Our Hope is in Christ

 As we see votes going toward the party of murder (abortion), marxism (BLM)/communism and immorality (LGBT)...we, as followers of Christ, can feel a sense of dread, depression, hopelessness. Heavy hearts weigh down our souls. But friends, be encouraged! This is not a time to despair! Our hope doesn't lie in a conservative political party (most of which are out doing much of the same garbage the liberals are....politics is just a game. A horrible circle of power). Our hope lies in Jesus Christ, alone! 

We may face persecution in upcoming days, months or years (John 15:20). The Lord said we would, as believers living a Godly life (2 Timothy 3:12). I think many of us have lived lives with a sense of comfort ~ not truly understanding Christian persecution. Of course, living peacefully is wonderful and desirable...but I believe God separates the wheat from the chaff during times of persecution. Are you willing to give up all you have? Are you willing to be tortured, ridiculed, and demeaned as Christ was? Are you willing to die...or watch your loved ones die while you cling to Christ? In Matthew 5:10-12 ~ the Lord tells us that those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake are blessed! 

It is time (if you aren't already), dear friends, to be in prayer and daily, reading God's Word in context. Memorize scripture. Put on the full armor of God. Memorization can be difficult...so try to do so in the form of songs. Those have always helped my family. Be ready to share the hope that is within you. It is a lost and depraved world. Your faith must be strong. Pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44). The world hates us and will continue to. This should not come as a surprise (1 John 3:13). But let us remember the promises of Romans 8:35 ~ that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Take heart! For Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33)! He is our true King! 

If you haven't been already...live your life for Christ (1 Peter 4:19). Honor Him as Lord. Praise Him! He knows us through and through....our failures and sins...and yet, He loves us anyway. We don't deserve it. We are righteous only because He made us righteous. He took our sin and shame...and imputed us with His righteousness so we can stand before a holy God and be blameless. Not one of us deserves that. Oh how great is our Lord. Always faithful, always true! How worthy of our praise (Revelation 6:9-11)! 

I pray you find encouragement and strength for your soul here today (Acts 14:22). Please feel free to share your heart in the comments below or by email. I will reply if you desire to converse! Every time your soul feels troubled in this political climate or any troublesome time you are experiencing, direct your focus back to Christ. He is our hope and we can *always* find joy in Him (Psalm 23). 

If you are looking for a great fiction book to read...I highly recommend Safely Home by Randy Alcorn. It details some of how Christian persecution is in China. It will challenge you...truly! The link above is for Amazon but you may find it cheaper on ebay! :o)  

Warmly,

Katy

Celebrating 20 Years & Some Updates...

 

Today marks a blessed day for my husband and me! We celebrate 20 years of marriage today! I can't even begin to tell you how thankful I am for this man the Lord has given to me ~ the absolute blessing he is to my life. He is my very best friend. He is a great provider, comforter, and protector. He is talented (if something is broken...Chris can fix it!). He isn't perfect (nor am I) but he sure is absolutely fantastically mine. The Lord made him for me...and me for him. We fit together so well that I detest being separated from him for very long! 

I love how we take care of each other. We have traditional family roles in our household (as anyone can tell if you have read my blog for any length of time). I take care of Chris...and he takes care of me. He works hard to provide and works on fixing up our home (which he just finished the siding on and I will have to post about!). I make his breakfast and coffee every morning and pack his lunch for work. I homeschool the children and tend to the home chores (and make supper in the evening). I love my simple life. It's not perfect this side of heaven...but it is good. The Lord has cared for us in innumerable ways and I am truly grateful. 

I'm not sure if Chris read this post or not...but if so: Happy Anniversary Love! There is absolutely no one I would rather have spent the past 20 years with! I pray the Lord grants us many more years together! 

A few quick (but rather big) updates from lately...

Madelyn has moved! Yes...it's true. She's 19 and working and was ready to be on her own (sort of). She's renting a little house right next to my parents (that's the only reason we agreed to it....it's affordable and her grandparents are *right* there). For anyone wondering ~ she didn't go to college. We don't think college is the correct path for children. We aren't against higher education but rather we believe it is best for young girls to marry, bear children and keep the home as submissive wives to their husbands. Of course, there are circumstances where this can't happen for some...but we believe it to be the way the Lord would have most young women go and that it is the ideal. 

