Remember His Goodness

 “Father God, I wake up this morning to the beautiful, foggy, and snowy day here in Colorado.  I have so many thoughts of things to do, decisions to make, appointments to keep... and I feel tired and worn-out before I even get out of bed.  

 But instead of thinking of these troubling thoughts, I’m going to exercise some wonderful advise from Your Word, and be thankful, and remember Your Goodness.  

Thank you for sweet children who enjoy the simple things of bubble, bikes and birthday cakes.

Thank you for the silly faces they make that always causes me to giggle.

 Thank you for blessing my children with each other.  I’m sure that they have no idea what a gift having each other will be in their lives, but I know.  

Lord, I am so grateful for our home.  Forgive me for seeing the problems in it, instead of seeing the many ways that you have blessed us with each and every room.  

 I remember the many years that we have been led by Your Spirit.  What an adventure.  Forgive me for complaining so much.  I want to choose joy and gratefulness each day, instead of letting negative thoughts choose my attitudes for me.  

 Help me to really SEE Your mercies, love and goodness around me each day.  I know that they are there.  Thank you for that.  

 You have filled our home with life, abundantly so,  THANK YOU.  

“Come and see what God has done; He is awesome in His deeds toward the children of man.” Psalm

Amen

Love-Day 30

On my blog I have been doing 30 days of love, finding things in the bible and in my life that express the physical love that God has for us.

For this last love post I wanted to do my mom. She has been there from the beginning for me. When times were dark and scary. On bad days and good days. She has become my dearest friend.

Words cannot describe the bond that grows between to people that work together, play together, cry together, fight together, laugh together, love together.

What can I say other then I am extremely blessed to have such a mom.

I know we have had our hard times, and I know that as I am growing up and doing things more on my own it is going to hurt. But I love you so much, you don’t know how many times every year I didn’t want to get a year older because it meant I was one year closer to leaving. But I will always be your little girl and I will always love you with all of my heart.

God has blessed me so richly and has shown me His love through you so many times.
I love you Bigger then the Biggest Angel
Kalyn

Some Said We Couldn’t...

...But, He Did.

I was so SICK during this first pregnancy of mine.  Before anyone knew what was happening, I had lost 25 pounds, was nothing but a skeletal frame (my mother told me this), and Steve and I had to move in with his mother for a short time so I could have help.  I had the most SEVERE case of morning sickness.  I was in the hospital several times and everyone realized that I was slowly starving to death.  Finally, I had a special IV put in that “fed” me until sometime after the 6th month of pregnancy.  Until that time, my mother-in-law faithfully helped watch me and my IV equipment until Steve could get “home” from work each day.  

Finally, I was able to wean off the IV and began to eat again.  I was so excited to finally experience healthy “cravings”, and because I had lost so much weight, I was finally able to really enjoy those cravings.  

THEN...

...during a normal check up the doctors found something “wrong” with our baby’s heartbeat.  There was a murmur of sorts, but they felt sure that it would heal before delivery.  Still, as a first time mother, this really shook me, especially after already being so sick.  I was so emotionally “worn” out.  However, the LORD was there, and comforted me with many verses.  

And in time, a beautiful and healthy bouncing baby boy was born.  

He was the delight of his parents eyes (of course) and we so enjoyed our little man.  

As the time approached for him to began school, Steve and I really began to explore home education.  This was a “few” years ago, and you could say, it was still pretty new.  However, we began our journey of home education, and, WOW, what a journey it has been.  

In those days, many of our family and friends were not familiar with home education, or if they were, the stories weren’t good stories.  There was, understandably, concern from our beloved family and friends for this new way of education.  Yet, Steve and I felt sure of our course and continued on.  Somewhere in the back of my mind, I did wonder, “O.K., what happens after high school?”  

Jace and I walked his journey of education.  He was a fast learner, and I was constantly trying to stay one step ahead of him and provide him with all that I could to challenge and teach him. 

He continually tested FAR ahead of “normal”, and because he was so bored, I finally “passed” him through our state’s testing a year early.  

Now, that dreaded question...”What now?  What about college?  Will he make it, having been home educated his whole life?”  We were in such uncharted waters, and I just really wasn’t sure.  None the less, and as always, the LORD showed us the way.  

 Jace went through college “his” way; with some help from College Plus, CLEP and DANTES testing, on-line classes and some classes through an on-site college.  

And, this day, we are celebrating this young man and his achievements.  He has passed his last class, and has graduated college with BA in Environmental Science, with a grade point average of 3.9 and made the Deans List several times.  

He precious wife, Karlie, has been there supporting him for the last leg of this educational journey.  

And, tonight, I am proud...

not so much for WHAT he had done, (though I am proud of that!!!)

but for WHO he is.  

I am so proud to be his mother.  And I am so thankful that the LORD gave him to me.  

