Be STILL...

Photo Credit-My own!

God has been doing a great work in my heart... I don't even know how to share it, and I wonder if I really do want to. I mean, this is the World Wide Web, and who knows who is out there that may read my ramblings!!! My only prayer is that it will bless and encourage others who may read it. Anyway-back to what I started with...

God!!! Many of us are scared of that word and what all it implies... or maybe I should say, we fear giving all of ourselves to Him!! We fear what He may ask of us, should we totally and completely turn our life over to His control. We fear where He may take us, should we hand over the reigns of our life. We fear the hurts we may suffer, for His name and in His name. We fear what others may think of us. We fear the failures we will face. And the list could go on and on...

I've been there. And many times still do fear!!! But like I said God has been working in my heart, drawing Himself closer and closer to me. Or maybe it's me allowing God to get closer to me. I'm letting Him into those deep dark corners of my heart, where those secrets are that no one knows about.

For me I've 'lived a good life'. I'm one of those girls who rarely got in trouble. I seeked to please my parents, and not do anything that would displease them. (That's not to say though that I never did anything wrong!!! Or didn't do something I knew I shouldn't!) But God lately has been showing me the areas of my heart that still have not been given completely to HIM!!! Areas of Contentment, Total Thankfulness, Peace that Passeth Understanding, Submission to my Husband... those little areas that others may not notice, the areas that are easy to hide from others.

Sure I'm 'content'-I have a lovely home, 3 handsome boys, very loving and wonderful Husband, I have enough money to live comfortably, I have a Mom and 2 sisters just down the road and a Mother-in-'love' and 2 sisters-in-law kity-corner to me, I have a nice vehicle to drive...ect, ect... But how many times do I find myself grumbling... if I would have just grown up in a different home, I would not have some of the struggles that I do in life. If my Dad would have treated me differently, I would have a better view of God. If my son would not be so strong willed, it would be so much easier to train him. Am I content with 'Who' I am?? Many times I wish I was more like, so n so. I am discontent with my physical features. Do I realize I am 'slapping God' by not loving who He made?!?!?!?! I am discrediting the artist!! I am realizing contentment goes way beyond the literal meaning-it is a heart issue!!!

Thankfulness-yes, I'm Thankful for ALL that I have, but how often do I wish I had 'a little more'. Am I thankful that I can get up each morning?? Am I thankful for that glass of water?? And how much food do I have stored up?? I looked at this post yesterday and felt jealous of her awesome well stocked pantry!!! Why?? I have a pantry half that size and money to keep it in stock, even though it may never be as large as hers is. Am I thankful for my family even on trying days?? Or are there days I wish they would just leave??

Peace--wow!!! What a word!!! What comes to mind when you think of that word-P.E.A.C.E.? I invision a setting at a cabin with a lake just outside the door and it is totally calm, no ripples on the water-all is peacefull!!! You can hear an occasional bird twitter in the trees somewhere above you. And way off in the distance the mountains rise majestically!!! Is it that way in my life?? All to many times not!! I'm like a duck on that lake-not making a ripple on the water-just floating along 'Peacefully'. But what you can't see is that underneath, I'm paddling like mad!! I am worked up about a decision that he has made, but try to show him I don't care. I get upset about little things-a child spilling OJ. And it doesn't take much to ruin the peace and harmony of the home.

I feel like God is showing me so many things... and I wanna just jump in with both feet. BUT at the same time I am scared silly. Yes, I fear where He may lead me, fear what all He may ask me to do, and fear the pain I may have to go through just to reach that deep 'peace that passeth understanding'!! But oh, I know it will be so worth it... So many times I wish I could just attain all that He is asking of me. But I do know then that I would not have had the experience of going through troubled waters, holding tightly to God's hands, and KNOWING He WILL carry me through. I will not have had experienced the faith it takes to 'Let go and let God'!!

I want to just sit and be STILL and KNOW God!!! I want to carve out time in my day JUST FOR HIM!!! So often I feel like I don't have time for Him. But how often do I make time to check my email, my facebook, read a blog here or there?? And I can't MAKE time for God?!?!?! It is hard for me to admit this... but my time online many times takes priority of the things that should be priority in my life!!! Even though I maybe be reading inspirational blogs, I am not making my time count where it needs to in--My Time with God and my Time serving my family!!!

