There are good ideas and bad ideas. . .This was NOT a good idea!

I heard Charleigh’s muffled yell coming from the living room. She yelled “I’m stuck, my hair is stuck.” I slowly made my way, what could she possibly be stuck in? Then I saw a puff of hair sticking out of the Sam’s Cooler bag. The look on her two brothers faces confirmed my suspicion. Charleigh was in the bag. AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

I struggled to unzip the bag as various “motherly” statements poured out my mouth. “What were you thinking!?!” “Why do you do these things?” “Go to your room!” “Hold still!” But the phrase I kept repeating was “This was Not a good idea!”

After a few minutes we had the bag unzipped a half way. Whew, I knew my baby could at least breath. It was at this time as I relaxed I realized Charleigh had been laughing the entire time. A sliver of humor slipped into the picture (only a sliver) that’s when I took the first picture. Working quickly but carefully we finally got her out. As Joshua completed her rescue I took the last two pictures. As you can see the entire episode didn’t phase her a bit.

We have since sat down and discussed the danger of getting in coolers, refrigerators, freezers, and yes even insulated bags from Sams. She also has found that “Kaleb made me do it” doesn’t fly, and Kaleb has learned that “but She wanted to” doesn’t either. Meanwhile after seeing the pictures Joshua is sure that he is the hero of the world!

Karla began her pregnancy blog in October, since then she has posted many updates sharing her experiences as an expecting mommy. Last Thursday she finally gave birth to her little one. Ava was born at 2:11 PM and Passed away at 9:30 that same evening. Today is the memorial for Ava. Please pray for this family as they remember their little girl.
(note to my friends and family, this is not Karla Leathers. This is Karla Caduau: here is her blog.)

Want to see pictures of me stuck in an insulated bag? Go to mommy’s blog to see:Infinitely Blessed

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:14-21;

To know the Love of God is to be filled with the fullness of Him. Can you imagine? To be filled with ALL the fullness of God? That is my desire! Not just more of Him but all of Him!

If we really comprehended the Love we would never doubt the Lover. To know the love of God! When we know that love, actually grasp that love, then we will know Him. I want to know Him!

Charleigh comes in to the Kitchen and announces “Mother, I’m not going to call you Mama anymore I’m just going to call you Mom”. As she ran out of the room the lyrics “Another one bites the dust” ran through my head.

Kaleb once made this announcement and for a year now I have been either “Mom” or “Mother”. While it seems like no big deal it is the beginning of more to come. How soon till they don’t want hugs and kisses in front of their friends or their embarrassed when I hold their hand to cross the street.

While still contemplating these upcoming changes, not 30 seconds after her announcement my Charleigh races into the kitchen: “Mommy, look at my picture I drew!”
Ahh ha! I’m still Mommy!

Some may wonder what goes into one of Charleigh’s storys. Well let me tell you, she is a master editor! As she tells me the story and I type as fast as I possible can she is constantly changing and rearranging her story. I find myself deleting and adding and deleting and adding nonstop at her request. After the story is complete she has me read it back to her and she critiques it, having me move sentences around delete things that she doesn’t make sense. I often find it difficult to keep out of the editing process but alas I leave it solely up to her. I am proud of her editing technique, in most stories there is a beautiful rainbow tower inserted somewhere in the context of the story that makes no sense at all. She almost always takes it out after hearing her story read aloud. Today I decided to go ahead and type exactly what she was saying so you could understand the process of her story making. It didn’t fly, immediately she picked up on what was going on First I give you the original discussion and then her finished project:

Once upon a time there was a little girl. She was, her name was ah ah I need to start all over.
What are you typing? No I said I need to start all over. . .No take those words off. But Oh man Mom what are you typing.

Once upon a time there was aaaaaaaaa (why are you typing aaaaa) Momma please take off that other words and leave on once upon a time.

