Those Mercies Are New Every Morning!

Spring is here in Oklahoma! The birds are singing, our little Japanese Magnolias are blooming and so are Ellie's rose bushes, which were planted shortly after her death.  The Bun-Buns (a.k.a. baby cottontail rabbits) have been spotted  hopping around our neighborhood, and the days are finally long enough for us to take an evening walk in the sunlight (walks are one of Lucy's favorite things!).  

Although Spring is known as "allergy season" here in our State (we have some of the worst pollens in the U.S. - yay!) and "migraine season" for some of us lucky ones, it's still a wonderful time of year.  NEW LIFE is all around us and it is a perfect reminder to me that nothing stays the same with God.  His mercies are always new!  He is continuously changing us for the better - for our good and for HIS glory - despite how it may look or feel to us at the time.

"MERCIES" (as defined by Meriam Webster)- 

• compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power; also :  lenient or compassionate treatment 
• imprisonment rather than death imposed as penalty for first-degree murder
• a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion
• a fortunate circumstance
• compassionate treatment of those in distress 

Spring is most definitely becoming one of my most favorite times of year, for this very reason:  New Beginnings.  New Chances.  New Mercies.  ALL THINGS NEW! God reminds me that HE alone makes things new, and in the deepest of my shadows, He shows me that He does EVERYTHING in HIS set, appointed time.  It is never by "chance" or happenstance for us as Believers.  God orchestrates our lives, just as He orchestrates the seasons, and we can trust His good wisdom as the Creator of All!  How exciting is that?!

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15(NLT)

A Time for Everything

3 For everything there is a season,
    a time for every activity under heaven.
2 A time to be born and a time to die.
    A time to plant and a time to harvest.
3 A time to kill and a time to heal.
    A time to tear down and a time to build up.
4 A time to cry and a time to laugh.
    A time to grieve and a time to dance.
5 A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
    A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
6 A time to search and a time to quit searching.
    A time to keep and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear and a time to mend.
    A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
8 A time to love and a time to hate.
    A time for war and a time for peace.

9 What do people really get for all their hard work? 10 I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. 11 Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. 12 So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. 13 And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.

14 And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God’s purpose is that people should fear him. 15 What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again.

It's Spring Break for our kids and we've been laying low, watching movies, spending time with friends, and playing outside, A LOT.  It's been beautiful here, and I've been able to take Lucy on many walks, which she adores (she is our 'nature-girl').  Henry went on a mini-vacation with My Parents the first several days of the break and came home with all kinds of stories of adventures and excitement.  I'm so thankful he got away and was able to expend some energy that way.  Conner is a home-body and has loved every moment of this "boring break"- reading, riding his bike, playing with legos, smores with neighborhood friends, etc.  Our Boys are oh-so-different as Conner is content to be low-key and Henry is absolute high-energy, constantly needing an outlet.  It makes for quite the challenge, but all in all, it's been a fantastic Break.

 Henry's Adventures with Nunnie and Poppie!

UPDATES . . . 

CONNER:  A week ago Thursday, we enrolled Conner in junior high.  You read that correctly - Conner starts junior high next fall!  I can hardly believe it.  And while I wish we could send him to Private-Christian school, Conner is very eager and excited to be spending his junior high years with the same group of friends he has had since first grade.  Conner has some wonderful friends with great parents, whom we trust.  We are grateful, although I do admit to being extremely nervous for next fall and for all of the things junior high in public school will bring.  Sweet Conner and I were able to attend the enrollment by ourselves, and he too was nervous - teeth chattering, tummy hurting, palms sweating; it's a BIG change, but one that has to happen.  It's a change that God brings, so I know I can trust Him, even though this step is super hard for both Conner AND Momma!  

Another exciting thing about Conner - he has been going to church Sunday evenings with friends from school!  Since our Church Family (Bridgeway Church) is so far North (it takes a good 30 mins to get there, but we love it!),  Mike and I felt led to pray that Conner would be able to get involved with a local Community of Believers - where he can go to Church with friends he does life with - and God has provided just that!  Mike and I couldn't be more excited to watch Conner get fired up each Sunday for church.

