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: 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
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
In Other Words: Perseverance
2008-06-24 22:29:00 P erseverance - it’s a pretty big word - that takes a lot of work. For a preemie baby it may be learning how to nurse, and a persevering mother to keep on trying. For a toddler, it’s learning how to walk and a five year old learning how to tie his shoes. As we get older, it’s persevering through algebra, driving, marriage and parenthood. It’s persevering through daily struggles and major life alterations. For a dear family we know, it’s now persevering through much grief and pain after the loss of their 12 week old son/grandson from SIDS. They have much to persevere through as each day right now is a struggle. Their friends and family need to persevere to carry them along and continuing to pray for them. Perseverance and can be a long lonely walk through the valley of the shadow of death and can be much slower than a snail’s pace to the ark. It may be perseverance just to get up in the morning and face another day. As m... More About: In Other Words , Words
Another Graduation Completed
2008-06-16 22:38:00 S o now our third oldest son is officially graduated from homeschooling. We had a graduation party for him this past Friday and it went real well. We were praying all week for the weather to be good, after harsh storms had hit a lot of our area. It was wonderful seeing family and friends. We mainly served desserts, including wondeful cookies one of my sister-in-laws made, brownies (that had to be made the night before at our church because once again my oven decided not to work), cookies, and all the toppings you can think of for icecream sundaes. One of my close friends and her husband did all the serving, keeping things running very smoothly. An older couple in our church that are like grandparents to our kids, made this beautiful cake for Jayson, which captured one of his passions. He was so surprised. It was hard to cut into it! But it tasted just as wonderful as it looks! One of the neat things after his party was all overwith, and the cleaning was done, J... More About: Graduation
In Other Words: Think On These Things
2008-06-10 00:10:00 Ican be one of those day dreamers - giving myself panic attacks thinking of the “what ifs”. It happened a few days ago. My husband is self-employed as a small engine repair mechanic. Several times he has breathed too much exhaust, giving himself carbon monoxide poisoning. He puts larger garden/lawn tractors on hoists, which he’s never had fall on him, yet, but I fear it. His days can be busy with with phone calls, sales reps visits, customers coming to drop off/pick up items and his runnings about with pick-ups and deliveries and getting parts. He will work very late at night in the shop on repairs. There’s been several times I’ve fallen asleep hours before him to wake-up and he’s still not in bed. That night, I woke up with a jolt - where was he? I was so stricken with fear, afraid to call him on the speaker, so I walked out there, fearing the worst, holding my breath as I peered around the door. He was fine, thankfull... More About: In Other Words , Words , Things
Congratulations to our Daughter!
2008-06-04 18:23:00 T his is my braggin’ moment, and with having ten children, I should do this more often! Our daughter Heidi entered an art contest at our local library, which included all the local public schools. There were only a couple of homeschooled children that entered. Her artwork (photograpy) is among 30 winners! It will be professionally matted and framed and displayed in the library for the summer. Then a local business will lease it for one year and after that, it will be returned to her. So, she will be a part of having her picture in the paper and a Gala Reception to honor the winners. I am just so excited for her! One person will be picked from these 30 to win $200 and she would sure love that for a camera she is saving up for. Congratulations Heidi! “Apple Blossom Beauty” ©2008 by Heidi More About: Daughter
Subway & Schoolastic Blocks Out Homeschoolers
2008-05-30 06:01:00 (I wrote this post earlier in the week, saving it to post today. I received several e-mails today regarding the apology Subway has given to HSLDA. You can read it here.) I f you homeschool, you probably have read numerous times about the writing contest Subway & Schoolastic are having. This is the disclaimer that removes homeschoolers: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Contest is open only to legal residents of the United States who are currently over the age of 18 and have children who attend elementary, private or parochial schools that serve grades PreK-6. No home schools will be accepted. (emphasis added) I may not be as irrate as some blogs and e-mails that I have received regarding it. It certainly is a bummer that homeschoolers are specifically excluded. However, it may be a lack of knowledge on their side. The “grand prize” is $5,000 value of sports equipment. Subway and Schoolastic may not realize what a large community homeschooling is... More About: Homeschoolers , Blocks
♥ Remembering & Missing Matthew on His 20th Birthday ♥
