Finding JOY in the Morning Finding JOY in the Morning Loni reveals how God has been her Life Sustainer. She shares her journey of homeschooling a large family, surviving the death of her 16-year-old son, and going through various stages in life including a 12th pregnancy at age 43! 
Articles
Holidays at the Cafe ~ Day of Gratitude
2008-11-27 06:02:00 H ow can I even begin sharing all the things I am thankful for? Right at the top is my salvation and knowing I am a child of the King, purified by His blood, and have a room in heaven waiting for me. Could I ask for more? I am so thankful for my husband of 23 years, that we have made it through the roughest valleys and still love each other. I am thankful for a dozen children I am so blessed with, even though two of these will not be joining at our Thanksgiving table but feast at His table. I look at the ten blessings filling our home every day, with laughter, squablings, loud music, dirty clothes, dress-up clothes, schoolbooks, diligent journal writers, artists, never filled stomachs asking what there is to eat moments after a large meal, Bible readers and verse memorizers. Life is full in our home. For this too, I am I am filled with gratitude. But as I write this, I know there are hurting hearts. Personally, I have several friends who have or are going through de... More About: Holidays , Gratitude , Cafe
A Haircut and Bracelets!
2008-11-27 01:12:00 S o my baby just had his first haircut a few days ago. I really wanted to wait until he turned two but it was one of those moments in church on Sunday. He was sitting on my lap and I almost gasped out loud! His hair was about three inches in spots below his collar. His sisters had been teasing for awhile that we could put his hair in a ponytail, but I kinda fluffed it off. Well, we barely got home on Sunday and I cut it. I just loved this picture my daughter took, so I had to share it with you all. He totally loves airplanes. He will usually hear one outside before we do (we live near a small airport) and will scan the skies for one. I think he knows his mama & daddy have special friends in Arizonia they wish would fly in to see us so he could see his new friend (their new baby) Cherokee! :) I also want to offer a special thank you to Darlene of Christian Women Online. I’ve know Darlene through e-mails and her website for probably close to four years no... More About: Bracelets , Haircut
In Other Words: In Everything Give Thanks
2008-11-25 07:44:00 I n everything give thanks, can be quite hard to live by each day as things hit us from all sides. It is so easy to be swallowed up in our woes, to be discouraged when nothing seems to be going right and to demand where God is and what He is doing. Many times it is not until we are out of it, we can get a glimpse of what God may be doing. From the beginning to forever in time, He is still God, and in control. This past Sunday our church choir sang such a heart stirring song. I had never heard it before and wish I could share all the words with you, but because of copyright, I cannot. The song is called Still the Lord of All by Lloyd Larson. Here is the chorus: “Lord of all in times of plenty, Lord of all in times of need, Living water, You sustain me, Bread of life, my soul You feed. When the greatness of my trials leaves me weak and feeling small, I rejoice, Lord of the harvest, You are still the Lord of all.” The words to the full song are so powerful (... More About: In Other Words , Words , Give
In Other Words: Tuesday’s New Quote
2008-11-21 06:01:00 N ext week’s In Other Words , will be hosted by Deborah on her blog, Chocolate & Coffee. She has chosen the quote below. Think and ponder on this quote and share about it on your blog on Tuesday. Then, visit Deborah’s blog on Tuesday, leave the link to your blog there and visit the other gals who have also written on it. More About: Quote
Holidays at the Cafe: Holiday Traditions & Ideas
2008-11-21 04:09:00 T o be honest, I am working at getting back into the holiday traditions. In the last four years we’ve gone through the motions of Thanksgiving and Christmas, but my heart was not completely in it. As my regular readers will know, two weeks before Christmas, four years ago, our 16 year old son, Matthew, died tragically in our home from the “choking game”. Just days before he died, he had bought me a Christmas tree from where he worked and helped me put it up. We put it behind our piano, but it was not quite tall enough, so he got me milk crates to make it appear taller. That tree actually stayed up for several years, and finally, when we repainted our room, it got taken down, and stuck in the attic. It’s not gone back up. Just a month before Matthew left, Lynnette’s daughter also went to heaven. November 19th was four years Anna has been gone, and Lynnette remembered her so preciously in this blog post. I love how this family has taken... More About: Ideas , Holidays , Holiday , Traditions , Cafe
In Other Words: Tuesday’s New Quote
2008-11-14 08:31:00 N ext week’s In Other Words , will be hosted by Michelle on her blog, Because I Love You. She has chosen the quote below. Think and ponder on this quote and share about it on your blog on Tuesday . Then, visit Karen’s blog on Tuesday, leave the link to your blog there and visit the other gals who have also written on it. “And I don’t regret the rain, And the nights I felt the pain, And the tears I had to cry some of those times along the way. Every road I had to take, Every time my heart would break - It was just something that I had to get through To get me to you…” As sung by Lila McCann, “To Get Me To You” [Hope Floats Soundtrack] More About: Quote
And the winner is . . .
