Book Review: Seek Me With All Your Heart...

If you enjoy Amish christian fiction...I would like to recommend Seek Me With All Your Heart by Beth Wiseman.  In a christian literature genre that might seem overdone, I really enjoyed this unique Amish tale.

I was happy that they talked like "real" people...not all proper and perfect.  They did include the Penn. Dutch words you'd expect but had a mini-glossary at the beginning, in case you couldn't figure them out from the context.  Although, I was able to guess what had happened to the two main characters rather quickly...they were still lovable and enjoyable characters.  My favorite character (and unique story twist) deals with Martha, an eccentric, wealthy Englisher widow.  I hope the next book includes lots about her and her spiritual journey.

I was interested to see this book really veer from the normal Amish topics to deal with serious health problems, money/insurance, technology allowances, Amish conversion and infidelity, etc.  I'd never seen these subjects broached before and it was very interesting.

I wasn't really thrilled with the depth of the spiritual content...but then again, I rarely am.  It was "nice" but not very specific regarding the gospel or Bible.  I liked the re-occurring theme, "Seek Me..." but where is it...why is it important...etc?  But, I think the intended christian audience is a bit broader than me and my beliefs.

I would recommend this book for an easy, pleasant read.  In fact, I already have plans to lend my copy out...and I will be looking for the next one that's promised in the Fall of 2011! 


I received this book free from the publisher through the book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

WIW: Lovie Pictures & Humility Quotes...

 Okay, I just thought these first two were amusing!  True, true...

Lord, where we are wrong, make us willing to change; where we are right, make us easy to live with.  

~Peter Marshall

What kills a skunk is the publicity it gives itself.  

~Abraham Lincoln

Awww...Remember...The girl's matchy pillowcase skirts and Lubby's haircut ala MomE

 This quote by Halifax reminds me of my Loverbrains.  He's like this at work...and very often like this on spiritual matters.  I'm slowly learning that when he does speak out on something...I need to listen. 

True merit, like a river, the deeper it is, the less noise it makes.  

~Edward Frederick Halifax

It is frustrating to see other men his age who are piously and pompously, loud-mouthing their way to the top...I find myself feeling like he should put himself forward more.  I feel that way because I'm so proud of him.  But, I'm reminded that it is God who gives the blessings...and does indeed bless the humble.

Dog Pile on MomE!  Poor Lubby always fell on his forehead...nice blue band aid!

 The last quote  just hurts...pure and simple.  Really think about this for a few seconds...ouch.  I don't know many people who don't do just this...

Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.  

~Malcolm S. Forbes

Caffeinated Randomness: Better late than never?

I know, I know...for a girl who loves CR Fridays...I'm late in the game posting today.  My stomach feels like this picture.  I had a MASSIVE migraine yesterday.  No idea why...I've been doing so well on this new med.  My stomach sort of felt "off" after the pain left.  I went to bed after consuming several TUMS...and woke feeling dreadful...still.

Since I was thinking flu was imminent...my sweet Loverbrains put me back to bed and stayed home.  I knew he had a busy day...so I rallied and tried to get my act together....8 am...it still wasn't happening...then around 10, I heard the piano.  Not just the kids playing...chromatics, scales, etc.  Um...no one, but possibly myself, can play the piano in our household.

So, I shlumped downstairs and scared our piano tuner to death!  HA...no, but he did say..."Don't come close to me!"  I had a key sticking (so annoying) and he'd come to fix it.  AND...randomly....I realized I felt much better.  So, I took a shower...amazing how rejuvenating that can be...and sent my Loverbrains to work.  He was so cute...nervous to leave me.  I must still look ROUGH...hehehe!  I told him...I don't feel like cooking anything...so he might be cooking dinner...but I'm okay to putter about with the kids.

Another random turn...as I type this...Emma has his scientific calculator and is typing away furiously to keep time with me.  HEHEHE!  Aw...isn't that so cute??  So...now...randomly...I'm going to force myself to do nothing today...I'm really praying this is a long running migraine and not the flu.  I detest the flu...I'd rather have anything else.  Ickity, ick, ick!!

