Well, life sure is interesting.
Since I last blogged, the weather has been up to the 50's and rainy off and on. The roads to church are pretty bad. It was cold again today though. The weather here is fairly unpredictable.
The last few weeks we have been dealing with a stressful situation. It got resolved on Friday, Praise the Lord! His faithfulness never ceases to amaze me!
That is why I have been meditaing on Phillipians 4 so much. It has been very important to focus on those things.
" Let your moderation (self-control) be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful (worried) for nothing ; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding , shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally ,brethern, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest (honorable), whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report,; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Phillipians 4:5-8 (Open Bible KJV- items in parenthesis denote a clarifying definition given after the verse in the text)
So, Paul's advice to Christians is to think on true, honorable , just , pure, lovely, things; things that are well reported of, virtuous and praiseworthy before the Lord.
For my situation it meant not focussimg on the "maybes" and the "what-ifs" or listening to the accusations of the adversary (satan). It meant concentrating on the truth and putting my eyes on Jesus and being obedient to following HIm.
THis is the reason I could keep on smiling, being kind to my family and others around me. It is why I could still serve the Lord, sing HIs praise, read His word. He didn't get less worthy b/c we were having a difficulty. He became more real and intimate because of it.
Today is the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. Please be praying for Moms and babies hanging in the balance. Pray that hearts will be changed, and that there will be no more reason for the abortion industry to exist.
be blessed
Proverbs 23 Philippians 4
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Thankful Thursday
A number of other bloggers do this, and it's the only title I could come up with :).
The weather here is brutal. It's supposed to be about 11 degrees for a high today, with a wind chill of -15! Tomorrow the high is forecasted to be 5 degrees, with a wind chill of -20.
So, I am grateful for warm clothes, a house with heat, water that is still running, and hot coffee!
I am also glad to have a wonderful family to enjoy the snow with (though I think they should probably not be out much, if at all today. We are all starting to feel cooped up, however.)
The last couple of days I have been meditating on Phillipians 4. Verse 4 says, " Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." (KJV) We can always rejoice in our Savior no matter what is going on. This verse does not say be happy about your problems or circumstances, it says be joyful because you have the Lord with you. What a comfort those words are! In any circumstance we can still smile, knowing our God is with us! Praise to His holy name!
Have a blessed day!
Proverbs 7, Phillipians 4 God's Grace
The weather here is brutal. It's supposed to be about 11 degrees for a high today, with a wind chill of -15! Tomorrow the high is forecasted to be 5 degrees, with a wind chill of -20.
So, I am grateful for warm clothes, a house with heat, water that is still running, and hot coffee!
I am also glad to have a wonderful family to enjoy the snow with (though I think they should probably not be out much, if at all today. We are all starting to feel cooped up, however.)
The last couple of days I have been meditating on Phillipians 4. Verse 4 says, " Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." (KJV) We can always rejoice in our Savior no matter what is going on. This verse does not say be happy about your problems or circumstances, it says be joyful because you have the Lord with you. What a comfort those words are! In any circumstance we can still smile, knowing our God is with us! Praise to His holy name!
Have a blessed day!
Proverbs 7, Phillipians 4 God's Grace
Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas!
We had a wonderful day! I hope everyone else did, too.
Our family has several traditions I did not mention in an earlier post.We permit the children to open whatever gifts they have on Christmas Eve. There is too much going on Christmas morning. We all swap names and shop or make something just for that person. On Christmas morning, we have blueberry pancakes, and bacon or sausage. ( I wonder if our northern friends made donuts today, as they usually do?)Then, we go to my Uncle and Aunts' house to eat.
The Lord did provide us with a white Christmas. I guess we got 2-3 ". It's also very bitter and windy.
This also kept some of our older family members at home. A few are sick,too. Of course, the children have been playing in it as much as possible.
Red and Farmerboy have upcoming birthdays. Time sure flies by.
Remember Jesus!
Luke 1-10 Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Our family has several traditions I did not mention in an earlier post.We permit the children to open whatever gifts they have on Christmas Eve. There is too much going on Christmas morning. We all swap names and shop or make something just for that person. On Christmas morning, we have blueberry pancakes, and bacon or sausage. ( I wonder if our northern friends made donuts today, as they usually do?)Then, we go to my Uncle and Aunts' house to eat.
The Lord did provide us with a white Christmas. I guess we got 2-3 ". It's also very bitter and windy.
This also kept some of our older family members at home. A few are sick,too. Of course, the children have been playing in it as much as possible.
Red and Farmerboy have upcoming birthdays. Time sure flies by.
Remember Jesus!
