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www.oursimplelives.wordpress.com/ All of my new entries will be on my new blog...Come visit me over there!!! |
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I am thinking about switching my blog account over to Wordpress. I've set one up to see how it compares to Homeschoolblogger...and I'd love to hear your opinion...here's the new one I set up. Which one do you like better? As far as how it looks, ease in getting around, etc.etc.etc.? I would really like to add more pictures when I blog and I can't do it very well on this blog account. This will still be my primary blogging space for now...I'll let you know if and when I switch. I am By the way...many of you have been asking about our pigs (the rest of you I'm sure don't care!!)...it's a sad story (especially to my husband!!) so I really didn't want to blog about it, but here is the update...she ended up misscarrying. My husband thinks the first piglet was probably too big to be born, and then the rest of them died as well. She never seemed at all distressed while in labor (in fact, I wasn't even convinced she was in labor..but my husband was)...so we didn't realize there was a problem. My dh has been so sad! He will be so proud that I cared enough to blog about it |
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Psalm 100 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God; it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise;be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Psalm 100:1-5 I'll be taking the rest of today and tomorrow off to cook/bake and to spend time with family and friends. If you want a really cute and fun cookie idea for pilgrim hats look here . Happy Thanksgiving and may God bless you and your family. |
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1. What was the year for the 1st Thanksgiving? 1621 2. Name 5 people at the 1st Thanksgiving. Could be various answers...Squanto, William Bradford, Miles Standish, Samuel Eaton, Priscilla Mullins, etc. etc. 3. What fraction of the people, who arrived on the Mayflower, lived through the 1st winter? all, 1/8, 1/4, 1/3, 1/2? 1/2 4. Who was the Governor upon arriving at Plymouth Rock? Carver 5. How long did the 1st Thanksgiving last? 3 Days 6. Who was the Governor by the time of the 1st Thanksgiving? William Bradford 7. What President first declared Thanksgiving as a National Holiday? Abraham Lincoln in 1863 (I read somewhere else it was George Washington, if anyone knows for sure..please let me know!) 8. Who taught the Pilgrims all they knew about planting and hunting? (Hannah says this one is way too easy, but hey, I have to give him credit!) Squanto 9. About how many people were at the 1st Thanksgiving celebration? 140 10.How many of these were women? (Think about this ladies as your preparing for 10-20 family members!) 4 11.Where was the 1st Thanksgiving celebration located (specifically)? Leyden Street, the only street of Plymouth |
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Of Plymouth Plantation is an incredible book to remind us of the hardships and trials our forefathers went through, while staying steadfastly devoted to our Heavenly Father. To read William Bradford's account and see how these pilgrims were constantly on their knees praising the Lord is so awesome! In this book, Governor William Bradford says, "Thus out of small beginnings greater things have grown by His hand Who made all things out of nothing, and gives being to all things that are; and as one small candle may light a thousand, so the light enkindled here has shone to many, yea, in a sense, to our whole nation; let the glorious name of Jehovah have all the praise." In one account, before homes were built, he says this, "Though it was very dark and rained hard, they ultimately got under the lee of a small island, and remained there safely all night; but they did knot know it was an island till morning. They were divided in their mind; some wished to stay in the boat, for fear there would be more Indians; others were so weak and cold they could not endure it, but got ashore and with much ado made a fire-everything being wet,-and then the rest were glad enough to join them; for after midnight the wind shifted to the north-west and it froze hard. But though this had been a night of much hardship and danger, God gave them a morning of comfort and refreshment, as He usually doth to His children; for the next day was a fair sun-shining day, and they found they were on an island secure from the Indians, where they could dry their stuff, fix their arms, and rest themselves and give God thanks for His mercies in their manifold deliverances." How many of us, after suffering through a night of hardship like this would focus on the thanksgiving and on the praise we could still offer up to God? One more of my favorite quotes from this book (there are many) by William Bradford is this, "It was to the astonishment of many and almost to the wonder of the world, that from so small a beginning such great things should ensue, as in due time was manifested; and that there should be a resting place for so many of the Lord's people here, when so sharp a scourge had come upon their own nation. But it was the Lord's doing, and it ought to be marvellous in our eyes." |
