Spring Around Our House

A Heart That Is Fixed

I was blessed to have this in my devotions this morning. What a wonderful mindset and prayer! "Lord, help me to glorify thee; I am poor, help me to glorify thee by contentment; I am sick, help me to give thee honour by patience; I have talents, help me to extol thee by spending them for thee; I have time, Lord, help me to redeem it, that I may serve thee; I have a heart to feel, Lord, let that heart feel no love but thine, and glow with no flame but affection for thee; I have a head to think, Lord, help me to think of thee and for thee; thou hast put me in this world for something, Lord, show me what that is, and help me to work out my life-purpose: I cannot do much, but as the widow put in her two mites, which were all her living, so, Lord, I cast my time and eternity too into thy treasury; I am all thine; take me, and enable me to glorify thee now, in all that I say, in all that I do, and with all that I have."

Ode to JOY!

I have been strongly encouraged to write an uplifting post. A post to bring smiles of delight....where exactly shall I begin? I could begin nowhere but in the next room! You see, I have a delightful family (my greatest treasure and blessing).  A typical day around here is filled with conversation, laughter and silliness. Our day begins when my husband and I get up, grab a cup of coffee and spend a few minutes with the morning news while we wipe the sleepiness from our eyes.  As the bottom of our cups appear, we grab our Bibles, spend time alone in prayer and Bible reading.  Around seven, our golden retriever, Dolly is gotten up.  It is her job to cheerfully wake everyone else up in the house.  She does her job well and rather enjoys it!  First, she runs to Brittany's room, placing her paws right on her bed.  If by chance her face is close enough to the edge, she gets several slobbery kisses before she has a chance to know what hit her. :) Once Dolly is sure she has done the job thoroughly, getting a moment of cuddles with Brit, she heads upstairs to find the rest of her beloved family.  Her happy, half-growls, half-barks bring cheer to our mornings!  Who can wake up in a grumpy mood with such a wake-up call? Once everyone has done their devotions, eaten breakfast and dressed for the day, the children and I crowd around the living room, ready for morning school devotions. For quite some time, we have been going through a set of character sketch books for our school devotions.  Everyone seems to enjoy this, for the most part.  The book goes through different character traits and how they are illustrated in nature, as well as how it is illustrated in the Bible.  This is always interesting! I did say that everyone enjoys it "for the most part" because sometimes there are animals that the girls don't really care to learn about...you know, the creepy, crawly reptiles and so forth.  But, the boys eat it up! :) And thus our school day begins!   If I am feeling well, I shuffle between those needing help and housework.  THIS is my favorite way to spend the day! I absolutely love being a wife and mother- it is the most rewarding thing I could ever do.  It is such a joy to have the opportunity to have my children around me, to homeschool, to spend time with them, watching them grow, learn and develop.

Reflections in the Pool of the Year Past

With the thought of a new year brings a wonderful clean slate.  My organizing mind may venture to think of the many projects I could set my mind to tackle.  But I cannot get away from the fact that I must live day by day.

No, I haven't been given a deadline from the doctor on how much time I have left. 
I just cannot get any further than the day or perhaps week ahead of me.  Why? I'm not really sure. I only know that this is where I am and I will take it as it comes.  Maybe my perspective is all wrong, I don't know but this is how it is. 

Oh, I can think of many things that have been my "New Years Resolutions" of the past but they just can't cloud my mind.  Maybe it's because I have spent this last year living one day at a time.  The phrase, "limited life expectancy" will do a myriad of things to a person.

My! I have spent a good portion of the last year, looking into the eyes of my children, wondering how much longer I would have with them...If I would be there to see them finish school, get married or hold their first child.  I have cried tears on the shoulder of my husband more days than I would care to admit. 

What does this do to a person? 

It makes me grateful for each day that I can get up, take part in the lives of my children, serve my family in the menial tasks that some may dread.  Those words put new meaning to cooking, cleaning, schooling, laundry and the smallest thing like kissing my little boys goodnight.  

What will my children remember once I am gone?

It may be another sixty years that I walk the face of this earth but what mark will I have made in the lives of my children?  I wonder, will they remember godliness? I mean, do I follow God in a way so strongly that it impacts my children and makes them want to be like me?

I really don't believe that I do.  It's unfortunate to say, but in all truth, I believe this to be the case.  I have spent eighteen years as a Christian and I haven't progressed any further than this! All of my aspirations to become this woman that radiates godliness haven't taken me as far as I had hoped.  There is much work left to do so in reality, I should have a long list of goals and desires for this upcoming year. 

Will I still feel this way when I cross the thresh hold of 2013? I surely hope not.  

So, the question is, what am I going to do about this dilemma?   Well, take one day at a time. Focus on "the day" and what I can do this day to impact those around me for Christ.  Focus on what's important, continue to read my bible, memorize more verses and try with all that I have within me to live each day victorious....

and maybe, just maybe this year will be more Christ centered, God focused and others will be able to see a difference!  :)

Chrismas Blessings!

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas, from our home to yours!

Here's a little bit of our year in photos...

enjoy!

As the Waves of the Ocean

It's so easy to stand on the beach and watch the waves roll against the sand...

how beautiful and relaxing it may be. 

But, when you stand amid the waves, trying to gain a footing, if there for hours, you may find it frustrating at the wrestling with the tide.

This is a good picture of how life has been for me for...hmmm, well ...a good long time.  I feel as if I am out there in the sea, not simply in a boat that's rocking to and fro in the midst of the storm, but rather within the waves, struggling to catch my breath, to gain a footing, to get some respite.

Uhhh, it's a very difficult battle I have been fighting, mostly within.   Each day, there is a battle that rages.  Will I give into this disease or fight? Fight! Ah yes, this is what I want to do but often, I become weary in this battle.  But, really! what other choice do I have but to struggle and fight?  You see, if I were alone on this earth, I could very well, pick a spot on the map, and live as a recluse and just give in. 

BUT, God has given me a family, a purpose on this green planet, and for that simple reason, I have to fight!  I have six children to raise up for the Lord.  I must try, ever so intently, to help them to be what God desires them to be.  I must give them the tools, practically to be a godly wife, a good parent and spiritually to be a strong Christian.  My efforts, truly are flawed but my prayer is that God will give grace and that He will make up for my many short-comings and faults.

What will this result be?  I really can't tell.  Oh, I can imagine these wonderful dreams of my girls being wonderful wives and godly mothers, my boys being strong men that will hold fast in THE faith, loving their wives with delight and valuing their relationships with their children but only God knows what the future holds.  It is up to me and what I do with THIS DAY that is before me.  To hold eternity in view, to die to self and selfish desires, to fight with all of my being, all that would threaten God's best in their lives. 

And so THIS day, I choose to fight, to face these storms with all that I am.  And when there is nothing left in me to fight, then fight some more, to be strong in the Lord and the power of HIS might.

"I Know Who Holds Tomorrow"

I don't know about tomorrow,

I just live from day to day.

I don't borrow from its sunshine

'Cause the skies might turn to grey.

I don't worry about the future,

'Cause I know what Jesus said,

And today I'll walk beside him

'Cause he's knows what lies ahead.

Many things about tomorrow

 I don't seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand.

Every step is getting brighter

As the golden stairs I climb.

Every burden is getting lighter

All the clouds are silver lined.

Over there the sun is always shining

And no tears will dim the eye

And the ending of the rainbow

Where the mountains, they touch the sky.

Many things about tomorrow

I don't seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand.

Yes I know who holds my hand.

Family Memories