Not my will, but Yours Lord

Often during the day I find myself silently dreaming of a different life with my family...... a slower pace of life..... raising my children in a country home nestled in some tall grass with wildflowers peaking out here and there... clothes swaying in the breeze, drying on the clothesline in the morning sun. I can imagine the kids outside playing....running through the tall grass... so happy.... no worries in life...just being kids. I often dream of the wind blowing the curtains through the windows and sometimes I even smell the fresh air all around me.

I don't know why my imagination takes me to this place so often.... Sometimes I think maybe it's just a warm and happy place for my soul to rest during those difficult times during the day..... Or maybe God has given me a vision to hold onto to keep me grounded in this busy life.....

Whatever the reason may be....... I love you God. Not my will, but Yours.....

Fun Times at Vacation Bible School this week!

Here are a few pics I got of the kids before we left on day 1.

Just to let you know, we're doing a western theme.

Mommy doesn't always wear her hair in piggy tails:)

Pretty Girl....

I know Nate, I know......:)

I've never been so excited in my life!

We finally got her to let us fix her hair

and actually put bows in!

I only took about 50 shots of it!:)

One of those priceless moments that I thank God for:)

Yep, that's how we got her to wear piggy's.

Mommy did it too!

It's Not about Me

Have you ever heard a woman say they need some "me" time?

Or have you ever been given the advice from a beloved

friend that you just need and deserve some "me" time as a woman?

I know I have heard it many times and yes,

I've probably been guilty of saying it myself a time or two.....

But, the fact of the matter is, as a mother and a wife,

no where in God's Word does it ever say that any of us

deserve "me" time or that any of us need "me" time

in order to function properly each week!

On the contrary, God's Word tells us that if anyone

who desires to come after Him must deny self,

take up his cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:25-26)

Or another version, which I like, says,

"you must put aside your selfish ambition,

take up your cross, and follow me."

No where does it say, " If you would just take a couple of days off

and go to the spa, you'll feel much better and prepared for the next week.":)

Bibical motherhood is not easy.

It means sacrifice, selfless love, and faithful dedication.

It means we are there in mind, body, and spirit with our families. And this means denying ourselves and being consumed with God and His will for our families.

I love the way one author puts it... "It means starting each morning on our face in repentance and thanksgiving, pleading for His grace and for the strength to glorify Him in our daily en devours.

It means loving God more than we love our children--- and consequently,

He will equip us to truly love them and prepare us to serve

them through Christ our Lord."

Who will equip us? God will equip us.

I was just telling Britt the other day that I'm afraid for our future generation of women because it's becoming increasingly clear that there are very few Bibical, mother role models left to follow.

His Word clearly says, "Older women must train the younger women

to love their husbands and their children,

to live wisely and be pure, to take care of their homes,

to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands."

Titus 2:4-5

What is the world teaching our women?

To get the highest degree you can, make more money than men, let someone else raise your children, hire a maid, be in control of your home, get out if it gets too tough, you need to take some "ME" time!

What does God teach our women?

Deny Self

Who are you going to follow?

More Scripture Ref for a Godly Woman: Proverbs 31:10-31

Love ya'll! Strive to be Different!

My Daddy

I remember when I was a little girl, daddy always combed my hair because I wouldn't let anyone else touch it. I remember watching out the window for his truck to come driving up from work, so I could run out to greet him. I remember as soon as he sat down, I wanted to be the one to take his boots off from a hard days' work! I remember him working all day and on into the night just to put food on the table. I remember every morning when I got up, I would have to sit in his lap while he ate breakfast before he left for work. I remember as soon as he walked in the door from work, I would have to tell on mom for everything she did that day!:)

I remember the day I got married, before I walked down the isle, him taking my hand in his and welling up with tears because he thought I was so beautiful.

I remember after giving birth to my first born, him being the first one to be there if I ever needed any help. I remember him always drying my tears and telling me everything was going to be alright.

I remember anytime I had to be in the hospital for anything, he would always be sitting right next to me throughout the whole process.

