The Sunday before Christmas

How about those cute boots!!

Well, it is the Sunday before Christmas and I am staying with my mom who had her fifth chemo treatment Friday. My family just stopped by in their Christmas best - they are beautiful.

As I am sitting here reflecting on how much my life has changed during the past year, it is mindbloggling. The most changes, however, have occurred with Bailey. We almost wear the same size (I did lose about 15 pounds this year!!...and she found them - mostly in her boobs!!!). We wear the same size shoes now and at first, I didn't handle it too well when every time I looked down (or went to look for MY shoes) there they were... on her feet. I would be furious, but as of late, I have decided to embrace this time and enjoy it - share my shoes, my sweaters, MY PANTYHOSE that she can only wear ONCE without ripping. I have to learn to enjoy my teenager. When I do, things are so much better. And really, how much do pantyhose really cost?

And Alec....ohhhhhh Alec. He became a middle schooler this year. And for a twelve year old with autism who look about 9, middle school has been a challenge. A challenge just as he is a challenge. As you see in the pictures, he is NOT a picture taker. I've learned I can get frustrated or I can except MY "normal" and take what I can get and enjoy the good smile even all the more.

How about that smile!!!!!!!!!!!

Rusty and I have been married 16 years as of the 18th, and I have never loved him more. We have truly become a team. Being in the ministry...and Alec...and Bailey being a teenager have caused us to grow closer. It is either join forces or be defeated - lol. I'm glad we have chosen to join forces.

They look so innocent don't they???? !!!!!

And Mom...I've NEVER appreciated her more and I am thankful for the time to care for her. She only has one chemo left, and my hearts desire is for it to be the Lord's will for this to be over. I have seen the hand of God so much during this time and I know He will be faithful no matter when this journey takes us.

Merry Christmas from my normal to yours!!!

Kayce

Romans 7:14-15

14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.

Why is that??

This verse sums up where I have been these last couple of weeks. Doing what I KNOW I shouldn't and not doing what I should. And believe me, I am reaping what I am sowing. I know the importance of my morning quiet time; I know the importance of reading God's Word; I know the importance of my prayer journal, but yet night after night I stay up too late watching T.V.

Why do I care so much about The Biggest Loser

and NCIS???? (Even though Gibbs and Tony are precious!!!!)

I'll tell you why - MY FLESH and SINFULLNESS!!!!!!

Lord, help me not to just realize my sinful choices, help me to change. Help me to remember how it feels to be close to you. Help me remember the importance of my personal relationship with you. Help me remember how much I need Your strength to handle Alec...Bailey...the mornings. Forgive me for doing what I shouldn't and not doing what I should.

1 Corinthians 13 applied to Christmas

1 CORINTHIANS 13 – - A CHRISTMAS VERSION -

By an unknown author

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love, I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.

My prayer jouranl

God never ceases to amaze me. For the longest time, I have always written my prayers - mostly in a list fashion. But in the last couple of weeks, the Lord has allowed me to read two books that have completely changed my perspective on a "prayer journal." The first began in a Christian fiction book, The Scarlet Thread by Francine Rivers. In the story, the main character is reading a distant relatives journal - her heartaches, concerns, her coming to Christ, etc., and throughout the story you see how the two lives parallel as well as see the hand of God in this woman's life. It got me to thinking how much I would love my kids, my grand kids, to read about MY walk with Christ - the good, the bad, and the ugly and the hand of God in it all. I want my kids to know how much I prayed for them. I want them to know that God was with me even through the tough times. I want them to know that I relied on Christ every single day. I want them to understand God's grace and mercy and to see it in my life as an example.

Once I had made a decision to begin a "real" journal, the Lord allowed me to come across another book about making my home a safe haven. And guess what?? The first chapter was on the importance of time alone with God, a devotional time, and guess again what she strongly recommended?? Writing your prayers as a letter to God...in a prayer journal!!!

