Pumpkin Time

Could she get any cuter?? More pictures to come of the kids in their costumes!

The Gospel Applied At All Hours Of The Night

I recently got back from a trip to Naples FL. I was flown out to help lead worship in the mornings for a National Litigation Academy for Lawyers. Just Trevor and I went and one of the wives of a guy playing with us watched him in the mornings. It was filled with a lot of fun as well as some trials. One big one was that Trevor was up every couple hours at night. I felt like I had a newborn. Those of you who know us well know that Trevor's sleeping habits have been a constant struggle. These past few months we've resorted to making sure he's ok in his crib than leaving and letting him cry himself back to sleep. Well when you are at the Ritz Carlton, I know I didn't have it that bad, you will do just about anything to keep your child quite so that he won't wake the millionaires next door to you. I read this quote from Spurgeon the one morning:

"To look at Christ is to live; but for strength to serve him, you must eat what he provides. We work too often in a sense of unnecessary weakness because we neglect this perception of the Master. None of us need to put ourselves on a low diet; on the contrary, we should fatten ourselves in the Gospel so that we may derive strength from it and extend every power to it's limit."

Well I'm glad I read that early on because I began to fatten myself in the Gospel and it looked a little something like this.

2 am: Trevor- Up crying for the third time that night
Me: Why Lord? I just want to sleep! I think I might scream if it wasn't for the people in the walls next to me... no I'm going to fight off complaining and be thankful. Thank you Lord for the gift of a son! Thank you Lord that I can bring comfort to him! but wait- how am I going to function tomorrow? I'm so tired and weary! Turn you eyes to the Lord Tara. He has died for all your sins and meet your greatest need how much more will he meet your need for strength tomorrow. Cast all your cares on Him!

2:45- Trevor falls back asleep. I thank God!

4 am- Trevor up again crying for the fourth time...
Me- Seriously is there something wrong with my c hild. Why does it seem like every baby sleeps well but him? Will this ever end? Fight for faith- Tara God works all things for you good and he sees it as good for you to be up right now for the fourth time! Trust him- he is Good to you- you have eternal life with the Father. The joy of this truth is your strength!

5 am- Trevor falls back asleep

6 am- I wake for the day tired & weary but turn my eyes to
James 1:2 For I know the testing of the Lord produces steadfastness. And Let steadfastness have it's full effect, that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing.
There is joy knowing that the gracious Lord will sanctify me in this trial. I will not fight it- Let your will be done in my life Lord. I submit myself under your Sovereign hand & will.

And so the routine went for five nights! But God was faithful and after it was all said and done Trevor has his first two teeth to show for it and I have grown in pursuit of Godliness! and for the latter I would do it all over again.

Unfortunately for Chris he had a trial of his own with Taylor while I was gone.

Name Of My Blog

I love to read. I especially love to read God's word and books that will encourage me in my growth in Godliness. One book that has greatly impacted me is Stepping Heavenward, hence the name of my blog, by Elizabeth Prentiss. It is her journey of her life from age sixteen to her grown up later years. She begins...

"I determined, in the first place, to begin this journal. To be sure, I have begun half a dozen, and gotten tired of them after a while. Not tired of writing them, but disgusted with what I had to say about myself. But this time I mean to go on, in spite of everything. It will do me good to read it over, and see what a creature I am."

How true that is in my own life. I have often re-read my own writings from years past and have been utterly disgusted by who I am. Which is really nothing more or less than a wretched sinner in need of a savior! Oh but for that reason alone I keep them displayed on our bookshelf so when I start to think more of myself than I ought I can pick up any one of the ten and get a great big dose of humility.

I am also inspired by her view on mothering. When her sister criticized her for having another child Elizabeth's respone was...

Here is a sweet, fragrant mouth to kiss; here are two more feet to make music with their pattering about my nursery. Here is a soul to train for God; and the body in which it dwells is worthy all it will cost, since it is the abode of a kingly tenant. I may see less of friends, but I have gained one dearer than them all, to whom while I minister in Christ's name, I make a willing sacrifice of what little leisure for my own recreation my other darlings had left me. Yes my precious baby, you are welcome to your mother's heart, welcome to her time, her strength, her health, her tenderest cares, to her lifelong prayers! Oh, how rich I am how truly, how wondrously blest!

There have been many late nights with Trevor, more I admit then I signed up for, where I hear a voice repeating " How rich I am how truly, how wondrously blest!" Which leads me to more prayers and thanksgiving for the gifts the Lord has given me.

I realize I have nothing new to offer the blogging world. This blog won't be up on current events or politics being that it's a good day when I know what's going on outside my house let alone the world abroad. I fear my days of studying for hours and hours on election and atonement are over. I have to fight daily just to get a few scriptures read to feed my soul. I am a wife and mother, trying to live out the Gospel in every area of my life for the glory of God.

So forgive my often lack of depth in my blog- it will appear from time to time. But mostly this is a place where I can rejoice in being a mother and share with all who care how my little ones are growing. And probably more important how my little ones are growing me.