New Beginnings

I can honestly say that I am fully embracing the new beginnings taking place in our lives. The move is just of the new beginnings we've experienced. I see an end coming to all of the strife. I am believing it is so. I have to.

I can no longer allow life around me to bring me down. I've allowed it to happen too many times in my life. So, there is another new beginning. I am working towards a better mindset that has me focusing solely on my relationship with God. Don't get me wrong. My relationship with the Lord has always been the center of who I am, but I am the first to admit that my mind messes with me. I tend to allow outside circumstance effect my relationship with God. What should be drawing me closer ends up pulling me away. Instead of running to Him, I tend to try to work it on my own. No more. I can't. That's what He has wanted me to see but I, in my stubbornness, just would not see it. I do know and that is what is important.

I've been praying a lot, seeking direction not only for myself but my whole family. We've been on the "search" for a church for years now. It's terrible that it's been years, but it has. We were apart of Old North for a few years, but truthfully, never felt like that was where we were supposed to be. We've been praying and thinking about going back to our old church that we attended for over 10 years. A very, very dear friend of ours has taken over the senior pastor's position. He is an amazing person and has been a very dear friend to both myself and my hubby. He was actually the best man in our wedding. But the funny thing is, he has been pastor now for over a month and we have yet to attend a service. We've been visiting a great church in Columbiana. The Gate. We were first introduced to The Gate by Kimmy and Kevin. We attended a pre-launch service last summer/fall. We enjoyed the service and promised to come back again once the church had it's official launch. Due to many different things in our lives, we hadn't had the chance to visit until just recently. Pastor Dave is an amazing pastor (and he has a pretty amazing wife too!) who was there for my family during an extremely difficult time. Dave and Vanda supported our family without hesitation. Their love and acceptance, even of those of us who do not attend the church, has been overwhelming. I have appreciated all they have done for my sister-in-law and brother-in-law. I have appreciated how they have given of themselves. They are down to earth and make talking to them easy. I enjoyed getting to know Vanda a little more when a small group of us met for dessert one night. It was a wonderful evening.

So, we've visited The Gate a few times in the last month or two. We've really enjoyed the entire service. Worship leader Kim had Mike and I both in tears the one Sunday. Kim has such a way of leading that it's hard not to want to join in. You can truly feel the presence of God in the praise and worship. Well, the entire service for that matter. Mike and I have left each visit talking about Pastor Dave's message. I can tell you without a doubt in my mind that Pastor Dave's message at my mother-in-law's funeral will always be embedded in my mind. Mike and I still talk about it. There is something to be said about that. So, coming full circle, I have been praying. Mike is praying. I don't want to be premature in any decision. All I know is that I feel welcomed and at home at The Gate. I enjoy the people and the atmosphere. Wherever God leads us is where we will go, but I am praying that this maybe the direction. ;)

On to other things.

All this talk about potty training has me preparing to potty train Merci. She is ready. I can tell. With Camden, we watch for him to show signs he was ready. He was a little over 3 before he was ready, but when he was it all at once. He woke up dry one morning and I made a big deal about it and told him he was big enough to start wearing big boy undies. From that point on, that's all it took and he was potty trained. He had a few accidents, but what potty training child doesn't? Merci has been showing signs that she is ready for the past couple of months. She goes in the bathroom and points to the potty. When I've asked if she wants to sit on the potty, she automatically starts to pull off the diaper. She has also been taking her diaper off when she thinks it's too wet. Since our move, she now has her potty chair out. At least twice a day she gets it out and says "popeee" and starts to pull her diaper off. I've let her sit ever time and she hasn't done anything in the "popeee" yet but I know it's coming. Oh to be completely diaper free for the first time in 5 years!!!

Well, it's about time for me to get my kiddos down for their afternoon nap so that I can finish up some things. I hope to get back to posting on a regular basis. Here's hoping right? TTFN