Moved!

Take a look at my blog header. Go ahead...I'll wait. You notice something different? That's right...I'm no longer writing from the Hay Farm. Our family has moved from the home we built a little over 4 years ago to a much smaller rent house in our local small town. This move was the result of a culmination of the economy, my husband's ever changing job situation, and many bad financial decisions. (We are human, after all.) We were determined to stay in the school district that the kids are currently attending. It's a small district and we like it very much. This was our first year of public school after homeschooling. Our kids had been through enormous changes already. We were fortunate to find a rental that was in our budget and right here in town. It's older, drafty, and quirky, but I can't express adequately how grateful we are to be here.
Although it's been emotional and, at times, overwhelming, it seems that we may make it through. This latest change comes on the cusp of others that frankly, I never thought I'd see. After many years of attending Christian meetings with a local assembly, my husband and I made the decision in January to leave this fellowship in search of something more fitting with how we wanted to raise our family. It was traumatic, especially for our kids. Relationships have been altered, some even severed. But we've not looked back, only forward...pressing on toward the life that we know the Lord has for us.
I'm looking forward to getting back in touch with all of you. And though my blogging whereabouts might have changed, my original goal has not. To share, to encourage, and to be encouraged with you.

Peace, be still

This is a re-post from a little over a year ago. Our family has been through so many changes this year, and as I was perusing my old posts, this one really spoke to me again...


It's not often that I can get a photo like the one below. We live in a very windy part of our state. But this evening, the wind calmed and I could see a perfect reflection of the trees.

This photo got me to thinking. When I'm feeling whipped by the winds of life...when I'm focusing soley on those winds and how they are making me feel, I'm pretty miserable. But if I will just be calm, and let His peace flow over me, I can become a reflection of Him. He can still any wind, no matter how hard it blows. He can give you peace, and you can find the strength to be still.

Can I just say...

that it's been a rough couple of days? Friday was the fourth anniversary of my mom's passing, so the weekend didn't necessarily seem too promising anyway. But then my car was broken into Saturday night...window broken, purse stolen. It's a violation...and I was royally ticked off. But now I'm just sad. I mean, really...what kind of person so thoughtlessly steals such a personal belonging? As I stated on Facebook, we have much to be grateful for regardless of the loss. No one was hurt and except for the window, the car is fine. 

Today's had it's highs and lows. Fortunately, something vital I thought was taken was found, but dealing with governmental agencies never puts me in a good mood. I wasn't able to go to work because it was storming and my window is obviously missing, so I get to spend more time with my family.

At one of the lows this morning, Morgan brought me a gift she made for me in art class...

and so I'm reminded that although the thieves were able to rob me of some material possessions...they can't take away the love of my children, the beauty of a sunset, the feel of a kitten's fur, the joy of having a place where you belong, the gift of His grace and mercy...

Tomorrow's a new day, as the saying goes...and I intend to make the most of what really matters.

Peace, be still

It's not often that I can get a photo like the one below. We live in a very windy part of our state. But this evening, the wind calmed and I could see a perfect reflection of the trees.

This photo got me to thinking. When I'm feeling whipped by the winds of life...when I'm focusing soley on those winds and how they are making me feel, I'm pretty miserable. But if I will just be calm, and let His peace flow over me, I can become a reflection of Him. He can still any wind, no matter how hard it blows. He can give you peace, and you can find the strength to be still.

Song: There is a River by Jars of Clay

There is a river that washes you clean
There is a tree that marks the places you've been
Blood that was spilled, although not your own,
For all of your tears, are the wages for things you have done

And all of those nights
Spent alone in the darkness of your mind
Give it up, Let go
These are things you were never meant to shoulder

There is a river that washes you clean
There is a tree that marks the places you've been
Blood that was spilled, although not your own
For all of those tears, love will atone

So, give up the right
To control the waves that empty out your life
Above wild skies
Are the rays that break the shadows we design

Give it up, let go
These are things you were never meant to shoulder
Give it up, let go

There is a river that washes you clean
There is a tree that marks the places you've been
Blood that was spilled, although not your own
For all of those things, love will atone

I know the world can turn in different ways
Most of the time, we're simply hanging on
And under the signs of how we all behave
We might find the place that we belong

There is a river that washes you clean
There is a tree that marks the places you've been
Blood that was spilled, although not your own
For all of these things, love will atone

For all of those nights, that you cried all alone
All of your tears, love will atone

Happy Homemaker Monday

See Sandra's blog for more Happy Homemaker Monday!

On my bedside table: 

My iPod 

On the menu for tonight:

Chicken Caesar Salad with homemade dressing and croutons 

On my To Do List: 

School, Work 

New Recipe I tried last week:

I tried a Chinese five-spice beef stir fry, but I'm not posting the recipe because, frankly, we just didn't like it.

 

In the craft basket:

This blog is as crafty as I get. 

Looking forward to: 

SUMMER BREAK! Only 22 days to go! 

Homemaking Tip for this week: 

Don't let your ironing pile up. Then it takes 3 hours to finish and, boy, will you be grumpy by then! :) 

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):

Reasons to love spring. 

Favorite photo from last week:

Lesson learned the past few days: 

That some people are too easily led to believe that our gov't knows the answer to all their problems.

