Happy Fall Yall

Finally fall has come to Northern California. 

So much has happened since my last post...

After painting for four days and getting all new carpet,

We finally got all moved into our new house,

both girls started school (Shay as a freshman and Cloe in preschool),

Shay decided to run away from home for 24 hours,

and my MS has been kicking my butt.

Its been a crazy 2 months thats for sure!

Today my house smells like the stew that's in the crock pot and its overcast from the rain last night. 

It finally feels like fall, my favorite season.

Since its so late in the week I will finish the last two chapters of the Namesake study next week.

Here are a few photos from the past couple weeks.

Namesake Week 5 and 6 Postponed Till After The Move

Well moving day is quickly approaching and I have soooo much to do to get ready, so I have postponed the final 2 chapters of namesake till after we move. Moving is one of the worst things. Between choosing paint colors, packing, training the dog and going on a weekend trip to see my parents things are going to get very busy. Not to mention all the things that I have to get done during and after the move.

I normally do really good with moves, but with my back issues and now the MS I find moving really hard. I want to help and I can't so I have to turn over control to others. Tell people where to put things and unload as I can. Plus try and keep Cloe busy and out of the way. Whewww I'm tired just thinking about it all.

Currently I'm on the hunt for meals to make ahead and eat during the move, so we aren't eating out for three days. I will post some meal recipes that I find tomorrow or Friday.

Namesake Week 1 Day 5: Revelation, Call on the Name of God

Today's Scripture: Genesis 11:1-8 and Genesis 12:1-9

As mentioned in the introduction to this study the first 4 days of the weeks study is related to transformation, learning about changes that God made in the lives of others. The last day of each week is about revelation, exploring the unchanging identity and character of God. 

"True change is found in discovering who God is, how God reveals Himself and His love to us, and how it makes a difference in our own lives."

Can you imagine what is would be like is we tried to become more like God if he never revealed His character to us. We would be like a dog trying to catch him own tail, going around and around trying to catch ourselves. 

Here are some of the characteristics of God listed in the Bible

A strong fortress, a place to find love and safety

Glory

Majesty

Unfailing, never ending righteousness

Giver of Life to all who believe

Scripture relating to God's nature: Proverbs 18:10, Psalm 1113:1-3, and John 20:31

Many people make a list of the priorities in their lives, most go something like family, job, house, etc, etc. But for Christians its important for God to be at the top of the list, put first, and made top priority. He has to be the center of our universe, not ourselves. Jessica LaGrone points something out about the story of The Tower of Babel (Genesis Chapter 11) that I never really noticed. The people came together to build this tower so that "their" name would be known. By putting themselves before God, and putting themselves in God's rightful place they start a drastic downward spiral. 

Genesis Chapter 11 - Moral Bankruptcy - Bankruptcy Chapter 11 =

bank·rupt·cy, Noun - The state of being completely lacking in a particular quality or value. Failure, depleted, empty.

If the people had called out to God and asked for Him to reveal his plan and purpose for them they could have been mighty leaders and known for that, instead of causing total chaos and crashing down (bankruptcy) of the tower. 

This really stuck with me: "the characteristics at the heart of God are central to the future they (we) are now seeking."

When we call out to God for help, guidance, or support we need to not be calling God to us to do something, or do things our way. We need to call out to God, with all His Love, Power, and Mercy, in Praise of Him to please for Him act in His will on this situation. More times than not, God will make changes in us (changes to our heart, our character to be more like Him) that will in the end bring about the change that we are asking for. God works in mysterious ways.

Psalm 86:5 and Romans 10:13

Instructions from God on how to pray and call out His name can be found in Matthew 6

Namesake Week 1 Day 4: Waiting On God

Today's scripture Genesis 18:15, Genesis 8:6-12, 1 Samuel 1:1-22 and Luke 2:25-35

Additional reading about waiting Psalm 27:14, Psalm 130:5-7 and Isaiah 40:31

In this chapter Jessica talks about her trials to conceive a child, all the doctor appointments, tests, and waiting. I can completely understand it has been three long years of trying to get a diagnosis and treatment for my lower back pain and come to find out just this year that I also have MS (Multiple Sclerosis). That phrase "Hurry up and wait" is exactly how things have gone these few years and it has been one of the most trying times in my life. Just like Abraham and Sarah I have spent countless hours of worry, waiting, hoping, praying and praying some more.

