Last week my younger son and I went on a school field trip to Jamestown and Williamsburg, Virginia.

As we toured the tiny boat that the Jamestown settlers crossed the Atlantic in to set up new homes in a new unfamiliar land, the bravery of these men who sailed this boat could not be avoided.

It took great courage to face the unfamiliar.

To looked danger in the eye and go forward.

Step onto a very small boat and then again to step out of that boat on to the dirt of a new continent a new world.

They started over from scratch.

Beginning with cutting down trees to build their own homes to face the cold winter.

They faced the occupants of the land they invaded who were not always friendly.

(Would we be friendly if someone came and built a house on our land?)

Though the ones that they dealt with the most were the Powhatans, those of Pocahontas’s origin, were a fairly peaceful bunch.

Their bravery is where we are born from as descendants living here on that soil on which they first stepped.

We then went on to Williamsburg , to a place where brave words were spoken.

Patrick Henry at the young age of 25, boldly declared, “Give me liberty or give me death.”

Where would we be without that kind of bravery?

The bravey that it took for the early colonists who became revolutionaries to stand up for their rights, as people, as a country.

They laid their lives, families, and futures on the line for the good of others.

That kind of bravery and patriotism seems to be rare today in our young people of that same age bracket.

There are brave men standing up but there needs to be so many more.

Joining up with Lisa Jo today for Five Minute Friday.

How am I ever to get much work done around here when every time the computer opens on my lap I have to deal with this:

Ain’t she cute? Her name is Mango if you are new around here.

There is a reason she is staring at me so intently.

Its because she just did this (below) about a hundred times and I keep ignoring her.

At least I am trying to.

You see this is not the post I was going to write today but she obviously wants to be the center of attention today, well, everyday actually.

Can you see where she keeps putting that ball?

Right here:

And then she barks at me.

She does this over and over.

Picking it up and dropping it in my lap. Over and over.

And when she doesn’t get what she wants she sits and waits and chews on it like it’s a piece of gum.

You know what? It makes me think of how we take things to the Lord over and over in prayer.

We lay some issue in His lap and ask Him to take care of it.

And when He doesn’t answer right away?

We need to just sit patiently like Mango…

And wait.

Because He tells us to.

“Be still and know that I am God” ~ Psalm 46:10

If you showed up here looking for a dessert recipe, I am sorry you were disappointed.

And about Carmel? She is no longer the Alpha dog in our home. I am pretty sure Mango rules the roost around here. Can’t you see her in the background? She was following the leader the whole time.

Is there anything He is telling you to be still about today?

Standing in the third row, the house lights down and dark while the front of the stage was brightly lit.

A sign in my hands for all to see, stepping forward I held up my sign and people stood up in the audience, silently showing solidarity.

Flipping the sign over to tell of His wondrous work, shouts of “Amen!” rang out from all over the room.

My heart overflowed with joy as I stood and claimed a victory for my Jesus.

Turning to walk back to my place in the choir, she reached out and squeezed my hand.

It was then that my eyes overflowed.

She’s borne the brunt of many harsh words; flowing from a mom whose desire is to give her children the life giving words, whose depression has kept her from even recognizing what life giving words are at times. I praise the Lord for my oldest daughter and for the beautiful woman she is becoming in Christ.

It’s been a long while since I had a Multitudes on Monday post so bear with me; it’s a long one!

1532. unexpected paychecks

1533. clear blue sky

1534. the scent of Sun & Sand Yankee Candles

1535. the flicker of candle light

1536. red-headed woodpecker

1537. light dustings of snow

1538. wisdom from my oldest

1539. she puts her iPod in my ears and tells me to listen, she thinks I need to hear it

1540. and she was right

1541. this crazy Grace that I struggle so hard to wrap my brain around

1542. but that is okay, just one more reason it is so Amazing

1543. God still takes care of us even while doubts swirl

1544. and it is so wonderful that Grace extended to me by God, isn’t anything dependent on me

1545. He patiently waits for me to come back to where I wandered off the trail.

1546. When I make it back to the trail I’m supposed to be on, my Rock is there for me to rest on, in the center of my pathway.