I have been faithful for the past three days and put my own little twist to it. I write as if I am truly talking to God. I share my heart just as I would be talking to him. Then I open my Bible and begin reading. I as I read certain scriptures that speak to my heart, I write them in the form of a prayer asking God to make them real in my life. For instance, as I read Philippians 4 yesterday (which quite possibly may be my favorite chapter in the entire Bible - it is so chocked full of good stuff!!), I wrote, "Help me Lord to rejoice always (vs. 4);

Help me to be anxious for nothing (vs. 6);

Help me know the peace of God that surpasses all understanding (vs. 7);

Make my thoughts be of things that are noble, and pure and true, and lovely, and worthy of praise (vs. 8); help me to be content wherever You have me (vs. 11);

and help me to remember that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (vs. 13);

and that you will ALWAYS supply my needs according to Your riches in glory (vs. 19).

Those scriptures have never seemed so real to me. Thank you God for godly women who write and encourage other women like me - through fiction, Bible studies, etc. And help me to be one of those women as well!!!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Monday, November 30, 2009

Outside my window... it is storming!!!

I am hearing ... the kids at my school practice for their Christmas program.

I am praying for ... direction and guidance for next, healing of Alec's autism, and self-control for Bailey

I am remembering...how much easier it was when I didn't have to get the kids out of the house in the morning everyday for school.

I am wearing... black pants that make me look very skinny and a pink sweater and black dressy flip flops!!

I am going... to Lowe's and maybe Target after school - depending on the weather

I am hoping...to beat my record in the Reindeer run on Friday night!!!

On my mind... my relationship with Christ, making my home a haven, my kids relationship with each other, my church, my friends who are struggling with the same things I am struggling with, my mom's cancer, money...

Noticing that...God's grace is sufficient every single day, He is Sovereign, and He is the Peace that passes ALL understanding!!!

Pondering these words... "No matter your age, stage, or lifestyle, you can make your home a haven from a chaotic world." Quote from Making Your Home a Haven by Cyndy Salzmann

From the kitchen... shrimp and spaghetti on whole wheat pasta

Around the house... I am eager to finish decorating for Christmas, I can't wait to finish organizing Bailey's room - again, and can't wait till Friday when my cleaning lady will come and REALLY clean!!

One of my favorite things... books - God's Word first and foremost, but there are so many great books out there. Francine Rivers is a fabulous author.

Middle School is Brutal

I am just beginning to realize why in my old age I am becoming so much more somber. A pleasant way to say it would be sober minded!!! It is because I have two children in middle school and our lives are forever changed. Changed, first and foremost, because my daughter will never again be a little girl. She is now a teenager and we can never go back. All the missed opportunities are just that...missed. Her desires are changing, her attitude HAS changed, and all I can do is hope and pray that the Lord draws her to Himself sooner than later, and that she wholeheartedly gives her life to Christ.

For my son Alec, things are a little more complicated. His autism shows up so much more now that he is in middle school. In changing classes, in fitting in, in sports, etc. He will never be the cute little non--verbal kid that acts a little quirky. Now he is a 12 year old boy who truly stands out as being different, that people have to more tolerate, than try to understand.

The world is a whole different place for our family now, and I am so thankful that through it all, I've learned to trust in Jesus. Through it all, I know I can depend on His Word. That through it all, He pours out His grace and mercy on my family everyday, and even will I fall so short, He is always there to pick me up, re-fill my cup, and give me the strength I need to get up and try to do better tomorrow. Praise God for tomorrows!!

I had the privilege of making a memory (which will lead to another post) with my mom last night. We attended a Gaither Homecoming singing last night - (again, for old people). One of the singers sang this song and I felt like she was singing it for me:

I've had many tears and sorrows, I've had questions for tomorrow, There've been times I didn't know right from wrong: But in every situation God gave blessed consolation That my trials come to only make me strong.

Through it all, through it all, I've learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to trust in God;
Through it all, through it all, I've learned to depend upon His Word.

