Just the other day my pastor got stuck on the highway and waited froever for anyone to stop and offer help. It gave me cause to think, would I have stopped? Would I have offered help?
How amny times in our christian lives do we put ourselves out and stop what we are doing to help someone other then ourselves? It is so easy to get on our own track and forget to ask God what He wants of us.
Would you not go to that concert to stop and witness to a friend? Would you stop playing on facebook to tend to a sick neighbour? Would you not buy that outfit you have been saving for to buy groceries for a family in need?
This song is a blessing to my heart
Make me a servant like you, dear Lord.
Living for others each day.
Humble and meek, helping the weak,
Loving in all that I say.
Give me Lord, a servant's heart.
Hear's my life:take every part.
Give me, Lord, a servant's heart.
Help me draw so close to you.
That your love comes shining through.
Give me Lord, a servant's heart.
Give me Lord, a servant's heart.
Make me a witness like you, dear Lord.
Showing the love of the cross.
Sharing Your Word till all have heard,
Serving whatever the cost.
Give me Lord, a servant's heart.
Hear's my life: take every part.
Give me, Lord, a servant's heart.
Help me draw so close to you.
That you love comes shining through.
Give me Lord, a servant's heart.
Give me Lord, a servant's heart.
Outside my window... the sun is shinning, it is going to be a beautiful day! Temps average arounf 20 degreesBlujays on my deck, flowers in the garden, and plants coming up in the veggie garden.
I am thinking... about my long unintentional break from blogging I had to take to focus on school and things around my house.
I am thankful for... a supportive hubby and all the hard work he puts into his family and work.
From the learning rooms...my oldest is done for another year, the two yopungest are almost done the middle two are a little behind, but with a little encouragment they will finish.
From the kitchen....today we are having BBQ greek porkchops, salad and rice and strawberry rhubarb coffee cake.
I am wearing... my nightdress and housecoat, trying to get this typed before my shower.
I am creating... an organized kitchen with the help of my oldest daughter.
I am going... to work on a present for my hubby for fathers day.
I am reading... my bible and a book about the history of the farmers almanac.
I am hoping... still hoping to get the pool up.
I am hearing... the girls clean up and some watching Martha speaks.
Around the house...laundry, ironing, cooking and cleaning.
One of my favorite things...warm cup of tea on a cool morning.
A few plans for the rest of the week... going out with my hubby, visiting a friend on Wednesday, and a planned church fellowship on Saturday.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
Two of my girls from the Maritimes games held at forest Glen bible Camp.
Outside my window... the sun is in full warm up mode! Flowers are starting to take in my new flower beds, and the leaves are popping out all over my maple tree.
I am thinking... about the scrapbooking day I will be having on Saturday.
I am thankful for... good church friends!
From the learning rooms...pace work and figuring out an end of the year project with the girls.
From the kitchen....BBQ'd hotdogs, we just bought a new VVQ and all the girls want to try it out. We will also be having potato salad and cucumber slices, along with the rest of my pumpkin orange cake I made yesterday.
I am wearing... a jean skirt and a blue t-shirt with my yellow crocs.
I am creating... or going to a new chore chart for the girls.
I am going... to find some discs to copy my picture to print off for saturday!
I am reading... my bible, What Does the Bible Say About That?, and some old country woman mags.
I am hoping... to get our new pool up soon, with a deck.
I am hearing... the girls doing school work and helping each other, what a wonderful sound.
Around the house...laundry, baking and general clean up.
One of my favorite things...old musicals.
A few plans for the rest of the week... planning for this weekend, violin for my oldest, groceries and regular things..
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
At a bon fire with some friends, me and my hubby, and my baby ruth eating an improvised smore.
Outside my window... it is just one of those yuckey day syou get before spring decides it really wants to be spring. The snow is gone, we are expecting more rain this week with the temperatures going up and down. So goes spring.
I am thinking... about my christian life and what surrender and giving up control really means.
I am thankful for... a warm house and a the fact that my hubby still has a job in these uncertain times.
From the learning rooms...regular pace work, I am giving my #2 daughter a spelling test today.
From the kitchen....sausage, veggies and some kind of potato.
I am wearing... a jean skirt and light pink sweater.
I am creating... a plan for a garden in the front of my house.
I am going... nowhere. I really like mondays, I usually don't have to do anything extra.
I am reading... my bible.
I am hoping... to not have my heart hurting as much as it did this week .
I am hearing... the computer hum, quiet talk from some of the girls.
Around the house...laundry, baking and general clean-up.
