Loving Family

The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. Proverbs 14:1

Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Col. 3: 18

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Ps. 28:7

    Perhaps it was because we had been out as a family making memories and spending sweet fellowship together. I really don't know. I know that I have been praying since the weekend regarding something that I observed.
    We had left early in the morning to ride to the northern part of our state to see the fall colors and ride along a river. We packed a picnic lunch and found a nice quiet spot to eat and chat. Just have fun and enjoy each others company. It had been a wonderful day. 
    On the way back home we stopped and visited with some family. As we sat and talked I listened to the wife nag and complain. (Phil. 2:14)  My heart broke as I watched her husband's heart break and I could see him almost physically pull further into himself as he was so verbally pounded on. I know this to be a man who loves his family. He has cared for and supported his family his whole life. I stayed out of it, but I so wanted to ask her if she realized what she was doing.
    The above verses came into my mind. 
    I wanted to tell her, in love, that she was tearing down her husband. She was showing her children how not to respect their father.  I wanted to tell her to build her man up and show him and the rest of the world that she loves him. (I know that she does). 
    I wanted to tell her husband that he was a wonderful man that had worked hard his whole life to support his family and that he should stand tall and know who he is in Christ.
     The hardest part was sitting by feeling like I had to stay out of it. Why couldn't I be bold and speak up. But, then again to say something in front of everyone would have been doing the same thing to her that she was doing. My love for her kept me from saying something in front of everyone. I know that one day with prayer and patience, the opportunity will present itself for me to say something in gentleness and with love and kindness. 
   Pray ladies, love your husbands and place them before the Lord. Let the Lord work on your heart as well as his.
 Love and Blessings to All ~S~

Stress and Prayers

    This has been a stressful week for me. We had to have some work done on our home. We had vinyl put up on the fascia and soffit around our home. The gutters and downspouts were not installed properly the first time. So, we ended up with some rotting wood from rain that sat or backed up into the eaves.
 Like any home owner I wanted everything to look nice and be done the proper way. So as the workers worked I made at least one-hundred trips out the door to check on the progress each day. They only worked for three and a half days putting up the vinyl.  I know that I drove them crazy and probably made them a little nervous.
    Originally my husband and I had wanted, and it was agreed that certain things would be done. When the original sales person had to step down because of sickness, his supervisor took over and started trying to talk us out of some things. Then we were told that the color we wanted wasn't available, so we picked a new color. Then after thinking about it and looking at some other homes that had brick a similar color to ours we changed our mind. Only to find out that the new color we picked didn't have bead board for our porch.
    When the workers were almost done I asked about the other things that we had originally wanted and they said they weren't on the work order. I told the workers to please ask their boss about it and if needed he could call me.
    Now anyone that knows me knows that I really don't like confrontation. Not that I'm not capable of it, I just don't like it and will work diligently to find a peaceful way of working things out. I was ready to stand my ground on this one though and had started getting myself ready for a battle. A battle that kept me from a peaceful nights sleep and caused me to have a miserable stress headache the last morning of the work.
    I sat and rocked and crocheted and rocked some more. Then I got up and cleaned some. All stress relievers for me. None of it was working. The more I played out in my head the way the conversation might go if I had to talk to their boss, the more stressed I became. Yes, I'm one of those that prepare and try to think of every scenario that might happen. Sometimes to the point of making myself sick or angry about things. O_o   Did I tell you I really don't like confrontation?
     Finally I sat in my rocking chair and picked up my Bible. We have been studying Romans and since that is where my bookmark was I opened it at that point and started reading Romans 2. After reading two chapters I flipped over to Romans 12.  As I read chapter 12, it became apparent to me that I had not prayed about things and turned them over to God. I was carrying everything on my shoulders that morning. So I sat and prayed about it and asked God to go before me and to work things out. About 10 minutes after I prayed I heard the worker outside speaking on the phone with his boss. A few minutes after that I looked out the door to see the work that I had wanted done being completed. My heart just jumped for joy as I praise God! I knew that He had heard my prayer! Confrontation avoided and best yet I never had to say one word.
     The work is not quite finished, there are still gutters that need to be put up. But, the majority of the work is done and the gutters and downspouts should only take one day.
    I will be so glad when everything is completed and things get back to something that resembles normal around here.
    So any way the moral of this story is, Trust God, don't stress and pray, Pray, PRAY!
 Blessings to All ~S~


 

