Garage Cleaning Time

“And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” Genesis 2:18

Sometimes I chaff at being a helper . . . Who wants to be “errand boy” or put away camping things . . . or organize the boxes of stuff in the garage that has sat there since we moved and gotten more things heaped on top of mess? . . . But when I look at it in God’s eyes I am ashamed.

"But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Philippians 2:7,8

Serving . . . that was what. Jesus’ life was all about. It’s the greatest thing.

“ . . .but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Luke 10:43-45

Satan tries to tell me different. He’s a liar! Why do I let his values sneak into my heart?

Remember the song, “If you want to be great in God’s kingdom, learn to be the servant of all . . .”

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” I Timothy 6:6 It is GREAT GAIN to cheerfully do what needs to be done.

"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." (or server too I imagine :)) II Corinthians 9:7

The Father of My Children

Father's Day is coming up. . . And it makes me rejoice to have such a father as this for my children!

He's one of the best story-tellers around! . . . and he makes Bible stories come alive.

He helps the children say their prayers at bedtime . . . coaches them with prayers at prayermeeting and has them bless Mama with prayers when she's sick.

He enjoys making eggrolls . . . and other things with his frying techniques.

He comes up with wonderful ideas for "family fun"

He loves to be at home with us!

He's a great teacher . . . always showing us how to do things.

Father's can make all the difference!

Thank-You, Honey, for being the best Father that you can be! We love ya!

Field Day Expectations

Circumstances seem overwhelming . . . or is it just my high expectations and deep desires for the day? I was hoping for enjoying field day with Japheth by my side and lots of help with the children . . . but Japheth got a call from a lady who desperately needs her sewing machine fixed right away so he’s going in early this morning to do that and yesterday I found out that he is helping direct the shot-puts, the high jump and maybe more if Daddy is still sick

.  . . . So after shedding a few tears and meditating on God’s Word,  I’ve been challenged by these thoughts:

Will I find enough grace for today . . .and tomorrow?  Will God find his grace in me?

“Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord”  Genesis 6:8

And the Lord said unto Moses, “I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken;  for thou hast found grace in my sight.”

“Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly (depressed in mind or circumstances).”   Proverbs 3:34

1”And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.”  John 1:16

“ . . .Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.”  Acts 13:43

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Ghost.”  Romans 15:13

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.”  Philippians 4:23

Jaden Again

Here's my six-week old boy! . . . Weighing in at 12 lbs now. He's taking after Jeremiah, solid and stocky.

Night's are pretty good . . . for that I am well pleased! Praise be to God! Last night he slept from eleven to six.

Today I helped Japheth and Jeremiah start practicing for Track and Field Day (next year). We ran three laps around the garden, practiced three-legged walking and a bit of jumping.

They have to be five to participate. Each year we've been going and watching and visiting. It's an exciting day for these guys . . .and NEXT YEAR we will have one elated boy!!!!

Friday is field day . . . and then church campout the rest of the weekend. WHAT aBIG weekend it will be! No, Sally, the mowed "pasture" is for vollyball I think. Make sure Mom gets to see this picture.

When?

There is a time for everything the Bible says.

"Lord, please help me to do the right thing at the right time, to know the time to play and the time to work, the time to instruct and the time to make sand castles or play house. Give me wisdom to know the right time for giving treats and the time for denying those special things. I need your grace to help me discern the right time to get enough sleep and the right time to devote to communion with you. I need YOU, Lord, to whisper in my ear. I desire to know the right time to take walks and the time for naps or not for naps, for cleaning up messes or letting them go for more important matters, for mopping floors or for resting awhile. Show me your will today . . ."

In His time . . .

Rides

" . . .Making memories of what was today."

Faint-hearted

I’m behind in a lot of things . . . clutter spots, laundry, sleep, etc . . .   Why do I feel so faint-hearted when this is the case?

“Men ought always to pray and not faint.”  Luke 18:1b

The Pine Trail

This is what I named our neighbor's path through the pine trees. Just recently they trimmed the branches in order for their children to walk through . . . we have been enjoying it alot also! It has two rows of trees on each side all close together.

