Family time!

 

The pond, and I think my dad would say that I am a big "dill"!!

The "outhouse"

One of the cat fish we caught

So much fun this weekend! I spent the day with my parents. How many of you can say that you now make plans with your parents instead of being dragged around to family events by your parents?? I remember a time when I was young that I "had to go" and was being "made to go" to family stuff and other things. But now, looking back, I am glad I was there to experience them and look for opportunities to have more! Mom would be the one taking the pictures. I can remember us kids saying, not again! EVen now, she still does, and you can see her holding up her i-pad taking those pictures! Now I take so many pictures because I cherish those memories. I take so many I have to go through them to delete some, there are so many!

This weekend I went to the farm with my momma and daddy. (yes I am 57 yr old and they are still my momma and daddy!). It definitely was a long drive there, but worth it for the memories made. Taking a ride on the side-by-side back around the property to see all the trails, field and trees, to using the outhouse, to fishing on the pond! And the fish were hungry cause we got a whole mess of bluegill and catfish! And the weather was amazing.We couldn't have asked for a better day!

Have you ever felt that when you are with your parents or grandparents, you feel like a kid once again? I feel that way whenever I am with my parents. And there is nothing wrong with that. I know that my kids probably feel the same when they are with me. And now that I am a parent of adult kids, I know how my parents feel. It is hard to let go of wanting to love on and care for your kids like you did when they were young. At the pond fishing, dad helped me with baiting my hook with the worms and taking the fish off the hook after I caught them. It was great, just like when I was young. It is hard to adult sometimes and it feels good when you have your daddy to help, even if it is just a worm or fish. (not to say that I couldn't bait my hook with the slimy worms or take my own scaly fish off my hook! hmm)

I also took a lot of short videos. Technology has made it so easy to save memories. I am into taking these short videos of people and some conversations. It is a reminder of their voice, what they sound like, and even if the conversation isn't important, it shows that personality that you would want to see over again. 

Whoever your family is, make time for them. It can be your neighbor, a friend, a co-worker, or a distance relative. Whoever it is, make those memories. Be intentional with your time that you have with them and your words. 

Proverbs 22:6: "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." 

Malachi 4:6: "And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers"

Love to all,

You are my sunshine!

WOW! It is so good to feel the warmth of the sun! The seasons are changing and now the sun is shining and we are all able to get out and enjoy it.  It brings a smile to face and joy to my heart to see all the flowers and the colors popping out this season. My flowers I planted last week, well, I can say they are still alive, but one of them looks like they are hanging on to dear life. I never really had a green thumb, and it isn't from lack of trying! I just don't think plants like me...LOL

As  you can see, my hair is still growing...I have not given up on the curls! and OH the gray! It really is showing. I think I am way too young for gray, I may have to look into some of that box color stuff! haha

I am so excited to get started on our house build. This is a view from what will be our back porch! I love it and can't wait for our new home and new beginnings to start!

I am looking forward to be out of the city. It won't be quite country life, but close. All the stress of having to be so aggressive when driving, rude people, and the traffic, I am ready to get out of this and to a much more quieter life. Crickets, trees, listening to wind, being able to hear my own thoughts. Ahh , sounds good, right?

I'm not sure what my dog, Riley is going to think of it. That big backyard to run around and chase the rabbits and other critters! I am sure she will be happy to move away from Lulu, our dog next door who is always trying to get her attention with barking! We had a hole in the fence where Riley and Lulu could see each other through it, but we had to close it because it was beginning to be too much barking at each other. I don't think Riley really likes Lulu that much.

All of this to say, even with change, I (we) still survive. Sometimes it is hard, but taking the time to look around, experience life, no matter how small, reminds you that you are still alive. Even if it is dogs barking, colors of the trees or flowers, or just enjoying the warmth of the sun, we are alive!

Psalm 118:24:

"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." 

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."

Love to all, 

Happy Mother's Day

 

Happy Mother's day to you all. Just think about this....If it wasn't for your mom, you wouldn't be here!!

This day is always a reminder to me of where I was and where I am today. What I have done as a parent before and after my kids. Today is a happy day for me. 

We all have mothered one way or another. Some have been blessed with children of their own and I am happy that you have them. Some are aunts and I have some aunts that are just like a mom to me. Some are in that struggle of wanting children but has not been blessed yet. Before I became a mom of little humans, I was a dog mom. And I wore that title and continue to wear it proudly.

Children, they truly are a blessing. I have 2 children and for me to get them, well it took us down a long road of infertility ups and downs to have them. This mother's day can be a hard one for those wanting to make a family, have children but not being able to. I understand. When we were trying to figure out what was happening, and the why we couldn't, it seemed everyone around me were having babies. That is all I wanted and it consumed me. It was like I was being punished. I had always thought I would be a mom and the thought of never have children never crossed my mind. Then infertility struck. It was a huge blow to me. It took me down that road of discouragement.  Feeling I was not who I had planned myself or my life to be. 