1547. LM- her patience and

1548. her God-given wisdom and

1549. friendship

1550. MB- doesn’t give up on me

1551. text messages sent to let me know she’s praying for me

1552. that the Lord has me on her heart

1553. Two hawks sitting side by side

1554. washing machine spinning out the wet

1555. the company of two attentive Goldens

1556. blog posts by others that really make me stop and think

1557. carpet new enough that it still ‘sheds’

1558. a vacuum cleaner to pick up the carpet fuzz

1559.

“Can I persuade you to accompany me to the lake this afternoon?

It is very well stocked and its occupants have been left in peace far too long.”

Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice makes my husband laugh right out and he claims it as his favorite quote from the movie.

1560. the eloquent language of by gone eras

1561. he sits and draws with me

1562. a cleared usable drawing table

1563. a day spent at Longwood Gardens with the children

1564. they never complained but instead enjoyed themselves

1565. people who take time to send texts to encourage

1566. fog settled in the valleys between

1567. pink and purple playdoh

1568. dogs playing together

1569. the “ugly-leftover-from-the-last-renter-directTV-dish” has finally been removed

1570. a day spent with a friend wandering the conservatory

1571. her joy as she drank in the many varieties of orchids

1572. the scent of lilies

1573. the scent of boxwoods

1574. Her interest in smelling each of the different herbs

1575. the littlest has celebrated another birthday

1576. Their friendship

1577. waking up with “How Can I Keep From Singing?” by Chris Tomlin running through my head

1578. good insurance

1579. with an affordable co-pay

1580. with the Lord’s help, I did not come completely unglued at the discovery of lipstick ruining an entire load of clothes in the dryer

1581. Thankfully, it was only a few school uniforms

1582. actually subbing/teaching 5th grade and enjoying it

1583. a sweet message from Ann in my inbox

1584. Laughter

1585. popcorn

1586. candles that smell good

1587. sugar-free Carmel Macchiato Coffeemate

1588. “Nerv-y” invitation that provided stress-relieving laughter

1589. super soft Hanna Andersen pjs

1590. big boy in striped pjs crawling into my lap

1591. that he still wants to sit in my lap and snuggle up close

1592. soft smooth cheek that brushes my own

1593. his incredibly soft & silky hair

1594. praise and worship rehearsal that goes well

1595. the truth: I am a masterpiece of God -not a doodle on a scrap of paper

1596. They play so well together. They explore the yard as if on a great expedition

1597. blue birds

1598. DH at the dentist office I take my kids to, it was totally a God thing

1599. BK a day spent wandering amid blossoms

1600. funny movies, laughter

1601. being invited to practice

1602. practice not nearly as intimidating as I thought it might be

1603. it was actually quite fun

1604. new Uno cards

1605. playing cards as a family

1606. “We will bring the dominoes. Just get the ice cream.” made me LOL in the middle of Walmart

1607. Even so, we have our own dominoes now.

1608. Kids whispering so they don’t wake up their siblings

1609. Motivation to get the house in order. Looking forward to the first week of July!!

1610. her new fuzzy pink “reading” pillow, is almost as big as she is

1611. she wanted to spend her money on something other than a toy

1612. water droplets hanging from the branch like crystals dangling from a chandelier

1613. the list of good on my timeline of the last six years far outweighs the bad

1614. fresh bread from a dear friend/mentor

1615. seven bald eagles sitting in the trees next to the dam

1616. skating with the family

1617. C was happy we went along afterall

1618. A’s first time on ice, she skated like she was born with skates on her feet

1619. Allume ticket is bought (Thanks Mom!)

1620. Allume room is booked

1621. Allume transportation is all lined up

1622. Allume roomies all set

1623. relationships in the healing process

1624. “Elvis” making an encouraging comment

1625. small class sizes

1626. “Where ever you are, be all there.” ~Jim Elliot

1627. a quiet morning

1628. being curled up on the love-seat together

1629. reading the Word

1630. re-connecting with thought provoking conversation

1631. hearing his thoughts

1632. his view of our life and future desires for our family

1633. contentment- that every one of us truly enjoy the home we are currently residing in

1634. a school day off … without snow

1635. a complete art project done

1636. and I am happy with the finished product

1637. sitting at a table sharing a meal with good friends

1638. listening to them sharing their stories, sharing bits and pieces of their lives

1639. enjoying their presence around our table

1640. laughter of friends

1641. cheesecake

1642. a Cheesecake Factory “factory chopped salad” deliciousness in a bowl

1643. being part of our church’s Easter Program (hence the sign above)

1644. so many lives changed

1645. many encouraging words spoken after facing down a giant, publicly

1646. “I’m in mango heaven!”

