Days 2 thru 6: Thankfulness

Day 2:  I am thankful for FIELD TRIPS! :D  I love being able to take a day and spend individually with my kids.  On Friday, we drove to Little Rock and spent the day with Faith.  I have loved going to pumpkin patches, hiking, and to battlefields through the years with each of my kids.  That one-on-one time means a lot to me as well as them.

Faith on a field trip Friday to our State Capital.

Day 3:  What a busy day!  I am thankful that we got the tile down today.  One step closer to having a kitchen again.   I used the wet saw for the first time and I did ALL of the cuts in the entire kitchen.  Looks pretty good too! ;) Cannot wait until the cabinets!

Day 4:  I am thankful for my kids.  It is true that time goes by too fast.  I look at my children and wonder how I can have a 15, 13, and 10 year old.  I'm not old enough, am I? ;D  I am thankful that I can still kiss them good-night and that God has given me another day to be their Momma.  They have made me a better person by having them in my life.  Being a mother has increased my faith through the many trials that have come our way.  I have learned that before they were mine, they were God's.  And, He has their life, as well as mine, in the palm of His hand.  That's a beautiful thing!!

Day 5:  I am thankful for my husband.  Through the past 15 years, he has done his best to support his family.  He has got second jobs when bills over-rided our income.  He has been in there working on my kitchen daily even before his real job starts in the afternoon.  He'll spend time picking out a six dollar Hallmark card for Mother's day to let me know what's inside his heart, even though I've told him for the last 15 years that's too much for a card! :)

Day 6:  Before my own kids, I was an Auntie.  I love being an aunt!  It's close to grandparent status where I can spoil and send home! ;D  I have three nieces and one nephew which I love so much.  It means so much to me that even as they have out grown my lap they still try sometimes.  And, they are always there with hugs, kisses, and "love you's".  They make my heart happy!

 Summer, Phillip, and Cara Rolf

Abby Snow (with Faith)

Day 1: Month of Thankfulness

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 

Simon Peter answered and said, “You are
the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
  ~   Matthew 16:15-1

Would you know God if He were before you?

 

Would you act different if He were standing before you?

 

I think honestly we all would. 

So it is easy to forget that He is everywhere.  Not just in the church.  God is in the car with us.  Walking with us through our workday.  There is not a place that we could go that God would not walk with us.  In times of troubles, we rely on that message.  The knowledge that God will not leave us or forsake us.  The faith that will carry us through the storm.

But would we recognize the hands of God in our own life?  God is there working through others constantly.  We have to stop for a moment and recognize it.  Stop for a moment and be THANKFUL.  Many times, God is working through others to bless us.  Or maybe  God is trying to use us, to be a blessing to others.  No, God doesn't care if you have black coffee or a latte.  BUT, maybe He put you in that coffee shop at that certain time for a reason.  Maybe there is some one there that needed to see the love of Christ through us.

Day one in of a month of thankfulness would have to be my Savior that loves me warts and all.  He loved me even when I rejected him.  He has never given up on me.  He loved me through the rough patches and gave me strength when I had none.   God hears my heart when I cannot speak.  He loves my singing even when I'm off key.  :D He fills my life with hope and blessings.  I just pray for God to use my life for His purpose.

Our Fruit

"You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered

 from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?"  Matthew 7:16

 

"Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick

figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers."  Luke 6:44

 

 "Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct

is pure and right."  Proverbs 20:11

 

What does your actions and behaviors say about you??

It's funny how God works sometimes.  It's been one of those days where you really want to go back to bed and start over...only your scared it might end up worse.  One of those days where when by the end, you feel like you've been through a fight ~ and lost.  Yeah, we've all had those.  Where else to go when you feel beat up by the world?  A place of refugee for the lost and broken.  And what would the message be about tonight?  The fruits of the spirit.  Better yet ~  what they say about us.

