It’s been a three-ring circus around here, with sickness and all. Last week Jonathan and I were sick for a few days, and now Sharon seems to have something, though I’m not sure quite what it is. We are hoping it is not Strep Throat, but we’ve had contact with someone recently who had it, soooo…
Anyway, on one of her forays into the blogger world, Sharon happened to somehow unlock my other blog!!! She became the instant hero, and www.heart4home.blogspot.com is now open to my input, after not being touched for about a year or so. I’m considering what to do with both blogs, but I think I will somehow combine them into one. In the meantime, you may want to check it out!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Just Starting Out
It was a busy weekend, and already this week I’ve had my plate full. Johanna’s third grade school books arrived today, so I will be teaching her out of a different book tomorrow.
Most especially in the news, Stephen bought his first car! It is a 94 Mazda something-or-other. I don’t know much about it (obviously), but I do know it has power everything and is blue. I also know he paid cash for it, which will be a big help to him to not have payments since he is just starting out. I am hoping that he can begin saving toward a better car, so that “down the road” (get it? Thassa joke!) he can get a better car, paying cash. It’s a principle taught by Dave Ramsey in his Financial Peace seminars, and I think it’s a good one.
I would like all you readers out there to pray for me, as I embark on several writing projects. I have two of them I am working on right now, with another one in the works, but of course, none are too terribly far off the ground. I will keep posting to the blog as time allows, but I may be sporadic at times, since I am also devoting myself to these writing projects, homeschooling, and military ministry.
Please pray that the Lord would give me much wisdom, clarity of thought, and the ability to adequately describe the thoughts and feelings of my characters in such a way as to point the reader to the importance of doing God’s Will.
Thank you!
Most especially in the news, Stephen bought his first car! It is a 94 Mazda something-or-other. I don’t know much about it (obviously), but I do know it has power everything and is blue. I also know he paid cash for it, which will be a big help to him to not have payments since he is just starting out. I am hoping that he can begin saving toward a better car, so that “down the road” (get it? Thassa joke!) he can get a better car, paying cash. It’s a principle taught by Dave Ramsey in his Financial Peace seminars, and I think it’s a good one.
I would like all you readers out there to pray for me, as I embark on several writing projects. I have two of them I am working on right now, with another one in the works, but of course, none are too terribly far off the ground. I will keep posting to the blog as time allows, but I may be sporadic at times, since I am also devoting myself to these writing projects, homeschooling, and military ministry.
Please pray that the Lord would give me much wisdom, clarity of thought, and the ability to adequately describe the thoughts and feelings of my characters in such a way as to point the reader to the importance of doing God’s Will.
Thank you!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
The Great Excuses Contest!
Well, it’s back to the grindstone for The Princess-turned Queen. My Beloved is back to his normal routine of studying, Bible Study on Post, and work in the evenings, and I am back to being teacher-chef-laundress-manager, etc. To some, it may seem a boring life, but to me, it’s never a dull moment!
Lately I’ve been thinking about a Bible lesson that maybe I will teach sometime, but probably not. In either case, I will share it with you!
We all have excuses for not doing what we know we are supposed to do, and I suppose Christians can be the most creative when it comes to excuses. Why, we could almost have an Excuses Contest, and see who has the best (or worst) excuse!
As a missionary’s wife, I’ve heard things like, “We can’t support you because we already support someone else going to that field,” or, “We can’t support you because you’re not on the field yet.” Here’s my all-time favorite: “We dropped your support because you are ON the field!” How’s that for pulling the rug out from under your feet?
Anyway, excuses can easily become a way of life. “I can’t..” is easier to say than to whole heartedly serve the Lord. “I’m just not….(fill in the blank: strong enough, smart enough, good-looking enough, organized enough, patient enough, etc.)” keeps us from giving of ourselves for God. And sometimes an “I won’t…” can push the Lord away if He wants us to do something for Him. Well, here’s the lesson in a nutshell:
“I CAN’T” didn’t work for Sarah. God can and God DID! She thought she was too old to have childrenv(and she WAS!) but God is able to do mighty things when we are willing to trust Him and step out in faith. And God can do the same for you!
