Shepherd

"The Lord is my Shepherd..." Psalm 1:23

What is a shepherd?
- a person who tends, feeds, or guards flocks of sheep

Tends:
Isaiah 40:11- "He tends his flock like a shepherd:
    He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
    he gently leads those that have young."

Guards:

1 Samuel 2:9- "He will guard the feet of his faithful servants, 

but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness.

Psalm 97:10- "Let those who love the Lord hate evil,

    for he guards the lives of his faithful ones"

Isaiah 27:3- "I, the Lord, watch over it;
    I water it continually.
I guard it day and night
    so that no one may harm it."

Feeds:

Matthew 6:26- "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"

John 6:57,58- "Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. ⁵⁸ This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”

We have a monthly verse we memorize with our kids and discuss how we see who Jesus is and who He is in our lives.  God never fails to press on my heart and reveal his unfailing love for me with just the five words in this verse (psalm 23:1).  

I can relate to the aimless, easily lead astray lamb.  I am easily distracted with the worlds pretty clothes, approval of others, fancy belongings, being a "cool kid" and so much more.  But the Lord is gentle and pursues my heart.  He draws me to him.  His stead fast love for me is my continuous place of joy, thankfulness, and clarity.  He pursued me, found me, and is drawing me to Himself.  He alone satisfies the longing of our hearts, approves of us, accepts us as we are, and wanting to bless you with his presence.  He is my shepherd.

Finished!

This month I completed my 2nd half marathon!

After my second child was born 7 1/2 months ago, I needed something to motivate me to get out the door to exercise.  It's way more difficult to get out the door to workout with two sweet little ones at home so this was a great goal for me.  I love running, it's me time I use to clear my mind, pray, drown myself in music or worship, or a good audio book.  We have a great trail right by our house that goes around a pond and through a beautiful nature trail.  I ran usually 2 to 3 times a week.  Not as often as I would like, but I maximized my time by running 5-8 miles each time.

The morning of the run was really cold.  I am cold natured so before the race when I was waiting for the race to start I was freezing! As I'm trying to warm up, my sister and her friend find me out of the thousands of people there!  So we were able to start the race together and run a few miles together.  Unfortunately, I had to use the restroom and had to stop.  But other than that, I ran the entire time with no breaks.  I was not as organized with my listening material as I was the first time around.  I am currently listening to the audio book "So Long Insecurity by Beth Moore" but I did not upload it to my phone in time.  So I listened to country music, worship music, and a message by Tim Keller about the ascension of Jesus.  I was a little distracted because my knees hurt a bit at mile 9 but I pushed through.  I knew the route from running this race before and was able to pace myself.

I am so thankful for the opportunity to run a half marathon.  I am thankful for God giving me the ability to run the distance, for Tim being support through the time I had to commit to training, and God's truth in second Timothy:

^"5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules."

My desire is to be obedient to the Lord in all things.  I will not turn from the truth of the Lord that is the foundation of my life.  Just as an athlete follows strict training and rules so I will joyfully and whole heartedly follow the Lord.

Perfect Date

We typically don't make a huge deal on Valentine's Day but Tim went over and beyond this year.  We have a sweet friend who offered to watch our kids for free for Valentine's Day so we can have a fun date night.  We decided to celebrate V-day as a family to include our kids with stuffed animals, chocolate and share what we love about each other.  It was really sweet.  

So we had our date night the next evening.  Tim usually plans our date nights so I really just get things together for the babysitter and have a fun evening planned.  It's a great set up. ;)  So Tim told me the plan was bowling and dinner. That sounded great to me.  Any evening out on the town with my man is a treat so I was just excited to be with him.  As we are driving to the bowling alley he informs me we are going to a "new bowling alley".  Once again, he planned the evening so I don't have a worry in the world and not concerned where we are driving.  So we pull up to a parking lot and he parks in front of a massage place.  Tim says, "That's weird... my GPS said there is a bowling alley here.  I guess we can just go in here instead."  At this point I am so confused!  I thought why would we go in here if there is no bowling.  These were actually the words I was saying to Tim.  But he proceeded to go inside the massage place.  He told the lady, "Do you guys have availability for a couple's massage?" She said "yes" and was a little confused.  Tim said, "wow, that's great!  We'll do a couple's massage."  The lady was so confused, she said, "Sir, you made reservations."  Hilarious!  He was trying to keep playing along for me but the lady was so confused.  I was blown away!  So sweet.  It's always been in my bucket list to do a couple's massage.... check!  I was so surprised.  Before we left our house, I was so concerned I did not forget my socks to go bowling, yet we never made it there! ;)   The massage was AMAZING and perfect after holding a baby all day.

