Comings and Goings

Michael has been working on this game for MONTHS and we finally had a time where we were all available to play together.  He has done more cool changes on it since these pictures were taken. 

A couple of weeks ago, Michael took a week to work solely on 4-H projects:  speech research, meetings, Clover Bowl and Wildlife Judging study, poster contest entry brainstorming,  TN Agricultural Literacy week video making, two presentations on his project work--Wildlife, Forestry and Fisheries.

 TN Ag Literacy week video--"A Chicken Followed Me Home" by Robin Page

Hike with friends

A much needed haircut...

Clover Bowl practice outdoors...

 Last swim lesson with his excellent teacher...

 

Beauty

I've been reminded of the beauty of God's creation this past week especially.  Not just reminded that it exists, but that we have to get outside to SEE it.  To truly see it.  We have to get our heads out of our phones and computers to open our eyes to the heavens declaring the glory of God!  

I spent this afternoon doing my grocery shopping while Daniel was in class.  It was a marathon trip because I dropped him off at 12:30 and he wasn't done until 4.  That was quite a long time to be in town and I was pretty tired after  shopping.  BUT I was rewarded with those beautiful fall colors and the sun beaming down on my face, the warm temperatures and the quiet stillness of a few moments waiting...soaking in the beauty.  

Fun Fridays: Microscopes

 

Goodness--our Fruit of the Spirit focus in Bible study.  We talked about Daniel and the Babylonian captivity.  About how Daniel stood up for God's definition of good and found favor in the eyes of the Babylonian king.  

Akemi planned an entire lesson on microscopes!  The boys had a great time looking at various slides and learning about the different parts of the microscope.  Michael decided he was going to pull out the microscope more often now.  

Waiting

Well, so much for posting every day.  So many things going through my brain right now.  I've felt stuck lately, but I feel the fog lifting a bit at a time.  I went out to a walking trail today and I was totally alone.  I texted JP and told him I would check in every 20 mins. or so.  I kept my phone in my pocket with the purpose of making this a prayer walk.  I walked and prayed out loud to God--just speaking out the things on my heart--praise, confession, thanks, intercession.  It felt so freeing to be outside praying--warm temperatures, cool breeze, beautiful fall colors, butterflies flying around and the blue sky above.  God hears our prayers and He answers them.  His timing is perfect.

One of my devotions this week talked about waiting for answers to our prayers from God.  The exercise was to list out the things we were waiting for ourselves and for others:

• adjusting to changes in schedules
• decisions to be made about several situations
• health concerns
• the end of Covid
• election outcome
• relationship restoration
• new relationships

We need to pray over the situations we are "waiting" for answers about until God gives us peace to move on.  

I received several answers to prayers in this last few weeks:  JP got a promotion at work--a 2nd shift position--un upheaval to our schedule, but a true answer to prayer.  My eye pressures were deemed normal for my above average corneal thickness.  We were able to pay off the mortgage on the house recently! (Praise the Lord!)  Continued health and provision.  

I am still waiting on answers to some situations that are heavy burdens, but God's timing is always perfect.  He uses prayer to bring our desires and His will into perfect alignment.   

Rise Up!

 I was in the car on my way to an actual in-person small group Bible study this morning when this song came on the radio:

I was nervous and feeling overwhelmed.  This song ministered to my heart...

"Stuck in the ground Too lost to be found You're just asleep And it’s time to leave Come on and rise up Take a breath, you’re alive now Can’t you hear the voice of Jesus calling us Out from the grave like Lazarus You’re brand new The power of death couldn’t hold you Can’t you hear the voice of Jesus calling us Out from the grave like Lazarus When He said your name The thing that filled your veins Was more than blood It’s the kind of love That washes sin away Now the door is open wide The stones been rolled aside The old is gone The Light has come"



Jesus is calling me out of the dark and into His light. To wake up, to come alive. His saving blood washes away our sin. The old is gone, the Light has come.

He takes our struggles, our anxieties and uses those to draw us closer to Him, if we are willing. The door is open wide.   Rise up!  

Giving Thanks 2020

For the past few years, I have marked the month of November with a "30 Days of Thanks" daily post.  Frankly, this year I just don't have the well put together posts and lists.  I'm still thankful, but I'm struggling with life and schedule changes and basically 2020 in general.  

In my Bible study today I was reading through Luke 21, this is how that chapter begins:  

"As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury.  He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins, 'I tell you the truth,' he said, 'this poor widow has put in more than all the others.  All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.'"  

Right now, I feel like I have very little to offer in terms of grandiose words and long daily lists.  I started several gratitude/praise books today that will continue throughout this month.  I want to give thanks in all circumstances, but I don't want to present a wealth of words when I'm not in that frame of mind.  I'm tired, and overwhelmed even with some very positive things that are happening.   I will most likely post everyday, but they will be more like this post, rather  than nice and neat "What I'm thankful for today:" 

Today, I read in TWO praise books about how God is with us when we are tired and overwhelmed.  He gives us exactly the strength we need when we need it.  He is faithful.  He created us.  He never grows tired or weary and He will give us moments of blissful rest when we seek to be in His presence.  

So, this month I will seek to be in His presence.  I will pray over the situations that are on my mind and my heart.  I will share the things God is revealing to me  in the  days to come.  I will give thanks, just in a different way.  

Here are the books I'm using this month: 

Halloween 2020

We went with a minimalist approach to Halloween this year:  walking tacos for dinner, our own big candy treat stash, and a Cary Grant movie marathon--"Arsenic and Old Lace" and "Gunga Din".  I picked up some blue hair color on an impulse earlier in the week, which Michael paired with quite a bit of weaponry.  

With Covid and Michael not really liking to view adults in scary costumes, staying at home was a great choice for us this year.  We always have a great time when we are together.  It's a win-win situation!  

Treats

Walking tacos in a bowl for dinner...

One happy little Halloweener....

October Catch-up

My plans changed on Friday, so Michael and I went for a walk!

Beautiful leaves everywhere!

Michael won second place for his Lego creation!

Daniel made us chicken tikka masala for dinner one night.  It was delicious!!!  

Lego and drawing creations by Michael