29 and Still a Kid!

Today was my 29th birthday! The last year of my 20's and I feel like it's going to be a great year!! Jeremy was out of town visiting a friend so it was just me and my girls...Mackenzie and Maggie. Mackenzie was my absolute angel today!! She made my birthday so special!

To really celebrate my mature age, Mackenzie, my parents and I headed to Chuck E Cheese for dinner and fun. It's not exactly how I remember it as a kid. But then again, it's been 20 years since I've been there and it was called Showbiz back in the day. Either way, we had a great time! I think Mackenzie had the most fun and that's what made it such a wonderful birthday evening!

Where a kid can be a kid...including a 29 year old pregnant mom:)

Mackenzie wishing me Happy Birthday!

Mackenzie was scared to death of Chuck E Cheese!

Oh Nana!

Kisses for Papa

Still scared of Chuck E Cheese and snuggling with Papa for safety

Big winner! She won stickers and a necklace

It's a Great Day!

August 25, 2009

Partly Sunny
Marybeth Whalen

from Proverbs 31 Minitries

"Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear." Matthew 13:43 (NIV)

Devotion:
Last week my seven-year-old son and I were waiting for his sister to get her hair cut. As we sat in the waiting area, we had no choice but to listen to the radio that played in the background. The forecast came on and the announcer said that it was going to be partly cloudy. My son, who was playing with LEGOs® on the floor, stopped playing and looked up with an indignant look on his face. "Mom," he said, "That man said it's partly cloudy but it's not. It's partly sunny." Then he went back to playing.Oh, to see the world the way my son did in that moment. He taught me a huge lesson on perspective that day and I have been mulling it over ever since.

Do I see my days as partly sunny or partly cloudy? Do I marvel at the wonders or get caught up in the mess? Do I consciously choose to alter my "glass half empty" mentality and choose to see it as half full? Do I rejoice in what I have or focus on what's missing? Just for today, let's focus on the good things that happen, so they don't get lost in the shuffle of life. I hope that you will join me in seeking to see our days as partly sunny. Sure, a few clouds may enter our horizon, but that doesn't mean our outlook has to be altered.

Partly cloudy or partly sunny? My son taught me it's all in how I look at it.

Dear Lord, when life starts looking cloudy, help me to remember that the sun is still shining. Help me to take my negative, defeating thoughts captive and shift my perspective. Most of all, help me to remember that as one of Your children, I will someday shine like the sun in Your kingdom. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Application Steps:
Look outside your window. Is the weather partly sunny or partly cloudy? Even if it's pouring down rain, praise God for what you see and where you are. Every time something happens today, determine that you are going to look for the "partly sunny" element.

Reflections:
Do you have a tendency to see things from a "glass half empty" perspective?

How can you change your thought process to intentionally see things in a more positive light?

Power Verses:
Philippians 2:14-15, "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe. (NIV)

Daniel 12:3, "Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever." (NIV)

Prayer Request

My sister's boyfriend, Heath, discovered a few swollen and sore lumps in his armpit a couple of weeks ago. Heath went in today to have this cluster of lymph nodes removed and they are anxiously awaiting the results of the biopsy which should be in next week sometime. The doctor's initial reaction is that it looks like Heath has lymphoma, but like I said, they're still waiting for the results from the biopsy.

In the meantime, if you could please be praying for Heath and Angela as they face this long weekend while waiting for answers. And please pray for Heath's heath and strength for both of them. It breaks my heart to hear her cry over the phone and not be there to be able to hug her and hold her (they live in Phoenix). I pray that the Lord's love, peace and comfort will blanket them and He will hold them close during this trying time.

I know that God is a big God! And I am so thankful that He is in control and I'm not. He has a plan and a purpose for this circumstance and I don't doubt that!!


Matthew 6:34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 11:10
"I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you."

Matthew 11:28
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Mark 14:36
"Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.


Thank you in advance for your thoughts and prayers! I'll keep you updated once we find out more next week.