The Promise

Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.

Genesis 9:16

The South finally received some needed relief from the oppressing humidity and heat wave that had our country moving cautiously about. Teagan and I made our way to a doctor's appointment today. On the way, we talked about what a blessing the rain was because it was God's way of providing for people, birds, grass, and even my toddler girl's favorite snakes (insert a sigh and shake of the head here). All are blessed by this rain with water and means of nourishment. 

As we drove the sky became darker. Ominous, even. Now friends, you should know I am a nervous former Texan. When I see crazy skies my heart beats a bit fast ... and with good reason as I grew up in Tornado Alley! My Irish husband gives me no end of grief, in the form of good natured ribbing, when I pile pillows and blankets galore into our food pantry, TV blaring the latest updates from Weather Center One! 

Anyhoo...to keep us calm I told Teagan, "This is the kind of storm that God allows to bring us something beautiful. So keep your eyes open, toward the sky and you just might see it!" 

As I said these words to her, my thoughts quickly flashed through my previous blog posts. Those entries captured my tender feelings. My vulnerability. My grief. 

And they captured my hope. 

Visions paraded through my mind of Noah, his ark, and his family with their eyes turned up to see the symbol of God's promise never again to destroy His earth or its people.  

In that moment I realized that I, along with my precious family here and around the country, am in the midst of a storm. And not just any storm, but the kind of storm God uses to bring something beautiful to life.  

And just like that my spirit became quiet. I became calm. My heart sang to my sweet Jesus. My Savior. My King: "I praise you in this storm."

We did see a rainbow that day and it was just as exciting for me as it was for Teagan! When you see a rainbow you will take a moment to remember God's unending love for you? Will you take a moment to remember His promise to never destroy us? And you will look for the sun to follow? For with the sun it brings a new day full of hope that surpasses our expectation or understanding. 

I hope you are having a wonderful and blessed weekend. We are off early tomorrow for a fun day at the zoo. I can tell you there are some verrrrrrrry excited persons in our house tonight. And that we will probably be forced to visit the reptile house. *Sigh.*

God Bless!
Michelle

You Can't Stay Here

Tonight my husband asked what I miss most about my mother. My answer?

Everything...

On my front porch I love to put pretty flowers to match the season in this decorative iron cone by my front door. But as soon as I do, mama and papa birds will invariably use it to build a nest for the arrival of their babies. 

Each time the babies become big and strong enough to leave the nest, the birds move on. Where? I don't know. But somehow, they sense that while this nest keeps their little ones safe, warm and comforted for a time, it offers no permanent solution. And so I start the ritual of cleaning out the cone, throwing out its contents and decorating again. 

As I cleaned out this cone last week, I began to see how it relates to the grieving process. I am neck deep at the moment, friends. This is my season of loss and it has finally hit me full force. The year anniversary of my father's passing is later this month, my stepmother passed five weeks ago and my mother a month ago.

Any one of these losses in and of itself would have been difficult to process. But when my mother passed ...well, it was as if a part of me left with her.  I feel empty.

Sadness. 

Loss.

Yesterday, I drove Teagan and Isla around...and around...and around. We went to three parks before I could decide which was best. And when we arrived? It started to rain. 

These days are tough. I feel out of sorts. Wandering. And I'm having a tough time writing...this is so raw for me. And yet, I share because I know there are others who might be encouraged to know they are not alone. To know that even on my darkest days I still praise my God for all the blessings in my life that He has given me. I look forward to the future God has promised. Hope. Eternity. Where there is no pain, no loss, no tears. Praise Jesus!!

You see, I know I can't stay "here". In this place of tears, anxiety, and loss. This is not the world God wants for His children. We are to have hope in an eternal life in heaven. And to have peace in knowing our loved ones are living in a world full of unimaginable beauty and love. 

I am so grateful God has plans for me. Plans I don't understand yet. I look forward to this time next week when I will attend the She Speaks 2012 conference. I imagine being surrounded by several hundred Jesus girls is just what my little heart needs! I have wanted to attend this conference for so long and God put it on my twin sister's heart to pay.my.way! Wow! What an incredible gift! And knowing that my mother was my best supporter...that she wanted this for me so badly, will make the weekend super special. 

And so I praise Him. I praise Him knowing this will pass. And though I will miss Bill, Shirley, and Maureen every moment of whatever time I have left on earth, I will have a future!

