I want to thank everyone who has commented and e-mailed me.   Your prayers and thoughts and words of comfort mean a lot!

I am doing much better physically (now the challenge is to not do too much too soon!).   Emotionally I have my ups and downs!

Now to share......

You can visit Miss Emily Rose's Homemade Christmas archive!

A few years ago, Anna wanted a red dress up robe from Magic Cabin.  It was quite beautiful, but when I looked at the price-- $35!!!--I thought surely I could make something like it!!!

Which is what I did!   The "santa fur" trim isn't usually on sale, but 50% coupons come in quite handy!

The only bad thing is, the fur is not truly machine washable.  But this is a dress-up robe, so hopefully it won't get dragged around outside or anything!    I then made one for her sister, who couldn't believe I made it!   (Little people are easily impressed!    )

I still need to find the frog closures I bought for them.   That's the problem with buying ahead!  It gets lost in Never-Never Land (that's my sewing room, in case you didn't know!)

So here are the happy girls modeling their dress-up robes (I used to know how much I spent on each....can't remember now, but I can assure you it was WAY less than $35 apiece!).

 Back view!

And here's Noah looking like THE King of the House in one of them!  

Will Bekah get one to match?   I guess we'll have to wait and see!  

Another gift I made Charissa for her birthday is this cute poncho!  The pattern is Fun Fur Trimmed Poncho from Lion Brand (and it's FREE!).    I had to enlist Susannah (aka Suzanna Mae Janae) to help me crochet the fun fur on the edge.  It's the most I've crocheted in my life!  (Unless endless chains that I used to crochet as a kid count for something....)   A friend made it for her daughter and I thought it was SO cute.   It's an easy pattern, really, and the boucle yarn is quite forgiving of those little mistakes--which I am prone to make--which is why you do NOT see some delicate and intricately patterned lace knit here!

This year I have so many gifts planned!  I'm already a few weeks behind due to life taking a different turn.  But I'm grateful to be able to work with my hands--as I posted awhile back, it's my therapy!     (Of Archaeological Digs, Spinning Yarns, and Cheap Therapy!)

Are you doing some homemade gifts this year?  Of course you can't give away your surprise, but maybe you could leave a comment and tell if it's needlework, sewing, or crafting of some sort?

And be sure to visit Miss Emily Rose at her blog--she's the one who started this wonderful sharing of our ideas!

Blessings to you as you make memories for your family!

I want to thank all of you who have been praying for me, thinking of me, and posting your words of comfort here and in e-mails!

Everything was over around 6:30 yesterday morning.   This is the first miscarriage where the baby was really big enough to see, and in the midst of our sorrow, it was an incredible blessing to see this very tiny baby--and it was definitely a baby, not a blob of tissue!  At only 6-7 weeks from conception we could see eyes, the nose, mouth, arms, legs, fingers forming, and we could see through the transluscent skin to the heart, brain and spinal column!  Truly a marvel to behold!    One thing I've read is there is a difference between seeing them alive in utero vs. out of the sac when they're gone.  So it could be likely the baby's fingers were more developed than they looked to us, as the baby was out of his/her water environment.

This is very much what our precious baby looked like, only the arms and legs didn't seem to be quite as developed, but more than just buds.   Again, some of that could be the difference of this picture depicting a baby in its natural water environment.

This is 6 weeks after conception, or when we say we're "8 weeks pregnant". 

I share all that to show that from conception, this baby was a precious life.  In fact,  Baby is STILL a precious life, beholding the face of Jesus even now.  I have blessed hope that I will get to see this little one again, all perfect in form!

The baby was too tiny to tell gender, but with all my miscarriages, God has given either my husband or me a sense of whether the baby was a girl or a boy.   We have chosen to name them, which further makes them a person and not a number (miscarriage # ____ )    I have no doubt that He will this time, too. 

I was once asked, when I shared that, what happens if I get to Heaven and find out I was wrong?  What if the "boys" are really girls, or vice versa?  I smiled and said,  "Well, when I'm in Heaven, it won't really matter, will it!"   But for now, it gives us a name to call the baby, to refer to him/her by, to grieve over.   And to look forward to when we'll be together again!

The baby is encased in a very strong sac filled with water.   It is protected quite well!

And right now, I am encased in a "bubble" full of grace.   I am protected quite well by my Heavenly Father's love and care!

Some might describe it as "numb" or "in shock".  (I was referred to being "in shock" during the induced labor of our stillborn son.  The nurses apparently had never before seen someone who had a truckload of grace being poured out on them!)

I call it grace.   And peace.

I felt it during Noah Ross' labor and again during his funeral.   I felt it during many of my miscarriages.  I especially felt it during Dallas' time in the hospital following his accident.  I even told people, "I'm in my bubble right now!"   God knows there will be times to "face reality" later.   But for the moment, He encases us in a strong bubble filled to the max with His matchless grace and love.

Unlike the baby, though, we can choose to get out of our bubble.   It's a cruel world out there.   Cold.  Dark.   I have had times where I did this.  It leads to bitterness.   That is like biting the hand that feeds you and cares for you!  It's lonely, dark and cold.  

I choose to remain in my bubble for now.  Basking in the abundant peace He bestows.  Oh, there are tears!   I cried so much when Baby finally arrived, telling him/her how much he/she was wanted and loved!   Of course Baby was already in Heaven, but we needed that "goodbye" time.

After it was all over, and since I had been laboring most of the night, I went back to bed.   I felt such incredible peace cover me!  When I awoke, it was the same.  Warm.  Light.  Comfort. 

It was the reverse of the first verse of "It Is Well"--first the sorrows that like sea billows were rolling over me.  Then the peace like a river.  Incredible, Grace-filled peace.

Of course, it comes from THE Prince of Peace.  

I am not sharing all this to make anyone think I am some superspiritual person.  I still have my questioning times (God, haven't we been through enough of this?) and my sorrowful times.  My times when I just don't want to think about it all and bury my thoughts in something else.

But ultimately, down deep, I know I must keep my eyes on Him.  II Chronicles 20:12 says (last part) "....neither know we what to do:  but our eyes are upon Thee."

Psalm 141:8  "But mine eyes are unto Thee, O God the Lord:  in Thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute."

I know I posted this verse in Saturday's post, but it is so comforting to me.  Psalm 147:3  "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds (sorrows)."  

But we have to let Him.

