Moving On

  Yes, the rumors are true.  This season of life is drawing to a close.  We are selling the farm, the business and moving into the next season of life.  The past year has been a year of soul searching and  redirection.  Each season is for our growth and to experience the goodness of God in different ways.  I have loved these last years.  So much has happened.  I will hold this time close to my heart.  But God made it evident, our time at the farm is done and its time to move forward.
  Forward.  Focused.  On purpose.  One step at a time, illuminated by the lamp, our Father in Heaven.  On purpose, and for a purpose. 
   We've felt a tugging on our hearts to the northern mountains.   I am excited.  I so love the farm, but am anxious to experience God's goodness through the wind in the pines and cedars.  I am excited to teach my kids the art of huckleberry picking.  To continue in the joy of simplicity, and the beauty of God's creation. 
  There are chapters in life.  Each of us has a novel, with our names on the cover.  Some chapters in the book are short, while others are longer.  Some are joyous, while others more challenging.  My prayer: that my story will glorify God.  That God would grant me the patience, wisdom and discernment to walk as He leads......  God is big, and His love for us is unfathomable.  Surrendering it all to Him, that's where weakness is made perfect: in His strength. 
  I will always hold this place dear to my heart.  So many wonderful experiences, faces and times...but I find myself longing for the next chapter of life as well.  
  God is calling us all forward.  One step at a time.  This chapter has been such a blessing.  In whatever happens, the next will be too, because God is good. 
 
  Much Love,
   Candis

By the Fire

 It's frosty and frozen outside.  I sit near the wood stove, the house quiet.  It's warm next to the fire.  My kids are loving this winter.  Their snow pants in varying levels of dampness, are hung to dry.   Waiting for a tomorrow of play.  The kids are not afraid of the cold...especially when snow is involved.
  Sitting next to the fire takes me back, though not far.  My childhood.  Staring into the warm fire on a quiet cold winter evening.  Frost on the windows and snow outside. 
  There is a peace that transcends a quiet winter's night.  The clear crystal snow flakes gently falling, coming to rest on the earthen floor outside.  When not covered by clouds, the winter moon reflecting its light off the snow.  The outside world... illuminated.  A winter's night....beautiful.
  I am counting my blessings.  I have been blessed.  Childhood memories transcending my present existence.  They are now completing themselves, full circle, in the minds of my own children. Winter, a time of peace.  Life has slowed down.  All is tucked in; taken care of.  It's time to watch from the window, hot cocoa in hand.  Time to sit in the rocker with a quilt, loved ones and a good book.  Reading stories that come alive while next to the crackling fire.  Imaginations awakened in little ones slipper clad in warm jammies.   It's a cold winter's night, but inside, life is tucked in snugly.  Blessing are present for the counting.  Little pieces of God's grace....there for the relishing.  When one stops long enough to see it.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  
    James 1:17 NIV


Blessings and Love to You,
 Candis

  
 

Jesus

Merry Christmas!  It's been a long time since I 've written.  I really miss this.  Today I wanted to express my thanksgiving....for my Savior Jesus Christ...the reason for Christmas..... His love is never ending....and because of Him, I am complete.

Merry Christmas!  Accept the only peace...the true peace that's offered to anyone that will accept it....Jesus.  His hand is beckoning your heart.  Answer Him.  It's only through Him you'll have a complete life.  He loves you more than you'll ever know.  Merry Christmas!
  Much Love,
  Candis

Lion of Judah

Revelations 5:5
  "Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed......."

 A Lion.  Powerful.  Respected.  Authority.  

I trust in you, Lion of Judah.  All I can say....I am without words.  I am on my knees.  I was created to worship you.  The only thing I can do.  Worship You.  Fall before you.  I am nothing, yet you walk beside me.  You protect me.   You prepare my path.  You provide.  Your presence casts out my fears.  You are my strength.  Apart from you I am nothing.  Lion of Judah.........

Fallin' Into the Next Season

Yes, it is only August 19th.  We still have four more weeks of summer, but as every year....I am getting anxious for the fall season.  I LOVE fall! 
  Tomorrow is the first day of school.  Our curriculum is in order, the schedule book sitting patient on the Hoosier cabinet....waiting....full of the first weeks activities.  The sky overcast tonight is reminscent of cooler evenings.  The smoker outside fills the air with the wonderful aroma of mesquite....its wafting into the windows.  Jerky in the making and Hunting Season is soon around the corner. 
  The wood pile is starting to grow outside in anticipation...and smells so good.  Fresh cut wood and mesquite....I like this.
  Some red zinnias....all that's needed to make this "night before school" evening complete; a canning jar full of flowers.  Feeling blessed tonight.  I know its the middle of August.....but a girl can close her eyes and count her "Fall Blessings" a little early. 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.    Ephesians 1:3

Time Passes Quickly

 

It's been said life's like a toilet paper roll, the closer you get to the end the fast you roll.   My life seems to go quicker and quicker.  Sometimes I feel like I am standing at the epicenter of life spinning in circles.  One revolution and my kids are infants.  Another, they're toddlers, and yet another, and now we're school-aged.  I used to believe the phrase "Time is short" was so cliche.  Now, I am asking God to relieve me of my spinning dizziness.  I am dizzy from spinning.  

It's funny how death makes you look closer at life.  I attended another funeral today.  My friend lost her little boy, her heart broken.  Her little "Joel", born too early, went to be with Jesus.  His life ended as soon as it began. 

I open Facebook and am over-whelmed by distraction.  Chick-fil-a, Planned Parenthood, animal rights, political campaigns, he said...she said.....lifestyles.....demands....rights...arguments: "I am right.. you're wrong".  Friending....Unfriending....Aggghhh!!!.  My brain can't take it.   Distractions.  All distractions: things to take our vision off the imperative.  Distractions to take our eyes off the important.... 

Life is short.  Unbelievably short.  The next revolution may be our last.  What then?  My life will one day cease from this earth.  Yours will too.  Its funny how distracted we get....allow ourselves to get.   If we distract ourselves, maybe the inevitable will go away?  Do you not believe preparation for the future is important?  Do you wear a coat in the winter?

There is a Savior that's prepared you're way for the future.  The catch...you have to accept His gift of salvation.  He's handing it out, but you have to grab hold....accept it.  The Bible says there is a hell....a serious hell.  A terrible place, so terrible I can't fathom.  God doesn't want anyone there, but He's given us freewill....we get to choose.  He can't make you love Him....He can't make you accept Him.  It's your choice.  He loves you, but forced love isn't real love.  He desires your presence...you are precious to Him.  He longs to hold you....He allowed to His Son to die on Calvary's cross in your place.  He loves you that much.  YOU HAVE NO IDEA.

Tell Him you accept His offer....that you want Him.

We are given a set amount of time on earth.  We don't know how long.  You don't know how long you have.  Don't waste your time on distractions.  Distractions are only that....distractions....to keep your eyes off what's important.  

Questions?  Leave feedback with your email address and I'd love to share what the Bible says about God's love for you!

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."  

Matthew 24:36

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."  

John 3:16

My Provider

You, God, are my provider.

You are the only thing I need.  You know me, love me and created me.

I give things to you, just to take them back.  Why do I do that?

I am so small and incapable of anything.  You are God.

You've promised that if I hold tight to you, you will be my everything.  My provider.

I need only rest in you.

Let go, and rest in you.

Be still and know that I am God.   Psalm 46:10