JOY BOYS

Just thought I should put a few recent pictures from Ty's birthday party at the Corn Maize. The Lord gave me some names and identities for the boys over the past few months.

Jacob is my Humble Warrior, Ty is my Tender Champion, and Kyle is my Fearless Fighter/Joy Boy. Dad named Kyle "Joy Boy" a long time ago -- and he's very fun and brings us lots of joy. But so do Jacob and Ty in their own ways. It's an awesome experience. Sylas and I are having a blast!!

What I'm Learning

So I figured I shouldn't wait until the two year anniversary of my last post to post again... :)

For the last 6 months I have put myself in a spiritual time-out. I had to examine myself and ask the Lord "Who am I?" Every mom knows how many different hats we wear on a regular basis, and I was drowning in a sea of different identities thrown at me every day. There are too many to list, and it just gets overwhelming to even think about it. Funny thing is, the Lord consistently answered my question "Who am I?" By saying "You are the daughter of the I AM." That is my identity. Who I am is wrapped up completely in the great I AM. He covers me, empowers me, inspires me, teaches me, cleanses me, heals me, walks with me, loves me, romances me, pursues me...it has been an awesome journey.

And now....He is telling me to begin to teach again....and to write. I'm not sure what this blog will turn into. But I am excited about it. I have learned to watch the hand and heart of the Lord at work each day in different ways. And I do not want to keep that to myself anymore. And I figure, it's 2010, guess I'll put it on a blog. ;)

So this week I was reading in John 17 and was moved to meditate on verse 13:

"But now I come to Thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy made full in themselves."

As I thought about that, my mind went back to when Jacob was an infant. In his first year of life there were so many milestones. I would see him roll over, begin to scoot across the floor, finally get up on hands and knees and crawl...and eventually....at the ripe age of 14 months....he began to walk. What made those occasions so joyful was sharing what I saw. I would call Sylas if he wasn't home or call my family and share the news of Jacob's latest accomplishment. It made my joy complete to share those things with people I loved.

I have been silent too long about who Christ is to me. And He has called me to write and to teach. And it is, in this way, that my joy in Him will be fulfilled. Matthew Henry says of John 17:13 -

"Christ earnestly desired the fulness of the joy of his disciples, for it is his will that they should rejoice evermore. He was leaving them in tears and troubles, and yet took effectual care to fulfil their joy. When they thought their joy in him was brought to an end, then was it advanced nearer to perfection than ever it had been, and they were fuller of it.

We are here taught,

[1.] To found our joy in Christ

[2.] To build up our joy with diligence; for it is the duty as well as privilege of all true believers; no part of the Christian life is pressed upon us more earnestly."

I just love that. Pursue JOY in Christ. And we all know that as we turn our eyes upon Jesus, our affections for this world slowly fade. And it's a beautiful and freeing thing. The only thing harder than doing this -- than releasing our affections for things of this world -- is to hold onto them so tightly that we miss what the Lord has for us. He has abundant life. We are far too easily pleased with what we think is abundance.

This journey I've been on over the past six months has redefined what abundance is to me. Abundance is walking with Christ, and being led by the Holy Spirit, daily. Dying to flesh and choosing to live for Christ. It brought new meaning to that chorus I've sung a hundred times "Better is one day in your courts than thousands elsewhere." I love it when he awakens my soul to words I have sung over and over and gives them fresh new meaning.

I've got a hundred ideas for blog posts whirling around in my head. My prayer is that I'll be more disciplined to write. I want to complete my joy by opening my heart to whoever wants to read about it. I want to share what Christ is doing. I want to experience abundant life by being diligent to find my joy in the author and perfecter of my faith. Who, for the joy set before Him, endured the Cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. And there He rules and reigns...just as He did from the manger on that night in Bethlehem. If that doesn't make you fall to your knees in awe...well....just ask Him to take you there. It's better than a thousand days anywhere else.

