Agreement in Truth

"Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." - Acts 17:11

If the Bereans are commended in the Bible for examining the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true, shouldn't we be doing the same? Are we simply accepting what is taught because someone is a pastor, evangelist or missionary? Am I simply believing what is said because it comes from someone older or more educated? Am I in agreement based off my memory or my mom? Oftentimes, I think we accept what others say because it sounds good or because we want to believe it. We want to be in agreement with each other. We don't want waves in our relationships. That is all fine and good if what we believe is in agreement with the Bible. We have to be reading God's Word enough to know if we can accept what we hear. It is essential that we compare everything to the Bible. The Bible is absolute truth. Whether others like it or not. Whether it causes waves or not. The Bible is God's Word and therefore, the ultimate authority.

I remember a moment in high school where I continually quoted something someone had told me. It was either my camp counselor or a friend's parent who asked me to show them what I was quoting in the Bible. They did this because it wasn't in there! That lesson was valuable to me. Combining that with this verse, there has been a lasting impression.

We need to be examining the Scriptures daily to see if what is being fed into our ears is truth.

Jumbled thoughts and 13 years

I would really like to spend time writing on a regular basis.

Jogging is something I thoroughly enjoy. It clears my mind and makes me feel free. I wish I could figure out how to work it into my life consistently.

I have such a desire to spend more time with friends.

I think Jaycie is 3-months-old in my scrapbooking. It's about time to catch up.

My house doesn't know what "clean" looks like. Will it ever?

I own a guitar that I would love to learn how to play. I imagine sitting around the campfire singing as I play or even just with my husband and girls in the family room; maybe by the Christmas tree.

Reading takes me into a world without worries, cares or concern. It would be nice to have more time to spend doing that.

Spending time with my husband one-on-one, without the kids, is thoroughly enjoyable. Why don't we do it more?



My kids are always asking me to play and I'm always too busy accomplishing nothing on this list to stop and spend time with them. I didn't realize this until I was out with a friend tonight for dinner and some much needed conversation. She was talking about how she has a distinct "to do" list that needs to be completed before she will agree to playing with her kids. I didn't even realize that is what I do until she said this. After all, my life has nothing to show for it. Our husbands are quite the contrast. They walk in the door ready to play with their kids. I had to smile as I watched Rod play tag with the girls yesterday in the back yard. I could hear the older ones giggling as I peaked out the window to see him dodging back and forth with the baby content in his arms as they played. I love him more as I watch him be a daddy to our little girls.



I really didn't know where this post was going to go. I just knew I wanted to write. My mind is so jumbled with all my "want to's" that I never write anymore.



Last week, Rod and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary. It's been a while since I had the freedom to so thoroughly enjoy my time with him. We walked around IKEA and dreamed about the different things we would buy (knowing full well that we have no money to purchase anything). We went out for a lunch where I listened to him talk about his job. I found myself thinking that it was actually nice hearing him talk about what he spends most of his time doing. I wasn't even irritated that we weren't talking about me! (I know, imagine that!) We went to Famous Dave's where they had sweet potato fries with marshmallow dip. I absolutely love sweet potatoes! Fry them and they're simply to die for! That's not to mention dipping them in a marshmallow concoction. We had bread pudding for dessert and our time wasn't over. We picked up the older girls and took them to see "Up". This was Jaycie's first movie. (For me, this brought up some irrational emotions. We took Nikelle to see "Happy Feet" for her first movie. Dad and Mom had kept Jaycie and we enjoyed our time. When we got back, we talked about how Dad couldn't shake a bug he had caught. I distinctly remember telling him, 'There's something going around that hangs on for a while, Dad. But don't let me be the reason you die because I talk you out of going to the doctor. The next morning, Dad had collapsed on the floor and shortly after, our lives changed forever.) It was fun to watch the girls as they watched the movie. Jaycie sat on a booster chair made special for theater seating. They both kept their hands going into the popcorn bag and drinking their icees as well as sharing the chewy sweet tarts with their parents. (Rod and I have issues with spilling candy in theaters, however.) It is so special to sit with our kids as we celebrated our anniversary watching a movie that couldn't have ended the celebration any better.



