Sorry!!

Life has been busy.  As I am sure many of you have had!  We have been running around lately trying to keep up with everything and so blogging has been placed on the back burner so to speak.  But, I wanted to write a quick update, with details later!  

April began with a BAM!  Tommy's High school band (aka large ensemble) went to Bob Jones University to compete in National Competition for AACS.  It was a fun time!!!  Then we prepared for the Spring Concert (all the while patiently waiting for the second grade teacher to have her precious baby so that I could begin subbing)!  The concert went amazing.  The set design turned out so much better than I hoped.  I can't wait to show you the pictures!

On the 14th the second grade teacher had her baby, which happens to be the same day Andy got really sick.  So they had to find a sub for the sub...LOL!  Wednesday I began subbing.

Friday was a wonderful day to celebrate our miracle graduating Kindergarten.  God has big plans for our little boy!  

Oh, yeah!!  By the way....on Monday, when Andy was sick, I took a little test and it told me.......

We are having a baby!

Our Fourth!

I am super excited and can't wait to get back to blogging all about our life, what God has been doing, and how He has been blessing us above what I deserve!

Until next week...when the subbing ends....

A little game of telephone!

Today I had some extra time with the sixth grade class I was subbing for.  So to use up the time, I instigated a game of telephone.  Most of you have all played before.  But in case you haven't: one person whispers something to the person next to them, they whisper it to the person next to them, and so forth until the end.  At the end the person announces what is sure to be a jumbled mess of what was said at the beginning.  I used this game to teach the sixth graders about gossip. 
It is amazing to me the way people spread news.  And as a female I see that we are the worst at it.  Men are not off the hook...I have been witness to their gossiping.  Most of the religious gossipers do it as prayer requests.  But the Bible says in Proverbs 18:8 that, "The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly"  When someone talks to us in private, as I explained to the sixth graders, you have two godly choices.  The first one is to flee temptation. If you know you struggle with gossiping, don't let people confide in you.  Be the first to admit you probably should not be told something.  The second choice is to decide to not say anything.  When someone tells you a burden, comes to you for help, or just needs to talk to someone about personal problems (which you should always give godly Bible advice); decide in your heart to not say anything.  Keep it in your heart.  We are to bear one another burdens not add to them.  By praying with people we can help bear them up, but being a gossiper only adds to their burdens.  
It was a good reminder, when the cute little tongue twister I told the first person ended up completely twisted (literally).  The kids seemed to grasp the lesson, too.  They laughed at first, but the serious expression on most of their faces as I explained about how gossip works the same as the game let me believe that some will think twice before telling.

Learning to Pray Series: "Which Art in Heaven"

The more I learn about prayer the more I realize we so often think that prayer is for us, but it is not.  Prayer is about God.  It is for God.  It is to glorify God.  And after all that is why we are here.  We were put here on earth to point others to God, to glorify Him.  

The second phrase in the Lord's prayer is "Which art in Heaven."

God is in Heaven.  He is sitting on the throne.  He is ruler over all.  He knows what is happening.  He knows what is going to happen.  He has everything under control.

I remember a message by Pastor Steve Robertson when I was in college very clearly.  It has always been one that I think about when I think about God on His throne.  It was taken out of Habakkuk 2:20

"But the LORD is in His holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before Him."

Pastor Robertson said we often like to think about our problems, but we need to remember God is on the throne.  He has everything taken care of.  He knows what is going on.  He knows our problems.  He understands them.  So "Shhhh, God is on His throne."  

Psalm 93:2 says, "Thy throne is established of old: thou are from everlasting."  

and 

Matthew 26:64 says, "...Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shell ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of Heaven."

God is on His throne.  When we come before Him with our prayer requests, He already knows what is going to happen.  We do not need to complain to Him.  To worry about what we are asking.  We have no need to give it to God and take it back.

Why is it so hard for us to remember that God is not asleep.  That He is not busy.  I think sometimes that is how we act.  We come to God to pray over something and then we worry, or don't fully give it over to God.  I think of this when I think of my grandma that passed away.  I want to scream, "WHY!?  I needed her!"  But then I remember that God is on the throne.  He knows what is best.  He can comfort those that morn.  He can use her death to glorify Him.  I also realize that God knows what is best for me.  What is best for those whose lives were touched by her.  God wants us to look to Him and glorify Him with everything that happens in our lives.  And as hard as that is to understand, understanding that God is in control, He is on the throne, is the easiest way I have found to trust Him.  

