The Honest Scrap Blog Award .....and someone awarded it to me. I think I might be speechless! Now before any of you faint and keel over at the thought of me -- who loves to visit and talk -- being actually out of words....don't panic! It's just a temporary lapse from the shock of it all. I know, I know. You thought it was too good to be true that I might be speechless, eh? =)
A new friend, fellow blogger, and writer just bestowed upon me the The Honest Scrap Blog Award! Thanks, Ralene! That's so sweet and such a kind thing to do. I'm honored. Please check out Ralene's blogs: Call to Love and Faith Hope and Suspense -- you'll find links to them on my sidebar under Blogs I Like to Visit.
So, the rules of the Honest Scrap Blog Award are that you have to reveal Eight Honest Things about yourself. So here goes......
1. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am also a bit of a klutz. Sort of an accident waiting to happen, one might say. I usually spill or drop something -- and if it's food or drink, usually on myself.
2. I love a good romantic movie. Old and new alike. Hallmark movies are some of my faves.
3. There's not much on TV I like to watch these days, but if I find the time to watch a little -- a couple of my faves are HGTV (particulary House Hunters) and TLC's What Not to Wear. My wardrobe is an excellent example of what NOT to wear!
4. I snort when I laugh. I don't mean to -- it just sort of happens. And yes, if the pastor is funny....I've even snorted in church. Not the most appropriate place to let out a rip-roaring snort, I'll admit. But I just can't control these things.
5. You've heard of people with magnetism? Well, I'm a magnet alright....but not how you're thinking. I sort of....well....attract certain things....of a rather... icky nature. You remember when I said that I usually spill or drop something? Yes, well....I usually step in things too. Or they land on me from the air. Birds seem to particularly have me targeted and well, I guess I just have a natural gift at finding the doggie landmines. Enough said. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
6. Remember when I said I was an accident waiting to happen? Our tornado shelter is in a storage area underneath the stairs in a bi-level home. A few years ago when my hubby was at a church meeting, the sirens went off. My dd and I (and the dog) all got in the shelter and when I shut the door real snug (I wanted to be safe) I actually locked us inside the shelter....twice in the same evening! It took my version of a "hi-ya" karate kick (twice) to free us. I really need to get a new latch for that door -- one that doesn't spin around and lock when you yank it shut.
7. I love being a stay-at-home wife/mom and homeschooling our precious miracle daughter. It's a calling from the Lord as well as my joy, privilege, and honor to do this for the Lord and my family. And now, God has asked me to write. I don't know if His plan is for me to be published someday or just to write for Him so He can teach me lessons along the way. I figure He'll reveal things to me in His time and not my own. Where He leads, I will follow.
8. I'll be married to my wonderful hubby 20 years this year. We met on a blind-date and married just over 8 months later. I still remember the first time I heard his voice over the phone. Ooooooo! Not only do we celebrate our wedding anniversary each year, but he still wishes me "Happy Anniversary" every year on the anniversary of the day we met. I'm so glad God had a plan for him to fall in love with a nutbar like me.
Well, that's the eight honest facts about me. Did I scare you off of my blog?
I'm new to this blogging business and need to discover more of you and your awesome blogs out in blogland. But rest assured, I'll be nominating and passing on the Honest Scrap Blog Award in a later post.
Have a joyful and fantastic day in the Lord!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Don't Believe the Lies..........
You CAN do it! What, you ask? You can do whatever the Lord asks of you today. He won't ask you to do something and then not give you the strength to make it happen. So, don't believe the arrows of lies that the evil one shoots at you. Be confident in the Lord! I've heard it said ......
"Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders and says "Oh no......she's awake!" (Think theme song from the movie ROCKY playing here. )
This is the day that the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Don't let anyone or anything suck the joy out of you with their negativity today. Have a joyful, marvelous day!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
I Survived County Fair!
County Fair is now over and I survived! Whew! Being tired from fair actually starts before fair even arrives. My daughter had a lot of work and preparation to do beforehand. So why did I get tired? Have you ever heard the saying, "I'm getting tired just watching you!" Enough said.
There's also long, exhausting hours spent at the fair; but it's full of fun nonetheless. Days of standing on concrete floors for long periods of time does make one tired, but it's all worth it when you see how much the youth enjoy the fair and how much they learn from the experience. Enjoy the moment - we can rest later, right? Although there was a time or two I felt as if I was puttin' the achin' in the bacon. (Maybe the saying "Oh, my achin' bacon" when you're really tired and worn out is just something I grew up with and you're all wondering what I'm talking about?)
