Quantcast
Channel: Richly Blessed

About: Going to the Gym!

$
0
0
Josh and I just started going to the gym. We are going to try and do it everyday for the foreseeable future. I'm happy and excited about it! I really am. I am SO out of shape compared to how I was when I was working on my family's farm every day.


HOWEVER. 


After two days of going to the gym, I feel like this:


And I want to do this:





I know things will get easier as we go along, I just hope it gets easier fast! 

Adventures in Laundry

$
0
0
Last week, my dryer broke. Now, if it had been during the Spring, Summer, or Fall, that would have been ok, because I have a (somewhat small) clothesline. BUT, it's in the middle of winter. I decided to try the clothesline anyway.....

.... and by the time I had these few things hung up, they were already frozen stiff! And so were my fingers! :-) I WILL say that even when your laundry hangs on a line in single digit weather for roughly 24 hours, and gets frozen solid, and THEN you bring it in and hang it from your ceiling fan (which is turned on), EVEN after ALL that, it still smells good, like laundry hung out on a sunny summer day to be dried in the fresh air. :-)  
 I WISH I'd taken pictures of our laundry spinning slowly around on our bedroom ceiling fan, but I didn't. It was pretty funny, and more than once it scared me when I glanced down the hallway and saw movement where there usually isn't any. ;-) 

 The point of this post, however, is just to say that God is good, and blesses us with even the unimportant things at times. Our landlord found a brand new dryer for a great price and got it for us, and now I can do all of our laundry without overloading our ceiling fan. :-) 


And before I go, Cleo says hi!!! :-)

Prayer Request For My Niece

$
0
0
Hello everyone! I am very happy to tell you (a little late) that my sister-in-law had her baby Thursday a week ago! My adorable niece weighed 6 lbs 9 oz and was 21 inches long. Her name is Ashlynn Liberty.


My prayer request is: Ashlynn has Down Syndrome, and today we learned that she has a hole in her heart which will require surgery. She is a precious, beautiful baby and has already stolen our hearts. Please remember her in your prayers! ♥

A Very Late Going To The ZOO Post!

$
0
0




This is several weeks late, but I figured it's better late than never, right? :-) A while ago we went to the Columbus Zoo! I had never been there before, and Josh hadn't been since he was little. If you ever get the chance, I recommend it. It was really nice! I'm sure it's even better in the summer time though. =) 

This will be mostly a picture post, because I had a TON of pictures! Don't worry though, I won't share ALL of them. =) 

Flamingos are SO interesting! Their skinny little legs look like they might break at any moment! These particular birds looked a little cold. After all, it was in the middle of February in Ohio!

The Aquarium is really cool! 

They even had a huge tank with manatees in it! It's neat to see them underwater like that. I'd only seen them from the surface.

This Cheetah (?) Was really beautiful! There was a man with us that was carrying a plastic grocery bag, and kitty was VERY interested in it! He walked right up to the fence and started pawing at the bag like a kitten! =) 

The Gorillas were the most fun! They actually seemed to like having their picture taken, and kept posing for the camera. Every once in a while one would run up to the glass wall and pound on it with his fists and scare everyone. =)

He looks like he's thinking about something. =) 

Look at that arm! Those guys are strong!

This was a lady Gorilla. Once she walked over and sat against the wall right in front of me. It was cool to only be separated from them by the glass!

This was one of the best pictures I got during the entire day. =) Isn't he cool looking?

The tiger! This was exciting. He walked over when he saw us and paced back and forth in front of the glass. Probably because he was hungry and wanted to get through the glass to eat us! =) 

It was really thrilling being this close to him! They are really beautiful animals!

He looks hungry!

He was a pretty good looking cat! Lions are one of my favorite animals. I think they're beautiful!

The lady lion just lay there and watched us. She seemed pretty board. She's pretty though isn't she!

And here's our very own little tigress. ;-) She's a mighty hunter too, of small bits of paper, my hair scrunchies, and her little toy mouse.


