"What God is preparing you for is worth the wait"

Yesterday was 9 months to the day that I was in my wreck, and the day I finally agreed to have injections in my neck. For 9 months I have been in constant neck and shoulder pain. Some of you know, many of you don't even know I was even in a wreck.  I have been to months of physical therapy, chiropractors and massages (don't let that fancy word fool you....torture sessions). I've been sad, thankful, frustrated, cried A LOT and more than I'd like to admit, ANGRY!

I write all of this because as I lie awake in the middle of the night in extreme pain (more than I was the night before, due to the soreness of the shots) I recall the words of my doctor yesterday as I was begging him to ensure me this was the key and I would finally be healed, he gently placed his hands on my shoulder and said, "Jesus is the ultimate healer, but I'm hopeful this will help you!" I was encouraged.

I do believe Jesus is the ultimate healer but if I were to be real with you....I have been pleading to feel as "normal" as I appear to all of you. With that said, I do still have and faith that he is going to somehow use my months of pain for his glory....I just can't see it yet.

Earlier this week one of my students informed me of an app called Sprinkle of Jesus. )Praise Jesus for students who are bold enough to talk about their faith and these types of apps in your class!!) Yesterday she said, "Mrs. Moulton, did you get the app yet?" I had totally forgot! Grabbed my phone and immediately downloaded. Well, as I was writing this blog the app alerted me at the top of my screen for the first time, "What God is preparing for you is worth the wait" ha-gosh, he is so faithful in time of need that he reminded through an app.

In closing, I'm in pain, my family and closest friends have encouraged me it will get better, and I believe it....but sometimes it's just hard! Please pray for my complete restoration AND that I will use my story when and how God has planned.

Be blessed.

Cabo - First International Family Vacation

It has been a Looooooong time since I last blogged, but prior to our family vaca one of my cousins encouraged me to start blogging again. I figured this trip would be a nice place to start. 

Here we go...

Daron and I try to travel internationally once a year to celebrate our anniversary and just get away .... Typically we end up at an all-inclusive somewhere in Mexico as it has been the most cost effective for us in the past. Those of you who know us well, we are always trying to get our money to go as far as possible--even if it takes me hours (40+ researching hotels and deals) I literally need a vacation just from searching for a vacation! 

Last year we decided that the kids were old enough and we wanted to take them with us. They are accustomed to our mini vacas and ski trips, but a Mexico/all-inclusive would be new!

I began researching at the beginning of the year and each time I would look I would HATE the price...leading me to not book anything. Well, April came around and I kept seeing advertising for a Cabo vacation on Facebook and I thought, there's NO way it's that cheap! After a week of it continually popping up I finally called about it and got ALL the details--AND THERE WERE A LOT OF RESTRICTIONS, just shy of giving up our first born child! Daron and I discussed them all and decided we could abide by their 432 rules! So we booked! We then kept it a secret for over two months until we surprised the kids with their trip. 

This leads us up to one week ago, last Saturday, August 6th! It was finally time to travel! We had a flight around noon which allowed us time to wake up at a normal hour, load up, and stop at Chick Fil A for some breakfast before arriving at the airport. Once we arrived Daron dropped the kids and I off at the curb with our three suitcases and three backpacks. In my head I thought I was doing awesome packing in three even though we could have four---that was until we went to check in. As many of you know, the weight limit is 50 pounds per piece of luggage. We were carrying on our "just in case suitcase" (just in case the other two don't make it, we still have stuff), then one of our suitcase was 54 pounds and the other was 47....doesn't it all basically average out???? NOPE!! So here I am in my cute, comfy, travel dress on the floor up at the kiosk unpacking one into another, zip it up, put it on the scale, now they are both off by a pound or two so I throw them both back on the ground trying to calculate in my head (not a strong suit of mine) my belongings and relocate, re-zip everything back up...now I seriously have NO clue which was at which weight, because of course the suitcases are almost identical...kids are now cracking up at me...I'm sweating my butt off...finally after 10+ minutes we got everything appropriately rearranged. *You know the rest of the line just loved  me :O

