"Oh that God would give every mother a vision of the glory and splendor of the work that is given to her when a babe is place in her bosom to be nursed and trained! Could she have but one glimpse in to the future of that life as it reaches on into eternity; could she look into it's soul to see its possibilities; could she be made to understand her own personal responsibility for the training of this child, for the development of its life, and for its destiny,--she would see that in all God's world there is no other work so noble and so worthy of her best powers, and she would commit to no others hands the sacred and holy trust given to her."

---JR Miller, a preacher from the 19th century, from the book Homemaking

Labels: Inspirations

I have been pondering some thoughts about anger, sin, forgiveness and remorse.
It comes to me that God in His great power still allows us to make choices...knowing that we will often make poor ones. Does that cancel His love for us? No. It gives Him an opportunity to show us His love and His restoration. We will always be battling with this old world and our flesh will pull us toward sin. Our goal then should be to exercise our Spirit man. Become stronger. When we fall we need to get up and dust ourselves off and get back in the game.
I remember when I was about 3 years old and my parents took me to my first football game. It was a high school game...I think!
Anyway, having never seen this game in person I was captivated. I still remember being very concerned about those poor young men who kept falling down, but my parents made it clear to me that was part of the game. So in an effort to make myself part of the cheering crowd I shouted to the players: "It's okay! Get up boy and brush yourself off!" These words of great wisdom were pulled from my vast knowledge of falling down and having my own mother encourage me to get up and not cry.

Sometimes we do things we regret. Sometimes we sin with our words. Sometimes we sin with our actions. Sometimes we think it our own job to defend ourselves instead of letting God be our shelter and lash out at those who have hurt us in some way. Sometimes we simply do silly, selfish things. The simple fact is, we are humans who must get up and brush ourselves off daily. We WILL fall down. The key to victory is getting back up and playing with the team again.

The Power of God's Love and Mercy
Due to mankind’s sin man deserves to die. Why? The wages of sin is death. No sacrifice could earn His pardon. So, Mankind was doomed. Because of His love and mercy He makes the sacrifice!

A. In God’s Mercy we are rescued from our dilemma, for the Gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

B. We see that Christ died for our sins in 1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.

C. When we confess our sins and commit our life to Christ, we are forgiven, cleansed, and renewed in God’s love. 1 John 1:9.

Point 3. Gods Mercy Endures – Romans 11:30 For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience,31 even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy.32 For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.

A. God’s mercy is enduring: not just a day, not just a week, not just a month or year but forever. The future of every relationship is decided by mercy. “Mercy is a seed that is to be sown”

B. No sin is too great, no burden is too heavy, no valley too deep, no suffering too severe, no night to long for God not to reach out to you. God’s mercy offers deliverance, healing and restoration.

C. Jesus bore our sickness and disease at the same time He bore our sins. Matthew 8:16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick,17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.”

Point 4. God’s Mercy provided salvation – Salvation means to be born again.

A. How? Romans 10: 9-13

B. It’s deliverance from the power and effects of sin and the curse.

C. 1Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ!

God’s Mercy Defeated Satan in the upper room:
In the upper room, Satan witnessed the result of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Exhibit 1. He had slain Jesus to annihilate him; Instead, He was resurrected and his death gave birth to a new race.

Exhibit 2. He saw men and women rescued and recreated.

Exhibit 3. He saw their sins removed and blotted out.

Exhibit 4. He saw the power that cast him out of heaven enter men by the Holy Spirit.

Exhibit 5. He became aware of the fact that the recreated people would have power over him and his kingdom.

Exhibit 6. He saw that these recreated people would now have the power to lay hands on the sick and they would recover.

Exhibit 7. He saw the slaves shaking of their chains and being made free.

Exhibit 8. He saw God give men the measure of faith so that others would be snatched from his authority.

Exhibit 9. He saw the fear and doubt he had enthroned in men’s hearts being replaced by faith, love and freedom to excel in life.

Exhibit 10. He saw men become Kings.

Today! is your day to receive the goodness and mercy of God that delivers and sets free all who receive it! Regardless of your past or present condition God loves you!

Nehemiah 9:17 (NKJV) They refused to obey, And they were not mindful of Your wonders That You did among them. But they hardened their necks, And in their rebellion They appointed a leader To return to their bondage. But You are God, Ready to pardon, Gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, Abundant in kindness, And did not forsake them. Ps. 136:26 and Pr. 3:3

Most people don’t comprehend the Love and Mercy of God which makes Him stand out from other gods. There is none like Him!

