Friends.......

January 5, 2010








The Friendship Project



Whitney Capps







"But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor?'



Luke:10:29 (NIV)







Devotion:



It was a room full of nearly strangers, barely friends-until that day. I asked the ladies to stand as I read from a list of life experiences. If they had lived through one of the descriptions they stood up. One by one, sobbing women rose to their feet as I read the list. They were family in name only - a family of believers from the same church gathered together for a women's retreat where I was the guest speaker.







Twelve women stood together when I asked if anyone had had a miscarriage. One woman had buried a spouse. Five came from unbelieving homes. One had lived through marital infidelity. Three had escaped relationships where they had faced verbal, physical or sexual abuse. Three ladies had struggled with depression. The list went on and on. By the time I had finished, every woman in the room was standing.







We were knee-deep in one another's junk, and yet I had never felt closer to a group of women. As we closed the session I asked them to share more about their stories at their individual tables. As I surveyed the room, women who had been strangers only minutes before were huddled around one another, embracing, sharing and weeping. God was knitting hearts together. It was a moment I'll never forget.







I am realizing that women of all walks of life crave friendships. And yet so many of us feel that we are lacking meaningful, authentic relationships. How is it that a church full of women with a common thread of faith are not friends? Worse yet, if we aren't friends, can we hope to offer authentic relationships to those who enter the doors of our churches every week?�r the answer is "no, we can't" unless weear the answer is "no, we can't" unless we change and make a few necessary sacrifices.







Recently I've gleaned some life lessons from the story of the Good Samaritan. In Luke 10:30, Jesus paints a not-so-favorable picture of the religious and respectable. I wonder if He would have the same indictment of our churches today? The priest was seemingly too busy to befriend the one in need.







Can I be honest? I am regularly guilty of this sin. Before and after church my husband and I busy ourselves with the work of tending to our children, and doing the business of church. I move past people who are hurting, but I don't stop with my busyness to see their needs. I rarely get off my horse. I am the priest.







The Levite rode past the hurting man too. Perhaps he felt he was too clean to get dirty in the messy business of grace and mercy. Helping the man in need would have made the Levite ceremonially unclean. He wanted to preserve his position and place.







Let me do a little more truth-telling. I don't usually want to get knee-deep in other people's junk. If I don't get into messy relationships I avoid having to deal not only with my own junk, but other's as well. So I don't get off my horse. I am the Levite.







Here is the problem. Real relationships require time and transparency. If we want to move from being casual acquaintances to genuine friends you and I will have to share pain and joy in an authentic, sacrificial way. I believe this, but for right now it's just theory.







I'm curious. What would happen if we covenanted together to get off our high horses and got into one another's junk? I wonder if our churches would explode. I wonder if lives would be forever changed. I wonder if the Church would shed a little bit of its reputation of hypocrisy.







Want to see what would happen? It's not too late to add a New Year's resolution. Let's resolve to change lives through friendship. Let's slow down. Let's share our stories. Let's get knee-deep

last thrus craft, penguins

Last Thursdays craft

our tree

Thursday crafts

We are still doing the crafts BUT my laptop died and I have no way to post the pics.... BUMMER!

Last week we made 3d christmas trees with construction paper. This week we didnt really coordinate anything but they will color a candy cane and possibly make a wreath.

Love, God's Way

December 17, 2009








A Gut Honest Look at Love



Lysa TerKeurst







"...if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing."



1 Corinthians 13:2 (NIV)







Devotion:



As the holidays approach, I have to be careful about developing an overly ideal view of love. Sometimes I'm guilty of setting the expectations so high of what a 'love filled' Christmas should be that it dooms me to feeling disappointed and grumpy. Ever been there?







Well, this year I am feeling challenged to look at love a little differently. I don't want to repeat a habit that I've had from the past where I expect unrealistic things from those I love. I used to hold out the little cup of my heart to my husband, "Will you fill my empty spaces? Will you do that one really romantic thing that makes me feel like I'm the most terrific and special woman in the world?"







Then I would hold it out to my children, "Will you fill up my empty spaces? Will you do something that makes me look really good as a mom so I'll feel a little more validated?"







Then I would hold it out to my friends, "Will you fill up my empty spaces? Will you provide something today that makes me feel more included and significant?"







Maybe Christmas is an odd time to consider such things.







Or, maybe this season celebrating Jesus is the perfect time to hit the reset button on my sometimes frail heart. Love is a tricky thing. Our hearts were created to crave it. But misplaced expectations from love can wreak havoc in a person's heart.







God proclaims in 1 Corinthians 13:8 that love never fails. And in the quietness of my heart that verse makes me squirm a bit. I see love failing all the time. Or do I?







If my only view of love is what it will give me, love from others will fail me every time. It's not that love fails. It's that other people were never meant to be my God. Even a great husband, wonderful children and a thriving ministry can never truly fill me up, right all my wrongs, and soothe those deep insecurities. Not at Christmas. Not at any other time of the year.







No, I can't read 1 Corinthians chapter 13 with eyes hungry to see what love should give me and then demand it from those around me. I should read those steadfast Scriptures with the realization that this is the kind of love God gives to me. And this is the kind of love I can choose to give to other people.







I can choose that my love will be patient. My love will be kind. My love won't keep a record of wrongs. (Ouch - that's a hard one, right?)







I can choose that my love will protect and persevere.







And I can choose to lay the cup of my heart at Jesus' feet and stop twirling, twirling, twirling...hoping- demanding- that those around me do things for me they were never meant to do.







