Traveling the Granite Bridge

Worth sharing

2012-01-19T08:53:00.003-05:00

I read many blogs... too many blogs sometimes... it takes time and I'm trying to cut back. I use an RSS feed to sort through and try to pick & choose things that seem to jump at me.
I'm really glad I read THIS today and would encourage you to do the same. We need to remember that there are no guarantees in our job description as mom.

Blessings on the journey~

Saffron - Broken

2012-01-17T12:45:00.000-05:00

Saffron is the little orange kitten we adopted at the beginning of December. She is absolutely adorable and primarily she is J's baby. She lives in J's room and J has the responsibility to feed her and clean the cage, etc. She takes this responsibility fairly seriously and takes good care of her fur-baby. They hang out together all the time. Saffron is a big help with Algebra and provides a great deal of amusement all the time with her antics.

Last week Saffron took a nasty fall and managed to break one of her hind legs. This was traumatic not only for the kitten but for all of us as we made a late night run to the emergency vet and then had to leave our fur-baby for the weekend with our local vet until she could have surgery on Monday morning. Thankfully our vet (Dr. Kaas at Mercy Animal Hospital) is outstanding and his staff is the best! We were able to visit Saffy on Saturday for a bit and then bring her home Monday evening after successful surgery to repair the leg.

She is home now and we will be playing kitty-hospital staff for the next few weeks.

She keeps trying to walk, wants to play and climb while her pain meds are in full force and has begun trying to chew her stitches (hence the kitty-version of a cone of shame). I have a feeling the vet's instructions to confine her for a month are going to be very hard to follow. She is not buying the idea of just laying around for a few weeks. Prayerfully she will behave herself enough to let the leg heal before she tries to get too adventurous.

Change of Focus

2012-01-01T08:23:00.000-05:00

What do you see in focus here?

How about here?

In January of 2011 I read Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts and it started something... something that my kids and I have continued through the year.
We began counting the gifts God gives - not every day, but taking the time purposefully to notice the things God gives us each day that we appreciate... or even the things that are HARD but help us to grow as people and to lean heavy on the One who holds us in His nail scarred hands.
As of yesterday we finished 2011 with 1111 gifts counted. I hadn't really thought much about that number until early this morning when I wrote this on the top of a fresh page in our journal counting book:

Praying that we will continue to count the gifts that

God allows in our lives each day.

Welcoming 2012 with the full expectation

that we can see God's fingerprints in our lives

each day when we remember to look for them.

Then I began the counting numbers on the page: 1112
That is the first number for our new year on the first day of 2012. I smiled.

When I went outside with the dog this morning I saw the clothesline on the deck in the sunrise - laced with icy drops. If I only look at the drops on the line - I can see in the background -hazy - the sunrise firing the dawn through the trees. If I look past the drops glittering I can notice the leaves of orange still clinging to bare branches and the haze of moisture between the dark tree outlines. Beautiful in either focus really.
Like my life.
Some days I focus on the drops, the daily routines & errands and 'to-do' lists. And other days I have the glimpses of how God is using the drops to frame the beauty of His light shining in my bare spots to fire a new adventure.
New Years is a time of reflection and of looking forward. I wait anxiously to see what new things God will show us this year.

See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland. ~~Isaiah 43:19

Blessings on the journey~

Something New for New Year's Even

2011-12-31T16:16:00.001-05:00

My beloved husband really likes cheesecake.
He doesn't get to have it very often as we seldom order dessert when we are out to eat and the only person to ever bake cheesecake for him is my mother.... until now!

He encouraged me to give it a try, so I did. Behold! Chocolate Cappuccino Cheesecake!
I had a small slice... I think it's 'okay', but I've never eaten cheesecake before and don't know what to think. Actually, I have a psychological issue with cold cheese in any form so my taste-buds are probably malfunctioning. :-) Steve assures me that it is very good!

Happy New Year!

A Prayer by Francis of Assissi

2011-12-07T10:51:00.001-05:00

I had downloaded a free book for my kindle called "Prayers for Today" and it has many good things in it. This morning I came across this prayer attributed to Francis of Assissi (1181-1226) and was touched.
I did pray this and acknowledged before the Throne of Grace that I was not quite sincere in that I do long to be comforted & loved, yet I also know that Christ alone will be the fullest source of those things in my life.

Photo is a rose window in the Church of Santa Chiara, consecrated in 1265,
across the town from Saint Francis Basilica.

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace,

That where there is hatred, may I bring love;

That where there is wrong, may I bring a spirit of forgiveness;

That where there is discord, may I bring harmony;

That where there is error, may I bring truth;

That where there is doubt, may I bring faith;

That where there is despair, may I bring hope;

That where there are shadows, may I bring light;

That where there is sadness, may I bring joy.

Lord, grant that I may seek to comfort, rather than to be comforted;

To understand rather than to be understood;

To love rather than to be loved;

For it is in giving that we are received;

It is by forgiving that we are forgiven,

And it is by dying that we awaken to eternal life.

Late November Morning

2011-11-29T08:05:00.001-05:00

It is late November here in NH... a time that should not allow for sitting on the deck swing in your bathrobe in the morning. Yes... I was doing that this morning.
The kids are not awake yet (more perks of homeschooling!) and I'd gone outside with Piper and just sat for a bit.

Marveling that I could be outside without freezing or being bundled in blankets over my fleece bathrobe. Thankful for warmth.
I looked at the gray clouds rolling across the sky behind the trees - mostly bare of leaves now. Thankful for vision.
Listening to the sounds of the river rushing madly over the falls behind our home. Thankful for hearing.
Watching a neighbor meander down the road with his dog. Thankful for our home in a good neighborhood.
Seeing a bird flutter to rest on another naked tree (you can barely see him in the center). Thankful for the creation as a gift.

Pausing to thank God that my children are still upstairs sleeping as the sound of a school bus roared along the road. Thankful for homeschooling.
Anticipating a day of learning as I look forward to a quilting class this afternoon. Thankful for Steve thinking it's a worthwhile pursuit of my time and this opportunity.
Seeking clarity from the Lord for concerns that weigh heavy this morning. Thankful to be able to bring all things to His throne.
Thanking Him for being my Jehovah Shalom (the Lord is Peace), Jehovah Shammah (the Lord is There), and Jehovah Jireh (the Lord shall Provide).

I am most blessed - even in the hard things.

Blessings on the journey~

Being brave - out of my comfort zone - to link up on Emily's 'tuesday's unwrapped'

One

2011-11-10T20:31:00.001-05:00

Go here... find your one. You will be so glad you did... I can pretty much guarantee it.

How?

2011-11-07T09:38:00.002-05:00

How might God use you if you let him?
We've seen how... in 3 different places around the globe... in the lives of 3 different children...but most importantly in our own family here. It's amazing!

And by our sharing about our experience... there are FIVE precious little ones in Honduras who are now sponsored by my totally awesome parents - 5 little people who have an additional/new set of grandparents that have adopted their little hearts and are covering them in prayer.

Are you willing?
Follow this trip via one or more of the linked blogs you can reach by clicking on the image below... let God use you. You will be SO blessed!

Blessings on the journey~

Braiding Bread

2011-10-18T08:59:00.000-04:00

A while ago I found this lovely post at Good (Cheap) Eats, with an embedded tutorial video. Sometimes these things are strange (not this site personally - but in general), but this was short and easy to follow - perfectly helpful!
I've made Challah Bread before and even attempted to braid the loaves, but they often come out lopsided and strange looking. Which doesn't impact the taste at all, but I like pretty bread. :-)
So I decided to try this new recipe and follow the video directions and see how it would come out.

Here is the bread prior to baking.

The braiding wasn't difficult and it seemed to come out pretty even. I brushed the top with a egg white wash prior to baking.

Here is the finished bread.

Given that egg bread is pretty dense and has a fair amount of sugar in it, I categorize this as a 'sweet' bread. I cut this round into quarters and then sliced it to make french toast for dinner one night. Marvelous!

Blessings on the journey,

Link Love

2011-09-26T13:04:00.000-04:00

This post from Teri Lynn was awesome!

Their New Normal

2011-09-10T20:08:00.000-04:00

Their New Normal

This is a post from Shaun Groves about two amazing ladies he's traveled with on the aforementioned Compassion blogger trips.
I am praying that *when* God allows me, and our family, to travel someplace outside our ordinary life here ... that it will be amazing and the exact time that God has enormous plans to turn our lives upside down, inside out, and radically alter our perception how we live our faith for His glory.

And all those friends who know of my irrational fear of traveling anywhere that there is not a Dunkin Donuts should be in complete awe that I used the word *when* in this post!

Third World Symphony and Compassion

2011-09-08T15:55:00.000-04:00

Over a year ago I stumbled on a blogger trip sponsored by Compassion International. Basically they choose a handful of bloggers - take them someplace in the world to witness what Compassion does first hand and let them share their experiences with their readers. Pretty cool. Pretty radical.
You can't know how someone will react to what they see. You can't know what someone will write in response to what they experience. But from what I've seen over the last year or so, it's pretty phenomenal how God is using this specific means to reach people to expose them to a way they can be Jesus' hands and feet in releasing children from poverty through sponsorship with Compassion.
I know - we are part of it now. And because we are part of it, my parents are now part of it. And only God knows for sure where it will all go further from our two homes and the handful of kids we sponsor between us.
Anyway - on that first trip, and the ones since then that I've followed, there is this guy - well sometimes more than just one guy - but this particular guy is unique. His name is Shaun Groves and he is pretty interesting and talented and funny... and best of all, he really shares his heart for God and these kids in amazing ways. The fact that he is a home schooling Dad gives him extra points too. :-)
I started reading his blog. He makes me really think, he cracks me up a lot - he has kids, he is genuine in his faith and honest beyond belief about his life, struggles, and what God has done and is doing with him and his family. It's a peek into someone's real Christian life... and I'm just nosey enough to be fascinated.
A while back Shaun put out this idea of making an album and invited his readers to support his project financially - for our efforts (and prayers) we would get a free album! Woohoo! Who doesn't love to be part of something really cool and out of the ordinary like a music album? And get free music? Add the extra "hoo!" and count us in!

Shaun's new album Third World Symphony arrived the day before Hurricane Irene was set to hit New England and J promptly ripped it into iTunes for our listening pleasure. It is completely awesome!
Even the 13 year old agrees! She loves this album and is hoping that Shaun may eventually make some sheet music available to aspiring musicians who live in our house (J-girl plays piano and B-boy is learning to play guitar) *hint*hint* (just in case Shaun actually sees this - which I doubt - but you never know what God can do on the internet! *S*)
Now Shaun is doing a blog tour with video clips, Q&A interviews and various other cool stuff. I follow him on facebook and have been reading all sorts of neat blogs because of this 'tour'. There are some pretty cool and creative people on this web-thing. And the really amazing thing is reading the hearts of all these people that have been touched by Shaun's music and his heart and his work with Compassion International. All these stories of how God is working around the world just blow me away!
People - ordinary people. Moms with minivans and sticky counters, people with little to spare in their budget and people with more, guys with kids and without, people with words and stories and hearts that God is using - changing the world, reaching the world for Christ. It's amazing, humbling, and almost too exciting to be able to wrap words around.
Shaun's music on this album, Third World Symphony, is so real. It is music that has looked into the eyes of hurting and hungry people. It is cries and praise to the only One who can save (John 3:16 -17), the One who is the giver of every good gift (James 1:17), the One who never wastes anything (John 6:12).
You should go to his album website HERE and listen to the music... buy a copy... let God use these amazing songs to change you in some small way.

I'm so thankful that God allowed us the opportunity to be a small part of this project. We all have a part to play in the symphony that God is writing.
What is your part?

Birthday Lunch Baking

2011-08-19T15:04:00.000-04:00

I had a request for something specific for the birthday boy's dinner yesterday but it was not really a 'dinner' per se, so what is a mom to do? Make it for lunch instead!
B is a lover of bread-sticks so I opted to make cheese stuff garlic bread-sticks for his lunch yesterday.

And what is better with cheese stuff garlic bread-sticks than Mom's first ever attempt at home-made tomato sauce?

I know this is all very silly - but B really appreciated it and it was very yummy!

Blessings on the journey friends~

Another Birthday

2011-08-18T07:21:00.000-04:00

This time is my youngest child... who has some how, in just a blink, become a young man.

At around a year old he was just adorable

and oh so BUSY!