“I’M NOT” didn’t work for Moses. Moses said, “I’m not eloquent, send someone else.” But God is able to make the dumb speak and the blind to see! God used Moses despite his lack (or was it because of his lack?? And God gets the glory!).
But the first prize of the Excuses Contest would have to be Jonah! Fortunately for the millions in Nineveh,
“I WON’T” didn’t work for Jonah. God simply wouldn’t take NO for an answer! Personally, I believe God saw the great need at Nineveh, and loved the people so much, that He made sure the job got done. I don’t think, though, that Jonah really enjoyed his watery ride. For me, I’d rather learn from someone else’s mistakes than go around making my own all over again!
Many of us know exactly what God wants us to do or to be, but we struggle with our own insufficiencies. Rest assured that God always gives the strength and power to do His Will. And if we do the natural, God will do the supernatural.
Let’s step forward, trusting in God’s promises, and rely on Him to help us! Let’s have a No More Excuses Contest!
Lately I’ve been thinking about a Bible lesson that maybe I will teach sometime, but probably not. In either case, I will share it with you!
We all have excuses for not doing what we know we are supposed to do, and I suppose Christians can be the most creative when it comes to excuses. Why, we could almost have an Excuses Contest, and see who has the best (or worst) excuse!
As a missionary’s wife, I’ve heard things like, “We can’t support you because we already support someone else going to that field,” or, “We can’t support you because you’re not on the field yet.” Here’s my all-time favorite: “We dropped your support because you are ON the field!” How’s that for pulling the rug out from under your feet?
Anyway, excuses can easily become a way of life. “I can’t..” is easier to say than to whole heartedly serve the Lord. “I’m just not….(fill in the blank: strong enough, smart enough, good-looking enough, organized enough, patient enough, etc.)” keeps us from giving of ourselves for God. And sometimes an “I won’t…” can push the Lord away if He wants us to do something for Him. Well, here’s the lesson in a nutshell:
“I CAN’T” didn’t work for Sarah. God can and God DID! She thought she was too old to have childrenv(and she WAS!) but God is able to do mighty things when we are willing to trust Him and step out in faith. And God can do the same for you!
“I’M NOT” didn’t work for Moses. Moses said, “I’m not eloquent, send someone else.” But God is able to make the dumb speak and the blind to see! God used Moses despite his lack (or was it because of his lack?? And God gets the glory!).
But the first prize of the Excuses Contest would have to be Jonah! Fortunately for the millions in Nineveh,
“I WON’T” didn’t work for Jonah. God simply wouldn’t take NO for an answer! Personally, I believe God saw the great need at Nineveh, and loved the people so much, that He made sure the job got done. I don’t think, though, that Jonah really enjoyed his watery ride. For me, I’d rather learn from someone else’s mistakes than go around making my own all over again!
Many of us know exactly what God wants us to do or to be, but we struggle with our own insufficiencies. Rest assured that God always gives the strength and power to do His Will. And if we do the natural, God will do the supernatural.
Let’s step forward, trusting in God’s promises, and rely on Him to help us! Let’s have a No More Excuses Contest!
Friday, January 16, 2009
We're Back!
Yes, folks, I am back, but, I must admit, I am terribly spoiled. My Beloved took such good care of me, opening the door for me all the time, keeping me well supplied with good food, and letting me get lots of rest. I’m having a bit of trouble readjusting from being Princess to being Queen!We had a GREAT time! On Friday, went to the beach at Corpus Christi, collecting shells and watching the different kinds of wildlife. Then on Saturday, we toured the USS Lexington. The Floating Museum was very well done, and we enjoyed exploring all by ourselves. Sunday found us at church, of course, but we also added a game of bowling! Amazingly enough, we both got the same score: 106!
