Mandy It's Fixed

March 9, 2015

Mandy, it is fixed!!!

The four words above made me smile.  I had come to type last week and realized that for some reason I could not actually type in the word document?  The cursor would blink but no keystrokes were recorded.  I mentioned it to Chris and he fixed it!  (turns out the software needed updating)  Usually when the little boxes pop up on the screen I minimize them, never read them, and go on about my original reason for turning on the computer.  SO typical of Chris to actually fix it.  He is always paying attention to detail.  He has a place for things, more routine, a plan well planned by him he will surely execute.  I love this side of him that I don’t have.  I love that God uses Chris to show me about the nature of Christ all the time. 

Sure, Chris is lovely to look at.  Provides financially for our family but, the other Christlike qualities I gain from being his partner in marriage show me even more.  I am trying to become more aware of our differences so that I can see areas that Christ is showing me parts of Himself through the spouse He gifted me with.

Attention to detail: “Mandy its fixed” 

This time it’s the computer, yesterday it was the air in the tires for our first ever family of 5 bike ride.  Left up to me, the one who lacks attention to detail, I simply put in a little air, pushed down on the tires, they felt firm enough…we were all riding around on flat tires…But Chris had the tire gauge out and we were all pressured to the right amount.  AND now it was even easier for Micah to peddle his bike with training wheels because he was riding on them the way the creator of the tires designed them to be used.

Likewise my heavenly father knows everything.  Every attention to detail that I need he (Psalm 39:4) reminds me how brief my time on earth will be , my life is fleeting.  (Matt 10:30) Even the very hairs of my head are all numbered…that is some serious attention to detail…makes me want to sharpen my own life and work on possessing that gift that God has given to Chris that Chris wonderfully shares with me. Not so that I can be impressive with my own attention to detail but because God desires me to… Ephesians 5:15 Be very careful then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise. And,

Ephesians 1:18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he called you what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.   I am a Child of God!  He has created and designed me.  He has a plan.

Attention to detail is important to Christ look at how well he gives instruction on how to build the tabernacle or how descriptive his words are and how he teaches again in parables so a deeper spiritual truth can be seen. 

Maybe it will start with something as little as paying attention to the boxes that pop up on my computer, or maybe it will begin with deciding a definite place to keep the extra boxes of tissues (currently you may find them in the laundry room or down the hall in the linin closet) but I pray that as I notice Chris’ attention to detail, that I will continue to praise God for His plan and purpose for me.  His attention to the details of my life. 

Just as Chris cares for me and desires to “fix” the little things in my life, how much more my heavenly Father cares for me.   He already knows all about me and He wants me to search the details of his word, to know Him.  To discover His plan for me.

Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Nursing Home Valentines Day Party

Singing at the Nursing Home

February 13, 2015

I invited anyone of my facebook friends to join us today as we went to the nursing home (Lake Wylie Assisted Living). 

Micah and Ethan were so excited to go back.  They were practicing bible verses to share on the way over.

Ethan just learned to say the fruits of the spirit (thanks to the scripture songs) Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness,  Gentleness and Self Control.

Micah loves to recited Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth! And John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave is one and only son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.

We sing traditional songs like Jesus loves me, Hes got the whole World in His hands, I’ve Got the Joy, Deep and Wide, I’m in the Lords Army, This little light of mine.  And we also sing Ethans Favorite “Stop and GO” and Ha La La La (shake a friends hand…)

I love seeing the connection the elderly make with the kids.  I love watching the Elderly play the instruments and get the sense that they are actually making music!  The smiles and joy that is felt in the room is always amazing!  SO thankful for the opportunity to be Light and offer Joy to those who may be lonely.  And I love the reminder I learn from the kids that sometimes the best way to “be” joy for someone else is simply by being you!  The Joy of the Lord is my strength!  WE were made for more than ordinary lives, we were made to thrive.  Joy unspeakable, Faith unsinkable, Love unstoppable….with God anything is possible.

Valentines day was special this year we had our own homeschool preschool party at the nursing home!

Lights

Lights

February 9, 2015

Today we had lights and fans installed in Mason and Micahs bedrooms…I knew their rooms were dark before but WOW now that the light is on I can see how dark it really was. 

