Thursday, February 18, 2010

God Speaking











As I drove Parker to therapy one of my favorite CD's was playing and one of my favorite songs I hadn't heard in awhile began to play. I love Madesa for a number of reasons, but this song really hit home when it came out a few years back. It was "God Speaking" This time it spoke to me in different ways. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZI2gOBvBHk


Here are some of the lyrics


"..Who knows how He’ll get a hold of us?

Get our attention to prove he is enough.

He’ll do and He’ll use whatever He wants to
To tell us, I love you.

His ways are higher
His ways are better
Though sometimes strange
What could be stranger than God in a manger?"

Another part of the song says "Do you know what it feels liketo be tangled up in fear?
What if He’s somehow involved? What if He’s speaking through it all?"

What I realized as I travel this journey with Parker is God IS speaking. Even when I don't hear Him, He is speaking. I don't think often enough I have listened. Nor have I stopped long enough to hear what he is saying.
Lord, you have my attention, you prove YOU are enough.
Help me to listen and hear you speaking through it all.
Blessings, Lara
PS. Parker DOES have other sweaters, just LOVE the blue on him and in TX we are having unusual cold!

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Love Is..













"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrong. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perserveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:3-8



Parker's First Valentine's Day..could he be more loved? We think not!

Monday, February 8, 2010

It's Great to be 8!

































Mallory turned 8 on Sat, February 6th. What a day we had! A birthday party at the Young Chef's Academy with all her friends. Cooking pizza and decorating cupcakes. Mallory is a BIG Minnie fan, so of course we had a Minnie themed party even down to the outfit.


Hard to believe she is 8 years old already. Seems like yesterday when she was born...


Mallory, we are so proud of the precious young lady you have become. You love wholeheartedly all the time and are the most gracious, kind, caring child. God gave you a heart for kindness and you teach us so much about love. You love all things "girly" makeup, dress up (can't you tell from the outfit?), anything with "bling" and sparkle. You have a heart for prayer and are always quick to pray for those that are hurt or suffering. You are a wonderful big sister to Madeline and Parker. We love to see you and Madeline playing together for hours on end. We know that sisters are a special gift that God gives and we love to see you together (even when you two are cooking up something naughty!). We know God has great plans for you our precious girl, we can't wait to see how they unfold!


All of our love, Mom and Dad

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

The Love Challenge





The last few weeks we have been talking about "the Love Challenge" at church. We have been given a 10 week "challenge". We have been challenged to expand our understanding of love (see below). Seems to be a simple, common sense message, we are all taught to love at all times. We know we are to give unconditional love like Christ. Here is the thing though..as I've tried for the last few weeks to love at ALL times (when kids are picking on each other, when they are complaining, tired, I am tired, etc..) I find myself losing my temper over and over again. It is easy to love when the kids are perfect, when people are kind and willing to share, when people don't say hurtful things, when life "goes our way" and everything is perfect (or so we think). It is easy to love when you get the job you want, the raise you want, win the award you want...fill in the blank here...

One of the blessings Parker gives is constant love. I know they say children that have DS are "happy" kids (not sure this really is true of them all since they do all experience the range of full emotions), but what I know is that Parker's face lights up when you glance his way, when he hears his siblings voice, sees us when we've stepped away, when we make silly faces or play silly games with him. He loves to belly laugh when his brother gets close and tickles his tummy, when his sisters read to him at night he listens intently and smiles so wide. He laughs when we blow on his face or when his Daddy whistles on his face or in his ear. Even when he is fussy or tired, he can muster a smile through the tears. I find myself asking if I smile through the tears? Not very often I'm afraid.

As I continue to ask what is the purpose of this journey with Parker I wonder if it is to help us understand the true love of Christ and His love for all of us? "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Here is the 10 week challenge from our church, seems simple enough..are you up for the challenge? http://thelovechallenge.net/challenge/

you are challenged to expand your understanding of the meaning of love;
1 Corinthians 13
you are challenged to love God more fully: Deuteronomy 4:37
you are challenged to love one another on a higher level: John 15:12
you are challenged to express love sacrificially: Ephesians 5:2
you are challenged to ask God for ways to show love to those who need it
you are challenged to seek God for ways to show Christ’s love to the unlovely: Luke 6:32-35
you are challenged to find ways to express love toward those who are adversarial: Matthew 5:44
you are challenged to be a conduit of God’s unconditional love: 1 John 4:19
you are challenged to record the ways that God is leading you to express love toward Him and others

Blessings! Lara

PS Pictures of Parker with his new trick sitting and grabbing feet..think this used to be a ballet move? Ah, to be this flexible again....
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