By Grace Alone

1000 Gifts Dare

2012-01-16T08:56:00.000-08:00

I am sluggish in this dare...the dare I took so long ago. My heart is so willing, but my flesh is so weak. Why is it so hard to write down graces? I am still in it though....

Read this if you want to be inspired to start journaling God's gifts to you: A Holy Experience

Timely Grace

2012-01-11T10:35:00.000-08:00

I have had no inspiration for my blog these days. In fact, I have felt mostly numb lately about happenings in our life. I am ready for God to move and do SOMETHING...anything. But, I know that God has His own time. So, in a rare moment of quiet today, I picked up this.

Timely Grace

"One of the great words of comfort that comes to us from the Old Testament is found in the prophecy of Isaiah: 'When thou passeth through the waters, they shall not overflow thee' (Isaiah 43:2)

God does not open paths for us before we need them. He does not promise help before help is necessary. He does not remove obstacles from our path before we reach those obstacles. Yet, when we are on the edge of our need, God's hand is always stretched out.

There are many times when we forget this simple truth. As a consequence, we end up worrying about difficulties which we see ahead, and the future becomes a place that is threatening and obstacle strewn. We expect that God is join to make the path plain and open before us for miles and miles ahead, whereas he has promised to do it only step by step as we need it.

Our call is to go to the waters with our eyes fixed on him. Instead of seeing the floods and the raging seas, we claim his promise. Then, we bodily step forward in faith.

There are those who unnecessarily harbor the dread of the future in their personal lives, in their work, and even in church. The dread may have to do with health, vision, or duty, or even the reality of death.

God's promise stands: grace for whatever is needed will be provided-living grace, timely grace; and even in due time, dying grace. The waves do not overflow us for God is our sufficiency. With that promise claimed, with that vision before our eyes, we are able to go forward confident in him always."

Rob Norris from "To Live the Gospel"

One Year Later:1000 Gifts

2011-11-17T05:37:00.000-08:00

"I will sing of your mercies that lead me through valleys of sorrows to rivers of joy."

I have one thing to add to my list today. A someone who is missed every day, who has left a hole in a family that will never be filled. He loved passionately, cared deeply, prayed always. This year has been the hardest for our family. Ever. But, God has us in His hands. We WILL sing of His mercy and He WILL lead us through this time. It still feels so fresh, but we will look to the heavens for He will never leave us. I don't know what the next months will bring, but I do know that we have a God who loves us and shows us His kindness everyday. I thank God for Tom, for letting us have him for a time, and I am even more thankful that God called him His own and Tom now spends the rest of eternity with His Savior. "I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he LIVE." John 11:25-26

#197

Tom

Still Counting:1000 Gifts

2011-10-31T10:36:00.000-07:00

"give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

When you don't know what God's will is for you, GIVE THANKS. This I am doing in faith, knowing that God is faithful and will supply all of our needs, never leave us to fend for ourselves, and promises to finish the work He has started. We are weary, but God is good.

So, trusting in our great God, my list continues....

#165-196

almond flour pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream
hot air balloon filled sky
a visit from Grandma
celebrating birthdays from afar
chilly mornings
soccer games
birds still chirping
Red Bull and a straw
feeling his peace
little girl in tulle skirt
rain
morning after rain
walks
a girl who wants to please (praying I am a mom who is easy to please)
apple cider
cozy wraps
my Juicy Couture socks thanks to Tom!
Ugg boots
early mornings
hazelnut lattes
blustery fall day-reminded us of fall in Maryland
colored pencils
macadamia nuts
a large gift---mysteriously arriving in the mailbox--provision
cedar & pine in the fireplace
balloon glow
cloudy skies
fall boots and scarves
little girl and her dog
visits from family
rain and clouds

Fifteen Years

2011-10-12T05:13:00.001-07:00

Fifteen years ago today, I married this man. I was 19. Some said that it would never last, that I didn't know what I wanted out of life....they.were.wrong. I knew it then, and I still know it today.

Wherever this journey of life takes us, I want to be by his side for it all. Here's to the next 15 years. I love you Michael.

Spontaneity:Our weekend

2011-10-08T10:28:00.000-07:00

Spontaneity is something I am not good at.

I used to be, but for some reason the older I get, the less I want to do things I haven't planned for.

But, this morning we did something spontaneous! And it was so fun.

We got up early, got some coffee and vanilla steamers and drove to a field to watch balloons rise from the near balloon fiesta park. What fun!!

And, I would have missed the gorgeous snowy mountain...one of the prettiest I have seen since we moved here. God is good, and He gives us little graces like this to remind us we are tucked safely in His hands and being used for His purposes. I needed that reminder this morning.

Praying I do more of this...kids are happy and contented and my heart is at rest.

Pumpkin Spice Love

2011-09-27T18:12:00.001-07:00

I got this recipe on Pinterest, my new obsession. I have tried to make many pumpkin spice latte recipes, but NONE of them work out too well. Until this one! This recipe for Pumpkin Spice Syrup has made my fall. With a gluten allergy, many, many things bother me. Including one of my favs, the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte! It pains me to speak it out loud. When fall comes around, I CRAVE an S-bucks Pumpkin Spice! I tried this fall, and well....you don't even want to know. So, I have been on the hunt for a new way to satisfy this craving. Pinterest has been an addiction lately, and it has brought such great recipes and ideas. This is one of them! Yum!!! Here is the recipe...

Pumpkin Spice Simple Syrup

1 1/2 c water
1 1/2 c sugar
4 cinnamon sticks
1/2 t ground cloves
1/2 t ground ginger
1 t ground nutmeg
3 T pumpkin puree

Combine water and sugar in medium pot over medium heat. Cook until sugar is dissolved.
Whisk in remaining ingredients. Cook for about 6 minutes, stirring frequently. Do not bring to a boil

Strain in cheesecloth. (I did not have cheesecloth, so I used my French press)

So, another way to use this syrup is in a martini!! It was yum...I already tried! Mix equal parts with your favorite vodka or vanilla vodka, the syrup, a little cream or a little Bailey's....it is soooo good! I am sure you could find lots of ways to use this stuff!

Enjoy!

Reminders of Grace:1000 Gifts

2011-09-26T12:20:00.001-07:00

From a Vintage Towel circa 1966:

Lord, bless this food that I prepare
And bless the chores I do;
And as I serve the ones I love
May I remember You.

Then when I bend my knee to scrub
Or face a task with dread
May I remember that's the time
To life my eyes instead

For everything is there to see
And all around us lies
The mud that's tracked in underfoot
Or rainbows in the skies

So may I choose the good to see
The beauty in each day.
And may a song be on my lips
At work and rest and play.

I read this on The Contented Sparrow and loved it.

As I search for a rhythm to my days, my heart chooses to be grateful...my list goes on.

