Thursday, February 28, 2013

Real Affirmation

More than a year ago I posted this image on my blog because it really spoke to me. Throughout life, I have struggled in comparing myself with others - and once again, God is reminding me to focus on Him.

This is what I read in today's devotion out of the book Jesus Calling by Sarah Young:

"Stop judging and evaluating yourself, for this is not your role. Above all, stop comparing yourself with other people. This produces feelings of pride or inferiority; sometimes, a mixture of both. I lead each of My children along a path that is uniquely tailor-made for him or her. Comparing is not only wrong; it is also meaningless.

Don't look for affirmation in the wrong places; your own evaluations, or those of other people. The only source of real affirmation is My unconditional Love."

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

A Thankful Heart

I have been working on becoming a more thankful person. I have SO much to thank God for, yet it is so easy for me to become discontent.

This morning, I was reading a daily devotion from Sarah Young's book, "Jesus Calling" and the words on page 58 really spoke to me:

"Thank me for each blessing along the way; this brings joy to both you and Me. A grateful heart protects you from negative thinking. Thankfulness enables you to see the abundance I shower upon you daily."

What a good reminder to continue working on being thankful!

Today, I am very thankful for a special little girl who is being especially vocal. :)

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Five Months Old

 
Her hand is always in her mouth these days.


This is how she feels about this mini-session.
 


Sariah...
  • Learned how to scream and sure knows how to be loud.
  • Spent a whole day away from mommy and loved being with daddy, grandma and grandpa.
  • Is a pro at making raspberries with her mouth!
  • Started flipping the pages of books during reading time.
  • Enjoys being in the jumper.
  • Has the cutest stretching routine in the morning!
  • Loves to practice standing up and gets the biggest smile when we tell her that she is doing a great job strengthening those leg muscles.
  • Is super curious and wants to touch everything.
  • Looks at daddy all the time when he is in the same room.
  • Gets happy every time mommy sings Portuguese songs to her. She definitely has a favorite one that I sing a least 10 times a day just to see her smiles.
  • Continues to be a great sleeper and needs about 11 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night.
  • Wants to crawl so bad.
  • Had a bit of avocado and was not impressed.
  • Attempts to put her fingers in every one's mouths.
  • Shakes her head back and forth as if she was saying no - she thinks this is hilarious.

Friday, February 15, 2013

I Won't Give Up

I have been praying, thinking and reading a lot about marriage lately. Over the past few years, I  have seen many friends get married, others end their marriage and some work as hard as they can to make it work.

I am convinced that marriage is one of the hardest gifts God has given us and yet it can be so pure and beautiful. I will probably be sharing more about what I have been learning as a wife - but today, I wanted to share a song that caught my attention lately.

A few weeks ago I was home late at night while John was at a Bible Study. I was listening to a Pandora station, editing a few photo sessions when the song "I Won't Give Up" by Jason Mraz came on.

Those words stuck to me because I struggle with perseverance when things are hard. It is just so much easier to give up than it is to fight through different circumstances and become stronger and wiser. But I believe that God did not create me to be a quitter. The first Bible verse I ever memorized as a child was Philippians 4:13 - "I can so all things though Him who gives me strength."

I don't want to give up when things get hard. I want to persevere in all areas of life and know that I did my very best and relied on God's strength and not my own.

"I Won't Give Up"
By Jason Mraz
When I look into your eyes
It's like watching the night sky
Or a beautiful sunrise
Well, there's so much they hold
And just like them old stars
I see that you've come so far
To be right where you are
How old is your soul?

Well, I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up

And when you're needing your space
To do some navigating
I'll be here patiently waiting
To see what you find

'Cause even the stars they burn
Some even fall to the earth
We've got a lot to learn
God knows we're worth it
No, I won't give up

I don't wanna be someone who walks away so easily
I'm here to stay and make the difference that I can make
Our differences they do a lot to teach us how to use
The tools and gifts we got, yeah, we got a lot at stake
And in the end, you're still my friend at least we did intend
For us to work we didn't break, we didn't burn
We had to learn how to bend without the world caving in
I had to learn what I've got, and what I'm not, and who I am

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up, still looking up.

Well, I won't give up on us (no I'm not giving up)
God knows I'm tough enough (I am tough, I am loved)
We've got a lot to learn (we're alive, we are loved)
God knows we're worth it (and we're worth it)

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

She is Growing Too Fast

I love spending my days with Sariah! I miss her when she is sleeping and I REALLY dislike being away from her.

Today, I spent some time taking photos of her as she played and it was so amazing to capture her discovering new things. My baby girl is turning 5 months this coming Sunday and I can hardly believe how fast she is growing.

I want to remember what it felt like to have her in my belly.
I want to remember how little she was when she was born.
I want to remember the sound of her crying.
I want to remember her first smile.
I want to remember what it feels like to have her asleep in my arms.
I want to remember her sweet smell.
I want to remember the look of excitement on her face every time she does something new.
I want to remember her leg rolls and elbow dimple.
I want to remember how she loves to play with her toes.
I want to remember the sound of her sucking her thumb.

There is so much I want to remember...and I know there are many more memories to come.

Thank you, Lord, for our precious girl. May she honor you with all the days you have given her.


 
Standing is her new favorite activity!


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