Wrestling

   Being self-employed brings with it benefits and difficulties. On top of this, we deal with the public, its sin soaked masses. Then of course, there is me. Being saved can sometimes lead one to think self-righteously of your actions only to be slapped in the face with your sins.

   I've wrestled this week, not with boxes 'disappearing' from FedEx drivers hands, not with customers who rant at me "I've had a really rough weekend, and if you don't get this meat to me I'm going to just go home and cry", not with a dwindling bank account and many, many bills looming. Not with decisions that need to be made sooner, rather than later, not with sick planners who still haven't finished the building plans.

   For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12 

  I do wrestle too. My sin nature springs alive in vindictiveness, bitterness and all that is so ugly. Everything in me festers. Yet, we have hope.

                                               

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in evil days, and having done all, to stand.   Ephesians 6:13

   It reveals my sin soaked self. So despicable, even to myself. It reveals, again, my immense need of a Savior.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 
                                                                                                                              Ephesians 6:17

   Today was rough, wrestling can be tiresome, dealing with personal sin even more so. However, I feel clean, refreshed from repentance ready to what is right and that all of this will be through Jesus Christ, my Savior who strengthens me.



  

   

Holes

Watching Holes with the boys, playing Bejeweled against my hubby ( he is currently winning, boo), relaxing, being thankful for a healthy family.

Started out late today...can I tell you how much I hate being late? Had 25 local deliveries for meat orders, usually like to be out by about 5am....didn't get on the road until 7am. My send off words to my lovely husband? I have nothing planned for lunch. Yup. Despite that, it was a really great day. Deliveries were made, the men put bales of hay out for the beef and sheep. Groceries were purchased, 100's of pounds of meat was put away in the freezer, baked potatoes, pan fried steak and salad was put on for us by the amazing hubby.

Looking forward to tomorrow. To sit, to rest ( it has been a while), and to praise our Lord for all that He gives us. It is all good.

Hmmmm.....

Tis been a while! Time passes ever more swiftly for us as winter transitions into spring. A building going up, a telehandler being purchased, chickens sheds to be prepared, children instructed in not only the three R's but grace, love and steadfastness. All would be nothing without God's hand, guiding, reassuring and holding back from foolish roads. Yes, even those.

"He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:8

 This is our family verse, it hangs on the wall to remind us. Not in our own strength but in His do we produce fruit, even when you can't see the water.

In other news, the boys are enjoying Mr. Bean from youtube. School days are flying by and we are ALL affected by laziness! The mid-week slump leaves me wanting to play a game/peruse FB/some other equally not productive 'busy' activity. So while I'm looking on others asking why subjects are not done, asking husband if he will do this or that, I'm SO guilty of thinking "can't we just take the rest of the day off?"

Eating has been a focus, the foods we eat, how much, and what kinds. Crazy, crazy ingredients are found in the strangest of places. Even more strange? Raw, unprocessed, freshly made tastes SO MUCH better. Everyone keeps saying how much all of our meals are more filling and have more flavor. Take a gaze around your cupboard and see how much high fructose syrup, aspartame or sugar of any kind is in your foods. It makes you crave more, and more. Then only more. We make a lot of homemade food but were pretty shocked at how much we cut out. Even better? We don't miss it.

We also don't miss the extra pounds that have disappeared.