Several readers sent emails recently inquiring about my absence from the blog scene. Your concern and kind thoughts always inspire me. Thank you!!

My recent marriage propelled me into a new season of life, a rewarding and fulfilling season at that! I have longed to share our new journey more than before because of the authentic joy we are experiencing as a family. So why not? I will explain more later in another post.

For now, I must say there is nothing quite so precious as witnessing redemption from barrenness caused by suffering. Many of us experience trials that lay us low. At one point, I concluded that I would only see salvation from earthly woes that plagued me in the presence of Christ. I accepted my plight. I would suffer intensely the rest of my life. It was just my calling.

Surely, I was held captive by a distorted understanding of God’s love, care, and provision for His children. True, we will continue to suffer in this life, but God is a God of redemption. He is about redeeming His people both now and on the other side of heaven. You can see this attribute of God as you read about how He delivered the Israelites from captivity. He freed this unworthy ungrateful group of people into a land flowing with milk and honey. It was along journey filled with fear, rebellion, punishment, chastisement and ultimately a vast mercy.

You can also see the beauty of God’s redemption in the book of Ruth. This story has become my favorite story and my children‘s too. Why? We can relate to Ruth. We know the pain of complete loss. We know the feeling of uncertainty related to daily provisions. We know what it is like to be displaced from our home, the farm, and people we loved. We know the feeling of being a foreigner. We left many friends behind in Kansas and started all over in Missouri. We know the hard work needed to keep food on the table and make ends meet. But, more than that we know what it is like to have a kinsman redeemer. My husband, is my Boaz. He is a godly man who takes his leadership of our family seriously. Daily he strives to wash me in the word and to teach our children the commands of God. His leadership, his tender love, his joy in the Lord, his real and active faith has been a tremendous source of healing for me and the children. The shouting and violence is gone. Now, music fills my home. Music he composes for the glory of God, but also music from the children. Just this morning, the twins belted out “Rejoice in the Lord Always, Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow, and Amazing Grace”. They sang while they were completing various morning chores.

Okay, Okay, I must be honest. There is shouting in our home. The barrage of words comes after a long and sustained silence. Often I wonder if anyone is breathing because it is so quiet. Is silence due to fear you wonder? No. It is extreme focus. The shouting occurs when one of the twins beats Daddy in checkers or visa versa. It is always the same kind of shout “YES!!!! Woo Hoo!!!! I did it”. The checkers games are so serious. We now have game board perfect for traveling. Our lives have changed and we owe God the glory and praise for His mercy.

Stay tuned for more of what we have been doing at a later date….

Udderly His,

The Kansas Milkmaid