I thought that I would change it up a bit today and share with you some of my favorite spots on the web. These ministries are really blessing me and I wanted to share them with you...Enjoy!
1. Exemplify Magazine I am loving this site...and the monthly (beautiful) magazine that comes directly to my inbox. There is something for everyone in this magazine. Simply click on the link I have provided...and subscribe for free (well worth your time).
2. Under Grace and Over Coffee Andrea was one of the woman at the Woman Inspired conference that I attended a few weeks back. She spoke directly to my heart and I have been following her ever since. Love her site!
3. Internet Cafe Devotions Love, love love these devotions. Different writer's every day. I look forward to them being in my inbox first thing every morning.
4. At the Well In pursuit of Titus 2. Just recently began poking around here...so good!
So there you have it...my favorite top 4 sites. Pour yourself a cup of something wonderful and stop over for a visit. I am sure you'll be blessed!
Happy Friday!
Joyce Marie
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Day four...
Look what I found on the grass, in my front yard this morning. A perfect little Robin's egg. I picked it up...it was so cold that I held it until it warmed up. Trying to figure out what to do with it now.
I am happy to say that yesterday was much better! Brittany nor I felt so overwhelmed which was good. She had her meeting with the studio director last night...she seemed impressed that Brittany had a resume'. She told Brittany that she was drawn to her because of her enthusiasm and the smile that she always has on her face. That this is the behavior that she wants from her teachers. It was like the "initial interview". It does sound very promising...she told Brittany that she would discuss her pay and hours at a later date. Brittany said she was totally relaxed and comfortable. Brittany said they had a great conversation. Brittany is to just keep up what she is currently doing...through these next 6 weeks. So all is good!
Thanks all for wondering if I got the sauce out of my blouse...oh yes, I did. A little tip...shampoo is probably the best stain remover out there...just a little tip learned from my mom.
God is good!
Joyce Marie
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
My week...day three...
Okay, so this "mommy in transition" is finding out a lot about myself this week. I am also figuring out that my life as I know it is about to change. Change is good, but I still don't like it.
I strive to be the wife and mom that is there for my family, healthy meals...a mostly clean house (although some weeks are better than others), clean laundry (not always put away, but I'm getting better). I try so hard to meet my family's needs so that they can be all that they can be.
Yesterday started off great...we finished the resume, I put on a pot of sauce, made some yummy bread sticks (click here to get the recipe). As the afternoon wore on and I realized just how short my time was I began to feel pressured...how was I to put my perfect dinner on the table when Brittany was one direction and Dennis and I in the other. This is when I recognized that I was cooking like I had two hands full of thumbs. For some reason it took me all afternoon to cook my dinner. By the time it was time to take Brittany I hadn't even washed my hair or put my make-up on. (Do I really want to admit that?) I was dressed nice though, had a nice pair of capri's on and a spring blouse...which my sauce bubbled up like a volcano all over...that hot bubbly goo even hit me above my left eye brow (luckily, I wasn't burnt) and I quickly shed my blouse and treated it for stains and put on an old ratty t-shirt for the rest of the day. Oh, and did I mention that I grabbed my hot stainless steel pan by the handle without a hot pad? Yep, I had one wild and crazy day yesterday.
Sitting down to a quiet dinner with my man I ruined it with my tears...yep, started crying right there at the dinner table like a three year old. Poor me...my life as I know it is changing, my little girl is not so little anymore. My little buddy (Brittany) needs to do what she needs to do so that she can learn to make a living. (Are you enjoying my pity party yet?)
I realized sitting there with my husband looking at me with sad eyes...that I need to re-train my brain. For the past seventeen years plus my life has revolved around breakfasts, school, lunch, driving Brittany to dance, dinner and fun activities. I don't know what it is like to get up and face a day that I have to actually fill with new activities. Normally, I saved my house work for after school...I can now get up and have the whole house cleaned and laundry done by noon. Wow, imagine the thought. I can't...my mind doesn't work that way...my mind is still sitting at the dining room table or on the sofa under a quilt during the winter reading through tales of history.