I've been to lots of places, And I've seen a lot of faces, There've been times I felt so all alone; But in my lonely hours, Yes, those precious lonely hours, Jesus let me know that I was His own.

Through it all, through it all, I've learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to trust in God;
Through it all, through it all, I've learned to depend upon His Word.

I thank God for the mountains, And I thank Him for the valleys, I thank Him for the storms He brought me through; For if I'd never had a problem I wouldn't know that He could solve them, I'd never know what faith in God could do.

Through it all, through it all, I've learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to trust in God;
Through it all, through it all, I've learned to depend upon His Word.

In Christ Alone,
Kayce

Living Simply

I am reading this book by a fellow blogger, Joanne Heim, and I am trying desperately to apply these principles to my life. This sections is pretty easy because God has blessed me with so many godly friends!!!

Believing Friends - This section is talking about being "unequally yoked" in regards to friendships. A "simple" friendship begins with a believing friend. Proverbs 27:17 "...Iron sharpens iron..." I want believing friends who will sharpen me, who will challenge me and gently help me to see those things in myself that need to be changed. I want friends who will challenge me to continue to grow in Christ. I want friends who are walking down the same path, not pulling me in another direction. I want friends whom I aspire to be like. And as importantly, I want friends that Bailey will admire and emulate.

I know the day is coming...I mean really, the day is here, when Bailey (my daughter) will seek advice from other people. I know that Bailey will not always come to me first. I know that she will go to her friends (and oh, how I pray for those friends) and to my friends. I am so thankful to have so many women in my life with different backgrounds and experiences that pray for her and take the time to talk with her and share God's Word, love, and grace with her.

My friends are some of those women, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for loving Bailey and for praying for her. I am glad she has so many godly examples in her life. Thanks to the godly women God has placed in my life to be my friend and Bailey's too. I love you Guys!!!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY(November 16, 2009)

Outside my window...well, actually I am in my classroom with no window. That being said, I am looking forward to next year at this time when I will be at home looking out the window and hopefully it will be a beautiful fall day like it is today!!

I am thinking...of how blessed I am as well as what we are going to do over the Thanksgiving break.

I am thankful for...my church and its heart for missions and the fact that I had a part in helping to raise $8,000 for an orphanage in China.

From the learning rooms...I am constantly learning as I read, talk with other women, and watch and pray

From the kitchen...I am thinking of how tired I am of cooking and wishing someone would invite us to dinner!!

I am wearing...gray pants (size 8-which is really good for me!!) and a blue top and black flip flops.

I am creating...a game plan for homeschooling for next year.

I am going...to the library after school then home to catch up from the weekend.

I am reading...Living Simply and trying my hardest to apply these principles to my life - (I haven't actually started yet - LOL)

I am hoping...that I will be able to instill honor, order, and peace in my home ASAP!

I am hearing...the sounds of my students who are apparently finished with their rough drafts for their how-to papers.

Around the house...things are quite a mess, but for good reasons!!

One of my favorite things...is knowing that I have a church family to serve and love and who serve and love me back!!

A few plans for the rest of the week: re-group, read, my Thanksgiving feast at school, a homeschool meeting for next year, and my mom's 4th chemo (only two left after this!!)

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing...I would if I only knew how!!!!

Well, this past Sunday, I feel for the first time like I have an actual direction for my book/Bible Study. I would like to share my story as well as point people to Christ using the fruits of the Spirit. What other way can a mom or other care giver raise an autistic, ADHD, or other disabled child, or a "normal" child for that matter than with the fruits of the Holy Spirit?? We need love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control EVERYDAY!!!

We need an intimate relationship with Christ to possess these fruits in the first place, but then we need to seek God's grace, mercy, help, etc. daily to have these fruits manifesting in our daily lives. I know first hand how important these "fruits" are in raising my kids, and I know there are days that I fail miserably. But praise God His ways are not our ways and He forgives us 70 times seven, and we have another day to try again.

