Zoey is two!

It has been quite some time since I have written on this blog! I wanted to give a little update on Zoey and the family.  Many of you have been keeping up with us on Facebook, which God has pointed out to me can be quite a snare for an extrovert like me, therefore I have decided to shave the time I have been spending there down a bit and update my blog a bit more often than once a year!  So check back often if you wish-

Zoey is 2! She had a wonderful birthday party with family. We made a cake with her favorite “princess”  and showered her with gifts. Hayden (12) reminded me ever so subtly that we have a 3 gift each birthday rule- and that Dad and I had broken it!!! Zoey was so glad to get all of her presents, and I was glad to give them. She loves, loves, loves, BOOKS!! So how could I resist buying too many??  She Got the  complete Madeline collection, her favorite, and several other girly stories for us to read to her.  She loved her “my pretty pony” and “strawberry shortcake dolls”, because of course she can comb their hair. The boys got her some bubbles that don’t spill as well and she learned really quickly how to blow the bubbles!!  She is such an exciting little girl! Happy and loud of course, just like us!! She has a beautiful, flourishing vocabulary and is NOT afraid to demand anyone in the house to meet her needs! OH, to be the fifth child !!  Everyone is really good about making sure she uses her manners.  She is still very petite and only weighs 24 pounds… and really loves SHOES! She even tells me which ones she would like to wear every morning… which just tickles me to death!   She has learned about prayer and will ball up her hands and put them over her eyes when we pray at dinner and can sing “Jesus loves me”…  which completely melts my heart!  We recently took a trip to California to visit family and she was the life of the party so to speak as we attended my cousin Mia’s wedding.  She danced and talked to everybody!

I wake up every morning still dumbfounded by the Grace and Mercy that God has given me, and the Blessing in our littlest Zoey.  Today I am remembering that she came to be with me two years ago… thus far It has been a journey, a learning path, a healing path… one I wouldn’t change for anything!!

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18 Lord, grow us, Lord Keep us!

A New Nest

Today as Callan and I were cleaning up and preparing to fix dinner together, he said to me “Momma,  how big do you think the nest is?”  He was referring to the nest that a robin had been building inside our barbecue for around 2 weeks.  We watched him every day, out the kitchen window as we did our lessons and would just sit astonished at the size of the branches that little bird would carry.  It amazed me how he got it all inside the grill through the little tiny hole in the side,  I too was wondering.  Today was the day.  We carefully opened the grill and found that … this bird had really worked hard.  It was huge, and so perfectly knit together!!!  I asked Callan to go into the kitchen and get us a bag to put the nest into so that we could cook dinner.  He looked at me and said “MOM! We cannot move it, he came every day and worked so hard! Where will his home be?”  My heart sunk as I pondered what to say,  I began to think about all of the times I have worked really hard at friendships, homes,  jobs ect…  How God can call us to walk away from things we have built and tell us to move on ….  we will  need to listen.  I told Callan that Choices that we make need to be good, we shouldn’t build our nest in the bbq where we can get burned up.. .we need to seek God’s will- through His word and prayer always being as sure as possible that when we make choices in life we have sought His best first.  I was so proud of the way Callan was able to recognize the bird’s hard work.  I hope and pray that the kids will all learn this lesson, it’s a hard one.  I know I have had to repeatedly be reminded, hence the nest God brought  

The Nest Colossians 3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Happy New Year 2008

Some years go by and not much seems to happen, things stay sort of the same… same routines, same friends, same family, job ect… and some years are just a deluge!!! For me that was just that sort of year….so I could whine about it or just be thankful!

I am thankful for: All of the people that love Jesus that extended mercy and grace to me… in spite of my pitiful attitude (at times.)

While learning tough lessons about God’s grace, those that stood by me when I was still struggling to let go of some sin…

brothers and sisters in Christ that have become family.

Every need that I had that God has met abundantly.

Friends that actually Pray for me, (not just say they do.)

People that are hurting that God placed in my path this year to show me that I am not alone.

Pastors and teachers that have answered God’s call to minister to people like me in spite of it being one of the worst jobs anyone could be called to …. lol! (it amazes me who God uses to lead His church)

The fact that God adopted me…. and gave me someone to adopt. (that was my hearts desire and I was his…:)

God’s absolutely perfect providential will for my life. WoW!! How he works things out in the most amazing ways.

How my Son’s have prayed for me and my Husband, (sweetest words I could ever hear them say.)

How God has protected my marriage, in spite of the stupid things we do and say… (my husband claims he never says anything stupid… how stupid is that?)lol!!!!!

A husband that loves Me, and his family.

People that call me “friend”

Answered petitions, so fun to see God work…..

Mostly I am thankful for trials that God allowed me to endure this year…. and they were doosies… , because I am sure now that I can trust Him fully and hide and rest in Him completely ……and I don’t need anything or anyone to meet the needs that only He can meet…

May 2009 Bring you great JOY in the Lord.

Guilty As Charged!!! Time for a heart check!

 

Ephesians 5:19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;

Lately, God has been showing me so many things… I recently encountered a situation or two where Judgementalism took affect rather than Grace.

 

Grace: Unmerited favor with God, while remaning in that Grace

I began to think about this and as God began to convict my spirit and give me understanding I thought I’d write a little and share some thoughts. First of all when we confide in our sisters in Christ our struggles, sin ect… there should be a recieving with “discernment.” Notice I did not say Judgement.  

Judgementalism= equating out opinions with Truth.

Discernment=  perception in the absence of judgement with a view to obtain spiritual direction and understanding.  

