Wild horses could not take me away...from Horses

This could be a long one...
It started out this past winter when Tory and I were chatting about what to get Kaehli for her 12th birthday.  We had moved to an acreage the summer before and in my heart...I knew exactly what it was time for.  It was time to bless our daughter with the ability to follow her dream!  On the back of a horse!  So here began the journey of finding the perfect horse for my girl! 

We tried to keep it a secret and just couldn't.  We decided she needed to be apart of the process...the hunt.  I later regretted this decision as the first horse we brought home turned up so lame we took it back the next day!  Let me tell you, there is nothing quite like seeing your daughter cry her eyes out from total heartbreak because of a decision you made.  Uggg...not a good week!  We are still months and months later trying to sort that all out.  It didn't turn out well.  I think this is one of those situations I'll never understand until heaven...but they say what doesn't kill ya makes you stronger.  I guess Kaehli's character building began here.

My hero horseman neighbor lost his mind when he found out what Kaehli had to go through on her birthday.  Thus began his search, almost hell bound and determined to make a little girls dreams come true!  It didn't take long before I got a call from him early spring, letting me know he was bringing me a couple horses to try.  "NO strings attached" he told me.  If you don't like them, we send them back and bring two more until Kaehli has her match!  He cut keys to his tack barn, gave them to me looked me in the eye and said "FILL YOUR BOOTS!".  (translation: ride until you can't ride anymore!) 

Through-out this time, I got myself a job at a working training facility for horses.  For one month I mucked out stalls, de-wormed horses, cold hosed injured horses, filled water buckets, swept, turned out mares, geldings and studs, I stacked bales as tall as I could reach above my head on a trailer to be brought back to the barn for feed, trailered pregnant broodmares closer to the barn for foaling, and took everything in like a sponge.  I asked as many questions as I could, I was honest and made sure everyone knew I simply knew nothing!  I even got to help the vet exray one horses feet, that had turned up a little lame.  I learned about feed, tack, and so much more.  God was opening doors for me, and pushed the fast forward button for a while. I also started lessons, and got Kaehli lessoning as well.  I figured if we were going to do this horse thing, I am going to do it right!  That means learning everything I possibly can.  I ordered many books and spent hours reading.  I even drew a horse on the white board and memorized all the body parts by marking the proper names on the horse.  Kaehli got a little jealous if I got to ride more than her, and I explained that if mommy doesn't figure this all out, she wouldn't get to either.  She didn't say much after that.  It was hard work, but I loved every minute.

Kaehli fell in love with one of the horses my neighbor brought over.  She named him Denver.  It really is a happy ending.  The hero neighbor also gave me a horse as a gift so I could ride with my girl.  How do you thank someone who finds you a horse, a safe healthy sound horse and gives it to you?  So here begins the adventure...and so this blog entry isn't too long, I will save some stories for later!  And I tell you...there are a few good ones!

Wild horses could not take Kaehli away from Denver...and could not take me away from being right beside her the whole way!

Shorter days

The days are definitely getting shorter.  Nothing enforces getting off your horse or out of the garden like night fall.  The past few weeks I have been wondering around my house in the evening thinking WHAT on earth am I going to do all winter long after kids are tucked in for the night?  I wish it would stay warm and light enough to be outside but the inevitable is happening and the "s" word is on its way.  I won't say it out loud yet!  I won't do it! 
So guess what I did this week at night after kids went to bed?!  BAKING! I tried two recipes that I will share with you below!  WHY?  Because they turned out AWESOME!  I think we all won't have to much trouble fattening up for the long winter ahead at this rate;)
The first recipe is Chocolate Chip Sour Cream Muffins...YUM!  I added milk to the batter because it wasn't quite sticky gooey enough (maybe I didn't measure my flour perfect).  Here is the link which I found on Pinterest(my other night time filler and new found love!)

http://www.thecurvycarrot.com/2011/04/13/chocolate-chip-sour-cream-muffins/

The second recipe is Apple Crisp.  I'm not a huge lover of apple crisp.  I think because I have never perfected it.  I find it always to mushy, too sweet...too something.  BUT THIS RECIPE!!!!  Its PERFECT!  I loved it!  YOU MUST TRY! Here is the link (thank you Natalie B for sharing your find!!!) And at this time of year, when I have 3, 5 gallon pails of apples from my sweet 80 year old neighbor to use up, it worked out just right and it's a generous size! Bake it until its getting brown and crunchy on top and you must add your favorite vanilla icecream!  YUM!

