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
In ‘Other’ Words: Next Tuesday’s Quote
2008-09-12 06:01:00 M iriam is hosting next Tuesday ’s In Other Words , on her blog, Miriam Pauline’s Monologue 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. “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~ More About: Quote
Free Christian Audiobook Available Each Month
2008-09-11 06:20:00 E ach month Christian Audio.Com gives away a free premium audiobook to download. The free audiobook is available free once only. This month’s book for September is In His Steps by Charles M. Sheldon. This is an excellent book that is a “required” book for my children during their highschool homeschooling years. More About: Free , Audiobook , Month
In Other Words: Pressing Close to God
2008-09-09 06:01:00 “For at least when we express our anger to God, our wrestling keeps our skin pressing into His. God is still present. When we honestly expose our inflammation, express our soreness, we are still staking our commitment to our relationship with Him.” Ann Voscamp from her blog post, Even if He doesn’t: Learn to Lament A s a new mom, the first time I heard one of my little boys tell me he did not like me or even “I hate you” and run away into another room was so heart wrenching. So, I’d go seek them out, and we’d try to talk about why he was angry at me. It would usually end in apologies and both of us in tears. Even now, teen kids can kind of get into those moods, and it sure can get frustrating trying to figure out what is going on now, being gentle, and making things right. As parents, we want to keep our kids hearts. God is the same way, understanding many times before we do why we are angry, why we aren’t speaking to HIm, and why we... More About: In Other Words , Words , Close
In ‘Other’ Words: Next Tuesday’s Quote
2008-09-05 06:51:00 I t’s me hosting next Tuesday ’s In Other Words , right here! I’ve chosen the following quote from my friend Anne. You will want to visit her blog. I am always encouraged. Think and ponder on this quote; then share about it on your blog on Tuesday. Come back here next Tuesday and leave the link to your blog and visit the other gals who have also written on it. “For at least when we express our anger to God, our wrestling keeps us our skin pressing into His. God is still present. When we honestly expose our inflammation, express our soreness, we are still staking our commitment to our relationship with Him.” Ann Voscamp from her blog post, Even if He doesn’t: Learn to Lament More About: Quote
Jessica’s American Idol Day
2008-09-04 21:40:00 I t’s been a whirlwind here the last couple of days. Jessica was chosen by Make-A-Wish to see the American Idol concert and go backstage, as a “wish enhancement”. Her wish was granted in 2001 bu She needed an adult chaperone - I just happened to be mom and had first rights! I was worried one of my sons was going to poison my food so they’d have to take my place! Having never gone to a “rock” concert, we were not sure what we were in for, but it was fun and quite family oriented. Numerous songs I remembered from my growing up days. Here’s how our day went. We had to arrive early to be greeted by a young man from AI who had us on a list. Though Jessica was the only one from Make-A-Wish to first go backstage, there were others who won tickets on radio stations and various other ways. Since Kellogg’s Poptarts sponsored AI and are located in Michigan, there were a lot of Kellogg’s reps there as well. Anywa...
Jessica’s Thank You Note to . . .
2008-09-04 14:15:00 American Idol To read, click picture. I am working on the post to share about our wonderful, exciting day yesterday, meeting each of the singers, autographs, and lots of pictures. More About: Note , Jessica
No IOW Writing ~ We have a special writing assignment
2008-09-02 06:01:00 I am not participating in writing for IOW today, as it’s our first day back to full homeschooling AND, my daughter Jessica and I have a special writing assignment. You will have to come back for the details late Wednesday OR Thursday. Jessica is our daughter who has had two open heart surgeries and in 2001 Make-A-Wish granted her wish, “to see Mickey Mouse, give him a hug and take a walk with him.” Various businesses and groups donate items to Make-A-Wish, and something special was donated to Jessica, as a “wish enhancement” which we cannot share about until late Wednesday night (if we’re not too tired out) or Thursday. Jessica and I are pretty excited. We are in the process of writing a special thank you note in advance so we can present something back. This “thank you” note is also giving us an opportunity to share our testimony, which we are thankful for. I know you will want to pray that Jesus is shown, when yo... More About: Writing , Special