Dear Jesus, thank you for holding our hearts when they hurt. Thank you for providing comfort and your hope, your eternal salvation. Help those experiencing loss to move through the grieving process while being ever aware of all the blessings surrounding our lives. 

It would be my honor to pray for you. Please leave a comment or if you prefer more privacy email me at teaganstravels@yahoo.com.

Blessings, Michelle

The Heart of a Dinosaur & Destination: Inspiration Linky Party is Back!

God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not 
fear though the earth give way and the mountains fall to the heart of the sea. 

Psalm 46:1-2

Teagan is all about the color green, being three years old, dinosaurs, and snakes.  In that order.  Now, I know what you are thinking: she is a ballerina in the making, no? OK, maybe not.  Luckily our local library has all she needs to nurture our little paleontologist in the making.  This week we checked out a really cute book called The Littlest Dinosaur by Michael Foreman.  So far we have read it no less than twenty times. 

Public Domain Photo

I've been thinking about a line in the book. The Littlest Dinosaur was terrified and feeling quite small, he decided that because he was, after all, a dinosaur, he would be brave in the midst of fear. It was his right. It was natural. And this forced courage prompted him to have true courage. In the end, he was able to encourage another frightened creature in the woods and lead him to safety. 

The heart of a dinosaur. 

In recent days as I have missed my mom terribly. My stepmother. My father. Man. What a tough year. My heart, I must admit, has been torn. I find quiet moments the hardest. When it is tough to be brave. I find it impossible to imagine me...little me, encouraging others. But what I know...in my littlest dinosaur heart...is that I am a child of God. And it is my right to rely on the greatest power in this world. It is natural. It makes sense. Nothing and no one can conquer our Lord. And His truth tells us He is with us always. When we worry. When we fear. When when cry and need comfort. And I know with God's help I too can find a courage that will lead me to encourage others. And for this reason, I praise Him for this storm. For these moments that so prepare me to walk beside the brokenhearted. 

My Senior Pastor at church offered up this wonderful quote. Praise God for His timing which always gives me the perfect message just when I need it most:

William Arthur Ward said, "Flatter me, and I may not believe you.  Criticize me, and I may not like you.  Ignore me, and I may not forgive you.  Encourage me, and I will not forget you.

And so friends...today, my Destination: Inspiration linky party is back! But I am changing things up a bit. Today and future linky parties are still about inspiration...and encouragement. After much soul searching I moving away from the crafting and recipes focus in lieu of inspirational writing. If you are a blogger I so wanna read your past and present writings. Submit away as many entries as you like! I can't wait to read each and every one of your entries!

Passport to an Awesome 

Destination: Inspiration Party!!!

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background-repeat: initial initial; ">jpg</span></span>" border="0" alt="I Was Featured, 2012 February" /></a><center></center></center>

*I  am trying to grow my little blog so I'd really be excited if you would follow me using Google  Friends Connect or Linky Followers on my sidebar!

*Grab my button and post it somewhere on your blog if you want to totally make my week.

*Link to your post instead of your overall blog address.

*We all love comments so spread the love to at least one other blogger.

Have a great week! 
Blessings,
Michelle

Happy July!

Hello all! I know you simply won't believe this but we STILL have little ones with fevers in our house. Sigh. I so thought we were on the mend when we ventured out to our neighborhood parade and local library. At least we had a great time out of the house for a bit and got some super cute pics. 

I just know we are on our way to some easier, happier days. We so appreciate your prayers for healing of our little family in the meantime. Hope you are all off to a great weekend!

Isla, 14 months & big sister Teagan, 3 years

Shanna & Baby, Dave, Liam and Caleb

Caleb shows off his first car to buddies Grayson, Jackson and little brother, Liam. This picture cracks me up! Oh mon dieu. They will be driving in no time. 

Natasha and Lera having so much fun!

Beautiful Mamas! I LOVE Krissy's dress!

Big love for this sweet family! Natasha, Lera and Daddy Scott!

She Speaks

She Speaks

I love this

She Speaks

....evoking images of empowerment

A message

A woman, determined

Unstoppable

In just a few days I will attend my first ever writing conference. She Speaks 2012. I think for all of the 650 women attending from around the world it is sure to be a blessed time. One we will surely not want to see come to an end. I can't wait for new friendships found, to meet the writers and speakers of tomorrow, an inspiration that will carry me through the weeks and months to follow!

For me? 

