The Latter End

So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning:  

Job 42:12a

Being on the brink of the new year brings about reflection of the past and hopeful plans for the future.  Since my last blog post (can it really be 3+ years ago?!), life has changed so much.  We graduated our eldest daughter after a lifetime of homeschooling and she was married two months later.  Our twins are now in high school and our much anticipated baby is 3 1/2.  We've won some battles and we've lost a few big ones and yet time marches on in spite of it all.

I'm anticipating great things for 2017 which is what prompted the revival of this blog. I want to share it all!  I've probably lost all of my followers and does anyone even read blogs any more?  I don't know but I have found myself having so much to say lately and no outlet to say it. So, if this turns out to be me talking to myself, so be it!

In 2015, I began choosing a word to focus on throughout the year.  Our word that first year was SIMPLIFY.  Throughout the year, we purged, we gave away, we sold and we threw away and at the end of the year, our life was more organized and indeed, simpler.

The word for 2016 has been JOY;  not just a feeling of joy but of truly putting things in the right order: Jesus Others You.

The word for 2017 has been pressing on my heart for several weeks now.  This years word is

DILIGENCE

 I wish you all a very Happy New Year!  Be safe and I'll see you in 2017.

Lessons from my Garden

I wanted to share with you my two favorite plants in my garden. I think they're spectacular! Here they are:

 

Aren't they beauties?  I'm pretty sure that you must be thinking that I've totally lost my mind.  Ok, so you may have thought that long before now :)  Yes, I understand that these little plants have absolutely no apparent beauty but oh! the lessons the Father taught me through them!

You see, two short weeks ago, I was ready to pull these plants up by their roots and throw them to the curbside for the trash men.  I just couldn't do it.  I can't explain why but I couldn't give up on them. As I knelt over the ground, picking weeds, I began to see a very important lesson unfold.  

Let me tell you about these plants.  The one on the left had a really harsh go of it this winter.  It got too cold and that cold damaged its limbs.  The one on the right was handled harshly, having its roots pulled out of the ground by someone carelessly running the hose across it. 

It occurred to me that these plants are a lot like people.  All too often I hear, "well, they certainly don't know the Lord. Just look at how they're "fill in the blank"."  "Look"....judge the outside...and determine that there's no life inside.  Maybe, just maybe, those people are like these plants.  Maybe they have experienced a cold spell spiritually.  Or maybe because of a traumatic experience, a deep hurt or some other unexpected experience that is totally out of their control,  they got cold and grew away from the Son... and it shows on the outside. 

Possibly they are like the plant on the right. That hose carried life sustaining water but placed in the hands of someone who handled it carelessly, it was misused and damage was done.  The Bible says that the Bible is a two-edged sword and all too often we wield that sword in a way that cuts and damages. Whether intentionally or not, the outcome is the same. 

Funny thing about both plants. If you look closely....real closely...you'll see signs of life and of hope.  

Do you see?? ..new green leaves!  There is a long way to go but there is life.  What both plants need is pruning, extra nutrients and a whole lot of patience.  And that is what most people need. Instead of our condemnation and assumptions, they need for us to take some time and really see them.  They may need extra fellowship or prayer, pruning from God's Word and time.
God cares about a fallen sparrow, numbers the hairs on our heads and instructs us to consider the lilies.  I absolutely believe He put this lesson in my  path to remind me...people are worth going the extra mile for!  Who has God placed in your path that you might minister to today?

Decisions, Decisions...(and a family update)

With so many changes right around the corner for our household, it is kind of funny that the question of "to blog or not to blog" should even cross my mind!!! I believe my lovely pregnancy ticker declares that there are only 24 days left to this pregnancy.  Amazing how quickly the time has gone by!  So, you might wonder why I'm even considering the whole blog thing. I received notice about a month ago that my domain name was about to expire. I have this blog and one that I registered but have never used. So, not only is the question about whether to continue blogging or not but also, in which domain to do so. 

