Stop Playing Church

CAN I GET AN AMEN!!!!!

DriButts

Today I'm sharing a link to the wonderful blog THE LETTERED COTTAGE!  If you don't "follow" sweet Layla you should.  She is a beautiful young woman who loves the Lord and she and her husband, Kevin, are in the final stretch of adopting a sweet baby boy from Haiti.  

Today on her blog she posted about DRIBUTTS.  DriButts provides reusable diapers to babies in Haiti who DON'T HAVE DIAPERS.  That's right.  There are mamas in Haiti who don't have diapers.  Babies who have never worn a diaper.  

This is unimaginable to me.  And I don't have to describe to you how this affects the UN-CLEANLINESS of the house these babies live in.  No wonder so many babies die from disease. 

So this morning I logged on and donated $30 which will provide TWO DIAPERS for a baby in Haiti.  These diapers are washable and reusable and will last about two years if properly cared for.  And part of what DriButts does is educate these mamas (and daddys) about the importance of keeping their babies clean and how to use and clean the diapers.

Please search your heart as you read this and see if the Lord will lead you to make a donation to this incredibly worthwhile project.  You don't have to travel to Haiti to make a difference in Haiti.   Go to Layla's blog, or visit the DriButts website to read about how YOU can make a difference in the lives of families in Haiti!!

WWW.DRIBUTTS.COM

Wonderful Trip - Part Two

Well I wish I could give you some suitable excuse for taking nearly TWO MONTHS to post on this blog o' mine.  But I don't have one.  Can I just say "I've been really busy" and we'll forgive and forget.  I mean we're friends, right??

Part Two of my California trip was equally as wonderful as Part One.  I flew from San Diego to Oakland on Wednesday to spend a few days with my amazing cousin who lives in Lafayette, just outside of Oakland.  She and her mother (her mother is my dad's first cousin) picked me up at the airport and away we went!!!

If you've never visited California you should know that "Northern" California and "Southern" California are completely different.  Different in terrain, different in the "vibe" of the people, different in climate.  It's hard to image you are even in the same state.  

We took a drive through the Sonoma Wine Country and had lunch at the Korbel  Winery.  One of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.  I've never been to Italy, but I can imagine it looks something like this . . . 

We drove to Ocean Beach near the Presidio.  Words cannot describe how completely gorgeous this area is. 

The Golden Gate Bridge is just AMAZING.  If you've never been to Northern California you simply MUST GO.  It is breathtakingly beautiful.

I had a wonderful visit with my cousin.  She was the best hostess in the world.  We ate, we laughed, we ate some more, we watched her son play high school football, we did a lot of sightseeing and spent time with her family.  We ate at the Cliff House overlooking the ocean and it was just one of the most amazing days of my life.  I'm HOPING she is coming to Missouri for a visit this spring!!

Since I've been back it just seems like the days have flown by.  And our beautiful daughter, Alex, has been back for a visit and already gone home.  She was here for a week just after the first of December.  Plane tickets are SOOOOOOO EXPENSIVE at Christmas time, they decided that the two of them wouldn't come home for Christmas but that she would come for a week while our son-in-law had a training mission in Southern California (freedom isn't free). We are so thankful for her visit and look forward to seeing her again sometime in February!  We are counting the weeks!!!

It was WONDERFUL having her home, but the week just went by way too fast.  I still can't believe she was here and it's been nearly two weeks since I took her back to the airport.  We talk nearly every single day, and we text EVERY day.   I miss her.

I have all my Christmas shopping done, and tonight I will try to get the wrapping completed.  I'm gonna be honest and share that I didn't put up a Christmas tree this year.  Alex coming home early threw me for a loop and got me off schedule!!  But I feel absolutely NO GUILT.  Christmas is not about the tree.  Christmas is about Jesus.  A baby born a King.  A Savior King.  

My prayer is that God will bless each and every one of you.  I don't know what you're facing.  I don't know your past.  I don't know what is heavy on your heart.  But I know the One who can meet every need.  Put your trust in Him.  No matter what the circumstance, Jesus is the answer.  I pray for everyone who reads this blog, that Jesus will meet your every need and strengthen you and encourage you!!

