WOW! What a whirlwind Christmas we had! We finally found a home and closed on Dec. 18 and moved Dec. 23rd! Yes TWO days BEFORE Christmas! I am grateful I survived the ordeal!!!
We are excited about our new house and location! Our new home is 6 houses down from the house I grew up in! Never thought I would move back to the ol' neighborhood! But here we are! :)
We started our "new year" of schooling at home this week. I don't know about you but I was NOT ready. I feel like I need a few months off just to recover from our move! You see we didn't "just move." We also had to go back and clean our rental house...ugh what a task! The Lord allowed us to live in a large 2 story, 4 bedrooms with a bonus room house for a year. What a blessing but what a huge ordeal to clean to get our depost back!! It bout killed both of us! (my dear sweet husband and myself!) But we did it and now we look forward to our reward! (deposit back!)
As we have started this new year it seems like it's the same old thing with our school..boring! We did get alot accomplished "academically" this week but what about spiritually? Well, one day just seemed like interuption day....couldn't get anything done. (academically) But we did have a great time of Bible study together and we did minister to our 89 year old neighor next door that day. I was frustrated throughout the day...but when I stopped to ponder our day...it was a VERY GOOD DAY! We spent time with our Lord together as a family and we did "TRUE RELIGION" as the Bible calls it...we ministered to our sweet widow neighbor. The girls took a walk with her and after lunch the girls and I went over and took her some homemade soup and sat and talked a while with her. She thoroughly enjoyed it. She is something! For 89 years old she is doing GREAT!
As I pondered the day that day it really upset me that I was so upset most of the day because "we weren't accomplishing anything." I say we did what the Lord would have us do for that day. So my prayer now is for the Lord to allow me to NOT miss the "moments." To enjoy whatever is thrown at us for that day and to be aware of His will NOT mine and what the rest of the world says we NEED to be doing each day!
I'm so grateful the Lord is patient with me! As I start this new year, I'm praying for a "new" me and a "new" year of learning with my children! I'm tired of the same old day each day...I want to do things DIFFERENT than what the rest of the world is doing for learning! I desire for my kids to be more in love with Jesus and go from there! Because there is NO wisdom apart from the Lord.
May your year be filled with Jesus...because He loves you so much!
P.S...
My sweet children ARE learning and growing even when I don't feel like we are accomplishing alot. This week I observed my children doing/learning without prompting from me...my oldest and youngest are back sharing a room...my sweet oldest said it's ok that they are back sharing! :) I walked in on them a few times this past week and my youngest was in bed with my oldest (at night) and she was reading to my oldest...actually they were taking turns reading to each other! What a moment! Wouldn't trade that for anything!! Also several times this week they all (including my son) played monopoly together! They love playing it!! Ahhh for children to dwell together in peace! So "education" did happen more than I thought this week! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
Friday, January 8, 2010
Thursday, May 21, 2009
The Latest Pics on The Family!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
WOW! IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME!
Yes, I know it's been a long time since I've blogged! That's because I need some current pictures!! Don't you agree it's make your blog more interesting!!! LOL
We've been very busy here! I've been working out on the Wii Fit every day except Sundays. If I miss a day I do an hour to make up for it! Whew! Knee hurting today! It has been a blessing to get back to working out! It has lifted the fog out of my brain! Well, almost all of it! LOL
We just got back from the beach! It was beautiful!! The wind was a little chilly but we still loved it! IT WAS PACKED! Speaking of God's Creation...I've been reading this book, "The Art of Homemaking." It is really good....I highly recommend it! Boy she has some great points about the Lord. Like He IS the Creator of beauty...like the beach. He's the Master Artist and we are created in His image so we have creativity also! It's just not perfected like His! Art and everything beautiful originated with God! Think about that!
I love God's creation...I love sitting by my window with it open and look out onto the lake....that's where I meet the Lord every morning. He is so good to allow me to live in a home where I'm able to do this. I love the peacefulness and quietness of the lake in the morning. What a joy to worship Him there in the mornings!
The Lord is good...the heavens DECLARE His Glory! Amen!
Yes, I know it's been a long time since I've blogged! That's because I need some current pictures!! Don't you agree it's make your blog more interesting!!! LOL
We've been very busy here! I've been working out on the Wii Fit every day except Sundays. If I miss a day I do an hour to make up for it! Whew! Knee hurting today! It has been a blessing to get back to working out! It has lifted the fog out of my brain! Well, almost all of it! LOL
We just got back from the beach! It was beautiful!! The wind was a little chilly but we still loved it! IT WAS PACKED! Speaking of God's Creation...I've been reading this book, "The Art of Homemaking." It is really good....I highly recommend it! Boy she has some great points about the Lord. Like He IS the Creator of beauty...like the beach. He's the Master Artist and we are created in His image so we have creativity also! It's just not perfected like His! Art and everything beautiful originated with God! Think about that!