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Here is a Thanksgiving Quiz, I came up with, for you to take to test your Thanksgiving knowledge...don't look in any books, just see what you know! I'll post the answers in the next couple of days...let me know (email or comment) how you did! 1. What was the year for the 1st Thanksgiving? 2. Name 5 people at the 1st Thanksgiving. 3. What fraction of the people, who arrived on the Mayflower, lived through the 1st winter? all, 1/8, 1/4, 1/3, 1/2? 4. Who was the Governor upon arriving at Plymouth Rock? 5. How long did the 1st Thanksgiving last? 6. Who was the Governor by the time of the 1st Thanksgiving? 7. What President first declared Thanksgiving as a National Holiday? 8. Who taught the Pilgrims all they knew about planting and hunting? (Hannah says this one is way too easy, but hey, I have to give him credit!) 9. About how many people were at the 1st Thanksgiving celebration? 10.How many of these were women? (Think about this ladies as your preparing for 10-20 family members!) 11.Where was the 1st Thanksgiving celebration located (specifically)? Good luck and have fun! ...and if you haven't come up with answers for yesterday, do that too! |
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I am going to try to post about Thanksgiving all week: what I'm thankful for, what Thanksgiving means to me, etc. etc. etc. Thanksgiving is such a special time of year, yet it often gets overlooked by the rushing in of the Christmas Season....people are so eager to begin their shopping (I do this all year!), listen to Christmas music, go to Christmas parades, and countdown to Christmas (I'm NOT saying these are wrong...just don't forget about Thanksgiving and celebrating it first) that we don't even focus on what Thanksgiving is about. The best book I've read about Thanksgiving..by far..is Of Plymouth Plantation, by William Bradford! If you haven't read this book yet...read it! It gave me such a deeper meaning of what Thanksgiving is about!! Here's what I'm most thankful for this year and then I'm putting a little bit more about me...if you wish to join in...cut and paste and fill in your answers to either the comment section, email me (see new link on side), or post your answers on your own blog (just be sure to let me know so I can learn more about you as well 3 Things I'm Most Thankful For: Christ saved me, For my family, For the health of my family 3 Favorite Hymns: More Love To Thee, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, Amazing Grace 3 Favorite Scriptures: Psalm 139, Rom. 8:28-39, Rev. 21-22 (My Grandma & I used to love to read and share scripture together when I was a teenager, she read this one to me, telling me it was her favorite. She had to keep pausing to wipe her eyes...it's been one of my favorites ever since! She is walking those streets of gold now!) 3 People You Want To Meet and Talk To Someday In Heaven (other than loved ones and Christ): Paul, Corrie Ten Boom, Mary (Jesus's mother) 3 Favorite Books: Bible, A Chance To Die by Elizabeth Elliot, Christy (not the series but the original one) by Catherine Marshall(My mom was reading this when she was pregnant with me, so she named me Christy) 3 Favorite Movies: Sound Of Music, Oklahoma, Christmas Vacation 3 Favorite Colors: Red, Pink, Yellow 3 Favorite Foods (notice I've put sweets separate!!!): Pizza, Mom's Burritoes Enchilada Style, Bryan's Buffalo Wings 3 Favorite Desserts: Chocolate Chip Cookies, Ding Dongs, Pecan Pie (My Mom's!!) 3 Favorite Hobbies: Sewing, Reading, Gardening Have a wonderful week!!! |
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"being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." I have been meditating on this verse all week and it has brought so much encouragement! We've had an unusually busy week...and it seems we've not gotten anything accomplished. In reality, we've probably accomplished more this week than normal, but since I had such high hopes of everything I wanted to get done, and I didn't get everything done, so now I'm frustrated because of the things I didn't get done, rather than the things I did get done. ???? Did you get all that???? (I'm so glad I wrote that on my blog, rather than one of my children writing it on a school paper!) The Lord has continually brought Phil. 1:6 to mind this week to encourage me. Sometimes, I get frustrated because I can't do it all; usually when I get Iike that is when I'm a lot harder on my kids. On Monday and Tuesday, they were being mean to one another, they weren't getting their chores done without me staying right over them, they were having a hard time concentrating on school. I was getting more and more frustrated! Then, like a light bulb, the Lord reminded me of this verse. It gave me encouragement for me and my children. I started looking at everything differently, when I got frustrated with my kids I would think of that saying, "Please be patient with me, God's not finished with me yet." And then I was reminded of my own life and how many times the Lord could think, "I've told her over and over to put on love above all else" or "I've told her over and over to worry over nothing, I will provide all of her needs"...the list goes on and on.....but you know what....my Heavenly Father doesn't think those thoughts. He loves me regardless of my weaknesses, he provides endless encouragement in His Word, and He will continue working on me until the day of Jesus Christ. GOD IS SO GOOD!! **Just a little update on our baby pigs....they're still not born. My son is spending the night with his Mawmaw tonight and my husband will be at work.....knowing my luck, they will be born early tomorrow morning...the ONLY morning that they're not going to be here!! Can you tell I am very concerned about this?! I keep telling them that I am NOT helping deliver pigs....and they just look at each other and laugh.....I'm nervous! |
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Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil. C. S. Lewis |
