Our foundation

As we are building our house, we want it to be on a solid foundation. So a few days ago, Scott and I went over to our new house and as he worked on some things, I wrote Bible verses all over the foundation of our home. More than anything, we want our family and our hearts to be rooted in Truth. As I chose specific verses for each room and wrote them on the frame of our new home, I prayed that God would be present in every space of our dwelling. (All pictures were taken with my phone, so pardon the quality.)

At the front entry, going up the casing of the doors -



In the kitchen -



In the living room -



In the master -





In the school room -



In the upstairs loft area outside the kiddos' rooms -





Birdie's room -



The boys' room -



The playroom -



Soon these verses will be hidden from sight as drywall is to begin sometime this week; they will be hidden, but they will not disappear. Writing these verses on our home's foundation does not prevent trials from coming our way. However, our home and our family is built on the secure foundation of God's love for us. We have prayed for this home for a long time, and now we are praying that God will work in and through our home to guide our family toward His will for us.

"Though the rain comes in torrents, and the floods rise and the storm winds beat against his house, it won’t collapse, for it is built on rock.." Matthew 7:25

 

1 Corinthians 13 for Moms

I heard this poem at a conference that I went to a few weeks ago, and I loved it. It spoke directly to my heart. It helped me to realized that the "perfect Mama" is unattainable, and that if I go looking for it I will miss the wonderful memories that come from the normal, messy, everyday life.

1 Corinthians 13 for Moms

If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place,
but have not love,
I am a housekeeper not a homemaker.



If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements,
but have not love,
my children learn cleanliness not godliness.

If I scream at my children when they don’t follow instructions,
get frustrated and fault them for every mess in our house,
and have no grace and love,
my children learn that Mom cares more about having things done exactly her way
than about listening to the needs and hearts of her children.



Love leaves the dust in search of a child’s laugh.
Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window.
Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk.
Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.



Love accepts the fact that I am the ever-present “mommy,”
the taxi-driver to every childhood event,
the counselor when my children fail or are hurt.

Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, and runs with the child,
then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood.



Before I became a mother I took glory in having it altogether.
Now I glory in knowing that God’s in control, and His grace is sufficient for each day.

All the projections I had for my house and my children
have faded away into insignificance,
And what remain are the memories of my kids.

Now there abides in my home scratches on most of the furniture,
dishes with missing place settings,
and bedroom walls full of stickers, posters, and markings,
But the greatest of all is the Love
that permeates my relationships with my children.



-adapted from 1 Corinthians 13 by Jim Fowler

Our Six Month Blessing

Porter is six months old today. Wow.

It's hard to believe that at this time six months ago I still had not met my son. I had not held him. Had not even seen him.

Yet here we are six months into Porter's life, and I so desperately wish I could stop time right now. Today, before he gets any older; any bigger. Stop time while Ella Beth is still a little girl at heart, and her sweet mama-heart comes out so often these days. Stop time while Landon is still a silly little boy who is coming into his own personality.

If only it were possible.

But it's not. And, though I sigh at the thought of just six more months passing until we are celebrating Porter's first birthday, I am reminded again and again to cherish every moment.

That's exactly what we did this past weekend as Scott and I dedicated our son and his upbringing to the Lord. We prayed and shared with those who love our family the most our values, our hopes, and our dreams for our third child. Our youngest son.

We pray that Porter will value honesty above anything else.

That he will have a reckless abandon to do what's right - love and respect for others, choices he makes, and how he treats people.

That he will have a moldable, teachable, and obedient heart.

That he will be generous with the blessings that God bestows upon him - no matter how great or small.

That he will have a magnetic personality - one that will draw others in and be a leader, even when making unpopular decisions.

Porter is the sweetest addition to our family. He's the piece we never knew was missing. It's as though in some way he brought our family together even tighter. Our focus as a family is clearer; much more concrete. We are blessed tremendously by this tiny little fella.

My Choice is Not to Lose

If there is no other blog post you ever read, read THIS. I read this back in May, and it stirred my heart deeply. I felt convicted, but made excuses not to do anything about those convictions.

