Flower Girl

 Dakota made her first wedding appearance as a 5 year old in a friend's wedding over the weekend.  She did great and was very excited for the opportunity!

 Daraby was a great support to her younger sister and she enjoyed watching the rehearsal and the wedding-she is starting to get ideas for when she gets older and perhaps marries someday.  

 We went for a walk before the wedding and Darcy shot this picture which symbolizes the day well.

 Darcy and I after a long day, but grateful to have time together-maybe we need a selfie stick?

 Here is a partial picture of the wedding party.  Dakota is re-arranging her flower basket.

An analogy came to my mind this week as I was preparing for my Junior High Ag Class.  I had some odds and ends projects outside I wanted to get done-nothing big or out of the ordinary.  God brought to mind the parable of the talents in Matthew 25.  In verses 21 and 25, Jesus says "Well done good and faithful servant.  You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much.  Enter into the joy of your master."

So often I live for the big, exciting projects (like planting trees and creating new landscapes) that I don't pay much attention to the less exciting projects (like raking leaves and watering trees).  My mind drifted to the World Series where the Royals played the Mets.  Now, I'm not the most avid of baseball fans out there, but I did find this series intriguing.  The Mets lived for the home-runs and big plays.  The Royals, however, played smart and were content with singles and getting runners on base for a chance to get a run.  The Royals ended up winning the Series by executing the fundamentals well and not relying on the home-run every time.

My point is that I need to stop living for the home-runs in my life and be content in doing the small things well.  For me, these are the daily opportunities of fathering my children, loving my wife, diligently preparing and teaching my classes at school, and investing in the lives of those around me for the kingdom of God.  Lord, teach us to be faithful in the small things so that we can handle the blessings and responsibilities of more.  Help us also to rest in Your joy instead of continually slaving to the pleasure of ourselves.