Good day everyone!  I am making a list of all the thing to do around the house before fall weather arrives, and find that I have a busy few days ahead of me. 

There is the last of summer's bounty to can and freeze, and a long list of house cleaning chores to be done.  The cabinets will soon be overflowing with tomatoes, pickles, jams and jellies, as well as frozen corn, butterbeans, peas and vegitable stew bases.

The windows need to be washed, and rugs cleaned, and floors waxed.  Flues and chimneys await attention, as do closets, and winter coats and shoes.  The bathroom linen closet needs a thorough overhaul.  Time to replace first aid kit items, check water pipes and do last minute yard work.  Limbs to be burnt, brush to be mowed, and leaves to be raked.  Removing and storing some flower bulbs for the winter are also on the list.  My goodness, it just grows and grows, doesn't it?  But somehow, the things that need to get done the most always do, and the less important wait until a more convient time.

My precious little one is working on her math at present, and is enjoying munching on a crossant.  I have had my morning cuppa, and am ready to tackle the day's duties, I think.

We are focusing on some of God's promises to us this week, in particular, His provision for His children. We are doing lesson plans on God's deliverance of the Isrealites from Egypt, and how He guided and fed them in the wilderness.  Now, just as in those days, God is still keeping His promises.  He provides for us and nutures us with His loving presence.  All to Him, we owe.

Well, it's off to the kitchen for me, and the den, and the bedroom ,and the laundry.....

Today, as my daughter and I were going over our scripture study,  our "attitude of gratitude" focused on the 23rd Psalm.

As we were reading, she began to ask what some of the passages meant.  While explaining their meaning to her, I was so blessed to remember His promises to us.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."  I am grateful that we can rely upon Him for our provision.

"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, He leadeth me beside the still waters, He restoreth my soul."  I am grateful that in Him, I can find peace, and rest, and forgiveness of my sin.

"Yea though I walk through the shadow of the valley of death , I will fear no evil, for thou art with me."  I"m grateful I do not need to be fearful.  I can rely on Him to carry me where I am unable to walk on my own.  He is in control and has complete knowledge of all that lies ahead.

"Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me."  I am grateful that He fights my battles for me, and that I may rely upon Him for His protection.

"Thou preparest a table for me in the presence of ny enemies."  I am grateful that it is He who has the final word, and He will provide my defense for me, and He will stand between me and the forces of darkness.

"Thou annointest my head with oil."  I thank him that He is changing me from glory to glory, annointing me with His wisdom, and grace.

"My cup runneth over."  I am grateful that he not only gives me enough for my familiy's needs, He has given me more than enough, so that I might bless someone else.

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."  I am grateful for His promises to me,  that I am a recipient of His unmerited favor.  And I am grateful for His Word, which says that Jesus has prepared a place just for me,  and that He will someday come back for me!

My sweetie says she is glad that God loves her so much, and that He hears us when we pray.

                                                 Blessing to all who enter here!

                                                                  Grace

As we continue to focus this week on an attitude of gratitude, my little girl and I made a list of things that we feel brings us joy and happiness. 

Happiness is ....My list

Our salvation,  our family,  our home,  and our friends.  Happiness is also... cool water on a hot day.  Cookies fresh from the oven.  A nature walk.  Twenty minutes of undisturbed bath time.  Candles that smell like lemons and oranges.  Clean socks, that I didn't have to wash.  Fresh linens on the bed.  A really good book.  Beautiful music.  Time with my hubby.  A silent phone.  A good belly laugh.  A good cry. A new recipe to try.  And my list goes on and on!

My Sweetheart's list

A new toy.  Disneyland.  My best friend.  Anything chocolate!  My kitties.  My cool drawing set.  My new pink Bible that Granny and Grandaddy gave me.  My blue velvet shirt.  When you kiss me, Mommy!  My bother, when he plays with me.  My sister, when she shows me her stuff.  When I go see Aunt M...., Swinging!

I had to laugh when I saw this picture.  In all the years of being a wife and mother, I've felt this way so many times. I couln't count them.  It never ceases to amaze me that when the house is spotless, no one comes for days, but just let the bed be unmade, or laundry overflowing, and boy, will the house fill with company.  I have learned to just roll with the punches.  Sort of...

My hubby, who is famous for arriving with unexpected guests is never bothered by a little mess.  As a matter of fact, I think his favorite pastime is creating them!  I don't know how one man can find so much dirt, and manage to pile it on his person, before returning home from a day at work.  At our house he is what is known as a dirt magnet.  But I love him anyway!