It means letting go of our pain, our hurt, our bitterness, and, in the words of Charles Spurgeon,  

"God is too good to be unkind, too wise to be mistaken, when we cannot trace His hand, we can always trust His heart."

I'm sure you've heard of the poem called "The Weaver".   I post it here, because truly, it is a beautiful description of our life here, and our inability to fully understand the place of pain and loss in our lives.

The Weaver

Grant Colfax Tuller

My life is but a weaving, 
betwixt my God and me,
I do not choose the colors,
He worketh steadily.

Ofttimes he weaveth sorrow,
and I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper,
and I the underside.

Not till the loom is silent,
and the shuttles cease to fly,
Will God unroll the canvas,
and explain the reasons why.

 
The dark threads are as needful
in the skillful weaver's hand
As threads of gold and silver
in the pattern He has planned.

Whatever your pain today, your situation, whether it's a fresh wound or a past hurt, please give it all to Him.  Yes, you will have to do it daily.  Perhaps hourly.  Perhaps second by second.   But it will get you back into the Bubble of Grace He has for you.  

Remember, it's safe there.  Warm.  Light.  Comfort.  Sweet Blessed Comfort!

His presence is there, and His presence sets our hearts FREE! 

May His peace enfold you, His grace overshadow you, and His everlasting arms of strength and love uphold you today and every day.

Bless ye the Lord, O my soul,

And all within me His holy name.

Do not forget all His goodness

Which He hath done for you, Amen.

Bless ye, bless ye the Lord;

Bless ye the Lord, O my soul!

Bless ye, bless ye the Lord;

Bless ye the Lord, O my soul!

Psalm 118

1 O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good:  because His mercy endureth for ever.

2 Let Israel now say, that His mercy endureth for ever.

3 Let the house of Aaron now say, that His mercy endureth for ever.

4 Let them now that fear the Lord say, that His mercy (lovingkindness) endureth for ever.

5 I called upon the Lord in distress:  the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.

6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear....

14 The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.

15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous:  the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.

16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted:  the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.

17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.

19 Open to me the gates of righteousness:  I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord:

20 This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter.

21 I will praise Thee:  for Thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.

22The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

23 This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

26 Blessed be He that cometh in the name of the Lord:  we have blessed You out of the house of the Lord.

Psalm 147:3  "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds (sorrows)."

These verses really ministered to me yesterday.  It is so easy to give thanks to the Lord when things are going well and we feel blessed.  It is a "sacrifice of praise", to give thanks when things are NOT going well or we don't necessarily feel His blessings.

And yet, if we keep our focus on Him, and all He has done, and what He went through to purchase our pardon AND to restore our fellowship with Him......

Then we can't help but praise Him.  Yes, even in the midst of tears and sorrows, when our heart is breaking, yet we can still choose to rejoice (118:24). 

This is what I had to do yesterday.

I had started having some problems earlier in the week, so was on bedrest.   Thinking I had just overdone it a bit.   When things seemed to get a bit worse instead of better, my midwife and I agreed that I needed to know what was going on, as decisions needed to be made on what we were going to do this weekend.   (We have another family Thanksgiving today.)

We went to the hospital for an ultrasound, and found that the baby had died a few weeks ago.  Instead of being a solid 12 weeks, the baby was only 9 1/2 weeks.  And no heartbeat.

I am no stranger to losses--I have had a stillbirth and 12 miscarriages before this.   But none of the miscarriage babies had lived this long.   The doctor explained that I was going to have a bit more difficult time.  I know that's his job, to inform me (and thank the Lord, he is a Christian man who is pro family!).  I am praying for as easy a passage as possible, with no need for medical intervention.  

As I had a few moments when the ultra sound technician went to find the doctor, I had a talk with the Lord.  It was my "surrender" time.   I had hoped that the Lord would do for me, like Job, and give me as many on Earth as He took to Heaven.   So I reminded Him that this didn't even things out very well!  (I really believe the Lord can handle my weird sense of humor!  And I still have hope that we will have more, whether we "even up" down here or not!)  

And I told Him that He has seen me through far worse--I had to walk the same halls I walked yesterday a little over 4 years ago when my husband had a terrible accident that by all accounts, should have taken his life.   Losing our first son was hard, too, and up until that accident was the worst thing---but Dallas was with me then.

During his accident, I was alone.  Except for God.  I had lots of friends and family supporting me, but you know--the late night, when no one is around, it's just you and God.  I was the one who had to make decisions--without the ability to ask my dear sweetie what he thought I should do.  I had to learn to "listen" to my Heavenly Father.  To let Him hold my hand, hold me when I cried in the night.

I know He will see me through the next days, weeks....months and even years, because I never forget the little "holes" in our family.  But I will see them all in Heaven--I have HOPE!   And I have the indwelling Holy Spirit and God's Word to comfort and strengthen me.  

"I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord."   I would have claimed that for this precious baby, who was so wanted by us all.   Yet the Lord speaks a different "interpretation" to my spirit:

"YOU will not die spiritually, wallowing in bitterness, but you will LIVE, and declare My works.   You will put your trust in ME, even when you don't understand, for that is what true love and faith are---to trust the Beloved, that He only has your best in mind, no matter how it looks at the time. "

For my best and His glory.   That is what life on Earth is about.  NOT just about me.  NOT about feeling comfy and getting everything going my way.   If everything went wonderful for Christians, there wouldn't be an empty church in the world!

But will we follow Him when things are hard?  Will we trust Him?

Psalm 119:34 "Give me understanding, and I shall keep Thy law;  yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart."

"The greatest understanding we can attain is knowing that we can trust God even though we cannot fully understand Him.  This is why Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."  We must realize there is a vast difference between our understanding and God's.  When we consider the incomprehensible qualities of God, including His unfailing love, we begin to realize that God understands from a perspective we simply do not have, and will never have.

"Mrs. Albert Einstein was once asked to explain her husband's 'Theory of Relativity.'  After pondering the question for a moment she stated, 'I cannot explain his theory at all, but I know Albert, and he can be trusted.'  In a similar way, the parent-child relationship requires the same development of trust over time.  There are times when a parent  will ask a young child to simply obey them.  The child may reply, 'I don't understand why I should obey.'  The parent responds with , 'You don't need to understand, you just need to obey!'  There are some things parents cannot explain to their children and children cannot understand because they lack the experience and maturity of the parent.  However, if a child will simply trust and obey, it will work to his benefit.  The songwriter had it right when he wrote, 'Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.'

