who’s your valentine?

 

And how long has it been since you told him why?

Courtney at Women Living Well has another post in the 25 Day Praise Plan ~ this time it’s about forgiveness and ten ideas for communicating love to your husband.

 

Courtney’s story about reconciling after a fight with her husband reminds me of a story Jen Igarashi wrote… The Hag, the Ogre, and the Chocolate Cake. 

Go on, read it now, I’ll wait.                       

 

 

It can’t just be me since Jen wrote that… but I can so relate to being a Hag more often than I’d like to remember.  I am thankful that God is still working on me, to make me more like Jesus Christ… meek and humble and kind.  Isn’t that amazing?!

 

Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Philippians 2:2-3

daybook 1/25/11

 

FOR TODAY  

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Outside my window...

it is overcast, but the mid-20s temp is still appreciated

Less that 8 weeks until spring!

Looking outside, I have to tell a funny story from last night… All of a sudden, we heard a lot of mooing and wondered what could be plaguing the cattle.  Well, it was Bullwinkle who was belly-aching …at the wood-splitter.  Tim went out to see who was upset about what, and Bullwinkle ran off, giving up the charge he was preparing.  Silly bull.

I am thinking...

I would really like my right hand back ~ it’s a bother to not be able to DO.

Hopefully the wrist wrap will help it to heal.

I am thankful …

… for the arrival of Sarita & Jeff’s new baby boy, who I am calling Speed :-)

… that John & Tara had a beautiful baby girl just yesterday!

… for a productive Saturday inside and outside (lots of international food prepared in the kitchen and all of the calves were finally rounded up to be banded and/or tagged)

… for our first Azure Standard order ~ Yum!

… for life (Psalm 139)

…for life eternal

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)                       Ephesians 2:4-5

I am praying for...

... the Rettigs & the church in Prague ~ Bible Night tomorrow January 26!

… the sale of my mother-in-law’s home

… Amber’s dad (recently had more chemo)

… Diane and family

… Grant S., who is doing well on his meds now ~ praying for stability

… the broken marriages of J & S and R & K

… the W family

… Cinnamon and EMichelle, who are both expecting babies AND missing their deployed hubbies

… Jason as he begins boot camp  (& his sweet wife Laura)

… my mom & dad, both scheduled for further tests at Mayo West

From the learning rooms...

We are close to half-way done with our school year!

The Bigs have a content quiz in Bible Doctrines tomorrow.

The Youngers have been enjoying coloring pictures and maps while I read about Ancient Greece to them.

Buying a car, formal proofs, book report on Brother Andrew, espanol, preparing for dramatic monologues, writing friendly letters

From the kitchen...

The Cowgirl is making potato buns for lunch  :-)

A package of cooked turkey is thawing ~ I think tonight will be Alfredo.

Tomorrow we can have the leftover beef roast in fajitas.

I am creating...

a “healthy” BMI ~ ha ha!

I am going...

to sew in my sewing room soon!  I worked at rearranging and cleaning on Saturday.   Those new babies need their blankets!

I am reading...

Genesis and Matthew

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Matthew 16:15-16

 

 

I gave up on Reading Lolita in Tehran

I am hoping...

Tim will have a profitable time at a grazing conference this week.

I am hearing...

(earlier) a contest in Bible Doctrines class ~ I think my “students watching” won  ;-)

(now) girls shouting Spanish vocabulary at each other (drilling with flashcards?) and the washer draining

Around the house...

The washer is doing its duty.

Kids are studying.

Library books need to be returned.

The pile of flannel is still calling to me…

If I looked, I am sure I could find dust bunnies have been multiplying

One of my favorite things...

watching the Green Bay Packers win!

Pondering these words...

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139:23-24

 

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Wednesday ~ church

Thursday ~ buying club delivery, violin lesson

Friday ~ Chocolate Breakfast with Van & Bonnie, piano lessons & groceries

Here is a picture for thought...

the Cowgirl and the Popper mixing up the potato buns last night

      

 

Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord,

that thou fulfil it.

