Please Be Patient, God isn't finished with me yet!

I had a bumper sticker on my first car that read "Please be patient, God isn't finished with me yet!". I thought it was cute and a basic statement of faith. A few years down the road, I was at NNU sitting in chapel when our chaplain preached a sermon about that very bumper sticker on my car. I admit, the reason I probably remember this so well is because it aroused a lot of emotion in me. I was hurt. I had thought it was cute and he was telling us how it was a wrong principle to live by. Now, I realize how right he was. (And yes, I have gotten over my silly bout of hurt.) You see, he was trying to tell me that I can't live my life waiting on God to make me a better person or do something great with me...especially if I am being difficult and stubborn. I have to constantly seek Him and his desire for me. I have to grow in my walk with Him. God isn't finished with me yet, but that day will not be until I enter eternity. It is not everyone around that needs to be patient, but rather myself. I need to be patient with myself as I allow God to mold me into who He wants me to be. When I look back at who I was in college, I am so thankful that God did not stop there. I was selfish and stagnant. I didn't know what it meant to truly walk and depend on Christ. I was proud. I thought I had it all figured out. I didn't understand why I needed to read God's Word each day. If I read my Bible, it was to cross it off my list of "Things good people do". I had the opportunity to hear God's Word shared with me on many accounts each week, yet chapel was often a time to catch up on reading or daydreaming. I am so thankful that God kept working on my heart. I definitely do not have it all figured out, but with God in the lead I do not need to worry, just follow. Lately I have felt very lonely. Yet, through it, God has reminded me that He is right there with me. He has me where He wants me to be. I wish I could go to chapel several times a week...a wonder what they would think if I showed up with 6 kids in tow?

Trying again

I have decided to get back into writing. Life has changed so much lately that I am not even sure where to begin. This past summer we were given the wonderful opportunity to move into a much larger home. We had been at our previous home for 11 years. With 6 children and hopes for more, it has been such a blessing to have so much more room! I love it here! This month my baby turns a year old. So hard to believe. He has bright red hair and big blue eyes. OH, he melts my heart. Garrett is becoming very 2ish...his favorite phrase is "I do it myself!" He has so quickly transformed from a toddler to a little boy. Hallie will be 4 soon, and boy has it been a joy! She is slowly coming out of her difficult stage and becoming a fun little girl! She is doing so well that I don't make her nap much anymore because it helps her to fall asleep faster at night. (She used to really struggle falling asleep...wouldn't lie still for a moment!) Makenna is 5 going on 13...or at least she thinks so. She wants to be big so bad. She and Hallie have recently started gymnastics and are loving it! Brenden and Katelyn are both growing up very quickly. They are a huge help to me. My oldest three are doing well in their schoolwork, and they all participate in quizzing at church. Josh is keeping busy at work and the church. He loves being a youth pastor, and we are both so thankful for our church family. Well, there is an update. Next time I will add pictures!