Tough Cookies

Within the past couple of weeks, a friend of ours used this phrase to describe us.  I often wonder what has caused us to be seen as "tough cookies" in retrospect.  I remember so many events in our lives, individually and in our married life that has formed us to the people we are today--for better or worse.
I know that many, countless times we've had seemingly insurmountable occurrences in our life that had caused us to immediately hit the floor on our knees in a puddle of tears because in our own strength, we could not do "this", whatever "this" was.  Miraculously, as if by only the strength of the Holy Spirit, we stood to dry our tears and put one foot in front of the other.  There were times that many times EACH DAY we were in a puddle of tears, surrendering everything to the Lord, telling Him that we can't do "this" alone, that He's going to have to do "this" for us because in our own power, we're nothing.

With each step we've taken, we often times get to see a few steps ahead.  Other times, we can only see the step we're on currently.  These lessons have been "hard learned" and wrought with heartache, pain, and rivers and rivers of tears.  So, to use the term "tough cookie" to describe us is not as accurate as perhaps someone with the strength of a piece of jello or as sturdy as a river of tears.

That said, the Lord Himself has etched Himself in and through every aspect of our lives, from our finances, to our home and everything in it, our vehicles, our pets, my Mr. G's retirement from corrections and on to his current job, as well as homeschooling, and moving on in to our lives very soon as post homeschooling parents.  Our lives have been filled with trials and triumphs, but only by God's grace.

So, it is only by the strength of the Lord that we rely on daily that we can be remotely compared to "tough cookies."

"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought,

but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 

And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, 

because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,

 for those who are called according to his purpose." 

(Romans 8:26-28)

This verse has become our very own in the past 3 years through the trials we've faced.  We've clung to it tightly when the winds blew so hard and things we thought were "ok" suddenly disintegrated.

We were helped by many folks posting different scripture at just the right time, praying for us and loving on us just to let us "talk it out" and vent.  There have been priceless friendships formed that had those occurrences not happened, we would have missed those friendships.  God brings about things in our lives to bring people together who wouldn't have normally crossed paths.  What a blessing these folks have been to our lives!  They don't even know the true depth and breadth of how much they honestly helped us just by being there for us when we needed them most.  We feel the Lord Himself put them in our lives and we are truly grateful for their friendship.  

Many times, it was only through the gift of music that was able to sooth our aching hearts.  Many times I leaned on these two songs.

The Lord has blessed us, and given us peace so many times through so many ways. 

Praise His Holy Name!

God Bless,

A Day At the Beach & Life Lessons

Weeks ago, we decided that it was time to bless our kids with a trip to the Lake Erie beach that we love the most.  With all of the cleaning and packing we've been doing, it was time to stop, grab a friend, and go to the beach.

Lake Erie when we arrived and set up to relax.

It was such a beautiful day! 

I could barely see to take the picture, but here is one where Mr. G and I were sitting in the shade under the tree.  I take medication that makes me photosensitive, so we spent most of our time under the tree.

After spending over 3 hours in the sun, the kids were sufficiently crispy--even with 70+spf sunscreen--we went to Panera Bread before heading home.  It was something new for a couple of us, something familiar for others and just fun to pick out some neat treats that we don't normally have.

On the way home, my hubby didn't take pictures because he wasn't feeling well, but he did get a couple on our way up to Erie.

Small town with American flags waving.

Lonely old silo

Small grassy area on the hill

The valleys and scenery is breathtakingly beautiful.  I love looking as far as the eye can see and see hills and trees with an occasional splotch of green grassy patch.  It gives me a chuckle.

Upon arriving at home, we found a phone call from our Georgia realtor waiting for us.  We called and left her a message and within 5 minutes she returned our call.  The house that Mr. G put an offer on last week, we had been counter offering with 3 days in between each offer--it's a bank owned/HUD property thing where they get 3 days to reply to an offer.  The last offer, the bank/seller did not accept.  We are taking a step back and praying about how to word another counter offer, if at all.  The bank/seller would not budge on the price, but to come down $1,000.

We need to take a step back, regroup, get some things done here on our house in Pennsylvania, then see if there have been any other offers on this house.  We're waiting 2 weeks, then starting with the offer process again.  If the Lord wants us to have it, then He will make it available.  

For now, we get ready for a "Moving Sale" next weekend.  I'm getting so many things ready to sell so that the things we have to move will be limited and as small as we can possibly get it.  We are selling curriculum, too.

This journey through life is by far the most important time because it builds character, helps us to enjoy our time in the here-and-now, and it makes us linger to ensure the needful lessons are learned--sometimes whether we like it or not.  Our attitudes on the journey can be ones of thankfulness, or selfishness in which case it causes great heartache and stress for those who love us due to our own selfish responses to the unfamiliar.  

