Sometimes I'm a little slow....

God has been showing Himself to me in so many ways lately that it seems hard to keep up and to be honest even a little overwhelming at times! I am so grateful for His timing and the way that He reveals Himself to me, but often find that I get down on myself for being so "slow and mentally challenged" (LOL) and at times that I can be so thick as to not get the point!
I have been reading some devotional pieces from Proverbs 31 ministries over the last couple of weeks. There was a challenge posted from one of the writers to read and study for the next 6 weeks - 3 women of the bible per week. I have always been intrigued by the women of the biblical time and why only some of them are chosen to be part of "HIStory", I mean there were plenty of other women of that time I am sure that never made the headline stories. So, I was eager to start this study with other women around the world that also signed on to participate. So far we have read and studied; Eve, Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Leah, Tamar, and Potiphar's wife. Wow, have I been shown some really interesting things about all of these women! Probably the biggest trait that all of these women have in common (and I can sooo relate) is taking things into their own hands, not allowing God's timing to be perfect in their lives. I so understand this. I struggle with this same problem/sin and I hate it about myself and beat myself up regularly about it. I know in my head and most times in my heart, that God's timing is perfect, BUT I still take things into my own hands and make choices and decisions in the NOW and suffer the consequences for them later on and most times it isn't good, ugh! I then have to ask God for forgiveness and try again. While I am a slow learner, I am starting to get it, little by little. I truly am a "work in progress". Good thing my God is patient with me!
The lady that is leading this study is Rachel Olsen and she had this to say in one of her blogs:

"I want to remind us once again as we read these women’s stories, that God uses the imperfect actions of imperfect people to advance His perfect plans for humanity and eternity. If we stop to consider that fact a moment, and how it applies in our own lives, I think we'll go through today feeling quite grateful that He does."

And this is what gave me hope this week and I hope will give you some too! Our God is good and He is patient with us when He can see that we genuinely are seeking His will and ways in our lives. Thank goodness!

Chatting with Cameron...

This past weekend was a really busy one for our family.. more so than usual. To add to the excitement of it all, Cameron, ended up developing a full body rash as well as some asthma attacks. He was fine, but still needed a break from it all and spent some time alone with me at home in a cool bath to try to relieve some of the itching and redness from the rash. During this time he and I had one of those chats that only Cam and I seem to have! I love these moments and I am sharing with you so maybe you can chuckle too and have a smile on us!

Mom: Baby, I am so sorry that you don't feel well.


Cam: It's ok, its not your fault. {{pause. in deep thought}} Mommy, I think that God forgot that He gave me that asthma part.

Mom: No baby, God doesn't forget anything, He knows everything remember? And God didn't give you asthma as a punishment.

Cam: Ok, well I guess He just doesn't remember giving me the asthma part then.

Mom: Cam, what is an asthma part?

Cam: Mommy, you know what it is. It's just like my arm, and legs, and foots and....

Mom, Oh, ok Cam I get it {{ smiling and hugging this very thought provoked little 6 year old}}


Thanks for reading and hope you laughed a little!

My Child!

A friend of mine sent this to me over the weekend and I thought that I just didn't have the time to read it... it was such a busy weekend. So, I read it this morning just before my quiet time with the Lord and I now know that once again God's timing is just simply perfect since this morning this made me feel so loved and secure! You see, I was having one of those "I'm missing my mom" moments that I tend to get when a holiday is on the way. My mom loved Easter and loved to celebrate it for what it is, the celebration of the Resurection of our Lord! She decorated the house with signs of Spring and made such a great dinner for all of us to enjoy! Anyway I was missing her this morning and then I read this and I just felt a sense of warmth and love pour all over me. God's timing is perfect and He keeps showing this to me through His word and through friends. So I hope that you enjoy this as much as I did. Take your time and read each one carefully and be so proud that you too are His child. He is Risen... Happy Easter!

My Child
You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the shore. Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad... Almighty GOD

Introduction...

Welcome to our Patch!

I am excited that you are checking out my new blog. I have often wanted to be able to write and "talk" about our daily happenings around this crazy place we call home and I have finally had the time and energy to get this up and going. I have lots to learn about this space and about blogging in general but I am excited about this new project of mine and hope that it helps with keeping up with all six of us.

Just to set this all straight from the beginning, I want to let you know where my blog title came from, The Punkin Patch. From the time that I can remember I have been known by my Dad as Punkin, not Pumpkin. When I asked him as a young girl why he called me Punkin, he responded with, "There are lots of pumpkins in the world but only one punkin, and that's you!". So, I wear the nickname with pride and thrilled that at ..uh hum.. 34 years old... {{whincing when I say that now :) }} my Dad still calls me that! In high school, I even had a vanity plate "Punkn". I'm sure Frank will love me for sharing this one, when I tell you that while we were dating, he too earned the nickname "punkin" from his co-workers since they saw it on my car plate, hehehe! And so recently I started refering to our family as the punkin patch because there are so many of us (however we are done growing as far as we are concerned, lol). And that is how this blog received its title... make any sense at all?? Well it does to me and I hope it does to you!

Stop by again soon to see updated pics of the kids and more information on what we are up to and have going on in our lives. I look forward to hearing from all of you from time to time!