Psalm 8

O LORD, our Lord How majestic is your name
in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens.
From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.

When I consider your heavens,
the works of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
You made him a little lower then the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:
all the flocks and herds,
and beasts of the field,
the birds of the air,
the and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.

O LORD, our Lord How majestic is your name
in all the earth!

This day I am thankful for the opportunity to read these words, for the chance to take in His majesty. Thankful that I have been given the opportunity to impact this world for the God who David wrote in awe of, for the God who's majesty is indescribable!

#45-49

Begining the Journey

Well, In our home we pray normally before meals and at bed time. My Husband and I for whatever reason have not made it a point to pray regularly together or as a family. I know how vital this is in our walk, yet for some reason we still don't make it happen. I will have every good intention of doing so and still set it on a shelf...

Just this past Monday began the journey of more regular prayer time for us, Praise God! With dinner done house quickly picked up we met in the living room with soft music on, all ready to read from Gods Word and then Pray together. We read in Philippians, due to this being a difficult financial and emotional time for us. Then we did it...from his daddy chair he suggested we also add something about today that we were thankful for! Amazing what happens when we let down our guard, open up, being honest with Christ and yes, each other too!

Next night we would meet there again in our family devotion/prayer spot, cuddled together with pillows and blankets. This time Daddy reads from Philippians and we listen to what our heavenly father has for us this night. We are tired tonight, much yawning and squirming but we listen then pray...together!

So our journey of prayer together begins...

Capturing each moment

Without my camera I notice how much I really loved it, just a simple Kodak point and shoot but oh the memories I was capturing.

This time I am thankful for:

32. Each and every time I can snap a precious picture even if only in my mind
33. She reads to him before nap time, with puppets and all
34. His coming back 1hr later for the half a PB&J we saved that

"he just couldn't eat, too full"
35. Tractor running all morning, wiping away the tall sun burnt grass,

revealing lush green
36. Pearly white teeth yet to take their journey to my jewelry box
37. Soft sheets & Feather pillows
38. The single freckle on his nose
39. Warm brownies with cold milk
40. Their willingness to stay up, listen and encourage, I love you both
41. My Bible, Gods spoken Word
42. Saturday morning shows on ch.45 The Good Life,

that is what it is...
43. Expectancy... for what God will do each day
44. T.V. off for Family devotions in Philippians

Priceless...

This is How We Roll

My dear friend posted how they get back to school shopping done at their house.

http://thusfarwithgod.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-we-roll.html

Then asked how we do it. So, Here's the the Henry Herd low down.

2 kids, 1boy, 1 girl
Said boy will be attending our local charter school for Kindergarden
Said Girl is Homeschooling again for the 3rd year
All very exciting!

Said boy, happens to go by Ty. Ty is very particular about his clothing at times which can drive ME completely insane! The way things feel, the way they fit, the color etc. all issues for him pretty regularly. Said boy is wearing UNIFORMS So Ha! I say to you Ty, no more choices...However the price to be paid for sanity is high, 15$ per polo shirt, not to include the Khaki shorts (already had one pair and found 2 others thrifting for 1$ a piece) and solid color sneakers (found on Kmart special for 10$) Whew! Ty done!

Said Girl is becoming quite trendy... cutesy tops, skinny jeans, and gladiator sandals. Where did the little redneck go, heck I don't know. So due to home being school said girl, who goes by Faith gets to shop all year round. We simply pick things up as we see them on sale or in thrift stores. Not much else to say...

We have found it satisfying to remove things through the year that don't fit to our "give away" pile and then unload it all at our church's biannual free clothing event "No Strings Attached". Feels great to give it away with no strings attached, no tax right off or reward just pure giving, It's fun to see others be blessed!

That's it for us, nothin' fancy, no lengthy or expensive trips to the mall. Simplicity. Ahhh!

Continuing the Pilgimage Through Prayer

At times I find it hard to do it right.
I mean really focus or say the right thing.

Good news is, God isn't looking for me to do it right.

He isn't looking for me to say the right things.

All He wants is my honesty, humility and time...

Matthew tells the way the hypocrites and pagans prayed back in the day...standing in front of everyone so they could be seen...babbling on and on hoping to have their many words heard.