Colossians 4:17

~ Find more Daybooks at Peggy's ~

post #306?  :-)
Ugh, I don't like it when I edit and the whole format gets messed up...  :-(  So sorry!

more than hearts and flowers

25 Day Praise Plan at Women Living Well

Each week the challenge will be the same - to praise, encourage, inspire, admire, build up, thank and appreciate your husband. But each week Courtney will give you different ways to express your praise. Feel free to tweak it for what you think is best for your husband.
Week 1 starts TODAY! began LAST WEEK!
Look for ways to praise your husband verbally. Praise him in front of the kids, friends, family, co-workers, on facebook, tweet it - get praise out anyway you can! Try to mention something noteworthy he has done - in his role as provider, father, husband, lover, or friend. If the thought of trying to come up with one terrifies you, then pray right now that God will give you new eyes to see your husband as God does. Then open your mouth and say something kind and uplifting to your husband today and tomorrow and the next day until Valentine's Day arrives!
(If you want a devotional to go along with this Nancy Leigh DeMoss has an amazing Marriage pdf here)

Week 2 January 26th - This week we will be a little more creative with our praise. I will give you many ideas of fun things you can do to praise your husband such as surprising him with a love message on the mirror, a message packed in his lunch, using sidewalk chalk to write on the driveway, write a poem, making a toast to him at dinner with friends etc. Get creative with your selflessness!

~~~ ♥ ~~~

...And just for the record, THIS really is post #305… I think.  :-)

giveaway at CHK :-)

 

Sylvia at the Christian HomeKeeper Network is giving away FIVE copies of Shoshanna’s dvd called “Making Herbs Simple.”  Well, since our Miss Artist is a huge fan of the Bulk Herb Store already, I know she will be delighted if we happen to win a dvd!

 

If you are interested in getting started with herbs, check it out! 

If not, check out the CHK Network anyway!  ;-)

truth can be painfully clear

 
Norma Leah McCorvey, better known by the legal pseudonym "Jane Roe", was the plaintiff in the landmark American lawsuit Roe v. Wade in 1973. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned individual states' laws against abortion by ruling them unconstitutional. Later, McCorvey's opinions on abortion changed, and she is now active in pro-life causes.
Norma McCorvey released her first book in 1994, an autobiography entitled I Am Roe.  McCorvey's second book, Won by Love, was published in 1998. She explained her change on the stance of abortion with the following comments:

I was sitting in O.R.'s offices when I noticed a fetal development poster. The progression was so obvious, the eyes were so sweet. It hurt my heart, just looking at them. I ran outside and finally, it dawned on me. 'Norma', I said to myself, 'They're right'. I had worked with pregnant women for years. I had been through three pregnancies and deliveries myself. I should have known. Yet something in that poster made me lose my breath. I kept seeing the picture of that tiny, 10-week-old embryo, and I said to myself, that's a baby! It's as if blinders just fell off my eyes and I suddenly understood the truth — that's a baby!
I felt crushed under the truth of this realization. I had to face up to the awful reality. Abortion wasn't about 'products of conception'. It wasn't about 'missed periods'. It was about children being killed in their mother's wombs. All those years I was wrong. Signing that affidavit, I was wrong. Working in an abortion clinic, I was wrong. No more of this first trimester, second trimester, third trimester stuff. Abortion — at any point — was wrong. It was so clear. Painfully clear.

Above information found at wikipedia.

  Embryo at 56 days.  Picture from this website.

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. 

Psalm 139:14-16

 

The sanctity of life doesn’t end…
                 

on my mind Friday

 

Like Sylvia at Christian HomeKeepersNetwork I am thinking about sewing!

 

 

  

…and reading  :-)

 

Instead I am in the kitchen (mostly)…

My brother requested more bread – which means grinding flax seed.

           

 

And while I have the oven hot, I will bake a few cookies for my family (not for me – ahem)  This is easy with cookie dough already in the freezer.  The darker dough has rye flour and lots of peanut butter as I recall.

My kids will S>M>I>L>E> when we have fresh bread and cookies for lunch!

     

 

Outside is fresh snow and temps below zero that kept Tim’s trucks parked this morning… He drove the Suburban to work instead, since it sleeps in the wonderful heated garage.

  

 

