Unconditional Love

I saw a man die tonight.  I was on my way to the writer's workshop I've been taking and I witnessed a car drive right into the back of a semi... He died shortly after the collision.  I was about to pull out behind that semi, but as I looked at the oncoming traffic the car seemed to be moving at a very high speed... I chose to wait.  As the car passed by me I thought, "Surely he is going to slow down!   Is there a passing lane on the other side of the semi I'm just not seeing?" Smash! Glass everywhere... fire.... I got out and immediately called 911... neighbors came with fire extinguisher... they told him to hold on, help was coming... he was crushed, head hung... grey hair, big fellow...
Siren's and lights coming in the distance... I can't believe this is happening... a different decision and I would have been right there in the midst of the glass...and death...

What is unconditional love? I've thought a lot about this the last while...Do I love only when things are being done to my specifications? Do I withhold love when disobedience or rebellion rise up against me? Spouse, children, friends... do I treat them differently?  When I think about conditional love and how I expect it to be given to me, I wonder if I 'do unto others'...

Tonight someone got a phone call... a most dreaded phone call... Were angry words left undone, or will this sudden good bye bring pain yet not regret of hurts neglected?  If we were to be taken suddenly, would we leave pain to a loved one or mostly happy memories?  None of us have an assurance for tomorrow. That man didn't wake this morning thinking he would not slip back into bed tonight... but he's not. We don't know when our time will come and not everyone will be given the opportunity to make wrongs right.

Lets take this day and realize what really matters and why...
Until next time,
Jean

     

Anniversaries!

It's been a year now since I started writing "Wren In The Willow"...
When I started writing this blog my goal was for it to express my Christian walk as a woman, wife and mother and to show how the Lord helps me through the everyday things in life. I wanted it to be a witnessing tool to those that are searching for joy and peace... the joy and peace that can only be truly had in HIM and HIS perfect love... 

I remember a good friend told me that I should go back after a couple months and read my first few writings and then see if my 'goal' is holding true...or if I am swaying away from the original purpose.  I've taken that advice several times and I believe that it has held true. I think Wren has grown ... like me... my Christian walk I hope is continuing to grow as I am nurtured in and through His Word.

Like a child, it can only grow when fed and nurtured properly... with milk, fruit and veggies and wholesome food.  Our children can't grow when fed pop and candy and all the junk food that is available.  A child needs it's parents to teach it right and wrong, feed it uplifting and up building things and care for it's spiritual growth... more is caught than taught is a very true saying.
Neither can a Christian grow with the things of the world... we must grow in and through Him... through daily devotions and meditations on His word. 

Wren, like I said in the beginning was my 'new baby'... I personally think she is growing beautifully and I certainly hope that you have enjoyed reading her over the last year as much as I have enjoyed sharing my heart with you...

Until next time,
Jean

Little Boys and Puddles...

"Hey! Now there's a puddle!"
 

What is it about little boys and puddles?  No offense to little girls out there, I'm sure they are somewhat attracted to them, but I believe puddles call out to little boys!  As most of you know, we live on a farm with five boys, and with this farm comes a lot of mud ~ and I mean a lot!  I remember when Kyle was just about Evan's age (5) and we were at a friends house.  It was raining and then cleared up... they lived on a farm too ~ with mud. We were washing dishes and there were our two little boys holding hands playing ring around the rosie... in a puddle. Yes it was absolutely adorable and I grabbed my camera and took several black and white photos that now adorn a very cute scrapbook page in Kyles album. It was too cute... even after we hosed em' off and gave warm baths.  Little boys...

Yes Ethan & Ryan have had their mud puddle events as well and many happy memories have been made in puddles... Evan and Aaron are in the making of these memories now too. I don't really mind, after all they are boys and they like mud and dirt... and puddles.  What amazes me though is how they can stand to be so wet and dirty... I haven't figured that one out yet... not even after five boys!  What are memories that you have with your children? What are the memories they are making right now?  I often talk about memory making... I think it because I like to journal and scrap book... all memory things.  I love the idea that they can go back into their scrapbooks and 'see' the memories. 

