Emily's 4th Birthday

Emily turned 4 years old today. I was looking through her pictures today and can't believe how much she has changed since she was born! For one thing, she is running around like any other child! What is so special about that is that she was born with clubbed feet, and spent the first few months of her life in cast from hip to toe.

Praise God for what he did for her. She could have been in cast for 6 months or longer and there was a good chance she would need surgery. God answered many prayers! She was only in cast for close to 3 months and was good to go without any surgeries.

Here she is still in the cast at a few weeks old.

...and here she is today, riding her bike without any problems!

Happy Birthday, Emily!!!

School Days Begin!

We started school again yesterday. Had a very good start. It seems to be good to have a break and then a fresh start.

Emily picks up a lot from the boys and I noticed again today that she knows things I didn't know she knew. Quite amazing sometimes. Kati-Lyn wants to be completely involved too which is fun but can be a challenge too. Really have to watch what she ends up writing on.

The boys are trying a lot harder again now then what they did at the end of last school year. Hope I can keep them motivated through this year.

We are all going to do a tree project together. each one working at their own level, but all learn about trees, so I need to look for ideas on that. The other subject I have lesson plans and books for right now. Any ideas that anyone might have to learn about trees would be great! Going to start on that tomorrow.

Thursday we plan to go visit friends we have not seen in a long time. They live about two and a half hours away from us. Kids are excited about that. Friday I think we will just have a preperation day for next week. Saturday we meet with our homeschool group for supper.

That's life here right now. I'm thankful God always prepares the way for all things according to His good will!

Boys camping in our backyard

The boys had been wanting to sleep outside for a while, but I just really haven't been up for it and I didn't want them to by themselves. So last night I told them they could call someone older and ask them to come camp. Jamie decided to ask his cousin Bradley. They had a good time with it. Played Monopoly untill pretty late, and ya they did stay out all night.

"THANKS BRAD!! Glad you came!"

Doing God's Will in all Circumstances

After John's death:

    "When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities  And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food."    But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."
John 14:13-16

Jesus often went on his own to pray and seek the will of His Father and sometimes we need to do that, too. What stood out to me in these verses today was that after John's death, it seems that Jesus wanted some time on His own. The news must have been heart breaking for Him. However quiet time didn't work out for Him since He was followed. He then went right back to helping people.
 As women we can often get very overwhelmed by the business of life. Often it seems we are needed in too many places at once.  Juggling family, all the chores, errands outside of home, homeschooling, appointments ( the list could go on ) will sometimes leave us exhausted! You add a sick child to that or maybe being sick ourselves, financial hardships, broken appliances or vehicle  and it might feel like chaos and hopeless at times. How we react in whatever our circumstances may be a challenging test...  A test that we may often fail in, but lets think of it as a test we want to pass. To do well on a test requires studying an taking in knowledge. To pass this test during challenges requires the same. We need to study God's word, which will fill us with His Spirit / way of thinking. What is in the heart will eventually show on the outside. If we fill our hearts with good, good will come from it.... if we don't we will not have the strength that He gracefully gives us as we need.

If you are having a day where you feel out of control, overwhelmed and exhausted, take a moment to yourself (in the bathroom may work) Ask God to help you start over, turn on some soft music, go gives your kids or husband a hug and do the thing set before you one thing at a time.  Maybe God  isn't asking you to do quite as much as you think you need to do but just do what you are able to. And if you do come out of the bathroom to what seems like chaos with needs everywhere you look, remember what Jesus did in this story. He continued to serve even though He too was exhausted.... this too shall pass!

Kindred Spirit Award

Thank you Margaret who has awarded me with the Kindred Spirit Award! I would like to pass it on to a few people who are a blessing and make a difference in this world:

Andrea

Tina

Teana

Karen

Becky

Sherry

http://buildethherhouse.blogspot.com/

Here are the guidelines for you to pass on the award.. Keep the light shining for Jesus!

Who is God?