Christmas

Ok! So we are pretty close to Christmas only 11 days away, and it still doesn't feel like christmas. Maybe it because, I haven't been able to spend the money I wanted to. Then I level it with they have to much already. So let me rephrase, I haven't spent the money I wanted to on me!!! Yes, I am so selfish, their are so many gadets I want for my scrapbooking like a printer and a scanner that does 12x12 pages, because like so many I am addicted. Let us move on, I really wanted to get my hubby something great this year, instead of the typical (socks, slippers, underware). I always feel like he does so much for us, and gives and never really asks for anything. I think in a way he reflects Christ for me, I think I can stand to learn how to be as giving as he is with me and the kids. I feel like a princess most of the time. Shhhhh.......don't tell Mike he might stop or get a big head or something

Other than that I have been in a contest for digital scrapbooking to be on a creative team for browniescraps.com I am going to post on of my favorite pictures or layout. Let me know what you think!

Love much

Rachel

1 day

I have been needed time alone and this was the perfect opportunity. Love my Hubby, but just needed not to be bothered by any conversation or kids wanting to be with me! I know I just sound horrible, I am very grateful for the gifts I have in my kids and my hubby. It was great scrappin with Jaymie, I had so much fun chatting, and eating the cookies. I scrapped until about 3 am, I fed Norah 1 last time and then went to bed. This morning I woke up changed diapers fed everyone breakfast, lotioned everyone down, which was Caroline and Norah. I drank 2 cups of coffee(with peppermint mocha creamer and hot chocolate in it) uninterrupted, ate butter and biscuits, and checked email and facebook, and worked on some digital scrapbook pages. I think they are fantastic. I keep thinking where is God in my 1 day alone? I guess he is in the fact that I got rest not like sleep rest, but like brain rest. With Christmas comming I think we all need to rest before the season overwhelms us and we forget What the real joy is.

I don't know about you but I love the birth of babies, Nothing makes me more happy and satisfied than knowing another being has entered the world. So the christ child being brought in to this world is exciting. I know thejoy of babies this holiday season, because my baby girl Norah is now 3 months and Shelby had Sarah. See I told you I am excited.

Anyway, I will not bore you any more!

Thanks for putting up with me!

RP

Thanksgiving

Well it has been awhile since I last posted something, still trying to get it together after having Norah about 9 to 10 weeks ago. It has been a big adjustment, and am kind of sad that I won't be having anymore, due to my health and having 4 c-sections. Anyway, I have come to terms that I am a very morbid person and that I think about death more than I should. I know it is only by God grace that I am still here, I really appreciate that....Thank you GOD! I hear of people everyday that get cancer or some other illness and they leave their children to fend the world with out a Mother or a Father. I am so hoping to see all my kid go and graduate school, get married and have children. Just to be there to encourage them in life.

I haven't always had family around my parents divorced when I was 5, from there my brother and I went from house to house, grandma to grandma, and didn't have a stable home until I was 12 years old. Their was plenty of people to love, but no one to tell me that they did. So when Thanksgiving comes around I love being with my family and having my kids enjoy that, This is the 1st year that I won't spend it with my family and that makes me sad, but I will be sharing with my church family that means alot to me, I guess in a way each of our families are ophans(not being able to celebrate with our earthly families), and it is so great to be adopted and begin to love and do life together.

I guess it all goes back to how God adopts us into his family, and that he chooses us to be his follower, he wants us to love him and be in that relationship with him. I think that says alot about the kind of flawless person God is

Thank you to my Angel's who will be spending Thanksgiving with me and makeing it a wonderful day and maybe a little less lonely and a lot more cheerful!

Family

I recently attended a baby shower for a friend of mine, I have to say I had the most wonderful time. Family and friends, the most important people in our lives and some of the most hurtful relationships we have. Why do we go back for more? I think it states a pretty important thing about God that we get to choose our church members, but we don't get that chance with our family. With church we can even go with out ever becoming members, But God chooses our families. I have heard it said that God gives us a family that is perfectly suited for us, I love the fact that we always love our families no matter what and when anything happens we are their for them(or at least want to be).

Maybe, Our Families are supposed to be an example of how we should care for the church. I will tell you it is awfully lonely in a city or state where you are the only one of your kind(no family around) I am shore hoping God has a plan for me in the Bridge family, and just desire to do the right thing and be the kind of Mom that my kids look up to!

No scripture, Just that I really enjoyed the baby shower and the peace that was with the family and friends. Anyway, Hope you enjoyed reading this

Blessings

leehodgesart.com

The other day, I was shopping at Lifeway Christian Store, I had a lady who worked their come up to me and say "How old is the baby?"
I said," 6-7 weeks"
She said,"Well you are blessed."
Then she saw Caroline and asked,"How old?"
I said, "Almost 2."
And she said, "Well your blessed,blessed!"
I know she meant it as a compliment but it got me thinking.
A.) How many times would she have said "Blessed" if I had all my kids with me?
B.) What is the definition of "Blessed"?
C.) Are you only "Blessed" when you have kids?
D.)What is God's point of view?
E.) What about the women who don't or can't havekids are they cursed?

