Life is But a Dream - Emma Gauer

Meltdowns and Motherhood

A little honesty about motherhood right now. Today my three year old had a major meltdown in Target and left me challenged in this motherhood thing once again! Isn't it wonderful that our children give us opportunity to grow!?? I did my best and didn't want to give him an "empty threat", and I followed through with consequences because he didn't listen. There were lots and lots of tears involved though. I'm hoping he learned. It drained me. Parenting is hard stuff. Honestly it's easier to give in, but I'm praying he will learn from days like today when we had to leave the store and sit in the car instead of watching "choo choo tracks". I'm at a point in my life now that I could care less about what people were thinking. I thank God for that. They aren't raising my boy, they are just distractions to make me feel embarrassed , ashamed, and less than. Normally I would be in tears. Thank you Lord for your strength. I've been learning so much in my Bloom class about motherhood and I have the tendency to want to apply everything at once, expecting a perfect child in return! My baby is human though and so am I. He gets tired. So do I. He isn't always obedient. I am not always obedient to God's ways. God gives me overwhelming grace though and I am trying to give him that same grace with firm discipline. It struck me today that instead of trying to apply everything at once, it's ok to focus on one thing. If it's just one area of growth, it's better than no growth! Right!!?? Thank you Lord for your mercies! Motherhood is a constant ride of growing and learning, messing up and starting over! To God Be The Glory!


Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬ NIV)

P.S. I was supposed to write about Bloom Week 3, but God had other plans. Week 3 and 4 were life changing for me! In weeks ahead I will be writing about boundaries and how "getting in the well" instead if shouting from that "top of the well" was transforming. God worked miraculously in those moments.

Bloom Week Two

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I Press On toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭12-14

Happy New Year! I am running into 2017 with a grateful heart and I am ready for The Lord to use me anyway and anywhere HE wants! In the chaos,  carpooling, at the market....or even through these authentic heart words. I AM HIS.  Let's jump into BLOOM week two. Perfect subject for the new year! We discussed setting a mission statement for our family. What is it that will get us through the tough times? What will carry us when life is falling apart? It all started with a video from Joanna Gaines from "The Fixer Upper" on HGTV. First off, I was probably the only one in the room who hadn't heard of the show. It didn't take me long to relate to Joanna's story, definitely one of beauty out of ashes. What an incredible testimony of God's faithfulness. One of the seasoned "bloom moms" spoke too. Below is a combination of notes I took that day.

  1. Keep my eyes on the promises of God. 2. God has a purpose for everything. 3. The enemy likes to hit below the belt.  4. Don't believe the lies. 5. Our kids are on lend to us. Mold and shape them in the way God has laid out for them, not in the way I think they should go.
6. Focus on what God wants me to do, not on what I want.
7. Think long term as it relates to my children. The fruit I sow today may not show up now, but down the road, sometimes WAY down the road......It Will Show Up!!!
8. Be a purposeful mom.
9. What kind of an atmosphere am I cultivating in my home?
10. Live a life that causes others to pursue Jesus.

Next, our speaker discussed the importance of having a mission statement.
It will help us focus our priorities. It will help us keep going when we want to give up. We can use it to map out our daily schedule. Most importantly, it is a visual way to cling on tightly to Christ, despite any circumstance that may come our way. I encourage you to do this. One of our homework assignments the week before was to log our days, hour by hour. Not to feel guilty, but to see where we are spending our time. This was a great tool for me. Convicting, yes, but it provoked me to make some changes. This also helped when I formed my mission statement.

With God, there are never coincidences. All in one week, I heard Philippians 3:12-14 in this Bloom class, in my morning devotions, and a message from my pastor on a Sunday. Talk about God speaking to me!!!! What great timing to create my mission statement! Life changing for me! Here it is.

                                           PRESS ON

Pursuing Christ Always
Relentless Devotion To My Husband
Eagerly Serve My Family
Standing Firm In My Calling
Sharing God's Unconditional Love
By
Offering Myself
Never Giving Up
I broke it down into specifics, but honestly these are the words I remember when life gets tough.

                                         PRESS ON

Whatever season you are in, I encourage you to write a mission statement. It has kept me accountable. It has convicted me when laziness sneaks in. It has also spurred me on to keep running. To God Be The Glory!!

An Early CHRISTmas

My heart is bursting today with unspeakable joy!  Lately I have received one gift after another and they have all led me to say humbly, "I see God". I see his goodness in so many ways. I see His Greatness! It has brought me those joyous grateful tears that seem to be endless. To say I see God may sound weird but that's really the only way for me to describe it.

 I see God in my youngest boy, in the way he gives me unexpected affection, in his prayers that are muffled, in his purity, so much purity! I see God in my daughter ,in the way she has stepped up to challenges and miraculously succeeded! I see God in the strength and determination my son carries when the doctor's report isn't very encouraging. I see God in my husband's eyes, in his genuine love for me, and his ability to overcome diversions and lead others to do the same. I see God in my convictions. I see God in specific scriptures posted for me on the freeway! I see God in His provision. I see God in the long life of my grandma. I see God in my parent's heart for hospitality and giving. I see God in the trees, the sky, in divine appointments with strangers and friends. This, BABY JESUS, in a manger has given me everything I need. More than enough.

