Been Some Time... Random Thoughts

It's been a few weeks since my last post. Sometimes it amazing me how quick time goes by... you have all been as close as a prayer to me. I am looking forward to having some time to catch up with all of you.

So what has happened in the past two weeks. Spring arrived! Yeah! With the warmer temps our business has really picked up and it's been difficult to find time to blog. I have had so many thoughts running through this head of mine to write about, but finding the time to really sit down and put a pen to paper has been difficult. I am not complaining as this is truly an answer to prayer. With each phone call that comes in, each new listing or new buyer I lift up my hands and my eyes and say thank you! God truly is providing! I am thankful beyond measure for His grace, mercy and His promise to never leave me.

With the warmer temps we are also getting out and riding our bikes. Been getting in some pretty good rides for this time of year. Our longest is 48 miles. That will obviously increase as the weather warms, but for now I am enjoying getting my base miles in. I have still been doing the strength and endurance class I joined back in Novemeber. I absolutely love it! I am really beginning to see the results! It's a tough class, but I obviously like pain! (LOL)

We have also taken some time to clean up around the outside of the house. Raking out flower beds, moving a few shrubs and getting some spring veggies planted in the garden. The peas, onions, turnips (for greens) beets and radishes have been planted. I am hoping this weekend is warm so I can put in another planting of onions and get my lettuces planted in the window box planters that are still sitting on the patio. Gardening is one thing that brings us such joy. I am looking forward to the warmer days ahead, cooking out and relaxing of an evening on the patio w/ Jim and the dog.

This week is Spring Break week for many of the local school systems. I am hoping that my nieces and nephews will get to come and spend the night w/ us one evening this week. We always have so much fun. If they do spend the night it's a must that Uncle Jimmy makes pancakes for breakfast! We play games, pop popcorn and the girls always bring a movie for us to watch!

We host our family Easter Lunch every year so I have also been busy preparing our menu etc. We will have 25 plus people over on Easter Sunday. It's always such a wonderful day as we gather together as family celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord!

I look forward to catching up with you all this week! You are so dear to me! I have missed you! The title of this post included the words "random thoughts". I know this was all pretty random! ;) Just wanted to catch up w/ ya'll!

This coming Sunday we will celebrate Palm Sunday. Doesn't is seem that we just celebrated Christmas? Like I said... time sure does fly! In the next two weeks, as you journey with Jesus... from his trimuphant entry into Jerusalem to the Last Supper, to Gesthemane, to the Cross and ultimately his glorious resurrection I pray that you experience each moment with Jesus. Take it in... every bit of it... thank him, praise him, rejoice! This journey... he did it for you and for me. As I think of Jesus' passion I am reminded of this verse from "How Great Thou Art"

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

Yes... how great a love Jesus has for us! Let your soul sing!
Much Love,

Conclusion ~ Take it to the Lord ~ AND... A New Family Member!

I can't believe almost 7 weeks have passed since my "Take it to the Lord" posts started. This is the final week of our workbook and the final week of these posts. Please know, that I will continue to pray for many of you, as I know that some of the prayer requests are ongoing.

These last 7 weeks have been intense. Full of ups and downs, joys and sorrows, praises and pleadings... but the best part of the whole journey has been my intimacy with the Lord. Communicating with Him on an entirely different level. Growing in my prayer time and my prayer life. That is something that I will carry on well beyond the 7 weeks.

It has been a privelege and a pleasure to pray with you and on your behalf during this time. I hope all of you know that anytime you need prayer... drop me an email or post a comment. I look forward to getting back into the routine of checking in on all of you through your blogs... I have missed visiting you!

Now... I want to introduce you to the newest memeber of our family!

Meet Chase August Hensley

Chase was born last night at 11:15pm to our sweet niece Chrissy and her husband Zack. His middle name is August after Jim's dad. Some of you might remember that Jim's dad passed away this past September.

We do need your prayers. Little Chase was born w/ a pretty high temp. Chrissy was running a temp of 102 last night as well. This morning both mama and baby are fever free... so we are praying all is well. Chrissy had a very long day. Got to the hospital on Sunday night... due to some complications she was unable to have the procedure she went in for, and they induced yesterday morning. Needless to say Chrissy is very tired. Chase weighed in a 7 pounds 5 oz. I was not given his length. We were all more worried about the fever! He's a strong little guy...