#157-164

a day at home-ALL DAY
reminders of GRACE
hearing voices of friends from Maryland
remembering that it's ONLY by grace I have been saved
a loving and faithful husband
quiet moments at home
seeing my kids learn & grow
a loving God who sustains and uses ALL for His glory

Mikey's 10th:1000 Gifts

2011-09-19T14:21:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe Mikey is 10! It flew by and seems like yesterday he was delivered into our arms. This crazy kid has been the sweetest, most challenging person in. my. life. Maybe because we are so much alike, or maybe because he is the middle, or maybe just because. He has had to face many challenges in his young life...a sick and often impatient mama, which for an extremely sensitive kid, is a very hard thing to take. It breaks my heart whenever I think of how tired and impatient I have been with him. He has been quite sick himself. As a very young baby/child, we spent many nights in the hospital, awake every few hours with breathing treatments...I think he had about every virus and illness a young child can possible get. Then the lyme disease. Oh boy....to see your child in rage all day, or try to physically hurt you and threaten to hurt himself.....I can't tell you how difficult some years were. But, God IS faithful and He is calling our young man to Himself. I see how he is growing, and I often have to remind myself that he is God's first. He is becoming quite the leader amongst his peers. He knows how to take charge when things are getting out of hand with his buddies, and he is quite the athlete. I can't wait to see what God is going to do with his life, and I pray for patience and grace to raise this strong young man in a way that honors God. Happy Birthday Bubba!!! I love you!

So with the hope Christ gives and a VERY full heart, my list continues:

#152-156

kids to run around for
a home to return to
a loving hug from a friend
my boy...growing in grace
His many provisions

New Beginnings:1000 Gifts

2011-08-29T08:54:00.000-07:00

It seems like it's been a lifetime since I have blogged and it's not because I have not wanted to. I think these last months have been some of the most busy and trying since we started this little adventure 2 years ago....has it really been 2 years!!? Almost unbelievable, and sometimes I feel like I am living out a dream and I am about to wake up any time now. It still seems a little surreal. Our summer was wonderful (I will post pics soon), full of memories and much joy for us. It has been hard to get back here and get back into the swing of life and figure out how to do this in a more busy way. It seems that God has asked us to this hard for now, and so we will do hard. Many little things have added up to become some major hardships and trials for us. They say "when it rains, it pours", and so it pours!!! We have had a car wrecked, a car stolen, pool pump go bad, pool cover break, leaks in the house, electrical problems in the house, sinks break, cars break down, a cabinet of dishes come crashing down, oven break down, taken on two extra jobs; all while grieving the loss of a dad. We have watched dear friends and family lose their parents. We have questioned calling, schooling, loyalties, and just about everything else in the last six months, but one thing we have not questioned is God's unfailing love and grace in our lives. He is faithful and He has promised to walk with us through all the hardships of life. And through His faithfulness, we are discovering how to rely heavily on His grace. In saying all this, we are by no way complaining....this life we chose was one we knew was going to stretch us beyond what we though we could take, and one that we knew was going to push us right into the arms of Jesus. And it has done just that. And it has brought us many blessings as well, ones we did not expect. One of the many blessings that have come about through this, is the fact that I get to have Gracie home for another year. That's right....O'Halloran Academy is once again opened! Grace is doing Kindergarten at home and Kathryn is also home doing a homeschool study program. This program gives her about 9 hours in a classroom per week, and she gets to do the rest at home. The best of both worlds. Though all this, I get to sit down with my girls and pray every morning, read to them, talk with them and spend time I would not normally be able to do. This has blessed me in many ways. One of the things I have NOT done, and boy do I feel it, is give thanks. I have been so convicted these last weeks to be thankful for every grace in my life. I once again picked up my journal and jotted down more of the list. One of these days, I WILL reach 1000....I continue to give thanks today...

#144-151

Perpective
Sustaining Grace
Many new and joyful memories
A VERY generous family
Skype with friends
Watching them learn
Being able to serve
My kiddos on their first days

Happy 5th Birthday Gracie Girl!!

2011-06-05T05:46:00.001-07:00

Five years ago today, Grace came into our lives. She brought much joy into our home with her constant laughing and dancing. We love you Gracie girl!

In Life & In Death:1000 Gifts

2011-03-21T09:39:00.000-07:00

Death's ugly face is showing itself again in the O'Halloran family. This time, our sister-in-law's mama's body is racked with cancer and is threatening to take her. I think of my precious nephew and nieces and how they may lose two grandparents within a year. I think of my sister-in-law at her bedside caring for her and my mother-in-law, still in the throws of grief herself, giving her time, energy and wisdom to her beloved daughter-in-law and her family. I know God can heal, and He is powerful to do this. But, I also know that He has ordained ALL our days before the beginning of time and He knows just what will happen in the coming days. My heart is heavy. I sat down today to update my gifts list, and all that is on my heart and my mind is this? One thing that is keeping my fingers typing is the fact that I don't have to be thankful for sickness, but I can be thankful that there is a God who loves and cares and holds us up when we have no strength to hold up on our own. I can be thankful that there is a God who has good plans for us and knows each and every heartbreak we will ever face. So....hunting for more beauty in the ugly, my list continues....

Gifts #132-#143

my little girl ALWAYS singing & dancing
my husband-for all the ways he is patient with me
hands to do the laundry
car to take the kids to school
old friends and long catch up sessions over the phone
a thank you from my boy after I put his clothes away
sounds of the dice rolling on the parcheesi board
kids laughing and getting along over spring break
seeing a dear friend on TV--her own commercial? really?!
waking up with energy
text messaging and keeping in contact with loved ones hurting
a faithful GOD

My Valentine:1000 Gifts

2011-02-14T07:59:00.000-08:00

Who would have guessed at 19, I could have possibly chosen this amazing man and taken this crazy, wild, wonderful ride. I was a child when I married you, and you were ever so patient with your new bride. The first years were filled with incredible love and lots of kinks that needed to be worked out, and you were a man after God's heart and loved me that way. Always the last to raise his voice, the last to say the unkind words, the first to say sorry. I have been more than blessed to be your wife and love you more now than ever. After three years, you blessed me with our Kathryn on this day, and as I sit here and look at her, I am so grateful you asked me to be your wife. Our journey has taken us away from family, away from all that is comfortable, but with you I feel safe and warm and welcome, and I know God has a plan to take this little family and make something great for His glory. I am ready to hang on and continue this ride for as long as He will allow. So...today as my list continues, I remember all the graces that God has given me.....

Gifts # 114-#131:

breath
mountatins
Fresh baked banana bread
Reservations made for a weekend away
Watching the tram climb the mountain from my kitchen window
Extending family back home-praying for grace in the midst of great struggle
24 hours away with my love
A clean house
Superbowl parties
Friends
Robitussin
Slow Days
Tea
A busy 4 year old
Party planning
Early morning guitar practice
Red Bull !!!!!
Thanks, Grace, Joy: The triple threat to my melancholy
My husband

The Ugly Beautiful:1000 Gifts

2011-01-24T08:30:00.000-08:00

Life is short. Too short. It seems I have been learning about this for some time now, and God hasn't let me forget. I am grateful for this. Gratitude is something I am learning. Learning to think about all the little gifts that God has given me and to savor each one of them. It has taken me 34 years to discover that life is not about me and what I can do to make things better, it's all about what God has done to make MY life better. The book I can't put down, has been nailing this down for me. Ann writes, "...I hear it well: the only thing to rip out the tape echoing of self-rejection is the song of His serenade. One thousand gifts tuned me to the beat. It really is like C.S. Lewis argued: that the most fundamental thing is not how we think of God but rather what God things of us: 'How God thinks of us is not only more important, but infinitely more important'. Years of Christian discipleship, Bible study, churchgoing had been about me thinking about God; practicing eucharisteo was the very first time I had really considered at length what God thought of me-this ridiculous and relentlessly pursuing love, so bold. Everywhere, everything, Love!"