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/apple-crisp-ii/detail.aspx
                                          
Both pictures are taken from the recipe links...HAPPY BAKING!  And if you figure out how to stay fit with out getting on an eliptical this winter let me know!

Happy Ending...with a shovel!

Long day at the office trying to get things all caught up so we can sneak away as a family this weekend. Good thing I have left over pasta sauce from last night, just have to boil some noodles for supper right?!

After work I had to take Grace to music, and then I called Kaehli on the way home to get her going on supper. This is how our conversation went...

Kaehli can you take out the pot I used last night and fill it full of water, put it on high to boil? Then set the table and call me ok? A few minutes go by...

Hi mom, I took the "green" pot out of the fridge, filled it full of water and turned the stove on high. (I am starting to feel my heart beat faster) Kaehli you don't mean the “green” crock pot in the fridge that was full of pasta sauce do you? She says "ya...you said the pot from last night". TURN everything off! Don't touch anything else. I will be right home!

Uggg! Not only do I have to figure out supper now, I have a huge mess to clean up and a meal or two is garbage! It’s now almost 6pm and I have to leave again by 6:50.

I can feel the battle going on in my head as I drive the rest of the way home. How can I NOT lose it when I get home, how can I handle this maturely? How can I just let this slide like water off a ducks back??? This can go one of two ways...

I drove in the yard (a little too fast) to find Tory, Cole and Ashley working hard in the yard cleaning up firewood and digging in the huge garden bed that I need all the clay dug out of. I stormed in the house, stormed by Kaehli, stormed around some more, stormed to the bathroom and dumped the very watered down pasta sauce (that was more water than sauce) down the toilet. No apology from Kaehli, no “can I help clean up”, not a peep. Later she told me she knew I was mad so she stayed away.

I came up with plan B for supper (Burgers and perogies), Did I mention Tory said “I looked mad”?, did the dishes and left for the third trip back to town, haircuts for Grace and Cole.

As I sat and had time to think while each kid had their special time in the chair I wonder how the last 2 hours just happened. I told myself I wanted to just let this go, yet I didn’t. I was cranky, and mad and probably looked more like a two year old having a tantrum than anything else. Sighhh

I decided I owed everyone an apology so off to Jack’s Drive In we went to bring Ice-cream treats home for everyone! As I pulled in the yard, I found my husband working in the dark with tractor lights on still digging in my dirt, my new garden bed!!! Let me tell you was I humbled! AND was I ever glad I brought home ice-cream!!! I apologized for my bad attitude to Tory, thanked him for his hard work, thanked the kids for helping in the yard, and asked my 12 year old if we could be friends. I told her I was sorry for making her think I was mad at her, I wasn’t really, just frustrated with the situation. She very willingly accepted, gave me a huge hug and had a huge smile taking her Oreo Jack frost!

This long story to tell you the day ended with a shovel, ice cream and one big happy family! Thanks God for little lessons that keep me humble and thank you for a hardworking husband and kids who love me despite my tantrums!!!

-Full Heart-

A bunch of FIRST'S

September always feels like the beginning of the year for me. For obvious reasons like school starting and all of the kids activities gearing up to go. So lets look back over the last year, and I will tell you about all of our firsts!

First year living on an acreage I have to say has been everything I dreamed it would be! Here is a little peek...

First garden turned out to be a success!

First baby bunnies were so sweet that we kept making more!

First horse and first love for Kaehli...this will take a whole other post to talk about!

First time working on a Horse Ranch!

First year of Hockey for Cole!

First RODEO! YEE HAW!!!!

First farm Auction was so fun and I came home with treasure!

First time I walked down the driveway to water the flowers by the gate I stopped and whispered...Thank you God. Thank you for bringing us to this place, to this moment. I told Tory that we can get old now...and I know this is just the beginning!

Christmas Home Tour 2009

This is my home decorated for Christmas. I was a part of a fundraiser to raise money for women in Costa Rica and Uganda. The money will go towards medical supplies. If you don't know what a Christmas Home Tour is, this is how it works: You pay $10 and receive a map to 11 homes. My home was one of the 11. Then you drive to each one and tour them! You definitely get inspired for Christmas. It was a great day! We decorated and displayed our Christmas traditions. Over 100 people passed through our home!! Our hope was that women would be blessed by the love and warmth of Christ through out our home.