In ‘Other’ Words: Next Tuesdays New Quote
2008-08-29 06:01:00 M ichelle will be hosting next Tuesday, on her blog, Because I Love You Think and ponder on the quote she has chosen below and share about it on your blog on Tuesday. Then, visit Michelle’s blog and leave the link to your blog and visit the other gals who have also written on it. Here’s the quote she has chosen: ““The key to either great purpose or great destruction lies in where we choose to sustain our focus. Knowing this fact should move us to jealously guard our intimacy with the Lord.” by Bill Johnson Sr. Pastor, Bethel Church - Redding, CA (from “Strengthen Yourself in the Lord“) More About: Words , Quote
In ‘Other’ Words: Growing Little Hands
2008-08-26 06:38:00 (Our host for today, Nina, is sick, and unable to post. I have just put the Mr. Linky below, so if you are participating, please put your link in there. THANK YOU!) Iwas in the store the other day, picking out a back-pack, notebook, pens and special snacks for my son’s first day of school. It was taking awhile to find the perfect ones - not “geeky” - the colors he’d like - and treats that aren’t too sugary, but he’d eat too - to the point my husband was wondering why it was taking so long. Then he caught on - and tears pooled out of my eyes. It’s hard letting go of kids - even when their first day of school is . . . college. I’ve been blessed not to send any of my children off on that big yellow bus - so letting go is a little different. WIll he remember what we taught him these past 18 years? Will he see when Jesus is being scoffed or eliminated? Will others see Jesus in him? Will he get lost - not in the school... More About: Words , Hands , Growing
In ‘Other’ Words: Tuesday’s New Quote
2008-08-22 06:44:00 N ina will be hosting next Tuesday , on her blog, Mama’s Little Treasures Think and ponder on the quote she has chosen below and share about it on your blog on Tuesday. Then, visit Nina’s blog and leave the link to your blog and visit the other gals who have also written on it. Here’s the quote she has chosen: “Dear Lord, I do not ask that Thou shouldst give me some high work of thine, some noble calling or some wondrous task. Give me a little hand to hold in mine.” Anonymous More About: Words , Quote
In ‘Other’ Words: Order My Steps
2008-08-20 05:12:00 Order my steps in Thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Psalm 119:133 H ow easy it is to get caught up with the busyness of life - just going with the flow of it all - and forgetting to allow God to guide it - each step of the way. How appropriate this song is for my family and myself, in allowing the daily routines to be surrounded by allowing God to be in control, and to remind our children, though we may not see or hear every action, word, thought or deed, God knows. The quote (song) for today is in bold, with my added thoughts/prayer in italics. “Order my steps, in Your word” (in whatever I do today, from doing laundry or dishes, to ordering homeschool books or answering the phone, encouraging, praising and disciplining the children, may I be always mindful of You each step of the way.) “Order my tongue, in Your word” (by rejoicing always, singing Your praises, sharing You with my children & others, and being mindful to not ... More About: Words , Order , Steps
In ‘Other’ Words: Tuesday’s New Quote
2008-08-15 06:01:00 L ori will be hosting next Tuesday , on her blog, All You Have to Give Think and ponder on the quote she has chosen below and share about it on your blog on Tuesday. Then, visit Lori’s blog and leave the link to your blog and visit the other gals who have also written on it. Here’s the quote she has chosen: “Order my steps, in Your word Order my tongue, in Your word Guide my feet, in Your word Wash my heart, in Your word Show me how to walk, in Your word Show me how to talk, in Your word. (refrain) I want to walk worthy, my calling to fulfill Please order my steps, Lord, and I’ll do Your blessed will The world is ever changing, but You are still the same If You order my steps, I’ll praise Your name. ~ ~A hymn by Glen Burleigh~ More About: Words , Quote
In ‘Other’ Words: Unstoppable Faith
