The Visit: From a child's perpective

I had an guests at my house for almost two weeks. It was my sister-in-Law and her youngest son. She was taking a much needed break and ventured to NY from Denver on the train (Kudos to her, I don't think I could have done it) I am always up for guests, and took the time in stride. I was going through my 9 year old's writing journal she keeps at school an I had a hearty laugh at the entries. This is the tale of the visit from a child's perspective:



Entry 1 February 12, (few days after cousin Quinn's arrival)I had a great time with my cousin Quinn, we both played with our DS games. Even my little sister Kayla played. I had to stop to charge my game. We went out and played in the snow and built a snowman . I even made a snow angel. I had a lot of fun with my Auntie Denise too.



Entry 2 February 22 ( after returning to school after her winter break)
My vacation was TERRIFYING!! (this is where I nearly fell of my chair). My cousin Quinn was over and he was very bossy. He kept turning off the TV while I was watching. On the last day before he left , he started to do it again and I grabbed the remote and told him he could not do it it was rude.

A Splash of Orange

Passion Flower

I love orange and in the process of revamping my blog, I had to include orange. I am part of a great networking group called the Sassy Sisters in Sale. One of my sassy sisters is an artist among other things. I used her painting in my banner. She has a great shop on Artfire featuring her work and she really is good. She loves color like myself, she started with making stained glass and fused glass. She learned how to do stained glass while living in Baltimore at a local craft shop. Arlene, has even studied abroad in New Zealand, a well travelled artist.

Regrouping

I have spent a lot of time building up my business blog, and this one well has suffered. I sat down and decided to regroup, and give it another shot. Today was a very instrospective day for me. Due to financial strain and the fact that my business is not picking up as fast as I want it to, I may have to look for a job outside of my home. I am not thrilled, but spending some time in prayer and meditation I told God to allow His will to be done in my life. This is really hard, but necessary when I consider that my life is not my own it is God's. I did remind Him of what He said in His Word, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans not to harm you , but plans to offer a hope and a future". This is the verse that keeps me sane in the midst of chaos and uncertainty.

I have chosen to use this blog as my forum to share my beliefs, my thoughts , my dry sense of humor. So if you are out there follow me on this wonderful journey called life.

God meets our needs

I received this story in an email . I wanted to post it because it is such an encouraging story. We often go through our individual situations and "seasons". It is wonderful to know that through it all God knows our needs. I can testify His ability to meet our needs. As I get older I am learning to stand back even when I can't or don't want to let go of my circumstance. I stand back to see Him at work as He promised.

The songs goes...Be encouraged, no matter what's going on. He will make alright, but you have to stay strong...

Be encouraged.....

SPECIAL GROCERY LIST

Louise Redden, a poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store.

She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries.

She softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work, they had seven children and they needed food.

John Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her and requested that she leave his store at once.

Visualizing the family needs, she said: 'Please, sir! I will bring you the money just as soon as I can.'

John told her he could not give her credit, since she did not have a charge account at his store.

Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the conversation between the two. The customer walked forward and told the grocer that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family. The grocer said in a very reluctant voice, 'Do you have a grocery list?'

Louise replied, 'Yes sir.' 'O.K' he said, 'put your grocery list on the scales and whatever your grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount in groceries.'

Louise, hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then she reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. She then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed.

The eyes of the grocer and the customer showed amazement when the scales went down and stayed down.

The grocer, staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, 'I can't believe it.'

The customer smiled and the grocer started putting the groceries on the other side of the scales. The scale did not balance so he c

continued to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more.

The grocer stood there in utter disgust. Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper ! from the scales and looked at it with greater amazement.
It was not a grocery list, it was a prayer, which said:

'Dear Lord, you know my needs and I am leaving this in your hands.'

The grocer gave her the groceries that he had gathered and stood in stunned silence.

Louise thanked him and left the store. The other customer handed a fifty-dollar bill to the grocer and said; 'It was worth every penny of it. Only God Knows how much a prayer weighs.'

Children's Devotions

Having devotions with your children is different that your own personal devotion. For me I need to make sure that my children "get it". That whatever we discuss or read about during that lesson, hits home and becomes applicable to their lives. Today we did not get to go to church. Anytime we don't get to make it to church I try to make sure that we have family devotions.

Today in preparing for family devotion I came across a really neat site.

http://www.heavensinspirations.com/childrens-devotionals.html

I decided to do the devotional on Faith and Actions. I look forward to sharing my children's "aha" moments.

Earth Day

Today is Earth Day, all over the world individuals are discussing ways to be kind to the earth. Discussions about ending our bad habits so that we will not continue to destroy the Earth are being heard on all channels. It is definitely important to be mindful and care the earth that God has created. It is even more important to honor and worship the Creator. For we have been created to worship Him.

For Earth Day I decided to list verses that talk about the Lord and include the earth.

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Psalm 8:9

All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him,
Psalm 22:27


Psalm 24

1 The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
2 for he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the waters.

3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ?
Who may stand in his holy place?

Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him.
Psalm 33:8

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth!
Psalm 47:2

Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness.
Psalm 48:10

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.
Psalm 57:4-6

Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.
Psalm 72:19

The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth; you founded the world and all that is in it.
Psalm 89:11

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Matthew 24:35

Day One _ A Woman Inspired Conference Living Financially Free

I would like to share an impact moment from the Women Inspired Conference with you

This was a wonderful session on financial freedom.

Speaker: Marybeth Whalen

Author of Learning to Live free Financial along with her husband Curt Whalen



Learning Points:

* We should get on the same page with our spouses about our "Heart" attitudes about money

* Attitude 1 - Attitude of Prayer - committing every financial thing to God in prayer. Personally I have no other recourse but to turn to God in prayer. I have seen how awesome He is and I have seen Him answer in such wonderful ways.

* Attitude 2 - Attitude of Obedience - Its vital to have an attitude of obedience. Being obedient even when it does not make sense to you. In Acts 3 1-10

* Attitude 3 - Attitude of Surrender - Laying down our expectations. What we feel we "deserve". Deserve is a dangerous word. Like a spoiled child do we throw tantrums or tell God what we deserve, even when we don't. We live through God's Grace, unmerited favor shown to us by the Father.

* Attitude of Vision - Vision beyond the immediate situation. Sometimes you a SEE moment. S ignificant E motional E event. It is the AHa! moment that begins our transformation.

Marybeth and her husband Curt have shared their story in their book Living Financially Free, I am currently reading and I am enjoying the book. They also share on their website marybethandcurt.blogspot.com.

Lets be good stewards of the resources God has given us, and even if we have made some mistakes along the way God is waiting to help you pick up the pieces, turn it over to Him and begin to take steps towards financial freedom.