One of my favorite things...getting together with friends.
A few plans for the rest of the week... music lessons, maybe special meetings at a different church.
Outside my window... the temperature is chilly, it is only 3 degrees with a feel like of -2. We are having lots of rain. Very dark and dreary, the kind of day when all the lights are on in the house. But my hubby is home so the day seems brighter :).
I am thinking... about the broken pump in our septic tank, that is the reason my hubby is home.
I am thankful for... my hard working husband, who takes care of his family. Gods provision that emabled my husband to take today off to atttend to septic tank problems.
From the learning rooms...the girls are working on their pace work. Daddy is helping some with multiplication tables and spelling.
From the kitchen...spagetti, with garlic buns.
I am wearing... short sleve knit sweater of blue and green, and a black skirt.
I am creating... a harmony in the home with life lessons for my girls.
I am going... to town to do laundry, actually I already did. That is why I am late with this today. We can't let water drain yet and had to wash some clothes.
I am reading... my bible, While Chocolate Moments and waiting for some books to blogg about.
I am hoping... that the pump will be fixed this afternoon and I can get back to running my house in a regular fashion.
I am hearing... the dryer, kids getting lunch and my hubby helping one of the girls.
Around the house...laundry, being careful about water use and some friends are coming over today.
One of my favorite things...my hubby.
A few plans for the rest of the week... violin lesson, maybe going out with my hubby one night, church.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
My daughter Hannah turned 13 this week. And the big hole in our front yard from the septic problems.
I haven’t spent a lot of time , other then the weekly things I am involved in, for some time. There has been lots of things going on in our lives during the last 9 months or so..We bought a new house, and have been spending some time making it ours. Our family dynamics are changing, we will be celebrating our #2 daughters birthday this month and she will become the second teenager of the house. I find this incredible. I really don’t feel old enough to have two teenagers.
We feel incredible blessed that in these hard times my hubby, who works in the construction field, has not lost his job. This means so much. But even so, we rest in the fact that God will take care of us. It is funny , how in the last year I can look back and see Gods hand in so many areas of our life. My husband has been given many opportunities to preach, that would not have happened in our old church. I know a lot of people look down on people changing churches, and it was only after a couple years of praying and begging God what to do with our situation that we felt sure this was what he wanted us to do.
It has hurt some of our relationships, even after a year and a half people who once claimed to be friends for life ignore us and walk past. This does cause me to wonder what our relationships were before. If people who claim to be Christians can just walk by and "shun" you because you did something that they think is wrong, were they really friends or just people who long for control and are now mad that they have lost it? What ever the answer, god has not brought us to an easy road just to relax us. In our new church we are growing and watching as God gives us new challenges and task to help us to grow.
It is true that as a Christian if you are not growing you are dying. I feel that I have spent a part of the last year dying somewhat. But praise God I can still feel him near and guiding me as I let him lead me and try not to kick against the pricks ;). If you are still reading you must be either a true friend or struggling as I have. I have found a lot of help in reading my bible and the preaching form church. But I seem to draw close to hymns at times like this. These men and women must have been so close to God to be able to draw us to him with such simple word. I pray you will find rest from the weary journey we are on. There is joy in the Lord if we but reach out and take it.
Under His Wings~William O. Cushing/Ira D. Sankey
Under His wings I am safely abiding,
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me,
He has redeemed me, and I am His child.
Refrain
Under His wings, under His wings,
Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.
Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
There I find comfort, and there I am blessed.
Refrain
Under His wings, oh, what precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me,
Resting in Jesus, I’m safe evermore
Outside my window... it is -7 (or 19). Very chilly today. but the sun is shinning and will be for a couple of days :)
I am thinking... about what to do for March break with my kids, I can't make them clean their rooms everyday ;)
I am thankful for... the pump in the septic tank not being broken! The alarm went off last week and we were not sure why. It turns out when we bought the house 9 months ago we assumed that they had pumped and they didn't. So it was not as bad as we had thought.
From the learning rooms...nothing! We are taking a needed break this week.
From the kitchen...sausages, baked potato, and veggies. Most likely some baking too.
I am wearing... pink slippers, tan jean skirt, brown t-shirt and dark pink sweater.
I am creating... unhappy children, That is what happens when they are not expecting to clean rooms on the first day of their break :)
I am going... no where, I love Mondays! :) Hopefully we will have a couple outings this week.
I am reading... Nothing at this moment, I just did my blog entry on the book "Treasuring God in Our Traditions" by Noel Piper. What an awesome book. Check out my post before this one.
