Every Detail

Last Friday my oldest little guy (6) and I planned a day of yard sale going fun! Not only do we share a love of bargain shopping, I knew we would enjoy some one on one mommy and son time.  In a local small town they have an annual citywide sale.  This year it consisted of 137 yard sales...all in one small town (sorry had to repeat that)!  Perfect for us bargain scroungers.  :)

There were two things on Andrew's list of "must finds".  1. A bigger wagon  2. A bigger bike (he has outgrown the 10" one he bought last summer).

We got to town.  We went to a few sales.  We found nothing.  Not one thing.

We went to one more yard sale.  There was a wagon...just the kind he wanted!!  Just as we reached the end of the driveway another person pulled off the tag and paid for it.  Ugh!

We were a bit discouraged.  Andrew picked up some egg cartons out of a "freebie" box.  He said, "Well, at least now we can't say we didn't find anything." :)

Andrew said he needed to go to the bathroom.  So we trecked across town to the nearest bathroom that didn't have a long line (Note: All those ladies in one town = a long line at every gas station bathroom!!).

When we got back in the vehicle Andrew said in a discouraged and somewhat doubtful tone, "Mom, I really hoped we'd find a bike and a wagon today."  I'm not always so good, but this time I got it right and recognized a teachable moment.  I said, "Andrew, it just may not be God's will for you to find those things today.  Then again, it might be.  If we don't find them today, it's because God has something better for you somewhere else for another day.  But let's just pray about it."

So, right there in the vehicle, as we were driving down the street (on the opposite side of town from where we were before) I said a simple prayer (eyes open of course!).  I said something like, "Dear Lord, you know Andrew would really like to find a wagon and a bigger bike today.  Will you just guide our way, show us where to go to find what you want us to find.  If we don't find a wagon or a bike today we will know it's okay because it just wasn't your will for us today and that something else will work out later.  But just guide us the way you want us to go.  And we will give you the glory either way.  In Jesus name, Amen."

I drove one block.  I could have turned right or left.  I went straight.  Another 1/2 block.  There was an orangey red 12" boys bike!  I said, "Andrew!  Look!"  He said, "Let's hurry up and get over there before someone else gets it!"  :)

We parked.  Ran up to the yard sale.  Looked at the bike.  It was marked FIVE DOLLARS!  I seriously went up to the man running the sale and said, "What does this tag say?"  He said with a smile, "I believe it says five dollars."  I said with a smile, "I believe we'll take it."  :)  Andrew pulled out his own $10 bill, handed it to the man and was thrilled to get change back.

Andrew pushed (it had flat tires so he couldn't ride it quite yet) his "new" five dollar bike to the van , skipping and smiling the whole way!  I exclaimed, "Andrew, God answered our prayer!  Not only did he give you a bike, He gave you a bike for only five dollars!!  God is soooo good!!"  Andrew beamed!

We saw several other bikes as we continued to yard sale that day, but not another one for five dollars!

There are people who believe God isn't interested in these "little" details of our lives (note: it wasn't so little to Andrew).  There are even people who think we shouldn't "bother" God with such minute details of our days when there are others who's needs are so much greater than ours.  I believe those people are so wrong.  We humans tend to think from such human perspective.

I believe it delights God when we pray about everything and anything that's important to us.  Philippians 4:6 tells us to "Don't worry about anything.  Pray about everything."  I believe that means just what it says.  Everything.

He is NOT a God of limited power or ability!  

There's no way we can exhaust His resources!  

He is not limited in how many prayers He can hear or ones He can answer.  

HE   IS  GOD  !!  

His ways are so above and beyond our ways.  

He most certainly does care for His creation, His children, His beloved ones...us.

The LORD directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
Psalm 37:23

I believe every detail means every detail!

He worked out the details...from a bathroom break that took us to the opposite side of town...to praying...to choosing to go straight rather than left or right...to this bike only being five bucks!  He knows all the details.