A Wife and Mother

    Recently, I've noticed that my daughters are being made to feel bad because they don't want to go to college. "You'll never make good money for your husband if you don't go to college." , and  "What if you get a divorce? Then what will you do?"
     These comments come from people that profess to be Christians.
    First of all, the two daughters that were being spoken to aren't even married. They both live at home and one is still in high school.
   No, she doesn't want to go to college either. I have homeschooled my children for 23 years. My son was taught a strong work ethic. He works very hard and has only asked once for money. He paid for his own education and I couldn't be prouder of him. My 22 year old daughter went to cosmetology school and guess what? She worked for two years and saved up the money to pay for it herself. She graduated from that school debt free! Yeah, I'm one proud Mama there too! She is married now and working hard to put money up while her husband is in medical school, so that when they have children she can be a stay at home wife and Mommy.
    My daughters were taught to be wives and Moms. What is so wrong with that? Every time this gets shoved at them they come home feeling belittled, like there is something terribly wrong with them. Then their Dad and I have to do damage control and remind them that the greatest calling on their lives is to be Godly wives and mothers.
    Now that I've had my rant. Let me say this, I do not have anything against girls that go to college, or work outside the home. That is certainly their prerogative. I worked outside our home for many years. But during that time my heart hurt for my children and my husband. I wanted so bad to be with them that I cried almost every week for two months.
    My daughter works in a daycare and she sees first hand the results of children who need to be home with their Mama's. It is so important in the formation of their character. Yes, I realize that there are some Moms out there that don't have a choice but to work. Where it is because of a Dad that doesn't work or has left and isn't helping support his children, then SHAME on them. But if Dad is working hard and things are still tight on the budget, (I know that they can be in these trying times), then I understand that sacrifices have to be made. But sometimes I think that sacrifice might just have to be fewer splurges. And yes I know that, that isn't always the case either.
      We really need to focus as a society on what is really important. Let me tell you, the government knows exactly how important children are. Why do you think that they are so insistent on gaining control of them. They know exactly what they are doing!  So Christian Moms/ parents, even if you work outside the home by choice or because you have to,  please consider the amount of time that you train your children in what the scripture teaches. Just taking them to church may not be enough. Model Christianity for them.  Pray with them daily. Read scripture with them.
    I have a sweet friend that has worked since before her children were born and is still working outside her home now that they are grown. Both of her children are sweet precious Christians that are missionaries. So yes, it's possible to have children that love the Lord, while having a working Mom. God is gracious and will help you along, when you seek to do His will. I chose to stay at home and teach my children at home. That is where God placed me, that is the desire of my heart. It also happens to be the desire of my daughter's heart.
   So folks if you meet a young lady whose desire is to be a wife and mother, and not go to college, don't make them feel bad. Encourage them to further the kingdom of God.
   Blessings to All ~S~

Prayer and Trust

 Two passages that I feel need to be shared in these troubling times. I know who it is that I pray to. I know that He is bigger than any anxious thought that I might have. My heart breaks for those that don't know Jesus.

    First of all, then, I urge that petitions prayer, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4


For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; 
And the government will rest on His shoulders; 
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, 
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, 
On the throne of David and over his kingdom, 
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness 
From then on and forevermore. 
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.  Isa. 9:6-7
Blessings to All ~S~

And It Continues...

   Weird dreams woke me up at 4:30 this morning and I couldn't get back to sleep. So I decided that I would go ahead and get my morning coffee and read my Bible. That done, I got started with the laundry before the girls that I babysit for arrived.
   They arrived just before 8 this morning and I was told that they had runny noses. Poor babies. Shortly after that my husband called and told me that he thought that he might have another kidney stone. He really wasn't feeling well. He wanted to know if I would call the pharmacist and see if his former pain medication that he had for kidney stones was still good. Yes it was, since it wasn't that old.
   Well, just before 10 this morning, hubby walked in looking pale and feeling miserable. He went straight to the shower and then to bed.. But before he could even get into the shower my daughter Jessica came in. Sent home from work with a stomach virus. Couldn't keep anything down and there was really nothing in her stomach to throw up.
   So, I've washed my hands a thousand times this morning and cleaned every surface in my home at least two, maybe three times.
    I'm sure glad that Jesus was the first one that I talked with today.

