Filed Under Grace - October

It's the end of the month, already! Around here, this is the time to look back on the month and remember what we've been praying for and how God has answered. He always answers. But how? Did He surprise you with something different but better than what you asked? Or was his answer a peace in the midst of a continued struggle?  He deserves praise no matter what.

I'll make a list of God's gracious dealings, 

all the things God has done that need praising,
All the generous bounties of God…
— Compassion lavished, love extravagant…

Isaiah 63:7-8

The Message

Just yesterday, I was rummaging through my bedside table drawer, the one that holds miscellaneous magazines, journals, and books that got swept off the top to clear the clutter. I found an old prayer journal that I'd forgotten about since 2007.  A reoccurring entry was a prayer request for a friend who was in the process of pursuing the adoptions of three specific Chinese children. Now, if you know anything about Chinese adoption, you know what an impossibility I just stated. Three. Specific. Chinese. Adoptions.

For three years her family cried and waited and prayed.

We all prayed, knowing God COULD do it. But WOULD He?

They felt led. Yet who doesn't struggle to understand the will of God in waiting?

Sometimes we doubt we heard right. We trust His promises. We seek His will and not ours. We die to self and dreams and hopes. And then.

God's will is done.

Well, let me tell you what He did! NOTHING is impossible with God! Just this month (or was it last month already?) all three kids adoptions were completed in a whirlwind tour of paperwork. And if that isn't enough to make me excited, though they used to live across the ocean, they are now living near me!

I cannot wait to hug my friend's neck and meet her "new" kids and rejoice with her!

What is God doing in your life? Has he answered a longing of your heart? A prayer? Please check out the rules, link up and share! I'd love to hear your story!

Filed Under Grace - Septemeber

This is going to be quick as I just spent two hours with 15 children and now just want to go to bed! *Chuckle* No, we actually had a great time while their parents took the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace class, but I still want to go to bed! Busy days have turned into busy weeks, and you can tell by my lack of presence here. I miss you though. And I miss the summer schedule that allowed for reflection on lazy mornings.

This happens to be the last weekend of the month, and in the past we have shared answers to prayer. Would you consider this week what you could share here? I'd love to hear what God is doing in your lives, or even what you have witnessed Him doing around you!

For details and {pesky} rules, click the logo. :)

At our house, my recent prayer was a request for Mitchell. On the surface it wouldn't appear to be a huge deal, just a quandary. He was in Bible quizzing last year, and it seemed natural that he resume that activity this year. Megan participated as well, and all our kids had a program to be involved in on Wednesday nights. (Madison is in AWANA.) Mitchell wasn't into it, but I was happy he was learning scripture, even if he didn't answer questions at quizzes. He enjoyed being with his friends and it was a mostly positive experience.

As the start of the school year approached and we began talking about Wednesday programming, Mitchell refused to consider quizzing again.

I was puzzled. But I didn't want to force him to participate.

I waited. We had many conversations about the program, and I questioned him why he wasn't interested, what was frustrating, what was holding him back. I never pushed.

He expressed feelings of failure. 

I take some of the responsibility for that. I find it difficult to balance how much to push him into success, how much to control and structure his practice and memorization time, and how much motivation should come from his own drive to succeed. Maybe I should have pushed him harder last year so he would know a taste of success. But I can't go back and change it.

I prayed. Mitchell doing nothing on Wed. nights was not an option. But there really wasn't another option.

I waited for him to change his mind. I had no back-up plan. This was not just about Mitchell quizzing. This was about fighting for Mitchell's heart and his struggle with self-defeat.

The beginning of quizzing was days away, and we happened to be in the van driving somewhere when I broached the subject again. He was adamant. He would not be in quizzing.

Then I mentioned a possibility of a lighter memorization load. He immediately interrupted me and confidently stated he would join the Bible quiz team. I was relieved, but pessimistic. Would this year be a repeat of last year? Would he just wallow in the pit of I'm-not-good-enough again?

The first practice came, we dropped the kids off at their programs, and Robb and I went on our date.

(See why it was mandatory Mitchell be in programming? Purely selfish reasons! ;) )

After that practice, Mitchell insisted he was going to memorize 50 verses this year! That's more than he completed last year, not less! He proceeded to memorize the first six verses that same evening! Word perfect. With references!

Yesterday we had our first quiz meet. He was on fire! I won't bore you with too many quizzing rules and details, but a quiz out is when a student (jumping against up to11 other players) answers 4 questions in one quiz of 20 questions. Mitchell answered 3 questions correctly in each of his quizzes! He was soooo close to quizzing out! He was confident. He was beaming! This is a big deal people!

