Five Minute Friday: Worship

Posted on August 30, 2013 by Elizabeth

Linking up with Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday fun, hosted today at (in)courage.

Worship

Lisa-Jo wrote today about where she is able to worship. I am thinking about what I worship and who I should worship.
My items of worship can vary from day-to-day, but for the most part the list is pretty static:
~ Peace (and quiet).
~ Unity (I love Psalm 133:1).
~ Organization.
~ Schedules.

Since I have put the worship of these items above the worship of Jesus, over and over and over, it is no wonder that I so rarely ever attain, or get to enjoy, them. My false, worldly worship list has become an idol.

Realizing the problem is a huge first step in solving it, but long-held bad habits are hard to break.
It is time though. Really time, to put first things first. Time to really worship Jesus, not just in a nice word here or there, but in action.
It is time to set a better, much better, example to my children of putting my worship of Jesus first, not my “wish” worship list.

Psalm 95:6-7 (NIV)
6 “Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
7 for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.”

Trying To Be Realistic In August

Posted on August 3, 2013 by Elizabeth

So, maybe I wrote this list back in May. And maybe I bit off more than I could handle, or had the energy or organization for. And maybe I am ready to make an updated, more realistic list that can actually be accomplished before we officially start school on September 3.

1) Pray without ceasing.
2) Get back on the bandwagon with my Bible Gateway reading plan and enjoy it, not just read to check it off the app.
3) Make my relationship with Kyle a priority: Continue almost weekly date nights, figure out times to chat for fun and planning times.
4) Continue having LOTS of play and reading time with Paul. Help him weed his pumpkin patch.
5) Reading time with Isaac.
6) Write with John and have him teach me origami. Plan a great 10th birthday for him on the 13th!
7) Play outside with those boys every day. I’ve only been in the pool once this summer!
8) More talks with Rachel about growing up and fashion. Help her with her fall clothes.
9) Listen to Luke. Get to know that boy better. Enjoy him. Make his birthday on the 28th super!
10) Talking with Adam. Figuring out a plan for the school year.
11) Connect with my Good Morning Girls Bible Study group and decide about the September study.
12) Be a good neighbor–invite someone over for dinner.
13) Be a good church friend– ditto.
14) Help the children budget their mission money and write letters to our World Vision children.
15) Exercise daily.
16) Write a note–thank you, encouragement, birthday, etc. at least three times a week.
17) Write something every day.
18) Blog at least three times a week.
19) Update and organize our calendar for August and September with speech and debate, 4H and our new music and theatre classes, in addition to regular church activities and family fun.
20) Continue clearing out and scrub the laundry room.
21) Organizing the school room.
22) Help with and encourage progress with the bonus room renovation.
23) Continue making a simple, organized meal plan.
24)Finish my dad’s birthday project from last year.
25) Go to bed by 10 each night and get up at 6 a.m. daily.

AND, love, love, love my family.

Psalm 90:12 (ESV)
“So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom.”

Five Minute Friday: Story

Posted on August 1, 2013 by Elizabeth

Story

For the first 10 years of our marriage, our story was pretty typical, maybe a little boring, but in a nice, comfortable kind of way.
The last 11 1/2 have been anything but. Sometimes that has been good, I have been learning, or trying to learn, to get out of my introverted comfort zone somewhat.
Sometimes the story has been difficult, with lost babies, children being diagnosed, then the mama’s turning 40 hormone chaos.
The story, like the life, has evened out a bit for 2013. We are all a bit older and wiser.
I have taken a number of deep breaths, prayed many prayers for patience and have found that The Lord is faithful.
I love and I am loved. We are praying and learning together.
This story is getting more interesting in good ways and I hope to be writing it for many years to come.

Stop

One of my favorites, only it’s missing my husband, who was working while we vacationed in Virginia last month.

The whole crew, two days before. Half like to pose and are ready at the drop of a hat, the other half of us, not as comfortable and squinting 😉

Psalm 86:15 (NIV)
“But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness”.

Furniture Feature Friday: A Tool Box Makeover With My Boys

Posted on August 1, 2013 by Elizabeth

Last month, we volunteered with my mother at her town’s food pantry. It also has a thrift store, so we stopped in when we were finished. It was my first visit and for the most part, I didn’t see anything I needed. Then…I saw it. A dusty, dirty old tool box. I didn’t know what I would do with it, but thought I really needed it.

It sat under my desk for about three weeks. While we were on our latest adventure to Virginia, I read several issues of Country Living magazine. I saw a picture of a tool box that was filled with children’s books and instantly knew that was what I would do with my box. Voila!

Tuesday afternoon, my youngest was looking at it and I told him I was planning to paint it. Ever the type-A, seize-the-moment kind of guy, he replied “Now?” So, we got started!

I forgot to take a before picture, but after vacuuming and scrubbing, we were ready to paint:

My two youngest boys and a neighbor’s grandson helping.