So...now that I am aware that I am going to have many, many hours to fill and that life as I know it is about to change...I am going to attempt to re-train my brain. At least that is what I am going to be working on through the next several months...stick with me! (And with this...my pity party is over!)
Wishing you a blessed Wednesday!
Joyce Marie
I strive to be the wife and mom that is there for my family, healthy meals...a mostly clean house (although some weeks are better than others), clean laundry (not always put away, but I'm getting better). I try so hard to meet my family's needs so that they can be all that they can be.
Yesterday started off great...we finished the resume, I put on a pot of sauce, made some yummy bread sticks (click here to get the recipe). As the afternoon wore on and I realized just how short my time was I began to feel pressured...how was I to put my perfect dinner on the table when Brittany was one direction and Dennis and I in the other. This is when I recognized that I was cooking like I had two hands full of thumbs. For some reason it took me all afternoon to cook my dinner. By the time it was time to take Brittany I hadn't even washed my hair or put my make-up on. (Do I really want to admit that?) I was dressed nice though, had a nice pair of capri's on and a spring blouse...which my sauce bubbled up like a volcano all over...that hot bubbly goo even hit me above my left eye brow (luckily, I wasn't burnt) and I quickly shed my blouse and treated it for stains and put on an old ratty t-shirt for the rest of the day. Oh, and did I mention that I grabbed my hot stainless steel pan by the handle without a hot pad? Yep, I had one wild and crazy day yesterday.
Sitting down to a quiet dinner with my man I ruined it with my tears...yep, started crying right there at the dinner table like a three year old. Poor me...my life as I know it is changing, my little girl is not so little anymore. My little buddy (Brittany) needs to do what she needs to do so that she can learn to make a living. (Are you enjoying my pity party yet?)
I realized sitting there with my husband looking at me with sad eyes...that I need to re-train my brain. For the past seventeen years plus my life has revolved around breakfasts, school, lunch, driving Brittany to dance, dinner and fun activities. I don't know what it is like to get up and face a day that I have to actually fill with new activities. Normally, I saved my house work for after school...I can now get up and have the whole house cleaned and laundry done by noon. Wow, imagine the thought. I can't...my mind doesn't work that way...my mind is still sitting at the dining room table or on the sofa under a quilt during the winter reading through tales of history.
So...now that I am aware that I am going to have many, many hours to fill and that life as I know it is about to change...I am going to attempt to re-train my brain. At least that is what I am going to be working on through the next several months...stick with me! (And with this...my pity party is over!)
Wishing you a blessed Wednesday!
Joyce Marie
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Brittany's big week day 2...
Well, if I haven't noticed it before my little Brittany is indeed growing up. This morning we worked on her resume ( I just can't believe that my little girl has a resume). It turned out really good! We made several copies and also copies of her two reference letters from her previous dance teachers and tonight we'll buy a couple of portfolios for her so that when she meets with Miss Jessa this week it all looks official.
I want her to have that official process of preparing for a job search. She is getting that this week. Last night, she had a good night for her first official night of her internship. She was pleased that they were expecting her. She was able to look at the whole situation with new eyes and was able to study the different teaching styles there. With a smile on her face she got in the car and talked a mile a minute telling us all of what was going on with her. She has a meeting tomorrow evening...and her private appointment with the studio director on Wednesday as well. She is so ready....
I won't bore you with the details of a first resume...but I will list her objective here for my records...
I have a big pot of Italian sauce simmering on my stove...it smells so good! Our air today is very chilly but we have sunshine and for that too, I am thankful. How about you? What are you up to today?
Blessings!
Joyce Marie
I want her to have that official process of preparing for a job search. She is getting that this week. Last night, she had a good night for her first official night of her internship. She was pleased that they were expecting her. She was able to look at the whole situation with new eyes and was able to study the different teaching styles there. With a smile on her face she got in the car and talked a mile a minute telling us all of what was going on with her. She has a meeting tomorrow evening...and her private appointment with the studio director on Wednesday as well. She is so ready....
I won't bore you with the details of a first resume...but I will list her objective here for my records...
