A Mind Blowing Truth

You may want to take a seat, this may blow your mind. Are you sitting? Ok take a deep breath. I'm not sure how to break this to you so I'm going to just come out and say it.


Jesus  is not a democrat OR a republican.    * insert crickets chirping


Does this change the truth of who He is? Absolutely not! Does this mean we do not vote or live our lives according to truth and moral standards? Absolutely not! Does this mean we love everyone, just the way Jesus loved? Absolutely!

 John 1:14
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Jesus...full of GRACE and TRUTH.

For those of us who believe we must season our truth with grace. This does not make the truth any less true. In fact you will find grace brings us to the feet of Jesus. When we extend that grace we point others to the feet of Jesus. The feet of TRUTH! 

Happy Birthday Grandma

Today would have been my grandmother's birthday. It's been over a year since she went on to her reward, but who she was continues to be ingrained into the fabric of my life today. I know I have mentioned at least once if not more my greatest memory of her. That will always be her smiling face waiting for me at the breakfast table. As a child you never really think about the life that was before you. Everything you know about a person seems to inherently be the way they have always been. As I get older I think about my own life before and after children. I realize how much life my grandmother lived even before I was even a thought in anyone's mind. I think about the trials and tribulations she faced raising her own children, living on modest means, running a small town business with my grandfather. Even though no metaphorical ship ever came in for them she lived her life with a joy few ever really know.
I miss her today. On mornings that feel particularly rough there is almost nothing I wouldn't give to walk down the hallway of her house, led by the most irresistible smell of bacon and see her sitting at that breakfast table ready to talk to me and make me feel like the most important person in the world.
Even though that is no longer possible in this life, the reminder of a woman tested by time, marked with joy, a lover of God, gives me encouragement to live my life in the same manner.

Feeling Frazzled

Maybe it's just a hitch in my routine, I'm not entirely sure, but today has me feeling frazzled. We had an appointment with the Dr. this morning to get some yearly check ups done for the two oldest. Micah needed some booster vaccinations. Yes I have chosen to allow most vaccinations for my children, but I support those who make the decision not to. I always dread office visits. I appreciate the advent of many modern medical technologies, but sometimes a visit to the doctor seems to be more of a quiz on my parenting decisions, than simply a check up. I believe it all started when I told the doctor I chose not to give my children the flu vaccine. For more information on that decision you can red this link:
http://drbenkim.com/cold-flu-difference-health.html
I'm not here to debate what is right or wrong, but you would have thought I had told the doctor I would prefer to leave my children in the freezing cold with no food or clothing.
Ok maybe that's a little exaggeration, but I know she was not happy with my decision, and she made sure to make several comments and leave me an informational pamphlet in case I changed my mind.
Parenting is a tough job. I struggle daily to make the most informed decisions possible for my children, and sometimes still second guess myself. It can be even harder in a world full of opinions and helpful advice waiting to be dispensed at every corner.
All of this has built up to one frazzling day as I try to steer clear of what everyone "thinks" and still try to maintain my patience while wrangling a toddler and teaching the older ones. 

I guess you could say I need an extra dose of grace today.  It's not just an extra dose for me, but for me to share with those around me. Even as I write this I realize I have been a little thin skinned. Sometimes to truly benefit from the grace Christ has poured out upon us we really have to extend that grace to others, even when it feels like we are on the end of an attack. Now if you'll excuse me I need to go give my children a hug and ask their forgiveness for letting my frazzling day become their frazzling day.

September Baby

September baby you changed my life forever

Laid upon my chest, life would never be the same

A stranger, yet so familiar

Sweet spirit, my heart you did quickly claim

September baby I can never let you go

But the years they keep turning

I know this day will come

For this I am not yearning

September baby I'll hold you close

You're the apple of my eye

No matter where the journey leads

My open arms, always close by

Shaking Things Up

I've talked a lot about him, and I'm sure most of you readers know him, but we're going to get a little crazy here. Chris will be guest blogging for me within the next two weeks. I thought it would be fun to hear some insights from my best friend and partner in life. I've given him permission to write about anything he wants. Chris wasn't exactly keen on the idea, but I know you'll give him a warm welcome! Stay tuned.

I know my audience isn't very large, but I see I've received a few hits from around the globe so I thought I'd address the name change you may or may not have noticed. I've wanted to change the name for some time, but I went through a little blogging drought so it all was placed on the back burner. Suddenly the inspiration to write just hit me, I love when that happens! It got me thinking about changing things up. I'm definitely no web guru so it may be awhile before I have a fancy template, but a name is somewhere to start.
I chose Coffee for the Journey because to me writing, reading, and sharing is like a good cup of coffee. It brings people together in a special way. There are many flavor profiles. There are many ways to enjoy a cup of coffee. In the end it's not so much the drink, but the sense of community it brings. Please if you are not a coffee drinker do not feel isolated, pull up a comfy armchair with your favorite hot beverage of choice and jump into the adventure.

I'm happy to have you all along the way again. Please feel free to join in the conversation, or simply read and enjoy. 

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is a special day. It will mark 11 years that I have known the love of my life. It is nothing official like a wedding anniversary, but is the beginning of our story. It is a drama, comedy, love story, fraught with some pinches of tragedy. I believe every great story should contain each of these elements. Our story may not be extraordinary in a line up of couples. That is not to say we have not had our fair share of excitement. Perhaps the greatest quality it contains is an undercurrent of slow, steady love. While the surface may be raging, which with two passionate people this will occur from time to time, underneath lies something than cannot fail. If it fails it is not love.
This is our story. It continues on because of our commitment to this love.

Back in the Saddle

Close your eyes and imagine Gene Autry serenading you.
Ok are you all with me?
Good, here we are again ambling through the last (fingers crossed) of the dog days of summer.
Yesterday we jumped back into the homeschooling thing. Yup that's right, one year didn't kill us and we're back for more. It has been good to have a routine again. This year is more about learning to incorporate the two younger ones. Last year was quite a struggle with a newborn latched to me pretty much 24/7. I was still working two days a week, and Chris was worn out working two jobs to help keep us afloat. Those were some dark days, not that we did not have moments of joy, but it was a season of tough growth. I look at where we were then and where we are now and I am eternally grateful for the changes God has brought about in out lives.

I have spent a lot of time adapting this summer to being home full time. I have cried a lot, and questioned if my sanity is truly in check. I have doubted my worth, and wondered if I would ever be myself again. I love my children. I have just never felt like a professional mom. As all moms do you start to worry that you will somehow lose who you are trying to take care of everyone else. Then one day I had an epiphany. I have grace and God has equipped me to do this. It is not to take away from who I am, but to enhance those qualities and maybe do some chiseling on those diamonds in the rough. Wiping butts, cleaning the house, teaching my children, reading Curious George Makes Pancakes for the 100th time, is my worship to God. Does this mean I cannot do anything else? Does this mean my only worth will lie in the confines of the domestic? Absolutely not! I will be faithful in what can seem overwhelming yet mundane, in the jobs that many look at with disdain. I will embrace the time God has given me to raise these young souls to fear God and love people fiercely. In these seemingly small things I am building a legacy. I will continue to read, grow, and pursue many personal interests, but I rest securely knowing God is in control of where I am going. Each step is crucial in the journey. There is no use fighting when you can enjoy the scenic road.