Sifted Like Wheat

So tonight I was grieving over my latest battle with sin...again...and as I was pouring out my heart to Sylas I was reminded of something my precious Mom said last time I was in Liberty Hill. She said she was reading about Peter and about how after he denied Christ three times, Christ looked at him in the face and Peter went away and wept bitterly. She said when she read it, she thought of me. Now, while I haven't exactly publicly denied Christ, I have done so with my actions. No need for blatant confession on my blog. But what I DO want to do is give you a link to something I came across tonight that really gave me some perspective on my sin. I have really been in spiritual warfare like never before. I never knew the extent to which a believer could experience that until the last 2 months. Some of you know more details than others but it has been the roughest time of my life. Life has just been hard. No awful tragedies or anything, just sin and it's consequences and, I truly believe, Satan demanded to have me, that he might sift me like wheat. Here's what I read tonight:
http://www.worldinvisible.com/library/murray/absolutesurrender/abssur4.htm
It gave me incredible insight. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the Word of God and it's intense practicality and supernatural ability to show us ourselves in spite of our (my) limited understanding. I don't even know if that makes sense to you, but it makes perfect sense to me. God is so faithful. That seems like such an understatement. I sleep at the foot of the Cross every night and am in awe of His great love for His people that allows us to find rest there. I have so much to say, my heart is so full, but I must rest!! I took some pictures of the boys tonight and I will post them soon. They are an ever-present reminder to me of God's grace in my life.
As I close this I am reminded of the time when Jacob was four and sat perfectly still while an inexperienced nurse attempted to take his blood. He was a champ and I was in awe of his ability to trust the nurse and trust me. He knew he had to give blood so they could figure out what was wrong with him. They dug around in his tiny arm until they finally found a vein. It took 3 nurses to find it. Anyway, after we got in the car, I was basically speechless, but I managed to tell him that he made me intensely happy with his behavior. He said this "Mom, you know why I did that so good? Because I know I am loved by my God." So I sit STILL tonight knowing I'm loved by my God in the midst of suffering, knowing that it's purpose is greater than anything I could ever ask for or imagine. I trust that.

Guess Who Called Me??

BETH MOORE.
So the last several weeks of my life have been the hardest of my life so far. And the Lord has faithfully used His saints to walk me through it....and one in particular was Beth Moore. Last week I told Sylas that I wanted the opportunity to tell her someday what her service to the Lord has provided me. Then I prayed that the Lord would give me that opportunity.
So here's the story:
Today's the last day of YMCA football games and they're in Junction. I'll admit, I'm so DONE with football - usually about this time I feel the urge to throw out everything having to do with football in our home -- and that list would include but is not limited to: football plates, football spoons, football cups, football brownies, football muffin cups, football helmets, cleats, pads, pants, jerseys, t-shirts, fantasy football, football stadium bundt pan, footBALLS. Anyway, Sylas took Jacob and Ty this morning to Junction for the last day of games. So I'm rejoicing because we can finally put this 'season' behind us for awhile. (Nevermind high school, college and NFL). Well, enter DEER season. Today is opening day. That means there are men dressed up as hunters everywhere - and it's not their halloween costume!! Well if you know anything about hunting in Texas, Junction is one of the best places to be on opening day. So Sylas coaches the first game at 10:30 and then heads to Sunshine Cafe in Junction for lunch with Ty and Jacob and Kade Creek. While he's eating there, I get a phone call that went something like this:
Sylas: Hey babe, where does Beth Moore live?
Me: Houston
Sylas: Could she possibly be in Junction?
Me: I don't know do you see her???
Sylas: Is she really thin with a kind of pointy nose? There's a lady here who looks just like her.
Me: YES
Sylas: Is her husband a hunter?
Me: YES
Sylas: Ok, I'll go see if that's her. I'll call you back.