And today he is twelve! A young man. Smart and strong, kind and loving. Still very busy! Learning, growing and in training to be the man God has planned for him to be.... and making his mama so proud of him!

Handsome like his Dad! :-)

Happy birthday my son!
May you always be blessed on the journey God has marked for you!

“‘“The LORD bless you
   and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine upon you
   and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you
   and give you peace.”’

~Numbers 6:24-26

Waiting for Change & Contentment

2011-08-14T08:11:00.000-04:00

I wait all year for scenes like this...
Fall is my favorite season. I love the cool nights with the warmish days, the vibrant and glorious colors, the baking, the sweaters & jeans, the Deerfield Fair day with family & friends... everything.
So now we are into August and summer seems to have flown by, yet I am ready for the next thing. J and I are pretty well ready to start school, though B refuses to consider it until after his birthday (and really who can blame him?).
Of course change is often very messy. Such as several days of upheaval, noise, and sawdust to have a new floor put in - but it's OH so pretty!

Very worth it...don't you think?

Life and it's many changes can be hard. Exciting. Frustrating. Nerve-wracking. Difficult. And I usually like to say I don't like change... unless it is my idea.
Yet it feels like so much in life is waiting for the next thing, the next stage, the next project to be done.
Am I content?
I'm reading a devotional book about contentment right now. It's a marvelous reminder that contentment comes when I am focused on Christ and His purposes for my life. When I hand over the reins to the One with the true plan and best ideas for my life (which is NOT me by the way!). I find when I practice this discipline in my day-to-day life, there is less frustration and less waiting.
When I truly try to live the life each day that God allows. The one with His priorities instead of my 'to-do' lists. The one with people and service and love and grace flowing through and swirling around. The days with music and smiles and sometimes tears as well.
I. am. content.
That is not all to say that life is all butterflies and rainbows and little birds singing in the tree outside my window. In actuality the birds outside the window at 4:30 am are really dreadfully annoying, and the dog hair is threatening to take over the downstairs, the dishes and laundry always need doing, etc. But this is all part of the music of our lives here. It's real. A dear friend once said it is job security. :-)
My only true security is in Christ and leaning into Him for strength and grace for each day.... even the really tough days... that is contentment. And for this and so much more... I am thankful.

I want one of these

2011-08-02T12:42:00.000-04:00

I want one of these... it's from the same place my birthday gift was from. The Adopt Shoppe

Photo credit We are THAT Family blog

New Study

2011-07-29T12:32:00.001-04:00

Some friends invited me to join them in a new Bible study and it is interesting and enlightening so far.

I know God has things to teach me through this study and I continue to pray that my heart & eyes are open and that I'm ready to learn, more importantly - that I'm ready to be changed.

Blessings on the journey~

Better

2011-06-12T13:28:00.000-04:00

Today was the first Sunday since Mother's Day (5/8) that I've gotten to be in worship service. I didn't realize how badly I'd missed it ... until I started singing.. and my heart wanted to burst with joy at be able to sing praises to my Lord with my church family.

This song really sums it up.

Birthday Beach Day

2011-06-11T09:26:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was Steve's birthday.
The kids and I got new shirts to help celebrate the awesomeness of the man God has given us in him.

He took the day off of work and we headed out to Hampton for the day to play. It was an awesome day!

I only look tall because I was the only one in shoes and the wind was blowing my hair UP all day. But yes... the kids really are almost as tall as us already!

We had a fabulous time and the sun came out shortly after that photo was taken. Everyone but me is sporting strips of sunburn in various locations to prove it.

Sunday

2011-06-05T08:54:00.000-04:00

May you all enjoy a day of joy & peace on this Sunday.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
~ Ephesians 2:13

Blessings on the journey~

Photo credit Steve Wolfe

Another Addition to Our Family

2011-05-31T17:56:00.001-04:00

Guess what happened today?
God did something cool! Okay...so He does that all the time - everywhere - every moment. But today He did something cool HERE at my house, for us.
There is a Compassion Blogger Trip going on right now in the Philippines.

I am already a regular reader of a few of the bloggers on this trip, so I thought that was pretty cool when I found out they were going on a trip with Shaun Groves to spread the word about Compassion International. I've followed two prior trips like this, one to Kenya & one to Guatemala and as a result we sponsor two children through Compassion. Get it? 2 trips = 2 kids that God has given to our hearts. Makes sense right?

Fred is our first sponsored child and he was chosen after many tears over blog posts and quite a bit of time poring over photos and bios on the Compassion site. He has grown a lot since the first photo we had of him!

Next came Blanca in Guatemala whom we only were blessed to sponsor for a brief time as she left the program due to school pressures.

Then God sent us Fernando - in a part of the world where Christianity is beyond a minority. He is the same age as B and we hope that they will eventually become friends & pen-pals.

So... to the cool thing God did today for us.
I've been reading posts and trying to not get too involved... I've been feeling a bit maxed out emotionally lately and was afraid of the raw feeling of life in places of desperate need that is always right at the surface of these blogger trips.
You try and keep arms-length when you read posts like this, and this, and this. I dare you!

I'd already been feeling God tugging me about sponsoring a third child - a girl - J's age (like Blanca had been). We have three kids at home, we should have three kids out there. Makes sense in my head & heart. But I've been putting that feeling aside - not wanting to stretch the budget a bit more just yet.

Today's mail brought an envelope from Compassion with a letter that told me how they have over 1,900 older children waiting for sponsors - and their definition of 'older' means 10 years old or more. Not exactly OLD. Seems lots of people - bless their generous hearts - are taken with the photos of little ones, and no one faults them one bit! They are some cuties! But the older kids are often overlooked. Compassion serves these kids amazingly and you can read more in Shaun's post here.

So on a whim (who knew God used whims?), I clicked over to the Compassion site and did a quick search (female, waiting more than 6 months for a sponsor, birthday in the same month & year as J). Nothing too demanding, didn't choose a country or anything other than those 3 criteria. Guess how many girls popped onto my screen?

Just. this. one.
Isn't she beautiful?

Her name is Diosenie. She lives in the Philippines. Right where those amazing bloggers are traveling this week. I know that isn't a coincidence.

So that is my really cool thing that God did today. Won't you prayerfully consider sponsoring a child in Jesus' name? There is a special one that God has chosen for you. I just know it.

Blessings on the journey,

A Long Weekend

2011-05-27T20:53:00.000-04:00

It is a long weekend here.
4 days of no paid work or plans written in ink.

Days to squint in the sun as you lie around doing nothing much of anything.

The "to do" lists may have some things marked off or they may be untouched as we hang out, play and enjoy the sunshine.
After day 1, it's shaping up to be a great weekend of 'nothing much' and it is all very good.

Blessings on the journey~

Mother's Day & my birthday

2011-05-07T08:47:00.000-04:00

My birthday falls near Mother's Day. A few times it has even been ON Mother's Day. It's not a big deal. Neither day is that much of a 'special' thing for me personally. Mother's Day is one of those quasi-Hallmark holidays in my book. Don't get me wrong - I like to have my kids give me an 'atta Mom' and "We love you!" But I much prefer them unprompted and unscripted.
Birthdays in general aren't a huge deal in our family. We usually celebrate with just my folks and sometimes a friend or two for the kids and most of the time enjoy a dinner out someplace low-key. We are not big on hype and super-fancy around our house. *shrug*

This year for my gift from Steve, I found a really neat necklace from a cool little etsy shop online The Adopt Shoppe. All proceeds go towards funding their adoption of a child from another country. Definitely a worthy cause! And the verse on the necklace is one of my favorites. Jeremiah 29:11

Actually I love the whole Bible (of course! It's God's Word!) ... but some verses really jump out to me at different times and this one has been one of those to hold onto when things are rough and when things are great too.

Jeremiah 29: 11(italics mine) - 13

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Doesn't that sound so hopeful and encouraging, comforting and just SAFE? Yeah... I think so too.

Blessings on the journey all~

Linking to another blog - yeah! What he said!

2011-05-02T15:01:00.000-04:00

I follow Shaun Groves on Facebook and read his blog fairly regularly. I love that he is passionate about serving God and a 'real' person. I have followed his work for Compassion and love his heart for those in need. He is genuine - at least as far as I can tell via the web. He is a home-schooling Dad (which gives him extra-points) and he is funny!
Here is today's post in response to the news about Osama bin Laden being killed. Yeah... what he said.

"If I can do anything..."

2011-04-25T21:04:00.000-04:00

You know that 'nice' thing everyone says to someone they know who is dealing with a difficulty in life... those words that have such a caring sound? "If you need something, let me know" or maybe, "If there is anything I can do, call me." We say it easily...sometimes with a heartfelt hug or squeeze of the hand. But here in the North East... too often we don't really mean it. Or maybe we DO mean it, but we are fairly certain the person hearing the words from us will not call or ask....even if there is a real need.
Oh to be sure - there are exceptions. Our sister or brother might really call and ask us for some help sometime - though in our family that would truly be a shock! Or maybe a close friend will ask if we can spare a few minutes to do some small thing. Generally though... the sentiment is expressed without any real anticipation of follow through being required.
Recently I have seen that casual phrase make a real difference when it is put into action.

About 3-4 years ago our relationship with our neighbors across the street began to change. The older man (Putt to his friends) who had always been friendly and 'over-the-fence' chatty, began to seek us out when he saw us outside. He would wander over when Steve was raking, or if we were outside in the yard and we would chat a while. He had a grown son, Mark, who lived with him and a toddler grandson had become a permanent fixture as Mark had gained custody of his young son from a less-than-ideal situation.
J & B began to play with the little boy when the weather was nice and after J had taken the baby-sitting class... Mark began to ask us to look after the little boy once in a while. They were nice guys...all of them.
As time went on, I would send over a loaf of bread or some cookies once in a while. We would stop and say hello if we were out walking and saw one of them in the yard.
Mark began to chat with us if he saw us out walking the dog. He had a moving company and gave us a cat condo from a client who couldn't take it to his new place. He got a puppy for his son and we sent over a dog crate that Piper had outgrown.
Putt would bring me cut flowers from his yard during the summer months - he said he liked to see me smile when he'd show up with a handful of peonies.
We were becoming friends and it was nice, really nice.

A bit more than 2 years ago Mark was diagnosed with colon cancer. He had radical surgery, and they found it had spread to his liver. Mark was up and around in a few months and seemed determined to beat this awful disease - he began chemotherapy & radiation treatments. I would bring them dinner now and then and continued to bake for them.
Putt went for scans and they found he too had colon cancer as well as some suspicious spot in his lungs.
We prayed for them.

Our church did a special event to invite people to come to church. We got brave and invited them to come. They did, and they came back more than once.
Mark's radiation and chemo continued but didn't seem to be helping. Putt's radiation & chemo were taking a dreadful toll on the older man's health, so I cooked & baked more trying to tempt them both to eat and keep up their weight to help battle the effects of the chemo.
One of Putt's daughters would catch me outside and thank me for looking after her dad & brother and I brushed it off as nothing much really. Just being neighborly. And then I prayed that God would make me really useful somehow.