Interestingly enough, when I read 1 Corinthians 13 again this morning I found an odd yet perfect verse toward the end of this chapter. "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me" (verse 11).







Yes indeed. How funny I never connected that verse about putting away childish things with 1 Corinthians 13 - known as the chapter of love. Oh how we have the propensity to grow in other areas while keeping such a childish, selfish view of love.







Love isn't what I have the opportunity to get from this world. Love is what I have the opportunity to give. And I guess there's no more appropriate time to remember this than Christmas.

Are you lonely?

November 23, 2009

Making the Most of Loneliness

Glynnis Whitwer

 "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. 

Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." John 15:15 (NIV)

         

Devotion:

My little boy sat facing the back of the couch.  His head resting on his crossed arms.  He stared out the window.  His little head moved from left to right as he watched two neighbor boys race past on bikes, laughing at a shared joke. 

I watched my second-grade-son from the kitchen door, drying my hands with a dishtowel.  My shoulders drooped as Josh took a deep breath and let it out in a despairing sigh.  Mirroring his sadness, my throat tightened and hot tears burned my eyes.  Throwing the dishtowel into the sink, I quietly stepped to the couch and slipped down next to him.  Without saying a word, I scooped him into my lap and enveloped his little frame with my arms.

His face nuzzled mine and our tears mixed together.  I could almost feel the wishing and hoping pulse through his small body: Will they stop by my house?  Will they invite me to play? A smothered sob escaped from my little boy who was trying valiantly to be "big."

Ever since our move to North Carolina earlier in the year, Joshua had trouble making friends.  The playgroups were established, and my shy son was painfully on the outside. His little brothers were good companions at home, but that didn't replace friendships at school or in the neighborhood.

The loneliness was oppressive, and I felt it too.  In fact, that period of my life was one of my darkest times.  We all left life-long friends when we moved.  Those friendships had been born of common experiences, and years spent together.  They were effortless.  Now we faced unknown territory, not just geographically, but culturally and socially.  This was a new world to us, and Josh felt it as painfully as I did.  And yet, during that time, we all learned some things about God and ourselves that we wouldn't have learned had we stayed in Phoenix.

Although loneliness is painful, it isn't always a bad place to be for a time.  C.S. Lewis said "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world." 

God definitely spoke to us in our loneliness.  And I started wondering if perhaps there are times when God allows loneliness into our lives as an invitation to pursue Him as our closest friend. When our friends have left us, or we have left them, God reveals His presence in new ways.  Tim Hansel, author of Through the Wilderness of Loneliness writes, "Loneliness is not a time of abandonment...it just feels that way.  It's actually a time of encounter at new levels with the only One who can fill that empty place in our hearts."

God longs to fill our hearts with Himself.  Yet we often try to fill the desires of our hearts with the things of this world.  We also discover those attempts to find replacements for God are fleeting and insubstantial, leaving us even lonelier than before.

As you or your child face a time of loneliness, take this opportunity to look to Jesus as a best friend.  Jesus Himself calls us friends in John 15:15, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business.  Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."

Even though we were designed for community, God has a purpose for loneliness.  If we can learn from it, rather than resent it, I believe we'll find a life-long Friend who'll never leave us lonely.

Keeping your mind in Check

Don't you love when things are written just for you???? LOL I need to read this everyday......... Lord Help ME!


November 10, 2009








The Battles Within



Marybeth Whalen







"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?" James 4:1 (NIV)







Devotion:



Our verse for today gets to the root of why my husband and I get in arguments: the desires that battle within me. Desires I wish weren't there. Desires that are ugly and selfish and petty. Desires that motivate me to seek my own way. Desires that battle within me, then spill over into my actions.







There is a battle raging within each of us. It is a battle between flesh and Spirit, between reaching out and focusing inward, between living for Christ and living for ourselves. How can we find victory in these battles without claiming more casualties? I have found there are several ways:







Praying: James 4:2 goes on to say, "You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God." James is telling us how to avoid fights. Take our unmet needs, desires, expectations and complaints to God. We don't need to expect our husbands, children, neighbors, co-workers or friends to fulfill our every need.







Walking in truth: It's easy to believe the lies of the enemy or our flesh: If you were only married to someone else, you'd have a better life. If he would clean up after himself, you wouldn't have so much work to do. No one around here appreciates you. The lies escalate the battles. We spiral quickly into feelings of self-pity and anger. Instead we can learn to recognize those lies and refocus on Truth—God's Truth. We can go to His Word and read what He has to say about the people we love and the position we are in. Psalm 26:2-3 says, "Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind, for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth."







Taking each thought captive: 2 Corinthians 10:5b tells us that we are to "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." There are two action verbs in this statement: take and make. These are strong words that indicate effort. It's not something we can sit back and hope will happen. It's something we have to be intentional and insistent about. When our thoughts start wandering down those dangerous "if only" paths, we can instead find a fork in the road and change direction, remembering who Christ is and how He lived His life on earth—as a loving, humble servant.







Being silent: I have often regretted my speech. In the heat of battles, I've found it is almost always better to walk away and pray. If I feel I have been wronged then I need to ask my Father to defend me. If I feel that battle still waging inside me then I know it's time to ask Him to quiet my heart. Being silent is hard work! But I know that my silence is not as likely as my angry words to hurt the people I care about. Proverbs 17:28 says, "Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue."







When the battles rage within us, we can change the results and stop the arguments that ensue. It's up to us to pause and choose a different reaction. I hope these things will help us today as we rise to the challenge!







