It must be spring!

Well, we have arrived at Spring Break!  Yeah!  Hooray!  Not only that, but the daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths are pushing through the earth ... and the pea plants are making an appearance!  The lawn is beginning to green and it won't be long before the weekly mowing will boost my exercise each week.  I really like the spring mowing - it is the hot summer ones that get tedious.  My favorite season is autumn, but spring has to be a close second!

No big plans for next week, just some R&R and a dental appointment.  We will be treking to the "big city" of Charlotte to visit a dental college for our cleanings.  It is a little inconvenient, but we can't argue with the price - who says you have to rely on the gov't for medical care if you have no insurance?  While in the city, we will do some exploration.  Hubby wants to go shooting one day, we hope to hike at Chimney Rock again, and hubby wants to get in a few extra hours at work.  Please excuse me if I don't show up every day to chat with y'all.

Looking forward to Sunday.  Hubby is starting a new subject with the teens and I am eager to see their response.  I hope that you will be worshipping with your church family.  Have a great weekend!  

No Sleep

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved:

he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Psalm 121:3

The title probably grabbed many of you.  I am not speaking of "no sleep" for myself.  I am so thankful that I am kept and protected and held secure by God who never leaves, never forsakes, never sleeps. 

Psalm 118:8

It is better to trust in the Lord

than to put confidence in princes.

Discretion

"teach the young women to be ... discreet"

Time for some Wednesday Woman's Work.  Today holds a pile of ironing, hopefully 2 squares of carrot seeds in the ground (if the rain doesn't arrive), some Sunday School worksheets, and some ebay ads (AAH, hopefully getting rid of some clutter).

More important than physical work is the internal work on becoming more of what my Savior wants me to be.  Trait number four is Discretion.  The author discribes being discreet as "prudent; wise in avioding error and in selecting the best means to accomplish a purpose; circumspect; courteous, polite, honest dealings."  Wow!  This is more than a little work.

The author gives illustrations of courteousness (consideration of others).  Do I treat others as I would want to be treated?  Do I return what I borrow with increase?  Do I thank properly?  How do I deal with others?  The Lord wants me to look to others needs over my own.

Honesty (good judgment).  Am I honest in my dealings?  Do I seek to manipulate?  The author specifically illustrates with a woman who asks unnecessary favor (babysitting, rides) or who borrrows without returning.  She may be tolerated, but her selfishness or self-centeredness will not breed respect for her or for her family.

Gracious (good taste).  The author linked this trait specifically to activity in the home.  A wife holds a lot of sway in her husband's opinions and decisions.  Do I try to manipulate my husbands decisions with sly "questions"?  Do I nag in the name of "righteousness"?  Do I accept his gifts and gestures without worrying about finances? 

The part of the definition that struck me was a carefulness which can cover every area of my life.  Am I careful with my time and choosing the best use of time?  Am I careful with our budget as I shop each week seeking to choose the best foods and goods at the best price?  Am I careful to hold my tongue in a variety of situations?  Am I careful to give input in the home without manipulating?  Am I careful with the feelings of others?

I desire not to be ridiculous, out of place, embarassing, or a joke because I lack discretion.

As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout,

so is a fair woman without discretion.

Proverbs 11:22

Prayer for Guidance

Savior, like a shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care;

In Thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use Thy folds prepare:

Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;

Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.

Hubby and I sang this as a duet on Sunday and it has been running through my mind as a prayer.  What is God's plan for us?  When will we know that plan?  How can we be used now and how will we be used in the future?  Where will He lead?  We are praying for God's guidance for our future and praying that we might have faith to wait for the answer and to do what He desires.

Getting going

It is another new week and it is beginning here with a beautiful day.  High of 69* today!  Two loads of wash on the line and another one headed there.  I have some bread rising this morning with hopes of baking before the trailer heats in the sun.  I need to place some online orders this morning and then it is off to exercise and work on violin pieces.  The bright mornings really help me to get going in the morning and it is good to "check" things off the list early in the day.  Hopefully I will be heading into town for a little shopping this afternoon - regular stuff to buy ... milk, eggs, flour ...

