Be Strong and Courageous

The month of August seems to have flown by.  With Family visits, trips back to 1861, baby sitting for friends for date nights,  going back to work, visits with friends for dinner (home made tortillas),   wisdom teeth being pulled, summer weather finally arriving bringing  fruits to perfection, birthday parties, and a new car. The blessings have been overflowing this month.  The time of new teachers and new schedules has arrived, Sophomore with  JROTC on his mind and lots of hopes for the new year, 8th grader with braces coming tomorrow along with finding out her fall schedule and cross country practice around the corner (the girls loves to run - God is so great to have blessed her with a love run), and a first grader who just wants to stay with her kindergarten teachers because she loves them and she "just knows the new one will only talk Spanish to her", silly girl. The quiet before the storm of  homewor...

Monday seem to be rolling around here at lightening speed. Here we are again telling of His grace and blessings that grow in number and seem to be easier to spot at the days go by. Go Here.... To see a wonderful community of  people listing the grace of the days that He has given us. God is so AWESOME!! Double full arch rainbow, that I could not capture half it's brightness of; our sight being so greater than any camera. The skies turning hazy yellow, pink, and blue before the misting of rain. Baby showers for a miracle baby due to arrive any day... of course all babies are miracles, but this couple  thought it was impossible, unless God stepped in, and He did just that. Cannot wait to meet the miracle! Cherries from a friend's orchard... so sweet and a blessing for sure. Visits from the Scott family on their way to Alaska to serve with Cadence International .

Some times friendships come to an end, really by no fault but a moving on, or in different direction. It is not easy for children to adjust to loss of a friend and sometimes harder for us as adults sometimes. This article  put my last few weeks into perspective for me.  God is good, always there. Grace is needed in all areas of life, and I am glad to be so taken care of by my Lord.

This passed week we had dinner with a family in the neighborhood, it was great to get together and get to them a bit more. The family was so gracious to provide the meal, we took dessert. I tried my hand at a new one and it turned out nice (at least everyone said so).  While the older boys watched a civil war movie and talked a bit, the mom and I along with Emma sat and chatted for while the youngers played outside in the pool, inside and then finally came up with the train of animals down the stairs like a parade. It was great fun to see the 3 of them giggle and get along so well. On Monday 7 - 11  - 11 I took the kids to you guessed it 7 Eleven and got in on the free Slurpees, for their give away. the free ones were 7.11 ounces, it was really funny to see how full you could top it with out a lid. I of course bought a 'big' one for sharing, as we were headed to do errands and such.

Wow ~~~~ the Lord is so gracious! I have missed reading and participating in such a great community of believer's and counting the grace, the good and the 'not how I planned it' but God knew what He was doing days. Jeremiah 29:11-14 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the L ord . “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the L ord . I have taken a pretty long break since posting last in this catagory and the passed month  and 1/2 since I last posted gift 465, I have written just uner 100 gifts of grace and life from my LORD. I will not take time write all of them today just a few ...... 469. Bounty of rain 470. Strawberry buds  473. Being told I am an asset to someone 478. Teenagers cooking dinner for family  483. (written in  my daughter's handwriting) A beautiful and joy...

Summer just seems to be rolling along. We have had weekly park playdates and time with friends at the house as well.  There also seems to be a lot of July birthdays out there; we attended a few as families and the older two are each attending some this week. Good thing no Civil War events this month, there is enough going on around here. We are also going to be blessed to have some friends from out of town stop by on their way to there temporary missions home in Alaska before going back to Europe again. We first met the Scott 's in Germany at the Schweinfurt Hospitality house in 2001. They work for Cadence International and minister to Military families worldwide.