Lessons from a Green Bean

By now, most of you know I grow a vegetable garden every year, (with plenty of help from two daughters and 4 precious pea-pickers).

And in that garden I always grow a fence of green beans. Now, when green beans begin producing, they must be picked every day.

On this particular year, I remember picking beans, and filling my basket. Pick a bean, then another and another… and OH MY HEAVENS. That is not a bean! It’s the tail of a little green snake!

Not being a snake-lover, you could hear me squealing from several acres away, I’m sure. I know that little snake was as scared as I was, because he slithered away quickly, hiding himself in the leafy vines.

At this point, I had a choice. Either ask someone else to come pick beans for me, or be a little more careful when picking them myself. Deciding to be a big girl, I choose the latter, and now with gloved hand, began picking beans a little more slowly and carefully.

Now, God talks to me in my garden. After all, it was His original walking place, so I figure He likes mine pretty well too. So, we were talking. And He told me that satan is like that little green snake. He hides, he deceives, he’s sneaky. But, I didn’t need to be afraid of that little snake. I just needed to be aware of him, ….just like I need to be aware of satan.

That little snake lived all season in my green bean fence, reminding me daily to be cautious and on-guard, but not to be fearful, of him or of satan. I only squealed a few times. : )

Thanks God! It was a good lesson.

… Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes. (II Cor. 2:11)

Friday Finds

This is a must-read. Cindy Beall has written from first-hand experience the true story of a broken relationship healed by the mighty power of God's redeeming Love and forgiveness. It will be life-changing.....I promise!

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Haven't read The Shack yet? There's still time before Kim discusses it on her blog in about a week. It could lead to some lively discussion!

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One of the things Jon has been doing since he's been home.

picture taken by Jacob Meadows (he asked me to say that) ; )

Weekend plans? We've got swimming, and a bike ride planned with these two. That's about it! How about you?

Rudbekia, hollyhock, summer phlox

Cousin Camp

The Cousins ready for Cousin Camp! (ages 9-1)

No moms allowed.

They all arrived about 12:30. First, we played some games.

Lily playing "Duck, Duck,Goose"

Next, we skipped rocks at the pond. OK, we tried.

Uncle Kody was pretty good at it.


The swing!
(the 3 youngest)

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This is where the best fun happened. We made this!
Kaden aptly named it "Woppity". (If you try this project, be sure to do it outside---it's messy!)
(my archaic internet won't allow me to upload the video---I'll try again later!
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Sadie's mom came to get her for a nap at this point.

Snacks and swimming.
(Uncle Kody is the BEST!)



And we swam until about 3pm.
The cousins had a blast. Mimi had a blast. I think even the moms had a blast!

"We love Cousin Camp!"

Cousin Camp points:

Thanks to Amy G. for this idea.

All these kids live on our acreage and spend a lot of time together. They refer to each other as "my friends" ; )

It was the build-up and anticipation of Cousin Camp that made it so special.

We'll be doing it again---they're already asking. ; )

Grands are the GREATEST!

What Are You Reading?

Right now I am reading:

The Last Disciple – Hank Hanegraaff & Sigmund Brouwer
The Slumber of Christianity – Ted Dekker
Have a New Kid by Friday – Dr. Kevin Leman

Are you a reader?



What are you reading right now?



Have any good suggestions or must reads?

Do you read more in the summer or in the winter?



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come back tomorrow for Cousin Camp!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Last night we hopped on the bike and rode to

watch Kaden play ball
"good game, good game, who won?"
The best part of the ball game!

Then we rode some more and went to watch Brad at this ballgame.

Lifechurch vs Lifechurch...guess who won? ; )

Eatin' Mimi's popcorn

Three tired girls

This one was especially tired

"Daddy, you did good"

Yep. It was a good night!

What About Me?

“But, what about me?”

I’ve said it, you’ve said it, we’ve all said it. Or at least we’ve thought it. And the world constantly puts it in our face.

But, where in God’s Word does it ever talk about me taking care of myself? Or me looking out for myself? Or me putting myself first?

Nowhere.

At least that I’m aware of.

God is always telling us to put others first.

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

To prefer.

Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor

To not be selfish.

Recognize God’s economy. He says to save yourself you must sacrifice yourself:

Matthew 16:24 "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self.

Seems to me God doesn’t give a lot of support for that question…

But, what about me?

Friday Finds

Follow the lifechanging events of this girl. She leaves next week for London---to live and minister there!

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Anna has some good leadership principles going on at her blog.

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Check out Alec's blog. (Just started this week.) He's one of our sons' friends and has some great insight for a young man! Think there's a ministry calling on his life? Leave him some blog-love!
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Weekend plans? Another low-key weekend here! Wow!! We'll have plenty of swimming and outdoor work.

What will you do?

catching fireflies!