I love my children so much and I realize they will have many memories... I wish I could say just happy ones, but we are only human.  The good come with the sad... As a mom I wish I could protect them from every hurt that could ever happen to them... keep them under my wings and shelter them from the storms that will come in life.  I wish I never had to try and explain why something isn't good for them... that they would just trust and obey...

Trust and obey... I need to set the example of trusting and obeying my Father... showing that in everything I have put my desires before the Lord and sought His guidance in every decision that needs to be made... Oh to be able to do that faithfully... through my example I pray for each of them...

Until next time,
Jean




     

Life's Lessons...

"A Cheerful smile, a friendly word, a sympathetic nod, all priceless little treasures from the storehouse of our God." Helen Steiner Rice

We all like to be smiled at...frowns make us feel sad and disappointed, while a smile can make a bad day seem better.  Smiles and kind words are what our goal needs to be when we deal with others, including our family members. 

My littlest one Aaron knows when I have a scowl on my face... and he too knows how to make a scowl.  I try not to laugh when he does it, but it is so terribly cute... although the attitude behind it must be dealt with.  When mother scowls Aaron looks sad and usually comes running into my arms for reassurance. He is so little and his heart so tender. Evan too knows when mother scowls it isn't a good thing... his scowls aren't so cute anymore.  We work on these things though. Our children cherish kind words, hugs & kisses, gentle caresses and tender looks... we as adults long for that as well.

God has both smiles and scowls for his children as well. He like a tender, loving parent knows when we need one or the other and never makes a mistake.  Unlike us human parents who are always making them, He does not. We can have faith and trust that the circumstances in our life are just what he is 'allowing'. I have mentioned in times past God has a permissive will and a perfect will.  If we bug Him long enough about something, whether it be the best thing for us or not, He may just allow it to come to be to teach an important lesson on faith and timing.  On the other hand, if we trust and submit ourselves to His perfect will, always praying that way, we can be sure that all things will work together for good to those who love Him...

But we're human aren't we... prone to be like children... a bit demanding and whiny. It's not pretty, but it's true. I remember when our daughter Taylor was about six years old, we were making some chicken noodle soup and I was putting bouillon cubes into it.  She was always begging for stuff not always knowing or understanding what it was she was begging for... well, this day I thought she needs to learn to stop begging... so I gave her a hunk... too say the least she spat it out quickly!  Now some of you may be thinking that was mean, but it wasn't... she begged for things like pepper and other things that would make her sick... I took her then and explained that is why she shouldn't beg... she did learn the lesson. It's funny now though, because she loves to cook and she is the biggest 'taster' I know... life's lessons.

That's the way it is with our Heavenly Father... sometimes we bug and bug and beg and beg... He's gonna let us taste and learn, and sometimes it might not taste good...

Until next time,
Jean

God's Tears

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there  be any more pain;..." Revelation 21:4a

When I was little I always believed that when it rained it was God crying because of the bad things that happened on the earth... then His tears would water everything thereby having purpose....  it's a sweet, childish notion.  I don't know that God cries, but I believe he sorrows for His lost children. 

As parents we take great care in teaching our children about not wandering away from us and getting lost. If you have children of your own or have ever been a care giver you know exactly what I am talking about...

A couple years ago Neil and the boys were at market when Neil found himself looking for Ethan, then eleven years old and couldn't find him.  After about a half hour of desperate searching for him by many vendors, our market master and Neil, Ethan couldn't be found.  To say the least Neil felt hopeless as did all of our market vendor friends.  The decision was made to call the police... a sicking feeling to say the least.  After a bit more time creeped by, Ethan was found... he was in the Ace Hardware store right across from the market looking at tools... Of course, where else would our mechanic be?  Neil didn't call me during this episode but waited to tell me when he got home.  I looked at my son and thought how thankful I was to be able to look into his deep blue eyes... I just cried at the thought of never seeing him again... the thought of wondering where he was... My mind raced at 'what could of happened'. I just hugged him and cried... Neil said he had grabbed hold of him and just cried too when he was found. Ethan had no idea what fear and grief Neil felt when he had thought that our son was lost ... the emotions that went through his mind thinking about telling me... Ethan had no idea the relief that was felt when he was found.

