Here is a look on a here-and-there basis of some adventures, experiences and quick shots of my summer, thus far. I have spent some time trying to rest and reload, a bit. I have been flying under the radar and attempting to live in a rhythm of being with Jesus and being with family…and anything else comes after those. It’s out of the feelings of realizing, after ten years of full-time ministry in our community I felt as though I longed for some rest – a breath of air, a sabbatical-like opportunity. Here are some sites:
After many promises of playing in the rain – we finally got our boots on and ran out one morning to play in the rain and splash in the puddles.
A tired little Boone loving on Mommy.
We went fishing one day at a friend’s pond. Wyatt caught six fish, Boone caught three or four! We had a blast, they were cashed and sweat bee sting-ridden. We looked back, remembering the fish, the horses, and the bond we have – a deep rooted father-son friendship that is forever. Love these dudes…love our good times.
A smelly bathroom is no fun. Replaced the wax seal…..wah lah! No more smell. Felt like I was a handy-man. Maybe I am.
Kyds Workshop at The Home Depot. They helped me to be a better dad on this day – I loved working with the boys at the HD. We made a coaster set, got their own aprons, pins, and walked around the store like they owned the place! Loved it.
I took Wyatt exploring on a day hike. We found this baby bird. We got to pet it, too. Then we came across the praying mantis…. or as Wyatt says, the “Praying Man” bug.
Working on another project with Daddy! Boone pulls another plant out of the ground….he has a habit of doing this. He then screams loudly, “Look, Daddy….a raddish!!!” We now do time-outs for pulling plants! He’s a hoot.
Here’s my family!! Wyatt, Boone, Olivia, and Baby O!!! See her, she’s in the “O”! j/k. Well, she is in there…..
We have enjoyed our summer. I have enjoyed my time with Jesus. I have sat on my back porch and soaked in the goodness of the Lord. I have sat in our rocking chairs with Olivia and had glasses of tea and moments of laughter, flirting, and looking forward, glancing back in our lives. It has been sweet and tender all together. We look ahead to the wonder and chaos of another baby, another busy season with ministry, kids, and the details in the middle. I feel so grateful, so honored, so blessed and yet have felt so blurry on some days. I am thankful for clarity from the Lord – to seek His Kingdom and HIs righteousness….and then these things will be given (food, drink, clothing)! –Mathew 6:33
Today’s scripture: Mathew 6:9-34…..
6"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9“This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11Give us today our daily bread. 12Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.[C]’ 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Fasting 16“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Treasures in Heaven 19“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Do Not Worry 25“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[D]? 28“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Blessings,
-ao
