37 years of growing and learning to be a great big family!
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Burlap Table Runner giveaway...
Monday, November 18, 2013
Take me home country roads....Got WiFi?
Oh the age of the world wide web! Our lives have been consumed with this mind altering addiction....searching for an entertainment that disconnects us from the real world and with those we love.
This past weekend, at our little retreat in the middle of nowhere, our family spent some precious time celebrating an early Thanksgiving with my side of the family. My sister and her family are weeks away from returning home, after spending the past six months on furlough. I had already had the phone...and Internet...cut off for the winter. So NO WiFi was to be had...except at my mom's house which was 3 miles away. Cell signals are nonexistent also! I guess you can imagine how this environment effects those...teenagers...who get the shakes if they even loose a cell signal. To be honest ...it was really nice to have every one's attention without them distracted by an electronic world! We all had to actually converse with one another! That's such an old fashioned way to live...isn't it?
What I wasn't aware of was that our kids had been asking to go to grandma's house, so that they could get on the Internet. Often they had joked about just walking to her house. However the back country roads in the middle of nowhere didn't make this a safe option.That's the sad reality of our world now! I know too much! So, they have never attempted it. That was until this past weekend. Yes, two young ladies walking alone on the back country roads in the middle of nowhere. Neither of them were familiar enough with the area. With all that was going on I had no clue they were even gone until an hour later. We always take walks but rarely go past a certain point, which is about a mile down the road. They were gone much longer than they should have, so we sent one of the older kids to look for them. Reality hit when they returned without them. We were about two hours from dark and this was not funny. Now we have no less than 5 cars out driving all the back roads looking for them. After an hour of searching I made the dreaded 911 call. There is something so surreal about this whole experience. My mind going to places from real news stories I have only read about. The enemy tormenting me with the what ifs. None of this even making sense! Standing there giving the officer a description of our daughter was sucking the life out of me. Moments later hearing him request a canine search brought a fear that no mother should ever have to experience. How can 2 girls get so lost that even 5 adults driving around for an hour not be able to find them? Not to mention once the word got out, others in this small community joined in on the search. My heart jumped every time a car returned back to our house. But frustration came when the back seats were empty. Well,45 minutes after the 911 call, within moments of the officers leaving to join the search, a sight I longed to see came around the corner....OUR GIRLS HAD BEEN FOUND!!!!!!!! With tears in her eyes, our daughter was afraid we were mad. Mad doesn't even cover the feelings deep within my soul! The reality was .....they were lost. They took a left when they should have gone right. All for the pursuit of a WiFi signal!
Life is a lot like that! We set our hearts on something and tune all advise out. In the pursuit of our own selfish ambitions we forgo all counsel and wisdom from our elders. We go our own path with no knowledge of the journey ahead. We go left when we should have gone right. In the end...the wake of our choices touch the lives of those that love us the most. The ones who never stop loving us or doing all that they can to bring us back home.
Our lost sheep are home now. Safe from the fears of their family. Today I am counting the grace and mercy of the God I serve. I am thankful. I will never know why this all transpired. Why our girls came home safe and so many others don't ? I'm not even sure I want to go to the place of the what ifs.
If you are searching for WiFi today and find him.....Tell that dude he needs to permanently go away! He is destroying lives in ways we never even dreamed of. This generation of young people don't even know how to converse. They are escaping to a world where real people don't exist. We are loosing people to an addiction that causes them do things that makes no sense! Taking risk they never even dreamed of. A control that pulls them in a direction away from accountability of those that love them. Actions that prey on the fears of mother's like me.
With knowledge comes accountability...for the traveled path that's left behind.
What are you searching for today?
This past weekend, at our little retreat in the middle of nowhere, our family spent some precious time celebrating an early Thanksgiving with my side of the family. My sister and her family are weeks away from returning home, after spending the past six months on furlough. I had already had the phone...and Internet...cut off for the winter. So NO WiFi was to be had...except at my mom's house which was 3 miles away. Cell signals are nonexistent also! I guess you can imagine how this environment effects those...teenagers...who get the shakes if they even loose a cell signal. To be honest ...it was really nice to have every one's attention without them distracted by an electronic world! We all had to actually converse with one another! That's such an old fashioned way to live...isn't it?