Mark's health started to decline, the traditional treatments were not making any strides against his cancer. But for Putt, the chemo & radiation seemed to work and the scans showed no further signs of colon cancer, however the spot remained on his lung scans. Mark began an experimental cancer treatment and Putt scheduled surgery for the lung spot.
Surgery for Putt was during the winter months. Recovery seemed long for him. I would sometimes make soup and bread to take across the street on cold winter evenings. B would go shovel snow off their walkway in the mornings after a snowstorm. Mark was growing weaker but he wouldn't admit that to us very often, though sometimes he'd call and ask if his little guy could come over here for the afternoon so the men could rest. We were always glad to be able to say yes. It was awesome to know God could use us to help in a small way. One day we even made home-made pizza with him and it was such fun!
As spring struggled to arrive, we saw Mark out less and less and Putt finally told us he was getting much worse and the doctor had ordered oxygen at the house for him. I could see the toll it was taking on Putt... and knew he was struggling with the 'why' of his cancer being gone and yet stealing life away from his son at just 40 years old.
I prayed harder and desperately... asking for a miracle if possible - yet only what God willed to be right and that our family be allowed to shine Christ's love in whatever outcome.
Last week, Putt called me on Monday morning and asked if the little boy could come for a while - he didn't want to be a bother, hated to ask... but could I help? Mark was in a bad way. God had cleared our schedule and I was able to welcome the little boy with open arms and a kid-friendly lunch. J & B played with him all afternoon. I baked chocolate cake and cooked dinner.
When we took dinner across later on, we learned that hospice was coming in to help provide care for Mark and they didn't expect him to be with us much longer. On Thursday morning Putt called me early to tell me that Mark had passed away late in the day on Wednesday. I felt it hard to breath and don't even know what I said to him on the phone. When we hung up, I told the kids and we all cried and prayed together ... thanking God for Mark's life, our friendship and asking for comfort and peace for the family.
In the past few days we've been back and forth a lot. Me with baked things or hugs or just listening; the kids to play or help with the dog or carry boxes and such. Today I was able to hem the little one's dress pants so he will be all spiffy for the calling hours & funeral in the next day or so.
My heart aches. I want desperately to do something helpful, and keep feeling like it's so little I offer. Yet it has slowly been made clear that God can use my little. My loaf of bread offered... He can use... and I am blessed. My heart swells with being able to hem a pair of pants...because I'm willing, God can use me. I say YES!
It takes only a few minutes or maybe sometimes a few hours. Time ...that thing it seems we all lack... aren't PEOPLE more important than my 'to do' list of laundry & chores? Weren't people what Jesus focused on when he walked here?
How do I live? Do I walk the talk? I want desperately to be 'real' in my faith and life. To live what I believe with no apology and not doing any of it perfectly - but trying daily to follow the path God has laid for my life. I fail... all. the. time.
And even with that... God still lets me offer a little fish or a loaf of bread... or a piece of chocolate cake and a hug for an old man...and He can use what little I can do to bless someone.
But really... it is me being blessed. God is so real when I'm allowed to help... because it isn't about me at all.

Rest in peace Mark. You will be missed.

He Loves Me

2011-04-14T08:23:00.000-04:00

I've been hearing this song by Sidewalk Prophets on the radio lately and the reality of how loved I am by God... when I don't deserve anything good ...is beyond amazing. This morning I thought I'd share this video. The lyrics are fabulous.

Once a month blogging?

2011-04-08T07:28:00.000-04:00

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. ~Psalm 25:5

Are you supposed to have guilt when you don't do something that you normally do just for yourself?
Nah!

I blog for me... mostly.... so I refuse to feel guilty that I haven't had much to say in the last few weeks. Actually, I've had lots to say... I just haven't had much to type or maybe it is more true to say I'm not sure what I want to type. Putting your life in words on a screen is sometimes a tremendous challenge.

We've been busy. Life is happening at regular intervals and we are praying desperately that the glimpse of spring we saw yesterday will return for several days in a row to convince us that God really does intend to send Spring to New Hampshire this year. The jury is still out on that one.

But we are moving forward as God provides each new day and the grace to walk through it. We are close to 140 line items on our grateful/thankful/joy list. We are all not as good about jotting things down as we would like to be. I don't think that means we are not thankful for the gifts God provides (large & small), I just think that we are not yet in the habit of actually putting them on paper and sometimes it is hard to express things in just a line or two on a page. I'm anticipating the day I can write about my lilacs in the yard... I love my lilacs! That photo at the top is a tease... Steve took that one in another...warmer... time.

We are close to wrapping up our school year. A dear friend, who does our annual evaluations, will be here this afternoon to sift through the notebooks & binders to determine if we pass muster. I am sure we will, God is good and the kids have worked hard and learned a lot this year. Much growth; physical, emotional, and (prayerfully) spiritual has occurred this year. Challenges have been presented, some have been overcome and some still in progress. God has poured out grace and as we seek Him, he will continue to do so. He has promised it and for this... I am thankful.

Blessings on the journey~

Choices

2011-03-16T08:25:00.001-04:00

Choices... many.... many....many choices.
Every year at this time we begin the hunt for materials for our next school year.
Do you KNOW how many different ways there are to learn things? Do you KNOW how many books are out there?

This is one of the (many) times to evaluate what we've liked and enjoyed during this current school year and to consider the things we'd rather not do again if we can avoid it.

I love the freedom we enjoy to pick & choose. To match learning styles and materials. To pursue special interests and discover new passions. I love home schooling!

There are also choices in many other areas that seem to manifest at this time of year. Clearing off bookshelves is a beginning. It seems to lead to clearing out excess clothes, other clutter and general miscellaneous stuff that seems to accumulate throughout the winter. What stays, what goes? Do we just toss it or donate it to charity or hang on to it for the church yard sale in a few months?
For some reason this is the time of year that I also begin to mull the thought of moving.
Now, we've lived in our home for 15 years and have redone just about every room from top to bottom (though our bedroom floor and baseboard molding aren't finished yet!). I love my home!
We've had one serious stint of 'let's move' that happened about 4 or 5 years ago and at that point we had looked at a lot of houses/areas within commutable distance and finally decided this was home and we were staying put unless God made it REALLY clear that we were going someplace.
Yet with the changes in the economy and all, the thought has again surfaced repeatedly this year. I doubt anything will come of it unless God puts up a lot of really clear signs for us - we're slow like that but God knows that about us. :-)
I love the fact that we have so much freedom and flexibility in Christ. Following Him is - for some people a very narrow road - and it is in a lot of ways - but there is SO much freedom in that path! God doesn't take away our ability to choose when we turn our lives over to Him - he offers all the very BEST choices!
Homeschooling is one of my favorite examples of this fact. We have the options to choose how they learn, what they learn, when they learn and most importantly ... they get to do it with the people who care most about them on this earth and who have the most vested interest in making sure they do it well. That my friends is freedom...and love.
That is exactly how it is in Christ. He cares most about us and guides us to the very BEST there is so we can do this life well. Pretty clear indication to me that I am loved and free. :-)

Photo credit WikiCommons.org

Anniversary and a song

2011-03-05T08:56:00.001-05:00

Last week Steve and I celebrated our anniversary. We've been married 15 years and it just keeps getting better.

He is my best friend and loves me more than I can believe is possible and definitely better than I deserve. Everyday I thank God for sending me the perfect husband for me...one who honors me, believes in me, trust me and inspires me to be better than I think I can be. I am beyond blessed.
We have this sort of running joke where I tell him how thankful I am for all he does for me and he tells me that I'm just easy to please. This is because he never sees that all he does, each day, is really anything special or "more" than the ordinary. I see things... I KNOW that I am well treated by this man who shares my life. I think he does an amazing job of living the scriptures that tell a husband to love his wife and care for her the way Christ does the church.
And he will comment and tell me that I give him too much credit. :-) It's just the way he is.

A few years ago he downloaded a song for me as a present. He is not one to be overly demonstrative and wordy and the song brought me to tears in seconds.

Any doubt that he is awesome?

I didn't think so either. :-)

Glory Baby ~ Watermark

2011-02-23T08:16:00.000-05:00

Loss often leaves us with no words. One of the most difficult is the loss of a longed-for, prayed-for and loved-beyond-words child. I stumbled on this song this morning and it just seemed that I should share it.

Lyrics | Watermark lyrics - Glory Baby lyrics

Are you flour?

2011-02-07T15:02:00.000-05:00

Are you flour?

I know... weird question huh? I was refilling my smaller kitchen canister from my big flour bucket and suddenly thought about some scripture I had read during my morning bible study time. It was Luke 13:20-21
          Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to?
        It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds
        of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

This was Jesus speaking (that is why I put it in red), and he was trying to make a point (obviously!). As I was filling my canister with flour I thought about it and had one of those 'ah-ha!' moments. Jesus is the yeast to my flour. He works in me to make me into something else...something bigger, better and more useful than I am by myself.

By His work in my life I can do things I would NEVER be able to do on my own. Sometimes I work in ways that are lopsided or even fail to rise to an opportunity He puts before me. But He never gives up on me... He'll keep kneading me and reshaping me until I am what He has planned for me.

60lbs of flour is a LOT of flour people.
My big buckets hold about 25lbs each and it takes me quite a while to work through one bucket, even with all the baking I do here. So if I'm 60lbs of flour... I have quite of bit of work to do for the kingdom. And that makes me smile!

What will you be? Artisan braided bread? Gooey sweet pastry? A fancy cake? The possibilities are limitless.... God is so imaginative and creative! He has something special in mind for each of us and I pray that I will be all that He has designed me to become. Useful for His purpose and to add something to the enjoyment of life for others as well.

Blessings on the journey~

Passing Time & Changes on the Road

2011-01-27T07:48:00.001-05:00

I can't believe how fast the month of January has gone. It seems we've done not much but school, housework and shovel snow. OK... so the kids and Steve have shoveled snow and I've kept the canister filled with hot cocoa mix and mopped up snow puddles. We all have our talents.

God is changing things in our lives, slowly, but He is absolutely moving us along on the journey. We strive to follow the path He marks for us and it is not always an easy road to travel. For me especially!
I don't "do" change well. I like things to be predictable and comfortable. There is a running joke about liking it here under my rock. Change is hard and can be messy and uncomfortable. God is stretching me out of my box and out from under my rock, but surprisingly it seems to be all okay.
Or maybe I'm the only one who is surprised.
Pastor has announced and been preaching on our church theme for this year and it's about Sharing the Love that Unites Us. Last year was Honoring One Another, Serving the Lord. There is obviously a trend. :-) True Christianity is an 'outward' focused life. It's not a selfish thing. Living as part of the body of Christ requires us to look away from ourselves and give/serve/love/etc. as the opportunities are presented. And God provides LOTS of opportunities when you are paying attention to notice them.
I will admit to really not being very good in this area generally. Not that I am not willing to help people, but I am not always observant. I tend to be wrapped up in my own little world of taking care of things at home and with my immediate family. This in itself is not bad, my family comes first and I make no apologies for that at all! But I do realize that I have the capacity to do MORE than just that at times. My children are getting older - and far more capable than I am often ready to make use of - and we are discovering ways we can be used together to meet needs outside of our home. God is showing us some opportunities... and giving us (ME) the grace, strength and courage to step out and attempt some new things.
I have several more posts relating to all this swirling around in my head. Writing sometimes helps me to sort out ideas and make concrete the emotions and theories - which allows for easier action... or at least some clarity at times. You are most welcome to follow along the journey and see what God can do with the few loaves I bring to Him for His use. (Matthew 16:9-10) Bread baking is a thing I can offer. :-)
Blessings on the journey~

*Note: that is not one of my bread pictures - I thought it was a good one though

Week One

2011-01-07T15:51:00.000-05:00

We started the new year by cheering for Steve at his first road race of the year. It was a crazy warm day for here in NH - I think it was in the mid-50s, hence J's t-shirt and the fact that no one has a coat in spite of the piles of snow in the background.

Monday was still semi-vacation mode as Steve had it off from work and the kids just did a small amount of school that day. We dove back in full swing on Tuesday and have had a good week. Much has been accomplished academically, some laundry, a new plan for memorizing more scripture in 2011, and we're back to working on our Balancing the Sword questions each morning as well as our Training Hearts, Teaching Minds devotional work. I know it makes a HUGE difference in our days when we begin with studying words from the Lord for us and focusing on Him to start.

I've also begun reading a new book by Dr. David Jeremiah and have downloaded some awesome freebies for my new kindle (a Christmas surprise from my loving husband!). I finished reading Mary Beth Chapman's new book Choosing to SEE during the week after Christmas and recommend it highly! She is so honest and real telling a difficult story but her faith in God really shines I think.

This journey is not always easy... heck, most days it's pretty tough! But God is always faithful and never has us travel alone. I am thankful for that gift each day.

Blessings on the journey~

Ice Cream Cake

2010-12-31T07:56:00.000-05:00

My mother's birthday is Christmas Day. My whole growing up life, we always celebrated her birthday with an ice cream cake from Carvel and it was always mandatory that Mom's birthday was a BIRTHDAY celebration. Not an add-on to Christmas. She got actual birthday cards, not Christmas b-day ones. Her gifts were wrapped in regular birthday paper, etc.
My parents always come and celebrate Christmas day with us here at our home, so it now falls to me to prepare for the birthday part of the day. This year I decided to make an ice cream cake from scratch - since I learned to make ice cream this year I thought it would be fun.
Here is the progression in photos.

Oreo cookies run through the food processor and mixed with butter to form
the bottom crust layer in a spring-form pan.

First batch of ice cream *cookies & cream

into the pan and then into the freezer

Chocolate syrup layer

Chocolate Chip Layer

Ready to celebrate!

Ready to dig in!