Her challenge is this: to begin a list of 1000 gifts of grace in your life. One thousand ways He has loved us. Even in the ugly. And even in giving thanks (eucharisteo) for the ugly, they start becoming beautiful. The dishes in the sink, the dog hair-gifts from God. We HAVE dishes, my children HAVE a dog. What joy this has brought, what peace in knowing that all of life is grace. Every breath, every step is grace. I cannot demand anything in this life, all is grace. All is a gift. She writes later, "Purgation was the first step toward full life in God, according to ancients. Awakened to the chasm separating from God, one prays for divine assistance to purge the soul of self-will. And for me too, eucharisteo had gently slowed me down, opened my hand to purge me of my hold, my control, on the world. With each gift I had accepted and given thanks for, I let go of my own will and accepted His. But my purgation, this releasing of sin and self, wasn't an act of will or effort, but the act of CHRIST and His grace all-sufficient. Overwhelming grace grew me to the Christ full of glory that I might empty of the self." Oh to let go and be grateful. This is changing so much in me. It's the beginnings of a life full of gratitude towards a God to as The Jesus Storybook Bible states has a "Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love" towards me.

I have begun this challenge, will you? Write 1000 gifts of grace, and then keep it going. Everyday. Give thanks for the wonder of this ugly beautiful life.

Below is a link to a video. Ann reads about this book and the challenge. Watch it and remember all the ways God has graced you today. (You will need to turn off the music player at the bottom)

Searching for the beautiful in the ugly, my list continues:

106: Kathryn: for all the ways she is growing up

107: medals after hard work

108: the breath of fresh air that is Angel

109: road trips with my girls

110: American Girls

111: a son that runs into my arms when I walk in the door

112: dishes in the sink

113: the laundry room always in motion

Christmas Cookies:Gracie

2010-12-14T11:29:00.000-08:00

Lately, all that has been on my mind is all the missed opportunities with my family; all the times I should have and could have spent time and said "yes" while I was cleaning or stressing. So, when Gracie asked to make cookies with just me, I said yes!

With a happy heart, she helped clean up to.

2010-12-12T07:49:00.000-08:00

This was sent to me by a dear family member and the words have ministered this morning.....

commit now all your griefs
and ways into His hands;
to His sure truth and tender care,
who earth and heav’n commands.
who points the clouds their course,
whom winds and seas obey,
He shall direct your wand’ring feet,
He shall prepare your way.

give to the winds your fears;
hope, and be undismayed;
God hears your sighs, and counts your tears,
God shall lift up your head.
through waves and clouds and storms
He gently clears your way;
wait for in His time, so shall the night
soon end in joyous day.

still heavy is your heart?
still sink your spirits down?
cast off the weight, let fear depart,
and every care be gone.
He everywhere has sway,
and all things serve His might;
His every act pure blessing is,
His path unsullied light.

far, far above your thought
His counsel shall appear,
when fully He the work has wrought
that caused your needless fear.
leave to His sovereign sway
to choose and to command;
with wonder filled, you then shall own
how wise, how strong His hand!

_p. gerhardt, j. wesley

Dropping My Anchor:1000 Gifts

2010-12-06T07:24:00.000-08:00

This post has been hard to start. Words cannot express the deep, deep sadness we feel now. Although sadness is felt, we know that Tom is with his Savior now rejoicing and saying "See...it's all true! It's real! Wait until you see this!"

Recently I read "Choosing to See: A Journey of Struggle and Hope" written by Mary Beth Chapman. In the book, she recounts her life leading up to the tragic death of her daughter. I read this before we lost Tom, and what I can't help but remember is the way they responded in faith. And it wasn't that they felt such strong faith, it was that they believed in the promises of God and that they declared their faith in the midst of their pain. The song that has been ministering to me lately is Faithful by Steven Curtis Chapman. In it he says this, "I will proclaim it to the world. I WILL DECLARE IT TO MY HEART, and sing it when the sun is shining. I will scream it in the dark. YOU ARE FAITHFUL! YOU ARE FAITHFUL! When you give and when you take away, even then still Your name is Faithful!....I've dropped my anchor in your promises and I am holding on, cause you ARE FAITHFUL." This is our faith. We don't feel strong, but we will declare God's promises to our hearts. And those promises are that we WILL see Tom again, that Tom IS alive and well, and although we miss him here, he is LIVING life with Christ.

One of the things God calls us to do is to be thankful in ALL circumstances (1 Thess. 5:18) and that is what I am going to do right now! Dropping my anchor in Jesus, my gratitude list continues....

0096 Tom-You were the BEST father in law a girl could ask for. You gave unconditionally and without regret. I love you and can't wait to see you again!

0097 lighting the fire in the fireplace, Mikey says, "Mama, let me help, PopPop taught me this...." as he blows on the fire to make it bigger

0098 balloons in the sky

0099 dinners brought in the pick up line

0100 facebook messages of love and care

0101 being with Grandma

0102 decorating Grandma's tree

0103 Tom's grandkids--they gave such honor to their PopPop

0104 a dear friend who took pictures

0105 HOPE

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?'" John 11:25,26

One Year Later:1000 Gifts

2010-10-04T10:28:00.001-07:00

It's been one year already! I can't tell you how fast this year went. I am sitting at my desk staring out my window to an absolutely gorgeous view on a gorgeous New Mexico fall day. I am truly blessed. We have suffered many emotions over the past few weeks. The year anniversary of our little adventure brought joy, fear, tears, gratitude, questions. One thing we believe so strongly is that God is sovereign. HE has ordained our days, HE has ordained our steps, HE has ordained our decisions. As my husband faithfully goes about his days, many questions rear their ugly heads. But we know God is walking with us, He is sustaining us and teaching us how to live this new life. Our children are growing. I am growing and learning how to navigate my sometimes difficult melancholy self!!! One thing I am so grateful for is God's ever present hand on me reminding me that I am His chosen girl. One who He loves and disciplines. I am learning to laugh more often and smile more often, and believe me....I need to do these things more. He has blessed me and cherished me. Our tears are turning to joy....

So, with a full heart, one that is learning how to serve, my gratitude list goes on....

0087: a God that ordains my steps

0088: pain that reminds me always of a God who upholds

0089: a letter from Gracie girl--"You are the greatest mama. You are the greatest mom." (Singing this of course-it goes on to thank God) "Thank you for the E I made. Thank you for Knoxy. Thank you God for everything."

0090: learning to not let life slip away

0091: learning to let go

0092: my home

0093: the turning leaves

0094: the quiet

Lord, help me to be more tender, joy-filled, gracious....

Summer:Time Flies

2010-08-27T09:06:00.000-07:00

Wow! This has been quite a year....it's been a year since we have moved, and it's very hard for my mind to believe it. It went so fast! Life is moving along at a pace I find hard to keep up with. But, it has been a year of many blessings. One of those blessings is finally being able to "get away" with my family and have to rely so much on just them, that my focus is clear once again on the priorities that are important. With my mind and heart clear, I have seen so many things that I wish I could change. Michael and have talked so much about this lately. And I thank God that my children are still young enough to witness the changes in our hearts as we grow closer to our Savior. This is one of the reasons we moved. Realizing that time is fleeting; are we living out the dream God has put in our hearts? Are we going to let more time go by before we "make the most of every opportunity"? As fast as time is moving, I can't even fathom the fact that my kids will sooner, rather than later, be leaving our home to follow their dreams. I want to live my life as an example of what it means to live in the presence of God and in the will of God. I want my kids to look back and see God's hand of blessing on our family. This summer is a testament to that blessing. A new home, a new dog, a most wonderful time away with family and friends. My children were so blessed this summer by so many people. Michael and I were blessed also. Blessed with time alone with each other to make a new home for our kids, and to just BE together. I am so grateful. I look forward to the next year of this adventure with eyes wide open and a heart that wants to witness every moment with my family and my God. I don't want to miss a thing!

