Archive for 2013

So much of life passes us by with a blink and a nod. Very little acknowledgment beyond the catalog of events we try to maintain. We have so much going on...so many different plates spinning up in the air...different relationships...different activities...different encounters. We are speeding along this fast-track of life...trying to keep our heads above the water and maintain some sort of semblance of peace. But what do we treasure up in our heart? What do we ponder? What do we take out...when all is still and quiet...and reflect upon? What do we examine and recount to learn and grow from?

But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

Luke 2:19

Here is Mary. Just a simple young girl who had lived most of her days in humble deference to what society had dictated. Suddenly, that quiet, peaceful existence is replaced by.the divine intervention of heralding angels..an immaculate conception...a surprised wedding...an unexpected trip...a subdued delivery...the arrival of breathless and excited shepherds...and a completely different purpose in life than what she had ever dreamed for herself.

Holding onto that sweet little baby...questioning all that she was...wondering if she would ever be "good enough"...she treasured up all the things that had happened thus far. And she pondered them. They were weighty...not just simple thoughts. The God of the universe...born to set her people free...lying in her arms.

What would this mean for her as a mother...what immense joys were up ahead? What excruciating trials would she endure? What role did she play in the grand scheme of this drama?

Mary did not know all that was in store for her. Yet, as Simeon explained...there would be pain...a sword would pierce through Mary's heart...she was still prepared to obey God. Without full knowledge or understanding. Yet she would obey Him...all the while, quietly reflecting and pondering...growing in understanding as God permitted.

Our lives will not have the same divine disruption. We are not called to the same joys and burdens that Mary endured. But in each of our lives God has disturbed our simple...quiet existence. He has intervened into the monotony of our world and drawn us into the divine. If we look back over the landscape of our days...we too will find those little nuggets of treasures. Times that God showed us a glimpse of His plan. A peek at what He has set apart for us, specifically, to fulfill. An awareness of His presence. A display of His grace. And perhaps even a piercing of our hearts...followed by the comfort of His hand.

Mary was surrounded by different voices...angels...shepherds...Joseph...Elizabeth...Anna...Simeon...but she did not allow those to become confused and then discarded. She stopped...and pondered. Treasured. Mulled them over. Meditated on each of them. Making a memory in her heart that she could return to. Empowering her to obey even through the toughest of circumstances.

What is it that we will treasure up in our hearts? Being specific to take note of the presence of God in our lives...how will we recollect upon them? We...like Mary...cannot see what lies ahead. But we do have the treasures that would embolden us to walk confidently in the knowledge of His faithfulness.

Treasure all these things up in your heart.

These last few weeks of fall have been filled with fun and friendship.

With temperatures cooling and leaves changing...

we are finding more and more autumn afternoons need to be spent at the park!

Exploring, playing, being silly, eating, laughing, swinging.

Thankfully...there are several families that have felt the same way...so it has been double (or triple) the fun!

Several weeks back we had the pleasure of hosting one of my oldest friends, Julie, and her family.

The Padens are missionaries in the Philippines and home on furlough.

We packed them all into the house and had a SUPER fun time for a week that seemed to fly by!!

They have four kids also...and so everyone had a buddy to hang with for the week!

And even though they have spent a huge chunk of their furlough in the van...travelling here there and everywhere across the United States...they still wanted to troop it up to the mountains and check out the fall colors.

Thankfully, on this mountain trip, the sun was shining brightly...we were warm AND dry!!

The kids picked more apples than we could ever eat...but had a blast doing it! :-)

The days were spent playing hard...and the evenings were spent gathered around the table recounting our unique stories of blessings and faithfulness.

We were encouraged in this journey of faith by this family that has gone before us.

It was such a sweet week of fellowship...one that the Lord timed so perfectly into our lives.

Sadly, the week's end came faster than we were prepared for! :-(

Once they left it was back to the grind of school days!!!

Of course, I had TONS of apples to bake with...so we've had apple cider muffins, mini-apple pies, and yummy apple crisp!!!

Last weekend we had the opportunity to serve with Servants with A Heart
packing food packages for the hungry in Nicaragua.
Although it was technically work...it was also fun!

The little ones decorated the boxes that the food was packaged in...
so get ready Managua...you have some amazingly creative artwork headed your way!!

