Sew Sew Saturday...

Saturday, I worked on a new dress for Ally.
She wanted something a bit patriotic for
this Sunday's Independence Day service.
I wasn't able to find much that was patriotic
when I look through my fabric
but did find a floral print that was red, white, and blue.
I didn't have enough of it to make a whole dress
so I used it for a bodice
and then found a white, ribbed, knit fabric
to use for the skirt part of the dress.
I try to stay away from white
but, occasionally, we use it and keep it well lined. ;o)

She likes to add ties to her dresses
but I had forgotten to add them,
so, instead, I made a band out of the floral material.
Because the fabric was thicker,
we couldn't just tie it like a normal dress tie.
Instead, I had to tie it like a neck tie. lol
I was really thankful that my beloved
had taught me how to tie a neck tie.
She liked it, though, and I was glad.

Here was the finished dress...

We Are Debtors...

{{transferred from previous blog...
originally posted December 21, 2006}}



This morning after my quiet time,
I was reading through my notes
from a sermon last week
and I wanted to share my thoughts...

Romans 1:14-16
“I am debtor both to the Greeks,
and to the Barbarians;
both to the wise, and to the unwise.
So, as much as in me is,
I am ready to preach the gospel
to you that are at Rome also.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:
for it is the power of God unto salvation
To every one that believeth;
To the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”


In verse 14, Paul claims
that he saw himself as a debtor.
He had the power of the gospel,
he knew what Christ had done for him,
and he acknowledged that he owed it to Christ
to share that Good News to all men.

We, as born-again believers,
are debtors, too.
For what Christ has done for us,
we owe it to Him and others
to spread that Good News!

He set for us the example…
“And Jesus went about all Galilee,
teaching in their synagogues,
and preaching the gospel of the kingdom…”
~ Matthew 4:23 (Matthew 9:35)

He sent the disciples…
“And he sent them to preach
the kingdom of God…” ~ Luke 9:2
“And they departed,
and went through the towns,
preaching the gospel…” ~ Luke 9:6

He sends us…
“As thou hast sent me into the world,
even so have I also sent them into the world.”
~ John 17:18
“Go ye into all the world,
and preach the gospel to every creature.”
~ Mark 16:15
“… Go out into the highways and hedges,
and compel them to come in…”
~ Luke 14:23


In verse 15 (Romans 1), Paul said that
“…as much as in me is,
I am ready to preach the gospel…”
With all that he had, he was ready.
He was able, he was willing, he was ready…
as much as was in him, he was ready to give.
He knew he was serving the Lord Jesus Christ
and was ready to do so with all that was within him.
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily,
as unto the Lord, and not unto men;
Knowing that of the Lord
ye shall receive the reward of your inheritance:
for ye serve the Lord Christ.” ~ Colossians 3:23,24

He did not glory in preaching the gospel…
did not boast, brag, make a spectacle, etc.. of himself..
He knew it was a necessity to preach it
and knew it was to his shame if he did not…
“For though I preach the gospel,
I have nothing to glory of:
For necessity is laid upon me;
Yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”
1 Corinthians 9:16

It is to my shame (our shame) if I assume
that my neighbor across the street,
next to me, or down the road
has heard the one True Gospel.

It is to my shame if I assume
that the people I pass by in the store
have heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It is to my shame if I assume
the waitress, the bank teller, the mailman, etc…
have heard the one True Way to get to Heaven.

It is to my shame if I assume
that my friends and family
know the saving Grace and forgiveness of Christ.

How can I (we) keep silent?
How can I not do as Paul claimed
and share the Good News
with all that is within me?


In verse 16, Paul said,
“For I am not ashamed
of the gospel of Christ:
for it is the power of God unto salvation
to every one that believeth…”

Jesus said,
“For whosoever shall be ashamed
of me and of my words,
of him shall the Son of man be ashamed,
when he shall come in his own glory,
and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.”
~ Luke 9:26

May we not be quiet…

“…Whosoever believeth on him
shall not be ashamed.” ~ Romans 10:11

“Be not thou therefore ashamed
of the testimony of our Lord…”
~ 1 Timothy 1:8

“…that I may open my mouth boldly,
to make known the mystery of the gospel,
… that therein I may speak boldly,
as I ought to speak.” ~ Ephesians 6:19,20


May “…the love of Christ constraineth us…”
(2 Corinthians 5:14)
(constraineth = urge with irresistable power; compel, drive)
to share the Gospel.

Lord, lay on us the burden for lost and dying souls.
May we not have peace
until we are bolding sharing the Peace of peace.

Friday Sewing Project...

Today I was able to work on and finish
my new square neck dress .
Because the fabric was a white linen-type
(though it does have a floral print),
I decided to put a complete lining in the bodice...



I added a contrasting band to the sleeves
and to the bottom of the dress,
using the same fabric I used for the lining.
I was glad to finish it up late this evening...


I look forward to getting lots of use from it. ;o)

Show and Tell Friday...

Today, for Kelli's Show and Tell Friday,
I wanted to share an antique stereo
that I received from my gramma
shortly after my beloved and I were married.

Growing up, I remember seeing this
sit in my gramma and grandpa's house.
I remember how she would let us listen to it
and I was always fascinated with it.
I was thrilled when she passed it along to me
and now my family and I enjoy it,
especially around Christmas time
when we pull out the records.

I do not know how old it is
but either way it's special to me. ;o)

I currently have it in our dining room...



The top of the stereo opens up...



We don't tend to use it for radio stations
but we do enjoy using the record player that it has...



And it also has a working 8 track player!
8 tracks went out of 'style' when I was a young child
but I always remembered having one in our car
and how my mom and dad would play it as we drove...

I was thrilled one day when I was able to find
a few 8 tracks with classical music!

We look forward to enjoying this for many years
and when it's so old that it may not work,
it will still be just as special!

You Might Be a Military, Homeschooling Mama When...

{{transferred from previous blog}}

I've seen lots of 'You Might Be a Homeschooler If's...'
and so forth but I've never been able to find
any that were made specifically for Military homeschoolers.
So I've been working on some for a little while
and thought I would share them.



You Might Be a Military, Homeschooling Mama When ...

... you get orders to transfer overseas

and see it as a three year field trip!

... you get orders to another state

and still see it as an extended field trip.

... you find out your next duty station

and do extensive research on all the great field trips

you can take while you are living there

and possible field trips during the move.

... you ask family to send you educational toys

for birthdays and Christmas.

... your husband gets that promotion

and you start searching through your homeschool catalogs

making lists of possible books and supplies to buy.

... you try to order curriculum while living overseas

and the seller can't understand what an APO/FPO

address is, so you spend 20 minutes explaining.

.... your book purchasing is put on hold

because you have no address for them

to send the books to while you're living in the

temporary housing unit on base in between moves.

... you get orders overseas and you barely make it

under your allowed maximum weight due to

all the 'curriculum' you are transporting.

... you spend thirty days 'car schooling' while transferring

to your new duty station.

... your children are heard speaking occasional words

in the native language of the last country you lived in

and other kids, moms, and family members are impressed.

... Daddy sends home dirt, rocks, and other natural things

while on deployment and you count it as doing science

as the children study and gawk over it.

... you can teach geography just by studying

the places you've lived and the places

that Daddy has been to on deployments.

... you don't have to wait until the school year

is over to move.

~ Christina K ©February 2006

Giving Liberally to My Children... What I Can and Need to Do...

Below is something I wrote exactly a year ago today.
I came across it and it was a good reminder for me.

~ Lift each child up in prayer. Daily. Faithfully.

~ Pray Scripture over the children.

~ Memorize Scripture Together.

~ Be in God's Word daily.

~ Be in God's Word with them daily.

~ Sing and learn of hymns together.

~ Get a routine and DO IT.

They and I have too much unstructured free time.

~ Do a Bible Study with the older children individually

(maybe 1x a week).

~ Write them letters/notes of love, encouragement,

and prayer.

~ Cross-stitch them a special verse/poem and frame it.

~ Take a daily walk with them or at least go outside

and play something.

~ Teach them a hobby/handcraft

and participate with them.

~ Stop what I am doing and really listen to them.

Look at them. I would want the same respect from them.

~ Play board games, etc... with them.

~ Practice and obtain a meek and quiet spirit

(especially in my tone).

~ Stop pursuing my own selfish interests/duties

(computer, house work, phone, reading, etc...)

and work with them and be with them. Pursue them.

Then perhaps they will be less inclined to pursue

their own selves and interests.

They do follow by example after all.


Thank you for your promise, Lord,

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God,
that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not;
and it shall be given him." ~ James 1:5
Thank you, Lord, for laying these things on my heart.
I know that it is no coincidence that almost all of them
involve spending quantity AND quality time with them.
Forgive me of my own selfishness, Lord.
Help me not to justify it.
Help me, Lord, to follow through
with what You would have me to do.

I pray in Jesus' Wonderful name ~
Amen

Why Do I Wear Dresses Only...

