You are my friend

You are special

You are my friend

You’re special to me.

You are the only one like you.

Like you, my friend, I like you.

In the daytime

In the nighttime

Any time that you feel’s the right time

For a friendship with me, you see

F-R-I-E-N-D special

You are my friend

You are special to me.

There’s only one in this wonderful world.

You are special.

(song by Mr. Fred Rogers)

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends. . .

To all my family. . .

To all my brothers and sisters in Christ. . .

To anyone who reads this. . .

You are all so very special.

I love you. 

When I took the kids to music on monday we passed a flower shop.

There was a sign outside that said,

“If you are a turkey,

stop by for your free rose.”

I just had to laugh.  I meant to go back to take a picture, but I’m too busy.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God. . . .
giving thanks to His name.  Hebrews 13:15

remember wearing socks for mittens?

remember making snow angels and the feel

of the icy snow gently falling on your skin?

remember the intense excitement?

of waiting and waiting for snow

and then finally having it come down?

remember making snowballs with your brother?

remember how the falling snow made everything feel dreamy?

remember the taste of snow?

It started snowing this morning. 

We saw it start at breakfast time, and from the first flakes the kids were pulling on their snow stuff.

Ethan and David are the only ones out right now, and they’re sledding!

I wish you could watch them out the window with me, and see their smiles.

Jacob is in the kitchen, peeling and chopping potatoes for clam chowder.

Caleb is still in his green striped footie pj’s.  I call him my little caterpillar.

And, Rich is home with us, working on his laptop.  He’s sitting right by me as I type.

It’s cozy and nice being here at home together.

As most of you know by now, Rich’s Dad was in a terrible accident yesterday.  I won’t go into details here, I just want to ask you to continue praying.  We thought he would be going home last night, but we were called this morning on our way to church and told that Dad started getting sick and his blood pressure shot up.  Consequently, they are keeping him in the hospital for at least one more night. 

When we got home Rich spoke to his Dad on the phone for a few minutes.  After they hung up Rich decided to go ahead and drive out to see him.  He wants so badly to see his Dad, to hug him, and touch him. . .

Even though it means I am now alone with the kids, I feel perfect peace about this decision.  Rich took Ethan with him for company and to let Ethan experience joy in comforting others.  They should be back tomorrow evening, Lord willing.

If for some reason, you did not get my private message explaining what happened, message me and I will let you know.  Thanks for praying and your concern. 

Here is a picture I took of our gang this morning:

“Beside us to guide us,

our Lord with us joining,

ordaining,

maintaining His Kingdom divine;

So from the beginning the fight we were winning,

Thou, Lord wast at our side;

The glory be thine!”

~from the hymn, “We Gather Together” by Theodore Baker

(We sang this hymn in church this morning, this was the 2nd verse of it.)

Now, most good coffee companies have entire lines of excellent decaf products…..

The above comment from yesterday’s post made me laugh and laugh.  Yes, I admit, I did use a bit too many exclamation points as I typed. (!!)

Thank you to all those who understood and commented to yesterday’s post.  My fingers shook as I typed it but it felt therapeutic to write it all out.  Those thoughts had been whirling around my head for quite a while, just begging to be let out.   

I spent yesterday doing the same regular things. . .and was so glad when Rich got home because then the weekend could begin.  We went out for pizza and wings.  Rich and I sat on one side of the booth with David. Grace, Ethan, and Jacob sat across from us. Caleb sat in his high chair at the end.  It was nice to sit together and eat, knowing I did not have to clean up when we were done.  Rich turned to me and told me that I was pretty, that my hair looked pretty and asked me what I did differently with it.  “Ummm” I said, “I brushed it?” We laughed.  (Which was the truth, I brushed it out smooth instead of just pulling it back.  I didn’t think it was that dramatic of a change, however!  I guess the ponytail look is getting old? ) After not being together much this week, it felt nice to actually look at each other. 