The older kids helped measure food...seal bags...pack boxes...and cheer for each and every box packed!

The total meals packed for that day was 157,000!!!!

Our family was so blessed to contribute a small part to this ministry!

This weekend was Tyler's last flag football game of the season.

His team won the championship game and had an incredible season.

He was blessed to have a fantastic coach that truly pushed him to excel and become a better player!

The fall festivities just keep on going...

The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.

For the last month or so, I have been reading to the kids about the life of George Mueller. His testimony is radical...going from complete rebellion, greed, and manipulation - to complete surrender and submission to God's calling on his life. It has been humbling to read story after story of Mueller's incredible faith in God's provision...and God's faithfulness to provide. George Mueller is most known for the orphanages he opened throughout England...but he is also known for his unique faith in prayer.

Early on in his ministry, Mueller committed everything to the Lord. He wanted little to do with material possessions and in fact, sold all of the things that he felt would "tie him to this earth". He simply trusted God to provide for ALL of his needs...without exception. He did not have a plan B...or a backup...or a safety net...or any debt. If there was a need...Mueller would pray. And then trust that God would see fit to answer his prayers. Whether it was for a loaf of bread...or a building...nothing was too big or small to go before the throne of grace and entreat his Savior.

It has been convicting for me to read of this man's great faith. And while at first, I was tempted to simply shrug it off...given that we live almost two hundred years apart...I cannot deny that the God of Mueller is the same God that I serve. And while I would love to simply dismiss his faith as being "radical" and more "necessary" for his time...I cannot deny that God has called me to this same faith...in this very time!

If we desire our faith to be strengthened, we should not shrink from opportunities where our faith may be tried, and therefore, through trial, be strengthened.

Mueller grew in his faith. It was at first...simply a mustard seed. Through different situations and circumstances that God allowed him to go through, Mueller's faith began to grow and take root. His faith was tested...his trust in God was tried...and yet he was steadfast. His faith grew...and was able to accomplish much for the kingdom of God.

Looking back over the last few years of my life, I can see that God has allowed different opportunities for my faith to grow. Circumstances that demanded my eyes to go directly to Him...required my knees to hit the floor. I would love to say that through each of them...my faith was strengthened...but sadly, unlike Mueller, I looked for a plan B. A just-in-case-God-doesn't-provide option. A safety net.

Be assured, if you walk with Him and look to Him, and expect help from Him, He will never fail you.

And while at times I was faithless...God has always remained faithful. In the midst of anxiety or doubt, He was constant. He used the prompting of His Spirit on the members of His body to remind me over and over again that He is watching over us. Loving us. Showering us with goodness. Giving us more than our necessary needs.

Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man's power ends.

God delights in showing us the characteristics that make Him GOD. He wants us to know Him. To trust Him. To have faith in Him. When we walk by faith, we are forced to await for His response to our needs. Thus allowing Him the perfect backdrop for His marvelous intervention to unfold. Moving us from beyond the possible into the realm of the impossible. Each encounter adding to that foundation of faith...reminding us once more that our God IS worthy of our complete and utter trust in Him.

Faith is the assurance that the thing which God has said in His Word is true, and that God will act according to what He has said in His Word... Faith is not a matter of impressions, nor of probabilities, nor of appearances.

I have been a Christian for over twenty years...and yet my faith is just beginning to sprout. Mostly because the majority of my life has been lived in a comfortable state of existence...not demanding faith to survive. But also...because I have not always sought the Lord before acting on my own. Looking for other provisions before waiting on Him. Staying in the realm of the possible...rather than seeking the impossible.

God delights to increase the faith of His children. We ought, instead of wanting no trials before victory, no exercise before patience, to be willing to take them from God's hands as a means. Trials, obstacles, difficulties and sometimes defeats, are the very food of faith.

Thankfully, God continues to provide a means...opportunities to exercise faith. To wait on Him. To boldly go before Him with every need. Every concern. Every hearts desire. And to learn to expect great things from Him. This past year has been one of growth for my seedling of faith. God allowed situations that found me without any opportunities for "plan B" or any false security of a safety net. But pushed me to see that my reliance was only safe completely in Him. Then time and time again, the Lord moved in ways that were beyond my comprehension. That could only be attributed to Him.