Then I went into a dissertation of what I wanted Sylas to tell her for me if it was, in fact, Beth Moore. He said "Ok" and I was just certain he didn't hear anything I had just said. So, I waited just long enough to begin to think there's no way Beth Moore could be in Junction. Then my phone rings. It says SYLAS on the ID....but here's how the conversation started:
Me: Hello
HER: Shea?
Me: (voice quivering) yes...
HER: This is Beth Moore honey how are you?
Me...I'll spare you all the verbage of what I really said but let's just say I went into a spirit-filled exhortation of her ministry and told her what she has meant to me and how I desire to do what she does -- all through tears and holding back my desire to giggle the way Ty did as he went through all his halloween candy last night.
I don't remember all the exact words Beth said but she assured me of God's love for me and she DEFINITELY called me 'Sweet one.' :)
I'm overwhelmed today with the goodness of God in the land of the living. The Lord has done great things for me, and I am filled with JOY. He has kept my foot from slipping, and answered my cry as I looked to him as the eyes of a servant looks to her master. He has brought me out of a horrible pit, lifted me up and given me a firm place to stand. He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise unto my God. I pray that many will hear it and trust in the Lord. And now I wait with anticipation -- great anticipation -- to see what the Lord has for the Politte family. I wait for the Lord more than the watchmen for the morning. He is faithful, He is good. And with Him is abundant redemption. To GOD be the glory.

Well, I realized I haven't posted in awhile and I'm not sure exactly what to write about because we have been super busy, but I thought you might enjoy some pictures. Eldorado has a pumpkin patch this year so we have become frequent visitors there -- Thursday with Jacob's Kindergarten class and then today with Ty and Kyle's preschool class. Here are some highlights:
Here are some fun pics from when Ty and Kyle gutted the costume trunk!! Just a little taste of what Halloween will look like at the Po House:

Kyle Pooped a Penny

Yes, I got a call from our sweet sitter Lindsay today and she said "Shea, Kyle went poop, and I was changing his diaper, and he pooped a penny." HA!! That's all for that story -- no spiritual significance that I know of. :)

However, I DID take a picture of it (yes, she saved it for me)...would you like to see it? I don't know just how distasteful it would be for me to post it. I'll ask Sylas.

You know what? I don't know how many dirty diapers I have changed in the last 5 and a half years, but I have NEVER gotten a TIP!!!!! NO FAIR!!!

P.S. Ty was having a hard time going to sleep tonight and since Sylas is gone to Ozona, I spent some quality time with him. I told him the story about Kyle and guess what he asked me (after he finally stopped cracking up) "Did you get it out?"

Bringing Up Jacob

I have to share our joy with you all when it comes to our oldest son, Jacob. First of all, here's a copy of the letter he received from his teacher last week:

Dear Jacob,

I am so glad you are in my class this year!

I love to listen to you sing while you do your work. It makes me smile.

I'm proud of you for following the rules.

Fondly,

Mrs. Mikeska

Awwwww, how sweet, right? Yeah, it made my day. He does sing a lot - and I love that about him. My favorite was the time he busted out with "No sweeter name than the name of Jesus, no sweeter name have I ever known...." in the bathtub.

And here's a story I've told several people but I thought it was certainly blogworthy.
9/14/08

Jacob: "When people say "you're the best" at everything, it stresses me out.

Me: "Well, Jacob, people say that to encourage you and to let you know how much they love you."

Jacob: "Oh, I didn't know that."

Me: "You know what, Jacob? It's ok to not be the greatest at everything. Mommy isn't the greatest at everything."

Jacob: "Yeah, only God is perfect."

Me: "That's right!"

Jacob: "And besides, when I mess up I can just erase it with my pencil."

Me: "That's right! And that's what God did for our sins with Jesus. He erased them!"

Jacob: "Yeah, but He did it with His blood."

I asked him to repeat that, and he did -- with certainty and confidence. I was blown away -- encouraged -- and excited. He was getting ready for his bath when we had that conversation and right after I ran in and wrote it down before I even helped him wash his hair. :) I have been meaning to blog about it ever since but, well, there's also Ty and Kyle and Sylas and.....LIFE!

Thanks for reading!!

My Sweet Ty

OK, here's the story of the week at the Po House:
Last Monday on our way back to Eldorado from Liberty Hill, I was stressed out and flustered because Kyle cried off and on almost the entire way home. He's attached to his Daddy and doesn't understand that I was TRYING to reunite them!!! Anyway, we stopped at Dairy Queen in Menard and I decided to cheat on my diet -- BIG time. I don't remember the last time I had ice cream, much less a Blizzard...so I ordered one. I must say that Ty, Kyle and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I didn't even care that Kyle was in his diaper and a nasty shirt with no shoes and Ty was shoeless as well. I won't say what people probably thought about my parenting. :)

That's the background to what happened today:

I have been watching FOX news more than ever before because I'm a little obsessed with McCain/Palin. I secretly want to be Sarah Palin. :) Ty came in the living room and saw the hurricane Ike coverage. They were showing people boarding up a Dairy Queen in South Texas. Ty said: "Mom, that's where we stopped and you got ice cream."

