Today is a very special day… Today we celebrate our Dad’s Birthday!!🎈🥳🙌🏻 Where do I even begin? My Dad has blessed me and so many others in so many rich ways that I cannot even begin to explain!! He is a wonderful encourager, leader, and patient listener always pointing us back to the Lord and His Word. His wonderful sense of humor, wisdom, discernment and unmatched energy has filled my days with so much guidance, encouragement, and laughter. My Dad works tirelessly and diligently at any task the Lord brings his way with enthusiasm and vigor. It is truly inspirational to see! Words cannot even begin to express how thankful I am to have him as my Dad and the years of life the Lord has given him! 💛 Happy Birthday, Dad. 🙋🏼♀️ I am so thankful for you!! 💝 I pray this next year is the BEST YET with many more to come!! 🎉 You know the rules, please don’t leave without taking a moment to wish my Dad a very blessed and best birthday in the comment box below!!👇🏻🙌🏻🥳
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy” Philippians 1:3-4
“The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” Psalm 121:5-8
Well, my friends, today is a special day on the blog! 🥳🥳🥳 A day I get to share about one of my favorite persons in the entire world.😁🧡 Today is Joel’s birthday and I can’t tell you how thankful I am to the Lord for the 23 years of life He has gifted this handsome guy!! Hard working, super athletic, and enthusiastic, Joel is well known for his compassionate caring spirit, faithful friendship, fabulous sense of humor(if you’ve met him once, you know exactly what I am talking about), and willingness to give up whatever he is doing in a blink to help a family member or friend in need. 🙌🏻 He is the type of guy who will give you the shirt off his back if you need it and then ask you if you want his socks too! 😉 Joel has become my “go to” guy when I need honest advice on any + every topic and encouragement as I navigate through life. 🙏🏼 He also happens to be a fabulous photographer and Flower picker-outer[proof! Y’all, when he buys his sisters flowers, he hand selects the flowers to be included in the bouquet😭🤩].😉 By the grace of God, Joel has been blessed with a heart that seeks the Lord and desires to do His will even when it’s not easy and goes against what is called “normal”. 🧡 This has been such a blessing to witness and I have been so humbled to watch the Lord grow and guide him over the years! All this to say, he’s truly one in a million!! Happy Birthday, Joel!! So truly thankful for you. My prayer for you on your birthday is that The Lord God continue to faithfully guide you as He has promised to do[Is 58:11], that He would ” grant you according to your heart’s desire”[Ps 20:4], and that this year would truly be the BEST YET as you continue to seek and serve HIM. “He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”[Heb 11:6]!👏🏼
Y’all know the rules… don’t leave until you’ve left Joel a HAPPY BIRTHDAY comment in the comment box below!! 🎉🙌🏻
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:9
“I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.” Proverbs 4:11
I can’t let the week pass without a hearty “THANK YOU”! ✨Your birthday comments and notes blessed me beyond words and left me completely humbled.🧡🙏 May The Lord receive all glory and honor for He alone is worthy! The verse that has been continually on my mind is Psalm 115:1, “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto THY NAME give glory, for THY mercy, and for THY truth’s sake.” The Lord God is so gracious to give me sweet friends and bring me through another year of life! What a year it has been. Filled to the brim and overflowing with His goodness and grace!! The Lord God has given me “strength for today and brighthope for tomorrow.” He has filled my heart with a “good theme” and that theme is His grace unending! It is the grace wherein I stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God(ROM 5:1-5)!! ✨ Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.(Ps 66:16)!☺️ “He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.”(Ps 55:18). “He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps”(Ps 40:2). He has crowned me with “lovingkindness and tender mercies”(Ps 103), “delivered me from all my fears”(ps 34:4)… He has satisfied my longing soul(Ps 107:9)! 🙌🏼🙏✨As I look back over the years and witness His faithfulness, I can excitedly dive into the new year of unknown knowing He who is faithful knows all things!! 🤩🥳🎉 The Lord God is so very good. “My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad!” So, come what may… will y’all join me here on the blog for random post as I share all the craziness that may fill my days? I’m thankful for you, dear friends, and excited to continue to exalt His name together!! 🙋🏼♀️🧡 He is always faithful!
“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.” Ps 68:19
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
Guys, today is a very special day! It’s not often that I (Grace) get the chance to step up on this platform and give a shoutout…. but when I do, it is typically in honor one thing: RACHEL’S BIRTHDAY!
