Wouldn't it be great?

The Psalmist proclaims in Psalm 46:9 that the Lord "makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire."

It may put me out of a job, but wouldn't that be a nice?

oh, everything

I've had lots to blog about, really, I have. Today, I am blogging on my adorable new mini laptop. David gave it to me for our anniversary a little over a week ago. I'm really enjoying it so far, but there are a lot of things to update, a lot of files to move, a lot of problems to overcome in the old desktop as well as on getting this up to where I need it to be to use it to the fullest.
I've had quite a few other problems to overcome and so many blessings to co-ordinate! It's been a little tough at times, but God just keeps causing people to bless us! Even today, God is still putting it on dear friend's hearts to call and see how we're doing for some reason, completely not knowing all we've been through in the last 3 weeks (delivering a child stillborn to be with Jesus, house flooding, city flooding, brakes failing). I have hardly had a moment to catch up and breathe before the next event to handle. But, though exhausted, there is peace. God is speaking to us and growing us always more into His likeness.
I want to leave you with some Scriptures that the Lord showed me this morning. This is all from 2 Cor. 1. "God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others(vs.3-4). " "We think you ought to know...about the trouble we went through...We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it...But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely on God...(vs.8-9).
I don't like suffering any more than anybody else, but God has changed my perspective of it. I hate to even acknowledge it at all...I naturally minimize things as a coping mechanism. Yet, God is saying to me to allow myself to feel to the fullest so I can rely on Him to the fullest and that others in the Body need to know about our struggles. It's been kind of difficult for me to continue to receive all the blessings we have, but I just keep taking a deep breath and trusting that all in all, my small sufferings are actually giving the Body a chance to be like Jesus and grow in His likeness! It's really quite miraculous, isn't it? "And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many peoppe will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety (vs.11)."
So thankful,
Rachel

Shepherding a Child's Heart

Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp really captures the essence of parenting in a no-nonsense way, unlike any parenting book I've ever read before. I think it is better than, dare I even say this, James Dobson's parenting books! I know I just committed heresy, but I challenge you to pick it up and read it!

Our ladies Bible Study is right in the middle of it. It has revealed so many truths and eradicated so many lies we so commonly believe about relating to and disciplining our children. I could go on and on about all I've learned, but truly, you should read it yourself. You'll want to underline every word. Parents have been telling David and I since we were pregnant with Andrew that this is the best parenting book out there. Someone even had given us a copy. But it didn't get read till now. I am in better communication with the Lord about my children than ever before and they are in better communication with me than ever before. I am happier, knowing that in how I teach Andrew and Elizabeth to obey, I, also, am obeying my Lord. There is great peace in that obedience.

Maybe I'll write more on this another time!

In Him,
Rachel

A new career in full motion

Today I had the "Newcomer's Welcome" for my organization. It's OK that I've only been working there since October. There were some folks there who had been on the job since last June. I'm used to getting training after the fact, though. At our first assignment in South Dakota, I went to my job technical training in October, I had been working in that job since July. A year and a half later, I got the actual in-depth training on the specific tasks I had been accomplishing that entire time. Most of my training as a parent has been on the job. Same goes for my faith. Just now, this semester, I'm starting to understand how to really interpret the scriptures which have been the foundation of my salvation as a Christian since I was six. I don't really think it matters when you get trained, though. I think it is more important to stay open-minded to the training and not bitter that you didn't get it in the beginning. Rachel is sewing some curtains for the kids' room and the house is quiet after another long day.

Rappell tower of life

Welcome visitors from my Old Testament class! Today, I learned the ropes - literally! I spent the day on the ropes course here at my job so that I can be a successful facilitator when my first students show up. There's something about climbing four flights of stairs to the top of an open-air tower that adds about 150 lbs to your weight! By the time I got the top of the tower the first time, I had tons of emotion and fear setting in. I won't spoil the tasks of the course for any potential trainees out there who may read this, but understand that the first one was not easy at all for me. However, it was necessary. Matthew's Gospel reads: "Come," [Jesus] said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" (NIV, Mt 14:29-30) I have an inkling of an idea of how Peter felt - though I was harnassed to aircraft-grade cable and my footing was a lot more sure than his. It reminded me of Christianity and a song by Third Day, "Wire". Christ compares it to a camel walking through the eye of a needle as well as a narrow path that we must not stray from. However, just like today, if we stray, left or right, there is a safety harness there - God's forgiveness. It may not be a pleasant experience, but it is a second chance. By the end of the day, I had rappelled a 40' vertical drop, five times and set my own lines for the journey down twice. Not a bad way to spend a brisk wednesday in Alabama!