God Helped Us | My Stone Collective

God helped us. Have you cried those words before? 

"Samuel took a single rock and set it upright between Mizpah and Shen. He named it 'Ebenezer' (Rock of Help), saying, 'This marks the place where God helped us.'" 1 Samuel 7:12-14

This spot, right here, this is where God helped us.

If my life was laid out in map form, it would be so thoroughly covered with images of these "rocks," these "Ebenezers," it would brink difficult to decipher any coherency. 

That's not a life map, one might observe. That's a little piece of paper covered in rocks. 

Yes. To both. 

It is a life map and it is indeed covered in rocks. And I'll tell you why: because without those rocks, the life part wouldn't exist. It's true. 

God helped us. 

I boldly attribute any and every ounce of my life, the good and the bad, to the sovereignty of God and the freedom that comes from knowing Jesus Christ. I've often felt a tension, in this blog space, to not be overly emphatic about Jesus. I know there are so many searching for truth and meaning and purpose, and you have graciously given me permission to explore and question alongside your quest. For that I am honored.

But the fact remains, as much as I am searching and questioning and dialoguing like you, I know one thing to be true: God helped us. 

These three words hold so much meat sandwiched between them, that one essay, one book, one library could not contain its enormity. 

But let's try to bite off just a piece. 

God helped us, acknowledges there is a God. He does exist.

God helped us, acknowledges there is a God, who doesn't just exist, but He cares. 

God helped us, acknowledges there is a God who doesn't just exist, and just care, but possesses the character and desire to assist, redeem and restore, actively in this life. 

God helped us, acknowledges there is a God who doesn't just exist, and just care, and just possesses the character and desire to assist, redeem, and restore actively in this life, but in your life. In my life. 

Despite the vast chasm of knowledge I am lacking, I know these things to be true, not on theory alone, but because I have experienced them, first hand. Here, here, here and here. (And that's just a fraction.) 

These are my rocks. These are my Ebenezer stones that boldly and unashamedly proclaim, yes, God helped us. 

Charles Spurgeon, a great man of faith, once said, 

"Study deeply what Sovereign Grace has done to you, that you may see the greatness of the mercy and admire it, for, very much in proportion as you appraise the mercy of God at its proper value, will you be sure to have it fixed upon your memory all your life."(Emphasis mine) 

Looking back is the greatest tool we have in this life. (Click to tweet) Whether it's to remember where we came from and never go back or to remember what inspired us forward to being with, we could all use a minute down memory lane. 

Will you look back with me today, to remember where God, who exists and cares and redeems, has  helped us? 

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The Stone Collective is a community making much of Jesus as we create art, photography, prose, poems or music that commemorate the wonderful things God does in our life. Started by Sarah Martin and based on the passage in 1 Samuel 7:12-14, each month we will collect Ebenezer Stones as a regularly practice in the art of worship via our creativity. 

Want to join in on The Stone Collective? Create your own Stone and link up to LIVE IT OUT! Blog. #TheStoneCollective

(Original photo via)

You're Taking Us WHERE? | A Disney Birthday

For my 26th birthday, Tyson surprised me with a trip to the happiest place on earth, coupled with a new dress and fancy hat. 

I enjoy Disneyland, like the rest of the world. He doesn't. So the real surprise was that he initiated a trip for the sake of his girls! Such a sacrificial man. (Read in cheeky tone.)

It was Baby Girl Mo's first trip and man, it was a whole new experience walking into this place with mom glasses on. I over packed the diaper bag and we paid way too much money for an overpriced pair of Minnie ears, a churro, a hamburger with extra pickles, a large water, and an amazing ice cream sundae. Everyone eats all day when at Disney right? 

The best part of the trip was about 6:31PM, when the parade started and my daughter's eyes experienced a whole new level of amazement. She danced, smiled, laughed, but mostly stared in awe. Or at least I think she was in awe. I can't really tell what she's thinking yet. But it looked about right. 

I don't think Disneyland is a necessity in life, by any means. But there is something to this magical land that has captured the hearts and memories, of children and adults alike, from all over the world. And while the glitter may fade and birthday's will end, these moments, ones like Ty and I playfully fighting in Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters, or ones of my girl pinching Minnie's nose and giggling, those moments I will hold tightly and look over fondly for years to come. 

Ty, thanks for starting my 27th year of life in such a magical way. I love you.

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Some have asked about baby-friendly rides at Disneyland, so I've listed the ones we enjoyed with baby (she's 8 months):

DISNEYLAND

• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
• Astro Orbitor
• Goofy's Playhouse
• Minnie's House
• Mickey's House and Meet Mickey
• Pinocchio's Daring Journey
• Mickey's Soundsational Parade 

CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE

• Francis' Ladybug Boogie
• Heimlich's Chew Chew Train

*There are a TON more rides that are baby friendly, we just ran out of time. See list and qualifiers here.

