 1 Cor 10:13, that the Lord will not give me 'more than the Lord will help me to handle'.... Often times the Lord does give us more than we can bear, so that we'll lean on Him more, and I know that is what this time is all about. Help me Lord to remember that I CAN'T do it all on my own, I HAVE to lean on you. Please also help me to remember that my children are children, and that they still have to play, to make messes, to learn...if a family is interested in our home, they will realize that a family lives here...big surprise, we don't live in a museum!!! Amen!
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