Wordless Wednesday: Beautiful Independence

Beautiful Independence

U.S.S. Yorktown and Ravenel Bridge at Sunset

Photo taken on July 4, 2012

God Smiles Down

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Today has been a crazy day. And I am just now getting around to reflect on it. Zoey and I spent the weekend with my parents (Granny and Pops to Zoey) and had a blast. I will reflect so more on that tomorrow. But tonight, I want to share something special that I experienced today. I saw God smile down and it was beautiful.

Like so often, something good comes out of something not-so-great. That not-so-great thing today was the unbelievable amount of traffic on the roads going home. It usually takes me (on average) 3 hours and 15 minutes to get to my parent's house. The 15 mins is usually the amount of time we stop for a potty break (very important for our newly potty trained preschooler).

On this not-so-wonderful travel day it took us 5 hours to make a 3 hour trip. Arg.

My first thought was that I'm glad we were safe and not part of the almost 10 fender benders we saw all along the highway. The second thought was Ahhhhhh! Just get me home already!

I was very tired and I had a list of things (a small but important list, like laundry) that I wanted to do before Stephen got home. It turned out that I barely got home before Stephen did and I was completely exhausted.

During the first time we got stuck in traffic I was very calm and patient. I understood that it was just coming out of the lunch hour in a large city and after all it was Monday. We stopped for a potty break and a snack in the middle to break up the stop-and-go traffic and though it took us almost 2 hours to go 30 miles all was well. Thankfully Zoey did really well in the car despite the traffic.

However, when we got stopped again about 10 miles away from our exit when all I wanted to do was be home, I was aggravated. And tired. But I took a minute to be thankful. We were in traffic, not in a wreck and to boost the mood, Zoey was sleeping so at least that was a plus.

During this time, when I knew there was nothing I could do but wait (and pray I didn't get rear ended by people even less impatient than me) I started making a list in my head of all the things I needed to do this week to ready for our trip up north. On that list I put to make a special time to rededicate myself to God and make sure I am doing what he wants me to do.

I almost laughed out loud. Here I was, stuck in traffic with nothing to do, and I'm making a list about spending quality time with God. My next thought was...Hi God! It's me Amanda. Thanks for me so patient with me!

I have a very open relationship with God that I believe, with reassurance from him, is very strong. I pray all the time and any given moment and I know God hears me. Yet even I end up feeling silly for not realizing right away that now was the perfect time for that special moment. I just prayed for the people possibly in the wreck and others trying to get where they are going, why not pray for myself while I'm at it.

Right there, sitting in the middle of traffic, I had a little talk with God. I thanked him for blessing me so, I told him I wanted to focus more on him personally and not just about him in general. I want my relationship with him to be even stronger. So I asked, what else do I need to do. Is there something that I'm looking over or some other direction that I need to take.

God's Answer? A chuckle. Have you ever heard someone chuckle when you start a run-on sentence that only sort of has a meaning? Well, that is what God's chuckle was to me. He continued, in my spirit, to say that I was doing just fine. I am on the right path, I am headed in the right direction and all I need to do right now in my life is enjoy it. I need to enjoy my family and my friends and especially Stephen, Zoey and our little bean. God let me know that there are always ups and downs, but he is a constant, a shining star always there to point the way. Then he told me to stop worrying so much, that he's watching out for me and for us. He is even watching out for his child that I'm carrying. It meant so much to know, in my spirit, that God is watching out for our little bean.

I knew right then that God was smiling down. Though I'm sure it was no coincidence, the traffic let up just as my conversation with God came to an end. I don't think he put traffic in my way specifically to have a casual conversation with me, but I do think he enjoyed jumping at the opportunity. So did I.

I want to take a minute here to say something. I read back over this and realize this makes me sound very high and mighty, a good little Christian you would say. And I want you to know, in all honesty, that is not the case. I do the best I can. I have a strong prayer connection with God, but it took a long time to get there, to get that close with him in that personal way. However, there are still tons of ways that I fall short of perfection, just like every other human in the world. One of my greatest weaknesses is my patience and my tendency to worry over little things or things out of my control. This conversation where God tells me not to worry, is one that we have a lot.

Some people are closest to God when they read the Bible. This is a practice I've never been very good at following, though I try to do better. Others communicate with God through art or writing. There are numerous ways to be close to God. Mine tends to be through meditative conversation and writing.

