Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Faith


After a lifetime of experiences I sometimes feel I am no closer to understanding "faith" than I was 20 years ago.

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

What? Has there ever been a more mysterious passage? Can we understand or comprehend it?

What I have found as I have walked through various situations and problems is that pure faith can only exist in the darkest circumstances. If there is any natural way for things to work out our fleshly "faith" will trust in those natural sources. When God becomes your only source of hope... When there is no natural way for your circumstances to improve...When there is no silver lining to your dark cloud, then you can find that ember of pure faith burning in your heart. Suddenly, when that faith exists it doesn't matter how everything works out or even if it does. Only Jesus matters and your faith, your pure faith, in Him.
Have a great day...and don't forget to count your blessings.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Counting My Blessings




I have been in a crafty mood lately so I made a dress for the 'little princess' at my house and a headband to match from on of Papa's old dress shirts. It is a red, white and blue theme for July 4th. I took a page from Granny's frugal upbringing and made a tank top out of the left over material. Waste not, Want not. I still have a smidge of material left. I wonder what I could make with that? The material was so soft due to many washings and wearings. Reusing old clothing to make new might not be such a bad idea. I was pleased with the results and will share photos soon.
I am counting my blessings today. It seems to get me into a better mood and I am rather stressed today due to my sis and ma being out of town. You know how I worry! I was thinking that I am very blessed to live in the country. Our little dirt road doesn't get much traffic and I love to sit out on the front porch and enjoy the view. The ceiling fan makes it bearable in the Georgia summer. My hydrangeas are blooming like mad. My husband was really proud of that and kept suggesting(nagging) that I go and take some pictures, so I did.
I am so blessed that the kids are healthy. Sometimes in the midst of being a referee for all the squabbles I forget that this is a sign of health and happiness. Seeing the way that they interact with each other I wonder if the world will be ready for them when it is time for them to fly away. I think that each of their personalities is so unique. They are all passionate and I love them each to pieces. My family is my greatest blessing.
God is always near me. My relationship with Jesus is the highlight of my life. I realized a long time ago that this relationship was to come before all the others. Truly, I cannot be a good wife, mother, daughter, sister or friend without first coming before God and having an intimate relationship with him. I want to live a life that will be a blessing to Jesus.
"Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen you heart, all ye that hope in the Lord." Psalm 31:24
God Bless You and Don't Forget to Count Your Blessings.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Family Life Rocks!


This is a photo of the Big Yellow House in Georgia where we spend our days making memories. I don't have enough room to tell you everything I love about this house, but the thing I love the most is that this house is the hub of our family. It is the place I most want to be at the end of a challenging day. I want my babies around me and my hubby here and it wouldn't bother me if everyone 'out there' moved 'in here'. (I've never liked to be by myself.) Maybe I would feel the same way if we lived in a cardboard box...as long as we were together. I hope I never have to find out.
My house has a lot of family history and that makes me feel connected to the past. The way I look at it we are continuing that history making with our family.
Being a family means compromising each and every day. We have to learn to give and take. We are trying to raise children in this Big Yellow House who will be able to enter the world gently and make it a better place. This is a balancing act in parenting...How do we instruct without dictating? I want them to learn to make good choices, not to wait until Mama or Daddy comes around to tell them what is right. I want them to be guided by their personal relationship with Jesus each and every day. I have to trust them to soak up the lessons we are teaching, I have to trust myself, but most of all I have to trust the Lord who ultimately loves my children more than I do and wants to do them good all the days of their lives.

Family life is a challenge, but at the end of the day I have the exact life I dreamed of.

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

Don't forget to count your blessings!




Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Hello world, it's me!

I live in beautiful South Georgia and I have three kids who give me a reason fer livin', a loving husband and a wonderful family. I am blessed beyond measure and I thank the Lord Jesus Christ daily for the abundance of his love for me. He has planted me in this beautiful place and surrounded me with the people I love, and though there are and have been many hard times I know I do not walk through this life alone. God Bless You...and don't forget to count your blessings.