A Quiet Place

Our back deck at the beginning of Hurricane Sandy

There are days that I find it hard to write.  Or should I say, find a quiet space and time to write.  There always seems to be something going on around the VanDyke home.  Quiet moments are rare and then when they finally do arrive, I just want to sit and absorb the peace and quiet.  I know it may sound crazy to some but I do love the quiet times.  Probably because these moments are rare and when something is rare, you cherish it more.

I look back at the days when my children were little and I lived for 8pm.  8pm was their bedtime and what I called, "Mommy time".  Bo worked a lot at night and I needed a little time just to be.  The kids would complain, "When I have kids, they will be able to do whatever they want and never have to go to bed unless they want to."  This statement always made me laugh and still does.  Juliana and Tori would say that they were going to live together, have lots of animals and never clean their house.  I remember Cheryl and I laughing and telling them not to worry about having visitors because no one would want to come over to a house full of animals that is never clean.

Night time was when I found  quiet time when my children were little, now, it's the morning.  I love when Henry is watching Dino Dan in the family room and I am sitting at the kitchen table drinking a cup of coffee and I get to read scripture, think and write.  Yes, the TV is on and its right in my view but no one is actually talking to me.  I can keep an eye on Henry and get a little Grammy time all at once.  Believe me, there are times when people are coming in and out of the house so much that thinking a full thought is impossible.  So to me, this is quiet time.

I do love the commotion of a big family and it has always been a huge part of my life.  I do not look forward to the day when quiet times are all I have.  I prefer them to be a rare part of my day or week.  I like that we have a growing family and we have people who love us.  I like the loudness of family life.  Without the daily noise, I couldn't appreciate the quiet moments.

Henry watching it rain, wanting to go
outside.  Even has on his backpack.

My family whether quiet or loud is my favorite part of the day.  Each moment is a precious gift that we too often take for granted.  Today is like the quiet break after the storm.  Everyone is back to work and life is starting to go back into a routine (at least for us).  My heart goes out to the victims of Sandy who can't go back to the normal.  They are in my prayers and thoughts.  I pray that they find a little quiet time and that they find peace during this terrible time.  Even though the storm is gone for us, it continues to roll in the lives of the victims in so many parts of our country, Cuba and Haiti. 

So in our rare quiet moments today, don't forget to say a prayer for the victims of Hurricane Sandy.  And remember to look around at see what makes your life a Blessed Life.  

Play Dough Time

Well here we are going about our daily business like there is not a hurricane going on outside.  Until that one moment when…the lights go out!!  Yes, it's day time but the sun is hidden and there is very little daylight coming in.  So we go around the house getting the candles and flashlights and then something else happens.  Everything seems calm in the house.

When you can't be entertained, you entertain yourself and those around you.  Henry and I sat down to play with his play dough.  Last night the play dough got mixed so now its like we have tie dyed play dough.  We make tie dyed cookies, snakes, trees, people.  Everything I make, Henry pinches apart to make a huge pile that he calls a house.

I love it when I am forced to turn off the TV or mother nature does it for me.  I love the lit candles around the house (although with Henry I was a tad scared).  They make the house glow and the smell is absolutely fabulous.  Instead of coffee, I had to make hot tea for Bo before work.  Using the kettle and flashlight to find the right tea bags…almost primitive(lol).

With the candles and silence, I feel like skipping this week into November right into the Christmas season.  But I must be patient and I would rather have it snowing than raining.

The electricity came back on and my instincts went into over drive.  Get a shower, turn the TV on, blow out the candles (except for one that Henry can't reach)…get it all done while I have power because I don't know how long this will last.  I like the feel of being primitive but I am a girl born into a life of electric, electronics and hot water, I knew it wouldn't last.

So for now, I am clean, Henry is watching Dino Dan, I have a cup of hot coffee and all is right in our little Coachman Drive world.

Roberta Dunn…lived a life of LOVE

When in your life has someone done something for you, totally unselfish, not wanting accolades, just because they love you?  When I went to sleep last night I was thinking of such a person from long ago.  

