Man's best friend

Isaiah 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.



Dave came over Friday afternoon for a little visit. He brought along Sydney and their 2 new little puppies. The puppies are very cute.

I think it is so important to teach our kids to be kind and compassionate to animals. I hadn't been an animal lover until we got our dog Cupcake. She has been so good for our family. We have really tried to teach the kids that they have to be gentle with her and then Cupcake will be gentle with them.

Grace

Grace

Grace is God's unmerited favor. That is, grace is God doing good for us that we do not deserve. Mercy is God withholding judgment or evil that I deserve; grace is God giving me blessing or good that I do not deserve. Because of God's mercy, I do not receive the judgment of God against my sins; because of God's grace, I receive eternal life and a promise of heaven though I do not deserve them. Both mercy and grace come to me though the Lord Jesus Christ.

I've heard God's grace described like this......... "God's enoughness." That is God is enough for us no matter what the situation we face.

2 Cor 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

I have been listening to this cd about grace. This cd has just spoken volumes to my heart.

Often times I marvel, that the loving grace of God,
Ever goes before me, on this path of life I trod
mistakes and failures in my life measure where I stand
but through his grace I'm justified and pardoned once again

Forgiveness is all mine because of grace
there for every need and every time and place
God's grace grows sufficient every day
though I failed him many times
I;m still precious in his eyes, because of grace

There've been times I've gone astray far from his tender care
I've wondered if his mighty arm could ever reach me there
Looking back I've realized for every wrong I've faced
has been forgiven by his mercy and covered by his grace

Forgiveness is all mine because of grace
there for every need for every time and place
God's grace grows sufficient every day
though I failed him many times
I am still precious in his eyes

God really has given us grace through this trial. Maybe be won't take this trial from us. Maybe he won't provide a vehicle for us immediately. But he will give us grace to get through time.

A painting

Brother was painting yesterday. He is quite the little artist. I was impressed that I could actually see what he was painting.

He said that the black was our sin, and the red was Jesus's blood washing our sins away. I think the middle thing is supposed to be God. It melted my heart. I told him I would put it on the fridge. He grinned from ear to ear and went on his merry way.

One clear answer

I had a bad day yesterday. I don't have to many really bad days, but yesterday I had one. It started out good. After work, I went out to lunch with my friend Sherrie. Sherrie and I sort of have to steal time together. Both of our lives are very busy, and it is hard to find time together. But when we get together, it's like no time has passed between us. We have some really good talks, and some even better laughs. I always go away from Sherrie refreshed. Sherrie and I usually talk about different things that go on in our lives. And yesterday was no different. I don't make it a habit to go around to people and tell them exactly how I am feeling about different things. A lot of times, I don't really know how I feel about a certain subject until I talk to 1 of my good friends. They help me work out what is going through my head. So needless to say, when I left Sherrie, my mind was racing with all that we talked about.

The big thing in my life right now is this whole vehicle situation. We know that the car we are using is temporal. I can almost feel a clock ticking telling me when we have to give it back. Added on top of that is the knowledge that the car isn't working well either. I am thinking that the transmission is going on it. That is just added stress on the whole situation.

For about the last week, I have been hearing ads on the radio advertising a car dealership that is having a sale on vans. The vans are at a great price right now. Almost 1/2 off.

I know that we are going to have to do something about our vehicle. But I feel like we are just stuck between a rock and a hard place. We just aren't able to go and get a new one. But the knowledge that we need to do something is haunting me.

So with all this, I have been wondering what we should do. I couldn't tell what God wanted us to do. I didn't know if he wanted us to go searching for a vehicle, and trust him to somehow get a loan, and somehow be able to make the payment. Or I didn't know if he just wanted us to continue to wait on him to provide something for us. So I decided to pray that God would give us a clear answer as to what he wanted us to do. Whether to open a door by going car shopping, or waiting on him. Yesterday all these thoughts were just swirling around in my head.

Last night was also Wednesday, church night. I was so not up for church last night. We had had a late night the night before, and I just wanted to put the kids in bed and go to bed myself. But when Brother came in at 5:30 asking what time we were leaving for church, we just couldn't say no. So I was in a foul mood about that. (Terrible isn't it??)

