Building vs Tearing down

I've been having a bad attitude. Some days life doesn't seen fair. It is tempting to take it out on others. It is not even consciously that I do it but done none the less. God used these verses to convict me. Ephesians 4:29-32 "Do not let any unwholesome (rotten) talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
It is easy to tell these words to my kids, but not so easy to take them to my own heart. I pray God always stops me even if it is in mid sentence if my words to my kids or others is unwholesome, or tears them down. It does grieve the Holy Spirit when we do this. What is wonderful is this. He is able to do more than we ask or imagine, so if I will humble myself, He will help me do this very thing, to build up others to their benefit and be kind and compassionate. Praise be to God, it is not in my own power, but His.

Joy

. I don't know what to write tonight. I am overcome with sadness like I felt when Mom first left. My heart aches for her voice and her touch and her smell. I desire everything tangible about her. The tears come and come. Not is sobbing, but an unending flow down my face.
It is unexplainable how on a day like today, where God is taking care of my needs in a tangible way, that it seems I miss Mom all the more. Is it because I would have shared with her how God provided in the moment by moment of my day? Is it because she herself provided so much day to day while she was here and His provision brings that back to my memory all the more? I can not tell. All I know is that He is my provision, my life, my sustenance, my comfort in this storm that shakes me to the core at times. Without Him there would be no hope. Her life and death would have seemed pointless. How can anyone deny God's existence, Christ's love and sacrifice, His grace to us. I am overcome by His great love for me. It brings great peace and joy mixed with the incredible sorrow. It brings a smile to my tear streaked face.
I believe true joy is quite visibly peace and contentment in the midst of great sorrow

Germany

We got to Frankfurt yesterday about 10:00 yesterday.  The flight was very long, but a fun new experience for the kids.  We had a short nap on the ride to Don and Sue's house and then stayed up the rest of the day so we could sleep that night.  We went into town(Bamberg) today.  The church in town celebrated it's 1000th birthday in 2008.  What an amazing town.  We took in the sights and had great food and ice cream afterward.  We are learning a little German.  Let me emphasize little.  We are loving our time with Don and Sue.  They are such a great family and very accomodating to us.  We will go to Salzburg tomorrow.  The kids are at the park with Sue right now.  They have some great parks here on post.  The one they are at has a zip line and a cool curvy slide.  It is good the kids keep busy today.  They are a bit jet lagged.  Luke wanted to go back to bed this morning as we were getting ready to leave.  He said, "I just want to take a nap."  He ought to sleep good tonight.  Sue went to the bakery and brought home Brochen(sp?) which means bread or rolls.  We had them for breakfast with salami and ham and scrambled eggs.  I love the food here.   More later.......