This season of life has been fuller, busy than I’ve ever known. Reading is still happening, but in smaller bites unless there is a sudden spot of time where I can just kick back and settle in for a refreshing time.
Here are the books I finished in October. There are others in process, and hopefully I’ll have more completed by the end of November.
Tangled Ashes by Michele Phoenix, a read for review book ~ my thoughts on this book here
False Intimacy by Dr Harry Schaumburg ~ a book recommended by our pastor. As I continue to walk out the healing and restoration from the intense abuse inflicted upon me throughout my childhood, God continues layer upon layer to deal with the sin in my heart. The effects of sin from the actions of others, and my own sin, idolatry and “do it myselfness”. This book is very difficult to read, but much of what Dr Schaumburg says in addressing the main concern here, is applicable to all sinful hearts.
21 Days to a More Disciplined Life by Crystal Paine ~ ebook ~ you can read my review here.
Even if the healing never comes is how the song goes. And I wonder if my faith will hold. But I keep counting and even more than the daily graces found sprinkled all over this life of mine, it’s the amazing graces of disaster avoided, wounds healed, love continuing despite the struggle that is shoring up my faith. What am i that God is so mindful of me?
Daily sprinkles of sweet grace #1247-1270
Bold red maple leaf
Cookies for a friend Mourning dove pairs in the pinion Quiet evening alone Cozy home Children singing A date made for 3 weeks from now Beloved home before the plumbing went out Plumbing splinted and patched to hold until Builder has time off to really fix it Hugs from my daughters Coupon bargains Stocking stuffers! Shoebox slowly filling No early labour creative minds productive hands kind words
This afternoon as we pulled in from co-op classes, I pulled up to the mailbox and quickly saw the cream colored envelope. Without thinking too much “this one’s for Daddy” came out of my mouth. Now all the mail from Compassion comes to us as Mr and Mrs, but for some reason I didn’t see that today. Builder is home for a week, and I just knew it had to be for “him.”
This is a very cheerful encouraging letter and I’m excited to read what Builder writes back.
Dear sponsors, I hope that you are well at home and at work. I ask that you send me a photo of your family so I can see you. I let you know that I attend church and the services, also Sunday School. I tell my classmates about God’s word. I like Christian songs and I like to read Bible verses. My favorite story is about Adam and Eve. It talks about when they ate the apple and sin in humanity started because they disobeyed God. My favoirte song is: Give Him Applause. I want to know: do you teach at your church? I would like to know more about you. I ask that you pray for my mother, for my father and my siblings so God always take care of them. I say goodby with love, take a lot of care, until the next one. Sincerely, Carlos David.
Carlos drew a wonderful picture of the Iglesia Naza Reno, with 3 smiling people in the foreground. And did you read it? Carlos tells his classmates about God’s Word! A little evangelist we have the priveledge of writing to and encouraging.
And just so it makes more sense…Builder writes to the young men that we sponsor and correspond with, encouraging them. I have the priveledge to write to the young ladies. That’s just how we do it in our home 🙂
I’m headed down this narrow road Chosen by the few And all that I know is You told me to follow You
I’m taking a risk and leaving it all Not knowing what I’ll go through But I’m not alone As long as I follow You
So when my life’s a leap of faith I can hear You say
Well done, well done I’m gonna chase You, Lord I’m gonna show the world Your love, woah I’ll run, I’ll run I’m gonna run this race To hear You say well done
If people walk with me, talk with me, looking for truth They’re gonna find out soon If they’re following me then They’re gonna follow You
So let my life speak loud and clear Lord, I wanna hear
I’m so glad that I get to serve You, Lord You’re the only One I am living for, woah I’m gonna run straight into Your open arms I’m gonna follow You with all my heart Well Done, by Moriah Peters
“This disciplinary habit is not just about your own personal habits; this goes much further and deeper. When you’re a woman who can be counted on … you are building a reputation of integrity.”