They are not the same and should not be viewed as the same thing. Many times I have walked away from this and made excuses to gossip, slander, ect… Why? As I have searched my heart I find that my motives have been less than acceptable. Wanting to feel accepted, needing something interesting to talk about, needing to look good by telling everyone what I have discovered about another…. having a view of sin that is my own “standard of righteousness.” This sin is terribly prevalant in the Church today and is not easily recongized because people in their “pride” will use covenantal unity as an excuse to gossip. OUCH! We are commanded to : (James 5:15) Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working.

After reading this scripture this morning, I thought that I would make a plan of action for myself:

1. Recognize that this person has a need, that I most likely cannot meet.
2. Listen, How is this person hurting?
3. Ask, How can I encourage this person Spriritually, through the word?
4. Can I appropriately meet any felt needs for this person?
5. Am I motivated to pray for this person? (always a heart check for me.)
6. Can I direct this person to someone who is more appropriate to help this person out, without “spiritual tattling?”

I pray that God will draw us all closer to Him and that we would seek His will ( in prayer) before making a move that could deeply wound another!! Phew!  I have hurt so many,  I pray that I will never again.

The Election Results

Well I just thought I’d write a little,  Lots of you have emailed me asking me what I think about the election results…  Well it is very simple,  I knew that Obama would win.  Just look at the Country’s citizens,  and the condition of the people.  As a country we have completly departed from the foundation our forefathers laid for America. This was a gradual departing,  but our country being founded on the basis for “freedom of religion”, and man being inheritently evil…. of course this was going to happen!  I am quite a bit more focused and purposeful in my vision for my children “to Know and Fight for Truth” today than I was yesterday.  I feel a bit more shameful for my shortcomings and quite a bit more certain that “God is who He says He is.”  Matthew 7:13 Enter the Narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.  Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.  Onward and Upward friends.

In the Secret of His Presence

This Hymn was sent to me by a friend today,  the words are unbeliveably beautiful.  I hope they minister to you as they did me.  There are so many times that we are faced with questions on “what to do”…. when we are troubled or facing sin that seems to be crouching at our feet or even when we feel like we have strayed to far and cannot get back to Jesus,  I will remember the words of this Hymn if I should find myself there, when I shall find myself there. Peace,

In the Secret of His Presence n the secret of His presence how my soul delights to hide! Oh, how precious are the lessons which I learn at Jesus’ side! Earthly cares can never vex me, neither trials lay me low; For when Satan comes to tempt me, to the secret place I go, To the secret place I go.When my soul is faint and thirsty, ’neath the shadow of His wing There is cool and pleasant shelter, and a fresh and crystal spring; And my Savior rests beside me, as we hold communion sweet: If I tried, I could not utter what He says when thus we meet, What He says when thus we meet. Only this I know: I tell Him all my doubts, my griefs and fears; Oh, how patiently He listens! and my drooping soul He cheers: Do you think He ne’er reproves me? What a false Friend He would be, If He never, never told me of the sins which He must see, Of the sins which He must see. Would you like to know the sweetness of the secret of the Lord? Go and hide beneath His shadow: this shall then be your reward; And whene’er you leave the silence of that happy meeting place, You must mind and bear the image of the Master in your face, Of the Master in your face.

Getting to Know Eachother

I will be the first to introduce myself,  My name is Anna Hogan.  I am a momma of 5 precious little kids, 4 boys and 1 girl. I am also an adoptive mother (our girl Zoey 2) My oldest is 13-youngest 2. I have been married to my husband Brian “Jay” for 16 years.  We moved to Ky in 2000 from Florida, and before that I was born and raised in San Diego California. In the professional world I would be considered a Medical Assistant (or a Dr. Office- nurse/ office manager)…  I haven’t had to work in a long time, thankfully.  My Job title is currently MOM! –  I like to Cook, Craft, Quilt,  Bake Cakes, Sew, – well anything Artsy…and I Love Singing!  I look forward to a great treasure in getting to know each of you as we grow deeper, together, learning to LONG for our Redemption In Christ!

Please Post your Comments below, The Blog should lead you to sign up so that you are able to leave a comment!! Look forward to meeting all of you- =)

Thinking Heavenward

This page is to encourage one another during a study by Kristy Gant called “Thinking Heavenward. ”  The bible study is open to anyone interested.  The group will plan to get together every 4 weeks or so to fellowship and pray together.  This blogroll is managed by Anna Hogan and anyone doing the study is open to post thoughts or questions.

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Homeschool friends!!!

For a free Lapbook click the link above!

I Thess. 4:11-12

 

Computer Addiciton?

I have been spending too much time on Facebook/ Myspace ect….  Not just that I am spending too much time there but feeling differently about being on there…   I think I have been depending too much on other people to ease some of the pains my heart has gone through this year.  Is it ok to do that or just Sin???  I know that we are to be the “family of God” as the church body,  but is knowing everyone elses business important? Do we need to constantly watch our backs?  Does it matter what others are saying about situations that are occuring around us? Is meddeling in other peoples business ok, just because they have put it out there???  I have been convicted of needing too many things to replace what God intended to fill within my Heart for instance;  He is able to fulfill my need for a friend, I can tell Him when good things happen,  I can share when things are bad.  I can ask for His opinion, I can trust Him to watch out for me and I can rely on Him to encourage me. I was reading in 1Thess…  this morning and I found this verse. …”Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependant on anybody.” Phewweee.  That is completely contrary to how I have been living.  I think I will have to make it a priority to seek God’s will before I get on the computer,  to test my motives if you will. Just thought I’d put that out there, wondered if anyone else is struggling with this?  Don’t get me wrong, I have also been greatly encouraged by being on there, smiles are nice and being in touch with friends that live as far away as Japan has been great too,  however I think it is easy to become a little sidetracked and loose the Joy that God intended for us to have though Him by replacing it with computer time.. escape ect… Does anyone have any good sites to recommend to add to this? Love to hear your input…  I officially took me 22 minutes to write this post. Hmmmmm…..