Who Christ Calls

Our family has really enjoyed The Chosen series. Without making a whole post explaining the beauties of it and how it has encouraged and convicted my heart, check it out yourself here. In short, it is a privately funded TV series about the earthly ministry of Jesus. It is a beautiful representation of His ministry and life here on earth. The scriptwriters have used imagination and history to elaborate, but I am very thankful for giftings that are being used and how it has touched my heart. *Disclaimer-I am not exactly endorsing the show. I have greatly appreciated what it has given me and others, but I do not agree with everything with the show and I know there are a lot of different opinions on media representations of Jesus. Check it out and make your own decision. 

The episode we watched last night included the part of Jesus' life when He called Simon the Zealot to follow Him. In the previous episode, we had watched Simon grow up and train to become a zealot with one mission - to honor and obey God by driving the Romans out of Israel. When he arrives at the campsite where Jesus and His disciples are staying, he is expecting to meet a group of fellow warriors preparing for the same calling as himself, but to his surprise, he meets normal, average-looking men, hardly warrior-looking types. As he and Jesus talk together, Jesus asks to see Simon's weapon. Simon displays his prize possession, a fine dagger with a seemingly articulately carved handle. He watches with a little pride as Jesus examines the tool and remarks on the fineness of it. Confident that Jesus will put him and his impressive weapon to full use, he is surprised and taken aback as he watches Jesus calmly toss the dagger into the lake. "You have no use for that?" Simon asks in surprise. He goes on to ask why, without his choice weapon, Jesus has any use for him. It was in his ability to fight and defend the Messiah that Simon had staked his worth upon; it was based on what he had for Jesus to use. Jesus responds with the beautiful truth "I have everything I need, but I wanted you." He goes on to explain that He is preparing something to share with the world and that for now, it would have to be enough for Simon to be at His side. No one buys their way into Jesus' group because of special skills. He wants only Simon. He wants only you. As I laid in bed last night and thought over this, and again this morning, I saw such a sweet and assuring truth. There are things that we have (talents, giftings, etc.) that we see of such value (the world may consider them so) and think that Jesus must feel the same way about them. It may make us feel more worthy to stand with Christ if we come with something to the table. This isn't what He desires. Anything that any one of us could bring to Jesus is but filthy rags to Him. It is enough that He wants me with Himself, you with Himself. Talented or not, a good speaker or not, an incredible voice or not, Jesus wants you, as you are, fully consecrated to Him for Him. Because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and because of faith in that sacrifice, we can stand clothed in Christ's righteousness. I am enough. You are enough to Jesus. He needs nothing else, only all that He made you to be, dedicated to Christ and for His glory alone. 

 "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and the bast things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."                                                                                                           1 Corinthians 1: 26-31

Family Life - April

 Happy May everyone! Crazy isn't it? Already May and it seems like the year just began. The month of April sped by on wings, but it left some beautiful memories so enjoy taking a peep at our family life through April. 

Easter morning sunrise.

Cattle work. I am most often the official paperwork gal. 

Belle calved on the 6th! 

This has become one of my favorite pictures of Belle and me ever. Thank you, Leah!

So I'm back in the milking routine!

While Mom and my aunt were on a sister get-away, Leah, Ella, and I went 
up to be with Grandma for the weekend.

Taking a walk.

Sunday afternoon, Leah, Ella, our cousin Kate and I had a 
"dress-up party" trying on Grandma's, my aunt's, and my mom's old
prom dresses!

Dad feeding hay to our first-time calving heifers.

Joel has a heart and desire to become a pastor one day. Here he is 
sharing a sermon with our family.

Olivia, Hope and I went out for a while one afternoon. We went to our library
 sale where I found several great finds including a Strong's Bible concordance, a
Bible study guide to a book my sister has and more. Hope found a Bible in a foreign 
language (turned out to be in the official language of Cambodia) and got it! Oliva got a thing or two as well. We also went to the all-important Walmart. =)

Caden turned 20!!!!

Mom's birthday is three days after Caden's. After her birthday dinner and 
our birthday blessings and prayer, we had a short game of whiffle ball, Smith version.

Olivia and I remained supportive spectators. 

For her birthday cake, I found a recipe for a nut-free, keto
Italian Cream Cake!

Happy May ya'll!

The Privilege of Prayer

A few years back, I woke up one morning after studying the driver's manual a few times and decided "Hey, let's go get my permit today!" I passed and then went for my driver's test after the appropriate 6-month interim period and after practicing parallel parking. I passed the first time, but as of today, I have yet to parallel park again! =) I'd rather walk blocks to my destination than chance having to park that way! Can anyone else relate?

I enjoy driving on my own. I listen to music or an audiobook, I talk to myself, sing aloud, sometimes I just drive quietly, or I'll pray. While driving to town for my weekly Bible study early last year, I often spent my "drive there time" in vocal prayer. I would pray for my family, needs that I was aware of, but often I would pray for my friends who were in relationships. One such morning, it was impressed upon me the great privilege I had in interceding for others in this way. Such as a gift as a single gal I can offer before the Lord. I have the honor of coming before God on behalf of my friends who are seeking His will for their life partner! I have prayed for friends who were in relationships and now am looking forward to future weddings! I have prayed for my single friends that the Lord would provide the "one" He had planned for them and now I have the privilege of watching the Lord provide some wonderful answer! I have prayed for the unborn children of my friends and am now beginning to have the joy of seeing the precious answers to those prayers! What a privilege! 

