I want to sing a song

Those just happen to be the lyrics to a Third Day song. Why am I singing them? I'm glad you asked. Remember when I told you I emailed Third Day? Well, we are hooked up! We are going to be at the concert!! I don't think we will be able to meet them, however hearing them live will be thrill enough.

Trenton is going to love it!

The lyrics to the song:

I want to sing a song for You, Lord

I want to sing a song for You, Lord
Lord, for You I want to sing a song
And I want to lift my voice to Heaven
And listen to the angels sing along

A song of Your faithfulness
A song of Your grace
And of Your loving kindness
To the glory of your name
With everything that's in me
Listen to me say
I want to sing a song for You
I want to sing a song

I want to live my life for You, Lord
Lord, for You I want to live my life
I want to praise the name of Jesus
Pray above all things You're glorified

A song of Your faithfulness
A song of Your grace
And of Your loving kindness
To the glory of your name
With everything that's in me
Listen to me say
I want to sing a song for You
I want to sing a song

And I sing about Your mercy
And I sing about Your love
Your goodness, Lord
Your righteousness
I want to sing....

And we'll sing holy, holy, holy
We'll sing holy, holy, holy
We'll shout holy, holy, holy
Are You Lord almighty

Yes, You are Lord

Zipped Mouths

This afternoon, Bethany (almost 6) and Trenton (2 1/2) were playing together. They were pretending to be a family complete with baby dolls and diaper bags. They had been to the store and the library when I noticed the living room being rearranged again. Chairs were set up in rows and little people started filling the "pews". Time for church, they informed me. I was asked to lead the singing and read the Bible story.
We sang a few songs with Trenton running the sound. I started to read the story of Daniel and the lion's den out of the children's Bible. Here's the conversation that followed:

Mom: Daniel prayed to God. There were some other people who didn't want him or anyone else to pray to God. So Daniel...
Bethany: I know this; can I finish reading it?
Mom: Okay, sure.
Bethany shows Trenton the pictures (who is now in the congregation alone with the babies). She continues the story of how Daniel was thrown in the lion's den, but God protected Daniel and kept him safe.
Trenton: How God safe?
Bethany: God shut the mouths of the lions.
Trenton: How God shut the mouths?
Bethany: You know how a zipper works? You zip it right up and it closes your coat. Well, God zipped up the mouths of those lions. And Daniel was safe.

Thank you God for zipping up the mouths of those lions.

Hints for Hospitality

In doing research for an article for the homeschool newsletter, I came across some great tips for hospitality. I love to have people over, although sometimes I get overwhelmed with the cleaning and organizing of my house. I also get discouraged with the cost of food and living on such a tight budget. However, God knows all that about me! The call to minister to people is still the same.

So, what's a girl to do. Start with checking out these great ideas...
Hospitality on a Budget from Money Saving Mom
Hospitality Tips from The Purple Cellar
Thanks to Making a House a Home for the links.
Here is an article on Christian Hospitality.

Then pray and take action! Do you have great hints for hospitality? Share them, won't you?

He has RISEN!

After the Sabbath, as the first light of the new week dawned, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to keep vigil at the tomb. Suddenly the earth reeled and rocked under their feet as God's angel came down from heaven, came right up to where they were standing. He rolled back the stone and then sat on it. Shafts of lightning blazed from him. His garments shimmered snow-white. The guards at the tomb were scared to death. They were so frightened, they couldn't move.

The angel spoke to the women: "There is nothing to fear here. I know you're looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised, just as he said. Come and look at the place where he was placed.

"Now, get on your way quickly and tell his disciples, 'He is risen from the dead. He is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.' That's the message."

The women, deep in wonder and full of joy, lost no time in leaving the tomb. They ran to tell the disciples. Then Jesus met them, stopping them in their tracks. "Good morning!" he said. They fell to their knees, embraced his feet, and worshiped him. Jesus said, "You're holding on to me for dear life! Don't be frightened like that. Go tell my brothers that they are to go to Galilee, and that I'll meet them there."

Matthew 28: 1-8 The Message

I was reminded this morning of the Message as I read "A Place of Quiet Rest". She quoted the Message in her Easter greetings. Here I've done the same. I am praying that God will keep me "deep in wonder and full of joy" as we go forward from this Easter Sunday.

