Mirror Image

You guys, I have been incredibly humbled by the fact that so many of you read and shared my last post, "Fixer Upper".  Whether it draws the attention of HGTVand Joanna and Chip Gaines of "Fixer Upper" . . well, who really knows, but that wasn't the point of that post anyways.  I'm still grateful for their example and ministry, and I hope you are inspired to find YOUR mission as an individual, couple and/or family.  There is great joy in knowing your life is living out the things that God has called you to!  

The end of the summer is here and school starts for us next week!  There has been so much growth within our family over the summer.  No, we haven't added any new members ('Scout' the Cocker Spaniel is still on family probation, actually), but I have seen my children stretch spiritually, mentally and physically.  I've seen the same in my Dear Husband.  As for me, I'm not sure about other areas, but I have put on some weight, which was not planned (that happens when you stay home with your kids all summer, right??).  Overall, I am sweetly satisfied in how this summer has gone and I am grateful for what we've been able to experience and take part in! Not only has the Father faithfully provided our needs, but also some of "wants" by allowing us to take some trips and enjoy adventures as a family.  He is SO good, even when we are not.

Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

James 1:17

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Matthew 7:11

Little Lucy Belle has particularly changed this summer, growing a few inches and gaining a few pounds.  We've seen even MORE exciting changes though, things we never even thought possible!  Lucy is now holding a cup and drinking water herself;even though she struggles to get it into her mouth each time and struggles to keep it in her hands.  She shows the DESIRE to drink water.  She CHOOSES to bring the cup to her mouth.  This is HUGE!  Lucy also now lifts her arms as we walk by to show us when she wants to be held.  She is CHOOSING to be held - she is COMMUNICATING with us, letting us know what she WANTS!  Can you even imagine?! And oh, that princess attitude that she has developed, and it isn't always the humble, gentle princess of the Disney movies.  She's a literal biter and pouts, screaming when she doesn't get what she wants, which is hard bc we often have to guess what she wants and needs.  It is SO FUN to watch her change, grow and mature.  I am blown-away by it really, and this strong evidence of how cognitively aware Lucy truly is!  *Um, Jo-Jo, if you DO come to our house, can we make some mirrored furniture happen?

Another way Lucy has developed is with her vision and curiosity.  Recently, at a dear friends' house, Lucy fell in love with her own image.  She saw herself in a mirrored piece of furniture, and we all watched in awe as she sat and looked at herself for so long - tilting her head back and forth, moving toward the image and then away from it, even sideways.  She was enamored with her what she was seeing, and the fact that she has the ability to do that is astounding to me as her momma.  My heart leaps with joy!  What else will she be able to do?  Oh, Lord, bring do more in Lu Lu's mind and body!

Lucy's reflection with her image got me thinking . . . how often do you take a long look at yourself, at your life, at your ministry as an individual?  Let me gently remind you that it isn't conceded to step back and take a long look, an in-depth glance, at your life.  It's a deep thing, something that requires you to be open and honest, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what needs to be seen and possibly, what needs to be changed.

I will admit it - I do NOT like looking at my reflection, folks.  It's hard for me to slow down, just like many of you.  Finding a quiet time and place to reflect?  Well, that sounds impossible.  But, God will allow it to happen, even in the strangest of places.  He will reveal himself because He cares and He wants your to grow and change. Thank the Lord for that (literally), for who wants to stay the same old non-growing, boring self?!  I don't always like what I see, in fact I don't enjoy the failures and flaws that scream out at me when I press in on my own image.  The thing God wants from us in all of this image stuff?  Well, it's SURRENDER.  Total surrender; because when we surrender it all to Jesus, He takes over.  For those who believe on His name, He has paid for our failures and mistakes and when He looks at us, He no longer sees those ugly things (can I get an 'amen'?!).  But when we continue to surrender to Him - that's when we start seeing the changes in our hearts, our minds, and sometimes even our beliefs.  Jesus changes it all . . . for the better.  He changes us to be more like Him, and as a follower of Christ, that is our goal!  Lord, give us your wisdom!

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

James 3:17

The precious children in your life are looking at your image too.  They watch you - how you react to joy and pain; how you respond to difficult circumstances, surprise events and even loses.  They intently see our image, and that is why we must faithfully teach them WHO God is, living it out every day.

Do as Lucy, and look at your own image, taking all the time that you need.  

Holy Spirit, guide us as we seek you in this way.  Speak to us loudly and clearly so we know what you want us to change.  Encourage us by showing us what it is about us that you most celebrate - a part of our image that you take joy in. Reveal to us what we need to work on - the dark places that need to be surrendered again to your authority.  Father, may we then go and teach our children who you are and may they see you in how we live our lives each day.  Thank you for loving us so recklessly!

Fixer Upper

One of our most favorite TV shows is "Fixer Upper".  It's a fun show on HGTV where a couple, Chip and Joanna Gaines, comes in and helps another couple find a "fixer upper" house.  The Gaines turn those houses into real homes - beautiful homes, GORGEOUS homes, that turn out to be more incredible than the new homeowners could have ever pictured in their minds!

Chip and Joanna Gaines

The greatest part for me is to see the homeowners as their fixed-up house is revealed.  When they left it in Chip and Joanna's hands, it wasn't very pretty.  In some episodes, the houses are literally falling apart.  You can imagine how nervous the homeowners must be as they place their faith in this couple, trusting them to transform the ugly house and make it something not only livable, but also something that represents their family's personality in a comfortable and secure way.  When the fixed home is unveiled, you can feel the excitement jumping through the screen!  Sometimes there are tears of joy and shock. Each time there are huge smiles (the ones that make your face hurt).  It makes me giddy to watch the excitement as the homeowners' dreams are unveiled and all that they've been hoping for and focusing on, is now there for them to touch and feel. 