I love God's creation...I love sitting by my window with it open and look out onto the lake....that's where I meet the Lord every morning. He is so good to allow me to live in a home where I'm able to do this. I love the peacefulness and quietness of the lake in the morning. What a joy to worship Him there in the mornings!
The Lord is good...the heavens DECLARE His Glory! Amen!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
MY CALLING.....
I have been praying and pondering about what is my true calling. I've been earnestly seeking the Lord on this for over a year now. I've always known that my first and foremost calling is my family. So why do I question? I think for one because I'm teaching Sunday School and that takes me away from my family in thoughts and deeds. I love teaching!
It has been preached that we all should be serving somewhere in the church. So I have felt pressure there. So I jump in... But when I jump in and I always jump in with both feet, I end up questioning my calling...is it to be a Sunday School Teacher or a wife and mother? Can I really do both excellantly? We hear from the pulpit that being a mother is a high calling. If it's such a high calling why are we as a church asking women with children in their home to serve in any capacity in the church? Sometimes I feel like there is an underlying "cloud" of put down if you want to be "just" a wife and mom. The working woman is looked upon as the "one" to be these days, even in the church. It's always...wife, mother and....Sunday School teacher, outreach leader, or group leader..etc... Where has been being "just a mom" gone? Am I suppose to be all those things? I dont think so when I have children still living under my roof. Especially if all my blessings have not received the Lord Jesus Christ.
I think if I would put forth all the effort in my home as I do "outside" my home,my home would be in much better shape!
Then why the fear of letting go and "just" be a wife and mom? I think most of us want to feel like we are being used of God and it's hard to see that in our families sometimes. I think if I put all my "extra" effort into my family and do all the things I should be doing inside our home..(consistant meal planning for one!!!) I wouldn't have time for anything else. Especially since I teach my children at home. The truth be known it takes all my energy to do this...lots of energy to be/do what God has called me to be/do for my husband and children. Would you not agree?
So today in my quiet time this is what the Lord said to me...(it's one Charles Spurgeon's quiet time books) May it speak to your heart as it did mine and confirm what the Lord has been telling me....Home is best for me!
"He first findeth his own brother Simon.." (John 1:41)
As soon as a man has found Christ, he begins to find others. One who has tasted of the honey of the gospel cannot eat it all himself. True grace puts an end to all spiritual monopoly. Andrew FIRST found his own brother Simon and then ofthers. Andrew did well to begin with Simon. There are Christians who are giving away tracts at other people's house who should give away a tract at their own. Some are engaged in works of usefulness overseas, but neglect their special sphere of usefulness at home. You may or may not be called to evangelize the people in any particular locality. But certainly you are called to look after your own relatives and acquaintances. Let your religion begin at home. Many merchants export their best commodities, but the Christian should not. He should be a bold witness for Christ everywhere. But let him BE SURE to put forth the SWEETEST FRUIT of spiritial life and testimony in his OWN FAMILY. When Andrew went to find his brother, he could not have imagined how prominent Simon would become. Simon Peter was worth ten Andrews from what we can gather from sacred history. Yet Andrew ws instrumental in bringing him to Jesus. you may be very deficient in talent yourself. But you may be the means of drawing one to Christ who will become strong in grace and service. You do not realize the possibilities which are in you. You may merely speak a word to a child who has a noble heart which will stir the Church in years to come. Andrew had only limited talents, but he found Peter. You go and do likewise.
As I ask myself....am I putting forth the sweetest fruit for my family? Am I really honoring my husband like I should? (now that takes a lot of energy even with my sweet husband!) I would have to say no I'm not...I'm giving more to everyone else than to my own family.
Forgive me Lord for not being obedient to you in the matter of my home. Help me to focus only upon the home You have given me and help me to be strong to say no to the things that would distract me from my first and foremost calling and a HIGH CALLING it is!
I have been praying and pondering about what is my true calling. I've been earnestly seeking the Lord on this for over a year now. I've always known that my first and foremost calling is my family. So why do I question? I think for one because I'm teaching Sunday School and that takes me away from my family in thoughts and deeds. I love teaching!