"I have been in love with the idea of teaching dance ever since I stepped foot on the dance floor. As the years have passed, my dreams have become reality as I have gained opportunities to take what I have learned and apply it to my students. I strive to make dance a joyful activity for students of all ages. With detailed technique and a love for performance, my hope is that my passion for dance will transfer to my students as I teach them the form of art that I have dedicated my life to."
I have a big pot of Italian sauce simmering on my stove...it smells so good! Our air today is very chilly but we have sunshine and for that too, I am thankful. How about you? What are you up to today?
Blessings!
Joyce Marie
Monday, April 26, 2010
Random thoughts on a Monday...
Today has been a busy day...and it went so fast! I already have my dinner going and it is only 3:30...but I hate for Brittany to eat her dinner after 9:00 so...we are all going to be eating just a bit early for the next few weeks.
I baked a loaf of bread this morning, did my devotions and our Bible study...some laundry, some grocery shopping and now my chicken breasts are baking in the oven...a green salad and some kind of side are planned...but I haven't gotten there yet.
I gave the option to Brittany to be finished with school...because she will be so busy and she wishes to just keep on going...she is basically just doing math, Dance Pedagogy, Bible and Ballet terminology these days...oh yeah, and of course writing...I think she is happy with this schedule so even if she just tackles it a couple of times a week...she'll be doing well.
She has the jitters to go tonight...a bit of new job nervousness showing in her today. I think once she gets there she'll be just fine (I remember those days, don't you?). She has been an assistant teacher for four years...but somehow, this just seems so official. I told her that once she gets the first week under her belt she'll feel better.
That is about all that is going on here on this dreary Monday afternoon in NE Ohio...we finally got some much needed rain and everything looks so very pretty out there. I think we are about a month ahead in our blooming...I have to keep reminding myself that it is only April.
Wishing you a healthy and happy Monday!
Joyce Marie
I baked a loaf of bread this morning, did my devotions and our Bible study...some laundry, some grocery shopping and now my chicken breasts are baking in the oven...a green salad and some kind of side are planned...but I haven't gotten there yet.
I gave the option to Brittany to be finished with school...because she will be so busy and she wishes to just keep on going...she is basically just doing math, Dance Pedagogy, Bible and Ballet terminology these days...oh yeah, and of course writing...I think she is happy with this schedule so even if she just tackles it a couple of times a week...she'll be doing well.
She has the jitters to go tonight...a bit of new job nervousness showing in her today. I think once she gets there she'll be just fine (I remember those days, don't you?). She has been an assistant teacher for four years...but somehow, this just seems so official. I told her that once she gets the first week under her belt she'll feel better.
That is about all that is going on here on this dreary Monday afternoon in NE Ohio...we finally got some much needed rain and everything looks so very pretty out there. I think we are about a month ahead in our blooming...I have to keep reminding myself that it is only April.
Wishing you a healthy and happy Monday!
Joyce Marie
Saturday, April 24, 2010
It's a very happy day in our house today...
I just feel like celebrating! My daughter is finally going to live out her dream as a dance teacher. She got in the car this morning with a huge smile on her face telling us that we have a lot to talk about :) She has now stepped up from an assistant teacher and will be interning with this dance studio for the rest of the year. She will be assisting in every class for 4 nights a week through the rest of the spring...then meeting with the director and stepping into a summer teaching job and a full time teacher next fall! Inside I am just thanking and praising the Lord for His grace. How excited am I for her...we both are, my husband and I.
She is going to be teaching Musical Theater classes for sure, which is really exciting for her. She has so much to learn...still. But as she said in the car...God hasn't brought her this far to drop her.
She has a big day planned as she is now telling her Grammy her news and then will be getting ready to spend the evening with two of the teachers tonight...Dennis and I actually have a date night tonight...we are thinking of breaking out the grill for the evening...and then who knows.
Blessings!
Joyce Marie
She is going to be teaching Musical Theater classes for sure, which is really exciting for her. She has so much to learn...still. But as she said in the car...God hasn't brought her this far to drop her.
She has a big day planned as she is now telling her Grammy her news and then will be getting ready to spend the evening with two of the teachers tonight...Dennis and I actually have a date night tonight...we are thinking of breaking out the grill for the evening...and then who knows.
