Living Set Apart and Holy

If you follow our family blog, you may have already read this. However, I wanted to post it here as well, because I have some thoughts that I want to share about how this applies to living out our lives as godly wives. This was written by my oldest son, Will, who is 19. After reading it, I asked him if I could share it, and he graciously gave his consent. I hope to post my thoughts on this in the next few days. Here now, is Will's post:

So this is mostly just writing to myself...but honestly most of what I write is. I comprehend and process better if I have to put things into words. So I shall attempt to share the lesson God has been teaching me of late. The subject is holiness.

We shall start with our premise that we, by nature, are sinners condemned to hell. We are condemned to hell because God is holy and perfect and cannot tolerate sin. But because in addition to His holiness and justice, God is also loving and merciful, He offers His son Jesus, as a sacrifice for our sin, and faith in the redeeming work of Christ is the only way to heaven. Once we have by faith accepted that covering for our sin, we are promised a place in heaven. And we are called to be saints...which is where the fun begins...

Like I said, this is something that I have struggled a lot with lately. Mostly because I love my sin. Sin is quite often fun. I mean, some of it isn't, and then there are consequences you have to deal with afterward...but let's be honest, if there wasn't some enjoyable quality to most sin, wouldn't everyone be perfect? And so, I have been trying to walk sideways on the slippery slope of sinning whilst trying to maintain my relationship with Christ. Some people call this walking the fence, but I like the slope analogy better, just because it makes it obvious that it will all lead in one direction. But back to the point. I have really felt God calling me into ministry (not sure what capacity yet, we shall see), and so I've been trying to study more and really grow in Him. And interestingly enough, all at once, He has sent influences from every side, whether it be sermons, to sermons I listen to online, to Bible study, to casual conversations...and it keeps boiling down to one thing. We must live holy, set apart lives for Christ. Which is a hard concept for me, but here's what I've been learning.

As I've been hammered with this subject I have found it interesting the large number of different passages that directly address the issue. Let's go over a few of my favorites...
Ephesians 1:4-"just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love..." He chose us before the foundation of the world. To be holy. To be without blame. Wow. I don't know about you, but this makes me feel two big things right off the bat-1)How amazing that the God of the universe cares enough about me that before the foundations of our very planet were laid He picked me out to be one of His chosen holy. What an amazing privilege. 2)What a huge responsibility. God went to the trouble of making me, calling me to be like Him, and all I can muster is some half-hearted attempt to be better than the Jones' down the street. How pathetic I am. But despite how much of a loser I am, there is hope. And we will get to that in a bit, but first let's look more into holiness.

Ephesians 4:20-24-"But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." This one is quite interesting to me, because a slight rabbit trail that my brain has been taking with this is the whole idea of "being true to yourself". Everywhere we turn that's what talked about, our entire culture is built upon being yourself and doing what you want. Well I want to propose something here. That the concept of, "being you" is both undesirable and unbiblical. "You" (and me, and anyone walking this earth) are a sinner. Our hearts are corrupt and deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9), beyond repair. We in ourselves, have nothing. There is no good, no commendable qualities to pursue. But there is a second part to that verse in Ephesians, which closely parallels a more familiar Romans passage...

Romans 12:1,2-" I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." God doesn't just sit there and tell us how bad we are, but He'll save us anyway. No, he says, yes I saved you from that. I have called you out of the pit and into light-now turn from your wicked ways! Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. This blows my mind, people always talk about how Christianity is a set of rules, just ties you down...it's the exact opposite! Jesus offers ultimate freedom, freedom from ourselves. Freedom from the bondage that is sin.

Romans 6:14-"For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." God pulls us out of sin and allows us to choose life, and choose to follow him. How freeing is that?

My point in all of this is to say that God has called us, as men and women of His, to a higher standard. This isn't just for Pastors, youth leaders, or "spiritual" people. This is everyone who calls themselves a Christian. This world needs change, people. This world needs hope. And that is only going to come through the Gospel, and we will only be effective in spreading that if we are living the life that He has called us to live. Holy. Set apart. Saints of God.

Will Dole copyright 2009

I apologize

I'm sorry that I have not been posting here. I do want to finish Ruth, and there are some other things that I have been pondering. However, we have found out that the baby I am carrying has a serious congenital heart defect, and much of my time has been spent going to Dr. appointments. And most of my blogging time has been spent on our family blog, where I am updating on the baby. If you are interested in keeping up with what is going on with our son's heart, go to The Legend of Thousand Hills Farm .

I do not plan on abandoning this blog! I just don't know how much time I'm going to have to write here. The baby is due in late February, and then we will be spending time in the NICU. Your prayers would be greatly appreciated. For specific prayer requests, you can check out our family blog.

Thank you for your patience!

Holidays

I just added a button on the left from the Old Schoolhouse magazine. They are generously giving away an almost 200 page e-book! It has wonderful ideas for Thanksgiving and Christmas ~ crafts, food, color pages for the children ~ even calender pages for November and December to help you keep the Holiday Chaos under control! :-)

It's a beautiful, full-color e-book. So, download one today and enjoy your holidays!

Ruth Chapter 3

Finally, we are back to Ruth! One of the reasons it has taken me so long to post on Ch. 3, is because I'm not really sure what to say. :-) I find myself reading it, longing for that kind of relationship, but not knowing how to get there.

Ruth trusts the people in her life. On a deeper level, I believe that she trusts God to lead her through the people in her life. When Naomi shares with her the custom of going and laying at a man's (Boaz's) feet, she doesn't argue or question her, she just does it. She trusts her mother-in-law to guide her in doing what is right and appropriate. When Boaz gives her instruction, she doesn't argue or question him either, she just does it. She trusts him to do what is right and good.

The other thing that really struck me in chapter 3, is that although Ruth's actions are bold, she is not. When she goes to the threshing floor, she goes softly, she quietly uncovers his feet and lies down ~ Boaz doesn't even know she's there until the middle of the night. Once he discovers her, he once again commends her character and blesses her.

