Our Mother's Day was a little Fishy

We had a lovely day on Sunday with my parents.  My grandpa Murphy joined us for lunch as did a young amish couple.  They have been beginning to have their eyes open to the Truth of the Word and were such a joy to visit with.  Their excitement for how the Lord is changing their hearts and leading them to obey Him is rejuvenating.  We all sang together, and they yodeled for us.  Was a treat for sure!

The children were really wanting to play kick ball since the men were there too, so we had to fit that into the day.  But first Benaiah got an early birthday present from grandpa and grandma to occupy him during the ball game. 

Benaiah got a new mower to keep him busy this summer when I have massage clients at grandpa and grandma's house.  He makes the noise of a mower while pushing it and even stops to check it and do maintenace.  Quite cute!

On to the ball game!

 

I keep telling him he's getting too old for such things, but he doesn't listen.  Oh, I guess it keeps him young, right? 

On to fishing!  That was Benaiah's request, to ride grandpa's might machine boat.

 Benaiah was big enough this year to try his hand at wind surfing.  Josiah sure loves it!

 Josiah caught the first fish!  A nice blue gill (in Jonathon's hand ready to go in the water tank)!  He sure is a good fisherboy.  : )

 He loves to ride the boat!

Our catches of the day.  A blue gill and rainbow trout made it to our dinner table last night.  It was delicious baked in a garlic butter sauce with some herbs.  Josiah and I preferred the blue gill and Jonathon preferred the trout.  The rest of them, didn't care so much for any of it.  In June we'll be going up to Saginaw to do some serious fishing to hopefully stock the freezer with good meat to eat.  We'll see how we do and don't worry, we'll post about it, even if we don't catch anything.  : )  

So, that was our fun filled Sunday for you all to enjoy!  Boating season has just begun, everybody (except me) has their fishing licenses and we are ready to fish and wind surf.  We learned that grandpa's style of fishing is a bit boring, so next time we are packing games for us ladies and children to do.  But his style did get us that nice rainbow trout, so we shouldn't complain. 

Time to go to bed!  We've got a fun filled weekend planned and we can't wait to hit the road in the morning.  Night friends!

15 Years of Marriage- We did it!!!!

Most of you know us and our story.  But because other's stories similar to our's, touched my life when I needed to hear it most, there might be somebody out there reading this that needs to be encouraged in their marriage as well.  I pray that this encourages you to grow and change in your marriage.

Our Story of Restoration - 15 Years Married NOW!

By Christi~

We married young, just shortly after high school.  We had our share of mistakes in the dating area that we'd both change if we could.  It's too bad we have to go through life to really understand some things.  Especiallly those things that can affect us into our marriage.  Believe it or not, all decisions made not only affect ourselves as individuals but everyone around us, even if you don't think it affects them.  

We were in love on our wedding day.  Who isn't really? : )  We had an adventurous honeymoon that we will forever remember.  It was simple and not costly, but a tornado ripped through the area where we were staying, so it did change some of our plans.  If we would have only known then that the tornado during our honeymoon would be a vision of what was to come, we may have prepared ourselves more.  

Shortly after we were married, I became sick with mononucleosis. Doctors couldn't seem to diagnosis it and one thing led to another, and I was having major problems with my health.  That really tested out our marriage straight from the get go.  Time passed, we were figuring out my health issues, built a cute little house and were expecting our first baby.  Life was good, but things always felt a little rocky.  

It wasn't until after our second child was born that we hit bottom and all of our issues we had been having came through in actions of our hearts.  We both take the blame for it.  If one of us would have stepped up to the plate and not been selfish in our marriage, the other would have followed behind, pulling their weight as well.  It takes two to accomplish a lot in marriage.  But it also takes two to destroy a marriage.  

