Tuesday, April 28, 2009

He's Teaching Me

There are certain books on our shelves... books that are worn, the pages have creases, the binding is coming off...  These are books that you are able to read again and again, books that bring encouragement and laughter or maybe they teach and challenge us.  They bring life.

One such book for me is Streams in the Desert.  I've read it for several years now.  I don't read it daily and sometimes it will sit on the shelf for months but then there are those times when it seems to be calling me and I find myself going to pick it up, finding that days reading and it is usually at that point that the words written within begin to speak to me...  


Unfortunately, a great number of people play at praying. They do not expect God to give them an answer, so they simply squander their prayer time. Our heavenly Father desires us to transact real business with Him in our praying. 
Charles H. Spurgeon

.:.


Their strength is to sit still. 
Isaiah 30:7


There is a perfect passivity that is not laziness. It is a living stillness born of trust. Quiet tension is not trust but simply compressed anxiety.


.:.


We must have periods of lonely meditation and fellowship with God. Our souls must have times of fellowship with Him on the mountain and experience valleys of quiet rest in the shadow of a great rock. We must spend some nights beneath the stars, when darkness has covered the things of earth, silenced the noise of human life, and expanded our view, revealing the infinite and the eternal. All these are absolutely essential as food is for our bodies.
In this way alone can the sense of God's presence become the unwavering possession of our souls, enabling us to continually say, as the psalmist once wrote, "You are near, O Lord" (Psalm 119:151) F.B. Myer



The Lord has been using this simple daily devotional to speak to me the last several weeks.  prayer...  being still...  having God near... all things that I need to learn.


What are your favorite books?  The books that have changed you... the books that have drawn you closer to Him?  I'd love to hear!

Monday, April 27, 2009

The Simple Woman's Daybook

My Mom and several friends have done The Simple Woman's Daybook and I always have loved reading them... I thought it might be fun to join in today. :)




FOR TODAY... April 27th
Outside my window... the skies are cloudy, the ground is wet, and the air is moist. We've enjoyed the rain all morning and how I love hearing the sound of rain. I am really looking forward to warm days, enjoying the time outside but today I am thankful for a rainy day.
I am thinking... I've been pondering a wonderful sermon we heard last night at Church.
I am thankful for... a wonderful husband that works hard, the laughter from little one's playing, the taste of fresh fruit, the smell of rain...
From the learning room... It is amazing to think that the traditional school year is slowly coming to a close and we are beginning to see that with our school work. We've been painting in our thankfulness books and doing a lot of reading. John-John started learning multiplication in Math and that just boggles my mind... how can he be learning that already?
From the kitchen... tonight will find us enjoying spaghetti, a fresh salad and french bread. It's simple but everyone loves it.
I am creating... ummm.... nothing right now. haha I have plans to make a little bag/purse for the girls when I am able to get the sewing machine from my sister. I need to scrapbook and have plans for knitting projects but I don't know if any of it will get done before we are done with school. Truthfully, the most important thing we are creating right now is future adults.... we are in the midst of training, teaching, and encouraging little ones. What is more important?
I am going... to enjoy the quiet day inside.
I am reading... The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson along with Tramp for the Lord by Corrie ten Boom
I am hoping... and praying (!!!) that we have a home of peace and joy.
I am hearing... the sound of children.
Around the house... we cleaned the house this morning, how I love a clean home. :) The dishwasher is running and laundry is going... it's always amazing how much laundry is created in this home.
One of my favorite things... hmmm... a warm cup of green tea
A few plans for the rest of the week: I need to make an appointment for Olivia, Church, time at the library...
Here is picture thought I am sharing..
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Go here to see other Daybooks

Friday, April 24, 2009

Our week in pictures

The last two weeks have found me enjoying a little break from blogging...  on some levels the break was planned and yet what I was planning on slowly evolved from there.  Isn't God good to continually draw us in and teach us?     

.:. .:. .:. .:. .:.

Last weekend the Denver Museum of Nature and Science hosted a free day.  We packed lunches, jumped in the car and joined my family for several hours of  wandering.  
Our drive into Denver is always so breathtaking.

The Museum exceeded my expectations...  it was so fun for all of us! 

.:.

My sweet girl helping me with green beans.

.:.

On Thursday we walked to the lake and enjoyed lunch, kayaking and time spent with family.  



The boys were so anxious to go swimming.  
While it was a warm day, the water was still pretty cold.  :)


quick in... quick out.



Have a beautiful weekend, friends!

Friday, April 10, 2009








Ashleigh shared this on her blog and I had to post it here.

Sunday's Coming!

Thursday, April 9, 2009

There is a Redeemer

There is a redeemer, Jesus, God's own Son,

Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Holy One,

Jesus my redeemer, name above all names,

Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,

Oh, for sinners slain.
____________________________

Thank you oh my father, for giving us Your Son,

And leaving Your Spirit, till the work on Earth is done.
____________________________


When I stand in Glory, I will see His face,

And there I'll serve my King forever,

In that Holy Place.
____________________________


Thank you oh my father, for giving us Your Son,

And leaving Your Spirit, till the work on Earth is done.
____________________________


There is a redeemer, Jesus, God's own Son,

Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Holy One,

Thank you oh my father, for giving us Your Son,

And leaving Your Spirit, till the work on Earth is done.

And leaving Your Spirit, till the work on Earth is done.
-Keith Green




Praying your Easter is wonderful!   

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Mother




Mother
In her eyes, the look of loving, 
In her smile, the warmth of caring. 
In her hands, the touch of comfort, 
In her heart, the gift of sharing. 
- Author Unknown



art from allposters

Monday, April 6, 2009

Enjoying God's Creation

We got a call from my Mom today, The fox has five babies and they are out playing around...

We finished the project we were working on, grabbed the camera and jumped into the van.  We were anxious to see the fox and her cubs but I wondered if they'd still be out playing.  All eyes were peered onto the grass area where we knew their den was...  ah, we see them as squeals began to erupt from the back of the van.  We see them!  

We went and parked, watching them play and wrestle with one another, watching the Mom as she guarded the opening to their den..  It was such a special time.  Then we made the quick trek home. 

This afternoon as found us reading on the fox.  Reading about her tail, the den that she makes, what she eats, and finding out how old the cubs probably are.    


What was so interesting is that a fox will usually only have 4-5 cubs while our fox had 9 little cubs running around.
***


We found ourselves thankful for this day... thankful for being able to watch and enjoy God's creation... 


Friday, April 3, 2009

Our week in pictures


Our moments have been spent simply.


Creating   


laughing


working and serving


holding and loving



We are suppose to get another big winter storm tomorrow, so I think we will be spending the day inside...  enjoying the fireplace and some family games.  I pray you have a wonderful, peaceful weekend.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Looking Back...



One of the reasons I love keeping a journal is because it becomes a record of God's faithfulness, evidence of His grace in our lives.  I find myself going back and reading what He has done, causing my faith to grow,  laughing at the little antics from our children and am reminded that they are growing way to fast.

I've found myself reading past postings...  Smiling, laughing, amazed and thankful...  God is good!

So...
 
I thought it would be fun to look back at some of my favorite posts from the last year.  

A question I need to continually be asking myself

Start at the bottom and work your way up.  God is good!

I love to journal about all of our little ones that God has blessed us with but this one touches my heart right now...  Olivia is no longer a newborn, instead she's walking and beginning to talk, quickly on her way to being a toddler.  Why does it have to go so fast?  

Love this

The prayer of my heart

So, so thankful for this man