Is my life perfect? No. Do I struggle a lot to fight guilt, fear, and comparison? Yes! Do I get disappointed sometimes? Yes! But God is bigger than all of it! God is bigger than my worst mistake. Even though the struggles are there, through God's eyes, I can focus on all the gifts HE gives me! I asked Him today what He wanted me to do with all of this that I've been given. I am so in awe of His goodness. It's overwhelming. In my heart I hear....."Just keep going Jeanette, keep looking for me in all of your circumstances. Keep going. Keep praying, keep persevering, keep giving. Keep going. Press On. Reach out. You are Enough." Merry Christmas!!
To God Be the Glory!!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭20-21‬

Bloom Week One

Before I attended Bloom, I honestly had no idea what to expect. I went in willing, but with a little hesitation. I knew I needed the body of Christ and I couldn't continue this journey on my own. Moments after the class started I knew I was at the right place at the right time. God knew exactly what I needed.

The first topic that was discussed was the importance of sitting at the feet of Jesus. Our foundation must be in Christ. Everything we do and say is a direct reflection of our time spent with The Lord. They had a panel of seasoned mothers and grandmothers giving different examples of how they set their time aside with The Lord, in their younger years and in the present. Some in the morning, some at night, some during their children's nap time. Everyone is different. The point was to be intentional about setting the time aside. They stressed the importance of giving ourselves grace, lots and lots of grace. Also, our time with The Lord will vary upon the different seasons in our life.

Some nuggets I wrote down:
We must declutter our thoughts and mind by washing of the word. Meditating on it, memorizing it, reminding ourselves of Who God Is, turning off all the noise and bringing in the quiet. As we do this, our vision is cleared and our joy is renewed.

But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. (‭Psalm‬ ‭1‬:‭2-3‬ NIV)

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (‭Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭8-9‬ NIV)

We must be willing to die to self. We must be willing to lose ourselves. When I let go of my own earthly desires, comforts, and conveniences and totally surrender to the work at hand, then and only then can the power of Christ be fully at work in me. Elizabeth Elliott said it perfectly "the secret is Christ in me , not me in a different set of circumstances". We will face all sorts of mountains in our life, and we will even be challenged beyond what we think we can handle, and at times, we may want to run away from it all , but with Christ as our foundation, we are given the power to stand no matter how difficult the storm . In Christ we are unshakable, immovable, steady and firm!
But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you,
Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭1-2‬ NIV)
To God Be The Glory!

Blooming Again

It feels like forever since I have blogged. A little update on my family. My oldest son graduated from high school in June. He is currently attending junior college in hopes of being recruited for football by a D1or D2 school. I admire his patience and determination and I am supporting him every step of the way. My daughter also promoted in June and she is currently a freshman in high school. It's been quite the roller coaster ride so far, honestly, a lot harder than I expected, but God has been good through every single dip and turn! His faithfulness is unending and my hands are up and surrendered! My youngest will be 3 at the end of the year and he is full of energy, joy, and laughter! He is also very determined and my hardest of the three at this age. I am beyond thankful for him though! He brings all the "tough times" into perspective .

     Last month I decided to join a class at my church called "BLOOM"... Building a Legacy Out of Motherhood.  One may think that my kids are a little old for this? Isn't it a little too late to build a legacy??  Well, the great news is that God's mercies are new every morning and everyday we are all given a second, third, and fourth chance to build a new legacy! It is never too late to build or re-build a legacy.  I've had moments that I will remember fondly with my older two, moments I wish I could repeat over and over again because they bring so much joy to my heart. I also have moments I wish I could take back in a heart beat. They are both a part of who I am though, the good and not so good.  They are a part of the legacy that began 18years ago. Thank God my legacy is not over! Thank God I am not the same person I was when this all started. Thank God my legacy is ongoing, transforming, and renewing day by day. Because of Christ, that is, only because of Christ! So, this new class I decided to take could not have come at a better time in my life! I'm glad I didn't let pride come in between the need for growth and re-building!   I have learned so much already, and I have been reminded of simple small acts that can make such a huge impact on my family. This stuff is all so good and beneficial and it has brought me back to this blog for two reasons.

1. I want to document all that I am learning so I can actually use these tools I have been given.  I don't want to forget anything!
2. I want to pass on all of the valuable info. I am receiving with any other mom wanting to do some re-building too!

I look forward to sharing with you! To God be the Glory!

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. (‭Titus‬ ‭2‬:‭3-5‬ NIV)

Making Room For God's Hand

My family had the opportunity to go to Disneyland last week. It was my youngest son's very first time. Of course he loved it! Enjoy the pictures while I share the latest on my heart. Sometimes God has to show me things again and again. He is so good to me. Even when I forget the simple things. His love remains.

I heard this last weekend from one of the speakers at #ifgathering (I can't remember who) "Make room for God to move". I can't stop thinking about it, specifically in the life of my children. Make room for God to move on behalf of my children.




It's my tendency to take over and micro-manage every single thing so they will succeed. I know I've talked about this many times, but it is a HUGE struggle. But God. But God. He is showing me to sit. To be still. To pray hard. Let His Grace Cover the Inadequacies. Let His Sovereign Power do the fighting and the intervening. Then God will be glorified through any and all victories in their life. When we try to do it all, we are taking away the chance of our children seeing the hand of God in their own lives. There is no better way for our children to grow in the Lord than experiencing first hand how much God sees and knows them. Won't it be such a wonderful moment when they can know in their own heart that the situation just had to be God's hand working on their behalf!!!!?  Pure joy! I just experienced one of these moments yesterday with one of my children. I look forward to many more as the two older ones grow into adulthood.  I'm learning. I think motherhood is a lifetime of learning. Today I am reminding myself: Be still. Trust God. Pray hard. Breath.

To God Be The Glory!

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.””

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭14:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