1647. a day spent with a good friend

1648. learning how to make bread

1649. it was delicious

1650. cooking Pinoy food together

1651. Apples to Apples

1652. roaring laughter

1653. a confused son, who couldn’t figure out why his mother answered the phone, his friend’s practical joke

1654. more laughter

1655. a wall of mangos

1656. ripe mangos, ready to eat, and very juicy

1657. mango float

1658. knorr sauce

1659. skyflakes

1660. being asked to share my photography with a group of Seasoned Saints

1661. Smuckers Peach Mango jam

1662. clear blue skies

1663. the thermometer going well above 70℉

1664. a decision made

1665. plans made for a trip to Longwood Gardens with a good friend

1666. a single swan gracefully gliding along in the pour rain amidst flashing lightening and rolling thunder

1667. veggie quiche

1668. the aged woman, sitting in her wheelchair, who sang along and knew every single word

1669. five bald eagles, all in one tree

1670. a total of eight bald eagles sitting close by one another

Linking up with Emily today. Click on over and read the other Imperfect Prose.

I love the fresh new feeling Spring brings with it.

I have a lot in mind for this space in the coming months.

I intend to redesign and reorganize.

There was a time when I posted several times a week.

What is different and what has hindered me from doing that?

A lot. Mostly life changes.

In 2008, I began a private blog for family and friends to keep them updated with what was going on in our lives since we were living on the “other side,” as my friend Angie’s son used to call it. (He was only about 6 at the time he referred to it that way years before I started writing but just after we move to the Philippines, now he is in high school. Ugh. Where has the time gone?)

In 2009, on my birthday, a decision was made that would drastically change our lives.

On that day, as a gift to myself, I signed up on blogspot and created Hiking Toward Home.

I wrote about my “hike,” my walk with the Lord, and began to post photos of the view along the way, what was going on in my life.

It was my intention for this blog to help me to focus on the bright side and the blessings the Lord showered upon my life by writing about them.

I participated in Tuesdays Unwrapped, linking up with Emily at Chatting at the Sky, to force me to look for the small blessings of the week and chatting about my kids and daily life.

I blogged about very random stuff; what the kids were up too, our international move, the my struggles … with legalism … and the culture … we were living in.

My hike has taken me through many difficult struggles since I began to blog here.

We moved home from the mission field as our work was completed there and passed the church on to national leadership, voting in a new Filipino pastor, under whose leadership it has continued to grow -Praise the LORD!!

Upon returning to the states, my husband was called to pastor a church. Though I wrote frequently, life became harder and harder and I found myself sinking deeper into depression. As the church situation and depression grew worse, I wrote less often.

The Lord allowed for us to walk away from that ministry and brought us into a whole new life; a new church family, a new home, a  new job situation for my husband, and a new school situation for the kids and I.

The reasons I didn’t write were varied.

***to be continued***

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Thanks!

(Before reading through this post; I ask you to please pause the music at the top of this page just under the menu bar.)

Though it was only rehersal,

It was a sacred time;

The Lord came near.

One of those times when you can almost feel Him;

We just knew He was there.

The quiet man with the guitar in his hands,

played an old familiar melody;

But not one I had ever heard in a church.

As the words came to mind, I sang them out.

And Memory? She began to wake up.

I was asked to grab a hymnal and read Psalm 40 aloud.

I uttered words into a microphone,

And Memory caused the voice to tremble and the eyes to fill.

And all of a sudden,

Something that took place a long time ago;

Finally made sense.

::

Twenty-five years ago, my junior year;

Standing in the dark of night in front of my high school;

Watching red and white lights flash their rhythmic warning;

Fire trucks and ambulances littering the road.