In this "technology centered age" it's hard to break away from technology. The always keeping up with "friends," the "following," and the "pinning" of amazing ideas we wish we had thought of. But what does the constant tie to technology really gain for us? After a great deal of prayer and soul searching, I agree with Rachel Stafford that what we are really gaining is a loss.

A loss of authentic relationships as opposed to blurbs from hundreds of "friends" on Facebook.
A loss of prioritizing what's truly important in our days.
A loss of time that has been wasted.

But most importantly, as parents, we are missing out on our children's childhoods. 

I am going to be vulnerable here and confess that for the last 4 months since Peanut has been home with us, the first sight Birdie and Buddy-Ro usually see in the morning is me nursing Peanut with my iPhone in hand. I have made many different excuses to myself and to the kiddos like, "I just need/want something to do while I'm sitting here." Or, "I'm just trying to stay awake." Or, "I'm reading my Bible on my phone." (Which is usually what I am doing first thing in the morning...but, goodness, I'd rather them have the memory of me with my actual Bible laid open with well-worn pages than a memory of me with my phone.)

I have considered on a number of occasions deleting my Facebook account so as not to have that be a constant distraction. But then another "friend" would become pregnant and I told myself that I didn't want to miss out on her excitement. Or a "friend" would go on a trip and I didn't want to miss those pictures. Or a "friend" from the past would find me and I wanted to catch up. But really, those "friendships" are less than authentic. 

Today, a friend with whom I have a real relationship with (meaning we actually talk in person, see one another in person, fellowship together on a regular basis) shared this blog post with me. It slapped me across the face even harder than when I read it back in May. Because this time I realized that I had done nothing about my earlier convictions.

Today, I did.

Before I even finished re-reading the blog post, I deleted my Facebook page. No more excuses. I simply did it. (Now that may seem drastic to you, but this was my conviction and I was honestly tired of lying to myself that it was harmless.) Maybe your area of struggle is playing Words With Friends instead of getting on the floor and playing with your kids? Maybe it's having your Kindle always in your hand instead of engaging in conversation or reading out loud with your kids? Maybe it's checking your phone/email every single time you hear a chime? I don't know your area of struggle, but I hope that you will pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what decision you need to make in order to put your children first. I truly believe that giving undivided attention is the first and most basic ingredient in any relationship.

After I deleted my Facebook page, I went straight to Birdie-girl and Buddy-Ro who were playing in Birdie's room and said something very close to this:
"Mommy wants to apologize to both of you. I am sorry that you see me on the phone a lot of the
time during the day. I am sorry, Birdie, that last night when you came in to tell me good
night while I was nursing Peanut that you saw me on my phone and thought I was too busy to
kiss you good night. I am sorry if there has ever been a time when you thought Mommy's phone
was more important than you. From now on I will try to only be on my phone if I need to talk
with someone. Everything else can wait."

Their reactions were not magical at the exact moment of my apology, but our day together was very different than recent ones. It's as if Birdie and Buddy-Ro knew that they did not have to compete with anything for their Mama's attention. They didn't have to be "put on hold" or told to "wait, just let me finish this." My choice is not to lose out on my children, and they noticed it right away. Our day was different. It was full.

Full of them.
Full of us. 

My Choice is Not to Lose

If there is no other blog post you ever read, read THIS. I read this back in May, and it stirred my heart deeply. I felt convicted, but made excuses not to do anything about those convictions.

In this "technology centered age" it's hard to break away from technology. The always keeping up with "friends," the "following," and the "pinning" of amazing ideas we wish we had thought of. But what does the constant tie to technology really gain for us? After a great deal of prayer and soul searching, I agree with Rachel Stafford that what we are really gaining is a loss.

A loss of authentic relationships as opposed to blurbs from hundreds of "friends" on Facebook.
A loss of prioritizing what's truly important in our days.
A loss of time that has been wasted.

But most importantly, as parents, we are missing out on our children's childhoods. 

I am going to be vulnerable here and confess that for the last 4 months since Porter has been home with us, the first sight Ella Beth and Landon usually see in the morning is me nursing Porter with my iPhone in hand. I have made many different excuses to myself and to the kiddos like, "I just need/want something to do while I'm sitting here." Or, "I'm just trying to stay awake." Or, "I'm reading my Bible on my phone." (Which is usually what I am doing first thing in the morning...but, goodness, I'd rather them have the memory of me with my actual Bible laid open with well-worn pages than a memory of me with my phone.)

