Joy in the Morning

  
 Morning J O Y~these 2 words bring me comfort, peace, encouragment and a smile.

Let me explain, my own time of tribulation. At night during my many trials I struggled. I would toss and turn with overwhelming worries. Satan threw many fiery arrows (Espesians 6:16) at my weakest time of the day. The air would feel so heavy and hot around me. My mind was in a war with fear, I could feel sweat form on my forehead. I would utter these words, faster and faster, "Jesus, I cast you all my burdens, you do not want me to worry...you have given me a sound mind..take away my fear." I would by the grace of Jesus fall asleep. In the night I would wake again- there the fears would flood in my mind again. Quickly I would pray for peace and fall back to sleep holding on to my Savior.

I would wake in the morning, the promises of scriptures would meet me... Joy in the morning. I was released from the drowning fear, a prisoner set free.

"...Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Psalms 30:5

"Cause me to hear they loving-kindness in the morning." Psalms 143:8

If you have suffered nights with no peace of mind.. maybe you have forgot to do something that you needed to do, maybe you are going over what you need to do the next day, overwhelming guilt where you failed.. going thru a trial and cant see past it? Let me encourage you, to seek His face, pray to Him and give Him all your burdens..He wants to set you free..He wants to give you peace and go a step further with a
gift of J O Y in the MORNING!

Linked with:
Our Simple Country Life

Missing

John 16:22 - And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

As most of you know, I lived in Nevada for almost 4years. We moved there from Michigan for a work oppurtunity for my husband. While living there, we comitted our lives to Christ...and I met some special ladies who became my wonderful friends. We prayed to move back to our home state and were blessed to have this answered. We have been *home* for 7months now.. and I have to say that sometimes my heart misses those dear friends. How wonderful it was to have friends who I can share my life with, friends for my children and lunch and dinner gatherings...so many wonderful memories. Friends who became my family for a short time.

Do you miss anyone, a friend or family? I know its not easy, I have had my heart ache for wanting to be near family and now my dear friends.

Today I thought of something, truly the Holy Spirit leading me.. when my heart pains to be near a person, pray for them. Pray that they will be blessed, heart filled with joy, for hope with any problem they may be facing, protection and that they would grow close to God.

I have to say that the pain lessened..and it felt good to take a few minutes and pray for the dear ladies I miss.

Praying is such a wonderful thing you can do.. Truly the best.

Children and Chores

I have always been a mom that asks my children to help clean and cook alongside me...to make their beds and pick up after themselves. Recently I decided to give the kids two types of chores: After Meal Chore & Daily Keep Up Chore.

I wrote down their chores on a sheet of paper, highlighted their name and magnected it on the fridge, to remind me and them! Once they complete their chore, I place a sticker. Helps me to see how often they accomplished their job and I feel it will give them the confidence and satisfaction of a good job. :)

After Meal Chore is basically helping me clean up after breakfast, lunch and dinner.. Chores given are: clear the table, wash the table, wash the chairs, sweep. I help them and start on the dishes. I started this chore because after lunch I like to get everything quickly cleaned up so we can finish our 'lesson time." After starting this chore, I have to say, I love that they dont rush off after their bellies are full..but that we stay together, lovingly serving!

Daily Keep Up Chore are areas where this mamma needs help ;) ..thats basically how I decide chores. Chores in my home that are given are: vacuum the living room, bathroom and kitchen trash taken out and put a new bag in, organize the shoe area (we have alot of shoes that easily pile up), putting the drying dishes away. Everyone is also responsible for making their bed..my oldest son asked if he could make my bed everyday for 10cents..lets just say I got the better deal on that but I love that he takes his chores a bit further..what a blessing!

I have also taught the children that we serve the Lord in each job we do. No stickers are awarded for those who grumble and complain....

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might..." Ecclesiastes 9:10

Have you ever read "One hundred and One More Devotions for Homeschool Moms, by Jackie Wellwood?"

