“I know the One in whom I trust, and I am sure that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him…..”
“Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.”
“Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery.”
“The Lord says, I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer, I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with long life, and give them my salvation.”
Good morning, friends,
I have been absolutely exhausted this week, hence no blogging. I’m sure you can imagine all that entails being a mom of seven and wife of a busy hard worker. I love the life God gave me, but there are “crash days” when the responsibilities I have seem overwhelming and pressing. I don’t even like to write these things, because it seems like a complaint when God has given me blessing upon blessing and I am ashamed of my weakness (although HE delights in it for only then can He get the glory for supplying my need) How dare I cry and be sad? However, exhaustion is no respecter of persons and no matter who or where you are, it can hit and cripple for a time. And that is how it has been for me this week.
Well, that’s not exactly true, I certainly have NOT been crippled. I have done all the things I had to do. I’ve read chapters to my sick one, I’ve gone to the pediatrician twice, gotten medicines, drinks, teas, foods. I’ve gone to a soccer game with a smile on my face. I have a heart of love and longing to serve my family. I’ve held and snuggled warm children. I ordered vomit bags off amazon. Yes, all these things have happened when deep down what I really wanted was to spend a week on a beach in Hawaii.
But enough of me, I hate writing about myself sometimes because it seems so annoying and self-focused. Blah blah blah. Hey, but it’s all the truth as I see it and that’s all I want to do here on my blog, write about my honest life which is very much feelings-oriented to me (which is why I especially appreciate the logical people in my life that balance me out). And praise God I have eternal hope and salvation…..this current life is only the first page of what life is really going to be for me. There is so much to look forward to, amazing unspeakably glorious things.
I love you all. I’m so thankful for my Mom, husband, brothers, sister, friends and for all the verses words offered to me on FB when I wrote this week during a fit of crying on my part. God has given us each other to help us get through the tough times! There is so much to be thankful for and usually at least one thing that makes me sincerely laugh every day. (like this morning when Dave’s kitten proudly carried in a dead mouse that one of our other cats caught and left on the porch).
Here are the pictures from Ethan’s senior soccer night (last night). It was wonderful sitting on the bleachers next to my friend Caroline and watch our boys play. Our husbands were there with us, and Jacob and Emily brought Caleb and Sarah as well. The sky darkened into night and there was a time when the sky was so blue, as dazzling blue as sapphire fiestaware.
He only has three more games left and he’s determined to make them last out the season. They’ve been great soccer shoes and have served him well.
Warming up with his best friend, Zach, before the game. Oh, these two. It’s been a joy to watch them grow together. They are as close as brothers.
During drills and warms ups they did this exercise where you jump up and bump your teammate. Made us smile.
They called down the parents of the seniors for a short presentation. They called out names and each player was given a rose (to give to his parents).
After a team picture they played their game and won 1-0. I took him to the pizza place in town to celebrate with his friends and one of the other Dads brought him home afterwards.
We’re so proud of you, Ethan!
Good to be Home 
Your Fall pictures are beautiful, and I especially like the pics of the young ones playing in the leaves. These pics scream, “Fall!” and I love the Fall so much. I also love the picture of you and Ethan together.
I first heard the song, “It Is Well With My Soul,” when I was a child. One time my granny came to visit, and my Dad played that song in church on his trumpet, and dedicated it to her. I learned that it was one of her favorites and that she wanted it played at her funeral one day. I thought the tune was beautiful, but it wasn’t until well into my adult years that I actually heard the words to the song, and I love it now, too. What powerful words, they are!
I’m sorry to hear you’ve had a rough week. I have many of those times, and I usually ‘retreat’, too. I’ll say an extra prayer for you today. I think most of us following your blog love to hear what you have to say, no matter what your frame of mind. 🙂
Yes it is one of my favorite hymns. Do you and Bud sing together on your porch?
I knew you would understand about the rough week. Thanks for the encouraging words, I’ve got some blogging to catch up on! hugs to you.