Rod and I both wrote in our anniversary cards about growing old, sitting in our rocking chairs, on our front porch. Every day, I am impressed with the fact that this dream is not a given. I am so thankful for every day I have with the man God gave me. I truly am better because he is in my life. We are a great team and I think our girls will be better because of it.



10 years ago, I never would have dreamed my heart would stir with the emotions they stir with currently. We had a rocky start. Yet, just as I know that I am a better reflection of Christ because of everything I've gone through in the loss of my dad, I am also a more complete person because of Rod. I'm excited for what our future holds. Both here and in eternity.

Our 7-year-old, Nikelle

Nikelle dressed up as "Jane" from Tarzan.





Nikelle and Andelise walking the "runway" at Nikelle's 7th Birthday dress-up/fashion show party.

Nikelle opening her presents.

Last weekend, our little girl turned 7-years-old. This year has been a big jump, in my opinion, going from 6 to 7. Maybe it was the day-to-day influence she experienced from being in school all day. Maybe it was the fact that she became a big, big sister. And maybe, it's just that our little girl is growing up.

We've joked with Nikelle that we won't feed her so she will stay little forever. Honestly, I am so grateful each year we have the privilege to celebrate another birthday and I can thank God for another year of a healthy, growing child.

Nikelle has such a tender heart. I have secretly treasured the moments where she breaks down in tears because she has accidentally hurt someone or made a bad choice. To watch her face as her mind and heart work through the situation is so telling. She is truly pained to know she has made a choice that disappoints us or ultimately God. Her heart cannot handle the fact that she has caused pain to one of her little sisters in an accident. She is learning to watch out for the emotions of others. She is learning to place others before herself. A good lesson for one to learn at an early age.

My daughters have the blessing of having their daddy tuck them into bed most nights. I store up in my heart the moments where I can eavesdrop as I put the baby to bed. I listen as Nike reads a Bible story to her Daddy and sister, Jaycie. Rod doesn't just let her read the story and go to bed. He does his best to attempt to explain to her how the story applies to her life. Like the story of when Samuel anointed David as King. Samuel and Jesse were both looking for the son they thought would be most fitting for the throne. God reminded them in 1 Samuel 16:7 that "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." What a valuable lesson for a little girl to learn early on - and to be taught it by her daddy! Nikelle's heart is so tender to wanted to please not only her earthly father, but her Heavenly Father as well.

I think I can sum up this year with a conversation I had with my daughter a day or two after her party. Her absolute favorite gift was from Grandma Carlson. Nikelle opened her present to find the American Girl doll, Felicity. Felicity loves horses so she is a kindred spirit to Nikelle. This gift was also a reminder of a trip Nikelle and Grandma took to the American Girl doll store in downtown Chicago on their way to see Mary Poppins on stage. This doll not only reminds Nikelle of a special memory with her Grandma but also allows Nikelle to enter her world of imagination where she enjoys spending so much of her time.

The conversation I treasure was about this gift. "Felicity is my second-best friend," she informed me. Curious, I inquired, "Who is your very best friend?" I anticipated her answer to be one of her little sisters or a good friend from school. Very matter-of-factly, Nikelle answered me, "Jesus". I was suprised and pleased to hear that as I continued to ask her if she talked to God a lot and expanded a bit on her response. Our prayer is that her identity is always found in our God.

Nikelle reads "Felicity" to her new American Girl doll friend, "Felicity".

For a moment like this

We've all had those days where we want to pretend like we don't know our own children. The child shouts something embarrassing and we want to crawl into a hole! That's why it is so nice to have those moments when we can walk away feeling like we're raising our kids right. Two of those moments happened to me recently.

One occurred in the mall. I took the girls to the play place and watched as Nikelle went to play with Jaycie. A little girl walked up to Nikelle and asked her if she wanted to play tag. Upon hearing this, I prepared myself to deal with a whiney Jaycie in anticipation of her big sister going off to play with a new "friend". Instead, I smiled inside as I heard Nike respond with "No, thank you. But thank you for offering." Very nice. I was pleased. Not only did she play with her little sister (which was the only reason she was allowed to play at the mall), but she responded in a way I believe Jesus would be happy with. I informed her of the same.