Bits and pieces of my best friend’s car scattered on pavement.

My hands shaking… uncontrollably…

Actually… all of me was shaking.

She’d been studying at the public library next to the school.

She was on her way home.

She was on her way Home.

::

The room was over-flowing with teenagers dressed in black;

Whose hearts were aching and eyes pleaded silently heaven-ward, “Why?”

The man in the pulpit quoted the chorus of a song by a popular top 40 secular rock band.

“How long to sing this song?”, he asked.

I don’t remember a whole lot that happened in the days just before and in the days following;

Everything was all pretty much a blur.

But that quote? That I remember in crisp focus.

::

When I came to Christ in my twenties, I did so in a church where the leadership abhorred anything “up beat and secular”. So automatically, knowing nothing different, I obediently put that straight-jacket on and conformed my opinions to stay tightly drawn.

When I did so, I looked back at that funeral message based on a song by U2 as offensive. I puffed up with what I was told was “righteous indignation” and I wondered, “Why on earth would he do that?”

But last night?

I finally ‘got’ it.

Though way back when, I owned the album,

I guess I never really listened to the words of the song nor did I seek to understand them.

But now?

It is clear as the blue sky…

Bono was sharing the gospel through his music;

He never labelled his group a “christian” band.

I was too blind to see it back then

but by Grace I now can see.

The song “40″ is based on (almost verbatim) Psalm 40 of God’s own Holy Writ.

Someone shared with me that Michael W. Smith did a version of it too. I went looking for the Michael W. Smith song on youtube this morning, and I stumbled upon a video recorded at a U2 concert. It was titled “Yahweh & 40″. I took a moment and sat and watched and listened

…and worshipped the Lord along with Bono.

Please do take a few minutes and truly listen.

Don’t let preconceived ideas stop you.

Step out of any box you may be in

if only for a moment,

and hear every word sung…

as an offering to God.

That old familiar melody? …has new meaning in my life.

Walking in new Light today.

Linking up with Emily today. Click on over and read the other Imperfect Prose on  ”Light”.

She sees her mother struggle to rest… in grace… and she hands me earbuds and tells me to listen, that I need to hear this song she found.

I listen and request repeat.

My eyes fill up and the peanut butter smearing onto bread goes a bit fuzzy.

She tells me it is a new day and that I need to remember to see it that way;

A fresh start.

Turn the page…

on yesterday…

… last week,

last month,

last year…

on all of it.

I marvel at how God’s wisdom spills from her fourteen year old mouth;

And wrecks a good kind of havoc on the shadow that has hovered lately.

So quickly it dispels the darkness that has wrapped itself around my head.

Her smile is infectious and her eyes dance along to the melody echoing in her heart: praises to her Jesus.

The wheels go round and the next song plays and He reminds me of how I prayed that He would grow her into a beautiful soul, despite my lack of skill in mothering and nurturing.

And I see Him working in her heart and spirit.

I am filled with thankfulness that she thinks clearly and stands firmly in her confidence in her Jesus;

the one who says she ‘is to die for’.

Oh, yes, she is and oh, yes, He did.

(To watch the video, pause the music player at the top of this page just under the menu bar.)

If you can’t see the video, click on over here.

Linking up with Emily today. Click on over and read the other Imperfect Prose on “Mother”.

(in)RL is an invitation to share what we have learned about community and to encourage women with stories and suggestions for connecting deeper in real life. It was born from two years of reading comments left on (in)courage in the comments left by women longing for local, real life, community.

(in)RL is derived from the social media acronym “INRL” or “in real life.”

Last year I hosted an (in)RL meet-up for (in)courage. It was fun to meet a new friend in my area, have yummy coffee cake, (Vicki: I still need to get that pan back to you!!) and lunch together while we enjoyed watching the (in)RL webcast.

This year it is FREE!!!!

Yes, you read that correctly. FREE. All you have to do is register. When it is closer to the actual webcast, they will email you a link so you can watch it Friday night  on your own and then on Saturday when you get together. Easy peasy.

Here is a video to explain it a bit more.