Such silly things that are weighing on my mind when my hospital bag isn't even packed yet.  Maybe it's all about avoidance ;-)  In the interest of sorting out my brain, I'll say that the thought of packing it all up and closing the blogging door is really not something I want to do.  This is my seventh year and looking back over my earliest posts is such a sweet trip down memory lane. On the other hand, this blog has gone in a direction (or lack of direction) that I don't particularly like.  Back and forth I go. I sit down to write and have nothing to say. I go to hit "delete" on the whole thing and get a knot in my stomach.  I think about switching to my other domain and I think "ahhh....fresh start!"; then I think about not renewing this one and cringe because it feels like running away.  Hmmmm....

Oh! and then there's the, "in the grand scheme of things, does any of it really matter???". My, my, my :)

So, I guess while I'm weighing options and procrastinating on preparing for my trip to the hospital, I'll give you a family update!

1G15 just finished drivers ed!!!  It was quite an experience for both of us!  In our area, there are not private driving schools so she had to take the classes at our local public school. Having never dropped any of my children off at a public or private school, the first three days were far more traumatic for mom than for daughter.  She did so well and her instructor came out to my van on three separate occasions to tell me how nice it was to have her in class. 

She is maturing and changing so quickly!  I often wonder where my baby went!   She's just about done her 9th grade year. Unfortunately, her dislike for history has left her way behind and she'll be working on that all summer. 

2G11 (or twin number 1) just turned 11!  She's still mama's helper and is absolutely in love with her unborn sister.  She continues to excel in reading and grammar and loves to play with baby dolls, write stories and draw.  She is celebrating her first spiritual birthday today and this past year has shown tremendous growth in that area :)

3G11 raced into her eleventh year a minute behind her sister.  She's still my crazy child, always "experimenting" with something.  She loves to cook and swim.  She excels in math and struggles in reading/spelling.  It's amazing to me how two children of the exact same age, taught the exact same with in the exact same environment can be so completely different.  This child used to be my shy one but she has started singing with her sister and a friend in our church of 400+. 

And lastly 4G?....we are eagerly awaiting her arrival!  This pregnancy has been my easiest and least complicated yet, which really blows a hole in all the reasons not to have a later-in-life pregnancy. I am so thankful for the opportunity to have another child!  We are anticipating a VBA2C and have our birth center/midwife/doula in place.   If you think of it, please keep her impending birth and the safety of both mother and baby in prayer.

Having said all that, I think I know what I'm going to do :) Thanks for helping me sort it out! Have a blessed evening!


 
© Adorning Grace 2013

To Everything There is a Season...

The hint of spring has sprung literally overnight in North Carolina! It is a short-lived season here, all to quickly replaced by soaring temperatures that drive me indoors! However, for the moment, I'm going to enjoy every second of it! The windows are open, I can smell someone's barbeque and I'm sitting here planning my garden :) It's funny how every year, when we "spring forward" with the clocks, I feel like someone flips a switch in my brain that says, "It's time to wake up!"

So, I've been making plans for my garden, which may be a little over zealous considering I am currently 6 months pregnant.  Will be interesting to see how the energy levels hold out when the real work begins ;-)  I discovered that burpee.com has regional specific gardening advice, which is exceedingly helpful to someone who still can't wrap their head around planting in March instead of May!

Also on the agenda has been pricing privacy fence for our corner lot yard.  Seems a new trampoline and 10yo twins draws every kid in the neighborhoods attention.  I think this may be next weekend's project! 

Oh! and the nursery is getting walls today!!! Eeek!  Our basement is partially finished (the master bedroom/bath is downstairs), but the nursery's outer walls were block.  So, very soon I'll have walls to paint and furniture to set up. So very exciting!!!

My mind is whirling....bird feeders, flower gardens, vegetable gardens, I need a grill!!!  All this with two days of nice weather.  It's a crazy little thing that I call spring ;-) Does it too me every year!