Well that's all for now. =) I hope you enjoyed the pictures! 

Photography Contest ~ Through My Lenz Photography

$
0
0
Hi everyone! My talented friend Olivia recently started a blog for her photography business, and she is having a photography contest! I know she would love it if any of you entered! You can check out the contest post here.

The photo challenge is "Best Self Portrait."

Here is my entry!

Yikes blogger really pixilated it.....  Anyway, I took this picture driving home from work with my husband. The sunset light was really pretty and I was just playing with my camera in the mirror. I edited it slightly to enhance the lighting and give it a more vintage feel. =)

I look forward to seeing the other entries!

Happy Birthday....

$
0
0
To the man who is my best friend.

To the man who loves me no matter what.

To the man I'm blessed to spend the rest of my life with.

To the man I love with all of my heart.


And secondly!


Happy Birthday to the best Mom in the world.

The one who showed me what it is to be a godly wife and mother.

The one who I know loves me unconditionally.

The one who I can always call and talk to when I need to.

Mom, you're an amazing woman and I thank God for you. Thank you for setting such a wonderful example for me and my sisters to follow! I love you.

The Story Of The Dogwood

$
0
0

I saw this on a friend's blog and had to share! =)


The story goes that when Jesus was awaiting crucifixion and when the crosses were being made the trees begged God to spare them, but the Dogwood begged not for it's life but for the life of Jesus. 
The Roman soldiers picked the Dogwood.
The Dogwood pleaded with God to use another wood but God did not intervene.  The Dogwood would now carry the body of Christ to his death and the Dogwood knew that for all eternity Dogwoods would be known for this horror.
God in his wisdom spoke to the Dogwood and understood the tree; in that time Dogwoods were tall straight trees that provided sturdy timber for homes and vessels, safety for the animals. bowls for food, utensils to cook with; and God spoke.

God told the Dogwood that the burden that was carried would be carried only one time, and from that time on Dogwoods would be knarly small trees with poor timber size so no Dogwood could be used in this manner again. God told the Dogwood that the Dogwoods would now be responsible for eternity to help people remember.
The Dogwood would only bloom for a very short time before and after the date of the crucifixion, the flower would have just 4 petals representing the hands and feet of Christ, they would be marked with a hole and the blood of Christ and the center of the flower would be circular raised and represent the head of Christ wearing the crown of thorns.
And so it is today, the Dogwood is a small twisted tree, it blooms at Easter and the flower....well look for yourself.


Happy Resurrection day! =)

Dear Summer...

$
0
0
Dear Summer,

I miss you. I knew it wouldn't last forever, but I thought you'd stay with me a little longer than this! Did I say something to offend you? I know I complained a few times about the heat, but that didn't mean I didn't still love you! And, you probably heard me say that I couldn't wait for Fall, but that was just a figure of speech! I didn't mean I wanted you to go away! It's only September and already I've had to wear a jacket.
 Please come back Summer. I'm sorry for what I said. I'll try and make it up to you. We can go fishing like we said we would. Maybe we could even do some camping, since we never got to that either in the short, sad time you were here. Please come back?  We can go swimming! Just for a few weeks? I'm not ready to meet Winter yet. It's too soon.

Ormond Beach Fl, August 2011

Love is in the air!

$
0
0
God is so awesome.  I'm STILL so excited I don't hardly know what to write!

If you've read this blog much, you've probably seen pictures of my little brother Ben.


I say little, but he's really not so little anymore. He's all grown up. And GUESS WHAT??!! He's getting MARRIED!!! Yes. He's getting married to the lovely Emily Case.


I love them.

Don't they look SO happy? =)


So here's how it happend. Ben and Emily have known each other for a couple of years now. Their families do church together. Neither of them had thought about the other one as anything more than a friend until early this year. Sometime in the beginning of the year Ben felt like God was showing him that Emily was the One, and so he was praying about it and he started talking to our mom and dad about it. Now here's the really cool part- around the same time Emily started feeling like God was laying it on her heart that Ben was the one for her! So they were both praying about it and thinking about it, and neither of them knew that the other one was thinking the same thing!

