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."

Addictions

Most of the time when I think of addictions I think of alcohol, drugs, etc.  WELL!  I'm finding out that I have an addiction to food and to having it whenever I want, whether it is eating out or getting it at the grocery store.  It's been so weird to think that every single time that we go out of the house we can ONLY do what we intended to do and nothing else.  No stopping by McDonald's or Burger King and no late night runs for a burger.  GASP!  It's so depressing to know that I have allowed myself to become so addicted to (basically) just having my whims satisfied.  I have a friend that has a goal of paying off a $30,000 debt.  One of the ways they are doing that is to never get fast food.  They eat out occasionally, but they never get fast food.  Amazingly they have already paid off over $5,000.  Uh-Oh....I feel conviction coming on.

Today I didn't want to get out of the house at all (afraid I would be tempted to spend money we don't have).  So this afternoon we went to Walmart to pick out Jonathan's new glasses.  Yep, the little man needs glasses.  We've thought he might for a while and just never got around to it.  His eyes aren't bad, but he still needs them.  He picked out some darker blue frames.  All the frames were really too big except one pair and he didn't like them...of course.

We're doing okay, five days into our unemployment.  We have clothes to wear, food to eat, a place to live, cars that run and friends and family that are completely wonderful in every way.  How thankful I am that even in the midst of this trial I can still see HIS hand in my life and have joy.  We know that HE is in control.  Thank goodness we're not!