Press On

I don't have much time to write right now as I'm preparing for a garage sale! Whoot whoot!

But I want to remind you that God is faithful even in the most trying of times. My family and I have been lost in translation for the last year due to different circumstances. Just recently, we have our feet planted once again and as difficult as it is, praising God for the last year of trials and tribulations.

Romans 5:3 (NIV) says:
"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope."

James 1:2-4 (NIV) says:
"2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

There must be some significance to keeping our faith during challenging times. If you are going through a hard time as we were, all I can say is "press on."

Fall is in the air!

Fall has arrived! My kids are already trick-or-treating and it's only the middle of October. We had the opportunity to go door to door through the senior community that I work in.

They also put on their annual Fall Festival which allowed the kids to spend time with the elderly and play games with the other children from the local daycare.

We went on a horse-drawn wagon ride the following day sponsored by a greenhouse. Selah and Caleb loved the nice fall weather as well as the various (large) fish in their ponds. The weather has been fabulous, but I think it's going to get cold from here on out.

Humble Yourself

At this moment, I'm sure everyone can think of at least one person in their life who deserves an apology for whatever reason. I know I can.

"Love means never having to say you're sorry" is a really bad line to live by. Apologies are necessary in every relationship. Apologies are the building block of relationships. If a family has any hope of staying together, there will be frequent and sincere apologies.

Guess How Much I Love You...

This sweet children's book has become a favorite of ours. Selah loves to tell us just how much she loves us, and then waits patiently for us to outdo her expression of love. I have a feeling that this story has made a lifelong impact on our family. Enjoy this story from the book "Guess How Much I Love You":

Little Nutbrown Hare, who was going to bed, held on tight to Big Nutbrown Hare's very long ears. He wanted to be sure that Big Nutbrown Hare was listening.
"Guess how much I love you," he said.
"Oh, I don't think I could guess that," said Big Nutbrown Hare.
"This much," said Little Nutbrown Hare, stretching out his arms as wide as they could go.
Big Nutbrown Hare had even longer arms. "But I love YOU this much," he said.
Hmm, that is a lot, thought Little Nutbrown Hare.
"I love you as high as I can reach." said Little Nutbrown Hare.
"I love you as high as I can reach," said Big Nutbrown Hare.
That is quite high, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. I wish I had arms like that.
Then Little Nutbrown Hare had a good idea. He tumbled upside down and reached up the tree trunk with his feet.
"I love you all the way up to my toes!" he said.
"And I love you all the way up to your toes," said Big Nutbrown Hare, swinging him up over his head.
"I love you as high as I can HOP!" laughed Little Nutbrown Hare, bouncing up and down.
"But I love you as high as I can hop," smiled Big Nutbrown Hare - and he hopped so high that his ears touched the branches above.
That's good hopping, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. I wish I could hop like that.
"I love you all the way down the lane as far as the river," cried Little Nutbrown Hare.
"I love you across the river and over the hills," said Big Nutbrown Hare.
That's very far, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. He was almost too sleepy to think any more. Then he looked beyond the thorn bushes, out into the big dark night. Nothing could be further than the sky.
"I love you right up to the MOON," he said, and closed his eyes.
"Oh, that's far," said Big Nutbrown Hare. "That is very, very far."
Big Nutbrown Hare settled Little Nutbrown Hare into his bed of leaves. He leaned over and kissed him good night.
Then he lay down close by and whispered with a smile, "I love you right up to the moon - AND BACK."

How You Live

This song has been an encouragement for me during every season that I have walked through in the last year. May you continue to persevere through whatever season you are walking through...

"Wake up to the sunlight- With your windows open- Don't hold in your anger or leave things unspoken- Wear your red dress- Use your good dishes- Make a big mess and make lots of wishes- Have what you want- But want what you have- And don't spend your life lookin' back-Turn up the music- Turn it up loud- Take a few chances- Let it all out- You won't regret it- Lookin' back from where you have been- Cuz it's not who you knew- And it's not what you did- It's how you live-So go to the ballgames- And go to the ballet- And go see your folks more than just on the holidays- Kiss all your children- Dance with your wife- Tell your husband you love him every night- Don't run from the truth- 'Cause you can't get away- Just face it and you'll be okay- Oh wherever you are and wherever you've been- Now is the time to begin- So give to the needy- And pray for the grieving- Even when you don't think that you can -'Cause all that you do is bound to come back to you- So think of your fellow man- Make peace with God and make peace with yourself- 'Cause in the end there's nobody else- Turn up the music- Turn it up loud- Take a few chances- Let it all out- 'Cause you won't regret it- Lookin' back from where you have been- 'Cause it's not who you knew- And it's not what you did- It's how you live.. "