About that time Daron meets up with us and we head through security, we're doing great, still have almost two full hours before we are to take off.  This is when Daron and the kids realize there are like 10,000 Pokemon's in the airport OMG!!!   So I follow them around like a lost puppy with our carry on suitcase in tow, because you know...they need both hands to find Pikachu After 45 minutes or so I tap out and say I'm going to wait at our gate. So I leisurely walk there...no action...so I go to the restroom, walk around a little more (I am too ADD to sit still for longer than the plane ride) then walk to the gate again where they are loading Group A, tons of people are lining up and standing around (we were flying Southwest--first time in a LONG time and we are Group C 30) so I call D and I meet them by the food court and we walk to the gate *this is maybe a 5 minute timespan, 40 minutes before our flight. When we arrive at the gate there's not a single person waiting and the attendants say, "Hurry! Y'all are the last four! We have been waiting on you!" First thought through my head was, You're lying! Next was, where in the world did all these people go in 5 minutes?! Third thought was, our flight is not "scheduled to take off for another 40 minutes" So we get on the plane, y'all, NO JOKE, we were the last 4 people on the plane. You guessed it, not ONE seat together...at this moment I can't help but chuckle because yes, we are the Moulton's, flying with our kids for the first time internationally...hey kids, just sit with that stranger one row up and to the left....totally NOT normal!! Well, we finally settled in...thankfully I could see Faith from my seat and Daron could see Will from his....so there's was like 2% of comfort there. 

Flight was good. Will made instant best friends with the older couple he sat between, Faith enjoyed her book and minded her own business...Daron enjoyed his isle seat with a ton of leg room on the first row and I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the middle seat between to large men...but hey, we were in Cabo now!

The hotel had a private suburban pick us up, this was so nice for Daron and I because we typically share a van with 40 other hotels and takes 2 hours to get to ours because naturally we are always, conveniently the last stop, or first on our return. LOL

The 45 minute drive from the airport to our resort in the marina area of downtown Cabo was beautiful! Daron and I went to Cabo two years ago, so we were in just as much awe as the first time. Faith was vocal about how breathtaking it all was. We arrived at the resort, they ask us what we would like to drink and then took Will with them to the bar. Daron was like, uh, Will just went with them into the bar, the lady checking us in says in her thick accent, "Es okay....you're in Mexico!" ahahahahahahaha!! That's right....totally normal and acceptable for 9 year olds to be in bars here ROTFL!! Will walks out with a huge smile and a virgin concoction of some sort...

Once we get checked in, we went to our room where I unpacked all the suitcases and put them in drawers and hung up in the closet, I don't like living out of a suitcase when I travel...Well, there wasn't quiet enough drawers for everyone to have two of their own so I said, "hey, I put daddy's underwear in y'alls underwear drawer." Faith immediately laughs out loud and says, "That's funny...you're going to see my zebra panties with daddy's zebra marks!" **Disclaimer: his zebra marks are only on the one pair of underwear he wears when he gets on the roof to put up Christmas lights, yes, both his pants and underwear are stained from our roof!

Then off we were to the pool, for little did we know, it would be one of the only two days it would be pretty. Once we got to the pool we explained to the kids they could eat/drink whatever/whenever because it was all-inclusive. They were so excited, particularly Will. We told them the different restaurants they could choose from for dinner and Faith said, "Can we do something tonight that's not too experimental....like the cupcake place?" haha! This cracks me up because both of our kids are pretty experimental eaters and have a fairly mature palate. We ended up at the Italian restaurant, it was okay...

Sunday - Day 2:
We had breakfast at the buffet, again, Will was in heaven as he is a huge breakfast eater! Then we went to our timeshare presentation (this was one of those 432 rules we had to abide by to have our cheap vacation, however, this was no problem for Daron and I as we are pros at doing them and saying NO! They just love us!! NOT!)  afterwards we just hung by the pool, had dinner, then went to one of the resort shows. 

