This morning while taking my son Easton(3) to school with my other son Carson Parker(5) at his side this is what I heard.
Easton: "Mommy the grass is growing on my hand."
Me "The grass?" Carson Parker "Easton, that's not grass that's hair!" God put hair on your hand not grass."
Easton "I don't want hair on my hand."
Carson Parker "Well sometimes God gives us what we need, not what we want."
I could try to explain how this touched me as a mom to hear that from my child....but I think just the conversation speaks loud enough....
They asked Jesus, "Do you hear what these children are saying?" "Yes," Jesus replied. "Haven't you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, 'You have taught children and infants to give you praise.'"
Matthew 21:16 NLT
ONE LOVE
Love
Family
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals
I normally don't forward things but this email that I received from a friend just touched me as a mom. I wanted other moms to be able to read it too, so I am posting it here.
One of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?'
Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more! Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this??
Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'
Some days I'm a crystal ball; 'Where's my other sock?, Where's my phone?, What's for dinner?'
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history, music and literature -but now, they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. She had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when she turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'With admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:
1) No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have
no record of their names.
2) These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.
3) They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.
4) The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.
A story of legend in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof, No one will ever see it And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was Almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does.
No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, no Cub Scout meeting, no last minute errand is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.
I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for 3 hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, he'd say, 'You're gonna love it there...'
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible mothers.
Share this with all the Invisible Moms you know... I just did.
The Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.
Monday, October 31, 2011
On the darker side of things.....
Today she is crying, she doesn't cry much, just when the pain is too much to take. Her heart has been broken most all of her life, her childhood covered with sexual abuse, emotional torment, and loss. No one understands her, and oh yes she has tried to run away, many times, in many ways. She has built walls the strongest army could never tear down, and her guard is always up, she is distrusting, and tough as nails these being the tools of those who survive the things she has seen and walked through.
She wears a smile most of the time, and when she laughs the whole room can hear her, because when she puts on a front she makes sure everyone pays attention. She only shares her heart with a few and only shares her whole heart with one. The one who has taken her this far....HE already knows it all anyway, he's the only one she can't hide anything from.
There have been moments in her life that have been full of REAL true happiness and the fact that she is able to hold on to those moments is the very thing that allows her to function in this life, that and her love. He watches her cry sometimes, holding her hand wishing he could take the pain from her, but he can't. It runs too deep, all the way to the depths of her soul, but she is comforted by his touch anyway. He knows her darkest secrets and loves her still, she doesn't know why but she is greatful for him.
She still has flashbacks of the things that she wants to forget but can't. She prays begging God to heal her from all she has been put through but feels as if her prayers always seem to hit the ceiling....She is a bit angry but not with God just with her lack of control she wishes she could fix this but after so many tries now knows she can't.
So she will continue to hold the hand of her love, tightly grasp all that there is that does bring her happiness in this life, and pray that just one of those prayers will be answered in the form of some quiet. She longs to live forever but in some sort of peace....she is searching for something that so far in this life has been completley unattainable, she wants to forget, but she can't.
She sees the faces of her children and longs for them to never face the things she has but to live perfectly sheltered lives, in love with Jesus who is our only savior, with laughter spewing uncontrollably from their mouths knowing deep and I mean deep into the depths of their souls that they are adored and loved by her.
She is just misunderstood, hurt, abused, and longing to be able to step away from the dramatic chaos that has brought her to where she dwells today. She wants to be her "tough self" holding on to the fact that she is untouchable because she has locked all her feelings deep inside of her for noone to see, but today she is broken, she cried, and someone saw her, she is let down, she is lost.
2 Corinthians 12:9
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.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
ONE LOVE
She wears a smile most of the time, and when she laughs the whole room can hear her, because when she puts on a front she makes sure everyone pays attention. She only shares her heart with a few and only shares her whole heart with one. The one who has taken her this far....HE already knows it all anyway, he's the only one she can't hide anything from.
There have been moments in her life that have been full of REAL true happiness and the fact that she is able to hold on to those moments is the very thing that allows her to function in this life, that and her love. He watches her cry sometimes, holding her hand wishing he could take the pain from her, but he can't. It runs too deep, all the way to the depths of her soul, but she is comforted by his touch anyway. He knows her darkest secrets and loves her still, she doesn't know why but she is greatful for him.
She still has flashbacks of the things that she wants to forget but can't. She prays begging God to heal her from all she has been put through but feels as if her prayers always seem to hit the ceiling....She is a bit angry but not with God just with her lack of control she wishes she could fix this but after so many tries now knows she can't.
So she will continue to hold the hand of her love, tightly grasp all that there is that does bring her happiness in this life, and pray that just one of those prayers will be answered in the form of some quiet. She longs to live forever but in some sort of peace....she is searching for something that so far in this life has been completley unattainable, she wants to forget, but she can't.
She sees the faces of her children and longs for them to never face the things she has but to live perfectly sheltered lives, in love with Jesus who is our only savior, with laughter spewing uncontrollably from their mouths knowing deep and I mean deep into the depths of their souls that they are adored and loved by her.
She is just misunderstood, hurt, abused, and longing to be able to step away from the dramatic chaos that has brought her to where she dwells today. She wants to be her "tough self" holding on to the fact that she is untouchable because she has locked all her feelings deep inside of her for noone to see, but today she is broken, she cried, and someone saw her, she is let down, she is lost.
2 Corinthians 12:9
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.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
ONE LOVE
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
I love my "NOT SO NUTTY" Son!
I am posting my personal safe food/candy list on my blog for the Halloween season. I have had several friends ask me for it so here it is. NOTE: This is my personal list the one I give to people who may come in contact with my child, who is peanut/tree nut allergic. I can not guarantee that any of these products are free of any other allergens. (Stick with yummy earth or enjoy life foods for a safe candy free of all 8 BIG allergens)I also would like to remind everyone product labeling changes all the time so just because I list them as safe doesn't ensure they are safe always check labels for any changes that could have been made.
Yummy Earth website (click here)
HAPPY FOOD ALLERGY SAFE HOLIDAYS!
Because product labels are constantly changing…when buying any product including the ones on this list you should always look for after checking the ingredients list, look on the label for phrases like these:
CANDIES
Tootsie rolls
Tootsie roll pops
Smarties both rolls and pouches
Dum-Dum pops CHEWY DUM DUMS ARE NOT SAFE
Air Head products
CHARMS is made by the Tootsie company they make BLOW POPS they are also safe!
PEEPS
Hershey's Kisses (PLAIN)
YUMMY EARTH products are all safe for the "top 8" Allergens (lollipops sold at toys r us)
Jet Puffed Marshmallows
PEZ
All WONKA candies (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF CHOCOLATE)
Remember traces of nuts are found in STRANGE places shampoos, cheeses, soaps, some juices, pizza crust….
Ring Pops By:BAZOOKA
KRAFT Jet-puffed
BooMallows / pumpkin bat and gost shaped marshmallows sold in individually wrapped packages of 40 @Walmart stores.
ONE LOVE,
Cody
Yummy Earth website (click here)
HAPPY FOOD ALLERGY SAFE HOLIDAYS!
Because product labels are constantly changing…when buying any product including the ones on this list you should always look for after checking the ingredients list, look on the label for phrases like these:
- "may contain nuts"
- "produced on shared equipment with nuts or peanuts"
- "produced in a facility that also processes nuts"
· Vanilla Wafers (Kraft Foods)
NABISCO· Teddy Grahams (Chocolaty Chip,Chocolate,Honey)
· Honey Maid Graham Crackers
· Ritz PLAIN
· Oreos(PLAIN no double stuffed or colored icings)
· Pepperidge Farm Goldfish PLAIN
· Cheerios
· Orville Redenbachers Pop Corn Ultimate Butter
· Caprisun Juice Boxes
· Pringles Potato Chips (Procter & Gamble)
FRITO – LAY· Cheetos
· Doritos
· Sunchips
KELLOGGS· Poptarts
· Fruit snacks
CANDIES
Tootsie rolls
Tootsie roll pops
Smarties both rolls and pouches
Dum-Dum pops CHEWY DUM DUMS ARE NOT SAFE
Air Head products
CHARMS is made by the Tootsie company they make BLOW POPS they are also safe!
