Blessings and Simplicity

Green Bean Soup (Mennonite Family Recipe)

2012-01-31T14:15:00.000-08:00

Here's the Green Bean Soup that I talked about in the One Hour Bread post. It's an old favorite family recipe that's been passed down through at least a few generations. If you know anything about Mennonites, you probably know they LOVE food. I hope to share a few of our favorite Mennonite family recipes in the future, keep an eye out.

So here it is...

Bean Soup

Ingredients:

Ham Bone ( I usually wait until I have a couple)
Summer Savory 2 Tbsp (I use a small bundle of fresh/frozen from the garden)
Parsley Root -2 peices-not to be confused with regular parsley (I often don't have this on hand and the soup turns out fine, sometimes I'll add a tsp of regular parsley)
1 large Onion
2 large cans of grean beans including juice (my recipe calls for "Omie's beans", which are my grandmothers home canned beans. Nothing beats home canned beans, but I had to use regular canned beans this time, and it still turned out good)
5+ Potatoes (Peeled and cut into bite sized chunks)
Whipping Cream 1/2 cup

Directions:

Place bone in large saucepan and empty in bean juice (not beans). Almost cover bone with water, add summer savory, onion, and parsley root and put on to boil for a minimum of 2 hours.
After at least 2 hours take out bone and put in potatoes and cook for 1/2 hour.
Add beans and whipping cream and bring to a boil.

Ta Da! The soup is ready. We like to add a bit more whipping cream to our own soup bowls and a little salt.

Best with homemade bread for dipping. ;)

Linking up Here:

Raising Homemakers

Can You Guess?

2012-01-31T11:51:00.000-08:00

This bun won't be done until July 31st 2012! ;)

One Hour Bread

2012-01-31T11:03:00.000-08:00

Yes, you read the title right! I recently stumbled across a great little recipe that I believe will save the day many times in this household. One Hour Bread! This bread is literally on the table in an hour. This was great last night as I made a big batch of homemade Green Bean Soup, and went to grab some bread from the bread basket only to discover a lone little crust in the bottom of the bag. :( Don't you hate when that happens? Homemade soup is just not the same without bread for dipping, and nothing makes it more special than warm buttered bread. Mmmm! So off to google I ran in hopes that my imaginative "instant bread" dream would become a reality, and it did! And it was tasty too! It made two loaves, and I have nothing but a crust left this morning. (It's that good).

So here is the lovely little post I stumbled across that saved the day: Simple One Hour Homemade Bread

Now I will admit there is nothing quite like spending the day working at the perfect loaf of bread, watching it rise, kneading it, loving it into the perfect little loaves. Let's face it, we don't always have the time to do it, sometimes we just need the bread now, and wouldn't you rather have a beautiful loaf fresh out of the oven than cardboard tasting grocery store bread?
Give it a try, hopefully you enjoy it as much as we did.
Also, here's the recipe for my soup: Green Bean Soup

Note: That photo is my attempt at the bread. Nowhere near as pretty as hers.

Linking Up Here:
Growing Home
Far Above Rubies

An Atheists View on the Quiverfull Movement

2012-01-27T21:09:00.000-08:00

Should Atheists Have Lots of Kids? That is the title of a post I just came across while searching for blogs about the blessings of children. It asks the question, should atheists have lots of children to keep up with the breeding rates of religious believers, and the author answers with a "no" for reasons you can read yourself at the link above.

I am absolutely in shock about what I just read. I have so much I'd like to say about this piece, but I cannot put into words everything that I'm feeling about this right now.

The only thing that I will say, is I find it humorous yet sad that so many people that are against religion and it's "closed mindedness" portray themselves as more blind and closed minded than those they're rallying against.

Just to clarify for all parties involved, here is the Wikipedia definition of "Quiverfull"

My husband and I must be part of this movement NOT because we want to raise an "army" as stated in the post linked above, but because we believe that childbearing is a natural part of the life God created (or just a natural part of life if you don't believe in God) and we see children as blessings, not financial or personal burdens.

Quiverfull is a movement among some conservative evangelical Christian couples chiefly in the United States, but with some adherents in Canada,[1] Australia, New Zealand, Britain and elsewhere.[2] It promotes procreation, and sees children as a blessing from God,[2][3][4] eschewing all forms of birth control, including natural family planning and sterilization.[5][6] Adherents are known as "quiver full", "full quiver", "quiverfull-minded", or simply "QF" Christians. Some refer to the Quiverfull position as Providentialism,[7] while other sources have referred to it as a manifestation of natalism.[8][9] Currently several thousand Christians worldwide identify with this movement.[5] It began to receive significant attention in the U.S. national press in 2004

Everyone believes in something, if that something means not believing in anything that's still your belief. Your still living a life of faith that way, you have faith that what you believe is the truth. I have faith that what I believe is the truth. Neither of us will know until the day we die. If I'm wrong I've lived a life trying to help and serve others, doing my best to be a good person, and putting others before myself, I'm no worse off, and my life has hopefully been a blessing to others. If you're wrong...?

Linking up here:

Far Above Rubies

Growing Home

I Have a Maker

2012-01-25T20:10:00.000-08:00

"I have a maker he formed my heart, before even time began My life was in his hands He knows my name, He knows my every thought, He sees each tear that falls and hears me when I call"

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. Psalm 139:13

I think maternity shirts with each of these would be wonderful. Next project I think.

Do You Value Children?

2012-01-25T19:25:00.000-08:00

Such a great article, I highly recommend you take the time to read it, or even skim if time is short, and share your comments or opinions with me, because I KNOW you will all have an opinion on this topic.

The Value of Children <-------Click Here to Read Article

Linking Up Here:

Homeschool Schedule

2012-01-12T08:22:00.000-08:00

Well it seems that I have managed to find the PERFECT schedule (thank you God) for my 9 year olds homeschooling. Just in time too as it's time to start thinking about what I'm going to do next year for my soon to be kindergartner and preschooler, and how to keep a one year old busy while taking care of a newborn, oops, did I just let the cat out of the bag with that one ;)

Since He's been on me to start Priority Living and I still have not gotten my daily list done, I'm grateful that He's given me insight into how to organize my daughters homeschool, because putting chaos on myself is one thing, but putting the chaos on my kids is a whole other story.

Since implementing it my daughter has without even being asked gotten on her homeschooling (every subject) with no whining, and earlier than ever before, and is so happy and eager to do it. Wow, listening to God really does work! Who knew? ;)

We now follow a three day rotating schedule with time limits for each subject. Each day must be completed before moving onto the next day which means she doesn't get day 3 if she doesn't finish her other days, (can you say motivation?) here it is:

Day 1

Bible 30
Language Arts 30
Math 45
Socials 45
Art 30
PE 30
Piano 30 (Lesson and Exercises)
Reading 30 (Current novel study, or book I've chosen)

Day 2

Bible 30
Language Arts 30
Math 45
Science 45
Health 30
PE 30
Piano 30 (Exercises and Book music she's learning)
Reading 30 (Same as Day 1)

Day 3

Character Building 30 (We read Beautiful Girlhood or do Polished Cornerstones activities)
Mapping 20
Math Games 30-45
PE 30
Free Reading 30 (book of her choice)
Free Learning 1 hr (Study any topic of her choice, right now she's chosen birds of prey and has learned more on her own in 1 week than we have in anything else for the year)
Free Piano 30 (She can plunk around to her hearts content, but she usually tries learning other songs by ear)

There it is in all it's glory and simplicity, and it's made a world of difference. During each subject there is a corresponding checklist that tells my daughter exactly what needs to be done next. When each task is done it's checked off and she moves on to the next activity. If she doesn't finish it in that time frame, she picks up where she left off the next day, easy as that. I have a checklist for each subject for each term.

Here's an example of what the checklists look like. This one's not quite finished.

There it is, the little life saver God threw me. I don't expect that this will work for everyone, or that it will even work for all my children, but it works perfectly for her. There's no more "Mom what do I do next?" or frantic night before planning, it's all there, ready to go, and it still pretty much follows the priority living idea that He gave me, Thanks God!

Time4learning

2012-01-11T20:12:00.000-08:00

I've been invited to try Time4Learning in exchange for a candid review. My opinion will be entirely my own, so come back and read about my experiences. For more information, check out their online curriculum or learn how to write your own curriculum review.

Yes, what it says above. Miss La La is going to be in kindergarten next year and struggles quite a bit with "typical" learning. Sit her in front a computer though and she becomes some little genius computer whiz. I'm feeling a computer based curriculum is going to be a great way to go for this kid, so I'm really interested to see how she likes this site, and if it's the right fit for us. I'll let you know how it goes, and would love to hear comments from anyone else who has tried it.

Priority Living

2011-12-19T08:18:00.001-08:00

Ephesians 5:15-17 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

God placed in my heart some months ago a plan of action called priority living. It came at a time when things were becoming too much. Life was beginning to overwhelm me, I couldn't keep on top of things and chaos was taking over. I was trying every schedule, time saving idea, and cleaning plan I could find to no avail. Since, I have become more tired, sick and depressed, not because God placed this on my heart, but because He placed it on my heart and I haven't acted on it. So maybe by sharing this with you I'll be inspired to follow it myself, or you'll be inspired to give it a try as well. It's a little out of the norm giving advice and steps on something I haven't even tried myself yet, but this is what's been put on my heart for sometime, so there must be something to it.

Step #1:

List your Priorities in Order of Importance (to God not yourself)

This is not something that can be done over morning coffee, don't try to rush it, take your time, talk to your husband about it and pray pray pray each step of the way. God will reveal to you what your priorities should be, but be open to His plan, even if it doesn't fit what you think your priorities should be.

This list should be quite detailed, you want to really get down to the nitty gritty on what is most important. Your list might look something like this:

Growing my relationship with God

Showing Love and encouragement to Husband

Showing Love and encouragement to Children

Encouraging children's relationship with God

Rooms tidied/beds made

Dishes done

Laundry washed

Homeschool planning and marking

Mission work

Play outside with kids

Laundry folded and away

Vacuum

Read to kids

Wash sheets

clean bathroom

This list should end up looking like a very long "to do" list, but be written in order of importance.

Step #2:

Put a star beside each priority that must be done daily.

Again, ask God which of these are most important that they deserve a "daily" spot. The items you star should be the ones at the top of your priority list, if they're not, you should rethink your priorities. You MUST do these daily, so don't put down things that can't be done if your schedule changes for the day, or you need to adjust things for visitors, sick kids, or traveling. You will do these EVERY DAY. Of the list above the only ones I would mark as daily priorities are the first 5. The rest, though many should be done daily, do not hold the priority place in heart. Life will go on if they have to be put aside for a day.

Step #3:

Make a good copy of your "Dailies" (in order). Put it on pretty paper if you want, or decorate it. Then put it up somewhere that you will be able to see it and use it daily.

I like to keep schedule stuff like this in a plastic sleeve and tape it to my fridge. It's easily seen, and I can use a dry erase marker to check off each item as it's done.

***Now, before moving on, you can start with these daily things. Be sure not to let other non priorities come before these most important tasks. If life is busy these things don't have to take a lot of time. The important thing is that you are putting them first. Pray before your feet hit the floor in the morning and thank God for the blessing of another day. Roll over and kiss your husband and tell him you love him and that you're thankful for everything he does for your family before you get out of bed. Kiss your babies as soon as they wake, and tell them how blessed you are that God put them in your life. Every little bit counts.***

Step #4:

Create your "Weekly" priorities.

Next you want to look over your list and write down a good copy of your priorities that need to be done weekly. You will start on these after your "Dailies" are done. If you have items that you want done daily, but are not important enough to include on your "Dailies" list, star them. Then you will always do these next after your "Dailies". The rest of the list will get checked off as you accomplish each item, and the following day after your "Dailies" are done you will move onto the starred "Weeklies" again, and then onto the next "Weekly" items on your list that have yet to be checked off. When the whole list is checked, erase the checks and start again. This way you know each item is getting done in order regardless of what might come up to take you away from your tasks.

Step #5:

Unexpected Priorities

Lets face it, you can't plan everything. In life there are going to be unexpected priorities. Keep another plastic sheet on your fridge or where ever for these. Write them down as they come in, so you don't lose track. Maybe the dog needs to be groomed, or it's time to plant the garden, whatever it may be write it down, and decide it's importance based on your other priorities. Chances are it's best to fit it in after your "Dailies" (ALWAYS after your "Dailies") and possibly after your starred "weeklies" But, you're all grown ups and I'm sure if you've made it to step 5 you'll be able to figure out where to put those unexpected extras.

So...that's what I've got from God so far. There's also the possibility of doing a "monthly" list but I think that might be too much, and these are a good start.

Now that I've written it down, I really see what God was getting at with me, and how this could simplify my life in so many ways, and really help me keep my focus where it should be. I think I'll start on my Priority List tonight. What about you?
I really pray that God is able to bless your life through this.

Peace in the Storm

2011-12-14T07:38:00.000-08:00

Today we are rejoicing. We have been blessed with peace, with hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you
and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

God has given us this verse so many times over the past months, but with each step backwards it felt like that hope was getting further and further out of reach. I began to wonder if it would ever come.

Then yesterday, after a particularly hard day, after breaking down, and in pain and anguish begging for relief and hope He put into my head this story.

Jesus Calms the Storm

³⁵ That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” ³⁶ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. ³⁷ A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. ³⁸ Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” ³⁹ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. ⁴⁰ He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” ⁴¹ They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Yes He calmed our storm, just as He did in the bible. But my question is this. Would He have calmed it if we had not come to Him and asked?

Jesus asked why the disciples were so afraid, they should have had faith that they would be okay, and that's true. But if they had just had faith, and kept quiet, might they still be in the storm?

The storm was calmed by there going to Jesus.

We should all have faith in the storms of our lives. We should believe that God does not intend to harm us, but to give us hope and a future. We should have faith that everything will be okay, but we also need to have faith that it is God who calms the storm, and when it becomes too much for us, we need to turn to Him to ask for relief from it.

As for our rejoicing there is much to rejoice about, but I'll save that for another post.

My Testimony

2011-12-13T08:49:00.000-08:00

*This post contains some mature subject matter, if you are young, please ask your parents before reading this testimony*

I was born the first of two children in my family and into a Christian home. I received awards for attendance in Sunday school, believed the pins and posters that said Jesus loved me, and loved Him in return. I wrote songs to Jesus with my Dad, and sang them in church, and made all the old ladies cry. I was a cute little kid that loved Jesus.

Then I got older, as we all do, and I began drifting away. I never once lost the belief that there was a God, and I often prayed when circumstances seemed rough (ie: boyfriend problems, not getting to go to a party). We didn't have a lot, but my life was very privileged. I was loved, my parents were still together, and I always had everything that I needed.

But I felt trapped, controlled and unable to spread my wings, so at 18 I lied to my parents, and moved out of province and in with my boyfriend. It seemed the "logical" step, everyone else was moving in with boyfriends, or partying the nights away, my parents were just too overprotective and too old fashioned, they didn't understand what it was like living in today's world, and I wanted to be a part of this world. A few months later after telling my parents the truth I had to make a devastating call to them....I needed to come home. Now! My mother not questioning why immediately set out on a 2 day drive with my Aunt to come rescue me. Little did they know what a rescue it was. My boyfriend, who was an alcoholic had in a fit of rage during an argument tried to choke and then suffocate me with a pillow, my only escape had been to "play dead." I stopped kicking and fighting and pretended to stop breathing, and he finally took the pillow off my face. During it all I couldn't help but think, this is it, I'm actually going to die here, but thank the Lord my savior had other plans for me.

I was still young, stupid and in love. I longed for him to be a different person and believed that it was a once in a lifetime thing, and that it wouldn't happen again. We started seeing each other again, and continued a long distance relationship. Then, one day, I had another difficult thing to talk to my parents about...I was pregnant. I was only 19, but I immediately loved this baby, I was scared, yes, it was a stupid move, yes, but this was my baby, and I couldn't wait to meet the growing life inside me. My parents were once again disappointed, but by this point I was getting used to their disappointment. I stayed at home for a few months, planning the wedding that was to take place, but it wasn't feeling real to me. Then 2 weeks before the big day, I made another difficult phone call, to my boyfriend this time, and called the wedding off. We stayed together though, and I once again moved away and back in with him. The emotional abuse continued, and added to it was devastating sexual abuse, but there was one big difference this time, I had fallen in love with the child growing inside me, and that love was almost starting to take over. In June 2002 the most precious little life was brought into this world, and I would never be the same. Mama bear began to take over. I wanted out. My child was not going to grow up in this environment, she was not going to see this and think that this is what love was, I wanted more, MUCH more than this for her. So, as soon as the opportunity presented itself, I was out.

I moved back home, got my first apartment and spent a wonderful year raising and loving my little girl. Then it was time to go to work, to be sucked back into the world. I partied and dated and tried to get back what I thought I had missed out on, and got caught up once again in what everyone else was doing. I was living a very ungodly life. It was one of the most unfulfilled periods of my life, I was spiraling downward and though I would occasionally attend church with my mother, to me, God was nowhere in sight. It was about looks, money, and men. After a few years of this life, I began to feel drained, I was killing my self confidence, my heart and my soul. Something was missing, something I couldn't quite put my finger on, I wanted something more, but I didn't know what. I gave up on worrying about "guys" decided to change what I thought I was looking for. I prayed that God would allow me to open my eyes past my usual type and try something different. Then I met him. He was taller than I normally liked, and there was something different about him. There was a calm when I was with him, which didn't help because I was looking for excitement, but it was oddly comforting and scary at the same time.

He believed in God too, but was as broken as me. We somehow seemed to balance each other. He moved in after a week, and we were engaged within 2. Then one night our mutual brokenness was revealed to us. We sent my 4year old daughter to bed, and after a dozen attempts to get out of bed we threatened that a monster would get her if she got out again. She was immediately quiet and went to sleep, then some time later we were startled by screaming like we had never heard before. The fear in her cries was enough to break any heart. We ran to the room and opened the door. "There's a shadow, in the corner, it's going to get me" She cried. We both dropped to our knees in shame "We're sorry" we said. "We lied, there's no monster, we're so sorry" She looked at us both and said "I miss God"and then it began. We began pouring from our hearts words that were ours but that didn't even feel like they were coming from us. About our love for her, about Gods love for her, the room seemed to be a hazy glow all around us, we felt a peace a calm a warmth, and part of something we didn't understand. She looked at us again. "My heart stopped beating" He had calmed her, He had taken away her fear, He had shown us His amazing love in the moment we least deserved it. We felt a squeezing around our arms like an embrace from Jesus himself. He was there, He was with us, and we would never be the same.

The next few days were a roller coaster. We could literally see God in people, and when I took my daughter to daycare the presence I felt in all those children was so overwhelming I could barely stay in the room. After three days I had to beg Him to lessen it, it was just too much for me.

Shortly after while at church our pastor announced that there would be a baptism the next week. My then fiance looked at me and said he wanted to be baptised but that he wanted us to do it together, I agreed but said we couldn't be baptized before we were married because we would still be living in sin. It was decided. That Saturday we were married, and the next day we committed our lives to God together. I was about 3-4 months pregnant at the time. Our life since then has been a blur. We've had many ups and downs, and will have many more. We have given God control of all aspects of our life, including the number of little blessings He brings into it, and so far the total is 5 including my stepdaughter. 5 blessings in 5 years. We are His, and though times are often difficult, He has given us the most amazing testimony to remember His love and presence in our life.

On your heart Tuesdays

Harvest

2011-12-09T12:47:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to share some photos from this years harvest goodies. After all this blog is about Gods blessings and teachings on simplicity in our life, and our humble little garden provides us with both.

Where is God in the Godly women?

2011-12-09T09:14:00.000-08:00

I've noticed a common trend among Christian women these days. Among friends, and bloggers and mostly myself. We claim to live for God, we mention our love for Him in our "About Me's" we mention Him in our status updates, we "mention" Him, but are we still "living" for Him?