"As you meditate on this verse, consider whether you trust God's understanding and simply obey, or whether you require Him to first explain according to your undestanding before you obey."

(taken from The Heart of the King by Ron Auch, bold emphasis mine)

The Lord has given me many comforting Scriptures, and I'd like to take the risk of this becoming a book in itself and share a few more with you.  (I know some may say I'm in danger of prooftexting, but I'm not basing my doctrine on these, they are just what stood out to me as I was reading, and I believe the Word is living and active and He can use any portion to comfort our hearts, as long as we're not so twisting it to make it mean what we want so we can then do what we want.  For me, for now, this is His Word to me, to comfort my heart.)

Isaiah 30:29, 30   "Ye shall have a song, as in the night.....and gladness of heart.....And the Lord shall cause His glorious voice to be heard..."

I truly believe that as we surrender to His sovereign will, and trust Him even when we don't understand, we will hear "His glorious voice" speaking to us through His Spirit and His Word.

Isaiah 51:3  "For the Lord shall comfort Zion:  He will comfort all her waste places;  and He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody."

At first our thanksgiving may be a choice more than a feeling.   More of a duty than a delight.  But as we continue to seek His heart, seek Him with our WHOLE heart, I believe He gives the joy, the gladness, and the voice of melody--He gives us a song!  Even in a sad song, we can give Him the glory by saying, "Lord, I will trust You, no matter what, whether I understand or not!  I will declare to all who will listen that 'Thou art good, and doest good' (Psalm 119:68).  'I will love You, O Lord, my Strength!' (Psalm 18:1)"

I hope this blesses and encourages you, whether you are going through a death in your family, death of a vision, or even something less traumatic--yet it's still major to you.  Through your tears, may you look up and gather strength from your Rock, your Fortress, your Mighty Redeemer, and let Him carry you.

God can be trusted

Even when you don't understand.

Will you simply obey?

Remember His unfailing love.  All is for your ultimate good and His glory.

Yes, even when our hearts are breaking--there's Glory on the other side!!!

May you be blessed by His love besetting you behind and before, His hand laid upon you, and underneath His everlasting arms upholding you.

It Is Well

(Horatio G. Spafford, 1828-1888)

When peace like a river attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

"It is well, it is well with my soul."

It is well (It is well)

With my soul (with my soul),

It is well, it is well

With my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well (It is well)

With my soul (with my soul),

It is well, it is well

With my soul.

My sin-- O the bliss of this glorious thought,

My sin-- not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

It is well (It is well)

With my soul (with my soul),

It is well, it is well

With my soul.

And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,

The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend,

"Even so"-- it is well with my soul.

It is well (It is well)

With my soul (with my soul),

It is well, it is well

With my soul.

Yes, Lord.  Even so--it is well with my soul.

Well, life has a way of surprising you! 

As most of you know, I was nominated for the Homeschool Blog Awards in the Best New Homeschool Blog category.  I rose to first place, then Laura at 10 million miles, climbed steadily ahead and passed me in the late (early?) hours of November 22!   She has an awesome blog and really worked hard (as did her ardent supporters!)

So imagine my surprise to get a comment from Laura the other day that I had actually won!!!!  In ways I don't pretend to understand (hey, I can do a lot of crazy things with my blog, but that doesn't mean I understand  it all!!!), some of her votes were disqualified, which made me the winner!

Now, I'm sad for her, because, like I said, she and her family and friends worked hard to bring her from last place to first!   And please do check out her blog (linked above---click on the name), because she really has a nice one!   (And Laura, you have NOTHING to be embarrassed about!   ).

And really, winner or not, the main point of it all was to get our blogs out there so we could find more "friends" to bless, encourage, and make smile!   In THAT respect, we are ALL winners!  

Thank you, Laura, for being the first one to let me know!  For being so gracious and sweet about what was certainly a disappointment for you!   I hope you noticed I added you to my friends so others can find you when they visit here!

Thank you, everyone who voted for me!

And I hope some of you who are visiting for the first time (or did because of the blog award contest) come back and are encouraged!

So, here's my official "button" (that I can't figure out how to get on the side in my template...but I will ONE of these days!!!   )

Blessings!

Before I start on a glimpse of my day, I just want to remind you about Kelly's special this week!  Click on any of the titles to the right (Getting Your Children to Obey, Think Outside the Classroom, Finding Financial Freedom or her By Heart Scripture cd) and if you purchase, use the code THANKSGIVING to get $2 off!  Offer good through Friday, the 28th)

For today, 26 November, 2008.  

Outside my window....  It's a beautiful sunny (and cold!) day!  Pretty blue sky.

I am thinking... how much I love and appreciate my daughters, who are making the whole Thanksgiving feast for tomorrow!

I am thankful for.... the same daughters who are taking good care of me, especially these few days I've had to stay down on bedrest!   I'm also thankful for ALL my children, the baby, my wonderful husband, and all my wonderful friends--real life and cyber!

From the learning rooms... well, everyone got their "usual dailies" done, and now the three younger girls are watching a "How to Teach the Cello" dvd....and none of them play cello!   Too funny!

From the kitchen.... meatloaf, salad and rolls, as well as some baking for tomorrow!

I am wearing.... um...my nightgown?!   (It reminds me to take it easy!)   It is very pretty, a lavender floral!   Maybe I should call it a "housedress"?!  

I am creating.... in spite of bedrest and taking it easy, I am knitting a poncho and working on a quilted pillow.  Might have to have a few of my daughters finish that jumper and blouse for me! 

I am going.... nowhere!  Staying home tomorrow and having some dear friends join us as well as my mom.

I am reading... a LOT!   (One of the "perks" of bedrest! )  Reading that wonderful book I mentioned in my last post, The Heart of the King by Ron Auch.   Also reading Our Father Abraham by Marvin Wilson, working on Lord, Teach Me to Pray by Kay Arthur, and still also working through A Woman's Call to Prayer by Elizabeth George.

I am hoping... to be able to get up more in the next day or so (easing into it!)

I am hearing.... pretty much just the chop, chop, chop of someone chopping veggies in the kitchen! 

Around the house.... Anna, Bekah and Charissa are watching the aforementioned cello teaching dvd, Cassia is chopping veggies/making supper, boys are napping (ahhhhh!), and not sure about the other three!