Dear Lord, please help me to remember to pray, to walk in truth, to take each thought captive and to be silent. Help me honor You when the battles rage inside me. I don't want to fight with the people I love and I need You to help me with that. In Jesus' Name, Amen.







Related Resources:



Do You Know Him?







30 Days to Taming Your Tongue and accompanying Workbook by Deborah Smith Pegues







The Reason We Speak General Editor Marybeth Whalen







Visit Marybeth's blog - Cheaper by the Half Dozen







Application Steps:



In your journal, write down the four things you can do when you feel those battles raging inside you. Spend time praying and thinking about how you will do these things instead of being angry.







Reflections:



Think about the last argument you had. What battle was raging within you when it happened? What would have changed if you had done the things listed in today's devotion?







Power Verses:



I Peter 2:11, "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul." (NIV)







Galatians 5:16, "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature." (NIV)

posting videos

Can someone please tell me how to post a video directly from blogger to my blog? Thanks a ton! I dont want to use youtube.

More Beautiful You - Jonny Diaz

This is another one of my favorites too. I wish that someone would have told me growing up that I was beautiful and Created for God. I want to teach my girls that they are beautiful and their worth is far more than rubies.... Not according to this nasty sinful horrible world. This is a powerful song and I pray it changes many girls hearts toward their heavenly father.....

David Crowder Band - How He Loves (Slideshow With Lyrics)

I love how this song is a reminder of his love and his Grace. If grace is an Ocean we are all sinking and I dont have time for all these regrets etc.... Most songs is our love song to him but this is like a love song to us. I really really like this song right now, I dont understand why I cant grasp his love for me.....

Thanksgiving Bears

This is Sebastians

This one is Emaly's

This one is Leia's

I cut them out for them and they colored and glued them together. I'm so Thankful for a sister who keeps me accountable... Now if only I could post the pics when I should.....lol......The kids and myself included are really enjoying the crafts, they now look forward to it and are also keeping me accountable. Soon we will be with my sister and her kids and they will get to craft together, We are all sooo very excited....

Forgiveness

Wednesday, November 4, 2009






The Power of Forgiveness



Rebecca Hagelin





When we have wronged someone it is often a great challenge to humble ourselves, say, "I'm sorry" and ask for their forgiveness. But, more often than not, the greatest challenge for most people is to do the forgiving.



When a friend or family member who has caused harm comes to us with a broken heart and sincere sorrow, most decent people manage to muster up compassion and accept the apology. The real challenge arises when the deep wounds caused by another are not followed by remorse or an offer of restoration. These are literally the "times that try men's souls." And they are the exact circumstances in which our forgiveness is needed most.



It's perfectly normal after having been wronged to want to lash out in anger and seek revenge. But it really doesn't matter whether or not the anger is justified - if we seethe in that anger or practice vengeance we end up making our own lives miserable. It's pretty ridiculous when you stop and think about it - to let some mean or thoughtless person who has hurt you continue to rob you of your joy. Yet we do it all the time. When we live in resentment and anger we miss the beauty and opportunity of today. And we also often cause the damage done by the original act to escalate and spread to other innocent parties.



Do you really want to live that way?



Bitterness is an infection of the spirit that rots you from the inside out. It is always self-inflicted because the root cause is an unforgiving heart.



Many people have suffered deeply from the evil acts of another - among the worst are betrayal and sexual assault. Victims of such heinous acts often spend the rest of their lives replaying the trauma in their minds - and losing the precious opportunity to experience today's blessings and joy in the process.



If you have suffered a grave wrong, seek professional help from a counsellor or pastor. Remove yourself from the danger - and from prolonged anger. Make no mistake: Your anger is justified, and your desire for justice, God-given. But allowing the anger to turn into hatred will only destroy you. And wallowing in the self-pity or real sorrow day-after-day gives way too much power over your life to the offender.



The only way to get out of the dungeon of horror is to unlock the door and walk away. In order to escape, you must forgive.



What is the key to practicing forgiveness? Grace - a word you don't hear much these days. It means "unmerited favour" - "undeserved blessing", and in the context of this article, "undeserved forgiveness." The power in the act of "grace" is that it is a gift - not a payment. The recipient does absolutely nothing to earn it - but it is given to him anyway.



The legacy of grace is freedom for the victim, and often redemption for the one who has offended so deeply. People can change - but they need a supernatural intervention to do so. That supernatural act is grace.



I believe in the awesome power of forgiveness, grace and redemption because I have been the recipient of them. They are what make me a follower of Christ. His rich, unquestionable, total and continuous forgiveness is transformational. This forgiveness is what separates the Christian faith from all others. There is no condemnation in Christ for the believer. How utterly beautiful.



So how to forgive those who have ripped your heart out? Call on the Creator of the grace that He offers to you, and ask him to fill your heart with it so that you may freely give it to others. One of life's highest and most fulfilling callings is to be a gracious warrior for truth. As Romans 12:18 says, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men." It really is the only way you will ever be at peace within yourself.

Ugly heart

November 3, 2009



I Would Have Made a Great Pharisee



Glynnis Whitwer



"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence."



Matthew 23:25 (NIV)






Devotion:


Give me a list of rules to follow and I'm happy. I can follow rules like nobody's business. My left-brain dominated thinking likes order and routine, blanketed with no surprises. There's some comfort, I guess, in being able to assess my performance according to a set standard. If I'm obeying the rules, I must be doing ok. Right?


