July 23 – James 1:5

The second verse for parenting for me was James 1:5. If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to every one liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. So often I’ve asked for wisdom! And the answers won’t always be what you might expect. What do I do for this whiny, demanding child? “Serve her.” I was sure I hadn’t heard right! And I know that isn’t... Read More

July 22 – Isaiah 40:11

I’ve been saving back all the great verses on being a parent till you were one. That’s now! Isn’t it wonderful, Annie! Isn’t he wonderful! Isn’t He wonderful! Through the years, as I wrestled with how to be a good parent, I hung on to two main scriptures — both of them promises, for me. The first is from Isaiah 40:11. He shall feed His flock like a shepherd (Are you singing?!): He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in... Read More

July 21 – Psalm 84:3-4

What a beautiful baby you have. Little Elijah. Jehovah is God. Does the awesomeness of the privilege of raising, of nurturing, of shaping another person ever strike you? You will do so well — both of you. Bathe him in prayer and enjoy him! Psalm 84:3-4 Yes the sparrow has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed — happy, fortunate [to be envied] — are... Read More

Welcome, Baby Gerber!

Annie and Drew’s baby was born late Wednesday afternoon! They’ve taken dozens of fantastic pictures already. I’m sure they’ll post them after they’re settled in. Some are up on facebook now. My husband and kids and I visited late Wednesday evening and tried to get some pictures in the dim hospital light. My new nephew is a perfect, sweet, healthy baby, and Annie is so peaceful and happy. I couldn’t get enough of this baby. (Click here to... Read More

Cowgirl Wins a Prize

This heat is getting to me. It’s getting to the animals, too. It’s getting to the grass that’s turning yellow in their pastures. It’s getting to the grasshoppers that eat the grass that’s turning yellow in their pastures. Actually, it’s not getting to the grasshoppers, but I wish it were. Thursday morning I spied several cattle grazing on our lawn. These are calves, so I’m told. They look full-grown to me! Having cattle roaming the place... Read More

July 20 – Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

July 20 We’re all waiting with you, Annie — a lot of us remembering our own waiting. Two or three weeks before our due dates, we think, “It could be any time.” Every night I’d go to bed thinking, “Maybe it’ll be tonight.” And the due date comes and goes, and that contented little ball on the front of you doesn’t even give it a nod! It’ll come. You’ve been praying for a long time that God would have him come... Read More

July 19 – Psalm 37: 1-11, Philippians 4:6-7, Romans 8:28

So I’m thinking — heat and drought and grasshoppers. how do I, in practice, live with them and still live “above” them? I remember reading about a boy that they said was the first to actually survive rabies. When the reporter asked the staff at the hospital how they did it, they said they just dealt with each symptom as it came up. I can do that. Get up early and water what I can. Spray what I can. Ask God for what I need. Remember it’s temporary.... Read More

July 18 – Colossians 3:2

I didn’t want o get out of bed this morning. Every time I check, the forecast for the next week is 1 or 2 degrees higher. Now it’s up to 106-108 degrees. And the grasshoppers are destroying everything. Squash, corn, sweet potatoes. The peach tree and the lilac are completely defoliated, and they’re starting on the apricot. No! Not my apricot! But I did get up. And I went to church, which put my perspective back together again. We do live in this world,... Read More

Annie Had Her Baby…Shower!

Last Saturday we threw a “Bee My Baby” Shower for Annie! She plans to use Burt’s Bees Baby products for her little boy, so we had fun planning a bee theme, with some daisies thrown in for good measure. (Click any image to view it larger. Click here to view my bee baby shower idea collection on Pinterest with links to ideas and places to buy supplies.) I had just moved, so lots of people pitched in to help me pull this party together. Several people helped with... Read More

July 17 – John 4:14

It was kind of sad driving down to your place yesterday. Except for the irrigated ones, all the fields were stressed. And then you showed me the corn fields, acres and acres parched beyond recovery, not even good for ensilage. Without water, it can’t live. And without Water, we can’t Live. Annie, we HAVE Water, and there are people around us, dying because they don’t. Father, open our eyes to them before they’re beyond recovery, and make us faithful... Read More