Conner's Big Spring Break Purchase 

(Our 12 year old is now in men's sizes)

HENRY:  Henry's had a hard time adapting back into our family life after his vacation.  PANDAS causes Henry to dread changes AND the unexpected, and of course the Break brings both of those things.  I'm so happy to have My Henry back home, but it has been incredibly difficult for him to get back into the swing of things.  This time, the way he has acted out is through verbal and physical abuse towards me.  This is OFTEN the case in children with PANDAS.  They act out towards the ones they love the most - the ones they feel the safest with - the ones they know will
never stop loving them.

We would also love prayers as Henry's supplemental insurance through the state (TEFRA) is being re-evaluated this coming month.  It's a nervous thing to think about - medical professionals from the state, looking over Henry's records and determining whether or not he should be allowed to continue services.  We of course are praying that they will rule in our favor!  If we did not have TEFRA, there would be no way we could get Henry the help that he needs (therapies, medical supplies, medications, doctor visits, specialists, MRI's, EEG's, routine blood work, etc).  We are truly grateful for such a wonderful program, and even though we will most likely always pay portions of Henry's treatments (experimental, non-FDA approved, etc), GOD provides for us through the State and we so appreciate you praying for favor on our behalf!

LUCY:  Our Golden-Haired Girl continues to grow and change, right before our eyes.  Lucy's grown a few inches in height over the last several months, which means her little body is looking more and more like that of her Big Sister.  There are so many mixed feelings that come with that, but I do admit that Lucy's mere change in size has been pretty difficult for me to face.  I remember well, Ellie Kate being just that size - and she didn't grow to be much bigger.  Lucy will be five in September.  Will we have her with us for seven years, like EK?  Will God allow us to take care of her for a longer period of time?  No one truly knows, so each day, I try to give her kisses for a lifetime (sometimes she loves the kisses and sometimes she does not!), and we do our best as a family, to make as many special memories as possible.

Lucy's Spring Break Adventures 

MIKE:  If you've seen Mike lately, you can't help but notice the giant PINK cast on his foot and ankle.  That's right, he chose PINK to represent the girls and he will be sporting it for about another month.  He cannot drive, nor put weight on the foot itself, which means he is super limited.  I've gotten a tiny taste of doing things all on my own - driving him to and from work, driving both kids to and from practices, etc.  It's made me realize just how much Mike does for our family!  He is an amazing husband and Daddy, constantly helping and running around so I don't have to.  Now it's my turn to serve Mike, and although my Interstitial Cystitis is continuing to flare, God's been faithful to give me the energy to do all that my family has needed.  Mike and I covet your prayers that God would continue to give me energy and more importantly, that the Father would continue to heal Mike's foot and bring ease of pain as well!

HOSPITALIZATION: Next week is a BIG WEEK for Henry as he will be admitted to OU Children's Hospital for 3-5 days.  Henry will be staying in the EEG Monitoring Unit, where he will be hooked up continuously, as they try to catch every seizure Henry has at every point of the day or night.  I'm trying to talk-it-up with Henry, reminding him how he can watch T.V. as much as he wants, how he gets to eat the food from the cafeteria (Our Little Men LOVE eating in the hospital cafeteria!), and how he will get special treatment.  In reality, I cannot imagine this Little Boy being in his room/in his bed/in the hospital without running, jumping and playing like he normally does.  How will he get his energy out?  How will he adapt to the changes in environment?  Will I physically and mentally be able to stay with him by myself the entire time (I want to!)?  Lots of questions and not many answers.  I DO know that God is WITH us and FOR us, so I'm choosing to rest in Him, giving Him all of my thoughts and concerns.  Otherwise, I will drive myself nuts.  

Our Sweet Friends have set up a meal calendar for us during these next busy days and weeks.  We are so grateful for the meals you've continued to bring us over the last ten years!  Thank you for serving us during a difficult time - 

http://www.takethemameal.com/meals.php?t=XTTH9220

As we approach this Easter Season, I pray that God would remind you of the NEW LIFE, NEW BEGINNINGS and NEW MERCIES that He brings to us through His Son, Christ Jesus!  

