Psalm 112

Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.

His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.

Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth forever.

Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious and full of compassion and righteous.

A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.

Surely he shall not be moved forever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.

He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.

his heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.

he hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth forever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.

The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away; the desire of the wicked shall perish.

Let Faith Arise

Daybook for April 23rd

Outside my window... The sun is shining and there is a wonderful breeze blowing in the windows.

I am hearing... The sound of the lawn mower while Samantha mows. The voices of my husband and boys are floating in through my open window. They are working out in the garage. Spring cleaning and yard work is in full force.

I am thinking... about how faithful the Lord is and how even in the midst of a storm I have peace.

I am thankful for... my husband. He works very diligently and very hard! He and Jonathan built me a clothesline. We've not had one since we've lived in town and it brought me such joy today to hang clothes up outside and to see them blowing in the wind. :)

I am wearing... a green and white tank top and some capri's. I am barefoot and just came in from hanging clothes on my new clothesline. :)

From the kitchen... Samantha and I peeled and diced potatoes and beef sausage earlier this morning and put together this yummy recipe for lunch. Tonight we are having a taco pie.

I am going... to hang another load of clothes on the line soon.

I am creating... a skirt. Lisa, a sweet sister in the Lord and friend is helping/teaching me to sew. I do o.kay with the sewing part; its the reading a pattern that I need help with. Plus, its plain fun to fellowship and learn alongside someone else. Thanks, Lisa!

I am pondering... the goodness of the Lord and how merciful and gracious he has been in my life.

I am looking forward to... cashing out tax refund and getting caught up with some things around here. :)

From the learning rooms... No school today. We did family worship this morning and then everyone got their marching orders as to who was doing what. Samantha and I worked in the house and the boys, along with a friend of Jon's who showed up this morning, worked for 3 hours cleaning, sorting and organinzing things in the garage. What a blessing to have this young man come and just jump in and help.

We are switching our Friday and Monday around this week. Usually Friday is our light or no school day but with Scott still home for the day and because the weekend was rainy we decided to switch them around and get some house/yard up-keep done.

I am reading... Family Driven Faith

I am praying... for our friends the Rolfzen's who are missionaries in Peru. The Amazon River flooded 6 weeks ago and is still expected to rise over the next two weeks. Camp Amazon, a camp for the underprivleged youth and homeless youth was set to begin but because of flooding they have cancelled the camps and instead are taking the camps along with food, clean water and other supplies to the thousands of displaced families living in small tents provided by the government. What little sanitation they had is severely compromised and disease is quickly spreading. Please, pray for the Rolfzens and the misnitry teams and for the Peruvian people. I've included some pictures below. If you'd like to donate financialy this would be greatly appreciated. You can do so online at www.newcreationwoc.org . Just click on the Give tab and then World Missions and scroll down until you find the Rolfzens in Peru. All monies donated go directly to the Rolfzen's ministry and are not filtered through the churchs' finances.

A picture thought I'm sharing....

{one of the tent cities ~ they found a family of 12 living in one of these}

{members of the team praying for one of the families}

(Team members (in the green) talking with families}

I just love the above picture. What joy on the children's faces where just hours before there was sadness and despair.

{Trent and Shawn Rolfzen}

{Many families do not want to leave their homes even though they can not get in them. They are afraid of what little they have being stolen.}

{mini Camp Amazon ~ you can see the water in the background}

Please, keep the Peruvian people in your prayers and the work of our friends the Rolfzens.

Thank you to Peggy for hosting the Daybook. Stop by HERE to read more entries.

Low Calorie Pizza Alternative

I love (love!) pizza and because I love it so much I wanted to find a healthier low calorie version. I had this yummy pizza for lunch with a side salad twice this week.

Ingredients:

• 1 Ezekiel sprouted grain tortilla - 150 calories
• veggies of your choice
• 1/3 cup dairy free cheese (we use a rice shreds and I mixed half mozzarella and half cheddar) - 70 calories
• 2 tsp. of Vegenaise (non dairy dressing. We use the purple lid - grapeseed) - 60 calories

Directions: dice any veggies or toppings that you would like and set aside. I had mushrooms, black olives and orange peppers on this one. I usually do onion but was out this day. I also took 4 reduced fat pepperoni slices and sliced them into this strips and spread around. I think this was around 25 calories. I usually keep this a veggie pizza though.

Place tortilla on a pizza pan (I use one with air holes in it). Spread the vegenaise around the tortilla, add toppings and cheese. Bake at 350 for about 6 minutes. I really have to watch it though. Once the sides start to look brown and crusty take it out. Let it set on pan for a minute or two and then slice and enjoy.