2008-11-14 04:00:00 T o be announced on the author’s website, Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground, for her book, In Faithfulness, He Afflicted Me. Each person who entered, I numbered their entry and then used the Truly Random Number Generator to pick the two who have been selected to receive the book, which you will find on Lynnette’s website. Thank you all for participating and thank you, Lynnette, for sharing your book with me and two others! More About: Winner
In Other Words: True Beauty
2008-11-11 04:00:00 A s I put this new quote up on Friday, just hours before attending the funeral of a 54 year old man whose struggle with Multiple Sclerosis had ended, I immediately thought of his dear wife in these words. We’ve known Steve and Sue for over 12 years, attending church with them for a short time and Steve teaching our Sunday School class. Their eldest daughter babysat our older children (and now have children of their own). Our oldest three boys have worked for them. Though I would not say we are close friends, our lives have intertwined through the years, and I’ve seen Sue possess this beauty of Jesus as she has remained faithful not only to God but to her husband and family. I’ve seen the weariness in her eyes and remember her spending holidays in the hospital when her husband had yet another infection or medical problem. I’ve only had a tiny glimpse of the affects of MS, but I can imagine the stresses on a family, a marriage, relationships, and ... More About: Beauty , In Other Words , Words , True , True Beauty
The Persecuted Church - In Michigan?
2008-11-11 02:55:00 Y esterday our church participated in International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church . It was emotional hearing how our brothers and sisters in Christ in other countries are dying for their faith. It seems so far away, and as our country becomes more ungodly we wonder how soon it will personally touch our church and our lives. Little did we know as we were praying for the persecuted church, just a little over an hour from our church, another church was being victimized. Michigan liberals attack Lansing congregation in the middle of Sunday worship and here is the group’s blog, Bash Back, and their side of the story of what they did and their view point. Scary. 2 Chronicles 7:14 If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Isaiah 35:4 Say to those with anxious heart, “Take courage, fear n...
In Other Words: Next Tuesday’s Quote
2008-11-07 06:01:00 N ext week’s In Other Words , will be hosted by Nina on her blog, Mama’s Little Treasures. She has chosen the quote below. Think and ponder on this quote and share about it on your blog on Tuesday . Then, visit Karen’s blog on Tuesday, leave the link to your blog there and visit the other gals who have also written on it. “To possess true beauty, we must be willing to suffer . . . if Christ Himself was perfected through His sufferings, why would I believe that God would not do the same with me? Women who are stunningly beautiful are women who have had their hearts enlarged by suffering.” (Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman’s Soul” by John and Stasi Eldredge) More About: Quote
I don’t usually share my chocolate . . .
2008-11-06 23:29:00 I have a weakness. It’s chocolate. I rarely buy it though. It’s just too tempting. BUT, here’s a link to try out some FREE gourmet chocolate - 8 assorted truffles! How can a chocolate lover refuse that? So, click on over to Haydee Chocolatie. Just sign up - there’s not even a charge for shipping and handling (within USA). More About: Chocolate , Share
In Other Words: God is still in control!
