Persistent Faith

       I find nature's ability to keep on keeping on despite setbacks rather amazing. For example, weeds are incredibly persistent. I recently re-mulched the landscaped area in my front yard and already, there are weeds pushing their way through. We mow down the grass and it comes back, we weed our gardens and turn around to see that they need it again. Usually, we look at this as a negative thing, but I was thinking about it the other day and realized that that is exactly how I want my faith to be, persistent.
      The enemy of our souls wants to destroy our faith, and he's pretty good at knowing our buttons. There are many different things that weed whack our faith, perhaps, it's fear or doubt, exhaustion, skepticism, anger, laziness, you name it, if it will weaken our faith, he will try it. But The One who calls our names, who desires to know our hearts, and gives us grace daily, wants to grow in us a persistent faith. Faith that gets back up when it's knocked down. Faith that says no to fear and pushes through when things seem foggy and disorienting. Faith that keeps seeking hope when all seems lost. Faith that won't give up. This is what I want. And so, I continue on the journey of growing in grace. 
     And now, the sun is shining, the sky is blue, the wind is dancing, and the birds and crickets are making happy sounds.  Oh, and this weekend is the 7 year anniversary of when My Love asked me to be his wife. I'm sure glad he did.

My intrepid adventurer. 

Sweet violets

Planting rhubarb. 

Keeping an eye on the water spigot while Mama waters the plants. Puddle time!

Blooms!

Engaged and happy about it. 2011

Happy Friday my friends. May your faith be persistent!

Guarding Your Mind

We are still waiting for Spring around here...Perhaps a little impatiently. I have this feeling that we will live outside once it's warm if this little boy has his way.

So, a few weeks ago, my dryer decided to go on strike and not work. Thus, in order to get laundry done, I had to hang it. By the time the dryer was back up and running I had discovered something. By getting into the rhythm of doing one load of laundry a day(because due to dry time, I couldn't do multiple loads all in a day) I was actually staying on top of the laundry. Instead of washing a drying and then stuffing it in laundry baskets to be avoided until I absolutely had to fold it, I'm spending 10 minutes on laundry daily and never getting behind. So, despite the fact that I have a working dryer now, I'm still hanging laundry because I like this new habit. 

Speaking of laundry...This morning as I was throwing a load in the washing machine, I was think about how laundry is one of those never ending tasks. Even if you manage to be on top of your laundry, it's because of the simple fact that you're always doing it. And then I thought that the same is true when it comes to guarding ones mind. 

It says in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to conquer strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 

God calls us to guard our minds, because they can so often trip us up. But the thing is, just like laundry we must actively guard our minds every single day. All to often I find myself struggling, so I go into guard duty mode, realizing that I've let my thoughts go free, leading to anxiety and fear. But then I start to feeling better and eventually let my guard down and then BLAM!!! Before I realize it something sneaks in and my thoughts are causing trouble again. Guarding our minds must be a constant and daily task. Even if skies are clear and the enemy is no where in sight, a castle guard stands watch, ever vigilant...And so must I be with my mind. We are all dealing with the same enemy. He's sneaking and desires to steal our joy and pull us from The One who designed our minds. Perhaps the enemy uses different strategies on different people, my struggles might not be the same as yours, but the end goal is the same. So we must guard our minds daily just like laundry. 

Anyway...These two cuties discovered a new use for the walker. 

Popcorn

Trying out Daddy's boots. 

"You either control your mind, or it controls you." ~Napoleon Hill

A New Creation

     So, yesterday I made the decision to get baptized...Again. When I was about 10 years old I got baptized, the first time. I remember the day, it was a sunny, summer afternoon at a church picnic and the closest body of water was a gravel pit that had been filled with water at a nearby housing development. I remember being too shy to give a testimony like the adults who were getting baptized and simply nodding my head when the preacher asked me if I believed that Jesus was LORD. And that was that.
    But as I've grown and begun to learn more about baptism and what an important step it is in one's choice to follow Jesus, I began to wonder if I should do it again, this time from a place of deeper understanding of what it was I was doing. And let me tell you I turned it into a inner struggle and I let fear dictate. But finally, yesterday morning, I made the decision and so friends and family gathered at the church to share this moment with me.
     I know that baptism has become a rather polarizing topic in the church today. I know that I have personally struggled with it and it's importance. But I've come to the conclusion, that honestly, it's a silly argument. Jesus asks His followers to do it, so of course it's important.
     This year, I had decided that my theme was going to be "Growing in Grace." I wanted to learn more deeply about living each and every day in that beautiful grace that, The One who calls us by name, offers. I think this decision I've made is part of that learning. So there you have it...
   

