Memorial Day Service at VSIBC and a new way to watch

Memorial Day.  It can mean many things in America.  It's a time where you know summer is basically here as the schoolyear winds down and the patriotic decorations come out. It's a time where people get together and barbecue, have corn on the cob and the kids play outside.  It's a time to sing the Star Spangled Banner.  But, what it really is, is a time to remember those that sacrificed their lives for the freedoms that we enjoy today.  All of those things I mentioned above are possible because of men and women who fought for us. 

I'm so thankful our church takes Memorial Day seriously.  We try to make it a service where we really   honor the memory of those that sacrificed it all.  When we started the church over 6 years ago, we started a tradition where you can come forward and place a flag in honor of someone that gave their life in war.  We did this again and it was so moving.  I don't think there was a dry eye in the place.  It really brought things to reality as grown men came forward and took a flag.  They cried as they remembered watching friends die on the battle field.  They told stories of receiving word of high school friends that were killed in battle.  It was very moving.  In Proverbs it says that the memory of the just is blessed.  I was thankful that, even though it was hard, the memories were shared and it caused us to remember.  And reflect.  And to be thankful.  That's what Memorial Day is all about.

We have a wonderful lady that is an amazing baker.  She baked everyone individually wrapped brownies, zucchini bread and banana nut bread to take home with them. It was soooo delicious!

 Our church is going through a transition as far as media.  Josh has been doing a great job updating things.  Now the church has a Youtube channel with its services that you can find here.   The Memorial Day Service can be found here. So thankful for a growing church that desires to serve the Lord and honor Him!

New Skills

Summer is just about here.  For the Gimenez Family that means several things. ~School is almost over!  We are trying our best to get done by mid June.  We have summer fever and are ready to play!  My kiddos are working hard.  ~Things are heating up in NCFL.  We've had record highs this week with many days in the high 90s.  ~Summer lists and goals are being made.  At least for me. :o)  I have a list going of all the things I want us to do, accomplish and learn.  It's going to be a great summer! ~With the heat, the grass grows.  and grows. and grows.  ~It's time to learn some new skills.  And with that, Patrick is teaching my Silas how to mow.  So far we haven't turned on the blades, we want to make sure he is completely ready and safe.  I've heard of too many accidents lately involving lawn mowers.  But, I've also heard of too many kids and young adults lately that don't have life skills.  And this is a skill my kiddos need!  

 He's enjoying learning how to drive our mower and excited about the responsibility to come.  So proud of my boy!

Making a new friend

Things have been going unexpectedly well with introducing Peaches to her new friend!  She really hasn't shown a ton of interest in Kiwi like we thought she would.  

She tolerates her, sniffs her, and treats her like her puppy.  Although we are still keeping a close eye on them when we have them together, it is going very well.

Kiwi is growing and some of her orange coloring is coming out under the gray.

 She gets plenty of love and attention from Callie.  Maybe too much....this is the scene I found yesterday during Callie's History class.  There are so many things wrong with this picture....a cat during school?  A cat on my counter?  A cat being fed on my counter?  Did I mentiona cat being played with during school?  

I snapped the picture first, I just had to capture this memory.  Then, I told (maybe reminded is a better word) Callie a few rules.  I am so thankful, though, that Callie is enjoying her little kitten.  It has been some work for her taking care of the litter box, feeding her and cleaning out her crate everyday.  But, she is enjoying it and I am enjoying watching my girl be so happy and have the desire of her heart.

Working for smiles

Our beautiful Victory Belle is growing so quickly!  She's at the age where she will smile, if you work for it!  And work for it we do!

I love how her face and eyes just light up.  She's so cuddly cute!!

She's even adorable when she cries!  She does this cute thing where she will make a face like she is crying her hardest, but no noise comes out.  It's so cute!

She is loved by all, that's for sure!

 

Passing the spatula again

I snapped this photo the other day.  And as soon as I did, I remembered doing this same thing, although it was about 12 years ago.  After searching my blog I found this post, and this one and this one too.   I remember when Josh was getting into cooking, especially using my griddle.  

For my birthday this year I asked for a griddle again.  After lots of loving use, ours broke several years ago.  So when I unwrapped a new one from my Mom, I was very excited and knew it would get lots of loving use, too!

 Micah has enjoyed flipping french toast and pancakes.  We need to get to burgers sometime, too.

Life is repeating.  I know I enjoyed those moments the first time around.  This time around I am enjoying them.  And savouring them.  Life truly is a vapor that appears for a time, then vanishes away.  I want to soak it all in, savour it and choose to serve the Lord with each moment.  For a Momma, that might mean teaching your boy how to flip frenchtoast on a griddle.  It's amazing how God can take a moment such as that and use it.  He can use it for time to answer questions about living a life for the Lord.  He can use that time to have a heart to heart conversation (it's amazing how kids seem to talk better when their hands are busy), He can also use that time to just enjoy the life He gives us with the people He puts in our lives.  That brings Him delight.  And it does me, too.

As for me...

 A phrase jumped out at me this morning during my devotions.  Psalm 18:15 says, "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness;  I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likedness."

Filling in the blanks, it's what we do when we're in school, hoping for the right answer.  As we grow older, the whole idea of filling in the blanks continues.  God gives us lives to live as we please and we get to make choices and decisions to shape the life we have.  Of course, as a good heavenly Father, He desires for us to make good choices and to retain the lessons we've learned, but ultimately, He leaves those choices up to us.  We get to fill in the blanks.  So, when I came to Psalm 18 this morning and saw two of those "fill in the blank" phrases, it caused me to ask myself what I would put.

