Have you ever carried a dream your whole life? Just one? A completely simple and reasonable dream. Nothing fancy. Nothing too far fetched. I have. Just one. I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, never knew where I wanted to live, never made a "bucket list". I've always been content with my one little dream. Along the way, the Lord has been gracious to fill my heart and my life with many, many blessings and benefits. I am so thankful, and I love them dearly... But, I've still been waiting and hoping for just that one thing...
Last week, that dream died. I'll admit, it was a painful death. It tore my heart, and I didn't want to let it go. After the kids were to bed, I sat an entirely too quiet kitchen, and let the tears fall. Did I really have to give up, after all these years of hoping? Yes, I did. It hurt.
A few years ago, I heard a preacher preach a message about giving Jesus the keys to the car of our life. And not only giving him the keys, but getting in the trunk and locking ourselves inside. There, without seeing where He was driving, we couldn't try to direct the how or where our life was going. Just trust Him to drive where He knew was best.
I've been standing, with one leg in the trunk for a long time. Each time I start to crawl inside, I remind Jesus of all the things I don't want Him to forget. Like, "I'll get in, but will you make sure you.....?" It was time to be quiet. To crawl inside the darkness, and trust that no matter the journey, He WILL always do right. It doesn't have to be what I think it should be. And I am so very sure, it will be even more beautiful than I have hoped. Because He is always good and loving. So, there it is. A new chapter in my life. All may seem the same on the outside... But, on the inside, I am desperately clinging to Him. And I've never felt more safe in my life <3.
Saturday, April 16, 2016
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Tuesday Truths {on Thursday}
Hi! I'm jumping on quickly, during nap time! So, I have to kinda hurry, if I'm going to get a shower today ;)!
But, this week, I truly may* have...
...closed Carli's fingers in the bathroom door :(. Ouch!
...eaten several Milano cookies (my favorites), without even realizing it. Too bad, I could have really enjoyed them! 😖
...attempted a home project that I really should have waited for Eric's help on. And now, am trying to repair things, before the weekend, when I ask for his help. Ha!!
...been late for church on Easter Sunday. Who does that? I'm pretty positive I'm the only one. (sigh...)
Whaaaaaaaat have you done this past week!?!?!?!?
PS. Completely random question. Does anyone have an efficient way of storing your empty mason jars, until you start canning for the season? Mine are in boxes in the basement, on the back porch, and well...everywhere. I'm wanting to have a more organized storage system :). You can comment here or on our Facebook page :)!! Thanks!!!
But, this week, I truly may* have...
...closed Carli's fingers in the bathroom door :(. Ouch!
...eaten several Milano cookies (my favorites), without even realizing it. Too bad, I could have really enjoyed them! 😖
...attempted a home project that I really should have waited for Eric's help on. And now, am trying to repair things, before the weekend, when I ask for his help. Ha!!
...been late for church on Easter Sunday. Who does that? I'm pretty positive I'm the only one. (sigh...)
Whaaaaaaaat have you done this past week!?!?!?!?
PS. Completely random question. Does anyone have an efficient way of storing your empty mason jars, until you start canning for the season? Mine are in boxes in the basement, on the back porch, and well...everywhere. I'm wanting to have a more organized storage system :). You can comment here or on our Facebook page :)!! Thanks!!!
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Tuesday Truth Day {on Wednesday, oops!!}
So, I missed last Tuesday, AND yesterday! Yikes!! No excuses, I just dropped the ball....
If you're a new reader, we take Tuesdays to tell the truth about somethings we *may* have done during the previous week. It is open for anyone to share in the comment section, or over on our Facebook page :). I usually start, since I seem to be the most embarrassing of the group :).
Sooooo, this past week, I might have...
...announced Sunday morning that I needed to get lunch into the slow cooker. Then, remembered after church, when it was time to eat, that I never gave it another thought, and we had no lunch. Oopsie! Good thing my hubby is gracious, and picked up a bunch of fried chicken for everyone :)!
...told Silas to throw a pile of dirty laundry down to the laundry room, and not taken him seriously when he complained that it stunk WAAAAAAYYYYY too bad. Then, discovered when loading the washer the next day, that one of our OUTSIDE cats had snuck (is that a word?) inside and pottied in our laundry. I may have also not realized what it was, until I had held it in my hand for several seconds, confused as to what it was. Yuck.
...tried a new make up technique, and then promptly washed my face when I overheard the kids talking in the other room about how funny mommy's face looks. Haha!!!
...had the following items dumped, squeezed, or spread all over the cabin by a certain toddler: an entire tube of sunscreen, the shell pieces from 42 boiled eggs (ok, like, 7. But it seemed like 42 ;)), a wet coffee filter and all of its old coffee grounds that had been discarded in the trash that morning, various crayon, pencil, and marker marks, and some other items I won't mention since I talk about diapers and potty subjects too often on here :)
I know there was one more I was going to share, but I can't quite remember it at the moment. I'll add it to the comments when/ if it comes to me :).
