Lord, help me continue to change

If you don't like IT -
 then change it! 
Change your attitude,
 change your heart, 
change your habits,
 change your mind! 
Every excuse is a lack of desire ... 
You are not a victim ... 
You are more than a conqueror through Him!!!


A friend's FB post yesterday....

it was a good reminder.

Should have read this earlier in the day...

I'm thankful!

Shepherds

Be shepherds
(provide, protect, direct)
of God's flock
(ownership, accountable)
that is under your care
(with a loving nature/loving/gentle/concerned)
serving as overseers
(doing what is right/best for them)
not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be;
(right attitude)
not greedy for money
(not looking for the immediate reward)
but eagar to serve
(with humily)
not lording it over those entrusted to you
(not dictating)
but being examples to the flock
(but modeling)
and when the Chief Shephard
(Jesus is our pattern)
you will receive
(the reward is coming)
the crown of glory that will never fade away.
(it's permenant)

I Peter 5:2-4

An Almost Perfect Day!

"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

As I sit and write this, my husband is reading Mark 11 to the kids while they lay on the floor cuddled up with a pile of blankets. I am curled up in the rocker with a small quilt and a cup of coffee. 

Today has been pretty idealistic. 

Dinner was delicious. 

Fish, sweet potato fries, and corn bread that both the kids pitched in the make. 

Reagan set the table, Javon lit the candels, Dad came when dinner was announced. 

Hands held to share a prayer of thanks.

 I can hear the dishwasher running. 

The laundry baskets are empty. 

The main areas of the house are all clean. (Not every drawer or cabinet.) :-)

School was a dream. 

Not perfect, but better than other days. 

Well, it was actually pretty perfect. 

After a delicious oatmeal breakfast, we watched 

The Mysterious Islands by Vision Forum.

 It was shot on the Gallapogos Islands and is where Darwin formed many of his theories.

 But we know we have an amazing Creator and the Islands showcase that beautifully. 

Then came Math, English, and Lit for Javon and Math, English, and Phonics for Reagan. 

For lunch Javon had a chili cheese baked potato and acted like I was the best mother in the world for making it for him. Reagan on the other hand was at her happiest in the kitchen making her own lunch which was a turkey sandwich with lots of pepper. :-)

The sun was streaming in the dining room window as we sat enjoying each others' company. 

A quick call to check on Nana who we made sick over the weekend along with several piano pieces by Javon concluded our lunch break.

 Then we were on to Drive Thru History: The American Founders. 

Such valuable lessons to be learned from those who have gone before. 

Spelling came next, map work, and Social Studies for Reagan (who is doing fabulous on her reading).

 She just happens to be "reading" about the birth of Jesus which was a great addition to our day.

 I originally had written "learning" but changed it to "reading" because she learned about the birth of Jesus many years ago. :-)

To wrap up our school day, we read Mark 10 and prayed over our November requests.

 It was 4 p.m., but the day was so lovely we decided to begin a new book for family reading titled

 "Twenty and Ten" which is about hiding Jewish children in 1944.

 Then a 30 minute house tidy and dinner prep. 

It just felt like so many pieces all fell into place today. 

It was a normal home day. 

House work to do. 

Six puppies and two dogs to care for. 

Meals to make. 

School work to be completed. 

Discipline to be administered. 

Training to be done. 

Quiet time in the Word to be had. 

And yet, in all the normalcy of the day....it seemed absolutely perfect. 

Thank you Father for Your love and reminding me that this is why I do what I do. 

Days like today don't always happen, but when they do I am so much more aware of the blessings that I have been given. Blessings of children to train, a home to care for, a husband to love and serve. 

These are the things that are fulfilling. These are the things that make me whole. 

"But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. 

I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me." 

Psalm 13:5-6