Love God, Love Others

Wow! I can't believe I'm actually composing my first post on my very own blog! I've been thinking about starting a blog for awhile now (thanks for the nudging, Amy W!), but finally decided it was time when my mother started one. No offense Mom, but I can't have you being more "with it" than me! I'm sure most of my posts will be about the daily happenings of our family, but I thought for this first one I'd write a little about myself and my current outlook on life.
First of all, I feel blessed to be called a child of God. Everything I am and have is from Him. Second, I love being the wife of my husband of 14 years, Robert. While things don't always go according to our plans, there is no one I'd rather be sharing this life with. Third, I feel priviledged to be the mother of three amazing children, Kenna (recently turned 10), Cullen (7 next month), and Camden (5 1/2). Like most middle class Americans of my generation, I often get caught up in all the busyness of life; but, I really feel like God has been trying to teach me lately to slow down and focus on the things that really matter, the things that are eternal - God Himself and the people He has placed in my life. Jesus tells us in Matthew chapter 22 that loving God and loving others are the two greatest commandments, so that's what I want my life to be about. While I often fail miserably at this, I trust God's mercy to cover my mistakes and His grace to use my efforts to His glory. So, I'll close this rather lengthy first post with a quote from St. Francis of Assisi that sums up my current philosophy of loving God and loving others.

"Keep a clear eye toward life's end. Do not forget your purpose and destiny as God's creature. What you are in His sight is what you are and nothing more. Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take nothing you have received... but only what you have given; a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice, and courage."