Go and I Will Be Your Guide

My second oldest went on an amazing adventure during my blogging absence.

He has always had a heart for missions and adventure.  And he received his heart's desire. 

Yes, he's on an ELEPHANT!!

 He joined up with Youth With a Mission and spent 6 months away from us.  He went to Montana to study for 4 months and then Thailand for 6 weeks to serve and spread the Good News.  YWAM fulfilled his quest for both those things

Playing with some Thai Children on the beach

Thailand captured his heart and broke it at the same time.  The terrible practice of human trafficking tore him up - as well as the many, many idols the people worship.  But the warm welcome and friendliness the Thai people extended the YWAM team charmed him.

Sharing his story with his grandpa's church

So...in 9 short (oh sooo short!!) days Daniel will be returning to Thailand - on his own this time - to work with a ministry there that reaches out to college age people.  (That age is the most receptive to things of Jesus - unlike our own country)

Reading "his" verse:  Isaiah 61:1

He has only been home for 6 weeks and we are readying our hearts to say goodbye again.  It doesn't seem like "A Small World After All" when your child is on the other side.  But there is an amazing peace that comes with knowing that even though my son will be zooming around Thailand on a motorcycle, he is in God's will for his life, he is listening to His Spirit and his whole desire is to please his Creator!!  There is nothing more than this mama wants, than to know that her children are walking with God (except for the occasional skype date with boy on the other side of the world :)!!)

Since I believe in prayer so much - I am asking that maybe Daniel could be added to your prayer list?!  Yes, I am at peace, but that motorcycle does make me nervous :)!!  And while of course safety is a huge thing - mostly my prayer is that God's Word would be spread and that Dan stays encouraged and effective for God!! 

Blessings,
Christine

P.S.  And yes Daniel rode an elephant, saw amazing creatures, and ate a great many strange things (curdled chicken blood, grasshoppers and beetle larva as well a burning hot curry)  which is why he's the missionary and I'm the stay at home mommy heehee!!  And he can't wait to do it all again - a true adventurer!!

My Morning Prayer

Teach me to number my days

aright,

that I may gain a heart of

wisdom

Satisfy me in the morning with

Your unfailing love,

that I may sing for joy and

be glad all my days.

May the favor of the Lord my

God rest upon me

Establish the work of my

hands for me-

yes, establish the work of my

hands!

Psalms 90: 12,14,17

Beauty

A few evenings ago a quick glance at the sky assured us there would be a spectacular sunset. So we jumped into the car and left our home nestled in the hillside and drove away from the large trees that surround us. At the top of a neighboring hill look what we found!!!:
Isn't God an amazing artist!!! All for His Glory!!!
Blessings,
Christine

Weeds

Even though we've had less than a stellar gardening season here I still need to get out and dig in my garden - it's an urge I just can't resist. Although my garden is very late and puny for late July - I still feel the need to take care of it.

I noticed the weeds were taking root the other day - lots of them!!
So I got out my handy dandy weeding tool and went at it:

And it began to look tons better.

While I weed my gardens my mind almost always goes down the same path. I usually think about how - if I don't get the weeds while they are small they will be much more difficult to get later and how they will multiply if I ignore them and how they will choke out the good veggies I have planted.

Then I think about the "weeds" that grow in my own life - the sins that want to grow in my heart - "weeds" of anxiety, worry, discontent, gossip etc. I think about how they will grow (and in some cases have grown) until they are difficult to remove. How they will choke out the good things that God wants me to grow. Then I end up praying in my garden that God will show me what nasty things are growing in my life and that He will help rid them and replace them with His goodness.

I used to think that weeds were awful and they served no purpose - but now I think otherwise - at least in my garden they serve to remind me of the state of my heart and they drive me to Him. That's a pretty neat purpose in my book!!!

Well - in my walk through my garden beds this morning I noticed some weeds I missed last time are getting bigger fast and it's time to plant some Fall harvest crops - broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Swiss chard - so it's out to the garden for me.

Oh, before I go - an update on Daniel: He did see a neuologist for his seizure and the results were pretty much what we expected - the cause is not known. There are probably many different factors when all put together caused this brain to react. He did recommend further testing which we have decided to pursue - beginning next week. Dan is also not allowed to drive for 6 months per state law (which is probably the hardest thing EVER for an 18 year old boy!!!) So for now we are just hoping this was a one time event and praising God that he seems just fine!!

