It doesn't have me!

So I am going through a rough time with my thyroid, again.  :(  I haven't felt good at all the past few weeks and it is really tough.  I tend not to complain much or try to write when I am going through emotional and physical thyroid stuff, but I just want to declare that I am an overcomer.  I may have thyroid problems, but thyroid problems don't have me!  I refuse to let these symptoms define who I am.  It is frustrating, I can not lie, but I'm holding to my healing promise NO.MATTER.WHAT!  So even though I really want to complain about the million symptoms I am battling right now, I am choosing to not let this circumstance overtake my joy.  Self, line up with who God says you are!  Blessed, healed, whole, and full of the life of Christ.  THAT is what I am.   

This week on the homestead...

Jason bought an awesome green tractor...no it's not a John Deere, but it still rocks!  God hooked it up.  And he took the babies for a ride tonight and they LOVED it.  So sweet!



I planted part of garden in the dark with a big work light shining in the field.  It's raining every other minute, so it was muddy and at first I didn't like it. But then it got fun and I started using my bare hands as a shovel and felt super connected with the earth.  Cheesy, yes, but I'm hippy like that.


The guineas are down to 8 (from 31) and grow so fast.  Everyday I go out to see them, I wonder if Jason is feeding them Miracle Grow.  We are getting 25 more soon to replace the one's who went to heaven.  Hmmm, guineas in heaven, interesting thought. 

I'm still working on interior decorating, and having lots of fun.  Even though it's overwhelming at times, I'm actually glad I have lots of projects waiting for me.  My creative side is smiling.

That's about all I can think of....I'm going to get my camera out more now that we are really getting things going.  So hopefully later I can add some pix in, no promises though, the country life is a busy one.  :) 

What's for Dessert? Church!

God has been giving me a lot of good stuff about the "church" lately.  We are the church, yes, but I am speaking specifically about the churches we attend, in whatever form it may be. 
We were going through a period of life a few years back where we were questioning the institution of church.  Not because our church had offended us or anything, but just God taking us to the place of seeing the purpose of church.  It felt awful at times to be honest because I started to see my codependency on church to serve my relationship "fix" with God.  Then a wise friend said something along these lines:   "Your daily walk with God is the meal, church on Sunday is the dessert."  That REALLY spoke to me.  Church had been my meal, and I was starving from only eating one (sometimes two) meal a week!!
Church can easily become a co-dependent force, and we can forget that we should only be dependent upon our relationship with God, on a personal level.  Church as a substitute for relationship will only lead to dissappointment.  It's easy to look to people, places, or things to fulfill that longing for relationship only experienced with Him.  People in church are still people.  They aren't holier than thou, and shouldn't be expected to be.  Christians are watched closely, and it's easy to point fingers when they get out of line.  "They should know better, they go to church."  Many people confuse going to church for relationship, and I have been there, but praise God I've seen truth!
Church is not mandantory to walk with Him.  Church does not make you righteous.  Church does not give you the right to judge others.  Church is full of people with problems.  Church is not perfect, ever.
Church can be a place to fellowship with believers.  Church can be a place where you grow.  Church can be a place where you serve out of a loving heart.  Church can be a place of acceptance no matter where you are at in life.  CHURCH SHOULD BE ALL THESE THINGS!
If church is not, then maybe seek to find one that represents Him the proper way.
Church is a group of people that can come together with all their unique talents and abilities to fellowship in the name of Jesus!  This leads to many more aspects of what happens as a result of these believers joining together, but that is pretty much what church is.   
Church is not where God lives, He dwells within you, everywhere you go.  Christians meeting to grow, fellowship, worship, and serve because we desire to...that is true church.  Take expectations, limitations, and obligations out of the equation, and church really does become dessert.  A really good dessert that makes the meal perfect.

noooooooooooo

So I just had the best post and it got wiped away so instead I'm going to scream NOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.....
okay, I'm over it...I'll try to repost tomorrow.

Happy Mother's Day

After reading this blog post today, I was inspired to honor some of the wonderful mothers I am close to. 

Starting with these two lovely ladies:

My Mama:  I could write a book about how special she is to me.  She is truely the most self-less person I know.  She has taught me how to see others in a different light.  She always sees truth in situations and leaves judgement out of the equation.  I love her so much.  She serves like none other, she'd give you her last piece of amazing fried chicken even if she were starving.  She makes the best sweet tea in the world (with a little of my Daddy's help) and is THE BEST cook in the land.  She smiles a lot and is always nice to everyone.  She might complain about being tired and overworked, which she has every right to, because she is, but she works hard and with integrity, which is rare these days.  I wish I could pay her a six-figure salary just for being amazing.  She loves her grandkids like crazy!  And they love her too.  She is the best "Nanny" a grandchild could ask for.  She gives, she gives, she gives, and then she gives some more.  I celebrate her every day, and speak blessings upon blessings into her life.  I know we don't deserve anything, but in my book, if anyone did, she'd be at the top of the list.  I love you Mama and thank you for all you've taught me about being a mother.

My Granny:

I think my Mama must have learned a lot from her, because she also would give everything she owned to help someone in need.  Sometimes to a fault, but that is just how she is, and her heart is pure.  She has had a really rough life.  She lost her her husband early, has lost three of her children at young ages, and a number of other family members.  She has been through a lot of tough times, but she loves God and her faith has carried her through.  She never seems to age and is beautiful inside and out.  

A shout out to my sisters:

Amanda- one word:  Superwoman.  You must have super human strength because I don't see how you manage all your jobs and excel at the most important, being a great Mom.

Tonya- Your communication skills with your children is something to be admired.  I have learned so much from watching you carefully deal with issues in your children's lives.  I love that even though you've been through some "stuff" you keep on going with a positive happy smiley face.

  

Cassondra- We didn't grow up together but I can't tell you how happy I am that you are in my life now.  Even if we rarely see each other, I can tell you are an awesome, fun Mom.  Your love for your son is radiant and makes me smile.  And the fact that you sent all those geotracks to my boys make you rock!

Jennifer-  Your kids are the most well-rounded kids I know.  I mean it!  All around they are amazing, and they are SO well behaved, but more than that, they are so in love with God that peace surrounds them!  That alone is a testament to the awesomeness of your mothering.

My sister in law Shelli- Seven amazing kids and you make it look easy, that is a gift from God, fo' sho'!  You inspire me to see motherhood as having NO limits, and that it is possible to "let go and let God" everyday. 

My mother-in-law, Linda- You mothered my husband, and I'm pretty sure it's like mothering Elijah Rayne, so for that, you deserve a medal of motherhood!  And even though you made me polish silverware...lol  In all seriousness, you raised an amazing man, and I am blessed to be his wife.  Thanks for being an awesome Mom and Grammy, we love you so much.  Oh, and also thanks for the phrase, "it's a big ocean".  We get lots of laughs out of saying that.

Happy Mother's Day to all the awesome women I know, I could go on forever about the good Moms I know, and I am thankful to have all of them around me to teach me about this amazing title I cherish.