FOR TODAY …

Outside my window… it is sunny and HOT!

I am thinking... of Fall already

I am thankful for… the safe return of my friend Chad from Afghanistan

From the kitchen… breakfast for dinner )

I am creating… a back-to-school shopping list

I am going… to cut & file coupons this afternoon

I am reading (again)… Life Management for Busy Women: Living Out God’s Plan with Passion and Purpose by Elizabeth George

I am hoping… to make it through the day without a nap!

I am hearing… kids laughing and playing (and bickering)

Around the house… I’ll tackle my two little ones’ bedrooms before they tackle us

One of my favorite things… is a long, hot bubble bath

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week… a visit to Half Price Books, my Dr. appt. (I’m 27 weeks!)

Here is picture thought I am sharing… the little barn swallow on our patio

Visit The Simple Woman to read more Daybooks or share your own.

Tragedy hit the family of Steven Curtis Chapman yesterday as they lost their daughter Maria in an accident. It is one of every parent’s nightmares. Please lift them up in prayer, especially their teenage son.

We sang this in church yesterday, and it turned up in my reading this morning. I think God might want me to share it with you )

Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.” Daniel 6:5

This verse jumped off the screen and grabbed my attention this morning during my daily reading. Oh how I wish that could be said of me!

Going into this New Year, my mind is crammed full of thoughts about changes we want to make as a family: simplify, declutter, be healthy, give more, love more, go deeper, work harder, grow in wisdom. There is so much refining that needs to be done in my life. So many things to learn….and things I’ve learned that I need to put into practice.

I’m going to make it my goal to live in such a way that no one can find any ground for complaint against me unless they find it in connection with the obedience to my God. I’m guessing it’s going to be a very long-term goal…maybe by the time I have grandkids?!?

Please pray for Ben & Becky Powell, the parents of baby Ethan. They have received some bad news and he is struggling. It is hard for me to read the posts, yet I must. Their faith is so strong and they are praying for a miracle – but their bodies are weak & tired. I still vividly remember the physical & mental exhaustion from our Elijah’s battle with Leukemia. You wonder how you can go on but you keep fighting. I know they are on their knees begging for their child’s life…and I wish I could be there with  them. We’ve never met but it wouldn’t matter, we are connected. Please petition the Father on their behalf.

Open my eyes, that I may behold

wondrous things out of your law.

Psalm 118:19 

How well do you know your Bible? (Tip: Read the question & answers carefully.)

Beginner Quiz

Intermediate Quiz

Advanced Quiz

My Scores:

beginner – 10

intermediate – 8

advanced – 3 (yikes)

Please pray for Carla Lynn’s daughter Annie.

Send her a note & let her know you are lifting her up to our powerful God.

I cried last night. For those of you who don’t know me, I DO NOT LIKE TO CRY! I usually only cry when I’m in pain, and last night my heart hurt.

I was doing my regular blog surfing & it was Big Mama’s turn. She told me that I needed to go read this, so I did. It punched me in the gut.

It wasn’t so much the story, which was very thought-provoking, but the comments that got to me. So many people searching, longing, hurting, confused. I realized what a sheltered, self-centered life I live. My life revolves around good things – youth ministry, women’s ministry, teaching Bible class, VBS, homeschooling, homemaking, marriage. You might notice there is not much interacting with the “World” in that list.

I believe I am doing what God has called me to do. The gifts He has given me are for strengthening & building up His body. I think what caught me so off guard last night was the realization that people are hurting and empty and need God (I knew that already) and they KNOW they are hurting and empty and need God (that’s a new thought for me).

I will start being more intentional with my actions & words when out in public. I’ve always tried to be kind & considerate – I would have helped that lady with her highchair in a heartbeat! It never occurred to me what an impact something so simple could have on a person. I just do those things because it’s what I do, who I am, Who’s I am. I am going to start searching for lives to touch at the grocery store instead of just touching the lives that cross my path while I’m standing in line. Ministry in the midst of the mundane.

I went to sleep last night repenting of my selfishness, for spending too much time dwelling on my failures as a ministry leader & homemaker and not enough time letting Jesus work in me & through me. Still so much to learn, so much to learn.

I was listening to the radio in the car this morning, singing along at the top of my little lungs.

“Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there’s pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name”

That part of the song always takes me back 7 years to Elijah’s battle with Leukemia. We were walking down that road. But this morning my thoughts were on Heather. She is being prepped for brain surgery as I type this. If you have not stopped by her blog, GO.READ.NOW. You will be challenged, strengthened, the hair will stand up on your arms as you read of her Faith that runs so deep.

As I was thinking of Heather, the song ended & we were reminded that today is the National Day of Prayer. My eyes filled with tears. How fitting that Heather’s surgery is scheduled today. Her tumor was discovered by an ear infection, she got an appointment in 2 days that should have taken 6-8 months to secure, and now she is having surgery on a day when the entire nation is taking a few moments to stop & at least acknowledge our God. He never ceases to AMAZE me!