This verse has been ever true and present over and over in my life. However, even more so lately. In so many aspects. I have always had the tendency to be a planner. Like, I am the person that had multiple planners growing up and they were all filled with the same things, but I had to make sure it was written in each one. And then on post its. And then sometimes a daily agenda (kind of like a lesson plan for my day). Weirdo. But it just made me feel better. Now I am down to one planner, but I do usually also have it in my phone. Have to make sure. BUT, the difference now is that not every moment of everyday has to be filled or taken up. Thank you Jesus for freeing me from that. Thank you that I have learned the lesson that its good to have a general plan, but that it does not always go as such. Especially in our lifestyle as farmer/ranchers and living far, far away. It just doesn't always happen and that is ok, because God has another purpose for those moments. Like getting to hear your daughter create a puppet story with the flashlight. Or your son finding a photo album from his first year and wanting to sit to ask about every single detail on every page. When you have this released mentality of not having something going all the time, you can breathe in and enjoy the questionable looks and inquisitive eyes. How else will they learn if you don't share with them?
A few weeks ago this verse burst forth in my heart like an explosion of fireworks on Fourth of July over an island. My parents had come down for the weekend to talk over and look at some potential things in their life. When they left CR saw it in my eyes and he said to me, "Don't get anxious just yet." No, he was not bursting my bubble. He was subtly reminding me that what we see as good and perfect and over the top it would be great for them, the Lord may see something else. You see, He knows about tomorrow and next week, month, year .... We don't. We only see the here and now. We feel the satisfaction of what something could bring if it were to come to fruition, but we do not know His steps. We must remember that "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." So no matter what the outcome, we can rest assure that it will work together for the good. We just have to trust that if our plan isn't his steps.
Many of you have heard me praise and ponder on home school for our children, especially Kirby Rose. This past year we gave Classical Conversations a trial run. She was really too young for the program but we wanted to dabble in and see what it was all about before it really "counted" (if that makes sense - all education counts, but you get the idea). We loved it. In my head I want home school to work for us, but the Lord has not placed that on my heart that it is certainly what we need to do. Although that has been my plan for so long in my head, it has been apparent to us this past 6 months that is is not in the Lords steps for us right now. Maybe down the road, but for now it is a no. This has been a very hard pill for me to swallow. I mean, very hard. Sometimes I still question it, but for this next year I know we are headed in the direction the Lord has for us. We have decided to hold Kirby and not have her start kindergarten as her birthday would place her. She is 7 days shy of the cut off. She is more than ready. Her mind amazes me some days and her readiness to read makes my heart giddy. I hope she always has that desire. However, I am certain I do not want her leaving for college at 17. I am certain I do not want her in high school as a barely 13 year old freshman with some 18 and 19 year old seniors. So that settled it for that. She will be in a great pre-k program I found that works side by side with the kinder class, so in a way she will get some of their instruction.
Another cool way this verse was ever present in my life this past month? A senior (not her momma but her!!) asked if she could have it on her custom announcements. Oh how I pray that my kids understand at 18 that it is the Lord who establishes their next steps in life.
Sometimes we have to have discussions with who is boss ... and the fact that you DO have to wear clothes and a diaper.
How we have spent many afternoons lately...jumping in muddy puddles! They have never seen so many in their life; not sure Patton ever has seen one. It's been a drought ever since Kirby was old enough to walk!
So Patton likes to wear sissy's shoes and they pretend to be superheroes ... I promise they do wear clothes.
see ...
Not sure this will ever happen again.
Helping Daddy Ray on the farm.
"Hey Patton, show me your smile!"
New adventure ... trying out the way back seat.
Singing for grammy.
Patton finally got a haircut! Daddy took him to the barber shop he always went to and where his dad still goes.
Patton said he didn't like it, can't you tell?
Still hates car washes.
But loves helping daddy on the tractor.
Lord, we thank you for the rain. We know we complain about it being too dry, then complain when it is too wet. We would much rather have this then dry land. Our cattle can't function on dry land. Forgive us for complaining for we know you have a plan.
I hope that everyone is doing well. Hopefully I will be able to post more often now that senior sessions are settling down. I still have one left that has been rescheduled about 5 times due to weather, but we will get that done! I am praising the Lord for his provision in every area of our life. I prayed that I would be able to take off the rest of this year after I finish up these sessions, and he has provided above and beyond for my business for me to do so. I must listen and obey and be God's child first, my husbands wife second, mom third and everything else after. Thank you for the continued prayers. We love you!
XOXO
That was a lovely picture the boy is son cute to look thanks for sharing
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