Special Summer Memories

We have been so out of touch (this is not unusual I guess), but I was encouraged by my sister to do a blog post... so I'm going to do my best here.

The LORD has been faithful to continue teaching me life lessons, and I would like to share a few things that have especially impacted and encouraged me in my walk with Him!

First though, I thought this post by Vaneethal Rendall from the blog "Desiring God" (I don't know her) really spoke to me and I wanted to share a few pieces of it with you.

I didn’t want to love God for what he could do for me. I wanted to love God for who he is. To worship him because he is worthy.
God’s presence overwhelmed me as I relinquished my expectations. He reminded me that I have something far better than a reassurance that my dreaded “what ifs” won’t happen. I have the assurance that even if they do happen, he will be there in the midst of them. He will carry me. He will comfort me. He will tenderly care for me. God doesn’t promise us a trouble-free life. But he does promise that he will be there in the midst of our sorrows...whatever the outcome, it would ultimately be for [our] good and for God’s glory. [satisfied knowing that “even if” the worst happened, God can we be satisfied in knowing that God] would take care of [us]?
Even if.
Those two simple words have taken the fear out of life. Replacing “what if” with “even if” is one of the most liberating exchanges we can ever make. We trade our irrational fears of an uncertain future for the loving assurance of an unchanging God. We see that even if the worst happens, God will carry us. He will still be good. And he will never leave us.

I think what was shared above will coincide with some of the other things I wanted to share from my personal experience this summer!

Speaking of summer, we have been SO blessed to spend so many refreshing hours and days with dear friends from all over the surrounding states! We've never done so much visiting, and we sure have enjoyed the fellowship. We spent late, long night hours with these dear sisters!!

Mom and Amanda have just started the Thrive business together! It has been a stretching, but positive experience! Have you ever tasted freeze dried food by Thrive? It's GOOD! :)

What a blast we had this last weekend with some dear friends - we had our own camp out in our own back yard and took a hike one day.

Everyone enjoyed the fellowship, the tag along the trail, fresh air and wonderful company, not to mention the free rides!

Singing hymns together is always refreshing. We love to lift our voices in song to our Creator.

 There is something sweet the LORD has taught me through learning at least a partial meaning of the word SURRENDER. Don't we all have dreams, desires, goals, hopes and plans? Well, I too have these exciting hopes for the future that I have come to pray about constantly. But my question was how do I KNOW I have fully surrendered these things to the LORD and left them at His feet? One such experience I had this summer has impacted my life forever! I had a deep desire and had been praying about it faithfully and thought the LORD was blessing that path and continuing to open the doors. I was excited and just waiting patiently for the next season. I prayed the prayer of surrender and left it at the feet of Jesus, although I'll be honest, I did expect that God would give it back to me in full, although that was NOT the reason I gave it to Him. There was a definite time though that the LORD showed me that was not the plan He had for me. He closed the doors. He took my surrender seriously and took it from me... I can tell you I was stunned and sad and partially crushed. But as I was seeking the LORD as to "what now?", He reminded me that my HOPE is built on NOTHING LESS than JESUS BLOOD and RIGHTEOUSNESS! That even though I had given this dream to Him and He had taken it from me, I chose to TRUST Him instead of turn from Him. He gave me the whole of Psalm 34 as kind of my life passage for this year and this verse especially ministered to my heart:

 "The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate." ~Psalm 34:22

We made lots of great memories and played several fun games!

We HAD to have a campfire at least one night! :) Several tried roasted apples and bananas too. Mmm.

Because of a special request from one of Amanda's friends, we took this picture this morning JUST for her! :)

This summer we were so blessed to have our dear "adopted sister" Fab come up for a visit with her mom and grandmother. What a blessing that was - WONDERFUL memories we made and we were so grateful for the time together.

We were also so very privileged to volunteer at the yearly Berry Festival this summer. Each of us had different duties, and I was quite blessed by these lovely ladies!

We were very sad to know that this dear friend who has been a great spiritual encouragement and a faithful friend all these years is not moving to the west. This was very hard for us, but we trust the LORD has wonderful plans for this dear family and she will be a tremendous blessing to others as she has here for us. How we will miss her!