When I was about the third grade, we had a school at our church.  It was called River of Life Bible Christian Academy.  It was a very small school but it was wonderful.  My parents worked in the school and were (still are) Pastors of the church.  My dad served as Principal and Mom was the secretary.  We lived above the church in a small apartment.  It's obvious we were totally immersed into the church life.

Being Pastors and workers in the school, Mom and Dad didn't make much money and I do believe that if not enough came in, they did not take a salary.  So we wore our clothes until they just didn't fit anymore and our shoes until they fell apart or were just way too small.  

I don't think I ever allowed my shoes to become too small because I was rough on shoes.  I was rough on everything.  I loved to play outside and I played hard.  I think I ran everywhere and I didn't care how I looked.  I was a tomboy.  I loved to play war.  All of us did.  We would play war outside for hours.  Other kids would come over and play war with us.  

Mom and Dad bought me a new pair of shoes for school at the beginning of the year.  I don't think it was even half way through when I had damaged my them.  My shoes were now able to talk to me when I walked.  I had ripped those suckers up.  I don't even remember it bothering me.  I guess I just didn't care.  Of course I didn't have to walk far, just down the stairs to get to school or church, so the weather wasn't a problem.

I had a teacher named, Roberta Dunn.  She was a short little round woman with long black hair and a heart of gold.  She really didn't like to show others how much she cared.  She had a very shy part to her personality.  She loved rules, God, church, school, her family and our family.  She told me one day that she was taking me to lunch as a special treat and then to get some new shoes.  She informed me that she already asked my parents but that I was to tell no one who got me the new shoes.  I of course agreed.  I don't really remember anything else about that day.  I know my siblings must have asked me where I got the new shoes but I don't remember.  I just know how thankful I was and I kept her secret for years.

Roberta didn't have to do that for me and my family.  She did it out of the kindness of her heart.  She lived a life of love.  I was married with children when Roberta was in an accident that took her life.  She is missed in our lives.  I just want to honor her today.  I can't say it to her now but I will tell everyone who reads this blog how thankful I am that Roberta Dunn was a part of our lives.  She did so many acts of kindness for our family and church over the years.  

Go out today, live a life of love.  It doesn't have to cost money, it could be a smile or hug or a listening ear.  There are so many ways you can make a difference in someones life.  

Roberta I know has received a great reward in heaven.

  The scripture says in Matthew 25:40b "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me."

This is around the time of the purchase
Roberta is the first teacher on the left…in white shirt

This is Roberta with her nephew Todd
and her nieces Danyel & Rachelle

Freedom

Freedom.  Does freedom mean that we can do whatever we want, whenever we want, to whomever we want?  Does it mean there are no rules and no consequences?  Do we see freedom as the absence of boundaries?  What is freedom?

During this election time (which is wearing on me) we face this question.  Especially since our government is trying to little by little take our freedoms away.  Our leaders who are to be servants of the country, are focused on their own agendas & wants.  I grieve over the division in our precious UNITED States.

We have the right and the left and those who stay in the middle.  We have the liberal media promoting and pushing their ideals and fueling the fires of confusion, discontentment and fear.

If you know me than you know I am a devout Christian, Republican, Conservative.  I believe in God, traditional marriage, family, less government, small business, small town America with an appreciation for big city America.  I love the arts and education.  I abhor abortion but I have compassion on those who have been deceived into having one.  I love people no matter what their beliefs are.  I think we should all be givers but where to give should be a choice not a government mandate.

When our freedoms interfere with the freedoms of others, then it is a problem.  That is why we have laws and police and courts and jails.  We should as Christians make sure that we show love at all times. Even when we disagree with others. My Bishop always says that we never have the right to be unkind. We can disagree without being unkind.