It says in Matthew 7:20, "Thus you will recognize them by their fruits."  Our relationship with God is a personal one.  I cannot look into your heart and see that you are saved.  Yet, when we have that relationship, we are filled with the Fruits of the Spirit.  We are filled with love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, and self-control.  Yes, we are only human with lots of errors.  I have raised my voice to my children. But, I do apologize.  Every night I tuck them in, kiss them goodnight, and tell them how much I love them.  (yes, even the teenagers)

I hope that when others look at me they see love, kindness, acceptance.  I hope they can see the peace and faith that is deep inside of me because of the trails and tribulations that God has seen me through.  Those are the fruits that I would like others to see within me.  What would you like for others to see when they look at you?  Our actions and behaviors are the only way others can see the love of Christ.  WE are the billboard for Christ in a way.  We are the walking advertisement for Christ.  Our own behavior can turn some one towards Christ because they want some of that hope and joy we have.  Or it can turn others away because of our negative attitudes.  Even our own children will not learn to lean on God, unless they see you lean on God.  Our behavior truly effects others.  Lets make our fruit sweet and bring pleasure to our King.

Weekend Progress...

Woo-hoo!!  Teacher-in-service equals a three day weekend for us! :)  And, I have made some progress around here.  Long way from done...but progress!

 

Some friends of ours gave us a few 5 gallons of paint.  I bought one gallon of the color we chose (in a darker shade) and mixed it with two gallons of the light tan.  Ta-Da!  Three gallons of terra cotta for the cost of one!  Good bye white walls!  Hello warm desert colors! :)  I will do some more tomorrow after church.  Maybe I can get our "L" shaped hallway done this weekend!

My first thing from Pinterest! Homemade Laundry Soap! Simple and easy with only 3 ingredients!  Oh yeah, less than six dollars and I have two gallons of laundry soap.  And, have enough stuff to make another batch or two!  YEAH!!  Smells great too!

My laundry room is painted a light turquoise  I found this wonderful saying to put on the wall.  I love it!  :)  I read it every time I go in to do laundry and it makes me smile.  We still have a long ways to go but we are getting there.  It is wonderful just to start.  I feel blessed every time I pull up in the driveway. 

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...

It's about learning to dance in the rain.

Isn't that the truth? ;)  I hope that your having a great weekend as well!



View of Politics

My goodness ~  it is that time again.... Politics

I usually keep my mouth closed when it comes to politics.  Everyone thinks that their opinion is the right one.  Some people are so closed minded that there's no use even talking.  If you turn on some news cast, the truth is so altered that it becomes watered down.  Then, those listening accept it as the truth and their opinions grow. 

Republicans ...  Democrats ....  first of all they are politicians.  Good.  Bad.  Ugly.  It's all there.  One label doesn't make one better than the other.  I don't judge a book by it's cover.  You have to read the book.  Way back when, those labels meant something.  Now, well, they are just a label to get elected under.  Do I believe in abortion?  No.  So, that means I am a republican, right?  Nope. Do I believe in the trickle down effect?  No.  The rich just got richer and the poor got poorer.  So, that means that I am a democrat?  Nope.

So, please don't judge me.  I when I vote, I look at the person ~ not the label.  Just because some is labeled a republican doesn't mean his/her morals are Godly and just.  For instance, a certain political candidate right now is labeled republican.  He is also a Mormon.  Which means, he believes only Mormons go to the celestial kingdom.   (the best level of heaven according to them) Also, that they "are co-eternal with God and have the potential to become Gods themselves."  I had to read that a few times.  Seriously, they believe they become God's themselves and have spirit children.  Okay, not anywhere near what I believe.  Will I cross him out because he believes a different way than I do?  No, but it also doesn't mean that I will vote for him because he has a nice label on.

I know that might get some backlash from this.  But it gets old.  I know some people that vote republican just because the label once upon a time meant they had Godly morals.  I know a lot of people that believe everything FOX news spits out.  I don't believe everything ANY one says if it's about politics.  My two cents during any political campaign is to use your knees and your head.

1)  Hit your knees and pray for guidance.  2)  Do research yourself and use the brain that God gave you.  Pretty good advice for politics and in life.

