For the past several years this subject has been tossing around in my mind.  We have WAY too much stuff and I (personally) think it is a sin to have so much.  My family's excess could be used so much more wisely in the building up of God's kingdom.  Loved this post.  Just had to share.

http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2012/09/14/why-i-took-all-my-kids-toys-away-why-they-wont-get-them-back/

Thankfulness

I am speechless.  Well, not completely.  Finding more and more to be thankful for.  Today I heard the words, "Everything looks good.  Not any cancer that we can see."  Wow.  It's weird, but I didn't think it was cancer, but just to make sure I made the appointment anyhow.  Especially since we found out that Glen's insurance will expire shortly.  While sitting there waiting for the results of my tests I was overwhelmed with God's kindness and love for me.  How many times do I truly trust Him, or ignore Him and His teachings?  AND yet through it all He loves me the same.  THAT is an amazing concept.

That's all for now.  Thankfulness.  I am writing this while listening to the David Crowder Band sing "Oh, how He loves us!"

Weariness

Today we had some bad news.  Glen's former employer evidently is contesting his eligibility for unemployment.  THAT news didn't thrill us too much, but I know that my trust is not in man, but in God.  I had a long 55 minute conversation with my parents.  What a blessing they are in my life.  Let's see if I can get a photo from their wedding up here.

TAHDAH!  How about that?  Just been thinking about their love story.  AND realizing that I know very little about it.  THAT is a sad thing!  I'll be working harder this year to learn more and more about my parents.  I just love the black and white photos!  When we go to their house I have times where I get completely absorbed in the old photos my dad has.  He has more than SEVERAL books full of old photos.  My!  How I love photography.  Capturing a moment in history is spine tingling for me!  Some favorites of mine:

Jonathan's feet.  He used to sit like this all the time and I didn't want to forget about it.

Anna Grace in Massachusetts with the hat on Miss Dottie gave to her.

My Dad and Anna Grace.  Love this picture!  Photography is my first choice of "careers."

Psalm 20:1-5

"May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble;
May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
May He send you help from the sanctuary,
And strengthen you out of Zion;
May He remember all your offerings,
And accept your burnt sacrifice.  Selah

May He grant you according to your heart's desire,
And fulfill all your purpose.
We will rejoice in your salvation,
And in the name of our God we will set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions."

This is our prayer.

How quickly life can change.  It's in the blink of an eye.  So much I take for granted.  Lord, please help me keep my eyes on you and not our circumstances.

Yesterday we found out that Glen was losing his job.  This is not the first time he's been let go from the same bank.  BUT this time there is no money coming in from anywhere.  THAT is a scary thing.  BUT (again) what an opportunity to trust God for everything.  He is bigger than this situation and already has it worked out for our good.  We do not want to waste this opportunity to see him work and grow us in Him.  We are so thankful for our friends, family and church family for their love and support!  I am once again (and again) amazed by God!

Now that I have "started" blogging again I would like to post some pictures from the end of last year.  So much to be thankful for.  I'm really excited to see what God is going to do with us in 2012!

Of Blossoms and Blooms

The weekend was most enjoyable.  Far and ABOVE anything I could have imagined.  We took off on Saturday morning to the Peaks of Otter.  We were going to have a picnic by the creek or lake and take pictures, then go home.  WELL!  We got there and before you know it we are hiking up Sharp Top!  We had a man from Franklin County join us not long after we had started up the trail.  He had a dog named Cheerio which the kids just loved.  He seemed to be completely happy with walking with the kids and stopping every few minutes to make sure we were all still alive! What a hike!  I thought in the first few minutes that I was gonna die.  BUT I didn't want to "let on" too much in front of the kiddos.   Anyhow on the way up Anna made friends with another "Anna" who was more than twice her age.  Such a sweet girl.  I really feel like God put them and us right there together so we could all help each other get up the mountain.  We laughed at each other and goofed around.  It was neat to have good company.  All in all it took almost 4 hours for the whole trip.  The kids had been complaining about being hungry as soon as we had left the house, but they didn't say much about it at all until we got to the top of Sharp Top.  So, needless to say, the trip down was fraught with many, "I'm soooo tired." and "I'm so hungry I'm gonna die!"  Having the dog as a distraction on the way up was really a good thing!  We went down by the creek and ate our sandwiches and the kids got to play in the creek.  Glen and Jonathan threw the football across the creek to each other.  Every now and then it would "SPLAT!" in the creek which was followed by, "Oh, NO!" and giggles from the girls.  Everyone was truly happy in that little space of time and I just thanked the Lord for letting me see it again!  On the way home everyone was real quiet, but no one slept.  I really didn't want to go home.  But then Sunday wouldn't have happened.....

Sunday!  New Member Sunday at church!  What a fantastic day!  There were six young folks that got baptized and 3 new members.  Then a rousing sermon and fellowship afterward.  Then Anna had a little friend come home with her from church.  I just love my kid's friends!  Jonathan went to a friends house for the afternoon.  So, we got pizza and pigged out with our little guest and then I took a much needed nap.  Needless to say, I'm still VERY sore from our trip up Sharp Top.  Then last night around 9:00 we were all back together again, just in time to say goodnight and say night prayers.  I love my family!