Splash in the Rain Puddles

These are definitely concerning times we are living in.  It seems like everyday I read or hear about something that makes me shake my head and say, "What in the world is going on?!"  Things from politics, to COVID, to the extreme confusion of what Christianity is truly about, to the continuous stream of news stories filled with hatred and narcissism.  Within the Christian community you hear it more and more...."we are living in the end times"....and maybe we are.  No one really knows.  But I read something today that met me exactly where I am with all of this....written for all of the Jesus followers out there.... You're sad that things are as broken as they are, so you work to be an agent of change in God's gracious and powerful hands, but you're not anxious...You know that this world is not stuck and that it hasn't been abandoned by God.  You know that God is working his eternal plan.  He is moving things toward their final conclusion.  In the m...

 I am so thankful that our small private school has been able to maintain a fairly normal schedule since going back in the fall.  The staff and administrators are doing a fantastic job to keep things running safe and smooth.  And when even a possible COVID exposure occurs in a class, they send that grade home for a brief quarantine.  Which is where Luke currently finds himself.  He got to ride to school in his pj's this morning and say "see ya later!!" as his brothers hopped out of the car.  So we've been homeschooling this morning, which honestly, I sort of love.  Anytime I can soak up a few hours of one on one with any of my kiddos is a win in my book.  Back in the spring when everything shut down, I was looking for something to supplement Luke's at home Bible classes.  To my surprise, I rediscovered Superbook! on Prime video... a show that I used to watch when I was a kid.  Thankfully, it's an updated and revised version.  But wo...

Of all the times to take a break from blogging, I'm thinking 2020 wasn't the time to do so.  In the past, this blog has served as a journal of sorts, for me.  Something to read back through for little snippets of what was going on in my life and in my soul at those specific moments in time.  Two thousand and twenty was definitely a year unlike any other.  One that we will talk about and look back on for a long time. The crazy things...like running out of toilet paper...not leaving the house for weeks at a time...running out of cleaning supplies...not attending church for months.  The overwhelming things...like homeschooling without any time to prepare...the rapid spread of an unknown virus....wondering if life will ever return to normal.  And the irreplaceable things....like having my faith stretched and strengthened unlike ever before....like being so grateful for health and wellness....so grateful for a safe home and outside space that make sheltering in ...

Perspective.  It's such a hard thing to keep,  It's so easy to let the grind of life...the daily challenges and struggles...dictate our attitude and countenance.  But proper perspective...God's perspective....grants us the ability to regroup and realign our thoughts and motivations with His.  It allows us to ask ourselves....what did I do today that brought honor and glory to Him?.....how did my children see Jesus in me today?....does that thing that I got so upset about really matter in light of God's ultimate authority and plan?  I very often fail to keep this perspective.  I'm so grateful for a living and active Holy Spirit who convicts me and brings me back to where I belong...to the place where I can see through his eyes...where I can see how desperately I need his love and his saving grace.  In a world that he has placed his followers in, with one goal in mind...to show them Jesus....to be keepers of our faith and givers of his light.  The p...

Luke and I were driving home from school yesterday and he heard a song in the background on the radio (Crowder's, My Victory). Which led to.... Luke:  Jesus did die for our sins Mom. Me:  He sure did buddy. Luke:  He died on the cross.  Because God told him to. God is his dad.  (except all of his G's come out like D's, so it actually sounds like Dod. :) )  Me:  That's right buddy. Luke:  I'm glad we get to go to heaven.  Can I bring my toy's to heaven? Me:  We can't take anything with us to heaven bud. Luke:  Well I bet Dod can just make my toys, because he can do anything.  He made the whole world you know.  Me:  That's true. Luke:  When I get to heaven I hope I can sleep right in between Dod and Jesus.  Then I'll always be safe. Me:  (melting inside) that would be the best buddy. Oh to have the pure and untainted perspective of a 5 year old.  Right in between God and Jesus....

I can see the light.  The light of spring is in the distance.  This, my friends, makes my heart so happy.  The changing of seasons is a beautiful thing.  The start of each one is always welcomed with anticipation and a readiness to begin a new phase.  The downsides of spring.....the pollen, the resurfacing of the lawn mower, the ever changing weather, the extreme busyness on the farm....cannot take away from the upsides....open windows (that desperately need a spring clean!), warmer temperatures, blooming trees, green grass, baseball, baseball and more baseball, longer daylight hours, and much more time spent outside.  This season change is the one that make me most happy.  Another winter in the rear view and one more week until we officially enter spring.  oh yes. Here's what's been happening... getting ready for O's season with a fun day at fanfest #12 Wrapped up a great season with his team pinewood derby prep with AWANA...

It's definitely a two cup of coffee kind of morning.  We're on day two of some really cold pouring down rain.  ick. Now, I am so glad it's not snow, but still.....cold rain isn't much better.  The kids are all delivered to school.  Of all the days, this was the one where Luke needed to bring snack and drinks for his 20 classmates, a grocery bag full of canned goods for the food drive, and his valentine box and supplies for his party on Thursday.  Can you picture how cute we looked in the pouring rain trying to transport all that stuff from point A to point B? Let's just say, "Try to avoid the puddles!", means nothing to Luke.  Hence, the second cup of coffee :) Life seems to be moving at warp speed these days.  Most every night of the week consumed by a sporting event or church activity.  I'm understanding that this is just the new normal.  The older the kids get, the more they will be involved in...and away we go.  But what a great ti...