I have considered on a number of occasions deleting my Facebook account so as not to have that be a constant distraction. But then another "friend" would become pregnant and I told myself that I didn't want to miss out on her excitement. Or a "friend" would go on a trip and I didn't want to miss those pictures. Or a "friend" from the past would find me and I wanted to catch up. But really, those "friendships" are less than authentic. 

Today, a friend with whom I have a real relationship with (meaning we actually talk in person, see one another in person, fellowship together on a regular basis) shared this blog post with me. It slapped me across the face even harder than when I read it back in May. Because this time I realized that I had done nothing about my earlier convictions.

Today, I did.

Before I even finished re-reading the blog post, I deleted my Facebook page. No more excuses. I simply did it. (Now that may seem drastic to you, but this was my conviction and I was honestly tired of lying to myself that it was harmless.) Maybe your area of struggle is playing Words With Friends instead of getting on the floor and playing with your kids? Maybe it's having your Kindle always in your hand instead of engaging in conversation or reading out loud with your kids? Maybe it's checking your phone/email every single time you hear a chime? I don't know your area of struggle, but I hope that you will pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what decision you need to make in order to put your children first. I truly believe that giving undivided attention is the first and most basic ingredient in any relationship.

After I deleted my Facebook page, I went straight to Ella Beth and Landon who were playing in Ella Beth's room and said something very close to this:
    "Mommy wants to apologize to both of you. I am sorry that you see me on the phone a lot of the
     time during the day. I am sorry, Ella Beth, that last night when you came in to tell me good
     night while I was nursing Porter that you saw me on my phone and thought I was too busy to
     kiss you good night. I am sorry if there has ever been a time when you thought Mommy's phone
     was more important than you. From now on I will try to only be on my phone if I need to talk
     with someone. Everything else can wait."

Their reactions were not magical at the exact moment of my apology, but our day together was very different than recent ones. It's as if Ella Beth and Landon knew that they did not have to compete with anything for their Mama's attention. They didn't have to be "put on hold" or told to "wait, just let me finish this." My choice is not to lose out on my children, and they noticed it right away. Our day was different. It was full.

Full of them.
Full of us. 

Quote

I came across this quote, handwritten by me from when Scott and I got married. Now that I have children, it resonates to my deepest core.

Praying without ceasing that this will be my legacy.

"Love has nothing to do with what you are expected to get; 

 it's what you are expected to give --

 which is everything." ~anonymous

The Art of Being Sheltered

I've been trying to process my thoughts on this topic for a couple of weeks, but I'd love to hear your input.

===

I shelter my kids. A LOT. And I mean to do it. I do it on purpose.

When we are in the car, the only music we listen to is Christian music (and on very special occasions fun, CLEAN, fast songs that just make us act silly). We typically listen to Seeds Family Worship - which is a fun and uplifting way for all of us to learn and meditate on Bible verses. The Bible verses are set to great music and most songs are sung by children. It's precious to hear my kids' little voices sing along. Melts my heart each time.

At home, we do not watch TV that has "real" people in it. Birdie is 3, and Buddy-Ro is 2. Everything they watch on TV is geared specifically for children and highly centered on values. We let them watch Barney, Strawberry Shortcake (sorry Buddy!), Little Bear (a huge favorite for the kiddos and the parents!), The Berenstain Bears, and Imagination Movers. Our kiddos don't watch TV every day, nor do they watch more than a couple of these a day when the tube is on.

We read uplifting books and magazines together.

We talk in terms of our values and manners. We discuss how we should treat each others and those we love. We talk about how much we love our family and friends.

That's pretty much it.

And we are perfectly OK with that. In fact, that's exactly what we strive for.

Firstly, our kiddos are 3 and 2. They are young, and their spirits are tender.

Secondly, when we surround our children with uplifting Truth, then those are the values they know.

As most of you know, I've really been struggling lately with God and Birdie's health. But in all of my struggles...in all of my fightin' words and flying fists...I have known that God loves me. That the God of the universe, the God of creation and life...He loves me and in Him I find salvation.