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Up until now, my latest observations have been made by my children....as most of them are made by my children! As I said in the first part of this, I have resisted each new addition (animals) my husband and children have made to the farm. However, NOW, I wouldn't trade it all for a million dollars! Yes, I do think at some point we need to stop adding animals, but with each new addition, I have seen my children light up and jump in learning about caring for the new animal and develop a new love for God's creation. I have experienced the same thing myself (just not as much!). I love living out in the country, I love gardening, but I have had to develop the love (like) for the pigs, goats, cows and chickens (and I can't say I'm still quite there yet with the goats!). The 'homesteading/farming' adventure has been an incredible one for our whole family..yes..even myself. The latest observation...was made by myself. If any of you are farmers, or grew up on a farm, you will think I am completely ignorant, but I thought this was so neat! 3)We have a momma pig that is going to have babies at any time. My husband and my children have been running out and checking on them continually. I think the baby piglets are absolutely adorable, but up until they are born, I usually keep my distance. However, yesterday, my husband was down by her (the momma pig) farrowing crate doing some work and I looked in at her and she was doing something with the fresh straw that my son had just put in. I thought, "He just did all that work, and that dumb pig is messing it all up." However, I kept watching her because she seemed very intent on whatever it was she was doing (and it wasn't easy because she doesn't have much room to move in there!). As I continued to watch, I couldn't believe what she was doing........she was preparing a little nesting spot for where her babies were going to be born. I asked my husband about it and he nonchalantly told me that yeah, she had done that last time too. I continued to watch her, that is exactly what she was doing. Isn't God's creation amazing?? She knows her babies are about to be born and so she is preparing a safe, warm spot, close to her for them to be born. Isn't it amazing that something as dirty, smelly, and awful as a big momma pig knows the beauty of giving birth, and her babies, and she prepares for them?!! I'm sure that's where we get the term "nesting" from, all pregnant mommas do the same thing. Since then, I'm looking at her a little bit different! I may even have to save up some extra dessert for her after supper?! |
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Farm Observation 2) A couple of weeks ago, my son (by the way...same son as talked about in #1!! He is my little farmer....he knows way more about farming at age 9...than I do now!!) came inside after doing some morning chores. I could tell he was really upset, by the way he was walking and the very concerned look on his face. I asked him what was wrong and he said "Oh Momma, I'm so mad at that billy goat!!!" He's gotten mad at the animals before but it's usually something about them constantly spilling their food, or getting out of their pen, etc....so...I wasn't too concerned. To calm him down, I kept questioning him, so he could talk about it. So he continues, "Momma, that dumb goat is acting so dumb, you wouldn't believe it if you saw him!!" So of course, I ask, "Well, what is he doing?" He says, "He's acting all hyper, he's jumping all around, he's doing weird stuff with his ears and with his mouth, something's really wrong with him!!" At this point, he starts to get my attention, because in the past, several times, he has discovered a problem with the animals before my husband or I have. So I told him maybe he should call his Dad at work and explain it all to him and see what he thinks. BUT, he says, "Oh, no, I don't need to call Daddy, he told me to expect that billy goat to start acting really weird." "Oh, really, why?" I ask, now really confused. Still very mad at the goat....he says, "Momma, that goat is mating, and you should see how he is acting...it has to be the dumbest creature I've ever seen!" I didn't know if I should laugh or cry!! My best friend and roommate through college had grown up on a farm and she had always said that her parents never sat her down and had "the talk" with her...she just always knew because of growing up around the animals...I never used to understand that. But now, I'm thinking, either she is right and hopefully that is the case OR my children are going to grow up completely messed up....... |
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About 4 1/2 years ago, our family bought some land out in the country, my husband and Dad built our home, and we began our 'farming/homesteading' adventure. Long story short, we may have to go into that later....I just wanted to be out in the country, my husband and children had different ideas. I started with protesting the chicken house they were building..."What?! We know nothing about chickens...besides I've heard roosters can be dangerous!!" To no avail, we soon began collecting eggs on a daily basis and chasing chickens out of the garden. The whole beginning of our 'farming/homesteading' adventure could probably be written in a book (under humor of course!!). Over the course of time, I've realized that the many farm animals we have, have provided endless responsibilities, lessons, fun and memories for our family. I was going to title today "Lessons on the Farm" but decided these may not be the best lessons learned so I'm just going to say these are the most recent observations my children (and I) have made. 1) We have an old female cat, that just hangs out at our house. She just showed up one day and we started feeding her. We've had many kittens and cats but they all either run away or disappear. But Lilly keeps hanging around. She has gone off 2 or 3 times now and has come home expecting baby kittens...so the kids have been so excited to get a whole litter of baby kittens each time! Although, one day, this perplexed my 6 year old daughter...as usual she turned to her big brother (who is only 2 years older than her but she thinks he knows everything!) and asked, "Is that right that she keeps running off different places and then comes home by herself, expecting babies? Where are the Dads?" Very seriously, my son says "Oh, don't worry about that. That's why cats live such crazy, short lives, because they don't believe in marriage." I was in another room, so they didn't know I was listening...but I was smiling, and thinking I couldn't have answered it better myself Our latest 'Observations 2 and 3' will be coming very soon.............................................................................. |
