It is Saturday morning. Ella is in her high chair attempting to eat yogurt with a spoon, but I think she is doing a better job of getting it all over her face, hair and clothes than it actually making it into her mouth. There is a mountain of neglected dishes in the sink, toys all over the floor and my to do list is a mile long. However in this moment I am completely content and at peace, because I am learning the art of surrender. I know, you would think after ten years of following Jesus I would have figured it out by now, but every time I think I have learned my lesson and given things to God, another opportunity for perfectionism to rear its ugly head appears and the battle begins again.
Since Bennet's birth I have spent most of my time running back and forth between the girls, doing my best to tend to each of their needs. When not doing that I am attempting to throw in a load of laundry, or unload the dishwasher. It is never ending. And it always seems that the moment someone stops by, is the one where it looks like a hurricane ripped through my living room and my hair is in a half falling out ponytail. I think to myself, why didn't anyone stop by yesterday when I had makeup on and the house was clean. It never seems to work out that way does it?.....My latest revelation has been, who cares! Who cares if its 4 o'clock and I am in my sweat pants. Who cares if my house looks lived in and not like a cover of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. So much of my motivation I think is to have others think I am doing a good job. But I am not simply doing a good job. I am doing the best I can! I am having to revisit the place of finding my value in God and not what others think, and let go of the feeling that others are evaluating my performance at all times. They can evaluate all they want, but at the end of the day, their score is not the one that matters. In this season I am learning more about Jesus than I think at any other time in my life. I am learning to have to lean into His grace every day. I need his grace to help me be patient with my ever demanding toddler, my completely dependent infant, and the reality that my husband and myself fall short of perfection every day.
Despite its challenges, I believe that this is one of the sweetest seasons of my life. I am overwhelmed by the love I have for my children and a desire to do a good job raising them, which sends me straight into the arms of My Father in heaven who's grace for me abounds beyond my comprehension. In those moments when I am begging for His grace to fill in the gaps in my life; those moments of sitting at His feet asking Him to fill my cup, the sweetest peace and gratitude fill me heart, and I am happy to realize how imperfect I am, because that is when I am able to remember just how perfect HE is. It is through these experiences, that I have realized that I am falling in love with Jesus all over again.
Other Happenings for the Frases:
In the Studio
Community Life
In addition to ministering to my family, I (Annie) have taken some involvement in the Community Life department here at YWAM MT. The Community Life team is mostly in charge of planning events for the YWAM base such as holiday celebrations and other events that bring the community together in fun, fellowship and refreshment. My heart in doing this is to use my gift of hospitality and my love for being creative to bless and refresh the saints who are here preparing to serve in many capacities throughout the world. It is so important for individuals to feel valued, cherished and refreshed if they are to continue on in the ministry for any length of time. Hospitality ministry is an essential component to this, as well as a response to the call given to all of us to love others. So far I have helped with a base harvest party, sledding party, and currently we are working on some special events for Easter weekend. Our hope is for those who are away from their families during the Easter Holiday, to feel connected to their YWAM family as they celebrate the resurrection of our savior. Below are some photos of events that we have worked on:
Sledding Party:
Harvest Party:
Faith Project
I (Annie) have also recently joined a committee that is commited to raising the necessary funding to renovate one of the dorms here at YWAM Montana. You guessed it, the committee is called the Dorm 1 Faith Project. So far we have been able to raise 50,000 dollars for this renovation through fundraisers, and donations. I would like to tell you more in detail about faith project and why I believe so much in this renovation and the funds needed for it. Please stay tuned for a more detailed update about it which I will give you as time permits. You can also check out the Dorm 1 faith project Facebook page. That's all for now from the Frases! We Love and appreciate all of you who follow our blog and support our family with your love, prayers and financial contributions. We couldn't do what we do without you behind us!
Love
Justin, Annie, Ella & Bennet
