Storms.

 

In the last couple of months, I've entered a season of 'life storms.'  I share the details with a VERY select few and it's not because I want everyone to think my life is perfect, but because I know prayer & faith are what I need as opposed to advice and judgment.  Yesterday, I had a slow morning and ALMOST skipped out on church, but I've found that the times I want to ditch church are the times I need I the most, so I packed my van full of kids and went.  And, as usual, the message tore me up in the best way possible.

 

We read through the calming of the storm.  The disciples are all freaking out, naturally, trying to get the water out of the boat and Jesus is sleeping.  So, they wake him up and say, "don't you CARE if we die?"  Jesus' response was not "of course I care.  My bad."  His response was: "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?"

 

In my own life, when things seems hard or I get really down, I am (slowly, but surely) realizing that it's because I am lacking the faith that is required of me.  I start to get all "WHY ME?!" and tend to think that I have done my part in this relationship with Christ enough to at least get a pass on the really hard stuff.  I was reminded this Sunday that Jesus died on the cross for me - I am owed NOTHING.

 

The BIG takeaway for me was that Jesus was there; he was there, IN the boat, WITH them the whole time.  He never left, he never abandoned, and he never worried.

 

I want to encourage you today with whatever storm you're going through that you aren't alone.  Yes, it will hurt and, yes, it will be hard, BUT if you believe in Jesus Christ and have that faith that so may of us are lacking, you are weathering this storm with the Creator of the universe.

 

You're in good hands.

October School Lunches!

The best part of October lunches was making treats "for the kids."  I've gotten some questions on what I feed my younger two and, generally, I feed them the same thing I send with my Kindergartener!  They're both pretty good eaters, but need variety so they don't get bored eating the same thing every day.

 

[PB&J, banana, Gogurt, Football shaped pretzels, confetti sugar cookies]

[Halloween Mac 'n Cheese, Trader Joe's organic Animal Crackers, Grapes]

[Annie's Mac 'n Cheese, Greek Yogurt w/ Sprinkles, Broccoli]

[PB&J, Cheez Itz, and Mixed Fruit]

[Homemade Lunchable: Chicken Chunks, Cheddar Cheese, Pretzel Sticks, Mini Cookies, & Grapes]

[Turkey, Cheese, Crackers, Banana Muffin, Grapes, & Dark Chocolate Chips]

[Spaghetti & Meatballs, Garlic Knot, Grapes, Mini Cookies]

[Beef & Cheese Burrito, Smoothie, Bitsy Brainfood Cookies, & Mixed Veggies]

On the day we made 'lunchables,' someone spilled Stevie's lunch and it was the worst day ever until they gave him pizza from the cafeteria.  I was SO THANKFUL when Stevie told me that one of the ladies that works in the school café took him back and got him a lunch when he was crying because I can only imagine his sweet little face when his food fell to the ground.

I scored a couple of boxes of Bitsy Brainfood Cookies from Target for next to nothing with a coupon on Cartwheel and he LOVES them; they're shaped like letters and the ones pictured are made from organic beets and chocolate!  I really like to give my kids 'fun food' and I try to make it homemade most of the time, but these are such a good option for quick grabbing.  Total bonus buy!