Mr. and Mrs. Case, and my parents were feeling the same leading, and in April my parents started talking to the Case's about the possibility of Ben & Emily getting married. At some point around this time, Emily came to her parents (not knowing any of this was going on) and told them she felt like God was showing her that Ben was the one she was supposed to marry. She was continuing to pray and think.

Finally in July, Ben sat down with Mom and Dad and told them he was sure that Emily was the one God intended for him to marry. Of course they were SO happy! They love Emily. =)  Next Ben talked the Mr. Case, who was also thrilled. They love Ben. =) And SO they went right into talking about the ring and the proposal! They decided to keep it a secret from Emily so she would be surprised. =) 

Josh and I (who they ALSO kept all of this a secret from!) were planning to go down to FL for a visit in August so Ben, being the sweetheart that he is, decided to propose while we were down there! The whole church had planned a day at a beautiful park and spring that everyone loves to visit, and so on Saturday August 6th, most everyone from church, except Ben, Brandon, and a few who couldn't make it, walked down a boardwalk through the woods at Alexander Springs, and came out onto a dock on the river. There was a gorgeous bouquet of flowers on the bench, and a card that said Emily Case. Now, up until then, most of us (including Emily!) had just thought we were going for a walk. haha. And now I'll let you watch the rest, because we got it on video!!!! =D

The Asking! from Emily Case on Vimeo.


AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wasn't that SO AWESOME???!!!! =) God is awesome.

Needless to say, Emily was shocked. And thrilled. And it was SO sweet. I even cried. And I was shaking, so I can just imagine how she felt. =) It reminded me of when Josh proposed to me. =) Click here if you want to read Emily's perspective on it all! =)

They sure do love each other. They're a testament to the blessing of God on those who wait for him.

And you know what ELSE I'm excited about?? I'm going to be a bridesmaid!!!!!!! =D I couldn't be more happy! Josh is going to be a groomsman too, and my older brother Brandon is going to be the best man. =) I just might die of happiness. God is so good. I love my family. 

Oh yeah, and the wedding? It's going to be on NOVEMBER 19th! That's 66 days from today people. * Does a happy dance *

I'm SO excited about the wedding!!!!! I'll be telling you about it in the next few weeks.... it's going to be beautiful. And sweet. And I'm going to cry. I already asked Jean to bring tissues. She's a bridesmaid too. =)





The Wedding is coming.....

$
0
0
I love these two.


The wedding is in just FORTY days.


I think they're a little happy.... and just a tiny bit excited. ;) 


I am just bursting with excitement for them!! I can't wait to get to FL. =)

I've been working on my dress....


With a lot of help from my wonderful, amazing friend Rachel. =)


And LOOK WHAT CAME A FEW DAYS AGO!!!


I was so excited. =)

And check this out-


That's my kind of wedding reception. No shoes. =)

*happy sigh*

She Beautifies His Life

$
0
0

I read this today, and it was both convicting and inspiring. I wanted to post it here so I can come back and read it often, and also to hopefully encourage all you lovely ladies out there to join me in becoming a wife that beautifies her husband's life. 

"A true wife makes a man's life nobler, stronger, grander, by the omnipotence of her love 'turning all the forces of manhood upward and heavenward.' While she clings to him in holy confidence and loving dependence she brings out in him whatever is nobles and richest in his being. She inspires him him courage and earnestness. She beautifies his life. She softens whatever is rude and harsh in his habits or his spirit. She clothes him with the gentler graces of refined and cultured manhood. While she yields to him and never disregards his lightest wish, she is really his queen, ruling his whole life and leading him onward and upward in every proper path.

But there are wives also like the vines which cling only to blight. Their dependence weak, indolent helplessness. They lean but impart no strength. They cling but they sap the life. They put forth no hand to help. The loll on sofas or promenade the streets; they dream over sentimental novels; they gossip in drawing-rooms. They are utterly useless, and being useless they become burdens even to manliest, tenderest love. Instead of making a man's life stronger, happier, richer, they absorb his strength, impair his usefulness, hinder his success and cause him to be a failure among men. To themselves also the result is wretchedness.