One of my favorite things.... is having hot chocolate before bed!  

A few plans for the rest of the week.... well....I'm thinking I need to quit making plans!  LOL!   Seems when I get into a groove, something comes along to throw us out of whack!     My main plans are to ease back into "normal" (which will NOT include hefting Rubbermaid tubs around in the future!), go Christmas tree shopping Friday afternoon (hopefully!) and celebrate Thanksgiving again with my brother and his family on Saturday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing....

Every fireman should have hot pads, right?!

And please enjoy my daughters' duet, if you haven't already.  It's my Thankgiving "gift" to you!

For the Beauty of the Earth

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!!!

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Kelly at Generation Cedar is offering a Thanksgiving Special on her e-books and Scripture Songs cd!   You can get $2 off any product (see my sidebar--I have most of them listed there!  You can get a description by clicking on the link).   Just type in the code THANKSGIVING to receive the discount!    Getting Your Children to Obey is a nice, concise guide to child training.   I feel it sums up the best of many "methods" ( I know that word is overused, but you know what I mean!)!

Finding Financial Freedom is her story, and if you've heard of Dave Ramsey, you'll recognize some of her "steps"!  I feel she distills it nicely and shows you how a real family is doing it.   Sometimes I read these wonderful books, but I need a little more help getting it where "the rubber meets the road"!   Kelly's book does a good job of that!  (Actually, ALL of her books do!)

Think Outside the Classroom is a WONDERFUL resource for Real Life Learning!  Oh, you can get the info other places, too, but this is a good book if you're just not sure how to start implementing it (or afraid to let go!) or to help someone else relax a bit.  And it's good for those of us being more relaxed to not fear and go "back to Egypt"!   This is the book that I say, "Since Kelly has written this book, now I don't have to!"  

Her By Heart Scripture songs are just beautiful!  When you click on the link, you can hear short excerpts of the songs.   Soothing and uplifting, totally focused on the Lord!

I am an affiliate, so you help me when you buy by clicking on the links here, but by all means do visit her blog, Generation Cedar!    This special offer is good through Friday, so be sure to let your friends know if you think they'd be interested! 

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I'm doing a little different take on Jacque's Saturday Psalm and Praise!   I had a busy weekend, and Saturday I was trying to sort through all those partially started and such projects, then Dallas and I had a nice long afternoon/evening together!  We went to Ft.  Wayne and did some "shopping"--for free!!!   We had a gift card for Sears and got some things there, then went to Texas Roadhouse (actually, he would say we came for Texas Roadhouse, and just happened to do some shopping!   )  YUM!

Soooo...I didn't get my Saturday Psalm and Praise done.  But what I want to share will fit quite nicely with Thanksgiving (including the "song", as you will see!).

I have been reading a wonderful book entitled The Heart of the King by Ron Auch.   (Be sure to peek inside!!)    It is a verse by verse "devotional" of sorts on Psalm 119.   It is just a beautiful jewel of a book!

From the back flap, this might give you a glimpse of his heart for this book:

"Pray-Tell Ministries' sole pupose is to challenge the Church back to prayer.  However, odd as it may seem, prayer is not the ultimate goal of this ministry.  Ron's desire is to get people to want God.  The lack of prayer comes from the lack of desire for God.  You cannot have great desires for God and remain prayerless."

From his commentary on verse 2, "Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart." :

"Whether self is an idol or not is determined by our prayer life.  If we spend relatively small amounts of time in prayer, it's because we are not God-centered, we are self-centered.  We cannot just have prayer in our life.  All Christians have some type of prayer in their lives.  We must have a prayer life, which, when defined, means someone whose very life comes from their time of prayer.  That life is centered around prayer."

Yes, I was very convicted by those words!!!  And a few days before I read and meditated on those words,  our pastor had challenged us on.....you guessed it!  Our prayer lives!  Many Godly men and women have said that they "have so much to do, I must spend 2 hours in prayer daily".   Ah.   Where are my priorities?!

From commentary on verse 15, "I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways.":

"No wonder God said David was a man after His own heart.  David was absorbed with his God.  He would meditate and consider the precepts of God."

"Without the daily practice of being in the presence of God and meditating on His Word to us, we tend to lose the reality of who God is.  We don't lose our theological definition of God, we simply lose a real living sense of who He is.  There is a great difference between the God we know in our head and the God we know in our heart.  The head is full of rationale while the heart is full of emotion.  The head takes a very legal look at God and bases its obedience on that.  The heart takes a very loving look at God and bases obedience on that.  The head cannot change the heart but the heart can change the head.

"It's the heart that is changed through prayer and meditation.  When we give ourself over to time in the presence of God, we are making ourself a living sacrifice.  Through that, our heart begins to conform to the character of  God.  As the heart changes, the head follows suit.  Eventually we are transformed by the renewing of the mind.  Ultimately we take on the mind of Christ because we have taken Christ into the heart.

"When we know God in the heart we tend to be more obedient to Him."

Many times I've met Christians who have more of  a "head knowledge" of Christ than a "heart knowledge".   They are sincere, but I feel they are missing the most important part of our salvation in Christ--our relationship with Him!

On another verse, he shares this gem that really spoke to my heart:

"When we follow God in His decisions we walk with Him.  God rarely asks us to go do something for Him.  He primarily asks us to go with Him.  The work of God is not something we do on our own.  It is something we do with God." (emphasis mine)

Isn't that profound?!  How many times have I found myself trying harder, to do something for Him (whether some good deed or trying to pray more or be more righteous...) when what He is asking is that I walk with Him?!   As I walk with Him, He is my strength, my guidance, and He will not allow me to go off on my tangents--nor will I want to!--because I am walking side by side with my Heavenly Bridegroom and Lover of my soul!  But when I get farther away, dropping my "Daddy's hand" as it were, looking down those seemingly lovely "bunny trails".....well, my eyes are no longer on Him, my heart's desire is no longer wholly for Him, and now I'm not walking with Him.  

For Thankgiving, the MOST important blessing is our relationship with Him!  I leave you with this final commentary on verse 12, "Blessed art Thou, O Lord:  teach me Thy statutes.":

"In essence the Psalmist is saying, 'Through praise I learn Your decrees (statutes or decisions) because I am bringing myself under You.'  Bringing ourself 'under' is what submission means.  It means we are giving our will to God.  We can now pray with Jesus, 'Not my will but Thine.'

