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thirty day challenge {day one}

So, how did it go today?
I thought of you all as my alarm went off this morning.Β It was much easier to get my groggy, pregnant behind out of bed knowing that there were so many of you out there to hold me accountable.
Nancy Leigh DeMoss has a prayer in her book, A Place of Quiet Rest, that was my prayer for myself this morning as I began this 30 Day Challenge. It is taken from Psalm 27:4 and I prayed it for the many of you who are seeking God over the next 30 days along with me:
Lord Jesus,You have shown me that only one thing is absolutely necessary, and that is the one thing I want to seek after with all my heart: that I may live in your presence every day of my life, that I may gaze upon Your beauty with a heart of worship and adoration, and that I may learn to know Your heart, Your ways, and Your will. To this supreme purpose I dedicate myself. By Your grace, I will make this the highest priority of my life. Amen.

Today was busy and filled with unexpected things like a runaway dog and a grouchy, teething baby. You know, the things that really aren’t that big of a deal, but when they all pile up you just want to pull your hair out. I was so thankful that I started my day with the Lord this morning because I definitely needed His strength. I am getting ready for a garage sale this weekend (I am trying to “be intentional” and get rid of all of our clutter too) and I have been organizing and pricing my garage sale items all week. Levi has despised loved being stuck inside while his mama is busy pricing away.
I tried to convince him that riding his bike inside is just as fun as riding it outside. He was not so sure about that.
He kept himself busy for a few minutes here and there. But most of the time he was unloading my boxes or trying to steal my pricing stickers. He wanted so badly to help his mama.
He is not very helpful when it comes to preparing for a garage sale, but those monster jammies and crossed baby feet sure are cute!
If I fed him a snack it usually distracted him for a little longer. Good thing he loves to eat so much.
He tried really hard to drink his daddy’s Pepsi too. These were the few happy moments in our day. The rest of the day was pretty rough for this baby boy. His mama was very tired by the time it was bedtime.
Right after Levi’s bath his daddy came home with his truck and a big trailer. Joel has been working long hours planting beans and spraying his fields. Oh my, was he happy when Joel asked him if he wanted to go play on the trailer.
Definitely the highlight of his day. It was like all his grumpiness and sadness was instantly gone. He was SO HAPPY his dad was home.
He ran up and down the trailer…over and over again. Man, if only Joel would have parked that trailer in our driveway earlier today.
He even got to wrestle with his daddy. So, not our best day ever. But I am thankful that I started with a quiet heart today. And I am thankful that I got to watch Levi’s huge smiles and listen to his giggles as he got to spend a few minutes with his daddy tonight before bed. I love watching my boys together.
We made it through the first day! I can’t wait to see what God continues to do in the next 29…and hopefully many more…as we seek a consistent time each day with our Heavenly Father!
If you are late in joining us in the 30 Day Challenge, go ahead and start now! You can read all about it here.
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  • Immeasurably More Mama - For the past two days, I’ve done the groggy walk to the living room before my little people wake up. Each morning the Lord has been faithful to speak truth into my heart and give me strength for the day. Enjoying this challenge! πŸ™‚ReplyCancel

  • Amanda - I have loved your blog for a long time…but I don’t think I have ever commented. This is a wonderful challange. Thank you for sharing this with us.

    Off topic–Where did you get Levi’s cute tractor t shirt? I have 2 boys and I love that:)ReplyCancel

  • Mommy to Two - Yesterday before nap I read about the 30 day challenge. For once, both my children went down about the same time so I was able to listen to the link you posted and pray and read my Bible. Sadly enough it seemed so foreign but I started craving that one on one time with God. Now don’t get me wrong, I pray “small and simple” prayers through my day. Things like, “Lord please protect my husband as he is on the way to work” or “Lord bless our food” but not good quality time with the Lord.ReplyCancel

  • Sarah - I hadn’t originally commented about participating, but I did decide to join in yesterday. Since we only have 1 living child, I’m opting to spend my time during my daughter’s morning nap. I was really blessed by the time! Thanks for encouraging us to do this! Sorry for your rough day, but I’m glad you started it out focussed on the things above!ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - Jess
    Thank you for your committment to time with our Lord each day. You are a wonderful leader and I admire your faith. I love ready your blog each day.

