Sunday Afternoon

Hello.  I am so glad that we are all tucked in for the day at our house as the temps outside are so very, very cold.  With wind-chill they are supposed to be close to -40! 

I'm spending my Sunday afternoon freshening up the learning room.  A beautiful piano cd is playing and I'm enjoying some hot tea.  I've just finished the lesson plans for the next week and am taking a little break.  The bookshelves still need straightening and my desk, which became a landing pad for every stray ornament, Christmas card, picture, scissors, tape, Christmas name tags, etc. over the last 2 weeks, is in need of some serious de-cluttering. 

It sounds all cozy and peaceful but every few minutes a loud shout or groan floats up the basement stairs where my "guys" are all watching the football game.  :o)

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas time with your families.  We did and are so thankful to have spent it with so many of our loved ones. 

Have a blessed Sunday.

December Daybook

FOR TODAY ~ Thursday, December 12th, 2013

Outside my window... The sun is shining, the yard is covered with snow and winter is in full swing.  :)  The bird feeders are empty and I must remember to pick up more seed when I do my marketing.

 

 I'm wearing... Jeans, an orange shirt and socks. 

 

I am hearing... the boys finishing up their lunch and discussing football.

 

  I am thinking... about the last month and all that I've been through.  I am feeling better, Praise the Lord, but I also know that I cannot push myself right now and need to learn to stay quiet and rest.  Not an easy thing to do in this season but I've found that our Christmas season and anticipation of celebrating the birth of our Savior has been richer because we have been forced to hibernate at home.  It's a good thing!  Because we've been home so much we've been able to be consistent with our Jesse Tree devotions and nightly reading of Jotham's Journey.  It has become a very precious time for me to close our day with this time together.

 

I am thankful... 

• The many prayers of friends over the last month.  May the Lord Jesus richly bless you as you have done for me.
• A deeper walk with Jesus through the affliction and pain.
• God's Word, which has become so dear to me. 
• My husband - he's awesome!
• My boys who have worked so hard around the home keeping up with the tasks and chores that I've been unable to do.  They might not do everything exactly like I would and often need more than 1 reminder but they never complain about helping me.  I'm blessed.

 

 

 I am going... to spend the afternoon crocheting.

 

I am pondering... how to keep things simple, my eyes on Jesus and extend grace.

 

I am reading... my Bible.  Alot.  :o)  I've also been reading a book book by Dodie Osteen called Healed of Cancer.  A short book and testimony of her healing from metastatic cancer of the liver.  It has been a boost to my faith.  I found it in pdf form online and have it bookmarked on my ipad to read.

 

 Around the house... Things are simple.  We put up the tree and decorated it last night but decided to forego all the other decorations but a few. 

 

In the kitchen... Chicken taco's for supper tonight.

 

 From the Learning Room... Our "Morning Time" time is going well.  We started the Continent of South America this week and are learning about Brazil this week and studying Rain Forrests for Science.

 

We're Creating... I have been copying verses from my Bible on healing and faith into a small moleskin book.  I read through them twice daily to keep the Word before me and to keep my faith for healing strong.

The boys will be making their gingerbread houses tonight and I have a snowflake/painting craft that also needs to get done.

 

One of my favorite things...  thick fuzzy socks.  :)

 

A few plans for the rest of the week:  I have just a little bit of shopping to do (our regular marketing and a few more Christmas gifts to pick up).  There are no other plans for our weekend and church attendance will depend on how I am feeling. 

A peek into my day...  

 Our Advent Calendar this year was pinned up to the bulletin board rather than hanging from branches in a vase.  It keeps the kittens from playing with it.  :)

On the back of each snowflake is a small activity, outing or surprise.  

 

 

This post is linked at The Simple Woman's Daybook

I am Willing

"And behold, a leper came and worshipped Him saying, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing, be cleansed." Immediately his leporsy was cleansed. Matthew 8:2-3

Everyday when I read through my healing Scriptures this verse touches me deeply. This faith filled, diseased man who was so used to rejection put aside every social boundary that had been placed around him. Falling in worship before Jesus he humbly but boldly asks the Lord if He would be willing to make him clean. Think about that for a moment... You don't risk yourself like that unless you have lost all hope and yet have full confidence that the One you are asking is able to look past the outward and love you to wholeness. That took guts! And Jesus... Jesus reaches out and touches the untouchable and says, I am willing! Oh my Jesus you are such a loving Savior and Healer. Thank you that we can come to you with all of our ugly sin and disease and it doesn't revolt You. I stand amazed that I can come to You and receive your loving, cleansing touch.