"Through submission, we gain a teachable spirit.  Praise makes us teachable because of the submissive spirit we must be in, in order to worship God.  The true worshipers not only worship in spirit but also in truth.  We come into truth through being teachable.  God does not force feed us.  He waits for our spirit to open to Him so that He can gently teach us of Himself.  Matthew 15:8-9 syas, 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain.'  They worshiped God, but it was futile because their hearts were not pliable.

"'The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him' (Ps. 25:14;KJV).  The secret of the Lord Himself cannot be learned through study, but through submission.  There is no way our limited minds can understand the Lord.  A person's spirit must commune with His Spirit.  This is done through true worship of God.  As we worship Him and lay our lives in His hands, we begin to understand things about God that cannot be understood any other way.   We learn more about God through submission than we do through self-exaltation.  Pride is a lifting up of ourselves.  Submission is a lifting up of God.  When we bring ourselves down and worship from a position of lowliness He is exalted."  (emphasis mine)

I pray that will minister to your spirit as greatly as it did/does mine!   This book is well worth the price!  He suggests taking an hour to go through a section of Psalm 119 (8 verses), and pray and meditate on the verses.  I find that is too big of a "bite"!   I usually take 1-2 verses at a time, and maybe get through 4 in a day.  I did get in 8 today because I spent some extra time I don't usually have during the weekdays.

I leave you with the beautiful piano duet my daughters have been practicing:

 For the Beauty of the Earth (with Fairest Lord Jesus).

(arrangement in Partners in Praise by Marilyn Ham with Meryl Ham)

Be Blessed!

To everyone who voted for my blog and got the word out, I want to say THANK YOU SO MUCH!

And a very special THANK YOU for Misty and Elizabeth, who I know really did a lot!!!!

And to the Dixons, who nominated me and clued me in to what this was all about!!! 

Laura, at 10 million miles, won first place, pulling ahead of me for good sometime in the late hours (I went to bed at 11!!! )   She had family and friends staying up until 2 a.m. EST to keep an eye on her progress!  She deserves first place after all their hard work!  I've posted over at her blog, but I want to say it here, too:

CONGRATULATIONS, LAURA!  

Please take a moment and go visit her blog!   I've added her to my favorites!       That is one very nice thing about this "competition"--you discover many more neat blogs!

And I hope some of you who may have visited my blog for the first time will come back!    I pray you will be encouraged and uplifted by what I write!   Thanks for all who visited (I had 225 in one day!!!   My girls would like you all to visit their blog, too!!!! LOL!!!)

I missed the Saturday Psalm and Praise, but I plan to do something either later today or tomorrow, maybe more of a "Preparation for Thanksgiving" Psalm and Praise!

Blessings!  (and another THANK YOU!  Hugs to all!)

~Just editing to add that Dawn over at Home School Dawn has done a really creative "concession" post!   She was also in the category of Best New Homeschool Blog!  Be sure to go over and read her masterpiece!  

A friend on the Mommy T-Tapp Forums was relating how her children spilled a whole quart of honey!   She mentioned it all over the table, the floor, in hair....

And it jogged my memory of a poem I wrote a looooong time ago (I think around 1993, 94 or 95!!) when once my girls spilled a little honey, and then we all got silly "wondering" what would happen if.....

What would it be like

     if there was honey everywhere?

Honey on your hands and feet

     and even in your hair?

Honey in your ears

     And dripping off your nose.

Honey on your fingers

     and squish! between your toes!

Honey in the bathtub

     and on Mommy's sewing, too.

Even Daddy's workshop

     is covered with this goo.

Honey in the living room

     on the couch and chair.

Honey on the piano

     and going down the stair!

Honey in our closets

     and honey on our beds.

Honey on our clothes

     and honey on our heads.

Honey on the table

     and even in the sink.

Oh, what a mess we have!

    Don't you think?

I think we better

     leave the honey in the bear,

And not have this sticky mess

     going everywhere!

Hope that brought a smile to your day!

(And yes, ONE more plea to please vote for my blog, as well as Simply Vintagegirl's!  "Polls" close at midnight tonight!  Thank you! )

Blessings!

I've decided to join Miss Emily Rose on Thursdays with ideas for a Homemade Christmas.  We do more and more homemade things each year, and this year might make the all time high!  Especially if I can find all those barely-started and half-done projects from years past, as well as materials I had planned to make in years past.....  

Of course I can't show you my planned items for THIS year, at least not yet!  

Four years ago, when Dallas had his serious accident, I had just started a triangular shawl for myself out of Lion Brand's Homespun yarn.  It is a simple pattern, one you don't have to think about much, so it was perfect for those 2 weeks at the hospital!   I called it my "therapy"!   

After I finished mine, I decided to start working on one for each of my four oldest girls.   Then I got the bright idea to make one for their dolls, too!  (NOT out of the Homespun, though!)   It was a great thing for those first few months after Dallas was home (and we had LOTS of visitors!), especially since I'd just given birth to our 8th child just over a week from when hubby came home!

Since Homespun is a chunkier yarn, this will grow quite quickly!  I did add some rows towards the end since my daughters a bit taller than me (one is more than a "bit" taller!).   The fringe fuzzes out and makes a nice soft fuzzy fringe!  

Here are pictures of the girls in their shawls:

 Maybe later I can add the dolls modeling theirs!

 You can check out more ideas at Simply Vintagegirl .  If you like what you see, please vote for her at the Homeschool Blog Awards in the Best Plans, Crafts and Projects category!  And be sure to check out her sister's beautiful print, The Library!   Might make a nice Christmas present for someone on your list!

And please remember to vote for me in the Best New Homeschool Blog category!  Thank you if you already have!   Voting ends at midnight, November 21 (that's tomorrow!).

Blessings!

I received this from a friend and my daughter and I laughed until we cried!  I hope you enjoy it, too!

Why the Printer Won't Work

Enjoy!

I was tagged a LONG time ago by fruitbuns!  I'm sure she's thought I forgot or am avoiding it!!!

But here I am, finally!

If I remember rightly, I am to link to her--here!   And in case you didn't know, she's in England, so it's lots of fun reading her blog! 

I am to list 6 unspectacular things about myself!  And then tag 6 people (who I will list at the end!).