Merry, Merry Christmas to you and your family.  I am really praying about what God has in mind for Down On The Farm blog in 2016.  I want everything I do to bring glory and honor to Him.  

I'll leave you with one of my favorite Christmas songs, "The Night Before Christmas" by Brandon Heath.  So click on the video and remember that first Night Before Christmas over 2,000 years ago!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Wonderful Wonderful Trip - Part One

I am SOOOOOO sorry I'm just now posting!!  I've been back for a week and a half and I don't feel like I have stopped since.

I could go on and on and on about the WONDERFUL time I had in California.  But I think I'll let the pictures do the talking!!  The trip was a long one, and really too much to cover in one blog post, so here is the first half of my amazing trip to California!!!

It was a beautiful day for a flight from St. Louis to LAX!  Smooth as could be, and a 4 hour flight only took THREE HOURS!!!  The flight was only half full, and no headwind!!  My kind of trip!

Alex and Cole were there to meet me at the airport.  It was so wonderful to see them looking so happy!!  We hit the ground running for a whirlwind tour of some sites in Los Angeles that we really wanted to see. 

We drove down the famous Rodeo Drive!!  It was stunning.  The landscaping and the shops were just unimaginable.  No, we didn't get out.  No, we didn't see anyone famous.  But it was definitely a "Bucket List" item to check off.  If money was no object, it would have been a fantastic place to spend the afternoon. 

We saw the "Hollywood Sign."  Another "Bucket List" item.  It is hard to make out in this photo, but you can see it above the "Auto Zone" sign.   Actually it looked much bigger in person and was visible from just about everywhere we went. 

This is me and Frank.  Frank Sinatra that is.  I love old blue eyes. They don't make 'em like that anymore.  And if you don't think you like Frank Sinatra, do yourself a favor and YouTube some of his hits.  "Fly Me To The Moon"  "Luck Be A Lady"  

Just listen and I know you'll be a fan, like me!!

And yes, this was another "Bucket List" item to check off!

My beautiful daughter and handsome son-in-law at the front door to their apartment.  They live in a brand new complex just outside of San Juan Capistrano.  Their apartment is beautiful, but small . . . and very expensive compared to rent here in Central Missouri!  

Sunset overlooking the Pacific in San Clemente.  This was just a beautiful, beautiful location.  I thought the water was chilly (we dipped our toes in)  but people were swimming and surfing like it was the Fourth of July!  The weather was gorgeous the entire time I was there.  It was warm, with temperatures in the upper 90s, but there is no humidity so it was MUCH more more comfortable than 90 degrees would have been in Missouri!  Can you say HUMIDITY!!!

During the evenings it actually cooled down enough that the gas fire pits at the apartment complex felt good.  We spent every evening sitting out there visiting and just enjoying being together.  It feels like she's been in California forever . . . and yet when we were together it felt like she hadn't been gone at all.  And all you mamas out there know what I mean.   It was wonderful spending time with her.  A gift that I am so thankful for.  She is so happy, and I'm so happy for her!!

We drove down to San Diego to La Jolla.  Wow!!  What a beautiful area.  We had lunch at a little restaurant overlooking the Pacific.  The water is so blue.  Just a stunning place to be.  

Isn't that one gorgeous view??!!  

It's really not possible to describe what a fantastic time I had visiting Alex and Cole, and the pictures don't do any of these locations justice.  They are doing great and enjoying their time in California.  We did a lot of sight seeing and a lot of laughing and a lot of apartment decorating.  I enjoyed every single second of my trip and am so thankful for the opportunity to get to visit her.  I wish my entire family could have gone along.

So stay tuned for pictures of the second half of my California trip when I headed North to San Francisco!!

I'm Leavin' On A Jet Plane!!!

Saturday morning I'm flying from St. Louis to California.  When I get off that plane my beautiful daughter will be waiting for me!

I can't wait to see that beautiful face.  Saturday will be four weeks and three days since they headed west for their two-year "California Adventure" as our son-in-law finishes his time in the U.S. Marine Corps (FREEDOM ISN'T FREE!)

