Books Continued

Just like everything else in my life over the last year...I have had good intentions to keep you posted on ALL the books I would read, but unfortunately, the older Noah gets, the harder it is to find time to read!

So my last post I was just starting to read, Divine, by Karen Kingsbury, which was an amazing read! A little longer than some of her other reads but so worth it! It really touched home for me since I work at a Rehab/Recovery Center for Women!

The last book I read was the start of a series called, the Sunrise Series by Karen Kingsbury, and it took me a ridiculous 4 months to finish it! I really loved it an

d can't wait to start the next one called, Summer today! It is a continuation of the Firstborn series; you really get attached to the characters in a series like this! I found myself crying almost every time I would read! Yes, I know, I am a sap! :)

Nate and I have also started reading Rob Bell's new book, Love Wins...although very controversial, we wanted to find out for ourselves what he is really trying to say! We have been a fan of Rob for many years and have read several of his other books, seen many Nooma's and saw him in person last year in Dallas on his Drops like Rain tour! We have finished the chapter on hell and are about to start the chapter on heaven! I don't have a solid opinion yet so I am waiting until I have read the whole book! It is certainly challenging me to figure out why I believe what I believe, like all of his materials do, but I am not sold on his belief yet! Regardless of our decision, we believe that we will still follow Rob Bell...you will not find a single soul who agree with 100% of the time...we believe that He is a man of God and the bottom line is, we believe in God and what the Bible teaches, not in a man...he is simply a messenger and we, as believers, are called to find things out on our own, not just trust a man!

Anyway, enough of that soapbox! :) I'll keep you posted!

Mothers Day

I don't know why I always let so much time pass between posts...oh yeah, i'm a mom!

I can't believe it's mothers day again...last year, I had just had Noah...he wasn't even 1 month old yet!

What have I learned over the last year about being a mother...

#1 Sleeping in does not exist anymore

#2 Time goes faster than it ever has before

#3 Right when you think you have them figured out, they change

#4 I don't have all the answers

#5 It's OK that I don't have all the answers

#6 God is my ever present help in time of need

#7 Being a mother is the most fulfilling job i've ever had

#8 I truly would die for my child

#9 Everything about Noah melts my heart and makes me a better person

#10 All I have to do is look at Noah and he puts life in perspective

#11 As long as he is safe and happy, i'm good!

#12 It's not about me anymore...I never realized how selfish I was before

#13 Finding quality conversation is hard to come by

I could go on and on and can't begin to put into words what I have learned in this 1 year being a mother but God has shown me that I am NOT in control, just in case I had any misconceptions after waiting 3 years for Noah! He has shown me that He loves Noah even more than I do, even though it doesn't seem possible, but His love really is unfathomable, and as long as I place Noah in His hands each and every day, I don't have to worry...God's got him!

Things I used to worry about are so pointless now that I have Noah...all I have to do is look at him and everything else goes away!

Watching him grow into each new phase has been so exciting and fun and exhausting and scary!

It is truly a miracle and a blessing to watch a child grow from a little bean in my belly to a walking, talking little man! It still fascinates me when I see something about him that looks like me or looks like Nate...it's still hard to believe that God took 2 imperfect people and made such an amazing child! I know every mother feels this way, but Noah really is special! I can't wait to see the plans God has for him and I pray every day that they will be Gods plans...not Nate or mine's plan...that we teach him to listen to God and not man!

I am taking some much needed "me" time tonight and I am completely alone and although I am loving it....I miss him so much!

I am so thankful for my mother... those of you who know her, know she is a special lady!

A woman of God who has devoted her life to her husband and children! She has always been there for me, encouraged me, prayed for me and over the last year has helped me more than ever before! There is no such thing as a perfect family or a perfect relationship but I am truly blessed and overwhelmed at how God has formed and shaped my family into what we have now!

Father help me to keep the proper perspective when I am frustrated, tired and overwhelmed...my cup overflows! Thank you Jesus!

The Comforter

He is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace! He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and He is faithful!

As many of you know I have gone back to work, 1 day a week, to become the counselor at New Life Women's Center...so I have been gone from my baby boy for 3 days now to receive my certification through Therapon. I have been having a hard time all weekend with anxiety and not sleeping well, and have been very emotional. Of course I have been praying for Noah's protection and well-being and for those that have been taking care of him but I have not been using the authority given to me by God and I have not been resting in His peace. Mothers, especially I think, tend to feel guilty not worrying when it comes to their children. It's like we think it's our job to control everything regarding their life and so if we are away, it is our job to freak out and worry! This is not what Gods word says!

Last night, I find out that Noah has 102 fever and hasn't slept all day and he is at my parents house and Nate is out of town as well! So of course I fulfilled my duty as a mother and initially, I freaked out and panicked! Thinking I have to come home and be with my baby and omg what are we going to do and what if it spikes in the night and we have to take him to the ER, and, and, and!!!
(Even though, I've been learning all weekend how the "what-if's' in a persons life will kill them)