As a wife, what I take away from chapter 3 is that I need to trust God. My relationship with my Heavenly Father needs to be such that I know Him well enough to know that He is trustworthy. I can trust my Beloved to lead me in paths of righteousness, because I can trust my God to lead me through my Beloved. This is something that I have 'known' for several years, but have had a hard time putting into practice. Over the last couple of years, God has shown me again and again, that even when I can't see it, He is leading through my Beloved. My job is to trust and follow. Not easy for someone as headstrong as I tend to be. But so necessary if I truly want to be a godly woman. I also see that I can do bold things, but they can be accomplished with a meek and gentle spirit. My desire is to behave in such a way that it reflects my Father's character.

Chapter 3 leaves me with the desire to be a godly woman. As my boys grow older and begin to enter the stage of life where they might bring home a young woman who is destined to be their bride, I long to have the kind of relationship that Naomi and Ruth shared. Not to replace or displace her mother, but to add to and bless her with another trusted adviser, to share in common the love of God and which ever son she loves. And that leaves me feeling somewhat adrift. Other than praying for that kind of relationship, I don't know how to achieve it. I don't see that around me. What I see most often is a strained relationship between the mothers of sons and the son's wife. I see young women not willing to listen to the wise counsel of their mother-in-laws, and only willing to listen to and love their own families. And it makes me sad, because I believe that God has so much more for us ~ I believe He shows us what could be in the book of Ruth ~ if we would just embrace His design.

If you have this kind of relationship with a daughter-in-law, would you share with us? Would you share how you have cultivated this love and trust? I am certain that I am not the only one desiring this, and yet at a loss as how to accomplish it when the time comes.

Being Content

**I will get back to the book of Ruth, but something else has been on my mind this week, and so I decided that I would write a post on contentedness instead of pushing ahead with Ruth.**

In the book of Philippians, Paul wrote: "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:11-13

We have come face to face with this over the last 8 months, and I think that with the economy being what it is, many of you probably have as well. Maybe you have been able to be content, and maybe you haven't. I have been so thankful for the many things God has brought us through over the last several years, so that as we have walked through these months of unemployment and sporadic employment, we have been able to completely trust in Him. Don't get me wrong ~ there have been moments of panic and worry ~ but they have been minimal. I was telling a friend yesterday that God is so...well, God. :-) Is there truly any adjective that can adequately describe our great and glorious Father?

Being content can be difficult. But I do believe that the key is keeping our focus on God. If we are looking at our circumstances, then being content is going to be difficult. I'm not talking about sticking our head in the sand, and pretending that whatever is happening isn't. But I am talking about not "focusing" on our circumstances. Some of us are worriers by nature. It is difficult for us not to worry ~ there's always something to worry over! Some of us belong to communities that, depending on our personality can make it difficult to be content. The homeschooling community can be like that. I don't believe it means to be. :-) But as things are taught (Biblically based things), it can make it difficult to be content with where God has us. The entrepreneurial movement caused many to be discontent with being employed by someone else. However, God does not call every man to be an entrepreneur. Some men are just going to be employees. I do believe that we all benefit from entrepreneurial thinking, but that does not mean we are all going to be self-employed.

The call now for fathers to be more involved with their children; particularly their sons, can cause discontent ~ especially for mamas! Now, I do want to say before I go any further, that I do believe that a father's involvement is crucial ~ for both our sons and daughters. But I as a woman cannot truly teach my sons how to be men. I can impart wisdom to them, and I can teach them many things that are integral to being a man, but by virtue of my sex, there are many things that they just need to learn from their Daddy or another godly man. We have one son in particular that just because of his temperament and some of the issues we have had with him needs his Dad to "take him in hand" more than the other boys did/do. But, my Beloved is working for a farmer right now. He is gone before light and doesn't get home until after dark. I can allow this to cause me to be discontent ~ and contentious with him when he gets home ~ or I can choose to be content because God has provided this job for him at this time. I am thinking and praying about ways he can still be more involved with this son, but for now I am not dinging at him about it. God knows what my children need, He knows what I need, and He knows what my Beloved needs. When my Beloved does get home, he is only up for a couple of hours before he's in bed and I believe that time is better spent with us being able to talk and the children being able to talk and snuggle with their Daddy before bedtime. I could fuss at him about making lists of chores for the older boys to accomplish, but in this season it's not the most important thing. I am his helpmeet. Right now that means that I need to look around the place and see what needs to be done, and get the boys to working. For instance the other day, I put one of the boys to work putting the roof on our wood shed. We've had the materials for probably a year, but my Beloved just hasn't had the time to get it done. So, I gave one of the older boys the task of getting the roof on the shed, telling him how it would bless his dad to have that project done. Now we just need to get the wood stacked. ;-)

These past 8 months have been such a blessing to us. We have seen God provide for specific bills we didn't have money to pay, we have seen God provide work when we needed it (though not a job), we have seen God provide for our needs through the generous gifts of our brothers and sisters in Christ. He truly is Jehovah Jireh! We have come to the realization (!) that God is the one who provides. He is the one who always provides, but when our husbands are bringing home a paycheck, it's easy to forget that it's God and not our husband who is providing for our family. These past months have stripped away all pretense of self-reliance, and made plain the reality, the truth that it is God who is providing for our family's needs.

GOD IS OUR PROVIDER

Do you believe that? This is where the contentment rubber meets the road. :-) If I believe that God is sovereign over all, if I believe that what God brings into our lives is better than what I would want, if I believe that God loves me and what He provides is enough, then I am going to be content. I have come to realize that while my Beloved is responsible for looking for work, putting in applications, doing his best and projecting the best image possible at interviews, ultimately the getting of a job is God's arena. My Beloved can do everything to the best of his abilities, but he cannot force someone to hire him. Only God can provide the job. This has actually been a very freeing realization. It has allowed me to settle into contentment much more quickly than I think I would have otherwise.