Blessings to All ~S~

A Week in Our Life

   This has been quite a week. Well, for us it has been.
   1st: Aimee learned that her top braces will definitely will be coming off the end of October. This means that they will not be there when she gets her Senior pictures taken. She is very excited about this.
   2nd: Ronald had to have a tooth extracted by an oral surgeon. This was his second one and the first one he had issues with. Fortunately this one went much smoother and he is doing so well. Eating and everything. We are praising God for answered prayers for Ronald and Aimee.
   3rd: Nick and Kelly have finally found a house that they both like and they may be able to get. We are still praying for this.
   4th: I discovered a way to get hard water and soap scum off of glass shower doors. I actually knew about this before and had used it once a few years ago, and then forgot about it because after I cleaned my shower door I simply kept it up with a squeegee that I bought from Bed Bath and Beyond. Simply squeegee down the door and or walls after each shower. At any rate, You can find the recipe for the Dawn and vinegar here.
    5th: And last: I have managed to keep our home mostly clean for an entire week! Now that might not be a big deal to some, but for me that is an accomplishment! Because along with that I got an entire week of school work with Aimee finished and spent time watching a movie with my girls.
    Oh yea, one more thing. The movie was a movie that a sweet friend was in. The movie is called: The Sound of The Spirit.

Have a great week!
Blessings to All ~S~

A Frugal Wreath

  I am a frugal person. I've always been thrifty with certain things. I think that's why I like crafts so much. For me making things means putting my heart into it. Plus I don't always have a lot of money to spend on decorations for our home. So when we bought our home a few years ago I bought a grapevine wreath for our front door. I've pretty much used this same wreath for every season. I just go to Hobby Lobby or the craft section of WalMart and buy different picks for the season. Some seasons I will use the ones that I have already bought. But, this year for Fall I decided I really liked the burlap look. I am so excited at how it turned out!
 

I was really excited when I learned that the picks that I chose were all on sale! So for less than $20 I have a new wreath for our front door. The best part is that anyone can do this. Just a few pieces. Have fun and get creative! Make it your style!

   Blessings to All ~S~

Visiting Family

   This past week, I got to travel to visit with my Mom, my brother and several of my cousins in West Virginia. My daughters and I had so much fun. We have missed family so much. My Mom, brother and cousins always make things so interesting. Lunch with cousin Patty was a blast. We shared with my daughters lots of stories about when we were younger and about fun times with our Grandma & Grandpa.
   We also spent a day in Ky. and visited with dear friends who are practically family. We have known them since the early 70's. It was so good reminiscing with them. I had forgotten half of the things that we did together. But one memory lead to another and we had so many laughs while making new memories. I love my family and friends.
   Our last stop was in Tn. to visit with my high school German teacher. Oh how I love this sweet friend who is also a sister in Christ. We had not seen each other since 1976. But, we picked right up where we had left off. As if no time had passed in between. There was a little catching up to do, but we have stayed in touch via letters, Christmas cards and phone calls. I shared with her, a few things that she didn't know. She was such an inspiration to me when I was in high school. I really didn't like school very much before she became my teacher and had asked my Mom just before school started if I could drop out when I turned sixteen. My Mom had told me that she would think about it but to please give my Jr. year a chance, that things might be different that year. I don't think either one of us knew how different things would be. Ms. Dee was such a fun teacher and such a kindred spirit that in her classroom I learned to have a love for learning. I wish every student in the world a teacher so wonderful.
    We are home again now and getting back into our routine. I miss everyone again already, but I will carry the wonderful memories with me until our next visit.
   Love and Blessings to All ~S~