 
© Adorning Grace 2013

Girls Week Away

The girls and I were blessed to be able to go away for some R&R, compliments of my generous husband and a friend willing to share her timeshare rental :)  So, we're currently on day 2 of some much needed rest and relaxation.

We are staying in a beautiful villa in the Blue Ridge Mts on Virginia.  The view is astounding...

and we've had many visitors off of our back porch.

The girls were treated to a wonderful time last night at an indoor water park, proving that modesty and fun CAN go hand in hand!  Thank you Mike & Celeste for your generous gift of fun and fellowship! (They have some pretty cute boys too ;-) )

We attempted to go to church this morning (not taking a vacation from the Lord!), but that turned into one interesting experience!  I chose a church from wayoflife.org that I knew would be like-minded. We made the 45 minute drive only to find that when our gps said "now arriving at destination", there was nothing there!  I got online quickly and looked to see if there were another address.  There was but it was just a different street number on the same route.  Went to that location and there was nothing there either. So, I told the girls that the next Baptist church we found, we were going into.  Big mistake.  I believe the pastor must be related to one Mr. Joel Olsteen. When he apologized for "sounding preachy", it was all I could do to keep from gagging.  But don't let my review say anything....when we arrived in the van, my youngest said "well, God wasn't anywhere near that place!"  Hmmm...out of the mouths of babes. 

So, our choices for the evening are limited.  The local churches do not have evening services. Thankfully, preaching cd's are always in abundance in our van and hey, our church's website is loaded with them.  Wheeee :)  Have I told you lately how much I love our church? 

The week ahead is a blank canvas.  The girls want to go swimming and mom wants to catch up on magazine reading.  We also want to visit Luray Caverns again and of course, do some *shopping*.   Oh, and did I mention the jacuzzi built for three (or more) in our villa???

 More pictures coming soon :)

© Adorning Grace 2012

Coming out of the dark

Wow! It has been a long time since I've updated regularly! It's partially due to internet connectivity issues and mostly because I've just come through a season where I really just wanted to stay in bed with the covers over my head! Ever been there?

I'm so thankful for a faithful Savior who never leaves me! I'll ask again, what would I do without Jesus? I am also thankful for my faithful friends who have supported me with intercessory prayer during this time! A true friend is one of God's greatest blessings!

Spring has arrived swiftly and almost overnight in NC and just as quickly, the Lord has brought springtime into my heart and our home!  It's amazing to me how we can get in spiritual valleys, where there seems to be no end and little light and  just when it seems it will never end, in steps Jesus.  Time and time again, He has been faithful!

 

In our school: This is the first year that we may actually complete the year without having to run into the summer!  Given all of the changes in our lives recently, this is miraculous!  1G14 is definitely on target to finish by mid-May and will be entering high school next year.  I'm somewhere in the middle of "proud mama" and "overwhelmingly sad" about that news.  I cannot believe how quickly our children have grown.

2&3G9 are about to turn ten years old...double digits!  It looks like they'll be done their school year around mid-June but we'll work on a few areas over the summer.  Mostly, I'd really like to just spend the summer enjoying my girls and making fun memories!  It's been a long time since we haven't had to worry about being behind in their schoolwork or in the midst of some life-altering event! Normalcy has its benefits! 

Does anyone participate in geocaching?  I especially would like to spend some time doing this.  You can read more about it HERE.   There's a possibility of a really BIG move in our near future so we certainly covet your prayers concerning that.  Will keep you posted. This could be an adventure like no other.  So, go ahead, let your mind wander :) 

God has blessed my husband with an excellent job, which of course, explains why God is probably going to move us.  

We have a girls vacation coming up!  A good friend of mine let us rent a villa in VA through her timeshare.  So, we'll be spending an entire week in the Blue Ridge Mountains from April 13-20.  An early start on that memory making goal! Thank you Jesus!