There were ups and downs this year at fair, but mostly ups! My daughter did very well, but also learned some things. For instance, she learned that if you're making cookies for competition, space them out farther apart on the cookie sheet. If they touch and you have to cut them apart even the littlest bit -- making one spot on the cookie not completely round -- you lose a whole ribbon placing, even though the judge keeps eating on the breakfast cookie because it tastes yummy. =)
Now that county fair is over, we're on to state fair held in mid-September. Until then, she'll be practicing her bread baking as she qualified to enter her 100% Whole Wheat Bread. My hubby gladly volunteered to eat her practice loaves. =)
She qualified to go to state on two of her 11 photos, but she still has to pick between the two as you're only allowed to enter one photo in the state fair. There's no preparation in that category, she'll just have to make up her mind.
Finally, she'll be going to state fair as one of four on the Family and Consumer Sciences Judging Team for our county. She and her teammates will probably meet in the near future to begin preparing and reviewing topics before competition.
We are so proud of our precious daughter, regardless of what color the ribbons happen to be that she receives. Even if she hadn't done as well nor qualified in one single event to go on to state fair -- we wouldn't be any less proud. Getting awards and winning things can be fun and a good motivator, but it's really all about the learning process. Just working hard on a project, explaining your project and answering questions from the judges, getting up in front of people and presenting without being intimidated (or doing it anyway even if you are), and knowing when all the dust settles that you gave it your best -- that's success!
Never be ashamed of who you are or what you can do as long as you're being obedient to the Lord's calling, doing it to the glory of God and in the name of Jesus, and giving thanks in all things. Can I get an Amen?
There's also long, exhausting hours spent at the fair; but it's full of fun nonetheless. Days of standing on concrete floors for long periods of time does make one tired, but it's all worth it when you see how much the youth enjoy the fair and how much they learn from the experience. Enjoy the moment - we can rest later, right? Although there was a time or two I felt as if I was puttin' the achin' in the bacon. (Maybe the saying "Oh, my achin' bacon" when you're really tired and worn out is just something I grew up with and you're all wondering what I'm talking about?)
There were ups and downs this year at fair, but mostly ups! My daughter did very well, but also learned some things. For instance, she learned that if you're making cookies for competition, space them out farther apart on the cookie sheet. If they touch and you have to cut them apart even the littlest bit -- making one spot on the cookie not completely round -- you lose a whole ribbon placing, even though the judge keeps eating on the breakfast cookie because it tastes yummy. =)
Now that county fair is over, we're on to state fair held in mid-September. Until then, she'll be practicing her bread baking as she qualified to enter her 100% Whole Wheat Bread. My hubby gladly volunteered to eat her practice loaves. =)
She qualified to go to state on two of her 11 photos, but she still has to pick between the two as you're only allowed to enter one photo in the state fair. There's no preparation in that category, she'll just have to make up her mind.
Finally, she'll be going to state fair as one of four on the Family and Consumer Sciences Judging Team for our county. She and her teammates will probably meet in the near future to begin preparing and reviewing topics before competition.
We are so proud of our precious daughter, regardless of what color the ribbons happen to be that she receives. Even if she hadn't done as well nor qualified in one single event to go on to state fair -- we wouldn't be any less proud. Getting awards and winning things can be fun and a good motivator, but it's really all about the learning process. Just working hard on a project, explaining your project and answering questions from the judges, getting up in front of people and presenting without being intimidated (or doing it anyway even if you are), and knowing when all the dust settles that you gave it your best -- that's success!
Never be ashamed of who you are or what you can do as long as you're being obedient to the Lord's calling, doing it to the glory of God and in the name of Jesus, and giving thanks in all things. Can I get an Amen?
Friday, July 17, 2009
If Wishes Were Horses, Beggars Would Ride.....
I don't know why this line from an old nursery rhyme came to my mind, but it did. So I thought I'd just share my thoughts on it.
Do any of you remember your folks ever saying, "If wishes were horses, beggars would ride"? My mom said that a lot! Of course then, I never stopped to analyze the English language proverb and nursery rhyme from long, long ago. But regardless, I knew what she meant. I'm sure that the look on her face and the way in which she used it helped me out in my understanding in my very early years. =) When she used that phrase, I knew without a doubt, that the answer to what I was wishing for or wanted was nein, no, forget it, it "ain't" gonna' happen. I could wish all I wanted, but the answer was still no.
I wonder why I remember that saying so well from my childhood. Hmm. That part seems a bit fuzzy after all these years. =) I do have to say that as a teen, I was much better at not having to hear that saying as much. I understood rules and the value of a dollar much better. Nonetheless, I seem to recall the saying quite well and have even used it on occasion myself as an adult. I've also heard "If wishes were fishes, we'd all cast nets." I kind of like that one.
