Bad Day?

Our first two children are only 15 months apart in age. I think my husband was quite concerned about having to leave me alone with the two babies. He would call me periodically throughout the day. He would often ask me the same question: "Are you having a bad day?" I would normally respond, "Nope, not a bad day, just a few bad moments."

I had a choice. I could keep my focus on those bad moments and allow them to turn into bad days, or I could focus on all the wonderful moments we were enjoying during our days.

Now we have three children (ages 5, 4, and 2). Sometimes we still experience bad moments, but I try to never say we're having a bad day. I get plenty of hugs, kisses, and hear, "I love you" enough to counterbalance the bad moments!

I would like to encourage you precious mother, to not allow your bad moments turn into bad days. Find a little one to hug or play with and the memory of the bad moment will quickly fade away!

We Can Walk to Church!!!!

As you can see from the picture, we live right next door to our new church! The very first thing, my son said when we pulled in the driveway the first time was, "Wow, Mom! We won't even have to drive to church, we can walk!"

We've been here for almost two months. I am enjoying not having to buckle three children into their carseats in order to get to church. We literally walk across the yard and right into the church's doors!

Heath gets to come home everyday for lunch! That's always a nice break in our day! When we're playing out in the yard, he can stick his head out of his office window and say "hello" to us.

The entire time we've been married, Heath has worked various secular jobs and ministry positions. As well as attended college and seminary. Now, he is a full-time sole pastor in a small rural church. We are getting more family time than ever. No more reading hundreds of pages, no more research, no more studying for exams, no more commuting back and forth to seminary! I kept reminding myself for almost 8 years, "this will not last forever." And, it didn't. We've made it though the undergrad and graduate work. Heath is doing what he loves and is able to be home more with the children and I. Thank you, Lord!!!

Since our arrival to our home right next door to church, we've had several early morning visitors. These visitors are very kind. They drop off newspapers, garden-fresh vegetables, farm-raised pork and beef, fish they caught themselves. Did I forget to mention we live in a farming, rural area! They have all declared they're part of the "welcome wagon." So, I guess one benefit of the pastor living right next door to church, is everyone knows where to find him!!! LOL!!!

"You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar."

~ Psalm 139:2 ~

I took this picture of our children one spring day. My husband and I were cooking on the grill, and all of a sudden we noticed it was very, very quiet. The children had walked over to our neighbor's yard and sat down on her bench. They were being so still and quiet. They were watching the squirrels run and play. They were watching the birds fly overhead. Immediately this verse in the Bible came to my mind. They were just sitting there and they looked as though they each were in deep thought. The God of the entire universe knows when my children sit and when they rise. He can perceive their thoughts from afar! Isn't that amazing??!!

A Challenge

30 Day Challenge to Honor your Husband

http://www.reviveourhearts.com/topics/downloads/

Scroll down to the Marriage Header
Click on the 30 day challenge!!!!

Start honoring, blessing, and encouraging your husband instantly. It just might become a habit!!!

Flying Time!

We moved from AR back to MO on May 14th! I have all these ideas of things I'd like to blog about. I have pics I'd like to post also. I just don't know where all my time goes though??? Does anyone else relate...LOL!!! It's been two months since our move (almost). But, I still don't feel as settled as I'd like. I think it's because I've done 4 trips (all consisting of 3-5 hours driving each way), and taught Vacation Bible School. Oh, and I do have a family and a home to take care of!!! LOL!!!

My husband is now a sole pastor in a church in NW Missouri. I don't really feel any different being the pastor's wife:-) I guess that's a good thing, because I'm not any different!

I do have to say that life is different though. Even though Heath is the only one on staff, we still see him more than we did those three years he was in seminary! He would spend 3 hours in the car 4 days/week, 5 hours in class, many hours reading and researching and studying, and he was in ministry full-time. Most days, we eat 3 meals together! Sure, there are visits to make and meetings for him to attend, but life (right now anyway) is a bit slower in comparison to our "seminary days." For that, I am thankful!

We enjoyed our 4th of July! Heath's birthday is around the corner, and Tyler will be celebrating one shortly as well.

The summer is coming to a close, and I have got to get busy and start setting up our NEW school room. We are blessed to be able to devote an entire room in the basement for our homeschool space. I am sooooooo excited about this. I have all these visions and ideas popping up in my head. I still need to get some maps for the walls, a globe, an art easel, area rug, and who knows what else....LOL!!! So, if you any of you know some good deals on the items I mentioned, please share:-)

Enjoy the rest of your summer! I am planning on slowing down a bit and ENJOYING mine!