Once upon a time there was a big (big wasn’t in there) Actually say a butter fly (uhhhh momma why are you typing all that stuff can you please take all that stuff off)

Once upon a time there was a butterfly her name was. . . (I don’t know what to name her, are you typing I don’t know what to name her? Momma! There isn’t going to be any room for my story if you keep on typing and typing and typing.

Once upon a time there was a butterfly her name was butterbye. (wait make her be a butter bye not a butterfly, take off the butter fly. Ok Ok here we go. (Momma I want a half of a banana. What does that say, are you saying I want a banana read this back to me? Ok there isn’t going to be any room left for my story

Momma why are you doing this to me?

Finished story: (sorta of, after my harassment she was a bit tired of storytelling)

Once upon a time there was a butterbye and a butterfly. They got married. Did you know that butterflys are boys and butterbyes are girls. But they look the same. Butterbyes are all kind of colors and butterflys are too. Anyway back to the story. So they got married and they lived in a big bunch of leaves and they loved the leaves the were so good. Then the butterbye had a caterpillar. A cute baby caterpillar. He had a big BIG apetite for a baby. He ate lots of leaves. Then a big rabbit friend came, they loved to eat fruit together. The caterpillar turned into a butterbye baby. Then it was a big sister. Cause the butterbye had another baby caterpillar and it turned into another baby butter bye it was so small. It was tiny as a dot. You couldn’t barely see it. And the baby butterbye had tiny tiny tiny wings. The end for now. I am tired. Bye

When asking fellow believers about their personal Bible study practices I’ve heard a variety of guilty admissions that while they know they should they rarely do spend time in the Word. The most common explanations are these:
“I don’t have time”.
“I don’t understand it.”
“It’s boring.”
I’ve come to realize that the core to this problem is that people have not been taught “how” to read their Bibles. I believe that if you know how and practice doing so, reading your Bible will become not a chore but a joy.
A year ago at a Ladies Retreat Linda Hunter explained “How” to study the word. Since then I have implemented those lessons as well as personalized some techniques myself, now God has given me a burning desire to read his Word. This is the most exciting book imaginable. I want you to experience this same passion for the Word.

So here we go, I’m going to give you the beginners Who, What, When, Where, Why and How to reading your Bible. Mind you this is not the only way to get something out of God’s Word but its what works for me.
________________________________________________________
WHY: To Know God
Without a “why” it doesn’t matter “how”.

The Bible shows us our salvation,it teaches us who God is, and who we need to be. We read the bible to know God. Do you know Him? Or do you just know about Him? Read this God breathed scripture and you will know Him. Though you may begin studying because you “should”. After a period of time your why will change. I nolonger read the Bible because I “should” but because I desire, I long to know more of my God. This book is not obligatory “home work” it is an amazing privilege, a gift, a love note from my Father.

WHEN: Your “First” and “Best” Time
Set a time and stick with it, The King of the Universe has an appointment with you, are you going to miss it? Make a commitment to not miss a single day. It comes down to priority. What matters to you? Yes I know, job, kids, spouse, cooking, cleaning, mowing, school, volunteering,yada yada; these are all extremely important. But are they more important? More important than the one who created you, who loves youlike no other can fathom loving you? Give God a sacrifice of your time and He will return that time to you. Give God your first time and your best time. Don’t hand him a doggie bag of leftovers at the end of the day. My God is worth more than that! I think of it as “Coffee with Jesus”. I love getting up in the morning and cuddling up in my big green comfy chair with a caramel latte, my journal and my Bible. Starting the day in the arms of my Lord, I can face anything. I’d rather arm myself in the morning than pick up the pieces at night.

WHERE: A solitary place.
Find yourself a spot, where it is quiet, turn off the phone, get rid of any distractions. This will be your daily meeting place with the Father. It is best to use the same location each day, this gets you in the right frame of mind to start your study.