EXTRA TIPS FOR DOING DISNEY WITH BABY

• If you have a flatbed stroller, bring it. | It was so nice to change diapers in our own stroller instead of the bathroom stalls. It was also convenient for naps. 
• Don't over think the clothing situation. | Simplify by bringing 2 full body onsies instead of multiple shirts and pants. 
• Bring 1 medium weight blanket. | Use to cover stroller if it gets warm and to cover baby when it gets cold. It will get cold at night.
• Get a "1st Time" or "Birthday" button! | You can get them at City Hall, Chamber of Commerce, or the red umbrella on Main Street in Disney. Red umbrella is your best bet. 
• Bring a meal. | There is a designated "lunch table" area right outside the park gates where you and your family can enjoy your own sack lunches. We didn't do this, but we will next time.
• Condense, Condense, Condense | We used this Munchkin Powdered Formula Dispenser to make 3, 8oz, bottles during the day. So much easier than bringing 5 bottles with dry formula. 
• Be Easy | Too many parents' experiences are tainted by the hustle of doing everything, and that's not fun for anyone. Do what you can with what you have and eat ice-cream! If your kid has a blowout in the middle of the parade (not that mine did...) don't stress. Laugh and change in your flatbed stroller ;)

Dear God, I Choose That One

"Dear God, I'm not afraid of making the wrong choice."

That's a lie. I'm deathly afraid of wrong choices. However, if there's one thing I've learned in 25 years, it's that not all situations have a "right" and "wrong." Some sit right in that grey area that I've fondly labeled, "good, better, best." So I guess that first sentence should read, I'm afraid of settling for the good and not the best.

I've been there before, this teetering place of questions and crossroads. I've been here before, where it feels like I'm walking off a cliff into uncharted waters. Should I fall or jump? Should I veer left or right?

I know You see me and my flailing mind grasping for some kind of road map or at least an instruction manual.

Sometimes I feel as though it'd be safer to wait for you to force my movement. But then I think back at the times that have mirrored this one and remember that nothing You've called me to in this life has ever been considered "safe" or "secure." And for now, I'm okay with that.

Just tell me which one to choose. Show me which way to go.

Which will bring You most glory? I choose that one.

Which will put me in the best possible state of being to relate with other people? I choose that one.

Which will fashion me to be more like the woman You have called me to be? I choose that one.

Whatever it is, no matter the cost, I choose that one.

Good Morning God

Morning. A new day. A fresh day. A clean day after the rain. When my eyes open, silent serenity is all that is found. And though life wants so bad to crack through, it can’t.

At least not yet.

The moments are too pure and too new. They are not yet ready to be worn down and exposed. No, just for this moment let my life stand still with just You and me.

I know this silence will break and the day will soon demand its time, so give me strength, give me grace, and give me peace to do Your will this day. (Tweet that!)

"For there is none like You among the gods, oh Lord, nor are there any words like Yours. All the nations You have made shall come and worship before you and shall glorify Your name.

For You are great and do wondrous things; You alone are God.

Teach me Your ways, oh Lord, that I may walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name. I give thanks to You, oh Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify Your name forever. For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of hell.” (Psalm 86:8-13)

Amen.

7 Months and Searching for Balance Online

Hey remember that one time I had a kid and she was the spitting image of her daddy? Everyone says she'll start looking like me as she gets older but… I've resigned. She's a pretty cute version of my most handsome man. ( < Sounds like I have more than one man, some less handsome than others, but that's not how I meant it. You know that.)

Blogging about Baby Girl Mo has been a point of tension for me. From the looks of this blog, it may appear I do not like blogging about my kid. However, the contrary is true. I've had to wrestle with how much to post about my girl, when to post about her, what to post about her and really ask myself why. 

I've seen a couple of blogger friends (and people I consider friends but they most likely only know me by "that girl who likes all of my IG pics") go through this baby blogging dilemma. Some gracefully and methodically and others more, hm, honestly and raw.

 The problem I'm having is that I've gleaned from both. 

I've benefited from the raw, realistic, all out messy photos and stories of motherhood. I've related with her glaring insecurity and daunting inadequacies. I've cried tears of understanding (and laughter) when she talked about her body parts not going back to normal and her marriage taking a bit of a hit for a time. 

But then I've also admired the privacy. The lack of details and the eloquent verbiage that still conveyed this human connection of motherhood. 

So we're still deciding who the Morlet Family will be in this cyber space of a place. 

We're still thinking through how to be vulnerable and yet, us. 

For now, we're attempting to walk the line between the two and if we find it impossible, well, let's not get ahead of ourselves. 

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Are you an online sharer or privateer? 

How have you made decisions to post family stuff online? 

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Sym's Outfit: Shirt | Old Navy, Bow | Babies R Us, Leggings & Cupcake | Target

The One Where She Learns Not to Run in the Mountains | #seejulesrun

#seejulesrun is a campaign to raise money and awareness for the restoration work of My Refuge House with human trafficking victims. I started my running plan at 6,500 ft altitude in 30 degree weather. Not the brightest idea I've ever had. But now it's all downhill from here huh? #runningjoke 

I'll be blogging my running journey until March 15 both for your amusement and inspiration to participate. 

YOU A RUNNER? Join our "Becoming Girls" team here:http://bit.ly/1elZxBq
NOT A RUNNER? Give a couple bucks here: http://bit.ly/1i8Klqt

More information at becominggirlsconference.org or follow the hashtag #seejulesrun on Twitter and Instagram.