O LORD GOD, YOU KNOW | EZEKIEL 37:3

And he said to me "Son of man, can these bones live?" And I answered, "O Lord God, you know". Ezekiel 37:3

I love this verse from Ezekiel. There's something so simple yet so profound about it. Maybe just because there will never be a time in any of our lives where we can't tell the Lord, "O Lord God, you know." Whether our day is a joyful one, a boring one, a tragic one, or just so-so, He always knows and He always understands.

Life seems to be slowing down just a tiny bit lately, so I want to take advantage of it and commit to spending more time in my bible. Not just for the sake of "doing more", but for the sake of soaking it in and drawing near to Christ in a more genuine way. The way you sometimes have to make a point of doing even with your own spouse and children when you find yourself juggling needs, wants, and schedules that don't seem to let up on their own. And I want to share some of these timeless pieces of the Word in a fun new way, hence the graphic poster! Similar to the Engineer print I made last winter and have hanging in our sitting room. These are quick little projects, but who knows how many I'll be able to do...life won't slow down for long! But even if it's just this one, I hope it's a blessing and a reminder of our good and sovereign and ever available God who has truth, peace and blessing ready to give to every single one of us!

WISE WORDS FROM A MOTHER I ADORE

I remember meeting my sweet friend Heather like it was yesterday. She came over for dinner with her husband, her two daughters, and a little boy who was so close to being born that he might as well have been in her arms. She was an instant inspiration- immediately striking me as the gentle, humble, and faithful daughter of Christ that I've known her as ever since. And it amazes me that when I met her just a few short years ago she was a mom of two, because now she's a mom of five! She's been entrusted with four precious girls and the one little guy we met a few short days after our first dinner together. It's been a couple of years since we both moved on from Georgia, but it's fun to see photos of her growing family from afar. And occasionally, I get the privilege of gleaning a little bit of her wisdom as well! She shared some of that wisdom recently, and it was so humbling and encouraging that I asked her if I could share it with you. So, enough from me. Please take a moment and be blessed by the amazing perspective of a wife and mom who faithfully walks with Christ, trusting Him with her very full hands.

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I don't have time to write a blog. Sometimes I don't even have time to write a complete sentence without someone calling for me. However, I am thankful that God has been growing more and more patience within me. You always hear that you are not supposed to ask for patience, but I know I need it, even if at times the cultivating part of it is quite painful. That said, a certain someone walked across the kitchen just moments ago with her arms full of dog bowls, sloshing water left and right as she headed for the door. You know what? I didn't inwardly flinch and outwardly gripe, as I usually do. Some people ask me how I handle the kids. How do I sacrifice my free-time? How do any of us moms even find time to shower? Well, I am learning that the sacrifices we make are so worth it, because this whole parenting thing actually teaches me more about myself than anything. It helps rid me of selfishness. It makes me a servant in so many ways. I hope that one day that's what the kids will see too. They will see a very imperfect Momma who leans deeply into our sweet Jesus to meet their needs. Hopefully that is an encouragement to someone today. Hugs! -Heather

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I love how she started with "I don't have time to write a blog", haha! There have been plenty of times even with only one or two kids that I haven't had the time or energy either, so I totally commiserate with that. I'm so thankful that right now I'm in a season of motherhood that's grown to be relatively easy and that affords me a little bit of free time for things like this. But that will change soon enough, when we welcome our next little boy to the pack and then head off to our next duty station. And when that happens, I want to remember Heather's words of encouragement. Because it is worth it. Not just for the sakes of our children- they're obviously a huge, important part of it- but also for the sake of becoming more like Christ through caring for those less capable than ourselves. Just as He cares for us in our own relentless need of Him.

Thanks again, Heather, for your amazing example!

MARRYING MY HIGHSCHOOL SWEETHEART

Sometimes thoughts bounce around in my mind for months before they make it onto paper, and this is one of those cases. It's easy to write about motherhood, because all that takes is a few pictures of peanut butter & jelly crumbs or scribbled kid art with some thoughts on the day-to-day. And even writing about my faith comes pretty easily because I'm convinced that the Lord pours those words out for me. But marriage is an altogether different kind of topic because it's more than just my own perspective on one thing or another. I'm only one half of the whole that makes up my marriage, and weaving the right words together to express just how sacred of a relationship it is can be hard. But I want to take a stab at the subject of marriage for a couple of reasons; 1) I'm blessed too have a husband who is amazing as heck and 2) we're on a journey together that's worth reflecting on, learning from, and celebrating.