(These pictures are way out of order....but, enjoy! Many good memories contained in them!)

The power of grace

2010-06-21T08:21:00.001-07:00

The pastor of the church we have been attending posted this excerpt from author Elyse Fitzpatrick. It was so good, I had to share it....

Because of the incarnation, Jesus Christ knows exactly what it is to live in a sin-cursed world with people who break the rules…like me. I am a rule-breaker but He’s loved me and he’s experienced every trial I face. He’s with me. He sympathizes with my weakness (Hebrews 4:15). This understanding of His love in the face of my sin drains my anger at my rule-breaking neighbor. I can love her because I’ve been loved and I am just like her.

Because of His sinless life, I now have a perfect record of loving my neighbor. He perfectly loved rule-breakers. This record of perfect love for my rule-breaking neighbor is mine now; knowing this relieves my guilt. Even though I continue to fail to love, His record is mine.

Because of His substitutionary death, I am completely forgiven for my sin…even the sins that I seem to fall into at the slightest provocation. God has no wrath left for me because He poured it all out on His Son. He’s not disappointed or irritated. He welcomes me as a beloved daughter.

Because of His resurrection (and the justification it brings), I know that the power of sin in my life has been broken. Yes, I’ve failed again, but I can have the courage to continue to fight sin because I’m no longer a slave to it. This replaces despair with faith to wage war against my selfishness and pride.

Because of His ascension and reign, I know that this situation isn’t a mere chance happening. He’s orchestrated it so that I will remember Him and be blessed by the gospel again. He’s ruling over my life and interceding for me right now. I’m not a slave to chaos or chance. He’s my Sovereign King and I can rest in His loving plan today and rejoice in Him.

And, because of His promised return, I know that all the doubt, injustice and struggle will one day come to an end. This line in this grocery store and my plans for dinner isn’t all there is. There’s the great good news of the gospel. I can go home now and share with my family and guests how Jesus met me at the grocery store and we can rejoice together in His work on our behalf.

~Elyse Fitzpatrick

Gracie's First Real Hair Cut

2010-06-10T09:53:00.000-07:00

My girl getting her first "real" hair cut! She was so excited!!

The Birthday Party

2010-06-09T08:18:00.001-07:00

A few snapshots of my girl's 4th birthday....

Gracie Girl

2010-06-04T08:25:00.000-07:00

It's about to be my Gracie's 4th birthday!!! Four years have passed since this sweet child graced our lives. When we decided to have another baby, little did we know what God had in store for us!

I became pregnant pretty quickly and we were all so excited about it. But that baby is not the baby we later would come to know. This one went to be with Jesus too soon. My fears grew as to how I would ever be able to love another baby as much as a mama should. But God knows. We all grieved for a long time and still grieve. But God gives grace and life goes on, and I became pregnant again and this time God blessed us with Grace. Not only did he bless us with a beautiful baby girl, but He blessed us with the GRACE that is His Gospel. I knew within hours of finding out she was a girl what her name was going to be.

Backing up a bit....the year that I miscarried was a tragic one. Not only for me, but for the entire O'Halloran family. Soon after I lost our precious gift, my nephew lost his mama. There was so much grief and fear. But it is through these kind of trials that God appears with grace. I learned more that year than I ever thought I could. So much deep in my heart, I still can't seem to find words to express. So forgive me if I sound vague. One of the things God showed me was that in this life, what we deserve is death, sadness, tragedy....sin is the source of this truth. But, even through these things, as God's children, He does not allow these things to take us. Even on the death bed, God can reach to the very soul and call that child home. Sin caused death, but God's grace says, "No...this one is mine." That is GRACE. Even through the tragedy of losing a precious child, God's grace says, "It's ok...I have big plans for you. This one is mine." His will always wins out over our sin and our choices. That is GRACE. He is God, not us! Not our choices, not our sin. HE IS. This is Grace. So when I realized that because of my absolute depravity, that I didn't even deserve the joy that a mama feels with her children....yet HIS GRACE says, "You are mine! Here is my gift to you." And Grace came into our lives.

She has blessed me as a mama in ways I can't put into words. When I look at her I am reminded of the precious gift of His grace in my life. I now understand the Gospel. I now understand what it means to be His child and there is freedom. This precious girl has been a part of a journey for me. God's grace reached to me when I was still dead in my sin and called me to life. I could not have chosen this for myself, He did it for me. Thanks be to God for His grace!

Happy Birthday Gracie Girl.....we love you!

To clarify....

2010-05-24T17:14:00.000-07:00

I think a lot of people are reading my latest post and thinking I am saying something I never intended to say! So...to clarify...I believe that the beauty of our salvation is the fact that God has opened our eyes to see our ugliness and sin and that He has called us out of death to life! We are all ugly...this is the Gospel. We are all in need of rescuing and God did exactly that. He rescued His children out of our ugliness. In this I rest and rejoice...that God can take the ugly parts of who I am and turn them into something beautiful for His glory. In no way was trying to be self-loathing! But, I will say this....without His grace....where would be?

Life:1000 Gifts

2010-05-24T07:28:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking about why I haven't posted much these days, and the only answer I could come up with, the painfully honest answer, I am too ugly inside to post things beautiful. I love to write about beautiful things; things of God and family and life, and lately I have not been feeling the way I think I need to feel in order to write. Maybe I am a little melodramatic, which of course I have been told I am, but as I have pondered this over the last week, this is the ugly truth. I am ugly inside. My constant failures and constant disdain for disorder and chaos make my mouth and heart ugly. And my ever faithful and constant God has reminded me that this alone is the reason I needed a rescue. Gracie and I have been reading The Jesus Storybook Bible lately. This children's Bible storybook has brought these adult eyes to tears on a nightly basis. Beautifully written, it recounts the entire Bible and brings the central message of the entire Bible, that of a needed rescue, to life. In the story of Adam and Eve, the beginning of our ugliness, Sally Lloyd-Jones says it like this, " But before they left the garden, God make clothes for his children, to cover them. He gently clothed them and then sent them away on a long, long journey-out of the garden, out of their home. Well, in another story, it would all be over and that would have been....THE END. But not in this story. God loved his children too much to let the story end there. Even though he knew he would suffer, God had a plan-a magnificent dream. One day, he would get his children back. One day, he would make their perfect home again. And one day, he would wipe away every tear from their eyes. You see, no matter what, in spite of everything, God would love his children--with a Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love. And though they would forget him, and run from him, deep in their hearts, God's children would miss him always, and long for him-lost children yearning for their home. Before they left the garden, God whispered a promise to Adam and Eve: "It will not always be so! I will come to rescue you! And when I do, I'm going to do battle against the snake. I'll get rid of the sin and the dark and the sadness you let in here. I'm coming back for you!" And he would. One day, God himself would come."

I thank God on this Monday, for rescuing me. He has already won my battles and all I have to do is rest in his grace. His grace, his grace envelopes me today and his grace is what takes the ugly and makes it beautiful, and I am thankful....my list goes on....