Random final note...this isn't a caffeinated post...COFFEE is not a good additive to my little tummy right now...and I feel so dis-loyal...you know how I give all the decaf gals a hard time!  HAHA!  "Turn about is fair play"...is that the saying?

NOTE:  Michelle hasn't posted a link today.  AND after announcing their upcoming move and recovering from the flu, etc.  I figure...that's a good clue that we all need to PRAY for her...in case you aren't already!!

Note-taking with a CRITICAL SPIRIT...

Wondering what I'm talking about...Note-taking with a critical spirit??  The reason I bring it up at all is because I have a sneaking suspicion I'm not the only one who needs to be on guard and DUMP this nasty habit.  Come on you know...where you go to a retreat, conference, or even Sunday morning service...and you listen to the sermon with a critical spirit.  Waiting for the speaker to garble a detail of an obscure OT story...or think to yourself...oooo...I sure hope SO and SO was listening...or I don't agree with that if he's actually saying that...

Note-taking with a critical spirit.  You know, inclined to find fault or to judge with severity, often too readily.  And, I generally would have said it was skillful analysis...being the insano, smarty pants that I tend to be.  I know everything about everything, dontcha know!?  I remember having this discussion with my Dad in high school.  I believe he was confronting me about having a critical spirit by telling me he'd done the same thing when he was my age.  Trust me, he was not softening the blow...I still probably cried.

As I mentioned...I've been looking intently at 1 Thes. 5...vs. 12-13 say, "We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work."  I know that it is a ridiculous amount of pride and disrespect that allows me to tear apart some of these good speakers.  Not only do I not have their training...but I don't have their calling from the Lord, either.  I need to be VERY careful to show them the proper respect, encouragement and esteem.

However, that being said, later on in 1 Thes. 5:20-22, "Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil."  That would mean that we hold prophecies (God's Word) as absolute TRUTH...but we are careful to test everything...to be discerning.  To see or understand the difference between TRUTH and untruth...and sadly, in many churches around the world today this is SERIOUSLY needed.  Don't be taken in with market-driven and ungodly visions for your life and the life of your church.  

But for me...Let's face it...my attitude is often critical to keep the Holy Spirit from working.  I'm quenching the spirit.  If I judge the preacher or others around me..I don't have to deal with myself.   My prayer, is that I will be given courage to look into my heart and see what needs to change.  AND that I will be OBEDIENT to His Truth every day, every moment.  

Change my heart oh God
Make it ever true
Change my heart oh God
May I be like You

You are the potter
I am the clay
Mold me and make me
This is what I pray

So, practical application.  How will I actually change my Note-taking habits?  I'm starting by writing "This is for YOU"...at the top of my page.  And when I write down truths within the sermon...I write them in first person.  This has been exciting and helpful so far.  For example, instead of writing, "Give over your desires to His will" I write, "I need to give over MY desires to God's will."  Neat...give it a try!

Remember His Faithfulness

God is the Lord of the past, present and future.

Sometimes I need to be reminded of this...especially when I watch the news lately!

I need to look at God instead of my circumstances.  AND, if I say that I believe He is LORD of the past, present and future I need to have an attitude that reflects exactly that Truth.

I was reading in Joshua...I love OT stories...and as I get older it is fun to see my childhood stories with their little details, becoming big details to live by.  Now this is not when God parted the Red Sea...but it reminds the people of that, I'm sure.  This is when God parts the Jordan so they would know that the "living God is among you and will drive out the "other nations" before you" (Josh. 3:10)  Just like the Red Sea when they were leaving Egypt...they walked across on DRY GROUND!  Don'tcha just love that...not muddy but DRY ground!?

"When all the nation had finished passing over the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, “Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man, and command them, saying, ‘Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests’ feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.’” Then Joshua called the twelve men from the people of Israel, whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe. And Joshua said to them, “Pass on before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.” Joshua 4:1-7

They had a stack of stones reminding them of God's faithfulness...of His special covenant with them!  I need to have in my memory (or journal, or blog) a record of God's Faithfulness...so that I am reminded in each hard thing I face.  

