Writing

In my daughter's grade 9 Literature course there was a statement that stuck out to me last week. In the study of Unity, the author was saying how it isn't hard to decide WHAT to write, but it is hard to decide what NOT to write. My thoughts exactly! I wonder if other people start a blog, save it and then decide to delete it as many times as I do?! Honesty lends itself to vulnerability, so I often decide not to publish some of my thoughts. I wonder if others will misunderstand what I'm saying. I wonder if some of the things God is teaching me are just for me and not for me to share. I wonder if I admit my weaknesses if others will remind me about them later. I wonder if maybe I should just stick to the facts rather than share feelings.

Maybe I'll just delete this instead of publishing it ... or maybe not!

Quick thought ...

" ... hear from Him, apply what you've heard, and watch what happens." (Steve Shultz - ElijahList)

Wow ... there is so much TRUTH in those few words. Lord, help me to hear You, help me to apply what You've said and I can't wait to see what will happen!

Day of Blessings ...

I began the day waking early and spending time snuggling in my warm bed praying for several friends who are going through difficult times. The morning proceeded as normal with breakfast, lots of schoolwork, house tidying etc. and a quick trip to town to pick up a few groceries.

Near the end of schooltime this afternoon I got a rare call from an old friend who now lives in Saskatchewan. We spent about an hour and a half chatting about her pregnancy, her kids, my kids, and mostly about all the incredible things God has been teaching each of us. We cried together, challenged each other and comforted one another. While I chatted, my hubby made a great pot of coffee and brought me a cup of it in my favourite red Starbucks mug. He also made sure the fire was stoked up and the family room was nice and warm and then left me to chat. What an absolute blessing to have such incredible friends!

For supper I made a recipe I haven't made for about 4 years. I even remembered what page (224) the recipe was on in my Betty Crocker cookbook! The Beef Stroganoff turned out soooo good! One of the best things was that I got the steak for the recipe for a great deal at the grocery store this morning ... I love getting a good deal!

After supper we headed to Belleville to attend a Belleville Bulls hockey game. We ran into an old friend last week and he is working in the Bulls' office and offered us free tickets to tonight's game. We had great seats and I was so impressed with the level of skill, the speed and even just the excitement in the building. Best of all, the Bulls won 4 -1!

On the way home, we were able to enjoy a lunar eclipse as it was happening. We got home just in time for MacKenzie to run in and get her telescope and some binoculars to witness even more of the eclipse. She and her dad came inside to get hats and mitts and even wrapped up in blankets and headed back outside in -12 C weather to watch God showing off!

God is sooooo good to me!

Family Day

Today is officially a new holiday here in Ontario called Family Day. Because my hubby works from home and I homeschool both kids, pretty much every day is Family Day for us and I wouldn't change a thing! So, my girls chose to each invite a friend over after church yesterday until this afternoon. There is nothing quite like a housefull of giggling girls! (At least they all slept from about midnight until nearly 9am)!

"SLEEPY BEAUTIES!"

I decided I felt like cooking and baking, so after we got home yesterday I put on a nice pot of homemade beef stew and made a loaf of homemade bread. By the time everything was ready the house smelled sooo yummy and the show we wanted to watch was just about to start! While we watched TV I decided to make peanut butter cookies. I must admit, they were the best cookies I've ever made! This morning when all the girls were ready for breakfast, I sliced up some fruit and we ate it with homemade banana muffins still warm from the oven! Yum ....

So, in honour of Family Day I continued to do what I do best ... serve the ones I love ... my family!

Happy Valentine's Day!

"For God so LoVed the world,
~~~~That He gAve~~~~~~~
~~~~~~His onLy ~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~BegottEn~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~SoN~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~ThaT whosoever~~
~~~~Believeth In Him~~~~~~
~~~~~Should Not perish,~~~~
~~~~But have Everlasting life."

John 3:16

Captivating ...

About a year and a half ago I felt the Lord drawing me to the word "captivating". I knew that there was a book by this title and I asked a few friends if they owned it because I wanted to borrow it. A couple friends had read the book, but no one owned it. I looked for the book at the library, but they only had the workbook. Since I was having a difficult time finding the book, I figured I must have been wrong about being drawn to it. Within a couple days, I opened a magazine about Homeschooling and there was an article entitled "Captivating" ... it was exactly what I needed at that time.

Still, I have kept looking for the book Captivating and even had it in my hand at a couple stores and then decided against buying it. About 3 weeks ago I renewed my membership at the Belleville Public Library and was enjoying filling my bookbag with lots of stuff to read. I headed upstairs to the Non-fiction section to see what I could find and right in front of me on the "New Additions" shelf was the book Captivating!! I snatched it up and was looking forward to reading it. About 2 days later I had an e-mail inviting me to the second MomTime Book Club with Lisa Welchel. The book to read, study and discuss is ... you guessed it ... CAPTIVATING! I tried to participate in her first book club, but had a tough time trying to get computer time. Tomorrow, the day the second MomTime Book Club starts, our new computer is being delivered to our home and the old laptop with officially be ALL MINE!!!

I just LOVE how God handles ALL the details! I've been reading ahead and I am looking forward to sharing thoughts with lots of others. Wanna join us?

Snow Days!

I captured a couple pics from my back deck of the weather this week. I am always intrigued by trees and often wish I had a camera with me. This week I remembered to take a few shots while at home.

Snow, snow and more snow! It was fun to be snowed in ... we rented movies and relaxed by the woodstove. No complaints from me!