0071-finding his treasures of a home left behind

0072-still desiring to learn long after our homeschooling adventure ends

0073-little hands working on her letter book

0074-little fingers

0075-getting pictures of my nephew and his loves

0076-my brave boy

0077-small casts filled with names of those who care

0078-the constant sunshine and get well balloons

0079-a daughter who loves and cares for her brother

0080-a husband home safely

0081-new friends to lean on when crisis falls (thank you Frazer family!)

0082-the love of family felt through the phone lines

0083-last week of school

0084-my Jesus, whose death on the cross provided us with the greatest rescue my heart could ever hope for.

0085-and His grace that carries us through this life of pain and ugliness

0086-the hope that one day, all things will be made beautiful

My list will go on despite the ugly....this is the beauty of a life secure in His grace.

Mother's Day & More:1000 Gifts

2010-05-17T18:23:00.000-07:00

As this May rolls on, my heart is full. I have many things to be thankful for. The one that comes to mind is fresh. I have just returned from one of the best gifts I could have asked for this Mother's Day. My husband and kids gave me a night away at a local Hyatt resort. Who could ask for a better gift than time to be pampered and be refreshed. I spent my time walking, reading, walking, more reading, reflecting and being thankful for all that my sweet Lord has blessed me with...His precious Son who rescued me and called me His own. My heart is indeed full and my gratitude list continues....

0062-This man

0063-Picture perfect day to walk and reflect

0064-Perfect New Mexico sky

0064-Watching my kids having Field Day fun

0065-The thrill of victory...

0066-The agony of defeat.

0067-Weekend basketball games

0068-Relaxing Nights--Watching her dance at the zoo while the symphony plays on

0069-The Tamaya Resort

0070-Retreat

Happy Easter 2010!!!

2010-04-06T16:41:00.001-07:00

Our first Easter in New Mexico....it started with a little bit of stress! Isn't it always that way on the way to church? One of those things, I think as believers, we will always struggle with. To press through and get to church , or give in to the stress of the morning and stay home?! We made it and thank God we did. Our day did not turn out so bad after all! As I look back on the pictures of our Easter weekend, what I had initially thought of as a stressful, hard time was really a wonderful weekend with my family and some very dear friends. God is good! He is faithful even amongst the stress of our days. Here is a little look.....

Dying Easter eggs....

Easter Baskets....

Can the hair get any crazier!!!!

Gracie's pretty new dress....Kathryn was not so cooperative that morning!! But, hers was pretty too!!

After dinner with the Hooks....lots of Wii!!!

And some other craziness!!

The Gospel is alive and well!! In spite of the sin and suffering that fills our day, His joy makes us complete in Him! Thanks be to God. He is risen!!

How Beautiful: The Great Adventure Continues

2010-03-31T06:49:00.001-07:00

"How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news'!" ~Romans 10:14,15

It has been almost one year since this adventure started...officially. There have been many other times we have stepped out in faith to see if God wanted us to move. Our philosophy has always been to walk as if God is in it, and let Him keep the door open, or close it. At least three times, He closed the door. Until this time. Last April, we put our house on the market and set our minds on the future. Every door has been wide open. God has been faithful at every turn...even to the smallest detail. I have sat back and watched in amazement as God has walked our little family through a very trying journey. At times, you can almost feel the cosmic battle being fought around us. It has been palpable. But, our God is faithful to fight the battle. He has the victory, and we stand in it. I thank God that He has ordained all our steps.

Since we have been here, Michael has begun school and God is honoring His faithful study. We have also had to pray through where he would work during this time. At the beginning, there was a church in need of help. We walked through that door, and God closed it. We moved on and God proved faithful again. This time, working with one of our dearest friends.

Mark 16:15 says, "And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" This of course, is Jesus talking to His disciples before He left this earth. It was his commission then, and it is ours now. This is the mission statement behind Sixteen:fifteen, the non-profit organization Michael is now working for. Missions is what brought Michael and I together, and it remains one of the cries of our hearts...to see this Gospel brought to the world. To see God's children brought into the fold and experience His grace. Sixteen:fifteen's mission is to come along side churches to see the great commission fulfilled. They work to find unreached people groups for churches to "adopt" and begin setting out to fulfill the great commission. Already, since Michael has been on board, we have seen a local church work to set out to Kenya and to Mexico and build a 10 year plan on reaching two people groups who have yet to hear the Gospel. This is just one example of many, many churches living out the call of Christ. Michael has already traveled with this church to Mexico and seen God's hand at work. Not only is God at work in Mexico, but in my husband's heart as well. When he returned from that trip, I knew this is where God has called him to be at this time. It was written all over his face. He was alive with the Gospel. He may have the opportunity to travel to Kenya as well and I thank God for His timing in all things.

As many of you know, working for a small non-profit presents challenges. Because Michael's job description is administrative in nature, he does not have to raise all his funds, but does have to bring in a significant amount of his salary. This was something we prayed through in earnest. Was this what God was calling us to do? We have supported many friends and ministries over the years and understood what they went through to live by faith just the way we were now being faced with. Yet, God did not seem to be closing this door. It remained wide open, so we have walked through. We now ask for your prayer in this endeavor. We know that God has been with us in every step of this great adventure and will continue to provide our needs. In this, we are confident. We will continue to faithfully walk out this great adventure with faith and with the grace so freely given.

If you think this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, you can email Michael at michaelohalloran@1615.org.

Spring Break: 1000 Gifts

2010-03-22T07:22:00.000-07:00

Spring Break has come and gone. Time flies. We are going on 6 months here in the state of the "big sky". Before we left, Michael's aunt gave us a plaque with Jeremiah 29:11 inscribed on it. It reads, "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." This verse has been quoted so much, we often forget to ponder its meaning. God has indeed ordered our steps. We have feared for our future, feared for our children, feared. But, God has proved faithful. As Ann beautifully states, "God always sees to 'it'." Whatever "it"might be. Romans 8:32 states, "If He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"

And given He has. He provides all our needs for His glory. And this week, I am especially grateful for providing us with a week full of fun. For blessing our children with good things. So...my gratitude list continues.....

0054

always managing a picture of a boy who will forever avoid the camera

0055

my girl fearlessly holding one of my biggest fears

0056

the humor I find in the fact that she will hold a tarantula, but not touch a star fish

0057

Nordys in Denver

0058

the wonder of this amazing production, and seeing the wonder in my children

0059

beautiful downtown Denver late at night

0060

tired little one after a very long, exciting day

0061

Jesus, for dying on the cross even while I was so lost. For pursuing me in my sin. Lord, may I somehow in my sin, impart this wonderful Gospel to those precious little ones you have trusted to my care.

Being Encouraged:1000 Gifts

2010-03-08T07:58:00.000-08:00

The house is quiet. Too quiet. It seems as though we have had family and friends come through our doors as if we never left. That season seemingly has come to a close, for now. Our hearts overflow with joyous memories and with sadness. The sky here in Albuquerque seems to agree. But, as I look at all the pictures of all the loved ones who have come to visit us here and help us explore our new surroundings, I can't help but be filled with gratitude toward the One who has given us all these precious ones to love. He has surely ordained our steps and continues to guide our ways as we take a few more steps in this Great Adventure. So, as a cloudy and cold Monday rolls around, my Gratitude List continues.....

