I know, I'm shaking the very foundation of your Christmas season. Not! It is quite the break in the yearly tradition for us, but several months ago, as I began to think about the cost of printing all those photo cards, I just felt like there had to be something better we could do with that money. The majority of the people we send/give them to see our entire lives documented moment by moment on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and whatever other social media outlets I'm on daily. So really, we were spending money to put our faces in front of people who see our faces all the time. Just seemed silly. So, instead of Christmas cards, we'll be using that money to help others in need, instead. But, I will say, this may not be a permanent change. It could perhaps be just for this year, who knows. I just know it's the right choice for this year. (But, selfishly, I would like to request that everyone else still make their Christmas cards because I really like receiving them and using them to remind us to pray for others!)
Thought I would just give some random thoughts about our 2014 to help you not miss the Christmas card so much (which might possibly bore you to death and make you never want to read this blog again.)
-2014 was a long, hard, fun, frustrating, up and down, roller coaster of a year in our house. I am guessing that our year was pretty much like yours. At some point in the year we were: lied to, ignored, loved on, covered in grace, next to death, far from home, prayed for, deeply hurt by loved ones, deeply loved by loved ones, facing medical uncertainty, filled with sorrow, filled with hope, and blessed beyond any form of human measure.
-We finished our 3rd year of homeschooling and started our 4th. This was a journey Kevin and I never intended to be on, but it's one I don't regret for one moment. I know we are blessed to be able to do this, even if it's just for a short time. There is really nothing like watching your child learn to read, step by step, struggle by struggle. There's nothing more frustrating or joyous than watching your child struggle with something for weeks and then one day, it just clicks. And believe me, teachers are NOT even close to being paid enough, just based on the need for lesson plans alone. That doesn't even count everything else they do!
-Kevin and I have both come to the realization that there are just some things we need to let go of and times that we need to say no. OK, this is mostly me, but he has had a few things he's needed to stop doing, too. Since doing so, the stress levels have come down some, but there may be more that we need to step back from in the future. If you know me, you know how hard this is for me. I like to do things and help out and I don't really know how to say no. Yep, I'm a people pleaser! We're still working on that. I need to be a God pleaser, not a people pleaser.
-There have been a lot of changes in our extended family this year. God was there through it all, and will continue to be as I am sure 2015 will be full of even more changes. I am thankful that He alone is our hope and security, as people will come and go and those we rely on slip in and out of our lives. There have been many times it was hard to see His hand, and many times when it just would have been easier to give up and walk away or give into the grief that was threatening to overcome us, and without Christ we would have. Through death, health scares, arguments, separations, and every other crazy thing that came our way, our prayer lives were strengthened and we were forced to rely on God more than we ever have before in our either of our lives. There were times it was miserable and full of tears, and times that were joyful and full of laughter. Regardless of what was happening, God was by our side each step of the way.
I have no idea what 2015 holds for our family, but I pray that God will give us the strength and boldness to live it for Him, no matter what comes our way. Lord, lead and guide. Give wisdom and discernment for every decision that needs to be made. Give us love and patience in dealing with each other and others. Help Kevin and I to make the most of each teachable moment with our kids and help our lives to be light in the darkness that will lead our children, and many others, to you. Oh, Lord, raise up a holy passion in the McSmith family!
Showing posts with label Ladies in Purple. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ladies in Purple. Show all posts
March 26, 2013
End of Lent and Other Random Things
I have to admit, I've lost count of the days for Lent. This past week was long, crazy, fun, and I am thankful for every moment of it (even though the majority of it was spent away from my family).
I left on Tues. to head out on the first leg of my journey toward our second Ladies in Purple Conference. I only went as far as Harrison, AR, where I was able to spend the evening with some sweet friends. On Wed. I picked up another sweet friend and the two of us headed to Salado, TX for the next step in our journey. It was about a 12 hour driving process, broken up a bit by a dinner stop with an old friend. When we got to Salado we stayed up wait to late visiting with some amazing college friends, who are on this ministry journey with us. Oh, how I love that God gives us those forever friends who, even when we don't see or talk to them everyday (or even every week or month), we can pick up just like no time has passed! I am so blessed!
Thursday we were joined by one last amazing friend and we headed to Bastrop, TX to start our ministry. What a great time we had! God really blessed us with some great "down" time to just hang out, just the four of us. We really needed that. We stayed in some sweet host homes and were able to have some great conversations with the ladies hosting us. The conference went well and I think several of the ladies really went home refreshed and ready to start working on becoming the woman, wife, and mother God asks us to be. Not perfect, just obedient!
