When feeling a disconnect to the Lord?

Just the past few weeks, I have lost some of my zeal and "hearing" from the Lord.  When I spend time with my Sweet Savior, pages are filled with insights and prayers for the various promptings from the Holy Spirit.  Currently, I have worked a few more hours and been uncertain in our future ministry.

I recently went to my MOPS leadership meeting.  During our prayer time, I asked for spiritual revival and not the recent dryness.  Thankfully, I came home and the Holy Spirit gently reminded me of two things.
1) Time with Jesus needs to have His Words center.  I am doing a great Lent study, but it is just a little word or action of Jesus passion week journey.  To hear from the Lord, I need to read His Words not just devotions about His word.

2) Lack of Community. Not having our Friday Life group is another reason for the lack of joy when encouraging and serving together. I need one-another.  God made us want to be in community.

Understanding these two missing elements, allowed me to make changes.  Up on the Butte today,  this picture shows me doing a plank.  Would I do them by myself in the dirt? Nope.  I needed TWO friends today to push me.  We even did a sprint after going up and down and up and down the Butte.  I function more completely and at my fullest potential when I am with others who will spur me on to Love and Good Works.

Loud Time..Time spent with the Lord

Confession time.  After the coffee is made, before the household arises, I sit at the kitchen table. Surrounded by light music and a Bible, you would think I could just "enjoy God".  However, as soon as I am not physically busy, my mind races.  If brain waves could be measured, I think I would get a gold in the 50 yard dash.

I need help.  Thankfully, I found it.  No, it is not medication (ha ha).  I needed a simple framework to ask myself some question around the Bible to keep me focused on Him.  My favorite one I have been using come from the Tapestry of Grace creator Marcia Somerville  In time, I found my modifications on her "journaling form" is what helps me best.

My mother who has been up here for the past 6 months, asked me about the paper I use while spending time with God.  Since I spent hours creating it, I decided to give it to you. If you want it, I will email it to you as a pdf.  ellaembree@gmail.com

I do have a section called "other projects," so that if my mind gets racing, I just got a note there.  That gives me the freedom to spend time listening to Him.

Please let me know if you like it or if it is helpful in your journey with the Lord.

Finished, but not really

So, yesterday I realized in my quiet time that I was completed my Bible in a Year.  Most people would be delighted.  But, I was finished but disappointed.  This year my delight in God's Word has been growing. Daily, I found truth about My Righteous Lord and could praise Him. Even the children joined me this year.

In the morning, I liked that I  knew exactly where I can meet my Savior and Lord and listen to HIS word.  I didn't have to flip and guess or wonder where I was going to read.  My app (You Version) which wasn't perfect, but it at least pointed me to the right scripture.  I loved that I had scheduled readings Monday-Friday.  On Saturday/Sunday, I could do other study or just reflect on the multitude of truth and conviction the Lord brought about during the week.  It was called CCV The Bible in One Year.

So, Yeah.  The good news is I can begin again on Monday!

I also wrote about this last year about Bible Reading plans.

Uniqueness of our home

Uniqueness Encouraged.

Today, I spent time cuddled up with Bronwyn reading together under the blanket and comfy chair.  During the independent time, Max was doing laps around the couch between words on his spelling test.  Brownyn was singing a musical while doing her typing with the music so loud I could hear the melody leaking out of the headphones.  Hannah was busy memorizing a sonnet by reciting it out loud with eloquence and drama from William Shakespeare that she picked out.

Did I mention that it was all happening simultaneously in my living room?

We also spent some time around a table and making a blood cell with redhots, sprinkles, and a white jelly bean.  The absolute uniqueness of a Creator God who has a built in recycling center of iron is phenomenal.  I love learning with them.

I lost my temper because of being interrupted.  However, the lessons of forgiveness and grace are important even if I need to humble myself.

The kids ended their day of school playing games at a friend house while I knitted.  After a quick run up a mountain trail with encouraging words from a dear friend.  God is soo good.

We came home to listen to James read to them an epic novel. Thank you for days like these.  The dedication page was added to their books. (of course, I can't find Bronwyn's work...)

Bricks!

by Max Embree

To James. For teaching me that Legos are fun.

I dedicate this book to Ella Embree my super teacher Mom

Dance, Travel, The Grand Canyon, and Pasta

By Hannah Xaris Embree

Thankfulness... kills anxiety

Well, James said it.  The magic words that I have been longing to hear.  "Let's go look for a dog." Good and bad.

Good part:
Now, that we are settled into our home since moving in the end of October, it is time to find a dog.  Like I posted before, I really would LOVE a Great Dane.  There happens to be one that we might get that is 9 months old and house trained and kennel trained. We just need to be selected by the breeder as a perfect fit.  The stunning dog is named Pandora and is the one with the natural ears in this picture.

Bad part:

I was so excited last night, I hardly slept. So, instead of being being anxious about whether we get her I will count my many blessings and keep looking UP:

1) an amazing home with views of both the sunrise over the mountains and the sunset

2) great friends who shoulder my concerns

3) people to pour into (discipleship and peers)

4) Friday morning breakfast with Anita Moiser that gives me an excuse for making a more elaborate meal.

5) relationship with my Savior who protects me and cares for my needs

6) understanding and encouraging husband who is a blast to do anything with

7) children who love reading and learning -spent the last hour on the couch reading together under the electric blanket.

8) a heated garage

9) wind drifts that avoid my road and driveway so that we don't have to shovel

10) family that loves my children and enjoys our company!

11) parents that still surprise me with their unending love

12) great friends for my children

13) health and exercise

14) ability to learn about God with my children through the Bible readings

15) great library

16) love for missions and what God is doing around the world

17) heart that is still in Africa thankful for the lessons learned- Yebo Africa!

18) coffee and Kindle with a fireplace 

19) seeing others enjoy taking photos from my back yard because it is soooo beautiful. 

20) Life groups and our little church

21) Heaven!

"Life works better when we know how to glance at things but gaze at God.  Seeing Him clearly will enable us to see all other things clearly."

We had an amazing time today doing our "Young Woman after God's heart" Bible study.  The girls got to dream up of their best decorated bedroom.  Share ideas about honor parents in keeping their stuff tidy. 

The crazy fun was when we got out the tie die as part of our Homeschooling project this week.

Hannah even made one for her dad.  I got one as well.  So, we will show the finished product later.