Resting in Jesus

From Spurgeon ...
In seasons of severe trial the Christian has nothing on earth that he can trust, and so he is compelled to cast himself on God alone. When his vessel is capsizing, and no human deliverance is at hand, he must simply and entirely trust himself to the providence and care of God. Happy storm that wrecks a man on such a rock as this! O blessed hurricane that drives the soul to God and God alone!
Oh, tempest-tossed believer, it is a happy trouble that drives you to your Father! Now that you have only God to trust, make sure that you put your complete confidence in Him. Be strong and very courageous, and the Lord your God will certainly, as surely as He built the heavens and the earth, glorify Himself in your weakness and magnify His might in the face of your distress. May the Holy Spirit enable you to rest in Jesus on this day.
CHS, Morning & Evening, 8/31 a.m.


As I was reading this during my devotional time this morning, I immediately thought of Mom Herr. Last week, Mom found out that her breast cancer has returned. For those unaware, Mom had breast cancer about 14 years ago, then again last April. In the past year and a half, Mom has had lots of Dr. appointments, surgeries and even a cast this summer for 6 weeks when she broke her foot (while serving us by watching our kiddos for a few days!). I know that Mom does not enjoy going to the doctor ... she would much rather be outside in the garden, spending time with her family, swimming her laps in the pool or serving someone else.
However, just as her faith challenged and provoked us last year, she is once again living her life full of faith and trusting that God is using this situation for good and to further the gospel. She is quick to give thanks in ALL circumstances and demonstrates what it looks like to cast herself on God alone.
So thanks Mom, for living a life worthy of the gospel, and for resting in Jesus. You will continue to be in our prayers.
We love you!

Pics of the Kiddos

A picture update of the kiddos ...

Croquet is their new favorite outdoor game to play ...

Watching the neighbors mow their yard ...

Swinging like a big girl ...

And this is what they do in their spare time after they have finished their game of croquet ... it's called "let's make a big mud puddle and paint the wagon" ... at least they were being creative!

"Can I come in?"

Promoting Peace

There are days around here when peace is not the word I would use to describe the events taking place. Having little sinners that are 4 1/2 and 3 1/2 years old playing with the same toys, wanting to ride the same bike and wanting the same color plate for lunch may have something to do with that. Throw in one sinful Mommy and a sinful 1 1/2 year old (who enjoys screaming, yelling and hitting right now) ... and let's just say that sometimes peace is far from my mind. That being said, we desire our home to be a home of peace in every season of life so I've been talking with the kiddos a lot recently about what it means to be a peacemaker and why we should desire peace. We've been talking about practical ways to promote peace. I've been using this theme for their memory verses as well, and have found that meditating on them has not only served the kiddos, but Mommy as well! I'm so thankful that God supplies my every need, in every season of life and in every circumstance. I pray that I would give thanks in everything ... even on those days when it seems like there isn't a whole lot of peace!

Trust God's wisdom instead of my own ...
James 3:17-18
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Obedience ...
Proverbs 3:1-2
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.

Show love ...
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Serve and encourage others ...
Romans 14:19
So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

Be quick to see evidences of grace and slow to see faults ...
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Make every effort to show kindness and make peace ...
Romans 12:17-18, 21
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all ...
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Humbly accept discipline and instruction ...
Hebrews 12:11
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Miscellaneous Monday

Here's a little update as to what each kiddo has been up to these days ...

H - Happy girl - she is full of joy
A - Always a big helper to Mommy
I - Initiates serving her brother and sister often
L - Learning to read
E - Enjoys playing outside as often as she can
Y - Yippie - what she says every time she gets another postcard from Mimi

J - Just as cuddly now as he was as a baby
U - Undresses himself - and can almost dress himself ... o happy day
S - Slipped and fell while taking a shower and chipped his upper front tooth (not the one that he knocked in a bit, the one beside that one)
T - Tinkles all over everything when he goes potty (however, I'd rather clean the potty 5 times every day than have him back in diapers)
I - Imitates Hailey all day long (for good or for bad)
N - Needs a haircut desperately

S - Still loves to eat tomatoes
Y - Yapper - she says more words every day
D - Defensive - has taken to hitting anyone and anything when angry
N - Needs a big girl bed ... she now climbs out of her crib (sometimes with a loud thud)
E - Early riser - she's the first kiddo up every day ... often by 7 a.m.
Y - Yes, she is still a handful ... but a cute and sweet handful

And just for Mimi ... a pic I took of Jared and Meg (to show the prego belly) last night while we were celebrating Jared's birthday ...