Monday - Day 3: 
Tropical Storm Javier was rolling in. It was super nasty and raining. The resort had basically shut down at this point, workers were sparse, all the outdoor chairs and furniture and been moved...but the Moulton's were in Cabo...so we went to the pool! I mean, we were going to be wet regardless and it wasn't lightening or thundering so it was all good. Y'all, I'm not kidding....we were the ONLY 4 people at the pool!! We hung out for a couple of hours and then headed to our swim with the dolphins excursion. Now, it was monsoon raining, COLD rain...but, hey, it was memorable! Faith had wanted to swim with dolphins for years, the grin she had from ear to ear will never be erased from my mind!

Later this evening while at dinner workers were hurriedly installing storm shutters. Meanwhile, all the workers were telling everyone everything was fine. To be very honest, I had not looked at the weather once! This may have been irresponsible, but in my eyes it was going to change the fact that we were where we were....so what did it matter....well, when I saw storm shutters being installed, plexiglass being carried up 7 flights of stairs to cover other windows I became somewhat alarmed...that's when I texted a close friend at home, who I knew would be on the up and up with weather...she confirmed it was going to be pretty bad....We finished dinner, went to karaoke, then turned in for the night as that was when the brunt of the storm was expected to hit. Winds were high and tons of rain, but we were all A-okay!

Tuesday - Day 4:
Mine and Daron's 13 year Anniversary!! And Outdoor Adventure Day!! We were headed to zip line and ride ATVs! We were told to be there at 7:45 am and that it was a 40 minute drive and a 3.5 hour excursion...tired as all get out, we rolled out of bed at 6:20 am to ensure we had breakfast before our fun day! We had about a 10 minute walk to get to the place where the bus would pick us up and take us to our excursion. Once we got there I confirmed all that we were doing and all was well...we were informed there was an additional charge per driver. We both became frustrated because even in the email confirmation it didn't say that...but whatever, it's a tourism industry....we have all the money in the World...how much do you need?? Please, I'd love to pay more, NOT!  We knew we for sure wanted to ride the razors so we paid-up. What we were told would be a 40 minute drive ended up being a 2 hour and 10 minute drive. So this is where I admit, I am NOT PATIENT!! I am also the type that I expect you to do what you say....so I am very much trying not lose my $h*t at this point! I kept hearing my parents in my head from my childhood, "we're going to have a good time!" LOL! This was something usually said after there was some sort of sibling argument, tears and possible spankings....however, I was the only one of the four on this trip that felt like a toddler...for real! I literally wanted to stomp and scream! 

So we arrive on the mountain, 5 lightyears away, get suited up and jump on a 4-wheel drive to drive further up a mountain where we begin our adventure. Peeps, they weren't kidding about "adventure!!" Daron and I have zip lined in Cancun and Alaska and never hiked and climbed like we did on this trip. All I could think about was how incredible Faith and Will were and what troopers they were because, I'm talking and NOT exaggerating, miles of intense hiking and climbing in between lines...

Well, I am as adventurous as they come and line #2  was zip down upside down....I strap in and go...well, that was a poor choice!! Did I mention since I had kids my equilibrium is off?? I had a headache and I thought I was going to puke! So the rest of the hiking and lines, I had talk myself up that I was going to get through it, after all, I did not want to miss out! So almost 2 hours later, we finish all the lines, get back in the 4-wheel drive to the razors. It was a four seater and Daron drove us. This was seriously the highlight of my entire trip! Because of all the rain Javier brought there was tons of mud! Daron would wait for the other vehicles to get out of sight, then he would drive us 30-40 mph hour zig zagging through muddy paths --this is where all my tomboyism came out! I have always loved: ATVs, going fast and the dirtier, the better! I know my mom and dad are reading this now nodding there heads...bless their hearts, they always had so much dirty laundry from me #sorrynotsorry Unfortunately the ATV portion of our excursion was only 10 minutes or so, but it was SO WORTH IT!! When we returned at the base we were SO dirty and everyone stared at us like we were from another planet! Literally, we were the only people with mud on us! Hahaha! I guess it's hard to get muddy when you are only going 2 mph. After that they had snacks and then we loaded back up on the van for our short 40 minute ride back to the resort...ahem...I mean 2+ plus hours! At least I was fully aware this time around so I took a nap for an hour or so of it which made everyone a lot happier haha!  By the time we returned it was approximately 4:00 pm and the sun was finally starting to show its face so we went to the pool for a couple hours before dinner.

