"God will use anybody who will trust him and expect to be used by him - not because of who you are, but for His glory." That is from my morning devotional on my Bible Survey. Not sure who said it, but I loved it. It is not because of anything you or I have done or could ever do, but he uses people for his purpose and glory...and our good. (Romans 8:28)
Just let that sink in this new year ... be used for His glory and your good. Be present with Him, and you will find the desire and the ability to be present to those around you. Right off the bat I have had to be down this year. As low key as possible, no lifting, no working out, no pushing/pulling. Do you know how hard this is for me? And since I am NOT PREGNANT , it wont effect a baby if I over do it, so I have a tendency to push the limits. If you know me at all, you know I can not sit still. Our Tupperware drawer is spotless ;) Being still, though, does have its perks. It gives me that much needed time that I beg for on the daily to be in His presence without any fingers or toes crawling under the door. It gives me time to SIT and eat my breakfast instead of running out the door, coffee breath goodbye kiss to farmer, and shoveling it in my face while I drive and keep the kids from killing each other.
Part of a devotional yesterday said, "Enjoy life in it's fullness (so you mean don't grumble???), for this is My plan for you this year." So many people get caught up in resolutions and goals (all good, not negating that at all) but they leave out His purpose. All he calls us to do is give Him ourselves. If you are looking for His will for your life, a goal, a resolution, whatever you want to call it, there it is ... Give it to God. And then live this life he has given us to enjoy now while he is preparing an even better place (John 14:3) to be enjoyed even fullerer (word?!!!).
What is funny is that with allllll this down time, for the life of me I can't start to write another book. This has already been a much requested theme from people who have gotten Helping Daddy Ray on the Farm and I did think, "What a great time to sit and get an outline going, ideas on paper, etc" ... nothing. That just shows you folks, in God's timing and writers block.
So, when will book 2 come out ... in God's timing. In the mean time, go buy a book or five!
Amazon has 1 copy left!
Barnes and Noble
Books a Million
Or if you want to make sure your copy is signed, get it from me! Just drop me an email at route1photography@gmail.com
Introducing to you the newest member of our farm, John Wayne. The way sweet Patton says it with his little lisp is "YUAN WAYNE". Between McClintock, Rooster Cogburn and The Man from Snowy River, we have quite the adventures of mud fights, quick draws, and wild horse roundups.
No sleep and LuLaroe ... that was my overall theme for 2016 I think. And if you have not tried Lula, you are missing out big time and I can hook you up with a gal.
Farmer is thankful I have friends who send me flowers so he doesn't have to. In all seriousness, I am so thankful for what these flowers represent. Friendships down here, far away from where I grew up and had friends ... that have been planted, watered and cultivated over the years and now are such beautiful blooms that I get to share so much with.
Kirby and I love to sign and pray over the books as we send them off to the kiddos who order them.
Do you see what I see?!!! A star, a star! Kirby Rose is the star! Thankfully she didn't lock her knees and she even made it through the 3 extra songs that Kyleigh didn't take her down for. That was free entertainment.
Because, well, this is how you feel after a church service with all 3 kids on the pew with you and then 15 tries at someone to get a picture instead of a video of your family by a tree. However, I was thankful that each of our little blessings got to hear the Reason we 'tis the season, and pray that it fell upon good soil. And yes, Bowen is in shorts. Merry Christmas from South Texas.
This man right here .... gosh, I know I have said it before, but man was I way off on my dream husband. So much better than I could have ever dreamt up. Some days I want to tase him with the cattle prong, but he has a heart of gold. And the way he has stepped up this year with everything going on in my body, doesn't surprise me, but makes me feel to complete in this journey of life. Knowing I have a team captain, who treats me like gold, instead of feeling like I am someone on the opposite team, gives me so much relief and hope in this life. I know where my joy and my hope come from and rest in Him, but in this beautiful heaven on earth, our adventure with a family has really just begun (10 years in, might I add!). We are just now about to embark on the tougher things .... we thought long nights with newborns were tough, I know they have nothing on what raising a daughter and 2 boys in this day and age will be like. I know the struggles that I have heard many parents share with me, and I pray that our children are protected from those battles, but what a partner I have to battle the world with. "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37 ... that I full well believe. With Christ, it is already won. But that doesn't mean our praying knees won't be worn and weary, and that there will always be smiles and big hugs at night from our little girl whose eyes dance when she grins. It won't always be beautiful, although there will be days to showcase, and it won't always end well in our eyes, but Lord, thank you for giving me what I did not deserve in this man I can call mine. And more importantly, in your Son.
I never dreamt God could use me way out here in the middle of nowhere, but if this homestead with my man and 3 chillens is all I ever am used for, then what more could I ask for? What a joy and privilege to be granted these precious souls, and I expect Him to use me in a big way for each of their darling lives.
Lots of love, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (because noooooooo cards or pics got sent out this year. Don't worry, you didn't get cut from the list.)
Lauren
"Your beauty should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quite spirit which is of great worth in God's sight." 1 Peter 3:4
