IN HIS WORD WEDNESDAY. . .7 WONDERS OF THE WEEK

In the Wednesday Kids 4 Truth class for elementary children, our theme for this whole year is

THE BIBLE.

We learn a new truth amd scripture verse about the Bible each week, and we review all of the previous truths we have learned. One of the first "truths" we learned is that

"The Bible is completely true!" We learned that the Bible is God's inspired word that He gave to Holy men to write down for Him.

In the once a month, Girls' Bible Study, His Girl, the following is one of the first passages discussed:

1 Peter 1:13-21ESV

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hoope fully on the grace that will be brought to you in the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance., but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." And if you call on Him as Father, who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or sport. He was foreknown before the foundation of the owrld butr was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you, who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and Yogave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

These are His precious words to us today.

Prayer update:

The 16 year old girl, who I mentioned in my previous post, having possible Gall Bladder issues, did have a very infected Gall Bladder and had surgery this morning. Please keep her in your prayers.

Thank you!

Sandy

Be sure to visit Megan at http://dailyessentialsanddeals.blogspot.com/2009/09/in-his-word-wednesday-afraid.html

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7 Wonders of the Week!

1. Being in His Word with 1st-3rd graders.

2. Being a Proud Mama

3. Cooking lunch for high school girls' and watching them relate to the video about "My Crazy Life."

4. Hearing my son and daughters', who are not at home, and my 3 year old granddaughter's, voices on the phone.

5. Hugs from my 16 year old son.

6. Being called Beautiful by my husband.

7. Seeing students "get it" and be proud of their learning and independence.

"I Get To" Tuesdays and a Plea for Time Management Tips

"I Get To" Tuesdays

The thought behind this is to list a few things that could come under the category of "Ugh...I have to (you fill in the blank)". However, Leslie at Writing for the Lord (click on the title to go to her blog) wants us to look at these "have to's" as blessings of "I get to". We all take for granted such things as our health, jobs, family, friends, etc. and sometimes don't appreciate them or see them as blessings as we should. So here are a few things for me this week.

I get to meet with parents and grandparents who do care enough about their children to come meet with me, a teacher.
I get to take time to eat lunch with a student, when his paraprofessional is not there. I often don't stop to eat lunch. I really do feel better, when I do take time to eat a little something, and especially feel better after taking the time sit with this very thoughtful student.
I get to walk a fairly long distance from one end of the school to the other end and back, an average of 4 times a day. At least I am walking some and getting some exercise. I'm thankful that I can walk.
I get to spend some one on one time with my students testing them. I don't like being out of the classroom teaching for any reason, but I do like being with my students one on one. I don't really like testing, but I do want to learn more about where each of my students are in their learning.
What are your "I get to" blessings this week and also. . .
would you please take time to share with me some of your time management tips--teaching, homeschooling and homemaking.
I would really appreciate your comments.
Thank you!
Sandy

TUESDAY-Telling about Group Bible Study & a Great Give-Away!

I'm taking today to tell you about Diana's awesome Give-Away at
http://dfseason.blogspot.com/
Actually, you would just love Diana's blog without the Give-Away, but. . .I think you'll love the give-away, too. Okay, have I said "Give Away" enough? No, not yet, I haven't told you what she's giving away. Oh, you have to go over to her blog to check that out and get in on it, but I'll tell you. . .besides this bag pictured above, she is giving away two beautiful magnetic clip crosses. Go check it out. . .but before you do, let me tell you just a little about the Girl's Bible Study that I am facilitating and ask you to pray.

Only 2 of the 5 girls were able to come this past Saturday, but these 2 girls are so eager to meet that I could not put them off. We did some of the things suggested in the leaders guide for Session 1-My Crazy Life, of His Girl, by Vicki Courtney, read some of the scripture and watched the video segment, which they related to very much. I also had the TeenVirtue books, and they each took one of those home to look through.

I love cooking lunch for them and praying with them. We are not meeting again until November 7. We meet one Saturday a month. Please pray that all 5 girls, our college girl and other Mom and I will all be able to be together that day. Pray that we will be able to get this going and stay with it through the holidays.

