Processing Another Year

2011 has been quite the year. I can honestly say I did accomplish one of my new year's resolutions - finishing Glen's quilt. I don't remember any of the others... It had a wonderful visit with my family back east, as well as some disappointing, trying times, like L's broken arm. This year had lots of laughs, growing, and joyfulness. It carried with it sadness, grief, and struggles. My children earned Tae Kwon Do trophies and continue to work their best at school. Glen and I had a wonderful week retreat with Zarephath Ministries in May.

All in all, it's been a good year. God has been gracious to my family and I. He has blessed and cared for us in ways that I perhaps have even forgotten. So, I desire to take some time this weekend and throughout the next year to say thank you, Lord, for your continued presence in my life!

Psalm 67:1-3
¹ May God be gracious to us and bless us
   and make his face to shine upon us,
                         Selah
² that your way may be known on earth,
   your saving power among all nations.
³ Let the peoples praise you, O God;
   let all the peoples praise you!

Thankful Thursday ~ A Kept Promise

I know some one who always keeps a promise! I am so thankful to the Lord for being so faithful and for showing us how to be more like Him.

Earlier this year, I set a resolution to finish an unfinished project - one that I've just been putting off for a variety of reasons. I told the ladies at Bible study in January that I was resolved to finish this project and then I waited until November to begin to finish it.

What is it you may ask? For those who haven't heard, here's the full story.

Glen and I had been married for five years, and I decided to make him a quilt. We chose an Amish design called "Bars," and he chose the fabric colors. This quilt is seven different fabrics made into strips and sewn together forming bars with each strip getting a different design quilted into it. Glen chose seven shades of green with a green patterned back. I finished the top in 1996, basted the quilt together, and then began some hand quilting. Different things happened ~ I can't even begin to explain it all. Nevertheless, the quilt was shelved for awhile. Then we moved west and I brought it with me. It's sat on the floor, on the closet shelf, and on my hope chest. My favorite excuse was that it was too warm here to lay this large quilt on me for working on it.

Tired of moving it around and cleaning all the dust off it, I chose to have my Bible study ladies hold me accountable for finishing my project. In November, the ladies and I went to our annual retreat and I took this "thing" with me. Now here we are a few days before Christmas and my goal is to have it finished and washed by Christmas Day. It's not done exactly the way I planned. However, it's going to be finished. I'll even post pictures when it's done.

Remember, I started this when we had been married five years. We just celebrated 20 years of marriage this year. My hubby is so patient. God is so faithful. I'm glad that I've not had to wait 15 years to see the fruition of some of God's promises to me!

Visit Grace Alone for more Thankful Thursday entries.

Update - 12/23/2011 - Here's the finished product lovingly placed on our bed.

The Week Before..

The week before Christmas and all through the house,
the children are fighting, all in a tizzle.
I thought I'd burst,
or go into a frizzle.
There was too much to do
and not a lot of time.
Just me and my hubby,
and our last little dime.
But we pulled it together,
and quilted and baked.
Just in time to know that
Jesus is not faked.
He is the reason
that has brought about this season.

I am so thankful for God and His gift of eternal life through Jesus, His Son. I am thankful for the entire picture of His birth, death, and resurrection! Enjoy your time with your family and make some precious memories!

Christmas Tour 2011

I'd like to take a little time and share my favorite collection with you! My snowmen! Living here in the southland, the snow (when there is some) is an hour drive away. Since moving west, I began to collect these little guys. It's been 11 Christmases since we've been away from our east coast family.

My latest addition - a night light in the bathroom!

From a friend during our life in the San Fernando Valley.

The best of both collections - Steelers and Snowmen!

I love his icy hat!

Part of our school room - a countdown to Christmas!

I love this snowman! He reminds me of how much sled riding can be!

A handmade present from my daughter.

A gift from my hubby - There's "snow" man like my snowman! I love you, honey!

I love his forest look!

These friendly snowmen greet you as you enter our door.

I cannot do a house tour without one of my nativity scenes. I've had this frosted glass one for over 20 years. However, I've had the Lord as my Savior longer than that! He is the reason for all the celebration!