Rich is out running errands right now with Jacob, Ethan, and David.  Grace and I just mixed up some dough to make homemade cinnamon rolls.  She and Caleb are watching a movie now while we wait for the dough to rise.

I spent some time this morning getting organized for Thanksgiving.  I typed out a grocery list and my menu.  This year my family will all be together at my house and I can’t wait to see everyone all in the same room again, it’s been a long time. And, by the way, Rich is taking Wednesday and Friday off.  (hurray!) 

The other day Grace and I made some fantastic cookies.  They tasted wonderful and I will make them again over and over.  So, I thought I would share the recipe in case anyone feels like baking today.  We called them Sunshine Cookies because they are a pretty orange color.

Carrot Cookies

2 cups flour
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder
1 stick butter
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup grated carrots
1/2 tsp. orange extract
1 egg

Mix flour, salt, and baking powder.  Cream butter, shortening and sugar thoroughly.  Add carrots, orange extract and egg; beat well.  Stir in flour mixture; mix well.  Drop by spoonfuls on cookie sheet.  Bake in preheated 400 degree oven for 10-12 minutes or until done.  One T. grated orange peel may be used instead of orange extract.  Yield: 3 dozen

*****************************************

And, here is a funny moment from my week.

I walked away, leaving David to eat his applesauce, and when I came back I found him like this:

He had dropped his spoon.

I say, he gets a perfect score for form!  His technique is a little off, however. I’ve never seen anyone pick something up off the floor quite like this before. 

Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

I read something yesterday on xanga that really upset me. 

It all boils down to the same old, sickening story. 

Instead of love coming from a Christian I saw criticism, judgement, and a refusal to be open. 

I’m so sick of it.

Wake up!!!!!

Christianity is not about WHAT PEOPLE ARE DOING. . .

It’s about loving God.

It’s about the fruit of the Spirit. 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law.”  Galations 5:22

NOT ABOUT what denomination I am, not what I wear, not what music I listen to, not what I buy my kids for Christmas, NOT the number of children I have, not what I chose to do in my free time, not about homeschooling or public school, not about how long my hair is, not about tattoes, not about reading novels or having a tv in the house, not about the clothes I wear, how many minutes I spend doing devotions, how many tracts I pass out in a week, how involved I am in church programs. . .

 When these things become the focus, it grieves God and makes Satan laugh.

IT’S MORE THAN THAT, MORE, MORE, MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you think what you DO is what Christianity is you are missing out on the most fulfilling and beautiful part of life!  Throw it off like the rubbish that it is!  Our works are filthy rags.  It’s what comes from the heart that counts.

Am I going to despise my precious sister in Christ because she has higher standards than I do???  Will I chose to stick my nose up in the air because I have the freedom to do certain things that she has said NO to???

Am I going to despise my sister in Christ because she has a lower standard than I do??  Will I look down at her because she feels she has freedom in an area where I feel restriction????

DO I NOTICE DO I EVEN THINK ABOUT IT AT ALL???

Because, really, we shouldn’t.

Because Christianity is SO MUCH MORE.

Move on. . .move on. . . .to better things.

Go further up and further in, as C.S. Lewis writes in his Narnia books.

Do you love Christ??

Than you love your brother and you love your sister.  LOVE, really love.  We all say it.  LOVE IS A CHOICE, LOVE IS A DECISION. 

You don’t love someone.  What do you do???  You PRAY, you beg God to help you, to empower you to love your sister in Christ.  Show mercy.  And then you wait.  He WILL let His love shine through you.  Try it, you’ll see.

Make your religion about yourself and your Savior.  Not about what Joe Smith is doing across the aisle from you.  Not what Suzy Jones is doing on her xanga blog.

You know, my blog, this blog that you are reading right now—I am aware that it probably seems at times that I have a wonderful dream life of magic moments.  But, I decided early on that I want my blog to be a beautiful place for people to come and visit and enjoy. . .free from (the majority of!!) my own complaints and issues. 

