The Lord's Prayer

In previous weeks during our council time at Sparks we read a story that teaches the kids about the Lord's Prayer:

Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
   on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
   as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Matthew 6:9-13

I committed this prayer to memory by the time I was 7 or 8 years old, and it was one of my favorite parts of the Sunday morning service when the congregation would recite it in unison. It was like a song and everyone knew the words. The tempo was kept, the words were perfectly recited. Again, when I got into high school, before each basketball game our team would get in a circle and recite this in the locker room before heading out for a warm up. Hind sight... In all those years of recitation I probably said the prayer out of habit more times then I genuinely prayed it.

In my adulthood, however, there have been times that I needed to pray. I could feel the need for me to converse with my heavenly Father, and yet I didn't have the words. Essentially I didn't know what I needed. But the memory of Sunday mornings in Robstown, Texas would come back to me, and I would hear Brother Green's voice saying, "Let us pray as the Lord taught us to pray."

Jesus taught us to pray.

My savior taught me to pray.

When I don't know what to say, what I need, or how to pray, Jesus has me covered. Why am I surprised?

Individual chapters in my life find me convicted by certain verses of this prayer. Today, I wonder "do I mean it when I say I want His will to be done?" If I do, then why am I so disheveled when His will doesn't match with my plans. He has a plan that far exceeds mine, and my hind sight is always 20/20, but in the thick of disappointment I have to stop and remind myself that I ask that His kingdom will come, His will be done here on earth as it is in heaven.

We are an Air Force family, and there are times, it seems especially lately, that the Air Force is in control of our lives. This is frustrating, for lack of a better adjective. It  feels as though I am helpless when plans change, or something doesn't happen the way we have understood it to be happening. I don't do well with feeling helpless. You see, I am a planner... I like to know how I am getting from point A to point B. If I have to detour to points E, L, and Z along the way, that's fine just let me know so I can plan for it... Guess what, the Air Force doesn't see it that way. Sometimes this is a fun adventure that leads to eating delicacies in Portugal... Other times it leads to frustrating disappointments.

But when I pray to Our Father, Your will be done, I am trusting that He is ultimately in control. Not me, not Zach, and especially not the Air Force. Our life is not controlled by the Air Force, and when we are seeking God's will, we can trust that even when disappointments occur it is according to God's will as long as we are obedient to Him and seeking His directions.

Our Baby is a Lemon...

Since we found out we were going to have a baby, I signed up for different maternity e-newsletters. One of my favorites comes from The Bump. The kids love this one too, because each week it gives the reader something tangible to grasp how large or small the baby is. You can give me inches and ounces all day long and I can't visualize it, but tell me something is the side of a poppy seed and I gotcha!  The kids are the same way.

So, immediately after we told them they were going to have a brother or sister they wanted to know how big was it? Why wasn't my belly big? Why can't you tell if it is a boy or a girl?  I went to the bump and found this a great reference to explain how small the baby was at the time. Since then every few days one or both of our kiddos will ask, "How big is Cub today?" (That's our nickname for the baby, Cub) 

This week Cub is weighing in (approximately) at a whopping 1.5 oz, and 3.4 in.  Or if you are like me, this week Cub is the size of a lemon! I kinda miss last week. Last week Cub was a peach, and a peach baby sounds way sweeter than a lemon baby, but that's okay, in less than a week I will have a navel orange on my hands (or in utero rather), and we will just keep making our way through the produce section.

How Big Is Baby???

It isn't fair... It is Grace and Mercy.

"Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God smitten by him, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:4-6 (NIV, emphasis added)

Soccer Season Begins!

Zach is a soccer fanatic. He has played since he was a young kid in clubs then played in high school and leagues in college and as an adult. He loves this sport. I grew up playing volleyball and basketball, my tiny South Texas school didn't have a soccer team, so I could have cared less, until last summer. The FIFA World Cup (which I have to say in it's entirety because it's just so fun to say FIFA) was in full swing and we cheered on Landon Donovan and the entire USA team! Much to Zach's delight we became a soccer family!

Fast forward seven months and Kristyn has decided she wants to play soccer. Zach has coached little league in the past and thought this would be a great experience for him and Kristyn to spend quality time together. We signed them both up and this weekend the Blazing Blueberries had their first game!

Coach Zach watches over as the girls start to warm up.

Coach Zach gives the Blazing Blueberries a pep talk as they get ready to start their first game!

Kristyn (#7) is getting ready to get in on the action.

Coach Zach just finished encouraging one of the players as she get ready to go back into the game.

Bubba was a tad bored, but cheered on his sister's team the whole time.

Kristyn and her teammate get ready for a kick off.

My favorite Blueberry after the game!

They didn't win, but they had fun and had a great time as they started their Spring season!!!

Vanity and Pregnancy Do Not Mix!

Ok, so I realize vanity doesn't mix well as a believer in my Lord and Savior either, but as my body continues to change due to the growing human inside of me I am realizing just how vain I really am. 

Exhibit A: A good friend mentioned that I was starting to "show."  I immediately rebuked her, explaining I was simply out of shape and have not been able to do strenuous ab exercises to keep the belly fat down. This has always been a "trouble area" for me, it was due to lack of exercise and not because I was 10 1/2 weeks pregnant. You see, with Sissy, I was nearly 6 months pregnant before I even got a "baby bump," and with Bubba I was about 4 months pregnant before I started "showing."  The idea that in my first trimester I might be showing, for lack of a better description, freaked me out!

