Thanksgiving!

As the calendar changes over every year from October to November, there is a shift in our home.  A changing of gears, with all the feelings and emotions of this wonderful time of year.  A time of year for bringing out all of our warmer clothing, enjoying cooler weather, watching the leaves change colors and focusing on being thankful for all that God has done for us.

Taking the time to jump in puddles! Big jump up!

Big splash down.

Wonderful wet fun!

Life slows down for us in the fall.  Most of the yearly doctors appointments have been met.  By the time fall gets here, we are in a good routine for home schooling.  I don't have as much yard and garden work to do.  We have time to do extra projects and the children can play outside longer in the cooler weather. 

Water and dirt makes this stuff?  Who knew!

We have time for home school trips, fall cleaning, and lots of' "one on one" time for the children and myself.  I have time to reflect.  I look around me and see all that God has done for us and I am humbled.  We live a very busy life.  A life where every moment of every day is full.  A life where sometimes I don't know how I am going to get it all done.  A life where many days go by, where we never have a break and at times, things can be very stressful and hard...but thru it all...every moment of every day is good.  We live such a rich and full life raising all of these children.  I see miracles unfold every single day.  To witness children learn and grow.  To see them overcome fears and struggles.  The hugs and snuggles, tears and joy!  It is such an honor to be blessed by God with each and every child we have.  God choose Tim and I, to be the ones to write the pages, in the days, of the story of their lives.  He choose us to help them heal, shape who they will be and even thought it is not always easy, it is truly amazing to be a part of it all.  All the Glory to God!

Fun with leaves!

Such simple happiness!

Sweet boy!

God is so awesome.  He knows what He called us to do and knows it is not always easy.  He gives us what we need every day, to accomplish what needs to be done and he provides for our family abundantly in miraculous ways.  In the last month he has blessed us with a new oven, (our old one had died and we were cooking for our large family out of our toaster oven), hay for the winter for our goats, ballet for Carolyn, our lift in our bus broke and has been fixed, just to name a few.  Big needs met in miraculous ways, that happen in a way, that we know it was from God and only God.  Needs that no one knew about and have been met over and over again, year after year, in huge ways.  Every time with Gods finger print on it, in a way that can not be denied.  Blessed...though we don't deserve it, thought we make mistakes, though we are not perfect.  God, the creator of the universe, cares enough about the details of our lives, to reach down from heaven and bless us.  Amazing, humbling...So this is a time of year that we ponder and do some deep thinking, that we stop to take the time to say, "Thank you God!" "To you be all glory and honor and praise!" Not only for salvation but for all of the gifts and blessings in and on our lives.  I am forever grateful.

May the Lord God, in heaven above, be with you this November.  May He show you His powerful hand in a big way, drawing you closer to Him, anointing you for His calling and purpose.

Colossians 3:15-17  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Blessings,
susan