Day 1 - The Blogging Thing

I don't expect many people to follow my blogs...I'm a pretty ordinary person. A mommy of three beautiful girls (ages 4, 2, 6months), engaged to be married (date: TBA), finishing a bachelor's degree at age 28 and living in Southeast Wisconsin. See, nothing extraordinary. I go through the stresses, aggravations, joys, and tears that everyone else does. Most importantly, I am trying to live life while glorifying God through His son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

I lived in South Carolina for a few years, a while back. I attended a Baptist church regularly, became a member, accepted Christ as my personal savior and was forgiven for my sins. Through a series of "life" events, I disconnected from my church family, tried to control my own life, and became a non-repenting sinner. I knew God was calling me, I knew He was trying to get my attention for the last 4 years, but I hardened my heart and turned a deaf ear. Until recently, I knew - I knew, I believed, I didn't act. Recently, after awakening from a dream, I listened. A dream where I subconsciously spoke of my beliefs, the salvation of my children, a pre-trib rapture, and a desire to walk hand-in-hand with Jesus. I repented and asked Jesus to return to my life, walk with me, teach me how to raise my children to glorify His word, and to forgive me for my sins.

Today, I attended church. I mean, I truly attended church. I felt God in the sanctuary. Though I've attended church before, I haven't felt God's presnce in many years. I felt whole (even without my fiancee there - who stayed home with our 6 month old, Catie). The largeness of the church was off-putting at first as I've long desired the feel of the smaller congregation that I was a part of in North Myrtle Beach. Today, the church was finishing a 4-week series in grief, with guest speakers Matt and Ginny Mooney. They discussed the presence and love of God they saw through the 99 days their son, Eliot, was on Earth. Blessed with the ability to enjoy each day's celebration of his life, the parents cherished each day and each breath Eliot took. A story of grief that made me cry, an inspiration for the Christian spirit.

Anyways...today, I decided to start a blog. Though blessed with three healthy children, life is short. It seems to be getting shorter everyday that passes. As I continue with finishing my degree and raise my three girls, I know there is a constant struggle for my soul and eternal life. Fear of the unknown can cause the Devil to work, eat away at faith, cause distance between God and His people...I can't let that happen to my family, my children. My fiancee has been raised Catholic, I am encouraging him to rededicate his life to Christ, to begin to walk a Christian life. While words help, actions speak louder. I hope to help him to know Christ through my example - going to church, prayer, reading the Bible, living and doing daily things that glorify God and his Word.

All in all, I guess I will write about everyday life. The challenges and struggles my faith will encounter. The growing and learning through church and my rededication of my life. The daily hystericals that raising children can bring (like my two-year old choosing to dress silly, carry a purse and a baby and sing songs from The Sound of Music). And I will end each blog with a prayer.

Dear Lord, thank you for this day. Thank you for the smiles that my children have had, and the happiness they bring to me. Teach me, Lord, to live to glorify you, to inspire others and to not dwell on my troubles. Please remind me, Lord, that it is your Will to be done, not my own. Please remind me to not try to control my life as that is in your hands, and your Will be done. Please allow your grace and love to wrap around Matt and Ginny Mooney and thank you Lord for allowing me to hear their story today. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.