I'm just so glad God still loves me-one that fails and makes mistakes!!! And God loves you too!! No matter where you are in life or what you may have done. And that is so comforting to me... I'm excited to see where God takes me in this journey He has started me on.

Motto for my Boys

"Is everyone having fun??

If not everyone is having fun,

then nobody is having fun!!"

I have this my motto for our boys, for our home.

I recently listened to this CD on Homeschooling,

My Favorite Homeschool Ideas, by Debi Pearl, from No Greater Joy. I was once again blessed by it. And I was thankful to have found the source of that motto. I listened to that CD years ago, and remembered the saying, but I couldn't remember where I had heard it.

I use it with my little boys all the time, when they are fighting, arguing, not sharing, tussling roughly, ect ect... and one is crying, I'll ask, "Are we having fun?? If  ____  is not having fun, then nobody is having fun!!!" I think one day they'll get it.:) And 'til then I'll keep saying it to them...

"Nurture the Heart"

Photo Flicker

Nurture the Heart

He came to my side with a question--

And in the clear, blue eyes I read

A message of far greater substance

Then the mere words that he said.

"Can I have a story?" he queried,

And deep in my spirit, I knew

That my son was asking for my time

My person--and for my heart too!

I laid down the sock I was mending,

And drew the lad into my arms.

"I like storytime!" his voice ventured,

"It makes me feel cozy and warm!"

And in the warm glow of that moment,

Forgetting the things to be done,

I shared all the love of my spirit

And nurtured the heart of my son!

-Edith S. Witmer

I read that poem last evening and little did I know how the next day would go... It started as any other... I'm busy!!! I've got lots to do... things calling my attention from every direction. How can my little boys be so 'clutzy'?? I need to have the Apple Crisp's (6 pans) done today!! I have 10lbs of Meat Balls to make... How can my boys think they need my attention?? First one purposely accidentally dumps his orange juice. Then other sees how much attention he got from Mom, so he purposely accidentally spills his. "I just want Mom to slow down and see that we are here. Not some little kids who need to be 'slopped' fed , cleaned up, and sent out to play."

But Mom hurries on her way, wishing they would be more careful. And that they would go play for hours on end, so that she could get her own work done!! Can't they see she has a headache too?? As her morning progresses, those little boys get naughtier and naughtier... and ALL they need is some one on one time with Mom!!!

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I need to nurture those little hearts!! I need to show them love, show them Jesus, even on the full and busy days. I need to show them care and understanding... I need to show them they are the most important thing in my life. I need to be their example, even on the busy days!!!

As I read that poem last evening, and I couldn't help but feel touched!!! Yes, I love story time with my boys. I love teaching them and seeing their minds comprehend things. I love being able to teach them, by example and by lessons learned in my own life. And it seems I have learnt another lesson in life!! And I just wrote about time...

I love my boys and love learning with them!! (Do I really love the learning part?? I think I can say I do! Even though it doesn't always feel good, I am so glad God still corrects and chastens me!!)

Linked to Things I Love Thursdays.

Homemade Granola

I was asked for this recipe, by Momma Bird in my Menu Plan post, so I thought I'd just post it here. My Boys LOVE this stuff and would eat it everyday, if I'd let them!!:) And I like knowing it's pretty much healthy. I also like to add their Primadophilus to it, along with my homemade yogurt, making it even better. And sometimes we add crushed strawberries to it, making a Yogurt Parfait.

I'll post the recipe and then share what I do different. It is originally from my Mom, I grew up with it.
 Update: I decided to link up with Tasty Tuesday, at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam. And Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, at BlessedwithGrace.
Homemade Granola
4 C. quick rolled oats (I put 1 cup of this as reg. oatmeal. It makes it a bit more chewy.)
2/3 C. Wheat Germ (I like using Honey Toasted Wheat Germ, but regular stuff works just great too.)
1/2 C. Brown Sugar (I've cut this back almost in half. And we love it way better. Maybe that's because I've been cutting back on sugar in everything, so we are getting away from so much sweets.)
1/2C. chopped nuts (I use pecans.)
1/2C Honey
Extras you can add- 1/2C coconut (I always add this)
Raisins sunflower seeds, flax seed... whatever you want.
Stir very well.
Microwave on high 2min. Stir. Mic again for 2 min. I have found though that 3 1/2 min. are better for my mic. So just experiment with it.
I should mention too, that this is more of a chewy granola, not crunchy. I think it is due to microwaving it instead of baking. And some really like it, while others don't.
Enjoy!!!!