I know how hard it is with young children to find the time to read the bible, to pray, to just rest in Him, to let His love consume us completely. It's been a while since I've felt lost in Him, most of the time now, I just feel lost, and that's not because God's left me. It's because I've left Him.

We become so focused on the things that we think He wants us to accomplish. We build our blogs for Him yet spend more time making it pretty, working on advertising, and posting giveaways than we do to use it to talk about how He's working in our lives, what we love about Him, and how to love Him better.

I talk with Christian friends more about child rearing, and financial burdens than I do about Him. God seems to have disappeared from our hearts and minds.

I could claim that He's on my mind daily, and He is, but it's often in passing. In the form of a short "God help me through this day" and then proceeded by a complaint over how hard this day is.

The truth is, though I know there are so many Godly women out there, who are so in love with and living for God, when you are out each day in the real world or in the blogging world, how many women do we REALLY see God in. When someone is really walking the walk, it's impossible to ignore. I know, I've seen THOSE women, I LOVE those women, I want to be THAT woman!

I don't want my mind focused on having to teach my daughter ironing so she can be a good wife, or on how to bring in a few extra bucks to help our family like the proverbs 31 woman, I don't want to be consumed by how to organize my schedule better, or the best laundry system for our large family, I want to be CONSUMED by my love for God, I want my eyes, heart and mind on the prize at all times. I want my children to see not a perfect homemaker, wife and mother and to learn perfection in that, I want them to see Gods perfect love for us, and how to love Him back with all their might. I want them to walk with Him, and talk with Him all their days, and then look back behind them, and see that through loving Him, everything else fell into place right where it should have, because by loving Him, and following Him, it always does.

If we as Godly Women lived up to the name, imagine the things that we could accomplish in our homes and in the world, imagine the love that would shine through us to everyone who came across us, and the lives that we could touch. I want to be a Godly woman consumed by and radiating Gods love. I want to be a walking testimony to God. What kind of Godly Woman do you want to be?

Matthew 22:37–39
Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'

Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Grateful

2011-07-23T07:36:00.000-07:00

Today I am grateful for....

God and His endless forgiveness, encouragement, love, and blessings.

Our new batch of chickens, and their abundant supply of eggs (yay no more store eggs)

Our beautiful garden filling with veggies (thank you hubby for the love and care you put into it)

This home. It may just be a rental, but it's still the home that God hand picked for us.

My big beautiful family. 5 lovely girls, the most wonderful husband in the world

The most loving snugly cat and dog you'll ever meet. Our dog likes to say family prayers with us, and if you feel the presence of the holy spirit while talking about God, our cat comes out of nowhere and basks in the love, she also loves giving hugs and kisses (These are very special little fur babies).

Changes and growth. Always learning, and always growing. Following Christ is an exciting life.

Future possibilities.

Again, an amazing husband giving me the morning off, taking care of the girls, making breakfast bringing me coffee, and letting me have time to focus uninterrupted on my top priority... God.

Sun beams streaming through the window as I type.

Gods plans for our family.

Snuggling under the quilt made by my Omie (grandma) and passed down from my mom to me.

Coffee with close friends :)

Everything God has done, and will do to bring us closer to Him.

The most amazing breakfast my husband just brought me that he made just for me. Sour cream and Greek yogurt mixed with honey and poured over scrambled eggs, with caramelized onions and bits of bison sausage and zucchini all on a bed of the most wonderfully moist french toast...the most amazing fireworks in your mouth concoction I have ever tasted, layer upon layer of flavor...SOOOO GOOD!! Thanks sweetie!!

Thank you God, for all of this, for I would have none of it, if not for you.

1Ti 1:12 How thankful I am to Christ Jesus our Lord for considering me trustworthy and appointing me to serve him,

1Ti 4:4 Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it. We may receive it gladly, with thankful hearts.

Hbr 12:28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be destroyed, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.

Jam 5:13 Are any among you suffering? They should keep on praying about it. And those who have reason to be thankful should continually sing praises to the Lord.

Tid Bits from the month of May

2011-05-30T09:34:00.000-07:00

Life lately has been crazy....as usual.

We allowed the girls to have a season of activities (I really should have known better). The 8 and the 3 year old are both in gymnastics and they are also both taking swimming lessons. That's 3 days a week of out of the house activities, 2 days a week of babysitting, add to that field trips and doctors appointments (due to the new baby)....there is a reason I wrote against putting your kids in too many activities. Trying to drag 4-5 kids around as you do all these things is a little bit much. Why do I never listen to my own advice?

We got to spend a wonderful week with some family and friends, they came and stayed with us and took the girls to a couple of their activities (wonderful treat for mommy). I think there is something to the saying "It takes a village to raise a child" though I tend to prefer the saying "I've seen the village, and I don't want them raising my kids."

Our first school year is coming to an end! WOW! Can't believe we made it the whole year, ha. Some lessons learned for next year, that's for sure. What a wonderful experience it was.

The children were all dedicated on mothers day (best mothers day yet).

Our garden is taking shape, and we're looking forward to: Tomato's, potato's, cucumbers/pickles, lettuce, cabbage, beets, corn, beans, peas, zucchini, squash, eggplant...and more.

Lee Lee raised over $140 in her fundraising efforts for the orphans of the Guma Na Yesu centre in Africa. I'm so proud of her!

Last but not least.....guess what I found at a local thrift shop this month!!!

Looking back at this month, I think this is the best thing the Lord could have put across my path.

Looking forward to a slightly more organized and scheduled Jun!

Home Destroyed by Tornado, Can you Help?

2011-04-28T08:57:00.001-07:00

An opportunity to serve:

Kelly Crawford of Generation Cedars home was just destroyed by tornado.

Please consider sending prayers or donations to this family in need. They are a large family who's home as well as community has just been destroyed. They could use our prayers and support.

Also please pray for her friends the Lee family who's 13 children just lost their father in this tragedy. I'm sure this mother will need all the prayers and support she can get at this sad time.

Head over to A Wise Woman Builds Her Home to find out how you can give support.

Read about it in Kelly's own words, and offer her your words of encouragement here:

God is Mighty to Save-All is Not Lost

Galatians 6:2

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Storage Auction for Charity

2011-04-26T08:48:00.000-07:00

PLACE AUCTION BID BY COMMENTING TO THIS POST. PLEASE BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL SO WE CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN. IF YOU WISH TO REMAIN ANNONYMOUS, SIMPLY SPECIFY IN YOUR COMMENT, AND I WILL POST WITHOUT INCLUDING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION. ANY AMOUNT IS ACCEPTED.CHECK LAST BID IF POSSIBLE BEFORE PLACING YOUR BID.

Shed is located in the Comox Valley, BC, Canada

BIDS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL MAY 3 2011 AT 11AM.

Some of the contents of shed

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

My daughter and I have decided to be involved in a project called Kids 4 Orphans. As part of this project we have decided to raise funds for Beds, Mattresses and Food for the children of Guma Na Yesu centre in Africa by auctioning off the contents of our storage shed, among doing other things.

The shed is filled with childrens toys, kitchen ware, board games and TONS of VHS movies, and DVDs as well as old Nintendo games. There is also a 27inch TV, decorations and more.

Please note that the storage totes the movies are in (just the totes, not the movies), the stroller, the computer tower, and the plastic childrens kitchen will not be included in this auction.

I will not lie, there are probably a couple tiny squeaky critters in there as well...but please remember, all proceeds are going to be donated to the children of Guma Na Yesu.

Highest bid by Tuesday May 3rd at 11am will get the contents of the shed (minus the items noted above in red) and must respond by email within 3 days or it will go to the next bid.

Winner must take all items (minus those listed in red) and may do whatever they wish with them, take them to the dump, sell them off individually, whatever you like. There could be a profit in this for you! ;)

If you wish to donate without placing a bid, please let us know by commenting as well.

Read more about this project and other ways to help by clicking here

Thank You.

Kids 4 Orphans

2011-04-25T07:03:00.000-07:00

I recently came across something that I immediately felt my family would be a part of. I showed my daughter Lee and she was excited! She is the type of girl who is always looking for ways to help people. The one who always wants to donate her money to help some charity, the one who will sit on santa's knee and tell him she doesn't need any presents, and that maybe he could give hers to some other kids who wouldn't otherwise get any. She is also the girl that I've heard many times times say that maybe she should just start saving her money now, so that when she's older she can adopt. Needless to say, when I saw this post I knew it was for her!

Here's the link to the original post: Homegrown Mom: Kids 4 Orphans

OUR PLAN

Over the next little while we will be raising money to buy beds, mattresses and food for the children of the Guma Na Yesu center in Africa.

We're hoping to raise $100 which Lee is praying will go mostly to nutritious yummy food for these orphans.

We are a society obsessed with organic and local eating, we spend a fortune on it, yet there are children starving, or getting by on the absolute bare minimum. These orphans are not starving but they do not have that luxury of the healthy nutritious food we have become accustomed to, and we're hoping to provide a little of that for them.

Lee and I have planned a few things to help us raise these funds:

1. We are making greeting cards to sell.

2. We are going to auction off the contents of our shed online which is filled with children's toys, games, kitchen stuff, movies, a tv and more. LEARN MORE AND PLACE YOUR BID BY CLICKING HERE

3. We are also going to simply ask family and friends for donations.

We are all super excited about this project, and are already coming up with ideas for our next big fundraiser idea. I hope to make this a habit in our family.

Please feel free to read the post I've linked to, and start your own project with your kids, or if you are wanting to donate through Lee, just let us know.

Prayers for the fundraising efforts and the children of Guma Na Yesu would be wonderful! Thank you!

"When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God." Leviticus 23:22

Linking up here: Kids 4 Orphans Linkup

The Distracted Mother

2011-04-19T11:51:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been living a distracted life.

Muffin turned 1 month old today. My newest baby girl is 1 month already, and I feel as though I've missed it all. Though she's spent much of her time in my arms, she hasn't spent much having my attention. Her diaper is changed while I assign chores to the other kids, she's nursed while I discuss math problems with my 8 year old, or behaviour problems with my 3 year old. Her snuggle time is short lived because of the 1 year old who really only wants snuggle time lately when she sees someone else is getting it, and mommy must oblige a bit because the 1 year olds day has been filled with mommy being too distracted by dealing with the 3 year olds behaviour to give her much attention at all. The 3 year old is acting up more than ever because she's not getting what she needs because mommy is busy changing and nursing the baby and trying to pay a little attention to the 1 year old, while calling out math help to the 8 year old in the kitchen, who isn't understanding because mommy is too busy with the misbehaving 3 year old, while snuggling the 1 year old, while feeding the baby, while trying to get the dog not to steal the 3 year olds food, while the cat is meowing at the gate wanting to come up and get some attention, while thinking about getting dinner ready, while realizing she's forgotten to take something out for dinner, while realizing it's already too late to start anything anyway, while realizing she hasn't gone grocery shopping and there isn't any food anyway while the phone keeps ringing (telemarketers AGAIN)...when daddy comes home...and wants some attention which mommy can't give him because she's frantically trying to put something together for dinner while patting the head of the 1 year old attached to her leg, while discussing the 3 year olds behaviour for the day, and whining about trying to focus when she's had no sleep, while............ you get the picture.

At the end of the night, when I close my eyes I begin to realize...I haven't even really looked my kids or my husband in the eyes today, in fact when was the last time I did? I talk to them while taking care of something else, always focused on something else, not one of them is getting my undivided attention, my attention is ALWAYS divided lately. The few moments of peace I may get I'm so overwhelmed that I fill it with more distractions...TV (our whole 1 channel) or Internet, which makes me more overwhelmed because nothing is getting done.

There was something else too...something really important that needed my attention, something that deserved and commanded my undivided attention, something I should be putting first...now what was that again? OH right GOD! How easy it is to become distracted and overwhelmed, and veer off the path while not focused where you should be.

You need to pay attention, have your eyes open, and be present in everything you do, and if you're not first and foremost focused on God, it's easy to lose sight of what it is you should be doing, and are at risk of spending your life distracted by things you "think" you should be doing.

This week, and for the rest of my life, I'm going to work at being present in the things that God says I should be doing. I need to reconnect with Him first, remember the tasks He's set out for me, understand His priorities for my life, and give them my undivided, eyes wide open attention....and now I must finish...because the girls are all starting to wake up, and they all need my undivided, eyes on them attention. So I will get them each up, look them in the eyes one by one, and tell them I love them, and most importantly, that God loves them.

Linking up here:

Raising Homemakers: Homemaking Linkup

Sadness

2011-04-13T12:33:00.000-07:00

I should not watch the news, I knew there was a reason I stopped, and I need to again. I just heard about a mother driving her minivan into the Hudson River with her four precious children inside...with God's four precious children inside.

I pictured the faces of my four sweet little girls and burst into tears. I'm speechless at the thought of a mother doing that to her children, how lost and hurting she must have been. I wish time could have been reversed, I wish there could have been a way to help her, to save those children, to offer some kind of hope, to have those children here, safe and sound in my own arms.

A lesson for me today to love my children more, to hug my children more, to connect with my children more, and to be a constant light in their life. They are my most precious gift and most sacred responsibility.

A lesson also, to be there for other mothers, to offer them help when things seem to be getting tough, and to ask for it if things get too tough for me.

I pray for those children, I pray for the mother, I pray for the little boy who survived and now has to live with this. I pray for mothers everywhere, I pray for community and compassion for them. I pray this never has to happen again.

What if your blessings come through raindrops?

2011-04-12T11:16:00.000-07:00

Heard this song yesterday and felt the need to share. If you haven't already heard it, you should really take the time to listen...especially if you're a new mommy getting no sleep, have been having a hard time with your kids, or have ever gone through some rough times...so basically, if you're human, listen. ;)

It's a GIRL!!!!

2011-03-29T13:32:00.000-07:00

Here she is, our newest little princess. Born March 19th and possibly weighing in at 8lbs 3oz (scales weren't working that day, and they think she may have been more) and 22 inches long.

Little Miss

*Faith*

(a.k.a. Muffin)

Pregnancies

2011-03-16T08:19:00.000-07:00

Here we are! Baby #4 is officially due today. I'm curious to see how much longer I'll go. I was 2 days over with my first, 2 weeks early with my second, 7 days over with my third....what does this little one have in store for us?

I had some fun this morning looking over some past pregnancy photo's can't believe my belly has been this big 4 times already! :)

8-9 months pregnant with my darling little Lee Lee

Probably about 7 months with our lively little La La

8-9 months with our precious Pash

34ish weeks with baby # 4

The possibly last belly pic of baby #4.

38 1/2 weeks

Can't wait to meet you baby!!

Simply This....

2011-03-15T10:07:00.000-07:00

I had a dream last night that I was giving my testimony in Church. The sum of my testimony was simply this:

I have lived most of my life for me, following my own path, following the path others or society said I should take, or following the path that I thought would bring me the most of what I thought I needed or wanted.

God brought my husband and I to a place some time ago where we now see the importance of following God's path and not our own. It can be a scary path to take at times, especially when you feel like your all alone on that path, and no one understands you.

In my dream I was reminded of the image of the footprints in the sand. You're walking, and suddenly you realize you're not walking alone, and there are another set of footprints walking beside you. Then I noticed something else in my dream. Jesus footprints were beside me, yes, but my footprints were not marking out a new path in the sand. They were the footprints of a child walking in big footprints that were already there. They were walking in the footsteps that her Father had already laid out for her. There was no need for fear or worry. The path was already there, God knew where it lead, and as my Father, He would not lead me anywhere that I need to be afraid to go. I wasn't walking into the unknown, and I wasn't walking alone, for God sent His son to walk beside me, and hold my hand through it all.

When I think of following God's path now, I will always picture my dream, and the little feet of a child happily skipping into the footprints laid out by her Father, and never alone.

Linking up here:

Raising Homemakers: Homemaking Linkup

Only by God's Grace

2011-03-08T10:34:00.000-08:00

We have received a new start...again. It amazes me how many new starts God gives us.

Monday was hubby's first day back to work after five long months (Praise God), baby is due in 1 week, everything seems to be trying to fall into place, yet at the same time it feels as though things are being ripped apart. Just when you get used to one way of doing things upside down goes the world again.

Finally finances are going to become enough for rent bills and food again, but now the van isn't working...again, and we're going to have to find some way to get a new one (time to start praying again).

I'm at a point where this amuses me more than anything. What else can you do but laugh at it. Just when you think your going to be a step ahead, just when you think you can do that much better for your family, you find yourself stuck right where you always were. I feel God telling me to stop. Telling me not to get caught up in that thinking, it is Him that can do so much better for our family, and only He knows what that better is. If moving forward in life makes you fall back from God is it really moving forward at all?

Hubby is sure things are going to change for us and soon. He felt God speaking this to him last night. We're praying and believing this is truth and not some half awake longing. It's been 4 years of being stuck, being in the same place, striving for better, working for better, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel only to find ourselves right back at the beginning.

After he left for work this morning I opened the bible to find this:

Joel 2 18-19 and 21-27

¹⁸ Then the LORD was jealous for his land
and took pity on his people.

¹⁹ The LORD replied to them:

“I am sending you grain, new wine and olive oil,
enough to satisfy you fully;
never again will I make you
an object of scorn to the nations.

²¹ Do not be afraid, land of Judah;
be glad and rejoice.
Surely the LORD has done great things!
²² Do not be afraid, you wild animals,
for the pastures in the wilderness are becoming green.
The trees are bearing their fruit;
the fig tree and the vine yield their riches.
²³ Be glad, people of Zion,
rejoice in the LORD your God,
for he has given you the autumn rains
because he is faithful.
He sends you abundant showers,
both autumn and spring rains, as before.
²⁴ The threshing floors will be filled with grain;
the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.

²⁵ “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—
the great locust and the young locust,
the other locusts and the locust swarm
my great army that I sent among you.
²⁶ You will have plenty to eat, until you are full,
and you will praise the name of the LORD your God,
who has worked wonders for you;
never again will my people be shamed.
²⁷ Then you will know that I am in Israel,
that I am the LORD your God,
and that there is no other;
never again will my people be shamed.

I've been pondering grace for months. I wanted to say I understood it, but I never really understood, and though I've been trying I couldn't fully grasp it, I don't know that we can ever fully understand. How blessed are we to be God's children, how unbelievable how joyful how wondrous it is to have a God who forgives us, who loves us, and who saves us. Not by our actions, not because we deserve it, but by His grace. If ever we become "unstuck" it will not be by our actions, only by His grace!

Joel 2:13

¹³ Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the LORD your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity.

Linking Up here:
and hereHomemaking Linkup

Homeschool Re evaluated...my plan or Gods?

2011-02-06T13:34:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 22:6

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it

I had a profound realization the other day. It was that homeschool was not going according to plan. (Oh yes, here we go with plans...again). Guess what...are you ready? It's was going according to my plans and our DL school plans for the most part, but it was not going according to God's plan. Are you shocked? My plan, not His...haven't we discussed this before?

In all my efforts of taking Lee Lee out of public school so we could train her in the ways God wanted us to, instead of being influenced in the ways society wants her to be taught. We ended up almost full circle, forgetting God's plans, and following books and curriculum that were telling math and correct spelling were the way to go. What lesson were we forgetting?....that God is the way to go. To always be directed towards God, always directed towards His plan, and not our own. I think I'll have to relearn this lesson a lot over the next while.

I threw out the lesson plan for the day, and thought hard on what He had talked to me about so much before our decision to pull her from public school. Instead of worksheets, spelling tests, and completing the next pages in the curriculum. We read a devotion together to start the day. We baked bread from scratch, so we would be able to feed our family (and prayed very hard that our little changes to the recipe would work out). We made cinnamon buns as a treat for daddy who has been doing so much to take care of this family lately. We started reading 'Beautiful Girlhood' in hopes that our bond might grow stronger and we can learn something about ourselves and each other. Then, we finished off by having some play time with the little kids.

