Fridays at my House

Ok, so I'm a day late and probably a dollar short as well. Here is the latest posting of my home. It is my Hoosier cabinet/desk. I bought this piece about 3 years ago at the antique store. I love Hoosier cabinets. If I had the room I would collect them. This one was in my sunroom until this spring. The desk that I had was too small and I needed something bigger. So in came the trusty Hoosier. The tabletop comes out for my laptop. And there's lots of drawer and cabinet space to hide all the "stuff".

Have a great week!!

Blessings,

Theresa

"Beautiful in God's Eyes

I have been reading the book "Beautiful in God's Eyes" by Elizabeth George. I highly recommend this book to any woman that wishes to honor God by becoming a true Proverbs 31 woman. The author writes in such a way as to inspire and to make this goal actually appear achievable. I find myself encouraged to change and rethink my values and goals in this area. Each of the 24 chapters is based on a part of Proverbs 31:10-31. And each of these chapters are full of challenges for each woman to evaluate.

The two challenges I am working on right now are: 1) To grow in emotional stability and 2) To know that my husband in assured in my loyalty. Emotional stability is tough for me right now because I feel as if I am controlled by my horomones instead of me controlling them. This is most likely not going to be a challenge I will master overnight. Loyalty is a checklist that I need to evaluate. Elizabeth lists 10 different areas in which a wife must be loyal to her husband: money, children, home, reputation, fidelity, emotions, happiness, wisdom, conduct and love. I believe that I have earned a passing grade in some of these areas, but others need work.

These are just two of the challenges listed in the first 4 chapters. That's the nice thing about this book - each woman will be challenged differently based on her own strenghts and weaknesses and her current personal situation. Please pray for me as I strive to be a better wife and mom.

Blessings,

Theresa

Just a Thought

Words to Live By: Truth

The Flower Gardens

I was feeling kind of artsy today, so I went outside to take some pictures. Here are various pictures of flowers from my gardens. Enjoy!

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Fridays at my House

Here are some pictures of our latest acquisition. A wooden picnic table for the pocket prince and princess. It's just the right size for them to eat at during all our summer BBQs. These are pictures of our little pocket princess “helping” her daddy stain the table. Have a great week.

Theresa

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STEPPING UP 2009

Stepping Up 2009 was fantastic. Nick, Laurel, and Will all received their Stepping Up Certificates. And, of course, Alex and Don graduated. The theme for the night was “Black & White”. The Senior graduates all wore tuxedos (sooooo handsome) and for graduation they wore black gowns. The 8th grade graduates had white gowns. The Youth Temple at Ocean Grove was splendid with the white & black decorations. It was nice to see that even most of the family members dressed in the theme colors. Stu Hooten was a great host, who kept things moving right along. The talent portion of the night was excellent. It’s so nice to see these wonderfully talented homeschoolers displaying their skills. Don & Will participated by playing “As a Deer” on keyboard & guitar. Thanks to everyone who made it such a great night!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

 

The Graduates

On Friday, May 15th, Alex & Don graduated from high school. I can’t begin to tell you how proud Tom & I are. Its hard to believe that two of my little boys have grown into such wonderful, handsome, moral young men. They both are hard-workers, very responsible, full of character and both have a love for God and Jesus that shines through all that they do.

Boys,

We love you and we can’t wait to see God has planned for your lives. May you be blessed in all that you do.

Love,

Mom & Dad

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Wisdom

Here is something I wrote for a friend's 40th birthday. I thought that I would post it here for everyone to read.

As you begin the second half of your life, remember that the purpose of the first half was to earn the wisdom to truly enjoy the rest of your life.

During the first part of our life we thought that:
- it’s our life;
- we were important;
- treasures were what we could touch, see and feel;
- family was nice;
- life was to be spent anticipating the “special moments”;
- prayer was good;
- it was necessary to prove ourselves worthy to others;
- wisdom came from books; and
- things could be better.

For the second half we know that:
- it’s not really about us;
- none of us are more important than the rest;
- true treasures are stored in our hearts and in heaven;
- family is a thing of true value;
- each moment is itself to be valued;
- prayer can move mountains;
- we must seek God in all things, because we can’t handle anything;
- God’s opinion is the only one that counts;
- wisdom can only come from God and living the life He has given us;
- things can definitely be worse.

During the first part of our life we took our youth and vitality and gave them over to life experiences (also known as mistakes) - these will now give way wisdom. The wisdom to know that life is about something bigger than all of us, yet all of us contribute to the whole.

We have gained the wisdom to love better,
laugh harder,
enjoy each day as it comes, and
admit that we really don’t have a clue.