2010

2010 hmmmmmmm ten years has gone by so quickly. I find myself day dreaming often in 10 year increments. It must be a "getting older" thing now that I'm over 30. Did I just say that out loud?
So many things change in 10 years. Houses change, jobs change, your weight changes, your hair color changes, your style of clothes change, your car changes, change change change I could go on and on.

There are 2 things that have remained constant for me over the last 10 years. First God continues to prove himself to me. Me the doubter, the constant doubter (hang head here). But God my ever lasting loving God has shown me how faithful he is, how he still works miracles today, how he whispers in my ear. The latest thing he whispered in my ear just a few days ago was "I see you daughter". I was dreaming and wondering and started to shove those dreams back down where they couldn't possibly hurt me if I don't think about the ones that haven't come true. I heard it gentle and sweet but clear as day, "I see you daughter"!!!!!! I treasure those words. He sees ME! Little unworthy me! I know what ever 2010 brings my father God sees me and will take care of me! Whether my dreams come true or not I stand in His will and smile because He sees me. I couldn't say that a year ago!

The second thing that remains true and truer every day is the love my husband pours over me. I have failed him time and time again yet he continues to poor his love over me, and sheds my crazy woman mood swings like water off a ducks back ha! I don't know how he puts up with me or has for over 10 years but he has. And every hardship, every rejection, every hurt, every sting, every mountain, valley, desert storm, we find ourselves running into each others arms. 10 plus years of hard times (lots of good times too) has brought us closer together each one a reminder that all we have is each other. In the end I know who will be by my side. My best friend.

I look forward to what 2010 has in store. I know that with God and Tory and the kids by my side it's sure to be a marvelous wonderful adventure. Regardless of what the year ahead holds I know one things for certain we're gonna be closer at the end!

I don't want to go through the motions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_rmCeAzqKc&feature=related

This might hurt; It's not safe
But I know that I've got to make a change
I don't care if I break
At least I'll be feeling something
Just ok is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of life

Chorus:
I don't want to go through the motions
I don't want to go one more day
Without your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't want to spend my whole life asking
What if I had given everything
Instead of going through the motions

No regrets; Not this time
Gonna let my heart defeat my mind
Let your love make me whole
I think I'm finally feeling something
Just ok is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of this life

Chorus

Take me all the way
Take me all the way
I don't want to go through the motions
I'm finally feeling something real

I don't want to go through the motions

Our words

How powerful are the words that come out of your mouth? Do you think they can impact a situation? I have been thinking a lot about this very thing lately...and today it proved true that yes there is so much power in the words that come out of my mouth. Let me explain...
Today I got a phone call from my mom. She was very relieved and excited to have brought her husband home from the hospital and very happy to tell me how well he was doing! I will back up a few days. Three nights ago on his birthday his appendix ruptured. My mom called me sat morning at 4 am to tell me he was just about to go into surgery. I could hear the worry in her voice and in my sleepiness I said three simple words...I will pray. She said OK, I will call you when he gets out of surgery, and that was the end of our conversation. She called me about an hour later around 5 am to tell me that the surgery went well and everything was OK, but all of her fears came out as well. She talked about the risk of infection, about his previous kidney transplant and how he isn't suppose to take antibiotics but he has to, and how this could really be bad for him...I listened for a few minutes and stopped her. I said Mom...you don't have to receive those thoughts you know. You can rebuke that nonsense. She said what do you mean? I said your husband is a strong man and if he can get through a kidney transplant he can get through appendix surgery! He will be just fine! He isn't going to get an infection, the doctors did a great job and the medicine he is taking will do what it is suppose to! I said stop speaking negative over him. She was kinda shocked and said...Oh! OK...ya I guess your right. She seemed a little better and said she would call me later.
So back to this morning. She called me and said you know Shawna when I called you the first time at 4 am and as all as you said was "I will pray"...you couldn't have said anything better. It gave me peace. So many people over the last few days have been so negative and filling me with all of the risks and worries and what ifs that when I called you and you told me to stop speaking negative and focus on the positive, speak positive and believe positive that it was so helpful and really got me through. You were the only one who had encouraging helpful uplifting things to say! So thank you for being you!
It was a great testimony of how powerful our words of encouragement can be! We all know how negative words can impact a situation...so this for me was proof that it goes both ways! Let me encourage you in two ways. First think about things that will HELP you! Not things that will add worry to what ever it is you are going through. If you can't, ask someone to help you!

