In loving memory of Marilyn Huizenga 

(Grand-ma and Great Gran to our family)

April 1924 - January 2014

We will miss you, precious lady. Your love of Jesus was evident to all who knew you and your beautiful smile was wonderfully contagious.  Your smile could light up a room like no other and the mischievous twinkle in your eye always brought lots of laughter.  Thank you for loving me like one of your own and giving to me such precious words of encouragement on many occasions.

My Word for 2014

And so 2014 has begun. I wish I could say I've thought a lot about what I want it to look like this next year and what my goals are. I haven't. I haven't really spent any time thinking about those things. This year, Christmas was a blur for me. Oh, I enjoyed much needed time with my hubby and kids (plus an extra kid this year) and I loved the down time we had around the farm. It just seemed with all the sick ones pre-Christmas (me included) and all the activities leading up to the big day - it was a blur. A wonderful, exciting, holy blur. The days between Christmas and New Years just floated by without any major hoop-la and we spent New Years Eve at home watching re-runs of the "Sing-Off" on Hulu. It was quite the uneventful night. I've never been much of a goal setter. I usually don't do well with "resolutions" either. So, I'm just asking God to direct my steps. I'm asking Him for His goals and plans to develop in me and lead me on. On to what He has in store for our family and HIS passions in me. I don't like to be caught off guard, but one
thing I've learned about God is that He does whatever He wants... Psalm 115:3 "Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases." He is not bound by my expectations or goals. Sure, there are things I'd like to accomplish this year, like, finishing the remodel of our bedroom and cleaning out the shed that seems to have become a compost bin for everything broken and cast off around here. I'd like to sew more and paint more and read more and write more- but I don't want to stress about it more. I don't want to set myself up more. I've done that too many times in the past.

But I also know this about my Lord - He has plans for me. Plans for welfare and not for evil. Plans for a future and a hope (Jer. 29:11). For that I am in awe. That He, the God of the Universe has plans for me. And they're good plans. They're hopeful plans. That brings peace and a whole lot of gratitude.

I've been praying about a "word" for the year. I think my word this year will be GRATITUDE! I want to live a life of gratitude and thankfulness. To give honor where it's due. To Him be the glory and praise forever and ever - Amen

Yesterday Demi turned 18.
We are so proud of our girl.

Happy 5th Birthday Canon Scott

Some things never change!

Our baby boy turns FIVE today.  I know this is cliche' but it's really hard to believe that just over five years ago he wasn't in our lives.  He was a promise, a mystery.  NOW...he's all over the place.  Bram and I are so grateful to God for all of our kids, but Canon stole all of our hearts.  Hook, line and sinker!  We were smitten and still are.  

This morning I spent about an hour and a half with three beautiful women of God. We prayed together. Just prayed. For our children and husbands that God would strengthen them for His calling in their lives. For our children to learn to listen to His voice as they navigate the waters of schoolwork and friendships.

We prayed for our local schools and teachers, administrators, volunteers, custodial workers, aids and parents. We prayed for protection from the attacks of the enemy on our children and that his plans would not come to fruit in our schools. We prayed for children in public schools to have a boldness of faith and courage to stand when called to stand for Christ.

We prayed for teachers called to teach on foreign soil. Called to make a difference where the resources are scarce and sometimes unavailable all together. Where, many times they are breaking the law to teach someone to read and write. We prayed for their safety and constant dependence on God. We also prayed for teachers here in the United States that are called to teach foreign students who have come here for a better life and education. People from other cultures and backgrounds. Teachers called to the world that has been brought to us.

It was a privilege to pray with these women. The first of many Saturdays we will spend together praying. Asking God to prick our hearts for the things He loves. Asking Him to change us in the process. To link our hearts with His - to bring Him glory.

Beauty in the middle of the weeds

A Zinnia has pushed its way up through the chaos and tangle of weeds that used to be a flower bed.  I thought they were all gone - choked out by neglect.  Yet, it was determined.  That beautiful flower.  Like a poignant reminder of God's grace.  God's ever present grace that always pushes through the chaos and tangled mess we call our lives.  His grace and beauty find their way up through the hard, neglected soil of our lives and then - life - real life - springs up.  Reminding.  Drawing.  Loving.  Making what once looked neglected have purpose.  Making even the weeds around it look lovely.

There it stands.  Defiant beauty.  Surrounded by weeds.  And I'm reminded (again) that is exactly how God sees me.  Defiant beauty.  Standing with weeds all around.  Yet He is at work to cultivate that beauty - His beauty - in me.  And I am grateful.

Windy Louise - 6/12-4/13

Our sweet little Windy Louise got bit (again) by a Rattlesnake last evening.  What a heart wrenching time to watch her labor through the pain.  We did all we could do for her short of taking her into an emergency vet clinic.  We called a hot-line and the doctor on call told us how to take care of her and make her comfortable.  So, we gave her Tylenol and Benadryl and waited.  She couldn't out wait the venom this time.  The snake was too big and she too little.  We are heart broken.  Skeeter, her best friend, is lost.

She came to us almost a year ago.  Running down the country road in front of our house.  She ran out of the cornfield.  No bigger than my hand.  Lyric jumped out of the car and ran to meet her.  She ran to Lyric like she belonged to us - and she did.  She jumped into Lyric's arms and into our hearts right away.  What a cutey.  We will miss her terribly.

I hate the feelings it brings up.  I hate holding my kids while they cry and grieve.  I hate the feeling of loss and sadness that will live with us now.  I know my kids will be fine - and I will too...it just brings up the pain again.  Re-opens the wounds of loss.  I want to shield them from it, to make sure it doesn't affect them...but I can't.  I can't keep them from what life brings us.  My prayer is that God will use this loss to make them stronger and build their confidence in their ability to love unconditionally.  The possibility is that they will choose not to love another pet...not to let themselves get too close.  I don't want that to translate (or transfer over) to people.  So, if you think about it, pray for our little family.  Pray for our hearts to heal quickly.