I'm struggling a wee bit with it...she was gone a lot anyway with work and things...and X is gone a lot working too. He does his schooling, then helps at my dad's garage for a few hours in the afternoon and then works at a farm on many evenings. So...the supper table looks bare many evenings with just Chris, Jaxson and me around it. But this is how the seasons of life go I suppose. It's how it is suppose to be. My babies can't live here forever (and honestly...I wouldn't want them to! ha!). Madelyn is still settling in at her place but I will share some photos when I can! 

And in other news....due to a few reasons...I had to have a hysterectomy at the beginning of the month. My doctor who is also a Christian, called to check on me a few days after surgery (it was done laparoscopic and in and out of the hospital in one day). He told me we need to thank God I had my uterus removed for they found abnormal cells in my lining that were a step away from cancer!! Praise God for his care for me! He is so good! I don't deserve His mercy and love...but He gives it anyway. I am deeply grateful! Recovery has been good. Honestly, I have felt fantastic from right after my surgery...this has been bad though because I just want to do everything like normal...exercising, weight lifting, housework, mowing etc. I have over-done it in the past 3 weeks and am heading to the doctor today to make sure I'm healing okay. Although I hate insurance and all the garbage that can come from technology ~ I must admit that the technological advances in surgery are *such* an amazing blessing! 

I actually need to go finish getting ready for my appointment! I just wanted to pop on and share this little update! I hope you all are well. Thank you for stopping by! I hope to post again soon! 

Warmly,

Katy 

Birthdays, First Day of School and More!

 Hello friends! :)

It has been a wonderful August. We've had super hot days as well as lovely comfortable days (like today....it's in the 70's with sunshine!). We've enjoyed slowness and busyness! Each day is different!

One exciting thing is that Xavier turned 16 in the middle of August! He had a cookout with some friends and had a really nice time! Chris grilled hamburgers and hotdogs and it was overall just an enjoyable evening! X is now anxiously awaiting me to take him to get his driver's permit! Ack! I feel like I was just doing this with Madelyn yesterday! Someone slow down the clock!

My sister, her husband and children moved to a bigger house this month as well. My mom was over there a lot to help....I drove over a few times when I could to help as well (She lives 45 minutes or so away...so it takes quite a chunk of the day to travel there and back....so I couldn't get there all the time). They are settling in well and I think this new house is just great for them! I am really happy for them!

While a lot of area public schools started today....my children actually began schooling last week. It is Madelyn's senior year. I'm not quite sure how to fathom that....as I feel like I just graduated (although we had our 20 year class reunion a week or two ago already! haha! Class of '99). Xavier is a sophomore and Jaxson is in 8th grade. As you can see below...Madelyn didn't want her picture taken on the first day of school....(don't all my children just looked thrilled to be back to the books? haha)

My birthday was this past weekend. I had a glorious day! Truly! I started out with a workout (as usual) but it was even better because Chris came in to lift with me. We try to lift together most Saturdays. I sure love my man! I workout every day....but getting to workout with your other half is *the best*!

We got some home projects done that day, the weather was amazing....then he took me to the next town over where we got supper, shopped at TJ Maxx for a little bit and then he took me to look for a bicycle at Walmart! I've been wanting a bike...not a mountain bike....but a road bike that I can go long distances on if I want and maybe compete with. We couldn't find one that was sized right for me or that I liked...so we'll keep looking. Honestly, the cruiser bikes are *so* cute and I would LOVE one of those...they have them in cute colors and a basket on the front! But I want something I can really move on...so those won't work for me, unfortunately!

38 doesn't feel too bad, I must admit. I thought getting older would be depressing....but it's really not! It's bittersweet to realize how the time passes quickly and my children grow and change so fast...but at the same time, I love how the Lord teaches me things as I age....I love to grow in wisdom and knowledge. Plus, Chris and I are so perfectly matched....I honestly praise God for him every.single.day. Our relationship grows and intertwines us so beautifully. I have been with him over half my life. There isn't anyone else I'd rather be with. *swoon*

The little cupboard in our kitchen that we have been using as an island for years worked well...but it always felt too low to me. I asked Chris if we could get a butcher block to put on top. Low and behold...he found the top to our old island in the garage. He sanded it down really well and it fits perfectly on top of our cupboard island! I am over the moon about it! It makes for a much nicer island! :) You can also see, in the background there, flowers and a gift certificate from my children (for my birthday). They all chipped in together and got me a gift certificate to get my nails done. I never spend money on that sort of thing...so they wanted to treat me! It'll be fun to get a little pampered!

