Do you remember last week, when I mentioned that we were getting a new piece of furniture?  Well, I am going to share that with you today and the little story behind our new “music room.”

My dad was a talented musician.  He could play several different instruments, one of those being the saxophone.  He was actually teaching our son how to play, before my dad went to be with Jesus.  He also encouraged us to get our youngest daughter into piano lessons.  That being said, he and my step-mom let us borrow a little keyboard for her to practice on.  Come to think of it…they also gave us our son’s saxophone.  lol!  Dad was serious about these kids learning to play.  He was looking towards the future of our church.  Back to the piano though…the little keyboard was not a full keyboard and while it was wonderful to practice on, she needed a piano.

Do you ever whisper little prayers in your heart and just leave them there.  The whole need for a piano…just seemed to rest in my heart.  I just kind of felt that the Lord would provide us with one at some point.  I’m not even sure that it was a totally conscious thought or prayer.  It just felt more like a knowing.  So…when someone asked us if we wanted one, I was not surprised that God had provided…but I was delighted.

The piano that we were given, belonged to my husband’s Granny Ruby.  Before it belonged to her, it was the piano in the church that my husband’s dad grew up in.  It’s a Betsy Ross spinet by Lester.  Yesterday, she was sitting there playing…and it just felt right.  I knew that the little piano had found it’s home and we were so very thankful.

The guitar that is hanging on the wall was purchased by my dad a few years ago.  It was a birthday gift to my granny.  It is a Taylor Big Baby.  I am so honored to have it.  Someday…I plan to play it.  Right now…I think that it looks beautiful in our new music room.  A big thanks to the Mr. for hanging on the wall.  (I love you, Babe.)

I am so thankful for the blessings of God.  I am so thankful that people obey Him…when He nudges their hearts.  I want to do the very same, when He directs us in that way.  My husband was very delighted also.  He and his Granny Ruby shared the same kind and tender spirit.  He misses her very much.  I think that having a little bit of her in our home is very special to him.  There was no hesitation when we were asked about it. He is honored and I think that is very deep and beautiful.

A huge thank you to my husband’s aunt and uncle…for the money and muscle involved in getting it here.  We are so blessed by their generosity. We will, by the grace of God…give it a good home and use it for His glory.  Also a big thank you to my in-laws….for coming out and helping us get it in the house.  lol!  Too bad there is no video.  Pianos are heavy, Dirt Roaders, just in case you didn’t know.  😉

Making a joyful noise…is music to our ears,

Are you a dreamer?  I am.  I am learning to appreciate that about myself.  You see, when times get tough and those that are totally analytical cannot see what good… could come from the ashes…the dreamer steps in.  Actually…in the life of a Christian…it isn’t really dreaming.  It’s called faith.  Believing in what you cannot see.  It’s very hard at times…but if we hand God our hearts…He will make dreamers out of you and me.

A dreamer’s decor differs from others.  In our case, I dream of a more simple time and it shows in our surroundings.  In other homes, people dream of modern things or Victorian days and it shows there too.  Some homes reflect dreams of travel to other countries. Probably everyone that loves home decor has a bit of “dreaminess” down inside.

For some…the dreaming starts the moment they step outside. (My husband.)  They look at their yard and imagine the possibilities.  They see the harvest, before they see the hard work.  Isn’t that inspiring!?  A life of faith sees the reward at the end…before the trusting.  I am speaking from experience.  Sometimes it’s hard, this trusting.  God has amazing things for us though, if we just believe.  The Mister and I…just had one of those “aha!” moments last night in our yard.  We were talking about a tree that we had planted.  The kids and I bought him a white pine for his birthday…during a rough financial period.  We planted that tree and in my heart I had hopes that we would live here and watch it grow.  Five years later…by the grace of God, we are here and the tree and our faith has grown.  God is faithful, isn’t He?  He provides for His children.

I hope that you have a wonderful weekend, Sweet Dirt Roaders.  I’m not sure who…out there…needed to hear this.  It just bubbled in my heart.  Whoever you are, hang on.  God has amazing things for you.  He just wants you to trust Him.  I am praying for my readers…right now.

Love from the dirt road,

I want to wish all of you a happy Mother’s Day!  Notice that I didn’t specify…just to people that have children.  All of us women, are mothers in one way or another.  We have huge influence in the lives of others.  I believe that every woman that is born…has the nurturing instincts of a mother.

Sometimes, things happen in life and there are dads that step into the shoes of nurturer, plus carry the responsibility of protector and provider.  My hat is off to you, if that is your situation.  It’s a hard one.  Some moms have to fill both roles as well.  I am saying a little prayer for you right now.  Little prayers make a difference, because the go to the heart of a great big God.

If you could ask my husband…what makes my eyes light…like nothing else, I believe that he would say…”Our children.”  He might say Rocky Road ice cream, or prizeys or junkin’ or baby farm animals…but in his heart of hearts he would know that it’s our children.  You see, our first little tiny baby…got to go back and live with Jesus.  It was a heart-wrenching time for us.  We weren’t very far into the pregnancy…but we believe that life starts at conception and we felt a huge loss.  People that don’t give others enough credit during miscarriage…should really rethink their approach.  It’s very tough.  Be gentle, friends.

I would like to tell you that I am a sweet, gentle, kind and loving mother.  I’m sure that I have been a little of that…at least once or twice.  🙂  Actually…I am a “Come on!  You can do it!  Get back in there and whip it!”  kind of mother.  I lived with my dad for several years growing up.  Can you tell?  I am a “Learn to bait that hook!”  kind of mom.  I am also a “Hey…get in there and do your chores!” kind of mom.  In all of that though…at the end of the day I am this mom:

“Come here and let me hug the hurt away.”

“She said what?  Well..we will see about that.”

“Let’s ask Jesus to take care of this.”

“Jesus loves you more than anyone on the planet.”

Guess what?  God thinks that you are awesome.”

“See that beauty out through there?  God created that!”

“I love theses babies, right here.”

“Thank you Jesus…for these babies, Amen.”

I have an amazing mother.  She has a heart of gold.  I have learned so much from her.  She has an amazing attitude of service towards her family.  I am truly blessed…to be a mother…to have a mother and to enjoy the company of every woman that I know.  We are all mothers.  Don’t ever forget that.

I am Momma Bear, hear me roar!

I wanted to be sure and stop by to tell you…Happy Easter…from our hearts to yours.

May the love of Jesus Christ warm your heart and fill you with peace and joy.  There is no love…like His love.

Because He lives,
Kelli

I have a confession to make.  Are you ready?  Okay here it goes.  I have really struggled with this blog since my dad went to Heaven.  I’m sure that you could probably tell.  Lots of quick posts.  Sometimes though, when you are just trying to survive, it’s hard to do this sort of thing.

Here is the thing.  You guys are amazing.  You encourage me, as I try to encourage you.  I want to keep writing and sharing about country life and making a home and God’s amazing love.  I just want you to know that if posts seem sparse or quick…it’s because our family is focusing on healing at this point.  A human only has a certain amount power and the rest is up to God.  I love that.

When my dad was here, he would call of a morning and ask what I was doing.  I would say…”Just bloggin’ a little.”  We would laugh.  I miss that more than I could ever explain.  I know that he is with his Father now.  God has underlined that for me in so many ways.  I will be eternally grateful for the way that God has carried us through this.  That being said, the human heart is still healing.

On this part of my path, I am learning new joy in the simple things. I want to share that with you.  I have changed.  You cannot survive this…without changing.  Change, when God is involved, is always perfect though.

Love from the dirt road,

Kelli