We have been praying about a particular job, but with my Beloved farming right now, timing is not what I think it should be. :-) Last week, I spent too much time worrying about it. He needs to talk to this person, this needs to get done, how will he have time, etc. It began with just a few thoughts about it here and there, but began to crescendo in my heart and mind. After spending the better part of one day worrying about it, I realized I needed to stop and pray about it and just leave it with God. After all, if he is to have this job, it will be in God's timing. So, I prayed. I prayed about the timing of it all, I prayed that God would move my Beloved to do what he needs to do when he needs to do it, etc. About 2 days after I had prayed about it, my Beloved came home, and all he wanted to talk about was this job and what he needs to do and how I need to help him. Now, God does not always answer our prayers so quickly ~ and I am not suggesting that you grab onto a "name it and claim it" or "prosperity gospel" type of beliefs ~ but I am suggesting that instead of stewing on something you pray about it and quit worrying! I can be content because I trust that God is going to do what is best for our family ~ whether that happens to be what I want or not, in the time I want ~ and rarely if ever does God work on my timetable!

Trust God that He has you right where He wants you; right where you need to be. Believe that He is working everything for your good ~ your family's good. And if contentment is difficult for you to find, pray about it and ask God to help you find it. He's faithful ~ I'm pretty sure that's a prayer He will answer.

.

Spiced Peach Jam

This is one of our favorite jam recipes (besides Huckleberry!). My mom also just found out that it makes super bee trap bait!

Spiced Peach Jam

4 C (about 3lbs) ripe peaches, peeled, pitted, and ground or chopped fine
1/4 C lemon juice
7 1/2 C sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp allspice
1/2 (6oz) bottle liquid pectin

• Combine peaches and lemon juice.
• Add sugar and spices ~ mix well. Place over high heat and bring to a full rolling boil; boil hard 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat; immediately stir in pectin. Skim off foam with metal spoon. Cool slightly, stir and skim by turns for 5 minutes. Ladle into hot sterilized jars and seal.
• Let jam sit about 2 weeks before using.

Makes 6 half pints.

Enjoy!

Ruth Chapter 2

Ruth ch. 2 tells us of Ruth's life back in Judah with Naomi.

As they return, Ruth takes the initiative in helping provide for them. She goes out into the fields to glean and bring home grain. She was obviously not afraid of hard work, and was willing to do what she needed to to help Naomi.

As Ruth is gleaning in the fields, Boaz takes notice of her ~ her reputation precedes her.
"But Boaz answered her, 'All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Isarael, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!'" Ruth 2:11-12

One of the things that struck me as I read through chapter 2 is Boaz and his behavior. Every time I have ever heard the book of Ruth preached on, the speaker talks of Ruth's boldness towards Boaz. But, as I read ch. 2, I see Boaz taking the lead. He has heard of Ruth and how she has cared for Naomi. He pulls her aside and speaks with her, telling her of the good he has heard about her, he invites her to eat with him ~ making sure that she eats her fill and has some extra to take home, he watches over her, taking care to make sure the men in the field leave her alone, and he instructs his men to leave bundles of grain for her to "glean". From the very beginning, Boaz is taking care of her, showing her deference, and basically loving her. Ruth's later boldness comes, I think, from these initial actions by Boaz.

We see that Ruth is very diligent in her work, beginning early in the morning and gleaning until the evening. When she returns home, she not only brings the gleanings, but she brings home the prepared food left from lunch for Naomi as well.

I think, in ch.2, we can get the most instruction from Ruth as a daughter-in-law. It was very convicting to me as I read. I had a strained relationship with my mother-in-law, and she has now been gone for over 13 years, so I cannot try to make things right. What we see is a young woman who is more than willing to care for her mother-in-law, she acts on that willingness. We see that her reputation preceded her in how she cared for Naomi. If you moved to a new place, and the only thing to recommend you to others was your reputation for how you treated your mother-in-law, what would people think of you? Would you be as well thought-of as Ruth? Or would people have a poor opinion of you?

I do believe that Naomi was probably an exceptional woman and that the two women had a good relationship. But, I don't think things were probably always rosy. They were very poor, both being widows, and we know from Naomi's own words that she was bitter. Bitter people can be extremely hard to get along with. Yet, Ruth is known for her love and care of Naomi. So, a difficult mother-in-law is no excuse. Our behavior is not dependent on other's actions.

Do you have a 'care-taker' mentality toward your mother-in-law? Perhaps she is a very capable woman, or you live far from her, but you can still love and care for her (and distance might actually make that easier!). If needed, would you willingly take her into your home and provide for her?

Years ago, we took my Beloved's father into our home. He was very, very ill and needed surgery, but he was too weak to withstand the surgery. So, he came to our house to be strengthened. We had had a very difficult relationship. To bring him into our home was not something that I relished, but felt like we needed to do. He was only with us for a month or two, but it was a major turning point in our relationship. I am so thankful that we brought him home and cared for him. It gave our children an opportunity to know their grandpa better (we lived several hours away from them and did not see them often), and it gave me an opportunity to put love to action toward my father-in-law. Some of the things that we do for my Beloved's step-mom are to call her on a fairly regular basis and see how she is doing. When we are in the area, we always stop and visit. We do what we can (long distance) to show her love and respect. If she needed it, we would take her into our home in a moment. This is an attitude change that has only been brought about by the working of the Holy Spirit (for both my Beloved and I).

You may have a long list of hurts inflicted by your in-laws, but I encourage you to take them to the Lord and leave them at His feet. Ask Him to give you a super-natural love for your in-laws. Perhaps the relationship is such that you really can't spend time around them, but that doesn't mean you can't get creative and still honor and love them. Maybe you have a great relationship ~ if so, praise God! Are there still ways you can love them better?

What were some of your thoughts as you read through chapter 2? Please share! This week, we'll read chapter 3.

Ruth Chapter 1

As I read through Ruth Chapter 1, I wasn't really sure what I could pull out of it. Which is one reason I'm a week or two late in getting this posted. I just needed to think on it a bit.



One of the things I found interesting is that from the way the text is written, it would appear that Naomi's sons waited until after their father died before taking wives.



"But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband." Ruth 1:3-5



Since the text doesn't give us ages or timelines, there could be a number of reasons that the boys didn't marry until after their father's death. The boys may not have been old enough to marry while their father lived, or (and I must admit this was my first thought), they knew that Elimelech would not allow them to marry foreign women. That thought was bolstered by the fact that God did not bless those marriages with children.



