Mother's Day weekend and Day 13-15: Tiredness, energy tips and cleaning

Our Mother's Day weekend hike!

 Ok, so the main reason for this hike was to help a friend (Brent, featured on the right in the picture) find his phone that went M.I.A. Friday, following his very long hike with his cousin. Being very sure it was still up there, on the peak of this very tall mountain, he made plans to climb it for the second time in a row... (we did not end up making the whole journey with him, but we did however rejoice with him as he called us from his cellphone once he got to the top! A happy ending to a long and tiring hike!)

 Yes, Eli is already exhausted in this picture.. in fact, he hasn't moved this morning (he is still in bed). That hike must have really worn him out!

                                         Isn't this beautiful?? I really love this scenic picture :)

And man alive….I have never had so many sleeping issues in my life since being Prego!


Ok, so thats only partially true--- but it has been a lot more difficult since carrying this little one. I wish I could be like my other prego friends and just be completely exhausted where all I can do is sleep. However, God made me the more high strung variety that must learn to function on little to NO sleep. Haha… Thus, I shall rely on my Savior more.


It’s funny the devotional for Day 13 was about ‘Fighting Fatigue’. She gives us energizing tips like: move (sine inactivity makes you more tired), only get the sleep you need (anymore might make you sluggish), do not become overwhelmed (stress makes you tired—refer to Day 10 to minimize it), increase your magnesium (yes, its true; it works), have a healthy whole grained snack, and CAFFEINE (if you can). Or if you are like me, get some exercise and LET YOUR 'TO DO' LIST REST UNTIL TOMORROW! AH!


Day 14, Sarah speaks of more energizing tips. She encourages us to find something that “gets you all jazzed up.” You will find yourself more effective than you had been without it. This used to be running for me, but I will have to find something else to incorporate into my week…


Now Day 15 is where I can relate today: ‘I’d rather do anything but clean’. Yes, I feel you Sarah Mae—usually, I do enjoy cleaning just because I function better in a clean house, but with so many projects and rearranging happening lately, its hard to feel motivated. Sarah suggests we read over our mission statement we made on Day 1, put our sneakers on (which makes us feel as if we should move!), do the hardest things first, play some music and remind yourself why you do it (like to serve my poor tired husband, exhausted by his paper pushing job...and definitely for an eternal cause). This sure is motivating for me: I am now ready to get my laundry on, despite my little sleep intake!


Besides reading through the 31 days to clean devotional, I have also been reading through the book of Isaiah. The Lord really wrapped my heart up in the comfort of his love for me today and I want to share some of his word with you:

"But now hear, O Jacob my servant,



Israel whom I have chosen!"--Isaiah 44:1


We have been chosen! I love all the verses that also speak of his forming us from the womb! Just makes me think how God is taking care of my little one right now—44:2, 44:24.


Idolatry is also is a large theme through this book and chapter 44. And even though we wouldn’t think it we have idols like they did back in the biblical days, we definitely go about the same kind of worship—just in a less evident observable way.


For myself, I know it’s my never ending to-do list, my house and projects. Even though a lot of them are necessary, they can become an idol that my heart rests upon for satisfaction and worth. I can bow down to them to measure my days’ worth and continue to be slaved by their demands. There is nothing that these idols are going to do for me… except continue to demand that empty satisfaction I will never get from them. They will leave me weary and tired. Kind of like today…


But we have a Savior that draws us to Himself, to refresh and guide us; to redeem and equip us for life’s hardships (44:22, 45:5-7). We will not seek him in vain (45:9), but he will accomplish his purpose with us and his counsel he gives us will stand for his glory—for our good (46:11). How refreshing…. What a wonderful God we serve.

 Yet we look at His ways as burdensome (44:23). Why do we think a God with a love like that for us is a burden??


Because of our idols…


Time to fight back—for our soul’s sake.

I plan on fighting for the order of my priorities; fighting tiredness, but embracing rest; and learning to weed out idols before I let them consume the things that matter most in life. I will let you know the result tomorrow.