Compassion at Christmas

2010-12-12T20:03:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago we received a call I hoped would not come. Though I had read on the Compassion International blog about how things are handled when a child leaves the program, I never thought we'd experience it ourselves. I was saddened to be wrong, especially so as we'd only been sponsoring Blanca (in Guatemala) for a few months. The staff at Compassion was very kind and told us what they knew about the reasons for Blanca's leaving the program. We also received a nice closing letter from the communication director of the center in Guatemala. We were so glad to know that Blanca had accepted Christ as her Savior during her involvement in the program and we will continue to pray for God's hand on her life.

Having lost Blanca, the kids & I talked about the need & desire to choose another child as soon as we could. I had told the staff on the phone that we would log into the website and choose another child ourselves instead of having them choose one for us.

J and B decided to find a boy that had a birthday near to B's if possible. So that was the focus of the search, though the kids were also insistent that we only search the children who had been waiting 6 months or longer for a sponsor. They both think that it is important to find a child who has been waiting... hoping and praying for a sponsor. To allow a waiting child to know they were chosen... for that child to know they are worthy of someone's love & prayers... especially in time for Christmas. What a gift to be able to give! That God has smiled on us to allow us such a privilege...truly humbling and awesome.

So we prayed and we searched and read profiles and found him.

Fernando (Nando) from Indonesia. He is 11 and his birthday is just about 2 weeks before B's. Perfect! Such a serious face, though I can just imagine that his eyes sparkle when he smiles. We are praying that God will allow us to build a long relationship with Nando, as we are also building with Fred in Kenya.

We just received our sponsor packet and can now send a family photo to Nando so he will be able to see us and begin to connect. I've written to him once already through the Compassion website. It's an awesome resource they offer to be able to write online and have it go directly to the country office to then be translated and sent out to the project locations for the sponsored child to receive. It's a quicker process, though I still also write longhand and send paper letters as well.

These boys are part of my heart now. God has allowed us the amazing opportunity to make a real difference from a world away. A chance to connect personally through letters and for a small amount each month... to impact their lives with food, education & opportunity. Such a gift...for us!

Perhaps you might consider giving (and receiving) such a gift? There are also other ways to help! You can go to the Compassion Catalog and choose a gift that will make a difference in the life of a child & family for as little as $10.

There are many programs that offer the chance to give such gifts during the holidays. Samaritan's Purse and World Vision both have similar programs and are an amazing way to be the hands and feet of Jesus at this time of year.

Blessings on the journey~

Why is it blue?

2010-12-01T07:45:00.000-05:00

I hope you can really see that color.... yes, it is blue. The home-made white bread is blue. Why? You may be asking. Why would someone do such a thing to a lovely loaf of home-made bread?
Because I can!
Actually it is because of my darling husband whom God has blessed abundantly with such an off-beat sense of humor.
Now for anyone still reading, I shall explain a bit more.
Our youngest child is, shall we say...ahem... rather particular when it comes to food. I had made 2 loaves of bread over the weekend and used 1/3rd whole wheat flour along with the regular white. The bread is good, soft, and very yummy. But alas, B is not so very fond of whole wheat being involved in his regular old white bread. So enter dear old Dad with the suggestion to me that I should see what B's reaction would be if I colored the bread something really unusual.
So I did.
J was in on the joke and could hardly contain her giggles as we sliced into the still hot loaf for our usual first pieces warm from the oven. From the outside you can barely see the blue tint. But cut wide open and the blue shows!
We all enjoyed a laugh and a slice of hot bread. Simple things... God brings them and we enjoy them and praise Him for the gifts.

May you enjoy the blessings of laughter today along the journey
~Deb

Beautiful journey

2010-11-27T12:54:00.000-05:00

My amazing husband took this photo during a hike of Mt. Monadnock. God paints such glorious scenes here in New Hampshire.

This type of photo always makes me ponder how God alone knows which way we should travel and He takes such pains at times to give us beauty along the journey so that we may bear the difficult roads as well as the smooth paths.

May you find beauty in your journey today and always know that you do not travel alone.

Blessings on the journey,

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T10:51:00.000-05:00

I have so many things to be thankful for - each and every day - far too many to just to be remembered on one day in November. The Lord of all creation has blessed me beyond measure and each day I try to remember to offer my praise to Him who has given me eternal life and every good thing in this earthly one.

Sniper training

2010-11-11T11:29:00.001-05:00

During J's piano lesson recently, B walked the neighborhood loop with me and we talked about his dreams for the future. He's pretty consistent for a boy of 11 when he talks about what he'd like to be when he grows up. A policeman, an MP (military policeman), Army soldier, a Marine.
All of which I heartily support - he's my son - I want him to be happy and aspire to greatness while humbly serving the Lord in all he does.
He talked at length about becoming a Marine and needing to gain some muscles on his 11-year-old frame to reach that goal. When I asked what type of job he might want within the Marines, he suggested he might like to be a sniper and reminded me of his accomplishment this past week with his Daisy air-rifle (aka BB-gun).

He may have some talent here.

Something fun

2010-11-04T18:42:00.000-04:00

Yesterday over at The Frugal Girl it was the regular Wednesday baking post and it looked like such fun that I had to try it out today.
So I made up a batch of white bread dough in my bread machine while also making up a batch of King Arthur's Whole Wheat bread recipe with my big Kitchen-Aid mixer.
I let them rise and then with the input from J, made up the two loaves and set them to rise & bake while she whipped up a batch of one-bowl brownies for us all to enjoy.
My kitchen smelled wonderful all afternoon!
This was the result of my efforts - and it met with hearty approval from both B & J as well as our neighbor's 5-year-old son that was here for the afternoon. Warm bread with butter makes a lovely snack on a rainy afternoon.

Trying to walk

2010-10-21T08:57:00.000-04:00

Photo credit Ann Voskamp

Sometimes trying to walk is hard...

As a follower of Christ I'm supposed to walk the walk... the one I talk about so easily. The one espoused by countless books and blog posts. The one that is ... hard.

We are called to live in community, to build relationships, to reach out and connect in real life. And I sit alone in the kitchen, typing on the keyboard while words and pictures fill the screen. How is that a connection? How has all this technology made things better for the relationships?

I almost cried talking to Steve last night about how my heart aches for 'realness' in life. How I feel so cut off - yet don't know how to connect. Everyone is too busy. Everything is digital and sound bites and 'tweets'. I long to slow down, disconnect and really LIVE. And yet I sit here, typing away....

A friend is hurting... and I went to her home and hugged her and spoke with her for a few minutes. And it was REAL. My heart beat faster as I could feel her heartache in her words and see the mama-pain in her eyes... and I could pray in earnest... lifting her before the throne of grace... bearing one another's burdens.

How do I live this? How do I walk?
Only by the grace of God and in His strength.
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. ~ Philippians 4:13
My feet would completely slip out from under me otherwise.

Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. ~ Proverbs 4:26

Blessings on the journey~

Something simple

2010-10-18T11:49:00.000-04:00

Sometimes it is the most unlikely things that make me happy. Like this....

A new storm door on the back of our house. Now it won't be so drafty when I ride my bike in the basement this winter.

October! Already?

2010-10-04T08:14:00.000-04:00

Wow! I suppose I shouldn't really be surprised... October comes right after September every year. I just can't seem to shake the feeling that time is accelerating as my children get older. I don't feel that much older - well, most days anyway. And I am most fully aware that it is all just an illusion. That time doesn't really move any faster or slower, it is just my perception that changes.
So here we are. October. Which means we are fully into our school year, fall has begun, the Deerfield Fair has come & gone again, and I have baked at least one apple pie so far.

We took a Friday off a few weeks ago and went to Nubble Light in Maine and enjoyed a fun day doing nothing much. I love days like that and cannot even begin to express how completely blessed I feel that we CAN do such things.

Yes, they really are almost as tall as me already!
All photo credit to Steve (my most amazing husband)

Today is a rainy Monday. We have schoolwork to accomplish, and some random laundry & housework as always. Tonight I have the opportunity to begin another Bible Study with the wonderful ladies from our church. Life is really good and I am very thankful.

Blessings on the journey~

Normal life challenges

2010-09-23T08:46:00.001-04:00

Life is full of challenges, some large, some small. Sometimes things are just annoying, other times they can be paralyzing and frustrating. I think a great deal of how we face challenges comes from where we are in our faith walk. If we can really and truly say "Nothing happens that hasn't been sifted through God's fingers and I trust Him. It'll all work out somehow even if it is really hard."
Those are tough words to say and believe...deep down... believe and cling to... even in a dark shadow place of life. I have seen and read about people clinging tight in the face of truly horrifying things. I think God is having us practice with the baby steps of normal life challenges. I'm thankful to practice so that in the event we have to face a really dark road, we can walk it confident of the goodness of the Shepherd who walks alongside us.

We've dealt with our first bout of illness here at GBA. B was diagnosed yesterday with strep throat and has successfully completed his first day of antibiotics. I can say honestly that I am most grateful that God allowed someone to discover amoxicillin. B came downstairs this morning with a smile. A first since Tuesday. Now he will just finish the meds and should be back to normal quickly.
We've also been dealing with some car issues for A this week. He had gone to get an inspection sticker last week and $700 later he was trying to leave the garage to go to class when his transmission went. *sigh* I suppose it was all good that it happened where it did - he was safe - no accident occurred because of the problem, etc. But we had to have it towed (thank goodness for AAA membership), and it's been up in Manchester for almost a week now. If all goes well and the Lord blesses he'll have the car back tomorrow after a hefty price tag. Thankfully, again, we are in a position to loan him the amount he needs to cover the repairs and he'll be repaying us over the next few months.
Early this week I had to face a series of uncomfortable medical appointments for some questionable issues. I was fine and clinging tight... right up until the night before the appointments. Then... I cried. I was scared. The 'what-ifs' invaded my mind in the darkness of the night. But God is good. Steve held me and comforted me and reminded me that my faith doesn't change when I am scared. I had my appointments and so far, it all seems fine. I won't have final answers for a few weeks, but am confident that God is absolutely in control and that it's all going to work out okay.

Practice is hard.
But I am thankful that He loves me enough to let me practice.
Learning to trust God in the realities of life instead of just the fluffy words of Sunday morning is essential. Following Jesus isn't supposed to be all rainbows and butterflies. In John 16:33, Jesus said, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
These words bring me great comfort. I will have trouble, but the One I follow has already overcome it all. That doesn't mean this life will be easy by any means, but it does mean that I don't walk alone. I can have His peace.
And once again, I am thankful.

Blessings on the journey~

Our newest addition

2010-09-12T14:39:00.003-04:00

We knew it would happen... we've been talking about it and praying about it for a while now.
J has been especially anxious. She really wanted to find someone special, someone just about her age...a girl who had been waiting a while.... waiting to be chosen.
Today the Compassion bloggers all are traveling home from Guatemala. We've read the posts, seen the photos & videos.
We've followed the journey.
Along the way we've learned a lot.
About Guatemala, about the bloggers, about Compassion International and why they do it all in Jesus' name.

On this journey God has stretched our hearts, softened them a bit more, cracked them wide open and seen the tears spill down all over the keyboard.
So today we did again what we did earlier this year... when another fabulous group had said 'yes' to Jesus and went to Africa while we watched from here in NH.
We grouped around the monitor and searched the pages of children from Guatemala in need of a sponsor. Searching for that special girl... the one J has been praying for... just about her age... waiting too long... and we chose her.

Isn't she beautiful? Her name is Blanca Maria... she lives in the mountains of Coban, Guatemala and her birthday is just 7 days before J's. She has been chosen ...or maybe it's us that was chosen...because Jesus chose us.
Is there someone that will chose you? Let your heart be chosen...click here and change a life... it will change yours.
Blessings on the journey~

Will you help?

2010-09-07T11:39:00.000-04:00

Back in the spring I stumbled upon a blog post that was about a trip to Kenya. It was a trip organized by Compassion International to take a group of bloggers to a country to see first hand what they do in those places, to help all those children. The idea is a marvelous one! Bloggers reach TONS of people. OK... those bloggers that people actually read and follow can do that... me... well... maybe someday. :-)
Anyway - this trip was amazing to follow.
I started reading a bunch of different blogger's accounts of the same day on the trip... and God started pulling on my heart.
I was nudged, I was poked, I was pulled.
My heart cracked and I cried.
I had the kids read some posts and they were tugged on as well. I sent links to Steve and he said, "Do what you think is right." and then when he came home after work he asked "Are we sponsoring all of Africa yet?" with a smile that melted my heart more.
So we looked at photos, and more photos, and still more photos. We read bios, we talked about each one ... and my heart was broken at so much need. Then... we saw his photo... read his name & bio, kids and I talked... and we chose him. Fred. Our little Compassion child... a child that we are growing to love and care about very much. We have been thrilled to get letters from Fred, he's very young still so the Compassion team members help him write to us. We pray for him daily. God is letting us make a difference in the life of one small boy in Kenya... and prayerfully... we'll be able to sponsor more children in the future.
This week there is another trip... this time to Guatemala with a different group of bloggers. I can't wait to see what God will do!

