In which I'm thankful -

I'm battling my yearly bout of Bronchitis. I'm being forced to slow down. I slept most of the day, yesterday and took a two hour nap today.

A friend remarked recently during a discussion on joy that joy truly is a gift from God. A Christian will often find joy welling up at the most inexplicable times, making itself manifest in the most awful circumstances.

I find this is also true with Thanksgiving, they are closely related, after all.

I wrote this post lying in bed, having stopped fighting the need to just stop and rest and was overwhelmed by God's goodness to me.

The Sun is streaming through the window in the late afternoon. It's shining down on melting snow. God has kept those of us who had to venture forth on dangerous roads safe.

I'm thankful for antibiotics - I only have 6 pills to take! Amazing!

I'm thankful for cough syrup with Codeine, lovely stuff!

I'm thankful for lots of books to read and my Bible reading plan.

I'm thankful for friends taking kids to hang-out with so I and my sick hubby can rest.

I'm thankful for ready made pasta, frozen meatballs and canned spaghetti sauce! I'm thankful for a competent daughter who can make dinner and I don't have to worry about a thing.

I'm thankful for homeschooling - that it is such an organic way to learn. We can always be discovering and discussing no matter what's going on.

I'm thankful for a church family who really tries to love and care for one another.

I'm thankful for my amazing sister who just keeps going and going. I know her Frankie would be proud of her and the little girls she is raising.

I'm thankful for my Mother who just won't stay put - she's being a snowbird again this year. She sent me a note in the snail mail with a limerick that she wrote about the books she's reading - "A Tale of Two Cities".

My brother is rejuvenating his house with his flock of little boys learning right alonside him - I wish they were closer so that Isaac could join them.

My husband gets up and goes to work at crazy hours! He always has! He continues to lay down his life for us and I'm humbled and oh so grateful.

It seems as though everytime I think of something to be thankful for, several more new things come to mind.

The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:3

A well-written answer...

to a good question.

Jasmine Baucham answers the question that I've heard asked in many different ways. The questioner asked her what she will do as a daughter who chooses to stay and serve at home if she is not married by the magical age of 30. Jasmine answers the question with grace and eloquence.

I'm linking as an encouragement to the young ladies who I know are trying to work these things out in their own lives. I'm also hoping to help those who honestly don't understand this way of doing things to understand better.

First Question of the New Year

My Christmas Book Stack

YUM!

Remembering one of my Dad's favorite authors

"Is there no refuge from strife? Is there no place of refreshing where a man can prepare for the battle of life? Is there no place where two or three can gather in Jesus’ name, to forget for the moment all those things that divide nation from nation and race from race, to forget human pride, to forget the passions of war, to forget the puzzling problems of industrial strife, and to unite in overflowing gratitude at the foot of the Cross? If there be such a place, then that is the house of God and that the gate of heaven. And from under the threshold of that house will go forth a river that will revive the weary world." (Christianity and Liberalism [1923], 180-81)
Greshem Machen

Hat Tip to National Center for Family Integrated Churches blog.

A thought for the New Year

	“Three Rules of Work: Out of clutter find simplicity; From discord find harmony; In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” Albert Einstein Hat Tip to Teaching Good Things

Coming out of hibernation to share...

We went to the conference that the National Center for Family Integrated Churches annual conference a few years back and it was such a blessing!
I would have loved to go this year, but alas, was unable.

I do intend to hear the CDs that contain the talks by many of my favorite speakers, though.

Why don't you go on over and get a set as well?

Go to Life in a Shoe for a giveaway chance...I did!

Looking for things to keep the kiddos occupied this Thanksgiving?

There are lots of downloads here, of little projects such as thankfulness lists and lapbooks.



And something we are definitely doing!

I was convicted and inspired by this post. Do you do this? Do you read The Word with your family this often? I think that the father of this family has given his children a priceless gift, they know what is supposed to be important. Think about this statement: "Parents taste conviction, confess, repent." Wow. I know I've said it before, but find a way to read A Holy Experience, often. I just realized that I haven't gotten out our "Thankfulness Banner" this month! Things have been pretty crazy-busy here and I'm just beginning to realize that the Holidays are upon us. Sigh! So as usual, I pick myself up, dust myself off and resolve to do what is important and try to ignore the unimportant. Dear Lord give me strength and wisdom! Amen

Some links for Tuesday...

Sew Mama Sew is doing a month of Christmas projects. Definitely get over there and get some ideas, and while you are at it, comment and enter to win a prize.

Andrew Kern has written a great post on When and How to Teach Grammar. I love it when people write what I think, because I can't write so well. I especially love these quotes from the article:

"We must not think about grammar as an academic study. Life is not for school; school is for life. We should always teach grammar for the simple reason that we always do teach grammar."

"If you are speaking to another person, you are helping form the pattern of that person’s thinking. You are contributing to his vocabulary (maybe that’s more obvious), and you are also contributing to the structure of his thought.

If you constantly speak to your two or three year old child in one and two word sentences, that is how your child will tend to think. And that’s more or less OK with a one year old, less so with a two year old, and horrible with a three year old."

If you don't subscribe to Quiddity on your "reader" do so, you won't be sorry!

Happy Reformation Day!

