Thankful Tuesday

 Today I am thankful for so much. I have a good life. I truly do. I am thankful that we get to stay in our pj's and make bread on Monday mornings.

 I am thankful for the JOY in trusting Him even when it doesn't look "pretty."

 I am thankful for how my life here in Ohio has challenged me to a deeper, more intimate, and desperate walk with Him.

 I am thankful for my time spent in Israel. I am thankful for the Psalms of Ascent and that I know where my help comes from.

 I am thankful for the deep longing for heaven.

 I am thankful for this sweet girl who was so so excited to go to school today.

 And this little girl who got to go on a stroll with me.

 I am deeply saddened for the grief that many have been suffering today. I am grieved, so grieved over sin but I am thankful that God is bigger and can work out good for those who love Him.

 I am thankful for slides.

 And I am oh so thankful for these two little girls who love ballet.

 What a joy it is to be a mommy. 

And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].

Colossians 3:15

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. 

Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Matthew 6:33-34

Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people). And [pray] also for me, that [freedom of] utterance may be given me, that I may open my mouth to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news (the Gospel), For which I am an ambassador in a coupling chain [in prison. Pray] that I may declare it boldly and courageously, as I ought to do.

                                  Ephesians 6:18-20

Annabelle's School Project and life...

 Annabelle had her first school project this week. It reminded me of her last years first school project and I went back to look at the picture and couldn't believe how little she looked in it. She has grown up so much in this past year. I cannot believe my baby is almost 4 this month.

 The directions this year were that everyone in our family had to have their hand print on the page, which worked out perfect for Annabelle because she loves hand prints. I know that sounds a little strange but she literally asks to paint her hand and make a hand print almost every day. She loves it.

 When I went to the store the other day I picked up some stickers I knew she would like and I asked her what words she wanted on the page and so she picked them out. I stenciled them like with little lines and she drew over them herself with a marker. She did so good. I'm so proud of her. I love how the whole thing turned out. It is so Annabelle and just melts my heart.

 These pictures are so Annabelle as well. She couldn't just stand still and hold the picture to save her life. :) I really love that about her; she's spunky to say the least. :)

So glad for this little project to do with her.

I'd love to pretend that that was all we have going on in our life or I guess I wish that these type of things were the only things going on in our lives but that isn't true. My heart has been so heavy anticipating the Sentencing Hearing coming up this next week. I know I can't say much about it especially here on my public blog..... I just hope that after this hearing, at least this part of the process will be over. I pray it will. A certain aspect of the healing cannot even begin until this part is finished...

With that said, God has continued to do amazing things that hopefully one day I will be able to share on here. It reminds me of Ps 40:5, "O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them." My God has proven faithful and will continue to prove faithful to us regardless of what happens at the sentencing hearing. I trust Him. I really do and if anything this whole past year has just made me trust Him more than I ever thought I could.

Today the Lord brought me back to these verses in Isaiah 40. Aren't they just perfect?

“To whom will you compare me?
    Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One.

²⁶ Look up into the heavens.
    Who created all the stars?
He brings them out like an army, one after another,
    calling each by its name.
Because of his great power and incomparable strength,
    not a single one is missing.
²⁷ How can you say the Lord does not see your troubles?
    How can you say God ignores your rights?
²⁸ Have you never heard?
    Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
    No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
²⁹ He gives power to the weak
    and strength to the powerless.
³⁰ Even youths will become weak and tired,
    and young men will fall in exhaustion.
³¹ But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint.

Amen.

Happy Labor Day!

JOHN 15

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. ² Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

  ³ Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶  

If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁷ If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.  

⁸ By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. ⁹ As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. ¹⁰ If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 

¹¹ These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.