The things that makes Jace so special are not just how hard he has worked for his degree, but even more important - he is a man of honor, courage, dedication, and love....

he gives his all for his family and friends,

he is talented (to a fault, just like my parents...how come it missed me?);

he is a hard worker, a thoughtful and generous man;  he is willing to learn and grow, yet stands strong for what he knows is right.  

He is a hero to me.  

And I love him so much.

I miss him everyday, even while I am so proud of the life he is created for his family.

Because from beginning to now, 

he was and will always be my little buddy. 

Jace...I love you to the moon and back. 

Thank GOODNESS...

I received this message from Aiden...

 “Command Center, the area is secure; the bad guys are gone; the baby is safe.  Captain Aiden reporting.  Over and out."

With a serious face, I thanked him for his service to the family.  And just as seriously he replied “Your welcome Ma’am.  It’s an honor.”  

I gotta tell you, I feel so much safer having Captain Aiden on standby.

That’s A Lot Of Cuteness

 We had wonderful good Colorado weather yesterday and excitedly headed to the mountains to play with our sweet friend, Adeye and her family.

 Nineteen children gave us a lot of opportunity to capture some cuteness.

After a simple but good picnic, we went for an easy hike (right Adeye?) LOL

 Mommy and her babies....nothing cuter.

 It was a wonderful time and I am always so encouraged when I get to spend time with this precious friend. 

 And, as crazy as it sounds, it was a very relaxing time to just chat, laugh and talk. 

Babies with mommies, children enjoying the outdoors, friends enjoying companionship, and the glories of the mountains...I call that a GOOD day.

Me, Little Man

 But someday

 I will be big enough

 to wear my big brothers shoes.

Till that day though, I’ll just try to keep up with him, even if I do put his shoes on the wrong feet.

Live As You Are Called

Are you living as you were called?
“Only let each person lead the life that the LORD has assigned to him, and to which God has called him.”  I Cor. 7:17


"What are you going to be when you grow up?”


“What will you do after college?”


So many people ask these questions, and they are normal questions to ask.  Yet, there is also a certain pressure to give the “correct” answer.  And, if you are a girl it can become even harder.
I remember being in high school with the pressure to answer these questions.  We had to take test in school to find out what our strengths were so that the counselors could “help” us map out our future.  I tested high in (your going to laugh)....


Child Development 
and
I loved Landscape Architecture


So I followed the “wisdom” of the advisors and went to college for a few years.  I enjoyed some of it, hated other parts of it.  I really felt that I was wasting my time and my money, but this was what I was suppose to do, right?  I finally took a break from the whole college thing to work and earn money, thinking I would finish up my degree later when I could afford it.  
I desperately wanted to move to the mountains, so packing up my little Ford truck, and headed to Colorado.  Long story short, God had a plan.  I finally met my husband, married and began a family.  
Years later, one of the children asked me “the” question;
“Mommy, what did you want to be when you grew up?”


All these years later, I finally had the wisdom, and the courage to answer this question truthfully.


“I always to be a mommy to a lot of little darlin’s!”  
I think someone chuckled and said something along the lines of, “Well, that's good, since that is what you are.”
Why is it that being married, serving my family, and being a mommy aren’t good enough answers for most people?
I have an opinion here of course, but it isn’t the point of this post.  
Well, then, what is my point? 
As Christians, I believe that we must encourage those younger than us to seek the LORD’s plans for their lives!  Boy or girl, the LORD does have a purpose for their lives.  The Bible gives plenty of guidance, as does the leading of the Holy Spirit.  I saw it in Jace.  He was a young man ready to live his life.  We had trained him that a man should work to support himself and his family.  He should use his God given strengths and gifts to serve the LORD and those around him.  At eighteen he left home, and he was ready for whatever his future was.  He did go to college and will graduate this summer.  (And, yes, I am very proud of him.)  He is married now, and takes responsibility for himself, his family and his work - the way a man should.  Most of us can agree with this with a hearty “Amen”.  
And Kalyn?  What about her?  She has graduated from high school, and there have been questions for years actually that have caused a certain amount of pressure for her.  Of course the questions are normal and to be expected, asked with love and interest; desires to encourage and support her on the next leg of her journey.  Still, the pressure has been there, because she doesn’t feel that she is to follow the “normal”.  Ultimately, she believes what she has learned in the Bible and from her walk with the LORD.  She feels in her heart that it is a noble and good thing to be a woman who will someday marry and care for her family.  So why is it harder for a girl to give that as an answer?  Sadly, it just doesn’t seem to be “good enough”.  She has also wanted to be a missionary since she was 5 years old, and told me in no uncertain terms.  See, she really has always known deep down.
And now my job as her mother is to encourage her, to support her, and to remind her to live as she is called by the LORD, her God.  
I also find encouragement for myself as I read the above verse.  I once told my mother, as we were bringing home our last two children, that “yes”, it is hard, but I just feel that I was born to do this work.  
So for you, who ever you are today, seek the Lord for the answers to your questions.  Seek HIIM,
and LIVE AS YOU ARE CALLED.