He has tasted success. And I am so proud!

Each answer was completed with dramatic hand gestures! :)

In retrospect, I have no idea what changed his viewpoint and attitude about Bible quizzing. But I know his mama's heart was pleading for God to work out the details and to soften his heart, and He did.

I am so thankful.

Now, it's your turn! Please, please, please, share! God is at work around you! Are you noticing?

Filed Under Grace : July

Let's gather together and bring praise to the One whose love is extravagant, whose compassion is never failing. Whether it be a prayer answered, or a desire He knew and answered before you could even ask, would you share it here and encourage the community?

Click the logo for rules and link your answered prayer below!

~

We packed up the camper, filled the kitty dish with food, and, stocked with bug spray, we scootted off in the direction of relaxation.

When we got back, kitty was gone.  I suppose that is the risk of keeping a cat outdoors and deserting him for four days. But this is a stray that found us, so we trusted he would be alright. He is a cat, after all. They've got nine lives, right?

The kids called for him, and I called for him, and he was a no show. I can't believe I did it, but I asked God to send him back. He was a good cat, gentle to rough hands and and unfazed by being hauled around and walked about on two paws. He was perfect for us.

We got home on a Monday. On Wednesday we were walking though Target and as we passed the cat food, Megan reminded me we needed more.

"Megan, kitty is gone. I'm not buying more food until he comes back. But I asked God to bring him back, so we'll see."

"You prayed for kitty, Mom? Thanks!"

I should have expected it. Sure enough, Thursday morning kitty was at his post on the front stoop. A bit skinnier, but no worse for wear.

I think I will finally take him to the vet to get checked out and get him tags. So we don't loose him again. And when we leave on our next trip, I'll have someone come feed him.

Thanks, Lord for caring for your children....and even their cats.

~

Look at the birds of the air  

{and the cats of the barnyard}; 

they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, 

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. 

Are you not much more valuable than they?

Matthew 6:26

the Kristina version, 

the Bible ad libbing you can blame on my father

Filed Under Grace - June

Only be careful, 
and watch yourselves closely 
so that you do not forget the things 
your eyes have seen 
or let them slip from you heart 
as long as you live. 
Teach them to your children 
and to their children after them. 

~ Deuteronomy 4:9

Welcome to Filed Under Grace : Documenting Answered Prayer, a monthly blog hop, where we share with each other and endeavor to remember, specific answers to prayer. I feel strongly the need to remember. And to remember I must write down a record, because my memory is weak, my faith forgetful.

Look to the Lord and his strength, 
seek his face always. 
Remember the wonders he has done, 
his miracles, 
and the judgments he pronounced. 
~ 1 Chronicles 16:11-12

His faithfulness continues toward our family, but this month I want to share a couple links with you of families who have experienced big answers to prayer recently. Both are real life friends. Both had premature babies.
I prayed for both.

Emily overcame many health challenges. Elliot avoided many health challenges. Both beat the odds and are doing well. 

Thank you, Lord, for grace toward these families. Thank you for your continued provision for ours. Thank you for daily graces of sun and rain and love.

Do you have a grace to document? Do you feel the need to remember? Check out the rules and link up! Don't have a blog? Share in a comment below.

Filed Under Grace - May

Prayer is conversation with God.

Sometimes my prayers are pleas for an answer or a result or a change. Sometimes they are just simple thoughts toward Him, not even fully formed, just lingering there in my brain. Today's answer was to one of the latter types of prayers.

As you may have read, Madison earned herself an American Girl doll. With glasses.

She'd not even had her doll a week when I caught her taking it outside. I scolded her, cautioned her that Kit would get dirty, but she stubbornly assured me she would be careful.

That evening, she realized that Kit's glasses were missing. I was mad. She was sad. We knew they were outside, lost in the expanse of grass that makes up our 10 acres of yard. It was hopeless they would ever be found.

To make matters worse, the next day it rained. We didn't try looking, even close to the house. The rain continued for 3 days.

Now, I know these are just doll accessories. But, remember,  a fascination with doll glasses was one of the key things that caused Madison's in-the-store change of mind, and my offer to buy Kit glasses convinced her to stick with her original choice. She could buy a replacement with her own money, but it would be weeks before we made our way that direction again. It's such a small thing, but the doll is special and there was a definite sense of loss.

Finally, the sun came out, and on a whim, I decided to check for the glasses. I headed out to the spot she had been when I warned her to take her doll inside, and began walking slowly, scanning the yard. I thought to the Lord, "I know this is a silly, stupid thing, and maybe she just needs to learn her lesson, but it sure would be nice if I just walked straight to those glasses."