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!  

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

by Thomas Obediah Chisholm

&

Word Women Wednesday

with Tiffini

Little Reminders: Patience, Rejoicing, & Prayer

I was just reminded of some wonderful little things in 1 Thes. 5....

Be patient with everyone. 
It's sort of referring to the idle, weak, and fainthearted just mentioned earlier in the passage...and when put into this little MomE's mind...I think how it's a special kind of love that's patient.  It requires a loving attitude.

Coffee Cake (Literally!)....oh, wow!!

Rejoice always.
Remember Neh. 8:8-10..."for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  All the people were upset when they read the law and realized the extent of their sin against God.  They were encouraged to let the joy of the Lord be their strength...Talk about total forgiveness and remarkable encouragement.  I have SO much to be rejoicing about...EVERY DAY!  This attitude...directly connects to the being patient with everyone attitude for me though.  Do you see it?  The rejoicing attitude leads to patient attitude = right attitude!

This is Scruffy's heating vent...if I want to bake I have to stand around her...coincidence that my back hurts...Hmmm?

Pray without ceasing.
And the right attitude towards God...the One with perfect wisdom for every situation....comes from conversation with him.  And, as I've pointed out recently...we can have DIRECT ACCESS through Jesus Christ.  How's your signal?

Really, really...go make this cake NOW!

Quench not the Spirit. 
What stifles or hinders the Spirit?  SIN...yeah...Eph. 6 is more specific...bitterness, anger, evil speaking.  God gives us the power to OBEY him when he tells us to stop doing things.  Ouch, ouch....OUCH!  I am often impatient and not rejoicing...and I like to tell myself that I'll get it right some day.  Sometimes I tell myself to cut myself little breaks in this chaotic season of life...but really...that's not right...I am called to OBEDIENCE!  AND...the Spirit that lives in me...gives me the power to OBEY!

That's enough little reminders for today.  I do encourage you to re-read that chapter...It's short and powerful!

Humble Meetings: Mac Lynch & Natalie on Fire!

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The many definitions of humble came to mind this past weekend.

Humble:  adj. -having a feeling of insignificance, inferiority, subservience, etc.: In the presence of so many world-famous peoples  I felt very humble.

I met Mac Lynch.  He and his wife Beth are a great composing/musical team!  He's written Redeeming the Time, Don't Be Afraid, God's Refining Fire, Find us Faithful, and lots more.  He also sings in the SMS Men's Chorus with my Pastor, Mark Felber.  They have been long time....lifetime friends.  When Mac (ooo, can I call him that?) is recording in Indy he often comes to our church on Wednesday nights...but because I teach Patch Club and he slips out early to head home...I kept missing getting to meet him.  

Humble: adj. -not proud or arrogant; modest: to be humble although successful.   

Guess what?...He was a very real and nice person.  Not that I expected anything different...but it was so nice to chit chat with him briefly.  Humility is especially striking when the person is successful.  They are legitimately talented and have something to be proud of...but instead are modest and casually retiring.  They find little things in common to chat about...and it's not all about you humbling yourself before them.  (Humble: verb-to lower in condition, importance, or dignity; abase.)

Then I met Natalie who is a Mommy on Fire...in the flesh.  The very first blogger sister I have ever EVER met in real life!  It was wonderful!  In my humble opinion (Humble: verb-courteously respectful), she was beyond kind...since, being the chicken city driver that I am...I found the biggest money pit parking garage in Indy and we paid a fortune to park for two hours.  AND...hilariously we paid extra because we got our tickets and then stood in the parking garage talking...hahahaha!

Humble- verb- to make meek: to humble one's heart.   

It was great to share what is REALLY going on with us...reading between the lines of our blogs...those things you expect but don't know about someone 'til you really get to know them.  It was encouraging to share our words of OBEDIENCE and realize that "Obedience and Humility are married" as Natalie said.  To be terrified and excited at what God can do, and will do, and IS doing in our lives and the lives of those we love. To sum up....some verses came to mind...

"Friends always show their love. What are {sisters} for if not to share troubles?