I feel like you guys could write this post as well, or better, than I. I know that Rachel has done something special to encourage each one of you reading this today.
She sends cards through the mail by the hundreds.
Texts of encouragement by the thousands.
Spring 100 shirts by the 10’s of thousands.
Emails.
1-1 encouragement.
Food.
Really good food.
Reallly really good food…
*discontinues daydream about weekly pizza night*
ANYWAY!!!
I am going to share something special Rachel has been doing for me recently… and in the comments section I want you to do the same… Tell me one way that Rachel has encouraged you.
Here’s mine:
It’s been hot lately (triple digits, brick oven, etc) and farm chores have been intense. My auto-waterering system is down and keeping hundreds of gallons in front of the animals has been a chore that was almost too much to handle. Rachel saw that the workload was bogging me down and she took over watering all of the four-legged animals on the farm. It has looked something like the picture below, except I try not to sit around that much. Lol.
Ultimately this day is not really about Rachel… none of use would be capable of anything good apart from Christ; but it is really an encouragement to see His ability to work through people. As Rachel’s sister, it has been a huge blessing to be a recipient God’s good work through her!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RACHEL!!!
“…being confident of this very thing, that He who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the Day of Jesus Christ.” Phil 1:6
Pretty places and spaces always catch my eye! 🤩 When I hear “dream home” I instantly think of a Small country house, away from the hustle and bustle of city life, filled to the brim with airy colors, pretty dishes, and vintage quilts. Maybe one day, Lord willing!! ♥️☺️ And this, my friend, is my very random midnight post which is merely just an excuse to pop in and say “hello” and wish you all a lovely day!🙋🏼♀️
Question!! When you hear “Dream Home” what comes to mind? Perhaps your dream Home would be a cottage on overlooking the sea or a cabin nestled in the mountains? Or?? I’d love to hear in the comment box below!!👇🏼👇🏼
Images source: Pinterest
“Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” Psalm 127:1
Ladies and gentlemen… may I have your attention, please???!!!!👏🏼🥳 The moment y’all have been waiting for. The OFFICIAL Birthday Blog Post for Nathanael!!!🎉🎉🎉 After a few Birthday Photoshoot reschedules, we finally made it out and snapped the traditional “Birthday Photos”. 😄 I am a firm believer in “better late than never!” 😉 Nathanael(also known as Pete or Tino or Nate) turned 19 years old this week and we had quite a spectacular day celebrating this handsome guy! Alrighty, time to share a bit about the birthday boy!! 🎉🙌🏻 A few words that accurately describe Nathanael they would be PERSISTENT, generous, energetic, kind, encouraging, and loyal. He has been gifted by the Lord in so many areas and is a guy that never stops thinking and NEVER stops moving! 🏃🏼♂️ Nathanael continually blesses me with his contagious energy and enthusiasm…. Not just for his own pursuits but for the interests and pursuits of others. He continually pours his complete enthusiasm and support into the lives of everyone around him!☺️ Nathanael is also a stellar teacher. He will patiently teach you a new skill and work alongside you to perfect that new skill learned! 🙌🏻 His days are filled to the brim working hard at his business (buying and selling vintage motorcycles), keeping physically fit, spending time with his family, and seeking to encourage his friends. One of Nathanael’s mottos from long ago is “a job worth doing is worth doing well” and he daily lives that out in SOOO many ways! Phew, needless to say… I am continually encouraged and outrageously blessed by this guy.🥰 Y’all this is getting loooong… before his head gets too big, we best wrap this birthday post up.😉 HAPPY BIRTHDAY week, Nathanael!! 🥳 I thank the Lord continually for you and am humbled to witness His GOOD work in your life. Praying this year is the BEST YET as you continue to seek and serve Him!! The Lord God is faithful.🙏🏼🧡
Y’all, know the rules. Don’t leave without leaving Pete a Birthday note in the comment box below!!👇🏼🎊
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:10-12
“The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
Today is a very special day!! 😍 Today we celebrate my parent’s 39th Wedding Anniversary and I truly thank the Lord for His goodness throughout these years! ❤️ I know the past 39 years have not been easy for my parents but I know the effort and the battles they have fought together in the strength of the Lord have been worth it. It is amazing to consider God’s faithfulness and my heart is filled with gratitude for the life the Lord has given my Mom & Dad together.🙏🏼 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Mom & Dad!!!! 🙌🏻 May the years to come be sweeter than those which have passed. I am so THANKFUL for you two!! Y’all, help me celebrate by leaving a little “CONGRATULATIONS” or “Happy Anniversary” in the comment box below!! 😃👇🏼👇🏼