Wednesday - Day 5: 
This was supposed to be our final day in Cabo and we had originally planned to lounge around the pool all day but due to the poor weather conditions our boating excursions was moved from Monday to today. We again woke up early, met at the marina (about a 10 minute walk from our room) for our Snorkel and Sea Adventure. We got on an inflatable speed boat where they took us to see the famous Land's End Arch, Honeymoon Beach, Divorce Beach, Sea Lions, Sea of Cortes, then we sped away for Chileno Bay where we road sea scooters, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaked, snorkeled, fed the fish, and got bit by fish . Again, my favorite part was speeding across the ocean effortlessly with the salty breeze in my face! Ahhh....speed is so freeing! This was a really fun adventure. It was the only fully sunny day we had on our entire trip so we were all sun kissed for sure!

That evening there was a beach party where for the first time the entire trip the sky was gorgeous and full of color. It was cool and breezy and we enjoyed good food, good drinks and good entertainment. (Ecclesiastes 9:7) It was a nice way to end the trip!

Thursday - Day 6: 
We were all packed and ready to roll. Had breakfast then headed to the airport. This time we watched the time and got to the gate early....you know, so we could board as a family and sit together. Flight and travel went smoothly, when we got back to Richmond we went to dinner at Ritas. Did you know there are a TON of Pokemon stops in Rosenberg??? Well, I learned quickly that there were...after 20 minutes of slowly weaving in and out of the streets I asked if they could take me home so I could start laundry...Silly me...that would be out of the way... :P so I had Daron stop so I could get my book from out of the back of the car...45 minutes later we got to go home....ay yai yai....

So that was a glimpse of the Moulton "vaca" I say "vaca" loosely, because I do not feel it was rejuvenating at all...so you will hear me say "memorable adventure" instead :) 

The Highlights:
- cute tiny birds
- time with Jesus
- family laughter
- gratitude
- beautiful views
- thankful for the opportunity to have this family time and experience 

I'm Worn

During this new season of my life I have made a deal with myself to be more positive in all I do. That I will try my very best to complain less and find joy in it all. One scripture that has stuck with me in the past year and a half or so is 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

I started the year off strong! Smiling and being positive in all I do. Then weeks went on and I grew very weary with all of life's demands. So, I started to keep more to myself and when I was around people and asked how I was doing, I would tell them how busy and tired I was. Now, yes, it is the truth, however, it becomes self-pity at some point.

Today's Jesus Calling by Sarah Young:

You have been on a long, uphill journey, and your energy is almost spent (yep, this is how I feel). Though you have faltered at times, you have not let go of My hand. I am pleased with your desire to stay close to Me. There is one thing, however, that displeases Me: your tendency to complain. You may talk to Me as much as you like about the difficulty of the path we are following. I understand better than anyone else the stresses and strains that have afflicted you. You can ventilate safely to Me, because talking with Me tempers your thoughts and helps you see things from My perspective.

Complaining to others is another matter altogether. It opens the door to deadly sins such as self-pity and rage. Whenever you are tempted to grumble, come to Me and talk it out. As you open up to Me, I will put My thoughts in your mind and My song in your heart.

"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." --Jeremiah 31:25

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe. --Philippians 2:14-15

One thing I know for sure is no matter how tired I am, no matter how busy I am, one thing remains--I am BLESSED! I woke up this morning in a warm bed in a cool house, I am healthy, I have clean, running water, a supportive, hard-working husband, beautiful, healthy children....when I think of how blessed I am, my list could go on and on...I must turn my thoughts from how tired and worn I temporarily am and turn my thoughts to what is higher and true.