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Phil 4:6-8

Secondly, think about what you say! If it's good or bad there is more power in the words that come out of your mouth than you think!
May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. PS 19:14

Soon

The past few months have been crazy busy and I can't wait to tell you all about it! I am just taking a moment to tell you that I will TELL you soon!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

March 26th 1999 - I became mommy

HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY BEAUTIFUL KAEHLI LYNN!!!!

Bitter Sweet

9 am this morning I had my teeth cleaned...everything looked good I was even asked if I whiten my teeth which I don't but would like to. There really isn't anything comfortable about getting your teeth cleaned. The metal tools, the scrapping, the poking with a very sharp poky thing up into your gums to check your bone, the sound of your spit being sucked up a tube along with half your lips when you close them, the floss going between your teeth into a part of your gums, pushing back and forth making them bleed (somehow this is very good for them), oh and I can't forget the X-Ray pieces of paper that you have to bite on! Bite down they say! Well when it digs into your gum under your tongue you should stop...nope a little more...hold it...OK good. Now, stick this Styrofoam mouth guard covered in wet foam that tastes like medicated bubblegum in your mouth. My already big lips now almost touching my nose, blue Styrofoam touching the back of my throat, and foam draining down my chin...oh now add that suction tube between the shmoz of lips, Styrofoam and bubblegum foam. Sit 2-3 minutes. Done! Yeah! Hurray!

Nope the doctor said I need to have a tooth looked at because there is some discoloration and may have decay under the enamel. This same tooth showed up last year at my check up too but then it wasn't really a problem. This year there is a change in it enough that they want to fill it. GREAT! So I go to the front to make an appointment...how about now the next guy isn't coming in till 11. Well...OK I guess. So back into the room I go. This time I get the funky glasses and head phones to watch t.v. in comes the Dr...some numbing cream on the back of my jaw...couple pokes....HEART RACING, SHAKING, SWEATING...sit up have to take off my sweater, sunglasses, headphones...can't swallow...breath...breath....Shawna this is normal it is adrenaline from the needles pumping threw your body and will be over in about 3-5 minutes. Fewwwww! Sure enough other than shaking hands my heart slowed back down and I was OK. On went the plastic guard that pushes your lips as wide as humanly possible and after a bunch of horrible high pitched squealing and sucking sounds I was done.

I could not wait to get out of that office. I am pretty sure I would rather give birth than do the following two things. 1. slam my thumb in my husbands truck door and have to use my other hand to open the door to get it out. 2. Have a crazy adrenaline panic attack on a Thur morning not to mention several needles in my mouth. But with that said, the last time I gave birth was almost 5 years ago and I have been told that may not be an accurate statement.

Rushing down the stairs I flung open the door...and...A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!! I LOVE this time of year!!!!!! I can't explain to you how my heart started to race in a totally different way. I got in the van, sat down, took in a huge deep breath and sat for a second. (don't forget I am totally numb to the tops of my ears, talk like I have had a major stroke, and have lips that look like I was punched out) The sun is shinning so bright today, and it was warm on my face. I love that feeling, it fills me up to the top! I could hear the water running down the man holes, I could almost see the snow melting...I could smell spring in the air! I love it! It brings an excitement to my day that gives me a longing to see the garden centers open at Superstore and Canadian Tire or Home Depot. I know that soon I will see sprigs of green grass start to show up amongst all the brown beat down grass. I know that soon I will hear my precious chickadee singing SPPPPPPPRRRRRRRINNNNNNNNNGSSSSS HEAAAAAAAAAARRRRR! Do you know that song? I know that soon I will have a dozen or so kids ringing my door bell...Can the kids come out and play? I know that soon I will be able to sit on my front step and read Friday's paper b/c the sun will be so warm there. I know that soon I will be putting away the winter clothes and out will come the kids new spring jackets from Costco that they got for Valentines Day and rubber boots! I know that soon I will see swollen buds on my Chokecherry and Mayday, apple, and Aspen trees...a sure tell sign that springs really here! I know that soon I will see little freckles on my kids noses b/c the sun is just that much stronger. I know that soon I will be able to work the soil just enough to stick my sweet peas in the ground! I know that soon all the winter blues will wash away with a spring rain. I know that soon....funny how my dentist's name is Dr.Soon. Ha!

What a crazy morning and what a blessed morning! God you give such good gifts! My tooth is done and my swollen face will recover with in few hours, and you have given me such a beautiful picture of spring today that I will hold on to with anticipation and excitement for the weeks to come!

