A Ministry Crisis, of sorts

When we moved to a new church a year ago, I was pregnant and in the middle of one of the biggest years of change in my entire life.  The thought of finding a place to serve, a new ministry to love, seemed impossible.

As life has settled down, and I'm feeling a little more like myself, I have found myself wondering what to do.  How can I use the talents and gifts that I have to help this church?  Where is my best fit to serve?  These questions and hundreds like them have been rolling around in my mind and heart for a while now.  I've found this to be the subject of many prayers and sleepless nights.

It's amazing how the Lord brings the right things, at just the right time to steady my heart.  First of all, I went to breakfast with a dear friend who was so encouraging.  She reminded me that my biggest ministry right now is within my home, the two lives I influence daily.  Hearing that was such an encouragement, a beautiful reminder that the Lord has entrusted me with two little lives to teach about Him.  She also encouraged me to continue seeking His face, and praying for opportunities.  The opportunities will present themselves as I am being faithful to seek Him.

The next thing that rocked my world was a podcast I listened to by Christine Caine.  In it, she was discussing ambition in the Christian ministry world.  It was so good, I listened to it through twice, the second time with a notebook beside me so I could write down some of the things she said. One thing she said struck a deep chord in my heart- "God is more interested in what is being developed IN you than what He can do THROUGH you." 

1 Peter 3:15 says "...you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it."  And so my new "plan" is to stop having a plan and to stop stressing that I'm not doing enough.  I'm going to focus on my relationship with the Father and teaching His truth to my own kiddos.  By refocusing my heart on Christ, my prayer is that I will be so filled with him it becomes a natural outpouring to those around me.

Lucy Kate- month 5

*has it really been a whole month since I posted?  I've had a hundred thoughts for posts in my head but never got around to posting them... maybe I'll make those happen.  They're good thoughts. :)

Dear Lucy Lou-

How has another year passed?  It seems like just yesterday you were my tiny little love, who just cried, pooped, and slept.  And now you're a great big 5 month old!

You've been up to so much in this past month.  Right after posting your 4 month post, you mastered rolling from your back to your tummy.  About a week later, you flipped from your tummy to your back.  And now?  Well, you're just a little roly-poly! If I set you down on the blanket in the floor, it doesn't take you long to be bumped up into something, mad you can't go further. 

I'm pretty sure you are teething, considering the ridiculous amount of drool and the chewing.  Your hair is starting to really grow, and even the bald spot in the back is beginning to grow some whiskers.  You've been eating cereal (and making huge messes in the process).  You've also started to talk all the time, and you have the most hilarious growl.  Daddy taught you to blow raspberries too!

You LOVE: thumbkin, toys, chewing on EVERYTHING you can get your hands on, John Mark (he has started cracking you up all the time and I love it), the exersaucer, rolling and laughing.

You don't so much love: 6:30-7:30 PM, being alone (unless you're sleeping), startling noises and getting teeth.

This might be my favorite month so far.  You are getting more fun everyday.

Love-
Mommy