I guess that's about all for an update.  We're busy spring cleaning both heart and home.  Sometimes spiritual junk collects in our heart that we aren't even aware of.  Perhaps now would be a good time to consider what may have collected in the corners of your heart and give it a thorough cleaning!  

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
(Rom 12:1-2)

© Adorning Grace 2012

Yes, I'm Still Here!

I haven't posted in...like..forever.  Why? Nothing to say - too much to say - not sure how to say it.....{sigh}.....just haven't felt like it.  I don't particularly feel like it now but in order to make sure the handful of you that read do not think I've died, I'm posting :)

This land of limbo the Lord has us in is really taking its toll.  Often, I feel like it's best to say absolutely nothing, because then I won't say the wrong thing. Ya know?  It's been just over ten months since we moved back to NC. Ten.long.months.  I never dreamed we'd still be living the way we are nearly a year after leaving NH, yet we are.  So, I can cry over it or try to understand whatever it is the Lord wants me to learn during this time.  I'm trying, I really am!

We're still homeschooling; that is a given and it's going ok. We're actually accomplishing a lot more than I would have thought we would given the circumstances.  I've even been looking ahead to next year when I'll have one in high school!  How did that happen?

Youngest continues to have health problems and that is a strain, but honestly, how can I complain? The Lord is taking care of us as He always has. He is meeting our needs. God is good - all the time. 

So, if you think of us, please pray that the Lord would direct our paths. And if it wouldn't be too much to ask, could you ask Him to do it quickly? lol Thanks!



© Adorning Grace 2012

Homeschoolers Host Senior Banquet

It was a great blessing today to see some of our church's homeschool students minister to our senior saints by hosting a Valentine's banquet in their honor. 

Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head,

and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: 

I am the LORD.
(Lev 19:32 KJV)

Each student personally invited and played host/ess to several couples, served them and spent time in fellowship.  Here is our eldest with one of her special couples.

The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
(Pro 16:31 KJV)

 

Even our younger two girls were able to get involved, pitching in where needed and loving every second of it. 

It sure was a blessing to see young people working together, serving the Lord and being a blessing to others.  I was reminded yet again just how very thankful I am to be a part of our church!

© Adorning Grace 2012

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

I've gotten used to praising the Lord in the storm lately (and it's right to do so!) but I am so happy to say that I have some wonderfully, happy things to praise Him for today that have nothing to do with just getting by!

It's been a good week! After nine months of being out of work, my husband has a job and starts on Monday!  Only a week after filing our tax return, it was in our bank account yesterday....a week early! Anyone ever heard of the IRS being early?  It wasn't in there long but the credit cards we've been having to use these past nine months are now paid off!  We don't owe anyone anything AND..... we made it.  Do you have any idea how good that feels?  We made it.  All those moments of uncertainty over finances. Thank you Lord.  And there's even a  little left till a paycheck comes in.  Can you hear me exhaling? 

And just because Jesus loves me, Dr. S.M. Davis will be preaching at church tomorrow!  I love listening to the wisdom the Lord has blessed him with on matters of the home and family.  If you've never heard of him, check out his website!

I told a friend that if only the Lord would let me have a baby, I would be too happy to continue breathing...which is probably why He only allows so many blessings at once. lol

Have a blessed weekend.



© Adorning Grace 2012

Welcome to 2012!

I've been pondering what to write in this entry for an entire week now!  A recap of last year?  Could sound way too depressing.  A list of New Years "resolutions"?  May be a little too optimistic.  My thoughts on New Years resolutions? lol Too soap-boxy.  So, what if we all lived the following every day for the next year? I wonder what a difference it would make in our lives.

“People are often unreasonable and self-centered

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives.

Be kind anyway.

If you are honest, people may cheat you.

Be honest anyway.

If you find happiness, people may be jealous. 

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow.

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. 

Give your best anyway.

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God.

It was never between you and them anyway.” 

