365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 143

My daughter and I have been reading a book called The Ark, the Reed & the Fire Cloud by Jenny L Cote. It is a story about the flood and Noah’s ark in a really fresh new way. There are two main animal characters Max and Liz who are called by the Maker to follow the fire cloud. They obey and start their journey towards the ark and pick up other animals along the way. The story takes you all the way through the flood, the 40 days and nights of rain and the year long time spent on the ark waiting for the waters to recede. It has been fascinating to read and than wonder what must it really have been like. It is hard to imagine 16,000 animals all coming to the ark, let along living on the ark and than emerging from the ark to a whole new world. I don’t think people put a whole lot of thought into the story of Noah’s ark, perhaps because it is unbelievably amazing to consider but this author imagined it. How did all those animals get to the ark? See if you can imagine how those animals came to the ark and both male and female too!

Psalm 9:1 I will praise you, O Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 230

I read a book called Artic Tale to my daughter last evening. It is about two different animals in the artic a baby polar bear and a baby walrus. The interesting thing about each of these is the very circumstances they are brought up in. A baby walrus will stay with the group of all female walrus' for as long as they live while a baby polar bear is just with his mother until they are able to hunt on their own at about age 2. Two vastly different up-bringings. One in the midst of community and the other with just mom. God gave us two examples in these animals of what we can do as mothers. We can have that one-on-one bond and we can be in community with other mothers, women, sisters. We are blessed to be able to choose both worlds as we raise our young. God gives us the choice. Each of us, based on our own personality can choose how to be a mom. I love my one-on-one time with my kids but also love being with other women sharing about our struggles, rejoicing in our triumphs and laughing about our adventures. It's like the bible says there is a time for everything even a time to be one-on-one and a time to be in community. Thank you Lord for giving us the miracle of both ways to rear our young and for the examples of motherhood found throughout your creation.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 188

I had some photos already printed from our Memorial Day in 2011. We went to Territory Days which is a street fair that happens every year over Memorial Day weekend. Last year they had a petting zoo. So, with my animal loving daughter, we went in to feed the animals. There was one little goat that was being a little shy which is unusual for goats. Faith took a real liking to this little one. These photos got me thinking about the concept in the bible of feeding the hungry. So, I searched and found a verse about Jesus telling us to feed his lambs. Hungry is not just in the physical sense, is it? I think since the day we are born we are hungry for knowing if there is a higher power who created us and all of it. I found it interesting that Jesus says to feed the "lambs" and take care of my "sheep".  Lambs, as we all know, are baby sheep. Jesus was telling us to feed the children.  Children are like sponges and will soak up whatever you expose them to. We should be in the word everyday with them, feeding them from the Word of God. Are the children in your life being fed?
John 21: 15 Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." "Take care of my sheep."

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 124

To celebrate Faith's birthday, we planned a day of surprises. Traditionally, we have gone out for breakfast to IHop but she was introduced to Mimi's Cafe this year and we decided we needed to go and try breakfast there. That was a good decision. They have the best breakfast and she got a chocoloate muffin for her birthday which never happens at IHop. Next, we took a long drive up Northeast of Denver to the Wild Animal Sanctuary. She got really excited once we pulled up and she realized where we were. As we were getting out of the car, she asked whose idea was this and I said it was mine and she rushed over to me once out of the car and gave me the best hug ever saying 'thank you, thank you, thank you'. This animal sanctuary is unique in that they have built a walkway above the animal enclosures so you can see down on out over the huge areas without any fencing in the way. I think the black leapords, the African serviles and my personal favorite the white tiger were the favorites. The best part was her picking out a huge stuffed cheetah in the gift shop spending her own birthday money. Our next surprise took us over to the Parkmeadows Mall and the American Girl store. Ugh. It's almost painful to see the prices of these dolls and accesories but that store was packed with people. Faith ended up spending the rest of her birthday money along with some extra from us as our birthday gift to her. She walked away with a few more stuffed animals and some things to go with them. She was a very happy girl with her big cheetah and American Girl stuff. And to top it all off, she finally got the coveted Webkin and of all things it was a white tiger. Purrrrrfect! Our day full of suprises ended up being a wonderful day for her. There are always suprises in our lives, some good ones like what Faith had and some not so good nor expected ones like 'sorry you no longer have a job today' but in the end no matter what our reactions to the suprises may be, he will make it a good thing. The next time a suprise hits you, stop and just praise God that he will take it and make it a good thing and let that thought make it a good thing for you.
Job 12:9-10 Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.