Have you ever heard the old saying; "No sense crying over spilled milk"? Well I had an interesting morning the first day of school this week. I wanted to cry over spilled milk! I woke up late and was just beginning my time alone with God when all of the sudden, one of my children went to lift a new gallon of milk out of the refrigerator when it slipped out of his/her hand and landed like a bomb on the floor. The reason I say bomb is because it pretty much exploded all over the kitchen. The refigerator, island, barstools, cubboards, table and oven were all covered with milk. As my child rushed the leaking jug to the sink; the floor, the dishwasher, many more cubboards, and even the window were freshly saturated with milk. I give you this vivid picture of my morning in order to share with you the way the Lord used this experience to get to an issue in my heart.You see I had plans for my morning, I had things I wanted to get done. Helping to clean up a gallon of spilled milk was not on my agenda. As I was mumbling in my heart,"what a way to start out the day". I was quickly reminded of a verse I had written in my journal just minutes prior to the explosion. It was from Ecclesiates 7:9 "Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit for anger resides in the lap of fools." So I was doing my best to not be angry with my child, however I continued grumbling in my heart. Thinking thoughts like, "This isn't how I wanted to start my day especially on the first day of school" and "How am I ever going to get everthing accomplished now?" You can imagine the other thoughts that ran through my mind as well.
After working together to get all the milk wiped up I went back to what I had started a half hour before, my quiet time. (I decided I could mop the floors after my devotions). I was gently reminded by what seem to be a whisper from the Lord, "Maybe this isn't what you had planned for your day, but it is exactly what I had planned for you today!" You see, I had been praying for God to reveal sin in my heart and that is exactly what He did. I had my plans and I didn't want them to be interrupted. I had an adgenda and didn't want it to be "jolted" with an unexpected gallon of spilled milk.
I'm thankful that God graciously brought to the forefront the sinfulness that presides in my heart. The area of pride, thinking I know what is best for me. The idea that I deserve a life of ease, without "spilled milk" interrupting my plans. As I continued in my quiet time the Lord highlighted another verse that spoke volumes to me, found in II Corinthians 7:10 "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death". I'm grateful that the Lord helped me to see that I needed to repent of the sin of pride that was so evident in my life that morning. His Holy Spirit helped me to have that "godly sorrow" as a result of my sin. I'm thankful that He opened my eyes once again to see my need for a Savior in every moment of my life, especially when there is "spilled milk" along the way!
Katie and I were laughing the other day about how often we get told we look alike. We were joking and saying wouldn't it be funny if we responded with, "You're kidding me, we've never heard that before. You mean you really think we look alike?"
My dear Debra, I was praying for you this morning thanking Our Lord for you and Beau. You have both become such dear friends to our family, especially over these past two years. My boys consider Beau one of their closest friends; Of course Katie loves to tease Beau as much as he loves to tease her! heehee
Its hard to believe 23 years have gone by already! God has truly blessed me with the perfect helpmate in you Lyle! What I love most about you is your love and commitment to God, and your desire to know Him deeper every day. You have been the most influential person in my life, as to what it looks like to spend time alone with God, by your daily example. Your actions have spoken volumes to me and the kids over the years. Thank you for loving our Savior with all your heart! 
I met the man of my dreams finding not only a godly man, but one who loved to sing as much as I did. Remember one of our first dates singing "Tom the Toad"? What about the songs we sang to each other at our wedding? I still enjoy hearing you sing in the morning after your quiet time, as much or more as I did when we were first married.
Two young hearts grow up and become one flesh! 
This is a pretty typical monday night for us. Dad is off work mondays so usually the boys will get some tennis going at night - sometimes we have to beg them to let the girls play...so tonight they did! Wes and I played mom and dad.
Typically we have some sort of company over...well usually Wes and Preston, but they aren't really considered company anymore! I was just telling someone the other day that I'm sad that summer is over, because the boys always have friends over, and I love having all the comotion (sp?) and noise ... I guess thats what comes from growing up in a LOUD family w/ 3 brothers! I love it!
Dad and Josh playing with the air soft gun....
Relaxed on the porch swing. Lish and Jay gave us this swing and we definately put it to use! I love it, especially in the spring and the fall when it is not so hot - its really nice for napping ;)
WORKING HARD AT FASTSIGNS!
Have you ever heard the old saying; "No sense crying over spilled milk"? Well I had an interesting morning the first day of school this week. I wanted to cry over spilled milk! I woke up late and was just beginning my time alone with God when all of the sudden, one of my children went to lift a new gallon of milk out of the refrigerator when it slipped out of his/her hand and landed like a bomb on the floor. The reason I say bomb is because it pretty much exploded all over the kitchen. The refigerator, island, barstools, cubboards, table and oven were all covered with milk. As my child rushed the leaking jug to the sink; the floor, the dishwasher, many more cubboards, and even the window were freshly saturated with milk. I give you this vivid picture of my morning in order to share with you the way the Lord used this experience to get to an issue in my heart.
My dear Mom! Now shes a woman to be praised, as Scritpure talks about in Proverbs 31! As her daughter, she taught me many skills I continually use now that I am grown and married myself. It was her unselfish dedication to investing time and energy teaching me how to sew, cook, play sports, work hard, make creative stuff with little or no money, how be be devoted to her husband (my dad), to be a godly wife and mother, and the list goes on. She was my biggest cheerleader when it came to trying anything. She would be the first to tell me I could do it, no matter what the task at hand might be . 
Then as my family grew she invested the same time and energy into my children. She would often take the kids and just spend fun time with them, camping, garage sailing, going to "Call of the Wild", and the list goes on. Not to mention all the hours spent reading and recording books so that my little ones would have stories to listen to as they went to sleep at night! 
Mom today as you celebrate your birthday I wanted to take the time to wish you a very special day! You are the best Mom ever! Thank you first and foremost for teaching me to love Our Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you also for teaching me what it means to be a commited and faithful wife, as you and dad celebrate 50 years of marriage this November. Thank you also for being my friend. I love you so very much! Have a wonderful Birthday. Lin
This picture is of my family growing up. Notice all the green dresses that match? My mom made them. I still remember because I think they were partially wool and they were picky! HEEHEE
