Peace on Earth Challenge

How 2010 Went for Me!!

This is the final week for the Peace on Earth Challenge that Courtney from Women Living Well started. I did a pretty good job of keeping up the the challenges and keeping peace in our home for December, if I say so myself anyways! We did have a very busy month with get togethers, birthday parties, Christmas, church programs, and getting kids. It seemed liked the month of December flew by, but very quietly at the same time.

I have thought a lot about the birth of Jesus and also His death. He only lived on this earth for a very short time, but accomplished so much. If it wasn't for His miraculous birth, then we couldn't of been saved by the shedding of His blood. God did send His son to save the World, so that we should not perish, but so many people don't get the fact that you have to really BELIEVE! Believe that He can save you, change you, heal you,and even  help you. The same God that created the stars and makes them stay in the sky, is the same God that saves you. He doesn't just forget about us, and we should forget about Him (ever).

Courtney made a list of topics for us to evaluate from 2010 and here is how I feel:

1. Evaluate you walk with God in 2010:

• I did read God Word a lot more than in previous years, but not daily. And I have been slacking on my 6:00 am commitment to God, so that is something that I will be working on doing. I do pray on a daily basis, but I know that I don't ''Pray without ceasing" like it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. So, I will definitely be making a better effort of spending time in prayer.

2. Your Marriage:

• I do feel like our marriage has grown stronger over this past year. We have been married for almost 9 years, with no kids, but hardly ever living alone. With all the different people that has lived with us, we have had to change different habits and ways of doing things. Since we have been alone for most of this year, we have been able to spend a lot of time together, and being ourselves. Honestly, I felt like a newly wed this year, with all the attention  I have got from my husband. In 2011 I think I will work on making sure that I have a gentle answer for my husband, even when I don't feel like it. I know most of the arguments that we have are because I let things get to me, and am quick to raise my voice in response. "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger." Proverbs 15:1

3. Your Children:

• I am so excited and blessed to finally be able to answer this! I just want to cry tears of happiness!! We now have 3 foster children living in our home, I will be posting more on them later. One question that Courtney asked is: "What is one thing that each of your kids need from you in 2011?" I am not going to list the kids names yet on here, because of privacy, but I will use the first letter of their names. (I) - is the oldest, and I think just needs to have encouragement to help build up his self esteem a bit. So I will be encouraging him in all of the good things that he does. (S) is the middle kid, and to me it seems that she needs some one on one attention. (M) is the youngest and the most independent. I think that he needs to see that we are always here to help him, if he needs it. All of the kids will be working on daily Bible reading and learning how to pray from your heart and not just the same prayer everyday.

4. Health:

• I really don't want to go here! LOL I didn't stick with any healthy habits this year, but that is something that is going to have to change! I know that my body is a living temple to God, and I should treat it as such. I don't drink, or smoke, or any of that bad stuff, but, I could eat a lot healthier and exercise more. So in 2011 I will be working on cooking, fixing, and eating healthier and smaller portions of food. Also I will be working on getting regular exercise by my self and with the husband and kids!

5. Ministry:

• We have finally found a church that we can use the gifts that God has given us, and still be encouraged and be mentored by the older couples. (It's really nice to have older women to look up too!) So we are getting a Puppet team going finally! So in 2011 I will be working on being more serious about using the Puppet Ministry to reach the youth in our church.

The last part of Courtney's challenge is to choose a theme word for 2011. I have thought about this since last night, and prayed about what God would have me to choose. My word is COMMIT! Proverb 16:3 says, "Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established." I want to commit my day, my marriage, my kids, my health, and my ministry to the Lord in 2011!

Peace on Earth Challenge

This past weekend was great. We had three kids for 3 days, and we had a great time. It was a very busy weekend for me, what with cooking, and cleaning and laundry. Plus we were trying to get to know the kids, and allow them to get to know us, all with trying to have fun! We went to the movies, the zoo, we ate out a couple of times, and most importantly went to church with them.

From what we learned from the kids, they are not use to going to church consistently on Wednesday or Sunday nights. We however are at church every time the doors are open and love the fellowship and learning that we get during this time. We love to learn about God and we love to teach about God! Below is a couple of verses that pertain to this topic.

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Hebrews 10:25

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Matthew 18:20

We have to stick together and lift each other up, encourage each other and pray for one another! If we don't gather together Satan can easily get into each of lives, and eventually into our churches! But each of these starts with us guarding our own personal lives. To do this we need to put God first!

As of right now the plans are that we will get the kids again on the 26th and it will be a more permanent arrangement, instead of just a visit. We look forward to teaching these kids about the love of Jesus and the peace that He brings to our lives!

This weeks challenge is: Christmas is just 5 days away and so much of our time is often spent helping the children to remember the "Reason for the Season". Now it's our turn. Once the kids are in bed get yourself a HOT drink (again we are warming the body as we warm the soul.) Get ALONE and turn out the lights by your Christmas tree, a lit fire, or a candle and just be alone with God. Pray, talk to him, I encourage you to sing Christmas carols or songs praising him, and just rest with Jesus.

I have not done this yet, but I look forward to doing it! I would like to wish everyone of you a very Merry Christmas, and remember that Jesus is the reason for the season and He should be placed first in our lives!

News...

So we got some news today.

We aren't certified Foster/Adoptive Parents...yet. But we should know something, hopefully tomorrow! However we did get some other, rather exciting news today!

