Breaking Free: my testimony of the Bible Study journey

Going back over the Bible Study program the ladies in my church have worked through this morning, and I'm just....well...overflowing with gratitude in my heart. You see, sometime this past year (I believe it was around the first of the year I faced the challenge) I knew my mind needed some renewal. Walking in relationship with God has been one of a journey, not one of a one time deal and decision. Sanctification is what is happening day by day as He is working in my life and I commit my ways to Him. Beth Moore gave a wonderful visual description for us by describing it as removing lies from the wallpaper of our minds, and rewallpapering with God's truths...

but the most important part of that for me is agreement with His truth. Truths that don't change based on how good or bad of a day I'm having. Truths like:

::God's love is unfailing.

::He is for me and is working all things out for good.

::He is sovereign.

Finding those truths to be foundational, the living and rest and comfort flow from that bounty. And it is bountiful.

Christ said:
"Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!

So I guess I can say He's been healing my sight :) and I am overflowing with praise.

When you are 2

there is a world to discover!

my niece Maddie

A trip in a wagon brings so much fun to a day!

Mark 9: 36 He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me."

Curiosity probes learning.

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb."

Bellie

Matthew 10:42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

Though children run, scream and cry ::

I will not pass these moments by::

For though I am in need of rest::

I know my home is richly blessed::

The Ugly Duckling

The boy took the white duck's egg and lay it under the red hen.

The egg hatched.

The boy cared for it, fed it, changed its stinky bedding.

Mom and Dad say it's time to join the flock.
Boy takes it to flock to socialize it with its own kind.

4 free ranging female ducks
and its own egg laying mother takes notice, and begins to welcome him/her in.

A story unfolds...

to be continued...

To be a Princess

"He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” ~Zephaniah 3

"in quietness and rest"

Maama's roses

The time of year I waited so long for...beautiful, warm, sunny days. Days we end smelling like dirt are finally here. I love them. I'm trying to take advantage of these days keeping my muscles moving and active weeding, hanging laundry, running up and down stairs, as well as chasing children. It's not likely to have shown up on the scales though, because I tend to just love baking too much....and you know what that means ;)

Thank you Lord for roses.

I was blessed with a beautiful bouquet of leaves tonight from dear Abby. She was so incredibly proud. There's something about children's innocent gestures of love that I simply adore and am inspired by. It's funny the difference between "beautiful" in their eyes vs what me, grown up defines as beautiful. Everything is fresh and new to them: pictures they draw, bugs they find, tadpoles to observe. I'm so blessed I get to spend my days with budding artists, scientists, and philosophers.

bouquets from Sophie "bear"

Jake doing his CAT test

Bannon drinking lemonade

The Breaking Free Bible study today was extremely meaningful to me. As I live out the roles in my life, I so want and desire the right kind of love to build others, nourish others, encourage others. The beautiful truth is the source of love is God, and He wants to fill me with His love, and others get the overflow of my relationship with Him.

Beth Moore has been teaching about His unfailing love. Unfailing. Whether I'm good, bad or ugly...or even if I'm aware of it...His love is unfailing. Constant. Leading me to repentance. Teaching me what is love and how to love. As I'm walking through my moments, my mind is meditating on 1 Corinthians 13:

Love is patient.

It is kind.

It believes and hopes the best.

It won't fail.

If I bake bread, decorate my house, sweep my floors, and feed them organic vegetables...but have not love

then I am nothing.

Seems I have many moments to practice. Thank the Lord for His loving patience with me.

"You will find, as you look back upon your life, that the moments that stand out, the moments when you have really lived, are the moments when you have done things in a spirit of love." Henry Drummond

Abby her PB and J and chocolate milk

Sophie and spaghetti

Jeremy's off to get the big boys from youth group and I have a wonderful book calling my name about Grandma Moses. Tomorrow is Abby's dance recital, and I have caught her dancing and practicing more times than I can count. I look forward to seeing her dream come true. :)

Bella!

Banana cake, chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, hot dogs, macaroni and cheese

Cheering for oneself

leis and shovels and pails to celebrate

2 is a very special age indeed.

Season

Hi Friends :)

I spoke here that I've been considering taking a break from or ending blogging altogether. I'm ready to take a step back out of the main worldwideweb traffic, and put permissions for privacy on the blog for a season. I'll still be blogging so I do invite you to let me know if you'd like to "visit" here. :) If for some reason there is someone that I don't know who reads, please allow me to "know" by blog site address you are also a friend. From reading it looks like I'll need your email address. (I know, who wants one more thing to sign into ;)

Thanks everyone!