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This was transition day 2, tomorrow I start the actual fast. I had NO coffee today.  I did have a cup of herbal tea which was nice and also very good for me. That may replace my coffee, we'll see. Had a headache pretty much all day. I ended up taking a nap in John's recliner this afternoon. That gave me the energy I needed to get thru the rest of my day.

Col. 1:10
so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

Thank you to those of you who are praying for me!!

Please pray for my friend Lisa who is in very critical condition after surgery complications.  Even if she lives, she faces the possiblity of brain damage.  She and her husband have a 13 year old daughter.

Please pray that she will live and recover.

Thank you.  Annie Kate

Just a quick note here.   It has been an emotional weekend for us.  Grandma fell on the way to the car after our wonderful family celebration on Thursday.  She broke her ankle and had to have surgery on Friday.  This is not easy when you are in your 80's.  Today she was taken back to her nursing home to begin rehab.  Grandpa had his oncology appointment and indeed does have chronic leukemia.  He's probably had it for some years.  No treatment plan is in place yet.  Not sure he will cooperate, anyway.  My biggest concern is for my mom who is their primary guardian and is not 100% herself on a good day.  Oh my.  All this we give up to Him and wait for His provision. 

Other than that, life is good. 

~Jenn

PS Hope to upload my photos from Thanksgiving soon and get some posted. 

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS... SHMILY STYLE! is coming SOON!

Now, for those of you who may be unfamiliar with this SHMILY Time tradition, The "Twelve Days of Christmas" isn't talkin' about "A Partridge in a Pear Tree.  It's a twist that I'm sure your husband will enjoy!

It all started because my husband and I would wind up arguing during the holidays EVERY YEAR because it was so stressful.  Spending time and money on friends and family seemed to get out of control no matter how much we tried to "get better" each year and would result in some sort of argument, so A few years ago, I decided I would something different... Twelve days before Christmas just happens to be my husband's birthday, so I surprised him each day, and got us all the way to Christmas day without an argument!   I found it really hard to get angry with someone that I was so focused on loving and praying for!

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS... SHMILY STYLE revolves around the act of love and anything leading up to it.  Now, I know this "strikes a chord" with some of you and  I know that sex is not the only thing that makes a marriage good...  so please don't send me emails or leave comments telling me this.  (In fact, if sex is the only thing good in a marriage that's not healthy either.)  What I've found to be true however, is how "taboo" sex is, especially in Christian marriages.  We don't talk about it or even acknowledge it's importance in our marriages, when the fact is... God created it... and it was His intention that it is good.  I understand that we, as a society have ruined that in so many ways, on so many levels... but THAT is not God's fault, nor does it change what He intended for beautiful and fulfilling and to make a husband and wife as one.  Because of what sex has become because of premarital sex, pornography, adultry and the like, we have somehow become "scared" to talk about sex in a Christian marriage as if it's "dirty".

Unfortunately, sex is also one of the first things we "take away" or avoid when things get rough in our marriage as well.  Let's face it, when you're arguing with your spouse, do you feel like making love?... probably not... and when that happens, the enemy begins his work at destroying our marriage...  Think back to when you were falling in love with your spouse... at some point in time, there was a physical attraction... and chances are good it was pretty "intense".  Just because you may have been married for awhile, that does not mean that your love making should get boring, or non-existent.  It doesn't matter what stage (or state) your marriage is in right now bring the spark back to your marriage, and start with THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS!

Note:  If you are in a process of healing in your marriage, or there is a hurt that hasn't been dealth with or forgiven, then please take a moment to pray the SHMILY PRAYER.  I realize that some hurts and problems need more time to heal, and so this year may not be the time for THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS... instead, you may want to tuck this idea away and continue to pray for God to restore your marriage, including the act of love making.  (The Power of a Praying Wife is also an excellent book to begin praying every day for your husband.)

With ALL that being said, THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS involves some planning, so take some time to be thinking about what you can do to begin a year that will hopefully start a life long tradition! 

• It begins on December 14th (12 days before Christmas)... and is for 12 DAYS... 12 consecutive days (or nights)! This is especially fun because most people's traveling and visiting relatives is during these days (keeping in mind that this would be especially fun while visiting relatives  because only you and husband will know what's going on...) 
  

• This involves an investment in your "drawer of many blessings" drawer as well... and yes, you SHOULD have one of these drawers, so make room (throw out some clothes if you have to... your hubby would rather see you in these anyway!)  Start saving money and get your drawer stocked up!  You'll be able to "recycle" here so the money you spend here is worth it in the end.  You're investing in your marriage and that is never money wasted.  (Your size is NOT an excuse either!   Please read, "He loves you... quit hiding!" if you're  struggling with your outer appearance.   Have all your "little blessings" bought by 14th and plan for each day's surprise, along with any evening you might be able to get a sitter and go out (with your "little blessing" on to tell him about over dinner), or a friend to watch the kids so you can stay in (and put your "gift" to use)! 

• Make or get a card to give to your husband on the 13th.  An idea would be:
  

  • "To celebrate the next twelve days of Christmas I have planned a special "gift" for you each day with only you in mind!  Anticipate what each will bring as we celebrate the next twelve days of Christmas... twelve you're sure not to forget!" (Don't forget to sign it, SHMILY!)

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Homestead Ramblings ~ Getting Back On Track

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After a hectic season of harvesting and craft fair I am craving some... routine.  I have been feeling that our home has suffered with lack of good old routine.  We kept up our basics but our focus on really diving in our science and history hasn't been what I would really like.  I will be very careful what my famiy fills our time with.  I don't want to let too many things distract us from what we need to be doing. 

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I also noticed I haven't done a Weekly Wrap Up sense just before Philips virus attack.  I didn't realise how much time actually went by !   I am going to really work at getting back to that.  I really enjoy Carol's meme of Weekly Wrap Up.  It is a wonderful way to keep track of what is going on in our little homeschool and family life.  Also to see what other homeschool families are doing too.  We get to encourage eachother in this road less traveled and cheer eachother on. 

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I have been really trying to learn what balance in my life means.  Boy, this has been a real hard one to figure out.  If I am not careful things come in and crowd out what is very important to our family.  I have commited myself to going the distance with all four boys in homeschooling to the end.  I have to really work at putting blinders on and coming to Jesus' feet each day and seek out the Lord's will for my family.  Not a small task to take on but what a worthy task it is.  If you think of it please pray for me and my family as we seek his direction and if you want me to lift you and your family up in prayer please let me know through my comments or email me privately.   Just click on my link on my sidebar that says Email Me above my cbox.  I would be priviledged to pray for any who want me to.  I know prayer is the only answer in all circumstances.

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I am beginning Phase 2 of The Lord's Table. They call it "Feasting and Fasting" because I will be learning more about how to feast on the Lord even as I am fasting.

 
It feels as though the sun has been hibernating.  Sodden day has followed after gloomy day for far too long, but this morning the sun shone!
 
I stood in front of the window, just to enjoy the golden brilliance glowing everywhere.
 
“Oh dear!  What are the dogs doing now?” asked one of my children, seeing me gaze outside.
 
“Nothing.  I’m just letting the sun shine on me.”
 
And that’s what I did this morning, while homeschooling (yes, some of the children had gotten behind), folding laundry, chatting, and resting—I enjoyed God’s warm, comforting, invigorating sunshine. 

  
This afternoon, I read in my Bible that eventually there will be no need of sun or moon anymore, for the Lord will give us light (Rev 22:5).  After this morning I understand that in a deeper way.
 
May you have a day filled with Light.