Embassa

In our household, the lion is revered.

Marvel adores the lion.

He aspires to be a lion.

Brave.

Strong.

King of the jungle.

Embassa.

When bravery is needed, we often refer to him as Embassa Marvel.

When courage is expressed, he will announce to the world, loudly..

Embassa MARVEL!

He thinks that it is in these great and daring feats that he manifests that Embassa quality..

But frankly, I see it when he walks into his own bedroom at night to go to sleep.

I see Embassa Marvel when I drop him off at school or he starts a new activity, filled with strangers.

I see my little lion in the way--despite his reservations-- he will go shake someone's hand when introduced.


He may think he becomes Embassa by climbing daringly on the playground equipment.

But I saw Embassa Marvel from the very beginning....

Embassa Marvel letting me show him pictures...What a brave boy he was that day.

13 Hopes for 2013

New Year's Resolutions are generally a huge fail for me.

They are [most of the time] the things I didn't have TIME for this year.

So it's often just wishful thinking to assume that I will have more time for resolutions in the coming season of life.

One that now includes a rambunctious 5 year old and all his activities...

Plans and Paper-Chasing for a second little one to join our crazy family!

Job and life changes galore...

And yet...

I have great hopes for the coming year. I am in expectation and joyful longing as I look ahead.

So rather than shame myself with a list of resolutions of things that I didn't make or have time for this year, instead I am mingling together those things that I desire growth in with the things God has already impressed on my heart and moved me to action to in my daily life.

1.  Brush my teeth twice daily and floss daily.  This may seem like a no-brainer but I really need to do better! For realz, yo.

2.  Go on a date with my husband and my son (respectively) at least once each month! As Marvel would say, "Easy Peasy" ;-)

3. Organize the closet and cabinet mayhem that has become my home (this deserves a whole series!). I believe that my spirit and mental clarity are probably adversely affected by the chaos of disorganization in my home and I want better for my family than that!

4.  Meal plan each month. This is important not only for the sake of money and time but also because I want to focus on moving to Clean Eating for the family this year!

5.  Read more. I had a friend read 52 books this year and ultimately I am shooting for that! But more than the number, I want to read more about things that stir up the Spirit inside me..things that challenge me to do more and live better.

6.   Give more words of affirmation. Especially to people I don't *think* deserve them and in times when it would be easier to use words that cut.

7. Turn our backyard into an oasis instead of the war zone Moses The Menice has turned it into!  Add a clothes line and maybe even a garden. Reinstate the beauty of our herb garden. Have fresh and organic food to eat and bless others with!

8.  Do at least one RAOK every month! Hidden and without any recognition. Simply because God leads me to. Which means I need to be listening to Him more!

9.  Give generously to things that end inequality. Spend my money in a way that takes the power of money and redistributes it as only the power of God can. God's Kingdom come.

10.  Pray daily..not like the "in the car, talking to God" kind but the real, give ALL my attention to the one I love kind.  The kind that the daily grind often steals and destroys. The kind that I desperately need. The kind we all need. The kind that turns the sparks in my spirit into a flame for the desires of God's heart to be realized on this earth!

11. Share something "new" with Marvel every month.

12.  Learn how to do a new skill and bless someone with it. Like knitting scarves for women in nursing homes.

13.  Gain a revelation about living by Faith, trusting in God as my Provider and believing in miracles. Accept the challenging seasons that might require. And trust God through that.


Anticipation is the feeling I have as we move into this new year. Anticipation  for the things God will reveal and renew within me. Anticipation for natural and supernatural blessings in the lives of so many people that come to mind. Anticipation in what is to come.

Great Anticipation.

Good things are ahead.

Happy New Year!

New Lessons.

I can remember walking through the early lessons of patience like it was yesterday.

I remember the torment of endless waiting.

The helplessness of no control.

The pain of learning to trust Him completely.


And I can remember the heartache of pursuit.

Losing the dream of having a child--we'd grown to love--ever be ours in the flesh

Asking ourselves if we could handle it if the Unthinkable happened again.

Learning that even though This wasn't about us--He?  was always For us.

Determining to pursue despite heartache and grief.

So many lessons learned. So many thorns along the path that led to such a beautiful reward.

Pain that taught me empathy.  Heartache that brought me to surrender.  Waiting that made me patient.


But, I'm a smart gal.

I knew that even with all those lessons... I certainly hadn't *arrived* yet.

And I knew that despite all my brilliant understanding of the costs of choosing this journey again?

God wasn't through teaching me.

His lessons are rarely easy.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for. The evidence of things unseen"  Hebrew 11:1

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us" Romans 8:16-18

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus"  Philippians 4:6-7

"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows" Luke 12:6-7

If I truly believe that God has directed our steps, then my lesson today is to learn how to have faith in Him to carry us to the finish line.

He is not concerned about the things that concerns man. Money is no deterrent to God's plans.

He hasn't forgotten us. He hasn't left us.

He is in control.



12-12-12

(Source)

It feels wrong not to acknowledge such a momentous occasion and with my recent "phone-burned-up-by-battery" incident, I have to forgo all the Instagram fun....

So here are 12 things you didn't know you didn't know about the number 12:

1.  Football team fans are often called "The 12th Man"

2.  The Beatles released a total of 12 studio albums

3.  According to the book of Joshua, there are 12 tribes of Israel

4.  There are 12 cranial nerves in the human body

5.  Only 12 men have ever walked on the moon

6.  In English, 12 is the largest number to have just one syllable

7.  Under British law, when you turn 12 you can buy a pet

8.  A group of 12 things is called a Duodecad

9.  In ten-pin bowling, you need to throw 12 strikes to play a perfect game

10.  There are 12 pairs of ribs in the human body

11.  There are 12 basic hues in the standard color wheel

12.   In UFO Conspiracy Theories, The Majestic 12 is a secret committee (allegedly) set up by President Truman to investigate and cover up extraterrestrial contacts


And in honor of 12 years together, here's a gem from mine and the Husband's earlier days :

Look at those skinny arms and abs....so so long gone......

So there you have it!

 

Happy 12-12-12!!

 

 

Sources for this post: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12_(number)

http://kkyr.com/twelve-random-facts-about-the-number-12/

Visiting WAGI today!

When I think about Christmas and all that is wrapped up into this one day of celebration.

Life.

Sacrifice.

Commitment.

Favor.

I am not only overwhelmed that God himself chose to take human-form in the greatest redemption plan ever..

But I am also humbled by the excruciating commitment of Mary and Joseph. The heart-wrenching uncertainty Mary must have faced before sharing the news with Joseph. The confusion and heartbreak of Joseph which was ultimately replaced by compelling commitment and love.

The threads of adoption interwoven into the very fabric of our salvation.

Our adoption into the Kingdom.

Joseph's adoption of Jesus.

It fills me with gratitude...

Today? I'm over at We Are Grafted In talking more about that!  Go show me some love and check it out!!
(And if you're visiting for WAGI, Welcome! I hope you stick around a while!) :)

Don't forget about the awesome Giveaway that ends today! Go HERE to make your donations before midnight tonight and Stay Tuned!

Winner will be announced tomorrow!! Yay!