PEEPS
Hershey's Kisses (PLAIN)
YUMMY EARTH products are all safe for the "top 8" Allergens (lollipops sold at toys r us)
Jet Puffed Marshmallows
PEZ
All WONKA candies (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF CHOCOLATE)
Remember traces of nuts are found in STRANGE places shampoos, cheeses, soaps, some juices, pizza crust….
Carson's NUT FREE FAVORITES this year are....
KRAFT Jet-puffed
BooMallows / pumpkin bat and gost shaped marshmallows sold in individually wrapped packages of 40 @Walmart stores.
ONE LOVE,
Cody
Monday, September 5, 2011
A life of weeds or A life of love?
Tonight I got to go on an early dinner date with my super hot husband Josh! We left and on the way home I asked him to turn down my grandmothers road. She went home to be with the Lord a few months ago. I had not been back to her house since the night before her funeral.
As we pulled in to her drive way I noticed there were weeds all over the flower beds and the house looked empty. We got out of the car and took a walk around the yard where I noticed ant hills and more weeds. As I looked into the windows of her back porch I saw her ferns were still hanging where she had left them but were beginning to fade away just as she had. (I thought to myself she would have a fit if she saw her home like this) She was so particular about her home and her yard!
Josh had been wondering around too, and he called me over to look at an old sign he had found. The sign read "RUMFELT'S TELEVISION SALES AND SERVICE" It was old and rusted. I began to cry, the anger left my soul and the heart break set in as I stared at that sign, I thought of that house and that sign, a sign of the family business my grandfather now gone to be with the Lord also had started 40 years ago!
I thought of how I was standing right in the middle of all they had worked for all they had spent their lives creating, and now they are both gone and here it all sits alone with weeds growing all over it just waiting for the day they put a "FOR SALE" sign in front of it.
Behind my tears I heard the still small voice of god speak to me...He said Cody "is this really what you think of your grandparents?" Is this really the legacy you believe they intended to leave behind, what they wanted you to remember them for?"
NO NO NO! I thought to myself, this is a house, this is a sign from a business, the people who once ran that business and lived and kept this house are gone. BUT what they left behind is still very much living! The five children and over 20 grand and great-grand children are still here, each of them carrying a piece of Forrest and Faye into their own lives. They left behind a family...a whole pile of people made better to have known them, to have been encourage, and taught how to live life by them. They left a legacy of faith and love to those who came in contact with them. All they lived for and worked for in not sitting in that pile of bricks. What they lived and worked for is still very much alive in the family they left behind, and I would be doing them an injustice to think they would want me to look at that as what had truly mattered in their lives.
So I guess what I mean is tonight God used my grandparent's home to put some things into perspective for me. What kind of life am I living? Am I living my life to earn material things that will grow up with weeds and rot after I am gone, or am I living for the things that matter....am I living to leave a legacy of good character and love, one of faith and giving, one that will last in those who knew me long after I am gone. I want to live a life that matters like my grandparents did.
So to that house, as Josh & I sat on the front porch, I said goodbye tonight, but the legacy of Forrest and Faye Rumfelt it will flow through my veins and rest in my soul until I see them again.
ONE LOVE
Cody
As we pulled in to her drive way I noticed there were weeds all over the flower beds and the house looked empty. We got out of the car and took a walk around the yard where I noticed ant hills and more weeds. As I looked into the windows of her back porch I saw her ferns were still hanging where she had left them but were beginning to fade away just as she had. (I thought to myself she would have a fit if she saw her home like this) She was so particular about her home and her yard!
Josh had been wondering around too, and he called me over to look at an old sign he had found. The sign read "RUMFELT'S TELEVISION SALES AND SERVICE" It was old and rusted. I began to cry, the anger left my soul and the heart break set in as I stared at that sign, I thought of that house and that sign, a sign of the family business my grandfather now gone to be with the Lord also had started 40 years ago!
I thought of how I was standing right in the middle of all they had worked for all they had spent their lives creating, and now they are both gone and here it all sits alone with weeds growing all over it just waiting for the day they put a "FOR SALE" sign in front of it.
Behind my tears I heard the still small voice of god speak to me...He said Cody "is this really what you think of your grandparents?" Is this really the legacy you believe they intended to leave behind, what they wanted you to remember them for?"
NO NO NO! I thought to myself, this is a house, this is a sign from a business, the people who once ran that business and lived and kept this house are gone. BUT what they left behind is still very much living! The five children and over 20 grand and great-grand children are still here, each of them carrying a piece of Forrest and Faye into their own lives. They left behind a family...a whole pile of people made better to have known them, to have been encourage, and taught how to live life by them. They left a legacy of faith and love to those who came in contact with them. All they lived for and worked for in not sitting in that pile of bricks. What they lived and worked for is still very much alive in the family they left behind, and I would be doing them an injustice to think they would want me to look at that as what had truly mattered in their lives.
So I guess what I mean is tonight God used my grandparent's home to put some things into perspective for me. What kind of life am I living? Am I living my life to earn material things that will grow up with weeds and rot after I am gone, or am I living for the things that matter....am I living to leave a legacy of good character and love, one of faith and giving, one that will last in those who knew me long after I am gone. I want to live a life that matters like my grandparents did.
So to that house, as Josh & I sat on the front porch, I said goodbye tonight, but the legacy of Forrest and Faye Rumfelt it will flow through my veins and rest in my soul until I see them again.
ONE LOVE
Cody
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Well you ask for it Lee Buford!
I recently posted this statement....(Stolen from one Pudge Huckaby) on my Facebook and someone said "that's a blog post Cody!"
So here we are with me giving you my look into this statement and the ways I am identified by this...
The statement was
Our calling isn't to KNOW all the answers, but rather, to LISTEN to Jesus & DO what He says! He is THE ANSWER we are called to KNOW!
Anyone who knows even a tiny bit about me could tell you I am a major control freak! I have based much of my self worth upon how well my life was planned and how well I then execute said plans within my life! You see the problem with that is I often FAIL! When you put unrealistic expectations on yourself you usually do not only FAIL but you are unhappy as you are falling deeper and deeper into your own self built pool of self-pity and disappointment!
I wonder sometimes if this is not the reason God blessed me with FOUR wonderful children! He knew they could single-handedly teach me I was not in control!
You see that's the first step acknowledging you are NOT IN CONTROL!
So once I realize through pure exhaustion that the day would never come when my life went exactly as planned I began asking myself who is in control? I immediately looked to my husband and that was an easy NO, God love him he is NOT A PLANNER! I then turned where I usually do in times of confusion, in times of trouble, in times of despair, heck in times of complete happiness, I pretty much always in up in Gods word one way or another!
I found this...
Isaiah 41:13 For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you.
Psalm 61 2&3 From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint, lead me to the rock that is higher than I, For you have been my refuge , a strong tower against the foe.
1 Peter 5-7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
time and time again I was reminded my help comes from the Lord. HE is in control of my life and I would be a lot less stressed if I would just take hold of those promises he made to me, that he would be at my side and allow him to lead me! So I gave it a try...and though it is sometimes hard to allow my controlling nature to sit alone in the corner of my mind I am COMFORTED by the fact that this battle is not mine! I AM NOT ALONE!
So in that I have realized I will never have all the answers, but as a child of God I am called to listen to Jesus....(read his word) (hear his still small voice...or in my case his sometimes very loud voice)
And in that I hear all the answers I need...
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
He is the answer we are called to know....
He is PEACE.....
