In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light my strength my song

This cornerstone this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love what depths of peace

When fears are stilled when strivings cease

My comforter my all in all

Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone Who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless babe

This gift of love and righteouness

Scorned by the ones He came to save

'Til on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied

For ev'ry sin on Him was laid

Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious day

Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost it grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

On Christ the Solid Rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

All other ground is sinking sand

No guilt in life no fear in death

This is the pow'r of Christ in me

Form life's first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No pow'r of hell no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

'Til He returns or calls me home

Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand

From the "Alive Forever" CD by Travis Cottrell. If you've attended a Beth Moore/Living Proof conference, then you've probably heard him sing. He's an awesome praise/worship leader.  Be sure to visit his website!!

This is from the Motivation for Moms on my sidebar for today:

Pray over your children while they are sleeping.

With a heart like Hannah, give them over to God.

I had just mentioned to someone this week that I can't imagine having been Hannah and giving my child over to God, much less when they were still young. Yes, I understand my children are "my children" because God wanted me to be their mother. Either one of my boys could have been parented by their birth mother, but that was not the way it was to be. But God chose me -- sometimes I really wonder why did He choose me, with all my flaws and lack of patience. Then I remember how depressed I was just month before we were able to adopt Joshua. Distraught thinking about a life with my Basset Hound and husband and no children. Yes, depressing. As for the Basset Hounds, they are easier and sometimes DH and I still joke that having Bassets would have been easier than  kids.   But then I think of what happened this morning. I went to work while DH was still here with the boys. Caleb had just gotten up, but Joshua wasn't yet. I came back home and Joshua comes running to me, arms open wide, huge smile on his face and declares "Mommy, I'm glad you're home!"

So thank you Lord for allowing me to be their mom!!!

~~CheleLew~~

If you recall a post from yesterday about losing my joy, then I wanted to bring you up to date about an answered prayer of mine.

This morning as I was trying to find the strength to get up and turn on the coffee maker,   I prayed for encouragement from the Lord. After yesterday, I really couldn't deal with a repeat performance from the boys. I prayed that He would show me encouragement that the boys were "getting it" - meaning their behavior showed signs of improvement.

While today hasn't been the best day we've ever had, there has been less fighting and lack of joy between them. As I mentioned to DH last night, we aren't working them enough. Meaning they are very capable of helping out alot more around the house. So this morning they worked - I'm not talking sweating even though it is HOT outside, but simply helping. Drying and putting away the dishes, taking out the trash, picking up the room. If it was something they could do or help me do, they did it. Then we all had quiet time reading our Bibles in the living room. After that they were allowed to play for about an hour. And they played nicely together. Um, what a concept. After they they watched 30 mns of tv. While I made DH's lunch to take to him, I had them draw a picture for Daddy on a 4x6 index card. Then off to his work. Then lunch for them followed by rest time. This week is seriously TOO HOT to play outside.

So prayer does change things. Prayers can be answered. While I know that prayer works and that I should pray, I have always had an extremely difficult time praying. I don't think it's a pride issue, maybe more of does He really want to listen to what I need to pray about.

Okay, now I'm rambling. (By the way I am still trying to figure out the whole Friends thing and yes, I know I have Inspired in the Friends side bar 3 times. Guess that means I really need her as my friend. LOL)

~~CheleLew~~