I have two main goals before I turn 40 (I'll be 38 in October): to write and book and to run a 5k marathon or whatever you call it. I better get started!!!

As I sit here writing today, with the aspirations of writing some type of material to share my story, Alec has just turned 12 and Bailey is 13 and somewhat of a recovering ADHD teenager. When I began to think back to how we got here - stories, experiences, etc. I am realizing that I am forgetting the details. That makes me very sad because it is in the details where I see the hand of God most. In the little triumphs is where I see God's blessing. It is in the trials and hard times that I remember His grace and mercy...where I learned about His grace and mercy...and I don't want to forget how we got here because I never want to forget that feeling of being utterly dependent on God.

Writing a book/Bible study

I am toying with the idea of writing "something" and would like to use this blog as a sounding board. My main focus is our life with autism - how it affects each member of my family as well as how I am able to see God's grace everyday through autism. I want to talk about how we got where we are today, our struggles everyday, and my walk with Christ. I want this to be a Christ centered project full of scripture and through this book, I want my relationship with Christ to grow stronger and stronger. Our lives have been touched so much because of Alec and I want people to know that all things do work together for good to those that love God - even when at times we feel defeated and lost, when I stand back and look at the big picture, I see God every time. We have come so far and I know we have so much farther to go. As a pastor's wife, teacher, and mother of an autistic son and a semi recovering ADHD daughter, I marvel everyday of where I would be without my Lord and Savior.

We are His masterpiece!!

I had the opportunity to attend a Woman's Conference at a sister church in our area this past weekend. It was a wonderful study on how God uses ordinary women...ordinary sinful women, like Rehab (and me!!!), to do mighty things for God. One of the neatest points I remember was from Ephesians 2:10. It says, "For we are His workmanship (i.e. masterpiece), created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

He is the Master and we are the pieces!!!

It is like our lives are a big puzzle and ONLY God knows what the final picture will look like. We do however, in this life, get opportunities to see His hand at work in our lives everyday. What a blessing when we see the piece of the puzzle fit!! What a mighty God we serve!!

The prayers of rightous man (woman) avaieth much!!

How neat it is when we see the hand of God in our lives! I have been struggling so much these last couple of weeks. Struggling to the point of even questioning my salvation. I kept thinking of the verse, "The prayers of a righteous man availeth much, " and I was constantly praying and feeling like I was getting no answers. Hence my thoughts that I wasn't converted. After spending several weeks having quiet times - reading and praying and doing everything I thought I was supposed to be doing, I couldn't understand why God wasn't doing what I thought He should be doing. Seriously! ( I had a Job moment after he finished complaining to God!!!) - did I really think that God actually owed me for doing what I need to be doing anyway?? That my friend is the power of sin and what can happen when we let Satan affect our thoughts!!! I thought that because my life wasn't getting easier so to speak, that God couldn't hear me. But praise God, He brought me to my knees and helped me to see things clearly. It wasn't that I wasn't saved (and by thinking rationally - I know I was saved because I would not have been able to make the last 26 years (I was saved when I was 9) if I wasn't)...it was that I was having unrighteous thoughts. See, my son Alec is autistic. He was diagnosed before he was 3. When he was younger, I took his autism in stride because I was on a mission. He was non-verbal and lived on pedisure from a bottle till he was 5. That I could handle because I somewhat had control over that. I could figure out what he needed even if he couldn't talk and I was the best diaper changer you have ever seen - I could do it blindfolded. We were in every kind of therapy you can think of, etc., etc. I give you all that background to say that with all that going on, I never let myself realize the future. But now...the future is here. The future is here and I had to confess to God that I was mad, angry, bitter, resentful, defeated, tired, etc. Basically, I wasn't thinking on that which is true, honorable, lovely, and commendable (Phil. 4:8). I was not content where the Lord has me(Phil. 4:11). I was however going to bed angry and giving opportunity to the devil(Eph. 4:26-27)l. I was grieving the Holy Spirit because of my bitterness (Eph. 4:30). I was not remembering that through Christ I can do all things(Phil. 4:13), and I certainly was not remembering that God is faithful and He will not tempt us beyond what we can bear (1 Cor. 10:13). But praise God He did and does hear my prayers and when I truly confessed my sin- fullness to Him and admitted what was in my heart, I felt the peace of God that I hadn't had in a long time!!! I praise God for His faithfulness and seeking God for righteousness sake is much better and much more spiritually fulfilling than seeking God with a "genie in the bottle" mentally.