Blessings!
Joyce Marie
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
If I Could Ask God Anything Awesome Bible Answers for Curious Kids...by Kathryn Slattery
If God is Invisible, how can I know He is real?
Why is the church called "the body of Christ"?
Does God stop loving me when I sin?
These questions and more will be answered in this Juvenile Nonfiction book by Kathryn Slattery.
Why is the church called "the body of Christ"?
Does God stop loving me when I sin?
These questions and more will be answered in this Juvenile Nonfiction book by Kathryn Slattery.
If I Could Ask God Anything is an excellent resource for parents to share with their children. This book would be perfect for dinner time devotions. All children ask questions; this resource will answer them in a clear and easy way that will enforce how much God loves them. As a matter of fact, the resonating message throughout this book is how much God loves them. I liked that about this book. Children need to know of that love from an early age. Some of the answers were short, which left me wanting more, but this gives parents a jumping off point to further the discussion. I really liked that Mrs Slattery included the Bible verses to back up the answers. As a homeschooling mom I would have loved to use this book when my daughter was younger.
A Self-less Blessing...
I just have to share a very special blessing this week. In January, my husband and I had to switch his office with our bedroom...for purely technical reasons...so in a pinch for time, we did...I knew that I had my work cut out for me so figuring that I could make it until after school we didn't worry about changing the closet (which was used for storage in his office) You need to keep in mind here that we live in a 90+ year old home which makes us even lucky to have closets in our bedrooms...but we do...as small as they may be. In this old house you have to get very creative with storage. I don't have this all mastered yet but I am getting there. Anyway...we (my husband and I) decided that he would take the storage and closet in his new office (our old room) for his clothes and I would take the dresser and eventual closet in our new room (his old office)...my little drawers alone were just not cutting it and I have to admit, it was becoming discouraging and things were beginning to pile up in our room.
This brings me back to this past Friday...my lovely, self-less, generous daughter decided that she was going to tackle my bedroom for me as a gift. My girl, went upstairs and began cleaning out this closet...making several trips, arms loaded from upstairs to the basement all by herself. (Amazingly, she was able to pull it off) I was pre-occupied with things...my husband was at work in his office. This girl of mine was working fast and furious because I was none the wiser...at one point my husband walked in the room as he was going to hang room darkening blinds in there...all of the stuff from the closet was piled on the bed and Brittany said his eyes just looked huge( I am sure he was wondering how in the world she was going to accomplish this on her own). This didn't discourage my girl however...she managed to clean out my closet and move all of my clothes, purses and shoes to my new closet...in color schemes I might add. Then, grabbing her dad again they rearranged our bed and dresser to allow for more room...this is the smallest bedroom in the house.
A short time later (she worked very fast) she came down to get me...I don't even remember the reason she got me upstairs...but I opened the door...
I was simply floored! All the clutter that was beginning to stack up was gone. The blinds had been hung, my room looked roomy and clean, perfectly clean! She opened my closet door and in disbelief I saw all of my things so neatly put away. I am still in awe as I walk up there and glance over and over in our room.
What a total blessing my daughter gave me...what a gift. I now know what those people feel like when they have a home-makeover. I can now do my laundry and have a place to put everything...it hasn't been like this ever! I remain speechless. I am now excited to pick a paint color and a new bedspread.
So, thank you my dear, sweet Brittany...there are no words that can express the feelings in my heart!
Blessings,
Joyce Marie
This brings me back to this past Friday...my lovely, self-less, generous daughter decided that she was going to tackle my bedroom for me as a gift. My girl, went upstairs and began cleaning out this closet...making several trips, arms loaded from upstairs to the basement all by herself. (Amazingly, she was able to pull it off) I was pre-occupied with things...my husband was at work in his office. This girl of mine was working fast and furious because I was none the wiser...at one point my husband walked in the room as he was going to hang room darkening blinds in there...all of the stuff from the closet was piled on the bed and Brittany said his eyes just looked huge( I am sure he was wondering how in the world she was going to accomplish this on her own). This didn't discourage my girl however...she managed to clean out my closet and move all of my clothes, purses and shoes to my new closet...in color schemes I might add. Then, grabbing her dad again they rearranged our bed and dresser to allow for more room...this is the smallest bedroom in the house.