I know not many people read my blog... but in case you happen to have stumbled across this post somewhere along your journey... please consider helping a child far away find hope. YOU can be the hands/feet of Jesus to a child somewhere in the world! How COOL is THAT?!?! God will LET YOU HELP! He will LET you... yes YOU... be part of His plans!
It totally knocks my socks off that God ... Creator of the universe and Savior of the world... lets ME help with something in His plans. ME... me who falls short, screws up and burns cookies and has a messy house most days....
God lets me be part of Fred's life from a zillion miles away.
He'll let you find a child to help too. Take a look.... let your heart be soft... change a life and let your life be changed too.

Help a Child

Blessings on the journey~

Common sense

2010-09-04T12:35:00.000-04:00

I don't agree lock-step with everything that Douglas Wilson writes, but I do find the vast majority to be helpful, insightful and bibilical - which is very good, given he is a Pastor and all. :-)
This was a remarkably good common sense bit of writing:
Jesus, Reason, Soap

Come along side

2010-08-30T20:30:00.001-04:00

Today I had the opportunity to live something that I've read about on other blogs relating to teens & almost teens.
J spent this morning with a wonderful lady from our church, working as a mother's helper. She's done this several times over the summer, but today she also had a full schedule of school work to accomplish. She worked all morning, came home, had lunch and finally got to start on her schoolwork at about 1pm.
She and B worked on their Latin review - there is a major test on Friday. She worked on a History lesson, also knowing there is a quiz on Friday this week. Then there was some science reading and answering some questions before working on an experiment and writing up a lab report. Then pulling out her schedule and taking some other books off the shelf she became over-whelmed and started to cry.
I hugged her as she sobbed on my shoulder,
"There is too much work! I can't do it!" She sniffed, as her tears soaked my shoulder.
I took a deep breath and hugged her again.
Gently I said, "You can. I know you can. Wash your face and bring your book out with me to the swing."

So she washed up, took the math book & her notebook and we went out to the deck and sat on the swing.
We sat together, she worked problems and we talked. She did the entire section - all correctly - as we sat together. Then she worked on her literature assignment, reading me passages and talking with me about the humor of G.K. Chesterton.
Then... she was done - all assignments finished. No more tears.
We did it together,her working along, talking, sharing some laughs... that is one of the beautiful things we enjoy being here together for school.
I am so thankful that God has called us to this journey of home schooling. The blessings can't be measured on a test (though they test well and get good grades). The relationship. The learning that hard things can be accomplished. That it is a lot of work, but they CAN. It's amazing to watch them as they grow and learn.
I am so very blessed. Our life isn't perfect, not every day is stellar, some can even be pretty dreadful at times...but in the end.... it's all good. We are building LIFE and focusing on the things that last for eternity. Loving each other. Learning together. Living these golden moments that God has gifted to us.
Blessings on the journey~

A very good start

2010-08-27T17:05:00.000-04:00

We have finished our first full week of school here and it was a very good beginning. Both J & B have worked very diligently and accomplished everything I had planned for them - all with good attitudes and without working till late in the day.
J actually told me on Thursday that she loves all her curriculum this year and thanked me for choosing so well for her. Now I know those feelings may change as the year progresses - but for now... I'll take it ... with much thanks to God for His mercies and blessings.
I've even managed to get in some sewing this week (3 pairs of pjs and a small flannel baby quilt) and kept up with laundry, most of the housework, baked some bread and mostly followed my meal plans. All in all it was a wonderful week.
Steve surprised me and took the day off today. He came to J's last horse riding lesson of the summer and got to see some of what she's learned this year. We topped it off by an afternoon outing to our favorite ice cream spot in town - all 5 of us!
Now I have 2 loaves of bread rising on the stove and will start on some home-made pizza dough in a bit for dinner. This weekend has nothing planned but being home together. I love my life. :-)
Blessings on the journey ~

Gearing up and slowing down

2010-08-10T09:04:00.000-04:00

Now isn't that just a clever post title? I love when people have clever titles that make me want to read what they've written, so I thought I'd attempt a turn of phrase.
Anyway... the reason for the title is that is pretty much exactly where I am right now. After talking with Steve, I decided that we won't begin schooling again until the 23rd. It's been on again, off again with some schooling this summer - which in itself is different for us. The weather has been incredibly warm and humid this summer and it seems that we've been hiding from the weather a lot this year. Last summer we were staying out of the rain most of the summer. I suppose that just goes to prove that God likes to mix it up.
I'm going to spend the next few weeks trying to get my house in order - quite literally - and spending time just being 'still'. (Psalm 46:10) I've felt for quite a while that God is trying to to tell me or show me something important for the 'next thing' here. I haven't the faintest idea what it may be, but I also have felt lately that there is just too much NOISE in my life for me to be able to hear Him effectively. I know He is a patient God, He knows I really DO want to hear and listen and be obedient. So I'm going to try to be intentional in my listening. Focus on my immediate priorities of family, home, school prep.... and listening.
Now before anyone thinks that I'm a nutcase and hear voices in my head that are going to tell me something crazy.... don't worry! That is NOT what I mean when I say that I'm waiting to hear from God. While I know that there are people who claim to hear an audible voice from heaven - I am not in that camp. I think ... and God knows me best... He would know that I'd be doubtful of audible voices. I can be a skeptic of many things. I think it is pretty amazing how God knows exactly how to communicate with each of us in a way we can hear if we are paying attention.
For me, generally, God speaks to me through repetition. Maybe I'm slow to catch on and He knows I need to see/hear things a few times (or a LOT of times) over to really get it. I have been doing more reading this summer and have finished one Bible study and am part way through another. Have had the opportunity to talk with more people than normal for me - and Steve is very patient as I mull/process things out loud to him and elicit his input and opinions. God will bring up a theme, a phrase, even specific verses...over and over and over again, in many different places and through people too. It's pretty amazing when the light-bulb finally comes on for me to see what He is putting before me. I don't always understand where it is going, but I can really feel in my heart that there is something that I'm supposed to pay attention to or focus on or just be ready for the next thing now that I've gotten the first part.
So... that is the slowing down part that really needs to happen. I desperately don't want to miss whatever the next thing is and I'm convinced that my own 'busy-ness' can be a hindrance to hearing God in my life.
And the gearing up? Well, that relates to my home and the kids and school prep. We are still working toward the simplifying and being to busy is not conducive to that. Like Steve says - stuff has to LEAVE the house to make it less cluttered. So that is a goal. And the kids need some close time - not hovering/smothering... just time to 'be' and enjoy and learn together. We need to work together on some individual goals for each of them for the coming year. I need to get a bit more planning set up for the beginning of the fall, hunting down books, etc. It's all good.
It seems funny that in this culture of more/hurry/rush, I find the most joy in the stop/stay/less of my life. God loves me. Steve loves me. My kids love me. I really have all I need and more. I am so very blessed and need to be mindful of it all.
Blessings on the journey~

Goodbye Grammie

2010-08-08T07:32:00.000-04:00

My grandmother went home to be with the Lord yesterday.
Louise Grace (Valley) Frost (1926-2010) was a daughter, a wife, a mother, a nurse, a grandmother and a great-grandmother. She taught many, loved many and finished well. I'm sure the angels had a warm welcome for her as she crossed the final bridge on the journey into the arms of her Savior Jesus.

The Rain Falls

2010-08-05T14:14:00.000-04:00

It is raining... no... it is pouring outside and I am thankful for the rain on parched ground.
And tears fall here too, from the heart of a daughter who hurts for her mother's sorrow.

My mother just called me from Maine, sobbing her heart as she has said goodbye to my grandmother.
My grandmother has Alzheimer's disease and is standing on Heaven's doorstep waiting to meet Jesus.
She has lived for the last few years in a wonderful care facility up in Maine and now is - according to the staff - just about ready to go home.
I rejoice for my grandmother and my heart aches for my mother.
She wants to rejoice at the home-going and feel God's peace, yet family conflict between siblings and generations is tearing her heart. I'm praying for God to grant her solace, to hold her tightly in His eternal loving arms and comfort her. To ease the generation of pain from years of sibling/family hurts and harsh words and grief.
I pray too, for my children. For them to love one another always. To follow Christ fully and embrace His commands to love one another and honor one another above themselves. I pray that I can be the support my mother needs here and offer God's words to her and help her walk this thorny path with my prayers for God's grace and mercy.
And I try...to pray... for those people who are hurting my mother's heart. Those people who should be a comfort and aren't. Who profess Christ in name and yet... *sigh*

We live falling so short every day. I fail...over and again to shine Christ's love to others on this journey.

Oh God forgive me, by your amazing grace and mercy, set my feet again on your right path. Grant me wisdom and words and actions that show Jesus' true love in my life. Amen.

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.~ 1 John 3:18

Blessings on the journey~

Making Progress

2010-07-28T08:05:00.000-04:00

We came back from our vacation with a re-newed sense of needing to simplify our lives. We had managed to live for a week in a much smaller house with much less stuff and it had been good. Really good.

It turns out that purging accumulated clutter, clothing and just...well... stuff, takes time. It is a process and not something that just happens in a quick pass. The biggest challenge for Steve & I is that we don't want to just throw away things that are perfectly good and useful to someone. So we (read me), are searching for places to donate things, trying to sell some things, and finding people who can use what we are trying to reduce in our lives. We have been very blessed - to the excess in some cases - and I don't want to waste those blessings.

My new rule for things to be kept in the house is that they must be useful, loved, bring us joy and have a permanent home - and by that I mean have a place they belong as 'put away'. I have cleared off the top of the piano and the mantle in the living room and have 2 boxes of 'stuff' to find new homes for soon. I have purged 2 bookcases or school curriculum that I am trying to sell. And have begun working on the two younger kids bedrooms.

We've lived in our home for more than 14 years now. That is a LOT of accumulated stuff to wade through. But we are making progress and it feels good. I am thankful for all our blessings and even more thankful that God is nudging us to a more mindful and purposeful way of living so that we can focus on what is truly important for His glory through our lives.

Blessings on the journey~

A July Sky

2010-07-20T20:24:00.001-04:00

These are some photos I took after a storm blew through on a July evening. The light outside was amazing and drew me out into the twilight with a camera. Not generally my sort of thing - that is Steve's department usually - but I tried and they are pretty neat.

Wednesday Rain

2010-07-14T08:16:00.000-04:00

It rained!
I suppose that may not be reason enough for a real celebration, but given the SERIOUS lack of water here lately. I was more than happy to thank God during my prayer time this morning for sending us some rain.
I'm working to get back on track with life now that my computer is fixed and a nice rainy/gray day is a good day for more of that. I still have lots of school-related files to re-create, but I'm making progress.
I've also started working on a 'home notebook' which includes a complete inventory of my pantry stock-pile and will work on inventory of the freezer either today or tomorrow. I also need to go through my spice cabinet and that will be at least a half-day project. Sometimes it amazes me how long seemingly simple tasks really take.
The idea for the home notebook came from this very cool site: Organized Home.
So I used one of those small binders and inserted some pretty scrap-book paper for covers and printed out some forms/pages to get started. It's a process and hopefully will make life a bit easier as I work towards being more organized and a better steward and keeper of my home.
Blessings on the journey~

Almost fixed

2010-07-09T16:54:00.002-04:00

I have the most amazing husband... I know... I say that a lot. But it's true!
He has spent literally hours upon HOURS over the past few days working to fix my computer. He has installed a new hard drive, done tons of stuff to get it ready to upgrade and is installing the upgrade to Windows 7 for me.
We've re-arranged some computer furniture, changed locations on some systems and he set me up with dual monitors and things are hopefully on the way to being more stable computer-wise here for a while.
We still haven't recovered the data off the other drive, but I found one of my most important files on our backup drive, so that is a HUGE blessing and answer to prayer. God is good... and I am most blessed.

Re-boot. re-set, re... something!

