Love these two girls. Friends since they were three years old. So fun to watch their friendship grow and develop over the years.
Project 365 – day 65
Kathy
All posts by KME
Sunshine and Thankfulness
By Sarah
Recently, the beautiful sunshine has been scaring the rain and clouds away, and today again, was a clear day. But, as I was reading Golden Goblet, Mom began to fall asleep. So we decided that a good walk would wake us(or maybe just her) up.
David had a hard time keeping his eyes open in the bright sun, but he succeeded!
Sometimes I gaze at God’s amazing creation and wonder how we can ever stop smiling. All around us is such amazing intricate design by the one and only God. But then I remember the trouble, the hardship, the chaos, and the sin in this life. And just like the israelites in Exodus I think of how we forget the blessings and signs that God shows us and all we see is how our life should be better and how God isn’t giving us enough. I just wonder how we can be so selfish when he shows us all this creation.
Just this little cherry blossom tree is a small part of God and his creation he has given us.
How can we be so ungrateful, frown, and cry when he has given us so much? How can we, just like the Israelites, forget the huge blessings and only see hardship? God has given us family, friends, his word, this beautiful creation, and everything we could ever want. But in our eyes we just see sin. God sees beauty through the ugliness, love through the hatred, and us as valuable people when we are really worthless sinners.
My wonderful Mama and me
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Thessalonians 5:16-18
Sarah
Project 365 Day 63
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Project 365
Finished making Tim’s breakfast and lunch for tomorrow. Kids are all in bed. College kids are presumably off being smart, wise students in Tennessee. Kitchen looks beautiful – and I didn’t DO ANY DISHES.
Today was a full one with lots and lots of math; more math than anyone wants to do in a normal day. Also quick coffee a friend (love you, Julee!). More math. Computer club for David at the YMCA. More math for Sarah. Can you tell we were catching up on math today? Ultimate Frisbee league game for Daniel. Small Group dinner and wonderful time of prayer after with 3 other couples. Narnia movie for the younger kids.
And that’s all I have. So here’s one picture for our Project 365 and a happy goodnight to all.
I love this kid! He is a wonderful son. Blessed to have him in our family!
Sometimes our Project 365 is just a paragraph and a picture. I guess I can be okay with that. I like to over think, over write, and over complicate things at times. Tonight I can be content with a simple approach.
Project 365 – Day 61
Kathy
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Another Busy Saturday
Today the sun was shining brightly, and we all thoroughly enjoyed the day. Daniel went out longboarding with a friend for hours. Tim and David walked Sarah to her afternoon meeting; I met them on the way back, sneaking in a little walk myself. We ran errands, organized, did laundry and dishes, and completed a huge collection of random To Do’s.
Sarah sorted and organized shoes WHILE talking on the phone.
I think we filled this white board 3 times with small odd jobs.
The kids all went to church for youth group activities, while Tim and I planned some silly activities for tomorrow’s Sunday School class on Exodus 16. How many different recipes are there for manna? I wonder how the Israelites would have done on Top Chef or Chopped? Hee hee hee.
Poor Daniel. He’s been suffering since Tim, David and Sarah started exercising and went off sugar. Once a constant staple, now there’s no more ice cream in the house. There was an old container of sherbert in the freezer which Daniel managed to make last a good couple of weeks. Today I decided to spoil him and buy some cookies and cream at the store.
Look at that happy face.
I don’t think Tim was prepared to watch Daniel savor that ice cream while he went without. Uh oh.
“You won’t share with dear old dad?”
Please??!!
Daniel is a resourceful and thoughtful son. He quickly found something for Tim to eat instead of sugar-laden ice cream.
Enjoy your lettuce, Dad!
Not sure a leaf of lettuce is quite the same treat as a bowl of ice cream. But you can’t say Daniel didn’t try to help. LOL!
Project 365 – Day 59
Kathy
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The Answer is Found Here
The Lord and I have been wrestling today. Actually I’ve been wrestling with my own heart, spirit and sin. My brokenness and flesh raise its ugly head at every opportunity. Thankfully the Lord has an answer for my struggle and for my weaknesses.
Sarah painted this for me.
He’s been meeting me in every moment. I’ve been called to really grow and stretch this month. I’ve had to operate in His strength and not mine. I’ve had to walk through situations, covered in the prayers of friends. I’ve been so empty of my own wisdom and knowledge and ability to walk forward, that His wisdom, glory and love shone brighter than I’ve ever seen it.
This morning I sat with these two books – my big journal and my new Bible
And this morning, when I came to Him with some hurts and pain, He was there. Quietly breathing life and truth into my soul. As the intensity of the situation has passed, it leaves in its wake the bruises of hurts and offenses and more brokenness.
I can hear my pride fussing about how I was wronged. I hear my self-righteous spirit whine about the sins of “other Christians.” Instead of peace and joy, I find myself wanting validation and justification, even maybe a little vengeance thrown into the mix.
His Word brings me comfort and truth.
And so the words in Matthew 5 were especially tender to me today.
“And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil again you falsely on my account.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
With eyes once more focused on Him, I picked up my pen and confessed my sins to the Lord. I scribbled down my hurts and my concerns and my fears. I listened. I opened my hands, again, to what He is doing through me. I promised to trust Him – His timing, His leading, His protection. With unsteady hands, I told Him I would obey, even if the steps were painful. I would be pure in heart. I would be merciful. I would be a peacemaker. I would rejoice and be glad, even if others persecute me. I will be meek. I will hunger and thirst for righteousness, not personal satisfaction or public glory.
I will love.
I found the answer, again, in His Word, His Presence, His Truth.
Project 365 – Day 57
Kathy