Days 7 and 8

Day 7:

A Gift Baked, Stirred, Eaten

Happy Birthday Hunny!!!

Day 8:  3 Gifts Prayed For.

A godly husband

Healthy children

A warm home  

Days Of Thanks.......day 5 and 6

Day 5: 3 Gift's returned

Giving Hope Rescue Mission has given the children of Haiti hope. We through many donations were able to return the gift of hope by supporting Giving Hope.

Boxes full of gifts needed......

Teaching a daughter to forgive and the gift of forgiveness returned. 

The letter says, "I love you and I have to tell you something. I'm sorry for being grumpy about school. One time I was grumpy in my mind about math when we came home from Daniel's. Will you forgive me? Put here. 

The gift of repentance given and returned....

The gift of love given and returned...

Day 6: 3 gifts redeemed. 

My life, a sinful life, apart from God, radically redeemed. 

Having the sin of divorce in my past, wearing it like a scarlet letter around my neck for many years. A marriage now redeemed by Christ. A wonderful godly husband that leads me and loves me. Redeemed....

A history of hurt. A dream of hope and redemption. A family redeemed...

Days 3 and 4

Gifts.....4 days into His gifts of grace.....



Day 3: A gift caught, let go, mid-way....

Yesterday I had caught joy, mid-way through a tough morning, I let go. I had some important paperwork to update and print, I sat here at the computer for hours trying to get it done, to my dismay, no such luck. Working on an old computer can lead to frustration. My joy, I chose to let go. It happens so easily, just a little bit of trial, and we let it go. How can I hold on to His joy? Keep counting......


Day 4: 3 Gifts Reaped:

1. My Lily serving me breakfast and cleaning out the garage for her dad yesterday. We teach them to serve, and when they chose to serve on their own, we reap a blessing.

2. Sewing into a marriage and reaping 9 blessed years. Our anniversary is on the 9th.

3. Reaping the gifts of my salvation. Joy, peace, and love.

Day 2

Day 2 of Thanks: 3 things falling.....

Baby Birds falling from their home. The opportunity to tell my kids that God knew when they fell. He knows each time a bird falls, so how much more does He know them. 

Falling in love with a little Haitian boy I've never met.

Falling in love with a little Haitian girl. She melts my heart! 

3 Things Orange And More Thanks On A Dreary Monday....

October 1st the start of a new month. While reading Ann VosKamp's blog on this dreary Monday I decided to take her challenge. She has written down 31 ways of thanks for the month of October. I needed to be reminded today to thank everyday for the gifts of God. 

Day One: 

The dare for today was to give thanks for 3 things orange. At first I thought this may be hard, Lily was able to name 3 immediately. So as I was looking around and thinking of gift's I started thinking of the last few weeks. I have been discouraged with my abilities to homeschool my children. I start comparing, start worrying, start doubting. I LOVE being home with my children! God reminded me why He called our family to learn at home. He gave me the verse in John 14:23- "Jesus replied, 'If anyone loves me he will obey my teaching My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our home with him." Lily wrote, "Build your house on the rock."  (See Picture Below) I have been given a gift, a gift to teach my children how to serve, how to love, how to grow in grace, and the gift to build our house upon the rock of Jesus Christ.      

Thankful For Homeschool

Orange Pencils 

Orange Giraffes sent from a daughter far away.

Glue,Orange Crayons, Orange Leaves, Orange in Books, and

Orange Cheese Crackers

Teaching our children how to serve the orphan.

Thank you Father for your gifts of grace. 

Put Your Binoculars On Folks!

I was doing a Bible study with the kids this morning and the text was from Matthew 14:22-32. It is the story of Jesus walking on water and Peter going out to meet him. I ask the question, "Tell me a way we can keep our eyes on Jesus." Sam responded, "We can use binoculars." Out of the mouths of babes!

I have so many friends that are stepping out on the crashing waves only to find themselves sinking. This got me to thinking, "Why do we sink when we are walking toward our Lord?" We take our eyes off of Him. This life will bring heartache and despair, but if we are in the Lord He promises to keep us. He looked directly at Peter when he was sinking and said, "You of little faith. Why did you doubt?" When we are sinking in the storm we need to put our spiritual binoculars on and SEE that our story is already written. The God of heaven has a plan that cannot be changed by our current circumstances. We have His promises written in the Bible and we see His salvation throughout His holy word.


And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and SEE the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. Exodus 14:13

Grace on the days you're feeling graceless.....

Opening the mailbox to find the most beautiful gift inside......

Tears falling down, down, down, the ones that have been restrained all day. Tears that have needed to fall from sadness locked up inside a heart that is full of worry, but they fall from joy, the joy that comes when the eyes behold the beauty of a daughter far away.....

Birthday parties celebrating the girl, the sweet girl with the big heart, the brave one that LOVES BIG...

A family that is BLESSED, part of it far away, but will be home soon. In our arms, a house full of love even in the graceless days....