Time, do we have enough??

I have so many things I want to blog about... where do I start?? Which subject do I pick first?? What would people actually like to read about?? I read so many blogs, and think they all have a great way of writing, they have a way with words, they can make you feel like you are there-listening to what they are saying. And they know how to phrase things so you know exactly what they are trying to tell you.

Me??? I feel like I get my tongue wrapped around my eye tooth, and it all comes out twisted... Like yesterday-at Church I was sharing a testimony and it just didn't come out the way I had planned it in my mind. And somehow it's that way between my head and my fingers too. Oh, to be so eloquent as some other friends I have... but I need to remember to be Thankful for who I am. I am exactly as God made me!!

Anyway-back to all my ideas... I wanna share with you how I do my laundry, how we do school with a 4yr old, 2yr old and an 8mth old. I wanna show you tips and secrets that I do to make my days run smoother... I wanna show you my binder. (speaking of such- right now my hubby thinks it looks hideous-as it's a repurposed cookbook. So he would like me to make a cover for it. Which I do, by-the-way, think is a great idea. And I do kinda agree with him.) I wanna tell you little tips and tricks to saving money-ways to do things much cheaper then having to buy the 'real deal'. (Think cardboard boxes instead of those carpet play rugs.) I wanna share with you recipes that we love... things I do in the kitchen to save time.

But I know that all these things will just have to wait and take their turns... as I have only so many hours in a day. And those hours have to be carefully managed, or I soon have lots of time wasted. And I am all too good at wasting time.

And that one area is my time on the computer. I just love reading blogs and reading the ideas for different things in the home, work, shopping, organizing... ect, ect!!! And I hate when I find good ideas and then later can no longer remember where it was that I seen it. Like the idea for making a canvas bag to hang over the back of a kitchen chair to hold your childrens school books. If you know where it is, let me know.:) Thanks.

...Where was I?? Oh, yes, my time... see?!?!? I already got distracted... and need to be pulled back in the right direction. My time-how do I use it?? Do I spend my hours wisely?? Do I invest enough of my time in my children? Do set time aside each day to spend with my Lord?? Do I make sure my priorities are done first, then go do the pleasurable things??

All to often I fail in this... and it is one area I am commiting to change this year!!! And this blog is one of them, to help me stay focused, to give me a focus in my days. So that I have something to do with my time-channel it here to share with others what God is doing in my heart and life. And this is a big one that He is doing right now!!!

He's helping me learn to manage my Time!!! And I'm so glad He is so patient with me as I learn, and grow... it's hard for me to walk past my computer and not check up on what every one on Facebook is doing, or checking my email and maybe answering one or two notes, while my boys may have asked for something first, I end up putting them second or last... and that is VERY SAD!!! My family NEEDS to be first... they are the ones that count, they are the only things I will go with me to eternity. Why do I push them aside??

With God's help I will do better!!!

There that was my random rant for the day...:) And I feel better for it!!
Photo Credits-Flicker

Menu Planning Monday

Monday

Scrambled Eggs
Sundays Leftover Poorman's Steak as sandwiches, peaches
Taco Pie, Salad

Tuesday
Blueberry French Toast *New recipe
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and homemade canned Tomato Soup
Gourmet Potatoes, Corn, Meatballs

Wednesday
Homemade Granola, Clementines
Leftovers
Spaghetti, peas

Thursday
Pancakes Orange Juice
Egg Salad Sandwiches
Rice Casserole

Friday
Breakfast Casserole
Leftovers
Chili Soup with bread

Saturday
Granola and Yogurt
Leftovers
Homemade Pizza

Sunday
Cold Cereal
Pork Chops Hashbrowns Corn and Jello
Snack food

That's my plan for the week-but is subject to change. I love my menu's but also like to be flexible if something comes up, or if we just plain don't feel like eating what's on the menu for that day.:)And I love to make enough food for my suppers so that we have plenty of leftovers for lunches in the coming days. It makes it so much simpler!!

