WiddlyTinks.com
Choose the song you like and enjoy a new one each day.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - Blogger Friend School Assignment 28
Nancy writes:
This week’s assignment is about fear. I’ve heard, though I don’t know for fact, that Jesus says in the Bible 365 times, “Do not fear”. I’m not going to sit down and count to find out if it’s that many times or not. It did leave me thinking about my own fears and what fears other people have. If we will be honest, there is something which each of us fears losing so much that it strains the limits of our faith to contemplate trusting it to God. Our life is perhaps the least of these, for surely there are worse fates than dying. Perhaps it is losing our wife, husband or child. Perhaps it is losing our freedom, our health or our mind. Tell your fear and how you handle it when you don’t let God take it for you.
Nancy (this link is to her new site) sure comes up with some thought provoking assignments.
Unfortunately, I have a few fears, but they do not consume me. One of my fears does have to do with the loss of a loved one. My mind understands that death is inevitable, but my heart skips a beat at the very thought of it. My biggest fear of death is not the act of physical death, but the thought that someone who knows the Truth may not have received the free gift and will die without accepting it. It saddens me greatly to think I may not see them in heaven. After explaining this fact of life, all I can do is pray that the Spirit will soften their hearts and that they will realize the true peace and love that comes with Salvation. Some think that once you accept Him as Lord over your life that all the fun will be gone. Nothing can be further from the truth. God has given us everything in the world for us to enjoy. What can be more fun than that?
A specific fear relating only to myself is uncertainty. I know that this is a strong weapon of the enemy, but every now and then it slips in. Am I following God’s plan or just doing what I want to do? Have I done everything for His glory or my own? When I stand before Him, will he say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” or will I hear “I never knew you”? Satan wants us to doubt with all his might. He places insecurity into our lives that we may falter. I combat this fear by turning to God's Word and praying. The weapons against these irrational thoughts are to stand firm on God’s Promises and be strengthened by His Words of reassurance.
2 Peter 1:10-11
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 41:10
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
5 Comments
Post A
Comment!
Permanent Link
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - Blogger Friend School Assignment 27
Hello everyone! I thought it would be nice to get to know one another's Favorite Bible Story...not necessarily a story in the Bible but the story of what your favorite Bible verse or story is and why. This will probably be a very easy assignment for us all but with warmer weather well on it's way, I know how hard it is to stay indoors, even for school work. Have fun with it and remember we only have two more BFS assignments left!
There are so many Bible Stories that I love that narrowing it down to one is a difficult choice. I really appreciate the stories of friendship throughout Scripture. Like Nancy, I love the story of Naomi and Ruth and the devoted friendship they shared. The story of David and Jonathan also displays the values that were placed on friendship, as did the stories of Job and his three friends and Paul and Timothy. I really like the parable that Jesus told in Luke 11:5-10 about the friend that came in the middle of the night for food. Then Jesus told that a friend opens the door just as He opens the door to us.
I’m not sure if you would consider this a Bible story, but one of my favorite passages has to be when Jesus told John what a true friend is in John 15:13-15, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”
7 Comments
Post A
Comment!
Permanent Link
Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - Blogger Friend School Assignment 26
Nancy's assignment for this week is as follows:
This week we're going to reminisce on our Favorite Travels! I had three requests to do something about favorite field trips, favorite vacations, or just favorite places to go as a family or with other homeschool families. I combined those three requests and came up with Favorite Travels! Do you have a favorite travel prayer that the children recite or a favorite verse you can add? That would be fun too.
Field Trip! The best words in the homeschooler’s vocabulary. We have taken many over the past five years. Our very first was even before we had officially began homeschooling in 2003 when we took a trip to Massachusetts for my sister’s wedding. We spent the day at Sturbridge Village. I had been there many times as a kid, but it was a wonderful experience for my kids. What better way to start our homeschooling journey than with a fun vacation that has the added bonus of education? We really enjoy going to historical sites and State Parks. When the weather permits we often take a drive to Andrew Jackson State Park, Lansford Canal, or visit the many local museums that we have in the area. We are very blessed to be centrally located to all these places. We have a neat telephone museum, a great science museum, the State museum, and a wonderful zoo and botanical garden all within driving distance. Choosing a favorite is difficult, but if you ask the kids they will tell you that Myrtle Beach State Park is the field trip of choice. We have been going there just about every year since we moved south. It is a wonderful place and if you are looking for a great vacation spot that offers free educational programs, staying at the park is a great value. My kids have participated in the programs offered there since they were very little and have earned a lot of patches by completing the programs. Perhaps that’s why my son is planning to be a marine biologist engineer. Who knows?
But if you ask me where my favorite place to go as a family is, I would have to say my own backyard. I’m pretty much a homebody, though I do greatly enjoy traveling, but nothing compares to sitting on the porch with my husband watching the kids run around and play, or working all together on some project, or simply lazing around watching the birds.