The first time I watched Fixer Upper, I was super encouraged.  I don't know how to explain it, except for the fact that I felt the Holy Spirit in Chip and Joanna Gaines.  I told Mike about it, and that's when we started watching it together.  We have been hooked on Joanna's darling sense of style and on the hilarity that comes with the married couple's playful relationship that you see on camera. Although we don't watch every episode (we don't have DVR or anything like that), we enjoy it when we can! *Below are pics of the finished fixer uppers . . .

Check out more photos here:  Fixer Upper Photos

Last year, we stopped by the Gaines' store in Waco, Texas.  It's called "Magnolia" and it's absolutely darling.  I bought a few small things, and when I checked out, I started chatting with the girl that was helping me.  We were talking, and somehow I felt the freedom to ask if Chip and Joanna Gaines went to church anywhere (kind of strange I know, but I wanted to see if that Holy Spirit connection I felt was real).  That's when I found out they attend an incredible church that has a church plant here in Norman, Oklahoma.  Once the employee told me where they went to church, I just got so excited because I know people in this particular church and I know a little bit about it as well. I told the employee about the Holy Spirit connection I had felt, and I asked her to tell the Gaines that I am literally spiritually encouraged each time I watch Fixer-Upper.  The show is funny, clean and uplifting, but as a Believer, I also sense the couple's kindness, gentleness, sincerity, and giving spirit as they serve these families.  Sure, they are paid to do this, but when you are a Believer walking with the Lord, your profession becomes your mission, and you can clearly see that this is a mission for this family, and they pursue it as a family, wholeheartedly.  THAT is encouraging. You should watch it! 


My heart has been heavy lately, for many reasons.  Lucy's had an increase in seizures (that's part of NKH).  Henry's PANDAS has been flaring.  Many friends are deeply hurting and grieving.  I'm still longing for change in the physical AND spiritual.  As I was pondering all of these things tonight, God brought Fixer Upper to mind.  It may sound silly, but as Believers, you and I truly "Fixer Uppers".  We are all broken, some more than others, some being left and tossed aside as trash.  The transformation God brings to us physically, and most importantly, spiritually, is a beautiful thing to watch unfold.


Sometimes seeing progress takes a long time and sometimes changes are seen quickly. We place our lives and all that we have, in the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ and then He takes over.  He takes care of everything, every single, tiny detail.  He makes no mistakes.  He works ON us, and WITH us, and FOR us.   He is continually working; Jesus never stops working, even though it may feel that way.  Sometimes it feels like He isn't listening.  Sometimes it feels like He isn't moving in your life, especially in the ways you hoped or planned. Sometimes it feels like He isn't there - like He has left the job site . . . BUT, HE IS!  He never leaves or forsakes us.  He promises to complete the good work that He starts in us.  I can tell you from experience, Our God is FAITHFUL, ya'll!  One day, we will finally receive our "ultimate healing" and thus, no long be in need of fixing.  Come quickly, Lord Jesus! 


Hebrews 13:5 (ESV):

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Philippians 1:6(ESV):

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

As you've read in our posts, you may know that we've talked about moving, changing schools for the boys, and making other big decisions.  We just all want change. CHANGE.  I long for it.  But, we've prayed and prayed and PRAYED and sought the Lord, and we feel like God doesn't want a big change for us right now (such as moving).  Financially, it is much better if we stay where we are for a while longer.  It wouldn't be good to move right now, but rather stay and keep that security and stability going for Henry as he faces the many changes upcoming with school.  Being able to come HOME to this house, will be good for him, and if it's good for Henry, it will be good for ALL of us!  


Michael thinks I need to write to Chip and Joanna Gaines and ask them to come up and do a different kind of "Fixer Upper" here in Oklahoma.  He wants them to come and fix up the house that we have - this precious place where we first brought Lucy home from the hospital and the place where Ellie Kate took her last breath.  Ohmygoodness, can you even imagine?  What would we do if that happened?!? I would fall on my face and thank the Father for His goodness, and then you would find me doing the happy dance for hours on end!   I mean, really - having Chip and Joanna come in and help us with the things that need fixing (major and minor), helping us map things out better in our home, and then having Joanna decorate it with her impeccable taste that I adore??!!??!  It would be just too good to be true!  Even so, I am posting about it, just by chance you know Chip and Jo and want to pass this on to them:).  Who knows, maybe the Lord would work it out for us and we could have the change we so desire AND have the ability of staying in our current home.  Honestly, I would just like to hang out and pray with and over Chip and Joanna as a couple. It's strange, but that is on my heart.  No matter what, I choose to trust the Father and the decisions He's lead us to as a family at this time.  



Father, 

Thank you for encouraging our hearts in fun ways!  Holy Spirit, thank you for encouraging us even through television!  God, thank you too for Chip and Joanna Gaines.  Thank you for their relationship with you and thank you or the creative gifts you've given to them that we get to see and enjoy (even if it's through the TV). Thank you for using their lives for your glory, and  thank you for giving their family such an exciting mission.  

Lord, thank you too for giving OUR family such an exciting mission!  Thank you for showing us to stay here in our home, even though that isn't the answer I was wanting to hear.  I know that you see and feel our need for change, and I pray that you would make that happen in some creative way. Be our leader, Jesus.  Take over our family.  It's all yours and we give it all back to you.  Use us for your glory. 


Ryan