{{transferred from previous blog...
originally posted August 12, 2006}}


I have been asked this question
many times and twice this past week,
so I thought I would share
my testimony and convictions as a post.

Before I begin, however, I would like to say
that I am, in no way, judging those
that do or do not wear dresses only.
If the Lord has not convicted you to wear dresses only,
that is between you and the Lord.
If the Lord has convicted you to wear dresses only,
then that, also, is between you and the Lord.
If the Lord is currently convicting you to wear dresses only,
then, again, that is between you and the Lord.

Please do not leave a comment debating this with me.
This is simply how the Lord worked
in my own heart concerning this issue.


I have started and re-started this
many times the past few days,
praying the Lord would direct me
in what details to share.
I began giving a long, extended testimony
that began from youth, however,
the Lord pressed upon my heart to simply share
the Truth that He revealed to me.

I had struggled with this area for quite some time
when I first began walking with the Lord.
I was growing spiritually in other areas
but didn't really want to look into this area too much
because I really didn't know that I wanted to give up
wearing my pants and some of my other 'favorite' clothes,
if that's what I discovered that He wanted me to do.
But the Lord continued to work in my heart
and allowed situations and conversations
to 'come up' about this topic.

I read "this" article and "that" article.
One said "this"... one said "that".
I, also, saw this issue contrasted in 'godly' women.
I became quite confused with what was right.
I knew God's way was the right way
so I stopped reading "this" and "that",
stopped looking at other 'godly' women and what they did,
and determined to find the answer in God's Word Itself.
I prayed to the Lord and confessed
that I loved wearing my pants and other clothing
and couldn't really imagine giving them up
and that I didn't really want to.
And I asked Him to show me His will in this area
and that my heart would be tender and not rebellious,
that my heart would not deceive myself,
that I would not try to justify "this" or "that",
that I would not try to "look into" this or that verse
and explain or rationalize it away
but that I would simply take Him at His Word and obey.

He brought me to these Scriptures,
which spoke very clearly to me:
(emphasis added by me)

"The woman shall not wear
that which pertaineth unto a man,
neither shall a man put on a woman's garment:
for all that do so
are abomination unto the LORD thy God."
~ Deutoronomy 22:5

"In like manner also,
that women adorn themselves in modest apparel,
with shamefacedness and sobriety;
not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;"
~ 1 Timothy 2:9


God's Word is very clear.
Especially in Deutoronomy 22:5.
That verse cannot be mistaken.
I also thought on and considered
when and why women even began wearing pants.
I'm sure there were many driving forces
but I doubted that any of them were
to honor and obey the Lord.

I also thought about how God wants us
to be separated from the world.
And paid attention to the world's view of women,
which is opposite of God's.
I saw how often people tend to associate
modest, long flowing dresses with godliness.
Is it right? It doesn't matter.
The point is that many people do.
Just as our music, drinking, recreation,
entertainment, and lifestyle should be different,
so should our appearance.
We represent a Heavenly King.
We are daughters of that King. We are princesses.
As Christians, we reprensent Christ.

In addition,
I admitted that my reasoning for wearing pants
was, well, because I liked them and I could wear them.
I rationalized all kinds of reasons that I should wear them,
but it was selfish and it was my own desire.
And I soon learned it was not the Lord's desire for me.
Another thing the Lord brought to my mind
was the issue of causing a brother in Christ to stumble.
Whether we like it or not, men are visual creatures.
They are stimulated visually.
We may not be able to control their thoughts,
but we definately control whether or not
we make it easier for them
or encourage those thoughts.
I also realized that my main focus
in getting dressed in the morning
was because I wanted to look nice, etc...
Not that there is anything wrong with looking nice,
but my driving force and main goal
should be to wear what He wants me to wear,
to wear what brings Him honor and glory,
not what brings me comfort, satisfaction, or praise.

But above all those things,
I simply took God at His Word
and thanked Him for answering my prayer
in revealing it to me simply.

I, then, knew what I needed to do.
So I, reluctantly, disposed of (almost) all of my pants,
all except my very favorite two pairs.
But soon after,
the Lord convicted me that I was wrong
to hold on to those 'favorites',
that I was not truly giving Him my all,
and I truly did not surrender this area to Him,
nor was I obeying.
After all, partial obedience IS disobedience.
God speaks very clearly about
lukewarm, wishy washy Christians:
"So then because thou art lukewarm,
and neither cold nor hot,
I will spue thee out of my mouth."
~ Revelation 3:16

He also revealed to me
that He does not convict someone in 'halves'.
He wants our all... our whole heart.
I knew there was no reason
for me to hold on to the "what if" pair of pants.
It is not God's will or desire
that I wear dresses only in public.
That would be for 'show'. That would be hypocrisy.
He wants me to be at home
what I am in public and vice versa.
So I repented and disposed of my final pairs of pants
and have faithfully been dresses only since.
I have never regretted it either.
And the Lord has blessed me in this obedience,
as He does with all obedience.
He has also given me many opportunities
to share my testimony
and encourage others that struggle in this area.

It's a difficult thing to give up our own wants and desires.
But God tells us that we need to die to ourselves
( "...I die daily."
~ 1 Corinthians 15:31";
"...that our old man is crucified with him..."
~ Romans 6:6)
and we need to seek Him with our WHOLE heart
("Blessed are they that keep his testimonies,
and that seek him with the whole heart."
~ Psalm 119:2;
"With my whole heart have I sought thee..."
~ Psalm 119:10)

I praise the Lord He worked
in my own heart in this area
and pray I will always seek His will
with my whole heart in all things,
that I will always have
a tender heart and a teachable spirit.



"Give me understanding,
and I shall keep thy law;
yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart."
~ Psalm 119:34

Wednesday's Ways...

Today we kept ourselves busy.
The older ones worked on their learning times
and the lil' ones wanted to, also.
They all spent a little time doing some drawings.

Will spent some time working on math...

This was his 'thinking position'.

Ally did a couple of experiments for chemistry...

She was excited to use her test tubes.

The lil' girls spent some time outside in creative play...



Later in the afternoon,
Will, Beth, and Carolynne decided to
take a trip to Congo... Africa...


Here they were in their travel gear...

The weapons were for possible encounters with snakes
and any other wild animals
they had to defend themselves from. ;o)

As the younger ones visited the Congo,
Ally was able to play at the piano a little...


I was able to get a my new dress cut out
and was able to begin on the bodice.
I hope to work on it and possibly finish it tomorrow.

We enjoyed being in God's house this evening.
That is always a blessing!

Hope y'all enjoyed your Wednesday!

Doodles and Drawings...

Samples of the children's art work from today...


Carolynne ~ age 3



Beth ~ age 4



Will ~ age 8



Ally ~ age 14

Our Days are Numbered...

In my sidebar, I have a box
that shows daily verses.
I love reading each days'
new Scripture verse.
Today's Scripture was Psalm 90:12 ~

"So teach us to number our days,
that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

What a wonderful reminder...
Our days truly are numbered
and it seems that so many times
we get caught up in daily life
and neglect the things that
the Lord has called us to do.
We have good intentions
but they are not backed up with actions.

Praise the Lord for His precious Truths
and His gentle reminders.
May we be convicted, challenged, and encouraged
by His Precious, Living Word.

May we, also,...
"...be ye doers of the word,
and not hearers only,
deceiving your own selves."
~ James 1:22



(My daughter made a post yesterday
about living each day as our last.
I encourage y'all to visit her and read
what the Lord laid on her heart.
It was an encouragement to this mama, too.)

Tuesday's Tidbits...

This week continued to be a busy one for us.
We had quite a few errands to run Tuesday
(blood work and weight check for Ally,
a visit to town, a stop at the post office,
and grocery shopping at the commisary).
At home, I continued working on Mount Washmore,
miscellaneous pick-ups, and learning times.
Then in the evening we returned to my friend's church
for the Baptist Heritage Conference they were having.
What a blessing that was!
The children and I look forward to reading
the books that we picked up
and listening to the cds.

I was thrilled to get a comment on my blog
from my dear beloved.
What a joy that was to receive!
Ally received a few on hers, as well.
I am so thankful for my husband!
He is such a kind, loving, and thoughtful man!

Today we are working more on Mount Washmore
(how it got so tall, I just don't know),
spending some time learning,
and working together at picking up.
And sometime I do hope to begin a new dress.

I hope to keep posting a few of my
older, transferred posts to 'fill-in' any blogging gaps.

We look forward to being in God's house this evening
and fellowshipping with God's people.
I hope you do, too. ;o)

Have a happy Wednesday!


"LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house,
and the place where thine honour dwelleth."
~ Psalm 26:8

ABC's of Loving Our Children...

{{transferred from previous blog}}

Below is something that I compiled
a few years ago for a homeschool meeting
during the month of February...

Let our love be in action...




