Just a Thought

Words to Live By: Faith

Impromptu Gifts

I received an impromptu gift from a special friend the other day. She handed me this wonderful pink basket and when I looked inside I found two beautiful green teacups and a great card. No real reason - she had gone to an estate sale, saw the cups, and knew they would match my kitchen. Perfectly, I might add.

To me these are the best kind of gifts. The ones that are given just because. There's no special occasion, no huge hemming and hawing to determine if this is the right gift. It is the right gift "because". I saw these and they reminded me of you.

It is this type of gift that can give us a lot of insight into how others see us. How well do they know us. What types of things make them think of us - what things remind them of us? Beautiful teacups (definitely me) or a picture of chickens running around the barnyard (not me at all - at least I hope not!) Of course, they can also tell us how some people don't know us at all. " So you saw these lime green go-go boots and you thought I would just love to have them? Hmmm..." LOL

Yep, I love impromptu gifts 'cause even though not a lot of thought may have gone into them; the ones that did are actually the best thoughts of all.

Thanks A. You're the best!

Why I Love My Church

Our family is so blessed by our church. The wonderful people - the things they are willing to do. Anytime we have a special event at least 90% of the people show up. Now that's buy-in. Once a year we close our doors and go into the community to perform acts of service. Faith-in-Action Sunday. The motto: "Don't Go to Church; Be the Church"

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Well we had ours this past Sunday in preparation for World Changers in July. These guys worked real hard in 90 degree heat. I stayed home with the littles but papa and the biggers worked really hard. The 3 boys had spent the night at church with the other teens preparing for their World Changers mission trip. They were exhausted after only getting 1 1/2 hours of sleep (live and learn!). Here's a video of these wonderful people at work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gL2Mk7u4Oc

PS. Can you guess which one is the pastor? *wink*

Judging our Reflection

We went to a friend's house for dinner on Sunday. When we got there I beheld the full "effect" of my 12yo dd's outfit. To say it clashed would be putting it mildly. :) Now I didn't get to see her before we left the house because all 8 of us were trying to get ready at the same time and she went out to the car while I was still blowdrying my hair. (I do believe that that move was on purpose) When I asked hubby about it he said that he didn't see that hat and the shoes (Fashion police he is not!) Anyway, I digress..... Later I was going to have a "talk" with her and the first question I was going to ask was 'Didn't you look in the mirror?', and then I realized - I never gave her a mirror to look into. No wall mirror, no full length mirror, nothing, nada. The only mirror she has to look into is the one in the bathroom and because of its height, I doubt she can see below her neck. Well, that ended that "conversation" right there. The failure with her not properly evaluating her image lay not at her feet but at mine. How can I ask her to inspect her image when I have not provided her with the proper tools to do the job?

That got me to thinking, what other tools have I failed to equip my daughter with? This is what God laid on my heart- As my daughter grows and matures into a beautiful young lady, have I given her the proper tools with which to judge her Christian image - her walk with the Lord? Now before I continue, please understand I'm not saying that we should go around judging others. I do, however, think that it is important for us to each inspect our own personal walk. And while our walks may be different, the mirror that we use isn't. The Bible states that we were all created in the image of God. "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (Gen 1:27) We are the reflection of God - when others look at us they are to see a reflection of God. Yet how can we say how well we are doing if we don't have a mirror. Our mirror is this - the knowledge of God. To examine our 'appearance' we must know ALL of God to see if we are a proper reflection of Him. A partial knowledge won't do - with that we can only judge a portion of our reflection (The hair might look good - but you can't see the run in the stockings. And, oh by the way, did I mention that the shoes don't match?) :) The knowledge must also be true. Our knowledge cannot be based on what others say or feel about God. What does God say about God? He, and He alone, is our standard bearer. False information produces a distorted image. Its like looking at your reflection in water - you look pretty good and then when you actually look in a real mirror you see the smudges of mascara under your eyes, the hairs that weren't really in place, the smudge of chocolate on your face from where the baby touched you. You judge your appearance on an inaccurate reflection - looks good until presented with the truth.

In this I have failed my daughter (and my other children, as well) . Have I fully equipped them to accurately judge their own spiritual appearance? Oh, I've given them Bible knowledge and tried my best to train them up in the Lord - but when was the last time I took the time to see how accurately assess how each was processing this knowledge? And what about the thoughts, ideas, feelings and reflections of others? Has this information permeated their knowledge and distorted their spiritual image? When have I sought God's advice or counsel on this? I've blindly gone about giving them spiritual knowledge; but never have I asked God if they are properly processing that knowledge. Oh LORD, how many time have I attributed their behavior to sin, when the fault was actually mine? For failing to provide them with the proper equipment with which to judge their spiritual reflection. For not noticing the things that may have distorted the truth. Please forgive me.