This is a repost of an irretrievable deleted house tour post.

Visit other homes at The Nester and Mama's Little Treasures.

Thanks for visiting!

The Christmas Season

Each year, memories of past Christmases abound. Memories of childhood with my mom, my sisters, and my brother. Today as I was putting my son's battery operated train for him to play with, I was reminded of the year my brother put an electric train under mom's tree. I'm thinking of my brother-in-law and the race track he always set up somewhere in the home. I'm remembering my dog eating all my peanut butter balls (without the chocolate - mom and I went to the store to buy more chocolate for the cookies and left them on the table). I'm remembering the year Santa arrived with a bag full of toys (and no one knew who Santa was). Then there's the 20+ Christmases I've shared with my husband - hours on the road traveling between families, packing everything we owned to move cross country, and our first Christmases with our children.

Nevertheless, with all these memories, the one most important one is found in Luke 2:1-20.

The Birth of Jesus Christ

 ¹In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. ²This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³And all went to be registered, each to his own town. ⁴And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. ⁶And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. ⁷And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

 ⁸And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. ¹⁰And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹²And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." ¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
 ¹⁴ "Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" ¹⁵When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." ¹⁶And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. ¹⁷And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. ¹⁸And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. ²⁰And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

And so, take some time this weekend to reflect on this blessed memory!

Thankful Thursday ~ Answered Prayer

Thankful Thursday is being hosted by Iris at Grace Alone during the month of December. Be sure to visit other posts listed for Thankful Thursday.

We are having a very busy time of year. Each day is packed with school, ministry, and life. This year, our family has begun a new venture as part of homeschooling. Our daughter has joined the local Action Impact Missions team (AIM San Diego West). This is a discipleship ministry that shares the gospel through mime, dance, and drama.  It is made up mostly of homeschool students; however, it is open to all youth.

I am thankful for this ministry in our lives, particularly my daughter's. After ten years of serving with Word of Life clubs and Teens Involved, I miss being a part of the service portion of a preteen or teenagers life. Mentoring and teaching others ways to serve Christ is an amazing task. I had been praying for a service activity similar to Teens Involved for our daughter. AIM San Diego West is the answer to that prayer. Last evening I was watching the young people share their presentations with a retirement community. The seniors enjoyed the visit. Watching the people and children, I was reminded of many times working with, teaching, judging, and watching many Teens Involved presentations. It's different for me now. Now, I'm the parent watching and supervising while someone else disciples and teaches my child.

So, it is with a thankful heart, I praise the Lord for answered prayers and the opportunity to serve Him.

Weary and Forgotten

Did you ever get weary and feel forgotten? I've been feeling that a lot lately. Not that any one or thing has changed outside of my feelings. I feel like I'm just operating on auto and going through motions. Nevertheless, I know a God who hasn't forgotten me, who loves me as His child, and will strengthen me when I turn to Him.

Galatians 6:9 - And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

My plate is full of activities and plans. I need daily to lay these things at the cross and seek Him above all else. 

Coming soon.....

Planning out the Christmas tour of our home ... details coming soon!

And the Winner...

And the winner of the digital software giveaway was -K- from CA!! Email me, my friend! Congrats!

Photo Friday!

I haven't posted a Photo Friday in a long time! I love my country!

Creative Thoughts and a Give Away!

There is just something about the cooler weather and the holiday season. It brings out the creative side of me. I've been dreaming of finishing a quilt which I started a long time ago - but that's for another story.

I've also been learning some digital scrapbooking. Here are some of the pages I've created rather quickly - much quicker than traditional scrapbooking...

Some of the pages I created are from templates and others are my own design. It's been rather fun. I liked being able to quickly create pages and have in my books! I then sent them to Costco for printing (I did two of each page - one for each child's individual scrapbook). Outside of the busyness of the store, printing them was fast and

I thought I'd share the opportunity for you to join in digital scrapbooking. With My Memories Suite, I am hosting this giveaway of digital scrapbooking software (a $40 value).

