Election

When I write on this page, it is my thoughts and my convictions before God about various topics. Today, I seem to be reflecting on the election that was held last night!  This morning, I was awakened just before 6am by Landon.  He was so upset.  He said, "Mom, Barack Obama is President again! What is America thinking"?  I have to admit in those few moments last night after the results came in...I felt the same way.  God is so gracious to us and He gives us His strength when we need it most.  This morning was one of those times.  I looked at my little boy and told him, "Buddy, we may not understand, but we need to remember that God is still in control and that He promises to never leave or forsake us"!  He seemed to take what I had said and with silent sadness walked away.  At breakfast, I could see the questions still lingered in his mind.  You see, at school, they have been talking about the presidential election and what each candidate believed and also what his plans were to help our country.  He would give us updates about the things he was learning and he had the utmost confidence that America would choose Mitt Romney.  As we all know, that didn't happen.  To see the sad expression and the lingering hurt in his face was so hard.  I know we all face disappointments, but it makes it so difficult to see your child go through it.  I encouraged him that we still need to pray for Mr. Obama and that God will take care of His own. 

 Throughout the day today, I pondered the early morning hours and that small moment when all seemed so hard for him to understand.  Did I guide him through well? I pray with God's help...I did. My responsibility is great and fear can set in to the deepest crevices, but His grace is sufficient and His mercies are new every morning.  Great is His faithfulness!

I sat in the parking lot of the grocery store just a few short hours later, silent and still. I felt God's presence and the peace that only He can provide.  Verse upon verse of His promises popped into my mind.  One of my favorite verses is found in Isaiah chapter 41 and verse 10: Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am Your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand.  

Amen!

To God be the Glory Forever and Ever!

Strep, Pneumonia and....Peace

This was a post I wrote in March and never posted to my blog. So here it is!

99.9, 100.5, 101.3, 102.7, 103.8, 104.5...to some these numbers might look like radio stations, but for our household the last six weeks or so, these have been the temperature readings on the thermometer checking little bodies. Let's just say illness has settled upon our house.  As I type this, 3 of the 4 kids have had strep and Phil had a case of pneumonia, but God is good.  As I sat up with Madelyn (a cold washcloth pressed to her little forehead) last night, I prayed. I first started to pray for all the Dads and Moms that were holding much sicker babies than my own, the little ones with cancer, incurable diseases, starvation...the list goes on.  Then I prayed for Madelyn, I asked Him to release her little body from this terrible fever. That the shakes and shivers which were making her uncomfortable would leave her alone and let her rest.  So as I ended my prayer, I laid down next to her in her bed and the hymn "His Eye is on the Sparrow" came to my mind. This is the verse that I thought of..."Let not your heart be troubled", His tender word I hear, And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see; His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.   Within 10 minutes, her fever was gone and I could hear her softly snoring.  For this mom, that was exactly what I needed, God did hear me and He did answer.  I am so thankful He knows what we need right when we need it. 

Doggie Treats

For the last week, Phil has been building an indoor/outdoor dog pen for our precious boys! It is kind of sad, but Gideon and Goliath can no longer be in our house.  My allergies have become increasingly worse over the past couple of years, so Phil and I decided it would be best to have them outside.  I have been dreading this week, because this is the week they will start staying in their new home! Phil has done an amazing job designing and building their new place and they will have plenty of room!  We will be heading away for a long weekend camping and so it is the perfect time for them to get used to it.  I was feeling a little sorry for them and so I made these this morning!!

 Homemade Dog Treats

Gideon was the taste tester and he chowed down!  I was so excited to find such an easy peasy recipe and they were so much fun to make! I hope my big boys will enjoy them! They are really great buddies for our kids!

If you would like the recipe, I would be more than happy to share.  My email address is: kepples4hiswill@verizon.net