To loose a child would be heart wrenching... I realize there are folks out there that don't get that feeling of relief and thankfulness when a lost child is found. There are folks out there that have lost a child in accidents, kidnapping and worse.  My mother heart can't imagine that pain...

God is our Heavenly Father and He loves us like that... a love indescribable... a love so great that He sent His only son to die for us... He has so many lost children out there that His heart is aching over... If you are lost, He is there waiting with out stretched arms... fly into them now.

Until next time,
Jean






     

Friendships

"The simple fact that the believer always experiences something and the unbeliever never does should tell us a great deal. Only the true Christian is sure the sun has risen!"  Tozer

As I read this statement I thought about it awhile and reminisced over how much the Lord has done for me over the years since I have been saved... they are too many to mention.

Our friends have been baling straw and storing it in one of our out-buildings.  There are literally hundreds of bales and they are stacked about ten high... they are almost to the ceiling.  Anyway, this is a great playground for little boys as I am sure you can imagine.  Ryan(10 years) and Evan (4 1/2years) were helping unload and were playing.  Well, this is a great mountain to climb to boys and a real adventure... Evan was quite the mountain climber when he slipped through a few bales and got himself stuck... Thankfully the men and other boys were all around and pulled him out.  Evan later told Taylor that he wasn't afraid because he prayed to God and he knew He would help him out... oh for the faith of a child... 

Evan loves to be read to and he truly enjoys the Bible story books that I read to him and Aaron... they both sit with wide eyes and Evan is always full of questions.  It's these times of sharing and closeness that I believe will have the lasting impact on them.  It's times when the older boys still run and tell me that they couldn't find something and then they prayed and sure enough God showed them where it is... of for the faith of a child...

It's this faith that I believe Tozer is talking about here... As believers we know in our hearts that God is there watching over us and taking care of all our needs.  He is ever faithful and full of grace for the believer... the broken and contrite spirit that cries out to Him He always hears.

Until next time,
Jean

Dragonflies and my little boys...

So we're at market today and it's about 12:30ish... all of a sudden I see a dragonfly... I can't believe it... right there in the middle of the market!  Then as it got closer I noticed it was a mating pair, the smaller male was riding on her back as they fluttered and hovered about... but that wasn't all, suddenly I see another and another... seven pairs in all!  I love dragonflies and I always tell the children when I see one in an unusual spot I know the Lord sent it for me to admire and think about Him... His wonderful handiwork in nature... perfection in the smallest and intricate details.  They hovered over the green area until we left at about three o'clock... so peaceful and beautiful...

Last night as I lay sandwiched between Evan and Aaron, I was laying them down for bed, Aaron is all cuddled in and stroking my cheek... Evan is 'nuggled in behind me holding on tight... by the way I am very claustrophobic... it is getting a little to 'nuggly for mom... Evan usually dozes off first and then Aaron is not to far behind... they are so sweet.  As I lay there looking into Aaron's big blue eyes I remember when I was expecting him and remember looking at Evan in what is now Aaron's 'spot'... I remember thinking as I looked at him, 'how could I love another child as much as loved this little one?... I was fortyish and feeling it.  Now I look at him and can't believe I ever wondered... I look at him and the love I feel is sometimes overwhelming to tears... it's that way with each of them... especially when they are sleeping <smile>... They each have a heart string that tugs... so many mother heart prayers sent up for these children...

"There seemed to be something huge and important to say; But somehow, then, we could never think of the words.  Anyway, they would keep, so it did not matter, And there would be time and time enough to remember; so we laughed as the years flew over our heads like birds.  And then, one day, we remembered them; ran all the way, breathless came running, and beat and called at your door; at the door of a house whose silence and emptiness mocked us, for you had slipped out the back way, quite quietly, leaving "I love, and thank you," unneeded, unsaid, ever more." Margaret Willy

Love is a wonderful to have and to give... share it as often as you can... some day they will be gone...
Until next time,
Jean

Child of God, Child of Mine...