They have already called us to schedule a weekend visit with a set of 3 kids! I am beyond excited. I don't think there is a word for it! There is 2 boys and 1 girl in this group of kids, ages 11, 10 & 7.

Surely they wouldn't want to place kids with us, just to deny us certification right? That would be just plain mean.

So hopefully, this weekend we will have kids at our house! Know I know that anything is possible, and that the kids could absolutely hate us, but what if they love us! I have been praying for God to prepare the our hearts for "our" kids and their hearts to want to learn about His amazing love for them. No matter how much we love them, or they love us, they have to learn about God's love, or no amount of human love will fill that void in their heart.

I do have another prayer request...
I know that there are some out there that have been waiting for a very long time, and aren't making any progress at all on their certification (not because of them, but because of the workers!) So I would like for us all to pray for them in particular, that progress starts to be made, and that they will become parents sooner, than later! I don't "know" them personally, but from what I have read on her blog, I know she will be a wonderful Biblical mother to any kid that is to come into their home!

Peace on Earth December Challenge: Week 3

REST

Oh how I love my rest! I really and truly do. I use to be a really good morning person. I could go to bed really late and still be able to get up at any time, and go with a smile on my face.

Not any more. It just doesnt' happen. My body needs some rest. I will say that in the past I would lay awake and worry about EVERYTHING! I would wake up with headaches, just because I was so stressed out about things. This is something that Derreck has helped me with over the years. He has lead me to learn to put my trust in the Lord on many topics. Some are still a work in progress, but most are fully in God's hands!

The scriptures Derreck would always remind me of are found in Matthew 6:25-34.

25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?


27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:


29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.


30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?


32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.


33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.


34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

God WILL provide for us IF we see the kingdom of God and His righteousness first! I know this now! Sometimes the devil does sneak back in and tries to get me to worry, and it is hard to push him away, but I know all I have to do is seek God, and He will take care of me!

These days I have another reason why I am not getting enough rest. First, let me say, that I promised God that I would spend time with Him at 6:00 each morning and Derreck is helping me hold true to me word. Second, I do like to go to bed with Derreck, since he is gone for half a month, when he is home, I like to spend as much time with him as possible. So sometimes we do end up staying up really late. And after awhile of not getting much sleep I am crabby. Forth, I am a very LIGHT sleeper. If Derreck moves, I am usually awake. But the main reason I get awakened many times during the night are...

Yep...Those two boogers. This picture was taken almost a year ago, so Nimrod has grown (a lot).They take turns at night keeping guard. Once you get use to one growling and barking the other takes over. Thor is a Great Dane and Nimrod is a Chocolate Lab. If you haven't been around these two types of dogs when they are barking, well they are LOUD. Especially when they are by the bedroom window. It's horrible especially at night.

However for the past 3 or 4 nights, I have put them in the shop. It is completely dark in there, and they have no choice but to lay down and go to sleep! So that means that for the past 3-4 nights I have got 6+ continuous hours of sleep! And let me tell you it is SO nice. I wake up relaxed, and energized. I don't fell like I am dragging by the middle of the day. I haven't taken any naps! Plus I have done all kinds of things during the day.

This weeks challenge is to: Pull out your calendar and SCHEDULE a night where you will go to bed very very early. Take your Bible with you to bed and read in bed for at least 5 minutes. Read in Isaiah 7:14, Micah 5:2, Jeremiah 23:5, and Isaiah 53. These are prophecies that were fulfilled by the birth and life of Jesus. Get extra blankets for a warm nights rest, pray God gives you deep rest and that no one wakes you. Then turn out the lights and sleep.

I plan to do this tonight and get my week started of right! Also something that I am going to work on is not staying up every night with Derreck. It defeats the purpose of me spending time with him if I am a grouch during the day because I am so tired. So I will be going to sleep at around 10ish to get the rest I need to be a joyful wife and woman of God!

'Twas The Night Before Jesus Came'

'Twas The Night Before Jesus Came'

written by Unknown Author

'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house

Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.

Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care

In hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed.

Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.

And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap

Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter.

I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear

But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.

With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray

I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!

The light of His face made me cover my head

It was Jesus! returning just like He had said.

And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,

I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in His hand

Was written the name of every saved man.

He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;

When He said "it's not here" my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love

He gathered to take to His Father above.

With those who were ready He rose without a sound.

While all the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees, but it was too late;

I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.

I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;

Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;

The coming of Jesus is drawing near.

There's only one life and when comes the last call

We'll find that the Bible was true after all!

Peace On Earth Challenge

This weeks challenge is to slow down, and take some time for ourselves. Courtney wants us to take a Bubble bath and read about the birth of Jesus in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2. The main focus of the bubble bath was not only to relax, but to focus on God. To take some away from everyone and everything else and spend some time with the Lord.

I had got a Bath Set the night before from our Sisters of the Lord the night before, so what better time to do take a nice, long bubble bath for my birthday! It was so relaxing! I did not read my Bible, because anyone that knows me, knows that I am clumsy! But I did spend that time thinking about the birth of Jesus and thanking God for sending me a Savior! This was the first bubble bath that I took in almost 2 years, and let me tell you it was long over due. I plan on taking more a lot more often!

As I think about the many things that are on my to do list, I have no worries. I am going to do my best, to complete everything that needs to be done, but I am NOT going to stress and get angry because something does not get done. I am also working on better time management in my life, and I know that if God is first in my everyday life, the important things are going to get done!

And Courtney had the photo on her post for this challenge, and I absolutely love it!