So now I have two things to do this week. #1 is easy - buy my dd a full-length mirror so she can accurately inspect her physical image before leaving her room. #2 is a bit harder; to prayerfully consult God and ask Him to reveal to me knowledge of him that my children may be lacking and to also reveal to me any distortions that they may have. Then I shall also ask that he guide me in correcting these distortions. Please pray for me, I think this may only be the tip of the iceberg, so to speak.

Blessings,

Theresa

Friday at My House

I've decided that every Friday I will post a picture of something (or someplace) in my house. So seeing that this is the first Friday post we'll start with:

the entrance way.

Its not overly large but it serves it's purpose. The topiary is a new addition. I felt that something was needed to fill up the corner. Last week I changed the house over to spring decor. So away went the heavier pieces and out came the crisp white linens and crystal. I love having the sun reflect off the different pieces. My favorite piece in this area is the pink depression glass plate and bowl that sit on the silver platter. Every entrance way needs a catch-all for car keys, etc. You can't tell by the picture but the bowl and the walls are almost the same color. Oh well, see you next Friday.

Spring is in the Air!

Spring is in the air and it is time to start working. This afternoon, Laurel and I, began to work on our garden. (No pictures, I don't really find dirt all that interesting LOL) We planted lavender, thyme, basil, oregano, dill, rosemary, chives, beans, cucumbers, squash, lettuce, and peppers. About 100 seed pots in all. During the next 3 weeks we will continue to plant the seed pots so that the harvest will be spaced out. The next step is to have the boys build me some raised beds to transfer the seedlings into. Hopefully those will get done next week. I also bought some shrubs, roses and hydrangeas for the front garden. I'm beginning to see what has come back from last year. Certain areas will need some filling in. Hopefully the weather will be nice enough this weekend for me to work on it.

I recently bought the book 'The Backyard Homestead' and I am excited to try my hand at backyard homesteading. The book covers how to supply your needs on 1/4 of an acre. While I don't think I'll be taking it that far (the neighbors would probably frown on a corn/wheat field in the front yard and chickens running around the house - this is suburbia after all) I do hope to at least have enough fresh herbs and vegetables to take through the summer.

Oh me!

I found this quote today and it gave me an 'Oh me' moment.....

A real Christian is the person who can give his pet parrot to the town gossip.

- Billy Graham

Wow, if I had a pet parrot would I want the town gossip to get a hold of it? Uh.... NO! To have those weak moments revealed. The ones were I lose my Christianity (you know what I mean) and say how I really feel about someone, and there is no love involved. Or that moment when just one kid too many makes a request and I let them know exactly how I would like to respond to their request. Yes, I will admit, patience is definitely a virtue that I am still working on. I have impatience down pretty good though. (Um... is that something to brag about? Ooops :) ) Or better yet when my darling husband does something that I don't agree with and I choose not to hold my tongue and get a 'bit' snarky. Yeah, right about now I'm really glad I'm not a bird person. So please, I don't care how cute you think it is, no parrots for birthdays or Christmas. Nope, no way, no thanks, please let me have the return receipt. Honestly, I don't know who the town gossip is but I do know that for now, I'm not taking any chances with the parrot.

Well I'm off to my corner now. I have a verse I need to memorize and start putting into practice.

He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.

- Proverbs 13:3

Don's 18th Birthday Party

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

We had Don's birthday party on Friday. He chose "retro '70s" for his theme. It was great seeing all the kids dressed up and having fun. I really love this group of kids. They are such fun and never give us any kind of trouble. They are what kids are meant to be - blessings.

All the kids received a blank t-shirt and white bandana. They had a great time making tie-dye shirts and coloring their bandanas. We opted not to make cake - just had a lot of cupcakes, bags of icing and decorations. The kids then made their own cupcakes to order. (Actually it was more like the girls decorated and the boys ate! Those boys are sooooo spoiled.)

Of course, at the end of the night the fire pit was lit and the guitars came out. Can you all say "kumbuyah"? LOL! :)

A Sonnet To Heavenly Beauty

If this our little life is but a day

In the Eternal, --if the years in vain

Toil after hours that never come again,-

If everything that hath been must decay,

Why dreamest thou of joys that pass away,

My soul, that my sad body doth restrain?

Why of the moment's pleasure art thou fain?

Nay, thou hast wings,--nay, seek another stay.

There is the joy whereto each soul aspires,

And there the rest that all the world desires,

And there is love, and peace, and gracious mirth;

And there in the most highest heavens shalt thou

Behold the Very Beauty, whereof now

Thou worshippest the shadow upon earth.

-DuBellay (1550)

Welcome

Welcome friends and family to my new blog. Along with my musings and ramblings I will be posting about the "goings-ons" of our family. As the kids get older and more independent it is getting harder to keep up with them all. I'll admit, this page is as much for them as it is for you. Hopefully if I keep everything in one place it won't get so lost (lol). I hope you all enjoy following along with our family as we live it out for the Lord.

Blessings,

Theresa

Another Birthday Today!

Will
Happy 17th Birthday