Where do I even start? Next to meeting Jesus, marrying Thane- my high school sweet heart- was the absolute best thing that ever happened to me. Let me start by being frank about a few things; there are so many stereotypical assumptions about marrying the guy or girl you dated in high school. Like 1) you missed out by not experiencing other relationships in college, 2) you were naive to think that a high school relationship could last, 3) you got pregnant and didn't have a choice, or 4) you're just silly and you didn't know better. I wish I could tell you how many comments I heard right before the wedding, like "what?! you're too young to get married {except what they really meant was 'you're too stupid'},"you're getting married before living together? you never really know someone till you live with them", etc.

I don't deny that there is truth to some of those things. Life can be unpredictable and messy and I'll be the first to admit that I was NOT very wise in high school. I made enough bad decisions to prove that I certainly had no edge on anybody else when it came to choosing a spouse. But I'm so thankful that of all of my youthful indiscretions, Thane wasn't one of them! It's been seven and a half years since we said our vows and I love that we defied the odds. And not just that, but proved that sometimes the one you meet when you're young and silly and know nothing about life is the one that you can and will- and joyfully- spend the rest of your life with.

So much has happened since we were 17 and just beginning our friendship. We started dating our senior year, went to prom together, graduated together, stuck out a four-year long distance relationship during college, got married, jumped into Army life, moved a lot, endured two deployments, and started having babies. And as much as we've stayed the same in a lot of ways, Thane's certainly no longer the teenager I met. He's a man who fears God, reveres the Bible, loves and cherishes me the way Christ instructs men to love their wives, and adores our boys. He leads our family in a way that points us to God, takes care of all of our needs, and makes sure we know that we are his treasure. Not his job or his hobbies or anything else. 

It hasn't all been easy; there have been seasons of stress, separations, and adjusting to big changes. We've had to continually work to love and respect each other, communicate well, and make each other a priority when other things- even good things- threaten to consume our focus. It's impossible to know what the future holds, and it would be naive to assume that our happily-ever-after won't include a few bumps along the way. But one thing I do know; God's grace abounds. It always has and it always will. And just as He's poured it out for us these past seven and a half years, I have every bit of confidence that He'll provide it for the road ahead. And I'm so glad this is a road that Thane and I are on together, because it only gets better as the years go by.

But all of this has so little to do with him, myself, the day we said our vows, or anything that's happened since. The hero of our story is Christ. We love because He first loved us {1 John 4:19}. Christ is the author of life and marriage and every good thing, and He pours into us a perfect, sacrificial love that's entirely unstained by sin or regret or failed intentions. I could go on and on about how many times we get in the way of His ways. About times we've robbed our marriage of joy simply because we look to ourselves to make life work instead of looking to our Creator. But He is so, so patient, and the fact that I find myself thanking Him over and over for bringing Thane into my life eleven years ago is a humble reminder that He's the One responsible for it all. Our marriage thrives simply because He empowers us to give bits and pieces of His perfect, sacrificial love to each other. In spite of our sin and our flaws.

And for that I am so incredibly grateful.

PAPER & INK

One winter morning about a year ago I decided I was going to paint. So I went into my barely-used art room, grabbed a canvas, some brushes, and some oils, and carried them downstairs to the dining room table. It's been a while since I've had the time to do a lot of art, but I thought I could sneak in ten minutes at a time throughout the morning in the middle of the normal happenings with the boys. Well, three hours passed and despite my best efforts, zero painting happened. And that was the morning I learned that there are just some seasons of life where you can't do it all. Or even some of it. Or even ten minutes of it. And in a flurry of frustration where all I could think was "that's it, I give up on ever trying to do anything other than be a mom again!" I packed it all up and stored it away. And- though I felt like a tantrum-throwing quitter in the moment- it turned out for the best. I haven't missed staring at those unused art supplies a single bit. And in time I realized that just because I can't do something as involved as painting doesn't mean that there isn't time for other good things. A few months later I took out some paper and a marker and sat down and copied an illustration out of one of the boy's story books. It was simple and relaxing and and there were no curious little fingers attempting to taste-test the turpentine!

