a new challenge

So, it's not really a huge challenge. I know I've probably done some harder things. But, I love the Fireproof movie. True, the acting probably isn't the best I've ever seen, but it has a really good message. So often we let little things keep adding up and they end up overtaking our relationships. When big things happen, we try to deal with them right away, but we can let the little things go on and go on... and they can end up making one really big thing that is too much for us to handle on our own.


Jack and I have a great relationship. Sure, we have our spats, but we've always had a great communication relationship and that helps out a lot when we are a bit miffed at each other. We recently watched the Fireproof movie again and it got me thinking, "what if we did the love dare?" In the movie, they were doing the love dare because the marriage was almost completely dissolved. There was almost no hope left for reconciliation between them. The Love Dare was supposed to help them rebuild what had been broken and start anew. Jack and I definitely don't have anything remotely similar going on in our marriage. But, I can't help but wonder if doing The Love Dare would strengthen what we already have. It surely couldn't hurt. So, I went off in search of The Love Dare. At Wal*Mart, they have a 365 day devotional for couples in love dare fashion, but that wasn't what I wanted. I looked at Target and found exactly what I was looking for:It's the 40 day Love Dare, as used in the Fireproof movie. I am really excited to start this. Hubby has another out of town work trip scheduled for February 14 - 19, so we aren't going to do it until he gets back from that, but I am really looking forward to it. We have been able to get to church for the past two weeks, so I feel really good about that. I'm still working on some other relationships that need the work and with God's help and your prayers, that will work out too.

I have a prayer request that has nothing to do with all of this though. I have had some dental problems in the recent past. Before working at my current job, I just didn't have the funds to pay for the kind of stuff that needs to be done. At least, not at one time. Now working a full time job, the money isn't as big of an issue, but the time off is. I am still a temp for the next month, so I have no time off and I can't afford to miss any more work. I am in danger of losing my job if I have to be out again before my temp status is up. I need prayers here. I really have to have some of this work done before this month is over, and I just don't know how to do it. And really, I have spent more of my time in the last few years focusing on D's health and now B's health. I tend to think they are more important. Maybe that's just the mom talking, but whatever. You know how we do :)

while I'm waiting...

Have you ever had one of those moments where you feel like a song is speaking directly to you? With my background in music and my intense love for all things music, I have it happen often. Especially when I am listening to Contemporary Christian music. Yeah, it happens a LOT. Luckily, I have this handy thing I like to call an iPod, and if I've heard a song that really hits me, I try to find it and download it asap. I'll probably post some different entries with the songs that have really got to me and why, but I'm definitely starting with this one. I think I may have heard it before I saw "Fireproof," but I'm not 100% sure. My radio is pretty much permanently fixed to Power 88.5 down here and when I'm not listening to it, I've got my iPod plugged in. If I had not heard it before the first time I watched the movie, that is probably why it sounded familiar when hubby and I watched it again this weekend. Have I mentioned how much I love that movie? Well, I do, and that's another post for another time.

Anyway, this song was called "While I'm Waiting," by John Waller. I believe he's a new artist. It's on his debut album called "The Blessing," as well as on the "Fireproof" soundtrack. The lyrics are as follows:

I'm waiting.

I'm waiting on you Lord, and I am hopeful.

I'm waiting on you Lord though it is painful.

But patiently, I will wait.

I will move ahead, bold and confident.

Taking every step in obedience.

While I'm waiting

I will serve You while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting

I will not faint

I'll be running the race

Even while I wait

I'm waiting

I'm waiting on you Lord, and I am peaceful

I'm waiting on you Lord though it's not easy

But faithfully, I will wait

Yes, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident

Taking every step in obedience

While I'm waiting

I will serve You while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting

I will not faint

I'll be running the race

Even while I wait

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So, if you have ever been waiting... for anything really... you know how hard it is to stay focused on what you need to be doing while you're waiting to get or do whatever. I have been waiting on God to answer some prayers, to give me any signs on things. I know He's there always and He is always in control. I just feel like He's telling me to wait before things happen or before He shows the signs or whatever. It is incredibly hard to wait. I think that John Waller was trying to touch on how hard it is to wait, but also emphasize how important it is to ACTIVELY wait. Yeah, God may be working on His personal timetable, but that doesn't mean that you stop worshiping and serving Him while you wait on His answer/response.

I know I need to get better at this. It's one on my list of many things I need to improve. So, I could definitely use some prayers here. While I try to do better, I also need prayers that I can get my family back into a church involvement. With hubby being gone so much (and leaving on Sundays, no less), it is really difficult to get motivated to go anywhere on Sundays. I might try to swing some Wednesdays soon, but that will be hard as well. I try to do a devotional every day, but I like being in a church environment. I am already a Christian (and have been for years) but I know I need to be in a fellowship with other believers. But D is a new Christian and needs to be learning about God and everything. So, I definitely need prayers here while we try to get this moving in the right direction.

Time Passing By

Time passes. Even when it seems impossible.

In less than 24 hours, my sweet little girl will officially be "one year old." Seriously? Has it been a whole dang year already? I swear I feel like it was just yesterday that I was in the hospital having her. I wish she could stay my sweet baby for longer than this! It has been a ride this year. It's been an adjustment, having two kids now, but I've loved every minute of it. D has been a huge help and he just gets smarter every day too! It is so amazing how quickly your children grow. It's really no longer or shorter than normal, but there is just so much that happens in the first year.... Soon she'll be telling me that she can do it herself (I was quite famous for that when I was little!) and going to school and riding bikes.... It is so bittersweet. I love to watch D and B grow and learn, but all the while, I know that all the love and teaching I am giving is only to prepare them for their lives after they leave home. I am raising them so they can leave and live on their own. Wow... it's really an even sadder concept now. I don't want my babies to leave! I do want them to grow and learn and be wonderful people, but it's sad to know that they will leave me one day. I always knew this though. Even when I was younger, I knew this cycle. It's why I always got teary while watching "The Little Mermaid." Yeah, I said it. The part where they get married at the end. I always got sniffly when I was younger because I knew that I would get married and leave my family one day. Now, I get sniffly because I know my babies will be there soon. Time just moves so quickly.

Treasure your babies (even the big ones!). They will be grown and gone before you know it. Give them all the love that is in your heart. Teach them the ways of the Lord. Give of your time, any time you have. You never know when it will be the last. Kiss your children every night when they go to bed. Those moments mean so much to a child. Praise their accomplishments. Give a listening ear when they fail. Be there. Even if they don't want you to talk, they want you to be there. LOVE THEM. More than you think you could ever love anything or anyone, love them.