Do I feel like we wasted away a day of homeschooling? Of course not, I think it was one of our most significant days yet. She learned to take care of her responsibilities to her family, and provide good nourishment for them (while discussing fractions and converting measurements). She learned the importance that should be put on serving her future husband (something I very often need a reminder of) by seeing mommy put extra care and love into something that could easily have been put off until later, but that we made sure was at the top of our list. Even if nothing came from our reading together the most important part of it for me, was that we just sat together, and spent time together. Last but not least, she learned to make sure to enjoy the wonderful things in life God has blessed us with, and to make sure no one gets forgotten in the hustle and bustle of a busy day as a homemaker. The day did not go perfect, we still have a long way to go to make the ship run more smoothly, but that's something else we can learn together! ;)

Was this day of lessons really for her or for me? I wonder. Either way, I see a lot more HOME schooling days and little less home SCHOOLING days in our future.

How often have you homeschoolers re evaluated "your" homeschool plans? I'd love to know what the most significant homeschool day you've had has entailed.

La La, their cousin who I babysit, and my precious Lee Lee

So excited to sift flour! Who would have thought?

Little La La, refused to let mommy do all the hard work of rolling out the dough.She spent the next 3 days making play dough cinnamon rolls...she's actually been getting quite good.

Psalm 128:2

You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.

Linking up at Raising Homemakers for the Homemaking Linkup!

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

2011-02-04T13:58:00.000-08:00

34 weeks?!?! Only 6 left to go??

Wow, this is really going to happen. Somehow I haven't been able to get past the fact that this belly is actually going to produce another little life. It feels strange, surreal almost.

I feel like a bad mommy already. I haven't really connected with this little one yet, half the time I forget I'm even pregnant (or I would if not for the sleepiness and back pain).

This hasn't been a "hard" pregnancy by any means, but it certainly hasn't been the most enjoyable. The hormones have been on high the whole time, and the energy has been way way way down on low. Maybe the three other little munchkins I'm chasing around have something to do with it, maybe this is normal for moms with lots of kiddos, maybe the fact that I was pregnant through the dreary fall and winter months...ah a spring baby. Should be an interesting change. I know I want this baby, I know I'll love this baby. Maybe it's just having two so close in age that's making it seem so unreal. Baby Pash will only be 16 or 17 months old when this little bundle arrives. It's so funny how truly different every pregnancy and ever child is. Who would have ever thought I'd be here, pregnant with #4.

Did I ever picture myself with 4 little ones of my own? Well...ya I guess I did...at one point when I was 8 or so....Oh how the years change you. Funny how I went from wanting a definite 4 (1 older girl, then twins, a girl and a boy, and then finishing up with another little boy) how specific I was, then being a teenager that swore she would never marry or have children but would move to the big city and have a lucrative career in fashion or advertising.

Then to a young 19 year old girl who had her whole world suddenly changed in an instant by 2 little lines. Maybe kids weren't so bad, maybe this falling head over heels in love with my little girl is the best thing that ever happened to me, maybe this is what I've wanted all along.

Now 3 of my own, a stepdaughter and 1 more little bundle on the way. I can finally say with certainty I have no idea how many children I'll have, who can begin to guess all that God has in store for them.

Each child is a blessing, so unique, so wonderfully created. I can't wait to meet this next wonderful creation He has blessed and entrusted us with.

Psalm 139:13-16

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

Health and Diet: My plan or Gods?

2011-01-20T09:00:00.000-08:00

I know what God wants more than anything is for us to be spiritually healthy, but today I want to discuss (or question) our physical health as Christians.

Our family seems to be learning some lessons on health. Actually, let me rephrase. I believe our family should be learning some lessons on health.

We have been dealing with sickness, sleep deprivation, bad food choices (though a lot of times, financially the only food choices) aches, pains, bruises and bumps, even very sick and injured parents and siblings.

I don't think this is what God wants for us. What father wants His children to be unwell? We are God's children. He wants the best for us. He wants us to consume the most nutritious foods for our bodies, He wants us to take in food that will not cause disease or pollute our bodies with man made chemicals. He made our bodies a certain way, to thrive on certain things, and I think so many of us are getting it wrong.

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

I've been feeling this way for years, but finances and feelings just don't seem to be coinciding enough to really get to where I'm feeling we should be. Is it really me just feeling this? I'm I right in these assumptions that God wants better food and better health for us? Could we do it financially if we learned to live on less quantity and more quality?

We have been growing our own veggies the past couple years, but last year our landlords got us a new stove which made it impossible for me to can.

We had chickens to produce our own farm fresh eggs, but a few months back a martin got them all one night.

We're slipping back to the "consumer" lifestyle of eating we were once in, and have worked so hard to get out of.

Isn't this something God wants for us? Am I wrong in wanting our family to have healthy nutritious food, why are all our efforts being wasted?

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

Is this where I've gone wrong? Have I been doing this for my glory? For my families glory? I know I haven't been able to do it through my own will. Maybe by praying that this will glorify God somehow, then all this will change. He knows I want better for this family, and I believe that He does too.

I'm going to be praying hard on this one, that He guides me to make the right choices, and that I don't make choices simply out of guilt or what society is deeming to be healthy eating. I don't want to follow societies views on health, I want to follow God's.

My goals for this year (health wise) were:

*To make the most of the wealth that God has provided in the land. Finding ways to use plants, herbs, and weeds He has provided in abundance (don't you often question why He created so much of certain things, and if we're actually using them to their full potential)?

For example: did you know that roasted dandelion roots make an amazing coffee substitute? The rest of the dandelion has uses too. Yet we usually curse them, pull them out of the lawn of garden and throw them away. I haven't tried this drink yet, but I plan to.

I'm pretty sure this is one God wants me to pursue as He is not closing doors on this, and actually seems to be opening up many doors for me to learn more about it.

* To switch to as much organic food as possible. This is where financially we haven't been able to follow through. Apparently, regular food is much more expensive than regular food plus loads of chemicals...go figure. Right now with our work situation I'm just happy to be getting any food on our table. I hoped at the very least to find a way to afford our staples organically. Such as flour, milk, butter, cornmeal, etc...

Is this something God wants for us? This one I need to pray on more.

* Home baking from scratch. This is one I haven't had any resistance on, it's helped financially, and I plan to continue it for as long as God allows. Currently, being pregnant I've been doing less of it, but I know that things will get back to normal soon.

* Growing our own vegetables, producing our own eggs, and maybe, hopefully, one day...a goat or cow for milk and other dairy delights.

Again, one I'll have to pray on. Don't see what's wrong with any of this, but not understanding the resistance.

* What we can't produce ourselves, try to buy locally.

* Canning and storing our food. I need help here God. No idea how I'm supposed to do this without a stove, is this something you want for us?

These were "my" goals and plans for a healthy year. I'm curious to see what God's plans are for us regarding health and diet.

Linking to Raising Homemakers: Homemaking Linkup

and the Simply Homemaking Linkup

We Forgot

2011-01-09T10:20:00.000-08:00

We forgot. We forgot about HIS plan, we forgot about HIS blessings, we forgot about HIM!

My husband and I have had a very tough week. It's been coming to a boiling point for a few weeks, and this week, that was it. It's like we couldn't even look at each other without getting upset about something.

Why? I'm sure there were a lot of little things leading up to the 4 days of complete madness, Christmas, throwing our schedule and routine out the window while family visited, hubby not working for the past 3 months, me being pregnant hormonal and averaging about 5 (at most) interrupted hours sleep a night, everyone being sick for the past few weeks. There are a lot of little reasons, but only one that sums it up, only one that matters....we forgot! We forgot about God, and we forgot about HIS plan for our lives.

I got up this morning so numbed from the past week, and having given up completely. What was there to look forward to today? What point was there in even trying to make it work anymore, no matter how hard I tried, nothing would work out anyway (and by that, I mean nothing was going to work out how I wanted it to.)

Hubby had a change of heart, and felt led to let me take a few hours, come downstairs and spend time looking at scripture, blogs and to do some writing.

I felt I would find something to make me feel a bit better, but I didn't think everything I looked at within the first 10 minutes was going to lead me down the exact same path and bring me back to where I should be, I had no idea how off track we had become and how quickly and easily we had forgotten and been led astray.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matt. 7:13-14

We have to be on guard constantly. There are so many things trying to pull us off the narrow road, it is so easy to be mislead, and it is so so easy to simply forget when you start becoming caught up in your own plans, and your own way of doing things.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

How could I forget this? One of my favorite verses, the one He keeps bringing me back to, time and time again, His constant reminder to me, and I just forgot.

I want to thank some of you for being a light to me today. To being a part of directing me back to the path I knew I should be on, but had forgotten about.

Thank you firstly to the Anonymous poster who left the comment on my post Stay at Home Mom vs Working Mom...from a been there done that mom. You were my first reminder today that we need to follow HIS plan for us, and not our own.

Second thank you is for the post It's Late...I'm Emotional...Here it goes on My Simple Walk. You were my first reminder today of the life that God has planned for us, what we've been striving for the past couple years, as well as a reminder of the contrast of how we've been living this past month as opposed to how He wants us to live. You lit the fire under me to get up and strive to start living the life He wants us to have again.

God made it very clear a couple years ago that He has simplicity as the design for our life. I know He wants less stuff, and more Him in our life. I know He wants us to live a simple life, less dependent on the provisions of the world and money, and more dependent on Him, and His provisions of the land and His mercy.

Third thank you for the post Choose the Better Things on A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, I haven't even made it to the links you were referring to, but your words touched me as they so often do. You reminded me today that there is hope and that His plan will be accomplished through HIS strength and not through our own.

Fourth thank you is for the post Why I Write on Singing Through the Rain. I felt very very led by God one night a few years ago. I felt Him telling me to write, I felt that this was a purpose and a plan He had for me. The first thing I ever remember wanting to be as a child was a writer, when other girls dreamt of being ballerina's, I wanted to be an Author. I thought maybe this was just my past desires coming to the surface, and not Gods leading so I set it aside, but it popped up continually over and over.

I didn't know what His plan in writing was for me, but I finally started this blog and it has helped my relationship with Him tremendously. I don't think His plan for my writing is necessarily this blog. It takes too much time away from His other definite plan for me as a wife and mother of what will likely be many children. I can't commit myself to both, at this time. But having this here as a way to draw closer to Him when I feel led to write and the connection I feel to Him when I do write helps me know that writing is in His plan for me, in some form, and I know that I'm meant to write for Him.

Funny, He firstly reminded me that it's HIS plan we're to follow, not ours, secondly He reminded me what it was He had planned for us. Next He reminded me that His plan will be accomplished through Him and His strength and not through our own attempts, and lastly that He is my release, He is my passion, that we should do all this, all He asks for Him and His glory not our own.

Thank you to you all for helping me to remember!

Break Time

2010-12-29T11:07:00.000-08:00

Hoping to get back to things shortly. Just taking a little break over this holiday season to spend some time with family and friends. Much love to you all, see you in the New Year!

Learning Patience with Salt Dough Ornaments

2010-12-16T08:47:00.000-08:00

This past week the girls and I tried our hands at making salt dough ornaments. I never made them growing up, but always thought they looked like fun....and they were!

Miss Lee, still in her jammies, making the ornament shapes (7:00am)

Pash pretending to make ornaments with her play dough.

Ready for the oven. We followed our recipe and set the oven at about 170 degrees. Our recipe said it would take about 4 hours for them to bake, and we were very excited to paint them.....

Eight hours later, the ornaments were still a bit doughy. I turned the oven up a bit and baked them a little longer, about another hour or two.

Two days later we finally got around to painting them. I think I had more fun with that than the kids did.

Mommy's are on the left, Lee Lee's in the middle and La La's are on the right.

The ornament day didn't turn out quite as we hoped, but God did teach us a lesson in patience that day, and the final product and fun we had together was most definitely worth the wait.

If I had taken the time to research I would have found most other recipes called for higher cooking temps, and had some other great tips and advice too. Maybe I should have taken more time to look into it, or maybe using the recipe we did, and just having patience resulted in the better end product...only God knows.

What are your favorite kind of homemade ornaments?

Part of Raising Homemakers, Homemaking Link-Up

The Perfect Weekly Plan!

2010-12-09T07:52:00.000-08:00

What's this? Am I actually getting organized? The woman who loves to organize, but never stays organized, is she really truly following through on a plan and staying organized???? I may have found a system that actually works for me! Let's pray this sticks, and my poor tired pregnant body lets me keep it up.

I have a household notebook or whatever you call it...it doesn't seem to work to well for me. I would get stuff organized in it, close it up for the night and forget about it, or put it somewhere and lose it. I still have it, and it holds a lot of useful information that I need, but this is what seems to work best for me.

What started this whole shift? A strict computer limit for my husband and I! We each get 1 1/2 hours a week, and must fit our time into that. I didn't realize how long I was on until I had to start rationing it. If you're finding it hard to get stuff done, set yourself a weekly computer limit and see how it changes!

I've taped the things that I need daily right in the middle of my fridge! No it's not the prettiest, but it's functional. I can't put it down and forget about it, and the fact that everyone can see it keeps me accountable.

First is my weekly menu plan. I've made them so many times, and I've NEVER stuck to one. We're sticking to this one! I printed a menu plan, stuck it in a plastic cover and taped that to my fridge, then I use a dry erase marker to fill it in each week. When the week is over, wipe it clean and start again. See, I'm being green by saving paper too!

Here is my work in progress. I have yet to find the perfect weekly system for my daily to do's. This will be rearranged now and then until I find the right fit I'm sure. I've left the top of the plastic sheet open, so I can pull the paper out to make changes. There are blank spaces to add other to do's each day with the dry erase pen, and I can check them off as I go.

As it stands I think I've got Mondays as Bread and Baking Tuesdays is Bathrooms and Floors Wednesdays are already switched a bit as we had swimming and I didn't have the time to get everything done. But basically walls and cupboards, fridge cleaning, errands, homeschool and meal planning and a BIG laundry day (we do laundry every day but still need a BIG day for the extra) are all on there somewhere. Hoping this finds a good rhythm soon.

Pretty simple and self explanatory. I always need somewhere to quickly jot down things I need to buy as I run out, or I ALWAYS forget!

Well, that's what seems to be working! Amazing how it took something so simple to allow me to do so much!

What works for you??

Linking Up with the Homemaking Link Up over at Raising Homemakers and the Domestically Divine linkup at Far Above Rubies

Date Night With God

2010-12-02T10:55:00.000-08:00

Hubby and I have had the very rare privilege lately of having a date night. We were able to go out to the movies together (how this was managed in a time when we literally don't have money for food I have no idea, but somehow, strangely it worked out) and enjoy some time together away from the kiddo's. Time alone together is something I think is much needed in any marriage. Even more needed is time together with God. This is somewhere we fall short, well, anything "together" seems to be somewhere we fall short.

Hubby decided we were going to read the bible together this morning, for the first time in a long time. That was not what I had in mind, I had dishes to do, I was babysitting, Lee Lee needed her school work set up...I had more important things to do at that moment...more important than connecting with my husband and God. :(

I did it, but I didn't enjoy it. I was distracted by playing screaming children, and constant requests from little mouths. I wouldn't have known how to get past that and connect, even if I did want to. I am very easily distracted by responsibilities and obligations...let me correct that, I am very easily distracted by "thinking about" responsibilities and obligations.

I know my husband and I need this time together, much more than we needed the movie night. How do I learn to enjoy this, and how do I learn to push past "little" distractions and selfish desires.

Amos 3:3

Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

We need to agree to do this, we need to agree on the direction we're going, we need to agree that God is the direction we're headed and we need to walk that path together.

If there's problems along the way, we both just need to aim ourselves back towards God, and we'll soon find ourselves on the same path again.

Do you and your husband have bible time together? What kinds of things do you do during your time together with God?....Pray, Read scripture, read other Christian books, listen to Christian music?

I would love if you shared some of your ideas, it would help my husband and I build up our special time with God......

....and if you don't currently have that with your husband, why don't you take up this challenge with me and start by devoting one night a week to a date night with your husband, one night a week to spending the evening on a date together....with God!

Linking up over at Far Above Rubies!

A Homeschool Week In Pictures

2010-11-30T07:03:00.000-08:00

Miss Lee was super excited to spend some time putting together her new wooden dragonfly model.

She struggled with some of it, as the pieces didn't all fit together "perfectly" but she got it done, and was very proud of herself. Mr Dragonfly now hangs above the table in the homeschool room.

On one of the days that I babysit we did a craft together. We made empty CD cases into picture frames. I gave them cases of odds and ends to use, and they glued them on the frame.

Miss La La working hard to decide what to put on her frame. Yes her shirt is dirty, her clothes are ALWAYS dirty. This little girl is my little boy. Anything you put on her is dirty or stained within 2 minutes. I don't know how she does it, but she has nothing that does not look like a mess.

SNOW DAY! We took a snow day during the week. We did one small math worksheet, and then...we played!

Miss La La doesn't play in the snow...she just eats it.

Pash and Miss Lee Lee going for a ride on the sled.

What is cuter than a chubby bundled up little babe?

Lessons from the farm..."The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away"

2010-11-28T22:01:00.000-08:00

A verse we hear almost daily. The first one my daughter memorized this year, and one He brings us back to so often it seems.

Job 1:21

"Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD."

Saturday morning hubby went out bright and early to give our chickens some water, sadly, he soon discovered we no longer had chickies to tend to.

All 12 of our wonderful egg laying little chickies had passed away. We had no idea what had happened to them, but I felt strongly whatever it was, it was God's plan and somehow a blessing. Hubby and oldest each had a little cry about it. They had invested so much time and love into those little girls, to them, they were family.

It was a wake up call to husband and I. How quickly something can be taken from you, how often we take what we have for granted. How we need to make the most of what we're given, how important it is for us to do our best to take care of what we have now, how important it is to be good stewards.

We found out today that it was a martin (a weasel type thing). It was back at the scene of the crime today when hubby went out there with my cousin. One little animal, one act of God. Oh how quickly things can change.

No more farm eggs, but no more cost of feed and bedding in a time when we really can't afford it. No more chicken chores, but no more chats with our feathery friends.

Still, we must praise God in all circumstances, just as Job did in his. God loves us, and is there for us, and has plans for us beyond anything we can comprehend at this time.

Goodbye my little chickie dears, you will be missed.

The Lord gave you to us, and the Lord has taken you away blessed be the name of the LORD!

Linking up over at Raising Homemakers

Asking For Help

2010-11-26T07:03:00.000-08:00

It's funny sometimes, how exactly God opens our eyes to things. Things He's made us aware of, but that we don't understand until a critical moment, and then, boom. You get it.

I've been feeling a little uninspired. I didn't know what God wanted me to write about next. My husband told me that God said my next post would be on asking for or accepting help. Hmmph. I thought.

Our current situation is what I implied that to. Asking for help financially, accepting financial help from others. See, we have been in "need" financially for years (never quite this bad, but still always in need), we have been blessed with help financially for years. I didn't want to "ask" for help in this area. I was adamant this was something we needed to start really taking care of ourselves. I would accept help if God provided it for us, but my "asking" for help was now going to go towards asking for others to be helped and to be blessed. I just didn't feel in my heart that God wanted me to write on asking others for help in this way.

Skip ahead a few days....I'm going through the worst bought of hormonal mood swings I have ever experienced. We're talking 3 days of pure angry insanity! My poor poor family. I don't know how to control this, I've tried "giving it to God" I've prayed, I've yelled I've screamed I've cried, nothing is getting me out of this.

Then, yesterday I read a post on depression, and as I responded to the post, I was reminded of what we really need to focus on and where we really need to turn, and who we really need to ask for help in our times of need.....God. Yes, I prayed, I tried giving it to God, I'm sure I even verbally cried out to Him for help. But I stayed focused on my anger, I stayed absorbed in my little hissy fits, in my thoughts, I stayed focused on those lies that were being whispered or sometimes yelled at me inside. I didn't truly ask for help.

I sat beside the pool, proclaiming I wanted to be cured, expecting somehow to be cured, but doing nothing to actually get myself in there. I forgot to turnover! I forgot to turn my focus to God, to His light, to His love, to His forgiveness, and mercy and grace. I forgot to turn to helping others and I turned in the wrong direction, inwards towards myself.