Whole Grains and Bread Beckers

   I had a great time last night with three of my girls. Jessica, Jessica and Aimee.
   Last night we attended a seminar/workshop for Bread Beckers.  What is Bread Beckers?  Oh My! It's only the most wonderful place to order whole grains and mills and all sorts of things that are very healthy for your family. And since they are just over in Woodstock, Ga. they are practically local! Well, local to us.
   Mrs.Sue Becker spoke to us about the wonderful attributes of whole, freshly milled grains. It's hard not to catch her enthusiasm! She is very knowledgeable and sweet and lively when she speaks.
   She also brought to our attention several verses of scripture that speak directly to our health and regarding bread and milling of wheat. One of the verses was:  “Do not take a pair of millstones or an upper millstone as security for a debt, because that is like taking a life as security. Deut.24:6    She shared this verse last night and pointed out that to take a man's way of milling grains was to take his life. Pretty serious stuff, I'd have to say. Also some history of processed white bleached flour. And also the way our bodies work with real foods. Goodness, it's no wonder that we are such a sickly nation.  If you ever have a chance to hear her speak, please do! You will not regret it.
    Now before anyone starts thinking that I've just jumped on the latest bandwagon that is passing by. You are wrong this time. I've always tried to eat healthy, and I try to get my family to eat healthy. Not that they always want to. We've spent too much of our lives eating whatever was pushed at us as healthy by the processing plants and the grocery stores. Yes, I know that these things taste yummy, but so does real living food.
   Anyway, I could get up on my soapbox and go on for awhile about this, but I really just want to share how wonderful this company really is.
   My head was absolutely brimming over with information last night. And since some lovely ladies baked some goodies with the whole grains for us to try, my tummy was more than content last night.
  We bought a loaf or two of Crunchy Seed Bread, delicious! And, a cookbook so that we could make the bread at home.
   One of the things that I ate was blueberry muffins. On their website they have a recipe for Chocolate Chip Muffins, which is their basic muffin recipe only with chocolate chips or in this case blueberries. They were so good I had to not walk back up to the table because I was afraid that I'd get too many. I love sweet things and when it's sweet things that are made with natural good for you stuff instead of the processed sugars...
 Well, I just had to walk away so that others would have some too. :)
    Anyway if you read my blog and you live near Woodstock, Ga. or you follow the links above to their website, do yourself a favor. Check them out! I know if you do, you will love it too!
Blessings to All ~S~

Sunday Love

Hugs for All!

 What is it about HUGS that make one feel secure and loved?
  In the last week so many people have needed hugs. I love hugs. Hugs let people know that we love them, that we care. We need to sometimes be the arms of God and let people know that He loves them too. It's been a rough day, I need a {{HUG}} ! We greet those that we haven't seen in some time with a big HUG!
  Open your arms and wrap them around the person that needs comforting. Why does it work?
  Children run up and Hug Mama and Daddy. A hurt child clings to a Mama, arms wrapped around them keeping them safe. Hugs give us the warm fuzzies that make us feel all good inside.
   The truth is that God designed us to need touch. We need that interaction with each other and sometimes a hug can be the touch that is needed without being too in your space. Some people don't need hugs as much as others. But I've noticed that most of the friends that I have all need hugs! I'm so glad.
  Blessings to All ~S~

Vexillology

   This morning I read a post from another blog called Common Cents, about an 8th grade test from Kentucky schools in 1912. I realized how much I didn't know, in looking over this test. So I set out to find answers. In the process of finding the answers I ran a bit of a rabbit trail. Home school Moms tend to do this sometimes.
   Any way, I was reading about the Commonwealth States. There are four of them Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Massachusetts. Which led to looking at their flags. Which brings me to the title of this post. Vexillology  -( Vexillology is the "scientific study of the history, symbolism and usage of flags or, by extension, any interest in flags in general" (Smith 31) The word is a synthesis of the Latin word vexillum ("flag") and the Greek suffix -logia ("study"). It is formally defined by the International Federation of Vexillological Associations (known by its French acronym FIAV) constitution as "the creation and development of a body of knowledge about flags of all types, their forms and functions, and of scientific theories and principles based on that knowledge." ) 
  Amazing the things that you find out when you look at a states flag!  Some things I knew from earlier studies of flags and states. Like, each color means something. But then I started digging a little deeper, what did the symbols mean. Why St. Andrews cross on the Alabama flag? Why the motto: Sic semper tyrannis on the flag of Virginia? Fascinating! 
   If you are studying state history or American History this year I encourage you to throw in a little of the study of the flag(s). They really tell a lot about our forefathers and what was going on during the time that each state became a member or was ratified as a state.
   As always have fun teaching and learning with your kids! Enthusiasm is contagious. If you love learning so will your kids. 
  Blessings to All ~S~

Fig Jam

This past weekend, I went to my in-laws and picked some figs. I love figs, but I sort of over picked and had so many. So as usual I decided I'd can some of them. Fig preserves and fig jam. I saw this post of facebook a few weeks ago and decided that I might try it. Even though the jam in the recipe was for berries I thought that I'd try a different fruit. FIGS! Wasn't sure how it would turn out, but gave it a try any way. Turns out that it is pretty good with figs. So now I will have to try it with strawberries and blueberries too. The neat thing is that there was no sugar involved and no pectin. As you can see in the picture above, those are the ingredients. That's it! Figs, honey, chia seeds.  