No, we’ve not ever sung together. 🙂 That makes me laugh just thinking about it. I’m not sure Bud is a ‘let’s sing together’ kind of person, but it makes me want to try it. I wonder why we’ve never thought of it? I guess because we are both instrumentalists…but we can sing too.
Oh well…if he doesn’t want to sing with me, I’ll just stand on the front porch, arms raised for dramatic emphasis, and I’ll sing, “Autumn Leaves” to the chickens as the wind swirls and ‘leaf snow’ comes raining down from the trees. 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend!
I would agree with Kara last sentence for sure. Thank you for the encouraging verses this morning! I just saw some professional photographs of a family I know, and now looking at your photos I would have to say they are better than the professional’s photos. You are very talented!
Wow that is a compliment for sure, thank you so much! Perhaps one day I will hire my services out! 🙂
Been worried about you. I’d love to go to Hawaii lol same reason :). I know what it’s like with lots of kids. I have one with a disability too. Thank the Lord He is strong when we are weak. I need Him every EVERY hour! Praying God’s strength and peace over you this weekend. You are loved .
Christina
God bless you as you care for your large family!!!
Someone on a FB group I am in said she has that sign up at home, “It is well with my soul”, such a great reminder to cling to when in the midst of life. Sometimes when God is speaking through multiple sources that way, I realize I need to listen, so I am taking that Hymn to my heart. I love the story behind it too.
Love these photos of the beauty of Fall with Seth and Sarah, and so fun to see the pictures with Ethan, you, Rich, and the team. Those are fun years. We always loved the years our boys played soccer together, they were a good team, and the coaches often played them along the left side together.
Love to you my friend.
Maybe someday you and I, Kara, and your FB friend can stand together and sing “It is well with my Soul” in Heaven because isn’t amazing we will all be there one day? In the meantime, I love keeping in touch with you, my dear CA friend!! Love you, too!
I’m at a different stage of life than you, but I’ve had one of those kinds of weeks too. My mother is in assisted living at a Christian facility near us. She requires more care, so we are looking for a nursing home for her that’s not already full. She is a Christian but all her life she’s been very independent, and I don’t think she ever learned to trust anyone, not even God. Up until a month ago her mind was sharp and her memory was amazing. Now that is going away. She’s 98, and just wants to die. It’s sad.
Dear Gracia, Praying for you during this time. What a long life your mom has enjoyed and I am sure you have been such a source of pride as her daughter. I know God has a plan for her final years and I hope you find a nice place for her soon!
Dear Shanda,
I am really enjoy reading your blog as it is full of love and joy that I could actually feel this through my computer screen. I have been reading your blog since I was 15. and now I am turning 27. Although Xanga is no longer available..how sad. Time changes things.
I want to say thank you for sharing your amazing life experience on this internet. Your loving blog is my candle in the dark when I had a bad day in my world. of course I still find it really absolutely enjoyable when Im having a good day tho. I just want to say thank you with all my heart. Thank you Shanda.
Have a good weekend.
Claire
That was one of the nicest things I’ve ever read in regards to this blog. Claire, what a deep down joy it is to hear from you and I thank you for putting into words what the blog has meant to you. I’m humbled and glad that it’s been a bright spot on the internet for you. With much love, Shanda
I hope you have a refreshing weekend! How amazing if those soccer shoes hang on for the last few games.
So Glad you are back blogging Shanda .and feeling better now …it’s a terrible thing to be depressed and exhausted ….I hope your weekend and the following days are going to be happier ones ….I have had an enormous surgery ..two discs removed from the back of my neck and artificial ones replaced ..two large bone spurs that were sticking in my spine cut out and my neck and shoulder bone shaved down because of arthritis ….it’s a long haul recovery of ups and downs and not knowing each minute how i will feel or how the pain will be …but God has been there each moment of each day sitting on my shoulder guiding me through it …and with the constant help of the most Wonderful Husband that I am blessed with ..I am over the top of the hill and now starting to run down the other side …Bath in the love of your family and that will give you strength …Happy Days to you XX ….Janet