Luke 1-10 Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Monday, December 21, 2009
God's graciousness
Well, yesterday was a year since the fire. I have been dreading the arrival of that day, but you know what? It wasn't too bad. A friend from church asked me last night how things were going emotionally. I was a little surprised anyone remembered, but grateful. I know at least 2 people knew about it, and must have been praying for us. I know that God heard and answered those prayers. He has been so faithful to us. We could not have made it through the last year without His presence, comfort, and provision. Praise His name!
Christmas plans are finalized. This week will be busy, as was last week. We have some special things for just our immediate family, and a day for the extended family.
Yesterday, Farmerboy, Gypsygirl,Ms.Petite,Lionheart, Bell, and I went caroling with our church family. It was fun.
We missed the caroling with our friends up north, but it couldn't be helped :(.I guess you just can't do everything.
I have also been making trips to the dentist. 2 children had teeth that needed immediate attention. So, I guess I'll be shuttling them to and fro for a few weeks.
It may snow here w/in the next few days. It would sure be fun to have a white Christmas.
Have a blessed day!
1 Peter 1-2 I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Christmas plans are finalized. This week will be busy, as was last week. We have some special things for just our immediate family, and a day for the extended family.
Yesterday, Farmerboy, Gypsygirl,Ms.Petite,Lionheart, Bell, and I went caroling with our church family. It was fun.
We missed the caroling with our friends up north, but it couldn't be helped :(.I guess you just can't do everything.
I have also been making trips to the dentist. 2 children had teeth that needed immediate attention. So, I guess I'll be shuttling them to and fro for a few weeks.
It may snow here w/in the next few days. It would sure be fun to have a white Christmas.
Have a blessed day!
1 Peter 1-2 I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Monday, December 14, 2009
Great News
We got some great news on Friday. 'da Dad will be a bank employee as of Jan.1! We were all pretty excited. He was hired there originally through a temp service, so it's nice to have a little more sense of permanence (whatever that means these days).
The men in our family worked on the ceiling upstairs again. I believe it is completely prepped for hanging the material, so maybe we can get that done this or next week.
We have had some enjoyable times so far this season. A couple of parties and this week we will hopefully be able to go caroling twice. I am really looking forward to this, b/c we all love to sing. This is some of my favorite music.
This is how we remember our Savior's birth. (We do not believe He was born this day, we know the day is pagan in origin,but His birth was major b/c it fulfills prophecy.) We read scriptures foretelling HIs coming and the fulfillment in the NT. We want our children to know from the word that Jesus really was the Messiah.No one has control over where they were born, to whom, etc,UNLESS they are God:). We use symbols to help them remember the scriptures. This is done as our evening Bible reading. We have also used advent coloring books found on the internet that use scriptures and pictures for the younger children.
You can google Jesse Tree and Advent to help you pull up ideas if you are interested.
We also go looking at Christmas lights on houses one eveining and then have icecream afterwards, kind of a family tradition.
We have decided not to retain certain traditions b/c they don't seem to be readily identifiable with Christ, but we don't reject remembering His birth. Some people are more open to the Truth during this season, so we want to be a witness for HIm.
If He wasn't born the way He was born, He could not die for us. His word is reliable, from start to finish.
Hebrews 1 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
The men in our family worked on the ceiling upstairs again. I believe it is completely prepped for hanging the material, so maybe we can get that done this or next week.
We have had some enjoyable times so far this season. A couple of parties and this week we will hopefully be able to go caroling twice. I am really looking forward to this, b/c we all love to sing. This is some of my favorite music.
This is how we remember our Savior's birth. (We do not believe He was born this day, we know the day is pagan in origin,but His birth was major b/c it fulfills prophecy.) We read scriptures foretelling HIs coming and the fulfillment in the NT. We want our children to know from the word that Jesus really was the Messiah.No one has control over where they were born, to whom, etc,UNLESS they are God:). We use symbols to help them remember the scriptures. This is done as our evening Bible reading. We have also used advent coloring books found on the internet that use scriptures and pictures for the younger children.
You can google Jesse Tree and Advent to help you pull up ideas if you are interested.
We also go looking at Christmas lights on houses one eveining and then have icecream afterwards, kind of a family tradition.
We have decided not to retain certain traditions b/c they don't seem to be readily identifiable with Christ, but we don't reject remembering His birth. Some people are more open to the Truth during this season, so we want to be a witness for HIm.
If He wasn't born the way He was born, He could not die for us. His word is reliable, from start to finish.
Hebrews 1 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Normal
Wow! It has decided to be December here in the heartland! Today the high is supposed to be 19. It is currently 15, with the windchill making it feel like -2. It is forecasted that the overnight temperature will be 5. It seems like the weather this year is about a month ahead of schedule. These are usual conditions for January.
