Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Life this Spring

Life has been full lately. I feel like I'm at a really good place. What does that mean? God continues to heal the deep places of my heart and is deepening my understanding of who He is in my life. I take him "out of the box" a little more everyday and see that nothing is too big for Him. If there is no box, then He's limitless. I limit Him by thinking He is only big enough to get us through the death of a child.....I think He's not big enough for anything else "really" hard. But He is. He is THAT mighty, and I can trust his heart.


I came home recently to find these in my kitchen.....

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I guess that's what I should expect since I now live on land that has a barn. Of course, my farmer of a husband has them sitting in the middle of the kitchen and as I'm reading the brochure for their care it says "Do not keep the chicks where food is prepared." He has never been a rule follower. We now have 8 chickens, 2 itty bitty chicks and four ducks. The kids think they're great. I was done the second day when the house smelled like chicken poop. They were quickly moved to the barn and into their newly built chicken coop.


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We spent Easter in Butler this year and celebrated Mary Blake's 14th birthday. Then, we made a very last minute plan and went to Chicago for Spring Break. It was a great trip in every way. Billy and Holden went to a Cub's game, Elley and I rode the train to Chicago and went to the American Girl store...exciting stuff for a 4 year old. We had great weather, enjoyed the parks and catching up with dear friends. And one of the highlights was staying with the Albaughs....some of the BEST people I know!




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John Hunt (missionary from Thailand) came for a visit

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God is at work in my heart is such huge ways....placing a calling down deep. I can't wait to tell you more but for now I'll give you a hint......John 14:18 "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."

Ezekiel 36:25-28 "I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. You will live in the land I gave your forefathers; You will be my people and I WILL BE your God."

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15 comments:

Danny and Jennifer White said...

Love you Hope.Thanks for sharing!

The McNeills said...

So happy for where God is taking you. Sounds like a great spring. Love the chickens!

Aimee said...

OHH!! I am just smiling cause I think I know just what that CALLING is all about!!!

You sound good Hope. I can just tell from your writings. I am praying that the deep fog is lifting and that God's sweet spirit would penetrate you to the core!

We really got to get together! SOON! Before I pop. May??? Email me soon! Maybe we could meet up in Gadsden...take the kids to the park.

Joy said...

I am sensing this calling is a lo about that first verse, and since this is my life's calling to advocate for them, I cannot wait to hear more!!!

Shea said...

I, too, think I can guess what your calling might be.:) As always, THANK YOU for sharing your heart. I'm embarrased to admit that I check your blog every other day....just hoping that you have posted. Love hearing from you. And so you know, my dad took to raising chickens about 2 years ago and our kids L-O-V-E those darn things. He had 12 to start, including 1 rooster, who crows alllll hours of the day. The kids gather the hens eggs and love feeding/watering them. And those eggs are delicious too. Even Lilly will say she only likes to eat "NaNee's chicken eggs." Got to see your sweet ones in Butler the day before Easter but we had to be home Saturday night so missed seeing you.

Much love to you. Prayers continue but you do sound good!!! Love, Shea

Anonymous said...

I love you so much, Hope. Christ IN you gives me so much inspiration! Do you know that?!
W

Jennifer Werneth said...

love your muddy girls, and elley's face on the train! what sweet memories you made! glad you had a nice visit in chicago. the chickens are cute, but i'd be booting them out of the kitchen too. billy might bring a goat in for milk if you'd let him:)! praying for all that God's doing in your precious family!

April Brown said...

You're such a tease!! I can't wait to hear more!! :)

Jackie said...

Hope, thanks for sharing. I'm so glad to hear that God is beginning to heal your heart. Praying for you guys, and excited to hear more about what's to come.

Jennifer Knaak said...

Love your springtime pics! And, as always, love hearing from you. :) Don't make us wait too long to hear about this new "calling" of yours!!! I'm on the edge of my seat! ~ Jennifer

The Armisteads said...

hope, i always love when you update your blog!!
caroline has told about your "calling"...so excited to watch it all unfold!!
also, loved seeing sweet Mimi on the blog...I hear she loves those chicks & the barn!!
cant wait for yall to come to nashville!!!
love, courtney

--Shelley said...

can't wait to hear more. we miss you guys.

JJMERKEL said...

Hope, as always, I love reading your blog. I can't wait to hear about your new calling!!! Thank you for posting pictures. We love watching the kids grow up. Next time you come to Chicago area, we would love to see you guys.

Amy said...

Praying for you all during these upcoming days.

Anonymous said...

WELL, HALLELUJAH!!!

I just read the little teaser about the calling on your life!!!

You are talking to the one who has the same calling. I am so excited I can hardly type. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for you and your family. Don't leave us hanging too long and call if you have any questions.

Mrs. Cowan