Everyday Blessings...

There have been so many things written on why our kids are not interested in being involved in a church and when they go to college they don't attend anymore. I don't have any great answers but here are a few thoughts... *Teaching kids to love Jesus starts when they take their first breath not when they are going into Junior High or High school.  As our kids grow and hit these years we begin to realize how important it is/was to take them to church and to have relationships there.  Our kids see what is important to us from the beginning.  There is so much to forming healthy habits. Having our families in fellowship at our churches and giving them the opportunity to form good relationships there is so important. It helps to mold what the rest of their lives will probably look like.   It is NEVER too late to focus on Jesus and be in fellowship with other believers. Ever. It is just a great idea to do it from the beginning. T he key: doing it with joy ...

I've drawn courage from my little Christmas cactus today. I've had it for about 5 years. It bloomed the first three and last year not at all. This year it has been dying. I love this plant. The blooms are just glorious when they decide to live. There have been days in the past year I have felt like I was dying too. Physically, emotionally, and at times spiritually. I know you've probably felt that sometime too. We took a leap of faith a year ago stepping out into our own business. I thought it was just about our livelihood but it was really all about deciding to truly trust God for all of it. I cried and protested and trembled in fear at times but He taught me to breathe and that its just one day at a time and I can fully give it all to Him. The peace I've been given through letting go has been the most powerful thing to happen in years for me. I praise Him for it! A few days ago one little section of my Christmas cactus decided to come to life. There's one b...

Christmas and the holidays were/are the perfect time for sharing.  I have a  most intentional, loving sister in law named Rebecca. She wanted to bless her Dad, my Father-in-law and asked us all to write down 5 things we love about him or memories that we have with him.  Each person stood up and spoke words of love and thanks and blessing to him and for him.  It was a precious time.  Thank you sister for planning this special time of focus.  So, at our next Christmas stop with my parents we decided to do the same thing.  What an incredible blessing for them to be able to hear the love coming out of the hearts of their children and grand-children.   I had the thought that these are the kind of things that you talk about at someones funeral when you are telling how they influenced your life.   How wonderful to speak of them and bless people when they still walk on this earth. I know that these relationships will be deeper a...

Beauty in scenery and in the hearts of these people... Christmas in the mountains at Crested Butte, Colorado. What a blessing to be with my husband's family for Christmas. The boys skied and we sipped hot cider and cherished the enchanting snow fall and beauty. Hey, our daughter in love is participating with God in growing another human being. We wanted to ski, but thought her being pregnant was more important to focus on. :) Silliness and laughter was in abundance... The views were like this everywhere you looked.  Out our cabin windows.  The sweetest girls in the world.  Our house had cozy little reading spots and fireplaces. Loved it.  There were countless 42 games...  And lots of puppy fun... Thankful to our good Lord for what my eyes were blessed to behold.  Majestic, astounding, beautiful creation by the all Mighty Living God.