Life Beyond the Picket Fence

Thank you, Brenda! You are a wonderful woman :) Go...

2012-05-17T18:48:30.921-07:00

Thank you, Brenda! You are a wonderful woman :) God bless you!

Oh this is a great post, I love how you said //I m...

2012-05-14T10:53:18.773-07:00

Oh this is a great post, I love how you said //I milk a goat on our place so I can call myself whatever I want.// You got that right! I am your neighbor over at Joan's Linky today so I thought I would come take a look at your blog. I am so glad I did. Blessings to you and all you do -- no matter what you call it! You can find me over at http://christianeveryday.com

Oh goodness, such an accomplished family. Hoping y...

2012-05-12T06:39:47.714-07:00

Oh goodness, such an accomplished family. Hoping your awesome daughter makes it down there and back without any glitches. My what an undertaking that will be. By the time she returns she may be happy to milk goats too, lol. Good luck to your wonderful family, and Happy Mother's Day to you Brenda.

Thank you so much, Jessica! I often think of you ...

2012-05-12T01:11:59.312-07:00

Thank you so much, Jessica! I often think of you while she discerns her journey, knowing you are both called to work overseas in some capacity at some point in your lives. May God continue to help discern your timing and season! Thank you for sharing!

Thank you so much Jessica! When I was at New Pari...

2012-05-12T01:09:54.014-07:00

Thank you so much Jessica! When I was at New Paris last year and would talk with your mom, I often thought of you and Kaylee and both of your callings. I didn't know then (or really now) where she was called, but knew the Lord was taking her waway from here! I think of you often when I read your blog and your heart for Peru. May the Lord bless you richly as you continue to discern your call in each phase and stage. Thank you so much.
Brenda

Brenda, As I read this post my eyes seriously bega...

2012-05-11T19:10:50.354-07:00

Brenda, As I read this post my eyes seriously began to fill with tears as I remember myself nearly three years ago this August. I recall sitting in my room, packing my bags, weighing them, repacking them, and weighing them again. While I was excited to be returning to Peru for a third time, I knew that specific experience would change my life forever. At the time, the length of time I'd be in Peru hadn't been determined. I was excited to go and be used by the Lord to teach English to elementary students and work with the kids at the orphanage, but I was also very sad to be leaving everything I knew behind. It wasn't easy for me, and I know it definitely wasn't easy on my family.
As your daughter packs her bags for a summer in Guatemala I will be praying for all of you! I am sure God has great things in store for her there, and experiences await her that will change her forever. I know this time isn't easy for any of you, but I am glad you recognize that this is God's calling for her, and you must let her go. (That's something my family still struggles with.)I hope she has a great summer :)
Jessica

Thank you both, Ingrid and Bobbie. You've wal...

2012-05-08T19:54:51.208-07:00

Thank you both, Ingrid and Bobbie. You've walked these roads, too.

Brenda, you captured this so well. You have moved...

2012-05-08T18:59:25.436-07:00

Brenda, you captured this so well. You have moved me...deeply. God bless you, Kaylee, and your whole family.

Oh, Brenda....I read this with tears in my eyes. T...

2012-05-08T09:37:45.343-07:00

Oh, Brenda....I read this with tears in my eyes. Two down and two to go for us, and it never gets any easier. You write beautifully and your sentiment rings true. God Bless You. Ingrid

I'm tired.

2012-05-05T12:30:36.859-07:00

I'm tired.

Thankful for the memories that never change, howev...

2012-05-02T02:59:14.732-07:00

Thankful for the memories that never change, however I also feel blessed with change as well! It's sweet to reflect upon the past (and share some of the blessings and mistakes we learned!), but I am excited for for what the forward holds for me! :)

Blessings andhugs Brenda,
Denise

Somethings don't change, even though as parent...

2012-05-01T11:43:17.765-07:00

Somethings don't change, even though as parents we think they will. I love to watch the high schoolers get out of school as I get my son...I find myself putting names to them because they look and act so much like the ones I went to school with...yes, some things never change

One of my favorite verses! What do we have to clin...