Here are the guidelines for this giveaway:

• Visit Mymemories.com and choose your favorite scrapbook design kit.
• Come back to my blog and leave a comment about your favorite. Remember, only the software is in the giveaway, not the scrapbook design kit.
• Only one entry per person.
• Deadline to enter - Friday, November 18th at midnight (Pacific time)
• Winners will be announced on Monday, November 21st.

400 and counting

I can't believe this is my 400th post! I haven't been blogging much the last year or so. Nevertheless, 400 seems like a big number. Do I really have that much to say over the years? I guess so!

This has been the most popular readers' post - Christmas Tour 2010.

I would say my favorite post about my husband - Thankful Thursday - My Husband; about my daughter - Back to School Blessings, and about my son - Binky, Oh, Binky 

I can't even begin to think of which is my favorite about the Lord. That's because He's so wonderful and gracious to me!

Looking Forward

I feel like I spend the majority of my time looking forward and planning. I like to be prepared and ready. I plan and research. Currently, I'm working on a weekly glance. What am I doing within the next week? What do I need to be prepared and ready? I spent a part of my day today just planning menus for the next week. I got on the computer to check email and then work on next week's lesson plans for the homeschool. I'm looking forward to the women's retreat beginning next Friday.

However, it comes to mind that God doesn't promise me tomorrow. He only supplies what is needed for today. He gives the strength and grace for the place I'm in today. I'm thankful for that. I'm appreciative of His blessings on my plans and need to be grateful of His changes in plans - not see them as inconveniences. He is ultimately in control and although I want to be the one in control, it's nice to be able and let He direct our family's path. As I learn more about Him, I see places where He has altered, stopped, or reversed what I had planned - all because He sees the entire picture of my life and I only see the step I'm on.

Jeremiah 29:11 is what I call my California verse. It is the one I've claimed when God changed my plans and transplanted me to the west coast. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." I'm glad He is all-knowing!

Building Others Up

God instructs us to build one another up in the faith. What have I been doing lately in this area of my life? Have I been encouraging to others?

I started this by asking myself if I'm encouraging my husband in his walk with the Lord. We've had a busy week with Harvest Festival and all it's craziness. Have I always had something good to say to him each day?

Then I've been confronted by my daughter that I'm not always encouraging her (specifically with her occupational therapy or schoolwork). I admit to wanting things done the correct way in these areas - mainly because with the OT, I'm thinking she may hurt herself. Am I allowing my daughter to learn from her failures? Oh, I am so struggling with this thought tonight. I don't even want to discuss if I'm encouraging her in the Lord

Then there's my little boy. Am I encouraging him is his walk with the Lord and his life? Am I always presenting the Lord to him? Am I person to whom others gravitate because of my love for the Lord?

So my goal for Thursday is to encourage those whom the Lord sends my way. Offer someone some encouragement and bless them as the Lord Himself would do.

I Thessalonians 5:14 ~ And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle,encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

Many Thoughts, Many Sentences

Ever have so many thoughts you want to share? That's what I've been like every evening. As I lay down to go to sleep, my brain thinks and thinks and thinks. It can take me a while to fall asleep. I think of all these wonderful blog posts I want to write. However, I don't get out of bed to do it. I lay there and fall asleep saying that I'll blog about it later. Then when I get up the day starts all over and I forget about it until bed time. The post never gets written. I can't even begin to write about what I've been thinking because I've forgotten (it could be the Nyquil I took last night fogging my morning brain). So be prepared. I hope be blogging more, even if it means getting out of bed when my brain wants to work and my body doesn't.

Thankful Thursday

It's Thankful Thursday again. At times my heart is overflowing with thankfulness and other times it trickles like a small stream. Today, I'm kinda in the middle.

God gives grace every day. His peace comes and comforts. I had a chance to share with someone some of the grief I've experienced and was able to see God's grace and peace in the situations. I am always amazed at how clear things seem as I reflect back on them. However, things are rather muddled when I'm going through them.

