out of the miry clay

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

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

Monday, January 17, 2011

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.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

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” :-)

Monday, January 10, 2011

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

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Saturday, January 8, 2011

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)

Friday, January 7, 2011

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.