Until then, I pray you find you are reaping your strength from him and learning to let him rule your heart, because he only wants your ultimate good:)



Happy Mother's Day to all my mommas around the world!

                                                                       Happy Mother’s Day!

I know this is probably the easiest mother’s day I will get for a long time, so I have taken this weekend to rest and enjoy some pretty Alaska days with my husband (although we definitely got snow yesterday--- and the way I cope with that? Telling myself ‘It’s not really May yet, just early spring’ ;) ).

As I look over pictures of all my new mommy friends and think of all our moms have done/put up with for us, I can’t help but fully admire and appreciate them. The laundry, the careless children, the crying, the fighting, the wisdom you try to bestow on us (but we could care less at the time), the driving lessons, the many college moves, etc, etc. I remember them all. And though I never really thanked my mom for each specific one, I am more than grateful knowing that each one of those tasks have helped me enter into the season of life I am in now. I also have more appreciation as all of it floods back to me as I carry the one I will parent soon too. So thanks mom! You are a wonderful friend and mom to me—I am so glad I can say both about my mommy!

And thank you Mama Thornbury for raising such a gift of God to be my hubbie! I cannot imagine life without him: he is mature, smart, practical, loving, caring, and fun-loving and a servant leader to me. I know you contributed to a lot of those beautiful attributes in the man he has become so I am truly grateful for your mothering, accepting and loving character towards Andrew and Matthew both :) Thanks for being a mommy to me as well!

These are my proverbs 31 Mamas:

“10 A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.

12 She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.

13 She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.

14 She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from afar.

15 She gets up while it is still night;

she provides food for her family

and portions for her female servants.

16 She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17 She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.

18 She sees that her trading is profitable,

and her lamp does not go out at night.

19 In her hand she holds the distaff

and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20 She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy.

21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22 She makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

26 She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

29 “Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all.”

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,

and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

Thanks for being this kind of mama, Mamas! I love you dearly!!

And have a VERY happy mother’s day!

More from the challenge next week-- afterall, it is Mother Day weekend ;)

Day 11 & 12: Limitations and Imperfection

I would start with an apology for not writing yesterday, but since yesterday’s challenge was on limitations, I realized I had reached mine far before I had even gotten to my daily blogging (I have indeed written the current blog this morning, the 6th, but I wanted to include some pictures on today’s post before I published it!)

Actually, I did my devotion while I was at the gym yesterday morning because we ended up leaving Andrew’s car on base the previous night. This motivated us both to get up and workout since we would both be on base early, and I needed to do that too! Thus, by the time I got home, I was already in my productivity mode of trying to get certain things done before Andrew arrived, leaving no time to write.


I can tell you, however, what I learned and what we are going to be challenged to do today: Know your limitations (life is hard) and realize we all have something in common-- imperfection.


Sarah Mae encourages us in our different stages to do just do something and not to try to do everything! Realize you are human: you are in need of a God who gives us strength to do what you must and abundant grace when you can’t do any more.

^"9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." --2 Corinthians 12:9

Imperfection is another topic she covers for today’s challenge.


I am an admitting certifiable wannabe perfectionist. However, I never do anything perfect, so why do I think any perfection will be in the result??

“When you aim for perfection, you discover it’s a moving target.”—George Fisher

I really like this quote! Isn’t that so true? I didn’t have very good accuracy in the first place… soooo why do I expect things to change overnight?


The only person I know who was alone perfect is Jesus (Hebrew 10:14). He extends that reputation to us so when God looks at us, He sees Jesus’ work. He gave us the freedom to let go of perfection! Jesus has done the work for us that we couldn’t do. All we are to do now is to glorify Him in the things we are doing, only doing our best to please Him. The result of aiming for perfection is really to exalt ourselves, not glorify God. That’s not what we were created for—so let’s be encouraged to do our best today but be ok with a little imperfect.


