Storms

Well, it's a quiet night here at my house. This week has been full of self reflection and headaches. I, for the first time in my life, feel thankful for the storm that I'm weathering right now. Usually when I have a difficult time, I get annoyed and then realize the reason I went through the problem in the first place...I learned a lesson. This is a time in life when I am learning a ton about myself...I'm thankful for that! I'm learning about my family...I'm thankful for that! I'm learning that God doesn't orchestrate everything in my life, but he holds it all in His hands. He will take a crummy situation and make it into a a distant memory. He is bigger than all of the ridiculous things that I worry about and I'm learning that I am being rewarded for living my life the way I do, even though it may not seem like it at certain points. I've always said that "man will always fail you, but God never will." I think I should get that tattooed on my forehead. I rely on man too much. I rely on self assurance instead of assurance from the one who already knows how everything is going to play out. I need to strengthen my faith and try to see others the way that God sees them.

A Change.

Something has changed in me.

This will be my 25th Easter. I've gotten too many Easter baskets to count, between my parents and grandparents. I've had beautiful Easter dresses, frilly socks, and silly hats. And, I've been an Follower of Christ for 4 of those Easters. This year, however, something is different. There has been a change in my soul! I know I can't even fathom the brutality that Christ experienced on the day he was crucified, but for some reason, I feel like I get it this year. His sacrifice wasn't tithing until it hurts, volunteering time and being away from his family, or getting up early to go to church on Sunday. It was His life. People, some of us don't even like to say His name in a crowd because we're afraid who will hear it and think we're weird or that there will be a stigma attached to us. Who cares, I ask you???!? God gave his perfect son to die for the sin of all man, which are many. He sacrificed Him for our lives, before we were even born. Jesus knew what was going to happen to him and willingly went through it for us!! That blows my mind!

I look at my children. I would sacrifice my life for them in a second. (First I would try to talk whoever was taking my life out of doing it, because that's human nature.) Jesus didn't do that. He said, "Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34) If you think about your day to day life, how many times to do say, "Lord, forgive them for flipping me off on the interstate," or " Lord, bless that person that just cussed me out." It's extremely hard to love your enemies, or in this life, the person who followed too closely on your way home.

This week at my small group, we discussed what Jesus' sacrifice meant to us. I find that I have a hard time putting that into words. In previous years during Holy Week, I think more about Christ dying for me, I pray a little more, maybe. This week, I have talked about it out loud, I have spent time praying and thanking God for sending his son for my sinful, horrible self. I also read numerous scriptures last night (my nightly routine) including the crucifixion. What they did to Him was more painful than most people will ever have to experience in this life time. He did it with a pure heart, and with no second thoughts. I'm so thankful for his blood shed for me and the only way I can thank Him is by the way I live my life. I still suck at life, but I am leaps and bounds ahead of where I was 4 years ago. He has continued to bless me when I truly didn't deserve it. My prayer is that I can trust in Him more (especially when I don't get my way) and love people like He did. I have a hard time with that one.

I guess this is my explanation of what this week means to me. It's all over the place, but it's my truth. I'm so incredibly overwhelmed by how much He loves me. ME!! Thankful doesn't even begin to say how I feel.

Here I Go Again

I'm trying to blog again...This will be interesting! I never follow through, but hopefully this time I can do it. There is a lot going on with the Bishops right now, so it should make for some interesting reading. I've been keeping myself busy planning our move, our new decor, and every little thing that I can think of. Sometimes my planning bites me in the butt because it never goes like I want it to, but that never keeps me from it! I will be working on numerous projects to freshen up our tired old decor...all of which came from family, thrift stores, or yard sales. Here a few projects I'll be working on:

Here's a cool display for the living room or the hallway. I love pictures, but I don't like to clutter my tables up with them.

I love this for Eisley's room. It's a little hanging topiary. I think I'll make 3 or 4 in all of her room colors. I think they're so cute and they're baby safe since they hang from the ceiling.

Mat and I both love this wall hanging. It's made from MDF and felt. This one will definitely have to wait for a little while because it's pretty intensive, but I think it will make a great addition to our living room.

I have a cabinet (maybe not this cute) with a lot of detail on it and I have been trying to come up with something super cute to do with it. I love this look!

I have so many more ideas and I can't wait to start crafting again. It's hard to find time with two little ones. Cam is a wild man and Eisley is going to be walking soon. They keep me busy!

On a side note, I bought a bread maker from a yard sale for $2 last week and I am so excited to make my first homemade bread! I hope it turns out as delicious as everyone says.