I have bad days.  I have dark spiritual struggles.  I know what it’s like to be utterly confused about how to live my life as a Christian woman.  But, I don’t see the point in AIRING everything out on my blog.  This is a public place, anyone can read this. . . .so I filter my life’s events and share what I think would help others.  Encourage others.  Give others a laugh or a smile.  Show love, share quotes and verses.  I see my blog as a way to make friends and share good things.

But, don’t ever think that I’m proud or I think I’m perfect or anything like that.  I have issues just like everyone else. 

My heart’s passion is to develop my relationship with the Lord.   I read my Bible, I have books that I turn to, like Spurgeon, that edify me when I am low and blue.  I have fears and doubts, I sometimes wonder if life is worth living.

But you won’t read much about it here on my blog.  I have had women send me private messages and we share each other’s heavy burdens in that way.  In private.

I never wanted to write this post.  I don’t want to have one single drop of poison here.  But I’m hurt and I’m crying and I just want to say please—please develop love in your heart toward your sister and your brother.

We are going to be different.  The weaker/stronger brother scenario is never going away.  It was a problem in Bible days and it’s a problem now.  But let’s throw the dirty blanket in the corner and move on.  Read Romans 14.  So you have a ____________ (fill in the blank) person in your life.  Do you love them?  Do you show mercy?   Give Jesus your poison so He can throw it in the deepest sea and give you love to share instead. 

Oh, God help us!

“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”

One week until Thanksgiving!  Rich worked late last night so the kids and I sat on the couches after dinner and sang hymns for about half an hour.  The little ones don’t sing with us, but I was thrilled when I heard David (5yrs) humming and singing “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” yesterday while coloring. . . . .(they are listening even it doesn’t seem like they are!) 

The words to this particular hymn are beautiful.   What is your favorite line?

Sing Praise To God

Sing praise to God Who reigns above, the God of all creation,
The God of power, the God of love, the God of our salvation.
With healing balm my soul is filled and every faithless murmur stilled:
To God all praise and glory.

What God’s almighty power hath made His gracious mercy keepeth,
By morning glow or evening shade His watchful eye ne’er sleepeth;
Within the kingdom of His might, Lo! all is just and all is right:
To God all praise and glory.

The Lord is never far away, but through all grief distressing,
An ever present help and stay, our peace and joy and blessing.
As with a mother’s tender hand, God gently leads the chosen band:
To God all praise and glory.

Thus, all my toilsome way along, I sing aloud Thy praises,
That earth may hear the grateful song my voice unwearied raises.
Be joyful in the Lord, my heart, both soul and body bear your part:
To God all praise and glory.

Let all who name Christ’s holy Name give God all praise and glory;
Let all who own His power proclaim aloud the wondrous story!
Cast each false idol from its throne, for Christ is Lord, and Christ alone:
To God all praise and glory.

written by Johann J. Schutz, 1640-1690

I will sing praise

to the name of the Lord

most high

Psalm 7:17

*****

“Praising God is one of the highest and
purest acts of religion.
In prayer we act like men;
in praise we act like angels.”  Thomas Watson

*****

“Self-love may lead us
to prayers, but love
to God excites us to praises”  Thomas Manton

*****

“Praise shall conclude that work which prayer began.”  William Jenkyn

“Hello, I’m Robert Redgate bringing you this o’clock addition of Bubblewitness news. All the news that’s fit to speak, all the news that’s fit to hear, all the news to bring you cheer right here in Bubbleland. Today as usual we have some good news and some very good news. But first, the good news:

There’s never never never never never any trouble
here in Bubbleland.
Bubbleland. Bubbleland
There’s never never never never anything
but joy right here in Bubbleland.
Bubbleland. Bubbleland
Our bubbles make us happy
They are with us night and day
We know they are so important,
they must never blow away…

Of course, they never would.”    From Mr. Roger’s Bubbleland Opera, 1968

“Here are some practicalities that help me:  1. My crockpot is my servant. 2.  Playdough is a great thing even though messy.  3.  Washing plastic dishes in sudsy water is a great thing even though messy.  ; )  4.  If one of the children are ill or someone is crying over a lesson, close the books.  5.  Retreat, and pray. : )”  ~From a comment that “thats italian” left me in a homeschooling post.