Again, thank you for the privelege of praying for you. Thank you for praying for me! Pray on, Prayer Warriors!
Much Love,
K

Take it to the Lord ~ Week 6

Hello my bloggy friends!

Firstly, I have to tell you how much I have missed visiting your individual blogs. I haven't had a lot of extra time due to the time I have devoted to this prayer journey. The daily workbook, prayer time, preparing to lead our group as well as work (it's picked up a bit), and the daily tasks that fill my day. I do look forward to getting back to visiting you regularly soon. We are down to the last two weeks and it's been a wonderful journey. Full of ups, downs and in betweens. As I am deepening my time that I commuincate with God I have definitely felt times when the enemy is trying to weasel his way in. I am thankful that I am able to recognize those times and tell him to "get lost"! :)

I am continuing my comittment to pray for you... this past week we focused on the power of petition as well as intercession. How I have enjoyed praying for you! So, if there is anything burdening your heart this week, a prayer of praise or thanksgiving, a prayer for a friend or family member... I would love to devote time to pray! (you should see the paper prayer chain)

Place your request by clicking the post comment link at the bottom of this post or email me.


On another note... spring is beginning to waken. We have enjoyed some wonderful temps this past weekend. I had the windows thrown open, letting the fresh air in. The grass is beginning to show signs of green, the tulips & daffodils are beginning to peek through the ground ready to grace us with some wonderful color! God is getting His paintbrush ready to color our landscape! I hope you take some time during the day to take in His majesty! The miracle of spring, re-birth! How appropriate that Easter comes this time of year!

I am excited about sprucing up our landscaping this year as well as digging in the dirt getting our veggie garden ready. I think this year more so than most I am looking forward to saving some money by growing my own veggies. I love to can tomatoes and put other veggies up in the freezer (it's a bit of summer in the winter).

Have a wonderful week my friends!
Much Love in Christ!

Take it to the Lord ~ Week 5

I am a day late w/ my post... yesterday just got away from me.

Last week we studied the Lord's Prayer. I hope as you prayed the prayer Our Lord taught us to pray that you heard all He has to say to you in that prayer. It's so much more than the prayer we collectively prayer during church.

Before I get down to asking for your prayer requests, I want to share something that just hit me right square between the eyes last week. On day 4 the workbook reading & reflecting focused on "Thy Will be Done". We learned that Jesus didn't teach us that God would give us anything and everything we ask for - that we live in a trusting relationship with God, presenting our requests but the summary of our prayer is "Thy will be done." Here's what hit me... "God did not give Jesus everything he asked." What? Why had this never occured to me before? God didn't give Jesus everything he asked?

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." ~ Matthew 26: 39

Jesus agoninzed over what was about to happen. So much so that his sweat was tinged with blood. "Let this cup pass" Lord, if it be possible deliver me from death. God's answer to that petition was "no". But notice... after Jesus prayed for the cup to pass from him, he also said that it be God's will, not his will be done. Isn't that amazing! I hope you take time to reflect this week on God's will and the beauty of it. It is my belief that God answers ALL prayer. It might not always be the answer (our will)we are seeking. His answer is His will be done. Sometimes those answers are painful. I asked for a child for many years. The answer was painful. The answer was no. But I do understand this... He is glorified in that "no" answer. His will is also that He is faithful to His Word !!! No matter the circumstance He will never leave us.

This week we are focusing more deeply on confession and petitions. I look forward to sharing with you next week what God teaches me!

Again, I desire to pray for you or for someone you know that needs prayer. You may leave your request by clicking the post comment link at the bottom of this post, or you can email me.

I had asked for prayers for my friend Paula last week. She and her husband are in the process of adopting twins from Ethiopia. Just to update you... their court date has been postponed until March 13th. I ask that you continue to lift them in prayer, especially on March 13th for a successful court date. If you have the opportunity, please drop by her blog and give her a word of encouragement.

Sarah ~ Nesting in Pleasant View brought her sweet baby girl home this week! Anna Claire came into this world a bit early, but is doing very well! That Anna Claire did so well, and came home so soon... that's a mountain moved in prayer my friends!

Love you friends!