I said: "You're right, Ty, I shouldn't have eaten that -- you should tell me next time NO, Mom!!!"

Ty said: "Mom, Jesus taked that sin away"

I said: "Ty, how do you know that?"

He said: "Because I can hear Jesus and He told me".... a few seconds pass "And because I'm so smart"

Isn't God good? :) We're aiming for a Cross-centered childhood for these three boys. God is Faithful!!

Happy September!!! :)

OK, so I know it's been three months...but it's been a GREAT three months!!

• Kyle is FINALLY walking at the age of 17 months. He's a stinker and cracks us up daily. His favorite thing to do is throw stuff in the trash -- so I have to monitor the trash can now and make sure nothing valuable is in it! Daddy is his best friend and he's happiest when he's outside -- and if Daddy's out there with him -- it's like heaven. :) It has rained a lot here in Eldorado and for that we are very grateful!! Here are some pics of Kyle playin' in the rain this afternoon after we got home from the first pep rally of the year!

By the way he thinks that squishy face is pretty cute and does that every time I raise up the camera and point it at him. We think it's pretty cute too.

• TY is cracking us up and driving us crazy -- in a good way. He keeps me smiling when things are totally out of control, which is way more than I would like. Actually it's getting better now that Kyle is walking but Ty will always take lots of attention. The other day as I was leaving with the boys to take them to school, all three of them were at the door and ready to go. Ty looked at Jacob's backpack and saw a little pocket on it and said "Hey Jacob, you can put your iPOD in that pocket!" Jacob calmly explained "Ty, I don't have an Ipod." (Jacob gets annoyed with Ty's ignorance - ha!) To which Ty replies "DANG, that SUCKS" -- Jacob and I looked at each other in total shock -- Jacob had to be at school in 5 minutes and Sylas was out of town so I had to come up with some sort of disciplinary action quickly. I just told him if I ever hear those words out of his mouth again...it won't be good. He said "Okay!" As if it was just a test to see if he could get by with it. Maybe our kids hang out around High Schoolers too much?!?! Ty is the big dawg at preschool this year -- he's finally the oldest and I think he likes that role. He helped Kyle on their first day to preschool -- adorable! He's a wonderful and compassionate big brother to Kyle. Ty is always concerned about keeping everyone happy. He's a pretty sweet boy.
• Jacob Ryan is super happy to be a kindergartener. He had an excellent first week of school and told me this afternoon that the first day of Kindergarten was the happiest day of his life. Too cute!! He loves his teacher and we do too. Apparently there's a kid in his class who is kind of a bully. Today that kid tackled 5 other kids on the playground and the teacher turned around just in time to see Jacob come up behind him and lay that kid out on the ground. He didn't get in trouble -- he even got a 'happy face' on his folder -- but they did tell him that if he does that again he'll be 'in big trouble.' His teacher actually told me they were glad to see him stand up for himself!! But I'm glad they told him that he won't get by with that again. At least he showed that kid that he's not going to be bullied. We had a good talk with him this afternoon and he was bawling his eyes out because he knew what he did was wrong. Jacob has a huge heart and a huge brain inside his extra-large head!! :) Ty had a hard time with him going to Kindergarten Monday but he seems to be adjusting well -- we all miss him during the day!!


• SYlas is SUPER busy now that football season is officially upon us. Kyle doesn't think that's too cool...but Sylas takes him every time he can spare an arm to carry him along. Sylas will be coaching YMCA football starting next week and although it's very time consuming, the games are a lot of fun and it's pretty precious to see those kids faces when they look at Sylas. He's an amazing coach and I love watching him succeed in that. I thought this pic was cute -- Sylas rescued Kyle from the street this afternoon in the rain -- Kyle thought the ride was great fun!




