Song Night Saturday

This song concluded our service tonight and it just really hit home- maybe it will also speak to some of you.

I have been the wayward child
I have acted out
I have questioned Sovereignty
And had my share of doubt
And though sometimes my prayers feel like
They're bouncing off the sky
The hand I hold won't let me go
And is the reason why...

Chorus:
I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved

Bitterness has plagued my heart
Many times before
My life has been like broken glass
And I have kept the score
Of all my shattered dreams and though it seemed
That I was far too gone
My brokenness helped me to see
It's grace I'm standing on

Chorus
I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved

And the chaos in my life
Has been a badge I've worn
Though I have been torn
I will not be moved

Chorus
I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved

Thankful Thursday

Here in Southern Texas the weather has been WONDERFUL! I am so thankful this week for the warmer mornings and beautiful afternoons. My Azalea bushes are starting to bloom, I have had two day lilies come up and bloom- not just be grass looking things. (ha ha) Oh it has been amazing, just delightful. I love the start of spring.

I am ever so thankful we moved my sewing area this weekend. It required some planning on my part. We never used our living room, more because I did not feel we needed two tv areas and we only have one couch so...it sat pretty bare with a piano against the far wall and a desk near the windows. Typically I would pull my portable tables out and use them for basting quilts, or folding clean clothes just washed, little things. There are some amazing wood framed windows with the old style slats of glass that crank out in this room. With the weather so wonderful I can open them up some and pull the blinds and enjoy the beautiful day. I can keep my ironing board set up near the circular table my sewing machine is now on, I have another portable table set up along either side of the wall from that corner one for cutting mats, the other for my other two sewing machines ( one I use pretty much for bobbins, the other I have yet to use is a MedArm for quilting). So I have this nicely nestled area, among these windows of GLORY. This room overlooks the entire house, so now I can stay in touch with the family more and it just works so much better! Eventually this next month we are tackling our bedroom where you can barely walk.

I am thankful that we did tackle so much this past weekend. We got the outside shed and carport area done and organized- a work out bench outside instead of in my den so now it is less cluttered and the desks with computers are all in one area tucked away. There is now a TV area separated in its own area in the same room. Looks tidy and clean. We worked on the garden some all week. I cleaned the entire house- minus our bedroom- this weekend on Sunday really because we were to have couple over for a bible study. They had backed out at the last minute but wow the house has been very clean all week! So no complaints here.

I am thankful for my husbands job. Friday of last week they let someone go. It was not him. To be very honest this particular guy did very little to prevent being let go. My husband was his boss and he just never did his job. So the big company in Ohio decided the guys productivity was low and it was more worthwhile to get rid of him and have occasional overtime. I was very concerned that we would have 14 hour days 5 days a week. So far so good. My husband has had to readjust his schedule he now has to be to work by 7, instead of 9. Meaning I need to solely get the kids to school- I don't mind. Used to for years so no biggy. I enjoy my morning ride with them to their school anyway. Then yesterday he came home about 2 in the afternoon because he had accumulated 8 hours of overtime so he was sent home so the hours would go down. In turn he came home and worked more in the garden getting leaky pipe laid for Strawberries we have coming and veggies that we planted from seed that are now sprouting. It has been wonderful to have him here earlier for dinner too! It would be nice to have the money of overtime but God is providing our needs and savings is being depleted but it is still there.

I am thankful to teachers and staff at the schools this week. I had an English Teacher for my oldest Jakob put in recommendation that he take Spanish One next year as well as journalism. You have to be recommended for both. She also will nominate him for a group called PALS- Peer Assistance Leadership Service- this will be great for him. He has such a GOOD HEART. He wants to be a writer when he grows up so Journalism sounds wonderful, will teach him a different writing style. He also will be recommended for Geometry, since he will complete Algebra One this year with an A. He will after completing 8th grade next year, go into 9th grade with 3 courses done for his High School credits. Just wonderful!

