Forgotten and thankfully found!

The heat today was intense! 

This picture cooled me right down!

 I went into my photo archives I was reminded of how quickly the seasons really do come and go. This was taken not too long ago on a walk in the mist. It was cool, damp and somewhat dreary. Today was the polar opposite; intense heat, bright sun and no breeze.  I was reminded of how we can miss the little things along the way when we are looking ahead too far. I need to soak in the moments and enjoy the rhythm of the day.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands"  Psalm 19:1

I felt the heat today and engaged in our surroundings and was profoundly thankful. I saw the pictures of our walk in the mist and was amazed at how creation rejoices with the beauty it proclaims. I soaked it in today, just enough...

Heather, thank you for soaking in my words and transforming my thoughts....

Firsts!!

Katie has started cereal and is in a new highchair!! She is five months and just making our family smile more all the time!!

Web Design

Homeschooling for me is similar to this beautifully woven web, created by an arachnid that we tend to squish before we even have a chance to closely examine the poor creature! Like me, the spider makes deliberate choices hard wired by our creator. Around and around it goes creating a master piece that humanly can not be replicated. Like the spider, I too make deliberate choices for our home. God has hard wired me as a mom to make choices for my family. He knew that five years ago I would make a significant educational choice for our family. It was just a matter of His perfect timing to reveal to me His plan. The spider is doing exactly what it is designed to do, so am I. However the wind blows and causes a break in the web, the spider creates and rebuilds. When I saw this web, I couldn't help but think of how many times my web has fallen away. By His grace I create again what God has placed in me to do.

God has woven His perfect plan into our lives and we hang in the branches in His web design.

Falling for it!

We are tourists, we totally admit it! We love to visit the falls. We were at Great Wolf Lodge for a mother's day adventure and slippped away from the chlorine for a moment to watch one of the most magnificent wonders of our world fall before our eyes. This rainbow was a gift I will not forget.

I stand in awe of what you have created Lord.

Canvas of our lives

When I think of the canvas of my life I can't help but think of my grandma, Frieda Emilie Mudge. I know that sounds odd. My life is not her life! However, she is one of the reasons I am here. Her canvas directly is imprinted in mine. I am a result of decisions made that God had in mind from the beginning. I still am in awe that God created me to do what I am doing today. However well I am doing (not so great at many points today!!) God still loves me and chose me. HE chose me! Wow. I have life because God intended it that way, pretty simple. Why is it that the canvas of my life can be so complicated!!? Too many colours, textures backgrounds and images. Too construed to make any sense? Thankfully God has placed many people in my life to help me interpret the meaning of my canvas. Also, as a speaker at a homeschooling conference  said so well this weekend, "If you only have the bible you will be just fine!" I really don't need to have interpretation from everyone, the bible is sufficient! But, God has given us fellowship and loved ones to walk us through the undecided, confused moments. That is life, and life worth living.

 In John 10:10 Christ said, "I came that they may have life and enjoy life, and have it in abundance."

I am thankful that my grandma is so much a part of the canvas of my life. She is 95 in less than a month. I love her and thank God for her canvas.

Joy

How crazy is that! She is just four months (and a bit!) Full of life, giggles, smiles and now a tooth. I had her laughing today and caught it!!




This joy she has is seriously contagious and that really had a hold on me today. This morning we sat by the stream and read our science series called Young Explorer Series - Exploring Creation with Zoology 2 Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day by Jeannie Fulbright. Long title but well worth letting you know about it. I am joyful while reading this to the kids. We all are. It is one of our moments that we have come to treasure and hold on to.

The more I choose joy despite my emotion of the moment and allow the holy spirit to change me the more joy in my children. For me, that is what needs to be happening. They are learning and the next generation is right here in front of me. I have been chosen to mother them and to love them in ways that God knew I was best suited for! A task that is meaningful and full of challenge and adventure. I am part of preparing the next generation. God knows I need him every step of this journey.



Love
"And now I will show you the most excellent way"

! Corinthians 13
Truly an excellent way!

Galatians 5

The heading is freedom and ends with keeping in step with the spirit. That is what I aim to do, walk freely with Christ.

My thoughts on the fruit:


Joy, if I don't have it my children won't either.


Love, if I leave that out, so will they


Peace, if I pursue that, they will follow


Patience, if I demonstrate it they will lavish up others


Kindness, if I do to others as I would have them do to me and really live it, live it they will


Goodness, if I show this only comes from God, they will seek it and know this gift


Gentleness, if I hold them with this, they too will embrace others


Faithfulness, if hold on, so will they


Self control, if I maintain this, attempt this, they will accept this and allow God to shine through them

My running princess. The dress hand picked and the style truly her own. She embraces life with pure joy. I learn from her, the simple wonders at times I have forgotten!

She takes risks and plunges into life!

Curiosity, always!

An artist, perhaps reluctant, but creates beauty with style

Colourful creativity

Just taking it all in this morning,

Thankful, and needing more joy.....