Enjoy the wisdom of the second part of your life.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day -- and not only me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

-2 Timothy 4:7-8

Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of you faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

-James 1:2-4

Just A Thought

Words to Live By, Wisdom

I'm Back

Sorry to all those waiting for me to post. Once the extended family went home after graduation I just collapsed. Then I had a sick day and then I went to a wonderful friends 40th birthday party. Oh, and we are trying to finish up our school for the year. Our schedule says next week - I DON'T THINK SO! Oh well, I'm here and I have lots of posts for you. Enjoy!

Theresa

Just a Thought

Words to Live By: Love

Fridays at My House

Sorry, I guess it's better late than never. I've been dodging the rain drops working outside trying to get all the gardening done. Hopefully I'll have those posts for you early next week. Anyway, back to business. Here is one of my newer acquisitions. Of course the cabinet came from the antique store in Englishtown. Where else does one shop for great furniture like this? (FYI - Donny has already asked for this piece as part of his inheritance - LOL - I just got it!) I bought it thinking it might go in the entrance way but ended up putting it in the corner of the living room behind the loveseat. I love it here. It's a great little piece - just the right size to keep all my tea cups and dessert plates. I also put a picture here of the bookcase next to the loveseat. This has become one of my favorite areas in the house. See you next Friday (or thereabouts - graduation is next week!!)

Blessings,

Theresa

Just a Thought

Words to Live By, Family

Are You Tired of Being Afraid?

I am. I’m tired of people trying to run my life (and yours too) by fear. The government and the media have taken on the role of Chicken Little – everyday they bombard us with messages that are basically the same “The sky is falling, the sky is falling!” The economy, disease, global warming (or is it global cooling now?), unrest, etc., etc., etc. We have become a nation controlled by fear. Does anyone else wonder what they’re doing behind the curtain of fear? What it is that they’re trying to hide from us while we all run around trying to avert the next disaster? As Christians we have no reason to be afraid, in fact, if the sky truly is falling shout “AMEN” - ‘cause that means Jesus is coming! There is no reason to live without hope, without peace. We have no need to be scared and afraid. We have no need to hide, we have work to do! You see some day the sky really will fall, Jesus will come back and people will be lost. Lost because we were so afraid of disaster that we stopped sharing the gospel.

Yes, bad things happen here. This is not a perfect world, in fact it is a fallen one. After Adam and Eve had sinned, this is what God said to Adam:

"Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil
you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and
thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the
sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; fro dust you are and to dust you will return."
Genesis 3: 17b-19.

You see, not only did God pronounce a curse on Satan, Adam, and Eve; he also pronounced a curse upon the world, this world. Perfection here does not, cannot and will not exist. The Garden of Eden is gone and we must deal with the consequences. Why are we still looking here for what cannot be found? Wishing isn't going to do it, dreaming isn't going to do it, praying isn't going to do it - heck, even Larry the Cable Guy can't git 'er done. Sickness, death, destruction, sadness, sorrow, all exist upon this earth and will continue to do so until Jesus returns and God makes a new heaven and a new earth. These are the working conditions that God has placed us in. He also gave us the tools to deal with them.

Be smart, take precautions, be good stewards, help your fellow brothers and sisters in need. But don’t be afraid. Fear is a tool of the enemy. Satan uses fear to keep us from fulfilling the will of God. And not fulfilling God’s will is probably the one thing that we should be afraid of! Take heart, trust in the promises of God, call on him and He shall answer you. Peace and hope are yours for the taking. Ask and you shall receive. Proclaim the gospel without fear so that when the sky truly does fall and Jesus returns people shall not be afraid and lost, they shall rejoice at going home.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. Psalm 27:1-3

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:13-14

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Psalm 91:1-2

You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand my fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. Psalm 91:5-7

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on the the good. Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace; sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1Thess 5:16-23

Friday at My House

I have to let you in on a 'little' secret. There's something that I haven't told you. So before you get too comfortable coming to my house, I'm going to share something with you. You see....well, its just that....ummm....okay.... I live with

THE BOYS!

Let me introduce you to:

LEVI

NOAH & LAZARUS

What can I say? In our family we like big dogs. My girl friend says they're ponies. Ha! They are just sweet, loveable, cuddly dogs. Levi is a Mastiff. Mastiff's are hubby's favorite. He'd have a dozen if it were possible. Lazarus is mostly Alex's dog he is a Lab/Great Dane mix that we rescued. Noah is mine - he is a Great Dane. Believe it or not, he is still a puppy so he hasn't quite reached full-size.

Well, now that you now my 'little' secret, I still hope you'll stop by next Friday to spend some time at my house. See ya!

T