I have been struggling with my attitude lately. I have been constantly praying it away. Praying that God would change me. Yesterday was a very difficult day for me. I was sitting the parking lot of Costco, talking to Krystel on the phone, and she asked me if I was praying about it. Of course, I am. Then she asked if I was praying for God's will or if I was praying that God would change me. I told her I was praying that God would change me, because I am sure that how I am is not part of His will for me. It couldn't possibly be. But, it made me think - I am not praying God's will over this situation. I hate how I act so much, I just want it to change! So, into Costco we went. A few minutes later, Krystel called me back and asked me to pray for her - she was waiting for an answer to an exciting question. So, Jadyn, Grant and I stopped right in the cereal aisle and prayed. Know what we prayed for? God's will. Whatever it would be. Two minutes later Krystel called me back and said she got her answer and it was exactly what she had wanted. If that isn't a call to praying God's will, I am not sure what is. Talk about an immediate answer to my questions posed in the car, even before going into the store and getting the call. So, my attitude needs to be surrendered to God's will. Plain and simple.

As I was driving home from picking the kids up from school, I received a phone call from the music teacher at the kids school. First, he was telling me what a joy and pleasure my kids are, so well-behaved.....then it came. He said he wanted to talk to my about an incident that happened with......Grace? Really, I was totally expecting Jacob. Not that Jacob would be a troublemaker, but I guess I never expected to have trouble with Grace. Note to self: Kids = Trouble (in some sort - always) Anyway, apparently Grace cheated on her Star Spangled Banner test. Now, before we move on, let me say, Grace has been driving me crazy with the SSB. For the last 2 weeks, she has been singing it EVERYWHERE, and really loud and high. She even looked it up on YouTube and was doing karaoke. For the test, the teacher asked the kids to "take A sheet of paper" - there were 2 options - a totally blank paper where they write the whole thing out and win a prize, and a page with some of the words on it as hints and no prize. Well, what Grace did was take both pieces of paper and fill out the one with hints first, then copied it onto the totally blank paper. When the teacher questioned her, she told him she did not know she was cheating. When I questioned her, she told me that she just did what she saw her friend do. But we also discussed that she did not do what the teacher told her to do. He said take A sheet of paper, not one of each. So, she knew that was wrong and yet she followed what she saw her friend do. That is what disappointed me the most - the following of a person that did wrong. I told her I expected her to stand up for what was right. The bottom line though was that she really didn't think what she was doing was wrong. The punishment from the teacher was that she had to say the whole SSB and when she did it perfectly (of course, remember the past 2 weeks?), she did not get the prize. Fair, I think. At home, she decided herself to write Mr. Rockafellow an apology note. When I talked to him, he said he was totally surprised that Grace would do that. He would never expect that from her. Which is why, he thought it was important to tell me. And I am glad he did. It allowed us the opportunity to talk in more depth about what cheating is and how it reflects on our character.

Last night, after I put the kids to bed, Grant came pounding down the stairs. When I got up to see who was up, he said "It's me!" I asked why he was up and he said "My tummy hurts. See? Right here (pointing to his belly). I need to stay down here." Ahhhh, the manipulation is starting. He went over to Greg and said the same thing. Greg picked him up and rocked him, asking it that made him feel better. He said "I need to watch my show." More manipulation. I took him into bed with me, thinking he would fall asleep. After 20 minutes of him jumping around, kicking me, I took him back to his bed. That kid is so cute, but way too young to be manipulating so well.

After I got Grant back to bed, I got a call from Abby. And did I ever need it. She read Scripture over me, prayed for me and talked to me. Her words were such an encouragement to my weary soul. I have been so struggling with covetousness and jealousy and she encouraged me to remember God's faithfulness and provision for me in the past. She reminded me to rest in the shelter of the Most High, allowing Him to cover, protect and provide for me. "Because [she] loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue [her]; I will protect [her], for [she] acknowledges my name. [She] will call upon me, and I will answer [her]; I will be with [her] in trouble, I will deliver [her] and honor [her]. With long life, will I satisfy [her] and show [her] my salvation." Psalm 91:14-16
I love how God's Word speaks to us. No matter where we are, no matter what the situation. I love how God places people in our lives to love us and encourage us when we need it most. Thank you, Abby.