Because we were so tired, we ended up spending the night again in Salado and not heading back to AR until Sunday. I dropped off my friend and headed for home. But, once it got dark and the wind was about to blow me off the road, I decided it was best to stop for the night and continue my journey on Monday. So, I got home a day later than I was hoping, but I was so blessed by the time spent with those sweet, amazing, Godly ladies! Thank You, Lord, for placing ladies in my life, both near and far, who are willing to share their lives and their wisdom with me!
As Lent draws near an end and I realize that I will be back on facebook next week, I am not sure what to think. I certainly didn't miss it as much as I thought I would and I hope that I will be able to continue to use it in a manner that encourages others and points them to Christ, but that I don't allow it to monopolize my time. I have enjoyed the extra time I have had to spend with my kids, exercise, finish things around the house, etc. Lord, thank You for this time to see where I truly need to spend my time!
Looking forward to celebrating Easter this week. We are doing a Passover meal on Thursday (I have no idea if that is actually where it fits into the week, but it's the day that worked best for us.) Today we took time to look at the first passover and to read a bit about what each of the foods represents. Sophie really enjoyed it. She is looking forward to helping us get it all prepared this week. I think we will be doing something different with our Easter baskets this year. Instead of filling a basket with more things neither of them need, we're going to fill a box, as a family, of items that we can send with a friend to Haiti to do a dental clinic. Christ came to serve and gave His life for ours, so we are going to follow His example and serve others with this holiday, even in this small way. Lord, continue to mold and change our hearts! Help us to always want to share you with others.
Follow Me
I left on Tues. to head out on the first leg of my journey toward our second Ladies in Purple Conference. I only went as far as Harrison, AR, where I was able to spend the evening with some sweet friends. On Wed. I picked up another sweet friend and the two of us headed to Salado, TX for the next step in our journey. It was about a 12 hour driving process, broken up a bit by a dinner stop with an old friend. When we got to Salado we stayed up wait to late visiting with some amazing college friends, who are on this ministry journey with us. Oh, how I love that God gives us those forever friends who, even when we don't see or talk to them everyday (or even every week or month), we can pick up just like no time has passed! I am so blessed!
Thursday we were joined by one last amazing friend and we headed to Bastrop, TX to start our ministry. What a great time we had! God really blessed us with some great "down" time to just hang out, just the four of us. We really needed that. We stayed in some sweet host homes and were able to have some great conversations with the ladies hosting us. The conference went well and I think several of the ladies really went home refreshed and ready to start working on becoming the woman, wife, and mother God asks us to be. Not perfect, just obedient!
Because we were so tired, we ended up spending the night again in Salado and not heading back to AR until Sunday. I dropped off my friend and headed for home. But, once it got dark and the wind was about to blow me off the road, I decided it was best to stop for the night and continue my journey on Monday. So, I got home a day later than I was hoping, but I was so blessed by the time spent with those sweet, amazing, Godly ladies! Thank You, Lord, for placing ladies in my life, both near and far, who are willing to share their lives and their wisdom with me!
As Lent draws near an end and I realize that I will be back on facebook next week, I am not sure what to think. I certainly didn't miss it as much as I thought I would and I hope that I will be able to continue to use it in a manner that encourages others and points them to Christ, but that I don't allow it to monopolize my time. I have enjoyed the extra time I have had to spend with my kids, exercise, finish things around the house, etc. Lord, thank You for this time to see where I truly need to spend my time!
Looking forward to celebrating Easter this week. We are doing a Passover meal on Thursday (I have no idea if that is actually where it fits into the week, but it's the day that worked best for us.) Today we took time to look at the first passover and to read a bit about what each of the foods represents. Sophie really enjoyed it. She is looking forward to helping us get it all prepared this week. I think we will be doing something different with our Easter baskets this year. Instead of filling a basket with more things neither of them need, we're going to fill a box, as a family, of items that we can send with a friend to Haiti to do a dental clinic. Christ came to serve and gave His life for ours, so we are going to follow His example and serve others with this holiday, even in this small way. Lord, continue to mold and change our hearts! Help us to always want to share you with others.
Follow Me
March 12, 2013
Lent Week 4
Has it really been 4 weeks? In some ways it has crept by (I feel so out of the loop, want to see every one's pictures, hear all the amazing testimonies I know I am missing) and in some ways it has just flown by (how are we only 2 weeks away from Easter and 3 weeks away from the kids' birthdays!?!?!?!) Anyway, here's what we've been up to!
Day 22:
We are slowly getting plans made for our glasses drive for the Romanian mission team that is heading out this summer. Can’t wait to get the kids going on that! Lord, help us to reach our goal of 300 glasses so these people will be able to read Your word and be changed forever.