 Don't you just love, love, love this apron??!! It is in the most recent Victorian Trading Co. catalog. If you love aprons, you ought to look at these as well at Mary Jane Butter's website!! In MaryJane's latest magazine, Artist in Aprons, she also has a pattern that is very similar to the above one....if you feel really creative you can sew your own. Also, if you want some real 'apron eye-candy' check out Amelia's Aprons. I just LOVE them all!!!! |
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I'm confessing a huge fault of mine...I worry...A LOT! Those people close to me already know this about me. When I was preparing for marriage, when most young women are so excited and it is the most thrilling time of their life, I made myself sick worrying! I worried about the type of wife I would be, I worried about the type of husband my hubby would be, I worried about parenting. I remember, before our wedding, my husband and I sitting down with my parents to come up with a budget that we could implement after our wedding. This was supposed to be a planning tool, something to help and encourage us. Before we were done, I was in tears....why????? All I could think of were the things that may happen that we didn't include in the budget! I remember sobbing, asking my Mom and Dad what we would do if we got sick...I had a grocery budget, but this didn't include medicine. (They lovingly laughed at this, by the way) This worry was sparked by my looking over and seeing a medicine cabinet sitting there that we would soon be moving into our new home and I began thinking (as I was supposed to be focusing on this budget) "It's very pretty, but what will I put in it?" Thankfully, I have matured some since then. Thankfully, the Lord has worked in my life and I lean on Him and trust in Him so much more now! Early in my Christian walk I committed to memory Phil. 4:8, Matt. 6:34, amongst other verses to help train my mind to focus on Christ, not myself or my own weaknesses and failures. This morning before my children were up, I was doing some work in the kitchen and I was listening to a CD in the kitchen. I've heard this CD over and over, but this morning a certain song caught my attention. At first, it reminded me of a couple of Godly men in our church who the Lord has called Home to be with Him, so it brought tears to my eyes. Then as I listened to it again, I started thinking of how the Lord has changed my life. He took ahold of my heart and has been loving me, changing me ever since. Praise the Lord! I still DO worry (not so much about filling the medicine cabinet anymore), but as long as I give those worries to the Lord; He exchanges them for Peace (Phil. 4:6,7)!! There will be a time when our worries are NO more, and all we will know is the Lord and HIS glory!!! Here are the words to the song I was listening to this morning, "THEN AND THERE" by Lauren Tally....................Every road I walked had led to nowhere/ Everything I tried had turned out wrong/ It seemed I lost my reason to get up every morning/ For I had lost all hope and lost my song/ Circumstances said I wouldn't make it/ But that was all before I met the Man/ Who put His arms around me/ I heard Him say forgiven/ And I knew I'd never be the same again .......Chorus: Then and there/ Settled and done/ Then and there/ Victory won/ No more walking on my own/ No more facing life alone/ No more struggling with guilt and despair/ A new life began/ Then and there......And now my heart is getting restless/ Longing for the day He'll come/ When we've fought the final fight/ And our faith has been made sight/ And we stand before the throne/ And hear Him say well done.....Chorus: Then and there/ Settled and done/ Then and there/ Victory won/ No more pain no more fear/ No more death No more tears/ No more walking through the night/ For the Lamb will be the light/ No more sin, no more burdens to bear/ New life begings then and there. |
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A couple of weeks ago I saw a weight loss o'meter on a blog. It was really neat, the blogger kept up with their weight loss with a meter on their blog that everyone could read.....neat idea...but a little scary for me! Especially the 'beginning weight' part!!! In the stack of books (I always have at least 4 or 5 that I am in the middle of!), next to my rocking chair, I have Beautiful in God's Eyes by Elizabeth George. She says there are 12 "How-To's of Beauty"....here they are 1. Embrace God's will for your life 2. Stay in God's Word 3. Develop a vision 4. Tap into the why...She says "When a woman is sufficiently motivated, discipline will take care of itself." 5. Pray for an eager attitude 6. Create a schedule 7. Develop a routine 8. Read books on time management..... a great start is Proverbs 31 9. Tackle the worst first 10. Play music 11. See how quickly you can work 12. Consider yourself All that stands between your goal And the deeds you hope to do And the dreams which stir your soul---- IS YOU! I just love what Lisa has to say today about this same subject over on her blog!!!! She is MUCH more eloquent than I!!