Why Santa is Not a Part of Our Christmas

"Thou Shalt Have No Other God"

Exodus 20:3

Santa Claus...

Hmmm...

This is a hard post to write. I know that someone out there is not going to like this post. I don't know who they are or why, but I know it's going to happen. Honestly, I only have 12 followers, so I don't know who will even read it, but I do know that this is a hot topic, just like Holloween. So I will say this...

I don't know any of you. I don't know your hearts. I don't know your relationship with the Lord. But, this is something that has been on my heart since before Thanksgiving and I think it's something that others might need to think about. God doesn't want us to put ANYTHING before Him. How do I know this? Because He wouldn't of made the first commandment "Thou salt have no other gods before me," if He did. With that said, who is Santa Claus?

Santa Claus is also known as Kris Kringle, which also translates to Chriskindl. This word Chriskindl means: Christ-Child. There are different versions of this "Christ-Child" depending on the region you live in. One is an angelic child that is sprite-like and brings gifts to kids who have been good. Another is Santa who also brings gifts to only the good kids.

By calling someone "Christ-Child" you are saying that they are like Christ, and can do the same things that He can. God judges who is good and who is bad, not a man or child like figure. By promoting Santa we are putting something before God, making an idol out of a man or child like figure.

There are many similarities between Jesus and Santa. SO many that I think that Satan has allowed the two to blend together, and is now pushing Jesus further and further into the shadows. Below I am listing the similarities but I am going to back Jesus up with scripture. I ask you to read the scriptures and listen to God's Word and the Holy Spirit.

JESUS CHRIST: OUR LORD AND SAVIOR ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE SANTA CLAUS: THE COUNTERFEIT ACCORDING TO MYTH OF MEN

                                                            
1. JESUS -Has white hair like wool (Rev 1:14)    
    SANTA - Has white hair like wool

2. JESUS - Has a beard (Isaiah 50:6)                    
    SANTA - Has a beard

3. JESUS - Comes in red apparel Isaiah (63:1-2)    
    SANTA -  Comes in red apparel

4. JESUS - Hour of His coming is a mystery (Luke 12:40; Mark 13:33)
    SANTA - Hour of his coming is a mystery
5. JESUS - Comes from the North where He lives (Ezekiel 1:4; Psalm 48:2)                         
    SANTA -  Comes from the North where he lives: North Pole

6. JESUS - Is a carpenter (Mark 6:3)                     
    SANTA - Is a toy carpenter

7. JESUS - Comes as a thief in the night. (Matthew 24:43-44)                  
     SANTA - Comes as a thief in the night. Even gains entrance to homes as a thief.

8.  JESUS - Omnipotent -- all powerful (Rev 19:6) 
      SANTA - Omnipotent -- can deliver all the toys of the world in one night

9. JESUS - Omniscient -- knows all (Hebrews 4:13; 1 John 3:20)                          
    SANTA -  Omniscient -- knows if you have been good or bad, for the entire year

10. JESUS - Omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-10; Ephesians 4:6; John 3:13)          
      SANTA -  Omnipresent -- sees when you wake or sleep. Has to be everywhere at once to be able to     deliver all the toys in one short night.

11. JESUS - Ageless, eternal (Rev 1:8; 21:6)          
      SANTA -  Lives forever

12. JESUS - Lives in men (1 Cor 3:16;  2 Cor 6:16-17)                     
      SANTA - Lives in the hearts of children
    
13. JESUS - Giver of Gifts (Ephesians 4:8)               
      SANTA - Giver of Gifts

14. JESUS - Absolute Truth (John 14:6)                  
      SANTA - Absolute Fable - (1 Tim 1:4; 4:7; 2 Tim 4:4)

15. JESUS - Sits on a throne (Rev 5:1; Heb 1:8)       
      SANTA - Sits on a throne

16. JESUS -We are told to boldly go to the throne of Grace for our needs (Heb 4:16)   
      SANTA - Children are bidden to approach his throne to ask for  anything they want

17. JESUS - Commands children to obey parents       
      SANTA - Tells children to obey parents

18. JESUS -Wants little children to come to Him (Mark 10:14)       
      SANTA - Bids children to come unto him
19. JESUS - Judges (Rom 14:10; Rev 20:2)           
     SANTA - Judges whether you were good or bad

20. JESUS -Everlasting Father (Isa 9:6; Heb 12:2)    
      SANTA - Father Christmas

21. JESUS - Christ Child (Matt 1:23; Luke 2:11-12)   
      SANTA - Kris Kringle (means christ child)

22. JESUS -Worthy of Prayers and Worship (Rev 5:14 Hebrews 1:6)              
      SANTA - Prayers and worship to "St. Nick" by children

23. JESUS -Lord of Hosts (Mal 3:5; Isa 8:13; Psalms 24:10)                          
      SANTA - Lord over a host of elves - (In Druidic religion, elves are demons or tree spirits

24. JESUS -God says, "Ho, ho ... (Zechariah 2:6)       
       SANTA -Santa says, "Ho, ho, ho ..."

25. JESUS - Prince of Peace, the Image of God (Isa 9:6; Hebrews 1:3)             
      SANTA -Symbol of World Peace, the image of the Christmas Season


In the world that we live in today, we have to constantly govern the things that we allow into our lives. Any thing can become an idol, without us realizing it. I would also like to bring up the fact that if you tell your kids that Santa is going to bring gifts, then you go and place gifts out instead, you are telling you kids a lie. No matter how big or little a lie is still a lie. We should live our lives by example and if we lie to our kids then, they think that it is okay to lie.
 