Also, both of those girls who are so eager to meet together, have serious health concerns right now. One has been having trouble eating for the past 6 weeks and may have to have her Gall Bladder removed. The other has been without a voice for 6 weeks because of a respiratory infection or something. Both conditions are very frustrating. Please pray for them.

Thank you so much!

Sandy

SCRIPTURE MEMORY MONDAY

Psalm 143:10 NIV

Teach me to do Your will,

for You are my God;

May Your good Spirit

lead me on level ground.

This is my current prayer-

I want to learn to DO/BE IN God's Will.

I wand to let His good Spirit

always guide me on level ground. . .

always humble, but not weak,

always thanking and praising God,

but always striving to be better for Him.

I want to be doing exactly what He wants me to do,

what He has planned for me to do.

I want to be right in the center of His plans.

I am so thankful that God has a plan for each of us.

I am so thankful for how He provides for us, and how

He uses us.

What scripture are you focusing on right now?

I'd love to hear from you!

If you came here through Spiritual Sunday, my post for that is right below this. I forgot to add on the extra to get you right there, but this is also a "Spiritual Sunday" post.
I decided to link this one up, too, because I wanted Charlotte, Ginger and others to see these songs.

Today, for Sunday Song, I am posting 2 songs that were sung in our early Classic Worship service. I think the song Always is just a beautiful reminder of the trials that people go through, and God is still Always there!

I had to post the song, "We Are Called to Be God's People", because I don't remember hearing it before, and it goes so well with the post by Charlotte on Spiritual Sundays, titled Where Have All the Christians Gone.

I wish you all a very blessed week!


"Always"

by Building 429 from the album Building 429
I was standing in the pouring rain


One dark November night


Fighting off the bitter cold


When she caught my eye


Her face was taught and her eyes were filled


And then to my surprise


She pulled out a photograph


And my heart just stopped inside


She said "He would have been three today


I miss his smile, I miss his face."


What was I supposed to say


But I believe always always


Our Savior never fails


Even when all hope is gone


God knows our pain and His promise remains


He will be with you always


He was living in a broken world dreaming of a home


His heart was barely keeping pace


When I found him all alone


Remembering the way he felt


When his daddy said goodbye


Fighting just to keep the tears


And the anger locked inside


He's barely holding on to faith


But deliverance is on its way'
Cause I believe always always


Our Savior never fails


Even when all hope is gone


God knows our pain and His promise remains


He will be with you always


Friend I don't know where you are


And I don't know where you've been


Maybe you're fighting for your lifeOr just about to throw the towel in


But if you're crying out for mercy


If there's no hope left at all


If you've given everything you've got


And you're still about to fall


Well hold on, hold on, hold on'


Cause I believe always always


Our Savior never fails


Even when all faith is gone


God knows our pain and His promise remains


Always, Always


He will be with you always


He will be with you always


He will be with you




We Are Called to Be God's People

TEXT: Thomas A. Jackson, 1973


MUSIC: Franz Joseph Haydn, 1797


TUNE: AUSTRIAN HYMNMETER: 8.7.8.7.D.
We are called to be God's people,showing by our lives


His grace,one in heart and one in spirit,sign of hope for all the race.


Let us show how He has changed us,and remade us as His own,let us share our life togetheras we shall around His throne.
We are called to be God's servants,working in His world today;taking His own task upon us,all His sacred words obey.


Let us rise, then, to His summons,dedicate to Him our all,that we may be faithful servants,quick to answer now His call.
We are called to be God's prophets,speaking for the truth and right,standing firm for godly justice,bringing evil things to light.


Let us seek the courage needed, our high calling to fulfill,that the world may know the blessing of the doing of God's will.

PSALM SATURDAY. . .SPIRITUAL SUNDAY

I hope that you will take the time to read this post and leave me a comment.
I am so glad that I found this Spiritual Sunday blog at http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/ last weekend, and glad that it has already begun for this weekend. The 2 posts that I have already read were needed today, and spoke to me.

So today, I am posting my Psalm Saturday with Collette at http://jesuslovesmums.blogspot.com/ and linking up with all of the other bloggers who are sharing inspiration for Spiritual Sunday.

