Unconquering Joy

I've come to realize that my mood or attitude is greatly affected by my kids or my hubby. If they hurt me or frustrate me, there goes the joy.

Not good.

I have the joy of the LORD in my heart, so why am I responding to these minor exasperations with a frown and a groan (like someone without Hope)??

It upsets me. I'm just going to say no more! When I feel vexed, I want to:

Give thanks for the opportunity (to reflect Grace and grow)

Recall the Joy He has given me

Pray for His Spirit to carry that joy in my heart into my face 

Smile! :) 

 I so want to be like the early Macedonian Christ-followers --

In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.  ~ 2 Corinthians 8:3

Reciting Love

• Besides a normal week last week, I had the privilege of arranging a surprise outing for a neighbor girl. I asked two of my girlfriends to take her back-to-school shopping for clothes while I babysat. It went well ;) After pizza/movie night, we took the kids outside to do some star-gazing with the free, awesome Starview app -- a fun memory! On Father's Day, we went to church, made a pound cake, and enjoyed Aolani's kindergarten recital and reception (3 out of 5 girls invited came) -- more info and video below.

 Micaiah set-up his "recipe books" to look at while cooking ;)

Making invitations to her recital

Aolani officiates her first wedding (between Micaiah and their friend Ellie)

• Aolani's Kindergarten Poetry and Scripture Recital -- I told Aolani beforehand that it is perfectly fine to make mistakes, just look at people in the eye, speak clearly and smile plenty! Those things will cover over and redeem any mistakes. And, she must have remembered that because her joy and enthusiasm are off the charts and so contagious! They definitely made it a sweet and beautiful memory :)

• We are taking a break from memorizing a verse for Aolani this week but will do a few verses during summer break starting next week.
• Verse to memorize this week: 2 Corinthians 4:10 ~  We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

Contented in My One Desire

Contentment.

I think it's more than just acceptance of what is. To me that's like being nonchalant and apathetic. An okay or whatever response.

I'm thinking more of deeply satisfied and completely fulfilled. A place where you want for nothing.

I've always thought I was a content person, because I accept my lot (Ecc. 5:18). But, lately, I keep finding myself thinking with exasperation, "I can't wait to do that when I'm healed" or "When I'm healed..." It doesn't sound that bad, and I could probably reason how it could actually be good or beneficial.

However, for me, truth is, this thinking is robbing me of my contentment -- where I have no other wants except God, for He is enough. I want to want nothing else. Just Christ.

[Not that wanting to be healed is so bad. That desire partly fuels my longing for Heaven. But, I think Satan can cause frequent wants to add up and engender a feeling of being discontent. This being a way he steals our joy.]

I won't say that I don't struggle with this anymore. But, I do recognize it and am making a very conscious effort to take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). ["No! I will not go there. I can only find full satisfaction in Him, not in anything else.]

Aidan

If the Shoe Fits...

• Two weeks ago -- Our Memorial Day consisted of being sick. I took a 3-hr nap on the recliner while Ricky took the kids to the grocery store and park :) The rest of the week involved Aolani reading her schoolbooks to me in the recliner. The weekend included a double date with friends (no kids), prayer walking, our church's missions' committee meeting (I volunteered to be chairperson for a year), pizza/movie night, church, and small group.
• I felt way better last week. Besides all of our normal events, we only had one different happening. We had our neighbors over for dinner and then hung-out outside while the kids played -- such a nice time!
• For about two months now, I've begun taking daily 20-minute baths/soaks at night to warm and relax my legs. They greatly reduce restless legs (RLS), relieve built-up tension in my legs, and warm my calves and feet so I can fall asleep quickly!
• Aolani's antics: comments to our friend, "I can't wait to have mimi's... so I can nurse my babies!" (Most of my friends who visit nurse while they're here :) )
• Micaiah's mishaps: I was frustrated one day, and he repeated back to me in all seriousness something he overheard me tell a friend a few days earlier, "Parenting is hard, dealing with kids all day"; put on his over-sized t-shirt one day, called it his cuddle shirt, and announced that he was ready to wrestle and cuddle with Daddy when he comes home ;)

Acting out Cinderella  

 Mommy sick = recliner school ;)

 The paper is his homemade shield

• Even though Micaiah's ABCs has already improved since I recorded this, it's a sweet memory for me :) So is the verbosity of my 6-yo girl!

• We are rehearsing the poem Trees by Joyce Kilmer and her kindergarten alphabet verses for a small recital (and reception) for family and friends this weekend at our home :)
• Verse to memorize this week: 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 ~   But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

Aidan

Becoming a Global Christian

This is from Randy Alcorn's blog, written by Karen Coleman:

11 Ways to Become a “Global Christian” and Develop Your Heart for the Lost

... So how can you become a more “Global Christian,” that is, someone who thinks and loves like God, who has God’s heart for the world and the lost? (Obviously, by that definition, every Christian should strive to be a Global Christian!) ...

Computer Down

Be back when I am up and going :)

Flying High, Soaring by, Feeling Low

• While last week was mostly normal with art class (last week) and helpers and pizza/movie night, all I really remember is being sick. It began Wednesday and although I felt better the next two days, then it was back. I was in the recliner while Aolani read her school books to me or sleeping. I did help with a baby shower over the weekend but didn't feel very bubbly, unfortunately :( Tonight will be my first time leaving the house since then! I don't know what it is, but all four other people who live here and had it before me, so I thought I might escape it.
• My 7-yo computer is dying, so I had to get a new CPU but haven't hooked it up yet.

Art show

Aolani's art on display

Summer haircut and homemade kite

The kids love ridinjg scooters! Aolani now has a two-wheeled one she so enjoys :)

The guys' outing during the baby shower

A banner I made for my friend for her shower... of the EUCHARISTEO formula (God's gifts and graces + our act of thanksgiving for them = God gives us JOY)

• We are memorizing the poem Trees by Joyce Kilmer and rehearsing her kindergarten alphabet verses for a potential musical show for family...
• Verse to memorize this week: 2 Corinthians 4:6 ~   For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.