A little boy in training

Maybe that title should read "a household in training"! The little boy has shown great interest in wearing underwe*r. That's great with me--diapers are expensive.

I'm sure I don't have to go into the difficulty of this excursion with you! We are all helping in some way--washing clothes, washing the floor, washing the boy, getting fresh clothes, etc.

This morning he wanted to put on his own fresh clothes. He got a bit frustrated with the process and decided that they fit much easier here...on the top of his head.

That's a glimpse into the "Life and Times of Us". If I seem a little distant in the blogging or personal world...this is just one reason why. Life happens.

An Easter Story

The Parable of the Lily by Liz Curtis Higgs is a neat story about a girl who receives a gift in the winter. She doesn't understand the full scope of this gift at the time, in fact she even throws the gift out into the yard. It's not until spring that she understands what she has been given.

There are certainly lessons to be learned for the child and for the adult! Christ is the most wonderful gift we've been given. The sacrifice of His life on the Cross for our sins is a gift too wonderful for words (but how often do I neglect His gift?). I'm thankful for the Holy Spirit who convicts, strengthens and encourages my heart to love God with all my heart, soul and mind.

Homeschoolshare has a complete unit study with worksheets, coloring pages, etc. that you can print out and do with your kids. They also have a great list of goodies to include in an Easter basket--each item represents something that will remind your children of the real meaning of Easter.

Let's Be Cheerful!

Let's be cheerful! We have no more right to steal the brightness out of the day...than we have to steal the purse of a stranger.

Author and source unknown

In looking through my journals, I found this quote. I love it! How often do I steal the brightness out of the day (and someone else's day) by my poor attitude. I certainly wouldn't dare take something that belongs to someone else--but what about their good day? Ouch, stepping on my toes.

My prayer is that God would help me be cheerful today!

Journals

About 8 or 9 years ago I started keeping a journal of my day. In this journal (basically a notebook), I'd write the date and then just jot things that either needed to be done or something I wanted to remember. When I would visit a friend, I'd write that in there including any prayer requests my friend might have, any new recipes or organizing tips she shared with me, etc.

In the left side margin, I write "book", "poem", "Julie's cookie recipe", and so on. This way I have a quick reference guide as I browse through the pages.

These books are quite a treasure. As I go back and read through them, I'm so glad that I've done this. Reading quotes from books, favorite hymns, a funny the kids said, something that God was teaching me, is truly a trip down memory lane. I see a difference between these notebooks and my personal journal. Reading back over my personal journals are more painful at times. Those contain more confessions of sins, discouragements, crying out to the Lord, sorrow as well as things God is teaching me, verses that are meaningful to me, etc.

I'm encouraged to continue keeping notebooks and personal journals as they help me clearly see God's faithfulness and goodness to me.

I keep you safe

Little boy toddled in our room early yesterday morning. He climbed up asking, as he was snuggling into the covers, "I sleep with you?"

Me: "Yes, you can sleep with us".

Little boy (with that sweet smile): "Oh, good, Momma and Dadda."

Me: "Scoot over, I'm falling off the bed."

Little boy (scooting over MORE towards me): "What? You're falling off the bed?"

Me: "Yes, sweet pea, scoot over."

Little boy (wrapping his little arm around me): "Don't worry momma, I won't let you fall. I keep you safe."


I don't deserve such love and apparently I don't deserve any more bed space either. That sweet boy is worth me hanging on to the edge of the bed.

Perseverance

True Christian spirituality has always emphasized perseverance: "To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger" Romans 2:7-8, italics added.
Righteousness--true holiness--is seen over time in our persistence. It is relatively easy to "flirt" with righteousness--being occasionally courteous to other drivers (if you happen to be in a good mood), helping someone in need by opening the door for them (if you have time), throwing a few extra bucks into the offering plate (as long as you won't miss them). But this behavior is in reality superficial righteousness. The righteousness God seeks is a persistent righteousness, a commitment to continue making the right decision even when, perhaps hourly, you feel pulled in the opposite direction. Holiness is far more than an inclination toward occasional acts of kindness and charity. It is a commitment to persistent surrender before God.
What gives us the power to persist in doing good? Paul in Romans 2:7-8 notes that in our persistence we seek "glory, honor and immortality". These are words that point to an alternate history, to an afterlife (there is, after all, no immortality in this world). Persistence doesn't make sense unless we live with a keen sense of eternity.

From Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas

Finally Friday

It's been a long week and I'm looking forward to the weekend. I have goals of getting school more organized so that our week flows better. So I'll be working on that. And, I'm finally knitting! It clicked...I finally got the hang of it. I'm biting at the bit to sit and work on my square more. BUT I'm trying to get school, chores and list making out of the way before I enjoy some crafting.

I'm looking for suggestions for scrapbooks...what kind do you use, what do you like about the kind you use, etc. If you'd be so kind to leave your comments here and ask your friends to do the same. I need some help. I've used ring binder type for 8 1/2 by 11 since the beginning of my scrapping. They don't sell those anymore that I can find. At least one of mine has broken and needs to be replaced.

Okay that's all for now.

Tackle it Tuesday is BACK!

I'm posting this now so that I will be sure to come back and post an "after" picture. This counter is a big pain in my neck! It collects everything--I mean really could I even fit one more thing on it without it ALL falling off? I think not.

This tiny counter is right beside my oven, so I'm sure I'm posing some sort of serious fire hazard. Enough is enough!

Last year I purchased a file folder holder and labeled the folders--coupons, medical, needs to be filed, belongs to someone else, etc. This has taken care of the stacking of paper that I am so guilty of doing. However the files are bulging and I HAVE to file and purge.

The rest of the stuff, I'm not exactly sure where it goes. Hopefully the trash can/recycle can will receive a good bit of it. I will be back this evening to post an "after" picture be sure to tune in.

I'm going to wait until then to link myself to 5 Minutes for Mom, but you can head on over there and check out the other tackles. Just be sure to come back. I need constant affirmation.

UPDATE: so I'm back, yes it's after 9 p.m. but I'm back and that's what counts. I cleaned with the trash can by my side and I was ruthless! I do have one confession though, I did NOT go through all the file folders. I went through a couple, but will work my way through the others this week. It was too overwhelming. I had papers and piles everywhere. I had to stop before I'd be into tomorrow trying to clear away the piles.

So, now I'm semi-motivated to take care of other piles here and there. I think I must have been just stacking instead of putting stuff away for...well, maybe most of the winter. That's all behind me now and I'm moving forward. not tonight, though.

I've been a little overwhelmed lately with life--hence the lack of blogging.
I have lots of ideas in my head of neat things I'd like to write about, but it just hasn't happened.
So without continuing to go down that road of thinking, let me tell you about some fun things that we've done.
Thursday the kids and I met my Grandma, Aunt and Great Aunt about 1 hour or so north of here as they passed through taking my Great Aunt back home. She spends 4-5 months with my Grandma and Aunt each winter. We are giddy with joy whenever we get to see them even if just for a short amount of time.
We also stopped to see my friend Julie's parents as they live close to where we were meeting. We spent an hour or so with them. We are approaching the year anniversary of Julie's homegoing. I don't think a day goes by without me thinking about her. Hopefully I'll be able to share more about what I've learned since she has been with Jesus.
Friday my firstborn turned 12! Yes, a leap year baby she is. Really a lot of fun to have such a unique birthday.
The morning of the 29th we had an Ancient Egypt party with two other families. We had a great time--doing Egyptian crafts, playing games and feasting!
Saturday we spent some time at a friend's farm playing with some new baby lambs. Oh my, cute and soft as ever. Maybe I'll come back and add a picture of them.
Sunday we had a a fellowship dinner at some church friends' house. The kids played and we talked.

Today, I've been working like mad to finish the local homeschool newsletter. It's been time consuming, but I like doing the work.

My thoughts have been turning to Easter lately. Noel Piper's book Treasuring God in our Traditions has a chapter on Easter.

holiday--holy day, day set aside for special religious observance
crux--1. an essential point requiring resolution or resolving an outcome
2. a main or central feature
crucial--important or essential as resolving a crisis, decisive
Lent--lengthen, signifying that the days are getting longer because spring is here.

Family Celebrations by Ann Hibbard also has a chapter on Easter. Both books have some practical ideas for making the most of the holiday.