2008-05-28 06:01:00 N ot a day passes without something reminding us of you - a glimpse of you in one of your siblings, finding one of your treasures on earth, mail still coming with your name on it or the brilliance of the color of red, your favorite colour. We made bittersweet memories on Monday, as we planted red impatients at your gravestone, and your baby brother you’ve never met, tried digging in the soil to “help”. One of your siblings said, “This is the closest Nathan has been to Matthew “. Someday he will know you too. Though we wonder about the “what ifs” your days were still numbered by God. How blessed we were to have you for 16 years. And yet, how much more blessed we are with the assurance that you accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, we will meet you again, and all our tears will forever be wiped away. Until then, we will miss you, remember you and always share about you. Forever with love, Your Mumsie (affectionate name only ... More About: Birthday , Missing , Remembering
Celebrating a Delightful Daughter’s Birthday
2008-05-27 18:29:00 Look who’s seven! Happy birthday to our little sunshine! She wanted a dolly and a “strawberry shortcake pillow” so momma had to do some searching and found material on eBay and made her two pillowcases for her new pillow. The other side is a soft flannel. She said it will be hard deciding what side to sleep on! :) More About: Birthday , Daughter
Abeka & Sonlight Homeschool Material Needed for Missionary Family
2008-05-14 18:43:00 D ave & Diane Ford are special friends of ours. I went to college with them and attended church with them for several years. Our husbands worked together for quite a few years. Diane was with me when our twins were born, and with me when our daughter was stillborn. Then God moved them far away - to Thailand, as missionaries. I cannot imagine their sacrifice, leaving behind several of their older children as they went to college, two of them now married, one of these expecting their second grandchild. Two of their children are with them in Thailand; Anna will be in 6th grade and Drew in 4th. With their schedules it is hard to have them on a rigid school schedule and want them to be involved in their work and learn the language, so they have decided to homeschool them. Their support is down with the USA economy slump. My reason in sharing, is I know many of my readers homeschool. Would any of you have Abeka or Sonlight material for fourth and/or sixth ... More About: Family , Material , Missionary
In Other Words: Following Jesus
2008-05-14 06:11:00 So He went to her, took her hand and helped her up. Mark 1:31a A s Scripture is read, don’t you often desire to see more of the picture . . . know more of the story? This is one of those instances. Take the time to read the full text, but here’s a little more: And immediately after they came out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they spoke to Jesus about her. And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she waited on them. Mark 1:29-31 So Simon was married. I wonder what Simon’s mother-in-law was like. Was Simon’s wife so distraught about her mother? Had she been pleading with her husband to bring Jesus to their house? How long had the woman been sick? Did the men try to hurry Jesus along to the house - is this why it is said “immediately&l... More About: In Other Words , Words
Slowing Down - But NOT Slowing Down!
2008-05-06 23:25:00 I f you stopped by to read a new post for the “In Other Words”, I am taking this week off. The last few days have been very filled, and I am working on numerous mother’s bracelets that need to be sent in time for my customers to get for Mother’s Day. What an encouragement and blessing that my Etsy store is increasing in inquiries as well has just having sold my 10th item! We are trying to wind down with homeschooling and are preparing to doing more with gardening and the kids have lots of ideas too! So, I am back to beading and sewing . . . here’s a little peek of the newest items:
A Princess Turns Five
2008-05-04 04:05:00 S o our baby girl turned five today. I really do not know how she slept last night because she was SO excited about being FIVE when she woke up. Yes, she was up early - much earlier than I wanted for a Saturday morning. Big brother gave her a bag of candy before he left for work, so the children had their sugar buz before we had our morning coffee. She loved being pampered from her siblings and a special “happy meal” from Wendy’s birthday club. She got lots of smiles from those around her, with her little princess crown on AND sunglasses! LOL! She was quite cute! She wanted lots of strawberries for her cake, and since her papa who just had a heart attack was to come, we had an angel food cake which was heart healthy, and loaded with strawberries. She is looking forward now to tomorrow with her special friends coming over to celebrate after church. But she did say before bed, “Why can’t EVERYDAY be my birthday?!” We have two... More About: Princess
In Other Words: The Proverbs 31 Woman
2008-04-29 06:01:00 “”If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!’” “We smile as we read the wall plaque in the novelty store. But our smile quickly turns to a frown if truly “Mama ain’t happy.” This is because the wife and mother in a family often “sets the tone” in the home. The “tone” God wants her to set is one of joy, optimism, and a delight in the Lord and in her family. If your family were called upon to describe you, what would they say?” ~ by Martha Peace ~ “The Excellent Wife“ (excellent book - highly recommended!) U hhgggg! Should I really write on this one? Our home can be quite chaotic busy with ten kids, including teens and a baby that needs his diapers changed, homeschooling, the phone ringing for me, my kids AND my husband’s small engine repair business that interrupts meals, early in the morning, late at night and even Sundays (though we are CLOSED). I don’t know how m... More About: In Other Words , Words , Proverbs , Woman
In Other Words: Friendships