A B C's of Loving Our Children


Appreciate who they are

Bathe them in Scripture daily

Commit them to the LORD daily

Discipline them diligently

Encourage them often

Forgive them and then forget

Get to know them

Hug hug hug them

Ignore their imperfections

Joy in being their mother

Kiss kiss kiss them

Listen with your heart as well as your ears

Make many meaningful memories with them

Never tease, put down or use sarcasm

Openly praise them

Produce plenty of photos

Quality time as well as quantity of time

Read to them God's Word & good books

Sing with them and to them

Talk to God about them and to them about God

Unconditionally love them

Value them for they are God's rewards

Wear a smile *Ü*

eXamine yourself and be an example

Yes!! Don't be so quick to say no

Zeal and passion ~ have it for our children

Christina K ©February 2005

"My little children,
let us not love in word, neither in tongue;
but in deed and in truth."
~ 1 John 3:18

Monday's Musings...

This morning I woke up
to hear my son singing in his room.
It was a little after 7:30am
and he was singing with his congregation,
getting ready to preach, just as he said.
What a blessing that was to wake up to.
A little later, he also made his mama coffee.
Oh, how nice that was...
He brews, ya know. ;o)

Today we played 'catch up'
on some of our household duties...
particularly the dishes and Mount Washmore.
It seems over the weekend, they multiplied. ;o)

We also 'got our toes wet' into our learning times.
Ally was able to do some of her worldview and math.
She was excited to be learning about income taxes.
Yep... excited. lol
Will worked in his math, too,
practiced a bit of penmanship,
and read about snakes for science.
He found it amusing to get my reaction
to the photos of the slithery things. yuck!
The lil' girls were eager to color pictures for Daddy
and play on the dry erase board.
They enjoyed themselves.

We were all able to speak to Daddy today, too!
That is always a tremendous blessing.
I was able to talk to him for about an hour.
It was so nice to sit and chat with him like that.
I look forward to the day
we are able to do that together, over a cup of coffee.

This evening, we attended a friend's church
because they were having a special service.
It was a blessing to hear
and I was able to pick up a few new books,
which is always fun! ;o)

I hope y'all enjoyed your Monday
and started the week off right...
in God's Precious Word.


"The law of the LORD is perfect,
converting the soul:
the testimony of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple.
The statutes of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart:
the commandment of the LORD is pure,
enlightening the eyes...
More to be desired are they than gold,
yea, than much fine gold:
sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb."
~ Psalm 19:7,8,10

Mail Call: A Postcard from Daddy...

We were delighted
to get mail the other day from Daddy...



Such sweet and encouarging words he wrote.
What a blessing it was to receive!

A Child's Congregation...

This evening, after tucking the lil' girls in,
I headed over to Will's room.
When I reached for the door knob, it was locked.
I listened and heard him talking inside of his room.
I knocked and he quickly scuffled to the door,
apologizing for forgetting to unlock it
after he had gotten his pajamas on.

He proceeded to tell me
how he had gotten wrapped up
in reading his Bible.
"Oh," I said,
"That's a Good thing to get wrapped up in".
He said,
"We were talking about Jesus,
everlasting life, and evil."
"We?" I asked.

He explained that he was preaching...
to his invisible church congregation.
He continued explaining how he was
reading aloud in John
and was explaining to his congregation
how we are hopeless without Jesus.
And he, also, said that tomorrow morning
he will begin preaching at 7:30am
so he needed to get his sleep.
He would be talking more about
everlasting life tomorrow
and then he would be talking about
evil and the sin of man.


It could go without saying, but I won't let it...
it absolutely thrilled my heart
to have this conversation with my son!
A few months ago,
he had shared with me
that he felt the Lord may be calling him
to be a missionary or a preacher.
And it just tickled me to see him 'in action' tonight.
In the past, he has shared other things
that have thrilled my heart, as well.

What a wonderful blessing it is
to see a child's heart
when it desires spiritual things.
God uses these times, also, to humble me
and to remind me to fervently pray
for these precious ones.

What a mission we have
as their mama!


(photo from our trip to Jamestown)

Toddler Grammar...

On our way to church this morning,
I heard a conversation going on
between Beth (age 4) and Carolynne (age 3)...

Carolynne: "I have two toys."

Beth: "I have two, too"

a short pause and then a giggle...

Beth: "Two... too!"
"Two... just like you!"
"I have two, too... just like you!"

Carolynne: "{giggle} Yeah! Two... too, just like me!"

Ally and I couldn't help but giggle
and be proud of them
and they're child-like discovery
of this homophone.
It was so cute!
Children are so clever.
Do they understand exactly
what a homophone/homonym is?
No, but they sure did make a relation to it.

They are such a delight to watch
as they discover things on their own.

Morning Trip to the Moon...

This morning as I was making pancakes,
the younger ones were in the kitchen
searching for their space gear
and then they headed outside to their space shuttle
to blast off to the moon...









Meanwhile...
Indoors, Ally seemed to be having
an adventure of her own.
LOL



Ah, what a delight my children are!


"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine..."
~ Proverbs 17:22

Friday's Fillings...

Yesterday afternoon,
we took our Sourdough Pizza Friday on the road. ;o)
We loaded up and headed to a friend's house
(bringing our dough with us).

The children were glad to get out in the country,
running freely and chasing the wild turkeys.
Ally was able to do one of her most favorite things...
mow the grass!



She loves to ride the riding lawnmower.

We enjoyed looking at
my friends flowers that were growing.
One of them is Ally's favorites...


Black-eyed Susans


Coneflower


As I was making the pizzas,
the younger ones wanted to make
their own personal sized one...








When the pizzas were finished,
the younger ones were eager to 'dig in'...

By the way...
If you look in the basket on the table
you'll see two larger zucchinis.
My sweet friend let me take those home... YUM!
I thought they were quite big...



The older ones enjoyed eating outside on the porch...



And the mamas enjoyed eating on the swing...



We had a nice time of fellowship.
We love being in the country, too. ;o)
It's beautifully fillled with God's marvelous creation...

A Summer Giveaway...

To welcome the first day of summer yesterday,
our eldest, Ally, posted a
First Day of Summer Giveaway .

She's giving away the purse (pictured above)
that she just crocheted this week.
It's in lovely summer colors
and I think she did a great job!

If you're interested in participating,
be sure to visit her blog.
And if you've never read her blog before,
grab a cup of coffee, tea, or your favorite drink...
She has some lovely posts
that have really blessed my heart.
(But then, again, I may be a little biased. *Ü* )

Enjoy your Friday!

Cherish the Moment...

I mentioned in my post yesterday
how it seems that in many homes
children are not seen as a reward,
as God has called them.
Even in homes where children
are seen as little treasures,
we can still, sometimes, encounter
times when we get caught up
in the day or in ourselves
and, unfortuneately, we can
neglect those priceless treasures.

A friend and I were talking yesterday
about tying heart strings to our children.
She shared with me how
she has been allowing her children
to sometimes sleep in her room,
while her husband is deployed.
What a precious time
for that mama and children.

Since my own beloved left
for his deployment,
my children have asked
to sleep with me many times.
I admit that, occasionally,
I find myself being concerned
that it will start a bad habit
or maybe I just 'want my space'.
But the Holy Spirit is Faithful
in reminding me that
I really do not need my space...
these children are part of my high calling.
I joyfully listen to that still, small voice
and treasure those moments
when they desire to be near me so badly.

Last night was one of those nights.
And when I finally climbed into bed,
joy filled my heart that my children were with me.

I pray that I always cherish those moments,
that I take time to see those moments
and treasure them.

Yesterday Ally and I were singing at the piano
as the younger ones were outside playing.
We came across the song
"Cherish the Moment" by Ron Hamilton.
It's a song that we know very well
(and always brings joyful tears to my eyes).
It reminds me to truly cherish those moments
with my precious children that He has loaned me.

My gramma lost her daughter
(my mom's sister... my aunt)
to cancer a few years ago.
At her funeral, they sang this song.
One day our children will be gone...
maybe because they have grown into adults
or, perhaps, called home to Heaven.

May we cherish the moments...

I wanted to share Ally and I singing this song
(we had to sing it 5 times before I could
finally sing it with somewhat dry eyes.)
The camera is focused on a photo of my children.
Ally is playing the piano and softly harmonizing,
while I am singing the melody.
I pray it is a blessing to you.
Below the video are the words...
be sure to read them...
and grab a tissue.






Cherish the Moment

Read my book, rub my back;
Mommy, listen to my prayer.
Let me sit in your lap.
Daddy, fly me through the air.
Throw a ball, make a snack;
Can we go to the park?
Tuck me in, hold me close;
I'm afraid of the dark.


(Chorus)
Cherish the moment;
Soon you'll be apart.
Cling to the mem'ry;
Clasp it to your heart.
Soon comes the day when
you'll have no child to hold,
So cherish,
cherish the moment.


