potty training and sand paper

Carson is off to TKD Camp this week! He is going to have a blast but, I'm sure he will be exhausted every night. While he's at camp, I decided to try and potty train the twins. My sister, encouraged me to go ahead and give it a try (thanks, Sissy). They have both shown signs that they are ready so, I guess I need to give it a go-go.
Here's my hesitation... I royaly messed up the potty training with Carson. He was my first and I didn't know what I was doing and he wasn't potty trained until almost 4 and a half. I tried too many methods, too fast. (Sorry, Skittle.) So, I'm a little nervous to "mess up" with the twins. I really don't want to be changing 2 sets of diapers for another 2 years! Tomorrow, I am heading to Target to let them pick out some underwear, get some pull-ups, treats, and lots of juice. I'm going with the "every 15 minutes" theory. Its worth a try and if they aren't ready, then we'll wait. I figure with Carson being gone during the days, I can focus on them a little better. SO....please say a prayer for me as I begin this journey and that I will be patient with the messes that I'm sure I will have to clean up. Any tips or advice...bring it on! So, I'm reading Romans the other day and I learned a little something I wanted to share. I can't sit around and wait for some big direction or mission from the Lord to fall from the sky. Yeah, it dawned on me that I kinda sit around and wait for opportunites to come crashing down from the heavens or a burning bush to tell me what to do. He doesn't give me more than I can handle. He's not asking me to build a gigantic ark or take an entire nation across the desert. Everyday, I am faced with many simple opportunities to serve Him...like folding my family's laundry, cooking, cleaning, and being the Mom Taxi (all without complaining).

God brings people into my life everyday. Sometimes people stick around for years and sometimes its only for a day. With each person I encounter, I need to show them the respect and love that Christ would show them if He were here walking the earth. This is not always easy to do. There are people that I have crossed paths with that have given me challenges to face. Each one of those difficult situations I call my "heavenly sandpaper". I am being shaped into a better person. Its all in how I handle those moments that I can grow or shrink as an individual. We all have people in our lives that can cause a little frustration or bring out the worst in us. When these people come into my life, I see it as an opportunity from the Lord. A chance for me to grow and a chance for me to do the right thing.

Do you have some heavenly sandpaper in your life? I would suggest stepping back, try to see them as an opportunity to make yourself a better person. Take the high road and watch what God is trying to teach you... it can be exciting if you trust that it will all work out for God's perfect plan.

We write about what we know and you can probably guess, I have a couple of sandpaper people in my life right now. It isn't easy but, I have to give it over to God and let Him guide my words with grace.

Better finish up this post! I gotta go get Carson from camp in a few.... take care and I'll let you know how the potty training goes!