What’s on your mind today??

daybook 1/18/11

 

 

FOR TODAY  

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Outside my window...

the cattle are happy to feel the sunshine on their black faces as they turn their backs to the bitter NW wind

(Don’t you just love how I always know that they are HAPPY?!)
I love happy cows!  :-)

 

I am thinking...

about the growing list of errands I need to GO OUT to do

 

I am thankful …

for my husband who loves the Lord (and me)

 

I am praying for...

... the Rettigs and the church in Prague ~ Bible Night January 26!

… the sale of my mother-in-law’s home

… Amber’s dad (good report! but more chemo coming)

… Diane and family

… Grant S., who is doing well on his meds now ~ praying for stability

… the broken marriages of J & S and R & K

… the W family

… Cinnamon and EMichelle, who are both expecting babies AND missing their deployed hubbies

… my mom & dad, both scheduled for further tests at Mayo West

… babies due ANY day now for Sarita and Tara

 

From the learning rooms...

Literature:  Men & Women of Genius, Rhyme & Rhythm in Poetry, Emotion, more poems, The Pilgrim’s Progress

Grammar/Comp: Synonyms/Antonyms/Homonyms, Punctuation, Topic Sentences, Diagramming Verbal Phrases & Clauses

History:  King David, Solomon, Draco, Solon, Pisistratus, Hippias, Darius, Olympics, Croesus, Arts & Sciences of Ancient Greece

Bible Doctrines:  memorizing Isaiah 53:1-6

¹Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

²For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

³He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

⁴Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

⁵But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

⁶All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Espanol:  descriptive adjectives, memorizing Hebreos 4:12

…la Plabra de Dios es viva y eficaz…

(…the Word of God is quick and powerful…)

From the kitchen...

The leftover holiday ham is back out of the freezer ~ maybe scalloped potatoes & ham tonight?  The last time I remember Tim enjoying this dish, it was provided by a friend 16 years ago after the birth of Miss Artist ~ and the potatoes came from a box!  :o  Do you see my challenge?  I would be safer to make a creamy potato soup and add the ham.  But I must conquer my fears, yes?

Other options: 

• Alfredo/broccoli/turkey on farfalle – I will only risk this if the potatoes/ham turns out  ;-)   Except I will wish I hadn’t put the cream in the potatoes, so we could have real Alfredo.  This is a good reason to put it on next week’s menu.
• taco rice casserole, tacos, or burritoes
• cheddar baked chicken 
• pizza  :-)

Saturday night is the youth group’s International Missions Meal (where they will announce this year’s missions trip destination) ~ the kids haven’t decided what international dishes they will bring… except the Computer Geek suggested pizza since Pastor Brown only banned tacos and spaghetti   ;-)    And with FOUR kids to take something, his pizza is sounding extremely appropriate to me.  Comprendo?  That said, I am open to your suggestions!  Felicity??  Miss A made pavlova last year, Ruby!

 

I am creating...

carpal tunnel syndrome (?)  I wish I was joking. 

 

I am going...

to switch the laundry ~ brb!

Oh!  and then it’s time to get some lunch on the table for Tim  :-)

I am reading...

Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi, as suggested by Gina
I’m on page 39 ~ my opinion is still undecided, but I am thankful it’s not like a Francine Rivers book that I just can’t put down. 

(It’s from the library’s Book Club Collection and a national bestseller ~ neither is necessarily a selling point for me.)

 

I am hoping...

Tim can continue to make good progress on the inside projects while it’s too cold outside to work with the calves.  (The garage is up to about 55*F today since Tim hooked up the heat last night ~ a very nice workshop temperature for staining trim!)

 

I am hearing...

jeans banging around in the dryer, someone sharpening a pencil

 

Around the house...

Well, we did it!  On Saturday, the Computer Geek helped me take decorations and lights off the Christmas tree, and then Tim dropped it out the back door (where our future deck will be someday).  The kids were sad, but by the time the lights came off we had quite the pile of needles on the floor.  It was time!  And it was nice to watch football on the TV without the tree in my way  :-)  Someone propped it up on the swing set, so the birds can make use of it when they visit the feeder hanging there.  The Cattleman did a lot of the mopping after we vacuumed (including dumping/refilling the mop bucket in the laundry tub ~ That is work!)

 