I prayed in my moments of being alone crying in the bathroom for it all to stop, but I didn't pray when I felt myself getting upset in the moment, and I never once turned my attention to God.

In every moment, in every distress, in every unhappy thought, turn your focus to God, turn your thoughts and heart to God as you ask for help. Turn to the one you are speaking to, look directly at Him, then, ask for help!

John 15:7

7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

Today, I Pray for YOU!

2010-11-22T08:07:00.000-08:00

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

I've been praying for our circumstances a lot lately. I'm grateful for what we have, and I know God will provide, but we are to take our requests to Him. I pray for my husband to find work, I pray God to preform one of His many miracles and miraculously take away our debt (hey a girl can dream can't she!) ;) I pray for His hand in things, and that if we are meant to learn something through this (and we always are) I pray that He reveals it to us.

I took this Spiritual Gifts Test the other day. My husband was taking it, and I thought, it would be interesting to know more about my gifts. I found that it wasn't the answers that revealed much to me, but the questions themselves that really got to me, and made me think (isn't that how God works though? Questions, not answers.

I wasn't too surprised, but I was a little ashamed that my "Prayer gift" fell so low on the scale. As I answered the questions, I thought to myself, I really don't pray, and I really don't pray for others much. I've been praying very selfishly.

I am going to do something different today. In fact, I started a day or two ago. Instead of praying for my family, and my families circumstances, I'm going to pray for all of you. There are so many of us going through hard times right now, there are so many without work, with huge debts. Instead of praying that God performs miracles in MY life. I am going to pray that He performs those miracles, my miracles, in yours. God has given us so much, and I just pray that He blesses each of you as He has blessed us over and over.

Lord, please make your presence known to all these families in hard times right now. Show them that your hand is in their situation, and that you are using it to better them, and to help them grow into stronger Christians for you. Please help the burden not be too great on them. Help them to laugh and have joy in this time of trial. Bring them blessings that we know can come only from You. Show them what an amazing God you are, and show them the miracles that you can preform in their lives. Let it all be for Your glory! In Jesus name, Amen.

Now the test said that I did not have a gift for prayer. Maybe not, but that doesn't mean I can't try. I hope you will all soon be showered with Gods blessings.

All my love to you, Jessica

1 Peter 5:10

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Romans 12:12

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Romans 5:3

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance

Forgive Us Our Debts!

2010-11-20T08:34:00.000-08:00

Matthew 6:12
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

I don't know why, but I feel compelled to talk to you today about our debt. Maybe it's just another "truth" that God wants me to share.

I've shared that we're in debt, I've shared that our financial situation is not good right now, but for some reason, God wants me to take this deeper. Maybe this is to remind me things aren't as bad as we think, maybe this is to remind you things are not as bad for you as you might think. Maybe, someone will read this, and have an idea where we can make changes, or do something different, maybe you will see where you can make changes...who knows. This blog is for Him, this post if for Him, and I just pray that He is glorified in some way by it.

We are in debt! Yes, I've said it before, I may even have given specifics. But here is a list of our current financial situation, for all to see. (Seriously, who in their right mind shares financial information with everyone on the Internet).

This is long, but there is a point to it all, I promise! ;)

********************************************************

DEBT: We are approximately $21,000 in debt. This does not include a car debt, mortgage, nothing of value. This is from a young couple getting married and falling into the trap that they needed it all, they deserved it all and they didn't have to wait for it. Followed by the trap that they spent more than they could afford, and then had to use their credit card to buy groceries, and pay for gas because all their "extra" income was going towards paying the debt.

This is a trap we are still in. There is no extra, we live paycheck to paycheck (which currently there isn't one because hubby is laid off for 5 months). I'm so ashamed to have gotten into this mess in the first place. To have "wanted" for so much, when there are so many who do not even have enough for their basic needs.

Our current monthly debt payment is between $550 and $700 depending on how much we owe on the credit card. This is paying for a line of credit, and a credit card.

We recently sold our car and paid that debt off, so our debt had come down $250 a month, whoo! Unfortunately the downside is we had to purchase a much older less reliable vehicle, which just broke down the other week and cost us $500 to fix (and it's still not running very well). I'm still grateful for that debt to be forgiven.

BILLS: We currently pay for....

MONTHLY

Hydro 140 (we have a wood stove for heat, and have been blessed with wood as gifts)

Garbage 20

Car insurance 67 (Praise God for our cheap van that doesn't cost much to insure!)

Internet 60 (This covers our Phone and Internet service)

Phone ...See above..

Bank Fee 12 (I've tried other options, this is the cheapest we can do right now)

Recycling 17 (Now, I know I could cut this out to save money, but I think recycling is very important, and something God has dealt with me on many times (God's an environmentalist!) The time and energy and storage space and cost of gas to take our recycling in just doesn't compare to having it picked up for us.

Rent 850 God blessed us with a beautiful home. I prayed and prayed for months for God to send us the right home for us, but mostly for my oldest daughter. I prayed for the place that she could have childhood memories, and become the person He wanted her to be. Prices at the time for a place like ours were about $1400 a month. I found an add with no price, chuckled to myself at the absurdity of the thought we might be able to afford it and called the woman. I told God I knew that we couldn't afford a penny more than $850 a month.....The woman on the phone told me they were renting it to the right people for $850! I nearly passed out. After a long process and competition with many others wanting the place, we got were able to rent our 5 bedroom, 3 acre paradise, from a couple we found out were Christians who were praying on the other side for the right people to fill their home. Praise God for His blessings and miracles!

TV: We don't have cable

Medical: We are officially broke enough not to have our medical paid for, YAY! lol

Car Debt: Sold our car for an older cheaper one so we would have no debt there.

(A $400 savings right there!)

So for a month we currently owe:

BILLS: 1166 including rent

DEBT: 700 Is about what we usually pay (but hoping this goes down to the $500 range soon)

INCOME:
A normal working month would earn us about $2000, and child tax was normally about $600

Previous monthly income:
$2600

Right now my husband doesn't have work. We had one short job for him, which will hopefully bring in about $400 in time for our rent payment at the end of the month. Our child tax has gone up to $800 (see kids don't just cost money). We are waiting to see if my husbands EI claim goes through (not something we want to do, but we do what we have to until hubby can find more work) if it does I'm hoping that will be about $1600 month eventually.

So hopefully soon, our new monthly income will be:

$2400 not a far cry from what we were making before anyway!

SUMMARY:
$2400 income (eventually)

$1866 bills and debt

That (if our claim goes through) will leave

$534 For groceries and gas...gas is usually about $200 a month. So about $334 a month leftover for groceries, car maintenance and repair, misc, clothing, prescriptions, pet care (we have 1 dog 1 cat and 12 chickens) for a family of 5. $334 seems like a lot to me, but I know we could go through that grocery wise in 1 or 2 weeks. I don't know how I will stretch that properly....and I don't know what to do until we get to that point.

As it stands right now I have $50 for gas, groceries and everything else, until something else comes in.

**************************************************************

I want to be forgiven our debts. To be forgiven our debts, would mean and extra $700 a month for my family. But we put ourselves in this situation, and we must work to get out of it. Shouldn't we?

I've been wondering lately (and this is why I wrote this post) are we allowing ourselves to be forgiven this debt? Are we holding it over our own heads as a punishment? God has already forgiven us.

Are we not able to get out of it, is it not being forgiven, because we have not forgiven our debtors? I thought about this. No one owes us anything, we've never had the money to lend to anyone, and I'm sure if we did, we would not hold it over them.

What about things other than money? Is there anyone that you think owes you something? Anyone you feel should be doing something for you? Do you hold an account of what you do for others in comparison to what they do for you? Do you think God owes you, do you think your children owe you, do you think your husband owes you?

I think as women this one comes up often for us. Are you forgiving your debtors? Are you forgiving and continuing to do for others even if you think it's your turn to have something done for you? We shouldn't think anyone owes us anything, but if we do get to that point, we should be willing to forgive that debt.

How about you? Are you willing to share your financial situation with me or others? Would love to see I'm not alone, or ways that you've been able to stretch your dollars.

If your family is struggling at this time also, please read this post: Today, I Pray For YOU!

This post is part of the Raising Homemakers Homemaking Linkup!

Homeschool Room Tour

2010-11-16T06:23:00.000-08:00

I did it! I think I can officially say our homeschool room is DONE....for now. ;) This is actually the biggest room in our house, but being in the basement we don't really want to use it as a bedroom for any of our little ones yet. Sooooo.....homeschool room it is! Now that it's done maybe it will inspire us to use what most of it is set up for.

View from the door.

*The green and orange totes are our workboxes that we haven't really started using yet. Still haven't decided exactly how I want to go about that.

*The whiteboard is positioned just a little too high for mommy to reach comfortably, but who says teaching is supposed to be comfortable all the time, right?

*Lee Lee's work is usually piled on the table, and that's about where it stays.

The room just needs to be vacuumed, but Mr Vacuum is broken right now. :(

* The little white table in the corner is La La's (my 3 year old). She loves doing "school" in here, which lately consists of play dough, playing with math manipulative's, and her new favorites, cutting paper, or playing with pipe cleaners.

*The dresser holds pencils, pens, blank notebooks, folders for lapbooks and magazines for cutting up, as well as some mommy specific tools.

*The easel seems to hold a work in progress right now. Every time La La runs through the room, she has to add another stroke. No she's not wearing a shirt, you're lucky she was wearing pants for this picture.

*The mat I'm hoping will be good for story/circle time type stuff, or just for floor play.

*That white poster is a food pyramid that Lee Lee made.

*Behind those curtains is a mixture of organization and chaos. One of the closet doors fell off and I can't get it back on, so...curtains it is! I have hanging organizers with all of our felts, crayons and pencil crayons in baskets, and a basket for all of our flashcards.
There is also another black stand with drawers that holds paper and other misc stuff.
AND a great big box full of stuff that I don't know where to put yet, ha.

Hope you enjoyed the tour of our homeschool room. I must say I'm pretty happy to have completed it, finally!

Do you have a "school" room or are you kitchen table or around the house schoolers? I must admit, we're around the house schoolers, but mostly in this room or at the kitchen table.

Would love a tour of your "school" zone!

Laundry with kids, and learning to be happy with my ugly laundry room!

2010-11-13T16:11:00.000-08:00

More on laundry, because it's just my favorite thing in the whole world!! (in case you don't know, I'm being sarcastic).

I had a very cute moment with my 3 year old the other day, so cute to me in fact, I'm going to show you the ugly chaotic disaster that is my laundry room, just to share a photo of her cuteness.

My little La La decided she was going to help mommy sort the laundry! Good job kiddo, cause mommy can use all the help she can get! I showed her how the laundry basket was separated into 3 sections, and showed her what kind of clothes went into each. Those labels on the basket have been on there for years, somehow with her helping I don't think they're going to last much longer.

No worries kiddo, mommy runs out of there as soon as she can too

It was so sweet seeing her so eager to help, and doing such a great job at it. I think she will be my little laundry helper from now on.

Now what about another photo of the disaster that is my laundry room. No, the floor is not swept, yes there are piles upon piles of laundry to do, yes that garbage can is overflowing. At least that bucket is the homemade detergent I made, see I've put some effort into laundry! I find it so hard to want to be in this little cubby for more than 2 seconds. I don't know what I can do to pretty it up. We rent so I can't do much to it. *sigh* Any ideas would be wonderful!

I used to have beautiful laundry rooms to do laundry in. I wasted those rooms. I still didn't keep on top of the laundry (well, does walking on it = keeping on top of it? *snicker*).

I believe God has taken away that privilege until I learn to just do it. How can we learn to be happy with more, if we can't be happy with what we have right? Maybe one day I will get a beautiful laundry room back. Until then, I'm still grateful to have more than a lot of people have, and I will learn to be happy doing laundry and to be happy with my quaint little laundry room and make the most of it.

Speaking of laundry rooms...here are a couple that would make my wish list!

I love the look of this top one

Love the space to organize in this laundry/sewing room combo below!

Part of the Raising Homemakers, Homemaking Link up

Part of Works For Me Wednesday

Newest Homeschool Additions...

2010-11-12T06:47:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited! I've been looking at and wanting to order these so bad, and for so long! At first I couldn't justify using my daughters homeschool curriculum budget, because what we just happened to need it for something else really important that came up??? What is more important than teaching her how to be a respectful, hard working Godly young woman? Here's is what I just ordered!

Beautiful Girlhood: Revised By Karen Andreola

Polished Cornerstones: By Pam Forster
Projects for daughters on the path to womanhood

Little House on the Prairie: By Laura Ingalls Wilder
So we can continue in our Family Reading Time together!

Making the Most of the Preschool Years: By Valerie Bendt
To hopefully give mommy a little wiggle room to spend more one on one homeschool time
with my little Lee.

So excited! Hope the order goes through soon, and we get these books quickly. I can't wait.

Any recent book purchases that you would recommend or would just like to share?

What Our Family Time Was Missing

2010-11-11T08:17:00.000-08:00

I have found a new love... reading together as a family! Sure we read stories to our kids all the time, but this, this is somehow different.

Our family time used to consist of watching a movie together. That's just who we were/are. We are movie people. I always felt bad doing it, I didn't want to be that family that sat in front of the television to enjoy time together, but we did. We played and horsed around and had fun with the kids too, but we liked movies.

As TV is ever more getting weened from this house (cable is gone, 90% of our movie collection is gone) we began to look at other things to occupy that before bedtime, settle down, quiet time. One night my husband picked up the book my oldest was reading, and started to read it to us. We sat quietly and listened, the TV in our minds watching the story of the characters unfold. It was entertaining and felt worthwhile. I didn't feel guilty about this entertainment. We laughed together, and saw each others laughter instead of staring at a bright screen. I watched the wonder in my child's eyes as my husband read. We would stop to talk about the yummy taste of maple syrup, how cold the winters must have been, and what it must have been like to play with a pigs bladder instead of barbies. This was what we had been missing!

We are now over half way through our "Little House in the Big Woods" adventure, and "Little House on the Prairie" is on it's way for when we're done. I can't wait to find other books to share together, and I hope this becomes something our children always remember and will carry on with their families when they have them. I know I'll always remember this.

This post is part of Finer Things Friday and Make Your Home Sing Monday

The Feminist Princesses!!

2010-11-10T06:33:00.000-08:00

Have you or your daughter ever watched a Disney Princess movie? I grew up with them, and my girls have watched a ton over the years.

My husband and I have begun trying to be very careful about the movies we allow our children to watch. We believe media is very influential to a young child's (and grown ups) mind, and we've started to ween out a lot of what used to be "acceptable" in this house. When you really start thinking about what is shown in these movies, and the underlying values it's teaching (not just the ones the movie is blatantly teaching) it becomes hard not to question every movie out there. The Disney Princess movies, those are fine though...aren't they?

It's funny, because "feminists" have such strong views on the Disney princesses and how they aren't feminist enough for their young girls, but really think about what these movies are teaching our girls.

The Little Mermaid, is a girl discontent with her life, who longs for something more than what she's been raised for, who disobeys her father at every turn, and just goes after what "she" wants, regardless of the consequences....hmmm.

Belle from beauty and the beast is also discontent with her "simple" life, it's not enough for her. She wants more than to just be a wife and mother and live simply.

What about Jasmine? Again, a young woman who disobeys her father, goes against what she's been taught, and brought up to believe, because she wants things done her way.

Also, look at the picture above, and ask yourself the question of their motherly influence? Weird hey? (Just an observation)

Yes overall these movies characters are sweet, and kind, and appropriate, but how are our daughters really viewing them, and what lessons are they really learning?

I challenge you to examine the movies you allow your children to watch, and really question what your children are getting out of them.

Does your daughter know beauty? Do you?

2010-11-04T09:44:00.000-07:00

What is true beauty?

I'm still thinking on how far we have come in society from where we should be. Does anyone know? I'd really like the answer.

As women (especially the young women), how did we go from wanting to look like this, and finding beauty in a quality of spirit, character and works....

...to wanting to look like this, and finding beauty in a quantity of looks from men, makeup, new clothes, and the right accessories?

When did getting the latest fashions become more important than helping the poor? When did shopping become a hobby and a sport? When did it start mattering what you carried diapers, and car keys around in? When did these young girls and women start thinking so many unnecessary things or harmful things were important?

As Christians, I know a lot of us have views on beauty being that of character and virtue, but I've been to a lot of churches where this doesn't seem so. I've seen women who lead bible studies who spend the whole service talking about their new designer diaper bags or shoes. Ladies, what are we doing? What are we allowing to happen to our little girls, and ourselves? What lies are we listening to?

Now I'm sure some of you single ladies will be thinking, well you're married, you don't know what it takes to get a man.

# 1. What you think you need to look like or have to attract a man is a lie and men find it ridiculous. (And if they don't, they are NOT the men you want, trust me).

#2. I was single once, and I WAS that yellow dressed diva for many years, I've seen both sides of this case.

Yep, I WAS the yellow dressed picture. I had the fancy clothes, the trendy purses, the expensive make-up, the tan, the big sunglasses, the perfectly dyed and straightened hair. I had the guys I thought "I" was stringing along, the Starbucks in one hand and the cell phone in the other. I was thin and pretty, and thought I had it all, I pretended I had it all... I was miserable. I was listening to all the lies of what I needed to be, what I needed to do, and what I needed to have. I still struggle with this some days, thinking I would look or feel better if only I had new clothes, new makeup or a nice tan. Beauty is an addiction that God has cut out of my life. Now, I rarely wear makeup, and when I do it's fairly minimal, I don't have any new trendy outfits because I haven't been clothing shopping for myself in ages. I haven't had my hair done in years (dyed or cut). I'm lucky to get a chance to wash it, never mind style it. It sits, most days, in a messy bun a top my head, and my husband tells me almost daily how beautiful I am to him.

Those whispers I listened to, the ones you're listening to, they're lies. When my husband met me, I was slowly coming down from these lies a bit already, he still found my ways ridiculous, but saw something deeper there, a potential, and risked falling for some broken trendy diva anyway. Most don't ladies, most run from women like that. They'll take them home for the night, maybe even string you along for a bit. But that yellow dressed girl, is not someone most decent men will ever want to marry.

Of course you don't care about that either, because you're listening to other lies as well, telling you all about men, and your rights, and that you're not doing any of this for anyone but yourself, am I right?

Young women are not letting their hearts speak true, and they're not listening to God. They're listening to the lies, and to the latest pop stars and advertisements, and peers who are only listening to the lies, and the advertisements and the latest pop stars, and peers who are listening to the ... do you see the pattern here?

We took our daughter out of public school last year and began homeschooling. In those few short months, she went from being all about the latest music ( I didn't even know she was hearing this music, good ol peers and ipods), boys, clothes and "being cool," to being left to make up her own mind about such things. Now most of the time she chooses girly skirts, and is at this moment listening to a Disney princess sing along CD. A far cry from Katie Perry and Lady Gaga! And this is what SHE chose. When not being whispered to about what it would be "cool" to be like. She chose to be a little girl, not a pop star!

Our girls don't want to be that yellow dressed girl, society is telling them they need to be. Shame on us for letting it happen, and following it ourselves.

I know a lot of you are very big into making sure you're daughters do not become that girl, but what about the other daughters. I feel so saddened that any girl has to go through this, and truly believes that is beauty, and never really sees her true potential of how beautiful she could actually be. Isn't it our job as Christian women to do something? I wish I knew what.

Next time ladies, that you're out shopping, remember the lies. Next time you see an ad for a great new mascara, remember the lies. Next time you want that outfit that's maybe just a little too low, too tight or too short, remember the lies. When you try on that outfit that makes you feel "sexy" question yourself if that's really how you want to feel, and remember the lies. Next time you think about listening to those lies, remember the little girls eyes that are watching you, the little eye's that think you are beautiful.

1 Peter 3:3-4

3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight

1 Samuel 16:7 - "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

Proverbs 31:30 - "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting: but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

I would love to know what lies you think we as women are hearing and following. I may use them in an upcoming post.

