30 Years

Today  I shocked the daylights out of my husband by throwing him a surprise birthday party! He had no clue, probably because his birthday isn't for another 12 days or so... and I am pretty sly! 

I am thankful for an easy going husband who doesn't ask to many questions :) we celebrated with lunch at a local restaurant and cake at our place. It was family and friends that are like family!  

I am so thankful for the man that God gave me. Truly he balances me out, he keeps me on the straight and always points me to the narrow. I am thankful for a man who loves God above all and seeks to lead his family in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. For the husband God gave me I rejoice! 

Happy 30th Birthday Baby!

My Little Birder

As I shared on Monday we purchased a bird feeder and have since enjoyed sitting at the window and waiting for the birds to come. Miss K tells me, "momma the birds are on their way" and "the birds are so excited!" A very wonderful church member also bought us a feeder and brought over some black sunflower seeds, so now we have two feeders!! Today was the first day I saw a bird on the feeder. I have seen birds under the feeder and in the tree, but today I saw two different birds on the feeder. 

The photo to the far right is either a Black-capped chickadee or a Carolina Chickadee. The middle photo I am sure you all recognize, it is a male and female Northern Cardinal, they come by so frequently I am starting to recognize their voice. Also today I saw a Blue-Jay in the tree (with a very distinctive sound), and on the feeder it was either a House Finch or a Purple Finch. I am hoping to find some binoculars to borrow for awhile so I can determine what exactly these birds are. If you are interested in learning about the birds or their voice just click on the names and it takes you to an awesome Bird Website!

My sweet girl is just as excited as I am, lastnight daddy and I went on a much needed date and we came home with her new binoculars and a book about backyard birds, so her and I can look them up and learn more about them!! 

Thats all of the adventures in Birding :) 

Have a great weekend!

Musings Monday

First installment of Musings Monday! (not sure there will be a second but we shall see!)

~ Monday's around here are for slow moving! Mondays we recuperate from Sundays!

~ I like bird watching!! After seeing these beautiful bluebirds last week in our yard I decided we needed a bird feeder in our yard!

~ Apparently Kyla is the Bird Whisperer, because when buying our bird feeder today she informed me that "the birds are so EXCITED!"

~ To be honest, I am not sure who spent more time at the window today staring at the feeder, me or her! 

~ I was thrilled to see these dry erase crayons today for Kyla's white board! 

~ I just cooked dinner and I wish I had skillets with lids, I am pretty sure that will be on my Christmas list for 2010

~ Justin and I have been talking about ways to spend less and give more and I am excited to be more frugal in some areas. For example making things I know I can make, like hand soap, laundry detergent, using less paper goods, and eating at home more!! 

~ I think I enjoy Kyla's new "To Be Like Jesus" CD than she does! (currently $5.00 for the mp3 download!)

~ Has enjoyed thinking on "The Heaven declare the glory of God and the skies proclaim the works of his hands!" Psalm 19:1 (which you can sing to the tune of here we go around the mulberry bush, I learned that lastnight be teaching our preschoolers :) ) and yes, if you are wondering, I have been walking around singing that today :) 

Hope you had a happy Monday!

...abiding...

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.

John 15:9

I love the imagery Jesus uses throughout the Gospels! In particular I have been thinking of Jesus referring to Himself as the vine, and His people as the fruit. I have been contemplating how as fruit we do nothing, but bloom and blossom. We cannot become fruit of our own doing, we cannot choose to bloom, it is the Vine that produces fruit! 

Me and I can guess WE often focus on what we can do to abide and remain in Christ. We focus on our duty and actions, yet we fail to look to the vine. We fail to realize that remaining and abiding is a work of the vine. Once the fruit has ripened it falls off the vine, that is not the fruits doing but the vines! Be of good cheer, we are  not attached to a vine that is weak and dying, as believers we are trusting in an eternal hope that promises to bear fruit! 

Take heart in these promises,

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. 

Ephesians 2:10

Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit 

John 15:2

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 

Philippians 1:6

thoughts are from my meditation on John 15 and day 20 of Comforts from the Cross by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick

From the mouth of babes

I guess Kyla really was paying attention when I taught the kids on Wednesday night. All week she has been practicing the verse, which really surprised me when she first started saying it!

(yes she did dress herself, I had her in jeans and a different top, and yes her shirt is on backwards!)

Enjoy!

True Love

 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:21

And this is love...