In another area I am thankful to teachers and staff as we were informed yesterday afternoon that our middle son Zekaryah has been a little loud and out of line at lunch. You know even though many parents may not really worry about the little stuff. We do. We take disobedience very seriously, especially at school, in public or a church, at someones house. We want our children to always try their best to follow the rules. So we took measures at home to enforce some consequences in hopes to correct the behavior, then I also emailed his teachers to notify them that the paraprofessional from the lunch room spoke with us and how we saw a way to help change the behavior by changing who he was with at lunch. I love that the school sees him as a wonderful, kind, respectable young man and that they are willing to help us take steps to encourage him to be a leader. The benefit of living in a small area and having parents so involved I think but regardless a prayer of Thanksgiving is listed. God says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6; NKJV). We try very hard to do that.

There is so much more to be thankful for this week. I think the biggest one for me personally was my continued striving to learn how to make different quilt blocks. I have had some errors with it, but overall the final products have been pretty good. I really liked the block that I made last night. It turned out really nice. I am going to donate some to my friend Des who makes Healing Quilts from the Friendship Stars. I love good causes and that is a great one.

So what are you thankful for this week?

Please visit Grace Alone and join in Thankful Thursday or maybe just read other thankful lists.
You can also see some more at Rose Colored Glasses

Monday Menu Planning

Our Menu this week was inspired by a great price on Hamburger Meat- one we could not pass up and the kids, who wanted something more Kid Like- rather than fancy meals.

So we are doing a Mexican Food Week

Monday

Leftover Night- pick your own- from last weeks Menu.

Tuesday

Tacos, Spanish Rice

Wednesday

Enchiladas, Beans and Rice

Thursday

Taco Salad

Friday

Quesdillas, Chips and Fresh Salsa

Saturday

Tostadas

Sunday

Burritos

Each night option for chips and queso is served- big crockpot of it was made for all week last night.

Also will be making some homemade Salsa to go on Mexican Week Items.

I just love this photo. I have some of these coming up in my yard right now, however I have all white ones. I bought some yellow bulbs, but will have to wait for them to come up until next year I think, even though they are sold now, they love the cool mornings, you can't help but love the verse too.

What are you Learning Friday

This week had many lessons for my family. There seemed to be an overabundance in homework and projects. We had a large amount of time to spend together which was wonderful however it also led to some disagreements too. We had to learn to speak kindly to one another. I personally had hoped to take a quilting class- do something for myself and it did not turn out very well. Long story short I left Tue from a class that never took place feeling very disappointed that once again I could not further my desire at learning something new. However after praying about it I found myself stopping at another location the next day after work and there was the answer, a class that was going to meet my needs better and not cost as much either.

There is an old saying that which has many variations. One being from Alexander Graham Bell "“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”

The point really being that whenever one door closes, God always opens another…whether it be a window, a door, a small crack- you know what I mean. That time when it just seems so impossible. Our family was there not to long ago, as my quilt sells hit bottom, orders were backed out on, overtime at my husbands work was cut and the money I made during my few mornings a week caring for Anne now had to somehow feed us and put gas in my vehicle. It seemed simply impossible. I first decided to tithe off the small amount of money that I made. I then decided to lean onto Proverbs 31, be a woman that was organized and active-where I cooked my own food- bought less that was frozen, we would eat more veggies- less meat since it was more expensive, and really plan-menu, grocery list, and some sacrifice. We also made a plan to try a bigger garden, start some of our veggies from seed, order some online- because it was cheaper then our local nurseries... the list continues, my point is not only did we need to pray we needed to actively make some changes to better our situation.

This week, as well as over the last few months I have heard from so many friends where their lives are completely turned upside down. What they knew of their live has been hit pretty hard and now they are having to search for that open door as the path they are on is closing. It could be the very simple where they have a job and hours are changed so the norm is off to not having a job at all- thus no income and the struggle of even finding something else. This week seems to be full of stories that are so much more heart wrenching.

