Far Too Long

Our blog has sadly been neglected since we've been home from Arizona. I'm not sure if we still have any readers, but just in case, Amanda encouraged me to do a SHORT post, then maybe people would be willing to read again and take the time to comment! :) I tend to get carried away with all the pictures (it's fun), but then it turns out to be a huge post that is hard to read.

Anyways, I have a few things I want to share. The LORD has blessed me in many special ways recently. We are told over and over in His Word to tell of His wondrous works

1Ch 16:9-12  Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

Psa 71:17  O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.

Psa 75:1 Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.

 The other day, the older ones in my family (Dad, Greg, Amanda, Emily, Hannah and I) were scooping out the goat barn together. It was a big project, but I was thankful for the time we could all work together. As we were completing the project, the tractor was scooping up with the bucket and I was behind the other side of the 200+lb. gate, helping push the heavy load of hay into the bucket with my pitch fork. Well, the tractor moved closer to the gate and as the bucket lifted, it caught the bottom panel of the gate, which lifted it completely off the old hinges and dropped it down - right on my foot! It knocked me backward, but I was able to get my foot out of my boot quickly right before it completely dropped its full weight! A moment later, as the tractor stopped, we had a difficult time lifting the gate to pull my boot free (the gate was smashing half of my boot). Right there and then I was praising God for my foot that was completely whole! What a miracle - and it just showed me that God cares for the biggest and smallest of details. To tell you the truth, I did not pray for safety as we 6 went down to the barn to scoop the pen, but God protects us wherever we are, whether we think to ask Him or not, and so often we don't know how close of situations we get into, yet God is so faithful to care for His children. Had my foot BEEN smashed, I pray I would still be praising God and recognizing His graces to me, realizing He wanted to teach me something. In this case, He showed me His powerful hand of protection.

 Last month, we were blessed to attend a Seder meal with a few families, and were blessed by the reminders that were shared there.

 Over the last couple months, I have been praying about a certain subject that the LORD has been putting on my heart. It is always incredible to experience the blessing of answered prayer and blessing from your parents and the go ahead from God. If we don't ask and seek the LORD, how can we share the works He has done and the prayers He has answered? What was the last thing God answered for you? Are we asking Him specific things? God loves to work the impossible, so that in our weakness, He can display His strength through us!

Joh 16:24  Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.



Mat 7:7-8  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

 I have been so blessed by my older brother, Greg. It has been so much fun, even with his switch of work hours (he now works 3pm-11pm), the time he takes to individually connect with his family. Over the last few months, we've had some incredible times, just sitting down, sharing our hearts and talking late into the night about all sorts of subjects. :) What a blessing it is to have close-knit relationships where we can talk about anything and everything together. It has been a work of years of communication! What a blessing the LORD has given me in my family relationships - they are the best friends you could ever ask for!

 Now, one of the special things Greg has been doing with Emily and I (who are both interested in photography) is to challenge us to take at least 3 pictures a week (he gives us the subject or ideas of what he's looking for that week) and on Sunday afternoon, we will sit down and share our pictures and he critiques them for us. I am NO photographer (yet! Before you can get better, you have to try it out), so don't be too critical. I am humbled to share some of the work - I now see all the things I could have done better, but I was so blessed by Greg's offer to help me learn this new skill and get better :). The first 3 weeks are to be in black and white.

I see all my "mistakes" and things I could change, but I am starting. :) Lots to learn, and I am excited by this great opportunity while we are all at home together.

I want to leave you with a few truths from God's Word.
"Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall man give in exchange for his soul?" ~Mark 8:34b-37

Living for Christ means surrender and self-denial. This can be in just yielding our time - each moment - to the LORD for His purposes, not my own. Instead of just doing what I planned to do, have you asked the LORD what He might have you do today? Expect to hear from Him (through your parents, His Word, promptings in your heart or just through seeing a need and doing it). I pray that I may be yielded to His purposes, no matter the cost to my own comfort - God wants to grow character, not convenience and comfort in our lives. As gold is refined in the fire, so must we also be willing to go through the little trials surrender calls for to be shaped into that beautiful gem for His use.

The LORD bless and refresh you!
~Dani