37 Verses to Up the Ante

Turning another year older today, but moving on. I keep reminding my hubby that you only get older if your mind feels older. So since I still feel like 27 in my mind, though my body feels like I'm 47 (totally guessing here), I'm gonna stick with 27!

Not that this birthday is a major year, but I'm just needing to up the ante surrounding it. For me. I've been thinking about how all I really desire lately is just to know God's Word even more. I was always decent at memorizing when I was younger, but it seems I don't retain much lately, (not sure why?). I read so many good things, listen to amazing sermons, gather with precious friends and family who are sharp and I want to store it all up. Sometimes I do, sometimes not. But back to me wanting to soak up scripture more. I've had all kinds of verses memorized for years, but for this birthday, I wanted to gather some verses I know and some I don't have treasured in my heart, to solidify them there. It seems that these verses have been my favorites or shared lately, or that I've read them or found them or that they have really applied to our life in some way. I want them in one spot for now, and I have them printed off to be able to glance at daily. My desire is to have them roll off my tongue or have them pop into my mind instantaneously, so I can share them with our boys, friends, family or just anyone, but also for it to be a way for me to have my Lord's Word with me always!

It has taken me a while to compile this not so random number of verses, because there are obviously so many, but I'm starting with these for now ( in ESV).

-- Because all starts with giving thanks. . .1 Thessalonians 5:18-"give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." And, Psalm 100.

-- Daily mindsets . . . Psalm 19:14-"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." And, Psalm 143:8-"Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." And, Lamentations 3:22-23-"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." And Colossians 3:2. And, Zephaniah 3:17-"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."

--The Lord is my Shepherd. . .Psalm 23.

--Find His peace. . .Psalm 4:8-"In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." And, 2 Timothy 1:7, and Philippians 4:6-7-"do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." And, Psalm 46:10.

--Living it out. . .Micah 6:8-"and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" And, Colossians 3:12-17. And, Matthew 28:19. And, Romans 12:12-"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." And, Isaiah 58:10-11. And, Psalm 127:1-"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain."

--Faith and hope and assurance. . .Hebrews 11:1-"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." And, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18. And, Romans 8:28-"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." And, Corinthians 5:17-"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

--Teaching our children and reminding ourselves. . .Proverbs 15:1-"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh words stirs up anger." And, Psalm 139:14-"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." And, Philippians 4:13. And, Ephesians 4:32-"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." And, Joshua 1:9-"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." And, Galatians 5:22-23.

--The great and first commandment. . .Matthew 22:37-"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."

Turns out there are 37 verses plus 2 passages, but that doesn't mean I'm 39! :) And if any of you stopping by this small space would like to add/share a verse that means something to you or that you have stored up in your heart, would you mind commenting (I ask so humbly)? I'd gratefully accept it as a birthday gift!

World Down Syndrome Day--I am . . .

I am so excited to be teaming up with the International Down Syndrome Coalition and sharing their World Down Syndrome Day 2013 video! Their 2012 video from last year had a huge impact on me as we had just found out our little baby was to be born with Down syndrome. I've learned so much over this past year and feel so very blessed to have our baby Way! I am thankful to have this new understanding about Down syndrome and thankful for how the Lord has shown our family just how awesome the Lord is and how we are all fearfully and wonderfully made! And before you watch the video, here's a little bit about our 4th amazing little boy. . .

I am a little brother!

 I am a happy camper!

I am treasured!

I am strong!

I am fearfully and wonderfully made!

Hope you enjoy the video and share away! Spread the word about World Down Syndrome Day tomorrow, 3/21/13! Thanks IDSC for making us all aware!

FYI Friday (on Saturday)--faith, family and friends

Let me start by saying this day last year seems so long ago and it just isn't relevant anymore, except for what the Lord has shown us and taught us through our faith, and for the love from our family and friends! I just wanted to acknowledge this here, my little space, for our boys (down the road), for passersby who may or may not be able to relate in some way, for family and friends and to share a bit from my heart and hopefully our faith!

