Prolific Fall after all

This past summer's drought had us all in a tizzy to say the least.  Worst drought in years...I was sure the Fall would be a sad situation.  Don't misunderstand me, it is quite sad in that so many have lost so much.  I am speaking for myself and my family situation. 

Tony stressed and struggled over hay prices, when or whether or not to even plant grass for the fall.  The outlook was bleak and the forecasters gave us little hope.  He sold cows...sad day.

We continued to pray for rain.  I blogged about how hot and desolate.  I worried...

I continued to water pumpkins all summer.  I posted and blogged about them...so excited!  Only to see NOT MUCH evidence of actual fruit.  It was just too hot...no pollination equals no punkins :(.  I was about to give up, feeling embarrassed at the pride I'd had over this pumpkin patch.  I gave it to the Lord (in reality they're His anyway, not like I can actually cause the sun to shine and make something grow...) .  I realized that my job was seed planting, careful watering, weeding when necessary, and patience (which I needed an extra dose of).  SO I waited, and waited, and continued to water feeling as though it was pointless in the EXTREME heat.  BUT alas...as with most things...God showed up and showed out...again!  Oh some 45-50 pumpkins later, I realized what I knew in my heart all along.  ONLY God makes things grow...pumpkins, grass, people.  

Boy did He show out...The rains came--a little at a time and ...Tony's fears of feeding hay early were subsided when he was able to turn the red cattle out into DEEP, lush, green grass.  Tears flowed at God's graciousness and provision.

 

Through it all He grew us...in our faith in His ability to provide and His sovereignty in WHEN and HOW He'd come through.  We vowed to trust Him no matter what.  The testing grew harder, but with every day our faith increased and when the rain came and the cooler temps came to stay, we were overwhelmed with relief and renewed faith. 

1 Timothy 2:6-7 says "6 The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything."  We received our share of the crop...by His Grace and thus, we give Him glory!

Water IS life

The drought in Texas hasn't been this severe since, well, a very long time!  I've never seen drought like this having grown up in the deep South where the humidity levels rarely go below 50%--have mercy!  SO, to say it's dry is a gross understatement.  Our rainfall totals are so out of whack! 

Today the kids and I took a ride across the ranch to look for insects for our science class.  What we saw was very disheartening.  It's what Tony sees everyday.  Our 'water' is so scarce.  The ponds (aka tanks) are drying up, the creek has ceased to flow, and the lake is the lowest I've ever seen it.  

creek bed

lake

pasture

We are parched, dry and in constant danger of fire.  We've seen fires in  the past, however our water supply wasn't as threatened nor was the supply of fire fighters who are already fire weary.  It seems overwhelmingly hopeless, and we aren't even in the worst area.  Many are in much more dire situations, and our hearts break for them.  Rain is what we need and lots of it.  BUT...that isn't in our control.  

Our faith has been tested in ways we haven't experienced before.  I didn't say our faith was shaken...just tested.  I realized this week that this parched, dry, desperate landscape is a great deal like our hearts and souls without the 'Living Water' Himself.  When we go a long time without drawing close to hear His voice and let Him 'water' our souls...we are dry.  I have been dry.  This Living Water is the only thing that soothes my thirsty soul...not my friends, Facebook, or even my dear precious family.  It's HIM, JESUS, the Living Water that brings refreshment, coolness to my life and then to others lives.  I cannot bless one single soul on my own.  I have nothing...no water that lasts and no way to share.  Only through Him can I  'flow rivers of living water.'  

He will water this earth with the water that will quench it's thirst when He sees fit.  We will wait and trust that 'His ways are higher."

8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

And in the meantime, I will remember that drawing  near to Him will quench my dry weary soul with the Water that can make me never thirst again. 

14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life. (John 4:14)

This truth allows me to be thankful in the dry times for signs of life and reminders that His grace is what carries us through.

Pumpkin progress

Just a quick update...they are growing and well! The picture is about a month old...They are HUGE now. We are starting to see small little ones...YAY!!
Still praying for rain, but watering them in the meantime.

"Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;...Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who provides rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains."(Psalm 147:7-8 NASB)

It will come....

"Sweet" life lessons from the game

This afternoon I took the time to play a 'quick' game of Candy Land with my littlest guy. We shared and ice cold Co-cola and a fun game. I decided to take notes from my from opponent's observations. Let's just say our perspectives are a little different, but there was much for me to be reminded of.

1. You must always face the direction you are headed.
T was most distressed if my little blue guy was facing the wrong way. He kept turning me around. Life is alot the same. We need to stay focused on the direction we are headed. So often we get sidetracked and don't pay attention...we miss so much. We must look ahead and face the future head on...aware!



2. It's ok if you have to back up. Each time I drew a card that landed me behind where I had been, he'd say, "It's ok, Mama! It's ok!" You know what? IT'S OK! Oftentimes we have to have a do-over. Starting over, backing up, no one likes these times, but they are part of life and if we accept them as opportunities for growth rather than setbacks, how much better off we would be!













3. There's always hope. When I would get in front of him, he'd say "I can still catch you!!" He never gave up his hope of beating me :) There is always hope...when life seems so overwhelming, there's hope. Especially when we have Jesus Christ, there is ALWAYS hope...He is our hope... Hebrews 10:23 tells us "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." and Hebrews 6:19a says "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure...." Don't give up!








