Whatever you do...

I know I haven't blogged in a while, but we are still here...still actively enjoying life and school and church, etc.
James has begun the first grade MFW curriculum, and we love it.  He's having a blast learning to read.  Bella is growing up so fast!  Just today we have been playing color games, and she is so smart!  I have been reading and painting canvases (my new crafty love!) in my spare time once the kids go to bed or at their naptimes.  Mark's business is picking up and he is as busy as ever, thank you God!!!   Leigh (Mark's sister) has moved to our town and Susan (Mark's mom) has moved out of our house, and into hers to help take care of her children when Leigh goes to work.  (She got a job at Goodwill within the first week of job searching.)  So Bella is back into her old room, and bedtimes are going alot smoother! Lots of changes, life keeps on moving on and on!!!

We have made tons of new friends from our church and have really gotten actively involved beyond the Sunday service.  They really are a great group of believers!  It is so inspiring to be around them.  They really are a true living example of the fellowship of the believers in the first new testament church.

Acts 2:42-47  devoted to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread in homes and praying, they were together and all things in common, selling belongings and distributing to all who had a need, glad and generous, praising God and having favor with all the people.  Everyone encourages each other, and lifts each other up, and holds each other accountable, and it is awesome to see the scriptures being lived out in real life!!!  I have a renewed excitement that I had not even known I had lost!

 Sometimes I feel like so much is different in our lives, we have changed and grown so much in such a short period of time...it's kind of overwhelming.  And yet, I want more.  More so that I can in turn, glorify God more.  I find myself pondering what it is that God has for me, for my family.  There are so many ways to serve God/ serving others...and I feel like I am failing miserably to show His love to those who are hurting and needy.  I just go about my life oblivious to others.  I get caught up in my life, my kids, my problems.   I have read so many books, met so many people, heard new (to me) sermons...it is all inspiring me to forget about me....die to self...and get out there and serve!   Mark and I have given away clothes, furniture, and other odds and ends in our house that were just sitting there, to a family in need of them.  We are also going to sell our big TV and a few other things and donate the money to church.  But I still want to do more, and feel like we aren't doing our part!

The above link is one of my favorite blogs.  Kristen, from We Are THAT Family, is a mom who is funny and quirky and totally honest about daily life.  She is someone who inspires me to be more. She is currently in Kenya and blogging about her experiences.  She has met her children she sponsors, and I just cry each time I read a new post.  I wanted to share it with you.  Check it out.  I hope it will inspire you as it has me.  Now, I am not saying we should all pick up and go to Africa...but what I am saying is that maybe we could all sponsor a child, or look into our local areas for ways to serve and help orphans, widows, and all those who are in need.  We have so much, too much...and yet I am often too focused on what I don't have and the sacrifice it takes for me to help.  This has to stop today!!! 

If you want to follow all the bloggers on the Compassion Trip to Kenya...go here.

Here's another heart wrenching post from another blogger on the trip. http://www.bradruggles.com/2010/03/08/a-father-to-the-fatherless/ Be sure to watch the video of the boy, and take note of his prayer written on his cardboard wall.  Oh yeah, and grab some tissues.

Now I must go and do more pondering on what God has in store for me.  I guess I should start with cleaning the house for my family and get rid of more stuff.  Yes, I will start small.  Okay... off to clean.

1 Corinthians 10:31 
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Colossians 3:17
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

1 Peter 4:11
Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.