What I wasn't aware of was that our kids had been asking to go to grandma's house, so that they could get on the Internet. Often they had joked about just walking to her house. However the back country roads in the middle of nowhere didn't make this a safe option.That's the sad reality of our world now! I know too much! So, they have never attempted it. That was until this past weekend. Yes, two young ladies walking alone on the back country roads in the middle of nowhere. Neither of them were familiar enough with the area. With all that was going on I had no clue they were even gone until an hour later. We always take walks but rarely go past a certain point, which is about a mile down the road. They were gone much longer than they should have, so we sent one of the older kids to look for them. Reality hit when they returned without them. We were about two hours from dark and this was not funny. Now we have no less than 5 cars out driving all the back roads looking for them. After an hour of searching I made the dreaded 911 call. There is something so surreal about this whole experience. My mind going to places from real news stories I have only read about. The enemy tormenting me with the what ifs. None of this even making sense! Standing there giving the officer a description of our daughter was sucking the life out of me. Moments later hearing him request a canine search brought a fear that no mother should ever have to experience. How can 2 girls get so lost that even 5 adults driving around for an hour not be able to find them? Not to mention once the word got out, others in this small community joined in on the search. My heart jumped every time a car returned back to our house. But frustration came when the back seats were empty. Well,45 minutes after the 911 call, within moments of the officers leaving to join the search, a sight I longed to see came around the corner....OUR GIRLS HAD BEEN FOUND!!!!!!!! With tears in her eyes, our daughter was afraid we were mad. Mad doesn't even cover the feelings deep within my soul! The reality was .....they were lost. They took a left when they should have gone right. All for the pursuit of a WiFi signal!
Life is a lot like that! We set our hearts on something and tune all advise out. In the pursuit of our own selfish ambitions we forgo all counsel and wisdom from our elders. We go our own path with no knowledge of the journey ahead. We go left when we should have gone right. In the end...the wake of our choices touch the lives of those that love us the most. The ones who never stop loving us or doing all that they can to bring us back home.
Our lost sheep are home now. Safe from the fears of their family. Today I am counting the grace and mercy of the God I serve. I am thankful. I will never know why this all transpired. Why our girls came home safe and so many others don't ? I'm not even sure I want to go to the place of the what ifs.
If you are searching for WiFi today and find him.....Tell that dude he needs to permanently go away! He is destroying lives in ways we never even dreamed of. This generation of young people don't even know how to converse. They are escaping to a world where real people don't exist. We are loosing people to an addiction that causes them do things that makes no sense! Taking risk they never even dreamed of. A control that pulls them in a direction away from accountability of those that love them. Actions that prey on the fears of mother's like me.
With knowledge comes accountability...for the traveled path that's left behind.
What are you searching for today?
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
I will not talk I will not talk I will not talk....
You may be surprised about this because I was a shy kid for most of my adolescent years.Yes...I was one of those kids who had the lovely experience of writing a page full of sentences because of my lack of self control. Do kids have to do that anymore?The punishment that made your hands hurt like you had been shoveling dirt all day. Not that I have ever shoveled dirt all day. The repeat motion that was suppose to instill in your brain that talking was not a good thing and you shouldn't do it. Especially when the teacher was talking!
Yesterday as I was working on a few orders from my Etsy Shop I had these lovely flashbacks from elementary school. It's amazing how the repeat motion of something does change your perspective of any situation. I hated writing sentences! As I painted all 64 utensil holders....Joy Joy Joy,Thankful Thankful Thankful, My whole mood changed! Did you know that keeping a gratitude list will make you 25% happier? When you're focused on the good things in life...How can you worry or feel afraid?
In this month of Thankfulness...really it should be year long....I am giving away a few things from our 7 Southern Sisters Shop. Head on over to our Facebook page and join the fun. Don't forget to"Like" our page. This week I'm giving away a set of Christmas Utensil holders. In fact I'm choosing 2 winners this week! That makes your chances even greater! Have fun and think of something to be thankful for today!
The best part... Today I will be reminded again, all 64 times, as I sew them together! Reminded to be thankful in ALL things and to take GREAT joy in ALL that I have and do! My goal today is to be HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY !
Yesterday as I was working on a few orders from my Etsy Shop I had these lovely flashbacks from elementary school. It's amazing how the repeat motion of something does change your perspective of any situation. I hated writing sentences! As I painted all 64 utensil holders....Joy Joy Joy,Thankful Thankful Thankful, My whole mood changed! Did you know that keeping a gratitude list will make you 25% happier? When you're focused on the good things in life...How can you worry or feel afraid?
In this month of Thankfulness...really it should be year long....I am giving away a few things from our 7 Southern Sisters Shop. Head on over to our Facebook page and join the fun. Don't forget to"Like" our page. This week I'm giving away a set of Christmas Utensil holders. In fact I'm choosing 2 winners this week! That makes your chances even greater! Have fun and think of something to be thankful for today!