  The recipe for No Pectin Refrigerator Jam can be found on the blog; Deep Roots at Home.  The fig color is not as pretty as the raspberry or strawberry would be, but yummy still. Give it a try. I think that you will really like it. I know that my family does. Well, most of  my family, hubby doesn't like figs. But I'm sure that if I used a fruit that he liked, he would eat it. I'm thinking peach /mango, or strawberry.

  Blessings to All ~S~

Sunday

Happy Sunday!

~S~

Crafters Desires

  I've been thinking about buying a new small rug for my kitchen, just to put in front of my sink. I love the look of the country wool rugs that have a pretty country design on them. I've check them out in stores and on line. The ones that I really like are usually pretty expensive because they are hand made.
   So being someone that really likes crafts, I decided that I'd set about seeing what it would take to make my own. I may end up spending more money to buy the supplies; but right now I haven't ruled that possibility out, yet.
   You Tube is a great site and you can learn a lot from the videos that are there. I found this video on how to hook rugs.

Of course there are many more videos and much more to learn. I love to learn and may end up taking a class on it. If I can find one locally. I think I need to find a job working for a craft place. I just like to try too many things. Even though I will go back to my first craft loves of crocheting, quilting and cross stitch.

 I have to insert a little Rant here. ( I think that I would love to open a craft store, but I'm never sure how that would go. I've seen so many open, and then close just as  quickly because larger stores can sell the same products for so much less. And let's face it, when you are a craft person your funds are usually limited. If I manage to sell anything that I ever make the money goes right back into buying more supplies so that I can feed the monster that is the craft desire. Most of the time I end up making something to give as a gift rather than to sell. 

  There is a lot of time and love put into hand made items and to even get a fraction of what it is worth you would have to mark it up beyond what anyone really can afford. Craft Fairs are great places to go when you are a crafter. And I am guilty of going so that I can get ideas for new things or sometimes just to see whats out there and what sells. As someone who has tried to sell things at craft fairs it's very hurtful for someone to look at something that I've made only to toss it aside and say, "Well, I can make that". My advise is, then go make it. Remember, be kind to other crafters. They took a lot of time away from other things that they could have been doing to make the items and it is a labor of love. They aren't getting paid anywhere near what the item is actually worth.)  Rant over.

  Now back to YouTube. You can find instructions for almost everything on there! Crocheting, Quilting, Zentangle, even Algebra tutoring! So the next time you are interested in learning a new craft, or just something new about the craft that you have already learned, do a search on YouTube and see what you can learn.

  Blessings to All ~S~

   

Writing

  I still get pretty excited when I order books and they come in the mail. I love books! Always have, guess I always will. When I was a teenager, I designed a room for myself with floor to ceiling bookshelves on three of the four walls. I don't have that room / library, but I do have a ton of books.
   Over the years I have learned to be a bit more particular about the books that I put on my shelves. And I have even gotten rid of a few of them. Really just a few. My Husband will tell you that I didn't get rid of any since I usually go to 2nd and Charles to replace any that leave. I have craft books, and many classics and special children's books that I read to my kids when they were young. Now I read them to children that come to visit. Also are favorite curriculum books that I have used over the years that my children loved so much that I was told I'd better not get rid of them because they wanted to use them when they had children.
    With that said, I ordered Writers INC earlier this week to go with our curriculum "Where the Brook and River Meet". I was so excited today when it came in three days earlier than Amazon tracking said that it would!
   So, Aimee and I opened it up and did a quick browse through it. I think that we are going to LOVE this book! Since it is our last year to home school there will be a lot of writing going on.
  Now we can start school next week like I wanted to, just because all of our curriculum is here!
 Blessings to All ~S~

A Keepsake Blanket for a special Baby in Alaska

 I've been so busy making booties and working on this blog that I forgot to post a picture of a baby blanket that I made for a sweet couple stationed in Alaska, who had their first baby a couple of months ago. So I thought I'd go ahead and share it now. It is from a pattern book called Keepsake Baby Afghans.

Keepsake Baby Afghan for Courtney

It was easy to make and I found the pattern book at Hobby Lobby. Almost my favorite place in the world to shop.

 I hope that it will truly be a keepsake for the proud parents.

 Blessings to All ~S~

Italian Bowtie Pasta

Italian Bow Tie Pasta

1 lb. Jimmy Dean Italian Sausage or any that you prefer
olive oil
1 large or 2 small green peppers cut in chunks
1 large onion cut in chunks
1-2 cloves garlic finely chopped
1 can Rotel Tomatoes * (mild)
Italian seasoning to taste
salt and pepper to taste
1 lb. Bow Tie Pasta

In large skillet brown sausage, drain and set aside.

