Letting God...

…Make you laugh. It is true that our God has a sense of humor. It has been many years ago that I first distinctly remember finding this out. It was a horrible day on the farm for all of us. Nothing had gone right that day. And to keep it real (sorry for airing dirty laundry family ☺) there had been tempers flying and I think at the moment no one was talking so the tension was thick. It was at that moment a sheep ran into our milking parlor. Now our dairy farm doesn’t have any sheep on the place. The only animals we have are cows, a couple of dogs, and a few cats and absolutely no sheep. So when you see a sheep running through our parlor you have to stop and laugh and wonder, “what?” That definitely broke the ice and brought smiles to our faces. God brought us laughter when we needed it most.

…Give you a hug. Yesterday was a pretty good day, but milking that afternoon I was dodging what my dad calls “pasture paint.” In other words cow poop was flying. The joys of dairy for sure, (ok I know some of you have an appalled look on your face right now, but that is the facts of life on a farm ☺), some afternoons are worse than others and yesterday was one of those days. It makes for a long afternoon milking and not much fun. So here I am not having a great time and in comes Maxson, smile on his face and the words “love you mommy.” Those words I have been waiting to hear ever since he was born. Words that every mom treasures and I got them when I needed them. My hug from God and giving me the lift up I needed.

…Romance you. Ok, this might be more for the ladies (for the men it might be more like letting God call upon you). Like all of my stories this ends up in the parlor. While reading the book Captivating I was thinking how nice it would be for Rick to romance me but not actually ask for it. I guess you need to read the book (awesome by the way) to totally understand. I wanted God to show me romance through Rick (if any of you know Rick you know he isn’t the most romantic guy around even though he has his special ways of romancing me). So I prayed it would happen all the while thinking in the back of my mind this will never happen for me. The next day while milking I plugged in my ipod and found a play list called “why”. A play list Rick had made the night before about why he loves me. I think I started crying right then and there, in the middle of milking, with the understanding that God answered my prayer and truly does love me.

…Be a number of things. Just look around you and open up your eyes and see God working in your life. Let Him be fully living in you.

Love Steph

Another Prayer

Father, after praying and crying so many times I didn't think i could any more, Mom left us to go be with You. I'm sure the idea of her being gone hasn't really settled in yet, but i am thankful for the few things she was able to express when it was hard for her to talk. I never knew how hard it would be to watch my own parent struggle so hard to do things that normally take no thought at all, and the worst part was that i couldn't do anything to help. But You were very gracious to us, because she was peaceful, she was in her own home, and had no pain. Thank You for answering that prayer of ours. We don't know your plans, Father, but we trust You. Thank you so much for your strength and for the incredible support from our church family. Love, Lisa.

A Prayer for My Best Friend and Her Family...

Lord, I come to you with sadness in my heart for my best friend, Jamie and her husband Brian. Why do things like this have to happen? Please give Brian's mom peace today as she is fighting the last stages of breast cancer in the next few days or hours. Lord, I do ask for a miracle that Helen, Brian's mom, is able to hold her grandson one last time at home. Benjamin is so close to coming home. Only a few more days and what a cherished memory that would be for the whole family. I don't understand Lord, all this stuff caused by a fallen world and I am sure I don't want to. Lord, I guess I am coming to you as a mom and asking for peace to settle over Helen knowing her family is taken care of and that You are with them always and that she is coming home to you soon. I also pray as a child and never being ready to loose a parent. That you give her children, Brian, Lisa, and David peace in all that is to come. I also pray as a spouse and not bearing the thought of loosing Rick. Give Erle the strength to carry on and also the wholeness of You that could be the only thing that will sustain any of us who are or could loose a spouse. Lord, we look to You for all that we need. And I lift them all to You. In Jesus' most precious name. Amen.

Thank you Hillside friends!!

I am so thankful tonight for a wonderful Hillside family. Thank you to those of you who came to the baby shower today. You are all so special to me and I am so grateful for you. Thank you for your kindness and care for our family!!

Love,
Cammie