Happy Birthday Edie - lifeingrace

Tragedy can strike anytime.

But it always seems to be even more tragic when it hits around Christmas.

This is what happened to Edie and her family. This families house burned down days before Christmas. Everything inside was burned. However, every memeber of her family was saved. No one was hurt. Even their pets got out safely. Praise the LORD!

Today is Edie's birthday. I have been reading Edie's blog for a while now. Maybe a year, maybe two. I have enjoyed her unique style, her creativeness, her homeschool stories and her love for her family and God.

Happy Birthday Edie!

You and your family are on my heart and in my prayers.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
Matthew 6:19-20


"We do this because we love Edie. We do this because we don’t know what else to do. We do this because, though fire may have taken the house, it cannot take the home. Because home is Edie’s specialty, her heart, her gift she has made her home in Christ, and we know along with the Apostle Paul that “neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

John 3:16

Our family car needs some major repairs. We've decided, since we're on our second transmission, it's time to replace it.

This past Monday we knew it needed some mechanical help. It needed more help than it could get here at home. So off to the shop it went. On the way the drive shaft broke and transmission cracked. OUCH $$$$!

So there sat our car unmoveable. Instead of holding our family it would now only hold our memories. It's a bit embaressing to admit this but my eyes welled with tears. The memories I have of the last 5 years are all connected to this vehicle. It is a reminder of the places we'd been. It took us on countless trips to see family and to meet friends. We brought our last baby home from the hospital in it. We made several excursions to the beach and hundreds of trips camping, hiking, biking.....everything we did as a family, these last 5 years, were connected to this vehicle.

But staring back at me from the back window was the new "tatoo". A reminder to me that although this mode of transportation had met a need and was a blessing from the LORD, it had fulfilled it's purpose.

But thankfully, as believers in the one true God, our end will be quite different. For our lives do not end here. For we have been promised everlasting life.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16

Another Month. Practically Gone,

October 20, 2010?

Already?

It's that time again.

Time to evaluate how I am spending my time.


"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." 2 Peter 3:8

Plans

Many, O LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40:5




I bought this huge recycled bowl on clearance at Target a while back.

I planned for it to sit neatly upon our large kitchen table. Like this:

Instead it doesn't sit as neatly as I planned. It has ended up being the catch all for anything on the table that is left behind. I'm learning to be ok with this.

This reminded me of the way I plan the outcome of things in my life. I often think:

" I will do this or things will go this way."

However, I often find that the LORD has other plans. I've learned to be ok with this.

And this verse always encourages me.

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, said the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. " Jeremiah 29:11

Let the field trips begin!

One of the best things about homeschooling is that our family can take field trips together.

Tomorrow we are taking a walking history tour of Knoxville. It's definetely my idea ofone of the best ways to learn history. Being at the exact spot where history took place.

Our lunches are packed and we are ready to go.

Things that make me smile.

.... A little visitor that landed on my toe today.

....celebrating my February birthday in May! (Thanks Angie!!)

my new ipod with my favorite worship songs.

...our fresh garden produce!

...the fact that our chickens are finally, FINALLY, laying eggs!

these ladies don't just make me smile they make me laugh until my sides hurt

and than some.. ha.

....thinking about how our two last puppies went to the same home together.

and definetly this guy!

Time to Refocus

Sometimes my life seems like it is sailing along quietly. Each day somewhat similar to the one before.

Lately that hasn't been the case. It seems that we are hitting one bump after another. Some small, some not so small. And I've found little distractions from it all. I washed my ipod earlier this year. So I haven't been able to tune out the world for even a little bit. I've missed it. And my new (to me) Nikon camera has taken on a mind of it's own. Sometimes I can snap a picture and sometimes I can't. It's too frustrating to even try it at times so I have given up for now.

But looking back now at the last couple of months I am thankful that the distractions have been few. During this season of Lent I needed to refocus my life. I've used some of this time to focus on what is still good. I've spent more time focusing and praying for the needs of others. I've become extra aware of my need for a Savior. Yes, I've known it all along...but stepping back every now and than helps me stay focused. It was time.

On the day I called, You answered me;
You made me bold with strength in my soul.~Psalm 138:3

Truth be told....