One friend knew a woman who chose to end her life this past week, no one really understood why, it seemed to be a decision made all of a sudden. I am not going to make judgement on this action for that is not our place, I simply want to learn from her actions, and wanted to share this because I cannot imagine coming to that point where you have NO HOPE, where you are so ALONE. So I would also ask for prayer for the family as this is always such a sad ending...

Another friend is going through some personal health issues within her family, that seem never ending and they feel so much uncertainty. I know many of us face various health issues.

Another friend has wrote this week and they have been asked to move out of their home, had some trouble vehicle wise, she feels it is one trial after another and in some ways it seems hopeless. Many of us have money, income, job issues.

I know there could be a mile long list on trials we all face.

It is so hard to go through trials, it is so hard to not know what tomorrow brings, not know maybe how we are going to pay bills, buy food, make house repairs. Those are the times that God really wants us to rely on him.

Matthew 6:34 ( I love the version from the Message)

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

I thought of my prayer list this week as I continued to add friends, family and acquaintances to it. As I watched the news this week or listened to the conversation that my children or other people I was around had, and it made me think today that maybe it was a day to share some verses on being strong, having hope, having strength, realizing that the Lord has a plan, and while we may not always understand the overwhelming difficulties we face and the timing that he will use these as sandpaper in our life to mold us and make us and help us walk upon the path that he has chosen for us. We will make it to the other side, we will come through the darkness and into the light and even though we all face some really scary spots when the good comes we will be able to enjoy its sweetness. I hope if you have something in your life that is difficult that one of these verses below will speak to your heart.

Psalm 31:24Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.

Psalm 33:20We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.

Jeremiah 29:11For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Romans 12:12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 15:13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

1 Chronicles 16:11Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

Proverbs 31:25She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

Isaiah 12:2Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation."

Isaiah 33:2O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.

Isaiah 40:31but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 41:10So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Philippians 4:13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday

I have so much to be THANKFUL this week. First I want to share a verse it is from

Colossians 3:14-16 (New International Version)
"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."

I am sharing this verse today as one of my most thankful for moments this week is my Daughters Baptism on Valentines Day. She is my youngest-all three have now been baptized and it just feels my heart with gratitude and awe that they have made their own decision to follow Christ's Ways. Such an exciting event.

I am also grateful/thankful that I finished a quilt order this week. It had been weighing on me and it was wonderful to just get in there Tue of this week, tackle it and get it sent on its merry way to its new owner.

I am thankful that my son and I got to spend a couple of hours together on Tue afternoon, I treated him to an after school snack at Sonic. That was a lot of fun.

I am thankful for my husband this week. He helped me with the quilting of the Love to Teach Quilt I finished on Sunday, he has made me hot tea with honey and some wheat toast with peanut butter on it all week as I leave for work - I was able to take it with me. Just so sweet and thoughtful. In fact it started with my Valentines Day gift because he knew I had been fighting a throat and chest cold and he purchased me a very nice stainless steel cup so that I could take hot tea with me to go every morning. Tuesday I awoke to the stove top completely clean, the kids had been taken to school, dishwasher unloaded and his one call to me was to make sure I could completely focus on my quilt order. What an amazing SUPPORTER. Yesterday after work, though I was a little tired, I met him for lunch, it was very nice, and I even took my days wages and gave it to him to pay for the meal! I am thankful the kids are in school so we can have those rare moments!

This week I am so thankful we are a Godly family, trying our best to love one another and spend time together, pray together and most of all EAT together. I have made what my children call Feasts- all week long. I am sure last night was their favorite as we had Belgian Waffles, Sausage, Bacon and Fresh Heavy Whipped Cream with Fruit toppings of Cherries- Hot Cinnamon Apples and Fresh Strawberries for Dinner. It is so nice that even though money is rough with overtime being cut we have made the best of it and have had dinner the last few weeks together. I just love our meal times!

Oh and on a side note- I received some beautiful healing hearts from a quilting friend in the UK this week. It was in rememberance of my grandfather that has just passed away. What an amazing gift. I am so thankful to have her as a friend. Thank you Janice.

