Waiting

Thing I am doing to keep my heart open to God leading while I am waiting for His answer to the next step in my life.

Fasting - wanting my comfort to be from God not Food

Source: imgfave.com via Eileen on Pinterest

Praying - continuing my relationship with him through speaking to Him each day. Sometimes we stop seeking God because we feel He is not answering but we need to be persistent widows. Continuing to bring our request before him. 

^{Luke 18:3} And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'

Spending time in the word - I am reading The Pursuit of Holiness and Just Enough Light for The Step I Am On

Focusing on the here and now: realizing I am right where God wants me to be and focusing on the things I can do for Him here.


Counting My Blessing: I will continue counting my blessing by tens this week. When facing trials it helps to focus on what God has already done for us. During those moments of how long Lord, how long, we can focus on the blessing. 

My semi-planned week @ Grandmas  

1. Homeschooling will continue this week as we get more organized.

2. My gnats are gone.  

What I thought worked best:

• placed half a moth ball in each cup to kill the larvae.
• stopped watering them since they live in the dirt
• place clear tape around the plant cups to prevent further infection.
• emptied one fourth of the topsoil out to get out the eggs.
• washed the roots of the plant that I think started the infection.

3. I worked on cleaning up and organizing my computer and internet sites. 

4. Working on my pray list: 

• Praying for friends who have needs. If you would like me to pray for you please leave your request in the comments. I would be honored to do so.
• God to open my eyes to learning and growing opportunities before me.
• The continual softening of my children’s hearts. 
• Pray for our housing situation 

5. I did six blog post this last week. This is quickly becoming my number of weekly post.

 Posting:

  1. Finding Motivation 

  2. Counting My Blessing by Tens

  3. First Christmas

  4. Counting my Blessing by Tens 2

  5. Bible Challenge 

  6. Un Halloween

  7. I missed my seventh post this week. I want to make some blog changes and experiment with things so please bear with me.


6. I need to get into a guess rhythm of life. 

7. I am still maximizing my mornings during the fall session. It is so fun having that extra incentive to get up early.  

8. I am excited to take part in 

over @ Beholding Glory. 

9. Trying to decide how to earn some money. 

UN Halloween

Saturday 9: Mr. Roboto

1. Do you enjoy holidays like Halloween or is your approach more robotic?

We just wait it out. Can not find the benefit to paying for a costume so my child could be taught to beg for candy.  

2. Have you ever been to a haunted house?

NO, never understood this. 

3. What are you doing for Halloween this year?

Cleaning up my computer.

4. What was your lamest Halloween costume ever?

I have never dressed up for Halloween.

5. Is handing out candy fun for you, or more of a nightmare?

Honestly I usually hope the lack of Halloween decorations, closed door and lights out would be a clue. 

6. Do you buy trick-or-treat candy and end up eating it yourself?

The trick is not to buy the candy, the treat is maintaining your good health.

7. Did you carve any pumpkins this year?

Does pumpkin bread, cookies and cake count?

8. What was your favorite costume as a child?

Sorry to say but Halloween was not an issue for me till we had children. 

9. What is your biggest pet peeve about trick-or-treaters?

Some of them have no respect for those of us who do not participate in Halloween. As many of you head out trick or treating on Monday remember to respect those people who choose not to take part in Halloween activities.

I am not against Halloween. I just never participated and do not get it. Going around in costumes asking for candy is not my idea of fun. I have three boys and their friends have brought them candy the day after Halloween.  

Thanks for reading @ Edwards Granddaughter

Bible Challenge

What’s the hardest/most challenging book you’ve ever read? Was it worth the effort? Did you read it by choice or was it an assignment/obligation?

In July I took the read the Bible in 90-day challenge. It was the most challenging book that I have read because of the time restraints. It was worth it. I gained a lot more understanding from reading the Bible in such a short time. It also made me want to read it through in chronological order. It was a good choice for me.

Sharing with Booking Through Thursday, thanks so much for reading.

Counting my Blessing by tens 2

Psalm 130:5-6

        ⁵ I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits,

and in his word I put my hope. 

⁶ I wait for the Lord    

more than watchmen wait for the morning. 

   

What an amazing scripture? It defines where I am today. I am waiting on the Lord and in his word I put my hope. I choose to wait for his guidance because he is the bigger picture.

I am thankful for the great response to my Counting My Blessing by Tens post. I thought that I could continue counting my blessing by tens till I am in a more settled season of life. Many times our circumstances can leave us focusing on the negative but I firmly believe that is what we choose. I am choosing to focus on my blessing in groups of tens. 