Over a week ago someone called out of the blue and wanted to buy our goats. All of them. Since Joe wants to change over to sheep, he sold them.

We than had some lonely guard dogs.

But not for long. Yesterday we were blessed with our first set of Great Pyrenees puppies.
Ten, of them. Ten very needy puppies. Their momma has not recovered well and is at the vet tonight. So our family has been hand feeding these little bundles of fur for about the last 24 hours.



Truth be told, I like it.... but it sure is a lot of work!

Now there are three.

Another precious baby goat was born yesterday.

I'm having two thoughts...... mainly.

One: I'm glad they were born during these warm high 40's and 50 day temps we are currently experiencing. It would have otherwise been a sad state of affairs at 20 degrees and below.

Two: I am amazed that after only a few hours these little guys are walking around the pasture.

I'm constantly being amazed at the LORDs handiwork.
This day is no different.

The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein. ~ Psalm 24 :1

Lookie what's new at the barn...

Baby Goats!

Two of 'em...

Silence

We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass - grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence.... We need silence to be able to touch souls. ~Mother Teresa

Sometimes the Wilderness Comes to you..

This week we participating in a few classes at Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge.

It's an annual event and this was the 20th year!

With my young children I participate in the animal shows..... mostly.

I did squeeze in a photography class that I really enjoyed.
It inspired me to order a new camera today. I'm excited!

However, the real highlight of my week was watching my 3 year old win a coloring contest and bring home a new book..

PRICELESS!

oh deer!

This is what I got my man for Christmas. It's a large stained glass decoration that now sits in the window of our front room gathering area.

For years I've dreamed of what I would put up there. It's not exactly what I imagined but it does make me smile.

As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So my soul pants for You, O God. Psalm 42:1

Now On Clearance: Peace

Lookie what I just found at 75% off.

It's now on our fireplace mantel.

I'm hoping it stays around all year.

....and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3

Happy New Year

2010 = ANOTHER 365 NEW BEGINNINGS!

The start of a new year always brings me the hope of so many possibilities.

There are so many things that I've left undone and dreams that I haven't pursued.

I have a list of places waiting for me to explore. My bookshelves hold so many books waiting to be read.

I have people yet to meet and than there are the weight and financial goals I wish to achieve. The list goes on and on.....

I've been teaching Sunday School classes this year.
My Pastor gave me this for Christmas.

I've adopted it's theme as my goal and prayer for this coming year.
When 2010 has past, it is what will really matter to me when all is said and done.

Peace be with you this
Happy New Year!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Today it is snowing. An amazing feat this early in December.

The tree has been up since Thanksgiving day.

The stockings are hung on the new mantle Joe made with love and care.

And this is how I found my baby boy one early morning. Waiting.....

Falling for November

"A few days ago I walked along the edge of the lake and was treated to the crunch and rustle of leaves with each step I made. The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds, no matter how hushed, are as crisp as autumn air."
- Eric Sloane

The colors on the falling leaves and the crisp cool air have made for some beautiful days.



A visit to the apple orchard was the perfect excuse for a Sunday drive.



We've been enjoying Otis, the newest member of our family.

November brings us some extra work ....

and play.

This morning....

I've started reading a new book and looking at the calender for November. I'm thinking about how I like all the empty spaces that are still on it. I need to keep it that way. I'm planning to make a few changes in November.


I'm also counting my blessings. One of them arrived early this morning.

What I did this past weekend.

I invited several of my best and closest friends over.

All in the name of making soap in my crock pot.

The ingredients consisted of olive oil, coconut oil, vegetable shortening, water and lye. I also decided to throw in some coffee, oatmeal and tea tree oil.

WA-LA

The results of the evening included lots of laughs that went into the wee hours of the morning
and 27 beautiful bars of soap.

Happy Birthday Baby!

He turns the big THREE today....but he is a still my baby boy.

Back to the Beach.

Tomorrow = one week since we got back from our beach trip.

It's always great to be back home, sweet, home.

BUT I am really going to miss.....

The end.

Doves.

It's dove hunting season.

So I have been told.

I've never thought about doves much.

Until today. Because soon they will be dinner.

I need a good recipe. UGH!