The Past {ten} Years

Today starts my final week being spent in my 20's. For next week at this time, I begin in on a new decade...30!
I know for some, reaching this point in their lives is troublesome and upsetting.
Me? Eh...it's just another chapter in my written story. Another part of this amazing journey that I am forever blessed to be on.
However, in lieu of this most important chapter, I thought I would reflect back on the past ten years of my life...the ten years spent in my twenties...and reminisce a bit. It is quite amazing how much wonder and joy can be accomplished in ten years!

:: falling in love
:: graduating from college
:: finally making my own money
:: visiting Hawaii...twice!
:: experiencing a painful situation for the first time on my own...5000 miles away from my parents!
:: realizing for the first time that I am now an adult and can make my own decisions
:: getting engaged
:: getting married
:: buying our first home
:: honeymooning
:: finding out we were pregnant...joy!
:: hearing that little heartbeat for the first time
:: feeling the little kick of baby feet
:: becoming a mother
:: falling in love...again...with this beautiful, little, blessing
:: re-dedicating my life to Christ
:: being water baptized with my husband
:: dedicating a promise to my daughter and to Jesus that we will raise her to know and love Him
:: finding out we were pregnant...again!
:: finding out we were having a little boy
:: quitting my job to stay home full time...a dream come true
:: having the littlest bundle of joy placed in my arms almost three years ago and feeling my heart getting ready to burst because it was full of so much love!
:: another dedication and a promise to teach him Jesus all the days of his life
:: reading through the entire Bible in 90 days
:: baking homemade bread for the first time
:: making new friends
:: re-kindling old friendships
:: becoming a coffee-a-holic
:: realizing just how good sushi really is
:: started a blog
:: decided to homeschool
:: watching the love my children have for each other grow
:: being here to experience all the "new" in my childrens lives
:: sewed a quilt
:: sewed clothing and toys for my children
:: knitted a sweater
:: discovering new dreams
:: truly realizing and appreciating the littlest things in life that are worth the most
:: expecting a third, tiny, miracle
:: seeing my daughters faith outshine mine
:: crying tears of joy at the first sounds of my children praying
:: realizing that laughter truly is the best medicine
:: learning to trust
:: humbling myself before Him who has blessed me with so much

to be continued...

What an amazing journey God has placed me on and I am thrilled to start on this new chapter. So much more to take place in our lives, I am sure of it! He has not given up on me yet and I know He never will!

Thank you, Lord, for an amazing 29 years! Looking forward to all you have in store for me as this chapter closes and another one begins; for you write the most amazing, beautiful, stories. I am truly honored and blessed to call you my King!

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.”  ~ Proverbs 31:30

{weekending}

This weekend was spent enjoying some much needed down time.
The cooler temps and rainy weather made it perfect for said relaxation.
Chili cooking in the crock pot and yummy cornbread muffins for dinner on Saturday night.
Having the hands of my beloved hold a pretty, new, skein of yarn while I wound it into a gorgeous, new, ball in excited anticipation of getting it onto the needles!
Enjoying the first three movies in this series and looking forward to obtaining and watching the rest. So very good! I belong in that time period!
Saturday night game of Scrabble and laughter...always laughter!
Today will begin with church and later result in much of the same as yesterday!
Relaxing, loving, enjoying, laughing!

How was your weekend?


weekending with Amanda...

“Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest. In plowing time and in harvest you shall rest." ~ Exodus 34:21

Yarn Along {9} :: Knitting with Purpose

Ever since writing this post last week, so much has been revealed to me. I think it is because I finally admitted my hurts and my struggles and let God finally in, instead of steeling myself against Him and shutting Him out - feeling like I had it all under control, when I most certainly did not! 

I started reading the book, Kisses from Katie,and wow! This book is powerful, inspiring, encouraging, humbling, and just all together slap-in-my-face, stop-my-whining, good! It makes you realize all that you have and, it made me realize, all that I need to be doing for Christ! It is the true story of a young girl who, straight out of high school, left her family, friends, boyfriend, and all that she was familiar with, and went to spend a year in Uganda, helping to teach in an orphanage.  What became of that commitment, that Yes to God, is awe-inspiring and makes me want to do something radical for Christ! 

