Week in Review

Happy Mom's Day to some wonderful mothers. We love you!

My mom

My mom-in-law

Our church's Mom of the Year

We love you too!

We were all enjoying tea at the parsonage. Although, I was inclined to go in a ball cap or my cowboy hat - it really was fun. I need to be more in tune to my feminine, refined side :o)

Life can be a bear....

But sometimes being a bear is not all that bad...

We had a beautiful day for the zoo last Saturday. We so enjoyed it!



This character erupted into being one night during a Clue game. I really do believe it was the Mrs. Peacock - maybe looking for a tea party?? Lauryn and I had a good laugh. I should fear for my life after posting this.

My thought for the week was taken from the book The Shack by William P. Young. I was reading it one day and these words hit me like a lightning bolt and have been with me ever since. The lead character, Mack, has been tormented by some devastating happenings involving his little girl. Life for him and his family has never been the same. After receiving what appears to be an invitation from God to come back to the shack, he makes his way back to this haunting place. God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit await him. This passage is part of a conversation between Mack and Jesus.

"Jesus?" he whispered as his voice choked. "I feel so lost."

A hand reached out and squeezed his, and didn't let go. "I know, Mack. But it's not true. I am with you and I'm not lost. I'm sorry it feels that way, but hear me clearly. You are not lost."

I know I've heard similar words again and again, but it was a comforting reminder. Like shattering glass, sirens, and blunt force trauma I heard the words anew - God is with me and He's not lost. I can feel lost. Can't see the end or know which way to turn, but God is not lost. Hear me clearly - you are not lost!

Thank you for the helpful suggestions regarding my aching head. I am happy to report that my head is feeling much better and is still attached. After five days of unprecedented headache I went to see the Dr. A Toradol shot and MRI was on the orders. The Toradol treated the symptoms but I know that God treated the cause. Let me share the blessing...
After the shot my headache broke but pains would come again and hint of worsening especially if I let my mind dwell - can I just refer to my current rough times as the Darkness. The Darkness would overshadow and I would feel my head and spirit begin to spiral downward.
We unexpectedly were treated to a trip to North Carolina. You better watch out what you write in the comments. We just might take you up on it - Candy. Thanks to my in-laws for letting us tag along. And thanks to our family in NC for a wonderful wknd. I was distracted from my darkness during the wknd and upon returning home felt it suffocating me again. Tuesday I was near despair, careening for air, enveloped with the darkness when God spoke. If it had been audible it would have been no more clear - I will give him perfect peace who's mind is stayed on me. Peace. How I wanted peace! Think on Him. He will give me peace. Him - the giver of true peace. Darkness waning.... Him - creator of me. He cares about my hurt, my helplessness. Him - I'll think...I'll surrender to Him. The clouds break. A flood of peace surrounds, embraces me. I feel set free from the darkness. For the first time in days I feel the burden lifted.
I have since then felt the chill of the darkness - the glare of Satan as I bask in my new found peace but I think on Him - I dwell on Him and the burden comes not to rest on my weary soul but is held at bay by the Protector of my being. I cannot explain nor comprehend the power of God, but I know once again God has extended to me only a mere strand of what is available in His stores of peace, grace, and love. On that strand I have been lifted above doubt, turmoil, and despair. God is so faithful. I can't begin to adequately tell of His goodness to me.
You are getting the real me. I'm not one to fake all is well when it is not - I'm in all honesty just not very good at it. It is easier to just be real and hope that in being yourself and telling of your struggles - as we all have sooner or later - someone will be aided in finding their way back to peace and happiness through God.
I would like to thank my dear Aunt June for handing me a devotional the other day - Meet Me at the Well. What timing! She said "I think you'd like this". So far, she's right. What mom, wife, woman in this day couldn't use a dowsing from the Well. I feel I have been to the Well and what a difference it makes.

Back flash

I wanted to share some pictures from the last couple of weeks. Several weekends ago Lauryn and I volunteered at a hospital event - Teddy Bear Clinic. It was very fun for both of us. She did so well. I was proud of my little pharmacist tech. The goal - acclimate the child to going to the doctor. The child would bring the pt. (teddy bear) to the doctor and go through the steps just as they would do at their Dr.'s So, after being assessed and the diagnosis made they would come to us - the pharmacy to fill the scipt. The diagnosis - "Bubblitis". The cure - a bottle of bubbles. The instructions - "Blow bubbles with your Teddy one time a day". It was great and you should have seen the looks on some of those kids faces. It was a nice day for Lauryn and mom. Look who brought "Bear" to see us. I hope Bear is much better, Madeline. Thank you for stopping by.

We were happy to have Wayne's cousin, Jason, and his family (minus Jess :o( ) stay with us during I.H.C. One evening we had a most of the family over for snacks and fellowship. That included Steve and Linda who also came in for the convention. It was an enjoyable time. We look forward to seeing Jason and Joanna again this summer Lord willing. Although, Jason, I think Lauryn will bolt the door if you don't have Jessica with you this time :o) It was nice having you with us. Y'all come back now - ya hear!

