Sometimes Life Hurts

How do we naturally respond if someone curses us?? ......Well I know how I respond!
And yet, God blesses those who curse Him. This leaves me wondering....What is God like? What are we suppose to be like? He clearly tells us in His Word that "if we love Him we will obey Him." My desire is to obey Him even when life hurts me and my feelings!! Consider this in Luke 6:27-31 " Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise."
I've highlighted the part of this verse that really hit me this time I read it!
Yes, it's easy to talk about loving your enemies (especially if you don't really have any, or are unaware of who they may be). But what about people who are close to us and are suppose to be our friends but feel like enemies? That is what challanged me this time I read this verse. I am challanged to love these people and be merciful to them.
Luke 6:35-36
" But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father is also merciful."
Woah, I have a long way to go.....please help me Lord!

Our recent trip to the pumpkin patch left us with fantastic photos and great memories! It was a lovely day and we got to see animals, took a apple box train ride and tasted lots of yummy samples! We picked the perfect pumpkin and had the best fresh made apple juice you'll ever taste! The only thing missing was Jay, but we hope to take him there next year!

SISTERS

Sisters really play a big role in my life....I'm so thankful for these women who encourage me, inspire me, and love me. It's so fun having sisters!!

One gift of many....

The BIG blessing!

Family is a wonderful blessing that God gives us. The more the better! More people to love you, and stretch you. It's a true treasure to have people in your life that will stick with you in ALL the ups and downs of your circumstances and character. Thank God for our family who has faithfully stuck it through. Not only that, but people who are willing to be molded into all God wants them to be! He is faithful to complete the good work that He has started!

an inspiration

I'm so excited to celebrate shelley's birthday! 21!! Shelley has brought joy to my life since she was a tiny little tot! I can't believe she is 21 now. I remember all the fun times we had growing up. Even though I was much older, I was always fascinated by my little sisters. Shelley and Terri were always providing some sort of entertainment. I am thankful that we can all be close, even though there is clearly an age difference. Some people think that because their kids aren't close in age, they won't like to 'hang out' together. This is certainly not the case with my sisters. Shelley has made me smile right from the beginning of her time here on this earth and I am well aware that she will continue to do so ---always.
Our little Stang family has been so blessed by her love and all that she has given of herself. I feel so honored to call her my sister and so thankful that she's my friend. Happy Birthday!!
I am so excited to celebrate shelley's birthday!

"mommy , feed me!"

my kids are endlessly hungry!
I have realized over the years that it is important for them to eat healthy, nutritious meals!
Not only does this help them get through the day, but it helps me to feel good about what goes into their little bodies!
I've learned that this in itself is a full time job and perhaps a very important way to faithfully care for our children! I don't want to take this role for granted, although it's seemingly, endlessly redundant!
I'm happy that my kids ate all their dinner tonight! -- sure sometimes they're forced to sit there until they are done, but in the end, they are better off for it! I can see how it takes a child 15x before they actually acquire a taste for that food. No wonder parents give up so easily on making their kids eat healthy!
Children will never starve themselves -- that's for sure.
Hopefully mine get less and less picky and more and more thankful!

borrowed from a friend

I'd like to post this next quote that I took from my friend Ruth's blog.
It is something I wanted to have on here to remind myself how to slow down in this absolutely non-slow society.
I hope it speaks to you too...

"~Sabbath is taking a day a week to remind myself that I did not make the world and that it will continue to exist with out my efforts.
~Sabbath is a day when my work is done, even if it isn't.
~Sabbath is a day when my job is to enjoy. Period.
~Sabbath is a day when I am fully available to myself and those I love most.
~Sabbath is a day when I remember that when God made the world, he saw that it was good.~Sabbath is a day when I produce nothing.
~Sabbath is a day when I remind myself that I am not a machine.
~Sabbath is day when at the end of it I say, "I didn't produce anything today," and I don't add, "And I feel so guilty."
~Sabbath is a day when my phone is turned off, I don't check my email and you can't get a hold of me.Jesus wants to heal our souls, wants to give us the shalom of God. And so we have to stop. We have to slow down. We have to sit still and stare out the window and let the engine come to an idle. We have to listen to what our inner voice is saying."

back to school

today the kids were excited to get to school...the morning ran smoothly and it is going to be nice to be back in the routine again.

first time

i can't wait to TRY to write here regularly...
for now, i'm off to dreamland.....