Before they were using the light from their double window and a lamp.  There was light you could see but now you don’t have to strain, when you’re looking for a tiny lego piece its easily found!  Or if Micah is looking for something in one of his closets he doesn’t have to use his flashlight.

God you are the Light of the World.  A city on a Hill. 

Nothing can be hidden from you.

In your presence all darkness has to flee.

Make the Haynes Family brighter.  Brighter for others.  Let our eyes clearly see those who need compassion.  Let our eyes clearly see those who need us.  Lead our lives in the Light of your love.  Let your love be our motivation, our aim.  Perfect love casts out all fear.  May we have all dark places of fear, pride, selfishness, greed and jealousy removed from us. 

Memory Moment

Memories

February 6, 2015

Micah loves, loves, LOVES to tell stories and hear stories so the other night at dinner we told some true stories about the boys pulling from some of our favorite memories...Here they are

Driving around on Christmas Eve, we stopped to get a special treat.  I asked Micah (2 years old) what he was eating he said a Chocolate Bagel (really it was a chocolate donut)

Mason would struggle with horrible diaper rash and the best way for him to recover was to go diaper less.  Chris was coming down the stairs and noticed diaper less Mason had pulled up on his exosaucer and had his knees bent and Chris rushed to Masons bottom and put his hand out in just enough time to catch Masons fresh poop in his hand!

All three boys had serious melt downs at one point when I opened a granola bar for them to have as a snack only to discover it was “broke”  ….full fledge tears and snot streaming from their faces. 

Ethan’s first ice cream cone from Brusters. He was so excited to be getting a kid cone of his very own. Vanilla with Sprinkles and candy eyes.  Suddenly his smiles turned to sadness…With each lick of his cone the ice cream tasted so delicious but every time he would consume more it would disappear. I’ve never seen a kid so sad about eating ice cream!

Mason was 2 ½ and while eating gold fish on a walk counted them 1,2,3,4,5.  Watch mommy I will eat 2 now there are only 3….first math problem

Before Mason could talk he was trying to get a ball through the little tikes basket ball goal…I proceeded to tell him it was too big, he let the air out of the beach ball to make it smaller, so it could fit!

After dinner one night we were allowing the boys to split the last cookie.  Micah tore the cookie in half, carefully examined the cookie and proceeded to give Mason the bigger piece.

After changing Ethans diaper one day he looked at me and smiled and said, Thankyou for changing my diaper mommy!

Micahs favorite thing to do at 5 years old is build places in the pillows that he can burrow and snuggle in and create forts and build amazing structures with the wooden building blocks.

Ethan at almost 2 ½ on his own sorted the letter magnets by color.  He loves to sing songs on the radio, and always asks first thing when he wakes up “where brothers are?”

Mason at 8 just came home with his acceptance letter into the Gifted and Talented program at school scoring 99%.  Almost Everyday after school we play a game of flag football in the front yard or a game of basketball.

When Mason was 4 I found him looking desperately through all his kid bibles, looking at the pictures, when I asked him what he was looking for he said, I just want to see Gods Face, I just need to see him, I want to see the face of Jesus!  Shortly after that he began to sing made up praise songs in his bed before he would go to sleep.  He has always been driven, and smart...Please Lord, continue to give Mason that desire to see you, to praise you, to have a personal relationship with you.

Ethan walks around saying part of a verse he learned at Bible Study- “I will never leave you” and he Loves to sing “Angel Armies”   He is always so talkative, especially in the morning.  He loves to talk about anything, really desires conversation.  Lord, please continue to hide your word in Ethans heart and let him fully know how to communicate it to others.

Micah was playing with his blocks one day and told me, “Mommy, when I grow up I want to be a hunter and tell people about Jesus”  Thankyou Lord for Micahs genuine, compassion for others, protect him from the hurt of people and hold him as he influences others for the kingdom!

Some of my favorite memories of my own childhood are as a girl playing dolls and pretending to be a mom, and using old cereal boxes and spice containers in my play house to be food that I would cook.  I know that my parents were amazing parents.  I know they were always there. But I am thankful that I had my own room, my own toys and that I was able to use my imagination and pretend to be what I have always wanted to be. A mom. 