Children seem to be on a never ending cycle of trying to reach some new adventure... usually at my peace of mind's expense.  Whether it be learning to walk or drive... climb a tree or ride a horse... there is always something to be weary about it seems. 

I mentioned the other day that our son Kyle is now in drivers training... he is a fairly good driver and I am not really worried at all when he is behind the wheel with me in the passenger seat. I look at this young 'man' and remember when he just toddled about... my blond haired, blue eyed baby boy... now he is trying to shave... an he is driving... when I look at him I just can't believe how he is growing... into manhood.  He has a kind and gentle spirit... he loves little children.  Every time he comes home from school or playing outside he always looks for his baby brother Aaron... he will rock him to sleep or read him and Evan stories. Really all the big boys take pretty good care of the little guys.  It blesses me so much... but we do have those moments that it is kind of fun to make the little guys give a holler or a shriek...  "Boo!" from behind the wall! They scream and then they laugh... boys... children. 

These children are becoming young people and moving into adulthood... It isn't always easy to be in the passenger seat with your child.  We as parents have experienced a lot of things in our lives and we do know better, shall I say.  I think back to my youth and the incredibly stupid things I did and want to simply protect them from the dangers that I put myself through.  All I can say now is praise the Lord He had a plan for my life that included Him... Now the question we face as parents is how do we work this into our children's hearts... how do I without being over bearing and controlling protect them... Life's challenges again.  Children present some wonderful attributes... my life goal is leading them to the most important attribute... salvation for their souls... living a renewed life for Jesus...  what a challenge...

"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he shall not depart from it..."
                                                                 Proverbs 22:6
...what a promise
Until next time,
Jean

Loving Kindness...

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer" (Psalm 19:14).

We are faced with challenges every day. They can come in many different forms, but yet they remain challenges that we must face and deal with.  I see this real close up in my children's relationships with each other... I think I have mentioned that I was an only child and don't always get the bickering that happens in everyday life between siblings... although with six children I have had to learn to 'get it' as time as pressed on.  It always amazes me how they can be getting along famously one minute and the next be fighting like cats & dogs... ahh, parenthood!  I try to understand that just because they are children doesn't mean they don't have frustrations as well as happiness. They are people too with likes and dislikes...

Loving kindness is the lesson that must be taught though.  This is a challenge in itself as a parent... how to train this in children when you yourself have this struggle... The blessing in all this is that I don't have to do it all alone... I have my Lord and He is there each and every day as I seek His guidance in all life's challenges I face. He is there to encourage me through His word, church messages, through my family and friends.  Life may present those challenges, but I believe that 'I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me'...

"Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth: keep the door of my lips" (Psalm 141:3).
Until next time,
Jean

My Heart and Soul...

The Lord's day is so special to me... it allows me time to reflect on things... the everyday things of life... what's important and what's not... my family and the time we spend together... where things are going and stalling... to just be...
The other Sunday's sermon talked a bit on the ark... the minister was comparing the raven and the dove... it was quite enlightening to me... I had never really thought about some things that he pointed out.
First Noah sent the raven and it just roamed to and fro but never returned to the ark for safety... Then Noah sent out the dove... it flew and found 'no rest for it's soles...' and it returned to the ark of safety...  then it was released again and this time it brought back an olive branch... life... but it still returned to the ark... then the third time it didn't come back... it was able to survive in the new life found on the earth...

In the New Testament satan is said to roam to and fro across the earth looking for what he can devour... a raven is a 'devouring' bird... it hunts for carnage... dead things. A dove is often a symbol of Christianity, peace and gentleness... like Jesus... the dove went out and sought life.
There is only true life in in living for Jesus and His salvation...
A hymn we sang at church...

Holy Jesus, lovely Lamb,
Thine and only Thine I am;
Take my body, spirit, soul,
Only Thou possess the whole.

Thou my dearest object be,
Let me ever cleave to Thee;
Let me choose the better part,
Let me give Thee all my heart.

Whom have I on earth below?
Only Thee I wish to know;
Whom have I in heaven but Thee?
Thou art all in all to me.