This weather pattern started back in September, rainier and cooler. We had hoped to move home and work on the house in October, as they tend to be fairly mild here. Not this year, it was actually colder in October at times than November. So, we are behind where we had hoped to be on the house. (I know our WYO friends are going to read this and laugh, but remember-it's all about perspective!)
We have bought pvc pipe for the house, but we may be taking that back in exchange for pex pipe. We are to the point where we can put water in, but the pvc glue will not work in these temperatures. So, in order to move forward we will probably have to go with plan b. I think our contractor friend prefers it that way anyway :).
Yesterday, I was working with the children on schoolwork, and I realized we were having a routine day. This is huge for me. I never thought life would get "normal" again. What a blessing.
I deep cleaned the bathroom and dejunked under the sink yesterday. Today, I am going to do the same in the hallway/laundry area.
My arch nemesis in this house is the kitchen (the livingroom is a close second). It always seems cluttered, because it is. There is a lot of stuff that comes with cooking and feeding a family of 10. (I just feel so blessed as I write this, God has been so good to us. We have a houseful of wonderful children!)I guess I'll start working on that 15 minutes at a time, like flylady says.
I think my next post will be about how we handle Christmas at our house, in case anyone is interested.
Life is picking up for our family, on the ministry front. The church we are attending conducts an Upward basketball league. I was very skeptical about this for years, but after having Lionheart play last year, I'm convinced God is in it. God is really given the glory and the whole point of it is to reach people for Christ with testimonies and the love of Christ lived out by coaches, and support people. Anyway, most of our family will be involved in one way or another. So, our focus will be changing from house to ministry for a few months. That's okey, b/c a house is temporary but souls are eternal. God will make sure that house gets finished in His timing and His way.
Just praisng Jesus today and thanking Him for HIs faithfulness!
I just finished reading "Pathway to Christian Marriage" by John W. Thompson. This is an excellent booklet on Christian courtship and is available free from Chapel Library. Thier address is 2603 W. Wright Street, Pensacola, Fl 32505. Their web address is:www.mountzion.org. They are somewhat Calvinist (I think) in some of their materials (we are not),but a lot of their literature is good. We are using their "Catechism for Boys and Girls" by Erroll Hulse during Bible time in school. I have not come across anything yet that we do not agree with, but if I do, it will be a great time to deal with that from the scripture. No, catechisms are not necessarily catholic. It is simply a series of question regarding life( why did God create man, how many person does God exist as, how are we saved, etc) with scriptural proofs and answers. Basically, it's the teaching of doctrine in a systematic way. I hope that helps explain, if not, leave a comment and I'll try to answer.
Have a blessed day!
Psalm 1 I Need the Every Hour
This weather pattern started back in September, rainier and cooler. We had hoped to move home and work on the house in October, as they tend to be fairly mild here. Not this year, it was actually colder in October at times than November. So, we are behind where we had hoped to be on the house. (I know our WYO friends are going to read this and laugh, but remember-it's all about perspective!)
We have bought pvc pipe for the house, but we may be taking that back in exchange for pex pipe. We are to the point where we can put water in, but the pvc glue will not work in these temperatures. So, in order to move forward we will probably have to go with plan b. I think our contractor friend prefers it that way anyway :).
Yesterday, I was working with the children on schoolwork, and I realized we were having a routine day. This is huge for me. I never thought life would get "normal" again. What a blessing.
I deep cleaned the bathroom and dejunked under the sink yesterday. Today, I am going to do the same in the hallway/laundry area.
My arch nemesis in this house is the kitchen (the livingroom is a close second). It always seems cluttered, because it is. There is a lot of stuff that comes with cooking and feeding a family of 10. (I just feel so blessed as I write this, God has been so good to us. We have a houseful of wonderful children!)I guess I'll start working on that 15 minutes at a time, like flylady says.
I think my next post will be about how we handle Christmas at our house, in case anyone is interested.
Life is picking up for our family, on the ministry front. The church we are attending conducts an Upward basketball league. I was very skeptical about this for years, but after having Lionheart play last year, I'm convinced God is in it. God is really given the glory and the whole point of it is to reach people for Christ with testimonies and the love of Christ lived out by coaches, and support people. Anyway, most of our family will be involved in one way or another. So, our focus will be changing from house to ministry for a few months. That's okey, b/c a house is temporary but souls are eternal. God will make sure that house gets finished in His timing and His way.
Just praisng Jesus today and thanking Him for HIs faithfulness!