Now, I know this is not the radical you may have expected, but it is a start. I know how to knit. I have the supplies needed and I had the time to do it, so I knit up some Pockets for Africa after reading this post by Lori! I felt an urging on my heart to do this small, simple, task to help make a big difference! Praying they place a huge smile on the face of their recipients and that they know that someone, so many miles away, is thinking and praying for them! 

This all ties in with what I also read in A Knitter's Home Companion about knitting for a cause! It struck me then to try and knit something(s) for those in need! And then I stumbled across Lori's blog post and read Katie's wordsand voila! Isn't it amazing how God works in our lives, even in the smallest of ways!?! All of this being placed before me to bring honor and glory to Him! 

He reminds me that all of this life requires more of Him and less of me. God does give us more than we can handle. Not maliciously, but intentionally, in love, that His glory may be displayed, that we may have no doubt of who is in control, that people may see His grace and faithfulness shining through our lives. 

~ Katie Davis

********************

As far as an update on the Oaklet Shawl, I am just now adding the border, so I will  save you from another boring photo of pretty much the same thing and instead save them for a great reveal next week! 

Linking up with Ginny!

"Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. Don't give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down; he won't leave you." ~ Deuteronomy 31:6 {The Message}

Thank You!

I need to express my sincere thanks at your kind words and thoughtfulness left on my post from last week!
I was nervous to write that all out here; nervous about what you all might think.
Nervous that I was sounding whiny or ungrateful.
But the opposite rang true.
You lifted me up and I felt your prayers.

A lot has been revealed to me in these five short days. God has spoken to me through your words, the words in an unexpected book, and a sermon Sunday morning about trust that I definitely needed to hear!
I know how blessed I am. I know I have more than I possibly need or deserve. I know God has not given up on me - on us - and I am now actually excited to be waiting on what wonderful things He has planned. Whatever and wherever they may lead, I am prepared to go with an open heart and mind! Even if they are not part of my plan for my life. For thankfully God's plans have always been better than my own - as well as His timing!

I was reminded while reading this book of the story of Abraham and Sarah! One of my favorite Bible stories. How long did Sarah and Abraham have to wait for all that God promised them? Sara was what, 90 years old when God finally revealed His plan to her and gave Her the desires of her heart. {Genesis 21}Why would I consider myself any better or any more deserving of receiving my desires in a more timely matter? God will see us through - and I am willing and wanting to wait, obediently and patiently, on Him.

Thanks again sweet friends! I truly had not expected such kindness and I am humbled by God's grace!

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ~ Colossians 3:12            

From my kitchen

When the stresses of life start piling up, one thing that has always seemed to help, even if only a small bit, has been working with my hands. Whether it be in the kitchen, with needle and thread, or yarn, the act of creating something to be enjoyed with my hands is soothing. 

I have been in need of a bit of comfort and de-stressing this week, so I turned to my Yummy Food board on Pinterest and found a few delicious selections to try. Both looked and sound promising to relieve a bit of stress and put a smile on my face as well as the faces of the ones I can't get enough of! 

Thankfully, I was not disappointed. The Avocado Chicken Parmigiana {link to recipe} was as delicious as it looked! We have been eating a lot of avocados lately and this was just one more way to really enjoy them! The littles even ate and enjoyed a piece! 

This time of year is my favorite! I love all the fresh fruits and vegetables that become more easily available! Especially ripe, red, juicy strawberries! Mix them with a little lemon zest and some vanilla yogurt and you get the most delicious bundt cake {link to recipe} I have ever eaten! 

This cake turned out so moist and was the perfect accompaniment  to my favorite cup of coffee. The whole time I was eating a piece I kept thinking how perfect this would be for a mother's day brunch! 

What have you been creating from your kitchen lately? 

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:31

******************************************************************************

Thank you all so much for the kind and encouraging words left on yesterdays post! Reading that prayers were being said has already made me feel lighter! My God is SO good and I know and believe that He has not given up on us or this situation and I refuse to give up on His faithfulness to me!

When the waiting is hard

Six months. 

It's been six months since the first phone call was made.

Six months since the first meeting.

Six months since the papers were signed and it became official. 

Six months since we took that step of faith. 

Six months...and we are still here!