There's one big problem with that line of thinking. It tends to redirect my focus from what really matters: the condition of my heart. Jesus identified this problem with a group of religious people back in the day called the Pharisees, and it didn't make Him happy. In fact, He reserved His harshest comments for those people whose insides didn't look anything like their outsides.


I wonder if the Pharisees were well-intentioned. Did they really want to serve God and thought they were by following the rules? Or was it more of a power play to gain respect? Either way, Jesus split open their pretty packaging and revealed the ugliness of their hearts. Just like He does with me.


It seems God continually brings me to the end of my endurance, both emotionally and physically, to reveal the truth about my heart. What's revealed in those moments of pressure is usually something that needs addressing, like selfishness, insecurity, jealousy or bitterness. Getting split apart isn't pleasant. In fact, it's often painful and embarrassing. Yet, it's required if I want to become a true follower of Christ.


The reality is I would have made a great Pharisee. But the truth is I'd rather be a great disciple. I'd rather be sitting at the feet of Jesus than teaching in the temple. I'd rather share a simple meal of bread with Jesus than a fancy feast elsewhere. And if that requires the ugliness in my heart gets spilled out, then so be it.



Cause at the end of the day, I'd much rather hang out with Jesus who loves me in spite of all that junk. The other option is pretending it isn't there, but that's not fooling anyone. So, I'll welcome God's holy intrusion in my life, submit my need to rank my performance, and spend more time attending to my heart. That's what really matters.




Dear Lord, You are holy and righteous, and yet You love me just as I am. Thank You for calling me to a higher level of obedience, one that requires I submit my heart and my life. I long to follow You more than anything. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

This Past Thursday!

We all made this. This was sooo fun and Soo messy......I want to make more glitter projects.

The Thursday Before!

Only Emaly and Leia and Sara did a scarecrow...They enjoyed all the cutting that was involved with this and ofcourse picking out the colors for their clothes.....

Thursday Craft

We want to make our craft but having a hard time, we have a guest staying at our house. So we have been busy making him feel comfortable. If we get to it, we will do it. Im not going to stress over it. Pastor Ismael from Kenya Africa is at our house visiting with us. http://www.emmanuelorphanagehome.org/

Encouragment for Today

October 21, 2009



Whatever It Takes



Marybeth Whalen



"For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance."



Psalm 66:10-12 (NIV)



Devotion:



This school year, my husband and I made some big changes in our house. We took the kids' computer out of the bonus room and gave them use of our two laptop computers in our presence only. We took the extra TV out of the bonus room. We got rid of all the extra channels on our satellite service, leaving the basic few. And we began requiring that our two children who have cell phones turn them in for the night at 8pm.






Why did we implement these seemingly harsh decisions? Because last school year our children made some bad choices... and their grades reflected it. They chose to watch TV in the bonus room instead of going to bed at a decent hour. They chose to play on the computer when they were supposed to be working on assignments. They chose to text their friends instead of focus on their schoolwork.







After repeated lectures and warnings, they still made the same mistakes. This pattern of behavior left us no choice but to come in and remove the things that were a stumbling block. The kids didn't like our decision and to them it seemed unfair. But we stood firm. We knew that we were doing the right thing for our children. We could see a future they could not, and we had to protect that future for them--even if they didn't understand our method for doing so. As their parents, we have to do whatever it takes.







Sometimes God has to do the same for us. At the time His plan may seem harsh and unnecessary. We may not realize that He can see a future we cannot. We are His children, and He will remove all stumbling blocks that keep us from being all that we can be. Even if it hurts. Even when we cry and beg Him not to. Even when we pout and tell Him it's not fair.







It's because I love you, He tells us, that I do this. I am creating something beautiful in you if you will just stop fighting me. I have a place I am trying to get you to. You can't see it, my precious child, but I can.







Is there something God is doing in your life that feels unjust? That has you pouting or crying or wondering why? Maybe you identify with the verses from today. You feel imprisoned, burdened, trampled, burned. Do you trust Him to bring you out of the place where you are to a place of abundance? The most beautiful prayer we can pray is: I trust You, I trust You, I trust You. He is a loving Father who only wants the best for us and He will do whatever it takes to get us there. Instead of fighting Him, let's rest in that Truth.

Top 10 Things NOT to say when asked "What?! No school today?"

10. Well normally yes, but this time of year I need help with the planting and plowing.




9. Goodness, no!!! I graduated 18 years ago, but thanks for the compliment!



8. No, we homeschool. We're just out to pick up a bag of pork rinds and some Mountain Dew, then we gotta hurry home to catch our soaps.



7. What?! Where did you guys come from?! Oh my gosh! I thought I told you kids to stay at school! I'm sorry. This happens all the time. (sigh)



6. There isn't? Why, you'd think we would have seen more kids out then, don't you?



5. We're on a field trip studying human nature's intrusive and assumptive tactics of displaying ignorance and implied superiority. Thanks for the peek!



4. On our planet we have different methods of education. (Shhh! No, I didn't give it away... keep your antennae down!)



3. Oh my goodness! I thought that today was Saturday...come on kids, hurry!



2. Noooooope.Me 'n Bubba jes' learns 'em at home. Werks reel good!



And the number one answer we should NEVER give to the question: "What? No school today?"



1. "What? No Bingo today?"

quotes I like

The idea of learning acceptable social skills in a school is as absurd to me as learning nutrition from a grocery store.


~ Lisa Russell
 
 
School is the advertising agency which makes you believe that you need the society as it is.


