I woke up this morning more tired than usual. Marty has been waking up a lot at night, being that he only has 6 teeth and he is 19 months, he has some making up to do in the teeth area. That being said, when the alarm of his screaming went off at 6, I was not super chipper and excited about it.

It is by no means an excuse, but because I was so tired I was short with Weiland and Jason. I HATE when I allow myself to be this way when I only have about an hour max with them before they are off to work and school.

I decided to put on some Pandora and attempt to tackle the boys room. The babies are happily playing around me, I’m starting to settle in and then my phone rings. It is Molly’s birth mom asking where I am. YUP! I completely forgot that today is a visit day for Molly. I throw on some yoga pants, grab some clothes for Mo and load up the babies. That is all it took to stress me out and take me back to the raging crazy lady from about 30 minutes earlier.

When I see more of my character and less of Jesus’, it is glaringly obvious to me that He and I need some quality time together.

I laid Marty down for his morning nap and got out the “materials” i.e.: devotional, journal, Bible, and Spotify. Almost instantaneously I felt God taking over my heart and mind. I picked up my phone to text Jason an apology and then just sat in God’s presence. It is so powerful when we take the time to just sit and hear from Him. The life that He will breathe into us is unlike any other encounter on the planet.

A new exercise that I have started doing, that has been life changing for me, is putting on my worship music and opening my journal to write out any truths from the specific song that stick out. Before you know it I have pages full of truths of who God says that I am. All of the sudden there is way less self criticism and way more encouragement. So many times satan wants to get in and discourage us and beat us up using ourselves or those close to us. If we have truths of who He says that we are throughout scripture burned into our minds, there is a lot LESS power that satan has in our lives.

January was full of Jesus teaching me the importance of taking my thoughts captive, silencing negative self talk,  and choosing joy. This morning, the 31st of January I had the opportunity of putting into practice all three and now at 1:28 I sit here feeling filled up, loved, cherished, pursued, and so full of joy. I can’t wait for February!!!

How about you? How is your day going? Are you tired? Are you stoked on life? Are you overwhelmed?  Where ever this blog finds you today, know that it is NEVER too late to start your day over! Take those thoughts captive, shut your head up, and choose joy! The power lies in you!

Let’s tackle February with a vengeance together!

Happy Friday! Three weeks from today we have the final court hearing where Molly will be recommended by Child Protective Services to be reunified with her birth mom. I am so overwhelmed with gratitude that God’s ways are higher than mine!

I have been hearing so many stories lately that have been breaking my heart. Premature or unexpected deaths, homelessness, broken marriages, overdrawn bank accounts, struggling children, sickness in them or their family members, depression, anxiety, postpartum depression, loneliness, and cancer diagnoses, just to name a few. My heart hurts for these hurting hearts. None of it is God’s design or God’s desire.

My new favorite activity to do while I am spending time with Jesus is to put on Youtube and select Bethel worship music videos and then just let it play for hours throughout the day. They play these powerful worship moments, one after another. Early this week a song came on that wrecked me! I have listened to it at least 15 times just this week. The lyrics and link are at the bottom. Do yourself a favor and carve out 12 minutes and allow Jesus to minister to your soul!

After listening to this song and praying through it, a few things hit me. First off, I think when we feel hopeless we are usually in moments of waiting, second, how we respond to the moments of the waiting will determine the growth we see in our lives, and lastly, through those waiting periods there are incredible encounters with Jesus are are there for the taking. There are so many reasons we could be in a waiting season.. waiting for healing, waiting for a house, waiting for a job, waiting for a spouse, waiting for any good news possible, or maybe we are just waiting for life to let up a bit. Whatever the reason for your season of waiting may be, God is in it with you! He sees you in the midst of your waiting! 

There is so much hope to be found in the depths of despair. I know that sounds crazy, but it is SO true. God can show His face in such miraculous ways when we look for Him instead of keeping our eyes on ourselves or our situations. I have had two different women reach out that had no idea what was going on just to tell me that they were praying for me because I was heavy on their hearts. God is enlisting prayer warriors on my behalf! These prayers are sustaining me. I can honestly look anyone in the eye and tell them that the joy of the Lord IS my strength. It is miraculous and I am so thankful!

I am constantly thinking of my friends in the midst of their seasons of waiting. Pleading with Jesus to be their strength. Their joy. Their peace. Their hope. I know the power of prayer. I am a testimony to the power of it so I will not let up on their behalf.

May we all be able to take life one day at a time or even one moment at a time as we keep our eyes on the author and perfecter of our faith.  God is good. God is trustworthy.

Triumph is coming, friends!