Sing a song, play a game;
Swing me high in the air.
Ride a bike, fly a kite;
How I love the times we share.
Hold my hand, hug my neck;
Daddy bounce me on your knee.
Come and sit by my bed;
Mommy sing me to sleep.


(Chorus)
Cherish the moment;
Soon you'll be apart.
Cling to the mem'ry;
Clasp it to your heart.
Soon comes the day when
you'll have no child to hold,
So cherish,
cherish the moment.


Think ahead to a time
When your little ones are grown;
Hold them tight, don't lose sight
Of the blessings you have known.
Think ahead to a time
When your little boy's a man
And you'd give anything
Just to hold him again.


(Chorus)
Cherish the moment;
Soon you'll be apart.
Cling to the mem'ry;
Clasp it to your heart.
Soon comes the day when
you'll have no child to hold,
So cherish,
cherish the moment.

song written by Ron Hamilton

Titus 2 Challenge...

{{Transferred from previous blog}}



One of my greatest heartbeats
is loving and enjoying my children.
I treasure and believe whole-heartedly
when God declares,
"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD:
and the fruit of the womb is his reward"
~ Psalm 127:3 (emphasis added)

How sad and tragic it is
when young and older mamas alike
truly do not view their precious children
as God says they are.
All too often
children are seen as being
annoying, burdensome, irritating,
too much to 'handle', etc...
All too often,
mamas can't wait until
their baby is six weeks old
so they can go back to work,
or until school starts up
so the children aren't home all day,
or until bedtime
when they can have a 'peaceful' moment,
or even until their children are grown
and out of the house,
and, perhaps, when their children
have children of their own so they can just
'give the child back to the parent' as a grandparent.

Why are these little souls not treasured?
Aside from sin and the loss of natural affection,
I believe that part of the problem
lies in the older Titus 2 women.
(And we are all older Titus 2 women
in some way and, in the least,
we have the potential to be)

Isn't it interesting in Titus 2, verse 3
that the 'aged women' are commanded to
"...teach the young women to ...
love their children"?

Wouldn't you think
that loving our children would be 'natural'?
No, it really isn't.
Loving self is our nature... our sin nature.

May we be challenged
to love our children,
enjoy our children,
treasure our children.
They are our blessed heritage
and reward from God Himself.

May we, also, be challenged
to become a Titus 2 woman
and challenge, encourage,
and pray for other mamas
to love their children,
to find joy in their children,
and to treasure them.

Will you, too, step up
to the challenge and God's calling?

Wednesday's Ways...

Woo hoo! Will finished up his testing today.
I was proud that he handled it well.
And now we're finished with it,
which I am thankful for.

We had quite a bit of downpouring today,
mixed with some mild thunder and lightning.
But, oh, how I love the smell of rain!
When it first started to rain,
the children and I went out to enjoy the smell!

Later this afternoon,
Will and I had an optometrist appointment.
The children were glad to use their umbrellas. ;o)
Our appointments went well
and neither of us needs glasses.
Though he did say that I am a little far-sighted
and if it made me more comfortable
I could get one of those cheap dollar store pair
of +1 reading glasses.
I'll skip that for now since it doesn't make
a big difference to me.
I must say that I am thankful we have an optometrist
that is a Christian and that supports homeschooling.
That is such a blessing!

A few days ago I received an email from my beloved.
In it was a photo that he had sent to his mother.
He, also, shared it with me and I couldn't help but laugh.
I just thought I'd share it with y'all.

He recently had a birthday
and his mother sent him a card
that, inside, made a minor comment
about not being so young anymore. lol
Well, my husband used to be quite active and such
and one of the things he enjoyed doing
was trick roller-skating, handstands, etc...
He thought his mama would get a kick
out of seeing him attempting something like that
at his 'ripe' ol' age... lol...
He sure cracks me up...


LOL
He said he didn't feel so young afterwards
but he did have fun doing it. ;o)
We sure miss him around here.

I hope y'all are enjoying your day,
rain or shine.
We look forward to being in God's house
and fellowshipping with God's people this evening.
Hope y'all do, too.

Tuesday's Tidbits...

This morning, we continued with our testing.
Ally was able to finish today
and Will is going to be finished tomorrow.
I had to smile at them
as they were making their surroundings
a little more 'enjoyable' as they tested...

Will decided it was more interesting
to not take the test alone,
but to, instead, have a few spectators...

LOL

Ally decided that tests were much better served...
with tea...


Afterwards we had a busy day running errands...
going to the post office, having a little lunch,
going to the golf course to pay a fee
for Will's upcoming golf clinic
(which he is excited about),
going to the local 'super-store'
to pick up a few grocery items
and some yarn for Ally's upcoming crochet project,
and then to get the oil changed.

It was nice to get home, put our feet up,
and enjoy our supper.
It is, after all, Taco Tuesday. Mmmm...

Hope y'all enjoyed your day, too.

Living in a Cave...

As I was looking through some old archives,
I came across this 'old' post.
It was an encouragement to me to read it again...

{{Originally written Monday, March 6, 2006...}}


Yesterday evening, our pastor began his sermon
in 1 Samuel 22 and in Psalm 57...
when David was taking refuge in a cave.

Maybe it shouldn't amaze me, but it does...
how God uses every piece of His Word
to parallel and apply to our own lives and situation.
Well, last night was one of those times
when I finally let it sink in
and allowed my eyes to be opened.

I've been living in a 'cave'
(metaphorically speaking, of course)...
waiting to move out of this 'cave',
becoming discontent with this 'cave',
and questioning why God is choosing
to keep me here in this particular situation.
Trying to wait patiently but,
in all honesty, have been failing.
I go through 'bouts' of accepting God's will
and making the best out of this 'cave'.
Then there are 'bouts' of focusing on my own will
and feeling in despair in my 'cave'.

Last night was the reminder I needed.
And God knew exactly what it was
that I needed to hear to gain a clearer perspective.

I was reminded that sometimes God allows us
to sit where we are so that He can tune our hearts.
And in distresses,
to move us to where He wants us to be.
That in those times of limitations,
we can learn to value the will of God.

We sometimes carry the idea
that when things are going right and well for us,
that is when we are closest to God.
But that is not necessarily correct...
God is near to the broken hearted...
"The LORD is nigh (near; next)
unto them that are of a broken(hurt) heart;
and saveth (help; preserve; get victory) such
as be of a contrite (crushed) spirit."
~ Psalm 34:18

I was reminded that sometimes
God does allow us to stay at a 'stand-still',
to remain where we are
and that there have been plenty of others
that have endured those times
and we are no different than them.
Ex... Moses (40 years in the desert);
Joseph (2 years in prison);
Caleb (40 years in desert);
Paul (time in prison)...
How reassuring to be reminded
that God knows exactly where we are
(He put us there)
and He knows exactly what He's doing.

The Lord brought to mind
some Scripture for me in this time
that I intend on re-memorizing
and posting on index cards for daily reminders...
(emphasis added by me)


"Rest in the LORD,
and wait patiently for him..."
~ Psalm 37:7

"For our light affliction,
which is but for a moment,
worketh for us a far more exceeding
and eternal weight of glory;
While we look not at the things which are seen,
but at the things which are not seen:
for the things which are seen are temporal;
but the things which are not seen are eternal."
~ 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on Thee:
because he trusteth in Thee.
Trust ye in the LORD for ever:
for in the LORD JEHOVAH
is everlasing strength."
~ Isaiah 26:3-4

"This I recall to my mind,
therefore have I hope.
It is of the LORD'S mercies
that we are not consumed,
because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning:
great is thy faithfulness.
The LORD is my portion, saith my soul;
therefore will I hope in him.
The LORD is good unto them
that wait for him,
to the soul that seeketh him.
It is good that a man should both
hope and quietly wait
for the salvation of the LORD."
~ Lamentations 3:21-26 (and on)

"Not that I speak in respect of want:
for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am,
therewith to be content."
~ Philippians 4:11


Our pastor listed some things
that David learned while in his cave from Psalm 57:


1. God would protect Him (v.1)
"Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me:
for my soul trusteth in thee:
yea, in the shadow of thy wings
will I make my refuge,
until these calamities be overpast."

2. He figured out how to pray (v.2)
"I will cry unto God most high;
unto God that performeth all things for me."

3. He understood God had a plan (v.3)
"He shall send from heaven, and save me
from the reproach of him
that would swallow me up. Selah.
God shall send forth his mercy and his truth."

4. God increased his perception
and discernment (v.4)
"My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them
that are set on fire, even the sons of men,
whose teeth are spears and arrows,
and their tongue a sharp sword."

5. He learned how to praise God (v.5)
"Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let thy glory be above all the earth."

6. He understood the power of God (v.6,7)
"They have prepared a net for my steps;
my soul is bowed down:
they have digged a pit before me,
into the midst whereof
they are fallen themselves. Selah.
My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed:
I will sing and give praise."

