Stay the Course

Sometimes it’s so hard to fight the discouragement that looms. Relationships are hard. Especially when people don’t respond Biblically. Do I? That’s all I can control. 

Our memory verse this month is super fitting:

John 15:12-21

12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.

18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.

Happy Birthday, Sydnee!

Another year, another birthday.  I'm often amazed at how quickly they whizz by.  What is that saying for new mothers?  Something like, the days are long but the years are short?  I never realized just how true that was when I was a young mother with my hands full.  But it is oh-so-felt now.

We got her a passport for her birthday.  What were we thinking?!?!?!  Sometimes I wonder!  I know I am certainly going to miss her while she is gone.  She is planning to go do mission work with friends in Africa.  AFRICA!!!! Oh, my!  I can't even write more about it or I'll just cry.

But this is what we raise them for, right?  To be arrows. To go out and spread the Gospel.  To live for Christ.  Sydnee has such a heart to serve.  She is kind and thoughtful and generous.  She is filled with grace.  But she is not naive.  She has felt great sorrow and pain, has felt the weight of despair, has had terrible things happen to her...yet the Lord has used that to mold her into a tender and compassionate person.  It has not hardened her heart but has made her tender to the needs and plights of others.  She loves the Lord with her whole heart and it shows in her daily living.  The spiritual maturity she has shown through hardship (and joy) brings so much gladness to my heart.

Sydnee is a pretty quiet person.  It takes a lot to get to know her.  Not many people get to, honestly.  She's very reserved but I wouldn't say she's shy.  She's humble and she's definitely not going to fight for attention (which kind of has to happen in this house sometimes).  She forgives easily but trust is difficult for her.  She is a lot of fun and can bring laughter and light-heartedness to any setting, even when her own heart is down.  She often puts her own feelings aside to serve others and she loves to bring others joy.  It's one of the many things we all admire about her.

She gets embarrassed easily, does not like to be the center of attention, and a post like this will drive her crazy.  😜  But that's part of what mothers are for, right?  

We had fun celebrating her birthday.  There's been so much busyness planning the wedding and dealing with life that it was nice to take a small break from it.  

I always love the sibling pictures from birthdays.

Sydnee made her own birthday dessert, which has kind of become a habit amongst most of the older girls. 😂  She also was kind to consider the 3 of us that are sugar-free and made a version for us, as well.

The traditional birthday prayer

I had to include this picture, simply for the background goofiness...

Oh.  My.  Word!  I don't even remember what was going on...

I love the fun times, the silliness, and the camaraderie of these girls together (the boys get in on it, too).  In some ways it saddens me that it will all be different all-too-soon.  But I just have to remind myself of all the good that is coming, too.  Different isn't bad, necessarily.  It's just, well, different.  And we're gaining a son, so that's a joy.  I will definitely miss this special togetherness that we have, but I hope to gain so much more.

2021

We brought in the new year in typical Ocker fashion. 

The balls for Ornery Ockers Odditorium seem to have grown. And took forever to go through. Definitely need to make a reminder to pare it down next year! 🤪

Obviously some of my clan have no idea what a “crazy, fun” pose is...

But at least we were able to be together!

I know we look pretty rough. There’s a reason for it! 🤪 

I hardly know what to write. It’s been a hard winter already. I am greatly looking forward to warmer times and I’m not talking weather. I spend a lot of time preaching to myself, reminding myself of what I know to be true, even when I don’t feel it. I know God is sovereign. I know His plan is perfect. I know He loves me (and my family). I strive to fight discouragement and live with a light heart that trusts solely and completely in Him. I strive to keep my eyes on His glory and not on the temporary circumstances of this world. 

Closing 2020

“Only people who are capable of loving strongly can also suffer great sorrow, but this same necessity of loving serves to counteract their grief and heals them.” ~ Tolstoy

I have found that it is only through loving and serving others, in dying to myself and thinking on the needs of those around me, that I can continue on, one foot in front of the other. It is actually in pouring myself out for others, loving, serving, that I find His presence, peace, and joy most prevalent. 

Happy Birthday, Selah!

 Well, it’s that time of year when the birthdays all hit back-to-back! 🤪

This precious girl turned 15 this week! She’s so sweet and kind, tender and compassionate.

She and Sydnee happened across a picture of an ice cream piano cake that caught her fancy so Sydnee recreated it. It was fun!

Then we all had some fun playing one of her new music games. Pretty hilarious!

What a joy to raise these dear souls! However, I’m watching my children grow and reach new milestones and new events and suddenly I feel old.