Simple Woman's Daybook ~ March 29, 2010

For today... March 29, 2010


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 Gratitude by 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.

Haven at Home Happenings... Growing in Grace...

"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.

Haven at Home Happenings: Sharing Snapshots

Moments of learning...


Progressive reader



Copywork



Becoming proficient


In the church...
Helping Mama and serving the LORD...


Straightening hymnals



Vacuuming



Taking out the trash


Out-of-Doors...
at the park...


Walking a dog with a friend



Fencing



Fellowshipping


At home...


Working with Daddy



Observing God's creation


Pizza party!!





{28 people/12 homemade sourdough pizzas}


Playing with "Daddy Chalk"...

{2 lil' girls + charcoal briquettes = bathtime}


"Blessed be the Lord,
who daily loadeth us with benefits,
even the God of our salvation. Selah."
~ Psalm 68:19

Are You Washed in the Blood?

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

Tell It to Jesus...

{our children's choir recent song}




Are you weary, are you heavy-hearted?
Tell it to Jesus, Tell it to Jesus;
Are you grieving over joys departed?
Tell is to Jesus alone.


Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus,
He is a Friend that's well known;
You've no other such a friend or brother,
Tell it to Jesus alone.


Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus,
He is a Friend that's well known;
You've no other such a friend or brother,
Tell it to Jesus alone.



"Casting all your care upon him;
for he careth for you."
~ 1 Peter 5:7

Washing Mount Washmore...

with homemade detergent...


I've seen this recipe many different places
and finally got around to trying it.
Very simple to make. ;o)


Homemade Laundry Soap

1 cup washing soda
1 cup of Borax
1 bar of soap (Ivory or Fels Naptha)

Put in food processor (or blender) and mix.
Store in container (I used a large empty pickle jar).
Use 2 TBS to 1/4 cup per load.

Double Blessing at the Drive-Thru...

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*