2008-08-12 06:03:00 “Problems can slow us down temporarily but they don’t have the ability to stop us. Only we have that power.” ~Wayne Cordeiro~ It wasn’t just a problem. It was the tragic death of their daughter, an accident in their own driveway, an older brother driving over his little sister, and it did not stop them. Deeply grieved, and still walking through this shadow of death, the Steven Curtis Chapman family went on a live TV show, interviewed by Larry King, and shared their wrenching pain, but most of all shared, their unshakable faith. It stopped them for moments - a moment when Will wanted to run as the ambulance took his sister away, but brother Caleb tackled him to the ground and refused to let him go. Yes, they stopped to question God asking why, but one child said, his asking ‘why’ proved his belief in God. Satan was not going to win with this sting of death. It’s not stopping the celebration of an upcoming daughter’s w... More About: Faith , Words
In ‘Other’ Words: Tuesday’s New Quote
2008-08-08 06:24:00 K aren will be hosting next Tuesday, on her blog, In Love W.I.T.H. Jesus Think and ponder on the quote she has chosen below and share about it on your blog on Tuesday. Then, visit Karen’s blog and leave the link to your blog and visit the other gals who have also written on it. Here’s the quote she has chosen: “Problems can slow us down temporarily but they don’t have the ability to stop us. Only we have that power.” ~Wayne Cordeiro~ More About: Words , Quote
Steven Curtis Chapman on Larry King Live (CNN) Today
2008-08-07 06:08:00 Several friends have e-mailed me to let me know that Steven Curtis Chapman and possibly his family, will be on Larry King Live (CNN) today. As many will know, Steven’s adopted and youngest daughter, Maria Sue, was killed in a tragic accident on the family’s driveway on May 21, 2008. As they have walked through this shadow of death, they have shared it very publicly as well. Steven’s well-known song “Cinderella” has been in the top ten, and now #1 for iTune’s Top Christian songs. And since Maria’s death, Steven added a new verse to his song “Yours” which is powerful and touching: I’ve walked the valley of death’s shadow So deep and dark that I could barely breathe I’ve had to let go of more than I could bear And questioned everything that I believe But still even here in this great darkness A comfort and hope come breaking through As I can say in life or death God we belong to you. (By Steven Curtis Chapman) - see... More About: Today , Larry King
In ‘Other’ Words: The Prodigal Son
2008-08-05 06:25:00 I‘ve read this quote quite a bit lately, actually trying to find a different approach to it, because I know I write often of our deceased son, yet, my thoughts keep coming back to Matthew once again. Before he died we did not think of him as a prodigal child and seemed to have ”normal” teen struggles with him. Yet, he made a foolish decision that took his life. At the beginng we would often converse of his reaction when he arrived in heaven - was it of shock or shame or did the awe of Jesus and heaven overcast that? We ached in real pain those first months, barely feeling like we could live from day to day. Around this time a song by Jeremy Camp was on our Christian radio station, “I’ll Take You Back.” I remember my husband saying he’d just weep out in the garage as he was doing repairs, hearing that song. As any parent of a prodigal or deceased child, we certainly, no matter what, would take our child back. Imagine, how mu... More About: Words , Prodigal Son
In “Other” Words: Tuesday’s New Quote
2008-08-01 06:00:00 H eather will be hosting next Tuesday , on her blog, Mumblings of a Mommy “Monk” Think and ponder on the quote she has chosen below and share about it on your blog on Tuesday. Then, visit Amy’s blog and leave the link to your blog and visit the other gals who have also written on it. Here’s the quote she has chosen: “I do not know that the prodigal saw his father, but his father saw him. The eyes of mercy are quicker than the eyes of repentance. Even the eyes of our faith is dim compared with the eye of God’s love. He sees a sinner long before a sinner sees Him.” C.H. Spurgeon (from sermon based upon the Prodigal Son) More About: Words , Quote
In Other Words: Reach out and touch someone
2008-07-30 02:18:00 We can tend to get into such a routine, we do not notice those outside of our box. Our box may be the same pew we sit in each week at church. We talk to the same people each week. But we don’t notice the lonely widow who comes in each week, and leaves quietly, never talking to anyone. She might be the one in your church in outdated clothing, appearing to not care how she looks and seems unapproachable. It’s easier to keep our distance, just observing, maybe even whispering “did you see what she was wearing this week?”. Little do we know that how lonely she is. She might glance at the little kids, and we think, she turns away from them, because she mustn’t like kids. Instead, it’s because her heart aches for the grandchildren that live across the country. Maybe she needs one of our children to just add some spark in her life, sing her a song, or bring her brownies. I wonder if she’d come the following wee... More About: In Other Words , Words , Reach , Touch