0045

a diligent & faithful husband

0046

a peaceful home

0047

a restful Monday

0048

two little ones loving each other

0049

our three visitors

0050

family and friends for life

0051

exploring a new state

0052

family

0053

being strengthened and encouraged this weekend

"You then, my child, be strengthened by the GRACE that is in Christ Jesus....." II Timothy 2:1a

Grief of My Sin

2010-02-24T15:29:00.000-08:00

This new journey of Lent has been one of continued failure. I can't seem to keep my vow of, get this, no sugar for 40 days!!! Me!!!! But, the reason I chose this discipline is because I knew this would be the thing that would make me think about sacrifice. Fasting from this has caused me to realize, again, the extent of my depravity. I am totally and completely depraved. It has also caused me, again, the realize the extent of God's irresistible grace. Failure has caused me to grieve my sin. Isn't this the reason for the Gospel? To realize that we are nothing apart from His grace? It is all Him...He does it all. Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience has such a way with words, and clearly tells the Gospel story. The story of Grace and of Grief.

(If you choose to visit her site, please go to the bottom of my page and mute the music player.)

"For it is by GRACE that we have been saved..." Only grace. His grace.

Season of Repentance

2010-02-18T08:53:00.000-08:00

So many thoughts. So many happenings. I have to admit that I have never paid much attention to the season of Lent before, but my kids are attending a Lutheran school and Lent is a big part of the Lutheran tradition. My kids are now learning what it means to fast, and what it means to prepare our hearts for worship. As I ponder the sacrifice of Christ, I think of all the pain that surrounds our lives every day. Did He come to make all that pain disappear in this life, or did He come to have relationship with us? We know all pain will go when we finally see Him face to face, but what about this life we live? I think back on the last few years of my life and what I see is hard to look at. I see my nephew's mom pass away suddenly, I see myself lose a very loved unborn child, I see my own body racked with pain and fatigue, I see my dear cousin's newborn leave this earth at just 4 weeks. I have seen my son's Sunday school teacher die of cancer, and now a very loved Grandma diagnosed with terminal cancer. That list doesn't even cover everything! But, here is the thing. In all these happenings, God has been glorified. Lives have been changed for the good. God has been faithful and His presence has been made real. In my own life, pain has only caused repentance. Spurgeon says, "All your circumstances are ordered in wisdom by a living, thoughtful, and loving God." It's hard to swallow. God is so lovingly patient....He won't allow anything to happen unless we have proven to be able to walk through it. We are His children! We as parents allow a certain amount of pain in order for our children to grow. God is no different. And I am thankful! Thankful that He chose me as His daughter and treats me as such. I want to bring glory to my Heavenly Father....I want the world to see His glory. So...as our little family prepares our hearts this Lenten season, we lift up all those around us in prayer. Prayer for grace, prayer for strength, prayer for change, and above all, prayer that His glory be shown amidst pain. Prayer that somehow, this present pain would bring repentance to those God is chasing.

"Repent and live grace, repent and live forgiveness, repent and live the good news of a love that defies reasoning, a joy that defies circumstances, a Relationship that defies time. Repent and be made well....fresh start."

~Ann Voskamp

Mark 1:15 (KJV)

"And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: Repent ye, and believe the Gospel."

My Heart IS Thankful:1000 Gifts

2010-02-01T07:29:00.000-08:00

I have not been very faithful to keep this practice going! Will I ever learn how much my heart is blessed (not to mention God's) when I practice the art of being thankful. So, my list goes on.....

0037

a new day and a new week. "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion', says my soul, therefore I will hope in him." Lamentations 3:27

0038

my first girl

0039

my first girl's laughter with girlfriends

0040

cheers of my boy with friends over a victorious Wii game

0041

little girl's childish accent

0042

double date over tapas

0043

finding old friends

0044

Papa, Grand-Sheri & Mama June's coming visit

" And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name." 1 Chronicles 29:13

Stillness

2010-01-06T07:08:00.000-08:00

God's Word says to "Be Still and know that I am God." (Ps. 46:10) These words have haunted me over the past few years. I think I am just beginning to grasp their meaning. He says following this that He will be exalted in the earth. So, why do I strive? We have just returned from a very special time with our family back east. Both Michael and I wondered how we would feel going back after just a few months away. A flood of emotions came as we drove from Reagan National. Washington DC is a beautiful city, especially covered in winter's snow. Driving through Potomac and seeing all our old haunts made me thoughtful. How much we have missed our life here, our friends, our family. We had such a precious time with all of them. Our kids were encouraged by spending time with their friends, and in the many late nights filled with laughter with their cousins. That encouraged my soul. Not much sleep, but much joy! And, in the blackness of the late nights, Michael and I would ask each other how we felt coming back. Did we do the right thing? Do we miss being here? I think in the stress of moving and trying to unpack and get kids settled, I had lost some of the vision of why we moved. I started to question everything, and I know Michael felt the same.

To live in the DC area means to be in a constant state of movement! It means, for us, losing sight of family and faith. Schedules, schedules, schedules. Work, work, work. God had been doing a quiet work in our hearts for many years. Preparing us for something we knew was eminent. Moving away from the rat race. God had surly blessed the work of Michael's hands and blessed us with an abundance of family, but our own little family was struggling to hold on. Not to mention, Michael's God given dreams were being forgotten. All of these things though, in God's amazing grace, were tools for us. We had learned so much, enough at this point to be able to make the decision to move. And God is still blessing us. Our family unit is strong. Michael is happy doing what God had created him to do. And, I feel still and quiet, a feeling I was afraid of for so long and now I cherish. Life is good, as the slogan says. We are living in the will of God. We don't know how God will work the rest out, but for this moment, we are at peace. I thank God for His words, "Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." All this life is for His glory, for Him to be exalted.

Thorns:1000 Gifts

2009-12-14T07:25:00.000-08:00

'L
ife without thankfulness is devoid of love and passion.

Hope without thankfulness is lacking in fine perception.

Faith without thankfulness lacks strength and fortitude.

Every virtue divorced from thankfulness is maimed and limps along the spiritual road."

-John Henry Jowett

I have copied this quote from one of my absolute favorite blogs A Holy Experience. Ann Voskamp has continued to encourage me and to challenge my often ungrateful view on life. This unfortunate thorn has not only caused me to be unkind and selfish toward my family, but it has also forced me to my knees in repentance. It is these kinds of "thorns in the flesh" I am grateful for today. Little reminders of my need for a Savior. And believe me, I have quite a few!!! Not only spiritual in nature, but the physical as well. I thank God for these today as I reflect on the past couple of weeks. I thank God for His grace that continually calls me home.