One of my favorite things...

time with my hubby ~

Last week’s date night with friends was just what we needed  :-)

 

Pondering these words...

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30

 

A few plans for the rest of the week:

• I am out the door (now!) to run some local errands and pick up girls from their cleaning job
• Wednesday – church – Tim & Kate will present their trip to Prague to the youth group
• Thursday – violin lesson and more local errands, then Ames & Huxley for my first Azure Standard order!  (and a couple other high-priority stops)
• Friday – piano lessons, groceries  (Yes, Ames again!)
• Saturday – help the kids cook up a world-class feast for the international meal  :-)   (Thankfully Tim is planning to drive them to church and run his own errands.)

 

Here is a picture for thought...

   

  one of my souvenirs from Prague ~ we finally opened it up after Christmas

 

 

~ Find more Daybooks at Peggy's ~

 

 

Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord,

that thou fulfil it.

Colossians 4:17

Status: AWOL

I should like to credit my recent disappearance to Leanne’s daybook, but that sounds like blame-shifting…  Let’s just say I took her hint and found a couple books by Francine Rivers… and proceeded to be consumed by them both over the past five days.  (I actually did a few other things those days … and did most of my reading during normal business hours. Meaning I did not stay up until 3am like Leanne  :-))

Leota’s Garden

Once Leota's garden was a place of beauty, where her flowers bloomed and hoped thrived. It was her refuge from the deep wounds inflicted by a devastating war, her sactuary where she knelt before a loving God and prayed for the children who couldn't understand her silent sacrifices. Now, eighty-four year old Leota Reinhardt is alone, her beloved garden in ruins. All of her efforts to reconcile with her adult children have been fruitless and she voices her despair to a loving Father, her only friend.  Then God brings a wind of change through unlikely means: one, a college student who thinks he has all the answers; the other, the granddaughter Leota never hoped to know. But can the devastation wrought by keeping painful family secrets be repaired before she runs out of time?

 

The Scarlet Thread

The story of two women, centuries apart, who are joined through a tattered journal as they contend with God, husbands  - and even themselves – until they fall into the arms of the one who loves them unconditionally. When Sierra discovers the handcrafted quilt and journal of her ancestor Mary Catherine Murray, she finds that their lives are amazingly similar. Though the women are separated by time and circumstance and Mary Catherine endured the hardships of life on the Oregon Trail, many of the issues and problems they face are remarkably similar.  By following Mary Catherine’s example, Sierra learns to surrender to God's sovereignty and unconditional love.

Credit:  The book descriptions are from Francine Rivers' website linked above.

Note to self:  Purchase a new box of Kleenex.

And these weren’t even the books on Gina’s list that I also brought home from the library.  Uh oh.

daybook 1/11/11

 

 

FOR TODAY  

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

(I can’t resist posting a daybook on a DATE like this! 1/11/11)

 

Outside my window...

* * * * * …snow… * * * * *

I am thinking...

about the 80 pounds of organic apples, pears, carrots, potatoes I ordered this morning from Azure Standard ~ thanks to repeated posts by Laura  ;-)

 

I am thankful …

… for Taylor coming home from the NICU

… for a fellowship-filled Sunday with friends, adopted daughters

… for another new friend (Lilly R.) for my girls

 

I am praying for...

... the Rettigs and the church in Prague (Bible Night Jan. 26!)
… the sale of my mother-in-law’s home
…  Amber’s dad
… Diane and family
… Grant S.

…Jason & Laura D. (Jason leaves for boot camp tomorrow)

…John & Tara as they anticipate the birth of their first little one

… Jeff & Sarita ~ anticipating the birth of their fourth child

… Jeremy & Stacy, R & K

…the W family

 

From the learning rooms...

Greek myths, King Saul, international relations of the US gov’t

cardiovascular system, electron configuration

measures, 3-digit divisors, area & volume, lines & angles, multiplying binomials, consumer’s best value

synonyms & homonyms, diagramming, pronouns, nouns

espanol with Senora McLamb

pantomime with Miss Autrey

 

From the kitchen...

Menu plans:  Jill’s leftover chili, turkey enchiladas, veg beef soup, spaghetti, potato soup, pizza, farfalle with Alfredo/broccoli/turkey, taco rice casserole