However it came about, Naomit found herself with not one, but two daughters-in-law who did not share her faith. We don't know anything of Orpah's or Ruth's lives, what kind of homes they grew up in, but we do know they were raised in a pagan culture.



After Naomi's sons died, she decided to return home, hearing that the Lord was once again blessing the land. She begins the journey with both daughters-in-law, but at some point decides to urge them to return to their mother's houses. (As a side note, I wonder if this is a clue that these were fatherless girls. Why not urge them to return to their father's houses?) I don't understand why Naomi decides mid-journey that the girls shouldn't return with her. Why not decide and settle it before leaving? Perhaps she truly loved them and wanted them with her. This would at least partially explain Ruth's love and devotion for her mother-in-law. Did she begin to think that it would be too difficult for her daughers-in-law once they were back in Judah? Wash she showing her love for them, and sacrificing her own comfort in having them, by encouraging them to return to their own homes?She also had to realize that they would have a hard existence with no man to provide for them. So, for whatever reason, Naomi decides the girls should return to their homes in Moab.



Orpah tearfully agrees, but Ruth pleads with Naomi to allow her to stay with her.

"But Ruth said, 'Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.' And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more." Ruth 1:16-18



What kind of woman was Naomi that she inspired such love and devotion from Ruth? Considering her circumstances, it would have been so easy for her to have been resentful and to keep her daughters-in-law at arms length. After all, they were pagans! They did not know or love the One True God. She could have been angry with her sons for not going back to Judah to find wives. But it would appear that this godly woman loved her daughters-in-law in spite of their differences. She must have made them feel loved and welcomed into the family ~ for even though Orpah did return home, she didn't do it without a lot of tears. And Ruth was willing to leave everything and everyone she knew and follow Naomi to a land she knew nothing about.



Even though later Naomi changes her name to Mara (meaning "Bitter"), and feels like God has dealt harshly with her, there must have been something of the character of God shing through in her to draw Ruth so strongly.



So, as women desiring to live godly lives, what are some lessons we can pull from Ruth Chapter 1?

• Even when things aren't going like *I* plan, I need to trust God's plan. I need to love the people He brings into my life, and not hold them at arms length just because they aren't who I would have chosen. We get to read the end of the story, and know that God had a plan for Ruth to marry into Naomi's family ~ she was to be in the lineage of Christ, but Naomi didn't know that! Yet, she loved Ruth anyway.


• In the same vein, as a mother-in-law (someday!), I need to love my children's spouses. Even if they marry someone I think they should not, I need to accept and love them. I ned to make sure that I am doing what I can to make them feel welcome and a part of the family. My own mother has been a wonderful example of this to me ~ and she has had some difficult in-laws! I need to remember that it may be my response to them, the way that I love them that God will use to draw them to Himself. Even before getting to this stage in my life, I know myself well enough to know that I will only be able to do this within the power of the Holy Spirit.


• As a wife, I need to love my husband's family. It may be likely that Ruth's husband's family was much better than her own, but we do not know that. She may have had a wonderful family, yet she was willing to leave them and take her husband's family as her own. She was willing to leave and cleave. How often I have observed women who are not willing to leave their own family, but expect their husband to practically abandon his family in favor of hers. Now, I am not calling us to abandon our families! But we do need to love our husband's family and be willing to spend time with them. We need to love them as our own ~ and I know that this is not always easy! But I do believe that as wives it is what we are called to. It honors God and it honors our husband.


• I need to think of others and what is best for them beyond what I want, and what would provide the most comfort for me. Naomi apparently wanted her daughters-in-law with her, and yet, in the end decided it was in their best interests for them to return to their own homes. In encouraging them to turn back, she was putting their interests ahead of her own, and showing a trust in God that He would provide for her needs. As a godly woman, I need to do the same.

Is there anything that you picked out of Ruth 1, that I missed? Please share! I would really like for this to be a "group" study. Let's learn along with and from each other! This week, let's read Chapter 2, and I'll post my thoughts next Monday.

Wow, 5 Years

Today Tucker would be 5.

It doesn't seem possible that it's been 5 years since the most horrific day in my life. 5 years of the most incredible journey that God has ever placed my feet upon. 5 years of learning more about my beloved Heavenly Father and learning to trust Him and His plan in ways I never could have imagined 5 years and 1 day ago.

On the morning of July 25, 2004, I was laboring to bring forth our 7th child and 5th son. It was a glorious, beautiful morning. But when Tucker was delivered, his little body was lifeless. His cord had broken minutes before birth and he leapt from my womb into the waiting arms of Jesus. I have never felt such an overwhelming urgency and despair in my life. I learned what it was to walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. I learned how deep that valley can be, and yet, I also learned the truth of God's word. I learned not to doubt Him. I learned to trust even when it went against every instinct I had. I learned to rely upon Him to lift my eyes to the hills, for He who is my help comes from them.

I have recently spent some time reading some of the things I wrote in the weeks following Tucker's death. I would not willingly choose to walk through that kind of grief again, and yet, it was such a precious time of learning and being loved by my Father, that I can't wish it away. Throughout those first days and weeks, in particular, there were many evidences of God's love and care for us. Some were big and some were seemingly little.

My midwife had written a poem for Tucker. When I went to put it into his scrapbook, I could not find it. I looked and looked. I tore the house apart and I could not find that poem. I was devastated. It was something tangible and it was gone. I just knew that it had gotten thrown away with all the envelopes from the many cards we had received. I cried out to God to help me find it. After 2 weeks of searching for the poem, I was extremely weepy one morning. After Mike left for work, I began to clean the table off, and there was the poem ~ in a spot I had looked in repeatedly.

Mike's brother gave us a piece of granite to have cut for Tucker's headstone. I had a picture that someone had given me of Jesus holding a baby up against His chest. For me, that was a portrait of Tucker. I wanted it on his headstone so badly, but didn't think that I could ask for a "custom" order. I had resigned myself to finding a lamb or something to have engraved on it. When we went to the monument place and told them that we needed a headstone for our infant son, they got out a couple of books that had engravings for babies. I looked through the first one ~ nothing. I opened the second one and about 2 pages into it, there was the picture! I couldn't believe it. Seeing that picture, knowing that I could have that engraved on Tucker's headstone was like a hug from God. He knew how deeply I was hurting and how much these seemingly small things meant to me.

