New Year, New Beginnings

I know I've been very quiet here the last few weeks but hopefully I'll be here regularly again. I've been processing a lot of things during this holiday season and I think I'm ready to take on the new year.

Christmas was different for us but we still had a good one.  Thanks to the generosity of our church family and friends in the community the kids had a wonderful Christmas.

After opening gifts Christmas morning we went to my sister's house and spent the rest of the day there. It was a good day of just being together and enjoying family time.

The day after Christmas we met up with friends at the mall and hung out there for awhile before coming back to our house and spending more time just talking while the kids played. 

New year's eve we were at my sister's again. Michael had a hard time staying awake to see the new year in but he did make it. 

Now I'm looking ahead at what the new year is bringing in. It looks like there will be some changes this year and I have mixed feelings about some of them. But I'm choosing to remember that God is in control and He has a plan for us that is better than any plan I could dream up on my own.

One big change for us is moving to a smaller place. I love the place where we are now, but financially this move just makes sense. And I'm more OK with it than I thought I would be. We will still be on an acre of land for which I'm grateful. I didn't want to give up my chickens or my dreams of having goats and pigs and rabbits and the kids didn't want to give up any of their pets. There will be room there for all that. A smaller place will mean less time spent in upkeep and more time for the things that are important to us.

Another possible change is a new part time job for me.  I go for an interview Tuesday and I am so excited! I would be doing the kind of work I love, working with kids, and so far it seems a like the perfect fit. 

Along with these big changes come the usual changes for us at the beginning of the year. There are tweaks in our schedule, new school materials for when we start school again on Monday and just simply starting fresh after the holiday excitement. 

So, from our family to each of you -

Happy New Year.

I hope it is filled with love, joy and peace.

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The Walnut Acre Weekly

WORDS TO LIVE BY

He reached down from on high and took hold of me;

He drew me out of deep waters.

He rescued me from my powerful enemy,

From my foes, who were too strong for me.
They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
But the Lord was my support.
He brought me out into a spacious place;
He rescued me because He delighted in me.

Psalm 18:16-19

TODAY'S QUOTE

Give thanks with a grateful heart. When we fully realize God's love for us we automatically give thanks. ~ Author Unknown

ON MY MIND

This past weekend I was tired! On the way to church Sunday morning I was thinking about how tired I was and the why's and the how's and the where from here's and then this song came on the radio. And I realized I didn't need all the answers. I could simply let go and know that I am secure, I am held, and He's got this!

FUR, FINS AND FEATHERS

HOMESCHOOL

SOME OF THE RESOURCES WE USED THIS WEEK

Austin and Amanda

Michael

 


Preschoolers

Me

IN THE GARAGE

I'm not always sure what's going on out here but it seems like there's always something going on.

OUT AND ABOUT

It's been a busy week!

 Sunday we were at church of course.

 Monday evening a friend took me out for coffee and we had a nice long talk and time to pray together. It was so refreshing to spend time together like this. And the Pumpkin Spice coffee was absolutely delicious!

Tuesday evening Michael and I went to my sister's for awhile after dinner. Michael hadn't seen his best friend and cousin for over a week because they had been out of town and was missing him so much. On the way there Michael said "While Jayden was gone I dreamed about him and I prayed 'Lord, bring him him home' and He did!" We stayed pretty late. The kids played and watched movies and the adults talked and played card games.

Wednesday evening we had the usual church dinner, classes/prayer meeting, and adult choir practice. On the way home I stopped at the grocery store for a few things. I was planning to send Amanda in to get the things but she had forgotten to bring shoes along! How one forgets to wear or bring shoes to church is beyond me but that's Amanda.

Friday was errand day with stops at the bank, PetSmart, Game Stop, Sharp Shopper, Goodwill, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Food Lion and my sister's house. 

Saturday Michael spent the day at my sister's house. Austin and Amanda had a church youth activity from 4-8, and while they were there I visited with some friends. After picking up Austin and Amanda we went back up to my sister's to get Michael and stayed there for awhile.

AND MORE

READING AROUND THE WEB

Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta at A Pretty Life

Turkey Pom-Pom Thanksgiving Gabel at Growing Up Gabel

How to Organize Your Life With a Notebook at Clean & Scentsible

How to Stay Organized When You Have Too Much On Your Plate at A Dish of Daily Life

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small compensation if you make a purchase using these links.

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Reason and Faith, and A Wonderful Day

WORDS TO LIVE BY

A person’s steps are directed by the Lord.

  How then can anyone understand their own way?

Proverbs 20:24

TODAY'S QUOTE

Reason is our soul's left hand, faith her right. ~ John Donne

ON MY MIND

When I read Proverbs 20:24 (above) my first thought was then why do I spend time trying to make the best decision? Does it really matter if I cannot even understand my own way? 

But the Bible does tell us to use reason. 

“Come now, and let us reason together,”

Says the Lord,

“Though your sins are like scarlet,

They shall be as white as snow;

Though they are red like crimson,

They shall be as wool.

Isaiah 1:18

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

1Peter 3:15

The Apostle Paul used reason when he spoke to the people in Athens. 

Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there.

Acts17:17

However, God also tells us to have faith.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;

Proverbs 3:5

But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”

Galatians 3:11

 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

Faith and reason go hand in hand and each must be based on Biblical principles. Sometimes, when we have done the best we know, and things do not seen to turn out the way we think they should, we have to faith that, no matter what Jesus never fails. 

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

IN THE KITCHEN

For breakfast this morning we had cereal with milk, bananas, and apple juice. For lunch we macaroni and cheese with diced hotdogs, green beans and fruit cocktail. Afternoon snack was graham crackers and milk. For dinner I fixed taco salad, Peasant Bread and pineapple slices. The Peasant Bread was a new recipe for us. It is such a simple recipe and yet still so yummy.

YARD AND GARDEN

I spent a little time in the backyard today picking up walnuts. With five walnut trees in our yard it sometimes feels like a never ending job getting them all picked up. I had some very cute help though. 

FUR, FINS AND FEATHERS

HOMESCHOOL

SOME OF THE RESOURCES WE USED TODAY

Austin and Amanda

Our Scripture reading today was 2 Timothy 3.

Michael


We didn't get to any of the work I had planned for Michael today because he wasn't feeling good. He spent a lot of time on the couch like this or sleeping. He has a cold and is coughing a lot.  He has a Dr. appointment Wednesday that was previously scheduled so I guess this can be checked then too if needed. He was up and about too but tired quickly.

Preschooler

Me

AROUND THE HOUSE

I did four loads of laundry, swept the floors, kept the dishes washed up, vacuumed the living room and playroom, and scrubbed down the kitchen counters and shelves by the kitchen window. Austin swept and straightened the porches, dusted, washed some windows, vacuumed the upstairs hallway and steps, and did the daily cleaning in the upstairs bathroom. Amanda did the daily cleaning in the downstairs bathroom, cleaned the little chick and guinea pig cages, cleaned the goldfish aquarium, and did some of her laundry. Michael took out the trash.

IN THE GARAGE

My stepdaughter came by for awhile this afternoon and I got this picture of her hanging out with her dad in the garage. Of course Michael was right there too because he dearly loves his sister.

AND MORE

And a few more photos from our day.

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