As for me, I will _______.

Like I mentioned last post, my mind has been whirling with things I want to do and want to be.  Sometimes those goals and dreams are from the Lord, but sometimes they are distractions that try to trip me up and lose my focus.  That's why I have to come to the Lord everyday, bright and early. I must start my day with Him.  Psalm 143:8 is becoming so real to me.  Each day I must fill in this blank, "As for me, I will...."

The other blank I found this morning was later in the verse where it says, "I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with______."  The Psalmist was satisfied with the image of Christ. He was satisfied with everything about the Lord.  It made me ask, "How about me? What really satisfies me?"  When I awake, what do I look forward to and plan.  What are my goals and desires.   I am realizing more and more that if my goals and desires are not from the Lord, I won't truly be satisfied when I lay my head on my pillow that night.  I will have fruitless days, seeking my own pursuits.  I will end up worrying and being fretful throughout my day.  My focus will be lost. 

So today, I am wanting to fill in those blanks with the Lord in mind.

As for me, I will:

choose joy.

smile extra at my husband and kiddos.

not be distracted with the cares and thoughts of the world.

look for the good.

fear the Lord throughout the day as I'm reminded of His presence.

be productive in blessing my home as I seek to be a "wise woman that builds".

abide in Him.

I shall be satisfied with: 

thoughts of Christ as I purposefully look at the blessings He's given me.

the simpleness of feeling the breeze on my face while on my porch swing and hearing my kids play in the yard.

His Word, as I seek to meditate on it through the day.

little messes that need cleaned up, because that means my home is lived in by my dear family.

this day that I get to live and will never have again.  

in His goodness.

4~5

This year I felt it.  There is just a bigger change between 44 and 45.  So when my birthday hit this year and I turned 45, it felt like a bit of a bigger leap.  It may sound silly to some, but it's true for me.  So, I'm basically halfway to 90.  Yikes!  Although, I have to say, I am loving this season in my life.  Loving it!!

As usual, my family was amazing to me and treated me like a queen.  A friend bought me this t shirt that has seagulls on it.  Seagulls are my "God loves me" token.  Whenever I see them or hear them I am reminded of God's love.  Everyone should have a symbol like that.

It was a wonderful day and ended playing a game with my loved ones.  I am so blessed!

The next day Tabitha told me she was taking me out for tea.  Little did I know, she had planned a surprise tea party at the church for me.  The ladies of VSIBC were there with lots of yummy tea and snacks and a ton of gifts.

It was such a wonderful way to turn 45!

 My mind is already whirling with ideas and thoughts for this year.  I'm wanting to set goals, make plans, and start doing more.  Anyone else feel that way lately?  And what better place to share all of that than on my blog?!  So, there will be some new posts, challenges and ideas on my blog in the days ahead!

Exploring a new library

We had a great time exploring a library we had never been to before.  My Beth wanted to go and just explore.  So, explore we did!  I just love the smell of old books and the sound of pages quietly turning.  After about an hour we had a mound of books to check out!

 

What to get her?

If you know my Callie, you know she's always wanted a cat.  Always.  It's been a never ending desire of hers for a long time.  Well, my sweet hubby is allergic, so it never really was an option.  But, as her 11th birthday approached, Patrick and I rediscussed the thought of her getting a kitten.  We knew if she trained it to be an outdoor cat, that she would love it.  And hopefully not agitate any allergies!

She was so excited on the morning of her birthday when she opened a letter saying we had an appointment at the human society to get a kitten.  She even had tears, she was so excited!

Once we got to the shelter, however, she had a hard time deciding!  There were many, many kittens.  And all of them so cute!!

She finally made her choice on this adorable gray tabby cat.  It has stripes and orange markings on it.

Honestly, I think it's the cutest kitten I've ever seen!!

And Callie is loving every minute with her little feline.  She's so happy!

My girl had a wonderful birthday!

 And for now, Peaches is getting to know her new companion.  We'll see how that goes!

100th Episode

Joshua's podcast, Sandy Creek Stirrings, recently put out its 100th episode!  To make that episode even more special, Josh gave away some t shirts.  We Gimenez girls were so excited to get one!

I'm so proud of Joshua and all of the hardwork he has put in to this podcast.  It takes  a lot of time, effort and thought to put out good content.  He has studied and prepared and it really shows.  What a blessing it has been to so many!

 

Date with my boy

Having 6 children can be quite busy.  Often we are busy running here and there and taking care of our home and farm that we are together, but not together.  Know what I mean?  That's why I love when I can have one on one time with my children.  

Micah asked if he could take me out and buy me lunch.  He had heard his older siblings and Dad talk a lot about an asian restaurant in Lake City.  I felt bad to go there because it is a little pricey for a 9 year old's budget.  We decided to go and split a meal.  It was so delicious!!

Then, we went to a furniture store and sat in their comfy seats.  We had fun looking around and laughing togther.  He talked and talked!  And I loved listening to him.  His words to me are a treasure:
"Momma, I love spending time with you."

I do too!
 

What do you do when...

....your brothers ae working had to build a big paddock?  You play the materials until they need them!  Callie had so much fun building a little log cabin.  She said she felt just like she was part of the Ingalls family.  Love her creativity!!  And I love that she's enjoying these perfect spring evenings.  Summer heat for NCFL is on its way!