So after I call Nate and talk to my director at work and we pray together...it hits me, while I am getting ready for bed, and already thinking how i'm not going to be able to sleep at all tonight, because "how can I sleep when i don't know if my baby is ok??!!!" So the Holy Spirit hits me and says, get on your knees and pray and take authority! So immediately I hit the floor just bawling!
Of course...the ONLY thing I can do for Noah, that will make any difference in his life is to place him COMPLETELY in the hands of his Creator and TRULY trust that He is in control, and He is not surprised by this turn of events and He has already died and taken the stripes for our healing, all we have to do is CLAIM IT!!! BELIEVE IT!!! But so often, we BEG God to PLEASE heal our loved ones and PLEASE give me peace, Amen! NO, NO, NO! Not that God doesn't hear those prayers...he does, but I want to be POWERFUL in my prayers...and the word says that He feels our pain, he catches our tears, but that is not what moves Him...Our faith is what moves him and calls things to reality! Our faith is what brings action!
He said, after He was crucified we would receive, the Counselor and with Him, we would be able to do far greater things than even Jesus did!
What are you doing that is far greater than Jesus did?
I had to ask myself that question and sadly my answer was nothing! Can you imagine how frustrating that must be for God (or maybe just me!) But it hit me last night that I have all authority to claim my son healed and whole and rebuke EVERY strategy that Satan would try to form against me and my family and that my words, in faith, cause it to be done! That's it! So simple; no worry, no fear!

I have never felt such peace and comfort when it sunk in that the Creator of my son, who has known him before me, who somehow loves him more than me, was in his room with him, holding him close, healing his body, giving him sweet sleep when I couldn't be there! What more could you ask for!
When we speak with authority, in Jesus name, Satan's plan vanishes! He can not touch us! And, when we speak with authority, in Jesus name, God moves on our behalf and we can, with confidence, say "Yes and Amen" meaning it is done! We have already won every battle we just have to start acting like it and stop letting Satan have his way with us!

Does that mean we don't ever struggle with fear, and worry and heartache...NO! I did sleep well last night but the few times I woke up, it was my natural first instinct to worry; but I quickly stopped myself, because...believe it or not, we do have control over our thoughts, and I said out loud, "No devil, my son is healed in the name of Jesus and Lord I trust you! I thank you God!" and went back to sleep!
This morning I called and Noah slept all night and his fever has broke and I was not surprised...I really knew that when I called this would be the report because my God is not a man that He should lie. He is faithful to do what He says He will do!
I am a work in progress and the best teacher is experience and hard times and I know that after this experience I understand this concept of surrender and faith much better!
Lord please continue to mold me and shape me into the woman of God that you desire me to be! Thank you for your power and your greatness and yet your intimacy and closeness with ME! I love you Lord and I lift my voice to worship You!
Yes and Amen!

2011 is going to be a GREAT year!

Wow, I really wish I had more time to blog! It's hard to know where to start when it's been so long, because there is so much to say!

Already, I have had some crazy health issues this year...ended up in the ER for Kidney stones (thought I was dieing!!) I still have 4 more hanging out in there so I am praying that I don't ever pass them! Also, Nate has had a few migraines this y ear so we decided that we are claiming this scripture over our family this year...
"Don't lose sight of my words. Let them penetrate deep within your heart, for they bring life and radiant health to anyone who discovers their meaning. Above all else, guard your heart, for it effects everything you do....Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe. Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil." Proverbs 4:21-23 & 24-27

So many times we read Gods word and don't really understand the power that His word contains! Speaking His word and understanding it's meaning is what gets things moving in the spiritual realm and I don't know about you but that makes me excited because it lets me know that i'm not helpless...that my God has given me the authority to speak His word and make things happen! They are not just words on a page but they are LIFE! Thank you Jesus!

I have been doing Pilate's now for about 2 months and am loving it! Even got my Mom doing it too! I am so excited because I set a goal for myself to be back in my pre-pregnancy jeans within 9 months of having Noah, since it took me 9 months to gain the weight, and I did it!
Nate and I also set a goal to run a 1/2 marathon by the end of 2011 and so we have started running 3 times a week to train for it! We are starting with a 5K in Brenham, April 9th, called the Blue Bell Fun Run! I can't wait!

Noah is growing like crazy! It is all happening too fast! He is 9 months old now and crawling everywhere! He has 8 teeth and is eating just about anything and everything! He is also pulling himself up to stand on everything and gets around pretty well! It's hard to keep up with him! :)

We have been trying to train him to sleep on his own but have been unsuccessful so far! He really fights sleep and we haven't been able to be very consistent because he got sick right after we started and was having a hard time sleeping because poor baby couldn't breath!
we are trying again and some nights are easy and some nights he really tests us! Some days he naps great, other days he won't hardly nap at all! It has been rather frustrating! :(

He has started testing us and definitely understands "no" and he knows when he is doing something he shouldn't be! I have always known we are all born with a sin nature and there is nothing good in us except what comes from God and raising Noah illustrates that so well! No one has taught him to disobey or hit and scratch and pull hair when he gets mad but he does! So that has been fun! Haha! Overall though I couldn't be more blessed...he is such a good boy and I am so in love!

Another new year surprise...I have gone back to work at New Life Women's Center, where I was the teacher before I had Noah! It is just 1 day a week and I am no longer the teacher but I am going to be the counselor! I am being trained by the director and am also going to get certified in a few weeks when I go to a 3 day training school in Houston! I am really excited about it, even though it is taking some getting used to! I really miss Noah on those days but I know it is good for both of us! He is getting to spend some time with different family members and I am getting to use the gifts God has given me!

Our photography business has slowed down a bit, which is nice after a very busy Christmas season! We have some senior portrait sessions booked and a couple of bridal shoots & weddings coming up so if you are interested in family portraits or anything let us know; we have some availability!

I am expecting many great things for 2011 and am excited to see what God has in store! He has blessed us abundantly and He is so good!
That's what is new with the Saffle's and hopefully I will be able to blog more often! :)
Love!!!!