Hebrew uses several words for ‘mercy,’ in Hebrew chesed, which means loving-kindness, mercy, love, loyalty, and faithfulness. Another Hebrew word and the Greek word for mercy in the NT refer to the emotion aroused by contact with undeserved suffering, that is, compassion and a deeply felt love for a fellow human being. In the OT mercy/loving-kindness is associated with the covenant obligation between God and mankind.



David in Psalm 25:6 Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses, For they are from of old.
Point 1. His Mercy Always Motivates - Psalm 103: 1 A Psalm Of David. Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies.

A. There is a lot of injustice and inequality in the world today and greed and inconsideration has crowded out liberty and justice.

B. God binds himself to fidelity to the covenant by mercy and by grace (another Hebrew word used to mean mercy). So then we have no reason not to be faithful to the Covenant with God.

C. God’s mercy motivated Christ to come to earth to bring a pardon and purpose to all mankind. Galatians 2:20 (NKJV) I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

We must be motivated by God’s mercy to lift up the fallen, love the unloved and introduce to everyone the abundant life through Christ Jesus. Ps. 108:4
Point 2. His Mercy redeems – Titus 3:5-7

by Pastor Anthony McFarland

Labels: Inspirations

Well,
I have finally fulfilled a 20 year dream of mine. At long last we are able to sponsor a Compassion child. When I was a Bible college student back in the 80's, my roommate was sponsoring a child. She would write letters and we had her picture sitting on the dresser. My heart was moved then but I could only afford to eat ramen noodles and green beans. I don't want to go into all the details of the past 20 years--you'd probably nod off right at your computer. But I do want to say that thanks to the Compassion Bloggers I was reminded of my dream. THIS time we have a budget and we're using Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover Plan. So we have money to give! Hurray! It's not much, but I hope it touches the life of one young lady in Uganda in a very real and meaningful way. In time, we hope to sponsor several children.
Oh! Was it ever HARD to choose a child from the list! There are so many with such great needs. I cried quite a bit during the choosing process. My 13 yo daughter was my partner for choosing. We discussed all the different needs and narrowed down a list of about 3 girls. We finally settled on Natukunda Adrine, a 15 year old girl in Uganda. We haven't received our packet yet but you can bet we've been watching down the street for the mail truck to bring it to us.
If you want to have your heart touched visit the Compassion Bloggers page and begin reading all the different stories. I also highly recommend going straight to BooMama's blog and reading her adventures. She was one of the Bloggers who traveled to Uganda last week. I do believe her life has been changed forever. THIS is an excellent post about Compassion and it's many ministries, written by a mom of 11.
One more great link is here. Shaun was another of the Compassion Bloggers and he has set up a Blog Carnival of sorts for people to share their own Compassion Stories. When you get there just scroll down a little bit and you will see the list of bloggers who have linked up so far. Click on any name to read their story. And if you want you can share your own story.
If you want to donate to any cause or believe missions work is a good thing, but you are not actively doing anything about it, may I suggest sponsoring a child? It becomes so personal when you have a face and a name and can write letters. It's also such a simple way to start.

Labels: Inspirations

I want to share a post with you today that was written by
Melynda @ Our Blessed Arrows blog.
She gave me permission to share this here. Enjoy!
After you finish here I encourage you to stop by Melynda's blog and make a new friend.
She has a great blog full of wonderful posts like this one.

How To Do It All

I am asked a lot, "How do you do it all?"

I am just superwoman. That is all. I have been gifted with 48 hour days, self-cleaning floors, and brainiac kids who just LOVE to do school work and get all the chores done.

Yeah right, If only!

Actually, I don't even know what 'it all' is. I guess the accomplished stay at home, homeschooling mama would be up by 5am to feed the baby and get her day started, read her Bible and pray for 1 hour every morning, have a spotless house, no dishes in the sink, kids with fresh hair cuts and unstained, rip-free clothing.
This woman would always look put together, wear a spotless apron in the kitchen, along with high heals. Her hair would be washed and done, her makeup flawless, her finger nails would shine like justice and she would have the fragrance of a rose. Pregnancy would never slow her down or add pounds to her backside.
She would have 3 fresh cooked meals ready at perfect intervals each day, served hot and on good china at the dining room table. She would serve super healthy, homemade snacks at least twice a day with fresh milk from the family's dairy cow and in the kitchen you would find no sign that cooking was ever done, with the exception of the bread dough, made with freshly ground wheat, rising in a warm oven.

