A Down Day

It's raining.

Again.

Sorry, Texas, but I'm really sick of the rain.

The dog needs some exercise, but won't go out in the rain. Don't blame her.

I've been sick since Sunday. I hate being sick. My week has been wasted with tissues and cold medicine. I'd like to be well soon.

I don't know if I like the farm. (Remember, it's raining and I'm sick; I might like it tomorrow.) Certainly the farm doesn't feel like home. It somehow feels like a vacation, but I still need to cook, clean, school, and do all the other routine tasks that make a house a home, but I am struggling.

I've spent some time thinking about why I'm on-the-fence about the farm. I enjoy the quietness and it is definitely picturesque, but the house isn't our home.

I'm still rearranging furniture, which I hate to do.

Nothing has my stamp of creativity on it. It's beige walls with our stuff inside. Blech.

I need to "nest," but don't really want to dig into any process. It's as if I don't want the farm to become our home.

Hmmm.
I hope that's just sickness talking.

  

God is With Us

When I returned from vacation and checked my email, I got the news of two deaths, one cancer treatment and one birth. Life. One death was of a good friend who birthed a still-born son, which as a mom touched my heart deeply. I knew my friend would be second guessing herself, asking the "why" questions and struggling. Of course, she is, but her faith is strong and she is walking through this dark time trusting in the Lord. When I thought about each of these emails, I just kept thinking of Hebrews 13:5,

5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”

6 So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?”

In context, Hebrews 13:4-6 reminds us that God gives/takes away in regards to our possessions, that no matter the circumstances, He is with us and we don't have to be afraid.

Of course, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" are the two phrases that kept coming to mind, reminding me that all of these people, the ones dealing with death, cancer and an additional child to nuture all needed the comfort this verse gives. As I meditated on this partial verse, I wondered if the Lord was trying to say two different, yet complementary things or was it repeated for emphasis. I think a little bit of both is true.

In Webster's dictionary leave meant: to go away from or to fail to include or take along. Forsake meant: to renounce or turn away from entirely. Not only is the Lord staying with us, but He is also going to include us. We can't do anything, as believers, to make Him renounce us or turn away from us completely.

If I were going through dark times right now that would bring me comfort, but it also speaks to my heart in the calmness of today. He's going to include me. The sin that I repeatedly struggle with is not going to wear Him out so that He wants to give up on me. Today, He is with me. If/when I acknowledge His presence in my life moment by moment He is there to faithfully guide. He will never leave; He will never forsake. Our God is faithful!

May you find all you need today in His presence.

Peace

Recently I had a prayer request that was potentially life-changing for our family. It was regarding a job. When I shared the request with a fellow homeschool mom, she stopped and prayed with me. Her prayer was centered around me knowing the Lord's will by the peace He would bring as He revealed the answer.

I was able to go away with friends to a cabin in West Virginia where I had plenty of quiet time to ask God to show me His answer. He actually used a secular book, plus Proverbs to answer my prayer, but I kept thinking back to my friend's request, that I would know His PEACE. I had a strong sense of peace to not make any big changes. When I got home and shared with my husband and my mother, both agreed.

Of course, Philippians 4:7 kept coming to mind: And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Do you have anything right now in which you need to know God's mind/will? Pray for the answer to be revealed in His Word and with an overwhelming (can't understand it!) peace. He wants you to have it!

My prayer for you this week is Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Plenty of Room

Today the Lord impressed some thoughts upon me about the word “room.” I began with the thought of our Hosts at church helping families find their rooms on Sunday night. I thought about how blessed we are to have plenty of room for a thriving Awana program. We are very FULL, but we have room. It made me think of the nativity phrase, “no room for them at the inn” (Luke 2:7) and I thought how the Lord provides the room we need, unlike what He experienced entering our world as a baby.

I, then thought about the “room” the Lord has provided in my own personal life this past month. Earlier this year we experienced the unexpected death of Mark’s father, married off our oldest daughter and had our rental home put on the market, forcing us to make a quick move. I joked about how many other BIG life stressors we could handle, but the Lord has given me a quiet place of rest on our new farm. He’s given me room. Proverbs 16:9 says, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” I spent the last two years overcommitted in different volunteer capacities. It took a toll on my family, my health, and my peace of mind/spiritual life. The Lord taught me many things as I depended on Him to get me through each day, but I knew at the end of the last school year that it was time to say “no” to those commitments. I didn’t know that He would move us to the country, where logistically it would be impossible to keep my commitments, but I’m glad that I listened and obeyed.

My final thought was about the room the Lord is preparing in heaven. (Please, tell me your minds roam this way too!) John 14:2 tells us that “My Father’s house has many rooms….” I love how The Message says it, “There is plenty of room for you in my Father’s home.” There is such comfort in knowing that the Lord is preparing a place for me, but while He is preparing the place for my future, He has given me all the room I need right now, physically, spiritually…in all ways. He supplies our every need and I’m thankful for it!