We are very thankful for our safety, as well as the safety of the children back home. I hear nothing but rave reviews from all quarters as to how well Sharon took care of the house and the little ones. It’s quite a job for me, let alone for a 14-year old! I was afraid that maybe I would find the kids duck-taped to the wall or something, but they were happy, well, fed, and clean when I got home! Hat’s off to Sharon, for a job well done!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Our 25th Wedding Anniversary
Yes, folks, it’s true. Twenty five years ago today, My Beloved and I “tied the knot,” pledging ourselves to each other before the Lord and a bunch of people. For our Silver Anniversary, we have some big plans! Wanna hear what I’m gonna do?
First, since my hubby still has to work this evening, I’m going to take him to work and drop him off. Then, (don’t tell!) I’m planning on taking the car through a car wash, and then writing “STILL MARRIED, 25 YEARS!” all over it. I’m also going to the salon to have my hair done, and I may do some shopping… all without the kids, of course! That gives me time to get a nice card and a gift, and other goodies.
When he gets off work at 9:30, my, will he be surprised! Then the fun begins!
We are heading south (to an undisclosed location), and will be “away” till early next week, so if you don’t hear from me for awhile…you’ll know I’m “pleasantly occupied.”
I’ll be back…eventually!
We are heading south (to an undisclosed location), and will be “away” till early next week, so if you don’t hear from me for awhile…you’ll know I’m “pleasantly occupied.”
I’ll be back…eventually!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
A Fence or an Ambulance
‘Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely confessed,
Though to walk near its crest was so pleasant;
But over its terrible edge there had slipped
A duke and full many a peasant.
So the people said something would have to be done,
But their projects did not at all tally;
Some said, “Put a fence around the edge of the cliff,”
Some, “An ambulance down in the valley.”
But the cry for the ambulance carried the day,
For it spread through the neighboring city;
A fence may be useful or not, it is true,
But each heart became brimful of pity
For those who slipped over that dangerous cliff;
And the dwellers in highway and alley
Gave pounds or gave pence, not to put up a fence
But an ambulance down in the valley.
“For the cliff is all right, if you’re careful,” they said,
“And, if folks even slip and are dropping,
It isn’t the slipping that hurts them so much
As the shock down below when they’re stopping.”
So day after day, as these mishaps occurred,
Quick forth would those rescuers sally
To pick up the victims who fell off the cliff,
With their ambulance down in the valley.
Then an old sage remarked: “It’s a marvel to me
That people give far more attention
To repairing results than to stopping the cause,
When they’d much better aim at prevention.
Let us stop at its source all this mischief,” cried he,
“Come, neighbors and friends, let us rally;
If the cliff we will fence we might almost dispense
With the ambulance down in the valley.”…
Better guide well the young than reclaim them when old,
For the voice of true wisdom is calling,
“To rescue the fallen is good, but ‘tis best
To prevent other people from falling.”
Better close up the source of temptation and crime
Than deliver from dungeon or galley;
Better put a strong fence round the top of the cliff
Than an ambulance down in the valley.
Joseph Malins
Though to walk near its crest was so pleasant;
But over its terrible edge there had slipped
A duke and full many a peasant.
So the people said something would have to be done,
But their projects did not at all tally;
Some said, “Put a fence around the edge of the cliff,”
Some, “An ambulance down in the valley.”
But the cry for the ambulance carried the day,
For it spread through the neighboring city;
A fence may be useful or not, it is true,
But each heart became brimful of pity
For those who slipped over that dangerous cliff;
And the dwellers in highway and alley
Gave pounds or gave pence, not to put up a fence
But an ambulance down in the valley.
“For the cliff is all right, if you’re careful,” they said,
“And, if folks even slip and are dropping,
It isn’t the slipping that hurts them so much
As the shock down below when they’re stopping.”
