I Can Not Do This Alone

I Cannot Do This Alone

O God, early in the morning I cry to you.
Help me to pray
And to concentrate my thoughts on you:
I cannot do this alone.

In me there is darkness,
But with you there is light;
I am lonely, but you do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help;
I am restless, but with you there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;
I do not understand your ways,
But you know the way for me…

Restore me to liberty,
And enable me to live now
That I may answer before you and before me.
Lord, whatever this day may bring,
Your name be praised.


- a poem included in Devotions for Lent, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
found @aholyexperience.com Thanks, Ann!

Siiiiicccckkkk...

the scenery of our days... sick boys watching movies... think we're on round 3 of Cars in two days. please lift up these pitiful boys

Fasting from what?!?!?

As I sat with Jesus last week and asked what He would have me fast for Lent- it was very clear that His focus was on an area of my life that He has been interested in for weeks and months now. I am self-gratifying and very undisciplined. If I want to eat a brownie at 9am, I go for it :) Sad, but true.

And it isn't about weight- it's about beating my body- like Paul, running in such a way as to obtain the prize...temperate in all things...disciplining my body lest I become disqualified... I Cor 9:24-27 Oh, it's a hard word.

And so I chose to give up refined sugar (but He knows me, and specifically told me not to go crazy reading labels- everything has hidden sugar- He wants my eyes fixed on Him and not sugar)- obvious sugar- not adding it to my coffee, no cookies or brownies, etc.

Little did I know that my boys would get S.I.C.K. and I would be giving up sleep for Lent too.

At least, I didn't give up coffee for Lent.

After a night without sleep it's hard not to crave that big hunk of chocolate. And I've caved already this Lenten season. But there is grace for weary mamas. Today as I begin this tired day- I'm fixing these verses before me:

The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.

The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.

The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.

They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.

By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
-Psalm 19: 7-11, 13-14

His word will keep you- no matter what you're fasting from.

Bits of God-glory...

Haven't posted from my Gratitude Journal in awhile! But I have still been recording His daily love gifts... and have even surpassed my first goal of One Thousand Gifts!!! Currently at 1142! He is too kind. His mercies are new each morning. Bits of God-glory are everywhere. Here's a sneak peak at a couple most recent thanksgivings! My cup runneth over!


#961 lacy white branches laden with snow
#962. blue sky after the storm


#975. happily entertained, childhood glistening in morning sun...

#1070. my man who pursues me...
#1071. thinks I'm beautiful...
#1072. takes me out to dinner...

#1121. brother love- snuggled up watching Sesame Street


#1134. soothing sound of snow melting...
#1135. drops of winter surrendering...
#1136. a quiet, still moment to witness nature releasing its icy grasp

#1140. freshly made bed reflecting the colors of the season
#1141. a calm, and beautiful refuge


#1125. winter morn- sun breaking through the clouds
#1126. hope for a new day (and that winter won't last forever)

Praying through the Olympics

The Winter Olympics- what a perfect time to enlarge our prayers and focus on the world! Would you consider checking out one of these prayer and devotional resources and joining us in praying for the nations for the next two weeks? What sport do you enjoy? Who are you watching? Would you commit to muting the commercials and praying for the nations represented- and the individuals competing? Our eyes are on the world the next few weeks- may our hearts be bowed in fervent prayer!

**More Than Gold online**: Daily olympic devotional (includes daily venues). Awesome resource!
Olympian Prayer Guide: Pray for the olympians you're watching each day.
Olympic Nations Prayer Guide: Pray specifically for various countries, and read a short Scripture passage.
YWAM Vancouver Prayer Blog: to follow a YWAM team that is at the games doing outreach
YWAM Prayer Initiative: Sign up for a timeslot to pray for their mission at the Olympics

Under the Weather :(

We were rejoicing in the fact that we've been well and healthy since Christmas! But now we need your prayers for health again :) Caleb and Seth are fighting colds, and currently the colds are winning.

Caleb's cough was so bad last night that I held him on the couch to prop him up in hopes of us getting some relief. We did the steamy bathroom thing, eating bread to soak up junk in his tummy, propped up for sleeping, tylenol/motrin for fever... the works. I may have gotten a whole hour total of sleep.

Pray with us that this would ease up quickly- we have a big weekend ahead of us (with an overnight to see dear friends in PA and sharing at three services at Trinity UMC in Mullica Hill on Sunday). Would you also pray for some of our teammates in Uganda who are also fighting illness (particularly un-fun parasites and amoebas). Thanks! We're so grateful we have amazing champions who are on their knees serious about missions!

Today we're clinging to this Scripture today: "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. -Hebrews 4:14-16

He is enough for every need!

Full House!

You might think when two people from a household of nine go on vacation, that things would get less crazy around here (Hope you're enjoying your Florida vaca, Mark and Brenda!)... but then it wouldn't be our life!

Friday we braced ourselves for the blizzard with Grandmom home from another hospital stay, Aunt Pat to help Grandmom, and our two friends Scott and Kevin to keep Uncle Dave company :) The guys had a bit of winter fun and played lots of games! Our little guys LOVED watching the big guys shovel snow!

I have enjoyed busying myself in the kitchen with lots of grown-ups around to hang out with the boys! Made some tasty muffins, chicken noodle soup, and buttered rosemary rolls! Delicious.

It certainly has been a full house, which stretches this introvert who thrives on solitude, but it has been a good weekend! And Jesus was so sweet to give me solace in His word, reminding me of His goodness and His enoughness:

How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.-Psalm 36:7-9

Abundantly satisfied with the fullness of His house! His fullness! No matter what our circumstances, He is enough! Are you getting cabin fever? Are you weary of this winter? He is enough! Allow Him to satisfy you abundantly!

Haiti: Up Close and Personal

I don't know about you, but Haiti seems to be fading from the public eye already. Which staggers me. But I am following a few blogs that make the tragedy in Haiti real, and urgent, and heart-breaking

Debra and Earnest are trying to bring their adopted son home from haiti as we speak.

Tara and Troy Livesay are missionaries on the ground in Haiti blogging faithfully!

The Apparent Project is also on the ground in Haiti, just looked at their blog today. They are encouraging us all to Fast and Pray Feb 12-14: "Please commit to pray with us. The President of Haiti has even called for 3 days of fasting and prayer during Carnival (Feb 12-14). Please join in fasting and praying for Haiti. Our idea of how to heal this mess is far inferior to God's!"

Perhaps there are others that you are following- care to share how you are staying informed? Both of the families I listed are also on Twitter. How has the tragedy in Haiti changed you? Are you praying differently? Are you cherishing family more? Are you spending less money in order to donate more? Are you changed at all?

**photo from BBC.com