Apply it to Me Monday

The month of May went by in a whirlwind for us, and now it feels as though June is going just as fast. We had lots to celebrate in May, and little time to blog about it. Josh turned 33, and Kylee turned 4. We watched several seniors graduate and I was surprised to find myself tearing up over it. I'll probably be a basket case when it's Kylee and Aubrey!  And those of you who have gone before me in this stage of life, I can hear you saying, "it goes by faster than you know, so enjoy it!"  I may just put a quarter in a jar every time I hear that, and I can probably pay for both of their college educations with those quarters!  Here are just a few pictures from our fun times in May.  Hopefully we'll be posting considerably more in the weeks to come!

 Josh's birthday cake.  I think it's the only picture I took...
I'll have to do better next year!

Kylee patiently waiting for our "cupcake" celebration with GramGram and Poppa.

Happy Birthday, Sweetie!

She was DELIGHTED over all those gifts.

Nothing compares to seeing the excitement of your sweet child on their special day.

Kylee's Tea Party with her friends.

Blowing out her candle.

Friends

I thought this was sweet.

I came across a scripture today that I thought I'd share with you.  It's Philippians 2:5 and says simply, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus."  Wow, somehow that was just a lot for me to swallow today, and so I'm making it my prayer to have the mind and attitude of Christ.  To consider others better than myself (v. 3), and to look to the interests of others (v.4).  My desire is not just to know about Christ, but to really KNOW him in such a way that the humility of my life is simply a reflection of the humility of Christ. 

Father, this day, make my heart a sanctuary, a dwelling place for you.  I long to walk with you, to think your thoughts, possess your love, and act with your humility.  Cause my attitude to conform to yours, and make my life a reflection of your love.  In Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.

Thanks for letting us be a part of your day!  Love you all!
~Josh and Jill

Apply it to Me Monday

Have you ever felt as though you were aimlessly striving?  I know I have.  Whether it's a difficult circumstance I'm trying to solve in my own strength, or an effort to measure up to standards that are more than God has even asked of me, there are times in my life when I find myself striving so hard only to have feelings of failure or frustration.

So many times I have gone to God in prayer and heard that still small voice say, "Jill, just be still and know that I am God."  That's God's word to us in Psalm 46:10.  To be still simply means to stop striving or even to take a vacation from our efforts and allow God to do what only He can do anyway.  Even in our efforts to advance God's Kingdom and see souls rescued from the pit of Hell, God's will for us is to sometimes simply sit back and watch His hand in those situations.  The verse goes on to say, " I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  The day is coming when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, and God knows exactly when that day will be and exactly how it will come about.  Our part is to live in His presence, watch Him work, and to be ready to obey at any time He asks something of us.  The great part of true obedience to God?  It's FULFILLING.. no aimless striving that leads to feelings of frustration or failure... just the satisfaction of an obedient son or daughter of God enjoying the presence of God.  That's where I want to live!

Happy Monday!
~Josh and Jill