Haircuts, Phillies Game ... and the Kiddos!

Hailey and I got haircuts today ...

And then Brian and I went to a Phillies game with his Dad and Mom, Krista and Derek. Although the Phillies lost, we had a fun time and enjoyed a beautiful day together!

Sydney loves to wear this hat around the house ...

Hailey sporting her new haircut ...

And some sibling love ...


It has been a long week, especially for my hubby. I love how hard he works to not only support our family, but also to serve others. Due to youth camp this week, he was up very early every morning to go into work, then headed from work over to youth camp each night where he was there until late, especially last night since they needed to tear down the sound equipment then unload it at the school where we meet for church. He joyfully serves others in so many ways, on top of an already very busy work schedule. He is plumb tuckered out tonight ... sound asleep on the sofa (where he's been since we got back from the Phillies game apart from a small break to eat dinner and help put the kiddos to bed)! His heart to serve is just one of the many reasons that I am the most blessed wife ever! Thanks, my love, for not only working so hard, but also for the ways you are constantly looking to serve me, our family and those around you ... I love you!

Rainy Days ...

We've had some much needed rainy days around here recently. The rain started on Sunday ... the day that we were having a sound and worship team picnic at our place! We had a rain date, but it didn't start raining until right when people started coming, so we still had the picnic. A lot of the older kids still played outside in the rain ... and everyone else was on the patio, in the kitchen, dining room, living room and basement ... there were a total of around 85 people here! Needless to say, for anyone who has been to our house ... it was a little crowded! But everyone seemed to have some fun amidst a bit of chaos, so it all worked out.

This week is youth camp for the youth at our church, and Brian is running sound for the evening sessions. I was able to line up someone to be at the house each night so that I can head over and join Brian. Tonight, my brother Jared is speaking at our youth camp, so I'm excited that I get to be there to hear him speak.

Some exciting news for my Mom and Matt ... my Dad arrived in Livingstone today! After a 10 week seperation, my Dad and Mom were both very much anticipating their reunion! For the last month they will be together in Africa, before coming home in September. It was fun talking to Mom on the phone and hearing how overjoyed she is to have Dad there!

It has been a little since I've posted some pics of the kiddos ... so here are a few from the past week or so ...

That's my boy!




This morning the kiddos sat at the counter and colored while I made these yummy cinnamon rolls for a rainy morning snack ... yummy!!

God O'er All Forever Reigns

The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice. Psalm 97:1
There are no real causes for anxiety as long as this blessed sentence is true.
On earth, the Lord's power controls the rage of the wicked as readily as the rage of the sea; His love refreshes the poor with mercy as easily as the earth with showers. In all our conflicts and tribulations, we may behold the hand of the divine King.
God is God; He sees and hears
All our troubles, all our tears.
Soul, forget not, in your pains,
God o'er all forever reigns.

In hell, evil spirits acknowledge, with misery, His undoubted supremacy.
Fear not death, nor Satan's thrusts,
God defends who in Him trusts;
Soul, remember, in your pains,
God o'er all forever reigns.

In heaven there are none who doubt the sovereignty of the King Eternal, but all fall on their faces to do Him homage ... all delight to serve Him night and day. May we soon reach the city of the great King!
For this life's long night of sadness
He will give us peace and gladness.
Soul, remember, in your pains,
God o'er all forever reigns.
CHS, Morning and Evening, 8/12 a.m.

I recently listened to a message my brother Jared gave back in July entitled The Disciple's Focus. He spoke on anxiety from the text Matthew 6:25-34. It was a wonderful reminder of why I ought not worry or be anxious ...

1. My life is more than material.
Not only am I to put off anxiety, but I am called to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. My ambitions and goals ought to seek the kingdom.

2. My heavenly Father cares for me.
I have a heavenly Father who cares for me! He knows my situation, will never leave me or forsake me, He cares for me and He died for me ... may I be quick to remind myself of these facts when tempted towards worry or anxiety in any situation.

3. Our anxiety accomplishes nothing.
I cannot add a single hour to my life by being anxious. When I worry I accomplish nothing.

I pray that I would be quick to cast my cares on Him, the one who cares for me and sustains me in my every need. When tempted towards worry, may I remember that I have a heavenly Father who cares for me, is compassionate, kind and always faithful. I was meditating on the words to this song by Sara Groves this morning ...

