PRAYER IN ALL THINGS!

It's a simple thing to do but how often do I remember to do it?  Sadly, not often enough!  For some reason I think there isn't enough time to pray...

I know prayer works!  God is faithful!  All I need to do is ask! 

When I try to get things done on my own it's hard work!  It only creates more work when I depend on my own strength!

Sometimes I forget God is the one who opens doors not I.  God will even close doors that need closing and that is a good thing!

So I started some specific praying today.  I'm asking God to provide volunteers in some areas needed.  Instead of asking and begging people to help I'm trusting God to prepare the workers for the jobs. 

I will also ask God to prepare my kiddos 2011/2012 school plan with my help.  So often I try to do this in my own strength.

Oh, and while I'm at it, I'll ask God to show me ways to build up my family rather than tear down.

God is so patient, loving and kind with me.  What a relief!

It's really very simple! 

• Pray
• Wait
• See results
• Praise God!

God reminded me that I can spend an hour in prayer then move forward swiftly.  Or I can spend no time in prayer then move forward sluggishly, getting no where.  Ahh, thank you Lord! So true.  This picture says it all!

Thank you Lord!  You don't want me doing everything in my strength.  What a relief!  In everything lean upon you and you will provide in abundant ways!

Simplicity

I enjoy quiet, simple days.

Two years ago plus I was a BUSY BEE!  I remember feeling I was always behind.  I had a feeling of 'run, run, run, as fast as you can!'.  I was used to that lifestyle & I began to thrive in it.

Then I started saying no to things.  I began asking God before committing.  It has been neat to see what God puts in my life and those things he pruned out.

I no longer feel rushed (most days).  I still do a lot.  My Mother In Law can't believe how full my calendar is.  The difference now is I'm asking God before making choices.  What a difference that makes!  Doing what is God's will is so simple/relaxing compared to fitting my ideas into God's agenda.

Spending time with the Lord is important to me.  God almost always gives me more time in my day when I give him the first part of my day.  My days don't feel as if they have slipped through my hands.  The day has more meaning and I don't feel behind.  Hard to explain but I have found this so true.

Sitting with my children and really listening to what they have to say without a lot of input has simplified my life.  My children will talk if I am willing to listen.  I don't always need to tell them what they are doing wrong.  Often times they talk things out, I pray, I talk very little, they end up doing the right thing.  I have seen this time and time again!

It helps me to wake early and spend 30 mins tidying the house.  I like to tidy my living room, throw a load of wash in the washer, unload dishwasher, make bed, empty garbage and tidy bathrooms.  If my children stay on top of their chores (or not :)) this morning tidy up is quick.  I have found it's super quick for me to tidy when children are sleeping.  Then they awake and lots of my work gets undone but it still gives me peace to know things were tidy.

I love working in the garden.  I have learned to quietly spend time in my garden.  It's a pleasure to weed and check plants for bugs, prune plants etc.  It used to be another chore.  I am learning enjoyment can be found in the little things!

When my children bicker or have a problem that needs correcting I look at it as an opportunity from God!  (I'm learning this in a book Homeschool SuperMom Not!!).  If you are looking for a book that deals with Homeschool Mom heart issues this IS THE BOOK for you!  It is currently my favorite book (second to the bible).  When my children fight I now realize this is an opportunity for God to work.  It's an amazing concept and so simple if I can simply give it all to God!  When I let God do the work in my children it makes my life simpler.

Burning candles makes me feel refreshed and calm.  I love the smell, the glow.  It's simply a 'simple' joy I have. :)

Buying pretty jars (at garage sales) and putting my foods in them brings me joy.  This is one of those things I LOOVE to do.  Yesterday God blessed me with several glass jars.  I came home and filled them with spices, pastas, beans, cookies, almonds, crackers, cereal.  Pure bliss!!!  Two of the jars are blue/green (like pic).  They are darling!  These jars are old, from the simpler days, and make me feel calm, especially when I open the cupboard and see everything neatly arranged in glass jars.

If I'm completely honest, there are plenty of things that make my heart race, feel tense and bring me near 'freak out' mode.  I will not be discussing those things. ;)  I wanted to focus on how God has blessed me with simpler days.

Have a blessed day with your families!