If you are weary today, I pray that you will find peace and rest in His promises!

Be Blessed.

Change and Uncertainty…

This entire year has seemed to be full of change and uncertainty for me. I don’t know about you, but change is a real uncomfortable feeling for me. I go through many mental states and emotions when going through change: fear, frustration, out of control and the list goes on. What I know from past experiences is that God has a plan for me, a plan far better than I can expect or imagine and he wants me to trust Him (Jeremiah 29:11). With that hope and promise I began to pray back in February for clarity and peace about my work situation.

I am typically the person that does the exact opposite of what the Bible tells us to do and I worry and fret over every detail of my life. However, this time, it was different. Through my anxious thoughts, I felt an overwhelming peace I could not describe. Once I found out I was going to be laid off it was bittersweet. It was nice to finally have some clarity and direction where I could began being prayerful on what was to come.

I began praying fervently, knowing that God must have something better in store for me. I felt that His timing was perfect. See, I originally got my previous job so we could pay for Will to go to preschool, my job ended right when he was completing his final year—God provided.

Once I found out I would no longer be working for Michael I immediately got my resumes out to the surrounding school districts as I thought it would be wonderful to teach again. I went to all of the job fairs, even had interviews and they seemed to not go anywhere, nor did I seem excited about them. I applied for a speech position at Morton Ranch in Katy (April 19^th). I went to the Katy job fair where I received an interview card, but they were busy interviewing for core subjects and said they would contact me. Uncertain if they really would contact me I stopped a lady in the hall (not know who she was) and asked her if she would be sure to give my resume to the principal. She said sure! (It was the associate principal). A little over a month went by and I emailed both of them a follow up email checking on the status of the position. The principal responded that it was in currently in a “holding pattern.” So, I went on with life unsure if they would ever contact me, continuing to be prayerful that God knew what he was doing.

In the meantime my previous boss was gracious enough to spread the word that I was available for hire to some of the other reputable advisors. One immediately called me and interviewed me. We discussed job duties, hours, etc. over the next several weeks we agreed upon flexible hours. She offered me a job, I countered. While I was waiting on her final offer I received a call from the principal of Morton Ranch asking if I was still interested in the position. I had promised myself in the beginning of all of this change that I would not pass up an opportunity, so I said yes.

After I got off the phone I started praying God would give me clarity. I was honestly not sure even if it were offered if I would take it over the financial opportunity. I prayed that if this was the position God wanted me to have that he would give me the overwhelming excitement and joy I had been looking for. (I had had several interviews and offers in the past couple of months and was not super excited about any of them).

That Monday afternoon I received my final offer from the financial opportunity. It was not quiet what I was hoping for. I felt like that was a moment where God was telling me it would be okay to do something else. Tuesday I went in for my interview. I’ll be honest, I did not think I did as well as I could or should…The principal and AP were just as lovely as could be, but I felt as though I didn’t sell myself well enough. Upon leaving I was informed I would be notified by Thursday if I were to receive the job.

I left excited about the position—the first time I was excited about any position I had applied for in the past few months…REALLY wanting to teach there!! I was so excited, yet nervous. In the midst I prayed fervently that I knew God had a plan, that I wanted to teach really, really bad…but ultimately God had a plan and if it wasn’t His to please comfort my heart and give me peace about it.

Wednesday came around and I told Daron I felt like I needed to sell myself again…he said don’t do it!! J What a wise man…so I continued to pray all day Wednesday. Thursday morning I woke up very early unable to sleep. I put on my workout clothes and went out for a walk. The entire time I prayed for peace, guidance and wisdom. I felt God tell me to fast until I had an answer…I have never truly done this, but it was so clear what he was telling me. I came home, laid face down on my bedroom floor praying that God would show me HIS WILL and regardless of the outcome I’d be okay! I felt I should email the principal just letting him know I knew he would be making a decision today, but that this was my passion…I love teens, I love communication…this is a gift God has given me and I would truly grateful to be afforded the opportunity. Within ten minutes I received a call from the principal. He said, “I get the feeling you really want this job?!” I laughed and said, “Yes, please?!” He said, “Well, since you said please, we would like to give it to you.” I was ecstatic!! My mama always told me using my manners would pay off!! J LOL! 

