The Simple Woman's Daybook - Tuesday January 31, 2011

For Today

Outside my window. . . bright sunshine and 63 degrees outside. 

I am thinking . . . that this warm weather gives me the gardening itch!

I am thankful . . . that we have space to plant a garden and for a husband who tills it all up for me.

In the kitchen . . . not much of anything at the moment but chicken and noodles later for dinner.

I am wearing . . . same as usual, comfy work clothes.

I am creating . . . garden plans in my head.

I am going . . . I'm home for the rest of the day. This morning I took Michael to KCRC for an evaluation to see if he needs occupational therapy. He's a bit of a puzzle to the occupational therapist but in the end he decided the physical therapy we're doing is covering the areas that need to be worked on.

I am wondering . . . how long Michael is going to beg Doug to take him to the store to buy sunglasses before he realizes Doug is not going to give in.

I am hoping . . . that it won't take too long.

I am reading . . . still lots of blogs.

I am looking forward to . . . going outside with the kids in a few minutes.

I am learning . . . to value the "little" daily blessings.

Around the house. . . The sound of preschoolers playing.

I am pondering . . . You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to You. Psalm 86:5

A favorite quote for today . . . Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are. ~ Malcolm S. Forbes

One of my favorite things. . . reading stories at night with CJ and Michael.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . another appointment tomorrow and then hoping to make bread and granola on Thursday.

A peek into my day . . .

Morning Musing Over Coffee - Awesome God



 

credit: Michelle Meiklejohn

There are days when I sit down to write and there is just nothing there. My mind feels like a total blank sheet of paper. Other times there's just way to much there and the words are running over themselves, in no particular order and on about ten different topics at once. This is the case this morning.

But as I'm sitting here trying to sort through this barrage of words running through my mind, I'm grateful that God never has this problem. With all the prayers lifted to him every second of every day, with all the events and activity going on all around the world, He is never overwhelmed, never left trying to sort through and make sense of it all. Every joy, triumph, struggle, tear, and thought is attended to.

And when I am feeling stretched, pulled and somewhat overwhelmed this is such a comfort to me. No, I do not have it all under control. But I don't have to because God does have it all under control and I can rest in knowing He is taking care of each person and situation.

Truly our God is an awesome God.

Then I said: "Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, ~ Nehemiah 1:5

The Simple Woman's Daybook - Monday January 30, 2011

For Today

Outside my window . . . early morning sunlight.

I am thinking . . . about some of the new things I am starting with the kids in our homeschool this week.

I am thankful . . . for fresh starts.

In the kitchen . . . coffee is filling the house with it's wonderful aroma.

I am wearing . . . comfy clothes.

I am creating . . . today I'm hoping to work a little more on the braided rug for the living room.

I am going . . . to take Lauren to preschool and then pick up her again. Then this afternoon Michael has physical therapy with his beloved Miss Emily.

I am wondering . . . why weekends are over so quickly?

I am reading . . . today I will be starting the book Leah Mordecai: A Novel by Belle Kendrick Abbott. I will be reading it aloud to Austin and Amanda. We enjoy sharing books together this way.

I am hoping . . . for a peaceful day.

I am looking forward to . . . this new week.

I am learning . . . the importance of prayer.

Around the house . . . Doug has gone to work, CJ has left for school, the other kids are either sleeping or watching Disney Jr.

I am pondering . . . Ephesians 4:2 - Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

A favorite quote for today . . . We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties. ~ Oswald Chambers

One of my favorite things . . . my morning coffee.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . The forecast says there will be some nice warm days this week so I'm planning to get the kids outside as much as possible.

A peek into my day . . . Michael curled up beside me pretending to be asleep.

Morning Musing Over Coffee - Corporate Prayer



credit: Michelle Meiklejohn

This morning's musings are taken in large part from notes from the sermon yesterday.

The Lord said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them." Genesis 11:6

This verse is from the account of the tower of Babel. This verse points out that when a group of people come together with one mind, one language, one common aim, they are a force to be reckoned with. In this case the common aim was to bring glory to themselves and God stepped and stopped it.

But imagine if a group of people came together with one mind (the mind of Christ), one language (the language of prayer) and one common aim (to bring glory to God by bringing others to Jesus).