An accomplished mama would sew all her kids clothes with the precision of a professional seamstress and laundry would never pile up anywhere. All clothes would be pressed perfectly and organized by color in each child's drawer. All socks would have their matches.
She could wrangle a snake, catch a mouse, and change a tire. An unexpected event in her day wouldn't cause her to detour. She would reset her schedule and get back to work, not missing a beat.

This mom would have a strict schedule, in 15 minute increments, posted on her bathroom mirror to keep her from any dilly dally, along with a memory verse reminding her not to be lazy, though she will find time for tea and a good book sometime in the afternoon.

Not a spec of dust would be found in the accomplished mom's home, nor an out of place toy. Carpets would always have those fresh vacuum lines and floors would shine, freshly mopped. Not a pile of newspapers nor bills will be spotted and electrical cords coming to and fro will be invisible to the naked eye.

The sounds in her house would be either silence, Christian music, or the piano, of which all her children would be exceptional at. Her kids would be math whizzes, never complain, and get everything done in the time allotted. They would wash their hands and behind their ears regularly, their teeth would always be brushed, and their hair freshly combed.

Her husband would come home to a house that smelled nice, a beautiful woman who was there to wait on him, well groomed kids, and a yummy dinner. Mama would put the kids to bed at 8 with no fussing or whining and stay up with her husband for a few hours and have 'mommy & daddy' time. They would be fast asleep by 10 so they could be up by 5am the next morning to do it all again.

In the words of Elizabeth Bennet, "I never saw such a woman. Surely she would be a fearsome thing to behold."

Expecting yourself to be the picture of the woman I described above is silly. We can never hope to accomplish that. To think we should expect ourselves to always be perfect in everything will leave us feeling discouraged and hopeless. We will end up tired and unable to be the mothers and wives we ought to be.

First: Ask your husband what things he would have you get done first in your day. Make a list of the things that make him feel good when he comes home and work on perfecting those.
Second (and maybe this should be first): Get your kids in line. Children that obey are much happier and happy kids make happy homes. When you have a child who fusses when you tell him "no candy" it dampens the mood of your home. But when your child says, "okay" when you say no and he runs off to play you will see an improvement in the overall feel of your days. Your child is happier knowing his boundaries. He didn't have to fuss or whine for anything. He was able to move on and happily go about his business.
Third: Decide what is truly important and what is just a small thing. Remember that you aren't a robot and neither are your kids. You are all different. Teach your kids how to get their jobs done, even jobs they don't like, and then let them tweak the way they do it to suit themselves. Doing it all yourself won't help your children learn anything but laziness, but making them do it exactly as you would will only teach them disdain for helping out with jobs they must learn to do, and it will be a pain in your tush because you will be frustrated and constantly re-doing everything.
Fourth: Don't freak out when things don't go exactly as planned and don't look at it as getting 'backed up'. Feeling backed up will cause discouragement. Just make a written plan and start again. If that doesn't work, make a new written plan. Don't go back and look at how unsuccessful you have been.

You may think from reading my blog that I am put together and I get everything done. That isn't quite true. Actually, far from it, I just don't blog about my faults too much.
I have the child rearing thing down and we try to take an easy going approach to life - those things do make my days stress free. However, my home is not the picture of perfection. Here are a few confessions for those of you who don't 'see' me in homemaking action.

My kids may get the laundry done, and I may get up, get dressed, and make my bed every morning, but you should see the dust on my ceiling fans and shelves. I have small boxes where I hide stuff when surfaces get too junky. I am queen of the swipe and stuff, taking everything off the desk and throwing it into a box. The desk is instantly clean! But then I have this box sitting around needing to be gone through.

My flooring is made up of baby toys and Match Box cars and our schooling area is usually littered with ripped up crayon wrappers.
My walls need washing and pictures need to be straightened.
I am really bad at remembering to wipe down my appliances and my baseboards probably haven't been washed in a year.

There is more but, alas, I am done poo-pooing myself. I do pretty good for a mama of 6 and, since my main goal is a stress free home, a happy husband and smart, happy kids I think we are right on track.
So, work I must on those things needing my attention but when I don't get it all done I just think back to the wise words of Miss Scarlett O'Hara.
"I can shoot straight, if I don't have to shoot too far."