During these past few months, the darkest in my life in terms of my faith and trust, I have also been sheltering myself. I have only listened to Christian music. Songs like "Lead Me" and "Whatever You're Doing" by Sanctus Real, and "Before the Morning" and "Savior Please" by Josh Wilson, and "Hold My Heart" by Tenth Avenue North...those songs have been my life-blood these past few months. Songs that sing of God's love. His truth.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not close-minded and completely set apart from the rest of the world. I love me some country music and fun pop music that causes me to hop out of my seat and dance! And I'm a sucker for a good chick flick. :)

But what I need is Truth in my life.

I've been sheltering my own heart by not allowing it to be invaded by any other influence other than the ONLY influence that I need. I know how vulnerable my heart is, and how easily influenced it can be by this world.

The same is true of my children's hearts. They are the most impressionable and vulnerable little hearts. I want to protect them.

I want to shelter them.

So I do. As much as motherly possible.

--

Do you?

The Art of Being Sheltered

I've been trying to process my thoughts on this topic for a couple of weeks, but I'd love to hear your input.

===

I shelter my kids. A LOT. And I mean to do it. I do it on purpose.

When we are in the car, the only music we listen to is Christian music (and on very special occasions fun, CLEAN, fast songs that just make us act silly). We typically listen to Seeds Family Worship - which is a fun and uplifting way for all of us to learn and meditate on Bible verses. The Bible verses are set to great music and most songs are sung by children. It's precious to hear my kids' little voices sing along. Melts my heart each time.

At home, we do not watch TV that has "real" people in it. Ella Beth is 3, and Landon is 2. Everything they watch on TV is animated. We let them watch Barney, Strawberry Shortcake (sorry Landon!), Little Bear (a huge favorite for the kiddos and the parents!), The Berenstain Bears, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Our kiddos don't watch TV every day, nor do they watch more than a couple of these a day when the tube is on.

We read uplifting books and magazines together.

We talk in terms of our values and manners. We discuss how we should treat each others and those we love. We talk about how much we love our family and friends.

That's pretty much it.

And we are perfectly OK with that. In fact, that's exactly what we strive for.

Firstly, our kiddos are 3 and 2. They are young, and their spirits are tender.

Secondly, when we surround our children with uplifting Truth, then those are the values they know.

As most of you know, I've really been struggling lately with God and Ella Beth's health. But in all of my struggles...in all of my fightin' words and flying fists...I have known that God loves me. That the God of the universe, the God of creation and life...He loves me and in Him I find salvation.

During these past few months, the darkest in my life in terms of my faith and trust, I have also been sheltering myself. I have only listened to Christian music. Songs like "Lead Me" and "Whatever You're Doing" by Sanctus Real, and "Before the Morning" and "Savior Please" by Josh Wilson, and "Hold My Heart" by Tenth Avenue North...those songs have been my life-blood these past few months. Songs that sing of God's love. His truth. Also the North Point AWAKE cd.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not close-minded and completely set apart from the rest of the world. I love me some country music and fun pop music that causes me to hop out of my seat and dance! And I'm a sucker for a good chick flick. :)

But what I need is Truth in my life.

I've been sheltering my own heart by not allowing it to be invaded by any other influence other than the ONLY influence that I need. I know how vulnerable my heart is, and how easily influenced it can be by this world.

The same is true of my children's hearts. They are the most impressionable and vulnerable little hearts. I want to protect them.

I want to shelter them.

So I do. As much as motherly possible.

--

Do you?

The Art of Being Sheltered

I've been trying to process my thoughts on this topic for a couple of weeks, but I'd love to hear your input.

===

I shelter my kids. A LOT. And I mean to do it. I do it on purpose.

When we are in the car, the only music we listen to is Christian music (and on very special occasions fun, CLEAN, fast songs that just make us act silly). We typically listen to Seeds Family Worship - which is a fun and uplifting way for all of us to learn and meditate on Bible verses. The Bible verses are set to great music and most songs are sung by children. It's precious to hear my kids' little voices sing along. Melts my heart each time.