This past week, Glen was finishing his two year preaching on the book of John. One of the points in the message is that a life worth living is a difficult life. We all go through difficult times; yet these are the times that mold us more like Christ. It refines us so that we reflect the Lord. I am thankful for the life God has given me. It can sometimes be calm and quiet (lately it hasn't) or it can be noisy and rambunctious (that's what today was).

I am thankful for a God who loves me even when I whine and complain about how hard life is. I am thankful for a God who guides me through those times and gives me just enough light to see the step I'm on.

What are you thankful for today? Visit Lynn at Spiritually Unequal Marriage to read more posts on Thankful Thursday and let's praise the Lord together!

Vacation & Directions

We all need some down time. These past two weeks have been hectic for me, yet they were to be a vacation - more accurately a stay-cation. I feel like I've been running around in circles and nothing is getting done. Then there's the feeling that I'm lazy and want to take the day off. There seems to be no schedule, no organization, no plans. We finished the first quarter of the school year and took a few weeks off. I had grand plans of in-depth Bible study, fall cleaning, hanging out with the kids, and all in all having fun. Now I reflect on the past few weeks and see I didn't get much accomplished, yet I felt busy and torn in many directions.

It's so easy to get distracted by the things of this world. However, God calls us to be focused on Him. I was re-reading the story of Jesus calling Peter out to walk on the water to him. Peter only began to sink when he took his eyes off Christ and focused on his surroundings and circumstances. The last few weeks I've felt like Peter - sinking and sinking and sinking. It's time to put my eyes back on Christ, order my life in His ways, and seek Him above all else in every aspect of my life. It's time to pull up my bootstraps and get to work!

Life Updated

I've been really focused on the homeschool aspect of our life recently. I'm loving our new math curriculum! I've heard L say, " Don't get excited yet, Mom, but math is becoming my favorite subject." We've gone with a computer program curriculum where the lesson is audio and visual and then practice is given. It's becoming my favorite because I'm not at her side telling her the problem is correct - the computer gives her that immediate feedback and I'm now available to work with the little guy on whatever he's doing. I'm loving it right now! I hope it goes just as well as we get more into the textbook.

Also, since my wonderful daughter broke her wrist earlier this summer, school started early for our family. So here in town, the local public schools had their first day today as we finished the first quarter of our year. Now, we are off on a three week break! Good thing too. The weather today felt summer-like: we had record breaking heat today at 101 degrees.

Our little man is learning his letters and sounds and is counting to 20. M knows the days of the week, the shapes, his colors, and some of the months of the year. He still can't write his name but oh, well, he's 4. He will get there.

Glen and I have been busy planning ministry opportunities, school items, and life in general. As is typical for us, September is packed with something to do almost every day. I'm hoping to use some of my time off this September to study and blog more about what God is teaching me.

A Day at the Bay

Back to School Blessings

Okay, so we started home school early this summer due to a broken wrist. We are actually about half way through the first quarter of the school year. One big focus this year is writing skills. I'm looking for complete sentences, spelling, punctuation, content, etc. Our son is dictating his sentence to me each day (he's four years old). Our daughter is supposed to be writing a paragraph a day about an assigned topic and drawing a picture to match her writing. Today, I was sad to say she only wrote one sentence; yet I was totally blown away by her sentence.

Today's topic was "Today is Be an Angel Day. Write about a time when you were an angel to some one or when some one was an angel to you." Here's her entry.

It may not be what every sixth grader is writing, but I know it was from her heart! My mommy/teacher heart was blessed beyond measure today!

God's Blessings

One of the greatest blessings I've received from God is my husband. Today we are celebrating 20 years of marriage. I cannot believe how fast the time has gone. I love you, Glen. Here's to many more years together!

Our wedding day ~ 20 years ago

February 2011

So Excited!!!

Okay, join in with me for a little excitement!!

I've actually seen my name published as an author in a magazine!!!!

It was pretty cool to see it!

Order your copy of the Women of Grace USA Spectrum magazine for 2011-2012 and see my article entitled "Picking Up the Pieces of Shattered Dreams." It was just released last month. This issue is not yet available online.

August

I can't believe it's August already. Time sure is passing by.