If you homeschool or have thought about homeschooling, I encourage this book greatly! Anyways, Jackie writes a chapter on "Right hand and Left hand jobs." There are jobs we like and love to do, that come more easily to us, then there are jobs that are harder to do that we dislike. We need to teach and train our children that we have to do both kind of jobs in this world. Our sons will be providers for their families and most likely have to do quite a few right and left hand jobs. As mothers I accomplish a handful of left and right hand jobs esp when my hubby is away for work. With this lesson taught to my children, we switch the chores up..my oldest dislikes vacuming and my youngest loves it..they switch where my oldest has to vacuum. Keeps the chores fresh and exciting in a way.. "whats my chore going to be mommy!?" ;) The child that has completed the chore for a few weeks then gets to pass any tips they learned to their sibling..they love that part!!

Lastly when your child does not do their chore to your perfection.. lovingly encourage them with P R A I S E. That really is the key to joyful servers! Moms, your children love your praise! Keep praising them and lovingly instruct them.. do not complain about their work, or fix their work. DO show them, complete the work together..

While you and your children serve together, play hymns, pray for your children (and yourself) to be selfless servers.

Here, my sweet 5yr old decided to help me with dinner, his job was placing the tater tots over the burger. I showed him how to place the taters on one side... He did the other side. Perfectionate old me, wanted to fix his lil taters but NO! His little fingers placed them and he did a wonderful job.. I want to encourage his help so the casserole went in the oven just the way he made it!

There are so many free printable chore charts out there, do whatever one will work for you. Again, mine was simple... wrote their name down, highlighed their name and chore.. left room so stickers can be placed all over..easy!

How are chores working in your home? What works, what doesnt?

Remember the word P R A I S E moms! I know I need the reminder daily!

Linked with:
Our Simple Country Life

Exposing Birth Control

According to the most precious book on this Earth, Children are indeed a Blessing from above. If you havent spent time studying on what the Lord says about Children, then I plead you to do so.

Loving children starts with us Christians.. Jesus calls us to; 'Ye are the salt of the earth.." And, "Ye are the Light of the world."
Matthew 5:13-16

"Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?" We should be exposing the evil going on in this world today.

"With over 17 million American women using the Pill and other chemical abortifacients, it is estimated that breakthough ovulation and pregnany occurs so often . . . that between 7 to 12 million newly conceived children are killed by chemical abortions in the womb each year. And most of these women never even knew they were pregnant." ~quote from http://www.prolife.com/BIRTHCNT.html

Love to share with you a video that demonstrates how the birth control works as a chemical abortion, had difficulty publishing the video. Please watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiCU46_lWeE



Linked with:
http://www.time-warp-wife.blogspot.com

Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who witand up for me against the workers of iniquity?” ―Psalm 94:16

Be of Good Courage!

To be a good mother sometimes we have to say to our children, "no" and sometimes we have to say "not right now." We say those things because we truly want our children to appreciate the things they have already.. to be thankful when we do say "yes." Our heavenly father is just and perfect in all his ways and he wants us to be thankful for all we have and to count our blessings even in difficult times. He also test our patience and makes us wait. When our prayers are answered we see that everything works out, His time is perfect and there was never a reason to worry and not trust Him completely!


When our family moved to another state for my husbands job we seen that this new state is not where we wanted to live forever..we began to pray the Lord would guide us back home. 3 1/2 years later our prayers were answered at the most perfect time. While waiting we met wonderful friends, we were convicted to homeschool, fell in love with a church and grew incredibly close to our Lord and savior. He had a reason to say, "not now" and I look back on those years and think, wow.. If I had gotten my way, I would have missed out on the Lords incredible path for us!
 

With this in mind I will always be strengthen to wait on the Lord.. He is always teaching us lessons in one way or another, So that we can be wiser, stronger, to trust in Him and to live out the scripture, "walk by faith and not by sight." Not to mention to spread and share our testimonies to encourage others. It may be hard to tell your story for whatever reason but the Lord wants us to share what He has done thru us.

Now I am waiting again on the Lord, for a home of our own. Its only been a month in waiting but when living with others, the time ticks by slowly. But when the enemy wants to bring me down, discourage my husband and me..we are brought quickly back to truth and to our experience on the Lords time. We truly can wait on the Lord and never worry! He cares for our every need! There is a reason, a very good reason why we have not found a home just yet...but I can praise Him all day long for a house, I know He will provide!
           
"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." psalm 27:14