The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY... Monday, January 25, 2010

Outside my window... the sun is shining - looks like a pretty day.

I am thinking... I need to go wake up my girls and get started with our day.

I am thankful for... my sweet family; they are such blessings to me.

I am wearing... my p.j.'s (which is about to change right after this post). :)

I am remembering... my little nephew and Ryan's aunt, uncle, and cousin's family in prayer.

I am going... to a speech and debate competition with the girls later this week.

I am currently reading... actually rereading Diana Waring's Beyond Survival: A Guide to Abundant-Life Homeschooling. Even though I've homeschooled since my 15 year old was turning 5 (and truthfully before that, since they're always learning), I still love a dose of extra encouragement every now and then. After all, the kids keep growing and, therefore, each year is always different.

I am hoping... that we have a smooth, fun filled, learning filled day. :)

On my mind... the plans for the day (learning for the girls and deciding for sure about dinner and when I need to do our big bread baking (6 loaves) - today or tomorrow).

Noticing that... the time is getting away from me. :)

Pondering these words...out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

From the kitchen... planning to have mexican soup one night and, maybe spaghetti another night. Also need to come up with what I'm going to pack into the cooler to allow us to eat a meal out of it once a day for 3 days while at the speech competition (thus baking 6 loaves of bread either today or tomorrow).

Around the house... we need to clean - let's see if we can get it done before the competition.

One of my favorite things~ last week I was reading Raggedy Ann stories to my 7 year old. We read the one where Raggedy Ann had paint poured on her and, when a lady was fixing her up, she put a candy hear that said "I love you" in it. My 7 year old checked her Raggedy Ann doll and the look of amazement when she discovered that her doll also had an "I love you" heart on her chest was precious!

From my picture journal...

Wishing you a week full of fun.

Gotta Love It :)

My family and I enjoy watching the Duggar Family on TLC.
(If you're not familiar, they're a wonderful Christian family who've been blessed with 19 children. God's given them a great testimony and worked out a way for them to share their faith in Him while living their lives through their tv show.)

After the premature birth of their 19th child in December, they ended up renting a house in Little Rock, Arkansas to be nearer the baby who's still in the hospital. While looking for updated info the other day, I found this blog post:

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Duggar Family Leases a Home with History
To be close to their 19th child, Josie Brooklyn, born three months premature, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar have leased a house in Little Rock, Arkansas. The home is the historic Cornish House, built in 1919 by Ed and Hilda Cornish. Born as Brunhilde Kahlert, Mrs. Cornish started the state's birth control movement after the death of her husband. Her efforts paved the way for the establishment of Arkansas' Planned Parenthood Association. On the contrary, the Duggars believe that children are a blessing from God and desire to receive all the gifts He is willing to give them. They are thankful to have found a house to accommodate their large family, no matter what its history is.

That made me laugh out loud - God arranged for them (who speak loudly with their lives as well as their words that children are a gift from Him) to live for a while in the home of the founder of what became Arkansas' Planned Parenthood Association.

Isn't God great?!? :)

It's Whose We Are!

I wanted to share with you a thought that's been on my mind for a few months:

I think we all experience this when we or someone we know and love is expecting a baby. We love that little one, not because of what they've done or will do but, simply because of whose they are. Put simply, it's not who they are but rather whose they are.
There's a spiritual analogy. God loves us because, as believers, we belong to Him. It's not because of anything we've done, simply because of whose we are! What a blessing!

Psalm 100:3
Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Titus 3:5
he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy

Thank you for those of you who have continued to pray for my brother, sister-in-law, and their little one. (The situation remains the same - praying for a miracle and, most of all, God's will and for Him to receive the glory. They have found out the baby is a boy and have named him Eli, so we can pray for him by name.)

Around our house, life is crazy and busy but good. :)

We're back into our school and activities routine and added yet another activity (dance for the older 3 in addition to the youngest). :0 The weeks fly by and on Friday evening I'm shocked it's already the end of the week.

Feels good to be back to normal but, as you can tell, one result is much less computer time.

Heading out the door to speech club right now. Have a great weekend!

Tim Hawkins Free Credit Report Dot Com Spoof

My family and I enjoy Tim Hawkins. He makes us laugh. We actually enjoyed watching his new video on New Years Eve and found this little song. Loved it and thought you'd enjoy it too. :)

Victory in Jesus

I just finished reading Revelation and am so thankful that God has the victory and we can know that now, while we're still in the midst of hardships and sorrow this side of heaven. I'm thankful that He offers us life giving water free for the taking

Revelation 22:17
The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

There is so much sorrow in the world. My husband learned on New Years Day that a cousin of his had taken his own life the night before. What sorrow we feel, especially for his aunt, uncle, surviving cousin and her family. How difficult!
We also continuously lift up my brother, his wife, and our newest little niece or nephew who, outside of a miracle from God, is not expected to spend long with us this side of eternity.
A local homeschool family we know experienced the murder of a cousin the Sunday after Christmas.
I also know a 29 year old missionary who, totally unexpected, died of a brain aneurysm the week of Christmas leaving behind a young wife and 2 children ages 2 & 2 months.
A friend of mine also told me of a homeschooler in their area whose 6 month old died (possibly SIDS) on Christmas Eve.
So much sorrow and heart ache - I'm so thankful that we can bring it all to the throne of God and lay it at His feet. He weeps with us and is the only one who can heal and work all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. (Romans 8:28)

Also, what a wonderful joy to know the end from the beginning - He has victory in His hand. He has conquered death and will one day throw it into the lake of fire and

Rev. 21:3-4
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'"

Wishing you joy in the victory and God's arms underneath you carrying you through the trials and sorrows this side of heaven.