Need to do:  soaked granola, bread  

Placing orders with buying club (UNFI)

Cleaning out the basement fridge before the produce from Azure arrives!  (that means we need to eat the Christmas chocolates…?)

Flylady’s zone cleaning is in the kitchen this week… good time to jump on that bandwagon!

 

I am creating...

as usual a messy desk ~ it’s a constant battle against the clutter of stuff

I can claim responsibility for three of the messy desks in his house!

 

I am going...

to stay in today, thank you!

 

I am reading...

mostly Bible

(see sidebar list ~ almost done with Choosing Gratitude)

I also put five from Gina’s recent book list on hold at the library ~ I need to add reading to my daily routine  ;-)

(and then follow the improved “routine”… ahem)

 

I am hoping...

Tim had an uneventful drive to Ames this morning for his meeting.

that my friend Jill is having a SNOW day at home today.

 

I am hearing...

A Beka Academy teachers (via dvd)

 

Around the house...

Would you believe we still have our Christmas tree in the living room, completely decorated?  It’s not really in the way, it’s not dropping very many needles, and it’s so pretty!  :-)  This has to be the longest ever that we’ve enjoyed a Christmas tree INSIDE the house.  We used to put it outside on the deck still with lights for a while… The stockings are still hanging up as well.  I’m wondering where we will hang them next year since I hope Tim will have the windows trimmed before next Christmas.  The piano tuner came last week, so I did put away the nativity sets.  We don’t have much else for Christmas decor ~ putting away the tree ornaments will be on the list …one of these days.

 

One of my favorite things...

Seeing cardinals at the bird feeder ~ Thank you, Lord!

 

Pondering these words...

Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord,

that thou fulfil it.

Colossians 4:17

 

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Wed ~ Kids 4 Truth begins again

Thurs ~ violin lesson for Miss MB & then

out to dinner with friends

to celebrate our 18th anniversary and their 51st!  :-)

Fri ~ piano lessons & groceries

 

Here is a picture for thought...

   one year ago

today

  

 

~ Find more Daybooks at Peggy's ~

And be sure to read Julie’s version at “Grasshopper Days”   :-)

get the gratitude attitude

 

 

 Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

 

Chapter 8:  But Not without Sacrifice

To give thanks to Him for all things, is, indeed, a very difficult duty;

for it includes giving thanks for trials of all kinds;

for suffering and pain; for reproaches; for loneliness.

Yet those who have learned submission will not find it a hard duty.

~Priscilla Maurice

 

Martin Rinkart was a seventeenth-century Lutheran pastor, serving in his German hometown of Eilenberg during the height of the Thirty Years’ War.

Now thank we all our God,

With hearts and hands and voices,

Who wondrous things hath done,

In whom his world rejoices;

Who from our mother’s arms

Hath blessed us on our way

With countless gifts of love,

And still is ours today.

 

I have learned that, regardless of how I may feel, anything that makes me need God is (ultimately, in the truest sense) a blessing. ~ Nancy

 

Chapter 9:  Going Gratitudinal

Gratitude consists in a watchful, minute attention to the particulars of our state, and to the multitude of God’s gifts, taken one by one… And all our whole life is thereby… filled with a gladness, serenity, and peace which only thankful hearts can know.

~ H.E. Manning

 

• Surrender your rights to God
• Commit to a set season of gratitude
• Take stock of your gratitude accounts
• Write thank-you notes
• Do it together, as a Body-building exercise

more from Choosing Gratitude

Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Chapter 5: Of Whiners and Worshipers

One thing is indisputable: the chronic mood of looking longingly at what we have not, or thankfully at what we have, realizes two very different types of character.

~ Lucy C. Smith

“It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank Him for the dispensation.”  ~ Fanny Crosby

Nancy highlights six differences between grateful people and ungrateful people:

• A grateful person is a humble person, while ingratitude reveals a proud heart.
• A grateful heart is God-centered and others-conscious, while an ungrateful person is self-centered and self-conscious.
• A grateful heart is a full heart, while an unthankful heart is an empty one.
• People with grateful hearts are easily contented, while ungrateful people are subject to bitterness and discontent.