7. His heart was filled with praise (v.8-11)
"Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp:
I myself will awake early.
I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people:
I will sing unto thee among the nations.
For thy mercy is great unto the heavens,
and thy truth unto the clouds.
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens:
let thy glory be above all the earth."

My prayer is that while I am living in my 'cave'
and any future 'cave' that I may dwell in,
may my heart be especially humble and teachable.
May I learn all the things
that the Lord desires for me to learn
so that my 'cave dwelling' will not be in vain.

Monday's Musings...

Yesterday at church,
the children sang a song for children's choir.
They sang "This is My Father's World"...

It was so precious to see them
singing from their hearts.
I have enjoyed working with them so much.

Today the children slept in a little bit
(they were still exhausted from the weekend).
It was nice to get up and have quiet time... quietly. ;o)
After rising, we got dressed and ready for the day.
I spent time today doing 'business-type' stuff,
like needed phone calls (doctors, optometrist, oil, etc...),
paid the bills (using our recent budget plan),
washed a little laundry, cleaned a bit, etc...

Also, today, we began our testing
(skeptically raised eyebrow).
Our state requires it so, viola...

We'll be glad when our filling in the circles is finished
and we can move on to more important things. ;o)

This afternoon, Ally worked on a new crochet project...


She is working on squares for a crocheted baby quilt.
She's not sure what she will do with it, yet,
but she is having fun making it.
Here are a few of the pink squares...

She has 16 pink ones and will be making
blue, green, and yellow ones, too,
then piecing them together.

As she was working on that,
I heard Will in the living room.
I went to check on him to see what he was up to
and found him and his sisters here...

They were in there quite a long time
as Will was reading aloud to them.
It was so sweet!

I also got to speak to my beloved today,
and so did the children...
always a blessing!

Hope y'all enjoyed your Monday!

Zucchini and Squash, Please...

Mmmmmm.....
Last weekish, my pastor's wife
gave me some squash from her garden.
I had some zucchini, too, and decided
to combine the two for a lovely side dish
to go with our meatless lasagna this evening.
It's a yummy thing, what butter
and a little cornmeal can do...







The picture may not do it a good service,
but it sure tasted good!

Happy Father's Day...

Happy Father's Day, Daddy.
We miss and love you!





"Children's children are the crown of old men;
and the glory of children are their fathers."
~ Proverbs 17:6

What a Fellowship...

Today we had our church picnic.
You know you must be having fun
when you discover that
you've been somewhere for over 6 hours!!
Wow! The time flew!
We sure did have fun, though!
I tooks LOTS of photos (over 200)
but tried to limit my selection to post,
though there will still be quite a few.

A little bit after we arrived,
we divided up into teams
and began playing games.
First we played a game
where we had to toss a football
into a box with holes.
Each hole was worth different points...


Carolynne


Beth


Will


Ally

Afterwards, we played a game
where we had to kick a soccer ball
into the brown tarp.
Then we went to a game
involving a slingshot and paintballs!


Carolynne threw the balls, instead



Beth



Will



Ally



Mama


I caught the girls taking a rest together...



Next, we headed to a game
where we tossed frisbees into a bull's eye ring
that was spray painted on the grass.
And then we had a watermelon seed spitting contest.
Maybe not the greatest game
for practicing our manners,
but we sure had fun!









After all of the games,
we took some time to enjoy all of the food.
Yesterday was Pastor's birthday,
so Ally and I agreed to bring a little something.
We made a giant cookie and wrote on it...


It was yummy, too!

After eating, we fellowshipped and the children played.
Carolynne invited Ally into her little box 'hideout'...
She was tickled that Ally accepted...


The children were eager to go fishing
so off we all went to the pond.
It was so cute to see
Beth and Carolynne fishing together
and soaking their barefeets in the water...




Will was thrilled to go fishing, again.
He's talked about fishing ever since the last time.
I was glad he was able to...


Ally wanted to fish, too.
I was surprised to see her baiting her own hook!



It was a great accomplishment. lol
She, also, caught a fish
but mostly enjoyed the actual fishing...


After fishing, many were eager to try out the paddle boat.
Will seemed a little concerned, at first,
but he was soon enjoying it with his friends...


Ally took the girls with her
and they enjoyed their ride, too...






Later, we played a game and had popsicles.
We came home with sun-kissed faces
but had a wonderful day!
It's always a blessing to fellowship!

Hope y'all enjoy your day, too!

Girls New T-Shirt Dresses...

Last night, after the younger ones went to bed,
I sewed Beth and Carolynne
a couple of new t-shirt dresses.
They seem to be growing like weeds!








They look forward to wearing them today
to our homeschool park day.

Hope y'all enjoy your day!

Show and Tell Friday: Gettin' a Little Fruity...

For this Show and Tell Friday,
I wanted to share a 'fruitier' side of our family.
A couple of years ago,
my Mama came across these prints below.
She saw them and thought of me. ;o)
I was glad she did.
They sure make an interesting addition to my kitchen.

They may or may not be obvious,
just in case... look closely...

Busy As a Bee...

We've been keeping pretty busy this week.

So our blog doesn't go completely silent,

I am trying to transfer some of my older posts

from our previous blog.

Today Ally and I are having a date day together.

We always enjoy spending quality

mother-daughter time together.

I hope y'all are enjoying your week.

How Well Do We Know God's Word... continued...

{{transferred from previous blog}}



In a previous post,
I shared how I have been challenged
to know more of God's Word.
I wanted to share a resource
that has helped me in the past
and what I will be doing again.

I have had the privilege
of hearing Evangelist Ron Hood
speak a handful of times.
The Lord has used him in my own life
to allow the Holy Spirit to convict,
challenge, and encourage me...
especially in the area of Scripture memorization

For my Scripture memorization,
I have enjoyed using his resources.
His approach to memorizing Scripture
has worked great for me.
If you aren't sure how to start,
are looking for help in this area,
or are just looking for something
to enrich your memorization journey,
I would recommend his book
"How to Sucessfully Memorize & Review Scripture".

Also his Scripture Memory Cards
have proved very helpful,
especially since I can easily
carry them around with me
and, therefore, make excellent use of my time.

"I have only just a minute,
Just sixty seconds in it;
Forced upon me -
can't refuse it.
Didn't seek it, didn't choose it,
I must suffer if I lose it,
Give account if I abuse it.
Just a tiny little minute,
But eternity is in it."

Without try to sound like a commercial, (lol)
His resources are very inexpensive
(book is $4.00; cards are $2.00)
and well worth checking out.

I wanted to share
some reasons and hinderances
he listed in his book
of why people do not memorize Scripture:

1. Not saved

2. Backslidden

3. Laziness

4. Rebellion

5. Lack of Know-How

6. Procrastination
(a.k.a. "I'll start at this time or at that time"...)

7. Lack of Purpose of Goal
(no reason to or no motivation to)

"Onward and upward
your course plan today.
Seeking new heights
as you walk Jesus' way.
Heed not past failures,
but strive for the prize.
Aiming for goals
fit for His holy eyes."
( from "How to Successfully Memorize & Review Scripture")

The book goes into
greater detail of these reasons
and discusses the reasons
why we should memorize Scripture.

If you aren't memorizing Scripture
or need ideas of how to begin,
check out Spiritual Success Institute's Resources.

Oh! They also have
some freebies on their website!


"Bind them continually upon thine heart,
and tie them about thy neck."
~ Proverbs 6:21

Tuesday's Tidbits...

Today we went for a follow-up
with Ally's doctor.
He has ordered another lab
to 'look into' her adrenal gland
and, also, wants her
to see a rheumatologist
to see if they can help with any
additional diagnosis.
Our family doc and the specialists
have claimed they are 'scratching their heads'.
In fact, our family doc admitted
that he was 'fishing' a bit
with his above orders.
We do appreciate your continued prayers.
They are a blessing to us.

The children and I
did a little 'exploring' today
after our doctor visit.
We enjoyed learning of a new-to-us area
and enjoyed the drive,
though Ally wasn't really fond
of the 'new-to-us' bridge we crossed...



After supper this evening,
the children and I enjoyed a game of UNO.



It's always nice to have games
that even the younger ones can play.
We had lots of fun together!

Hope y'all enjoyed your day!

How Well Do We Know God's Word?

{{Transferred from previous blog}}




How often do the enemies of God
know more of God's Word
than His own children do?

There are false religions
that have more knowledge of the Holy Bible
than many born-again believers do.

This is true today
and this was true in Bible times as well.
For example,
the Pharisees knew the Scriptures
and Christ's teachings...
"Now the next day,
that followed the day of the preparation,
the chief priests and Pharisees
came together unto Pilate,Saying,
Sir, we remember that that deceiver said,
while he was yet alive,
After three days I will rise again."
~ Matthew 27:62-63

The Pharisses believed
Jesus to be a deciever,
yet they listened and remembered
what He had taught.

In contrast, Jesus' own disciples,
when they went to His tomb,
did not remember...
"For as yet they knew not the scripture,
that he must rise again from the dead."
~ John 20:9


The enemies of Christ
knew more of the Scriptures
than His disciples seemingly did.