2010-07-08T07:44:00.000-04:00

Boy is returning from a marvelous vacation a challenge at times. Especially when it seems God is nudging both Steve and I along a journey to simplify our lives in preparation for whatever He has planned next.

We returned home to find that my main computer system died... I mean... DIED. The hard drive is dead for no apparent reason. It was fine before I left and was turned off all week. Very strange.
Steve has been valiantly trying to find a solution and even today is still working on some data recovery ideas. For some unknown reason, our external back-up drive stopped backing up my files earlier this spring. *sigh* All my files and data for months are now gone unless God grants us a small miracle. I did manage to do a direct write backup of one major file just before we left - so that is a HUGE blessing.
In looking for how God may have orchestrated this for our good - I discovered that it is very possible that I was plugging along under my own steam relating to our home school and now will have to do a total re-set. This will mean not plunging back into a lot of schoolwork next week as I'd planned.
This could be good in a lot of ways really. Especially as I now have a new list of things to work on for simplifying and making some potentially significant changes in our home life. The kids will have a bit more down-time/vacation. Perhaps the house will become cleaner? :-)
God is pretty clearly telling us some things... I'm not entirely sure exactly what it all is just yet. The really awesome thing is that Steve seems to be hearing/seeing a lot of the same things that I am hearing/seeing. That God is moving us both in the same direction is an incredible blessing and makes the journey sweeter... not necessarily any easier, but absolutely sweeter. My husband is pretty awesome and in the past few weeks I've seen so many more things that make me appreciate all he is and does on a whole new level.
So... I'm off today to find a good buy on a new hard drive and Windows 7 and whatever all else is needed for surgery on my computer.
Blessings on the journey~

I love this site

2010-07-05T17:59:00.000-04:00

Ocean Vacation

2010-07-01T06:55:00.000-04:00

We've been on vacation!
I love that we have the blessing of being able to take our children on family vacations. We did that only very rarely when I was a child (once when I was 10 or so and not again until high school).
I don't feel deprived about it or have any negative feelings around it. I didn't know anyone who went away on vacations when I was a kid. Dads worked, sometimes Moms too, we kids went to school, played outside after school and during summer vacations. Normal kid life. :-)
We have taken some of our children on vacations far away (A went to NV/AZ/UT when he was 5) and all 3 went to FL a few times. Normally our trips are pretty local - within a few hours drive. Our most favorite vacation spot so far is Acadia. We drive the 4-5 hours up to Maine, camp, play around in the ocean, hike and sight see in the National Park, noodle around in the shops and eat ice cream. It's great!

This year we did something different. We have never done this before. We rented a cottage right on the point - right on the water. It's gorgeous and we love it.
I think camping is going to be really a challenge after this experience. :-)

Time Management

2010-06-24T08:50:00.000-04:00

Trying to find time to do all the "good" things in life is very difficult. There are only so many hours in a day - the same for everyone - so no one has any advantage. How we choose to spend our time is as varied as the number of people on the planet.
I am a wife, mother, home educator, home-maker and a host of other things. The reality is that I simply can't do everything I'd like to do on any given day. God sends His priorities for me and prayerfully I don't miss those for my own schedule or projects. I'm working (and praying!) to be more aware of what He sets before me as well as my primary responsibilities that really must be ahead of any personal projects.
I am most blessed in that my husband never criticizes or pushes me about what I am doing or how I am spending my time each day. He will even smile and laugh when I make a point to tell him some random and unseen thing I've accomplished - like cleaning and organizing underneath the bathroom sink or vacuuming the lint filter of the dryer. No one ever knows when you've spent hours working on some seemingly ridiculous but necessary task, so I tell him... but only sometimes. I don't think it matters, but maybe it does.
Maybe it shows my kids that the mundane and thankless jobs, the cleaning of things unseen and unappreciated, is important. Service to others isn't always a showy thing. Sometimes no one in your day-to-day life sees and comments when you just do what you should do. That is okay. None of us should need a pat on the back for being who we are and what we should be.
A pat on the back is nice. A compliment is nice. Kudos, gold stars and applause are nice. However those are not the things that I want to spur my kids to do what they should do, what is right, what is honest, what is expected as part of a life lived for the Kingdom of God. They are not why I do things each day.
God has given me gifts, talents, desires, responsibility and most importantly... opportunity. He gives me a chance each day to CHOOSE how I will manage my gift of time to serve Him and others. Bring glory to Him BY serving others - whether those others are my husband and children, the neighbor, someone at church or a stranger.
What an awesome thing. I pray that I choose wisely today.

Blessings on the journey~

Musing about life

2010-06-18T19:52:00.000-04:00

I've been thinking a lot lately about life...specifically my life (and by extension my family's life). I've also been doing a bit more reading than usual, even for me. I have finished a few books in the last week or so, and am working through two different Bible study books right now.
I've also been spending some time poking around various blogs, some of the 'mommy' variety, a few homeschooling ones, the occasional sewing find, a bunch of 'frugal/money' type, and most importantly, several that are devoted to God's truth being shared for women specifically.
God is really speaking to me in a lot of areas right now and it feels a bit overwhelming and chaotic on the surface, but deep down in my heart I feel peaceful, loved and cared for ...like a small, beloved child being taught important things.
I have often felt that my life is sort of in a series of boxes. Each related, but distinct and generally separated on some level from the rest. I know this is not a truth per se, but just a general feeling of how things flow at various times and seasons for me.
I am first and foremost a follower of Christ. Stumblingly, imperfectly, forgiven and starting again daily I seek to live in God's will for my life and bring Him glory.
This has not always been the case, even though I was saved (born again, redeemed, etc. choose your favorite term) as a child - I think I was about 8 or 10 years old - I have not always lived my faith. This is not a fact I am proud of by any stretch, but it is a fact nonetheless. By God's amazing grace and faithfulness, I found my way back about 9 or 10 years ago and have been blessed by a steady growth of my faith and strengthening of all I believe as I study the Bible and draw closer to my Savior. I have also been blessed beyond measure to see 3 of our children and my husband come to faith in Christ during the last 9 years also.
Secondly I am a beloved wife to an awesome man and a (mostly) devoted mother to my terrific children. These two roles are my highest calling and dearest ministry on the planet.
I also home educate our youngest two children, so I am a teacher. I am a student in that I try to read/learn new things regularly. I am a daughter. I am a friend. I am a quilter and seamstress. I am an aspiring cook/baker. I am the acting CFO of our family life. I am generally the caretaker of the furry creatures that love us. I am a less than stellar house-keeper (though I try to be better all the time). I am passionately politically conservative and incorrect. I am a believer in absolute truth and see things very often in terms of right and wrong. I am aspiring to become a better steward and more frugal in our finances and living. I am a very slow and not very committed runner.
I am many things and yet I am just one.... me.
As random as all this may seem, it is all part of a process I am working through to attempt to un-compartmentalize (is that a word?) my life. I don't like fragments generally. I want to seamlessly live a life that is pleasing to God while fulfilling all the work He has set before me. I don't want to miss His best for me because I am chasing loose ends flapping in the breeze of my life.
Much of my studies and reading lately have focused on truly trusting God...with everything. I have a sense of being on the brink of something, yet have no idea what it may be. Sort of like standing at a cross-road or at the edge of a staircase, but I can't see either road or step. It's weird, exciting, terrifying, and yet I'm not scared. I'm more anxiously excited to see what God is about to do.

I have learned a few things recently that struck me as profound.

God has a perfect plan and it will not be thwarted by anything I do or do not do
He can use me for His purposes if I am willing and obedient.
His ways are not my ways and how He will accomplish something is probably not going to be the way I expect or would even choose.
He can use something we see as dreadful to accomplish something wonderful.
He sees what I will become and that is like Christ. (How cool is THAT!?!)
God loves me...completely... totally...unconditionally... now. (That one is really beyond amazing!)
Jeremiah 29:11 is true even when I have no idea what is happening or will happen next.

Blessings on the journey ~

Range of Emotion

2010-06-11T08:07:00.000-04:00

I've been reading this site for a while ~ Holy Experience. Ann makes me think, reflect, often cry. God uses her words to strike deep chords that resonate.
Some people have such a gift with words. There are so many words rushing about cyberspace and not all of them are worth the time to read, but Ann's words are worth the time and then some.

Just Wednesday Rambling

2010-06-09T09:09:00.001-04:00

Today is Wednesday.
Do you ever feel like Wednesday is this sort of no-man's land? Stuck in the middle of the week, not usually a terribly exciting day, still feels like miles to go before the weekend and anything 'fun'.
I like Wednesday. It feels like I'm making progress through the week to finally be half-done and hopefully things on the 'to do' list are being checked off. Not always, but most weeks.
Today is a 'home day' for us. The only outing may be a bike-ride to the library later. Tonight is Steve's track work out and I have quilt group (if I'm feeling better), and that means a fairly easy supper of breakfast food - the kids favorite dinner usually.
I spent some time this morning thinking about Steve's birthday, which is tomorrow. I am continually amazed by my husband. He is so wonderful in my eyes and I never feel like I am quite conveying to him how important he is to me and our family. It's tough to tell a modest man how marvelous he is. He just doesn't seem to believe me. It can be really frustrating at times... I want to really show him how much I love him, how much I appreciate him, how proud he makes me to be his wife.... and have no idea how to do so. Maybe someday I'll have a brilliant stroke of inspiration.
The kids have begun some minor summer-schooling work. J is taking an on-line writing course and so far it seems to be going well. I am getting closer to having our next school year plan mapped out. Only about a half-dozen more lesson plans to do. Science is split this year so that means 2 plans for one subject (J & B). Actually this year they have much more split subjects than ever before. Having them grow is wonderful, but the planning is more involved. I'm looking forward to a wonderful year for them both. It seems like such an accomplishment to have them both in Middle School grades this year! We have reached a milestone! B is 6th grade now and J is 8th. We'll see how excited I am about it when I'm mired in pre-algebra & astronomy lessons later in the year.
Off to continue my Wednesday by hanging some laundry on the line. I love my life.

And a site for Moms of Boys too!

2010-06-03T15:52:00.002-04:00

And since I have boys too... this is so cool!

A Giveaway!

2010-06-02T07:14:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I posted about the awesome new site I found - via the lovely Sarah Mae from Like A Warm Cup of Coffee. Today they are doing an awesome giveaway! You have to check it out HERE.

I am also going to spend some time perusing the sponsor site at Franklin Springs.

Blessings on the journey everyone!

An awesome new site!

2010-06-01T07:59:00.000-04:00

I just discovered an awesome new site!
http://raisinghomemakers.com/

As a mom who strives to be a Proverbs 31 woman/wife/mother... this is a site I am anxious to follow as I raise J.

A really good weekend

2010-05-31T19:10:00.000-04:00

This was a really good long weekend here.
I had several opportunities during the last few days to pray for our military service people and their families. May God bless them and keep them all safe from harm as they defend the freedoms we hold dear. I am so thankful to live in this country and pray that God will protect our nation.
The weather here has been truly spectacular all weekend. Today we did have a haze of smoke from the Canadian brush fires, but it hasn't been too bad. I will be praying that no one is hurt in the fires up north.
I've been productive over the last few days. I've managed to get some baking done, some cleaning, and even a bit of sewing. I finally finished packing up the last school year work for both kids and cleaned off one of the bookcases to get ready for next year. I even updated our school tracking software on 2 of the computers, the other two seem to be dead at the moment and need Steve's tech support to revive them.
I was able to go for a long bike ride with the kids on Friday, a run on Saturday, a power walk on Sunday evening, and another run this morning. I have to keep moving to combat all the junk I've been eating lately. I made home-made ice cream on Friday night and Steve took us for ice cream at King Kone last night after he got home from his trail race up in Maine. I am still trying to lose another 10 pounds and feel like I am sabotaging myself by baking and going for ice cream. At least I'm not gaining... that is a blessing!
Today Steve took me for a ride on the motorcycle and we were tooling up Mack Hill Rd. in Amherst when we paused at the top and I realized the bag on my back was EMPTY! Panic! The bottom of the bag had let go and my wallet was in the bag! Steve told me to get off the bike a minute and he'd turn around so we could back-track. I climbed off and was shocked to see my wallet sitting on the little metal rack behind the seat! The road was incredibly bumpy so it must have just fallen out. I was SO relieved I was almost in tears and was thanking God for his amazing blessing and care.
We drove along a bit further and Steve remembered he'd had our small digital camera in the bottom of the bag. Back-tracking all the way home we scanned and searched the roadside to no avail. Then we took the car and went back again. This time with the kids and we stopped again at the top of the hill and walked the edges looking for the camera case. Nothing. We are disappointed but I am beyond thankful that my wallet is safe. Prayerfully someone honest will find the camera and return it to us.
In spite of the loss of the camera, the weekend on the whole was good and I am very certain of God's loving care of us all.

