Blog Reflection

I pressed the key on my computer to publish. What was I doing? I didn't have a clue. I had only read one blog in my life.  I didn't know what I was stepping into.  I didn't have a vision, nor a direction. I didn't even have a name...I just guessed at one.  All I knew was I was in a hole and I needed to climb out.  Maybe by working things out on paper I could survive.  Thus began my blogging journey.

The pit I was digging out of started with the loss of life as I had dreamed it would be and what I knew.  We had lost the "American Dream".  The one you hear about all your life.  Home ownership, after 28 years of mortgage payments, had slipped through our hands.  The economy was nose diving and we were the product of this turn.  Our age would not be to our advantage for job options.  The mortgage companies wouldn't work with us and interest rates were high.

I began to blog.

In blog world, I found support.  I found women who had walked through this journey and many who had walked through much more. ALL pointed to their source - Jesus Christ.

Through the years there would be deeper pits and still higher mountain tops... unemployment, another move contrasting with marriages, graduations, grandchildren and new jobs.

This year, my typing keys were more silent. I would write in my head, but the words never seemed to manifest on the computer, nor the "publish" button pushed.  I don't know why, but that's okay.  I want this blog to be my journey and sometimes the journey makes you stop and be still.

Today, I leave you with little Instagrams of this year. If I summed it up, it would be "Life is found in the Instant Moments"... those moments that bring us joy in our journey. Instagram provided me balance and helped me look for those moments.

I thank you all for your support...your blogs...your prayers and personal emails.  The Body of Christ is BEAUTIFUL.  As I gathered around our large, ornament-filled Christmas tree, I was reminded from each ornament of how faithful God truly is.  I look forward to 2016!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Our oldest son bought himself a sports car for his 32nd birthday. It is stick and he allowed me to drive it.  Now this instant was a blast!!!  After all.....I did give him birth!

Our little guy still lights up my world.  If I am every discouraged, this little guy has the words of encouragement for his mother.  He has also began to share the gospel with his class mates.  I couldn't ask for more.

Twins are just too much fun!!!

Grandsons...and Grand mommy babysitting.  This filled my life with joy this year. Anchor has dark hair like I did as a baby.  He is our youngest grandson.

Don't blink or this one is out of your site. When you take twins, two - 2 year old and a four- year-old to the pumpkin patch, don't blink!  I enjoyed Grand Mommy adventures in what we call the Grand Mommy mobile,(my old Toyota) with my grandsons this year.  We ventured everywhere!!  Instagram let me catch the moments. 

The blessings of my husband of 35 years helping me handle three grandsons and Benjamin at the Dallas Children's Christmas Parade.

My sons working together to restore an old house to its future glory.  Move in date,sometime soon.  They are friends....what more could a mother desire, then her children to Love the Lord with all their hearts and love each other also?

Those dreams of our family expanding and enjoying the open space we had at our dream home, are gone.  Instead we are crowded setting elbow to elbow.  Those dreams are replaced with God's faithfulness to us through this journey.  Our rent home may not be what I had or what I envisions, but it is full with my family.  My heart overflows with joy!!!

I welcome 2016 and God's continued writing of my story.

Reflecting Back

I know it is December.
                    I know I am running late.
                                                      I know life keeps jogging along as I am skipping, enjoying the slower pace....or trying to.

I can't go into December without reflecting back on three years ago.  Three years ago my oldest and his wife were still going through treatments in order to conceive their first child.  Many of you prayed for them.  Three years ago they opened their home and heart to a little boy name Joshua, my first grandson.  The day they announced their desire to adopt him, we were celebrating the engagements of two of our other children.  Three new family members were to be added to our family.

I also hear the voice of a friend of mine from decades again say, "whenever I call your house it is like calling the Lucy Show!"  So began the fast pace Lucy Show of the Wright household.

Since that day of announcing the adoption of our first grandson and the weddings of two of our children, we have now added two in-laws, and SIX, yes I said SIX grandsons!

Such a testimony of God's work in all of our lives.  We just never know.  We only see in part, yet He sees the whole.

Our first ever kids table!!!

Today I wanted to reflect and rejoice.  Things still go up and down.  Many of my daily struggles are the same, but somewhere in the midst of struggles there are six little boys that smile at Grand Mommy.  When they warm my heart with a smile, I remember God isn't finished yet!!!

In the business of feeding the twins, and chasing two,  two year olds, I didn't get a picture of my daughter and her family. Thanks for your prayers.  They move this week.  They will be an hour and half drive away. Their new home will be an adjustment for all, as she steps up to bat.

Same Power

Months ago a new song was released by Jeremy Camp.  Within this song are truths  the Lord desires for me to understand in my heart and not just in my head.  Each time the song is sung, my spirit jumps.   When did I forget the truth of this song?  When did I allow the worries of the world to steal the truth Jesus purchased for me on the cross?  Why am I trembling at the news of the state of the world, or even my own situation?

The song seemed to play on the drive home from school each day.  Benjamin has learned it is the song I turn up and join in with declaration.    Even one night my grandson and I heard it on the radio, where I joined in singing, wanting the truth of the words to be sung over my grandson.  His world will be so much more of a spiritual battle then the one I grew up in.

I opened my devotional.  There were the words again.  News of attacks around the world, didn't mean these words aren't for today, it means they are still truth. Court decisions, political races, loss of jobs, illness and the list continues, to yell at us defeat, instead of victory.

Ephesians 1:19-20New Living Translation (NLT)

19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.  Romans 8:11

In the past this is the blog post I dedicated to my grandmother and called it Sunday Singings.  I am sure she would enjoy singing this song.  I still hear her voice singing praises to God, even through her worldly struggles, she knew the truth.

Today I share with you the song and God's words, praying they give you courage to take on every challenge that is before you.  Maybe you, like me, need to sing it over and over again, to bring it from your head to your heart.   As the social medias remind us of all that is wrong in society, or  the many results of a fallen world which touches our personal lives, maybe it is time to be reminded who holds everything in His hands.

With each bump in the road and added winkles on my face, I am rejoicing more and more in knowing I have a God who takes care of me.  The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us.

I can see

Waters raging at my feet

I can feel

The breath of those surrounding me

I can hear

The sound of nations rising up

We will not be overtaken

We will not be overcome  

I can walk

Down this dark and painful road

I can face

Every fear of the unknown

I can hear

All God’s children singing out

We will not be overtaken

We will not be overcome

 

The same power that rose Jesus from the grave

The same power that commands the dead to wake

Lives in us, lives in us

The same power that moves mountains when He speaks

The same power that can calm a raging sea

Lives in us, lives in us

He lives in us, lives in us

 

We have hope

That His promises are true

In His strength

There is nothing we can’t do

Yes, we know

There are greater things in store

We will not be overtaken

We will not be overcome

Greater is He that is living in me

He’s conquered our enemy

No power of darkness

No weapon prevails

We stand here in victory