Fall on the Farm

As the winds pick up on the ridge, the flowers are losing their buds.  The first frost has hit and it's time to prepare things for winter.  The kids are starting to wear long sleaves, jackets, stocking hats, and knit gloves as they still try to play outside before the sun goes down.  The pears have long since been picked, the apple cider has long since been drunk, and I find myself making soups to freeze in the deep freezer.  I love this time of year as much as I love the beginning of Spring.  The beautiful colors and the wonderful smells fill our home and bring a sense of warmth.  My daughter is at an age where she is starting to notice the changes. 

My son is at the age that he doesn't really understand the change in season but understands the change in sports season!  With our state's teams doing so well this season....  it's all he talks of! The color of the trees and a season of thanksgiving and celebration are upon us.  I hope you can take a minute to enjoy the peace of the fall!


In his loving arms,
Lisa

Trials for all

Ok so once again I've let this blog thing slip.  However, I thought I'd write a short one this morning.  I have spoken to many of my friends and some family members and there seems to be a lot of us going through something.  Whether it is work problems, financial issues, relationship problems, or an inner struggle; we all seem to be going through something.  I'm a strong believer in the idea that how you carry yourself during the struggle is a testament to who you are.  As difficult as some of these problems are I am comforted and reminded that God will never give us more than what we can handle. 
During my quiet time today I read Ephesians 4.  This section is titled the Unity In The Body of Christ.  In this portion it tells us that God has called us each to different service for him.  " It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,..."    "...until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.  Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming."  So, I take it as, we are called to different things in order to fulfill God's plan for each of us.  When we end up submitting and doing these things the other things in our lives will fall in place.  It reminds me of my children.  We tell them to do a specific thing and they take their time and do everything else except for what they are supposed to do.  When they finally finish, they are then allowed to do what they had been anticipating only to find that it was half way through or almost over with.  If they had done the job we asked them to do right away, the rest of their plans would have gone off without a hitch. 
So, just for food for thought.... maybe we need to listen a bit more, and take a few minutes to look at our lifestyles.  Maybe the other things might not be so bad if we just do what we're supposed to. 

When we're struggling this much, maybe it's worth a try?!

In his capable hands,
Lisa

A Long Time Coming

Well, once again I've been a slacker when it comes to this blog.  I'm hoping that as the school year begins again I can make it part of the routine. 

So, we have officially been here at our farm for more than 1 year.  As much as we LOVE living here, being a part of life on a farm, watching the tractors in the field, feeding calves, and milking cows.... we also have an understanding that farming is not what God has in store for us.  So for now, we pray, we continue in our daily lives, and wait to see what he has in store for our family.  We know we'd like to live here, we'd like to raise our children here, and we want to see my DH teaching at the local school district.  However, we also know that that is a lot of 'WE WANTs'.  It's God's plan anyway..... he could throw us out on our ears if we wanted to but he doesn't because of his love.  It's always difficult to 'wait and see.' At this point in our lives we had hoped we could have been in a more cemented position but again..."we want.'  We smile, we laugh, we love, we pray, we continue to have faith in God's infinite plan for us, and we wait.  I still love the sight of my DH coming in from a morning full of milking, feeding, and other things.  He always comes in with a smile as if there is nowhere on earth he'd rather be than in that kitchen with his two children running to him and hugging him.  No matter how messy or smelly he is from the barn, they are always ready with a smile, hug, and a chorus of 'Daddy!!!!"  It's the best thing to witness in the world. 

As I mentioned before, school will be starting soon.  In fact my kids and I will be starting next week.  I'm actually very excited.  I seem to be finding more and more parents doing the homeschooling thing lately.  At least in this area.  For whatever reason they decide to homeschool, we are similar in the dedication to our children's betterment.  I look at the daily 'subject' board and wonder if I havn't bitten off more than I can chew but know that my children will be better for it.  Going thru each book and setting up the daily lessons is exciting.  Knowing my children's level of knowledge now and where it can be by the end of a semester makes me happy. 

Well, finally I thought I'd do a bit of a book review on here.  I am beginning a book and thought I'd get a bit more out of it if I were to talk about each chapter I read.  A bit more accountablity.  Ok, so book number 1 is called "Sacred Influence" by Gary Thomas.  My MIL gave this to many wives and really has been blessed by it.  This comes from the author of "Sacred Marriage." Another well respected book in christian circles.  The concept is on the back cover and says.." God calls women to influence and move their husbands in positive ways."  So, look for updates on my blog as I make my way thru this book.  I hope this finds you all happy and healthy and enjoying the last days of summer! 


