Update

So life has been topsy-turvy, up and down, ever changing at the last moment!

My husband still has not found a job...so that means NOOOO money. We have gone threw my retirement money.

The last week of July he informed me that some of his family members are willing to pay for us to go to a huge family reunion that was going on in St. Louise, then get us to his parents house and back home.

So with 3 days to spare, we (aka, I *wink*) baked, made lists, packed, and cleaned the house as best as possible with such notice and "hit the road."

No, I don't feel that it is the best choice. My brain tells me we needed to stay, for many reasons...one being so that he can continue to look for a local job.

But I prayed about it and didn't feel the Lord telling me no. Actually He seemed to open the door. So off we went!

The reunion was tiring, but a BLAST.

We are now at my in-laws and wont be home until the middle of next week. My mother in-law is paying my husband to do some work around the house, because she wants to get it ready to put on the market.

I am trying to figure out how to create a drop down menu bar. So PLEASE excuse the mess while I try and figure it out. *wink*

God has been working in my heart the past few weeks and I have so much to share with ya'll! I hardly know where to begin!!

I do have a prayer request though...things have been tense with my husband and I. My husband had an interview with a company down here (Mississippi) without telling me and just informed me that he has another tomorrow. I am struggling with hurt, anger and distrust. We need to talk, but am NOT looking forward to it. *smile*

On another note...where does the time go?? I can't believe it is already August! Once we get home I need to start preparing for the upcoming school year.

OH, before I forget, Friday we will have a guest post. I hope you enjoy it!

For HIS Glory,

Mission-Minded Families

I have been listening to Revive Our Hearts as much as I can while we are at my in-laws and have internet. I just have to share today's broadcast with you! I cannot wait to hear the rest of the series!

I was talking with one of my sister in-law's and we where discussing how difficult it can be, to be content at times. When you have little kids, they are your focus and ministry. It's OK if you can't get everything you wanted done or to have the house spotless and looking like Martha Stewart. Actually if our homes are perfect, then we need to step back and make sure that we aren't putting our children and husband on the "back burner." It's OK if you can't volunteer in activities for church during that period of time. Our children will grow and we can then include them in ministries along side of us.

I was sharing with my sister in-law that I was struggling with contentment in our living arrangements. We live on the second floor of a duplex, from the outside it is so embarrassing looking (the inside isn't that bad). There really isn't much of a yard and the neighbor's yard is usually filled with junk. Our neighbor's below us can drive me crazy and we have strange neighbors that live next to us (the building are right on "top" of one another and there are several renters in the house next door). But the Lord has been convicting me on my heart. That my mission is where HE has me at this moment...

My family...and my neighbors.

No that doesn't mean the kids and I go over to the male neighbors to share the gospel alone. I will leave that up to my husband *wink.* But if my husband decides to invite a neighbor over for dinner, we should show them the love of Christ and share the gospel with them. Instead of "ducking" my head and hurrying into the house as fast as I can when I see a neighbor...I should slow down and smile...perhaps even ask how their day is going. We can model Christ through how my family interacts with one another. Are we loving and patient? Or our we contentious and short with one another? But most importantly my heart needs to change toward them!

We’re not all going to be boarding planes and heading off to Zimbabwe or heading off to Tanzania or to India. However, we all need to have this mindset that wherever God has us, we’re His ambassadors. -Ann

That being said, I was very excited about today's broadcast at Revive Our Hearts. I thought it went well with my discussion from the other night. It has renewed my passion to teach my children the Word of God and to teach them to be passionate about HIM! Perhaps I will do a post on how that looks in our home. You can listen or read the whole broadcast here.




What do you do to create mission-minded children?

For HIS Glory,

Praying

I don't know about you...But as a busy mama...I needed this reminder(!)...

It is a good thing to let prayer be the first business of 

the morning and the last at night. Guard yourself 

carefully against those false, deluding ideas which tell 

you, “Wait a little while. I will pray in an hour; first I 

must attend to this or that.” Such thoughts get you 

away from prayer into other affairs which so hold your 

attention and involve you that nothing comes of 

prayer that day.

Taken from the book A Simple Way to Pray by Martin Luther 1483 - 1546

For His Glory,

A Great reminder...