I read some verses today while doing my Bible study that helped me.  When I think of God on His throne, I need to understand the character of God.  Know that He is a powerful and mighty ruler, but that He loves and cares for us.  What better way to illustrate that then sending His son to die a horrible death on a cross for us.  But this verse in my devotions helped also.

Psalm 147:3-7 "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.  He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names.  Great is our Lord, and of great power: is understanding is infinite."

It is amazing that after reading those verses I would be tempted to try to do anything on my own, when I can go to the Lord for His help.  He certainly is a wonderful God.

Now about prayer being about God.  How do I glorify God when I pray.  By acknowledging who God is, and where He is.  He is on the throne of my life.  Or at least I want Him to be.  I must daily put Him there.  I must worship Him when praying.  Not just think of prayer as when I am in trouble, or that God is a gene in a bottle to grant my wishes.  Although God wants us to come to Him when we are in trouble, it should not be the only time we visit His throne.  Nor should we only come to Him with our selfish requests. Coming "boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Heb 4:16) should not be the only time we come!  But I am glad that God in Heaven, sitting on His throne, desires us to come boldly to Him.  

So, next time you pray.  Thank God for sitting on the throne.  For being in control.  And glorify Him with your prayers.

Kindergarten is almost over.

Teddy's first days after birth.

I can't believe how fast this year has flown by.  My little boy, the one the doctors said would never make it, will be graduating kindergarten in just a few weeks. He is ever a source of energy, entertainment, and questions!  What started so quickly has ended in a whirl! 

August started with a bang!  The first day of Kindergarten is one I will never forget.  My little boy had all grown up and now was starting school.  Something that for the next 13 years would be a continuous event.  He walked into the classroom with such confidence, and sat at his desk to begin his morning paper as if he had been doing it all his life.  With a slight wave he said good bye, completely distracted by the paper.  I kissed him and walked out.  Tears steaming down my face as I drove away from the school.  The van was so quiet without him.  He seemed to be unfazed by me leaving!  

August flew by.  In September the class celebrated Apple day!  The excitement of making apple sauce and other apple activities!!! Then all to fast September was gone as we prepared for his birthday party.  He turned six on September 29th, with his school friends and Granny and Aunt Kathy!  

October proved to be a fun and busy month.  At the beginning of the month he took a trip to Michigan when Great Grandma went to be with Jesus. He was out of school for four days (and a weekend).  When he got back he found out that his first field trip was October 27.  I think he waited the whole month for it!  How excited he was as he boarded the big yellow bus to go to the Apple farm.  October was chilly but he was excited!  

Then came November.  Seeming all together to fast.  Starting with a missing ginger bread man and ending with a class program for Thanksgiving.

December was spent looking forward to a trip to the beach for Christmas with Nana and Papa. We counted down the days til the end of the year!  Teddy had his first class party.  They made adorable crafts and had a fun lunch of McDonald's happy meals.  Then school was out for break.  Granny, Grandpa, Uncle David, Aunt Alicia, and Aunt Kathy came to celebrate Christmas!  He was so excited to have them there.  Then we met Nana and Papa at Myrtle Beach for Christmas day!  We had a great week walking and playing on the beach, going miniature golfing (Teddy's first time), and playing with cousins!  School came back quickly!

On January 23rd (Andy's birthday) Teddy celebrated with his classmates 100 completed days of school!  I could not believe that we had finished that many already!!  They had a great day.  Andy did too!  

A few weeks later in February Teddy was baptized at the church.  Earlier in the year he had accepted Jesus as his Savior at sparks.  (I need to look up the date in his Bible later!!)  Then a week later Valentines day was celebrated in the class.  They had a yummy meal of spaghetti and meatballs.  

 February turned into March and along came the Spring Party.  They got to fly kites and make pots with grass hair!  Then came Spring break along with Mrs. Sutton's baby girl!  The kids were so excited that finally the baby had arrived.  He also got to spend a fun week with the family ending with going to the Coke Museum with mommy's friends, and Nana and Papa spending a night with us!  After break they came back to a new teacher!  This month has flown by.  Granny has come twice to stay with them!  One time he got to stay home to play with her.  He was so thrilled about that!

The end of April will soon turn into May.  The month of teacher appreciation, a baby shower (that had to be moved due to the early arrival of Alayna!), and finally on the 18th they will say good bye to Kindergarten with graduation.  

