Written, Posted Goals, May 26 – May 31

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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

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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

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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.

Reading in April

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Starting out with a hefty stack of books, I had high hopes.  Even though I barely made a dent in the stack. my hope still runs high.  It isn’t the quantity of information that you consume that means growth and learning.  That is what I thought about when I looked at the picture below, and remembered what I did finish this month.  Here are the 3 books that I completed during April.

When We Were on Fire by Addie Zierman, you can read some of my thoughts here, but I am still processing and pondering the message in this book.

April Reading List

On my nightstand this month

Surprised by Motherhood by Lisa Jo Baker.  This book was sent to me as a gift, and let me tell you, a gift it was!  While my kiddos are older (my youngest asked me why I was reading a parenting book by a title like that, as I’ve been a mom for a loooonnnng time), fresh breezes of joy for the journey blew over me.  I seeking to cultivate time to remember how very much in LIKE I am with my daughters.

$100 Startup by Christ Guillebeau, This book took me nearly the whole month to read as I needed to think and act on what it said.  If you are wanting to start your own business or need a little boost, I encourage you to pick up this book at the library.  I’ll be having my 14 year old daughter read it this summer, as she has the beginnings of a beautiful business!

Linking with Life as Mom, Booking it in April

Out of Breath, An Open Heart Surgery Story

Mitral Valve Prolapse with Regurgitation was diagnosed when I was about 18 years old and planning for college.  At that time, I was surprised, but the doctor assured me that MVP is a fairly common heart murmur and not to worry about it at all.  Twelve years later it became a much different story.  May 1 is my 11 Valviversary, 11 years since Open Heart Surgery.

It was lovely early fall day, and I just couldn’t imagine how the wee one growing inside me was already pushing up so hard, making it hard for me to catch my breath.  At six months pregnant, one doesn’t expect that to happen just yet.  It took me by surprise that after walking down to the neighborhood 7-11 for a newspaper one morning, I was unable to walk back home.

The next day I placed a call into my doctor, asking for some exercises I could do to move the baby, because all the things I already knew (this was a baby #4) were not working.  It did not get my attention yet, although looking back it should have, but it was my doctor who called back not the nurse.  Dr. Weary told me he had made arrangements for me to see a cardiologist the next day.
To Be Continued Next Week

Looking for Spring in the Trees

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This weekend I took a stroll around through the yards and found further evidence of SPRING!  I enjoy the trees we have around the house year round, but find myself particularly excited to see buds and new leaves.

Post Oak

Post Oak

Pear Tree, that was destroyed by deer.   There are only 2 other buds this spring.

Pear Tree, that was destroyed by deer. There are only 2 other buds this spring.

Peach Tree, no blossoms yet which is good.  This week is very chilly with nights dipping below freezing

Peach Tree, no blossoms yet which is good. This week is very chilly with nights dipping below freezing

Lilac bushes are all leafed out.  I am excited for the explosion of blossoms that may follow.

Lilac bushes are all leafed out. I am excited for the explosion of blossoms that may follow.

Fresh New Leaves on the Aspen

Fresh New Leaves on the Aspen

Apple Tree blossoms

Apple Tree blossoms

If you made it to this point I hope you enjoyed this photos of spring among our trees.  I’d love to hear from you about the signs of spring in your area.

 

Goals April 28- May 3

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Happy Monday

Welcome to this new week.  I sure am looking forward to our co-op wrapping up for this semester, freeing up some time to be at home more.  Two more weeks.  We have a definite case of summer fever, although we have five weeks left in this school year.

Do you see the two new items on the sidebar?  It has taken a little while, but I’ve learned a little more about blogging on wordpress.

Some college students had a rip roaring party next door this weekend and some of the party attendees threw liquor bottles over our fence. The bottles hit our new patio and the sidewalk, shattering. I am so thankful that my daughter had shoes on the following morning when she head out to care for the flock. We reported the mess to the police, as we have had problems in the past with those neighbors. Anyway, that used up several hours to clean up.

On a better note, Builder and I have been spending a lot of time researching and putting a plan together for a summer trip with our kids.  It may be this summer, or the next, but I hope to be able to share about it soon!

Well, here are my goals for this week, the same as last.

Intentional Relationships

Read with my granddaughter

Celebrate a special birthday

Read Aloud 2 Chapters of Anne of Green Gables.

Finish Petal Rose’s, Cut pattern for Chica’s summer outfit.

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, The $100 Start Up, 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)

Purposeful Business Pursuits

Continue working through WordPress tutorials

Make a couple more recipe cards using this tutorial

Take and edit 5 pictures

 

Weekly Goals April 21-26

Happy Resurrection Monday (yes I am stretching out the celebration for one more day)

My beautiful daughtersHow are your goals coming along? I do hope that they are a guide, but not a taskmaster, allowing you to travel along life intentionally and with purpose, and also with flexibility. Each week, actually every day, I have to remember that my goals keep me on track of an intentional purposeful life, but also allows me flexibility without worry. This past week it doesn’t look as though I accomplished much on my goals, but a full week of life and productivity did take place. A good week of schooling and work was accomplished, shopping for clothing was completed (for now) and some wonderful fellowship took place. Our household of ladies (hubby is out of town working) traveled to the city north to visit with my oldest daughter and her boyfriend. We visited the Botanic Gardens and thoroughly enjoyed each other and the sunshine. Thankfully I still found regular time to read, and finished one of the books on my stack. Now it is Monday, here’s to another try at the goals!

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Intentional Relationships

Read with my granddaughter

Write a Love Note

Read Aloud 2 Chapters of Anne of Green Gables.

Finish Petal Rose’s skirt, Cut pattern for Chica’s summer outfit.

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, The $100 Start Up, 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)

Purposeful Business Pursuits

Continue working through WordPress tutorials

Make a couple more recipe cards using this tutorial

Take and edit 5 pictures