The only draw back was that the offer would not be official until they presented it to the board on July 15^th, almost a month. I continued to pray all would work out, however, at times I did feel anxious something would not work out and I would be right back at square one. I received my official offer July 16^th! Two months from the day I was let go….He provided!

God’s timing is never wrong. It may feel like it at times, but he has a plan. It is incredible for me to look back over the past several months and see His hand in it all! I am so blessed and thankful to have had this summer with my children and even more excited that I will get many more to come—God-willing.

I am super excited to be getting back in the saddle. I know that not everyday is going to be great and there will be challenges along the way, as with any career…but I am just so excited to have this opportunity.

Some scripture that has carried me through this year:

Philippians 4:6-7  

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 6:26-34

Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Favorites from Let.It.Go. Part 1

Have you ever had the feeling of being utterly out of control? Better yet, can you think back to a time when you know you were, yet see how God took care of every last detail? As women, we crave control. Being in charge energizes us, so we think...

"Being able to multitask, to craft duties and delegate tasks, is beneficial on many fronts. The problem  lies with our failure to know where to draw the line, to differentiate between leading and bossing, to know the difference between simply taking charge and ultimately taking over." Many would look at these as strengths, however, "if carried to extreme and left unchecked, our strengths can often morph into wretched weaknesses. "

So often we fret, worry and waste time trying to fix (control) situations in which we have no business being in anyway...I know I do this for sure :/We believe in a false notion that it will actually work.

While we are multitasking it only seems natural to call all the shots as well. What we need to remember is we are NOT the boss, God is. He is the ONE that is in control, regardless of what we think, so let Him be! "We must determine the difference between being conscientious (our part) and being in control (God's job).

A funny story (now) about multitasking...Several months ago I was at work and filing documents. I was about to a file something I had not filed before and specifically asked how they usually do it, they told me, and in the auto-pilot mode I was in I did it the "normal" way, not the "special" way I was told...I'm pretty sure I groaned or made a fuss and my boss walked over and said, "What's the problem?" I said, "MULTITASKING at it's worst!" ugh...I was so frustrated I made such a stupid mistake, right after asking!! Luckily my boss was forgiving and let.it.go.

Controlling is tiring! "Because of sin, we're wired to control everything ourselves. And it will take a Great Electrician to sort through our tangled mess of selfish motives and actions and attitudes and transform them into one smooth, humming connection to our Father." We need to learn to control what we should and trust God with what we can't.

Technology, opportunities and choices have cluttered our lives. Instead of life being simpler with all of these luxuries it has actually caused more stress and time away from what truly matters. The more opportunities there are the more we feel we need to control.

We would be much better off if we were intentional about spending time with God and when faced with a choice ask, "Will this glorify God?" When we think we know better than God, the results are never good!

In hard times when you are desperately trying to control the outcome, the best thing to do is cultivate acceptance and learn not to ask "Why me?" but rather "What am I supposed to learn at this junction of life that will make me a better person and draw me closer to God? When we willingly accept our lot in life, welcoming all that God is trying to teach us through it, we lose the drive to over-control, to micromanage in an all-out attempt to appear perfect and ensure everything in our lives is 'just so.'"

As we learn to rest, trust and accept our life becomes less about ourself and more about Jesus.

Romans 8:25 "But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."

