a roaring lamb

Always on the look out for young roaring lambs, and each time I see one my hope is strengthened.

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

 

Becuase He Loves Me, Week 5

 
 

Because He Loves Me Book Study</

Joining in this week because, life has given me this little space of time.  Here are the pondering points from GraceLaced.

1) What is the most comforting aspect of your inheritance? What are you resting in today?
2) How do you respond to your own sin? Are you tempted to believe that God is punishing you? What is the difference between punishment and redemptive discipline?
3) What struck you the most about this chapter?
 
 
This was a great chapter for me, because while I don’t really “get it” all, I’ve enjoyed seeing some of what my loving Father has done in me.  The most comforting part of my inheritance, at this point, is the hope I have.  The hope that I am not what I was, and I am not what I will be.  And, as the Spirit continues to work in me, and as I continue to follow or “work” this relationship with God will deepen on my side.  This hope is what I am resting in.  The blessed hope that is nourished by the daily evidence of GRACE.
 
In the past, and sometimes still, my sin is a cause for self loathing.  But here is the word again, GRACE has saved me.  The grace of God has washed me clean, the admonishment of God often wakes me at night to deal with me, and then the love of God sings over me.  That redemptive discipline builds more into that wonderful hope that continues to grow within me.
 
As I am a serious reader, always looking to learn and grow, this chapter was a sweet refrain.  The reminder to me to work out my faith because the work of grace has redeemed this life of mine.  What sweet rest is available in the hope created by grace.
 
Are you interested in joining Grace Full Mama and GraceLaced as a community reads Because He Loves Me?  Just pop on over to either of their blogs to read more.
 
 


Reading in February

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.

You are a Leader

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?
 

Sketch Tuesday

It doesn’t happen every week anymore, sometimes it might happen once in a month, but Sketch Tuesday is a favorite of mine.
 
Here is Chica’s assignment for this past week.  I love how she threw in a little Spanish vocabulary.  She also approached this sketch using instructions she received in her Art Enrichment Class.
 
 
La Bota

Gifts Spoken, Gifts Tucked Quietly Away

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.

 

Soft Scrub Total ~ Review and Giveaway!

<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.

 

Giveaway winners

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

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

 
Great Grand Dad

 
Oldest and Youngest Aunts

linking with Amanda and with Amy