So What Are You Thankful for Today?

Please visit Grace Alone and join in Thankful Thursday or maybe just read other thankful lists.

You can also see some more at Rose Colored Glasses

God Sees Everything

Todays verse that I am sharing is from Luke 12:6-7

"Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows."

Isn't it an amazing thought that God Notices EVERYTHING. He notices our wants, needs, desires, health, happiness, sadness- all of it. I think that sometimes we could do a better job noticing things in peoples lives around us.

I know just in my family there are times that I could do better. An example comes from last night. Jakob my oldest had gone running errands with me. We then went and picked up the younger two from Choir, which is an after school thing. Then we got back to the house- they all grab a snack- Jakob trades out the wash for me and then requests to play his new Wii game he just got for his birthday. I figure why not- he was a trooper- his homework is done, chores are done...

My son Zekaryah had a different feeling. He was so distraught. I told Jakob just to turn the sound off and he could keep playing while I helped with homework. I didn't even notice Zekaryah's demeanor- which continued to get worse- because he literally gave himself a headache for being so upset inside.

He was very jealous that Jakob got to play the game while they did their homework. It is a hard call to be honest- part of me feels that Jakob got his things done so why not. Part of me feels that maybe no games/tv until everyone is done. SO needless to say I helped induce a very bad situation last night. I should have taken more notice of the whole picture.

However, I really would like Zekaryah to learn that things don't always come out equal either, and how to better react to situations we do not like. My husband and I talked about this last night and we honestly just are unsure as to what the perfect solution is. We will continue to pray to decide what to do- it feels like a no win situation to be honest.

Onto my picture above - I just love this photo. We started planting strawberries in our garden this weekend. The younger two were helping out and Shiner, our pup was exhausted from all the walking back and forth. A little ways away from where the garden is located he decided to curl up and take a nap in the tall grass. Sometimes I would love to have that same advantage- of course I would prefer a blanket I am sure..

New Award- Blog Love

Well to my surprise I saw an email this morning to let me know that Rita at Following 31 was passing an award to my Growth in God blog. What a wonderful award. I love to write, but like Rita I also love to read several blogs, some have become friends, some just blogs I follow. I have a variety of Blogs that I love- whether it be from a biblical inspiration stand point or maybe just a sneak peak into their daily lives- I follow them and we in a sense walk through life together.
It is always amazing to me that there really are moms out there with dirty houses- kids that are overwhelming- or kids that are just adored. We all have more in common then we often realize. My family would see this award and think it is perfect! I am always on the laptop (or the sewing machine), always writing hand written letters- correcting homework... something- they would see the picture and think of MOM. SO thank you very much...

Here are the rules attached to this particular award:
* When you receive the Blog Love award, you should place the logo on your blog proudly!
* Link to the blogger that awarded you the love.
* Nominate your friends and bloggers you read regularly, as many as you like.
* Finally, let them know you’ve nominated them to receive the award.

I would like to say that if you do not follow Following 31, I would recommend her Blog- it has some wonderful posts.
So now to my picks.
I would say the Blog I follow the most is Des from 3 Am Feedings
Then as interesting of a thought this is I enjoy her moms blog, Nikki, My Seven Kids
Then I have a few that I more follow- I may post a comment now and then but they are either contributing writers or something like that, Their posts are often inspiring.
Hip Chick's Home
Chat's With An Old Lady
All You Have to Give
Following 31

So there you go. Thank you again- what a lovely award.

Menu Planning Monday

This week might be a little busy, between projects for school, cleaning the house and quilting/work- there will not be much time. So I am looking for easy- I think.