I’ve put together a bit of a slide show of some of our earlier trips. Looking at these pictures I am amazed at how much my children have grown both outside and in over these past few year.
Psalm 24
The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.
6 Comments
Post A
Comment!
Permanent Link
Wednesday, April 23, 2008 - Blogger Friend School Assignment 24
Nancy writes:
“This week's assignment is The Three R's -- Reduce, Recycle, and Re-use. I thought since today is Earth Day and this month is Arbor Day that we all could share ideas or tips that we use for recycling, reducing or re-using items in our home. Do you recycle at all? Does it just seem nearly impossible to recycle? Trying to catch every piece of trash that goes into the garbage is a hard one for me too. I have a friend who is very diligent with it and so are her children! It amazed me to see how they re-spect nature and use the Three R's in their home. I challenge you all to write about your ventures with recycling, reducing, and re-using your trash and take a pledge to at least try to use some of the tips that you read about on this assignment. Don't forget to add your favorite scripture for this assignment.”
I touched on this subject Monday. We do recycle and try to reduce our trash creation and energy consumption. It isn’t always easy, though. It takes some effort. The kids try to do what is right, but turning off lights seems to be one of the big issues with them. I would love to say that we do all that we can to help the planet, but there is so much more that we can do.
When it comes to re-using things, though, that one is easy. Here are some things that are most often re-used in our home.
1. Plastic gallon milk jugs.
a. We make bird feeders/houses
b. If you cut off the bottom you have a big scoop for gardening or feeding large animals.
c. They also make a great funnel without the bottom.
d. What to do with the bottoms? Put them under plants to catch water.
e. After cleaning them out thoroughly, we fill them with water and freeze them for the cooler when we go camping. This serves double duty. Not only does it keep the food cold but when it melts we drink the water.
f. I’ve made Easter baskets and bunnies to put candy in from them.
(Visit 35+ Uses for Milk Jugs for more ideas)
2. Glass jars
a. We use these most often for little critter jars. What a great way for the kids to examine nature.
b. The smaller jars, especially baby food jars, make cute little vases when the kids bring in those lovely dandelions with short or no stems. : )
c. And who can not forget that they make great catch-alls for coins and other tiny things that you have no idea what to do with but are afraid to throw away because you just might need it someday.
d. At one time, I made my husband a cabinet to store his nuts and bolts in. I framed it out with scrap wood making two shelves inside, gathered up a bunch of baby food jars, nailed the lids to the bottom of the shelves and then screwed the nuts and bolts filled jars back on the lids. Unfortunately this project has since disappeared, but it worked well. My dad still sorts all his workshop items in jars. Makes it so easy to find what you are looking for.
e. We have painted the jars and filled them with candy and other things to give them as gifts. (My daughter made the two in the picture)
(Thrifty Fun has some wonderful ideas for reusing jars. Be sure to read the feedback for more ideas.)
3. Egg Cartons
a. Oh, the versatile egg carton, great for sorting small things. We always have one ready when we are making the furniture you get in kits.
b. The crafty use of egg cartons are numerous. We have made all kinds of things including games, critters, and strange creations.
c. They make wonderful seed starter trays.
d. We store those tiny ornaments for the mini- Christmas trees in them.
e. I use them to store my quilling pieces.
(TIPical Mary Ellen, Green Living, Thrifty Fun, and Make Stuff have some other ideas you may use.)
Lastly, the newest item we found to reuse that really doesn’t pose a huge threat to the environment because it breaks down fairly quickly, is dryer lint. My son has been collecting this for a while to use on his Boy Scout campouts. Apparently it is a great fire starter. Then I saw that you can make clay from it on School in Our Home’s blog. After doing a little web search I found some other interesting uses that I might try.
(Check out All Free Crafts and Thrifty Fun for some ideas.)
The passage I have been thinking on this week is Genesis 1:26- And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Be sure to stop by Nancy's blog for more Blogger Friend School fun. And while your at it, why not join the fun yourself.
7 Comments
Post A
Comment!
Permanent Link
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - Blogger Friend School Assignment 23
Nancy writes: "For this weeks assignment I decided to take an idea from a fellow BFS'r. I'd like a Yea or Nay in a comment if you'd be interested in passing along an idea or you can just email me. This week I'm using an idea from Sombra at More Little Wilsons. I do have plenty of ideas that I've written myself, but thought it would be fun if we did a round of BFS on the blogs that participate.
Sombra wrote, "I think it would be interesting to find out if some of the other ladies have sunk their teeth into something new in the last year or so, what are they enthralled with, what has claimed the fires of their passion." You can post pictures or as many things as you'd love to start doing for YOURself. I stand corrected but I took it from Sombra's email that she meant OUR OWN passion and not something your children or husband would like you to learn. Make sure you include a favorite scripture."
I love to learn. Over the past year or so I have been messing around with HTML and trying to learn how to create my own web page designs. I haven’t had much time to play with it during this school year, but every now and again I try something new. I am trying to work my way into learning how to create software. I have a strong desire to someday go to school to learn programming so I can create educational software that is both fun and informative for high school students.