In Other Words: Tuesday’s New Quote
2008-07-25 06:38:00 A my will be hosting next Tuesday, on her blog, In Pursuit of Proverbs 31. Think about the quote she has chosen below and share about it on your blog on Tuesday. Go to Amy’s blog and leave the link to your blog and visit the other gals who have also written on it. The quote she has chosen is: “Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat… We must find each other.” ~Mother Teresa~ More About: In Other Words , Words , Quote
When Life Hurts - Think of the Sand
2008-07-24 07:02:00 My daughter took this picture a few days ago of our little “baby” boy (who is 17 months old already). God spoke to me through it, as my heart has been so heavy for numerous dear friends in our lives. It can be so overwhelming when we see the pains of what we can go through, and those around us - and fear what the future holds for our children. When I first saw this picture, it made me think of this Scripture verse we put on it - a reminder I need - and perhaps you do as well. I see his little dimpled hands sifting through the sand, and just think . . . all those little sand grains are not even close to the thoughts God has for him and his future . . . or my hurting and sick friends . . . or the needs you may have today. As a quick update, since many of you asked about my previous post last week. Our elderly friend, Dean, came home from the hospital yesterday, still recovering from his open heart surgery of 6 bypasses and a heart valve replacement. ... More About: Life , Sand
In Other Words: Builders
2008-07-22 07:48:00 Afew days ago, I had this converation with my five year old daughter at the laundry line: Daughter: “Mama, when I am a mom, can I tell my kids what to do?” Me: “Yes honey.” slight pause . . . Daughter: “When I am a mama, I am going to let my kids have a popsicle whenever they want.” Me: “Really?” (not knowing what to say . . . and another longer pause.) Daughter: “Mama? . . . can I have a popsicle now?” Me (knowing I would win the meanest mom award of the day): “No honey, your room is still not cleaned up.” Daughter leaves with a long sigh. It didn’t work. But my husband and I sure got a chuckle out of it . . . one of those treasured little moments we tuck away in our hearts and will hopefully remember when she is a mama. (But then “I” will be the grandma and give her children popsicles whenever they want!) As moms we have a lot of building to do. I am in the p... More About: In Other Words , Words , Builders
In Other Words: Tuesday’s Quote
2008-07-17 23:04:00 C helsey will be hosting next Tuesday , on her blog,“Joyfully Living For His Glory“. Think about the quote she has chosen below and share about it on your blog on Tuesday. Go to Chelsey’s blog and leave the link to your blog and visit the other gals who have also written on it. The quote she has chosen is: “We, as women, think of ourselves as mothers, teachers, nurses and so on, but God says that we are builders. We usually relegate this role to the men, but we are building with something far greater than brick and timber.” By Nancy Campbell, The Power of Motherhood: What the Bible Says About Mothers More About: In Other Words , Words , Quote
In Other Words: Peer Pressure
2008-07-15 16:44:00 Peer pressure - it’s not just a kid thing. How often are we sucked into it, to please others, to be like others, to follow others ideals of what godliness is rather than what God wants us to do. As women we can easily fall into it, with what to wear or not wear, to wear make-up or not, to have our hair a certain length, to cook only wholesome all natural food (despite our husbands wanting porkchops on the grill), etc. Some of you may remember the Gentle Spirit Magazine from over ten years ago that captivated many women’s hearts and ideals to follow. It was easy to pour more over that magazine and follow a woman’s thoughts of her desires, rather than to follow God, and what disappointment it was when the failings and sins of the author became public. It was an awakening that any person can fail us -yet it can be so tempting to follow man rather than God. It’s not just the people we look up to, but our friends that walk close beside us or others wi... More About: In Other Words , Words , Peer , Peer Pressure
Will you pray?