I was challenged
with this question Sunday morning
and it's not so far-fetched
as to be impossible to happen...


If our Bibles
were taken away from us,
how much of God's Word
would we be able to put back together
through memorization?


As individuals, as families,
and as a body of believers...
would we know enough of God's Word
if, for some reason, it were taken?

Though the confinscation and disposal of Bibles
happened in the past,
we are not promised
that it could not happen again.

Where would we be, as believers,
if it did happen?
Where would our children be?

We, as parents, as children of God
and as lights in the world,
cannot afford to not know His Word.
Whether our Bibles are taken or not,
it is crucial for our survival.

May we be challenged and convicted
in memorizing God's Word.
May we get to know our Savior
by knowing His Holy Word.


"My son, keep my words,
and lay up my commandments with thee.
Keep my commandments, and live;
and my law as the apple of thine eye.
Bind them upon thy fingers,
write them upon the table of thine heart."
~ Proverbs 7:1-3


Click below for resources and info...
How Well Do We Know God's Word... continued

He Doesn't Know His Own Strength...

We had a lovely time Saturday evening
having sourdough pizza
with our special guests.

As I was in the kitchen
finishing up some pizzas,
my pastor's wife and I were talking
and she pointed out our squirrel
that was sitting on the bird bath
eating the bird seed.
I was telling her how the children
enjoy trying to scare the squirrel
by smacking the window.
Well, as I was saying this,
Will got up from his chair,
headed to the window,
and smacked the window...

There was quite a noise
that came from that smack
and then we saw why...





His hands went through the window!
Some of the pieces fell on the ground
and cracks went up and down the window.
(It's taped up in the photo
but you can click it to get a closer look.)
He was okay, just shaken up.
He had only two minor scratches
but was fighting off tears.
I hugged him and talked to him a little,
reassuring him that I was not upset with him.
I knew it was an accident.
I wrapped up his wrist
and he took a little time
to gain his composure.

It was a tough lesson that was learned.
And praise the Lord he wasn't hurt badly.

Poor son... He just didn't know his own strength.

The Difference...

This morning I was eager
to begin cleaning, making dough, etc...
for this afternoon
we are having our pastor's family
over for sourdough pizza.

It seems that I found
one thing after another to do.
And the Lord brought these words to mind,
"...Martha, Martha, thou art careful
and troubled about many things:
But one thing is needful:
and Mary hath chosen that good part,
which shall not be taken away from her."
~ Luke 10:41-42

Oops... I had allowed myself
to be "cumbered about much..."
and had neglected
the most important, needful thing.
I grabbed my cup of coffee
and headed outside to pray
and spend quiet time with the Lord.

I am so thankful for
His still small voice.

This afternoon,
I "happened" to get a birthday card
in the mail from my pastor's wife.
I thought it was wonderful
how the Lord used what was inside
to reaffirm what He had
already reminded me of this morning.
I wanted to share the poem
that was enclosed in the card...


The Difference

I got up early one morning
and rushed right into the day;
I had so much to accomplish
that I didn't have time to pray.

Problems just tumbled about me,
and heavier came each task.
"Why doesn't God help me?", I wondered
He answered, "You didn't ask."

I wanted to see joy and beauty,
but the day toiled on, gray and bleak;
I wondered why God didn't show me.
He said, "But you didn't seek."

I tried to come into God's presence;
I used all my keys at the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided,
"My child, you didn't knock."

I woke up early this morning,
and paused before entereing the day;
I had so much to accomplish
that I had to take time to pray.

~ Author Unknown

Friday's Fillings...

Today we worked a little
at spring cleaning the house.
I also sorted through the garage
to 'dig out' a table and chairs set
for the new gazebo.

Each of the children helped
by grabbing a chair.
It was sweet to see them helping.
They did have an alterior motive, however...
They were eager to use the table
to watercolor on.
So after we set it up,
they got busy at watercoloring...




As they were watercoloring,
Ally was filling all of our feeders with bird seed...



Here were the children's
finished watercolors...


They were such beautiful paintings to this mama.

I was also blessed with chatting with my beloved.
Those are always wonderful moments!

Another blessing today
was that I found something in our garage!
Wait... let me preface...

About a month and a half ago
(when my mama was here visiting),
the girls and I went to another church's tea
while my mama stayed home with Will.
I told Will that he could do something
for a particular amount of time
and to set the timer on the microwave
then stop when it went off.

Well, he accidently cooked NOTHING
in the microwave for 45 minutes! yikes.
Needless to say, we have been without one
for the last month and a half.
I attempted to get one from Freecycle
but it didn't work out
and it just wasn't in our budget to get a new one.

Well, when I was digging out
that table and chairs set from the garage,
I opened a box that was labeled "sewing fabric".
Not only was there fabric in there,
but underneath the fabric
was our old microwave!
(military packers... lol)
What a blessing that was!

I brought it in. Ally cleaned it out...
and, viola, a 'new to us, again' microwave!
We were so excited,
we just HAD to have something
that we hadn't had in quite some time...






Mmmmm....


God is SO Good!

Show and Tell Friday

Today, for Show and Tell Friday,
I wanted to share a 'treasure'
that I received from my grandmother.

I have always loved old books
for as long as I can remember.
So when I was 13 years old
and my gramma loaned me
an old copy of "A Little Princess"
by Frances Hodgson Burnett
that was dated 1927!,
I was thrilled!
I remember reading it many times.

Years later, she told me that she wanted
me to have it for my own!
This book holds fond memories of my gramma
and visiting with her at her home
that sat on Lake Huron.
I look forward to, one day, passing it on
to my children, as well.
Thank you, Gramma!

Thursday's Things... Concluded...

After my previous post,
I headed back outside to finish
putting together our new gazebo.
Carolynne came to help.
She enjoyed handy me the hardware...


A little while later, Beth came outside, too,
and the girls were discussing the hardware pieces...


After getting the frame together,
the lil' girls and I worked at putting the frame
for the actual canopy together.
As we worked on that,
Ally worked at cutting some fabric for a new dress...


After the lil' girls and I were finished,
they returned indoors and Ally came outside
to help with putting the canopy on...



And, of course, she made me laugh...

LOL..

I must say that it was very, um, .... interesting
getting that canopy on top of the frame.
The book recommended four adults on step ladders!
But with a bit o' work and a bit o' laughter
we succeeded at getting in up there! Woo hoo!
Four high fives!
(One for each person the directions recommended!)

After we attached the 'lid' to the frame,
we worked at putting up the screens/curtains.
Ally put all of the rings on...


And, of course, we finally finished! Yipee!

Here is the final project...








We were glad that we liked it, after all that work!
This evening, Will spent time in there
working on some math
(and watching the birds)...



Beth and Carolynne were eager to play in it...



And the three of them begged to eat supper in it...


I'm sure we'll enjoy having it very much.
It was a lot of work (my body reminds me I am aging)
but it was worth it (and it was fun).

Hope y'all enjoyed your Thursday!
Time to catch some Zzzzzzz...

Thursday's Things Beginnings...

We're taking a lunch break
so I thought I'd share a few things
from our day so far.

This morning, after breakfast,
I had the privilege of listening to
Will's Sunday School lesson
for this upcoming Sunday.
(He is allowed to present a brief lesson)
He is speaking about
what Christ did for us on the cross...


Here are one of the visual aids
that his Sunday School teacher
is letting him use...



Afterward, I notice Beth was stenciling...


She was thrilled to stencil her alphabet...



After getting ready for the day,
we headed outside to start putting together
the gazebo/canopy I purchased last night.
Here is where we are putting it...


The younger ones were having fun
helping to get the pieces out of the box...


Ally didn't mind watching... lol...


It's quite warm today
so the lil' hard workers were eager for a water break...


After the box was empty of its contents,
we couldn't let it go to waste...


lol... we just couldn't resist!

Ally went inside to begin lunch...



Will helped in picking up the bubble wrap
that came from the box...


And the lil' girls enjoyed
turning the box into a ship...

Beth said they were hunting fish and whale.
Will said she was like "harpoon" Ned
from Jules Verne's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea".
I smiled at their creativity.

Will helped me to begin
putting the gazebo together...

It was exhausting on the arms
to hold them up that high for so long.
Ally shared with us how it reminded her
of when Moses had to hold his rod up
with his hands for an entire battle! Phew!
(story is in Exodus 17)
Will was thankful that he didn't have
to hold his arms up ALL day. lol

Now, we're off to finish the gazebo.
I hope to post photos later.
Hope y'all are enjoying your Thursday.

What Can I Do?

I received an anonymous email
with the following included.
I wanted to share some of the reply...

...how is it possible to make up for lost time?
I have 5 children, ages 15 to 3.
I feel like I want to erase and start over,
but oh, that is so impossible.
I don't even know where to start
doing all the right things...
What can I do about my children?

