{God's Refining Fire}

I had a beautiful moment of conviction tonight---now we don't often think of conviction as beautiful, but perhaps we should. I'll try to be brief---for two reasons: 1. I don't have time to write a blog post tonight and B. I know you don't have time to read a long, rambling post!

SOOOOO, after dinner tonight, Joshua and I were sitting at the table and he was explaining a real frustration he has at recess at school. I say "he has" because it's an ongoing thing---don't worry---no one is bullying him, or leaving him out---what it actually boils down to is he doesn't get his way and it's frustrating. As he sat and rambled on and on (btw, I have NO idea where THAT comes from), I began to realize---"cool, I see a lovely life lesson I can pass along to my boy here"---yeah, that should have been a sign to me that a "lovely life lesson" may be coming my way as well.

We began to play a game he had made up (don't you love it when kids make up a game?)....anyway, the game time allowed me to share my day with him. I had had a frustrating day as well. It wasn't an awful day---just one that really frustrated me and caused me a lot of stress and sadness. The "problem" was really no big deal and you would think that with some of the other issues I have in my life I may be able to just "let go" of the little things---yeah, not so much.

I was struck when listening to Josh that these frustrations in his life were just opportunities to be refined. I shared with him about how gold and other precious metals are refined and that it's the HEAT that takes away the impurities and makes the metal more precious---more valuable---the heat makes that metal into what it was created to be.

As I sat there feeling great about my life lesson so beautifully spoken to my son---I was nailed with my own conviction of sin. Had I dealt this way with my own day? Had I accepted this irritation as God's beautiful refining in my life? Years ago---I mean YEARS ago when I sang more than just children's songs in music class, I sang the beautiful Steve Green song, "The Refiner's Fire". I was playing this mindless game with Joshua and these words began flooding back to my soul--bringing with them conviction and peace. I was truly so upset by my day and one small event that happened that I was letting it consume me. One of the lines in the song is, "He is consuming my soul, refining me, making me whole". I sat there thinking---"hmmmm, if this small thing has consumed me, (and it had) then I can't be "being" consumed by Christ---and his refining fire." Right there I had to confess my own sinfulness----I had to ask this holy God, who sent his son to DIE FOR ME, to forgive my petty, selfishness. Oh, how he must do the eye roll about me sometimes! (OK---I know there's no where in scripture that says that---I just KNOW that's what I'd do.....SO glad the Lord is longsuffering!)

I had to look the words up to the verses---I could remember pieces of them, but not all of them. This text is so beautiful---I love that my gracious Father brought this song to my mind and allowed me to be able to confess my pitiful sin to Him. This is why conviction is beautiful---it opens up a way for us to commune with a Holy God. That is amazing. I found a video on YouTube of this song---I didn't love it---it's just words, but if you'd rather hear it than see the words, Steve Green sounds great---the link is at the bottom of this post. I have a great post of Eve's birthday in the works---and we celebrated my mom's birthday, too! Hopefully I got some good pictures. I love you three who come visit me! ;D Thanks so much~hugs my friends!

The Refiner's Fire

There burns a fire with sacred heat
White hot with holy flame
And all who dare pass through its blaze
Will not emerge the same
Some as bronze, and some as silver
Some as gold, then with great skill
All are hammered by their sufferings
On the anvil of His will

Chorus:

The Refiner's fire
Has now become my souls desire
Purged and cleansed and purified
That the Lord be glorified
He is consuming my soul
Refining me, making me whole
No matter what I may lose
I choose the Refiner's fire

I'm learning now to trust His touch
To crave the fire's embrace
For though my past with sin was etched
His mercies did erase
Each time His purging cleanses deeper
I'm not sure that I'll survive
Yet the strength in growing weaker
Keeps my hungry soul alive

Chorus

Words and music by Jon Mohr and Randall Dennis

 

The Refiner's Fire Video

 

{Christmas 2011}

Christmas morning was quite fun. We spent the night at my parents on Christmas Eve. Jennifer and I slept out in the den. I was on the love seat and she was in one of the chairs---yeah...we didn't get a lot of sleep. Now, THAT would have been a great picture, but so sorry for you that I didn't get one of those!!