For more menu plans for the week visit orgjunki.com, there are also lots of links there for other blogs with Menu's for the week!!

Signs of Motherhood

My boys and I

• A beautiful bouquet of weeds perches on your window sill.
• Your service for sixteen contains seven plates and 11 bowls.
• Someone asks your age, and your mind blanks. But you can recall to the minute when each child was born.
• After sharing your drinking glass, it resembles a miniture aquarium.
• Your dress sleeve doubles as a kleenex box.
• Eating out is a hot dog roast.
• You don't want a dishwasher-you already have five!
• Your dryer seems to be a Bermuda Triange for socks.
• You risk waking your sleeping baby just to kiss her soft little cheek.
• The display on your coffee table may include a dead mouse.
• "Can a moth burb?" is the sort of mind-stumping question you face daily.
• You know how to sanitize a pacifier with out turning on the faucet.
• After washing the kitchen floor, you keep returning just to admire it.
• Your diaper bag is your purse.
• You love the smell of your baby's neck.
• Smudgy handprints on the window sill are a form of art for your guests to enjoy.
• Being gone for a few hours makes you homesick.
• There are never enough Band-aids in the cupboard.
• Mooing like a cow facilitates the opening of little mouths at mealtime.
• You wonder why it took so long to comb your hair when you were a teenager.
• You're the only overheated person when the family sits down to Sunday dinner.
• After the children are sleeping, you return to their bedsides to kiss a soft cheek or stroke back some curls, and silently thank the Lord for making you the richest woman alive.

Dianna Overholt

White as Snow

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord:

Tho your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow;

Tho they be red as crimson, they shall be as wool.

Isaiah 1:18

What as awesome God we serve!!!! He has created so much beauty...

The past two mornings we've had a lovely decoration of 'Hoarfrost'.

I think God's been having fun with His paint brush.

I stand in awe!!!

Harmony in the Home

Did you know that , as a wife and mother, you set the mood in your home?? You know the old saying "If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy", it is so true!!! And so obviously the opposite is true as well!! If you are happy & cheerful all day, your homes atmosphere will be one of peace. If you don't get upset at your children, they are happier for it. They know Mom, isn't going to 'loose her top', just because 'I talked too loud', or 'accidentally spilled something', or seem to 'talk all the time', or do something else childish. And so the child is more relaxed and good natured. They don't fight and argue with their siblings so easily, and they aren't so whinny.

Why is it, that we as Mom's, think the world revolves around us?? It really does!! Much more then we even realize, and yet, we don't realize the full extent of the far reaching effects we have on our little worlds called HOME!! Many times, when my own day seems to be going all 'hay-wire', I trace it back to why I feel the way I do. And many times it's because I went to bed too late, thus either got up tired, or overslept. And you know how that makes you feel-snappish!! Short tempered!! Short fused… and generally out of sorts. And you know who it gets taken out on??? The ones closest to you-Your Hubby and Kids!! So you snap at them, soon they are snapping at you and the rest of the day takes a downward spiral. Unless you get a handle on it, by changing your own attitude, then those around you can change theirs too.

How often does your husband come home to a tense home?? Many times I can 'hold myself together', til my hubby walks in the door and then I lose it. Especially if the boys have been buggy all day, not having enough to do, or whatever the case maybe. Actually many times, it's when I am trying to make supper and they are hungry, so are in the kitchen 'trying to help me', whinny, ect. So 'til my man walks in the door, I am ready to turn them all over to him and go have some 'alone time'. And it is amazing how fast my attitude will have an effect on my hubby. I expect him to 'help me' out, when all he wants is to sit down and rest at the end of a long day on his own feet. If I'm being silent (my form of letting him know all's not well with me. And not right I know-I'm working on that one!!), he soon is snappy at the kids too. And it's not really even the kids fault!!! After all-it was Mom who went to bed late and got up late.

