Saturday, January 9, 2016

SImple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window...
once again I see the gray of January and the rain coming down.  So thankful for the rain and the way that it is preparing the earth for the upcoming Spring and Summer.  Praying it will have a lasting impact on the drought like conditions we have experienced last year.

I am thinking...
the passage of time.  In some ways time passes so quickly and in other ways it crawls along at a snail's pace.  As a mom, time is passing through my fingers and Dacia is growing up so quickly. As I look at the world around me and see the sin and the devastation it causes, time passes slowly as we wait anxiously for the return of Christ to this dark world.

I am thankful ....
for God's goodness and peace.  This week found me in the Emergency Department of our local-ish hospital with scary symptoms.  If it were not for God's peace, I think I would have gone crazy.  God in His mercy and goodness intervened and I was given a clean bill of health.

From the learning rooms...
we are learning about the Roman arch, the Roman aqueducts and how to draw architectural sketches.

From the kitchen...
I am working on menu plans which will include cooking from the pantry and freezer with some fresh veggies from our Organics to You delivery. Pork tenderloin and albacore tuna tenderloin are on the menu as well as shrimp scampi.

Currently my favorite breakfast item is ricotta cheese on toast!  Yummy!  Toast, ricotta cheese, sliced pears and drizzled with Turkish honey and sprinkled with chopped English walnuts.  Or toast with ricotta cheese and strawberry jam splashed with Balsamic vinegar

I am creating...
a file of photos for Arthur to take to his parents when he goes to see them later this month.  While their mind slowly slips away, photos of the family bring them so much comfort and are a practical way that we can show them that we love them.

I am reading...
On This Foundation by Lynn Austin.  It is the second book in The Restoration Chronicles which tells of the years following the Exile when the Jews rebuilt the Temple and the wall of Jerusalem.  God's promise to protect a remnant of the Jews regardless of their sinful ways encourages me so much today.  If He loves these sinful people so much, will He not also love me in my sinfulness?!  Thank you Jesus! 

I am praying...
for the peace of Jerusalem.  Our world needs peace but it will only come with the return of the Prince of Peace.  Maranatha!

I am hearing...
Wayne Watson .........  Yep, it is a throwback music type of day.  Listening to the songs of my high school and college years this morning.

Around the house...
it is quiet as Dacia is at a grade school event.  The last Forts and Floats that she will attend as a grade schooler.  HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE!?!  She is in beginning to count down how many months......no weeks......remain in her grade school career.  How is that  possible?  WOW!

One of my favorite things...
time with my family.  This week's medical emergency really awakened the frailty of life.  Time to cherish those times together. As trite as it sounds we are not promised tomorrow.  We are not even promised the next moment.  Make the one you are in right now count!

A few plans for the rest of the week...
focusing on school and watching to see what Divine Appointments God has in store for me.

My Picture Thought...


Light in the Dark



Not the clearest of photos but I seriously love this photo.  Dacia loves wrapping up in her firefly lights and reading at night.  Makes me think of the way God is the light in my life.  I long to wrap myself up in His light as I walk through my  days in this dark world.

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, 
“I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me 
will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."
John 8:12

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Keeping It Real!

I don't feel like I have any clue what I am doing homeschooling. I don't feel like I have any business homeschooling. I don't feel like I am doing a good job homeschooling. Matter of fact there are times, I know I am not doing a good job.

BUT GOD......... 

He is the one that has called Arthur and I to homeschool. 

BUT GOD.....

He is the one we have chosen to obey and submit to in all areas of our life. 

BUT GOD.......

Looks at the heart of man rather than the outward appearances. 

I can look at the outward appearances, the educational outcomes, the test results, etc. and see what man sees...

OR...

I can choose to look at the heart and see that I am leading a little girl down the path of young womanhood and see that today she loves God more than she did yesterday and more than she did last year. I can choose to see that God is at work in her life and in mine and in my husband's life. I can chose to look at the outward signs of success or I can look at the BUT GOD moments. 

I choose today to look at the BUT GOD moments. Will you look at them with me!?!

           Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet 
                      and a light unto my path.
                             Psalm 119:105



Friday, January 1, 2016

Wisdom of the Ages