Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Set free the odor. Break the alabaster!!! :)

I haven't wanted to post because I know I will never get that many comments ever again. Thank you so much. I am incredibly blessed by your prayers.
Last weekend, we went to my mom's for a wedding. It was so much fun to get dressed up and go to this beautiful wedding. My dad stayed home and was the brave babysitter. I love weddings!
My pretty mom and my pretty sister...










I didn't have my camera there so I mooched these off my sister.

That is her little boy, Jack.

I fell in love with Tim all over again at this wedding. It was one of the most romantic nights. I was overwhelmed thinking back to our wedding and God's goodness in giving me such an amazing husband.

I am hard at work planning a romantic getaway. I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!


Back to real life...
Here is my little peanut who is always making me laugh. He is a FULL-TIME JOB.







Sweet baby. Growing so fast.





Leader of the pack.














Exhibit A
This is me busting him getting the ice cream out of our freezer (it is on the bottom). I cannot tell you how many mornings Reece has gotten him out of bed before I am up and I find him in the play room eating ice cream by the handfuls.









Exhibit B

Usually this is at 7am.
This particular time it was in the afternoon.




















The boys were so cute last night while Tim and I were having dinner on the back deck. It was chilly and I told them they could stay up a little longer but they had to be quiet while we were eating. This is what they did.

























































































Thank you so much for all of your words, emails and prayers.
This email from a blog reader/friend made me so happy that I had to share it with you....
"Just wanted you to know that you were on my mind and my heart today. I'm praying for you. My daughter, who was born with multiple birth defects, who we were told would never crawl, never walk, never this, and never that...
She stood up the other day.
She stood up.
Without her walker.
Without her braces.
Without her wheelchair.
She just stood up.
I claim that for you.
God IS still in the miracle business.
Love,
Karin."
********************************
ROCK ON, God!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HOW COOL IS THAT?
Would love to hear about more answered prayers in a comment!
God is so good.
"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish,
and it will be given you."
John 15:7
"give thanks to him and praise his name."
Psalm 100:4
***********
This was also sent to me and I have read it over and over and over.
I can't stop thinking of the words in the end...
"set free the odor, break the alabaster".
My heart's cry exactly....YES, YES, YES and Amen!!!
Thank you, Ginger.
enjoy...
BROKEN THINGS
"By reason of breakings they purify themselves" (Job 41:25).
God uses most for His glory those people and things which are most perfectly broken. The sacrifices He accepts are broken and contrite hearts. It was the breaking down of Jacob's natural strength at Peniel that got him where God could clothe him with spiritual power. It was breaking the surface of the rock at Horeb, by the stroke of Moses' rod that let out the cool waters to thirsty people.It was when the 300 elect soldiers under Gideon broke their pitchers, a type of breaking themselves, that the hidden lights shone forth to the consternation of their adversaries. It was when the poor widow broke the seal of the little pot of oil, and poured it forth, that God multiplied it to pay her debts and supply means of support. It was when Esther risked her life and broke through the rigid etiquette of a heathen court, that she obtained favor to rescue her people from death. It was when Jesus took the five loaves and broke them, that the bread was multiplied in the very act of breaking, sufficient to feed five thousand. It was when Mary broke her beautiful alabaster box, rendering it henceforth useless, that the pent-up perfume filled the house. It was when Jesus allowed His precious body to be broken to pieces by thorns and nails and spear, that His inner life was poured out, like a crystal ocean, for thirsty sinners to drink and live.It is when a beautiful grain of corn is broken up in the earth by DEATH, that its inner heart sprouts forth and bears hundreds of other grains. And thus, on and on, through all history, and all biography, and all vegetation, and all spiritual life, God must have BROKEN THINGS.Those who are broken in wealth, and broken in self-will, and broken in their ambitions, and broken in their beautiful ideals, and broken in worldly reputation, and broken in their affections, and broken ofttimes in health; those who are despised and seem utterly forlorn and helpless, the Holy Ghost is seizing upon, and using for God's glory.
"The lame take the prey," Isaiah tells us.
O break my heart; but break it as a field Is by the plough up-broken for the corn; O break it as the buds, by green leaf seated, Are, to unloose the golden blossom, torn; Love would I offer unto Love's great Master, Set free the odor, break the alabaster.
O break my heart; break it victorious God,
That life's eternal well may flash abroad;
O let it break as when the captive trees,
Breaking cold bonds, regain their liberties;
And as thought's sacred grove to life is springing, Be joys, like birds, their hope,
Thy victory singing
.--Thomas Toke Bunch
Taken from Streams in the Desert

9 comments:

Mary T said...

Oh, Stephanie, God bless you for bringing it all home.
God bless you, Karin, for sharing your testimony.
GOD IS GOOD. GOD IS LOVE.

Erica Brandon said...

Oh my gosh you look JUST like your mom.(this is a compliment!) Never really noticed it before but the pic side by side showed me.Still praying for your healing...
Erica
SC

Carrie said...

I bet when the 'girls' get together it's ALWAYS a blast!!! I love getting together with my mom and sister :)

Still praying for you and love seeing the pictures of your smiling boys! I always caught my kids getting snacks out of the pantry, too! And it makes me laugh how they work together to be mishievious! Take care and thanks again for sharing your testimony with us!

ocean mommy said...

Hi Stephanie,

Just wanted to check back and say that I'm still praying and believing with you!!

The pictures are beautiful! Those boys are just precious!!

Blessings and hugs to you!
Steph.

Amanda May said...

What a beautiful post...you are a gifted writer! Good, good stuff!!
I love all your pictures - especially that first set of your *oh so cute* boys!!!
I'm continuing to pray for you...
Love, Amanda

Anonymous said...

Stephanie,

I just read a quote that you included in a post quite a while back (your blog is wonderful; have been eager to read/see all of it) and want to express my sincere thanks, as the following words have gone straight to my weary heart this evening and filled it a renewed strength:

"Begin at once; before you venture away from this quiet moment, ask your King to take you wholly into his service, and place all the hours of this day quite simply at his disposal, and ask him to make and keep you ready to do just exactly what he appoints. Never mind about tomorrow; one day at a time is enough. Try it today and see if it is not a day of strange, almost curious peace, so sweet that you will be only too thankful when tomorrow comes to ask him to take it also."
Francis Ridley Havergal (1836-1879)

Prayers for your health and for your utterly lovely family; prayers of deepest gratitude, too, for the tremendous blessing your words, your story, your faith, and the scriptures you include in your writing have been to me.

Was going to close by saying how lucky I am to have stumbled upon you........but seems more likely, doesn't it, that luck had nothing to do with it-?

Bonnie

Angela said...

Who's got comment envy now? LOL :)

Seriously, that email from Karin gave me chills. Praise God!!

We, too, are planning a romantic getaway. We are just trying to work out the babysitting. It's a lot harder the more kids you have!!

Love you, girl!

gillian said...

Beautiful post! Still praying and BELIEVING!!! I have NEVER seen anyone eat ice cream with their hands until now! He must really love some ice cream!

Unknown said...

Hi Stephanie. I came by through Angela's blog from 'Refresh my Soul' to let you know I'm praying for you sweetie. You have a precious family. I too am always in love with capturing images with my camera; gotta have it!

I'll be praying for you as you walk through this Chronic Lyme Disease. Know that God is with you through this all. He will lead and supply you with the strength you need. He has much more planned for you, so don't give up. There's a lot in store for you girl! ~Sarah Cecilia