Accept Him

I didn't have time to edit a picture for Word Filled Wednesday because we've got a stomach bug that's taken Katie down, but I've felt compelled all day long to get on here and share some thoughts I've been having about Easter.

This year Donnie is in the Living Last Supper at our church. The first time I saw this performance was a few years ago. Maybe even four or five. I went because my dad was going to that church and taking part in the play. At that time I called myself a Christian, but I wasn't really. I was just clueless and misled. Needless to say, I didn't really get it that night. I had a hard time keeping my attention focused on the lines, and was basically putting my time in waiting for it to be over. It didn't speak to me. It didn't move me at all. I know now that it wasn't that there was anything wrong with the play (especially since I watched it again last night and it was like a whole new experience! It was powerful and emotional and it moved me to tears!!) there was something wrong in me. The reason I didn't get anything from it the first time is because I wasn't ready. My head wasn't open to hearing the message, and my heart wasn't open to receiving Jesus...

I'm sharing this because there are many of you that I love very much that I know haven't accepted Jesus into your lives and into your hearts. And I also know that some of you are reading this and cringing and wondering when I became one of them. And I'm okay with that. As long as you think about what I'm saying. Jesus died for our sins. For your sins. He came as a living sacrifice so that all who believe in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Eternal life. There it is again folks, eternity. Are you really going to take that chance? If you were to die today, would you go knowing you were secure in the love and the blood of Jesus? I know there are people who will tell you God doesn't exist. I know some of you reading this truly believe that. I'm here to tell you otherwise. You are being misled, and it's a very costly mistake.

So think about it. Spend the rest of the week thinking not about Easter bunnies and eggs, and more about what this is really about. Our savior. Jesus came. He lived. And then he died. Crucified on the cross to save us. You won't find a love greater than that anywhere.

Sometimes my kids astound me

I've been crazy busy lately. I have so much to blog about, but unfortunately I don't have my memory card in my laptop, and honestly I am just too tired to get out of bed and walk down the stairs to get it. So it looks like you'll just have to read what I have to say without the pretty pictures to distract you. I know. What can I say? It happens sometimes.

So. My baby (Shh! A three and a half years old does so still count as a baby!) was at the table drawing a picture the other day when I came in from grocery shopping. She's obsessed with drawing people right now. It's so great to watch them evolve from tadpoles with heads to having legs and a torso all the way up to eyelashes and fingers. She was so proud the day she drew fingers...
Anyway, so it wasn't unusual for me to come in and find her at the table drawing. (This kid is costing me a fortune in printer paper. It doesn't matter that I keep scrap paper for them, or that they have thousands of pads of paper everywhere, she has to sneak around like a little thief and grab pages out of my printer when nobody is looking.) But I'll forgive her since I got to witness her pure genius. As I walked by she said "Momma look! Her shirt says big happy tunic". (Tunics are all the rage around here) I went over to give it a quick glance as I was rushing by with my bags of groceries, and sure enough there in a nice neat row were a bunch of letters-LkAERE (or something like that) I was shocked! She knows her letters, and can identify just about all of them by sight. She can tell me what the letters say, and identify beginning letters. But given her age, and her tendency to mosey along at her own pace, I haven't had her work on writing letters yet. I haven't had her trace them yet. Not even line tracing activities. Nothing. I was just...stunned. We all were. Pick-our-jaws-up-off-the-floor type stunned. I asked her if she wanted to write some words and she did. So I told her how to spell Frankie, and she wrote each letter as I said it. Her mechanics were a little off, since she's lacking the whole instruction piece. For example, when she wrote an "I" she made the straight line down the middle and then instead of making the straight lines across the top and bottom she wrote them in two pieces that connected in the middle. She wrote Katie and mommy too. Did I mention I've never, ever had her write a thing, ever?! Are you sufficiently impressed yet? I know she's my daughter and that makes me obligated to be astounded by every little thing she does, but I just can't stop grinning...

When I'm not standing around dumbfounded by my children I've been busy working on a campaign website. You should go check it out. Not because I say so or anything, but because he's a good guy who will do a great job. After you check out his site, you should remember to go and vote for him on November 2nd!! Don't worry, I'll remind you ;) Visit stevenadam2010.com

Oh! And I went to my very first church bible study this week! It was a bunch of funny, crazy, over-the-top, energetic, amazing women who love Jesus. Being around them was exactly what I needed! I can't wait to go back.

There's so much more- we've been reading (and loving!) the Little House on the Prairie books. We borrowed the DVD's from the library. We made covered wagons. Katie has renamed us all (she's Laura) and we've had hours of great fun pretending to be the Ingalls family. Sam has been reading about pioneer life and the westward expansion, so we've tied them all together and had great learning opportunities.

That's all I can share without my pictures. I have such great pictures, so you'll just have to wait.
I'll try not to make it too long. :D

Word Filled Wednesday- Psalm 25: 3-5

This about says it all, doesn't it? All my hope, all day long. Amen! For more WFW go here

My lunch has inspired me

Since quitting smoking almost two years ago, I have gained some weight. (Of course by some I mean good Lord where did all this weight come from?!) After trying (and failing) many fad diets, we are now in our fifth week of the best decision we've ever made. It's simple, really, when you think about it. We just decided to take it back to the ground. No more processed food. If I can't pronounce it, or recognize it as an ingredient I can make something with, it's out.
We started by shopping only in the outer isle of the grocery store. Lots of fruits and vegetables. Lean meats. Fish. No more junk food or snacky type things (my girls mourned the loss of Cheez-its for a while).
Through trial and error, we've learned a lot. We've experimented with bread recipes. We discovered a local food co-op where we now purchase organic fruit and vegetables for a reasonable price. We're going to start buying our meat from a local farm. And we're looking into having fresh milk delivered to our door. Not only are we getting rid of all the chemicals and preservatives and growth hormones in our family's diet, but we're supporting our local businesses.
The only down side to all of this is that it's a gorgeous 54 degrees outside today, and I have a days worth of baking and cooking to do. I've been a little discouraged by the amount of time it takes in the kitchen when I'm making all the breads and snacks and meals my family eats by hand. As a homeschooling mom, I've always struggled with finding time to fit everything in that needs to get done. Hours in the kitchen have added to that stress.
But as I was sitting here eating my lunch, I was encouraged by what I saw. I was eating a salad made of fresh organic vegetables. On that salad was dressing I made myself. Croutons I made from the bread that I baked. I also had a few pita chips-that I made myself. It's such a great feeling to know every single thing my family puts in their body is good for them. And I'm so thankful that we got it together while my girls are young enough to make it their way of life when they're grown. This is all that matters. This is what makes all the rest worth it. And I'm sure one of these days I'll become efficient and be able to streamline my process. All in good time, I suppose. Now I'm off to the kitchen ;)

Word Filled Wednesday

I find myself needing a reminder this week.

A reminder to be thankful and to praise God for his many, many blessings in my life.

A reminder to have a cheerful and loving heart.

A reminder to love my husband simply for being the wonderful man that he is, and not to get caught up in and brought down by all of my expectatations. I set impossible standards for my family. How can we not fall short once in a while?

A reminder that my plans are not what's important here. God will do things his way and in his own time.  This verse reminded  me of the things that I should be focused on. Isn't it great that we can pick up the Bible, and in a few short verses, be back on track again? God is good!

For an explanation of Word Filled Wednesday go here. To see more, go here.