Letting God be in control and trusting him can be the hardest thing we have to do sometimes. God's promise of "I Will" (from chapter 3) means that God is responsible and He has our lives in His hands, and not in our own. Learning how to wait well is a really important skill because we will always be waiting on or for something. Waiting on the blessings can sometimes be a blessing in disguise because we have to rely on God more than ever.

Have thin own way, Lord! Have thine own way!

Thou art the potter, I am the clay.

Mold me and make me after they will,

while I am waiting, yielding and still.

                                           -Adelaide A Pollard

I am a control freak often times, I try to think of and plan for everything. I worry, over analyse, and try to plan out my own future. All of this OCD craziness ends of making me stressed and in the end disappointed. Waiting strips us of the illusion that we are the ones who make things happen and it forces us to acknowledge that God is the one in control. We know that God has dreams and has made us promises, but he never delivers a timeline. We must learn to trust in God's plan of "I Will" and simply wait. We have to release control to God. In the last week of this home buying situation I prayed and gave all the stress and worry over to God. 

God, I give it all up to you. I know this is not in my control. If its your will that my family and I get this house then please let it be. Please Lord take away our stress and worry. Help us find comfort in the fact that you have your hands in this and be satisfied with the results. I know that if its not in your will you will help us find our way. Amen

If we hope and search for God He will listen, answer and turn to us. He will not leave us alone for He hears our cries the most when we truly need His help. All of the waiting in the past three years has molded me. Its made me appreciate and be more thankful for what I have. It has made my relationships with everyone stronger and richer, and although I'm still learning - it has been me understand that I have to slow down. 

I have made a promise over the next few weeks that when I am in a situation of waiting that I will put down my phone, turn off the TV, or whatever else is a distraction and look around. Listen, talk to people and fully be present in the waiting. I'm sure there is a message or lesson that can be found in the waiting, otherwise wouldn't God just make what I'm waiting for instantly happen?

Namesake Week 1 Day 3: Promises, Promises

Today's Scripture: Genesis 17:1-8, Genesis 17:6, 15-16, Galatians 3:26-29, and Romans 9:8

The following passages show God's Promises,

Numbers 23:19 - God doesn't lie, fail to act, or change his mind. He is not human and so he always carries through

Joshua 23:14 - Every promise God makes comes true.

John 14:1-2 - Trust in God for he will always make room for you.

2 Peter 3:9 - God is patient and wants / waits for everyone to repent and find Him.

Abraham and Sarah grew up in a polytheism (the belief in multiple gods) families. They had no experience with God and his promises. They were not used to a God who only wanted their love in return for the promises and fulfillment of a great life / future. God sought out and fulfilled every promise that He made to Abraham and Sarah without the need for sacrifices or manipulation. 

There are three promises that God makes to his people

1. People - God came to Abraham and Sarah and promised them not only a child that they so desperately wanted, but he also promised them a family as plentiful as the stars. He promised them "People" a family line. (Galatians 3:26-29)

2. Place - In Genesis 17 God promises "The whole land of Canaan, where you are now an alien, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you." In the days of the Bible a persons wealth was determined based on your offspring and the land you owned. By God promising Abraham and Sarah a nation and giving them a beautiful and fruitful land. He gave them a "Place".

3. Presence - God offered Abraham and Sarah and ALL OF US one of the greatest things he can - he offers us His presence. The greatest promise of all someone to walk beside us and guide us. A covenant to be our God forever and to be the God of our children and their children and on and on. "His commitment to walk with us as His children." Jessica LaGrone Namesake

Additional passages about God's presence 

Psalm 16:11, Psalm 41:12, and Acts 17:28

God's blessings in my life:

God has blessed me by providing people that bring me joy - My husband, my daughters, friends that come and one and my sister. These are the people besides my parents and in-laws that bring laughter and joy to my life.