Colossians 2:12

"Having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through your faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead."

Acts 22:16

"And now, what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and wash your sins away, calling on His name."

1 Peter 3:21

"And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also, not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience towards God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

2 Corinthians 5:17

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."

The Hand of Grace

     So, in the past we have had a mouse problem, which never makes me real happy. But for a good long stretch we seemed to be in the clear. Well that streak is over because for the past couple of weeks we've had a little visitor, and he seems to be immune to traps and the intense ill will I keep thinking towards him. In previous mouse problems, I have been more likely to see the signs of the invader rather than actually seeing the mouse itself. Not so in this case. I haven't seen a single sign, but the awful little thing likes to run by me, in close proximity in BROAD DAYLIGHT.
    Well last night, Luke and I were watching a movie, Buirlen was sleeping in my arms, all in all we were simply minding our own business in our own living room when the invader decided to show himself. Luke then went into hunter mode and waited for the invader to show himself again and then hurled a boot at it from the recliner. In the meantime, I had managed to stand up on the couch with Buirlen because there is no way my toes are going to be on the floor during this epic battle between man and mouse. The boot missed but Luke was ready for action now and told me to watch one corner of the couch while he got ready for the next shot. This went on for awhile throughout a couple rooms in the house. I therefore stood on multiple pieces of furniture as the lookout. Unfortunately the little critter evaded us at every turn and we gave up the battle for the night, but this is not over. I will win.

Don't worry, the ax is not intended for use on rodent invaders. A friend of Luke's has this old rusty ax head that he asked Luke to clean up for him. Luke discovered a pretty cool old tool under the rust and refinished a handle for it as well. 

     Anyway...Buirlen is becoming quite the little boy. The other day he was sitting on Luke's lap at the dinner table, and Luke had his hand around Buirlen to support him. Buirlen was not keen on being restrained and kept pushing Luke's hand away. Pretty soon Luke just had a grip on the waistband of Buirlen's pants to stable him, because the little goofball was so intent on being independent.
     This got me thinking, how often in this life do we push our Heavenly Father's hand away. It's there to stable us and guide us, but we want to be independent and do it ourselves. So like my goofy baby, we push at the hand that is keeping us from toppling over. Perhaps we just want to do it our own way or maybe we think we know what's truth but in reality we are believing a lie, but regardless of the reason we are pushing at the hand of safety, we are still pushing. But thankfully, just like Luke didn't let go of Buirlen, God doesn't let go of us. He holds on to the waistband of our pants. That is grace and The One who extends it to us is awe inspiring!

My intrepid adventurer. 

And sweet snuggler. 

And chocolate lover.

And blooming artist. 

He's fun. 

Hebrews 13:5

"Keep yourself from the love of money, and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you and never will I forsake you."

A Sweet Perfume

    It's Tuesday once again and January is just about done for another year. Today the snow has been swirling and the wind whipping. This morning I got up and poured myself a cup of coffee, snuggled into my chair to do my devotions, when what should I see scurry across the floor but a little rodent. Needless to say my heart rate went up a bit. I spied the little intruder about 4 times and even set out a trap, but he eluded it. Can't say I'm thrilled, but oh well.
   
     This past weekend, my parents came up for a visit. We had a nice time and I'm so glad that Buirlen has not one but two sets of loving grandparents who are involved in his life.

   
    The baby goats are starting to arrive out at the farm. It was fun to take Buirlen out to see them. He found them to be rather interesting.

It was gorgeous out!

 Checking out the goats with Uncle Jordan

This little boy is quite the climber. He as literally been getting into things lately. 

He's not walking yet, but getting pretty steady on his feet. 

The other day I was thinking about 2 Corinthians 2:14-15a

"But thank God! He has made us His captives and continues to lead us along in Christ's triumphal procession. Now He uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God."

    Smells can be powerful and potent things and they can leave a hefty impression. (I will never forget the time the skunk sprayed the side of our house permeating everywhere. It was awful and we were fragrant for awhile!)They can be awful and distract you until you find and get rid of it...(That rotten potato in the bottom of the potato pail) Or, they can be wonderfully pleasant, and comforting, reminding us of loved ones, and moments in time. 