2008-11-04 06:00:00 A ren’t you thankful that no matter how today turns out, God is still in control and HE alone remains on the throne! Man cannot change that! Our votes, cannot change that! Concerned? Certainly! But God knows and He knows what we need as a nation. It may not be our plan or our way. I invite you to click below the video to John Piper’s video - but here is on excerpt of it: We need a big healthy dose that God rules the world. He puts up kings and He takes down kings. He’s going to govern this election. He’s going to get elected the one He wants elected and if it’s the person we think is hurtful, then we need to be hurt . . . We need to say the reason we’re on planet Earth, is not to advocate for any particular political party, we’re here to advocate for Christ and Him crucified and that Gospel may run a thousand times better during the worst of economic times than it does during the best of economic times. So how do we kn... More About: In Other Words , Words , Control
Before you vote, I invite you to watch this . . .
2008-11-03 05:00:00 More About: Watch , Vote , Invite
TWO BOOKS TO GIVE AWAY!
2008-11-01 05:40:00 (This post is going to remain at the top of my blog until this book drawing has ended, so be sure to read below for newest posts.) A fter posting a book review for, In Faithfulness He Afflicted Me, the author, Lynnette Kraft, has offered to give two of her books away in a book drawing! So, here’s what we are going to do! :) Please first be sure to read the book review below. Then, write (or copy and paste and put in info) on your blog the following: I‘m joining in a book drawing on Writing Canvas for In Faithfulness He Afflicted Me, by Lynnette Kraft. I’d like to receive this book for (me or a friend) because: (complete with one short sentence). Join me in this book drawing here. THEN, leave a comment with THIS POST ONLY in the comment section (above by title) that you have done this on your blog, with a link to your blog post. IF you do not have a blog, you can still enter, just leave the above info in the comment section and also state you... More About: Books , Give
In Other Words: Next Tuesday’s Quote
2008-10-31 17:39:00 N ext week’s In Other Words , will be hosted by Karen on her blog, In Love W.I.T.H. Jesus. She has chosen the following Scripture verse in mind of voting being next week. Think and ponder on this Scripture verse and share about it on your blog on Tuesday. Then, visit Karen’s blog on Tuesday, leave the link to your blog there and visit the other gals who have also written on it. Here’s the Scripture verse chosen: “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Cor 3:17 NKJV. More About: Quote
Book Review: In Faithfulness He Afflicted Me
2008-10-31 02:47:00 It really is a very difficult and awkward thing to try to comfort a hurting person, especially if you’ve never experienced their particular sort of pain. I know that I’ve said the wrong things before to others who were hurt, but since I’ve experienced three painful losses, I’ve also encountered my share of less than helpful words . . . As I think back to the comments made, I don’t feel the same way about them now . . . I was hurting so desperately that I didn’t have the strength to understand the heart behind the comments or forgive the words that were carelessly chosen. Lynnette Kraft, In Faithfulness He Afflicted Me L ynnette’s desire in writing this book, In Faithfulness He Afflicted Me was to encourage others to trust in her faithful and loving Creator, and to see how their trials and heartaches can be used for God’s glory, bringing joy and a beautiful outcome. In just sharing the quote above, you do not know what losses she ... More About: Book Review , Review , Book
In Other Words: Deer & Angels
2008-10-28 05:00:00 W henever we go into town near dusk, our younger kids will beg for us to go the “deer way”. It’s along dirt roads and by several lakes and then in one particular area we always see deer. Sometimes there will be 40 deer, just grazing in the alfalfa field. We pause, watching. There are times they just stay eating as they watch us in return, but if one runs across the road to the wooded area, the rest follow. This happened one day this past summer when our youngest daughter who is five was with us. We had to stop completely to let them all cross over. We could see the deer in the woods, peering around the trees watching us, probably hoping we’d leave so they could go back to the alfalfa field. With eyes of wonder, our daughter in a whispered awe said, “They’re like angels . . . watching us.” So simple - yet so profound. We do not participate with Halloween. I hate it more each year. When our oldest children were yo... More About: Angels , In Other Words , Words , Deer
In Other Words: Next Tuesday’s Quote
2008-10-24 07:06:00 N ext week’s In Other Words , will be hosted right here on my blog, Writing Canvas. I’ve chosen this Scripture verse below specifically since it is the week of Halloween. Think and ponder on this Scripture verse and share about it on your blog on Tuesday . Then, come back here on Tuesday and leave the link to your blog and visit the other gals who have also written on it. Here’s the Scripture verse I’ve chosen: No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. Psalm 91:10-11 More About: Quote
Can someone please help me change my WordPress theme?!?!?
