Happy Home-iversary

It was exactly 1 year ago that we signed the papers on our home.

What a fun year it has been!

We have enjoyed our own space - inside and outside - 

have enjoyed learning about yard care and some inside maintenance

and we continue to enjoy dreaming about improvements as time or funds allow.

We have been so thankful each day for God's provision of a home.

We are truly blessed.

In addition to the home itself,

He continues to provide for the payments plus extra.

As of this morning, God has paid off 85% of our home.

It appears that on our second "home-iversary," we may actually own our home outright.

In honor of our home-iversary,

I have focused on some "Spring" cleaning this week.

When asked what this entails:

it involves moving furniture and appliances to clean,

it involves cleaning the curtains,

it involves going through cupboards and closets,

it even involves cleaning on top of the kitchen cabinets (which still had sawdust from the installation).

At this point, I have the "little" guest room with its "big" closet

and I have the laundry room left to clean.

As I have cleaned and found "homeless" things, this last room has become a bit cluttered.

I have also been waging a new war.

We have had an invasion of Japanese Beetles.

We first discovered them on the apple trees

and they have since found the cherry tree out front.

We have seen their evidence around the neighborhood.

I think we caught it before the damage was at crisis level.

I had planted nasturtium and marigolds which they were not supposed to like -

but later found them living in and under the marigolds - so much for that theory.

I tried a homemade mint spray - again a scent they were supposed to hate - 

they would fly away for a bit and then come back as happy as could be.

I tried a commercial "natural" spray which again worked for a couple of hours,

and then they were back.

I have now installed two "beetle" bags.

While I may be calling the beetles from the whole neighborhood,

they are working to keep the swarms off of my trees.

I also broke down and dusted my apple trees and serviceberry tree.

Quite the lesson to learn on my home-iversary.

 

And, it looks like we will have neighbors in the backyard VERY soon.

We are praying for nice quiet neighbors.

Two houses are just about done (but not purchased yet)

and the third should be going up in the next 2 weeks.

It will be nice when their yards get some grass to extend the green that we see :)

Prayer Works!

 I mentioned that last week our church had VBS.

I was excited and nervous.

I hadn't taught in over a year.

Usually, when I have taught, I know my students.

I know how many students I will have.

I know what backgrounds they come from.

The church had "blitzed" flyers and sent out mailers.

The bus children were excited to bring guests.

What would happen in class?

How many students would there be?

The story time was the last item of the night.

They would have a rally.

They would make a craft.

They would eat a snack.

They would have game time.

Then they would come to Bible time.

Would they be rowdy?

Would they just be ready to fall asleep?

Would they be on a sugar high?

People were praying.

They were praying for each child,

They were praying for me.

They were praying for an atmosphere conducive to learning.

And God was pleased to answer in the affirmative.

I do not believe I have ever taught a class with so little need for correction.

I do not believe I have ever taught a class where the vast majority "got it."

And it was not the teacher,

it was answered prayer.

Perhaps you used to be a visible "doer" in a ministry, 

but are now limited in your ability to be out front.

Please know that a behind the scene ministry of prayer is greater than the outward ministry.

Prayer works!

Will There Be an Asterisk?

 I Kings 11:1

"But king Solomon loved many strange women, ..."

I read this verse in my devotions last week.

I wondered ... "What would someone add to the description of my life?"

"What draws me away from the Lord?"

"But Sandra was distracted by her home."

"But Sandra shortened her Bible time regularly."

"But Sandra was lifted up in pride."

"But Sandra ..."

Solomon started well.

Remember his request for wisdom instead of wealth and fame?

Unfortunately, it ended with a "But king Solomon ..."

Unfortunately, we often have to add asterisks to Christian ministries or ministers these days.

I went to this college (*before this date or event).

This music source is good (*if you get the music before this date).

I went to this church (*before it loosened its standards).

I don't want a "But Sandra ..."

I don't want an asterisk.

I want to stay the course.

I want to be faithful.

Breathe

 For two weeks, our schedules have been changed.

While we have tried to keep Bible time and exercise on schedule,

the sleep schedule and time for relaxation has changed.

Two weeks ago, hubby had some training in MN.

Since he flew and had a coworker with him,

I did not go this time.

So I spent much of the week in Indiana with friends and family.

Then last week,

we had nightly VBS from 5:30-8:15.

Because we are about an hour from church, it was more like 4:30 to 9:15/9:30.

Because hubby and I were like ships passing as he came home for the night and I left,

we decided that it was a good week for him to visit some of the northernmost stores 

and just get a hotel for a few nights.

But this week,

oh, it feels good to breathe.

I did not have to rush through the weekly cleaning today.

God sent a gentle rain this morning so that I did not have to water the lawn or garden.

We enjoyed a leisurely dinner.

We are enjoying a quiet evening in with a candle burning and quiet music and an iced coffee.

The week is free for some extra cleaning projects and maybe some extra baking.

There truly is no place like home.

When the Need You Can Fill is Your Passion

 On this late "Thankful Thursday" edition,

I am thankful for the opportunity to teach this week.

I was given the opportunity to teach little people this week for VBS.

While VBS is not always my favorite setting to teach,

God has given the 5-7 year-olds remarkable calmness during the Bible story

and has given me the opportunity to connect with some of the church youth.

Service in church and life sometimes involves just being willing and filling in where you can,

but sometimes, it is serving in a ministry that you love.

And this is what the guest room looks like as I collect items each day for class.

Visuals, review games, visualized songs, good seat prizes.