- Proverbs 17:17

"Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than {sisters}."
- Proverbs 18:24  

"An honest answer is the sign of true friendship."
- Proverbs 24:26 

Lyrical Memory & Jazzy Jiven

I've been mellowing out lately...listening to jazz while doing laundry.  One of those little known facts about me is that I sang in college...especially the first two years I was on a vocal scholarship.  Anyhew, I have a weird memory for lyrics...any lyrics (hymns, musicals, etc.)...I remember them almost perfectly.  After years...I know, sort of scary, huh?  Do I get a cookie for this sort of talent?

So...this song came on and I sang almost all of the words...then of course I had to look it up to figure out the rest...cuz otherwise I'd wake up at 2 AM and want to tell Loverbrains or sing a bit of the missing lyrics...Funny, he's really not interested in my singing in the wee hours!  HA! 

Then I saw this (below) one...and boy, that end part where everyone is a different percussion instrument...is HARD ya'll...I remember learning that...I also remember wanting to clobber one of the guys who couldn't get his part!  HA!

Wow, would I love to hear this group live...Evidentally, they're Swedish...but sing in English...quite well, I'd add...I enjoy their style too...that walking about kind of helps...you can get closer to the part you need to hear...or need to NOT hear, etc.

So, how's that for Caffeinated Randomness?

Praise The Lord...my pride hurts...

I often have long conversations all by myself, and I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying. ~Oscar Wilde

Right about the time I thought this blog was a little anonymous blip on the radar of no one in particular...my stats indicate many page views and my few and faithful (while still few and faithful) tripled.  Yes, 25 is tripled.  


And sadly...while saying it wouldn't change me...my pride instantly inflated.  I told myself that I needed to post (cuz my public awaits ya know!?)...and I need to link up with various memes of note.  Incidentally, I noticed I have an intense loyalty to various memes and trying out new ones felt like I was cheating...and not linking up felt like I was going to hurt someone's feelings...and bottom line...I felt like the blog was running my life.  

If A is a success in life, then A equals X plus Y plus Z. Work is X; Y is play; and Z is keeping your mouth shut. ~Albert Einstein
 
And then life sort of hit the fan...not the greatest picture I realize but I'm being REAL today so like it or lump it.  Anyhew, I decided to review books...for fun...for free books.  I mean, it seemed like the perfect match for a happy blogging Mome...a bookworm...wanting more blog traffic, etc.  Until I read my first book...a book I chose because I thought I'd like it, but I didn't...and I wasn't kind enough...and I worry I hurt the author's feelings...and I'm getting random, anonymous comments from snarky people.  

Another incidentally...all future snarky anonymous comments will be deleted from my blog.  I am willing to carry on conversations with people who disagree with my views...but if you're going to be mean anonymously...you will not be getting air time here, folks.  

But let's face it for what it was...PRIDE...she reared her fuzzy head...and I was sucked in.  I was suddenly caring more about traffic and linking up...and I didn't take the time to consider my words and everyone's feelings...or where my time should go...and I forgot the verse I chose for my header years ago...

2 Cor. 5:9, "Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him."  

And that perhaps is the most crushing to me of anything else.  I have asked for God's forgiveness...because what saddens me most (and I hope it continually crushes me)...is that I forgot to make my first ambition on this blog to be pleasing HIM!

THAT will continue to be the cathartic outpouring of this blogger's heart...whether I have 0, 25, or thousands of readers...


Peace, Bobbi

Hodgepodge Spring Approacheth?

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Even though the stories of Joyce walking through giant snowdrifts in heels is enough to keep us laughing many a day...I'm with her...SPRING...oh, come quickly!  Puh...leaze!

1. Your favorite chocolate treat?

Anything pairing chocolate with caramel.  My Loverbrains gets me caramel filled Dove chocolates for our anniversary and my birthday.  I whole bag of caramel chocolates with funny little sayings in the wrappers.

2. What more than anything else makes you feel loved?

When Loverbrains does something that shows that he really knows me...for example, he came home with Irises on Valentine's because he knows me well enough to know that I don't like cliches and prefer the unusual to the millions of red roses out there. 

