... from whom all blessing flow.

I grew up singing this song.

Sometimes it was a whisper.

Sometimes it was from the depths of my soul.

Sometimes I couldn't choke the words out because of the lump in throat.

but every time I sang it, I truly believed the words.

..............................

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Amen.

.....................................

I know I've been a bit "behind" with my multitude of much ... but there are simply too many blessings to disregard the goodness that abounds our life right now ... so I continue with the {multitudes of much} ... on a Tuesday {wink}

345.  a camera to borrow.

346.  corn stalks and our own pumpkin patch.

347.  music that stirs your soul ... just at the right time ... in just the right way.

348.  friends that love your kids almost as much as you do.

349.  rain.

350.  a special delivery from across the state ... Thank you Andrea, Michael and Gracie!!  actually {thank you} just doesn't cut it.

351.  a shoe box filled with love.

352.  pumpkin cookies and Lindsay!

353.  Nicholas Sparks.

354.  Rest.

355.  support and encouragement that you can feel even when you're alone.

356.  the moon.

357.  Goldbug & Busy Town on Saturday mornings.

358.  groceries delivered from town.

360.  the other Lindsay :)

361.  homemade applesauce and a whole lot of salsa too.

362.  technology.

363.  unlimited mobile-to-mobile plans with my parents.

364.  a found card from Bama.

365.  opportunities to share Jesus when you least expect it.

366.  hunters & their kids.

367.  loose teeth.

368.  freckles.

369.  trust in the unknown.

370.  a boy who is just like his daddy & can stand proud {while lying on his back} at age 5.

these little piggies.

There's just something about these little piggies that make everything {right} in the world.

Especially on days when there seems to be more {wrong} than {right}.

..................................

Today ... I'm praising God for the {little things}.

she's {home}.

I'm not sure where to start ... but everything starts somewhere ... so here goes.

It's Monday afternoon.

I arrived at school this morning just after 6:30.  Way too early.  I got my classroom ready for the week as best I could, worked on plans & preparations for my reading group, and then just sat here.  I had much more to do, but I couldn't get up. 

I just sat.

Our school was about to help 500+ children & staff grieve the loss of an amazing, strong, beautiful 4th grade student. 

Our school was about open the doors and put our best foot forward while struggling to maintain composure. 

Our school was about to face an aspect of life that many don't fully understand.

And I sat.

Why couldn't I come up with something to write?

Why couldn't I just keep myself {busy}? ... with the pile of work that never seems to disappear.

Why couldn't I think of anything but heaven?

.................................................

Heaven ...

That place we know was created for us ... but yet, it's that place that many of us fear.

That place we know to love, but yet at the same time, that place we don't fully understand.

I'm re-reading Randy Alcorn's book : In Light of Eternity and I'm praying it answers the questions I'm facing & at the same time, solidifies my belief in this statement:

Home is a place where you fit right in. It's the place you were made for. Most houses we live in on earth weren't really made just for us. But heaven is.

Riley is at home.

Riley is experiencing no more pain.

Riley is dancing with Jesus.

... and I'm praising God that He created a {home} like no other. 

A place we are meant to anticipate with great joy.

... because knowing that Riley is finally {home} just seems to make the loss of her here on Earth a little more bearable.

I don't understand why she lost this fight with cancer ... but I do know I will see her again ... at {home}... in heaven.

wisdom from Max.

 from Max Lucado:

How do you simplify faith? 

Simplify your faith by seeking God for yourself.

No confusing ceremonies necessary.

No mysterious rituals required.

No elaborate channels of command or levels of access.

You have a Bible? You can study.
You have a heart? You can pray.
You have a mind? You can think.

RIP

My camera died.

gone.

won't turn on.

nothing.

nada.

.................................

I'm now saving pop cans, and collecting donations. {just kidding ... sort of}

RIP sweet camera of mine!

little known {facts} ... and a bit of an opinion.

Grasshoppers are attracted to cow crap. 

Mack loves to laugh with Mimzy and Papa George.

Mack loves his {night-night}.

Mack is Mack ... and he is loved.

Mason has a loose tooth.

Mason needs a haircut.

Mason & mom are not a good homework team ... but we're trying.

Mason & mom are a lot alike ... not always in the best ways.

I work with some of the {best} people on the planet.

And we're always up for {fun}!!

Our garden was {amazing} this year.

Small, but full of {life}.

and in my opinion ...

it's dark way too early right now.
it stays dark way too long right now.
purple is a great color.
orange is too.
leggings = comfort and warmth.
first graders say the darnedest things.
listening isn't as easy as talking.
living on a ranch is something I've definitely grown to love.
home-made applesauce is well worth the effort.
salsa from your own garden ... easy and delicious.
I'm in a place in my life where {busy} defines me ... but it's a place that I know I'm supposed to be.
and ...
everyone needs to read Psalm 127 and find {rest} in and among the {busy}lives we all lead. 
thanks for the reminder dad.

Psalm 127: 1-2

If God doesn't build the house, the builders only build shacks.

If God doesn't guard the city,
the night watchman might as well nap.
It's useless to rise early and go to bed late,
and work your worried fingers to the bone.
Don't you know he enjoys
giving rest to those he loves?

Rest easy friends.

Rest easy.

Roll with it.

I'll be the first to admit ... I'm not always good at {rolling with it.}

Oh, I claim to be that person.

Willing to adjust to unforeseen circumstances.

Open to change.

Quick to say yes.

But honestly ... I like to see the big picture before I say actually {commit} to something.

................................................

I want to know if it's really going to work.

I question the consequences before acting.

I think things through.

...............................................

But ... last night as I was re-reading a chapter from Max Lucado's Fearless, I saw {rolling with it} in a whole new perspective.

Rolling with it means struggle.

Rolling with it means a challenge.

Rolling with it means letting go of worry and fear.

Rolling with it means {trust}.

.................................................

I'm choosing to {roll with it}.

Knowing that there is a good chance that I might fail, but in the failure ... God will work {good} in and through me.

Knowing that there is a good chance that I may struggle & face a variety of challenges ... but believing with my whole heart ... that what happens next that distinguishes the truly exceptional.

and you know what else .. I think people that {roll with it} have a lot more fun in life too.  Don't you?!