(The only lasting kind I know of)
ONE LOVE,
Cody
So here we are with me giving you my look into this statement and the ways I am identified by this...
The statement was
Our calling isn't to KNOW all the answers, but rather, to LISTEN to Jesus & DO what He says! He is THE ANSWER we are called to KNOW!
Anyone who knows even a tiny bit about me could tell you I am a major control freak! I have based much of my self worth upon how well my life was planned and how well I then execute said plans within my life! You see the problem with that is I often FAIL! When you put unrealistic expectations on yourself you usually do not only FAIL but you are unhappy as you are falling deeper and deeper into your own self built pool of self-pity and disappointment!
I wonder sometimes if this is not the reason God blessed me with FOUR wonderful children! He knew they could single-handedly teach me I was not in control!
You see that's the first step acknowledging you are NOT IN CONTROL!
So once I realize through pure exhaustion that the day would never come when my life went exactly as planned I began asking myself who is in control? I immediately looked to my husband and that was an easy NO, God love him he is NOT A PLANNER! I then turned where I usually do in times of confusion, in times of trouble, in times of despair, heck in times of complete happiness, I pretty much always in up in Gods word one way or another!
I found this...
Isaiah 41:13 For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you.
Psalm 61 2&3 From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint, lead me to the rock that is higher than I, For you have been my refuge , a strong tower against the foe.
1 Peter 5-7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
time and time again I was reminded my help comes from the Lord. HE is in control of my life and I would be a lot less stressed if I would just take hold of those promises he made to me, that he would be at my side and allow him to lead me! So I gave it a try...and though it is sometimes hard to allow my controlling nature to sit alone in the corner of my mind I am COMFORTED by the fact that this battle is not mine! I AM NOT ALONE!
So in that I have realized I will never have all the answers, but as a child of God I am called to listen to Jesus....(read his word) (hear his still small voice...or in my case his sometimes very loud voice)
And in that I hear all the answers I need...
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
He is the answer we are called to know....
He is PEACE.....
(The only lasting kind I know of)
ONE LOVE,
Cody
Thursday, August 4, 2011
And here we are full circle.....
Well for those of you who follow our family through all of it's adventures....We would like to HAPPILY announce the newest one!
We will be leaving Newspring to head back to the local church plant we helped get going a couple of years ago, Revolution Church!
If you know us you know that our family is called to church planting! It is our passion! We have been so blessed to be surrounded by and take part in a few of what we would consider to be the best around!
So to our Newspring peeps! THANK YOU! What an amazing group of people you are! We have learned so much from you, you truly are equipping people and we love you for that! We have grown spiritually as individuals and as a family while under the leadership of Pastor Perry Noble! You have been a teacher! You have spoken the pure word of God and we honor the work God is doing through you and Newspring!
To our friends...We are blessed to have served in the presence of such a FUN and wonderfully gifted group of people...you have influenced us for the better! We will miss you terribly!
Mrs. Teresa - You will forever be in my heart as a mom for pioneering new direction in "mega churches" for kids with FOOD ALLERGIES! I am taking your methods and carrying them off to the church plant I will be working with! I cry as I am writing this...you have no idea the impact you have made on our family, and the comfort your emails bring to an allergy mama like me! WE LOVE YOU!
Production/band family -Your knowledge and leadership have meant the world to my husband! He loves you guys! Thank you for teaching him so many of your tricks. I know he is leaving better equipped to run sound and be creative!
Pudge- My children have grown so much during there time in KidSpring! They have been blessed to be a part of the FANTASTIC children's ministry at Newspring!
RoseAngela/Tom- For all the times your voice took my worship to a whole other level! Your love for the Lord pours out of your mouth and is seen in the way you live!
Kaycee, Lauren, Mr. Kelly, Michelle, Kenny and all the other teachers who greeted my children every Sunday and showed them how to love like Jesus! THANK YOU THANK YOU!
We love you all and our lives have been blessed by every smiling face we came in contact with while at Newspring! We will miss you all!
Revolution Peeps!
First to our wonderful friends Chris and Tabitha...Chris is the pastor at Revolution! Thank you for loving us right where we are! You knew where we came from and you believed in where we were headed and that is what you call FRIEND!
You already know a piece of our hearts never left you all! Revolution feels like coming home!
We know greater things are yet to come! We could not be HAPPIER about our return to be with dear friends with such wonderful hearts! We are excited to see how God is going to use our family through this ministry! I hope you are ready because WEEEEERE BAAACK!
Our cup runneth over,
The Wyatt's
I Corinthians 1:26a, “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called.”
We will be leaving Newspring to head back to the local church plant we helped get going a couple of years ago, Revolution Church!
If you know us you know that our family is called to church planting! It is our passion! We have been so blessed to be surrounded by and take part in a few of what we would consider to be the best around!
So to our Newspring peeps! THANK YOU! What an amazing group of people you are! We have learned so much from you, you truly are equipping people and we love you for that! We have grown spiritually as individuals and as a family while under the leadership of Pastor Perry Noble! You have been a teacher! You have spoken the pure word of God and we honor the work God is doing through you and Newspring!
To our friends...We are blessed to have served in the presence of such a FUN and wonderfully gifted group of people...you have influenced us for the better! We will miss you terribly!
Mrs. Teresa - You will forever be in my heart as a mom for pioneering new direction in "mega churches" for kids with FOOD ALLERGIES! I am taking your methods and carrying them off to the church plant I will be working with! I cry as I am writing this...you have no idea the impact you have made on our family, and the comfort your emails bring to an allergy mama like me! WE LOVE YOU!
Production/band family -Your knowledge and leadership have meant the world to my husband! He loves you guys! Thank you for teaching him so many of your tricks. I know he is leaving better equipped to run sound and be creative!
Pudge- My children have grown so much during there time in KidSpring! They have been blessed to be a part of the FANTASTIC children's ministry at Newspring!
RoseAngela/Tom- For all the times your voice took my worship to a whole other level! Your love for the Lord pours out of your mouth and is seen in the way you live!
Kaycee, Lauren, Mr. Kelly, Michelle, Kenny and all the other teachers who greeted my children every Sunday and showed them how to love like Jesus! THANK YOU THANK YOU!
We love you all and our lives have been blessed by every smiling face we came in contact with while at Newspring! We will miss you all!
Revolution Peeps!
First to our wonderful friends Chris and Tabitha...Chris is the pastor at Revolution! Thank you for loving us right where we are! You knew where we came from and you believed in where we were headed and that is what you call FRIEND!
You already know a piece of our hearts never left you all! Revolution feels like coming home!
We know greater things are yet to come! We could not be HAPPIER about our return to be with dear friends with such wonderful hearts! We are excited to see how God is going to use our family through this ministry! I hope you are ready because WEEEEERE BAAACK!
Our cup runneth over,
The Wyatt's
I Corinthians 1:26a, “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called.”
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
This weeks REALisations....
I wanted to share with you that I have recently been going through some life changes. I am not sure if I would call these spiritual as much as soul changes just life moments that I have opened my eyes to. Realizing there are so many things in this life that I was fooled by or blind to. Maybe I am just getting older?
Here are a few moments from this past couple of weeks that have been BIG changers in my out look on a few things.
First I was sooooo lying when I said I was totally honest in this life.
There are things about my past that have been buried back so far and covered with blankets of hurt that I had nearly forgotten them, painfully God has helped reveal some of those things to me and prayerfully I have been slowly acknowledging them and trying to figure out how it is I will deal with these old but newly found emotions of painful past happenings.
I realized as I sat in Falls Park watching a Shakespeare play that I have yet to loose my passion for poetry in the hustle of "mommy life" I sat in amazement as I soaked in every emotion filled word. I LOVED IT!
