ON PERSEVERANCE

ROMANS 5:3-4
... we glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, character, and character, hope.

Observations:
I know tribulations are good for us, especially when I see that they bring us to that place of hope.  In tribulations, we must press on-- we must press on through them physically & mentally, but we also must press on spiritually.  Sometimes when things get chaotic, I tend to focus on the situation, and not on Jesus, who is the One who will bring me through the situation. Perseverance produces character in us, which is something God does not just give us, but we obtain over time and through trials.  When we push through in difficult times, character is built & our focus is put where it needs to be -- having hope in an eternal future with Jesus Christ.  Not only do we have the hope of getting out of our present difficult circumstances, but it also enables us to look ahead to the amazing future that awaits.  Trials keep our focus heavenward!

So, instead of seeing trials as something to dread, I desire to view them in a positive light.  My reaction and my attitude will greatly determine my ability to get through them, regardless of the actual circumstances that surround me.  In the midst of the trial, if my focus can be perseverance -- keeping my eyes on Jesus -- I am walking in the right direction, knowing that the end result will be character and a deeper hope!

BEEN BUSY!!

Garden is half planted.  Corn, beans, lettuce, spinach, radishes, carrots, potatos, & onions are all in.  Still to come, squash, zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, and of course... pumpkins!  It is all confined to ONE location this year, and with daddy's help, we should have a good irrigation system up and running shortly!  :)  I also have a small herb garden in the works...

Puppies are leaving this week to join their new homes!  It's been another fun adventure, and saying goodbye is always a little bit both bitter and sweet.  We've gotten really attached to one little girl, who will be moving to North Dakota and joining another family with 4 kids.  Thankful to have found good homes. 

We are doing a russian olive removal on our land.  We have about 4 acres total of trees that we are cutting down.  Russian olives have spikes on them several inches long and are a noxious weed.  We plan to re-plant with native trees.  Not the most pleasant job, but we are glad to do it.  It is making things look a lot different around here!

Horsey time!  Myah's 4H is almost in full swing.  She's been riding a lot around here, and in a week, we start our weekly trips to the fairgrounds.  She is still determining which horse she will use for the program this year.  Cowboy is her trusty faithful old guy, and Dakota is a step more challenging, but I think she's ready for that.  Her dream is to use Dixie, which she has been spending a lot of time with as well, but I think it will be at least a year before that happens.

Joel is discovering the joy of dirt bikes... oh boy... here we go!  (My children are choosing some of the more "dangerous" hobbies, I'm afraid!)

School.  We have 2 1/2 weeks left, so we are plowing through.  It has been helpful that the weather has been cool and rainy, so we are not so antsy to be outside.  My kids have requested to keep going with some of it through the summer time, so I am working on that.

Wild asparagus is in full bloom, so this past weekend, we went picking and got a bunch in the freezer.  I'd like to do one more round like that one, and we should be set for the year.

Our main goal for the summer as far as projects are concerned is to get the barn sided.  I feel like we are taking a bit of a breather when it comes to some of those major things which feels really good!

Women's Bible study is wrapping up for the summer, and we have gone to bi-weekly studies at the shelter on Thursdays.  Sunday nights, we still meet weekly and are still studying through Romans. It's been such a blessing!

FIELD TRIP!

We took our annual trip to the local museum on their "History Day" and got SO much out of it this year!  A group of us homeschoolers went together, (along with 4th graders from all around the surrounding area), to learn about the history here, rope making, native culture, soil conservation (that would be daddy's station!) and so much more!  Enjoy the pictures!

Learning about noxious weeds and the history of survey equipment by our local NRCS.

The story about a Crow Teepee

Sharpening a knife on a sandstone wheel

Entertaining AJ

Learning about school in the pioneer days in an actual old schoolhouse!

Cleaning wheat

Entertaining AJ

Inside the old school house

Milking a "cow"

AJ loving it!

My homeschoolers

The local group

BOUNTIFUL BASKETS

Just signed up for my first boutiful basket!  Can't wait to pick it up this Saturday!  It is a nation-wide co-op for fresh produce.  (Organic is available.)  Check it out!

STILL COUNTING!

161. Seeds purchased, and ready for planting!

162. Children doing "school" without them realizing it's "school".

163. A clean kitchen and bathroom... for maybe a day!

164. Coffee, tea and smoothies.

165. Mangoes to put in my smoothies.

166. Double stuffed oreo cookies for part of my Mother's Day gift!

167. God being in control, and not me.

168. A missing book, found!

169. Homes for almost all the puppies.

170. Living life in a small town.

171. An occasional rainy day... or 3...

172. The gift of prayer.

173. Freedom from being a slave to sin.

174. My mom!

175. Newly planted herbs from the greenhouse.

176. Golden opportunities to train my 2 year old the past couple of days!

 

177. Snuggles from my six year old.

178. Aesop's Fables to enjoy with my children.

179. Fun times shared with like-minded friends!

180. Children who still love to play together in the sandbox.

181. An afternoon to take things easy while recovering from a cold.