 If we could grasp the reality of the power of prayer and the difference it makes into eternity, we would no doubt be on our knees more. 

There is such an excitement about prayer time and being reminded of what it can mean not only for my life personally but what it does in the lives of others. Though the answers to these continual prayers will most often go unseen, we can be confident that The One Who Sees is answering according to His perfect will (Romans 8:27), in His flawless timing, and one day I will have the complete and fulfilling joy of seeing the answers to those prayers in Heaven. 

Do not see intercessory prayer as words passing into empty spaces or even as requests being offered to God because that is what is done, but see it as praises, supplications, confessions, and intercessions that are being presented at the throne of God the Father and if done in the will of Christ, He has promised to answer. Claim that, pray that, and revel in the anticipation of seeing the answers of those prayers here on earth and into eternity. 

Prayer lays hold of God's plan and becomes the link between His will and His accomplishment on earth. Amazing things happen, and we are given the privilege of being the channels of the Holy Spirit's prayer. ~ E. Elliot 

Family Life - March

 This little corner of my life has been neglected this past month. It seemed like March suddenly picked up speed and flew by and the days were really full. I thought about getting here many times, but brain energy and lack of concentrated time won out. I hope that won't be the case as much in April. 

But here's to March!

So technically this happened in February, but it was the last day and it didn't make the last Family Life post, and it's important to me, so it made it here.

My cow Mammy calved in the evening of the 28th! Olivia and Joel were excellent birth assistants, and Olivia ended up pulling the calf at the end. I myself operating as moral support and photographer.

He had HUGE eyes at birth! So fun!

He showed signs of such a fun personality so early!

The first week of March I had the privilege to travel with some girls from church to a conference in Wisconsin. It was an amazing week of spiritual preaching, powerful prayer times, and uplifting music.

Back home with the cows.

Receiving a back rub from Ella while teaching English to Joel.

As my mom was out of town with my grandmother, we sent her this picture while heading to church. 

Grocery shopping with two of my favorite peeps!

Another day of laundry!

Visiting with Belle. 

This has been the calving year of twins! They are so tiny!

Caden graduated from EMT school! We are so proud of his diligence and determination. 

At Hobby Lobby shopping for flowers to make into flower pins for my hair.

We had a storm blow through and took our electricity with it. Here Olivia and Hope are making do in the dark. 

Family Life - January and February

Hello all! Here's to another family life post! It has been a full 2 months around here with birthdays, farm, school, snow, ice, traveling, and all the other things that fill up the life of a family 10. So here goes, a synopsis of January and February in pictures. Warning - there is a lot of them. =)

January

Emma and I thrilled to get a wedding invitation from a mutual friend.

A Saturday morning breakfast meet up with some friends.

Working on the weekly menu and grocery list.

Grocery shopping and errands with some of my favorite peeps!

Meeting the new baby of a friend.

I picked back up my violin more seriously and joined the church orchestra!

Traveling with Dad and Emma to North Carolina for a visit and for the wedding of our friend.

"Mount Pilot" from Andy Griffith. 

I loved the North Carolina mountains!

Spending time with Olivia and Hope.

                                                                        February

Headed to church.

Helping Joel with some math questions.

Bible study time.

On Valentine's Day, Joel had bought 3 roses, he dressed up and on 1 knee, asked me to be his Valentine. He was so sweet, and yes, I cried. 

We experienced our big winter storm for the year. A true Kentucky storm with freezing rain that turns to ice and then snow. Ewww. God was so faithful and we watched Him work in such tangible ways.

Wet farm attire drying by the fire.

Joel all bundled up.

Olivia, Hope and I ready to go.

Hope chopping ice on the creek to let the cattle drink.

We had a calf born and to save his ears from frostbite, we cut off the top of a winter hat to cover his head.

Wednesday was one of the hardest days on the farm. It was cold and so many things went wrong. A hydraulic hose busted on Dad's tractor and it was several hours before he had a new one. This put him hay feeding after dark and the rest of us weren't done with chores either. At around 10pm we were out looking for a missing calf and while searching, we found Mammy (above) who looked like she had slipped on the snow/ice and couldn't get up. With the tractor scoop, we got her to the barn and cozy for the night. After good hay, some mineral supplements, a warm barn, and some feed, she is up and we are anticipating her calf any day now. If all those things, that we saw as such difficulties, hadn't happened, we wouldn't have been out so late and wouldn't have found Mammy and things could have turned out a lot worse. God knew and it was such a wonderful opportunity to see Him work. 

Caden feeding.

And...less than a week later, it was in the 60s! Here I am overseeing the labor and birth of our nurse cow.

Just born!

There is such a relief when the calf is up and breathing. 

Hope and Dad making her 16th birthday cake. 

Dad wanted to ice it. 

Olivia's 18th!

Blessings!