So day after day, as these mishaps occurred,
Quick forth would those rescuers sally
To pick up the victims who fell off the cliff,
With their ambulance down in the valley.
Then an old sage remarked: “It’s a marvel to me
That people give far more attention
To repairing results than to stopping the cause,
When they’d much better aim at prevention.
Let us stop at its source all this mischief,” cried he,
“Come, neighbors and friends, let us rally;
If the cliff we will fence we might almost dispense
With the ambulance down in the valley.”…
Better guide well the young than reclaim them when old,
For the voice of true wisdom is calling,
“To rescue the fallen is good, but ‘tis best
To prevent other people from falling.”
Better close up the source of temptation and crime
Than deliver from dungeon or galley;
Better put a strong fence round the top of the cliff
Than an ambulance down in the valley.
Joseph Malins
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
The Cat’s Away, but do the mice play?
“When the Cat’s away, the mice will play,” is a saying that went around my house when Mom and Dad went out. I’m not going to go into all we did, but, thankfully, the Lord moved into my life and made a tremendous difference!
The Lord has seen fit to allow my husband and sons to go overseas to minister in Australia for awhile. For the first time in my married life, I am experiencing something like the military wives experience all the time – separation. Some people like it, but I sure don’t. Some people may say they get more done, but I seem to not know what to do with myself. Some people think, “Ah, freedom! Freedom to run this home just the way I want to!” but I think, “Oh, me! How I wish my hubby were here to help me make all these insane decisions!!” The Cat may be gone, but the mice do not play.
Oh, don’t get me wrong; everything’s fine. We are still having a good time. I am getting the opportunity to visit with my daughter and her husband, and to get a few things done here in the bus. We even went to the park last week for some “partial family time” (that’s family time for part of the family.) But I am finding myself to be a very boring person, and even in the fun times, I dearly miss my husband and the guys.
However, there is light at the end of the tunnel! Next week, they are coming home!! Lord willing, it will be play time again, and I may even get some things done! :)
“When the Cat’s away, the mice will play,” is a saying that went around my house when Mom and Dad went out. I’m not going to go into all we did, but, thankfully, the Lord moved into my life and made a tremendous difference!
The Lord has seen fit to allow my husband and sons to go overseas to minister in Australia for awhile. For the first time in my married life, I am experiencing something like the military wives experience all the time – separation. Some people like it, but I sure don’t. Some people may say they get more done, but I seem to not know what to do with myself. Some people think, “Ah, freedom! Freedom to run this home just the way I want to!” but I think, “Oh, me! How I wish my hubby were here to help me make all these insane decisions!!” The Cat may be gone, but the mice do not play.
Oh, don’t get me wrong; everything’s fine. We are still having a good time. I am getting the opportunity to visit with my daughter and her husband, and to get a few things done here in the bus. We even went to the park last week for some “partial family time” (that’s family time for part of the family.) But I am finding myself to be a very boring person, and even in the fun times, I dearly miss my husband and the guys.
However, there is light at the end of the tunnel! Next week, they are coming home!! Lord willing, it will be play time again, and I may even get some things done! :)
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Sorry I’ve kept everyone in suspense for so long. I finally decided to get a Google account, and then we got really busy with the bus.
It has been tremendously difficult to figure out how to school, etc., in the bus. Because we have no table, I have to figure out another way to put out manipulatives, large textbooks, etc. Anyway, I am still tweaking the morning routine in order to get a whole school day in before 3:30 pm.
In addition, we had our bus painted. A fella in a church in Missouri who owns a paint shop offered to professionally paint the bus for us, if we paid for the paint and did all the preparation. In the process, we killed about a week of time, made a really big mess, and ended up with a very nicely painted cream colored bus. It is so shiny and sleek!
Soon the guys will go to
I’ll try not to make it too long until I write again!