A great reminder...

The Lord Himself was led up to the wilderness. And in one form or another, every soul who has done a great work in the world has passed through similar periods of obscurity, suffering, disappointment,  or solitude. 

-F.B Meyer 1847-1929

For His Glory,

If Only...

Credit:allgroanup

After reading today's Seeking Him, I JUST HAD TO SHARE!

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: Sometimes we fuel our discontent by playing the “if only” game.

“If only we didn’t have to move . . .”
“If we lived closer to my parents . . .”
“If we had a bigger house, I wouldn’t be so cranky.”
“If I were married, I wouldn’t look at those magazines.”
“If I wasn’t married, I’d start to give to the church.”

Nancy: We get deceived into thinking we’d be happier with a different set of circumstances.

“If he was the spiritual leader he was supposed to be, I probably wouldn’t be leaving him.”

Nancy: The truth is, if we’re not content in our present situation, we probably won’t be happy with another set of circumstances. Joy comes when we focus on the love and faithfulness of God. He’ll be with us no matter what else is going on. That’s why the apostle Paul could say, “I’ve learned to be content whatever the circumstance.”

No matter what you’re facing, you can choose the pathway of contentment. Choose to trust God, and find His joy and peace.

With Seeking Him , I’m Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Wow, I don't know about you, but this personally "hit home." Last week I was struggling with feeling overwhelmed and discontent.

I found myself continually thinking, "if only..."

If only...

• My man had a job.
• lived some place nicer.
• we lived in a different town.
• we had a yard.
• we owned a home.
• we could settle down and I could make our place more homey.
• my husband would do this or that, or not this or that.

The list goes on and on.... :/

I am struggling with contentment and joy within our current trial. But God has been reminding me that I'm sinning and I need to hand it over to Him.

Just think about it Paul showed contentment and joy, while in prison under the city of Rome!! Wow!

I want to choose to trust God. My prayer is He will give me the joy and peace that comes with that. *smile*

Are you struggling with contentment? Joy?

For His Glory,

Natural Mondays Week 3

Welcome to week 3 of "Natural Mondays"!

I have enjoyed reading each link up post.

I you haven't read last weeks post from Homemaker's Heart, you should!

I very much enjoyed her post she shared with us on Balance. I personally have always struggled with finding balance. Now especially with life's upheavals it's been extra hard. But I am determined to get into a better schedule for me and chore schedule with the kids. If we can do that, then we can go into the school year with it and THEN  tackle a better school schedule! 

I also love that she reminds us to pray about our schedule. We should ask God to direct our day!

What about you, do you struggle with balance?? How are you overcoming that? 

Now it's YOUR turn...I can't wait to hear from you!!






For His Glory,

Listing the Consequences

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: I have a friend who carries a list around in his billfold. It reminds him of the consequences of sin.

• Sin steals joy.
• Sin removes confidence.
• Sin brings guilt.
• Sin gives Satan the upper hand.
• Sin quenches God’s Spirit.
• Sin brings physical damage.

Nancy: When he’s tempted to disobey God, my friend pulls out the list and reads it.

• Sin causes an ache in the soul.
• Sin breaks God’s heart.
• Sin opens the door to other sins.
• Sin produces fear.
• Sin makes me its slave.

Nancy: He asks himself, Is this a price I really want to pay? Is this a price I can afford to pay? You may want to make a list of your own. Next time you’re tempted to sin, pull it out and read it before you give into the temptation.

With Seeking Him , I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Wow, I needed to hear this today. I am guilty of several of these. I know I have been and have asked God to forgive me and help me overcome my sins; loss of joy, fear, etc. We can no longer afford our internet and it is being shut off at the end of the week. I am SO overwhelmed and struggle with fear over our financial situation. i am really going to miss Listening to revive Our Hearts! But I am also SO THANKFUL that God allowed us to be able to afford the internet through the end of math!! Math was an online program this year. Praise God!! 

I will have to type my posts and save them on word, then finish and post somewhere with internet. :)

I have to say I love the idea of making that list and carrying it with me! What a great reminder. You could go one step further and writing verses down to go along with them.

What do you think?

For His Glory,