~ Starting the Change...Repenting
The first step is in acknowledging
where we have failed, asking the Lord to show us,
and then confessing and repenting to the Lord...

"Search me, O God, and know my heart:
try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting."
~ Psalm 139:23-24

"For I acknowledge my transgressions:
and my sin is ever before me." ~ Psalm 51:3



~ Begin from where we are...
When God forgives
("If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just
to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness." ~ 1 John 1:9),
we can then begin forgiving ourselves,
letting go of any guilt that we may have,
leave the past failures at the cross,
put on our 'runnin' shoes',
and press forward from where we are.

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:
but this one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind,
and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize
of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
~ Philippians 3:13-14



~ A vision of ministry...
We need to see our husband, our children,
and our home as our ministry.
At this season in our life,
all other 'ministries' must either
wait until another season
or must include my main ministry (my family),
but they are our priority.

"That they may teach the young women...
to love their husbands, to love their children...
To be ... keepers at home...
that the word of God be not blasphemed"
~ Titus 2:4,5

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD:
and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man;
so are children of the youth."
~ Psalm 127:3,4


~ Looking to Learn from the Master...
He is the Perfect Teacher
and His Word is the Perfect Textbook.
We must be in His Word... Daily!
It is crucial to our Christian walk
and effects every area of our lives.
He desires to have a relationship with us.
He desires to teach us...
"I will instruct thee and teach thee
in the way which thou shalt go:
I will guide thee with mine eye."
~ Psalm 32:8

"...I am the LORD thy God
which teacheth thee to profit,
which leadeth thee by the way
that thou shouldest go."
~ Isaiah 48:17

He wants us to ask...
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God,
that giveth to all men liberally,
and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
~ James 1:5

There are many Scriptures
that give examples of asking the Lord to teach.
I highly recommend praying them:
(Psalms 25:4; 27:11; 119:12,33,62)
There is a portion of Scripture
that I like to pray
before each time I read His Word:
"Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes;
and I shall keep it unto the end.
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law;
yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Make me to go in the path of thy commandments;
for therein do I delight.
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies,
and not to covetousness.
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity;
and quicken thou me in thy way.
Stablish thy word unto thy servant,
who is devoted to thy fear.
Turn away my reproach which I fear:
for thy judgments are good."
~ Psalm 119:33-39



~ We Cannot Teach What We Do Not Know...
We are commanded to teach and train:
"And these words, which I command thee this day,
shall be in thine heart:
And thou shalt teach them
diligently unto thy children,
and shalt talk of them
when thou sittest in thine house,
and when thou walkest by the way,
and when thou liest down,
and when thou risest up."
~ Deuteronomy 6:6-7

"Train up a child
in the way he should go:
and when he is old,
he will not depart from it."
~ Proverbs 22:6

"...bring them up in the nurture
and admonition of the Lord."
~ Ephesians 6:4

We are commanded to teach God's Word
to our children, to train them in It,
nurture and educate them in It.
We cannot do that properly without, first,
knowing it ourselves.
Not only do we need to be IN God's Word, daily,
but we need to KNOW His Word... memorize it.
Memorizing God's Word seems to be
a forgotten necessity.
It is such an important one, though.
To properly teach and train our children
in God's Word, we need to know it.
They must know what God says,
not only what Mom and Dad say.
When they disobey,
they need to know what God says.
What does God say about sharing?
What parable did Jesus tell
to demonstrate kindness?
We need to be equipped to apply God's Word
to our/their every day lives.
We equip our minds by memorizing His Word,
which also changes our own thinking.
Soon we will be more aware
of how every moment throughout the day
has a Truth from His Word to be applied
and we will be more prepared
to seize the opportunity
to eduate them in God's Truths.

"And that from a child
thou hast known the holy scriptures,
which are able to make thee wise unto salvation
through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness"
~ 2 Timothy 3:15-16


~ Pray! Pray! Pray!
All of our efforts are in vain if
we are not bathing our children
in fervent, frequent prayer.
We can teach, train, correct, nurture,
and do many other things but
there is one thing
that we certainly CANNOT do...
We cannot change our children's hearts.
Only God can do that.
Prayer is work but it is a vital work.
We must, must be truly laboring in prayer
for our children, going boldly
to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16)
on their behalf.

"...pour out thine heart like water
before the face of the Lord:
lift up thy hands toward him
for the life of thy young children..."
~ Lamentations 2:9

"For this child I prayed..."
~ 1 Samuel 1:27

"The effectual fervent prayer
of a righteous man availeth much."
~ James 5:16b


~ Keeping Their Hearts
We must, actively, be pursuing
our children's hearts.
"And he shall turn the heart
of the fathers to the children,
and the heart of the children
to their fathers..." ~ Malachi 4:6
Though only God can change the heart,
there are things we can do to make
an effort in keeping our children's hearts...
no matter what their age.
Spending quality time with them in play, prayer,
Bible study, ministry opportunities, etc...
are a few tangible things that we can do.
We also need to consider what influences
may be distracting and pulling away
our children's hearts.
If at all possible,
those things need to be removed.
If not possible to remove, then greatly limited.
We must not allow things in our children's lives
(or in our own) that distract,
influence, and pull us away from God.
We must be prayerfully diligent,
as much as we are able, to be tuned in to their hearts.
As mothers, we need to be alert
and aware of what is going on with our children.
"Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks,
and to look well to thy herds." ~ Proverbs 27:23


~ Researching other Resources
Though God's Word is truly all we need,
we are sometimes able to get ideas
and encouragement from others
that have been there.
In doing this, though,
we must be very discerning
and line everything up with God's Word.
We must receive the 'meat'
but spit out the 'bones', so to speak.
A few resources that I have used
and continue to use are below.
This is not an exhaustive list of what I have used,
nor do I, necessarily agree with
100% of the content found in these resources.
Again, use all resources prayerfully
and with discernment, lining it up with God's Word.
Saying that, here are a few I use:

Scripture Memory Cards by Evangelist Ron Hood
at Spiritual Success Institute

"Keeping Our Children's Hearts"
by Steve and Teri Maxwell

"To Train Up a Child"
by Michael and Debi Pearl

Miscellaneous Resources from Pastor S.M. Davis
at Solve Family Problems Ministry

"Instruction in Righteousness"
by Doorposts

These are only a few
but can be a worthwhile place to start.


There is so much more detail
that we could go into with each point
(and I even left out a few others)
but as we follow these steps
and seek the Lord with our whole hearts,
He will guide us in these areas and nothers.
We can do all that He has called us to do.
It is never too late
and our mistakes are never too great
for our Heavenly Father to use for His good.

"And we know that all things
work together for good
to them that love God,
to them who are the called
according to his purpose."
~ Romans 8::28

"...to give unto them beauty for ashes,
the oil of joy for mourning,
the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
that they might be called trees of righteousness,
the planting of the LORD,
that he might be glorified."
~ Isaiah 61:3

Wordless Wednesday: Sweet Moments...

Wordless Wednesdays


"Let brotherly love continue."
~ Hebrews 13:1

Tuesday's Tidbits...

Today the children woke up excited
to use the bubbles that we
had purchased over the weekend...




I love how bubbles can entertain children for so long!
Ally and I enjoyed watching them blow the bubbles
and then chase them as they flew away.

Later in the morning, our doorbell rang,
with an always welcomed 'guest' at the door...
the mailman! (We love to get mail!)
He had a box for us from my mama.
The children and I were very excited to open it...


Inside were birthday gifts for me
and, also, gifts for the children.
My mama is so thoughtful. *Ü*

A few of the gifts were wrapped
quite interestingly.
Two of them resembled large candies
and one was a big hook shape.
And they were wrapped twice!
(Thank you, mama! hee hee)

I couldn't resist opening the hook-shaped one first...

It was a cute hook-shaped bird feeder
with little birds on it.
It almost looked like an oversized spoon.
I love it!
Also in the box was a window bird feeder,
a patriotic birdhouse, a hummingbird feeder
with the nectar, a lighthouse nicnac,
and a copy of the magazine "Birds and Blooms".
She knows how much we love to watch the birds.
We are all very excited about the gifts!

The children enjoyed opening theirs, too...



They had a mini-basketball game,
a mini-bowling game,
some cards (like Go Fish and Memory),
and Ally got a couple of decorative birds
and some flip-flop ponytail holders.

Also in the box were some punch balloons.
The children were very eager to play with these.
Guess who got to blow them all up???
Yep, me. What an ordeal that was...




It was well worth it, though.
The children had a wonderful time
playing with them together...


Later this afternoon, we headed to the grocery store
for our bi-monthly shopping trip.
Two baskets and a couple of hours later
we were heading home to unload.
Did I mention that I'm so thankful
for all of my helpers?

We had a lovely day.
Oh, and I got to chat with my beloved online today.
That is always a blessing!

Hope y'all enjoyed your day!