Next we headed to dinner.  As we were turning near the restaurant, he said we have one more stop.  I thought, what could it be?  He pulls into a hotel parking lot.  He reserved us a room away for the night! He somehow packed my bag and everything I needed!!  And arranged for the babysitter to stay over night!  What a man!!  As I was getting ready before we left, I could not find my deodorant... now I know why!  We changed our clothes into "non bowling" attire and headed to a fabulous dinner with great conversation and fabulous wine!

We had a relaxing evening, uninterrupted sleep (no babies waking us up at night!) and I even slept in until 7am.  Loved it!  Breakfast was amazing and then we headed home.

The entire evening I said, "This is the perfect evening" and it truly was.  I am thankful for my thoughtful man who went over and beyond this year for Valentine's Day and did all of this for me.  So sweet!!  I know he loves me so well daily and this was beyond .  Locking the memory in!!

the picture i took, at breakfast in the morning!

2012 Reading List

1. Seven by Jen Hatmaker: Loved this book!  It's an experimental mutiny against excess.  Jen Hatmaker took 7 months, identified seven areas of excess, and made seven simple choices to fight back against the modern-day disease of greed, materialism, and overindulgence.  I have to say, she is the most interesting writer I have ever read.  Her personality comes out and she is a fun, opinionated, authentic lady.  I was laughing with tears in my eyes to my heart being tugged at the gospel truths and pointing me to Jesus.  must read!

2. For Women Only by Shanti Feldhahn: This is the second time I have read this book. But I love it.  Basically she interviews thousands of men regarding the truth about their inner life he desperately wants you (the woman in their life) to know.

3. Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson: I should have written more down when I read this book last year, but I didn't.  A few take aways I had were: Taking responsibility for my actions-  I can't blame my hardened heart and negative attitude on Tim.  God is working in my heart and I need the eyes of my heart to be open to my need for Jesus.  Love and Respect each other regarding the other person's response- I am thankful for a husband who loves Jesus and loves me from the out pouring of God's love.

4. Orange Jumpsuit by Tara Lee Cobble: This is a biography of Tara Lee Cobble and through letting go of her comforts and choosing to be obedient to God's calling, she learned to walk in freedom from her fears that imprisoned her.

5. Safe Haven by Nicolas Sparks: The movie is currently in the theaters.  Go see it!

6. Resiliency by Elizabeth Edwards: This a biography about her life.  All most people remember about her life right now is the scandal.  But this gave me a picture of her entire life and all she has experienced  of being newly married, the passing of a child, having cancer, their political life, and the scandal.

7. How People Change by Paul Tripp and Timothy Lane: We read this book for our bible study and it was life changing, literally.  He starts off explaining how we often we can see the gospel forgiving us of our past sins and giving us future hope but we often neglect how the Lord is currently working in our lives.  They describe the big picture of our lives and a view of our daily lives that inform, motivate, convict and guide us through: Heat: This is the person's situation in daily life, with difficulties, blessings, and temptations.  Thorns: This is the person's ungodly response to the situation.  It includes behavior, the heart driving the behavior, and the consequences that result. Cross. This focuses on the presence of God in his redemptive glory and love. Through Christ, he brings comfort, cleansing, and the power to change. Fruit: This is the person's new godly response to the situation resulting from God's power at work in the heart. It includes behavior, the heart renewed by grace, and the harvest of consequences that follow. Love this book.

8. Babywise by Ezzo : Great book on getting your baby on a sleeping routine and sleeping through the night.

9. The Master Plan by Dr. Robert E. Coleman: This is the 2nd time I have read this book and it's a beautiful truth of how Jesus delcared his saving grace and need for Him through his daily life and being intentional in his relationships.

10. Instrument in the Redeemer's Hands by Paul David Tripp: My heart has been challenged and encouraged by this book.  He reminds us how we are all broken people in need of God and how we can be instruments of love and truth pointing others to God. Through seeing where their heart currently is and revealing areas in their heart they are not giving God ultimate control.  I love the practical questions to ask and ways to continue to evaluate where our heart is with the Lord and being able to be an instrument of the Lord in other people's lives. I know this book will be a reference for me often over the next few years.

