Please Pray

I wanted to thank you all for praying for sweet Eli. He slipped into our world yesterday evening for a short time and then into Jesus' arms. Please continue to lift up my brother, Jamie, his wife, Jennifer, and their children Jay (8), Cooper (turning 7 this Wed.), and Lucie Rose (2) as well as the grandparents. Jennifer had to have an emergency c-section to deliver him, so she also needs prayer for healing. This is such a sad time, but no one is grieving "as those who have no hope". We all know Eli is in Jesus' arms and that's the best place for him. Empty arms still hurt though. Thank you for continuing to lift them up.
In His love,
Tina

What's Been Going on at Our House?

Guess how we were blessed?

I know that many of you are accustomed to snow, but for us it doesn't happen a lot. The girls had lots of fun playing in the snow and we all even enjoyed just watching it. It looks so much more peaceful than rain. :)

Since we don't get a lot of snow, it's not worth it to get snow boots. So we decided to make "southern snow boots" (or is it "redneck snowboots"?) Either way, it kept their feet dry and made us laugh also. :)

The girls enjoyed going to a sweet Valentine tea party given by some sweet friends of ours.

This weekend we also finally disassembled the old bunkbed that we've had since the oldest 3 were 5, 3, and 1. It had gotten wiggly and very squeaky. We were blessed to find that some beds we'd been looking at as replacement beds had been discontinued and discounted. (Of course, my sweet husband had to go to 6 different Walmarts to find the 2 beds. But he was determined and we got them.) :)

Finally, look at what else has been going on in our house. Notice anything different? :D

I know that some of you have been praying for my sweet nephew, my brother, his wife, and their children. My sweet sister-in-law has begun a blog. If you'd like to follow it, you'll be able to get more info and know specific ways you can pray for them. I do ask you to continue to pray for healing and God's grace, strength, and power in the situation that He may be glorified and they will be carried and feel His love.

My oldest also pointed out to me that it's been about two years since we experienced a tornado. If you'd like to read more about it, you can read about our experiences here or by following the category links on the side for tornado and tornado testimony.

Hope you all have a wonderful week. :)

True Family: After Eden - Answers in Genesis

True Family: After Eden - Answers in Genesis



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"Songs of the Lukewarm Church" - Way of the Master website

While looking at the Way of the Master website, I ran across these "Songs of the Lukewarm Church". We laughed (while noting that we need to be careful that it doesn't describe us). Thought you'd enjoy it too. :)

Blest Be The Tie That Doesn't Cramp My Style
Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me
I Surrender Some
I'm Fairly Certain That My Redeemer Lives
Sit Up, Sit Up For Jesus
Take My Life and Let Me Be
What An Acquaintance We Have In Jesus
Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following
He's Quite a Bit To Me
Oh, How I Like Jesus
Fill My Spoon, Lord
It Is My Secret What God Can Do

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY... Monday, Feb. 8th, 2010
Outside my window... night has fallen.
I am thinking... I need to fold laundry and exercise (yet here I sit). :)
I am thankful for... a wonderful husband who loves me and listens to me and four sweet girls who are a joy to watch grow.
I am wearing... a long sleeved striped shirt, fleece jacket, jeans, and cozy slippers. :)
I am remembering... my little nephew and Ryan's aunt, uncle, and cousin's family in prayer.
I am going... to have a busy week - a friend's party today (was lots of fun), girls go to the dentist tomorrow, I go to pick up milk for our co-op early Wed. morning, piano lessons Thursday, and speech club Friday. (Oh yeah - we need to fit school work in there too.) :)
I am currently reading... Mere Christianity. (My oldest is reading it for school and I'm trying to stay a chapter or two ahead of her.) :) Also listening to Screwtape Letters. Never read it and am enjoying it quite a bit.

I am hoping... that I actually get up and take care of the laundry and exercise too. :)

On my mind... I love old musicals. (Listening to pandora.com to a selection of broadway songs. Fiddler on the Roof right now.)

Noticing that...time flies quickly when you're on the computer.