I learned a hard lesson as I drove down the street the other day. I watched a guy pull in to a drive way drag a girl out of the back of his car and toss her on the ground. As he speed away and I watched her pick her self up, straighten her clothes, and begin to walk in the pouring rain the mother in me couldn't help but pull over. GET IN I said to her...and as the mascara covered eyes of what appeared to be a 16 year old girl looked back at me for a brief moment I saw a glimpse of myself through her. She replied..." I am ok" I knew she was NOT ok and at that age I was not ok either. After several attempts to help her I finally drove away praying God let her make it home. This world and what it has to offer is often JUST WRONG!
I have learned that I am exactly who I once was. Yes people change. You put your big girl panties an and you keep walkin heck sometimes you put your running shoes on and you take off, but the things you have gone through to get you to where you are standing now will always be a defining factor in who you are today. So I have decided instead of wishing those things were not a part of my past or even my present. I will choose to own those things. To hold them close and remember even though they might have been hard they are why I am who I am today. I have control over them they no longer have control over me.
I learned I can work part time and still be a good mom. I learned being a full time mommy is HARD and being a working mommy is HARD! No matter what your everyday includes all of us moms work hard, each and everyday.
Last but certainly not least forgiveness doesn't justify the chains people might have put on your soul...but it does break them and you are set free by that.
Well I guess this book is enough for now...There will be more defining moments shared in the next blog!
Here are a few moments from this past couple of weeks that have been BIG changers in my out look on a few things.
First I was sooooo lying when I said I was totally honest in this life.
There are things about my past that have been buried back so far and covered with blankets of hurt that I had nearly forgotten them, painfully God has helped reveal some of those things to me and prayerfully I have been slowly acknowledging them and trying to figure out how it is I will deal with these old but newly found emotions of painful past happenings.
I realized as I sat in Falls Park watching a Shakespeare play that I have yet to loose my passion for poetry in the hustle of "mommy life" I sat in amazement as I soaked in every emotion filled word. I LOVED IT!
I learned a hard lesson as I drove down the street the other day. I watched a guy pull in to a drive way drag a girl out of the back of his car and toss her on the ground. As he speed away and I watched her pick her self up, straighten her clothes, and begin to walk in the pouring rain the mother in me couldn't help but pull over. GET IN I said to her...and as the mascara covered eyes of what appeared to be a 16 year old girl looked back at me for a brief moment I saw a glimpse of myself through her. She replied..." I am ok" I knew she was NOT ok and at that age I was not ok either. After several attempts to help her I finally drove away praying God let her make it home. This world and what it has to offer is often JUST WRONG!
I have learned that I am exactly who I once was. Yes people change. You put your big girl panties an and you keep walkin heck sometimes you put your running shoes on and you take off, but the things you have gone through to get you to where you are standing now will always be a defining factor in who you are today. So I have decided instead of wishing those things were not a part of my past or even my present. I will choose to own those things. To hold them close and remember even though they might have been hard they are why I am who I am today. I have control over them they no longer have control over me.
I learned I can work part time and still be a good mom. I learned being a full time mommy is HARD and being a working mommy is HARD! No matter what your everyday includes all of us moms work hard, each and everyday.
Last but certainly not least forgiveness doesn't justify the chains people might have put on your soul...but it does break them and you are set free by that.
Well I guess this book is enough for now...There will be more defining moments shared in the next blog!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
The Flower Drop Off
I knew she was sick, I knew I needed to go and see her but the last time I had been there was the memory I wanted to hold onto. I didn't want the one of her sick...the one of her laying in the bed not even knowing I was there.
So for her birthday I took her flowers...I left them on the porch and ran. AFRAID...of what I might find if I were to go inside.
She knew I loved her, I knew she loved me this was good enough...
I got home from the "flower drop off" and my phone rang....she left a message..Cody, "This is your grandma...I love you thank you for my flowers."
Realizing that she realized I had been there and left I was overwhelmed with emotion. I got in my car and drove. On the way there I imagined what I would see in her eyes. I thought of what I would say.
I walked in to find her laying in the bed. She still looked lovely...She was wearing a red hat and her nails were polished as they had always been. She smiled at me when she heard my voice. She can barley see these days. I sat by her and she held my hand...
I started telling her funny stories about the kids and our trip to the beach...as she looked straight ahead and never said a word...When I finally stopped talking she spoke..."I love you Cody" I said I know Grandma I love you too!
As she fell asleep she kept a tight grip on my hand...I looked around the room at all the cards and flowers from all the people who love her, I thought about the last time I had been in that room...when she was still cancer free...I wondered how I would leave...what I would say...and if it would be the last time I told her I loved her?
So I squeezed her hand and said go to sleep now Grandma I love you and I will see you again soon...She said I love you MORE! I walked out of the room and cried....
I am not sure if I will see her again on this side of eternity, but I am happy tonight I made the decision to go and see her. I think she was glad too! I love her...and this sucks...SCREW YOU CANCER...
Her Granddaughter,
Cody
So for her birthday I took her flowers...I left them on the porch and ran. AFRAID...of what I might find if I were to go inside.
She knew I loved her, I knew she loved me this was good enough...
I got home from the "flower drop off" and my phone rang....she left a message..Cody, "This is your grandma...I love you thank you for my flowers."
Realizing that she realized I had been there and left I was overwhelmed with emotion. I got in my car and drove. On the way there I imagined what I would see in her eyes. I thought of what I would say.
I walked in to find her laying in the bed. She still looked lovely...She was wearing a red hat and her nails were polished as they had always been. She smiled at me when she heard my voice. She can barley see these days. I sat by her and she held my hand...
I started telling her funny stories about the kids and our trip to the beach...as she looked straight ahead and never said a word...When I finally stopped talking she spoke..."I love you Cody" I said I know Grandma I love you too!
As she fell asleep she kept a tight grip on my hand...I looked around the room at all the cards and flowers from all the people who love her, I thought about the last time I had been in that room...when she was still cancer free...I wondered how I would leave...what I would say...and if it would be the last time I told her I loved her?
So I squeezed her hand and said go to sleep now Grandma I love you and I will see you again soon...She said I love you MORE! I walked out of the room and cried....
I am not sure if I will see her again on this side of eternity, but I am happy tonight I made the decision to go and see her. I think she was glad too! I love her...and this sucks...SCREW YOU CANCER...
Her Granddaughter,
Cody
Thursday, May 19, 2011
The view from my pedestal
Well today I did it...I always do....No matter how much I try...I always let my mouth get out of control....AT TIMES I might even act a little childish or "redneck"
I have always been opinionated and loud, a little too blunt, and overly honest...to a fault at times...I am so true at times sometimes I feel if I keep my mouth shut when I think something or have a thought cross my mind that I might be "fake" to keep that feeling to myself...
The old "I felt it there for it shall be said" rule that's in the bible I am sure...Somewhere it must be.
The people that know me best know my heart, they know I am a sinner with a bad background one filled with drugs, premarital sex, teen pregnancy, lies, and divorce.
They also know I am a changed person in many ways. I have left much of my past behind me. You see I knew the Lord when I did all of those things...just didn't care too much about what he thought about it...Knowing the Lord and having a relationship with him are two different things you know.
Now getting back to what those who know me best know about me...Well they also know I am sarcastic, moody, and will flip on another person in about 3 seconds if given the right situation. This is something I am not proud of. I do not do a great job at controlling my mouth nor my anger.
You see I think when you refer to yourself as a "christian" people tend to put you on a "perfection-ometor" or they put you on this pedestal that God knows you will never live up to.
Today I was approached with this statement..."I thought you were supposed to be a Christian?"
My first reaction to that was
1. I AM
2. What do you care
3. Stop worrying about my relationship with the Lord and worry about your own.
BUT
After thinking about it for a while I came to this conclusion. The Lord commands us to love others, and I will try to do this.
This person is hard to love and I am trying to get my heart right about that...
For now these are the things I would say to her if she were reading this...
First I am sorry for my childishness
Second I would encourage you to work on your relationship with Jesus and pull from him your "view" of perfection because Christians here on earth will NEVER meet that expectation for you.
