Family Life - November-December 2024

November and December recaps...better late than never! Both months held holidays which, for us, were different this year than others, but we were together and we can laugh about it now. =) 

The weather was beautiful through the 2 months with unusually warm temperatures. It was excellent for our house building project and a great deal of progress was made. 

Caden was here for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Emma, Stephen, and the boys traveled here the day after Christmas and were able to be here through New Year's. 

November began with a morning of cattle work!

House project: tearing apart the back deck

The quality of this picture is not good, but rain was coming,
the wind was strong and we were trying to tarp the open part
of the house. It was a rather scary undertaking, but it was successful
and has left us with a great family memory.

House project: picking up busted bricks...

... and stacking the bricks.

Several of the family enjoying a Saturday night SEC college
football game.

House project: shoveling gravel

House project: finished cleaning out the garage and the beginnings of
the plumbing begun 

House project: footers dug, block laid, and gravel poured

House project: the garage gutting begun

House project: garage gutting finished and the 1st wall up!

I began using some Saturday mornings to slip off to the local
coffee shop to work on ministry tasks, write letters, do research, 
and enjoy a hot coffee!

House project: concrete pad laid (and dried!) and framing up

Mid-December held a pro-life ministry fundraiser for me to help plan. 
I am thankful for this niche of ministry to serve and am looking 
forward to what 2025 holds in that capacity.  

We created donation Christmas gift boxes for that family member
"who has everything".

House project: roof on, "eyebrow" begun, some of the windows in,
and more of the brick off!

House project: ZIP siding up and ready for windows

Every once in a while, our family will have an outing together. In 
the past, this has usually been to Ollie's discount store, but we chose
Menards in December. Fun family memories and time spent together.

Christmas 2024

The Glass Elevator

My family was established in the animal feed business when I was born. My dad traveled occasionally with a certain feed company to promotional events, shows, etc. For a time and for certain events, our small family would travel with him and we would visit amusement parks or other areas of interest during the day while Dad was busy. I believe it was one such trip, we were staying in a hotel and as little children, there is nothing more disappointing than to find out your assigned hotel room was on the first floor and there would be no need to ride the elevator. At this certain hotel, however, it was not such a grief and joy upon joy, this elevator had a glass wall so you could watch the lobby below as you rose above it! What a thrilling experience for two little girls!

If my memory serves me correctly, this certain event happened while we were making preparations to pack the car to return home. Dad had made a trip to the car with Emma and me and we were on our way back to the room to pick up another load of luggage. My sister and I were gleefully watching the lobby below us when the elevator arrived on the floor, the doors opened and everyone got off. That is...except me. Too engrossed with the view before me, I was not watching my dad as he stepped off at the correct destination, and to my fear and horror, I turned to find that I was left alone, save for a hotel employee who didn't look the most compassionate on the little girl who was obviously in the wrong place. Naturally, when my dad realized that he was missing one, he returned to the elevator, which I had least at the good sense to stay in, and safely brought me back to the room. 

A small childhood story? Yes, it is, but the spiritual lesson that I see in it now, many years later, holds a different meaning.   

What distractions of the world cause me to take my eyes off the Father and therefore pull away my attentions and love? 

I would like to take a moment and say that I am not attempting to make the connection that by taking our eyes off the Lord, I am insinuating that we thus lose our salvation. Absolutely not! Salvation is a once-for-all decision (John 10:27-29). It is acknowledging to God that you are sinners in need of a Savior (Romans 5:12). We have each broken God's perfect law (The 10 Commandments) and it is in no power or goodness of ourselves that we can attain eternal life (Titus 3:4-6 and Ephesians 2:8-9). It is turning to Jesus, seeing Him as the sinless Lamb that was sacrificed for your sins because of the great love wherewith He loved you (Romans 5:8,15). Salvation can never be lost. Jesus only died once, you are only saved once and forever held in the palm of His hand. However, scripture says that the old man, the old flesh, still wars against our renewed and redeemed nature (Galatians 2:16-17) and this fleshly nature works to pull my love and focus away from my loving Father in Heaven.

The hotel lobby held all of my attention, so much so that I turned away from my dad who was my 

surest guide. By keeping my eyes on my dad I would have been safe, I would have been secure, and I would have followed him to where I needed to go, but the lavish-looking sights below, which only lasted a short time, dulled me to the greater need at hand, which was keeping my eyes on my father so I would not get lost. So then I ask the question again. What is in my life, your life, that causes our eyes to stray from the Shephard's face to the alluring sights of the world? What daily distractions draw our attention away from our Savior to sensual things? Are there pieces of entertainment that need to be let go that are filling your mind with fleshly desires rather than dwelling on pure things? What about a relationship that is pulling your affections away from the Lord? Is time with the Lord a priority on your list or is it "when I get to it"? Do you need to readjust your schedule to make Bible time and scripture memory consistent? The Lord Jesus Christ desires the first place in each of our lives. He asks for it, but He will not force it. So, ask the Holy Spirit to show you areas that need to be let go and ask Him to realign your heart's focus upon our Saviour. 

Do not be discouraged by the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the refining work that He wishes to do, but welcome it as a sign of the seal that you bear of being in Christ and that it is growing you more into the image of our great God and our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Would the Lord continue His sanctifying work in all of us to create and cleanse us into vessels of honor unto Him for His glory and honor. May He be praised!

"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good...And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 

1 Thessalonians 5:21,23

The Shell

Upon the sandy shore an empty shell,               

    Beyond the shell infinity sea;

O Savior, I am like that empty shell,

    Thou art the Sea to me.

