Four Years Ago Today

Four years ago today a family in our little town was involved in a car accident.  It was a Friday night, and they had been to "open house" at school.  Their 11 year old daughter was excited to begin 6th grade.  So she brought her school supplies to put in her locker and came to meet her teacher and see all of her friends before school started on Monday.

We didn't see them that night.  Although our daughter, Alex was the same age, we didn't go to open house, and instead went to the local football "jamboree," a kind of pre-season football scrimmage.  Our son Cole was a freshman, and on the football team, so we went to the jamboree instead.  I remember that night so well.  It POURED and I mean POURED down rain.  We sat in the stands watching the kids play and just got soaking wet.

As we headed back home after the game, and back into town to pick up Cole from the team bus, we came upon an accident scene like nothing I have seen before.  More highway patrol cars than you can imagine.  Lights everywhere.  And just off the edge of the road a dark pickup truck that had obviously been involved in a horrible accident, and bob-tailed semi-truck off the road as well.  We drove by and I remember saying a prayer for those involved and then we headed home.  Within an hour my telephone was ringing.  The owners of the dark pickup truck were a family in Eldon.  The mom a local girl from our little town.  The dad a highway patrolman.  Their daughter, a friend of my daughter.  She had been to my house many times, and Alex to her house.  Their son, a few years younger. 

I will spare you the details, but the little girl never regained consciousness.  The rest of the family sustained minor injuries, the brother, a broken collar bone, but the daughter, well, the impact of the accident was on her side of the truck. 

Today, my daughter and all of her friends are wearing pink in honor of the little girl.  Pink was her favorite color.  I ask for each of you to lift this family before the Lord today and ask Him to strengthen them, and encourage them.  It has been a difficult road for them as we can only imagine.  They have a new blessing in their family, another son.  But I know that the memory of their daughter never leaves their mind, and the memory of that rainy night four years ago. 

Today I am praying for them, and for all of the girls in that group of friends who are remembering their friend today.  And tonight, I will hold my daughter, and son, a little bit tighter, and give them both an extra hug as they head off to bed.  And I will thank God for my blessings.  Please remember this family in your prayers today.

Head to Veranda Interiors For a Giveaway

My blogging friend Melissa at Veranda Interiors is having a cool giveaway!  If you've never visited Melissa's blog, you are in for a REAL TREAT!  She lives "up North" in Canada, and she and her husband have just built a gorgeous new home.  Actually, they build LOTS of new homes as she and her husband are builder/developers.  Her new home is absolutely stunning and she will be posting more pictures soon.  So head on over to Veranda Interiors for a chance to win.  You'll be so glad you did! 

Tuesday Things

Wow, this past week has been BU-SY!!!!  I know you all are in the same boat.  Summer winding down, school starting back up.  It's a crazy time of the year!

My daughter Alex  started her sophomore year of high school last Thursday.  Many of her friends have already turned 16 and are driving to school.  YIKES!!!  I know Alex is COUNTING THE DAYS until her birthday, but this mama is glad that we have a few more months before this happens at our house.  I know it will be fine, I just need a little more time to adjust (I KNOW you all know what I mean!).

Cole started college yesterday.  Wait a minute, and I'll repeat that, 'cause I can't believe it myself.  "Cole started college yesterday."  Wow.  I am the mother of a college student.  I can't believe it.  Where have the years gone?  I remember his first day of Montessori School.  His first day of kindergarten.  His first day of high school.  The first day of his senior year.  And now, his first day of college has passed.  Time marches on.

A couple of weeks ago I hinted to you about a trip I am taking.  Well, the trip is almost here and I'm so excited I can hardly stand it.  I am leaving this weekend and taking a trip with my two beautiful sisters.  And, wait for it, wait for it, WE ARE GOING ON A CRUISE TO MEXICO!  Can you believe it??  We have never gone anywhere, just the three of us.  A couple of times we've gotten together for an afternoon to do some Christmas shopping but we have never taken time to do something together, just the three of us.  I would have loved for our parents to come with us.  And while my dad would love it, my mom is terrified of the water, and couldn't bring herself to cruise so, unfortunately, they aren't coming.  I am disappointed.  I would have LOVED that time, just the five of us, like it used to be, but that's O.K.  I could NOT enjoy myself knowing my mother was terrified, so we will take tons of pictures and tell her all about it.

We leave out of Galveston, Texas on Monday, on a Carnival Cruise.  I promise to post pictures when I return and share a little about our trip so those of you who have never cruised before can see if it is something you would be interested in doing.   We took our kids on a cruise nearly 6 years ago.  In fact, we are sailing on the same cruise ship, but stopping in one different port.  Obviously, I loved the cruise or I wouldn't be going again.  And, cruising is probably the most inexpensive vacation you can take.  Seriously.  The three of us are staying in an ocean view room, all meals included, for $388 per person.  Yes, you read that right.  $388 apiece.  For the room, all the delicious food you can eat, and a trip to the white sandy beaches of Mexico. 