God's Harvest and Workers

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers
are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out
laborers into  his harvest.”  Matthew 9:37-38

There's a picture that comes to my head when I read Matthew 9.  Jesus went through many busy cities and villages.  He witnessed to many.  People were gathering and learning about God.  Jesus also healed many sick and broken people.  Blind men were allowed to see.  A mute was allowed to speak.  A girl was brought back to life.  So many people in need.  The ESV version describes it as people helpless like "sheep without a shepherd".  I love that description.  In so many ways, times haven't changed.  People are still scared and confused just like they were hundreds and thousands of years ago.  People are God's harvest.  And the harvest is plentiful! 

But, we must do the work.  Our harvest is God's people....which is EVERYONE!  Plus ~  the laborers are few.  We must pray for workers.  Not only that ~  we must be a worker.  We cannot expect to just let some one else do it.  We must dust our bootie off and do it ourselves.  Isn't that what Jesus did?  He didn't just tell the disciples what to do.  He showed them.  He got dirty and did the work.  He spoke to people that I'd be scared of.  He healed those I might turn away.

Who are we to chose?  Each of us know some one that is not saved.  Some of us even have family members.  It's so hard because I just want to just fix it, but knowing that I can't.  I just want to slap my brother sometimes because he just doesn't see the big picture.  (yes, I know, probably shouldn't admit that but it's still true) He still holds on to anger and his chips on his shoulders until there's no room for us in his life or his heart.  There's no room for God.  Yet, the only thing that I can do is pray for him, let my light shine, and love him through it all.  I cannot change his heart, only God can.

I believe that's why volunteering has always meant so much to me.  When I get out there, out of my comfort zone, I am part of the laborers and I rely of God to get me through.  I can show God's love through my hugs or food or kindness.  I can plant seeds in people that are looking for something to fill their lives with.  I've missed it the past few months.  :(  I really do miss it when we don't volunteer.  Kids miss it as well.  Once this place gets a little more settled, we are going to jump back in it.  Everyday could be harvest day! :)

Lord, just use me.  Use my family.  Use my home.  Let us not just wait
on the side for some one else to pick up the Cross.  Shine your light through
our imperfect, human bodies so that YOU shine...not us.  For when I am
weak, You are strong.  Let me be one of many workers in the body of Christ
that reaches out and makes a difference.

Busy, Busy!

It's been a very busy few weeks. Busy can be good! :) Since we've received our keys, we have been right at work. We painted all four bedrooms: ceilings and walls! The kids picked out their colors before they left so we could get to work. We also tore out the carpet. Smells so fresh now. Looks it too!

Joey's Soothing Green Tea Paint

Faith's Pretty Turquoise

It was great to have friends stop in to share in the excitement with us. Our open door policy has begun! :) I really feel that this is not just our home.  It is meant to be shared. God has given us this home to be a blessing to my family and others. Who knows how many friends and family will gather in these doors? I can't wait to begin!

We've had friends and family come over to help us clean.  We've been given some gift cards so we can continue remodeling!  Some friends even brought over ceiling fans for our bedrooms. Isn't that amazing? Our friends are a testimony of how God works through others to bring blessings. Felt like home in the middle of our mess. And, yes, it's still a mess around here! We had our "Estate Sale" this weekend so things are getting cleaned out around here.  Of course, I'm tired and it's back to work time.

Luke's Fisherman's Net

My light lavender walls with sage green

Of course, with an older home, you do quickly find out some of the quirks. Like for one, those silly circle things on the wall you never paid attention to...well, those are the phone lines. Don't know about you, but my modem has a flippy square at the end...not a four-prong circle. :D Yeah, they finally came today to give us a wire from the box to our designated office area. (and yes, I've been working on getting that painted so some guy didn't think we live like that! LOL which Kent thought was a bit funny because our garage gives it away!!)

I look around and I can see that we have a long way to go.  We still have boxes to organize, pictures to put up, and carpet to pull out.  But, it is wonderful to begin. God wanted us to wait for this house. He put blocks on all of the others know this is the home meant for us. I can't wait to see what wonderful things He has planned for us and this home!