Take the time

Is your December jam-packed with parties, programs, and activities? How do you have time to even Christmas shop? Then it's time to wrap. Whew!

I was rushing around the other day just like that too. We had a Christmas party at church for the kids, nursery through fifth grade. There was a lot to do before the party even began, many unrelated things to accomplish. My prayer that morning included a request to be able to slow down enough to see God. I didn't want to miss Him in all the busyness.

After several activities, the kids and their families camped out on the floor of our worship center with their blankets, pillows, and food to watch a movie. I jumped up to check on all kids that left the area during that time. My prayer from that morning kept flashing into the forefront of my overactive mind. I was going to miss God in all of the busyness of the season if I didn't DO something.

I stretched out on our teddy bear quilt on the floor beside my son. I took a deep breath and looked around at the families, curled up together in the dark, watching the movie. That's when it happened. God was there. When I stopped DOING something, I found Him.

During this busy Advent time, join me in taking time to stop to notice God everywhere and in everything.

Merry Christmas!

New baby!

Baby Minature Horse

Dusty - Born 9-25-08

Hey!

Good to see you again!








Chloe

Where has time gone?

The kids are back in school. Where did the summer go? It certainly flew right by me. We had a great time at Grandma's (Mongonk), at the beach with cousins (8 kids in one house!), at the county fair with the animals and many projects, and at the State fair with Rudi, the guinea pig.

Now it's quiet here. It seems easier to sense God's presence when things are calm. The busyness of life keeps us in a whirlwind. Thinking beyond where and what the kids need to be and do is difficult. For me, it's important to take a step back each day to just be with Him. It's amazing how my perspective changes then. Instead of scurrying to complete a to-do list, I can concentrate on His plans and priorities for my life. How much better life would be if I could remember that . . . .

Have you had your quiet time today?

The newest members to our zoo

Here we go again . . . .

The Grass is always Greener

Forty minutes after feeding the goats in the barn, they escaped. They ran the length of the far pen, shimmied under the hot wire, and scurried toward the grass on the other side - AGAIN. I watched them from inside the house. They ate and frolicked after one another, being sure that the others didn't get something better than they had.

"Ok, Nugent. They've come too far," I told my eager Yorkie. "Let's chase them back."

Nugent tore out of the garage after the goats. You would never guess that the goats were three to four times taller and heavier than the barking fur ball coming at them at lightning speed because they hurried back down the drive toward the barn.

"Mmaaaa. Baaaa," they cried. They searched for a hole under the barn door to worm their way through, then turned, and pleaded with me. It was almost as if they were saying, "Help us. How do we get back in?"

I walked slowly after them. I think they wanted me to take them through the barn door and, of course, give them some more grain in their pen. Instead, I opened the widest, outdoor gate for them. They ran to me and into the fenced-in field without hassle.

Why is the grass always greener on the other side? Their field is full of beautiful, luscious, green grass. Why do they insist on leaving the safety of their home for the possibility of something better? Don't they know that their enclosure is there to keep them from harm?

You know, we're a lot like that too. We always want something just out of reach. Why is that? We get ourselves into all sorts of trouble: financial, emotional, physical, or many other things. I'm not saying that we shouldn't have goals to aim for - we just need to be careful. We don't have the luxury of a Nugent chasing us back toward safety. Or do we?

God has given us free will. Unlike the goats, we can reason and choose between the grass here and that over there. Let's make a wise decision.

Where is your grass greener?

It's spring!

It's spring! The grass is green again. The trees and flowers are budding. Gallipolis is the most beautiful during this time of year with all of the white and pink blossoms on the trees lining each avenue! Can you tell this is my favorite season?

Skiing

Snowshoe Mountain

A few of the many views from our mountain perch in beautiful West Virginia!

Fellowship of Faith Transformation Station progress

Outside of building - Jan. '08
Stage - Feb. 2008










Kingdom Kids room Main entrance inside looking out

First Snow of 2008

The pond has a layer of ice too!

Brr . . .