Dependence is beautiful when it does not become weakness and inefficiency. The true wife clings and leans; but she also helps and inspires. Her husband feels the mighty inspiration of her love in all his life.. Toil is easier, burdens are lighter, battles are less fierce, because of the face that waits in the quiet of the home, because of the heart that beats in loving sympathy whatever the experience, because of the voice that speaks its words of cheer and encouragement when the day's work is done. No wife knows how much she can do to make her husband honored among men, and his life a power and a success, by her loyal faithfulness, by the active inspiration of her own sweet life."

---JR Miller from The Family; a 19th century preacher

4 Weeks and 2 Days

$
0
0
In 4 weeks and 2 days, my little brother will be married to miss Emily Case. =)



I'd better get going on those wedding favors. haha

We've Moved!

$
0
0
It's been WAY to long since I've posted! I just wanted to write a quick update to tell you all that due to a whole bunch of exciting developments in the last few months... WE MOVED TO FLORIDA!!! =D We're staying in our camper temporarily on my parent's property until we find a house, which is a bit of an adventure. Especially with THREE cats. ;) It's fun though... or it will be once we find places for everything so the camper is nice and neat. Still working on that one. ;)

I love living here again. I'd forgotten how much I loved Florida. It's a beautiful state. And I LOVE being near my family again. It's great to just be able to walk across the yard and see them. And Josh and I are both really excited about the main reason we moved down..... Josh is going into business with my dad and brothers Brandon and Ben. They're going to be designing and building outdoor living spaces - kitchens, patios, entertaining spaces with stone fireplaces... it's an exciting opportunity. So far things seem to be falling into place. =) I'm so excited about them all working together!

It was really hard to leave our friends and family in Ohio. We miss them a lot. I especially miss my dear friend- sister, really- Rachel. I'm just thankful for texting! =)


 Well I need to go get stuff done. I'll try and update more often so I don't have to shock you with big announcements like this a week after it happens. ;) Bye from sunny WARM DeLeon Springs Florida! =)


Almost Wordless Wednesday...

$
0
0
I've never participated in Wordless Wednesday, but I think I'll begin this week with a picture of my lovely sister Bethany at the rock beach in St. Augustine. Enjoy!


A look back at 2011... And a look forward at 2012

$
0
0
Happy New Year! I'm a little late I know. I'm almost always late but hey, at least I'm consistent! ;)

Anyway...

 2011 held some big changes for us as most of
you know. Josh started working as a financial advisor in the beginning of the year, along with continuing his construction business. After pursuing that career path for a while we began to feel that it was not quite what God was leading Josh to continue to try and do full time, and we were praying for wisdom and guidance, and looking at other options. When my Dad brought up the idea of going into the Hardscape business with Brandon, Ben and Josh, it was something that  we had thought about (not hardscaping specifically but we had thought about working together doing something) and the idea was very appealing and exciting to both of us although we new the risk, and the huge amount of commitment it would take, and we had many concerns. After much prayer, lots of consideration and discussion, and going to a trade show with my dad and brothers and hearing their thoughts and commitment level, we felt that God was leading us to make the move. It was hard to leave our friends and family in Ohio, and more than half our things are packed away in a storage unit, but we love being here and are excited for the future! The Lord has blessed us so far with beautiful weather, enough money coming in through some remodeling work Josh is doing for my Grandad, and many exciting developments and the promise of work beginning very soon in the new company, WoodStone Creations. 2011 ended on a very hectic and exciting note, and 2012 has begun the same way.

 I also cannot forget to mention some of the other exciting happenings of 2011-

The birth of my little niece Ashlynn and watching God's blessing and healing in her little life.


The birth of little Amanda to our best friends Caleb and Sue in Ohio.


The marriage of Ben and Em.





