Phillips Phamily Phive: 08.09

His Jesus Year

Never heard of this until recently, but when a man turns 33, it's his "Jesus Year," the same age Jesus was when he went to the cross. Have you ever heard it called that?

The Daddy reaches his Jesus Year today. May God shower His blessings upon him!

Happy Birthday to YOU!

Prayers

Dear God,

Thank you for you, God. Thank you for your Spirit. Thank you for loving me. I love you. Can we take the Mix and Match Princess Book to Nana's house?

In Jesus' Name-

Amen

Under One Big Sky

You sleep under one moon, but do I sleep under another? No.

We're all under just one big sky,

we're all part of one big world, and

we're all praying to one big God.

As I sleep tonight, may I comprehend the expanse of God's creation.

Sewing, Staining, Snoring and Saving

This weekend we did many projects around the house. The Daddy was intent on finishing his project of staining the back deck, while I was intent on BEGINNING the cutting, ironing and sewing of the new bed skirt for HJ's big girl bed.

Friday evening, while The Daddy enjoyed a well-deserved evening with guys at the movies, I began my cutting quest. I even began the ironing of the bed skirt's hems to make sewing them easier.

Storm brews. Cable's out.

That's okay. I've got my little gem The Holiday saved on the DVR.

Crack.

Power failure.

Uh, oh.

What's a girl to do? Post multiple updates on Twitter (via phone) about nothing of consequence. Console 3-year-old over the thunder at 10:30. Read a chapter of new book by candlelight/flashlight. Fall asleep. Uh, huh. Uh, huh. Uh, huh. Snore. (That's when The Daddy came home late to tell me about the movie he just saw.)

Saturday morning The Daddy spoke with his parents, hinting at the work his project would require. Not surprisingly, Nana and Papa showed up a few hours later to lend some deck staining and bed skirt sewing expertise! Hallelujah!

Before they arrived, The Daddy and I had the following conversation:

Mama: You talked to your parents this morning? What are they up to?

Daddy: Yeah, they were just getting breakfast. (NOTE: it was 9:30 am)

Mama: WOW, I guess that's what we have to look forward to! Sleeping in, leisurely breakfast, etc.

Daddy: Would you really like to just fast forward and skip all this?

Mama: No. (hangs head)

Well, this little scene popped into my mind this morning in Sunday school when Charlie's lesson was all about living our earthly life with all its suffering in expectation of the reward that waits ahead.

EAGERLY AWAITING.

How many of us can say we are living in expectation of our heavenly rewards joyfully and drawing strength on the Holy Spirit to get us there?

Yes, I said JOYFULLY.

I don't think most of us really want to fast forward all the way to the end, but don't we long to fast forward through the suffering?

Charlie used the example of a woman expecting a child. The nausea, the weight gain, the restless nights, the shortness of breath, the weight gain, the ladylike gas, the never-ending hormonal spikes of UP and DOWN and UP and DOWN batter a woman for those nine months, but she knows her reward in the end. She has something to look forward to. She KNOWS there will be relief. And her poor husband does too.

If we aren't living life knowing what we are striving toward, doesn't it make life that much more difficult? What if the pregnant woman DIDN'T KNOW that the baby would eventually come out of her body? How would she feel?

Scared. Miserable. Left with no hope for a better future.

Thank goodness for that promise in Christ. Thank goodness.

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."

Romans 8:18-25

A Fun Way to Waste Five Minutes

The Inspiration

My Cartoon Me

Wind Beneath My Wings

I feel like invoking a little Bette Midler today. Last evening, I was surrounded by friends and covered in prayer for The Daddy's and my upcoming trip to Botswana. Several ladies couldn't make it, so I thought I would share with you what I shared with them last night as my prayer requests.

One request that I neglected to put on the list is this: Pray that we will leave our lives here in comfy, suburban Atlanta behind. Pray that we will let all the worries and craziness of our lives behind so that we may focus on our mission at hand and heart. Pray that each day will indeed take care of itself and not to worry. There are a few things going on that have complicated our lives right now. I haven't shared everything, but when the time is right, I will.

