Honored Time

I am beginning to understand why families are so worn out at the end of the summer! We have been in a season of GO-GO-GO for weeks, often with just barely enough time to finish a load of laundry between events. Don't get me wrong, they have been awesome events and we marvel at the work God did this summer, but whew! We're tired!

Okay, since our last chat, Jarrod's parents came to visit and the Es enjoyed some (ahem, a ton) of spoiling. We are so thankful for times we can all be together! This trip involved King's beach at Tahoe, many a house project and getting unpacked. *Side-note, these two have earned their gold star parenting badges... they've moved us, A LOT. Thank you!*

Then began the crazy trip back to Florida with an unexpected stay in Denver. God graciously gave us good time with our families there too. And in true Florida fashion, we saw an alligator get captured off my mom's dock! 

E1 getting to do the VBS dance

Then the VBS sprint. Between our church and the mission to McDermitt, I know of 7 new believers in the Lord! Please join me in praying for their fledgling faith to be nurtured and a love for God's Word to develop in their hearts. I had the awesome privilege of teaching preschool at both VBS-es. In all honesty, there were moments where I wasn't sure there was much of a point. the kids were unruly, hyped up on sugar, and some had so little Bible-background that the stories were hard for them to grasp. I could have chosen discouragement, but instead God kindly provided insights. One little boy came to me at church the following Sunday to tell me he "still remembered his verse!". Another grandparent shared that her granddaughter was sharing the Bible stories we learned in class with her non-believing parents at home! Little missionaries! I was reminded that in preschool especially, we plant seeds. We water. It's the Lord who does the growing (1 Cor 3:6-9). Only His Holy Spirit can wake up a sinner's heart, can draw some one to God. What an awesome opportunity to be included in His work!

And now for the confession....
In all the busyness, I have not made time to study Scripture. I chose tasks I thought had to be done (even church tasks), instead of spending quiet time, one on one, with the Lord. I still prayed, I still went to church, I still upheld my responsibilities at home. But it wasn't the same. To be honest, there was very little joy in it all. I cringe saying all this out loud, a pastor's wife should have this one figured out, right? Not me, I face the same temptation to "get busy", to let my time be stolen away by things and tasks and errands. And the sneaky thing is they're all "good" things! Playing with my kids, cleaning the house, grocery shopping. None that I could look at and say, oh if I only stop doing that I will have plenty of time to study the Bible. And yet, I was spiritually starving. What's a girl to do?

So this morning, I sat after the kids finished breakfast and opened my Bible to Psalm 119. I wasn't sure of my day's plan, but I knew I needed time with the Lord. I love the Psalms, especially this one, because they encourage me to view God's Word as beautiful, precious, treasure, and life-giving. They remind me that it is the Lord who sustains me. Most of them being written by David, King of Israel, (probably a super busy guy, especially when he was on the run for his life), they take away my excuse of having too many pressing things to do to spend time reading Scripture. 

Psalm 119:165-168(NIV)

Great peace have those who love your law,

    and nothing can make them stumble.

I wait for your salvation, Lord,

    and I follow your commands.

 

I obey your statutes,

    for I love them greatly.

 

I obey your precepts and your statutes,

                          for all my ways are known to you. 

And you know what, today has gone on. The kids were fed, errands and chores have been done. My heart is different - I've been joyful. My eyes have been opened to opportunities to make teachable moments with the girls. God didn't have to do that. This day could have been just as chaotic and stressful as the days past, but part of me thinks this is a gift from Him for making the decision to honor Him with my time: to show I believe He is worthy by choosing Him over other things. I'm not sure what the weekend will hold, if our family will experience another crisis or have hard decisions to make or if the dishes just don't get done, but I will commit to choosing time in Scripture and allow God to speak into my life that way. 

Be encouraged that yes, we all can easily get busy. And busy with good things at that! But for your heart's sake, choose time with the Lord. Allow Him to fill you with joy and love for Himself and others through Bible study. We need it.

Till next time,

the Reeds

Don't you dress up like this to get the mail?

Summer time = ice cream truck!

Teaching her in true Nevadan fashion

7 beds in 7 days

Hello! Sorry for the long silence.... but here's the story why....

So we are happily settling into life in Reno and work with GHBC. When we came out west, we moved into a 2 bedroom apartment. It worked, but as the momma staying home with the kiddos.... I was praying God would bring us into more space quickly!

And He did. We were blessed to be able to purchase a home! So once again (we're pretty much pros at packing by this point) we loaded everything up with tons of help from friends from church and headed home. Fortunately for us, but perhaps unfortunately for them, Jarrod's parents were out for a visit while we were moving. I am so thankful for their help!

We were able to spend a night in our new place, and the kiddos loved it. There is a closet that reaches under the stairs and the girls have claimed that as their fort. When you can't find them, chances are they are creating a princess castle or playing house in there. I love their imaginations!

Then came the next three whirlwind days.

Through some unexpected circumstances, we decided to take a trip back to Florida to spend time with my family. First flight, smooth, no problems what so ever. Then we waited in Denver. And we waited, and we waited. Long story short, we had two days to see what we could see in Denver. Our first hotel accommodations were quite the experience! We should have known based on the sign when we drove up, "otel". It's just become the family running joke for when something is missing or not quite right. So we stayed in a different hotel for our second night. After a face-plant to the metal edge of a chair in the airport for E2 and a long day of travel, we finally made it to Florida. After a quick night in Jacksonville, we made it down to see my family (see? 7 beds in 7 days!) . Thank you every one for your prayers as we have walked through all this.

As we are preparing to head back west, please pray for our families. Please pray for our church family as we prepare for vacation Bible school next week.  Promise I will update with pictures when we get back "home"! *I love getting to say that and putting down roots!*

-the Reeds

Momma, what are you thankful for?

This is E2's new question she likes to ask.... a lot. At first it was cute, I was so proud she knew that God gives us gifts and we should be thankful to Him. Then (5 days later), it was less cute. She was not appeased if I gave her the same answer as last time and my brain was starting to hurt trying to come up with new things to tell her!

But perhaps this revealed something about my own heart... perhaps my busy, unpredictable days are crowding out a spirit of thankfulness. Yikes. That's not what I want. So here's to being spurred on in holiness by my two year old. Here's to taking every thought captive and making it obedient to Christ (2 Cor 10:5).  So let me ask you..... what are you thankful for today?

 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15