Following

I haven't written for so long. There has been many things going on-- so much I wouldn't know where to even begin!  This post will mostly be photos, but i wanted to share a couple songs that have really been moving to me, and special.  I have been praying for wisdom and encouragement, and God has been so faithful.  I have felt really tested this last week, and when I began to get discouraged, yesterday in church this was played:

This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides
[Verse 2:]
And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me, Lord, through the flame
[Chorus:]
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
[Verse 3:]
And this is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

That really spoke to me and encouraged me that God is just refining my character. How will I grow without the opportunity?

The other song was "I will follow you" by chris tomlin.  Today I did my workout as usual and when i stopped to stretch, I let my praise music keep playing. Boy, was it powerful. It moved me to tears and I meant every word:

All your ways are good
All your ways are sure
I will trust in you alone
Higher than my side
High above my life
I will trust in you alone

Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow you
Who you love, I'll love
How you serve, I'll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow you
I will follow you

Light unto the world
Light unto my life
I will live for you alone
You're the one I seek
Knowing I will find
All I need in you alone
In you alone
Lyrics from eLyrics.net 

I'm so thankful God cares about me to encourage me through scripture, music, and my time alone. 

8th anniversary surprise scones this morning

my moms 60th birthday

brand new nephew, William Robert

morning devotions

healthy snacks

 

Whatever we do, God calls us to reflect His glory  1 Corinthians 10:31

lately...

I thought summer was supposed to be a little more relaxing than homeschooling... boy was I wrong! Though I feel freed from my recent journey with pumping and bottle feeding, I am so glad I pushed through those hard times. There were many times where it would have been easy to just quit and do the easy thing... but I stuck with it, and I credit Gods strength for that! Especially, and hard to admit, wanting to lose the baby weight, but knowing that I couldn't while nursing and pumping. I realized it was only a season in life to sacrifice my body for little Ella. Since then, though, I have been taking care of my body through none other than healthy eating and exercise. I don't know that I could do any of those diets or cleanses for a long period of time. I just get too hungry... plus for me it has been all about portion control, and self discipline!  Oh, it is so very hard. But the battle begins in my head and I have been learning of ways to fill my body with the food it NEEDS, not just the food it wants. It is really so much more about losing weight.. it is a spiritual battle and I am being taught how to use my discipline with food and other things as a form of worship, too. God has been so faithful in giving me verses to get through the day and to also let me know that he supports me in this journey and calls me to be conditioned in this area.

Here are some photos to help explain what we've been up to lately:

lighter waffles using almond milk - no oil or sugar!

shepherd's pie with leftover stew

Quesadilla fix-ins

beef stew with homemade biscuits. So. Good. Ah.

cottage cheese with strawberries, almonds, and half a banana muffin.

Bean burger on half an english muffin, salad and cucumbers

Weekly Homeschool Journal

In my life this week…

 

I have gone through all of the emotions possible. With daily struggles, to trying times with the kids, etc-- God is teaching me and remaining faithful. I've had a lot of good devotion time in the mornings- now if I would just remember to recite the verses i've been given! I've been given songs to help me through situations ("Be Though My Vision) verses about food (Ephesians 3:16-19, power thru cravings; 1John 2: 15-16, Romans 14:19, Prov. 29:6)  They are all good verses that talk about not needing to be filled with food, but being FULL in Christ, to not let our sin ensnare us,  and just having cravings for wordly things...  I really love the verse of Romans 14:19 which says "let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of god for the sake of food". It is so fitting because how do we feel after we've indulged on food?  We do not feel peace. I have to ask myself, how is this going to make me feel after I eat this? Peace? No, probably not. Is what I am eating going to fill my body with nutrients, and do I need it? Or am I just eating out of boredom or for pleasure.  Powerful stuff. 

I've also been searching and seeking Vision on how I can serve more and where to tithe, too.  God gave me "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10.  Along with that, two days later I read: "Make your eat attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; for if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver and search for her as for  hidden treasures, then you will discern fear of the lord and knowledge of god." Proverbs 2:2-4.   We have to open our eyes! We have to seek like they are treasures! Sometimes it's good to wait on the Lord, but this verse is telling me specifically that I have to search for ways to serve and help.  Powerful stuff! 

In our homeschool this week…

We have been wrapping up school.  It hasn't completely sunk in yet as it has been another routine that has developed over the year. It will seem strange to not do it anymore. We are, though, in need of a break.  I still plan to refresh on math and continue reading this summer. We're saving some chapter books for bedtime and times when I'll just read to them.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

  We went to get flowers this week, to grand forks to grocery shop, graduations, walks, bringing food out to the field, etc. 

at the mall for coffee and banana bread

My favorite thing this week was...

Probably now. I enjoyed a couple nice walks with the girls that made me feel so good to be moving in nice weather, but it is so nice right now to just take the time to write and drink coffee, and just take a second to take a break from moving! 

Things I'm working on......

Yesterday was kind of a bad day. For everyone. Well, for us girls anyway! Everyone was in an incredibly awful mood. The girls were sassy and crabby, Ella was whiny, and I.... well, I was just tired of it all! I yelled, I had a bad attitude, I was selfish, and I really wasn't very nice. Today as I had my devotions I got a lot of good verses, of course, as a good reminder that today is a new day. And I can be equipped with some ammo against Satan's attempt to lure me in again!  "I said, I will guard my ways that I may not sin with  my tongue" Psalm 39:1    "Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart" Prov. 3:3     "Her ways are pleasant ways and her paths are peace"   Prov 3.17

Things I'm cooking...

 GF banana bread, pancakes, scalloped potatoes and ham, tacos, pitas, delicious smoothies.  And good snacks, of course.

I’m grateful for…

Emily and her kindness and serving heart, Gods word in due time, being able to plant a garden this year, time in the mornings for devotion and showers, the start of summer. 

I'm praying for.....

 god-given strength.

 

A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)…

 

 

Video of Kate reading