Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Christmas Memories 2010

Highlights of our Christmas this year for us included:

Leading Worship to a packed house.
Giant Doll House.
Baby smiles.
Pillow pets.
All the family under our roof.
Christmas cookies.
Singing.
Kindles.
Harry Potter box set.
Scooters and Bikes.

All I can say is that we are so blessed.
I went to bed on Christmas Eve night with the same excited smile that I had when I was 5 years old. Something about Christmas and the expectation of Celebration, love, food, gifts all of it is magic. Still, magic that can't even touch the wonder and awe of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus. I hope you felt that wonder this year with your family. I did.







Welcome Rowan Sheppard

There's no vocabulary
For love within a family, love that's lived in
But not looked at, love within the light of which
All else is seen, the love within which
All other love finds speech.
T.S. Eliot


When we pray, God has already answered.
God knows our every need before we need it, every passion of our heart, every urging.
God knew that I needed this little boy before I had ever even thought about his sweet smile. I thank the Lord every single day not only for his answered prayers, but also his unanswered prayers and unexpected blessings.

Welcome sweet boy!
Rowan Sheppard
11-23-10
7lbs 6oz 21inches






God is so good!

Saturday, December 12, 2009

The Sweetappe-Clarke Family



I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.
As a lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.
As an apple-tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. Under its shadow I delighted to sit, and its fruit was sweet to my taste.
He hath brought me to the banqueting-house, and his banner over me is love.
Stay ye me with dainties, refresh me with apples; for I am love-sick.'
Let his left hand be under my head, and his right hand embrace me.
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles, and by the hinds of the field, that ye awaken not, nor stir up love, until it please.'
Hark! my beloved! behold, he cometh, leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.
My beloved is like a gazelle or a young hart; behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh in through the windows, he peereth through the lattice.
My beloved spoke, and said unto me: 'Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.
For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;
The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;
The fig-tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines in blossom give forth their fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.
O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the covert of the cliff, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.' טake us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vineyards; for our vineyards are in blossom.'
My beloved is mine, and I am his, that feedeth among the lilies.
Until the day breathe, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a gazelle or a young hart upon the mountains of spices.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Laugh at the days to come....

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. Proverbs 31:25 NIV

Today I am praying that God allow me to have the vision to be able to "laugh at the days to come". Right now to be honest the days to come look like a nightmare, they are uncertain, they may be painful. It is so difficult for me to allow God to comfort me when times get tough. Work, family, school everything is up in the air right now. Nothing feels secure or stable. God, please allow your peace to wash over me. Let me rest in the promise of who you are and the good you are working in me. Father, you are enough, though I am not.
I leave my worry, anxiety, children, relationships, struggles with you. Today is your day, the day you have made for me and it WILL be good.
AMEN

Monday, August 3, 2009

August winds....

My children are not typical or "normal". We often get neighbors concerned looks as we walk by, they are loud, full of energy and spirit. Both my daughter and son are on the autism spectrum. Everyday is both a challenge and a joy. I am so thankful that our new home and the space to run and play has made a huge impact on them. They are happy, making friends and living with such joy. It really makes my heart soar. Every day I try to make a special memory for them, but in doing so they make unforgettable memories for me. God blesses me each day by my children, they are my angels. Wishing you a day of memories and fun with your family!

My "Word" for the day:
Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!...
Write them deep within your heart.
Then you will find favor with both God and people,
and you will earn a good reputation.
~ Proverbs 3:3-4 NLT


Childhood's days pass all too quickly,
Happy memories all too few;
Plan to do that special something,
Take the time to go or do.
Make a memory with your children,
Take the time in busy days;
Have some fun while they are growing,
Show your love in gentle ways.
~ Elaine Hardt



Sunday, August 2, 2009

"Faith is the refusal to panic."

So, I guess I've been in the midst of a Faith crisis. Maybe I am always in the midst of a crisis of faith? I feel like the past two years have been the desert of my life. I've been walking in circles trying to figure out what God is doing. I'm usually not one to whine about my life but girlfriend things have been ROUGH! Just trying to keep my kids happy, healthy, safe is enough to bring me to my knees these days. These are the things that I am realizing. Not because I want to but because God is revealing to me these things... in a painful and difficult way sometimes.

#1 I am in love with Seth.
I fear for all my fighting it, (Ask Seth, I have fought it) I am totally and completely Seth's. He is exactly what I never thought I wanted. He is sensitive, gentle, loving, tender. Not at all what I have ever been attracted to but what God always wanted for me. Coming to the conclusion that God knew me better then I did is both a good thing and something that causes me to want to hit my head against my desk repeatedly. Why oh why does it take me so long to learn the hard lessons of life? Trust me Josie, says God and I say...but, God... and I wonder why it takes me so long to get where God wants me to be?! Seth is my best friend, has been my best friend, sometimes even my only friend. Finally, when I stop begging for love it shows up in the shape of a friend I've had for 8 years. Thank God for the blessing that is Seth. I'll really try not to mess this up.

#2 I have a problem with Anxiety.
I am meditating on this scripture for help. Proverbs 12:25 says Anxiety is the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad. My good word is the bible. I am making a promise to myself and God to read my bible daily no mater what. I will not let the things of this world make me anxious. I shall not complain about my circumstances. Griping and complaining ultimately reveal my lack of faith. God has not forgotten me, he knows what he is doing. I shall not let these thoughts out of my mouth or even entertain them in my head. "Internal conversation expresses discontent and dissatisfaction with the present." (Psalms 42:5)

#3 I have serious control issues.
I will with great faith move forward with God's leading and control over my life. I am done trying to control. I have a tiny control issue when it comes to my life. If you know me, you know this. I can't control everything and every one's feelings, I've tried. I can at this point only do my best to glorify God in everything I do. I am a very transparent person. I will be the first one to say that I have made some very big, very stupid mistakes but usually it was because I didn't want to follow God's plan for my life rather be in the drivers seat and let God tag along. Maybe it is my quick approaching 30 or maybe it is just the building number of mistakes I have made but I am giving up control. God use me. 1 Chronicles 4:9

Maybe you are dealing with your purpose, or control or maybe just struggling with anxiety? Be bold in your prayers to God for his guidance and discernment. He alone can free you. He has started a good work in you, He will finish that good work.

Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient... and prayerful always. Romans 12:12 TLB

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Moving on Up!

Here it is..... (drumroll please)
new house

We are starting to pack and we should be all moved in by the end of the month!
Ruby is so excited to have a pink room and Ryan is happy to be so close to Grandma and Papa. I'm so thankful that God provided us with a safe place to live where I know the kids will be happy. Thanks to everyone who have been praying for us!

"I'm sticking with God. I say it over and over again- He's all I've got left. He proves to be good to me and to all who passionately wait and diligently seek Him. It's a good thing to quietly hope for help from God.
- Lamentations 3:24-26 (The Message)