~A Family Member Gone~

This past week has been tough...yet our Father promised that there is a reward for those who diligently seek Him. We will reap as we continue to sow to the Spirit...

Yesterday we experienced something I believe most moms would rather not have to go through with their children...Caleb's favorite hen, Speckled, died in his arms. She wasn't moving much when they opened the coop and so they put her on a bench to keep an eye on her, held her there and then they put a towel on her to keep her warm, but she kept getting hotter and then finally she fell off the bench and when Caleb picked her up, she passed and ...he yelled, "No, Speckled, don't die." Then he just wept in my arms. .

I tried really hard to hold my tears back for his sake, but the truth is that together we experienced death and for him it was the first time. This was the second chicken gone since Sunday, but hit happened in his arms.

When he prayed a little while later (we'd done it several times to ease his grief), he prayed, "Dear Lord Jesus, I feel sad that I'm more upset about the hen dying than I am for people dying and going to hell"...then he thanked Him for her life and the enjoyment she gave him.

Then this morning we only had seven chickens and I spotted a hawk fly off from the tree by their coop...I yelled and the boys ran out...we grieved again, but later this afternoon, there was a hen roaming around the carport!!! My heart lept for them~!

Tomorrow we're selling them to a homeschool family and our heart is for them to enjoy His gifts just like we have. We believe Speckled died from fear of that hawk...they'll be safe tomorrow.

Here is Caleb with Speckled as a memorial of the sweet times they spent together.

God is teaching my boys to trust Him (and don't we all have learn that?) and I am watching the fruit of my training (that in itself is a gift to me!) and God's faithfulness (Didn't He promise never to leave us or forsake us?).

Caleb came in this morning and said, "I hate the devil." I told him if he wants to fight him to go and worship...he went to his room, turned on the Christian station and blared it and just sang out loudly...he isn't named Caleb for nothin'!

If I'm not around much in the future, it's cuz we've moved and the next chapter has begun...but keep stopping by just to be sure!

Have a great weekend.

daune

~Wordless Wednesday~

~Time Is Running Out~

Check out what Josh did for me so you can see this cute little guy!

The month is ending and we're leaving . The soul sadness I am experiencing can not compare to the glory I shall experience when I see Jesus and He says, "Well done".

That is what comforts me.

Today as I sat at my window with my Bible and notebook journaling, I watched a gopher or some earth digger-upper greet me for a morning chat. He was so engrossed in what he was doing, he gave me a few glances before he continued his laborious work of chewing, digging and changing the landscape I was looking at. Mine were the words, questions, and he would stop, look over, stare at me and then continue on. I was enthralled by his beauty and his determination to chew whatever it was that was necessary for his life to go on. He was fulfilling his purpose in this world...that's what I am to be about. But sometimes that purpose gets blurred by the tears I cry for myself in pity because I want things to be different-like moving, change, times of intense squeezing, the refining of my faith...

I read yesterday that my faith is more precious to my Father than gold, which is refined by fire. So the testings I go through are to strengthen my faith, cause me to bring honor and glory to Him by believing that He is for me, loves me, is working, and will make me just like Jesus...

Deut. 10:12 says:

"And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires you to fear him, to live according to his will, to love and worship him with all your heart and soul, [13] and to obey the Lord's commands and laws that I am giving you today for your own good. [14] The highest heavens and the earth and everything in it all belong to the Lord your God. [15] Yet the Lord chose your ancestors as the objects of his love. And he chose you, their descendants, above every other nation, as is evident today. [16] Therefore, cleanse your sinful hearts and stop being stubborn. [17] "The Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and takes no bribes. [18] He gives justice to orphans and widows. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing. [19] You, too, must show love to foreigners, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt. [20] You must fear the Lord your God and worship him and cling to him. Your oaths must be in his name alone. [21] He is your God, the one who is worthy of your praise, the one who has done mighty miracles that you yourselves have seen. [22] When your ancestors went down into Egypt, there were only seventy of them. But now the Lord your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky!"

This passage keeps it in perspective for me. My job is to fear Him, love Him, obey Him...

Remember to let me know if you want to stay connected. I probably won't change this blog until after we move.

Have a great day.

~A Beautifully Busy Week!~

This past week has been one of the most rewarding for me. Our family stayed at our pastor's home and cared for their children while they went on a Pastor's retreat for the entire week!~...I so thoroughly enjoyed loving on all the children...I was envigorated by giving to 'the little people'. We went to the park, we laughed, we cleaned, we played, we read the Word on the bed together, we discussed, I learned things about myself that I'd forgotten really mattered to me...like just sitting and holding a three yr. old in my lap while reading to the older boys at the table...she fell asleep and it was heavenly to know I was doing an eternal work. It only strengthened my desire for more children...I did notice that going from six to eight might not have been that big of a change, but going from two to eight was a challenge...
It was a tremendous blessing to watch as members of our fellowship came together to honor their pastor and give to meet needs they had and bless them, as well. What a great God we serve.

