...Keep MoViNg {Forward}....

This is something that my mom was reminding me of today. It doesn't matter the circumstances, it doesn't matter what someone else is doing.... so many times I get all caught up in "oh poor me because of this situation".... but really, is it going to matter 5 years from now? Even next year, will it really matter? Probably not. I need only to look to Christ and keep going.

            

    "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."Phil. 3:14

So... be encouraged, my friend, to keep moving forward! Run the race that is set before you with endurance, confidence and joy!! (=

~Gianna

...} Hope {...

    This is a word that the Lord has given to me to discover.... expound... and dwell upon.

"For in Thee, O Lord, do I hope....." Ps. 38:15

I looked up this amazing word on dictionary.com. Here's what they had to say...
Noun. -- a person or thing in which expectations are centered:  to believe, desire, or trust:  to place trust; rely (usually followed by in ).

 In 1 John 3:3 the expression "hope in him" ought rather to be, as in the Revised Version, "hope on him," i.e., a hope based on God.
When I think of putting my Hope in the Lord, I think of waiting. Waiting in HIM and Hoping that He will bring my desires about. Which must be followed up with "being of good courage".

"Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord." Ps. 31:24

These were just some thoughts the Lord had brought to my mind and I thought I'd share 'em. I say "just" but really, it's not "just". To me, this was, and is, a "big deal". I believe that every lesson God is teaching us is a "big deal".  My lesson is on Hope. Yours may be completely different. But whatever it is..... don't take it lightly! He is telling us we need to better ourselves in this certain area of our lives. He's drawing us closer to Himself and with each little "life lesson", He is revealing a little bit more of Himself. And for that.... I will praise Him!!

To Market, to Market...

...to sell lots of corn!

These are some pictures from a market we--Caitlin, Jake and I-- did in Grayslake last week Wednesday. With this particular market, there's a lot of good about it :) ....we don't have to be up at 2:00, 3:00, or even 5:00 in the morning! We don't even have to be up at 8:00! It's just that great! This market doesn't start until 3:00, but we have to be at the farm to pick everything up by about 11:30ish. But anyway.... here are just a few pictures from that day. I didn't take all of them, I think Jake took a few, but it gets pretty busy otherwise I could take pictures at this market all day. It's a very clean looking market..... in my opinion anyway! ;) Okay, enough talk..........

And we're off!

The brave Budget truck driver! ;)

Red beets, Golden beets, Cauliflower, Mini eggplant, Large eggplant, Kohlrabi, Red cabbage, Savoy Cabbage.....

Golden beets..

Brussels sprouts.... delicious! ......or not.

Yellow summer squash, Barq squash...

Do you see how intently they're listening to Jake talk about the corn? =D

......it's a long day and we get back late, but in the end.... it'll all be worth it. =]

"Wherefore, I perceive that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his own work; for that is his portion...." --Ecc. 3:22

{...Our Sunday Afternoon...}

Today my sisters and I sang at our county fair... much fun!  (photo credit goes to my little brother Caleb :)

This was Jake's first time playing guitar for us and he did GREAT!!!

"...therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him."Ps. 28:7

 

I'm pretty sure I won the "Favorite Aunt" award. ;)

My niece Allison and I share the same love. We both love horses and rodeos.... =]
Last Saturday was her 7th birthday, and there just so happened to be a rodeo in town the same day! So my present to Alli was a glorious, green ticket to go see a little bit of heaven on earth.......

...watching intently....

All of the kids crowding around the clown....

During the break the clown sang "Happy Birthday" to Alli.. she loved it!

(she's the one in the middle ;)

It was a great, wonderful, very hot, sunny, amazingly fun day!!!

...Happy August 1st...