Seven Words...Word 1 - Forgiveness

As our family begins this Passion Week, Kyle and I feel compelled to turn the focus of our hearts towards our Saviour even more than ever. We feel compelled to truly humble our hearts and quietly abide in what this week looked like for Jesus the One who came from the comforts of Heaven to redeem our needy souls. To stop and rest awhile...to reflect...to examine...

In seeking what the four of us would read, study and learn this week, I happened upon two different paths that had the exact same direction so I took that as confirmation from the Lord and we are going with it. Tonight was our first night in this particular study and our time in the Word was sweet, fulfilling and stretching.

Word 1
FORGIVENESS
Jesus said,
"Father, forgive them,
for they do not know what they are doing."
And they divided up His clothes by casting lots.
Luke 23:34

*We discussed what "forgiveness" and "mercy" genuinely is...
what it looks like...
who deserves it...
what Jesus went through to extend it to us...

*We discussed how often we seek God's forgiveness...
whether we seek it in generalities...
whether we seek it in specific requests...

*We discussed how often we take it for granted...

*We discussed the cost Jesus paid...

I am simply yet deeply humbled by what Jesus did for *me*! Mallary's words said it with such innocence yet so profoundly, "I would be nothing if Jesus didn't forgive me for the things I did wrong. When He forgives me it's all gone and I feel so much better."

Thank you Jesus for forgiveness...
Thank You for writing our names in red...

Just Mal & Me...

Today has been quite a different day for me...a different day, but a very GOOD day!

I used to take days like these to catch-up, regroup, clean house, do "my thing", but today, today was different...

MaKayla is out-and-about on a "girly" day with Bri (my niece, her cousin) so it's just Mal and Me here at home. Since Mal and I don't get many days like today, it's been her day...a day where she gets to choose.

I got up with Kyle as usual this morning but then as soon as he called on his way to work, I woke Mal up from her restful slumber and asked her if she would like to join me in Daddy and Momma's bed to snuggle (something she and I used to do ALL the time when she was a little thing). She quickly jumped up and made her way to our room and without thought chose Daddy's side of the bed to nestle in to. We snuggled and drifted in-and-out of sleep with the bright warm sunshine streaming in on our faces until after 9:00 a.m. That NEVER happens so it was a treat for both of us.

When I asked Mal what she wanted for breakfast, she listed all the options she could think of: cereal, toast, pancakes, french toast, scrambled eggs...,"Let's see how about pancakes. Chocolate-chip pancakes!" Pancakes it was...with lots of chocolate chips. It was fun listening to her chatter about how Daddy makes the best waffles and MaKayla detests chocolate-chip pancakes because they're too rich and they make her stomach feel yucky. :o) She measured all the ingredients, thought the sour milk looked disgusting, warmed the syrup and waited...


*During breakfast she watched a McGee & Me movie...
*Then got a perfect score on her spelling test...
*Did her final writing assignment for the week...

We agreed that doing school together on the couch sounded like much more fun than books at the school table so I got on-line, found some neat work pages on the animals that live in the Grand Canyon, she ran down to the printer to snatch them up and then we settled on the couch to learn... It was a great time and she commented more than once how nice it was to do school "together"! :o)

Believe me, when Mal first found out that MaKayla was going to be "missing" yesterday afternoon, last night and today, the prospect was a little taunting...she relies a whole lot on MaKayla...always has!?! I informed her that we all need "our time" and this was MaKayla's time and in time, her time will come...

I heard of yet another adolescent in our area who I am presuming committed suicide this past week and my heart was saddened. I wondered what was so hopeless that this young man felt as though life weren't worth living. My heart broke imagining what went through his mind prior to the determined action that carried out his drastic decision and what should have been different that would have made him feel loved, valuable, special. It made me think of the "Mal and Me" time we have had today and how these times cement in her heart and mind how much she is loved, adored and valued. These hours of independent, affirmation are precious and necessary investments...moments that neither she nor I will ever forget. It seems as MaKayla grows older and our interests fall in line with one another, we have lots of alone time together that "just happens". As well, the four-of-us spend loads of time as a family, but this time, one-on-one time, is rare but wonderful! Much like the time she and Kyle spent in the yard last night kicking the soccer ball around, playing catch with the softball and talking about her day.

Op, pizza's on the menu for lunch and my girl is hungry... (Pizza's on the menu for supper tonight as well...homemade, not Totino's...but hey, who needs rules on days like today!?! We can eat the same meal twice...)

Need to get back to our Mal & Me time...

A Simple Pleasure...

Oh the things God uses to bring simple pleasures to my day!

Like:

9:00 a.m. ~ When on Monday washing and hang-drying Kyle's dress shirt from last Sunday and then taking it off of the hanger only moments ago, catching a lingering, breath taking whiff of his exhilarating cologne...awww...simple but thrilling pleasures!

Yum-oh!

Pleasures to warm and brighten my day!! :o)
I love how God splashes His simple yet profound love on me!