Thank you God for a BEAUTIFUL day! Thank you for the excitement and anticipation of something new! A new season is on it's way and there isn't anything that can stop it! Thank you so much for loving me lord, I'm in love with the King and it makes my heart want to sing!

Jealousy

What is Jealousy?

1.
jealous resentment against a rival, a person enjoying success or advantage, etc., or against another's success or advantage itself.
2.
mental uneasiness from suspicion or fear of rivalry, unfaithfulness, etc., as in love or aims.
3.
vigilance in maintaining or guarding something.
4.
a jealous feeling, disposition, state, or mood.

Doesn't sound very nice does it? Well...I have been feeling pains of Jealousy here and there. It sucks and I definitely am not asking for it. I don't want to feel this way!! God has been nudging me to write about it, and to dig into his word to see if I can find the root of this Jealousy. I feel a little embarrassed actually admitting to this sin. It amazes me that no matter how much I love Jesus, I am still human and have to conquer sin as we all do. No one is exempt. There are *things* and *relationships* that I have been feeling jealous about. There I said it.

The more I focus on what I don't have, what others do have that I want and can't have, the more this humanness of mine rises up. My heart is to let Jesus rise up in me, so my humanness becomes less and He can become more. Does that make sense?

The word fear, insecurity, lack of trust are all things that accompany Jealousy. These words are not ones that I would like to describe myself with. What do I have to be jealous about you might say. The truth is Nothing! I don't accept these jealous thoughts of mine at all! I pray God would even more abundantly bless the *relationships* I find myself envious of, as well as the people who have the *things* I don't. I know the closer I come to you Jesus, the less those things will matter to me. The choices I make everyday are seeds, and I choose to You! I choose:

Romans 12:12 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (The Message)
If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.

Love doesn't strut,

Doesn't have a swelled head,

Doesn't force itself on others,

Isn't always "me first,"

Doesn't fly off the handle,

Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,

Doesn't revel when others grovel,

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

Puts up with anything,

Trusts God always,

Always looks for the best,

Never looks back,

But keeps going to the end.

Father God,

Thank you for all you have done for me, a sinner. Lord please forgive me for having these jealous thoughts as I know they are not from you. Lord I know that I could never even come close to 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, with out your help. Lord thank you that you are my helper, I need you. Fill me with your Holy Spirit Lord God. Jesus I choose to take these thoughts captive Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity EVERY THOUGHT to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5. Lord instead I choose to fill my mind and meditate on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Phil 4:8. Lord have your way in me, create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Ps 50:10. Thank you God that I can be confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in me will be faithful to complete it. Phil 1:6. And thankyou that you will never leave me. Hebrews 13:5

I love you Lord, and give all of these things to you.

In Jesus Name Amen.

Being wisked away...

Just a little short of a miracle, Tory and I had an entire weekend alone! We went back and forth for a while about what we should do with our almost 2 days together. Do we stay at home and catch up on sleep, watch movies, eat popcorn and veg? Or do we head out somewhere and try to DO something with our time? As enticing as my bed sounded...Jasper sounded a little bit more exciting! We hadn't been there since our honeymoon, and we had never stayed at Jasper Park Lodge together so we booked our room, dropped off our Little's (2 at one set of grandparents and 2 at the other), stopped at Wok Box and headed out!

The weekend weather turned out fantastic! The first night we got there we checked into our room and headed straight for the steaming out door pool. Floating on our backs we starred at the stars and admired the finger nail of God as Tory called it! We felt like honeymooners! Teasing and giggling...chatting and enjoying very much the company. After a dip in the hot tub we headed back to our room. Ordered in some hot popcorn a bottle of water a diet Coke ($20 eee!) and a movie! We didn't finish our popcorn so Tory set the tray down on the floor. After breakfast the next morning we came back to our room and I noticed that the popcorn bowl was empty. I didn't think too much of it, asked Tory about it but he had no idea where it went either. I actually thought he was pulling my leg and had eaten it.

The next day we went into Jasper to shop for little treasures we could bring to our treasures back home. An elastic band gun for Cole (ya good job dad! It was a hit), a beaded kitty purse for Ashley, polished rocks for Grace, and a hanging horse ornament with hooks to hang stuff on for Kaehli...oh and I can't forget about the 4 bear claws. Huge, clusters of cashews covered/smothered in caramel then dipped in milk chocolate with 3 more cashews on top to make it look like a claw....mmmmmmmm!!! Then we headed to Maligne Canyon for the Ice Walk. It was stunning! Gorgeous! Breath Taking! 3 hours of hiking, photography, slipping, and sliding, learning about the river that never freezes, the "taps" of water that slow enough for the water falls to freeze, and sunshine!!! Making memories as a couple verses family is something we don't do often, but I am so glad we did this time, and so important for my marriage!!