All my treasure is above,
My best portion is Thy love;
Who the worth of love can tell?
Infinite unsearchable!

Nothing else may I require;
Let me Thee alone desire;
Pleased with what Thy love provides,
Weaned from all the world besides.

Until next time,
Jean

Discouragement...

Some days seem longer than others... it's been rainy here the last couple days... thunder and lightening woke us up through the night.  I love thunder storms and I have always tried to teach my children there is nothing to be afraid of in them.  God is in total control over those things.  I have told the children the thunder is like God riding in His chariot... the thunder is the horses hooves galloping over the storm clouds... the lightening are His arrows against evil... God will always come out victoriously!  Too say the least none of my children are afraid of thunderstorms... I want them to know that God is in them... He loves & cares for us, no matter what! 

The challenge can be when the trials in life come upon us... to show that faith in God to our children... Often times one of the children will come and tell me how they can't find this or that, full of worry and fret.  I always ask them, "did you pray?"... sheepishly they will say 'no' sometimes and others they say 'of course'... So they pray and it never fails, the Lord shows them right where it is... Faith.  Although there have been times when they can't find something and they did pray... I tell them, "God always answers prayer... sometimes He says 'yes', other times He says 'no' and sometimes He say's 'not right now'..  Faith...but He always answers!  I remember a time last summer when Ethan was looking for a tool... he can be the one that get's frustrated a bit more quickly... but suddenly he came running over to Neil and I and burst out, "I found it, God showed me where it was!"  Off he ran to finish his 'project'... Faith of a child...

We can never let discouragement get us down... With faith in Him, we must trust Him and believe that He will always mean things for good for us... even when it surely doesn't feel good...

Until next time...
Jean

"Grow old with me, the best is yet to be." Robert Browning

What a sweet notion... I bought one of those wooden saying signs with this quote on it years ago... and I still love it and what it says to my heart today.

Do you look into your spouses eyes and tell them you love them... say thanks for always trying to be there... thanks for being my friend... smile when you want to frown... give a hug and just say, "I love you for just being you"... life seems to move very quickly and tomorrow might not be there. 

As the years pass by we are making moments in time that will be remembered by some important people... our family.  Are they going to care what kind of car we drove... how many vacations we went on... how much money we made...  What will matter is the moments that we spent together as both family and individual time... real quality time... like going for walks in the woods... sitting by the campfire... just sharing our thoughts of what we like to do, a new book we just read... time to get to know what each of these precious children like and don't like... what their personal interests are. 

Husbands and wives need that time too... alone with no noise time... just me & you time...
Try to make that time... you'll never regret it.

Until next time,
Jean

     

Live, Love, Laugh...

"But the greatest of these is love..." Photo by Jean Smith

This is one of my daughter Taylor's favorite sayings... I have thought about this common everyday phrase and did some deep soul searching with the words and how to apply them to my life from a Christian perspective.

Live...  my life for Christ and Christ alone...
Love... the sinner as Christ loved me...
Laugh... with a song on my heart...

Live... everyday to glorify God, in deed, thought and word...
Love... to show kindness in all Christian sincerity...
Laugh... because it feels so nice...

Live... for the well being of others and not myself...
Love... that person when they are most unlovable...
Laugh...to bring others joy...

Live... to bring happiness everyday to those in my life...
Love... in the deepest of turmoil and woe...
Laugh... when all you want to do is cry...

Live... to be a light set upon a hill...
Love... my enemies as myself...
Laugh... to bring a smile to a weary soul...

Live... in a way that will exemplify that I am a woman after God's own heart...
Love... God with all my mind, heart and soul...
Laugh... to show the joy of the Lord in my life...

Live... for my husbands best...
Love... with an unconditional spirit...
Laugh... because we are best friends...