I say all this because of the scripture this morning.  Galatians 5:13 NIV says, You, my brothers and sisters were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 

 If we are busy serving one another, putting others first than we will not have enough time to focus on our differences.  Let's focus on what unites us.  We are Americans enjoying freedoms that most countries do not have.  We are (right now) free to express our beliefs as long as we don't infringe on others freedoms.  We are a country built on Judeo -Christian convictions and beliefs.  We love our Country and are proud of the stand we take against dictators and those who wish to rule with hate and fear.  We want to see our country prosper and all people to have a warm place to sleep and full bellies.  I think most people feel this way.  So let's continue to be the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and not what the media tries its best to mold us into as the Divided States of America.

Last Christmas Eve…everyone coming together for Candlelight
service…Silent Night 

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.-1 John 4:7

Where is my home?

Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him-Psalm 62:1 

I woke up this morning with my little grandson on my mind.  How hard it must be for him going back and forth from mommy's house to daddy's house.  He got in trouble last night for saying a bad word and I don't know if he understands why he can say it one place and not the other.  Different rules, different ways of doing things, different atmosphere.  He gets confused at what he calls who.  My heart breaks for him.  Where does he fit?  Where is Henry's house and not just Mommy's house or Daddy's house.  Both parents love him and want to be with him.  Both parents have provided his own space in their homes.  But even as a 2 year old, does he feel split?

I never had to go through this growing up.  My own children didn't have to deal with this either.  My home was where my parents lived.  When I look around at young children today, Henry's situation is more common than both parents living in the same household.  This will be Henry's life until he grows up.

My sister said to me the other day that children with the split home life, never feel totally complete.  Even if they live mostly with one parent, they will forever be the odd kid out (if the parents have more children).  I think she is right but one thing came to mind; God is a God of Restoration.  I told her that God restores what life takes away.  When Henry is older and finds the love of his life, gets married and starts his own family…Family Restored.  He won't have to worry about Mommy's house and Daddy's house because he will have his HOME.

Family shapes us, gives us community, faith and security.  I have great confidence that Henry will be OK and that we can all work together to give him community, faith & security.  His experiences will give him a perspective that I don't have.  Henry is loved by all who know him and I pray that he will always know that.

I do wish it were different for him but that is something I don't have control over.  But I do believe 100% that Henry William VanDyke is in the heart of God.  I know God has His hand over Henry's little life. I believe that God gave us a precious gift when He created Henry.  So we will continue to help him navigate his way through the obstacle course of Mommy's house and Daddy's house.  We won't be perfect and he won't be perfect.  We will however never stop loving him and doing our best to protect and nurture him.  We will show him that whether he is at Mommy's or Daddy's, God is always with him…he is not alone.

The Message Bible puts it this way…God, the one and only-I'll wait as long as he says, Everything I need comes from him, so why not?-Psalm 62:1

I Tummin, I Tummin

"DAMMMMYYYY, DAMMMMMY, you downtairs?  Yes, Henry, I'm downstairs.  I Tummin Dammy, I tummin downtairs."  This is the conversation that I just had with my grandson.  He then hollered for his mommy that he was going downstairs with me.  This boy cracks me up.

I was just thinking about all the things on my list to do today and when I heard that sweet voice, my whole body just relaxed and I smiled.  This is the effect that Henry has on me (most of the time).  He brings a smile to my face even when he is being rowdy and misbehaving.

 
When I was working on my craft for Friday Night Light yesterday, Henry decided that everything on the table belonged to him.  He wanted so bad the animals that I had bought for the craft.  Well, I gave him his own.  He kept saying thank you and in his little excited voice said, "YES" while pumping his little fist in pure joy.

His animals set up on the kitchen table

These days are going fast.  Too soon this little guy will be in school and no longer all day with me three days a week.  So I am savoring each day that he is with me, playing, singing, running and messing up my family room with his toys.  I remember the days not that long ago when there were no toys and babies running around.  Our home was quiet and cleaner.  I would think, this place needs children, little children.  Now we have one.  I look forward to more grandchildren, more toys, more mess.  Nothing is more important than family.  

Children are a huge part of my BLESSED LIFE!

Friday Night Light Preparation

Today I have been very busy getting ready for Friday Night.  At our church, the third Friday of the month is Friday Night Light.  It is a time when children ages 3 through fifth grade can come to the church and have a mini VBS.  We have worship, WORD, crafts, games, snack and an AWESOME time!