Well, I’ve done the whole, “let’s let the kids play in the sink thing” many a times so when I read thats italian’s comment about a month ago, I thought, “not a chance am I going to do that anytime soon”!  However, how could I say no to a 2 year old who had the determination yesterday to drag a chair all the way from the computer to the kitchen sink?  And how could I say no to his brother, who wanted to be in on the action? 

It’s another fun time that starts out beautiful. . . .but ends up with me running for a towel and dry clothes.  And the camera! 

Caleb always involves his trains.

*********************************************

This picture was also taken yesterday.  I put the kids to bed to rest and read and Caleb came downstairs shortly after I had finally gotten on the couch to rest myself.  I wondered why he had such a short nap and soon came to the realization that I don’t think he ever slept up there!  Apparently he was playing instead of napping.  I enjoyed holding him, although he has grown about 10 inches and gained about 15 pounds since the last time he slept with me during naptime!  As my fifth child, he had the privilege of napping on mama when he was a little baby.  Now he’s a BIG BOY.  (you can just barely see part of his train in this picture, too, he always has one–he LOVES Thomas, he screams with delight when it comes on, quite startling.)  Jacob took this picture of our cozy moment:

*******************************************

So, this week is a little tough because Rich is attending a conference and doesn’t get home until after the kids go to bed.  He and I are both working overtime!  I’m not exactly complaining, I know that there are many women who have it much worse. I need my husband, he’s my rock, and I’m so thankful for him.  He got home last night at 9pm and I felt so guilty because as soon as he sat on the bed to talk to me (I was watching TV in our room) I started falling right to sleep!  I told him I was sorry, but I guess having him home made me very relaxed.  He went to the livingroom and stayed up until midnight, working–it’s so maddening to me that he has this conference and then comes home to catch up on the work he’s missing at the office while he’s at this special leadership conference and dinners almost every night!!!!!  I asked him this morning to please try to take a couple days off next week—I NEED him
to help me with Thanksgiving preparations; cleaning and getting ready for company.  My poor husband.  He needed me to pick up dry cleaning for him yesterday “after 5” and I COMPLETELY FORGOT.  I didn’t think about it at all until he got home and was hanging his coat up.  I’m feeling sad now and guilty!  I’m sorry, dear!  He does so much to make me happy and provide for us.

I had a rough weekend (had a meltdown at church, even!  How embarrassing.) and a bad Monday—that NYC trip completely drained me.  Remember the packing peanut post?  Those pictures were from Friday, the day after my trip.  I was sick with exhaustion (and a bad backache) but am finally feeling better!

I am SO thankful that the Lord has given me my strength and my sense of humor back again.  I kind of doubted that it would happen, LOL.

And, by the way, THANK YOU to all who left sweet comments for E yesterday, he read them all this morning, first thing.

The days are long but the years are short. 

“Hey!  You got any birdseed, lady?”

I was in my room today with the kids, watching them play a game on the computer.  Outside, on the porch, a blue jay landed on one of my wooden planters.  I took the picture from inside my room, over the heads of my children, through the glass window, and between the porch railings!  Not bad!

Who did this????

“Was it you, Grace?”

“No, I didn’t do it!”

Who did it, then?

Ah ha!  Now I see!  These two again!

“It’s kind of like snow, Mom!”

It always starts out so innocently. . . . . . .

At least these packing peanuts really melt just like snow.  Call in the troops!  Time for science class!