Valentines day has never been a day I get to jazzed about. This year it has been fun with Kyla around. We made some heart butterflies with candy for her friends at church and at library story time. I also made her a skirt that has hearts on it with a coordinating bow! (because you know it all has to match :) )

yes that is leftover lunch on her face :) 

Today was a restful Saturday, hope yours was too!! 

Have a Happy Valentines Day!

Four-lane Free Friday

Justin has been taking Fridays off, last week we went to springfield after a stop off to eat at an out of the way place. One of my very favorite things to do is sightsee, I love to travel and I love road trips! Justin suggested we go do something today so I asked around and someone suggested going to Prairie State Park and Chicken Mary's in Pittsburg Kansas.  

I can assure you we never got lost today but I did wonder a few times as I had looked at a map and had a general since where we were going. I did cheat and take interstates a few times but the majority of the trip was spent on two lane roads, many in the county. It was fun and I am glad my husband has confidence in me to navigate, however I do think a GPS is in my future. 

To get to Prairie State Park the way we were going we went through Lamar, MO. Lamar is the birthplace of Harry S. Truman who was the 33rd President (32nd man in office). Justin LOVES presidents and history so really it was the highlight of his day! President Truman lived in the house a short time before his family moved to Independence, MO. The house has been restored and the furniture is not the Truman's but it is comparative to the time period when he was born. The room with the cradle was the room Harry was born in and the visitor log at the bottom was signed by Mr. Truman on a visit back to Lamar and his birthplace. 

We left Lamar and head to Prairie State Park. While on the way we saw a coyote and learned my Honda Civic can do a little four-wheeling!! To get to the state park we did have to take a few country roads. Twice I thought I was going to end up pushing to get us out but God was gracious to us and our shoes and we made it, but not without a little mud to prove was had fun! At the park we only saw two buffalo and no elk but we look forward to going back and doing some hiking to see the herd! 

Following the state park we visited Chicken Mary's in Pittsburg, KS and then headed to Joplin for a stop by Hobby Lobby and Shakey's Frozen Custard! All in all it was a fantastic Friday to enjoy my family! 

Thanks for looking!

Totally Two!

Just a few months before she is 3, I cannot believe it!! 

Happy Thursday!

What God Say's He Will Do, He Will!

On Wednesday's I have started teaching the Kindergarten class for Team Kids (which is really an afterschool program of tutoring, dinner, play time, and Bible lesson). I have always been there for tutoring and dinner but the class has nearly doubled so I have stayed to teach the Bible lesson so we don't combine the K and 1st graders! 

We are using the awesome Children Desiring God curriculum for our mid-week programs. Our class is using the I Stand in Awe study. It is a study for children about the Bible. Week by week it  builds on each other seeking to teach young children about the characteristics of the Bible and the main story of redemption through it's pages.   The hope is that these lessons will impart an affection for the Word and to learn to love the Author. 

The first four weeks have been about 

1. The Bible is a message to us from God

2. The Bible is a most special Book

3. God Wrote the Bible

4. The Bible is True    

Today's lesson was God is watching over His Word

It was an awesome reminder to me that God is faithful and He will do what He says He will do. It sounds so simple but really if we (especially me) lived our life believing this one fact we would live differently.

We wouldn't feel/act condemned or defeated because...

 there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus Romans 8:1

We would grow in Godliness and Faith by believing that...

began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

We wouldn't "do" out of duty but out of delight because... 

you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:22-23

Be encouraged, God does what He says He will do! 

... I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled. Jeremiah 1:12b

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

I made Loaded Baked Potato Skins for the Superbowl. I used the leftover ingredients today to make this soup for lunch today!

you can find it here

I scaled the recipe down to 6 people from twelve! Took maybe 30 minutes to cook. I am sure the longer it cooks the better it is!

• 4-1/2 baking potatoes (I used leftover flesh from the potato skins)
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup bacon bits, divided
• 2 green onions, chopped (I used the yellow onion I had on hand)
• 5 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1/2 (8 ounce) container sour cream

1. Prick potatoes with a fork and cook in the microwave, 3 or 4 at a time, and scoop out the flesh (while the others are cooking).
2. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in flour and cook about a minute. Whisk in milk, a little at a time, stirring constantly until thickened. Stir in potatoes, salt, pepper, 1/3 cup bacon bits, 2 tablespoons green onions and most of the cheese. Cook until thoroughly heated. Stir in sour cream and heat through. Serve topped with remaining bacon, onions and cheese.

enjoy!

Football Funny

I am reading the Bible through in a year, one of today's reading was Psalm 37 the heading read

"He Will Not Forsake His Saints"

I asked Justin if that was a good sign for the New Orleans Saints :) 

Hope you had a great Sunday!

