Lily is so fast that sometimes I think she has grabbed something without me seeing and shoved it in her mouth. But thankfully, she always shows me. This just cracks me up! The boys call her Lily-zilla!

Choosing our battles wisely

Josh came home from school today and said, "Mom! My art teacher gave us an assignment to do. She said we have to draw a picture of a haunted house". Well, if you read my entry "We Bow Down", you already know how I feel about this whole idea.

So, I found myself looking down at my son's baby blues, and he was looking back at me. The easy way out would have been just to say, "Well, just do it, even though we don't agree with it." But if I were to say that, then what good does it do to spend hours and hours teaching our kids about what we believe is right, and how we need to stand up for those beliefs, even if we are standing alone?  I asked Josh what he thought about the assignment he said,  "When she told the class, I thought to myself, this is really awful".

So, I did what my son expected me to do. After all, if I don't mean what I say, then why speak at all? I got the computer and wrote an email to his art teacher. I'm sure she'll think I am some whacked out religious nut who is out of touch with reality. Or maybe not. Maybe it will make her think about things a little differently. Maybe I am the first person that has actually had the nerve to request an alternative assignment for my child based on our families principles and convictions. Either way, I know that there are two people who respect me for it....God and my son. No, Josh doesn't completely understand why he is the only one in his whole class that doesn't celebrate halloween. And, no, he doesn't always understand why we make the decisions we make. But little by little, our consistency is helping him to develop a keen discernment, even at the fragile age of eight. It's not always easy to stand up for what we believe. It's even harder at eight when your friends are all doing the opposite. But I'd rather stand alone on the unpopular side of an issue, and be at peace with God, than compromise my convictions for a moment, and regret it for a lifetime. Our kids need to see us living a consistent life. I don't always do it perfectly, and they are quick to tell me when they see me contradict myself. But when it comes to the things of God, I want to stand firm, without wavering. I feel many times as if I am a dying breed. I am sure many Christians feel this way as we watch the world twist our faith, ridicule our beliefs and mock our Lord. But my only choice is to stand, and hope that by standing, maybe I will help others to be bold and stand as well. We don't realize the power and sphere of influence that the Lord has given us. It is an amazing thing that many times I overlook. This time, I am standing with my eyes wide open.

Lots of pics!

Let Fall Begin!

The boys and I made the first pumpkin roll of the season. It unfortunately stuck a little to the pan, but it tastes out of this world! Luis was especially happy, since it's one of his favorite desserts!

Adventures

I love when I get a great bargain! I have been searching craigslist (one of my favorite bargain places) for a new car seat for Lily. She has completely outgrown her infant car seat, and it's only a rear facing one, so I have been on the hunt for the next step up. So, my search led us to Easley, SC...only about 40 minutes from here. I got a great toddler car seat for $20. It looks brand new...and it's, yes, PINK! I just love a good find!  Now little Lily's legs can stretch out again, and no more facing backwards! We had lots of fun on the way there and back. It's funny how, with our GPS, we just get in the car and go. It was the most beautiful fall day today, and we love our road trips through the hills of the upstate! It's funny (and a bit scary) how we have no idea where we are headed, but we completely put our faith in Lori, our trusty GPS voice who leads the way. After getting the car seat, we found a roadside boiled peanut stand and got some plain for the boys and Cajun for Luis and I. Yum-o! Then, heading home, we stopped at the "famous" Jockey Lot in Williamston, S.C. It's a glorified flea market, and everyone tells Luis that we just have to go...so, we went. I felt like I was at a low budget NY state fair. (That sounded horrible!). They had everything you could imagine for sale...from feminine hygiene products to exotic snakes...very strange, actually. We stopped for a quick bite to eat at the taqueria (taco joint) in the middle of the place. Delicious tacos...I love that no matter where I am in the US, I can find a good taco somewhere...lol. They were just about to close up when we ordered, then Luis, with his "magnetic personality" brought several more people in to eat. What a fun day!

Limitless

This past Sunday at church, as I was at the end of praise and worship, I had this deposited into my heart. 

~

It says in John 3:34 that "God gives the Spirit without limit." So, if God's Spirit is given without limit, then why don't we see the signs and wonders that followed the fullness of the Spirit like we read about in the word of God? Because God's Spirit is limited by us. God wants so much to send freedom to the oppressed, heal the broken hearted, bring salvation to the lost, but His Spirit is trapped by the invisible restraints that we have placed around Him. And, being the gentleman that He is, the Holy Spirit will never force the doors open, or barge in where He isn't invited.

~

I think sometimes I don't even realize that I am shutting out the Lord with my lifestyles, my attitudes and my choices. I know many times in my life, I have been so worried about keeping the enemy out, so consumed with having an impenetrable fortress around myself and my family that I have even shut out the Lord, and all that he provides. Ironically, and unfortunately, that includes the divine protection that is so much more powerful than my pitiful walls could ever be. I have built strong-walled kingdoms filled with all things safe and beautiful, but I have forgotten the windows to let the Light in. There are no doors to receive a knock from the One who so desires to enter.

Help me to open the doors, Lord, and allow you to do whatever it is that you desire in my life an the lives of those around me. I don't want to limit your Spirit, for I know that it is by your Spirit that we overcome all things, move in power, and live a life of fullness. Forgive me for closing myself in and leaving you on the outskirts of my life, when really, all I want is more of you.

There was an amazing response to the word of the Lord in our service. The wind of the Spirit blew through that place, and was felt by each person there. God is doing something beautiful in our new little church in Berea, and we are so glad that we have the opportunity to witness it and be a part.

So, Josh officially has two front teeth coming in,

and Lily only HAS two front teeth. They both can eat like there's no tomorrow, so I am not too worried. Today, Lily successfully ingested a whole piece of pizza (minus the crust of course), a whole banana and a cup of Cheerios, and that was only lunch! She has some how figured out how to gum her food to the point where she can swallow it. She is on the brink of walking, but still no solo attempts. I'm sure she figures with all the people around here to tote her this way and that, why on earth does she need to walk? All in good time, Leslie, all in good time.