As I think back on how He cared for us throughout that first year, I want to encourage you that whatever you are going through, God cares. He knows what path you are walking on. He has ordained it for your life. He is sovereign and nothing catches Him by surprise. This is not random ~ it has passed through the loving hands of your heavenly Father and He has allowed it because He loves you. It will refine you in ways that nothing else will. Trust Him. Turn to Him.

If you are grieving a loss, I want to encourage you to extend love and grace to your husband. He is going to grieve differently than you, and if you try to box in how he should grieve, then it's going to cause problems. Thinking back, Mike did things that were hurtful to me, but he was in the midst of his own grief, and I know that he did not mean to hurt me. I had to just love him and extend grace towards him through that time ~ and he had to do the same for me. We made the determination within the first few moments of knowing that there would be no reviving Tucker that our grief would not drive us apart, and it would not drive us away from God. And I am so thankful! Our marriage is stronger because of our journey of grief, and we are so much more mature in our walk with the Lord because of it.

Happy birthday, Tucker ~ I miss you terribly, but I rejoice that you are in the presence of our Savior. I praise God that though we are apart for now, we will spent eternity together.

Ruth

I have been thinking a lot about Ruth. I haven't had time to sit down and read through it, but over the next few weeks anyway, I am going to. I think that Ruth probably has a lot to say to us as wives, daughters-in-law and mothers-in-law. So, as I read I will be taking notes and sharing thoughts here.

My goal for the time being is to post here at least once a week. I'm going to shoot for posting on Mondays, and if I have time, I may post more.

I invite you to join me as I begin to journey through the book of Ruth.

Busy, busy

So much has been going on, I don't even know what all we've been doing! :-) We've had such a busy spring. Both Will and Levi participated in track and Levi ended up going to state in 2 events. May ended with graduations and then June got going and the older 3 boys participated in a 2 week mission trip that encompassed 5 local communities. Will gave the message once in each of the 5 towns, and the 2 that we got to hear were wonderful. What a priviledge and blessing it is to hear your grown children speaking the gospel message! It was wonderful.

"Everything" ~ Will in the black, representing lust. Levi is portraying Jesus

Because of the government school graduations and the mission trip, we didn't have our open house for Will's graduation until this past Saturday, the 27th. So, for the two weeks prior to that, we were busily getting the house and yard ready for guests. We had a lovely day, with lots of guests. We had family here that we haven't seen in quite some time and lots of friends as well.
Our menu, which I'll share because it worked really well (I think we ended up with between 50-60 guests), was:
Pulled meat sandwiches (I roasted 5 roasts with onions, pulled the meat and added a bottle of BBQ sauce. Instead of "hoagie" rolls, I made hamburger buns)
Potato salad (made by Grammie)
Pasta salad
Cole slaw
Texas cole slaw
Watermelon slices
Veggies with ranch dip (radishes out of our garden, mini peppers ~ red, orange and yellow, baby carrots, and snow peas)

Corn Chips and Layered Mexican Dip
Watergate salad
And we ordered a beautiful cake from Costco.

Here's Will with his cake

My Beloved is still out of work ~ That makes 6 months now. God has been so faithful! Last month, I didn't know how we were going to make our house payment. We had enough in the account in May, but then had to pay the power bill, and so we just didn't have the money for the mortgage. So, I started to pray, "God, I know you can make the house payment. I don't know how, but I know that you can do it." We went to church one Sunday, and our pastor pulled Mike aside and told him he wanted our house payment information because someone wanted to make our house payment for us! Mike told him no, that we were fine. :-O But, our pastor insisted, telling him that these folks wanted to bless us in this way, and that it would be a blessing to them as well. When Mike told me about it after church, I said, "You can't say no to God answering my prayer!"

God has just shown us over and over how He is the one who provides for us. While I anxiously await a "real" job for Mike, in the time being, God is providing odd jobs to help meet expenses, and providing money through gifts that folks are leaving at church for us. We are humbled and so thankful for His provision.

So, that's at least part of what has kept me away from my blog lately. :-) I will try to do better about posting. I am hopeful that July and August won't be quite as busy as the spring was.

What I'm Reading...

Books I can be found reading right now...

The Bible ~ Focusing on Psalm 119. I heard a challenge by a radio pastor Sunday morning to read 1 paragraph of Psalm 119. Each day before you read, ask the Lord to give you a hunger for His word. 22 paragraphs = 22 days = a new habit!

At Home In Mitford by Jan Karon ~ I rarely allow myself the pleasure of fiction anymore, though I love it. I just don't have time. I decided I could find a few moments just before bed to enjoy a sweet, easy reading book. :-)

The Organized Home Schooler by Vicki Caruana ~ Just picked this up at a yard sale on Saturday. I am always struggling with the overall organization of our home. Hopefully, this will get me motivated!

Please pray for Noah

Little Noah Estes is in serious need of your prayers right now. He is once again in the hospital, and gravely ill. As of right now, they don't know what is going on. You can click on the Pray for Noah button to the left and it will take you to their blog. Please, if you are reading this, take a moment and go to their blog and then lift sweet little Noah and his family before the Throne of Grace.

Thank you!

De-cluttering and Down-sizing!

I don't know about you, but I find that I am a slow learner. ;-) It seems I have to go over the same life lesson over and over before I "get" it. One of the lessons that I am still working on is being able to keep on top of the housework. I manage to be organized in the small things, but it seems that the house is always cluttered. It is frustrating, and it makes me weary. So, I have recently come to the conclusion that we have TOO MUCH STUFF! What an epiphany! ;-)

On our way home from the Home Discipleship conference in Seattle, I talked Mike's ear off. Well, I chewed it pretty good, anyway! And, we came to the conclusion that when we got home, I needed to just go room by room and de-clutter and down-size.

I began in the laundry room, because I figured that every other room would produce more laundry, and so I felt like that was the best, most logical place to start. I wish I could tell you that I'm on my third or fourth room, but with Mike's sister's death last week, the Great Down-sizing got put on hold. So, I began again today. It's going to be slow going this week, I've got at least 3 days this week that I'm going to be gone, so I hope that I don't lose my momentum.