At home, we do not watch TV that has "real" people in it. Ella Beth is 3, and Landon is 2. Everything they watch on TV is animated. We let them watch Barney, Strawberry Shortcake (sorry Landon!), Little Bear (a huge favorite for the kiddos and the parents!), The Berenstain Bears, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Our kiddos don't watch TV every day, nor do they watch more than a couple of these a day when the tube is on.

We read uplifting books and magazines together.

We talk in terms of our values and manners. We discuss how we should treat each others and those we love. We talk about how much we love our family and friends.

That's pretty much it.

And we are perfectly OK with that. In fact, that's exactly what we strive for.

Firstly, our kiddos are 3 and 2. They are young, and their spirits are tender.

Secondly, when we surround our children with uplifting Truth, then those are the values they know.

As most of you know, I've really been struggling lately with God and Ella Beth's health. But in all of my struggles...in all of my fightin' words and flying fists...I have known that God loves me. That the God of the universe, the God of creation and life...He loves me and in Him I find salvation.

During these past few months, the darkest in my life in terms of my faith and trust, I have also been sheltering myself. I have only listened to Christian music. Songs like "Lead Me" and "Whatever You're Doing" by Sanctus Real, and "Before the Morning" and "Savior Please" by Josh Wilson, and "Hold My Heart" by Tenth Avenue North...those songs have been my life-blood these past few months. Songs that sing of God's love. His truth. Also the North Point AWAKE cd.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not close-minded and completely set apart from the rest of the world. I love me some country music and fun pop music that causes me to hop out of my seat and dance! And I'm a sucker for a good chick flick. :)

But what I need is Truth in my life.

I've been sheltering my own heart by not allowing it to be invaded by any other influence other than the ONLY influence that I need. I know how vulnerable my heart is, and how easily influenced it can be by this world.

The same is true of my children's hearts. They are the most impressionable and vulnerable little hearts. I want to protect them.

I want to shelter them.

So I do. As much as motherly possible.

--

Do you?

Make Love a Verb

What do these words all have in common?

*Run

*Hop

*Skip

*Love

Give up?

These words are all VERBS. The definition of a Verb is: a word that denotes an action, an occurrence, or a state of being.

So, what's love got to do, got to do with it? (Thank you, Tina!)

Love is a verb. Love is something you do for someone else. Contrary to popular/cultural belief, it's not a feeling; it's an action.

Andy Stanley did a message series called Staying In Love about a year ago at Browns Bridge Community Church. This message series did more to bloom my marriage with Scott than any book, lesson, talk, etc. We are both very excited to go through the series again now with our small group. Hoping even more positive blooms come forth. The entire premise of Andy's message is that we need to MAKE LOVE...A VERB. Implication intended. :)

Andy concentrates on this passage of scripture:

Philippians 2:3-8"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a human being, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross!"

It's the first part of these verses that strikes me the most..."Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves..."

Wouldn't the world surely be a different place -- wouldn't our marriages be different -- if we all valued others above ourselves?

Last week in our small group, we had an amazing discussion about "mutual submission." Submission is such an ugly word in today's society, but it's quite the opposite in light of how God intended submission to be.

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition." Don't do something to make sure you win, you get your way, you manipulate your spouse...hmmm.

"Do nothing out of vain conceit." Don't do something your spouse doesn't appreciate (or has asked you out right not to do) simply because you want to, you can, you think you have the right to...ouch.

"In humility value others above yourselves." Treat your spouse as though he is more important than you are. 

Sound too hard to do? Well, just imagine this:

How different would your marriage be if your husband treated YOU as if YOU were more important than him? Think about that for a minute...would you treat your husband better? would you be sweeter? more thoughtful? more intimate?

Turn that around one more time...if you treated your husband as if HE was more important - do you think he would treat you better? would he be sweeter? more thoughtful? more romantic?

Now, just imagine if you BOTH valued one another above the other. THAT is the jackpot! That is what mutual submission truly means.

It's worked for us :)

 

And, in the words of Andy Stanley...if you make love a verb, you'll make love more often. :)

Is More really More? Or is Less More?

The question of What's more - More? or Less? has really been on my heart lately.

I find myself wanting to be involved in everything so that I'm not missing out on anything. Admittedly, I am on Facebook too often, was on Twitter too often, and am also addicted to my friends' blogs.