After our hike, we enjoyed a candle lit meal together at the Moose Nook Restaurant. Tory had Bison Tenderloin and I had a Seafood dish with lobster, huge shrimp, scallops and mussels over Risotto (which was a cheesy creamy type rice) YUM! Then believe it or not we headed to the gym, pool and hot tub. Back to our room, in comfy clothes ready for popcorn and a movie and exhausted!!!!!!! Tory ordered a dish of mixed nuts this time b/c they couldn't find the popcorn...he didn't finish them and set the tray on the floor. This time, when the movie was over he swung his legs over the bed to find A mouse sitting in the dish of nuts chowing down! EEEEEEEK! The mouse ran down the hole by the pipe from the heat register that went down into the floor of the room. He jammed washcloths in the holes and in the end the hotel took a couple meals off our bill.

Sunday morning we enjoyed a Vanilla Latte for Tory and a Tea for me (He is risen!! you have to read my Ash Wed to know what I am talking about) and muffins in the Lodge. We reminisced about our weekend, how fast it went, and enjoying the mountain view from our little table. 10:15 am came pretty quick and we both (yes both he he) headed down to the spa for pedicures:) Lunch in the Emerald Lounge, Check out, home.

On a more serious note, I want to tell you that I know our weekend was amazing not only because of where we were, but because we put on the Armor of God everyday. I have just recently started doing it. And I know it made a huge difference in our weekend together. We didn't bicker or fight about anything...it was a laid back easy going wonderful weekend and I feel like it was a gift from my Father God! We came home feeling a little dreamy and in love and a lot more relaxed then we were going. I wish I could include more pictures...but here's a few!

Ash Wednesday

That's TODAY! Ash Wednesday! 40 days before Jesus was resurrected from the dead. Hmmm...what does that mean to me? What does that mean to you? Well from the research I have been doing apparently for the last 2000 years Christians have practiced Lent. Lent is a 40 day season to prepare our hearts for Easter. To remember what Christ did for us on the Cross. Lent means Fast. Why 40 days and why fast you may be asking. Jesus fasted for 40 days in the desert, so the season of Lent represents those 40 days where he was tempted, fasted and prayed. Lent is a time where we can examine ourselves, and give up something of value something that is important for those 40 days, in remembrance of the sacrifice Jesus made for us. He spent 40 days in the desert preparing for His ministry and to face temptation. (Matthew 4)

From what I can tell from researching, the 40 days does not include Sundays because Sundays are a mini celebration of the Resurrection, a celebration of Jesus victory over sin and death. So the season of Lent is actually 46 days. I like that idea!

All week I will be thinking about my Jesus every time I am tempted for a Tea. YES I said tea! I have a wonderful green tea with pomegranate or mango every day with a tbs of honey. Mmmmmm!!! Sometimes I have two! So for the season of Lent I am going to fast my tea, in order to prepare my heart for Easter. And on Sundays I think I will have a tea and celebrate with my family that the Resurrection day is coming! What a wonderful way to get excited about the work Jesus did, about his ministry, about his sad and devastating death, and about the celebration of the empty tomb, His precious blood that washed me clean, and His amazing love for the Father and for ME!

I want to show my children that they too can seek the Lord and will find Him. They can participate in Lent with mommy, and we can celebrate together too!! My heart longs for them to really know Him at an early age.

I encourage you to search your heart and ask the Lord what you may sacrifice for Him, because He has sacrificed so much for you. May you be blessed as you seek Him, and find Him. May he wash His amazing love over you. May you find JOY in celebrating with Christians everywhere this season of Lent. May Jesus soften your heart and fill you to over flowing as you give time to Him and prepare for Easter.

Then Jesus was lead out into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted there by the Devil. For forty days and forty nights he ate nothing and became very hungry. then the Devil came and said to him, "if you are the Son of God, change these stones into loaves of bread." But Jesus said "NO! The scriptures say, People need more than bread for their life; they MUST feed on EVERY WORD OF GOD". Matthew 4:1-4

Happy Ash Wednesday!