 Wipe out skillet, pour 2 - 3 tablespoons olive oil in skillet saute garlic, peppers and onions until tender but not mushy. Don't you just love colorful dishes!

 Sprinkle in salt, pepper and Italian seasoning. Pour can of tomatoes and put sausage back into skillet. *I use mild tomatoes but if you like really spicy you can use the hotter ones.

  Cook the pasta separately until al-dente,  drain and pour into skillet with other ingredients.

YUM!

 Serve with a salad. Serves 6 generously
 *This dish can also be made vegetarian. Leave out the sausage and use a veggie pasta, and tofu. If you don't like tofu you can replace the meat with lentils and black beans cooked until tender and then seasoned with Italian seasoning.

Free Curriculum Links

K - 12  I've used the Government and Economics
 They worked very well with my girls.
http://www.puritans.net/curriculum/

Free Lapbook Templates
Great for younger kids.
http://www.homeschoolshare.com/lapbooking_resources.php

Our Curriculum

     So our curriculum for this year is: Where the Brook and River Meet by: Margie Gray

We used this curriculum several years ago, but my youngest then was about 6th or 7th grade. So I didn't make her do as much at the time since it is written for High School level. We are so excited to be doing this study of "Anne of Green Gables" once again. 

     If you have high school aged daughters I encourage you to check this unit study out. If you have younger children check out the other unit studies atCadron Creek using "The Chronicles of Narnia" and  "Little House on the Prairie". I've used them all and love them. 

   Blessings to All ~S~

Changes

  So if you've visited in the last day or so then you know that I've made several changes to my blog. For starters I have changed the name from Quilted YaYa to The Quilted Hillbilly. The reason being that as a West Virginian I am a bit of a Hillbilly. I love the mountains and I would love to one day retire back to those mountains. Maybe not WV, but somewhere in those mountains would make my little heart soar.
   As I learn more about how to manage my blog there will be other changes. I am having fun with all of the new things. Hope that you are enjoying them also.
  Blessings to All ~S~

Tabs

Hey! I'm trying something new! If you notice at the top there is a new tab that says "Recipes"   From time to time I will be posting recipes that my husband and I have created or a new recipe that I am trying. I'll try to remember to take pictures and post with it also. I have one recipe posted now. I'll be making this recipe for my family tonight, so I'll add pictures later this week.
 Blessings to All ~S~

Laundry Day!

  

  It's a fact of life in our family, and in most families around the world. There is laundry to do! It is a never ending job. Even if I do the laundry this morning, tonight before bedtime there will be more laundry. Everyone knows this!
   Today, I have dirty clothes to wash and dry, and fold, and put away. Only for them to be taken out, worn and thrown back into the laundry basket in a few days.  I was getting ready to lament about the chore when I thought about a sweet Missionary that visited our church yesterday. Mrs. Laura, told us about how her family spent many years in India and now in Israel. She also spoke of the needs of the missionaries and the people of those countries. I decided that I should be thankful that my family has clothing to wear, clean and laundered. That I have clean water and soap to wash those clothes with. How blessed we are and how little that we realize as a whole that we are. I am thankful that we don't have bombs flying over our home and having to be shot out of the sky before they land on our home.
   Earlier that day we had sat and had coffee in the air conditioning and comfort of a coffee house, out of the hot humid day here in the South. We spoke about the fact that we do not worry right now of the persecution that so many countries worry about. We were able to freely speak of God and Jesus without fear. We spoke about taking care of our families and teaching our children. Also, currently without fear.
   In some states it is now against the law to mention certain things that are in the Bible. How sad, that so many do not realize that they are only doing exactly what the scripture says will happen. How my heart breaks for those that don't know Jesus.
   If we had to live with the persecution that Christians in other countries live with, would we be so quick to say that we are Christians? Would you be ready to stand and not deny Jesus? I wonder...
    I won't be complaining about the laundry today. Today I choose to have an attitude of thankfulness. Thank You Father for the clothes that we have, and the many blessings that you have poured out on us. I love that you love me anyway.
And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful.  Colossians 3:15

Blessings to All ~S~

Today I Choose

When I have learnt to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now. ~ C.S. Lewis

   Today I choose to serve God, by serving my husband and my family. By putting my husband and children ahead of myself. By doing the little things that he doesn't ask me to do, but that I know he notices.
   Today I choose to serve God, by being a Wife & Mother.

