I've Come To Realize

I've come to realize that my body is...the temple of the Lord. I have not treated it like such in the past couple of years. I lost 26 pounds over two years ago but gained it back over the last two years from not eating what I should have. I had been eating healthy and starting to exercise. But that has fallen by the wayside. I need to get back on track and take care of my body. We are working on becoming cross cultural workers long term and we feel our bodies and health should be in better shape.

I've come to realize that my job is...being the best wife and mom I can be. I don’t have a J O B right now outside the home or inside the home anymore. I am teaching my children daily as we homeschool. I am doing my best to instill in them God’s Word and other things they need to become responsible adults who love the Lord. I am trying to be a huge support system for my darling husband who works so hard each and every day to provide for our family. I fail so often in these things but I keep trying each day to make a better effort.

I've come to realize that I need nothing more in life than...to follow the Jesus way. He is my guide. He shows me the way and promises to carry me through when I am unable to walk through them on my own.
 
I've come to realize that I've lost my mind...when I try to live each day without putting God first and when I try to handle things on my own and in my own way. I know that I can do nothing without Christ who gives me strength for each hurdle I must jump.

I've come to realize I hate...the feeling of depression that washes over me when I let Satan distract me from God’s purpose in my life with the things I can’t control. I seem to always wonder how I am going to get through them. When I have no answer I tend to get depressed because I can’t fix it. But it isn’t my job to fix it. I am to turn it over to Him and leave it there. I am working on that daily.
 
I've come to realize that money is...not supposed to be the number one priority in our lives. If our main goal in life is to make more money to buy more things then we have missed the blessings God intends for us. The world today is so about getting more stuff. Adults have as many “toys” as kids do these days. God has changed the way I think about stuff. We are trying to clear things out and stop accumulating things.
 
I've come to realize that certain people...just don’t get it. They don’t understand how much God loves them. They spend their lives living the lie Satan fills their hearts with. Sad day.

I've come to realize that I'll always remember...going to Burger Chef with my grandpa on Fridays when I was a child, helping my grandmother make sweet pickles, eating peanut brittle with my cousins, riding around the small city of Alice with my sweetheart in his jeep, spending summers at my aunt’s house in her pool, riding around on a golf cart every day with my grandparents, spending hours in the tree in my front yard pretending I was anywhere else in the world my mind could imagine, picking oranges and grapefruit off the trees in our yard, playing Charlies Angels in 5th grade (I was Jill, of course), the day I met John, the day we got married (27 years ago), the day we got married again (2 years ago for our 25th anniversary), the day Sami was born and I held her for the first time, my first miscarriage and the second and the third, the day I found out I was expecting Nick, the day JC wrapped his arms around me for the first time when he saw that I was sad and made my heart melt, the day Jenni was born and Sami was there to share it with us, the day each of my children accepted Jesus as their Lord and were baptized, the lessons that God has taught me through the good times and bad, the wonderful friends I have met along the path of this life, the wonderful friendship I had with my precious grandmother (I will see you again someday!), the daycare families that were a part of MTCKC for those five years, the tiny church I grew up in (West Main Baptist Church Alice, TX), the church we found when we moved to the Metroplex (MRBC, Arlington, TX), the church we are now a member of that has made us just as welcome and we have so many wonderful new brothers and sisters in Christ to add to our other two families of faith (FBC Arlington), the good times and bad that John and I have been through and grown stronger because of, and that Jesus Christ died for me and because of that I live for Him.

I've come to realize that my siblings...are still a part of me even though I didn't grow up with any of them. I missed having them in my life but pray for them daily.
 
I've come to realize my (adopted) mom...was one of the strongest Christian women I will ever meet. She wasn't perfect but she loved the Lord with all of her heart. She passed that along to me and I pray I am doing the same with my children. I love you, Grandmama!

I've come to realize my (adopted) dad...was a strong silent man. He loved greatly even though he didn't do a lot of talking about it. He was brilliant when it came to fixing cars and playing golf. I love you, Grandpa!
 
I've come to realize my cell phone...is GREAT! I love my iPhone for many reasons. I have Kindle on it and can read anywhere. The kids can play games in the backseat while I drive and that makes it easier! I didn't have a cell phone until I was in my 30’s. I see all these kids with phones and think, really?
 
I've come to realize when I woke up this morning...I have another chance to make this day great and live it for the Lord.

I've come to realize last night...was the last night of the summer Bible study on Revelation. I am sad that it is over but enjoyed it greatly! The last two chapters were encouraging and glorious! Praise God!

I've come to realize right now I'm thinking about...my husband at a job interview for hours we really don’t want. It would get in the way of our commitment to mission training. Praying that something else might come from this interview like a job with different hours and great pay.

I've come to realize today...can be great or terrible, depending on how I react to things. I am praying God will help me stay positive and happy as well as get many things done around the house.

I've come to realize tonight...I won’t be going to church like I have the last four nights.

I've come to realize tomorrow...is family night. We will spent time together as a family, possibly go to the homeschool ice cream business meeting and then come home and watch a movie together.
 
I've come to realize I really want to...change my eating and exercise habits so I can be healthy again. I need to get this weight off and keep it off this time.
 
I've come to realize my children...are gifts from God, each and every one of them. And I know that He is in control and will watch over them when I can’t. They belong to Him and He loves them even more than I do. He has wonderful plans for their lives and I can’t wait to see how He works in and through them.

I've come to realize this weekend...we aren't going to be able to find places for the kids to be so we can have alone time. But we will do our best to talk about the things we need to anyway.

I've come to realize the best music to listen to when I'm upset...is praise and worship music. When I am singing to the Lord it fills me with strength and hope.
 
I've come to realize that my friends...are the best! I have met many wonderful friends throughout my almost 45 years and God has placed them in my life at just the right time. I continue to make more friends and that is one of my favorite things to do.

I've come to realize that this year...is half over. We filled the first part with Perspectives, the summer with fun kid’s church activities and this fall will be filled with even more mission training. Time does indeed fly!

  

I've come to realize my husband...is my best friend and the one who was created just to complete me. We were meant to go through this life on earth in ministry alongside each other and when we are the world seems right. He desires to be the godly leader of our home and leads us with a loving heart. He loves the Lord with a mighty love. He desires to reach the lost and I can’t wait to work alongside him long term full time in whatever country God sends us to.

I've come to realize maybe I should...get off my behind and workout each day. That might actually help the weight come off, do ya think?

I've come to realize I really don't understand...why I have to struggle with so many things. I don’t understand why some people have illnesses and mental issues that make their lives harder to live. I don’t understand how some people turn their backs on the God who created them and loves them so much.

I've come to realize my past...is not perfect but it is the past. I have made so many mistakes and continue to mess up. I have to stop beating myself up for everything that I wish I hadn’t done or that I wish I had done a different way. I am forgiven and Christ has covered my wrongs with His blood. It is wrong of me to keep digging up the past. I need to leave it in the past and look forward to the bright future God has for me, here and in Heaven.

I've come to realize parties...are fun! I love being with people and talking to my friends and making new ones.

I've come to realize my life...is a precious gift from God. And that I am to live for Him in all I do. I have been commissioned to reach those who have not heard in places people do not want to go. My love for Him is greater than my love for even my own life. My life is eternally in Heaven with Him.

Until next time...blessings to you.