My prayer for myself would be that I could control my mouth and my anger when I am attacked.
because in Gods word it tells us RECKLESS WORDS PIERCE LIKE A SWORD BUT THE TONGUE OF THE WISE WOMAN BRINGS HEALING
Also I would tell you this
THERE IS DECEIT IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO PLOT EVIL BUT JOY FOR THOSE WHO PROMOTE PEACE.
Proverbs 12:22
I pray this for you...That you would find it in your heart to understand this verse and put it into practice...
I have always been opinionated and loud, a little too blunt, and overly honest...to a fault at times...I am so true at times sometimes I feel if I keep my mouth shut when I think something or have a thought cross my mind that I might be "fake" to keep that feeling to myself...
The old "I felt it there for it shall be said" rule that's in the bible I am sure...Somewhere it must be.
The people that know me best know my heart, they know I am a sinner with a bad background one filled with drugs, premarital sex, teen pregnancy, lies, and divorce.
They also know I am a changed person in many ways. I have left much of my past behind me. You see I knew the Lord when I did all of those things...just didn't care too much about what he thought about it...Knowing the Lord and having a relationship with him are two different things you know.
Now getting back to what those who know me best know about me...Well they also know I am sarcastic, moody, and will flip on another person in about 3 seconds if given the right situation. This is something I am not proud of. I do not do a great job at controlling my mouth nor my anger.
You see I think when you refer to yourself as a "christian" people tend to put you on a "perfection-ometor" or they put you on this pedestal that God knows you will never live up to.
Today I was approached with this statement..."I thought you were supposed to be a Christian?"
My first reaction to that was
1. I AM
2. What do you care
3. Stop worrying about my relationship with the Lord and worry about your own.
BUT
After thinking about it for a while I came to this conclusion. The Lord commands us to love others, and I will try to do this.
This person is hard to love and I am trying to get my heart right about that...
For now these are the things I would say to her if she were reading this...
First I am sorry for my childishness
Second I would encourage you to work on your relationship with Jesus and pull from him your "view" of perfection because Christians here on earth will NEVER meet that expectation for you.
My prayer for myself would be that I could control my mouth and my anger when I am attacked.
because in Gods word it tells us RECKLESS WORDS PIERCE LIKE A SWORD BUT THE TONGUE OF THE WISE WOMAN BRINGS HEALING
Also I would tell you this
THERE IS DECEIT IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO PLOT EVIL BUT JOY FOR THOSE WHO PROMOTE PEACE.
Proverbs 12:22
I pray this for you...That you would find it in your heart to understand this verse and put it into practice...
Monday, May 16, 2011
Moving on looks a little like this....
Today as I realized it is the anniversary of the death of a great man of God husband and father of three Zac Smith. This just following the one year anniversaries of the deaths of Russ Church and Brent Batson dear friends of Josh and I.
I woke up this morning to read about sweet Kate who is so young and will have a MRI of her brain tumor this morning
I am surrounded by death... The thought of it rarely leaves me as I find small reminders of the struggles of those here on earth and the loss of those now gone to be with the Lord.
I try to find comfort in worldly things in a picture or the voice of a friend or family member, but I guess we are just all putting one foot in front of the other right?
Someone asked me this past week can't you just move on...
I have...
I am here right? I thought to myself...
I am moving on the best way I know how...
By trying to learn from the loss we have suffered as a family...Trying to remember to love harder, to not let the little things in life consume me, to make my life count, and to make it one worth remembering, to hug my children more and fuss at them less, to "love harder and worry less" this is what Brooke and I have been telling each other.
I really thought I would be able to move on with my life and just forget this at some point...at some point that these people I once held so dear would simply begin to fade as my life here on earth moved forward but one year later I can say the pain is still there and the memories still fresh...
So what do we do with that? How is this the new?
We stay positive....We keep our eyes open for opportunities to love others, to help others, MOST IMPORTANTLY to share the love of Christ with others...
We live life...
This weekend we did that by donating enough blood to save over 100 peoples lives!
Every now and then I do this by sending sweet Caitlin Church a card or a little gift to let her know we love her...On mother's day it is a card to a mom who no longer has her child to send one, on the alter it is a prayer begging God to save the lives of our friends who still don't know him.
Moving on comes in all kinds of packages...
Cody Michelle Wyatt 5/12/1982 - 00/00/0000
Its not the day you are born or the day that you die but the DASH in-between that counts...
What have you done with your DASH today?
ONE LOVE,
Cody
I woke up this morning to read about sweet Kate who is so young and will have a MRI of her brain tumor this morning
I am surrounded by death... The thought of it rarely leaves me as I find small reminders of the struggles of those here on earth and the loss of those now gone to be with the Lord.
I try to find comfort in worldly things in a picture or the voice of a friend or family member, but I guess we are just all putting one foot in front of the other right?
Someone asked me this past week can't you just move on...
I have...
I am here right? I thought to myself...
I am moving on the best way I know how...
By trying to learn from the loss we have suffered as a family...Trying to remember to love harder, to not let the little things in life consume me, to make my life count, and to make it one worth remembering, to hug my children more and fuss at them less, to "love harder and worry less" this is what Brooke and I have been telling each other.
I really thought I would be able to move on with my life and just forget this at some point...at some point that these people I once held so dear would simply begin to fade as my life here on earth moved forward but one year later I can say the pain is still there and the memories still fresh...
So what do we do with that? How is this the new?
We stay positive....We keep our eyes open for opportunities to love others, to help others, MOST IMPORTANTLY to share the love of Christ with others...
We live life...
This weekend we did that by donating enough blood to save over 100 peoples lives!
Every now and then I do this by sending sweet Caitlin Church a card or a little gift to let her know we love her...On mother's day it is a card to a mom who no longer has her child to send one, on the alter it is a prayer begging God to save the lives of our friends who still don't know him.
Moving on comes in all kinds of packages...
Cody Michelle Wyatt 5/12/1982 - 00/00/0000
Its not the day you are born or the day that you die but the DASH in-between that counts...
What have you done with your DASH today?
ONE LOVE,
Cody
Monday, March 28, 2011
Facebook AFTER Death....
In the past few months I have had several people make comments to me about Facebook. They say oh I had to delete my FB, I am just on there so I can stalk my sons father. Oh I need to delete my FB people on there make me say things I shouldn't. Oh well I had to take those pictures off my FB because I just posted them to make someone mad...
I spoke to someone today who said...Yea I looked at her FB and you can tell all she does is party...
I began to think. What if I was dead, and others who never knew me looked at my FB page what would they see. If asked what would they say about my life, from the "look" of my FB page. What would people say about me as the scrolled through my pictures...She loved her kids...is that a beer she has in her hand....WOW she wore that? She was friends with that guy?
I know I know many people might be thinking I DON'T CARE what people who look at my FB page think about me....Well if you are a Christian you should....if you are a parent you should...if you are a Sunday school teacher you should...I could go on and on.
Reality is our lives...including our FB page are reflections of who we are who we are as individuals, who we are in Christ...of our hearts...Does yours reflect that of a Christ follower? Does yours reflect that of a mother your children could be proud of or a husband your wife can trust...or maybe even a student who sets a good example for others?
So first we must think WHO is it we want to reflect? What type of person do we want people to see in us? That answer will be different for each of us, but as for me, I want to reflect my love for Jesus, my commitment to my husband, the happiness brought into my life by four fantastic kids, my friendships....
So I challenge you to read your post as if you were dead...as a person going to your page to look in and decide who was this person and what did their life stand for? Would you be proud of the answer?
One Love,
Cody
I spoke to someone today who said...Yea I looked at her FB and you can tell all she does is party...
I began to think. What if I was dead, and others who never knew me looked at my FB page what would they see. If asked what would they say about my life, from the "look" of my FB page. What would people say about me as the scrolled through my pictures...She loved her kids...is that a beer she has in her hand....WOW she wore that? She was friends with that guy?