I also know that Santa is out there and no matter what you tell your kids, you are going to have to constantly remind them of it. So don't just brush your kids off, explain to them about the truth of Christmas and the non truths.
 
Jesus has something that Santa can never offer! Jesus offers an eternal life! But YOU have to choose to follow Him DAILY! It's not just a prayer you say. You have to live your life for Him, and have complete faith in HIM! You have to do everything pleasing to God and not the world. Just because standards are lowered doesn't mean that Biblical standards have. We should strive to be men and women after God's own heart!

What Christmas Means to Me

What does Christmas mean to you?

Christmas is almost here and when you go any where you see people rushing about looking for that perfect gift for each person on their list. The more time you spend in town the worse the peoples attitudes get. By the time you get home you have a headache and are yelling at the ones that you love the most. Is this what does Christmas mean to you?

Is it Christmas only if there is presents under your perfectly decorated tree? Is it rushing around to buy that perfect gift? Is it working all day long to cook that perfect meal for your family? A lot of people today don't understand the real meaning of Christmas. They aren't teaching their kids the real meaning of Christmas. Today's Christmas to a child is, "What is Santa going to bring me and it better be good." and "What else am I getting from everyone else?" This is so far from what and how Christmas should be taught!

I don't know what Christmas means to you but this is a little what it means to me:

Luke Chapter 2 tells the story of Jesus' birth.

There was a decree sent out by Caesar Augustus that all of the world should be taxed. Everyone had to go to the city of his lineage in order to be taxed. Joseph being of the house and lineage of David had to travel to a city in Judea which was called Bethlehem in order to be taxed. With him traveled his espoused wife who was great with child. While they were there the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. So she brought forth her first born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there wasn't room for them in the inn.

In the same country there was shepherds in a field keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared and said to the shepherds "


Fear not for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.


For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger"

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good will toward men." And so after the angels left the shepherds said to each other, "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."  And so they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the babe lying in a manger. When they saw what was told to them was true they went away praising God and spreading the good news that Jesus Christ our Savior was born on this day.


If Our Lord and Savior can come into this world and be laid in a dirty manger, why do we need all of the fancy decorations that we have? I'm not saying that they are wrong but remember that Jesus is the reason we celebrate Christmas. Jesus has been replaced by the story of Santa Clause and that is all kids are being taught today. Please teach your kids about the birth of Jesus!

I did find some where on line (a couple of years ago) an article about what "Christmas" decorations are suppose to symbolize. It's so hard to get things that we have been taught all of our lives out of our heads and our hearts. Teach your kids the meaning of these decorations and put your families complete focus on Jesus this Christmas!
When you look at your Christmas tree remember: That an evergreen tree's pure green color remains all year long, and depicts the everlasting hope of mankind. All the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven.
When you look at the star topping your tree remember: That the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was a sign of fulfillment of His promise.
When you look at all the candles you have lit around your house remember: That the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and He is the only one who can displace the darkness we so often feel in our lives.
When you look at the wreath on your door remember: That the wreath symbolizes the nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection.

When you look at the gifts under your tree remember: That the gift represents generosity and good will. But most of all the gift represents the best gift of all: For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish but have EVERLASTING life.

When you look at the Holly Leaf remember: That the leaf represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red berries represents the blood shed by Jesus on Calvary.
When you look at the candy cane remember: The candy cane represents the shepherds' crook. The crook of the staff is used to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is a symbol that we are our brother's keeper and should be worried about one another's salvation.

When you look at all the angels remember: That the angels were sent by God to herald the glorious news of our Savior's birth.

When you hear the twinkling sound of a bell remember: That lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell. The bell symbolizes guidance and return to our Lord and Savior.

So before you teach your kids about Santa Claus coming and the wonderful presents he will bring, teach them about the real reason for Christmas. Jesus was born in to a world of sin in order to die on a cross for our sins so that we may have everlasting life. If kids aren't taught this when they are young about Jesus, chances are they won't want to learn when they get older. Don't let all the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season make you forget the real reason we have to celebrate:

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord"

Luke 2:11.

And just because I love this picture of Derreck and our niece Cheyann I'm going to share it on this post.

I love that man! He is going to be a great father one day.

Peace on Earth Challenge: Week 1

Peace on Earth Challenge

Courtney over at Women Living Well is hosting a Christmas Challenge called Peace on Earth. Basically the challenge is to get us to focus more on Jesus and not let our lives be so over come by all the things that we "have" to do before Christmas.

So many people love Christmas time for all of the wrong reasons. Like: how many presents they are going to get, how many places they get to go, the lights, the tree, and let's not forget the food. Don't get me wrong, all of these things are nice, but where is Jesus at in all of this? If you ask any kid what Christmas is all about, they are going to say "Santa!"

NOPE! That's just not right. We celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas, not a big Jolly Guy bringing presents. Under the leadership of my wonderful husband we have gone through all of our decorations and eliminated the Jolly Guy! In fact if we had kids, they wouldn't be told about him. They would be told the birth of Jesus and why it is celebrated.

The first challenge from Courtney is to write at the top of the December calender:

I Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

He does care for each one of us! Even though he already knows what our anxieties are, He wants to know what is bothering us from our own hearts! Talk to God about your problems. Talk to God about you fears, hurts, and tears! But also praise God! Many people forget to do this. They go through the lists of needs that they have and forget to utter a single praise to God. Psalm 150:6 says, "Let everything that have breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!"