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We're celebrating in our home today!! Celebrating our youngest turning 3!!!!!!! We're celebrating for more than just that, you see.....he will NOW be out of his terrible 2's..............right????!!!!!!!! I woke up this morning with a new outlook on life, knowing he is now 3, life will be a little easier now, right???!!!! It's the only morning of the year, that I'm still smiling and happy at 8:00 in the morning, when I've been up since 4:45...He didin't get the Daylight Savings time change!!! Actually the Lord has blessed us beyond measure, beyond words, by bringing him into our lives!! We are SO thankful for him!! I guess this would also be a fitting time to complete my Part 1, of the Journey of Motherhood!! We were on an emotional roller coaster with our adoption of our littlest one. We had thought in the beginning, we would take him into our home, knowing each day in our home was a day he was being loved, taken care of, and being shown the Lord's love. VERY quickly, we became very attached!!! I kept telling the Lord "BUT, I'M his mom now!" The Lord in His very kind gentle way kept telling me right back, "BUT, I am his heavenly Father, and if you think you love him...it doesn't compare to my love." You see, as a parent, we think our children are OURS. We think WE know best, that WE love them best. But the Lord taught my husband and I through this experience that NOTHING can compare to the Lord's LOVE and his Fatherly affection and care! We kept praying, but slowly our prayers began to change...I began realizing we had NO control!! Just when I thought "O.k Lord, I can handle this now, no problem"...the Lord would put another 'kink' in the plan. I know now looking back (isn't that always the way it is?!) that He was teaching us to not put faith or confidence in our circumstances, but to trust fully in HIM. Even if what was going on wasn't what WE thought was best for our little guy! With my life or circumstances around me, it's a whole lot easier to relinguish all 'control', because I know the Lord knows best. BUT, as a parent do we have this same kind of faith? The Lord gave us our children to raise up for HIM, but so often we think they are OURS. Without all of the complicated details of the adoption, we were able to finalize his adoption when he was 19 months old. We were so thankful for him, we were so thankful for the roller coaster ride being over, but MOST of all we were thankful for the Lord's lessons. HE IS SOVEREIGN, He is always in control, HIS ways are ALWAYS BEST (even when they are not our ways or we don't understand). Our prayer became, "Lord we love this new little baby as our very own, you know our hearts, you know our desires, but YOU are his Heavenly Father and YOUR plan for His life is what we desire above all else, please help us as we follow your perfect plan for our lives and his life." This was a drastic change from my prayers when he was just a month old, "Lord, he's mine now, I'm his momma now, please give him to us!!" TODAY, he is turning 3 years old....we thank the Lord for him, his life, and all of the many blessings the Lord has given to us by adding him to our family!!! I would go through it all over again. I am thankful for the lessons learned and how once again HE painted on our hearts HIS SOVEREIGNTY, HIS LOVE, and HIS PERFECT WAYS!!! |
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I bought this book from Vision Forum, and I have barely put it down! HOUSEWIVES you need this book!! It is encouraging, uplifting, and for me...convicting. It gets to the heart of why are we housewives and full-time mothers?? In Chapter 5, Jennie Chancey says, "There are so many ways we can strive for excellence as keepers of the home without falling into the trap of perfectionism. We need to keep foremost in our minds the fact that, as people made in God's image, we must glorify Him- it's not about us.""He didn't choose us because we won some international awards for strength, beauty, or intelligence. He has made us for HImself, and He is going to provide us with everything we need to serve Him and love others through our imperfect homes and families. What a joy to serve our perfect Creator, Who made us in His image and is tranforming us (slowly, but surely) into the image of His perfect Son." Isn't that awesome?! 2 Cor. 12:9-11 says, " And he said unto me, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. " Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong." In this book, Mrs. Chancey explains...when we feel we are nothing, that is when Jesus is getting ALL of the glory and honor for what we accomplish. Guess what? It's not about US, or what they call in this book "me-ology" it's about HIM...and glorifying Him! I could go on and on but just buy the book and you won't be disappointed!!! |
