Sep. 5, 2008 - God is Enough
A good friend stopped by today to drop off produce from her garden. What a blessing. The tomatoes tasted so good. Sometimes it is the small things that remind us that God is with us. Like garden-fresh tomatoes. And a bit of scripture that He reminds us of when He whispers softly in our ears.
He is enough.
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Aug. 29, 2008 - Floods
We had a flood in our house while we were away on a trip. Some of the losses were devastating. We still are waiting to see what our insurance will cover. It has been chaotic and emotionaly demanding.
Today a new kitchen floor was laid, and we have two rooms repainted. Tomorrow I will finish parinting the kitchen. On Tuesday, our appliances will go back in the kitchen and laundry room (they are currently in the dining room). We will get new carpet next week.
But tonight I am reminded of another flood. One of judgement that renewed the earth. Noah's familly had to rebuild houses and begin again. They had no one to turn to but God Himself. I have found myself crying out to Him as well. He is making things new in my life. He is sweeping out old ways of thinking and challanging me to let go of the fears I have grasped for so long. He is challanging me to stand in His strength and trust Him to make the waters recede.
Proverbs 3:5-6 will always hold true - Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, acknowledge Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight.
Sometimes that straight path involves floods or other trails that refine us and make us into the child He created us to be. Always, He is faithful to bring beautiful growth as the waters recede.
Blessed be the Name of the Lord.
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Dec. 9, 2007 - Harps for Christmas
What a beautiful setting!! My students from my harp studio performed at the Festival of Trees. Every year this event raises money for children's programs at our county hospital. This year ten of us played in the rotunda at the Persorming Arts Center. The sound is carried up to the main floor and can be heard everywhere. The girls did a fabulous job!
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Dec. 2, 2007 - Mom, I want to...
"Mom, you haven't given me a harp lesson for a long time."
Followed by a look of suprise from me, the mom. This was my second son's response to me asking my oldest son if he wanted to have a lesson after dinner. I honestly didn't know he was interested in playing, or didn't remember. He said that he had told me a long time ago.
How many times do our children give voice to the desires of their hearts, and we do not hear them? How often do we think it is some childish whim and not worthy of our notice? How often are we trying to get to the next lesson or activity and just do not listen to them?
When I was a little girl, I fell in love with the harp. My parents wisely made me learn some basic music on the piano first, and then bought a small harp when I was nine. My mom drove me to the nearest teacher, thirty minutes away, once a week. Later, when we found an outstanding instrument, she went back to work part-time so that they could pay for it. By the way, it took her entire salary for two years. I am so thankful to my parents for allowing me to follow my dream.
I want to hear the cries of my children's hearts. I want to help them fulfill the desires that God has placed in their hearts and talents He has given them. I never want them to look back and say, "My Mom never let me try ____ ." I pray that I will hear them and see the paths the Lord has for them and help them to run well.
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Nov. 23, 2007 - Parade of Lights
We have a really fun tradition on the Friday after Thanksgiving. There is a Parade of Lights in our town on this day. It is usually very cold! We beat the cold by going early and walking from float to float. It is so fun. We get to see things close up and take our time with pictures. We also keep warm by walking!!
This is the float our church did. Our choir sits on the float and carols while other peolple pass out gospel tracks with candy canes to onlookers. It is a great outreach. We are able to get the gospel into the hands of people who would never come through our doors.
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Nov. 22, 2007 - Fall Leaves
Fall is my favorite season. It always has been. I love the colors of the leaves. Here in Idaho, this season is so short, but it is lovely. We do have quite a few trees in town. We also like to drive about fifteen miles to a national forest near us. It is beautiful.
Five favorite things about fall...
Beautiful colors
Cool temperatures
Flowers are still blooming...sometimes
Sunlight filtering through fall leaves
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Nov. 22, 2007 - Co-op Art
We have a wonderful co-op once a month. I teach a fun class on art in children's literature. We draw inspiration from a Caldecott winning book . I have also been using lessons from Mona Brook's book "Drawing with Children". These were my sons' warm-up pictures. We looked at "Jumanji" by Chris VanAllsburg and found the five elements of shape. Then we used these elements as I led the students through drawing a bird. They loved it. I thoght these pictures were so wonderful.
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Nov. 22, 2007 - Blogging Assignment
Andijeane has assignments on her blog. Here is my first try at putting in a banner! How fun! I kept wondering how others did it. It is easy. Just go to www.imagechef.com.
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Nov. 22, 2007 - Scrapbooking Advice
Five Under Foot has a great blurb about how she scrapbooks. She does FIAR and posts pictures on her blog. They are so cute. Thanks for the how to!
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Nov. 22, 2007 - Giving Thanks
In everything give thanks. 1 Thess. 5:18
God Is so good. I'm thankful for His healing, His mercy, His grace, His love, His forgiveness, His joy, His strength, His comfort...and so much more.
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Nov. 22, 2007 -
Happy Thanksgiving!
Praise God for His many blessings.
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Nov. 20, 2007 - I Play the Harp
When I was five years old, I saw a harp for the first time. We were at a Bible study potluck at a friend's house. She was so sweet and let me play a few strings. I was enthralled. My parents were sure it was a passing phase, but after four years of piano, they let me begin harp lessons at age nine. What a dream come true.
At thirty-five, I still play the harp. I teach lessons in my home and play for weddings and receptions. I also play with our university symphony and other local emsembles.
Do any of you play the harp?
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Nov. 20, 2007 - The third best decision I ever made...
I have found myself saying this over and over to women I meet. Homeschooling is the third best decision I have made in my lifetime. So many choices would have resulted in a different life, but I cannot imagine family life without homeschooling. I don't want to imagine who my children would be if Ty and I had chosen another way. I am so thankful that our Lord has lead us to this place. He is so good.
And what is the first best choice? Jesus, of course. I asked Him to be my Lord and Savior twenty-three years ago. He has always been so faithful, so gracious, so merciful. May my life bring you praise, Jesus.
The second is marrying my sweet husband, Ty. He is such a blessing in my life. He has such a heart for God.
