Outside my window... the sky is darkened and cloudy, as rain is falling down
I am thinking... how the Creator and King of kings left His home in Heaven to come to Earth, to die for me... because He loved me that much
I am thankful for... the Perfect Sacrifice in Jesus Christ, that, through HIM, I am saved from hell and free from sin
I am wearing... a burgundy, checkered jumper with a long sleeve shirt
I am remembering... the pain, the agony, the humiliation that Jesus Christ went through to purge me from my sin
I am going... to strive to love HIM more and to do my best for HIM
I am reading... through my KJ Bible in a year, {I fell behind last year so I am doing this in a year and a half} currently in Isaiah, Hebrews; our A to Z Mentoring printouts from church (working on"G", God) Choosing Gratitudeby Nancy Leigh DeMoss; Created to Be His Helpmeet (by Debi Pearl); A Hunger for God by John Piper A Family Guide to the Biblical Holidays by Robin Sampson & Linda Pierce
I am hoping (praying)... for the Holy Spirit to work His perfect will in our eldest's life and for His protection over her, for His will and help in our upcoming move and all of the details involved; that believers and non-believers will see Jesus Christ, see God, as He is and be moved to repentance... praying for revival
On my mind... How Jesus Christ paid a debt He did not owe and a debt I could not pay... that through His blood, I am forgiven, restored, and free!
From the learning rooms... focusing on the passover of the Old and New Testament; book of Judges for history; studying Ancient Greece; and various things in other subjects
Noticing that... we can not understand fully the depth of what Jesus Christ did for us, and still does
Pondering these words... "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." ~ Philippians 2:5-11 From the kitchen... dishes await to be done from the weekend
On the menu... M ~ Italian pasta T ~ Homemade chicken pot pie W ~ Shepherd's Pie Th ~ Stir fry and rice F ~ Sourdough Pizza Around the house... all is quiet as Daddy and eldest are at work and the younger ones are sleeping
I am creating... a new jumper, brown with floral print
I am hearing... the rain fall outside my window and quiet noises from the baby monitor
One of my favorite things... enjoying quiet time in the morning with my Creator, Saviour, and Friend
A few plans for the rest of the week... work on our homeschool lessons; sew; celebrate Passover; clean the church house; pick up our eldest from work; attempt to declutter and prepare for our upcoming move (approaching fast!); go to our midweek prayer and Bible study; take Beth to violin lessons; go grocery shopping; enjoy a day at the park
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." ~ Romans 5:8
May we grasp a hold of what He did for us. May it change us... who we are, the way we live... May we strive to love Him more... to obey Him. May we tell others of His great love for them.
"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;" ~ 2 Corinthians 3:5
I've been thinking on how thankful I am that my sufficiency, my ability, is from and in the great I AM.
What peace and rest is mine, knowing the Living GOD, the very One Who created and loves me, is able... Able to do anything, to accomplish His perfect will.
I have been learning more and more of how to 'let go' and let GOD. I've been on the great roller coaster of life, speeding through the ups and downs, the joys and fears, yet secured and resting in HIS loving hand.
Our week seemed to pass slowly, yet quickly at the same time.
Amongst the busyness of the week, we enjoyed some special fellowship. Earlier in the week, friends spent the day with us, as the mamas fellowshipped and looked over homeschooling things and the children played and did seatwork together...
They delighted in their "one room schoolhouse" with friends!
Early on in the week, I was able to finish up Ally's transcripts. They were folded into her college application paperwork and stuffed into the mailbox, smothered in prayer. It was a bittersweet, and seemingly long, walk as this mama made her way to and from the mailbox. sigh... the roller coaster of life, you know.
The Lord blessed us with beautiful spring weather this week. A little mishap with Suzie, resulting in a trip to the groomers, provided the opportunity for me to pick up some 'new' lace curtains from a local thrift shop. I washed them eagerly when we got home and couldn't wait to hang them up, windows wide open, watching those freshly washed lace curtains blow in the breeze! It was no small delight. ;o)
The children had their delights in the beautiful weather, too...
