Am I Prepared...

We've been struggling with Kezia the past couple of months. You all know that she is pretty independent and fairly strong-willed but she is really pushing her boundaries - and my patience. I am at a loss at how to discipline her and find that most days I totally lose my cool. I've been praying that God would give me wisdom and discernment on this. I feel tired, mean and a nag. So this morning as I was praying for W/D, patience and for Kezia to have a good day, I read My Utmost For His Highest for Aug 14th. It is titled 'Chastening'. Great - here comes some wonderful insight on how to discipline my daughter!! Well - I was sort of right. (you can see where this is going, can't you =). I am God's daughter - and this was for me. "Despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him" Hebrews 12:5 spoke to my heart. In my attempts to correct Kezia all I really seem to be doing is showing my lack of discipline and need of correction. Kezia is learning from me how to lose patience, peace, and purpose.

"Am I prepared to let God grip me by His power and do a work in me

that is worthy of Himself? Sanctification is not my idea of what

I want God to do for me, sanctification is God's idea

of what He wants to do for me, and He has to get me into

the attitude of mind and spirit where at any cost

I will let Him sanctify me wholly"

OK - ouch! I know that it is my responsibility to train/teach my children about God, love, integrity, etc. I think that God is showing me, through this challenge with Kez, my need for Him to train/teach me. I am the little child, wanting to go my way and do my thing. Help me Father to have the attitude "at any cost" and let you guide me, and chasten, as needed. Help me to learn from you so that I can teach my little ones. Help me to not be so hard on Kezia - afterall, you show me grace, patience, and love all the time. Thank you God that your mercies are new everyday!

Family haps

Well, I really meant to post these sooner...you know how it goes =)

Kezia lost her other front tooth just days after the first one! She was so excited - Lanny was at the store and I suggested she waited for daddy..."no way, Mommy - I'm gonna pull this one out now!" And so she did =)


The raising of the hoop - finally! With a little (lot) help from our friends, Lanny's basketball hoop dream is fulfilled.


Lanny's first shot...(it went in - yay!) We've had several neighborhood kids come over and stare (it really is big) - and Lanny loves having them over to play.
Kezia enjoyed a two OMSI Science camps this summer: Kitchen Chemistry and Flower Power. Kitchen Chem was cool - she made glue, play dough, muffins & ice cream. This picture is from her field trip to the Rose Garden with her Flower Power group. Lanny was able to join us and help me chaperone some of the girls in the group - Eden was excited to finally go to camp =)
Ah, Jordan - unable to defend herself from the sticker monster, uh, I mean fairy =)

And as for me - I'm just trying to stay on top of all the things that seem to need my attention. In the midst of a crazy, fun summer - I feel God drawing me to Him. I struggle to find my quiet time but when I do, ah, such peace. Unfortunately it doesn't happen every day - but then, maybe that's why Jordan sometimes wakes up at 4am. I tell ya, God will come looking for you - and I'm so glad He does!