Like I said last week, I want to be the best Christian that I can be every day, but I'm often not. I do whole heartedly agree with the creators of the Spiritual Sunday blog, and all of the others, that it is great to join in on this and read others' thoughts to encourage us for the rest of the week.

It is just great to have the weekend to "re-group"!

If you read the Journey monthly dovotional for women, you probably read Cindi Wood's devotion today about Developing Godly Habits. She gave a list that has helped her develop the habit of spending time with God. It reminded me of the acrostic to use when praying, that I read in Beth Moore's prayer journal book, Whispers of Hope, many years ago.

Praise

Repent

Acknowledge

Intercession

Supplication

Equipping

Cindi Wood's first suggestion, that she does to begin her morning time with the Lord is to pray Psalm 143:8: "Cause me to hear Your loving kinkness in morning, for on You do I lean and in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my inner self to You." (AMP)

Next she says she spends time thanking Him, often, mentally going through the previous day, thanking Him for being in every specific detail of the day.

Then, she offers Him a repentant heart, seeking forgiveness for specific sins and for missing the mark of holiness in certain thoughts and behaviors.

Then, she says, she "welcomes the present day of ministry." That is a wonderful way to consider the day before us !

I loved Sue's post for Spiritual Sunday, about how she communes with God.

Charlotte's post, entitled "Where have all the Christians gone" is very thought provoking and encouraging in a way that it encourages us to continue to try to be Salt and Light to this world.

I am encouraged my 16 year old son has a very strong Christian walk with His Lord, and that he "walks the walk" at school, with his football team, and every where he goes. I am praying for him as he is preparing to go on a mission trip next summer.

I am encouraged that our daughter is very happy attending a Christian college and that she is strong in her Christian principles and in all of her relationships. She is studying to be a Christian counselor.

I am encouraged that my oldest son is a Christian husband, Daddy, teacher and coach. He is keeping God at the center of all he does. He shows his family, students and players that he cares about them.

I am encouraged that God is using me in the lives of high school girls to facilitate Vicki Courtney's Bible Study, His Girl. The girls that are in the group are already strong Christians, but they related very much to today's session, "My Crazy Life". I am thankful for them and for this study.

Psalm 119: 9-16 NIV

How can a young man (young woman, old man, old woman) keep his way pure?

By living according to Your word.

I seek you with all my heart, do not let me stray from your commands.

I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Praise be to You, O Lord,

teach me Your decrees.

With my lips, I recount all the laws that come from Your mouth,

I rejoice in following Your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.

I meditate on Your precepts and consider Your ways,

I delight in Your decrees, I will not neglect Your word.

I hope you will join in on Spiritual Sunday! Have a blessed week!

A few of MY "Gonna Miss This. . .Moment"s

This week, my moments for the YOUR Gonna Miss This McLinky-1 year anniversary and 100th post celebration, are. . .

Going to Parent/Teacher conferences for our own children and hearing positive comments from teachers

Wearing my Mom t-shirts to sporting events,

and

helping with 5th Quarters and other church youth events, while I still have a youth of my own.

Join in at http://pramom26.blogspot.com/2009/09/your-gonna-miss-this-one-year-with.html
to share YOUR Gonna Miss This Moment for this week.
Have a great weekend with your family!

THANKFUL THURSDAY

This morning, I am already dressed for work, cooked and ate breakfast with my son, sat down at the computer for a few minutes, and realized. . .
It's

Thankful Thursday! Yay! with Sonya at http://truth4thejourney.blogspot.com/ and Laurie at http://womentakingastand.blogspot.com/ with the theme this week of Simplicity.


Today, I am thankful for. . .

1. my job. . .it's not really simple, but I am very thankful for it.

2. My son says that my job is what stresses me out, gives me headaches, makes me tired. . .
it will get better. . .I am simply thankful that God has given me this job and that I have
the opporutunity to try to make a difference in my students' lives!

3. I am thankful for the fun I had in making the simple wreaths for Keelie's Red Writing
blog Fall Wreath Party.

4. I am thankful that my husband, children, parents, family and I all have the same simple
Biblical priorities in life.

5. I am thankful that God is showing us that all we need is Him.

What are you thankful for today?