I am hoping... to paint tonight :).
I am hearing... my oldest doing some dishes, the arshall family on the cd player and clean up noises from the bedrooms.
Around the house...laundry, baking, cleaning and painting today.
One of my favorite things...new sheets. I don't know why, but new sheets are wonderful to me.
A few plans for the rest of the week... practicing piano, baking, a couple outings, an afternoon of manopoly, and some other games.
I was very surprised to read this book and discover just how easy it is to bring Christianity down to a childs level and enforce good principals for our children in everyday traditions and in yearly special traditions. I coming not from a Christian home as a child, found the task of introducing things to my children very burdensome indeed, but it really does not have to be.
This book has really opened my eyes to see how fun and encouraging it can be to train up a child to understand and desire a relationship with God. Not just to brush up on traditional bible stories, but to really make them come to life in a childs level. Not just for young children, but also to allow the bible truths to expand and become deeper as the childs level of understanding grows with the child.
I am truly looking forward to adopting some of the ways Mrs. Piper has taught things to her children and making them our own for our family. To many times we let our past dictate what we can and cannot do with our children, instead of keeping the good and shifting through things to bring truths alive and let the fiction slide away. We let everything slide.
I really enjoyed reading this practical book and being open to all of the possibilities it has presented to me and my family. Even now my husband is sitting on the couch reading and I can’t wait to sit with him and discuss how we can bring more traditions into our lives and how these traditions can enrich our lives and bring us closer to God. Thank-you Mrs. Piper for this book.
Memory Verse - Now mine eyes shall be opened, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. II Chronicles 7:15
Introduction - I thought that I would hit the “easy button” this week and not only make the assignment light, but also give us a chance to get to know each other better through prayer.
Assignment - This week I would like you to post any prayer requests you have. What is going on in your life that you need prayer warriors for? Feel free to post an unspoken request if you feel it is too personal. Then if you would just take the time to visit as many other BFS buddies as possible, pray for them and then leave them a little note letting them know that you have prayed or will be praying.
My prayer requests
~ My hubby job. He works in construction as a painter/drywaller/builder. That his job will be able to continue to support us and provide for our needs.
~ That we will be content with our needs and not be upset if all our wants are not filled.
~ That we grow as a family and a couple, closer to God and closer to each other.
~ To be able to train my girls to have a heart for God and desire to serve him.
~ for opportunities for my husband to preach, as is his hearts desire.
Outside my window... it is overcast, but it is going to become sunny with a high of 1 (30)
I am thinking... how to teach my middle child how to not be a bully to her sisters. She used to be picked on and now it seems she picks to stand up for herself. Go figure. The pick on become the bullies.
I am thankful for... a hardworking hsband and the work that he has in such an unstable economy. And also that he continues to work on our house to make it pretty for me. Lets face it, he really doesn't how pretty it is as long as it is neat. ;).
From the learning rooms...three of my girls are changing their rooms around for peace sake. the two oldest are doing pace work.
From the kitchen...need to do some baking for my hubbys lunch box. Still wondering what to have for suppper?
I am wearing... jean skirt and tan t-shirt, bright yellow crocs. :)
I am creating... homemade cards and young ladies, I hope ;).
I am going... no where, I love Mondays! :) the rest of the week is different!
I am reading... "Keeping God in our Traditions". I am loving this book. I will be blogging about it this week so pop back and check it out.
I am hoping... to get my living area painted this month.
I am hearing... the gloryland singers in the background, and girls moving around.
Around the house...laundry, baking, overseeing the change-over and general clean-up.
One of my favorite things... a good cup of tea, sunshine through the clouds on a overcast day.
A few plans for the rest of the week... piano lesson, violin lesson, company for supper tomorrow, homeschool co-op, groceries and lots more, but I am suddenly tired.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
We had freezing rain last Monday. It made some pretty images in my front yard :)
Assignment: Try to think of one thing you can say to the glory of God- one thing to thank Him for, a positive thing you can say about Him, or one of His Names-using each letter of the alphabet. You are allowed to make up words- if you can justify them by making it clear what you mean- and you may also use any foreign language (but please explain what it means) - and you can also use a thesaurus or dictionary if you get stumped. I’m putting my list below so you’ll have to copy and paste this then remove my answers. It’s a bit of a challenge but I think you’ll enjoy it. Have fun with it! You can also reach the page by the link in my sidebar.
Here is mine:
A— Awesome!
B–Beautiful.
C–Creator.
