purpose and prayer!

As I reflect on my thoughts of the last few weeks, I'm again surprised by what God is teaching me.  Sometimes I wonder why He would even use me, let alone teach me new awesome things.  I am praying that He would show me more of Himself, that I would continue to sense His spirit working within me.  I'm praying that God would really show me His purpose.  I wonder at times what His purpose is for me now that I'm staring down an almost empty house.  I can hardly imagine that this day has come.  Tyler leaves in a about a month.  He's ready, but I'm not.  So in the mean time I'm praying that I will know God's direction in this part of my life.  I know it involves my grandbabies in a big way.  But I believe God has positioned me and is placing something new in my heart.  I'm still asking and seeking His direction.  I know that His spirit will breeze the path that I'm to take.  It might be that I have to take that step of faith.  So I pray for guidance, direction and new purpose.....!  Pray with me if you will!  Pray for my beautiful grandbabies, they occupy most of my heart and mind these days!  Pray for strength, wisdom, courage and peace of mind for Justin and Stefanie!  They are doing an awesome job.  They may not feel equipped, but they really have heart!  Amazing heart!  God is using them and doing great things in and through them.  Isn't that what it's about!  That's all we can ask.....that He use us, just as we are!

a day at the beach

A beautiful hot day!With my sweet grandbabies!My niece Ashley and Brooklyn

Happy Birthday Chad

Chad and Ty

Chad flying high!

August 8th was Chad's birthday!   24 years ago this past Sunday was a special day.  Chad entered the world with gusto!  He's lived that way ever since.  He doesn't worry too much about what others think.  I appreciate that in Chad.  I love that Chad is who he is!  He marches to the beat of his own drum!  I have to admire that about him.  He's grown up a lot this past year.  He's had to.   Chad makes me smile and laugh!  Love ya Chad!  Happy 24th birthday!

about praise

As I sit here this morning, I realize that it's unusually quiet.  I'm sometimes starved for the quietness, other times I'd rather not feel the eerie silence.  But when it's quiet, I long to hear the soft sounds of sandaled feet.  I don't often sense that Godly presence, but I welcome it like a good friend.  I'm thankful that He shows me Himself in the quietness of my own heart.  I often miss those times, I'm too busy to listen, too busy to hear His voice.  But isn't that what God longs to do.  He speaks to us in various ways.  I know He longs to develop in me a heart of praise.  So today I welcome a heart of praise even in the midst of struggle and heartache.  I'm reminded that He inhabits the praises of His people. I want to be able to praise Him in the storm.  He reminds me that He instills peace and joy.  Ive been listening to a CD of a Haitian man who experienced horror during the recent hurricane that hit and destroyed so much in his country.   He writes and sings a song about praise....."what can stop me from praising Jesus." It inspires my heart to just praise. 

Psalm 66 ~ (vs 6) Praise our God, O people let the sound of his praise be heard; he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. (vs 12) But you brought us to a place of abundance.  (vs16) Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.

Bakkens and Baseball!

We watched the Lake County Fielders last night.  It was a lot of fun.  We went as a family in honor of our Dad.  He was excited about the Fielders coming to Zion.  He had planned for us to all go as a family when they finished the stadium.  Even though Dad wasn't there to watch with us, we know he would have loved every minute of it.  Baseball was one of his great loves.  So it was fun to be able to honor his desire to watch the Fielders play and we did!  We loved every minute of the 3 and 1/2 hour game! 

a few pics with my sweet grand babies!

We celebrated 34 years of marriage yesterday.  What made it really special was that we were invited to a wedding.  What a great reminder as we listened to this young couples vows, of the vows we made 34 years ago.  The vows that were said were very sweet, especially when the bride said she promised to always do all the laundry.  I don't often hear brides offer that in their vows.  But it was especially sweet and very honest.  What an encouragement to be reminded of whats important in life and the vows we made so many years ago, are still what we believe.  I'm thankful for 34 years of a strong marriage.  Not that it's always been easy.  Certainly, difficult times have come, I assume no marriage is without struggle at times.  I'm thankful that God has been the center of our marriage.  Along with lots of laughter, honesty, being best friends, and most importantly Date Night.  Date night for us was something we started early in our marriage.  It's a great way to reconnect.  It's hard in the beginning to find the time, but so worth it.  So we continue to date on a weekly basis, even after 34 years!