I was talking with my sister on the phone this morning about the fact that 24 years ago this week, our mother passed away. I can't believe it's been that long. Twenty four years ago, I was between my junior and senior year of college, living in western Pennsylvania, and hoping for a bright future. God chose to take my mother home to be with Him that summer. I so desperately wanted to live on my own that summer and yet, when it happened I didn't want it. Here she is with her sister, Mary (on the left), and brother, Jack (in the middle).

 

August also brings about Glen's and my anniversary. We will be celebrating 20 years this Wednesday. I have been blessed to have such a wonderful man as my husband. It feels like yesterday. I was looking over our pictures the other day and remembering all the little things about the day - the heat, my brother-in-law's statement to me before the wedding, the people who were at the wedding and now are in heaven, and other thoughts. It's all good! God has exceedingly and abundantly meet all my dreams and hopes!

Thankful Thursday ~ His Teaching

Many times I've wondered what is God doing with me. What are His plans for me? How can  I best serve Him today? All of us have these thoughts and often are waiting for His revelation for us.

Recently, I've been going through all those thoughts and evaluating things. I have no answers; I have no plan; I have no schedule. What I do have is a Lord who created me for His glory and loves me.

What has God been working in my life? Building a deeper desire to be close to Him. Making me see areas of relationships I need to repair and strengthen the bonds. What are His plans for me? To glorify Him in all that I do. Other than that, I have no plans. I want Him to lead me day by day. How can I best serve Him today? I need to be His daughter and sit at His feet to worship Him with a passion unlike anything else.

So today, I am thankful for Him drawing me closer and tending the fire that is burning in my heart.

Laurie over at Women Taking a Stand is hosting this meme during August. Join her and others as we thank the Lord for his bountiful blessings!

Purpose

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

I've been thinking a lot about my purpose and what is the season of my life. I am my husband's wife, a mother, a sister, and an aunt. I am a pastor's wife and women's ministry leader. I am a homeschool teacher and event director for my local homeschool group. Nevertheless, I always seem to be wanting to do more. Anybody else out there feel like they never can do enough?

I think that's the purpose of my blog ~ an opportunity for me to connect with people in ways I haven't before. It's hard to always put myself out there for you all to read.

I don't know what the focus of my blog is to be ~ another homeschooling blog, a ministry to women or pastor's wives specifically, or just a way to connect with friends and family. I don't think I truly need an answer for that question. My blog is to support all that I am. It is to be a part of me.

So here I am, in this season of life, where I try to juggle all that I am. Regardless of all this, I know one thing for sure. I am the daughter of the King of Kings who created me just as I am.

Thankful Thursday ~ Fitting

Well, it's still Thankful Thursday. How fitting it is that I should return to the blog world on one of my favorite blogging activities!

It's been three months since I've written anything worth reading, and I'm not sure if today's is worth it either. Nevertheless, I am thankful for my return.

My sabbatical helped me to focus on my family (it included a trip to Pennsylvania to see my sister, niece, and great-nephew and great-niece). It also included a wonderful retreat with my husband that taught me the importance of time away.

The greatest lesson I've learned is that I'm still a work in progress. I repeatedly get frustrated with my incompleteness ~ unfinished craft projects, dirty dishes, ungraded schoolwork, etc. My completion won't occur until Christ takes me to heaven or He returns to the earth for the rapture.

Philippians 1:6

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will 

bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 

So, here today, on Thankful Thursday, I am grateful to my Lord for His gift of grace, His teaching my incomplete heart, and His guidance in my endeavors. 

A Sabbatical - Extended

I am taking time off from blogging. It kinda started this month unofficially. However, I am now making it official. There will be no postings on this blog until July. I will miss connecting with each of you. However, I am needing to prioritize some things in my life and I've neglected the blog.

Resurrection Day

Today was such a blessing! God is so good and faithful. We had an awesome breakfast at church with an egg hunt during Family Bible Hour and our speaker from Jews for Jesus shared about Christ in the Passover.  Then family and dinner time. We had a total of 10 for the afternoon. It was fun to sit around the table, talk, and laugh with one another. I consider myself blessed!