The next moment that made my heart smile in parenting happened right here at home. I had just got done telling my daughters for the umpteenth time that they were not to bounce on the air mattress that was out. Since they were not listening, the privilege to lay on the mattress was removed. Sitting with them as we finished up dinner, Jaycie asked if she could have a piece of candy. Since she had eaten her dinner, the answer was "yes". That reward was followed up with "Can we go back on the mattress?" My answer was of course, "no". Jaycie's response is what made my heart swell. "I wish Jesus make me a good girl." I smiled inside as I talked with her about asking Jesus to help her obey better from now on.

Moments like these help me during those moments where I want to run away and hide.

Life Assessment

Aaah. A morning to myself. I have an entire list of things spinning around in my head that I want to or need to accomplish. First, I'm starting here.

In January, I did a post entitled Here's to a more intentional 2009! One thing I've wanted to do for quite some time is assess my life. See how I'm doing compared to my desires for change in my life I wrote about in January. So, how am I doing?

I began with setting the goal of spending 5 minutes with God each day. I probably average this but have yet to make it a daily habit. I've been involved in quite a few studies with friends that are keeping me reading God's Word. At the same time, I am impressed with the importance of actually reading my Bible. It's too easy to read a book that references Scripture and never really pull out my Bible. Status: There's still room for improvement.

Next, I set the goal of eating 3 fruits and/or vegetables each day. I think I've done a pretty good job on this one. I serve fruit, vegetables or both with whatever our main dish is now for lunch and dinner and often I work a fruit in with breakfast. Status: Work towards 5 fruits and/or vegetables each day.

I talk about the goal of doing one thing each day to show love to my husband. Whether it is making his lunch, bringing in his newspaper or telling him "thank you". I believe I have improved tremendously on this one. Honestly, there are times I pull in the driveway on a Saturday morning and see his newspaper in the driveway. It may be cold or rainy and I do not want to bring his paper in. Setting this goal for myself of showing love to him each day gets me out of the van to bring it in. Status: Our marriage is better for it. Continue on.

Implementing the Bible into our daily life, including memorizing Bible verses for AWANA and what not was a good intention. At the same time, Nikelle reads the Bible every night for bedtime with Rod & Jaycie. I have been better with Bible verses in our every day lives with whatever situation we are in the midst of. Status: I can never get enough Bible into our everyday life. Keep working on it!

I wanted to be more intentional about praying at meals. I am terrible with this one. I actually sought out advice from a friend that I think does a great job at this. She gave me some form prayers that I hope to implement as well as some good advice. I have been better about if we are eating and it comes to my mind, I simply quote a Bible verse about thanks. "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever." Status: God is impressing upon me the importance of praying more in general. Mealtimes are a good reflection of my daily prayer life.

I suppose every list has one item that gets left behind. For me, it's scrapbooking. I'm getting everything more organized and still have it on my list. Status: Good intentions get me nowhere. Maybe I'll get some scrapbooking done before the end of the year?

As for our savings, we are doing so much better with that. I simply transfer money with one paycheck a month into our savings account. It's a good feeling to have our savings account growing again. Status: We'd like to improve in this area and we are taking steps in the right direction.

Cleaning my house is never-ending. There is always something to clean. One step I'm taking to help me in my endeavors is to do a garage sale this coming weekend. I'm purging a bunch of the junk that keeps my house so messy! It's also become more of a priority to teach my girls how to clean up after themselves. Status: Improving and still need work!

Although I have not worked "exercise" into my life, I am moving more. When I feel the temptation to lay down and rest, I ask myself if there is something else I should be doing instead? I signed up for my first 5K next month. Although an injury has kept me fearful of truly getting into a habit of jogging again, maybe a fresh goal will help! Status: I am able to fit into smaller size pants this morning. I'm attending Weight Watchers for free again and I'm feeling better about myself. Keep setting new goals!

I watch much less T.V. than in the past. I've read a few more books than years past and I turn on music with the kids or when I'm cleaning the house by myself. Status: Life has it's ups and downs. Each morning is a fresh start and I will continue to strive to live life better!


"If you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God." ~ Proverbs 2:1-5