My Prayer is for our Unseen Father, to help me to pray not for the reward of others but for His reward. For Him to show me how to just talk to Him about life about the everyday stuff that I am happy about, confused about and dealing with. He already knows our every need even before we ask! So, see we don't have to do it right or have the right words cause He already knows it all.

He just wants us to be with Him!

In the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector we are told not to pray with pride, in a way that's all about us ie. Thank you that I'm notlike so and so... I' so glad I do this and that. We should Humble ourselves before the Lord and He will lift us up James 4:1. We/I need to be honest, open up about my stuff (cause remember, He does already know it) and trust Him. Lay my Pride aside and humble myself before Him.

I pray that you and I would quiet ourselves
and take time to spend with our God.
Go ahead... Nobodys watching but Him...It's quiet...
And the Lord who created You and wants to talk with you is waiting...

Sadness

Well, as I just start getting the hang of this blogging thing and my camera broke! I am so saddened by this. I do have a few pics stored but what about those moments when I could capture something new, something special?

Just as a side note I think it was that darn Uno, the chick that has much attitude! I think it could quite possibly be a rooster, guess we'll see.

I was taking a shot of the six of them fighting over a nice juicy spider they scored and POP! A loud noise was heard and Uno seen running from the scene.

Bummer, slightly A typical chicken = broken camera

Today

Is ...
beautiful
full of opportunities to praise Him
filled with moments to shine/glow for God

Thank You for allowing me to be a light for You!
Go before me this day and prepare me/them for each and every situation we come to encounter, help us to give you the glory for things you have done and things you are yet to do.

28-31

Gearing up for school

Well now that I'm a seasoned homeschooler I guess it's quite alright that I just ordered the last of my curriculum needs yesterday. We plan to begin on 8/24 just 9 short days away. Wow! I didn't realize it was that soon even now :o

Faith and I are super excited about the 1st half of American History.

We have most of our books and can't wait to dig in!

Priceless...

We will, for the most part follow the county school schedule this year as my little guy is headed for kindergarden at our local charter school

:) :( Happy and sad times.

So cute...

I hope they're ready for him...

I think I will miss him a bit...

This will be a great start and you will have fun learning how to be a big kid!

I Love You Ty, I will be praying daily that you learn lots

and can come home and learn even more with us!

Construction

Today we worked on the Coop Mahal, for our six little chicks!

I have a feeling they are going to be very spoiled.

Here is a taste of our day...

Still more to do but holy cow or chicken we sure got alot done!

Thanks to my hubby who didn't really want chickens to begin with.

A Pilgrimage into Prayer

Into prayer?
Where is that? How do you journey there?

For me it's simply to begin...

To find a place, a spot to share
Sit down and think of you, right there
Begin to talk with you...
Give you my heart and open up
Yes, let you overflow my cup

When I make plans and meet you there,
that's the journey into prayer!

Six little chicks

Today we got six 2 week old chicks. They are so cute and already loosing their fuzzy covering to be replaced with mature feathers. The particular breed we were able to get is the silver laced wyandotte which apparently will be a good egg layer. They will lay large brown eggs and are really easy going. "A favorite amongst backyard flock owners." They are a dual purpose bird, that is they are layers but also are suitable for meat. We will not be raising this six for meat however. For now we want to raise them solely for eggs and as backyard pets. Time to get busy on a coop as they will be old enough to stay outside in just 2 short weeks. I'll keep you posted on their growth and the coop progress.
This is a beautiful breed, I can't wait until their mature feathers are fully developed!

Our Unexpected Beginning

My life so far has been a journey containing one act of faith after another. I won't go way back but just to the start of my adult life at the age of seventeen.

Two weeks after my seventeenth birthday I became the Mommy to a little life that challenged me to walk in faith. This was certainly not in the plan I had for my future, at least not this soon anyway! I grew up in a Christian home with a God fearing family surrounding me. My parents were just like yours and just like me now, trying their best to do this thing called life the best way they knew how. Looking back to me then I can see I searched for acceptance and love everywhere but up! God was there with me, just not part of my everyday life, it's like I knew Him but He just wasn't real to me yet! Do you know what I mean? Well, with that said I made choices that changed my life drastically.

