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a happy heart
so well known
so much to talk about…in person
so many little ones to meet
so much joy
so much laughter so thankful
so little time
In Due Time
Father, help me to humble myself under Your mighty hand,
that You may lift me up in due time.
1 Peter 5:6
This verse has been my focus lately. I repeat it to myself often throughout the day. There are numerous times in the day when pride gets in the way and I need a dose of humility from Him. Knowing that he will take me under his mighty hand with grace and love when I don’t deserve it is a source of great comfort and peace. To be honest what I struggle with most in this simple verse are the last three words- in due time. I have my own time line, my own agenda, my own plans and often mine and God’s don’t match up. It’s humlbing. Our family is a in season of waiting right now…and it’s hard. But I am choosing to believe that He will lift us up, he is trustworthy and His timing is perfect. I pray that I will be humbled now so He is free to do his wonders later.
What are you waiting for now? Are you believing His timing is perfect?
5 on Friday
Links to share
1. This week I made zucchini bread using a Paula Dean recipe I found. Remember we have a couple zucchinis from the garden:) I took the liberty of adding Craisins and white chocolate chips. So good! And just the mere fact that it is a tasty treat that has a veggie in it makes you feel ok to have another slice…and another.
2. Next week I get to see one of my best friends and her family. We went to high school and college together. We talk at least once a week if not more, we know each others kids well, we do life together BUT… we haven’t seen each other in over 4 years! We each have had 2 children that the other hasn’t met, we each have moved several times and have had much to celebrate together and some trials and hardships to experience together. To say that I am excited to see this girl is an understatement. She is an amazing wife, mom and friend. To see why I love her so much check out a her blog Peekaboo.
3. Has anyone heard of Usborne books? Another one of my best friends just became a consultant for this awesome children’s book company. They have great illustrations, tons of topics for kids all ages. The library we have been visiting has a lot of their books and both the kids love them. I highly recommend checking these books out. I know I will definitely be ordering some books for the kids’ birthdays coming up. If you are interested in buying some, let me know I can direct you to my friend who would be happy to tell you more.
4. Have you ever heard of Dave Ramsey the financial guy? Brian and I have only heard wonderful things about his Financial Peace University. It’s a DVD series that helps in budgeting and being a good financial steward. Brian and I will be starting this on our own soon. We are looking forward to seeing what this is all about and the good things to come out of it.
5. I’ve been in a crafting slump lately. There is no creativity flowing anywhere in me. Probably due to life being a little crazy and out of sorts. But I miss it. One site I love to visit to get me motivated and those creative juices flowing is One Pretty Thing. It’s basically a round up of all the craftiness in the world blogging. So many good ideas! Where to start, where to start!
Summer nights
S’mores and fireflies
A perfect summer evening must include these, don’t you think?
Ahhh, summer I love you!
5 years old? Really?
About a month from now Mason will be turning 5? Crazy, yes. He is growing into such a little man with so many interests. It’s honestly hard to keep track of what he is into…besides Star Wars. That is always a constant.
So I am throwing out a question to any moms out there with boys around this age. Have you come across any toys, books, CD’s, games etc. that your boys just loved? I’m trying to think outside of the box. I would love any and all suggestions. I know requests for ideas from the grandparents will be coming in soon so I’m trying to get ahead of the game.
Thanks!
3 little green thumbs
One of the highlights of our Ohio summer is being a part of the process of taking care of my parents garden. We missed the planting part and I can’t say we’ve done the much weeding BUT we have done some watering and we are ALL about pickin’ the goodies! I also love thinking that what we are picking now we make into something scrumptious for dinner or freeze and have some cold winter day in future. Fresh green beans from the garden on a freezing cold January day? Yes, please! Yesterday we picked some monsterous zucchini, today we picked a boat load of green beans and some broccoli. Tomatoes, peppers and corn are one way! Thankful to my parents for sharing with us.
5 on Friday
It’s been awhile but here are 5 snippets from us.
