The Broughton Home

I see it's been 4ish years since I last posted anything. I'm never sure if anyone wants to hear/read what I have to say/write... but Kera seemed interested when she found out I have a blog.. so really, what have I to lose? Nothing. I might have something to gain though, so I'll carry on. Anyways, there have been many changes in our lives since my last post.. this will be a catch up. In 2015, we took a trip that took lots of planning, and saving. A real family trip. Jon had told me, on many occasions, about spending a week at the lake in Minnesota once a year. It always sounded like fun... and like nothing I could relate to. He wanted the girls to experience it, at least once; and they seemed like the right age to make it happen. So he set that goal, and we met it. We were able to get a cabin at the same lake, in the same week as his parents. We made plans to see other touristy things along the way. JUST to make it a REAL family trip. We spent 15 days on vacation. Drove 5...

Okay, it wasn't really an experiment per se.... but it sounded way cooler than "I was thinking about this so I asked other people's opinions and gleaned info from them." See? Either way, I've been slightly plagued by this "am I good friend, or not" thought process for a little while now. I've always seen myself as a bad friend, since I hardly EVER set up times to meet with other women, or try to do the little things that friends supposedly do. I don't spend any real amount of time on the phone talking out my problems, or listening to someone talk about theirs. I barely talk to my sister on the phone, so it's not like anyone should take this personally. When it comes to venting.. I usually vent at Jon (poor man) or if I need to vent about him (yeah right), I'll finally call my sister or my mom. I also see my inability to invite people to my house as a bad friend trait... but I also feel like I'm saving EVERYONE the embarrassment of...

Christmas is the only time God has been dependent on humans. Becoming a human baby, possibly the most helpless of his creations. He does not NEED our worship, though he requires it. He does not NEED us to prove his existence, though he chooses to work through people often. Worship, while for God, is also for us... We, as fickle humans, need the time to reflect and remember God's awesome power and love... not to mention all his promises. In all he did, it was all about us. He could have been born to a king and ruled forever, but he chose to come as a humble, lowly baby; born to suffer like us, hurt like us, and ultimately die like us... for us. God... in all his infinite knowledge and power, knowing we could do NOTHING to get back to him.. stepped out of the freedom of Eternity, and into the painful confines of time and decay. That's how we know God loves us, and that's how we truly can celebrate Christmas and Easter. From birth to death, it was ALL for us. Merry Christmas...

Christians have been fighting a frustrating battle of tolerance and acceptance. Watching every "deadly sin" become acceptable while being ostracized for our stance. It became apparent to me that we have forgotten one very important thing. Possibly the MOST important thing. We will NEVER gain acceptance OR tolerance from this world. This world belongs to sin, and sin loves the dark. Darkness abhors the light, and when you have Jesus in your heart and life, the darkness will run from you; spitting vile all the way. In order to gain acceptance, you will be required to make compromises; they'll never satisfy; and then the world will throw them in your face, claiming you aren't true to your God, and you lack integrity. The fact is, the world CAN'T accept us. It's against the world's nature.. and to expect the same love and forgiveness from the world is ludicrous. Our TRUE acceptance doesn't come from other imperfect beings.. it comes from the one true God, ...

This week has marked 10 years of victory for me. As most days, it came and went with little to no notice, except by me. I had braced myself for my morbid anniversary, aware that 10 years is quite a milestone and ready for a possible emotional day. Alas, it passed like every day in the last 9-9.5 years... uneventful. My mind was on that day, though. The day I was attacked and I became a victim and a statistic. That same day I also became a victor. I didn't shrink back in fear and shame. I pulled back the violent shroud from this event and did all I could to ensure my attacker was caught and incarcerated. While I had healing to do, and the scar may fade a bit, it's ever present in my mind. I take a little comfort in knowing that I don't look or act the part of the victim, but that takes work still. I give all the credit of my victory to God. He was with me, comforting my soul while my body was victimized. In that way, I was able to keep my "self" in check. My soul, ...

Every Father's Day I have wanted to write something about my Dad. I've never known a more loving, affectionate man. My father is the epitome of human fatherhood! At least in my eyes. It's easy to have these thoughts and convictions when you have a father who does his best to consider your future when disciplining you in your youth. Or when your heart is breaking, he lets you get it out, and then comforts you. All these were cementing my view of my father, but nothing like when I became an adult. When most other fathers would just let their adult children learn from their biggest mistakes, my Dad drove 8 hours to make sure I KNEW it was wrong and to appeal to my heart to change. When that change was coming to fruition, I bet only my dad would cry and blame it on allergies. When I got into a hard situation, one I could not help, my dad would make that 8 hour trip again to hold me. Even though he probably didn't want too, my dad let me leave his safe nest again. Whe...

Sweet friends and family! I found that there were many people who should have gotten a letter, and didn't. So, instead of scouring for addresses and more cards and more stamps... I'm going to post it here. :) Hope you like it! Christmas 2010 My dearest friends and family… I had a letter all written up and ready to print. Then I read it, and read it again. It was VERY depressing. Even though this year was especially difficult, I should be able to find something joyful and charming to share with you… right?! Right. So, instead of running you all through my year of gloom and doom, I’ll share the bright spots. Love. My family has enjoyed much love this year. Jon and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary, and in a month, our 7th. I was privileged to meet my little nephew Benjamin this year. Now THAT is love. He’s amazing, and very funny! My family also had the opportunity to welcome a new uncle when my Aunt married a wonderful man! Love abundant! Joy. ...