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It’s Monday!!

So it’s Monday…………..What does that mean exactly?  I have been conditioned to dread it.  It is the day after the “Day of Rest”  and yet at times I get caught up in the whole overwhelming process of life and every day is the same. 

So I decided this morning as I peeked out from under the covers at 5am to get the kids up for swim practice and find the “Man Of The North” some work clothes from the pile of clean laundry I did not fold this weekend that I am going to try something new.  “PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!” it’s Monday!

The slate is clean, the day is fresh, and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me.  Who can I serve this week.  Who needs help, who is discouraged, who just needs a friendly smile?  I mean, I have tried the approach of dreading every moment of the new day and that isn’t really working for me.

So whose with me??? Have a blessed day and don’t forget to bless someone else, it will make you smile(on the inside).

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Dryland Training

So I looked at the blog this morning and was discouraged with the date of my last post.  How has it been two and a half months since I posted an entry???  At first I would look at the calendar, make some justifiable excuse and move on to one of the many crisis that have occurred in the past few weeks and feel content with my lack of dedication to writing.  Eventually I just stopped logging in so that I would no longer have to directly face my lack of accomplishment and that is when the calls and inquiries started.  Why haven’t you posted?  Is everything alright? and so on.  Now I think everyone has given up and I don’t blame them.

Ever been in the desert?  I don’t mean physically as much as figuratively.  It took me some time (obviously) to gain insight into my situation and to gracefully get my head around it so that I could resume life as well as blogging.  So here is the deal.  In the last two and half months I have been stripped of all things essential and material to conducting everyday life in the way I had become accustomed.

In the course of about 4 weeks, my two vacuum cleaners broke, had both repaired and with in five minutes of use one caught on fire (back to the shop), my carpet shampooer broke, my car air conditioner broke (twice), my washing machine broke and I fixed it only to have it break again (still broken),  been going to the laundromat, tractor repairs have been at an all time high and the grand finale……My Man Of The North backed into the hay cutter with the Suburban in broad daylight, on his birthday and tore up the back door.  $3700 worth of damage and another insurance claim.

I am still in the partial throes of materialistic mayhem, but it has taught me a great deal about myself, what I can handle and what is important.  Frankly,  I have learned how unimportant all of this “stuff” really is.  I mean we all say that but when actually faced with a family of six, no washing machine, no vacuum, no air conditioning, driving everywhere in a chewed up car, see how you really feel.  It is awful, horrible and most of all makes you question everything you are.

In swimming, during the off-season, swimmers spend time working on their physical strength out of the pool in addition to normal work outs in the pool.  It is called dryland training.  It is hard, physically uncomfortable, and requires a higher level of committment from the athlete.  In my thoughts about coming back to the blog and the need to explain where I have been it came to me that in some ways I have been in dryland training.  It is summer after all “The Off Season”  so to speak and I have definitely experienced a lack of comfort that at the very least has been HARD.

But the purpose of dryland training is to strengthen your core which ultimately will make you stronger, faster, and in better mental condition during the race.  So, I believe that this time in my life is only preparing me to perform at my greatest potential in the race of life as the new season approaches.  And as an additional bonus I have regained my blogging presence with an abundance to write about for weeks to come.

Last, in this time of reflection I have spent time with my Lord searching for greater understanding and peace.  His explanation was short, sweet and direct.

First, Philippians 4:6-7, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace that transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Second, James 1:2-4, Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking  anything.

God always has a way of hitting you right where you live.  Enough said.  I promise I will be back.  Sooner that later.

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Fun At Fine Arts

Well, Montana was on her game this weekend and did her very best with her speech.  Competition was stiff but she still received a superior certificate.  So proud of her.  However, she and I both feel the most important thing is for this message to get out.  So I am reposting today just in case you did not get a chance to see “The Word”. Montana is available to deliver this message anywhere God calls her to go.  Have a blessed day!!!

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The Word

My daughter Montana wrote a sermon several months ago that she used for competition in speech in the public school.  It was so well received by all that heard it that God blessed her with opportunity to present it to our church congregation (about 700 people)  This is a recording of that morning.  I am posting it today as she will be competing tomorrow in a fine arts state competition.  Please pray for her as she has an opportunity to advance to a national level.  Last, my “Man Of The North” and I had absolutely nothing to do with this sermon.  It was between Montana and the Lord and I believe it is truly anointed.