As did Suzie with her new 'do'...
Thursday morning was spent in the kitchen, wearing an apron and a smile, as I was, what seemed to be, up to my elbows in potato salad, as I prepared it in bulk for my beloved's promotion party the following day.
We picked Ally up from work in the afternoon, rejoicing with her in her first very own paycheck that she was able to tithe with and put into savings for her upcoming college expenses.
We all enjoyed the afternoon together, going to Beth's violin lessons and cleaning the church house.
Friday morning, after dropping Ally off at work, reminding her to "Let her light so shine before men, that they may see her good works, and glorify her Father which is in heaven." {Matthew 5:16}, the younger children and I returned home anticipating the arrival of many guests, as we were hosting a 'sewing bee' with the ladies from church.
The children enjoyed their lunch out-of-doors...
After the ladies enjoyed a lunch of sandwiches, salad, and soup, we gathered at the table for a time of fellowship and sewing, while the children enjoyed their time of fellowship and play.
It was such a joy to spend the afternoon working with our hands, edifying one another. What a blessing fellowship with believers can be!
After most of the ladies departed, a friend and I enjoyed some alone time together as we went to pick Ally up for work. It was a special time, again, of encouraging and edifying one another as we shared some of our trials and how the LORD was working in the situations... and in our hearts.
As we sat, waiting for Ally, I quietly watched through the window at our baby girl, with a big smile on her face, accomplishing the work she needed to do before she could leave.
My heart was rejoicing... and longing. I missed her... but was proud of her. I was afraid... but heard HIM, again... "... Be not afraid, only believe." {Mark 5:36}
And I said, again, in my heart "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." {Mark 9:24}
How could I not smile? In HIM is such blessed assurance. HE reminds me that even in a worst-cast scenario, He is still the Living God. HE loves them more than I could. HE is orchestrating His perfect will.
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." ~ Philippians 2:13
And He wraps me in His sufficient and loving grace. "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9
I've seen His grace. I will see it. I see it now.
"Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord." ~ Acts 11:23
I am glad... And with purpose of heart, I will cleave unto the Lord.
Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing pow'r? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you washed in the blood, In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb? Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you walking daily by the Saviour's side? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Do you rest each moment in the Crucified? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright, And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you washed in the blood, In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb? Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin, And be washed in the blood of the Lamb. There's a fountain flowing for the soul unclean, O be washed in the blood of the Lamb.
Are you washed in the blood, In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb? Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you washed in the blood, In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb? Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" ~ Ephesians 1:7
When picking Ally up from work the other day, I opted to go through the drive-thru to order fruit cups for the children, a water for me, and an "Ally to go". I had the blessing of our eldest being our cashier, seeing her smiling face AND I even got a free chicken sandwich! ;o)
coupons are printed randomly... no favoritism here... truly. *Ü*
I am thankful for... hugs and 'sugars' from my children
I am wearing... blue jean jumper with a black, long sleeve tee
I am remembering... how Christ's grace abounds to the chiefest of sinners
I am going... to keep my eyes on Jesus
I am reading... through my KJ Bible in a year, {I fell behind last year so I am doing this in a year and a half} currently in Isaiah, Hebrews; our A to Z Mentoring printouts from church (finished 'F', The Family) Choosing Gratitudeby Nancy Leigh DeMoss; Created to Be His Helpmeet (by Debi Pearl); A Hunger for God by John Piper
I am hoping (praying)... for the Holy Spirit to work His perfect will in our eldest's life and for His protection over her, for His will and help in our upcoming move and all of the details involved.
On my mind... praise that my God is the LORD JEHOVAH, the Living God
From the learning rooms... pressing on with our studies... in the book of John for Bible; book of Judges for history; studying Ancient Greece; and various things in other subjects
Noticing that... the LORD is good, merciful, longsuffering and full of grace... giving us just what we need exactly when we need it.