 Wives, submit to your own husbands as to the Lord,  for the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of the body.  Now as the church submits to Christ, so wives are to submit to their husbands in everything.  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her  to make her holy, cleansing[g] her with the washing of water by the word.  He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless.  In the same way, husbands are to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.  For no one ever hates his own flesh but provides and cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, since we are members of His body.

 For this reason a man will leave
his father and mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two will become one flesh

Eph. 5:22-31

Blessings to All ~S~

Sisters

 Oh, that Sisterly LOVE! This week one of my younger sisters came for a visit. She is the one that I have the most in common with, in that we both love country good stuff, we love cooking and canning, and quilting and crocheting. We love the mountains and country land and putting up good foods for our families. Time spent with her is usually never long enough.
  She came for a short visit this time and was here for two days. As they left today I felt like a part of me went with her. I miss my family so much some times. Not that I haven't made awesome friends here over the last twenty seven years, but there is just nothing like a sister that you've grown up with.
  In the last two days I took her to meet our Pastor and his wife, who they met via Skype when my sister would come to church with us from her home in NC. They finally got to meet in person. Such a fun time. Then we shared patterns for quilts and recipes and other crafts. We played on the wii fit and laughed so hard we almost cried. We watched the first hour of "The Truth Project" together. Shared stories of what God is doing in our lives and how He is growing us and how He has shown us grace and mercy.
   How I love my Sister.  Much like missing my Daughter and Son-in-Love, I miss my Sister and it is now too quiet around our home. again... :(

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This picture is from two years ago, but not much has changed. I hope and pray that it is not two years before we see each other again.

  Hope that everyone has an awesome day.

 Blessings to all ~S~

Unplugged

  Today is the first time in four days that I have been on the computer. I was so busy that I didn't have time to even turn it on.
  Actually it's been nice not to get drawn into the drama that is Facebook, and while E-mails are crazy when you don't check them for several days, it was nice knowing that my time was usefully spent.
  The e-mail were pretty easy to weed through. The only ones that I care about are the ones that are from family and friends, the devotionals and from our school. Otherwise everything else just went to the trash bin.
   Facebook though is a whole other world that I can get drawn into and lose hours on if I'm not careful. So while I have allowed myself the luxury of being on it for about an hour this morning, I will have to turn it off soon and close the laptop. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a little plugged in via my cell. Important things I have routed to my text messages. But only my closest friends and my family. That way the drama doesn't get out of hand. It's hard to unplug totally since my family and friends use so much technology to communicate.
   I like that when I'm unplugged from the computer, my home gets organized, sort of, and my laundry is done. Crocheting and sewing and talking with my family take place. Awesome! I've been exercising again and spending time outside. I feel alive!
   The weekend was a blast! Nick and Kelly came in for a visit and on Saturday we had the family down for dinner so that everyone could visit with them too. They had to leave Sunday and I miss them so much when they are gone. I wish that they lived closer to us, instead of over three hours away. After they left on Sunday, Jessica, Aimee and I went dress shopping for next years prom. Looking for a good sale. We didn't find anything that suited her or met our modesty requirements. But that's ok, there is time yet. We will continue the search.
   Yesterday, I canned seven more quarts of green beans, got my laundry caught up and spent time with some precious little girls. Today I have to clean the house and finish the green beans and spend some time crocheting some baby booties for a friend.
   I am so excited that my sister is coming for a visit! I love that we are able to get together for a few days. We have so much in common, we both crochet, and quilt and both love country life.  She's better at it than I am, and even though she is my younger sister, I learn so much from her.
   So now having said all of this, it is time once again to unplug and get busy doing the things that need to be done.
Love and Blessings to All ~S~
 

Too Cute!

   Just had to share these cute little booties that I crocheted this past week. I found the pattern on that wonderful site... Pinterest! This is the second pair that I have made. The first pair I made for my youngest brothers first baby. My cute and precious little nephew, Joseph.
 

These are the ones that I made for my nephew.

Blessings to All  ~S~

I am Thankful

It Also Happened This Week

   You know I have hardly blogged and now here I am blogging three times within a week.
   I'm taking a break from cleaning right now to share the finished crocheted name thing that I made.  It's all in the frame and everything. YaY!

