goings-on since I've been home

I have to say about my kids, that they are INCREDIBLE young men.

Incredible.  I cannot say that enough, and sometimes it's nice for them to see/hear/read that publicly.

I never knew how handy they were until two years ago, when I had a hysterectomy.  I could not do one thing around the house for weeks and weeks on end.  Seriously, though the pain of the actual incision was not bad, I felt horrid for months it seemed.  That was when I learned how well they could clean, do laundry and cook.  They are super independent and efficient.  I can't help but think (pray, hope) of what amazing husbands they're going to be someday.

I said that to say that when I came home on Tuesday night, the house was spotless.  They had cleaned, they had done laundry, they had done everything they could to make sure I came home to cleanliness and no clutter.  I am so proud of them!  And I am so thankful that they are such thoughtful and caring young men.

I always unpack from a trip right away.  I like all evidence of my travels to disappear quickly and I like to resume a normal schedule as soon as possible.  Being unpacked and settled back in helps with that.  I got up early yesterday morning and had quiet time.  I am currently reading through Ruth and Psalms in my personal time and I am not studying anything at the moment.  (Though, that is about to change, because I always need to be studying, I have discovered.)  I finished reading through Judges with an online community of women from Women Living Well, or Good Morning Girls.  They stopped until the new year, but I am continuing on my own.  (If you are familiar with Courtney Joseph from Women Living Well, will you pray for her?  She has had the hardest year ever in her life and I know she would appreciate your prayers.)

I met Abbey in the prayer room at church at nine thirty to pray, and the boys didn't mind me leaving to go and do that.  They were up and doing school work while I was gone, and after we prayed, I made a Kroger run.

I came home and put away the groceries and made lunch for my boys.  I forgot to mention that Todd and Noah left yesterday morning for (hopefully) a one night trip to the Nashville area.  They stayed with Todd's brother's family last night while there and should return tonight.  I love that Noah went with him, and that he is having some good alone time with his dad.

After lunch, I will confess now, that I was beat from being gone and running the whole time I was in Colorado.  I turned on Hallmark and actually laid down on my couch and slept for two hours.  No shame, right?  I usually don't do that, but I could hardly keep my eyes open yesterday afternoon.  Wednesday is church night for us, so I made a heavy snack for anyone at home, and then left to get my nails done.  I met my boys at church at six in the youth.

We had an amazing speaker last night!  His name was Luke Johnson, and he spoke on the continuing topic titled, "Is Jesus Worth It".  I am so glad that at the last minute, I remembered to grab my Bible and journal.  I usually don't remember to take them on Wednesday nights.  I will be going back and looking over my notes from last night.  Do you take notes in church?  It helps me to concentrate.

After church I came home while the boys went out with friends.  I watched Every Christmas Has A Story that I had recorded and went to bed around ten.  Jonah likes to sleep in my bed when Todd is gone, or when I'm gone.  We have the most luxurious mattress ever and I am slightly in love with falling into bed every single night.

I rose early again this morning, had quiet time, (watched ANOTHER Christmas movie), and how here I sit.  I'm about to listen to a podcast, though, so I'm going to end this now.

My challenge: are you having consistent quiet time?  Are you praying, reading God's word and just taking Him in?  If you are not, please consider starting this.  My time with God each day is what makes my day run.  Without Him in my life, without prayer and reading His word, I am in constant turmoil.

I'll write more about this later.

Love to all.