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My Protector

This Is Wyatt's Flower. I Have Kept It On My Dresser Since The Day he Gave It To Me.

It’s funny how you can be going along in life, taking everything for granted and then BOOM! you get hit with something you never anticipated and life suddenly becomes altered in a way that makes you take stock of all you are, all you have and all you could be.

I have suffered from a severe illness over the past few weeks that led to hospitalization.  In an effort to fight the good fight, as most of us normal moms do, I avoided common sense and figured it would eventually go away.  It didn’t.  But that is just the back story to what I really want to say.

My time in the hospital was a direct result of my oldest boy Wyatt.  Watching me in my illness he became proactive and rescued his mother from herself.  I am home now, recovering well, and thankful for my Wyatt.  But this process, gave me pause to contemplate and develop a deep appreciation for the natural gift of honor and valor that he lives by every day.

From the time he could talk, he would remind me every day that he loved his father but I, was his favorite.  He would look up at me with those HUGE eyes of his and say, “Mommy, you’ re the best.”  At age 5 he brought me breakfast in bed, and I still remember, as he took time to go outside to the blooming hydrangea and cut one to put on the tray.  I heard him go outside, and I jumped out of bed and watched from the upstairs window as he walked across the drive to the barn, cut the flower, placed it in the vase and gingerly carried it back to the house.  And then, my first night home from the hospital, he sat at my bedside with deeply concerned eyes and said, “Momma, you will never know how worried I was.”  It was in that moment, I realized how truly blessed I am to be Wyatt’s mother.  He is my rescuer and my protector when my “Man Of The North” is away.  And he loves me more than I deserve.  

I know that Mother’s Day is quickly approaching, and I encourage you to honor your mother, for she gave you the gift of life.  But then,  take time to hug your children tight and thank your heavenly father for the blessing of motherhood.

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LIFE OF A FARM WIFE

Just reading a few of my old posts and realizing that their is continued room for self evaluation and self improvement in our relationships with our family and spouse.  Thought I would repost this one cause I think that despite how late Spring is I am in that place once again where I am feeling the loneliness of an absent husband.  My 3 year old is now 5 and this will be my 18th summer in Minnesota.  Truth be told I can’t wait to see what the season will bring.  I have grown, I have opened my eyes to the beautiful gift of  raising children on the farm and I am not kicking and screaming so much this year.  I am embracing the season and it feels really good.  However, this post below did help me reflect and it reminded me that I am truly blessed.

33_Wynn

HILLS WE DIE ON – 2011

I am coming into a tough time of year here on the farm when it comes to spending quality time with my “Man of the North”.  In the summer months I like to kid and say that I am a single parent most of the time.  Even though I am kidding about this I am generally not real happy about it.  With all that our children require right now, I quickly become brutally aware of all the help I receive all winter from my husband and the immediate absence of it when the snow melts.  Sometimes (well most times) this is not a graceful transition for me.   You would think that after almost 16 summers I would have a grip on it, but usually he has to drag me along kicking and screaming like a little girl (I am ashamed to admit).

However, this year got me thinking about the hills we choose to die on and why.  For example.  When my husband does laundry for me, I consider him to be a “dumper”, which means that his idea of doing laundry is to wash (not sorted), dry and dump on the couch for me to manage.  Over the years I have realized that he is really trying to help me overcome  a task I am really bad at and his motives are pure.  Why should I risk the death of our relationship over such a trivial thing that I am not exactly a master of anyway.  So I always say ‘That is not a hill I want to die on.”  He is helping me and that is what matters most.

Last night I found myself in a scenario that will play out most of the summer months for me.  My “Man of the North” was gone before sunrise and scheduled to be home to help me out with our 3 year old prior to me leaving to take the children to the pool for practice.  On this particular evening, I asked if he could be home because I serve on the swim club board of directors and we were having a meeting during practice.  Twenty minutes before I am set to leave for the pool, my husband calls to inform me that he will not be home in time. All the similar feelings and frustrations of 16 years begin to well up in me as I prepare to respond to him on the phone and instead with the best tone I could muster I said, “Okay then, I will see you later tonight.”  Still, in my heart, I was mad, hurt, feeling overlooked and ready to come undone. When we returned from the pool that evening at 8:45pm I could see my husband in the tractor, lights bright, fertilizing the field on our farm before the rain.  He had arrived home at some point ( I don’t know when) from a full day of work on the sod farm and went back out to get some work done at home.