Most recently I have been enjoying working on my e-books. I am really trying to create products that are not only useful but also have a multi-discipline appeal.
I have also been striving to get my house to run smoothly. My household binder has proven to be a valuable resource in that department and making the kids their own binders has worked wonders. I am still working on getting things to the way I want them to be. Not everyday runs smoothly, but being flexible and prioritizing has made all the difference: so much less stress.
There are so many other things I have a passion for that sometimes I am overwhelmed by the possibilities. My deepest passion is always, first and foremost, to know my Father in Heaven better and try my best with His direction to live as He would have me live.
Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
7 Comments
Post A
Comment!
Permanent Link
Wednesday, April 9, 2008 - Blogger Friend School Assignment 22
Nancy’s assignment for this week is:
“As spring is among us and summer is approaching my family and I slowly steer away from the big hot dinners and more to the salads, sandwiches and fresh fruit. We'll be doing lots of canning and preserving foods this summer, so I won't feel like cooking big meals every night like I do now.
For this week's assignment I thought it would be fun to share our dinner plans for the night or if you're organized enough for the week. You can include pictures if you desire. Also tell what your family likes to drink, if you have desserts or not. If you want to then take this assignment and let all the children in your life make dinner for the night. Please add your favorite verse for this assignment, as it might be an encouragement for someone else. This week's assignment is short and sweet so have fun with it.”
Normally I plan our meals a week in advance but this week is a bit out of the norm for us because not only are we having a little Spring Break and the kids have had friends over but also my son stopped by last night for his birthday. He’s coming over again with his girlfriend for his special birthday dinner and cake on Friday and we are having my daughter’s Princess Ceremony on Saturday. So it has been a bit erratic in the dinner making department. Monday we had crock-pot BBQ chicken, corn and rice. Last night we had hamburgers on the grill and our favorite macaroni salad that I usually make for my son. Tonight is leftovers. Tomorrow is Girl Scouts so dinner will be in a hurry, probably Tuna Casserole. My son hasn’t yet told me what he wanted for his birthday dinner on Friday, but I won’t be surprised if I’ll be making lasagna. On Saturday, we will be having finger sandwiches for the ceremony. We usually drink milk with every meal, but when we have people over we offer an alternative of iced tea. Most of the time the kids just have a snack after dinner of cookies, snack cakes, or ice cream, but I baked a cake yesterday, so we’ll be eating that for a few days and of course we’ll be having birthday cake on Friday.
Luke 4:4
And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
6 Comments
Post A
Comment!
Permanent Link
Wednesday, April 2, 2008 - Blogger Friend School Assignment 21
Nancy has come up with a tickling assignment for this week. We are to share a story or two about a “cheek hurtin', gut wrenchin', snortin' out loud, almost wet my pants laughing moment” This was a hard assignment for me. Everyone’s definition of funny is different. We laugh all the time here, so trying to remember a specific event has been hard. There are two events that stick out in my mind.
The first involves a slushy machine. When my oldest was little, we used to go to a video store that had a ‘make-your- own’ slushy machine. It was like a ritual, we’d rent a movie, and then we would get a slushy on the way out the door. This one summer day, my son had decided he wanted a cherry slushy. I placed the cup under the spout to get it and the thing went haywire shooting red syrup all over the place including down the front of the light blue t-shirt dress I was wearing. All I could do is laugh. It was like something you’d see on one of those hidden camera shows. I looked like I had been shot. The clerk was shocked, but when he saw that I wasn’t freaking out, he started laughing, too, as did a few other customers in the store. From then on, I let someone else handle the slushy machines.
A more current incident involves our cat Willow. Besides her recent adventures up the tree, she has proven to be a great source of laughter. About a month or so ago, she was outside on the front porch guarding the birdfeeders. She’s very good at this, making sure that no particular bird over eats. Our porch is pretty high. (to get to the front door you have to climb 12 steps) I was doing something or another with the kids in the kitchen. Out of the corner of my eye I see her jump up to one of the feeders. I figured she would land on the rail, but apparently she didn’t have her cat legs, because she went up and over the rail and tumbled through the azalea bushes below. The kids had seen it, too and we ran to check and see if she was all right. She was fine and went right back to her post. We thought it was hilarious.
Like I said, everyone’s definition of funny is different.
Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
5 Comments
Post A
Comment!
Permanent Link
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - Blogger Friend School Assignment 20
Nancy has come up with a fun assignment this week.
“There are lots of windows in our lives, i.e., window of our soul, closed windows and open windows that God has for our lives, there's what some people call their, "window of opportunity", and there's "eyes are the window to our soul". The assignment is to take a picture, if you're able, find a graphic if you can, and write about your favorite window in your home or the one you look out of when you have those 'daydreaming' moments.”
