Easter Photoshoot

Spring Refreshment

Maybe you identify with a t-shirt slogan I saw on a group of moms at MOPS Convention. It said:

SUPER WIFE.

SUPER MOM.

SUPER TIRED.

It certainly gave me a chuckle. I don’t know about the super wife and super mom part, but there are definitely times that I feel SUPER TIRED as a mom of young children! Jesus said, in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” I have been weary and burdened, how about you?

Sometimes, when I’m in a place of feeling weary and burdened, I can almost visualize myself in a dry, desolate desert, trudging though the sand, and all I see on the horizon is dune after dune of the same dusty brown sand. Or it might literally look like diaper after diaper of the same smelly poop. Load after load of the same laundry each week. Load after load of the same dishes. It can certainly make one weary. If we come to Him, he will give us rest! Sometimes, we just need to rest in His arms. “Every moment of every season is an opportunity for spiritual growth.”(Alicia Britt Chole, Intimate Conversations) Even seasons of rest.

After I’ve spent some time resting, I’m thirsty! I’m thirsty for LIFE! And guess what, Jesus had something to say about our thirst as well. He said, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.” (John 7:37) As the springtime sun pours forth, my soul is awakened! I begin seeking the Lord with renewed vigor. Like a flower bulb, I have been dormant, resting in my Father’s arms. Once my restoration is complete, I experience refreshment. I am overflowing with energy and joy!

Maybe you are feeling weary or burdened. Maybe you hunger or thirst for something beyond physical food and drink. There is new life to be found in Jesus! Let Him restore you. Let Him refresh you.

Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19-20a (New Living Translation)

weary: physically or mentally exhausted by hard work, exertion, strain; characterized by or causing impatience or dissatisfaction; tedious

burden: that which is carried; a load; that which is borne with difficulty; obligation

hunger: a strong or compelling desire or craving

thirst: strong or eager desire; craving

restore: to bring back into existence, use, or the like; reestablish; to bring back to a former, original, or normal condition; to bring back to a state of health, soundness, or vigor

refresh: to provide new vigor and energy; to stimulate; to make fresh again; reinvigorate or cheer

Waiting for Spring

Lego World

Carson can get pretty creative with his legos when he's not reading Harry Potter. I can't wait to see how he likes Legoland when we visit California!

Winter Times

Ollie likes to squeeze in small places.

Grandpa and the boys making chili on Super Bowl Sunday.

Super Bowl Sunday sledding fun with Aunt Britt and Zack (not pictured)!

Ollie enjoys something yummy.

Carson's Room

Carson picked out his colors and put on the stickers himself. The beanbag in the corner is where we find him spending all his spare time lately.

The top bunk quilt is from his previous theme - construction zone. Bottom bunk quilt I found at Target (my favorite store). The brown and orange are nice accents that keep the blue "sky" of his wall from being too overwhelming.

In the last two weeks Carson has read (along with Jim Dale on CD) the first 3 and a half Harry Potter books! Matt and I have read and listened to all of the books. If you've never read them and you have time to listen in the car, his reading is awesome.

Panama City Beach, Florida

"I was dancing before the Lord...I am willing to act like a fool in order to show my joy in the Lord." 2Samuel 6:21

It's hard to explain, but my time in Florida turned out to be a much needed spiritual retreat. It was so wonderful, I find myself longing for the next opportunity to meet with the Lord at my favorite creation of His, the shore.