More gifts

67. where I live

68. and some of my neighbors

What he said

“My ideas flow so rapidly that I have not time to express them -- by which means my letters sometimes convey no ideas at all to my correspondents.”*

This is so me. When I read it the other day, I thought, yes!, that’s me, and I just knew that I had to put it on the blog. Sometimes I worry that I’m the only one that understands some of the things I’ve written. I know what I meant, but does anyone else? Or I wonder whether what I’ve written is polished enough, or I worry about the grammar. A lot of times, I just don’t even post what I’ve written. And that’s something I’ve really been thinking about.

I have to confess that blogging stresses me. Not the quick “just a thought” type posts, but the ones with lots of writing and/or about “deep” things. I tend to type or write quickly as I hurry to get my thoughts down, more focused on getting the thoughts/ideas recorded while they’re still fresh in my mind or heart than about grammar or the way something sounds to someone else. Then I feel like I need to edit and edit some more to make sure that what I’m saying is just what I meant to say and that it will be understood the way I meant it. (know what I mean?) (smile)

So, what to do? Relax and just write, stop blogging (again), keep stressing and editing? Stick to the short, pithy posts? Not sure, but an idea that I have been mulling over is to think of this blog as more of a chat with friends over a cup of coffee (or tea), sometimes mundane, sometimes deep, sometimes a mixture. Relaxed, no airs, just sharing what’s on my mind with my very tolerant, understanding, forgiving friends. ;-)

*Mr. Bingley - Pride and Prejudice

More gifts

61. a very good doctor’s report for very good friends
62. wind, clouds, and a bit of cooling
63. first one and then another and then another new book resource
64. godly playmates
65. games for little guys to play with Dad
66. time spent together - Dad and son

The Living Word

All Scripture is God-breathed . . .*
The word of God is living and active.**
In the beginning was the One who is called the Word. The Word was with God and was truly God. From the very beginning the Word was with God. And with this Word, God created all things. Nothing was made without the Word. Everything that was created received its life from Him, and His life gave light to everyone. The light keeps shining in the dark, and darkness has never put it out. . . The Word was in the world, but no one knew Him, though God had made the world with His Word. . . . some people accepted Him and put their faith in Him. So He gave them the right to be the children of God. They were not God’s children by nature or because of any human desires. God himself was the one who made them His children. The Word became a human being and lived here with us. We saw His true glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. From Him all the kindness and all the truth of God have come down to us.***
“My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine” [says the Lord].
 . . “The rain and snow come down from the heavens
 and stay on the ground to water the earth.
 They cause the grain to grow,
 producing seed for the farmer
 and bread for the hungry.
 It is the same with my word.
 I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
 It will accomplish all I want it to,
 and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”****
The Word that gives life was from the beginning, and this is the One our message is about.*****

* 2 Timothy 3:16
** Hebrews 4:12
*** John 1:1-5, 9-10,13-14 (CEV)
**** Isaiah 55:8, 10-11 (NLT)
***** 1 John 1:1 (CEV)

Small Beginnings

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin . . .” Zechariah 4:10

Small beginnings, little things, small successes, whatever we want to call them, last week I had a gentle reminder of how easy they are to overlook and not recognize as being as important. So in the spirit of taking note of these small beginnings and their importance, here goes:

1. Over the weekend I decided it was time to get back to a more purposeful (but very relaxed and personalized) learning environment. So yesterday morning we got started and it went really well, not too much, relaxed, high interest, lots of praise. I’m an unschooler at heart, I also know my child and know that he’s happiest with routine and some structure so . . . well that’s a blog for another time (smile).

2. I started journaling again, don't know why I ever stop, I’m always so blessed by it.

3. I’ve been making some big changes in our my diet and we’ve been sticking with it (despite some very big temptations).

Each of these “small beginnings” is another blessing from the Lord, more gifts from the One Who loves me for which I am so very grateful.

Multitude Monday

41. quiet time with my family
42. movies I feel safe letting my children watch
43. books on cd
44. sales on desired books
45. free wonderful old books and audio books online
46. movies I feel safe letting my children watch
47. wonderful thought provoking conversations with my 12 year old
48. new “family favorite” recipes from friends
49. scented candles
50. water
51. cool clothing for hot weather
52. delicious, nutritious, salads
53. wonderful, trustworthy book reviews
54. ointments and salves that sooth
55. plants and herbs that relieve and heal
56. watching enjoyment and laughter
57. watching little ones’ “firsts”
58. remembering some of my own “firsts”
59. healthy days
60. folks to share with and be loved by on the healthy and not so healthy days

Sunday Hymn

He Leadeth Me

Words: Jo­seph H. Gil­more, 1862.
Music: Wil­liam B. Brad­bu­ry

He leadeth me, O blessèd thought!
O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be
Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.

Refrain

He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.

Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom,
By waters still, over troubled sea,
Still ’tis His hand that leadeth me.

Refrain

Lord, I would place my hand in Thine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine;
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since ’tis my God that leadeth me.

Refrain

And when my task on earth is done,
When by Thy grace the vict’ry’s won,
E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me.

Refrain