Lady Bug on its back

Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.


Our house is a haven to Lady Bugs. At least they think so. They are everywhere- the ceiling, the lamps, the tables, and my pillow. I have found out a thing or two about these beetles. First, they aren't even from here. The ones in my house are decendants of some beetles brought here from Asia decades ago. Second, they bite. Well, not technically- they pinch, but it felt like a bite to me. Thirdly, they smell bad when you scare them, really! (Yes, I did look them up on Wiki!) And then last but most importantly, when they get on their backs, they can't turn over on their own. That's the thing I identify with the most. They can't get turned over. They lay there wiggling their feet in the air hoping against hope that somehow someway they will magically flip back over and be on their way. (and yes, I am just weird enough that despite their stink and bite, I turn them back over when they are in distress)

I am so like these guys in all ways- I bite (no pinching for me) and I stink. I get so caught up in myself that I lay flipped over waving my arms and legs in the air hoping for an impossible rescue. Why do I let it get so bad before I look for the Only One who can turn me back to my feet. Who can turn me in the right direction. Who will give me His grace and peace to keep me from biting and stinking?!

Now, when I see those guys I think about the One who made them- and me- and how He is my rescuer. How I can call on Him and He will set me straight.

Maybe when you see them on your ceiling you will remember that too- oh, and don't forget to give them a hand and flip them over!

July 6, 1991- 20 years ago! To God be the glory!

20 years ago! I am so thankful that God in His infinite grace and mercy saw fit to give to me this godly, loving, kind man. Roger. He's still my best friend. It's amazing that I still feel giddy about him! We have been through so much, and I am thankful that God has seen fit to sanctify us and mold us together for His purpose through these past years. I can't imagine what He has in store for us for the next 50! The wedding was wonderful and pretty....but the marriage has been beautiful! Thank you Jesus!

Set Free

There is no beauty within me- just scratchiness, barbs, sharp, scared. Fear of disappointing, fear of not getting well, fear of making a fool of myself, fear that another friend will leave me, fear that my friend was right in leaving me, fear that my family will leave me too. I long for Beauty. Calm. Peace. Love. I long to look into my Savior’s face every day and feel his love, to know that He approves, that I haven’t disappointed Him again. My heart aches to be a gentle person, to be serene, to laugh at the days to come, to lead my children down that path as well. That they should never hear another harsh word, that I would govern and discipline with love and soft words.

Isaiah 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Joy should abound in hearts set free by grace. Joy should be the root of all that we do and say- the fruit of our intake of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Knowing this and doing this are two separate things. Where insecurities cling, a heart is not made free. They’re always there- pushing back on the good. Stealing the peace.

Psalm 5:11
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;let them ever sing for joy,and spread your protection over them,that those who love your name may exult in you.

I determine to fill this heart with words from His heart. A balm to my weary and tired soul. To fill it with beautiful thoughts, and dreams. To see the wondrous love in my life. To banish all thoughts of insecurity. To know that they were not right. Had no right. That “He is jealous for me”. That I am made new over and over again. And “Oh, how He loves me.” To be beautiful from within offering the gift of grace and mercy and love through a life well lived and well loved.

Deuteronomy 10:12
"And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, ¹³and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good? ¹⁴Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it. ¹⁵Yet the LORD set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day. ¹⁶Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn. ¹⁷For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. ¹⁸He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. ¹⁹Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. ²⁰ You shall fear the LORD your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear. ²¹ He is your praise. He is your God, who has done for you these great and terrifying things that your eyes have seen. ²²Your fathers went down to Egypt seventy persons, and now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars of heaven.

Set Free

Thankfuls 41-60

"Thankfulness is how you think; joy is the abundance it produces."
- Debi Pearl

41. the Holy Spirit

42. snowflakes

43. more baby smiles

44. 5 hours of sleep (IN A ROW!)

45. friends who will drive 8 hours just to visit us

46. violin lessons in which Emmie-girl learns to play(?) Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

47. a Dr cousin who gave of his time to go to Haiti to help

48. business trips that make me appreciate Hubby even more (my heart hurts when he is away)

49. sweet tea- even in Southern Illinois

50. can I say it again? FLANNEL SHEETS!!!

51. children who love hot chocolate

52. two sweet birthdays in the house this week- and one in SC!

53. a boy who sings as he goes

54. rolling hills and views everywhere

55. waking to the sound of geese on the pond

56. cheese toast

57. COFFEE

58. kids who love their baby brother

59. sunshine (it's been cloudy a lot lately)

60. making new friends

Thankfuls 21-40

21. baby smiles!

22. boys home safely.

23. how was the youth trip- "Great"!

24. fish dinner from our very own pond

25. doctors who take time to know you

26. pink sunsets

27. friends who call just to say hi

28. baby wipes- nuf said!

29. mistos at Starbucks

30. books on IPOD

31. books on paper

32. any book!

33. girls who send their friends "presents" in the mail- sorry mailman!

34. being able to help someone in need

35. Grandparents who demand new pictures of baby

36. taking in strays

37. freedom to worship

38. Mylanta drops- known as "happy juice for baby" around here

39. children who love to sing

40. chocolate

I have been reading several blogs that have been doing a gratitude journal of sorts for a while. What a great way to start the new year. We have but to stop and take notice of all of the wondrous blessings in our lives! Join me?

Gifts number 1-20:

1. Grace

2. Love of my family

3. Snow covered hills

4.A full pantry

5. A warm house

6. kids who love being homeschooled

7. that my heart still hurts when my husband is away from me on a business trip

8. baby snuggles in the middle of the night

9. music

10. worship

11. kitties

12. a job

13. hot chocolate

14. flannel sheets

15. seeing the sunrise AND the sunset on the same day

16. smelly candles

17. hot showers

18. playing board games

19. good books

20. pillows