in need

I hate to be so depressing, but I am so sad about Haiti. More and more kids are getting sick..as if it wasn't hard for them to stay alive because of poverty, now this.  I feel so helpless, I can only hope God will answer my prayers. I hope you will consider praying for them during this awful time. Visit their link.

I can't remember the last time I wrote on here; it wasn't too long ago but still feels like a while ago.  I haven't been up to very much, Mondays are my days when I try to get all the laundry done and most of the cleaning or straightening up.  Yesterday I spent time trying to do Christmas gifts (ordering what i can online) and then last night I went to bible study. This morning I would normally go to my Beth Moore bible study but I don't have anyone to watch the kids, and then tomorrow morning I am going to my voice lessons.  Today Peter is at a meeting in Crookston all day, so I am sure it will be an extra long day. It always helps when he comes home for lunch to break up the day, but I dont think he will be home until at least 6.

It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is already next week! Then next weekend I have my friend's wedding. It will be a busy week I think. I wonder if it will ever slow down!!!

catching up

Kate has sure been in the kitchen far more than I ever got to growing up in my own home.  That is good, though. I am happy to give her that experience! Last weekend, before deer hunting, we roasted a pumpkin, made the pumpkin seeds, and then made a home-made cheesecake. It really was good.  Today, I am needing to make another cheesecake for my friends bridal shower tomorrow, and then plan to visit my sister who recently had some work done to her jaw. (Because of braces)  Yesterday we went to Grand Forks for groceries, and the kids did not get naps. Usually that is fine.... but yesterday they were soo cranky!  So we put them to bed right at 8, and as I type this, it's 8:44 a.m., and kate just got up. Boy, did she need her rest.  Maddy did wake up at 6:45 but I scooped her up to sleep with me, and she's still in my bed.    PTL!  I got to sleep in til 8:15, so even I got to enjoy some me time before the kids got up, which is so so nice.  I am looking to redo or, redecorate the upstairs guest bedroom.  I am trying to find some different bedding, and then curtains, and then wall color.  I can't do much about the carpet or the slanted ceilings, but I do want to improve. If you have any good sites on shabby chic, or french country, that is the look I am going for. 

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