Summer Blessings

As I reflect on the months that have flown by so quickly, I marvel at the goodness of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ who alone deserves all glory and honor for all that He has done for me - for my family. It's hard to sum up the many happenings in our home in just one or two blog posts, but I will do my best to summarize and share some lessons the LORD has taught me along the way.

The LORD has opened many doors for us this summer to play music and minister as a family for different occasions. There is always the challenge of looking at a program and evaluating the music we played - "Did we sound good on that one?" "Oh, I really messed up on that song" etc. but the big picture we want to keep in mind is "Did we give of our best to the Master?" "Did we show love to this crowd that needs Jesus?". These are the things we should be focusing on - Christ instead of self. Anything done without the love of Jesus is worthless.

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing." ~1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Today, the LORD reminded me to be praying for my brother - how often do we take time to just PRAY for our siblings? Prayer is one of the most powerful weapons we have in the armor of God. Are we taking advantage of this opportunity to hold up our family members in prayer? Our brothers and sisters really need our support, encouragement and prayers, and who knows their needs better than their very own siblings?

Dads - what a blessing they are to the family! My Daddy is one of the hardest working men I know, and his diligence and desire to be in God's will leads our family in wonderful places. They have so much resting on their shoulders though, ladies, so don't forget to pray for your dads every day!
I was studying what it means to be a "peculiar people" as 1 Peter 2:9 says, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:" I found an amazing picture that blessed my day and made me very grateful to the LORD that we are named with this special title. We are PURCHASED, BOUGHT WITH A PRICE, SET APART FOR A SPECIAL PURPOSE - this knowledge of recognizing how God the Father views His people should draw our hearts to Him. He created ME for a special use and He longs to use a willing vessel, pure and set apart (that means SEPARATE FROM THE WORLD - can those around me tell that I am different than the world - the trends, fashions and ways the world is going?) from the evil of this world. The purpose of all this is to be able to show forth His praise and glorify His hallowed name!

Ladies, I can't tell you how grateful I am to God for my mother - she is the BEST friend I have - I can confide in her, share my heart with her (not feeling afraid to pour it out, because I know she would never laugh at me), and have deep heart-to-heart talks with her. I can only share this with you now because I have worked on that relationship and I have not resented my mother! I was encouraged by a short message I heard on Saturday about honoring and respecting our parents which includes a submissive spirit and not always coming up with a reason to disagree with whatever our parents say the moment they state something or ask us to do a task. I encourage you to share your hearts with your parents - give them your hearts, for this is the greatest treasure they could get from you.
Where do I begin? Can I share with you that sisters are one of the dearest treasures you could ask for? I have such a close relationship with my sisters and I would not trade those wonderful relationships for ANYTHING!! Never let things that will pass away, friends that will come and go, or temporal pleasures, get in the way of taking that precious time and building friendships with your siblings - YOUNG and OLD - this will be a sacrifice of time, but one you will never regret in the long run!
I was reading verses on "Living Water" and I was greatly encouraged - it made me thirst for that water that will never run dry. It all begins at the Source: Jesus Christ! Don't let life get so busy that you forget to spend time with our loving Savior. He longs for that time with us. How often do we disappoint Him or miss those intimate talks with Him by getting so busy with "living" when in reality, we are missing out on REAL life by filling up on His Word?
"He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." ~John 7:38

"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst: but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." ~John 4:14
Don't forget to spend time with little ones and ENJOY THE LITTLE YEARS!!! I would encourage all you young ladies to look up this book that I have just started to read Loving the Little Years Motherhood in the Trenches by Rachel Jankovic. This book has so encouraged me and motivated me to really work on the relationships with little ones! Growing up in a large family is so much fun - it is a HUGE blessing - and it ALSO comes with MANY opportunities to test character, grow in trusting the LORD with all circumstances and timing (especially when "interruptions" occur; we must view them as diving appointments from the LORD to be sanctified!). I have been greatly blessed!
Picnics are so much fun. Sisters, don't forget to make the most of these precious moments that will not last forever! When the little girls ask you to join them for a tea party outside, even though you planned to have your school done, the dinner made and have a little extra time for reading, DO IT!!! They will grow up and will remember how important they were to you! :) How will they remember you? Make them a thrill of your life.
"But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favor wilt thou compass them with a shield." ~Psalm 5:11-12
"But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah." ~Psalm 3:3-4
My handsome daddy!
Some dear friends of our have been organizing many get-togethers for our Bible Study group. The games, fellowship and times spent together make lasting memories. Praise God for uplifting, encouraging friends that are following the ways of the LORD!
Children are such a treasure. I enjoy watching my siblings take great joy in little ones.
Daddy and I had the opportunity to travel together 5 hours to attend a wedding of one of his college friends. What a JOY that was for ME to spend that time with my Daddy. We talked about SO many things and came home refreshed just by the fellowship we shared. We listened to a couple really good messages on the way home too. I will never forget that special time.
"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward." ~Psalm 127:3

" As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth." ~Psalm 127:4


"Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate." ~Psalm 127:5

Yesterday morning, we were asked to play music, then we stayed afterwards a while and enjoyed a couple other musical families.

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled." ~Matthew 5:6

Samuel and Rebekah were pulling the "covered wagon" with the sled... we've had the children ask so many times, "When is fall? And when is winter?". I think they are looking forward to the snow more than I am!

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" ~Psalm 133:1

"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." ~1Timothy 6:12

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." ~Hebrews 11:6

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves... But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. ~James 1:22&25

"Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom." ~James 3:13

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." ~James 4:10

"And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not."~Isaiah 58:10-11

"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him." ~2 Chronicles 16:9a
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." ~1Timothy 6:6-8
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." ~Ephesians 4:29


Family truly is a gift from the LORD, never to be taken for granted. We have these moments to treasure - don't waste the precious time with which the LORD has blessed us.

We were also blessed over Labor Day weekend to spend several days with a like-minded family. The fellowship was sweet, the memories were special and we were encouraged in the LORD and were greatly refreshed. The LORD is so good to bring us in contact with such families and encourage us in the way we are to go.

The LORD be with you all!!

Because of Christ,
~Dani