Listen to the TRUTH

I am behind on blogging and am half tempted to not even post this, however, I believe the Lord is asking me to post for whatever reason.  May the Lord bless someone with what he has been teaching me.

 

Satan is full of deceit, trickery and perverts the right ways of the Lord.

Deceit: Bait, metaphorically and generally fraud, guile, deceit.
Trickery: Wicked schemes or plots.
Perverted: To turn or twist throughout; distort, pervert, seduce, mislead; to turn away.

If this is true of Satan then why do I, at times, choose to listen to him?  Satan lies!  Satan has wicked schemes!  Satan likes to twist things, mislead people, distort the truth!

Because I am a follower of Christ I assume I am wise enough to know when Satan is whispering lies.

Today as I was spending time with the Lord he pointed out that I AM listening to Satan. 

Let me explain –

Every winter my husband’s job comes to a halt or very slow spell.  It’s inevitable since he’s in construction.  His line of work, concrete, does not do well in snow, rain, or cold weather.  Since we have been married, 15 years, my husband has been slow, at work, during the winter months.  This equals less income.

Did I mention this has been an ongoing occurrence for 15 years?  By now I should be used to this, should be able to prepare, and should be fine with the situation, knowing the Lord always takes care of us.

Every winter I choose to stress about this thing called little work, little income.

When we were first married it was simple.  I took a part time job with a temporary agency and worked those 3 months.  My husband watched the kids, I earned a little extra money for our family, and all was ‘good’.

Fast forward 15 years.  We have 3 children we are educating at home.  My husband is working as needed.  Each week is unpredictable.

I asked my husband if he would like me to work.  If we all work really hard I could get the kids started with school, go off to work, and return home to work on school in the evenings.  My husband said NO.  He wants to take care of our family and he is doing so as the Lord provides work.

But AGAIN, this morning, as I was having quiet time with the Lord my mind kept wandering to the possibility of working, outside the home, just a little, to get through these months.

Problem = need more income.  Solution = get a job, bring in income.  Stress = gone!

NOT SO EASY.

As I listened to the Lord, I heard his still, small voice, speak clearly to me.  “Dawn I have you right where I want you.  Stop looking for solutions to what I already have under control.  Right now, today, I want you to teach your children at home.  I want you to enjoy the moment you are in.  Enjoy today.  Stop listening to Satan’s lies.  Satan is distracting you from the current job I have given you within your family.  Trust me. Money is not the answer.  I have you in a ‘lean’ season to completely, depend upon me.  Rather than worry about what you could be doing, outside of the home, to fix the problem, I want you to stay in the home, teach your children, take care of your husband, love him, and be content with where I have you.”

Then it dawned on me.  Satan wants me out of the home.  Satan knows that the Lord has me in the home. 

I am reminded that the Lord has cared for our family each and every year.  We are blessed in so many ways.  Today I DO want to enjoy right where God has placed me.

I need to, daily, ask the Lord for his truths.  Satan has a way of lying to us and before long we don’t even realize its Satan talking into our minds. 

Lord please help me to discern your truths from lies.  I desire to honor you and stay within the path you have for me.

Proverbs 28:26  Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.

Proverbs 21:30  No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the Lord.

Proverbs 4:27  Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.

Summer Break! 100 Goals

We are officially on summer break!  Woot!  Woot!

We had a successful school year and can now enjoy a relaxing, fun filled summer break.

Today, during our annual school evaluations, my kids were given an assignment.  They are to come up with their very own list of 100 goals/dreams.  Each time something is completed another item is added to the list.  It should always remain at 100 to do items.  What a great idea so I am also taking the challenge.

I won't bore you with all 100 goals but here are a few fun ideas I had:

1) Stay with an Amish family for a night.  This would be bliss!
2) Run in the rain.
3) Learn to play my flute again.
4) Get my bike fixed and ride to the beach.
5) Read 1,000 kids books (I'm talking picture books - love em!)
6) Stay off of electronics for 7 days.
7) Shoot a gun.
8) Ride on a motorcycle (passenger).
9) Sew curtains for my bedroom (learn to sew).
10) Go on a cruise with husband for 20th anniversary.
11) Start a family business.
12) Buy a farmhouse with a front porch (for my hammock).
13) Read the original Pilgrim's Progress.
14) Read 52 books (create reading list).
15) Play 25 different games.
16) Get a pedicure with my daughters (I have never had one!).
17) Debt free: credit card, medical.
18) Own an Apple laptop.
19) Make my own wine.
20) Learn to play chess (maybe drinking wine will help!)  Ha.
21) Own a log cabin on  a mountain.
22) Open a bed and breakfast with hubby.
23) Go on a mission trip.
24) Go to dinner, in a limo, with my family.
25) Memorize 12 bible verses.
26) Read through the bible in chronological order.
27) Buy hubby a recliner.
28) Complete the Love Dare.
29) Attend a toastmaster meeting.
30) Set up a business website.
31) Buy new underwear (Sad, I know!) :)
32) Drive to Arizona to see our family.
33) Weekly family pizza/game night.
34) Balance the checkbook (hate to admit that I do not do this).
35) House paid off.
36) 6 months savings.
37) Garbage disposal in our kitchen.
38) A pretty wreath on our front door.

I very much enjoyed making my list of 100 items!  I think I will even be able to check off a few in the near future.

I found it very interesting that my daughter would love to swim with dolphins and yet I didn't have any desire to add that to my list.  Now that I think about it it does 'sound' better than my idea of shooting a gun but to be quit honest shooting a gun is more practical.  What if I need to get food for our family.  Knowing the proper usage of a gun would be more practical than having a dunk with the dolphins.

Sometimes I am too practical, I know, but I like it that way.

It will be fun to compare my list with that of each family member.

Thank you Lord for making me just the way I am.  I ask that my list would be of honor to you.  Thank you for giving me dreams and desires for the future!

I'm back

My writing skills have gone by the way side.  This is an attempt to determine if they can and will return! :)  

I LOVE writing.  It's helpful to get my thoughts onto paper.  God speaks to me as I write.  Writing forces me to SIT DOWN (difficult for me), ponder God, get it out.  When writing I can, most often, stay focused.  Writing often pushing me to grow deeper in my faith, hear from God and so much more.  For these reasons I would like to return to blogging, if it is the Lord's desire. 

God IS so good!  This past year I have learned a few lessons -

Gardening:  If I'm not in the garden DAILY a problem quickly takes over.  I must trim, pull weeds, inspect for bugs, replant, pick ripe veggies followed by more weeding.  I intend to work in my garden every day but some days time gets away from me. 

It is up to me to tend to the garden, speak to my plans :), but only God can tell my plants to produce veggies, grow and thrive.  I do my part, God does His part (which includes trimming, weeding out the icky stuff).

This is also true in my spiritual life.  Some days I put God aside (well, not intentionally but I skip my quiet time) and in come the little irritations (bugs).  When I put God first, on a daily basis, He is so gracious to order my steps.  And I need that!

Children: Oh children!  They are a blessing & they ARE work!  I supppose we are all a work in progress. ;)  Sometimes I expect my children to become what they are not when we go out in public.  God brought this to my attention just recently.  I am doing my best to make sure I do not correct my children for something I would not mind them doing if it was just them and I.

Sometimes I attend conferences and get these WONDERFUL ideas.  Some of these ideas do not line up with God's will for our family.

I bought a fantastic sewing curriculum.  Well guess what!?  My girls told me they do not enjoy sewing.  That was a disappointment in my little world.  Don't all homeschooling children love sewing?  My girls are not into sewing but they do love painting nails, art and planting flowers!

I was never going to call my children teenagers (after learning how the word came about).  Guess what?  I have two children over the age of 13 and they think it's rather funny that I do not agree with the word teenager.  So I have decided it's ok to call them teenagers if the opportunity comes up.

I could go on but you get the drift.  My children are unique and God is growing me daily!

God you are so good!  Thank you for allowing me time with you each day.  It is a gift to be in your presence and I never want to take that for granted!  Thank you for giving us three beautiful children that teach me something new each day.  Help us to parent them as you so desire.  They are a blessing to us.  Amen

Thanksgiving Blessings!

Now that the weather is turning (cold and grey) I am ready to return to blogging.  But you won't believe it -

I just typed a 'lovely' blog post and then my computer decided to highlight all the text and DELETE!  If any of you know the trick to 'undo' while blogging (as you can in Microsoft word, etc) please do let me know.  I will be forever thankful!