4. It could get messy before it's over. We had cards all over the place...but hey...we persevered. Life gets messy and sometimes, it stays that way for a while. My new favorite verse was recently referred to me by my kindred spirit cousin... Hebrews--again;)-- 5:8-9 "Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and once made perfect became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him...." There's lots to learn from our messes...most importantly, obedience! If it was through suffering that Jesus himself learned obedience, I think we should reconsider the whining that occurs during our own sufferings.

5. No matter the outcome...enjoy the journey!
We played...he won (with a little help) and then we shook hands on a fun game. Things won't always turn out like we hoped...sometimes they are better than we hoped, sometimes not so much. I know I needed to be reminded to just enjoy the journey (game). I remember hearing someone say..."The journey IS the reward." While I do look forward to my eternal reward...there's a purpose for this present journey and I want to enjoy this ride.

Lessons from the dirt and the HEAT

It's time to plant the pumpkins...or rather PAST time. In my hurry of life lately I have waited later than I would like to get my pumpkins in the ground. The pumpkin patch is my baby...not sure if it's because Tony lets it be mine or because he is GLAD he doesn't have it to do! Anyway I started out this morning hoeing and raking BY HAND to get it ready for the six little hands that will help me plant the seeds. NOW most of you who know me know that I don't care much to sweat. Today that care was cast aside, and sweat I did. Praise God for the sweet, gentle breeze He brought when I thought I was truly about to melt!

As I was cleaning out weeds, casting away rocks and building up rows the thought occurred to me...If Adam and Eve had not sinned, would we dig, plant and sweat for the fruits of our labor or would God just have them available for us? Part of the curse was that Adam would "toil...all the days of your life....Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you....By the sweat of your face you will eat bread, till you return to the ground...." (Gen 3:17-19). SO this hard work we do is part of the curse, YET there is blessing. Had we not had to till the ground and rid it of thorns and thistles to plant, would we ever know the smell of fresh dirt or the beauty of it's rich blackness? Would our muscles be strong from the back breaking work of 'working' the ground if we never worked it?

As always, there are consequences to sin in our lives...disobedience brings pain. However, there is a promise after the curse and upon our obedience..."And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to HIS purpose." Romans 8:28 So we have fruit that grows from the labor we put forth...good. Our muscles are stronger because they are used for work...good. We smell and enjoy the feel of fresh dirt and have a sense of accomplishment...good. God isn't all about the curse. While He demands justice; He is ultimately about our obedience and His love for us and our good. And even when we disobey...at our repentance He has promised to work it for our good. He is GOOD! Even in sweaty labor, there are clouds for shade and a breeze to cool...



...and the hope of fruit to come.

"for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." Philippians 2:13

Imperfection ---> connection

The year Chloe turned 2, my sweet daddy bought us a new kitchen table. Mama and Daddy had come to our house for Christmas and Chloe's birthday. The day before the party Daddy, Tony and I made a trip to the furniture store, chose the table --I chose it ;)--we loved and brought it home. As the days and years have passed my table is beginning to show signs of aging (aren't we all?!?) I was recently thinking over all that goes on around that table...WOW!! It should be showing it's age or wear. Meals, birthdays, schoolwork, playtime, chores, fellowship, baby showers, serious conversations...the list is endless.

King Cake Party

Owen's BirthdayBoston Tea Party
Laundry :)Playtime
Schoolwork
Celebration of New Life


I see the scratches on my table and after thinking this through, those scratches don't make me frown. I smile remembering all that has transpired at my table. What blessings in all those glorious messes. Danna Demetre says "We are seeking perfection and missing connection." I want connection!! If my table is scratched and imperfect, so be it!

In some recent study I began to be reminded of the common thread of breaking bread and connection of hearts. It was in breaking bread that disciples and followers SAW Jesus. (Luke 24:30-31, 35) I also saw where the early church broke bread together daily in each others' homes, and the Lord added to their number daily through salvation. (Acts 2:46)

Many have come and gone from my table...the one thing I hope most is that--scratches or not-- they (especially my family) SAW Jesus there.

Learning AS we go...

The whole process of homeschooling is becoming more and more a way of life that we love. "Unschooling" ourselves has been an interesting process to say the least. I have probably struggled most. This last week was one in which I will forever be grateful for the benefit of our homeschooling opportunity. Owen has been struggling through abdominal pains and issues that have yet to be determined definitively. Our last ten days have been filled with sleepless nights, ER visits, doctor's offices, X-rays, ultrasounds, lab work...and yet, there is schoolwork to be done. In following the example of my 'mentor' and angel of a cousin, Robyn, I decided to post some pictures of the week past to remind me that we did actually 'learn' this week...amidst the chaos of life. So much teaching and learning occurs when we least expect it...compassion to the hurting, cooperation when others you love are tired, trust (in Him) when you really don't know what to do, humility when you realize the grace extended to you and yours, dependence when we've done all we can do...learning to lean.


8"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are you ways My ways," declares the Lord. 9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9







6"These words which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7'You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. " Deuteronomy 6:6-7