― Mother Teresa

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:  

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
(Mat 6:19-21)

© Adorning Grace 2011

Blessings Below the Surface

I spent some time talking to a missionary's wife this past Sunday evening and she made statement that stuck with me.  She said something to the effect that God had to take her away from what she thought she wanted in order to show her how unhappy she really was. Now that she is where she really didn't want to be (or so she thought), she's happier than she's ever been in her life.  That is what being in the will of God will do. It will give peace and joy that far surpasses what we think will make us happy.

I think that is what these past seven months have been for me.  Aside from our church and the great people there, the south holds nothing for me.  I just don't like it. I'm a Yankee, I like the north and you know, I don't anticipate that ever changing.  Know what else I've discovered?  It doesn't matter what I like! lol  How's that for a revelation?  God's will is not dependent on my likes or my wants!  I'm beginning to find myself eagerly anticipating God placing us wherever He wants us, in part because of what that missionary's wife said to me.  What might God have in store for our family in the presence of total surrender to His will?  The possibilities are endless.

That, however, is not the point of this post. What I really wanted to share is the manifold blessings that the Lord has poured out on our family recently, not because we deserve it but because He is just that good!

I have to start by telling you that when we found out we'd be moving back here, we had no idea where we'd live, but God did. He'd prepared a place for us by putting it on the hearts  of a family in the church to let us stay in a property that they owned, rent free, for as long as we needed.  They didn't know us, they just know our God and God promises to take care of His own.  In turn, we pray that God will abundantly bless this family for their selfless gift to our family.

There are many things along the way that I could tell you about. Like how every time the meal barrel was running low, God provided a little bit of work and a little bit of money to put food on the table or gas in the vehicle. Every time.  But I want to fast forward to earlier this month.

A lady at church came to me and said that the Lord put it on her heart to take me out and have my hair cut.  Now ladies, you know what a difference a hair cut can make and I hadn't been able to do that since we'd moved.  I was so excited!  Not only did we get it cut but colored and highlighted too!  I felt like a princess :)  Sometimes the weight of the world comes off with the dead ends!  During the process of having my hair done, I was conversing with the stylist, who was a relative of the lady who had brought me.  She asked what we were doing for Christmas (she already knew some of our story from her sil).  I told her that we wouldn't be doing much since my husband had been out of work for six months, but that it was ok.  I had come to realize recently just how fragile life can be and we are all healthy!  You absolutely cannot put a price tag on health!

The next Sunday, this lady comes to me and says that her sil had gone to her SS class at church and told them about us and that they wanted to do something for us for Christmas.  Fast forward to this week, they brought us over food and gifts and money to buy things for the girls!  This, from a church who doesn't know us from Adam...but they know my God!

And there are so many other things I could tell you about.  Family who has been so generous in sending gift cards to the girls for Christmas, friends who have been faithful to encourage and pray, little things here and there. All warrant mentioning but this post could get rather long!

I am absolutely in awe at the provision of God. Not that He can provide or even that He does provide.  I guess what makes me stand in awe is how He chooses to use His people as physical extensions of His love for us.  He chooses to allow us the privilege of reaching out to others and being a blessing to them, and in return, we get to receive a blessing.

After eleven years of being on the giving side of "ministry", it has been a humbling experience to be on the receiving end, but it has also been a time of learning and of seeing our Savior's love from a different perspective. 

And in the end, the one big thing I've learned is that Jesus really is all that matters.  As much as I love the Christmas season, it truly isn't about the lights or the {sigh} snow, the presents, or even about family, it is about the One who was born one silent night in a manger; One that was born that He might die to save a lost world from their sin.

If you had told me two months ago that I would be seeing things from this perspective, I'd have laughed at you.  The truth is, I can honestly say that I am thankful for this time of material drought because it has made each of us wealthy in ways that are far more important.

HE IS REALLY ALL THAT MATTERS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

© Adorning Grace 2011

Simplifying the Season

'Tis the season - the most wonderful time of the year! And yes, I truly do believe that! I absolutely adore the Christmas season!!!  And just because this year will be ..uh..different, doesn't change the fact that it is my most favorite time of the entire year!