2008-04-22 07:57:00 “To be intimate with others is to reveal our innermost selves to them, including our emotions, thoughts and desires. For such deep sharing of the soul and spirit to occur, people must respect and trust each other. … In a world controlled by sin, however, to choose to be intimate is to choose to be hurt. Yet Jesus calls us to this kind of intimacy with Him and with one another.” ~ Kenneth A. Schmidt ~ A couple of years ago, I pretty much gave up on friendships. I’ve done a lot of reading on grieving and relationships after the death of someone close, and one thing that seems to stand out the most, is friendships and relationships change. You’d think friends would reach out more, try to be closer, but instead, many will run - not just my friends - but it’s common in most relationships that go through a tragedy. It’s not necessarily the “friend’s” fault - people change - and the grieving person also changes - and may run ... More About: In Other Words , Words , Friendships
In Other Words: The Proverbs 31 Woman
2008-04-20 06:01:00 “”If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!’” “We smile as we read the wall plaque in the novelty store. But our smile quickly turns to a frown if truly “Mama ain’t happy.” This is because the wife and mother in a family often “sets the tone” in the home. The “tone” God wants her to set is one of joy, optimism, and a delight in the Lord and in her family. If your family were called upon to describe you, what would they say?” ~ by Martha Peace ~ “The Excellent Wife“ (excellent book - highly recommended!) U hhgggg! Should I really write on this one? Our home can be quite chaotic busy with ten kids, including teens and a baby that needs his diapers changed, homeschooling, the phone ringing for me, my kids AND my husband’s small engine repair business that interrupts meals, early in the morning, late at night and even Sundays (though we are CLOSED). I don’t know how m... More About: In Other Words , Words , Proverbs , Woman
Baby Chick Days
2008-04-19 04:46:00 I f you come over visit, you may hear the “tweep tweeps” of little chicks more than the children’s voices! A dozen little chicks sure can make a lot of noise! This is just the start of our new brood. We plan on getting turkeys and other little chicks. These are Bantums and Rhode Island Reds. More About: Baby , Chick , Days
More Wheels
2008-04-17 23:43:00 Y ou know how it is when a little boy get’s a new toy truck or car, and you hear the “vrooom, vroom” noises. Well, our son Jayson, has the “real” thing, yet, I think he’s as excited as a little guy. It has an automatic start on it, so he walks up the driveway, hits the button, and looks back to hear his truck going “vroom”. So, it’s more of this “letting go” time and praying more as that “vroom” noise leaves the driveway. Two sons on the road with their own vehicles - SCARY! (AKA MOM!) More About: Wheels
In Other Words: Tell Me the Story of Jesus
2008-04-15 06:01:00 “One of the most wonderful things about knowing God is that there’s always so much more to know, so much more to discover. Just when we least expect it, He intrudes into our neat and tidy notions about who He is and how He works. ~by Joni Eareckson Tada ~ D on’t you love it when your teach a little one something about Jesus , and it clicks in their minds, and their eyes light up as though to say, “wow”! Does this happen to you as you read God’s Word and learn more about Him? I am in a Kay Arthur Bible study on the life of Abraham. We have a Bible study manual in which we do research throughout the week, and then we get together, go over it, and then watch a video which Kay Arthur speaks. Last time the study was on the Covenant God made with Abraham and how it was a picture of His covenant with us - His death on the cross. In the Old Testament when they made covenants, an animal was split in half, and those making the covenant ... More About: Story , In Other Words , Words , The Story
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Contest
2008-04-12 06:07:00 The Old Schoolhouse Magazine ’s Spring Promo is in full bloom. Subscribe now to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and receive 25 BONUS gifts valued at over $550! The Winter Promo sold out, don’t miss out on the free gifts this time! The HSB Front Porch is having a contest and you can win a $50 gift certificate just for blogging about the Spring Promo before midnight April 13, 2008. Click HERE for details. More About: Contest
Now the mom of a 21 year old
2008-04-08 06:40:00 T he birth of a firstborn certainly makes a mark on a mom’s life and details at least for me are still pretty clear. Just a few weeks before Stephen was born, my husband was laid off from his job. Here we were with our first child to be arriving, and a job gone. He was due the end of March, but I had a secret prayer. I was actually praying that he would be born late - specifically 10 days late. I was hoping he’d be born on my grandpa’s birthday, a godly man that had a profound affect in my life who went to be with Jesus when I was in high school. Then my husband lost his job - so I added to the prayer, that my husband would also have a job. God knew how important this was for me, and not only did my husband get a job a few days before, yes, Stephen was born on my grandpa’s birthday. I was one of the first moms in a new birthing room, and generally then, first time moms did not have their baby in a birthing room. My mom-in-law was with my h... More About: Year
Newest ETSY Handmade Items - Personalized Bracelets
More articles from this author:2008-04-03 18:46:00 Click the pictures to see the ETSY store or visit my webpage, Bracelet Stories for more pictures. More About: Items , Bracelets , Etsy 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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