Pondering these words...from the Amplified Bible in Mark 2:15, when describing the people eating dinner with Jesus at Levi (Matthew)'s house "were dining with Him, for there were many who walked the same road (followed) with Him." Love that new (to me) word picture of walking the same road as Jesus - not loving Him from a distance or another road but walking with Him, on the same road.
From the kitchen... made 5 loaves of bread this morning, hot pockets for lunch, and tacos for dinner. I'm thankful the girls did a good job cleaning up the kitchen after dinner. :)

Around the house... cleaning needed.
One of my favorite things~ mornings. Not when I'm laying in bed trying to find the strength to open my eyes and get up; but rather, when I am up and see the promise of a new day and enjoy the quiet peacefulness before it gets started.

From my picture journal...

So, I don't take a lot of pictures. Here's one I thought you'd enjoy anyway. :)

You can enjoy more daybooks at Simple Woman's Daybook.

Have a great week.

Global Warming?

I found these pictures on BBC's website. They're reporting that it may be the worst snow storm in almost 90 years. The words "Global Warming" really make me laugh! :)

30 Day Huband Encouragement Challenge

I love Nancy Leigh DeMoss' ministry Revive Our Hearts.
Around the holidays, I found on her website some 30 day challenges. http://www.reviveourhearts.com/challenge/
I decided to take the 30 day Husband Encouragement Challenge.

I had really, over the last few months, been burdened to try to be sure that I was being a godly wife. I know that God has called me, first and foremost to glorify Him through being a godly wife and mother. Being a sinful woman, however, I often fall far short.

Back to the challenge. I actually probably took more like 60 days to do the challenge but it was such an encouragement anyway. God taught me something wonderful through it. (Although I don't think the challenge was specifically geared at what God taught me, He used it. Isn't God just like that? When we're seeking Him, He'll reach out to us.)

The lesson I learned was about forgiveness. Now, don't get me wrong. My husband is a wonderful man, a terrific daddy, and cherishes me much more than I deserve. However, he is a fallen man, just like his wife is a fallen woman. ;) We both mess up sometimes. I'd kind of gotten the wrong idea on forgiveness. When there was an issue that I disagreed with him on, even though I submitted on the outside, I stewed inside. I thought I would forgive, but my forgiveness was more like "I love you anyway." God really showed me that love is not "I love you anyway" but rather "I love you." Let the issues go and leave them in God's hands. (He's so much more capable than us.)

If you're interested, there are a number of other challenges on her website. I'm thinking of taking the "True Woman Makeover" next. For more info, check out her site (linked above).

Skirt Giveaway

Kim over at Life in a Shoe is sponsoring a Modest Mom giveaway. To enter to win a skirt, go visit her blog at http://inashoe.com/2010/02/modest-mom-shop-review-giveaway/.
(By the way, enjoy looking over her blog while you're there. I love her sense of humor.) :)

Catch Up & Answers Book for Kids

Thought I'd post a quick catch up. My computer time stays pretty limited, so I don't post often, but everything is going well here.

The girls (and therefore me also) have stayed busy with their school work and activities. We went to a speech and debate tournament, but had a quick change in plans and came home early when that big winter storm was coming across the country.

This week's been filled with produce coop, dance lessons, Word of Life & Awana, and speech club. The oldest two have puppet competition this weekend.

I was trying to think of something of interest to share with you all and thought I'd share with you a treasure that the girls and I have been enjoying (off and on) at breakfast the last few months:

These are great little books from Answers in Genesis with wonderful questions, answers and scripture reference.

Volume 1: 22 Questions on Creation and the Fall

Volume 2: 22 Questions from Kids on Dinosaurs and the Flood of Noah

Volume 3: 22 Questions on God and the Bible

Volume 4: 22 Questions on Sin, Salvation, and the Christian Life

I think the types of questions are wonderful - from “The serpent talked to Eve, so why can’t snakes talk today?” to "If Satan changed everything by tricking Eve, how do I know Jesus can keep me safe from him?" The answers begin with a scripture, a paragraph or two answer, and then further scripture references. For us, I read the question, top scripture, and answer and then the girls look up and read aloud the further scripture references. We normally cover a couple questions at a time.

You can find these at Answers in Genesis' website http://www.answersingenesis.org/PublicStore/product/Answers-Book-for-Kids-Complete-Set-The,6120,184.aspx (which is a wonderful site) but I know I've seen them other places too.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.