The other thing that I wanted to share is that I have some of the most precious neighbors in the world!  They have all become like family to us and we have been so blessed.  We had great neighbors where we used to live and when we decided to move I was a little worried. But, God is so gracious and He answered our prayers. This week one of our neighbors sent this over to us, and they are so beautiful.

The picture really doesn't do the flowers justice. But I love them and they just seem to fit in our home that is filled with great friends and family.

 Blessings to All

 ~S~

It's been a long day

 It's Friday! But it's been a long day. Friday's are usually my day to run all of my errands. So today I loaded up a ton of stuff that didn't sell in our yard sale and got ready to take it to the thrift store. So with my list in hand and the tail of the Rav4 loaded up I set out.
 First stop the bank. Second stop the bank. Third stop the thrift store. It hadn't opened yet, because I started out my day early. Next on to the dentist for Aimee's braces appointment. (Now my baby's mouth hurts and there isn't much that I can do except feed her tylenol and super soft foods.) Next stop was Hobby Lobby, where I went in to find wood to make a frame for the crocheted name thingy that I made for Kelly and Nick's wedding gift.

I have been looking for a frame that would fit it. No one ever had one. Until today that is. And they were 1/2 off! How happy I was! 

   Next I was off to pay a couple of bills. That done I headed off to my In-Laws to pick up some fresh veggies from their garden. I was on the road when I decided I needed to call and let them know. So glad that I did. It turns out that they didn't have any that were ready to be picked. So I turned around and headed back to the thrift store. Cleaned out the back of my car and then off to Wal-Mart for some soup for my baby girl, whose mouth is hurting by now.

   Home again for some late lunch and then a little rest. 

  Tomorrow we clean the house for in a week Nick and Kelly will be visiting and then a few days after they leave my sister will be here for a visit. Our summer has been so busy that I think I am looking forward to autumn when we can slow down just a bit and maybe catch our breath.

  Blessings to All

  ~S~

  

It's all about Him!

  “As the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you. Remain in My love.  If you keep My commands you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commands and remain in His love.

 “I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you.  No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends.  You are My friends if you do what I command you.  I do not call you slaves anymore, because a slave doesn't know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from My Father. You did not choose Me, but I chose you. I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.This is what I command you: Love one another. John 15:9 - 17

  It's all about Him! Jesus. We've been studying John at our church, and yesterday the words in chapter 15 of John affected each of us differently.  Do I show the world that I have joy and that it is complete? How do we show love? Am I showing the world that I am a friend of Jesus, that I have His love? Or do I complain and whine when things aren't going my way?  Do I remain in His love? 
   It really made us think about how others see us. As for me, I am more determined today to pray that God will show me how to love in a way that glorifies Him and that He would strengthen my desire/ hunger for Him and His word.  
   Several months ago I noticed that I was feeling overwhelmed and complaining about many things in my life. The worst part was that it was effecting my relationship with my husband and my daughters. I wasn't sure what to do about it though. I seemed to have been caught in this vicious circle of stewing on something that was wrong and then complaining to my girls about it. Then I'd feel bad and be depressed over it. I noticed that my girls were getting quieter and that my sweet Hubby was even pulling into a shell. (Thank You God for letting me even notice.) ( Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands. Proverbs 14:1) I knew that it had to stop. The first thing that I did was buy myself a journal. I call it my Cry Out to Jesus Journal. This is a journal for me alone. In it I write the thoughts of my heart. The things that bother me, and the things that worry me.  He's much better able to handle my whining and complaining than my family is. He is certainly better at handling my problems than I am. How blessed to just rest in Him and His strong arms. Like a child I can crawl up into His arms and hold on and cry my heart out, knowing that He will handle it all. He comforts me and stills my mind when I focus on Him.
   I've been writing in the journal for a few months now. Yesterday, I looked back at some of the first things that I wrote in it. Funny thing, well not really, the things that I wrote about don't seem so important any more and my family is feeling much more connected again.  Not all of my prayers have been answered the way that I expected or even wanted, but I trust and believe that Jesus is handling each one.  His way, His timing. 
   In the mean time blessings abound and I find myself being thankful for some of the smallest things.  I read an awesome book over a year ago.  One Thousand Gifts  Thankful for a sweet friend that told me about it. Now I am reading another book that is touching my heart, that was given to me by another precious friend. Kisses From Katie   Oh, my heart. Jesus, here I am, use me... 
   Blessings to All ~S~