Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Gratitude List ~ The Thousand Gifts



#11 ~bright red, perfectly fresh beets raised by my daddy :)

#12 ~ healthy, active, happy children

#13 ~ ties to our history

#14 ~ a very kind, wise dentist

#15 ~ field trips

#16 ~ laughter

#17 ~ a new friend, I think probably a soul mate

#18 ~ an old fashioned snail mail letter

#19 ~ an abundance of old books

#20 ~ a new book



Monday, August 24, 2009

Town Hall Meeting


We enjoyed a 3 hour Town Hall Meeting this morning. I'm a terrible person to estimate how many people attended but I would say between 300-500??? It was well attended considering it was held at 8:30 a.m. when most people have to be at work. Rep. John Boozman took time to answer each question and was considerate of each person who spoke. Afterwards, he was kind enough to speak with my children. When my son told him that we pray for him often, he said, "That is the best gift a person could give me." During the meeting his wife sat right behind us and afterward we were able to visit a bit with her, a sweet, dear lady that I should pray for more often, also!

Today, I thank God I'm an American, still able to freely speak! May God have mercy on our land.
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Wednesday, August 19, 2009

America Frugal Housewife


I found the cookbook Old Sturbridge Village Cookbook at the library and found it quite interesting. It is a reprint/re-do for modern times of the cook book The American Frugal Housewife first written in 1829 by Lydia Maria Child. There is a lot of history bound up in this little book. But I really love the opening quote and went to bed pondering how I could benefit my household if I worked to apply it more diligently.

"The true economy of housekeeping is simply the art of gathering up all the fragments, so that nothing be lost."

The original book gave advice on efficiently running the home, which I wish were included in this book. Instead this book just focuses on the recipes.

I was thinking of our simple supper last night, which really did not require a ton of food, yet was nutritious and delicious. We had chicken breast with a simple stir-fry containing one Japanese eggplant, an orange and red bell pepper, 4 small okra, and a handful of chopped sweet onion. This made up plenty of vegetables for our family of 6, with just enough left over for someone's lunch today. That's not a ton of food and I can probably easily get that from my garden every day for the next month.....just thinking.

I realize many are having tough financial times right now. But it seems there is still so much waste. We've tightened our belt in a few areas but we still aren't using every morsel......if I don't get the produce preserved that is setting in my kitchen, it won't mean that we'll go without a meal tomorrow. Times don't appear to be like they were during the Depression, (thankfully).

Monday, August 17, 2009

#6 He's Mine

and I'm his....forever and ever.

#7 ~ the first morning light streaming into my living room, warming the walls
#8 ~ the chatter of my children as they have "tea" with their breakfast
#9 ~ red peppers slices that disappear almost as quickly as I place them on my table
#10 ~ neighbors who "trade" chores with us

Friday, August 14, 2009

Comfort




Once again, I have been the recipient of the comfort of God, fleshed out to me through the body of Christ. Last week my husband's Grandpa, at age 90, left this life to take up resident in His everlasting home, free from all his earthly cares. He fought the fight; he kept the faith. I imagine his entering in was a blessed occasion.

I've been overcome again by the blessed grace of God. I've seen it working in my family's life as we all sorrow, but not without hope. God's promises bring such great comfort. It's only of His grace that we have the glorious assurance that one day we'll be reunited with those who have gone before to their Heavenly home. Of course, it is only of God's grace that all of my children's Great-Grandparents and Grandparents will abide there someday.

I was blessed to have this Grandpa for fourteen years. And truly he was a Grandpa to me. I felt loved and accepted. He always took interest in my life. We loved to visit about our gardens. He liked to know how my family and church were doing. Up until the very end he would have little gifts for my children, relevant gifts, gifts appropriate for their ages and interests. He was aware of others and their needs. And so for fourteen years, my life was enriched by our relationship. But truly he blessed me years before I married his Grandson. His impact on my husband was great. And of course he raised my father in law, the daddy of my husband, the Grandpa of my children. The impact of one life reaches so far.

During this week I was struck with the fact that God ministers His grace many times through the hands and words of His people. We were flooded with love and practical care. It was beautiful to watch the body of Christ minister to our needs. I had my dear friends who showed their care, the ones who are always there for me. I had the family members that I can always count on to go the extra mile. Several church bodies ministered to us. And then I had strangers, yet my brothers and sisters in Christ, who I was able to have sweet fellowship with.



Oh, the depths of the riches......

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

On Captain John Smith....


Our school days have resumed....

As I was reading to the children today I ran across this paragraph that I found to be good advice for any leader. I can apply it to my life.

From the book "This Country of Ours" by H.E. Marshall:
"Many of the unruly sort were glad to see him (John Smith) go, but his old companions with whom he had shared so many dangers and privations were filled with grief. "He ever hated baseness, sloth, pride and indignity," said one of them. "He never allowed more for himself than for his soldiers with him. Upon no danger would he send them where he would not lead them himself. He would never see us want what he either had or could by any means get us. He loved action more than words, and hated falsehood and covetousness worse than death."

Sunday, August 09, 2009

When I'm a daddy....


I will eat Panekokan every day, and pancakes, and macaroni and cheese, and an apple and cucumbers. ~ Zeke

"Mommy, when I grow up I want to marry you!" ~ Zeke

Zeke is really wanting to get married at a wedding. A friend of ours recently got married in a park and apparently Zeke really enjoyed the whole celebration. He also recently realized that he needs a wife to have a baby and he really wants a baby.