~ * ~ * ~

Keeping the pepperoni off and depending on your veggies this pizza is under 300 calories. You could also keep the vegenaise off and sub for a pizza sauce. I just prefer the creamy taste. If you give this a try let me know what you think or any substitutions you made.

Daybook for April 9th

Outside my window... The sun is shining and the trees are blowing in the breeze.

I am hearing... the sound of my windchime through an open window in the kitchen and the sound of my boys as they work on their state page at the school table.

I am thinking... that the coffee I had this morning has worn out and I need a nap.

I am thankful for... the opportunity to teach and learn alongside my kids everyday.

I am wearing... a green and white floral apron over a blue and white polka dotted shirt, jeans and my crocs. I had a chiro. appointment and don't like wearing skirts when I go because its akward to get on and off the table modestly.

From the kitchen... I am frying up a few pounds of ground beef to use in meals this week. Tonight for dinner we having everyone's favorite, cream of chicken on biscuits

I am going... outside soon.

I am creating... not much in the crafting department although I did finish all the strips for my mile a minute afghan. I think I might have mentiooned that already though. I have it put away for now as it is a busy time around the house. I'll finish stitching the strips together another time.

The garden is ready to be tilled, and the kids have been getting the yard cleaned up and ready to be mowed.

I am pondering... this quote from an old radio broadcast transcript I read this week. It is an anynomous prayer. Another avenue that the Lord has used over the last few weeks in regards to to surrenderring all to Him.

"I'm willing to receive what You send, to do without what You withhold, to relinquish what You take, to suffer anything You inflict, to do what You command, to be what You ask me to be, at any cost now and forever."

I am looking forward to... my husband coming home!!! He should be home from Tuesday through Sunday.

From the learning rooms... Only 7 more weeks of school and then we are officially finished with this years school. We are still considering if we will break the entire summer like we did last year or school lightly through the summer as we have in years past.

I am reading... The Shaping of a Christian Family.

I am praying... for family relationships

A picture thought I'm sharing.... a yummy science activity from last week.

Thank you to Peggy for hosting this meme each week. Make sure to stop by and visit with some of the other participants too. Have a lovely week.

1 Fish, 2 Fish, Red Fish, Gold Fish

What a sad face, huh? Why is he so sad, you ask? Well, he's sad because his mom had just accidentally lost his beta fish down the kitchen drain.


Yup, I did. I still can't hardly believe it.

I was pouring some of the water out of the bowl, carefully I might add, but his fish slipped past me and landed with a plop in the bottom of the sink drain. It sat there for what seemed like FOREVER but in reality was just a few seconds. I called to Jonathan to grab it (because I wasn't going to touch it). Jonathan looked at it and said "What am I supposed to do?" "Umm, grab it!" At this point I thought we needed to do something or this little fishy would die in my drain so I turned on the water so that he could breathe (0f course) but as soon as the water hit him, he slid down the drain hole.

You've got to be kidding me, this just keeps getting worse! {Head smack!}

I had Jonathan take the elbow off the pipe under the sink thinking that maybe he was stuck in there but... no fish. Mr. Red Tail Jr. was gone.

Oh the drama!

Oh the tears!

Oh the guilt!

So, we are now the proud owners of TWO goldfish. Yes, two. Samantha said one fish to replace Mr. Red Tail Jr. and the other for interest.

Is Jesus Enough

A friend posted the video below on her blog yesterday. The video along with her blog post is just another resource that God has used over the last few weeks to speak to me about surrendering EVERYTHING to Him.

It all started when one of the elders at church challenged us to pray a prayer asking, no begging God to bring about His will in our life by whatever means necessary. That message really challenged me to go home and examine my life. I have struggled with fear since my sister was killed 9 years ago. I've withheld my family from God, thinking that if I don't surrender them, then they are off limits. Silly, I know because I really don't have any control over them and the result has been years of fear, mistrust and space between Jesus and I. I don't want this burden anymore. I want to be free from fear and I want the peace and rest that Jesus gives.

I remember people asking me how I was doing after Kimberly died, and my response was "I don't know how people go through something like this without Jesus. I have a choice to make, I either believe God and trust Him or I don't trust Him and thus deem His Word a lie." I really believed this statement in the beginning months but over the years, fear replaced what little faith I had until it paralyzed me. Unless you were close to me you probably wouldn't have known any of this. You wouldn't have seen the panic but it was there. I had no peace in my life and I became heavily burdened and tired.