This year (in)RL takes a closer look at what it takes to stay rooted in community when sometimes walking away would be so much easier and tons more convenient. We will listen to women share stories of how they’ve chosen to stay through hard marriages, challenging parenting, worthwhile friendships. How choosing to stay has freed them more fully and unexpectedly than if they’d cut and run.

Today is the day! To register for this year’s (in)RL meet-up. It will be The weekend of April 26 and 27.

Two days? Yes. On Friday night you will watch the first part on your own (or hook up and watch it with a friend). Then on Saturday, April 27, you will go to the meet-up in your area and watch the rest of the webcast among friends. (They may be new ones or old ones.) Go here to register: (in)RL registration.

Everyone who signs up today receives a free Daybrightener filled with quotes from (in)courage to encourage you each day. (While supplies last! Go register now!!)

Oh, and there is more!! Everyone will get a copy of (in)courage’s first ebook: “Best of the Beach House 2012.” Oh yeah, did I mention that is FREE too? It is.

Another great thing about (in)RL? You don’t have to dump money into plane tickets or hotel bills. You don’t have to pack a suitcase either! Yay! It is a women’s conference that comes to you!

If you are reading this and can’t see the video, click here.

1446. the nurse agreed to swab all four throats

1447. they all had strep at the same time

1448. God’s mercy in not stringing sickness in our family out over several weeks (by them all getting it at the same time)

1449. all of them on medicine at the same time

1450. friends who prayed us through it

1451. tap dancing wise men, and he thoroughly enjoyed himself doing it

1452. ”he channels Riverdance really well” made me laugh right out

1453. she enjoys listening to the twins in the car, “the twins” Peace and Quiet

1454. the friend who referenced “the twins”, such a sweet spirit, thankful to have her as a friend

1455. wise advice from a sincere friend

1456. more wise advice from the same friend, bringing focus to certain relationships

1457. Bev, Bon, Mar, & Ang and their friendships

1458.  her so small singing out so loud and strong

1459. on pitch, perfect timing, & clear diction

1460. with confidence

1461. sons who dress up, on their own, to honor their little sister

1462. hearing the three of them compliment her on her performance

1463. bald eagle perched in a tree

1464. artichokes

1465. his owl hanging on the fridge

1466. her canvas completed

1467. soft light from above instead of the harsh blue florescence

1468. Expensive dress pants found cheap at Goodwill

1469. apple butter, still savoring Rachel’s deliciousness in a jar

1470. sun-dried tomatos

1471. her reading me a recipe over the phone

1472. leaf-barren black fingers reaching up out of the fog in the valley

1473. Christmas lights and greenery on our front steps (the first time ever, in 19 years of marriage, to have decor outside)

1474. David Nevue’s Christmas music quietly filling the room while we have family devotions Christmas morning

1475. feeling the floor vibrate beneath our feet while the pipe organ blasts loud its bass notes

1476. finding the perfect cup for my “Diva” friend

1477. her giggling, finding a shirt that says ‘got drama?’

1478. a white Christmas- a good dusting of snow appearing Christmas Eve

1479. well-behaved kids

1480. a quiet Christmas at home

1481. candy-canes peeking out of fluffy stockings

1482. bows perched on Mango’s silky-soft head

1483. Carmel freshly bathed, breathing in the scent of Peach Mango in her fur while snuggling with her

1484. magnificently huge flocks of blackbirds making shorn cornfields black as coal

1485. white falling softly and silently

1486. our snowdog Mango and her new brave sidekick Carmel

1487. french toast and ham and maple syrup

1488. towering trees covered with Christmas lights

1489. Longwood Gardens at Christmas time

1490. White pointsettias

1491. pine trees bowing low under heavy white snow

1492. skeleton limbs of trees plastered with snow

1493. old barn dressed in snow

1494. Elvis singing “I’ll be home for Christmas”

1495. the rainbow on my wrist

1496. my four daughters (2 have 4 legs)