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Que Sera Sera....
We all have hopes and dreams. However, I have come to realize that my best
made plans don't always work...or are delayed way past when I would have
liked. Did you read my last post? It was about finally putting our youngest
two into public school and me taking time to get some things in order
here, while taking a much needed break.
What I didn't share in that post was that the very first day of school while I was sitting on the couch crying, our oldest son messaged me with the news that he was finished with his Masters in Archaeology program and he would be coming home....a few weeks later. A year earlier than planned. He had hoped to stay an additional year but it was not in God's plan. Really...I am ok with this plan given the unrest in the Middle East. I'm just disappointed that he too had a hope deferred. So with the news, we all pulled together and brought him home....the day after our daughter who has been away at a school for 6 months also moved back home. Talking about fruit basket turnover! So much for quiet and rest while trying to get our home in somewhat of an order. All this would explain my lack of post. I guess you all thought I was living it up with NO kids at home during the day?! Ha!
So once again our home is full and our pockets are empty, until they are well into a regular work schedule. Today I am rolling with the punches of life. So very thankful for this life and the children who make it worth living! To see our son's smile and hear his voice in the other room makes this mama's heart full. To witness his spiritual growth is worth every sacrifice that I have had to make. To hear our daughter playing her guitar as she lifts her voice before the Lord, filling our home with the hope that this is all for Him anyways. All the hopes and dreams. Plans. What are plans if Jesus is not the center of it all? If I could step back and take a look at all this past few weeks...years, I would fall to my knees in gratitude of His mercy and love. His provision. His hands that have held our lives close to His heart. I am His! We are His!
I guess I'm telling my age right now? Anyone remember Doris Day and the song she sung that is now stuck in my head?! Lately more than ever!
Here...I'll help you! You can thank me later!
What I didn't share in that post was that the very first day of school while I was sitting on the couch crying, our oldest son messaged me with the news that he was finished with his Masters in Archaeology program and he would be coming home....a few weeks later. A year earlier than planned. He had hoped to stay an additional year but it was not in God's plan. Really...I am ok with this plan given the unrest in the Middle East. I'm just disappointed that he too had a hope deferred. So with the news, we all pulled together and brought him home....the day after our daughter who has been away at a school for 6 months also moved back home. Talking about fruit basket turnover! So much for quiet and rest while trying to get our home in somewhat of an order. All this would explain my lack of post. I guess you all thought I was living it up with NO kids at home during the day?! Ha!
So once again our home is full and our pockets are empty, until they are well into a regular work schedule. Today I am rolling with the punches of life. So very thankful for this life and the children who make it worth living! To see our son's smile and hear his voice in the other room makes this mama's heart full. To witness his spiritual growth is worth every sacrifice that I have had to make. To hear our daughter playing her guitar as she lifts her voice before the Lord, filling our home with the hope that this is all for Him anyways. All the hopes and dreams. Plans. What are plans if Jesus is not the center of it all? If I could step back and take a look at all this past few weeks...years, I would fall to my knees in gratitude of His mercy and love. His provision. His hands that have held our lives close to His heart. I am His! We are His!
I guess I'm telling my age right now? Anyone remember Doris Day and the song she sung that is now stuck in my head?! Lately more than ever!
Here...I'll help you! You can thank me later!
| When I was just a little girl I asked my mother, what will I be Will I be pretty, will I be rich Here's what she said to me. Que Sera, Sera, Whatever will be, will be The future's not ours, to see Que Sera, Sera What will be, will be. When I was young, I fell in love I asked my sweetheart what lies ahead Will we have rainbows, day after day Here's what my sweetheart said. Que Sera, Sera, Whatever will be, will be The future's not ours, to see Que Sera, Sera What will be, will be. Now I have children of my own They ask their mother, what will I be Will I be handsome, will I be rich I tell them tenderly. Que Sera, Sera, Whatever will be, will be The future's not ours, to see Que Sera, Sera What will be, will be. |
| We live in a time when none of us knows what tomorrow will bring. We are at the mercy of a government who cares more about fighting with one another than doing the job that they were elected to do anyways. Somebody has to choose! We all have to choose who we are going to serve....choose wisely. It may mean your future...your eternity! Only God knows our futures...I choose HIM! |
Friday, August 9, 2013
First and last....A day of new beginnings
I guess I can now say....I was that mom crying after she dropped her baby off for her first day of first grade.