 Joshua had a bit of a theme this Christmas---it was a Wes Welker Christmas. He got this jersey from Aunt Jen and a fathead from my parents--so Wes---or flat Wes as I like to call him, lives in Joshua's room now. Very cool!!

 

 This is Shannon's husband, Bill. He has a tradition of putting on every article of clothing he receives on Christmas morning---without removing any of them---seriously---it's hysterical. This cracked me up---it's crazy Bill---he's the fun uncle---do you have an uncle like that?

 Hannah had a Tom's Christmas---she received THREE pair of Tom's shoes for Christmas---so we gave away three pair of Tom's as well---I love that about this company.

I was able to get Joshua an XBOX console with Kinect with my American Express points. This was such a blessing---I have had my Amex card for YEARS and have never used my points, so I had a ton of them and was able to get Joshua a Christmas gift I never could have bought him! He was TOTALLY surprised---

The immediate hug---SO sweet---yep, I was bawlin'---

so much fun to give something special!

I have no pictures of our lunch or anything else from that day---we all had a lovely day though---
I HAVE had other things happen since Christmas that I hope to share with you, but this is it for now. Thanks again for visiting!!

{Christmas Eve 2011}

Christmas--yes, it's February 13th and I'm just now posting about Christmas--


Caitlin and Carson spent Christmas and the following week in Rocky Mount with Carson's family, so we celebrated Christmas with them on Christmas Eve. We had a Nelson favorite---Tacoritos-- for dinner.  David's family used to eat these at a restaurant they frequented when they lived in Colorado and Barbara asked to have the recipe. It has become an "always" food when the family gets together. I've included the recipe below with my own little twist.

This will be a post full of pictures of THIS sweet girl---so sorry in advance. 

Shannon and Bill gave Eve this wonderful Pottery Barn chair---she looks

SO cute in it, don't ya think?

My parents gave Carson this pistol--this was one of our favorite memories from the holiday! My Dad had owned this for years, but had only fired it once or twice. He wanted to give it to Carson,  but was worried it may be loaded or something----so he took it up into his attic and fired it---just to see what would happen. IT WENT OFF---IN HIS ATTIC!!! When he told us this, we all just cracked up. 

Josh never wants to smile in pictures anymore---but I LOVE this photo---

a captured moment!

When Joshua and I went to the Panther's game in October, he bought this shirt for Eve--neither of her parents care a bit about the Panthers, but her Uncle Josh does, so she can wear it for him!

Shannon and her family were here for Christmas this year---and my sister Jennifer, too.

My nephew, Nathan with Eve.

 My mom with Eve

My daddy with Eve

Caitlin wanted a macro lens for her camera----which is just like my camera, so it would fit if I ever needed it......very nice!

Babies make things so much fun---what a joy to have Eve around this year---she brought joy into what could have been a hard season. It was truly beautiful. I'm so glad we were able to spend this time with them---

Here are the Tacoritos and the recipe(s). Mmmmmmmm, cheeeesy!

Nelson Family Tacoritos

meat mixture:

1 lb. ground beef (or you could use turkey)

1 T. chili powder

1/2 t. garlic powder

salt & pepper to taste

1 chopped onion

(I don't measure the spices---but these are the measurements from the original recipe)

sauce mixture:

2 cans cream of chicken soup

1 can water

1/2 t. oregano, sage, cumin each

2 - 4 T. chopped chili or jalapenos

filling:

shredded lettuce

grated cheese

diced tomatoes

refried beans

Burrito sized flour tortillas

Brown onion and meat with spices until meat is tender. Simmer 30 minutes.