The other part of her challenge is to light a candle every morning in your kitchen. And each time the candle catches your eye to say a prayer for peace in your home. There should be a lot of talking to God going on!

I personally love the idea of this challenge!

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!!!

So lets put Him back where He belongs!

Tips on How to Iron Clothes

So I am getting ready to iron all of our dress clothes, that way if my wonderful husband decides he wants to wear something all he has to do is grab it from the closet. I do iron our clothes, usually on Sunday mornings when we are rushing around trying to get ready for church, that doesn't make for a relaxing Sunday though. So I thought I would look up ironing tips, just to make sure there wasn't and easy way that I didn't know about! Turns out, there isn't, you just have to do it. So, then I thought, well maybe someone else could learn from this information. So here is an article that I found at http://www.betterlifestyleproducts.com/how-to-iron-clothes.html.

How to Iron Clothes - Ironing Clothes Help

Most people do not enjoy ironing clothes. In fact, it is widely considered to be an unavoidable chore by most. However, the reluctance of many to iron clothes is simply caused by a failure of understanding how to iron clothes properly. Learning the right steps to ironing clothes should make the process a bit easier for you.

• Before you ever begin to iron, plug the iron in, adjust it to the correct setting, and allow it to preheat. You will know your iron is ready for use if it sizzles when you spray a bit of water on it. Locate the tag on the garment you are preparing to iron. It will provide you with information about the material. Some clothes, you will find, should not be ironed. Others have a very low tolerance for heat, so you'll have to iron them at a gentle setting. Use high heat for cotton and linen. Cotton mixes and wool are ironed on a medium level. Use a low setting for silk, nylon, polyester, and other like fabrics. If you are using a steam iron, make sure there is the proper amount of water inside.

• When you actually begin to iron, take your time to ensure the garment has been stretched flat across the ironing board. This will save you some time in terms of re-ironing wrinkles that you put in. As you iron, make sure to iron clothing evenly with smooth, careful strokes. Always remember to keep the iron moving. Stopping at any point could burn your clothing.

How to Iron Shirts

• Start the process by ironing the collar. Stretch the back of it across the flat surface of the board. Run the iron over the back of the collar several times until you are sure it is correctly pressed. Turn the shirt over and handle the front of the collar.

• Move to the sleeves of the garment. You need to be sure to iron the back of the sleeves first, then move to the front of the sleeves. Start by stretching the larger part of the sleeves across the point of the ironing board. Iron all the way around the back of the sleeves, then move it toward the sleeve front until you have ironed the circumference of the sleeve. Stretch the lower back of the sleeve across the large, flat surface of the ironing board. Iron toward the cuffs. Flip the shirt over and do the front, making sure to take careful, short strokes.

• When you get ready to handle the rest of the shirt, lay it as flat as possible on the ironing board. Work from one side to the other slowly smoothing out the wrinkled spots as you go.

• Hang the shirt directly after you finish ironing. Be sure to button the top and center buttons.

How to Iron Dresses

• Begin by stretching the skirt portion of the dress across the point of the ironing board. If you are working with pleats, start at the bottom and work toward the top. Work your way around the skirt with strong, fast strokes.

• If the top of the dress won't stretch across the point of the ironing board, smooth it as flat as possible across the large, flat surface of the board. Start with the back and work your way to the front. On each side, be sure to work from the top down.

• Hang the dress as soon as possible after you iron it. Try not to wear the garment for a few hours, as it will be more prone to wrinkling again once you've heated the fibers.

How to Iron Pants

• Turn the pants inside out. Begin with the top. Iron the circumference of the waistband. Move toward the pockets. Be sure to iron both sides of the pockets. Iron the fly, then the seams of the pants, then the hems. Follow that order carefully, and use smooth, quick strokes.
• Turn the pants so the correct side is facing out. hook the waistline of the pants around the arrow shaped edge of the board. Use the iron to press out the wrinkles of the top front part of your pants.

• Put the pants legs parallel to the board, with both of them headed in the same direction. Iron each leg without damaging the current creases.

• Iron the cuffs, and hang the pants.

Ironing clothes is really a delicate process. The iron produces so much heat that if you are not sure how to iron clothes, you should really get educated on the process before you start. It’s not as simple as flopping a shirt on an ironing board. It takes effort to learn how to iron like a professional. For some people it takes a long time, but if you learn how to iron, you can cut the time you spend ironing.

Sisters of the Lord Meeting

As you can tell from the title we have a new name for our "Secret Sister" Group. Our main focus of these meetings is to learn about the Lord, not to get gifts, so we decided to change our name to something that would be pleasing to the Lord!

This month we had our meeting at a restaurant. Needless to say, it was very loud, and we couldn't visit with everyone, since we were stuck around a table and not in a house. It was nice not to have to cook or clean up though!

Below is the lesson we done. Everyone was provided with a tea cup and when we got to the part about being thankful for everyday things, we added a piece of candy to our cups until they were over flowing with thankfulness!

How Full Is Your Cup?

Sitting in front of you is a cup. Just a simple plain Jane, white cup sitting there. There’s nothing inside it to make it any different from your neighbor’s cup. Our lives are much like these cups. Empty until something is put inside! The best things that can be put into our “cups” are Godly things. The more Godly things that we allow into our cups, the less room we have for “worldly” things. Thanksgiving is also this month and I think we have a lot to be thankful for, and we don’t even realize it. We go about our daily lives and don’t see the good that God has blessed us with. So we are going to fill our “cups” up with things that we take for granted.

