Life of Eucharisteo

The words spilled out before I knew what was happening. They spilled out like a jar of marbles scattering everywhere. Spilled from my jar. The one I keep inside for just such words. Christmas started out much like it always does for my brood. The day AFTER Thanksgiving starts our Christmas season. We collect our 15 year old tree from the box in the barn. We pull out all the ornaments and reminisce over each and every one. We bake cookies. We listen to Christmas carols for 31 days straight, and we celebrate the birth of our King. Every year I watch my girls revel in all things Christmas, and every year I share in their joy. But for me, it always tastes bittersweet. You see since her first Christmas, I’ve felt like a big fat liar. I’ve done a great job at stuffing it. Stuffing the big secret into my jar and feeding into the fantasy. Why not? I lived it. It was fun. It was magical. It was what dreams were made of and I wanted her to experience the joy of Christmas. At least ...

I could have missed this. This morning I wake up before everyone else and start my day. (The Proverbs 31 woman is patting me on the back.) I could have made the choice to start laundry or write grocery lists. Instead I chose time alone with my Lord and His Word. In return I got peace for my day plus an added bonus. You see because I was sitting with God this morning, I had a lap to offer to my littlest when she woke up unexpectedly. Had I been up and busy I would have shooed her off to the couch or the breakfast table. Then I would have missed the blessing of rocking my sweet almost 4 year old girl back to sleep. Counting my gifts today. This one is at the top of my list. What's on your list today? Don't have a list? You should most definitely start one. Counting thanks leads to Him and He is the key to unending joy. Thankful for moments like these, Tracey <><

What does it mean to be a mother? Webster defines a mother as this…       moth · er 1. A female parent The Bible on the other hand, has more to say about the definition of a mother. Psalm 127:3-5 tells us that the role of a mother is an honor ….a privilege . We learn that mothering is about nurturing ( Titus 2:4 ). It’s about teaching ( Ephesians 6:4 ), about integrity ( Proverbs 11:3 ). The Bible says that a mother is available morning, noon, and night ( Deuteronomy 6:6-7). She is involved ( Eph. 6:4). 　 She didn’t have to. She didn’t have to open her heart….to play to role of mother to a child that she didn’t even give birth to. She didn’t have to love her, or nurture her. After all, she had a mother….a mother that shared her DNA. She didn’t have to stay up nights, or sooth her tears. She didn’t have to shield and protect or mend the wounds. She didn’t have to go the extra mile with shopping trips or mother/dau...

Happy Thursday All!! Our new Thursday thing goes like this.... I post a pic, quote, or verse.... You think about it and give me your thoughts. It can be your first thought or you can chew on it.  Either way I want to hear from you. Glad you stopped by! Hope to see you again next Thursday! Time to think..... Photo by Tracey Padget, Life of Eucharisteo Praying that your day will be productive, your heart will overflow with joy, and that you will feel God's Love through the actions of someone you come in contact with today, Tracey <><

I'm writing today on behalf of my precious middle "KP". Kelsie is a 10 year old with a heart for missions. This fills me with joy and scares me to death all at the same time. For now I will focus on the joy. I'm honored to walk alongside Kelsie as she puts feet to the ideas that she has bouncing around in her head. Ideas of how to help others. Ideas of how a 10 year old can make the world a better place. This is her mission for Feburary.... Biking for $Bills$ Raising Funds and Awarness for the children and families of World Vision. Kelsie has been led to help children around the world without ever leaving home. Her vision is to raise enough money to purchase some form of livestock for a World Vision family. Kelsie will raise this money using her prayers, her bicycle, and her leg power. She will bike for as many miles as her legs will allow. Her goal is 10 miles. She will be asking people to sponsor her by the mile, or if they choose, simply by...

On this last day of 2011 I’ve found myself challenged by Tsh Oxeneider 's 20 Questions. What a wonderful way to reflect on God’s work in my life throughout this past year. These questions were really tough for me. Age has not been kind to my memory, so these questions really knocked out the cobwebs and made me dig deep in the vault that is my mind. I really stirred up some dust in there. 20 Questions for a New Year’s Eve Reflection 1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year? Our summer was one of the best, if not THE best summers that we have ever experienced. We took lots of short trips and spent tons of time at the beach with my in-laws, and spent lots of time with great friends that we love dearly. We truly enjoyed every minute of the Summer of 2011. 2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened? Without a doubt it was when Jeremy (sweet hubby) had to go back out of town for work. It was a HUGE adjustment after having him hom...

MOOOMMMMM!?!? Are we there yet? Anyone who has ever been on a trip with kids has heard this statement resounding from the backseat  pests passengers. It always makes for such a joyful trip….NOT! Yet, I feel like it’s the question that the Lord has heard me whining asking from His proverbial backseat. “ARE WE THERE YET LORD?” “HOW MUCH LONGER LORD?” “I’M TIRED LORD!” “REALLY LORD, REALLY!?!” I sound like one big fat, manna eating, meat wanting, cloud following, COMPLAINING Israelite. You see, my family and I have been on our own sort of journey through the wilderness. In April of 2010 God moved our cloud. We moved out of our home to do much needed renovations. Our family of five, moved from our 3 bedroom home of 12 years, into our 31 foot, fifth wheel, travel trailer. During the renovations, our house, which was on the market at the time, sold. We closed the sale in June of 2010 and God moved our cloud again. He moved it out to our dream property. The pro...

 I feel like I've been hit by a truck today . Thankful... 201. that I have not actually been hit by a truck. :) 202. that I can get out of bed on my own. 203. that I was able to remove the peanuts from her nostrils (one in each nostril) and that I didn't have to make a trip to the ER. 204. that there was only ONE peanut in each nostril. 205. that Friday is a school holiday. 206. that my car is getting me to and from the places I need to go. 207. that KP #2 was okay about not going on the field trip. I'm so proud of that kid. 208. that I only have two baskets of clothes to put away today. 209. for the good turn out at the shower, and that she got lots of things she needed. 210. that at least my ears aren't stopped up. Tracey <><