#2 Post for FALL WREATH PARTY

This is my 2nd post for Keelie's Fall Wreath Party at http://www.redswriting.blogspot.com/2009/09/lets-party.html
If you haven't joined the party yet, hurry over, to join in on the fun and prizes!

The picture above and the one below are of the same wreath. . .used as a table wreath or hung on the wall.

All of my wreaths are made with a wire hanger, garland and picks from Dollar Tree. I just shaped the hanger into a circle, wrapped the garland around the hanger and then hot glued the picks on.

For these 2 wreaths, I did the same thing as described above, except before wrapping the garland around the hanger, I hot glued the off white ribbon with gold trim, that I got at a Garage Sale for 10cents, and after attaching the garland and picks, I made a bow from the Sunflower ribbon and hot glued it on.

HAPPY FALL!

also linked up to http://twiceremembered.blogspot.com/2009/09/make-your-monday-week-6.html

READY TO WELCOME FALL-RED WRITING'S FALL WREATH PARTY

Welcome Fall with a Super Simple Wire Hanger Wreath! They are so simple that once I started making them, I can't stop myself! This is the first, very simple one that I made for my very special Mom. It's so simple that it's not really full enough for a wreath, but makes a great table wreath around this store bought painted pumpkin. (Most of you all could do the pumpkin!)

I'm really not trying to get extra entries in Keelie's Fall Wreath Party contest at

http://www.redswriting.blogspot.com/2009/09/lets-party.html

I am doing this in 2 posts, because. . .I'm just a little technically challenged.

If you aren't already a follower of Keelie's adorable Red Writing blog, then you still have time to go over there, get the details, make your wreath before Tuesday, and join in on the fun, and chances at some awesome prizes!!!

SUNDAY SONG-joining in on SPIRITUAL SUNDAY

I JUST FOUND THIS BLOG, THAT IS JUST FOR LINKING UP SPIRTITUAL SUNDAY POSTS.

I BELIEVE THAT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE "SPIRITUAL" EVERY DAY, NOT JUST

SUNDAY, BUT THEN, GOD DID SET APART SUNDAY, FOR US TO REST, AND HONOR HIM. THAT IS EASIER SAID, THAN DONE. THERE IS STILL WORK TO BE DONE ON SUNDAY. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE WORSHIP HIM CORPORATELY AND PRIVATELY ON SUNDAYS.

GOD IS REALLY SPEAKING TO ME TODAY, ABOUT LIVING OUT THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT IN MY DAILY LIFE, WITH MY FAMILY AND CO-WORKERS.

I desire to be a positive person. I want to be an encouragement to others.

These are just some of the verses that are speaking to me today:

Colossians 3:12-19, 23

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body, you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.

Please go to http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/ to read lots more Spiritual Sunday posts and to join in!

Please take time to read the lyrics to the 2 songs below, too, and. . .when you can, take time to leave me a comment.

Have a Blessed Sunday!

"Beautiful, Beautiful" Lyrics

by Francesca Battistelli from the album My Paper Heart

Don’t know how it is You looked at me

And saw the person that I could be

Awakening my heart

Breaking through the dark

Suddenly Your grace

(Chorus)Like sunlight burning at midnight

Making my life something so Beautiful, beautiful

Mercy reaching to save me

All that I needYou are so Beautiful, beautiful

Now there’s a joy inside I can’t contain

But even perfect days can end in rain

And though it’s pouring down

I see You through the clouds

Shining on my face

(Chorus)

I have come undone

But I have just begun

Changing by Your grace

"It's Your Life" Lyrics

by Francesca Battistelli from the album My Paper Heart
This is the moment

It’s on the line

Which way you gonna fall?

In the middle between

Wrong and right

But you know after all

(Chorus)It’s your life

What you gonna do?

The world is watching you

Every day the choices you make

Say what you are and who Your heart beats for

It’s an open door

It’s your life

Are you who you always said you would be?

With a sinking feeling in your chest

Always waiting for someone else to fix you

Tell me when did you forget

(Chorus)

To live the way that you believe

This is your opportunity

To let your life be one that lights the way

PSALM SATURDAY. . .YOUR Gonna Miss This. . .