I'm not going to lie, trying to sell our house has been stressful. Showing after showing I tell myself not to get too excited and too expectant, but it is so hard. So hard not to think that this one person may be it! I am ready to move on. Ready for the next step. Ready to look for our house in the country with trees in the yard where a tire swing can hang! Where my kids can play freely. Where my dogs can run all day! Where {maybe} we can get some chickens and a few goats or sheep! Where we can start living out the rest of our dreams. 

After our most current showing, which was Sunday, I wept. The stress of hearing another, "it's too small", or "they didn't like that it was on-street parking" had finally taken it's toll. I stood by my kitchen sink with the cool breeze blowing my hair all around and let the tears come. I cried out to God for His strength because I was losing mine. I was losing my faith. 

I'm not sure how long I stood there weeping before my husband came in and placed his arms around me. He hates to see me so upset, but immediately he knew why. It was a comfort I needed, just having him hold me. His reassurance that everything was going to work out was kind, but hadn't helped. I was sick of hearing that. Sick of people telling me that it was just not the right time, or the right people! Sick of waiting! 

I want it to be the right time! I want the right people to finally walk through my front door and say "we'll take it"! I want my children to have their own rooms and I want a closet of my own.  I want, I want, I want, I, I, I! 

I have forgotten! I have lost focus! It is not about what I want and when! And how long have I known this? It is all about His time! His perfect timing and perfect will are all part of His perfect plan! 

But it is hard...waiting! Trusting and believing! A new babe on the way has added to the stress of it. Thankfully, she can sleep soundly next to mama's bed for a while, but there will come a time when she will outgrow that little bed and need a place of her own. Then what? In a two bedroom home, our options are limited. I have all this and more swarming around in my head and I just want it to go! I want to put it all to the side and think only on Him and what He has planned for us! Why is that so hard? Why do we put ourselves through unnecessary stresses when He has it all under control?

Why is it so hard to let go and let God? 

Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. ~ James 5:11

"When I was waiting quietly for the Lord, His heart was turned to me, and He gave ear to my cry." Psalms 40:1

******************************************

Friends, I would really appreciate some prayers right now! Prayers that I remain faithful and trusting in the One who has given me all...everything! Prayers to have this burden lifted and the stress of it gone! In Jesus Name! 

Yarn Along {8}

This week has gone by so quickly! I cannot believe it is Wednesday already and I am sitting here writing out yet another Yarn Along post! However, this has just as quickly become my favorite day! I look forward to browsing at all the wonderful blogs of fellow yarn alongers for not only knitting inspiration, but wonderful book recommendations as well!

Like this lovely read - A Knitter's Home Companion. After hearing so many of you say how wonderful of a book it was, I requested it at the library and could not wait to get my hands on it. I went out yesterday morning to pick it up and immediately began reading through it and falling in love. The stories, the patterns, the recipes - what a great, little, book! I was instantly hooked, so much so, that I came home and ordered myself, as well as a friend, a copy! I especially like the review quote from the front of the book and find it very fitting - "This is a charming and utterly alluring book that makes you want to cook and knit and have a little chat about the kids." ~ Jane Smiley.

I'm also still reading Firefly Lane, but it is really slow going for me and I'm having a hard time getting pulled into it. I am about halfway through and will continue, because I do not like leaving a book unfinished, but I am really hoping it gets better, soon!

The Oaklet Shawl is coming along great! I am so excited that I am so close to be doing done! I will most likely finish this with plenty of time left to get started on another one for my mother-in-law for Mother's Day! And this yarn...oh my! It is just perfect! I only wish I would have bought more than one skein. Actually, because I only bought just the one skein, I am having to do the border in another color. This skein will only be enough for the body of the shawl. Thankfully my LYS had some gorgeous 100% Alpaca available which I found in a lovely cream color that I think will knit up into a lovely border! I don't ever mind an excuse to buy more yarn!

Linking up once again with Ginny!




"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." ~ Proverbs 16:3

Priceless Works of Art

The sound of a lawnmower and the bright sun filtering through the drapes made it feel like a summer morning. Stepping outside and feeling the warmth hit my skin while looking up to see a blue, cloudless sky, confirmed that it was going to be a gorgeous day.

