We are at the tail end of our renovation project....finishing up painting and now only the tile flooring to do. Josh and I (well.....mostly Josh) has been doing everything ourselves with the exception of the wood stove pipe installation. To give you an idea of what we are doing, we took our 600 sq. foot double garage that was under our house, closed it all up and are turning it into a family room, homeschooling room and music area. The best part of all, is that this room will also be the place that we are going to do something exciting that God has been working on us to move ahead and do.....(more on that soon enough!). Josh works his full time job 45-50 hrs a week, so you can imagine how all
Another "project" that is moving forward is our little farm.....With two does kidding (having babies) within a month and trying to get a new barn ready to move half the herd.......we did what any other UNseasoned still wet-behind-the-ears farmers would do......
meet Reese and Cyrus:
They are 6 month old Huacaya alpacas and we just couldn't resist! Hey, some women get shopping sprees with their tax return.....some are thrilled with spa weekends.....others indulge in some jewelry. Josh spoiled *me* with these two cuddly babies and I am over the moon!
So, again.....not being a hard-core farmer.....I was very concerned when I learned that alpacas do not prefer to be in closed in barns. In fact, it can stress them out. They like three sided structures so that they are able to come and go as they please.
Now we know that I am terrified of anything happening to our animals from past horror shows, all our little guys are locked up safe every night. So when we left them out the first night, I had a very hard time sleeping. In fact, I tossed and turned and kept waking up to check on them (who of course were completely FINE). Yeah, like 2 and 5 o'clock in the middle of the night.....they probably thought, "are you kidding us lady, are you really going to keep shining that flashlight in our face all hours of the night?"
So the next night, I decided that I needed a decent night's sleep if I was to continue to keep up a house, homeschool and be as conscious and alert as a person needs to be to survive in life. I also know that
I felt like I was wrapped in the ultimate security blanket and slept like a rock that night.
Isn't it funny how having that sense of security can do a 180 for you? There are so many "security blankets" we have/need in life. We feel comforted when we punch in that code on the control pad of our security system before bed. We buy different kinds of insurance policies to "protect" ourselves and our loved ones. We employ security guards, we need secure jobs.....we even put protection on our computers to keep out dangerous invasions/threats. Social Security was originally proposed to limit what were seen as dangers in the modern American life, including old age, poverty, unemployment, and the burdens of widows and fatherless children (according to Wikipedia)
We need to have security in our minds and hearts. And there is a 100% Ultimate Security Protection Plan that is completely free. This plan includes 24/7 surveillance, alarm systems of impending danger(s), and total protection. It has a lightening speed response system, all you need to do is ask for help (it will even help when you don't ask).
yeah,.....it's God.
We have God who protects the most precious "gifts" of all.......gifts that come from Him in the first place.....peace, joy and comfort. He promises us that no weapon formed against us shall prosper.
So why is it.....that sometimes......during trials in my life, do I not realize that I have this Fort Knox style protection of my heart, my mind......my life? Why is it that when the enemy.....the THIEF........ is trying to sneak into "my space" and rob me of all of these precious gifts from Above....do I not just activate this security system? Why is it that I try to suit up with my own worldly gear and pick up my own artillery rather than simply slip on the Armor of God?
Today I pray that I continue to remember that I have protection by The One who is higher than any force or power in the universe. No matter what I facing, God is my shelter. He is my refuge from trouble and my fortress that protects me from any attack (spiritually, emotionally and physically). His protection is never-ending and covers my whole family because we all His children. He is our Good Shepherd and will always take good care of His sheep.
I have had these thoughts on my mind for the past few days, but with my hectic schedule, I just haven't gotten chance to really sit here and write (which is when I feel I am having my time with The Holy Spirit because most of the time, I look back at some posts and wonder....wow, that is pretty good, who wrote that?!?!).
But this morning, I woke up to this encouraging word email from K-Love (a daily Scripture/devotional) and took it as a message that God really wanted me to take the time and pour it out. I am guessing that I am not the only one who needed to understand and remember His awesome protection and love for us.
The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid? ~Psalm 27:1
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid? ~Psalm 27:1
Oh, and one last thing.....(sounding like an "as seen on TV" commercial).....if
Hope this finds you smiling......