This incredible book also touched on how women control their household...even their husbands. We don't think we are but we make every last decision in the house. Listen up peeps, get mad if you want, but God says, MEN are the head of the household...they should make the decisions. Please hear me clearly, I am not saying you don't have a say-so, but they do have the final. And some of our spouses are so used to you making all the calls they are timid to make any decision for the fear they may make the 'wrong' decision. We must relinquish our control and let our men do what God has called them to do. I know you hate the bad "S" word...submission. I recently heard a sermon that said it so well...submission is simply putting someone elses needs above your own...not so scary when you put it that way :)

When your circumstances are uncomfortable remember Hebrews 12:11
"No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it."

Now off submission...and husbands and on to "Micromanaging Instead of Mothering." The dictionary defines a micromanager as "someone who wants to control every part of a business or system in a way that is not necessary or useful." Hmmm....so you're saying 'controlling' every aspect of my children, husband, life is not necessary or useful...sounds about right, actually.

Have you ever parented your child a particular way just based on who you were around? I know, not you, you have never done that...Oh wait, I have...a thought for the future: How will it affect your relationship with your child vs. the relationship with that other person? Which is more important? I don't ever want my kids to think I am going to treat them a certain way just so I can impress my friends...what message is that sending to my kids?? They may try and do the same thing, and junior high and high school years, I don't really want my kids acting a certain way just to "impress" their friends. As mothers we need to take advice prayerfully and carefully and make decisions moment by moment depending on the Lord's direction.

1. Toddlers: Offer your kids choices to things that really don't matter
2. Elementary: Teach your kids boundaries and consequences, be sure to tell them WHY
3. Middle School: Allow your kids to set some of their own boundaries and the corresponding consequences for crossing the line
4. High School: Treat your kids like young adults, not babies
5. College: Remember that although your adult children will always be your children, they are now also full-fledged adults--fight the urge to step in and intervene
6. During ALL stages point your children to your faith--show them with your attitudes and actions

"Teach. Train. But know when it's time to let go and trust."


To be continued...

Have a marriage everyone else looks at and wants...

As Christians we are the same in many ways as unbelievers, however, we are called to be different and sometimes...that can be viewed as strange.

Remember, we don't belong here this is not our home. Our home is in heaven with Christ.

He has given us

• a new birth with new hope
• salvation is secure in heaven and nothing can take that away because Christ paid for it with his blood.
• Ministry we are all called to be priest
• ALL you have to do=receive these gift out of His grace

To be different we must Do/Behave

• embrace submission
• submission is a bad word these days, but all it really means it to rank yourself under someone else...just put someone ahead of you.
• forgive as I have forgiven you--Does not matter how bad someone has wronged you. Christ still forgives you and you should still forgive others (no matter what!)
• giving most of the time as Christians we're giving people, but 10% ?? You mean we can only live on 90%??
• Marriage: when you said "I do" there was something there you wanted to be with But when you read what God says a husband and wife should be...that's where I draw the line...it may have worked in the Bible, but there's NO way it can work today.

What if YOUR marriage could be the most incredible relationship ever...most love, most intimacy...

What if those principles ran against everything you know to be true in our culture...still want to put them into play?

WIVES:

1 Peter 3:1-6
In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives. Don't be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourself instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands. For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do.

Principle #1

• Submission has more to do with your position in Christ than your position in earthly authority
• We will always struggle with being submissive of those over us if we have not fully and completely given our hearts to Christ (Ephesians 5:22-27) because ultimately your surrender is to Christ--NOT your husband...it's about being obedient to Christ, not some other person
• I have been reading Let.It.Go. By Karen Ehman and she describes submission much like a dance. For the dance to fall into place, the woman must follow the man's lead. It doesn't mean she's inferior or less than or subservient. It isn't about importance. It's about function and roles.

