Healing Stones

On my way to Idaho, I read a book recommended to me by my college roommate. While reading the first few pages I thought "I don't like this book" because I became convicted of its message. Healing Stones by Nancy Rue and Stephen Arterburn tells the story of a woman caught in adultery and her journey to find forgiveness and healing. Some of the characters were ready to throw stones and others brought grace and healing. I questioned which one would I be. Do I extend grace to those who are hurting even if the hurt is due to their own bad decisions? Do I pick up a stone or point them towards a Savior who offers forgiveness? Do I remember that it is only by God's grace that I am not in the same situation? Do I love even when life gets messy? Truthfully I don't know the answer to all those questions. I am trying to show more grace towards my family and friendsm especially my kids. I am by no means perfect but I am a child of a Father who is not finished with me yet.

Dear God of Mercy, I praise you. Thank you for your grace and healing. Thank you that you never give up on us. Give us the wisdom and strength to love even when life gets messy. May we see your redemption of many people during our time. Amen

Healing

Three weeks ago, I injured two of my fingers requiring a trip to the emergency room and surgery. I knew the fingers would hurt for a few days but had not anticipated that it would still be an issue now. I have since learned that fingers are one of the most sensitive places on your body and that is why I still feel pain. Each day as my husband changes the bandages it looks a little better and I do have less pain and more movement in my hand. We all know physical healing takes time but we often forget this point when it comes to emotional and spiritual healing. If you hurt someone emotionally and then ask for forgiveness, you might expect them to forgive and forget immediately. But their emotional wound may take as long or longer to heal as a physical one would.

I have realized with my hand that God's presence is comforting and his mercies are new every morning. He takes my tears, my fears, and my frustrations and covers them with his love. I have also seen this happen with emotional and spiritual healing. God is near to all who seek him. I wish I could have miraculous, instanteous healing but then I would have missed the special times of seeking God and seeing his provision. With spiritual or emotional healing, it is sometimes harder to see why the healing can't happen immediately. I am reminded that I need to give people time to heal and to cover them with prayer whether it is marriage problems, depression, or another issue. I must not grow weary of serving the people God sends my way.

To the Master Physician, We come asking for your perfect healing. Some of us are hurting physically. Others are hurting emotionally or spiritually. May we daily seek You as You continue your good work in us. May we support those people you send our way and not be fearful of allowing others to support us on our journey. In your Son's name, Amen

Fourth of July

While growing up, one of the highlights of my summer was my small town's July 4th celebration. This year my family was able to celebrate it with me. It is a time with family and friends and fun memories. The fun started with my kids getting their bikes ready for the children's parade. My daughter dressed as a clown riding a bike. My son rode a big tricycle and pulled a wagon full of stuffed animals. The kids had fun riding around the town park many times. The next morning the parade was full of old cars and tractors, floats, horses, and candy thrown to the kids. The park was the setting for bounce houses, a rock wall and other kid stuff. The afternoon was spent at mom's with family getting caught up and enjoying some outdoor games. The two grandmas were undefeated as a team. The kids along with dad and N went back to town for more fun. The evening ended with a fireworks display. Exhausted I went to bed with both old and new memories.

God's Presence

This blog was going to originally going to be called Iowa 2. I would have told you how I was getting fresh produce for my cooking from the garden and how I was enjoying time to read and helping the boys with their project. Change of plans. I had prayed for the safety of this project and all the people involved. Even though I had peace that my prayer was heard I found myself praying again as I held the ladder for my husband. We were almost finished when the ladder slid down with my husband on it. My husband landed safely but somehow the ladder had cut two of my fingers pretty bad. I cried out and my husband was quickly by my side taking charge of getting me to the hospital with the help of my dad. I remember wondering how I would handle the pain and the next few hours. It was like I heard God say my child I am with you. God was with me. He was there as my husband held my hand and prayed for me. He was there as my dad drove us safely through rain and lightning. He was there by allowing my sister to be at the hospital. He was even there in that my hand doctor was not only a Christian but familiar with our ministry.

