A Beautiful Day

The kids always want to go to Donkey Hill as soon as I pick them up from school...but especially when the weather is nice. And it has been NICE!

I look forward to the day that we pull in the driveway after school and park in a garage...that is attached to our HOUSE...where they can run in, drop their backpacks, grab a snack, and run back outside to play. Sigh.

For now we will have to survive the phase of "throw the backpack in the backseat, stop at the gas station to pee and grab a drink, head to the hill to play, load back up in the car...grassy and stinky....rush back home to do homework and throw dinner together"....you get the picture?

I've never been known for being a patient person. I tend to err on the impulsive side...and in the words of Veruca Salt,  "I want the golden goose NOW, Daddy!" Sometimes I fall into the old saying of "Giving up what you want the most for what you want in the moment."

Over the past year, I must admit that I have gained not only an acceptance but an appreciation of the Lord's timing. Turns out, He knows what's best for me. Praise be for that.

I really have felt such peace as I have been learning to let go and just trust Him. One of my favorite Gospel hymns is "I Surrender All".

1. All to Jesus I surrender;
   All to Him I freely give;
   I will ever love and trust Him,
   In His presence daily live.
   • Refrain:
     I surrender all,
     I surrender all;
     All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
     I surrender all.
2. All to Jesus I surrender;
   Humbly at His feet I bow,
   Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
   Take me, Jesus, take me now.
3. All to Jesus I surrender;
   Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
   Let me feel the Holy Spirit,
   Truly know that Thou art mine.
4. All to Jesus I surrender;
   Lord, I give myself to Thee;
   Fill me with Thy love and power;
   Let Thy blessing fall on me.
5. All to Jesus I surrender;
   Now I feel the sacred flame.
   Oh, the joy of full salvation!
   Glory, glory, to His Name!
   
   
   I thought I would bring my camera to capture the images of this gorgeous afternoon. It's crazy to think that one day it will be hard for me to imagine what it was like to not have our home there. I look forward to that day....patiently, or course.

  
After reading this article...I have made a greater effort to take pictures WITH my children....not just OF them. When I do...I'm always glad I did.

Donkey Hill is such a special place....not for the home it will someday hold...but for the time we have to feel apart from the busy world we live in and for being able to  enjoy each other without distraction.

We are so thankful to our Heavenly Father for the blessing we have of spending so much time together in such a beautiful, peaceful place.

Please remember these days, little bear cubs.

I love you.

-Mama