Ok, your turn. Don't be shy, We all have goofy moments, right? Or am I the only one?
If you're a new reader, we take Tuesdays to tell the truth about somethings we *may* have done during the previous week. It is open for anyone to share in the comment section, or over on our Facebook page :). I usually start, since I seem to be the most embarrassing of the group :).
Sooooo, this past week, I might have...
...announced Sunday morning that I needed to get lunch into the slow cooker. Then, remembered after church, when it was time to eat, that I never gave it another thought, and we had no lunch. Oopsie! Good thing my hubby is gracious, and picked up a bunch of fried chicken for everyone :)!
...told Silas to throw a pile of dirty laundry down to the laundry room, and not taken him seriously when he complained that it stunk WAAAAAAYYYYY too bad. Then, discovered when loading the washer the next day, that one of our OUTSIDE cats had snuck (is that a word?) inside and pottied in our laundry. I may have also not realized what it was, until I had held it in my hand for several seconds, confused as to what it was. Yuck.
...tried a new make up technique, and then promptly washed my face when I overheard the kids talking in the other room about how funny mommy's face looks. Haha!!!
...had the following items dumped, squeezed, or spread all over the cabin by a certain toddler: an entire tube of sunscreen, the shell pieces from 42 boiled eggs (ok, like, 7. But it seemed like 42 ;)), a wet coffee filter and all of its old coffee grounds that had been discarded in the trash that morning, various crayon, pencil, and marker marks, and some other items I won't mention since I talk about diapers and potty subjects too often on here :)
I know there was one more I was going to share, but I can't quite remember it at the moment. I'll add it to the comments when/ if it comes to me :).
Ok, your turn. Don't be shy, We all have goofy moments, right? Or am I the only one?
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
To Face the Truth {and to Find It}
Sometimes, life is horribly unfair. Sometimes, the most innocent one, takes all the blame. Sometimes, the person trying with all of their might, is overlooked and treated as irrelevant. Sometimes, the one trying to keep Truth and purpose in sight, is the one lied to the most, and made to feel worthless. Sometimes, the one making every effort to be kind, is treated with utmost cruelty. Sometimes, the one who did not participate in the wrong doing, bears the weight of the punishment. And sometimes, it seems that no one even notices.
Sometimes, things don't make sense. And we have to face the truth of how things really are. I've watched the most heart wrenching stories unfold over the past few weeks. My own heart has broken as well. With no hope of recovery.
I don't have any answers or any comfort for others, or for myself. But, I know the One who IS Comfort. He IS truth. His Word stands, and is always right. If no other single thing in our lives is right or good, He still is. It is a beautiful thing to watch someone with every reason to be angry, smile, and say, "He is good. He's always good."
Do you need comfort today? Are things in your life spiraling out of control, with no hope of ever being a source of joy for you again? He is hope, friend. Cast your care upon Him, For He cares for you.
Sometimes, things don't make sense. And we have to face the truth of how things really are. I've watched the most heart wrenching stories unfold over the past few weeks. My own heart has broken as well. With no hope of recovery.
I don't have any answers or any comfort for others, or for myself. But, I know the One who IS Comfort. He IS truth. His Word stands, and is always right. If no other single thing in our lives is right or good, He still is. It is a beautiful thing to watch someone with every reason to be angry, smile, and say, "He is good. He's always good."
Do you need comfort today? Are things in your life spiraling out of control, with no hope of ever being a source of joy for you again? He is hope, friend. Cast your care upon Him, For He cares for you.
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Tuesday Truth Day
Hi there! It's our favorite day of the week, right?!? Today will be short because I may have....
...ignored the commotion upstairs during nap time, assuming someone was going potty, only to have one child come downstairs with 2 pounds of Vaseline on their face and in their hair, another child came down with nothing but a shirt on, and yet another child came down crying that she was tired. Because apparently they'd all spent nap time smearing chunks of vaseline all over the bathroom and inside every basket of clean laundry I carried up this morning. Awesome :).
So, right now, I may be...
...cleaning the bathroom, and using the phrase, "blah" way too much. (Anyone else read Frog and Toad? ;))
What *might* you have done this week?
We won't tell anyone ;)
...ignored the commotion upstairs during nap time, assuming someone was going potty, only to have one child come downstairs with 2 pounds of Vaseline on their face and in their hair, another child came down with nothing but a shirt on, and yet another child came down crying that she was tired. Because apparently they'd all spent nap time smearing chunks of vaseline all over the bathroom and inside every basket of clean laundry I carried up this morning. Awesome :).
So, right now, I may be...
...cleaning the bathroom, and using the phrase, "blah" way too much. (Anyone else read Frog and Toad? ;))
What *might* you have done this week?
We won't tell anyone ;)
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Tuesday Truths
Happy March!!! Today is Tuesday! So, you know what that means. Laying aside our perfectly presented selves, and showing the real us... Feel free to join in, here in the comment section, or on our Facebook Page 😊.
This week, I might have...