For now, though, we rest in God's will.  It's a good place to be.  Learning to rest there is difficult for many, but a very important and integral part of the journey.  I often visualize sitting in the passenger seat and letting God be the one in charge of my car.  How much I actually trust Him is directly related to how much I rest while He is driving.

It feels good not to have to drive this car through life, but to rest and let Him take the wheel.

God Bless,

Serving in Vacation Bible School

Kingdom Chronicles is the name of the Vacation Bible School curriculum that our church used this year.  The publisher is Answers in Genesis.    It was very fun and exciting for all of us to participate as a family this year.

Our youngest son played "King Christopher" in the play.  He had done such a wonderful job reading his part.  He's had such a difficult time with his Dyslexia and Dysgraphia through his elementary years that this time is a triumph for him!  He'd had a hang up reading in front of others, stumbling over his words, but this time, although he read a little slower--he did great! 

Each of the young folks did such a wonderful job!  They love doing skits for VBS.  My daughter loves this so much that she's asked to be able to do voice and drama lessons.  

The Lord works in mysterious ways.  If He has placed this desire in her heart for His purposes, then as her parents, my husband and I need to help her in positive ways to develop those talents for His glory.

If we do not, we will be hindering the Holy Spirit.  

...and I don't want to do that.  We don't know what the future holds for her or for the young men in our home for that matter.

I praise God that each one of the young folks want to honor and glorify God with their gifts.

Our oldest son played Prince Robert, one of the "immature" princes who needed to grow up.  He did a wonderful job portraying the prince.  His character gave his heart to the Savior as a part of the play at the end of the week.  I love watching my kids having fun serving God!  What a lovely and wonderful gift to behold by a parent!

Yes, there is a little boy throwing a sponge.  My daughter is directly to the left, helping where she can.  This was my Kindergarten class, throwing wet sponges at the poor soul who volunteered to get in to the stockade for the sheer pleasure of the kids.

My Mr. G facilitated the games for the week, but didn't get in to the stockade.  He had volunteers for that.

My class...so very excited to throw sponges at my youngest son!

Yes, they had some pretty good aim too!  LOL

We had a wonderful time serving the Lord this past week for Vacation Bible School as a family.  Each of us had a different role, but each of us worked and had so much fun in the process.  Serving God as a family is such a joy!

Praise God!

Washing Away the Hurt and Pain

Ephesians 4:17-19  "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,  (18)  Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:  (19)  Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness." [emphasis mine]

This was highlighted in my husband's Bible the day he went to talk with our pastor.  His Bible was laying open in the living room, on top of his laptop which was perched on top of the little office trash can, much like a mini-desk type pedestal.

Later that afternoon, over his soup, after having been confronted by our pastor about his salvation--he is "without excuse" (Romans 1:20)--he dropped to his knees in the middle of the living room and gave his life over to Jesus Christ and asked Him into his heart.

Thus began the washing away of the old man and the new man began to emerge.  

With everything in life, we need to face the consequences of our actions, even if those actions are "pre" salvation.

With the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ, forgiveness and love has been granted, the road to recovery begun...although it will be a long and arduous road at times I'm sure.  Trust has begun the rebuilding process and a new life and heart and a different and lovely peacefulness has emerged.  Smiles have replaced most of the sadness.  Contentment and joy have settled in.  

The hurt and the pain are still there.  The scars from those years of things happening take time to heal.  Thankfully, the hurt and the pain are gradually, bit-by-bit, being washed away and hearts are being re-knit together in a new and different way.

Tonight we begin our path toward our Christian walk "together"---NOT  UNequally Yoked.  Our pastor suggested we do a study together called Classic Christianity by Bob George [it's on my book reading list].  Right now we've taken a look at the book and the study guide together to figure out the best method of approaching this study.  This particular study is different from every other study I've undertaken personally.  Usually I've looked at the study guide, looked at the book and jumped right in reading the book--entire chapters at a time--before doing the study guide.  Then if I needed to look back at the book I could.  That method doesn't seem to fit any longer.  Now it seems more that we cover sections of each chapter, go over the questions relating to that section, and discuss.  We would not cover chapters each night, not breezing through the book in record time, but savoring it, slowly methodically, together.  All of this while we build our relationship's spiritual qualities, together, like we'd never done before.

What a blessing!

1 Peter 3:8-17  

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:  (9)  Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.  (10)  For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:  (11)  Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.  (12)  For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.  (13)  And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?  (14)  But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;  (15)  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:  (16)  Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.  (17)  For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.