Monday, January 25, 2010

Thankful when times are Gray... Multitude Monday

94. Extra snuggles from a cuddly little one :-)

95. My husband keeping watch over said little one Saturday afternoon and suggesting I take a nap... apparently a much needed 3 hour nap!

96. Friday night homemade pizza and movie nights (Crust recipe will be coming soon... I didn't realize I do not have it really "written down" yet!)

97. The way the trees look without their leaves right now... beautiful creations!

98. The slate blue sky contrasting against the field grasses and rolling hills background.

99. A soft dusting of snow!

100. Knowing that even though I have this small sickness (cold has turned to sinus infection, I think...), that this too will pass.. Reminding myself of the many truly hurting people around the world both physically and emotionally... O Lord, make me mindful of those hurting in Haiti and around the world. Please, help remind me not to waste, but to use this "slowing time" in our house to pray for for those who are really hurting!

As a friend e-mailed to me this weekend, "things feel kind of gray here". I feel that too... in my spirit and in my physical feelings right now. Thank you, Lord, that you are present even when times are gray and it seems like the sun is absent. Please help us focus our eyes on the SON and remember that you are doing a work, even when our present seems to disguise that work... Help me to trust you more!

holy experience

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Courage

"Courage is not limited to the battlefield or the Indianapolis 500 or bravely catching a thief in your house. The real tests of courage are much quieter. They are the inner tests, like remaining faithful when nobody's looking, like enduring pain when the room is empty, like standing alone when you're misunderstood."

— Charles Swindoll

I stumbled upon this Chuck Swindoll quote and found it inspiring and thought provoking... In what ways have you shown courage lately?

Monday, January 18, 2010

Multitude Monday!

81. New windows are installed in our house!

82. Enjoying my new bible study (the second time around... has it really already been 10 years?!) (Breaking Free by Beth Moore)

83. Meeting a gal at bible study who has never done a study before! So excited to get to know her and encourage her in her pursuit of Jesus.

84. Sweet rosy baby cheeks :)

85. "City-boy" husband delighting in living in the country... :) "Look! There's an owl!" "Wow, we can see the stars from our window out here!" etc... lots of fun to see the place I grew up near through his eyes of delight.

86. Fog rolling across the fields

87. Pumpkins to make curry pumpkin soup sometime this week...

88. Picking up sticks in our yard

89. Setting up a compost place

90. Reading about creativity!

91. Using my handmade dishrag for the first time. Handmade by me!

92. The joys of winter.. a chance to renew, make plans for the garden, cuddle up with those I hold dear!

93. Resting in the peace that He is my JOY!


holy experience

Saturday, January 16, 2010

New verse to memorize for end of Jan, beginning of February 2010

Isaiah 61:1-4 (NIV)

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,

3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Celebrating a return to Multitude Monday!

68. HOPE! (and hope does not disappoint us!!)

69. Thankful for "returning" to write down the things I am thankful for!

70. A house to work into making a home... the smallness will just help us be all the more cozy. Oh Lord, I pray you would fill this space with yourself... fill this home with hospitality, kindness, patience, love... fill us up with yourself!

71. My husband enjoying his new job! Also, for the job itself... praise be to the Father!

72. For the future friends the Lord will provide for me here in this new place.

73. For encouragement from friends new and old to trust in Him with all my heart.

74. The beauty of the snow as it sparkles.

75. Washing machine and dryers that work and make the Monday tasks easier...

76. Smiles from my not so little baby... :) So glad she has been entrusted to us!

77. Getting the car back up the hill!

78. Friends celebrating TWENTY years of marriage this month! Praise to the Father!

79. Mama giving me hope through some of her own. Even through her grief, she is reaching out to trust in Him... praise you Jesus!

80. The tea kettle boiling water... and the cup of tea that awaits me soon! :)

holy experience

Sunday, January 3, 2010

First verse to work on memorizing this year- 2010!

By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this,
but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward- to Jesus.

I'm off and running, and I am not turning back.

Phillipians 3:13 in the Message version