Routine, yes, routine, it’s back and I’ve been enjoying it greatly!  Along with a more regular routine like rhythm to our days time for reading is more readily available.  This month I have finished

Unstoppable by Nick Vujicic
Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard

Children’s Picture books
Rock You Tonight by Emily Roussell ~ a sweet story that seems to be written more for the Momma than the little one she may be reading to.
The Three Little Rabbits and the Bake Sale Pie by Nancy Nuce ~ a story that had Mae and I laughing hard at bedtime.  Delightful

and am reading

Because He Loves Me by Elise Fitzpatrick
The Peacemaker
Peacemaking for Families.

What are you doing to pour into your life and build yourself up to lead in those areas you’re called to lead in? If you can’t think of anything, today’s the day to set a few small goals and start working on them! Crystal Paine, Money Saving Mom

Earlier today while in the post office, I stood uncomfortably.  With only 2 clerks and at least a dozen people in line, a Hispanic couple stood at the counter, trying to submit an application for a U.S. application.

This couple did not appear to know any English, not enough to respond to the official oath, testifying that they are citizens, and everything on the application is true.  In frustration the clerk looked up and asked if there was anyone in the office who could interpret Spanish.

I stood there wrestling with myself.  Spanish was my major in college, but I haven’t used it in over 13 years.  I could ask about place of birth and if the things on the application were true, but I held back, disappointed in the fact that my skills were so weak.

Several things like this have happened recently, and reading the above quote has me thinking more seriously about becoming better equipped to live this purposeful life.

*Builder and I have been talking about my returning to college this summer.  I’ve taken a math placement test and determined where I need to start brushing up on skills to be able to take college Algebra.

*The Peacemaker and other books continue to be with me where ever I go, available to be read when I have the moments.

* Where does one find mentors?  How does one go about seeking mentors?  Those are questions to be pursued.

How about you?  Does the above quote challenge you to set some small goals toward becoming better prepared to lead, to serve, to expand your influence?
 

La Bota

While it’s been different around here, mostly reviews and simple photographs, life has been happening large and messy and hard and beautiful.  Often, so much truth is flooding my mind, my heart, but sitting here to type it out, to share what grace the Father is showering upon me, still…it doesn’t get done.  But today, I’m stepping back into the recording of gracefilled gifts, and maybe that will unlock the word dam of all the goodness filling my head.

 gifts 1-14 in 2013

Grey sweaters and red sparkling scarves
Snow that keeps falling.  All around this dry thirsty area.
A grandchild who is thriving, growing rapidly, taking in all the fresh Momma Milk, grand love and auntie stories
Family to help ~ both ways
Eager students, gulping down new information
Goals within reach
FaceTime calls from a sweet daughter who just wants to know when I’ll be home.
A precious prodigal hungry for family time, soaking up, filling up after the empty years away.
Growth
A calling
Builder is home.
Sunlight to read under.
Baby breath on my cheeks.
Sweet time at the changing table when Joyness sees the origami mobile made by her youngest auntie.
Godly women, acknowledging their own brokenness, warmly welcoming the new single momma into the fold.

 

<img alt=" Total^® All Purpose Cleaner” src=”http://www.softscrub.com/img/products/title_product_total_all_purpose.png” />

“Replace your arsenal of cleaning products with Soft Scrub Total^® All Purpose Cleaner, the one product that is powerful enough to clean and degrease your entire kitchen. The patented trigger allows you to easily switch from a fine mist to a thick foam and even sprays upside down. The unique angle-neck bottle helps you get into those hard to reach places like the inside of the microwave.”

Ingredients:
Water (Diluent, used for dissolving other ingredients), Monoethanolamine (Solvent for loosening soils), Lauramine Oxide (Surfactant, for dissolving oily soils), Ethanol (Solvent, to loosen soils), Citric Acid (pH adjuster), Sodium Hydroxide (pH adjuster), Sodium Silicate (pH adjuster), Fragrance

While the list of products we use for cleaning around here is very simple, it was interesting to give Soft Scrub a try this month.

Paired with a toothbrush the Soft Scrub worked great on the tile and grout in the bathroom, but wasn’t very efficient with a cotton cloth on smooth surfaces.  The cleaning product rinsed easily, leaving no residue.  The product leaves soft citrus scent.

If you would like to try Soft Scrub, we have 2 coupons for a FREE full size Soft Scrub product.  To enter:

Leave a comment with your email at domain dot com by Saturday March 2. 
For a second entry, visit the Soft Scrub sweepstakes site and come back here to leave a comment telling us you did.

We will be drawing 2 winners Saturday morning.

 

The Winners of the Honey Bunches of Oats Tropical giveaway are survivingateacherssalary at gmail dot com and Chantel.  Emails have been sent.

Thank you for stopping by.

{these moments} – A Friday ritual. A couple of photos – capturing precious moments from the week.  Simple, special, extraordinary moments to pause, savor and remember.

linking with Amanda and with Amy

One more thing this morning,

Our family received a kit from Post, enabling us to sample the Post Honey Bunches of Oats Tropical Blends in exchange for a review.

We have 2 coupons for A Free Box of Honey Bunches of Oats Tropical Blends so that your family can try them as well.  You can enter below.

Okay:

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