3. Cherries or blueberries?

Blueberries...hmmm...muffins or Wicked Blueberry Coffee Cake!

4. What is the one trait you most want the leader of your country to posess?

I'd be happy with, "To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."  Micah 6:8 Wait that's more than one trait. How about "Christ-likeness?"  How about Christ Himself??  "Even so, come, Lord Jesus!!"  Revelation 22:20

5. Are you a saver or a spender?

When I got married I'd have said spender...but my Loverbrains frugality has rubbed off...and now I'd say that I'm a saver.  Really...most of the time...

6. If you gave a party for all of your friends would they already know each other?

Absolutely NOT...in fact they might hate each other. Yet another of the multitude of reasons I got off of Facebook...my friends weren't compatible.  And friends...talk about a messed up word...I have VERY few true friends...however, I have a plethora of grand acquaintances from all stretches, phases and shades of life.

7. Are you interested in antiques?

Yes, very!!  My mother has been an excellent teacher...I can spot good finds at garage sales, etc.  Antiques Roadshow has been most helpful too!  I recently purchased an antique phone desk from the garage sale  of missionaries home on furlough from Honduras.  And they threw in a nifty carved old chair too!

8. My Own Random...

Very pretty Valentine Irises from my Loverbrains!  Gorgeous promises of Spring!

Book Review: The Sacred Journey

I recently decided to join up with BookSneeze and review some books...for fun.  Unfortunately, my first choice has fallen rather flat.  When I chose to review The Sacred Journey by Charles Foster I had in mind something along the lines of Jonathan Edwards great work on the Christian Pilgrim.  Instead, I found a borderline blasphemous work on how all roads lead to heaven. 
 
I was very frustrated with the seeming inability of the author to understand the spiritual journey...or make any such applications.  But after consideration, I think that he himself is still searching for the Truth and has not found it.  The hook line for this book asks if Christians have rejected pilgrimage.  I expected thoughts on whether various groups stick to Scripture.  Instead, he shares how he secretly tested his friends and they couldn't tell the difference between the writings of Buddhists, Muslims, etc.  Boy, that makes me more dedicated to memorizing Scripture than ever before.  Another huge eye-opener was realizing that when Foster says pilgrimage he means taking actual road trips or hikes to set places on maps.  In response, it brings to mind the words of that old song,


"This world is not my home I'm just passing through
my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue
the angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
and I can't feel at home in this world anymore"


If Mr. Foster agrees with his atheist friend that the most interesting stuff in the Bible is "the maps" or truly thinks that God just loves the "wanderers" and "hates cities" he is missing a large part of the gospel.  John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." 


All roads do NOT lead to heaven...no matter how dusty their pilgrims or how many times they circle in Mecca...John 14:6, "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."


I cannot recommend this book for anyone's library...and will be dismembering my copy to fit through my paper shredder.  On this subject, I encourage instead the reading of The Christian Pilgrim by Jonathan Edwards, “Let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” (Heb. 12:1) Though the road be difficult and toilsome, we must hold out with patience, and be content to endure hardships. Though the journey be long, yet we must not stop short, but hold on till we arrive at the place we seek. Nor should we be discouraged with the length and difficulties of the way, as the children of Israel were, and be for turning back again. All our thought and design should be to press forward till we arrive. We ought to be continually growing in holiness, and in that respect coming nearer and nearer to heaven."  It appears in it's entirety HERE.  


I received this book free from the publisher through the book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

WIW: Valentine's & Random

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"I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day.  When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon."  ~Anonymous

I thought this was hilarious.  Happy Valentine's to ya'll!  Hope this made you smile!

“Long-term, gospel-motivated obedience can only come from the grace of what Jesus has already done, not the guilt of what we must do.”  -Tullian Tchividjian

I've been thinking on this one for a few weeks.  It bothers me that what we must do is considered GUILT...I think a healthy sense of DUTY wouldn't hurt most Christians in the evangelism department.  And isn't the gospel completely focused on what Jesus did on the cross??