Lucky for us, I think imperfection is a trend now :)


This brings me to my projects- ha! I have officially finished two pieces, and need to complete the other two.

Here is the locker!!! Still need to add baskets to it....

Here is the Media Center (we are almost done with it-- now... its TV shopping time!)

PS: Happy Mother's Day!

 My latest and greatest dinning room bench!

 Our half stained kitchen desk... O man.....!!

AND ELI!

Well, I guess I here (Andrew wants to go enjoy the outdoors!). More tomorrow!!!

Day 10: Feeling overwhelmed

Yes, for the last couple of days I have been here: Overwhelmed. Ever since Andrew has come home, I have done ANYTHING but clean (except for the kitchen, of course). It’s been nice just to enjoy him and be available, but this house is starting to clutter fast! And the curse is definitely reminding me it’s all headed towards decay (which is a good reminder, in a sense, not to get TOO caught up in it). Yet, it’s time to get at it and clean it up!



How to start?


Well, here are a few helpful tips I thought I would leave with you:


#1 When the house is a mess, only work one room at a time


Don’t overwhelm yourself and stay focused! It will make a difference.


#2 Be generous to your trashcan


If you are anything like me, you can probably do without that thing that just lingers around your house. Throw it out!


#3 Get rid of half the toys


Or just put up the ones that seem not to be played with AS MUCH for a rainy day. I know my mom did this when we were kids and it felt like we had gone over to a whole new world in our clean, de-cluttered toy closet! Even then, I could appreciate the cleanliness.


#4 Do the 15 minute thing


Do everything you can in that time frame (it’s like a challenge: and who doesn’t like a good challenge?!?)


#5 Just get moving!


If not, you will fall into the ‘Why bother’ mindset. Force yourself to DO SOMETHING!


#6 Envision the big picture


Get alone and envision your big picture of what it means to have a peaceful, warm and tidy home; then go at it!


#7 Get off the computer


The more I am on, and the more I think about my list of ‘TO DO’s, the more depressed I can get. Shut it down and get to it!


#8 Keep your eyes on the goal


Remember that priority sheet we made? Yea, let’s recall that through our more challenging days, along with your vision. You will enjoy the view from the mountain top so much more when you get high enough.


#9 Get something new for your home that brings a smile to your face


For me, that is the furniture I am making. But this could be something else that can evoke your vision to completion.


I believe that is all for now. I would attach some pictures from yesterday (we moved in our furniture pieces from the garage—they look very nice, except for the hilarious and somewhat frustrating fact that our TV is WAY too big to be supported by my lovely new media center….grrr), but Andrew has taken the truck, which contained my camera…. Oh well! I will attach them tomorrow :)


I do want to leave you with an encouraging verse that I read this morning. It’s in 1 John 5:

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who has overcome the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (v.4-5)

I just love being reminded over and over again that we have been given victory in Christ over these things---especially the world’s trials we endure! All because of Him.


Be reminded that you do not do this life alone; we have a Savior that carries the heaviest of your burden for you (Matthew 11:30).


SO GET UP AND GET TO IT!!



Day 9: Confronting Laziness

I have had the best time hanging out with my husband these last couple of days! We have done so much together, enjoying the days, and talked about a lot that has had precedence on our minds.

Yet I don’t feel like it should be Tuesday already!

Does it ever seem that time seems to fly by on you?



Andrew and I were lying in bed last night thinking ‘Wow, is it already Tuesday? Are we already in May? Where has our week gone?’ It seems the verse in Ephesians seems to always come back to mind:


“Look carefully to how you walk….as wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil… understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:15-17


Quite fitting as today’s challenge is to confront our laziness.