“O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.” Isaiah 25:1
“But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” Mark 10:6-9
Let it be known 💆🏼♀️… When you postpone your own birthday photos, I get to dig deep in the archive and pull out a few adorable favorites! 😜😘 Y’all… there is a birthday being celebrated today and I am pretty excited!🙌🏻 This post is just a little announcement that we got some birthday photos and a pretty stellar BIRTHDAY post COMING SOON (just as soon as I get the birthday fella in front of the camera 📸🥰) but until then, the first person to guess who’s birthday we are celebrating gettings a round of applause! If you guess both the name and age of the person you get a round of applause and a bucket load of kudos😉… Ready, set, ANSWER BELOW!!👇🏼👇🏼🙌🏻
“The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away…. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalm 90:10,12
“ I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together…
I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto Him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed…. O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.” Psalm 34:1-5, 8
“For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for Him.” Isaiah 64:4
Today I have been thinking about and encouraged by the unfathomable promises for those who wait upon the Lord! “men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for Him.” I am reminded of Psalm 62:5 as it says,“My soul, wait thou ONLY upon God; for my expectation is from Him.” ☺️ Expectation = Hope. The Lord God is our hope! We are promised in Lamentations 3:25-26, “The Lord is GOOD unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.” and Psalm 27:14 tells us, “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall STRENGTH THINE HEART: wait, I say, on the Lord.” ! I love the reminder that waiting on God DOES NOT mean your life is on hold. We are called to be living actively by faith! “Waiting on God is an act of faith… Not faith in the outcome we are dictating to God, but faith in His character, faith in Himself. It is resting in the perfect confidence that He will guide in the right way, at the right time. He will supply our need. He will fulfill His word. He will give us the very best if we trust Him.” E. Elloit.🙌🏻 So, my friends, will you wait on the Lord? Actively serving Him as you step forward in faith? From Him alone comes our hope! I don’t know about you but I am RESOLVED TO WAIT on The Lord… in His strength and by His grace. HE IS FAITHFUL! ☺️🧡 “I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in His Word do I hope.” Psalm 130:5. And that is my random Tuesday musing!! 🙋🏼♀️
QUESTIONS: What scripture has been blessing you lately?? What has been a highlight for you this Spring?? I’d love to hear. Make my day by leaving a note in the comment box below!!👇🏼
💁🏼♀️How about ending this post with a few random photos from the past few weeks? The days have been blessed here. Filled to the brim with God’s goodness! From full work days to family, time enjoyed in the kitchen baking up a storm, gorgeous Spring days, friends, and all the inbetween! 🙌🏻 I am thankful!♥️
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
Ladies and gentlemen… today is a very special day! A day I get to dedicate to my Dad and take a special moment to thank him for his daily sacrifice for his family. Today is my Dad’s 39th Fatherversary!!😁 This past week I have been thinking about different qualities I really appreciate about my Dad and so many come to mind! His love for the Lord and His Word, his unmatched energy, enthusiasm for any job he takes on, fabulous sense of humor, and dedication to his children are just a few. My dad has supported, encouraged, and pointed us to The Lord in every area of life and is always there to lend a helping hand as we take on tasks the Lord calls us to.🙏🏼 John 15:13 is the verse that always comes to my mind when I think of my Dad, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Happy Father’s Day, DAD!! I am thanking the Lord for YOU and your example which has blessed me beyond describing! 🧡🙋🏼♀️ Hope you have a FABULOUS DAY and delicious Father’s Day steak! 🥩😁
“The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.“ Proverbs 20:7
“Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.” Psalm 128:1-5
