Our pup...

Our pup is 13 years old. The boys are gone for a week to visit their dad. Which meant we needed to take some pictures with them and our Sparky. Life is short and with a aging "pup" you just never know. We got a lot of great shots. Honestly after years of taking pictures I think our dog knows how to pose when he sees the camera come out.

Blessing....

A Franciscan Benediction

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart. May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace. May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection. starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy. And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.

Nesting...

I have been very drawn to nest for the last couple of years. Especially if they have blue eggs resting in them. I found a pretty metal sign that says, "Nest" on it and I bought it and hung it out front our home. As the keeper of our home that just rang true in my spirit.

With a baby coming in about a month I was wondering when the nesting would hit. I often found that between daily task, mothering, homeschooling and family life there wasn't energy left for nesting. Yet, after 2 children I knew that it would hit.

Today it is hitting! I have 2 loads of baby clothes being washed. I cleaned out our fridge and we are about to get busy working on the baby room. My husband asked me well what do you want to get done today? I rambled off this long list (that I think would be impossible to do in one day!) and we both got busy. I can't wait to feel a sense of being ready. I think God put that instinct in us moms for a reason. Just as he is intricately forming our baby boy he is working on mom and the rest of the family too as we welcome this new gift from the Lord.

I wouldn't have missed it for the world!

I have a Beth Moore teaching saved on my DVR that I love. I have never actually done one of her studies however I enjoy catching her on Life Today from time to time. On this particular teaching she said....I wouldn't have missed it for the world. It made me ponder what in life I feel that way about. I think because sometimes I am walking through circumstances and at the time it feels like forever yet it pales to eternity. Yet in my flesh I am screaming enough already!!!

Yet......

I come out the other side. It gives opportunity to bring Glory to God and I often come out more free. YET...in the middle sometimes I am kicking and screaming about not enjoying what life is bringing. If I could just remember in the midst....that I might come out the other side saying....I wouldn't have missed it for the world!

That will require me to adjust my focus and perspective. To put off what my flesh is feeling and walk in Gods truths!

I am still compiling my list! But here are a few that come to mind.

1. I wouldn't have missed walking through the journey of having a child with special needs. I remember being numb and in shock the first time I heard a dr. say the words autism spectrum. Yet the journey has been truly a joy! I know God gave me my son. I know that I have done all I can and daily leave him entrusted in the arms of our Father. It has been full of twist and turns and lots of questions but God is faithful and has never left us. As his mom I choose to walk in that daily because this is a area the enemy would loved to have me walk in fear.

2. I wouldn't have missed walking through 7 years of being a single mom. No...it was never my plan. I had been with my husband since my teens and thought we would always been married. But at 28 and having a husband go down a path of destruction I had a choice. I chose to run to God and abandon myself to Him like never before. For the first time I knew what His love really was. I knew what true joy was and I saw His amazing faithfulness over that time. I didn't come out the other side the same person. Praise God!

It is amazing how the enemy twist things. In all of those time he made me believe that those circumstances would bring death. However the truth is God used them and His word stands...always!

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Matthew 24:35