2008-10-20 21:11:00 I am at a loss in trying to figure out how to change this WordPress theme to a new one - not one that WordPress offers, but to a downloaded one and how to upload it. I think I have a theme I like. I’ve downloaded FileZilla - I’ve got a free account at Doteasy.com but have not a clue what to do from here. I do not want to have a monthly hosting fee - nor pay a fee to have someone do it! But, if someone can walk me through it, I’d be happy to exchange a mother’s bracelet for your service. Can someone please help me?!?!?!?! More About: Wordpress , Wordpress Theme , Change , Theme
In Other Words: Next Tuesday’s Quote
2008-10-17 06:00:00 P lease meet and welcome our newest host, (and author) Lynnette who is hosting next Tuesday’s In Other Words , on her blog, Lynnette Kraft Think and ponder on this quote; then share about it on your blog on Tuesday. Then, visit Lynnette’s blog on Tuesday and leave the link to your blog and visit the other gals who have also written on it. “Friends, if we be honest with ourselves, we shall be honest with each other.” ~ ~ George MacDonald ~ More About: Quote
Blog Action Day 08 - Poverty
2008-10-15 23:00:00 Earlier today I shared about my coupon savings and even free food items with using Savings Angel. After visiting a few of my favorite blogs today, I see that today is “Blog Action Day” an event that aims to unite the world’s bloggers, podcasters and videocasters, to post about the same issue on the same day. This year’s topic (today) is poverty. Though we have gone through very rough times (several job lay-offs, working from home solely, medical issues and two deaths), wondering how we’d make ends meet, we have never had an empty refrigerator, or empty cupboards. We might not always have on the shelf what we want, but there has always been food. I’ve been so excited in building up our pantry some, excited to get greatly discounted, nearly free and free food, but reading some of the blogs today that are part of the Blog Action Day has made me stop to think. I cannot imagine my children running out into the streets begging for f... More About: Poverty
See How I Cut My Grocery Bill in HALF!
2008-10-15 07:17:00 Sseveral of my readers have asked about the Savings Angel logo, I have to the right. I’ve not done any posts on it yet, because I wanted to really use it more and prove the savings! It’s not only been fun and exciting, it has really saved us a lot with our groceries and with feeding 10 kids, including boys ages 15, 19 and 21, we need all the help we can get! Let me explain a little with Savings Angel. It is an on-line resource that helps you combine coupons with area sales to get the best deals. It lists out what is on sale in our locals stores, along with what coupons were in what newspaper date. It also links you to on-line websites for more manufacturer coupons. Now while I can match the coupons I have saved with what is on sale, not only does it save me a lot of time to have it all spelled out for me, but with it finding hundreds of other coupons on-line which I would never have the time to do, it saves me lots of money and time. Savings Angel co... More About: Bill , Grocery , Half
In Other Words: Picking the Battles
2008-10-14 06:50:00 Sunday mornings are quite hectic here, getting everyone ready for church and out the door somewhat on time. With only two bathrooms for 5 kids over 14 years of age and 5 kids under 14, sometimes the kids don’t pass our inspection in what they are wearing. The older ones know our guidelines, but things slip by. Sunday I was frustrated with my older sons going to church with the unshaven “scruffy” look, which is suppose to be “in” and another son wearing jeans instead of dress pants. They knew . . . and though we should not have to tell them to make corrections, it was not discovered until after we were at church. We had words with each other, and as I am dealing more with adult children, it’s picking my battles - yet, more importantly knowing what is in their hearts. I could walk in the doors of my church with ten perfectly dressed children, but each of them (and myself) could have rebellious hearts towards each other, ... More About: In Other Words , Words , Battles , Picking
In Other Words: Next Tuesday’s Quote
2008-10-10 06:01:00 A my is hosting next Tuesday ’s In Other Words , on her blog, In Pursuit of Prov 31 Think and ponder on this quote; then share about it on your blog on Tuesday. Then, visit Amy’s blog on Tuesday and leave the link to your blog and visit the other gals who have also written on it. “A pharisee is hard on others and easy on himself, but a spiritual man is easy on others and hard on himself.” by A.W.Tozer More About: Quote