I just finished reading "Pathway to Christian Marriage" by John W. Thompson. This is an excellent booklet on Christian courtship and is available free from Chapel Library. Thier address is 2603 W. Wright Street, Pensacola, Fl 32505. Their web address is:www.mountzion.org. They are somewhat Calvinist (I think) in some of their materials (we are not),but a lot of their literature is good. We are using their "Catechism for Boys and Girls" by Erroll Hulse during Bible time in school. I have not come across anything yet that we do not agree with, but if I do, it will be a great time to deal with that from the scripture. No, catechisms are not necessarily catholic. It is simply a series of question regarding life( why did God create man, how many person does God exist as, how are we saved, etc) with scriptural proofs and answers. Basically, it's the teaching of doctrine in a systematic way. I hope that helps explain, if not, leave a comment and I'll try to answer.
Have a blessed day!
Psalm 1 I Need the Every Hour
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Project completed and Meanderings
Last weekend we finally finished the electrical work (wooohooo!!!)
Now, we can move on to putting up the ceiling upstairs so we can insulate.
Ms. Petite played in a tournament Friday and Saturday. Their team placed 3rd overall.
Farmerboy and Gypsygirl have made awesome progress on their ponies. He says his is basically broke. It will be really nice for them ( and maybe some others....) to be able to ride once we get moved.
Our family is going to be able to host Thanksgiving dinner. The church fellowship hall was available, so we will be having it there. There is a lot more space there. I am so excited.
It is sort of a dreary day outside. It has been raining and it looks cold. I haven't been out yet. I guess I can ask Gypsygirl, she feeds the bunnies every morning.
I am determined to have sunshine in our home, though. That makes me think of a song "Sunlight in My Soul". I wonder, does anyone but me remember that one? It's out of a 1950's edition of the Broadman Hymnal. I do love so many of the old hymns. This one says " when Jesus Christ came in , and saved my soul from sin, I have sunshine in my soul today." Wish I could remember the rest.
I am so thankful to God for all He has done for us. I could make out a laundry list here, but I won't.
I will just leave it to this: I am so thankful that He is who He says He is, He loves me even though I am what I am (sinful), and wants to be a Father and friend to me. I am also grateful that He wants that for everyone He created. Isn't God good?
I was thinking of how the last year has been for me. There have been times when I thought I would go crazy or just wished I could die, b/c it was too hard. In this time, God has shown me that
2 of the keys to sanity are gratitude and contentment. These 2 are inseperable. You cannot be grateful and not earn some contentment to go along with it. Over the past year, I have been grateful for breathing, getting up in the morning, the children's smiles, etc. Of course there have been big things ,too. I have all of my family, lots of people to love me, a new church home, continuing to homeschool, and so on. But learning to be grateful for house that's is not as large as our original one and other things that are not to our preference, that is the real test. When I want to complain or feel grumpy, I stop and ask myself, "How could this be worse?" There has never been a time I could not think of some worse thing, so I am always able to be thankful. Praise the Lord! His command to be content whatever our circumstances has been such a blessing to me.
Psalm 118
Now, we can move on to putting up the ceiling upstairs so we can insulate.
Ms. Petite played in a tournament Friday and Saturday. Their team placed 3rd overall.
Farmerboy and Gypsygirl have made awesome progress on their ponies. He says his is basically broke. It will be really nice for them ( and maybe some others....) to be able to ride once we get moved.
Our family is going to be able to host Thanksgiving dinner. The church fellowship hall was available, so we will be having it there. There is a lot more space there. I am so excited.
It is sort of a dreary day outside. It has been raining and it looks cold. I haven't been out yet. I guess I can ask Gypsygirl, she feeds the bunnies every morning.
I am determined to have sunshine in our home, though. That makes me think of a song "Sunlight in My Soul". I wonder, does anyone but me remember that one? It's out of a 1950's edition of the Broadman Hymnal. I do love so many of the old hymns. This one says " when Jesus Christ came in , and saved my soul from sin, I have sunshine in my soul today." Wish I could remember the rest.
I am so thankful to God for all He has done for us. I could make out a laundry list here, but I won't.
I will just leave it to this: I am so thankful that He is who He says He is, He loves me even though I am what I am (sinful), and wants to be a Father and friend to me. I am also grateful that He wants that for everyone He created. Isn't God good?
I was thinking of how the last year has been for me. There have been times when I thought I would go crazy or just wished I could die, b/c it was too hard. In this time, God has shown me that
2 of the keys to sanity are gratitude and contentment. These 2 are inseperable. You cannot be grateful and not earn some contentment to go along with it. Over the past year, I have been grateful for breathing, getting up in the morning, the children's smiles, etc. Of course there have been big things ,too. I have all of my family, lots of people to love me, a new church home, continuing to homeschool, and so on. But learning to be grateful for house that's is not as large as our original one and other things that are not to our preference, that is the real test. When I want to complain or feel grumpy, I stop and ask myself, "How could this be worse?" There has never been a time I could not think of some worse thing, so I am always able to be thankful. Praise the Lord! His command to be content whatever our circumstances has been such a blessing to me.
Psalm 118
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