Yesterday, we had a lovely time worshiping the Lord at church in the morning. Came home to have lunch and a nice nap. I got up and ran and did some ab work and then showered so we could head out to a game night with family friends of ours! We had such a great time! Lots of laughter, talking and fun (and the guys had a good time target shooting with their bows). So, so grateful for the brothers and sisters in Christ the Lord has put in our lives....it's so nice to have great friends with so much in common! :)

Today I have gotten my workout in this morning...now I need to go out and work on mowing the back yard....(Kids are working on their schooling right now!)...but quickly, I wanted to share a few of the new sticker listings in my shop! They are great for use in your planner, on your calendar and more! Since we are basically a single income family...this just helps me to earn a little extra to add to the budget each month. :o)

Thank you for visiting! I pray your August has been wonderful as well....although that's not meaning every day is perfect and glorious...but trying to find the joy in each day the Lord gives us makes for happier days, weeks, months and years!

I hope you will visit again soon!
Joyfully,
Katy

Committed to the Pursuit of Holiness

Holiness, Day by Day by Jerry Bridges is an absolutely fantastic book to read devotionally. I read it alongside of my daily Bible reading. I wanted to share something with you that I read the other day. I pray it convicts your heart as it did mine!

"...When we commit ourselves to the pursuit of holiness, we need to ensure that our commitment is actually to God, not simply to a holy lifestyle or a set of moral values. The people of my parent's generation were generally honest, chaste, sober, and thrifty. They were committed to those values, but they were not necessarily committed to God. Many of them were outstanding moralists and even church people, but they were not committed to God. They were committed to their values, not to God. 

As believers we need to be careful that we don't make a similar mistake. We can be committed to a set of Christian values or to a lifestyle of discipleship without being committed to God Himself. But Paul said to offer yourselves to God, and in doing that commit yourselves to the pursuit of holiness in order to please Him."

~Jerry Bridges p.115 Holiness, Day by Day

(emphasis mine!)

How easy is it to try to live "right" but not being doing it truly for the Lord and His glory? We can be wonderfully moral people but if we aren't pursuing holiness to please Christ....then that "moral living" has done nothing for us. Let's make sure we are living a life pleasing to God...all for Him and not just to be *good*. Because without Him, even all our good deeds are as filthy rags.

Thanks for stopping by friends. I know my readership has gone down a lot because of my lack of posting...but unlike a lot of people...I don't use my blog as a money maker. I don't have ads on my blog and don't earn money when people visit me here. So, it's just a simple online journal that sometimes I just lack the time to address. I always intend to do better....but just don't post as much as I would like. :) I pray you found encouragement here if the Lord brought you by today! I'd love to hear from you if you want to leave a comment! 

I gotta get going! Xavier has a physical in less than an hour (so he can get his driver's permit....but we also have to reapply for a social security card for him...argh...we have all of our family's except his for some reason. It has gotten itself lost. So...trying to get things done so he can take the test asap. He's so excited! He turns 16 next week!). 

Have a lovely rest of your week! 

Cheerfully,

Katy

Linked up at: A Wise Woman Builds Her Home

"Be thankful. Dwell on the good...

...and lovely. Live a life of service to others. Rejoice. Count your blessings. Learn contentment in God's good, and acceptable, and perfect will for you! Never allow discontentment to kill your marriage."

~Lori Alexander

The quote above is from The Transformed Wife. You can find it on THIS post. I encourage you to read it if you are married or plan to be married one day! Such wisdom there. I don't always agree with Lori 100% on things (for instance I am more Reformed in my thinking doctrinally...and she is not ~ although she'll quote Spurgeon, MacArthur and Piper who, like me, are believers in the Doctrines of Grace!)....but for the most part, I do. She is a sister in Christ who loves the Lord and is doing her best to mentor young ladies who read her blog. If you haven't read there before...be warned, she will step on your toes ~ but for the most part she is *right* and women need to hear what she has to say. Be sure to check out past posts too....there's a lot to choose from and much wisdom to be gleaned from her words!

Can I just throw in here....this is two posts this month already! I am on a *roll*! Haha! 