Continuing:
11. Time is time, no matter what we only get 24 hours in every day
12. This is the day that the lord made and I rejoice in that
13. It is great spending time with my mother and sister
14. So thankful that they have let us invade their home indefinitely 
15. I do not have to cook 
16. My mother's apartment is pretty big 
17. For the my semi vacation from my life
18. Hallmark has my last two Christmas ornaments 
19. the end of October is here
20. My migraine has moved from a ten to about a five on the pain scale

Thanks for reading, I am sharing with Thankful Thursdays 

First Christmas

Wordless Wednesday

Counting my Blessing by tens

After a long migraine day what do we do?

We choose to COUNT OUR BLESSING

     1.  Jesus died for me

     2.  I was alive to have a hard day

     3.  I always have choice. 1 Corinthians 10

23 Everything is permissible— 

but not everything is beneficial. 

Everything is permissible— 

but not everything is constructive.

3. I have a warm place to sleep

4. My husband is employed

5. My three little blessings

6. My migraines as they force me to rest and take time out.

7. Getting the boys school day organized

8. That I have convictions

James 2 (NLT)

 14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, 

if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions?

 Can that kind of faith save anyone? 

15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 

16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. 

What good does that do?

 17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. 

Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

 18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? 

I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

 19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. 

Good for you! 

Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.

I show my faith in God's plan for my life by living out my convictions. 

NO Short CUTS

9.  That I stand by my convictions, no matter the cost

10. My mother made me Almond Streusel Cake

Thanks for reading; sharing with Top Ten Tuesday

Finding Motivation

What will motivate me during this season?

Motivational Scripture: Mark 8

34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

This week I will be using this scripture to motivate me. I really need to deny myself and focus on taking care of my children’s needs. 

• I have a roof over my head
• I am with people who love me
• Yes, I miss my husband and having my own home but I will 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4)

 My semi-planned week @ Grandmas  

1. Homeschooling will continue this week as we get more organized.
2. My houseplants seem to have picked up gnats. SO I will be on the attack against them this week. 

Things I am trying:

• placed half a moth ball in each cup to kill the larvae.
• stopped watering them since they live in the dirt
• placed apple cider vinegar in a small jar near the plants to catch the flying ones.
• place clear tape around the plant cups to prevent further infection.
• emptied one fourth of the topsoil out to get out the eggs.
• washed the roots of the plant that I think started the infection.
• the plants are in plastic drinking cups temporary for easy moving. So I will change the cups.
• I am considering keeping all my plants in water until we are in permanent housing, but I will see how they do this week.

3. I work on setting up our 2012 budget and financial goals.
4. Work on my pray list: 

• Praying for friends who have needs. If you would like me to pray for you please leave your request in the comments. I would be honored to do so.
• God to open my eyes to learning and growing opportunities before me.
• The continual softening of my children’s hearts. 
• Pray for our housing situation 

 5. Scrap-booking some picture frames for  Grandma
 6. I did six blog post this last week. 
 Posting:
  1. The Last Book
  2. Too Short
  3. Time
  4. Angel, my dying plant
  5. Right to be silent
  6. Motivation
  7. I missed my seventh post this week. Blogging has been more challenging now that I no longer have a workspace. In my current situation I am willing to let this go as I focus on what we can learn from our day to day.

8. I am still maximizing my mornings during the fall session. It is so fun having that extra incentive to get up early.  
9. I am excited to take part in 

over @ Beholding Glory. 

     A little something for us all. God has created a time and place in our lives for everything we do. I will focus on his timing for my life this week, how about you.
Thanks for reading.

The Last Book

Saturday 9: The Last DJ

1. Who was favorite DJ and what radio station did you listen to as a kid?

If it was not in a book or about a book I lacked interest in it as a child.

2. What has been the weirdest thing you have worn in public?

My PJs

3. What was the best part of last weekend?

Sunday's Church Service entitled "The Challenge Zone" Are you in the Zone?

4. What was the most effective punishment for you as a kid?

Psychology 

5. Would you lie to your significant other to not hurt their feelings?

I am grown enough to be painfully truthful, and lying always hurts more in the end.

Proverbs 12:22

The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.

Proverbs 26:28

A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

6. We're taking you order for breakfast. What would you like?

French Toast with fresh strawberries

7. Do you celebrate Halloween? If yes, do tell. If no, why not?

Not really, my son has never liked Halloween . When he was little I thought is was just good sense. Why go out to ask for candy when Mommy had a big bowl of candy at home, but he just does not like Halloween.

8. Do you hand out candy to the neighborhood kids?

Sometimes, just not a fan

9. What's the favorite age you've been, so far?

I have not had a favorite age so far, but one hundred and twenty looks good from here.