Kristene Dimarco

Take Courage

Slow Down take time Breath in he said
He’ll reveal what’s to come
The thoughts in his mind Always higher than mine
He’ll reveal all to come
Take courage my heart Stay steadfast my soul
He’s in the waiting He’s in the waiting
Hold onto your hope As your triumph unfolds
He’s never failing He’s never failing
Sing praise my soul Find strength in joy
Let his words lead you on
Do not forget His great faithfulness
He’ll finish all he’s begun
You who hold the stars
Will call them each by name
You’ll surely keep your promisee to me
That I will rise in your victory

You guys, this week…woa! Talk about having a week that is exactly what your body and soul has needed. I am in awe. I am on a freaking high and I am soaking it in like a sponge. I know that it is these times that carry us in the desert times. I am documenting. I am rejoicing. I am laughing. I am crying. I am smiling. I am dancing. I am telling everyone and anyone who will listen. Even as I sit here typing I cannot stop smiling.

GOD IS SO GOOD. GOD IS SO FAITHFUL.

Nothing out of the ordinary this week. Molly is still going to live with her mom. Weiland still has more energy than a teenager on 5 Red Bull drinks. Marty is still recovering from sickness and has become quite the barnacle on my leg. I am still behind by about 3 loads of laundry and there is a weird stench that I cannot get rid of in our house. Jason is busy at work. I don’t have a single real estate client. As I feel my teeth with my tongue right now I realize that I have not brushed them yet, today, and I am not quite sure when the last time I brushed them was.  I am still infertile. Oh! And, my skin decided to be allergic to my wedding ring.

GOD IS STILL SO GOOD. GOD IS STILL SO FAITHFUL.

Choosing joy is so powerful. Choosing to rest in God’s wisdom and strength is so powerful. Choosing to keep our eyes on the author and finisher of our faith is so rewarding and life giving. Choosing to live life intentionally is freaking amazing.

This week I decided to attack life with a vengeance. Sickness was finally leaving us. I only missed the first week of January, but I was mad about it so I rolled up my sleeves on Monday morning ready to kick life in the teeth! 🙂

I am not a cook. You can ask any of my friends who so graciously made fun of me this year at our “Friendsgiving”. Jason’s staple dinner diet for the majority of our marriage has been an alternating schedule of bean and cheese burritos, Digiorno Pizzas, or eating out. I am not proud of it, it is just the reality. So starting this year we had a talk, and discussed that no matter what we are eating, we need to eat together as a family at least 3 times a week. We need that powerful connection as a family. Monday, January 2nd, I sat down and I meal planned. We just finished week 2 of eating dinner together 3 times each week. I am proud to say that none of the 6 meals were bean and cheese burritos, Digiorno Pizzas, or eating out. On sick days, I was so thankful for the crock pot recipes that I planned for.

I managed to hit up the gym 3 times this week. Moms….find a gym that has childcare and sign up! Do not waste another minute! My friend, Rachel, reminded me that gyms have childcare. I signed up the next day. So, at the 4:00 brutal hour, the kids and I headed off to the gym! I put on podcasts and worship music for the hour that I was there and it made such a difference in my day and more importantly, in my heart!

I drove out to see my sister on Friday morning to get my grey hairs painted. The drive was so energizing for my mind, soul, and body. The views, the podcast, the worship music, and the prayers. Knowing God’s character makes it so easy to long for Him and His presence. His life changing presence.

This morning Jason took the boys on a long run and so I got some one on one time with Molly before she left for the day to spend time with her mom. It was so fun and special. Once both babies were down for their nap I curled up in our recliner and read a chapter in my book which left me feeling so inspired and empowered. Thankfully the babies were still sleeping so…..I GOT A SHOWER!!!!! I celebrate those BIG time! 🙂 While in the shower I knew that I wanted to be intentional with the boys today. I wanted quality time with them as we adjust to this being the new norm, so after we dropped off Mo, we headed to a lunch date and a Target run. It was awesome! Lots of laughs and good convo with my super duper smart 5 year old.

I now sit here typing as my boys sleep with tears in my eyes thinking about this last week and all of the incredible gifts God has given me. An incredible and hard working husband. Two healthy and adorable sons. A beautiful and spunky foster daughter. Our health. But most of all, God’s unfailing character.

Here is my challenge to you, my friends. Take 30 minutes. Listen/watch this video. Don’t cut it short. Listen/watch the whole thing. It is just under 18 minutes. Use the remaining 12 minutes to pray/cry/yell to God. Reset your heart. Reset your mind.

