a Nichols worth....and some other loose change

3rd daughter takes 3rd place…

Team Penning Benefit.

It was hot.

It was dirty.

Really hot and dirty.

I was sweating red dirt colored sweat.

But this is so not about me.

It's about Mallory and team penning.

 

It was for a good cause.

And the timing was perfect for the kids to get in a practice run before 4H state competition.

Both Mattison and Mallory worked with their teams to cut out the sweet, little baby calves.

Both teams had horses that can certainly work a cow or three.

Mallory's team place third.

Mattison's team didn't quite make the cut.

They worked hard but ended up getting disqualified for a silly little ole rule.

I'm making them pass a team penning rules test before state.

4H has some rules…lots of rules…things like this work better when you know them ALL.

 

All in all it was a fun way to spend the day with the family.

Mallory's face says it all…

She had a great day…and so did her dad.

2 Chronicles 26:10 - He had herds of cattle down in the foothills and out on the plains…

 

 

 

 

 

Seasons

Have you ever had one of those days where you felt like the world was closing in on you?

Things just start crumbling down around your feet.

The walls that you worked so carefully to build brick by brick are no longer stable.

The foundation is sound but the structure is starting to shake.

Those days stink.

I really thought summer would be a time for us to slow down.

Regroup.

Rest.

Renew.

Not so.

There have been days this summer where I literally have not been able to catch my breath.

I did start taking Zyrtec.

Miracle drug.

That helped with my breathing.

Not my feeling of drowning.

I've been overwhelmed.

I've wondered why.

Often lately.

We are intentional in the activities we do with our kids.

We are intentional in how we spend our time and effort.

There is much prayer behind our choices.

I was yet to put my finger on the feeling when I remembered what my dad often says.

"It's just a season."

Things rotate in life just like the seasons.

You can find yourself overwhelmed, but it passes.

God gives you peace.

You can find yourself satisfied and content, but it passes.

God sends you another challenge.

You can find yourself lonely and in a very quiet place, but it passes.

God sends someone to speak to your heart.

I am learning to be content no matter the season of my life.

There is beauty to be found when you really stop to observe the seasons.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 - There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.

 

Titus 1:3 –

…and at his appointed season

he brought his word to light

through the preaching entrusted to me

by the command of God our Savior.

 

 

Melting pot.

I took my kids swimming today.

It's hot here.

H.O.T.

As I sat sweating in my little plastic lounger,

I watched people.

Pool people.

They were splashing,

and giggling,

and sliding,

and flirting,

and squirting,

and instructing,

and spraying,

and snacking,

and diving,

and drinking,

and jumping.

The one thing I noticed about every person

was that they were smiling.

Happy.

Well, all that is except

the two-year-old who had to sit in time out on the steps.

He was not smiling.

He was pouting.

But.

It didn't last long.

Guess we really truly are one big melting pot.

At least when it comes to fun in the sun.

Wordless Wednesday *WHOA*

Galatians 3:3 MSG

Are you going to continue this craziness?

For only crazy people would think they could complete by their own efforts what was begun by God.

If you weren't smart enough or strong enough to begin it, how do you suppose you could perfect it?

Grand Champions.

This weekend our family saw the rewards of hard work.

Miranda and Mallory both made the broiler sale at our youth livestock show.

It hasn't quite hit me yet.

I'm so proud.

Can you tell Matt is, too?

Once I have a chance to process, I'll have more to say.

Much more.

For now just be content with the fact

that I have now removed those disturbing pictures of Will from the top of the blog.

You are welcome.

 

…whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. I Corinthians 10:31