 San Diego Skyline

They live about halfway between San Diego and Los Angeles.  Since I'm flying into Los Angeles I told them one of my "Bucket List" items is to see the Hollywood sign.  So I'm hoping we can do a drive by!!!

In case you're wondering why I'm flying into Los Angeles . . . I couldn't find a flight that landed in San Diego before 4:00 or 5:00 p.m. and I don't want to waste a day!!!

I'll be staying with them until Wednesday, then flying up to Oakland to spend a few days with my beautiful cousin and her family before I fly home to good old Missouri.

Golden Gate Bridge

 

I would appreciate prayers for a safe trip out there and back, and for God's Light to shine through me while I'm away. I want my life to bring glory and honor to Him.

So I'll be back week after next with stories to tell and pictures to show!!  Stay tuned!!!

And if you could, please pray for good health for me.  I finally went to urgent care yesterday after being sick for 7 days.  I have a sinus infection and have just felt horrible.  The Z-Pak and the steroid pack are helping and I'm a little better today, but I want to be 100% when that plane lands in California!

Thank you all for your prayers!!!  

BEHOLD OUR KING!!!!!

MY NEW FAVORITE SONG!

BEHOLD OUR KING!!!

GOOGLE, AMAZON, YOUTUBE AND MY WASHING MACHINE

A couple weeks ago in the midst of Sunday afternoon laundry, I heard my front-loading washer go "BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP" in the middle of a load.   It's not supposed to do that.

So I walk in there, take a look, and I see an error message that the door is open???

The door is NOT OPEN.  The washer is full of soaking wet sheets.  And it won't work.

Now just remember, it is Sunday afternoon.

I recently bought a new dishwasher (KitchenAid -- I LOVE IT) so I called the man who installed the dishwasher.  He tells me he doesn't do repairs, only installs.  He gives me the name of a person he knows who does repairs.  He says "he's pretty expensive, but he does a good job."

My washer is nine years old.  I do not want to hear the words "pretty expensive" in the same sentence as that nine year old washing machine.

So I did what any resourceful woman with a load of wet clothes and an IPad would do.  I "GOOGLED" it.  And the "GOOGLE" search results seemed to indicate that the "sensor" that controlled the electronic door lock had gone bad.  And wouldn't you know it, there was a YOUTUBE video showing just how to fix it myself.  I entered the model number of my washing machine and pulled up the parts list.  There on that parts list was the sensor.

I then went to AMAZON.COM and ordered a new sensor for $27.00 and FREE SHIPPING!!!

Then I packed up the wet sheets and headed to my sweet mama's house to use HER washer!!!

A few days later the new part arrived.  I watched the YOUTUBE video one more time and literally just a few minutes later I'M DOING LAUNDRY AGAIN!!!!!

So the next time something in your house breaks, take a few minutes and check the internet to see if it's something you could fix yourself.  There's NO WAY I could have even got a repairman to come to my house and see what's wrong for $27.00.  I guarantee you he would have charged me for two service calls, and at least doubled the mark up on the part.  

Some things I can't do myself.  But the things I can, I'm going to!!!

I'd rather spend my money on something FUN than a repair man!!

Blessings to each of you from dry Missouri!  

WE NEED RAIN!!!!!

And Away They Go . . . . .

One week ago this morning our beautiful daughter Alex, and her husband, Cole, left for San Diego, California.

By the time I see her again, it will have been a little over four weeks.

I've never gone four weeks without seeing one of my kids.  And yet, this will probably be the shortest time between visits for quite a while.

Giving her a kiss just before they headed west.

 

I think I held it together pretty well . . . considering the sight of them driving out of our driveway felt as if a piece of my heart was being ripped from my chest.

I'm happy to report that they made it to California safe and sound and have moved into their brand new apartment!!

Since last Wednesday we have talked every single day.  I've learned that FaceTime is a wonderful thing!

I've had the tour of their apartment and I've seen that beautiful smiling face and I know that she is so happy.  

Thanks so much to each of you for your prayers and your kind words.  I know many, many parents have kids who have moved far away.  And I never realized just how difficult that is until it happened to me.