A short time later (she worked very fast) she came down to get me...I don't even remember the reason she got me upstairs...but I opened the door...
I was simply floored! All the clutter that was beginning to stack up was gone. The blinds had been hung, my room looked roomy and clean, perfectly clean! She opened my closet door and in disbelief I saw all of my things so neatly put away. I am still in awe as I walk up there and glance over and over in our room.
What a total blessing my daughter gave me...what a gift. I now know what those people feel like when they have a home-makeover. I can now do my laundry and have a place to put everything...it hasn't been like this ever! I remain speechless. I am now excited to pick a paint color and a new bedspread.
So, thank you my dear, sweet Brittany...there are no words that can express the feelings in my heart!
Blessings,
Joyce Marie
Friday, April 16, 2010
Paper decorations...
Paper candy dishes...tell me if you remember making these little fortune games when you were younger. We got the idea from non other than the Martha Stewart web site...we went out yesterday and picked up a book of double-sided scrapbook paper. I'll list the steps for you here...
This is an average size page of scrapbook paper...two sided...if you choose one sided the white side would go this side up...the top is the inside of your creation...
Next...fold corner to corner and make a firm crease...
Now that you have your paper folded into 4 sections...you take each corner and fold it toward the middle...because this paper is thick...we used a Popsicle stick to really define our folds...
Flip it over so the back side is facing up...(below)
Each corner to the middle again...the paper is getting really thick here...so take your time to fold it back and forth...what it looks like after this step(below)
Next step...fold in half both directions...
Open toward the center...this is the bottom (do these look familiar?)
The finished product...see how each one is divided into four cones? We are going to fill each side with some type of bright candy and put them in the center of our tables.
Stacked up for safe keeping.
And then, we got creative with colored tissue paper. We took the sheets 8 together and folded them accordion style...secured them with wire in the middle and cut the ends of the paper in points (like a flower petal)... very carefully we separated each layer and when finished they looked like a flower...then we took two halves to make a whole...twisted the wire together and formed a hook and the finished product is below...spheres of pretty fluff! We'll hang them from the rafters down the middle of the shelter...next week we are going to make tiny ones to put down the middle of the tables in between our candy bowls...
We had so much fun making memories...creating our own decorations. What a fun way to spend a Friday...
Hard to believe this is just paper...
Blessings!
Joyce Marie
This is an average size page of scrapbook paper...two sided...if you choose one sided the white side would go this side up...the top is the inside of your creation...
Next...fold corner to corner and make a firm crease...
Flip it over so the back side is facing up...(below)
Each corner to the middle again...the paper is getting really thick here...so take your time to fold it back and forth...what it looks like after this step(below)
Next step...fold in half both directions...
Open toward the center...this is the bottom (do these look familiar?)
The finished product...see how each one is divided into four cones? We are going to fill each side with some type of bright candy and put them in the center of our tables.
Stacked up for safe keeping.
And then, we got creative with colored tissue paper. We took the sheets 8 together and folded them accordion style...secured them with wire in the middle and cut the ends of the paper in points (like a flower petal)... very carefully we separated each layer and when finished they looked like a flower...then we took two halves to make a whole...twisted the wire together and formed a hook and the finished product is below...spheres of pretty fluff! We'll hang them from the rafters down the middle of the shelter...next week we are going to make tiny ones to put down the middle of the tables in between our candy bowls...
We had so much fun making memories...creating our own decorations. What a fun way to spend a Friday...
Hard to believe this is just paper...Blessings!
Joyce Marie
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Graduation preparations
I was sound asleep last Friday morning when with a start I woke up in a panic...realizing that this week marked the middle of April. Oh yes...for some strange reason...just being busy with home and school life I thought we were still in the month of March...I mean, I knew this was April but really but I guess it hadn't quite hit me that it was really April. Six more weeks of homeschooling for me. Six more weeks??? How in the world did I get here so fast. It was just yesterday that we were sitting closely at the table working on math problems wasn't it? Or wasn't it just last week that we were reading Farmer Boy or Mr Pines Purple House? I can see those days so very clearly in my mind (Seems like I can remember every detail). I am finding myself wanting to just slow down and give lots of hugs to my daughter. I better get my emotions in check as I have to put on my happy face soon and hand her her diploma.
