happy Sunday...

Thankful...
- sitting here on the porch with a cup of decaf Verona (thank you sweet one for letting me like coffee again!)
- littlest one is riding the tricycle, scooter, no, now it's big brother's bike (well trying too :) )
- daddy playing catch with the big boy
- 2nd boy reading Hardy Boys in his room
- 3rd sweet boy, sleepy, saying his eyes have a sunburn (LOL!)- I thought a Hershey caramel kiss might help (I think it did ;) )
- cool breeze
- the peace and gentle quiet of God's creation
- a content spirit by the grace of God
- a sweet visit with family
- a surprise lunch visit from friends
- an unplanned trip to the tiny beach (which was really cold and our wild boys were swimming in the water that makes you numb just looking at it!  They are honorary Mainers-not me, no sir!)
- seeing the lovely of the life He has given in the everyday moments, both  big and small...
- the love of my Father, extending grace and mercy...new every morning ~LOVE~

“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24 NKJV

Friday Favorites...the fort and the week

A trip to the fort... 

 

the precious helping of a big brother

old gates

climbing the "walls"

yep, the rolling began :)

sweet moment caught

he was the chasing lion-roar and all!

This week we've been blessed by a visit from my dad and stepmom.  We haven't seen them in 4 years due to life flying by so quickly but also illness-serious illness, and the Lord has worked mightily in the healing process.

Another huge blessing of the week- taking time off from the usual work routine and being home.  I can't say how much the Lord has laid upon my heart gratitude.  Being grateful in the moments we have together.  Being grateful for my husband, our children, growing belly with a precious new life, a home, food on the table, peace in our home, baseball games with healthy little ones, sunshine!  After a long winter, though it was mild, the sun and the gentle warm breezes can do wonders for a weary heart and soul.  Life is good :)

It isn't that we have to look to find the joy in our situations...it is that we have to have joy in our situations.  Being joyful in what we have and in what we have to get done as well.

A sweet friend let me borrow the DVD, Tea with Michelle Duggar and she was speaking about their early days as a young family and having 5 little ones ages 5 and under (something close to that I believe.)  Michelle Duggar was up late, weary, mounds of laundry looming and she was questioning the Lord and His choice to allow such a big and young family and He spoke to her heart.  She began singing the Joy of the Lord is my strength, over and over.  And as He is faithful in all situations, she found peace and joy in that moment and later was blessed by a neighbor providing help with their everyday routine (laundry!)

I've so much enjoyed reading the many different blogs.  They range from the beautiful words of a writer, a homeschooling mom, art teacher, friend sharing everyday life, cook, knitter, quilter, photographer...a huge and lovely range!  And I'm humbly and with joy able to say I can finally just enjoy them.  We rejoice in our own and others gifts, knowing we are each fearfully and wonderfully made (our sweet boy repeats this at night- "I am fearfully and wonderfully made by God!")  How our Father can use all things to His glory!  We go forward in Him, His strength and not our own.  For....

The Joy of the Lord is my Strength!



But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. ~Acts 20:24

Linking up with:

urgent prayer needed

Please pray for this family and their son. I do not know them personally, requested prayer from another blog I read.  As the body of Christ, let us lift one another up in prayer.  The heart of a family crying out...

Thank you,

Mama's day 2012

The precious ones who make my Mama's day...random pictures over the years in no particular order, except the last one as most recent :)

silliness at its best!

 baby boy number 5 on the way (18 weeks, Easter 2012)

...But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. ~Proverbs 31:30

A blessed and precious day to all of you, His blessings upon you.

transparent...oh boy :)

This week has brought with it amazing blessings and challenges.

First- we are expecting boy number 5!  How amazing to see God's hand upon on family!  Yes, everyone was convinced "this one has to be a girl..." nope :)  My husband says he doesn't make girls (jokingly of course) but so far the Lord has seen fit to bless us with sons only...and I am humbled by the opportunity to be a mama of boys.

Second- I've prayed for healing and growth in my heart.  I've asked the Lord to show me who I am in Him.  He is doing this- to Him alone be the glory!  But sweet friends, it is a process, heart breaking at times, a vulnerable place and place that doesn't just affect me but my family (mostly my precious husband) as well.  His grace is sufficient.  The prayers of my husband and the grace he extends to me as well are humbling.  I would greatly appreciate your prayers in this area-covering over our marriage and family and our hearts.  I will be honest with my struggles.  I have always wanted to make everyone happy but in that I've lost who I am, I struggle with fear (fear of making mistakes, disappointing others...) and I struggle with guilt.  I was blessed to hear a sermon yesterday on this topic where a person can go to the extreme of guilt, always feeling guilty for nothing (my middle name could be Sorry!) with this being a weak conscience.  It is good to give it a name.  These things combined lead me to retreat inward in sadness.  Something not good for anyone and certainly not where my Father wants me.

I share this only to God's glory- He is mighty and He hears our prayers! God has brought me so far, releasing me from strongholds and answering a petition I've lifted up to Him for freedom and peace from my inward battles.  I am being transparent here...this is hard.  I like happy joyful things-I like to read happy joyful things :)  But being the body of Christ, maybe this is something you might struggle with...you (we) are not alone.

I truly, truly say My Heart Will (and Does) Rejoice!


 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.  And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. ~1 John 2:1-2

[ Their Spiritual State ] I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. 1 John 2:12

"...that by believing you may have life in his name."

Jesus and Thomas


"24 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”


26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”


The Purpose of This Book


30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."
~John 20:24-31

A blessed and joyful Easter to you!  Our Savior is alive!

upon Him...

Friday. 

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."~Isaiah 53:5

trust, not fear

To God's glory, not our own.
With faith, not fear.
To love.
To be humble.
To be patient.
To submit.
To study.
To pray.
To be quiet.
To listen.
To hear.
To accept.
To grow.
To seek.
To be still...and know He is God.

    

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; 

                                                       I will be exalted among the nations,    

I will be exalted in the earth.”Psalm 46:10

To hope.

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,

    “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:24

To wait.

The Lord is good to those who wait for him,

    to the soul who seeks him. Lamentations 3:25

To trust.

The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. Psalm 28:7

My heart rests in Him.  Sometimes we can't see what the Lord is doing...and then we are faced with the question, "do we fear or do we trust?"  Oh my weary mind and heart are so prone to fear; fear He doesn't hear me, fear I'm not hearing Him.  Fear...fear...fear.  The same thing before each "what if."  

He doesn't call me to fear.  He calls me to trust.  He is faithful.

I love these verses in Lamentations.  Something the Lord showed me during a quiet devotional time after reading the Book of Ruth.  

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

    his mercies never come to an end;

 they are new every morning;

    great is your faithfulness.

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,

    “therefore I will hope in him.”

 The Lord is good to those who wait for him,

    to the soul who seeks him.

It is good that one should wait quietly

    for the salvation of the Lord.

It is good for a man that he bear

    the yoke in his youth. Lamentations 3:22-27

Yes, my heart rejoices in His plans.  He sustains me.  I pray Father for Your will to be done, to You alone be the glory!  His ways are not our ways.  His love is abundant for His children.  We can trust, without fear.  :)

Friday favorites...

Love these kiddos :)  Log cabin built by Len.  This week has been the architecture week!

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12 ESV

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