It is a super cold, windy Saturday here in Western PA. There is snow/frost on the ground and it's almost noon. Chris has been working at an auction all morning and I taught a spin class at the Y. Now I am home and showered and have some housework to do. I get to meet my newest niece today (Chris's brother has two boys and just had his first girl!). I am very excited! Her mom says she is the most "angelic, sweetest, content baby ever". *smile* I can't wait to snuggle her all up! I may not be able to give her back! ;)

Tonight, our local Y (where I workout and teach classes) is having an auction to raise money. People have donated items from all over town! There are 92 things to auction off (and some are multiple things put together!). I have been helping prepare for that and will be helping at the auction tonight as well. The theme is "Clue" (remember that board game?). It should be fun...and although I'll be busy ~ I think I'll still have a good time! They do these annually...but I have never been to one before. So, we'll see how it goes! :)

So, I have things to do and places to go...no time to sit here any longer! :o) I hope you have a fantastic weekend....and if you haven't yet (and if you *want* to) check out my post from just a couple days ago!!

Cheerfully,
Katy

"Welcome sweet November...

...the season of senses and my favorite month of all."

~Gregory F. Lenz

Well, again another month has gone by...and I only posted once. Now that my children are older, things just seem different. I'm not posting all about their cuteness and such anymore! But life still goes on...so I should try better to record it! :)

Instead of typing it all out...I wanted to share the link to the Crock Pot Cheeseburger Soup I had mentioned in my previous post! You can find it HERE. If you try it out, I'd love to know what you think of it! I have a few other cheeseburger soup recipes I have tried as well!

Our days have been filled with homeschooling (and while the kids work I pick a room to clean from top to bottom), chores, fitness/exercise, and our homeschool co-op days (which I am in charge of the set-up crew each morning, lead a parent meeting and am in charge of graduation plans for this year!). The weather is much chillier and has been super wet here in PA. Yesterday was nice so Jaxson and I were able to get some mowing and leaf raking done in the front yard (X was working at my dad's garage and Madelyn was working at Chris's dad's meat market)! It's suppose to be nice again today! I am so glad! We have numerous things to accomplish today ~ and it is so much more enjoyable to do so in sun-shine-filled weather, don't you think?

Madelyn has her license and has her own little truck now too. She paid for the whole year's insurance for it and pays for her own gas. She has been doing great and I am so proud! She loves having a bit more freedom and it has been a blessing to Chris and I as well...since now we don't have to drive her to the places she needs to go. I pray for her often when she is out on the road. It's a bit scary to know my little girl is growing up and is out on the road by herself ~ but my hope and peace are in the Lord and I trust Him in all things! (If you have been reading here for a bit....can you even believe she is 17 and driving!? I'm still not fully able to grasp that realization myself!)

Homeschooling my children is *such* a gift. Easy...no....but a blessing? Yes! I seriously wouldn't have it any other way. Jaxson and I do his history together. We are using The Mystery of History...book 2 (which covers the Reformation etc) and I am really enjoying it! I read it to him...as he seems to understand it better that way ~ and I really love learning about all these things along with him!

I am so excited because I finally got a few things hung on the one wall of my living room that has been bare for a few years. I just couldn't find what I wanted to go there. Joann's was having a sale recently and I got the wreath for $12 (it was originally $40!)...and the tin star was cheap as well (and it's paintable if I ever decide what color I want it). The "Keep Life Simple" sign was bought inexpensively at TJ Maxx! I always love getting a good deal (clearance deals are definitely my favorite!)...and this wall was cheap and looks just how I wanted it!

(Sorry the pictures are a bit blurry. I used my phone as it was easier than grabbing my camera...and it doesn't take the best pictures!)

These little munchkins came to town to visit the day before Halloween. As you probably know ~ I don't *do* Halloween...but my sister always loves to make costumes for her children each year. She always does such a great job! This year was no exception! The *made* these awesome butterfly wings for the girls! From left to right: Eloise, Dinah, and Audra...

Aren't they so fantastic? The wind was really blowing that day too...so the wings were just flapping everywhere! Dusten was made into a gnome! He was *so* cute...but wouldn't turn to face me so I could get a picture. That's ok...since he looks like the perfect little gnome below...

My sister's and my aunt works in our local courthouse and she takes the kids to see her each year...I go along to help out! Look at those wings!!!