Pondering these words... "Fear of the unknown is conquered by faith in the Unseen." ~ author unknown to me From the kitchen... sink is shiny and counters are clean
On the menu... *new menu needs to be made* Around the house... the lil' girls are coloring together and Will is getting some extra sleep
I am creating... nothing, at present, but hope to get started on a skirt from a dress, for Beth and, possibly, a new dress for me
I am hearing... the heater blowing and the girls talking as they color
One of my favorite things... hugs and sugars from my children (no matter what their age!)
A few plans for the rest of the week... work on our homeschool lessons; take our eldest to work; clean the church; go to our midweek prayer and Bible study; take Beth to violin lessons; go grocery shopping; enjoy a day at the park
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
"And he said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness:. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in mine infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." ~ 2 Corinthians 12:19
Praising Jesus Christ for His all-sufficient grace!
I mentioned in my previous post about watching them grow, and it seems that there has been a lot of that going on lately. This mama has been stopped in her tracks, afraid to blink, as she sits and marvels at how the time has gone by so quickly. It seems as if each child has experienced some overnight transformation, though I know it is not so. But sometimes so much happens at once that it's difficult to let it sink in. It has been bittersweet, to be sure, but God is giving the grace {HIS grace} to smile, endure, and enjoy.
A week and a half ago, on a Wednesday evening, our youngest, Carolynne, obeyed the Lord Jesus in baptism. It was a precious moment...
Last week, our eldest was released from our quiver, as she began to work outside of our home to help with her upcoming college tuition.
{Her and Daddy in their uniforms}
The younger ones and I spent the week adjusting to this new change. We all missed having Ally home during the day but we rallied together to make the best of it. ;o)
seatwork together in the dining room
Beth reading aloud to Carolynne about fruit and seeds
Will working on some math practice
Beth taking Ally's place in the kitchen and preparing lunch for the family
Carolynne improving in her reading skills, practicing by reading aloud in her new reader books.
Will was entrusted with his first pocket knife and spent some time outside getting familiar with it...
Ally, after her first full day of working on her feet,...
On Friday, we had a Keepers of the Faith meeting. We began with a lesson on kindness...
The children enjoyed acting out an example of kindness from the Bible... the story of The Good Samaritan.
After our lesson, the children received instruction about puppetry from our assistant pastor's wife...
Then the children each chose a sock, two buttons, and some yarn to create a sock puppet (This was very helpful to me, as I was able to get rid of some unmatched socks that I've been saving for years! LOL)
The younger children sang "Jesus Loves Me"...
The older ones sang, "Send the Light"...
It was a delight to see them have so much fun!
Afterwards, we picked up Ally...
As we waited for her, the little girls enjoyed puppeting Mozart's operas...
It was a different week. It was a week of changes... a week of adjustments... a week of realizations... a week of moving forth... a week of blessings... a week of grace... It was a good week.
"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah." ~ Psalm 68:19
Bittersweet doesn't begin to describe those moments... those thoughts, those emotions...
Invoking joy, pride, thanks, and gladness, tears, loneliness, longing, and sadness, fears, faith, and anticipation... while memories of the past and visions of the future flash before your eyes...
seeing our last and youngest child learning to read, ready to soar into new heights of learning...
Our 7 year old taking upon her self to prepare lunch for the family, by herself... eager to grow in responsibility and service to others...
Our son being entrusted with his first pocket knife, determined to learn and develop his skill and discernment...
And seeing our eldest thrive out of the nest, embarking on her journey of transitioning into adulthood... ... she used to be so young... greeting me with her chubby smile each morning. Now giving her smile to the world, letting her Light shine before men...
The moments, the days, the years... are passing. Experience them. Enjoy them. Linger in them. Cherish them.
"...For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." ~ James 4:14