Live... so my children can rise up and call me blessed...
Love... as to set an example of Christs love...
Laugh... with them...

just some reflections...
Until next time,
Jean







     

Hidden Treasures

"The human heart has hidden treasures, in secret kept, in silence sealed."  Charlotte Bronte

In life we have many secrets... I don't mean bad things, I mean the good ones that we cherish and share with only the closest of loved ones.  Secrets shared by husband and wife, by sister's & brothers, by the very dearest friends... secrets of those we would never betray. We all have secret dreams and hopes for our children, our futures, our retirement years...  things we hope to accomplish, goals we strive to meet, places we wish to go and so on could go the list. 

When you were a child did you ever do the 'blood sister/brother' thing- the 'swearsies' to always keep that secret? I remember doing all those silly childish things... but when I was a child it was for real, it meant something.  Our children come to us now with their hearts secret hopes and fears, they come with laughter and tears, joys and sorrows... in secret they come to us.  We must always respect their hearts pouring out, their sharing, their trust in us... and we must always keep praying, praying and praying.

As the song goes, "prayer is the hearts sincere desire"... 

Until next time,
Jean
    

Be Happy

"The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer someone else up." Mark Twain

What a happy thought this is... I can really appreciate it.  It is such a pleasant feeling when you make someone smile, laugh or otherwise take a burden off their shoulders with a listening ear or a sympathetic look or a shoulder to cry on... sometimes words are not even necessary.  It is easy to be this for our loved ones and friends, but what about that stranger in line behind you in the grocery store?  The other day I was shopping with some friends and an older gentleman approached me and asked if I was Amish or Mennonite.  I told him I was Mennonite and smiled at him.  His eyes seemed to sparkle and light up when I smiled.  He went on to tell me he was from Pennsylvania and he had made many Amish friends while there and that since then he had come to know the Lord as his own personal Savior. We went on to talk about how good the Lord is and what Jesus had done for each of us... it was a blessing I hope to him as much as it was to me.   Yes I was in a bit of a hurry and I probally wouldn't have made a go with a conversation on my own... but I want my heart to always be open to talking about all the good things the Lord has done for me in any and all situations. 

Until next time,
Jean 

Mother's Love

"Mother's love grows by giving." Charles Lamb

We often hear that it is better to give than to receive, and I believe in the area of love this is so true.   Being a mother typically means selfless devotion, limitless sacrifice and commitment that passes all understanding.... If you are a mother you will understand this from the bottom of your heart and the depth of your soul. Mother's will if at all possible do whatever needs to be done for our children. The bond between mother and child I believe starts in the womb.  The growth and development being an intricate part of her whole being... everything we consider taking into our bodies are first considered to be sure it will in no way hurt our unborn child. Young children are most often closest to mother... she is the one to kiss the boo-boos, snuggle with a story and rock to sleep.  Being a mother is the deepest blessing that one can have been given.

When I look into Evan and Aaron's little faces as they clamor up unto my lap to rock and snuggle, I can hardly contain my love for them.  They are so little and sweet and just need to be cherished.  They won't be little long though.... As I look at the four older children and think of the cuddle days with them, it seems as though it was only yesterday. I want to hold onto these days for as long as I can, for soon the older ones will be adults and the little ones will be teenagers. Time keeps moving on and on... lets hold on to these precious moments as long as we can and not become so busy that we miss them...

Until next time,
Jean

Raising Them Up...

"To bring up a child in the way he should go, travel that way yourself."  Josh Billings

I had so much fun with Evan today; we planted in the Kitchen Garden!  We were talking about potatoes and the eyes on them and how to plant them; as I dug the hole and cut the potato, he patiently waited and then would set it into the hole and carefully cover it with the dirt.  I explained to him that a green plant would grow up and when it gets flowers we can start sneaking potatoes from under the dirt off its roots. He was pleased to know that when it was time to dig them up we would all say 'thank you' to him for planting them.  He also got to seed some spinach and plant some onions and garlic.  He was so happy to tell his big brothers what he had done when they got home today. 

This week we have been hard at it outside. Neil finished putting on the front of the one hoop house today; when the boys got home from school Kyle helped him get the door made & hung; Ethan fixed my leaky hose and put a new end on it; Ethan & I weeded some of the raised beds; Ethan & Ryan fetched several loads of straw from the barn; then Ryan & I planted three kinds of beets and mulched the beds with newspaper & straw.  What a wonderful day it was when we can all work together.