No, wait, wrong quote.

"Fiddle dee dee... I won't think about it now, I'll think about it tomorrow, when I can stand it. After all ... tomorrow's another day."

Posted by Mel

Labels: Family, Household Helps, Inspirations, Woman to Woman

Eaten anything good lately? It has been observed that the human body ceases to feel hungry after a certain length of time without food. The body will weaken but the brain adapts it's signals and stops requesting food. Of course, the body will eventually turn inward and attempt to survive by depleting itself.


The spirit is very much like the body...it gets used to being starved and shrinks away steadily with every meal it misses.
Most of us have good intentions. We plan to feed ourselves spiritually but just don't get around to it very often.


May I encourage you, inspire you, to join me this week? Join me! Let's eat healthy this week. Let's take time to feed ourselves.


My heart longs for more of the Living Water. Forget the fountain of youth! :-) Jesus said " ...But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst..."



The psalmist said "For Your word has given me life." In Psalm 119 he speaks of meditating: "I rise before the dawning of the morning, and cry for help; I hope in Your word. My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word."





"Give ear to my words, O Lord; Consider my meditation.
Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to you I will pray. My voice you shall hear in the morning, O Lord;
In the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up."





"Kings of the earth and all peoples; princes and all judges of the earth; both young men and maidens; old men and children.
Let them praise the name of the Lord; For His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven."





"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"
"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."

Labels: Inspirations

The mother, not as young now, placed her basket on the floor.
She brushed her slightly graying hair back and tiptoed to the door.
She pushed gently into the girls' room and sighed with deep content.
The three of them lay quietly under moonlights gentle slant.

Though sound asleep, the laughter seemed to dance around their eyes
and the sounds of sweet innocence was heard in their sleepy sighs.
She looked in amazement at the dimples and the curls
and tonight, like every night, she thanked God for her three girls.

After praying prayers for safety, for sweet dreams and peaceful slumber
she closed the door and turned to face another room of wonder.
The walls held dog posters and models of hot rod cars,
The floor was littered with legos and books about the stars.

There, asleep on a small bed was a darling little boy.
In his fist he clutched his newest favorite toy.
She watched awhile and said a prayer, then turned to her right.
She saw another bed, still made, not being slept in tonight.

As she sat on the edge of his bed
Her heart was filled with cheer
Her boy had gone to college.
That's why he wasn't here!

While the happy thoughts rolled onward,
There came another thought from deep.
This one wasn't welcome.
She pushed it down, she choked it back.

It fought it's way upward ~ it must emerge.
"What if he never comes home? Is he grown enough? How absurd!
Of course I've trained him for this day. I know that he'll be fine.
But of all the preparations I made, I see now...I forgot mine."

She didn't know it would hurt like this,
This time of letting go.
How do other mother's do it?
Their pain doesn't really show.

Her fingers clutched the bedspread tightly
as the tears began to flow.
She glanced again at the little one across the room.
Her heart said "No! No! No!
Please don't take my babies, Time...
Please don't make them grow!"

She cried a little more
Then her mind began to quiet.
She started to breathe slow.

A small voice reminded her of another time,
A time long ago.
She remembered when her own mother had let her daughter go.

She hadn't understood then
What a mother's heart could hold,
But she understands it now
And she values it like gold.

Isn't this what she'd been working for?
A young life beginning to bloom?
The tears subsided and her smile returned.
"God be with you tonight son"
She whispered to the room.

by Sunydazy D. Johnson 2008

Thank you Lord for the opportunity to mother the children you send into our home. Thank you for the grace to walk through each difficulty, each trial...and rely on you every step of the way. And thank you most of all for leading these young ones into a life of service to you Our Great King. Guide them and protect them Father.
In Jesus Name,
Amen

Labels: Family, Inspirations

These photos were all taken by the 2 oldest children this spring and summer. They have been learning to capture in photos a little of the beauty they see around them everyday. It warms my heart to see how aware they are of God's hand in creation.



"Bless the Lord , O my soul!
O Lord my God, You are very great...."
"...who makes the clouds His chariot, who walks on the wings of the wind..."



"You who laid the foundations of the earth, So that it should not be moved forever,
You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.
At your rebuke they fled; At the voice of your thunder they hastened away..."
"....you have set a boundary that they may not pass over, that they may not return to cover the earth."