Last Saturday, we took full advantage of sunshine and blossoming trees and snapped some pretty pictures that we'll use on her grad announcements. She and I spent and afternoon creating the perfect one this week...actually we narrowed it down to our top two choices. We stepped away from that project for a couple days so that when we go back we can see them with new eyes and make our final choice.
Today...we let our fingers do the walking on marthastewart.com and found a few really cute things that we can do to add some color and decoration to the picnic shelter that we have reserved. I really need to decide on my food. This is where I am being stumped...worried about keeping cold things cold and hot things hot in a shelter. I am still working out those details. Suggestions welcome!
Anybody go to a Tax Day Tea Party? We drove up to Cleveland this past Sunday as the Tea Party Express was making their way through Ohio on their last leg of the tour before they make there way to D. C. today. It was very uplifting...Brittany and I have attended 3 local Tea Parties...the last one was in our home town...over 7,000 people attended last August. I love celebrating my country with fellow patriots...looking around as the crowd dispersed last Sunday evening...not even a speck of paper was left on the grass. No angry mobs...or guns...no yelling or screaming. Just lots of God-fearing, country-loving Patriots. If you ever get an opportunity to go to one of the Tea Party Express tours...it is a lot of fun!
Whew! That was a lot to catch up on...
Joyce Marie
Last Saturday, we took full advantage of sunshine and blossoming trees and snapped some pretty pictures that we'll use on her grad announcements. She and I spent and afternoon creating the perfect one this week...actually we narrowed it down to our top two choices. We stepped away from that project for a couple days so that when we go back we can see them with new eyes and make our final choice.
Today...we let our fingers do the walking on marthastewart.com and found a few really cute things that we can do to add some color and decoration to the picnic shelter that we have reserved. I really need to decide on my food. This is where I am being stumped...worried about keeping cold things cold and hot things hot in a shelter. I am still working out those details. Suggestions welcome!
Anybody go to a Tax Day Tea Party? We drove up to Cleveland this past Sunday as the Tea Party Express was making their way through Ohio on their last leg of the tour before they make there way to D. C. today. It was very uplifting...Brittany and I have attended 3 local Tea Parties...the last one was in our home town...over 7,000 people attended last August. I love celebrating my country with fellow patriots...looking around as the crowd dispersed last Sunday evening...not even a speck of paper was left on the grass. No angry mobs...or guns...no yelling or screaming. Just lots of God-fearing, country-loving Patriots. If you ever get an opportunity to go to one of the Tea Party Express tours...it is a lot of fun!
Whew! That was a lot to catch up on...
Joyce Marie
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Wednesday
Good morning everyone,
I still have two hours of morning left to my day. Nothing much going on here except all of the beautiful weather we have had this last week and a half. I am running the air conditioning because of Brittany's allergies. She is doing much better with the air on...although, I hate it. I feel so cooped up, so I go out every little bit and sit on on my front porch steps to take in the sights, sounds and warm breezes of early spring.
This is just a typical week of school. Brittany is working on all her subjects and together we began a study on Ruth this morning. Love the book of Ruth. Yesterday I baked a loaf of bread and a batch of bagels for the week and made homemade mac and cheese for dinner. I have been searching for "depression era" recipes...I am a bit behind on the laundry front as mom's can't take "spring break" and get away with it...it just adds to more work doesn't it?
So off I go to feed my washer and dryer again and figure out what I am feeding my family for lunch.
Blessings!
Joyce Marie
I still have two hours of morning left to my day. Nothing much going on here except all of the beautiful weather we have had this last week and a half. I am running the air conditioning because of Brittany's allergies. She is doing much better with the air on...although, I hate it. I feel so cooped up, so I go out every little bit and sit on on my front porch steps to take in the sights, sounds and warm breezes of early spring.