I will see her in three weeks and three days . . . but who's counting!!!

Blessings to each and every one of you my blogging friends!

Exercise

Lately I've been working hard on dropping some weight.  I lost 21 pounds last winter (YEAH ME!) . . . but I'm frustrated to admit that as of a few weeks ago I had put 12 pounds back on :(.  Yeah.  I'm pretty disappointed in myself.  So a couple of weeks ago I started taking Plexus Slim (THIS IS NOT AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR PLEXUS, BUT I AM A PLEXUS AMBASSADOR AND HAVE HAD GREAT RESULTS AND IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN HEARING MORE JUST LEAVE ME A COMMENT).  I've had a lot more energy since then, I'm able to stick to my low carb lifestyle, I've started doing my daily walking again and I'm happy to report I'm down 5.6 pounds!!

Yesterday afternoon, and four cans of Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint I'm using to FINALLY finish up THIS OUTDOOR FURNITURE project later (pictures coming soon!!), I decided to take my daily walk for exercise.  I put on my tennis shoes, put my ear buds in and walked 4 miles on a very warm and humid Missouri day!!  

Walking four miles was tough. It was HOT and HUMID.  I usually only walk three miles per day, but it was Sunday afternoon, I had some extra time, and so I just kept on walking . . . and listening to my ipod.

I listened to four miles worth of praise and worship music.  Some of the songs brought tears to my eyes.  Some of the songs made my heart soar with joy and peace.  I prayed as I walked, I praised as I walked.

Yes, walking four miles is good for my body.  It is good to get my heart rate up, it is good to move those muscles, it is good to burn a few extra calories.  But no matter what I do, no matter how healthy I am, one day my body will pass away.  And the four miles I walked won't really have mattered.  But the four miles of praise and worship songs.  The four miles of my heart being opened to my Savior.  The four miles of FOOD for my soul.  That will last forever.  

I said all that to say this.  Taking care of our bodies is a good thing.  I believe God wants us to be healthy and in good shape as we serve Him.  But if you are putting more time improving your physical body, than feeding the Holy Spirit that lives inside you, you're investing in the wrong place.

Prayers Needed

Today I am asking for your prayers.  I actually have a couple of prayer requests.  The first one is prayer for a friend of mine (Holly), and her husband (Jason).  Jason has cancer.  Jason has been participating in some clinical trials (yeah, his cancer is very serious) and, long story short, they have stopped the clinical trials and sent them home.

Holly and Jason are very strong in their faith.  They are asking God for a miracle, and yet they know that God is still God even if their prayers aren't answered the way they want.

Folks these people need to be bathed in prayer.  They need the power of the Holy Spirit to encamp around them.  They need lifted up.  They need the joy of the Lord to be their strength.  Jason needs healing.  They need peace that passes all understanding.

Please pray for this wonderful couple (and their family) as you would pray if they were your siblings, your kids, your parents.  We know that God is still on the throne.  And we know that nothing is too difficult for Him.  

I also ask for prayers for my sweet daughter, Alex, as she flies to Norfolk, Virginia EARLY Saturday morning.  Her husband will pick her up and they will get her in the "system" as a military spouse, and he will be getting signatures and finishing up his last few days of being stationed in Virginia.  Then they will be driving back to Missouri together.  We don't know exactly when they will be back . . . just depends on how quickly he is released from Virginia.  Once they are back in Missouri, they will be here for about a week, and then they head to San Diego, California where our son-in-law will serve his last two years in the Marine Corp.  Please pray for safe travels for them, as she is flying tomorrow, and as they are driving back sometime next week.  And keep praying for this mama who still can't believe her baby is going to be living 1,800 miles away.

Thank you all so much for your prayers.  I believe the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availeth MUCH.

Blessings to you all!  

Load, Haul, Unload, Repeat

This is what my family did Sunday afternoon.

Haul hay.

This is my handsome husband loading the hay on the trailer.

This is my view driving the trailer to the bale pen.

This is handsome son unloading the trailer and putting the bales in the pen.

This is beautiful daughter.  She is hauling bales as well.

