Change of Pace

(Photos by Grace)
Matt decided we needed a break from our normal routine last Monday, so we packed a picnic and loaded into the van. Destination: Palouse Falls. The drive was glorious. We saw field upon field of outstanding dry land wheat--amber waves of grain. The dry land wheat farmers have benefited greatly from the very wet spring we had. All the other farmers around here (especially hay farmers) have not enjoyed the wet weather at all.
The Falls were beautiful--an oasis in the desert. Daddy and the kids went on a hike. I didn't like the glorified port-a-potties. We stopped on the bridge on the way back to view the train passing through the narrow cavern carved out of the rock. Everyone except Daddy slept all the way home, so I can't share anything about the lovely scenery on the different route he took to get us back to the old homestead.

The Boys of Summer

(Mustang courtesy of Great Grandma Fran)

Sounds Like a Tall Tale to Me

Swimming Lessons

The kids took swimming lessons again this year. It was Joel's first year for lessons. He was required to start in "Explorers." He was very timid of the water at first, but quickly got the hang of it. He did so well that he will skip the next two levels and start "Minnows" next year. That's a first for our family. Joel's got strong swimming abilities in his genes, though. Both Grandpa Bob and Grandpa Tom were very good swimmers in their day.

Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures

Sometimes, when someone elses' sleeve is not available, one has to resort to using one's own sleeve.

Grace's Testimony

Here is the journey of faith that Grace shared with the Pastor, elders, parents and other confirmands a week ago Saturday, the day before she was confirmed:

God has taught me so many things these past few years. As I tell of some of these to you my prayer is that you would see not anyone but Jesus in all of it.

Four years ago when I was ten, God wanted me to submit to my father and let him teach, guide and protect me. This was not something I wanted to do but God changed my heart.

Since then, God has showed me that I am so much happier and content with my life in comparison to when I wasn’t trusting my Daddy. God used this as a foundation because when I started listening to my father, God used him to teach me about being a daughter, homeschooling, modest dress, private study of God’s Word and life in general.

Two years ago, I had the privilege of taking a Bible study on biblical femininity. Through this Bible study God helped me grasp a better understanding of how women are created and what their roles are. Woman was created to glorify man and man to glorify God. (1Cor.11:7) All women are life givers who constantly pour life out of themselves to others, like water poured out of a pitcher. Because of this, woman must have life poured into her. If she wants to be a good life giver, she must be filled with the Water of Life, who is Jesus. The way she must get the Water of Life is by private prayer and study of God’s Word. God wanted me to make prayer and private study of Scripture part of my life. It was a battle at first, and it still is, but I have found more joy and peace and strength with Jesus, than with anything else that I could be doing at that time of the day.

God is still in my life and teaching me today. Just while I was writing this paper God showed me some idols that I needed to repent of and he has taught some new truths.

One of those truths is that because we are not battling flesh and blood, but Spiritual forces. We must continually be in prayer. “Devote yourselves to prayer being watchful and thankful.” Col 4:2

Also, God has shown me that I need to be content- “for Godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Tim 6:6

In trials and tribulations Jesus has been with me and has taught me many things. In the days and years to come Jesus will teach me so much more than I ever could imagine.

Grace's Confirmation

Well, since Sunday is almost here, I guess I should let people know how last Sunday went (it's been a long week--a long few weeks, actually). Grace's confirmation day was really nice. I hadn't expected the day to be quite as nice as it was, but the Lord had other plans.

I spent a lot of time with my mom in the hospital the week before the big event. I awoke Saturday morning having done NOTHING towards the big day. The house was a wreck and I hadn't started on any of the food for the after confirmation lunch. I hadn't even had a chance to go to the grocery store to get the food. That's when God stepped in.

My friend (who just had a baby, by the way) offered her two older girls as helpers to me for a couple of hours. Elsie and Lillie are each one year older than my two oldest girls. So the four girls cleaned the entire house from top to bottom while I made a Wal-Mart run. Matt, Grace and I took the girls home on our way to church that afternoon. Grace and the other confirmands were interviewed by the Pastor and the elders and each confirmand also gave her testimony (all five were girls this year). Grace was very nervous, but she did really well.

We went home and I took a power nap. In the late afternoon, my sister-in-law, Jessica (the one who doesn't like to cook), came over and helped me with food prep for three hours. When she left I followed her to her house and cut all the remaining roses in her yard. Then I went back to my house and cut all of the remaining roses in our yard. There were just enough nice roses left to make two bouquets for the kitchen and dining room tables. Another God thing.
Sunday morning we all awoke early and got hopping. Showers, baths, church clothes and last minute chores all needed to happen by 10 a.m. And all did happen. A miracle! We made it to church with plenty of time to spare. Lots of friends and family came and we were blessed by their presence.

We scooted home after the service and reception. Matt's mom and dad stopped by Costco and picked up all the food trays we had ordered to save us a trip. Mom and Dad had already begun to set out all the food by the time we arrived home. I just stepped in to finish the spinach and strawberry salad. Then our good friends Floyd and Peggy showed up with a lovely cake in the shape of a cross which had been decorated with butter cream roses and Grace's name and confirmation date. I was so tickled.

Only God could have known. I had secretly desired a beautifully decorated cake for the occasion, but had decided against it (store bought cakes are yucky and my favorite bakery in town is very pricey). I spent Saturday night kicking myself for thinking that I could make the dessert myself. My sister-in-law and I could have cut our prep time by nearly half if I hadn't insisted on making mini cheesecakes--48 of them (which I over baked, by the way). God knew the desire of my mommy heart, however, and completely surprised both Grace and me with a better cake than I could have made or bought myself. That's just so God. He's pretty neat that way.
Anyway, it was a beautiful day, not just because Grace confirmed her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, but because God showed us how much He loves us. Even down to the silly little details.