This mommy is thankful for the end of all the nattering between the children.
This mommy is thankful for the clean floors on the main level of the house.
This mommy is thankful for the elbow
This mommy is oh so thankful most of all for some quiet in the house. The kids sure remember fast how to get along once Mommy produces a list of things she can find for them to do.
TTFN
Just went to see this group live tonight. After years of listening to them I finally feel like I finally heard them! So different live! So pumped and passionate and eccentric! This song specifically moved me and so I share:)
As I studied this with some sisters today I felt blessed in seeing clearly the importance of the statement ‘in my name’ for the first time. I have looked through some different write ups about the statement this afternoon and love that it all relates back to, union or coop with Jesus. To ask in his name is to ask according to Christs purposes, and not our own, ‘his name’ signifies his character or reputation. His purpose is easy, Christ over and over said (even in the verses above this section) that it is all for the Glory of God.
I have been wrestling for some time with how easy it is to be consumed by working on and for my own glory, or my own reputation. In our society one is supposed to buy things and surround themselves with stuff that reflects THEMSELVES. Christ calls us to live in and through him! Not just live for us with him in our hearts. If we are really really in a coop with our Lord Jesus, thanks to his Holy Spirit, we will know the right questions, pray the right prayers and desire to BE for the glory of GOD.
This is a big step for a Christians in our society. It is an ‘outside the box’ concept to live purely to project someone other then ones self. We are often told to take Jesus in our hearts and given this idea that he is kinda like a piece to the puzzle, or an accessory but Jesus calls us to more! He is the whole puzzle and he wants the whole of us. Click on the link RIGHT HERE to go to another post where I was chewing on this concept. I was sorting out my conflicting feelings…of how it would make me feel so alien in my world and yet at the same time it would release me of such heavy burdens and tiresome pursuits and leave me with a sense of being really alive!
I want to come and go and BE in his, CHRIST’S, name!
TTFN
I discovered a new blog, I often do as I am a habitual blog surfer. Randomly entered a contest on before mentioned blog and actually won! Won a book no less! I needed a new read because I had burned through my latest historical fiction read and had no budget to purchase another this month. Yay for Simple Mom’s site!
It was interesting to me that the book I should win was titled ‘the reluctant entertainer’. I had just recently realised, after compiling many comments coming with in ear shot, that many many people wish they where thought of and invited over and so many people ESPECIALLY in the church feel lonely. I really enjoy to be hospitable but one can never learn enough about wise domesticity! I have started to read it, and perhaps it can encourage you too, check it out!
To get a friend you must be a friend… it might not be what we want to hear when lonely but to be shown hospitality you must be hospitable. Some one has to start, someone has to take the time first, make the effort first and reap the rewards of giving first!
On a side note, I am pleased as punch (think my m.i.l. taught me that witty saying) to show you my little side table solution! Those two square baskets with a few books I am often dipping my fingers into are my make shift solution to not owning any side tables for the living room! I find it such a cute little solution I will be all the more picky about an actually set of side tables. Perhaps I will just buy a few more square baskets! Oh and more books! Yeah that is a legitimate reason to buy more books!
On a second side note, this post is also tagged ‘the pet’ so I must post another picture of my fox terrier. He is still so new to our family that he will often stand next to me as I type away on my computer and I can tell he is wondering what I am so intent on and why it isn’t him? He will get used to me and my click-y pass time. He just yawned at me and went to his doggy bed. It is being baked in a sunbeam and I can tell he is far more comfortable there then standing near me and my laptop.
TTFN
For man, autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together. For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad. ~Edwin Way TealeAh the colors, the fresh air, the friendly sun, and the food!
How very autumn is Thanksgiving! At a time of year when we start to settle in (to a new year to the prospect of another long prairie winter) and become comfortable it is an excellent time to stop and to really think about all our blessings. Counting our blessings prevents complacency and wards off bitterness! Now if only fall and Thanksgiving could keep away bitter winter!
I can’t remember the last time we have been blessed with such a warm autumn! It is warmer and sunnier then our rain filled summer was! Playing in the leaves and making mud pies with my kids while their grandmother, my husbands mom, prepared a gluten free Thanksgiving meal (celiac in the family) was wonderful! 
Sharing pie and turkey with loved ones, and then another piece of pie and more turkey is pretty full filling, and filling!