In Other Words: Reflecting the Light
2008-10-07 06:00:00 It’s a whirlwind of appointments and events this week so I am keeping this post short and simple. This quote can certainly be looked at several different ways. However, Jesus being called “the Light ” is repeated so often through the book of John that it should be our continual desire to be the reflection of the Light - to be reflecting Jesus on a daily basis. “Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” John 8:12 “While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.” John 9:5 “I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. “ John 12:46 “In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.” John 1:4 And then too, I think of the children’s song, ”This Little Light of Mine“. We do want to shine for Jesus - but may that shine... More About: In Other Words , Words
In ‘Other’ Words: Next Tuesday’s Quote
2008-10-03 06:43:00 B onnie is hosting next Tuesday’s In Other Words , on her blog, Ink It Blog Think and ponder on this quote; then share about it on your blog on Tuesday. Then, visit Miriam’s blog on Tuesday and leave the link to your blog and visit the other gals who have also written on it. “There are two ways of spreading light; to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” ~Edith Wharton~ More About: Quote
In Other Words: I don’t just believe in God - I KNOW My God!
2008-09-30 06:44:00 Growing up in a Christian home and Bible-believing church, I believed, because - well, it was what I was taught and I almost “had” to. It can be easy to “talk the talk” and even “walk the walk” but do we really “believe” in the depths of our hearts and souls? Until I really lived life, saw what God has done for me personally, really understood His death and what He personally did for me, this growing process became a much deeper depth of belief. My belief in Jesus is every part of my being . . . even with my failures. There are times I forget, when I’m overwhelmed with the everyday things of life and momentarily forget, yes, God is in control of everything - even the lost shoe or the drier that won’t work . . . (and yes, even Wall Street, 401K’s, ATM machines and jobs.) A couple of weeks ago I received an e-mail from a reader asking me why I make “God” a part of every blog post - that I ... More About: In Other Words , Words
In Other Words: Next Tuesday’s Quote
2008-09-26 06:01:00 D eborah is hosting next Tuesday ’s In Other Words , on her blog, Chocolate & Coffee Think and ponder on this quote and share about it on your blog on Tuesday. Then, visit Deborah’s blog on Tuesday and leave the link to your blog and visit the other gals who have also written on it. If God said that Jonah was swallowed by a whale, then the whale swallowed Jonah, and we do not need a scientist to measure the gullet of a whale. ~ A. W. Tozer ~ More About: Quote
In ‘Other’ Words: Next Tuesday’s Quote
2008-09-19 06:01:00 C helsey is hosting next Tuesday ’s In Other Words , on her blog, Joyfully Living For His Glory Think and ponder on this quote; then share about it on your blog on Tuesday. Then, visit Chelsey’s blog on Tuesday and leave the link to your blog and visit the other gals who have also written on it. “Hospitality is becoming an almost forgotten Christian virtue in our style of life today… In the New Testament, however, hospitality was a distinctive mark of Christians and Christian communities.” ~Alexander Strauch from The Hospitality Commands~ More About: Quote
In Other Words: Pressing Forward
More articles from this author:2008-09-16 06:35:00 “Still, accepting God’s existence is one thing; honoring his command is another matter entirely, especially if we’re required to go back when we’d rather go forward.” ~Liz Curtis Higgs from Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible~ The beauty of writing on these quotes each week is each woman’s interpretations, and we come from all different approaches. I’ve not read the book, and do not know the specifics of what the author was writing about. I am writing it from ”my” viewpoint, because I know for me, it’s something God has been working on my heart with. I’ve been required to go forward, not back as this author shared. This what God wants “me” to do - and God may have something else for you. Sometimes we do need to go back to work through it, and work it out for the future. I’ve shared a lot about my son who passed away almost four years ago . . . and though we go back often to share and bring awareness, I don... More About: In Other Words , Words , Forward 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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