For Balmy Sunshine. . .

for nourishing rain,

Dear Lord, for Thy goodness we thank Thee;

For food and Thy care, rich blessings we share,

The proof of Thy love and we thank Thee,

We thank Thee, O God.

Amen.

Some days the sun shines.  Some days the rain falls.  Some days it is warm.  Some days it is cold.

All days are from God.

I don't always appreciate the sorrows in life, but they are as much from God as the pleasures.  I would like the strength to be more thankful for the things that my flesh views as "bad".  I know that we are all tried by fire and that we become stronger.  I want to live that!

. . . . .

121 - goats that think they are dogs  (well, I guess that's what they think; they won't stay in the pen)

122 - winter's arrival and dreaming of snowflakes

123 - studying HOPE for Bible Study

124 - an empty stable awaiting. . .

125 - precious little one's counting the days till the BIRTH!!!

How sweet to retell the story of the PLAN OF SALVATION, and watch them grasp it piece by piece.

126 - a great aunt who said it made her day to read to littles. . .how we treasure these precious fleeting moments!!!

127 - hatching a praying mantis nest.  our CREATOR IS AWESOME!

128 - family nights of singing and kitchen help
THANK YOU JOE, ETHAN, & ELISA!
i don't feel like i could do without you

129 - a very excited sheep and angel

130 - a live lesson about the COMING OF THE CHRIST



131 - salty tears as I watch my littles play with these friends while i help their mama get ready to move to a far away land

132 - anticipation as we wait to visit their new home

133 - a brother who is turning 50!

134 - healing and peace coming to the hearts of friends as they deal with letting go of their baby boy that God needed for his bouquet

135 - trips to the mailbox in december

How we LOVE opening each new envelope from friends and family.  Sweet times to stop and pray for each and every one.

. . . . .

New Bonding Opportunity!

The dear husband brought home a new paper shredder last night.   (if anyone has been in my attic lately, you would know why it is needed)  ;)  This morning Ethan said, "Dad.  Could you go to the attic and shred paper with me please?"

Kids don't need much let me tell you!  They just want one on one.  I often find myself wondering and planning what to do that they would most enjoy.  I thought this was a good reminder that they just need US and not all the gadgetry that this world has to offer!

God Sent His Son. . .

. . . to be our Savior.

He is the way, He is the truth, He is the life.

Was Jesus Christ who came to save the world.

He is the way, He is the truth, He is the life.

He gave His life that we might be set free.

He is the way, He is the truth, He is the life.

Rose from the grave that we might live again.

He is the way, He is the truth, He is the life.

He lives today, I know He always will.

He is the way, He is the truth, He is the life.

God sent His son to be our Savior.

He is the way, He is the truth, He is the life.

---

December 1st.  Can't believe another year is drawing to a close.  Today we start our count-down to Christ's birth. 

How will we count down?  Will we spend our month wondering what to buy for various family members and acquaintances?  Will we spend our month baking and cooking lots of delicious food?  Will we spend our month scurrying from one gathering to another?

Or will we celebrate in a NEW way?  Will we spend our month wondering what to GIVE to all those who have nothing and simply spending TIME with various family members and acquaintances?  Will we spend our month eating simpler and looking for ways to feed the HUNGRY?  Will we spend our month slowing down in devotion to our LORD and remembering EVERY DAY that we are REALLY just looking forward to the birth of HIS son?

---

What will my children learn from me?  A couple of weeks ago my son was gifted with a golf ball from an older gentleman.  He treasured that ball.  It even got a treasured position in his DRAWER.  (the one by the side of his bed that keeps all the various scraps that are VERY DEAR to his heart) 

One day at supper he was wondering what that ball was called.  When I told him it was a golf ball, he asked me if I saw what he did with it that day when he was outside.  I thought it was an innocent question. . .  I said, "no".  He used words and actions to stop our hearts. 

He told about how he dug a hole in the dirt for it.  Then he told us about the stick he had found in the yard to hit it with.  After all the animated details he stood up on his chair and demonstrated how he used the stick to hit the ball.  Just like a pro!!!

We asked, "HOW in the world do you know anything about golfing?"

The reply that sobered me right up was:

"I always see it on signs when we are driving."

We laughed, but I had tears welling up in my eyes.

If my 5 year old can learn that much about a simple white ball from simply "seeing it on signs while we drive", what is he learning from my day to day life?  I am NOT worthy of such scrutiny.

We always hear how our walk talks louder than our talk talks.  I am CONVINCED.  I am SCARED!  I am in NEED of God's grace.  I am wondering what kind of a world view I am giving my children.  We are together day in and day out.  They are rarely ever away from me.  Am I leading them to Christ?  Or am I leading them down a self-absorbed, too busy for God-Time path?  I feel pretty sure that what I do with my time this month will play a big part in how my two DEAR blessings will view Christ's birth.

Are they going to GIVE to those who have the least like HE did or will they WANT more for themselves and those around them who already have way too much?

---

p.s. if anyone has the music for the song at the beginning of this post, our family would LOVE for you to share it with us.

Praise Him! Praise Him!

. . .Tell of His excellent greatness.  Praise Him!  Praise Him!  Ever in joyful song!

Thanksgiving Day is observed on the 4rth Thursday of November.  I would like to celebrate Thanksgiving EVERY day so that I would not forget how blessed I am.  Thanksgiving is a sure cure for discouragement.  God's word is full of promises to remind us of this.  I don't know what else I could ask for in my life than what I have been given.  Our family was so blessed this past weekend.  We have many wonderful memories of our time together and our time with friends.  On Thursday we sat around a table together and enjoyed nourishment for our physical bodies.  As the meal progressed, each of us put pencil to paper and expressed thanks.  When the meal was over, the vase was passed and the papers read by each person that could speak.  What a blessed time to share in spiritual nourishment.  The afternoon was filled with fellowship and singing.  A highlight for the children was right before our evening snack when the Daddies helped them act out Daniel and the Lion's Den.  What fun!  What memories!  Bible stories coming alive in children's minds.  What bittersweetness to spend a long day with friends that will soon live MANY miles from us.  Lord willing we will be able visit them soon in that far-away land and then may the miles melt so that we feel closer to them and the friends that are already there.  How we will miss both families.  How we will rejoice with them that they are seeking to live closer to OUR LORD!

. . . . . . .

it is always a pleasure to count and recount. . .

111 - learning to cut

112 - our newest family addition, "Samara"

 

113 - times of relaxation and bonding

114 - a helper that learned something new and peeled 10 potatoes before quitting

115 - a sweet, sweet day filled with memories to treasure 

116 - my princess & my king

117 - little girlie houses that remind us of guatemala

118 - anticipating a live nativity

119 - my king & my prince enjoying opening day together

120 - happiness that my little guy is learning to read and write and lots of laughter at the results

God our Father. . .

. . .send revival, to us now in this our day. . .

What a summer!  and what a revival.  We are rejoicing that revival has come to our lives.  We can't plan for moments like the ones we have had together.  We never know when and how the Lord will work in us.  We only know that we have to be ready and willing to accept his work and grow in HIM!  Praise be to God!

. . . . . . .

101 - mi esposo

102 - mis niños

103 - bravery

104 - cuteness

105 - drinking in the rain after a long, hot, dry summer

106 - God's tiny, fluffy, miracles

107 - "floppy hair"

108 - budding artist

109 - indians

110 - starting school

. . . . . . .