I am back! The weather turned cold on us yesterday, therefore we are enjoying the wonderful smell of corn burning in our corn burning stove! It is another cattle shipping day so we were all up early for that. Once I sent off my husband and oldest son for their trip North, I came and snuggled by the corn stove with the other children. It is 8:30am and they are now enjoying a bit of time outdoors again before we start our school day. It is too cold out for the baby, of course, so she is sitting next to me "drawing" on paper.
Thank you so much to those of you who left such sweet, encouraging comments while I was away! You lift my spirits so and I am hoping to come visit those of you with blogs VERY soon! We all enjoy hearing from our readers, don't we!?!?
Since I only have but a minute this morning I thought I would share a devotion I wrote this past week. Much of my focus in this life is to keep the joy as I journey home. It isn't always easy, is it? There is so much blessing, though, in realizing that there IS joy to be had in this journey! May you reach deep inside and find that flame of joy waiting to be kindled this day!
***************************************************************
"The Lord stilled the storm to a whisper;the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and He guided them to their desired haven. Let them give THANKS to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men."
Psalm 107:29~31
Joy comes in the mourning. Yes, I mean mourning....the grieviances of life...the storms of life. One of the greatest gifts our Father ever gifted us , in this life, is the ability to experience joy even when there is so much sorrow and disappointment.
The way we can receive this gift is by simply waking each morning saying, "All I need is You, Jesus. I trust You." It is so difficult to keep our eyes focused on where it is He is leading us, but we must try. We are heading home....to a place where there is infinite JOY. A place where "God will swallow up death forever and wipe away every tear from our eyes!"
All we need, day to day, is Jesus....and there is so much joy and freedom on this journey when we just trust Him with our lives.......
"When I said, 'My foot is slipping,' your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul."
Psalm 94:18~19 | 
Nov. 2, 2006 - Sweet reminder!
I was standing in a long line of people. At the head of the line was a man holding a book. As each individual approached him, he would point to the right and say "Free" or point to the left and say "Not Free" and the person would walk in the direction he pointed. When my turn came, the man looked at me and said, "Free." I quickly responded and said, "Oh, but Sir, you don't understand. I'm not free. I have this difficulty from which I have not yet been released!" The man laid his book down and looked me square in the eyes and said, "Dear Woman, true freedom does not come in being released FROM trials, but rather in being released IN trials!" He then pointed me again toward those who were free and I awakened from the dream.
Isn't this so true? The Lord does not always take us out of the valleys, but He does promise to walk with us in those valleys and desires to set us free in the midst of them. Thank you for your words of wisdom and encouragement, Dear Daughter! This is especially sweet to me, as I know well that you speak as one who has traversed many a valley in your life and have kept the Faith. Press on undaunted!
So Much Love, Mama