Crystal Paine, aka Money Saving Mom, has just released a new ebook, 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life. This ebook was built upon the series that Crystal Paine wrote on her blog a while back, but with plenty of fresh material and encouragement.
12 Days to a More Disciplined Life is divided into 21 daily doses of encouragement, inspiration and pracitical application. The encouragement to plan and follow through on a mega project is broken down and included in each day’s reading. There are printables at the end of the ebook; Mega Project Master To-Do List, Motivational Book List, and the Good Habits/Bad Habits List.
My days, like yours, are full and even finding the space to take a quick read through an ebook might be challenging. I found that space during one of my daughter’s recent visits to the orthodontist.
The encouragement I recieved from reading the ebook refreshed me tremendously during that time in the waiting room. Of course a Mega Project list was promptly made, even though I know that with having my hubby home this week, the project will most likely not be started until next week. Even so, know what? Making that plan was moving in the right direction – even though beginning isn’t today…it’s planned, it’s on the schedule.
As Crystal says “moving in the right direction – even at a microscopic rate – is always faster than standing still.” My mega project is one that has been completely ignored, believing a remodel of that area was soon. It isn’t, and now the area will be addressed and dealt with as it is.
But this isn’t really what I am taking away from the message in this ebook. The idea that a more discipline life makes me a better steward of my life. My life, the one I have been given to live. To begin to live pursuing discipline, planning what to do, doing it and becoming a woman of integrity. A woman who is blessed to be living this live, and blessing my husband and children as they reap the harvest of my own discipline.
This ebook is available for just .99 until Friday, October 26. Buy this ebook, read it and be encouraged.
Just Do It.
This ebook review include affliate links from which I may recieve a percentage of the purchase price, if bought through these links. If you do, thank you for contributing to our family mission trip!
{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo, or two – few words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
If you’re inspired to do the same, visit Amanda and add your “moment.
autumn letters this October writing week
Paper nesting dolls for Christmas packages
This month our sponsorship letter writing took longer than usual, as we prepared our Autumn themed October letters and tidbits AND simple Christmas gifts to be sent to our sponsored kids. It’s been a sweet time of girls and paper and glue and prayers, truly a family ministry.
Praise the Lord Jesus! Lucia greets you so much, she says that she thanks so much for your great love for sending gift to her as she managed to get her basic needs for education, good medical treatment including religious training (Bible studies). Lucia says thanks so much dear for your good heart full of love. God bless you abundantly.
Lucia says that she like the game called football and ball games. She asks how about you, do you also play? She says that you are of great value to her.
this words have me thinking right now ~ I’ve no words to answer while I ponder the depth and layers of this quote,
As I read this book after posting yesterday, I came across these words
“It can be easy to confuse a calling to a people or a place as more important than a calling to intern at a radio station for the summer or babysit the kids down the street. Is Christ not persent everywhere? Can he not work in our midst.” ~ Emily Freeman
and a quieting came over me.
Each is called by a very personal Savior to walk out the life He has purposed. Katie is called to the very hard, quite big, far away work Jesus purposed for her. I am called to the work here, parenting, teaching, sharing the Gospel in my community, sponsoring children in far away places I may never visit. May I remember to be more than content in where I’ve been placed, in awe that I’ve been given these opportunities.
the graces that have been added line up on line day by day
through 1247
Peaches in the freezer, apple sauce & apple butter & pie filling in jars in the cabinets
Squash to freeze
Tomatoes to sauce
Laughter in the rain
2 days of rain
Catching up with a friend
And reminding each other of truth
The splendor of fall color decorating our city
A new member of our international family
Time to sew
Lunch with daughters, to celebrate, to listen
Pointe shoes and delighted smiles
Fleece blankets to add to the beds during cool early mornings
Elder women in the church taking interest in the younger families
Enthusiastic young adult missionaries
Sweet older girls, showing my girls a better way
The scent of fresh picked celery
Church community coming along side as we raise these daughters
By Quiet Waters 