• A grateful heart will be revealed and expressed by thankful words, while an unthankful heart will manifest itself in murmuring and complaining.
• Thankful people are refreshing, life-giving springs, while unthankful people pull others down with them into the stagnant pools of their selfish, demanding, unhappy ways.

Chapter 6: How Can I Say Thanks?

Gratitude is born in hearts that take time to count up past mercies.

~ Charles Jefferson

God’s desire is not just to see us doing grateful things but to see us doing grateful things out of the overflow of a truly grateful heart.

• Speak up
• Sing out
• Kneel down

Privately and Publicly
When and Where ~ The Scripture calls us to all-day, everyday gratitude.

Chapter 7:  Thanks… for Everything

When thou has thanked thy God

For every blessing sent,

What time will then remain

For murmurs or lament?

~ R.C. Trench

“Let us daily praise God for common mercies – common as we frequently call them, and yet so priceless that when deprived of them we are ready to perish.”

~ Charles Spurgeon

Spiritually speaking…

• God’s nearness
• God’s holiness and faithfulness
• God’s mercy
• God’s salvation
• God’s calling

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ

Ephesians 1:3

heavenly sunshine

Jane @ Sweet Basil Kitchen was so kind to include me when she handed out the Sunshine Award.  Thank you, Jane!
I managed to clip her header to help entice you over to Jane’s blog… Enjoy your visit!


There are 2 rules for accepting this award:
1) Thank the person who gave it to you
2) Pass it on to 8 other blogs that bring a beautiful ray of Sunshine into your day!

Today I want to pass on this award to 8 special bloggers who will enrich your life as they have mine…I invite you to visit each of these 8 blogs – they are wonderful and spread a little Sunshine in my day!!  I know you’ll be blessed by them as well.
 
Jaynee @ The Lockwood Family to Mexico
Cinnamon @ Knights and Maidens Gathering
Michelle @ Munchkin Farm
Leanne @ Joyful in Hope
Sarah @ Simply Sarah
Cathy @ So Much to Say, So Little Time
Sherry @ Large Family Mothering
Regan Family Farm

I will also refer you all to this post where I awarded 12 other favorite blogs with a Sunshine Award! ~ ♥~

Walking in sunlight all of my journey;
Over the mountains, through the deep vale;
Jesus has said, “I’ll never forsake thee,”
Promise divine that never can fail.

Shadows around me, shadows above me,
Never conceal my Savior and Guide;
He is the Light, in Him is no darkness;
Ever I’m walking close to His side.

In the bright sunlight, ever rejoicing,
Pressing my way to mansions above;
Singing His praises gladly I’m walking,
Walking in sunlight, sunlight of love.

Refrain:
Heavenly sunlight, heavenly sunlight,
Flooding my soul with glory divine:
Hallelujah, I am rejoicing,
Singing His praises, Jesus is mine.

~ Henry Jeffreys Zelley (1859-1942)

Thoughts for Young Men

 

Would you believe I found this beloved little book by J.C. Ryle ONLINE?!  It must be public domain ~ You can read it here!

That makes it all the easier for me to share part of what Tim read to us last night from the section “Special Rules for Young Men”

 

RESOLVE, BY GOD'S HELP, TO SHUN EVERYTHING WHICH MAY PROVE AN OCCASION OF SIN.
It is an excellent saying, "He that would be safe from the acts of evil, must widely avoid the occasions." …

This, too, is one good reason why worldly entertainments are so objectionable. It may be difficult, in some instances, to show that they are, in themselves, positively unscriptural and wrong. But there is little difficulty in showing that the tendency of almost all of them is most injurious to the soul. They sow the seeds of an earthly and sensual frame of mind. They war against the life of faith. They promote an unhealthy and unnatural craving after excitement. They minister to the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. They dim the view of heaven and eternity, and give a false color to the things of time. They take away time for private prayer, and Scripture reading, and calm communion with God. The man who mingles in them is like one who gives Satan an advantage. He has a battle to fight, and he gives his enemy the help of sun, and wind, and hill. It would indeed be strange if he did not find himself continually overcome.
Young men, endeavor, as much as you can, to keep clear of everything which may prove injurious to your soul. People may say you are too conscientious, too particular, and ask where is the great harm of such and such things? But don't listen to them. It is dangerous to play tricks with sharp tools: it is far more dangerous to take liberties with your immortal soul. He that would be safe must not come near the brink of danger. He must look on his heart as a barrel of gunpowder, and be cautious not to handle one spark of temptation more than he can help...