God has blessed me by providing places that I treasure - The ocean, the mountains, my past homes and the beach houses where we have vacationed.

Namesake Week 1 Day 2: Small Changes, Big Impact

Today's Scripture: Genesis 17:1-5, 15-22, Genesis 17:4-6, Genesis 17:15-16, And Galatians 5:22-23

The message in today's study is that sometimes we wait for God to make huge changes that we will change our whole life's, but often the biggest changes come from the tiniest of adjustments. When God changed Abrams and Sarai names He only changes them both by one letter, the Hebrew letter "Hey" (H) Abram became Abraham and Sarai became Sarah. God changed the whole course of their lives just by giving them both a letter H.

When God changed Abraham and Sarah's names and told them of the child they were to have, God painted a clear picture of what the future was going to look like. As with many things in our lives we sometimes only have sight for the big changes, but we shouldn't underestimate the value of small changes.

 "God works powerfully, but for the most part gently and gradually." John Newton

The story of Nicodemus is a great example of the changes that God can make in our lives. The story of how Nicodemus can be found in John 3 and John 19. "Nicodemus' faith developed in a way that many Christians can relate to. I know that when I decided to recommit to God and my faith in 2010 that these steps are exactly how I felt.

1. We become curious about Jesus but hesitant to do anything about it.
2. We watch other believers wondering what makes them so different
3. We decide that we want to get to know the Lord so we start reading His word - getting to know Him through the Bible and prayer
4. We hide our faith from others for fear of being judged
5. Then we go public - we make sure that everyone know we are Christians and we believe in God and Jesus Christ

"Public faith affects the way we treat others, the way we handle anger or disappointment and the way we choose to sacrifice for the good of others - showing the characteristics of Christ in our lives." - Jessica LaGrone, Namesake

The characteristics of someone transformed by God are often called the Fruit of the Spirit. There are 9 traits that grow as we live our lives surrendered to God.

1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self-Control

Here is one of the questions asked in this series. What are some of the way that you've experienced over the years with God's help? How are you different now than 5 / 10 years ago?

Answer -

I value my marriage, my husband, and my family sooo much more! I know I need to put time into all my relationships and I have grown my relationship with God 10x's from 5 even 10 years ago. I have decided to make all of these relationships my priority. In the past I put work, friends, and material possessions before my family, marriage, children, and God. I am happy in my life, I am joyous and I'm working on growing the 9 traits of the fruit of the spirit, I am also always working on being a better mother, wife, and growing closer to God.

Teen Glam Room

Here are some of the ideas that my oldest daughter has for her new room. She really wants grey and a chevron wall. The white and black heart bedding from Pottery Barn is something that she has fallen in love with. We are going to chalk board paint her closet doors, hang some twinkle lights and make sure she has a large memo board for all her photos. So many great ideas and I love the peachy pink accent color she has chosen as well.

Ideas:

1. Chevron

2. Chalk board

3. X-Large memo board

4. Twinkle Lights

5. Puddled curtains

6. Gray and pink

7. Make-up Vanity

8. Pottery Barn Teen Heart Bedding

9. Teen Glam

10. Luxury and hipster

Cloe's Butterfly Little Girls Inspiration Board

Cloe is only 3.5 and although her ideas for her room change by the second I really like the idea of brighter colors. She is not longer a baby so those super pale pastel colors are not really fitting. One of her most recent ideas is a butterfly room, and I love it.

She is not sure if she wants blue or pink walls, but she wants pink, aqua, blue, and white. Butterfly garlands or a wall installation of butterflies. I can't wait to get this all together for her!

Ideas:

1. Bright pink, aqua, and and blue

2. Butterfly bedding

3. Accent wall with frames or her name

4. Banner / pennants

5. Mobile and or hanging butterflies

6. More organized

7. A completed theme

8. Chalk board painted closet doors

9. New dresser

10. A place that Cloe wants to play in

My Living Room Inspiration Board

I love creating inspiration boards it helps me to see if all my ideas are lining up to create the perfect room.
I'm thinking of a eclectic / rustic living room. I don't want a log cabin or hunters retreat, just touches of rustic here and there.