Y’all, I gave it away right up front!! 👏🏼😁🎉 Tooo excited to beat around the bush on this one.😉 Today we celebrate my brother’s birthday… TODAY Abel turns 17!!🥳 Words cannot begin to describe how blessed I am to have this gentleman in my life. From the day he was born, this handsome guy has blessed me over and again! 👏🏼 Abel is truly 1 in a million. Kind, outrageously funny, a great conversationalist, slightly quirky, extremely patient, perceptive, and always so encouraging. He is also one of the hardest working, most athletic young men I have ever met and sooooo fun to be around!! When not working hard at his business start-up or working half a dozen other jobs on the side, you can find Abel out for a run, lifting weights, checking in on friends and offering them encouragement, diligently practicing his guitar, spending time with his family, or patiently helping his sisters improve their volleyball skills🏐😉. One of the many things I love about Abel is he is constantly challenging himself to learn new things & accomplish new goals, pushing himself to do his best and give everything he does 189% of his energy and effort! All this to say…. Happy Birthday, ABEL!! 🎈🥳 SO blessed to be your sister and I daily thank the Lord for you. 🙏🏼🧡 May this year be the BEST YET as you continue to seek and serve the Lord! HE IS FAITHFUL.🙋🏼♀️ ENJOY YOUR DAY!!! 🎂
Y’all know the rules! 💁🏼♀️ Help make his day FABULOUS and DON’T LEAVE until you’ve left Abel a birthday comment in the comment box below!! 🥳
“The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:10-12
“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.” Hebrews 11:24-26
“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2
“Teach me to do Thy will; for Thou art my God: Thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.” Psalm 143:10
“Shew me Thy ways, O LORD; teach me Thy paths. Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me: for Thou art the God of my salvation; on Thee do I wait all the day.” Psalm 25:4-5
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” 1 Peter 3:3-4
I’ve been thinking a ton about the above verses from 1 Peter 3 lately! We live in a world where the standard for “beauty” is continually changing and being redefined yet never achieved. The world’s beauty standard has morphed into an ugly, expensive mess! 🫣😉 BUT we, as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, have the secret to incorruptible beauty! the Ornament of a meek and quiet spirit… this is a beauty that does not fade away and a beauty that is precious in God’s sight. 🙌🏼🧡 In a world that exalts pride, meekness is seen as weakness yet, in all truth, meekness is supernatural strength from the Lord. I love the below definition of meekness:
Meekness= humility; resignation[←surrender]; submission to the divine will, without murmuring or peevishness[peevish=easily irritated, especially by unimportant things]; OPPOSED to pride, arrogance, and refractoriness[← refractoriness=stubbornness; not easily melted or worked!]
As I look at the above definition of meekness, I see a meek and quiet spirit is one that is humble(James 4:6), patient(James 1:4), surrendered to the Lord’s perfect will(Ps 40:8, Luke 22:42), not given over to complaining or easily irritated(Philippians 2:14, 1 Corinthians 13:7), seeking after wisdom(James 3:17) and wanting to be molded and conformed to the image of Christ(Romans 8:29). I don’t know about you but I sure do desire this inward adornment of a meek and quiet spirit! I love Matthew 11:29 as the Lord Jesus Christ says, “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of ME; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Jesus Christ is the perfect example of meekness. May we learn from Him! It is my prayer that I would diligently seek after this inner, incorruptible beauty and that the Lord would create in me this meek and quiet spirit for His glory and His good pleasure. Do you want to know the beautiful news? We are told that “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son”(Rom 8:29) … “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”(Phil 1:6) That, my friends is a promise! ☺️🧡 I am thankful that He does that good work in us, conforming us to the image of His Son. So, ladies, there are my random Wednesday rambles! 😉 If you made it to the end, CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU!😅 I would love to hear from you today…. What scripture has been encouraging your heart lately?? Comment below and let me know or just say “hello”. Your comments make my day! 🙌🏻🎉
💁🏼♀️ And to make this post even more random for this Wednesday… how about a few iPhone photos from the past month? Between work, traveling, enjoying family, friends, gorgeous sunsets, and time spent in the kitchen baking life has been filled full and truly blessed! God is good and I am truly thankful. 😅HAPPY WEDNESDAY TO YOU ALL! 🙋🏼♀️
My sisters and I were blessed to spend 4 days at the beach with some of the best ladies ever! It was a sweet time filled with good food, conversation, encouragement, and so much laughter!
Homefront FarmLyfe has been bustling! Grace and her work crew have been hard at work, diligently keeping things running smoothly during lambing season. They are doing a great job and the Lord is blessing their diligence! ♥️
And all the in-between! 💝 Pizza night, Cupcake baking, card crafting, coffee shop stops, Evening walks + Sunsets with sisters, and evening volleyball with brothers. 🧁🙌🏻 “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.”
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2