Wayyyy back when I was in school, we did a Christmas play called "A Simple Kind of Christmas".   Part of the title song went like this:

Give me a simple kind of Christmas

Take away the worry and the care.

Give me a simple kind of Christmas

Take away the hurry everywhere.

So I can linger with the family

gathered 'round the piano as we sing the Savior's praise.

Give me a simple kind of Christmas

So my blessed Lord can have first place.

This year, we're on a forced simplification kinda Christmas. ~smile~  It's being embraced to varying degrees - from, "this is kinda fun!" to "this is going to be the worst Christmas ever" (names withheld to protect the guilty), but it's a learning experience for all of us.  It's odd not to be decorating from stem to stern, making lists and checking them twice, planning for our open house or deciding where to spend Christmas day.  But the season will be what we make of it.

Anyone who knows me knows how strongly I dislike artificial Christmas trees.  Half the fun of having a tree is going to a tree farm in the freshly fallen snow, smelling the trees, picking out just the right one, cutting it down and bringing it home.  Ya, I'm a tree snob. Sorry :-)  Sure, artificial trees have their place.  Of the seven trees we had in our home last year (of varying sizes), only one was real but that took main stage and it was a beauty!  Not this year.  Oh, much to my dismay, the wretched 5' artificial tree that used to get tucked into the corner of our back hallway to greet visitors is going to be "the" tree this year.  Blech.    

Being the good mommy that I am (LOL), I haven't actually said all that out loud.  The girls have made homemade salt dough ornaments and had a lot of fun doing so!  I have no idea where our mountains of ornaments and decorations are packed neither am I going to go looking. 

And even though it wasn't our traditional evening of decorating, there were still smiles to be found.  

 

 

I have to admit, the cat is a little confused though...He's wondering why there's no water to drink and why his little nibble of the needles wasn't so tasty.

 

 

So, popcorn is popping, hot chocolate is ready and the Christmas movie is about to begin.  We truly do have a lot to be thankful for, even in unsettled times such as these.

Have a wonderful evening!

 

© Adorning Grace 2011

A Summer Recap

I just cannot believe that the summer of 2011 is over...and I'm so far behind that I'm even late on acknowledging it!  Before we leave for a few days to visit our girls adoptive "Auntie B" in Georgia,  I thought I'd share with you a few pictures from our summer and what has been going on in our household.

In all honesty, I never dreamed that we'd spend the entire summer here in NC.  As is typical, God's plans were different than mine. Imagine that? lol  We kept busy with church activities, mostly as the adult and youth choirs traveled to sing at various camp meetings.  We're fortunate to have an active, Christ-centered church and our girls absolutely adore being a part of it. (Their parents are pretty partial to it as well!) 

On the home front, my youngest two girls love to catch "critters".  Some of you may remember from years back how we raised tadpoles on our kitchen table, until they grew to where they could hop out onto the table!  We're still raising things, I'm afraid.  Of course, I can't complain too much since so much of what a child learns hands on and discovers for herself will be retained much longer than what is read from a book. "Life learning" truly does make a lasting impression, but I digress.... Earlier this spring, we studied baby birds and watched them hatch.  We've since moved on to lizards and frogs.

Right now, we are home to seven toads of various sizes, three eastern fence post lizards, a chihuahua, a cat and our neighbor's dog who thinks he belongs to us.  There is never a dull moment!  Especially, when the girls put all seven frogs in the bathtub to "play", while the chihuahua tries his best to get into the tub with them!

And in the midst of all the other activity, we still have time to miss our family and friends.  Just today, I snapped this picture of our youngest talking to one of her NH friends on the phone...

Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things.  

~Author Unknown

Have an absolutely fabulously blessed week!

© Adorning Grace 2011

Happy Birthday to You!