~ John Charles Ryle (1816-1900)

 

I hesitate to share how I am thinking I should apply this admonition in my own life because I do not wish to start a controversy.  Yet that’s pretty wimpy, isn’t it?

I have been called a wimp before this.  But here’s a hint.

December 2010 ~ & the New Year 2011

The gerbera and geranium are both oh-so-happy in the warm basement.  And it’s so fun to have a daisy bloom without the bug nibbles  ;-)

Some of the more wintry-looking decor…   (Thank you, Mrs. Henry!)
   

The Cowgirl, the Cattleman, and the Popper all had a great time at a friend’s bday party where they got to make these “glass fusion” projects!
              
               

More baking…
  
          

The Computer Geek was in charge of recording Treasures of the Snow…

The cookie frosting party…
                    
          
     
                   
   

A feast for Christmas morning…

then on to the stockings and gifts…
   
   
            
               
    
             (fashion ear-buds)
and now the formatting goes haywire…
            

    

   

The Popper wrote, “To Dear and Loving Daddy”

Miss Artist celebrated her sixteenth birthday a bit after the fact…
        
Miss Music Box made the cute card and included 16 Willy Wonka chocolates with their gift…
        


The cold frosty snap before the meltdown…
  
  
  

Shopping (online so far) for a DSLR camera for Miss Artist prompted me to find my old film-using Fujica…
 
It’s for sale, by the way…
and so is this heavy-duty exhaust fan, just in case you have a lot of air to move somewhere…
While I’m at it,  here’s the leftover vanity top that needs a new home too ~
       

Yeah, Craigslist is on my To Do List.

Tim brought home the wood-splitter…
  

The cattle have enjoyed grazing the hayfield again since most of the snow melted.

(I even joined my family this past Sunday for a hike into the pasture, but I didn’t take the camera ~ silly me.)
Thursday (12/30) Lee joined us for some grilled rib-eyes (!) ~ the guys worked on this project where the Computer Geek got a powerful lesson in touching hot wires.  And then we started a game of Settlers of Catan at 9:30pm which ended 2 hours later.

Friday night ~ New Year’s Eve ~ Lee came back for more Christmas goodies and another round of Settlers, Mexican Train, and ??  what else did we play after we put them in the box?

New Year’s Day 2011…
  
sleeping in, reading more new books, listening to new CDs, and tackling the MESS in the basement would-be-family-room!  (no pictures~ you’d think it still a mess if I showed you the AFTER)
And one last thing, especially for my mom…

Look what I did today!

  

PS>>>   In lieu of Daybook…
This week’s menu possibilities:  tacos, baked chicken, and pizza.  Cleaning out the leftovers and finding motivation to go grocery shopping… soon (shoulda done it today).
This week’s agenda:  It’s a new year!  We will have SCHOOL and housework routines!  Piano tuner coming tomorrow, violin and piano lessons.  I must travel afar for a supply of ground beef and wheat berries  (40 miles is beyond my comfort zone!)
Prayer requests:  Angela L. had thyroid surgery today.  Julie’s new baby needs to come home from NICU.  Praise for Matt & Jess’s stuff surviving a dump into the ditch on Saturday ~ as well as safety for the people involved in the black ice accident!  Jason D. heads off to boot camp next week ~ He will need stamina as an older young man, and his wife needs to sell their house.  Sweet Grant ~ praying for more good reports with the doc and minimal side effects from his meds.  Bible Night #2 is coming up on January 26 for the Rettigs and the Prague church.
Goals for 2011:  Tim has decreed that we as a family will read through the entire Bible this year.  I was a bit intimidated since I haven’t done this since …?  But I enjoyed reading 3 days worth yesterday, and I am hopeful I can accomplish one day at a time from now on  =)   We made a lot of headway through the STUFF in the basement on Saturday.  I vacuumed the whole house and mopped the upstairs this weekend.  I am looking forward to cleaning out the would-be office/sewing room and making it functional!  The plaid fabric Miss Artist is hugging above is destined to become a skirt  =)  Tim has the siding close to done ~ a bit of trim work to finish.  He bought plywood to finish the inside of my “china hutch” ~ which will make a home for lots of boxes still in the basement catch-all mess.   You don’t need the entire to-do list, do you?
I think that I will be blogging less.  I have to find a way to blog without consuming so much time!  ha ha