I was living with the girls as Jonathon had decided that this wasn't what he wanted for himself and was off in another relationship.  I spent days and nights on my knees praying, studying God's Word to see where I failed.  He quickly showed me that I was just as much at fault, and He began revealing those areas that I needed to improve on.  After some time, much heart ache and doing my best at obeying God's voice in leading me to say and do what He wanted in the situation, the story changed.  Jonathon began seeing the change in me and desired to come back home, but was just afraid that things would fall back into the same routine as before.  I couldn't make promises of that not happening, but I could make sure that every day I woke up I could determine to live unselfishly.  

God truly did restore us back together.  It wasn't with a snap of the fingers but with much patience, love and determination to not let the enemy win in the spiritual battle that was taking place.  We may think that other people are after us or are haters, etc. but really it's all spiritual battles.  The enemy does what he can, to whom he can, to rock boats to cause a falling away from the true Saviour.  It sure takes effort to not allow that to happen, but it's so worth it.  

Nine months after we reunited in marriage, our first son, Josiah Harron was born.  Josiah means, whom Jehovah has healed.  He was our sign that healing truly did take place, and we blessed the Lord for his life.  

I wouldn't say that everything has been smoothe sailing since then.  Oh no!  There has been much for me to deal with in relation to the choice that Jonathon made.  I still struggle at times even though he has reassured me of his love many times over and over.  But again, the enemy uses what he can to stick his foot in the door to cause problems, and he knows that this is an area he can get me in.  I have to be firm in not letting him get the door open even just a crack.  

We now have 4 children and another one due the end of August.  Sometimes I wonder why the Father has given us these children, but these are lives that He has created.  I shouldn't question but rather be blessed by them and be sure that I am training them according to His Word.  And I pray that as we live out our marriage to the best that we can, our children will also learn from it and be led by His Spirit in walking with Him in their marriages (if we ever allow that to happen). : )  None of us are perfect and there are always areas that we can improve upon.  I wouldn't have become aware of what I needed to do if I hadn't of gone to the Father with a heart that truly wanted to see the faults and change them.  He is faithful to be by our side when we really desire His leading and guidance.  Go to Him.  Only He can restore and make whole again!                

A Morning of hands on learning

We have had some major critter problems around our homestead lately. Last week we lost our last two chickens due to a rascally raccoon. The coon is now dead thanks to a determined and frustrated chicken owner. : ) But we are now chickenless as well. : ( New ones will be on their way soon, and it gives us time to get the coop cleaned out of the legs mites that seemed to take over.

Last night we got home late from doing some work. Jonathon was missing, and I noticed that his gun was gone. I could see the light on in his barn, so I assumed he was getting stuff around for work this morning. Wrong! An opposum was in there eating chicken feed out of a nice hole she chewed in the bottom of the brand new bag. Grrrrr! Yep, that critter died too. Jonathon was too tired to take care of it, so he left it in there for the night.

This morning, Jonathon called and gave Josiah instructions to get the opposum out of there. So, we got his work gloves out and all 4 children headed out to the barn. Alegra came running in, "Mom, Diella saw something kicking and she's having babies!" I said, "Remember opposums have pouches that they keep their babies in. They are just in her pouch." So, I slipped my sandals on and headed out to the barn to see if they needed help. After carefully moving the bag of chicken feed without losing all the feed out the bottom from the hole, I scooped her up in a shovel and carried her out of the barn to the yard. Sure enough, there were 5 babies in her pouch, nursing as fast as they could. Diella tried to pull one out so we could see it better, but that little baby was clenched on so tight, it wasn't coming out. Amazing how these animals were created.

So, the children got a great hands on lesson today. A little gross of a lesson, but it seems grossness comes along with living in the country, especially when there are critters to be taken care of.

So, that job is done!  Now what can we get into the rest of the day?  : )

We had a Rainbow of a time!

We had a lovely school program with friends and family yesterday.  The theme this year was focused around the weather but primarily rainbows.  The children worked really hard memorizing and were very much stretched in their abilities and bravery.  They did great!



 This is the invitation we sent out with pictures of us all dressed colorfully to invite our guests to come celebrate with us.

 To read about the details of the food and program, check out CLB Celebrations blog.  That post goes into more details of the event and not so much the guests.