This post is part of these wonderful link ups.....Raising Homemakers Homemaking Link up........ Making your Home Sing Monday..and..Finer Things Friday!

The Blessing of Perseverence

2010-11-03T10:15:00.000-07:00

per·se·vere
to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly.

I think I am being given a lesson in perseverance.

*Hubby is laid off, we have no money saved, and no money coming in.

*We have $300.

*We have a lot of bills piling up.

*Homeschool is seeming a bit chaotic...okay a lot.

*Kids have been sick and we've been at the doctors/hospital more lately than we've been home it seems.

*I'm currently on antibiotics.

*I've been feeling so unwell, most days all my strength goes towards staying awake and not throwing up.

*Last night, the van broke down (and we live out of town).

So, I must continue to persevere, I can not let any of this get me down.

Something for thought. Don't we all need to learn to persevere? How can we learn to persevere if we are not going through hard times? If we live a carefree easy going life, how do we learn this lesson.

I am grateful today for my hardships, and the lessons God teaches me through them. :)

Wow, I needed this verse today! So glad I just found it.

James 1:2-4
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Don't forget to stop and smell the roses!

2010-10-31T11:15:00.000-07:00

After my last couple posts I've been feeling very attacked both spiritually and physically.

Today I need a reminder that just because we should direct our thoughts towards God in all we do, and we have responsibilities, doesn't mean He doesn't want us to still take time to enjoy this life, and enjoy the people in it that He's blessed us with. Just be sure the fun is something that God has approved or would honor Him, and that you're not ignoring His important tasks to do it. Also, don't forget to realize you're getting to enjoy it because of God's love and grace.

Don't forget, enjoy this journey, enjoy the things God is asking you to do, enjoy this life with God! How easy it is to get caught up in the seriousness of life. If God wanted us to be serious all the time, He wouldn't have given us a sense of humor!

Reality Check (Part 2).....Are you complacent or are you extreme!

2010-10-30T07:41:00.000-07:00

You can read Part 1 here: Reality Check (Part 1)...There Are Only Two Paths!

Part 2
"We are living in a time of great spiritual shaking. It is a time when the serious believers will become more serious and the casual believers will fall away." unknown

Normally, I would pass by something like this quote and not give it a second thought. I've had so many thoughts lately though, on "extreme" Christians, and complacent Christians, and why people have settled in their faith.

Why are Christians nowadays content with reading their bible, praying to God, going to church, and then the rest of the time, living a secular life in a secular world.

How confused non believers must be by so many Christians. "They say they're a Christian, then they_________." So many things could fill that blank.

I don't think a lot of Christians are asking the tough questions of themselves, or to God. I don't think they really want to hear the answer.

What if you asked God if He thought you should drink coffee?

What if you asked God how He thought you should dress?

What if you asked God about your shopping habits?

What if you asked God about your fertility?

What if you asked God about your career vs His plan for your life?

What if you asked God what He wanted you to do with your money?

What if you asked God how you should behave towards your husband?

What if you asked God? Would you dare? Are you scared of what the answer might be? Would you follow His direction in any or all of these if they didn't coincide with what you or society thought you should be doing? Do you really think you're always going to agree with God? Should you follow His plan, or yours?

Shouldn't we be seeking His council, in every aspect of our lives? Why have we chosen the easy questions to ask Him, and left the important ones?

I've read stuff lately on the early church, and how they have incorporated secular or pagan things into the church to please the rest of society. How often do we do that in our own lives?How far have we come from where we were meant to be? Are you content to live life as a lukewarm christian, in a lukewarm church, just so you don't offend or scare off some non Christians. Are you content to say, "I believe in Jesus Christ, so I'm going to heaven", and then to live your life as you please, while throwing in the occasional Christian ritual.

I have seen the truth behind that first quote all too well lately. There are a lot of Christians out there who are starting to ask the hard questions, who are becoming "extreme." I've also seen the huge amounts of Christians who are slowly being lulled to sleep, who are listening more and more to the whispers that are getting louder and louder in society...."God wants you to think for yourself, so why bother asking Him what He thinks" "That's not really what the Bible means by that" "So and so is a Christian, and they're doing this, if it was wrong they wouldn't be" "You're already saved it's not going to hurt" "You should have a say in your life" "You are in control" "You deserve to have that" "Nothing bad is really going to happen if you eat that apple!"

We're always listening to someone, but like my last post says, there are only two! Only two voices, only two paths.

What a self absorbed society we live in. Every man for himself right? What if we lived, Every Man for God! Wow what a society that would be.

So I dare you! I DARE you to ask God the hard questions! Then, I dare you to listen!

Verses to think about:

Wake Up!

42Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44Therefore you also must be ready, for the 42Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Matthew 24:42-44

Don't be complacent:

At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent, who are like wine left on its dregs, who think, 'The LORD will do nothing, either good or bad. Zephaniah 1:12

Follow God's plan for your life:

“But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.” (Proverbs 1:33)

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way should go; I will guide you with My eye.” (Psalm 32:8)

More is expected of you!

48 But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. Luke 12:48

"But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. " II Timothy 3:14-15

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. 1 John 2:15-16

Don't be a lukewarm/complacent Christian!

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. Matthew 5:13

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Matthew 12:30

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. James 3:10-12

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions. 2 Timothy 4:3

Treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. 2 Timothy 3:4

***By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. 1 John 3:10***

Okay, is that enough to get you started? There are so many more, I just don't have time to add! If you want to read more verses on being a lukewarm Christian, go here: http://www.openbible.info/topics/lukewarm_christians

This is part of the Homemaking Linkup over at Raising Homemakers

Reality Check (Part 1)...There are Only TWO paths!

2010-10-29T10:42:00.000-07:00

You can read Part 2 here: Reality Check (Part 2)...Are you Complacent or are you Extreme?

Matthew 7:13-14
13"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

What path are you on? Which gate will you enter? If you are a Christian, I'm sure you'll say the one that leads to heaven, the narrow path, the one less travelled. If we we're all on that path, why is it less travelled, and why does it say only a few find it?

Here's a tough reality check (for me anyway, maybe not for all of you). There are only two paths, there are only two masters. Did you hear that, only two!

Throughout your day, every decision you make every action you take is going to fall on one of those paths, and going to be serving one of those masters, every single one.

Who are those masters? God, and the devil, that's it. If you think you're serving yourself, or your own interests and those interests don't go along with what God wants, whose path do you think that falls on. Remember, there are only two, there is no third path for when you just want to do something for yourself.

So if you wake up in the morning, and don't want to get out of bed, and hit the snooze button. That's choosing a path. If you get a little cranky with your kids, because you haven't had you're coffee yet, you've just chosen which master you will be serving in that moment. Every single action, every single decision. How many times a day do you go back and forth on those paths, back and forth between masters? Of course in our hearts we believe we are only serving God, and only following Jesus. What about in our actions? How often are those actions on the narrow road, and how often are they on the broad one?

How can we possibly make the right decision all the time. We're going to fall short, some days a lot. I think that is why so few find the road. Or, maybe, it's because we've become complacent as Christians and in the church, and feel we're doing enough, when God is really asking more of us, and we're just not listening...but that's a whole other post ;)

So how do we know if we're on the right road?

Try these:

Are you reading your Bible?
Psalm 119:105
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Are you praying to God, asking Him what He wants you to do?
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Are you following what He's asked of you, even if it seems crazy to the rest of society, or you don't want to?
Think Jonah and the whale.

Are you following what Jesus would do?
Philippians 2:5-7
5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

I personally, have a long way to go with this. I think if I were to separate my days onto those paths, there would be way too many falling on the broad one, and that is not who I want to be serving.

I'm praying today, that God will make me conscious of my actions, and direct me each moment, each breath to the right path.

So, what path are you on?

Read Part 2 Here: Are you Complacent or Are you Extreme

This post is part of the linkup over at Raising Homemakers

and here:

Paper Mache Apples...a great fall craft

2010-10-26T07:40:00.001-07:00

This craft was so easy and so fun, even for mommy!

1. Ball up some newspaper to form your apple.

2. Put some masking tape around it to hold it in place, making sure to make a flat spot on the bottom so it can stand up, and a little dent in the top like a real apple would have.

3. Cover the thing in paper mache (we used a flour and water mixture) and put a little stick in the top of the dent while still wet.

Ours took a few days to dry, but when they were, we painted them our favorite apple colours, and mommy glued some leaves on the top.

Voila! Fun and Easy Fall craft!!

The devil Made Laundry!!

2010-10-23T08:51:00.000-07:00

Do you remember me telling you a long time ago, that I'm going to tell you truths about who I am? No? Well I did, in The Blessing of Honesty.

It's been a while since I've shared something truly personal I think, so, I'm going to air my dirty laundry.

I DESPISE LAUNDRY!! (and dishes for that matter).

I'm sure you're all saying, "Who doesn't" but, I bet you all still get yours done. I have piles, and piles and piles at all times. Then I have piles and piles of clean laundry waiting to be folded, because I don't like to do that either.

Don't even get me started on the dishes, I hate washing dishes by hand so much that I'll run them through our dishwasher, (which doesn't work most of the time by the way), over and over again, just to avoid having to do them myself.

So why do I hate laundry so? The devil created laundry! Yep, you heard me, if not for the fall of man, which was provoked by the devil, we wouldn't even have realized we were naked, and so, there would be no laundry. Yep that's my logic. No it's not correct, yes, man chose for themselves to disobey God, and no the devil had no real power over that, but still, it's nice to blame it on someone.

Regardless, with my logic, I'm still letting the devil win. If the devil put this barrier in my life, and I'm the one letting it get in the way of the important things in my life, I'm still at fault. I can't blame anyone for my laziness, or for having too many clothes in the first place. I need to move past, and take responsibility for this and just do it, or, the devil wins....and I'm not going to let him create laundry, AND win the battle over it. Nope no more, I am determined to be a pain in the butt and fight back. God made me stubborn and feisty for a reason, I've just been using it for all the wrong reasons.

My truth: I hate laundry, but I'm blessed to have so many people in my life who help create that laundry. The least I can do is take care of it for them.

This is part of the Raising homemakers linkup.

and

"Are you willing to be hated?"

2010-10-17T13:58:00.000-07:00

I'm going to share this post on the Raising Homemakers link up today. I thought about this for a while, because it's not exactly about homemaking, but I think we need to remember that our children's little eyes are ever watching our every move. I also believe that we should be instilling in our kids that not everyone is going to accept them or believe in their beliefs like mommy and daddy do. Prepare them now to face ridicule and persecution, because as sad as it is, if they're going to live for God, at some point that's probably going to happen. :(

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So many things I could talk about today, but so unsure of what it is I'm supposed to say.
Gianna Jessen's words have been ringing through my head and my heart so much lately... "Are you willing to be hated? Or is it all about you?"

As Christians, how are we living? Are we living to please God, or to please man? Do we care if we are hated by our fellow man? Would we be willing to be hated to show the world our love and faith in God, and that we are going to follow Jesus, no matter the trials we face on this earth. Or, would we simply cower away from our beliefs when faced with someone who might say something against us if they knew we were Christians, or thought that we didn't believe the same things they did. Are we ashamed of our God and all He asks us to do?

Let me ask you this (as if I'm not asking enough questions already)...if God asked you to, would you walk up to a stranger and proclaim your love for God, and your faith in all He asks you to do? Would you do it if you knew the stranger disagreed with your beliefs, would you do it if it was a friend or family member who you knew disagreed? Would you risk what might happen if you did? Are you willing to be hated by anyone?

I'm concerned that as Christians we are losing track of what our purpose is, and we are becoming scared, we are scared of being seen as strange/radical, we are scared of being ridiculed, we are afraid of not fitting in. Even among our fellow Christians we are feeling the need to follow and fit in with what they/and society deems normal.

Jesus was a radical, and guess what, He was not loved by all. He faced ridicule, but He opened eyes by the way He lived, and even those who hated Him, would not forget Him because of His beliefs and His courage to stand up for them regardless of who it offended.

I heard a Pastor speak on persecution one Sunday. He was trying to understand why we as Churches in North America were not being persecuted, and that as Christians we should be being persecuted (something else to think about).
I think it's because we as a Church are cowering away from anything God asks us to do that might make us look too radical to others, or make us a little uncomfortable stepping out of our box.

Can we call ourselves Christians, or followers of Christ if we are only willing to follow Him to the points that we are comfortable following.

Are we willing to be hated? Or is it all about us?

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours."
John 15:18-20

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:10-12

Husband Loving...

2010-10-16T07:52:00.000-07:00

I was organizing the labels on my blog yesterday, putting them into a few categories instead of the 100 that there were, among them I made a "Husband Loving" label. I was so ashamed that I had nothing to put into that heading. My husband comes up in my posts, but I don't often write about how to properly love my husband, honestly, I don't even think about it much. I'm so wrapped up in taking care of the kids, and cleaning and cooking and homeschooling, and this and that, my husband, the person who (other than God) should come first in my life, is being put aside. I'm sorry sweetie. :(
So if I have nothing to write about on how to love our husbands, maybe I can share with you from people I'm learning from. I just found this post today, and boy did it come with perfect timing. Gee, I wonder who's timing that was?

If you have a husband, it's well worth the read, and no, it's not about food. ;)

http://southofthefork.wordpress.com/2010/10/11/feeding-my-husband/

Our Family Rights and Responsibilities...a homeschool project

2010-10-15T09:56:00.000-07:00

Wow, a post on homeschooling. When I started this blog I never in a million years would have guessed that my posts would include anything on homeschooling. It just wasn't something I would have seen in our future, yet here we are, in our first year, and loving it. Thanks God, you have great ideas! ;)

My oldest is in grade 3, and for socials was doing a study on rights and responsibilities and why they're important to a community.
We decided to make a list of rights and responsibilities for our family, and turned it into a big poster we could stick on our wall. She had a lot of fun with this, and we all enjoyed seeing the finished product. We need to get a little more consistent in being sure we're all following what it says, but we're getting there. :)

The verse God led me to for the bottom of this poster was.....

Ephesians 4:32
32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Now if that doesn't sum up what how a family should treat each other I don't know what does.

What would your family rights and responsibilities include?

This post is part of the Hip Homeschool Hop!

Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart!

2010-10-14T09:36:00.000-07:00

I am not trusting God today. I know I need to, but it's tough sometimes. I am anxious, and my own understanding is not helping me at all.

My husband is about to be laid off for the next 5 months. We have no money set aside, because we already live paycheck to paycheck and our struggling to get by. Our credit cards are maxed from stupidity and trying to get through other winters of being laid off and having no money. I know that my best efforts will not help us through this winter this time, and I have nowhere left to turn but to God.

"Lord I thank you for always being there for us, and I am so sorry for not trusting you as much as I should. I know you have our best interest at heart, and I just pray that you will show us the direction we should go, and help us to accept that and do our part. Please help me not to stress so I don't harm this baby inside me, or let it effect my family. I really need your help lord....Amen"

Proverbs 3: 5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Philippians 4:6-7
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Should kids be left to be kids?

2010-10-12T11:51:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking on this topic for days. You always hear the old "Let them be kids" and "Let them enjoy their childhood" Well, can't children enjoy their childhood while still learning how to properly be an adult?

I'm not saying make your child act like a grown up, and send them off to the office or something, but I think we need to expect our children to learn to be responsible, and respectful, and how to properly function in society.

Children nowadays are being left to their own. They're expected to spend their days finding something to do to entertain themselves. They are being taught that "entertainment" is the way of life. Parents want time to do their own work, or time for themselves, so they're sending their kids off to deal with things on their own and no one is learning to work together. Actually, no one is learning to work, period.

Parents find it easier to do it on their own, so aren't teaching the next generation. Parents want their children to just enjoy childhood, so they are learning only to enjoy life and have no concept of work. What's going to happen when these kids get a little older, and suddenly the parents expect them to help out around the house? "No way", these kids will think. "I've spent the last 12 years doing what I want and having fun, how can you expect me to change that now"?

I'm starting to see the importance of involving our young ones from the earliest age possible in working with the family. Obviously chores must be age appropriate, but children need to learn that in life, there is work, and there is play, and in order to get to the play, certain responsibilities must be attended to first, and that by using this structure, rest and play will be even more enjoyable.

I think we need to get back to having our children work alongside us, so that families can get back to being families, and that our children are not brought up learning to live in their flesh. Our kids are not being taught how to work for a family, and they're not being taught how to behave like proper christians in every situation, if they're not beside you able to watch you model the behaviour.

If you're anything like me, and have been left to "be a kid" most of your life, you know the pain this can cause when you suddenly have a family of your own that needs caring for, and you don't know how not to be a kid yourself?

These are just some of the ramblings going through my head on this topic. What are your thoughts on this subject?

This post is part of the Homemaking link up over at Raising Homemakers!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-10-11T06:40:00.000-07:00

Today I am thanking God for my family. This is my purpose, to serve them and others. Thank you God for entrusting me with such an important task.

Abortion Survivor Story

2010-10-10T15:20:00.000-07:00

One of the most amazing stories I have heard in a long time...actually ever. Don't say God doesn't perform miracles today. It's long, but well worth watching for both men and women. Gianna Jessen is amazing, and has truly inspired me to live for God! Read how here: (after you watch the video of course!) "Are You Willing to Be Hated?"

Stay at home mom VS Working mom...from a been there done that mom.

2010-10-09T19:38:00.000-07:00

Oooh, do I dare even tackle a post like this. Is there even a reason to tackle a post like this.

First off, let me say, I'm not writing this to change anyone's minds about their decisions, this is just thoughts that led me to make my decision. I write these posts not expecting that anyone will see them, I write them because I feel led to write them as a kind of journal for my own growth. Apparently I'm going to need this as reminder for myself at some point, so here we go.

When it comes to stay at home moms vs working moms, those involved usually have their minds quite made up about it, and there is no changing their views (likely because we're all women and stubborn). We won't allow anyone to change our minds for us, but if we come to a new realization, and change our minds ourselves, well, that's just fine right? ;) I am the queen of stubborn, but, like everything else God is working on "cleaning up" that part of my life too.

So why SAHM's vs Working Mom's?

I've been reading A LOT of blogs lately and I'll fully admit that my taste leans towards the sahm, homeschooling, submitting christian woman type blogs. I do however run across a lot of different ones, including working mom blogs, which at other times in my life would have been my pick.

I was a working mom. In fact, I've been a lot of different moms. Through my life, I've gone through these:

*A first time mom

*A stay at home mom

*A Single sahm mom

*A Single working mom

*A married working mom

*A married sole income providing mom

*A sahm of two

*A stay at home work at home mom

And right now, a stay at home, work at home (babysitting), homeschooling, mom of three and one on the way.

See, I've been a lot of moms, so I can say for a lot of different kinds of moms what the pro's and con's of each mothering situation is.

Some SAHM's argue their point but have never worked outside the home, so can't say for sure it's better. Some working moms have never stayed at home and so can't tell you their way is better either. Regardless, we can all agree that we all want what's best for our kids.

I do wholeheartedly believe in staying home with your kids, though I am not one to push it on anyone, I will give you a few reasons why this is my choice.

THE MONEY MYTH
I've seen the effects of leaving my child to go to work. I know who she was when I was home with her, and I know who she became as a result of my working. They were two completely different children, and I regret now having to do it to her, but I was a single mom and needed to work.

Sometimes this is unavoidable I know, but if you are married, and still insist you would stay at home if only financially you could, let me tell you, you can! I made it with a child on $800 a month, and if I could have kept doing that she would have been much better off to have me home with next to no money, than having someone else care for her so we could have more stuff.

Bottom line: We work because as adults WE want to feel more secure, but would our children feel more secure with more money or with knowing we are right there beside them if they need us?

THE FREEDOM MYTH
Oh boy, did I fall into this one. At the end of my single working mother days, work seemed almost more relaxing than having to look after the kiddo. Why, because at work I could be with grown ups, have grown up conversations, and even think about ME every now and then (and there were a LOT of now and thens at this point). Work took me out of focusing mostly on my child, and took me into a world that promoted selfishness, and materialism. Work did not make me a better mother, it made me a better consumer, and a more selfish human being.

