On Tuesday when I dropped off Annie at Girl Scouts, I did something with Bekah and Joey that I am proud of myself for doing...I took them to the park. I know, it's ridiculous to be proud of myself for that (and really I don't take pride in that), but it's a big germ fest and there are so many other things I could do with an hour in the afternoon than be at the park. But they love it!
The sun on our faces did us good! When I picked up Annie she brought with her a large envelope. I didn't ask about it and when we got home she went straight to her room. A few minutes later she came downstairs holding it and with tears in her eyes says, "I think I broke your present. It went ckkshhh because I accidentally knelt on it. I think it shattered!" So I checked it out and sure enough she had a put her handprints on a page with a poem and her name signed at the bottom but the frame had shattered.
She was so upset! I assured her that the best part was not ruined at all and we can easily replace the glass, but she was so sad that I wouldn't have a surprise to open on Mother's Day. I love my girl's heart!! I did end up cleaning the floors THOROUGHLY (we have dark hard floors downstairs which would make it easy to not see small pieces of glass).
Wednesday was a big day for us. Okay, I feel like a first-time mama again. It was time to put Joey into childcare at church. Jose and I very much so have missed sitting together to hear God's Word at church and quite honestly, I hadn't participated with full attention in a church service since before Joey was born. I had always said I would put him in class when flu season ends...and here we are. I wasn't concerned with leaving him other than his food allergies. I didn't want him grabbing another child's milk bottle or graham cracker . But he did great! He loved it! So now I am free to go to church and Joey is happy to play with the toys and new friends. Here's a pic of the girls walking Little Brother to class for the first time...
On Friday evening, I attended the first part of our women's 2-day mini retreat. What. A. Blessing! The worship was refreshing and the Spirit was present and pouring out. Pastor David's message on the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives was so needed and I believe well-received amongst the women. All we have to do is ask! Truly I needed to hear this. It had been a bit of a rough week for me, not because of any one incident but just overwhelming daily life. In fact, I threw myself a little personal pity party the previous Monday. I told Jose that I feel like I work from the minute I open my eyes in the morning to the time I fall into bed at night (oh yeah, and in the middle of the night when Joey gets up). I didn't want to add to his burdens...he works full time, weekly prepares and preaches a sermon and cares for a flock of Spanish speaking sheep, and attends school part time. I know my role. I agreed whole-heartedly to my role as a full-time wife and mother. I need to free him up. I WANT to free him up. But there are times when I forget to ask for the Holy Spirit to empower me. When I neglect to ask, it really does become a one-man (or woman!) show. And this one woman cannot do it all every single day. Not without Jesus leading me, strengthening me, and encouraging me. My best is not good enough, not even close. But when I stop and lay my cares at Jesus' feet, He is faithful, so faithful to renew my strength and encourage me to keep going.
On Saturday I attended the second part of our mini retreat where Cora Alley of Harvest Christian Fellowship taught. What a wonderful communicator she is! The theme of our retreat was Isaiah 58:11 "And the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones. And you will be like a well-watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.." Cora provided an excellent visual aid of a well-watered garden (a bouquet). She used a different kind of flower to represent the riches we have been given in Christ and the aspects of our Christian lives. Such a beautiful bouquet. She also talked about the weeds that we can accumulate that ruin the beauty of the flowers. I had some weeding to do! It was a fabulous mini retreat and I am thankful I was able to attend.
Sooo, on to another week. But I am not going to forget to daily, maybe hourly, maybe every minute! ask for the Holy Spirit to rid me of me, and fill me with Him. I'm so thankful He promises He will!
