Daily Encouragement

I have been loving Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening devotions. I was especially encouraged by this one. Sometimes when I look around at everything going on in our world, I am easily discouraged. But!! God is working under and around and through it all. Praise our true King! Be encouraged!

Evening, December 5

“And the Lord shewed me four carpenters.”

Zechariah 1:20

In the vision described in this chapter, the prophet saw four terrible horns. They were pushing this way and that way, dashing down the strongest and the mightiest; and the prophet asked, “What are these?” The answer was, “These are the horns which have scattered Israel.” He saw before him a representation of those powers which had oppressed the church of God. There were four horns; for the church is attacked from all quarters. Well might the prophet have felt dismayed; but on a sudden there appeared before him four carpenters. He asked, “What shall these do?” These are the men whom God hath found to break those horns in pieces. God will always find men for his work, and he will find them at the right time. The prophet did not see the carpenters first, when there was nothing to do, but first the “horns,” and then the “carpenters.” Moreover, the Lord finds enough men. He did not find three carpenters, but four; there were four horns, and there must be four workmen. God finds the right men; not four men with pens to write; not four architects to draw plans; but four carpenters to do rough work. Rest assured, you who tremble for the ark of God, that when the “horns” grow troublesome, the “carpenters” will be found. You need not fret concerning the weakness of the church of God at any moment; there may be growing up in obscurity the valiant reformer who will shake the nations: Chrysostoms may come forth from our Ragged Schools, and Augustines from the thickest darkness of London’s poverty. The Lord knows where to find his servants. He hath in ambush a multitude of mighty men, and at his word they shall start up to the battle; “for the battle is the Lord's,” and he shall get to himself the victory. Let us abide faithful to Christ, and he, in the right time, will raise up for us a defense, whether it be in the day of our personal need, or in the season of peril to his Church.

New pictures!

We had fun taking these pictures the other day. Right before the cold weather set in. It always amazes me when I see my children in pictures! God has been so good to us!

Laundry is something we do a lot around here...

I found this fun link to Wordle while playing around with the computer. I started getting grand ideas of presents for the family with this fun word art. I just don't have a color printer right now, so I have to be a little more creative! Hope you have fun, too!




Susan

Fun! Fun!

We have had such fun times lately! After spending an evening with my whole family for the first time in at least six months, the fun just kept coming! The week before Thanksgiving we spent the week at my parent's time share on the lake. My sweet daughter turned 13 and she and I got to have a night by ourselves (with the baby!). We had fun hanging out and shopping for boots the next day.



Then we had days to spend with our family, playing games and watching movies. Jeff took the whole crew for a "lost in the woods" adventure, while Ava and I stayed and relaxed in the room. The weather was cool and windy, but not bad. We spent some time throwing rocks in the lake, enjoying the blue sky!





One night was a slumber party with Allison's friends for her birthday. I think the girls went to sleep at 5:00am!

We all ended up going again the next weekend to spend a little more time with my sister's family.

Thankfulness oozing out everywhere!

Thanksgiving

This morning as I sit at my computer looking out of my window at the squirrels playing in the trees, I have been reminded of the sweet community of Godly women I have met on the Web. As a mother of ten in a small town, I don't get out much! :) I'm always trying to figure out how to get out less, as a matter of fact!

But, this can create a loneliness sometimes. A nagging feeling of being very small in this battle. Although, like any tool, the internet can be used for harm, it has been a great source of encouragement to me!

Amazing ladies that are willing to share from their life, to encourage the

"younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." Titus 2

In this week of Thanksgiving, I just wanted to say "Thank you!" to my blogging friends. What fun we will have in heaven together!

A few of my favorite friends for you to meet...

Mommyx12
Susan
Ann
Raising Homemakers
Sherry
Mrs. Joseph Wood


With a thankful heart,

Susan

1000 gifts

109. a new day

110. a new week

111. a new month

112. how God continues to make all things new over and over!

113. forgiveness for yesterday's mistakes

114. HOPE for tomorrow

115. shiny sink

116. clean house

117. company for the weekend

118. falling leaves

119. cooler temperatures

120. my life...HIS life!

The reason I haven't been blogging...

Well, my daughters were commenting that I haven't blogged in awhile. My sweet blogging friend, Susan, has referenced my blog a few times lately, so here I am! I decided to explain, maybe in pictures, what has been occupying my time lately.



This was the end of July...




The shower...




The due date! 8/9/10 I love the birth date! :)



Her arrival. Miss Ava Faith weighed in at 9 lb. 14 oz. Happy, healthy arrival...thank you, God!



Welcomed by her adoring fan club.