A beautiful day

2010-05-24T13:17:00.001-04:00

The weather here has been unseasonably warm and beautiful! Today it is already over 80 degrees! That just doesn't normally happen in NH in May ~ but I will take it with thanks to God above for blessing us with this lovely day!

J had her riding lesson this morning and B was blessed to be able to swim with his friend during the lesson hour. I sat in a lounge chair and perused a recipe book "Eating Well at Rush Hour". I'm in search of inspiration for my meal planning. I am in a slump about planning and cooking and need some new ideas. I think I found a few. Though I'm not sure what the kids will think, but I know that Steve always appreciates my efforts and never complains. I am a blessed wife.
We did a run through Wal-Mart for what I call a 'coupon shop', which is when I have coupons for just about everything I purchase. I managed to save just over $20 total. I have made it a hard-n-fast rule to not buy anything with a coupon unless it's something I would normally buy or the price makes it cheaper than the brand of that item I normally purchase.
I still need to do a run to the grocery store and hit the post office to mail 2 things for the PaperBack Book Swap site (I love swapping books!) If anyone is interested in signing up - send me a message and I'll forward you the link to sign up (I get points if I refer you!).

Tonight is my ladies' Bible Study group and God is really blessing this time with this marvelous group of women. I think we are all learning and growing and beginning to connect in new friendships. God is so good to us to give us others to share the journey.

I found a verse today that really spoke to me so I will share it in closing this post.
1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NASB)
Faithful is he who calls you, and he will also bring it to pass.

Piper

2010-05-22T19:47:00.000-04:00

Isn't she a pretty (big) yellow dog? I just love this big goofy rug of a dog.

Random Rainy Day Stuff

2010-05-19T16:33:00.001-04:00

It's a rainy day in New Hampshire. Not terribly exciting, but we've had a good day.
I slept in a bit this morning, easy to do with the gray skies and gentle pitter-patter of raindrops on the trees. I do love that sound.
After some odds-n-ends of things accomplished over coffee, I glanced out the window to see a mini-van pulling into my driveway. A woman I've only met through email was stopping by to purchase a book from me.
I went downstairs and met her at the kitchen door with a big smile and laugh about the fact that I was still in my robe & slippers. As a fellow homeschooling Mom, being in pjs at 9am didn't surprise her. Good thing. After she bought the book and went to leave, she realized that she had locked her keys in her van. Back she came and we each had a nice cup of herbal tea and chatted at the kitchen table while waiting for her husband to come with another set of keys. A pleasant 15 minutes shared with a like-minded person. A nice start.
After she had gone I did my strength training and got ready to go for a walk. I dragged J along with me for the 3 miles in the drizzle. She was good company if not overly thrilled about the distance we covered.
Back home for a hot shower and lunch and then off to run some errands. We had to get gas in the truck and I was tickled to use my Override card and save 20 cents per gallon! It doesn't sound like a big thrill, but when you have to put 20 gallons of gas in your truck... it helps! Then we hit Shaw's for a few things as I had a $4 coupon to use that was going to expire and I wanted to get a jar of Hoisin Sauce that is needed in a few new recipes I want to try out in the next few weeks.
We also hit Tractor Supply for a bag of new dog food for Piper. She is our enormous yellow lab.

We are switching her to a higher quality (read more expensive!) food to try and control her weight and keep her healthy. I've been researching pet food for a few weeks now and settled on Blue Buffalo for her. Hopefully she will like it. I also found out that they will be hosting a farmer's market every Wednesday afternoon right in the parking lot at TS here in town. Woohoo!
Our last stop was the library, I had requested a copy of Ben & Jerry's ice cream recipe book through inter-library loan. I love that feature!
Now to decide which recipe to try first with my new ice cream maker attachment for my mixer. We've never made home-made ice cream before and I'm looking forward to it. We can make up all sorts of yummy things and hopefully it will be less expensive and maybe a bit healthier.
Tonight Steve has his running club track work-out and I think I'm going to spend the some time sewing before I start dinner (a new recipe is planned for tonight!). I'm working on some blocks to take to quilt ministry next week. We have LOTS of new babies coming in our church this year. God has blessed me thoroughly by the opportunity to do something I love (sew) as a ministry.

Just because it makes me smile

2010-05-17T12:57:00.000-04:00

Sometimes one daisy can make you feel good all day.
God made that daisy for you.

Remember to smile and say 'thanks'.

Birthday

2010-05-12T18:36:00.000-04:00

I've had a really good day!

New Bible Study

2010-05-04T10:02:00.000-04:00

Last night our ladies group began a new Bible Study from a book by Sheila Walsh, Beautiful Things Happen When a Woman Trusts God. I think it will be amazing.

This morning in our reading time, the kids and I read this passage:

2 Corinthians 4:6-18

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken."With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

I really love how God reminds us of His eternal love and care of us, even when we cannot see the reason behind the darkness that faces us in this moment. He has a reason, we have to trust Him.

A prayer from Scripture

2010-05-03T06:59:00.000-04:00

Psalm 119:65-72 (New Living Translation)

⁶⁵ You have done many good things for me, Lord,
      just as you promised.
⁶⁶ I believe in your commands;
      now teach me good judgment and knowledge.
⁶⁷ I used to wander off until you disciplined me;
      but now I closely follow your word.
⁶⁸ You are good and do only good;
      teach me your decrees.

Salt & Light

2010-05-02T14:18:00.000-04:00

We sang this song as part of our worship time at church this morning. I love it!

A Letter from Kenya

2010-05-01T08:39:00.001-04:00

We received an amazing blessing in the mail this week. Our first letter from our sponsored child Fred arrived! I can't really express the feeling of joy this one page of paper brought to our family.
We began sponsoring Fred through Compassion International in March - just before his 7th birthday - and felt so blessed that God was allowing our family to really DO something to make a tangible difference. To actually BE the hands/feet of Jesus in the life of one small boy.
That has been, and continues to be, one of my most frequent prayers. That God will somehow, in some way, use me for His purposes in the lives of someone around me.... or around the world in this case.
So our first letter from Fred was written by the translator Cionada, and we are so thankful that Fred is aware of our family and our prayers for him and his family. He specifically asked us to pray for a younger brother who is ill and we will. We will write to him soon and will hope to hear from him again before the end of the year.

I know there are many families who sponsor a child... please, take a few minutes to write. You can do it online through the Compassion website. It is a small thing, so easy to do and will really matter to your sponsored child.

If you are not a sponsor yet... consider it... there is a link in the sidebar. Look at those faces from around the world waiting for someone... it could be you.

Busy with my gift

2010-04-30T19:31:00.002-04:00

My birthday is coming... and it's one of those milestone birthdays.... I'm not really thrilled about it, but there is nothing to be done. So I am making the best of it and my darling husband is trying to make it even better for me!
This is my special gift.

And since it came late yesterday afternoon I have been making good use of it in preparation for our church yard sale/bake sale.
I have made whoopie pies, chocolate butterhorns, cinnamon rolls & ultimate oatmeal chip cookies.

A neat giveaway

2010-04-29T07:26:00.000-04:00

Several of the blogs I read regularly do giveaways.... I think it is really neat and fun!
Sarah Mae at Like a Warm Cup of Coffee has a great one right now... check it out here.

Just because she is cute

2010-04-28T13:09:00.000-04:00

Everyone should have a place to hide sometimes...

Gloomy Day Smiles

2010-04-27T07:51:00.000-04:00

It is a fairly gloomy day outside and rain is in the weather forecast. It would be easy to let the weather dictate moods, yet we have such beauty in the creation that God has made for us to enjoy!
This morning I went out just as the rain started to fall and snapped these pictures - just outside my front door. How can I not smile when God has blessed me with such beauty right where I live each day!

Gearing up to slow down

2010-04-26T07:44:00.001-04:00

As April draws to a close, we are gearing up to slow down a bit. I suppose that sounds odd, but that is the way it feels, even if it isn't completely accurate in activity.
We are winding down our school year. It has been a very successful one and I am pleased at how much they have accomplished and learned this year. It seems so odd to be planning for next year already - but I am beginning that process as well and love seeing how they are growing into new independence and learning so many new things all the time. I love having them home to learn and grow. There are days it seems that time and the world is rushing so fast... that I really relish the days we have to hang around in our pjs and read and talk together.
Last week J & B had their last piano lessons for the year. It was bittersweet as they are looking forward to a break, but will miss their weekly lessons with Mrs. Brewer. She is a wonderful, godly woman who has brought much more than music into their lives.
This week they are scheduled to finish the last of their history curriculum, science book, and math. English has been done for a while now. We started the Latin mid-way through the year, so that isn't done and Jess has one last section of her literature to finish up. But for all intents and purposes we will be on break for a bit after this week. I have the results of their standardized tests and for the first time have decided to submit those to the town as proof of "adequate progress" for the year. Prayerfully, it won't open any boxes that I'd rather not have opened. We have a new assistant superintendent here in town and I am not sure how he views homeschooling. The woman we've dealt with all these years was very good to work with and we never had any conflicts with her, I'm hoping her replacement will carry on the same.
May begins on Saturday and I am looking forward to it. We have so much to do this week that after Saturday it feels like we'll be able to rest a bit. In addition to finishing up the schoolwork this week we have several other things on the calendar. Our church yard sale is this Friday/Saturday and the kids and I will be helping with that several times during the week and weekend. I am using this as a big push to de-clutter and purge in our house - it benefits the ladies ministry for church and helps us simplify our lives! Win-win!
I have quilt group on Wednesday and we have several quilts to get finished in the coming months as there are many new babies arriving in our church family.

This is the most recent quilt we finished 2 weeks ago, it is for our Pastor's soon-to-be-born new grandson.

Next week we begin 'summer activities' here. Spring soccer starts for both kids, and J will begin her natural horsemanship lessons again for the summer. The garden will get planted and we will begin our new season!

Sunday Morning Breakfast

2010-04-25T08:04:00.000-04:00

Who doesn't love something fresh from the oven for breakfast on a Sunday morning?
This morning I was awake early - listening to the birds announcing loudly that the sun was up. So I thought I'd bake up something for breakfast. I decided to try out a Cinnamon Crumble Cake recipe from The Frugal Girl-Kristen. She has such amazing recipes!
It was quick & easy to make and everyone loved it!

Friday!

2010-04-23T12:20:00.000-04:00

It's Friday!
Not that it means anything special or out-of-the-ordinary...but I love Fridays. It always seems to hold the promise of something special, almost a celebration that the weekend is coming and we have accomplished another week! God is so good and I feel very blessed today.

Running Man

2010-04-20T09:45:00.000-04:00

My darling husband sporting the bright red team singlet for just one of his running clubs as he competed in the Boston Marathon yesterday. He had a great run finishing in 3:00:15!

Photo credit: Scott Mason

Boston Marathon Day

2010-04-19T07:59:00.001-04:00

Today my husband is running in the Boston Marathon. I am crazy proud of him!

For those who don't know, there are a few ways to get into the Boston Marathon. A lot of people sign up to run for a charity sponsor - they collect donations to raise funds for various groups and then run the race.
There are the 'elite' runners who are invited to compete - those crazy fast people who WIN!
And there are those who must qualify to run by running a prior 'approved' Boston Marathon qualifying course and meeting certain time limits/categories based on their age - my husband is one of those runners.
Steve has been running for a long time... back serious about it for 10 years now. He runs, he cycles, sometimes he swims, he mountain bikes, he snowshoes, and he runs some more. He has a blog about his running over at Hav2Run which is also currently his vanity license plate on his car. It is one of his passions and he is really good... ok... I admit a certain amount of bias there but really, he is a talented athlete who works hard at the sport he loves.
Today he will run Boston - which for the non-runner is something that is recognizable though most aren't even sure how long a marathon even is (26.2 miles in case you needed that information). The kids and I will be doing school, having our last piano lesson of the year and praying for a good run and a safe day for Dad, while tracking him online via his timing chip. Sometimes technology is very cool!

I love the Psalms

2010-04-15T09:03:00.002-04:00

This passage is part of a bigger study over at Pleasing To You... she's doing a great job!