1. We took the kids to see Dispicable Me today. It was our first family movie and it went really good. Minus the part when Kaia was climbing the stairs up and down, counting all the way and when I found Theia lying belly down on the floor scooping up popcorn into her mouth by the handfuls:) The movie was absolutely wonderful, one of my new favorites. We laughed the whole way through. Mason was the loudest laugher in the whole theater. Ahhh, best sound ever!
2. As I mentioned before we are house sitting in Indy right now. It’s a great house in a great neighborhood with a community pool. Score! But the best part for us has been their dog Jack. We are a dog family and have been counting the days till we can have one ourselves. Still counting, Anyways, we have all enjoyed Jack, especially the kids. He has been the 4th musketeer and goes right along with whatever they are doing. Brian and I have really enjoyed watching the kids love on Jack. It gives us a glimpse of what may be someday.
3. Brian and I have noticed the kids have reached a new level of communicating with one another. The girls understand what Mason is saying and asking for. The have more of an imagination and can play along better. Mason is growing in his patience and negotiating skills. All of this has resulted in longer play times together and just more talking in general (didn’t think it could really increase). It also has resulted in senseless arguing and bickering back and forth. I didn’t think this stage would start so early but it is here and we are wading through it drowning in it. Any suggestions for how to nip this in bud? I am open.
4. It is kinda for surreal to be in Indy right now, thinking that soon this will be our new home. I can see ourselves here but…then some days I don’t. Maybe just because I don’t know the house we will live in, the neighborhood we will prayerfully make friends in, the church we will go to, where we will hang out as family??? So many unknowns. I know that God knows. I just wonder when He will let us know?
5. Recently my thoughts and prayers have been for dear friends of ours who are leading a summer project in South Africa. They left for a 28 hour journey on Wednesday evening with their soon-to-be 3 year old triplets. They are leading a team of students for the next 6 weeks to share the Gospel with students in South Africa. How exciting! What an amazing opportunity for their family. I can’t wait to hear how they are doing and what is happening over there. If you think of it will you pray for them. I know they would appreciate it. Here is their website they will hopefully be updating along the way.Thank you!
Our visit to the Indy Childrens Museum
After 6 months of waiting we finally got to cash in on our favorite Christmas present. My parents got us a family membership to the Indy Childrens Museum. It’s the biggest childrens museum in the country. And it definitely lived up to its reputation!
We has a great time!
Doing life every which way.
We moved from our home about 6 weeks ago. I can’t believe it’s been that long! We settled into life pretty quickly in Ohio with my family. We found a routine that works for us, at least for the summer. Then Brian and I left for Jamaica and the kids stayed with my mom and dad and ALL of them (kids & parents) did wonderful! What a blessing! Brian and I had the privilege of being part of an amazing conference for the students in the Caribbean. Wow! It was so awesome to be worshiping alongside people who lived through the earthquake in Haiti, who come from totally different backgrounds and speak a different language. Yet we are singing to the same God. My eyes were opened again to how big God is. I so easily put Him into this small box which I call my life. And with our lives being turned upside these past few weeks I was a little a lot self focused. The conference gave me an unexpected chance to look past myself and remove God from that small box I believe him to be in. Our time in Jamaica also provided Brian and I opportunity to reflect on our last 7 years of ministry and life and where we see ourselves going in the future. We came back refreshed, refocused and feeling full again. One week at home and then we left again as a family for Indy where we are now. We are house sitting for friends and getting the chance to see what life may look like when we someday move here. We’ve been driving around looking at possible towns, neighborhoods and houses. Basically all we are doing is increasing the confusion in our children’s lives. They are wondering where their house is. Is it in Chico, Ohio, the house we are house sitting or a random house we have looked at?!? Someday we will be settled again. In the mean time we are continuing to do life wherever we are. We are pressing forward, trusting in the Lord’s call out of Chico to Indy. More than ever we are walking by faith and not by sight. Hard. But my dependence on Him is growing daily. For this I am thankful.