I sat down this afternoon to do some writing here, but when I went to upload the most recent pictures from my cell phone I was appalled at the chaos in my photos folder!

I can't take it another moment!  Organizing my pictures has been on my to do list for months, but there is always something more urgent.  Ug!

However, today is the day!  Woohoo! 

So, since I was planning to write, but will be spending my time wading through pictures, I thought I'd just share some of my favorites as I come to them. 

I'm going to just keep this window open and switch back and forth between my pictures folder and my blog.  That means, you can expect extreme randomness and lack of organization.

How appropriate - because of the lack of organization in my pictures, you get an unorganized, random blog post.

Ready or not . . .

Hooray for another new niece!  You can never have too many nieces and nephews! :)  This little angel arrived last summer!

This newest little one makes four nieces and two nephews for Josh and I!

Well, it is dinner time and I have three hungry boys to feed!  I made great progress on my picture organization!  I hope you enjoyed this little chaotic blast from the past! :)

We are beginning to find our groove here.  After being horribly ill last week, it feels so good to finally begin to enjoy being home!  The boys and I are following our new homeschool and chore routines (more about that soon) and I feel like I can safely say that it is going very well!  I continue to be encouraged with the boys' homeschool progress.  What a couple of smarties! :)  I'm also involving the boys more in household chores and responsibilities, which I know is so good for them.  Not only are we conquering some laziness and entitlement issues, but they're learning valuable skills . . .  and I'm getting some help around the house! Three birds with one chore chart stone! ;)

I start my day early because one of my absolute favorite things about living in this beautiful place is my morning quiet time!

Now, let me clarify - I AM NOT a morning person.  I have struggled to wake up in the morning for as long as I can remember.  When I finally do drag myself out of bed, I am grumpy and need at least an hour alone in the quiet with a big cup of coffee before I can feel human and even slightly pleasant.  When you are single, this is no big deal.  However, after you have a family, sleeping in until the very last minute and then being an angry grouch is just not a good option.  So, a couple years ago (yes, it did take me that long to make changes and yes, my poor family did suffer up until that point - BOO Me!), I finally decided that I HAD to start getting up well before the rest of my family.  I need to have time alone in the quiet, with Jesus, to prepare for the day ahead.  When I do this, I am a better wife, mommy, friend, and over all just a better human being!

So, why is morning one of my favorite times here?  Well . . .

When my alarm goes off, I quietly tiptoe out of my room and close the door so Josh can stay asleep.  I walk down the hall, closing the boys' bedroom door as I go past.  I walk into my dark kitchen and get my cup of coffee started.  Next, I turn on just one light, set my Bible, notebooks, Scripture memory and prayer cards out on the table.  Then, I open all of the blinds in my living and dining room.

I sit down and begin to pray and read.  I ask Jesus to speak to me, to help me understand His word.  I read, journal, and pray.  Sometimes I sing quietly and occasionally I cry.  All the while, I am waiting.  Waiting in anticipation of the moment that I know is coming.  That moment when the light begins to break through the darkness. When my windows will go from dark reflections of my house to glorious displays of God's goodness!

When I can look out over the field and see the mountains in the distance, it's like God is giving me a hug.  I hear Him telling me that He loves me.  I feel peace and joy and excitement and safety all at the same time. 

There's something about this place. 

Maybe it's the beauty. 

Maybe it's the way God provided it for our family, right when we needed it most. 

Or maybe it's just because in a life full of busyness and chaos, here I can find stillness.

Whatever the reason, I am grateful -
grateful for the beauty
grateful for a home
grateful for the stillness . . .

grateful for mornings!

When Josh and I decided to start this ministry, it was a huge leap of faith.  We knew God was calling us into the unknown and it was scary, but it was also really exciting!  Over the past three years, we have watched God work in such huge ways.  Not only have we seen Him touch hearts, change lives, and heal broken people; we've also seen Him provide for us miraculously and direct us clearly.

We now find ourselves once again, listening anxiously for His voice.  We believe that there are some changes on the horizon, but we're not sure what that means or what that will look like.  Josh and I have both felt a stirring in our hearts, so we pray and wait.  We are confident God will direct us, and yet it's scary!  We want to be wise, to go where God is leading, to step out with courage or to stay in contentment.  We want to love each other and our boys and our friends and family well.  We want to shine bright for Christ.  But sometimes, the how? and where? and when? are not clear. 

This morning as I continued working my way through the book of Deuteronomy.  I found myself reading these verses and smiling.

And so, when I am afraid,
when I feel overwhelmed or uncertain about the future . . .

I will remember well what the Lord my God has done!

I will remember well the great trials, the signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm by which the Lord my God has brought us out and through!