I remember when we went into the ministry and we didn't have a dollar to our name, him always telling me, "whatever money I have, is your money too!" He would never let us do without.

I remember just the other day I went out to my parent's house crying hysterically about something, and the moment he saw me, he wrapped his arms around me and reassured me.... everything's going to be ok.

I love you daddy. Thank you for always wiping away my tears and encouraging me through the tough times. Thank you for wrapping your arms around me and loving me unconditionally. You're a special man to me. I will always cherish the memories and look forward to many more with you!

Happy Father's Day!

Love,
your little girl

Corn Days

First Day of Mother's Day Out for the Summer!

Cade Beech, Nate, and Maggie

Maggie was so excited because

she got to carry a lunch box!

She's really impressed me with going this summer!

I've always kept her at home, but she really

loves going to play with her friends.

I think it's been good for her.

Corn Days of Summer

Today was a long, but fun day. Britt and Nate got up at 5:30 this morning to go pull corn for us at a friends' field. We think we ended up shucking and putting up around 300 ears of corn today. If any of you have ever done it, you know what a long and tiring process it is! But, well worth it!

Also pictured helping us is our adoptive grandparent's from the church that Britt pastor's. They've grown to be a very important part of our lives and we believe they are a God send! We love you Nena and Paw Paw!:)

We were very proud of Nate for hanging in

there and doing some "work."

His daddy paid him $7.00 for his help:)

I think they've decided to go to a movie

tomorrow after church as well:)

Cutting the ends off the cobb

Even Maggie got into the fun!

I was surprised she stayed with it so long!

Everyone hard at work shucking

He grows such beautiful, full corn!

Well, this is where I spent most of the day,

scraping the corn off the cobb.

I'm going to be sore tomorrow!:)

We like to call it liquid gold because

it's such a process, but sooo worth it!

Yes, I'm still scraping.........

So golden and pretty

A woman's work is never done!:)

Well, it was a fun day, but oh so exhausting!

I think we ended up with over 40 bags of

creamed corn and around 85 cobbs.

We should be eating well this winter!:)

Oh, I must mention why Maggie is always shirtless!:) If she gets one drop of anything on her shirt, she's NOT wearing it! We went through 3 or 4 shirts today! I think she really just likes to be a little tom boy, truth be known:)

PEAS

We also have been putting up LOTS of peas this week,

I think I've put up 30 bags so far, still lots more to go!

And look at my little homemaker in the making!:)

Busy Times

Summer time is definitely here! I have been so busy with all the vegetables coming in...canning, shucking, shelling. As well as taking care of the garden, being a mommy (aka referee), getting ready for Vacation Bible School, and painting all my bedroom furniture! Whew! I'm tired just thinking about it!

Needless to say...haven't been able to blog much!

Tomorrow we'll be getting up early for another full day of shucking and putting up corn, so I'll be ready for some much needed rest after that!

Hope everyone remembers to slow down and celebrate Father's Day on Sunday with the wonderful father in your life! Remember the most thoughtful gift you can give, is your time and love!

Love ya'll! Strive to be Different!!

Maggie May

Maggie's Growing Up......

Potty trained, transitioned to a big girl bed,

and weaned from pacifier all in 2 weeks!

Pretty awesome huh?!

While I'm so thankful to have all those difficult

milestones out of the way, it also saddens me

to see my precious little girl growing up.

I want to hit a pause button and beg time to stand still!

I'm also beginning to understand that I must

savor every moment with my children

because in no time, they'll be gone

out into the world, on their own.....

Our time with them is so short and limited......

while there is still so much to teach and instill in them.

As they continue to grow....

I pray for God's guidance and protection in their lives.

I pray God will allow me to embrace these moments

with them and always remind me to slow down

and enjoy them while they're still little:)

Worldly Desires

"Give me an eagerness for your decree;

do not inflict me with love for money!

Turn my eyes from worthless things,

and give me life through your Word.

Reassure me of your promise,

which is for those who honor you.

Help me abandon my shameful ways;

Your laws are all I want in my life!