Instead of sitting around wishing for things to happen, perhaps we'd receive better results if action were taken instead of wasting time. Realistically, they may not be the same results we "wished" for, but the results we receive will be from good hard work and initiative on our part. (Okay, I get the message, God. Sitting around wishing can cause procrastination in areas that are best worked on right away.) Isn't it amazing how God can use a childhood memory of a silly phrase to prompt a blog entry and turn it into a lesson for the blog author? Timing is everything as they say.
If everything in life was as easy as wishing for it, we'd all have everything we ever wanted, wouldn't we? But do we want what WE want or what God wants for our lives? Do I have a wish list? You betcha'! But I think I'll ask God what He wants for me and that His will be done. So far, He has a fantastic track record! His plan, His Will, His timing are all better than mine. In fact, His are all perfect! Go God!
So, if you ever find yourself wishing for different circumstances, if you must, give yourself a minute or so of "Oh, I sure wish"......take a reality check..... then pick yourself up by the proverbial boot straps and remember.....If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
Do any of you remember your folks ever saying, "If wishes were horses, beggars would ride"? My mom said that a lot! Of course then, I never stopped to analyze the English language proverb and nursery rhyme from long, long ago. But regardless, I knew what she meant. I'm sure that the look on her face and the way in which she used it helped me out in my understanding in my very early years. =) When she used that phrase, I knew without a doubt, that the answer to what I was wishing for or wanted was nein, no, forget it, it "ain't" gonna' happen. I could wish all I wanted, but the answer was still no.
I wonder why I remember that saying so well from my childhood. Hmm. That part seems a bit fuzzy after all these years. =) I do have to say that as a teen, I was much better at not having to hear that saying as much. I understood rules and the value of a dollar much better. Nonetheless, I seem to recall the saying quite well and have even used it on occasion myself as an adult. I've also heard "If wishes were fishes, we'd all cast nets." I kind of like that one.
Instead of sitting around wishing for things to happen, perhaps we'd receive better results if action were taken instead of wasting time. Realistically, they may not be the same results we "wished" for, but the results we receive will be from good hard work and initiative on our part. (Okay, I get the message, God. Sitting around wishing can cause procrastination in areas that are best worked on right away.) Isn't it amazing how God can use a childhood memory of a silly phrase to prompt a blog entry and turn it into a lesson for the blog author? Timing is everything as they say.
If everything in life was as easy as wishing for it, we'd all have everything we ever wanted, wouldn't we? But do we want what WE want or what God wants for our lives? Do I have a wish list? You betcha'! But I think I'll ask God what He wants for me and that His will be done. So far, He has a fantastic track record! His plan, His Will, His timing are all better than mine. In fact, His are all perfect! Go God!
So, if you ever find yourself wishing for different circumstances, if you must, give yourself a minute or so of "Oh, I sure wish"......take a reality check..... then pick yourself up by the proverbial boot straps and remember.....If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Where Has the Summer Gone?
What? It's July 13th already? Where did June go? The older I get, the faster time goes. When I was a youngster, I remember adults telling me to enjoy my youth for when I got older, the time would just fly by. At the time, I thought to myself, "Yeah, whatever! You're just saying that." I've since learned that they were correct. Oh boy, were they correct!
It seems as if we were just winding down the school year a couple of weeks ago and now here we are gearing up for the new school year to begin in August. I didn't think we had many activities on the agenda for this summer. Apparently, that's what I get for thinking. ha! It's been a good summer -- albeit a busy one -- and we still have the county fair yet.
We are a 4-H Family, so there will be lots of preparation over the next 10 days before the fair begins on Thursday, July 23rd. Last year I said to my daughter, "There will be no more of this business of working on fair stuff a few weeks before the fair takes place. The idea is to work on projects throughout the year and set them aside to be entered at fair time." Yes, well, er.........so much for grand plans and all that. We were so busy with school, activities, speech, and just life........well, that particular goal did not come to fruition. It seems fair just sneaks up on us -- and it baffles me how that happens. Fair isn't even here yet and I've already said the same thing I did last year when we were working on last minute stuff. But I really mean it this time. "That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!"
Obviously, foods can't be made ahead of time, but everything else can and will be, I say. Fair is supposed to be fun, not stressful. If projects that can be aren't finished by the time pre-entries and last chance project enrollment comes around (May), they won't be entered in the fair. That will force us to allocate time for projects to be worked on throughout the year and will help decisions to be made on which ones mean the most. It sounds good as I'm typing this. I hope that it works out as well as it sounds. I think I'll be checking out my concordance for scripture on time management. A little meditation on scripture in that area seems appropriate about now.
