Talk about buzzing...

BOY has life been busy these last few weeks! Here's a brief (albeit full) recap:

* All 4 girls to the dentist for cleanings
* Babysat the cousins for 3 days
* Church
* AWANA Grand Prix
* Superbowl Sunday
* A few Dr. appts for Mommy
* Busy work for Big Daddy
* Art projects
* School work
* Every day life: cooking, cleaning, child-rearing, laughing, loving, and sleeping... :)

Today was a day. We've been focusing on learning that LOVE is a VERB. It is not feelings, it is actions! Yesterday's lesson was "Love is patient, love is kind" (I Corinthians 13:4a). I, apparently had to back to the beginning and learn it again today. On the way to Boise, I got a flat tire on the freeway--then called Mom and had her come get me, while I left a message for Hubby that we'd have to get it later. Got home, and got a call from the Idaho State Police that I had to come get it by 2 p.m., or they'd have it impounded. Then I re-signed up for AAA, asked them to meet us there, headed back to Boise (where he was a little grumpy because I was a little late). THEN, we had it towed to Les Schwab in Boise (but he actually towed it to Commercial Tire, so I had to drive it across the street, but no biggie). Half hour wait--what to do? Head to Taco Bell! We had lunch--2 hungry moms and 4 hungry girls. Then back to Les Schwab to pick up the van, have a cup of free coffee, and take 3 girls to the bathroom! Then, back home to put Baby Girl down for a nap, while 3 big girls studied and did school work. PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE...LOVE IS PATIENT. Lord, please don't make me learn it again tomorrow...I hope it's good enough for today! :)

Finally, I need to make it known that tonight is soup and sandwich night. Sorry, no cooking is happening here....I hope it's okay with Big Daddy, but I gave up around 3:30. So long--I need to get out the cans of soup and get dinner ready, so we can get to AWANA on time (which we have to leave for in about an hour). I'm so thankful I get to homeschool! Have I mentioned that lately?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Out with the old, in with the new, they always say! I say "Amen!" and "easier said than done!"

We had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's, filled with delightful company, delectable treats, and destructive sleep habits! We're starting anew this very day. Early to bed, early to rise makes a family healthy, wealthy, and wise! I'm not sure about the wealthy part, but the rest is surely true!!

Today (being the first Monday of the new year) is really the first day resolutions are being planned to start around here. The first of which was (for me) having coffee as soon as I woke up, rather than hours later when it was "diesel or die!"

Goals for today? Definitely back to school for the girlies. Laundry's caught up (thanks to Big Daddy who did the last load for me last night), and ORDER.

They say that the best way to break bad habits and addictions is by replacing them with new and healthier ones...so, we're exchanging:
*late nights for early mornings
*holiday food for veggies!
*chaos for order
*free-time for chores (at least a little more of it)
*tra-la-la-ing for order and routine

That's a good start for today, I think. It's 7, so it's about time for the Little Women to get up...early...

Cheerio & Happy New Year!

SAVOR THE SAVIOR

Things have been busy here lately...we celebrated Family Christmas here yesterday, and it was marvelous! It was really all I could have dreamed of...family, laughter, relaxation, joy, music, happy kiddos, hubby/wife love, and Jesus!

I'm so thankful to celebrate this Christmas together this year. I want to really stop and SAVOR the SAVIOR!

I love you, Lord!

2 Timothy 1:8-11
"So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher."



JUDE 1:24, 25
"To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen."

Unexpected Blessings!

We have an arrangement between my sisters and I that our families swap holidays with our in-laws every other year: one year it's Thanksgving down here, but Christmas with the in-laws; then the next year, we swap! This year it was our year to have Thanksgiving day all together, so that means Christmas we will all be in separate places. To make this more bearable, we are having our "Family Christmas" here at my house tomorrow.

I've been having health problems (as mentioned earlier), so my energy levels have been low, and now--in addition to headaches and dizziness/imbalance--I've begun struggling with nausea frequently. Not fun, but I don't want to be a baby, so let's move on...

Three nights ago (that would be Sunday), I was crying out (literally) to the Lord, begging Him to save me and help and strengthen me for all that would need to be done before 17 people were at my house all day on Thursday (tomorrow). My list of un-done jobs has continued to grow lengthier by the day, as I need more breaks for rest, etc.