One of these days there may be time to get the oils out again. But until then, I'm learning {and re-learning, it's a constant lesson of motherhood} the art of letting go of what's really not all that important at the end of the day. And in the most trying moments when I feel like being a mom has swallowed up every trace of what might make me ME, I look to Christ. The One who gave up so much more than a hobby for our sakes. The One who reminds me what real treasure is; the grace to be able to count "all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord"...and the incomparable gift of being "found in Him". {Reference Philippians 3:7-9} 

Sometimes it's easy to forget, but do you know what's more worthwhile than finding the time for my own personal pursuits? Setting my gaze on Him long enough to remember that I have the incredibly unique privilege of being a child of God, a wife to a wonderful husband, and a mother entrusted with four precious souls that are worth pouring myself out for. Every last ounce of me, if need be. Praise be to God for His patience and perseverance in teaching me what really matters, and for inviting each one of us to receive the same grace.

WHAT THE BIBLE HAS TO SAY ABOUT BEING A WOMAN

A while back I was chatting with some friends and made a comment that went something like this: "I wish the bible was more clear about what we should be doing as women. It doesn't say that much about us." Then it occurred to me that I should go home and test that statement. And guess what? I was totally wrong. It says a heck of a lot about the roles God designed us to fill. It's not all in one spot and it took some digging. But He weaves a clear, intricate picture of the unique calling of womanhood in both the Old and New Testaments. 

So, I wrote it all down in a list. I know what you're thinking- "another list?! No thanks." Let me just say that I totally hear you! But ladies, if there is one list that we can't live without, it's this one. I'll be the first to admit that I'm prone to get busy, let my eyes drift away from Christ, and get lost in the thick of daily life. And if you're anything like me, I bet you're all too familiar with this struggle. So as beloved women and image-bearers of our good and gracious God, let's link arms, dive into the Word, and press on together!

WHAT THE BIBLE HAS TO SAY ABOUT BEING A WOMAN

First and foremost, whether we're single, married, have children, or don't have children, we as women are created “in the image of God”. (Ref. Genesis 1:27)

IF WE ARE MARRIED:

We are a gift and “a helper” to our husbands.

(Ref. Genesis 2:20)

YOUNGER WOMEN are Instructed to:

-Marry (see note below)

-Bear children

-Manage the house

-Give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully (Ref. 1 Timothy 5:14)

            -Respect our husbands (Ref. Ephesians 5:33b)

-Love our husbands

-Love our children

-Be discreet

-Be chaste

-Be homemakers

-Be good

-Be obedient to our own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed

 (Ref. Titus 2:4-5)

-Be temperate

-Be faithful in all things (Ref. 1 Timothy 3:11)

-NOTE: Not all women are called to marriage and singleness is a gift as well.
 (Ref. 1 Corinthians 1:7-8)

An OLDER WOMAN is Praised if She:

-Is well reported for good works

-Has brought up children

-Has lodged strangers

-Has “washed the saints feet” (or other menial duties done with a humble servant's heart).

-Has relieved the afflicted

-Has diligently followed every good work (Ref. 1 Timothy 5:9-10)

-Is reverent in behavior

-Is not a slanderer

-Is not given to much wine

-Is a teacher of good things

-Admonishes the young women to love their husbands, children... (see Titus 2:4-5 and Titus 2:3)

THE PROVERBS 31 WOMAN:

-Does him [her husband] good and not evil all the days of her life.

-Willingly works with her hands

-Brings food from afar (she puts effort into resourcing “the best” for her family)

-Rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household

-Girds herself with strength and strengthens her arms (she’s the opposite of lazy!)

-Her lamp does not go out at night/she perceives her merchandise is good (she’s industrious and works with her hands)

-Extends her hand to the poor (she is generous)

-Is not afraid of snow for her household for they are clothed in scarlet (she is prepared)

-Makes tapestry for herself, her clothing is fine linen and purple (she takes pride in her appearance)

-Makes linen garments and sells them (she’s industrious)

-Watches over the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

-Is "a woman who fears the Lord" and for that, "she shall be praised".