Day 23:
I am really having a hard time getting motivated today! This is the third day in a row Kevin and I have gotten up to exercise together. I am so sore I can barely move! The kids have already enjoyed a little more than an hour out in the snow (great PE hours, right?!) and it’s only 11! I guess we’ll just wait to start school until after lunch today.
Day 24:
Man, today was a crazy day! I made it out to church to make the copies of the James memorization cards to take to the Ladies in Purple conference in two weeks. Cutting those sure took longer than I thought! A huge thanks to Calvary for letting me print them there and to Beverly for laminating them for me! Can’t wait to share them with the ladies!!!!
Day 27:
I am noticing it is getting harder and harder for me to get on and do these updates because, without facebook, I am getting on the computer less. I am thinking this may be a good thing! I have gotten way more housework done and spent some sweet moments with the kiddos. I do, however, miss getting share and see all the things God is doing with those around me.
We did our poverty meal on Haiti tonight. I am just blown away by the poverty in that country. To be honest, as I sat looking at pictures, it was almost hard to tell whether they were pre or post earthquake. That is so sad! We have some friends heading there on a mission trip soon and they will be working with an orphanage when they go. Many of the orphans are those who were found living in the sewers, parentless, after the earthquake three years ago. The saddest part, and the part the kids just couldn’t get over, is that these children are not adoptable because they are undocumented orphans. They will never know a “forever family” here on earth. This is the second country we’ve learned about with children that will just never know a true earthly family and it breaks my heart. Those are the orphans that I just want to reach out and love on and pour all I can out to. Perhaps this is how God will use our family among the orphans of the world, I am not sure. Once again, I forgot to take pictures, but it was a memorable night for all of us! I think the thing that stuck out in their mind, other than whole families having to live in tents, was when we told them they could go play, but they could each only play with one toy. We wanted them to know what it’s like to not really have anything, and we thought that would be a good lesson for them. Oh, you should have heard the bargaining that went on! In the end, they did it and were able to use their imaginations and have a grand time, but they won’t soon forget the night they only got to play with one toy!
I leave one week from today for our next Ladies in Purple Conference! I am excited!! I get to see some amazing ladies I haven’t seen in awhile. I love these ladies! Of course, I have begun pouring over my scripts like mad hoping that I remember everything! I am sure Kevin loves that he gets to sit here and run lines….but he is so good and does that with me!
I do feel bad, however, because I am pretty sure I will be leaving him with the house in shambles! We’ve had to move school to the middle of the living room floor because the school area flooded a bit in the big rain we had on Sunday. So, Kevin will probably be having to rip out the flooring there (and maybe even some of the carpet) in order to fix whatever the problem is. So, school is a little scattered at the moment…oh…and did I mention that he will be working full-time and doing school for me next week? He must really love us! So, I am trying to get school done and get “sub plans” done (ha ha! Like I even know how to do such a thing!), which just makes things an even bigger mess!
Lord, lead and guide us as we look to being apart next week. Give us all peace and rest in You alone. Continue to show us how we can give to others out of the abundance you have given us. Mold us and shape us. Give all four of us a heart for loving on and sharing with others for the purpose of them coming to know You. Give all four of us a desire to know more of Your word, know more of You, and to be more like You!
Follow Me
Day 22:
We are slowly getting plans made for our glasses drive for the Romanian mission team that is heading out this summer. Can’t wait to get the kids going on that! Lord, help us to reach our goal of 300 glasses so these people will be able to read Your word and be changed forever.
Day 23:
I am really having a hard time getting motivated today! This is the third day in a row Kevin and I have gotten up to exercise together. I am so sore I can barely move! The kids have already enjoyed a little more than an hour out in the snow (great PE hours, right?!) and it’s only 11! I guess we’ll just wait to start school until after lunch today.
Day 24:
Man, today was a crazy day! I made it out to church to make the copies of the James memorization cards to take to the Ladies in Purple conference in two weeks. Cutting those sure took longer than I thought! A huge thanks to Calvary for letting me print them there and to Beverly for laminating them for me! Can’t wait to share them with the ladies!!!!
Day 27:
I am noticing it is getting harder and harder for me to get on and do these updates because, without facebook, I am getting on the computer less. I am thinking this may be a good thing! I have gotten way more housework done and spent some sweet moments with the kiddos. I do, however, miss getting share and see all the things God is doing with those around me.