~ Ivan Illich, Deschooling Society



Far from failing in its intended task, our educational system is in fact succeeding magnificently because its aim is to keep the American people thoughtless enough to go on supporting the system.


~ Richard Mitchell, The Underground Grammarian


How is it that little children are so intelligent and men so stupid? It must be education that does it. - Alexandre Dumas

“Home schooling is a very old way of doing things. If you look at any of the bills in your wallet or the coins in your pocket, they all have a picture of a homeschooler on them.” ~William Lloyd



“I believe it would be much better for everyone if children were given their start in education at home. No one understands a child as well as his mother, and children are so different that they need individual training and study. A teacher with a room full of pupils cannot do this. At home, too, they are in their mother’s care. She can keep them from learning immoral things from other children.” ~Laura Ingalls Wilder

“Educating a child is a natural process. Home schooling is nothing more than an extension of parenting.” ~Sue Maakestad



Why Public Schooling Is "Better" Than Homeschooling


Most parents were educated in the underfunded public school system, and so are not smart enough to homeschool their own children.

Children who receive one-on-one homeschooling will learn more than others, giving them an unfair advantage in the marketplace. This is undemocratic.

How can children learn to defend themselves unless they have to fight off bullies on a daily basis?

Ridicule from other children is important to the socialization process.

Children in public schools can get more practice "Just Saying No" to drugs, cigarettes and alcohol.

Fluorescent lighting may have significant health benefits.

Publicly asking permission to go to the bathroom teaches young people their place in society.

The fashion industry depends upon the peer pressure that only public schools can generate.

Public schools foster cultural literacy, passing on important traditions like the singing of "Jingle Bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg..."

Homeschooled children may not learn important office career skills, like how to sit still for six hours straight. ~Author Unknown

Fall Confetti Trees

This was our craft for today, I sat this one out and just helped Sara with hers. They ofcourse had so much fun, Sara loves participating with us.

2009 is almost Over!

Can you believe the year is going by soo fast! So much happens in a year, so much changes in a year..... My kids have grown soo much this year... It's hard to look at their baby pics anymore, they are gettin sooo big.

My Vitamix

A few months back Andy bought me a Vitamix, intially I used it to make Green Smoothies. I also make the kids ice cream, all fruit syrups and even soup. I havent been drinking the green smoothies as much but now, Im drinking, one whole red apple, 2 cups or more of baby carrots, 1/4 cup apple juice and lots of ice. So good... Here are some pics.....

Finally Thursday's Craft

Leia's, Sara's and mine......

Sebastian's and Emaly's

We'll here they are,  I didnt have magnets so we just clipped them to the quilt hanging in the school room. The kids love their butterflies!

We did, I promise

Do a craft this week, but we havent completed it, nor have we had time, Im hoping tomorrow it get it done and to post......

Leia's Sewing

Leia sewed the entire outside of the bag, I helped her more with the handles and the inside. She loves this and is so proud, rightly so. She did really well.. Im proud!

Emaly's bag

Emaly watching it embroider, she loves this bag already! All purple!

Leia's sewing area

Leia is now sewing. She loves it. She is always sewing something, its wonderful to see her love of sewing. She has a made a bag already and hankies for her sister.

More to come.....

I have pictures of Leias sewing area to post and her bag she made. Just need to hook laptop back up.....

Listening and Doing

James 1 19-25

19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.




22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.


I love this, and need to read this alot. I know what I ought to do but sometimes its soo hard.....Charles Stanley is who I listened to preach today while excersing and man let me tell you. He brings it, He doesnt hold anything back, tells you the word of God. God is soo good. I don't understand the whys of so much. I just need to trust in God that it is part of his plan.. HIS BIG PLAN, the big picture. Im all over the board here with what Im talking about and dont want to get into details but so much is going through my mind, so many questions, so much to ponder. but overall I am thankful!

Motherhood: My Only Gems

Motherhood: My Only Gems

Fight or Flight?

Go here, to listen to Pastor Dan Stanley's message. Ignite the Fire.

Do you tend to fight or do you flee?

I do both. Depends on how important it is to me.

Lord Help me not give in to the reflux of fear and to continue to learn from you....To know that your perfect plan is more important than my feelings or my hurts.... Its all to you!

Hot Tea Drinkers?

What kind do you drink? I have always liked the idea of drinking a cup of tea, but everytime I have had some it wasnt that great, till I tried http://www.teavana.com/ at the mall the other day. Oh my goodness I am now wanting to buy the tea I drank there, it was soo yummy! Their teapots are beautiful too!

Bean Mosiac (Project Thursday)

I'm so proud of my babies and their creativity on this one. We made our own playdough using flour, salt, oil and water. I then added a little bit of green dye to it. I told the kids to use the beans to make a picture. "Bean Mosiac". I did not tell them what to make except for Sara ofcourse I did her hand but she put alot of beans on herself. She was soo excited to be doing her own craft.....We all enjoyed this alot.

Project Thursday Almost!

Well the kids did their Project a day early, I have dr appts tomorrow and won't be able to do them, BUT you all will have to wait till tomorrow at the earliest to see them. THey look fantastic, I was really impressed with their creativity on this one.... :)

Sara's Quilt Finished

I finished this last week, she loves it! She is soo proud to say "my quilt". She has been sleeping with it every since I got it done. I actually used the machine this time to do the binding. I loved it cux it's faster BUT I need to practice this technique more to make it look nicer.....Overall Im very pleased with this project. All made from scraps.......