...stayed awake until 2 am so I could feed my husband supper, after an extra long shift at work. Then, fallen asleep exactly two minutes before he texted that he was on his way. And he may have had to make himself a hot dog instead of eating a real supper :/.
...skipped two complete days of laundry. Um... Let's just say, in this house, where there is ALWAYS dirty laundry... Two days is a lot more damaging than you may think.
...left some of our wedding unity sand on the windowsill of the playroom, within reach of a certain toddler. I'll just let your imagination roll with that one.
That's about all that comes to mind tonight :). What about you? Any truths you want to share?
This week, I might have...
...stayed awake until 2 am so I could feed my husband supper, after an extra long shift at work. Then, fallen asleep exactly two minutes before he texted that he was on his way. And he may have had to make himself a hot dog instead of eating a real supper :/.
...skipped two complete days of laundry. Um... Let's just say, in this house, where there is ALWAYS dirty laundry... Two days is a lot more damaging than you may think.
...left some of our wedding unity sand on the windowsill of the playroom, within reach of a certain toddler. I'll just let your imagination roll with that one.
That's about all that comes to mind tonight :). What about you? Any truths you want to share?
Saturday, February 27, 2016
Saturday at the Cabin {A Day in Our Life}
Hi! So, we've had a pretty long few weeks here. Sickness, snow, rain, Eric putting in extra hours at work, stuck inside for days and days... We were getting "cabin fever," (Ha!) and needed some fresh air! We'd had some storms this past week. So, the kids decided we needed to take a very long and detailed hike around the property, to check for fallen branches, and for any pines that are leaning. We've had several pines fall in the past. A few years back, three trees fell on one of Eric's trucks. Then, a year or two ago, a large pine leaned into one of our power lines and caught fire. Sooooo, a pine tree that doesn't look strong enough to handle heavy storms is something we all keep an eye out for around here.
We worked together making a detailed map of all the main landmarks on the property, so we could mark the trees and branches we wanted to tell Eric might need attention. I did the drawing. The kids dictated where everything should go on the map. I should mention that Eric is amazing at drawing. Me, not so much ;). So, when our map was complete, and I was putting on everyone's shoes and coats, Ely and Silas each drew their own maps. It was unanimously decided that my original map should be left inside, and we would use Silas map to find our way along the trail, and Ely's map to mark trees. A blue dot for a tree leaning too far, and a green dot for any fallen branches or trees.
We had so much fun!!! We found so many big branches, over a dozen deer tracks, some wild dog (our dog Oatmeal's) tracks, three water falls, blooming flowers, a hole that the kids are convinced belongs to a big, hairy mouse, and a beautiful, big, blue sky!!! We located the sun, and determined which direction north, south, east, and west are. And we ran, and climbed, and got muddy, and breathed in all of the marvelous fresh air we've been missing so much! I only received one complaint because I didn't bring cheese sticks along for a snack.
After 2 1/2 hours, we climbed the steps, and piled inside with muddy feet and a map we were all satisfied Daddy will love.
We decided that even though Jesus leads His sheep beside still waters (because the kids are learning Psalm 23 this month), He loves us so much that He restored our souls by the flowing little creek we love, too.
The older kids are sleeping soundly, as I type, and little Whits is cooing and singing me a sweet song. Life is so beautiful, if we can take our eyes off of the things that are challenging us, and look to the blessings and benefits the Lord has placed all around us.
What is your Saturday looking like?
We worked together making a detailed map of all the main landmarks on the property, so we could mark the trees and branches we wanted to tell Eric might need attention. I did the drawing. The kids dictated where everything should go on the map. I should mention that Eric is amazing at drawing. Me, not so much ;). So, when our map was complete, and I was putting on everyone's shoes and coats, Ely and Silas each drew their own maps. It was unanimously decided that my original map should be left inside, and we would use Silas map to find our way along the trail, and Ely's map to mark trees. A blue dot for a tree leaning too far, and a green dot for any fallen branches or trees.
We had so much fun!!! We found so many big branches, over a dozen deer tracks, some wild dog (our dog Oatmeal's) tracks, three water falls, blooming flowers, a hole that the kids are convinced belongs to a big, hairy mouse, and a beautiful, big, blue sky!!! We located the sun, and determined which direction north, south, east, and west are. And we ran, and climbed, and got muddy, and breathed in all of the marvelous fresh air we've been missing so much! I only received one complaint because I didn't bring cheese sticks along for a snack.
After 2 1/2 hours, we climbed the steps, and piled inside with muddy feet and a map we were all satisfied Daddy will love.
We decided that even though Jesus leads His sheep beside still waters (because the kids are learning Psalm 23 this month), He loves us so much that He restored our souls by the flowing little creek we love, too.
The older kids are sleeping soundly, as I type, and little Whits is cooing and singing me a sweet song. Life is so beautiful, if we can take our eyes off of the things that are challenging us, and look to the blessings and benefits the Lord has placed all around us.
What is your Saturday looking like?
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