Prayer Changes Things

I wish I had some miraculous story to tell you about a great miracle I have experienced recently after seeking God though prayer.  I wish I could tell you that God has made it clear to me that the personal struggles I am facing right now will miraculously disappear after crying out to Him. I wish I could declare at this very moment that all of my faults and failures will turn into blessings and successes in an instance after asking Him for grace. Its doesn't usually happen like that.  What I can tell you is that God tells us to do it, "to pray without ceasing...for this is the will  of God" and that "the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."  I am certainly no theologian, but I know that if God commands it, there is no doubt a purpose in it.

So, how can prayer change things? I have struggled with this question for some time, trying to rationalize how a sovereign God should in any way respond to my words. After all..."His ways are higher than mine ways, His thoughts higher than mine." I don't have an answer, but I do know that there has to be an explanation as to why prayer strengthens me. Knowing that others are praying for me uplifts me. Putting my trust in Him gives me hope. Prayer makes a difference. It changes my mood, my outlook, and turns my irrationality and despair into peace and hope. I can certainly slip back into hopelessness, but here come the prayers of the saints! Prayer changes things!

Prayer can also change our hearts. Being thankful to God for life, family, health, etc. simply gives me a grateful heart. Acknowledging God's unconditional love and knowing he wants me to become everything He created me to be opens my heart to receive His love and devotion. Repenting of my sins and failures cleans up my heart and allows me to receive the correction and transformation that i need. And, worshiping Him through prayer brings me closer to His "heart." Prayer changes things!

I wanted to therapeutically write this post to remind myself of what I know and believe and trust in. I need a reminder of this every minute of everyday. Maybe you do too!

Analyzing Friendship

What kind of friendships do you desire?  There are those who cherish few close friends, those who can be trusted with your secrets, those who unconditionally support you through everything, and those who can be counted on to be there for you at the drop of a hat.  Others may feel more comfortable surrounding themselves with countless "buddies" who can be called upon for fun, for conversation, or simple companionship. Then there are the "loners," who consider a quite night at home alone, doing whatever he or she pleases without the distraction of human contact, to be the ideal lifestyle. Can the people in each of these categories live fulfilling lives, can they be completely satisfied with his or her relationships, should each strive to develop relationships described in a different category? Just wanted to get your opinions on this topic. To be continued...

Watch What You Ask For

The other day I scrolled down to my September 7, 2011 post "Desires of My Heart."  I had created somewhat of a wish list, a list of things that I both wanted and needed in my life to bring contentment and satisfaction.  Ironically, my recollection of this post occurred on a day that I was feeling as though I was being "picked on " by God.  I know, I know. God doesn't pick on me,  but that's the way I was feeling. Imagine the drastic turn my pity party took when I realized that many of the things on my wish list were being fulfilled. I will take them one by one and share what has transpired since that November day in 2011.

1. We don't have a nice house with a big fenced in yard yet, but that will come. well, actually I do (minus the fence), but we don't live in it.  Our house is in Arkansas and we are in California. Oh, well. So much for that one. :)

2. 2nd to the Boston, MA area, I believe we are in the best place for Jacob in regards to his education and the services provided for autistic individuals and their families.

3. I am pleased with Josiah and Micah's school.  We are in the process of finding a new school for Jacob but have confidence that a great one will be found.

4. Alex has a great job where he is using his calling, his abilities, his education, and his experience.  You can't get any better than that.

5. We have the most wonderful church, who not only supports us, but who treats Jacob as one of their own.  We are so thankful that this "wish" came true.  After being un-churched for about 3 months, this answer to prayer was probably the most life changing.

6. As long as we are in Southern, CA, we will not experience 4 distinct seasons.  You gotta pick your battles. :)

7. ...and as long as I am paying over $4.00/gallon for gas and I am living in Riverside, California, I will not experience a decent cost of living.

8. For over a year and a half  I have been employed part time and have been able to be home everyday when Jacob gets home from school at 2:00.  I didn't believe this was possible, but yet another desire fulfilled!

9. When I make a list of the qualities I desire a friend of my boys to possess, I paint a picture of a wonderful friend God has provided for Josiah.  As his mom, I can't put a price on this answer to prayer. This is HUGE!

10.  Towards the end of last year, Alex and I began directing the children's choir at our church. We have both had such a great time working with these kiddos!

11. I don't have a new van...but something better!  In March Alex bought me a Jeep Patriot that I absolutely love!!  The stress of not having a dependable vehicle is over.  This, too, is HUGE!


I am thankful for God's provision.  I am grateful for the things I have.  I love my family. I have 3 beautiful healthy boys. I don't ever want to take anyone or anything for granted.  Things could always be worse. Someone out there has less than I do. I need to remind myself of these things everyday.

Living in the Moment

I have had alot on my mind the last couple of days. I am not one to obsess about the future. If I were, I would have made much better decisions in my early adult years that would have resulted in a better financial situation for me and my family. I'm sure I am not the only one in my age group that feels that way. No offense to you 18-22 years olds, but when I was that age I had no clue how my choices at that time would effect my future. Believe it or not, this post is not about my education, my career choice, or my current paycheck. Rather, its about my "living in the moment" mentality and my lack of motivation when it comes to planning for the future.