D– Devotion.
E– Eternal.
F–forgiving.
G– The one and only God.
H— Holy.
I– Incredible.
J— Joyful.
K– King.
L– Loving.
M— Messiah.
N– Never ending.
O– obedient to his heavenly Father.
P– Patient.
Q– Quiet .
R— Raised from the grave.
S– Safety.
T– Trinity.
U– Understanding.
V— Victorious.
W— Wise, full of wisdom.
X— ex (X) cellent.
Y— Yaweh .
Z— Zealous .
Memory Verse - II Corinthians 4:18 - While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Introduction - Beauty is in the eye of the beholder; isn’t that what we’ve always been told. I find beauty in many things and in most people. There’s beauty in a flower, according to FTD as well, there’s beauty in trees, animals, people, and I’d have to say, as I’m sure that most people agree that there’s beauty in watching a child grow.
Assignment - Look around your space, look into your heart and share the beauty you see or feel with the rest of us.
Please show us some pictures of the beautiful things in your life, not just your children, maybe a flower, a book, a special place you sit to find peace or it could just be a beautiful letter or note you’ve received
It feels so good to participate in this. I had a very real bad day. It is nice to sit in the stillness of the late evening and contemplate the good after a rough day.
There is beauty in the images of a bygone era. To just sit and think of the simplicity of yester years.
There is also beauty in my childrens creations, knowing they took pleasure in doing something fun.
I find beauty in music. I love the pleasure of learning a new hymn. It lifts my spirit as nothing else can.
There is beauty in just being different. Having fun, just being me.
There is beauty in nature, seeing God's hand all around this world He created.
There is beauty in His sacrifice. I would not be who I am if it were not for His love for me.
I had to include this one. The joy and beauty my family gives me.
Outside my window... it is chilly,but not cold 0 degrees with a feel like of -4 (or 32 with a feel like of 25) Cloudy but noe weather to speak of. We are suposed to get some sun this afternoon :)
I am thinking... about the kitchen chores waiting to be done while I play on the computer ;)
I am thankful for... a godly husband, who does not flinch from doing what needs to be done.
From the learning rooms...pace work, working in our new scheduale and bible study in Proverbs.
From the kitchen...baked greek pork chops, apple crisp (maybe) and something else, must think on that one.
I am wearing... jean skirt, brown t-shirt and slippers.
I am creating... order to help my house run smoothly.
I am going... nowhere! Again! I love to stay home :)
I am reading... a book about Peggy's Cove here in nova Scotia, and "Keeping God in our Traditions"
I am hoping... to cuddle with my hubby and talk tonight.
I am hearing... music in the background. (The Marshalls, I wish we had more of their music)pencils printing and erasers erasing.
Around the house...Kitcken is my main focus on Mondays and laundry.
One of my favorite things... puzzels, I really love the ones by Charles Wysocki
A few plans for the rest of the week... making some rules because we all need rules to learn control and self discipline.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
We were awaken on Saturday by the "band" playing "It is Valentines Day" A homemade tune.
Our Valentines table, we always have a red day and give the girls little treats.
We’ve been catching up and throwing out a lot of the clutter in our home this past week, and thankfully it looks as if we’ve done so! However, one thing we won’t ever really get rid of, especially in a large family, is laundry. Everyone has it, but just how much?
THEME
This question was posted at a Large Family Homeschooling fourm, and I thought it would be fun as one of the memoirs.
So share all about your laundry. It’s on very rare occasion that it’s suitable to air dirty laundry. lol
Our laundry, that is a story that never ends. I don't do laundry everyday, I should. Instead I spend about two out of six days a week working on laundry. It does take most of each day though. I am particular with what detergents I use though, we have some friends who are very sensitive to sencts and I try to be careful in that area. I use Tide free and Downey free. There are more others but for our budget and purpose these work.
I do use my dryer alot, but I love fresh sheets off of a line, nothing smells as nice as fresh line dried sheets. But if my towels go on the line, someone is in trouble! I really do not like the feel of line dried towels.
I do love to fold fresh clothes, but if I don't get to them right away, it takes me forever to get to them. But we do have alot of laundry, not as much as the Duggers, but enough for me. Speaking of Mt. Washmore, it is calling my name again. Looks like tomorrow it that day again! ;)
Memory Verse:Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
Introduction: You Deserve a Break Today (McDonalds) –After all this crazy weather, the economy ups and downs and now a new President for the United States you all do deserve a break today. I want to give everyone a ‘break today’ and have the ANNUAL SHOPPING SPREE!!!