This month our theme is the Plagues of Egypt.  My job is the craft.  Now there were so many things that I could have done because I had 10 plagues to choose from.  But in true Kimberly VanDyke fashion, I chose to do ALL 10 in one craft.

This is a mock up of what the mask may look like

We are making a Plagues mask.  Each plague will be represented on the mask in some way.  This has been a test of my imagination.  I do believe that my favorite is the lice which I have represented by googly eyed spiders on the mask.  I love it.  I also took flesh colored foam sheets and cut out circles.  Placing them on ZOTS makes the circles stand out.  The circles are now BOILS…YUCK!!!  I think this theme is super cool.

Last month we did Jesus is the light of the world.  We made lanterns to light our way.  Friday Night Light is an outreach to preschool and elementary children.  We don't want to just whisk into their lives one week a summer.  Our desire is touch their lives on a constant basis.  To show that Christ The King Church loves them and cares about what happens in their daily life.  To be the light of the world, even if that world is only in a three block area.  This is our second month for FNL.  We are hoping to grow each month.

The lanterns the children made

Lanterns with the lights out…battery
operated candles

Snack time

Our goal is to touch whole families for Christ.  We know that Jesus is the answer and it is our responsibility to share what we know.  All this preparation is worth it!!  I want to be part of someone else's Blessed Life.

Fall Walk

Last week, Henry and I decided to go for a little fall walk.  Looking at the leaves and jumping around, it was great fun.  Of course I had my phone and took a couple of pics…like 25 (I have a little problem).  

We just walked around our yard because Juliana has been using my car so we stayed close to home.  We have a great yard with all the leaves anyone could ever want.  I do believe that the whole neighborhoods leaves end up here.  But we have woods and hills on our property so it makes for a great nature walk.  Here are some pics from our walk.

I told Henry to look at me…He made his
eyes bigger so he could see me better, I guess

Our shadows…Henry thought this was cool

I love the shadows of the trees in the side yard

I guess he was tuckered out…he just sat down
and then laid back.  He is too much

He is running in his fireman rain boots that
Uncle Andy and Aunt Colleen got him
for his birthday…He loves them

I enjoy our days together.  Juliana works Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at our office so I get to spend time with my grandson.  I know he won't be little for long and I want to be there for everything.  He loves to explore and learn new things.  I cherish these moments together.  

The wonderment at the different color leaves, the giggles at the crunchy leaves…if we could bottle up that excitement we would be millionaires.  I am so thankful for my little man.

Jake & Scovia VanDyke…Happy Anniversary

One year ago today, Bo & I were in Uganda, Africa.  Our son was marrying a young woman named Scovia.  We had only met her a couple of days before the wedding but it was an instant connection.

I remember fighting back the tears as I watched my son walk down the aisle to his spot in the front of the Cathedral.  I could see that little boy with blonde hair and huge brown eyes playing and running and sitting on my lap.  I could see the first time they put him on my chest.  He was crying and the only thing I could say was that he looked like Lauren when he cries.  Jake became my little buddy.  He was my first shadow.  I could walk around the kitchen and through the dining room into the living room several times without stopping and Jake would follow.  He would be talking and talking and talking but he never noticed that we were just walking without a purpose.  I would laugh because he didn't notice.

Now my baby boy has been married a year.  In this year Jake & Scovia have been through so much.   For most of the year they lived in Kampala, Uganda and in August they moved to the US.  They have had to make many adjustments and just like any first year, they have had to learn how to compromise.

I am so proud of both of them.  I want to wish them a Happy Anniversary!  I look forward to what the second year has to bring.  I pray that God blesses them and continues to expand their love for each other.  Scovia is a great addition to our family.  I couldn't have picked a better person for my son to love.  

Lilly Grace

October is Infant/Pregnancy Loss and SIDS Awareness month.  It's a time for us to remember the babies who too soon went to be with Jesus.  People of course don't like to talk about these things because it's hard for us to wrap our minds around not being with our babies or grand babies.  