I love all the windows in my house. There are different views from every one, but my favorite window doesn’t look so much into the outside world as to the inside. Between the kitchen and the dining room we have a window. I am able to watch my family at the dinner table while preparing meals or have conversations from where I sit while my children do the dishes after eating. From this window I am able to look out the kitchen windows and the dining room windows without obstruction. There is a small shelf in this window that serves as a resting place for the everyday ‘stuff’, the phone, a message center, mail, and other things that haven’t been put in their place. Windows provide a connection and this one allows for my favorite connection with those I love.
View from the kitchen into the dining room:
View from the dining room into the kitchen:
This Scripture caught my attention this week.
1 John 1:6-7
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
12 Comments
Post A
Comment!
Permanent Link
Wednesday, March 19, 2008 - Blogger Friend School Assignment 19
Nancy has come up with a wonderful assignment this week to spread compassion.
“What the assignment this week entails is for all of us to go and pick up the name and address of a child that we will pledge to send a card to. You can even send it anonymous since I know so many people are worried about Internet safety. I, personally, always feel a strong calling to help others, especially children who may not physically be able to help anyone because they're fighting for their lives. The information for the company is below in case you're leery of sending a card to them.”
Founded in May of 1998, by Alexandra Bakker, the Make A Child Smile Organization,, also known as MACS, has been a source of support to children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses and their families. Emotional support is provided by creating the opportunity for people to visit the MACS website and learn about the children and their illnesses.
Each month, new children are featured. A picture and biography describing the child and information about their family is published on the website. Hundreds of 'net surfers, schools, service organizations, girls/boys scouts and church groups use the MACS website as a philanthropic project where they can send cards, letters and small gifts to the featured children and their siblings through postal mail.
In December of 2000, MACS was granted tax-exempt status so that it could expand its mission to include fund-raising efforts in order to provide financial assistance to qualifying families for help with medical, funeral expenses or other costs associated with the child's illness.
Our Mission
To provide emotional and financial support to families whose children suffer from chronic or life-threatening illnesses and also give those who visit the MACS website the opportunity to participate by sending mail to the children.”
I decided that the kids and I would participate in this assignment. We have chosen 3 children to send a homemade card to. We have been thinking about ways to reach others and this is a small step in that direction.
Thanks Nancy for coming up with these assignments.
1 Peter 3:8
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.
3 Comments
Post A
Comment!
Permanent Link
Wednesday, March 12, 2008 - Blogger Friend School- Assignment 18
This week’s assignment we are to tell about what we wanted to be when we grew up. This has changed many times over the years and I’m still trying to decide what I want to do.
No kidding---I have always wanted to be a wife and mother to 3 children, two boys and a girl thrown in for good measure. I even had their names picked out, but as my dream became reality the names were changed. Probably a good thing or our family would have had a few cousins with the same names. Instead, we chose each child’s name to honor someone special in our lives. (That story will make a good post for another time).
I enjoyed working with children. I started babysitting when I was 12 or 13, and did it pretty much every spare moment. So I had mused about being a teacher. I have done that and am still doing it only at home now.
I really wanted to be a singer/actress and was part of several different performances during my youth. But alas, that wasn’t going to pay the bills.
I have been writing ever since elementary school, with a fondness for poetry and music. I have a trunk full of songs I have written and cassette tapes of those songs that I recorded in my teenage years. I still dream of someday being published.
My mother and I often still talk about what I want to be when I grow up even now that I am over 40. When the kids are grown and gone I would like to go back to school and learn computer programming and software design. I would like to create educational programs for teens that keep them interested while they learn something. I would also learn to write better so that perhaps someday I will be a published author that someone would like to read.
This Scripture verse seems fitting for this assignment:
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths
14 Comments
Post A
Comment!
Permanent Link
Wednesday, March 5, 2008 - Blogger Friend School-Assignment 17
Nancy’s assignment for this week is a fairly easy one for me. Read all the details at her blog, Nancy’s Nook.
I know many men and women who are enlisted in the military in service to our country who I have been praying for for years. As I have mentioned before, my brother retired from the USAF after serving for over 20 years. He had many TOD overseas including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Korea, and other foreign and homeland locations. I am extremely proud of his service. Several of the students I had when I was teaching are currently enlisted, as are many members of our church. So praying for our servicemen, women and their families is second nature for me.
Heavenly Father, I thank-You for all these brave people and the sacrifices they make daily for our sake. I ask that You place a cover of protection over them and that they may serve with honor. I pray for Your constant blessings upon their families and loved ones left behind. Lord, grant them comfort and surety that You are in control of every situation. I ask that You place wisdom and understanding in our leaders’ hearts and minds that they make good decisions as to the best use of our service personal. Thank You, Father, for Your continued mercy and grace on our country, our military, and on those that love You. Amen
Several Scripture passages came to mind for this assignment, but this one stood out for me.
Psalm 34:4-8
I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
4 Comments
Post A
Comment!