Chris has been super busy with work, church and deer season (which always keeps them busy at the meat market in the evenings) but he tries to carve out time to do some things around the house when he can that I truly appreciate! He got the backhoe and was able to do some fixing on our driveway the other day! He's so great....I love watching him work. Good grief...if you put *me* in a backhoe I wouldn't even have the first clue what to do! Chris is always able to do whatever he puts his mind to. I always truly admire him!

And finally....these two...*sigh*. Life's rough....isn't it? ;) Mickey and Cash....our crazy dogs!

The kids are working on book work....and I need to get some wood stacked and some chores done before I head into the Y to exercise. We have things on the agenda this afternoon as well...so I best get moving! :o)

Thanks so much for visiting. I know my lack of posting is ridiculous and hopefully I can do better!
I hope you are doing well and are having a lovely autumn!

Warmly,
Katy

***I am selling a few things on ebay if you are interested and want to take a look ~ you can find them HERE! :)

Hello October!

October has arrived (does anyone feel like it just started to be the year 2018? How did we get to October already?). We've been keeping busy around here. Schooling, housework, our homeschool co-op days have begun again and I have been teaching exercise classes (and taking classes) at the Y daily. Paying bills, mowing, filling the woodshed, church, cooking, visiting/counseling with friends, and house projects have filled our moments as well.

Chris and I *were* able to take some time though...and go to see a Tim Hawkins show with friends on the weekend of our anniversary. We just celebrated 18 years of marriage and I am over-the-moon blessed ~ I am so thankful that this man is mine. I could spend a whole post just swooning over him but instead....I'll just keep it short....He's the best and I love him with my whole heart! ;)

I will share a little funny though about that weekend! A couple of good friends invited us to go to the show (it was about a 2 hr drive away) on that Friday night. Chris took a half day off work and we got ready and left early so we could have dinner over there before the show. We had a great steak dinner (I actually had a grilled chicken salad) and were trying to find the place on my friend's GPS. I decided to look up on Tim Hawkins website the name of the church he was at because I didn't remember. When I did....I saw that he was in a totally different city that night!! The place we were headed was for his show on Saturday night!! I texted my friend (we were in separate vehicles) and she was so embarrassed that they had gotten the wrong night! Hahaha! It was 7pm....so we all just turned around and headed home. It was so disappointing...(and I am not great at traveling) but so funny all at the same time. All we could do was just laugh.

I get a text the next morning....wondering if we wanted to go to the show that night (Saturday...the correct day) with them...even though we had all done that traveling the previous evening. Chris and I still really wanted to go....so we said yes! And it *was* worth it! We had a great time and laughed and laughed! So much fun!!

That weekend gave us some funny and great memories! :) Plus, we were with friends that we adore so it was just wonderful...even if we drove around for hours on the wrong date! haha!

I am not a big decorator for holidays or seasons....but I do love wreaths! I am always excited when I get to bring out my fall wreath to hang up!

Cooler evenings make candlelight so enjoyable. I love how warm and cozy it makes the atmosphere...

The boys and I (mostly with Jax's help) decided to tackle the projects of peeling paper, priming and painting walls in our office/computer room...which if you read my blog years ago would have been our old living room...

I used a color called Gentle Lamb (in the pic above that is just primer all the walls...not the actual paint color). It's a soft cream. I like how it turned out. These are plaster walls...original to this older house. There are holes in them from things being hung up, plaster chipping etc. Technically, I should have mudded and sanded all the holes and done everything properly. But to be honest, we just wanted the room to look crisp and clean...and not perfect. One day maybe I will go through the work of finishing this room completely...but right now, it serves as a computer room and a place for Madelyn's piano. It needs the ceiling to be covered one day (hopefully with tongue and groove wood or something along those lines). For now, a couple days of cleaning up the walls and painting them was busy work enough for us! The room was in chaos and we had a million and one things to do in addition to the room....so the goal was just to "get it done"! :)

During schooling one day, X left his chair out and Mickey climbed up on it and fell asleep...

And before I go, I wanted to share the book I am currently reading. It's really good. I love Joey and Rory (their music, their faith and their love) and so I knew I needed to read his book! HERE it is on amazon if you are interested...but you may be able to find it cheaper on ebay or elsewhere!

I made cheeseburger soup for supper yesterday (in the crock pot)....I figured I would share that recipe in my next post...so stay tuned!

