Heritage

I watched her as she got dressed.  She held deep sorrow in her eyes, yet I saw strength, courage and beauty.  There I stood, a girl just getting started good as a wife; not yet a mother, watching this lady who had lived a life time of joy and sorrow.  This day, like so many others, she was a wife dressing to please the man that she had spent a lifetime with, a life that held many sweet stories. 

“Do you think he would think I look pretty today?” she asked me.

I stumbled for words as the tears stuck in my throat.  “Yes ma’am, I know he would,” was my reply because to me she was beautiful dressed in red.  You see red was his favorite color. 

“Well today I’ll stand by him one last time,” was her soft declaration.

Standing by him was all she knew how to do.  She had done so with joy, pride and love for so many years.  Standing by him, honoring him was like breathing to her.

My Nana stood by my Papa’s casket that night for hours as person after person filed by her, expressing their sympathy.  She chatted with each person, hugging and sharing tears with many, but all the while she stood. With elegance and grace she stood beside her husband one more time.

 

 

This is my heritage.  This is one of many stories I could tell about the women who came before me and the ones who shaped the way I would enter into marriage.  I am blessed with those examples, grandmothers and a mother who have honored their husbands. 

Now I’m not under the illusion that they were perfect or that there marriages were/are perfect.  I know that marriage is made up of two imperfect individuals.  There are times when the honoring is hard and times when it comes easy. 

As my Nana would say, “Sometimes I could pinch his head off!”  We have these times, all of us.  However, it’s the commitment made before God to stand by our husband, honoring him that gets us through the tough seasons.

What a legacy we can leave, if we choose, for the generations that follow…honoring God by honoring our husbands.

Jesus, Friend of Sinners

Repentance.  What a beautiful word.  What a beautiful reality.  The turning away from sin.  The act of  turning away from sinful self (in both heart and mind) and turning to God. 

Jesus came for the sinner.  In Matthew, Mark and Luke Jesus was seen eating with the tax collectors and sinners.  The pharisees could not fathom why he would lower himself to be seen with these filthy sinners. Jesus' response was simple...this is who I came for. 

"I desire mercy and not sacrifice.  For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."
Matthew 9:13

In fact He rejoices over the 1 who comes in repentance more so than the 99 who are just and need no repentance.  Luke 15:7

We attended a service a few days ago and we saw this doctrine in action.  As the song Jesus, Friend of Sinners was being sung, Holy Spirit began to draw with sweet conviction.  No one stood and made an alter call.  It was simply the power of God at work in the hearts of men and women.  Several people responded to this drawing and came to the alter in repentance.  It was a beautiful site.

Rod and I didn't know these people.  We had no relationships with any of them.  Yet we sat and sobbed on the back row as we silently prayed.  We saw the love of God in action.  We witnessed the power of the Holy Spirit draw men unto Himself.  We saw ourselves.  Sinners.  Forgiven much.  Loved much. 

Hello Monday

It's Monday.  A new day.  "Every day  is fresh with no mistakes in it."  (name that movie)  So I'm saying Hello to a new day and a new week. 

 

Hello baseball practices.  Two kids.  Two teams.  Four practices.  Let the chaos begin.

 

Hello batting cages.  We had a fun time this weekend with friends. 

 

 

Hello ladies.  Yeah I work with dairies sometimes and this was a gorgeous day last week to be out.

 

Hello clean house.  I deep cleaned this weekend and let me tell you our house was in need of a deep cleaning day.  Now we are ready to start the week.  Let's cross our fingers and hope it lasts...a few days at least.

 

Hello to fun hairstyles.  I'm always looking for something to do with this mane of mine.  I have to change it up to keep from chopping it off.

 

 

I'm linking with Lisa Leonard today!

Random Things Friday

We'll it's Friday and all I have are a few random things so I'm declaring it "Random Things Friday".  Feel free to join me in the comments. I would love to hear from you!

Number One
The weekend is here!  Get excited!  What are your plans?  We are psyched to hang out with some good friends this weekend. Haven't seen them in a little while and it's time!

Number Two
My youngest got so upset last night. He has a gift for drama. He can go on and on irrationally for as long as we let him. Last night the problem was that he was not going to have as many box tops to take to school as some of his friends. He was devastated to say the least. He sat in his room crying for at least 30 minutes. That's a lot of drama for  a 7 year old boy, let me tell you. However, we made chocolate cookies and all was right with the world again. There's nothing a little chocolate won't fix.;)

Number Three
I lost my car key this week. Inside of my car. How did I know it was inside? Well, it's one of those keyless keypod things. It won't let you lock it in the car and when I couldn't lock it I knew. I looked, hubs looked and we couldn't find it. We really needed to find this stinking key so hubs prayed and asked God to help him. Well he said it wasn't a few minutes later than he had a urge to check the trunk again. So he looked in the trunk and decided to look inside of the jacket pocket in the trunk. Yeah, it was there. I put it there and forgot. Oops!  But let's not get side tracked...we found the key!  Aren't you glad God cares about the little things? The things that may seem silly and insignificant to others?  I'm in awe of the way He works out all the little details as well as the big ones. He loves us y'all!  He does!

So what are your random thoughts today. Let me know. Have a great weekend!

~Herrika

From My Playlist

This is a song at the top of my playlist right now.  You know, if you've given your life over to the Lord, if you've accepted by faith His grace and forgiveness, then you are being saved? You are a work in progress.  I am a work in progress.  The bible calls those who are followers of Christ those "being saved".  Check it out here and here.  I love this because I'm such a mess, but I know that God is working on me everyday.  He's not gonna quit working on me or you until the day we close our eyes in death.   We are a beautiful work in progress.  Not because we are anything special or because we deserve it, but because of His love.  He indeed makes beautiful things out of us. 

