Hoping you are enjoying this Independence Day with ones you love.
Remember to give thanks to the Lord for the freedom that we are celebrating this day.
Happy Independence Day 2013!
04 Thursday Jul 2013
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Category Archives: Uncategorized
pursuing better
01 Monday Jul 2013
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every flood of trouble remakes the landscape of your souls – making you better or bitter.
every trouble is like a flood and you can either rise up on it or sink down in it –
And here is where I’ve found that the practice of giving thanks, day after day, month after month, year after year for 4+ years, is laying down the rails. By practicing gratitude and recording the gifts my eyes are focused on looking for God’s presence in the flood, even in the fire.
I’ve mentioned before that I come from a long line of bitter women. My mother once warned me years ago to not let bitterness take root. For several years I prayed for relief from the bitterness that soured my eyes.
Giving thanks has been the antidote.
Anytime that sour taste rises in my throat and my eyes squint, I hear the question, where is grace in this? And the hunt begins.
A smattering of gifts found in the time of June fire and smoke;
Frozen yogurt & daughters to share with
A long walk through the neighborhood, with flower blooming all around
Smoke free days after so many fires sent the smoke all over the Colorado front range
Books selling, successful garage sale adding to the mission fund
Popsicles and funny girls
Rain in the middle of the night, pattering on the sky light
Smoke clearing for the night of the Great American Backyard Campout
Cloud art around the moon as I lay in the top coverless tent
Reading Update ~ The First 6 Months
30 Sunday Jun 2013
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As with any worthwhile endeavor, one must be purposeful to make time to read good books. Several years ago I began to realize this and have tried to make sure time to read is built into my days. This month I am excited to reflect on the books that have passed time with me the first half of 2013.
Because He Loves Me by Elyse Fitzpatrick
The Mine by Henry McIntosh
Freefall to Fly by Rebekah Lyons
Sweet Sanctuary by Kim Vogel Sawyer
In the Presence of My Enemies ~ by Gracia Burnham and Dean Merrill
Tales of the Defended Ones by Beth Guckenberger.
Unstoppable by Nick Vujicic
Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard
Jessica’s First Prayer by Hesba
The Promise Box by
The Cat that God Sent by Jim Kraus
Cleaning House, A Mom’s 12-Month Experiment to Rid Her Home of Youth Entitlement by Kay Wills Wyma, my response here
The BARE NAKED TRUTH, Dating, Waiting, and God’s Purity Plan by Bekah Hamrick Martin, my review here
Sparkly Green Earrings: Catching the Light at Every Turn ~ Melanie Shankle
Children’s 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
Only the Mountains do not Move by Jan Reynolds
Jessica’s First Prayer by Hesba Stretton
Audiobooks
Because He Loves Me (I listened while driving and reread the chapters on my kindle app)
Letter from Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King, Jr
Speak Life
29 Saturday Jun 2013
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The message in Thursday’s short post was in my email box earlier this week. A sweet woman who has stepped in as a Godly mentor and encourager sends me messages like this from time to time. I’m not sure she understands how lifegiving her words are to me.
My own mother has disappeared into the depths of early onset Alzheimer’s. And even before that happened, there was very little “mother to daughter” torch passing. God brought my mom a long way from the person she was, having grown up in the home that she did. And she spoke life in the ways that she knew.
In this season where my mom is close by in a care facility, and we have 3 teen and preteen daughters at home AND our older daughter her daughter live with us, I often feel just swamped. Linda speaks into this wonderful, hard, good, full crazy life of mine, in simple quiet ways, never asking for a response or reply.
Each time Linda speaks into my life, a balm is applied. She didn’t wait to be asked, she hasn’t asked if it is “okay”, she just speaks.
Thank God for this precious older woman. Linda, since I know that you read this blog from time to time, Thank You.
This Moment ~ Time with Mae
28 Friday Jun 2013
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{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
Last weekend Mae and I had the opportunity to pass about 18 hours together, just the two of us. We watched a couple “big kid” movies (Captain America and Pirates of the Carribean), went out for dinner and shared our meals, and explored Pier One. It is very rare for any 2 people in our family to get time like this and I am very thankful.
Validation
27 Thursday Jun 2013
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“I don’t really look to other mothers for validation on how I’m doing as a parent. I look to my children and my husband. If they are generally happy, relaxed, comfortable and engaged, I feel pretty good about how I’m doing….
“If I see signs of frustration or stress or uneasiness in my family, there are alarm bells going off inside me telling me I need to be kinder, pay extra close attention, have more ideas, and offer more options.”
—Rippy Dusseldorp
DIAL Giveaway Winners!
27 Thursday Jun 2013
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a Rafflecopter giveaway
Emails have been sent to the winners of this giveaway. Thank you for participating!
Emails have been sent to the winners of this giveaway. Thank you for participating!
DIAL Giveway AND More
20 Thursday Jun 2013
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Dial brand is celebrating 65 years this year and they are giving away a year’s supply of Dial Body Wash at their Facebook page. The contest began at 12:00:00 PM ET on June 11, 2013 and ends on June 26 , 2013.
In March I had the opportunity to review Dial Coconut Water body wash and am excited to have
4 Free Body Wash coupons to give away, 1 each to 4 different winners
this month.
Black Forest Fire
14 Friday Jun 2013
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Black Forest is a close neighbor community to our city, Colorado Springs. A fire started on Tuesday June 11 in the densely wooded area where many dear friends have made wonderful beautiful homes.Wednesday while my daughters were at music lessons, I took a drive to see the fire from a safe distance, and to pray.
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| What we could see from our neighborhood |
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| The Northern Plume |
We found out today that the first home Builder and I had together is destroyed. I am thankful for the abundance of memories we, our older kids and our extended family have of good times there.
Please think of those displaced by this fire, at this time about 41,000 people, those who already know they’ve lost their home (at least 360 homes have been destroyed, including the homes of several in our homeschool community). Pray for those caring for the animals that have been displaced, this is also an area full of horse owners and ranches. Pray for Rain, for the wind to stop and for the safety of the Fire Fighters and Law Enforcement. Pray for the family and friends of the two who died trying to evacuate.
We will continue to see the goodness in the land of the living.
This Week, June 2-7
08 Saturday Jun 2013
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We had fun times of fellowship with friend this week. Our daughters who are in the youth group are finding many opportunities for fun. During one of these times I was able to slip out for pie & tea with a friend. Delightful!
Each child has a short list of things to complete, and I am pretty sure that tomorrow will be a stopping point for most things.
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| Taco Potatoes |
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| Corn Dog Muffins with Fruit Salad and Carrots |
A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)…
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| First Food |
Read more: http://www.soyoucallyourselfahomeschooler.com/homeschool-mothers-journal/#ixzz2VUs8pvMU
By Quiet Waters 