We did our poverty meal on Haiti tonight. I am just blown away by the poverty in that country. To be honest, as I sat looking at pictures, it was almost hard to tell whether they were pre or post earthquake. That is so sad! We have some friends heading there on a mission trip soon and they will be working with an orphanage when they go. Many of the orphans are those who were found living in the sewers, parentless, after the earthquake three years ago. The saddest part, and the part the kids just couldn’t get over, is that these children are not adoptable because they are undocumented orphans. They will never know a “forever family” here on earth. This is the second country we’ve learned about with children that will just never know a true earthly family and it breaks my heart. Those are the orphans that I just want to reach out and love on and pour all I can out to. Perhaps this is how God will use our family among the orphans of the world, I am not sure. Once again, I forgot to take pictures, but it was a memorable night for all of us! I think the thing that stuck out in their mind, other than whole families having to live in tents, was when we told them they could go play, but they could each only play with one toy. We wanted them to know what it’s like to not really have anything, and we thought that would be a good lesson for them. Oh, you should have heard the bargaining that went on! In the end, they did it and were able to use their imaginations and have a grand time, but they won’t soon forget the night they only got to play with one toy!
Day 28:
I
got to work on our Christian Passover Meal that we’ll be doing for the
first time this year. I found two online
that I liked and kind of combined them together into something we could
use. One of them has a study guide to do
with your kids leading up to it, so I am excited to do that as part of school
the week of Easter. I am praying that
God will use this to remind us all of His grace and love in becoming our
Passover Lamb!I leave one week from today for our next Ladies in Purple Conference! I am excited!! I get to see some amazing ladies I haven’t seen in awhile. I love these ladies! Of course, I have begun pouring over my scripts like mad hoping that I remember everything! I am sure Kevin loves that he gets to sit here and run lines….but he is so good and does that with me!
I do feel bad, however, because I am pretty sure I will be leaving him with the house in shambles! We’ve had to move school to the middle of the living room floor because the school area flooded a bit in the big rain we had on Sunday. So, Kevin will probably be having to rip out the flooring there (and maybe even some of the carpet) in order to fix whatever the problem is. So, school is a little scattered at the moment…oh…and did I mention that he will be working full-time and doing school for me next week? He must really love us! So, I am trying to get school done and get “sub plans” done (ha ha! Like I even know how to do such a thing!), which just makes things an even bigger mess!
Lord, lead and guide us as we look to being apart next week. Give us all peace and rest in You alone. Continue to show us how we can give to others out of the abundance you have given us. Mold us and shape us. Give all four of us a heart for loving on and sharing with others for the purpose of them coming to know You. Give all four of us a desire to know more of Your word, know more of You, and to be more like You!
October 13, 2012
Only 2 more weeks....
I can't believe it! Our first Ladies In Purple conference is just two weeks away! Where has the time gone? I am both nervous and excited for this event. I feel so unprepared and unworthy to be standing in front of these ladies, knowing that I feel so overwhelmed and chaotic myself! But, I am praying that God will use that to speak to others who I am sure feel the same. We will join together in prayer and push through, knowing that God has greater plans and a fuller life than we could ever imagine!
As you will know, if you've read any of my blog posts, my heart is warring within me! I so strongly desire to be an instrument for the King in this world in which I live, yet I have no idea how to make it happen! Last week I had the great opportunity to serve alongside an amazing family as they held a huge yard sale to raise money to bring home their son, David, from Africa. What a great time that was! It was amazing to see the body of Christ come together, from all faiths and walks of life, to donate time and materials for this sweet family. This was so good for my soul, but also gave me the desire to do more. But, I must admit, it feels like all I can do is so small and insignificant that it hardly seems worth the effort. Praising God for an amazing reminder through Beth Moore in her study of James: "God is practical. He doesn't ask us to do what doesn't matter. What seems a drop in the bucket to you is a sip from the wellspring of life to someone about to thirst to death. Let's muster the courage to ask Him to show us who to help and how. True religion is all hands on deck and all heads out of the sand. The mystery is that, there, we often find our own healing and fulfilling." Wow, what I think of as so small it couldn't do anyone any good, is really life changing for someone in desperate need! Lord, move my heart to be a heart like Yours, seeking out those who need Your touch in their lives.
I was reading Jen Hatmaker's blog today and was just overwhelmed with the world's need for Him, in very real ways. I wanted to jump off the couch, get on a plane, and go join them in Haiti, spreading His love by being His hands and feet! Oh, how my heart aches to take my little family of four to the ends of the earth, to see how the rest of the world lives, to sit in the midst of a third-world country and see, not only their physical hunger, but the spiritual hunger that almost consumes them. To see how those, who have nothing, give everything they have to those around them who are even more in need than they are. Why don't we live that we? We have been given so much, yet we don't rush to give it to those who are far more in need than we are. Lord, change our hearts. Change our attitudes. Change our responses. Begin to make our hearts bleed with Your love and compassion. Show us how to be like You so that we can, in turn, show our children how to be like You. Overwhelm us with Your love and grace so that it spills out on our children and all those around us. Show us how to show our love here, in our own neighborhood and community, so that we can then take that love to the world.