Be blessed!  ~Herrika

Throw Back Valentines Day

I thought of this picture first thing this morning as I was packing up valentine goodies for the boys to take to school.  Oh how I miss these babies...



Valentine's Day 2007.  Ages 2.5 and 10 months.

And now they are big but still my babies...


This morning.  Ages 9 and 7.

Happy Love Day! 

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 
         1 Corinthians 13:13 (NKJV)

Made this little valentine for my sweet nephew's daycare friends.

Communion

I’ve never seen your face with my eyes

But my heart has seen and you’re beautiful.

I’ve never felt your touch on my skin

But your constant presence is deeply tangible

I’ve never heard your voice with my ears

But you speak in so many ways I am in awe of your sound

Unworthy though I am, You made a way for eternal communion.

I am no longer separated from You.  I am humbled.  I am undone. 

What I Wore Wednesday (WIWW)

I love fashion but I am definitely no expert (not even close).  I just enjoy following trends and seeing what works for me and what does not.  Also, I feel 110% better when I put a little effort into my day to day outfits.  So just for fun, I'm joining the "what i wore wednesday" (WIWW) blog party link up at The Pleated Poppy.   My pictures will not be anything to brag about.  I mean I usually take them in my messy closet.  Nevertheless, maybe I can give some ideas to the lady trying to change things up a little.  I know I've gotten lots of fashion inspiration following this blog party.  Happy styling!

 

 

Be warned.  I do a lot of shopping at Ross.  This tee and blazer are both from Ross.  The jeans are from a local boutique.

 

This dress is from Ross.  I added a skirt extender to give a little extra length.  Brown tights and riding boots complete this Sunday morning outfit. 

 

I'm loving my husbands golf shoes in every picture.  ;)

Boys

The toilet seat is usually up.  Clothes are usually on the floor instead of where they should be.  Rough housing is the norm.  Quiet times don't exist unless their little blue eyes are closed.  Nerf gun bullets come whizzing by my head at any given moment.  Stinky feet...oh yeah we've got those.  Their faces are usually dirty and don't get me started on their hands. 

However...

The snuggles are often and sweet.  The hugs and kisses come naturally without asking.  Mama is as great as any princess and Daddy is their super hero.  They usually don't fuss about what they wear as long as they choose the shoes.  ;)  And although they pick and aggravate, they love with a little boy fierceness that can't be compared.



It is my honor to be entrusted by God to raise these future men to be men who love God with their whole being and who will love their future wives and children. My  prayer is that they know it's ok to cry; to show compassion, sadness and joy.  To be leaders who stand firmly for truth...God's truth.  To advocate for the broken and the hurting, the fatherless and the widow. To know God's word and hide it in their hearts so that it will light every path they travel and every step they take.

This keeps me on my knees...

Hello Monday

Hello Monday...  Hello to a new week and a brand new blog.  Hello to new perspective and a fresh start.  I'm linking up with Lisa Leonard.



dark, grainy pics but fun times!

Hello to a fun girls weekend with three generations to celebrate my sister's birthday.  This past weekend my grandmother, mother, aunt, sister and I headed to the beach for some R&R.  Which for us meant a movie and dinner, then shopping and lunch the next day.

Hello to Valentine's Day and making valentines and classroom party goodies for the kiddos.

Hello to baselball practices starting this week.  It will be a hectic time but so much fun for the boys.  Can't wait to see them play this season.

Hello to taking time to recognize God's blessings everyday in the small things.

Have a great week.  What are you saying hello to this week?

Are you that old already?

My sister and her sweet family

Today is my sister's birthday.  Oh my I could go on and on about this sis of mine but I will spare you the sappy and say to the little girl who used to aggravate the snot out of me and has become a beautiful lady whose friendship I cherish... I hope your day is amazing and even more that this year brings everything you desire.  Thanks for all you do and all you are!  We are sisters by birth but friends by heart.  I love you! 

In honor of your birthday here are some of my favorite cheesy sister quotes:

Sisters function as safety nets in a chaotic world simply by being there for each other.
~Carole Saline

You can kid the world. But not your sister. 
~Charlotte Gray

What's the good of news if you haven't a sister to share it? 
~Jenny DeVries

A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life. ~Isadora James

She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink.  
~Barbara Alpert

Us

All Things Work Together for Good

How would I fully appreciate the warmth of the sun without the cold dreary days?  How would I fully understand the grandeur of the mountain top view if I had only ever been on the top?  How could I fully see the vastness of the sea if I had never been on dry land?  How could I fully know joy without never experiencing sorrow?

We would probably never choose the dreary days or the valleys or the dry land and especially not the sorrow.  But we grow.  We are strengthened.  Our faith is tested and comes out stronger.  And then we realize God never left us...never.

As Christians, we were never promised the absence of sorrow or trials.  But we are promised hope, peace through it and grace to endure.  We are promised the presence of our Father God in it all.  We can know that it will work for our good and for His glory.

image credit

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

All things for those who
1.  love God
2.  are the called according to His purpose

Time to Write

I feel a pull to write.  To journal my jumble of thoughts.  To try and create something out of the mess in my brain.  To figure out what I think.  So I will write. 

I may not always make a whole lot of sense.  Likely to disrespect the English language and maybe misspell a word or two.  Probably will bare my heart right out on my sleeve.  But I need to write.

Feel free to join me as I unscramble the thoughts of a wife, mother of two boys and a redeemed daughter of God.