Joy Comes From Within :)

The past week was hard.  True, we were tired, the children were cranky, the days of driving were long,  some physical ailments and we were all home sick.  But the hardest part wasn’t caused by my circumstances but by my attitude.  Unkind words,  anger, selfishness, and a heart that was  anything but submissive make for some miserable days.  Daniel always says that no circumstance, no situation, no trial is so great that it can cause you to lose your joy for joy does not come from our outward circumstances but from within.  Joy comes from the Lord.  And the Lord NEVER changes!   And I’m so thankful for Gods forgiveness. 

Once I confessed my sin to the Lord, I felt so happy!  And nothing had changed...other than me!

And today, after driving 770 miles yesterday, we are back in California!  From coast to coast.  Over 15,000 miles.  And we are almost home.  The Lord is so good!

We drove for days and days and He kept us safe.

He provided for our every need.

He gave us such sweet fellowship with so many dear families who love Him too.

Families provided so many meals for us.  And our family can eat in one lunch what some families  eat in a week!!  And as we think of the love and sacrifice of those with whom we were blessed to stay, we are so very grateful.

Daniel and I learned more about each other.  And I’m more thankful than ever for the man that the Lord has given me to be my husband.  I love him sooooooo much!

We learned more about each one of our children.   I love them soooo much!

We got to pick up supplies to meet some needs for our family/home/ministry in Mexico.

We saw so much of God’s creation and as great and intricate as everything was our eyes beheld, it is just a drop in the oceans  compared to how great our God is!

We heard preaching that refreshed our souls. 

We were impressed again and again and reminded of how children are a blessing.  As our family went to each church and the children would sing and visit with the people, we saw it on their faces.  And heard it over and over again.  They loved the children. 

All the hardships, sickness, miles, heat, cold, unknowns, being out of our home...it is such a small sacrifice compared to the joy the Lord gives us each day in just knowing Him! 

There is so much for which to be thankful!  I complain, I whine, I get discouraged, and get angry.    And Daniel will try to encourage me and let me know that quite frankly, my attitude stinks!  And of course, I KNOW that I am right!  I feel that what he is saying isn’t fair or true.  And I continue to be “right” and miserable! 

And then the Lord usually brings His Word to my mind.  “Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord.”  “Every way of man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.”    And once I admit that I am wrong  and humble myself, confess my sin, repent, and get my heart right, I then see how very wrong I was and I’m so happy!! :)   Funny how that works, huh?  The Lord’s ways are so pure and true . 

It’s been a wonderful 3 months.  We are almost home.  Wherever the Lord has us is the very best place to be!

Oh, and for those that have been asking about the Christmas Boxes for this year, we'll be posting about that early next week!!

Playing in the puddles after a rain in New York

Fun at the Kerschner Home

Pen Pals for years finally meet in person!

Beka and Gladys....Beka's first pen pal ever

Saying good-bye :(

Cinnamon and I have been friends for almost 15 years.  I taught piano to her oldest son, Garrett, when he was 9 years old. :)

Miss Sarah sent us a Dairy Queen gift card :)

One morning, our hotel offered a restaurant breakfast for 2 people per room.  We had 2 rooms, so we had 4 vouchers for free breakfast.  The girls got up early and got ready to have a breakfast date with Daddy :)  

We went out for Mexican food and were all sooooo homesick afterwards! :)

The Brompton Family took us for a ride on a cart pulled by oxen! 

Fun on the ranch!