Rainy Day Thoughts
It is a rainy, wet day here today. This morning, I dragged myself out of bed and forced myself to read. I am so glad I did. Romans 4 was especially encouraging today. “Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as rightoeusness.” “In hope he believed against hope…” “No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God…” “He grew strong in his faith” “fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.”
The question entered my mind- “Do I believe God? Against all hope?” Something to ponder today. I wrote it down on my 4X6 card and stuck it on my windowsill, where I could look at it while I washed dishes from last nights company.
I decorated my daughters sixteenth birthday cake. I am not a great cake decorator, but with some input from a small army of women, it turned out just fine. 🙂 Thanks, girls!
I set out a collage of pictures of Emily, from birth to sixteen for the celebration tomorrow night. Birthdays have always been big in my family and family parties are the norm. But birthdays are even more precious when you have lost a child or a niece in their infancy, and you realize that life is not ever guaranteed. So we celebrate life and all that the Lord is doing in the lives of our kids.
I was also challenged by a friend to write more from the heart. Yes, it is a good friend–one who would actually say such a thing. I wrote a post a few weeks back off the top of my head entitled You Are Your Choices , which I hesitated to publish because I was afraid it sounded harsh, and it is hard to tell “tone” on the computer. It was actually my top post of the month. This baffled me because I wrote it in about five minutes. My friend told me that this was exactly what I should be doing. Why is that so hard for me?
I have also been working on some upcoming fall goals and plans:
- Getting my oldest off to college and ways to keep in contact with her. Planning special surprises. 🙂
- A trip to Charleston, SC for a few days with Peter.
- Homeschool and co-op for the four younger kids.
- Matt working on the cranberry harvest again.
- For our Sr. High teen youth group girls. I am planning on meeting with my friend, Wendy, as we plan a few things together for our jr/sr high girls. We’ll have a mom’s meeting sometime soon so we can let the mom’s know where we are headed this sememster and encourage them as they raise their kids for Christ. We are scheming up service activities for the girls and their mom’s that would specifically encourage our older widows in the church. We ran I pilot of this last Christmas where we made greenery baskets and delivered them to the widows of the church along with cookies at Christmas time. We had a very good response to this and would like to do that again. We also have several craft nights, after church fellowships and family dinners to plan. 🙂
- I am planning a watercolor class that I am doing with a few friend and their kids. That will include a 30 min out door walk followed by sketching it down in a notebook and adding watercolor. (Anna Comstock, here I come!)
- Figuring out music lessons for the kiddos and fitting that into our schedule.
- I was asked to speak to a group of ladies about Keeping Your Devotional Life Vibrant , so I am working on that.
- Also, planning a getaway for Peter and me to a couples conference at TWNE. Jim and Pat Berg are the speakers and they are always so helpful. And what makes it even more effective, is that we know that they live what they teach.
We are using” Happily Married” by Debbie Pryde. I recommend it highly ! Andrew and I will have been married 19 years in 2 weeks ! This study has been so beneficial for me…its such a blessing to be reminded of God’s commands in marriage ! This young lady I have been studying with has been such a blessing to me as well ! How many years is it for you now Sarah ?
Thank you for your prayers …this is a new season in life for Andrew and I as we leave our 17 yr old, 6’4″ baby at college ! Praying for you as well !!!
Lynda, thx for the recommendation! I will have to check that book out…I had never heard of it. I am working with a lady right now who is struggling in her marriage so maybe that would be helpful, but I have been using the Tripp book. We have been married 20 years as of the 10th of Aug. Time sure does fly, doesn’t it? Enjoy your last few days with your “baby!” 🙂
Lisa, I have no idea why that is the case, but I am always careful before I just put something out there, knowing that I am accountable for my words…know what I mean? Also, I want to make sure it doesn’t sound differently than I intended. A wise woman and an effective leader does not needlessly offend. 🙂 Perhaps I should set a timer for myself and just write? 🙂
Lynda, I will be praying for you as you take Drew to college. He is such a great kid. I am interested to know what bible study you are using for marriage with your friend? Or are you using selected passages from scripture. Have you read “What did you Expect?” by Paul Trip? It is excellent and would perhaps be helpful to you. God bless you as you go through all these transitions!
The older kids are in Abeka Academy Video School. The littler ones use Abeka book. Usually start video in 5th grade…when the math and sciences start to get tougher ! We have always used Abeka. The past couple of years have been more difficult because of the music they are now putting in the videos. We used to enjoy the teachers just singing with the students !
Some of my most popular posts were written very quickly. I think it really is powerful when we speak from the heart, as your friend advised.
We started school today. My oldest and I read about Saint Augustine’s The City of God. I had never heard of it! But it is such a foundational book. They all did some math and history, and my girl wrote a funny piece about a beetle with big dreams. What am I planning…? I’m trying to survive one day at a time right now, lol! I have so much on my plate!
Blessings,
Lisa
What curriculum are you using?
Sent from my iPod
Here is my list for you !
– Driving Drew to college on Wed. evening, spending a few days, and returning home.
-Continuing a Bible study with a dear young lady in my church on marriage.
-Beginning stages of our homeschool year…only 6 this year !
-Scheduling 2 kids for piano, 1 trumpet and 1 flute
-Structuring therapy schedule with Mike and his autism specialists
-Finishing up my character club lessons…i will be teaching Oct., Dec.,Feb., and Apr
Thats all I can handle for now !!! :))) God is gracious !!!