Daybook

Outside my window... It is still early but it looks like it will be a nice day.  I see the sun shedding its  light on some of the tree limbs out my window as it is rising.

I am hearing...  Quiet - ahhh

I am thinking ...  about how precious life is and how many of us really live for the "tomorrows" and "somedays" that we are never promised.  Live life in the present.  Love your family and tell them!  Forgive those who you have hurt and conquer pride in your life - humble yourself before those you've wronged and ask for forgiveness.

I am thankful for ...

• my family - I had a wonderful childhood and always knew I was loved and I LOVE getting together with all of them over the Christmas season. 
• That it is GOD who works anything good in and through me.  This morning in my quiet time I was reflecting on what Paul said in his letter to the believers in Colosse - that he was an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.  Truly it is by God's will only that I am who I am. 
• Spending the day with my church family after being gone for a month.  I am very thankful to Jesus for my brothers and sisters there.
• Precious time spent with our daughter this weekend and last. 
• having 10 wonderful days with my husband home!!!

In the kitchen... healthier food after all of the heavy holiday fare.

I am wearing... my Christmas nightgown and robe.  :)

I am creating... no creating this week - after the rush to finish up gifts I'm ready for a crafting break.

I am going... sledding with friends this afternoon... I should say my kids are going sledding because as much as I would love to, I know I can't with my back right now.

I am praying for ... My family today.  10 years ago this morning my 17 year old sister was killed in a car accident.  I am thankful for the Lord bringing us through these 10 years but I also know how much we still hurt and miss her so I am praying that God's comfort and peace would be with my parents and siblings today.

I am reading... Absolute Surrender by Andrew Murray

I am hoping...  that our cat isn't pregnant! 

I am looking forward to...  getting back into a normal routine. 

Around the house... the decorations and tree will come down at some point this week.

One of my favorite things...  a cup of coffee enjoyed in the early, quiet moments of morning before I wake everyone else up.

A few plans for the rest of the week:   Sledding, a trip to the library, a training flight for Christopher, cleaning and organizing, working on my new blog.

A picture I'm sharing...

My sister and I on my wedding day.

 

Sister Kimberly and daughter Samantha

 

 

Kimberly, if I remember correctly this was taken at Valley Fair the summer before she died.

 

 

 

Morning Dedication

ALMIGHTY GOD,

As I cross the threshold of this day, I commit myself, soul, body, affairs, friends, to thy care; watch over, keep, guide, direct, sanctify, bless me.
 

Incline my heart to thy ways; mould me wholly into the image of Jesus, as a potter forms clay;  may my lips be a well-tuned harp to sound thy praise;  let those around see me living by thy Spirit, trampling the world underfoot, unconfirmed to lying vanities, transformed by a renewed mind, clad in the entire armour of God, shining as a never-dimmed light, showing holiness in all my doings.

Let no evil this day soil my thoughts, words, hands.   May I travel miry paths with a life pure from spot or stain.  In needful transactions let my affection be in heaven, and my love soar upwards in flames of fire,  My gaze fixed on unseen things, my eyes open to the emptiness, fragility, mckery of earth and its vanities.

May I view all things in the mirror of eternity, waiting for the coming of my Lord, listening for the last trumpet call, hastening unto the new heaven and earth.

Order this day all my communications according to thy wisdom, and to the gain of mutual good.

Forbid that I should not be profited or made profitable.  May I speak each word as if my last, and walk each step as my final one.  If my life should end today, let this be my best day.

 

From The Valley of Vision; A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions

Outside my window... everything looks so pretty and white. 

I am hearing...   the dryer from the laundry room.

I am thinking and praying for... all of the hurting families from the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary school. 

I am thankful for ... the comfort and peace that God gives to us in our times of hurting.

In the kitchen...  baking and lots of it later this week.  I haven't done any yet.  Throwing my back out for almost 2 weeks at the end of November and beginning of this month and having sick kids last week (and into this week) has had me tending to them.

I am wearing... a pink long sleeved tee and my tinkerbell fleece pajama pants.

I am creating... Lots of crocheting going on.  Finishing up gifts while snuggling on the couch with little guy who was sick.  Here are a few pictures.

 

(chocolate chip cookies)

(burger with cheese, tomato, lettuce, onions and pickles - minus the bottom bun which I still need to complete)

 

 

(Stuffed crust pepperoni and sausage pizza)

 

I also made a banana partially peeled, a pnb&j sandwich, oreo cookies, 2 slices of watermellon, a sunny side up egg and bacon.

 

Scott and Andrew did some crafting yesterday too - they made a pretty paper chain to hang up.

 

 

I am going... to pick up some books from the library and continue working on gifts this week.

I am reading... my Bible only this week.

I am hoping... that this nasty virus will leave our home and that we'll all be feeling better soon.

I am looking forward to... spending time with our families this Christmas

Around the house... lots of cleaning and baking.  I hope to get a list of some sort made this week of everything that needs to be done before hosting Christmas with Scott's family.