On my Prayer List: 

my family and friends

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses: 

Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, let us argue this out," says the Lord. "No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you as white as wool."

Mountain of God

A song I'd like to share with you...

Mountain of God

Third Day

Thought that I was all alone 
Broken and afraid 
But You were there with me 
Yes, You were there with me 

And I didn't even know 
That I had lost my way 
But You were there with me 
Yes, You were there with me 

'Til You opened up my eyes 
I never knew 
That I couldn't ever make it 
Without You 

(Chorus)Even though the journey's long 
And I know the road is hard 
Well, the One who's gone before me 
He will help me carry on 
After all that I've been through 
Now I realize the truth 
That I must go through the valley 
To stand upon the mountain of God 

As I travel on the road 
That You have led me down 
You are here with me 
Yes, You are here with me 
I have need for nothing more 
Oh, now that I have found 
That You are here with me 
Yes, You are here with me 

I confess from time to time 
I lose my way 
But You are always there 
To bring me back again 

(Chorus)

Sometimes I think of where it is I've come from 
And the things I've left behind 
But of all I've had, what I possessed 
Nothing can quite compare 
With what's in front of me 
With what's in front of me

(Chorus)

I thought that I was all alone 
Broken and afraid
But, You are here with me
Yes, You are here with me.

And I know He is. Do you?

Desert Flower

No matter what kind of day I'm having, a picture like this is an awesome reminder of the beauty of the Lord's creation.

Enjoy!

Snapshot of a Saturday

If you are an observant, regular visitor to our blog, you will notice that this post's title varies slightly from the norm. That's because instead of getting out and having some adventure, or cleaning some house, or talking to my children, I stared into the gi-normous cyclops eye of my new iMac. All day I have sat in nearly the same spot, rooted to my chair almost, configuring this, and tweaking that.

But! At one point I did glance out the schoolroom window to see this glorious sight.

Can you look at this and doubt that God is near?

Not what I was expecting

When I woke up today I was determined to be in a melancholy mood. The weather complied. It was sufficiently gloomy to match my disposition.
Ron didn't have to leave for work until late morning, so the kids and I were (attempting) to plug away at school when he left.
He wasn't gone long. I heard his boots on the laundry room tile and wondered what he forgot, and was he going to interrupt us. He came in and said probably the last thing I expected:
"There's a peacock in our driveway."
The girls and I jumped in the suburban to go check it out. I had brief thoughts of trying to catch it and keeping it as a pet. Of course, it wasn't going to have any of that and started to run away almost as soon we stopped the car.
But it's shimmery blue neck and graceful run gave me pause. "The Lord made that," I thought. Why should I waste any time dwelling on situations that I have no control over and why should I let worries, instead of praise, fill me? I have a loving Savior who made beautiful things for me to enjoy, who wants me to lay all those burdens at His feet.
So, instead of asking "Why?", I should be saying, "Thank you."

Missing Person

So I heard this song by Michael W. Smith not long ago and had this thought: "How did this guy get inside my head??" Since then I've listened close and read the lyrics. They are so applicable to different times in my Christian life. I wish I could say that I never struggle and am always a good testimony to my family and other people around me, but I do and I'm not. The lyrics to this song make me realize the opportunities I can miss when I'm consumed with bitterness, defeat, worry, etc... I'm committed to reading my Bible and praying to the Lord for grace, mercy, compassion, and wisdom...will you join me?

Missing Person
Michael W. Smith

1st Verse:
Another question in me
One for the powers that be
It's got me thrown
And so I put on my poker face
And try to figure it out
This undeniable doubt
A common occurrence
Feeling so out of place
Guarded and cynical now
Can't help but wondering how
My heart evolved into
The rock beating inside of me
So I reel such a stoic ordeal
Where's that feeling that I don't feel

Chorus:
There was a boy who had the faith to move a mountain
And like a child he would believe without a reason
Without a trace he disappeared into the void and
I've been searching for that missing person

2nd verse:
Under a lavender moon
So many thoughts consume me
Who dimmed that glowing light
That once burned so bright in me
Is this a radical phase
A problematical age
That keeps me running
From all that I used to be
Is there a way to return
Is there a way to unlearn
That carnal knowledge
That's chipping away at my soul
Have I been gone too long
Will I ever find my way home

Chorus:
There was a boy who had the faith to move a mountain
And like a child he would believe without a reason
Without a trace he disappeared into the void and
I've been searching for that missing person

He used to want to try to walk the straight and narrow
He had a fire and he could feel it in the marrow
It's been a long time and I haven't seen him lately, though
I've been searching for that missing person

Bridge:
For that missing person
For that missing person

Oh oh, oh oh,

Chorus:
There was a boy who had the faith to move a mountain
And like a child he would believe without a reason
Without a trace he disappeared into the void and
I've been searching...

He used to want to try to walk the straight and narrow
He had a fire and he could feel it in the marrow
It's been a long time and I haven't seen him lately, though
I've been searching for that missing person

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

Where are you?
Where are you... (fades to close)

A new favorite song

These lyrics really spoke to me. When my world is falling out from under me, I want to remember that I can stand in Him. The title of the song is "Shadowfeet" sung by Brooke Fraser.