I long to obey your commandments!

Renew my life with your goodness."

Psalm 119:36-40

Today has been one of those days, which I have many of, where I've struggled with the desires of my flesh against the real desires of my spirit.

My flesh has been enticing me with the "things" of this world and causing me to take my focus off the one true thing that matters to me, my relationship with my Lord!

But you see, that's Satan's job. he works his way in through many different shapes and forms whether it be through the TV, the Internet, a magazine, your friends, or even through your family! To tempt you...to entice you...to reel you in, hook you on some worldly desire, and catch you when you least expect it!

Before you know it, you've taken your eyes off your one true focus, your Lord, and become wrapped up in worldly desires!

I'm guilty of that this week. I took my eyes off my one true focus and let worldly desires creep in.

Please forgive me Lord, let my desires be Your desires. This world and what it has to offer has nothing for me. Keep my focus on You Lord. Protect me from my enemies. Discourage me from wanting anything other than your Grace and what You want me to have.

I love you Lord,

your servant-

Jamie

Fun at the Pool

What better way to spend the afternoon with the family!

Splishing and Splashing!

My Maggie girl

Nates's a little Fishy this year:)

He MUST have his goggles on though:)

Doesn't she look so sweet?!

Hey Nate!:)

Mary and Martha

The other day as I was scurrying around the house...

cleaning and preparing supper,

I was reminded of Mary and Martha as I found

these two little dumplins having a

"picnic" in front of the door,

watching the rain........

Summer Harvests

Fresh from our Summer Garden

First tomato's of the year, Britt was so proud:)

Still making lots of green beans!

We put up 13 jars tonight...

Fresh picks from today. So thankful!

Putting up green beans always reminds me of my childhood.....

watching momma in the kitchen, canning all day long.

Didn't realize how much work went into all that

she did for us back then......until now...

but she put up over 120 jars of green beans, every summer,

to feed us throughout the year!

Love you momma!

A Praying Church

Dear Brothers and Sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:30

We are so blessed to have a church family that loves and cares for us so deeply. Tonight they circled around us and joined together in prayer, lifting us up, asking for God's blessings and His will in our lives. Our struggles are not our own and I'm thankful for a praying church, who believes that.

Thank you my Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

Last day of Baseball for the Year

Today is Nate's last ballgame for the year! Kinda bittersweet.... I love watching him play ball, he has such passion for the game, but it does have us running alot too. It will be nice to rest during the summer. Good Game Nate!

Love you!

Growing up so fast....

Nate and his best buddy, Max

Suffering for Christ

There is no greater joy than being in the ministry and living a life souled out for Christ, but with that, comes persecution and suffering as well.

I find hope in this Psalm......

I cry out to the Lord;

I plead for the Lord's mercy.

I pour out my complaints before him

and tell him all my troubles.

For I am overwhelmed,

and you alone know the way I should turn.

Wherever I go,

my enemies have set traps for me.

I look for someone to come and help me,

but no one gives me a passing thought!

No one will help me;

on one cares a bit what happens to me.

Then I pray to you, O Lord.

I say, "You are my place of refuge.

You are all I really want in life.

Hear my cry,

for I am very low.

Rescue me from my persecutors,

for they are too strong for me.

Bring me out of prison

so I can thank you.

The godly will crowd around me,

for you treat me kindly."

Psalm 142

"Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you, I have called you by name! You are mine! When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you! When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you!

For I am the Lord your God!

Isaiah 43:1-3

My nourishment comes from doing the will of God who sent me, and from finishing His work.

John 4:34

But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus-the work of telling others the Good News

about God's wonderful kindness and love.

Acts 20:24

Even in the tough times.....I am yours God..... Send me!

This afternoon we decided to take a hike through the woods.

I treasure these times with them,

watching them explore and get excited over discovering new things.

we enjoyed picking berries and finding other interesting things.

But, because it was such a hot day,

Maggie didn't end up on a very happy note towards the end......

You'll see in the last picture,

she'd had enough of the adventure!

Oh, my Maggie girl......