Now this one little statement, and me blowing it out of proportion, has led me to feeling "frumpy" and "fat" for the past couple of days. And as any woman can tell you that can weigh down your mood (no pun intended but still kinda funny). It has even effected how I respond to simple comments my husband makes:
Zach: Did you get a chance to take the car to the dealership to get the a/c checked out.
Me: No, I'm sorry I'm so fat and lazy.

Ok, that conversation did not actually go like that, but I have been overly sensitive to simple questions and comments. As I was putting on a Bella Band that my sister gave me (I did this in silent protest), I realized just how vain I was being.

I am pregnant.

My body is changing.

I am not going to fit into my jeans for a very long time.

So, I decided that I needed to know what the Lord said on this manner. Not the body changing issue, but my blatant problem with vanity.  Let me tell you, what I found humbled me immediately.

"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30
Ah, the Proverbs 31 woman. It seems no matter what issue I have, she is a great example. I have been falling for the deceit of vanity. My focus has not been on the glorious things God is doing with my body because it is being prepared to be a home for one of His children.

"Do not let your adorning be external--the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear-- but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." 1 Peter 3:3-4 (emphasis was mine)

I am worrying about nonsense. I am focusing my energy thoughts on the ridiculousness of if my jeans fit or not. I am worried about the clothing I wear instead of focusing on my gentle and quiet spirit. God finds me beautiful not matter what my body is doing (as does my husband), as long as I am using my energy in obedience to Him. I have let this consume my thoughts, when it is clear on what I should be spending my time.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. " Philippians 4:8

My "feeling fat" does not fall into any of the above categories mentioned in Phil. 4:8. But you know what does? God has blessed our family, entrusted us, to have another child. That we will raise to revere and love the Lord, and teach him or her the true love and grace that comes from Jesus Christ's sacrifice. My body is changing... Great! That means the baby is healthy, and growing right on schedule.

Whatever is true: I am pregnant.
Whatever is honorable: Zach and I will raising my child to know God's truths.
Whatever is just: my body is changing differently then when I was pregnant with Kristyn... Well that happens when you are 28 versus 18.
Whatever is lovely: I am having a baby!!!
Whatever is commendable: My God loves me and thinks I am beautiful.

Am I committed to God? Or just interested?

I saw the following as the status of my cousin on his facebook page. "There's a difference between 'interest' and 'commitment.' When you're 'interested' in doing something, you do it only when circumstances permit. When you're 'committed' to something, you accept no excuses, only results."

It made me stop and think... Am I committed to my relationship with God or am I simply interested? Am I committed to growing in my faith, or does it sound like an interesting idea?  Am I committed to studying God's word more and finding deeper truths, or only when I feel like I've had enough sleep to wake up early enough for a quiet time?

I recently went on a women's retreat with the ladies of my church. What a blessing it was!  I was encouraged throughout the retreat on various aspects of my spiritual life, but was convicted in my daily routine when it came to intentional time spent with my Lord.  The above quote reinforced that I need to show commitment to studying of God's word. I need to be committed in my time with Him. When we take a step back, and look at our lives what do we find we are committed?  Television shows? Video games? Reading? All of these are 'fine' but when they take priority over other aspects that deserve our commitment I think we, at least I, should reevaluate my priorities and commitments. 

Many of us may find ourselves overly committed, which really translates to having a lot of interests. Because if we over exert our efforts we can't be wholly successful in the areas in which we are truly being called.

I am in the process of figuring out my daily routine and prioritizing my commitments, and following God's prompting so that I can see the results of His grace!

First Day at a New Job

Yesterday, I started my new job... Well it is a job I have held briefly in the past, but after prayerful consideration we decided I should change careers again. I became a stay-at-home mom.  This is what Zach and I decided was best for our kids, all three of them.

So my first day at my new job started with a trip to the dentist's office. I am so excited. I have the kids ready, lunches are packed, book bags are packed, and now they are packed in the car. I feel like this is going to be great!  We are running early (something that never occurred when I was a "working mom"). In my mind I say, Now as a stay at home mom I will be early always.  We drive down Buffalo Gap, and I am singing to myself, so cheerful, so happy, This is the day the Lord has made.  I am made to be a stay at home mom.

We arrive at the dentist's office with ten minutes to spare.  I am hoping they can be seen a little early so they miss less school. The receptionist calls me up to her desk:

Her: Um, Mrs. Fulton?
Me: Yes ma'am.
Her: It seems that the kids are a bit early for their appointment.
Me: (I smile to myself), Oh yes, I know their appointment isn't for another ten minutes, so we can just wait.
Her: (Now she is smiling too) Yes, you see their appointments are for tomorrow at 8:20....
Me: (I now feel sheepish and wonder why I didn't look at the markerboard calendar we have hanging up in our kitchen to remind us of times and DAYS of appointments)  Is that right?  Well, then, we'll see you tomorrow.

I laugh at myself, and walk the kids back to the car and drive them to school. What a great start to my first day at my new job! :)