Blessings,
Christine

Life

Boy, I have been away from my computer for a long while!!! I have been occupied with ...well...Life!!! Every day just slips by so quickly.

Life has been both wonderful and difficult lately.

Some wonderful stuff...

My sweet 4 year old little man turned into a sweet 5 year old little man:

He is a little man just filled with joy and love - every day he tells me "I love you infinity!!!" And I love him infinity right back!!! He is a true gift from God to this family!!!
We've had some lovely family outings:
And some fun times at home:

We have also had our share of storms:
Literally - Essie is enjoying the recent snow and hail storm we had:

And figuratively - you know - the regular ones - gray days, rowdy kids, busy schedules, bills, broken cars etc.
Then there are the bigger ones - Hubby going out of town for a week and the stomach flu sweeping through the family while he was gone.
And others a bit more traumatic - another ER run - yes!! another - making up a total of three in three weeks!! This is so out of character for us!! This time Abbie had symptoms that were very, very similar to our friend Gunnar over at Knights and Maidens Gathering when he had appendicitis so after watching her for a while we felt like we should not mess around - so in she went. After much poking and prodding it was discovered that she did not have what we feared but she indeed did have a nasty infection. So home we went with antibiotics that cost $300!!!! So while we are so very glad she did not need surgery we are kinda standing here scratching our heads - after many, many years with fairly good insurance (which we rarely needed to access) we had to make a change to less than good and now we are holding the bag to some very large medical bills.
Through all this I wish I could say that I have rested with peace and joy in God's gracious arms. But to be honest - I really haven't. I am ashamed to say that my old evil friends - fear and anxiety have grabbed ahold of me and won't let go. Oh how I hate these terrible emotions!! They are robbers and thieves!! I know how I should live - I know God is much bigger than my circumstances - that not one sparrow escapes His loving gaze - so - why 0h why - do I fret?!!! One thing is certain though - God is a forgiving, loving God who cares for me in spite of my sin and even when it doesn't feel to me like things are going well - He is in charge!! And I am so glad He is!!!!
I have done some rearranging of my schedule (again :0)!!) to allow me a bit more time on the computer - yay!!! I have realized my computer time for the last year and a half have been while I've been nursing a baby. Nursing a toddler is a bit different and it's not easy to blog at the same time!!! :0)

Nursemaid's Elbow, Kidney Stones and other stuff

Life around here has been CRAZY!!!

When you've got these type people living at your house there is a certain amount of angst and drama:
Well, at least at our house that seems to be the way it is - I sure hope we're not the only ones that experience the sometimes draining aspects of raising teens!! And with four of them living here, well...... (and yes my son will probably never forgive me for posting this picture - but since he thinks blogs are for weird people - and I'm weird - he may never notice :0)!!!)

And then there are the small people living here - little whirlwinds that create messes where ever they go!!! This little sweetie got her arm dislocated this week (big sister was rescuing her from being plowed over by some fire doors at school and swooped her from danger a bit too fast!!). Poor baby - it involved a trip to the ER to have it taken care of. A lot of tears appeared both for sweetie and me!!!

A couple of days later after dealing with more teenaged angst and drama (well...discipline issues really) my dear hubby doubled over and announced he needed an immediate trip to the ER due to extreme pain (can't be still kind of pain) - the result - a kidney stone!!! AHHHHHHH!!!!!
The laundry pile is OUT OF CONTROL!!!!

But blessings happen in the midst of craziness - my lovely sister gave me this beautiful blue and white plate she found at a thrift store!!! What an amazing find!!! And she shared it with me - what a sweet sister I have!!! I adore transfer ware, especially blue and white!! The scene on this plate is so sweet and calm - little sheep, a tiny church steeple in the background and a rustic wagon!! I love it!! It gave me so much cheer in the midst of chaos!!!To keep myself from going crazy - which really, is a distinct possibility - I have been trying to keep up with my handwork. There is a major need for new dishcloths here so that has been the direction of my creating - these colors are just yummy!!!

My hubby is fine now and sweet Es is also better - but my anxious heart is struggling!! When things seem to get out of hand (And two trips to the ER in a week - plus all the other stuff seems out of hand to me!!!!) fear and anxiety stalk me. I hate it. I know it's not how God wants me to live. I am daily, hourly and by the minute hanging on to God's mercy and grace!! He is good!!! And I am blessed to have the creator of the stars listen to my pleas for peace!!!

