inspiration - Beth Moore's So Long Insecurity

its hard to imagine a day where you feel so uplifted, and then so defeated and frustrated almost in the same breath.  Isn't that life?  I have been reading Beth Moore's So Long Insecurity that my Mom gave me, and I just LOVE it.  It is no secret to me that I have some insecurity issues (and have had them for a long time), but for a book to systematically analyze what can cause insecurity and describe the different ways that insecurity looks, it has really opened my eyes.  We can identify the issue and pray for healing.  I had always viewed it as something that I could just overcome.  Surprisingly, she used a verse from Proverbs 31 as her first point.  31:25 "She is clothed with strength and dignity..."

 Now, if you know me you know how I have struggled with the validity of the becoming the 'Proverbs 31 woman' as a life goal.  I do not want to for lots of reasons, especially because she doesn't sleep.  But, it was really REALLY good to find a portion of that verse to grab hold of and learn how the Lord clothes her with strength and dignity.  Its a gift that we have, not something we have to do or provide for ourselves.  I'm not a fan of women's study teachers who insist that christian women MUST emulate her life in order to be the wife of noble character or to be beautiful in the Lord's eyes.  I'm pretty sure that the check box list of her life is not something I will ever complete, nor do I want to, nor do I feel that I'm called to.  I'm thinking that I've been given the gift of strength and dignity by my savior and don't have to try to earn it by never sleeping and coming up with some kind of craft to sell.  I totally respect craftiness; it is a gift.  But I don't think that we must emulate anyone's life but Christ in order to please the Lord.

So, I highly recommend reading Beth's book if you haven't.

Another truly inspirational high for me yesterday was the blog 'Bring the Rain' by the wife of the male vocalist in the group Selah, which I love.  Wow. http://www.audreycaroline.blogspot.com/  I had to go to the Amazon site for her book to see the video that summarizes their story of losing a baby girl named Audrey.  I cried of course.  and now I follow her blog.  Yesterday's post was really amazing.  She talked about her prayer life, and it really spoke to my heart as a person who also struggles with 'doing it right.'  If you need encouragement in that area, read it.  I too have the little sleep sheep 'Lamb' that makes the ocean wave sounds. :-)

Can you have such an amazing day and truly escape all frustrations?  Me: nope.  I was stocking up on making baby food and of course got frustrated and lost my nerve.  Coming undone over something so stilly makes me shake my head; how easy it is to forget our Savior and the lessons we learn, the peace we find.

One of my Mom's friends, whom I adore, said to me once, "one day I'll put on my big girl panties and get over it."  I hate the phrase 'get over it.'  I'm so glad that I don't have to 'get over it.'  I can ask for healing and peace and learn some new things and be filled.  Truly filled, instead of feeling the emptiness that 'getting over it' brings.

I hope you have an inspiring day.

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?  You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and [dignity].
Psalm 8:3-5

bok choy, strike one

Tonight I tried Bok Choy that was brushed with a miso glaze and broiled with our Salmon fillets. I think when the recipe said 'charred' it didn't mean 'burned' which is what mine tasted like. Unfortunately, Bok Choy gets a thumbs down from me.

I took some fun shots of James in FL that I couldn't fit in my last post. But, how could I leave them out?? Of course not. :-)

Dog gone cute. You bet you are.

Spur of the moment

Matt and I decided to take James to FLA for the weekend last minute. By last minute, I mean we decided to go in the evening, and picked up and went the next day. It was so nice to just go and do nothing. By nothing, I mean we didn't make any plans. We just spent the whole day at the Proses and spent the next whole day at the Austins. It almost felt as restful as a vacation, some kind of lovely holiday. We were fed, didn't have to cook or clean up, and played with James the whole day. By far the most restful trip to Florida we've taken since James was born.

We got some cute pictures of James playing at his grandparents' houses. He loves them all, and gets so excited when he sees them now which is so cute. He's a lucky boy to have grandparents who drop everything when he comes to town to just hang out with him all day.

Mimi and Grandpa Prose. Crawling and trying to handle the monkey on his back. A sweet gift that he loves from our friends in Hickory the Greenes.

Grammie and Papa Austin. Getting gator hunting lessons from his Papa. His toy gator was a gift from Matt's Aunt Lisa and honestly, every toy he plays with now was a gift. How awesome is it that we have been given so many things for James. I was taken back the other day at how blessed we are. I really can't thank everyone enough individually for what you've given our family.

James really liked Riley the Proses' springer spaniel. You can kind of tell. Poor Riley, look at that face. I'm pretty sure it says, 'help me. I'm terrified.'

We got this outfit as a baby gift from two of my girlfriends in Orange Park (thanks Margaretta and Heather :-) I personally LOVE it. It cracks me up that he has a cute little dog on his butt.

James loved swimming in his whale baby pool. You could say he had a 'whale' of a good time. haha. His favorite part was chasing his little squirting fishes around the pool. He was having a hard time understanding why they weren't staying still. :-)

Love my fishy.

We also got to see our awesome friends the Pawlesses who are expecting their first son in the next month!! We haven't seen them since they've been pregnant, and they hadn't had an opportunity to meet James, so it was a really great time. We love ya'll!! And we are SO excited to meet baby Reid when we get a chance. We can't wait for our boys to play and be friends too.