Birthday Present Revealed

My sweet sister sent me some stickers for my Birthday last month to decorate my sewing machine with some bling.... They are soo pretty, one of them for some reason didnt stick too well so I had to remove it but the ones that are on there are holding on good. Thank You, Jennifer!

Project Thursday(a day late)

We are joining my sister and best friend Jennifer every Thursday to do a craft with our children. We will be sharing their creations on our blog so the kids can see their cousins work! Exciting! This week we did leaves for Fall....

Leia's Journal

Leia is so proud of her new Journal she decorated today!

Want to have some tea?

"Through the seasons, through the years, it's your friends who carry you through. What would you do without them -- these chosen sisters who laugh with you, cry with you, and speak truth to you? And what better way to celebrate the warmth and intimacy of beautiful friendship than with the warmest and most intimate of celebrations -- a tea?" -- Emilie Barnes, The Twelve Teas of Friendship

Oh, how I'd love to have tea with my best friend???? Im actually more of a coffee gal but It'd still be nice.

Go check out this blog http://alittleloveliness.blogspot.com/She has a beautiful Blog and there is tea nearby to some if you'd like to join in.....

Tobymac - CatchaFire

Friendship Quotes

"A friend shares the good times and helps out by listening during the bad times."
---Molly Oliver

"Don't pity the girl with one true friend. Envy her. Pity the girl with just a thousand acquaintances."
---Katie Obenchain

"A friend is a person who know what you are saying, even if you're not talking."
---Sarah Bennett

"Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down."
---Oprah Winfrey

"Never forget the days I spent with you. Continue to be my friend, as you will always find me yours."
---Ludwig Van Beethoven

"Like branches of a tree we grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one. Each of our lives will always be a special part of the other's."
---Unknown

"The friendship isn't worth the tears unless the friend is."
---Kellina Filbin

"Friends are like stars... you don't always see them, but you know they're always there."
---Hulali Luta

"Sometimes life is hard to bear when a friend is just not there."
---William Franc

"The best part of life is when your family becomes your friends, and your friends become your family."
---Danica Whitfield

A Best Friend

A best friend

is always there,

whether you need advice,

or a pep talk,

or even a shoulder to cry on.

A best friend

listens with her heart

and is always honest with you,

even though the truth

may not be

what you want to hear.

A best friend

knows all your secrets,

understands your fears

shares your dreams.

A best friend

never stops believing in you

even if you give up

on yourself.

you are

that kind of friend

to me.

And no matter what happens,

you always will be.

You are my best friend....

my forever friend.

- Renee Duvall

My napkin fabric choices

I know that we all have different tastes of fabric, so you ladies might not pick these anyway, but to be safe Here are my choices so you dont pick same ones. One is blue with cream flowers and the other is a tealish green with light brown and cream. The flannel is cream also. Yippee!!!!

Six dangerous words.

September 18, 2009

The Six Most Dangerous Words Ever
Glynnis Whitwer

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)

Devotion:
A few months ago, I heard the most horrible news report. It was about a couple who owned a python. One night, the snake escaped from its cage and killed a two-year-old baby. It was heartbreaking. I kept asking, "Why?" Of course, those people never thought that would happen to them.
That's where I ended up in my thoughts ... with what I have decided are the six most dangerous words in the English language:THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO ME!I don't judge this couple for having the snake. My heart just breaks for them. And my heart breaks for anyone who finds themselves in a devastating situation because they didn't think anything would happen. The hard truth is, every one of us has the potential to make a serious mistake, or a life-altering miscalculation, because we thought we were immune to trouble. Here are examples we see every day:A woman who enjoys an "innocent" flirtation at workA kid who gets in the back of a truckA girl who gets in the car with someone who has been drinkingA couple who moves and stops attending churchA mom who starts an email communication with a man who makes her feel young againThe list goes on and on. Every woman, man and child is a candidate for making a mistake. This is because of our sin-drenched DNA. It's also because we have a tendency to forget this sin-nature, and ignore the fact that we desperately need God's help ... every minute ... every hour ... every day.When I think "That will never happen to me," I let down my guard. I imagine myself above my circumstances and above the need for God. It's like I open a door for pride to sneak in.The reality of this world is we are in a battle. Only many people either don't know that, or forget it. We wake up thinking it's going to be a peaceful day. However, for those who have chosen to follow Jesus, we have an enemy who is preparing for a fight. No wonder we are blindsided by the results of our choices. We are in a fight we don't know about.

A passage in 1 Peter reminds me to be on guard, and gives me hope:"Turn all your worries over to him. He cares about you. Control yourselves. Be on your guard. Your enemy the devil is like a roaring lion. He prowls around looking for someone to chew up and swallow. Stand up to him. Stand firm in what you believe. All over the world you know that your brothers and sisters are going through the same kind of suffering. God always gives you all the grace you need"(1 Peter 5:7-10a, NIRV).That last verse is what I hang on to when the sadness of this world threatens to overwhelm me. No one is immune to making a mistake that ends with devastating consequences. No one. It's a call to remember that I need God's help every day. And that His grace is enough for me.


Sometimes things in life are thrown at you, and takes you completely by surprise.......Lord help me deal with these surprises.

Napkin Swap

Ok... so there are 3 of us doing the swap unless someone pops in last minute. Gloria and Jennifer how many do you ladies want to swap? Last time I think we swapped 2 each. I'm going today to get my fabric for these. Decorator's fabric and flannel. I'm going to be letting Leia make some too, it will be her first sewing project using thread.... She has been sewing on paper with needle on my other machine, I think she is ready. I will make sure ya'll are straight....lol When I'm done I will just mail to Jennifer since you both live in same area. Or if I take a long time, or ya'll do too, we can swap in person when I get there. Thanksgiving!!!