    On another note (from an old fashioned mama), please be careful in giving Levi whole grapes. They are one of the easy things to get choked on. Slice them in quarters before giving them to little ones. I hope you don’t mind my advice…ReplyCancel

  • Melissa - I’m doing your challenge. I need it in a bad way!
    So far, I’m 2 for 2!ReplyCancel

  • Kristi REDISKE - Ok-day 2 and I did it-thats really an accomplishment for me-HA! I am not a morning person and I usually wake up and turn on fox news and just start my day that way. I think Satan has tried to get me not to read my Bible and get with the Lord first thing in the morning already-but I am not going to be tempted to put it off-I am loving this already-thanks so much for this challenge!ReplyCancel

  • Meggie - I just discovered your blog and I’m going to participate in the challenge as well… just a day late. I’m really looking forward to it but would love a recommendation on a book that would guide my quiet time. Any suggestions? Thanks for sharing this challenge and encouraging others to participate!ReplyCancel

  • Amy Geiser - I had read your challenge when you posted it and had decided to do it also. It came at a good time for me after a hard weekend sitting down and meeting with my parents with whom we have a messy relationship. I am trying so hard to fix it and it hasn’t been going well. I have been trying to read the Bible in a year with the One Year Bible and so I incorporated this into that. It doesn’t make the hard days go away, but it gives me something to think about as I make choices on how to deal with the hard days. Thanks so much for using your blog this way, Jess! I bet you have more people doing this with you than you know!

    Just out of curiosity, are you reading anything particular in the Bible?ReplyCancel

  • songskatesang - Things are going well. With Brian’s job loss, it has been such a challenge. I know I will need the Lord’s strength more than ever.ReplyCancel

  • Chrissy @ Boerman Ramblings - i did not do so well yesterday… trying to do better today!ReplyCancel

  • Julie - Jess,
    I found out that my sister reads your blog, and we decided to do the 30 day challenge together.
    Thanks for the encouragement!ReplyCancel

  • EricaG - First day went very well. The house was so quiet…not usual for a 2-little-boy household. I’ve decided to study Proverbs during this 30 day challenge.ReplyCancel

  • Suesan - I too would love to know where the red tractor shirt is from- thanks!ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - I would also like to know what people are reading/using as a guide for this special Challenge.

    Love the pictures of Levi, his daddy and the truck!ReplyCancel

  • Grace - My son Jack is the same way when his daddy gets home!He goes into the garage to “play” and watch daddy work. Its so wonderful to have that daddy/son time!ReplyCancel

  • Paige - Hi – I have been reading your blog for a long time but I don’t think I have ever posted. I am a stay-at-home-mom to 3 fabulous boys (14, 12, and 10). I am totally IN on the 30-day challenge – I have been running my life on my own for several months now (and doing a horrible job of it). This morning I got up early and spent time praying over my boys while they were still asleep, then I picked up my prayer journal that I had not touched since March. I felt such peace when I was through. I’m so glad to have this renewed desire to spend morning time with the Lord – thank you!!!ReplyCancel

  • Lori - Jess-
    I’m joining in on the “thirty day challenge”! Thanks for your guidance.

    Lori Kruse RaileReplyCancel

  • Jennifer - This comment has been removed by the author.ReplyCancel

  • Jennifer - Day 3 in the books! BTW…your little boy is SOOOO cute!ReplyCancel

  • Annie - I seriously just LOVE that little boys smile! It brightens my day! (of course in addition to my own little boys smile!!!)ReplyCancel

  • Nicole - My heart just melted when I read this post bc I have a 7 yr old boy and a 1 yr old boy (with a girl sandwiched between) and you just wait. That father-boy bond will just get stronger and stronger…it is a joy to see my oldest get sooo excited when his daddy pulls in after work (because it means throwing the baseball or racing up the street) and my youngest is on my hip saying “da-dee, da-dee” and reaching for him as he gets out of the car. It is a joy to behold. You are so blessed. You will love having two boys. πŸ™‚ Thanks for sharing your life with all of us. I love checking your blog! πŸ™‚ReplyCancel

  • LB - I haven’t left a comment yet – but I’ve been participating in your challenge! Today was day 3 for me. Yesterday, I did it during nap time, but it was still fantastic. Thanks for your inspiration. Your heart and truthful writing is so convicting. I love it!

    PS – I love your blog. I’m an Oklahoma girl, but both my parents grew up as farmer’s kids in KS, so I feel a little connection to you with your KS farming husband. πŸ™‚ We’re actually headed up to KS this weekend for a little family reunion. πŸ™‚ReplyCancel

  • Andrea - I love those pictures of Levi – especially how excited he is to be on the trailer. Praying your devotion time with the Lord will continue to sweet and that He would overwhelm you with His presence. I feel such a strong impression that He LOVES that you are carving out time for Him. πŸ™‚ReplyCancel

  • Ali - wow his hair is really turning light blonde isn’t it? Or is it just the lighting? Anyways, it looks super cute.ReplyCancel

  • Tammie - Another boy name for you:) Landry. It sounds cute with Levi. It is my son’s middle name. Caden Landry.
    I have a son Parker Kincaid, who was born Dec. 23 (same age as Levi) and I love to compare how they are growing.
    TammieReplyCancel

  • Marianne - Behind on my blog reading, need to check the 30 day challenge. Just had to say that not only are Levi’s crossed feet cute and his jammies rock, but the baby wrist creases are so sweet, I could eat them up!ReplyCancel

  • House of Collinsworth - I’m a little late on your quest for boy names…but…
    COLE – that would be the first two letters of “Cora” and “Levi”. And it has 4 letters like their names too. :o)ReplyCancel