Monday-
We have some left over mashed potatoes from last nights dinner- so reheat/make some brown gravy- serve with Pork Chops on the stove top griddle-yellow squash and crescent rolls. Left over cheesecake for dessert
Tuesday-
Cheese and Chicken Enchiladas, Refried Beans, Spanish Rice
Wednesday-
Waffles with Blackberries and Whip Cream, Sausage Links and Bacon
Thursday-
Make your Own French Bread Pizzas
Friday-
BBQ Hamburgers and Hotdogs- Movie Night
Saturday-
Bean and Cheese Burritos, Quesadillas.
Sunday-
Baked Potatoes with Veggies

On our Pizza Night we have a really good time- We just take some French Bread- I put the sauce on everyone's pizza then I lay out toppings in bowls to choose from.
Pepperoni, Ham, Pineapple, Black Olives, Green Olives, Mushrooms, Moz Cheese, Parmesan Cheese, Roma Tomatoes
It is nice to do a meal like this because everyone can make it their own way. Of course my oldest will still just want Spaghetti instead of Pizza, but I don't mind.

A Bible verse to leave you with-
"What do you want me to do for you" Luke 18:41
Sometimes we need to ask others what they need not assume it, even Jesus asked here in Luke.
So what makes us think that we should know everything our friends, spouses or children may need. Sometimes what we do for them may not be what they need for that moment- imagine if we took the time to ask. We may meet a need that they have asked God for- you just never know. Something to think about this week.

Saturday Lyrics

Today I just want to share some lyrics to a song that really makes me think about life, love and what should be our priorities.

One Life to Love

Artist: 33 Miles

Album: One Life

He never thought he cared so much about the minute hand

Until he started praying for a second chance

If he could only do it all again he'd trade the long nights that he spent

Behind his desk

For all he missed

He tells his wife, I wish th at this moment in this room

Was not me dying, but just spending a little time with you

You only get just one time around

You only get one shot at this

One chance to find out

The one thing that you don't want to miss

One day when it's all said and done

I hope you see that it was enough

This one ride, one try, one life to love

She never thought she cared so much about those little hands

That held on tight the day she left

Till she was scared to death

Sitting all alone on a hotel bed, the end of the road

The sun has set on her big plans

To feel young again

She picks up the phone, dials the number, hears that little voice

That's haunted every single mile since she made that choice.

You only get just one time around
You only get one shot at this
One chance to find out
The one thing that you don't want to miss
One day when it's all said and done
I hope you see that it was enough
This one ride, one try, one life to love

Thankful Thursday and Love

This week we have been exploring the idea of love. How to love, why to love, what is love... you get the idea. With Valentines Day approaching I feel many of us miss the idea of what God intended love to be. It isn't flowers, jewelery, gifts, chocolate... those things are nice but they are not love. That doesn't mean we don't like them though right?
Seriously though when we think of being thankful what better example of Love then God giving us Christ, his only son, to die for us, to save us, to give us eternal life, to forgive us of all wrong doing, to forgive us of all sin. We are made white as snow, we are given a clean slate. I can't imagine a better example of Love then that can you?
Today I am ever so thankful for that display of Love, that through God's grace we are saved to have eternal life with him. A Life where we will not have to worry about money to pay bills, not have to plan menus and clean a house that seems to always be dirty, not have to worry about pain because our health is failing, not have to care for a loved one that is sick..the list goes on doesn't it. All those trials and tribulations that God allows into our lives so that he can mold us and shape us into that person he desires us to be will not be needed anymore.
I just can't even imagine. What a wonderful time that will be to know no pain, no sorrow, no fear.

I am ever so thankful in my own life, we continue to heal from this cold in our home that never seems to go away. I have completed two of my three quilt orders this week-which on Monday seemed impossible. I have a son that turned 13 today- and wow is he a GEM. My daughter is being baptized this Saturday, what an honor it will be to be there and watch her continue to grow in our Heavenly Father. Most of all I have a husband whom I love so much, who is there to support me, who claims to love me even more than I love him, who took Monday off and worked in our garden to get the water routed to it- in hopes that we will have more success so we might can food this year. I have so much to be thankful for in the midst of all the uncertainty around me, even within our own home. I leave you with one final thought today.
The bible says, "If you only love those who love you, what credit is that to you?"
Luke 6:32