"Humility is like underwear, essential, but indecent if it shows"  ~Helen Nielsen

While I consider this funny...if it SHOWS it's not really Humility in the first place!  Just sayin'...

"True goodness and false niceness are like butter and margarine.  They can look similar, but when life's pressures crank up the heat, only authentic goodness will produce the results you want."  
 ~No More Christian Nice Girl by Paul Coughlin and Jennifer D. Degler

I really enjoyed this one...and in dealing with women I think this shines through..You might have to wait a bit to see it but the difference will come seeping through.

Caffeinated Randomness: Easy-peasy Love Notes!

SPOILER ALERT:  If you are a Teacher or Grandparent this post may include Valentine's you will receive very soon.  Sorry...you can either close your eyes and look later...or look now and enjoy it twice!

I had a think...and Emma helped me...We picked out two adorable Valentine's fabrics at Joanne's!  And bought little notebooks...they're so cute!

I measure six inch strips off a quarter yd. strip! 

We hemmed up the ends at ~ 1/2 inch...and then covered the notebook...

...like a school book cover...  Then Emma added a few sparkly foam stickers...

...VOILA...Valentine's Love Notes-book!  These were so easy I just had to share.

Now, I'm off to the Children's Museum with a library friend.  Please PRAY that I'll be salt and light...

To see more Valentine's Central at my house...check out the blog where I'm MomE & Loving It!  For more caffeinated Randomness today...check out things over at Michelle's place...

Mama's Heart: Early Valentine Thoughts...

My children LOVE their DadE...and I teasingly complain, "Hey, who takes care of you all day?  Who feeds you?  Who carried your little cutenesses in her belly for 9.LONG.MONTHS? "  But it's all with a big smile on my face...

because....nothing thrills my heart more at the end of the day than hearing "DadE's home!"  And the merry little feet tromping off to greet him.  I remember...(below)...Emma adjusting to sharing DadE after work each day!

It is good for me, even when I may not personally have warm and fuzzy feelings towards him, to promote my Loverbrains in the eyes of my children.  Don't laugh, but it's sort of like a spin on praying for your enemies.  My heart changes when I pray for someone.  Before I know it, any grouchiness is vanishing and I'm just as delighted to see him as they are!

We made DadE valentines today....and I thought of the many reasons that I love him.  He IS a great DadE...notice (below) he teaches them about inclined planes (recently he showed them how cars could be launched upward...yeah!)...He teaches them to say cute things...like "Heat transfer co-efficient" and "deoxyribonucleic acid"...He always eats his vegetables in front of them (even peas and cooked carrots)!  He always greets me with a kiss FIRST...before he settles down to listen to their chatter!  MomE is first with DadE! 

So, how are you doing....making DadE your kid's favorite Valentine?  This Mama's heart was warmed to remember how much she loves her Forever Valentine!  I hope you are too!!

It's Grace

WFW & WWW...may the acronyms abound...

I decided to participate in two Meme's today...one I've done alot and love...WFW= Word Filled Wednesday....and a new one WWW= Word Women Wednesday.  The linky buttons are at the bottom of the post if you'd like to join along!

A typical Wednesday in the life of Bobbi....hmmm...Well, it brought this verse to mind.  I have a LATTE PLANS!  Har har har...I crack myself up! *sniff*...but, I often am stumped with a not so good feeling when I consider if those plans have been the Lord's plans...and if those things that didn't get done just weren't part of what I should have been focusing on in the first place.

Generally, I rise at 5 to have some quiet time alone with God and His Word.  My children wake around 6 and I.AM.OFF...making breakfast, dressing them, showering/dressing myself, tidying house the house as I go.

Wednesdays are household chore days...the largest being LAUNDRY!  So, I sort the tedious mountain that awaits me every week.  Today, happens to be bedsheets day too!  Yeah!  Washing them doesn't bother me...it's the REMAKING...ugh! That counts as a work out!

I will try to dust and clean the bathrooms.  I will plan to look over the lesson for Patch Club tonight, assign the skit, practice the music...lay out the kids PeeWee uniforms.  I plan to finish the new book my Loverbrains let me buy cheaper on his Kindle, finish a daily chunk of BSF study, BLOG...blog ahead...blog comment...