I would appreciate your prayers for us as we prepare for our trip.  For great weather, and for smooth sailing (NO TROPICAL STORMS OR HURRICANES PLEASE :))!!!  And most particularly I am asking our Lord to bless this sister time, that we will come back rested and refreshed, and even more thankful to the Lord that he sent the three of us to be sisters.  I am so blessed!

Books Are Expensive!!!

Cole starts college on Monday.  I can't begin to express all of the emotions tied up in that phrase.  Pride, excitement, sadness.  But enough about that for now.  I might get a little teary eyed.

Cole went to the campus book store to purchase his books yesterday.  He bought three used books and one new book.  I know, a new book, but, the new book isn't available as a used book, it's BRAND NEW, so he had no choice.  But the new book wasn't the most expensive book.  The most expensive book he purchased, which was used, was $117.  A book on Chemistry.  It's paperback.

The total for all four books . . . $403.00.  Isn't that ridiculous?  I mean, really, its paper.  $403.00.  They don't LOOK like they cost $403.00, do they?

Thank heavens for a scholarship that provides a $500 book allowance!

Relief

We have finally gotten some RELIEF from the heat here in Missouri.  It is still warm of course (hey, it's still August in Missouri), but no longer BRUTALLY HOT.  Early last week we had high temperatures well over 100.  By the end of the week, it had cooled down and we had actually gotten some rain.  Rain.  I had to remind myself what rain looked like and felt like, but we got it.  And we needed it desperately.  It has been so dry that we aren't out of the woods yet.  But at  least we are beginning to feel that the worse is over. 


And just like we need relief from extreme weather, sometimes we need relief from situations in our lives.  Thank God that HE promised in Matthew 11:28-30;  "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Does this mean that by putting your trust in the Lord you won't have problems.  I really wish it did, but it doesn't.  Even Jesus said in John 16:33:  "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

We have good days and bad days.  Honestly, we have great days and then really HORRIBLE days.  And sometimes we just have days where they all run together and you just feel tired and worn out.  You feel like you're doing all you can do, and it isn't enough.  Listen to me.  When you feel like that RUN TO JESUS!  Run to Him.  He is the only one who can send that sweet relief, His Holy Spirit.

Sometimes it isn't the "big" things that get us down, although we all know those big things aren't fun.  But many times, in my own life, sometimes I just need reassurance that it's all O.K.  That He is in control of my life.  And He is . . . IF I LET HIM and that can be tough.  Really tough.

Trust in the Lord.  And really trusting Him means DON'T WORRY.  It means praying for rain, and trusting that HE will send it in His time.  That can be tough too.

So today, I am thankful to the Lord for some relief from this extreme summer, and I am thankful for relief for my soul.  He never fails.  Thank you Jesus.

Rain Is A Good Thing

This morning it rained at my house.  Not a storm, not a downpour.  But a nice soft rain.

I am so thankful to our Heavenly Father for every drop of rain that falls from the sky.  And for it being a little bit cooler.  We have been so hot and dry here, it has been miserable.  We need a lot more rain, and for it to cool down significantly.  But, today, I am thankful for rain.  Thank you Jesus for this rain!!!!!

What . . . .

What I've been doing . . .

Well, I've been working, and I've been canning and freezing.  We've done green beans, we've done corn, and last night we canned 16 pints of salsa.  Our second crop of corn is growing, so hopefully we will be freezing more corn.  We are planting our "fall" green beans this week, so hopefully we will be canning more green beans in a couple of months.  Our tomatoes are ripening every day, so we will be canning more salsa later this week.  Can I just say that my hands smell like onions and green peppers and garlic! I will also be making some peach jam, and down the road, some delicious apple butter.  I've also been watching our daughter play summer volleyball . . . in an un-airconditioned gym.  

What I'm tired of . . . 

The HEAT!  Today is supposed to be our hottest day so far with an actual temperature of 106 and a heat index around 115.  We are so dry here.  In desperate need of a cool down, and we MUST have some rain.  Our pastures are drying up very quickly.  I haven't mowed the yard in weeks which isn't that big of a deal.  But, if my yard isn't growing, that means the grass in the pastures isn't growing either.  Which isn't good when you raise cattle.

What I'm praying for . . .

For our country today, and our leaders, that they will use common sense and good judgment in all of their decisions.  I am praying (as always) for my family.  For protection and for health and most of all for their hearts to ALWAYS seek the Lord and His will in their life.  I am praying for a friend's husband who has cancer and isn't doing very well.  I am praying for rain for all of those who need it.

What I'm looking forward to . . . 

A trip that I am taking with my two sweet sisters later this month.   We have never gone anywhere, just the three of us.  So we decided it was time.  We all three need a break, and we are going to be gone for a WEEK the end of August/first part of September.  I'll be sharing more details later in the month, but I will tell you this . . . I had to get a passport!!  


What I am thankful for today . . . 

For salvation first and foremost.  For my wonderful family.  For my health and the health of all those I love.  For my job.  For air conditioning, and a refrigerator full of food.  I am so very blessed.