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Happy Father's Day

Today is a day set aside to let the men in our lives know how very important that they are to us. 

When look at my dad, I think about how his fatherhood is different from most. You see, when he decided to become my father, he didn't have nine months to let it sink in and get used to the idea. He and my mom were literally given the option of taking me home with them immediately or not at all. And if you've ever spent any time getting to know my parents, you'll know that they stepped up and overnight became parents, no hesitation.

I always marvel at how they just did it. Just said yes and became my grace. They completely changed their lives and sacrificed their plans for me. 

So when I think about my dad, I look at him and see a father that chose me. He loves me, still would make any sacrifice necessary for me.. He is full of wisdom and an honorable man. He gives without expecting anything in return and loves unconditionally. He is a true example of my Heavenly Father's love and grace.

 

Thank you, Daddy. Happy Father's Day.  

A Prayer From A Stepmom

Lord, this responsibility that I have accepted seems to be overwhelming some days. These precious hearts and souls that I've been entrusted with are always on my mind.

Help me, Lord, to see them through Your eyes, love them like You do, and understand their fears and frustrations with Your heart.

Hold my heart together when they call me by my first name and choose not to call me Mom. I know they already have a mother... But, oh, it's so hard when you love them like you've birthed them, yet you know there's always that defining line that identifies you not as their parent, but as the bonus parent. The person that came into their life because their parents aren't together anymore.

Keep my heart soft towards them in difficult times and help me to always point them towards You and to draw them closer to You. 

Lord... these children are as much a part of me as their father is. I will be there to celebrate their highs, comfort them in their lows, and be their biggest fan in all they do. 

Thank you, Lord... You've given me so much more than I deserve in these children. I count it all joy to be their stepmom. My cup runs over and over. 

The Way Boys See Things

When you're the lone girl in a family, you get used to hearing the blunt, straight-forward truth about things.

For instance, I had something in my eye that I just couldn't get out. After all three of my menfolk had looked and tried to see what it might be.. Cy says, "Well, what I can see is that one of your eyelashes looks like a broken tree branch. Maybe that's what is poking you?"

Really?

Urgent Prayer Request

Please pray for our friend, Amy Anderson. She was admitted to the hospital 11 days ago and later diagnosed with respiratory failure and bacterial pneumonia in both lungs. Due to the severity of the pneumonia, her condition deteriorated and she was placed on a ventilator. As of today, her condition has not improved, the pneumonia has spread and she is being transported to a new facility that can provide a more advanced ventilator.

Amy is the kind of person that you meet and NEVER forget. She is always happy, loving, and full of Jesus. Her family is very dear to mine and plainly said, Amy needs a miracle. Please join me in praying for them!

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Image Change

I'm going through my clothes and pulling out warm weather clothes (cause it's been 70-80's for weeks now) and I'm happy to report that my clothes are fitting well or loosely. My clothing budget has been extremely limited for the past couple of years and so I made do with uncomfortable clothes because I couldn't really afford new ones.

I attempted to try to lose weight, but just wasn't successful. Finally, after attending a wedding weekend in September, where I was bothered that I hadn't been disciplined enough to get fit, I made the decision to make changes. No quick fixes. I made consistent changes with food portions and health choices. I exercised consistently. I allowed myself to be hungry sometimes.. try it, it's good for you. I began to juice and skip meat for a couple of days. After about a month, I finally saw a difference. My husband and family started seeing them, too.

I've still got a ways to go and don't always make good food choices, but it's become a way of life and that's what I like the most. The change isn't about self image, it's about self preservation.

Ohh.. and my clothes are thankful for it, too. I'm pretty sure that I heard them sigh.