Living the Good Life

Life here has been mostly "sunshine & roses" lately. I feel like we've come to a nice plateau right now - a very comfortable groove. James' sleep schedule is fairly routine now, with the occasional early morning, but nothing too serious. We spend most mornings walking around town doing errands, and visiting grandpa Kroeker at work. We get back in time to play a little bit before lunchtime. I've discovered that James isn't a picky eater, but he is picky about textures. Right now he basically lives off of various forms of pasta and sauces, chunky soups, peas, corn, beans, cheese, apple sauces and yogurt. He's got his mommy's sweet tooth - and loves anything sweet, so I really have to limit his sugar intake. He goes down for his nap like a charm, and usually naps for 1.5-2 hours. After naptime we have a snack, and then we meet up with "Auntie Robin" and Jaxson for a nice long afternoon walk. If the boys aren't enjoying the outdoors, then it often turns into a playdate indoors. Once we get home James will play outside, or watch a DVD (only Elmo's World will do) until suppertime at 6:00pm. Then it's time for our walk to the playground, where James gets out the last of his energy before bedtime at 9:00pm. It's really a glorious routine, and I can say that this part of being a mommy is my favourite!

Other things that are making me happy these days is my hubby. We don't always see eye-to-eye, but lately it just feels like we are on the same page. The communication lines seems to be functioning well, and we seem to be operating like the team we always dreamed we could be. He's a great daddy, a hard worker, and a good friend. I love you honey!

I am also getting to know God better and better. He keeps revealing to me how easy it is to follow Him. I used to think it was work, but these days it just feels like the easiest and most natural thing to do. Not every day is like that, I'm still growing - but He feels so near right now, and I love that "peace that passes understanding" that comes along with that. I'm really learning to talk to Him about everything, even the dumb little things. It also seems like the more I just let Him do the work, the more opportunities for ministering fall into my lap. I don't always take His bait though, and I'm working on listening to Him closer. I also feel that God has been revealing His true heart to me as well. Many of us imagine a big, powerful King on a throne lording over us and telling us what to do. I'm finding that God really isn't so much like that, but rather more like a good friend - walking beside us, calling us up to chat, and going for coffee. Some of these things became clearer to me after reading "The Shack" by William P. Young. Go and get it - you'll like it.

I appreciated being able to share some of this new-found knowledge in the comments section of my previous post titled "Still Without Internet". Someone questioned my belief of Todd Bentley's recent healing escapade, including raising a few people from the dead. What has really become clear to me is two things:

1. Humans cannot perform miracles, but God can - and He can use people to do it. I don't believe that Todd Bentley can heal people at all. However, he believes that God can, so he has let God use him for this purpose. A phrase that has resonated with me lately is "Not me, but Christ in me".

2. God has only one purpose in mind, and that is to bring glory to His Kingdom. As surprising as it might be to some, God is not actually in the business of giving us everything that we ask Him for. He wants to give us everything that will make us happy - but only if it is a righteous request. Because God has that fabulous ability to see the "BIG PICTURE", He can see just how everything that happens to use will mold our futures - and the futures of others. Thus, if I ask Him to heal a loved one, God can do it - but He will ONLY do it if it will bring the greatest amount of glory to His Kingdom. It's not all about us people - it's about building the future Kingdom of God, and He wants ALL of us to be there.

So anyway, those were my thoughts for today. It's verging on preachy, so I have to stop there. I love you all very much - God bless you and keep you!