Monday morning, my littlest sister called me and informed me that she had gotten her little sis-in-law lined up for babysitting, and that they'd be coming over to help clean my house! Tears, I tell you...tears of joy! Not only had God heard my prayer and crying out, but He thought it was valid enough to send a minister! Praise you, Jesus!

This morning, my sister, her two little ones, her little sis-in-law, a dozen doughnuts, a salad, and frozen pizzas showed up at our door! I was overwhelmed (and still am) at her selflessness and love, and God's salvation, care, love, and blessing! Unexpected Blessings are the best kind because they knock you off your feet and remind you in a very special way that our God HEARS and CARES about our burdens and troubles, and He raises up His army to come do battle for His weary soldiers!! I was the humble and grateful recipient of His provision today, and I thank you with all of my heart, Lord! Please bless my sis, and little sis-in-law a thousand-fold!

EAT, DRINK, AND BE MERRY

ECCLESIASTES 8:15~

"Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun. " (KJV)

"So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun." (NLT )


"So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun. " (NIV )

"So I commended pleasure, for there is nothing good for a man under the sun except to eat and to drink and to be merry, and this will stand by him in his toils throughout the days of his life which God has given him under the sun." (NAS)


Well, there you have it...from four different versions of the Bible! This holiday season, make sure you take a break from all the hustle and bustle of shopping, wrapping, cooking, cleaning, and other preparations to RELAX...eat, drink, and be merry! Take joy in the real gifts God has showered us with and ENJOY each one!

By the way--here's a little gem of a book my friend's sister wrote...you need to pick it up--pronto!

REJOICE AND BE GLAD!

This is the day that the Lord has made, we will Rejoice and be glad in it. ~Psalm 118:24

This is one of my very favorite verses, and I need to dwell on it today! Lord, I give this day to you and ask that I would be a good steward of it and do all that You would have me to, according to Your holy plan!

POTLUCKS AND HOSPITALITY

Today we had an impromptu Sunday Brunch potluck with my sister & her family, and our parents. Let's just talk about potlucks for a minute...why are they so overlooked and under-rated in the home? I know all about church potlucks, company potlucks, etc., but wouldn't family & friends get together more often if no one family was bearing all the financial and work burden? How easy is it to throw something in the crockpot and then relax with family or friends that night?! I know we would. Is it guilt? Like I would feel ashamed asking someone to "pitch in" because if it was my idea, I should cover it? Hmmmm....

Since the Bible tells us to "practice hospitality," then practice means to do it continually, habitually, improving all the while. Would it be wrong to potluck while practicing hospitality, or is the provision of all the food for all the people the heart of hospitality? Let's look at the definitions of these words/ideas:

Romans 12:12-14 states:
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse."

From Webster's Dictionary~
PRACTICE:
1 a : carry out, apply b : to do or perform often, customarily, or habitually c : to be professionally engaged in
2 a : to perform or work at repeatedly so as to become proficient b : to train by repeated exercises
3 obsolete : plot
intransitive verb
1 : to do repeated exercises for proficiency
2 : to pursue a profession actively
3 archaic : intrigue
4 : to do something customarily

HOSPITALITY:
hospitable treatment, reception, or disposition

HOSPITABLE:
Function: adjective
Meaning: showing a natural kindness and courtesy especially in social situations

GRACIOUS:

1 a obsolete : godly b archaic : pleasing, acceptable
2 a : marked by kindness and courtesy b : graceful c : marked by tact and delicacy : urbane d : characterized by charm, good taste, generosity of spirit, and the tasteful leisure of wealth and good breeding
3 : merciful, compassionate —used conventionally of royalty and high nobility
— gra·cious·ly adverb
— gra·cious·ness noun
synonyms gracious, cordial, affable, genial, sociable mean markedly pleasant and easy in social intercourse. gracious implies courtesy and kindly consideration


Here's a clear picture of the meaning of "practice hospitality": To be professionally engaged in, so as to become proficient at showing natural kindness and courtesy, especially in social situations, characterized by charm, good taste, generosity of spirit, and tasteful leisure of wealth and good breeding, demonstrating mercy and compassion.

POTLUCK:
1 a : the regular meal available to a guest for whom no special preparations have been made b : a communal meal to which people bring food to share —usually used attributively
2 : whatever is offered or available in given circumstances or at a given time

Wow! Is all I have to say about that. Practically speaking, the potluck shares the financial/work burden. "Is it authentically 'practicing hospitality'?" is the question of the day...