That day I knew God answered our prayer, that He directed our path to just the right bike for Andrew.  And he knew it too!  We prayed a prayer of thanksgiving together.  I could see faith rising up (even more) in my little boy as He saw how God answered our prayed.   Truly, it wasn't as much about a bike as it was about God showing His faithfulness to us, especially my growing 6 year old.  Neither of us will ever forget!

Throughout the rest of the day (as I became anxious about this or that) my Andrew reminded me two or three times, "Mom, God has a plan!"  Yes, He does, little buddy.  Yes. He. Does.  :)

Thank you again, dear LORD, for revealing your glory, power, loving care and attention to detail to us, even in the midst of such an ordinary, yard sale going day.  May Andrew and I (and those we tell this story to) always remember to pray about everything!  You are so good and simply amazing, Lord!  We give YOU glory!  In Jesus' precious name, Amen.

"You don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it.  And even when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are wrong - you want only what will give you pleasure."  James 4-2b, 3

We replaced a pedal and pumped up the tires.  Then Andrew broke in his "new" bike and got it dirty!

Maybe someday, we will find a bigger wagon.  Maybe not.  We're okay either way knowing God has a plan.  :)

Never be afraid to ask God for what you want.  

He cares.  He hears.  He answers.

Just remember to accept how He answers (what He gives you),

believing He has your BEST in mind!

Comfort for the Brokenhearted

Today I'm joining Lisa-Jo Baker for 5 Minute Friday...

Not for comments or traffic or anyone else’s agenda. But for pure love of the written word. For joy at the sound of syllables, sentences and paragraphs all strung together by the voice of the speaker.

Just write without worrying if it’s just right or not. For five minutes flat with no editing, tweaking or self critiquing (seriously hard for me...and that's why I need to do it!).

Okay, so it's Saturday.  Hey, it just didn't work for me to write yesterday.  That's life.  I want to write today on Lisa's chosen word of the week, "Comfort" anyway.  So here goes...

Go...

So many in my little corner of the world are suffering.  One friend lost her mother yesterday.  Another lost her unborn baby this past week.  Two couples that live near us lost their young babies recently.  Others are going through extremely challenging times in their lives.  

The truth is, it seems we're all going through one thing or another.  Some more life changing than others, but all are significant to the one facing them.

My heart aches for these loved ones, and even strangers.  My only comfort is knowing that the Comforter hears my prayers of requested comfort, hope and peace for them.  Much like the many prayers He answered when I went through my miscarriages.

I'm so thankful I know He hears my prayers, He is faithful to answer and...

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3 

I can do what He shows me to do.

But even when I don't have the right words.  When I don't know what to do.  When I can't be there.

HE is there...comforting as only He can!

What a comfort!

Check out more posts on this topic by clicking the link below...

How Quickly Things Change~Snow Day and Mud in May~FUN DAY MONDAY

Welcome to:

It's been a wild week in Beranville.  We went from 80 degrees to 10" of snow (on May 2nd!!) .  Then back to 70 something degrees.  Our computer also had a virus.  The combination of snow and being "unplugged" for a few days was a much needed solace, believe it or not.  While others complained about the weather I took it in stride and decided to enjoy it, remembering this too would pass.  I don't always have such a good attitude, but this time I actually got it right.  :)

My boys with their snowman on Thursday, May 2nd, in the midst of getting 10" of snow.

 All that was left of their snowman on Sunday (with scarf added later).

  Don't ya just love the combo of snow and green grass?!

That's NE Iowa weather for you!!

Our melted snowman reminds me just how quickly things change!  This life is so fleeting.  It's constantly changing.  What we worry about today, the trial we think will not pass, the things we think will never change (both bad and good)...will most likely change with time.  There's only one constant, God's love for us!

Today we played in the mud!  That's what happens when snow melts.

We were in it deep!  Stuck.  My littlest guy thought we'd never get out of that pit.  We had to work hard at it.  But we did make our way out.  Oh my!  How quickly things change.  And how we learn...we should have worn knee boots like big brother did.  :)  Now, we just need to remember next time.  Because I'm sure there will be a next time.

"LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away. My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath." We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth for someone else to spend. And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you." Psalm 39:4-7

Yes, LORD, please remind me how quickly this life changes!  To enjoy the fleeting moments in my life, in spite of circumstances.  To give thanks in the good and even in the hard.  Help me to remember Your goodness and faithfulness at all times.  I don't want to waste a single moment complaining, needlessly rushing about or putting my hope in anything else but you.  Give me wisdom to know how to spend my brief time on this earth to honor and glorify you.  And to find joy in the everyday stuff that you put before me...snow, mud and all.  In the sweet name of Jesus Christ I pray.  Amen.  

Just a Little Seed

Yesterday I planted 72 broccoli seeds in our little greenhouse starter kit.  Each of them holding promise.  Each of these tiny seeds could, and hopefully will, produce large broccoli plants and some raw florets to eat and enjoy in the months to come.  These tiny, tiny seeds!

It never ceases to amaze me as we plant seeds, both in the garden and the field, here in Beranville, how God can take a tiny seed and grow it into a big, healthy plant.  It's a miracle every time!  I just love how God uses these very ordinary moments of life to show us His glory and majesty!

There are so many different directions that planting seeds takes my thoughts.  I could write about how God plants seeds in our hearts and causes them to grow.  Think of the story of the sower and the seeds.  Or about the seeds we help plant in others.  One does the planting, another does the watering, but we all have a roll and are important.  Doesn't matter who does what, as long as it gets done and for His glory.  Or I could write about how our thoughts are like seeds, what we plant in our minds will produce either flowers or weeds.  Or I could write about...what I'm going to write about.  :)

When I look at those tiny seeds I think of how amazing it is that God uses something so tiny, dormant, and seemingly insignificant, and makes it into something so grand.

"...God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise.  And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God...Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, "It you want to boast, boast only about the LORD."  I Corinthians 1:26-31

That little seedling seems awfully powerless, tiny, insignificant, barely noticeable.  Yet, the seed holds great potential.  If someone recognizes it's potential; plants it, waters it and nurtures it, it will grow into something amazing!  But it can become nothing on it's own.  

God sees our potential and provides all that we need.  But we have to realize that we're just little, helpless "seeds" without Him. 

Jesus said, "Healthy people don't need a doctor - sick people do.  I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners." Mark 2:17

Yes, we have to realize we're just little seeds, in need of the Master Gardener!  The world doesn't recognize our potential or give us what we need to grow.  We are powerless to live a holy life, one with significance and that bears fruit, without Him.  When we humble ourselves before Him, and submit to the process, He will grow us into something glorious!

P.S. I'm not talking just about salvation.  Although that's a very important first step, it goes beyond a one time commitment.  We must daily depend on the Gardener for our nourishment to grow to be all He created us to be.  It's a process of growth and fruit production.  :)

That's good news for this little seedling.  How about you?

Homemade Bubbles in a bowl and a Straw ~ FUN DAY Monday!

Welcome to:

On Mondays I share about fun things we do here in Beranville.  Then, later in the week, I try to share another more "serious" post about what God's been teaching me lately.  It's wonderful to see God at work in both the fun and the serious stuff of life...and most of the time those two intermingle in my world.  Probably yours too.

 

You know, you don't have to spend a lot or give your kids fancy gadgets or toys for them to have fun.  It's usually the simplest things that get them excited, prompts them to use their imagination and helps them to not only pass a lot of time, but to experiment and learn in the process.  Simply letting kids be kids isn't so complicated.

What I'm sharing today is one of those simple things:

Homemade Bubble (recipe coming up) in a bowl and add a straw.  It's that simple!

Let the fun begin!

First, big brother had to show little brother how it was done.

Really proud of his BIG bubble!

Little brother quickly got the hang of it...

Giggles in the midst of bubbles... 

Oopsie!  He sucked in a little of the bubble solution...

and had to wipe his mouth.  More giggles!

 

Big brother asked to make a "car wash".  I filled a spray bottle with water and he added a tractor toy.

 

Little brother added one of his Little People.  Shower!