I continued for a few paces, and what do you know, there they were, right in front of me, nestled in the grass!

I raced to the house, where Madison was, told her I'd asked Jesus to help me find Kit's glasses and that He had! She was pretty amazed, and I'm sure she'll never forget that God cares about the little stuff!

She has not taken Kit outside since. Smart girl!


Do you have a big or a little answered prayer? I'd love for you to share it here! Join me as I endeavor to document, and as a result, remember, times of answered prayer.

To read the rules on how to participate, please click the button. I'll have a Linky up and running for the weekend.

 

I'll make a list of God's gracious dealings, 

all the things God has done that need praising,
All the generous bounties of God…
— Compassion lavished, love extravagant…

Isaiah 63:7-8

The Message

The Gift of Friends

I've been thinking and pondering what to share here. The purpose of documenting answered prayer is, of course, for the benefit of our future: remembering ways God has been faithful, so our faith can be strengthened in difficult circumstances. What do I want to remember?

When I was young, our church was smallish...at least the girl population was in my class. I remember developing friendships with quite a few girls who then moved away after a short time. It hurt to see them go, but Mom would always have us ask the Lord to provide new friends to love. And He always did.


He provides friends for my kids too.

When Megan was very young, and we were just helping begin our church, the preschool class was full of little girls her age and boys Mitchell's age. I was thrilled they would be growing up with such great friends. Within a few years, many of those girls moved away. Megan struggled to find a group of friends to have over for sleepovers, share secrets with, love. I ached for her, knowing the importance of good friendships in the development of emotionally healthy children. And I was tired of her sitting on my lap on park dates.

They say it takes a village to raise a child. I reluctantly agree.

But I carefully choose that village.

I think the body of Christ is the best community in which to raise a child. I love our church, where I know the families of my children's friends, and they know mine. We've created a safe place where we encourage each other in parenting and build each other's kids up too. There's accountability in those kinds of friendships, for us as parents, and for our kids. The time to grow deep roots in that kind of community is when our children are young, before the confusion of the teen years threatens to uproot them.

I wanted that for Megan, so I asked the Lord to give her at least one special friend, if not a whole bunch!

Sometimes I ask, and then forget I ever did. I just recently realized He'd answered my request.  Megan no longer sits on my lap at park days, complaining that she has no one to play with. (thank goodness! She's getting rather big for my lap.) She grew new friendships this year getting to know her Bible quiz team. She runs off each Sunday morning in search of her friends, and hugs and promises to plan get-togethers abound.

 I am so grateful that when we ask, He listens and answers. What have you asked for lately?

To participate in this monthly discipline, click on the graphic above and read up on the rules. Then come back and link your post on answered prayer below. I will leave the link open for the week. And, if you don't have blog, feel free to leave a story of an answered prayer in the comments. Thanks!

P.S. Ya like my new button? I took a mental health day today, OK, yesterday too, and we skipped school. I've been running myself ragged and could just feel myself careening to the end of my physical limits, nearly to the point of being sick. I'm pretty sure that if we would have had school, the scene would not have been pretty. And it wouldn't have been my kids making it ugly. So I rested. OK. I blogged. And redesigned my blog template a bit (click on over if you're using a reader), thus the need for a new button. Believe me, this update took much less energy than corralling three kids and convincing them to finish their schoolwork. *grin*

Purposed Prayer and Filed Under Grace

This month I spent a lovely bit of time with ladies from church at our annual retreat. We ate plenty, worshiped, prayed, quieted ourselves, learned and listened.

We practiced what I will call purposed and intentional prayer. The process I learned (in my own words) is as follows:

• Identify an area that needs prayer. I began by listing things that have burdened me recently. Ask God to lead you to the thing He wants you to focus on.

1. kids fighting, disrespect
2. negativity in our home
3. overcoming despair, feelings of failure

• Simplify the current area. A word jumped out to me as an answer to my list: JOY.

1. I desire joy, in my own personal walk with Christ, in my family, in our home
2. My Bible study homework this week highlighted joy, and I felt that confirmed this to be God's leading to pray for joy.
3. My middle name is Joy! How appropriate!
4. If I am seeking Joy in Christ in all things, that above list should just take care of itself

• Gather thoughts and words pertaining to the area for prayer.

1. I looked up joy in Scripture
2. I studied books (in this case my weekly Bible study homework on the subject)
3. I listened to what the Holy Spirit made "pop out" at me as I researched.