“So much attention is paid to the aggressive sins, such as violence and cruelty and greed with all their tragic effects that too little attention is paid to the passive sins, such as apathy and laziness, which in the long run can have a more devastating effect.”—Eleanor Roosevelt


Isn’t that true? I really don’t see my desire to just say ‘Oh, I will do that later’ and pick up something else as a laziness issue. In fact, I feel with my constant drive to get things done, I would be considered anything BUT lazy. However, that is very far from the truth. When I push aside things like laundry, just because I don’t feel like folding one more thing and choose to work on my building projects, I am practicing laziness. I am not stewarding the jobs God gives me in my home with proper priority! I know I need to confess my sin (even if no one agreed with me that this is worth confessing, I know my heart) and rely on the spirit of the Lord to help me rely on his grace to be diligent in Christ’s strength.


“She carefully watches all that goes on in her household and does not have to bear the consequences of laziness.” --- Proverbs 31:27


“Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly as though you were working for your real master and not merely humans.” ---Colossians 3:23


I hope this encourages you to evaluate things in your own life properly, and with the Spirit’s guidance as well! Have a wonderful day fighting laziness.

(As for me, I have to get going before Andrew calls me out on laziness! Haha! See ya!)

Day 8: Overcoming the curse (and some pictures from a friend's birthday and JAPAN!)

Happy Monday morning!

(I know, that phrase doesn’t seem to flow very well for most of us, huh?) Ok, I can qualify: It is a happy Monday because my hubbie is home!! Yey! That’s the good news.....

The bad news: He leaves again May 6th.

(Sigh)

This trip, he has Hawaii in the picture.

 Let’s just say I will be looking into a hop this time! Haha!

Anyways, I do want to share some pictures with you from his trip though:
 

 A view as he leaves Alaska

 In the cockpit

                       He ate a lot of sushi while he was there (and you will see as the pictures progress!)

Over Japan

 Shopping in Japan

A day of exploring and snorkeling:

 Driving on the left side of the road!!!

Back in Alaska, I got some pretty gorgeous views myself!

 We got to enjoy a beautiful bike ride when he got back. What a gorgeous day!

In fact, we rode over to a friend's house for her birthday. It was a lot of fun!

 So her birthday wish was to get a slice of the royal wedding cake....

And guess what she got! Haha!

What great friends!

Tons of flowers to accompany this celebration too!

It was a lot of fun to hang out with friends and enjoy being there with my husband as well. Nothing compares :)

Now that that chapter of the weekend is covered, ONWARDS!
Last time I wrote, I ended with the hope we have despite the curse. Today, the devotional expanded on this topic:

How do we then overcome and stay motivated?

“We have to keep our eye on the eternal value of our work.”-- Sarah Mae

In Christ, it has two fold value: here on earth and ETERNALLY! Work was created by God for us to do and, because of the cross, we now have the power, the authority, and approval to carry it out. God uses our domains to perfect us in worship and service to him.

I remember when Andrew and I were first married and the reoccurring question of “So what do you do?” kept sneaking up in conversations with people I would meet. Eventually, I became so discouraged and distraught with having very little to tell them besides ‘Oh, I just follow my husband around’, I literally had a meltdown on a long drive back from a wedding. Strangely enough, I would dare to say it was the best thing I think I could have endured in my walk. Just like we talked about previously, we have to eventually be strong and courageous to face the hard things that we don’t know to approach. I went searching through the scriptures to see what God had to say about who I was and my roles. The result was a renewed sense of value and more joy than when I tried to mask my internal struggle. If I hadn’t endured that trial, I would have still been attaching my identity to something the world accredits value to and missed where God wanted to confirm my value and shape me more into His beloved daughter.

Now, as I look at today’s challenge and really look at my work and it’s value, I am encouraged to strive forward in my many responsibilities as a wife, a life-giver to our home, a daughter of the King and a soon-to-be mom.

^"2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." --James 1:2-4

How we go about taking up our burdens reflects houw we response to His calling. He gave us these domains and the ability to give life to them, according to Sarah Mae! So do as James calls us: accept our tasks with all JOY! Be thankful for what you have been given. It will lead us into more Christ-like character and more humility.

Well, I have the whole day to spend with my hubbie so I shall end here!

Keep enduring and overcoming!