Some of you may be saying, "Where was Taylor & the baby?" Well Taylor was doing what she loves to do~ she was baking brownies and getting supper ready. Although she did get one of the flower beds 'almost' fully weeded.  She likes to be outside, but not near as much as in the kitchen.  We balance each other out perfectly~ she loves the inside stuff & I love the outside stuff!  Although when the work is heavy, we work together both in & out!  She is with the youth group 'sucker fishing' this evening having a grand time I am sure!  And the baby, he is 'everywhere', literally!

As I thought on this quote the first thing I thought of was being in the garden with the children; but then my mind moved on to a different place I also want to be them.  I need to live my life so that they will see the road I am trying to stay on and want that road for themselves as well~ the road to the most beautiful Garden there ever will be....Heaven.

Until next time,
Jean

The Sparrow

"Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young ..."Psalm 84:3

Last evening after we got home from market and had a yummy corned beef & bagel supper we all went outside to enjoy the beautiful evening.  Taylor and the big boys were playing a leisurely game of ball while Neil & I with the little boys watched from the front patio.  The early evening sounds were so pleasant.... the robins saying good night... the spring peepers 'peeping' from the pond announcing their awaking... and a pheasant rooster calling on a mate in the distance... then the crack of the ball on the bat and the smack in the catchers glove.  The sun was going down and the evening sky was clear, the rose, purple, blue and orange of the sky were a rainbow only God could create. 

This morning the skies are blue with some fluffy white clouds, the robins are saying good morning and all the other morning birds are saying it is going to be a beautiful day.  Neil is in the kitchen frying up some of our breakfast sausage patties... the scent of Cheeky Monkeys organic breakfast blend is brewing and smells like morning...the children are getting dressed and ready for church.   We are planning to go to a friends house for a bar-b-que picnic after church today.

It is a peaceful morning....
Until next time,
Jean

Humility

"Talent is God given. Be humble.  Fame is man given. Be grateful. Conceit is self given. Be careful." John Wooden

I was washing my hands and I suddenly noticed that the knobs to a cabinet door were off and they along with the screws were laying neatly on the floor beside it.  Evan :-) .  He is 4 1/2 years old and is always looking at things and trying to figure how to take them apart. Ethan our soon to be 13 year old was always taking things apart when he was little as well. Ethan is our all around go-to guy when something mechanical needs repaired~ he & Neil work very well together when doing repairs.  Ethan has always been able to just look at something for a bit, and then figure out how it is put together and works.  He is very handy!  I don't think Ethan or Evan even think about the things they are able to do, they just do them.  I think that is part of being humble.  Yesterday Ethan & Neil repaired one of the hinges on my potting shed door, put a new 'handle' on it and Ethan later repaired the latch.  I was very appreciative for his help and I think he was grateful~ at least his smile seemed to say so.  After all, he was in the shed shop working on the trailer he is building with Evan :-) .   Neil & I  bought him one of those  plastic engine kits for his 10th birthday. He & Neil worked at this together, it was really neat because it worked with batteries. Ethan doesn't seem to take a lot of notice to his talent. I think it is because he has always been encouraged to be creative with it. If you went through the shop you would understand what I am saying. 

Each of us has been given a talent from God~ how we use it will depend on our blessings. To His glory or to our own.

Until next time,
Jean

Love will find a way....

What a lovely thought isn't it?  Our two oldest children certainly present a challenge some days with this notion though!  It seems some days they are the best of friends, while others they are total enemies.  Like I mentioned the other day, I am an only child and don't always get this! Neil, once again says that this is normal, so I try to go with the flow, despite my frustrations!

Last summer Taylor, Kyle & Ryan (the gardener's) got a whole new garden plot tilled and planted 'together'.  They helped each other & worked together like a force to be reckoned with.  They planned and plotted out the whole deal, weeded and harvested, light on the second two elements :-) ! But they showed me a sibling love that I was so blessed to witness. 

Love will find a way...I think that it can be very true when it is allowed & worked at.

Until next time,
Jean