I know I don't post as much as I used to....but life is busy (in a slow sorta way). Time has me taking care of my family and home and also trying to be out helping or serving others if I can (Madelyn and I are going to start tutoring once a week soon). I spend time exercising at the Y as well....but also see that as a place where I can serve others, encourage them and be a light for Christ.

Times have also been tough as we pray for and try to be there for loved ones and friends who have troubled marriages, health issues, and are suffering the death of their loved ones for various reasons. My heart has been so heavy lately with the burdens so many carry. My prayer is constantly that the Lord will use me to help my friends shoulder their burdens and take it to the Lord. I want to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I am faulty and always falling short. So please know I don't mean to sound as though I am perfectly selfless and giving. But I do want to encourage you...if you aren't already, truly pray for those around you. Be willing to be the ear they need to listen or the mouth they need to pray with them. If we, as the church, are the hands and feet of Christ ~ what love that shows to a dying world.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

If you are in need, don't be afraid to reach out to your brothers and sisters in Christ. Get the help you need from people who love you and then as you are strengthened, you can become what others need! It's a beautiful spirit of *giving* of oneself....that just keeps going! If you are struggling...don't pull away from the church. As the body of Christ we are there to encourage, admonish and *love* one another!

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Hebrews 10:23-25

Lunchtime is approaching and I have things to do! Thanks so much for visiting and keep a look out for my next post with that cheeseburger soup recipe that I use! It's pretty easy and delicious! :)

Warmly,
Katy

"Making disciples...

My Three Fellas!

...by going, baptizing, and teaching people the Word of Christ and then enabling them to do the same thing in other people's lives -- this is the plan God has for each of us to impact nations for the glory of Christ." 

~ David Platt

As a stay at home, homeschooling mother ~ my primary role (other than serving my husband) is making my children into disciples of Christ! My boys asked to be baptized recently and my pastor, church family and we were happy to oblige! It is Chris and my greatest prayer that our children grow constantly in their faith and serve and glorify the Lord in all they do! 

Madelyn took photos while I videoed. You can watch the videos (if you so desire) on my IG account HERE and HERE.  I am also *so in love* with that picture at the top of this post. My three guys....my heart is full! :) 

If you are not a Christian (or if you are and don't understand baptism and its importance) you can find a good explanation HERE. HERE is another one...this one by Desiring God (John Piper). 

Jaxson (with our pastor in the white shirt and Chris in the blue)...

 Xavier...

 The rest of the pics of X being baptized didn't come through email...and instead of having Madelyn try to send them to me again....then have to save them to a zip drive and then unzip them etc....I figured these were enough and the videos I linked to above were better to watch anyway...if you want! :) (It's getting late and I am *so* ready for bed! Please forgive my laziness!)

The baptism was held this past Sunday evening at a member of our church's farm. They had it in their pond. Two other young people were baptized that day as well. We all brought snacks to share, had prayer and sang a couple hymns! It was a lovely, warm evening celebrating with loved ones (Along with our church family Chris's parents as well as mine were able to attend! We were so thankful!)! A lot of the children then spent time swimming in the pond! They all had a great time!

We serve a resurrected Christ! What a truth to comprehend! If Jesus had stayed dead....He would not be God. But the truth is that He did rise and He lives today...sitting at the right hand of the Father making intercession for His people! What a God we serve! May we obey Him and live as light in this fallen world! May we not just say we are born again believers....let us also live it out in deed! Let us proclaim the gospel while also bearing fruit of salvation....the fruit that shows we truly belong to Jesus Christ! :)

Thank you for sharing in this exciting time for us!

I pray that if you, dear friend, don't know the Lord....that you *will* come to know Him! Please, truly, feel free to email me (email is in my left sidebar) any time. If you have questions, I will do my best to answer them (or *find* the answer to them). The salvation of your soul....your relationship with the God of the universe is *THE* most important thing you will ever know. If you *do* know the Lord....and haven't been baptized, please do so as it is a public showing of our being *born again* in Christ. The Lord commands it....making it quite important! :) And finally...if you know the Lord and aren't in His Word every.single.day....then you need to be. Devotions and other books are extra. They don't count as being in His Word. Read, process in context. Even if you don't understand everything. Pray for wisdom (as the Lord will give it to those who ask). Ask your pastor questions....ask trusted friends or trusted websites on the web (which I know many...so if you are unsure ~ I'll be glad to help!). You *can* know Him more and more. What a treasure that is for us! To know God loves His people...and knowing that you *are* one of His people...makes everything else seem insignificant! Are you one of God's beloved?