Personally I hadn't ever experienced the loss of a child and I didn't realize or understand that when you lose a child through miscarriage you feel the loss just as strong.  I had sympathy for those who did but I was detached from the situation.  It wasn't until my daughter lost her baby that it hit home with me.  

So today I want to remember my grand daughter, Lilly Grace Hall VanDyke.  We never got to hold her but we love her and think of her often.  We know she is in the arms of Jesus and with loved ones who have gone before us. I have nieces and/or nephews in heaven that are with our Lilly.  I think of them and how beautiful heaven must be because of all those beautiful babies.  

I know this is a different kind of post but I wanted to honor life today.  Even if that life wasn't here for very long.  These lives  had an impact on our lives and they are a part of us.  These babies are loved and never forgotten.  

LIFE IS PRECIOUS…ALL LIFE!

Constant Changes

We go through many stages in life.  Even as adults we are still growing and learning and changing.  I have been an adult since I was 17 years old.  I guess I should say that I have had adult responsibilities since I was 17 years old.  I took on these responsibilities willingly.  I got married at 17 and had Jake at 18.  By the time I turned 20 I was 8 months pregnant with Juliana and at 21 we welcomed Kelcie Lorraine into the world.  I barely remember being in my 20's.  But by my 30's I was in a groove.  I had 3 children 9, 10 & 11 and we were constantly on the move.  Bo accused me of having wheels on my butt because I never stayed home.

I went through my 30's with ease until I started to near my 40's.  It was then that I became a grandmother.  Our life of teens and young adults became a life of baby things and baby smells.  Now I have come full circle.  I am now a stay at home Grammy.  I love being home with my grandson.  It helps ease the knowledge that all my kids are grown and at 41 I could be experiencing Empty Nest any day.  Of course I am back to preschool shows, Full House, sippy cups…IT'S GREAT!

The learning part comes into play with that I am NOT the Mommy.  I have been comfortable with the fact that in our home, I am the mommy but now that Henry has been born, I have a new role…GRAMMY.  With being Grammy, you have some of the same responsibilities but usually you have a lot more freedom.  With each stage of Henry's little life we are all adjusting in the VanDyke home.  His Mommy has been through the most changes.  It is not easy being the daughter and the mommy in the same house.

Pretty soon we will be going through another change.  In January, Juliana is getting married and moving out.  Of course she will be taking Henry with her.  We are all going to have to make adjustments there.  Our home will become much quieter and we will have toy free areas.  This will not be an easy change for us.  Henry will then be going to Grammy & Pop's house when he comes over instead of it being called home.

1991- I was 19 years old

1991- Turned 20

In my 30's

Each change in my adult life has brought its own challenges and surprises.  I am so thankful that we never stop growing and changing.  I think life would get very boring if everything stayed the same.  I didn't feel ready to become a Grammy at 39 but Henry is the best surprise ever.  Remember that God will be there to get you through the scary time of change.  2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."  

I hope you embrace the changes that come no matter what.  It will help you enjoy your blessed life.

Musical Influences

I had a dream the other night that I became a famous bluegrass singer.  Why?  I have no idea.  I like some bluegrass but it has never been one of my favorite genres.  Bluegrass does remind me of my grandfather and his brothers sitting around at family reunions pickin & singin.

My grandfather was a great musician.  We have a history of great musicians on my mothers fathers side.  Now my Mother, big brother & nephews are carrying on the tradition.  They pick up an instrument, decide to play it and BOOM, they do!  It's a great talents.  The rest of us are singers.

The Next Generation

Our Beautiful Belle-Autumn

The dream from the other night has got me to thinking.  Who were my musical influences?  Who really made an impact on my preferred style?  Of course there are famous Gospel singers who made a big impact on me.  The Rambo's, The Goodman's, Dallas Holm, The Nelon's, Andre Crouch and I loved The Hinson's.  These were groups from when I was a young girl into my early teens.  We would listen to them while cleaned the house on Saturday morning.

