GRACE

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, (Titus 2:11, 12 NIV)

"Grace" teaches and trains us, not guilt, condemnation, legalism, works, rules and regulations. Grace is the ultimate teacher. If you want to live a Godly life, it comes by reminding yourself about the Grace that was given to you. Let grace teach you, not condemnation.

~Pastor Shawn Jensen

Blessed Beyond Measure

My heart is feeling so full and overwelmed with gratefulness tonight.
Sometimes it feels like life's journey takes us on more roads of heartache than those of joy.
But I've discovered....always, without fail....spring always comes after the long hard winter.
And so it is with this journey...God gifts us with seasons of rest and peace with beautiful scenery.
People come and go into our lives for different purposes....and we have the choice
who we let take up the spaces in the rooms of our hearts.
Tonight, I'm grateful for so much family and so many friends that we have been blessed
over and beyond with. Because life? It's a much more beautiful ride with those who love
you, accept you with your flaws and all, and make the choice to stand beside you and walk
the journey with you. Love is patient and kind. It is not easily provoked. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love is forgiving....and love never gives up on the people that find a home in our hearts. #blessedbeyondmeasure

MONKEYSTORY #723

PapaMonkey comes up behind me and puts his arms around me.....and leans in to whisper

in my ear. I get ready for something really romantical to be spoken.

"Hey honey....you know if you can get ready in time and not be late, we can get to church

early before everyone else again like last week."

I roll my eyes....."Yes honey....I can be ready and early for church 2 sundays in a row...I'll prove

it to you!"

He laughs....."No, I'm thinking we could do some donuts again in the parking lot with all this fresh snow."

The monkies all start yelling and cheering with excitement.

"You are the best Daddy ever!!!"

I agree.....best daddy ever....best hubby ever. I hope that little boy part of him never grows up.

This guy knows the way to my heart :)

Choosing Joy and Sparkle and Shine

I really wanted to be grumpy today.
Grumpy that it's still so cold. Grumpy that we still have this much snow.
Grumpy with the weather forecasts that more of this hibity-bibity is coming.
Grumpy that spring seems to be taking forever to get here.
But then the sun started shining really bright.
And I looked out the window and saw a lot of sparkling happening on the white snow on the back
patio. And it just kept sparkling....while I stood there and stared at it with my Sugar Cookie coffee in my hands.
And these 6 little sweet kiddos keep laughing...and playing together so well...having so much fun.
Using their imaginations and acting as if they don't have a care in the world.
And a certain sweet little Baby Monkey...that really isn't a baby monkey anymore....went
to the dryer and started pulling out towels and wash rags and folding them....and all the while,
she was singing and dancing around. Her blond little curls were twirling around as she stood
there and folded all the laundry without me asking.....and she was singing: "Jesus loves me....Jesus loves me....Jesus loves me." It was her own little made up song that she kept singing over and over.
My heart just melted......And I couldn't do it.....I couldn't be grumpy.
Because right now? I'm surrounded with too many reasons to smile and be grateful for.
There's a lot of joy and sparkling and shining going on....and that's what I will focus on today :)

MONKEYSTORY #722

Gabe: Mommy! I can't find my chapstick!
Me: Hmmmm....well did you look for it?
Gabe: Yes! And I can't use the girl's chapstick, I can only use boy chapstick!
Me: Ok....well we can look for it again when we get back home.
Gabe: Well I really think that Daddy went in my room and he snook my boy chapstick cuz
he's a guy and he wouldn't want to use your chapstick Mommy!
Me: {laughing} Did you just say snook?
Gabe: Yes! Daddy is so sneaky! He goes in my room at night and sneaks out my
stuffed animals so I don't suck my thumb at night and I'm doing so good with that!
So that's how I know it was Daddy that snook my chapstick because he's so sneaky!
Me: {laughing so hard} Gabe...let's have a grammar lesson :)

I just want you to know this:

Things will get better. The light will keep shining even though it feels like it's the darkest dark.
It will get brighter...just when you think you can't take anymore.


I know the storm feels strong...I know some days you feel like you are drowning...like
it's never going to stop beating on you.
I know your heart is hurting....and it feels like it's being crushed into a million pieces some days.
I know you are weary....you don't think you can take one more step on this path you travel.
I know you want to give it all up because it's just too hard to move forward anymore.


But what if I told you this? What if I told you that heaven is just around the next corner?
That the hell you are going thru now is just temporary? It's just a season?
That the dark will only last for the night....and joy really does come in the morning?
What if I told you that the Captain of your ship is really still up there...guiding your journey?
That He really does love you more than you can imagine?
That He sees every tear you cry and really does hold you tight?
That He believes in you when no one else does?
That He still hasn't given up on you....and He never will?


What if I told you that the Anchor really still holds?
It will hold on for you when you cannot.
That it may feel like you are standing in sinking sand.....but the Rock won't move?
Hang on mighty warrior.....I promise you.
It's not the end yet. There are brighter days coming...keep fighting the good fight.


You are so much stronger than you know....just keep on keeping on.
You can do this! You are enough! You are a mighty warrior! You've got this!
Don't give up...Heaven is right around the corner....
The sun will shine...And the best is yet to come.

MONKEYSTORY #721

Monkey #1: I'm a secret agent. I need cold air outside now.
Me: And why exactly is that?
Monkey #1: Well I am tired of doing my school work. I want to go outside and play.
Me: Well get your schoolwork done, my secret agent, and you can go outside after that.
Monkey #1: But I'm a secret agent....I need cold air right now. I'm a hot secret agent.
Me: Wow.....


Monkey #2: Curse you Gabe! You broke my toy!
Me: Um....come here right now....what did you say???
Monkey #2: I cursed him! He broke my toy!
Me: Do you have any idea what cursing means? Do Daddy and Mommy say this??
Monkey #2: No! But he did something bad so that's what you say!
Me: Um...no you don't....let's have a conversation about this.
Monkey #2: Well it was in the movie Peter Pan and Hook!


Monkey #3: *Singing* "Dumb dog why are you following me!"
Me: {Seriously!?!?!?} Come here....what did you say?
Monkey #3: Repeats the song.
Me: Dumb is not a nice word, please use the word silly instead.
Monkey #3: BUT ANNIE SINGS IT, WHY CAN'T I!?!?!?!?!
Me: I know you love that movie, but that still isn't a nice word.


I've concluded that movies provide much more educational moments than I realized.