• Write out a prayer, using the research, words, truth you have found. Make it personal and powerful, claiming promises God has given you.
• Pray knowing and understanding that God will do things in His own time and way, but continue to pray with confidence in what God has led you to pray, until resolution comes. 

I love this! I took the time given during the retreat, resisting the pull to discuss and visit, and quietly listened and dug into my study. Praying like this, with purpose, yet letting God lead, helped me be more specific in my prayer time.

And I am now joyfully watching as He answers. It seems no matter what I read lately, I keep stumbling onto this topic of joy. I'm listening and He is increasing my joy.

This process is derived from the teaching of Graham Cooke. 

This month: Filed Under Grace
Our hearts have been with some new friends who have been experiencing a financial squeeze since the husband lost his job a while back. He was able to find some temporary work, and we hired him to do some work for our company, but it was just not enough, especially considering they are expecting their first child. As is God's way (Never Late, but Rarely Early) our friend just landed an awesome job in his field of choice!

 As far as our family goes in this area, being self-employed and all, I consider every month we can pay our bills an answer to prayer! More than a year ago, the company we do business for was letting droves of its people go, and we were unsure what that meant for us. As whole floors of their cubicles emptied, we braced for the worst. A month went by, then another, then another. And here we are today, debt free and just fine. Worry profits nothing. Faith, everything I really ever needed. It's all grace.


 Matthew 6
²⁵"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? ²⁶Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
    ²⁸"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ³²For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

How has our Lord been answering your prayers? Have you even been asking and watching for his answers? Do you have a story of His grace to share? For all the details of how to participate, read this, then come back here and link up! 

If you  have an answer to prayer you'd love to share, but don't have a blog, post your story in a comment. I'd love to hear it!

Filed Under Grace- Documenting Answered Prayer

 

I'll make a list of God's gracious dealings, 

all the things God has done that need praising,
All the generous bounties of God…
— Compassion lavished, love extravagant…

Isaiah 63:7-8
The Message

Let's begin, shall we? In case you missed it, I introduced this new carnival yesterday.

For this first post, I owe you an update on John, my brother-in-law. I introduced him here and updated here. Goodness, that was 5 months ago! The reason why I haven't posted any new information is because there has been nothing to report! In this case, no news is good news. Thank you, Lord!  John has been working, and there have been no new health issues to report. His roommate had pneumonia this winter, and that was a big concern, but John has not been ill. We were also concerned he would contract H1N1, but he's avoided that as well. We are thankful.

Do you have a praise? An answered prayer? Share them here, but please read the rules first. Thanks!
Blessings to you!

Filed Under Grace- Documenting Answered Prayer

Do you pray? When God answers, do you pay attention, take note? Do you keep track of His care, write it down for yourself and for your children?

I want to remember, to keep an account of His grace and mercy in my need. He is here, with me, answering before I ask. I want to remember. The grace is His gift, to me, to you. The Glory is His. He has done these things, and He deserves the credit.

So let us gather together and bring praise to the One whose love is extravagant, whose compassion is never failing. Whether it be a prayer answered, or a desire He knew and answered before you could even ask, would you share it here and encourage the community?

I ask no great commitment. Once a month, on the last weekend of the month, bring your accounts of His answers here.We will start Saturday and the linkup will be available for one week.

They need not be great big answers to prayer, though those are indeed for His glory! He sees and cares for the sparrows, and he cares about our daily struggles as much as the agonizing ones. Bring them all here and let us tell what God has done for us. Spread the word, please?

Like any carnival, I will have a MckLinky for you to link your post. Please link to your Filed Under Grace post, not your home page. Link back here on your post so your readers can find more stories of God's grace. Thank you.

I'll make a list of God's gracious dealings, 

all the things God has done that need praising,
All the generous bounties of God…
— Compassion lavished, love extravagant…

Isaiah 63:7-8

The Message

Piano

Mitchell and Megan started piano this year, so of course, that meant we were looking for a piano! I watched craigslist for a couple of months, and nothing ever panned out. Finally, I found a piano listed as free and emailed for more information, called Robb to get ready to go pick it up, and then nothing. No email back. No answers to my questions.

"Well, Lord," I said, "That is not the piano you have for us."

Mid-afternoon, Robb called and asked if I had heard anything from the seller on craigslist. At my negative answer, Robb said, "Well, he is a really nice man, and we are going to pick it up tonight!"

Then I still had my doubts. It was free, after all. Maybe it was a piece of junk. I didn't even remember that verse about God giving good gifts; The one where he says something like, "If my children need bread will I give them a stone?" Of course not!

So we picked up our piano, got it home, let it warm up. Guess what? It not only goes well in my living room, and has no chipped keys, but it's in tune!