I'll let you know in a post after the fair is over how it all went. I may have random bald spots on my head by then -- having pulled out my hair in frustration -- so there may or may not be pictures involved in the sharing of results.
I hope your summer is going well. Let's squeeze every drop of joy out of every day, shall we? 'Cuz they sure do go by fast! Every single day is a gift from God....ready to be unwrapped. What am I doing with that gift?
Blessings to you, dear friends!
It seems as if we were just winding down the school year a couple of weeks ago and now here we are gearing up for the new school year to begin in August. I didn't think we had many activities on the agenda for this summer. Apparently, that's what I get for thinking. ha! It's been a good summer -- albeit a busy one -- and we still have the county fair yet.
We are a 4-H Family, so there will be lots of preparation over the next 10 days before the fair begins on Thursday, July 23rd. Last year I said to my daughter, "There will be no more of this business of working on fair stuff a few weeks before the fair takes place. The idea is to work on projects throughout the year and set them aside to be entered at fair time." Yes, well, er.........so much for grand plans and all that. We were so busy with school, activities, speech, and just life........well, that particular goal did not come to fruition. It seems fair just sneaks up on us -- and it baffles me how that happens. Fair isn't even here yet and I've already said the same thing I did last year when we were working on last minute stuff. But I really mean it this time. "That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!"
Obviously, foods can't be made ahead of time, but everything else can and will be, I say. Fair is supposed to be fun, not stressful. If projects that can be aren't finished by the time pre-entries and last chance project enrollment comes around (May), they won't be entered in the fair. That will force us to allocate time for projects to be worked on throughout the year and will help decisions to be made on which ones mean the most. It sounds good as I'm typing this. I hope that it works out as well as it sounds. I think I'll be checking out my concordance for scripture on time management. A little meditation on scripture in that area seems appropriate about now.
I'll let you know in a post after the fair is over how it all went. I may have random bald spots on my head by then -- having pulled out my hair in frustration -- so there may or may not be pictures involved in the sharing of results.
I hope your summer is going well. Let's squeeze every drop of joy out of every day, shall we? 'Cuz they sure do go by fast! Every single day is a gift from God....ready to be unwrapped. What am I doing with that gift?
Blessings to you, dear friends!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Being Content
Feeling or showing satisfaction with one's possessions, status, or situation. That's what the definition "contented" says on the Merriam-Webster on-line dictionary. Wow! According to the world today, it is my opinion that a vast majority don't hold to -- or shall I say agree with -- that definition. It seems most are never satisfied. Instead they choose to believe the advertising gurus as they try to continually convince us that we need different, better, and more stuff. They're blatantly obvious that it's about keeping up with the proverbial "Joneses." Print ads, billboards, radio and television ads tell us that status and position in the world are important. That it's all about US and what we want. Sad, isn't it?
The subject of being content and my desire to write about it came to me after receiving an e-mail containing a devotional about learning to be content. It was a wonderful devotional, surely far more wise and profound than anything I could humbly come up with myself. But that's not going to stop me from sharing my opinion anyway. =)
Content is exactly how I feel as I walk in obedience to God in being a stay-at-home wife/mother and homeschooling mom. In fact, it's the best job I've ever had and it brings me great joy! Many people do not understand that we are called by God to do this wonderful ministry. No matter. God is my audience, not others. God provided a wonderful opportunity for me to work at a part-time job cleaning an office in our community. It allows me to still be obedient to His call for me to be at home and homeschool our precious daughter, yet earn the little extra we need. We have chosen to do this part-time job as a family. This allows us to spend less time at the job, teach our daughter responsibility, and a chance to earn a little money as well. It's been perfect for our family and God knew just what we needed when He provided it. He is so awesome!
I agree with the author of the devotional that true contentment is about our spiritual life, not material things. The human side of us still has desires and wants sometimes, and I think that's normal and God understands that. After all, He created us. And sure..... it would be easier to have an abundance of money at our beck and call. But I just keep praying for God's will to be done in our life and try my best to be obedient to what He lays on my heart. God's timing is perfect, not mine. And He always provides what we actually need. Sometimes it's a lesson in how to do without, do with less, providing "just" enough, and sometimes -- it's in abundance. I need to remember that I'm to be pleasing in God's sight -- not the world's.
God loves me so much! I need to pray for His best for me, not what I think is best for me. When you think about the gift of Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross for us, everything else pales drastically in comparison to that.
