Grace Learned on a Tractor

A habit of giving thanks to God for everything is something my mother has helped me firmly establish. Yesterday and particular as I closed my day with prayer I thanked God sounds of thunder had not touched my ears.

You see I was a true farmer's daughter yesterday and helped my dad put up hay. My job was simply to rake. My rows have a curly Q effect while dad's were quite straight as a pin:) I didn't mind at all for secretly I wished to be a true farm girl and drive the John Deere tractor ever since I rode them with my daddy. Much happier would I have been if the tractors front wheels would have remained on the ground instead of raising up to touch the sky. But I suppose tractors and horses behave in the same manor though their power differs in sources. But I digress.

Tractors seem to be rather loud no matter what the model year. Ear proctors never are enough and little else is heard. So while I saw the approaching storm clouds I didn't ear the threatening thunder which surely would have frightened me. For I am not in the least bit fond of storms. The Lord was very good for fear is a very unnecessary thing. Because of the God's grace I was able to keep my sanity and finish raking the field. I parked the tractor with a satisfaction of being an authentic farmer's daughter.

God's grace is learned everywhere even on a John Deere.

Saterday Morning

My nieces are here today, they've been been at our house since yesterday morning. One arrived sick and one fell to the illness while here. Sickness, tiredness, make you want your mother very much. A good substitute it seems when there is no mother is to simply cry . It's not all crying however there is plenty of amusements. Mom sent the girls to put away their cots and sleeping bags. Promptly the girls moved them to the front room where they are hanging out sick or not. Thankfully they were persuaded to enjoy of the cool of the morning. For it is rather nice. As the little two year declared "its not raining"!

I feel very satisfied having just made the kitchen sparkly clean. I shall not think about the fact that dinner prep is only a hour away. Later I shall tell of my cooking ventures. A dessert made with no recipe using not the proper ingredients but the one's that resided in the pantry. Tomorrow I will know how it turned out.

My list of jobs is calling. I hope to finish my organizing for collage some time in the very near future. Community Vocation Bible school is next week. I get to teach the 5 year olds. So I'm sure there will be tales to tell!

Have a splendid day watching God's goodness!

P.S.

Like the new decor? I'm still tweaking...

Special Things

Birthday's are so very special because its the one's most special to that make you feel so loved.

You know what my friends did, who could ask for dearer friends! But you don't know that my daddy took me out on date last night for ice cream. Forcing him to stay up long into the wee morning hours to study his Sunday school lesson. A certain very special somebody called to wish me happy birthday. My day was fairly brimming over after a delightful meal with my aunts with lovely gifts. One special little journal traveled all the way from Africa! Thinking perhaps my fill of celebration was had I felt very light and happy and chattered blissfully away with my brother. Only to be interrupted with a visit from the family I used to help with another birthday surprise. Perhaps was this how how someone feels when they are pardoned. So very undeserving.

My present chapter in life is not over. Someday I will shall with you thoughts only a precious few have heard. Proclaiming what a glorious thing God had done.

For now I am acutely reminded of God's wondrous grace. Do I dare question God as to why He prompted to all of these very many people to bless in me in such a way? I cannot begin to fathom God's mercies or grace. Only can I seek to tell all will listen who this God is. Sharing of a gift taken already me to give again. Selfish would it be for me to keep it to myself.

Thank you to everyone who gave words, thoughts, gifts, and time.

Thank you to my Lord who saved me with His grace.

Unexpected Joy

The unexpected. Life often throws something completely different at us than our plans. Often its challenging to adjust but by God's grace we make it. We walk through the rough dreary days to be able to step out into the sunshine and laugh. The unexpected quite uncomfortable at times. and other times so much better than the expected.

I expected to have Bible study and supper with 4 of my friends the other night. I never would have guessed the unexpected was coming.

My hand touched the door knob and opened the door to the family room. Unexpectedly my ears were greeted with "surprise"! The exuberant group of girls broke into celebratory song of "Happy Birthday". Slowly it began to sink in. Nearly all of friends from our church fellowship were there for a surprise birthday party for me. Cameras were flashing and I couldn't find a thing to say. Never in my entire life had I received something so unexpected.

Let me pause here before the party commences to tell you I was absolutely thrilled to be surprised. I always thought it was the most romantic thing to be given a surprise party, just like the books. Yet I never thought it would happen because of my keen sense of awareness. As I assured my friends many times I was completely caught off guard! On another note without knowing my friends had thwarted my own plans for a party. I planned to host a birthday party for me but determined to let the birthday part remain secret. If I thought I was going to be sly my niece Abi was even more so:) Now for some details for those who would like to hear.

As my brain started functioning again I began to remember what a mess I looked! Oh was I glad that I discovered at home that my shirt was on backwards:) But I didn't care because the first event of the evening was being announced.

