God is Still Good

I don't understand suffering... I don't understand why we have to endure pain on a physical or emotional level. What I do know is at Jesus told us to expect it.  John 16:33

A new book recently came out: "Every Bitter Thing is Sweet" and one of the premise' of it is that during life's struggles try adoration towards God instead of questioning or being mad. Not that wondering or being emotional is bad, it's more a way of refocusing your thought life to INCLUDE God instead of running from Him during our pain. This book may have saved my heart a lot of ache... Our journey towards growing our family has been  a beast. I know we aren't special that way. Many people struggle to conceive or adopt. I want to be different in how I respond though. Up until recentlyv I haven't been different.

I have been angry, emotional, sad, and elusive at different phases of this journey. I have only relied on God as a punching bag or as a wish granting genie.

So, thanks to Sara Hagerty, the author of this great book, I have started focusing on worshiping and lifting God up when I feel like a wreck.

Let's be honest, right now I feel like a wreck often. There is no formula to follow to deal with or end suffering, but I do serve a God worth praising in the midst of it.

Besides just trying to keep my thought life lifted up, I've also put reminders around my house. I've chosen different verses that remind me of God's goodness, His mercy, and His love for me.

When I cook, which is often being a farm wife, I am reminded of his Glory and the glory that will be revealed in us: Romans 8:18

In our bathroom, I know God is always listening to me, and he hears me: Psalms 116:1-2

Real Deal

Soooooooo I've been a little MIA for the last couple weeks.

We've had a VERY unexpected development with our birth family and I needed to seek God. We are still expecting a sweet bundle and aren't giving up hope.

One thing I really came to understand while we were going through different fertility procedures is that God, alone, gives life. We can do all we can; doctors can do all they can, but ultimately God has HIS BEST for us in the end and He will breathe life where it's His best for us. And by us, I mean myself and my farmer. Now that we're onto the adoption portion of the journey to expanding our family, this thought comes back to me. It's in His timing, in His way, because that's His best for us. That being said: I'm still hoping to share exciting news to you all soon! Please pray! :)

Onto the Real deal!

My farmer is doing just that. Farming. He's all driving a ridiculously large, and ridiculously expensive piece of green machinery.

I get a lot of alone time this time of year. It's really not my favorite thing to be alone, but if I prepare correctly, I make it fun! Besides lots of friend and sister in law time, I cook fun foods for myself that my mid-western, farming family, husband can hardly look at without making a face.

I made this! YUMMMM It was made with shrimp.. like the kind that isn't already pink. Here's my recipe.

I started with some real, legs and shells on shrimp that was NOT pre-cooked.

Then, I cooked those babies according to the recipe. You can kinda see they turn from grey-ish/black to pink.

Thennnnn, after about 10 or so minutes I get to eat this yumminess!

Good food: amen.