While the meat is simmering, mix soup, water and spices in a sauce pan. Simmer until meat is finished. Place a layer of beans & 1/2 c. meat mixture in the center of a flour tortilla. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and a bit of sauce. Close tortilla and place seam down in a casserole dish. Pour sauce over tacoritos and bake on 350 for 15-20 minutes. Top with remaining grated cheese and bake until melted.

Serve with guacamole and sour cream. 

Lately, I've been changing the meat to this recipe below. I make this recipe and use it in several recipes. It's a great starter to all things Tex-Mex.

Crockpot Spicy Beef (or Chicken)

2 lb. Boneless Beef Chuck (or chicken)

1/4 c. Salsa verde

2 cloves minced garlic

1 bunch chopped cilantro

1 medium onion, chopped

1-2 fresh jalapenos, seeded & chopped

2 t. chili powder

1/2 t. cumin

1/2 t. salt

Place the meat in the crockpot. Mix all other ingredients together. Pour the mixture over the meat and toss until well coated. Cook on low 6-8 hours or high 4 hours.

I always have extra meat, so I'll make tacos one night---or put it in the freezer for another meal in the future.

 YES---the kids STILL get pajamas on Christmas Eve---this is the only gift they get to open.

And then, the obligatory picture with Santa's cookies---and yes, we give him a bottled Coke---we are THOSE people. I think he must be tired of milk by the time he gets down South....and he likely needs the caffeine.

 

AND, of course, the silly picture---I love that my 20 year old isn't too old for this!

 

Thanks for checking in--I have another post in the que---I'm just going crazy! ;D Have a great day!!

{the boring stuff}

"It might sound boring, but I think the boring stuff is the stuff I remember the most."
                                                                  Russell from Up, to Mr. Fredericksen

Have you seen Up? You remember, the first Pixar movie that had you bawling in the first five minutes when the love of Carl Fredricksen's life, Ellie, dies before he can take her on their dream trip to South America. WAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!! I'm crying just thinking of it. Wilderness Camper Russell is a surprise stowaway on Mr. Fredericksen's adventure to fulfill his dream. At one point in the movie, he's telling Mr. Fredericksen about his experiences with his father---who is somewhat absent in his life. He tells him about sitting on the curb and eating ice cream with his dad, "It might sound boring, but I think the boring stuff is the stuff I remember the most."

That's where I've been----I've been doing the" boring stuff". I am so grateful to have the opportunity to treasure the boring stuff---a clarified life---that's what I'm living these days---So, below is some of the boring stuff (and not so boring stuff) I've been doing since my last post---over TWO MONTHS ago. I'd LOVE to post more often---perhaps I can make time for it---I have been asked how I posted everyday in November if I have no time for it now. I posted VERY late at night---I made a commitment to do that for one month--but I can't do that everyday! I'd love to, but I think it might be uncomfortable for my students if they had to wake me up when they came into my classroom.....

Christmas Eve---pun intended---I have a post coming out on this tomorrow

Christmas Day--working on a post for this as well

And Josh's 11th birthday---more of this, too---

BUT, all of THIS is not the "boring stuff". These are pretty major events in our lives---Below is the everyday life---the stuff I've learned to treasure. I LOVE the holidays and birthdays, but let's face it--MOST of our lives are lived in the everyday--not the special days. So I'm focusing on THOSE days....as Russell says---"the boring stuff"

 Helping Josh with homework....

 Keeping Eve so Caitlin & Carson can have a date night.....

 Going to lunch with my mom and both girls before Hannah had to go back to school

 Keeping Eve----who isn't really crazy about the carseat--bummer!

 Staying home with a sick boy---he was feeling a bit better here 

when we went to see the doctor and he had a funny moment.

 Eve found a nerf dart and HAD to have it in her mouth

 I finished Project Life---my 2011 scrapbook of everyday life. OH, and I'm almost finished with my December Daily album, where I scrapbook a page for each day in December. I'll post some of that when I'm finished.

 Caitlin and Eve came over for dinner and she was graciously helping Josh with homework

 ummmmm, this was in the back of someone's truck when I came out of church one Sunday morning and I HAD to put this in here---

 Joshua helping with Eve---so sweet!