For the home front-

Health and safety for the girls while we’re away
Health and safety for The Daddy’s parents while they care for AE and HJ
No seizures or “accidents” for Bailey, AKA The Crazy Dog while he’s with Clay and Emily

On the traveling side of things-

Smooth departures and arrivals
I get really nervous going through security for some reason? Pray for peace.
Rest on the plane
Adjustment to time change- 6 hours difference

In the spiritual spectrum-

To draw closer to God through this experience
To gain confidence in the Cross
To be filled with the Holy Spirit
To die to myself
To have a servant heart and attitude
To see needs and be able to fill them
To fight any doubt planted by Satan

For our marriage-

To rely on each other for support in this experience
To draw closer to God and each other through this experience together
To apply David and Denise’s presentations to our own marriage and parenting

On the social side-

For an open heart to listen and understand
To be able to share our faith with authenticity
To build relationships and see our common issues
Understanding and being able to pronounce names
Let the cultural differences fall away and be able to see God at work

Trip Friends- Please pray for our team by name!

Jeff and Brenda
Lyn and Patrice (JUST got word last hour that they won't be able to go! So sad, but God must have a better plan for them!)
Ken and Jamie
Barrett and Jenifer
Laurel

Thanks to sweet Stacie, Carrie, Stacy, Claudia, Krysta, Kellye, Felicia, and Molly for your prayers. They will carry us over an ocean and into this experience strengthened beyond words.

Father Humor

After reading my post from yesterday, my father sent me the following diagram in an effort to "cheer me up."

I hope you find it helpful, too!

If I'm Really Being Honest...

Normally, I'd say come on in because these are the things I WANT you to see.

This is the front door to our lives...

The dining room that's not finished:

The basement ready for movie night:

The playroom ready for friends to come over:

The pantry stocked and organized:

The nursery which needs a new baby:

Oh, the laundry's all done (NEVER!):

And put away:

Big girl beds are made:

and all toys are put away!

A restful place to unwind after a day that's been unkind:

But sometimes I know that that's not how life is going.

I just want to pout:

Ignore what's going on and tune out:

I don't want to listen:

I need to clean up my act:

Enjoy the ride:

Not worry about imperfections:

And just be silly:

Glad I don't have to do that alone:

Though I pretend I have it all together:

I KNOW I do not.

I've been struggling lately with the things on my mind v. the things I'll let you see.

I go through pictures of my children with a critical eye.

I give the kids a once-over before they get out of the car.

I sigh when a drink spills or little, greasy hands "clean" the windows.

I withdraw from friends and family when I'm stressed.

I look in the mirror and don't see what you see.

What I REALLY WANT you to see, is a family who lives differently. Who seeks and follows His will. Who gives thanks to Him. Who is joyful in the midst of the chaos of life. And I'm struggling with HOW to do that.

This may all sound just a little bit cryptic, but hopefully you'll understand soon. ~~As soon as I can get my act together.~~ As soon as I relax and let life happen.

As soon as I let go. As soon as I give Him control.

Guess Who?

HJ's a big girl now.

She slept in her big girl bed all last night.

Didn't get out of bed once.

Didn't wake up once.

Didn't protest.

She just fell asleep and woke up 12 hours later.

Sniff. Sniff.

Lazy DIY

Sweet little hand-me-down table

She has seen better days.

Not a pretty sight!

Thought about painting her but got lazy, so I cut some white burlap to fit her top.

I cut two layers to make it more opaque.

Then I cut coordinating ribbon

to go around the perimeter

of sad, little table. Doesn't have to be perfect!

I went all the way around

and found my trusty friend:

Just a dab at each corner...

and put the glass back on top!

Someday she may get a new paint job,

but for now she's got a new face!

That white burlap and ribbon came from the Hob Lob. I spied some orange burlap that looked perfect for a Halloween project, but I decided to wait. Kind of a gamble here in Atlanta.

Love that lamp? Sears for $20! Clearance!

There's a sad white wall behind the couch, and I'm working on another project to go there.

Maybe you saw a hint HERE? I'll be working on/finishing it this weekend!

Don't forget to go back and see what all Kimba's friends are DIY'ing this week.