Children

“Children are not casual guests in our home. They have been loaned to us temporarily for the purpose of loving them and instilling a foundation of values on which their future lives will be built.”

Dr. James C. Dobson quote

She's Learning Too

Alfred Lord Tennyson:
Knowledge comes, but wisdom stays.

It takes effort to keep a 2 year old occupied while the other children are learning.
She has discovered a few things that she MUST do each day.
Placing the crayons in a line and "telling time" have entertained her for at least an hour.
She has even learned where South Carolina is on the map, much to my surprise. I'm amazed at the things children learn even when you think they're not!!!
Unwrapping unexpected learning today and
I'm linking to Emily at Chatting the Sky.

This Weekend

We had a very busy weekend.
Not too busy to enjoy a few moments.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men's hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy], yet so that men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
(Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Silly

Don't you just love silly siblings?
I'm hooked on the simple pleasures of bubbles at bath time!
I'm joining Julia at Hooked on Fridays.
You can as well right here!

Peace in the Storms of Life

As I prayed for The Sulliavan family last night, I was struck by the brevity of life.
Why did God create us for this life? Our time here is short yet much is expected of us.
What is our purpose?
Why are we consumed with things that simply do not matter?
Why do we passionately pursue things that we enjoy for a while that later are forgotten or wear out?
Why must there be suffering?
His word provides answers as well as a quietness of spirit.
So I will immerse myself in scripture this morning to ease my stormy spirit.
He is the ANSWER!!

Ephesians 2:10 (New International Version)

10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do

Romans 12
Living Sacrifices
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[b]faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Love
9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.

17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[d]says the Lord. 20On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."[e] 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Habakkuk 3:17-19 (New International Version)

17 Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,

18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.
For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.

Luke 12:34 (Amplified Bible)
34For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Pray

Please pray for this family. This husband and newborn baby desperately need the body of Christ to support them in the face of unspeakable tragedy!!

Time is Precious

The best things in life are nearest: Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life.
-- Robert Louis Stevenson

God has been working in my life in the area of time.
He has opened my eyes to the fact that I have not been making the best use of time. I let other things take precedence over the important things.
Intentionality is a must.
Strong marriages do not JUST HAPPEN!
It also takes being purposeful to raise children who know God and his character.
My prayer today is that I use the gift of time here on earth to be intentional about the things that REALLY MATTER.

The purpose of prayer is to reveal the presence of God equally present, all the time, in every condition.
- Oswald Chambers |

Two?

I blinked...

and she turned 2!!!
My sweet Sophie, I love you.
You are the spice of life with an infectious smile and laugh.
God is so good to have given you to us!
Happy Birthday!
I'm unwrapping this moment with Emily at Chatting at the Sky!

Thrifty Treasures

Since school started last month, thrifting has taken a backseat.
Oh, how I miss searching.
I was able to find a few things.

This little bowl came from my Grandmother's house.

This red vase also came with me!

These frames were rescued from doom and gloom with a little black spray paint!!

My favorite is this cute "bell garland"!! I love it and just couldn't wait to put it out now!

I'm joining Rhoda at Southern Hospitality!!
Have a blessed Monday!!

Sisters

Children of the same family, the same blood, with the same first associations and habits, have some means of enjoyment in their power, which no subsequent connections can supply... ~Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, 1814

I'm joining Julia at Hooked on Fridays!!

From Plain to...

The pumpkin was just a little to plain for our tastes!
So...

Mr. Pumpkin Head is now gracing us with his presence!!!
I'm linking to Kimba's Do It Yourself Day.!

Silly Sentences

These are a few of the SILLY sentences that Chloe and Sawyer came up with yesterday.
They both had fun while learning about nouns, verbs and adjectives.
I am learning that God is continuously working in my heart to teach me how to be more like Him!
What have you learned lately?

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Breathing Easy

Isn't this a great way to end the day?
I'm unwrapping this moment with Emily at Chatting at the Sky!!

Thrifty Stuff

These are all things that were lying around the house that either received a fresh coat of paint or were moved to a different location.
I love shopping the house!
Don't you?

Sunday

And now, what does it all matter? It matters more than anything else in the world.

The whole dance, or drama, or pattern of this three-Personal life

is to be played out in each one of us: or (putting it the other way round)

each one of us has got to enter that pattern, take his place in that dance.

There is no other way to the happiness for which we were made.

Good things as well as bad, you know, are caught by a kind of infection.

If you want to get warm you must stand near the fire:

if you want to be wet you must get into the water.

If you want joy, power, peace, eternal life,

you must get close to, or even into, the thing that has them.

They are not a sort of prize which God could, if He chose, just hand out to anyone.

They are a great fountain of energy and beauty

spurting up at the very centre of reality.

If you are close to it, the spray will wet you;

if you are not, you will remain dry.

Once a man is united to God, how could he not live forever?

Once a man is separated from God, what can he do but wither and die?

~C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, as quoted in A Year with C. S. Lewis

Hooked on Cookies

My friend Pam at The Best Laid Plans had this recipe posted yesterday.
I knew that I had to make these cookies and quick!!
They were absolutely to die for!
If you like apples, these cookies will not disappoint.
I'm hooked on autumn cuisine!!!
Swing by Julia's to see what all the others are hooked on today at
Hooked on Fridays!

Spiced Apple Drops

1/2 cup butter, softened to room temperature
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup apple juice or apple cider
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup finely chopped apple
1 cup chopped walnuts
Apple Frosting

Lightly grease a cookie sheet. (Repeat greasing cookie sheet for each batch.) Set aside. In a large mixing bowl beat butter with electric mixer on medium to high speed about 30 seconds or till softened.

Add about half of the flour to the butter. Add sugar, brown sugar, egg, half of the juice, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg, and cloves. Beat till thoroughly combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Then beat or stir in remaining flour and remaining apple juice/cider. Stir in chopped apple and walnuts.

Drop dough from a rounded teaspoon 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheet. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 10-12 minutes or till edges are lightly browned. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute. Remove cookies and cool on a rack. Frost with Apple Frosting. Store iced cookies in refrigerator. Makes about 40.

Apple Frosting

In a medium mixing bowl beat 4 cups sifted powdered sugar, 1/4 cup softened butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 3-4 Tablespoons apple juice to make a frosting of spreading consistency. Makes about 1 1/4 cups.

Decorating with Nature

These are a few of the treasures we picked up on one of our walks.
The children wanted to display the acorns and other things.
I think they did a great job!!

Forever in Our Hearts

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (New International Version)

Metamorphosis

As I sat in the backyard listening to the laughter and occasional bickering from my children, I noticed this butterfly.
Seeing the beauty in this simple creature caused me to think about it's recent metamorphosis.
If you really take a moment to ponder this event, it's really rather amazing.
The whole process of caterpillar to butterfly is mind boggling to me.
Kind of how God takes something ugly (me) and changes it (my life) into something quite lovely!
Simply amazing!!
Don't you think?
I'm unwrapping today with Emily at Chatting at the Sky!
Join her for Tuesdays Unwrapped!!

Thrifty Monday and Happy Labor Day

These candle holders were ugly brown and were transformed by trusty Heirloom White!
($1 a piece)

This little jewelry box free from sis-in-law!!!

Not sure where this candle holder's final resting place will be. It started it's life silver and is now sporting a lovely blue.

Hope you had fun this weekend thrifting.
Jump on over to Rhoda's!