I have memories of my dad reading the bible to me every night.  I remember laying by my mom highlighting sentences and words in her bible for her with a yellow crayon.  I can see my dad up teaching a room full of kids and feeling so proud of him.  I remember being a helper at church in the 3 year old classroom setting out the crayons, getting the snack ready for the class.  I loved using sleepy bear to help the kids remember the bible verse in Granny’s cottage. I remember praying for others and feeling Gods power move through me, knowing he was really there.  I remember writing in a journal, praying and reading as a 14 year old in my room that dad and I had rag rolled to update my furniture.  I remember thinking I was going to be a missionary, a mom, or a teacher.  

My childhood was great.  We didn’t have a lot of money.  We had faith. We had love. And I knew my parents were being lead by God, and that He was leading me too.  I never doubted if he had a purpose or a plan for me.  I only started searching even harder. Seeking Him.

What He said was. Mandy I want you to love me.  Just love me.  Oh how I remember that moment on a youth beach trip during a worship service.  God is still saying Love me, allow me to lavish my love on you.  I am love.  Apart from me you can do nothing. 

At the end of my life when people reflect on the memories they have of me or with me I hope that they all can say. Mandy was a person who loved well.

Smelling the Onion

Smelling the Onion

February 5, 2015

Micahs friend Bella Sale came over to play today.  I was using their play time to be productive and began making dinner.  When I got an onion out of the pantry Bella said…ohh I don’t like those they don’t smell good.  Then she asked to smell it.  I hadn’t began to peel it yet so it didn’t have an odor. 

She came back and said, can I smell it.  When I put it to her nose she looked puzzled…”hum… smells like nothing”, she said.

Micah was walking by putting his shoes on and saw the onion and started making a squinty eyed face, and warned Bella not to get to close or she’d get tears in her eyes.

They went outside and I began to peel the layers away, first the crunchy dead, darkened layer, then the next was a little more moist then the finial top layer revealed a new color and a really strong aroma.

Bella had experienced an onion smell before she knew what it should have smelled like, but this onion was new, hadn’t been opened, was just taken from our basket in the dark pantry. 

I love the smell of garlic and onions sautéing in a pan.

Lord may you keep me alive, peel back my layers, may others always see you, smell you, know what to expect when they see me.  Pair me with friends that will enhance who you’ve created me to be. Just like garlic and onion together.  Give my kids great friends that point them to you.

Continue to remove the dead layers.  Strip off the outer layer. 

The outer layer of an onion is there for its protection.  But the onion cant be eaten and used with that layer still on it.  Some parts of the outer layer are tricky to remove, can crumble apart and make a mess, (I actually always peel my onion over the trashcan)  The outer layer has a purpose but if we never get rid of the covering we will never get to the best part.  Don’t remain in hiding, even though it may feel like the safest place to be.  Allow yourself to be vulnerable to the opinions of others, even if they end up not liking what you are.

There is always something new to see and learn about God each new layer is amazing there is nothing he cannot do, hasn’t already done.  NO one can ever possibly know or understand everything there is to know about God.  He is deep he is wide, he covers, he uncovers, reveals, breathes life, and gives wisdom.  Oh how I long to know him more. 

Job 26

“How you have helped the powerless!

    How you have saved the arm that is feeble!

3 

What advice you have offered to one without wisdom!

    And what great insight you have displayed!

4 

Who has helped you utter these words?

    And whose spirit spoke from your mouth?

5 

“The dead are in deep anguish,

    those beneath the waters and all that live in them.

6 

The realm of the dead is naked before God;

    Destruction[a] lies uncovered.

7 

He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;

    he suspends the earth over nothing.

8 

He wraps up the waters in his clouds,

    yet the clouds do not burst under their weight.

9 

He covers the face of the full moon,

    spreading his clouds over it.

10 

He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters

    for a boundary between light and darkness.

11 

The pillars of the heavens quake,

    aghast at his rebuke.

12 

By his power he churned up the sea;

    by his wisdom he cut Rahab to pieces.

13 

By his breath the skies became fair;

    his hand pierced the gliding serpent.

14 

And these are but the outer fringe of his works;

    how faint the whisper we hear of him!

    Who then can understand the thunder of his power?”

God is just getting started with me!