THANK YOU GOD FOR SHOWING ME HOW TO SIMPLIFY!  I still have a long way to go but you are blessing me each step of the way.

Blessings!

Daily blessings are hard to miss!  My list in no particular order -

• Bike repair ONLY $12.00.  It was supposed to be $39.99.
• Paid $89.00 for a basic hotel room and hotel upgraded us to a $250.00 room with jacuzzi at no extra charge!  What a treat!
• Running shoes in my exact size, brand new, and FREE!
• Two gardens full of veggies.
• A home that is LIVED in!
• Beautiful weather for camping.
• A smile from a complete stranger.
• Daughters who will paint and decorate my nails.
• A husband who enjoys being home most.
• Children who love Jesus.
• A baby boy next door who I can cuddle and borrow anytime I want! :)
• A dog who will protect us with his LOUD bark.
• Birds singing in the rain.
• A little daughter who wrote "Dear Dad.  I hope you have a  GRATE day."  Puts a smile on my face!  How sweet when children are learning to spell and sound things out.  Precious.

God you are to be praised!!!

Amazed!

I am amazed over and over at God's goodness!  I am NOT about getting stuff but God provides for ALL our needs above and beyond!

1) I went to a sale that had tons of clothes just my size, all NAME BRANDS, with many tags still on for $1.00-$2.00 per piece.  I now have some stylish clothes...or at least I think they are stylist and God knew I would like them. :)  AND last week  a friend dropped off a bag of clothing in my exact size!  What are the chances of that!  As we all know finding a pair of jeans that feel comfortable when sitting, bending over without tightness is a miracle!  If I was at the store I would have to try on many pairs to find a nice fit.  Well God knew and delivered them right to my home!  That's how God works!
2) God directed us to a refinance option that will get us debt free sooner than our old plan.  Thank you God!!  Finally feel we are closer.  (We are not in big debt but to us any money owed is debt and we really, really want to be debt free rather than live the American dream of spend, spend, spend.) 

3) Last YEAR I was not paid for a job (didn't even know I wasn't paid!) and they told me last month they are depositing it into my acct this month. God knew I needed it this month.  God is awesome!

4) Garage Sale with clothing in Kayla's exact size and style.  We found capri pants, tank tops and even a leotard for a steal of a deal!

5) A dear friend is offering me her sewing machine.  Isn't God good!!

This year God has showed me how he can bless others if I choose to follow his leading.  For the first time I have nothing to sell at a garage sale.  I have been giving things away as I no longer 'love' the item.  God totally blesses giving.  I see the blessings first hand.  In the past I felt I was without.  This year I can honestly say I do not feel without.  At times I may want or even think I need something but if I wait on God's timing (either money to purchase or someone blesses me with the item) I see God's hand providing rather than my own.

Thank you God!!!

Saturday Blessings

God blessed us with a beautiful day!  The sun was out ALL day. What a treat!  I purchased & planted our potted flowers.  This is thrilling to me!  I can't wait for them to grow, look full and colorful....at the moment they are tiny and green.

My dear hubby and neighbor John worked all day to complete our second garden.  The fencing is up.  They did an awesome job (pics below)!  We hope to plant veggies next weekend.  I am praying for a bountiful harvest so we can can, can and can some more!

This afternoon my dear neighbor Rebecca took me on a ride in her jeep (a real jeep with no sides).  It was fun.  We stopped for ice cream and drove around town.  It was a beautiful spring day for a jeep ride!

Our front porch is all set for spring and summer.  I put up a bird feeder on my front porch.  The birds are enjoying it.  I look forward to seeing new birds each day as they munch on seeds and flutter about.  I found a cute bird bath at a second hand store (it's hard to see but it's the clay plate you see right below the bird feeder).  The birds love it!  I am glad I bought it.  It was one of those purchases I almost passed up! 

Jason fixed our lighthouse (pic below).  For years the glass the light shines through was broken.  I am beyond thrilled that it's fixed!  Little things bring me joy.

I also added two hanging baskets to our front porch.  They are a light yellow but seem to be turning an orangy color.  I really enjoy them.

Below is the garden hubby and neighbor worked on.  The view is from our back door and it's pretty!  The entire area was wooded.  The guys removed all of the trees, pulled out roots, dug out stumps, rototilled and made it look fantastic!  I can't wait to get those veggies in and growing.