I trust you took time to worship our Savior today! He is amazing!

Dreaming

I've been so unfocused lately. Dreaming is the only word I can think of to describe myself these days. I'm dreaming of gardening, scrapbooking, quilting, and pretty much anything dealing with nesting. I was so excited the other day to get some free curtains and rods for the family room. They are still in the van waiting to be washed. I also need to go buy hooks for hanging them. I've checked out tons of library books dealing with gardening, quilting, and homeschooling lately. I'm dreaming of what curriculum I want to use for next year. Yet I caution myself with the thought that no matter what I dream and how fanciful my dreams can be, God is in control and has His plan for me.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (ESV)

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

I am to seek and dream of God and God alone - nothing else. My focus is to be on Him. It is my goal this week to seek Him with all my heart.

A Busy Week

I can't believe a week has gone by already. What has happened to my time? Where did it go? We focused totally on homeschooling, completing and mailing the taxes, and sprucing up the front yard. That's all I can think that I did. I know there was more. Dinners cooked; dishes washed; laundry done...the list goes on. Even my family back east noticed my cyber absence (called my sister and she wanted to know what all we've been doing). There's been almost no Facebook time or blogging time. Just a quick check each day of the email accounts. I can also tell you haven't been taking much "me" time lately. I need to do this to maintain my sanity. I'm exhausted at the end of the day and don't feel like I've accomplished anything. So, tomorrow begins a new week. There's church tomorrow morning and evening with a birthday party in the afternoon. Monday through Thursday will be school days with park day on Friday. Saturday is Ladies' Connection and Mom's Night Out with SD Christian Homeschools. I'm tired already just thinking of the next week. I'm gonna carve out some "me" somewhere in this week. What do you like to do for your "me" time?

Family Photo Friday

Okay, so I've been a bad blogger. Haven't been on in two weeks. So, you may ask, what have I been doing? Glen went to Indiana for a week for his doctorate class. Therefore, the kids and I played! We did a day at the Santa Rosa Ecological Reserve, a day at Disneyland, and a day at a local park! The other days that week were spring cleaning - specifically my bedroom. Then last week we worked really hard at getting back on the homeschool track and accomplishing all our schoolwork for the week. It was tough after taking a week off. Here are some photos to enjoy of the two big trips (the Reserve and Disney). Now on to tackle getting the taxes finished....

Family Photo Friday

M is sparring in Tae Kwon Do class. Glen used his cell phone to take the pic ~ one reason it's blurry. But y'all get the picture.

Procrastination, Busyness, and Taxes

I hate to think of myself as a procrastinator, but secretly, I am. I wait until the last minute for a lot of things. I set the latest possible deadline for myself and then stress over getting it done on time. I allow the busyness of life to take over my projects. I can take this to the extreme. Take last year's taxes. As I was cleaning the filing cabinet and preparing for this year's taxes, I found three files of things from last year that weren't filed correctly. So here I am filing last year's stuff before I touch this year's stuff. I do this often. The ultimate in my procrastination has been a quilt. I started this quilt as a present in 1996 (Glen and my 5th wedding anniversary). The goal was to complete it in time for our 10th anniversary in 2001. Guess what? We're in 2011; it's still not done. I was going to try to work on it every day this year until completed. My secret - it's still on top of the dresser waiting to be touched. I need to be a better time manager. I need to be a better wife and mother. I need discipline. I need a good swift kick sometimes. Oh, well. On to bigger and better things.......

Psalm 28:7

The LORD is my strength and my shield;
   in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
   and with my song I give thanks to him.

Really???

It's really been two weeks since my last posting??? I know the entire family got sick. Glen started with the fever, etc. Then the kids, and then me. But have I been that lax about the blog? Yes, I have. I'm sorry. I also realized today that I've fallen behind on my daily Bible reading plan. Glen gives out a new plan at the beginning of each month. Then I opened my Bible and realized ~ I'm TWO weeks behind. So this afternoon, I'm reading and trying to catch up and my 10 year old daughter comes in the room, sees me reading my Bible, and says, "Now there's something you haven't done in a while!" Talk about convicting. It went right down to my toes. I felt so ashamed. That was hard to hear ~ especially coming from the source. I'm supposed to be the example. I let her down. Now to do better. Get caught up and stay on track.