“O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Psalms 107:1



• Breath?

• Did you wake up this morning?

• A Home?

• Air/Heat?

• Lights?

• Water?

• Car?

• Kids? How many?

• Husband?

• Mother?

• Father?

• Grandmother?

• Grandfather?

• Aunts?

• Uncles?

• Nieces?

• Nephews?

• Friends?

• Clothes?

• T.V?

• Radio?

• Bible?

• Salvation?





If God has blessed us with all of this why do we run from Him? Without Him we would have nothing! So this month we need to be Thankful for the simple things in life. Try not to complain about each and everything that goes wrong. Try thinking of one thing each day that you can be thankful for. Then during the day, when things start to get rough, pray and thank God for that thing! Do it each day! The more that we praise God the less that we will be grumbling which praises Satan.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

Proverbs 18:21

How to be a Good Wife

"The Following excerpt is reportedly from a 1950's home economics textbook intended to prepare girls for married life."

1. Have dinner ready: Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a Delicious meal - on time. This is a way of letting home know that you are thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home, and prospects of a good meal are part of the warm welcome needed.

2. Prepare yourself: Take 15 minutes to rest so you will be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair, and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be cheerful and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift.

3. Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives, gathering up school books, toys, paper,etc. The run a dust cloth over the tables. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift, too.

4. Prepare the children: Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces if they are small, comb their hair, and if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures, and he would like to see them playing the part.

5. Minimize the noise: At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of washer, dryer, dishwasher, or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. Be happy to see him. Great him with a warm smile and be glad to see him.

6. Some DON'TS: Don't greet him with problems or complaints. Don't complain if he's late for dinner. Count this as minor compared with what he might have gone through that day.

7. Make him comfortable: Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soft, soothing, and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind.

8. Listen to him: You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first.

9. Make the evening his: Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or other places of entertainment; instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure, his need to be home and relax.

10. The goal: Try to make your home a place of peace and order where your husband can relax.

Wow! If women treated their husbands like this...Things would be really different. Maybe husbands would treat their wives like the jewels they were created to be.

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies." Proverbs 31:10

Well I have a lot of work to do...

Show Us Your Life: Office/Sewing Room

Kelly over at Kelly's Corner is doing a series of Show Us Your Life Home Edition and this week is the Office!

Since we are going to be Foster Parents, we decided to switch all the rooms back around! So the office and sewing room got put together in the "back room." This room is an addition and doesn't have a closet, so it wouldn't be good for a bedroom. The dogs often hang out in here during the day, so the back door is usually open. (A doggy door for a Great Dane is just not practical, I mean if a human can fit through it then is it really safe?) So we just leave the door open and they can come and go as they please.

See the box in the lower corner of the picture...

We are gearing up for our Fall Fest here at our house and we are getting super excited!!! That box contains all the goodies and some of the games that we have planned! Last year we had 60+ people and we hope that we have even more this year!

Make Your Home a Haven Fall Challenge

This is the third week of Courtney's Making Your Home a Haven: Fall Challenge, and I think it is a realy good one! The challenge for this week is to declutter! That inlcudes decluttering our homes and our bodys!

As far as our house goes, it is fairly decluttered. I don't like tons of decorations or things laying around, so therefore I am constantly throwing things away. I think it's because my mom and grandmother are hoarders. (I say that kind of joking and kind of seriously!) I do have a few clothes that I am going to go through and give to someone that I know can use some T-Shirts, so I will be getting rid of somethings this week. Another reason the house is fairly clutter free is, since we started the foster care classes I have gone through everything and got rid of what we didn't need. So know all we need is some kids!

As far as my body.....

Just this weekend at the Minister's Wives Retreat this was brought up. Clutter in our body can be anything from weight to sin! As far as weight goes, I know I need to stop taking in tons of kunk food and replace it with healthy food!

And as far as sin...

We all sin. None of us are perfect. However, we should not let this hold us back from having a better relationship with Jesus. The more sin we have in our lives the less room we have for God, and vise versa. WE should want to be over flowing with God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit! The one thing that God spoke to me about this weekend personally was, Gossip. I admit that I am a gossiper and a busy body. This is something that I will be working on this week and continue to work on from now on. If that means that, I have to loose friends over it then so be it. I don't want gossip to stand in between me and Jesus. I want to be so full of the Holy Spirit that all I can do is praise the Lord!

Women In The Word Wednesday!

We had another meeting this past Saturday, so I decided to wait until today and post the lesson that we did. I took some things that were on my heart, for myself, and things that I am learning through different blogs, and church, and put it all together for our lesson this month. The title is a sounds a little harsh, but all of us girls found it funny, and everyone received a tote bag to go along with the lesson, and to serve as a reminder this month!

Are You An Nagging Old Bag?

(Be completely honest here! Remember only God will know if you are lying

but in order to help yourself grow as a Christian Woman we

all need to be truthful first with ourselves!)

1. Do you gossip about others?

2. Are you bored when no one else is around?

3. Are you unhappy with the way things are in general around your house?

4. Do you want things for yourself, or would you rather have something that your family or household could use?

5. Do you criticize your husband, family, or friends?

6. Do you mock your husband, family, or friends?

7. Are you disrespectful of your husband, family or friends?

8. Do you mope around and complain about your housework?

9. Do you complain about what your husband does around the house or at work?

10. Do you spend half the day talking on the phone, texting, on Face Book, watching TV, sleeping late, or surfing the web when you know that you should be doing other things?

