Wide Open Spaces

There is something about this place that gave me peace. It gave me clarity. I felt closer to God. This place was amazing!

 Thank you, God for creating such a wonderful, peaceful place! Your creation is far greater than I can imagine and I am in awe of it all. Thank you for renewing my soul.

And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:9-10

WOWZA

Where in the world did the summer go? Why haven't I posted more? The saying must be true...time flies when you're having fun!

This has been the most relaxing and amazing summer in quite some time! No classes...no homework...no big huge time commitments! We have had more time for swimming, playing with friends, dinner get togethers, movie nights, sno cones, and just plain fun! It has been an amazing summer and why it is not gone yet...it is definitely winding down. That makes me sad. Hopefully we can continue to do some of the fun things even when school starts and life gets hectic!

Home Sweet Home

Well, close anyways! Nick is finally back on US soil! They just landed in Chicago a few minutes ago. Rough landing they said but safe! They are hoping to catch an earlier flight into STL. Either way, in just a few short hours...I will have my husband back!

For those of you that are confused to where he has been and why nothing has been said...I will post more later! In short, he has been in Africa on a mission trip and I didn't say a lot online because I didn't want just anyone to know that I was home alone with the girls. I know I am a psycho over-protector! :o)

Well, we are off now! Will post more soon!

Bless Her Heart

Mya is me all over again, bless her heart! That includes my accident prone capabilities. The poor kid bumps into more things and gets hurt more than I think Ally ever has in her 5 years of life. In the last three weeks (or so) she has:

- been to the emergency room for a dislocated elbow (Nurse Maids Elbow) that occurred while playing with a cousin

- bumped her head on the side of the bath tub

- gotten her finger smashed in a screen door and is in the process of loosing her nail

- got a whelp on her eye from Marlin's leash

- burned her finger on a lamp in her bedroom

It may not sound like a whole lot...but it sure feels like it. I feel like I am constantly consoling her from some type of injury. She is more daring than Ally ever has been so maybe that is why these things tend to happen. Bless her heart, she is just her mother's daughter!

Rambling Thoughts

I have tried to sit down many times over the last week and the words just don't come out. I have lots of things going on in my mind but can't seem to form full thoughts. Please forgive me if this post seems like rambling, because that is what it will be...just warning!

*I am feeling sad and a little lonely.

*God is definitely stretching me and growing me, and the growing pains kind of hurt.

*Sometimes our prayers are answered, but not in the way that we ask. His will is far better than ours, but as a human being I can't help wondering "Why?".

*I am fighting against being depressed.

*I am fighting the urge to eat through my emotions.

*The above things make me sound whiny and pitiful.

*I am so blessed! I am surrounded by wonderful friends and family that love me and support me!

*My husband is an awesome man and seeing God stretch him and grow him is awesome and painful at the same time.

*Our girls are amazing. They drive me crazy at times, but they are so precious!

*God sends people just at the right time, by a phone call or a visit. I am thankful that he reminds us of His love through other people.

Faith

Last Sunday, our preacher addressed the topic of faith. His message really hit home with me. I have to admit, I tend to be a worrier. That said, I am much better about not worrying that I used to be. I feel like his message was intended just for me. Those Sundays can be so overwhelming...you know the ones I am talking about. The Sundays where you feel like it is just you in the church or that the preacher is looking right at you and speaking directly to you! That message was preparing me for the days ahead, where I would be tempted to worry.

This week, I am being stretched a little...or maybe a lot. God is wanting me to trust in Him and to lay my worries down. I have been reminded many times this week (and it is only Tuesday) to not put my trust in others but in God. Instead of worrying, I have been looking for scriptures that will lift me up out of the worry and help me to fully put my trust in the Lord. I found this verse and wanted to share it!

Psalm 146:5-6 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—the LORD, who remains faithful forever.

I am so thankful that I can put my trust in God and lay my worries at His feet. He will remain faithful forever!

Entering Another Stage

While we are on the topic of life stages with kiddos...Ally has her FIRST loose tooth! She is super excited about it and will tell anyone who will listen! Yesterday, she pointed out her loose tooth to an elderly couple that was in the checkout lane behind us! It is pretty wiggly...so it shouldn't be long until the tooth fairy comes for a visit! Exciting times for our family! :o)