The Valley...

This last week I have had a hard time blogging due to some mean comments and my letting myself get in to a pity party, so I am sorry and thanks for all the nice comments and notes. I missed you too and am glad you can laugh at me and my silly thoughts.
The Valley- I wasn't thinking of areas of California, but rather the "mountain high, valley low" kind of experiences that we all go through. Our leader at The Truth Project study we were doing mentioned tonight that no matter how much we hate it, true growth and understanding only comes through struggles and trials. Yeah, I know, pretty much stinks. We are after all human, and sin is our nature as much as holiness is a part of our nature once Jesus "redeems" us.
In the last decade, I have agreed with that idea in my head but never truly experienced it for myself, at least not for more than a few days, a few weeks. My life has been easy in comparison to so many, I don't think I really knew what real struggles were. Loving God and trusting Him for everything was so easy because I was in that new Christian "high" (too bad I couldn't stay there for the rest of my life!) And truly, my life is still better than I admit because most of the time I am just a little whiner. But I would definitely say the last year has not only brought questions to my mind I hadn't considered before about why I am on the planet, but rocked my faith in God and in His love for us. Now on the other side, I know and can see that the God of the Bible is the only Truth, the only Light, and the only Hope we have in ever experiencing joy and peace without the baggage that comes from sin, and it is such a comfort to feel SURE, to have asked tough questions and had God answer.
But the funny thing is that the adventure is still not over, and that's what I was pondering tonight- every time a tough thing comes along, I get all out of sorts, and pray for it to be over. I forget that the very struggle I am wanting to shorten is the very thing that might be my "best medicine". I don't want to be a complacent, grumpy, spoiled old lady someday, and to keep my heart fresh, my discernment sharp, and my sense of humor young, I have to learn empathy, compassion, forgiveness and godly love. And if that comes through hard stuff, than I hope someday I will be wise enough to say, "Thank you, Lord, bring it on!"
Please don't remind me of this next week...when I am whining about struggles
again. ;)
"For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want...(yet) therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. " Romans chapters 7 and 8 (Hang out in that book this week with me, and let me know what you find.)

BTW: This photo is from almost two years ago in Vietnam, but I was wondering how come no one ever told me I smile like a right sided stroke victim? hehehe

Cardboard boxes smell bad...

I am so tired of looking at cardboard boxes. It seems like this move is never going to be done. Usually we end up with one or two boxes of random things that never get unpacked because I lose steam, and I am determined not to let that happen. But where is the end? hehehe Yesterday was so great outside, I couldn't bring myself to stay in and unpack. Without the rain, the kids got to ride horse, jump on trampolines, and Jordan was having way too much fun terrorizing all of us with the riding lawn mower. That kid needs a dirt bike or something. Stef helped a lot by burning the weed pile, and then she mowed the lawn. I couldn't help laughing watching her figure out the mower, she is this tiny little thing, just burning rubber up and down the hill. It was awesome!
All in all, things are moving a long and going well. If only we didn't have this ridiculously slow connection, I would be more motivated to post some pictures, but maybe tonight. Have a great Tuesday!
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil, cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love..." Romans 12:9-10

When you get lemons, make lemonade...

I always thought that was a cheesy saying- but I have to say there is so much truth to it. In the New Testament there are many passages that tell us to rejoice in trials, be thankful for persecution, etc. which is really the same idea. The difference is that with the "lemon" saying, it never really tells you HOW to do it, where as the Bible is very clear. Because of the hope and promise we have in Jesus, we can truly be happy, even when the circumstances look grungy.

This last week was so busy for us, but I really felt that I had it together and things were going well. I headed to work yesterday in high spirits, having enjoyed a wonderful morning working on the barn with my husband, and laughing and goofing around. Then I got hit with a curve ball that tried to break my spirit and shake my focus. I admit I hung out there for the rest of the day, just feeling sad and frustrated- not sure what God would have me do. But last night, God was so good to me and reminded me that he never said things would be roses and daisies all the time, and that it didn't matter. He wants me to be joyful in good times and bad- to trust him and want him more than anything in this world. That's how I could "make lemonade". Again, what an awesome experience to realize that no matter what junky stuff comes into my life, nothing touches me that has not first been sifted through the Father's hands.

Another week is starting, full of the bumps and turns in my road, but I feel more prepared and ready which is a wonderful way to start the week. Now we will just see how long I can stay there...:)