Psalm 16:11

You have made known to me the path of life;

You will fill me with joy in your presence,

with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.

Today, along with joining Collette at http://jesuslovesmums.blogspot.com/

for Psalm Saturday,

I am also joining Pam at http://pramom26.blogspot.com/

to share a moment that I know I'm going to miss, and. . .

I am also linking back to Carol's blog at http://bussecrew.blogspot.com/

because she has a really great post with an excerpt from a book, by Max Lucado,

about CHOOSING to live out the Fruits of the Spirit, and she has a Give-away.

There are tons of my children's childhood moments that I am already missing terribly.

The above picture is of a moment that I actually did miss, just this past Thursday, because my son goes to high school in the town in which we live, and I teach at a school in another nearby district.

It was homecoming parade night here, but Parent/Teacher Conference night at my school.

Lucky me, he made the front page of the paper, and my husband recorded it.

THANKFUL THURSDAY. . .FRIDAY'S FOTOS

I almost missed Thankful Thursday with Sonya at http://truth4thejourney.blogspot.com/ and Laurie at http://womentakingastand.blogspot.com/ with the theme this week of

"His Masterpiece", but they are both still open, so. . . yay! I still get to be THANKFUL! and post my "fotos" and thoughts to go together.

I was thinking about the theme of extended family with my pictures to share, and then checked to see what Laurie's theme was.

I loved it! It made me think of the children's book that I read to some of my students yesterday afternoon, by Max Lucado,

You Are Special.

You Are Special By Max Lucado Illustrated by Sergio Martinez
Review by: Angela Vargas
This is a beautiful story, illustrating God's unconditional love for each of us. It also teaches that only what you and God think, matters; not what everyone else thinks. The story begins with a woodcarver named, Eli. He has carved an entire village of wooden people called Wemmicks. They are, of course, human-like, in that they each look and behave differently. There are tall ones and short ones, big noses and small noses, shiny paint and peeling paint. Each and every day, the Wemmicks spend their time on one task: distributing stickers amongst themselves. There are two kinds. There are stars for the pretty and talented ones. There are gray dots for the not so pretty and talented ones. A young fellow by the name of Punchinello has somehow managed to collect a mass number of gray dots, and sadly, no stars. Other Wemmicks continually bombarded Punchinello with comments about how he obviously wasn't a good Wemmick. He soon came to believe them. One day he met a beautiful young Wemmick that surprisingly had not only no dots, but no stars either! He could not figure this out. Her name was Lucia. Wemmicks had tried to give her stickers, but they would only fall off. Punchinello decided that was how he wanted to be; "I don't want anyone else's marks." He asked Lucia how she did it. She told him to go see Eli. Now, Punchinello had no idea who Eli was and that he had created him. He was nervous and afraid when he entered Eli's house, but Eli soon bestilled his fears. Eli explained that he loved Punchinello because he had made him and that only what he thought mattered. The Wemmicks are just like you he said, and have no right to judge you. I think you are pretty special, Eli told him. No one had ever treated Punchinello this way and he was not quite sure how to react. Eli continued on to explain that the stickers only stick if you let them. As Punchinello left, he thought about all that Eli had told him, and one, solitary sticker floated to the ground.


I am SO thankful for:

1. the unconditional love that God gives each of us.

2. the unconditional love that my family gives me.

3. that God created us each different and special.

4. for any time that we get to spend with any of our family.

5. that Josh, Kalyn and Jase are all "grown up", and are continuing to grow in their walk with their Maker, but they all also love to laugh and play with Madasyn, Abby, Camden and Caden!

"Jumpin' for Joy"

plus

Monday's Mama Moments

equals

JOY-a link up to Teri Lynne's 100th post!

http://pleasingtoyou.blogspot.com/

John 15:10-11

If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in His love. I have told you this, so that My JOY may be in you, and that your JOY may be complete.

3 John 4

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

My first thought about Joy is that "It comes from Jesus."

My second thought is "Then, why aren't I more JOYFUL?! I know that I am a Christian, but I sure don't act like it sometimes!"