I have listened/watched this video about 3 times, maybe more..just this week. Let God overwhelm what is overwhelming you today. Attack this next week with a vengeance. Combat the lies of satan with what you know to be true. Take all your thoughts captive. Positive self talk will turn your day/week/month/2017 upside down. Allow God to speak hope into your heart. Allow God to speak peace over you. Allow God to speak joy over you. I promise that no matter what is going on in your life right now, you have the power within you to feel peace, hope, joy, and strength.

Can we try to be intentional together?  It can be exhausting, but the reward is so much greater than any exhaust that you could ever feel! I promise 🙂

The day is right around the corner. The day where we will no longer be considered Molly’s legal care takers. We will pack her up and hand her over to her birth mom.

Sometimes I cannot believe that this is my life. In the past when others have gone through what we are about to go through and they would tell me about it, I would die inside and tell them how I could never do what they are doing. I am now that person that is preparing to say good bye to their daughter that they have a raised for the last 16 months from birth.

Guess what?! I am doing it and I am not dying! Walking through this I am realizing that anyone who says, “yes” to whatever Jesus is calling them to, can do it. He equips us to do the impossible, it is Him in us. He is my hope. He is my strength. He is my peace. He is my joy. He sustains me.

What is Jesus stirring in you?? What have you said, “I could never do that?” What seems impossible to you?

• Staying in and fighting for your marriage?
• Packing and moving across country? State? City?
• Quitting your job?
• Starting a company?
• Ending a toxic relationship? Plutonic or not…
• Giving 10% of your finances to the church?
• Going on the mission field?
• Cutting up the credit cards?
• Entering rehab?
• Starting therapy?

We all have a different set of circumstances BUT we all have the SAME God. Capable. Loving. Strong. Able. Unconditional. Grace filled. Merciful.

I challenge you to evaluate your life. Look at your fears. Be sensitive to the stirring in your being and say “yes” to WHATEVER you feel Jesus may be calling you to do. I promise you, you won’t regret it. I do not regret for one second saying yes to my little Molly.

Is your timing coming too?

I don’t know about you, but I have a twisted side of me that longs for power and control. I am what some may call a “control freak”. It  is not a super awesome combo to be a control freak when I don’t have control over MOST things.

This week it has hit me square in the face how much power and control I have in certain areas of my life and my twisted control freak side has been giddy over it. It is like I have been constantly hearing an inner evil laugh towards myself.

I was so ready for this last week to come. Schedule was coming, office hours were going to be back to normal, and school starting back up! I had a list of things a mile long to get done and I couldn’t wait to start knocking things off of it now that the holiday season was officially over and the “normal” life was beginning again.

Monday morning I woke up with a vengeance to attack the week. Crap! Post office, banks, and schools were all observing New Years, oh and Dub’s had the flu and I had to send Molly off for her 2 day visit with her mom. Fine. Grocery stores were open, laundry needed done, and Marty was healthy and deserved a happy and attentive mama.  Thankfully Jason was home to be with Weiland, so I was able to meal plan and hit 3 grocery stores to make sure we were all set for food for the week. Monday concluded with needing to pick Molly up from her visit because she was so sick and her mom selflessly cut the visit short so that Molly could sleep in her bed and get good rest.

My attention started to be caught by how much power and control I have on Monday when I realized I couldn’t cross much off my list, my son was sick, and it was time to send Molly away again.  I had the choice to be bummed or CHOOSE joy and make the most of the day. Thankfully, because we have the control and power, I was able to choose joy. The challenge brought a rush. It was like the little me’s on each of my shoulders battling all day and the little me that I wanted to win on Monday, won! It felt awesome! POWER!

The week continued on. By the time Friday came, all, but Jason, had been hit. Temperatures up to 105. Lots of medicines. Urgent care visits. A few loads of laundry.

During one of the urgent care visits I had a baby on each knee crying and I was bouncing them while singing “Bushel and a Peck”. I just kept thanking Jesus that it wasn’t anything more serious than the flu and it transformed my mind. Immediately, I was filled with gratitude for these 2 healthy babies that were temporarily not feeling well. Power and control!

It’s Saturday and all three are down for their naps. I was able to eat some delicious lunch, read more of Without Rival, and soak up some Pandora. I am now sitting under a soft blanket sharing with all of you.

This week wasn’t easy. But it didn’t get me down either. It just gave me plenty of opportunities to put my 2017 word into practice, joy. Some times I whispered to myself 562 times in an hour, “Choose joy, Elizabeth. It’s your choice.”

We GET to choose. CONTROL. People do you understand what I am saying?! You are the only one who can control how you respond to what is thrown your way. We cannot control our circumstances, but we GET to control how we respond. The choice is so powerful. It is crucial that we choose wisely!