 Where there is a lack of likemindedness and unity in the church there is a lack of prayer. Prayer connects the church to God.

While individual prayer is very important, it is also important for the church to come together as a body, with all the parts in unity, in prayer. This keeps the body healthy and strong and united for the purpose of bringing glory to God and others to salvation.

     “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,  that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—  I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. John 17:20-23

The Simple Woman's Daybook - Saturday January 28, 2012

For Today:

Outside my window. . . Since I'm writing this around 8:30 PM is dark outside my window.

I am thinking . . . There are so many opportunities I would love to take advantage of and so little time.

I am thankful . . . for my husband and children.

In the kitchen . . . We had a frozen turkey that was given to us at Thanksgiving that I roasted today. We had some for dinner and the rest I will be using in meals in the upcoming week. I also made triple berry smoothies this afternoon.

I am wearing . . . everyday comfortable work clothes.

I am creating . . . Today I did some knitting. I am making a knitted washcloth and am curious to see if we will like this handmade one better than store bought ones. If we do I'll be making more.

I am going . . . to bed soon.

I am wondering . . . when we will find out when Michael's kidney and heart ultrasounds and brain scans will be?

I am reading . . . a lot of blogs lately.

I am hoping . . . that Michael sleeps well tonight.

I am looking forward to. . . church tomorrow. I love our Sunday School and singing in the choir.

I am learning . . . to wait on God.

Around the house . . . Doug, Austin, Amanda and I are all using our laptops. CJ and Michael are asleep.

I am pondering . . . John 10:10

A favorite quote for today . . . Every thought is a seed. If you plant crab apples, don't count on harvesting Golden Delicious. ~ Bill Meyer

One of my favorite things . . . scented candles. I'm enjoying the scent of a Berry Blossom candle now.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . This week is almost over and it's been a busy one with lots of learning, playing, working and Michael's physical therapy and hearing test appointments.

A peek into my day . . .

Tot School - Ocean Theme Week 3

For the third week in a row (and this will be the last week) we used an ocean theme. There are so many fun activities we could still do using the ocean theme but I think it's time to focus on a different theme for awhile. So next week we will be learning about astronauts and outer space.

Here are some of the fun things we did this week.

* All activities marked with an asterisk can be found at Homeschool Creations in the Ocean Preschool Pack.

Morning Circle Time

Bible Stories - The Farmer's Seeds and A Tiny Seed and a Big Tree from The Beginner's Bible, I'm a Little Seed action rhyme, Little Seed Song, Mustard Seed, Clickety-Clack, Under the Sea From A to Z, Weather Watch, Calender


Dolphin Paper Craft -  Printable Paper found at Activity Village and Dolphins found at First Palette.

Ocean Sticker Pages

Bb Tracing Page*

Ww Tracing Page*

Whale Size Sorting*

Fun Fish Lunch

Ocean Graphing*

~ Linking Here ~
SUNDAY – Hey Mom, Look What I Did,  Craft Schooling Sunday, The Sunday Showcase, Link & Learn, MONDAY - Learning Laboratory, Made by Little Hands Monday, TUESDAY - Fun Sparks, Noted Show and Tell Blog Hop, WEDNESDAY – All Things Wonderful, Kids Get Crafty, THURSDAY – It's Playtime, FRIDAY – Preschool Corner, For the Kids Fridays,  The Play Academy, Fun For Kids Friday,

Fun Ocean Themed Lunch

For the last few weeks the preschoolers have been enjoying an ocean theme. Inspired by a this pin on Pinterest I thought it would be fun to have an ocean themed lunch.

I cut out fish shapes from slices of bread and made sandwiches. I saved the leftover bread to use in Savory Poultry Dressing or homemade croutons.


After putting this plate together for the kids to use as a pattern, I had the preschoolers each make their own plate.

I think they did a wonderful job.

Sometimes it's just fun to play with your food.