I would have been thrilled with this as a child!

The Journalist

Read all about us in the "paper."
I warn you, the pictures take a LONG TIME to load!!!!!! . . . there's plenty of them!

I am an Aunt again, as you will see. I haven't gotten pictures of her myself yet so you can see her there.

Wonder

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" Genesis 1:1

Oh, the wonder of it all . . . to our eyes. How much more to the eyes of a child seeing things for the first time.

Look through the eyes of a child . . .

Dandy Days

Hope to do this with my daughter(s) in heaven . . .


















My little girl . . . yeah the "feeling" doesn't go away. What a gift!

Blessings

The biggest blessing to me this week . . . Aunt Doris Jean.

The children think she is the greatest! School each morning with little field trips, snacks and pictures to watch on her computer. (She is a camera woman for sure! I should ask her how many she took while she was here.) Even in church . . . they sat quite still. They were beside Aunt Doris Jean.

God bless you, Doris Jean!

Tickled with Tick-Picking Husband

It's tick season now, but my husband and I have this agreement.

I hate ticks: he hates changing stinking diapers. So he picks ticks and I change diapers. We are both happy with the arrangement though there is one slight problem. Japheth's often at work when I need him for this!

One older lady told me she had felt the same way years ago. As I watched her calmy pick them off, tear off the head and throw them away as if she didn't mind at all, I thought, " Really? I'm not so sure that came happen to me . . . maybe . . . but I'm still a few years away from that I think."

When Japheth picks those horribly creepy critters of the children and I, he does me a HUGE favor!

Thank-you, Honey!!!

Permission

There are many things to teach a child.  Lately we’ve been working on getting them to ask permission for almost anything.  This cuts down on doing “repair” work like trying to get them over a cold because they went outside with out a coat when it’s not quite warm enough for that or even just getting out another toy set when they didn’t put the first one away and the room becomes overwhelmed with toys!

This afternoon as I was working on supper, Japheth asked permission for several things that recently he wouldn’t have and I was quite pleased. I rewarded him with two pieces of candy.  Now he is quite pleased!

Loraine came down from napping and Japheth let her know that he had candy.  This is how he worded it.  “Loraine, Moma gave me two candies . . . but you have to keep asking.”  Now I had to chuckle over that one!  It sounds like he’s telling her to keep bugging me and I will finally give her some candy.  Wrong!

Anyway, it’s great to reap the results of the lessons you’ve been trying for weeks to instill.

Line upon line, it truly is!  

Render Praise

Question for you:  How many times, during naptime, do you almost fall asleep and get interrupted before you say, “That’s it!” and get up to do something else even though you really need a nap?

Yesterday I got a bit frustrated again . . . I needed an attitude adjustment so I sang.  These words from Psalm 56, helped me direct my thoughts into praise when I felt like crying for lack of sleep and rest.

Render Praise

I will render praise unto Thee
When I cry, when I cry.

I will praise, I will praise
God is for me, this I know.

Be merciful unto me.
Oh, God, Oh, God!

I will praise, I will praise,
God is for me this I know.

In God I have put my trust.
I will not be afraid.

I will praise, I will praise,
God is for me this I know.

Every day wresting against me
Evil comes, evil comes.

I will praise, I will praise,
God is for me this I know.

When I cry unto Thee
Then shall my enemies turn back.

I will praise, I will praise,
God is for me this I know.

You Get Out Much?

Feel like you’re at home a lot?  Yesterday this made me chuckle.

While I was dining out with my children, a man came over to
our table, and we started talking.
 
He asked where my kids go to school. I told him we
home-schooled them.
 
With a raised eyebrow, he asked if my husband is the sole
breadwinner for our family. I said, "No, I also work ... out
of our home."
 
Then, noticing our two-month-old son, he mentioned that his
daughter had just had a baby, and he wondered what hospital
our son was born in. "He was born at home," I answered.
 
The man looked at me, then said, "Wow, you don't get out
much, do you?"
 
Received from Thomas S. Ellsworth.