Laurel Wreath’s Reflections

I am officially on vaction so I leave with you some wonderful words and be sure to watch the video it gave me chills. Have a great holiday, I will be back in about 2 weeks.

We gather ‘round to celebrate
On Independence Day
Pay homage to our country
As the children run and play.

But don’t forget to thank the One
That gives the bright display
The reason why we paint the sky
On Independence Day

Copyright © Marilyn Ferguson 2003

I can not begin to tell you how giddy I am. I am sad they are getting older, but there are some definite benefits!!

besides reading books. I am learning how my camera works:

I am looking forward to leaving on vacation later this week, just so I can use my camera (now that I am learning how it works). I also have a link to my photos on Flickr in my sidebar. So Mom & Dad if you ever wanted to look at all my photos click on the Flickr link

When your Father in law is out of town for the summer and he needs to make sure his cars are taken out for a run so the battery does not die on them, it is a sacrifice hubby and I had to make this weekend. Our family is gearing up to head to Minnesota later this week. There will be bass fishing, enjoying nature, and long days of driving (yep we are driving from FL to MN, I will wave =) If only we could drive the car below, I am SURE we would get there so much quicker =) Anyways, I am looking forward to the change of scenery.

“It’s enough to drive a man crazy; it’ll break a man’s faith
It’s enough to make him wonder if he’s ever been sane
When he’s bleating for comfort from Thy staff and Thy rod
And the heaven’s only answer is the silence of God

It’ll shake a man’s timbers when he loses his heart
When he has to remember what broke him apart
This yoke may be easy, but this burden is not
When the crying fields are frozen by the silence of God

And if a man has got to listen to the voices of the mob
Who are reeling in the throes of all the happiness they’ve got
When they tell you all their troubles have been nailed up to that cross
Then what about the times when even followers get lost?
‘Cause we all get lost sometimes…

There’s a statue of Jesus on a monastery knoll
In the hills of Kentucky, all quiet and cold
And He’s kneeling in the garden, as silent as a stone
All His friends are sleeping and He’s weeping all alone

And the man of all sorrows, he never forgot
What sorrow is carried by the hearts that he bought
So when the questions dissolve into the silence of God
The aching may remain, but the breaking does not
The aching may remain, but the breaking does not
In the holy, lonesome echo of the silence of God”

- Andrew Peterson, “The Silence of God” on the album Love & Thunder

When you send your youngest to spend a lot of time with Grandpa, you get an excited phone call from your youngest saying he has found a new favorite hobby..

Sigh…hubby did mention kids clubs were on sale for cheap and birthday is next month… Ok this will be good when he is running his own company right?

Do you have a minute, this video will touch you. My Mom sent it to me, and I wanted to pass it along to you. Be Blessed!

I will give you a hint about what I did yesterday =) It was nice to just stop, relax and swim. Summer is in full force in this household. One son is already up in Minnesota catching all the “big” fish, and my other two are in a competitive summer basketball league.

The rest of us are gearing up to travel to Minnesota at the end of this month. I know I have been kind of quiet around here. I think this summer is hitting me with my youngest turning double digits, my oldest entering high school, and my middle will officially turn a teenager at the beginning of Fall (Sept). It is a lot on one Mom’s heart. I find everything I do, or everything we do as a family I keep saying “four” more years until oldest may not be here. It is like this count down.

It seems like over night I went to “wishing we were just out of this stage” to “counting sadly until they move out and I have to let them fly.” Does it mean I am in a simi-mid life crisis, when I think what am I going to do when it is just hubby and me? Can you tell I like to have life organized, hehhee. God usually does not allow it. I would wrap myself around young kids all the time if I could.

On top of all this it seems what ever plans we (hubby and I) or me seem to make God has been using the ‘no’ word on me a lot lately. If I am honest I feel like a pouting two year old that wants to sit in the corner with her arms folded and lower lip stuck out. I know I need to get over myself, there are so many people who are struggling with things worse than I have it. I just need to turn on the news and read your precious blogs. Hence where the immature 2 year old attitude comes in. Have you ever been in a rut like that, you know you are in a rut, but are finding it difficult to shake?

Let me share some link love to posts that have really uplifted me this week, as I draw back and relax this summer, spend time with God, I praise God for you Godly women out there that inspire me, encourage me, and help me keep going. For that I say THANK YOU. I don’t think many of us will realize this side of heaven how much the words on your blog will have touched people’s lives. Have a great weekend!

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Grace Awakenings by Windows To My Soul

Angels Don’t Wear Cutoff Sweatpants by God’s Grace in Practice (oh this blesses my heart, this blogger has a sweet baby boy that needed to stay in the hospital longer and this post shows how Angels showed up in a mighty way and in different forms)

Normally I visit Nesting Place to view pretty, inspiring pictures, but I have to say as a fellow Mom of three boys I LOVED this post.

Last but not least, Scratchin’ the Surface did a series of what she believes. If you have a moment, grab some to drink and soak in these posts, they will bless you. Part One, Part two, Part three, Part four, and Part Five.

If you have not read John Piper’s post about “Unseen Purposes for Disappointment” I strongly encourage you to read it. It is not long, but sure packs a punch. So many times we are caught up in “justice” and why things happen; when instead we need to have faith that God sees the big picture! Thanks for the reminder Pastor Piper!

I don’t know if you have ever met Denise at Shortybears Place. She is a huge source of encouragment. Always one to leave a comment, always faithful. Her world was shattered today when her brother suddenly died. You can read more here... but could you just say a prayer for her please. She could really use some sisters that would stand in the gap for her right now.