Vines and Branches

Saturday was chicken day...
We turned their house and built a fence so they could go in and out as they wanted.

But as we did that, I started clearing the brush in the woods where the fence needed to go.  It turned into an all day project.  Which I enjoyed.  Husband and Tripp had to leave for ball practice and Josie went on a girl day with my mom. 

So if you follow my instagram you would have seen my post about my progress...

God just spoke such insite! Here are my posts...Happy Monday, Jenn

 I have been working and clearing all morning. Hating these vines!! And then God spoke. Vines and branches. Isn't this what we are supposed to look like. So intermingled with God that you can't which is which. Not a mess, but jumbled up goodness!! I think I will stop clearing now. #formanfarm #vinesandbranches

Ok so God is preaching today! And I haven't stopped clearing yet. A new thought....we can't have new growth if the dead junk is chocking out what is trying to grow. Do you see the new green starting to bud?? Clear the dead junk in your life God says. Let the new thrive!! #goodpreaching#formanfarm

The Balance of Wearing Many Hats

There is no hiding it....When you are a momma and you work a full time job - its inevitable...You become the hat juggler. The trick is how to do it. And I am not certain I know anyone who can tell you how that is done.  So really this post is just another momma venting about how to juggle it all.

First and foremost, its no secret, those who are closest to us see the ugliest side of us. Right!?

My sweet man, how do I make sure he is taken care of on a daily basis?  I remember the days I could actually cook a great meal. But now with more demands in our home, it seems as though little things like cooking a good meal gets pushed to the side. Second grade homework, feeding all the animals, working out, etc, trumps a home cooked meal..Unless you call chicken finger salad home cooked.

How can we be all we can out places of employment? 
I love my job! That's where I give back to my community. Where I feel I make a difference for my county.

And a great mom? Making sure that homework is done the best way possible and we are actually teaching our babes something in midst.. To make sure I am not just sending my sweet littles to schools, but I am an active parent. That I attend their school parties and field trips.

How do we make sure that we aren't just living day in and day out barking orders at our kiddos about cleaning their rooms and picking up their toys, but we are actually teaching them life lessons about being responsible?

And the most important thing in my life is my quiet time..my study time...and truly I have learned to just fit it in all through my day.  There have been seasons in my life where I can stay on track and set aside time in the morning and start my day with studying and prayer. But I always always end with my devotions and prayer, no matter what.

So really the mix of life right now is just me, a momma, a wife, a worker, a lover of God, a wanna be farmer, runner, daughter, sister,  aunt, friend, and whatever else is leftover...

My Hearts Desire

My oh my.....To be a farmer..A true blue farmer. On a really big piece of property.  Where we grow and eat our own food. We sorta do that now. But full time jobs and other things keep a full time farming desire suppressed. So for now we doddle..and play. Well not really play.  Its hard work the farming we do attempt. And we love it! AND I think God knows our hearts desire. So one day --- maybe we can become those real farmers we dream of. AHHH....

So for now, we will enjoy the few animals we have and the small garden. And, enjoy the season of life we are in.

Unwelcome Guest

There is a story I read.

Not a fictional story. But a mama who is battling cancer..What a remarkable woman of God! http://mundanefaithfulness.com

My sweet love said something last night to me that was profound!!

And something that Kara said in her post today that was so awesome...We don't have to overcome something that God has already conquered...But I guess sometimes we still try to fix it ourselves, right?

 "There is much that wants to steal our joy, rob us of today- for me it’s cancer, what is it for you? These unwelcome guests- well, they exist, pretending they don’t is simply a lie. How do we meet the hard in our story, live it honestly, then head out into life and live? Live in the grace of the greatest story ever told. And guess what, it wasn’t just a story. It was the truth."

Gosh I love this!! Walk in this! God meets your hard with his grace!

Who are you?

Do you ever search for someone that has been through a similar situation in life that you can talk to....To see how they have handled it, how God saw them through, how they grew in their walk with the Lord, or just someone that has had some similar experiences/pain. I love to research people.  I love people and what makes them do the things they do...Even though God calls us to Him-he is closer than a brother- and he wants us to come to Him with our questions, doubts, fears, anxiety...Sometimes you need a friend to hold your hand and say " I have walked that mile.  Its hard but God will see you through. " and to even give you sound Biblical advice (even though it may not be what we want to hear).....