I used to find housework such a drudge, and sometimes I still do.  Lately, however, I've begun to take a much more laid-back attitude.  I think it's because I am letting go of my expectations of perfection, and letting God have control of my desire for a spotless house at all times.  By that I mean I am learning that the needs of my family come before my need to be seen as perfect.  And it is really fantastic!  I used to spend so much time fretting over every dust bunny being blasted into oblivion, I forgot to enjoy the simple pleasure of a morning cup of coffee with my Bible.  I was the whirling dervish of wipe-downs, and the fastest draw of the broom in the south.

Don't get me wrong, my house is still getting cleaned on a regular basis, and I still break out into a sweat when I see my laundry hamper.  I've just learned to temper it with a bit of wisdom.

The best part of all?  I have returned to a sense of joy when I clean, and a grateful heart for a hubby who is learning to wipe his feet.  And it only took him twenty years!

Have a great day....oh wait!  Is that a glass on the table without a coaster?  Argggghhhhhh!

Today I am grateful for two eyes that can see, two ears that can hear, two hands that can hold, two feet that can walk.  I am grateful for my eyes, because with them I can see the beauty of Your creation.  I am grateful for my ears, because they can hear the wisdom of the Word,  I am grateful for my hands because they can be used as an instument to offer comfort to another, I am grateful for my feet because with them I may go where you send me as an insrtument of Your peace.

I am blessed today because I am well in body, mind and spirit.  I am blessed because I have a family that worships You, and loves me despite my failings.  I am blessed today because I have food to eat, and the strength to cook it.  I am blessed today because I have a house that needs cleaning.  It means that it is a home where life and love intermingle.  But mostly I am blessed because I am forgiven.

What are you grateful for today?

My little girl says: I am  grateful for having time to play, and  my parents, and electricty, and my homeschool, and that  God loves me and I especially thank Him for good food and water, because without them we'd just die.  She says she is blessed by: toys, and everyone she  knows, and Granny and Grandaddy, and my kitties, especially Kitten because he's so sweet.

Amen.

Breakfast Menus

Monday : Cinnamon toast and oatmeal  Tuesday : Granola cereal with strawberries  Wednesday : Poached eggs and cream cheese bagels   Thursday : melon slices and cream of wheat  Friday : Cold cereal of choice and honey toast  Saturday : Strawberry pancakes and bacon slices  Sunday : Egg Fritatta with sage sausage

Lunch menus

Monday : Grilled Cheese on Whole Wheat with sliced tomatoes and cucumbers  Tuesday : Parmesean Pasta with sliced veggies   Wednesday :  Pb&J on Whole Wheat with orange slices  Thursday : Veggie Salad   Friday : Pasta primavera with peaches   Saturday : Cheese Pizza bagel slices and pear compote  Sunday :  Reheated Smothered chicken and wild rice with applesauce

Supper Menus

Monday  : Ham and Cheese Puff Pie with Iceburg Lettuce Salad   Tuesday : Saffron Chicken & Vegitables and Sweet Potatoe Casserole    Wednsday : Chicken Salad Stuffed Tomatoes with Green Beans and Corn on the Cob     Thursday : Two potatoe au Gratin and Pork minute steaks with Wilted Collard Greens     Friday : Smothered Chicken with Wild Rice and Bell Pepper Salad     Saturday : Summer Squash Casserole and  Butterbeans with Smoked Ham.    Sunday : Vegitable Soup with Ham chunks.

Cookie Jar :  Golden Kolacky cookies   Triple Decadence Brownies  

 Breads and rolls :  2 loaves wheat bread  yeast rolls  blueberry muffins

Good Sunday evening!

I am preparing for the week, getting lesson plans ready and looking ahead to the challenges and joys awaiting our family.  As I search for appropriate scripture for lessons, and spend time seeking God's direction for the days ahead, my heart is filled with gratitude for our blessings.  It never fails to astonish me that many things I learned as a child in Sunday school lessons are still so relevant for my little daughter.  While the world races ever onward, looking for the better, faster, and easier way,  God's word is unchanged.  And yet, it applies perfectly today, as it always has.  His lessons for us are never out-dated or irrelevant.

As we begin this week, our focus is on an "Attitude of Gratitude."  I want to integrate the spirit of thankfulness into our studies, so I am going to focus on two scriptures  this week.

Colossians 3:16  "Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and council each other with all the wisdom he gives.  Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts."

Phillipians 4:6  "Don't worry about anything, instead pray about everything.  Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done."   (I use the New Living Translation.  It is easier for my little one to understand.)

I read in a concordence in my Bible that wisdom is applied truth.  Showing thankfulness, and giving voice to those thanks is a way to demonstrate to her the simplicity and constancy of a grateful heart.

Have a good evening!