This is a close up of my front porch baskets.  They are pretty!  Praying for no bugs (for the past two years bugs get my front hanging baskets...not sure why those are the only ones that seem to get bothered)!

I found this lovely shelf at a second hand store for $5!  I think it's so cute.  I think I will put potted plants or herbs on the shelves then it will look complete on our front porch.

Another photo of our garden below.  We are blessed with wonderful neighbors to share a garden.  We are close like family.  Nice to have neighbors like that!  Blessing from God, for sure!  And I am super excited the guys even made room outside of the garden for a pretty flower garden.  We're going to plant something really pretty....but also something that will detour deer.

Below is a picture off of our back patio.  I purchased a new birdfeeder that is squirrel proof.  It's wonderful!  Before I would fill up the feeder each day!  This is lasting over a week.  It's wonderful to see the birds enjoy food throughout the day without squirrels hoarding it all!  I saw a beautiful red cardinal this evening.....God did an awesome job hand painting each bird!

Thank you Lord for blessing us with flowers, birds and beautiful green grass that would not be possible without all of the rain.  And also handy men who work hard to get a garden up and ready for planting! :)  God is GOOD all the time!!!

Blessings in every situation

I am blessed!

Yesterday it rained AGAIN however I had a fantastic walk with my brother, pouring rain and all, through beautiful green lush woods.  My doggie loved it too.

Today I awoke to sun and now it is cloudy.  Out my window everything looks like a greenhouse!  So pretty!

Last weekend it rained and rained.  The weather was warm so my Mom and I hiked through the STORM Saturday and enjoyed hearing the frogs chirping loudly....that is such a pretty sound in a rain storm.

When it didn't stop raining I felt no guilt reading and reading and reading on my Kindle.

Soon the rain will stop.  When it does I look forward to planting and 'playing' in our gardens....2 veggie gardens and flowers around my home.

I put up new bird feeders which are squirrel proof.  I still see squirrels trying to get seeds!  They are stinkers!  The birds are enjoying the food and that makes me happy.  I love hearing them chirp and sing.  What a gift God has given us - singing birds!!!

Enjoy every situation - rain, clouds and all!!  Thank you Lord for rain that brings such beauty to grass, plants, flowers and trees!!

THANK YOU LORD!

I am amazed at God's perfect timing.  It makes me smile to see the Lord's blessings on our life in so many ways!

After taking a Dave Ramsey class we realized we spent more than we should.  We had a simple choice - cut back or bring in more income.  We had been sloppy in our spending so cutting back made sense.  At times we still spend more than we should but our efforts are working and God is helping us to wait on things. 

I am certain God delights in blessing his children in His timing.

Just recently someone blessed me with their Rosetta Stone Spanish program.  I have been wanting to purchase this but could not justify the money.  God put the program in my hands at no cost!  Now tell me that is not a gift from God!!

 

My children needed leo's for gymnastics.  They are not cheap ($40ish/each).  We were blessed with four leo's for $40.00 total.  Now that is a blessing!

 

I needed new tennis shoes and was about to buy a new pair when my neighbor brought over a brand new pair of running tennis shoes in my size!  God is so kind!

 

My daughter wants a whiteboard for her bedroom.  They are $20.00 but when I was at Marc's I found one for $3.00 which included a set of markers in 5 colors!  I know Mandy will love this.  Thank you Lord!

 

This week I tried to save on groceries.  Our fridge looked empty HOWEVER we ate the most delicious meals!  God gave me some great ideas and I felt as if our fridge was full. :)  Potato soup, grilled steaks, homemade cherry pie, roasted chicken, stuffing, homemade chicken soup, steak and eggs, homemade egg rolls and more.  It was a fun week of cooking from our reserves and my family said how awesome each meal was.

 

*I do not always get deals.  *I do not always buy used.  I am simply finding that when God does not provide the funds for something right away and I wait He provides the item if it's something He finds necessary.  And this is what I want to thank the Lord for.  He is such a kind, generous God!  THANK YOU GOD!!!

 

*P.S. We bought Mandy a new bike for her bday (shh, a surprise until Sunday) and my dear, dear hubby bought me a new Kindle for our anniversary.  Isn't he sweet!  :)