God sent His only son to come live a perfect life in a broken, human body.  

Jesus was our sinless, perfect Sacrifice.  

When Jesus chose to give His life for us on the cross; 

when He became the sacrifice for OUR sins, 

He conquered the penalty of sin, once, for all and forever!  

Jesus conquered death and rose again on the third day, allowing us to spend eternity in Heaven with Him - no more sin, no more sickness, no more brokenness, no more sorrow!

  The ONLY way to abundant life here on earth and eternal life in heaven with God, is to give our lives over to Jesus.  

There are no magic words.  

There is no perfect prayer to pray.  

Just call out to God, asking Jesus to forgive you of your sins.  

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and become a NEW CREATION this Spring - 

Receive the ULTIMATE new beginning; 

the BEST new mercy; 

the most PRECIOUS new, abundant life.  

Ephesians 2:1-10 (ESV)

"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body[a] and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.[b] 4 But[c] God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them".

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 

The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Romans 6:3(TLB)

Should we keep on sinning when we don’t have to? For sin’s power over us was broken when we became Christians and were baptized to become a part of Jesus Christ; through his death the power of your sinful nature was shattered. 

4 Your old sin-loving nature was buried with him by baptism when he died; and when God the Father, with glorious power, brought him back to life again, you were given his wonderful new life to enjoy.

5 For you have become a part of him, and so you died with him, so to speak, when he died;[a] and now you share his new life and shall rise as he did.

Colossians 3:3-4(ESV)

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your[a] life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Romans 1:17 (TLB)

                                                    

"This Good News tells us that God makes us ready for heaven—makes us right in God’s sight—when we put our faith and trust in Christ to save us. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scripture says it,
 “The man who finds life will find it through trusting God.”

New Mercies! 

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)

22 

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[a]

    his mercies never come to an end;

23 

they are new every morning;

    great is your faithfulness.

Jesus, thank you for paying the penalty of my sin so that I might have NEW LIFE and new beginnings!  You are so good, Father.  Let us see your goodness, your kindness, your majesty in the world around us this happy spring season.  May we forever be reminded that you have designed it ALL and that you orchestrate our lives down to the most intimate of details.  I choose to trust you, Lord - even when I don't feel it, see it or understand it, because I KNOW who you are and what you do.  

Only Because of Him,

Ryan

Are you an American or Christian, first?

It's a strange time in Our Country.  

It's hard to see who is truly right and who is wrong; whom do we follow and will they bring the change we are longing to see in Our Nation?  Whom do we trust?  

It's a battle for Our Land, Our Children, Our Future . . . this Election Season is a battle for Our Hearts.   

Some "Christians" in the United States love America and their "rights" MORE than they love the Father who created them, who redeemed them, who is coming again for them one day.  

It's true.  Look around you.  
Why are we so angry about holding on to what we believe is ours?  

Why do we want to 
"Make America Great Again"?  

Where does that show that our security lies?  

Philip. 5:4-8 (The MSG), "Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion".

• MY security does NOT lie in Man.
• MY security does NOT lie in a Political Party.
• MY security does NOT lie in keeping the American Dream.
• MY security isn't based on border walls and mass deportations.  
• MY security isn't based on what I've earned or how hard I've worked to gain what I posses.
• MY security isn't in my pay check or possessions.  
• My security is not in FEAR of what I don't understand.
• My security is not in FEAR of WHO I don't understand.

MY Security lies with the God of the Universe - the one who Created Heaven and Earth.  

In Christ, we have no possessions.  

We have no country.  We have nothing.  

As Believers, we are called to lay it all down at the feet of Jesus.  When we accept Christ, we accept HIM as Lord. 

• Not Christ PLUS our possessions
• Not Christ PLUS our family
• Not Christ PLUS our dreams, aspirations, plans
• Not Christ PLUS our country

NO.  We are called to lay it ALL down - American Dream, ideals, hopes, beliefs, family, faith, security - everything. 
Apart from Him, we ARE nothing and HAVE nothing.