2013 Resolution

Live Life on Purpose.

I desire to embrace every moment.  Staying home with the kids can turn into just a "daily routine" of taking care of our home, laundry, dishes, organizing, etc. I can easily get caught up in these tasks and be frustrated with "interruptions". I am excited to get to know more ladies and deepen relationships I have with the ladies I know now.

I desire to embrace the interruptions and take every moment as it comes and seize the opportunities to love on my kids and use special moments as teaching moments.

I desire in the mist of busyness of kids and life, I want to love Tim well.  Sweetly, tenderly, and deeply.  I am finally adjusted to having two kids and learning how to balance giving them both my attention and meeting them both where they are at.  I am loving it.

I desire to love and know God deeply.  As a result of this, I will parent out of love and truth and point them to Jesus.  As a wife, to be his biggest fan and helpmate.  Love my man.

Here we go 2013!

Christmas 2012

Christmas this year was memorable.  So many joys and blessings to celebrate and of course celebrating the birth of our Savior.  Neela has a better understanding of our traditions and what we value in our lives which made this season that much sweeter.  Everyday was filled with Christmas crafts such as glitter Christmas trees, cotton snowmans, snowflake ornaments, homemade nativity scene, Christmas coloring pages, etc.  Everyday we ate a mini candy cane from our countdown Christmas tree and read our advent study from Neela's Jesus Story Book Bible.  I loved seeing the joy on her face as we did those activities and as she learned Christmas songs.  I love how we are developing our Christmas traditions as our family.  

This was Ashwin's first Christmas! Ok, so he had no idea what was going on, but he loved the lights, being shown coloring decorations, and hearing his big sister sing Christmas songs.  He is such a joy.  Thankful for this season anticipating the birth of our Savior and I am thankful for this season of life and how God has revealed Himself to me this year.

Loved 2012 and let's see what 2013 brings!

Christmas at my parent's house. 

Carriage Ride! 

Roasting Marshmellows 

Christmas Cookes 

Time with sweet friends. 

First time to have rice cereal! 

Christmas at the Gaylord Texan. 

Trail of Lights! 

Neela singing at church. 

Trail of Lights 

Siblings!

5 Months

                                                             (sitting in his sister's chair)

My sweet little boy is 5 months old and I just can't believe how quickly the time has flown by!  I know everyone says time flies with the second child and it is so true. I've really enjoyed and savored my moments with him.  It's different the second time around because I know how quickly they grow and so I've learned to sit in each stage more and not be nervous or frazzled of every spit up or sleepless night.  :)  I've learned to take it in strides and I know, by God's design, they naturally grow on their own in each stage and do their thing! :) Crazy how that works. :)

People often ask me if I see the difference in my children's personality and the answer is yes.  It's amazing to see that even at 5 months old, he personality is shining through. Ashwin is jolly, playful, and attentive. But when he sees an object that looks different to him he has this "mean muggin" face and starts kicking around.  For example, on the fridge we had pumpkin picture with eyes Neela made.  Anytime I was carrying him near the fridge, he would stare at the pumpkin and start kicking.  So hilarious!  I would laugh to the point of no return.  It was the cutest thing.  He did the same thing with a balloon Neela had.  So that's different. He does have many facial expressions of, "what you lookin at", "Who are you?", "I like you", "what are you" and so many more. Is that his personality or just being a boy?  Not sure but it's cute.
Both my kids are cuddlers.  Ashwin loves just to be close to you loves when I just embrace him and keep him close.

He loves his big sister.  Seriously, it's the cutest thing.  He watches her every move and when she plays with him, he is smiling ear to ear. One morning I was taking him out of the crib and Neela came into his room and set up all her barbies and started playing on his rug.  So I got his bumbo and set him down to see what she was doing.  He loved it! He watched her sing, talk with her barbies and move them around. I can't wait until they can play together. Neela's great with him and loves to "baby talk" to him.

This months fun facts:
- still rolling over all the time and gets frustrated if he stays on his tummy too long
- eating rice cereal (loves it!) in the process of making the next foods
- grabs toys
- starting to teeth
- loves his pacie
- still sleeping through the night
- dropped him off once in the childcare for bible study.