Breakfast eaten and the first load of laundry in, we headed outside with canvases, paintbrushes and paint. They were ready to create and I was ready to snap photos of every concentrated stroke.

"I'm going to make a spaceship!"
"And I am going to make a castle!"

It is such a joy to see them imagine and want to be creative. A smile spread across my face and stayed there, as my heart swelled with joy!

This is what it is all about. This is the childhood I want to give them. Making memories, having fun, being creative!

They painted for as long as they wanted. I snapped photos until I exhausted my camera, then sat to relax and be creative myself with knitting needles and yarn in hand. It was one of those picturesque, perfect, days that you want to bottle up and save to use again all over when a not-so beautiful day comes around!

"Are you going to hang these up inside the house, mama?" Emma asked with surprise in her voice.
"Of course I am! You and Caleb are great artists and great art deserves to be displayed!"
"Where at in the house are you gonna put them?"
"Right on the wall in the dining room - that way, everytime we sit to eat together as a family, or when company comes over, we will have gorgeous art to look at and admire!"
"Wow! I can't believe we get to put these on the wall in the dining room!! I can't wait to show daddy when he gets home!"

Emma's Secret Castle

Emma's Painting of Jesus Dying on the Cross for our Sins

Caleb's Spaceship

This house is a home - our home! And while they are still little and still here, I will decorate with their artwork and allow their toys to be scattered about on most days. Their books will intertwine with mine on the bookshelf and most knitted and sewn projects will be for them. For I know how fast time is going and I know what happens once they get older and this all begins to fade. Life goes back to how I like it and I no longer get to live it and enjoy it through the eyes of a little child.

The little things, little moments, little joys, is so very important to them. I do not want to miss out on giving them these special memories. Sure, the paintings are not Van Gogh or Picasso, and do not go with my decor, but it made them both proud seeing them hung there on the wall. They are more priceless to me than any piece of art or home decoration money could buy! They were made by the hands of the most precious parts of me!

*************
did you notice anything different around here? if so, what do you think? :)

How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. ~ Psalm 37:6

Yarn Along {7} :: Labor of Love

"Properly practiced, knitting soothes the troubled spirit, and it doesn't hurt the untroubled spirit, either." ~ Elizabeth Zimmermann

What I have learned while becoming a knitter is that knitting is not for the light-hearted. It is not for the one who gets easily discouraged and gives up. It requires patience; lots and lots of patience. It stirs up a desire in oneself to work until the beginning expectation  is reached. An excitement over the finished result. It is a painstaking process and makes {me anyway} want to scream and stomp my feet and throw a mini temper tantrum every so often, but when I see the end result, that is a priceless feeling! When I see the look of joy on the face of the recipient when they ask "you made this for me"? That is worth all of it! Knitting is a labor of love and unless you are a knitter {or crocheter, sewer, etc.} you truly do not realize the amount of work and oneself that gets poured into each and every project!

That being said, I had to rip back Caleb's Vest, again! Not the whole way back to the beginning, but back enough rows that I was ready to give up and never knit another thing again! Ok, that might not be necessarily true, but I was pretty discouraged and upset and I threw it in my knitting bag not to be looked at for a few days!

Once I did, however, relax, take a few deep breaths, and decide to give it another go, I made great progress and actually started to really enjoy knitting it again. I have no idea why this simple pattern is giving me so much trouble. Maybe I am still meant to learn something from it all!

While taking a hiatus from the Vest, I managed to cast on a shawl for my Aunt for her birthday next month. It is the Oaklet Shawl that I saw mention of by another yarn alonger. I am loving it and the pattern is so well written. It is coming along a lot nicer and a lot easier than the "simple" Vest I started for Caleb over a month ago! I am thinking of casting on another one for my mother-in-law for mother's day as well!

On the reading front, I finished The Secret Life of a Fool as well as Garden Spells. Both were great books. I am now reading Firefly Lane. This is my first time reading a book by Kristin Hannah and so far I am enjoying it. I have been warned that most of her books are tear jerkers of some sort, so I am prepared with kleenex's nearby me at all times while reading!

What have you been knitting/crocheting/reading these days?

Linking up with Ginny

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. ~ Genesis 50:20

They See Me

"Mama, I knit?"
"Sure, buddy. Come here."