Permanent Link
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 - Blogger Friend School Assignment 16
Quoting from Nancy's blog:
"This week you are given $1000 PRETEND online spending money! The rules are simple for this assignment. Using ANY online store…write out a shopping list of what you would buy! You can even post pictures of the items you're buying, if you want, it's not required. These things should be things for YOURself ONLY!
List the name of the website with a link and include product item # and cost…you must use all your $1000 without going over! As a bonus every commentator will have their name put in a basket and I will draw three names of people who have signed the Linky and commented to receive a special prize in the mail from me!"
This assignment is going to be fun, but a bit hard. I’m a bit spoiled in that I have just about everything that I could ever want. I would love to spend that money on things for my family and school, but that’s against the rules. So here is what I would get for myself.
Just like Nancy, I would give the first $100 to God. This is the best thing I could give myself.
Then I would head over to Lowe's and spend the rest on a new kitchen floor.
Kronotex Swiftlock Dynamic Laminate-Colonial Maple- Item# 81562 Model: D438
You may think that this is not exactly for me but it really is. My floor is the original cheap linoleum that was put in when the house was built 25 years ago. The years have not been kind to it and it has not aged gracefully. When you come in from the back yard, you see this:
But underneath is this:
When we bought the house there was water damage to the floor that needed repair. We made the repair, but were unable to replace the floor with what we wanted. More important things always seem to come up. There are other places that are harder to hide and have been repaired 'McGyver' style or waiting until they really need it.
Even though we wash it regularly, the sun has yellowed it, waxing it is of little use and it never seems to be clean.
I would love to not be uncomfortable when strangers came into the house. We hope to be able to get to it this year, but our son needs braces and that takes precedence. So if I had a $1000 dollars to spend on whatever I wanted, I would get a new kitchen floor.
(And now if you ever come to visit, you won't be shocked. 
)
15 Comments
Post A
Comment!
Permanent Link
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - Blogger Friend School Assignment 15
This assignment had me a bit stumped. I don’t think I have a funny, crazy, sad, creative or the best story about the family button box. So, do I just show off my buttons or do I tell a tale of them. I opted for both. First off, as exciting as this is, here is my collection of buttons:
I used to keep all my supplies in tins, but quickly out grew them. I still keep some supplies in tins and my buttons just happen to be one of them.
If you know anything about me you know that I have a strange quirk of sorting things. My buttons are no exception.
Here are my white buttons that are kept in the smaller tin:
And here are the colored and novelty buttons, mostly sorted by color.
Now onto our story.
A lovely neighbor friend from our first home gave most of my buttons to me. She loved to tag sale and knew that I loved to craft so whenever she came across a craft bargain she would snatch it up for me. (She’s the one who got me my first quilling supplies, but that’s another story.) At the time I really didn’t sew much, but used them for other kinds of projects. When my oldest son was little we used to string them to make necklaces. We made button dolls, and button ‘spinners’ by threading a 2-hole button and then pulling the strings tight to make the button spin. When he was a teenager, I taught him to sew and how to sew on buttons. (Every kid should know how to do that). I have continued with the same can of buttons all these years doing the same kinds of things with my younger two children. I never really gave it much thought until now, but those silly buttons have been a part of my kids’ lives. Amazing that something as simple as a button can bring back memories of everyday life.
My Scripture passage for this assignment is:
Deuteronomy 6:5-7
And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
9 Comments
Post A
Comment!
Permanent Link
Thursday, February 14, 2008 - Blogger Friend School-Assignment 14
Dear Jesus,
You know my very heart,
You’ve known every inch of me
Right from the start.
And even though You know me well,
You love me just the same,
You’ve taken my total being,
And made me new again.
You hold my hand as I walk along,
The path of every day,
Giving me direction,
And purpose along the way.
And when the hour seems darkest,
Upon Your shoulders I rest,
For safe in the comfort of Your arms,
I’m at the very best.
I love You beyond,
What mere words can say,
But You loved me first,
And took my sins away.
How can I ever thank You,
For all you’ve given me?
You’ve taken a battered spirit,
And set it soaring free.
And when the world is spinning,
And seems so full of hate,
I reach for You, You pull me close
Your open arms await.
It so amazes me,
All that You have done,
You had chosen me for Your very own
When time had begun.
So glad I am You know my heart,
For nothing I could do,
Could ever express how deep I feel,
My unending love for You.
Forever Yours,
Ginny
VMD
5 Comments
Post A
Comment!
Permanent Link
Monday, February 11, 2008 - Blogger Friend School Assignment 13
Blogger Friend School has started up again. Nancy at Nancy’s Nook has graciously taken over for Tamara.
This week’s assignment introduces everyone to our Bibles. We are to answer these questions:
How old is your Bible?
Why did you choose this Bible?
Do you highlight/mark passages in your Bible?
If so, what is your system for marking passages?
Do you have notebooks to record things?
If so, how many and what do you record?
Where is your favorite spot to read your Bible?
Are there any special thoughts about your Bible you want to share?
I don’t actually use one Bible but 4 different ones for different purposes.
