Sunday, March 11, 2012
Messy Mondays - Lifting the Fog
Messy Mondays where I share what God has been showing me through the
messiness of life. It is my personal belief that this walk isn't
clean and crisp and straight or narrow. It's wide and twisted and
mucky and messy. It's about the ups and the downs, but through it all
God is there with us.
He calls me not the worry.
I know I haven't written a Messy Monday's in a while. There have been many messy Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays.....(.you get the drift), lately. I have been hiding out reading. In one of my free books I read called "Heavenly", I came across these lines.
Her eyes met mine, weary and hopeless. I hated that look. The mom I remembered before Abria was diagnosed was lively, determined, strong and never gave up. This Mom I'd seen gradually worn down, sanded away until only tissue paper remained.
The book is about a family struggling with the youngest child's, Abria's, autism, specifically the eldest teenage daughter. When I first read these lines I felt hit with a huge dose of reality. They resonated deeply in my soul. I have felt this gradual wearing down through the numerous appointments; meetings; new therapies; old therapies and meltdowns that have become part of my family's life. The constant questions: Are we doing enough? Are we doing too much? All of this is exhausting. I'm tired. I don't have enough energy some days to even think, let alone deal with it all. Who suffers when I feel this way, not just me, but all those around me.
I am scared that if I don't get out of this fog that this is the person the kids are going to know. Not the old me, the happy, go lucky me. They are only going to know the stressed me. The one who starts to stress with just the thought of going to the grocery store with the kids. The one who is uptight. Who is watching everything the boys do when we are going out, expecting the worse. I know I'm not the only mom of a special needs child to do this.
I need to remember that God did not say I have to do this alone.
He wants me to lean on Him.
He wants me to trust in Him for everything.Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 NIV84
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; Proverbs 3:5 NIV84
He calls me not the worry.
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6 NLT
I need to not just know these verse in my head, but also my heart. When I do I can know such blessings and know that I don't need to stress over the little things. That He is in control and has bigger plans for my family than I can dream.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Caffeinated Randomness - Books, Books, and more Books
As some of you may know, I love reading. I love books. I am an eclectic reader. If it catches my attention I will read it. Doesn't matter what it is. Historical fiction seems to be the one that I prefer but I am willing to pretty much read anything. I usually have 3 to 4 books on the go. I guess that just proves that I'm so schizophrenic intelligent. I can even tell you where I left off and the basis of the story of any of the books that I am reading. When we go to the library, I have had to limit myself to taking out only 4 books at a time in case that I don't get to them. My daughter now has inherited my problem and usually takes out 10 books every week. I've had to start to limit her, but she usually has all her books read within 1 week.
This year I vowed to read one non fiction book a month, specifically the many Christian living and study books I have bought over the years. They take up at least two shelves of my book nook. I have managed to do this, but I also vowed not to buy anymore. This was all good until I hit the thrift shops. I bought at least 6 new ones that I haven't read. I justified my purchase with the fact that I will be donating them to the Church library once I read them. I should just donate them and then read them in the future.
My friend, Susie, introduced me to Ereader News Today. This site lists daily free books from Amazon for the kindle. I have found quite a few Christian books on this site. I just finished reading Michal's Window, which is an amazing book and well worth the read. It is a different take on the story of Michal and David's marriage and love story and the consequences when we do not honour our marriage vows (be warned it is a PG17 novel). Anyway, back to Ereader News, if you don't have a kindle do not despair. You can download the kindle application on your laptop like I did. It is a little awkward to read, but when you are engrossed in a book, you won't even notice. This past week, I have been taking the laptop to bed and reading in bed, which is made especially more comfortable by the new fluffy pillows my hubby bought us.
Is anyone else on Goodreads? I love this service. It's a great for listing the books you have read so you don't read them again. Or listing the books you want to read when someone recommends them to you. You can also review books and read others reviews so that you can see if a book is worth reading or not. I don't always agree with others reviews, but that is because we are all different. I have it uploaded on my Blackberry so that when I am in the library and don't know what books to take out, I look for the ones on my to read list. If you are on Goodreads, please feel free to friend me. I love seeing what everyone is reading and what they think of the books. My hashtag on Goodreads is michelleslomp.
What is everyone reading? What is your favourite genre? How do you find your books?
I can't wait to see what everyone's reading and your random fun as well. Come join in by linking up today.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Caffeinated Randomness - It's been a busy week...
It has been a busy week this week, however, God has been busy. I have witnessed or been told of amazing things that have happened this week. Not that things this week haven't been stressful or there hasn't been some stories I have heard where there is sadness, but there has been joy and amazement.
Andrea, at My Cup of Joy, had a little baby boy. He is quite cute. He was born with a few complications during delivery but it sounds like both he and mom are well. He also was able to have his surgery to correct his omphalocele today due to a cancellation. He was scheduled for surgery for Monday. God is good.
Andrea, at My Cup of Joy, had a little baby boy. He is quite cute. He was born with a few complications during delivery but it sounds like both he and mom are well. He also was able to have his surgery to correct his omphalocele today due to a cancellation. He was scheduled for surgery for Monday. God is good.
My friends mom had a angiogram and the doctors were able to do an angioplasty to clear some blockages to her heart on Tuesday. Everything went fine and her mother is already doing better.
Earlier this week I had Thomas' Specialized Services Meeting for therapies to assist him at home and in the community. It went so well. I am blessed to have these women involved in Thomas' life. They are all focused on him doing his best. I have also been able to do this within one month, when many providers have a year waiting list. I also had an interview with a service provider for Sam's therapies for the fall. It too went well. I am excited. I have one more interview in two weeks and will hopefully have this all organized by the end of the month. This has been very stressful trying to organize this for the boys at the same time.
I love when good things happen. I love seeing God in action. I love seeing His plans come to fruition. It encourages me and brings me hope. I know that sometimes things don't work out the way we think either. I have heard of some stories of deep sadness this week. However, though I mourn with these individuals, I am focusing on hope. Focusing on God moving. Trusting God's bigger plan that I don't fully know, nor do I get to see. This is a place of contentment. I place I have been trying to strive for this year and a place that I am getting comfortable in.
How have you seen God work this week?
Now there is another thing to be happy about. The winner of last week's giveaway. I know I said that I would do it on Monday, but as I said it has been a busy week. I want to thank Mrs. Miller and Jennifer for their pictures. It was nice to see people playing along. I am glad I am not the only crazy person to share what she looks like at 6 am. I also want to thank the people who said I was brave. It's nice to hear, but I still think it proves more how crazy I am.
So the winner of the $10 Starbuck Gift Card is .....drumroll please.........
Shanda Oakley of A Pause on the Path.
Congratulations and thank you all for playing along.
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- Michelle
- Alberta, Canada
- I'm a 39 year old (oh yeah I'm telling you my age) Stay at Home mom. A former Bad Girl now reformed sinner, I'm married to my Y2K guy and raising 3 great children from God. Proudly Canadian, however, missing the West Coast, I currently live in the prairies watching the farmers fields produce as I learn how God produces the fruits in me.
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