It is the end of another busy day....full of housework, homeschooling, exercising, dog-grooming (haha) and more! I'm ready to jump into bed and get out my Bible. I enjoy reading it before I go to bed...and spending time in prayer. Sometimes I add devotional readings by Randy Alcorn, Joni Eareckson Tada, Spurgeon, and Jerry Bridges. Sometimes I am just pooped and just stick to my Bible reading! :)

Thank you for stopping by! I hope your week is blessed and full of joy!
Cheerfully ( *yawn* and sleepily),
Katy

"Let love be genuine...

 Madelyn got flowers from Isaac!

...Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."

~Romans 12:9-14

When I see how seldom I update my blog I feel quite sad about it! I would like to update more but days just seem to keep going by and before I know it, it's been weeks! I am already struggling with the idea that we are in the month of August! Xavier turns 15 soon! Can you believe it!? 

Summer has been filled with the usual housework and laundry, exercising, church activities, time with family and friends, mowing, filling etsy orders, grocery shopping, gardening and canning! I already have our first week of homeschooling planned as well....which we'll get started with in a week or two! 

Here are a few pics of some of our green bean harvest and canning them! I've gotten 14 jars canned so far (and have bags of corn in the freezer that we did!)...

The purple beans turn green when they are cooked! They are so neat! They taste *just* like green beans! It was fun to see purple beans grow though! :)

Teaching X to play chess...

X works three days a week at my dad's garage through the summer. He loves it. It's great experience and life skills learning for him! This will probably be his life's profession! He sure is growing up! (He's officially taller than me now...and I think he's as tall as his dad!!) Here he is changing my oil...

 Some pictures from home...

My mom was given some *flow blue* plates from a family friend. She didn't really have a use/place for them in her home so she offered them to me! I accepted! They are so pretty and I knew I wanted to hang them in a bare space in my kitchen! :) Chris got out the measuring tape and drill and helped me (ok...actually, I just told him what I wanted and he did it *all*....haha...there was no helping involved!)...

In other news...today I already have my workouts in. I'm showered and need to run into the store. Both boys are helping at my dad's garage today and Madelyn will be heading to the meat market to work the afternoon soon. Chris is at work as well. I'll be puttering around here, getting things cleaned and tidy! It's always so much easier (to me) to clean the house when everyone else is away. I feel like I can just sweep through and get it all done (and it *stays* clean for a bit....at least until everyone else comes home! haha!).

Tomorrow morning I am teaching an art class to some children at the YMCA. I have also begun teaching a Saturday morning Beginner's Fitness class at our Y. It is for teens (and their parents if they want to come). It has been going well! I hope it continues to do well through the school year as well. I will be back to teaching my evening and Saturday spin classes as well soon.

It's so odd for me to look back across the years and see how seasons of our lives have come and gone. My children are teenagers now...all in "high school" (although with homeschooling, it doesn't really matter if they have that label or not). My littles just aren't *little* anymore! It makes me sad in a way....but I also love watching them grow. They are *such* blessings in my life and I treasure each one of them. Seeing the Lord work in them....and how their different personalities are maturing is just amazing! :) 

Because my children are a bit older....I am enjoying the baby stages with friends and my sister's little ones! And, I must admit there is a bit more freedom when you hit the stage of life that I am at. I am able to run to the store without strapping little ones into car seats or worrying about diaper bags and the like. I'm not saying those are *bad* things at all! Mamas with littles are *blessed* and if you have many children....that is **wonderful**!!! I just mean that things change as your children get older. I am able to go to the gym without worrying about finding a babysitter. The children are able to help with chores that are more difficult (like weedeating, helping with the mowing etc.). There are blessings to each stage of life!

The morning is passing and I have things to do! I best be off! I quickly wanted to share, though, that along with my daily Bible reading...I have found reading 90 days of God's Goodness by Randy Alcorn to be absolutely wonderful! I thought if anyone is looking for additional reading that they might want to check it out! :)

Thank you so, so much for visiting...I so love your comments and emails! I hope your summer has been glorious and that you are able to look forward to fall with joy and anticipation of another school year! May God's grace and peace be with each of you!

Cheerfully,
Katy