Assignment: I’d like to stick with a theme for the spree though. The marriage bedroom! I’m also being a little selfish on this one because my husband and I are getting ready to demolish our room, my office, and our ‘guest’ room and make ourselves a master suite. I need some great ideas on linen, wall colors, curtains, pictures…anything that would help me to decorate our new room. I do want a soft and sanctuary type theme. Are you willing to help me? Your budget is $1500! I gave you a raise from last year…since the economy is so bad right now…LOL. Make sure you use the banner and code on the right side of this page to show us your assignments!
Wow, This was fun! It gave me some time to get away from my usual chores for some fun! I don't really shop on line but I do browse. It was fun to make a list of things that I would like to have. I must admit that some of the things are the same as last year, some of the we have been able to purchase, like the curtains and bed set. It is fun to pretend to do the rest of the room that is our little piece of the house :) I look forward to reading others.
Some one gave me an award ! Can you see me blushing? Ally Jo gave this to me just for stepping out and making a comment on a strangers blog. see sometimes it is good to step out of a comfort zone and try to make new friends. So thank you. :)
I don't always pass on awards, but I put this one up because it was such a blessing to be thought of.
Outside my window... here in our little neck of the woods the sun is shinning brightly! Yeah for the sun!! :) It is -11 with a feelike temp of -19 or 12 with a feel like temp of-2, depending on where you live.
I am thinking... of all the things I need to do today. Many lists to make. Trying to make house cleaning and chores as easy as possible for my girls and me :)
I am thankful for... good music, how it can lift the soul and turn our hearts towards our Saviour.
From the learning rooms...all the regular. A couple of the girls are still trying to get caught up with things they fell behind on before Christmas.
From the kitchen...baked ham with rasin sauce, scallop potato, a veggie and one of the girls just asked to make dessert, so maybe.... and I do need to make something for my hubbys lunch box.
I am wearing... jean skirt, brown t-shirt and pink sweater.
I am creating... enought lists to chock a horse, sorry to my daughter Meghan. I won't really choke a horse :).
I am going... nowhere! Yeah, my hubby has the van today.
I am reading... a book about the Halifax Explosion and starting one called Treasuring God in our Traditions by Noel Piper
I am hoping... to get all of my lists done today.
I am hearing... the kettle about to whistle and the girls talking queitly in the big bedroom as they work on schoolwork together.
Around the house...general cleanup and catch up after a busy weekend.
One of my favorite things... My Hubby ! :)
A few plans for the rest of the week... enforcing the lists ;), and creating a menu, ironing (the worst job in the world!)
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
Our new floor is almost done then on to trim the windows and paint the walls.
Outside my window... it is cold, but sunny. We have a snowfall warning in place for tomorrow. I love snow :)
I am thinking... of my friend who had a rough night, but still no baby. It is her first and hard to wait.
I am thankful for... a godly husband. He preached the message last night at church and it hit my heart and caused some damage. But it can be fixed, he told us how in his message.
From the learning rooms...pace work, I am changing things up a bit,because the loose pace is not working for a couple of my girls. More structure required.
From the kitchen...roastbeef with mashed taters and gravy. I was also thinking about homemade cinnamon rolls with glaze! Yummy!
I am wearing... a jean skirt and dark blue top with fuzzy socks and pink slippers :), I must look like a sight!
I am creating... a scrapbook of memeories for my family.
I am going... to the laundry room to do laundry that seems to multipy overnight. Is there a mommy alundry and a daddy laundry that make baby laundries?
I am reading... just finnished one an dhave to figure out what to read next.
I am hoping... my friend has her baby soon. Also for the floor to get done in the living room.
I am hearing... two girls fighting over frozen waffles. two cleaning their room before school work starts and one has vanished into the depths of an almost teenage girls room :)
Around the house... I plan to do laundry and scrapbook today.
One of my favorite things... going back over finnished albums and seeing all of the memories from our years of marriage.
A few plans for the rest of the week... the usual running of my home, meals, laundry, cleaning. Making a new chore chart with my hubby for the girls and helping my hubby lay the new wood floor in the living room.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
My hubby bought me new curtains this weekend for the window above the kitchen sink and the patio door. They match and the patio door ones have tabs. We found them on sale at a little store in Middleton. they really go nice with the cupboards. I am so happy to find something I really like :)
At a bon fire with some friends, me and my hubby, and my baby ruth eating an improvised smore.
We had freezing rain last Monday. It made some pretty images in my front yard :)