Nothing has been more freeing than staying home with my kids. Yes it's a hard job, no the constant shrieks and odd ramblings do not mirror those of adult conversation, but how often do you find yourself calling the grandparents or your friends to tell them what funny thing Sally at the office said today. Trust me, the entertainment of staying home with kids is priceless! No, maybe it's not the best choice for "you" personally, but what you need to ask is what's best for your kids.

Bottom Line: What's more free? Not having to deal with the wants and demands of a young child all day? Or, not having to be a follower of what society says is normal, and what ads and movies say you must have to be a happy and successful family.

THE I'LL GET BORED AT HOME MYTH:
I'm not even going to justify that one, trust me, there is more than enough at home to keep you busy, and if you really feel like you need a little something extra, you can always start to blog!! ;)

I have run into a lot of moms who used to work, who now stay home with their kids and rave about the changes they've seen in them, and how happy they are with their choice to return home.

Never have a met one who returned home only to wish and pray they could return to work, and how much better their kids and their life would be if they could.

I've run into moms who work and long to be home with their children, but feel it's just not a possibility for them. Again, never do I find ones who've returned home, now longing for work.

Either way, these are some of the reasons I've made my choice, my main reason though, I believe it's what God wants me to do, and if I'm going to do anything right it's going to have to be by following His will.

Question:
If you were to find out tomorrow that you had 1 year left to live, would you regret your decision? Would you wish you had taken the other road? Would you use that last year to work and make money for your family, or spend time with them before you were gone?

I'm sure you ALL have reasons for making your choice, and I'd love to hear them.

Quickly stopping by...but hopefully more frequently

2010-10-06T10:02:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to gear up to get back to this little blog. Today a revisit to an old post. "When life gives you lemons..." I did this to take part in the great homemaking linkup over at Raising Homemakers. Go check them out, it's an absolutely wonderful site! Here's the link to the homemaking link up! http://raisinghomemakers.com/2010/homemaking-link-up-7/.

Thank you so much for stopping in if you did. I'd love to know it's not just me who reads my blog, ha.

So much to do, so little time.

2010-06-07T12:47:00.000-07:00

Oh dear, I have not forgotten about you little blog. I seem to have been forced to take a bit of a hiatus this past little while. Instead of talking about the things I need to change, I've been working hard (though sometimes not hard enough) to change them. We had computer problems for a bit, at which point we lost our laptop :( We've had sick kids and been sick ourselves for what seems like ages, and I'm sick again. Really not fun when there's so much you know you need to stay on top of. We're getting ready for our "life sale" where we're selling the majority of things we own, ooh that's going to feel so good when it's gone, then after that I need to organize the stuff/room for homeschooling this september. Did I mention that we've decided to homeschool? I've also been doing childcare 4 days a week, had some after school activities to take kiddies to, and on and on it seems. Am I making excuses? ;)

Life really has been quite a journey lately. I'm excited to see where it's going to lead next. Did I think I would end up here a short while ago when I started this blog? No Way! What a change in such a short time. I'll fill you in on more soon, and yes, I will review that wonderful book I keep talking about, but it may not be a weekly thing right now, because for the moment God has directed me to other things that need my attention. I have no doubt I will be blogging a lot more soon. Right now, I'm just so excited for what my future holds.

Philippians 4:12-13
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Special Circumstances

2010-04-11T07:20:00.000-07:00

Wow it's been a while. I need to make more time to blog. This is a part of my relationship with God that has been put off for too long.
So thankfully, here we go again.

Special Circumstances.

What are the special circumstances in your life that keep you from doing the things you should be doing.

Are kids your special circumstance? Is being tired your special circumstance? What about an illness, your spouse, or a job? Sure these things give exceptions to the rules in many cases, but what about when it comes to God.

Do we allow things to become a special circumstance when it comes to spending time with God? Do we allow things to become a special circumstance when it comes to trusting God? Do we trust Him only until something really important comes along and then take matters into our own hands.

Do we trust Him with our schedule, our children, our health, our jobs, our hearts, others hearts? Do we trust that He can change any circumstance. Do we trust that He knows best, and wants to take care of us?

What special circumstances in our lives do we give God complete control over? Which ones are we trying to control ourselves? Where do we draw the line in trusting God?

I fall short of this so much. I want control of my kids, I want control of our finances, I want control of my fertility, I want control of MY circumstances. They're not my circumstances, they're the ones God gave me.

I've figured out it's going to have to become a moment by moment thing with me now. I don't know how to just give God my entire life or my entire day, I have to stop and breathe through each and every moment. Keep focused on Him, every second, through each cry from the kids, each pot boiling over, each toy I step on, each task. Each breath must be breathed for Him, and to do this I'm going to have to slow down each moment and each breath, and give everything to God, one breath at a time.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,and do not lean on your own understanding.In all your ways acknowledge him,and he will make straight your paths.
—Proverbs 3:5-6

Thank You!

2010-03-07T15:03:00.000-08:00

Oh what a day, oh what a week. So much going on, so many changes. Garden is ready for planting, chickens are here (today, YAY), stuff is piling up to head out the door. Spring cleaning our life is feeling so good.
Oh the burdens God has taken from us, oh the joys He has replaced them with. Thank you God for all you do, for always guiding us in the way you want us to go, and allowing us the blessing of seeing the joy that comes from it and how wonderfully different our lives can be.

Some verses that I needed to hear today:

Galatians 6:9a - Let us not lose heart in doing good.

Proverbs 19:22 - What is desirable in a person is kindness, and it is better to be poor than a liar.

Matthew 6:21 - Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Luke 6:36-38 - Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. And do not judge and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.

I Corinthians 13:4-8a, 13 - Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. Now abide faith, hope and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Time well spent

2010-02-23T06:57:00.000-08:00

I am so disgusted at the time I've wasted in my life. All the time of laziness, all the time of selfishness. I remember some time ago coming to this realization. I also remember writing about this very topic on here before too. BUT IT'S SO IMPORTANT! I only have a short time on this planet to live for God, and enjoy in the people I care about, and I've wasted so much of it. I literally had a panic attack at the thought of wasting so much of my life. But here I am again, going over the same lesson. Please no panic attack this time God.

I procrastinated on everything in life, leaving it to the very last minute before getting it done. (I even won an award for procrastination in school). What was I wasting my time doing? Thinking about me. I partied lots as a single mom, when I should have been more focused on the biggest blessing God had given me. When I think of all the time and money I wasted with bars and clubs, with what I thought was "fun." (thank you Lord that I'm so over that!) I could have and should have been cuddling my sweet child or put the money towards things she needed.

I wasted time on me, plain and simple. Try to think of time you've wasted. How often have you wasted time by focusing on someone else?

We are so careful not to be wasteful nowadays, and we're being cautious about being wasteful with everything but our time.

Let me give it to you straight here folks. We don't have a lot of time! I doubt a lot of us are living it the way God wants us to. Are you listening to Him? Have you asked Him what He wants you to be doing? Even if you can't hear Him right now, I bet you can figure it out.

Here are some things people spend time doing. Go through the list and see if you can pick out which ones God would rather have you spend your time doing.

*Watch TV
*Check Facebook
*Play with your kids
*Wash the dishes
*Hold your spouses hand
*Go out partying
*Organize a fundraiser
*Take a homeless person out for lunch
*Travel for fun
*Travel for mission work
*Complain
*Be bitter
*Talk about yourself
*Talk about God
*Listen
*Rejoice
*Be thankful
*Read
*Read to your kids
*Spend time with God

We have a full life to live doing good deeds, living our purpose and loving others. How many blessings have we missed because of time we've wasted?

I don't even get to finish this today, because I decided to spend time on facebook first, and I've run out of time.
Thank you God for all the time you've blessed me with! Help me to use it wisely.

Update: Books

2010-02-20T07:05:00.000-08:00

Just an update that I'll be starting 'God Crazy' very soon. Also, I was finally able to get a copy of 'Fearless' by Max Lucado! Thank you Jesus!!

"I love you, O LORD, my strength". - Psalm 18:1

When life gives you lemons....

2010-02-19T06:27:00.000-08:00

When life gives you lemon's, make lemonade.

How many lemons do we really receive each day? Is being late a lemon? Is your kid screaming and acting up all day a lemon? Is losing your job a lemon? Only if we look at it as a lemon. If we take that lemon though and imagine it's future potential, the possibilities are endless. Type in lemon recipes in google images. Outcome looks pretty stinkin good hey?? Now imagine what God can do with the lemons in our life. We can't even begin to imagine what He has planned for us.

So when life gives you lemon's, add some sugar (positive thinking), and a whole lot of water (God) and you'll get something wonderful and new!

With even one of these things missing though the recipe is not the same.

Have God in you life but continue to complain about your lemons, you just get lemon water, still good for you, but not as enjoyable. (something I've been struggling with a lot over the past couple weeks).

Take God out of the equation, and maybe you might learn to enjoy it, but it will always feel like something is missing.

Now take out the lemons. We still have our sugar (positive thinking) and our water (God). That should be enough shouldn't it? That should work. Wouldn't that be wonderful? To have a life, free of lemons, and just positive thinking and God, sugar and water, sugar water??...hmm. Still not appealing?
What are you pushing past, what are you overcoming? Lemon's are the flavor in our life, they add excitement, and challenges, they are what help to change us into the person that God want's us to be.

So, when life gives you lemons, you can make yourself lemonade and that would be great. OR you can give those lemon's to the master chef, God, who has ALL the ingredients, and see what He comes up with for you!

Post Reused October 6th 2010 For the homemaking linkup over at the wonderful "Raising Homemakers" http://raisinghomemakers.com/

Show and Tell

2010-01-14T09:41:00.000-08:00

Today, apparently, is show and tell...without the tell really.

God has led me to some photo's that He wants me to share with you. I pray He leads each of us to an understanding of why He wanted to share them with us. I'm sure the lesson will be different for each of us. I won't go into detail about what each photo is, just enjoy!

This is a photo from space

This is Laminin. It is the glue that holds our body together.

Another space photo called "The Hand of God"

And another called "The eye of God"

Book Study...God Crazy by Michelle Borquez

2010-01-02T09:28:00.000-08:00

Wowee! So much happening, so many changes. I am still getting house cleaned like you wouldn't believe. In fact, it was a bit more like a demolition. The house had to be completely torn down, and I'm hoping the building back up is starting now, feels like it is. Such a strange feeling.

So, while I'm being rebuilt I'm going to try something a little different.........

I'm going to do a book study, it's not the Fearless book I want to read. I hope I'll be getting that one sometime soon.

I'm hoping to get a few women to join in on this with me at home and get some fun girl time out of it as well, but I'm also extending the invite to anyone out there who may actually read this blog, to get this book, and read it with me. I'll give you time to get the book, we'll do a chapter every week, and then I'll try to answer the questions in it here on this blog, or maybe I will discuss something else to do with the chapter. If you're up to it, I would love to hear your answers to the questions or opinions on it as well, just post a comment, or let me know if you want to be a part of the discussion in the non blog world.

So the book is..............
'God Crazy' by Michelle Borquez

I have not read this book yet, so I don't know what it's like. I did read one page which listed the qualities to look for in a friend. This list is the woman that I want to be, and I'm sure a lot of the woman that God wants me to be.

So, let's say, if you're interested, to get the book and read the first chapter by the 26th of January? Sound reasonable? If you need longer let me know, and if things change on this end due to women needing longer to get the book or what not, I'll let you know. I'll try to set a day in the last week of January to start posting about it, and set that day for book discussion until the book is done.

Hope someone can join me with this.

OH! And HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone!!

Getting Out

2009-12-21T09:22:00.001-08:00

Getting Out.

That's the phrase of the day! Why is that? It popped into my head, and I immediately focused it on getting out of this wretched head space I've been in lately. It's weird, because I haven't been stuck in my own head, or thinking bad thoughts or anything, I've just been miserable, and irritated over every little thing. I've been so angry over everything (no people, it's not PMS). I have just been in a bad mood, and I've been wanting to GET OUT.

So, that would make a great post hey? Talking about needing to get out of a bad mood, pushing past, and all that. That must be what God's going to discuss with me today. Off I go, must be some good pics out there relating to this right?? Here's the first picture that came up for me, when I typed in "God Getting Out"

Okay God, I realize that most of my "tude" has been fear related, and yes this book sounds pretty bang on exactly what I need to read. Even lists fears discussed almost exactly the way I did in my post about fear. Yes, I get that this is the very first thing (fear) you wanted me to study and understand when I first came to you about 3 years ago. No, 3 years later I still haven't dealt with it. Yes, I will find a way to get this book and read it!

So, short story shorter. I'm still working on "getting out" of my fear based head space, and God has led me to a way that may help me understand how to do that. Hopefully I'll be able to get this book soon. I can't wait to check it out.

Thank you Jesus for the book recommendation!! Here's a link to the book if you want to check it out too.

Just went back to the site myself, and read the free sample chapter (most definitely worth reading). So that's why I've been in such a bad mood. ;)

http://lucadofearlessbook.com/

Bible Passage

2009-12-20T10:50:00.000-08:00

I have no idea what I'm supposed to write about today so instead.....
....Just a bible passage today:

2 Chronicles 9 1-12

The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon

1 When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon's fame, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions. Arriving with a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all she had on her mind. 2 Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for him to explain to her. 3 When the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon, as well as the palace he had built, 4 the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, the cupbearers in their robes and the burnt offerings he made at [a] the temple of the LORD, she was overwhelmed.
5 She said to the king, "The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. 6 But I did not believe what they said until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half the greatness of your wisdom was told me; you have far exceeded the report I heard. 7 How happy your men must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! 8 Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on his throne as king to rule for the LORD your God. Because of the love of your God for Israel and his desire to uphold them forever, he has made you king over them, to maintain justice and righteousness."
9 Then she gave the king 120 talents [b] of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones. There had never been such spices as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
10 (The men of Hiram and the men of Solomon brought gold from Ophir; they also brought algumwood [c] and precious stones. 11 The king used the algumwood to make steps for the temple of the LORD and for the royal palace, and to make harps and lyres for the musicians. Nothing like them had ever been seen in Judah.)
12 King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired and asked for; he gave her more than she had brought to him. Then she left and returned with her retinue to her own country

Fear and Ketchup

2009-12-19T11:44:00.000-08:00

My biggest truth...I am afraid. Nearly every problem in my life stems from fear.
Fear of embarrassment
Fear of disappointing
Fear of being wrong
Fear of me or my children dying
Fear of being hurt
and many others. I fear things that I have no control over, so I attempt to find a way to control those situations, and when I can't, I don't know what to do.

I have, like I'm sure most of us do, certain little memories of things from when I was a child. Things I remember clear as day, things that I replay in my head quite often, and wish they had gone differently.

One very prominent memory I have, is of my dad and I in a grocery store. Now we never had much money, so we made sure to use coupons and watched carefully for sales. Ketchup was on sale!!

It must have been a pretty good sale too, because there was a limit of one. We grabbed our ketchup and up to the register we went. Waiting in line, my dad pulled some money out of his pocket, and asked me to run and grab another thing of ketchup, and to pay for it at another register. Scared about going through a big scary grocery line up on my own, and being too young to understand why I needed to, I flew down the aisles to grab the ketchup, praying to make it back to my dad in time. Lucky me, I was one of the fastest kids you've ever met! ;) I made it back in time, and proudly proclaimed, "Here's the other ketchup Dad!" So sure I was going to make my Dad proud of how fast I'd gone. Instead, I was greeted with an angry (and now I understand, embarrassed) face, telling me to shush, and still sending me off to another checkout to purchase the ketchup.
Now, I was ashamed that I had made a mistake, that I had disappointed my Dad, I thought I was doing the right thing.... I WAS doing the right thing.

No, my Dad should not have asked me to go buy a second thing of ketchup, no he shouldn't have been getting that second one in the first place, and you know what, he also shouldn't have gotten embarrassed when he was almost "busted" getting an over the limit ketchup. In fact, that's pretty funny now looking back.
I prayed so hard to Jesus to please let me make it back in time, and me making it back in time was like a slap on the wrist to my Dad about doing the right thing. He knew it was wrong, or he wouldn't have been embarrassed.

I did nothing wrong, and my father is human. I loved him no less after that, and he loves me no less because I caused him embarrassment. I still feel the biggest need to make my daddy proud, and I know in many ways I do...I am not a disappointment, and I do not wish that story to ever be different. I got to be a part of God trying to teach my dad something.

This is just one story in my many truths I will eventually share. But it helps me, and I hope you, understand a little bit more about who I am. One brick down, many more to go.

The Blessing of Honesty

2009-12-17T11:39:00.000-08:00

How can I begin to know myself if I don't let others know me, and how can they know me without truth. Does that even make sense? It does to me.

I spent more time today reading the new blog I stumbled upon. So many insights in there that are revealing so much to me, and none would come about if it were not for the bloggers honesty.

So yes, dear husband you were right, or rather God was right. (Makes it so much easier if I admit God was right, rather than my husband, he he)

If we leave walls between us and others they can never truly know us, and if they cannot know us they cannot help us, or be helped by us.

We can never learn to change our wrongs if we don't admit them. If your choking on something you can't breathe until it's out of you, and out there for all to see. I refuse to choke any longer.

I hope over the next little while to share with you, the truth about me. My past, my fears, my love for God, my testimony! I hope in doing so, that I will breathe a little easier, or maybe help one of you to breathe, and that we will all be able to break down our walls to come closer to each other.

Finding Comfort in Others

2009-12-16T14:26:00.000-08:00

Comfort.
I feel I should share a bit more on how these posts come about. It usually starts with a whole bunch of thoughts and ideas I want to share from previous days, or even that day. Amazing things that have been happening to me and my family, wonderful things that God has revealed to me, very few of these ever make it into my posts.
When I sit down in front of the screen, and stare at the blank space, usually a word or phrase will pop into my head. Often I will "google" it in relation to God, and find some beautiful pictures, or amazing stories that will trigger something in me, and give me a whole new realization that I had never been aware of before. Usually, it inspires something in me, and I begin to write about that and end up completely led down a different path by the end of the post. Though each time, God teaches me something.
The word given to me today was comfort. I looked for a photo relating to it, and found a beautiful one of Jesus hugging a child. The story with the photo however, was more beautiful still. Today I'm not learning through my own realizations from God, but from other's realizations through Him. This story is a beautiful one, and one I needed to hear.

Please check out the post on the blog here:
http://sundijo.wordpress.com/2009/06/16/indescribable-love/

Losing My Mind

2009-12-15T11:24:00.000-08:00

I am officially losing my mind. Hallelujah!!!
No, I'm not going crazy (though at times it feels like it), but I'm in the process of being transformed. God is still "cleaning house" with me, and yes, it's going to be a while, but after a long discussion with my husband last night, and some pretty amazing realizations from God, we are aware of exactly what He has to change in us.
To become a new creation in Christ, He must fully transform 3 (quite a cool number we have discovered) parts of us. Those 3 parts making up our entire being. Mind, Body, and Spirit.
At the moment God is working on my mind and body, though the body cannot become what God wishes without the mind changing first, and there is no hope for the Spirit to dwell in us if we have not prepared our mind and body in His way first.
We must give our thoughts to Him. He has given us the ability to have full control over our minds, and as I discovered a couple days ago, we do not know best, Father knows best. So, to transform my mind, and think and do as He wishes, I will eagerly listen and read His words, and allow them to be my direction in all things.

I'm excited to record my transformation by God, and to learn of others transformations as well.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2)

The Blessing of Love

2009-12-13T08:52:00.000-08:00

The winter is always a difficult time for us financially. Well, I guess the whole year is a difficult time for us in that aspect, but when you're used to barely scraping by, and then your income is cut in half you have to learn what scraping by really means. Though every year when the roughest patch hits, we renew our faith and the blessings start pouring in.
This year we have been so richly blessed that money, food and things have stopped mattering, and we are simply delighting in the overwhelming love that God has surrounded us with.

