Children of the Day

It's been a fun several weeks in the boat! Fellowship is in full swing with mountains of documentation, articles to review, studying, testing, presentations, and fun hikes and outings. Jody has started school and Reece will officially start next Tuesday as 1st grader! Cale turns 4 tomorrow and Mom has a birthday Sunday, followed by Jody on Sept 5th. The ball is rolling.

I finished up a women's health OB course this weekend in Longmont, CO. Hard decision I must say because I missed the FMUQ class in Denver with the team. Missed several friends as well that were taking the class. Needless to say, I was where I needed to be. Tons of research presented giving the stance for why we can be involved in OB care and recommendations for ways to be proactive for the patients who will soon deliver. It was also some special time to myself to reflect, study, shop, explore, and praise in the beautiful mountains. The drive home wrapped the foothills parkway through Boulder back to 70. I love the sunny drives here. They warm my heart and make me pinch myself that I am here.

I must say that today was emotional. Probably some exhaustion among other things that I know played a part. One was definitely that a best friend from home had her baby yesterday and I could not be there. That was a special thing miss. Hurt my heart a bit honestly. Baby and momma are doing good and enjoying the sweet newness! Another was Cale turns 4 today. Wow...my baby is growing up. My sweet once bundle is a big boy. He's a mess of fun, laughter, trouble, and sweet all rolled up into that little boy. I'm so proud to be his momma, but when your baby starts to get older it starts to set in a little more. So the emotion is really that, nothing more.

Surprisingly after looking through pictures of birth to present I found myself reading articles and finding that I just needed more tonight. I needed a word. So I found myself finally opening the new Beth Moore study that my mom purchased before we left Texas. I finally just let myself set everything else down for more than 20 minutes. And God's timing never ceases to amaze me. Overwhelm me. I missed my bible study group and ladies that I just love to pray with over whatever life is throwing us! So this is for you and anyone else that appreciates a good word. :)

Here's the quick recap:
Children of the Day starts with the church in Thessalonica. Beth highlights toward the end of the study that Jesus also prayed for those who WOULD believe in Him today. Well goodness. To think that Jesus prayed for me, not just knew about me, or that I would one day exist is pretty powerful. Humbling.  But prayed for me. (sigh)

She has us write 3 specific characteristics that make you different from your family or friends and APPRECIATE YOUR DISTINCTIVENESS as a child of God.  I won't share what I wrote but will say that that phrase was like my flashing billboard. So much in the fashion, I wrote the date beside that and my 3 and circled it because I know that I'm going to need to remember today.

In closing, she has you do 2 powerful things.
Stated: You have a place here-- a purpose unique and substantial, not merely some spiritual reality, floating like a fleck in the air. 

          Don't know about you, but it is nice to be reminded of this now and then. For me, NOW. It's nice to read in ink something you've felt. It's nice to read statements that help ground you, boast you, and motivate. God's timing is perfect. His word is flawless.
          Lastly, she has you sign your signature, full name and introduce yourself in a bio in the sand.  Hmmm. Full name: check, description: check. So other than my full name I'll share:
-Child of God
-In Fellowship with Christ and man
-Daughter of the King
-Defined by Him Alone
-Called by Him
-Molded by Him
-Spoken TO
-Given Vision
-Commanded to Act
-On my way
-work in progress

I feel no need at this point to write about my testimony. It's my life story given by Him. I've shared it many times. For those that know me you may have heard parts of it. It's a good story, but it is HIS all the same. At this point, the above is all I need to know. As a popular song says, "He knows my name". Yes He does. And I'm so blessed when He reminds me that He has not forgotten me or grown tired of me. He formed me, made me, grows me, saved me, frames me, builds me, guides me, protects me, delivers me, calls me. There's much that I have to do here where I am. Much that I have to read and study and LOVE TO DO. It's nice to know that He has a purpose for me, for you and that purpose is UNIQUE to us and substantial. He does not have to do any of that.

I leave that in the sand for Him to leave as long as He wants or just wash over me and re-write what I've only given Him the permission to inscribe and affect my heart.
"He knows my name. He calls me chosen, free, forgiven. I am yours."
"I don't need my name in lights, I'm famous in my Father's eyes, make no mistake
He knows my name."

Here's the whole song:

Francesca Battastelli

Spent today in a conversation
In the mirror face to face with
Somebody less than perfect
I wouldn't choose me first if
I was looking for a champion
In fact I'd understand if
You picked everyone before me
But that's just not my story
True to who You are
You saw my heart
And made
Something out of nothing

I don't need my name in lights
I'm famous in my Father's eyes
Make no mistake
He knows my name
I'm not living for applause
I'm already so adored
It's all His stage
He knows my name oh, oh,
He knows my name oh, oh

I'm not meant to just stay quiet
I'm meant to be a lion
I'll roar beyond a song
With every moment that I've got
True to who You are
You saw my heart
And made
Something out of nothing

I don't need my name in lights
I'm famous in my Father's eyes
Make no mistake
He knows my name
I'm not living for applause
I'm already so adored
It's all His stage
He knows my name oh, oh,
He knows my name oh, oh

He calls me chosen, free forgiven, wanted, child of the King,
His forever, held in treasure
I am loved

I don't need my name in lights
I'm famous in my Father's eyes

I don't need my name in lights
I'm famous in my Father's eyes
Make no mistake
He knows my name
I'm not living for applause
I'm already so adored
It's all His stage
He knows my name oh, oh,
He knows my name oh, oh

Read more: Francesca Battistelli - He Knows My Name Lyrics | MetroLyrics 

Ramblings of a Fellow

It has been almost 4 weeks since fellowship officially started. We are really enjoying the Colorado weather and activities. Love meeting so many new people and hearing their stories. Monday we enjoyed Buffalo Pass and Fish Creek Reservoir with the pastor (Jay) and his sweet wife, Joy. Reece and Cale got to enjoy their 8 year old son as well. It is so easy to love it here. Surrounded by God's beauty is almost overwhelming at times. It's also nice to be in cooler weather. Tonight we went to the Routt Co Fair and Rodeo in Hayden. Sitting at a rodeo just made me miss Texas. Maybe it's the county music, boots, horses, and bulls, but it was home to me. It's nice to enjoy some of that here again. That was the hardest part about leaving when I did....I missed the Lovington Rodeo that Justin Sports Medicine taught me to love. Finding rodeo contacts is harder here and I've almost missed the rodeo season. I hope to make some contacts while I'm here and hopefully the Lord will open the door for just that.

Things I've learned to this point:
1. You have to sleep
2. There's always something to do
3. There's always several book and several projects going at once
4. Make time for family and kids. We've had some of the best days together!
5. Make new friends
6. Get out and hike. Enjoy your surroundings.
7. EXERCISE is a must. Sanity at that. I miss my yoga group in Seminole.
8. Eat good food. Drink MORE water. Health is a must. Energy is like gold.
9. Love the Lord. Serve his people.
10. Polish all your techniques and what you know. That's why I'm here.

Focus. Intention. Finding the root of the problem. In your patient. In yourself and improve what you do. Be Intentional in all you do.