I've pasted below the devotional that I've been talking about. I hope that you also will enjoy reading it and shout out a hearty "Amen!" as well, even if just in your heart.
Blessings to you, dear blogger friends!
The below devotional is from "The Word for You Today, Bob Gass Ministries
Learn to be Content (1)
"I have learned the secret of being content." Philippians 4:12
Sometimes contentment means:
(1) Learning to be happy with less. A hard-charging executive decided to spend a few days in a monastery. "I hope your stay is a blessed one," said the monk who showed him to his cell. "If you need anything let us know. We'll teach you how to live without it." Happiness isn't getting what you want, it's enjoying what God's given you. Paul said he had learned to be content, "Whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (2) Remembering yourself things could be worse. Snoopy was lying in his dog house one Thanksgiving Day, mumbling about being stuck with dog food while all those humans got to be inside with the turkey and gravy and pumpkin pie." "Of course, it could have been worse," he finally reflected, "I could have been born a turkey." Reminding yourself, "It could be worse" can be a powerful developer of contentment. (3) Understanding that what you seek is spiritual, not material. Paul says to beware of "greed, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5) Our problem isn't just that we want more, it's that the condition which underlies all our wanting is that we really want God. As Augustine said, "Our souls will never rest, until they rest in Thee." Why would God let us feel at home, when this world is not our home? Our dissatisfaction, if we let it, can sharpen our spiritual hunger and cause us to pray, "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10)
Make this a good day. I love you all.
The Word for You Today, Bob Gass Ministries
The subject of being content and my desire to write about it came to me after receiving an e-mail containing a devotional about learning to be content. It was a wonderful devotional, surely far more wise and profound than anything I could humbly come up with myself. But that's not going to stop me from sharing my opinion anyway. =)
Content is exactly how I feel as I walk in obedience to God in being a stay-at-home wife/mother and homeschooling mom. In fact, it's the best job I've ever had and it brings me great joy! Many people do not understand that we are called by God to do this wonderful ministry. No matter. God is my audience, not others. God provided a wonderful opportunity for me to work at a part-time job cleaning an office in our community. It allows me to still be obedient to His call for me to be at home and homeschool our precious daughter, yet earn the little extra we need. We have chosen to do this part-time job as a family. This allows us to spend less time at the job, teach our daughter responsibility, and a chance to earn a little money as well. It's been perfect for our family and God knew just what we needed when He provided it. He is so awesome!
I agree with the author of the devotional that true contentment is about our spiritual life, not material things. The human side of us still has desires and wants sometimes, and I think that's normal and God understands that. After all, He created us. And sure..... it would be easier to have an abundance of money at our beck and call. But I just keep praying for God's will to be done in our life and try my best to be obedient to what He lays on my heart. God's timing is perfect, not mine. And He always provides what we actually need. Sometimes it's a lesson in how to do without, do with less, providing "just" enough, and sometimes -- it's in abundance. I need to remember that I'm to be pleasing in God's sight -- not the world's.
God loves me so much! I need to pray for His best for me, not what I think is best for me. When you think about the gift of Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross for us, everything else pales drastically in comparison to that.
I've pasted below the devotional that I've been talking about. I hope that you also will enjoy reading it and shout out a hearty "Amen!" as well, even if just in your heart.
Blessings to you, dear blogger friends!
The below devotional is from "The Word for You Today, Bob Gass Ministries
Learn to be Content (1)
"I have learned the secret of being content." Philippians 4:12
Sometimes contentment means:
(1) Learning to be happy with less. A hard-charging executive decided to spend a few days in a monastery. "I hope your stay is a blessed one," said the monk who showed him to his cell. "If you need anything let us know. We'll teach you how to live without it." Happiness isn't getting what you want, it's enjoying what God's given you. Paul said he had learned to be content, "Whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (2) Remembering yourself things could be worse. Snoopy was lying in his dog house one Thanksgiving Day, mumbling about being stuck with dog food while all those humans got to be inside with the turkey and gravy and pumpkin pie." "Of course, it could have been worse," he finally reflected, "I could have been born a turkey." Reminding yourself, "It could be worse" can be a powerful developer of contentment. (3) Understanding that what you seek is spiritual, not material. Paul says to beware of "greed, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5) Our problem isn't just that we want more, it's that the condition which underlies all our wanting is that we really want God. As Augustine said, "Our souls will never rest, until they rest in Thee." Why would God let us feel at home, when this world is not our home? Our dissatisfaction, if we let it, can sharpen our spiritual hunger and cause us to pray, "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10)
Make this a good day. I love you all.
The Word for You Today, Bob Gass Ministries
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