I am so thankful for the family and friends that my husband and I have been blessed with. To have been given people that love us so eagerly and unconditionally has been our biggest blessing this winter and in life. They have helped us so many times, and in such amazing ways, but the biggest joy they have brought into our lives is there love, and for that we are so truly thankful.

How generous it is, to give from your pocket, but to give from your heart is something truly special.

My prayer today is that each and every one of you receives the blessing of love, and the we are able to give that blessing to others.

Cleaning House in my Soul

2009-12-12T09:52:00.000-08:00

I have had a rough few weeks. Crumby weather, baby blues, cabin fever, sleep deprivation. It's a lot to try to push past, and I haven't been doing a good job of it.

I've been trying my hardest, but quite obviously that's the wrong way to go about things. I've been trying, and not letting God do what He does best. Who am I to think that I can do this on my own, and why stress over doing it on our own, when we can simply give it to God.

The past few weeks have been a HUGE lesson in control for me. I don't need to control everything, but I'm learning I really do have to feel like I have control of something, and unfortunately for me, God has been using these past few weeks to remind me otherwise. Nothing is in my control, except for how I choose to feel and react.

I feel like I've been a child having a tantrum with my Father for not allowing me to have my own way, and darn it I really enjoyed getting my way. So I know if I ever want to get my way again, I'm going to have to start having my way be His way, because regardless of how much I fight it, Father knows best.

I see now where He's going with this. Pointing out my childish sides not only to help me grow and be a better mother, but to understand my children better.

I can feel this is the beginning of Him completely cleaning house with me, and let me tell you, it's been a rough start. This is a messy dirty house. He's not even to the scrubbing and dusting yet. He's got to get all this stuff out first. It's packed full of unnecessary stuff, causing burdens and bogging us down. If He's just in the clearing out the clutter part right now, I'm a little worried about what's going to happen when He gets down to scrubbing it clean, but I'm pretty excited about the outcome.

I find it quite comical that as God is cleaning house with me, and clearing the clutter, that we've been doing the exact same thing with our actual house, and again, I'm pretty excited about the end result.

I am so thankful that God put my husband in a place where he was able to put up with me during this time. If God hadn't have brought my husband closer to Him during this time, the past few weeks would have been like a wrecking ball coming through our marriage, but instead it's been bringing us closer.

When I first sat down this morning, not knowing what to write, I felt that it was going to be on pushing through distractions to spend time with God. I was having a hard time focusing, and didn't know how I was going to hear anything from Him. It turns out that I did need the peace and quiet to come to the realizations from Him, and I don't think right now that's a bad thing. I think He likes being able to have our undivided attention, and that we miss out on a lot when there are distractions.

Here is another blog I'd like to share. I came across it before writing this, when I looked up Peace and Quiet with God. It helped me to realize where God was going with His work in me lately.

http://www.blogcatalog.com/blog/peace-and-quiet
Dec 10 2008
Be a Transformer
Published by tracycharles
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12: 1-2
We started discussing flexibility yesterday, and then today, I discovered that “flexibility” is even a topic under God’s promises.
Life can make us crazy, can’t it? Pulled hither and yon, one direction to another, so fast we lose sight of what’s right, what’s wrong, what’s good, what’s bad. A dear friend reminded me today what we need to do when life gets like this. We just need to put on the brakes and STOP. Ask God where He’s leading us, which direction He wants us to go.
Sometimes, that direction may be upstream, against what everyone else is telling you to do. Sometimes, it may be in line with everyone else. But we’ll never know until we ask God, will we?
He wants us to be TRANSFORMED.

The Blessing of Time

2009-11-28T12:05:00.000-08:00

I've been spending a lot of my time lately 'taking time,' taking time to rest, taking time to heal, taking time to sleep, taking time to feed the baby. Regardless of what I was taking time to do, I was taking that time away from other areas that I normally would be giving time to. Yes after a baby there are things that you truly need to take time for, and a lot more of your time has to be given to the baby. Even when you think you have this whole kid thing down, you find yourself having to completely reorganize your time with every new arrival.
I'm beginning to see time like money, the less I have, the more carefully I have to use it, and the happier and more aware I become. (Yes, happier with less time and less money, strange hey?)

When you have a limited amount of money, you are more careful in how you spend it. You think more about your needs, what's most important to spend that small amount of money on. In thinking this way you begin to realize what you're true needs are. That movie, takeout, and new outfit seem completely unimportant when you're faced with having no food or shelter if you spend you're money unwisely.

The same can be said for time. When you're out of time, the things that are truly important become blatantly clear. Are you going to regret not spending more time on facebook, or watching TV, or having me time? Of course not. We will regret not spending more time with our families, and we will very likely regret not spending more time working on the lessons God is trying to teach us, and working on our relationship with Him.

Each and every day we are blessed with awakening to, we are given 24 hours. That's it 24. We fill these hours with sleep, eating, working, taking time for ourselves, watching TV, checking our facebook....and countless other unimportant things. What is our time truly worth spending on? How would we divide our time if we only had 24 hours left? What is most important to you?

God has given us a very limited amount of time and a multitude of ways to make that time worth every minute. With our time, as with our money, we can use what we have for ourselves, or we can give what we have to help others and glorify God.
My prayer today is that we will see the difference between wants and needs, learn to give more, and make the most out of what He has blessed us with.

The Blessing of Patience!!

2009-11-12T11:42:00.000-08:00

After a long wait, God has blessed us with Patience.

Patience Louise was born on October 25th 2009, weighing 8lbs 2oz.

After my last post I had been thinking a lot about learning to have more patience. I didn't know how I was going to be able to change my ways, but I knew that I needed to. After meditating on it for days, I started thinking about how this whole pregnancy had been a lesson in patience. From trying to find the heartbeat each week, to attempting to get a 3D picture of this little one, the miscarriage before this pregnancy, to going overdue with this little one, God had been teaching us and everyone in contact with this baby... patience, and we knew he would bless us with patience in the form of this baby.
I knew right then and there we had to change the name we had originally chosen for this baby if it was a girl, and that she was meant to be Patience. This was a few days before we had her, and we knew that meant we were having another little girl.
Since her arrival, life has changed so much. We have our moments, but she has calmed our life in such a strange way. She truly is a blessing in so many ways. She is such a good baby, so calm, such a good sleeper, so patient ;)
We are so in love with the precious gift God has given us, and we hope that she will grow to love God with all her heart, and that she will become the woman that God has meant her to be.

*********************************************
Here is a wonderful email I received a few moments ago. Something we very much needed at this time. Another reminder to push past our feelings, and to be constantly determined to include God in our lives every single day!

When You Don’t Feel Like It, Take Heart By: Jon Bloom

Did you wake up not feeling like reading your Bible and praying? How many times today have you had to battle not feeling like doing things you know would be good for you? While it’s true that this is our in dwelling sin that we must repent of and fight against, there’s more going on. Think about this strange pattern that occurs over and over in just about every area of life: Good food requires discipline to prepare and eat while junk food tends to be the most tasty, addictive, and convenient.Keeping the body healthy and strong requires frequent deliberate discomfort while it only takes constant comfort to go to pot.You have to make yourself pick up that nourishing theological book while watching a movie can feel so inviting.You frequently have to force yourself to get to devotions and prayer while sleeping, reading the sports, and checking Facebook seems effortless.To play beautiful music requires thousands of hours of tedious practice.To excel in sports requires monotonous drills and nauseum.It takes years and years of schooling just to make certain opportunities possible.This goes on and on.

The pattern is this: the greater joys are obtained through struggle and pain, while brief, unsatisfying, and often destructive joys are right at our fingertips.
Why is this? Because, in great mercy, God is showing us everywhere, in things that are just shadows of heavenly things, that there is a great reward for those who struggle through
(Hebrews 10:32-35).

He is reminding us repeatedly each day to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Each struggle is an invitation by God to follow in the footsteps of his Son,“who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

Those who are spiritually blind only see futility in these things. But for those who have eyes to see, God has woven hope (faith in future grace) right into the futility of creation (Romans 8:20-21).

Each struggle is a pointer saying, “Look! Look to the real Joy set before you!” So when you don’t feel like doing what you know is best for you, take heart and don’t give in. Your Father is pointing you to the reward he has planned for all who endure to the end (Matthew 24:13).

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient,but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

Supermom

2009-10-14T12:32:00.000-07:00

There's 4 days left until my due date, and we are all anxiously awaiting the arrival of this little one. Apparently God is trying to teach me patience right now. Trying to teach a sleep deprived hormonal pregnant woman 4 days from her due date patience is quite a comical concept to me, but I've got to try. I'm hoping this lesson doesn't last past my due date, but I guess if it's patience He's trying to teach me, then it very likely will. I know the reward in the end will be so much more wonderful after the wait though.

I have also had the feeling lately that I'm being told to focus on being an amazing mom. I had a dream the other night that I was being told about how we cannot do it all. We cannot take on the world and expect to excel at everything. We can do good or okay at lots of things, but in order to excel and be outstanding in an area we need to put things aside (in my dream this was a new business or some type of work I was doing) and focus on the one that we want to make the biggest impact on. In my dream it was made very clear that it was my children and being a super mom that I was to focus on and excel in, and that I needed to put everything else aside to study that.
It was a strange dream, because I'm not focusing on work or career at the moment, but I have let my mind wander to these things quite a bit lately trying to think of ways to help our family financially, and things I'd like to pursue some day. I don't think God wants that for me right now, or maybe ever. He wants me to focus on these children that He has blessed us with. He wants me to raise them in a way that is pleasing to Him. He wants me to prepare them for all He has in store for them. This is to be my focus, this is to be where I will learn to excel. For this I will need to learn a LOT more patience (ha ha, yes God I get the importance of the patience lesson now). I will need to learn not to get snappy in the morning if things aren't running smoothly, I will need to focus on helping them learn to be the people God wants them to be, and how to listen to Him to know what that is.
So instead of focusing on possible business ventures, craft projects, cooking, canning and every other little thing that flies through my head, I will focus on what I need to do to raise them in God's way, and to start with, I will learn to be patient! Lord help me!

A funny side note: There's a parenting course starting at our church this week, lol. Coincidence? I think Godincidence!

Homework: Are you excelling at the right thing? Figure out what God wants you to excel at and pray that He will guide you through the steps you need to become amazing in that field!

Past lessons....Simplified (Review of Aug/sept 09)

2009-09-24T15:43:00.000-07:00

I've sat in front of this screen quite a few times since my last post, waiting to hear what I should write, too tired to hear the answer if there was one. I knew though, that I was meant to go through and review what He had been telling me up until this point.
I've been forgetting a lot of what I'm meant to be working on, and I know He won't give me more until I get working on those. So here (even if it's just for me) is an easy summary and review of the steps God wants us to be taking, and the path He wants us on...Simplified!!
(The links will take you to the full post on that topic)

Dance with God: Allow God to take the lead in your life and direct you where HE wants you to go. Follow His GuiDANCE.

Shut you off to hear Him: Simplify your life to allow more time to focus on and listen to God, and less time to have to focus on worldly distractions and stresses. (ie: TV, computer, 5 page “to do” lists, a million activities).

Again…Simplify. Examine your life, and let God show you what you need to focus on. Cut out anything unnecessary to make time for those things and God.

-Our family wants to work on the following.
-Pray and listen to what God wants you to do
-Eat dinner with your family
-Talk to your family and listen to them
-Get out and play together as a family

Stick with it!!!! No matter how hard it gets, no matter how crumby you feel. Try to do a little bit everyday to spend time with God, and work on the goals He has set out for you. You will feel a whole lot crappier if you don’t, then if you simply act. Take that first step.

If God wants you to do something that is out of your comfort zone, then get uncomfortable!

Stop Complaining, and acknowledge your part in your unhappiness. Speak only positives, and you will begin to see only positives. God has blessed us with too much for us to be complaining.

Stand Strong: When you’re on the right track things will try to bring you down. Stand strong in your faith, and be persistent in keeping with the changes God is asking you to make. When in doubt, pray!

Love One Another: Discover what type of heart God has blessed you with, and use it for His purpose.

Don’t be selfish with God: Remember to help and allow time for others to invest in their relationship with God.

Don't be selfish with God!

2009-09-14T12:43:00.000-07:00

Don't be selfish! Okay, so I'm sure we all know that one, I'm sure a lot of us struggle with it, but I'm not talking about it in the regular sense of the word. I mean, don't be selfish with God. Slightly more confusing?

I've talked so much about focusing on God, taking time with God, working on your relationship with God. So SUPER important, but what is also important, and what we sometimes don't think about is allowing the people around us to focus on God and have time for their relationship with God. Believe it or not, and this may be a hard one for some of you....it's not all about us!! Ouch! That one hurts me sometimes. ;)

We get so excited and so caught up in learning about, and hearing from, and being close to God, that we forget there are people right beside us who need that too. For many this is not a problem. They live alone, or have equal time to spend alone with God as their partner or other members of their family. Right now, our family is a busy one. With a 7 year old and a 2 year old and a dog all constantly looking for my husband and my attention it's hard enough for one of us to step away, never mind both.

We both love having a relationship with God, but I don't think either of us really think about making time for each other to invest in that relationship. We give each other time to go out with a friend to the movie, or to get some work done around the house. We give each other time to be alone on the computer (whoo hoo, like that's a necessity). We are not consciously making an effort to help each other succeed in our relationships with God, and we rarely use the time we are given to do that.

We went to Church on Sunday. I was very excited, I couldn't wait to see what God had to share with us that day, and we were going to enjoy breakfast and fellowship beforehand with our new Church family! Getting to know some new people, fun times. I expected my husband to take on most of the burden of chasing and holding the feisty 2 year old, as he knows I barely have the energy to walk at this late stage of pregnancy, never mind to run non stop after a VERY active little one! This was not the case. For some reason my husband became oblivious to the fact that I needed help with the wee one, and laughed and chatted away while I got stuck waddling as fast as I could after a 2 year old trying to tear the place apart. This couldn't last long, and I ended up in a playroom, by myself for an hour, just so I would be able to breathe. No fellowship, no fun. This was not what God wanted for me today!

Believe it or not, sometimes God is going to focus on someone else, in this case that someone was my husband. My husband not dealing with our little one left him free to socialize with some men that he normally wouldn't have had the time to talk to, and by talking with them had some wonderful spiritual realizations that filled his heart and soul and brought him even closer in his relationship with God. He needed that moment, he needed that time, and I didn't want to give it to him, because I thought he needed to help me have my time with God. In actuality, if I hadn't wasted my time in that playroom pouting about not getting my time, I would have had a whole hour to pray in a relatively quiet setting.

Do you see what I'm getting at? We all need time with God. In a family time is tighter, but we help each other invest in time with children, in time for personal activities in time for work. We share the TV time (sometimes) and help each other with the chores. Why are we not helping each other invest in God? Yes we should focus on our own growth with God, but we also need to help each other in our growth, and sometimes that means taking on stresses and work for a little bit, and allowing someone else time to grow and breathe. It's wonderful to see blessings in your life, it's even more wonderful to get to be a part of someone elses blessing!

Homework: Give someone time to invest in their relationship with God.

Love One Another

2009-09-09T11:37:00.000-07:00

In my nesting glory days I spent numerous hours moving, rearranging, cleaning and reorganizing. During this time, I found a long forgotten little chalkboard that I decided to hang by our main entrance. Something visual to leave little messages, notes and reminders to each other. On it I wrote "Love one another." I don't know why, I just did. There it has sat for a number of weeks now, staring us in the face every time we leave the house. (Ah yes, thank you Lord for that sudden burst of knowing). A reminder as we left our house and went out into the world, to "Love one another"

Since I wrote this message on the board, I have been stumbling across numerous bible verses and messages about loving one another. I knew it was pertaining to me and my life, I knew I needed to pay attention, I wasn't quite sure how exactly it fit in.

My husband and I had a long discussion about love the other day. We came to the understanding that we all have been blessed with the gift of love in one form or another, some special way that God can use each of our love to affect others for his purpose.

My husband has a child's heart, completely open and accepting, no limitations, and as big as they come. Always wanting to please and do more for the people around him. His heart is out there for all to see, and because of that it's easily hurt, but it doesn't stop him from putting it out there again, and continuing to love.

Our youngests heart is full of humor. You cannot look at this child and not laugh. She brings joy and laughter into the house on even the darkest days.

My oldests heart is childlike as well, yet has a maturity and understanding to it that even I have yet to comprehend. She has a need to mend everyone elses broken hearts (regardless of how hers is hurting), and God always gives her the right things to say to help do that. Her heart is a constant light in dark times, that draws you to it and calms you. She has a very special heart indeed.

I'm not exactly sure about my own. It's been through the ringer a few times, and I think I've let those things cloud it a little too much. My husband says my heart is soft and has a warmth. I'd like to think I have a heart of understanding. No not like that. I don't understand anything, really. But I have a desire to be understood, and I have a desire to understand others and everything around me. I think God is going to use that part of me to help others understand Him, and if not I know He will use me for His purpose somehow.

That's the point of this little blurb today. God has given us all amazing powers of love, but if we only use our love on ourselves or only use it within our homes or our Church we are not fully using it for His purpose. Pray that He will reveal to you how He wants to use your love, and remember when you step out your door to use it.

So now I will look at my little "Love one another" reminder in a whole new light. I will take it outside myself, outside my home, and into the world.

Related Verses:

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
—John 13:34-35

“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
—Luke 6:27-35

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.
—1 John 4:7-21

By lotuslightweddings

Homework: Love One Another!!

Standing Strong

2009-09-04T12:21:00.000-07:00

6 weeks and 2 days!!! That's how long I have left before I am officially a mommy of one more. I was so anxious about getting everything done for so many months, and it never seemed to get closer to being finished. All that work, and still so much to do, and now I'm burnt out. My body is telling me to rest in preparation for the big day, and probably for the next 18 years, and honestly, I'm at a point where I'm more than happy to oblige. I'm starting to not feel guilty about resting, as I know very shortly that won't be an option, and the fact that the baby room isn't ready and I barely have any clothes or enough diapers for the little one doesn't seem to be bothering me as much anymore.

Because my mind is finally a little more unfocused on this it is leaving room for focusing on other things. Unfortunately not all good things. I'm focused on the increasing pain in my growing body. On the decreasing income, and increasing debt of our family (something we have started taking steps to really change, thank goodness!!).

I seem to be seeing a lot of little things I didn't before, many I should be feeling good about, but I can't help but feel like our family is under attack. There is an uneasy feeling that I can't put my finger on. If I could see it's source I could try to change it, but I don't know where it's seeping in.

I am still focusing on the positive (really I am) and can see the wonderful things happening in our life, but there is a darkness somewhere clouding it all and I don't know where it is or how to get rid of it. I do know one thing. It means I need to pray more. I know God will show me the source of this uneasiness, I know everything will be taken care of, and that he will protect us, and I also know I need to refocus on Him once again.

I hope our family can remain aware of this and stand strong and not let it creep further in to a point that it hurts us. Maybe it's because there are good things happening and changing in our life, I pray that's the case, but I refuse to stand by and let it take hold of my family.

I am so happy for the change and joy God is bringing into our home with the soon to be new baby, and hope for a better future.

Homework: Pray!!!

Choosing to be happy, even when there's no coffee left

2009-08-28T19:42:00.000-07:00

Do you ever have one of those days? You know, the ones where you wake up on the wrong side of the bed, and think I just need a cup of coffee, then I'll be fine. Then you step out your bedroom door head to the washroom and step in what you hope is just water spilled all over the bathroom floor while in your last pair of clean socks. It probably is water because there's also water all over the counters, you go to clean it up but the last of the towels are soaking wet in a pile in the sink. Apparently your youngest has woken up on the wrong side too because they decide to wake up an hour early screaming, and whining about anything you try to use to console them.

You still have not had your coffee.