On this day last year, I received a phone call from our new high risk doctor whom I had first seen 4 days earlier. We were sent to him after my OB saw fluid around our little baby's heart. Our high risk doctor told us there was less than a 1% chance our baby would have Down syndrome, but he suggested that we get an amnio to answer further questions he had about the fluid around the baby's heart. So, we proceeded with the amnio and waited for the results. That was tough. We fluctuated with being at peace to Googling, which of course led to fear. Then, on Friday, March 9th of 2012, I received the phone call that confirmed our fears. Our little baby had Down syndrome. Wow! I managed to hold it together while talking to my doctor, even after he asked me if we wanted to terminate (which 92% of women who find out their baby has DS do) which, we obviously did not! But after hanging up, I lost it. The fear of the unknown ahead, what about our baby's heart, what about sooo much we didn't know and how we would make it just undid me. I remember all of the events afterward, but one of the things Chad and I have been most thankful for in all of this is our friends. That night we were supposed to go over to our friends, the Tenents, house for dinner. We considered canceling because honestly, we were a mess and had a lot to process. But our sweet friends wanted us to come over anyway. It truly was God led. We ate pizza, our children played and we were prayed for and loved on in a way we will never forget! And the Lord continued using friends to support us the next morning, as our friends, the Stouts, came to town for the weekend, possibly moving back to Memphis after being gone 4 years. We met for lunch and play and again we were loved and prayed for. We felt the Lord's hands around us those first few really hard days--like never before--though He is always with us!

And it just continued! A couple of days later, we were driving to the beach for a vacation. My parents were there too, and when we arrived, they had already read books and facts about Down syndrome! They knew more than I did at that point! We again felt super supported! Support just kept coming in from friends and family and we felt encouraged and blessed!

I write all of this because this day and time is one I will always remember, but more importantly to give thanks to our Lord! I know we questioned the Lord, wondering what He was thinking. But, wow! He is good! We believe what Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Why on earth would we want anything different than what the Lord wants? We love our baby Way beyond belief and could not be more thankful for the blessing he is to our family! Does that mean there won't be challenges along our path? No! Everyone has problems. The Lord has never promised life would be easy. We are choosing to take one day at a time, enjoying each day the Lord gives us and not focusing on what's ahead, just as He tells us to do! And we are giving thanks for our faith and to our family and friends who have made all the difference this past year. We are grateful! Baby Way is 7 months now and our perfect little gift!

FYI Friday--funniest book ever (that I've read)

I had a friend remind me that I was going to tell you about the funniest book I've ever read. Well, I hadn't forgotten, but our computer's hard drive crashed--don't even get me talking about that or I will cry--hadn't been backed up since last June (before baby Way's arrival)--seriously can't talk about it. Ahem! Right! On to funny!

Sparkly Green Earrings by Melanie Shankle is a book you need to get. Right now. Unless you don't like laughing hysterically. I first heard of the book from my fave writer, Ann Voskamp. She recommended the book, which was just released in February. Melanie has been a blogger for several years and has just written this memoir on motherhood that had me laughing out loud on a plane next to total strangers. I'll admit, that when random people I don't know, laugh out loud near me, I always think they want some attention. Which is fine. I'm usually happy to give it to them. But, I was not trying to get attention--I just could not hold the laughter inside! I started the book on the plane on my way to our Valentine's getaway, and continued laughing out loud at the spa, on the beach, in our hotel room, whenever I was reading it! I even took pictures of the text on some pages and texted them to my sis and a friend. I kept stopping to read parts to Chad and I must have told him a jillion times how funny it was! In fact, he insisted that I email Melanie Shankle and tell her how much I enjoyed her book. I was hesitant because I was guessing her entire blogging fan base was doing the same thing, but I did email her. Guess what? She emailed me back. Not just a sentence, but a nice letter about how thankful she was that I wrote, so glad it made me laugh, etc. etc. Classy girl.I really can't do the book justice, so read the reviews on your own if you need more than just my recommendation. But, if you are a mom, want to be a mom, or if you just need a good laugh, run out (or click away on Amazon) and grab this book. You're welcome in advance!