Total Number for YES _______

Total Number for NO _______

So which is it ladies are you an old nagging bag? It is so easy to complain about every little thing! If you ask any random person how they are doing, what do you get? “Oh well I’ve been better, my gallbladders acting up again, I didn’t sleep last night, my dogs are barking, it’s hot, and well I went to the doctor 3 times this week, so you need to be praying for me.” Right...

Why can’t we tell people how our days are going with praise reports! God gave you the breath to wake up this morning, so use it to glorify His name and show gratitude! Psalms 150:6 says, “Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.” I know it is hard even mutter nice words to our family when we are tired and aggravated. I get so aggravated when I start to do something and can’t get it done because someone drives up, or the phone rings, or someone else wants me to do something else for them.

The past few mornings it has taken me almost an hour just to get my Bible reading done. I don’t even want to mention how long it has taken to do other stuff around the house! It’s stressful. Then I stop and think... “Well, if you would have just got up an hour earlier, you could have gotten everything done.” Man, that’s just a slap in my face. (By my own hand!) Instead of getting aggravated at others, I should have really been aggravated at myself for not planning better.

I think all of this boils down to what kind of home do we have? Is it a peaceful home, where your husband can come home and relax after a hard days work? Or where your kids can play with out getting in trouble for disturbing the parents for watching television? Do you do the things that your husband asks you to do? Do you do the things that you know needs to be done? I know that it is very difficult to be a domestic engineer. (I got called that the other day and it tickled me pink!) But it is what we are called to do! It says in Titus 2:5, “To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” Now I know that some women need to work, but that doesn’t mean that God, her husband, her kids, and lastly her house should be put on the back burner.

The more that we do when we have the time to do it, the easier our life is, when we are busy or need to be somewhere! That is something that I struggle with. Waiting until the last minute to do things, when I could have done them this morning instead of being on facebook! I’m not saying that women should work from sun up to sun down without ever sitting down. Not at all, I want to rest my old dogs after all, they aren’t getting any younger! I’m just saying that we should get the important things done first, so we can have time to spend with company when they come over. Or watch a movie with our husband. Or even play with our kids! By doing things on a regular basis, they take less time to do. Laundry doesn’t take all day, dishes won’t take hours to do, and cleaning the house is a breeze. (Or maybe just a small hurricane!) We need to find balance in our lives and the first step is to put God where he belongs. In Matthew 6:33 it says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” What things you ask? Anything that you really and truly need to survive is included in those things.

If we are hurting others with our words, complaining about our lives, being lazy and just plain selfish, how is that letting God shine in us? Everybody sees the way that we act. Total strangers will remember your face if you grip at a cashier. And trust me they will remember that face, and point you out to others! We need to be careful with our words and actions especially in our own houses. Don’t be the nagging old bag that everyone hates to be around. Be the cheerful, loving, hospitable, gracious, and humble woman God wants you to be! In Proverbs 27:15 is says, “A continual dropping in a very rainy day And a contentious woman are alike.” Have you ever experience something like that? It’s annoying! That is what we are like when we are constantly complaining and nagging to our husbands, kids, families, friends, and strangers!

I want a peaceful home, where my husband can relax, my friends and family can come over to relax and visit peacefully. I really want the house to be more peaceful for me, most importantly! I know that I have the power to set the mood for the house. You know the saying, “Ain’t nobody happy, if Mama ain’t happy!” Try doing things that will make the rest of your day go a little bit easier. For example, I think my days would go a lot better, if I got up just a little bit earlier. Our goal this month is to pick one baby step, that we can work on the entire month, a step that will help us not to be an old nagging bag. Do that baby step, but also watch the words that come out of your mouth. But don’t let last months lesson fall to the way side. Keep reading your Bible daily, so that our lights can shine while we are making ourselves peaceful! Now you can use your bags to pack your Sunday things in, so you can get out the door a little bit faster for church! But every time you use that bag remember what you could be...An Old Nagging bag!!!!

“It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman!” Proverbs 21:19

What is your Baby Step? __________________________________________________________________

Ask someone to keep in touch with you to make sure you are doing this step!

Who did you ask? ________________________________

Who will you be helping this month? _____________________________

Show Us Your Life: Kitchen

Kelly over at Kelly's Korner is doing a series of Show Us Your Life, this week we are showing our Kitchens!

Our Kitchen

We have a new stove order, it should be here in a couple of weeks! I'm really excited to cook something on the correct temperature without burning it! Seriously I cook cakes on 200 degrees and if I'm not careful they burn, (bad)! So I am really excited about that and cannot wait.

It is really hard to take pictures of our rooms, I don't know if it's just because they are little or because I don't know what I am doing!

My husband just redone the counter tops, and made the nice/pretty edging around it. He also made me that pretty cutting board sitting there on the counter! He good...real good! 

Make Your Home a Haven

This weeks challenge is to play music in your house and to be calmer with your family. I didn't use to be an angry person! But it seems the busier our life gets or the more people that we come in contact with the angrier I become. I don't want to be like that, and I also don't want to be known as that angry woman! So I have been trying to stay calm and pray every time I feel that resentment or anger rising up.