"This is the day which the LORD hath made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it."
~ Psalm 118:24

Monday's Musings...

Today was a day for us

to excercise patience and creativity

as we spent the vast majority of our afternoon

at the naval hospital to see the doctor.

Ally started to not feel very well

a few days or so ago

so today we went in for an appointment.

I was thankful that the children

were content looking through

our bag of books that we had brought

and playing quietly (well somewhat) with each other.

It seems that most public places nowadays

are either playing music or showing tv shows

that we do not have in our home or lives

so it is always a blessing to see

the children content otherwise.

They did an ekg in the doctor's office

and sent us to get some more blood work done.

We needed to linger around for quite some time

to wait for the initial results of the labs

so the children and I

went into the mini-store there

and picked up some waters and a snack

then headed outside to enjoy the weather

for an hour or so.

We had a nice time.

It was mostly hot, but there was an

occasional gust of wind that felt wonderful.

We spent time talking and snacking

and the younger ones enjoyed

running races, picking 'money leaves' from trees,

searching for birds' nests,

and listening to the different bird callings

(as well as listening and looking for the helicopter).

I was wishing I had my camera... but I didn't.

After an hour or so, we were able to head home,

as there was nothing alarming in her bloodwork.

The children were glad to go out in the backyard

and use the frisbee and new ball

that we bought over the weekend.

As I was making supper,

I learned an important new fact about our youngest...

I saw that she has the ability

to succeed in her attempts at climbing our fence.

I was glad to learn it before she crossed over!

Now we have finished supper,

the children are jumping and playing outside

while Ally is reading a book.

Bathtime and bedtime have come

so I am off to tend to my joyful duties.

I hope y'all have enjoyed your Monday!

Menu Plan Monday ~ 6/4 to 6/10

Mon4 ~ Spinach Lasagna
Tues5 ~ Taco Tuesday
Wed6 ~ 10 Bean Soup/cornbread
Thurs7 ~ Barley Casserole
Fri8 ~ Sourdough Pizza Night (with company)
Sat9 ~ Sourdough Pizza (more company)
Sun10 ~ Crockpot Chicken, Brown Rice, and Veggies

How Do You Do It?

Below is a question I received a few days ago
that I would like to answer publicly.

I'd like to know
how you've done it~
raised your children so well,
organized your house so well, etc.
It's really a battle for me!
And blog too! How do you do it?!

It is not my desire or intention
to give the appearance
that I have everything together
and that I do not fall short
in areas of my life...
I, most assuredly,
do not have everything together
and I, certainly, have fallen short
and continue to do so
in areas of my life.
(In fact, some of that 'evidence'
is 'hidden' throughout photos that I post.)

However, I must confess that I do not share
all of my downfalls, messes, trials, failures, etc...
I share those with my Heavenly Father
and seek Him, in a humble and teachable spirit,
to grow me in these areas and others
to make me more like His Son.

I desire to share and praise Him for
the blessings and lessons in my life,
how He shows me
the simplistic Truths of His promises,
and what He has done and is doing in me,
in our marriage, and in the lives
and hearts of our children.
I belive those things truly honor
and give glory to the Lord,
where it belongs.
I am what I am because of Him.

"But by the grace of God I am what I am:
and his grace which was bestowed upon me
was not in vain;
but I laboured more abundantly than they all:
yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."
~ 1 Corinthians 15:10


I have not arrived.
The Lord continues to work on me.
I have days when I wonder
"what has gotten into the children".
I have days when I wonder
if my home will stay clean
for even 1 hour after we clean it.
I have days when I had no idea
I was at the computer that long.
I have days when I notice
that all of the clean socks
have 'disappeared'.
I have days (often) when I can't
seem to find that piece of paper
I had written something important on.
I have days when my sink
has dirty dishes in it (along with the dishwasher!).
I have days that the children
don't seem to be getting along so well.
I have times when I read books,
get ideas, get motivated,
yet procrastinate in applying those ideas.

But I cannot and choose not
to dwell on those things.
What keeps me going
is keeping my eyes fixed on Him,
repenting and confessing my failures,
dying daily to myself, asking the Lord
to continue teaching me and changing me,
seeking Him and His ways in His Word,
and then pressing on.
I love how Paul,
through inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said:
"Brethren, I count not myself
to have apprehended:
but this one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind,
and reaching forth
unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize
of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
~ Philippians 3:13-14


My life has different seasons.
"To every thing there is a season"
~ Ecclesiastes 3:1a
Different things work in those different seasons.
As I am seeking Him with my whole heart,
He has a way of showing me
what my priorities are
and guides me in the 'logistics'
of how to redeem the time He has given.
"Walk in wisdom
toward them that are without,
redeeming the time" ~ Colossians 4:5

Whatever each season brings
I have joy in knowing
that He has placed me in each one.
I have peace that He is in control.
And I can have confidence,
knowing that He is growing me
and working in me,
changing me more like His Son...
"Being confident of this very thing,
that he which hath begun a good work in you
will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"
~ Philippians 1:6

"And we know that all things
work together for good
to them that love God,
to them who are the called
according to his purpose....
to be conformed
to the image of his Son"
~ Romans 8:28, 29


I have far from 'arrived'.
As the children's song says,
"He's still workin' on me".

So how do I do it?
How do any of us do it?

"But by the grace of God
I am what I am:
and his grace
which was bestowed upon me
was not in vain;
but I laboured
more abundantly than they all:
yet not I,
but the grace of God
which was with me."
~ 1 Corinthians 15:10


Any accomplishments, successes,
victories, praise, etc...
belong solely to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Only in Him do we have victory in anything.

"But thanks be to God,
which giveth us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ."
~ 1 Corinthians 15:57

Growing Older Gracefully...

I do not mind growing older gracefully.
In fact, I somewhat look forward to it.
The silver/gray hair
that I will encounter does not frighten me. lol

"The hoary (gray/silver) head
is a crown of glory,
if it be found in the way of righteousness."
~ Proverbs 16:31


However, having a birthday
does provoke me to evaluate
what I have done with the past
thirty-plus years of my life
and what I can strive for
the thirty-plus years to come (Lord willing).
Below are a few Scriptures that
I like to meditate on...

"Examine me, O LORD, and prove me;
try my reins and my heart."
~ Psalm 26:2

"Examine yourselves,
whether ye be in the faith;
prove your own selves."
~ 2 Corninthians 13:5

"...reaching forth unto those things
which are before,
I press toward the mark
for the prize of the high calling
of God in Christ Jesus."
~ Philippians 3:13b-14


Also, something I do every year
on my birthday is thank my mother...
In a world and time
that is self-serving and self-seeking....
Thank you, Mom,
for sacrificing all you did
to birth me and raise me.
Thank you for all of the time, effort,
and love that you have given me
(and still do).
This is her birth-day.
The day she gave birth to her first born.
And I honor her in celebrating this day.
Without her, there would be no me.
I love you, Mom.


photo from Victorian Trading Co

How Doth the Busy Bee...

We have been keeping busy
the last few days.
Thursday we drove a little while away
with some friends to a place
that I enjoy eating at
for a pre-birthday outing.
We enjoyed ourselves for a while
and then drove back to our friends' house
to pick up a few things
so they could stay a couple of days with us
(since her beloved is deployed, too).
While we were there
the children enjoyed chasing
the wild turkeys, again...



We had a fun evening of fellowship.

Friday morning, Will really wanted
cinnamon muffins for breakfast,
so I let him help in making them...

He really enjoys helping in the kitchen.
He was more than glad to eat them, too.

Later in the morning on Friday,
we had our homeschool park day.
The children always enjoy
our fellowships at the park
(as do the mamas).

They all had fun swinging...

Ally (right) with her friend



Will and his friend



Carolynne and Beth


They also spent time in active play.
Will enjoyed playing
a 'modified' game of badmitton
(with no net)...


Ally played for quite a while
and then enjoyed watching
as the others played...



Beth and Carolynne
kicked a ball together...




Afterwards, we spent the afternoon with our friends
and had our sourdough pizza night with them.

After enjoying an entire loaf
of sourdough bread this morning,
our friends went home
and the children and I went out to lunch
and then to buy some fabric
(my birthday present from them... my treat *Ü* )
When we got home,
we enjoyed some birthday 'crumb' cake and ice cream.
(The crumb cake was the result of the cake
sliding out of the pan too fast,
plunging itself to the cooling rack
breaking into pieces... still yummy though)

We had a very enjoyable past few days
and look forward to a restful Lord's Day tomorrow.

I have received a few questions via comments and email
and, Lord willing, hope to prayerfully answer them soon.

I hope y'all have enjoyed your week.
Have a blessed Lord's Day!

A Wee Bloggie Rest...

I am taking a somewhat unexpected

bloggie break for the next day or so.

We had a busy day today

and will have one tomorrow.

I will prayerfully answer

a few questions that I have received

when I am able.

Hope y'all enjoy the rest of your week.