Too Short

Do your reading habits change when you’re on vacation? Do you read more? Do you indulge in lighter, fluffier books than you usually read? Do you save up special books so you’ll be able to spend real vacation time with them? Or do you just read the same old stuff, vacation or not?


It depends on the type of vacation. If it is a family vacation, I do not have much time to read. If the children are having time off from school then I usually try to finish my book list. 

 sharing with Booking through Thursday

Time

and thankfully a time for bed.

This week I am thankful for bed times. I am extremely thankful that I have always had a bedtime for my boys. I would not be appreciating bedtimes this week had not for where my life has placed me.

My boys have been staying up late every night and I have been fighting a severe case of negative thinking. Just the lack of quiet and peace, the ability to think things through and have my mind functioning has been greatly diminished.

I am thankful for this experience because it has given me a great appreciation for bedtimes. Not only because I need the time to recoup and rest for the next day but also because God created a time for every thing. 

Our great and wonderful creator gave us everything we needed and we should be thankful for all He created. As we plan our days and nights let us be mindful of the different times God has created and thankful in all of them.  

Sharing with Thankful Thursdays, Thought provoking Thursday

Angel

Right to be Silent

Lately everyone has been talking about his or her First  Amendment rights.

On the news recently there has been lots of talk about our  First Amendment rights. I as a very opinioned person appreciate my right to say what ever I want.

When I had children however I realized there was another right in the Bill of Rights that I appreciated even more. What right you may ask is more important than our right to free speech?

The Right to be silence

The right to be silent is my most precious right. I have spent much time and energy teaching my children to exercise their right to be silent.

Can you imagine the self-control and the struggle to maintain our silence? 

Here is a simple list of why I have come to value my right to be silence.

1.  

On judgment day I will have to give an accounting of every careless word I have spoken. On reading that I started think more about my words. Was I speaking carelessly or were my words  thoughtful?

2.    

In my effort to take up my cross and follow Christ was I engaging in behavior that was making me more ungodly? Was I by not monitoring speech slipping into ungodly  behavior? 

3.  

I had used this for years with my children but as I was disciplining them I kept hearing my inability to build them up. In my hurry to correct their behavior my words were not building them up. It took me a while to learn that how I corrected my children mattered more to God than how quickly I accomplished the correction. When my children needed discipline, I explained my desire to build them up and my need for time to find just the right words. A simple time out where they thought about their actions and I choose my words was much more effective.

4.  

Another scripture I took to heart with my children and husband especially was Ecclesiastes 3:7. We get not only to choose our words but the time, place and circumstances under which we speak. Some things should be said in private and just because we think it does not mean we should say it. After all, we are commanded to take every thought captive.

5.  

6.  

I did a lot of sitting and thinking on this one when I first read it. It is one of those wow scriptures. Every time I speak, I am speaking before God, Okay! Every conversation, every word is before GOD. He is in heaven and I am on earth, He is greater than me. God created me, when my words harm or disrespect others I am ultimately disrespecting God. When I speak in an ungodly way I am sinning against God.

7.  

My clarity on this one came while discipline my children. Ever notice how they interrupt you to explain and they always have something to say or add. I started listening more after sharing this scripture with them. It is amazing how when we are guilty, there is this need to justify our action with words. We are just compelled to give an explanation, it makes us feel better, but the sin is still there.

I love Proverbs; it is filled with great advice. My last three are from Proverbs. These are three simple one. Watching what we say keeps us from calamity or ruin.

8. 

9.  

10.  

I hope that I have shared my heart in a loving and thoughtful way. My conviction for this blog is to share the word of God to encourage others and to share my journey with God. 

Sharing with Top Ten Tuesday, On your heart Tuesday, and Graceful

Motivation

What will motivate me during this season of displacement?

Isaiah 58:11


11 The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. 
You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

Although I am very much relating to the Israelites wandering through the desert. I know that I need to live for God where he is leading me.

I need the motivation from God words to keep me focus on His plan for my life.

Amazing Grace

I love this song, which was sung so beautiful at church yesterday. God’s grace is truly amazing and even thought I do not fully understand the full extend of his grace. I am extremely blessed to have His grace.

My semi-planned week @ Grandmas  

  1.     Homeschooling 

  2.     Scrap-booking some picture frames for  Grandma

  3.     I did seven blog post this last week. 

 Posting:

  1.  THINK

  2.  Sequels?

  3.  Sequels

   4.  Just a thought

  5. Grandmas

   6. Valued

 7. Rambling Plans

  4.     I am still maximizing my mornings for the fall session. It is so fun having that extra incentive to get up early.  

  5.     I really need to find a quite place that I can write. Not having my regular routine with the children or any personal space is making blogging and time for myself very hard. I am completely LOST.

  Thanks for reading