gone

Today has been bittersweet. I spent my time at two bible studies today, and that is always rewarding. The bitter part, is that two girls died at the rescue center. For whatever reason, that is so hard for me. In the same way I feel sadness, I feel thankful to get such a reminder of how precious life is and all that I have to be thankful for. I spent a lot of time in prayer today, though I don't think it was remotely as much as God wanted me to be, but I am learning. I tried to do a media fast too, but I couldn't go on without checking to see how the girls were doing. When I logged on, I had found out one had died the night before, and the other just minutes before. That helped me to be able to pray this afternoon, but I was mad at myself that i could not just forget about the internet. I am curious to see how those who do fast, whether from food or other things, spend their time fully. I was in prayer in and out through out the day but when the girls napped, i was silent for a while to listen to God and so that the holy spirit would intercede because let's face it, we don't always know what we should pray about. But then after 20 or so minutes, I got tired and took a nap.   Ugh.  I guess i am just in a sad mood so I don't feel like talking about anything... below is a link to the website i follow whenever there's updates.  Just pray for them.

Rescue Center

Organized this week!

It's been a little while since I last wrote... It has been a fun weekend.  I went to my husband's cousin's home in Fargo for less than 24 hours.  I didn't stop anywhere, which was so nice. I went to get away, and it ended up being tons of fun! I got to take some pictures of Olivia, her 1 year old sweetie.  I don't ever remember my kids being that smiley!

Yesterday I had tons of laundry to do, being it is laundry day, I got all of it done and even put away! I was trying to be super efficient. I chose easy meals to make so I could keep trucking along and we even got to play outside for a tish. It is my goal this week to de-clutter and throw things out. Yesterday I worked on the front living room. Though Peter could not tell I spent all of nap time working on it, I did make a dent. I dusted, I went through old cds, filed things, cleaned out the summer shoes, the hosier cabinet, and the closet. I also threw away tons of old catalogs. I am hoping that both Peter and I can start staining our window this week.  My goal is to have most things organized and cleaned so that when I do have company, it doesn't take all day to clean. I am hopeful that closets will get deeply cleaned, and corners will have no junk in them. My craft room needs at least two hours of attention! 

Well better go start my day!

Finally!

 "Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God? GOOD! Even the demons believe that--and shudder"   -James 2: 18-19

Last night when I was doing my beth moore bible study, I came across a paragraph she wrote that really hit the tail on the donkey for me.  I had been wanting to explain this theory in my head, but could never figure out the right words, or scripture references, to do it.   It is sad to me that so many people think they're saved. Saved, meaning, going to heaven.  They think, I believe in God, so I am going to heaven.  That's not 100%  true.  Here is what Beth Moore had to say about that:

(This bible study is on Paul, and Paul was wholeheartedly for persecuting Christians. One day, while on his way to imprison more believers, God struck down through a blazing, bright light in mid-day.  God  took away his sight,  and asked him "Saul, why do you persecute Me?" ) Read Acts 9: 1-31 for the full story.  Saul was converted. So, Saul began to preach of the Good News, instead of cheering on the murders of Christians)

 How did the Greeks respond to hte good news?  Answer: Many believed. Many turned to the lord.

The two responses above are crucial to the understanding of true conversion. The people did not simply believe. James 2:19 tells us even the demons believe.  We can believe Christ is the Son of God, be convinced He died and rose again for the sins of mankind, but still be lost. That's head knowledge. When I personalize Christ's gift of grace on the cross, I am saved. That's heart knowledge. Look back at Acts 11:21. One difference between the head and the heart lies in the word turned. Head knowledge doesn't always change a thing. Heart knowledge does. Life turns at that moment. We can't just go back to living as if nothing happened. The externals may evolve more slowly as we break habits and alter lifestyles, but the internals change instantaneously. Life takes an inevitable turn.

 So i just had to share that.

study

I am about to go to my beth moore bible study. Luckily my husband brought the kids to my mother in laws so i don't have to drive out there to drop them off, drive back into stephen, and drive to our church. I usually am on the road for at least 35 minutes.  I always look forward to Wednesdays. It seems being at church or at bible studies is the only way my heart fully feels whole and full. I can't explain it, but when I come home to what the world has, i feel empty. The only thing that gets me through the day is my children and husband.  And sometimes that isn't even enough.  I remember yesterday feeling like I had an empty day... so last night when I was reading my B. Study, i felt whole again.  The void was filled and I love that feeling.  I wish more and more that I had the discipline to right away in the morning start off with my material - though i'd have to wake up at at least 6 am. 

Yesterday I read Genesis 11 to the girls. It was the story of the Tower to God, and I told them how God was not happy with that.  Then we built our own tower with blocks and replicated it, and then played with counting and patterns of colors. It was a good theme. Then last night, we worked on some letters. Big A and little a.  She is getting pretty good.  Well, I better go,  God bless!

crafts this week

fun

I would say this week has been most fun since............ I can't even remember!  Even though I was sick with a cold and other misc. things, it really was a good week. Mostly, it was great because my hubby was so sweet to me. I think my intentional acts of kindness and building him up has really worked...(thanks to my marriage bible study i'm in) -I make sure to tell him that the help around the house means a lot to me, even if he just did one little thing, I try to tell him it was so helpful to me.  I think overall we have a really great marriage. It meant a lot to me when someone told me, "If I had a boyfriend or was engaged, I could really look up to you and peter as an example".  Aww!

Today was fun because I had my time with my kids and kate is doing well with our projects... however Maddy just kind of walks around but she does listen during story time and music time. Today during nap time I put together 12 acorn napkin rings! It didn't take long at all...especially since Peter offered to help me so I could get done faster. So he drilled most of them and i assembled and made them. I also quickly put together a wreath...these are going towards the silent auction at our church. I don't really feel like posting them tonight so maybe sometime this weekend we will.

well, i guess that's all for now.. it is date night!

little hands

I will make this quick: Here's a few different photos of the projects i've been up to lately.  The first two pictures are:  handmade baby card, headband, and baby blanket.

This is my chair I got for $10 and plan to redo!!!

And my babies with their little hands making sugar cookies just tonight. They had so much fun.

Today I tried to do laundry, and during nap time I canned some banana peppers (sweet pickled b. peppers) and tasted some of my jalapeno pepper jelly. Yum.  Then I worked on a fabric flower.. i'll have to post pictures of that later when I attach them to headbands. I plan to bring them to our church's silent auction next Monday.   Anywho, I have the sniffles today...... didn't sleep much last night. Hoping tonight will be better!