I know I know many people might be thinking I DON'T CARE what people who look at my FB page think about me....Well if you are a Christian you should....if you are a parent you should...if you are a Sunday school teacher you should...I could go on and on.
Reality is our lives...including our FB page are reflections of who we are who we are as individuals, who we are in Christ...of our hearts...Does yours reflect that of a Christ follower? Does yours reflect that of a mother your children could be proud of or a husband your wife can trust...or maybe even a student who sets a good example for others?
So first we must think WHO is it we want to reflect? What type of person do we want people to see in us? That answer will be different for each of us, but as for me, I want to reflect my love for Jesus, my commitment to my husband, the happiness brought into my life by four fantastic kids, my friendships....
So I challenge you to read your post as if you were dead...as a person going to your page to look in and decide who was this person and what did their life stand for? Would you be proud of the answer?
One Love,
Cody
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Parents just don't understand.....
More and more each day I am learning I have four very different children. Each with their own soul and passion, each with a unique personality and will to do what they know to be the adventure of life.
Sometimes they are happy and some days they are sad some moments are filled with creativity and some with frustration, many moments in a house of six are filled with work and many with fun and imagination.
I find myself so many times as a mom embracing the moments that are filled with positive behaviors and enjoying the uniqueness of each of my children. The moments when Hali wants to do nothing but read. The moments when Meccia paints freely and creates what I believe to be a masterpiece, or when my boys Carson and Easton play pirates and sail the ship (laundry basket) around the house.
But how do we handle the moments when our children are being themselves in ways that are hard for us as parents to deal with?
When they are sleepy at four in the afternoon and its not a great time for a nap but not quite bedtime. Do we expect them to just suck it up and behave even though that is not how they are feeling at that moment, or do we just lean in to that emotion with love and be understanding with some of the behavior we wouldn't normally except, because we know it is because they are tired.
Or like when you have a strong willed child one who doesn't want to be told what to do...Do you demand they follow your every command or do you embrace that strong willed child and instead give them a few choices all of which are acceptable options and allow them to make the decision.
I am discovering every day how much I as a parent need to stop trying to turn my children into something they just simply are not. I think all to often as parents we want our children to grow up and be doctors when they may in all actuality want to grow up to be a airplane pilot or an artist or even hold your breath a stay at home mommy!
We want our three year olds to act as if they are ten...We expect perfection from inperfect children...How would you feel if people put those same expectations on you...Maybe they already do..Maybe you are stressed and feel useless and incompetent. Maybe you are longing to be your true self but feel as though you will be met with confrontation and a lack of understanding from those around you.
Is this what we are doing to our children? Maybe some of us without even realizing it?
I pray that I am a parent who shows my children support one who embraces who they are as individuals never expecting them to be or act like anything but themselves. I hope that I am a parent who shows unconditional love and one my children can count on to stnad behind them through any struggle they might face.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
A Soul's Stirring
Tears of joy and heartbreak flow as I read the outlook of a trusted friend on my recent subject...Hearing NO...
I thought I would post the link to her blog here...
A Souls Stirring
Cody
I thought I would post the link to her blog here...
A Souls Stirring
Cody
Monday, March 14, 2011
What if the answer is no?
So today there was a situation in my car. Easton my three year old wanted me to turn on the TV. I told him since we were only driving a short distance we would not be turning the TV on for this trip. He was not happy to say the least. He yelled at me TURN ON THE TV! When I said no he continued for the entire five minute car ride to yell TURN ON THE TV over and over. Needless to say this method didn't change my answer no matter how hard he tried my answer was still no.
As I looked back on that moment I thought this is very similar to the relationship some of us have with God. We pray about something, we ask God to give us an answer and many of us don't mind waiting on the answer....as long as it is a yes.
The thing is sometimes we wait and the answer is no. Sometimes we wait, and we get nothing.... no answer...(I take that as a no also.)
This is when we sometimes begin to act just like my three year old. We get angry or frustrated with God because we just are not getting the answer we had wanted from him.
He is not going to open the door for that job, you didn't get the loan you needed, the adoption didn't go through, God did not choose to heal the person you have been praying for...Sometimes the answer is just no.
Here is where you would expect me to say some kind of really wonderful thing that would make hearing no from your Heavenly Father better or easier. I don't have that word. I don't have that comfort. I think here is where we need to get off the floor stop throwing the tantrum...stop yelling at God to give us our way and fall back on his word, not only his word but his promises.
In Romans 12 the Bible tells us his will is perfect and good, in Jeremiah it tells us the Lords plans are to prosper us. You have to trust he knows best....
PROVERBSS 3 5:6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in him,
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Lamentations 3 22:23
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I think on the days I find myself most confused I run to his word, I run to the answers he has given me.
I will leave you with this quote as you ponder how you will handle the answer no from God...
We only want His BEST!!!! If what we want doesn't line up with what He wants for us then it will always be second best!
Tabitha Lewis
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Dirty Diapers & Love!
So I was listening to focus on the family today. I just love that radio show. Anyway today it was about marriage and something profound was said.
Your marriage should be like a cloth diaper.
I LOVE THIS!!!
In todays world so many things are disposable, silverware, dishes, hand towels, watches, even husbands and wives.
Marriage is not supposed to be a throw away item...disposable.
If we looked at our married life like a diaper, in our hearts is it disposable? Are we all just waiting for the moment that it gets messy and starts to stink, for the moment when the "situation" gets to be too gross to handle, so we can just throw it away and bring in a new one?
Here is the first issue. A diaper is a diaper, and a marriage is a marriage, and no matter how you handle them they are all going to stink at one time or another.
I think (and so does the guy who talked about it on the radio today) We should look at our marriage more like a cloth diaper. It will get nasty, it will stink, there will be "situations" but when they arise you work them out. You clean them up, you deal with them, hang them out to dry and then you bring them back in the house put them back on and keep on crawling!
You don't throw them away!
Marriage is hard ,but it is not a throw away item.
So is your marriage disposable or is it just an old cloth diaper one you know might get stinky but you are willing to work with and clean up for love?
Your marriage should be like a cloth diaper.
I LOVE THIS!!!
In todays world so many things are disposable, silverware, dishes, hand towels, watches, even husbands and wives.
Marriage is not supposed to be a throw away item...disposable.
If we looked at our married life like a diaper, in our hearts is it disposable? Are we all just waiting for the moment that it gets messy and starts to stink, for the moment when the "situation" gets to be too gross to handle, so we can just throw it away and bring in a new one?
Here is the first issue. A diaper is a diaper, and a marriage is a marriage, and no matter how you handle them they are all going to stink at one time or another.
I think (and so does the guy who talked about it on the radio today) We should look at our marriage more like a cloth diaper. It will get nasty, it will stink, there will be "situations" but when they arise you work them out. You clean them up, you deal with them, hang them out to dry and then you bring them back in the house put them back on and keep on crawling!
You don't throw them away!
Marriage is hard ,but it is not a throw away item.
So is your marriage disposable or is it just an old cloth diaper one you know might get stinky but you are willing to work with and clean up for love?
Friday, March 4, 2011
Dear Josh......
Josh,
OK I have tried to type this three times now only to erase and do it over. I think it is because I was writing this for my readers not for you. Trying to word my note so that they could understand the point of March 4th to me. Trying to do that without putting too much personal information but enough love.
I now realize this is not for them it's for you!
So here goes!
Oh my three years! I can not believe it! I AM SO PROUD. There are no words to discribe all the feelings this day creates for me every year! I look back on how far you have come! How honest you have been with me every step of the way! How you have taken this journey day by day never taking for granted how far you have come! How I have grown to love you more...(I thought that was impossible) How I love you differently since March 4th 2008. How my soul is connected to the Godly man you have become more than I ever was before...
I am always proud to be your wife but on this day each year I am a little more proud than usual!