I remember the day I found out clearly. It was after school one ridiculously hot summer day in Florida. We got in his rusty, gray clunker and headed for the department store pharmacy, he picked up a test and took forever to come out. I remember sitting in the parking lot with broken A/C and finally after what seemed like hours he was at the passenger door with THE BAG, the one that contained the answer to why in English class finals I had to run to the girls room multiple times, the one that would confirm my teachers hypothesis and the saltines she'd been giving me all week. Then with no warning he pulled out a baby toy, A BABY TOY! Are you kidding me? I had never been so disgusted. Right then that was not what I wanted to see, I was not excited about the idea of this nor did I want to even think about what it was going to look like being a mom.

So, we drove across town to the beauty salon my Mom worked at. I walked in and went strait to the bathroom... I sat by myself there and hesitated. This was going to be the rest of my life and I wasn't ready for it. I didn't know what was next. Well, I couldn't make it go away so I waited 3minutes and got the answer I knew was coming, POSITIVE... I was pregnant and my life was over, no more dreams of high school rodeo, no more teenage girl, no more beach with friends, no more life as I knew it. I cried and cried for longer than I can remember. I was young and scared and desperate and unequipped and disappointed and disappointed and disappointed.

As the weeks passed I worked part time at a local pizza place and oh my, do I remember the sickening smells. I would arrive at work, clock in, put on an apron and walk nauseous strait to the restroom, needless to say that didn't last long! I had the worst morning sickness I thought possible, 4-5 months worth. And I was beginning to realize what I had done.

I was going to be a Mom.
I was having a child... who would rely on me for her every need.

...to be continued

The many things I miss

I didn't realize how many things I miss like...
#11-27

a dragonflies fragile wings
the strength in a thunderstorm
her sweet smile
the shine in my ring
cushions on the couch
coffee with cream
library cards
and simple dreams
muffins made from their little hands
the early morning hug from his little brown body
her eagerness to help
and his willingness to work yet not want
carpet shampoo
their imaginations
hot chocolate mustaches
kind words from a stranger
the smile of a friends heart

God don't let me miss anymore! I am so grateful for even the smallest of gifts you have shown to me. I love this life and can't wait to see whats next!

How the Word Lives

The Word lives...
When I own it, When I decide to use it
When I look around me and see you,
When I sit quietly and listen...
to the maker of the universe
Listen to how much He loves me,
Listen to the words He has for me today

... be still and know that I am God

... test me on this...I will open the
windows of Heaven for you and pour out
all the blessings you need.

"You are my witnesses," declares the LORD,
"and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
nor will there be one after me.
Isaiah 43:10

Knowing your here

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving in your heart, let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

When you feel the tension mounting, and across the busy day

only gloomy clouds are drifting, as you start to worry... Pray

~Anonymous

The past days are difficult,

I feel things building up,

And what do I do to fix it... clam up

I know how easy it is to hand over,

I've also felt my grip when letting go

but God if I'd just do it

in my life you'd show

Father calm my spirit, remind me you'll never leave

take my hand an hold it as I withstand this forceful breeze

Make me lie down Lord, in your pastures green

and smell the simple sweetness, from you I'll glean

Life isn't always easy, you never said It'd be

but promised to always be there

that's why you'll still find me

I thank God for His presence in my life. I'm not quite sure how things would have turned out had He not been there all along. When things get tough He doesn't budge! How I love knowing He is always here.

This can't make things worse!

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

So, I've decided to start counting my blessings. I read this weekend that we really are made to worship and praise the Lord and what better way to do that than begin taking note of all the blessings around us. No matter how small or insignificant it may seem, the things God has placed around us and the moments He allows us to experience are meant for His Glory, for His praise!

Today I'm going to begin praising Him by recognizing His gifts to me and really to all of us! My goal is 1000 and I'm not going to set a time frame other than posting them every Monday. I'll count them and jot them down throughout the week then compile them all here. I can't wait to see how fast they add up! Here Goes!

1. Fresh cut grass

2. The Colors of the sunset

3. Quiet times

4. Red Lights which make me slow down and absorb the moment

5. A child's curiosity

6. The armor of God

7. Friends that love me like Jesus does, no judgement, no expectation, just unfailing love

8. Gods word which I am learning to buckle around my waist

9. Cool pool water in the heat of Summer

10. Time to take in the nature around me and fall in love all over again