And, this is the heavy rain that forced us to stop for the day.  

While it would have been nice to have hauled all the bales in, you're never going to hear a farmer complain about rain in August in Missouri!

Hey, Hey, HAY

I think this is the LATEST my husband has ever been baling hay.

We have had a LOT of rain this year, and everything is late. 

Today our beautiful daughter is raking hay, and my husband is baling.  If he doesn't break down (which is always a possibility) he should finish up the summertime hay today.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate and he will be able to get a second cutting of hay this fall.  Our cattle will sure appreciate that hay when the snow flies this winter.

 This picture is freshly mowed hay.

I wish you could smell it.   Heavenly!!

The left side has been mowed, the right sight is still standing.  

And in case you're wondering what my garden looks like . . . well here you go.

No, it's not a mistake.  This is a shot of where my garden should be, if we had planted a garden that is.  Between all the rain we had this spring and summer, and two weddings in 49 days, we just couldn't find the time.

Maybe next year!

Prayers Needed - UPDATE

The young woman that I asked prayer for was taken off life support last night.

Please lift her family in prayer.  I cannot imagine the anguish this family is going through.

I am praying for God to use this tragedy for His glory.

I have prayed for each of you this morning . . . for everyone who reads my blog.

I am asking for God to protect you and your family. 

For Him to put a hunger in your heart for a closer relationship with Him.

And I am asking Him to bless you, in Jesus name. 

Prayers Needed

Yesterday there was a car accident just outside our small town.  I"ll spare you the details, but the accident was very serious.  A 20 year old woman is in the hospital.  The doctors have said that she is "brain dead" and have given her family no hope. 

She is 12 weeks pregnant.  Her baby is alive and doing well.  

Friends this family needs a miracle.  And this tiny twelve week old baby needs a miracle.

Today I ask for your prayers.  The Word of God promises us that the prayer of the righteous availeth much.  If you belong to Jesus you are righteous.  Not because of anything you have done, but because of what He did on the cross.  Your prayers move the Hand of God.

So pray as if this was your daughter, your sister, your friend.  Pray, and believe that God is still God.  Because He is.  

 

Mr. & Mrs.

On Saturday our daughter got married.

After weeks of rain and clouds, and more rain and clouds, the sun shone brightly on Saturday afternoon.  It was an absolutely gorgeous day.  Could not have been more perfect.

Here is a picture of our beautiful daughter and son-in-law.

Thank you all so much for your prayers.  They were felt, and very much appreciated!

In TWO Days

In May I shared THIS post about my son getting married.  It was three days before the wedding, and I shared my thoughts with you.   

 Today, is just TWO days before my daughter gets married. Two more days until she walks down the aisle and gives her heart to a young man and they will begin their lives together as husband and wife.  Saturday, July 4th at 2:00 p.m.!!!

I remember the day she was born.  Her first steps.  Her first day of kindergarten.  Watching her grow up has been my honor.  Being a mother to my son and my daughter, has been the best part of my life.   I cherish each and every memory.

So today, I'm asking for your prayers again.   Below were my prayer requests for my son and daughter-in-law for their wedding.  I am copying that prayer request and asking for those same prayers for my daughter, Alex and future son-in-law, Cole (yes they are both named Cole!!).

Would you pray for God to pour out His Holy Spirit upon them as they begin their life together as husband and wife.

I ask for God to protect them as they are traveling on their honeymoon and bring them back home safely.

I ask God to bless them as they experience the good days and bad that come with marriage and work and life, and to help them keep their eyes on Him in every situation.

I ask for God to surround them with people who will strengthen them and encourage them, both in their marriage and in their walk with God.

And while I'm asking for prayers, I would ask you to pray for their move to California.  Since military orders have changed we don't have time to make a trip to California to make any living arrangements, so they will have to handle things over the telephone and finalize things when they get out there.  Please pray for everything to go smoothly, and for God to put them where HE wants them.  I know that God is in this.

 

Thank you all so very very much!! 

Pictures next week!!! 

A Change of Plans

Does this look familiar to you??  Do you recognize this city?