My hope is that by getting rid of a bunch of stuff, and trying to be more diligent in making sure that everyone is picking up after themselves, that I will be able to keep on top of things. Perhaps I'll have finally learned this lesson! I hope. :-)

If you have any great organization tips, please share!

In A Positive Light

I apologize for being so desperately sporadic in my posting! It seems that my days get away from me, and though I often think one thing or another would be wonderful to write about, I can't settle my mind enough to put my thoughts together. I don't want this to be a place full of ramblings (though at times ramblings can be fun!), but that what I write here would be a blessing and benefit to those of you who stop by and read.

This morning, in our Sunday School class we were talking about following Christ ~ intentionally living as Christ lived. These were some of the scriptures we read.

"And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? Luke 9:23-25

"Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." John 14:23

"The thief comes only to stea and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10

As we read these scriptures, I began to contemplate. First off, He wants to give us life. But not just any life. He wants to give us abundant life! That is incedible. I am a sinner ~ born seperated from Almighty God, who, in His time, reached down and redeemed my soul. But! He doesn't just redeem me into poverty ~ which would be more than I deserved, but He redeems me to abundant life! Wow!! What an overwhelmingly generous Father!

However, do we live the reality of an abundant life? As we read John 14, and Luke 9, it occurred to me that we often think of the Christian life in the terms of "Don't". Don't do this and don't do that. Don't even think about the other! But, how does God speak to us? As author and creator of life, He knows His creation, and He knows how to motivate His children. Certainly, there are "Thou shalt nots" contained within scripture. But there are also many positive directives.

"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."
"If anyone loves me, he will keep my word..."

Think about it, He could have said, "Don't do what you want, don't be selfish, don't disobey me..." But He chose to phrase things positively. In much the same way, He could have spoken to wives negatively. "Don't work outside the home. Don't disrespect your husband. Don't be harsh with your children." But how does our Father, who loves us and wants us to live an abundant life speak to His daughters?

"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands." Eph. 5:22-24

"Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord." Col. 3:18

"Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled." Titus 2:3-5

And of course there is 1 Peter 3:1-6. God chose to phrase all of these directives in a positive form. "Do this. Do that." Think about your children. Is it easier to motivate them by being negative or by being positive with them? How effective is negativity? Perhaps things are different at your house, but I have found here that negativity doesn't do much but make everyone negative. :-)

I know so many women who read the above passages and see them negatively. Particularly Titus. They have a right to work, and no one is going to oppress them and tell them they shouldn't work, or that it's unbiblical to work outside the home. I have no desire here to really flesh that out, or cause a great debate. However, I do not believe that God's best is for women to be in the workplace. Many women I know and love work ~ and I am not going to stand and condemn them. Some I know have prayed long and hard about being able to come home, and that has not happened; so while I know that the normative principle would be for women to be at home (this does not mean that we don't work!), that does not mean that there are not times and cases where it is God's will. But, if you are one of those who has seen these negatively, I would ask you to read them afresh. Ask God to open your eyes and heart to what He means. Not what man says, but what is God saying? God, who created you woman. God who always treats His daughters with love and respect. God, who wants you to live life abundantly! What does He say His best is? What does He say glorifies Him?

Then the question is: Do you want to live the abudant life? It can be inconvenient. It can be difficult. It will mean sacrifice. It will mean dying to self. Are you willing? Is it what you desire? Or, are you willing to settle for less? Do you prefer to live a defeated life? A life of heavy weights upon your shoulders?

I pray you would choose abundant life.

Grief and Comfort

My Beloved's oldest sister committed suicide this past week. It has been a long week, full of grief and memories. On Friday, all of the rest of his siblings came here to our house and we spent some time together thinking about and honoring her memory. We sang songs of praise and worship to our Heavenly Father, we read scripture, and we released balloons into the darkened sky.

Throughout this week, God has shown Himself faithful. He has comforted us as we grieved. I had contacted some dear prayer warriors, and asked them to cover my Beloved in prayer before I told him. Of all the deaths in his family that I have walked alongside him through, I believe that he handled this one best, and I know it is because of all the prayers lifted before the Throne of Grace on his behalf.

If you were one of the ones praying for him, THANK YOU!! May God bless you as you have blessed us with your prayers. I am so thankful for the internet. In a moment's time, I was able to ask for prayers around the world ~ how amazing is that? And God answered. That too is amazing.

"But God, who comforts the downcast..." 2 Cor. 7:6a

Truely our God is close to the broken-hearted.

In Loving Memory

Stacy Michelle Ferguson

1958-2009

An Encouraging Read

"We want the opportunity to come into your home with our beautiful, printed magazine that is rich with encouragement and ideas that work, with our books and audios, that will give you a boost and the strength for tomorrow. I want TEACH to be your teammate who cheers you on and inspires you to keep on keeping on." Laurie Flem

Laurie shared this sentiment in the most recent issue of TEACH magazine. And, for me anyway, this is exactly what TEACH is, a teammate that cheers me on and inspires me. Teach is always greatly anticipated, and quickly read ~ except the last issue which mysteriously disappeared before I got it completely read! However, I did get this most current issue read, and it's definitely a keeper!

The Spring 2009 issue of TEACH magazine is all about "Marriages Made Marvelous". It's full of wonderful articles that have lots of practical application. Articles that will make you laugh, make you nod your head in agreement, prick your heart with conviction, and articles that will make you cry.

I don't usually write my TEACH reviews on this blog, but because their focus was marriage, I decided to share about this wonderful magazine with you. What a wonderful resource to have, especially if you are struggling in your marriage. But even if you aren't, the articles in this issue are full of good reminders. For instance, Bonita Lillie reminds us that our security isn't found in our imperfect husbands, but our hope is in God; and when we remember that, and place our fears and lives in the hands of our heavenly Father, we are free to respect our husband.

Christina Shadbolt shares 8 ideas that are marriage builders, one of which was "know yourself". Part of this would be knowing what sets you off when you are tired or grumpy (which usually happens when you're tired), and working your schedule or surroundings so that you avoid those triggers. Check out TEACH to find the other 7 ideas.