When I woke up this morning, my son was still autistic. We still had a rough morning (and we were still late for school - haha), but...In Christ alone my hope is found!

For Today

For Today - April 20, 2009

Outside my window or in my case, my school room door...

the sun is shinning and the birds are chirping. It is a beautiful spring day.



I am thinking...

about the end of the school year and looking forwarded to a simple summer - that is my new philosophy!! I am also thinking about my children, Bailey and Alec, and wondering what the future holds for them.



I am thankful for...

my family, my friends, and my faith.



From the kitchen...

I am thinking about what I will cook for my Church family on Wednesday night. This is my opportunity during the week to be hospitable to the people the Lord has placed in our lives to minister to.



I am wearing...

my favorite color shirt...lime green and tennis shoes because I am down in my back and need the extra support even though it is not very attractive with my black dress pants!!



I am creating...

hopefully godly children and lasting memories with my fourth grade class.



I am going...

to the chiropractor today for my back and then to a wake for a godly lady who kept me in my church nursery and even kept my own children. She had a stoke during the night Friday. She was a precious lady who loved and served the Lord all her 90 plus years, and I know she is in heaven right now saying "Wish you were here."



I am reading...

A Quiet place of Rest by Nancey Leigh DeMoss and 12 Simple Secrets Every Real Mom Knows. I also made a commitment yesterday that I would spend time every day reading and meditating on God's Word - I have found that all other books pale in comparison.



I am hoping...

to honor and glorify God in everything I say and do today...especially in regards to my family. I want to start responding rather than reacting!!!



I am hearing...

the assurance of God's Word in my life and I am mostly "hearing" the necessity to slow down.

Around my house...
things are pretty brutal right now in regards to cleanliness. Being down in my back has prevented me from doing my normal cleaning and my husband and kids just seem to move stuff around. Also around my house, I feel a sense of urgency (no pun intended) to slow down and regroup and focus on what is important - my relationship with my Savior and my my family!

One of my favorite things...
is my lime green Honda Element and my puppy Mo Jo.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
I am going to dinner and a play with my mom on Tuesday.
Church on Wednesday!! and I am also taking my class on a field trip to see the new Earth movie and lunch at California Pizza Kitchen.
The rest of my week seems pretty mellow!!!!




A picture I would like to share...
This plant was started by my paw-paw and has been passed on for years and years. My grand-father passed away 3 years ago, but every time a look at one of these beautiful day lilies, I think of my precious godly paw-paw and it makes me smile!!!

