Key Change

No matter how many times we visit, I am always amazed at the beauty of Big Sky and Legends Ranch.  As we pulled into the driveway I couldn't help but smile with the joy of feeling at "home".  The first Christmas after my mom passed away, we were invited out by my gracious aunt and uncle to spend the holidays with them.  As hard as the first Christmas was without Mom, Legends provided a place of healing and comfort.  It has continued to do so over the past two years and I am so thankful for God's continued blessing upon our family.

Our flight landed in Bozeman late morning and we spent a majority of the day doing some last minute Christmas shopping.  The weather was beautiful--what my aunt likes to call "Big Sky Blue":) and the sunshine provided some vitamin D I have been missing back in WI.  We eventually headed out of town and up into the mountains, arriving at Legends mid-afternoon.  It has been relaxing to say the least ever since.  We picked up a beautiful Christmas tree, one that takes up a larger part of the living room--and I spent the latter part of the evening sitting by the fireplace lost in a book.

This afternoon as I was browsing the bookshelf, I decided to sit down on the nearby grand piano.  I haven't touched one in years--I still harbor some bitter feelings after being "forced" to play for 7 yrs by my loving parents...:)--but found myself opening the pages to a Christmas carol.  I surprised myself at how quickly I remembered how to read notes and anyone within a listening ear's reach, could probably have hummed along.  I only stayed for a few minutes, but left with a strange feeling of accomplishment.  Any one of my students could've probably played what I had, but still I walked away feeling proud and it got me thinking.  I didn't sit down and play with perfection, but instead worked through each note, often pressing the wrong one, hearing the mistake, and then searching for the correct key.  After several attempts  and a little perseverance, I would play the whole song, each note contributing to a beautiful melody.  I began to transfer this lesson within my own life.

When I think back to my years of piano, I most often recall feelings of frustration and impatience.  I wanted to become Mozart, but didn't want to put the time and practice into it.  Eventually I would convince my parents to let me quit and take up ballet instead.  I realized today, how often I do this in other aspects of my life.  I try something new, then get frustrated and give up or doubt my purpose or need within that given task--something I need to work on.

I believe God has our life written out before us, similar to a piece of music.  We simply have to work through each "note" believing that in the end it will create a perfect melody. I realize that sounds super cheesy and new age, but hear me out.  In music you have sharp and flat notes, which by themselves sound downright wrong.  But when played with other notes, creates a beautiful chord. In life we may feel like the situation or "note" we are facing is too painful or off-key.  However it is needed to shape us into better people--to bring us to the place in life God wants us to be.  We simply need to trust that He has created a beautiful future for us--to play each note regardless of how we think it sounds--to persevere through each hardship knowing that it is molding us into better people--and to rely on him for strength and comfort through it.

I told you, Legends is a place of healing and reflection--I am so thankful to be here this week.  Have a wonderful Christmas Eve and remember the real reason to find joy in this holiday season.  God Bless and Merry Christmas!!! XOXO

Caught on camera:)

Contentment

I was reminded again at my need to be content and patient in circumstances by one of my favorite authors, Joyce Meyer.  Enjoy:)

Thanks Christa Michels for first sharing with the social network:) 

How To Be Content

by Joyce Meyer

The Bible clearly teaches us to "be content" no matter what our circumstances are. In Philippians 4:11, Paul said, "I have learned in whatsoever state I am in therewith to be content." The Amplified Bible describes being content as "satisfied to the point where you are not disturbed or disquieted". It doesn't say satisfied to the point where you don't want change, but satisfied for now until God brings the change. Philippians 4:6-7 sheds more light in this area by saying, "Have no anxiety about anything, but in all things by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, continue to let God know what you want", and verse 7 "the peace that passes understanding shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus". Allow me to paraphrase these scriptures in my language for you. Don't be upset about anything, no matter what is happening. Pray about it, and tell God your need. While you are waiting for God to move, be a very thankful and grateful person for all that God has done for you already. (Note: Let me say here that if God never did one thing for us except write our names in the Lamb's Book of Life, that alone is more than enough.)

Being thankful from the heart is necessary for the receiving of God's continued favors in our lives. Then verse 7 says after this: 

1. Have no anxiety or care, 

2. Tell God your need, and 

3. Be thankful. 

Then you will have tremendous peace and contentment no matter what state you are in while you are waiting for God to work out His will in your life. 