We head over to my basket full of yarn and pick out a ball that is safe for little ones to pretend on. I hand him some knitting needles and he sits down in front of me, ready to create.

"Like this, mama?"
"Yes, buddy. That looks good!"
"I like the green sticks better. Green is my favorite color!"

Once she gets a listen as to what is going on, she is quickly by our sides, asking to join in.

"Mama, I want to knit too!"

"Come sit and grab some needles then."

"I know how to do this better than Caleb does. See, you twist it around like this!"

She sits, patiently, and concentrates on the yarn and the intertwining of the needles. I sit watching, amazed at her movements.

"Emma, how did you know how to knit?"

{I had yet to sit and actually show her how it was done.}

"I see you do it, mama."

"Emma do it better than me! Emma, teach me!"

"I can't teach you buddy, but mama can! Mama, will you teach him?"

"Sure, I can teach him. I would love to teach you both!"

"Mama, when I get big, I want to be a mama just like you!"

*be still my heart*

It amazed me how much she actually knew how to knit, just by watching me. If the simple act of sitting and knitting leaves an impression on them - a wanting to learn more about it - how much more of my life is leaving a positive reflection on their lives? Do they see Jesus in me? The most important aspect of my life that I want them to get; to learn? Am I speaking His name to them enough? Telling them of His goodness not only in our lives, but in the lives of so many?

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. ~ Proverbs 22:6

I am the biggest influence in their lives right now at this young, tender age, and if I am not doing right, how can I expect them to? They pay attention to me, my actions, more than I realize, and I want those actions to be ones I am proud of them to mirror.  Kindness, love, patience, respect - these are character traits that I want making up my childrens personalities. But, are they part of my own? I need to check my own actions before teaching them and correcting them of their wrong actions. I want them to learn all they can from me - not from this world!

"Mama, you're the best mama in the whole world!"

"And you are the best daughter in the whole world!"

"I love you!"

"Oh honey, I love you too!"

They see me, all of me! And I want it to always be good!

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me -- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. ~ Philippians 4:9

The Secret Life of a Fool by Andrew Palau {review/giveaway}

I couldn't think of a more perfect time or week to be reviewing this book for all of you! It is a wonderful example of Christ's love for us on the cross and how by His blood, we are saved.

In The Secret Life of a Fool: One Man's Raw Journey from Shame to Grace, Andrew Palau talks of his life before falling on his knees before Christ and repenting of all his past mistakes and foolishness! The son of famous missionary and evangelist, Luis Palau, one would think he would not ever fall into a hard life of sin, drugs, fornication, alcohol, and depression. But this book, his story, shows and tells us otherwise. We are all sinners saved by the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Noone is made an exception by being a "preachers kid" or by thinking we are doing everything we should be by not smoking, drinking, swearing, lying, cheating, or murdering. Sure, not doing all those things is wonderful, but unless we fall on our knees in complete and utter repentence before God and ask for forgiveness of our foolish lives and ways of thinking, we will not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. {Rom. 10:9, Acts 16:31, Luke 13:3}

"Now is our chance to choose the right side. God is holding back to give us that chance. It won't last forever. We must take it or leave it." ~ C.S. Lewis

What I loved most about this book was the rawness of the story. Andrew left nothing out, allowing the reader to really be able to connect with his story, his pain, his journey to redemption, and his new life in Christ! I love the telling of how his parents never gave up on him; always showing him love, even when, I can imagine, it was extremely hard to do. It was their love, the love of close friends, and ultimately, Christ's forgiving love, that saved Andrew and brought him out of his sin-filled life and into a life dedicated to wanting to serve God for all the days He blesses Him with! And God can do the same for you!! All you need to do is repent of your sins, asking Christ to come and live within your heart making you a new creation in Him!

"No matter how advantaged or disadvantaged, no matter how far from God we think we are...He is there and He calls out." ~ Andrew Palau



"Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! How? you ask. In Christ. God put the wrong on Him who never did anything wrong, so we would be put right with God." ~ The Secret Life of a Fool {taken from 2 Corinthians 5:16-21}

_________________________________________________________________

How would you like to win a copy of The Secret Life of a Fool: One Man's Raw Journey from Shame to Grace? If so, simply leave a comment below with a valid email address! Winner will be chosen on Monday, April 9!