Those are just two of the wonderful articles found within the Spring issue of TEACH. There are several more to encourage you as a wife, and some great articles to encourage you as a Mama as well! TEACH truely is a gem, and I'm so thankful that I found it! I would encourage you to check them out, and get a little encouragement today. You can find them at: http://www.TEACHmagazine.com/

Am I Willing to be Quiet?

Apparently, since I haven't posted in a month, the answer would be yes. :-) Only, that's not what I'm talking about. HA!

We are going through the Love and Respect DVD series right now. This is great! I highly recommend this study. Much of what is taught God has been showing me over the last several years, so as far as my relationship with my husband, nothing dramatic has happened because of this study, although there have been some things that I hadn't given too much thought to before. But. It has given me some new perspective and insight into my sons.

One of the things Dr. Eggerichs (I probably spelled that wrong!) talks about is the difference(s) between men and women. And the difference that I am talking about here is this~ women like to talk; men, not so much. :-) When women are together, they will chatter and carry on a conversation and go into details and rabbit trail and get back to the point, and rabbit trail some more, and loop back to the point, etc. Men will do things together, but not necessarily talk very much. Women like details, men like basics.

Husbands get energized by their wife just being there with them ~ side by side ~ without us talking to them, but just being with them.

This is an area where I do need some work. I always have sooo much to say! ;-) But, I want my Beloved to have his needs met as well, and sometimes that means that I am just willing to sit and watch him while he works on something. If he's working on the van, maybe I just sit and hand him tools as he needs them. Or hand him nails while he's building something. Or whatever, except not talk his ear off.

The other revelation I have had with this whole being quiet is in spending time with my sons. Often when one of them will go to town with me, we don't say much. I might try to carry on a conversation with them, but often I get grunts or one word answers. So we usually have pretty quiet trips. I have always felt like I was failing in some respect because we didn't have deep, meaningful conversations while we were just one on one. But now, I can see that it is not wasted time. That very likely it is a great time for my sons, to just be with me and not have to talk. That those times pave the way for when they are ready to sit and have a conversation ~ and we do have some pretty good conversations ~ just not as often as I would like.

So, let me encourage you today. Take some time, and just sit "shoulder to shoulder" with your man. Let him watch TV, or read, or go sit in the woods with him, or whatever he wants to do. And be willing to do it quietly. You may be blown away by how meaningful it is to him.

Update

Just a quick update for those of you who are praying and wondering. :-)

My Beloved is still jobless, although he does have applications in with several places. Most are jobs with a closing date, and we just haven't reached those dates yet.

God is faithful, and I am so thankful that we know that He is in control of this entire situation, and that He will provide.

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock." Isaiah 26:3-4

These verses really sum up where I am at right now. Although I do have moments of thinking, "He needs to be working!" For the most part, I am at total peace with him being at home right now. God is providing for our needs, and for that we are thankful.

God *is* sovereign. Not only did this not catch Him by surprise, we believe that this has come directly to us from His hand. Not because He is 'out to get us', but because He desires to refine us, and conform us further into the image of His Son.

We do appreciate and ask for continued prayers ~ and thank you for the ones you've already sent up!

Prayers Appreciated

I would very much appreciate your prayers, should you feel so led. :-)

My Beloved has been out of work now for 2 weeks. We are confident that God will provide, but it is difficult not to worry about how the bills will be paid. He had an interview this morning that he felt went well, but we will not hear back until sometime next week whether or not he gets the job.

Thank you, and God bless.

Thought for the Day

God is not only the conductor, but the composer of the song that is my life.

"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." Proverbs 16:9

And the winner is...

Susan Peterson!

Congratulations, Susan! Thanks to everyone who entered to win. I really appreciate your participation in my first giveaway! This was fun for me, so I may just do it again! ;-) Hmmm... Maybe around Valentine's Day? Check back!

May each of you have a wonderful, blessed day!

Last Day!

Today is the last day of the giveaway for "Dining On A Dime" by Tawra Kellam and Jill Cooper!
Be sure and enter to win. A couple of you have your comments on yesterday's post, but I did make a notation (to me), that those comments came this morning. Sorry this post is late ~ internet's been spotty with the weather we've been having.

Tomorrow morning I will put the names in a hat (or bowl!), and have one of my darling children draw the winning name. I will post the winner here, and also contact the winner to get contact information to send to Tawra over at Living On A Dime.

You may want to check out Living On A Dime's website, I believe today is the last day of a big sale ~ so you might be able to get some other great money-saving books there as well!

A Wife is a Good Thing

**Don't forget ~ leave a comment and be entered to win a copy of Dining On A Dime by Tawra Kellam and Jill Cooper. You must be a US resident.**

"He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord." Proverbs 18:22

Would your husband consider having you for a wife a good thing? This may seem like a silly question, but just sit and listen sometime. Even in Christian company, often, wives and husbands are not spoken well of. In fact, it is so common to speak poorly of your spouse that when someone speaks well of their husband or wife, people notice. Often, they are mostly just joining in ~ they do love their spouse, but they still willingly say hurtful things about them. Men talk about how difficult and nagging their wives are. Wives belittle their husbands and talk about how inept they are.

We should endeavor to live in such a way with our husband that he when he speaks of us it is to relate what a good thing he has in us. How blessed he is by the Lord to have us for his wife. I want my Beloved to always be able to speak well of me, not because I want "ego stroke", but because it means that I am living as a godly wife.

Think about how you relate to your husband. Be honest with yourself. Does he believe you to be a good thing in his life?

Psalm 128

**Don't forget to leave a comment and be entered to win a copy of Dining On A Dime!**

"Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways! You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord. The Lord bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life! May you see your children's children! Peace be upon Israel!"

No grand thoughts ~ it's been a migraine day. :-/ Just some questions.

1. Do you fear the Lord?
2. Do you walk in His ways?
3. Are you a fruitful vine?

God bless you as you contemplate this Psalm and what it means to you as a woman of God, a wife, and if so blessed, a mama.