It has been preached that we all should be serving somewhere in the church. So I have felt pressure there. So I jump in... But when I jump in and I always jump in with both feet, I end up questioning my calling...is it to be a Sunday School Teacher or a wife and mother? Can I really do both excellantly? We hear from the pulpit that being a mother is a high calling. If it's such a high calling why are we as a church asking women with children in their home to serve in any capacity in the church? Sometimes I feel like there is an underlying "cloud" of put down if you want to be "just" a wife and mom. The working woman is looked upon as the "one" to be these days, even in the church. It's always...wife, mother and....Sunday School teacher, outreach leader, or group leader..etc... Where has been being "just a mom" gone? Am I suppose to be all those things? I dont think so when I have children still living under my roof. Especially if all my blessings have not received the Lord Jesus Christ.
I think if I would put forth all the effort in my home as I do "outside" my home,my home would be in much better shape!
Then why the fear of letting go and "just" be a wife and mom? I think most of us want to feel like we are being used of God and it's hard to see that in our families sometimes. I think if I put all my "extra" effort into my family and do all the things I should be doing inside our home..(consistant meal planning for one!!!) I wouldn't have time for anything else. Especially since I teach my children at home. The truth be known it takes all my energy to do this...lots of energy to be/do what God has called me to be/do for my husband and children. Would you not agree?
So today in my quiet time this is what the Lord said to me...(it's one Charles Spurgeon's quiet time books) May it speak to your heart as it did mine and confirm what the Lord has been telling me....Home is best for me!
"He first findeth his own brother Simon.." (John 1:41)
As soon as a man has found Christ, he begins to find others. One who has tasted of the honey of the gospel cannot eat it all himself. True grace puts an end to all spiritual monopoly. Andrew FIRST found his own brother Simon and then ofthers. Andrew did well to begin with Simon. There are Christians who are giving away tracts at other people's house who should give away a tract at their own. Some are engaged in works of usefulness overseas, but neglect their special sphere of usefulness at home. You may or may not be called to evangelize the people in any particular locality. But certainly you are called to look after your own relatives and acquaintances. Let your religion begin at home. Many merchants export their best commodities, but the Christian should not. He should be a bold witness for Christ everywhere. But let him BE SURE to put forth the SWEETEST FRUIT of spiritial life and testimony in his OWN FAMILY. When Andrew went to find his brother, he could not have imagined how prominent Simon would become. Simon Peter was worth ten Andrews from what we can gather from sacred history. Yet Andrew ws instrumental in bringing him to Jesus. you may be very deficient in talent yourself. But you may be the means of drawing one to Christ who will become strong in grace and service. You do not realize the possibilities which are in you. You may merely speak a word to a child who has a noble heart which will stir the Church in years to come. Andrew had only limited talents, but he found Peter. You go and do likewise.
As I ask myself....am I putting forth the sweetest fruit for my family? Am I really honoring my husband like I should? (now that takes a lot of energy even with my sweet husband!) I would have to say no I'm not...I'm giving more to everyone else than to my own family.
Forgive me Lord for not being obedient to you in the matter of my home. Help me to focus only upon the home You have given me and help me to be strong to say no to the things that would distract me from my first and foremost calling and a HIGH CALLING it is!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
My Two Fishermen...or should I say fisherpeople//!!! We have a lake in the back of our house and they love just walking out back and fishing. They have caught small mouth and large mouth bass. Theyare in Fish Heaven!!!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Good Morning!
This is the day the Lord has made and I WILL rejoice and be glad in it!
What a whirlwind 3-4 weeks it has been! After Christmas, which we had at my house, the next week I chaperoned my two oldest on a Discipleship Trip. Took me a whole week to recover (actually still recovering!) ..then the following weekend it was off to a FAH retreat. NO rest there either but it was worth it! We praised the Lord and He met with each of us! We had wonderful speakers and it was great fun! Now this weekend I'm having all the 7th & 8th grade Westside/Orange Park middleschoolers over to spend the night for a spend the night bible study (party?). Then the following weekend is my youngest's birthday.
OK, so no rest for a while...where do I go when I need rest? I go to the Lord. He will give me strength to complete my tasks. I also try my best to slip in a nap here and there! But when I have quiet time with Jesus, I'm energized! He is my Rock and my Salvation.