1. I am the only one in my family with green eyes.

2. I play flute.

3. I was an only child for 11 years before my brother was born.

4. I was born on Father's Day.

5. This is my 23rd pregnancy. (Yes, you read that right!   I've had 12 miscarriages and 1 stillbirth.  We're going to have quite a Homecoming Party in Heaven someday!)

6. When this baby is done in 4-H, we will have put in 30 years as 4-H parents!!! 

Now I will tag Heather, busymomof10, farmgirls, goatgirl46, watalulu, and robinseggblue!

I wonder if they'll still be my friends now?!  

Blessings!

For 18 November, 2008. 

Outside my window...  it was snowing earlier!  Now just windy and COLD!  Gray skies....

I am thinking... how incredibly blessed I am!

I am thankful for...  a warm home!   And lovely daughters that are willing to serve!

From the learning rooms...  two daughters are finishing projects that were due LAST week!  One is on the three branches of the government, the other on the skeletal system.   Oldest daughter is learning to weave, and the littles are doing their regular fare plus decided to work on a newspaper together.

From the kitchen...  Zucchini-Ricotta Bake, salad, and Parmesan Toast Bread.  YUM!

I am wearing... a pink blouse and last year's Easter jumper, which has pastel flowers all over it.  I know, not very "fallish"! 

I am creating... actually finishing a project for one person's Christmas (gotta be a bit vague here!   )

I am going...    maybe to Goodwill if they're open a few more hours--some girls couldn't find coats to use outside at the one we went to Thursday.   And we're not paying full price for coats that will go to the barn, get "stuff" on them, you know.....

I am reading... Back to A Woman's Call to Prayer by Elizabeth George.  (I read like I work on knitting projects--skip around among several!)

I am hoping... to keep my kitchen counter CLEAR (since I finally got it cleared off, with some help, for my daughter's birthday tea Saturday!)

I am hearing... that beautiful duet of For the Beauty of the Earth.  I'm really going to have to figure out how to get that on here....

Around the house... two daughters on the piano, one cooking supper (yes, I'm spoiled!), three younger girls upstairs working on a "newspaper", oldest daughter is weaving, two boys behind me playing with/fighting over some blocks.

One of my favorite things... is seeing many Godly young ladies together and encouraging one another that they are not alone in the world!    (Susannah will blog about her lovely birthday tea later this week!)

A few plans for the rest of the week: I really want to finish some jumpers for me, get my Christmas present supply found and in one place (I think I have enough from over the years that I didn't get done to do quite well this year, IF I find the stuff and use my time well!), and Wednesday, I hope to hear the baby's heartbeat!!!

Here is picture thought I am sharing:

I have titled this "Cutie in an antique coat"!

 My mom made this coat for my brother 33 years ago!!!  Two of my cousins wore it, I inherited it, and forgot about it with my first son.  Isaiah didn't want to take the coat off and rode his trike around the house in it for about an hour! 

Remember, if you enjoy my blog, you can vote at Homeschool Blog Awards for Best New Homeschool Blog!  Thank you!  ("Polls" close midnight November 21)

And please don't forget to pray for Noah Estes.

Blessings to you!

This isn't our Noah, but Noah Estes from Our Quiver Full (click on the name or the button on the sidebar). If you haven't read about him, he has a mitochondrial disease (not sure that's all spelled right!) and has had a lot of health challenges because of it.  This family is so solidly rooted in Jesus, but they need our prayer support during this challenging time (and all the time!).

He suddenly took ill this morning and it looks like a serious infection like he had a few weeks ago that, as Kate said, "almost took his life".   Please pray for this family!

Noah is a cutie!   If you read their blog you'll get a wonderful slice of their life, trying to be as normal as they can be in the midst of what often becomes chaos!

Thank you for praying!  And if you can, please leave a comment over on their blog--they read them (although they can't respond to everyone) and I know from times like this in my own life how much it means to know God's children are lifting you in prayer.

Blessings!

A few beautiful pictures of my lovely pianist daughters playing an inspiring duet of "For the Beauty of the Earth" (maybe someday I'll get a digital video camera so you can hear it!).

Flying fingers......

Sisterly harmony! 

Just a short "post"--but I wanted to share these sweet pictures with you!

Blessings!

You thought the elections were over, right?!

Okay, this will be easy!  I'll tell you who to vote for!  

My blog has been nominated in the Homeschool Blog Awards for the category of Best New Homeschool Blog!  Wow!  I'm amazed and honored!  

If you enjoy my blog and would like to vote, you can go to Home School Blog Awards  That link will take you directly to the New Homeschool Blogs, and you can scroll down to my title, Never a Dull Moment.

If you'd like to see the other categories, you can go to Let the Voting Begin ! There you will see the categories--click on the one you want, and then you will see all the choices in that category.  You can click on the blog name to check it out before voting!  Who knows?   You might add some new favorites to your roster! 

Voting ends at midnight,  November 21!

Thanks for letting me "campaign"!         (There, that wasn't quite as painful as the past few months, was it! )

Psalm 97

1 "The Lord reigneth;  let the earth rejoice, let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.

2 "Clouds and darkness are round about Him:  righteousness and judgment are the habitation of His throne.

3 "A fire goeth before Him, and burneth up His enemies round about.

4 "His lightnings enlightened the world:  the earth saw, and trembled.

5 "The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

6 "The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the people see His glory.

7 "Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols:  worship Him, all ye gods.

8 "Zion heard, and was glad;  and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of Thy judgements, O Lord.

9 "For Thou, Lord, art high above all the earth:  Thou art exalted far above all gods.

10 "Ye that love the Lord, hate evil:  He preserveth the souls of His saints;  He delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

11 "Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

12 "Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness."

Confusion follows us when we choose to trust in our "idols", be it our own strength, man, methods.....but as we love Him, we fear Him (reverential awe and a fear of doing anything to harm our relationship to Him), He preserves our soul.  He delivers us out of the hand of the wicked.

That doesn't necessarily mean we won't suffer---but the wicked can't touch our soul, because God is preserving it.  It's easy to fear what will happen in the future, but we aren't given the grace ahead of time.  As Corrie ten Boom's wonderful analogy shows--He gives us the "ticket" when it's time to get on the "train".

Four years ago my husband was in a terrible accident that by many estimations, should have taken his life.  If I had worried about that happening ahead of time, God would not give me the grace to face it.  I can attest that through the worst of times (well, for me so far), God has faithfully given the grace as I needed it. 

When we went through miscarriages and infertility.

