When our best gets better:

The look my kids mimick after seeing my response to their efforts of tidying up:

Really, they thought it was good! It may or may not have been their best effort, but they are still learning!

We are all works in progress... still learning, and wishing for acceptance. Thankfully Jesus has already sealed us with a Spirit of adoption as children of God. And if children then heirs. If heirs, then under the living protection of Abba, God the Father! Rom 8:12-17 In love, we will want what He wants and we will learn to follow Jesus who blazed the path for our glorified reunion. 

When we live with the knowledge of being a beloved child of God, we become “fearless and therefor powerful.” Do you suppose the crucifixion got a look like this by some with the thought, “This is the son of God?”  “This is the best you’ve got?” Beware of the power of Grace which allows us to PERSEVERE and overcome any trial in union with showing God’s glory! 

Happy Halloween

Everyone Farts

"Everyone Farts!" Said the boy with the widest grin a 5 year old can give. This always makes us reflect his smile!

I'm reminded of his statement on this Ash Wednesday as mere truth! A fact of life. A fact that is not always pleasing, but still brings happiness!

Why do you say? Because it reminds me of sin. Sin is much like a fart...it stinks, we all suffer from it (directly and indirectly), it is sometimes noticed by others, and sometimes it's not; but it's still there. When we declare it and repent, it brings much joy! And I think 'Thank God, who shows us mercy and love when we are at our worst!' That IS something to smile about!

We had a past pastor who used to always say (in a natural, monotone voice, which also made us smile), "Have a happy Lent." The joy of lent comes wrapped in suffering AND hope of new life! Again, something to smile about! May His grace carry us forward as we repent, pray, fast and give alms during this season and beyond!

Did I say SMILE? 😁

Potty Training...

Life lessons hit me the most through my children, and for this I thank God. Right now we are working on potty training a two year old. A two year old who knows what's going on, and removes his soiled clothes and brings them to me with an, "Ut oh, uck!"

In between the 'ut oh's' we attempt to get him to eliminate on the toilet with no success. We keep placing  him there in hopes that he will soon succeed.  Well today came another 'ah ha' moment of life with God. In between the ut oh's of our life, He keeps putting us on the toilet so to speak, in hopes that we succeed. Is there a virtue in our lives in need of training? If we are open, we are constantly being trained to love, to be gentle...the list goes on for whatever virtue we must be trained in.  Like a child, God puts us in situations hoping that we, too, learn and succeed. At first we won't enjoy being there, and we'll have a lot of "ut oh, uck's" in between, but if we submit our will and listen to the heavenly cheers, we too will succeed! 

My June Bugs in July

Too Two..

Too Hungry

Too Messy

 Too Cute

Too Colorful

Too Sweet

Too Hot

Too Sleepy

Too Blessed

We Love To Keep

Our Two Year Old!

Happy Birthday!

The Chicken Dance

Thanks to some friends on an acreage, we were able to experience butchering chickens. From catching and beheading, to scalding and de-feathering, to cutting and gutting, and finally packaging - We had a productive AND fun night with family and friends! 

My oldest son gave new meaning to the chicken dance!

And I have made my first batch of 'Real' Chicken stock!

Due to a nursing a baby, I tried to 'chicken out' of the beheading, but my husband would not allow such cowardliness. 

Thank you dear man, for once again, encouraging me to step into the unknown...

Leading me in the dance we call life-

I love you!

Rainy day...

What do you do on a rainy day? I would say my boys are enjoying the peaceful steady raindrops outside. 

I am enjoying the raindrops from the peace inside.  This photo was taken from the view from my house, and its a much better sight than our yard. I do like the upkeep of our wonderful neighbors, but I also wish I could return the favor of a view from their house. Inside and out, I'm wondering where to start.  So yes, a blog post...to rev up the motivation within.  Then to my kitchen. 

As I work on perseverance, this is how I feel:

Trying to stay focused, keeping my eyes on the present journey, and hoping our Father is there giving me the strength needed for the task at hand, and smiling...