I am absolutely thankful for these people around me!
I am also so thankful for all I am learning lately in the area of thankfulness. It is a state of the heart and not just an emotion reacting to your current circumstance. I hope I can continue to let peace, patients and the other fruits of the Spirit work in me to make me a woman with a heart of thankfulness and, therefore, a woman of love.
TTFN
(My youngest two and my niece enjoying an autumn tradition, the straw maze, it is set up by a local green house business.)According to Thy Gracious Word
A hymn clearly about remembering Christs sacrifice for us, it was written by James Montgomery. James was known for humanitarian beliefs, he spoke out against slavery and child labor. A simple yet pretty tune caught my ear and the simple and familiar Christian ideals in the song where familiar enough with a sweet twist at the end. Last months was easy to pick up and learn and I think this one will be as well.
TTFN
I like this hymn largely because it is a call for community among the believers and it is reminding us of the beauty in that. The fellowship of the saints has largely been forgotten in the format of programmed churches today… and seen as too difficult in today’s busy society but the truth is it is a lost blessing and the majority of us DO miss it… if we only missed it enough to do something about it…
(See the post linked RIGHT HERE, as it is related to this one.)This is what the LORD says:
“In the time of my favor I will answer you,
and in the day of salvation I will help you;
When you trust anyone you have a soft heart toward them, so it is in our relationship with the Lord.
Psalms 86:15
15 But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
So the dog for us found us, so often how things in life work. All my worrying and searching wasn’t seriously needed. His owner was retiring him from dog shows and he needed a families attention. Well we are a big family and ready to shower attention, also home often so he doesn’t have to be lonely with us.
Riddick is a four year old smooth fox terrier and a real little gentleman. He is gentle and patient and willing to learn our new house with new rules. He hasn’t made a noise yet, I will be surprised when we finally hear what his bark is like. Turns out my dad had a fox terrier as a boy so he gave us a glowing review about the breed.
(Baby Boy can’t pronounce Riddick so he calls our dog ‘RICK’!)
We have already been on a few walks with him and he is a lot of fun to play with at the park. Obviously all the kids are very excited! Garnet and I have waited a long time to find the right dog and timing for a pet in our home and we are both very excited too.
I am really optimistic! Feel like this is a real blessing for the family. We knew adopting was the way to go but never ever thought we would be able to adopt a purebred. I don’t think I have ever ever owned anything but a mutt before. Oh I still love a lovable mutt but I also have to change my stance on the idea of purebreds and male dogs now that that is what I have! Never had a male before either! Then the fact that he is so mild and well trained is a super big deal for this mama. Makes my job of integrating him into the family a whole lot easier. I am so glad we didn’t opt for a puppy. This over sized honey of a lap dog is more my style:)
TTFN
I am still trying to take in all I was blessed with this morning at the ladies study I attend. A piece of it rang out in my heart as clear as a bell and so I want to share it with you. Through out my Christian walk I have known beyond a shadow of a doubt that is more about being in Jesus then doing for Jesus. There are ways to amerce ones self in the Lord deliberately and it must be undertaken daily to live successfully for the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The leader of our study was sharing different ways David was able to keep his heart soft toward God, through years of suffering and waiting. One of the ways was music. He was a very musical man and it was a direct connection between him and God. Singing out to the Lord is a way to deliberately amerce ones self in Jesus.
It is so hard to hold on to the ugly stuff that collects like thick sticky dust in ones heart when one forces ones self to sing. There in is the easy connection between singing and rejoicing made!
This message connected perfectly with something my kids had taught me months before. ‘Just sing Mommy. We like it when you sing. You are happy singing.’ was a comment from my daughter. ‘Sing with me!’ has been a common plea of hers. I have sang so little for so long I didn’t know where to start. Much to my surprise they had a song in mind and taught me my grandmothers favorite little chorus anew.
It isn’t much of a song, simple that is, but It has a way of coming easily to my mind and easily from my lips… no effort really… and I have started kick starting my day with this song and its sweet little reminder.
This is the day
This is the day
That the Lord has made
That the Lord has made
We will rejoice
We will rejoice
And be glad in it
And be glad in it
This is the day that the Lord has made
We will rejoice and be glad in it
This is the day
This is the day
That the Lord has made.
TTFN
