Metamorphosis

In our family the process of becoming a butterfly has been up close and personnel for a few weeks now. It has really made me start thinking a lot of the process that they go through to become the beautiful butterfly.

It is amazing to me how they start out as a tiny egg no bigger than a mustard seed. They are laid on the plant that they will need to eat when they hatch. This plant is called a host plant and a lot of the butterfly's carry that name with them. Take for example the Pipevine Swallowtail. The plant that they lay their eggs on is called the Pipevine. When they finally hatch from their egg they are very small and immediately begin devouring their host plant. With in days they have gotten fat on their plant and go in search for somewhere to attach themselves and begin their change.

The larvae starts by attaching its bottom with some silk to the place that it has chosen to make its change. Then it proceeds to spin a silken lifeline that is also attached, around the upper portion of its body so that during its process of change it will not fall. After a brief period of rest it begins to wiggle back and forth and sheds the outer layer of skin revealing a chrysalis. Then he waits.

After a couple of weeks the chrysalis splits on the top and the butterfly emerges. He cannot fly when he first comes out. His wing are wet and limp. In his abdomen is a special fluid that pumps into the veins of his wings and hardens. He stretches his wings and begins to flap them so they will dry and stiffen up. Then he fly's away free.

This reminds me of the process that we go through to be free in Christ. When we are told of Christ a tiny little seed is laid in our hearts. Our host is Christ and his word. If we spend the time to devour our host, to study him and read his word we will grow fat in Christ and we will take on His name. As the caterpillar attaches a lifeline, so we must attach a lifeline from our hearts to our father in heaven. If we keep that lifeline intact we will not fall. When we have ourselves connected we will begin the final change.

Just as the caterpillar completely submitted himself to the will of the creator, we too must give ourselves completely up to his will. We must shed the old self and take on the new. As the chrysalis protected so also the filling of our hearts with Him will protect us. There will be no room for Satan. In time we will emerge perfect in Christ, we will be filled with His love and will take to the sky, free.

Happiness

I've been thinking about happiness a lot lately. What is it to be truly happy? Is it having everything you want or learning to be content with what you have? Is it being served by others or serving others? Is it knowing that God will provide all you need or doing all you do for him?

I have to say yes to all of that. There's nothing wrong with having what you want as long as what you have you are content with. As you serve others, you too are being served. Knowing that God will provide all your needs gives you peace but doing everything you do for him gives you a fulfillment above all else.

My happiness comes from what I said above but also from my family. Spending the day with my kids and watching them grow physically, emotionally, mentally and most importantly spiritually. Listening to them sing bible songs as they to their school work. Gathering around the dinner table for a meal together and doing our Meal Time Moments. They have really gotten involved in that and take turns leading the little Bible talks every night. I really enjoy tucking them in every night and going through our nightly routine of singing the JellyTelly song, saying bedtime prayers and blessing them. HAPPINESS IS BEING A MOTHER!

My happiness also comes from my marriage. Everyday is truly a blessing being married to Matt. I'm not saying that it has always been a bed of roses. We get on each others nerves from time to time. But honestly it just seems to get better every day. I catch myself watching the clock waiting for the time that he will call and say that he is heading home. I am happy just being around him. HAPPINESS IS BEING MARRIED TO MY WONDERFUL HUSBAND!

I am happiest being a wife and a mother. But I know that all of this would be for nothing if I didn't have God. All of this is because of him. All that I have are blessings from him. I have a wonderful husband because he was gracious enough to search the perfect one out just for me. I have two beautiful, sweet, intelligent boys because he knew I needed boys. He was right of course. I am so grateful that he gave me my boys. I pray everyday that I can be the kind of wife and mother that God wants me to be. I know that God will give me the strength, patience, love and time I need to be what I need to be for him.

HAPPINESS IS SERVING GOD IN ALL I DO!

Entering a new stage of living

Our family a couple weeks ago decided that we need to eat better. We thought we ate pretty good. But pretty good is just not good enough anymore. We started a couple of weeks ago following the Healing diet of Dr. Josh Axe. We've pretty much cut out anything that is not naturally made. We don't buy anything with hormones, additives or preservatives. We've given up all soda and coffee. We try to buy as much organic as we can. We've also replaced our vitamins with high quality whole foods vitamins. It is amazing the difference it has already made. We have more energy and have both lost weight. I personally have lost over 6lbs just this past week.

It's not just Matt and I though. This is a whole family affair. It is more difficult with the boys. It is hard to find them snacks that they like that are healthy. They have been doing great though and I have already noticed a difference in them. I just tonight purchased them higher quality vitamins.

I am so happy that we all finally have the same goal of wanting to be healthier. I can't wait to see how we progress.

Time for bed. God bless you all.

Life happens

My house is a disaster today(except the kitchen). I have laundry piled up in a chair, the floors need to be swept and vacuumed, the bathrooms need to be cleaned again and I need to dust. Oh and did I mention that I still haven't taken down the Christmas decorations. This has been a crazy week. With Matt being out of town, homeschooling and it being Joshua's birthday many things have been pushed aside. It's amazing how messy a house can get in just a couple of days. Now it is crunch time. Matt will be home tonight and sometime today I have to go grocery shopping. Did I mention that it is raining again today. That is two days in a row. I hate going grocery shopping in the rain. Everything gets all wet, even me. Somehow, I will get it all done.

At least today is only half day of school. The boys are pretty good at sitting and doing their work on their own once I have explained it to them. I check in from time to time to make sure they are completing it correctly. Speaking of school it is time for them to get busy.

As I am sitting here typing, I keep glancing down at my now 7 year old as he plays with his new castle. He can play so quietly sometimes. He's just placing all his little army men strategically around the castle getting ready for a battle. He is such a sweetie. Sean I believe is in his room listening to stories that Grandpa Kerbe read and recorded for him. Here he comes right now. He needs to eat breakfast now. It is time for me to do some more work so I will go for now. As much as I like to blog, I always find it interesting how people complain about not having enough time to do the things that need to be done but have time to sit down and blog or spend time on Facebook for who knows how long. Now I'm stepping on some toes, including my own today. I'll save that for another blog after I get some much needed cleaning done.

Seven Years

"Wake up mom, it's my birthday". That is how I was woke up this morning with a pounce. My little, curly haired, blue eyed Joshua is seven years old today. Wow! Time sure does go by fast. I remember when he was born and he was so little with red peach fuzz on his head. He was perfect! He has always been so sweet and such a snuggler. He still loves to snuggle. He'll come into bed in the mornings if he wakes up before me and snuggle up with me. He'll still climb up in the chair with me even though he almost doesn't fit anymore. I will never forget those special times. I fear that they will soon come to an end. I am so thankful to God for my Joshua. He's quit a boy. I love that he has such a tender heart. That he is so rowdy and rambunctious. He is very bright and loves to learn knew things. He loves reading to you and to himself. I love it when he says that he loves me more that anything in the world but that he loves God the most. He has a wonderful spirit and a strong will. I pray that I can be the best mother I can to him. I pray that God will help me to guide his spirit and will to become a wonderful Christian man. He has so much potential to be a strong Christian leader in the world. God bless Joshua in this next year. May he grow in strength and knowledge in the Lord.