New Blog Topics

I had many reason for why I started blogging several years ago.  Once was for our extended family to be able to have a glimpse into our life here.  To be able to watch our children and our lives unfold – even when they were miles and miles away.  Another reason I had for starting the blog was to be able to share devotional thoughts that God was teaching me.  I think though, that one of the greatest reasons for why I started my blog was because I wanted to be an encouragement to young moms.  Being a mom is hard work and sometimes it is downright discouraging.  I wanted my blog to be a source of encouragement and to remind us all that we are in this thing together. 

That was years ago.  We have gone through a ministry change.  I am not a pastor’s wife anymore with a young Mom’s class that meets once a week.  I am a stay at home mom who has children in every stage of life ranging from young adult to kindergarten.  Our ministry move brought with It financial hardships that have been a challenge to navigate through and the past five years have had some serious ups and downs.  

I have learned a lot.   I have been looking back at the past five years and been amazed at how much God has taught me and how much He has allowed life to teach me through the difficulties.    I have not arrived and I am still learning; but I wanted to include in my blog a place for me to record and post about the things I have learned about.  I wanted to post practical tips that I have learned and am still learning on how to be a steward of what God has given to us.  I wanted to document and post about how I have come face to face with materialism and it’s affects on my life. 

So, I am opening up a new topics bar entitled:  The Simple Life.   I hope you will enjoy the topics that are discussed in these posts.  I am planning on being able to post more now and have frequent and new posts that go up that cover a wide range of topics that have to do with not just living a simple life – but being able to thrive in the highest calling given to a woman – being a wife and mom.  If you are a reader who has been with me from the start – I am glad you are still here.  (It has been pretty sporadic in the posting schedule.) If you are a new reader – please pop in a say hi – and know that I am truly glad you stopped by. 

I am looking forward to some exciting days in blogging; and as always, I am so glad you stopped by!

Blessings,

~Martie

Sixteen

 It has been sixteen years ago, today that she came into our lives.  

Her stay was brief.

Her life will impact mine forever!

Sixteen years.  

I let my mind go and wonder what it would be like if she was still here.

How would we celebrate the big day?
What flavor of cake would she choose for me to make for her?


  What meal would she ask for me to make for her birthday dinner?

I let my mind wonder some more....

What would she look like?
Would she be tall or short?
Would her hair be curly or straight?  Blond or red?
Would she be outgoing or quiet?
Would she be....

 I stop.   I must not continue in this way of thinking; for in so doing, it is too easy to forget.

I don't want to forget!

I want to remember - not wonder.

I want to remember what it was like the very first time I saw her.  The moment I held her for the first time.  Looking into her eyes I was captivated by the miracle of life and overwhelmed with gratitude for God's gift to me.

Her life was a gift from God.


I want to remember when we dedicated her in our Pastor's office.  When we ceremonially gave her back to God and asked Him to use her.

He did.


I am so very thankful for the time we had with her. She is my blessing from God.  

Happy Birthday, Ally.  I love you!

She Calls me Mommy

Sometimes it just hits you.  A spoken phrase that stops life and causes you to reflect on something really important.  You know the instant, when life stands still and everything that really matters comes into clear focus and all of those unimportant things that seem to demand our time and attention pale and become blurry - not only in our mind's eye but in value and importance also.

It happened to me this week.  Time stood still.  Everything important made sense and seemed important.

We were walking down a street.  Her and me.  My youngest.  The baby for whom I had prayed so hard.  The one I thought would never come.   My baby.

The feel of her hand in mine still makes my heart leap and my day always seem brighter.  She holds my hand often.  I cherish every squeeze.

She held my hand that day and I co
uld feel her little fingers wrapped around mine; and as she did she looked up at me.  Our eyes met and locked.  It seemed like forever but in reality it was for only a second.  Those big brown eyes.  The eyes that seem to take over her face and convey her every emotion.  Those eyes.  The eyes I looked into over and over that first week we met her.

Mommy?  She said my name in a question and I looked down at her.

Locking eyes with hers I answered, "yes, Anna..."  I waited for her response.  Perhaps she would ask for a treat after we were done with our mission; or perhaps would as for a book to be read before bed that night. 

What followed stopped time for just a moment; but will stick in my heart forever.

"You're my favorite Mommy!" and with her proclamation she squeezed my hand as tight as her little fingers could muster with the strength in her.

I very well could have never even met this little girl who has captured my heart.  Our paths may have never crossed had it not been for God.  Every single day she calls me Mommy.  It could have been someone else who was listening to her today; but God chose for it to be me.  Someone else could be holding her hand and walking with her down a street; but God allowed for it to be me.  I get to tuck her into bed every night and look for her in her hiding place.  I get to snuggle with her every morning as the sleepy eyes open to a new day.  I get to make her lunch; and fold her clothes; and comb her hair.  I get to tell her about God and how much He loves her.  I get to watch those big brown eyes take in life and learn to read, to write and to express herself.

At that moment, time stood still and I realized just how blessed I am to hear her call me Mommy.  It could have been someone else; but God let it be me.

I will be forever grateful!

Thanks for stopping by.  I am so glad you did!
Blessings,
~Martie