Sweet Potato Salad

Christopher and I made up this Sweet Potato Salad this afternoon.  It is my favorite holiday salad to bring and is a crowd pleaser with everyone; that is unless you tell them before they eat it that it has sweet potatoes.  :o)  

 

Below you see the main ingredients (sweet potato, pineapple, apple and raisins).

 

And mixed with the dressing and a few pecans crumbled on top.

 

 

Sweet Potato Salad

3 cups peeled and shredded sweet potato 

1 cup pineapple tidbits (fresh is best)

1 medium sweet apple, diced

1/4 cup raisins

Pecans (to top the completed salad)

** I don't really measure when making this salad but throw everything in and make it look even.  :o)  Three cups of sweet potatoes is not quite 2 normal sized sweet potatoes so I shred and use all of the sweet potatoe.  I added a bit more pineapple and raisns this time too.

 

Dressing:

1-2 Tbsp. raw unfiltered honey

1-2 Tbsp. lemon juice (I use only 1)

1/2 cup Veganaise

lemon zest

Top salad with chopped pecans.

 

** I had to let my honey soften up before mixing the dressing as it starts to solidify more this time of the year.  Mix the dressing in a separate bowl and when it is throughly mixed pour over salad and stir.  

This salad is great fresh but works well made the night before (I add the raisins and pecans before serving).  

 

I did enjoy a bowl right away.  Mmmm.  :o)

 

Broccoli Slaw Citrus Salad

I made this salad today for lunch. Delicious! You can find the recipe {Here}.

Update

It has been awhile since I have given an update on my back and I know there are a few of you who have been wondering and praying.  I sure appreciate the prayers as it has been a long ordeal.  Twenty days already.

I think my immune system is over taxed because I came down with 2 unrelated illnesses this last week.  A quick 1 day stomach bug and a 5 day head and chest cold which has now run through our entire family.  Graciously God gifted me with almost 7 hours of good health on Thanksgiving day and we were able to travel to my parents house.  Around supper time Thanksgiving day the pain started returning and we left for home.

Monday morning I woke up very sore but determined that we were going to get back to our schooling routine.  I had about 3 hours of productive school time with the boys and then headed to the chiropractor for an appointment.  Monday evening the pain was so intense.  I cried out to God for help and deliverance and was convicted that for the last 16 days I had been so focused on the pain and length of this ordeal.  My eyes were not on Jesus, my healer.  I cried out to God believing that my sickness was bought and paid for by Jesus over 2,000 years ago.  I repented for my lack of trust and told Him that I would praise and glorify Him no matter how long I had to walk in this valley.  I went to bed that knowing that I would fight a battle.  In my spirit I knew it was not going to be an easy day on Tuesday and I was right.

Tuesday morning I was in the most excruciating pain I've ever had.  I could not move, could not lift my arms up or even sniffle and cough without intense pain.  I spent about 90 minutes crying from pain and then called my spiritual mama for prayer.  My son took me to the doctor and we worked out a new treatment plan.

When we got home I went to bed to rest and stared at my blank walls... if I was going to be spending time in this bed I wanted to have something encouraging to look at so the boys helped me to make a faith wall.  The Lord had given me a Scripture Monday night when I called on Him and we put that verse along with some cards and Scriptures that the boys found for me.

Every step Tuesday and Wednesday was a walk of faith as I called out my praise and thanksgiving.  Step... thank you Father that not one Word from You has failed.  Step... I praise and thank you that by the stripes of Jesus my Savior I have been healed.  Step... Father thank you for sending your Word to strengthen me.  Despite the pain my faith grew with each step.
Today is Thursday and I am happy to say that I am beginning to feel better.  Priase God!  I no longer need the walker to walk but am very slow.  :o)  I know I still have a ways to go but I am confident that God's Words to me these last few days will come to pass.

Hope

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD. Psalm 27:14-15