Let us not forget Romans 8:28 that says, "All things work together and are fitting into a plan for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose."  Even the hard times can work into God's perfect plan for your life. Cast your care, and be a thankful person. Take inventory each day of what you have instead of counting up all the things that you have not. Meditate on what God has done in your life instead of what you are still waiting on Him to do. Your flesh wants you to concentrate on what you don't have. Your spirit wants you to ask God for what you don't have, yet concentrate on what you do have. 

John 14:27 (Amplified) says, "Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled." Jesus left us a legacy of peace, and He wants us to use it. I have discovered through years of experience, many of these years spent in frustration and discontentment, that the secret of being content is to ask God for what I want, and know that "if it is right" He will bring it to pass "at the right time," and if it isn't right, God will do something much better than what I asked for anyway. We must learn to trust God completely if we ever intend to enjoy peaceful living. It is good to trust God for something, but God is calling His people not only to trust Him "for something," but to trust Him "in everything." 

In Genesis 50:20, Joseph, speaking to his brothers who had severely mistreated him, said "As for you, you thought evil against me; but God meant it for good." The very things we think are awful right now, very often can turn out to be a great blessing. The greatest trial can develop in you the greatest faith. God spoke this to my heart a while ago: "Joyce, you see to the end of your nose (which isn't very far), and you assume that anything that doesn't feel good isn't good. But I see from beginning to end because I am The Beginning and The End, and I know many things you don't know." We know in part. God is "The All'.

Exercise doesn't feel good, but it is good. When a rebellious child receives a spanking, it doesn't feel good, but it is good. Hebrews 12 teaches us that no chastening for the present seems joyous but grievous, nevertheless, later on it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Perhaps we need to learn to be more concerned with later on than with right now. Hebrews 12 also says that for the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame, but He is now seated at the right hand of God. Let's be willing to endure for a season, if it will seat us at His right hand of authority and power. 

In conclusion, let me say that the sum of the whole matter is this: Trust God! Hide yourself in the secret place (in Him). God loves you. He is a good God who only does good things. Be content knowing that His way is perfect, and He brings with Him a great recompense of reward for those who trust in Him. 

---

This article is taken from Joyce's audio teaching, Contentment and Satisfaction.

Thankfulness

In a room full of family--of aunts and uncles, moms and dads, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters--we each stop to take a moment and bow our heads in prayer. We stand hand in hand, in the warmth of our home, thanking God for the many blessings He has given to us. Other than the sound of my cousins strong voice, all is quiet.

Moments before, the house is in a rather chaotic state...the kitchen is busy with turkey basting, potato mashing, and pie perfecting.  The kids can be found outside playing a game of football, while the dads relax in the living room catching up on the latest ESPN highlights.

I look forward to such treasured time with family.  While each year brings different hardships and struggles, we always seem to find strength from each other, bringing laughter and comfort to each holiday spent together.  I am so thankful and abundantly blessed with such an amazing family, and so many other wonderful things...Tonight I am especially thankful for,

1. Jesus and the freedom I have in Him.
2. My family.  For a Dad who has shown me how to love and live a life centered on God. Who tries his hardest to be a Dad and a Mom, and puts up with the overly emotional and often irrational personalities of his eldest daughter. For my sister and brother--they are both such strong, kind, and loving people full of strength and bravery.
3. My mom.  I could not be more thankful for a mom who has taught me everything it takes to be a woman after Gods own heart.  She was such a true example of kindness, gentleness, peace, patience.  And the faith that is now her sight, is a faith I will continue to hold onto until I see her again. Every day without her, is one day closer to being with her again...
4. My friends and family.  I am so blessed to be surrounded by people who have loved me, carried me, and simply done life with me:) You know who you are...and I thank you.
5. My freedom. To those who are serving our country tonight, I thank you and pray God's protection upon you. To those who have lost their lives fighting for my freedom, I remember you and pray for your families.

My list could go on forever, but I can hear the laughter erupting from downstairs, what I can only assume to be a crazy game of Balderdash.  Plus I'm pretty sure I have a slice (or 2) of pumpkin pie with my name on them.  Remember, there is so much to be thankful for.  Today and everyday. Happy Thanksgiving!!
XO

New Beginnings

As I sit at my kitchen counter looking out at the rain wash away the bright, vibrant colors of fall I am amazed at how life has a way of catching up with us.  Here I am, graduated from college at the very start of my career with so much ahead of me, yet I can't help wanting to slam on the brakes and just try to catch my breath.  This is probably due to the fact that ever since I got the call from my hometown school district offering me a teaching position I haven't stopped running--running last minute errands, running copies, or stopping the endless runny noses:)