After all my research in the Bible, I still don't know what Blessed means. I think for me I still feel Blessed because God desired to save me and still desires to be with me and I feel Blessed that he is not done with me yet. I know that what we see as a blessing are the things we have like Huband, kids, cars, house, etc. Do you ever think that struggles and trials are Blessings? The things that break my heart or life experiences. When we struggle and cry it means another time God is theire with us, Doing what God does comforting and Giving us hope. He blesses our lives by help those who are going through the same thing you did and now you get to take part in what God is doing. Their are a million ways I know I am Blessed, but I can only name a few, it feels nice to know that I am in the right place physically, and spirituality and hope I am a Blessing and not a pain to those around me

My Blessing on you and for you

The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracioue to you;
The Lord lift up His countence upon you; and give you peace. (Num.6:22/27)

I also love the fact that we are Blessed when we know we need God. Doesn't matter the need we are Blessed when we turn our eyes to God and Just simply say "Father... I need".

Matthew 5:3/12

3"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

4"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

5"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.

6"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.

7"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.

8"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

9"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.

10"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.

11-12"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

Oh! Father...The only thing I want and the only thing I need is you!

Precious

These are just a couple of random thoughts not in any order, over the past couple of weeks God has been teaching me about how precious people are and how easily we are hurt by other people words or actions.

pre⋅cious–adjective

1.	of high price or great value; very valuable or costly: precious metals.

2.	highly esteemed for some spiritual, nonmaterial, or moral quality: precious memories.

3.	dear; beloved: a precious child.

4.	affectedly or excessively delicate, refined, or nice: precious manners.

5.	flagrant; gross: a precious fool.

–noun

6.	a dearly beloved person; darling.

–adverb

7.	extremely; very: She wastes precious little time.

---

Origin:
1250–1300; ME preciose (< class="ital-inline">precios) < class="ital-inline">pretiōsus costly, valuable, equiv. to preti(um) price, value + -ōsus -ous

Main Entry:	precious
Part of Speech:	adjective
Definition:	favorite, valued
Synonyms:	adored, beloved, cherished, darling, dear, dearest, idolized, inestimable, loved, pet, prized, treasured
Antonyms:	disfavored, useless, valueless, worthless

My question do we treat each other as precious, adored, beloved, cherished, darling, dear, dearest? And what does that look like? I guess God has been teaching me about his heart for people and how much we miss when we don't treat them as they should

I will end this with my favorite song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTsYAZvHsEQ

Tongue

Today, has been a good day in a lot of ways and in a lot of ways it has been a not so good day. I think on of the biggest things I got out of today was how much our words affect someone else. Even when we are using them to correct someone, we need to focus on why of what they are saying, instead of what they are actually saying. And being angry at that person and trying to say things in love doesn't work! I personally think someones spirituality needs to come into the equation, being understanding and compassionate as well. This has really spurred me onto consider my own tongue and my use of it. The danger and disaster of it.

James 1:26- If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on
his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. (NIV)

OR

Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.(Message verses 26-27)

James 3:8- This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can't tame a tongue—it's never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth!(Message verses 7-10)

I wonder if James has experience with this! Being the brother of Jesus, you know they were compared to each other by their parents. How can you compare to perfection? I came to a realization today, people always tell me "Your so good" and many other statements like that, It really bugs me!! I say "Bad words" because I will seem a little more human to people...silly right!? I do what I do because Christ lives in me, I sincerely want people to see more Christ and less me If you have ever received anything from me or I have been kind to you, please give God the Glory! My life's goal is just to love people, so they know that God exists. Their is a scripture that says those who follow Christ will be known by their love for each other and their neighbors. Let us Remember that their is supposed to be a special love reserved for those who follow Christ.

Lord,
Help us love each other as we should and Help us to control our tongues, Please Help those who are leading us, to be examples of this."Water never rises above its source" Leaders have to be what they expect us to be. Thank you Jesus for everyone in my life! Please continue to guide us in what you want it to become and let no one feel left out or that they have been forgotten. Please help me to not have human ears, but to have ears that only listens to you. Amen.

Searching

I hear God speaking to my heart "What are you searching for?" I always respond out of habit "I don't know!" But deep down I do know I just don't want to give voice to it. I am looking for you,I know your are what I need! Lord I want to find you! And all that your choose to give me. Help me to fill my need with you and not something else that is so empty but fulfills me for a moment. I am seeking for you. What my next move will be, I am so Sorry for being mad at you for being so bitter about moving down here. Being planted by you, or being transplanted by you can go 2 ways:1) I can choose to refuse the soil and nutrution you give me or 2) I can choose to get used to the soil and learn a new way to grow and get the nutrition I need to produce big beautiful flowers. I thank you for your Spirit being ever patient and kind to me.

Thank you Jesus, Help me to know you are near!

Growing**

I am learning a lot about Growing where you are planted. I am in Alabama but it is not where I want to be. It is always easier to say that clique to someone, but it is harder to use your life as an example. I am seeking to be transparent with my struggles, and hope I encourage someone with it. Back to my point. How many times does a plant get to choose where it grows. God says grow and I think the plant is just happy growing knowing it's life span is but a breathe

So seeking God in this season, is a necessity to keep sane and hopfully to grow where her has put me.

Amen!

Wow!

I am so excited this is my first blog
Hope I have something intelligent to say, Anyway, Today is one of those crazy days and I am in need of one of those quiet moments with God, I always find when chaos surrounds me, He always supplies the peace I need to continue with what he wants me to do,, Amen

Tomorrow with be a bad day, my 6 week old and I were up until 3:30 am, I am surprised at how awake and nice I am with out Coffee

I will write more later
Thank you for reading