• As for me, I'm just along for the ride :) But it's a fun ride - sometimes I forget to buckle up and get injured. Ha!! In all seriousness, I am overwhelmingly grateful to the Lord for my three precious boys and my husband. The week before school I was ironing Jacob's clothes and the Holy Spirit just came all over me -- I was just consumed with gratitude for Jesus Christ -- it's because of His death on the Cross that I can experience LIFE -- a super abundant life that is beyond anything I could have ever asked for or imagined or planned!!!! Truly, I have no idea where I would be without Christ at this point in my life. Probably dead. But instead I am thrilled to be sanctified daily through my tasks of raising these boys and being a wife and discipling young girls. The Lord has given me so much love to pour out on my children and it is multiplied and returned daily!! We have had an amazing summer full of many opportunities and experiences I could never have dreamed up -- God is increasing our understanding of who He is and how BIG He is. I am loving the Psalms and am daily in awe of how they speak directly to my heart and everyone else's. I guess that's all for now -- actually I have tons more things I could add but we've got to get ready for a big football game. Go EAGLES!!!

Happy June!!

What's going on with the Politte Family:

• Let's start with the youngest: Kyle is now 14 months old and refuses to walk. If you try to help him walk, he jumps or cries until you give up. He can eat with a fork, bear crawl, clean up his own messes, say cracker, mama, bubba, dada, thank you, mine, more, go, baw baw, ball, and Kentucky but he refuses to learn to walk.


• Ty is growing up big time. Which is a good thing. :) We went to Eldorado High School graduation on Friday at the football stadium. Ty was sitting in Sylas' lap and he said "Dad, why do they have this thing here?" Sylas explained that the football stadium was the biggest place in Eldorado to have the ceremony so that everyone would have a place to sit. Ty goes "Well, why don't they have it at the stadium in Angelo? It's bigger." :) Ty is a problem solver like his Daddy. I love that. He will also do anything for a laugh. He makes up stories constantly about himself and his best buddy Kas doing crazy stuff. Friday night he said "Mom, do you know what Daddy did last night?" I said "No." He said "He tooted on a cat. In Sonora." (Of course I laughed -- Sylas wasn't even in Sonora the night before). But what really made me laugh was when Jacob said "Did the cat die?" Poor Jacob, he's going to believe everything that comes out of his brother's mouth!!



• Speaking of Jacob...last week was his final week of Pre-K. You know when you have little kids and your life is insanse and seems so out of control, all the older ladies say "You better enjoy it, it goes by way too fast!!" Then you're left standing there thinking about how much faster you wish some moments would pass....well, it's true. I can't believe that next year Jacob will be in Kindergarten. I really think I'm going to miss him during the day. In fact, it's bringing me to tears right now. I know you're not surprised, Ryan. :) Just a moment ago Jacob came in the living room and asked me when we were going to buy his supplies for Kindergarten. He said he wants to go do that tomorrow. Not a bad idea!! Anyway, last week was filled with festivities at Pre-K. We had the pre-K Program (Jacob was adorable -- he wore a tie that matched his shorts -- I'm sure I won't be able to pull that off much longer). Then he had pre-K water day on Wednesday. Sylas and I helped out with that and I think I got the worst sunburn I've ever had. At water day, the principal came over to the pre-K portable and announced that she had a very special prize for the only child in pre-K with perfect attendance. Yup, it was Jacob. He won a personal DVD player!!! Sylas and I were both standing there with our mouths wide open -- I guess it paid off getting him there every day! Then on Thursday, their last day, they had ice cream sundaes. So fun! Now Jacob wants to have a graduation party with all his buddies at our house. I think we're all partied out for now...



• Speaking of partied out....Sylas is definitely exhausted. Two weeks ago he was up all night DJing for Relay for Life here in Eldorado. Then he wrapped up the last week of baseball season and had a summer camp kick-off party for the youth. He brought in the band and the speaker who are going to be at camp this summer. What other youth minister does that?!?!? So cool. Anyway, then last week he did all kinds of things to help out with the end of school festivities at the elementary. He gave out awards at the pre-K program, was the 'main man' for water day, made snow cones for 3rd graders, and helped with sundaes on Thursday. Friday night he was up all night again at Project Graduation keeping everyone awake until 5 am. I have never made it up there for too long, but everyone says that without Sylas, it would be a total bore. He got out the big water slide for us a week ago and we have been enjoying it ever since. Even Kyle!



