Happy Mother's Day to My Wonderful Mother.

I can't remember a time in my life when my Mom wasn't one of my favorite people - if not my favorite person - to spend time with. I was blessed with some very good friends that I loved hanging out with, but when I came home, there was no disappointment. I had Mom. What a blessing it was to have a Mom who was the things a Mom should be -a source of wisdom and a understanding guide through a crazy world. But also was a friend. Fun to be with, fun to talk with. I have countless memories of late night runs to the store for a snack, long discussions about the deep issues of life, road trips long and short, scouring used bookstores for treasures of our favorite kind -books! The list goes on.

As I get older, now with daughters of my own, it strikes me that this can't have always been easy. Or maybe I am way more selfish with my time. Whatever the case, I am always encouraged to try to be the type of Mom I had. And everyonce in a while, I catch myself acting like her and I smile.

Happy Announcement

There were bright spots in the past few months to be sure. The brightest one being the news that baby # 5 is on the way! I have always wanted at least 5 children, so I feel extremely blessed. Especially now that the 1st trimester is over. That was not so fun. We found out that baby Long is a boy so Jack and Jude are cheering loudly. He should make his grand appearance in early August.

Is it just me, or is he adorable already?

A Quiet Life

I have always loved 1 Thessalonians 4:11

"and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, "

It has always called to my heart reminding me of my calling.

A few years ago, our pastor preached a sermon on this passage that brought even more conviction that this was a key need in my life. A quiet life.

Thus the name of my blog.

Now with 4 children how can life be quiet? The are around me all day long. Less than 2000 square feet housing 6 people equals a bit of noise. No, life for me at this stage is far from quiet in a literal sense, but is my heart quiet before the Lord? Am I making it my ambition to focus on the things that the Lord has given me to do - today- or am I running to and fro -literally or figuratively?

Am I minding my own business, so that I have something to offer others, or am I constantly burned out, stressed out? And what of minding my own business? Am I doing the things that the Father has given me to do, the things most important for me at this season of my life, or am I busy doing the things I think are a priority?

What does a quiet life look like? I am still pondering this, but I do know a few things for sure. It is a life of contentment. Being content in the provision of the One who knows my needs before I do. Confident that the God of providence knows all things and does all things well. Nothing that comes into my life takes Him by surprise or baffles Him. Oh to learn to always rest in this knowledge and to let it quiet my heart and my life!

The 4 and a half months since my last post have tested this area of my life yet again. My last post asked for prayer for my father-in-law, Curt. We had just discovered that he had cancer and the prognoses was not good. For the next 2.5 months, we prayed. We cried. We made lots of 8 hr trips to visit him in the hospital. We hoped. God is very good, but life is also very hard and this was the hardest thing we had faced. Where is my quiet heart that can help me survive all the craziness around me? Too often I lost sight of the only one who can bring peace in the midst of a storm. Yet there he was, comforting, bringing calm, giving strength.

February 7th brought the end of Curt's life here on earth. A very sad time for us all even while we rejoiced that he was free of pain and with the Lord. The 2 months since have been hard but we see the sun peeking out behind the clouds. We rest in God's goodness and thank him for his comfort.

Prayer Request

I have so much to catch up on with this blog and no time to do it, but wanted to take a minute to ask for prayers for my father-in-law, Curt Long. He is in the hospital in Orlando,Fl right now. It is a very serious situation that you can read more about here. Please pray. We serve a mighty God!

Orphan Sunday

Here is a great video that my sister, Karmen, made to share with her church about her mission trip to an orphanage in China. This Sunday is Orphan Sunday, so it is a great time to be reminded of the great need all around the world.

I LOVE This Song.

This song by Leeland has really ministered to me lately. Seems to sum up perfectly my hearts cry lately. " MORE OF YOU, LESS OF ME" That is what I need.

Holy Spirit Have Your Way

by Leeland

Long after the tears fall I'm still your child

I put down my defenses and lay down my pride

Love and forgiveness flow in deep and wide

So I run to you and surrender all!

As I lay down my life

And pick up my cross

What a joy it is to give my life away to you

All that I need, All that I seek

Is You here with me

Holy Spirit have Your way in me!

In times of trouble, though trials may come

The rock of ages is standing strong

I'm fighting battles, but the war is won

So I'll run to you and surrender all

As I lay down my life

And pick up my cross

What a joy it is to give my life away to you

All that I need, All that I seek

Is You here with me

Holy Spirit have Your way in me!

More of You and less of me, God

More of You and less of me,God

More of You and less of me,God

More of You overflowing.

The Piano

We are so excited to have a piano now. Especially Kate! She has been taking piano lessons formally since March of this year, though she has been getting them here and there whenever possible from Grandma Linda. It is lovely to hear these sounds fill our home.