My messy desk---full of stuff to do, papers to sign, and a sweet picture 

of my five year old boy.

These are just a few of the moments of life I've experienced in the last few weeks---I'm hoping to type up a few more posts on this cold, peaceful Sunday---but we'll see! My lesson plans are done and I have a bit of time....but that can always change! Life seems to do that--for instance, Sophie just went out to the back and started barking like crazy--a BEAUTIFUL Blue Heron was in my backyard---not even in the creek---Sophie went right for it and it took off flying----such a beautiful sight. Our gracious Heavenly Father allows us to live in such a beautiful world---It all happened too fast for a photo---too bad.

I'm so glad you stopped by---Here's hoping for a few more posts in the coming weeks!

Blessed~

{Extravagant Love}

I am amazed today to be loved by SO many---how blessed am I? I walked into my classroom today---the day before the big Christmas program that so many of you know about---even if it's not mine. You've sat through "the Christmas program"--whether it was your mother's "cantata" at church growing up, the big Christmas pageant, the Children's choir program, the December PTA meeting---and musical program to try to lure the parents there so they can vote on various agenda items, the band, orchestra, choir concerts. You know EXACTLY what I'm talking about! BUT, for me---it's "MY" program! I'm the crazy teacher in the gym without a microphone screaming out instructions to 225 of the most beautiful children you'll ever see! YEP---today was THAT day. ANYWAY (the rambling, the rambling) I walked into my classroom and saw a bag in my chair from the Verizon store---seriously. So I opened an iPhone 4 box with a giftcard that said, "K-- Word reached the North Pole that your phone was out of order! Take this to my elves at Verizon and get a new one! From: Santa " WHAT? There was a giftcard to the Verizon store---

I just stood there and began to cry---it's 7:31 and the make up is BLOWN! (and no, I wasn't wearing the waterproof mascara---you'd think I have learned by now...) anyway, I couldn't even believe it. I had wanted an iPhone when my phone began acting up and then I realized---hellooooooo, it's CHRISTMAS and you have way too much to spend your money on right now. I had two different people GIVE me their old Blackberry's and I just gave up the iPhone thing---really, I was TOTALLY over it---so I was just blown away at this extravagant gift---it's not that this money is a Lexus or anything, but it's money that people--someone--just GAVE to me....to love me---just because.  It's not a NEED---I HAD that need met by two kind hearted souls who gave me an old phone.

When I mentioned it to a friend---in disbelief, she just said, "you are loved"---more tears. I had a parent at school bring me dinner tonight because she knew it was a crazy week and thought it would bless me. Another colleague at school called me today while I was in rehearsal and said she was picking up a Chick-Fil-a giftcard for me to use for dinner tomorrow night so I wouldn't have to mess with it. All of this happened TODAY---within a 10 hour span of time.

It was crazy---and, as I have a tendency to do, I began to ponder this today. Each time I was met with an outpouring of love I was SO HUMBLED that someone would go out of their way for me---seriously. I'm a  pretty independent person. I can get a phone, I can make a meal--or TWO---but the LORD kept reminding me today how loved I was---and that it's a GOOD thing to let others show their love to me in tangible ways. I work with the most amazing group of women. I'm SO grateful for their support and love--that in itself is a gift. I couldn't do this job without them. I could NEVER pull off a program without them. They always amaze me---I'm so thankful for them---especially this year. When your heart is tenderized---by God or man---you can either become bitter or more tender. I want to end up more tender. I don't want to become jaded and angry by my circumstances---I think the LORD is just using his sweet servants here on this earth to remind me to let the situation make me more tender.