~ Linking Here ~

SUNDAY – Strut Your Stuff, Sharing Time, Creative Bloggers Party and Hop, So Sweet Sundays, Sunday Showcase, Not “Baaad” Sunday , Think Pink Sundays, Sunday Linky Party, DIY Project Parade, Savory Sundays, Just Something I Whipped Up, Sew Darn Crafty,{K.I.S.S.} Blog Bash, MONDAY – I Made It, More the Merrier, Inspire Me Mondays, A Marvelous Mess, Made By You Monday, Making the World Cuter Monday, Craft-O-Maniac Monday, Market Yourself Monday, Making Monday Marvelous, Motivate Me Monday, Sharing Monday, Making a Home, Muffin Monday, TUESDAY - Titus 2sdays, Domestically Divine, One Project at a Time, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays, Tuesdays at the Table, Tuesday Time Out, Tuesday Confessionals , Let's Do Brunch, Teach Me Tuesdays , Tip Me Tuesday, A Little Birdie Told Me WEDNESDAY - Homemaking Link-Up, Made by Me Wednesdays, Living Well Wednesdays, What's Cooking Wednesday, Cast Party Wednesday, {Wow Me} Wednesday, Foodie Wednesday THURSDAY – Full Plate Thursday, Delightfully Inspiring Thursday, Creative Juice Thursday, It's a Party, Bake with Bizzy , Link It Up Thursday FRIDAY – Fridays on Remodelaholic, Feasting in Fellowship Fridays, Fridays Unfolded,SATURDAY - Weekend Wrap-Up Party,  Get Schooled Saturday

~ And Here ~

SUNDAY – Hey Mom, Look What I Did, Science Sunday, Craft Schooling Sunday, The Sunday Showcase, Link & Learn, MONDAY - Learning Laboratory, Made by Little Hands Monday, TUESDAY - Fun Sparks, Noted Show and Tell Blog Hop, WEDNESDAY – All Things Wonderful, Kids Get Crafty, THURSDAY – It's Playtime, FRIDAY – Preschool Corner, For the Kids Fridays,   The Play Academy, Fun For Kids Friday,

Morning Musing Over Coffee - Tender

credit: Michelle Meiklejohn

Tender.

It's a beautiful word and the first image that came to mind when I read it is image of the Heavenly Father gathering His children to Him. As the mother hen gathers her chicks the Bible says.

Over and over the Bible speaks of His tender mercies and His love for us, His children.

It's the same tenderness a mother shows for her newborn child, and same tenderness parents feel for their children as they grow and learn, sometimes falling or failing, sometimes succeeding, but always loved and protected.

It's comforting to know we are loved so tenderly. We will sometimes fail, sometimes fall, but He will be there to help us back up, heal our hurts, and set our feet firmly back on the path, walking with us each step of the way.

This post was written for Gypsy Mama's Five Minute Friday. Each friday a word is provided and the five minute writing fun begins.

Here are the rules if you would like to join in.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Go a little overboard encouraging the writer who linked up before you.



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Morning Musing Over Coffee - Adventure in Abundance



credit: Michelle Meiklejohn

Today at Faith Barista we are talking about this One Word:

Adventure

An adventure is defined as an exciting or unusual experience; it may also be a bold, usually risky undertaking, with an uncertain outcome.

At the beginning of January many people chose one word for the year. The word I chose is Abundance. Jesus said "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10 So this year I am claiming that abundance for myself and my family.

I believe that stepping out in this faith, claiming this abundance is going to be an adventure and I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be an adventure of faith because it's going to stretch me further than I've been stretched before.

I believe it will be exciting. God never does anything halfway so this adventure is going to be beyond anything I can imagine.

I believe it will be unusual. God is not stuck in that box we often try to place ourselves and others and even Him in. So any adventure in abundance with God is going to be unusual in our eyes.

It will be bold. I believe this adventure in abundance will be a bold illustration of God's awesomeness.

Will it be risky with an uncertain outcome? Maybe at times it will seem that way to me, but God has already walked through this story from beginning to end so it is not risky for Him, and He knows the outcome. And since He is walking through this story with me, I can step out in the assurance that there will be a happy ending. 

It's going to be an adventure of abundant love because God is love.

It's going to be an adventure of abundant joy, and peace that passeth understanding.

It's going to be an adventure of growing and learning, of using the talents I was given to serve others.

It's going to be an adventure of abundant creativity because the Creator Himself is in on this adventure.

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  1Corinthians 2:9

I'm excited and looking forward to this year's adventure in abundance!