Today I am thankful for......

"Where no oxen are, the crib is clean:  but much increase is by the strength of the ox."  Proverbs 14:4

Today, my house is filled with children of all ages. Each one makes their own mess....of course on different levels. But, I know that as I invest in these precious children, I will see increase of the amount of labor that can be done. For I alone can only do so much. And many hands make light work. This is also true of spiritual children. God's work can increase as you train up godly people to serve the Lord. This takes time and dedication, can be very frustrating and yet very rewarding. So invest, so that your labors might be multiplied. This being said, today I am thankful for...........

fingerprints on windows

smudges on walls

laundry in hampers (and on the floor)

dishes in the sink

garbage cans that are full

toys laying around

books on the table

singing in the air

the sound of children's laughter coming from the bedroom

diapers that need changing

baby that needs nursing

littles that need bathing

noses that need wiping

doctor appointments

slobbery kisses

the hug of a teenager

today I am thankful for my children!!!

Horseback Riding






My children recently were blessed to be able to go horseback riding at some friends' home. What a treat for my family! All had a blast!! And, yes, that is MY cowboy riding off into the sunset!! ;-)

Psalms of David.........

Psalm 3   Lord, how are they increased that trouble me?  many are they that rise up against me.  Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God.  Selah.  But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill.  Selah.  I laid me down and slept; I awaked: for the Lord sustained me.  I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.  Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God:  for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.  Salvation belongeth unto the Lord:  thy blessing is upon thy people.  Selah.

Psalm 4   Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.  O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing?  Selah.  But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself:  the Lord will hear when I call unto him.  Stand in awe, and sin not:  commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.  Selah.  Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.  There be many that say, Who will shew us any good?  Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.  Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.  I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep:  for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.

Happy 5th Birthday, Lydia Grace Houston!!!








Wow! Five years goes by so fast! I can't believe my baby girl is 5 today!! It seems like yesterday when I was handed this tiny, warm, bundle of baby. It took a little bit of effort to get this beautiful baby girl to start breathing, as they worked on her, I said a silent prayer........."Lord, please let my baby live!" He was so gracious to me that day and everyday. And I am so blessed by this sweet, gentle spirit. Her soft voice and tender heart are combined with a bit of spunk and a twinkle in her eye. She has made life a little sweeter and a little brighter each and every day.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LYDIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Contemplation

November 5, 2009

Tonight, as I read from Revelation, I am reminded of why we are here.  Of how frivolous my earthly desires are.  Of how my desires should be on Heaven, pressing toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of Jesus Christ.  I look at my little son and sing to him of the love of Jesus, I read allowed the Bible, God's Word, to him and am reminded of my role in my children's lives- to teach them about Jesus, to lead them to live lives fully devoted to God.  To not love the things that are in the world, and that no sacrifice made here is too great for our Lord.  When war rages between my flesh and my spirit, may I die to self.  May my flesh lose and the spirit claim the victory!

These are thoughts from a year ago (almost). As I write these down, I am reminded once again that my desires here should be directed to the Heavenly things, not the earthly. Even in friendships, I should seek to please God in these as well.  My heart should not yearn for the friendships lost through gossip and speculations against me or my loved ones. Rather, I find comfort that in Christ, I have a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. And that true friendship is found with Christ as the center.  That, with Christ, we can have  deep and meaningful  relationships, not shallow and surface, rainy day friendships that the world offers. It is a sad thing when "brothers" and "sisters" in Christ follow the ways of the world in how they handle friendship. "Lord, may I never lose a friend because of my sinful heart, ugly tongue, and complete disregard to what Your Word tells us. And may my reaction to those who offend be that of forgiveness and your love shining through me."

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."  Ephesians 4:29-32

May my life be one that is an holy example for my children to follow. May I teach my children how to love one another, and more important, how to love Christ. And may our heart's desire be to honor and glorify our Heavenly Father in all that we say and do.

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:35

Labor Day

On Moday, my husband surprised us with a family day!! We have been trying to take Fridays off and we don't normally get holidays because they often have landed on our normal family day, so this was a real treat! We celebrated according to how the weather turned out to be. Instead of the traditional BBQ and outdoor activities of a sunny day, we cuddled up next to the fire in the woodstove and read out loud. The weather was overcast and windy. The perfect ingredients for a cozy, stay at home, inside day! I made homemade split pea soup for lunch, and then mixed up some apple fritters and hot cocoa...the first of the season!! For dinner, my husband requested biscuits and gravy with bacon, eggs, and hashed potatoes!  Definately not on our diet, but it was a celebration day! We ended our day with a family video and, of course, devotions! It was a wonderful day spent with our family!

Random Thoughts

So, I have decided to occasionally write a post from my journal. This will be random, but, I hope a blessing to those who read it. I will start out with one marked, "September 2, 2009"  a whole year ago. Let's see, I was very much with child and hopeful for an "on time" delivery (just a bit of background of where I was and what was going on in my life at the time):

September 2, 2009

Today, I read 1 & 2 Thessalonians.  It is so refreshing to read God's Word.  It truly is as cold waters to a thirsty soul!  It feels good to be washed in the Word.  Tonight, my thoughts are on being thankful and content.  On being truly Christ like.  I hope and pray that as I read God's word, it will encourage me to live a life worthy of being called Christian.  I desire to be a God fearing, God loving woman.  May my actions, my countenance, and my tone be honoring to my Lord.  I pray that I will not be as those that sit and "read" God's word but then get up and live life as if they never had seen the precious words written  for us to live by....

Last but not Least.......


Finally, family camp had great devotions, singing, and preaching! We were blessed to have our guest preacher, his wife, and two of their children for the week! Bro. Keven Brownfield did a great job bringing us the Word of God in a very deep way. It was good to get the "meat" of the Word! The devotions my husband brought to us each morning were also a tremendous blessing! Each aspect of camp was very enriching. All in all, the spirit of the people was wonderful and, I believe we were each challenged to deepen our relationship with the Lord, Jesus Christ. Until next year......

Family Camp Activities!

Our family camp has so many fun things to do! You can hike, climb the rock wall, do the ropes course, go on the zipline, go horse back riding (not pictured), play games, take the little ones to the park area, or just rest. Whatever you decide, it's all a great time of memories being made as a family!! We all look forward to family camp each year!