Well, being that I am a lover of what makes people act and think the way they do...I have had to look in the mirror and discover what makes me think and act the way I do...What makes me tick?  What has caused my failures and accomplishments. While I can't tell you exactly the reason why we are pushed to the brink of some things we do, I do know that whatever I am doing in my life at that moment reflects my walk with God. What we do as Christians reflects two things- Good Fruit or Bad Fruit.  If my fruit is rotten, my attitude is probably rotten as well! God is teaching me that everyday. What am I leaning on Him for, or am I using my own judgment and decision make skills (or lack of) to make decisions for me.  I can guarantee that you if you are not spending time in fellowship with God, then you probably are not making very good decisions about  your life, friends, marriage, kids, job, etc....I know from experience.  Hard pill to swallow.

No one likes correction or reprove. We don't like to discipline our children but it has to be done or they will not grow up with the morals they need to survive this sinful world.  Therefore, God has to refine, discipline, or take me down a few notches if I will ever live the life he ordained for me.  A life of peace and joy. Contentment, harmony, love, - all of the good things from God.

I am so thankful I get to do life with this man. He encourages me.  He gets me. Loves me like crazy and tries unselfishly to make me happy.

I am also thankful for many others. Their wisdom and knowledge. Their life experience to help others and their willingness to allow people into their lives to motivate, encourage, push forward.

I am also thankful for this lady.  I don't know her personally and yet we do not share the same struggles.  We are both the same in that we need God's grace! We need him to meet us when we struggle or when we are down. How awesome is the testimony of a lady who suffers, but yet she only wants to leave a mark on this earth as a servant of Jesus.  Mundane Faithfulness

I encourage people to seek out God's unfailing love.  While we do not ever deserve another thing from our God, he loves his children and wants us to be blesses. He loves me and the sinful person I am. How awesome is that as though our sins are like dirty rags, He still died for us.

With all of that said. I hope today if you are reading that you will examine what makes you the person you are. Is it satisfying or does it leave you empty? 

Jenn

2nd Grader

We have Second Grader Super Star!
WHAT!
How did this happen?
When?


Her sweet teacher requested the parents write a letter about their 2nd Grade Scholar! And oh how I love a writing project!

All about our Sunshine Baby....

Dear Ms. Whitten,

Josie Ellen-Marie Forman was born on July 10, 2007.  That day was a very special day for many reasons. The first reason being that it rained that day! Seems normal, but not that year. In 2007 the United States was experiencing a record setting drought. That day we called Josie our rain-maker. Josie was also born on her Aunt Amanda’s (Nana) birthday. What a way to begin life! So from then on, Josie has definitely lived up to her “big personality”.

I think naming her Josie, like the cowboy Josey Wales and nicknaming her the Rain-maker, like an Indian, must have had something to do with the pretend meaning of her name “big personality”.  We have always liked Cowboys and Indians anyway.  Josie thinks that everyone’s name means something like it did in Bible times.

The actual story behind her name is nothing significant. We just liked the name. And after she learned about the names in the Bible meaning something she simply asked her Gigi one day what she thought Josie meant. So off the cuff, Gigi replied with a chuckle her first thoughts, BIG PERSONALITY!  Her middle name(s) comes from our grandmothers. After all, family heritage is important.

As my grandmother (who is actually adopted Chota Cherokee, haha) observed of Josie at a very early age, she has always been very spunky, full of life, and well rounded. Not a typical girly-girl. Josie has never been interested in a baby-doll, but rather fills her bed to capacity with stuffed animals and names them all. Born with a love for animals, it has grown into a passion for horses and any other four-legged creature. We joke that she will be the lady campaigning to save the abused animals and make a shelter for them in her home.

Sister is a very deep thinker, tender hearted and compassionate. But also very strong willed and determined. A bit of a know it all and a hard head.  I love her independence and how she is not easily swayed. I love that she is very passionate about learning more about the Bible and studying God’s word. She loves to watch the Bible and read it. I know she feels God in her heart and His nudges. We as parents just pray for  
 
her to be a light to her peers and share Jesus.

Josie is also learning to not be such a picky eater (speaking it! And working on it).  So if you see her just eating bread or bread and ketchup, etc. don’t be alarmed. It’s a work in progress. 

Ask Josie what she wants to be when she grows up, and she will most likely say a barrel racer, cowgirl and a Veterinarian. Big dreams! Oh and she has also put on the list a wife and mom. 

She loves to hunt and fish with her daddy. She gets upset if her daddy takes the deer to the processors. She wants him to bring them to field dress them and gut them. Then she is ready to get her finger nails painted and pick out her sassy outfits.

This little girl keeps us moving and on our toes! That’s our Josie-Girl!