Full To Overflowing...

It has been a crazy week to say the least and it seems that there has been no "window-of-time" for blogging, so as I awoke earlier than everyone else this morning, I decided to settle in a comfy place on the couch and let my heart spill over.

This week has been full to overflowing and there have been so many times in the past several days that my heart has cried, "It's too much! I just can't do a-n-y-m-o-r-e," yet the Lord has faithfully reminded me that His grace is sufficient and his strength is perfect. Now that it is Saturday, I've had a little rest, we have an uneventful weekend ahead and I can look back on the week, my heart is bursting at the seams. Even though school-work is still strewn across the dining room table and the house didn't get cleaned, I can say, "It was a full week but it was a great, fruitful, God week."

♥ Our home has been graced with cherished family, dear friends and beautiful toddlers.
♥ MaKayla, Mal and I tried our hands at making our first batch of homemade laundry soap.
♥ Many opportunities to minister to others have been graciously brought before us.
♥ Several hours of knitting have been accomplished.
♥ Christmas program preparations have been organized and reorganized.
♥ Numerous hours of study on natural healing, healthy eating and proper care of our internal bodies have filled my heart, mind and soul.
♥ CD's of quiet music have lingered in the air with a few Christmas songs here and there.
♥ Warm, fleece jammies have been our main wardrobe.
♥ Scriptures of encouragement have given us hope.
♥ Diligent minutes of school-work have increased our knowledge.
♥ Certain Christmas gifts have been completed.
♥ Candles have been burning.
♥ Homemade, whole-wheat runzas were a success.
♥ I was blessed to go on a Date Night with my most favorite man.
♥ God has been abundantly faithful!!!!
♥ And that most favorite man of mine just brought me a fresh cup of hot coffee!!!!

Even from afar, in the midst of this week, we celebrated a niece's birthday! :)

We remembered a special baby who was born lifeless, motionless, soundless... Brought into this world already ushered into the arms of Jesus... We remembered that season of life... We thought of his daddy & mommy...their faith...their courage...their testimony... We thanked God for precious Quinten.... We thanked God for His abundant grace through such a traumatic situation... We celebrated a life in Heaven...♥

We reminisced Kyle having a minor outpatient surgery one-year-ago, that resulted in a severe infection that landed him in the hospital for several days causing he and I to miss my family's Thanksgiving celebration. The more we reminisced, the more we found ourselves thankful, grateful, humbled by God's goodness and faithfulness in that situation, through that situation and now.

I have seen God's hand in a mighty way the past several days and I am blessed beyond adequate words. My heart's cry is that I will be found faithful with every opportunity that HE brings my way. Not busying myself with fruitless activity, but recognizing & discerning the lives, circumstances and situations that He desires to use me in. My heart's cry is that I will not grow weary in doing good and that I will find my strength in Jesus. My heart's cry is that I will be a good steward of the time, resources, love and wisdom that God has so graciously lavished upon my life...not hoarding them but using them for His glory. I desire to be completely surrendered and abandoned unto Him!

My most favorite man has his amazing waffles mixed up and sausage links perfectly browning... ♥
My precious 11 year-old is snuggled in next to me, knitting away... ♥
My blessed 17 year-old will soon be arising... ♥
My waffle is ready so I must go... ♥

It's gonna be a very good day to top off an amazingly wonderful week!

The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, & His understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary & increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired & weary, & young men stumble & fall;
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run & not grow weary,
they will walk & not be faint.
~Isaiah 40:28-31

My Baby!

This beautiful woman that has her arms wrapped around me is my angel!! Today has been a day of missing her and her presence around me. I so love her with all that I am and feel such a void when she is gone. She is such a blessing from our Gracious Father...she is a mother, mentor, teacher, and caregiver to my girls. She is my best friend, support, prayer warrior, encourager, and bride. She is so much more than I acknowledge...there is not enough words to describe her, she gives and gives, never to ask or expect anything in return. She loves all of us so unconditionally, she is so selfless, and caring. Sometimes I just get lost in her beauty and gaze uncontrollably at her...I am a blessed man!

This day I acknowledge to say and proclaim that I LOVE YOU Baby! Thank you for your life and the Godly example you are for our girls...thank you for never giving up on me and for saying "YES" almost 21 years ago!

I love you beyond words! Proverbs 31: 10-28

Your Honey! Kyle

He Equips Me...

As I sat in a quiet room this evening listening to the soothing tunes of Jim Brickman, I found myself asking the question, "How does God see me? What is His perception of me in my day-to-day activities? Do I live up to the hopes and expectations He has on my life?" "Does He see me acting responsibly? Does He see me making wise decisions? Does He see an abundance of peace in my life or does He see anxiousness, confusion and discontentment?"

The more I thought about the specific reality of these questions, the more He reminded me that because of His grace, He equips me to walk in the hope & expectancy that He has for me. That's an amazing and encouraging promise for me.

Why do I shortchange His provision?
Why do I choose common-sense, familiar decisions rather than divine, responsible ones?
Why do I settle for less when there is so much more?
Is it because I simply fall into a "pattern"?
Is it because I don't think and pray before I decide?
Is it because a habit reigns, over purposing to do what God would expect/desire?

This may be in regard to:
*how I invest my time
*the way I spend my money
*what or how much I eat
*how I respond to those around me
*the way I care for the possessions that have been entrusted to me
*the way in which I fulfill my personal responsibilities
*how I react in trying, difficult and uncomfortable situations

Each day I am given the gift & freedom to choose...

I desire to live according to the hope and expectancy that God has for my life.

May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back for the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. ~Hebrews 13:20~21

I Miss This Man...

I'll be honest, today has been a "down" day for me.

I really have no legitimate reason why.
The sun is shining.
Everyone in our family is amazingly healthy.
We have a warm home.
Food to eat.
Clothes to wear.
Cars to drive.

The reason I am down...

I miss this man...

Yeah, he'll be home before long, 40 minutes to be exact, but lately, I just miss him!
I miss his presence.
I miss his laughter.
I miss his touch.
I miss his smile.
I miss his scent.

10 hours a day is too long to be away from the one who holds your heart.

He is my everything and I thank God for him!

The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man." Genesis 2:23

Today...

It's a cool, damp, rainy, cozy morning here. The first we've really had this fall.

Mal & I are here at home alone. MaKayla is away tending to a commitment that she had previously made. Thankfully she will be home soon!

With a chance of snow in the forecast later this afternoon/evening, Mallary begged and pleaded with me to play some "pre-Christmas" music and since I love it as much as she, I gave in! :) Peaceful Jim Brickman melodies fill the air.

I have a Yankee Pear Orchard candle burning here in the living room. MaKayla has a Christmas Cookie candle burning in her bedroom. Mal has a Hazelnut candle burning in her room. Scents of the coming holidays linger regardless of what part of the house we are in.

A fall Hometown Collection puzzle sits neatly completed and put together on the coffee table.

I'm thinking of putting a pot of soup on for lunch/supper. Mallary is quietly working on her History assignment.

The kettle sits on the stove with hot water waiting to be used... Mal is sipping hot-chocolate, I am sipping hot peppermint tea.

The only thing that would make my morning any more wonderful would be to have Kyle here at home with us! ♥ ♥ ♥

I am thankful for the gift of home...♥
I am thankful for the gift of those I love the most...♥