Joyful Medicine

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 17:22

With four sick kids over the past two weeks I have been stressed to almost my breaking point.
I have been amazed at how my Lord has not only, sustained me through this week, but also how He has renewed my heart. I have found joy in serving my husband and ministering to my children.
There are weeks when I let circumstances of unimportance dictate my mood. I have been short with my husband and probably should have had my backside kicked a couple of times. I have been irritated by the endless needs of my children. I have been unfaithful and closed-hearted to my Father's words of wisdom.
I have just been unhappy with the load upon my shoulders, unwilling to bear it.
I came across the verse in Proverbs 17:22, bowed my head and cried until I felt better. I went into in kitchen, put on my favorite apron and did the dishes.
Everything has purpose. Every task, every word, every thought. I found that when I changed my thoughts, it changed my heart. When I changed my heart, it changed my thoughts. When I stopped trying to do it myself and let the Lord speak, HE changed my actions.
I have been longing for encouragement from my husband. Trying so hard to make him give it to me, that I lost sight of what he DOES for me rather than what he SAYS to me.
When I was finally able to joyfully serve him (though not without some faltering), rather than manipulating him- he freely shared his thoughts with me. One little comment was enough to make me blush three shades yesterday!

With so much sickness, I am thankful for the medicine that comes from my Father for my soul. And dreaming of warm summer days doesn't hurt either! :-)

How can I love my children better?

How can I love my children better?

1. Love their Daddy

2. Honor their Daddy

3. Obey their Daddy

4. Respect their Daddy

5. Forgive their Daddy

E.V.E.R.Y.D.A.Y.
In my thoughts so they become my words,
and in my actions to be seen most of all by four pairs of little eyes.


(Pictures from our first family camping trip back in Sept 2010)

Bowling with the Guiney's

For Luke's birthday, we went bowling with the Guiney's.
Krista and Paige were a little too busy to be in the picture.
We had a great time!
Seven kids, four adults, two lanes and TOTAL CHAOS!
We were in our own Bibby/Guiney world!

This is my friend, Jennifer!
Can I just say, I think she's pretty great!
Who else would I call when our husbands are out shoveling snow, building fences, digging water lines, chopping wood or hunting?
Who knew 7 years ago what started out as a work acquaintance would turn into a wonderful friend!
Poor girl, she's just as crazy as I am!

Am I content?

Am I content? I ask myself.
A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.
Prov 14:30, ESV

I am reminded of my Creator seasonally here in Indiana.

To watch Him bring life from a dead ground in Spring time,
is like renewal of the soul when we give and re-give ourselves to His purposes.

The summer sun brings warmth to our tired bodies,
wearied by the year long tasks of school and coldness of the past winter.

His wonderment is on display for the world during the changing of leaves in the Fall.
The perfection in blending of the colors as only He could do- what a gift to share with us!

Today, I'm amazed at His holiness,
not only remind by the pure white snow that covers all that is brown and barren,
but also by the ability to create so many things at once.
For each snowflake that falls is a tiny handcrafted piece-
just as the stars in the sky and the hairs on my head-
quite overwhelming to ponder.

I love Indiana.

Yet, am I content?
I would answer yes until I thumb through "friendly" blogs of the beach
or see a country music video of a willow tree in the warm sunset.

Am I content?
Yes.
I will dream of my treasured Indiana summer and
still enjoy the beauty of the snow falling outside for the time being.

Happy New Year, 2011!

The living room is already a mess with coloring books, colors, markers, pillow pets, blankets and little Bibby's.

The kitchen smells of Eric's famous french toast and sausage.
The sun is attempting to peek through the clouds.
This is how we are to begin 2011.

Now resolutions this year,
just a prayer of thanksgiving for so many blessings too easily forgotten.
Happy New Year,
may you be reminded
of all His grace and continuous mercy that surrounds us daily.