Peace and love~
*~Michelle~*
21 comments:
Your new 'additions' are adorable! Great thoughts on security...I had trouble sleeping last night and needed to read this today...thanks for sharing.
security. god. perfect. :0)
i love your new additions. i truly do!! they're cute. i was showing shaun the other day on facebook the pictures, and HE even said they're cute. :0) he said it was fun to look through the pictures too, because we had actually 'been' there. you must share pictures of your renovation when you're done. i'd love to see it. or perhaps we'll have to take a drive again sometime. :0) it'd be so nice to have a 'room' for homeschooling instead of our dining room table. oh well.
thanks for the email yesterday!! it made me smile. :D
Girl....I missed you!! reeeeaaaalllly missed you. Love your new furry additions! I, too am thankful GOD is our ultimate protector.
Hugs, andrea
PS:....I think about you every time I consider that tatoo...
Thanks for the good words Michelle. Living without security is a bummer filled with fear. I prefer that God is up while I am sleeping and the light is always on.
Bill! Yes....."The LIGHT" is always on! Good thoughts! :)
Andrea....just DO it! ;)
Amanda....you know you and the gang are always welcome here....
Joyce, isn't God awesome?
Amen! What an amazing security system we have. I was thinking about the enemy yesterday as we hiked. The boys got very close to a snake before they realized it. The enemy has a way of surprising us too. But thank you God for always protecting us!
Take care my friend!
Oh and I love your new babies. Too cute!
You always make me smile!! Time after time when I visit you! That is a pretty big renovation that you are taking on with your garage. We just finished off our basement, I mean Aaron did. And that took him 3 months. We are not all the way done either. We still have to add the bathroom and laundry room to it. But at least it is more living space right now, which is what we needed here.
I love your new additions. They are really cute. And your devotion on security just really ministered to me a lot today. I have missed you around here. Alot! I am glad that you found a little time to grace us with your spunk and sweet heart.
So stinkin adorable! I'm glad I saw those cute faces... they made my morning.
What a great post, Michelle. It is awesome to have you back... you've been missed!
Amen, Michelle! I loved that last part!!
I'm glad everything is working out, and those animals are so cute! I think I have one on Farmville..LOL!! I think that's as close as I am to real farming.
Michelle,
What a great post and I too have benefited from God's security system in the past! When my hubby was gone for long periods of time at work, we prayed nightly for God's installation of His security team to watch over us all.
I must say I absolutely LOVE your little alpacas! ADORABLE!
Please stop by my blog today to enter in the final chances for this weeks giveaway if you have time!
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
I've missed you...love your new furry friends. Can't wait to see pictures of the project room. there will be pictures, right?!!!
Awwwwwwww you guys are making me feel so special!
Mich, I will totally post before and after pics!
The alpacas are absolutely adorable.
I, too, pray that I remember that I am protected by the one who is higher than any other in the Universe. That I continue to run to Him as my stronghold during tough times, rather than trying to do it on my own.
Wow, girl! You sure have a lot on your plate right now. Reese and Cyrus are awesome, I love alpacas. They're so gentle and sweet. I can't wait to see your new room when it's completed!
I am smiling now! This is such a needed post for me because I worry a lot about the safety of my children. I need to remember that God loves them and will always be with them through every circumstance!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us!
Adorable! Okay, now I am not sure what else to comment on here.
Love the post
Can't wait to hear abouthe new directions you are moving
I've missed you here on the blogging world
See you soon dear!!
I loved these thoughts on security. I need to look to the Lord alone for it. He is my ROCK!
Your new critters are adorable! Looking forward to seeing what "God has been working on you to move ahead and do".
Great thoughts, Michelle (now that I'm finally on the right blog- ha!).
Anything in God's hands is safe. It may be shaken to remove the dust of what doesn't need to be there, but if we hold on to it, we have to protect with our strength. That just scares me. Thanks!
This is wonderful. Isn't it amazing how, as humans, we sometimes think of things in terms of what is humanly possible. Our feeble minds think, and re-think, situations, trying to thing of what WE can do to make *insert situation here* turn out the way that we think it should?
Much needed reminder. Thanks.
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