One of my favorite things...  making things for other people.

A few plans for the rest of the week: , a holiday party this week, shopping, baking, cleaning and crafting.

A picture I'm sharing... Our Advent wreath - taken before dinner, week 2

This entry is linked at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

The Mind of Christ

When we made the move to our new church last October, one of the things I was unsure of was if I would like singing hymns after being used to contemporary praise and worship music for over 10 years. That first Sunday we sang a hymn called Nearer Still Nearer* and the words spoke to my heart and over the weeks I found myself falling in love with the old hymns which are so full of Truth.

Over the last 13 months I've been singing and memorizing hymns in my quiet time, in the shower, while I dry my hair or put make up on, while cooking, doing dishes etc.  We sing them as a family each morning during our family worship time and I often catch the boys humming them throughout the day.  I just finished memorizing this hymn and it is one of my favorites to sing in the mornings and so I thought I would share it here with you. 

Be blessed.

May the Mind of Christ, My Savior

May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling
All I do and say.

May the Word of God dwell richly
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph
Only through His power.

May the peace of God my Father
Rule my life in everything,
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me
As the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing,
This is victory.

May I run the race before me,
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus
As I onward go.

May His beauty rest upon me,
As I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel,
Seeing only Him.

* The video in this link is not our church, just a link to the hymn being sung.

Winter Daybook

Outside my window... Snow, snow, SNOW and LOTS of it!!!!  It's so pretty.

I am hearing... the boys and my husband playing a board game.

I am thinking ...  of doing more of my Christmas shopping online, so that I can stay home and rest my back. 

I am thankful for ... friendships and opportunities to share and sow into other's lives.

In the kitchen... My husband made some freezer meals this weekend so that dinner time would be easier for the kids and I - this way I can continue to rest my back.  Although I am going to assemble this raw corn salad to have with my lunches.  Isn't it pretty looking?

I am wearing... a jean skirt, a blue and white shirt with 2 pairs of socks.  :o)

I am creating... Lots of crocheted items.  I am working on this tote bag, this afghan and this cover sweater for myself.

I am going... to stay home and enjoy the view of winter from my windows for now.

I am praying for ... safety for my husband as he travels in the snow.

I am reading... patterns - I've put aside my books for this week.

I am hoping... that the head cold and fever Andrew has will clear soon so that he can go out to play in the snow.  Andrew and I are the only ones truly excited about it.  :o)

I am looking forward to... my new bed being delivered around Christmas. 

Around the house... just the basics - laundry and the kids' chores. 

One of my favorite things...  Snow!! 

A few plans for the rest of the week: Hopefully traveling as little as possible and continuing to rest and heal.

A picture I'm sharing... Andrew and his friend Phoebie at Andrew's birthday party.

This entry is linked at The Simple Woman's Daybook. 

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window... the boys are outside in the yard playing football.  Its a sunny day but not quite as warm as yesterday.  Still no snow.  :(

I am hearing...  Pandora Classical Christmas playing.

I am thinking ...  about our busy week and enjoying this little break of quiet in my day.

I am thankful for ...

• the work of the Holy Spirit in my husbands life.
• friendships
• health

In the kitchen... Currently I am making chocolate chip cookies and there is hot chocolate ready for the boys when they come in. 

I am wearing... a brown/black tweed skirt, a black tank top covered with a new black sweater that I found on clearance yesterday at Kohls.

I am creating... lots of fun gifts!!!

I am going... to be doing a lot of driving this week.

I am praying for ... Many family friends who have sick children and a family who lost their home to a fire last week.  I'm also pray that the Lord will continue to work and move in my husbands life.

I am reading... "Lord, Change Me" by Evelyn Christensen.  I picked this old book up at a thrift store for a quarter.  I enjoyed reading her book "What Happens When Women Pray" many years ago and am enjoying this book too.

I am hoping... that my back feels better soon - I'm trying to take it easy but this is a busy month and we are hosting Scott's family, close to 40 members, here at our home for Christmas.  This will be our first year hosting and I'm a bit nervous. 

I am looking forward to... have a couple of warm cookies with my hot chocolate. 

Around the house... the decoration are all out and I enjoy sitting in the evening and seeing the twinkling of the Christmas tree lights while I crochet.  I am getting our Christmas pictures and cards ready to send out at the beginning of next week.

One of my favorite things...  Snow, of which we have none.  :(

A few plans for the rest of the week: School, Civil Air Patrol meeting for Christopher, Bible study, Guitar lessons and Jonathan is taking his behind the wheel test for his drivers license.

A picture I'm sharing...

A picture of our Thankful Tree one day in November when I was having some Bible study time. 
It was fun to watch the bare branches fill up with all the things we are thankful for.  Each year we do this and then save the leaves.

 

This post is linked at The Simple Woman's Daybook.