I'll need to make dinner...start the crockpot around the time I'm feeding the kid's lunch (this is how I often forget to eat lunch, sigh)...Start bread in breadmaker at same time...Put them down for naps...fold and zip about while they sleep...

Set the table, change clothes into teacher uniform, eat dinner as soon as Loverbrain's walks through the door, dress and ZOOM to church...TEACH, LOVE, LISTEN, TEACH...ZOOM home...put Sweet Boobahs to bed, snuggle Loverbrains over the secret ice cream...carry up laundry baskets...ZZZZZZ!

BUT, IF THAT'S NOT THE LORD'S PURPOSE FOR MY DAY...those things won't happen...and I need to be okay with what goes differently (notice I didn't say WRONG)!

I need to remember other important things that I need to fit in before those TASKS...
-GENTLE answers for my Sweet Boobahs.
-Calm and Kindness for my Loverbrains in my attitude this evening.
-Memorizing/Hiding God's Word in my heart throughout the day.
-Cut myself a break if the going gets too tough...It can be done another day!

I want the LORD'S plans to be MY plans!

WOMEN-WORD WEDNESDAY--is hosted by Tiffini at The House Of Belonging!

INTERNET CAFE DEVOTIONS

TOTALLY Tube Tuesday

We TOTALLY didn't watch the Super Bowl...yeah, If you want my opinion via blog about the disgusting idolization of sports in our country I'll fill you in later...  Funny, I'm TOTALLY okay with the fact that I have NO IDEA who won! 

My TOTALLY wonderful Pediatrician told me about this commercial...when I took Lubby this morning.  He has an ear infection...poor guy! 

Considering I'm a VW lover and my little guy is a Star Wars (aka Bobots) lover...we thought this was TOTALLY hilarious!

WIW: Mitten Song

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THE MITTEN SONG

By Mary Louise Allen

"Thumbs in the thumb-place,

Fingers all together!"

This is the song

We sing in mitten weather,

When it is cold,

It doesn't matter whether

Mittens are wool,

Or made of finest leather.

This is the song

We sing in mitten-weather:

"Thumbs in the thumb-place,

Fingers all together!"

I say this when I help the kids put on their mittens...but had forgotten that it was part of a larger mitten song until I was reading through the children's treasury I grew up with...that my Mom recently let me borrow!  Emma said to her brother today..."Remember Caleb, thumb in the thumb SPACE...fingers all together!"

Caffeinated Randomness: Do you use BIG words?

Photo from Pinterest

Don't use words too big for the subject. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite.  ~C.S. Lewis

I'm a word lover!  I am also a C.S. Lewis lover...but after reading this quote above...I no longer have a desire to meet him (in heaven).  Eek!  Just to think what he'd say about my writing makes me nervous!  HAHA!  I am guilty of coming out with larger than necessary words.  Some words I get from my chemical vocabulary husband.  

For example, before our marriage I NEVER wiped a child's nose and said, "UGH, your boogies are incredibly thick and viscous today!"   Incidentally, I also use viscous when describing batter for various cobbler recipes, etc.  HAHAHA...okay, ew...I'm sorry!

I use big words with the puppy too..."Scruffy, you have impeccable timing.  Why do you have to go out now!"  I'm sure she knows just what I mean...as I sigh with exasperation and click on her leash!

I bought a new bathroom spray...something called Moroccan Bazaar.  And every.time. I spray it...I think cloying.  That smell is cloying...not truly pleasant in it's sweet and spiciness.  I also think that about certain perfumes I encounter...or that envelope me around certain women and men!  Ick...cloying.

SO...I'm interested...

What big words do you use in every day conversation...that are zinger vocabulary words?  I love new words...please share!! 

By the by...I disagree with C.S... I have no trouble finding words when I want them...to describe God or any other BIG things in my life.  However, I do understand the need to be careful with certain words...like awesome, for example.  Words that are only appropriate to describe God should probably NOT be used to describe soft socks or chocolate.  I get that.