I love the book of Psalms... it is big, it has so much for everyone and so much of it is so beautiful. This passage really spoke to my heart this morning as I am trying to get back on an even stride in my daily life after being away.

Psalm 119:33-40 (NIV)
³³ Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees;
       then I will keep them to the end.
³⁴ Give me understanding, and I will keep your law
       and obey it with all my heart.
³⁵ Direct me in the path of your commands,
       for there I find delight.
³⁶ Turn my heart toward your statutes
       and not toward selfish gain.
³⁷ Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
       preserve my life according to your word.
³⁸ Fulfill your promise to your servant,
       so that you may be feared.
³⁹ Take away the disgrace I dread,
       for your laws are good.
⁴⁰ How I long for your precepts!
       Preserve my life in your righteousness.

Photo Credit: My amazing husband

Home

2010-04-12T08:49:00.001-04:00

Home. Isn't that a marvelous word? I love my home, I love being home! Home is where the people I love best are most of the time. Though this is, I know, my temporary home - for now - until I am with Jesus in my REAL home. But for now... it is the best place I know.
Last Wednesday (April 7th), Jessica and I left our home to drive to MA to pick up my Mom and then the three of us set off on an adventure. A grand adventure!
We dove out to Ohio to attend the MidWest Home School Convention. Yes, we DROVE well over 800 miles one way to attend a convention for home schoolers. It was HUGE! It was AWESOME! We all had a simply marvelous time and God really blessed.
We arrived back at home last night about 9pm and just collapsed into bed exhausted. I will post more about the whole experience when I am done decompressing, catching up on the laundry, refilling the fridge for my loving family (who survived very well without wife/mother for 5 days), sorting mail - both real and electronic, and fulfilling the needs of some furry animals who seem to have greatly missed their mama as well.

Easter Weekend - Spring!

2010-04-06T13:51:00.000-04:00

This is the view from my computer chair... isn't it pretty? It is a pale yellow (almost white) magnolia tree in bloom and it smells heavenly!

We had a wonderful day on (Easter) Resurrection Sunday. Our church does two services on Easter since it is a day when people feel they simply must be in church and we often have record crowds. We went to the 8:30 service and worshiped our Savior on the day we celebrate His resurrection! Pastor said we had over 300 people in services on Sunday.
My parents came up for dinner and we spent the afternoon enjoying the gorgeous weather!
The kids helped me get the table set and everything ready. I think they did a great job!

He is Risen!

2010-04-04T07:22:00.000-04:00

Mark 16:1-6 (NIV)

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"

But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' "

April 1st

2010-04-01T07:12:00.001-04:00

Photo credit: Steve

Saving pennies

2010-03-31T13:45:00.000-04:00

Along the lines of domesticity and generally (prayerfully) being a better steward of God's blessings on our family. A few months ago, the kids and I started a special change saving can that sits on the bookcase in our kitchen. It was just a plain old large coffee can that we covered with some neat wrapping paper and cut a hole in the plastic lid.

We dump loose change in - coins found in the laundry or in pockets or at the bottom of my purse or in Steve's car.
After lunch today the kids & I took the can- now full - to the credit union/bank to be counted and deposited. We had over $200 in loose change accumulated in just about 3 months! Definitely worth saving those pennies!

New Dinner Hit

2010-03-30T10:44:00.000-04:00

In my quest to be more blissfully domestic I have been gaining ground in my kitchen culinary adventures. Fancy verbiage for I'm getting better with new recipes that people will actually eat in my family.
Last night I attempted calzones for the first time ever and they were a success! I used my normal pizza dough recipe (I have been making home-made pizza for several months now) and cut the dough into 4 chunks before rolling it out - not too thin - filling it and crimping the edges. For the kids I made just regular sauce/cheese - sort of a pizza sandwich.

Steve & I enjoyed BBQ chicken w/ carmelized onions & cheese. It was very yummy!
And as a bonus - because I made 4 of them (2 each variety) - all 5 of us had dinner last night and I have 1 each left in the freezer for when I am away so the "boys" will have an easy dinner one night.

Great bumper sticker

2010-03-30T08:18:00.000-04:00

Testing Week

2010-03-29T09:35:00.001-04:00

It has arrived... our week of standardized testing for both the kids. I know there are many arguments around the benefits of standardized testing for children. I am not generally a big fan of standardized testing as a method of determining progress or proof of learning for a student. Our state does not require testing for students who are home schooled unless the parent chooses that method for assessment purposes.
Our family does standardized testing every-other-year for both of the kids. It is for informational and experiential purposes only. I do not submit the scores to anyone for proof of their accomplishments as home-schoolers. We do a portfolio review each year with a state certified (and designated Highly Qualified) teacher that is then submitted to our district as proof of their progress for the year.
I first chose to do a standardized test in a fit of insecurity. As home schoolers - heck, as women/mothers - we are all known to have those moments where we doubt ourselves and our choices. I really KNEW the kids were learning a lot, but still had that nagging...'how do they compare' thing in the back of my head. So I did some research and after finding a place where I could secure testing materials for the kids - we did the testing - got back great scores and moved on. Nothing earth shattering, they didn't have any test anxiety or anything. Just another unique experience.
2 years ago we had the opportunity with our standardized testing cycle to be part of a national study commissioned by HSLDA to look at the scores of home schooled students and see how we (as a group) stack up. We chose to participate and the kids did excellent that year (mommy brag - they were 97th and 99th percentile overall).
This year we scheduled our testing for the last week of March as J and I will be traveling to Ohio for a big home school convention at the beginning of April and it made sense to test and then have a fun trip as break time.
I think it is good for them both to have the experience of standardized testing. They will most likely have to take the SAT and ACT for college and this is prep for those higher stakes tests in a small way. They also enjoy the opportunity to do something different and get a kick out of seeing their numbers when the results come back. And it is always a plus to have something concrete in hand if the need should ever arise to justify ourselves to the establishment or just for the grandparents to have for bragging purposes. :-)

Chapter 18 Key Players & Historical Context

2010-03-24T08:40:00.000-04:00

The classical culture of ancient Rome was the historical setting into which Christ & Christianity was born.
Constantine I was the emperor who called for the Council of Nicea because he was trying to unite the empire and the church. His motto included the phrase "one Lord, one faith, one church, one empire, one emperor"
The central issue of the controversy was the one surrounding the person and the work of Jesus Christ.
Arius was a priest from Alexandria who rose to fame (or notoriety) for teaching the Jesus was not God, but was a lesser creation.
Athanasius was a deacon who was an assistant to the Bishop Alexander of Alexandria. He became a force through his zeal and unrelenting protection of orthodoxy in the church.
The men who attended the Council of Nicea were well aware of its significance. This was the first ecumenical council since Acts 15 in the days of the apostles. They knew this was history in the making.

Chapter 17 The Life of the World to Come

2010-03-24T07:55:00.001-04:00

We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Christians live a life of hope based on the resurrection of Christ and the promise of eternal life with Him.
What you believe about what the future holds influences the way you live in the present.
The Creed connects the eternal with the present by pointing us forward, giving us a trumpet call to live a life of hope, of faith in Christ that shine optimistically in this dark world. Not in a foolish, dreamer or Pollyanna-ish way, but in a firm belief in the promises of the One who gave Himself for us.
Death doesn't have a "grip" on Christians because in Christ's resurrection, death has been overcome. There is nothing to fear, only cause for joy & hope.
If death is the final weapon, the enemies of Christianity are always frustrated because it has no sting for a follower of Christ.
Paul summarizes things perfectly in Philippians 1:21 ...to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Verses:
Phil 3:7-14 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Rev. 20: 6 Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
Acts 24: 14-16 However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
1 Peter 1: 3-9 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Chapter 16 One Baptism

2010-03-23T08:42:00.000-04:00

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

1. Christ specifically calls out baptism in the Great Commission given to the apostles (and therefore the church) in Matthew 28.
2. Baptism is a unique sign, given to the church, of the ongoing apostolic mission of the church.
3/4/5. Baptism is a sign of unity among God's people, brought together in Christ. Ephesians 4:1-6 points to the unity we all must share in Christ as the church, becoming one body of Christ - called to do His will and work in this fallen world.
6. Baptism is NOT the cause of the forgiveness of sins.
7. Baptism is an outward sign pointing to or proclaiming our salvation from sin through Christ Jesus.
8. Verses:
Mark 16:16 "...Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."
John 3:5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit."
Acts 1:5 "...For John baptized withwater, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 10:47-48 Then Peter said, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
1 Cor 12:13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

Chapter 15 One Church

2010-03-22T07:03:00.002-04:00

**This chapter is the one where I found the word that didn't mean what I thought it meant.**

We believe in one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church...
1. To many Protestants (term used broadly), the church is not a vital or essential part of their individual existence/experience. They feel that the church plays a role, but it is not central and therfore would not be readily part of their gospel confession.
2. There is a movement away from the word "church" as old fashioned and irrelevant.
3. The word 'holy' indicates that the church is of God, set apart by Him for His people and His purpose.
4/5. Christians are 'set apart' by the work of the Holy Spirit and are called to be part of the church. Torrance states, "The one holy Church is thus as it were the complement of the one Holy Spirit." We don't have a choice about this - when we become a Christian, we become a member of Christ's body - the church.
6. Even's creation as Adam's wife points to our relationship as Christians with the church. Eve was made for a specific purpose - to be Adam's wife & help-meet. We become Christians and are given new life, new birth into our place in the church body with our purpose.
7. The word "catholic" in the creed simply means "universal". It does not reference a specific denomination as we now know it.
8. The Greek word for church ekklesia means the called out ones.
9. We tend to see the church as reflective of our unique culture or 'tribe'. However, God's true church is universal, not tribal or denominational.
10. The church reverses what happened at the Tower of Babel. People were then driven apart by language into tribes - away from each other. After Acts 2, we are called to Christ - and the church - from every tongue, tribe & nation.
11. Every Christian is a fellow-citizen in Christ.
12. We are members of the household of God - the church. This means we share in teh blessings and lives of others in Christ. We are family.
13. The church is apostolic since it is founded on the gospel and called to fulfill the apostolic mission given by Christ.
14. The church has access to God & can be used by God to fulfill His purposes. We, as the church, are to reflect God's glory & seek to be a light to lead others to Christ.
15. Verses:
Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
Heb 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Rom 12:5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Col 3:12-17 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Psalm 119

2010-03-22T06:45:00.001-04:00

Teri Lynne is doing a great walk-thru of Psalm 119 over at Pleasing to You. It is absolutely worth checking out and following.

Chapter 14 Who Has Spoken by the Prophets

2010-03-17T07:51:00.003-04:00

Who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

We are told in this section of the creed that the Holy Spirit "has spoken by the prophets" and draw warm comfort and joy from that fact.
The words of God have come most commonly and clearly through the prophets of God to His people.
Prophets are referred to as "the mouthpiece of God" because by the Holy Spirit these men spoke the very words of God.
2 Peter 1:20-21 says, Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 29:18a (Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.), is often misused as a positive thinking or motivational type verse when the words used in the verse - in Hebrew - are a parallelism that restates a truth about the revelatory word of God.
The popular notion today of a prophet is more of a 'fortune teller' or one who only predicts future events.
In classical times, a prophet was used to interpret signs & dreams, like the Oracle at Delphi.
In pagan rituals, drugs/narcotics or frenzied activities were used to induce prophecies.
Pagan prophecies originate from the person who is involved, the are self-induced.
For a biblical prophet there is always an intelligent discourse. God speaks to his prophets in an intelligible exchange. (ie Moses - Ex. 4:15-16, Jeremiah - Jer.1:6-9, and Isaiah - Is. 6:1-8)
God continues to speak to us today through the Holy Spirit that dwells within us as believers. He is revealed in His holy word - the Bible.
Verses:
Daniel 4:8 & 18 Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.)....."This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you."
Ezekial 11:5 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon me, and he told me to say: "This is what the LORD says: That is what you are saying, O house of Israel, but I know what is going through your mind.
(example of direct exchange) Numbers 27:12-18 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go up this mountain in the Abarim range and see the land I have given the Israelites. After you have seen it, you too will be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was, for when the community rebelled at the waters in the Desert of Zin, both of you disobeyed my command to honor me as holy before their eyes." (These were the waters of Meribah Kadesh, in the Desert of Zin.) Moses said to the LORD, "May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all mankind, appoint a man over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the LORD's people will not be like sheep without a shepherd."
So the LORD said to Moses, "Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand on him.