The addition of water made even more bubbles!!

It was a little messy, but easy to clean up!

 

Little brother even gave himself a beard.

Ho Ho Ho! :) 

 

 

They had a lot of fun!

 

Easy Homemade Bubbles

(that aren't watered down and actually work!!)

2 1/2 C Water

1/2 C Light Corn Syrup

Mix. Microwave for 4 minutes.

Gently mix in 1/2 C Dawn Dish Liquid

 



I love it that my children find such joy in the simplest of things.  And that I do too, because of them.  They're never in a hurry.  They giggle without regard.  They never pass up an opportunity to explore and have fun!  I have a lot to learn from them.  Oh, to be more like a child! 

 

"Being in a hurry. Getting to the next thing without fully entering the thing in front of me. I cannot think of a single advantage I've ever gained from being in a hurry. But a thousand broken and missed things, tens of thousands, lie in the wake of all the rushing.... Through all that haste I thought I was making up time. It turns out I was throwing it away.”   ― Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

 

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Jump!

Today I'm joining Lisa-Jo Baker for 5 Minute Friday...

Not for comments or traffic or anyone else’s agenda. But for pure love of the written word. For joy at the sound of syllables, sentences and paragraphs all strung together by the voice of the speaker.

Just write without worrying if it’s just right or not. For five minutes flat with no editing, tweaking or self critiquing (seriously hard for me...and that's why I need to do it!).

 

Go...

 

I watch him jump.  Again and again he jumps.  Brave.  Braver than his momma for sure.  This momma who fears the water.  I marvel at his courage.  And I pray that as he grows he will continue to be brave when it matters most.  When HE leads him to take bigger leaps, that he will have the courage to jump!

 

 

 

So much life ahead and the possibilities are endless.  God has plans for this brave little boy.  I often pray that he (and his brother) will grow to be a courageous, bold and obedient man, without fear of others, seeking to honor the One that matters most.

 

He's on his way!

 

Then I think of his momma, me.  Do I let fear hold me back when I should jump?  Not just from the water, but when it matters more, much more.  Where is God calling me to be braver, bolder, more courageous today?  Where do I need to put my faith into practice...and just JUMP?! 

 

How about you, friend, where is He calling you to jump? 

 

God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called.  We are the called!

(I Corinthians 1:2)

 

Click on the link below to hop on over to Lisa-Jo's page to read what others had to write about "Jump".

 

FUN DAY MONDAY: Elmo Birthday Party!

Welcome to:

Hard to believe another week has passed...and it's Fun Day Monday again.  Of course, it's also hard to believe that 3 years have passed since the birth of our second little man, Noah, was born.  This past weekend we celebrated his 3rd Birthday in true 3 year old style...with an Elmo Birthday party. 

I'm an amateur cake decorator (obviously), but I had a lot of fun making this Elmo cake for my sweetie pie.  Just 2 round (gluten free chocolate) cakes, homemade red frosting that I tried to make look "furry", a little homemade orange frosting for the nose (used a tablespoon to pile it on), a tube of black frosting for the mouth and eyes and 2 large marshmallows that I flattened down for the eyes.  Simple, yet fun. 



My little guy loved it...and wanted to kiss Elmo!  :)
P.S. His big brother was excited as him.

All ready for his BIG 3rd Birthday party!



He liked being sung to!

He worked hard to blow out his 3 candle!

Surprised when everyone clapped for him! :)

Time to lick the frosting off the candle! :)

  My,oh my, how time flies!  It doesn't seem that long ago that we brought home this precious bundle.  Then again, it's hard to remember what we ever did without him.  Noah has added so much to our family.  He is sweet, thoughtful, loving, smart, full of life, huggable, cuddly and simply lovable!!  We are sooooo very thankful God chose to bless us (over and over) with Noah!

"Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth."  Psalm 127:3-4

 

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Have you checked out my other blog?  If you're interested in health, do it yourself personal care products, healthy food recipes, etc...you might want to check out Health In Beranville :)

 

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Check out past Fun Day Monday posts here.