I enjoyed the day of rest yesterday.  It was good to be in God's House.  Hubby finished a series of lessons with the teens on the life of David and we are going to begin a systematic theology next week.  I enjoyed the study on "the man after God's own heart."  I fall short so many times.  David was so quick to repent and get things right while I often stumble over my own pride to fix my relationship with God or with others.  David readily accepted God's decisions and correction without argument, while often I, like a little child, keep asking, "Why, God?"  So much to think about and to put into practice. 

Better get back to work!  Have a good day serving the Lord and your family.

Happy Weekend, All!

Another week is gone.  Only one more week until Spring Break!  We are just a little excited about that.  We are hoping to have one morning to "sleep in" until 7:30.  Wow!  Has my life changed?  7:30 used to be an early morning!

It appears that we are going to have another taste of spring this week.  I saw a prediction of 66* on Monday :)  Time to get the grill going more often!  The garden is still on track.  I planted 2 squares of beets and 6 squares of onions this week!  I also planted 20 tomato plants inside.  Tomatoes are my favorite vegetable to enjoy fresh from the garden and with the current "tomato shortage" because of freezing temps in FL, I will enjoy the "free" price tag.  I will plant a few radishes and another 2 squares of carrots at the end of next week.

Violin recital is scheduled for April 17!  With two weeks off for spring break, there will only be 3 lessons until that date!  AACK!  If plans remain as scheduled, I should not only be able to embarass myself and hubby, but also some travelling family (Sorry guys). 

Looking forward to the Lord's Day tomorrow.  We are hoping to have one of our own back in the services tomorrow morning after a 4 month battle with cancer.  The church is truly like a body - when one person is missing, or hurting ... all suffer.  We will rejoice in God's goodness.  Our regular pianist will be back again next week as well after 3 months of eye treatments.  Also praying that we will again see fruits of visitation in the services.  Enjoy your weekend!

Thanks for the break.  Now, ... back to cleaning!

The Psalms

Today I am thankful for the book of Psalms.  What a blessing to have a book devoted to praising God and remembering His goodness.  I am also thankful for the "real" authors who shared their trials, their questions, their frustrations ... it is such a comforting book.

Give us help from trouble:

for vain is the help of man.

Through God we shall do valiantly:

for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

Psalm 108:12-13

Loving children

I am looking out at a sunny day today.  Yesterday it snowed much of the day, but it was too warm to stick.  I do love to see the snow when it is here, but SUNSHINE is my favorite type of weather.  I am still in my workout attire.  I did a step workout this morning.  It is one of the "sweatiest" workouts I do and only requires a simple step.  I love that I can put in my own music and enjoy the workout.  When hubby and I moved to NC, we were a little disappointed that we would no longer have a gym to use.  The military gave us a gym membership as a "perk" of the job and our former apartment complex also had a stationary bike and treadmill in a basic workout center.  The aerobic step is GREAT!  It is simple, it can be hidden under the sofa and it is great to build aerobic strength and leg muscles (usually my calves are crippled the day after a step workout).

Titus 2:4-5

"That they may teach the young women ... to love their children."

The third requirement of a woman is to love her children.  I admit that I write this as an outsider, but also as one with experience as an educator.  The author of Created to Be His Helpmeet starts the chapter reminding wives that loving their husband is the best way to love their children.  As an outside observer, I can often see mothers who "love" their children at the expense of their husband.  Unfortunately the children and their "needs" come first to the point that the husband is ignored or relegated to 2nd, 3rd, or 4th place.