0029

Thorns in the flesh

0030

God's continued grace

0031

Continued blessing at school

0032

Being able to fly home for Christmas

0033

Christmas cookies

0034

My husband

0035

My children

0036

The Advent of our Lord and Savior

More Change:1000 Gifts

2009-11-30T10:22:00.000-08:00

The last few months have been months of constant change. We are not a family who has taken to this altogether well. We have sold our house, left our family and friends behind for the first time, moved 2000 miles away with no job, no school, no church; just a God who is faithful to provide all of these needs for us by His grace. Sometimes, this takes more time than we want! In leaving, our kids begged us to keep them home for school. They have had the blessing of the most wonderful experience we could have ever hoped for at The Fourth Presbyterian School. That little community helped shape our little family more than they will ever realize. A lot of healing after many forms of crisis, many lifelong friendships were formed there, and so much growth in all of us. Along with Fourth Church, our family will never be the same, and for that, we are truly thankful. But....God has a plan and it doesn't involve Fourth Church. So, we follow the call and we live by faith. This is a lesson my kids are having to learn in a very hard way. Needless to say, we obliged the children's wishes and went ahead and started homeschooling. For all you homeschool moms, I applaud you! This is NO easy task. Especially when you have a 4th grader and 2nd grader who have always gone to school, and with a 3 year old at home! Six weeks into this venture, after many days full of tears, discipline, and fighting we have decided that our kids have been asked to change too much all at once. Even they will tell you that they miss other kids throughout the day and the challenge of making the grade for a teacher (who is not mom)! So, through much prayer, many tears and hearts fighting regret, they were off to school this morning. We are so thankful to find a school with a Christian based education, wonderful teachers and very close to home. Please continue to pray that these precious little ones will see God's hand of grace on their lives throughout all this change going on.

As another Monday comes around, I find my heart full of thanks to a God who is faithful in all the little things in life. My list continues....

0022

Thanksgiving with family

0023

Our Fourth Church family (who is very missed)

0024

A new school

0025

Brave children

0026

A quiet house

0027

Decorated Christmas tree

0028

God's amazing grace

Our Thanksgiving

2009-11-27T11:15:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is a time to remember all that God has blessed us with. A time to remember what His grace did for us. And because of His incredible grace, we were blessed indeed this Thanksgiving. Michael's family came in from Maryland and spent 6 days with us. We had very full days with lots of joy and laughter, good food and great company. Here are a few highlights of our incredible week....

Our first day, we went to the park...

Family....

Trying on hats in Old Town...

The tram to Sandia Peak...

The view from the top...

Kathleen, Grace, Kathryn & myself

The city lights...

Mountain top dinner...

Rudy's BBQ baby....

An evening Santa Fe stoll...

Relaxing at the St. Francis...

Kathryn loving her daddy....

A gift from Grand-Sheri....

Thankful:1000 Gifts

2009-11-20T15:26:00.001-08:00

"Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift."

2 Corinthians 9:15

With a full and refreshed heart, my list continues.....

0015

My family

0016

My precious girl full of wonder

0017

My son's perfect smile

0018

Chocolate covered mouth

0019

That precious face

0020

Pure joy

0021

Love only for the trains outside his window

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. AND BE THANKFUL."

Colossians 3:15

Still

2009-11-05T20:21:00.000-08:00

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and grow weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 40:29-31

I was talking with someone close to me today and she was very tired. I too am very tired. Since when does does a home become a battlefield? Yet, that is what it seems like these days. I am asking God for grace to get through the morning, then for grace to get through the afternoon....you can almost feel the cosmic warfare going on in the house. Children fighting, always fighting. Fighting not to do school, then fighting to watch TV, fighting with siblings, fighting to get their way. It's exhausting. And the children are exhausted too. As I was talking with my friend, all I could think to say sounded so cliche, but it was so true. "I have been there, and it's ok." I think I was telling myself that same thing as I was saying it. I have been exponentially more tired than what I feel right now, and I made it through. God's grace was sufficient for me then, and His grace will be sufficient for me now.

The most difficult thing for me to do when I feel this cosmic warfare is to be still. I like to fight! But, God asks us to "be still, and know that I am God." With so many responsibilities, how in the world are we to do this, and I know my friend would be weary just hearing me say this to her! But, I think maybe it's not just an action, but a state of being. Finding stillness in the midst of the chaos. Making our minds stop thinking all of our own thoughts, and instead filling our minds with His word, praying at all times. And, knowing that in our weaknesses, His strength is made perfect. I want His strength...mine can't get me through my day. Being still has changed my life, and I am so quick to forget all that God has done in me. Lord, I want to remember to be still, "cause that's when my heart, learns to dance to with you."

Still

The more I get alone

The more I see I need to get alone more, more

'Cause just when I think that I'm alone

Your Spirit calls out to me

And even silence has a song

'Cause that's when you come

Sing over me

Still, let me be still

Let me be OK

With the quiet in my heart

Still, I want to be still

I'm so quick to move

Instead of listening to you

Shut my mouth

Crush my pride

Give me the tears

Of a broken life

Still

Oh this world, it falls around me

and flutters all its beauty in my eyes

But let me choose the solitude

Simplicity has always simple changed my life

'Cause even stillness makes me move

'Cause that's when my heart

Learns to dance with you

Still, let me be still

Let me be OK

With the quiet in my heart

Still, I want to be still

I'm so quick to move

Instead of listening to you

I'm your child

Tame my heart

Obedience

To me impart

Still

~Watermark

The Ellison Family

2009-11-01T19:10:00.000-08:00

Moving away from home is always a scary thing. God knew how scary and hard it would be for us, and He knew we needed people. People have been such a huge part of our life. We love our home having a revolving door, and we have needed the feel of family around us. For us, the Ellison family has filled some of that void. They have welcomed us with the open arms that only a family can extend. Their extended family has welcomed us, and their children have welcomed my children and made them feel like a part of who they are. We have been so blessed to be a part of their daily life. So...this is to friends, to new beginnings, and to new memories.

Caleigh, Kathryn, Grace, Matthew, Landin, & Mikey

Matt & Renee

Walking along the bosque

Playing in the bosque by the Rio Grande

We ended our day at an old Spanish style winery. The moon was breathtaking...wish my iPhone could have captured it as pretty as it looked.

Hodgepodge of Things: 1000 Gifts

2009-10-31T06:28:00.000-07:00

0007 Stillness

0008 Friends who help make things pretty

0009 Music

0010 Mountains that look like they've been sprinkled with powdered sugar

0011 Brother & Nephew

0012 Gracie girl

0013 Early mornings

Pumpkin Carving

2009-10-29T20:52:00.001-07:00

Time for Pumpkin carving!!

Dirty Hands

Admiring her Mickey carving

Proud to finally carve herself

Mikey...the Perfectionist

Kathryn's Creation

My carving for Gracie

Mikey's Masterpiece

Runic Plates

2009-10-26T14:33:00.000-07:00

Our history lessons have brought us to study the Vikings. Finally, something to excite the bored boy stuck with his sisters! We have all been enthralled actually! So, with much trepidation, (because we all know how much I love to do crafts) we make runic plates in the tradition of the Vikings. Runes are the characters of the Viking alphabet, we have learned. We had a lot of fun...well, most of us. Some of us are much too into perfection and have quit way too early. Oh the joys of motherhood!

The girls and their plates. (maybe I will be able to get mr. perfectionist to finish and put his picture up later!!) They have painted their plates gold and written the Runic alphabet around the edges and their names are written in Runic in the middle.

That is our lesson for the day!! Tomorrow...Attila the Hun!

A Grateful Heart

2009-10-22T09:23:00.001-07:00

When I sat down to write today, my heart and mind were tired. My body is tired from all the tasks of the day, and my soul is tired from hearing my children bicker throughout the morning. But, I am determined to remember the things that make my heart most thankful; and slowly, as I start to go through my pictures, a funny thing happens. My heart feels lighter, and my soul is put at ease and I am strengthened by gratitude. And you know, downstairs, almost miraculously, my children begin to serve one another. A home is now at peace. So...