Jesus said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." I want that rest. I want peace in my spirit and I want to trust you with my family. I confess that I have withheld them from you and mistrust you. Please forgive my sin of idolatry and give the strength of Your grace to daily surrender everything to You.

Tuesday Tidbits

Good Tuesday morning. :-)

{Digger - can you even believe she used to be a neglected outside dog? She is so pampered now and has to have her blanket just perfect and if someone leaves a couch pillow on the floor, well then she'll use that too.}

Just a warning that this post and the pictures are pretty random. I really do not have a defined purpose or ministry focus for this blog, sometimes I think I ought to, but I rather like that it is just a place to jot little things down about my life.

I am icing my back right now and enjoying a cup of coffee. I broke down and bought some of my favorite beans last night. Southern Toasted Pecan. Mmm. Christopher ground the beans and started the coffee and then brought me a cup to have while sit here. Jonathan made me a toasted bagel with peanut butter and honey too, so I am feeling pampered this morning.

{Andrew cutting out his burger menu's from our Night of the Moonjellies book}

I am feeling a bit better this morning, still stiff but yesterday's adjustment definitely helped. After my appointment today I am going to the thrift store to drop off a few bags and boxes of donations. I'll take one of the boys along to do the lifting for me. On Saturday, before I hurt my back, I was able to start going through boxes and bins of clothes, pulling out items for the Spring and Summer season and either packing away or donating items from Winter. It sure feels nice to have that done. I was also able to start a small list of clothing that the boys need. Andrew needs short sleeve shirts and shorts. He is in an akward stage right now, tall and skinny. The length of most pants and shorts is too short but when we go bigger they fall off his waist.

{Christopher and Andrew earlier last week at their "bike shop".

Well, my icing time is over and its time to get back to school around here but before I go I hope you'll stop by and read this moving blog post by Ann Voskamp. Have a wonderful day.

Blessings,

Theresa

Daybook for April 2nd

Outside my window... It is just now after seven pm and is a little cloudy out. It looks like it could rain.

I am hearing... the birds through my open bedroom window. They are quite vocal. I love the quiet rhythm of the mourning dove.

I am thinking... about how very much I can take for granted Salvation and how Jesus willing laid down his life for me.

I am thankful for... my chiropractor. Tuesday of last week I had a small relapse with my back but then on Saturday after just bending to look behind a desk, pain ripped up my back. I've been in pain since. We had a big birthday bash at a hotel for our daughter this weekend and thankfully my family was so helpful in carrying everything in and setting everything up. I woke up this morning and couldn't even stand without doing it in small stages. I started to get a bit fearful because I remember how very hard life was a year and a half ago when I depended on my kids to help me with everything, even getting in and out bed and chairs and how draining physically, mentally and spiritually it was to be in constant pain but then I reminded myself about how faithful God was to bring me through all of it and I know he will do it again. While that was a definite valley in my life I wouldn't trade everything I learned through it. I saw my chiropractor this afternoon and have another appointment tomorrow and will have to see how the rest of the week goes. There will be no exercising happening this week.

I am wearing... a yellow shirt and brown capri's.

From the kitchen... Samantha and I got groceries on the way home from our chiro. appointment today. Pretty simple meals this week.

I am going... to ice my back and go to bed early.

I am creating... rest and quiet this week. All outside activties have been cancelled and while we didn't do the cancelling, I am so thankful because I know this time at home will be needful for healing.

I am pondering... our Easter plans. Usually my parents have Easter dinner but they are not doing it this year. Scott will not be home and so it will just be the kids and I. We'll go to church in the morning but after that, I'm not sure what we'll do.

I am looking forward to... a women's event at church in two weeks.

From the learning rooms... We had the day off today because we were still at the hotel this morning and then had appointments this afternoon. We'll be back to work tomorrow and the rest of the week.

One of my favorite things... organizing! I've been working through my bookshelves and bins of clothes for the kids. I have lots to donate and that makes me happy!

I am reading... The Shaping of a Christian Family.

I am praying... For healing and strength in my back and for my mom.

A picture thought I'm sharing.... Christopher and my nephew Tyler sitting with their feet in the hot tub this weekend. This was at the end of the evening after all the guests except my sisters family had gone. Tyler was not interested in swimming in the pool (too many people?) but after everyone was gone he and Christopher splashed their feet around for awhile. Andrew is in front of Tyler with a swimming ring, showing him how to drop it and then Andrew would get it.

Thank you to Peggy for hosting this meme each week. Make sure to stop by and visit with some of the other participants too. Have a lovely week.