Thank you to PR by the Book for sending a review copy my way!
Linking this giveaway up at the Hip Homeschool Moms Giveaway Day!



For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ~ Ephesians 2:8-9

Yarn Along {6}

What a successful week this has been! I made wonderful progress with Caleb's Vest. Taking my time and relaxing worked! It still will not be done for Easter, but it is moving along quite nicely and I am pleased with the progress. I figured this could be his birthday vest instead, which is next month. I am hoping the spring-like temps are still around and that summer doesn't arrive early so that he can wear it comfortably.

I am already planning my next knitting project! My mom and I went on a little road trip last week to the Amish Country. I always find such wonderful things when we visit there! Like this yummy yarn!! It is 100% Alpaca {my favorite!!} and oh so yummy soft!! And the color...oh how I just love this shade of green. {although my camera is making it look more lime green that what it actually is...} I bought this skein in hopes of turning it into a lovely shawl for my aunt for her birthday at the end of May. If anyone has any shawl patterns that they could recommend, I would greatly appreciate it. I have a few saved on Ravelry, but none that I have my heart set on yet!

I finished reading both The Peach Keeper and We'll Always Have Summer. Both were fairly quick reads that I enjoyed immensely! I am now reading The Secret Life of a Fool which I must finish today! I need to have my review of the book posted tomorrow on my blog! {psst...the review also includes a giveaway, so make sure to come back tomorrow and check it out!!}

Heading out to the doctors this morning then an Easter egg hunt with the kids tonight at church!! Expecting another beautiful spring day!! Happy Yarn Along Day!!

Linking up once again with Ginny!! 

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." ~ John 16:33

Kindness at the coffee grinder

He's sleeping on my shoulder, legs wrapped around my growing middle, while she holds on to my belt loop as we head into the store. Others pass us by as I struggle to pull apart the shopping carts to set my purse inside. Balancing his bottom on the handlebar, I ask her to please climb into the back of the cart. I then begin to push the cart inside the store all the while people are still trying to push past. Once inside, it is crowded and I am re-thinking this trip to the grocery store. I twist and turn around people who just stare, most likely wondering why I am pushing a cart the way I am with a sleeping child laying against me. Noone cares to move to the side to make it just a tad easier for me to get by.


I make my way through the store only to have to backtrack a few aisles once she announces that she needs to use the restroom. Thankfully, there is no line, so I leave the cart behind, pick up my sleeping little man, and head inside with her. We then return to our cart and finish our trip, all while he is still asleep. I get to the coffee aisle, the last aisle in the store, and choose my blend. I then begin to ponder how I am going to manage opening the can of coffee, dumping it into the griner, and grinding my fresh beans, all while still holding my sleeping 2-year-old son.


It was then that kindness finally showed up in that store that day...in the very last aisle. She gently places her hand on my shoulder and asks if she could give me a helping hand. I am usually one to not want to bother other people for help, but quickly accepted her offer. She opened and poured my coffee beans into the grinder, allowing Emma to push the start button. She stayed and chatted with Emma for the 2 minutes that it took for the coffee to grind. Emma, being as chatty as she normally is, told her all about how her mama was going to have a baby and that the baby was a little girl. Her face lighting up the whole time. The kind lady showed genuine interest and gladness at Emma's news and said what a blessing this baby was going to be and how blessed she was to be coming to join our family! My coffee finished grinding and the lid was safely placed back on top and put into my shopping cart. I expressed my gratitude for her kindess and she said she couldn't just stand there and watch me struggle. She had to help.


I pushed my cart to the checkout, paid for our things, and walked out of the store. The stress I felt when I first entered the store quickly faded away.  Everything seemed to slow in a store where noone seemed to want to stop to show kindness.


I got to our car, placed {still} sleeping babe back into his carseat, buckled Emma in, placed my groceries into the trunk, and left. On my drive home, I kept thinking of the kindness of that lady, a complete stranger, every time the wind blew the scent of the coffee in the turnk my way. I hope to pay it forward one day and offer a lending hand to someone who just needs a bit of help and not be too busy to notice.


Kindness showed up at the coffee grinder that day and I am thankful that I accepted it and wasn't too busy to let it pass me by!


So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. ~ Matthew 7:12