HOOOORAAY!
All my love,
All my life,
Babe
To all our friends who celebrate this day with us each year. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for your understanding for your support and for your encouragement. Most of all for just loving us for nothing more than who we are. Through this journey you have become more than our friends, you are our family.
ONE LOVE,
Cody
OK I have tried to type this three times now only to erase and do it over. I think it is because I was writing this for my readers not for you. Trying to word my note so that they could understand the point of March 4th to me. Trying to do that without putting too much personal information but enough love.
I now realize this is not for them it's for you!
So here goes!
Oh my three years! I can not believe it! I AM SO PROUD. There are no words to discribe all the feelings this day creates for me every year! I look back on how far you have come! How honest you have been with me every step of the way! How you have taken this journey day by day never taking for granted how far you have come! How I have grown to love you more...(I thought that was impossible) How I love you differently since March 4th 2008. How my soul is connected to the Godly man you have become more than I ever was before...
I am always proud to be your wife but on this day each year I am a little more proud than usual!
HOOOORAAY!
All my love,
All my life,
Babe
To all our friends who celebrate this day with us each year. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for your understanding for your support and for your encouragement. Most of all for just loving us for nothing more than who we are. Through this journey you have become more than our friends, you are our family.
ONE LOVE,
Cody
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Todays "Boog" update
Last night Josh and I had a long talk... As we discussed the situation we decided either God will heal my grandmother on this side of Heaven or he won't and he will take her home to be with him. In that statement I decided to begin to pray for comfort for my grandmother no matter what the situation may come to be.
This morning I rose to the normal crazy school morning in our house...Lunches to be made and kids to get going.
In the craziness of my morning there was glimmers of Gods grace, of his presence in our lives. Meccia was able to sleep through the night for the first time in three days. She woke up with a very low grade fever instead of the 103 temp she has been retaining over the past few days. I realized she is turning the corner to being well.
My phone rang shortly after I got Hali off to school and Josh out to Columbia. It was my mom. She called to tell me my grandmother who we all call Boog, who had brain surgery yesterday, had inspired her doctors as they made their rounds this morning.
This morning she should have been sore, barley awake, just realizing where she was and who everyone was, just getting back to herself. Instead she woke up and asked for coffee and some breakfast. She then asked if she could get up and sit in a chair and she DID!
As I heard the news God said to me in his oh so quiet voice COMFORT...He heard me he answered my prayer. She may not be healed but for now God is giving her comfort.
Today my cup runneth over. My blessings can not be measured!
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
Psalm 23 4-6
This morning I rose to the normal crazy school morning in our house...Lunches to be made and kids to get going.
In the craziness of my morning there was glimmers of Gods grace, of his presence in our lives. Meccia was able to sleep through the night for the first time in three days. She woke up with a very low grade fever instead of the 103 temp she has been retaining over the past few days. I realized she is turning the corner to being well.
My phone rang shortly after I got Hali off to school and Josh out to Columbia. It was my mom. She called to tell me my grandmother who we all call Boog, who had brain surgery yesterday, had inspired her doctors as they made their rounds this morning.
This morning she should have been sore, barley awake, just realizing where she was and who everyone was, just getting back to herself. Instead she woke up and asked for coffee and some breakfast. She then asked if she could get up and sit in a chair and she DID!
As I heard the news God said to me in his oh so quiet voice COMFORT...He heard me he answered my prayer. She may not be healed but for now God is giving her comfort.
Today my cup runneth over. My blessings can not be measured!
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
Psalm 23 4-6
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
feelingless and faithfilled
Well tonight there is a awkward silence in my thoughts as I just take a moment to process what I have been told. Details don't matter as I have told many I type my feelings and they are just missing at this point...I am numb to exactly what is going on.
I am distracted by everyday life kids and work. The flu that somehow crept its way into what I thought was my germ free home.
I continue to stay positive deliberately pointing out all my blessings instead of counting all my trials.
Meccia is about the same still feverish and Josh has been SUPER HUSBAND jumping in alternating work times and helping with the long list of medications Meccia is taking, entertaining the boys, and dating Hali, praying over me when he sees I am at the end of my rope but just don't say anything.
Countless friends send me text and FB messages of prayers and support, for my grandmother and my family.
I am filling out the invites for meccias baptism. I am elated to have the honor of seeing that next weekend!
Life is moving things are changing, and I don't get to control it all. I do get to choose how I react to what is happening though and I choose to remain steadfast. To draw closer to Jesus and love those around me with all my might for however long it is God loans them to me.
I was encouraged tramendously by a dear friend with this scripture and I have held this promise close to my heart today.
James 1:12
"Blessed is the woman who remains steadfast under trial, for when she has stood the test she will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."
I am distracted by everyday life kids and work. The flu that somehow crept its way into what I thought was my germ free home.
I continue to stay positive deliberately pointing out all my blessings instead of counting all my trials.
Meccia is about the same still feverish and Josh has been SUPER HUSBAND jumping in alternating work times and helping with the long list of medications Meccia is taking, entertaining the boys, and dating Hali, praying over me when he sees I am at the end of my rope but just don't say anything.
Countless friends send me text and FB messages of prayers and support, for my grandmother and my family.
I am filling out the invites for meccias baptism. I am elated to have the honor of seeing that next weekend!
Life is moving things are changing, and I don't get to control it all. I do get to choose how I react to what is happening though and I choose to remain steadfast. To draw closer to Jesus and love those around me with all my might for however long it is God loans them to me.
I was encouraged tramendously by a dear friend with this scripture and I have held this promise close to my heart today.
James 1:12
"Blessed is the woman who remains steadfast under trial, for when she has stood the test she will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."
Monday, February 21, 2011
I regret to inform you.....
Well the last couple of weeks have been a little stressful to say the least...I started a new job after being out of the "work world" for almost five years as a stay at home mom. I has been different to say the least. Although I am blessed to have had this job fall in my lap as a final blessing from a special friend as she went to be with the Lord.
Around the same time I learned my grandmother had a brain tumor...enough said...
They ran test and test and some more test...the news was not good.
I took the news in stride as I heard my dad's heartbroken words this morning. I held it together so that he didn't have to.
Once I got home from work Josh told me Meccia had come down with something and was running a high temperature.
It was the last bit of self control I had left. I swept away into the kitchen for a brief moment of prayer...As I prayed alone with God I thought if God were sitting across the table what would I say. How would I express my pain to him.
It went something like this...
God,
I don't understand your plan for my grandmother one bit. I am angry with you for all that you have taken me through in the past few months, and I am clueless as to how you expect me to break this news to my daughters. My heart is broken and I want you to fix this. I promise you I will be selfish in this situation, I will not like some of the steps my family will have to make together in the coming months. I promise I will question you, I will yell at you, and I am sure I will cry out to you.
In this I also know that I will trust you, I will lean on you, I will keep my faith in you and know that you are walking through this fire with my grandmother and my family. I will not harden my heart towards you but open it up to you so that you may fill my soul with a comfort I can only find in you. I promise that I will fall and when I do I am sure I will fall hard but I will do it without even thinking because I know you will catch me and when I am too tired to walk this journey any longer I know you will carry me! I promise I will not always understand your plan but I will trust in it knowing you are a all knowing God and that my grandmothers suffering here is just a vapor of time compared to her time she will spend in eternity with her Lord and savior.
I know you understand my feelings and I know you hear my hearts cry. I know you know that in my perfect world you would choose to heal my grandmother, and if you do you are GOOD...but if you don't you are still GOOD.
I heard this statement at church a few weeks back...I know I heard it because you were preparing me for this...I know you do not punish us you prepare us...
Cody
My grandmother will have brain surgery to remove her tumor on Wed prayers are appreciated...
Around the same time I learned my grandmother had a brain tumor...enough said...
They ran test and test and some more test...the news was not good.
