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.