Do you treat your husband with respect?? Did you know that respect is something husbands-men, in general desire more then even love?? And we, as wives-women, desire love. A good book to read is 'Love and Respect' by Dr. Emmerson Eggerich. Do you do your daily household chores with a glad and thankful heart for all he does for you?? Does he know you appreciate all he does for you and your children?? Do you tell him?? You can be thankful for a man, who comes home to you each evening. And if you want him to continue that, then make your home a place he wants to come home to every night!! Do you have a meal ready for him?? His clothes washed?? His favorite chair ready for him, with the paper beside it?? Do you have your home tidied up, the basics of toys and messes cleaned up?? I'm not talking about having everything in a "Companies Coming" state, but just a neat and orderly look to it. It looks much more Welcoming to walk in the door to a neat abode. (Just think of the times you walk into homes that pretty much look trashed.) You can make it a project to do with the children 15 min. before Dad comes home, to do a quick pick-up of toys, ect. Doing that will also teach and show your children you love and respect him, thus instilling the same principle in them!!

Take this article for example-while it was claimed to be in a 1950's textbook-that has not been proven.

Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have be thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they get home and the prospect of a good meal is part of the warm welcome needed.

Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.

Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.

Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Run a dust cloth over the tables.

During the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering to his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.

Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Encourage the children to be quiet.

Be happy to see him.

Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.

Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first - remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.

Don't greet him with complaints and problems.

Don't complain if he's late for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through at work.

Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or lie him down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.

Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.

Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.

A good wife always knows her place.
Some of these things may seem a bit wild and far out... but God has called us to be Keepers At Home!! And just so you know, I don't practice all these things for my husband. But I do try to be sensitive to his needs when he firsts come in, which is kinda hard, with living on a farm he is in and out of the house all day. We are to be Proverbs 31 women/wives. I am still working on so many of these areas of life!! I am not perfect by any sense of the word!! But by God's grace I am learning and growing.

For more resources read "Created To Be His Helpmeet" by Debi Pearl and "Fascinating Womanhood" by Helen Andelin.

Womanly Dominion Book Give Away

I'm sharing a link with you with details of a book giveaway!! I'm always excited to read good books on how to fullfill the role God has given me. And this looks like a good book... I'd love to read it!! It's going on my 'To Read' list.

Update: Give away is now closed.
Here is part of her original review...

Mark Chanski presents this call throughout the book: "On the field of life, God challenges every woman to live and run in such a way as to win the prize (1 Cor. 9:24). In whatever she puts her hands to, she's to "do it with all her might" (Eccl. 9:10) in order to hear that blessed commendation from her Lord, "Well done, you good and faithful servant" (Matt. 25:21). And if she's to achieve this noble goal on the field of life, she needs to be convinced of living according to these two fundamental principles: "Play your position!" and "Win it!"
Godly women, made in the image of God, must daily tell themselves: Win it! to the glory of God. We must for the long haul, for the entire game, contest after contest, resolve to put forth maximum effort to rule and subdue our daily challenges, so help us God. We have each been called to be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it. What field do you have to subdue? If you are a wife and homemaker, this will look like subduing the chaos and overcoming the obstacles in your home, creating order and stability for your family. If you are a student, this means pressing into your studies, focusing on the goal and accomplishing it. This is dominating your world whatever season of life you are in!

Go over and sign up to win it!!

Welcome

I am so glad you could join me here... A new step in Faith. A step I feel God has lead me venture. And I am excited to see where He leads this progect.

My goals for this blog are not large. And I want to keep it that way, so I have time to put God first, my family next and then after that the things I have time for. So there may be times that this blog get neglected for whatever reasons. But hopefully God's glory can be shown through this little site. It has been dedicated to HIM to be used in whatever way He wants. I am excited to see what His Plans are!!

I want to share little things, maybe at times they will be big things, that I learn along the way. Be it in Cleaning, Organizing, learning with the boys, my hubby, or whatever. Or it maybe things along the lines of Health, Recipes, ect, ect. So they maybe short and other times may get kinda long.:) But hopefully we can learn together, yes, I am asking you to share things you have learnt and know as well!!