From Drop Box

As hard as it is for me to believe, I have little choice but to accept the fact that my precious "babies" turn 9 years old today!  Here they are as cute little 1 yo's:

Since we are not having their official birthday party until tomorrow, we surprised them each with a birthday cupcake and they gave each other the gifts they had purchased one another.

From Drop Box

What a blessing and gift from God our children are. Thank you Lord for these past nine years (even if they do make a mama feel old :) ).

© Adorning Grace 2011

Three little birdies....

Call me crazy but I'm intrigued by the robin triplets that hatched 5 days ago in a nearby tree (probably more intrigued than my girls!). So, here is a new picture from today. I can't believe how they've grown!

As for us, we are settled very nicely into our temporary nest.  It's difficult to keep in touch since I do not have much of a cell signal where we are living and I can only access the internet by sitting outside (and y'all know how I adore the heat, right? lol)  So, please don't think we've fallen off the face of the earth.  Leave comments, text, leave a voicemail. We do eventually get them :)

My husband will be preaching at our home church this evening and at a church in Columbia, SC all day on Sunday. Please pray for us as we travel and that the Lord would bless the preaching.  Until next time...





© Adorning Grace 2011

Embracing Change

For I am the LORD, I change not;...  (Mal 3:6)

What a blessing to know that we serve a God who does not change!  His Word is true and if God said it, we can believe it.  If He commanded it, it's still applicable today. If He promised it, He will fulfill it.  Praise the Lord!  On the other hand, life is not like that.

If I had to pick one word to describe the past decade of my life, one of my top choices would be the word "change".  It seems that our life has been a constant changing, for both the good and the not so good.  Of course, we know that all things work together for good to those that love the Lord, but still, change is not always easy.

When we moved back home to NH just about two years ago now, I'll admit that I thought it was the end of our ever changing journey.  I thought the Lord had brought us full circle and that we would settle in our work for the Lord where our journey began more than twelve years earlier.

It was a huge shock to me to find that was not the Lord's will at all!  I can see clearly that the Lord allowed that season in our lives for a purpose...to see souls saved...to help a struggling church...to grow us individually and as a family.  There were some hard lessons to learn, but through it all, Jesus remained the same.

Many of you know how much a really, REALLY hate the hot weather.  I often joked that God made this Yankee for the north.  I love snow and cold....the long winters, the rugged mountains....the autumn leaves...the changing seasons...I love it all.  So, when my husband said we were heading back to NC, I had two choices. I could either embrace the change and accept it as God's will or I could fight against it, making myself and my family miserable.  Let's just say that I have learned that lesson the hard way and purposed in my heart that I was going to follow with gladness, praying that God would give the grace needed.  And do you know what? He has.  God is so faithful; I don't know why this wicked heart of mine ever doubts Him.

As I sit here on the porch of the little trailer we are staying in, I cannot help but be full of thankfulness.  You see, I thought that moving from a large house to a (maybe) 700sq ft trailer would be the death of me...~grin~....but I found myself telling my husband the other night how much I was enjoying living in it.  The kids are always close and I'm finding that I am able to focus on what is important.  Seventy-five percent of our stuff is in storage which means we are living with the bare necessities. I love not having to worry about stuff.

And even though we're borrowing our neighbors yard, I haven't felt this at home since our first house in KY.  We have an enormous yard to enjoy, and our children are spending their days outdoors from dawn till dusk.  God is good and his grace is truly sufficient. He has given us wonderful neighbors who are also part of our church family and they have gone out of their way to make us feel welcomed.  I am blessed.

So, while change isn't always fun, try making the most of it. You just never know how God might turn what you think is a trial into a blessing.

And speaking of changes, the girls have been observing a robin's nest for the past few days and were thrilled to find the eggs had hatched this morning.

And here we are...

We arrived safely in North Carolina last Thursday. A great big "thank you" to all who prayed for our safety on the roads!  We decided to take our time and left NH at 10:30pm Monday evening.  I didn't know how many deer we had up there till I was driving through northern NH and VT.  Every couple of miles, I would see 7-10 deer on the side of the road, grazing.  I kept repeating, "please stay where you are....please stay where you are!"  They did; thank you Jesus.  The trip was fairly uneventful and we are now as settled as we plan to get in our temporary home here.