I am excited for my baby boy, and sad at the same time!  Does that even make sense...probably not!  He is growing up too fast.  

Oh, the places he will go in the next 13 years and beyond.  

I love you, Thomas Edward Knight II.  My little Teddy!!  I am so proud to be your mommy!!

All is quiet

All is quiet. 

 Both children are blissfully napping and gaining energy for the rest of the day.  

I hear the humming of the refrigerator, and the ticking of the clock, and now the clicking of the keys on the key board as I press them down.  

Now is when I can think.  

Next to me is the Bible.  For now it is closed.  It has been opened this morning.  Now it is resting, waiting for me to pick it back up.  It is calling me!

I am beginning to see that I spend so much time talking about God.  Reading books from people that love God.  And praying to God.  But I am not spending enough time listening to God.  The hum of the refrigerator and the ticking and clicking are nice soothing sounds.  But more important is the sound of the Holy Spirit.  How much do I listen to that?  

God is tugging on my heart about my daily time with Him.  It isn't enough.  Just reading the few chapters or reviewing my memory verses are not enough.  

I desire to be immersed in the Word of God.  

So why am I writing this post and not reading.  Well, mostly for accountability.  If I write it down for others to read, than I feel convicted when I don't do it!  Seems crazy that I need to blog about my conviction to read my Bible more!  But, for me this will help.  

I don't want to be a hypocrite!  I don't want to only read the small portion that is in my devotional book or the passages that go along with the Bible study I am currently reading.  

I want to read what God has for me and keep reading until I am sure that I got it!  

I want to learn to depend on the Bible like never before.  

I hope that this post will come to mind the next time I sit still or waste time!  I hope that I will encourage others to read and read and read.  

How can we grow without understanding?  I don't want to be a child in the word. "...but when I became a man, I put away childish things." (1 Corinthians 13:11b) I know that those childish things are thinking that a few verses will do.  

Well, now I am going to go read.  What are you reading right now.  How are you growing.  What is God teaching you.  Let's encourage each other!  Let's keep each other accountable.  Let's grow in the "grace, and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18a)

Join me, won't you?

Counting My Blessings

God really is so good to me.  Even though a lot of times I forget!  Today was one of those days.  The day when the daily grind and the tasks get to you.  I started focusing on the here and now of life.  The small stuff was getting to me.  Then I started thinking about things that I am blessed with.  It is definitely one of those things that gets me excited and thankful to my Savior!  I decided to make a list!!
1. My Salvation--it is definitely the most important blessing that I have!
2. My hubby (I can't say that enough)
3-5. My three beautiful children!! (they each bless me in their own unique way)
6. My home
7. Godly friends that encourage me!
8. Good health
9. Freedom to post about God!
10. Freedom to worship God!
11. A wonderful Church family
12. Freedom to own a Bible
13. A wonderful Savior
14. The peace that comes with salvation
15. The joy God gives me
16. A godly heritage
17. Teddy's salvation
18. The opportunity to stay home with my children
19. The opportunity to share the gospel (although I don't use it nearly enough...I am working on it!)
20. Food in my pantry, fridge, garage!!!
21. Personal needs are met!
22. The amazing gift of prayer (which I don't use as much as I should...working on that, too!)
23. Ability to use my gifts to serve the Lord
24. Ability to teach Puggles on Wednesday night (they are sooo cute!)
25. The Christian school Teddy gets to attend (and Danenn next year)
26. The Christian school Tommy gets to work for
27. An encouraging Pastor's wife!
28. My in-laws!!!  (What a blessing they are!)
29. The U S of A!!!!!!!!!
And the list could keep going...but I really need to get off the computer and finish cleaning!!!!
Wow!  Next time you feel discouraged or down about something, take time to make a list!  It is always so wonderful to see all the ways God blesses you!!!!  And this is not even nearly complete!!!!

Tubes!

Mom, what happened to the back of my clothes??

Andy got tubes in his ears today!  He did great!  A little grumpy after he woke from the anesthetic.  I am so glad that we got them done.  I debated back and forth deciding if it was the right thing.  But when the ENT said that he had hearing loss, I knew it was the right thing!  We already have noticed a difference in his hearing, today!!!!  God is so awesome that he has given man the knowledge to do such a simple procedure to help in such a powerful way!

Isn't he so cute!!!!!