Is this it?

Have you ever wondered what life in a snow globe would be like? Always watching life go by while you were stuck in your own little world? 



When Jeff was sick we both felt like everyones lives were moving forward all the while we were in our globe and/or bubble. Which I guess was somewhat true. We were in a fight mode and our life revolved around that slow awful process. 

Well, I am there again. Honestly It's been like this for a few months now. I feel like I'm just going through the motions wondering when and if a change is coming. I just don't believe this is all God has planned for me. I want so much more out of this life. Daily reminding myself to be faithful. That God has this life of ours under control. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future Jeremiah 29:11. Which is so hard for the planner in me. I am sure part of this is in response to where I am at right now. 

Single parenting is not easy at all whatsoever! 

Parents getting older~health issues arising

Grandchildren living too far away

And being single...STINKS!

I was just sharing ( very hard for me to do )with someone that where I am at right now now is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. It is not easy being single trying to manage a household, home school, work in ministry, deal with aging parents, Cassie and Grand babies living so far away and raise followers of Christ. And I know life was not meant to be easy. But having raised one child with Jeff and having been married 19 years I can most certainly tell you it is easier with a spouse. Trying desperately to rest in scripture. 

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronmony31:6

So for now I will try ( Oh Lord help me ) to be content with where I am at. I shall sit in my globe and feast on scripture to hold me through this valley. I will continue to pray for my children grow in their relationship with Christ. And I will eagerly await to see what the Lord as in store for us. 

Superbowl 47

Superbowl 47

San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens

While Grace spent the game with the youth group Bub and I spent it with the Clem's.


Our Niners played a good game in the second half but sadly didn't win. Final score 34-31 Ravens

Happy Birthday son!

My lil man is nine. Jeffrey is such a blessing to our family. He is sweet, ornery, tender hearted and every bit the baby of the family.

He loves with his whole heart and I love to hear this lil man pray. He's a great prayer warrior at such a young age. He doesn't give up on a prayer request and he never doubts it will be answered.

For his party this year all he wanted was to go paint balling with his friends. So that's just what we did.

Another Widow

 On my heart this evening. 

Oh Lord, protect your people (widows) with your shephard's staff; lead your flock, your special possession. Though they live alone in a thicket . . . let them graze in the fertile pastures . . . Yes, says the Lord, "I will do miracles for you . . ." 
~Micah 7:14-15~

I find it no coincidence that the Lord speaks about widows and orphans. In this world it seems like nobody knows what to do with us. Yet our Lord takes time to give us a command.

  Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..James 1:27

 The NIV uses distress the ESV uses affliction. Whatever version you choose it comes down to this. That we are to be there for widows and orphans. As a widow I feel that does not count me out. 

  I must say that before I was widowed the only widows I knew were old people. Sadly that is not the case anymore. I joke it's like being pregnant..all of sudden you recognize other pregnant women. But the sad truth of the matter is this. In the first three months of a loved ones passing you are surrounded by people there with meals, child care or whatever it may be. After that people get back to their lives and not that they mean to forget us but it happens. We need to do better. Much better. 

 A very dear friend is leaving for Africa in just days and I love that my children want to show love to the people of Africa. We may not be able to travel there but we can send crafts, and a couple comforts of home to a friend. And my most favorite.. money for rice and beans for the widows. Some day I hope to travel there and reach out to these sister's of mine. Yes, we have very different stories but an understanding that goes beyond any language. 

 I have such a heart for the widow and orphan. I honestly ache when I learn of a new situation or the stories that come back from Africa. I don't wish this walk on anyone. It's hard, trying and lonely..oh so lonely. Currently another widow friend just lost her sister in law...leaving her brother widowed and two boys without their Mother. I can't seem to grasp the fact that their dear parents have had both their children widowed. But, our God knows. And this man could not have a better example of widowhood than through his sister. 

Though this life can be hard. Raising children alone is not easy!  I pray daily that I am an example of what God can do. I am so thankful that He has surrounded me with such precious people. And He knows my heart..and has blessed me by surrounding me with children and not just my loves but a special half dozen +.  

I'm Back!

I have been so busy. After looking at things that have any meaning to me..I found this is one of them. I love having somewhere to journal about our little family. So the blog has a new look and I am looking forward seeing what the coming months bring.

Venting

I have been so bad about not posting. I have so many posts written and yet I wonder how honest I really want to be in my blogging. I mean the truth of the matter is we do have a nice life we are healthy and happy. But, being a widowed mother of two at nearly 46 is not easy. It's lonely and frustrating! I fear in posting as I have on fb too many people think pity party and that is not the case at all. I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me but the truth of the matter is I need to vent.

I think this post is coming from reaching out to a new widow today. It's so hard to get past those first few months only to have everyone think okay because we have moved on so should you. My heart breaks for these new widows.

Bugga Bugga is One!

Caleb Aaron tuned one on February 21st. And I couldn't have been happier than to celebrate this day with him! We had a double birthday party with Lil D Vaughan. Here are some pictures of our day. We went with The Hungry Little Caterpillar theme.

Update

To catch up from my last post. Life has been so busy that while I have purchased the material needed for my camera case I have not had time to make one. Hoping to get to that soon. Home school, AWANA, and ski club have kept us very busy.

Latest..Cassie and the boys are HOME!! They arrived on the 11th and will be here till mid April. Needless to say I am pretty darn happy about that. Life is a bit chaotic right now just everyone settling in again and battling colds but we are all happy so that is good.

So the news this week is that our sweet, ornery Caleb is turning ONE tomorrow. We will be having a double the fun birthday party with Daniel V on Saturday. The party theme is The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

For now better get some things done around here while the Little's are sleeping.