God's Children

  Jessica decided to take some pictures again the other day. Everyone was busy doing something so, she was her own model. She has a fancy little remote control for her camera, that she is learning to use. She got some good shots. Of course she had a beautiful model. (yea, I know I'm a little on the prejudice side here)
  I look at my children getting all grown up and marvel at how much love one can feel. A friend of mine posted on her site a few day ago, that she wondered if this is how God feels when He looks at us. I think, He must and then even more. What a precious gift He gives us, when He loans us these precious children.

  Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him. Ps. 127:3
Blessings to All, ~S~

Jessica's Turn

  Yesterday was an exciting day for my Jessica. Actually this past week has been good for her. She was asked by some friends, to go to a concert at Calvin's Cafe and take some pictures of a band. She was so excited to get the experience. She got some really good shots. Thought I'd post my favorite one here. The name of the band is "Joanie Hears Voices".

Then later in the week I decided to model for her. She again got some really good shots.

Did I mention what a proud Mama I am? 

Yesterday, she was babysitting at the neighbors and while outside with the girls they found a little baby ringneck snake. They all got so excited! They got it caught in a bucket and observed it, while they googled it to find out what it was. Once they learned that it was a non-poisonous snake they released it back out in the woods. 

 The pictures make it look kind of big, but it really was a tiny thing. I love that they get so excited over researching one of God's little creations.  God made all sorts of wild animals, livestock, and small animals, each able to produce offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good. Gen. 1:25

 How wonderful to see the world and the works of God through the eyes of children. Thank you Father for your precious blessings.

Blessings to All ~S~

Questions?

  Lately we've been listening to a Chris Rice cd that Kelly bought for me. There are a lot of great songs on it, but the one that we've been listening to the most is call "Questions for Heaven".

  It's made me think about when Aimee was little. She would come up to me and say "When I get to Heaven I'm gonna ask God when his real birthday is."  She had a sort of list that she would ask. I wish now that I had written them all down, or recorded them in some way. I still remember a few of them, but there were so many that I can't remember. Makes me sort of sad. How I wish that I had documented so many more things from when my kids were little. So now I will have to sit down and write down all of the things that I remember that my children did when they were little. Perhaps one day I will post them here or maybe just keep them close to my heart in a journal.
   Blessings to all, ~S~
 
 

His Flock

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isa. 40:11


   A promise from God.  
   I sit here in the cool morning air of the changing season, summer to autumn. I love the cool mornings and the warm afternoons. It is a time of reflection. 
    This morning I'm thinking of all of the years that I have home schooled my children. This is our twenty-first year. When I started I was so scared. Then God brought this verse to my attention. 
    We are his flock, and He is our shepherd. Such a comfort to know that we are in His arms and close to His heart. He is leading us and has lead us through so much these past years.  He has filled in where my shortcomings were. He has placed wonderful friends in my life for encouragement, for math/algebra, grammar, literature and science. All weak points for me. But not for the creator.
    I see His hand in all the memories that I have with my family.
    Yesterday, my sweet husband's Dad and Mom came for a short visit. I shared with them the salsa that I had canned. They liked it. I had made a green smoothie for our lunch and saved a little for my Father in Law. He liked it! 
     My Mother in Law even told me that she was impressed with the way I had changed over the years. ( I don't think that I've really changed that much, but three years after R and I were married, I gave my life to Christ and that did make a difference. ) I think that she has changed and mellowed over the years too. She told me that I was a very good daughter, wife and mother. (don't mean to sound like I'm bragging here) It brought tears to my eyes, we've been married 25 years. 
    Bit of history. I met my husband through a mutual friend. We didn't date, just talked on the phone a lot and became friends. After about 1 1/2 years he drove almost 700 miles and asked me to marry him. I said yes, how can you refuse your best friend? Four months later I moved south and we were married. Most of his family and friends didn't gives us six months, some didn't even give us six weeks. But God had his hand in our lives. Through a series of events and introductions to people that were very strong Christians, I came to know that it wasn't just knowing that Christ existed, but having a relationship with Him.  Twenty-two years ago I put my hand in His and I haven't looked back. I rest in the knowledge that He is with me everyday and holding my hand. Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. Ps. 55:22
    Thank You Lord for your strength, your peace, your guidance.  I am grateful that you are bigger than the problems of this world and that my family fits in your hand and that we each have a place in your heart. I pray that each day you will hold us tightly in your arms and that where I fail as a parent, wife, daughter, teacher, that you will quicken my spirit and guide me back onto the path that is your will. 
     Blessings to All ~ S~ The Quilted YaYa