Choosing JOY

I was sitting at my desk working when little almost-seven-year-old arms snuck around my waist and a young man’s voice said, “Are you happy mommy?”

I hesitated a moment and sighed inwardly. It had been a long day. The children hadn’t gotten along harmoniously the whole time, the laundry seemed unending, there were bills in the mail, I was fighting a headache and a schedule that threatened to overwhelm me. The church Christmas program was coming and the children had been sick. It was the Christmas season, the first without my mother, and honestly, I wasn’t feeling too “happy.”

But then I thought of all my blessings. A roof above, a warm bed, a faithful companion, loving family and friends, children who desired to serve God and a God who loved me enough to send his son.

To the small boy waiting for my reply, I said as I hugged him close, “Oh, yes!! I am very happy! "Good mommy," he said. “Because mommy, if you’re happy, I’m happy.”

His simple words smote me, and I was so happy I had chosen to answer positively. May the Lord always help me to remember that they are watching. The littles, and sometimes even the bigger ones, take their queues from us. They never stop watching. Simply speaking, if we are happy, they are happy. Teach them to choose joy.

Christmas is coming!

Birthday #7

This little man recently turned 7

He was all about ROBOTS for this party. He requested spaghetti so mommy put all the fixings in foil pans in the shape of a Robot.

Even his presents were wrapped in ROBOT style by his littlest big sister.

He is getting so grown up! He's doing very well in school and is a kind, considerate young man, paying special attention to the feelings and needs of others.

We think he's pretty HANDSOME too!

Dedication Service

Treasure Valley Bible Methodist

I've shared here in the past about our church buying process. God continues to amaze us with his provision. We care not about numbers, names or reputation. We only want God to use us to build his eternal kingdom. Rick has been keeping extra busy with working a full-time job and pastoring the church, his hospice chaplain work and now with remodeling. We all do our best to help him and appreciate all of our people who can do the same and also those who pray for us. We will be starting a food pantry ministry soon and Rick will be praying at the City Council meeting this Monday evening and taking a turn as a local pastor going forward. 

Above is our resident artists rendition of our "new" building complete with proposed changes and additions. 

Above here is a before and after of the platform area. We got pallet boards for free and used them to make a backdrop, the limbs are from our very own back yard and the paint was purchased at RESTORE Habitat for Humanity on discount and then we were given an extra discount for being a church. 

This is the building as is. Eventually, we plan to add a small steeple, purchase new doors and paint the exterior. 

We appreciate you praying for us! There is nothing more important or serious than God's work.

2020

Kalli and I had quite a lovely time taking her senior pictures right here in our very own little town. Most of them were taken near Indian Creek.

Checkerboard

I've always wanted to try making a checkerboard cake and got the opportunity to do it recently for a much loved little Sunday School friend. He likes spider man and motorcycles and this was my very simple version of that. It made him quite happy. We love all of our kiddos! They are very special to us, and to God!

A Wedding!

Autumn at the Gazebo

The other day Kammy and I went shopping together--a rare "treat" if you can call it that. Neither of us care for it much, but I bought her a hoodie and she bought me this beautiful candle, so we called it a good day. Plus we were together, and that was the best part.

Hard to believe that it is pumpkin time again already!

We're enjoying cool fall weather and all the fall feels.

Finally winding down the canning season....I have mixed emotions on this one. Ha

It hasn't quite frosted yet, so I still have lots of beautiful roses!

One of my very best friends visited and brought me this pretty fall towel. Too pretty to use for anything other than decor!

The winter squash is plentiful right now.

This may have been the last five gallon bucket of tomatoes.

We drove to the beautiful evergreen state recently for my nieces wedding. She was a beautiful bride and Kaite was a beautiful flower girl!

Saturday was the annual cardboard kayak races on Indian Creek here in Caldwell. These happen just a couple of blocks from our new church.

This was my personal favorite...a bathtub, complete with a rubber duck shower curtain. 

This seems like such a busy season in our lives. We are always going somewhere, doing something. Rick is just as busy as me, if not more so. He seems to just pick up more all the time. He recently had the honor of praying with a sweet elderly lady just before she crossed the river. She requested a song for her funeral, "I Know Whom I have Believed." Rick is so good in these situations--such a loving compassionate and caring chaplain. We have to schedule in time for each other--love it when I show up on his calendar like in the above photo. Heart.

And because I'm a glutton for punishment and love a good project, I added stripes to Kammys wall just so I could cross them off my "to-do" list. LOL

But isn't it cute?? And it actually surprised me how easy and fast it went. 

Over and Out!