1497. Carmel, the tropical dog, seems to finally have adapted to snow

1498. the kids playing at the creek in the snow

1499. snowmen in the backyard

1500. she made her first snowman

1501. fluffy pink bathrobe making her cozy and warm

1502. him sledding with the kids

1503. the new plug making it possible to have “play” baths again

1504. watching Road to Avonlea with my oldest

1505. What’s in the Bible? keeping them entertained and learning at the same time

1506. the talented Phil Vischer- so many voices from one mouth

1507. pizza and movies with the kids

1508. Phil Vischer’s outtakes making them laugh hysterically

1509. birds in the clearing under the pine trees

1510. finding a bench next to the stream by the clearing

1511. enjoying  the quiet of the snow

1512. the oldest son commenting that the bench would be a great place to sit and read the Bible

1513. good friends to share an evening with

1514. Cookie- the Shee-poo, so tiny and soft

1515. he helps to clean up my mess with me

1516. laundry washed and folded – and not by me

1517. that evening when she cleared the table, washed the dishes, and cleaned the kitchen without me uttering a word

1518. rapid strep tests

1519. finaly recieved “Desperate” by Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson

1520. she always knows when I am about to need a tissue

1521. Littlest really missed her teacher over the winter break

1522. a small table near the window, a place to set my coffee while I read/study

1523. a new favorite spot to sit and read

1524. rainbow on the floor and the wall

1525. Scripture typer- The Romans Project

1526. flylady.com

1527. clarity concerning certain relationships

1528. his wisdom confirming my thoughts

1529. slant guides

1530. a surprise visit from a good friend

1531. finally get a post up after a long break

Hiking forward,

Sharon

(linking up with Ann today)

I recently read Desperate by Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson. A book I wish I had been given 14 years ago.

Sarah Mae writes honestly from her heart. Telling us like it is. Telling it the way we, as tired, weary, (dare I say, often lonely?) moms of young children, feel deep down inside but are afraid to say out loud.

Page after page, I found myself underlining full paragraphs and writing “YES!!” in the margins. My head nodded as I read descriptions of disappointments where her expectations of what motherhood would be like were shattered by real life.

It is so nice to know I’m not the only one that has been there.

Thankfully, Sally comes along and shares wisdom learned from rearing her own four children. She tells of having some of the same experiences and follows it up with how she approached each one and what she has gleaned from them.

Sally gives many suggestions and ideas to overcome and gain victory, offering practical ways of countering many issues though careful to not give a formula or an absolute “this is the way it is done”.

Over and over she reminds us that every family is different and God created each family with its own culture and personality. We were all made with so many wonderfully different attributes and I am thankful for the reminders that we are. all. different. Consequently, there is no single answer to the issues we face as moms.

Sarah Mae shares about her struggles to follow formulas regarding disobedience and discipline, which so often result in false guilt. I found it identical to my own experience.

“I was told that if I would just do X, Y, and Z, she would obey. If she wasn’t obeying, it was my fault; I was doing it wrong. Of course I felt like a terrible mother.”

Oh, yes. I’ve been there myself.

“Formulas don’t create guilt, but failing to get the desired result from following formulas most certainly can lead to horrible feelings of inadequacy and guilt…”

So very true.

She followed much of the bad advice I had been given as a new mom with the same result I got. She writes of the effect it had on her son, “It was not heart corrective; it was heart damaging.”

Much of these issues which lead to deep disappointment leads many moms into the darkness of depression. I am so thankful that she was open about her experience with that battle.  Having been there myself, it was refreshing to read that I was not alone in my experience.

Sally gives wonderful advice to anyone with a dear one going through the valley of depression;

“be careful not to condemn your friend, and in doing so drive her away.”

“Christians should not shoot the wounded with pharisaical attitudes.”

I can’t count how many times I have been on the receiving end of such treatment.

In stark contrast, Jesus showed compassion.  “…Jesus was a redeemer who took initiative to reach out to the lost and pull them up into life…” .

Oh thank you, thank you, thank you, Sally, for sharing this valuable advice and to Sarah Mae who was brave to write about her struggles as a mama.

Many who aren’t even mamas should read this book.

As you can tell from the photo, there are so many quotes, lessons learned, and practical ideas I found. I have marked many of them so I can refer back to them in the future.

You can get your own copy here.

Keep hiking forward,

Sharon :-)

*I have not been financially compensated for this review. I was sent a free copy. All my opinions here are my very own. There are no affiliate links.