What Am I Invested In?

I have just started attended BSF

(Bible Study Fellowship.) 

The girls and I completed our first week of homework and then,

yesterday was the first time we met with our small groups.

I really enjoyed myself.

When I got home I was very chatty with my husband,

I told him about the notes that I took and about some of the things I had learned.

One very powerful section that we discussed...

1 Thessalonians 5:2-4... for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness...

Wow!

I enjoy reading the Bible,

but even more so when I get to share my thoughts,

feelings and ideas with other believers.

At the end of the night, during the lecture,

as I was listening to the speaker talk about Thessalonians

and about Paul's journey,

the persecution he endured and the love that he had for people,

I began jotting down how Paul was an encourager.

Then as I heard the speaker say...

BELIEVERS ARE ENCOURAGING

It led me think about the people in my life.

I thought of who I intend to encourage,

and then I wondered...

What am I invested in?

Who am I invested in?

Whew! My list was of things and people that I believe God

would deem worthy!

Next, I wrote down that

BELIEVERS NEED ENCOURAGEMENT

and I thought about the people in my life,

that I am not only invested in, but that are invested in me. 

Of course, God, my husband and my kids were at the top of the list again,

but it was kind of an eye-opening moment.

Because one of the things that has really been important to me the past few years

is having really good people surround around our children.

Children are influenced by so many people.

And many times, even though in our home we are taught "values"

society's standards can easily become a way of life.

I want our children to make better choices than we did,

and I realized that BSF is a good step towards making this happen.

It's not only a way for me and the girls to get a better understanding of the Bible,

but it's teaching them dedication and discipline 

and it is putting them in an environment with people

who are there because they love God and desire to know more.

I truly hope that as they grow,

Bible lessons and devotions, church visits, and BSF meetings

will not be something that they "did" as a kid,

but will be a way of life.

I will do many things in this life,

but the most important thing I can and will ever do

will be to raise loving, healthy, happy Christian kids.

**********************

Dear Lord,

I pray that our girls will make valuable and healthy friendships. 

That they will be a positive example to their loved ones,

and that they will also have friends that encourage them to live a Christian life as well.

AMEN! 

A snowman. A liar. A birthday.

Christmas is a week away!

These snowman pancakes have become a staple in our household this month, because the kids just love them.

One of the first things I do each day, before making breakfast, or starting any other morning routine is read a verse from the The Daily Bible App . This is the verse that I received today. 1 John 2:4-6 4 Whoever says I know him but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. A liar...ouch. Are you someone who believes in God, but knows very little about your faith? Or someone who knows His commandments, but does not keep them?  There are so many wonderful New Year's Resolutions that we can make for ourselves. We all have room for self-improvement. I know that I do. :) Don't you think a nice place to start would be to become a believer who actually knows what it is that we believe in, one that "keeps His commandments?" *********** Today, my family will be celebrating a birthday for the cutest one year old ever!  Make it a great day, (and may this NY's Resolution be great too ;) <3 to you!

Snowman Pancakes & Porcupine Wives

I saw this on

Pinterest.

My kids love pancakes,

 & I love a chance to create,

 so I had to try...

They came out so cute!

Also, I wanted to share a post that I read a few days ago.

 Are You A Porcupine Wife?

I am happy to say,

I am NOT a porcupine wife.

I may have my (less than perfect;) days,

but I know that

I make a choice

to be intentional in my marriage

everyday.

&

That's the beauty

of God & growth.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Each of us has that right, that possibility, to invent ourselves daily.  Maya Angelou

When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you, understanding will keep you. Proverbs 2:10-11

Happy Sunday!

Keeping Jesus in My Corner

The other night my sleep was interrupted

by some rustling noises coming from the corner of my bedroom.

My daughter was asleep on the floor,

so I jumped up and made her crawl into our bed.

 

 

A mouse!

Could it be a mouse?!

For a moment,

I thought it was a possibility!

Then I remembered the two little robo hamsters

we bought for our girls just days before.

 

 

I dragged myself half asleep to Jocelyn's room

to check on them

and sure enough one of the little critters escaped from the cage.

First thing that morning, 

Jocelyn and I caught the little hamster

-who hadn't moved all night-

and put her back into her cage.

 

 

This is the 3rd time one of Jocelyn's hamsters has woken me up

in the middle of the night.

Why do they always end up in my corner in the middle of the night? I mumbled.

The laundry room and two other bedrooms in the house had their doors wide open,

but for some reason the hamsters always end up in the same place.

My corner of the house.

It was so thankful to have caught her,

because the salesgirl at Petco made it sound as though robo hamsters

are not to be held. She said their instinct is to escape and

when they get loose it's almost impossible to find them.

We got lucky!

Later, as we were eating breakfast

my daughter was reading me a story from her school book.

I had her put it down to finish her cereal,

and said we would continue reading it later.

She checked the page number,

"316." She said.

"316?" I repeated. "That reminds me of John 3:16."

I looked up the verse and read it to her.

"I wonder if that verse popped into my mind for a reason?"

"No, Mom." She said matter-of-factly, "it's just a page I stopped on."

"Hmmm. You said 316 and then this verse popped into my head.

I think there was a reason."

"Mom, it just happened, there was no reason."

"Oh, if you ask me, there is always a reason.

 

Bible verses make their way into my head,

because I care about them.

Yep, Jesus is the reason.

I keep Jesus in my corner, and He keeps me in His.


That has to be why those furry little creatures keep ending up in my corner.


My corner is a safe place to be! ;)

Project 31: Be-YOU-tiful

Today is Day 8 for Project 31:

Day 8.  Have a beauty secret (e.g. hair tip, make up tip)?  Share, please!

I have mentioned in the past that I like all things girly (and artsy). I love loud colors with black, A-line dresses, chunky earrings, and shoes that have some flair. My face makeup is pretty minimal, but I usually play up my eyes. They are my favorite feature and have become my focal point. (That's a beauty tip I learned, after my sis-in-law Nancy kept encouraging it.)

I believe in silliness, without it life would be pretty dull. I have been told for years that my laugh is loud and that everyone knows when I am home, because they hear me laughing. A while back my stepdaughter gave me card that said I always have a smile on my face. I don't know about "always" but it felt good to hear, because I try to be happy even on the "gray" days. I know that my my expression, is the most important thing I wear!

I try to get "pretty" every day, even on the weekdays when I am just home cleaning house and doing laundry, I'll add lip gloss and a spray of perfume before my hubby gets home. When I look good, I feel good. I try to keep the romance alive in our relationship and I feel like a beauty routine even on the days that nothing is going on is important.

True beauty is confidence! It's loving the skin that you are in...no matter what people think. I snapped this pic yesterday (after my hubby teased me about my hair.) This is me, with my hair natural. It's a little wavy, but mostly frizzy. I'm working on loving me for me and the 'not caring part', because natural is beautiful and so much easier! 

• Another, part of my beauty routine is being in a clean environment. I cannot relax or enjoy myself in a dusty, cluttered living space. The only thing in the house that I will allow to have stuff pile up on, occasionally, is our desks. I like a clean house with a fresh smell. It makes no sense to clean and decorate my body, and then to live in a dirty house. That friends, is my opinion of a "don't".

Last but not at all least, is the old adage, "True beauty comes from within. It's an oldie, but a goody! If you aren't beautiful on the inside, ain't no makeup gonna cover that! I Peter 3:3-4 says, Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 

Any thoughts on beauty that you would like to share? As always, I'd love to hear them!