A sweeping wave rides up the shore, and lo,

    Each dim recess the coiled shell within

Is searched, is filled, is filled to overflow

    By water crystalline.

Not to the shell is any glory then:

    All glory give we to the glorious sea.

And not to me is any glory when

    Thou overflowest me. 

Sweep over me, Thy shell, as low I lie;

    I yield me to the purpose of Thy will;

Sweep up, O conquering waves, and purify,

    And with Thy fullness fill. 

~by Amy Carmichael  

 

 

 

 

Family Life - September & October 2024

 Fall is a favorite season of mine and this year, though busy, was beautiful and filled with sweet memories, family time, and the continuance of the Lord's sanctifying work in our family and in my life personally. 

For one of my morning devotions in early October, the Holy Spirit had me in Psalm 34:4, "I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." 

The Greek word for "all" has the meaning of "everyone, not failing by one, encompassing all; the entirety." Isn't that a beautiful picture? It comes though from seeking the Lord, laying the fears at His feet, and allowing Him to lay them to rest in the truth of His promises. This will mean a surrendered and dependent heart and one that is humble to understand and acknowledge our needs, which our prideful heart is hesitant to admit to. So step toward the Lord, dear sisters, in humble need and He will dazzle you with how He will meet your needs, heal your heart, and satisfy your deepest longings.  

And now, a photographic recap...

In early September, Dad, Olivia, Hope, and I took a trip out west for an 
event. On the way home, we took the opportunity to visit some cattle 
ranches. I enjoyed seeing a new part of the country and getting lovely
pictures of the scenery.

Having some beautifully fruitful devotion time with some coffee!

With the pro-life fundraiser approaching, I spent
a good amount of time with paperwork and texting individuals!

While in town for the fundraiser, my sweet cousin, Chase, took 
me to dinner and we had a great opportunity to catch up on life.

The fundraiser went so smoothly and it was a joy and blessing to be 
apart of the planning and execution of the evening.

Leah's 16th birthday!

Remembering WW2 2024!

Years ago, in Linden, Tennessee, a group of families put on a yearly World War
2 event, to honor veterans and remember the sacrifice they made. About 6 
years ago, our family attended, but that was the last year they held it, but 
this year, in honor the 80th anniversary of D-Day, they brought it back! 
Ella is devotedly passionate to that period, studying battles, 
individuals, and the worldview of the time, and so we worked it out 
that she and I went down as volunteers to take part in the day.

Visiting with a  veteran and having him sign one of her books
on the war.

Hope, Leah, and Joel took part in the Kentucky Junior Cattleman's 
competition this year, participating in contests such as cattle 
photography, judging, and creating a sale ad. 

After months, and months, and months...and months of planning, meeting
with potential contractors and countless discussions, we officially broke 
ground for the addition of an apartment for my grandmother!

The results of a Sunday afternoon with a camera!

"The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: Thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage." Psalm 16:5-6

Because He Overcame!

 

The names of our Lord are precious, numerous, powerful, and strengthen our faith. Proverbs 18:10 says “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous run into it and is safe.” We find refuge and comfort in the names of the Lord, which are a depiction of His character, and the proclaiming of His attributes are part of worship, praising Him for Who He is as His names describe Him. I have found that a simple way that I can do this during my morning devotion prayer time is to praise Him through His names by using the alphabet for reference, so for example, Alpha, Bridegroom, Creator, Defender, Everlasting, Father, Giver of all good things, Hope, I AM, Just One, King, etc. Though this may sound silly, it has been a helpful way for me to balance praise and adoration of Him as my King while laying my needs and petitions before Him as my Father.

    Recently, my focus has been on the Lord as The Overcomer. Isn’t that a precious name? It has been a precious meditation for me. I rejoice and glorify Him who sits on the throne because He overcame, He overcomes, and will overcome in the final day! All things are because He overcame!

“...and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of Lords, and King of Kings” and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” Revelation 17:14b

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“And one of the elders saith unto, Weep no: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed (same Greek word as overcome in John 16:33) to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.” Revelation 5:5

I can take so many different scripture passages from any book of the Bible and find “Overcomer” in them.

“Now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ…” 1 Peter 1:6-7

~Because He overcame, my heart can be at rest amidst the trials of this life!~

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15

~Because He overcame, we have eternal salvation through the Perfect Lamb!~

“The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.” Proverbs 34:10

~Because He overcame, we are supplied with all good things!~

“For the Lord’s portion is His people; Jacob is the lot of His inheritance. He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; He led him about, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye. As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh then, beareth them on her wings: so the Lord alone did him…” Deuteronomy 32:10-12a

~Because He overcame, His love and protection know no limits!~

“If my people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

~Because He overcame, He offer full and free forgiveness and restoration!~

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.” John 14:1

~Because He overcame, He is capable of meeting and overcoming each and every fear!~

Rest today in Him Who overcame the ultimate curse of death through His death, Who overcomes, through His grace, the challenges we daily meet, and Who, on the last day will completely overcome death, hell, and Satan himself with the ultimate show of magnificent power! That is the God we serve, ladies! He Who was and is and is to come! He alone is worthy! He alone can open the seven scrolls and break the seals...because He overcame! Revel in Him as your Overcomer! Meditate on what that means to you, how He has overcome specifically in your life, and rejoice and glory that we are in Him Who is the final Overcomer in the last day! We have the ultimate reason to rejoice and glory in the name of our God!