Letting Go

I am using a lap top that my husband is letting me use for work and it has been so fun!! I found this picture of Haven from about a year and a half ago and thought I would post it. She is such a joy. Just so grown up and getting so big. She is getting more aware of her consequnences to her actions. Today, she was playing with Gage, and she wanted him to get in the 'train' with her. The 'train' is actually in the cabinet under the sink in the bathroom. Gage gets pulled in by his collar and is very tolerant. I told her that she needed to let him go, and she said 'But mommy, I don't want to, Gage wants to stay here'. It just struck me, that that is how we are with our children. (or at least I am anyway) We dedicated Haven when she was 9 months on Mother's Day, but we gave her to the Lord the day she was born. He entrusted us with her to raise and bring up in Him, but we gave her back to Him, as she is HIS, not ours. It is so hard, and I know that there are other times in a child's life where you have to 'let go'. When they turn 18 and are able to make their own decisions, and you trust and pray that they make the right ones. When they leave home, go to college, get married, ect. I know we are no where near that point, but it just hit me that we are to give our childre, our things that are entrusted to us back to our Lord who gave them to us in the first place. They aren't ours. When I got married, it was the same thing of letting my husband go and just giving Him to the Father, not worrying or clinging too tightly, but just trusting that the Lord was going to take care of Him. For me, sometimes it's a daily process, but the Lord wants us, just like Haven wanted Gage to stay with her in her 'train'. She reluctantly let him go, but she knew that she wasn't doing what she should have by holing him too closely. (and tightly)It seems like the things you love the most in your lives, you struggle with truly letting go. I am just so thankful He never leaves us nor forsakes us and takes us just as we are!
So, that was my little life lesson today from Haven and our dog, Gage. It seems the Lord continues to teach me so many things through our sweet Haven.
Have a great day with Jesus.
Don't hold on too tightly,
Kara

Busy, Busy

I know it's been awhile! I've been very busy lately. I started training to become a loan officer (aka: selling loans) with my sister in law, Kelley last week. I have been training Monday, wednesdays, and Fridays for the past few weeks. My dear, sweet mom has watched Haven while I learn. It's a lot of stuff to know, but I am learning a whole new world and language!!! It's been fun to learn something new and be able to eventually do it from home, while I train for medical transcription!:) I am also cleaning houses every other week, so it's been an overwhelming blessing from the Lord to have doors opened. We got our AC fixed, so that is a definite praise and provision. It only cost 2.00 to get a new fuse and it was fixed! My uncle is a true genious. (he fixes AC's for a living, so we called him up and told him what it was doing, or NOT doing, and he walked us through it over the phone) No charge, except making him a sugar free apple pie.....
Just a random tidbit, gas prices are INSANE lately. Here at our little gas station on the corner in Farmnington, it's 2.68 today!! Good thing I don't get out much! My poor husband has to drive to Rogers everyday, so we are thankful that he has good gas mileage. God is good, even in the little things!
I hope this finds everyone enjoying the rest of their summers with kids, and each other and ready for school to start, cooler weather, (bring on FALL!!) fall Bible Study (for the WINGS ladies) and Razorback football!!!(GO HOGS!!)
Take care,
Kara

Waiting

Okay, as I was finding a picture to post, I found this one, of Haven waiting in line to ride a horse. I saved the picture as 'waiting' and found it appropriate to post as that seems to be the season in my life these days. Waiting on the air conditioner to work, waiting for our dog, Gage, to go potty outside so we can let him in and go to bed, waiting for my car to get fixed after running into a trailer hitch, oh yeah, and waiting in anticipation and expectation for all the Lord has in store for us as the Laney family! There are other things we are waiting in anticipation for, but just needing patience and the Lord's timing. God is so good and so faithful--I am so thankful He knows our hearts!
Blessings!
Kara