It's a city I have never visited before . . . but I'm about to become very familiar with it.

Eleven days before my daughter is to be married . . . . her fiance gets new orders (he is a U.S. Marine!).

Goodbye to my daughter living in Norfolk, Virginia . . . hello

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA!!!

So we are switching gears very quickly.  Cancelling the apartment on which they have a deposit in Virginia.  Cancelling her enrollment to a University in Norfolk.  A quick registration for online classes through a University here in Missouri.

Instead of living 1,050 miles away, our daughter will be living 1,705 miles away for the next two years.

I am reminded of James Chapter 4:13-16

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

We have been making plans, and God has changed those plans.  I think God is trying to remind me that HE is in control . . . not me.  And that is a hard pill for me to swallow . . . because I like to be in control.  And as Christians we have to let God be God.

I'm learning.

I always said that I wanted to travel.  I just never dreamed I would be visiting my daughter living in California!!

Please keep praying for us as we are in the "home stretch" for wedding planning (July 4th!!!) and as new arrangements are made for their new assignment.  We are asking God to GO BEFORE THEM and to put them in the housing He wants them to be in.  We are asking for safe travels to California for them.

I'm learning to say not my will, but Yours God.   His plans are so much better than mine anyway!!

Blessings to everyone who reads my blog.  I pray for you all . . . asking God to bless you and meet your every need in Jesus name!!

Suppertime

Suppertime at our house.  We eat meat and a vegetable.  I usually serve a lettuce salad on the side and we all love Ranch dressing.

This was our supper from a couple nights ago.  And a very typical meat at our house.  Pork steak and green beans.  Even though we raise cattle, and BEEF is on the menu most nights, we all love pork steak.

Usually my handsome hubby will grill the pork steak, but this particular evening he was just too busy . . . so pan fried had to do.

We love potatoes, but I'm usually low-carbing it, so potatoes aren't on the menu very often.  My family LOVES my roasted potatoes.  Yum Yum!  Sometimes I break my low-carb rule and fix potatoes, but on this particular evening, just meat and green beans and a salad.

And in case you're wondering, NO, those green beans aren't home canned.  We used up all our home canned green beans several months ago.  These are store bought.  And it has been so WET we haven't even planted our garden yet this year so we won't have any home canned green beans until fall.

What's a typical meal at your house?  

I Want Your Opinion on a Devotional/Bible Study

My friends, I need your advice/suggestions/opinions.

I'm looking for a really good devotional/Bible study.  I want something I can do on my own, not a group study.  I want something "meaty."  Not just a little "feel good" verse, but something that teaches me.  Something that makes me think.  Something that draws me nearer to God.

So I'm asking for your opinion.

I've heard a lot about Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts.

I follow Ann's blog, but I've not read this.  If you've read her book, what did you think of it?

Is there another book or study that you would suggest?   

I'm just like you . . . I don't have a lot of spare time, so I want something that really feeds my soul, not just a light, quick read.  I look forward to reading your suggestions.  

I want to share a verse that has been ON MY HEART lately.  It is found in Jeremiah 33:3  "Call to Me, and I will answer you. And I will show you great and mighty things which you do not know."  

 

I want God to answer me.  I want to KNOW Him MORE.  I want to walk with Him.  Now don't go crazy, I know that He is in heaven and I am here, and we won't physically walk together until I'm in heaven.  But I want His Holy Spirit to walk beside me continually in my daily life.  I want to glorify Him.  I want to call out to Him, and have Him answer me.  I want Him to show me those "great and mighty things which I do not know." I want to show His love to others.

Just what is on my heart today. 

 

Blessings to each and every one of you! 

More and More And More And More of You

My new favorite song, and the cry of my heart.  More and more of the Holy Spirit!