And many other less major but still very exciting things! 2011 was a year full of trials and blessings, and learning and growing. I expect 2012 will be full of those things too. I pray that you and your family have a new year full of blessings. I, personally, cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store!  

Ginnie Springs

$
0
0
Over New Year's weekend Josh and I and Ben and Em decided to go camping at Ginnie Springs, which is about 2 hours north of where we live, near Gainesville, Florida.  I'm so glad we did! It was really beautiful, and we had so much fun with Ben and Emily! In the evenings we played Mad Gab (Ben and Emily beat us. Badly.), Clue, and one of mine and Josh's favorites (and now I think one of Ben and Emily's favorites too)- Rail Baron. The park itself was really beautiful, and there were very few other campers, so it was quiet and nice. =)

I wanted to share some of the MANY pictures I took over the weekend. =) I hope you enjoy them!

 This is the main spring. Isn't the water beautiful! We really enjoyed swimming here.

 There are actually two springs under the water in this picture. Josh took some underwater video that I will try and share with you soon! =)

 The "run" where the water from a spring runs out towards the river.

 So much better than a swimming pool!

 Me and Josh swimming. =) 

 Lovebirds. ♥

 Here's one of the other areas with a spring... we didn't swim here but it was sure beautiful!


 This is what the main spring at Ginnie Springs looks like when it's lit up at night! =) Those rocks are a few feet under water, and it's about 20 feet deep in the blue part. There's a huge cave under the rocks. It was so neat!!!

 The road we were camping off of. 

On Sunday we went kayaking. Actually Ben and Em when kayaking and Josh and I went canoeing. ;) I love the look on Em's face! Can you tell it was fun? =) 

 Cypress trees are so cool! I love all the roots on the bank.

 The Santa Fe river. It's beautiful.

 Look at the size of this tree! 


My handsome husband. ♥

 Ben tied Emily's canoe to his on the way back so she could have a rest from rowing. =)

The woods behind our campsite were really pretty! I went out there one evening and did a little exploration. ;) 

Check out this Cypress knee! They are so odd looking! I've rarely seen any that were this big.

 I sat down in front of some of the roots to show you how big they were!

 Enchanted forest! =)

 There were lots of these little dried flowers out there. They're pretty.

We hope to go back and camp there again sometime. Maybe when we are certified to dive! =) Have a wonderful afternoon everyone!


A Sermon in a Song

$
0
0

  1. This song has been on my heart today, and so I decided to share it with you. Have you ever really listened to the words of 
  2. this song? It truly is like a sermon for my heart. =)

  3. What a friend we have in Jesus,
    All our sins and griefs to bear!
    What a privilege to carry
    Everything to God in prayer!
    Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
    Oh, what needless pain we bear,
    All because we do not carry
    Everything to God in prayer!
  4. Have we trials and temptations?
    Is there trouble anywhere?
    We should never be discouraged—
    Take it to the Lord in prayer.
    Can we find a friend so faithful,
    Who will all our sorrows share?
    Jesus knows our every weakness;
    Take it to the Lord in prayer.
  5. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
    Cumbered with a load of care?
    Precious Savior, still our refuge—
    Take it to the Lord in prayer.
    Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
    Take it to the Lord in prayer!
    In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
    Thou wilt find a solace there.
  6. ~ Joseph M. Scriven, 1855

In Case You Hadn't Noticed....

$
0
0
See this guy?

I love him.


 He's a man's man. Not an ounce of sissy in him. ;)   


He's handsome. He hates having his picture taken. I love the goofy looks I get... even though for his sake, I don't usually share them with you. ;)


He has blue eyes like me.


He's a loving husband. He's an honorable man. He's a gentle man. He's a forgiving man.  


He has an awesome sense of humor. 


He's a hard working man.


He's a godly man. He is my hero, my real life Prince Charming.

He's MY man, and that, my friends, makes me the most blessed girl on the planet.

"Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest,
so is my beloved among the young men.
In his shade I took great delight and sat down,
And his fruit was sweet to my taste.
He has brought me to his banquet hall,
And his banner over me is love.
Sustain me with raisin cakes,
Refresh me with apples,
Because I am lovesick.
Let his left hand be under my head
And his right hand embrace me."
Song of Solomon 2:3-6                  



Brother's and Sisters

$
0
0
One of the greatest blessings of living here is that I get to spend lots of time with my younger brothers and sisters!! I've gotten to stay with them a few times while Mom and Dad had to go somewhere, and it's been SO much fun! =) After 3 years away, they've all changed a lot, and it's nice to sort of get to know them again. 

 Bo ~ He's funny, kind, gets lost in his own thoughts a lot, doesn't always pay attention or listen, is a bit of a philosopher. When I took this picture he was in the middle of telling me a story. ;)

Brason ~ He's smart, with a quick wit, mischievous, a bit cocky at times, but still sensitive and soft hearted.  

Bethany ~ Sensitive, quiet, very softhearted, funny, talented and smart.

Brianna ~ Talented, creative, artsy, beautiful, well-read and smart, a dreamer.

Providence ~ Adorable, funny, mischievous, sweet, and did I mention ADORABLE??

 Berakah ~ Cute, mischievous, smart, soft hearted, funny.


Of course I've left out a lot of things... I can't possibly cover everything. I'm just loving my time with them, and I thank the Lord for the opportunity. I really am Richly Blessed.





Then There Were THREE!

$
0
0
AAAHHHHHHH!!! I know a lot of you already know this, but I still had to make the announcement because I'm SO EXCITED!!!!!! =) Ben and Emily are expecting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =D
Click here to read Em's announcement. ;)

I can't WAIT to meet the little one sometime in September! =)

Goodbye Spring!

$
0
0
So Spring is over down here, and since I took a lot of pictures and never shared them, I thought I'd do a Spring wrap-up post of my favorite ones.... plus I promised Marci I'd post some pictures of the kids... so here they are! ;)
Provy... Also known as Miss Cheeks

Beri

One of the new calves.. it was tiny!! And yes, my sisters ARE beautiful! ;)

 I love these two... I mean THREE. *squeal*

Freshly picked blackberries... brings back lots of good childhood memories! =) 

Brason & Caramel the pet calf. 

Mmmmm Jasmine! 

Well I said he was a pet didn't I? ;) So far he's made it all the way into the kitchen once. He thinks he's a dog. haha.  Isn't Provy ADORABLE??!!

Practicing three legged racing. =)

The new pig... her name is Bacon... so yeah.

Three pretty sisters. =) Brianna just turned 14!!



On a different note, please keep Emily and Amanda in your prayers for their pregnancies. They are both doing very well so far praise the Lord! Ben and Em found out recently that they are having a GIRL!! =) Her name is Georgia Rose. I got to see her on a 3D and 4D sonogram and she's already adorable! =) I can't wait to meet her and Brandon and Amanda's little Waylon. The family is growing rapidly!! =)

In The Arms of Jesus

$
0
0
My brother Brandon and his wife Amanda went to the hospital this morning for the birth of their son Waylon Brantley. There were some complications and baby Waylon has gone to be with Jesus. Please pray for them and their daughters Keylan and Ashlynn, as well as the rest of the family.

Family Picture

$
0
0
The nurses took a few pictures for Brandon and Amanda. ❤ Today they are making the final arrangements for little Waylon's body. Watching my brother call funeral homes today made my heart hurt for him even more. Thankfully a nurse offered to make phone calls and help him find one. Please keep Brandon and Amanda and Keylan and Ashlynn in your prayers today especially. They really appreciate and need them.

Promises

$
0
0
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

I've started a new blog....

$
0
0
Hi everyone! I've started a new blog on wordpress called The Diary of a Happy Housewife. It was just an idea I had and I'll be doing all my blogging from my iphone so wordpress is easier. Go on over and check it out! I hope you enjoy it :)
https://diaryofahappyhousewife.wordpress.com/




Latest Images