Sharing Sunday

As I went to church this morning, I went there very defeated. It has been a long week with LOTS of up and downs, and spiritually, I was not where I should have been. During the song service, the Lord got a hold of me like gravy on rice...and I was sincerely broken. Our song service began with the hymn "Because He Lives." That is when the softening began. Because He lives I CAN face tomorrow - even with an autistic son, even with a hurting back, etc. etc. It was all I could do to get the words out without weeping. The next song we sang was "The Power of the Cross" - As I sang that song and really focused on the words, my heart truly began to break and I couldn't hold back the tears anymore. Here's the chorus - The power of the cross, Christ became sin for us, took the blame, bore the wrath, we stand forgiven at the cross. The chorus alone will do you in when you really focus on what that song is saying. It really put a new light on my petty situation...my problems that are really nothing more than inconveniences. Then this verse really broke me - Oh to see the pain, written on your face, bearing the awesome weight of sin (MY SIN!!!) Every bitter thought, every evil deed, crowning your bloodstained brow...What a love! What a cost! We stand forgiven at the cross. Now that is brutal and wonderful all at the same time, and I praise God for our worship service this morning. We ended the song service with "Change my Heart Oh God" and I knew that is exactly what my prayer needed to be. I excused myself to our cry room and out loud recommitted my life to Christ, begged for forgiveness of my harden heart, and praised Him for the power of the Cross and the fact that because He lives, I can face tomorrow!!!!! And I was brutally reminded that the only way for Him to change my heart and for me to be more like Him, was to genuinely spend time with Him in prayer and Bible study. So my commitment starts NOW!! I will soon begin sharing a book by Nancy Leigh DeMoss entitled A Place of Quiet Rest - Finding Intimacy with God Through a Daily Devotional Life. I have come to a real place in my life where I understand more than ever that that is the key - a personal consistent quiet time with the Lord. I encourage anyone out there to joing me in this commitment. In Christ Alone!!!

One Amazing family

As I continue reading about the Duggar family I am continually amazed at how they live their lives and how they teach they faith to the children. Some may hear about them and think they are a bunch of weirdos, but I say give me weird over worldly any day!!!! I need you to process that this family lives totally debt free and live quite well. What an amazing testimony to praying and seeking God's will for your life. They have convictions, they stick to them, and God honors their endeavors. Wow! Lately,as my husband and I struggle within our own family (and right now we are "struggling" with a hormonal 13 year old who is very impulsive and an 11 year old hormonal autistic son), we have regrets that we did not have a bigger family. He had a vasectomy right after our son was born - our kids are 17 months apart and he didn't want to take any chances. That is a discission we have come to hugely regret. Then 4 years ago I had to have a complete hysterectomy. We have talked of adopting on several occasions and continue to pray about it. When I look at large families as a whole, the kids are always well behaved and they all seem to get along so well. That is very appealing to me right now. And when I look at this family in particular, they are such servants to each other and they have such a love for the Lord and their family.

One of the things that stands out to me about the Duggar family is their chapter on "Training and Correcting Little Ones." They begin the chapter with this verse, "Train up a child in the way he should go;and when he is old, he will not depart from it." -Proverbs 22:6. One of the materials they use in teaching their children is by Bill Gothard, "Operational Definitions of Character Qualities." The first and most important character trait they learn is obedience. In teaching obedience,they focus on why obedience is important. If they learn to obey their parent's voice, they will also learn to obey God's voice. Some day they will here His still, small voice in their heart, and they will know to obey Him. They'll know what's the right thing to do. Isn't that what we ALL want for our kids? I know that is my heart's prayer every single day no matter what else I am praying for - that is a constant!!! - For my kids to realize their need for a Savior and for the Holy Spirit to draw them to Him. Brutal!!! Their goal is to have them understand four different points of obedience: 1. instant 2. cheerful 3.thorough 4. unconditional. Wouldn't the Lord love the same from us adults??

They also have a neat way of doing chores. Their chores are called "Jurisdictions." They do this to stress the idea that these jobs are not just tasks to complete but areas of their family's home and their life together that each child is responsible for. (They use Steve and Teri Maxwell's Managers of Their Home and Managers of Their Chore wall system.)

Another lesson they teach is being content. They teach their kids to be content with the food and clothing they have, using the possessions they have and keeping their focus on the purpose for which God made them. How profound!!!! I'll finish up this chapter in my next post.