Thursday, February 15, 2007
ANNOUNCEMENT, & WHAT OUR KIDS REALLY NEED
I am looking into putting my blog onto our family's website, www.ew-mm.com, since blogger is trying to move me to a Google account, which I'm not sure I want to do. I may not be able to get back on here to forward you to my new place, so if you don't hear from me for awhile, look on our website to see if the new page is up and ready.
Meanwhile, here are a few thoughts for you:
Vision Forum sent out an e-mail today which has pricked my thoughts on a matter I have already been thinking about.
You see, our children need more than doctrine. They need more than teaching on how to live the Christian life. They need more than teaching on what to do and what not to do. They need a vision for WHY to do the right thing. They need to see the blessing that comes from doing right.
Anna Sofia Botkin is the co-author of the book, So Much More, a book dedicated to imparting to young ladies a vision for noble womanhood. In her speech entitiled “The Thirteenth Year,” she had these things to say about living in this generation:
The women of our generation have forgotten how to be women and how to be mothers. Some of the most important lessons we learned about womanhood this year, we learned together on the Faith and Freedom tour of Plymouth this past Fall. I learned that the current women of America are not just lesser women than their pilgrim mothers, they are the perfect opposites of their pilgrim mothers.
Where they used to be strong, now they are weak. Where they used to be models of sturdy virtue, they now are examples of flimsy immorality. Where they used to understand the importance of children and selflessly sacrifice for them, now they murder them in the womb as a sacrifice to their own selfishness. And the majority of Christians nod their heads in approval. This is your generation, and mine.
As evil as this generation is, many thirteen-year-old girls feel an uncanny attraction to it, and a desire to be approved of by it. I know I did. Our generation is out to get us, with their glossy magazines, TV shows — every medium of communication they have — they have used to ensnare thirteen-year-old girls….
In this stormy generation which will try to shipwreck you, God has given you two wonderful gifts. Two things will help you keep your heart pure and enable you to see evil with the Lord’s eyes:
1. Intimacy with God and His Word and His Law. Immerse yourself in the Scriptures and pray that God will give you purity and wisdom.
2. Intimacy with your parents. A spirit of gratitude and honor for your parents will guard your heart and could preserve your life. I cannot stress this enough.
….The duty of all second-generation Christians is to stand on their parents’ shoulders and succeed them; to go further and conquer new ground — to make new biblical discoveries, to reach greater heights of theological precision, to root out even more worldliness of thinking and living, to have more obedient Christian families, and to extend Christ’s dominion into every nation. And this will leave plenty for our children to do, and even our great-great-grandchildren.
We first generation Christians have forged a path for our young ones to follow – now they must take the baton and carry it even further.
I seek to impart to my children the necessity and blessing of serving God. Personally, I’m not really sure the best way to go about it, but I’ve been asking God for wisdom, guidance, and strength to do what I need to do to see the next generation fervently serving our Lord!
I am looking into putting my blog onto our family's website, www.ew-mm.com, since blogger is trying to move me to a Google account, which I'm not sure I want to do. I may not be able to get back on here to forward you to my new place, so if you don't hear from me for awhile, look on our website to see if the new page is up and ready.
Meanwhile, here are a few thoughts for you:
Vision Forum sent out an e-mail today which has pricked my thoughts on a matter I have already been thinking about.
You see, our children need more than doctrine. They need more than teaching on how to live the Christian life. They need more than teaching on what to do and what not to do. They need a vision for WHY to do the right thing. They need to see the blessing that comes from doing right.
Anna Sofia Botkin is the co-author of the book, So Much More, a book dedicated to imparting to young ladies a vision for noble womanhood. In her speech entitiled “The Thirteenth Year,” she had these things to say about living in this generation:
The women of our generation have forgotten how to be women and how to be mothers. Some of the most important lessons we learned about womanhood this year, we learned together on the Faith and Freedom tour of Plymouth this past Fall. I learned that the current women of America are not just lesser women than their pilgrim mothers, they are the perfect opposites of their pilgrim mothers.