2012-04-27T05:20:29.513-07:00

One of my favorite verses! What do we have to cling to if not hope? I find myself turning to God with so many "hopes" and prayers for this, that, and everything, and what keeps me going is His faithful loving grace and answered prayers! I love your picket fence analogy! :)

Blessings and hugs sister!
Denise

Yes, as kids it seems that Daddy can fix anything!...

2012-04-19T19:19:24.096-07:00

Yes, as kids it seems that Daddy can fix anything! Mine was always a hero in my eyes! Now my heavenly Father is the fixer of things...He always has a plan and His plan is always good! Blessings, Joan

This brings back many memories of my Daddy; oh how...

2012-04-17T02:37:06.615-07:00

This brings back many memories of my Daddy; oh how he used to "fix" things! Ha! My Mother and I would just shake our heads... He was (and always will be) the hero in my life. :)

Blessings Brenda,
Denise

Dad's can fix most anything it seems at least ...

2012-04-16T16:47:47.412-07:00

Dad's can fix most anything it seems at least in the eyes of their children. When I look at my heavenly Father, I ask Him to fix certain things, and usually he does, as least that is the plan.

Love this...just yesterday Hannah said the same th...

2012-04-16T02:48:34.088-07:00

Love this...just yesterday Hannah said the same things when she brought a broken "something" upstairs. I'm gonna give it to dad - cause he can fix anything! He's even the one that she goes to when she is hurt - those heroes in a cape just make things feel better too! Hooray for Dads!

Barb, thanks for your reminders, I will let you en...

2012-04-11T05:49:42.447-07:00

Barb, thanks for your reminders, I will let you enjoy retirement for me! Your investments as a mother have produced outstanding results - what great and successful girls you have! Save a coffee cup for me in a few years, and enjoy this beautiful day for me! After writing that blog, I realized child #4 won't be home alone tonight because he has air rifle again! Score #4 for loser mom! Have a great day!

I got tired just reading about your hectic schedul...

2012-04-11T05:38:55.999-07:00

I got tired just reading about your hectic schedule with the kids. It will slow down as the kids get older. Sometimes, I miss those crazy days of running after the kids, though. (You never get them back) Sounds like you are doing a pretty good job of slowing down and you're definitely not a loser mom! Speaking of slowing down - what do I want to do today? Haven't decided yet!

Thank you, Kim. I'm in good company. I'll ...

2012-04-10T18:59:43.669-07:00

Thank you, Kim. I'm in good company. I'll bring my soggy muffins and you name the place,and it's a date!

You're the most amazing Loser mom I know!! An...

2012-04-10T18:15:23.881-07:00

You're the most amazing Loser mom I know!! And yes, I'd love to join you ----for muffins and coffee of course - I've already joined you in the loser mom race!!

Hi Brenda :) What a great post (made me giggle!) ...

2012-04-10T08:46:50.455-07:00

Hi Brenda :) What a great post (made me giggle!)

I definitely allow myself to get caught up in too much and sometimes lose my focus and become distracted from the things that are really important. I have to be careful not to chase after the wrong things too! :)

Blessings and hugs,
Denise

Thank you, Brenda. I understand full well and app...

2011-11-13T20:46:28.164-08:00

Thank you, Brenda. I understand full well and appreciate your putting it so eloquently. God is with us.

Hi Brenda, I want that "rewind button!" ...

2011-09-23T23:13:49.273-07:00

Hi Brenda,
I want that "rewind button!" Way too many times I could have used it...
That is a comforting verse to know God will complete the good work He has began in us.

Thank you for your visit and comments on my blog, they are much appreciated. May God bless you,
Ken

Hi Brenda, What a sweet reminder! :) Isn't it...

2011-09-22T02:00:59.299-07:00

Hi Brenda,

What a sweet reminder! :) Isn't it such a blessing knowing that with God's good grace we are forgiven! I also like Philippians 3:13-15 "I am focusing all my energies on this one thing; forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. Let's keep focused on that goal, those of us that want everything God has for us." I have shared this loving verse many times. :)

Blessings and love!
Denise