• As for me, I've finally hit the 40 pound mark of weight loss. I wish I could tell you that I feel amazing, but I don't. I trust that I will feel better than ever at the end of the summer, though. I will go to San Antonio for detox treatments every Tuesday and Thursday throughout June and July. It's a huge task and it's sort of looming over me right now -- it almost seems impossible -- but I know it's not. It's just going to be difficult getting the boys taken care of. However, the Lord has richly blessed us by taking care of over $30,000 worth of treatments and I trust that He is not going to leave out any details that need to be taken care of!!!! I told you in an earlier post that my aunt Dayle felt led to give $5,000 for a month of treatments (a $10,000 discount) and then the next time that I spoke with my doctor on the phone, he said that he felt led by the LORD to give me another month FREE. So we're trusting that same God to provide for $4.00 a gallon gas and a babysitter!!! This is the last week of my liver detox (I hope - I'll find out for sure on Tuesday) and I am certain I will feel a lot better when it's over. I have to drink an awful shake twice a day as a meal supplement and it's getting harder each day to get that thing down!! Cara and Jason each took a sip so they have sympathized with me!! Speaking of those two, if you haven't checked it out already, go to their wedding blog http://bebeearnoldwedding.blogspot.com/



• We are all looking forward to June -- I mentioned I will go to San Antonio twice a week -- next week we have a baseball tourney all week here in Eldorado that Sylas is helping with -- then the next week is VBS and Sylas' Mom is coming (Praise the LORD) -- then the next week we'll be in Liberty Hill while Sylas is at preteen camp -- then the following week Kyle will have tubes put in his ears -- that next week is youth camp -- then July 4th festivities in Liberty Hill -- then Jacob has his tonsils removed on July 11th -- girls retreat is July 17-19th -- Rock the desert is the next weekend -- and Cara gets married on August 2nd!! OH Did I mention that during all this my Mom and I will be planning a wedding?? We need your prayers!!!

New Background

The Mario Bros background is dedicated to Jacob. He absolutely loves playing the old Mario Bro's on the Wii. It's hard to swallow the fact that it takes him a fraction of the time it took Ryan and I to beat each level...maybe it's that huge noggin of his. :) Here's to old school nintendo games on the Wii!!!!