After choosing John 15:10-11 for this post, I had the "light bulb moment" of realizing that if I am not joyful, there are probably commands that I am not following!

Another thought that always comes to my mind is "the joy of Parenting or being a part of a family" and 3 John 4.

The weekend wasn't long enough, but I am very thankful that we traveled to Oklahoma City to spend Saturday night with my Mom-in-law and to attend my brother's church for my nephew's baptism. Josh, Adrianne and Madasyn went, too.

So, we had all of our kids together, and got to be with Jeff's Mom, my parents, and my brother's family.

I plan to write on my teacher blog about "the joy of teaching".

I would really love to read your "joyful" thoughts!

PSALM SATURDAY

As I was reading to choose something from the Psalms to share today, I found myself continuing to go back to all of Psalm 119. It is the longest chapter in the Bible, so I am not going to post all of it. I have been trying to memorize scripture this year, but am not confident, and am not doing as well as my son.

The one verse that is speaking the most to me today is:

Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

My prayer is that I will slow down, take time every morning to meditate on His word, instead of hurriedly reading it, carry the words in my mind and heart all day long, and practice the precepts in my daily living with family, co-workers, students, parents of students, and everyone that I come in contact with.

Please go over to read Collette's post at http://jesuslovesmums.blogspot.com/
and Deb's at http://onesingleminute.blogspot.com/ and also share your own comments and/or post to join in on Psalm Saturday!

LOVING MY HUSBAND FRIDAY & FRIDAY FOTOS

Loving My Husband Friday is for taking the time to focus on the positives of marriage. A time to build up your marriage and your spouse. Focus on something you love about your husband,something he did to encourage you this week, or just a tip on how to keep your marriage strong. Let your husband know you're bragging on him...everyone loves praise and accolades. Try to spend the rest of your week focusing on all the great traits of your spouse...especially when your tempted to focus on the bad! And don't forget to pray for your husband and marriage as you write your post.Add a link to your post to Mr. Linky. Then pray for the marriages of the others who post, and give each other a little encouragement to keep our marriages strong!Link up at http://mominin-thepeerreview.blogspot.com/

My husband works hard to provide for our family, and then at home. . .there is not one thing that he doesn't help with. I used to not want his help because I thought it meant that I was inadequate. Now, I am very thankful for all of his help and love. He is the best Husband, Dad and Grandpa that anyone could have.

THANKFUL THURSDAY

Again this Thursday, I am almost too drained to blog, but just can't pass up on a Thankful Thursday with Sonya at http://truth4thejourney.blogspot.com/ and Laurie at http://womentakingastand.blogspot.com/ with the theme this week of "undeserved kindness".

Of course, we are all thankful for the undeserved kindness that Jesus showed to us by

1. the life of ministry that He lived on earth;

2. going to the cross for us;

3. leaving the Holy Spirit with us;

4. leaving His Word for us;

5. the undeserved blessings that He brings into our lives daily.

"May the Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace, gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word."
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

MONDAY'S MAMA MOMENTS

Wishing we could all be 3 and carefree. . .
but then,
realizing, we must

"not comform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Romans 12:2

and
"Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
Philippians 4:9

FRIDAY'S FOTOS

Madasyn Shae Hammock will be 3 years old on Sunday, so there will be more pictures to post!

THANKFUL THURSDAY

This Thankful Thursday is hosted by Laurie @ http://womentakingastand.blogspot.com/
It was so timely for me, as it seems it was for all the others joining in, too. She talked about how we all need to slow down, and that she is thankful that Jesus teaches us to slow down, and that He left his peace with us.

I was really down that I already had to stay home from work, sick today. (yesterday)Then, I got on to check blogs, saw a Thankful Thursday post, and it lifted my attitude immediately.

I am thankful that any time that I go to my 16 year old son, and say, "Where's that scripture that says. . . .found?", he always has the answer for me!

I am thankful that our God says:
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-29

I am thankful for all of my family.

I am thankful that I know I will feel better tomorrow.

I am thankful for the life and purpose that God gives us.

(also joining Sonya and others at http://truth4thejourney.blogspot.com/)