JOIN MICHELLE AND THE REST OF THE LOVLIES FOR CAFFEINATED RANDOMNESS>>>

Mama's Heart: Quiet *non-grumpy* Time!

The more I work on my star chart and meditate on Proverbs 15:1, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger"  ...the more convicted I become. 

I've been getting up at 5 for over a year now...but due to migraines (and, okay, general laziness)...my time has slipped by a half hour.  Now, lest you think me crazy or strangely pious, I live in a house of early rising children.  And I know this...they will be up at 6...period.  So, it should not surprise me and bring harsh words to my tongue when they get up...and my quiet time is not quite at it's close.  And yet, the harsh words are so readily there!

I found it beyond humbling when my little sweet girl got out her "journal" and had her own quiet time today.  She told me she was writing to Jesus...and although I don't think she knows what that means exactly...it opens up many doors to teach...to gently give answers about what I'm doing with my coffee and journal each morning when she tiptoes down the stairs.

Pray for me...because it is hard when the younger sweet boobah awakes, and demands...and I must breathe...and choose to answer gently.  I must choose to instruct gently ...that this is QUIET TIME...and you need to sit quietly and write or read your Bible while MomE finishes talking with God!  This is important in MomE's day...and God wants to teach all of us from His Word!

O Dear Lord,  Give me a patient and loving heart with my children each morning.  Help me to teach them how much You mean to me.  Help them to truly understand their need of a Savior....oh, Lord...that they would call upon you for so great a salvation!  Help me to answer gently...and keep harsh words from my lips!  In Your precious Son's name, Amen!

It's Grace

Groundhog Hodgepodge On Ice!

Homemade Hot Chocolate

1. Would you rather be seen as a person who did their duty or forged their own path?

Um, YES?  I'd like to do my duty in the sense that I must follow in Christ's footsteps...be truly CHRISTian...but I want to forge my own path, in that I don't want to live the status quo either.  Is that about as clear as mud?

2. This week's Wednesday Hodgepodge happens to fall on Groundhog's Day. In keeping with that theme, if you could have a do-over of any one day out of the last seven, which day would it be and why. If you haven't seen the movie Groundhog Day this question will make absolutely no sense but that's okay....you can answer anyway.

I thought about going back and re-doing some bad choices the right way...but they are too innumerable to count in my college days so...ahem...let's pick a good day.  I think I'd pick my wedding day.  It went by in such a blur!  A nice, candlelit blur!
Whoops...next time I will read the question...last seven days...hehehe...yeah...NOT seven years!

3. Hot cocoa...yay or nay on the marshmallows?

Nay!  I sound like a goat...hehehe!  Nay, na-aaay!  BUT...If it was like the photo above...I could go for THAT kind of marshmallow!  Creme Brulee esque, no?

4. Do you wear makeup every day? What are the top two must haves in your daily makeup routine?

If I leave the house...YES!  Trust me and be thankful!  Must-haves...moisturizing foundation and lipstick...and hopefully mascara (but that's three).

5. Is it more important to you in a relationship to be loved or understood?

Loved...he doesn't have to understand me...and really he usually doesn't...hehehe!

6. Parsley sage rosemary or thyme... your favorite?

Are you going to Scarborough Fair?  Hehehe...great...now that song's in my head!!  I actually have a crock pot invention called Simon and Garfunkel Funky Chicken!  It makes the house smell marvelous!  If I had to pick just one...I think....rosemary!

7. What do you do when you feel angry?

Honestly, I er...yell and slam things around and say very mean, sarcastic comments.  Oh, do you mean...what do I do to control myself when I feel angry?  I've tried counting to 10...then made it 100.  I deliberately STOP talking...cuz it's better if I say NOTHING til I cool down.  Right now, I'm keeping a star chart to reinforce gentle answers. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

 Here are some early pictures of our ice storm starting....

 Poor Scruffy wanted to bury her bone but the ground was HARD!  So, she stuffed it under the grill!

 It'd be really pretty...except for the threat of power outages and deadly driving conditions, of course!