I thank you in advance for your prayers over our conference and our family. Please join us in prayer for the following:
-Safe travel to and from the conference. I will be driving, first to AR (yes, I get to see the Keck's and Taylor's...my heart is soaring!), then on to Dallas. The first part of the trip will just be Sophie and I and the last part of the trip will just be Sara and I.
-Pray the Lord will bless the time I have with Sara and Mandy in AR and the time that Sophie will have with them while I am in TX.
-Pray that God will already be working in the hearts of those who will be attending the conference. Pray that He will clear schedules, hearts, and minds so that the Holy Spirit can work and move.
-Pray for clear direction and wisdom as I share my testimony with these precious ladies. My heart and mind are a jumble of about a million things right now. I need to focus!
-Pray for good memories so we can share God's truth with these women.
-Pray for Kevin as he is home with Ethan while Sophie and I are gone. Pray that God will bless the time they get to share, just daddy and son.
-Pray that God will clearly show our family how to best serve Him with all that He has given us.
I'll be sure to write post-conference and include as much info and as many pictures as I can!
As you will know, if you've read any of my blog posts, my heart is warring within me! I so strongly desire to be an instrument for the King in this world in which I live, yet I have no idea how to make it happen! Last week I had the great opportunity to serve alongside an amazing family as they held a huge yard sale to raise money to bring home their son, David, from Africa. What a great time that was! It was amazing to see the body of Christ come together, from all faiths and walks of life, to donate time and materials for this sweet family. This was so good for my soul, but also gave me the desire to do more. But, I must admit, it feels like all I can do is so small and insignificant that it hardly seems worth the effort. Praising God for an amazing reminder through Beth Moore in her study of James: "God is practical. He doesn't ask us to do what doesn't matter. What seems a drop in the bucket to you is a sip from the wellspring of life to someone about to thirst to death. Let's muster the courage to ask Him to show us who to help and how. True religion is all hands on deck and all heads out of the sand. The mystery is that, there, we often find our own healing and fulfilling." Wow, what I think of as so small it couldn't do anyone any good, is really life changing for someone in desperate need! Lord, move my heart to be a heart like Yours, seeking out those who need Your touch in their lives.
I was reading Jen Hatmaker's blog today and was just overwhelmed with the world's need for Him, in very real ways. I wanted to jump off the couch, get on a plane, and go join them in Haiti, spreading His love by being His hands and feet! Oh, how my heart aches to take my little family of four to the ends of the earth, to see how the rest of the world lives, to sit in the midst of a third-world country and see, not only their physical hunger, but the spiritual hunger that almost consumes them. To see how those, who have nothing, give everything they have to those around them who are even more in need than they are. Why don't we live that we? We have been given so much, yet we don't rush to give it to those who are far more in need than we are. Lord, change our hearts. Change our attitudes. Change our responses. Begin to make our hearts bleed with Your love and compassion. Show us how to be like You so that we can, in turn, show our children how to be like You. Overwhelm us with Your love and grace so that it spills out on our children and all those around us. Show us how to show our love here, in our own neighborhood and community, so that we can then take that love to the world.
I thank you in advance for your prayers over our conference and our family. Please join us in prayer for the following:
-Safe travel to and from the conference. I will be driving, first to AR (yes, I get to see the Keck's and Taylor's...my heart is soaring!), then on to Dallas. The first part of the trip will just be Sophie and I and the last part of the trip will just be Sara and I.
-Pray the Lord will bless the time I have with Sara and Mandy in AR and the time that Sophie will have with them while I am in TX.
-Pray that God will already be working in the hearts of those who will be attending the conference. Pray that He will clear schedules, hearts, and minds so that the Holy Spirit can work and move.
-Pray for clear direction and wisdom as I share my testimony with these precious ladies. My heart and mind are a jumble of about a million things right now. I need to focus!
-Pray for good memories so we can share God's truth with these women.
-Pray for Kevin as he is home with Ethan while Sophie and I are gone. Pray that God will bless the time they get to share, just daddy and son.
-Pray that God will clearly show our family how to best serve Him with all that He has given us.
I'll be sure to write post-conference and include as much info and as many pictures as I can!
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