Summer is Precious

Summer is precious. This summer in-particular.


Why?


Because we will never get it back. 


Every experience we had and moment we passed will from here on out be just warm memories. 

 

We cannot stop the clock; fall will be here soon. And yes, Summer will come again, but it won't be the same because we won't be the same. We will each be older {hopefully wiser} and in the new season of life the Lord has in store for us at that time. 

We could attempt to re-create, but we can never relive these days. 

God is working in my heart. I used to feel as though busyness = productivity. And I like feeling productive. Maybe because then I feel justified. 


Spending today preparing to live tomorrow... of this I am guilty. 

I cannot go back and reclaim those moments. But I can repent. I can choose a new course of direction. 
I can throw out the clock and savor each moment of conversation, play-time, learning, growing and relaxing. 


Summer is precious. This summer in-particular.

Kaylee

Lost time is never found again. 

-Benjamin Franklin

Slander

Slander. Gossip. Babble. Its everywhere.


And its seems this worldly, fleshly craving has been creeping into what should be a safe haven... the church.


I will admit to you that I have been wanting to broach this subject for a while, but I've waited. I needed to calm down first.


Slander has been showing its ugly face in different circles of my friends and acquaintances, and honestly?? I doesn't make me sad. It makes me angry.

"The words of a whisperer or slanderer are like dainty morsels or words of sport [to some, but to others are like deadly wounds]; and they go down into the innermost parts of the body [or of the victim’s nature]."- Proverbs 26:22

"With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor..." Proverbs 11:9a

Pardon my directness in saying...
It's not concern. It's not encouraging. Its not love. Its not Christ-like. Its fake.

" If anyone thinks himself to be religious (piously observant of the external duties of his faith) and does not bridle his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person’s religious service is worthless (futile, barren)." - James 1:26

Why do we keep talking? I began to wonder if the excess of communication tools at our finger-tips has caused us to over-communicate... but I see this problem has been around for generations.


How do we put a stop to this epidemic?


We stop talking. Stop criticizing. Stop informing. Stop "sharing."

"For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention ceases." Proverbs 26:20

We stop listening. We hang up the phone. Delete the text. Maybe we find some new friends.

"He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; therefore associate not with him who talks too freely." Proverbs 20:19

We pray for discernment. If they're talking to you, they're probably taking about you.

"Rumors are dainty morsels  that sink deep into one’s heart.

Smooth^[a] words may hide a wicked heart, just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot. People may cover their hatred with pleasant words, but they’re deceiving you. They pretend to be kind, but don’t believe them. Their hearts are full of many evils.^[b]

While their hatred may be concealed by trickery,  their wrongdoing will be exposed in public. If you set a trap for others,     you will get caught in it yourself. If you roll a boulder down on others, it will crush you instead. A lying tongue hates its victims,    and flattering words cause ruin." Proverbs 26:22-28

We commit to closing down the blabber and using our words to uplift, encourage, and love others.

 ^"Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it.

³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God’s own, secured) for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin).

³¹ Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind).

³² And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:29-32

Its time to exercise some boldness.

You with me???

Love,

Kaylee

Happy Birthday, Dad.

{I looked everywhere for my zip-drive with our old family pictures, but to no avail. I've attached the few I had saved to my desktop}

Today Dad is 54. I know he doesn't mind my sharing his ripe old {er, young} age because to him this means 54 years wiser. And he is.

Dad's a winker. Just part of his charm.

Dad has always been pretty awesome in my book. 

When we were little he traveled a lot. There were times he would let one of us skip school that day to ride along with him, just so he could spend some one-on-one daddy/daughter time with us. We would just talk. And eat beef jerky.

Dad has always been a little intense; both in work and play. His kisses were rough, his squeezes were tight, and boy does he love us girls. Laurin was his "Skinny Bones" {no need for explanation there}. I was  his"Kaylee-Bird" because my top lip would curl up little a beak with I cried. Tara Jean was his "Tare-Bear", " Muppet", and "Little Bugget" because... well, we have no idea where he got those names. By the third child he was just winging it. 

Dad is a singer. He likes to sing. Loudly. Let me clarify... he likes to sing with every part of his being. He requires no microphone. Dad has soul. 

Dad baptizing me when I was 8 yrs old.

Dad prays. He begins the moment he steps out of bed. He gets louder in the shower. Then sometimes periodically just walking through the house. He prays even more still while driving down the road, and no, he does not care if the windows are rolled down. Dad doesn't hesitate to pause mid-conversation and say, "Let's pray right now." And if you are sick, he will lay hands on you. Dad prays. 

