Couch Potato Olympics

Our family loves to watch the Olympics.  I'm not sure what I love more, actually watching the Olympic Games or having all 4 of us agree on the same show to watch and being together for hours cheering on team USA.  We are inventing our own Olympic games - "Couch Potato Olympics", and last night the girls invented "Syncronized Lounging".  They were awarded a God Medal. 
One of my favorite things to experience during the Games are the interviews with the Olympians after hey have won a medal.  I love it when they are looking for their parents in the crowd and when they say how Blessed they are and when they thank God.  Sometimes I feel guilty for sitting in front of the TV for hours upon hours watching the events.  But with all the nonsense on tv, I love the athletes that show that hard work and persiverance pay off, but that the glory goes to God. 
Heavenly Father, I thank you for all the gifts and abilities you have given us.  With all that we have, Father, I want to give you the glory.  I want to raise thankful children who know that you deserve the glory.  Help me raise them to love you, Lord.  Show me where I fail, and put me back on the right path.  I want your fruits to multiply in them.  I know that you have hidden yourself in their heart and that you will use them for Your good!  Mold us and shape us to be the children you are proud of.  We love you and want to be more like you.  Amen

Heart and Soul

Two years ago, my 10 year old daughter had saved up $250 to buy the puppy of her dreams.  She took 100% care of her baby.  All the feeding, bathing, etc.  Star would sit on her backpack everymorning as if to say "Momma, don't leave".  I would walk the dog to the bus stop and watch her little 5 lb. body wiggle with delight when her momma got off the bus.  Our little "Star" died suddenly this past week and the loss has hit hard.  But harder for me, has been watching my baby struggle with her loss. 
When I had my first child, I said it felt like someone had put arms and legs on my heart and set it free.  When my second came along, it felt like it was my soul that  had grown arms and legs.  The joy and pain of experiencing the joy and pain of your children is unexplainable.  Words can not express the emotions.  So many thoughts run through my mind this morning as I pray.  They run through my mind, unorganized and emotional.  But right now, my prayer is this...
Heavenly Father, you know the ultimate pain and the ultimate joy.  I think of you right now as you looked on as your son suffered.  I always thank Jesus for suffering for my sins, but today, I thank you for enduring the pain of watching your child suffer for me.  I want to model your parenting.  I want to look down at my child and say I am here.  I want to be patient and loving.  I want to be present when they cry out to me, "why?"  I want them to know that it is safe for them to crawl into my loving arms.  Father, I know that you are with me, that your arms are wrapped around me and my children.  Thank you for holding us tight and never letting us go.  When we try to stray from the comfort of those arms, Father, hold us tight and never let us go.  Amen!

Accountability!!!

Two years ago I started this Blog "Pray Momma Pray" because I was praying so hard for my own girls that I wanted to pray for all their friends and also provide my friends with thoughts that would hopefully stimulate their own prayers.  I have NOT been a good Blogger!!!  I have started and stopped these posts based on my needs and not the needs of others, and for that, I am sorry! 
As a new discipline of my own, I want to post daily prayers on behalf of our children.  I want to ask you to join me in this effort.  Pray with me, share the Blog if you feel it can benefit others, and if you follow the blog and see that I don't post for a day or two...please hold me accountable!  If you have prayer suggestions for our children, let me know and we can raise these up together. 

Shame on Me!!!

I know, it's been a while.  Actually, almost a year.  Well, a year since I posted my prayer, NOT a year since I prayed.  I was actually praying in bed this morning when the overwhelming thought to blog again came over me.  Not sure why.  Maybe God is disciplining me...AGAIN.  But here we go again.  Join me in praying for all of our children as the first half of summer comes to a close and the countdown to the first day of school starts.
Heavenly Father, you know our hearts desires.  I know you have my children in the palm of your hand, and they know they don't ever want to jump from that grip.  They truely love being your children.  Last night, we were asked to pray over the theater that the girls have been performing in.  We did not ask them to join us, they just followed, joined hands and prayed with us.  It brings me such joy to know that they know the benefit of your divine presence in their life.  Father, I pray that you hold on tight to them as they enter the trials of Jr. High School.  Only you can keep them safe from the evil one.  Cover them with an extra measure of your Love and Peace as they begin preparing for school.  Take the anxiety of peer pressure away and give them joy in being who you created them to be.  Thank you Jesus, for letting me be their parent.  Give me wisdom and understanding as I guide them through the rough waters ahead, and give me joy in the process.   Amen

Everything I need to know I learned Sept. 13, 2008

Two years ago today the Texas Gulf Coast suffered the devestation of Hurricane Ike.  While the destruction was a terrible event that still is visible in our area today, I learned so many things!  First of all, I learned that everything that is of importance to me can fit in my car!  I learned that Friends are truly a gift from God and that I never want to be with out them.  I learned I can live without gas, but life without electricity is rough!  However, no electricity actually helps the family grow stronger.  I learned that without tv, radio, and AC, we get to know our neighbors better.  AND GOD IS GOOD!
Lord God, thank you for being with us through everything life hands us.  Forgive us Father when we forget that you are with us.  Forgive us for sitting in our struggles and just hanging there.  Help us to get up and help others.  We know that you give us all that we have so that we can help others, but I sure forget that more than I want to admit!  Help me Father, to teach my children what is important in life.  First and foremost, you, and then family, friends, and those you put around us.  Thank you Father for all of the blessings you pour out on each of us every day.  Teach us to use them for your glory!  Amen

sick of being sick!

My husband and I have spent the entire week fighting off a cold that has wiped out every bit of energy we had.  I hate the feeling of total blah.  No other way to describe it.  Then, when having coffee this morning with a friend, I get the call from the school.  "Ella is in the nurses office not feeling well."  Bummer!  Then the questions start going through my head.  Is she "really" sick?  Is she just not feeling well and being a little lazy?  Is she nervous about the two tests she has today and just wants out of them?  Ahhhh the joys of motherhood.  You know, no fever, not throwing up, you go to school.  Well, I know how bad I felt when I was first coming down with it, so off to school I go. 
Heavenly Father, I pray that your healing hand be on my entire family today and through out this weekend.  Give us rest and healing in your name.  As Brad is in the doctors office right now, I pray that you be with the doctor and bring healing to Brad.  Be with both girls this weekend and give them what is needed for rest and healing so that we can all hit the ground running Sunday as you use us as your instruments!  Amen!

Blessings others with what we have been given

Our church took on the challenge to provide two sets of uniforms to 135 students in North Galveston County who did not have uniforms for school.  Last year we provided uniforms to 50 kids, and the challenge of 135 was a shock at first.  But, as usual, God provided.  Not only were the members of Living Word generous with their shopping and financial gifts, but people of the community responded with such open arms.  So this morning, we loaded up the girls and went to Lighthouse Christian Ministries to pass out uniforms.  It was a very educational experience for them.  Most of the parents of the children do not speak any English.  The children are translating so the parents can understand.  Although we have spent time serving at LCM before, and have spent time with Katrina evacuees, it is still shocking to see the need of some people right at our back door.
Father, show me how to raise children who know that we are here to help those who have less.  We are so thankful for the blessings you poor out on each of us.  Thank you for taking our talents and adding your "super" to our "natural" causing us to experience things we never though possible.  Continue to bless us Father so that we can bless others!  Amen!!!!