"He sends the springs into the valleys;
They flow among the hills."



"They give drink to every beast of the field..."



"He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and vegetation for the service of man,
That he may bring forth food from the earth"



"O Lord, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom you have made them all.
The earth is full of your possessions --"



"May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
May the Lord rejoice in His works.
He looks on the earth, and it trembles..."



"Bless the Lord, O my soul!
Praise the Lord!"
(excerpts from Psalm 104)

Labels: Inspirations

Today was one of those days when the air is cooler than usual for Texas....

A morning when you wake up and reach for something soft and warm to wrap around your shoulders... As the sun rises and the light slants gently through the windows, you realize that fall is approaching. The sun's light is gentler somehow and the breezes are soft, almost cool. The windows must be opened because the air is so fresh. All day today, the curtains billlowed back and forth at the windows gently, softly reminding me of days gone by...lazy Sunday afternoon dinners around the table when I was just a girl....

This evening the quiet is soothing to weary minds and bodies, comforting. Fears and worries can be pushed aside while one listens to the evening...crickets, and distant cars, the neighbor's rooster crowing good-night. Hope abounds while cool fresh air tickles your cheek and a deep breath means the days' tension is wearing off. My shoulders begin to relax...

Today I felt rested, and along with that, I found myself with a renewed desire to know God more. I am thirsty for a drink from the living fountain. I've been up in the early morning hours so many times lately. Searching, praying, asking Him, thanking Him and telling Him my heart.

I've been re-reading Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman by Anne Ortlund this week. Another book worthy of your time. Here is a small excerpt:

Work out the implications in your own life of putting God first. That's what this book is to help you do.
If we feel overworked and someone tells us to take a rest--that's temporary. If he tells us to go on a vacation, we'll come back afterward to the same old rat race. If he tells us to go to God, we've found a permanent solution. We'll be revolutionized. We'll go into our work rested, and remain that way.
"My presence shall go with you," God says, "and I will give you rest." (Exodus 33:14)
Let your heart go to God, then! Go to him, never to go elsewhere again. Settle into him; make him your home. John 15 calls it "abiding" in him--to nestle there, secure as in a strong, eternal fortress.

I hear small ones crying now...needing to be tucked in by mama. So off I go, and I wish you a very peaceful night.

Labels: Inspirations

I know summer is drawing to a close for many of you.
For those of us in the south, especially Texas...there is still plenty of hot weather to come. :-)
The heat of summer isn't usually over here until the end of September or beginning of October.
Of course our summer activities will dwindle and we'll return to the school year and all things related to it.
We have had a lovely summer. The little girls learned to play outside and discovered bugs and dirt and flowers and the water hose. They squeal with delight over the kitty kitties and run to us in joy with little bits of grass and crushed dandelions in their fists. In years to come the memory of this summer will probably blur and blend in with other years but the sweetness will remain.
Some of you may remember that I have a special country drive...a road that goes from my house to the nearby small town...
The children and I always enjoy scanning the roadside in search of creatures and flowers. Through the years we have seen huge bee hives, snakes, tarantulas, fish, turtles, lots of dragonflies, blue herons, deer, hawks, buzzards and more. Little Guy has fun trying to help us spot things as we cross the bridge and usually shouts out "I SEE A CRICKET!" :-)

Here a few pictures along the road that I drive several times each week.



The wildflowers stayed with us for a long time this year because of all the cool weather and rain we had.




Recently I spotted this turtle crossing the bridge. I slowed to a stop and watched. He quickly tucked his head into his shell, determined not to come out until I had gone. As I watched, this little caterpillar caught up with the turtle and attempted to 'hitch a ride'! :-)...Thankfully, the road is not busy at all, so I was able to sit and enjoy watching for quite some time.




These are flowers that grow alongside the local horse ranch. Every time we pass here the babies begin making their doggie/horse/cow sound...a very funny woofing thing that sounds like "ruuhhhfff". :-)
Just a couple of days ago they learned the word "cow" and have started using it as much as possible while we drive!
"Where kooowww go?" "Oooo koooowww!"



I hope you are all doing well. I know many of you are busy getting ready for the coming school year. Don't forget to take time to savor the last little bit of summer before fall sneaks up on you.

Autumn~~
The morns are meeker than they were,
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry's cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town.

The maple wears a gayer scarf,
The field a scarlet gown.
Lest I should be old fashioned,
I'll put a trinket on.

