Ladies, Ladies…All the Ladies!!

Well, my friends.. I feel like it’s been FOREVER since I’ve blogged.  I just don’t know where I’ve been.  I mean, I really haven’t left the house…. perhaps “In my mind I’m gone to Carolina”…….today I’m packing and we are leaving tomorrow to go to SOUTH CAROLINA!!!  SO STOKED!!!  I am singing at one of dear friend’s weddings this weekend in Florence and then my mom and I are off to the beach house for two long weeks!!!  Chris flies in on Wed. and he’s off a week and I think that the entire Nissen clan will be arriving over Memorial Weekend.  I’m so excited.  I haven’t been to the beach since Memorial Weekend last year when I was something like 32 weeks pregnant and embarking on my move to Birmingham…needless to say, my kids could vomit their entire way through this vacation.. and I’m STILL going to enjoy it.  I mean that!  I’ve set my heart and mind on it……well, really trying to embrace a little Colossians for my trip…

2: 6–”Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him; having been firmly rooted and NOW being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

Presently I’m overflowing in stress.  I’ve got to pack and Emma Faye woke up this morning with ear infections and Will pooped in his pants (what?) and Josh is getting sick and I thought that when Chris had on the calendar 8-11 today that meant AM… not 11pm tonight!!  So the stress floodgates are filled and overflowing.  But I need to be overflowing with gratitude… I need to be walking in Him…. I am planted and rooted in Christ…..I’ve been instructed… so here is where I am.  I truly have SO MUCH to be thankful for…..these are not hardships…this is simply my day. 

As I was writing a little of week three… God our Banner.. in the bible study I’m doing… I was realizing something and I sort of wanted this to be the last thing that I blogged before vacation because I want to be focusing on it as much as just writing it out for you guys.  I was looking at several passages in the bible about being examples of Christ… one in particular..

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”  Ephesians 5:1-2

I was humbled.  You know… it’s so easy I think for me to be an “example of Christ” to those outside of my family.  The difficulty is truly exuding Him from WITHIN.  Walking in love with my children and husband, my mom, siblings… my very close friends… this is a struggle… because these are the places we are our true selves… and I came to this conclusion…. our homes reveal our hearts.  When I am walking in love in my heart… when I’m seeking first HIS kingdom from within my heart…. the overflow is that kind of love and peace within my home…..I’m patient, I’m kind, I’m serving, I’m strengthened, I’m at peace……

so I challenge every one of you while I’m away to search scripture… stay in prayer with our Lord…. seek to walk in love and humility…. Jesus was a servant….we are to be imitators of this.  This year I am praying for a new outlook on my vacation.  Before I have always thought of it as MY time….and I’ve ALWAYS been disappointed…the children were annoying…Chris and I bicker… we are tired…. this year our beach vacation means something different to me.  I’m just thankful for the chance to spend time with family… and that we have a place to go and vacation….. all are truly blessings…. so what if Josh continues waking up early… we’ll go for a walk in the morning and I’ll cuddle up with him in the afternoon and we’ll snooze…. so what if Emma Faye is a little sick… I know a pair of MaMa and Papa hands that have been missing her sweet little self.  So what if the boys want to run the beach and I don’t get to bake in my chair in silence on the beach….I’ll get dirty… I praise the Lord that he has made me aware of the fact that one day they aren’t going to want to build a sandcastle with “mommy”….. so there you have it.  I’m excited.  I pray you all have a great week!  I pray you ALL will enjoy your families especially in the next few weeks… they are a gift, people.  Seriously… we so forget….. what a gift—a family!  I would most certainly covet your prayers as I travel by myself with three little ones. It’s going to be interesting… but then again… I like a little adventure……. toodles….