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/

The past few weeks have been especially blessed and trying all at the same time.  This song has just captured by heart.  Can't wait for us to sing it at church. 

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!

Sound-off...Sort of...

I was just sitting here wondering.  I'm wondering about extreme couponing.  Not the show necessarily, but the obsession with couponing.  I understand the reasoning behind wanting to save money and be good stewards of what we have, but I think a lot of America has gone coo-coo.  On several occasions I have attempted to "coupon" and have been (WOW!) completely blown away by how much time it takes to put together a shopping trip.  We're talking hours and hours day after day.  There's so much of my children's lives that I want to be a part of and I think it is important to be in their lives.  AND if I'm spending all that time on the computer and clipping coupons what message am I sending to them?  I can think of a few...1) Mommy doesn't have time for us, 2) Saving money is more important than listening to my heart, or 3) We don't matter to Mommy or Daddy or to this family.  THAT is just 3 things.  Time goes by so quickly and we have our children for such a short amount of time before they are grown and gone, I think it's just a shame that we are so taken with the "going thing."  It's exactly what I want to guard against with my children.  Teaching them to love their neighbor, give back to the community, love God and country, yep, those things are what we should be more concerned about.  If it's something that draws us away from God and Godliness we should steer clear.