No, it's NOT the American Dream, 

but Jesus didn't create that dream - man did.  

True Believers of Christ - the ones who've surrendered their lives to Him, calling on Him for salvation, for forgiveness of sins, for the hope of eternal life . . . 

HOW and WHY are you trying to place your hope in a man who promises you the things of this world?????

". . . so guard yourself in your spirit, and do not be faithless", Malachi 2:15-16

Why is our guard down?  Why are we giving into the  temptation of security promises here on earth?  

That, My Friend, is not from God.  

The only true security a Believer has is in Christ.  

One of the scariest things about it all is that so many people claiming to be Christians, claiming to be Christ-followers, are following the Presidential Candidate who is LEAST LIKE CHRIST.  And Folks, that is NOT okay.  

We are  falling into a scary trap.  A trap much like the People of God have fallen into over and over and over again (look at the Old Testament).  The root of that, in my mind, is pure selfishness and pride, and the fruit of those things are ugly - control, envy, and most of all, FEAR.  

Let's face it, the World IS a scary place (and will continue to evolve into an even MORE scary place until the Return of Christ).  

News Flash - it isn't going to get easier!

And  you know what?  That is good for us as True Believers, because 

it means that Christ is coming soon!

Hebrews 13:14(ESV)

For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come

1 Peter 2:11-1 (ESV)

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

  

Oh, Believer!!!! 

• I could tell you that tonight in Kansas City, Trump told those with opposing views to "go to hell". 
• I could remind you of the way he so cruelly made fun of a reporter with a physical disability 
• How he has talked of "changing the rules" to give us more access, more "freedoms", more "rights", including killing families of our enemies. 
• I could tell you how he has been asking folks at his rallies to raise their right hands as a public showing of their support (does that remind you of someone?).   
• If I could, I would surely ask you how you explain Mr. Trump's behavior (language, promotion of violence, etc) to your children???  

Believers, we cannot choose what we believe to be "OUR FREEDOMS", OVER a leader who acts most UN-like the God we claim to follow.  

Did you catch that?  

For a Christ-Following Believer, 

electing a President who will act like Christ

 IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN 

putting first (what deem to be your own) 

YOUR FREEDOMS or RIGHTS.  

I'm not promoting any candidate here, Friends (although I have made my choice).  I'm not saying that any of the candidates are completely Christ-like.  

What I AM saying is that as Believers, 
we die to our rights and put GOD first.  

 Who will help us most live like Christ?  
Who will help our Nation be more like Christ?

So, let's step up.  Let's act like True Followers of Christ, who know what God has done for us and what He will do - 

Believers who don't trust in this World, but rather lay down our rights in honor of Christ.

Let's get on our knees and pray, like never before, asking God to capture Our People, asking God to be glorified, asking God for mercy, asking God to give us a Commander-in-Chief who acts more like Christ.

Most Importantly, Let's Pray for REVIVAL, because it always comes during seasons of turmoil.  
Lord, let it be!   
**************************************

• *The foolish spew folly from their mouths (Proverbs 15:2).
• The foolish despise instruction and reproofs from those who are wiser (Proverbs 15:5).
• When the foolish try and speak in a dignified manner it feels artificial (Proverbs 17:7).
• Rebukes just bounce off of the foolish (Proverbs 17:10).
• The foolish love to boldly pronounce their opinions (Proverbs 18:2).
• The foolish have repeatedly been ensnared by their words in their past (Proverbs 18:7).
• The foolish are often characterized by quarreling (Proverbs 20:3).
• The foolish frequently disregard wisdom (Proverbs 23:9).
• When others stoop to engage the foolish according to their folly, they end up looking foolish themselves (Proverbs 26:4).
• The foolish have a history of repeating their folly (Proverbs 26:11).
• Those known to be wise are concerned and burdened by the words and actions of the foolish (Proverbs 27:3).
• The foolish rage or mock when arguing with others (Proverbs 29:9).
• The foolish love to give full vent to their spirit (Proverbs 29:11).
• The foolish are quick to speak (Proverbs 29:20).
• The foolish are often characterized by shouting (Ecclesiastes 9:17).
• The foolish may consider themselves religious, but their unbridled tongues show that religion to be worthless (James 1:26).
• The foolish look with haughty eyes (Proverbs 6:17).
• The foolish engage in slander (Proverbs 10:18).
• The foolish joke about their wrongdoing (Proverbs 10:23).
• The foolish make great boasts (Psalm 12:3).
• The foolish are stubbornly right in their own eyes (Proverbs 12:15).
• The foolish are quickly annoyed by insults (Proverbs 12:16).
• The foolish lash out in rash words like sword thrusts (Proverbs 12:18).
• The foolish express no shame over their folly (Proverbs 13:16).
• The foolish speak and act with recklessness and carelessness (Proverbs 14:16).