2008-07-14 21:15:00 T his week two families we are close to are going through major health issues in their lives that also touches our lives. As you read through this and if they come to mind later, would you join us in remembering to pray for them? Dean is a grandfather in our church that is very dear to our family. (His wife is the one that made our son’s graduation cake). He is having bypass surgery tomorrow (Tuesday) with more than 4 bypasses to be done. The prognosis is very good. He has a special relationship with our daughter who has had two open heart surgeries, so they will be able to share stories. Then friends of ours, TeeJay & Melissa, were recently blessed with their third child, a beautiful baby girl who is now 8 weeks old. Melissa has noticed she does not focus and took her into her pediatrician today, and it was confirmed, there is a problem. She sees a pediatriac optomistrist on Friday. The worst case scenerio is that besides blindess there could be a tum... More About: Pray
In Other Words: Tuesday’s New Quote
2008-07-11 04:02:00 D enise will be hosting next Tuesday , on her blog,“Shorty Bear’s Place “. Think about the quote she has chosen below and share about it on your blog on Tuesday. Go to Denise’s blog and leave the link to your blog and visit the other gals who have also written on it. The quote she has chosen is: “When we are set free from the bondage of pleasing others, when we are free from currying others approval-then no one will be able to make us miserable or dissatisfied. And then, if we know we have pleased God, contentment will be our consolation. ~Kay Arthur- More About: In Other Words , Words , Quote
Homeschoolers Invited to Write for Subway
2008-07-11 04:01:00 Y ou may recall about six weeks ago the buzz among homeschoolers was the lack of acceptance by Subway to allow homeschoolers to particiate with writing contest. I wrote briefly on it here and yesterday I received a comment that Subway has revised this: I wanted to let everyone know that Subway has revamped their Every Sandwich Tells a Story contest, reintroducing it as a Summer Special, running through August 31. They even took out a banner ad with Homeschooling Today magazine. For all those who clamored about Subway excluding homeschoolers, now’s the time to show them that we will indeed participate when they include us. The registration form I saw asks for the Child’s School Name, so homeschoolers should make sure they enter something like Smith Family Homeschool, rather than Smith Academy. Blessings, Jim Bob I also visited the site, and found that it is geared for children ages P-K through 6th grade for those within the USA. You can read all the details of the cont... More About: Homeschoolers , Write
In Other Words: Sharing Paths
2008-07-08 04:01:00 Quote by Henry T. Blackaby & Richard Blackaby from their devotional book, Experiencing God The one word question “WHY?” has escaped my thoughts more than I can count. Many of the why’s will not be answered until I reach heaven - and then, I doubt it will really matter. But some why’s seem a little more fulfilled, when we see how we can use our pain, to help others. A few weeks ago, it happened again, as we gasped out loud to read in the paper, that friends of ours, who are grandparents, lost their first and only grandchild. The grandfather is also our dentist. We saw the ultrasound pictures in his office, and the newborn pictures after his grandson was born. I would often run into his wife at the store or Good Will and was shown the newest item for her little grandson and see the delight in her face as she spoke of a smiling happy baby. How we wished the death notice we read was not their grandson, but tragically it was. He was only 12 w... More About: In Other Words , Words , Sharing
In Other Words: Tuesday’s Quote
2008-07-04 05:00:00 B onnie will be hosting next Tueday, on her blog,“Ink It Blog“. Think about the quote she has chosen below and share about it on your blog on Tuedsay. Go to Bonnie’s blog and leave the link to your blog and visit the other gals who have also written on it. The quote she has chosen is: “The Christian life is a pilgrimage. At times the road is difficult and we get lonely. Sometimes we may get discouraged and consider abandoning the journey. It is at such times that God will place a friend alongside us. One of God’s most precious gifts to us is friends who encourage us and lovingly challenge us to ‘keep going.’ “ By Henry T. Blackaby & Richard Blackaby from their devotional book, Experiencing God Also please update your buttons and bars In “Other” Words . The top box is what should be with each In Other Word’s post and the bar below can be placed on your blog as a particpant on one of your side pannels. THANK YOU! More About: In Other Words , Quote
In Other Words ~ His Plans
2008-07-01 04:14:00 This has been one of those “hang on to” verses through the ups and downs of life. But it became more real to me through a recent Bible study of Abraham. There’s so much I could share that touched me but re-visiting Abraham’s life, seeing the mistakes he made, and yet, seeing God stay with His covenant with him. God did indeed know the plans He had for him, and it was certainly to take care of him. And He did for us way back then too as we see the imprint of the coming of Jesus, His death on the cross, through Abraham. The picture of Abraham’s son, Isaac carrying the wood of the sacrifice up Mt. Moriah is an image of Jesus carrying wood, the cross on His back. The ram caught in the thicket was not the real sacrifice. It took place later. It was instead the Lamb of God, God’s son, not Abraham’s son. Yet Jesus know that His sacrifice would cost His life - and His sacrifice accomplished what no other kind of sacrifice could even come cl... More About: In Other Words , Words , Plans
In Other Words: Tuesday’s Quote
More articles from this author:2008-06-27 14:01:00 S usan will be hosting next Tueday’s , on her blog,“Forever His“. Think about it and share about it on your blog on Tuedsay. Go to Susan’s blog and leave the link to your blog and visit the other gals who have also written on it. The quote she has chosen is: “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out -plans to take care of you . . .” Jeremiah 29:11 (The Message) Also please update your buttons and bars In “Other” Words . The top box is what should be with each In Other Word’s post and the bar below can be placed on your blog as a particpant on one of your side pannels. THANK YOU! More About: In Other Words , Tuesday , Quote 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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