Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Family Updates

On this last day of 2014, I do what most people do at the end of something--reflect.  So many things have happened this year.  It has been a good year.  Whew...that feels good to type.

DAD--47
Dad has been working at FracTech for 18 months now.  He started doing the hard, manual work of fracing and is now a Sand Coordinator.  This was a huge blessing because it came with a truck, which was something we did not have for him.  I prayed for him to get a new job and God decided to show me that He cannot be limited to just minimal things for us.  A new job with a better salary and a truck to go with it!  What a blessing.

MOM--36
On August 27, I did something I have been wanting to do for quite sometime.  I started my first semester at Blinn College!  In two years I will have my degree as a paralegal.  School has been a great experience for me.  I finished the semester with a 4.0 GPA being recognized on the President's Scholar List.  I was voted president of the LASO Group (Legal Assistant Student Organization).  I got to assist the judges who served on the 10th Court of Appeals in Waco, TX.  They came to Blinn to hear 4 cases in front of the students.  I was interviewed on the news and the kids thought that was pretty cool!  Earlier in the year, I had a hysterectomy which relieved a plethora of problems I was having that was affecting my health in my daily life.  

BRANDON--13
Brandon finished 7th grade at Jane Long for the 2013-2014 school year.  He enjoyed karate where he earned his purple belt.  As of this year, we officially have a teenager in the house.  Gulp.  His favorite pastimes include playing on his XBOX 360, playing and watching football, reading, drawing, building amazing things on Minecraft and irritating his siblings.  :)  He and Aidan have an awkward relationship we hope improves over time. Brandon is at Mumford ISD finishing his 8th grade year.  He is on the basketball team and is enjoying learning this new sport.  He has to be at practice at 6am twice a week, which is crazy, but we make it work!  He is very dedicated to it and has gained some friendships as well.  Brandon is growing like a weed as well!  He hit a big growth spurt over the summer, which brought happiness to all.

TRINITY--10
Trinity finished 4th grade at Mary Branch where she had the privilege of having Mrs. Sealey as her teacher again.  She finished the year with straight A's.  She had a sad time ending that year because her best-friend, Alexis, moved to Colorado.  They get to Skype with each other so they can stay in contact.  Trinity has had a hard time finding friends that are like Alexis.  She is attending Mumford ISD in 5th grade now, with Mrs. Sealey as her teacher again!  She complains that she doesn't have any friends, but 12 girls from her school showed up for her birthday party!  We have seen Trinity turn from a little girl into a young lady right before our eyes.  She is still very sensitive (especially when being corrected).  Her favorite pastimes include playing outside, reading, watching Netflix shows, playing Minecraft, creating artsy things, weaving, drawing and playing with Jaxson and her stuffed animals.

ABIGAIL--8
Abby finished 2nd grade at Mary Branch with Mrs. Stafford, who was phenomenal for her.  Her reading has improved greatly!  She was the top reader in the class at the end of the year.  She is attending Mumford ISD in 3rd grade now.  This will be her first year to take the STARR test, and she is already nervous.  Mumford has been good for her because they offer all kinds of tutorials for her to attend after school to get extra one on one help in math and reading.  She still hasn't found close friends and is very self-conscious thinking everyone is looking at her in a weird way.  Her and Trinity play together very well, most of the time. :)  Abby's favorite past times include creating all kinds of crafts, doing science experiments, watching Netflix, anything fashion related, playing with Jaxson and playing on Minecraft.

AIDAN--6
My little Aidan started kindergarten this year!  Ack!  His teacher is Ms. Schertz at Mary Branch.  We are hoping to get him moved to Mumford for 1st grade.  He has amazed us with his reading and math skills.  He just seems to get it.  Aidan has a friend named Ruby that he likes...ALOT.  He likes her "buttery skin and shiny hair and big, pretty bows."  Playing on the kindle is his favorite past time.  Getting him to do anything else can be a difficult task.  Once he actually gets off of the kindle, he enjoys playing outside, riding his scooter, playing with his "talkie-walkies," flying his airplanes and building legos.  Even though he is getting older, he is still a cuddle bug.  

JAXSON--2
He is growing up way too fast.  Way.  Too.  Fast.  It breaks my heart!  He is so smart and watching him figure things out brings so much joy to my life.  He started going to St. Joseph's Eagles Nest when I started school.  His teacher is Mrs. Taiwo, who he adores.  Her love for Jaxson made it possible for me to do so well in school because I had complete peace with her caring for him.  Jaxson loves playing with his tractors, cars, building blocks, putting puzzles together, playing on the "jumpoline," going for walks, and watching the Baby channel (VocabuLARRY, Toot, Find the Acorn, Harry the Bunny).












December 31, 2014

"For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

"But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us." 2 Corinthians 4: 7

"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."  John 14: 26-27


God's abundance and my emptiness are a perfect match.  I have been designed to have no sufficiency of my own.  God created me as a jar of clay, set apart for sacred use.  God is peacefully present in my soul regardless of how I feel.  When I don't feel His presence, I fill my emptiness up with things other than God which leaves me feeling even more empty.  God has an abundant supply of everything I need to be at peace in my soul with my daily activities and my struggles.  I live my days trying to be sufficient on my own doing.  Then, at the end of the day, that sufficiency runs short and I am left feeling like a failure.  This puts me in a dark place which pulls me away from God's presence.  It is a crazy roller coaster ride that costs too many tickets without the thrill of the ride.

I picture Jesus, sitting on a bench, waiting....for me.  Sometimes it feels if I don't do it "right" then it is not worth doing at all.  When I think having a relationship with Jesus has to be done "right," I just picture him chuckling and saying, "Silly girl, come sit with me for awhile...just you.  You don't have to do anything special, just be with me."  Can it really be that simple?  I tend to complicate things in my life that don't need to be complicated.

Simplicity.  Jesus, can you help me find that?  Simplicity in my vocation as a wife and mother.  I want complicated to have no place in my life.  Where do I start?  Prayer.  That sounds like a good place.  Draw me to you in the mornings to talk to you and I know you will give me the answers for everything else.  I love you.

Amen