Morning by morning I wake up to find
The power and comfort of Gods hand in mine
Season by season I watch Him, amazed
In awe of the mystery of His perfect ways
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He's always been faithful to me

I can't remember a trial or a pain
He did not recycle to bring me gain
I can't remember one single regret
In serving God only, and trusting His hand
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He's always been faithful to me

This is my anthem, this is my song
The theme of the stories I've heard for so long
God has been faithful, He will be again
His loving compassion, it knows no end
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He's always been faithful, He's always been faithful
He's always been faithful to me

Tomato Girl, Our Little Fish and the Sandbox ...

All of our kiddos love tomatoes ... and it's a great time of the year to be eating lots of them! They will eat them at any time of the day, and will eat as many as I allow!

With that in mind, here's a little tomato story for you ... most of you are probably aware that Sydney is our little climber. I often discover her walking the countertops, the tabletop, the desktop ... and so on. On Friday, while I was beginning some dinner prep, Sydney very quiety climbed up on top of the counter and ate two whole tomatoes! When I spotted her, she was on her third. Between the music I had playing and the vent fan that I had on while I was cooking I didn't hear a thing! It wasn't until she said "Mama, here" that I had any idea she was even in the same room as me. She was handing me a tomato ... maybe she wanted me to join in the fun with her! Before I stripped her down to her diaper, I took a few pics ...
Our tomato girlie ...

The ones she ate were a little smaller than this one!

A happy girl with a full belly ...


Saturday and Sunday we were in Lancaster spending time with Brian's family. We had a great time hanging out together and enjoyed lots of time at the pool both days with beautiful weather. Hailey and Justin were both having a blast jumping off of the diving board with their floaties on. They love to be in the water. On our way home last night, we also stopped in at my aunt and uncle's to see the Mellinger family who were hanging out. Hailey and Justin had some more fun in their pool ... they were both entertaining everyone with their jumps and Justin's "dives" (a.k.a. belly flops!) off of the diving board!
Some pool pics ...






Last week, we finished the sandbox! Brian finished the bottom deck for it, and then I sealed and stained it. Now all we have to do is get 3 tons of sand to fill it! The almost completed project ...

Marriage Resources

Dave Harvey's recently released book on marriage, entitled When Sinner's Say "I Do" is a wonderful resource for anyone who is married or preparing to get married.
From the preface ...
To say "I am a sinner" is to stare boldly at a fundamental reality that many people don't even want to glance at ... marriage is the union of two people who arrive toting the luggage of life. And that luggage always contains sin.
We must not ignore our sin, because it is the very context where the gospel shines brightest ... when the sin we bring to marriage becomes real to us, then the gospel becomes vital and marriage becomes sweet.
Your marriage can be built or rebuilt upon a solid and enduring foundation. But we must start where the gospel starts; there lies the hope for sinners who say "I do."

This book is primarily about our sin, God's goodness to give us the grace we need and the power of the gospel which then enables us to have God-glorifying marriages.

I also came across this outstanding article by C.J. Mahaney entitled Cravings and Conflicts. He begins by examining James 4:1-2. He then examines three things about relational conflict:
~Conflict is More Serious Than We Think
~Conflict is Simpler to Understand Than We Think
~Conflict is Easier to Resolve Than We Think

These are both outstanding resources!

A Chocolate Covered Strawberry

A recent pic of Justin at a picnic we attended ... he was loving his chocolate covered strawberry ...

Photocredit: Sheri Stehr

All Things Work For Good

We know that for those who love God all things work together for good.
Romans 8:28

Upon some points a believer is absolutely sure. He knows, for instance, that God sits in the center of the vessel when it rocks most. He believes that an invisible hand is always on the world's tiller, and that wherever providence may drift, God is steering it. That reassuring knowledge prepares him for everything ... he knows too that God is always wise, and knowing this, he is confident that there can be no accidents, no mistakes and that nothing can occur that ought not to happen. He can say, "If I should lose everything, it is better that I should lose it than keep it if it is God's will: The worst diaster is the wisest and kindest thing that I could face if God ordains it."

"We know that for those who love God all things work together for good." The Christian does not merely hold this as a theory, but he knows it as a matter of fact.

In the spirit of true resignation the believer can pray, "Send me what You will, my God, as long as it comes from You; there never was a poor portion that came from Your table to any of Your children."
Do not say, my soul, "Where will God find one to relieve my cares?"
Remember that Omnipotence has servants everywhere.
His method is sublime and His heart profoundly kind,
God is never too early and never behind!

CHS, Morning & Evening, 8/5 a.m.