*How to Recognize a Foolish Leader by Desiring God Ministries

Please also read: How Christianity Explains Trump

Be Gracious to My Spinning Plates!

The last several days have felt like a whirlwind.  Mike had his surgery on Friday, and it went incredibly well!  The doctor was amazed that Mike had been walking on that foot for so long.  He said, "it was REALLY messed up", and proceeded to show us (with his hands) how long the tendons were which he repaired.  They also sent a bone biopsy and we should get the results soon.   Friday evening was so strange.  I was in a haze of confusion, or so it felt.  I think I had been carrying a lot with Mike's surgery, even though I didn't know it.  We have so much "medical" past, and that can be detrimental at times.  The kids all went their separate ways, except Miss Lucy, who stayed home with the nurse.   Jayme, Mike's mom stayed with Mike while I went to our Hope Link Board Meeting.  Apparently, that too was weighing on my heart, mind and even body. Our meeting went very well - it was so sweet and good, and the Lord leads Hope Link!  I came home refreshed, yet tired and worn.   We had a very hard time controlling Mike's pain even immediately after the surgery.  That continued into the weekend.  We mixed in soccer games and both sets of Grandparents were quite involved, helping us get everything run smoothly, all while taking care of Michael.  It was a good day.   Sunday was normal, as I cared for Mike and the boys were with grandparents.  I started feeling like I was getting a cold, so that evening, I took some mucinex and cold medicine.  OH MY WORD.  You guys!  All day Monday, I was completely out of it.  I barely remember it, really.  I went to appointments with Mike and he had to wake me up.  He drove because I was so sleepy.  We got home and I slept all day and night, waking a few times.  It was the WORST, MOST confusing thing ever!  Even this morning was a struggle and thankfully my parents were on hand to get the kids off and Mike's parents took him to work for a bit.  It's like Monday never existed to me, and it scared me to death, especially with what my Momma has been through with the medication mix-ups.   I've felt low today, I'm sure so much of it has to do with that stupid medication being inside of my body.  But overall, I think I've let things get to me - the surgery, terribly missing Ellie Kate, school, behavior, my pain, my mother, the sudden death of Mike's former boss, finances.  There is always someone who needs you, something you've missed, something you've forgotten, someone else to call, more things to organize (I think these apply to ALL of us, especially the women). All things spinning on so many different plates, and I've tried to balance them as best as I could.  I have been taking a break from things for that very reason, but once again this weekend, that all crept back up in my heart, in my mind.    Lessons Learned: When you start getting overwhelmed, RUN to Jesus.   When your heart is picking up speed, RUN to the Word of God and READ.  When your thoughts won't stop DROP to your knees and pray.   And don't take mucinex and cold medicine!   I'm with you all the way!  And, MOST importantly - you won't get lost in the midst of the chaos and unknowns, because God knows every end and every out. He knows every situation.  He knows every mess-up you've had.  He will be with you when you make things right  He made your every being, Friend. He is FOR you! And as a Dear Friend showed me tonight - The Lord WILL be gracious to you and may that graciousness come swiftly; may it fall over you like rain.  May His graciousness balance your plates!  The Lord Will Be Gracious (ESV) 18  Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you,     and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice;     blessed are all those who wait for him.