The stage was given to me for my very own cooking show. I would be baking my own birthday cake! Without a recipe no less.
Normally very talkative I think I was too in shock to be thinking about baking a cake. Nerveless I added what I was sure was of the staple ingredients and lots of baking powder was added to ensure that it would rise. I dumped in a rather extravagant amount of vanilla for flavor. Making sure as well to put in a good dose of chocolate:) While the cake baked we were divided into teams and sent on a digital scavenger hunt. Our main goal was to take pictures of the detailed ideas given to us. Among the more challenging one's was catching the 5 very petrified kittens so they might be photographed in one place.

Capturing three girls bathing in a tub was easier once we found a real claw foot tub instead of the stock tank. Our group picture proved to test our flexibility yet didn't score many points with the judge.

After the other team was declared the winner everyone got to sample my cake. My niece said it was best eaten with ice cream on the side. I'm thinking someone put a little too much vanilla in:) Gratefully there were brownies to suffice our chocolate desires.

A plethora of fun had been enjoyed but before the party dispensed my nephew insisted my gifts should be opened. So many pairs of earrings were added to my jewelry box that I think I may need to get my nose pierced to show case them all. Just kidding mom!
Chocolate is always a sure favorite of mine but I found the cards to be the very best gifts. I'm savoring the very lovingly written notes, reading only one or two at a time.

Words can't express the love I felt. I came home and just wanted to cry from the overwhelming feeling of gratefulness. I'm not any more perfect or special than any of my other friends. On the contraire I'm just the opposite at times. Yet my friends took time and effort to bless me in a very special way. It reminded me so much of God's grace so undeserving are we of it. Yet God expects to take it on our knees as we worship Him

My precious friends I love you. Your love was shown to me in the most unexpected way. Whenever I think of my 19^th birthday in coming years I'll remember the friends who showed me the love of God.

To my Big Sister on her Birthday

Written May 12, 2009

Today is my sister's birthday I suppose I should write out 25 things for her like I did my brother. However my sister is not 25 and writing out a thing for each year would disclose the age. Really it is a great many things for which I don't have the time at this moment. Memories cannot be counted for I think the be many more than the few I'm about to share.

I came into the world just 5 short weeks before Charlene's wedding. Thus I felt in my younger years that I was being raised by two mothers. At the time the fact was probably resented but now I feel very appreciated to be able to have the extra advice that few girls such as myself get to have.
Charlene in many ways treated me as her own daughter. I spent many wonderful occasions staying at her home and playing with my nieces who reside close in age to myself. For a person such as myself who loved traveling and packing it was terribly exciting to spend the overnight and someone else's house. Breakfast of course was the best part. Cold cereal was reserved for Sunday's at our house. Usually it was just cornflakes and maybe Raisin Bran. Charlene however kept her cupboard well stocked with things like Apple Jack's and Frosted Shredded Wheat and many others that were all sugar coated. To me it was like eating in candy land now I hear they serve up smoothies with homemade yogurt. I do believe I think I would like those just as well. Especially since I have grown more healthy with my age as my sister did.

I mentioned above how Charlene stepped up sometimes to the role of mother. I'll never forget the times she kindly passed on advice to me. Often in such a subtle way that it felt not even noticeable yet at the same time I knew it was very needed. Charlene gave many things to me, I know when I look her she someone truly knows how to be joy giver instead of a taker. I know where the joy comes from though, straight from God.

Give, Charlene has gave and gave for my life and so many others. By far one of the bestest one's were her two oldest daughters. I think they make great sisters! Special birthday's and Christmas's and just because. The beautiful photo collage made for my graduation. Favorite books, half my collection comes from Charlene's alone!. Ideas given turned into plans by me. Helps with my first make-up application. So many tangible things yet so very much of something that appears in words, actions, and gifts only. Love. I found I can't say anything but...

Thank you.
Happy Birthday from your youngest sister. I hope so very much that when I've had many birthdays like you I will have learned wisdom enough to fill a fine treasure chest.

My sisters and I at Charlen's wedding. Guess which one I am:)

Finding Joy

I'm sitting down to write. Thought the kitchen is rather dirty and really should be cleaned. My school assignments need to done too. But I want to write. Simply so I can tell you what is on my mind and heart.

I got up this morning with bright prospects for they day. It didn't take long for them to fall by the wayside. I did accomplish the mowing of the lawn but even that ended in discouragement. Suddenly I'm feeling as if I'm depressing you all. Let's move on to something more joyful shall we? What is giving me that joy? Read on!

My aunty, here all the way from Africa never fails to greet me with a smile each day. And makes the best African Peanut sauce ever. Never mind I've its the first I've tasted. I'm sure it is the best!

My brothers, who make choosing the next step in life decidedly much easier. Really though do they think they can boss me around all the time?:)

Garage Sale Finds, nothing makes a person feel more smug than the great deal. I de-cluttered the house and than decorated with my new finds. Oh yes this really is mom's house but she did like it!

Substitute Sunday school teachers, my dear friend stepped up to the plate on a Saturday afternoon so I could do something that seemed so unnecessary but was the most necessary thing in the world.

Family, potlucks and family makes a splendid combination. Chatting with the cousins and seeing the uncle's and aunts visit is one of my very favorite things.

The dishes are calling and than I think some time needs to be spent with the only One who will give true joy.