“Faith is the gaze of the soul upon a saving God…Faith is the least self-regarding of the virtues.  It is by its very nature scarcely conscious of its own existence….faith is occupied with the Object upon which it rests and pay no attention to itself at all.” Elise Fitzgerald

Reading this chapter illuminated the bronze snake in the Exodus desert brilliantly for me.  As I continue to ponder the significance of looking at the bronze snake for the Israelites in the desert, and the above quote, I’m left knowing my faith is indeed very weak.  All one has to do is to look to Christ, simply believing that He Is.  This is where faith begins.

Here is where GRACE enters in my understanding.  I can’t pull myself up by my bootstraps (not that I am wearing boots).  My faith is truly as small, or smaller than a mustard seed.  But Christ is the author and perfecter of my faith.  He is the author, the giver, of faith.  And He promises to perfect it. 

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

This book study is fantastic.  As a self loathing sinner, so often in the past I have found Biblical teaching a reason to increase that unrighteous self abuse.  But as is continually happening these days, true Biblical teaching is soaked in the knowledge that it is by grace we have been saved, through faith.  GRACE.  FAITH.

Fix our eyes on Jesus.

Through Christ, For Christ, By Christ. 
 

Exciting News!  A dear friend of mine, actually her family is dear friends with my family, has a new children’s book available for preorder this month! 

Please visit Allison Flannery’s website to learn all about this wonderful musical adventure In the Hall of the Mountain King.

Linking with SouleMama

That didn’t happen.  So we get to try again tomorrow.  Turns out that even if a store has a Verizon sign, it isn’t necessarily a VERIZON store.  To save you some time, make sure that the store with the Verizon sign really is.

Next I took Sweet Mae to piano lessons.  Listening to the music that flows from that girl’s fingers often calms my frazzled nerves, other times it just sets me to singing.  Her teacher

Afterwards Mae and I ran a few errands, found her 2 new pairs of pants & a couple of other items that she was needing.  I’m so thankful for the budget habit we put into place about a year ago.  Each month money gets put into designated folder in my budget wallet.  And on this day, there was no stress to let my girl get the floral jeans along with one pair of plain denim.  A small splurge with no guilt or worries.

We finally arrived home and this afternoon I’ve enjoyed the chatter of 2 lovely ladies embracing the warm sunshine and playing outside.  Baby JoyNess has added her own music, and Grandpa Ben rescued her from the swing.  I love listening to his tender words to this little babe.  Warm smiles all around were beaming as Grandpa and JoyNess headed outside to visit the chickens and see the blue sky.

Miss Sunshine (mother of JoyNess) is helping Petal Rose to create a Jolly Roger flag for her ship.  Chica is asking to start an astronomy course and looking very cute her in twin braids, pink heart earrings and cranberry colored dress.

All the stuff of life has been going on since I woke this morning, and a glorious life it is.  Giving thanks to God, for He is good.

Memorize Psalm 91:9-13
Karate 3 Times,
Exercise each morning
Complete 10 Lessons in Math 87.
Finish reading Peacemaking for Families and Because He Loves Me

But you know something?  It’s been challenging at times, it’s been very hard work, especially carrying 60 year old rusty gross cast iron pipe pieces up the stairs and out the door.  But every time we walk through another one of these “hard” inconveniences I am struck by how very blessed we still are.  It is truly easy to find the gifts raining down upon us.

counting…

Youthful exuberance, Cat snuggles, Warm tea, Encouraging words, Tough nights, Auntie’s doing storytime with the littlest one, Snow sparkling in the warm sunshine, Teamwork, The late to bed Moon, Quiet drive together, Giggling ballerinas, Birthday celebration, Pink and purple balloons, Sister messages of love, Surprise time with a dear friend, A pair of 13 year old gigglers,  Couldn’t be more different, yet sweet friends, A triplet of younger actresses, each with a touch of director in her, Romans 1:22, Juicy oranges
 

Be encouraged!  In every dark place the Lover of our Souls is sending in salt and light.

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.