This is just a typical week of school. Brittany is working on all her subjects and together we began a study on Ruth this morning. Love the book of Ruth. Yesterday I baked a loaf of bread and a batch of bagels for the week and made homemade mac and cheese for dinner. I have been searching for "depression era" recipes...I am a bit behind on the laundry front as mom's can't take "spring break" and get away with it...it just adds to more work doesn't it?
So off I go to feed my washer and dryer again and figure out what I am feeding my family for lunch.
Blessings!
Joyce Marie
Monday, April 5, 2010
From my Bible study this morning...
If you need wisdom -
if you want to know what God wants you to do -
ask him, and he will gladly tell you.
He will not resent your asking.
But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer,
for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave
of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
They can't make up their minds.
They waver back and forth in everything they do.
James 1:5-8 (NLT)
if you want to know what God wants you to do -
ask him, and he will gladly tell you.
He will not resent your asking.
But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer,
for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave
of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
They can't make up their minds.
They waver back and forth in everything they do.
James 1:5-8 (NLT)
Oh how these words spoke to my heart this morning. I have been going through a time of pruning(God's pruning). I asked for it...I prayed for it and the Lord is doing it. I have to admit...it is exhausting, some days it is all I can do to get through it... so don't ask for this if you aren't ready. I guess it is kinda like praying for patience. :)
As I read the above words I had an overwhelming sense of myself. How many times did I bow my head to pray to the Lord...but as I was praying began to take it back...or began to doubt...yes doubt, I'll be totally honest that He could really take care of the matter that I was praying about. (but, oh how I wanted to believe!)
First of all...I have learned that God doesn't always answer our prayers the way we hope that he will. For me, this has been a large part of my struggle with infertility...after years and years of tearful prayers...my prayers weren't answered as I had hoped. As believers...sometimes, we have to accept circumstances that aren't what we want...but if we sit back (and for me think about it)and trust, have faith (or learn to have faith) then we can begin to see God's plan for our life. I have given this so much thought over the past six months or so...I prayed, cried, screamed at times to my Lord to take this infertility away from me over the years. Wanting to have another child made my empty arms ache. When my dad was diagnosed with a cancer that we knew not many survive...how I (we)prayed for him...never giving up...but in my life...in both of these instances God had a different plan. This can be very hard to accept. But, when we were created...when the first signs of our life were formed...God knew all of our days. The ins and outs, the sorrows and the the joys. It is up to us to follow Him so closely that we don't have room for doubt. I hate doubt don't you?
So, today, I just felt like sharing a little bit of what I have been working on lately with my Lord. I love depending on Him to take care of me. I don't think that I have fully understood all that this meant for all of these years as I do now in this season of my life. With all of life's responsibilities it is such freedom to me to just cast off my cares on Him. To depend on Him, my Creator that He is working all things out for MY good.
How about you? Have you ever done this yourself? Spent time in prayer only to pick it back up after you were done praying...or later on in your day...or again the next morning? I don't think that I am alone in this. Even my daughter admitted that she does it too...
I do not want to live my life as though I am tossed in the wind...unsettled as the waves of the sea...I want to just let the word of God pour from my soul...I want to encourage you today to believe that he will never forsake you...that he will never let the waters cover over you or give you more than we can handle.
Thank you Jesus for your promises!
Wishing you a Monday full of blessings!
Joyce Marie
As I read the above words I had an overwhelming sense of myself. How many times did I bow my head to pray to the Lord...but as I was praying began to take it back...or began to doubt...yes doubt, I'll be totally honest that He could really take care of the matter that I was praying about. (but, oh how I wanted to believe!)
First of all...I have learned that God doesn't always answer our prayers the way we hope that he will. For me, this has been a large part of my struggle with infertility...after years and years of tearful prayers...my prayers weren't answered as I had hoped. As believers...sometimes, we have to accept circumstances that aren't what we want...but if we sit back (and for me think about it)and trust, have faith (or learn to have faith) then we can begin to see God's plan for our life. I have given this so much thought over the past six months or so...I prayed, cried, screamed at times to my Lord to take this infertility away from me over the years. Wanting to have another child made my empty arms ache. When my dad was diagnosed with a cancer that we knew not many survive...how I (we)prayed for him...never giving up...but in my life...in both of these instances God had a different plan. This can be very hard to accept. But, when we were created...when the first signs of our life were formed...God knew all of our days. The ins and outs, the sorrows and the the joys. It is up to us to follow Him so closely that we don't have room for doubt. I hate doubt don't you?