In the last two months all of the time I have been "investing" in everything else has started to weigh on my heart. Earlier this week I spent almost 2 hours on Facebook - chatting with old friends, looking through photo albums, creating new photo albums on my own account, catching up on what my friends (and acquaintances) are up to. I honestly felt as though I deserved that "down time" in my day because I had not had much time to myself lately. But at the end of those 2 hours, I felt a conviction in my heart.

It's like I heard God saying to me, "Those last two hours could have been spent with Me."

Talk about causing me to pause.

So what do I do with that conviction? My first reaction was to immediately delete my Facebook account. But, I didn't. Not yet, at least. I'm still praying about that.

You see, I have been able to reconnect with people on FB and through blogs - some of whom I have had the opportunity to encourage and uplift, and many of whom I have been encouraged by. I don't know what to do with that. I'm not into having a ba-zillion "friends" on FB or blog lists, so my goal is not to simply be popular. (I "ignore" friend requests often simply b/c I'm not into letting just any old acquaintance see all my business - and photos of my kiddos.) But I do enjoy connecting with old and new friends, and I have honestly seen how God can use social media as a tool for Him.

I think, for me, it's where my priorities are. Why do I "invest" so much time in small things and not truly invest in big things?

I have made a list of values. It's short, as it should be:

            *Invest in my relationship with my Heavenly Father.

            *Invest in my relationship with Scott.

            *Invest in my relationships with Birdie and Buddy-Ro.

            *Intentionally spend time with God, Scott, Birdie, Buddy-Ro, and close family and friends so that I can be built up with encouragement and be used by God to further His Kingdom.

Hmmm...doesn't seem like FB and other fore mentioned distractions fit in with my values too well.

I feel that I have been making some progress. In the last month, I have made a rule for myself that when I am spending time with my kiddos the computer stays OFF. For me, the internet is like this massive black hole that sucks me in and distracts me.

And, I don't want to be distracted.

I have such fleeting time with my Birdie-girl (who is already closing in on 3 1/2) and Buddy-Ro (who is almost 2). Why do I want to be distracted from that? Why do I want to waste what precious time I have with them?

Like I said, I don't.

I've really decided to start blogging more intentionally, from my heart (when my kiddos are asleep!). And I'm going to be spending less time on Facebook. Hopefully, my true friends will still know where to find me and send their encouragement. :)

So...my answer to the question "What's more - More? or Less?"

For me, it's what defines More/Less.

If it's More time being intentionally devoted to my values - then the answer is More.

If it's Less time being distracted and pulled away from where my heart is truly led - to the cross of my Savior - then the answer is Less.

--

What's your answer?

Is More really More? Or is Less More?

The question of What's more - More? or Less? has really been on my heart lately.

I find myself wanting to be involved in everything so that I'm not missing out on anything. Admittedly, I am on Facebook too often, was on Twitter too often, and am also addicted to my friends' blogs.

In the last two months all of the time I have been "investing" in everything else has started to weigh on my heart. Earlier this week I spent almost 2 hours on Facebook - chatting with old friends, looking through photo albums, creating new photo albums on my own account, catching up on what my friends (and acquaintances) are up to. I honestly felt as though I deserved that "down time" in my day because I had not had much time to myself lately. But at the end of those 2 hours, I felt a conviction in my heart.

It's like I heard God saying to me, "Those last two hours could have been spent with Me."

Talk about causing me to pause.

So what do I do with that conviction? My first reaction was to immediately delete my Facebook account. But, I didn't. Not yet, at least. I'm still praying about that.

You see, I have been able to reconnect with people on FB and through blogs - some of whom I have had the opportunity to encourage and uplift, and many of whom I have been encouraged by. I don't know what to do with that. I'm not into having a ba-zillion "friends" on FB or blog lists, so my goal is not to simply be popular. (I "ignore" friend requests often simply b/c I'm not into letting just any old acquaintance see all my business - and photos of my kiddos.) But I do enjoy connecting with old and new friends, and I have honestly seen how God can use social media as a tool for Him.

I think, for me, it's where my priorities are. Why do I "invest" so much time in small things and not truly invest in big things?