We only listen to Christian music around our house, so I have been singing along with the music all morning and praising God! It feels so good to know that I am getting things done and ministering to God while I am doing it! Our Secret Sister Meeting was about not being a "Nagging Old Bag!" Which fits right along with making our home a haven and not being angry, mean, hateful, or even decieving.

So go turn on some music, make sure the volume isn't too loud, that way you can still talk to your husband or kids. Get some things done around the house, that way it is a haven for your husband to come home too after a long day of work! My husband won't be home for another week, but I am trying to get as much done as I can, so that he won't have to do those things when he gets home. I think our husbands need just as much rest as we do, and often times they are put to work the minute they open the door. Give them some time to unwind and relax today!

Women In The Word Wednesday!

We have finished Luke. Lots of good things in Luke! Lots of scripture that goes along with letting our lights shine for God and allowing the world to see. The challenge that was posted yesterday, goes along perfect with what our lesson was for last month! So I think at our next meeting (which is Saturday) I am going to bring the challenge up and see what the girls have to say! 

We have also read Jonah since the last post, and Oh My! I have read Jonah before, but I guess it just didn't speak to me like it did this time! God wanted Jonah to do something for Him and Jonah didn't want to. So God allowed Jonah to be thrown into the sea and swallowed by a whale! He stayed in that belly for 3 days, until he cried out to God and admitted that he was wrong! That is all God wants us to do. Admit that we are wrong, so that He can have complete control of our lives!

Jonah was mad at God for not destroying the people of the city, after all the trouble he went through. He was MAD! He wanted God to just kill him. So he sits outside the city, waiting to see what is going to happen...and God allows a gourd to grow but then also to wither even before the sun comes out. So once again Jonah gets angry enough that he wants to die. Sound familiar?

We often get so mad at God, for not answering our prayers when we want Him too, that we get mad at Him. So mad that we completely turn our backs to Him. By turning our backs, we are saying, "Lord, I just want to die, I don't want the eternal life that you promise me." God knows what He is doing! He has been doing it for thousands of years! He knows what tomorrow brings, He knows what a year will bring! He sees the big picture when we can only see the now.

So just trust in God and listen to Him, do as He says! (Or you could very well end up in the belly of a whale!) After all He is the same God He was when Jonah was alive!

Then said the LORD, Doest thou well to be angry?

Jonah 4:4



Making Your Home a Haven

This is the first official day of the Make Your Home a Have Challenge hosted by Courtney. You can look at her post and all the other results for the challenge over at Women Living Well. Her blog is a great resource for many things, and all of her posts have Godly inspiration! I long to be a Proverbs 31 Woman and will take as much information and help that I can get from anyone that lives their life according the Bible.

The first challenge is to light a candle everyday in your home. Each time the candle catches your eye, you are to pray for peace in your home. I didn't buy a candle, just for the fact that I just spent money on some Scentsy products and decided to use them, instead. Right now I have the "Pumpkin Pie Spice" wax in, which we found at Wal-Mart for $2.00. It smells wonderful and the house is really peaceful.

Right now it is easy to be peaceful. Derreck just left for work, for 14 days, and it is just me and the dogs. It's easy to keep the house clean, dinner cooked, and laundry done. Often it gets really, I mean REALLY boring around here when he is gone. I want it to be this peaceful when he is home though. I don't want to be the woman that is distant, distracted, crabby, discontent or the one that doesn't pray. Trust me, all of these show up at some point while Derreck is home, and I know it makes his days at home horrible. So that is what I will be working on and praying about. Not that the Lord will change him, but that He will change me and bring peace to me so that I can make our house a haven.

I want to be the woman of second home that Courtney described. I desire to be engaged with my family, a wise time manager, have a pleasant demeanor, be content, and most importantly be a woman that prays without ceasing! I desire our house to be a haven for my husband, for future kids that will be living here and for me!

"The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down."

Proverbs 14:1

Show Us Your Life-Dining Room

Here is my dining room.

This picture was taken last December after my wonderful husband finished the table for my birthday. Isn't it beautiful? I do have a fall centerpiece on it right now, so it's not just all Plain Jane.

Also the China Cabinet in the back is a refinish project that we did a couple of years ago. It was in a fire and completely covered in soot, and all the glass was broke out. It also turned out beautiful and it matches the table perfectly!

I love when my husband builds something for the house! I know his work is going to be great work, specific to my taste and it is going to last! Plus it will always be that much more special, because he made it and it wasn't bought at some store.

Women In The Word Wednesday!

This is the second week for Women in the Word Wednesday! Come on over to Good Morning Girls and link up with us. Every Wednesday we share what we are learning with our walk with God. He is amazing and works through every post that is posted.

We are still in Luke this week and today we read Luke 21. This chapter has a lot in it!

From the woman giving all she has. Which we should too. We shouldn't give God what is left over. Our time that is left at the end of the day. If we have enough free time we might go to church on Sunday morning. If we have enough money out of this check I will give some in the offering, if we go to church on Sunday, that is. God wants our best of everything! A widow gave everything that she had, knowing that her Lord would take care of her in everything that she could possibly need!

To the end of times! Jesus warned us about things that will happen before Jesus comes back. Most of those things have already happened! So that means it won't be long before he comes to get His bride, which is the ones that believe and have a personal relationship with Him. Not just a I'm going to church and doing this relationship! You have to have faith in Jesus and praise His name even when times are hard, and not to your liking! Jesus died on the cross for our sins, so that those who truly believe in Him, will have everlasting life!