One of my friends, long ago, told me that it takes about three months to adjust to a major life change. I have found this to be very true for me. Now, Ava is almost three months, cooing and smiling, and making it very hard to imagine life without this sweet darling. And now, I can sit down to blog again.

Just a few things still remind me of the adjustment. For instance, she is sleeping on my shoulder after nursing, while I type this post. Everything is a little slower, specially one-handed typing. As I told, Susan, I am also redirecting my energy right now. This short phase in my life will be over before I can blink.

During this time of welcoming our newest arrival. my second oldest has completed driver's ed and received her license. Life speeds by!

Help me, Lord. to number my days...and enjoy each moment!

Love,
Susan

1000 gifts

51. Wonderful church fellowship!

52. Sunny spring days

53. Hanging sheets on the line

54. Sleeping on sheets dried by the sun

55. 15 minutes of well used time

56. Looking forward to the return of Christ!

57. Good books

58. New carpet, paint, and windows at church

59. New families at church

60. The most wonderful husband


Enjoy your week!

Susan

Lamplighter books

If you haven't heard of Lamplighter theater, I will be glad to recommend it! The Lamplighter books are some of our favorite read aloud books. We have only started in on the list of great titles, but I received this email offering a free download of one of their books. They really want to get this out to as many people as possible because it is a great evangelistic tool. You are welcome and encouraged to link it to your blog and spread the word! We are looking forward to hearing this great story!

A Peep behind the Scenes

Have a wonderful Lord's Day!

Susan

Life Project- first week

I'm so inspired by Susan's pictures of her Life Project. I want to try it! So here goes...this was my first real attempt at lots of pictures. Hmmm....I have been trying to take pictures almost every day for the last few weeks, but when I started loading them they got all out of order! Maybe next time I will do better! It is still a good look at the days of our lives- busy and full! Hope you enjoy!





Monday- yogurt! 3/9

Sunday- our place to worship 3/14


Sunday walk 3/14


Monday rainbow 3/15


Monday baby picture! 3/15


Sunday snow ice cream 3/21


Tuesday- where's the food? 3/16


Sunday- another snow view 3/21


Sunday- spring in the snow! 3/21



Saturday- breakfast at Meme's house 3/20


Wednesday 3/17


Sunday night- favorite time! 3/14


Friday- Happy 4th Birthday! 3/12


Friday- cousin time! 3/19


Thursday- clean bathroom with a touch of spring 3/18


Tuesday- helping Daddy 3/16




Saturday- Spring! 3/20


Monday- Brothers! 3/15




Isn't life good?!

Susan

1000 gifts

42. singing children

43. Thankful Tuesdays :)

44. Spring

45. spring cleaning

46. blogging

47. fresh paint

48. 11 plates, 11 cups, 11 forks, 11 napkins, every meal!

49. hot water

50. math books

Six Inches of Snow!

Okay, we had a beautiful snowstorm on the second day of spring! Crazy, but great for photography! Now I just need to see if I can get some of these great pictures on the my blog...I do have to say I did not take these pictures. Like I said earlier, my kids are passing me quickly on all their talents and skills. Their blogs are much better than mine, too. If you are interested in those, just let me know and we can probably send you an invitation.

Here is snow in the spring!

Enjoy God's beauty!

Susan

Weeds!

Today we took a walk on our neighborhood walking trail, enjoying the sunshine, blue sky and green everything! As we were walking, my daughters kept showing me all the flowers that were blooming. My four year old handed me a carefully picked fistful of weeds. (of course, I was delighted!) It hit me! God's grace in living color!

Yes, the weeds were part of the curse of the ground due to our sinfulness, but have you ever noticed how many weeds have flowers??! We happened to be looking at a field of yellow dandelions, which are one of my least favorites when they are in the garden or yard, but even they were singing His praises today! God's justice and mercy always follow close together, even in weeds.

Singing with the weeds,

Susan

Great Gluten free Cooking Ideas!

Calling all gluten free cooks!

If you haven't heard of this great cookbook, then I will be the first one to tell you it is wonderful! I already love my crockpot, but this takes it a step further than I had dared. I even made GF bread in the crockpot! My dear sister-in-law gave me this cookbook for Christmas, but I took a look at the website and it looks about the same.

OK, so what is it???!


Make It Fast, Cook It Slow

Hope you enjoy it as much as I have. With this kind of weather, it is great to put something in the crockpot, leave it and spend the day outside!

Happy cooking,

Susan

Sunshine!

Isn't it amazing how sunshine affects our outlooks? I know that time spent in God's Word affects my spirit the same way...the real Sonshine! We had a beautiful spring day yesterday and even our rainy day turned out sunny and beautiful today. We all enjoyed getting outside and digging around in our garden plots. Living in the middle of town presents a few problems with gardens, but we are working on it! We have several barrels and small raised beds that we have been working with for a couple years. Also, we have a vacant lot next to us that we are going to use this year. It is partly in the shade so we will have to plan carefully.