 Another lesson the LORD is teaching me is this year is learning to walk in the JOY of the LORD no matter what the circumstances! If our hope and victory is in the LORD, then our source of joy never leaves. He is the essence of true contentment and no matter the storms billowing around us, if our roots are planted deeply in the LORD, then we can steadily radiate the simple faith and trust in Christ, which produces a deep-seeded joy which is expressed in a thankful and grateful spirit which should then be evident on our very countenances. One line of a song I sing constantly is "the JOY of the LORD is my strength!"

God has brought some dear wonderful friends across our paths. We are SO grateful for all the fellowship.

  "The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage."~ Psalm 16:6

Such sweet little ladies!!

While Mom was busily preparing and planning school for the children, the rest of us spent some time at a lovely resort and made some very fun and memorable experiences! Some of those included long walks, exciting bike rides (one that Greg led us on, we almost had to blaze our own trial though the overgrown brush! It was a GRAND adventure!), lots of bat-mitten, swimming and times together.

Bekah did a good job capturing the walkers (as Greg was at the resort, taking a rest).

The sand box was certainly a hit! :)

On one of our more recent adventures, we went around to visit several families hours away from us. Along that journey, we were so blessed to have like-minded fellowship and lots of fun. One of the children's favorite activities was rollerblading! 

Pulling together as a team always makes the work go faster and much more fun. We sure loved helping out with the meals and getting to know each other better.

I always find the greatest refreshment when we get to the deep topics right off and can talk and share about real life lessons the LORD is teaching us. I so appreciate that about this dear friend. We've made so many wonderful memories together.

We were blessed to host the annual Christian Heritage picnic in our area! Many wonderful families came out for the afternoon and evening and were encouraged by good conversations, music, and time together with other homeschooling families.

Father-Son time!

What a beautiful view from the top of a Butte near us!

This last week, some very dear friends had a going away party which we were very blessed to join in. We are going to miss our dear friends greatly! Leah spent some good time during dinner with these sweet girls.

We had to get a picture together before the dear S. family left. How they have impacted our family's life. I encourage you to just love on those around you! We never know when the LORD will change things in our lives, call people away or even when our last day is, so make the MOST of each moment. How am I leaving my relationship with this sibling or this friend when I walk away? If I never saw them again, have I left that relationship in good standing before the LORD? Is there anything I need to ask forgiveness for? Cherish the moments - they are a gift from God!!

Two dear mentors that have been very instrumental in my life, especially through my interest in midwifery/doula work. I have learned SO much from these women and have made some lasting memories, gone to many births with them and enjoyed each conversation and adventure we've had together!!

Before our home camping trip ended, we had to get a picture all together! What special memories we made.

The LORD is faithful to teach us His ways as we ask seek and knock for Him! He is constantly teaching me how to listen for His voice, how to submit to His ways for me and using many different instruments to encourage, chasten, challenge and sanctify me. I am learning to give thanks in ALL these things (even if the growth is slow and I don't always see the change I would like) that I may embrace each of the opportunities to grow that God would work in me.

 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments. ~Habakkuk 3:17-19

May the LORD bless you as you pursue and seek His face each day FOR HIS GLORY!

~Dani

 

Pulling together as a team always makes the work go faster and much more fun. We sure loved helping out with the meals and getting to know each other better.

I always find the greatest refreshment when we get to the deep topics right off and can talk and share about real life lessons the LORD is teaching us. I so appreciate that about this dear friend. We've made so many wonderful memories together.

We were blessed to host the annual Christian Heritage picnic in our area! Many wonderful families came out for the afternoon and evening and were encouraged by good conversations, music, and time together with other homeschooling families.

Father-Son time!

What a beautiful view from the top of a Butte near us!

This last week, some very dear friends had a going away party which we were very blessed to join in. We are going to miss our dear friends greatly! Leah spent some good time during dinner with these sweet girls.

We had to get a picture together before the dear S. family left. How they have impacted our family's life. I encourage you to just love on those around you! We never know when the LORD will change things in our lives, call people away or even when our last day is, so make the MOST of each moment. How am I leaving my relationship with this sibling or this friend when I walk away? If I never saw them again, have I left that relationship in good standing before the LORD? Is there anything I need to ask forgiveness for? Cherish the moments - they are a gift from God!!

Two dear mentors that have been very instrumental in my life, especially through my interest in midwifery/doula work. I have learned SO much from these women and have made some lasting memories, gone to many births with them and enjoyed each conversation and adventure we've had together!!

Before our home camping trip ended, we had to get a picture all together! What special memories we made.