I never thought I would be back home to start my teaching career.  In fact, I promised myself and those around me that Eagle River was the last place I was headed.  I had dreams of graduate school, overseas missions, and living in Music City.  But as always, life has a way of working out in a much different way than we ever plan.  I am now living back home with 16 kids of my own--at least for about 8 hours a day. This means I no longer have an immune system or the desire/need to unpack my collection of cute heels (however I refuse to ever completely compromise my sense of fashion for snowmen sweaters), but it has been an unexpected blessing.  I can't imagine being anywhere else right now--I absolutely love being back in such a familiar place, surrounded by wonderful people who know me, my family, and truly care about me.  I am working alongside teachers who I once had as my own, and walking the same halls that I once crowded with my friends.  It has had it's challenges and I am learning so much about myself, learning what it means to be truly patient:) But most of all I am learning that no matter where God brings us, whether we plan on it or not, He has us exactly where we are meant to be.  And for the time being, that place is right here at home.  It's my time to stop looking backward or forward and simply live for today.

Here's a glimpse into my world now:) Enjoy.

Southern Wedding

I had planned on summing up our second adventure to Nashville weeks ago, unfortunately summer not only comes with fun vacations, but also the crazy hectic schedule of a summer job.  Nevertheless, I have a morning off with no dirty diapers to change or little mouths to feed. I am finally able to enjoy a cup of coffee (from my cliche Starbucks Nashville mug) and the summer breeze from my bedroom window.  So lets rewind several weeks ago to a Friday night at the Belle Meade Plantation.

God couldn't have brought two better people together.  I have known Mike since freshman year of college and to try and sum him up in a few sentences would be near impossible.  I am so thankful for our friendship, and the fact that he has put up with me for the last four years showcases his wonderful character. 

He introduced me to Katie during a visit to Oshkosh back in April and I immediately saw why God brought them together.  She was the perfect balance to Mike K. Chastain :) She is one of the most welcoming, sincere people I know, and her heart for others is rooted in a deep love for the Lord.  Together, they make one heck of a team :) 

On our last Nashville road trip, we were able to visit the Belle Meade Plantation with the couple and get a taste of what the ceremony would look like (along with a sample of the winery's blackberry wine).  The plantation is absolutely beautiful with several restored  stables and buildings which houses the reception and ceremony.  The weather was perfect for the Chastain wedding and the actual ceremony took place outside just as the sun was setting--coincidence? I think not. 

I don't think there was a dry eye in the place (including the groom, who would claim otherwise;)  after the exchanging of vows and rings.  I'm such a sucker for love stories :) 

If ya'll haven't ever been to a southern wedding before, I highly suggest crashing one.  They are amazing! Way more laid back then the typical midwest wedding, complete with the 2 hour long cocktail hour and dreaded chicken dance.  Plus who doesn't enjoy a great BBQ and sweet tea?! 

The rest of the evening included heartfelt speeches, tearful Father-daughter/Mother-son dances, and the Cupid Shuffle (again, no chicken dance folks). 

We spent the rest of our weekend in Nashville hitting up the local karaoke bars, walking Broadway, and enjoying all that is the Wild Horse Saloon.  Before we knew it, we were checking out of our hotel and starting the 10 hour long car ride back to Sconnie, without managing to avoid the traffic jam in Chicago or the dreaded trek through Gary, Indiana.  Eh, worth it:) 

In front of the Belle Meade Mansion

*Anthony Wahl Photography:)

L-O-V-E 

Pandora and Packing

Nashville is less than 2 days away and I couldn't be more excited!!! Looking forward to a weekend of wedding vows and friends:)

Also loving this man's voice, while packing my suitcase.

Never too old for Play-dough

I have officially started my job for the summer as a full time nanny for two very adorable little girls.  I am loving it so far and am looking forward to the few months ahead.  I have been trying to come up with some fun activities to do with the girls, so today we made homemade play-dough.  Normally I am somewhat of a neat freak and like to have order in the kitchen.  However, that doesn't always work out when you are working with flour, food coloring, and a 3 year old.  So instead of trying to completely control the outcome of our little experiment, I set up my camera and decided to just embrace the moment. =)

And really, other than my perma-stained hand from the food coloring, the kitchen looked spotless after we were finished.  I was happy.

Ella, my little helper, all ready to mix our concoction. 

Okay so maybe I took control for a little bit....

She called this "Shrek gum"???  =)

Little Aubrey watching her big sister

Trying to convince me to let her taste it....

Never too late for Christmas cut-outs

A fun end to the perfect day=)