I want to encourage you, as children of God, to really appreciate the ways that make you feel close to God because that is how he communicates to you, and everyone is different. Also, don't focus on the things that you fall short on. You work on improving them, but be open with God and he will work with you. I know he is still working on me.

Isaiah (Bible in 90 Days)

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Isaiah begins the books of the Prophets. Isaiah was one of the most well-known prophets and served in active ministry for over 60 years before he was killed.

In that time prophets were a special representation of God that stood beside the Priests and spoke God’s commands and promises over the people and government officials. The position began with Samuel, the last of the judges, and carried on over generations. However, true prohets were often not well liked.

Isaiah was very popular in the beginning of his ministry. He was charismatic and well spoken. But as he continually called the people to turn from their sins and warn them about God’s judgment, he became widely disliked by the people.

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The first half of Isaiah is about his challenge to the people to repent of their sins and turn their lives around. The second half is a little more comforting. Towards the end of his life, Isaiah’s message changed to tell the world of God’s salvation through the coming Messiah. This is a prophecy of hope and future blessings.

Isaiah is a courageous and strong man of God. He fearlessly proclaims the word of God throughout his life. His message is very important—trust God, repent from your sins and be renewed, and rejoice in the coming Messiah.

“Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Pinterest: Homeschool Work Boxes, Monthly Meal Planning and More

My relax and dream Saturday where I emphasize all the things I love on Pinterest! Enjoy and feel free to share some of your own wonderful and creative ideas.

1. Homeschool Work Boxes

Boys, School and Fun

Julie at "Boys, School and Fun" has some wonderful ideas for projects to teach for homeschooling. Since I am beginning homeschool with Zoey this fall, I have my eye out for anything and everything creative to use to teach. I also love the organization that Julie entails. That is what I'm trying to do now, get everything organized so school doesn't feel like a forced affair come August.

2. Monthly Meal Planning

Greater Things

I have always wanted to do meal planning. I was actually better at it when I was working before I ever had Zoey, but even then it only lasted about two weeks. I do have that problem where we are always missing one ingredient or I can't think of anything to cook on a night. Having a monthly meal plan and sticking to it would be wonderful. I would just have to stick to it. Callie at "Greater Things" has a wonderful meal plan that I might actually be able to tailor to my family and stick to. She does a great job explaining her plan and even includes recipes for many of her meals. I am excited to start this.

3. Big Sibling Shirt

PB&J Stories

I am so excited about the good news myself! We are having a baby next March and I would love to get a couple Big Sister shirts for Zoey. But this is one that I hadn't thought of. This is such a cute idea and would be super easy to do. Pamela at "PB&J Stories" has all kinds of DIY projects and creative ideas.

4. Children's Book Activities

Mom and 2 Posh Lil Divas

I love reading with Zoey, and with our homeschool preschool coming up this fall, these children's book activities will be the perfect way to incorporate reading, fun and crafts. I am excited to take some of these ideas and also to create some of my own. This link has many ideas and links for more. Also there is a Linky thread where others have added many more ideas. This is a great source for all kinds of different Children's book activities.

5. No Bake Strawberry Summer Cake

So, How's It Taste?

I love simple recipes like this. This Strawberry Cake only has four ingredients and looks amazing. It is a light recipe that is perfect for the hot summer. Leah at "So, How's it Taste?" has many wonderful recipes that are easy and creative. I love finding new ideas to cook that keeps life interesting and my family asking for more.

Ode To The Fourth

My favorite thing this week has been celebrating July 4th. We spent Tuesday evening (Riverdogs Baseball) and most all day on Wednesday with friends. We had a cookout and swam and then went to Patriots Point by the bay and watched July 4th fireworks. It was a beautiful summer day. I loved every minute of it.

My beautiful Zoey loving the summer day with friends

Stephen and Zoey playing in the pool

Zoey is a little fish, she LOVES the water!

Zoey was memorized by the helicopter flying around

My Love and I

Zoey loved the fireworks as long as her ears were covered

Beautiful fireworks over the Bay

Hope you had a wonderful week and were able to spend time with family and friends. I also want to thank all of our nation's military past and present who serve to protect our freedom everyday.