Sick babies? Unpaid bills? Strained relationships? Disappointment?

You may not be dealing with anything that is difficult right now, but it will come. Will you be ready to look at whatever it is head on and not let it define you or your day?

I have way more examples of sulking winning over gratitude and joy. So, I really know and have experience with which is the best option! Choosing gratitude and joy causes me to finish the day a better wife, mom, and friend. When we choose gratitude and joy we tend to be more aware with needs around us. I have noticed that when I am not sulking and focusing on what’s going wrong in my life, I am able to be more available to my loved ones.

You may have to dig deep. It takes practice if it isn’t your default. Taking thoughts captive and positive self talk will be essential. You can do it, though.

Let’s spur each other on as we CHOOSE joy and walk out each day the best possible versions of ourselves!

 

 

Dear 2016,

You were good. You were hard. You were non showered and messy. You were fun. You were educational. You were life-changing. You brought me closer to Jesus than I ever thought possible. Being that “Grace” was my word for you, I sure did learn a lot about it. How to extend it and how to accept it. Overall, I can confidently say that I liked you.

You started out with a fun trip to Austin, TX for a life altering experience with my buddy Katie and the IF: Gathering Conference.  While there I ate yummy food, got food poisoning, went to bed early, slept in late, had the best almond milk vanilla lattes of my entire life,  heard from Jesus that this season of young ones is a season to embrace and that He sees me. Also, the stirring to start a blog resurfaced.

Spring time brought about the adoption of our second son! Such a miracle and joy! As well as, many, many opportunities to embrace my kids with a good attitude 🙂 It also included a quick trip with some awesome ladies to Arizona to celebrate Neue Thing and its very first women’s gathering. Cherie’s heart is amazing and humbling and it showed through so much that night!

Jason and I were blessed and stoked to end spring time with the purchase of our dream home in our dream location. The only way to pull that off was to buy a complete fixer upper which means we dove head first into crazy renovations. Why not take on a fixer upper, it’s not like we had 3 kids, 4 and under at the time. Washing bottles in the bathroom sink for 5 weeks may have been my least favorite part of the whole ordeal 🙂

I’m not going to lie, summer started out rough. 2016 Summer was actually brutal. Hardest part of the entire year. Full of a lot of tears, anger, frustration, and brokenness. But I made it through, and actually made it through stronger and closer to the Lord.

Summer wasn’t all bad though, it also brought about a couple of KIDLESS nights with Jason to attend a Saddleback conference with some of the Southwest staff, a 2 week trip to Tahoe, and the celebration of 10 years of marriage with my best friend! I ended summer with sending my first born to transitional kindergarten.

September was cray-cray! A weekend away with my conference junkie, Katie! Once again, awesome conversations, going to bed early, and waking up late 🙂 With this weekend came the final push to officially start writing my blog. I started it immediately after we got home. All Sons and Daughters brought me to my knees this month. The 23rd Jesus spoke to me more clearly than He has in a long time, or  at least I heard Him more clearly than I have in a long time. My life was forever changed that day and the few days following.

In October Jason was asked to be a birthday present for one of our dear friends in Nashville. With plane tickets paid for and a brave and amazing couple willing to take ALL 3 kids for 5 days, we were off! Crossing something of my bucket list with Jason and one of the coolest couples I know was AMAZING!! It was the first time in 3 years that Jason and I were able to vacation without kids. HUGE GIFT!

One of my hi lights from the year actually happened in November. Almost all of my favorite girls piled in a van and went up to Idllwylid for the day. I laughed more that day than probably the entire year combined. To be up in cool weather surrounded by women who love me just as I am cannot ever be taken for granted.

Here we are, 2016, finishing you up! Thanksgiving and Christmas were awesome, despite sickness that never left our home, it was a good holiday season and I am thankful. Hundreds gave their hearts to Jesus at our Christmas Eve services and that is what life is really all about!

In the beginning of the year if you would have told me all that 2016 held I would have laughed in your face and then maybe punched it 😊 So many unexpected blessings and refining moments. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for both. God is so good and faithful. He loves us enough to refine us and He loves us so much to shower us with blessings that we don’t deserve. 

I don’t know what your 2016 held. Maybe it was horrible. Maybe it was the best. But let’s grab hands and embrace 2017. Let’s be expectant of ALL that God has in store for us and let’s be committed to look to God’s faithfulness and unfailing character in it all! 

There are now 1.5 days left of 2016. I am going to send it off all fancy like with some of my closest friends and I can’t wait! It’s not too late for you to make plans to ring in the year with excitement and surrounded by those you love… start the goodness of 2017 early and call up your peeps!