The second point to loving children is teaching them and keeping them engaged in life.  I loved studying and participating in early childhood education because of the natural interest that children have in gaining knowledge.  I love the "Why's" of a young person,  I love their desire to learn so as to gain independence, I love the bright look as discoveries are made.  As an educator for 6 years, there was a distinct difference between children when they first stepped into my classroom at age 4, 5, or 6.  Some arrived at school and knew all of their letters, their colors, how to color, how to cut, about their health, about animals ... you get the picture.  Some unfortunately were merely babies in a 4-year old body.  Why the difference?  It was not because of preschool, or even natural ability.  It was the amount of time that their parents had spent with them.  (Note: I am not infering that slower children with mental or physical challenges are not properly love and challenged by their parents.)  This is not a "play all day" mentality that prevents a mother from completing household duties, but family involvement.  Teaching can occur all day, every day - counting the number of spoons for the table, sorting colors for the laundry, cooking with wholesome ingredients and explaining why, working in the yard weeding, pointing to letters as books are read and enjoyed together, explaining muscles as we exercise.  Care of children is a full-time job and not one to be delegated to others, to a television, to a video game, or even to loving baby-sitters.  Are you up to the challenge? 

As an additional thought of my own, we also show love to children with boundaries and standards.  Do your children know what to expect each day?  There is peace in knowing where the "line" is.  Is there a set time to wake, to go to sleep?  Are there tasks to be done upon rising in the morning?  Is there an expectation of "excellence" in school work?  Are there consequences when expectations are not met?  The hard part of this is that it requires parental discipline - if I am not disciplined to rise in the morning, how can I expect this of my children?  If I do not make my bed upon rising, my expectations are hypocritical. 

If you have been blessed to be a mother, will you show obvious love to your children today? 

Remember

Interesting weather today.  I have watched fine, floating snowflakes, ... small hail-like snow, ... rain, ... and pure snow this morning.  I don't foresee any accumulation, but it does capture my attention.  It was one year ago that we saw our first real snow here in NC.  Quite a different winter this year!

I read Psalm 106 this morning.  The psalmist recounts some of the history of Israel.  After stating how the Egyptians were drowned in the Red Sea, he says,

Then believed they his words;

they sang his praise.

They soon forgat his works;

they waited not for his counsel:

Psalm 107:12-13

Hardly even a breath after the miraculous escape from Egypt, and the Lord was forgotten.  The Lord is so good to me (and to you) and how often do I rejoice in his goodness and then forget about Him or gripe about my circumstances.  Remember - the Lord is good.  He is worthy of all praise.

In like a lion?

One of my memories of school days was the saying "in like a lion, out like a lamb" that was stated and illustrated in classrooms each March.  We made lions out of paper plates and of course lambs covered in cotton balls!  Today is March 1 and we don't have much of a "lion" today, but perhaps the lion is waiting for tomorrow.  The newspaper predicts 1-3 inches of rain or snow!  I guess I will just wait and see.  There are a few flowers showing their leaves in my new flower bed.  I can't remember what I planted where, so I will just continue to wait for more to show and their eventual blooms.  I hope that they like snow :)

Hubby helped turn the soil in my square foot garden one more time on Friday afternoon and the stakes and strings went in on Saturday afternoon along with 2 squares of carrots (32 carrots).  Hopefully 32 beets, 92 onions, 1 Kale, 2 spinach, and 2 lettuce will join the garden this week as well as starting tomatoes inside (10 large plants and 10 Romas). 

The clothesline is partially back together.  Now that the poles don't bow in, my line doesn't fit and I need to buy some more hardware to tighten the lines down!  I did get two lines up and some laundry out this morning - I sure missed my little clothesline.

I just finished 6 miles of "walking" with some walking DVDs this morning.  The Prevention planning is working and I am slowly seeing results again.  More and more I realize that if I would just have one plate of food at dinner and skip the snacking, I would not get into trouble!  I think that I may also walk to school this morning and meet hubby when he comes out of classes. 

Did you have a good day in the Lord's house yesterday?  We sure did!  There were two visiting familes - one there for the 2nd and 3rd time, one for the 3rd and 4th time ... 2 people made confessions of faith yesterday after the morning service ... we were encouraged to see the fruit of visitation efforts made 2 years ago!  It was also good to rest in the Lord through the day, to enjoy time with family, to fellowship with believers, to meditate on God's Word, to praise the Lord in song and testimony.  Praise the Lord.