"More And More Of You"

We have had enough of getting everything we want
We are weary of living this life just for us
Oh, forgive us all for seeking Your hand and not Your face
Come and empty us, Father, we are desperate in this place

Holy Spirit, fill us with Your fire
Give us Your desires
Hold us close to You
Holy Spirit, give us revelation
Your healing visitation
Nothing else will do
We want more and more
And more and more of You

You have given us so much more than we deserve
You deliver us by the power of Your Word
So, God we lift You up
Giving You the honour that is Yours
Thank You for Your love
This is what we are living for

Holy Spirit, fill us with Your fire
Give us Your desires
Hold us close to You
Holy Spirit, give us revelation
Your healing visitation
Nothing else will do
We want more and more
And more and more of You

Oh, the love that covers us
Oh, the Saviour's mercy.
Oh, the blood that makes us spotless white

Oh, the love that covers us
Oh, the Saviour's mercy.
Oh, the blood that makes us spotless white

Holy Spirit, fill us with Your fire
Give us Your desires
Hold us close to You
Holy Spirit, give us revelation
Your healing visitation
Nothing else will do
We want more and more
And more and more of You

Holy Spirit, fill us with Your fire
Give us Your desires
Hold us close to You
Holy Spirit, give us revelation
Your healing visitation
Nothing else will do
We want more and more 

And more and more of You.

Trust Me

Well, I have one wedding down, one more to go.

May 16th, the date of our son's wedding, flew by faster than you can say "I Do!"  And there I was sitting in that pew, holding my husband's hand, watching my son take hold of his bride's hand and say those words and put that ring on her finger and thinking "this can't be happening."

How did 22 years go by so quickly?  I want those 22 years back.  

But God made time to move forward, and He wants us to move forward with it.

But sometimes we don't want to move forward.

Cause forward is tough.

 Because this next wedding is even harder.  This next wedding, four weeks from this Saturday, is my baby girl.  And that baby girl is going to walk down that aisle and say those words and smile and be so very happy, and move 1,050 miles away.

And my heart screams "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

And yet when I cry out to God and ask "why does my daughter have to live so far away?" He whispers "trust Me." 

When I stomp my feet and say "this isn't my plan for her life, I want her living here" He whispers "trust Me."

Sometimes God has to drag me forward kicking and screaming when all He wants is for me to Trust Him.

Matthew 11:28 says "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

And so I grasp for His peace and His rest.  And I'm not gonna lie, it's still hard.

But thank the Lord He is still working on my heart, teaching me to trust Him.  Teaching me to let go and let Him be God.  Teaching me to be able to say God, not my will, but Your will be done.  And oh my is it tough.  But it is necessary.

"Jesus, Jesus how I trust Him, How I've proved Him o'er and o'er.  

Jesus, Jesus precious Jesus, oh for grace to Trust Him more."

Mr. & Mrs.

My son and his beautiful bride. 

The day couldn't have been more perfect.

Thank you all SO MUCH for your prayers.

The happy couple are on a cruise this week and we can't wait for them to get back so we can hear all about it.

I will try to post more pictures later.  But I wanted to share this with you all.

Blessings to all!!

IN THREE DAYS

In three days, I will stand in a church and watch a beautiful young lady in a white dress walk down the aisle to meet the most handsome, most wonderful, most amazing young man any mother could call her son. 

In three days, my son will marry his girlfriend of six years.

In three days, I will become a mother-in-law.  

I am so happy for them.

I am so proud.

And yet, the tears fall.

Tears of joy for my son who is going to be the happiest boy in the world in three days.

Tears of sadness from my husband and I as we let go.

Would you join me in prayer for this couple?

 (their engagement day)

Would you pray for God to pour out His Holy Spirit upon them as they begin their life together as husband and wife.

I ask for God to protect them as they are traveling on their honeymoon and bring them back home safely.

I ask God to bless them as they experience the good days and bad that come with marriage and work and life, and to help them keep their eyes on Him in every situation.

I ask for God to surround them with people who will strengthen them and encourage them, both in their marriage and in their walk with God.

And I ask God to help me trust Him with my children.  They belong to Him anyway.  I am so thankful that He gave me such a wonderful son (and daughter), and for giving me a wonderful daughter-in-law (and son-in-law to be).  God has blessed me beyond measure.  My cup runneth over.

So please be praying for us this Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. and join me in covering this young couple in prayer.

Thank you for your prayers for Cole and Megan.

I will have wedding pictures next week!