Celebrating Mom(s)

So, last Sunday- I was going to be very studious and get this post right on my blog... But nothing was turning out and I was very tired. So I like deleted it and now- I decided that with all the events that have happened so far- it may-as-well just go ahead and be a post. So!

Mother's Day- After Sunday School we hit the road- Lancaster bound. And got in there around 1... We met my Uncle & Aunt and watched the Make-A-Wish parade at the bowling alley in Brownstown... I made the best out of it, since I overheard Mom & Dad discussing that we are probably going to NY over Transport for Christ the end of June... 

Here's a few pictures from the day... Sadly, I missed grabbing a picture of my uncle's truck- he had gotten a new one and I didn't even realize it was him until I saw the guy in the truck- I'm like- "What the world! There goes Jonathan!"

And then- Wednesday... I went with Dad! {yes, that's rare! My life has gotten SO busy in the last month or so- it's not even right!} Saw parts of PA that I maybe saw once to never in my lifetime. To say the least it was an interesting day- even though, now I'm dreaming of actually going to Pittsburgh to see people I actually KNOW!! :)

And then-- Saturday, I kept my brothers' company (or they kept mine) at the Mall... Around 3:30 Dad calls and asked for Randall- I hand over the phone, and they're discussing desserts! I'm thinking Mom mustn't know what to make for lunch! Until he gets off the phone and says the guys are making the Fellowship Meal at church! 

So this morning- Eldwin says that the guys made the meal, and they are preparing the basement for it too. NONE OF THE LADIES OR GIRLS ALLOWED! okay, cool! :) And man, if that wasn't a feast to remember! They made stuff we dare not even try, because it'd take too much time!

Thanks for the pictures +Reuben Hege (Dad!!!!)

& a sorry to all the people who decided to check out this post and realized that trucks are actually boring to them- 'cause whether I'm the trucker's daughter or not- they still make up at least 3/4 of me!!! :)

Brothers Photo-shoot!!

Here's one of the many times I wish I had a better camera!! Capture those moments a little better...

Love these guys! {with all my heart!!}

And just to add some from the other night (captured with my phone)... The double rainbow was beautiful!! :)

AND as a closing shot--

Totally Abandoned

Abandoned! The very sound of the word shocks my heart.

¹aban·don

 transitive verb \ə-ˈban-dən\

: to leave and never return to (someone who needs
protection or help)

: to leave and never return to (something)

: to leave (a place) because of danger

1

a :  to give up to the control or influence of another person or agent

b :  to give up with the intent of never again claiming a right or interest in <abandon property>

2

:  to withdraw from often in the face of danger or encroachment <abandon ship>

3

:  to withdraw protection, support, or help from <he abandoned his family>

4

:  to give (oneself) over unrestrainedly

5

a :  to cease from maintaining, practicing, or using<abandoned their native language>

b :  to cease intending or attempting to perform <abandoned the escape>

While I was watching people stroll the halls of the mall the other evening, I was bored, tired, & couldn't stay focused on my books- that I probably SHOULD be reading, and music didn't appeal to me. But finally I saw a familiar face in the hall! A girl from Bible Study. She always seemed quiet and reserved, and yet, she was extremely fun to hang out with. 

What bothered me though was she saw me and didn't even attempt to wave or anything. I felt ABANDONED! Like she never wanted to see me in the first place. As I sat there feeling kind of sorry for myself, Jesus stepped in and said, "Look, Luronda, you've been doing this same thing to Me for a long time already.You haven't made much effort to come and enjoy what I have for you to revel in, instead, you work from before the sun's up till long after it's down, and never even take 10 min. for Me. Do you think I feel abandoned too?"

That hit me HARD. Here I was- rushing from one job to the next, wearing myself out- so that till I returned home again I was drained and in need of a bed, thinking tomorrow I'll have more time- I can take 10 or so extra minutes in my "Jesus time". 

How many of us abandon Him? We have so much going we decide that work is more important, sleep is more needed, and time hanging out with friends is necessary than taking time for Jesus to move in our lives and show us that He is the Most High- the most needed Person in our lives. My desire is to be Abandoned in Christ- then whether I feel left behind or unaccepted- I can be reassured that Jesus is beside me- no matter where I am- and He will never leave me- if I never leave Him!

Thanks Y'all!

Thanks to all my great friends and family,  who made last Saturday (my birthday) so special!! All the texts, voxes, cards, and all. It was amazing!!!!! :) thank y'all!! 

 {One Thousand Gifts} from Mom & Dad --Ann Voskamp is among my favorite writers! :)

daisies from a good friend- Bethany- she even got them in my favorite color!!! :) love you, Beth!!

The Donkey In Me

I had an hour to stand and think over how donkey-ish I can be sometimes... Dominic was chasing the boys so I ran down to hold him, (believe me-don't try that. You'll be wishing you wouldn't have after you have to go to the chiropractor, ‘cause he threw your back out of whack. And if you get asthma like me, you'll have to deal with that too.) But I had to think while I was standing there and he wasn't bucking around so bad, many times I stand and buck at what authority- and even what God, wants for me. Often I like grabbing the pen out of God's hands and writing my own story. I like my life to be just the way I want it to be- the way I dreamed, thought out, and planned. But sometimes what God has in store is so very different. He wants to write my story, in even a more orderly, and more beautiful fashion, to the point that I cannot understated why I can smile when only sad things seem to happen and when things do not go the way had expected them to. Only with God's amazing hand in our life can we enjoy life at its fullest- otherwise we have everything and anything to worry us.

Sunny & 75

wow! I can not express the joy I have in running around in flip-flops, driving with the windows down, partying with friends, sinking my toes into mud- yeah, I actually did that! Pulling those weeds- getting these drab surroundings looking more alive!!

The sun yesterday definitely got these guys showing their faces! :)

The daffodils everywhere really make the world look bright. Sadly our daffodils took leave and so we don't have any, but I found these up at the cabin and couldn't resist bringing home a few!! 

Hope y'all are enjoyin' this awesome spring weather!!

Falling (fast!)

I have some semi-close friends that I have suddenly realized are straying from God. The allurement of "the in thing" has took them to a place where it no longer affects them to tell people they hate their parents, or use God's name in vain, or curse someone. And yes, I'm talking in the conservative Mennonite circles too! These things are happening in our Christian day schools, behind teachers backs, behind parents backs, and even a-lot is hidden from us who aren't so popular. I mean, I'd probably have a heart-attack if I saw everything these people are into. I'm just thankful for the godly parents God gave me, taught me the right from the wrong; parents I can confide in and not be afraid of giving them my whole heart. This is where most of this comes down to- too many children do not have the parents they need- when they need them most- too many Daddy's aren't there for the 4 year old when he wants to play tractor, or when the 7 year old wants to tell about his exciting day at school- Daddy is too involved in his work, maybe it's even his Sunday School lesson. And then comes the 12 year old who is quiet around Dad, because his problems wouldn't matter much to Dad anyway, because Dad doesn't really care. And then "Jonny's" friends talk about Harry Potter books/movies (& other related material), they cuss, they talk bad about their authority, deliberately disobey authority. And what does Jonny think? I wasn't good enough to have Dad's attention, so I need to do something that'll get SOMEONE'S attention! So he starts swearing, watching movies that shouldn't ever be watched, maybe even getting into porn... Anything, that'll grab his friends attention. 

Children yearn for attention, Dad's attention, Mom's attention, adult attention, period. 

I want to say there may be a glimmer of hope for the ones already into this stuff, but it's dimming fast, I fear. Something needs to happen- soon!