Sanctification

Yep, I'm being sanctified...that's for sure. And I am way overdue in sharing with you all how the Lord sanctifies me through my children. If you haven't read Cara's blog in the last week, check it out: http://unreachedpeeps.blogspot.com. The Lord showed her something through Kyle last week and it was a great reminder to me, as well.
As you may or may not remember, I blogged last August about how I was learning about the gospel all over again and the way it applies to our every day lives. Lately in our ministry opportunities here (mostly with the youth) I have been unsettled by a lack of understanding of the gospel and what it means to be 'saved.' When I asked four girls last Sunday night if they were saved, they all said YES! When I asked them what it means to be saved, or how you are saved, three of them gave me a list of works and one flat-out said she wasn't sure. Of course we went over it and looked through Ephesians 2 -- it was a great reminder for me. A reminder that we need to be constantly aware of the richness of mercy, the great love, the grace, the kindness, the surpassing riches of Christ. I think a lot more about my sin, God's wrath, my insufficiences. Well, I had really been in 'a funk' because my thinking is really lopsided (is that a word, and if it is, is that how you spell it?)...anyway, one morning a few weeks ago, Ty was pretty wound up (imagine that) and I went to go give him a hug and love on him before he left for school. Usually he loves that and craves that attention, but that day, he didn't want me to hug him. And what came out of my mouth? "Ty, don't resist my love for you." AS IF he knows what that means. But I knew in that moment that the Lord was showing me how I was resisting the understanding of His kindness, mercy, grace, love etc. I shared all this with my Aunt Carye and she sent me a book called Abba's Child by Brennan Manning. I knew when she said she would send it to me that I needed to read it...but in the back of my mind I was resisting it still. I was telling myself "That's not a sound book, just listen to the title, yes, you're abba's child, but you really don't deserve it, and you need to read books that expose your SIN, Shea" (anyone else do this???) Well, I started reading it the day I received it in the mail from Carye...and it was just what I needed to hear. I will post some quotes in a minute but I have to share this story with you as well:
Tonight Sylas and Jacob and Ty went to the Baccalaureate service at the High School (I am recovering from Strep...again). Well, apparently Ty wet his pants and didn't tell anyone because he didn't know where the restroom was. (disclaimer: this is the first time he's had an accident in quite awhile) Tonight when they got home and were eating dinner, Sylas goes "Ty, I love you so much.....even though you teeteed your pants." Ty responded "Yeah, and Jesus is still happy with me!"
Ya think I needed to hear that?? Of course I did. I am learning to rest in the gospel. I have read C.J. Mahaney's take on it - loved it. I subscribe to Don Bebee's teaching on it -- love it too. And now Brennan Manning is really opening my eyes to who I am in Christ. Check this out:
"Come to me now, Jesus says. "Acknowledge and accept who I want to be for you: a Savior of boundless compassion, infinite patience, unbearable forgiveness, and love that keeps no score of wrongs. Quit projecting onto Me your own feelings about yourself. At this moment your life is a bruised reed and I will not crush it, a smoldering wick and I will not quench it. You are in a safe place."
Thomas Merton: "Quit keeping score altogether and surrender yourself with all your sinfulness to God who sees neither the score nor the scorekeeper but only his child redeemed by Christ."

He also quotes Dietrich Bonhoeffer and teaches that guilt is an IDOL. "But when we dare to live as forgiven men and women, we join the wounded healers and draw closer to Jesus."

Now, how does this affect our ministry here?
"Grace and healing are communicated through the vulnerability of men and women who have been fractured and heartbroken by life." Isn't that the truth? I love the idea of being vulnerable people who allow others to be vulnerable. You know, the whole 'take off your mask' thing they taught you in the youth group 15 years ago??? It's SO necessary today for us as adults. Especially here in our little Eldorado world. Masks honestly make my heart sick. Vulnerability is so KEY to healing!!

One final quote (John Eagan):
"Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is an illusion."

So, our theme for girls retreat this year is BELOVED. I'm excited to share what the Lord is teaching me. I welcome your insight and counsel!! :)

Sweet Baby Kyle

Kyle turned one about a month ago...and I just now got around to taking pictures of him tonight. I told Cara that I HAD to get it done because each night I lay in bed thinking that another day of his life has gone by without me getting his picture!!!!! We had about 20 minutes of picture taking and then he was D-O-N-E. Kyle is a thinker. It is so great to watch him sit and study things, as you see in the picture above. I can't wait to hear him talk about all that he studies!! He isn't walking yet, but he's pretty close. He just enjoys being held by his Mommy and Daddy and Aunt Boo!

OK, in some he looks like me, some he looks like Sylas, and some he looks just like Uncle Ryan!! What do you think??This is his new favorite scrunch face -- he's really laughing and it's so adorable!!

Look at those curls!! He had fun playing on the slide. I really love the fact that he would rather be with his brothers than anywhere else. The hardest days are when it's just me and Kyle at home all day. He's so bored!! I just love that they are all growing up together and forming such strong bonds. Jacob and Ty absolutely love him -- and he adores them too! I need to get some pics of the three of them together. Someday...

WOW

READ CARA'S BLOG. NOW.
http://unreachedpeeps.blogspot.com

What's Up in Eldo?

