An Old Endeavor

The deep woody undertones of this rich earth can bring about a calm like nothing else can.....Putting your hands in the dirt puts your soul at ease. Brings rhythm to your heart. Makes you remember with every fiber of your being who you are and from what you are made of.

The senses bring about life. Make memories come alive. All that used to be, brought to the fore front of your mind.

A certain breeze brings about a scent and can whisk you away, if only for a moment. It's amazing how your mind travels back in time, but your vessel stays put. Leaving you in two places at once.....Something only God knows how to create.

This traveling through time is an old endeavor. Never once has any man made any such adventure. Because truly your past has been put behind you for a reason. Going back only keeps you from looking and moving ahead. And God has so much more planned for your future. Your past does not define what's ahead. It's only meant to mold and refine who you are to be. Holding on to what was keeps you imprisoned from living this God given life. Keeps you from making beautiful fragrant memories. Keeps you in shackles from learning and growing. Makes you blind to what's up ahead. Hardens your heart. Makes your soul forget whose you are.

You. Are. deep woody undertones of this rich earth. You were made to make things come alive. And to let others know of this life. Don't ever forget where you have been. But remember your past is just that, it's only your past. It's time to let it be, and move forward. Memories can be beautiful and they can also be wretched, but both are important and bring about wisdom. Trials are for warriors, and you are a WARRIOR. So fight the good fight my beloved. You were called for such a time as this!

Shine Bright

I don't get to stop by here as often as I would like. It seems life on the farm with a man who needs his wife,   and 6 kids who still want their Mama's attention, are still orchestrating my steps on how I am to go about my days. And as they should.

I'm often reminded how quickly this life is lived. How the mile stones keep coming faster than the ones before them.....

This girl of mine...this girl of ours. She soaks up the Son and shines.....She seems to gravitate towards the light,  always has.

 In 18 years we've watched her grow and change from a 10 lb 2 ounce baby girl who rolled over and raised her head up strong within 2 minutes of being born, To this 5'7" head strong young woman with a servant's heart whom has a smile that melts the tension in an awkward room. She will talk to any one, no matter their status in this hard, cruel world. Seems to her that no one is better than any one else.

I'd like to say she is a lot like me at that age....but I can't. And this Mama's heart is full because she "gets it" She understands that life is not about her. I believe that is one of my favorite things about her. She sees when she is needed and then goes and fills that need. I've learned so much through being her Mama. Oh she's not my first child, but she is my first daughter. She's the one I wanted to be when I was growing up. Confident, always smiling. And when someone tries to bring her down she seems to rise up and stand taller than before. I wanted that for her. And at times I probably pushed her harder than I should, but I never wanted her to follow in my steps....Never wanted her to get off track like I did.....

And there were days when I realized prayer was more powerful than pushing. And breaking from hard moments was the best remedy for relief. And love always healed what was broken. That girl broke more antiques than I care to count.....But I learned what was more important during the breaking and it wasn't the stuff...It was her heart.

Oh she's not perfect.....She seems to have her Mama's stubborn side.....They say your not suppose to be a friend to your children and I get that....Mama first, then friend later.....Can I tell you that I have always seen the friendship rising up between us. Getting stronger as the years go by.  Oh I will always be their Mama, But I am really enjoying growing into her best friend.....


And though she will be living her life and making decisions with and with out us My prayer is that she will never lose sight of God's guiding light. The light that seems to follow her everywhere. I pray she remembers to look back to where  she came from, because when you remember where you've been it makes pressing forward a better thing.....We always have room for improvement. I pray she remembers what's most important...While loving those that make it easy to love is one thing, but loving the hard people is what we were called to do. And shaking the dust off your sandals is the last ditch effort when you've tried everything else.

And Sunshine girl remember that hard work is a rare commodity today. College degrees are a dime a dozen. But being loyal and trustworthy are worth more than their weight in gold!

 Your Daddy and I are so proud of you and we love you more than words could ever express!

Shine Bright!

So Long For Now

I believe there are moments in life that need to be an absolute. Some things are just meant to be done, regardless of how hard it might be....and some times those hard things really weren't that hard at all.....They were just very much needed.


Saying goodbye to a friend that is dying of cancer is hard, but knowing that she is ready to meet her Jesus makes the moment easier.  And I have to say I am jealous...I told her so with a smile....Told her she gets to see Him before I do.....She smiles and agrees, tells me she can't wait. Words like that make the "Goodbyes" turn into "So long for nows". Makes my heart sing.

I sit down beside this once strong woman turned frail over night. I grab her hand and we both cry....I kiss her forehead and we pray her home.  I tell God she's ready. Tell Him we are so thankful for the life given. So thankful He loves beyond what we could. Thankful for the Cross.


Words are shared and it's moments like this that fear has no place...Because the love flows freely when time grows short. Makes you wanna say everything you never did before.......Even in the dying the Believer has overcome that scary place we call death.

There was one thing that was overwhelmingly real when I walked in the room...I felt it right away. It was the peace that she has with in her. Seemed to bubble up over into the room. Says she likes being out on the porch, brings her closer to nature...closer to the earth......Up from the dust we came...Back to the dirt we return. We feel close to the Potter who molds the clay. Says she is ready to meet her Maker. It's funny, this thing we call life...A big part of me is celebrating her home going, but that other little selfish part, the part that hates to let them go kicks in and makes moments hard to swallow.


Sometimes we just need to be still.......even the quiet words can be over bearing and loud.....She says the words don't come as easy as her thoughts do.....Her memories are flooding her mind and filling up her soul.....I believe she is fueling up for the journey home. And the memories that she will leave behind, the legacy that she has to give is the glue to hold her loved ones close.

Life is what we make it. Moments are how we react to them. Memories are the people we serve and love on while we are here. I know she has made the best of her time while here on this patch of earth. No doubt her glue will hold her family close.

And Trudy I feel that I failed you as a neighbor....Sure should of been around to see you more than I did.......Sure should of been a better example than I was. Please know you are loved by me. Tell Don I miss him...We all do! So thankful for your sweet friendship.

So long for now sweet sister,
Kimmy

The Dirt

 I was never really afraid to get my hands dirty.  The little girl of long ago, she was more of a "Tomboy" than a girl with pretty pink bows and shiny shoes. Oh my Mama tried to keep me clean, but the dirt always found me. I remember one time Mama had my sister and I all dolled up to get our pictures taken and I made it all the way across the parking lot, almost to the door when I saw a mud puddle. I don't know how it happened, but I was covered in mud from head to toe! Funny how the dirt of the past can be washed right off and your left with a clean canvas once again.  Strange how He molds the clay that encompasses your soul....Molds you into a vessel that's worth keeping a King in a heart that once had no room.....

This place is called Down To Earth because it reminds me of what I'm made of. Reminds me that one is never too dirty to become clean again....Reminds me of the One who keeps molding me. and shaping this soul into His plan, not mine. And that just might mean being raw and tangible to you.......You might see some of my dirty places. You just might see the "Real"  Down to Earth me. And isn't that what we all really want anyway?  Don't we all want to know that there is not one, no, not even one that is perfect here.

 There will be those moments when you need to know you are not alone. When you need to hear words of love and encouragement. This will be that place.......A place to come be real and Down to Earth.  Won't you please join me as I walk this road and share the dirt with you?