Principle #2

• Our obedience paves the way for God to do His best work!
• possibly opens up others' hearts, minds, eyes to who Jesus really is. When we refuse to live in obedience, it can shut doors.
• People may not be able to hear you because you actions are too loud
• we can't even communicate the truth of Christ when this happens
• ***Christ set us free not to just be free and live how I want BUT to lead others to Christ and to serve Him with NO guilt and shame from my former life (AMEN!) ***
• Live in Godly submission!
• Live it out in my home

Principle #3

• Beauty should be more than skin deep
• Beauty in God's eyes is in the heart, most other men look only at what's on the outside
• Quiet and gentle = secure in who you are, you don't have to cause a scene to get people to approve of you
• don't let jewelry and stuff get in the way...let it enhance
• **Note, this is not saying to be quiet and meek and stop dressing up or wearing making or pretty jewelry...it's simply saying that that is not what God looks at...use these things as enhancements, not as the only thing people notice about you.
• Follow Godly examples
• Sarah followed the leadership of her husband
• God will never hold you accountable to the spiritual condition of your home
• You can encourage him all you want (without nagging)
• What I WILL be held accountable for = am I willing to put myself under Daron (your husband) and encourage him.

HUSBANDS:

1 Peter 3:7
In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God's gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.

1) Know your wife--be considerate, understand her, love her, cherish her

Truth

• Men: if you were God's gift to creation-He would have stopped with you, but He then created Eve...it's never good to leave man alone (Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” Genesis 2:18

2) Honor your wife

• Respect her in the things you say, do, and think (when she is with or without you)
• stop looking at other ladies...stop window shopping = not showing respect to your wife.
• "weaker" not emotionally or spiritually, but (in most cases) physically

Word Picture:

• fine China vs. daily plates
• fine China you put away in a safe place where no one can touch it, you use them only for special occasions, you treat them delicately
• whereas, daily plates are chipped, use them all the time, they are dropped, replaced, etc...
• **Treat your wife like fine China--with special care, respect, she's special and worth it!

Principle

• If you fail to honor your wife--you willingly choose to diminish your access to God.
• if you don't want your prayers to be hindered treat your wife with honor and respect.

"To live like no one else, you have to live like no one else"

~Dave Ramsey

 

If you know Dave Ramsey, you know he is talking about finances, but in the same way with our life and marriage. If we want to look and be different for Christ, we are going to live different.

 

It's easy for us to listen to the voice of pride and every other voice out there except the voice of God. You can draw lines and live like everyone else...OR be willing to listen to the voice of truth and have a marriage that everyone else will look at and want to have.

Live to Love People

Live to Love People

1 Thessalonians 2:7-12

As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but instead we were like children among you. Or we were like a mother feeding and caring for her own children. We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too. Don’t you remember, dear brothers and sisters, how hard we worked among you? Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God’s Good News to you. You yourselves are our witnesses—and so is God—that we were devout and honest and faultless toward all of you believers. And you know that we treated each of you as a father treats hi own children. We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory.

Actions speak louder than words. You can’t just say “I love you,” you have to show it too.

Paul’s love for this church is demonstrated three ways:

1. He shares his message.
1. The Gospel—Telling people the truth about humans and telling them the truth about God. We have a sin problem…
2. **If we can not share the gospel with people, we do not really love them. This IS the reason we are here! This is really tough to swallow, but true.
3. Atheist was once asked how he felt about evangelist, his response, I’m honored they care enough about me to share what they believe with me.
2. He shares his life.
1. became friends—shared burdens, pains, frustrations
3. He shares his example (by words and actions).
1. Somebody IS looking up to you. You are being an example to someone right now.

Life Points

1. Each act of love mentioned above carries a risk.
1. Not everyone is willing to do it because there’s risk of being ridiculed and rejected.
2. Don’t let the fear of someone making fun of your belief make you stop loving
3. Make sure your lifestyle matches what you’re preaching
2. Having authority/rights doesn’t mean always using them.
1. Just because you have authority to press down on someone doesn’t necessarily mean you should.
2. Be a blessing instead of a burden
3. Follow because you want to, not have to
3. There is a true family to church life.
1. The Church is more than a legal organization—we are family.
4. Loving people this deeply is not automatic.
1. These relationships don’t happen over night
2. Make a commitment—let your walls down and become a family member, not an observer.