• Kyle turned ONE a month ago and I still haven't taken his one year pics...my bad. :)
• I DO NOT HAVE LYME DISEASE!!! I had a false positive since I had Lyme when I was 18. I still had the antibodies in my blood, thus the positive test results. However, my Dr. in San Antonio asked if they had done further blood work to confirm the Lyme was still active. He told me about a "Western Blot" test that I should have had done at the same time as the antibody test. Well...the Doctor who told me I had Lyme disease (a doctor in Sonora..about 20 miles away from Eldo) ALSO did the western blot test...and it was NEGATIVE. I asked his nurse to fax me all of my labs for the Dr. in San Antonio and when I looked over them it was very obvious that my western blot was negative. I immediately called the Doctor's office in Sonora to ask WHY they didn't go over those test results and realize that my Western Blot was negative. Guess what? I haven't heard back from them. Imagine that. The good news is, I don't have Lyme disease. I am so pumped about that. I am now being treated for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I have known for years that I had the symptoms of that and I am pretty stinking excited about the opportunity to overcome it and live a healthy life -- rather than give into it and surrender to a life of pain and fatigue!! So far I have lost about 30 pounds and would like to lose about 30 more. That is a huge jump start to knocking this junk out of my body. It's a commitment for life -- healthy eating is essential to dealing with Fibromyalgia and CFS. I look forward to a life of health and wellness!! I am still seeing the Doctor in San Antonio and have absolutely NO plans of returning to the Doctor here in Sonora. I started a liver detox today that will be rather unpleasant but totally worth it. That lasts about a month. Then I start the overall detox and I will be having to drive to San Antonio twice a week for a month. Dr. Hernandez (in San Antonio) condensed 3 months of treatment into one month and lowered the price from $15,000 to $5,000. It's a long story....but I have already received the $5,000 from a very generous Aunt of mine. :) Hallelujah!!! We just have to come up with the money for gas (will probably be about $1200) and the money for my supplements (probably about $1500). The expense so far has been overwhelming but the Lord is providing, I am thrilled to say!! He is faithful, that's for sure. I am learning so much through this experience about the character of God. I'll blog on that soon.
• Pray for my parents. Check out this website: www.americanfamilyreunion.org
• Cara is here for about 3 weeks and I AM SO EXCITED!! You can read up on her at http://unreachedpeeps.blogspot.com
• Ryan and Sarah seem to be doing alright -- I believe last week was the last week of classes for this semester for Ryan, and I assume Sarah has several more weeks. I would link you to their blog but, well, they haven't exactly updated it since August. :)
• I saved the best for last. Sylas has been amazing through all of this sickness stuff. You know that part about "In sickness and in health"?? Well, Sylas hasn't really ever experience the "In Health" part -- but he will SOON!! But he has certainly loved me in my sickness. I feel like we're a team and we're fighting this together. I am overwhelmed with his desire to provide for our family financially and physically and emotionally through all of this. He is ready and willing to do whatever it takes to get me WELL -- and we are looking forward to the fruit of our labor. You can read up on him at http://sylaspo.blogspot.com

The Twins

I have waited WAY too long to introduce you to the newest member of the Minnesota Twins!! He's an amazing pitcher, an incredible batter, and is even able to bat left OR right handed!!!! Quick story -- Jacob played catcher (as you can see below)and pitcher his first game. After the game, we were home talking about it and Sylas goes "Jacob, what was your favorite position that you played tonight?" Jacob's response "Ampire!"

I will do my best to show you the highlights of a typical Eldorado T-Ball game:




First time up to bat!

--A Swing and a HIT!!!!Jacob's On first...and Mommy eyes are overflowing with tears....I can't help it!!!!

Ok, you gotta hear this story. There was a ground squirrel on the field. It ran across the field and stopped right between the third base line and the dugout. Jacob was on second, his buddy Michael was on first, and Mason was up to bat. Mason couldn't care less about the ground squirrel -- he's a country boy and he sees that stuff all the time. So he smacks the ball. That means Jacob runs to third, and then his coach sends him home. Well, remember where the ground squirrel was???? Jacob was totally distracted by the opportunity to study this animal on his way to home plate. So much so, that Michael caught up with him. It was SO FUNNY. Notice Jacob in the first picture looking back at the squirrel while Michael runs full speed ahead. They basically crossed home plate at the same time. I'm LOVING Tee-Ball. These kiddos are precious -- there aren't words to describe the joy it brings to a Mom's heart to see your child run across home plate!! I love how Jacob looks into the stands to make sure I saw his "Home Run." :)

Check out that tongue hangin' out!!