I have been sitting here today just enjoying the kids. It feels good to be caught up on laundry, dishes and general house cleaning. I praise God for the 31 Day challenge and it's related facebook groups that have kept me accountable and encouraged. Because I'm not playing catch up with the laundry, I am actually able to wash the bed sheets without worrying if I'll get all the clothing done before Sunday. :) Later today I'll work on some of my quilting projects, but for now I am relaxing with the kids.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
It's been awhile!
As you can see, I've been a bit lack in posting! I've been busy. I finished up the 31 Days to Clean challenge and have been trying hard to maintain the house. Some days it's easier than others. :/ I also discovered flickr. It's my new obsession. I love to quilt, though I am still fairly new at it. I have joined a few groups and participated in my first QAL, which is what kept me from blogging. I am now a part of a Rainbow Swap with Ellison Lane Quilts and am waiting for a response on a Color Wheel Charm Swap. I am also a part of a few others and it's exciting to see the talent in the quilting world and how much I have to learn. School will be starting up soon for my house which means that I am enjoying my quilting hobby until then when I will have to cut back on my involvement. I am also hoping to teach some basic skills to my kids this year as Naomi has expressed some interest in sewing this summer. Who knows, maybe her interest will reignite Mariah's, light up Thomas' and well, have a chain reaction. Time will tell.
Oh, here's a picture of my finished quilt from the QAL:
Oh, here's a picture of my finished quilt from the QAL:
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
The kid's rooms
I never did post pictures during my cleaning challenge of the kid's rooms. I have almost finished with the bunk bed in the girl's room; waiting on one more mattress. So, I thought, better late than never!
Before: Girl's Room:
Crazy, ain't it!
After:
Boy's Room before:
After:
I ended up throwing out one entire bed, it was mine from when I was about 13! It had lived a nice, long life. I put all the girls into one room, finally, by reassembling the one bunk we had and purchasing a second. Moved the bed that isn't a bunk into the boy's room and put the crib in there for the baby. Now everyone is where they 'belong'. It feels good to have that finished, now just waiting for that mattress! :)
Before: Girl's Room:
After:
What you meant for evil, God meant for good.
Scripture: Genesis 40:12- 50:26
Observation: We see the life of Joseph from his time in prison to his death. God gives us a glimpse into a man's life and how, through circumstances beyond his control, he uses those circumstances to give glory to God. He was wrongly imprisoned and forgotten about by his cellmate, the butler. However, we see God's blessing in that Joseph was placed in charge of his fellow prisoners. Two years later, when Pharaoh is plagued by dreams, the butler remembers Joseph. It is through an unfortunate circumstance, in this case the butler's forgetfulness, that God uses it for good. Joseph is let out of prison and placed into leadership, second only to Pharaoh! Through all these various trials, Joseph is placed in positions of leadership which ultimately prepared him for this day. He is able to save his entire family from famine as well as all of Egypt! As Joseph puts it to his brothers, "But as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good."
Application: Sometimes we are tried and tested and go through persecutions all because, in the end, there is a greater purpose it is serving. We only see a small glimpse of God's plan and may not understand why we are being hurt, but He does. He knows exactly what hardships we need to face in order to prepare us for future events where those trials can be used as nuggets of wisdom to others to bring about God's glory. If Joseph was never sold to Potipher, he wouldn't have had the opportunity to grow in leadership. If he wasn't wrongly accused by Potipher's wife, he wouldn't have had the chance to further grow in leadership or meet the butler. If he never met the butler, he wouldn't have been brought to see Pharaoh. If he was never brought to Pharaoh, he wouldn't have been able to save his family from famine. All these trials, though 'undeserved', proved to be exactly what needed to happen to save people from certain death!
Prayer: I pray that I am able to keep the proper perspective when I am going through hardships so that I don't miss out on the greater blessings God has in store for others who'll benefit from my passing through those trials!
Observation: We see the life of Joseph from his time in prison to his death. God gives us a glimpse into a man's life and how, through circumstances beyond his control, he uses those circumstances to give glory to God. He was wrongly imprisoned and forgotten about by his cellmate, the butler. However, we see God's blessing in that Joseph was placed in charge of his fellow prisoners. Two years later, when Pharaoh is plagued by dreams, the butler remembers Joseph. It is through an unfortunate circumstance, in this case the butler's forgetfulness, that God uses it for good. Joseph is let out of prison and placed into leadership, second only to Pharaoh! Through all these various trials, Joseph is placed in positions of leadership which ultimately prepared him for this day. He is able to save his entire family from famine as well as all of Egypt! As Joseph puts it to his brothers, "But as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good."