Recommended Reading - The Duggars:20 and Counting

As I child I HATED to read, but the older I get the more I read...so at the age of 37, I read A LOT!!! I just began reading a book - The Duggars: 20 and Counting. What a fascinating family!! They took the verse "As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them."(Psalm 127:4-5) VERY SERIOUSLY!! They have 18 kids - Brutal!!! They live in an extreme situation, but they have a lot they can teach us. It is very evident that they love the Lord and desire to honor and glorify Him with everything they do - especially raising their kids. They consider each kid a "gift and a joy." I am going to give some insights as I read this book and hope that in doing so, it will help me to better grasp the concepts as well as minister to anyone who reads this. One point that was made at the beginning of the book was due to a question that asked - "How do you feel about what other people may think or say about your family...? Jinger, age 14 response was that their parents taught them to work at doing right and not worry about what others think. She mentioned ten unchangeable things that her parents taught them that make each person a unique individual: 1) the way God made us, 2) our parents, 3) our brothers and sisters, 4) our nationality, 5) our mental capacity, 6) our time in history, 7) our gender, 8) our birth order and placement in our family, 9) the fact that we grow older as the years pass, and 10) the fact that life is a race against time and the best way we use that time is to serve God and others. What a neat perspective on life!! How are you serving God and others today? Something to think about.

When life gets in the way!!

Well, this is my first official week of blogging. I have spent more time reading others' blogs and even more time trying to figure out how you all do ALL you do. I have read some amazing posts and it does my heart so good to know that in a world that is in such a funk, there are women out there who love and desire to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

As I read other women's blog, I am so inspired with things I want to do - wake up early, exercise, do crafts with my kids, cook, read, read, and read some more, be more organized, appreciate God's grace and mercy more, sit at His feet more, serve more, Study God's Word more, appreciate my blessings more - that one is a biggy-,be a better wife, be a better friend, be a better daughter, be a much better mom, be a better preacher's wife, etc., etc. My problem is my "life" keeps getting in the way. Or should I say, I keep letting my life get in the way. I frustrate myself so much by knowing what I need to do, desiring to do what I know I need to do, then not doing it because I stay up too late, don't wake up early enough, make bad decisions during the week that cause me to get behind, am just plain lazy, or don't plan my time wisely enough, etc. etc. Praise God we have a chance everyday to start over and try again!!! We have a God who loves us and will carry us through no matter where we are, what we are going through, or what we are facing. There is a wonderful song out there that has really encouraged me this week and the words are very humbling. It has done wonders in helping me put things in perspective. Here it is:

There is no problem too big, God cannot solve it. There is no mountain too tall, He cannot move it. There is no storm too dark, God cannot calm it. There is no sorrow too deep, He cannot soothe it. If He carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders, I know my brother that He will carry you. If He carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders, I know my sister that He will carry you. He said come on to me all who are weary, And I will give you rest.

What a blessing and what a mighty God we serve!!

In Christ Alone, Kayce

I'm a blogger

I am new at this whole blog thing, but I think it is such a great way to share what the Lord is doing in my life. Also, it is amazing to see all the normal, real life godly women out there who are striving to be the kind of women God has called us to be. It does my heart good to read and know that there are so many women out there who really "get it"!!! In Christ Alone. Kayce

Sharing my thoughts

Since I first started this blog a lot has changed in my family. The changes came about because for the first time in my daughters school life (she is in the 7th grade), she is completely off her ADHD medicine. And my son, who has autism, is now fully off of his medicines. It has been a looooooong couple of weeks, but God is Sovereign, and we have come so far. I have had such a peace. The situation with Alec is a little more difficult because his disability is more extreme, but we are definitely making progress. But Bailey...the best way I can describe her is in a few short weeks she has gone from a caterpillar to a butterfly - a beautiful butterfly. Now, don't misunderstand, she is still 13 and can be quite brutal -ha ha, but she is growing up and maturing right before my eyes. God is so good, and He answers our prayers. We just have to have faith that He knows what is best for us, and even when it is tough, He will never leave us nor forsake us. What a mighty God we serve!!!!

Like a warm cup of coffee: The List Grows...

Like a warm cup of coffee: The List Grows...