I should have some race pics to post tomorrow, although it's such a busy day I may not actually get them up. Sunday is busy too. So maybe Monday you'll get to see Nate's bike race, our home group's halloween outreach, and Sunday's annual soup and donut party. I'll have to bring the old camera too in case quarters are too close for my zoom lense. Should be good times. I've been slacking in the picture taking area lately. I'm looking forward to this weekend :)

Inspired by Friends

Today I had the privilege of hearing a friend describe an encounter with God in which he had asked God for a new way to praise Him and give Him glory. A way to touch a part of God's heart that had never been touched before. God's answer was to show him that every time we speak, something is created that was not there before. We speak the same words of praise we have lifted up a thousand times before and yet our voices create something entirely new, and we touch a piece of God's heart that has never been touched before.

From John 14: "The Father who resides in me crafts each word into a divine act"

Another friend wrote about this encounter and added to it her own encounter with God and the prayers that came out of it. As I read her writings about praise, and nature, and creativity I was struck suddenly by the simple majestic beauty of what we as wives and mothers do for our families every day.

Folding the same clothes, washing the same dishes, sweeping the same floors. Preparing the same meals, washing the same little faces. In partnership with our King every single act is brand new every single time. An act of service and worship combined. "God knows that we are limited in our abilities, yet He chooses to take that which we are able to offer over and over again and reorganize it. He gives it new inspiration and new levels of detail. When we are alone with Him, He creates right through us. It is not what we say that creates His Glory, but what God tells us. It is not what we offer, but what God offers through us..." (J.M.)

God, please create in me an awareness of the wonder of creating with You in every mundane moment of the day. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on You, never wavering in my goal to glorify You in every area of my life. You are so astonishingly vast God, I love it, there is no end to You and no end to what You can accomplish in a willing heart. I love you Daddy!! Thank you for continually speaking to me. Thank you for your unending love. :)

If You Climb The Hill Behind Our House...

Worth the hike :) Although this time we drove most of the way up in Nate's dads truck.

He's Weeding My Garden

God that is. You may have noticed. It's been coming out a little in these posts. I love it. Most of the time. There are moments and days when I'd like to be DONE ALREADY! Thank you very much.

The part I love is this: The closer I get to God, the more I hear His voice, feel His heart, the more impossible it is to justify any negativity in me. I have a choice here. I can surrender to Him and give up the sin and justifications of it. Or I can move back from His side. Step back a step from intimacy with the Most High.

Well, option number two is not happening my friends. Not on your life.

So, I have the overwhelming joy of submitting to my Lord. Weeding forks, refining fire, whatever it takes. My constant cry is "Come deeper God! Come deeper. Don't stop. I surrender all to You."

And I have the stunning privilege not only of hearing His beautiful voice on a daily basis; I also get to watch the lives around me change because of MY surrender. Beginning with my wonderful husband and children and fanning out from there. It is glorious.

Luke 12:30-32 says (in The Message, can you tell which translation I've been enjoying lately:)

"People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don't be afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself."

Seek first the Kingdom and all these things will be given to you as well...

A Lot of Love...In Varying Degrees...

I love the rain on my roof. Beautiful sound. Wonderful smell. I love that I get to work out with Bear this morning. I can feel muscles now I didn't know I still had :) I love that my boys are talkative and smiling this morning in spite of coughs and the insanely early rising. I love Brannon's smile lighting up his entire being. I love how we engaged over a scripture passage at 5 am. I love Joshua's warm arm around my neck, his soft cheek pressed against mine. I love the delicious smells issuing from my crock pot. I love that I don't have to worry about lunch while I am busy in town this morning. I love warm tea and crispy apples on this rainy morning. I love that I got a kiss from my Natey this morning before he stumbled back to bed--after he poked his head out of the bedroom and said "Are you all crazy!" :) I love the glorious warmth pulsing in my heart as I read my Bible this morning. I love how close my Jesus is, right by my side. I love my cozy little house. Built by my honey. I love cozy pajamas and warm socks. I love that I get to walk in the rain later. Soaking in all those lovely wet smells. I love being ME ;-)

A Little Miracle

If any miracle can be called little. I use the term little rather loosely here. I won't go into any of the details here. I wrestled with something I thought would be difficult to give up. A matter of self-protection. Self-defense. Self.

I let go at last. And saw my Father's answer the very next day. One could write it off to circumstances I suppose. But, as a "brother" of mine is fond of saying, "There are no coincidences." I believe that with all my heart and mind.

Now, I'm so ready to give Him more of me. Every last thing that will stand in His way. In the way of His marvelous plans for me. Plans in which I change eternity. Change the world.

The fears I sometimes cling to seem so inconsequential in the light of His grace. The glorious power of my marvelous God. His resources are glorious and unlimited. And so am I. Glorious and unlimited because He made me that way. :)

If Thou Could'st Empty All Thyself of Self

If thou could'st empty all thyself of self,
Like to a shell dishabited,
Then might He find thee on the ocean shelf,
And say, "This is not dead,"
And fill thee with Himself instead.



But thou are all replete with very thou
And hast such shrewd activity,
That when He comes He says,
"This is enow Unto itself - 'twere better let it be,
It is so small and full, there is no room for me."





Sir Thomas Brown

I have found myself to be so very self-centered lately. When I come to my King in prayer I have, without giving it a second thought, come with my agenda in my hand. My questions, my needs, my complaints, my wants. My seeking so quickly became all about ME. I forgot my many blessings and victories in a hurry.

When God spoke to me last night he said Could you just come to me without your agenda. Just you. I want to be with just you.

I wept when I realized my ungratefulness.

And leaped back into it with both feet today.

And struggled to lay it down when I realized it.

I thought of my children. How much more I could give them if they weren't whining at me about their wants and needs. If they weren't yelling about what someone else just did to them. If they just enjoyed my presence there is so much I have waiting for them. Love and wisdom and gifts. Not that they don't get those things anyway. But there is more to be had.

How much more of HIM will I find when I lay down my rights? How eager is He, just waiting, holding His breath until I come to Him at last, empty. Ready to be filled with something so far infinitely better than the petty things I hold onto so tightly. What will it be like to SEE truly. To see the world around me as HE sees it. To walk in my true identity. To see Him as He is.

I intend to find out.

"I'm not saying I have all this together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me." From Philippians 3

Some Photos For Your Enjoyment...And Mine :)

Do you see the boy in the apple tree?

Climbing trees in our pajamas, that's a new one.
My lovely pumpkin "Fairy Tale"

A silly rooster

The three girls, hanging out in the sun

The squirrels are incredibly busy around here, must be fall

A blackberry blossom in October?

Onion

Hebrews 12:1-3, the Message Bible

Do you see what this means--all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running--and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed--that exhilarating finish in and with God--he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls.

Beautiful Autumn

What a beautiful day it is! The sun is shining, the breeze is cool. We have some yellow leaves, and wonderful smells. I'm loving the beginning of fall :)