Saturdays are for Sundays

Sundays can be a hectic day for most christian families. How can you truly enter the house of the Lord and worship him in Spirit and Truth when you have pulled teeth to wake up children, rushed around to get everyone fed, and perhaps argued all the way to church because someone made you late!!

I have really tried to make an effort since we moved to MO to be early to church and to make Saturdays a day to prepare for Sunday. Justin many times studies and Kyla and I hang out most of the day anyways. I have started picking up the house, and thinking about Sunday meals. Sunday nights are devoted to pressing clothes or at least laying them out. I take time to look over any lessons I may be teaching and any food I need to prepare for potlucks or fellowships. If need be I help Justin so that he is prepared to feed the sheep on Sunday morning!

I have found that by preparing on Saturday, Sundays are less crazy and the focus can be placed on who it should be on, Jesus Christ.
What are some of your preparations on Saturday night??

Seeds Family Worship

another resource to share

Seeds Family Worship 

You can listen here!

It is scripture to music, and it is VERY well done. I find myself singing scripture throughout the day! What is better than that? 

Thought I would include a video tonight

enjoy!

Biblical Love for Your Children

Yesterday was a great and hard day all in one!! 

Yesterday morning was wonderful, Kyla and I cuddled lots and played and enjoyed one another! Do to waking up late I knew a nap would not happen because we have to be at the church by 3:30 for our after school program. It usually presents problems but we deal!! After 3 hours of 15 Kindergardeners (bless them) and one toddler I was one frazzled lady!! On Wednesday's I also watch our associate pastors daughter so that her mommy can minister beside her husband, and besides she and Kyla are good friends! On our way home from the church to our house where I was about to babysit I asked Kyla to pray with me. We prayed for calmness of mind and grace to parent the rest of the evening. 

What I failed to pray for was listening ears and a loving heart for my little girl. After a short amount of time with her friend Kyla found herself in her bed due to hitting her friend! Needless to say what stared as a good day ended with a very tired two year-old and cranky momma! We both went to bed early! 

Knowing I had failed in many ways as a parent cause me to cling more to the truth of the gospel and rest in the finished work of Jesus Christ. 

Today I read this article What is Biblical Love for Your Children, part two

I was exhorted, encouraged and challenge to take the great commandment seriously! 

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Day 3 - 6:30 Club

I committed to getting up at 6:30 am for 28 days in the hopes of creating a lifelong pattern where first thing I am seeking the Lord, sitting at His feet and dwelling at the cross. By ordering my day this way I know I will better serve my husband and daughter! I have no doubt this is necessary for me, but let me assure you, it has been ROUGH! I am not, nor have I ever been an early riser. Monday was okay, but I laid down from 8-9 am until Kyla woke up. Yesterday, she woke up at 6:45, so she sat on the couch with me while I finished reading and then we went to my bed. This morning I awoke and spent some time with the Lord and I had a headache so I took some tylenol and laid down and listened to a lecture about Mother and Daughters given by Carolyn Mahaney until I fell asleep. 

The goal is to get up and stay up, and then take a power nap in the afternoon!! That is the end to which I am going. I have no doubt that by centering my day around the cross things will go more smoothly and my sin will be put into perspective in the finished work of Jesus Christ!

S-A-L-E

Run don't walk (well you get the point) over to Sovereign Grace's website for their fabulous February Sale!!

They have CD's for $6.00 or the Audio Download for $5.00

Most books for $7

If you need any recommendations on what to buy

Books:

Living the Cross Centered Life (I have read the shorter version the Cross Centered Life, this one combines that book with another) is one of the best books I have read, and it is a quick read!

Humility (really it is humbling and encouraging!!)

I haven't read but want

Feminine Appeal

Shopping for Time 

Girl Talk

Radical Womanhood

Music: 

all of it is AMAZINGLY Gospel Centered and really you cannot go wrong!!

My favorite is their newest Sons & Daughters

my second favorite is The Valley of Vision

Justin really likes Come Weary Saints & In a Little While

We also enjoy the Awesome God Kid's CD and will be buying the To Be Like Jesus CD 

go check them out!!

www.sovereigngracestore.com

beholding glory

"The sun of God's glory was made to shine at the center of the solar system of  our soul. And when it does, all the planets of our life are held in their proper orbit. But when the sun is displaced, everything flies apart. The healing of the soul begins by restoring the glory of god to its flaming, all-attracting place at the center... 

... there is greater healing for the soul in beholding splendor than there is in beholding self."

 taken from Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ by John Piper