In his love!
Lisa

Cabin Fever

Well, this winter has been a challenge for our family.  How about yours?  I find myself singing along with kids' tv theme songs because we've had to watch soooo many these past few days.  It makes me regret not taking the kids out on the days I thought were "too cold."  You know those days that were in the 50s and 40s this fall.  Kind of ridiculous now that we are warming up to 5 degrees F.   No matter how many board games, WII games or even Fisher Price basketball games you play, there really is no substitute for the outdoors. 
As my kids dream of slides, bike rides, and running through the hay fields; I find myself starting to plan my garden, starting to think of landscaping ideas, and planning our newest endeavor, chickens!!!

New Choices

Good morning all!  Many of you have read my blog from a few days ago about "Made to Crave" by Lysa Terkeurst.  Well, I finally finished the book and absolutely love it!  I love that I can decide how I'm going to eat/exercise/diet/lifestyle change.  That's not the purpose of the book.  The book really helps me realize that the priorities in my life are a bit out of whack!

A new season part II

I know I talk about my kids a lot but they are two of my greatest gifts in life.  With the births of my two new nieces in the past two weeks I find myself wondering how in the world my kids got so big???  I remember holding each one in my arms and thinking "you're so tiny, and this world is so big." Now I'm thinking, "look out world here they come!"  With one child ready to mother the entire nation if she could, and another child ready to take the largest adventure that this world could offer, I want to rope them back in and say "wait for a little while longer!  I'm not ready!"
My daughter begins her final lesson in Kindergarten tomorrow. (we homeschool by the way!)  She soaks up facts and ideas and spouts off imaginary situations that match those in a library!  My son is singing with me at night as I try desperately to quiet him down and tuck him into bed.  He marches around the house with his toy drum and in the same breath tackles his sister and yells "I'm going to play for Bucky!" 
As I said in my last blog, my husband and I are entering a new season of life.  But I can't forget that my kids are as well.  First grade, Girl Scouts, ABCs and 123s, and life's hard lessons.  I think one of my favorite books for kids sums it up best.

 
"Long ago you came to me,
a miracle of firsts:
First smiles and teeth and baby steps,
a sunbeam on the burst,
But one day you will move away
and leave to me your past,
And I will be left thinking of
a lifetime of your lasts....
...Precious, simple moments and
bright flashes from your past-
Would I have held on longer if
I'd known they were your last?...
...My life keeps moving faster.
stealing precious days that pass.
I want to hold on longer-
want to recognize your lasts...
...Let me hold on longer, God,
to every precious last."

Karen Kingsbury- "Let Me Hold You Longer."2004

Don't forget to hold on a bit longer.


In his name!
Lisa

A New Season



My Growing Girl

I have begun a new season of life.  My children are finally able to play and be content for approximately 30 minutes without worry.  My oldest is a little mommy always looking out for her younger brother.  My youngest is now able to play for about a half an hour without someone having to direct his play.  While this doesn't count me or my DH out of the equation, it certainly frees up our hands for other things that have been neglected. 

With this realization that my little ones are growing up a bit and I have a bit more wiggle room in my daily routine, comes a new book that I am reading with a family group.  It is called "Made to Crave" by Lysa Terkurst of Proverbs 31 ministries.  Lysa is not a licensed anything... counselor, dietitian, etc.  However, she is a woman, a mom, a daughter, and someone who has struggled with the stronghold of food.  There is a whole 'curriculum" that goes with this book.  A weekly webcast has been running for the past 3 weeks.  There is a dvd and workbook as well. 



My Biggest Boy



Many people are not religious but I am and I really love the message in this book.  There is no diet to follow just a mindset of priorities.  How in my life have I placed food above many important things?  For example, I have a craving for something that I indulge in.  That is an example of me putting that item, (more generally, food) above my other priorities. 

So as the next season of my life begins with other interests and activities, (which I will talk about in other posts I'm sure) I leave you for today with this lasting thought.  Was I made for more than this???  I KNOW I was.

In his name,

Lisa