There are also some difficulties to the living room in the house that we are purchasing there is really only one wall the flat screen can he hung (of course my hubby thinks this should be the focal point of the room LOL), there is a fireplace with an insert that is not flush, and on the opposite wall is the breakfast bar for the kitchen. I'm still not sure about what colors because I don't want it to be too dark and I love lighter/brighter colors as accents.

So here are some of my ideas:

http://traceryinteriors.wordpress.com

One of the other problems that you might be able to tell is my husband really likes darker warmer tones and I like things a little lighter. Combining these two is the goal.

So tell me what to y'all think?

Namesake Study

I have decided to delay the start to the Namesake Study until Monday August 4th so that those of you that would like to order the book and join in can.

Here is a link to Amazon so that you can order the book. Namesake on Amazon

I will be posting some fun ideas for our new house over the next couple days and some of my personal thoughts about my devotional time with God.

An Introduction to Namesake by Jessica LaGrone

I just received my copy of Namesake in the mail last week and I will be sharing my journey through this book with you, I hope you can follow along.

Namesake is a bible study aimed at helping us see God's dreams for us and helping us to make them a reality. Throughout this book we will read about the stories of Abraham and Sarah, Jacob, Naomi,, Daniel, Peter, and an unnamed women.

Each chapter of this book has two main themes, transformation and revelation.

Transformation - A true and remarkable change. God is a wonderful creator and so when things he has created (mainly Us) goes astray he gets down in the mess and does everything He can to transform the situation, and make it new. (Revelations 21:5)

Revelation - To have revealed something. God makes revelations throughout the entire Bible by showing himself and His character.

"When we know who He is, our understanding of who we are and what we are about shifts dramatically...to show us (reveal) who we are and change us into whom we are called to be." -Namesake

This study looks at the question "Who is God?" and "Who is God calling me to become?"

Each chapter there are five readings in the following segments:

Read God's Word

Reflect and Respond

Pray About It

Act on It

I hope that all of you can join along and get this book, it really is a wonderful read. The study can be done individually but is structured for as a group devotional study.

House Purchasing Headaches

When my husband and I purchased our first home almost 8 years ago I was a loan processor, we had our real estate agent and I did the loan work. There was very little stress in the whole process. I was able to check on it every day and knew where it was in every stage. Well...let me tell you what, this time around it's completely different. I have never been this stressed!!!!!

Our offer was accepted almost two weeks ago, pest and home inspections done and are clear, the appraisal is done and is good. We are going with a USDA loan and I have no idea where we are or how it looks. We talked to our finance guy and he said we won't even know until a couple days before we are to sign our final loan documents if the loan is good or not. WHAT? So that means we could get all the way to the end of this stressful process and potentially not get the house because of the financing. That is crazy, my anxiety is through the roof. Please someone bring me a zanax.

Meanwhile we are starting to look at kitchen cabinets, carpet, and paint. Am I crazy, going to get my hopes up? I hope not, I pray every day that if it we are doing the right thing and its God's will that we live in this house that He please please please let everything go smoothly.

Here are a few pictures of the house in its current state, changes will be made! There may be a slow down in my bible study posts to every other day for the next couple months as we move and work on the house.

If you like the daily devotion please make sure to comment or send me a quick email, so I can take that into consideration as I make plans for future studies.

House

Dinning Area

The largest laundry room ever!

Hope for the Weary Mom - Chapter 10

10. Let's Walk Together

We moms need to stick together. We cannot go through life alone, we need each other. God's whole design for us is that we join together and walk through life with others and not alone.

Many of us, I hope all of us have at least that one person, a best friend that they can call and talk to or visit with regularly. But we all have seasons in life where we will be alone. Whether it be life, or kids, or illness, or a move. I pray these seasons are short, and that we remember God is still there. In times like these God is more than likely molding you and working behind the scenes on our hearts, changing us in ways we will not release until we are on the other side. God has a plan for our hearts and we need to stop, smile, and remember all that He has & will provide for us. 