Application: Sometimes we are tried and tested and go through persecutions all because, in the end, there is a greater purpose it is serving. We only see a small glimpse of God's plan and may not understand why we are being hurt, but He does. He knows exactly what hardships we need to face in order to prepare us for future events where those trials can be used as nuggets of wisdom to others to bring about God's glory. If Joseph was never sold to Potipher, he wouldn't have had the opportunity to grow in leadership. If he wasn't wrongly accused by Potipher's wife, he wouldn't have had the chance to further grow in leadership or meet the butler. If he never met the butler, he wouldn't have been brought to see Pharaoh. If he was never brought to Pharaoh, he wouldn't have been able to save his family from famine. All these trials, though 'undeserved', proved to be exactly what needed to happen to save people from certain death!
Prayer: I pray that I am able to keep the proper perspective when I am going through hardships so that I don't miss out on the greater blessings God has in store for others who'll benefit from my passing through those trials!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Day 3: Though Outside Forces Attack
Scripture: Genesis 28:20-40:11
Observation: Jacob is sent away from his home in fear of being killed by his brother. He dwells with Laban 20 years; 7 for Leah, 7 for Rachel, 6 for flocks. Throughout that time, Laban is deceitful towards him, his wives 'quarrel' amongst themselves, and Laban's sons want harm to come to him. He decides to flee while he is able and is pursued by Laban.
Now, even though all these negative things are being leveled against him by others, Jacob remains faithful and obedient to God. God chooses to abundantly bless Jacob. He is blessed with a very large, strong and healthy flock of many types of animals. He is given 12 sons and many daughters through his two wives as well as their two maids. On his way back to his father's homeland, he is reconciled with Esau. He is a man truly blessed.
We also are introduced to Joseph, one of Jacob and Rachel's sons. At 17 years he is sold by his brothers into slavery because they hate him due to the favoritism shown him by their father. Joseph ends up in Egypt as a slave to the Pharoah's Captain of the Guard. While in slavery, Joseph shows his hard work ethic and skills. God chooses to bless him and he placed in charge of Potipher's household.
While in this position, Potipher's wife tries to seduce him. He knows he shouldn't and avoids her. However, one day he is unsuccessful and ends up in a confrontation with her. He runs away but loses his garment in the process. This is turned against him and he ends up in prison.
Application: Even though both Jacob and Joseph were persecuted by others, family to boot!, they were obedient to God. They still did what was required of them and did it well. They also had proper attitudes while undergoing their persecutions. Because of their faithfulness God blessed them abundantly. Their trials and hardships didn't disappear, on the contrary, they seemed to become more frequent and more difficult. Jacob is told by his sons that Joseph was mauled, Joseph lands in prison.
Prayer: I pray that no matter what trials I face or what things people may do to try and harm me, that I will continue to be obedient to God and faithful to Him. That I will remain diligent in doing good and with the proper attitude so that I am able to receive God's blessings that He has for me.
Observation: Jacob is sent away from his home in fear of being killed by his brother. He dwells with Laban 20 years; 7 for Leah, 7 for Rachel, 6 for flocks. Throughout that time, Laban is deceitful towards him, his wives 'quarrel' amongst themselves, and Laban's sons want harm to come to him. He decides to flee while he is able and is pursued by Laban.
Now, even though all these negative things are being leveled against him by others, Jacob remains faithful and obedient to God. God chooses to abundantly bless Jacob. He is blessed with a very large, strong and healthy flock of many types of animals. He is given 12 sons and many daughters through his two wives as well as their two maids. On his way back to his father's homeland, he is reconciled with Esau. He is a man truly blessed.
We also are introduced to Joseph, one of Jacob and Rachel's sons. At 17 years he is sold by his brothers into slavery because they hate him due to the favoritism shown him by their father. Joseph ends up in Egypt as a slave to the Pharoah's Captain of the Guard. While in slavery, Joseph shows his hard work ethic and skills. God chooses to bless him and he placed in charge of Potipher's household.
While in this position, Potipher's wife tries to seduce him. He knows he shouldn't and avoids her. However, one day he is unsuccessful and ends up in a confrontation with her. He runs away but loses his garment in the process. This is turned against him and he ends up in prison.
Application: Even though both Jacob and Joseph were persecuted by others, family to boot!, they were obedient to God. They still did what was required of them and did it well. They also had proper attitudes while undergoing their persecutions. Because of their faithfulness God blessed them abundantly. Their trials and hardships didn't disappear, on the contrary, they seemed to become more frequent and more difficult. Jacob is told by his sons that Joseph was mauled, Joseph lands in prison.
Prayer: I pray that no matter what trials I face or what things people may do to try and harm me, that I will continue to be obedient to God and faithful to Him. That I will remain diligent in doing good and with the proper attitude so that I am able to receive God's blessings that He has for me.
Another Challenge I'm going to try...
thlsummershed.png
I'm working on my spiritual fitness with the Bible in 90 day challenge so why not a physical one?
I'm working on my spiritual fitness with the Bible in 90 day challenge so why not a physical one?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
LinkWithin