All night I was crabby and irritable. I knew that I was acting wrong. I was short with the kids and with Hunny. But I was focused on myself. I was letting outside circumstances steal my joy. If I was honest with myself. It did my soul good to sit in church and hear the word of God spoken. I was able to just sit and listen. And the service was good. It was about going to the Rock during times of trouble. Kind of what I needed right?!?! And again, I really prayed and asked God to really give me a peace about what we should do. So finally by the end of the night, I was feeling a little less overwhelmed, and I could see beyond myself and to how badly I was treating my family.

I went to bed with a prayerful heart last night. And when I woke up this morning, I started in my bible reading, and guess what? I think that God really gave me an answer. Why is it that I am surprised when God answers my prayers?? Anyway, in Psalm 59: 9-10 says Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence. The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.

I almost skipped over it. But the 1st part....Because of his strength will I wait upon thee. To me, it was just so clear to me. And that is what I was praying for, a clear answer.

I still don't know what we are waiting for, or even why we need to wait for that matter. But I know that God told me to wait. And wait I will do. Hunny just said that God told him that we should just get bikes!! :)

Field of Grace

Clouds are disappearing, sky's are turning blue,
only just a while ago I told him I was through,
He did not rebuke me, but with arms of strong embrace,
picked me up and carried me into a field of grace

Where all is quiet, leaning on his grace,
He pulled me from a stormy sea to a place where I could rest.
Told me I was loved, told me I was safe
and I could stay till healing came in this holy field of grace.

Had to pass through dessert, had to face strong wind,
But I don't dread them all that much, I know he'll come again.
Lead me to still waters, there he'll let me stay,
till my soul has been restored in his healing field of grace.

Where all is quiet, leaning on his grace,
he pulled me from a stormy sea to a place to where I could rest
Told me I was loved, told me I was safe
and I could stay till healing came in this holy field of grace,
told me I was loved, I was safe,
and I could stay till healing came in this holy field of grace.

This is by far my favorite song these days. I wish that I could find it for you so you could actually listen to it, but I can't find an audio of it anywhere on the web. But I wanted to at least write down the lyrics.

My favorite line in the whole song is....and I could stay till healing came in this holy field of grace.

Our 1st Friday Night Fish Fry

Last night, we went to a fish fry with some of our friends. I have been looking forward to this all week. I wasn't just looking forward to fish, but the time spent with some of our friends. I think building friendships is so important.
The kids weren't to sure about where we were going. We kept telling them we were going to a fish fry, but they just weren't sure about it. Dada kept asking me what ELSE they have to eat there. Once they heard that Victoria and Logan were going to be there, they were just fine with it! Notice Brother's knife?? Don't worry, we promptly took the knives away from the children. Oh, and then we took away the forks after they started having a fork fight!!

Jared is the one who told us about the fish fry. He was trying to beat his record of, I think 13 fillets, and 6 tubs of tater sauce!! I don't think he beat the record last night.

I think it would be great to see Hunny, Kevin and Jared in a fish eating contest. Wouldn't it be funny seeing them sitting all in a row with a plastic bib with a picture of a fish on it, with tater sauce all over their face?? I giggle just thinking about it!


Hunny and me!

The kids were a little rowdy. Brother would not settle down, and since we were sitting in the corner of the restaurant, Hunny told him to stand in the corner. It must have worked, b/c he wasn't naughty after that!
After we were done, we went outside and I was taking pictures of the kids on a bench, and some random lady sat down and wanted to take a picture with the kids!!
I think that Dada is still in love with Jared. She told us a while ago that Jared wasn't her "boyfriend" anymore, but I think she still might have a crush on him.

Jared got the kids hopes up by telling us about an ice cream shop down the street. Unfortunately it was still closed for the season, but the damage was done, the kids wanted ice cream. Luckily there was a little store up the street, that sold some ice cream. Kevin bought them each some and they were very content!
They walked around the sidewalk eating their ice cream.
Well, that was until Hunny picked up Logan and spun him around, making Logan's feet kick Dada's ice cream out of her hand. Thankfully she was almost done, so no tears were shed!! :)

I know that I really enjoyed myself last night. It was a little chilly as the sun went down, but I was so happy that it wasn't really COLD!! With a sweatshirt, you were just fine. I love jeans and sweatshirt weather!!