My sweet children have been such a blessing. Yesterday while I was out my youngest did not obey me and she ended up making a huge mess and cutting herself. My sweet son called me and asked what to do....I told him what to do with Lydia (she was bleeding..nothing major but major to them!!) and then he asked how to clean up the RED paint off the carpet that my youngest got on the carpet..then he proceeded to clean it up. When I got home he had taken care of everything! What a responsible young man! I had told my youngest to NOT start painting the inside of a glass ornament (she did this the day before and wanted to do another one!) but to start on her school work. She CHOSE not to obey and this is what happend! Another lesson of obedience brings blessing and disobedience takes you out of the protection of your parents and you or someone else can get hurt because of your disobedience. Life lesson number umpteen million!!! It was a blessing to see my son handle this situation. It was hard seeing my youngest learn (hopefully learn) to see what disobedience brings.
I'm very proud the way my children (for the most part) have been doing their schoolwork this week. They have CHOSEN to do it without complaining! Especially my oldest..she is really cracking down and doing lots of work. She has even asked for more work!! What a blessing to see her take responsibility of what the Lord has called her to do at this time in her life. She understands that High School is coming and we are praying about what the Lord wants her to do. We are moving in the direction of college unless He directs us elsewhere. We are diligently praying for direction from the Lord for His will in her life. We are evaluating, examining and praying as we walk down this road.
I have to say and agree with the Lord...children ARE a blessing especially when they CHOOSE rightly!
This is the day the Lord has made and I WILL rejoice and be glad in it!
What a whirlwind 3-4 weeks it has been! After Christmas, which we had at my house, the next week I chaperoned my two oldest on a Discipleship Trip. Took me a whole week to recover (actually still recovering!) ..then the following weekend it was off to a FAH retreat. NO rest there either but it was worth it! We praised the Lord and He met with each of us! We had wonderful speakers and it was great fun! Now this weekend I'm having all the 7th & 8th grade Westside/Orange Park middleschoolers over to spend the night for a spend the night bible study (party?). Then the following weekend is my youngest's birthday.
OK, so no rest for a while...where do I go when I need rest? I go to the Lord. He will give me strength to complete my tasks. I also try my best to slip in a nap here and there! But when I have quiet time with Jesus, I'm energized! He is my Rock and my Salvation.
My sweet children have been such a blessing. Yesterday while I was out my youngest did not obey me and she ended up making a huge mess and cutting herself. My sweet son called me and asked what to do....I told him what to do with Lydia (she was bleeding..nothing major but major to them!!) and then he asked how to clean up the RED paint off the carpet that my youngest got on the carpet..then he proceeded to clean it up. When I got home he had taken care of everything! What a responsible young man! I had told my youngest to NOT start painting the inside of a glass ornament (she did this the day before and wanted to do another one!) but to start on her school work. She CHOSE not to obey and this is what happend! Another lesson of obedience brings blessing and disobedience takes you out of the protection of your parents and you or someone else can get hurt because of your disobedience. Life lesson number umpteen million!!! It was a blessing to see my son handle this situation. It was hard seeing my youngest learn (hopefully learn) to see what disobedience brings.
I'm very proud the way my children (for the most part) have been doing their schoolwork this week. They have CHOSEN to do it without complaining! Especially my oldest..she is really cracking down and doing lots of work. She has even asked for more work!! What a blessing to see her take responsibility of what the Lord has called her to do at this time in her life. She understands that High School is coming and we are praying about what the Lord wants her to do. We are moving in the direction of college unless He directs us elsewhere. We are diligently praying for direction from the Lord for His will in her life. We are evaluating, examining and praying as we walk down this road.
I have to say and agree with the Lord...children ARE a blessing especially when they CHOOSE rightly!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
WELCOME THE LATEST ADDITION TO THE OUR FAMILY!
Ok.....now that I have your attention! This is our new NEPHEW!
Born to Tony's brother and his wife on Oct. 1st!
God has blessed them with a wonderful (Mr. Wonderful!) gift from
THE Wonderful Counselor...Mighty God, who IS able to do exceedingly,
abundantly above all we could ask or think! And He did exactly that
by giving them Joshua. Isn't he adorable?!!! Thank you Jesus for being
so gracious to us.
Ok.....now that I have your attention! This is our new NEPHEW!
Born to Tony's brother and his wife on Oct. 1st!
God has blessed them with a wonderful (Mr. Wonderful!) gift from
THE Wonderful Counselor...Mighty God, who IS able to do exceedingly,
abundantly above all we could ask or think! And He did exactly that
by giving them Joshua. Isn't he adorable?!!! Thank you Jesus for being
so gracious to us.
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