Mercies in Disguise?

I had some alone time the other night, as I drove home from Wichita.  I was listening to the radio and mulling things around in my head. I was talking to myself, asking and answering questions in my mind.... and praying.  I've heard this song many times, I really like it.  That night, when it came on the radio.... it just spoke to my heart. I love those moments... when things seem simple and clear.  We all go through tough times in life.  We aren't going to escape those trials. God uses those seasons to show us how strong we really are, because He stands WITH us. Those trials are meant to draw us closer to Him. We may not realize it at the time.... it's hard to be "in it" and see the bigger picture. VERY HARD.  I've been there. Many times, we can't see it for what it is, until we are through it.  I don't have words of wisdom. I just wanted to share this song. 

 

 

If you can...take a moment to listen,  and see if it speaks to you.

 

 

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not our home

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

 

 

Have a fabulous evening! 

 

 You are loved!

  

It's the Little Things

I just bundled up all the cards I received last month ( for my birthday ), and tucked them into a storage box.  I keep all my cards.  I LOVE getting cards.  That's probably why I send out so many.  It's such a treat!  To know that someone selected a specific card..... just for me. It's a sweet reminder that someone is thinking of me or they didn't forget my special day.  I am a sucker for a good card!  It's my favorite part of any special day. It takes time to find just the right card! The right picture with the right sentiment,.... I can get stuck on that isle for a while. It's such a simple little thing, but it means so much.... to me, anyway. 

I have a little paper that Spencer gave me when he was younger. He glued a heart shaped rock, to a red sticky note and wrote "For Mom, I love you".  It's tucked into the corner of one of my mirrors.  It's been there for probably 10 years now. It's been there for so long, it's become part of the mirror.  Occasionally, like today... I focus on it and it makes me smile.  Something about those big scribbly letters, etched with such fierce love.... from such a little person.

This is one is kind of funny.... the weird way!  I REALLY love a big, icy diet coke from Sonic.  Some days it just makes me a better person!  I haven't been drinking soda, for several months now... and boy, do I miss it! I treat myself, every once in a while, to a small one. That first sip is a party in my mouth! My husband smirks at me, while I swish it around and make happy sounds. Such a little thing... such big joy!

Music is a huge part of my life.  There really are no words to describe it's significance in my life. So, I'm not even going to try.  However, it is one of those little things, that is actually a very big thing to me.  For each emotion I have, there is a place for music. It runs through my veins.... sustaining me. I love that there is music everywhere. Lyrical emotion.....encompassing complete strangers with familiar unity. I would not want to live in a world without music.

Those are a few examples of my little / big things..... today!

Some days,  I am able to pause longer than just a moment, and take in some of the "little" things that our BIG God made for us to enjoy. Just to name a few..... The cool breeze.... blowing across my toes while I sit and read.  The smell of a good book.  I am old school.  I love to read, and  I love turning each crisp page. The warmth of sunshine on those same little toes.  I love the smell of the fresh cut grass, that waifs through each open window.  I can hear many birds chirping and singing...  happy that it's finally spring. ( me too!).  This morning, I admired the depth of each color on my flowers.  It's hard not to be in awe, when you look closely at such intricate work.  Each vibrant hue looks like it was painted by hand. I enjoy the smell of rain... and the smell of the earth, soaked in it's goodness. The soft rumble of thunder in the early morning... lulling me into a deeper sleep. I don't really enjoy big storms, but I can appreciate them from time to time. I do prefer the gentle ones.

It's the little things, that sometimes bring the most joy.

I think we miss it..... with the hustle and bustle of most days.  We have routines that wind us through our life. We wish away time.... anxious for the workday to end, for the weekend to come, or other big milestones.  I'm trying to remind myself to slow down a little.  It's easy to concentrate on the big things in our lives.  I think sometimes we are in such a hurry to get to the big stuff, we don't really SEE and enjoy the smaller stuff.

Hoping you take time to stop and smell the flowers! 

 Have a great weekend! 

5 Years Old!

Can't believe our Thatcher is five years old!!! (makes my heart ache just a little!)  We had a fun day on his actual birthday, and then we had a big family party the next evening.  He told me he that his birthday was a "blast"! Here are some pictures. 

 

 

 

 

Throw back to his first "big boy bike" ride!  Awww!!!!

 

 

 Birthday lunch at McDonalds!

 

Balloon "fight" with a few cousins.  I love his face in these pictures!

He got all his new Legos put together!

 

 

 

What a precious child, that has filled our lives with

joy and so much laughter!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20 Years!

It's hard to believe, that Gunar and I have been married for 20 years tomorrow!  I am so thankful for this man, the one God hand-picked for me... the one I prayed and waited for.  He is an amazing husband and a great father.  I pray that the next 20 years are just as sweet!  Thank you baby, for making me your wife! You are WAY better than the fairy tale! Happy Anniversary!!

 

He likes things short and sweet, so.... that's the blog!

 

 

 

April 8th, 1995

 

Back: Lisa (Scobee) Harrod, Brad Frye  Keith Wunderlich, Tami (Wasson) Burke, Bruce Paris, Beth (Kelley) Eklund

 

Middle: Karen (Kelley) Chrisman, The Newlyweds, Shannon Russell

 

Front: Megan Myers, Kassidi Pruett, Jordan Ferguson, Breanna (Tharp) McAdoo, Carissa (Kelley) Anderson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keeper of the Stars

 

 

It was no accident me finding you

Someone had a hand in it

Long before we ever knew

Now I just can't believe you're in my life

Heaven's smilin' down on me

As I look at you tonight

I tip my hat to the keeper of the stars

He sure knew what he was doin'

When he joined these two hearts

I hold everything

When I hold you in my arms

I've got all I'll ever need

Thanks to the keeper of the stars

Soft moonlight on your face oh how you shine

It takes my breath away

Just to look into your eyes

I know I don't deserve a treasure like you

There really are no words

To show my gratitude

So I tip my hat to the keeper of the stars

He sure knew what he was doin'

When he joined these two hearts

I hold everything

When I hold you in my arms

I've got all I'll ever need

Thanks to the keeper of the stars

It was no accident me finding you

Someone had a hand in it

Long before we ever knew

 

Adoption Day!

March 30th, 2015..... Finally! She has been part of the family, since she was 3 1/2 months old, now it's official.  Here are some pictures of Adler (Addy).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 So many reasons to SMILE!