So, today, I just felt like sharing a little bit of what I have been working on lately with my Lord. I love depending on Him to take care of me. I don't think that I have fully understood all that this meant for all of these years as I do now in this season of my life. With all of life's responsibilities it is such freedom to me to just cast off my cares on Him. To depend on Him, my Creator that He is working all things out for MY good.
How about you? Have you ever done this yourself? Spent time in prayer only to pick it back up after you were done praying...or later on in your day...or again the next morning? I don't think that I am alone in this. Even my daughter admitted that she does it too...
I do not want to live my life as though I am tossed in the wind...unsettled as the waves of the sea...I want to just let the word of God pour from my soul...I want to encourage you today to believe that he will never forsake you...that he will never let the waters cover over you or give you more than we can handle.
Thank you Jesus for your promises!
Wishing you a Monday full of blessings!
Joyce Marie
Friday, April 2, 2010
I can't believe that it is Friday already. Brittany and I decided that because our weather was supposed to be so nice this week to just take Spring Break this week. She has next week off from dance...so next week we won't have anything to do after school...so for us it it almost like having Spring Break for two weeks in a row.
Last week, Brittany twisted her knee...by the time Monday came around she was doing well...so she went to her ballet class and came out limping. So...we have been babying that knee all week and I am happy to say that it is much better...lots of ice, Advil and just taking it easy has been the trick...she didn't dance on it again on Wednesday. Hopefully, when she goes back after next week all will be well.
Our leaves are starting to pop out which is giving my her terrible allergies...both of her eyes are watering non-stop and her head is all full. I feel bad for her, my girl loves to be outside. She never had allergies until the last two years. Last summer it was really bad. I am not sure why, now that she is grown this has manifested itself but it sure does make her miserable. She has Flonase and is taking Clariton. She isn't going to let this stop her though...
As for me...I am just enjoying hearing the birds outside...the sunshine on my face and the warm weather. I have been reading through the Psalms this week and recently bought a new book that I am enjoying very much. I am loving having my windows open and the smell of the fresh air. What a blessing! Today...I need to get some things done that I have been putting off all week and then we'll see...after all we are on Spring Break!
Tomorrow, we pick up my sweetheart from the airport. After ten years of him traveling we have quickly gotten used to him being here at home since Christmas...now we are all back on schedule again, sometimes we (my family) just have to remember to adapt...:)
Easter blessings!
Joyce Marie
Last week, Brittany twisted her knee...by the time Monday came around she was doing well...so she went to her ballet class and came out limping. So...we have been babying that knee all week and I am happy to say that it is much better...lots of ice, Advil and just taking it easy has been the trick...she didn't dance on it again on Wednesday. Hopefully, when she goes back after next week all will be well.
Our leaves are starting to pop out which is giving my her terrible allergies...both of her eyes are watering non-stop and her head is all full. I feel bad for her, my girl loves to be outside. She never had allergies until the last two years. Last summer it was really bad. I am not sure why, now that she is grown this has manifested itself but it sure does make her miserable. She has Flonase and is taking Clariton. She isn't going to let this stop her though...
As for me...I am just enjoying hearing the birds outside...the sunshine on my face and the warm weather. I have been reading through the Psalms this week and recently bought a new book that I am enjoying very much. I am loving having my windows open and the smell of the fresh air. What a blessing! Today...I need to get some things done that I have been putting off all week and then we'll see...after all we are on Spring Break!
Tomorrow, we pick up my sweetheart from the airport. After ten years of him traveling we have quickly gotten used to him being here at home since Christmas...now we are all back on schedule again, sometimes we (my family) just have to remember to adapt...:)
Easter blessings!
Joyce Marie
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