It’s so touching, and meaningful, when God’s people pray for one another! As I sit and read through all of your names I cry, and thank God for His church. It’s overwhelming, how we are family and have love for one another, even if we haven’t even met. It’s God alone, Who knits us together and makes us one body.
~Thank you~ so much, for praying. My dad said to me today that Pastor Steensma is still about the same, maybe a little improved. The congregation is so sad, but with all the prayers there is also such peace, placing the ultimate course of things into God’s loving hands. I will certainly keep you all updated, as I hear news.
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Last night, I took the two older boys to their music lessons. There is a big field nearby so I took my camera just in case I got in the mood to snap a few pictures. . . .it doesn’t take much to get me going, although most of these were taken by David or Grace! It was about 6:30 when we took them, the sun was going down and glowing so prettily.
Mama and Caleb, the best little three year old hugger anyone could wish for. Yesterday, he came to me as I was gripping my ankle in agony (after ramming it into my desk), and said, “Mama!!! Give me a big hug,” he began to squeeze, “so I can make you feel better!” More squeezing. *sigh of pleasure* What a nice boy.
Doin’ a little kissin’. . . I love the boy’s faces, David looks so content on my lap.
I’m sure someone*somewhere* could fix the little flash of gold on my forehead, but I don’t have the time!
Let’s just call it “pixie dust”. . .I love the picture anyhow! Me and my little Davy-do
And my girl of girls, I just couldn’t crop Caleb out. . .he’s Too Cute!
Oh, the delicious skin of a little child! I hope I can remember that their hearts, and souls are just as tender at this point in the game. . . .need to treat them gently. . . . mercifully. . . .
Verses from a wonderful time of Bible reading this morning, out on the porch while the children were still sound asleep—all from Psalms—
“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He will strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”
“The Lord is their strength, and He is the saving strength of His anointed.”
“O love the Lord, all ye His saints”
“Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.”
“Thou art my hiding place”
“He that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous, and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.”
“. . the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.” (FULL!!!)
“O taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.”
It’s been raining here just about all day. I’m not sure what I’m going to do with the children this evening. I feel like I have to do something fun, to break up the time between now and bed.
Thanks again for your prayers! You all are wonderful!
Love ~Shanda~
Good to be Home 
Looks like you all had a great time together! I love the pic of your children from above…and I agree that porcelain skin is just begging to be kissed lol
Thanks for the update. We will certainly continue to pray. I pray expecting to hear a good report! I enjoyed the pictures so much. It seems like you have the ability to stir up such nostalgia in me. I do think that being a mommy was the best job I ever had. I miss those cuddles so much! It’s harder when your babies are ages 25 and 30 and live on the other side of the world! I am so glad that you understand how very precious these years with your children are. I love it that you enjoy them so fully. I love it that you make lovely memories.
My oldest daughter is 30 and I still grab her and kiss her cheeks. The neat thing about her being 30 is that she let’s me! But there WAS THAT TIME (in between 10 and 20-something) when she was too big for smooches!
What time do you get up to be able to read BEFORE the kids are up??:) Like 5 am??:):):)
I too want to remember how tender their heart is also………some days I’m anything but tender!! I need to pray to god to be able to remember that!!
that last picture of the three of them just brought tears to my eyes.May God bless and keep them every moment
So, SO SWEET, Shanda! Thanks for sharing these (and all your pictures). I enjoy them so much!
Alesha
Thank you for the update, I have been praying, and your parents’ pastor has been much on my heart and mind. Your pictures are so sweet! How nice that you have a place to “hang out” while the boys are in their music lessons.
I love the pictures…so green and glowy! Very cute…as always 🙂 Yes, we had quite a long stretch of really bad storms here today, but now it’s finally clearing, I think. Should be lovely in the morning. I hope you found something to do this evening. I’ll be looking for updates on your parents’ pastor. Love you!
Hugs. Continued prayers
What sweet pictures……..thanks for sharing. Blessings
Hi Shanda, I visit almost everyday, but don’t normally comment. I enjoy your pictures oh so much but had to tell you how much the scripture verse blessed me this evening. My heart has been so cold lately, feelings of anger melted away almost instantly and the tears that are now falling have been building for quite a while. Thank you for your encouragement in the way that you mother and love on your children. It is an example that I truly hope to live up to. Thank you again for sharing your Bible time. Love and (((HUGS)))
That last picture is so adorable. I love it. What did you end up doing with your brood this evening?
Neat. I love the verses you read. I am doing a bible study on joy and that just seems to fit. I love the pictures. You don’t seem to even show that much! Have a great evening. We are continuing to pray for your parents’ pastor.
Those are wonderful family pictures — I’m so glad you take your camera with you! I particularly like the last shot of the 3 in the grass!
I love pictures taken in the glow of late afternoon or evening sun! Red is so pretty on you, Shanda. You look and sound like you’ve got it together, but I know you are really missing Rich while he is gone. I hope the time passes quickly for you in his absence! (((HUGS!!!)))
I love the pictures Shan! The lighting was great! It’s wednesday! We’re half way through the week! That mean Rich is coming home soon! Praying for Mr. Steensma and for you to get through these days well. I love you! Lish
Thankyou for those verses. They were such an encouragement. You see, my brother has a court hearing today, and could possibly be sent to prison for a year (drugs). And I have been so anrgy at him, and just not knowing how to pray. I see my mom, and it is just tearing her apart. But, like that verses said, we CAN have courgage because He is in controle, He will strengthen our hearts. He is our hiding place in times of trouble. Thanks again. Oh, and I love the pictures. You take such beautiful ones. What kind of camera do you use?
Wonderful pictures! You have such a beautiful family!
Praying for the pastor!
hugs
HI Shanda! Thank you again, dear girl for feeding my soul. YES! The earth is FULL of God’s goodness! I will patiently wait to hear about Pastor; the Lord has listened to all of our prayers and we shall see what He does and is doing. hugs, Gail
Enjoyed your ‘happy’ family pics. I’m sure your life isn’t that way all the time? but some families seem to never have any smiles or happy times. Always love your encouraging words.
I love the red ~ you look marvelously nice in red – the new header is too fun too – so cheery. God’s goodness is that way. blessings on your evening there.~ lys
“Oh, the delicious skin of a little child! I hope I can remember that their hearts, and souls are just as tender at this point in the game. . . .need to treat them gently. . . . mercifully. . . .”
Really beautiful Shanda!
love the kiddos shots~ what happy delightful looking little people!!you look pretty amazing all by yourself too! 🙂 lovely red on you.