Dad has a big, soft, giving heart. He has a compassionate heart. He loves people. Dad has never been "made of money", yet he's always given. Money. Food. Time. Even his dream car, the Jaguar, he easily gave to a family in need.  This is a man I admire.

A picture taken when Mom and Dad visited churches in Nicaragua. 

He is an entrepreneur. We occasionally give him grief over his many new ideas, but the fact remains... we are very proud of Dad. Paleta factory; Mexican restaurant; store deliveries; limousine service; author; and now a thriving iPhone/iPad repair business. {Larry's iPhone Repair} It doesn't matter the form or fashion, the Lord continually gives grace and blesses the the work of Dad's hands.

Dad holding on tight before walking me down the aisle.

Dad always got us involved. If it was time to mow the lawn he would make you go change your shoes {no sandals} and then teach you how. Outsides and corner first, then keep the line down the middle of the mower. See, Dad, I remember.

Dad made sure we were in attendance at every youth event. He understood that fellowship and ministry are vital to a teenager's relationship with God. But here's the kicker:
He never once complained about the gas he used to get us there, nor the money he gave us for food or events. 

He had perspective of the bigger picture... investing into our hearts.

Dad loves being Grandpa. Possibly more so than he enjoys being Dad. He loves to play and be silly. He also loves to treat. {Mostly with ice-cream} He's a cheek-squeezer. 

Dad & Mom with the grand-kids this past Christmas.

Of all the traits we may have inherited from Dad, one would most definitely be a passion for taste. Dad is willing to try almost anything, and he knows just what the flavor should be. He is also not afraid to tell me what he thinks I should add to my own recipes. :) Thanks, Dad.

There is so much more I could tell, but really its impossible to wrap up 54 years of living in one blog. Today I am just so thankful I get to call him 'Dad'.

Happy Birthday, Dad.

We cherish you.

Above All, LOVE

"Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away..." 

Song of Solomon 8:7

"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." 

Colossians 3:14

"Above all, love each other deeply..."

1 Peter 4:8

Homemade Valentine Cards for our Loved Ones

My Valentines

Blowing Kisses

Our Valentine's breakfast. Biscuits and Chocolate Gravy.
*Recipe Here.


Happy Valentines Day, Nicholas. There's no one else I'd rather spend forever with than you. 

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures...

This past weekend was one of those weekends. I had a lot going on, {well, I always do these days} but this was a Friday-Monday where every day had a plan. Important plans and important events in fact. 


A week ago my face started hurting... really hurting. I figured it was my sinuses. Every Fall they seem to take a beating; not sure why, must be something in the air. This time was different... every day was pro-gradually more painful than the day before. Ibuprofen was not helping what now felt like a jackhammer on my jaw. 


Jesus, I ask that you heal my body. Make this pain go away so that I can be productive...


After a few sleepless nights, I finally broke down and scheduled a dentist appointment for Friday.


On the way to my appointment my husband prayed again with me. Then I mentally began making adjustments to my schedule; arranging around this small hiccup. 


If I stop by here on the way home, then when I get home I can finished this... once that is done I can start on this.. and have this ready for tomorrow.. then after this event tomorrow, I can make time to work on this....


And then with one quick x-ray my weekend's blueprint changed. Dentist said that one of my wisdom teeth {yes, at 25, I still have not had them removed} was infected through the root and "must come out today."


Oh, great. I really do not have the time for this.


If you know me at all, of course I thought after this little thing called, "Oral Surgery" I would be able to just take some pain-killers and go on about my plans. Then Dr. Teeth-Puller gave me a list of dont's. 
How did he know what I had planned??? Then the numbness wore off. No one had to tell me. I now understood why he recommended I "clear my schedule." Frustrating.


Every day I was sure that the next I would be able to get up and go... and every day I had to cancel my appointments, lie on the couch, and allow my husband to take care of me. 


One day a dear lady in our church stopped by with dinner. {Soup of course}. Then she asked if she could do our dishes and clean up our kitchen while we ate! {It's amazing what  few days out of commission will do to one's kitchen} The next day, two of my girlfriends came by to visit, and one brought her oh-so-yummy Chicken-&-Dumplings soup. Talk about feeling loved and blessed.