0001 A home at peace.

0002 14400 Seneca Road

0003 An extended family

0004 Time with family in beautiful new surroundings

0005 Hot air balloons right outside my window

0006 A God that is faithful to bring peace when we obey His voice.

2009-10-19T10:26:00.000-07:00

We are half way through our Monday, and all I have done is run from one child's need to the next. I am watching and hearing my attitude slowly drift in a downward spiral. I come upstairs to print something out on my computer and I come across a blog that I love to read. I found it through a friend who has this link on her blog. This has become my absolute favorite blog to visit and I visit it daily. Ann Voskamp is the writer of this blog "A Holy Experience" and has challenged me in ways I have not been challenged in a very long time. So, she has challenged her readers to keep a running list of things they are thankful for until they reach 1000 of them. So, I am determined to start this running list of thanks. The other thing I have been challenged to do is similar, but a bit more personal. I am determining to keep a journal of thanks and to write in this journal three times a day. Here is the link of the blog that has spurned me on to this. I cannot put it in better words than she does here. http://www.aholyexperience.com/2009/10/dare-to-be-daniel-pilgrimage-in-prayer.html

So, here and there, I hope to share with you the things I am thankful for in hopes that my attitude will be one of thankfulness for the blessings God has given me.

P.S. You will have to pause the music on my page (at the bottom) in order not to have my playlist run on top of her playlist!!

Our first week of school-FINALLY!

2009-10-15T10:14:00.000-07:00

Our first week of homeschool has been one of ups and downs. The first two days were spent telling our middle to "sit down", "be quiet"," work diligently son". Mikey has had his challenges this week. He has not slept well, he is fidgety and anxious. But, with much prayer and much counsel from wise friends who have been down this homeschooling path, we are in a better state toward the end of this week. I am learning that schedules are great, but so are happy productive children. I thank God we have been given such the privilege to come to Him with our requests and I am thankful that He gives wisdom when we ask. We are a happy family as this week ends; content with home, school and each other. He is faithful.

Welcome to New Mexico

2009-10-05T10:04:00.000-07:00

Well, we have made it across country without any major issues!! What a feat for this family! Our adventure is alive and well and within 10 days of leaving Maryland, we have driven 1900 miles, unpacked and entire house and are settling in just fine. I have to take a moment to say thank you to our wonderful friends the Hooks and the Ellisons who have labored to make this happen so quickly. What a blessing from our loving God to have friends who have welcomed us with open arms, loved our kids, fed us, done our laundry and made us feel so loved. We could not have done this without you dear friends. So, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

So, now our new life begins! We are taking this week to explore our new town, which is very alive at the moment with the balloon fiesta here. And, next week we officially start O'Halloran Academy!!

God has been good to this little family and we look ahead with hearts full and ready for what is to come.

A Jewel of Grace

2009-09-22T07:55:00.000-07:00

Acts 17:26 "From one man, he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. For God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us."

My precious Kathryn has taken hard to the news of moving, of leaving this wonderful life she has. The friends she has made, the school she adores, the church that God has used so mightily to bring healing to this family. My heart breaks to see her walk through this trial. I have seen God's hand at work throughout this process and I know He is not far from us now. To teach this truth to a broken-hearted nine year old is more than difficult. Even still, God's sovereignty remains. God has used my many trials to call out to Him. This is no different for my children. They will learn to cry out to God in the midst of heartbreak. This is grace in action. As a parent, I can't wait to see the fruit that is sure to come. I have been reading through "To Live the Gospel", a book of devotions written by our pastor Rob Norris. This one from Feb '95 is exactly what God is doing in my Kathryn.

From Weakness to Strength

"There are times when all of us feel oppressed by circumstances that seem to control our destinies and direct our lives. Yet the mighty God can make us stronger than our circumstances. He once promised Jacob a most astounding thing: 'Fear not, thou worm Jacob...Behold I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth...' Isaiah 41:14-15 KJV

Could any two things be in greater contrast than a worm and a threshing instrument having teeth? The worm is delicate, crushable and easily hurt. An instrument with teeth can break and not be broken; it can leave its mark on a rock. God promises that he can take the man or woman who may be as impotent as a worm and can endow them with strength to make a mark on life.

So take heart, even if you are dispirited by your inability to rule your own destiny, for the mighty God can make us mightier than our circumstances. He can bend all things to our good. He can take hold of a disappointment, break it open and extract from it a jewel of grace. When God gives us wills like iron, we can drive through difficulties as easily as the iron instrument can cut through the toughest soil.

Christ is building his kingdom with earth's broken things. He takes us, even if we are unsuccessful in this world, for he is the God of the unsuccessful, of those who have failed. Heaven is filled with earth's broken lives, and there is no bruised reed that Christ cannot take and restore to blessedness and beauty. He can take the life crushed by pain or sorrow and make it into an instrument of music for the Lord. He can lift earth's saddest failure up to heaven's glory.

Do not be discouraged by circumstances, for the Lord controls them. He can enable you to triumph over them, and make them serve both you and his purpose."

Rob Norris

Pictures from New Mexico

2009-09-08T10:59:00.000-07:00

Chile Season
Mountain View
A Road Runner
Our House

New Beginnings

2009-08-21T13:30:00.000-07:00

Chaos. That's what comes to my mind right now. Having to pick up the pieces from years of illness is not easy, especially in light of this new adventure looming before us. I see broken hearts and broken spirits in my children, and now broken hearts in family as we move across country. So much of what I see going on in my children's hearts is a reflection of the sin that I have so needed to repent of over the years, and through illness God was able to show me what that sin was and is. Thank God for His leading and His grace to get through. So, now the pieces that are scattered around me need to be picked up and put back together. Learning just how sovereign God really is is what is holding me together. Nothing is wasted on God. Not even our sinful mistakes. His grace, how amazing it is. Music for me has been a source of calm and healing. Today as I was getting ready, I was listening to Watermark sing Mended. ( I would have it playing, but I haven't figured out how to do that yet!!) I hope the words minister to you as they have to me.

"You repair all that we have torn apart. You unveil a new beginning in our hearts and we stand grateful for all that has been left behind and all that goes before us. You've got all things suspended, all things connected. Nothing was forgotten, 'cause your love is perfect. You are our healer and you know what's broken. We're not a mystery to you. We will dance as you restore the wasted years and you will sing over all our coming fears and we'll stand grateful for all that has been left behind and all that goes before us. You've got all things suspended all things connected. Nothing was forgotten, 'cause your love is perfect. You are our healer and you know what's broken. We're not a mystery to you. Lord, you mend the breech and you break every fetter. You give us your best, for what we thought was better. And you are to be praised." Watermark

2009-08-20T15:44:00.000-07:00

Our trip to the fair. Seven kids and hours of fun.

The Great Adventure

2009-08-20T15:06:00.000-07:00

Well, I am now a blogger! I really never thought I would do this, but here we go! The news of the day is that our house is officially under contract! No more waiting, no more keeping the house in perfect order. Although, that was nice while it lasted! Our adventure begins. We will start looking for a place to rent in Albuquerque, NM next week, and Lord willing start our new life there the end of September. There are a lot of things going through my mind as we start this new life. For one, how will my kids adjust? But, God has already ordered our steps and knows each and every mile we will ever drive, every house we will ever live in, every friend my kids will ever make. This knowledge keeps my mind at perfect peace as the chaos around me builds. Thank God for His grace. This blog is intended for the family and friends we will leave behind as we follow God's plan for this little family.