Sneak Peek! :)

First pic is the backing fabric and some of the fabric that will be used for the binding. I had the backing in my stash. It's perfect because 1. I didnt have to buy more, I used what I have 2. It has hibiscus flowers on it, Sara was born in Hawaii and 3. Its a busy print so you cant see my mistakes as well... Hopefully there wont be many hang ups in it. I plan to use my embroidery machine to do most of the quilting on it for me.

Next is a small part of the quilt where I did paper piecing for her name. Enjoyed doing that as well. It was tricky tryin to encorporate it into the quilt but I made it work. This is a scrappy quilt and for the most part not measured to perfection. which is great for me, Even when I do cut perfectly I still have trouble makin it all straight. So anyways, Im very happy with it so far!

So there you have it, A Sneak Peek!

Homeschooling Article

http://heartofthematteronline.com/are-you-a-%E2%80%9Creal%E2%80%9D-homeschool-mom-3/ Really great encouraging article for you fellow homeschoolers!

Sara's Quilt

I have been working on a scrappy Quilt for Sara and its almost near the end. I want to post pics but my computer is still actin up when I load pics so even if I did, it would look bad....Anyways, the quilt is made entirely of scraps except the backing and that was from my stash. Im very pleased with it. I wont be putting battin in it only cux then it will be hot....It is cotton top and flannel backing.

I am also thinking of doing a napkin swap again. I need some new ones to go with my old ones...... Anyone wanna join me?

Kids in Public school

So often I am critized for our choice in schooling our children at home. Something recently said to me was that the there alot of Christian teachers in the school system that reach out to our youth and help them etc....."good role models" Well shouldnt I be that good role model? Shouldnt I be the one teaching them right from wrong? Its my responsiblity to do that. Spending 30 mins a day teaching them the word of GOd isnt enough. I need them to see the way I live and interact also. They need to see when I fail and ask for forgiveness. They need to see me do the right thing. If they are with their "peers" all day, what are they learning? How to be worldly..... I dont want them exposed to all that garbage ALL day long and then to expect them to withstand all the pressures that come along with it. Gosh Its hard enough on us adults much less my children. So I believe that those who choose to send their kids off have a much harder time tryin to raise them the way GOd intented. Those precious children are being bombarded by this evil world over and over again and taught that its ok.....ITS NOT! I love reading this womans blog, its very encouraging.....http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2009/09/spiritual-warfare-in-schools.html

OH and about the christian teachers in the system I think thats great for those kids who arent being raised in a GOdly home to see Jesus......

Natalie Grant- Perfect People

Song for today.....

No such thing....

There's no such thing as perfect anything except GOD and only HIM......I have been going through what people call as depression I guess. I shouldnt be depressed at all. I have soo MUCH to be THANKFUL for, I really do. Some days Im on top of the worldand other days I cant get motivated to do anything. Being a military wife sucks sometimes. Im not good at the times I have to be a single parent when he is away. I know things could be worse so when I feel like this I feel even more guilty cux there is NO reason for it. My heart hurts for my brother and my best friend who are both going through a hard time right now.... When I think of what they are dealing with I hurt more and feel more guilty... So I realized today that most of "why" Im depressed is I keep listening to satan and the lies he is feeding into my heart and life.....ex: Your a sucky mom, your never going to get it right, your husband doesnt really love you, he will eventually walk away too, your fat and ugly, no one wants to be your friend, did you see the way she looked at you, Did you hear what they said to you, did you really think you could be friends, your kids do that cux you suck at being their mother! The list honestly goes on and on.... It sucks when that is repeated over and over again in your head by satan. But as Im driving down the road to take my beautiful daughters to ballet, the LORD reminds me of HIS truth.....That Im fearfully and wonderfully made......THat no matter what the enemy tells me, that GOD loves me and he will take care of me......That what I keep hearing over and over again are JUST LIES! The enemy wants to destroy me and my family. He wants to take away all that is good, and he is trying to do that through me and I need to change my thoughts...I LOVE my GOD and want to be pleasing to him and Need HIS help....This song by natalie grant is soo true, I put on my happy face and go out the door, but Im not always happy. I need to be simply because God Died for me and that is enough..... It is! Pray for my mom, she is missing what could possibly be the best years of her life all because she cant handle my loving GOD. She is only like 4 hours away from me, the closet ever in the years of my being away and she isnt communicating with me, She is missing out and her grandchilren and all the joy they are! Pray for salvation...

Guac Squash Goodness

Ok Please bear with me......I HAVE NO IDEA WHY MY PICS are loading like this..... they are fine on the computer but not when I upload or send them. So you get half a pic.....I hate that... Now on to the recipe:

One Squash Diced
One Zuchinni Juleinned
One diced onion
Sauteed for like 2 mins in coconut oil and garlic, little salt
overtop put mashed avocado and diced tomatoe....

This was super yummy! Even Andy loved it as well. I had it two days straight. I need more avocados or Id have it again today!

A giveaway....

I found a new blog that has recipes and neat ideas for eating healthier at http://heathereatsalmondbutter.com/ and from there I found another blog that I now follow that is having a giveaway of :1 box of Kroger oat bran (my fav.), 1 jar of Kroger Natural Smooth Peanut Butter, 1 jar of Kroger Natural Crunchy and 1 jar of her new obsession, Artisana Coconut Butter!!!!! So in following her rules I am posting here on my blog a link to her website so you can also enter......http://peanutbutteroats.blogspot.com/2009/06/not-your-typical-baby-shower-100th-post.html

I really hope to win, as I have yet to try the coconut butter, I love coconut oil so I bet Id love this as well...

