Random

I read this quote about friendship today:

“Friendship improves happiness and abates misery, by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of our grief.” ~Cicero

Isn’t that so true and beautiful?! I’m so incredibly thankful for the friendships in my life…each one is a gift from God and truly brings more joy into my life (and help bear the hardships). Thank you, Lord, for the gift of friends!

On another note, I’ve been teaching the high school Sunday school class at church for a friend for the last two weeks (and will be again this coming week). I’ve been using a study on Jacob & Egypt by John MacArthur about the sovereignty of God. It’s really a very good study. The teens seem to be enjoying it as well. Studying those chapters in Genesis about Jacob really does show God’s sovereignty. Have you ever thought about how dysfunctional Jacob’s family was? Jacob was tricked into marrying the sister (Leah) of the woman he really wanted, then was later able to marry the one he wanted. Jacob favored his children from Rachel, the woman he truly loved…which caused major jealously issues with Leah’s children…so much anger and jealousy that Leah’s children conspired to kill their younger brother Joseph. That was not a part of God’s plan so Joseph ended up being sold into slavery instead (see how God’s sovereignty intervened?? If God hadn’t put a stop to Joseph’s death, his family would not have survived the famine later on, and God’s plan would not have been fulfilled…amazing really). And many other things happened with the children of this family as well…go ahead and look it up in Genesis!

Anyway…what a dysfunctional family! And yet, despite the dysfunction, God used that family for a greater good (don’t you just love that?! it gives me so much more hope that God can and will use me despite of myself). Even when everything seemed to be going wrong and some of those family members were doing wrong, and it didn’t seem like God’s hand was in this at all, IT WAS!!  When you read later on in Genesis, you see God’s plan coming together. God is always faithful and He can use the dysfunctions of this world (the dysfunctions in you & i) for good…just like it says in Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes all tings to work together for good to those who love god, to those who are called according to His purpose.” That is not always easy to remember or trust, but aren’t you so glad it’s TRUE?!

The lessons have also talked about suffering and hardships and reminded us that as followers of Christ, we will be called to suffer…and suffer greatly sometimes. But remember, no suffering (or evil) is permitted in our lives unless God allows it…and when he allows it, there is a reason (like strengthening us, or purifying us, or so we can help someone else through a similar time, or to bring the wrongdoer or others to Christ, or to make us more like Christ). It’s all to bring glory to His name.

Those lessons are not always easy to remember or to follow…but aren’t they worth it? Isn’t following Christ worth it all?!

I am so enjoying this study and learning so much. There are a lot of other things I am still “chewing on,” so to speak…thankful God is growing me and teaching me new things…even when it is hard.

 

Artifical Red Dye, etc…

I’ve been hearing and reading articles about how Red Dye #40 (and other artificial ingredients) can affect a child’s behavior. I heard about it a while back and just tucked it away in the back of my mind. For whatever reason I have been thinking more about lately and today I came across this article. This really has me thinking about Liberty in particular. She is so sweet and loving and good and fun…but sometimes she is so out of control (emotional, aggressive, wild) for no apparent reason. And I wonder…could it be partly due to this Red Dye #40 (which I read is PETROLEUM based…WHAT?!)? I know for sure she gets wound up and such after eating some things with that dye in it…so I think it’s a real possibility.

Has anyone else heard or read about this issue? I’m thinking about trying to cut Red Dye #40 out of our diets. Any thoughts?

Never say never…

Since I’ve been married, I have told everyone we will NEVER have pets. Jonathan and I were in agreement on this from day one. Then a few months or so ago Jonathan started bringing up possibly getting a dog…which of course got talked about even more once we bought our house with a nice fenced in yard. He wanted a dog, I still didn’t.

While we were in Michigan, Jonathan found a mini-pinscher for free and picked him up. Not the kind of dog I wanted. I had been telling Jonathan that IF he could talk me into getting a dog, it had to be a basset hound (because they are lazy and laid back and good family dogs). But Gunther (mini pinscher), being free, was a shoe-in, I guess. Unfortunately (or fortunately, for me), the dog kept running away and finally never came back. The girls got to see Gunther on skype…but he wasn’t there when we returned home. Of course they were disappointed and Daddy promised to find them a better dog soon.

This is how we came to find Butch. We are fostering him with the intention of adopting from the Wyoming Basset Hound Rescue. They think Butch is between 18 month and 2 years old. He will be getting fixed and having shots at the vet tomorrow, so they will give us a better estimate on his age maybe. I let myself get a little excited about getting Butch (which is weird for me)…but of course now that he is here, I’m not a super fan of him or anything. He’s cute. He’s ok. The girls and Jonathan, however, are in love!  And he is really good with the kids so far. He needs some training to not beg for food, to not jump on people, not not jump on furniture. And to listen better. Other than that he is good. He has not gone to the bathroom in our house yet. He obeys the commands “sit” and “stay.” Oh…and he keeps trying to play with the girls’ toys. Need to find him one of his own!