When we lost Noah Ross 18 years ago.

When Anna-Pie had an auto-immune disorder that looked to become chronic 10 years ago.

When Bekah fell from the barn loft 4 1/2 years ago.

When Dallas was in his accident 4 years ago.

When my dad died a year ago.

If we sit around worrying about it all, we waste energy and time, and really, we say God is a liar.  I've not counted for myself, but I've heard the Bible says 365 times to "fear NOT".  So truly to fear is a direct disobedience to a clear command of my heavenly Father and my God!!!

It is tempting to fear.  America has squandered her heritage and the grace of God for so long.  I have no doubt we are under judgment.  And I'm not referring to the recent election, necessarily.   That is only a reflection of our hearts as the people, just as the kings of Israel were a reflection of her people.  It has to start in our hearts as God's people--it has to start in mine.  

So I examine my own heart--am I trusting in "idols"?  They can be so sneaky.  My fear itself becomes an idol.  It has been said we worship what we fear.  Therefore, if I fear troubled times, the future, the economy, my leaders, accidents, weather, whatever--I have just set up an idol.  God says to set no idol before my eyes--He alone is to get my worship, according to the first commandment!!!

That is why we are to fear nothing but God Himself--and again, that fear is not a cowering, "hope He doesn't spank me" fear.  It is a "I don't want to disappoint my Daddy" fear--yet with a reverential awe that my Father is the King and Creator of the universe. 

In place of a hymn, I would like to post a few selections from Spurgeon's "Morning and Evening" that really speak to me at this time. 

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From November 6:

Morning

"I will pour water upon him that is thirsty."-Isaiah 44:3

 

When a believer has fallen into a low, sad state of feeling, he often tries to lift himself out of it by chastening himself with dark and doleful fears. Such is not the way to rise from the dust, but to continue in it. As well chain the eagle's wing to make it mount, as doubt in order to increase our grace. It is not the law, but the gospel which saves the seeking soul at first; and it is not a legal bondage, but gospel liberty which can restore the fainting believer afterwards. Slavish fear brings not back the backslider to God, but the sweet wooings of love allure him to Jesus' bosom. Are you this morning thirsting for the living God, and unhappy because you cannot find him to the delight of your heart? Have you lost the joy of religion, and is this your prayer, "Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation"? Are you conscious also that you are barren, like the dry ground; that you are not bringing forth the fruit unto God which He has a right to expect of you; that you are not so useful in the Church, or in the world, as your heart desires to be? Then here is exactly the promise which you need, "I will pour water upon him that is thirsty." You shall receive the grace you so much require, and you shall have it to the utmost reach of your needs. Water refreshes the thirsty: you shall be refreshed; your desires shall be gratified. Water quickens sleeping vegetable life: your life shall be quickened by fresh grace. Water swells the buds and makes the fruits ripen; you shall have fructifying grace: you shall be made fruitful in the ways of God. Whatever good quality there is in divine grace, you shall enjoy it to the full. All the riches of divine grace you shall receive in plenty; you shall be as it were drenched with it: and as sometimes the meadows become flooded by the bursting rivers, and the fields are turned into pools, so shall you be-the thirsty land shall be springs of water.

From November 7:

Morning

"Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands."-Isaiah 49:16

 

No doubt a part of the wonder which is concentrated in the word "Behold," is excited by the unbelieving lamentation of the preceding sentence. Zion said, "The Lord hath forsaken me, and my God hath forgotten me." How amazed the divine mind seems to be at this wicked unbelief! What can be more astounding than the unfounded doubts and fears of God's favoured people? The Lord's loving word of rebuke should make us blush; He cries, "How can I have forgotten thee, when I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands? How darest thou doubt my constant remembrance, when the memorial is set upon my very flesh?" O unbelief, how strange a marvel thou art! We know not which most to wonder at, the faithfulness of God or the unbelief of His people. He keeps His promise a thousand times, and yet the next trial makes us doubt Him. He never faileth; He is never a dry well; He is never as a setting sun, a passing meteor, or a melting vapour; and yet we are as continually vexed with anxieties, molested with suspicions, and disturbed with fears, as if our God were the mirage of the desert. "Behold," is a word intended to excite admiration. Here, indeed, we have a theme for marvelling. Heaven and earth may well be astonished that rebels should obtain so great a nearness to the heart of infinite love as to be written upon the palms of His hands. "I have graven thee."It does not say, "Thy name." The name is there, but that is not all: "I have graven thee." See the fulness of this! I have graven thy person, thine image, thy case, thy circumstances, thy sins, thy temptations, thy weaknesses, thy wants, thy works; I have graven thee, everything about thee, all that concerns thee; I have put thee altogether there. Wilt thou ever say again that thy God hath forsaken thee when He has graven thee upon His own palms?

Evening

"And ye shall be witnesses unto Me."-Acts 1:8

 

In order to learn how to discharge your duty as a witness for Christ, look at His example. He is always witnessing: by the well of Samaria, or in the Temple of Jerusalem: by the lake of Gennesaret, or on the mountain's brow. He is witnessing night and day; His mighty prayers are as vocal to God as His daily services. He witnesses under all circumstances; Scribes and Pharisees cannot shut His mouth; even before Pilate He witnesses a good confession. He witnesses so clearly, and distinctly that there is no mistake in Him. Christian, make your life a clear testimony. Be you as the brook wherein you may see every stone at the bottom-not as the muddy creek, of which you only see the surface-but clear and transparent, so that your heart's love to God and man may be visible to all. You need not say, "I am true:" be true. Boast not of integrity, but be upright. So shall your testimony be such that men cannot help seeing it. Never, for fear of feeble man, restrain your witness. Your lips have been warmed with a coal from off the altar; let them speak as like heaven-touched lips should do. "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand." Watch not the clouds, consult not the wind-in season and out of season witness for the Saviour, and if it shall come to pass that for Christ's sake and the gospel's you shall endure suffering in any shape, shrink not, but rejoice in the honour thus conferred upon you, that you are counted worthy to suffer with your Lord; and joy also in this-that your sufferings, your losses, and persecutions shall make you a platform, from which the more vigorously and with greater power you shall witness for Christ Jesus. Study your great Exemplar, and be filled with His Spirit. Remember that you need much teaching, much upholding, much grace, and much humility, if your witnessing is to be to your Master's glory.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I fear too many of us are muddy creeks instead of clear brooks!   Oh, Lord!  Make me a clear stream that I may be a true witness of You, Your power, Your love, Your sovereignty!