(Ref. Proverbs 31:10-31)

IF WE HAVE CHILDREN, WE ARE TO:

-Lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, that the days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land… (Ref. Deuteronomy 11:18-21a)

-Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. (Ref. Proverbs 22:6)

-Does not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. (Ref. Proverbs 23:13) 

IN A PUBLIC OR CHURCH SETTING, WE ARE TO:

-Adorn ourselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation…(Ref. 1 Timothy 2:9)

-Learn in silence with all submission (Ref. 1Timothy 2:11)

This definitely isn't a complete list, but it's enough to keep us busy, right? My love, encouragement, and prayers are with all of us dear sisters who strive daily to walk worthy of the calling we've received in Christ Jesus, to remember His goodness and truth, to cling to Him even in the midst of our failures. But if you're not sure where you fit into all of this, or if you fit in at all, it's okay! We've all been there. See how He made me part of His family and set my feet on the right path. If there's one thing I know, it's that He wants a real, intimate, saving relationship with every last one of us. Especially you!

ABIDE | SAVED THROUGH CHILDBEARING {1 TIMOTHY 2:15}

I've been getting some real life lessons from this verse over the past year:

"Yet she will be saved through childbearing- if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self control." {1 Timothy 2:15}

It's a mysterious one... Bible scholars have been looking into the context, diving into the Greek, and picking apart the precise meaning of each pronoun and verb for a long time. Yet it's still puzzling, because we know that the act of childbearing isn't a means of personal salvation. The bible is exceedingly clear that salvation is a gift of grace, not of works; "for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,  not of works, lest anyone should boast". {Ephesians 2:8-9} 

So what, then? How do those of us who happen to be moms have the potential of "being saved through childbearing"? I'm no bible scholar and I certainly don't have an edge on any expert interpretations. But I do know that Lord has been putting this verse in front of me a lot lately, and there's one particular word that keeps sounding in my mind; "if".  

In my day to day life as a mom to two little boys, there is a lot that hangs in the balance with that "if". But before I go into it, let me give you a quick overview of my last year in motherhood. Have you ever had a time when you've walked through two very different, but very difficult seasons that happened to be back-to-back? That's been me lately. First it was the deployment, where I learned what it meant to be the sole caretaker of two little boys through change, stress, sleepless nights, sicknesses, isolation, and plenty unexpected circumstances. Then Thane finally got home {praise God!}, and we were so ready for fun-filled days of traveling and relaxing and getting to know each other again. But he was barely home for a week before I found myself so drained that all I wanted to do was lay on the couch. I assumed it was just all of the change and excitement, but a few short weeks later we found out we were expecting! {More on that here and here.} I've been wanting another baby since Silas was an infant, so of course this was thrilling news. We just didn't expect it to happen so fast, and the transition from deployment life back to normal life was far from the honeymoon we'd anticipated.

So, between the deployment and the first trimester of this pregnancy, there were so many tough days where I honestly just wanted to throw in the towel. Where the limits of my patience and sanity felt pushed to the edge. But throughout it all, 1st Timothy 2:15 kept coming to mind. Especially that little word "if":

"Yet she will be saved through childbearing- if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self control."

Practically speaking, we know childbearing doesn't do anything to secure our eternal salvation. I think all of us believing moms can agree that the act of bearing and raising children does nothing to bring out any inherent righteousness in us. If anything, our kids are the ones who throw our own selfishness into open light. They're the ones that require more personal sacrifice than we've ever had to muster, and they're the ones that show us more clearly than anyone that we can't do it in our own strength. Which brings me to the main point; do you know what this verse did do? It gave me the encouragement to press on in those grueling moments of motherhood. And in those grueling moments when my imperfections as a mother were most obvious, the Lord reminded me that it's not about any measure of my own ability. It's about leaning on Him and letting His strength work in my weakness. About letting His power prove the very work of sanctification and salvation that He so graciously continues in me daily. When I- imperfectly, but as best as I can- persevere through the weariness and frustrations of motherhood in a spirit of "faith and love and holiness, with self-control", He forges those things in me. He uses the very things that show my lack of righteousness to work righteousness in me. The tenuous nature of childbearing and caring for my children trains me daily to die to self. Day by day, little by little, I learn to lay down my own desires in order to love my children like Christ loves us; unconditionally and sacrificially.

And this what proves I belong to Him: "if", with the help of His Spirit within me, I can "continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control", then I am bearing the fruit that is the mark of the true believer. This verse isn't addressing a "one time" harvest of fruit though. It's addressing the long term endurance and faithfulness that our Father cultivates and requires throughout the lifetime of all of His children. The "if" is the daily reminder for all of us Christian moms to get on our knees and ask for help with shepherding our children. For the strength to show them the unfailing love that He so consistently shows us. To show them Christ in us.