For now I am not about to retype what I had in mind.  I will end by saying enjoy your family today and really, really enjoy your time with them today....maybe even do a little laughing together. 

I will sign off to make lunch, play some games w/ my family and educate my children.

Thank you Lord for the blessings of being a Mother!!!

GOD IS AT WORK!

I have so much to say but not enough time to get my words out.  I will quickly say THANK YOU for your prayers for the Bright Lights event at our church.  God used it in bigger ways than I imagined!  He gets all the glory and credit for the beautiful outcome.  I will admit I was blessed way beyond what I expected.  Neat how God got right in the midst of everything and it all went so smoothly!  THANK YOU LORD!!!

The Bright Lights Conference is on their blog.  Check it out!

I am grateful to be 'home sweet home' however I will never regret last weeks LONG hours away from home.  It is the most awesome thing to experience God!

And even more touching was Sunday's service!  Kayla and I were baptised in our Sunday clothes along with 70 others!  It was a WOW moment.  Thank you Lord!!!

The Sunday msg is online in case you are curious why we would wear our Sunday clothes! :)  Aug 21 Baptism Msg

This week I have lots to do; tidy our garden,  start canning veggies, catch up on laundry, start cleaning something!, organizing and school planning (which I'm not ready for by the way).

May you have the most blessed week!  God is at work!!!

SUMMER BLESSINGS

I am alive & well even though I have not had blogging time.

This week we are enjoying Vacation Bible School.  Last week we were doing something - I think it was something fun but now I can't recall.  I can hardly believe it's August.  Time sure does seem to go fast.

Summer Highlights -

Our gardens are coming in.  One is not doing so well & the other is beautiful!  I think our soil could use a nutrient boost next year.  We are enjoying lettuce, beans, peppers, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, potatoes (soon I hope), and even tomateos (which I don't have a clue what to do with the hundreds we have!). 

I made tons of pesto with our basil and parsley plants (they are growing like crazy).  Our cilantro (sad) did not come in.  I'm sure those pesky rabbits ate it!  Our dill plant died and not sure why!  I will try again next year.  And I almost forgot our yummy kale which I am juicing with on occasion. :)

This week at vbs I am in charge of getting everything organized and prepped for snacks.  There are 400 kiddos so that equals a lot of food.  It's enjoyable and I really, really like the planning, prepping and more planning.  I know - weird!  It really does bring me joy to see all those cute kids happy with their snacks.

Later this month our church will host a Bright Lights conference.  It is going to be great!  We are so excited to see what the Lord has in store.  We are still lacking volunteers so I'm going to get praying and praying some more!  We are expecting 200-400 girls and Mom's.  Right now it's lots of planning & work.  Soon it will be here and I know it's going to be a blessing to so many!

I will end by saying we are having a great summer. I love my family and the joy they bring.  Sometimes I get a little upset over the messes and nonstop dishes but today the Lord clearly gave me a thought:

"I blessed you with a WONDERFUL husband, three beautiful children, a devoted dog and two silly bunnies.  Those blessings come with messes.  You could have had a neat, spotless, clean home; stain free carpets, non smudged windows, perfect grass (without pee spots & poop - from the dog of course! :)), shoes neatly put away, less dirty dishes, less chaos but that all comes without a family.  I blessed you with the sweet family you have under my care, messes and all.  Enjoy it!"

Thank you God!  I love my family and the messes they bring!  What a blessing and a great reminder for myself.

Blessings and more blessings!

God sure is good to us!  Even if things are not going well you can always find blessings in the midst.

• Today we picked our first red cherry tomato!
• Our black raspberry bushes are producing tons of berries (more than usual).
• My hydrangea is blooming like crazy (hasn't bloomed in years) - it's beautiful!
• God blessed us with 3 beautiful bar stools at a garage sale for just $20 TOTAL!
• God gave me two beautiful lamps for my living room with the perfect shades to match for nearly no cost!!!
• Last night we were at a community gathering.  I spent the last of our cash on ice cream (the ice cream truck came).  We wanted a hot dog but were out of money for the evening.  Next thing we knew the hot dogs were FREE!  God is neat how he works!

I'm looking forward to a beautiful weekend with the family.  God thank you for your blessings that keep coming!  You are to be praised!