It took me a while to figure out that this didn't define me. I could be a mom to a child whether or not they came from me. A mom is someone that is there for their children, whether the are biological or adopted. We discussed our options, decided that we would try IVF and if it didn't work, then we would look at adoption. We did IVF and were blessed. 

My prayer is that if you are going through this infertility journey, please don't let it discourage you. It is a hard road to travel. And I pray you find strength within yourself on this journey. 

For me, I was blessed to have my prayers answered and even more blessed with 2 beautiful children. The journey, many prayers and times on my knees, I would do it all over again. 

I love being a mom. It has had it's hard times. And I know I have failed at it at times. But I am only human, and I have never been a mom before. So throughout my childrens 28 years of life, we are doing this thing together. Me and my husband struggle at times, but our parents have led by example what good parents are supposed to be. I thank them for that example and to show us what we should and should not do. 

So, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO YOU ALL! This is your dad and just know that you are appreciated for all that you do.

Psalm 34:18 states "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 

Love to all, 

Evansville Serve Tour!

 

Evansville did not disappoint! It was wonderful. The serve tour was represented by 41 churches, we had 14 projects. I had such so much fun and found muscles that I forgot I had.

Day one was at the playground at an elementary school. The project assigned for me was to mark out a hopscotch, 2 square and 4 square games then paint it on the walk.  I did not know anything about 2 square or 4 square.  Thank goodness for you tube! I had to watch it to see exactly what we needed to do.

So we started with the one we knew, hopscotch.  We had to measure out, tape it out, then paint it. It wasn't until toward the end, like on block 8, that we were given a framing square. That helped so much more than the tape measure! After we got it done, of course I had to test it out. I had to see if it worked.  Well I am glad to tell you that the hopscotch worked.

We moved onto the 2 and 4 square and we got them done before the rain.  Well we thought the rain was coming, but guess what! It never came, on either of the days. God answered prayers and he held it back until Sunday so we could get all of our projects completed.  Everything was painted, bushes cut back, wood chips raked and fluffed. And this was the first day and it was good.

Day two.  It was a little different. We worked one of the block parties and it was cold! No sun but again the rain held off! We had carnival games, a magician, cotton candy, hot dogs and popcorn and an inflatable obstacle course! So you ask, did you do the obstacle course? Do you even need to ask?  Of course I did! and the 4 yo that raced against me, well, lets just say I didn't win any awards! haha. I think I would have won if I didn't get stuck trying to get over the wall! Took me a few times. 

A few things I learned this weekend: 

1. Don't be afraid to have fun and be silly

2. Always Trust in God, he will answer prayers

3. It is a small world. Found out the team I was helping with the hot dogs is the church my cousin goes to in Illinois! So watch out, you never know who is watching you!

4. God works through even ordinary people like me. We saw God work this weekend through all our serve projects. I met some great people and I look forward to the next trip.

It was a short weekend with big things done. We made a difference with so many people and kids. I am glad to be part of this small plan in this moment of time.

1 John 4:7

"Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him."

Love to all,

Go serve

 

Today's the day. Our travel day to GO SERVE the community in Evansville, IN with Send Relief.  I am so excited for all the work we will be doing to help that community. And to also witness to them and show the love of Jesus. 

I am packed, got my work gloves and work shoes and ready to GOOOOOO! Me and my friend B will be working for 2 days. Our first day is to replace, repaint and renew an elementary school playground. When we finish, maybe the paint will be dry enough for us to test out the playground. You know....make sure that it is safe for the little ones (wink, wink)

The second day will be working with a local church to connect and serve the community around the church. We will be having a BLOCK PARTY!! This is going to be great! We will be setting up and cleaning up afterwards but also serving food, help with games and show the love of Christ. And there will be inflatable bouncy thingy's!! You know if I can get into them, I WILL! I think I will blend in with the kiddos. I don't look a day over........

I do not know what God has in store for me or my friend B, but I know that it will be something extraordinary! God doesn't do small. Things may look small, but it will always turn into something BIG! I just go when HE tells me and do what his plan is and see God work. It is pretty amazing to watch and be a part of the plan. 

Please pray that through our small acts of works, God will show up with something more bigger, something that only HE can do!

Oh and update on the hair....I am still in the game. It's growing and the curls are OUT OF CONTROL! (haha) 

I leave you with the promises from God today. Have a blessed and safe weekend. 

Mark 10:45: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Isaiah 6:8: Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Love to all,