Embrace Who You Are

**Don't forget to leave a comment and be entered to win a copy of, "Dining On A Dime" by Jill Cooper and Tawra Kellam! You must be a US resident, and only one entry per day. If you leave more than one comment, you will still only be entered once for that day.**

Secluded in our bedroom, I moved from making the bed to straightening the top of the dresser. My hand fell upon pictures of babies, and my eye rested upon a portrait of the older boys taken with a beloved pet. Remembering back over the years to when the boys were little brought a smile to my face.

Then I began to reflect upon the advice I've heard time and again from varying marriage and romance "experts".

• "Do not have pictures of your children in the master bedroom." (It's supposed to be a romantic place!)
• "When on a 'date' with your spouse, do not discuss the children."

Years ago, when we first began to hear this advice, we tried to follow it. After all, we were hearing it from so many different people, even Christian 'experts', and we wanted to have a great marriage. Their reasoning seemed sound ~ after all, you don't want to get to an empty nest and find out all you had in common was the children.

However, we have found this advice to be impossible to follow. When we are alone, although we talk about a variety of things, our conversation naturally turns to the children: their schooling, jobs they are working, sports, any issues we may be dealing with or problems they might be having. We are, after all, their parents. An integral part of who we are as a couple is the family that God has blessed us with. It is good and right that our conversation should often be centered around them.

It is wonderful and even romantic that we have pictures of our blessings in our bedroom. You may now be thinking that I've stepped over some line of sanity referring to pictures of our children as 'romantic'. But I tell you, not only am I sane, I'm serious! Those pictures (as well as the baby sleeping in our room) are reminders of God's purpose for our union. God desires godly offspring. "Did He not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth." Malachi 2:15

My Beloved and I are quiverfull. That means that we acknowledge that Scripture says that God is the one who opens and closes the womb. We acknowledge that Scripture says children are a blessing from the hand of God. And we joyfully accept the blessings that God gives us ~ in His timing. We don't have to be inhibited in our lovemaking because I "might" get pregnant. It is a joy to us if I get pregnant! We can be free and romantic whenever, because we know that God is in control of our "family planning". Pictures of our children do *not* inhibit romance in any way.

If you have no children, then embrace that. Do your utmost to be content and embrace your role as a helpmeet to your beloved. If you do have children, embrace that. Don't inhibit conversation because what you want to talk about is your children. Don't make your room devoid of their pictures, because some "expert" has said it should be. God has blessed you with those children! By all means, do what you can to have other common interests with your beloved ~ your children *should not* be the only thing you have in common; but don't set them aside either.

You Are Needed!!

**Don't forget to leave a comment and enter the book giveaway! Only one entry per day and you must be a US resident. I also wanted to let you know that it's not necessary to leave your mailing address on my blog ~ do please leave some sort of contact information ~ that way, I can just contact the winner for their mailing address. Thanks!**

For Christmas, we bought the girls a set of American Girl movies. A friend had told me that although she didn't care for the books, the movies were good movies for girls, and what she found objectionable in the books was not in the movies. So, when I found them at Costco, I got them.

One of the movies is about Molly, a little girl living during WWII. We have watched this several times now, and this movie saddens me! Molly is 10, and because of the war, her world is turned upside down. Her father, a doctor, enlists in the Army so that he can go overseas and take care of wounded soldiers. After he leaves, her mother goes to work in a factory because the women were needed. Her aunt, who originally agreed to come and care for Molly and her siblings, joins the women's air corps because, "she can do so much good". I sit and watch this movie and I ache for Molly! While the overall message of sacrifice is a good and noble one ~ Biblical as well! ~ basically, every adult in Molly's life tells her that her needs are not as important as others. "We all have to make sacrifices." Only too true. But should a 10 year old have to sacrifice her mama for an airplane?

As I watch this movie, I sit and wonder at how many children were left virtual orphans by the war? Daddy was off fighting and Mama was off to the factory. Women bought into the "We need you" line fed to them by the factories, hook, line and sinker. What about the children they left at home? Didn't they need them? Was it worth the sacrifice of their children? How many of those same women never returned home, even after the men were back from the war?

I am not sitting in judgement ~ wartime is a time when sacrifices need to be made. I'm sure many of those women needed to go to work just to keep food on the table. And, it would be arrogant of me to look back and say every one of them was wrong. But watching the story of this fictional little girl, I wonder. I wonder at how many children got the message that they weren't as important as a fighter plane. Or ammunition, or whatever.

So today ~ Wife, Mama, I want to say to you: You are needed! Your beloved needs you. If you have children, they need you. No one can take care of them like you can. No one can meet the needs of your beloved the way you can, no one knows him like you do. No one can love your children like you can, no one has your hugs, your knowledge, your wisdom, no one can give them the care that you can give them.

Are there voices calling for your time and attention? Don't listen to them without carefully evaluating how their call affects those who truely need you, those who truely can't do without you. Don't let those voices drown out the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, or the voices of those entrusted to your care.

A Good Thought for A New Year

A good thought for wives and mamas as we begin this new year.

Image courtesy of Snapshots of Joy.

Don't forget to leave a comment and be entered to win in our book giveaway!

Dining On A Dime Giveaway!

Okay, I've never done a giveaway on my blog before, but the opportunity came up, and I thought it would be fun! So, here we go!!

Starting today, January 1 and running through January 7, we will be doing a giveaway.

The rules are:

1. You must live in the United States.
2. Only 1 entry per day.
3. You must leave me your address and consent to the transfer of that information to: Tawra Kellam over at Living On A Dime.

Tawra has generously given me the opportunity to give away one of her books, but I don't have that book, she will ship it to the winner.

So, how are we going to pick our winner? I will have some sort of post each day this during the seven days. Each person that leaves a comment will be entered into the drawing ~ remember only 1 entry per day! Leave your email address in your comment. On the morning of the 8th of January, I will put all the names in a hat and have one of my beautiful children draw a name. The winner will be notified and posted here on my blog.

But, you may ask, what book am I entering to win? Good question! The book is "Dining On A Dime" by Tawra Kellam and Jill Cooper. Click on the title and it will take you directly to the page on their website that tells you all about it. While you're at it, you may want to just go to Living On A Dime and check out the sale they're having this week.

Good luck!