At this time I will address those of you with young children, you may be asking, how can I possibly get some quiet, alone time without them asking for something. I used to get up before my kids for this reason until I realized, they need to see me making God a priority in my life. If I spend my time with the Lord when they are sleeping they will not ever see that example. Being a stay@home mommy I have the luxury of adjusting my schedule. I now have my time after I have fixed their breakfast. They know that this is “Mommy’s time with God” and that they should play quietly until I am done. It takes a little training but after a week of patiently reminding them not to interrupt this special time they now are veryrespectful of it. If you let your little children know that God is a priority in your life then He will be in theirs also.

WHO: You and the Holy Spirit

John 14:26But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

This is where we address the understanding issue. You cannot understand the Bible on your own! In order to see what God has for you, you need to ask him to show you what he wants you to see. Ask him to speak to you personally through his word.

Mathew 7:7″Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

WHAT: Bible, Journal, Pen
Bible
Find a version you are comfortable with, I like the NIV, my husband uses the NLT. Often I will search various translations to get a better understanding of what God is saying to me. Bible Gateway is a great resource of with many translations.

Journal
The reason for your Journal is to record what God shows you in your study. This Journal is also good for recording prayers, not only a grocery list of needs but also love notes to your Father. Use something with a sturdy cover and pages, you will want to keep this journal long after you have filled it up. It is exciting to look back on old journals and be reminded of truths given you by the Lord.
Pen
What ever works for you, there are various methods of using different colors of highlighters, I don’t know any of these, I prefer the underline method: If it sounds good underline it. You do know that it is OK to write in
your Bible right?

HOW:
1. Be Still
Bring your mind, will and emotions into submission. Take authority over your body, you are not as tired as you think. Focus on who God is and what he has to tell you today.

2. Pray
Ask God to give you wisdom, and to speak to
you. Invite the Holy Spirit to help you understand what God has for youtoday. Sometimes it helps to write this prayer out in your journal. It helps you focus on why you are there. Example:

Father, open my eyes. Open my heart to your word today. Holy Spirit give me wisdom and understanding help me to see what the Lord wants me to see. Lord let me know you more today, show me who you are and who you want me to be.

3. Start an entry in your Journal, with a date and the reference to the Scripture you are
beginning to read. By opening it up at the start you are showing expectation that God does have something to say to you today.

4. Read
If you have not read much of the Bible I recommend you start with the Gospel of John followed by Acts or Romans then maybe Psalms. After this you can figure out a reading plan that works for you.

This is not a speed-reading contest! You are not
required to finish any allotted amount of chapters in a day. The purpose is to get to know God. Set an amount of time that you will spend in the word, at least 15 min, with an hour being preferable. Focus, meditate and study the passages you are reading, some days you may read 2-3 chapters or more. While other days God may have one verse that is meant to speak to you. Do not set in stone which area of the Bible you will be reading. Go into your study with an open heart, the Spirit may lead you to another area of study. Be sensitive to the Spirit and listen for guidance. As God shows you new verses and or old ones in new ways remember to journal them.

5. Follow-Up
It is good to follow up on your study by going over your notes. Look over what God has shown you today. I like to look over my journal in the evenings and write any other things the Lord has spoken to me throughout the day.

I hope that this will help someone begin a daily meeting time with his or her Father. I know it is fairly random and pieced together. What works for me may not work for you, but please start somewhere. Don’t ignore your appointment with God.

My value is not defined by your view of me. It is not even determined by my own self-image. Nor do my triumphs or failures affect the appraisal of my worth.

In an auction the highest bidder determines an item’s price. What someone is willing to pay defines the worth. Look what Christ has paid for me, I am Highly Worthy!

You may say to yourself, “I don’t deserve God’s love”, and you are right. Thank God that our salvation is not based on what we “deserve” but what we are “worth” to him. It is by His grace that we are rescued; by his love that we are made worthy. Who are you to decide your own value? God is your creator; He formed you in your mother’s womb. He has already decided what you are worth and his Son has already paid the price. You are highly worthy!

Look Mom, no training wheels!

Father and Sons

(We missed Charleigh.)