My confession: I honestly cant think of one......I want to be skinny but dont want to excercise.....

New recipe

Raw Ranch Dressing (Yields 1 ½ cups, or so)

¾ cup cashews, soaked for at least two hours

½ cup water

2 tbsp lemon juice

¼ cup apple cider vinegar (a little more if you like it more tart)

3 tbsp olive oil

¼-½ tsp. salt

½ tsp. dried thyme

½ tsp dried oregano

*1 clove garlic

*½ tsp onion powder

3 tbsp fresh dill

3 tbsp fresh parsley

Blend all ingredients in a high speed blender – OR blend all ingredients except for the oil in a food processor, and drizzle the oil in until the mixture is creamy and emulsified.
When dressing is blended, chop an additional few tablespoons of herbs and mix them in. Enjoy on top of a big green salad, or in…what ever.....

I dont know why my pics are actin this way.....I even resized it.....

I got this recipe from http://www.choosingraw.com/page/2/

I changed it up some, I didnt have raw cashews so I guess it isnt really raw as they were roasted and my herbs werent all fresh either.....

Verdit, it wasnt as rich as bottled ranch dressing but it was good and so much healthier for you......I will eat again.....

By Your Side-Tenth Avenue North LYRICS

Love this song.......

My newest purse

I have had this fabric a LONG time, I bought it at the quilt store in Hawaii. I loved it and at the time wasnt sure what I would do with it but wanted it. Well I also needed a new purse so this was created. Its has lots of pockets and two sections. I will later add snaps but for now I can use it.... YEah!!

MY Nutrimill

Has died!!!!!! IM mailing it in to see whats wrong and hope its covered under warranty, Ive only had it for 3 years!!!!

SYTYCD Chelsie and Mark Hip Hop

Doggie vest

I put this on a vest for a friends dog. Its not perfect but hopefully its not too bad.... The tension was acting up.....

Funny I found....

An Englishman and a Scotsman were discussing oats. The Englishman, with his nose in the air said "In England we feed oats to our horses, and in Scotland you feed oats to your men...", to which the Scotsman replied "...that's why in England you have such fine horses and in Scotland we have such fine men!"

My new bag!

This should not have taken me this long to finish but I only had time here and there..... I like it, its bigger than I thought it would be but I like it.

Cheesy Pork Chops with Spicy Apples

Cheesy Pork Chops with Spicy Apples

Taken from Allrecipes

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Cook Time: 20 Minutes

Ready In: 35 Minutes

Servings: 8

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter
2 onion, sliced
2 pinches red pepper flakes
2 apple, cored and sliced
1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon white sugar
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
8 pork chops
salt and pepper to taste
8 slices extra sharp Cheddar cheese
Directions:
1.
Prepare a grill for high heat.

2.
While the grill heats, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, and cook until soft. Season with red pepper flakes then add the sliced apple. Stir in the sugar and balsamic vinegar, and simmer for 5 minutes, or until apples are soft and golden.

3.

Season the pork chops with salt and pepper. Grill for 3 to 5 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Spoon the onions and apples on top of the chops, and top with a slice of Cheddar cheese. Cover the grill, and cook for about 3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbling.

This was SOOOOOO good!!!! I added tablespoon extra sugar, didnt measure the red pepper and had 12 chops.

Still in trasition

I am currently living in tempory housing. We should be moving in next week to our home. Just in time for Thanksgiving. I am so excited to have our own home again. The baby is currently dealing with a double ear infection. The kids are doing well considering the lack of space we have at the moment. Sebastian takes the girls to the park daily for me. There is teen center here that we let him go to in the evenings to play wii and pool. The kids are doing a modified school right now. Workbooks and art stuff. I am going to love our new school room. My brother blessed me with a laptop so I now can get online in our room. :) God Bless!

She wants to be a worker!

Im on the Mainland

We are staying with family for a few weeks until we settle in Texas. I miss my own stuff but enjoying the time spent here. I lost my thread to finish Emaly's quilt so I have to get more to finish sewing the binding on. Im glad I kept a quilt with me for them.

Moving!

I am in route to be moving. I wont have my machine again for about 2 months at least. I may make stuff while visiting family next month and be able to post that. Woohoo! IM on my way Jennifer and Christi!

Emalys Quilt

Im not done with the binding, Im still handsewing it on. but here it is, big enough for her twin sized bed when we move......she LOVES tweety bird!

The song

New song

Ok so the song Give me your eyes by Brandon Heath, has been on my mind alot lately. I really listen to its words and want to really see people thru Gods eyes, not my fleshly eyes. I want to see my children and my husband thru his eyes not my own. I want to stop the cycle of divorce and abandment through our families. I want my children to know and feel the love I have for them. I dont want to break their spirits or their excitement for life. I want them to know Jesus. I want them to know him so much and not have struggles with knowing him and accepting his unconditional love for them. I want to nurture them and love them. I know by my actions I dont always display that kind of love to them and I am soo sorry, I tell them that too. I dont want to be like my mother. I want to love my children no matter their choices in life. Thank you God for my husband and my children and for blessing us sooo abundantly. Help us and give us wisdom in this world on your perfect will for them and us. Help me see people and them thru your eyes and to never loose heart in praying for them even though it seems useless at times. THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!!!