Anyway…all this to say…never say never!!

*this dog in my yard must show just how much I love my husband and daughters!!

How Deep the Father’s Love for Us

While I was in Michigan, I picked up Selah’s CD “You Deliver Me.” If you haven’t heard them, check them out! I’ve been a fan of their music for years now and have never been disappointed by an album. They sing a lot of hymns and such. One song on this particular album that has been sticking out to me (I’ve listened to to it over and over and over), is “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us.” I think Selah’s version is the most beautiful I've heard of this hymn. And the lyrics…oh my. I’ve sung this song growing up in church, but haven’t really ever soaked in the lyrics. I cannot even accurately describe how this song makes me feel. I thought I would share the lyrics here. I tried to include the video in the blog, but I’m not tech savvy enough to figure out how to do it. Instead, here’s the link to the youtube video! Please listen to the song…you won’t regret it!

Lyrics:

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my barking voice
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
(repeat)

I’m thankful for…

…sunny days

…friends

…playing at the park

…my girls

…visiting a new baby

…music in the park

…God’s incredible, indescribable love

…my house

…how random liberty is when she talks…keeps things interesting!

…leila’s love of all things domestic

…nadia’s big, bright smile

…hugs from my husband

…a good visit to michigan

…being home again

…mountains all around us

…a deck in my back yard

…yarn, knitting needles, knitting

…God’s timing

…good memories of my daddio

…water

…family

…girls who played hard today

…love

…laughter

…a quiet night

…sleeping in my own bed

…God’s Word

…and so much more…what about you?

Is it weird…

…that I took a few pictures of my dad’s grave? It’s been over a year since I’ve been able to go there and when I was last there his stone wasn’t there yet. I really like the cemetery where he was buried…it’s really beautiful (is that weird, too?) and peaceful. I think he would like it. It’s called Great Lakes National Cemetery. I miss my dad…it’s still really hard for me to believe he’s gone. I miss seeing him with my girls…especially right now since we are in Michigan.

On Tuesday my sister and I and all our kiddos went to see our grandma (my dad’s mom). It was a nice visit.

my “grandma-grandma” (as my sister and I called her growing up) with the 5 kiddos.

Yesterday my mom, sister and all the kiddos went to see my gram & gramps…my mom’s mom & stepdad. It was a nice visit as well. The girls and I are planning to spend a night with them in about a week.

Great Gram Leila, and little Leila

The kiddos would not cooperate!

My girls on a big rock that my sister and I used to have our pic taken on (in Gram & Gramps’ front yard).

My sister’s boys Sidney & Daniel

Today is a day with no real big plans…which is nice. It’s been pretty busy. The girls are enjoying their time here as well. Only real problem with them is they are not going to bed well at night. I think it’s the time change…they fall asleep finally after 10 (which is 8 our time). Also, Nadia has become really contrary and obstinate. She voices that she doesn’t want to do whatever it is anyone says (no, I don’t want to go to bed. no, I don’t want candy. no, I don’t want to take a picture. etc.).

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”  Psalm 73:26

Michigan

the girls and I are in michigan for a couple weeks. my mom flew out last week and got to see our house and the town we live in. it was so so nice. we had a nice time. then she drove back to michigan with the girls and i. it was a long drive, but we made it safely. we got in saturday afternoon. got to see my sister and nephews that evening. we were so tired! sunday morning the girls and I went to the church I grew up going to. it was really nice to see everyone. it was really hard not seeing my dad there, sitting in his regular spot.

after church I left my girls with memaw (my mom), and headed out to the other side of the state for a dear college friend’s wedding. I’m so thankful I was able to go. it was so so great to see her (& meet her husband), and see some other dear friends from college. what a blessing! the wedding was beautiful and so sarah & joey. I never cry at weddings, but I did at this one.

a few pics…

joey & sarah’s first dance as mr. & mrs. frey

father/daughter dance. I have to say I have a special place in my heart for mr. & mrs. mcnew. they have such a special love for each other that clearly shows…through good and bad times. they have a beautiful family that is so close. I love them!

love these gals so much. and the others that weren’t able to make it. it still astounds me how close you become to strangers when you are in college…everlasting friendships formed there!

lots more planned for our time here, too. today we spent the day at my sister’s house having a cookout and swimming. it was a good time. the kids were so worn out!

we’re enjoying our time so far and look forward to seeing more family and friends.