If you are in one of those lonely places - pray for a friends ask God to bring a friend into your life. Ask for bravery to step out of your comfort zone and meet other moms.

Important Note: Friends don't complete your life, only God can complete your life and make it whole. Friends are there to compliment you and add laughter o your life.

We need to come together as women, wife's and moms. Join hands and walk a lifetime together. Encourage, enrich, and inspire one another!

From my Journal,

I have shared before that after I had my youngest Cloe (who is now 3.5) that I was alone. None of my friends at the time had small children. After the 1st couple weeks no one wanted to slow down and spend time with a newborn. I felt ditched and excluded. Shortly after my little turned 1 I lost all my friends and was truly alone. For months I cried and felt betrayed and angry. But I kept busy and turned to God. I started attending church reading the word. He repaired alot of brokenness inside me, molded me and put my priorities back in the correct order. I AM BETTER BECAUSE OF THAT LONELY TIME.

The whole purpose of my blog is to share my life and my stories to with women, wife's, and mothers who are like me. To try to create a place where others can share their stories too, where they will be hugged and supported, NOT judged.  

"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them." Matthew 18:20

I forgot, I am going to start reading Namesake by Jessica LaGrone on Monday the 28th. I think this is going to be a really good one. If you want to read along make sure to pick this one up and the companion book Six Keys to a Transformed Life.

Hope for the Weary Mom - Chapter 9

9. When the World Presses In

I am not going to go very in depth on this chapter, since deep hurt and loss have not hit my life yet. I have had people close to me die, but I have not had anyone in my immediate family pass. I give my sincere condolences to those have.

During the hardest of times please remember that God does walk away from us we walk away from God, but all we have to do is turn around and He will be there waiting.

Her are some tips for preparing for and getting through when the world presses in on you.

1. Build your foundation now 

-Build your life on the rock and on the word of God. 

-Don't wait for tomorrow to give your life to God, build an intimate relationship with God.

-Build, Build, Build

-Find a church and surround yourself with people that have a strong relationship with God. 

-Find time everyday to pray and read the word

-Say "Yes" to God, commit to obey His word.

2. Try hard not to walk through life alone

-Meet your neighbors

-Join one of the groups at your church

-Stay close to your family

-Invest in relationships with others outside your household

3. Keep talking to God

-Tell God how you feel

-God is big enough to handle all our feelings, so let him have it all

4. Refuse to let go of hope

"There is life beyond the tragedy It's hard to see that or accept it when you're tight in the middle." - Tracey Hope for the Weary Mom

Tomorrow is the last chapter of this study so make sure to check in tomorrow for that and info on what I'm reading next.

Hope for the Weary Mom - Chapter 8

8. When You Want to Give Up

Mothering requires all of a woman. From the time you conceive you have to give your body, soul, mind and heart to your kids. Its a great thing that women-child bond, but it can sometimes seem like a curse.

When we have given it all and are then pushed, pulled, and tugged plus our coaxing, begging, and praying - and then nothing changes. We are often left empty, worn out and exhausted.

Wanting to give up

During times like these we can enter into a season of faltering faith. We don't want to hear God's voice. God might be answering your prayers by changing your heart not your circumstance. Sometimes God is outside the mess, but speaks to the mess before he sits down next to us in our mess.

A great story about being exhausted and God asking for a little more is Peter and the fishing nets - cast out your nests. Luke 5:1-9

(questions 1 of the chapter questions) Trying one more time is kind of what parenting is all about. Not giving up on our kids, but trying again through all the pain, anger, and frustration. My husband has always told me to try again tomorrow, it doesn't have to be completed today. And its true - potty training is not done in one day there are very little thing that we teach our children that can be taught in one day. "Holding out that flicker of hope, enough to propel your feet forward one more stop of faith, matters to God." - Hope for the weary Mom

God provides our salvation, we can't earn it and there's nothing we can do to earn our kids salvation. 