One of the things I love about one of my dearest friends is how very tender her heart is. Repeatedly over the last year, I have watched her HURT for someone that many of us would judge. She's not "just a cryer"!!! Her HEART is tender---she's felt real pain and I think the LORD has made her more tender---not harder. Please God, let me become tender-hearted like this sweet sister. I turned to her today and just told her of this gift and she just smiled that knowing smile and said, "I KNOW"---I later had to describe this to her as an "Extravagant gift"--because that's just what it is to me. I don't need this phone---I don't need a meal, I don't need TWO MEALS! These are extravagant gifts of love to me. I looked up the word extravagant and here's what it says:

ex·trav·a·gant

adjective

1. spending much more than is necessary or wise; wasteful: an extravagant shopper.

2. excessively high: extravagant expenses; extravagant prices.

3. exceeding the bounds of reason, as actions, demands, opinions, or passions.

4. going beyond what is deserved or justifiable: extravagant praise.

5. Obsolete . wandering beyond bounds.

ummmm, yes, yes, and yes---on all accounts today! Extravagant love---it was shown to me today---I can't help but think of the most extravagant gift ever given---that Jesus Christ---the God of the universe would "put skin on" and come down to this earth to live among us--the wretched people that we are....to DIE. That GOD the Father would SEND his son to do such a thing---EXTRAVAGANT gifts---life changing gifts. I hope I can show my son---and my students this extravagant love this Advent season and point them to the One True Gift--Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God for this indescribable gift~

{Thirty Days of Thanks~Day 30}

I can't believe it's been thirty days....I can't believe it's nearly December. Let the whirlwind begin! I have so much MORE to be thankful for---this is one of the reasons I did this again this year. It's been a good exercise for me to continually be aware of my blessings. I will forever be grateful for your support---via facebook, email, comments. I have been overwhelmed with those of you who have prayed for me and my family. How very blessed I am to have so many friends. So THANK YOU for all of that love---So many of my friends from "the past"---(hee) have contacted me and have been so kind. If you have called---my cell phone is on it's last leg, and often if I'm with Joshua I just don't pick up the phone. I don't want to talk about all of this in front of him---so please understand that sometimes I just think I'll call you later---then it's three weeks later all of a sudden....HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?? SO, I "end" this month with a heartfelt thank you to you--those who have put up with posts about my dog and my scrapbook! ;D  This blog has always been a place for me to just share part of my life---so thank you for embracing it and me. I hope your Advent season is the best yet and that you are truly searching for the Christ in your life on a daily basis. Thanks for reading! I will be posting more this month---but much of it may be different than November--more pictures, more crafts, less talk...well I say less talk---but we'll just see about that!

{Thirty Days of Thanks~Day 29}

Oh my---I'm not going to make it by "the 29th" for my 29th day--oops! I TOLD myself I'd get to bed early tonight, but I AM a music teacher with a big program to do next week and there is much to be done. SOOOOO, I'm a little behind on posting to the blog!

I can't believe an entire month has gone by and I haven't posted about this girl:

She has been such a blessing to me---of COURSE she has---but I'm talking specifically about helping me in my single motherhoodness (yes, I just made up a new word and I LIKE it.....making up words, that is!!)~I have amazing friends who help me with Joshua as needed---but sometimes it's best to just ask a family member. Caitlin has been willing to do anything I've asked---she's driven to my house, run Joshua around, picked him up at school, etc. She has stood in the gap for me when I needed someone---and all of this with a BABY, too. Joshua LOVES hanging out with her and her family---and I love that. There aren't many 10 year olds who have the joy of being an uncle and brother in law! He likes that part of his life. It's been a family joke for sometime now that Joshua didn't know Caitlin existed for the first few years of his life---he knew Hannah---but Joshua even called Caitlin, Hannah and Caitlin has INSISTED that Joshua didn't even know she was around during those years---well, HE DOES NOW!!! She is IN his life---often at her own inconvenience. It has been a HUGE blessing to me not to mention fun for Joshua to hang out with his older sister---oh, and while he's at it, he can be a cool brother in law and uncle, too! So, thank you Caitlin---for your selfless, easy going way---for always trying to work it out so you can be available to help me. It doesn't go unnoticed--and I'm SO grateful. I love you and I'm so proud of you~