If we as His children do not show forth trust in His plans and His care, how can we give any hope to a world without Him?

One more, this one from Faith's Checkbook, for November 6, also by Spurgeon:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Delight and Desires

Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (Psalm37:4)

Delight in God has a transforming power and lifts a man above the gross desire of our fallen nature. Delight in Jehovah is not only sweet in itself, but it sweetens the whole soul, till the longings of the heart become such that the Lord can safely promise to fulfill them. Is not that a grand delight which molds our desires till they are like the desires of God?

Our foolish way is to desire and then set to work to compass what we desire. We do not go to work in God's way, which is to seek Him first and then expect all things to be added unto us. If we will let our heart be filled with God till it runs over with delight, then the Lord Himself will take care that we shall not want any good thing. Instead of going abroad for joys let us stay at home with God and drink waters out of our own fountain. He can do for us far more than all our friends. It is better to be content with God alone than to go about fretting and pining for the paltry trifles of time and sense. For a while we may have disappointments; but if these bring us nearer to the Lord, they are things to be prized exceedingly, for they will in the end secure to us the fulfillment of all our right desires.

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These might not all tie together, but for me God has used them to speak to my heart and quiet it.

And to close, I'd like to quote part of an e-mail from the Solis family, owners of Lifetime Books and Gifts:

"Although the end of the election process should have marked an end to our hectic days, there is still much uncertainty about our future as a nation. Many things are at stake, including the economy. As God taught us once again to trust in Him, not in the government, and not on the economy, we were edified by going to His word and being reminded that OUR CERTAINTY IS IN HIM!

His word answered all our questions...

When we said, "Lord, we are afraid," he responded,

"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strenght you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

"Father, what about my many concerns?" He assured us,

"The Lord will perfect that which concerns [you]; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever" Psalm 138:8

"Lord, what shall we do, where shall we go?"

"I will instruct and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye...Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!" Psalm 32:7, 10-11

He confirms in His word, HE IS SOVEREIGN IN CREATION AND IN HISTORY!

"Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance" Psalm 33:8-12

"Lord, I have no power..." yet He says, "Not by might nor by power, BUT BY MY SPIRIT" Zechariah 4:6

How wonderful to know He supplies us with His good Word to answer all our questions, take away all our fears, and uplift us with "wings like eagles."

I can truly say "I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4

We encourage you to seek the Lord in prayer and to ask for boldness to preach His Word among the nations. This nation's revival- the new "Great Awakening" is coming and we will all be part of it as He continues with His sovereign plan until eternity."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

May this encourage your heart today---remember David in I Samuel 30.  What did he do when they returned to Ziklag to find the city burned and their wives and children taken captive by the Amalekites.  His men spoke of stoning him!    Did he lash out?  Did he fear?  Did he blame God?

No.

Verse 6b, "but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God..."

And then he sought God's will on the next step!

Encourage yourself in the Lord your God!   And then seek Him as to what you are to do next!

Blessings!

However you chose to vote yesterday, and whatever your feelings today, it is important that as a blood-bought Child of God, we remember that we are not here to party or wail, but to pray.  (Yes, I needed that reminder, too!  )

I get e-mails from Phyllis Sather, and she had these wonderful websites listed that I went to and bookmarked.   I offer them here for you to ponder and remind you of our responsibility to our elected leaders (whether they're the ones you elected or not!)

I am firmly convinced that our nation is the shape it's in not because of the Democrats, the Liberals, nor the global conspiratists, but because we as Christians have lost our savor as the "salt of the earth".    When God's people are holy, seeking Him (and not His gifts), living lives that are pleasing to Him (and not ourselves or our peers), willing to suffer for Him (which we really know nothing about here in America), then God moves.  He doesn't need a majority, He doesn't need to compromise, He doesn't need anything or anyone--He is quite capable of running the universe and men's affairs, whether or not they acknowledge Him.  He has quite a history of using the weak to confound the strong! 

So, with that, I offer these websites to encourage you and admonish you to do the most important thing you can do---PRAY!

First,  An Election Perspective From Serbia.

Then go to Biblical Thoughts on Elections, Leaders, and Believers.

Check out The Presidential Prayer Team.  Often I want to pray, but don't really know how.  This is a wonderful guide and resource!  Be sure to scroll towards the bottom and click to read about Rutherford B. Hayes, president from 1877-1881.

And something I am so glad to be a part of, 77 Days of Prayer for Our New President.  You can sign up and have this e-mailed daily from now until the Inauguration.  Now more than ever, our president needs our prayers.

And finally, to inspire you, here is an absolutely beautiful arrangement of Battle Hymn of the Republic, sung at a public school!  You will definitely be inspired!  (And maybe shed some tears! )

Blessings to you as you seek to obey the mandate to pray for our nation's leaders.

It's been a rough few weeks!  The ickies have set in as well as that very tired feeling!  

For today, November 3, 2008.

Outside my window.... it is Indian Summer!  70 degree weather, a breeze, and a beautiful blue fall sky!  The maple tree in the backyard has turned it's golden yellow and looks so beautiful framing our backyard, with spots of blue sky in between!

I am thinking....  I need another nap!

I am thankful for.... my wonderful family who serve me so graciously when I can hardly function!  And that they are all as excited as me about the new baby!

From the learning rooms.... the girls are finally getting a good start on our Names of God study.  We tweaked it a bit and decided two weeks wasn't enough time!   So we're going to try for one a month.

From the kitchen....  Italian lasagna, breadsticks and salad.

I am wearing.... a yellow blouse and a green jumper (not quite John Deere colors.... LOL!)

I am creating.... my jumper I started on!  Got a lot done on it Friday, but would like to finish it tomorrow (icky feeling permitting!)

I am going.... to stay home! 

I am reading.... I am finishing Heart of Wisdom by Robin Sampson, and started reading Herbal Antibiotics by Stephen Harrod Buhner.

I am hoping.... to feel a bit better this week and try to get back on track for my T-Tapp workouts.

I am hearing.... My now 17 year old daughter in the kitchen making dinner (her birthday was Saturday), and all else is pretty quiet (not sure that's a good thing!)

Around the house.... One daughter making dinner, another about to switch her towels into the dryer (each girl has a "laundry day"), another is trying to finish a new outfi