I have been asking God in my prayers to open my eyes to see what I have been missing lately, with a pure desire to change in hopes of creating a richer relationship with Him and with those around me that I care so much for (husband, children, extended family).  Be careful what you ask for…….  James 1:19-20  says Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. And Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

I read these two pieces of scripture in my daily devotion just the other day.  This morning as I was lying in bed watching my husband get ready for another day, I realized the need to apply this scripture more directly to this situation.  I love him more than anything here on this earth, and despite my personal inconvenience with his absence, it is my loving responsibility  as his wife to build him up, not tear him down.  He is my true north.  He keeps my feet on the ground and loves me even when it is not fun.   I need to do the same for him.

So if any of you are in a relationship of any kind that challenges you to be selfless, consider it a blessing, not a burden.  Relationships are all we have, with God, family, friends.  All else will eventually pass away.  Let’s make them count for something.  The hills of relationship should be hills of triumph not the place we go to die.

Make it a great day.

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The Climb

I was having a casual conversation with a close friend today about the ins and outs of motherhood and my role as a wife and as we laughed together about those things we hold in common I thought to myself, I bet we are not alone.

Now hopefully you all know by now that I have a family of six (including myself) that I have been blessed to care for.  And I do mean blessed.  But despite my feelings of joy over the duties I am responsible for each and every day there are brief moments in my life when I question the adequacy of my capabilities and I truly wonder if God knew what He was doing when He retained my services for this position.

Laundry is by far my biggest nemesis in the area of housework.  I could never wash another pair of underwear and it would be too soon.  I am always behind,and the mountain of clothing is so high that the air gets thin at the top.  I have tried all kinds of suggestions and “tricks” of the trade to be more efficient and yet I still feel like most times I am a complete failure in this area.  And then I did the math.

What do you mean, you might be asking……Well I decided that I needed to understand the source of my Mt Everest if I was ever going to have the chance of reaching the summit.  I have six people in my family and every one of them wears at least one outfit per day.  Well then I multiplied that number by seven and I came up with 42 outfits per week!  That doesn’t count towels or pajamas or sheets.  Things were adding up fast and I began to realize the gravity of my situation.  No wonder I am always buried.

Interestingly enough, I found a level of peace and less criticism of my performance based on the sheer numbers I have been dealing with all this time.  I have given myself permission to admire my mountain of laundry from afar on the days when I just can’t get to it with the self-assurance that it will be there tomorrow, just as tall (if not taller) and just as ominous as it was the day before.

More importantly I am choosing to view my laundry as a reflection of the productivity of my household.  My children are active, productive, and dive into all that they do with gusto. As a result, they get dirty.  This fact alone brings me joy and contentment.  I have always told my children that they can determine the quality of their day by how much dirt they have on their jeans.  My laundry pile certainly supports that theory.

All in all, when I sum it all up, I realize that laundry is and will always be a part of my life.  And as one song writer recently said, there will always be another mountain.  It’s about the climb.

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What A Difference A Week Can Make

April 1, 2011

I took a picture on the 1st of April out of complete discouragement.  In all my years of living in Minnesota, I think this has been the first winter that I am truly tired of the snow and cold.  It started in November, before Thanksgiving and as you can see from photo #1 it is not willing to surrender.  But, what a difference a week can make.

April 7, 2011

I took this picture yesterday, April 7th.  Farmer Wynn and my “Man Of The North” fertilizing fields before the rain coming on Saturday.  The snow is gone, the sun is shining and in a few days the grass will be green!  Ya!

It made me think a bit yesterday, how quickly things can transform from one state to another.  I mean winter lasted for what seemed an eternity this year and yet in one week God shifts His beautiful landscape to prepare for the new season.  He does that in our lives too.  Just when we think we will never be able to get out from under the weight we are carrying, BAM! it’s Spring.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.  If you are going through a tough place trust His timing.  It is perfect.

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Hide And Seek

In the past few weeks my three-year old has taken to the age-old game of “Hide and Seek”.  Every time we head up the stairs for a nap or a potty break he dashes ahead with the single goal of reaching a place to hide before I enter the room. 

Yesterday was no different as I carried a basket of clean laundry up with me to put away, I could hear my precious child scrambling for a place to hide.  Typically, he is just behind the door or tucked under the bed, but on this day he got creative and it took me a minute to find him and it made me giggle.  All I can say is a picture is worth a thousand words sometimes and so I took one.