People can have their own smells too. I remember when I was a kid some of our good friends had a very distinct smell to their home and we always knew if something came from them. It wasn't a bad smell, but it was uniquely theirs. Jordan mentioned the other day that one of his shirts smelled like my house, (I like that he's around enough these days for that to be a thing).

Anyway, Jesus makes us whole and fragrant in the most lovely way possible. When we are His we spread His fragrance to the world. I like this and I surely hope it's true in my life. That I am known as a child of the King and that my life carries His fragrance. 

To spread the love of Jesus like a sweet perfume. to be a pleasant fragrance to The One who knows us to the core, This is awesome!

Grow in Grace

      For the past couple of years, I have chosen a verse. Something that fits with what my goals for the year are, something that I am striving to grow in or learn(2017). This year, I have chosen,

2 Peter 3:18 "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."

     One of my goals for this year is to truly learn to live forward in grace. All to often, I find myself stuck. What I mean by this is that I look back to decisions I've made, mistakes, sins etc. and obsess over them. I Play the "What if" game, thinking about what I should have done instead, beating myself up over it. And this isn't good. In our discussions on this, my husband has often told me that I need to live forward in grace. Meaning, strive to be my best, to do what's right, to change what needs to be changed, but to leave the past. To allow the grace of The One who loves us enough to die to be enough, and to live forward.
     And so, the other day, as I was reading my Bible, 2 Peter 3:18 popped out at my, specifically the words, "Grow in grace." That is exactly what I want to do this year. To keep growing towards Jesus, to have a deeper understanding of grace, to rest in the arms of The One who gives me life.

    As for the daily adventures of life...

I think he's a monkey at heart. 

Keeping the house warm. 

This weekend was Mr. Ephraim's birthday. He got a sword...Fun times. 

Burieln thought this whole sword business was interesting as well. 

A valiant knight and his mighty steed. 

The birthday boy shared his party with Uncle Luke who's birthday is coming up.

These are some pretty awesome cousins. 

My sister Lydia was also in town this weekend. 

It's always nice when you find someone willing to share chocolate with you. 

Delicious!

 We've decided to hop on board the Kefir bandwagon around here. It' been fun and tasty. 

Well folks it's Monday and a whole new week awaits. Find something wonderful in it!

"God answers the mess of life with one word, 'Grace,'"~Max Lucado 

John 1:16

"For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace."

Thy Will Be Done

     The morning light is seeping in, though it's dampened by the grey clouds and swirling snow. The past few days gave us delightfully warm temperatures, but today we are back to January in Northern Minnesota. My Love headed off to work this morning and requested that due to the state of the roads and driveway, I not go anywhere. So, Buirlen and I are all cozy and ready for a snow day.
      Lately, I have been mulling over what it means to pray, "Thy will be done." We had been studying prayer at Wednesday night Bible study and this came up, and it has just stuck in my mind. So, I've been studying it. Throughout my life, I've often heard people add this to their prayers and it had always kind of rubbed me wrong. I kind of felt like, "why do we need to say that, I don't want to say that. I just want to ask God for what I want." But as I've been dwelling on and studying it lately, the concept of "Thy will be done," has been blooming in my mind in such a beautiful and peaceful way.
    My brain tends towards worry. I've found that I can turn about any mole hill into a mountain with very little effort, and this is not healthy. I've been known to agonize over things and wonder what I should do, which direction I should take. I want to do what God wants me to do, but if it's not an issue that is clearly spelled out in His word, how am I to know for sure. But after thinking, reading, and studying about praying, "Thy will be done, " I began to understand something new.
      I texted Luke at work and asked him,

         "I'm studying about praying that God's will be done. I decided that if I'm praying this way, I can just move forward trusting that the doors that open before me or close are opening/closing because it's God's will. And this all sounds so peaceful and relaxing because, if I've been praying that the LORD's will be done, then I don't have to agonize over whether a move is the right decision. Is it really that simple?" 

And he texted back, "It is." And that knowledge was so awe inspiring to my worrisome brain. 

    Lessons, they are everywhere....A lot like adventures. Perhaps, they are one in the same. 

Yesterday's tropical temperatures made for an enjoyable walk to the mailbox!

Happy Thursday!

James 4:15

"Instead, you ought to say, 'If the LORD wills, we will live and also do this or that."

