Our Wedding Anniversary

It is indeed a very happy anniversary for me. So many husbands and wives struggle today - and that's if they stay together at all! Husband and I took our vows before God knowing that we represent Christ's relationship with His church. That's a sobering thought when you are tempted to "disagree". Nothing in marriage allows you to sit back and be selfish. Christ loved the church so much that He gave his life for her. Should we as women then representing the church challenge our husbands at every turn? Manipulate them into letting us have our way? Nag and criticize them? How would it look if the Church did that to Christ? I should say how does it look when the church does this to Christ! It's really ugly when it happens isn't it? We even have words for such churches, apostate. So it is ugly when we choose to step out of the role that God has set us in within the bounds of our marriage to our husbands. I'm not at all blind to the fact that some husbands are difficult to love or that the husband may not be even close to living up to his role in the marriage. No matter what the case, this doesn't dismiss you from your God given roll. Men sin just as women do. You can't expect your hubby to be Christ for you. He can't. But let me say it again, this does not give you the license to become anything less as a wife. No bitter tit-for-tat thinking ladies. Instead, we as wives need to rise up and bless our husbands. Pray for them intently. Try to anticipate their needs. Serve him. Love him.

Serenity

   Our little family went to my cousin's house for the weekend. We enjoyed and treasured the serenity that surrounds her. Bird song, the whir of wind through drying leaves. Her house has that homey feel that a person isn't able to describe in words. Some of this can be attributed to her decorating style within and outside of her walls but, not all of it. There is something more that refuses to be explained in mere words. Our Lord blessed us with strikingly beautiful weather! Sunny, with puffy white clouds decorating the sky. Cool enough to enjoy the out of doors without being so chilly that you were chased indoors to warm up. Perfect for a cup of hot apple cider.

    Everywhere you look there are things that catch your attention and delight your eye.

 She has a way of tucking things around her park er, yard so that you don't notice them until you are surprised at such a cozy nook being there. For instance you might walk up to a bush to look at the leaves and then notice that there are chairs and a table waiting for you behind the bush and it's friends. Things made by man don't bully their way into your view distracting you from what God put there first. Also there is the splash of the whimsical to keep your smiles coming. Do you see the pink flamingos in the next picture?

She is blessed with the gift of hospitality and we are thankful to her. More than that we are thankful for her. It's the lady herself who makes the surroundings feel that way. Joy and enthusiasm for life are hers, and she shares them freely with us. She makes us feel welcome.  She herself is what comes through all the beauty that surrounds her.  It's her beauty blended with God's that makes such a pleasant ambiance.

   Thank you T, for having us. We love you.

Verses for Toddlers?

   I'm having trouble with something and hoping my readers can help. I'm having difficulty finding a great way for toddlers (mine in particular) to learn verses. Now I don't expect her to spout off passages because "all done" and "up please" are the only two phrases she can say! It will be to her benefit though to hear real verses. Which brings me to my next point.
   I am able to find partial verses and paraphrases of verses for toddlers. My concern is confusion. I don't want her to learn a verse (not repeating it, but learning it) in a toddler version then later be told she is wrong that the real verse is...
   So how did you do this? Tell me your methods, triumphs and struggles. Oh, I forgot to mention that we don't want to have her learn verses just as an activity we will use them in her life as God intended. To learn about God Himself, to comfort, to edify, to admonish, to praise, the list goes on and on.
   Since we're on the subject, how do YOU memorize scripture? Do you memorize the Word at all? Happily waiting to hear from you!

It's amazing what they pick up when you think they are ignoring you! On this particular day, I was doing something on the computer and looked over to see this! Sparrow had put on my head covering and was "in" the Word!

  

2011 Christmas Craft Update

   I wanted to give you a sneak peek at what I'm up to for Christmas.This one is not for a person who would see my blog so thankfully I can share it with you and not worry about ruining the surprise.

   I am making a few of these and they are all different, according to the person's personality as I see them.  This one happens to be for my lovely Mother-in-law. (So if you know her, please don't tell her)! I suppose I should tell you that it will be a bookmark. I will finish the embroidery and hem the edge adding a trim of some kind.

   You can see where I need to fill in "gaps" around the petals and around the gold area where the petals are turned. This motif is from Mary Corbett's Needle and Thread you can find it here. She named it the Tudor Style Rose. Ms. Corbett outfitted her rose in real gold and silk. Mine was done in DMC cotton and "satin" (rayon). I think I'd really like to see it in silver and pink but that doesn't fit my Mother-in-law.

I thought I'd give you an idea of the size of this piece since it's so tiny! The picture above this one is very 'blown up".
   Don't forget to spend time with God today, reading His word in private worship.

Facebook

Facebook changed their format today. No one seems to care for it much. I wonder if it's because we are so resistant to change or if it's because it just doesn't work well. I've enjoyed having so many friends at my fingertips. Maybe I enjoy it too much. I spend a lot of time on there, more than necessary. It's addictive because I care about the people that I'm friends with and I don't want to miss if they should need something or have something to celebrate or even just share something funny. I'm not deleting my account but I am planning to spend a lot less time on there. Besides, I like my blog. I like reading other blogs too.