God's Timing

It has been so crazy, the past few days that I have forgotten to share what the Lord is doing in my life as far as provision. Just last week, the Lord opened two doors for some extra income I can do from home. I am so grateful. One of them is something that I have been wanting to do for a long time. And I am able to stay home with Haven too! He is so good. The other I am a little nervous about, feel somewhat inadequate, but a dear friend spoke a word over me this morning and she said 'Be assured that God has already equipped you for whatever road he takes you down. You just need to walk in that truth!' I am speaking that today and just walking in it. I start training tomorrow, so I am getting excited. The other job, I can do training from home, so say a little prayer that the Lord would help me manage both training and retain the knowledge. And thank you Lord for always providing in YOUR time, not ours. We are truly blessed!
Kara

Hot, Hot, HOT!

Okay, it's really hot today. It's 90 degrees and it's even hotter inside because our air conditioner died on us yesterday. I have since gotten some fans, and opened the windows, but it doesn't reallly seem to help. I am praying it just kicks back on instead of us having to have someone come out and look at it.
This weekend was busy! We had a family reunion for my father in law's side of the family Saturday morning/afternoon and then Saturday around 4:00, we went to my mom and dad's house to celebrate his birthday. (which was Sunday) It was fun! Sometimes it's good just to hang out with my parents. We don't seem to get up that way much, so it's nice to just chill out. My brother and sister in law couldn't make it and we missed them, but it was still fun. We also got to keep the babies in the nursery on Sunday morning. That was fun too. There wasn't too many, which was great, since it was just Micah and I watching them. Haven had fun in her class too. She said she learned about dragons, which I am sure isn't true. She has this dragon fettish these days.....she did say she watched Veggie Tales and colored a really pretty picture which consisted of crayon scribbles, but it was a masterpiece!! We have been really blessed by New Heights Church. Everyone has such sweet hearts and have really tried to welcome us! But there is one thing I have learned from reading Tommy Tenney books, and that is that we go to church not to be blessed but to bless the Father, to focus and worship Him, not to come with our own agenda of what we can 'learn' or gain from the message. It's been a good perspective change for me and I still struggle, but it's getting easier.
Well, I am going to enjoy my McAlister's tea while Haven is asleep and try to stay cool!
Blessings,
Kara

Mixed Feelings

One of my dearest and best friends from 6th grade just called to tell me she is expecting. I am so excited for her and share in her joy, and love her so much that I truly feel her excitement and joy. At the same time, I am feeling sorry for myself since I have lost two babies-one in October 2003, the other January 2005. I know the Lord's timing is perfect and He knows what is best for our family and I am going to trust, but it's almost a yearning at this point in time for me and my heart so desires to do His will, but at the same time, have another child. Another dear friend of mine recently had a miscarriage and we have been praying for each other and walking through it together--the emotions of loss and wanting another and trusting the Lord to know that now might not be the best time, no matter how much it hurts. It's just so hard to live in His will sometimes, and be patient. The Lord is good and He has taught me many things this year and I am so excited to see what He will continue to teach me as I wait on Him. 'Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, and lean not on you own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight'. Prov. 3:5-6- And then one of my favorite verses that came to mind just now is Jer. 29:11-13-'For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.' I know that the Lord has awesome plans for our family and if anyone is stuggling with waiting on Him or with circumstances, just want to encourage you with these verses that the Lord brought to my mind. He loves us more than we can ever imagine and has our best interest at heart. He holds us in His hands and I know He will take care of us and mend our broken hearts.
Kara

Kids and Dogs

Okay, this is my first time posting a picture. This is of Haven and her doggy, Gage. She has such a fun time with him. We have had him for about 2 months now, and he is finally getting used to her too! He is a good dog, house trained, which was a must, and good with kids. I have wanted a dog for a long time. The last time I had a dog was when I was like 5 or something like that. It was a LONG time ago. But now I can appreciate them more. He sleeps at our feet at night and keeps my cold feet warm. Anyway, they say a dog is a man's best friend, and I think right now, he is Haven's! (along with her other best bud Zachary Gray:))
Have a great day with Jesus!
Kara