It's a declaration

I am putting myself "out" there as God's daughter
Ready to grow His kingdom

On His mission

Whatever that may be 

Full of passion

And hope

In my mother's honor. She so wanted this for me. 

I Am Able

We are STILL recovering from this crazy virus. I thought I'd share a post I originally wrote when I was pregnant with little Isla. It seems like yesterday! Hope you enjoy and are having a great week!

__________

Re-posted from April 15, 2011

Hello friends! Today I am guest blogging on CMF's site and really excited! A big welcome to any readers who may have popped over from there. Teagan's Travels is our family blog that captures the adventures of an Irish father, American mom, our two year old daughter Teagan and the arrival of our baby who will be here THIS Wednesday! Topics include those concerning motherhood, toddler fun, our home, entertaining and our faith. This is a place where I hope others will be encouraged and where I find encouragement from readers too. I hope you will stay a while and come back often!

Recently my pregnant self had a long day where Teagan just simply could not and would not take a nap for any amount of love or money. After giving her a lengthy dinner that included almost as much applesauce in her hair as in her tum it was time for a bath. As I ran here and there prepping her and the tub my husband passed me in the hall and asked jovially, "Are you having fun?" Hmpf? Fun? I grumpily answered sure before making my way back to the bath. I still had bills to pay, the kitchen to clean, laundry to fold, rooms to tidy and a neglected to do list for the new baby's arrival to review before I could even think about calling it a day. Fun wasn't exactly what I was having and I was pretty miffed that (on this particular night) he wasn't helping out! But as I made my way briskly down the hall I felt God giving a powerful tug to my heart that almost made me stop in my tracks. It said simply: I.Am.Able.

That simple phrase took me back to a bible study I had with a great group of mom friends about a year ago where we talked about this very topic while studying Lysa TerKeurst's Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl. The gist of the study focused on how it is hard to stay in the moment at times, to be thankful for a sticky table and endless cycle of dishes to wash. But we talked about the power of reframing our thinking so we could be blessed with a new perspective, one that brings joy and thankfulness for all we have and all we do.

So on this night I was able. Instead of being grumpy I opened my eyes to a new perspective. After all, here I was giving my precious two-year old daughter a Dora Bubble bubble bath which gave her such joy as she splished, splashed, played and giggled with delight. It was my chance to wash her little ears and toes and tummy. A chance to marvel at how big she's gotten on the eve of her second birthday. Sure I was tired after a long day but I suddenly remembered those years when we struggled to have a baby and I would have given anything - any free time, any Saturday night, any amount of sleep just to have a little one look up at me with such joy in her eyes and call me Mommy.

As I settled in for a happy, relaxed bath time with Teagan I began to think of other things I am glad I am able to do. I am happy that I have a home to clean. I am so grateful that I have more than one set of clothes to wash...and while I am at it, a washer and dryer that work like a charm and make it easy. I learned from my days of living in a foreign country how difficult it can be to do one load of wash when you have to boil water on the stove, transfer it to a balcony outside where a low tech washer awaits and then wait for your clothes to dry during on a line...during monsoon season.

And those bills? That night I became thankful for money to pay them when times are tough on so many people in this economy. I became thankful I live in a place where we are safe from danger and war, where we can worship our God freely and without fear that we will be hurt or arrested. And on that night I reallystretched my thinking and became thankful I could exercise my body on a planned walk the next morning. That even in my third trimester state that has me moving at a snail's pace that I have two legs that work.

Now, I would love to hear from you! What sweet friends are you happy you are able to do today?

God, thank you so much for the many blessings great and small that you have given me in my life. Please help me to have a spirit of thankfulness and awareness as I move through my busy days.

A Rest

I hope all are having a great weekend. Our poor house is still on the mend. Days into this virus we still have fevers and have moved on to throwing up. Blah. So today is a quiet day full of reading, puzzles and (please God) lots of naps.

I've wanted to share some pictures we took of the cousins together when we were in town for my mom's service. I only got to edit two photos before the virus hit our house so I'll share those today.

Kade and Teagan are convinced they are brother and sister...and I wouldn't want it any other way.

I love our five year old boy!

Big hugs to all and I pray you are having a blessed Sunday. We could sure use prayer for healing in our house and in my sister, Melissa's house as she and Kade have the same virus. Please leave a prayer request in the comments section below and I will pray for you as well!

Off to bed!
Michelle