I received the Good News Bible from my parents Easter 1978 just before I received Christ as my Savior. This book has underlining throughout and lots of notes from that time frame in the margins. This is a paraphrased Bible so it made it easier for me to understand God’s Word as I was growing up. I use it to help my own children get another perspective on what a passage means.
The next Bible that I turn to is my King James Version. My parents gave this one to me in 1979 when I began attending a Christian school and needed it for my schoolwork. This one has the Bible passages that I have memorized over the years highlighted in yellow along with the date memorized. When I began teaching at a Christian school, it was put back into service. It is quite worn and sections have fallen apart, but I still refer back to it whenever I wish to quote a passage on my blog (King James is copyright free).
Then there is my New International Version The Parenting Bible that I use everyday for my Bible reading. I bought this hardcover version in 2000 because there are lots of extra commentaries and things to do interwoven throughout the passages. I don’t write in this one at all.
Then I have my NIV Study Bible that I use for church and study. I’ve had this one since 1998 and love how each page has cross-references and explanations of each passage. I have notes, dates, and underlining throughout this book. Along with this Bible I use a notebook to record notes from church services so that I can later go back and re-read the passages.
My favorite place to read my Bible is in my bedroom propped up on my bed first thing in the morning. It always seems to start the day off right.
I have found that no matter which version of God’s word that I read His constant truth of love comes through.
(Don’t forget to check out my Blogoversary Giveaway.)
8 Comments
Post A
Comment!
Permanent Link
Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - Blogger Friend School Assignment 12
Write out some goals that you would like to accomplish. These goals should include your personal goals, but also goals as a family. While setting goals, try to write out small attainable rewards for each goal accomplished!
I am always setting goals in my life. Some are easily attainable and others I have yet to see come to light. There is a saying by Les Brown that comes to my mind that says, “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you land among the stars.” I sometimes set my goals for the moon and quite often land among the stars, which isn’t such a bad place to be. I don’t often set long range goals because the list would go on for days so here are a few of my short term goals that I am continually working on.
1. To continue to seek God’s plan and purpose in my life and to carry it out in the way He would have me do so. This will help define my life.
2. I would like to organize my time better. The household manager that I’ve been working on and using has been a great help in that department and I have seen the fruits of it, but I still need a lot of work.
3. To have more time to be alone with my husband. His work schedule is rough and the only time we have together is right before we go to sleep at night. This would strengthen our relationship.
4. To be more disciplined in seeing that my kids complete their assigned household duties. We struggle with them doing it right unless they are ‘sat’ on to do them. This would stop most of the nagging and complaining that goes on around here.
5. As a family, I would like us to spend more time doing things outside of school; more outings and vacation time. This would allow us to grow closer as a family.
There seems to be a running theme in these goals: TIME. I think that my main goal this year should be to ‘make’ time for the things I find important and not to worry about the small stuff.
Ecclesiastes 8:5-7-Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment. Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him. For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?
13 Comments
Post A
Comment!
Permanent Link
Wednesday, December 5, 2007 - Blogger Friend School Assignment 11
#1 The assignment this week is to visit your classmate’s blogs and leave them a comment to let them know that you are praying for them. There are over 200 classmates that have signed up now!
I’ve begun to visit my classmates, but it will take quite a while to get to them all. I may be working on that part of the assignment for many days.
# 2 At the same time for your blog, please post any prayer needs that you have. The POWER of prayer is what binds us together with HIM!
Except for the healing of my husband’s back, I honestly can say that I have been blessed enough not to have any other urgent prayer requests There are things that I pray for every single day, so I will share those requests that others might stand in agreement with me.
I first pray that God will use any gifts that He has given me for His purpose and that my many shortcomings are not a hindrance to me obeying His Word.
I continually pray for my husband, that he will be safe on the road and come home every night and that our financial situation will change so he won’t have to work so hard.
I pray for my oldest son, that he may continue to grow as a man and not let bitterness keep him from finding a church home and a closer relationship with God.
I also pray that my younger children will seek Him in their lives
I ask that I will have the wisdom, knowledge, creativity and patience I need to be a good teacher and mother to my children, and discernment enough to know when I am teacher and when I am mother.
I pray for the health of all my family, especially my mom and dad, nephew, and uncle.
I ask the Lord to place people into the lives of those I love who do not have a relationship with Him and that they will be saved.
And I always pray for our men and women in service to our country: military, police, firemen, doctors, etc… Also for those on foreign soil who are persecuted for His sake.
Lastly, I pray that those who come to my blog will benefit from it.
Matthew 21:21-22-Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
25 Comments
Post A
Comment!
Permanent Link
Wednesday, November 28, 2007 - Blogger Friend School Assignment 10
Part A: Please share your Favorite Christmas/Holiday Cookie Recipe(s)
Part B: Share a memory, story or tradition about baking any Christmas/Holiday goodies.
Part C: Share a verse that is upon your heart this week.