So while it is still small...this little seedling of faith is growing. And I pray that as I truly seek Him...believing that HE is who He says He is...and He will do what He says He will do...this faith will truly accomplish much for His kingdom!!

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is

and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

Hebrews 11:6

Football has officially kicked us into the fall season.

Tyler took a break over the spring season...

so throughout the summer we counted down the months until he could get back into the game.

This year he is the youngest player on his team...

and it has been a good challenge for him to keep up with the other players.

He is picking up his pace running after the flags...looking to defend the open man...and secretly hoping to score a touch down here and there!

As always, his faithful cheerleaders are on the side...calling out his name...proving to be a bit of a distraction...and of course...having a fun all of their own!

Several weekends ago, after Tyler's game, we loaded up the van and along with our friends, the Howards, we trekked up to the mountain to scout out the best apples of the season.

Along the way, the clouds got darker and darker...and pretty soon...we were driving through a downpour.

Hoping that it would stop once we got up the mountain...we continued on!

But rain or shine...it was apple picking time!!!

Thankfully, the Howards came MUCH more prepared than we did and were able to share a couple of rain ponchos!

Needless to say, we all got a little soggy!!!

Jason was the official umbrella holder...although I must say, most of us kept our distance for fear of getting poked in the eye with it!!!

Although our noses were drippy and our feet were sloshing...the apples were ripe for the picking!!!

We quickly filled up several buckets of apples...all differing varieties...and some even with bites missing here and there.

To warm us up, there were plenty of apple donuts and piping hot apple cider!

And not long after we were home...there was fresh apple pie!!

And now, only a few weeks later...our apples have all been gobbled up...two apple pies have been made...several loaves of apple bread...and homemade applesauce.

The kids are already asking if perhaps ANOTHER apple picking trip can squeeze it's way into our fall!!!

There seems to be a common theme running through my conversations of late. Life is hard. Decisions are difficult. Relationships are strained. Perspectives are changing. Christians are in the heat of trials. Trials that have been promised to us...that should not come unexpectedly...but trials...nonetheless.

who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory. I Peter 1:5-8

For a little while...if necessary...you have been distressed by trials. What makes a trial necessary? Why must we as believers...experience pain...loss...suffering...hardship...frustration...disappointment? What need in our life demands that we endure these trials?
Often times, the need comes when we have become too comfortable in our surroundings. When we have allowed our flesh to make it's home in this world and find comfort in this place. We lose sight of our eternal lodgings...and allow our citizenship to slip down into the temporal. We elevate our need for comfort...our need for stability...security. And we make that our aim...pursuing it at all costs.

Or perhaps, we have become too accustomed to relying on self. Independent. Self-sufficient. Self-reliant. We forget how frail we truly are...and how quickly a change of circumstances can rob us of what little control we thought we had over our lives.

Or it could simply be...a reminder. A remembering of our identity. Our purpose. Our calling. Our security. A reinforcing of the solidarity we have in Christ to prepare us for the mission He has predestined us to. A reminder to keep our focus on Him.

Whatever the case maybe...we know that these trials are custom...tailor-made by our Sovereign Creator. This is far different than experiencing the effects of a fallen world. No, this is an all sufficient, completely sovereign God...gently and lovingly calling us to the edge of what we deem comfortable...and propelling us across the threshold into hardship. Into the unknown. Where we cannot draw on past experience or previous knowledge. All of this comes from Him. Knowing all of our weaknesses. Knowing all of our insecurities Knowing all of our vulnerabilities. These trials are not for others...but individual...some might empathize or understand what we experience. But these are singular by design. To draw out a singular focus. The proof of our faith.

Taking Peter as an example…he suffered immense persecution…to the point of death. This being the same man that denied Christ…now being martyred for his name’s sake. What happened in his life to make him so sure that his salvation was genuine? Worth dying for? From the time Peter watched the Savior ascend to the penning of this book…Peter had stormed quite a few trials. And he had come to learn that these very trials were given not to hurt him…not to push him further from the Lord…not to exasperate him…but to prove to him his faith. To prove that this faith is genuine. To quiet all the doubts that might be questioning the words he had heard His Savior speak. These trials…hand-crafted by his Lord…pushed him beyond his natural capabilities into the reality that God was protecting this faith. His mustard seed size faith…was being protected by Almighty God.

