Crashing Miss Spider's Tea Party

While out in our back yard this afternoon I was inspecting the sandbox toys and to my surprise I discovered a spider family living in the cab of one of our dump trucks. I am not a fan of spiders, but am not afraid of them so as the spider ran out of it's soon to be cleaned home, I noticed it looked like one I'd never seen before. I thought it could possibly be a dangerous spider, but sure I was wrong. I captured it to save for Mr P so he could tell me, " Oh no it's harmless, but yes very interesting".
My daughter and I happily hosted a "car" wash for the jeeps and dump trucks -- another of this breed of spider came out, so I captured it too. By the time the third one came out I decided stomping might be the best action, thinking surely this is not a dangerous breed, as there is more than one.

Mr P came home and right away said, "Yes it is a black widow." I insisted he go out and inspect the sandbox, the toys, and all areas children roam free. He was not alarmed or upset. I was ready to call for a total outdoor extermination! I read online about increasing the wren population in your yard to cut down on spiders and how they do not like Lemon Pledge furniture polish.

Mr P sat the children down with our two prisoners and showed them their markings. He gave them instructions on how this spider is not aggressive and will want to run away, but if not able too, could bite them and make them sick. He advised them if they see this spider to get up quickly and go get mom or dad. He went on to describe what their web is like so that if they see this type web they will stay away. The children remained calm and were sure they could identify the danger and avoid it.

I was still in freak out mode hoping some spray or pesticide could be offered up to rid our yard of such a ominous beast. Mr P explained this danger is not new or uncommon. These spiders have been in our yard before and our best defense is to be aware of what to look for so when we see them we can destroy their web, and well, stomp on them.

It makes me think about the evil in the world. I am often so surprised and shocked by it. How could such a thing happen? Our times seem so much more evil to me than times past. Yet to God there is nothing new under the sun. Evil has been here since the times of Adam and Eve. God is not surprised by it and He's provided us protection from it. We do not have to be afraid.

I also do not have to be afraid in my back yard, but if you see me running around spraying a can of Pledge please bear with me!

Dear God,
I am thankful that nothing surprises you and that even when bad things happen you work them for good for those who love You. You are in control of all in this lifetime and for eternity. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Ecclesiastes 1:9 "What has been is what will be, and what has ben done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun."

Jeremiah 17:7 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him."

Romans 8:28 "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. "

While Hiking With My Boys

While hiking with just my boys I learned a lot about both of them. My oldest hikes the way I do. He strives to the top, no need to stop and look at the sites, there will be plenty of time for that on the way down. It is the summit that is his immediate goal. My younger son is like my husband. He likes to notice things all along the way. Each rock, daddy long legs, flower, bug or interestingly shaped leaf is a treasure to stop and behold. Since it was just the three of us we had to compromise and allow time for my younger son to soak up the sites, yet push him on enough so that the marathon hikers would still keep the rush from the climb. Thankfully our conversations helped keep us in line.

Our topic initially was on bugs, their lifespan and eventual death. My youngest then asks, "Would Jesus let a child come back to life after they died?" My oldest immediately responded, "No, they'd be with Jesus and Jesus would need them to stay in heaven." I agreed with my oldest , and added that when children die it is sad for us left behind but, we have the hope that we will all be together again in heaven. This satisfied my boys and the topic moved on to rock climbing and looking out for bees. Later that evening we did our family devotion from a book by Ruth Graham.

Our Bible story was from Mark chapter 5:21-24; 35-43. Jesus was approached by a man who was upset because his daughter was very ill. He was afraid she was going to die. The man wanted Jesus to come and heal her. So Jesus went with the man but as they were approaching the house, someone came to them and told the man, "Your daughter is dead, why bother the teacher any more?" But Jesus told the man, "Do not be afraid; just believe." When they arrived in the man's home people were crying and were very sad because the little girl was dead. Jesus told them she was not dead, just sleeping. Jesus told them to leave the house. He took three of his disciples and her parents into her room where she lay. He took hold of her hand and told her to get up. The little girl opened her eyes and got up. The parents were amazed and I imagine incredibly happy and grateful.

While discussing this devotion we shared how strange it was that we were talking about the topic of a child's death just this morning. Even as a believer in the eternal life that belongs to us through Jesus, I feel uncomfortable thinking about the realities of death in terms of my children. We talked about how God has a plan for each one of us and has planned out things we are to do in our lifetimes. God decides how long we live and only he knows the number of our days. We have to trust in His plan and know our time here is only a blink in terms of eternity.

As my father-in-law and I were hoping to make this devotion a not scary one we began to see that my boys were not at all afraid of the harsh reality of life. They were firm in their faith that Jesus would keep them save and could be trusted. My hope is that they will keep this childlike faith (or perhaps it's more mature than my own at times) and nurture it into a growing relationship with Christ.

Dear God,
I am so thankful that my children trust in You for the outcomes of their life. Their faith, though childlike is strong, and I promise to continue to nurture their relationship with you and teach them more and more about You. In Jesus Name, Amen

Mark 10:13-16 "People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them."

A Little Slice of Heaven

We vacation yearly to The Green Nook , a cabin in Montreat North Carolina. To many this spot is thought of as a little slice of heaven, as it is such a peaceful place to visit. Montreat is home to a Presbyterian conference center and a Christian college. Montreat is such a treat! I thought I would share some photos of our visit and snippets of our adventures!

We had a fabulous time in Montreat this summer! If you have ever seen a pin ball machine while the ball goes up and bounces back down-that's what the boys were like on arrival- bouncing off the walls excited!

Each morning the children would bound down the mountain to play in the creek. My littlest was right along with the boys, hunting for crayfish and salamanders.

We enjoyed hiking up Look Out. Our youngest hiked most of the way, or at least more of the hike than last year. She truly was happier to ride than hike!

My cousin and her boys (aged 6 and 8, just like mine) came for the day to visit! The boys loved peering into the lake at the trout and especially at the HUGE bullfrog tadpoles. My husband lead us on a very long creek walk which ended into a hike to a Mica mine (Mica is a rock that peels away into thin sheets, which was long ago used in glass making. After the boys selected a shiny Mica treasure we were off to the cabin. Coming home at the end of each adventure was just as fun since other children were there, and could share in a street baseball game.
I had hoped to spend many a relaxing afternoon on the porch immersed in bible study and personal reflection, however I spent many treasured moments outdoors celebrating the wonders of God's creation with my children. I will treasure these days as they so excitedly explored each insect, each cloud in the sky, and each interesting plant they passed along their way.









So long Montreat! See you next year!

An Old Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you.May the wind always be at your back.May the sun shine warm upon your face,and rains fall soft upon your fields.And until we meet again,May God hold you in the palm of His hand.