Yesterday, after four days of doing nothing, a frustrated me began to ask the Lord, 


Why didn't you just heal me? I know You could have instantly. It would have been nothing for You. Why not just heal me and let me go about as planned? {Especially since most all my plans revolved around ministry.}


And softy- with His word- He reminded me:
"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth be beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul..."  Psalm 23


The truth is- I believe that in all of our busyness God knows that sometimes we need a break. So He brings about something that causes us to lie down and rest. 


It is a gift from a loving, heavenly Father.


"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."

Mom

Tomorrow is my wonderful mother's birthday; her ##st!

Mom and me.

If you have ever met my Mom, then you already know that she is the ultimate mother. Her love and nurture extends beyond us kids, and spills over to every one around her. She is protective and loyal; she strives to always be fair; she makes sure everyone feels included and sees to it that you have everything you need.

Mom is a giver. If you need it and she has it, she will give with great love. {She is cheerful about it too!}

There are so many things I respect  and appreciate about my mother... too many to list. However, allow me to share just a few:

- Mom prays {out loud}. Always has. In fact, I have very specific memories of listening to her pray for me! Because of this I know that when she says  she is praying for one of us girls, she really is.


- Mom has always made time for us. Usually this was in the evenings as we were preparing for bed. When we were little she read {or made up} stories. As we grew older she would talk to us about our day and maybe what was planned for the next. She let us talk, and she listened. We knew we had a safe place with her, so we were never afraid to tell her anything. {Even in those times when it meant we possibly would get into trouble.}

-Mom was never afraid to tell us "no". She even disciplined us. Of course, when I was a kid, I never believed her when she would say, "this hurts me more than it will hurt you.." but now that I am a mother I completely understand. She knew what was best for us, and that spoiled children become selfish adults.

-Looking back through every different season of her life, it seems that Mom has always had her hands full! I can't imagine how she felt the day that her baby was only three months old and she found out that she was pregnant with another. {Me!} Yet she has always handled things in stride and with grace.

-Mom has been involved is so many ministries; not because she just needs to be busy, but because she has a servant's heart. Bible studies, Children's, Youth, Prison Ministry, Music, Christian Education... those are just a few! And now with one grown daughter still at home, when she could be kicking up her feet, she is involved in  a volunteer Chaplaincy program at our local hospital. :) Proud of her.

I could keep going... but we would be here all day!

Mom, just want you to know that I am so very blessed to call you my mother. Thank you for being who you are to me {and my daughter}. I love you. Happy Birthday!!!

Baby Food and Trust

Hadley is eating baby food now; she has been for about a month.
And since that very first day in which we sat down, attempting to spoon bits of homemade brown rice cereal into her little mouth, Hadley has wanted to hold her own spoon.

Each time she would see a fresh spoonful of food heading her way, she would reach out and grab on to it. She would then give me a look as if to say, "It's okay, Mom. I've got this." So a few times I let her try.

One heaping spoon to the eye. Ouch! Try again. One more spoonful to the nose. Not quite, but closer. Baby food everywhere.

If I let her have it her way, she would starve... so Momma still does the spooning and feeding, and Hadley still tries to take over the spoon.

One day, while chowing down some of her favorite {organic peaches, banana, & oatmeal}, Hadley quickly figured something out. She realized that by grabbing on to my pinkie-finger she could guide my hand {and her spoon} to her mouth when she felt like she was ready for more food. Holding on to that same finger she could push the spoon away when she found some other object in our vicinity more interesting than taking another bite.

{Smart cookie}

It was as this moment I realized that though she may look just like her father, she has quite a bit of me in her as well. She wants to be in control.

Yep. It's hard to admit that, but she got that trait from me. She wants to steer her own ship.

I began to wonder- mentally stepping back and looking at this parent-child encounter- how closely this may relate to my communication with God at times. Not the communication that comes via conversation, because we all know that as Christians we are good at saying, "I trust you, Jesus. I trust that You know what's best for me."

But what do my actions convey when I attempt to guide His hand? Maybe give Him a little "nudge in the right direction"? {Ha!}
What am I telling the Lord when I push away from what He is offering? Do I even recognize that what I am pushing away from is really Him?

No, I do not let my 6 month old daughter feed herself, because I know what is best for her.
And I, in turn, need to trust the Lord. Even when that means waiting, waiting, waiting... {that's hard to do}.. Or even when that means accepting what He has placed in my life or taking me through.

 Because He knows what is best for my growth.

"As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all." - Ecclesiates 11:5


"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." - Jeremiah 29:11