~~Emily Dickenson

Labels: Another Day, Inspirations

You tell on yourself by the friends you seek,
By the very manner in which you speak,
By the way you employ your leisure time,
By the use you make of dollar and dime.

You tell what you are by the things you wear,
By the spirit in which you burdens bear,
By the kind of things at which you laugh,
By the records you play on the phonograph.

You tell what you are by the way you walk,
By the things of which you delight to talk,
By the manner in which you bear defeat,
By so simple a thing as how you eat.

By the books you choose from the well-filled shelf:
In these ways and more, you tell on yourself.

---Unknown

I found this thought provoking poem at a fellow blogger's lovely place: A Wise Woman Builds Her Home.

Labels: Inspirations

I was visiting another blog this morning and was blessed to hear a modern version of an old favorite song of mine: As the Deer.
It was early and no one else was up in the house so I abandoned myself to worship...closing my eyes and loving Him who gave everything for me. Every day He keeps reminding me to turn back to childlike love and trust. Each new morning I start anew and I remember who He is. The beauty of the words of this song can be found in Psalm 42.

"As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God..."

I encourage you to go and pick up your Bible right now and open to Psalm 42. Read it and listen to this song. Refresh your soul before the Lord.

Have a sunny day!

(click the arrow below for sound)

Labels: Inspirations, Sunday Smiles

Here's something to watch with your children. This is especially for those of you who have never observed a butterfly emerging from it's cocoon. Re-birth is a miraculous thing!




My thanks for this link go to John Sturtevant at Say What? Start Making Sense. He had this video posted in April.
As America's Expert on Clear Writing John Sturtevant's posts are full of 'rubber meets the road' content. This could prove to be very helpful to those of us who homeschool. Most of his posts are directed at the corporate world but are no less useful to the 'rest of us'. :-) Get thee to his site and gather useful tips on teaching your children clear writing.

Labels: Inspirations

Just a few pictures to share today:

Ladybug discovered the beauty of dandelions while on a recent visit to my parents' new home in the Ozark's:


LittleGuy spent a lot of time outdoors with sticks and roly-poly bugs:


Doodlebug smelling a flower while at Grandpa's house:


Little Guy's first horse ride at a cousin's birthday party here in Texas:



Lately, I've been pondering the beauty all around me. I keep marveling at what God has created...especially the children.
I've had some questions and some requests that I've brought before the Lord and have also been reminded of God's character. He's teaching me, again, how to trust....not just in His salvation, not just in my day to day activities...but in His Goodness and Gentleness.

I've been reminded of my first love and I'm falling in love with Him all over again.

For the word of the Lord is right,
And all His work is done in truth.
He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
Psalm 33:4-5

Labels: Inspirations

I'm all about teaching femininity to my daughters...
I want them to fully enjoy being what God created them to be.
Women are different than men and how wonderful those differences are!
I desire my girls be trained to cultivate ladylike qualities.

I want to share this link with those of you who have never seen this publication.

If you cannot view the video then maybe you can visit the website at this link:
Girlhood Home Companion


Oh! I guess thought of something to post after all!

Labels: Books Movies Music, Inspirations

This is beautiful....
~~Return of the Daughters~~

As I watch this my eyes fill with tears of joy. God is moving on the hearts of His people.
This has always been our vision and dream for our daughters.
Their website is a treasure chest for young women desiring to serve God in their homes. Please take a little time to visit Visionary Daughters.


This is beautiful too. In a different kind of way. The Godly young people of this generation have a lot to fight for and a lot to stand against..but more than anything they have a lot going for them...


The Rebelution is a website you should visit often if you've got teens in the house. If you've never heard of it before get over there quick and do some reading. What are you waiting for?

Labels: Family, Inspirations

As a mother, there are times when joy is greater than words can express and laughter comes easily and there are other times when my mother's heart's burdens are heavy and pain seems to be the order of the day. Those are the times I've come to realize that some trials and some pains are necessary to experience growth. How I long to see fruit in my children's lives and to see them experiencing the joy that comes from putting aside ones selfish desires and caring only about the needs of others. It's a difficult lesson to learn. I'm still learning! We've experienced so many growing pains over the last couple of years.

When a person is learning some of life's more difficult lessons they will probably have some bad days. It is during those times that the home is a resting place for the weary and a safe haven for the wounded.