The youngest two girls have been thrilled to have a yard to play in and children to play with.  The owners of the trailer we're staying in (and our neighbors), have two young children.  It's been a perpetual vacation for 1 & 2 G8 since we arrived.  Eldest has settled right back in to working in bus church and hanging out with her friends here.  The Lord is good to have made this transition so simple.

Please continue to pray with us for a place of permanence for our family.  My husband will be preaching at our church here on Wednesday and for a church in Columbia, SC a week from Sunday.  Pray the Lord will keep him busy until he opens up another pastorate.

I have very limited cell phone and internet access. As a matter of fact, I'm sitting in our vehicle right now, picking up a wifi signal. So, I can't promise to update regularly but know that we appreciate the concern and prayers that have been sent our way!  Until next time....

From Drop Box

© Adorning Grace 2011

The view from our porch this evening

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

(1Th 4:16-17)

© Adorning Grace 2011

Catching up with some pictures…

I realized this morning that I haven’t posted pictures in a very long time and since I have two sick children and one recovering, I figured today would be a good opportunity to do so.  I thought I’d back up to my beautiful daughter’s 13th birthday part in January:

HAPPY 13TH BIRTHDAY!

The one great thing about living in northern New England is that you can plan an ice skating party just about any time from December through March and be assured of having ice.  Daddy and his girls spent a lot of time building and prepping an ice skating rink in our back yard in anticipation of the birthday party.

click pictures to enlarge

                                     

Here they are on the ice.  1G13 is in the pink and her twin sisters are on the ends.  The other girls are some wonderful young ladies from our church.

               

After ice skating came a game of Twister. 

Someone had trouble remembering her right from her left!

                                                                                                                                                        

When 1G13 was born, she had a poem hung in her nursery that always made me cry. I’m reposting it here and guess what? It still makes me cry!  So many stages have past and I have to admit that it’s sad to know that they are gone but the Lord has blessed us with a wonderful daughter who loves Him.

Little Shoes

In the top drawer of her dresser
is one pair of little shoes
And a pair of little booties
from which her Mom can choose.

Although she cannot walk just yet,
out with her Mom she goes
For strolls in different shades of pink
from her head down to her toes.

But soon the little newborn babe
has to a toddler grown:
In patent-leather party shoes
she's walking all alone.

But someone's watching closely as
she takes each shaky stride,
And though she may not notice it,
her Mom is at her side.

The nursery's now a bedroom,
the baby's crib is gone,
The little girl is off to school
with brand-new sneakers on.

She skips onto the school yard with a step
as light as air,
While Mom, though smiling bravely,
feels at loose ends, standing there.

The little girl grows older,
and with each passing year,
Her first high-heels and cowgirl boots
eventually appear.

And then, as if by magic,
the little girl is grown,
She wears the latest fashions bought
with earnings of her own.

Then one fine day she's walking
with her father at her side,
In shoes of fine white satin,
for now she is a bride.

I wonder where the time has gone,
and wistfully recall
My little girl, in little shoes,
so innocent and small.

And now I am a Granny,
and Daughter, you're a Mom,
Your little newborn daughter is
the sunshine of your home.

The top drawer of her dresser
is filled with little shoes,
And many pairs of booties
from which you now can choose.

Cherish each passing moment,
the laughter and the tears,
For days go by so swiftly,
and gather soon to years.

The little shoes she will outgrow
before you realize,
She'll blossom like a summer's rose,
before your very eyes.

Be always there to walk with her
when up against the odds,
Make sure she knows that she can count
on her Savior and her God.

And though she'll spread her wings and fly,
as all our daughters do,
One day she'll wear a mother's shoes,
and she'll come home to you.


© Catherine Chandler