Whew!! Okay the high-stress meal of the year is over! Cooking a big heal and having it all come together for a group of people has never been my strong suit, so it's a little stressful for me, but it was worth it! It was great to have everybody together. Very glad Kelli, Jon, and the girls were able to change plans and come after all!! The kids had a great time both with cousins and aunts and uncles! I hope all of you had a great holiday and are ready to gear up for Christmas!
Thought for the day
The holiday rush is here again...decorations, letters, cards, shopping, wrapping, baking...What is that you do purposefully through this season that helps you focus and not lose the wonder of Christ coming as a baby? It helps me to have some short alone time...maybe with music, maybe not...maybe candles, maybe not...just a chance to be still and remember why I do what I do for Christmas, not just scramble to get it all done. What is it that helps you???
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Baking and Memories
Hi, everybody!! It's the weekend before Thanksgiving, so today we went and got groceries for our turkey dinner which will be next Saturday. After that I baked some cinnamon rolls and buns...actually I should say I'm still baking. The cinnamon rolls are in the oven now and the buns will go in after that in shifts. The tough part is they will go in the freezer till Saturday...bummer. We may be able to snitch a few out first. It's been a good weekend. Yesterday I went to watch Tre's basketball game while Jon was helping on the farm. Today after going to church I got caught up around the house while punching bread dough. I'm working with the girls to figure out Christmas gifts and holiday plans...I LOVE this time of year!!!
Thought for the day
I was thinking about Philippians 3..."forgetting what lies behind, and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Forgetting what lies behind can be easier said than done. We are human beings, and we have memories. When we have a pattern in our life of repeated failure, broken relationships, or refection it is impossible to actually forget. When we are faced with similar circumstances now it's easy to fall into the thought process that the pattern will repeat itself. To set those memories aside we have to make a deliberate choice to see what God's truth is. He declares to be new creatures with a new life hidden in Him. Our old life was crucified with Him, buried, and we were raised to a new life in Him. He is the truest thing about us, and our identity finds its reality in His life. Hang onto the good memories. Learn from the not so good. But understand that who you really are is wrapped up in the mystery of Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Thought for the day
I was thinking about Philippians 3..."forgetting what lies behind, and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Forgetting what lies behind can be easier said than done. We are human beings, and we have memories. When we have a pattern in our life of repeated failure, broken relationships, or refection it is impossible to actually forget. When we are faced with similar circumstances now it's easy to fall into the thought process that the pattern will repeat itself. To set those memories aside we have to make a deliberate choice to see what God's truth is. He declares to be new creatures with a new life hidden in Him. Our old life was crucified with Him, buried, and we were raised to a new life in Him. He is the truest thing about us, and our identity finds its reality in His life. Hang onto the good memories. Learn from the not so good. But understand that who you really are is wrapped up in the mystery of Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
It's Done!!!
It's finally done!! You can go to www.blurb.com to see a preview of my book! Click on bookstore and search for Fringes of His Ways. Hope you like it...I'm tired and going to bed!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Review Copy!
WOOHOO!!! My review copy of my book came yesterday! I've made some changes, still considering another change before I upload again and order my books. I'm really happy with the way it looks. I hope it will be meaningful to more people than just me. Thanks to all my girls--all of you found changes for me to make that really improved the book. Thank you, Jon, for putting up with me while I take the time to get it done and for letting me spend the money :).
Yesterday I spent the morning cleaning up and waiting for the FedEx truck. Tabbi and the boys came around noon and we were able to take the boys out for combine and semi rides which they loved. They stayed overnight and went to church with us this morning before going home again. I spent all of the afternoon proofreading, editing, and doing laundry. Jon was cleared to drive truck again, so he's glad to be able to help with harvest. Now he will be busy with trying to keep up his therapy while being able to work more. I'm tired. It's been a good weekend!!
Yesterday I spent the morning cleaning up and waiting for the FedEx truck. Tabbi and the boys came around noon and we were able to take the boys out for combine and semi rides which they loved. They stayed overnight and went to church with us this morning before going home again. I spent all of the afternoon proofreading, editing, and doing laundry. Jon was cleared to drive truck again, so he's glad to be able to help with harvest. Now he will be busy with trying to keep up his therapy while being able to work more. I'm tired. It's been a good weekend!!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Romans 12:2
Jon's supposed to do another four weeks of physical therapy, but he got a good report from his doctor. He goes back there in four weeks, also. He did have to cut back a little bit on the intensity of his routine, but had some other restrictions lifted. The cutting back helped decrease the swelling. Today he didn't have to go to work and went to help on the farm instead. That made him feel MUCH better!!
Last night we got to visit with our friends who are visiting from New Jersey. Tom and Joanne are doing great and headed back home today. It was so good to see them again!!
Thought for the day
This was the verse on my flip calendar yesterday
"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is." Romans 12:2 (NLT)
I love that version of this verse. "let God transform you into a new person by changing the WAY YOU THINK." We get focused on changing our behaviors and don't understand why we keep hitting a wall. It's our thinking that we have to let God change. We are to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. That means that must take our thoughts and examine them before God to see if they line up with His word...the Truth. If not, it's the thought that must change...we must let God have His way, and when we surrender to His will we will find that it is good , pleasing, and perfect. But we won't arrive at that end until we let Him have His way in our thoughts. It's all about surrender...again!!
Last night we got to visit with our friends who are visiting from New Jersey. Tom and Joanne are doing great and headed back home today. It was so good to see them again!!
Thought for the day
This was the verse on my flip calendar yesterday
"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is." Romans 12:2 (NLT)
I love that version of this verse. "let God transform you into a new person by changing the WAY YOU THINK." We get focused on changing our behaviors and don't understand why we keep hitting a wall. It's our thinking that we have to let God change. We are to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. That means that must take our thoughts and examine them before God to see if they line up with His word...the Truth. If not, it's the thought that must change...we must let God have His way, and when we surrender to His will we will find that it is good , pleasing, and perfect. But we won't arrive at that end until we let Him have His way in our thoughts. It's all about surrender...again!!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Choices
Jon is still doing physical therapy, but still has too much swelling in his hand and wrist. We're praying that it will go down so that he can make more progress. He's working very hard on his exercises and stretches. We're looking forward to the weekend...Megan and Greg are coming Friday till Sunday morning. On Saturday we'll all go watch Tre's basketball game, but we don't have any other specific plans. Megan's been working hard on proofreading my book draft, and I'm ready to make some corrections then put in my order...I'm so excited!!
Thought for the day
The more I get to know different people, the more I realize we all endure something. Some people have a health issue; some people have a failed relationship of one kind or another; some people live with misunderstanding and disappointment. The common thread seems to be that when the individual puts his or her struggle into God's hands, he or she grows and comes to know God in new ways. That is a choice we actually have to make...will we grow bitter, or will we grow in humility and tenderness? God becomes even more precious when we let Him fill the void that is left by our losses. Let's choose wisely!
Thought for the day
The more I get to know different people, the more I realize we all endure something. Some people have a health issue; some people have a failed relationship of one kind or another; some people live with misunderstanding and disappointment. The common thread seems to be that when the individual puts his or her struggle into God's hands, he or she grows and comes to know God in new ways. That is a choice we actually have to make...will we grow bitter, or will we grow in humility and tenderness? God becomes even more precious when we let Him fill the void that is left by our losses. Let's choose wisely!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)