I am so so thankful that I've come to the end of a tough couple of seasons in my motherhood. But I don't want to forget what the Lord taught me through it. I don't want to get "comfortable" now that things have gotten easier, only to forget the lessons I learned this past year and start flailing as soon as the next challenge comes. So my prayer for myself and for all of you beloved Christian moms is that we'd seek His guidance and rely on His help every single day, in good times and in bad. That we'd cling to Him no matter what today looks like, and trust Him to see us- and our sweet children- through.

Note: Salvation happens in two ways; in our first moment of faith, we are justified in the sight of God. Our sin is forgiven and we are forever His child. {See Romans 3:24-26} Secondly, we are saved through sanctification; an ongoing process of learning to repent of sin and follow God's commands for righteous living as defined in the bible. {1 Thessalonians 5:23}

ABIDE | REJOICE IN HIS SALVATION {ISAIAH 25:6-9}

Happy Easter! 

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He is alive. Oh, dear Sisters, He is alive!

He sits with you, He prays for you, He waits with the Father for you.

For you who wonder if a laugh will ever again escape your lips – He lives for you. For you who weep with gratitude for gifts you could not possibly have earned – He lives for you. For you whose eyes strain to see something – anything – good around the bend – He lives for you. For you who sit alone in the stillness of grief and silence – He lives for you. For you whose arms are linked to fear on one side and hope on the other – He lives for you.

For you who are soul-weary from searching among dead things for the life your heart longs for – He lives for you.

He lived and died to buy your pardon, just like the old hymn says. He wrapped His infinite being in flesh for you {John 1:14}. He endured temptation and humiliation, scorn and scourge for you {Hebrews 4:14-16, Matthew 27:15-44}. He satisfied the wrath of the holy and just God the Father for you {Romans 5:6-11}. And He walked out of the grave that Sunday morning for you.

He lives. Hallelujah, the Gospel is true!

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I wasn't planning on doing any blogging on Easter Sunday, but I just read this wonderful devotion and can't help but share! I so appreciate the wonderful ladies over at She Reads Truth. Check out the full thing here, and have a beautiful, restful Easter!

ENGINEER PRINTS

I finally got around to doing an Engineer print! Staples offers these oversized black & white prints in three different sizes for super cheap. This 24x36 was $3. I've been wanting to make large Scripture art like this for the longest time. And since Psalm 119:54 references a house, it seemed like a good one to start with. 

"Your statutes have been my song in the house of my sojourning."  

As a stay at home mom, it goes without saying that I spend a lot of time at home. This place is incredibly important to me. Not for the sake of the walls that give it shape, but for the life that it holds. It facilitates day-to-day life for my family and it's a joy to pour out my energy here. All of my energy. And I'm finding that the larger our family grows and the longer I run a house, the more organized and deliberate I have to be in all that I do. After all, things are growing. Over the last few years, our family has doubled in size {from two to four!} and our resources have increased as well. Throw in our recent relocation{s}, the birth of our newest family member, and a deployment, and I think it's safe to say that there's been a definite increase in responsibility! 

I have so much yet to learn, but one thing I do know. For every ball that gets added to my stay-at-home-Army wife/mom juggling routine comes the necessity of an even tighter grip on the Word of God. Of a deeper understanding of my utter dependence on Christ and His Spirit within if I hope to get any of it right.

But that's what struck me about Psalm 119:54. It addresses my need for God's commands and it addresses my house! With all of the work and routine and sense of permanence that can come with my home when it's my job to tend it day in and day out, I need to remember the foundation that this house stands on: "{His} statutes..." If I'm not careful, it's incredibly easy to let my own initiatives take over. To get so busy living for myself that I forget that all of this is really about Him. To mistake that thing called the Bible for merely a book, forgetting that it is actually life-giving bread. That-unlikely as it may seem at 7am- it is more vital than my morning coffee. 

And when I treat it as such- as my first priority of the day- it acts as the blessing it is promised to be. His commands truly do become the "song"that they are called. Just as a song can literally get stuck in my head, biblical living takes root when I'm diligent to stay in the Word and rely on it's guidance every single day. 

