Struggle

Dear God,

I don't have words.  Just music that keeps running through my mind describing how I feel, how I want to feel.

"In the chaos, in confusion 

I know You're sovereign still.

In the moment of my weakness

You give me grace to do Your will.

When You call I won't delay

This my song through all my days.

There is no one else for me

None but Jesus.

Crucified to set me free.

Now I live to bring You praise.

All my delight is in You Lord.

All of my hope, all of my strength.

All my delight is in You Lord, forevermore."

**None But Jesus ~Hillsong

"Standing on this mountaintop

Looking just how far we've come

Knowing that for ev'ry step You were with us

Kneeling on this battleground

Seeing just how much You've done

Knowing ev'ry victory was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way

But with joy our hearts can say

(Yes our hearts can say)

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did You leave us on our own

You are faithful

God You are faithful

You are faithful

God You are faithful"

**Never Once~ Matt Redman

You are in control God.  You are sovereign, even through all our messes.  You've done so much for us already.  We really don't deserve anything from You because You are so great and holy.  You are faithful, even when we fall short.  You carry us when we are too weak, tired, and broken.  

Help us to remain joyful through struggle.  Help us to keep soft hearts, seeing people for who they are, not who/what they represent or what they do to us.  May everything that we say and do bring glory to Your Name.  Whatever happens God, I want my hope always to be in You!

Fun fact

Did you know that cows don't have teeth on the upper half of their jaw (as demonstrated by this lovely young cow below), just on the lower half of their jaw?  I wonder why it still hurts when they bite?

Wash. U. for Charise

After a lot of studying, test-taking, decisions, and prayer, I am happy and excited to say that my sister-in-law is now starting medical school at Washington University in St. Louis.  Although it will be a long journey, I know that it will be worthwhile and such a great time of learning and growing.

Charise (in her new white coat) and parents getting photo in front of Wash U screen.

Congratulations Charise!!  I hope it goes really well and also really fast!  Remember you will always have a lot of people back in PA praying for you and supporting you!

3 years

Today I get to celebrate 3 wonderful years of marriage to my best friend and favorite coworker! Happy anniversary Josiah!

Constant

It's funny how the weather can change so much from day to day.

God is the one true constant in our lives.

Big God, little problem

I haven't written very frequently lately, mainly because I haven't felt like I've had time to sit down and put my thoughts into words, but also because I haven't known what to write about.

First Grandpa is doing exceptionally well 6+ weeks after his fall from the manure tank truck.  He is back to mowing the yard and hoeing in the garden and taking long walks to get his fitness and strength levels back.  But he is still not really allowed to help out with all his old tasks, so that has kept us busy with a little more work load.  Which has also contributed to why I haven't written much.

Since Grandpa's fall, life has seemed pretty tough.  Last week was especially hard.  We have been working through some cow health issues on top of the continuing tough financial situation.  Last Monday was a pretty discouraging day.  It felt like we were at the end of the rope.  I feel like I never stopped praying that day (it should be that way all the time) and yet I had no words to pray just feelings, hopes, desires, and dreams.

That evening and the next day I was reading from 2 Kings.  There are a lot of cool stories about Elisha at the beginning of 2 Kings!  The part that specifically caught my attention this time was 2 Kings 6: 8-23.

Elisha's servant is concerned about the problem that appears to be pretty big right in front of him.  But Elisha is seeing the much bigger God that he trusts in and the forces that God has at his command.

Verse 16- “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet [Elisha] answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”


I've heard it said that we shouldn't tell our God how big our problems are, but instead we should tell our problems how big our God is.  Instead of living life with big problems and a little God, we need to change our viewpoint to little problems, BIG God!

Different verses kept coming to my head about how great God is and how insignificant the problems that we are facing really are.  


"If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31  
“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” 2Cor. 12:9


I know who I believe in.  I know that the problems that we face here don't even come close to the hope that we have for the future with God.  I know that I am weak and that God is faithful and that his grace really is enough!

I love strawberries!

Yum!!  I love fresh fruit!  This morning I cut up these tiny, but tasty strawberries to put over the super easy shortcake that I made.

Mix:

1.5 t salt

4 t baking powder

3 c all-purpose flour

2 T sugar

Gradually add:

3/4 c milk

Pat the dough into greased 9"x9" baking dish.  Bake at 450 degrees for 10-12 minutes.  Cool and serve with fresh fruit (like strawberries) and milk, yogurt, or ice cream!

It doesn't look very good, but I'm sure it will taste great!