Death is Not Dying

If you are in need of hope and inspiration, I encourage you to watch this video. Rachel Barkey is a remarkable woman who even in the midst of unbelievable circumstances still praises God.

Death is Not Dying » Death is not Dying Event Audio

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Saturday Stuff

Just wanted to say how much I cherish my husband and appreciate all that he does for our family!! While not a perfect man, (but who is?) he strives to honor God in all that he does. I'm so proud of him.
He spent the morning cutting grass and then repairing a leaky pipe in our house. Gotta love him!! I do!!

Today promises to be a busy but fun day. We are having our good friends Maddie and Kyle over for dinner. It is also the night that we trade babysitting with our other good friends. It's our turn to watch their children.
It will be crazy chaos around 4:00 this afternoon.
In between cooking, cleaning and yard work, our church is hosting an auction to benefit the children's home that we (the church) supports.
To top it off, we had a leaky pipe in the ceiling that has proven to be stubborn. It just keeps leaking!! Hopefully it has come to its senses and will give us a break.

Well, I'm off to finish the final preparations for the meal! Have a fabulous weekend.

Lewa's Designs and a Give Away

Check this out!! Lewa's Designs are so cute. I would love to have everything she designs. But I must refrain. Let me know what you think!!

Also my friend Pam is hosting an extreme give away. Head over to her site and look at the lovely things she is so graciously offering!

YUM, YUM!!

Nothing like a warm Krispy Kreme Doughnut!!!

Don't you want one?

What do you Love?

I love the the fresh smell of clean sheets, creamy coffee and sunrises.

What about you?

Get ready, get set...GO!

Summer can officially begin now that school is OUT!!

I'm not excited or anything.

We actually are past excited.

Sawyer has asked to continue school through the summer and Chloe has requested that school be cancelled indefinitely.

We will do a few a few stimulating things to inhibit brain decay over the summer.

Well, we're off to make plans!

I Will Rise

From a Distance

I listened to a sermon today on our local Christian radio station. It was convicting!! The preacher's main point of the lesson was that many Christians today follow Jesus...from a distance. We believe and say we have faith. We profess contentment in our lives. We read our bible... when we get around to it and we pray...when we have time. The verse that the preacher focused on was

Luke 22:54.

Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest's house,

and Peter was following at a distance.

He then went on to make the analogy of a lion on the prowl in the jungles of Africa. The zebra that follows the herd from a distance is the one who will be caught and devoured by the lion.

1 Peter 5:8

Be sober-minded, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to be devoured.

This pricked my heart. I have been out of the habit of prayer and bible study.

Father, please forgive me!

1 John 3:20

For whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart and he knows everything.

Let's not be devoured!!!

Sounds

Thought you may enjoy the sounds of the beach.

Soothing.

Peaceful.

Beautiful.

School's Out

I don't know about you, but I am sooooooooo ready for the summer. Chloe is very close to finishing school. We are a little behind, because of my father's death, but we have only a few things left to complete. I am eagerly anticipating sleeping later (till 7:30 instead of 7:00 am.) Hey, I'll take what I can get!! Swimming, movies, walks in the park and picnics sound pretty appealing.

I can't believe our first year of homeschooling is complete. Had you asked me 10 years ago if I would consider homeschooling, I would have looked at you like you were an alien. But I can honestly say that it has been a great blessing to our entire family.

Are you excited about the summer?

The New Normal

After a busy week of being with family and friends, our family is attempting to learn how to adjust to the new normal!
Our father is gone.
My mother will slowly get back to "life". She cared for my Dad for so long while he was sick. Please pray for her! All of us will fondly remember him and all that he stood for.
We grieve with hope!
Life will go on, but he will never be forgotten.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Romans 5:13

Sunday

Even though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not see him now, you believe in him. You are filled with a glorious joy that can't be put into words.
1st Peter 1:8

Can you Guess?

1

2


3

a

b

c

Can you match the feet with the name?

Light

Matthew 5:14-16 (New Living Translation)

14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.
15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Smile

What makes you smile?

Farewell

Charles

My Dad.

Lover of God and his family.

The world would probably look at my Dad and consider him to be of no great significance.

On the outside, he looked like just some guy.

He didn't dress for success.

He didn't speak with greatness.

He didn't drive a fancy car.

He didn't have a huge mansion.

He didn't have a big screen TVor huge stereo system.

But what he did have made him RICH.

Not by the world's standard.

But by the only standard that really matters!!

He did not chase after lofty dreams, material possessions or financial success.

He was totally and completely fulfilled by God and the love of his family.

He was defined not by the things this world offered, but by the God who saved him.

His life was defined by simplicity and humility.

Hard work, a deep belly laugh, and an infectious smile were his most memorable attributes.

You see, my precious father, passed from this earth yesterday into the arms of Jesus. While I am deeply saddened,

I grieve with hope.

He left me the most precious gift.

I know where he will spend eternity.

I have peace that he is whole.

I will miss him, my children will miss him.

I will carry on what he began.

He thought he was the richest man on this earth!!

He had the love of God and his family.

Isn't that all that we need?

...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
~Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

Gifts

These 3 little sweeties made me a Mommy!

I consider it a privilege to be their mother and I'm thankful that God allowed me the honor!

Happy Mother's Day.

Home

Home!!

Even though we had a wonderful, relaxing time at the beach,

there is truly no place like home.

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;

The whole earth is filled with his glory.

Isaiah 5:18

The Lord's Prayer

Sand Between My Toes

We are headed to the beach.

I won't lie and say that I am not excited.

I am BEYOND excited!!

Our time there will be short, but new memories will be made.

“Our memories of the ocean will linger on, long after our footprints in the sand are gone.”
--Anonymous

Adios, amigos!!

Shadows

A few days ago, I captured this on the wall. It reminded me of Psalm 36:7

"How priceless is your unfailing love!

Both high and low men find refuge in the shadow

of your wings."

What peace in knowing that you can't put a price on God's unfailing love!!

Hangin' On

I'm hanging on this Monday!

My list for today is as follows:

School with Chloe

Grocery Shopping

Prepare for Beach trip (we'll be gone 4 days)

Teach Spanish at Sawyer's school

Finish course to renew x-ray certification. Deadline today. I know, I know, I shouldn't have put if off!!

Go to mom's to help with my Dad. (has had several strokes and needs assistance)

Did I mention that I can only hear out of one ear? Driving me bananas!!

What did you say?

Just kidding!!

What does your list of to-dos look like today?

Wow!!

Take My Life

This is for my sweet friend Beverly!!