Today our youngest four left for three different schools. One who started her first day of her last year of high school. One started her first day of her last year of middle school. One who started her first day of middle school and first time in public school ever! Then there's our youngest of nine who started her first day of first grade. Me...I 'm a mess! A mess because today marks a first for me too! For the first time in 28 years I will have no babies and no little ones at home. The last couple of years has brought a lot to my plate.Way too much juggling.Change was a much needed road that I had to follow. For me and for them.
So...What do I do now? I'm not sure where to start. All I know is when God calls you to follow you don't ask questions. Just follow! The road isn't always easy....but worth it in the end. To trust that He has a plan.
I read Ann Voskamp's post this morning ...I see now that I haven't been juggling! I have been going for broke! In this time of brokenness, a time of rest waiting for the rain of peace to fall!
I would be lying if I didn't say, yes...I have had thoughts of failure. You know the drill...the could of would of should ofs!
Then I read this....
He knows me by name
This was my favorite part....
So, even if this world and the accuser make you feel that your name is failure, never forget that the Almighty God of the universe calls you forgiven, blessed, redeemed, loved, and precious in His sight.
There is so much to be said about a life that is surrendered to the God who holds my life in His hands. Today as I walk down this unknown road of change I will hold my head high and know it was all for Him. I am His. He is mine. He is the god of new beginnings!
Now...where to begin?
Today our youngest four left for three different schools. One who started her first day of her last year of high school. One started her first day of her last year of middle school. One who started her first day of middle school and first time in public school ever! Then there's our youngest of nine who started her first day of first grade. Me...I 'm a mess! A mess because today marks a first for me too! For the first time in 28 years I will have no babies and no little ones at home. The last couple of years has brought a lot to my plate.Way too much juggling.Change was a much needed road that I had to follow. For me and for them.
So...What do I do now? I'm not sure where to start. All I know is when God calls you to follow you don't ask questions. Just follow! The road isn't always easy....but worth it in the end. To trust that He has a plan.
I read Ann Voskamp's post this morning ...I see now that I haven't been juggling! I have been going for broke! In this time of brokenness, a time of rest waiting for the rain of peace to fall!
I would be lying if I didn't say, yes...I have had thoughts of failure. You know the drill...the could of would of should ofs!
Then I read this....
He knows me by name
This was my favorite part....
So, even if this world and the accuser make you feel that your name is failure, never forget that the Almighty God of the universe calls you forgiven, blessed, redeemed, loved, and precious in His sight.
There is so much to be said about a life that is surrendered to the God who holds my life in His hands. Today as I walk down this unknown road of change I will hold my head high and know it was all for Him. I am His. He is mine. He is the god of new beginnings!
Now...where to begin?
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
My world....
As our family grows...my heart grows. Had you told me 29 years ago that the journey I was about to embark on would include 9 children, I'm not sure if I would have even understood or believed you. But here I am...here we are.
Loving him for over 29 years has been my world! For better or worse...richer or poorer! In sickness and in health! We've done it all! Still I choose to love! I want to love! Why? Because of the covenant I made with Kelley and with God. Raising our family of 11 doesn't leave much time...or energy, for just us. In fact alone time is a very rare occurrence. As our children are now beginning to leave the nest, I'm starting to feel the butterflies of change happening in our home. My eyes are gazing forward at the journey ahead as we celebrate the 29 years that we have traveled. What an honor it is to be loved so deeply by the one who holds my hand!
Then there is this.....
Our Family...my world!
My two boys men! Oh my how I miss those little men who use to wrestle on the floor of our home. Seeing this makes all those tough days worth all the energy that they consumed. So proud to call each of them son!
This past year has been one of walking an unknown road of faith. Sending our oldest off to a country that is not his own. Experiencing things he had only read and dreamed of. Today he digs and studies in a land that holds the history of the maker of my heart! Of his heart! Oh how I miss him so!
And now what you see is a great answer to this mama's prayer.
I love these two! What a joy it has been watching their journey begin. Hopefully this time next year we will all celebrate as they too gaze ahead at the journey before them.
and just because she is just so darn cute.....
This my friends....is my world
Loving them and loving Jesus!
Loving him for over 29 years has been my world! For better or worse...richer or poorer! In sickness and in health! We've done it all! Still I choose to love! I want to love! Why? Because of the covenant I made with Kelley and with God. Raising our family of 11 doesn't leave much time...or energy, for just us. In fact alone time is a very rare occurrence. As our children are now beginning to leave the nest, I'm starting to feel the butterflies of change happening in our home. My eyes are gazing forward at the journey ahead as we celebrate the 29 years that we have traveled. What an honor it is to be loved so deeply by the one who holds my hand!
Then there is this.....