I'm adding...
9:26 a.m. ~ a checkbook that balances perfectly on the first time...
*a smile on my husband's face that I haven't seen in over a week
*a good cup of coffee
*the evidence of a newly born calf
*God's unmistakable presence
*a daughter who encourages and affirms me
*a sleep-eyed blessing coming to greet me
*singing birds
*the reality of spring
11:07 a.m. ~ I'm still sniffing the shirt...
*a short visit with Kyle
*clothes on the line

Kindred Spirits... Thoughts from MaKayla...

This past couple of weeks Mal and I, along with Mom and Dad have been watching the "Anne of Green Gables" series of an evening after supper is over. These movies are some of my very favorite and through the years we have acquired all six, making a complete set. If you have ever seen these treasures you would know that one of Anne's favorite things is finding "kindred spirits"... those people that you have a connection with that just can't be explained. It got me to thinking about the kindred spirits in my life...

My Daddy,"Mr. Darcy" :-), My Authority, My Hero,
My Mentor, My Friend ...

My Momma, My Example, My Teacher, My Mentor,
My Strongest Encourager/Listener, My Friend...

Mal, Best Friend, Sister, and Constant Companion...

Bri, My "Twin", My Soul Sister...

Julie, "Adopted Big Sis" #1...

Megan, "Adopted Big Sis" #2...

Becca, My Best Bud...

My Grandpa Billy, My Side Kick, My Amigo,
My Favorite Person to Annoy :-) ...

"Thank you Father, for the kindred spirits in my life! Thank you for their friendship, their support, their love, their encouragement, and for the blessing that they are to me on a day-to-day basis! I love them so very much!"

Amazed...

This morning after Kyle left for work...my routine went as normal...I began journaling, Kyle called, we talked... After our conversation was over, I sat in what I typically consider quietness until the Lord said, "Mendi, cease all manner of noise that you hear and listen. Remove all manner of lighting you see and watch. Hear Me. See Me. Feel Me. Know Me." I promptly arose from the chair in which I was sitting and closed the lid of the computer so that the noise of the humming would cease. I made my way into Kyle and I's bedroom and shut off the fan that provides "white noise" at night so that we can sleep better. I turned the knob on the lamp that was above me and opened the curtains of our picture window in the living room. (Mind you, it is still dark at the time I did this.) I settled back into my chair and listened...gentle rain fall...croaking frogs...singing birds...all the voice of God. I gazed out the window and watched as light began to grace the sky...as the gentle breeze brought movement to the tree branches...as rain fall settled on the awakening grass...all images of my Father. Each of the things I heard and all of the things I saw were things I myself could not create...they were the presence of my God and Father, the Creator of the universe, meeting me where I was and inviting me to join Him in welcoming a new day.

Immediately the words of the following YouTube worship song (click on the arrow to play) came to my mind as well as a portion of scripture that I read just yesterday:

"Should you not fear Me?
Should you not tremble in My presence?
I made the sand a boundary for the sea,
an everlasting barrier it cannot cross.
The waves may roll,
but they cannot prevail;
they may roar,
but they cannot cross it.
Let us fear the Lord our God,
who gives autumn and spring rains in season,
who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest."

As I sat there in the still, dark, innocence of a new day that only contained the voice and image of my Maker, I found myself once again awestruck at His majesty, power and presence. I found myself realizing that my corner of the world isn't it...there's so much more. My God is so BIG... The universe is so vast and where I find myself is only a speck to ALL that He has formed, created and put into place.

The more I listen, the more I learn...

How great He is, How small I am...

I find myself awestruck that God Himself chose me!
I'm amazed...
I'm so amazed...

(You will want to pause the music above...)

Nurture...

nurture - to nourish
There are select days that I would not say as much, but for the vast majority of the life I live, I am so thankful for the "vocation" that God has called me to live out. I love being a child-of-the-King...I love being the wife to a most amazing helpmeet and friend...I love teaching and training the two precious lives that God has blessed us with...


There was once a time in my life that "service" and "ministry" were the priority in my life but now I clearly see the proper order of priority and I am grateful that my God and my Saviour revealed such a profound reality to me. Living out that reality has brought a great deal of freedom, rest, fulfillment and contentment to my once "harried" life...a life I lived for far too long where I tried to be all things to all people. Living out that reality defeated God's true purpose of my life and in turn lots of things and people were being nourished except the ones that had been entrusted to me...my family. I was so busy doing this and that and running here and there that I couldn't "see" who was hurting and where I was lacking. As in all things, the cost must be counted and my three most precious possessions were receiving the meager remains of my inheritance. I was spending the first fruits on the permissible but not the perfect. Those are times and seasons that are now behind me. I've repented, found healing, changed courses...scars still remain yet I am thankful this day for God's sufficient grace to start over, begin anew, recreate. I am thankful for a family (especially a near 16-year-old) who can look back and say, "I am thankful that you aren't who you used to be but for who you are today." I chuckle each time Mallary hits a "road-block" in school and things are a little "tense" and MaKayla says, "Oh honey, you have no idea. Just be glad Mom is who she is. You should have had her when I was that age!?!" :o) I'm glad I can hear those words and see the transformation that Jesus has brought to my life. Transformation for His glory, for the fruit of my family and for the inner fulfillment in my heart.