Thank you to my faithful readers who have been checking on my posts even though I haven't been around. Tell me what you all are up to!

Family Photo Friday

Thankful Thursday ~ Godly Influences ~ Mothers

The Proverbs 31 woman - the woman we all dream of being. I am thankful today for a wonderful Proverbs 31 woman in my life - my mother-in-law. Yes, I know I talk of my mom often. Today, I want to take time to thank God for Glen's mother. 

This woman became a part of my life in 1990. I remember the first time I met her and the rest of the family. Glen and I were living in two separate states - a long distance romance - another whole story that someday I'll tell.

I remember being scared silly to meet the family, especially his mother. In previous relationships, the mother never liked me. What was this woman going to think of her oldest son bringing home this wild and crazy girl? What would we have in common besides her son? All my thoughts were unwarranted. His family accepted me warmly and openly. After our visit, I wrote a thank you note to Mr. and Mrs. S. for allowing me to stay in their home. My momma raised no inconsiderate child. Glen thought it was hilarious.

Other snippets of this wonderful woman include her sitting in the big blue chair in the living at all hours reading her Bible on her lap and often falling asleep with it open. Mom was also known to at anytime during a musical (her favorite was Seven Brides for Seven Brothers) to jump up, grab someone's hands, and make them dance with her in the living room all the while singing with a smile on her face. 

During our second year of marriage, Mom (and Dad) were there at the emergency room with us while Glen awaiting surgery for his appendicitis. As a nurse, she always knew what to do. With the sickness we've had this week, I wished many times that she was here. 

I can still see her sitting on the sofa with Glen lying down next to her while she "patted" his back to loosen the congestion from his allergies - and her trying to teach me. I've never mastered it... 

Thanksgiving was HER holiday. Everyone came to her house, we'd eat, watch football, and play games. She loved the laughter of her family and having them together.

Then there's the picture in my brain of her hugging the quilt I made her from Dad's t-shirts.  I think I have an actual photo of that somewhere.

An so today, for Thankful Thursday, I thank God for this godly woman in my life. Today, she is rejoicing with the Lord and we are reflecting on her life while she was with us. Today is her birthday as well as Glen's parents' anniversary. Thank you, Lord, for sharing this wonderful woman with us!

Proverbs 31:28 ~ Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 

Glen and his mom on our wedding day.

Women Taking a Stand is hosting Thankful Thursday this month.

Word for Wednesday

Psalm 116:1,2

I love the LORD, because he has heard
   my voice and my pleas for mercy.
Because he inclined his ear to me,
   therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

Tissues, Jammies, Movies, and Blankies

These have become the staples of our lives the past five days. We ended M's birthday celebration early due to daddy not feeling well and tiredness in all. Disney can do that to you. By Saturday, the kids came down with fevers, stuffy noses, etc. By Sunday, I had it as well. We have not done a lot the past few days. It takes everything out of me just to heat soup in the microwave, wash the dishes, and take out the trash. Doing those three things can take an hour!

However, I've been able to read two books by Lori Wick, catch up on blog reading (not writing), and the family is just hanging out in the living room. We're looking at this as family bonding time since Glen had been away at Piper's conference for four days. The only bummer of this has been our beautiful Southern Cal weather - sunny and 70s.

Here's to your health! Hope it's better than ours! :)

February ~ it's here????

I can't believe it's February. This tiny little month has so much packed into it. There are many family birthdays (two of them occurred on Groundhog's day). My brother, who passed away in 2009, and Glen's sister, Heather, share their special day with the Groundhog. Then my little man turned four on Friday as well as a niece. I can't believe it's been four years with him. We spent the day celebrating at Disney. He is getting so big and amazes me everyday. One of his favorite things to do during school time is mazes. I have run out of maze books.