I took the news in stride as I heard my dad's heartbroken words this morning. I held it together so that he didn't have to.
Once I got home from work Josh told me Meccia had come down with something and was running a high temperature.
It was the last bit of self control I had left. I swept away into the kitchen for a brief moment of prayer...As I prayed alone with God I thought if God were sitting across the table what would I say. How would I express my pain to him.
It went something like this...
God,
I don't understand your plan for my grandmother one bit. I am angry with you for all that you have taken me through in the past few months, and I am clueless as to how you expect me to break this news to my daughters. My heart is broken and I want you to fix this. I promise you I will be selfish in this situation, I will not like some of the steps my family will have to make together in the coming months. I promise I will question you, I will yell at you, and I am sure I will cry out to you.
In this I also know that I will trust you, I will lean on you, I will keep my faith in you and know that you are walking through this fire with my grandmother and my family. I will not harden my heart towards you but open it up to you so that you may fill my soul with a comfort I can only find in you. I promise that I will fall and when I do I am sure I will fall hard but I will do it without even thinking because I know you will catch me and when I am too tired to walk this journey any longer I know you will carry me! I promise I will not always understand your plan but I will trust in it knowing you are a all knowing God and that my grandmothers suffering here is just a vapor of time compared to her time she will spend in eternity with her Lord and savior.
I know you understand my feelings and I know you hear my hearts cry. I know you know that in my perfect world you would choose to heal my grandmother, and if you do you are GOOD...but if you don't you are still GOOD.
I heard this statement at church a few weeks back...I know I heard it because you were preparing me for this...I know you do not punish us you prepare us...
Cody
My grandmother will have brain surgery to remove her tumor on Wed prayers are appreciated...
Friday, February 11, 2011
Cake.... a love hate relationship
So I had seen a wonderful birthday cake made by Cup Cake Couture for a friend of mine! So I went to the website and decided to give it a try against my better judgment. Not only was I amazed at how ignorant the lady was on the phone...(telling me a coconut was a tree nut) ITS NOT!!!!as we discussed my sons food allergies..I WAS ALSO SHOCKED to hear my cake would cost upwards of $80.00. I decided to take the plunge to get my three year old the Toy Story cake he had requested.
I asked the cake be blue butter cream icing with fondant rope around the bottom and top of the cake with a fondant Jesse and Woody on top. I mentioned the rope many times, as my son thinks he is a cowboy!
I agreed to pick my cake up at 10:00AM on Sat morning. I was late and didn't get to the store to pick it up until 10:45, only to find my cake was not even ready! Good thing I was late uhhh!
The lady half showed me the cake in a box and then announced as I paid she would place it in my car. I agreed.
I got in my car and began driving down the street when I looked over and noticed the butter cream on my cake was cracked and looked as if a 5 year old had put it on and I didn't see the rope I had requested...I decided to pull over to further inspect the cake! As I looked in horror at what had been my three year olds only request for his birthday I began to cry! I called Josh and he demanded I take it back.
I couldn't I was late for my own child's party and so I called them...I explained how the lady had taken the cake to my car without me really getting to see the cake, how there was no time for me to bring it back, how I was so disappointed in this cake and how it didn't even include everything I had asked for. Upon hearing my tears the manager was very apologetic she offered to mail me a gift certificate for the full amount that day. That was Jan 7th and I HAVE YET TO GET THAT GIFT CERTIFICATE!
I plan on calling cup cake couture in the morning to attempt to collect that gift card by ordering my sons Valentine cupcakes for his class party in one last attempt to let them redeem there reputation as the place to go for awesome cakes.
The only explanation I can give for the reason my friends sons cake looked awesome and mine was crap is maybe a new owner, a change in cake decorators, or management? The one thing I can assure you is the person who made her cake WAS NOT the person who made my sons cake!!!
IF AND I DO STRESS IF CCC is able to make this good with totally awesome cupcakes for my sons class I will blog about it...until then I would highly discourage anyone from spending a large chuck of cash on a cake you will be very disappointed in...I can throw couture in front of my name too that doesn't make me any better than anyone else...From what I saw it is a glorified bilo with unprofessional people working in it....
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Drop The Gun.......
Have you ever had that moment when you go..."What did I just do?" I think Beth Moore described my life best in a book I am reading when she said...
I had my headphones on and my ipod blaring. My left hand, complete with wedding ring and fresh manicure, was up in the air praising God, and my right hand was down by my side, gripping a shot gun. I know how to load it. I know how to use it. I grinned, shook my head, and thought to myself, How on earth did this happen....
As I read this it hit me hard I knew this was me, God constantly brings it to my attention to clean out parts of my old self that seem to resurface at times...
I feel my life is a bit two sided...I feel even though I praise my creator with genuine feeling and love him with every bit of my being there is still a part of me that is holding that shot gun...
Ready to handle things on my own if need be...
This makes me question how strong my faith is wondering do I fully rely on God? Will I ever be able to put down my shot gun and just trust that whatever comes my way HE CAN HANDLE!
Will I ever know that and fully trust in the fact that my God is big enough he doesn't need me for back up.
Deep down inside I know this but knowing and truly believing are two different things.
You can know something your whole life and never put it into action.. For example lots of people know they should eat better but unless they do it they will live the rest of their lives fat and unhealthy...
We can know we need to put our guard down lay our shot gun down and throw that other hand in the air and allow our "whole" selves to worship him free from the bondage of our past but if we never do it we will just live a life of chains never to walk in the total freedom of a new life in Christ...
This is what I think s many of us struggle with...Being "half surrendered" I think with me God is pressing in he is saying to me I want it all...I don't want the problems that are left over...The ones you couldn't handle on your own. I don't want the left over time...I don't want to be who you spend time with when you have nothing better to do...
MOST IMPORTANTLY I feel him saying I want your whole heart not just what is left over from the pain and hurt of your past, not just the pieces that you pushed to the front the few you had left that you thought where "God worthy"
I feel him saying "Cody I died for you"...and you don't think I can handle your problems, your insecurities, your heartaches, your pain...I can break these chains and set you free if you will just drop the gun....
I had my headphones on and my ipod blaring. My left hand, complete with wedding ring and fresh manicure, was up in the air praising God, and my right hand was down by my side, gripping a shot gun. I know how to load it. I know how to use it. I grinned, shook my head, and thought to myself, How on earth did this happen....
As I read this it hit me hard I knew this was me, God constantly brings it to my attention to clean out parts of my old self that seem to resurface at times...
I feel my life is a bit two sided...I feel even though I praise my creator with genuine feeling and love him with every bit of my being there is still a part of me that is holding that shot gun...
Ready to handle things on my own if need be...
This makes me question how strong my faith is wondering do I fully rely on God? Will I ever be able to put down my shot gun and just trust that whatever comes my way HE CAN HANDLE!
Will I ever know that and fully trust in the fact that my God is big enough he doesn't need me for back up.
Deep down inside I know this but knowing and truly believing are two different things.
You can know something your whole life and never put it into action.. For example lots of people know they should eat better but unless they do it they will live the rest of their lives fat and unhealthy...
We can know we need to put our guard down lay our shot gun down and throw that other hand in the air and allow our "whole" selves to worship him free from the bondage of our past but if we never do it we will just live a life of chains never to walk in the total freedom of a new life in Christ...
This is what I think s many of us struggle with...Being "half surrendered" I think with me God is pressing in he is saying to me I want it all...I don't want the problems that are left over...The ones you couldn't handle on your own. I don't want the left over time...I don't want to be who you spend time with when you have nothing better to do...
MOST IMPORTANTLY I feel him saying I want your whole heart not just what is left over from the pain and hurt of your past, not just the pieces that you pushed to the front the few you had left that you thought where "God worthy"
I feel him saying "Cody I died for you"...and you don't think I can handle your problems, your insecurities, your heartaches, your pain...I can break these chains and set you free if you will just drop the gun....
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