The real influences however came from closer to home.  Minister's that came to our church.  The Hilton's, Tim Woodson & Joyce "The Voice" Robinson (The best version of Jesus Loves Me that I have ever heard).  The people closer to home made a bigger impact because it was more intimate and you could experience the anointing that they had (have).  When Theresa would sing Jesus Is Precious, I would cry my eyes out every time.  I remember when Richard Hilton wrote the song, Unity.  I remember him standing in our tiny kitchen, above the church, singing it with my mom and Theresa.  Tim Woodson told me one time that it takes more talent to sing a song totally off key than to sing on key.  He said that most people will sing at least one line or word right without trying.  I think he was right about that.  These people had a personal impact that the others didn't because I knew them.

Ronald Scott dancing at
Kelcie's birthday party

The one person who had the biggest musical impact on me and still does to this day is my Mom.  Lorraine Estep taught me that without the anointing of the LORD you can sing pretty but you have no power.  My mom has one of the most powerful voices out there.  She can sing for hours at full throttle and her voice never tires.  It's amazing!!  I can sing a couple of songs and my voice starts to show signs of strain, NOT MOM.  She just keeps going and going.  She speeds most songs up and she doesn't like down times in songs either.  She knows when a song will work for Christ the King Church and when it is not going to.  She has lead worship at CTK ever since she got saved practically.  She is one of the best worship leaders that I have ever seen.  My dad can say a word in a song that he wants her to sing and she knows what he is talking about.  Her grand kids call her the Human Archives.

Now, I know most people will say that their musical influences were from other genres but I cannot say that .  We were Gospel music and nothing else when we were growing up.  When I became a teenager, other influences entered in.  But my roots are in what I would call Contemporary Southern Gospel.  I have to say that  strong female singers like Dottie Rambo & Vestal Goodman were common in Southern Gospel.

So if you remember "The Estep Girls" coming to your church or singing at conventions, then you will recognize the groups listed above.  I will always love those old songs that we sang in churches around the Northeastern states.

Music is such a big part of my life.  I love to sing and lead others in worship.  It is a huge part of my blessed life.

What my arms where made to do

I am truly loving this fall season with Henry.  This is his first year being excited about everything new.  He loves his Halloween costume because it has a tail.  He loves to carry the tiny pumpkins around and to draw faces on them.  His Uncle Jake took him outside Saturday to crunch in the leaves and then his mommy & Aaron showed him how to pile them up and jump in them.  

With each season this year and every holiday, Henry has brought new excitement because of his enthusiasm.  If only we all had the same wonderment when it came to new things.  In a house full of adults, Henry in his simplicity is so refreshing.  His only concern for the day is if he gets to watch Dino Dan or if his dinosaurs are where he wants them.  

In our adult lives we have so many things that we are responsible for.  Juliana is planning a wedding…100% time consuming and confusing.  Jake and Scovia are still getting their feet acclimated to America and living in a home with 4 other people…so no privacy to speak of.  Bo & I are trying to keep our head above water at times with the responsibilities we have and the people we love.  So when Henry walks up to us and says, "Dammy, Hold" while lifting up his chubby little arms and shining eyes, I drop whatever I am doing and hold him as long as he will let me. I feel like it is a vacation from pressing issues.  It is what my arms were made to do.


The scripture for this morning is Isaiah 40:28-29 I read it in the NIV and MSG.  I like the way the Message Bible puts it.

"Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening? God doesn't come and go.  God lasts.  He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.  He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch His breath.  And He knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts."

Even when we are out of steam, tired and when we give up, God is there and able to breath newness into our feeble bodies. He gives us "Henry's" to hold.  What or who is your Henry?  What or who brings you peace or joy?  Whatever or whomever it is…God has provided it.  So as we live our Blessed Life, remember to give thanks to the one who never tires or takes a break, the ONE who provided it all.

Henry with his jack o lantern that he made with his
Mommy & Aaron

Henry & Pop Sunday Morning before church.  Henry
loves his costume so much that he put it on
first thing in the morning.  