Jef and I were able to enjoy Valentine's evening alone! We went to a restaurant that has a very large tree growing in the middle of it. I didn't notice it at first, but I turned to my right and said, "There's a tree next to me...what do they do about ants?" Then I noticed little holes where they probably treat it for them...it was a beautiful evening...and the month isn't even over!~~~

I've really missed keeping up with my posts...due to some situations that have occured recently, I'm going to be leaving this particular blog soon and beginning another one that will be by invitation only. So, if you're interested in continuing to visit my world on the web, please drop me a line. I look forward to hearing from you~Have a great nite!

~Words!~

Proverbs 25:11 (NLT)

"Timely advice is as lovely as golden apples in a silver basket."

(Even though they're not gold, you get the picture!)

We succeed or fail by our words...Words are everything...with words, Creation was brought forth; agreement in words brings about results-good or bad...words change the course of history, they bring life or death.
By our words we will be justified or condemned...Words are the necklaces that grace our life or cause our death by strangulation. How many times have I allowed my words to destroy the very thing that I've been working on growing? How many times have I seen Life bloom by the kind words spoken to my husband and children? It caused their eyes to twinkle and strength to rise up in them! The seeds of those words have taken root and today I know that His Life is growing in their hearts.
Growing eternal fruit is a daily watering with words...His words, kind words, patient words, consistent words.
This week my Father spoke His words to my heart that have caused me to grow stronger, be encouraged to face battles, knowing that His Word does not return to Him empty, but it accomplishes what He sent it forth to do...
If God spoke words to create and the devil spoke words to destroy, "Has God said?" (questioning God's character and words)...then the words I use will either agree with His words or my enemy's...I choose His Words...

~Wordless Wednesday~

Thankful Tuesday!

It's valentine's month around here, so I have put up hearts everywhere...some of these hearts I've carted with us from when we lived in KY, over twenty years ago!
Though I may be packing, I refuse not to celebrate my love, our love together and His love for us, the reason I really enjoy this holiday.

~The Current Is Moving~

Danielle has gone home.
This past week has been life-changing...several different areas of our life were affected this week. Danielle was one of them. Our house still not closing is another one-but the devil is a liar and our home will close by the end of this week!
Recognizing another area of my heart that needed a breakthrough was one more thing. The fight for our health was another one.
We all were hit with a virus and the baby had to leave on Wed. morning for her health...I missed her horribly. She did great at our pastor's home and the love of this body for each other is astounding.
Yes, we are moving this month. One more step in the direction of following our Savior to our destiny. I believe this is the final step. I've kicked and fought it for too long to stay here and the ramifications have been painful...God has forgiven me. His mercy endures forever.
This has also been a week of once again coming to grips with the cost of following Jesus and believing that He is MY Savior, not just Jef's and that Jef isn't my provider-Jesus is. If Jef, God forbid, should leave this earth and go on before me, Jesus would still provide for me. It's past time that I trust Him for me, and not depend on Jef to be my source...I have to believe in Jesus for me. Perhaps I'm not really articulating this properly, but that's ok, cuz as long as I 'get it' and begin to walk in relationship with Jesus the proper way, my family, and in particular, Jef, will be forever changed for the better.
I have a responsibility to feed my dear husband emotionally...to put courage into him...But that's not possible if I'm looking to Jef to meet the needs in me that only Jesus can meet. I made him an idol in my life because I tried to get him to be and do for me when he can't...ouch!
I am Jef's helpmeet. I see now that I've been given such a gift to be an encourager to the one person who I was given to so that he can fulfill his God-given vision on this earth. Putting courage into someone else isn't possible if all you ever do is focus on what they're not doing, complain where they come up short, how "I would do it, if it was me", etc...get the picture? This is what I've been doing...and I've worked the 'system' in a way that has been destructive to our future. No more.
The Word is the way to change the thoughts, words, attitudes and behaviors that have hindered me. I have found much comfort in knowing that God keeps track of all my tears! Nothing is hidden from His sight and He has comforted me and led me forward on a firm foundation, His truth.
This I know: God is on my side! Wow...God is on my side~! Saying that out loud and hearing myself say that encourages me to believe, trust, speak it to Jef and walk in more freedom. I am seated in the heavenlies with Jesus and He is faithful. Psalm 56:1-13 (NLT)

"O God, have mercy on me.

The enemy troops press in on me.

My foes attack me all day long.

My slanderers hound me constantly, and many are boldly attacking me.

But when I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

O God, I praise your word.

I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?

What can mere mortals do to me?

They are always twisting what I say; they spend their days plotting ways to harm me. They come together to spy on me— watching my every step, eager to kill me.

Don't let them get away with their wickedness;

in your anger, O God, throw them to the ground.

You keep track of all my sorrows.

You have collected all my tears in your bottle.

You have recorded each one in your book.

On the very day I call to you for help, my enemies will retreat.

This I know: God is on my side.

O God, I praise your word. Yes, Lord, I praise your word.

I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?

I will fulfill my vows to you, O God, and offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help.

For you have rescued me from death; you have kept my feet from slipping.

So now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light."