This assignment made me giggle because I had been thinking about sponsoring a virtual cookie exchange on my blog, but Tamara beat me to it. Great idea.
There are so many great cookie recipes in my collection that it is hard to chose. I may not like to cook but I love to bake and cookies are among my favorites to make.
We make this flexible recipe whenever I go to make cookies and find that all I have are half bags of various varieties of chocolate chips. Some how they mysteriously vanish. (I think I have 5ft. and 6ft ‘mice’)
M&M Chip Surprise Cookies
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2/3 cup butter/margarine, softened (I usually melt it in the microwave)
2/3 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup chocolate chips
½ cup white chocolate chips
½ cup peanutbutter chips
½ cup butterscotch chips
(You can use whatever you have on hand to make 2 cups chips)
½ cup M&Ms
(sometimes we add ½ cup small pieces of nuts, usually walnuts, but sometimes peanuts or pecans)
Preheat oven to 375°. In large bowl, mix sugars, butter, shortening, egg and vanilla together. Stir in remaining ingredients one at a time. Drop by rounded teaspoons about 2” apart onto cookie sheets. Bake until light brown, about 10-12 minutes.
Makes about 6 dozen
***TIP: I usually bake two sheets at a time, so I bake them about ½ the time, then I switch them in the oven, putting the top sheet on the bottom rack and the bottom sheet on the top. Then bake until done. The cookies seem to come out more even this way, though I sometimes have to bake them a bit longer than the recipe calls for.***
The second recipe I want to share may be of some interest to Kellie Anne. Maybe her wreath’s fate could have a sweeter ending.
Peppermint Cookies
1 cup shortening
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
2 ¾ cups flour
1-teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ cup crushed peppermint candy
Preheat the oven to 375°. In mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugars. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after adding each one. Beat in vanilla. In another bowl, combine dry ingredients then slowly add to creamed mixture until blended. Stir in crushed candies. Shape into a 15” roll and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate about 4 hours or until firm. Unwrap and cut into 1/8 slices. Place on cookie sheets about 2” apart. Bake for 6-8 minutes or until the edges begin to turn brown. Cool on wire racks.
Makes about 6-dozen.
My children and I bake year round, but at Christmas we usually do a lot more. We pour over cookbooks and recipes choosing what treats will make each year. We have done cookies, breads, and candies in the past. We have even just gathered the ingredients and made little ‘baking kits’. It is always a lot of fun and they are already asking what we’ll be doing this year. (I have no clue. LOL)
A Scripture passage that I have been reflecting on the past few days is from 2 Timothy 4:18
And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
14 Comments
Post A
Comment!
Permanent Link
Wednesday, November 14, 2007 - Blogger Friend School- Assignment 9
Part A: Share at least 3 “Bountiful Blessings” that the Lord has abundantly provided.
Counted Blessings
How can I count my blessings,
When the sky’s the limit?
First I thank the Lord above,
For pulling me from the pit.
Then I praise His Holy Name,
For all that He provides,
Food to eat and clothes to wear,
The home where I reside.
Next I sing psalms of joy,
For my family and my friends,
People I’ve met, and yet to meet,
The encouragers He sends.
Life and Liberty, Freedom and Peace,
Are counted as my treasures,
His blessings are too many to name,
His blessings go on forever.
VMD
Part B: Share your Thanksgiving Feast {past or present} You may use Photos, menus, recipes, activities, traditions…Be creative! –”Who carves the turkey?”, “Do you save the wishbone?”, “What do you serve for dessert?”, “Who hosts the Thanksgiving dinner in your family” ….my favorite…”What do you do with all those leftovers?”
Our Thanksgiving feasts are fairly traditional. Our menu consists of: turkey, family recipe dressing, mashed potatoes, carrots and a green vegetable, (green beans, broccoli, or asparagus). You will also find on our table homemade turkey gravy, olives, pickles, celery and cream cheese, celery and peanut butter, cranberry sauce (whole not berry), and rolls. For dessert we always have choices; usually pumpkin pie, apple pie, tapioca pudding, or Jell-O.
Most of our family lives all over America, but my parents live nearby so we celebrate most holidays with them. The past couple of years my parents have prepared the vegetables at their house and brought them over to my house. We usually have dinner here because it’s easier. My dad carves the turkey because he has the most experience and we consider him the head of the family. My mom makes the family recipe dressing because I have yet to master it. Besides, hers always tastes delicious. It is everyone’s favorite. Basically it is a ‘by taste’ recipe. We use a couple of pounds of cheap hamburger and brown it all up. Then we add broth from the turkey pan, chunks of white bread, (has to be white; wheat doesn’t give it the right texture), Bell’s Seasoning, sage and poultry seasoning until we get the right texture and taste. My dad is the also official taste tester, with my oldest son coming in a close second. There is hardly any dressing left after the feasting is over and what’s left doesn’t last more than a day in the fridge because everyone eats it up for snacks.
