This Moment, The Neighborhood Character annual photo

We have a very friendly looking neighborhood character.  This past week I noticed that he has now grown hair, eyebrows and a beard, last year he was just a round green face.

Friendly Neighborhood Character

Friendly Neighborhood Character

Walking around our neighborhood is always a lot of fun.  We pass by friendly neighbors, watch people pass running or biking, and we always enjoy seeing what other people are doing in their yards.

linking with Soulemama and other “this moment” participants.

Goals, Short and Simple

Simple Goals for a Hectic Week

 

Intentional Relationships

Read Aloud 2 Chapters of Anne of Green Gables

Be Present

 

Intentional Self Nourishment

Memorize Ephesians 6: 11,

Walk/Run 1 mile, 3 times this week, 3 Days strengthening exercises

Read 2 chapters from 2 of the books on the nightstand stack

Listen to final chapter of Bonhoeffer audio book

Making this One Life Count

Write 2 notes of encouragement or gratitude

Purposeful Business Pursuits

Prepare and Hold Garage Sale

Homemade Vanilla Extract!

About a year ago our family began making our homemade vanilla extract with organic vanilla beans from Olive Nation.  It has been a lot of fun, and so nice to be able to add another quality ingredient into our weekly baking.  After sharing this vanilla as an end of the semester gift for our children’s teachers, we have had wonderful feedback.  So we decided to make another batch, and offer it for sale.

vanilla extract

Homemade Vanilla Extract ~ 4oz, 8oz, 12oz

Sizes
4oz $15.00 USD
8oz $26.00 USD
12oz $35.00 USD

 Prices include shipping!

Your purchase helps support our family ministry through Compassion International.  We hope to travel in 2015 to meet our sponsor children and will be working hard to raise funds.

Thank you for your purchase and support!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forgiven Much, Forgive Much

Thoughts from Matthew 18:23-29

23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet[d] and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.

The servant had been forgiven much, but he did not forgive one who owed him much less.  What arrogance and lack of gratitude that one who had been shown such mercy demands his “right” to comparatively so little.

In parenting teens I have found I am more like the lavishly forgiven servant who forgets the gift of grace at times. Other times it is more that I clumsily navigate the path of parenting and of discipleship, forgetting they are one in the same.

Parenting teens is full of opportunity, very hard and very good. It is important to remember that the path is actually discipleship in this season. It is the opportunity to further demonstrate truth and grace which has been given me.  And it is time to let the teen step out, experiencing that grace for herself.

May the ones who have been forgiven much remember to give much grace in response.  May our teens be willing to receive the grace and truth.

Written, Posted Goals, May 26 – May 31

Tags

Happy Memorial Day 2014

Back to written, posted goals this week.  The last few weeks of final exams and illness have passed and I’m ready to have a little more order and focus.

Intentional Relationships

Read Aloud 2 Chapters of Anne of Green Gables and Take Your Best Shot

Trip to Denver to see our oldest daughter and her boyfriend before they hit the road.

Help Petal Rose hem her skirt

 

Intentional Self Nourishment

Memorize Ephesians 6: 11, prepare copywork for John 15

Walk/Run 1 mile, 3 times this week, 3 Days strengthening exercises

Read 2 chapters from each- Mission Drift and Half the Sky

Listen to 2 more chapters of Bonhoeffer audio book

 

Making this One Life Count

Write 2 notes of encouragement or gratitude

Prepare packet and letter for our new correspondent child through Compassion International

 

Purposeful Business Pursuits

Prepare for Garage Sale

The Gift of a Smile

Yesterday was a rough day.  Usually I try to deny those kinds of day any power and seek to reach bedtime with a tired sigh and a counting of grace gifts, but yesterday. whew.

The loads on my shoulders got more numerous as the day went, between painful phone calls, ignorant business mistakes, teen attitudes and general neediness, and that ongoing unknown about the “where” of the next job.

Sadly, my frustration and pain poured out on one of my daughters toward the end of the afternoon, just lashing her with words that were neither helpful nor beneficial.

Even though I apologize and asked her for forgiveness later in the evening, and even later crept into her room to pray over our relationship, bedtime was a quiet sorrowful time.  The morning greeted me with the knowledge that while my daughter said she forgave me, the word wound was still there.  All I could do was get up and greet the day, the family and wait for the healing that follows the act of forgiving.

And then there it was, the smile, a gift full and complete.

Ephesians 4:29

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

 

 

 

Goals, May 5 through 10th

Tags

Happy Tuesday, May 6, Beloved’s BIRTHDAY!!
Wow, it’s been a couple of weeks of intense “do this now” type rhythm. Our homeschool co-op wraps up this week until fall, the cottage school & college prep classes my kids attend have three more weeks I believe, and we have 7 weeks of “home school” to finish up. All of this and the beautiful 80 degree weather have us a little restless and bouncy. Right now two kids are here in the room, doing squats and talking about Barbara Manatee…
In all the spring craziness I have found a little time for “stock up” shopping. We were able to pair coupons from Swagbucks to stock up on ground turkey and hair care items.  We got a great deal on both items and earned 10 swagbucks for each coupon we used.herbal essenses reciept May 5Funny pair of items, but great all the same. I have four daughters here at home with LONG hair and they go through hair supplies like crazy. I will use the ground turkey for veggie turkey burgers tonight, and veggie turkey patties to put in the freezer. I am going to try grilling them instead of frying this time, and will post later in the week about the results.

Here’s what I am purposing to do this week:

Intentional Relationships
Read Aloud 2 Chapters of Anne of Green Gables
Attend several end of year performances & a GRADUATION!
Hem Petal Rose’s Skirt, Cut pattern for Chica’s skirt

Intentional Self Nourishment
Memorize Ephesians 6: 11
Walk/Run 1 mile, 3 times this week, 3 Days strengthening exercises
Read 2 chapters from each- If I Had Lunch with C.S. Lewis, Just 18 Summers, Mission Drift
Listen to 2 more chapters of Bonhoeffer audio book

Making this One Life Count
Write 2 notes of encouragement or gratitude
Write message for congregation (updated pictures to be added)
Write all of our sponsored kids

Purposeful Business Pursuits
Try to complete my heart surgery story
Take and edit 5 pictures
Declutter Basement Family Nook & set aside items for Garage Sale

 

Already Given

Tags

Matthew 4:8-11

“Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God and Him only you shall serve.’” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.”

In this passage Jesus is tempted by Satan with world power and fame. As I read this passage recently I found myself shaking my head. I can understand us, people, being tempted in this way, but my mind doesn’t wrap around Satan not fully knowing that:

  •       Jesus will have the fame.
  •       Jesus already has the power.
  •       Jesus’ purpose on the earth was to do His Father’s will.

Be encouraged friends, the enemy, Satan, may try to lure our gaze from the One True God. But what he offers is what God has already given.  Stay faithful.

Purex WINNERS

Tags

,

Image

Thank you to all who have entered the PUREX Crystals Dryer Sheets FREE product coupons giveaway.

The 3 winners are

discoveringthemeinmommy

Christina D. and

Hillary D

Please email me at byquietwaters at gmail dot com with your mailing address and I’ll put your prize in the post!

 

And if you are interested in trying out new products by Purex, click the image box below to get more information on becoming a Purex Insider!

Image