Glen's mother, another niece, a nephew, and numerous friends also celebrate birth in February. Then there's Valentine's Day. I'm trying to come up with something special and creative for my special valentine (who by the way is not feeling well today - winter cold that is spreading to the kids....) Anyone have any ideas?

Well, February is here. I've got lots of plans I need to tackle ~ scrapbooking, quilting, taxes, and just life...such a short month with lots to do. Let's see what gets done...

Wisdom and Kindess

Yes, I'm still working on memorizing and implementing that verse. (Proverbs 31:26) I think back to the people in my life who I consider to be wise. They all spoke with kindness and compassion. They had time to listen to everything and found a joy in life. I want to be like that. I want that special walk with Jesus that shines through every aspect of my life.

I did complete the article for the magazine and submit it. I closed the article with this illustration.

My life of shattered dreams has been picked up many time by my Lord. He has taken these pieces and is fashioning them into a beautiful stained glass window where His glory can shine through.

Was I Successful?

So after reading Monday's, how do you think Tuesday went? Not as well as I wanted. I fought a migraine most of the day. L completed her school work. Dinner was in the crock pot - yummy!

Which verse did I choose? "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue." (Proverbs 31:26) I tried to stop and think about what I was saying, especially to my husband and children. I wanted to be a kind, loving mother - not the shrew that screams at everyone in frustration. I want God's wisdom to share with others! It was hard. I admit there were times my sarcasm showed more than my kindness.

I'm still working on the memorization and implementation of this verse. I may be doing that for a long time, but I'll get there! :)

Focused

That's what I am today - focused. I feel like I accomplished a lot. There were dishes (washed, dried, and mostly put away -3 times today), three loads of laundry (washed, dried, and folded), entire house vacuumed, bathrooms spot-cleaned, trash taken out, some homeschooling completed, caught up on grading and school paperwork, toys picked up, beds made, dinner cooked (Glen did this), and an SDCH board meeting. Some days I feel like I accomplish a lot more than others. I wonder what makes the difference.

It's my focus. Reading my Bible every day should be a priority in my life; I hate to admit it, however, I do skip days... When I focus my life on Christ, the other things fall into place. Maybe not a neat as I would like them to. Nevertheless, they seem little in comparison to our great God - just as it should be.

Today, my focus was on my time with Him and then the house and kids. I sat down and created a list of things to do and stayed away from the computer until it was after the kids' bedtime. I felt like the Proverbs 31 woman. "She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." (Proverbs 31:27)

So tomorrow holds a new day. I'm heading to Proverbs 31 again and finding a verse to memorize and exemplify in my life....which one will it be?

Saturdays and Sun

There are days that I love living in southern California and then there are days I miss Pennsylvania. Today is a beautiful, cool, sunny day. The sky is a nice shade of blue with no clouds in the sky. Many trees are bare and a few are holding there leaves.Yet, I'm dreaming of snow and cold weather.

I'm not sure of what to do with my day. There are many things that need done - organizing tax paperwork, housework, homeschool newesletter, grading of papers, etc. and yet I just want to go back to bed and sleep. Guess I shouldn't have stayed up so late last night. What I'd like to do is go sledding. I'd love to build a snow man with my kids or have a snow ball fight. Not possible where I am. I can't even drive to the snow - too far away.

Nevertheless, deep in my heart, I know that God has placed me here for a purpose. He has a plan for me. He cares for me, even when I long for other things. Oh, that I may long more for Him! May I desire Him above all things! So, I'm going to get off the computer, read His word, and then tackle the house. I think.

Family Photo Friday

California Adventure ~ Jan. 11, 2011

Thankful Thursday ~ my online BFF

 

Wow, that's a tough one for me. Most of my blog friendships currently seem to be one-sided. I "stalk" them. However, I am thankful for my niece, Jennifer, and her blog. She is the one who encouraged me to start and continue my blog. I am thankful for a former student, Missy, who continually challenges me to stay faithful as a constant commenter on my blog. Finally, I am thankful to Lynn for coming to the retreat to listen to me speak, for encouraging me in many ways, and for hosting Thankful Thursday.Visit her site for many more Thankful Thursday entries!

Lynn and I