Here are some Reformation Day Links for you:
Questions and Answers about Reformation Day
Chart of Reformers
In Honor of John Calvin's Birthday, the Calvin Five Hundred Blog
The Reformation Polka at Valerie's Blog

Head on over to Reformation Theology to read this article:What Would Be The Point of Evangelism if Divine Election Is True? I made chicken-broccoli alfredo last night. Would you believe it is the first time I've made a traditional alfredo sauce? The dish was very good, served with a salad and garlic bread. Tonight we have an appointment until 5:30 and Conrad has proposed burgers from the local burger joint. I'll take that offer! Tomorrow, I have a roast thawed for pot roast...not sure how I'm going to flavor it yet, Korean, Mexican or traditional Anglo-Saxon with vegetables. Well, we're having a busy day today...so I'm off! Gabriel and his Uncles

	Until November 1, get a free Download of Luther's "Here I Stand" speech at the Diet of Worms read by Max McLean.

Meal Planning...or the lack of planning!

Sometimes I just get into a funk when it comes to meal planning. I usually fall back on a rotating menu from the past (I have one or two in a binder). That's where I find myself today. I usually have my menu planned by Sunday evening so that I can get my grocery list together for shopping on Monday or Tuesday. I just sat and stared at that notepad yesterday! I couldn't muscle up any brain power for menu planning!

This morning, I visited "Menu Monday" at "I'm an Organizing Junkie". There are close to 200 different menus on there! I finally have some ideas and even copied some recipes.

So, what are we having? I don't know yet...I'm going to go out to the freezer and pantry and nose around. I'll let you know what I decide.

Have a good day!

A Must Read Link

I'm so glad that Carmon at Buried Treasure is blogging again! She has been sharing with us the talks that she gave to an OPC women's conference. There are several good biographical articles on Christian women. Go...Read, and be challenged! We are having a busy week following the church campout and the birth of Gabriel. I'm having some difficulty getting back into a routine, but that's okay. Today we have a Dr.s appointment and it takes something as trivial as that to throw off my whole day! So, today I'm full of thankfulness for the continued life of a dear friend who had a heart attack the night before last. He's in ICU but is improving and we are so thankful! And of course, there's little Gabriel - an angel indeed! We are eating crock pot chicken for dinner...I think! We are learning the hymn "Come You Thankful People Come!" And in preparation for the Lord's Day, I'm thinking about what I will fix to bring to the congregational lunch.

Introducing...

Gabriel Rowan ...isn't he a cutie?

Some fun links...

If you haven't checked out One Pretty Thing...you really should. These links are from there.

Make a nature crown. Here is a recipe for mulled cider scented play-dough.

We are getting ready for our annual church campout. And of course...we are anxiously awaiting Tad's arrival!

With that thought, another link from Adventures in Diapering and Beyond. Tips for keeping a Mother's Journal.

Daybook Entry

FOR TODAY...October 5th

Outside my window... partly cloudy cool day with jets going over.

I am thinking... about my daughter-in-law and her baby due any time now.

I am thankful for... worship, feasting, fellowship and rest.

I am wearing... long black skirt, ¾ sleeve black t-shirt and favorite slip-ons.

I am remembering... sitting on the couch snuggled up with Luke reading picture books (loudly & vigorously) yesterday.

I am going... to catch up on laundry and schoolwork before the campout.

I am reading...The Black Arrow by R.L. Stevenson aloud to the children.

I am hoping... that it doesn’t rain on our annual campout.

On my mind... Gaelan & Emily and little “Tad” and many other prayer requests, Denise, Chris, Gregory.

From the learning rooms... nothing this week except a little catch up…next week, The Borgias!

Noticing that... as usual, there’s more things needing to be done than I have a mind to do this week.

Pondering these words... “And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone” I Thessalonians 5:14…my job description.

From the kitchen... sounds of dishes being done and a tape being listened to “It’s Cool in the Furnace, Man!” Later, fried rice for dinner.

Around the house... Straightening up and getting ready for the annual church campout.
One of my favorite things~ decorating for fall.

From my picture journal...















Emily & Gaelan in Montpelier "chillin' with the Madisons"

Faith

I'm still thinking about this post.
And remember a conversation I had one day with our old pastor (he's gone to be with the Lord and has finally gotten to rest in his favorite verse). We were talking about making decisions and determining the Lord's will. It was a small comment but he said something like, "you know that when you make the decision and move on, that is faithfulness too, that you have to have faith that your doing what you think is right is what He's ordained for you. That you aren't to be immobilized trying to figure out God's will, His will is for you to believe and to act."

I often stumble through my days, just trying to keep my head above water. I have a child who takes all of my energy some days, most days. And yet my other responsibilities don't stop because I have it hard in one area. I think that when it has been so hard, God has taught me so much more about who He is, that His Grace is sufficient. Sounds almost cliche doesn't it? I should know these things! I find that I use an awful lot of my own strength keeping things together, keeping the house calm, trying to keep everyone doing what they ought to be doing and keeping them from doing what they ought not to be doing. And then my child (or is it God?) demonstrates that there is nothing I really can do. So then I do what I should have done all along. Pray and repeat His Word to me and to mine. And then just serve.

I really think that I should have this down, this stopping and praying and seeking out His Word and then just moving out in faith. I have to relearn it almost every day! And it really is true, there is much joy in serving and being surrendered! My master is kind and loves me and mine, He also watches over me in such a way⁶
that not a hair can fall from my head
without the will of my Father in heaven:⁷
in fact, all things must work together for my salvation.

Heidleberg Catechism Q1.

Check it out!

Look at the beautiful fabric in this jelly roll and layer cake that Lila Tueller is giving away! Go on over to her blog and enter to win them. I'm thinking a lovely lap quilt. Hmmm.

New Links

I just wanted to post and say, "Congratulations to the Baucham family on their new blessing!" Check out Jasmine's blog to read some great posts on being an adult daughter at home. I bet her blog roll has lots of wonderful food for thought.

Shayna and I have enjoyed the posts on hope chests at Feelin' Feminine. And we enjoy the many project tutorials at Moda Bake Shop.