From my journal,

I have to remember that it's God plan and even with all my obedience and prayer that following God doesn't bring instant change for me and my family.

"Salvation doesn't come by the work of our hands."

This is really hard for me because my husband and oldest daughter are not very religious and are not strong believers. I pray almost every day for God to speak to their hearts so that they will be able to enjoy faith like I do. So that we can be a closer family in our common faith. "Because God created our hearts He knows the best way to reach them." - Hope for the Weary Mom

4. I proclaim to the world and to God that I will NEVER give up on my family and my girls. I know that God will reach the hearts of my family when the time is right. 

God - 

When I become weary and have nothing left. 

Please remind me that I have the strength to go on and not give up. 

- Amen

Hope for the Weary Mom - Continues Tomorrow

The whole family went to visit my mom and dad in Nevada this past weekend. I really wanted to get away from home, relax, and have some breathing room from the stress of buying a house. But I think I stressed just as much at my mom's as I was at home. But I love visiting my parents, its home for me ♥ Our oldest daughter has been staying with the parents for the past couple weeks after finding out that she has been getting herself into some major trouble. (I'll talk more about that in a later post).

We went and walked around Virginia City NV, and then went to the shooting range. Yes we are a family that shoots together :) Cloe got her first gun a little pink .22 so cute, and she had fun shooting off a couple rounds with her dad. I'm planning a trip to go up again soon, alone so that my mom and I can get our Junkin' on. I can't wait!!!! That will be a post you wont want to miss, lots of thrifting and antiquing, eye candy for all you vintage lovers.

We came home Sunday and I was beat, which carried over to Monday. It was about 108 here and I did not feel well at all. I have heard of people talk about the tiredness of MS, an exhaustion that hits hard. Well I felt it yesterday. An all over tired where my limbs felt heavy and I just had to take a long nap. I talked about how I take strong pride in the way my home looks and is taken care of. Well my husband came home yesterday very irritated that the house was a mess. It made me feel like I had failed as a wife, that I wasn't doing my duty to take care of my home. He didn't think about my not feeling well, or how I might feel at his outpouring of irritation about the way the house looked. I think this will be the hardest part about having MS, not being able to do it all and hoping that my family will help and be understanding. So many things to adjust too.

So now that you are all up date there is some exciting news about the house we are trying to purchase - we are having the home inspection done today and the appraisal later this week. I'm starting to put my doubt about us getting the house behind me and starting to get excited about moving.

I hope you join me tomorrow for the continuation of Hope for the Weary Mom.

God bless and have a wonderful day!

I'm not done, I have so much more to share

I wanted all my readers and followers to know that I have not abandoned my blog, I have so much to share. I am trying to figure out my MS diagnosis, 2nd opinion, treatment, etc. With all of this medical / insurance stuff I have to take some time off from blogging. I will be back next week with a new bible study series and an update on my condition and hopefully treatment.

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.

New Study Ideas

I am leaning towards doing a women's study. Here are a few of the ideas I am tossing around.
I would really like to hear from you on what you are interested in reading about, so please email or leave me a comment below.

1. A journey through the women of the bible

2. A study of being a better Christian wife

3. How to have a strong and successful Christian marriage

4. Being a good daughter of God

5. Being a great Christian mother

I would love your ideas as well.

Blogger and Google Analytics

I could just pull all my hair out and jab a fork in each eye when I try to figure out how to reach more people with my blog and using Google analytics is even worse.

I have done countless hours and thousands of searches on the best way to do all of this and have had very little luck. But this evening I found help, hallelujah!!!!!!!!

I found a blog post Click here to read 9 Awesome Things You Can Do With Google Analytics from KISSmetrics. I finally understood what I was doing and how to change my reports around so they are easier to read.

I have also found some new blogs by using Technorati.com - its a great blog directory for any kind of blog your are looking for. Its also filled with tips for how to make your blog better and understanding different elements of Google+, Adsense and Google Analytics.

If you are having trouble with this issue check out KISSmetrics. Also if you have any tips are how to reach more followers please comment below.