Where they used to be strong, now they are weak. Where they used to be models of sturdy virtue, they now are examples of flimsy immorality. Where they used to understand the importance of children and selflessly sacrifice for them, now they murder them in the womb as a sacrifice to their own selfishness. And the majority of Christians nod their heads in approval. This is your generation, and mine.
As evil as this generation is, many thirteen-year-old girls feel an uncanny attraction to it, and a desire to be approved of by it. I know I did. Our generation is out to get us, with their glossy magazines, TV shows — every medium of communication they have — they have used to ensnare thirteen-year-old girls….
In this stormy generation which will try to shipwreck you, God has given you two wonderful gifts. Two things will help you keep your heart pure and enable you to see evil with the Lord’s eyes:
1. Intimacy with God and His Word and His Law. Immerse yourself in the Scriptures and pray that God will give you purity and wisdom.
2. Intimacy with your parents. A spirit of gratitude and honor for your parents will guard your heart and could preserve your life. I cannot stress this enough.
….The duty of all second-generation Christians is to stand on their parents’ shoulders and succeed them; to go further and conquer new ground — to make new biblical discoveries, to reach greater heights of theological precision, to root out even more worldliness of thinking and living, to have more obedient Christian families, and to extend Christ’s dominion into every nation. And this will leave plenty for our children to do, and even our great-great-grandchildren.
We first generation Christians have forged a path for our young ones to follow – now they must take the baton and carry it even further.
I seek to impart to my children the necessity and blessing of serving God. Personally, I’m not really sure the best way to go about it, but I’ve been asking God for wisdom, guidance, and strength to do what I need to do to see the next generation fervently serving our Lord!
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Standing Proudly By Her Man
Looking for parts for a generator for our bus, we drove today to
Deep down in the shadow of the
The owner of this business was the most interesting person to talk to. He had been a software engineer until about a year ago, when he decided to combine his dream of starting his own business with his love of mechanics. Being the visionary that he is, he bought this huge empty warehouse, made a section of it into an apartment for him and his young wife, and began dealing in various forms of diesel motors.
Of course, at sometime during the bargaining process, my little boy developed quite a need for the bathroom. Thankfully, the bathroom available was not just a “workers’ bathroom,” if you know what I mean, but it was thankfully in the man’s apartment. I was definitely curious to see if I could talk to his wife for a few minutes.
Though she was 8 months pregnant with their first child and had to extricate herself from the comfy sofa, his wife was happy to let us come into her home. “Oh, come in!” she said. I sheepishly thanked her for letting us come use her facilities, and quickly directed my little ones to the necessary room.
When we went out, I quickly glanced around, taking in the sparseness of the apartment. It was pretty cold, too, and it had a huge ceiling that was letting out gobs of warm air. The kitchen had the bare essentials, and the sofa looked a bit lonely in the living area.
It occurred to me that most women would not put up with such a “crazy” career change, especially if it meant a bit of “biting the bullet. But this young lady was not only flexable about her surroundings, but seemed to enjoy them. She was content with what her man was doing. After talking with her a little, I discovered that she had left all her family in
She is the driving force behind his dreams.
As the wife of a visionary, I can spot another visionary husband from a mile away. I also can easily sense irritation and resentment in his wife. I know what is going on in her mind, since I have been down the same path. I have discovered in my brief time of marriage that my man may have some “strange” ideas, and may not do things the way other men do, but God has made him to be different. God has made the visionaries to me the movers and shakers of the world. And when he lights upon success, the supportive wife can stand smiling beside her husband while others hail his ingenuity. The wife who desires to put her visionary man into another mold may find herself alone before he meets with success.
This dear woman was standing by her visionary husband, even though it meant living in unusual situations.
Stand by your man, young lady, and you will someday be proudly standing by him when he is one of the most successful businessmen in
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