It has been a quiet Thanksgiving morning so far around the Weeda house. We ate a delicious breakfast of Andy's "famous scrambled eggs" together and then promptly sat down to write out our "Thankfuls" for the year. It has been tradition to write 5 things we are thankful from the past year and to share them with our family. I have to admit this year it was VERY difficult to only write 5, I could've filled a whole page (or two). I believe this is true of me because I have been practicing thankfulness daily now for a while since I have read Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts book. After sharing what we were thankful for, I got some quiet time to drink my coffee and read out of my new top favorite book, The Rest of God, by Mark Buchanan. I couldn't believe what I was reading this morning...it was all about Thankfulness, it couldn't have been more perfect on Thanksgiving day.
"The best way I know to embody this Godward orientation [to train ourselves in God's goodness and His sovereignty] is thankfulness. Thankfulness is a secret passageway into a room you can't find any other way. It is the wardrobe into Narnia. It allows us to discover the rest of God--those dimensions of God's world, God's presence, God's character that are hidden, always, from the thankless. Ingratitude is an eye disease every bit as much as a heart disease. It sees only flaws, scars, scarcity. Likewise, the god of the thankless is wary, stingy, grudging, bumbling, nitpicky. He's by turns meddlesome and apathetic, suspicious then indifferent, grubbing about in our domestic trifles one moment, oblivious to our personal catastrophes the next. But to give thanks, to render it as Scripture tells us we ought--in all circumstances, for all things, to the glory of God--such thanksgiving becomes a declaration of God's sovereign goodness. You cannot practice thankfulness on a biblical scale without its altering the way you see. And the more you do it, the more you can find cause for doing it. Inherent in a life of thanksgiving is an ongoing discovery of God's sufficiency, His generosity, His fatherly affection and warrior protection. 'To the faithful,' David said of God, 'you show yourself faithful' (2 Samuel 22:26)."
It's a beautiful reminder that it's not just a day we celebrate but a lifestyle we live, out of trust in God, in all circumstances.
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
The Happiest Place on Earth...
We had the most wonderful family vacation in September. There is so much I want to say and pictures I want to share, but here's a start:
We met Cinderella! Livia was very excited...Cinderella is her favorite!
The Jungle Ride! It's ok Hope, the hippo isn't real!
Submarine Ride
Waiting for the parade with their "ears" on...
Dinner at Goofy's Kitchen
There will be more to come...
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Just one of those days...
It's just been one of those days...well a few of those days to be honest. Life has been full- full of things I love of course- but full none the less. I have been tired; physically, emotionally and spiritually. After going to bed at 8:30pm last night and waking up not feeling refreshed I was able to go for a walk...a very much needed walk to go and talk with God. I didn't even get a chance to say anything to Him and I was barely down the road when an eagle soared right over my head, hovered a bit and continued on it's way and I heard God begin our conversation with "Amy, you are loved".
The following verse filled my head, "...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31
When I got home from my walk I turned through the pages of Isaiah and continued to see more promises from God:
"The LORD longs to be gracious to you." Isaiah 30:18
"He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms." Isaiah 40:11
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned." Isaiah 43:1-2
"I will give you treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:3
"I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me." Isaiah 46:9
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
Knowing my God will uphold me in His righteous right hand, that He has treasures for me in the dark places, and that He will be the One to renew my strength and cause me to soar brings so much hope! I can see how "tougher" than normal days are gifts from God because they cause me to draw close to Him and persevere which produces character.
The following verse filled my head, "...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31
When I got home from my walk I turned through the pages of Isaiah and continued to see more promises from God:
"The LORD longs to be gracious to you." Isaiah 30:18
"He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms." Isaiah 40:11
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned." Isaiah 43:1-2
"I will give you treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:3
"I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me." Isaiah 46:9
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
Knowing my God will uphold me in His righteous right hand, that He has treasures for me in the dark places, and that He will be the One to renew my strength and cause me to soar brings so much hope! I can see how "tougher" than normal days are gifts from God because they cause me to draw close to Him and persevere which produces character.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
6 going on 16!
Hope has been using a writing journal she got at her birthday now that school is out for summer. Every morning she works on a couple of pages during our "learning time".
I loved the one she wrote this morning
She must be her mother's daughter...before I could drive I always wanted a volkswagon too! :) If you are curious about the pink, purple, and red pj's...that is what she calls a car cover for when it rains, so her shiny car won't get wet. :) I also love that she is looking forward to going and getting the groceries for me, what a girl!
I loved the one she wrote this morning
She must be her mother's daughter...before I could drive I always wanted a volkswagon too! :) If you are curious about the pink, purple, and red pj's...that is what she calls a car cover for when it rains, so her shiny car won't get wet. :) I also love that she is looking forward to going and getting the groceries for me, what a girl!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Father's Day
This is the gift I made for Andy for Father's Day. I had seen the silhouette project on another blog and thought I'd try it. What a joy to celebrate the love of my life yesterday. He is an amazing daddy! His life imitates that of Christ; he is a humble, wise, serving, gentle, loving, gracious man and I am so thankful that our children get to witness this character daily.
"The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him." ~Proverbs 20:7
Thursday, May 19, 2011
The Garden
Here is a sneak peek of the garden this year. Because we haven't had the best spring weather we still have more to plant, but here is the start to our garden...you just gotta love the signs Hope made for us:
I am thankful for the beautiful weather today, so it's time to get off of the computer and head outside to weed and plant and PLAY!
I am thankful for the beautiful weather today, so it's time to get off of the computer and head outside to weed and plant and PLAY!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Andy's MDiv Graduation
A couple of weekends ago we headed to Portland for Andy to walk in his MDiv graduation at Western Seminary. The last six years have been the hardest, yet most rewarding years of our lives/marriage. We have seen God work in miraculous ways. Oh how I would love to print every single detail of how God has been faithful and answered prayer and proved over and over again how great HE is, but I honestly don't think I am at the point yet to be able to put everything into words. I have been praying for a time to be able to do that, somehow share our story, our complete story. I mean I know our story isn't complete, but it seems like a season or a chapter has come to a close. Anyways, I have typed and backspaced and typed and backspaced...just not feeling like now is the time to share...but hopefully someday soon it will all come spewing out. For now all I want to do is give God ALL the Praise, Honor and Glory He rightly deserves and proclaim the excellencies of Him! I am thankful for a dear friend who shared Psalm 67 with me this week and it just fits our life right now:
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine upon us, that Your way may be known on earth, Your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You! The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear Him!
The Processional
Andy getting "Hooded" by Dr. Laney
Andy getting his degree and being surprised by an award he was given:
Andy was awarded the Arthur B. Whiting Award in Biblical Literature
Andy with Dr. J. Carl Laney, his Bible prof.
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine upon us, that Your way may be known on earth, Your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You! The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear Him!
The Processional
Andy getting "Hooded" by Dr. Laney
Andy getting his degree and being surprised by an award he was given:
Andy was awarded the Arthur B. Whiting Award in Biblical Literature
Andy with Dr. J. Carl Laney, his Bible prof.
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