And then- by nothing less than the grace of God, and with the lead of my wonderful, godly husband- that same song fills my house and is learned and loved by my children. And I hope it blesses every neighbor and friend that sets foot inside our doors.

And there's one more beautiful picture in this Psalm. This physical house where I pour out so much of my life is one of "sojourning". I need the constant reminder that I am indeed a sojourner, a pilgrim. This is my temporary house, not my eternal home. And though the people within it have been entrusted to my care, they belong to Him. So, all of the joy, challenge, fulfillment, and even the I'm-going-to-pull-my-hair-out moments that come with running my house must be tempered by the fact that it is only a house. And every moment I spend with and on my family must be tempered by the understanding that they are His and that I will be held accountable for how I treat them. 

These are things of eternal weight.

And I need these reminders more than anybody, because I absolutely thrive on having a clean, organized, efficient, comfortable home. And I really, really like it when those within it stick to my program. But for the days- and there are many- when my home and my family is a picture of the exact opposite of "clean" or "programmed", I can't become a slumped pile of discouragement. Life is about glorifying God, yielding to His plan, and recognizing that He is the source of every good thing. That I can't do any of it right without His Spirit working within me. That only when I let go and am diligent to take His lead that His statutes can carry my life like chords carry a song. In my home, in my family, and in me. 

PUTTING HIM FORWARD

So I saw this very, very inspiring quote in a She Reads Truth devotion a few weeks back: 

"From the time she wakes up, __________ is quietly doing what needs to be done to put forward Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior of Man." 

I'm not big on New Years resolutions, but there is something so powerful about this. It's more than just a resolution, it's a way of life. And it reached out and grabbed me and before I knew it I'd made my own printable version! Once it's printed, the goal is to hang it next to my bed as a fresh reminder each morning of why I'm here.

I'm here for Him. For His plan. For His glory!

Though my life is still riddled with frailty and uncertainty and sin, His isn't! He is perfection, and because He gives Himself freely, His perfection is mine. It's yours. It's ours. 

If only we'll reach out and accept it...

Let's press on together as we strive to put Him forward this year. In fact, if you want to join me, send me a favorite photo of yourself and I'll {do my best} to make a personalized resolution for you to print out, too! {sarahkeller1@gmail.com}

Happy New Year!

ABIDE | BE STILL {PSALM 46:10a}

Fall has faded into winter, and the holidays have come and gone. Here comes the long, slow stretch that we call January, February, and March. And here comes the question that I can never shake for long.

What do I do now?

It's been close to three months since Thane deployed in October. So much has happened since then. We've moved, set up a new house, spent countless hours enjoying family, and even made a new church family. I'm so relieved to say that we've passed that rough adjustment phase, that we've weathered what {I hope} was the hardest part.

But now, in the quiet moments, I find myself wondering what's next. Wondering if we should we be doing something more than just the normal everyday stuff. Wondering how in the world do I pass the next six and half months until Thane comes home?

I'm always tempted to be doing, doing, doing. As if staying busy will grant me a more fulfilling life and bring Thane home faster. And in some ways, it might...but thanks to the wonderful ladies over at She Reads Truth, I'm reminded that it's not always about what I can do... but that "sometimes waiting is the season. Sometimes the endurance is the lesson. Sometimes simply getting through it is the most sanctifying, holy thing you can do."  

And then I'm reminded to "be still" {Psalm 46:10a}. To lay down the idol of "doing" and remember that God is in charge. That His plan supersedes my own. That His purposes will prevail. And that I am "His workmanship" {Ephesians 2:10}.

So, I'm practicing this art of being still. Of seeking Him in the quiet moments. Of embracing simplicity. Of not "needing" to have a perfectly clean house, cook fancy meals, volunteer at church, or even take a shower every day. Of deliberately choosing to enjoy days filled with nothing but the humble, sweet tasks of mothering my boys. Of loving my husband from afar, the best that I can. Of practicing contentment right where I am.

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The Photos
1. Our first letter to Thane, dated October 15th, 2013.
2. The mums growing in our front yard over the fall months.
3. A little late night sewing project...made some colorful bird patterned curtains out of a shower curtain for the farm house.
4. First freeze.
5. New boots!
6. Mini tree.
7. Window markers.
8. I can't even remember the last time I made my bed.