Morning Musings

Perfect Love

Sometimes I do not know what to write.  Is it because I don't have something to say? No.  It is because I have too many things going through my mind and I struggle with choosing one topic and making sure I make a little sense.  So today I am going to put down some of my morning musings…things I wake up thinking about.

1. Why did I dream that?  I have such vivid dreams.  I wake up and usually I can remember almost every detail.  This I know is a family trait.  My brother has very vivid dreams also but his usually include someone chasing him (at least that was the case when we were all still living at home).  So I wake up in the morning thinking, "Did that dream mean something or do I just have an overactive imagination?".

2. The leaves have taken over my yard.  It seems like every leaf in three counties is in my back yard AND we still have plenty of leaves on the trees.  Yesterday as I was playing play dough with Henry, I looked out the sliders and it looked like snow falling but it was only leaves.  It is beautiful when they fall.

3. I like it when the leaves start to fall in the backyard and new morning light patterns start because of the spaces the leaves have left.  Great photo op really.

4. I wish I had more time to really take pictures.

5. I often wonder what the scripture of the morning will be on You Version.  Today's was a good one to wake up to:

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."   Matthew 19:26 NKJV

6. I wonder why America is so divided and what can we do about it.  The only answer I can come up with is to have love one for another.  It is hard to show love when you disagree but if we look to Jesus, He will show us.  Perfect love cast out all fear (1 John 4:18)…fear is the opposite of love, not hate.  Fear creates hate and hate says that I wish you death.  Some of the things happening in our country are scary and can produce in us a real fear but just look at the scripture above, with God all things are possible.  He tells us to love those who persecute us…perfect love.  So when I feel fear rising up in my heart and mind, I must remind myself that I do not wrestle against flesh and blood…it is a spiritual war and I do want death for sin but life for the WORLD.  Jesus is the answer.

Remember when you are dealing with people that you cannot seem to find good in, they are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God (Psalm 139:14).  That helps me when I feel like slapping them…lol

Children at Friday Night Light
Learning that Jesus is
The Light of The World

As you can see my thoughts start one place and end up in another.  The mind is a wonderful thing.  I hope everyone who reads this has a wonderful weekend.  Enjoy your Blessed Life even if it is brought down to minutes at a time.  

The Tow's (cows) Houf (house)

This year, Henry is really enjoying all the aspects of fall.  On Tuesday, my father in law purchased HUGE pumpkins at an auction.  They were so big that only eight of them would fit in his pickup truck.  He got them for $8 a piece.  When Henry saw the huge pumpkins he became extremely excited.

Henry sitting on Poppie's huge Pumpkins

We didn't stop there.  When I saw how excited Henry was, I asked Bo to take us to the Amish farm to get mums so we could decorate.  It was muddy and drizzling outside but I figured, we were already dirty from getting the pumpkins off the truck that we might as well finish the job.  We decided that Jake & Scovia should go with us.  This would be Scovia's first trip to the Esh's farm where we get our flowers.

The walk around the Esh farm

Uncle Jake & Henry taking a walk

Henry was loving the farm.  He loves animals and they have plenty.  When we first got out of the truck, he gasped…there was a horse right there.  He says, "horsey…neigh".  Henry does a great horse impression.  Uncle Jake and Aunt Scovia walked him around to the calf in his little house.  Henry says, "It's the tow's (cows) houf (house)".  Pop showed him how to let the calf suck on his hand.  Henry then decides to fling the calf spit off his hand…that was gross.

Pop letting the calf suck on Henry's hand

He got to see the chickens and turkeys.  He was on cloud nine.  When we got home, he helped his Aunt Scovia and Grammy decorate with the pumpkins and mums, outside.

I love seeing things through the eyes of a child.  Grandchildren renew that in you.  Henry sees things as exciting and if they aren't exciting, he makes it that way.  I am so thankful for this little boy and the life he brings into our lives.  He loves us with abandon and he gives us his total trust.  Even in the mess of living with a toddler, I know that he adds to our Blessed Life.

Our purchase