A couple of months ago this very special young man became a husband to a very special young lady. My heart is full of the joy he has brought to my life...but don't let that sweet smile fool you! He is always up to something and that grin gives him away every time! And he thought I had eyes behind my head! Shhh...don't tell him! This next December he will officially become a teacher too! Those kids are going to be so blessed by this young man! I hope he just rocks their worlds!
And now what you see is a great answer to this mama's prayer.
and just because she is just so darn cute.....
This my friends....is my world
Loving them and loving Jesus!
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Bullying...It's not a teasing matter!
I can't always be with my children for every event in their lives,to protect them and make sure they are safe from a world of hurt. But teaching them how to react when faced with those hurts...I can do! I guess having 8 siblings somewhat prepares you for the world! Maybe all those battles were for the good in some ways!
As I read the definition of what bullying is, my heart just can't let it go. I guess the mom in me can't seem to find the grace that my God and my daughter has for the three young men who chose to be the tail instead of the head. Three young men she thought were her friends. They lost the respect that day from our daughter and from the rest of those that were witness to the meanness. When others wanted revenge she said No....that's not what God would want! I'm proud of my girl! Those boys have missed out . They were so busy looking at the outward that they failed to see the beauty of a loving forgiving friend. A beautiful young lady who has chosen to lead instead of follow. I know she's not perfect! However she is willing to be taught and humbled from time to time. Corrected when necessary.
bul·ly 1 (b
l
)
I dare not put any label on any child. However, the mom in me would like too! I myself was called a bully once. Which I admit, I was not nice to this one little girl. However the meanness in that mother's tone towards me was far worse and to this day I can still hear her voice!
My daughter was met with some unnecessary meanness that day. Not once but several times.Words that cut like a knife into her tender heart. Breaking her to the point of tears.Words that set her apart from the rest of the friends that were surrounding her. Humiliating her in front of her peers. Some would say...Boys will be boys! Or....That's middle school for you!
I would say...Would you want your daughters to be treated like this? Your sisters? Teach your son's to be gentlemen! Teach them to be leaders and not followers! Teach them to love with the grace and mercy of the God they have been taught about. Teach them to humble themselves and make this wrong right. No apologies have yet to be given. However forgiveness was graced upon them days ago. For it's by God's grace that I will now lean upon Him as I teach my daughter to act justly and to love mercy...to walk humbly with her God. Maybe it's me that could use this lesson?! She seems to have learned this one!
Micah 6:8
8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly[a] with your God.
As I read the definition of what bullying is, my heart just can't let it go. I guess the mom in me can't seem to find the grace that my God and my daughter has for the three young men who chose to be the tail instead of the head. Three young men she thought were her friends. They lost the respect that day from our daughter and from the rest of those that were witness to the meanness. When others wanted revenge she said No....that's not what God would want! I'm proud of my girl! Those boys have missed out . They were so busy looking at the outward that they failed to see the beauty of a loving forgiving friend. A beautiful young lady who has chosen to lead instead of follow. I know she's not perfect! However she is willing to be taught and humbled from time to time. Corrected when necessary.
bul·ly 1 (b
l)
n. pl. bul·lies
1. A person who is habitually cruel or overbearing, especially to smaller or weaker people.
2. A hired ruffian; a thug.
3. A pimp.
4. Archaic A fine person.
5. Archaic A sweetheart.
v. bul·lied, bul·ly·ing, bul·lies
v.tr.
v.intr.
1. To treat in an overbearing or intimidating manner. See Synonyms at intimidate.
2. To make (one's way) aggressively.
1. To behave like a bully.
2. To force one's way aggressively or by intimidation:I dare not put any label on any child. However, the mom in me would like too! I myself was called a bully once. Which I admit, I was not nice to this one little girl. However the meanness in that mother's tone towards me was far worse and to this day I can still hear her voice!
My daughter was met with some unnecessary meanness that day. Not once but several times.Words that cut like a knife into her tender heart. Breaking her to the point of tears.Words that set her apart from the rest of the friends that were surrounding her. Humiliating her in front of her peers. Some would say...Boys will be boys! Or....That's middle school for you!
I would say...Would you want your daughters to be treated like this? Your sisters? Teach your son's to be gentlemen! Teach them to be leaders and not followers! Teach them to love with the grace and mercy of the God they have been taught about. Teach them to humble themselves and make this wrong right. No apologies have yet to be given. However forgiveness was graced upon them days ago. For it's by God's grace that I will now lean upon Him as I teach my daughter to act justly and to love mercy...to walk humbly with her God. Maybe it's me that could use this lesson?! She seems to have learned this one!
Micah 6:8
New International Version (NIV)
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly[a] with your God.
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