This morning Kyle got up as usual and started getting ready for work. (Note that he and I are both very schedule oriented persons that function best in a normal routine.) Life has been somewhat (or a whole lot) overwhelming for him lately...physically, mentally and emotionally and it is literally taking its toll on him to the point that he is having some "flashback" symptoms of his UC that he hasn't experienced for months. As I came out of our bedroom and was preparing to "take my turn" in the bathroom this morning I could tell in the way he was carrying himself that he wasn't doing well. I immediately began praying for this one whom I adore and the Lord said, "Lay aside your routine and nurture." I listened and followed where my Saviour led... It was a time where I could encourage, comfort, nourish and pray over a life I love more than my own.


I'm finding more and more that God's greatest desire for my life is to have ears to hear, eyes to see, a heart to feel and the determination to obey. He's given all of those things to me...it's my choosing what I do with them.

The more I listen, the more He speaks.
The more I watch, the more He reveals.
The more prepared my heart is, the more He manifests Himself.
The more determined I am to follow where He leads,
the more courage He pours out on me.

God has told me who He desires me to be.
God has shown me how to love my family.
God has impressed upon me the virtue of nurturing.
I am determined...I have courage.

More of Thee...less of me!

A Gift...The Key...

I'm not even really sure how to write this blog post as there are no words to adequately convey my heart this day. There are times when God extends wisdom, knowledge, discernment and enlightenment that are beyond explanation...this happens to be one of those moments in my life... I feel as though I have been given a gift that no value can be placed on...a gift that can't be described...a gift that can't be bought or sold...a gift straight from the hand of God Himself...

An individual that I love beyond words has been struggling deeply...not just a momentary struggle but a struggle that has been ongoing for years...a struggle that seemed to have no solution...a struggle that was complicated...a struggle that has been draining the person themself...a struggle that has been draining those that they long to love and long to lead...

This morning as I was spending time with my Father and reading from His Word, He shared a gift with me... He shared a word of enlightenment and wisdom on behalf of this one I love so much... As I read and listened, I instantly knew that a gift had been extended... I willingly reached out and received the gift, tearing away one piece of paper at a time... I continued to read, study and listen and with each piece of paper that was removed the depth of knowledge and insight was greater... I found my way to the Vessel which held the gift...I diligently peered within and dug deep inside... Delicately yet profoundly within, I found a Key...the Key... The Key that unlocks the door... The Key that untangles the struggle... The Key that heals the wound... The Key that breaks down the wall... The Key removes the shackles... The Key that clears away the scales... The Key that dislodges the plugs... The Key that brings life to dried up bones... The Key that restores lost years... The Key to effective prayer...

I have been given a gift this day...
I have been given the Key...
I am pleading their case...
I am rich and another is free!

MY GOD REIGNS!
MY GOD IS HOLY!

Once Upon A Spring Day...With Those I Love...

Today has been an exceptionally wonderful day! I went for a follow-up appointment to see my ARNP on Tuesday and she kindly "suggested" that I start doing daily "meditation"... some health care professionals just don't get it that God IS enough... On top of that that this past Saturday, I had a family member ask me how Kyle, myself and our girls had been doing. When I told her we were doing very well, she kindly commented about the "stress lines" visible on my face...

Life has been a little overwhelming lately yet through my daily time of solitude and fellowship with the Lord the past two mornings, I have walked away refreshed, renewed and nourished. I have found a great deal of wisdom and healing in some areas where I have been struggling the most. As I put bedding on the clothes line today the Holy Spirit revealed a word of truth that broke some significant chains in my life (another post, another day) and immediate freedom sprang forth. Hallelujah! That freedom removed a great deal of stress and tension and this afternoon I was immensely rejuvenated through my time with Kyle, MaKayla, Mallary and the Lord in the midst of His creation.

(flip-flops are great on a spring day...)

(MaKayla's not so sure of the flip-flop idea...)

(Remind me why we wore flip-flops...)

(I love the preciousness of MaKayla's hand here...
and her creativity...)

See! The winter is past;

the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of the doves
is heard in our land.
The fig tree forms its early fruit;
the blossoming vines spread their
fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling;
my beautiful one, come with Me.

Song of Songs 2:11~13

Thanks for joining us on our adventure...it's been a blessing!

Good evening and sweet dreams...

Once Upon A Spring Day...God's Creation...

On our first walk this is what we took in...lots of green...lots of mud...lots of life...lots of sun...and best of all NO ICE or SNOW...although they are putting temperatures back in the 30's on Saturday with, ugh...snow...

(monumental...no ice...)

(Some poor animal lost it's life...probably in one of the gazillion snow storms and below-zero days we had this winter...)

Next post...Once Upon A Spring Day With Those I Love...

Once Upon A Spring Day...A Little Work...Alot Of Play...

A few of the various blogs that I follow have inspired me to "play" with our camera so once we were done with school this afternoon, with today being the amazingly beautiful day it was...











Our Mally is an active, outside girl...besides the laundry and sun-tea, it was all her doings...

Next post...spring nature...