I usually make turkey soup with the carcass and turkey potpie with a mashed potato crust form any leftovers that haven’t been eaten in sandwiches. Leftovers don’t last too long here, as we don’t quickly grow tired of turkey. As a matter of fact, we’re cooking turkey drumsticks on the grill this weekend just because we love it.
The Scripture that continues to remind me of my many blessings is probably one every Christian stands on:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
8 Comments
Post A
Comment!
Permanent Link
Thursday, November 8, 2007 - Blogger Friend School Assignment 8
Part A - Share about your family’s laundry. Where is it kept? Who does it? How does your family sort it? Do you wash by hand? Hang clothes on the clothesline? Make your own laundry soap? How often do you do laundry? How many loads each day/week? Indoor laundry room, in the garage, or laundry mat? Even more fun…share a picture!
Part B - Do you have an area in your life that you know that the Lord is tugging at some heart strings that needs to be cleaned up? Have a testimony of your past struggle(s) that might help another homeschooling mom? Share a piece of your heart (dirty laundry) that you are seeking a good washing or how it got cleaned up. Sharing with one another is a great way to have your post feel human and real.
Part C - FIND a scripture this week that pertains to this assignment to help you with your laundry and share it this week.
This assignment came on the perfect day. Normally we (or better said, I) do laundry on Mondays, but with all the activities as of late, I fell a bit behind. When I read the assignment, I was motivated to capture the whole laundry process. (Now remember in a long forgotten post I mentioned that I am a compulsive sorter, so please don’t laugh at my process.)
First off, the main laundry sorting station is a corner of my bedroom. I built this screen from old French door window dividers to hide the mess. Works very well.
The kids each have their own hampers (actually colorful big buckets) in their rooms where they put their dirty clothes when the mood strikes. In my sorting station there are two three-section sorters and a hamper for towels. Clothes are sorted as they make it to the ‘center’. The sections go from left to right: mending, sheets, reds, darks, lights, and then whites. In front of the bins is a tub for seasonal clothing. I keep a trash bag on top of that for Goodwill, a little container for the ‘lost soles’ and another for nylons. One of the sorting bins has a rack attached that we keep odd jackets and hangers.
On laundry day, the kids empty their buckets on the floor.
Then I proceed to sort everything into laundry baskets again separating the darks into blacks/navys and jeans and the lights into grays/greens and blues. The most frustrating thing for me is that no matter how many times I ask, the clothes never seem to be right side out. URRR!
My washer and dryer are in the hall next to my bedroom.
I usually use the store brand liquid detergent with no perfume or, if it’s on sale, I like Arm and Hammer. We usually stay away from most of the brand named laundry soaps because of sensitive skin. I also add Borax to the batches.
I love to hang the clothes out on the line for so many reasons; the money savings on the electric bill, I can finish more batches in the washer than I can when I have to wait for the dryer (I can get 4 batches on the lines we have stung between trees), and I also enjoy the simple task of hanging it out. I feel so peaceful and domestic hanging laundry, at least when the dogs are not messing with the clothes or trying to steal the clothespins. It’s kind of reminiscent of the olden days when times seemed simpler. Now mind you, I definitely love my dryer. It keeps me from the dreaded iron. Wrinkled shirt? No problem. Toss it in the dryer with a wet face cloth and a while later, with no effort, viola, no wrinkles. I usually hang the clothes out when the weather and time permits, except for the towels. My husband hates stiff towels.
Drying on the line also makes sorting and folding the clothes a quicker process. I just pick and chose whose is whose, folding and putting them into the right basket. When I dry in the dryer, my bed becomes a sorting and folding surface and it seems like it takes longer. The kids put their own clothes away, most of the time. There have been occasions that I have seen their folded clothes sitting on the dresser instead of in, or that a never worn item has made it back into the laundry the following week. Just another one of those URRRR moments.
So now that you are almost comatose with my laundry day tale, and if you are still with me, I will share a bit of my spiritual dirty laundry. There have been and still are so many areas of my life that the Lord has seen fit to clean. There have been things in the past that have brought pain and heartache into my life and the lives of those that I love, but God has seen fit to wash those things away with His mercy and forgiveness. The stains of the past have been blotted out. I am always a work in progress in His hands. Daily I am shown His wonders and pray that I will face them with my eyes open and my heart receptive to His plan. If I had to pin down one thing that I think He is currently working on in my life it would be my focus. I have an ADD personality and tend to put a whole lot of irons on the fire. This can lead to a lot of great ideas that don’t get followed through on. For example, there are so many things that I want to do with the kids when it comes to their education, but by the time we get done with the ‘got to do’ subjects, I have lost steam for the ‘extras’. They get left at the wayside for another day. My fear is that I won’t have another day to do those things. I have felt God helping me to deal with these insecurities as of late and directing my focus so that my kids can benefit from all He has to offer.
A Scripture that has been a great help to me in dealing with this dirty laundry is:
Colossians 3:1-3
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
12 Comments
Post A
Comment!
Permanent Link