Puppies up date - and Uncle Lowell "dem r puppies". Is that how that goes??

Wayne doing what he does to destress. I wonder if he would get the same effect from anything but a John Deere? We've mowed two times - Oh, glorious Spring.

And just so I'm not leaving you hanging from my last post - I guess my several bad days have turned into a week, but I'm hanging in there and thankful for God's faithfulness and goodness. Tomorrow is a brand new day. At this point I'd really like to wake up without a headache. I've never been one to suffer from migraines, but I guess I now know first hand what that is all about. Any ideas especially alternatives to medicine I would gladly take right now. I really do hate medication, but I guess I would never say never.

I'm sending a smile your way and hope you see the blessings in your day in a brand new way.

You know, life is just full of hair-pin curves, detours and sometimes drop off cliffs. The sun is shinning - you are basking in the warmth and seemingly out of nowhere it starts to rain, hail and earthquake. What was steady and sure underneath is now rattled. At first you remain motionless - surprise and shock turning into reality. Gingerly you start to move - toward the "rocks, the unmovable" - attempting to gain steadiness. Disappointment gives way to disappointment and just when you don't know where your next step or grasp will be - you feel a familiar place - It was there hidden beneath the "rocks". I now come in full contact with a surface so strong, so sure that I fall against It bearing all my weight - unaccustomed to the strength and shiftless foundation. I regain my bearings - I can focus - I can pray for that is all that is left. The total dependency on the Foundation leads to fervent prayer and sweet relief as you feel the doubt and uncertainty give way to trust. This renewed rest in the Foundation gives me assurance that my life is in His hands and He holds tomorrow.
The last several days have been somewhat rough - I know you can probably relate. I'm hoping this will remind you from where our strength comes! I recently read the words of Jim Cymbala - "I discovered an astonishing truth: God is attracted to weakness. He can't resist those who humbly and honestly admit how desperately they need him."
Is that why I have felt the shifting beneath my feet? Was I basking in the sun too comfortable to really depend on God, leaning too hard on my rocks? For anyone out there that may be in the same boat - God is in control. He still reigns. Let's pray for God's strength, grace and wisdom during difficult times.
(I want to add - I thank God for the "rocks" in my life. I don't feel they have forsaken me and I hope they know I haven't forsaken them, I only need to draw from God's infinite store of grace and strength.)

It's finished!

We had a moment of - "now what?" Saturday when we walked away from the farmhouse. It is in move-in condition and our tenant was doing just that. Wow! I can't believe it's done. We have more work to do later, but we're done "living there" for now. My man has put so many hours into this place. I have know idea what has kept him going - of course it might of had something to do with his very supportive wife and work crew :o) A picture is worth a thousand words. So, I'll let the pictures talk.

In the beginning....

And when she slept - we worked....

Working on school work...

Do you know how many times I painted that?? I have no idea - I have put it very far from my mind, but I still have KILZ on my body to prove I did it.




Ta daaaaa! I tried to match them up to the before pictures. Sorry about the glare.

The end !

It's green!!!

I looked out the window the other day and almost stopped my "Calm's" heart at my over-excited exclamation - Look the grass is green! I truly was ecstatic. I can't wait for all the green and spring blooms. She replied with something like - Yes, I see.... it's green.?? On the other hand my "Wild" would share in my excitement even though she may be totally oblivious to the reason.

The puppies are growing so fast. The girls love them.

Easter pics. This is just the perfect look for my wild - cowboy boots on Easter. I looked and looked for brown dress shoes.... I like the boots.

Hello

OK OK I'm really sorry, but I've just had a few things keeping me from the laptop. I've had brief moments in which I've tried to keep up with you. So, I thought I'd just let you know I'm among the living. You know when you think it just has to slow down or you may ..... life takes on a whole new level of speed and somehow you manage to stay afloat and actually adjust - rebounding from one day to the next. Well, that's me right now. I'm going to post something I wrote last week and just didn't finish. In the meantime... Lavycountry has increased in population by three puppies. It was a rather traumatic birth as she delivered a bit premature by our calculations. As we were preparing to leave for church last Sunday we were abruptly halted and quickly transformed our house into a beagle neonatal intensive care unit. All said and done we have three little healthy, fat puppies.

Steve came in from Texas this past weekend. He had a whole two days and then it was back to base and lock down until he's deployed to Kuwait. It was nice to see him and can't wait until he's back again.

Racing season is here. This thick winter insulation that I've accumulated must go. First race in about three weeks. AAAAAHHH! I'm undecided at this point if I'll be joining the team for that one, but I have started the training. Oh, the pain!

That's it for now. Hope you all are well and please whoever is enjoying some Spring-like weather PLEASE, PLEASE send it my way. I need it so badly. Catch y'all later.