Learning to Sing

No, I am not taking voice lessons - although if you were to stand next to me at church during worship you might think it was a good idea :0)!!! I was reading My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers the other day and this captured my heart:

"Neither will I in any wise forsake thee." Sometimes it is not difficulty that makes me think God will forsake me, but drudgery. There is no Hill Difficulty to climb, no vision given, nothing wonderful or beautiful, just the commonplace day in and day out - can I hear God's say-so in these things?
We have the idea that God is going to do some exceptional thing, that He is preparing and fitting us for some extraordinary thing by and bye, but as we go on in grace we find that God is glorifying Himself here and now, in the present minute. If we have God's say-so behind us, the most amazing strength comes, and we learn to sing in the ordinary days and ways.

Wow!! When I am sweeping the floor for the third time today, cleaning bathrooms, making lunch, correcting spelling papers, changing diapers, giving history lessons, doing laundry and all the other ordinary things I do God is glorifying Himself. I don't have to have a dramatic testimony or an amazing story!!

I have been thinking about this devotional so much lately - I am "learning to sing in the ordinary days and ways"!!

By the way, if you own this book and want to read the whole devotional it is the June 4th page (yes, I always read these out of order - don't know why - I just do :0)!!!)

Blessings,

Christine

He is Risen Indeed!!!

I am late to post something about Easter - but the wonderful thing about being a Christian is that the celebration of Christ's Resurrection is something we can celebrate everyday!!! His saving grace isn't just a one time thing but something we experience with every breath we take!!!

The gift of His forgiveness is not experienced one day a year on a holiday called Easter but is received every evening when we review our day and repent of our sin! He gives us grace every time we breathe a prayer throughout the day!! What an amazing, glorious thing - to have a relationship that close with the Creator of the world and His Son!!!

He is Risen!!! He is Risen indeed!!!

The younger half of the kids all in their Easter finery - not liking the picture taking hubs was doing - we had a few moments of sunshine - and their eyes were not used to it after a long period of rain!!

We are on Spring break and I am spending the week spring cleaning the house. Washing walls, windows and linens, plumping cushions, polishing furniture, taking ashes from the fireplace and removing clutter after a winter indoors. What a refreshing way to start the long days of spring and summer!!!

Blessings!!

Christine

Change

I will admit this morning to a great deal of disappointment over the change in direction our country took last night when Congress voted!! I have a lot of doubt that our tax dollars won't be funding the deaths of tiny babies!! I am fearful that the new taxes and higher insurance premiums will directly impact our family and make life very difficult for our children in the future!!

But I have faith that all of this is no surprise to our Heavenly Father!! He is my assurance!! My shepherd!! My real leader!! He will take care of us - far better than any government can!!! I can rest in that!!!

by the Newsboys

Father, blessed Father
Lead and guide us for Your name's sake
And keep us in the shelter of Your presence
'til we see Your face

Let us hear what You say
Let us know Your voice and all of Your ways
Take our hands, lead us home
To the refuge that we find in You alone

All adoration
To our Lord Redeemer
To our Shepherd
Who carries us forevermore

A picture of quite a few years ago - before sweet Essie - A picture of childlike rest!!!!

Blessings,
Christine

I Know That My Redeemer Lives!!

I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever living Head.

He lives to bless me with His love,
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed,
He lives to help in time of need.

He lives triumphant from the grave,
He lives eternally to save,
He lives all glorious in the sky,
He lives exalted there on high.

He lives to grant me rich supply,
He lives to guide me with His eye,
He lives to comfort me when faint,
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.

He lives to silence all my fears,
He lives to wipe away my tears
He lives to calm my troubled heart,
He lives all blessings to impart.(I LOVE this verse!!!)

He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly Friend,
He lives and loves me to the end;
He lives, and while He lives, I’ll sing;
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.

He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death:
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives, all glory to His Name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same.
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives,
I know that my Redeemer lives!

Samuel Medley, 1775
lyrics from http://www.nethymnal.org/

Thanksgiving Day

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years, with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington, this third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.
A. Lincoln

October 3, 1863

Happy Thanksgiving to all - may your day be blessed