The day after the accident I read the following quote in a book by Zan Tyler. This quote follows a list of nine verses in both the old and new testament where God remind his people that he will be with them. "These nine verses are reminders that God always gives us what we need, not necessarily what we want. Sometimes we want things; sometimes we want relief from pain or stress; sometimes we want easier assignments and circumstances in life. God often answers with His presence instead of granting our specific request." When I prayed that day for our project I expected that the answer would be that all would go well. God answered with himself and an outpouring of love from family and friends both old and new.

So now I am enjoying the extra time with family that God has given me. I also am reminded of the need to pray daily for friends, family, and other requests that come my way. God is with us each step of the way.

Dear God. Thank you that you promise to be right beside us. Thank you for your presence and your grace. Help me to be satifsfied with just You. May we never cease to bring any request no matter how small or big to you. Amen.

Iowa

I am in Iowa and am reminded that at heart I am an Iowa girl. I like the smell of freshly cut hay and the feel of soft grass beneath my feet. I like being in the town where I grew up which has changed but not so much that I still know how to get places and still know a lot of peoples names at least. It is also fun to sleep with the windows open and wake up to the sound of birds singing.

My children are at camp with Grandma. The camp I went to growing up. I am sure they will have fun. My DH and I are with my dad keeping him out of trouble and trying to keep up with him. We have been bike riding to Fizzies and working on projects. Actually my DH and dad have been working on projects and I am in charge of keeping them fed and the house in order. Their big project is a green house. Fun and work mixed. It should hopefully be a fun week.

Dear God, Be with my children this week. May their hearts be open to your words. Be with mom and give her strength and wisdom as she works with the kids. Be with me and N as we help Dad. Give us safety on the projects and help us to enjoy this peaceful time. Thank you for this time of rest. Amen

Teacher Tuesday

Okay I know it is summer but I have been thinking through what I want to do in the Fall. With the help of my dear sister I think I have it figured out. I am amazed at the many good options out there to use in homeschooling. It is actually overwhelming. I am going to use my sister's curriculum from last year on Countries and Cultures from My Father's world. I thought it fit our family since it has a strong emphasis on missions and it might help for all of us to have a better sense of our world before heading out into it. My sister also helped me out with some grammer stuff which was nice and then I am going to use Singapore Math again. It worked well before and I decided to stick with what I know.

One of the challenges for next year is to really find out where my kids are at in each subject mostly math. For my daughter, I don't want to overwhelm her with something too hard so I am reminded of the phrase slow and steady. I would say that is one of the hardest things as a teacher. If a student thinks a subject is too hard or that they won't get it, he or she will often shut down. In the public school classroom, I would see this time and again. Sometimes it was too hard for them and sometimes it was all in their head. Either way no learning was taking place. There is the other side I faced at the same time, it was too easy for other students and they were bored and uninterested. Then when a challenge did come up, they didn't quite know how to handle it since learning had been easy so far. The nice thing about homeschooling is that you can better gauge how much to challenge your student without discouraging them.

Dear God, Thank you for your provision of school materials for my kids next year. Guide us as we plan for a new year. Give me wisdom on how best to deal with each of my children in their learning and most of all let our learning glorify you. Amen

Changes

I am writing this as we begin a new day and new adventure. This summer will be full of change for our family but it will be full of change for many others also. Some of our friends are in the process of adding a new one to their family through adoptions. Others are adjusting to living in a new culture- America. One has a newborn only a month old. In addition to these, change is inevitable. Your child suddenly becomes a teenager. Your baby begins to walk. Then there is always the change that God is making in us as he tries to make us more like His Son. But in the midst of all this change, one thing stays the same. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. We can hold on to that no matter what.

Dear God, Thank you that you are a rock that is immovable that you do not change with the public opinion. You are God and there is no other. Amen

Good bye to Buddy

Because of our upcoming adventures, we knew that Buddy would need a new home. On Wed. he was placed with his new family and even has a brother Brittany to play with. We are thankful that God found a home for Buddy and that he will be loved. Even though Buddy could aggravate me at times, especially when it would wake me up early in the morning, it feels like a part of our family is missing. It helps to know that he is in a good home. I will miss my walking partner. I will also miss seeing him watch us through the window. I will miss his unconditional love.