I have made a list of values. It's short, as it should be:

            *Invest in my relationship with my Heavenly Father.

            *Invest in my relationship with Scott.

            *Invest in my relationships with Ella Beth and Landon.

            *Intentionally spend time with God, Scott, Ella Beth, Landon, and close family and friends so that I can be built up with encouragement and be used by God to further His Kingdom.

Hmmm...doesn't seem like FB and other fore mentioned distractions fit in with my values too well.

I feel that I have been making some progress. In the last month, I have made a rule for myself that when I am spending time with my kiddos the computer stays OFF. For me, the internet is like this massive black hole that sucks me in and distracts me.

And, I don't want to be distracted.

I have such fleeting time with Ella Beth (who is already closing in on 3 1/2) and Landon (who is almost 2). Why do I want to be distracted from that? Why do I want to waste what precious time I have with them?

Like I said, I don't.

I've really decided to start blogging more intentionally, from my heart (when my kiddos are asleep!). And I'm going to be spending less time on Facebook. Hopefully, my true friends will still know where to find me and send their encouragement. :)

So...my answer to the question "What's more - More? or Less?"

For me, it's what defines More/Less.

If it's More time being intentionally devoted to my values - then the answer is More.

If it's Less time being distracted and pulled away from where my heart is truly led - to the cross of my Savior - then the answer is Less.

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What's your answer?

Is More really More? Or is Less More?

The question of What's more - More? or Less? has really been on my heart lately.

I find myself wanting to be involved in everything so that I'm not missing out on anything. Admittedly, I am on Facebook too often, was on Twitter too often, and am also addicted to my friends' blogs.

In the last two months all of the time I have been "investing" in everything else has started to weigh on my heart. Earlier this week I spent almost 2 hours on Facebook - chatting with old friends, looking through photo albums, creating new photo albums on my own account, catching up on what my friends (and acquaintances) are up to. I honestly felt as though I deserved that "down time" in my day because I had not had much time to myself lately. But at the end of those 2 hours, I felt a conviction in my heart.

It's like I heard God saying to me, "Those last two hours could have been spent with Me."

Talk about causing me to pause.

So what do I do with that conviction? My first reaction was to immediately delete my Facebook account. But, I didn't. Not yet, at least. I'm still praying about that.

You see, I have been able to reconnect with people on FB and through blogs - some of whom I have had the opportunity to encourage and uplift, and many of whom I have been encouraged by. I don't know what to do with that. I'm not into having a ba-zillion "friends" on FB or blog lists, so my goal is not to simply be popular. (I "ignore" friend requests often simply b/c I'm not into letting just any old acquaintance see all my business - and photos of my kiddos.) But I do enjoy connecting with old and new friends, and I have honestly seen how God can use social media as a tool for Him.

I think, for me, it's where my priorities are. Why do I "invest" so much time in small things and not truly invest in big things?

I have made a list of values. It's short, as it should be:

            *Invest in my relationship with my Heavenly Father.

            *Invest in my relationship with Scott.

            *Invest in my relationships with Ella Beth and Landon.

            *Intentionally spend time with God, Scott, Ella Beth, Landon, and close family and friends so that I can be built up with encouragement and be used by God to further His Kingdom.

Hmmm...doesn't seem like FB and other fore mentioned distractions fit in with my values too well.

I feel that I have been making some progress. In the last month, I have made a rule for myself that when I am spending time with my kiddos the computer stays OFF. For me, the internet is like this massive black hole that sucks me in and distracts me.

And, I don't want to be distracted.

I have such fleeting time with Ella Beth (who is already closing in on 3 1/2) and Landon (who is almost 2). Why do I want to be distracted from that? Why do I want to waste what precious time I have with them?

Like I said, I don't.

I've really decided to start blogging more intentionally, from my heart (when my kiddos are asleep!). And I'm going to be spending less time on Facebook. Hopefully, my true friends will still know where to find me and send their encouragement. :)

So...my answer to the question "What's more - More? or Less?"

For me, it's what defines More/Less.

If it's More time being intentionally devoted to my values - then the answer is More.

If it's Less time being distracted and pulled away from where my heart is truly led - to the cross of my Savior - then the answer is Less.

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What's your answer?