No matter where home is, it is there that a mother and father have the opportunity to provide loving arms for holding,



soft pillows for resting,



treats for munching and sipping,



favorite books for reading,


and of course it's nice to provide a place where all the little treasures found during the day can be brought, stored, and examined.



This is home. This is my joy. It's what makes my world go round.
If I can be there to wipe away a tear, or kiss a scraped knee,
if I can pray over my children at bedtime and stroke their hair as they fall asleep,
if I can be the one to hold them in safety during the night
or provide simple pleasures for play,







then I've done the thing that brings me the greatest satisfaction in all the wide world.

Labels: Another Day, Inspirations

Take time to slow down and enjoy the spring. Take time to think and ponder. God's creation is there for us to enjoy and it provides a glimpse into who He is. Drink Him in.

A Song From Sylvan

The little cares that fretted me,
I lost them yesterday
Among the fields above the sea,
Among the winds at play;
Among the lowing herds,
The rustling of the trees,
Among the singing birds,
The humming of the bees.

The fears of what may come to pass,
I cast them all away,
Among the clover scented grass,
Among the new -mown hay;
Among the husking of the corn,
Where the drowsy poppies nod,
Where ill thoughts die and good are born,
Out in the fields with God.

Louise Imogen Guiney
from The Best Loved Poems of the American People 1936

Labels: Inspirations

I'm feeling poetic today!

Please bear with me.;-)

Labels: Another Day, Inspirations

Last night I was rocking the two little 15 month old girls, Ladybug and Doodlebug, trying to get them to go to sleep. We've all been a bit fussy lately due to being sick and they were no exception.

I started singing songs in my nasaly, stuffed up and squeaky voice...they liked it. It made me smile to realize that they don't care that my notes are off this week or that I have to stop and cough every couple lines.
Their big blue eyes just stared into mine as I began a long list of old favorite melodys: some silly, some sweet, some worshipful.

Music has a wonderful way of making forever connections in our minds that tangle up with our heartstrings.
I sang many songs and in my mind I could see the people who had lovingly done the same for me through the years.

One of my favorites is taken from scripture:

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.
They shall mount up with wings as eagles.
They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Teach me Lord, teach me Lord, to wait.

Another favorite from scripture:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning, new every morning. Great is thy faithfulness oh Lord. Great is thy faithfulness.

I have one memory of a long time ago (I must have been about 12 years old), spending the night at a dear friend's home (hugs to you Taylor if you're reading this). She and her mother and I sat up late hours one night in the dark living room singing and talking. One of the songs was originally sung by a Christian music artist who had been saved out of the hippie movement. Her name: Honeytree. The song went something like: Father in heaven, you're the one, I'm in love with your only son...The tune still swirls and floats down around me like a gentle breeze on a hot day during the times when I'm remembering to work as unto the Lord. I hum and I see myself as the young bride in love with her man...willing to do anything, anything at all~ even leaving everything behind to travel to distant places unknown~ to please Him.

Today, I must face a long list of work. We will begin packing in earnest and the taxes still need to be filed and I am sick and miserable physically. I am going to hum favorite songs from my childhood and remember who I really work for.
I'm just passing through on a mission. :-)

Have a sunny day!

Labels: Another Day, Inspirations

I've been up at night a lot lately and had time to do some thinking. The Bible Quiz was fun but it pricked my heart to realize how little I really know and how much more I desire to know...I couldn't believe I got a 100 on anything Bible study related, because it's been awhile since I've been a diligent student of the Word. I've been so swamped by life lately that my readings have been quick...just enough to have a verse for the day... or week.

I asked Jesus into my heart at the tender age of 3 years old..and I renewed that commitment after a baptismal service I attended at the age of 7. I still remember my solitary walk to the car that evening...the crunch of the gravel under my feet...the stifling hot, Texas air.
I prayed with every fiber of my tiny being and with each dusty,crunchy step I poured out my heart to my Heavenly Father. I wanted to be sure that He and I would always and forever be together.

That was 32 years ago. I still want us to be together forever. But sometimes I act human. I forget to make time for Him and I don't study like I really want to. This funny little quiz just brought a whole flood of emotion to the surface and now I turn and repent. I need to pour out my heart to Him tonight. I want to remind Him how much I love Him and ask for His help in bringing order to my days. Then I'll be able to study or even just read His Words a little bit more.

Labels: Inspirations