I Love Country Life

Early morning view. Can you see the moon?

I love the peace and quiet of country life.

I love the slower pace, the dreaming, the ease.

I love the mist in the morning over the pastures and I smile when I hear the roosters crow.

I love the crunch of tires on gravel - someone is here to see us!

I love sleeping under a quilt in a cold farmhouse bedroom.

I love porches and barn doors and crickets in the garage.

I love hearing the neighbor's far-away voice and watch the horses gallop home.

I love a warm crockpot meal after a long day's work.

I love to gaze at the starry night sky.

I love that the farm inspires.

I love country life.

Little while later...dawning of a new day.

She's Got A Name!

It took a while, but we've finally all agreed. I think, like Sweet Tea commented, the house "told" us what her name should be.

drum roll, please...

Scarlett Hill Farm

Why? you ask.

1. The farm is set on a hill and the house is trimmed in red.

2. We have a Gone With The Wind theme going on in our family (see here) and the name Scarlett is in honor of our Katie. Hill references the Hill of Tara, the ancient seat of the Kings of Ireland, in honor of our Tara.

It just seemed to fit.

No one fussed and trust me, there was a lot of fussing over the other names.

Tara was the one to come up with the name. She's excited about getting a prize for naming the farm.  I'll have to come up with something clever. Hmmm.

As we settle in here, have a good week, everyone!

Hush, Little Baby

This is what I'm doing...

This is what I want to be doing...

The sleeplessness has arrived. The anxiety about moving, coupled with the "to do" list running through my head, is hindering my sleep. Feeling rested, I guess, is out for the remainder of the week. My eyes popped open early this morning and I went to bed later than usual last night. Sigh.

The first thing I thought about was, "Can I wash my velvet curtains?" A truly pressing matter. Ha! And no, I can not wash my velvet curtains. Dry clean only. Rats.

So I crept downstairs to the computer, hoping not to wake the dog. I don't want to go outside yet! I made it past her crate and thought I'd tackle some laundry, email and other quiet tasks until the gang starts waking up. Hence, a blog post this morning.

I find it funny that during my "normal" life I can't seem to find the time to sit and write posts, but put me under the gun for a move and I'm sharing everyday. Can we say commiseration?

Maybe I'll be able to squeeze in one of these this afternoon...

To Have God's Eyes

I'm sitting at my keyboard and can't even find the words to begin writing this post.

Through a family member, I was "introduced" to Jason and Sara Morris whose daughter was diagnosed with leukemia. AML. I began praying for their family, reading their care page and leaving encouraging messages...from a stranger. But what comfort, I thought, to know that strangers care so much.

Adah, their daughter with cancer, has come through treatment and a bone marrow transplant. Her mom, Sara, writes about their recent move away from the hospital that has been home for the past year.

It is one of the most beautiful posts I have ever read. I'm speechless. It's left me thinking and asking the same question that Sara asks.

This year we've buried a parent, seen our first daughter married and are now about to make a major move, one that will drastically change the way we "do" life. Last week we made it through an earthquake and a hurricane. Life just seems a bit crazy, but in it all, what do I see?

That's what Sara asks.

A new light.

To have God's eyes.

I spent 3 hours today talking to an elderly neighbor on her porch who was saddened to hear of our move. Why did God give me the opportunity to meet someone new on the cusp of leaving? There seemed to be a deeper meaning to the divine appointment today. To have God's eyes.

Please, visit Beautiful Addition here and read Sara's post: Wanting to See. You won't be disappointed.

May you see His grace today.

Guest Post - World's Easiest Dog Sitting Job

My son, Rhett, has started his own blog: myimaginativescribbles. So to encourage his writing/blog I have invited him to guest post today. He's been dog-sitting for a homeschool family and shares his experience.

This past week I have been dog sitting a dog named Muki and I must say I have grown very attached to her. Though I love Muki I don't think she has nearly the amount of personality our own dog has.

She is far too obedient and sometimes scares me with her obedience. She doesn't snatch up food, even if it is at her eye level. She'll leave it alone if you walk away from it too! She knows what is her food and she leaves your food alone.

If you say, "It's potty time," she waits at the back door and she will wait there forever if she must. She doesn't bark over anything, and she doesn't seem to mind anything.

She eats, sleeps, and goes out and she doesn't bark at you when she wants to do any of these, she just politely waits until you are ready to direct her to the next activity.

Everyday she waits for me to get up and when I get up I open the back door and she takes her time. When she comes in, she eats and then she waits for me to take her for a walk. Then after the walk she waits until dinner, goes out every so often and then goes to bed.

The easiest dog alive I tell you.

I've jokingly called her "Robot Dog."

I don't know why I felt compelled to post about her, but she truly is an odd dog.

Hug Your Dog Today

This brought me to tears and I wanted to share it with you. To our military, thank you for your service and sacrifice!

Read the story here.