I have always been fairly confident that I possess a decent amount of intelligence, and sometimes I wonder if I have sold myself short. But, then again, I convince myself that God's greatest purpose for my life on this side of eternity is to be the mother of an autistic child. It goes without saying that Josiah and Micah are just as important and deserve the same level of care, but being Jacob's mom requires a constant mental and physical presence that is unique to his situation and this necessary demand will be required of me until the day I die. So, its difficult to think about anything but the present. I want to be goal oriented, ambitious, and prepared for the future, but my mind is on overload. Don't get me wrong...I don't feel overwhelmed or feel that too much is being expected of me.  This has been my life for the last 10 years (since Jacob was diagnosed), and I really do feel more than capable of living this life, but sometimes I just wish my mind was free to think about the future. I want to be capable of making good choices today that will better the life of my family tomorrow.

Desires of My Heart

I'm not quite sure what direction this post will take, but I need some therapy that only a keyboard and my thoughts can provide. I have been thinking lately about the desires of my heart, not outrageous, over-the-top kinda desires, just the kind that could provide true joy and contentment to me and my family. We have by no means been the poster family for stability as we have lived in 3 different states, 7 different cities/towns, and 12 different houses/apartments over the past 15 years. I am ready for this cycle to be over. But, I want to settle in a place that has everything! Not just everything I want, but everything I think me and my family need. So, without further ado, here is my wishlist: (in no particular order of importance)



*a big house with a big fenced in back yard


*exceptional services for individuals with autism


*exceptional schools for all three of my children


*a loving, supportive community of family and friends


*a job for alex where he can use his calling, his abilities, his education, and experience and a job that he LOVES


*a supportive church family who loves and supports Jacob


*four distinct, beautiful seasons


*a decent cost of living


*a job for me that would allow me to be flexible to be present when my children need me


*a church where I can use my love of music/worship in some capacity


*wonderful Christian friends for my kids


*a place where we can all fulfill our potential and use our God-given gifts both individually and as a family



*a new van (that has nothing to do with where we settle, just thought I would throw that one in there - this is a wishlist afterall)



Is there such a place? Even though I sometimes feel like I'm fighting a losing battle, I never put limitations on God. I trust in His sovereignty and His love for me. My earthly parents would provide me with all these things in a heartbeat had they the power or means, and how much more does my heavenly father love me. I struggle to believe this, but I know its true! That sounds contradictory, I know, but thats just the way it is.

...Because That's Just the Way I Am

It has been a few years since I have been a stay at home mom. This current stint did not occur by choice, but rather by....well I'm not sure whether to blame it on the job market, my experience, or divine intervention. Whatever the reason, I am now here at home (actually my mother-in-law's home) everyday and I can clearly say with certainty that its not for me. But, should it be? I always say that I'm not a natural at cooking, cleaning, managing a home, but maybe that is an excuse. When do we use our natural inclinations to determine what we do with our lives and when do we need to recognize our weaknesses and strive to overcome them? Just something I have been thinking about lately.

A Quick Update

Well, we are finally getting settled here in sunny southern California. I do have to admit that I am sad, though, that we weren't preparing for a blizzard the last couple of days...the Massachusetts kind of blizzard where it snows over a foot and the relationship between the tires on your car and the asphalt on the street doesn't miss a beat, not the Arkansas kind of blizzard where it snows 2 inches and the entire city shuts down for a week. Being house bound is no fun, at least not for any length of time. I am experiencing some of that frustration, minus the snow, during this season in my life. Husband at work, kids in school, no job, no car....no fun.

Thankfully, Alex has been "on the job" for about a month now. He was offered a position as a chaplain for Pacific Hospice/volunteer coordinator for Meal on Wheels and he jumped at the chance to enter into the work force again. He is gaining some very valuable experience. Jacob just started a new school a couple of weeks ago and is receiving 10 hours of home therapy per week. I have been very pleased with his services so far here in the Golden State. Josiah and Micah have settled into their new lives with ease. They attend the same school and really seem to like it, although they would never admit liking school in general. Josiah has a hard time with what he considers our journey in life..."We have to go to school for 14 or 15 years, then college, then work, and then when we finally get to retire, we die soon! That is so wrong!!!" Micah started kindergarten this year and is doing very well. He gets home from school at 1:00 everyday so I still have some Micah time, something that I try to cherish knowing that my youngest is growing up fast.

I am not working right now, but I am looking. I was first looking for full-time employment and had a very probable opportunity that hasn't seemed to work out at this time. But I may need to be searching for something more part-time. Micah gets home from school at 1:00, Jacob gets home at 2:00 and has therapy from 2:30-5:00, and Josiah gets home at 3:15. I really need the perfect "mothers hours" situation. So, I am beginning to re-adjust my search. Hopefully the ideal opportunity will come my way.

Just wanted to quickly update everyone who may be curious about the ever changing life of the Aarons. I say this every time, but I really want to start blogging again. :)