Your oldest staggers in and asks what the plans for the day are, as usual they are not to her satisfaction so the whining and pouting begins. You ask her to go get dressed, and then spend the next 25 mins arguing with them about panties being too tight or too big, shirts too hot, pants too uncomfortable, and of course they end up in what you told them to put on in the first place, and are amazingly fine with it for the rest of the day.

You still have not had your coffee.

You realize you still have not had your coffee and begin to make it when your youngest reminds you between fits of screaming and rolling on the floor that she hasn't had breakfast. You stop and get breakfast, your youngest runs off with breakfast, dog gets your youngests breakfast. You realize dog hasn't been taken out to pee yet. You pray that dog hasn't already gone in the house, you take dog out, youngest is screaming at the door because now she still hasn't gotten breakfast, oldest is FINALLY dressed but still pouting, you ask her to feed the dog, she does (while pouting). Youngest decides that if you're not going to feed her when she wants she will eat the dog food too, and spill the dogs water all over the kitchen floor, and slip in spilled water, and start screaming again.

You still have not had your coffee.

You come in and make breakfast...again. realize you forgot to change youngests diaper, go to change diaper and realize you are too late, they have pooped, and they're soggy wet night time diaper has not contained it. You clean that all up, and she finally starts eating. Go to throw away the diaper, the garbage is full, take out garbage, complain to self about having to take out garbage, garbage cans are still at the road, nowhere to put garbage. You don't care at this point and leave it outside.

You still have not had your coffee.

You stop, take a breath, look around. Is everyone taken care of? Yes! and as a bonus no one is screaming. You go to make your coffee, open the tin. You're out of coffee...........you start to cry. You are less than an hour into your day. You don't know how you're going to make it through.

Okay so I have not had a day exactly like this one before, most times they're worse ;)

But take this day for example. If I were to look back on a day like this, I would realize I probably was the one to put those wet towels in the sink in the first place, and there weren't any others because I hadn't done laundry. My youngest would probably have been crying and up early because she was teething, my oldests panties are either too big or too small, and we haven't done as much this summer in terms of fun things for her. (I would pout too if I had to watch my mom clean all day everyday). We got a family DOG not a family plant. Dogs will eat your food if you're not careful, dogs will pee and poop in the house if you don't take them out. We chose that. I was probably the one to fill the garbage too, and I'm the one in charge of groceries so I should have thought ahead and bought more coffee, or if you want to get technical, I shouldn't be drinking it in the first place.

The rest of the day would have consisted of fits of screaming and pouting from everyone in the house, why? Because we ALL woke up on the wrong side of the bed? Or because I woke up on the wrong side of the bed and didn't decide to change the way I saw things that day. I woke up thinking the day would be bad, and then it was.

How many days do you start like this? Lately I have not had to start any of my days like this. I few days ago I was awoken by my darling husband, telling me that he had made me coffee. I got out of bed to find coffee and breakfast waiting for me, my youngest sitting smiling away in a clean diaper while eating her breakfast, and the dog already taken out. Our oldest still in bed because she decided she still wanted a little more sleep (which meant not up too early and cranky for the rest of the day) and my husband....smiling!

He had taken care of it all, and still had a smile on his face. We enjoyed breakfast (and coffee) together, spent time together talking about some bible verses, before he left for work for the day. And he's done it every day since.

What have I learned over the past few days? God has given us an amazing power! It's called free will. This means we have choices, like choosing to wake up on the right side of the bed. Choosing to handle each situation that comes up with patience and understanding, and choosing to see the good and positive in everything. We can choose to see how everything and everybody is working against us, or we can open our eyes to the fact that maybe it has more to do with us and nothing to do with anybody else.

Thank you sweetie, for choosing to put your feelings aside and making mornings wonderful for your family.

Homework: When you start to feel like things are bringing you down and not going your way, open your eyes to your part in it, and choose to see things differently.

Get Uncomfortable!

2009-08-21T07:57:00.000-07:00

The past couple nights we've been trying to change things up a bit in our family. We normally sit down after dinner, let the kids run around, dance, sing and get out some energy. Then we send them off to bed, and either spend the rest of the evening trying to find something to watch or actually watching a movie (which I have not made it through more than 20 minutes without falling asleep the past few weeks).

So instead, after dinner we hop in the car, and run a couple errands together, and then usually just drive and see where we end up. We check out new roads around our community, decide to jump out and spend a couple minutes at the beach. Just let go, and GO! And we've been loving it, and I hope it will continue and help us to change other bad habits, or start new good habits that are needed in our lives. I hope we'll get out of our comfort zone because when things get comfortable and easy people seem to get bored and lazy, and that is not the life we want to live.

It's so hard to take that first step though. Stepping into the unknown when what we already have is so comfy and cozy to us, seems so unappealing. Comfy and cozy, yes, good for us??? Very likely not. Taking that first step may be all we need to get the momentum needed to keep going, so don't think of it as a life change, think of it as a simple step, and then see how you feel afterwards!

I'm looking forward to the changes God is going to bring into our lives if we listen to him and step out of our comfort zone in the direction He wants us to go.

Simply Act

2009-08-15T07:47:00.000-07:00

It's so easy to see where we're going wrong (okay maybe not always so easy). When we open our eyes and hearts to God though, he makes things very clear to us. I've been finding so much of the same subjects I've been talking about on here. Everyone who gets close to God, seems to get the same lessons. So if everyone is getting the same lessons, and have been for hundreds of years, why have we not figured this out by now?

I think we hear the lesson, agree that yes that's something we either need to change or do more of in our life, and then fail to act. Why? These lessons are simple, what we need to do to live them is simple. What is holding us back?

Quite obviously our feelings have a lot to do with it, I'm too tired for this, I'd rather do that, it's boring, I'm too busy. We only have these excuses because because we are over complicating our lives, and making ourselves too busy with other unnecessary things. Another reason could be that we're lazy. I am no stranger to this one. I would much rather sit on the couch and check my facebook than do the dishes, and I often do. ;) How do I feel after I do this? Like complete crap. I feel great in the moment, I get to rest and do what I wanted to do but not what I needed to do. So after my wonderful time of unfulfilling nothingness, I'm left....you guessed it, unfulfilled!

Yesterday I worked my butt off. I didn't sit down to rest, I didn't make excuses on why I should stop or save something for another day, I just did it. Everything I saw that needed doing, I did it then, and didn't put it off until later. I thought maybe I'd be worn out today (I am 30 weeks pregnant after all), but no, I feel great. A little more tired, but accomplished, and ready for more.

Putting things off = feeling crappy, guilty and unfulfilled
Acting = feeling fulfilled and happy, and confident

Why do we choose to feel crappy? Oh yes, you are choosing to feel that way every time you choose to put something off or not act.

So here's my homework for you (and me) this week: ACT!!! Figure out what you need to do and do it. Then tell me how you felt when it was finally done.

Some things are not merely a simple act. Some things will take time, persistence and determination (hmm, aren't we supposed to be working on that too)? Do it anyway, even a little bit every day, take a step and get that momentum going. I promise that you'll feel so much better than if you didn't.

I pray that all of us will find the energy, and determination to do the things God want's us to do!

The Blessing of Determination

2009-08-11T09:44:00.000-07:00

I don't know what to write today. I never sit down with an idea in my head, I just let God guide me through the post. Today however I really don't know. My head is so full of stress (I have a big test today) and however much I'm giving it to him, the nerves are still creeping in there. I know that if I'm meant to pass I will, and that if I don't it's no big deal, but let's face it, tests are nerve wracking! Let it go Jess, Let it go!!!

Let it go...that reminds me, I was at the library on Sunday looking for canning books. Normally there are at least 10 in there, on this day for some reason there were none. So I wandered to the magazines to see if there was anything of interest. On the way back out I passed by the "religion" section. I am not normally the type to get religious books. I find very little time to read these days, and when I sit down with a book it's usually one that I can quickly skim through find what I need and be done with. I rarely find books on religion that are like this. I felt compelled to stop and look, so I did, I looked straight in front of me, and saw these two titles side by side staring right back at me:

'100 ways to Simplify your Life' By Joyce Meyer

and

'How Can I Let Go if I don't know I'm Holding on?' By Linda Douty

Somewhat suiting regarding what I've been talking/thinking about over the last couple weeks, no?

Anyway, I know I need to take the time to look over these books, and guess what! They're both pretty skimable! I'll let you know how they are.

So aside from finding these books, and being stressed about the test, is there anything else that I feel compelled to talk about today???? YES!

************************************************************************

Determination

My husband told me to write today. No that's not quite true. God told my husband to tell me to write today. I had planned on it anyway, but was a little worried about what I would write as I knew my mind was not focused where it should be. (See, I still need to work on these lessons too). He said I would miss out on a blessing if I didn't, and I'm all about not missing out on blessings right now. So on I came, and off I rambled. Did I talk about anything of importance today? No not really. But I did it. I put the time aside to spend with Him, open to hearing Him, even if I didn't think I would. I feel more connected with Him after this time with Him, but I'm still nervous about the test, I'm still overwhelmed with my messy kitchen, but there will always be something! We cannot give up, we cannot wait until we're feeling better or less stressed, for a lot of us, this may not come for a long time. We must stay determined, we must invest in time with God every day.

We will not all miraculously feel better after investing in a day with God, we will not all hear from Him the moment we do it, but I can guarantee your life will be a lot more blessed if you take the time to spend with Him daily, than if you put it off until a day you're feeling better. After all, you can't receive the blessing of watching Him work if you're not watching.

So pray to Him, write about Him, read about Him, talk about Him, just close your eyes and focus on HIM! Sounds so "simple" hey? It is, so why do the simple things always seem to be so difficult to accomplish? Put your feelings aside, and be determined to invest! I'm sure if you do this, you will find that determination creeping into other area's of your life as well...like getting the dishes done. ;)

Simple Things

2009-08-09T08:34:00.000-07:00

When exactly did being busy become more important than enjoying the simple little things? When did we start seeing our jobs as our lives, instead of a means to live our lives? Why do we have to have 20 different activities or projects on the go at once to feel as though we're actually being productive? Not only are we making these outside things the basis of our life, we're focusing so much on them, that we are leaving nothing of actual substance (like God and our families) to focus on. We are letting society lead us away from what God has chosen and planned for us to be happy. And then we wonder why life feels so meaningless, and why we're always so depressed.

Yes most of us have to work, but when you go to work, who are you really working for? You have to do your job, and listen to your "boss". But don't forget who your real Boss is! Do you think that God can't use you to do good at your work place? We can do his work wherever we are, and with whatever we're doing. So pray that when you're at work doing your job, that God will grant you the blessing of also being able to do his work. Would that not be a more satisfying workday?

I think extracurricular activities are great! So don't think I'm trying to say putting your kids or yourself into sports and classes is a bad thing. If you have a great relationship with your kids, and your family spends regular quality time together enjoying each other, and the kids aren't kicking and screaming that they don't want to go to their lessons then by all means go nuts!

However, I don't think a lot of us are as close to each other as we should be. Do you really think your kids would rather go to a soccer game and see you watching them from the sidelines, or do you think maybe they would get more benefit and enjoyment out of taking a soccer ball to a park, and playing a game with their family...obviously I'm not talking about most teenagers here ;)

How many of us actually sit down at the table for dinner with our families every night and talk about how each others day was (and actually listen, instead of focusing on how crappy our own day was)? I'm sure a lot of us do, but I know a lot of us don't!

These things are easier said than done, especially when we're exhausted from the day, had a crappy time at work, or are trying to plan out everything that needs doing for the day ahead. But just look at what I'm asking us to try to do.

Pray and listen to what God wants you to do

Eat dinner with your family

Talk to your family and listen to them

Get out and play together as a family

Is it really that hard? Is it complicated? No, it's simple. I can guarantee that if you want to focus more on God and your family, and you pray to God to give you the strength, energy and time to do it (or better yet to show you what it is he wants you to focus on) he will do it. But watch out, God has a funny way of doing things in our eyes. He may grant you the time and energy by taking unnecessary things out of your life. Maybe your TV will break, maybe you'll be laid off, he works in mysterious ways for sure, but always in the way that's best for us!

I pray that we all will receive the blessing of simplicity in our lives, and the ability to focus on the things that really matter!

Poem: If we knew how to listen to God

2009-08-05T14:49:00.000-07:00

On my search mere moments after publishing my last post, for free images to jazz it up, I ended up stumbling across this poem on http://www.turnbacktogod.com/ a site I've never come across before but will be visiting again. Funny how He always puts exactly what we need across our path exactly when we need it. ;)

Poem : If We Knew How To Listen To God
By Georgy

If we knew how to listen to God,
We should hear him speaking to us.

For God does speak.
He speaks in His gospel: He speaks also through life-
That new Gospel to which we ourselves add a page each day.

But because our faith is too weak and our life to earth-bound,
We are rarely open to God’s message.

To help us to listen,
At the beginning of our new intimacy with Christ,
Let us imagine what He would sayIf He himself interpreted His gospel to the men of our day.

God gave us eyes and we looked for alternatives,
He formed our ears and we listened to wrong voices,
He created our feet but we followed the wrong paths.
So God broke through into our situation.

When He opens our eyes we can see His glory
When He opens our ears we can hear His voice
When He takes our hand we can follow His path.

So look to the Lord and listen to His voice
Follow His way and he will make your paths straight.

Shutting YOU off to hear HIM

2009-08-05T13:46:00.000-07:00

My brain has been full lately. Between party planning (of which I had 3 this week) organizing our storage room/soon to be pantry, and getting things prepped to start my new canning adventure I haven't left much room for other things to be on my mind. Add to this the exhaustion of being 29 weeks pregnant, a constantly bored and whining 7 year old, a 2 year old who has decided that being 2 means using twice as much energy in a day, and a nesting instinct in full force to get ready for baby's arrival, I'm surprised I'm still getting up in the morning.

No, I don't have a lot on my plate compared to most, but even with these few things I find it hard to focus on anything else. When life is constantly on your mind, how do you shut it off and focus on God?

I often wonder why so many people don't hear Him talking to them, sure some wouldn't know it if it happened to them, but I think most of us have just filled our heads to full of "us" to leave room for Him.

I believe 100% that you can lead a full and busy life and still have a wonderful relationship with Him. I, however have yet to figure this one out for myself. I've let go, and given this blog to Him, and I've talked about how we are to let go and give everything to Him, but we still have to take the steps he wants us to take, and how do we learn to take those steps without having to overthink them. How do you change the way your brain works when it's worked one way for so long? How do we learn to simplify our thoughts as well as our lives?

I know time to unwind is probably key. Time to sit quietly, away from TV, and internet, and all our phones. Somewhere you can't hear the kids shrieks and hollers, somewhere you can't see the laundry piling up. Time to truely let it all go, and talk with Him, pray to Him, listen to Him, and meditate on what he wants you to know. I've tried this to, and I always end up back in my head making a mental checklist of what I need to be doing next, or falling asleep. I just can't handle sitting still and being unplugged from the outside world.

So what would happen if we took all these extra distractions out of our daily lives? What would happen if we got rid of the TV's the cell phones, and computers? How much more time would you have in your day to get things done? How much less would you have to sit in your head focusing on what's going on in your day if outside of your head everything was shut off?

God has been on us for nearly two years to simplify our lives. To focus on what's important, and what is actually needed. We have been trying to apply this financially (not buying what we don't need...easier said than done), and have attempted to bring simplicity into our life bit by bit, but I see now we have soooooooo far to go with this. We have made what we thought were HUGE changes; we moved to the country, started growing our own vegetables, make more from scratch, and I will be starting to can all our delicious harvest hopefully this week (will keep you updated). We are still so far from the life he wants for us, and I can feel it. I can also feel all these changes are coming though, so how do I shut off my thoughts in time to hear what it is He's trying to tell us?

Ah look at me, constantly focused on the how's and why's, still thinking everything through. LET IT GO GIRL, LET IT GO! If I just keep my mind focused on Him, as my body is busy rushing through my daily events maybe that's a good place to start, and if not, I'm sure He'll tell me!

Dancing your way to blessings

2009-08-02T08:29:00.000-07:00

Why does it even amaze me every time He confirms something or guides me in a new direction? I should really be used to this by now, but every time I'm left amazed that He once again has taken the time to guide me somewhere new.

I followed my own advice, for once, ;) I left this blog in His hands and asked that He guide me to what to share next. Easier said than done for me as I'm the type that wants to have my hands in everything and have a hard time relinquishing control (yes dear husband I admit that) An hour later I already had my answer. I came across a post on christian mothers board I was reading, the woman wanted to share this email she recieved.

Before I share this email let me fill you in on a few things. About 2 years ago I remember sitting on the couch with my husband, we were talking about God, and a felt God tell me that I needed to "Dance" more. I took it literally and thought I was supposed to dance around the house with the kiddies more and that maybe it would be an answer to my weight loss prayers at the time. It wasn't until 2 days ago, reading this email, that I realized what He was talking about.

I also find it very interesting how He related this to the last paragraph I wrote in the last post, and everything I've been trying to do with this blog. Once again, a blessing of confirmation, I am on the right track!!

Here is the email:

When I meditated on the word Guidance, I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word. I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing. When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn't flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky. When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another. It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully. The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other. My eyes drew back to the word Guidance. When I saw "G": I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i". "God, "u" and "i" dance." God, you, and I dance. As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life. Once again, I became willing to let God lead. My prayer for you today is that God's blessings and mercies are upon you on this day and everyday. May you abide in God, as God abides in you. Dance together with God, trusting God to lead and to guide you through each season of your life.

Thanks to God and coming across this email, I now know this blog will be a record of my dance with Him (and hopefully some of your dances as well). And that it's by dancing with Him that we are able to recieve His blessings. This will be a harder lesson for me to stick to, but with His help anything is possible!

On a side note, my baby girl turned 2 yesterday!! Happy Birthday baby!!

The blessing of Confirmation

2009-07-31T07:46:00.000-07:00

I knew without a doubt I was supposed to start this blog. God has been after me for this one for a while. The past two years I've been told to "write". At first I wasn't sure what it was he wanted me to write, then after a time I realized I was to record our family's journey with him, and the many blessings he was giving us. I decided I should start our "Family Bible" recording the things he had done in our life, prayers he answered and lessons he had, or was trying to teach us. Not much came of that, I got busy, I got lazy, and I never found the time.

I know now why it didn't work out. He didn't want me to keep a record just for me and my family to remember and learn from. He wanted me to share our blessings and joy with everyone. What a selfish thought it was to keep it to myself, silly girl.

I started the blog, and knew God wanted me to tell my husband what I was doing, and to ask him for a little time every night or a few times a week to focus on this, away from the distraction of the kiddies. I didn't. We were bickering, he was hot and tired from work, it just didn't seem like the right time to ask him to do something else. So I didn't say anything about it, I wrote my little blurb about true blessings. This was not what I planned to write when I sat down, it's just what happened to end up on the page, and I thought cool, but is this just me? Am I right about this? Will people agree that this is what the "true blessing" is?

Then last night as I was sitting outside with my husband and mother in law our topic as it often does turned towards God and somehow "blessings" and "true blessings." I was stunned and chuckled inwardly. I hadn't been saying a word, this was them talking. I felt immediatley like God was confirming for me that I was on the right track with this blog, and my ideas of what he wants us to know about blessings. And so, I was blessed once again, and was able to see God's hand in my life once again.

Before the conversation last night I was debating what to write today. I have been blessed so many times, and was wondering how to tell my story of all these blessings. Obviously I'm not yet meant to. I understand now that as with everything else in our life we are to leave it in His hands. I trust He will guide me, and give me just the right things to say if I just take my hands out of it, sit back and watch His hands be at work.

What is a true blessing?

2009-07-30T13:23:00.000-07:00

It's easy to say you've been blessed, and to see blessings in your life, but to see the act of the blessing taking place, and to see prayers being answered is a blessing more wonderful than most. You get the blessing of watching God's hand at work in your life, instead of just seeing the after effect of what he's done. It's such an exhilirating feeling to see his work taking place in your life or in others, and to be shown that without a doubt there is a God.

What are you're blessings and answered prayers?