I am thankful my kids like to be out with the garden, because I think when I am eight months pregnant, the Texas heat will not sound that great! :) I am going to enjoy my second trimester with spring weather! Yea! It is fun to be included in the growing and new life part of spring!

I haven't felt this new little one kick yet, but I am looking forward to it any day! I have another appointment with another doctor this Monday. I am expecting him to say I will need a c-section, but from what I have experienced at this office so far, I will at least get some sympathy! We will see!!

Enjoy the flowers! I am trying to take a picture a day this week!! We will see if I can get them posted.

Full of life,
Susan :)

Sonogram

I finally made it to my sonogram appointment and I always love seeing those fuzzy gray shapes that resemble a baby! The moving pictures are always better than the still photographs. I got to see the baby yawn and wave...the heart beat sounded wonderful and everything looks great! Yea! Thank you, God!

My search for a doctor still continues, though. I have gone to a birthing center with a midwife for my last three births, but my last birth was quite a bit more difficult. With my age and the last difficulties, my midwife said I really needed to go to a hospital for this one. I had come to terms with that and started my search...how in the world do you find a good ob/gyn??? Late nights searching the internet, looking at hospitals and the one comment about the doctor. I have just been praying! It turns out the doctor that was connected with the sonogram said he would do a C-section. He didn't even talk to me or really give me any reasons. He actually didn't even talk to me, it was the receptionist who rather rudely informed me of his decision.

I will back up with more of my history. My fourth pregnancy was my twin boys. I did have a c-section with them because they were feet first and twisted all sorts of ways. Thirteen months later I gave birth to my daughter in the same hospital with a very uneventful VBAC. We moved shortly after that and found a wonderful midwife who was willing to try a VBAC three more times with me. I think I only realized now how AMAZING (and what a God-given grace!) that was for us. The past two days I have not found a hospital or a doctor that will do a VBAC with me!! Automatic planned c-section only. I guess the hard thing for me is that I feel like I am not the best candidate for another VBAC anymore, but that does not mean that I don't want to hear reasons and at least discuss it with the doctor. I did find a much kinder nurse and doctor who at least pretended to sympathize with me. That did make me feel better, and I decided I would make an appointment with him instead of the first one.

The whole idea that once you have had a c-section you will always have one, is SO detrimental to the idea of having more kids. My dear friend, who just had her eighth baby, had to have an emergency c-section. She was in tears when I went to visit her, because she was afraid she would have to have c-sections from here on out. I did not realize at that time how true that might be! Just the little research that I did showed how basically safe VBACS can be.

VBAC research


I found out most of the time it is the hospital's policy that prevents the doctors from being able to help a patient with a VBAC. The main thing behind that is the insurance policies won't cover the hospitals if they allow VBACS. What a mess!!! The other hard part is that midwives really can't take the risk of a first time VBAC either! ARGGG! This really does make me angry.

Yet it does make me amazed and thankful that I was able to have my first VBAC at the hospital so that could pave the way to my other midwife delivered VBACS. God has always provided a way for us to obey Him!

I feel like I have been ranting and raving..., but the bottom line is I am excited about this new little one entering our family. I read Proverbs 3:5-8 this morning and was comforted by our Lord's wisdom instead of mine.

Resting In Him,

Susan

Blogging...

My life is wonderfully full right now. I often wish there were more hours in the day and instead, I am conking out earlier than usual! I want hours to write, take pictures, read, etc. but instead I am watching my children become experts in all these areas. I am so glad! I have wanted to sit down and keep track of all my scattered thoughts, so finally I am taking a moment and just giving an update. Maybe then I can feel like getting back into the swing of blogging. I really love it and the possibilities available with the computer. I love the picture journaling that my friend Susan is working on her blog.

I will go ahead and take the excuse for why I haven't been blogging. I am three months pregnant with number ten! I have been tired, but that is passing more each day. I have really felt great! I usually have fairly easy pregnancies until the end of the time. (I think everyone is uncomfortable then! So we will be willing and ready for labor! :)) We are excited about this new baby and are looking forward to our first sonogram. I always think...(is it twins??!) We are thankful for God's continued blessings in our lives. I am always amazed at the way He works through each detail in our day. Yesterday was one of those days! (more on that later...)

Anyway, this has been what has been going on here. We have been trying some great new GF recipes that I will try to post soon. Right now GF pancakes are waiting along with hungry children...

Enjoy the Sonshine today!

Susan