Kim has decided to post yet ANOTHER contest for Vision Forum merchandise, from their newest catalog!! So....once again...here is my "want list" with some things added . If you want to join in on the fun go to Kim's blog for the "how-to's" and get to dreaming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Before You Meet Prince Charming $12 The Building on the Rock Series $38 To Have and TO Hold $24 Coming in on a Wing and a Prayer $17 A Church in the House $12 Boyhood and Beyond $11 Created for Work $11 Sergeant York and the Great War $16 The Evangeline Doll $89 Dolley Madison Doll Dress $19 Vision Forum In A Shoe |
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As the Lord works to mold a womans' heart, I think a lot of times he uses motherhood to do so. Doesn't that just show the love and graciousness of the Lord to use what we mothers do best, in order to bring us closer to Him? The other day I talked to an old high school friend. I lost touch with her shortly after she was in my wedding. In high school she was one of my closest Christian friends, however, through the years she has drifted away from the Lord and started living primarily for self. She called me this past week and we were soon laughing and carrying on like we were in high school again! She was telling me that she had been living a crazy, selfish life, until she had her son 3 years ago. When she first saw him, she knew she had to get her life straightened out to point Him to the Lord. To make a long story short, over the last 3 years she has been doing that; which has been difficult with her alcoholic husband (he is not a Christian). I told her she would be in our family's prayers and we are planning on reuniting soon. After talking to her, I was praying for her and just thanking the Lord that He brought a child into her life to bring her back to Him...what a sweet, gentle way!!!!!!! Then I started pondering my own walk with Christ and I saw how He has drawn me SO much closer to Him through mothering.....Here's my story......of how I am nothing without Christ....... After 2 years of marriage the Lord blessed my husband and I with a beautiful baby girl. She was perfect in every way! We were proud parents and everyone around us knew it! My life was centered around her, playing with her, reading with her, sewing for her, etc. etc. etc. Life was good!! We thanked God daily for giving us a beautiful child!! After 4 years of struggling through infertility issues we were blessed with baby #2. WOW, this time, a beautiful baby boy!! I remember my husband left me on the ultrasound table to run and call his Dad and everyone else he knew to tell them he was getting a baby boy!! We thought life was perfect before, now it was even more so! I had to struggle a little bit more to keep a clean house and 'appear' like I had it completely together to those at church and others around me, but I could do it! The Dr. told us we probably wouldn't be able to have any more children, but the Lord blessed us with another beautiful baby girl just 2 years later. We were so thankful! Once we had 3 children, I struggled to keep up the 'having it all together' appearances! My house sometimes fell apart, my fitness program fell by the wayside, and my children weren't always dressed anymore in handsewn matching outfits at church (my husband was o.k with that, because he was getting tired of the handsewn matching ties  , but he never would've broken my heart and told me so!) I had to learn to lean just a little bit more on the Lord to get through my days. I knew in order to point my children to the Lord, I needed to have my own time with Him each day...so I tried my best to do that. We knew we wanted more children, but since at this point , we couldn't have anymore, we started praying about adopting. The Lord heavily laid this on our hearts, but of course we were asking "Who, What, When, Where, and How?" Another long story (we'll blog about that later!!!) However, 5 years later the Lord graciously blessed us with a precious 3 week old baby boy!! We knew the Lord had brought him to us!! We were so thankful and wanted to shout from the rooftop of the Lord's faithfulness! However, over the next 1 1/2 years we were on a constant emotional rollercoaster ride, trying to adopt him. Through this I had to learn to COMPLETELY trust in the Lord and His sovereignty, I knew for the first time in my life that I had NO control!!!! I no longer had to 'try' and squeeze in my quiet time....I knew I HAD to have it in order to have the strength, peace, and guidance the Lord so graciously gives. Which brings us back to my original point of how the Lord in His gentle, loving ways sometimes uses mothering to draw us closer to Him. Stay tuned for Part 2................................... |
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I have added some links to the sidebar...you'll have to check them out! Most of the people listed on my Links are actually Friends........however, since I am |