"True peace comes from knowing that God is in control." ~Unknown

The Post Office

      I had to drop a package off at the post office yesterday. Going to the post office is not the best idea the week of Christmas, the line was backed up to the door. But, I was already there, so I hopped in line with Buirlen in my arms, and proceeded to inch my way towards the front. Not long after I got in the line a gentleman got in line behind us. He was old enough to be my Grandpa and instantly started smiling and making faces at Buirlen. While we waited in line, the gentleman talked about what a blessing children are and what an important job moms have in raising our babies. He said, 'They[children] are our future."
      We finally made it to the front of the line and Buirlen and I  headed out to our next errand. I started thinking about how, throughout the years, when I would be out with my Grandpa Kinney, he would always find someone to talk to, the waitress, the lady and her kid sitting next to us at the restaurant, the clerk at the grocery store, someone. He'd find a way to connect with them and usually, make them smile. He carries the joy of the LORD with him and he spreads it. Well yesterday, I was on the other end of the situation. A stranger, someone else's grandpa, took the time to chat with me and my baby. To make me smile, and spread some joy. I have a feeling that that gentleman also carries the joy of the LORD with him. And I felt blessed. If you carry the Joy of Jesus, spread it everywhere you go! Make someone in the post office line smile.
      And now on this glorious winter's day, with the sun shinning bright and the wind whipping up the snow, let the Joy of the LORD saturate your soul. Happy Tuesday.

"Joy is a net of love by which you catch souls." ~Mother Teresa

A Barn A Baby and Daily Adventure

     I've been delighting in the beauty of life lately. The other day I was reading a good book in my dining room and I looked around at our home that we have created and just felt content. Life is good, and so very beautiful. I've been reveling lately in a feeling of joy, peace, and contentment.

We took a little adventure downtown this past weekend. Ice cream was involved and clearly Buirlen was too focused on it to smile...

There we go. 

I am so glad to have this brother of mine back in town... Buirlen appears happy with the arrangement as well.

    So I've been thinking about the comparing game lately. It's not good. I occasionally find myself comparing aspects of my life in an unhealthy way. And then I get stressed out because I don't match up and feel like I'm not doing whatever it is it as well as someone else, or that they may judge me for how I do something. And this is wrong, it leads to stress and discontent. As I was struggling with this awhile back, it occurred to me that as long as I'm living my life for Jesus and making sure that my life lines up with His word, well then it quite frankly doesn't matter if I do things one way and you do them another. Because, the ultimate goal in this life isn't this life, it's how we use our days to glorify the One who gave it to us.

This boy... He fills my life with joy and daily adventures. 

    Another little lesson I've been learning lately, came from Buirlen. He is in the stage where he generally wants me. He can be happy with Daddy and friends, but ultimately he wants me. If I hand him to Luke and walk out of the room in the evening for a moment, he doesn't care to much for it and lets us know. As I was thinking about this I realized that in his little life, he never knows what is going to happen next. He isn't old enough to fully understand what's going on around him. He never is quite sure when he's going to get put in the carseat and then when he's there, where he is going to end up.  
    Daddy is there, but he disappears to this place called work during the day and reappears in the evening. But me, I'm there for him 24/7. We pretty much spend every aspect of our days together, so when I'm suddenly not there, it's disconcerting. Now as he grows he will learn that even if we aren't constantly with him, that we will always be there, but for now life is the great unknown. All this to say, in this life we don't know what the future holds. Life is full of the unexpected and unknown, but there is someone we can look to as our constant. The One who created this life, who designed the growth of a baby and the change of the seasons is steady and unchanging. Make Him a part of your life, and the ever changing, unknown will seem less scary. He wants to be your constant.

The garden is all cleaned up and done for the summer. It's been a good run. 

Testing out the new(to us) lawn tractor. Luke is putting a snow plow on it because....  Winter, it's coming. 

This morning, I went out to the Farm to help with the new barn. The Lovely Keren Ruth and Ephraim were there as well as Abbi, Mara, and Megan. I feel like more would have gotten done if Luke was helping instead of me, but I did get a few screws put in(And that was about the extent of my help), several sheets of steel went up over all, and we all enjoyed the lovely weather. 

The Lovely Keren Ruth hard at work.

Ephraim thought the playpen was fun.

Did I take my carrier? No that would have squelched the creativity of using a bed sheet as a carrier. He liked it enough to take a nap.

 Measuring

And there you have it, life, lessons, and daily adventure.

"Personal growth is not a matter of learning new information but of unlearning old limits." 

~Alan Cohen