An Expected End

Never before have the words "an expected end" brought such comfort.

One of my absolute favorite Bible verses is Jeremiah 29:11, which says, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to bring you to an expected end." 

There have been many times throughout my life, since I found that verse in college, that it has brought me comfort.  When I was unmarried and waiting for a spouse, it was comforting to know that God had a man all picked out, and was directing our ways toward one another step by step.  Then, after I was married, and no longer wanting to teach, it was comforting to know that God had a plan through the chaos of teaching.  Then as I REALY wanted to have a baby, it was comforting to know that God had events lined up to give me the perfect children at the perfect time.  (well, maybe they're not PERFECT, but perfect for us).  As I've taught and trained our sons, it's been comforting to know that God has a path all laid out for their lives, and that He knows every pitfall they will face along the way.

Yet, as I sit today, and mull over the events of the past two weeks, that verse has been a comfort as much through these weeks as it has in my entire past put together.  Doug had lost his job officially a couple of months ago.  Then he lost his second job.  The money we're living on is slowly dwindling, and soon it will be time for him to work again.  The business we are building is not going as quickly as we would like.  BUT, just yesterday, we found out that Doug's dad has- on the outside- a year to live.  Doug only has a short while left with his Daddy, and I am SO  thankful for all the time he has been able to spend with him in the last six months.  Looking back, I can see God has had it planned since the beginning of time that this is the way it would be.  I am so very thankful that Doug has been able to spend so much of his dad's last days with him.  As hard as the knowing that the end is near.... the comfort of knowing Doug has something special to remember is so much better.

Soon, it will be time to build a business and work like crazy.  Now, it is time to rest in God's care, knowing that HE has "an expected end" planned out for us.

Kids and Their Thought Process

So, I made some really good granola cereal yesterday! It turned out very nicely, and there was enough for everyone for breakfast with 4 large jars left over.

 

I got the recipe from one of my favorite blogs here: at Homestead Revival.  The only thing I do really different is to add dried fruit of any kind to it.  We really enjoy dried apples and dried berries.

Well, now for the kid thing.  We're eating granola that I made, with milk, and Nate-Nate pipes up, "Momma, when I grow up, I want you to teach my wife how to make this." I say OK, 'cause I'm feeling good about this, when he says, "Cause my kids need to grow up strong and healthy, and my wife needs it, but I'm not gonna eat it, cause I don't like it." 

Yeah, look at you laughing!!  Now try to imagine keeping a straight face and rebuking said son about thankfulness.  See how hard my job is???  But I do get the grand opportunity to tell you about it and sit here smiling since he can't read it and know how funny it was.

The Wedding

This time, it was Nate-Nate who came up with the hillarious line.

As we were walking a mile path this morning, we came to a part where the honeysuckle had fallen and covered the path where we were walking.  Nate-Nate piped up and said, "Look, Mommy, somebody had a wedding here!!"  It was so sweet and innocent.  We were at about the 1/2 mile marker of a whole mile, and the place would have been a pretty place for a wedding, so it wasn't entirely off the wall, but it was cute.

By Doug

So, I just learned something, and I thought the whole world should know.

My eldest son Andrew asked me what language this movie was in. I said I don't know. He answered me with I hope it is in "Idahoian", I said what is that, he responds what they speak in Idaho. I tell him they speak English, and he responds again, good, then I hope the movie is in "Idahoian". I love children's inagination.

From the Mouth of Babes TWO

Aaron Micaiah is one of the craziest little boys I know.  He makes me laugh so often.

The other day, he was eating tacos when all the sudden he pipes up, "Mommy, I know the Abraham Lincoln song!!"  So I told him to finish his dinner and he could sing it for me.  While he was eating, he began to sing, "Father Abraham, had many sons...."  FUNNY!!

Then, he was sitting by the window "reading" a book, when he piped up, "Mommy, I'm gonna be a Daddy soon!!!!!"  I said "WHAT?!?!?!?"  He says, "See look," (pointing to his arm) "I have little hairs, and Daddy's have big hairs.  When my hairs get long enough, then I'll be a DADDY!!!" 

They never warned me how much I would laugh at my children.... they really should put that in the manual.

How does God Do It??

Do you ever marvel at the goodness of God?  Marvel at what He does in your life, and how he pieces everything together?

I have marveled again and again over the last month at the way God has pieced together our lives to bring glory to Himself, and to work things for our good.  There has been food provided when it was needed, money that came from goodness knows where, beautiful weather to open windows and turn off the heat, customers that were never contacted by us.  There are so many things that have happened in the last month that only GOD could have put together.

I know that He has a plan for us, and that He is bringing it about in His time and way, but right now, I'm enjoying marveling at the little things along the way.  Watching God work is enough to keep me singing all day long.  It's not by my might or power, it's through His Spirit!!

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord: thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to bring you to AN EXPECTED END." Jeremiah 29:11

Trust Me, I Know What I'm Doing

Have you ever uttered those words??  I have, a lot.  With a 6 year old that's going on 45, I have to constantly tell him I'm smarter than he is.

Well, here lately, Doug and I have been on the receiving end of those words.  Since Doug officially lost his job last month, then lost his secondary job today, we are learning in a whole new way how to trust our Heavenly Father, and that He really does know what He's doing.

God has met every need, right on time, in a more amazing way than we could imagine.  As Doug and I continue to trust our Heavenly Father to provide and lead, it's a comfort to know that He really does know what He's doing!!

"For I know the thoughts that I think of you, saith the Lord.  Thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to bring you to an expected end." Jeremiah 29:11