As we walk through trials...human faith...human reasoning begins to falter...melt away. We cannot answer the questions…we cannot explain the “whys”. So, we turn to the Author and Perfector of our faith and begin to experience a side of His character not yet seen. In comfort, there is no need for mercy and healing. In ease and prosperity there is no need for a Deliverer and Provider. But through these trials…our one-dimensional Savior becomes three-dimensional. His vastness exceeds our understanding. Then something incredible happens…in the midst of these trials…rather then doubt and disbelief…He allows us to see we need not worry about the safety of our faith. It is protected by the power of God. He is sustaining our faith. Everything shifts...we begin to see the assurance of our salvation...the reality of faith. Without hardships we would waver...question whether or not salvation has actually occurred.

But thankfully, God does not keep us protected...shielded...cushioned from these trials merely to endure continually. He does the opposite. He refines this faith through trials...allowing us to see it is sustained by HIM alone...and thus revealing not only to us the trueness of our faith but also manifests facets of His nature not yet experienced.

In this we greatly rejoice. We rejoice because in His supreme sovereignty God found it necessary to reveal to us our pure faith. To remove the dross. Remove the impurities. Remove the distractions. He has intervened in our life to remind us that His power is sustaining our faith...He is protecting us...He has anchored our hope beyond the veil. We rejoice through these trials because having not seen Him...we come to know Him so much more intimately through the fire. And we rejoice with joy inexpressible because this trial has now prepared us for action...sobered our minds...and fixed our hope completely on the revelation of Christ.

There is not a situation that we can fabricate that would bring all of this to fruition. There is not a method or formula that we can follow to achieve this proving of our faith. There is nothing that we can do…on our own…that would accomplish this same result. No…it can only be produced through trials.

So these trials...while painful...might seem to be without end...can at times wear us down beyond our physical endurance...but are truly necessary.

For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
II Corinthians 4:17

We started our homeschool year earlier this year...hoping to add some cushion and flexibility to the calendar.

With a trip back up to Philly this coming weekend and a short trip to the beach...all just in August...we might use up the extra days before Fall hits!!!

But back to school we are...well...technically we are now in our third week of the year!

I had some fun things planned for the kids for the first day back...

hoping that it would ease them into the early mornings and rising concentration levels! :-)

Of course...what is a special morning without a special spill...

not five minutes after everyone sat down to breakfast...

someone spilled an ENTIRE bowl of Cheerios...oh well!!

For the most part...there were smiles all around to get back to the schedule and noses in books.

We enjoy homeschooling...maybe not all year long...and especially not in the month of May...but all in all...we love being together and just learning as a family!

Each year I try to change things up just a little bit.

Nothing huge...but something that gives a new feel to the year.

This school year, the kids' lesson plans are on the computer...so each morning they log onto one of the laptops and check out what is required of them for the day.

Such a small little change...but has made a huge impression on both of them!

Jackson has learned his colors. And most of his letters. And for some strange reason can write the letters "O" and "H" quite proficiently! So we have some OH HO papers all over the house!

Hopefully, we can expand on those this year!

Like in all other areas of his life, Jackson approaches school with exuberance and excitement each day!

Never a dull moment with this kid around...halfway through the day Jackson came into my room making a choking sound. Apparently, he had been sucking on a Lego (why?) and accidentally swallowed it!

Hmmmm...thankfully we found out later that it was actually a marble...not a Lego.

Small comfort!

Sweet little Hailey.

The girl already knows all of her colors and is getting ready to pass her older brother on letters.

Learning through the environment of her home has been the best teacher!

Our verses for the year are Colossians 2:6-7 (yes, my Bible study is still burning in my heart!)

Jason and I are praying that each of our children will continue to walk in Him...established in the faith...through their own personal relationship with Jesus.

Our motto at the Jimenez house is L-O-V-E (my husband loves acrostics!)

Laugh

Open

Value

Encourage

After school we headed to our favorite pizza place!

And then they each picked out their favorite book from the store next door!!!

Now we're three weeks in...excitement wearing off but the fun JUST BEGINNING!!! :-)

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