Week 8's challenge was "True Happiness". After a week of being sick with a cold, Felicity cried off and on through the night Friday. She woke up Saturday morning holding her ear crying. After taking care of her earache, she played the rest of the day. She seemed well enough to go to church on Sunday morning and played through the afternoon with her sisters. Soon after services started Sunday evening she stood up from her spot on the pew. I looked over at her as she walked toward me with big tears in her eyes. As I picked her up and set her in my lap she asked, " Why do you never buy watermelon for me anymore?" (haha) She was just exhausted and emotional I think. However, after church we had to stop by the little store down the road to get this sweet girl some watermelon! This, I believe, is "True Happiness" ! haha "True Happiness"
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A couple of months ago I picked up the book, "The Power of a Positive Mom" at a thrift shop. I read a chapter here and there when I get a free moment. I have received a lot of good encouragement thus far. Anyhow, I read chapter 9 today, titled "The Ladies Pity Party, Don't Accept The Invitation". Wow! This was a really good chapter!! I just want to share a few lines from this with you.
(these are taken straight from this book, I did not write these) ~Life is not always fair. It's not always easy, especially for mothers. But you and I have a choice each day whether to wallow in self-pity or put our trust in God as he works in our lives. ~A third reason we complain is to get attention. It's not always popular to sound like a Pollyanna, pointing out the positive. But when we sing that all-too-familiar tune, "Nobody knows the trouble I've seen," our friends rush to our side to give us sympathy to be reciprocated when it's their turn to whine! (My words here: She talks about the Israelites and all their complaining. Lack of water, lack of food, lack of meat, and hardships. They grumbled and complained to the point of saying they'd be better off back in Egypt as slaves. She pointed out that not only did God provide for them in all these things, their shoes did not even wear out during their journey. Then she points out God's reaction to their groanings in Numbers 11:1-2. God heard them and it says, " His anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp." Now read what the author wrote in the book "The Power of a Positive Mom".) ~God was not at all pleased with the Israelites' constant complaining. ...Instead of focusing on the great miracles God had done on their behalf and His goodness toward them in securing their freedom, they focused on what was bad about the situation. ~Are we able to see God's provision for us? Do we see his hand at work for our good? Or are we so focused on our problems that all we can do is complain? ~The question is not "What are you going through?" but "What is your perspective and attitude in the process?" ~(Read Hebrews 12:2) Jesus was able to endure more than you and I will ever have to-all because he had His eyes focused on the joy of securing our salvation. If we are going to be positive moms, we need to check our focus. ...."Stop Whining!" ~The truth is, our contentment is independent of what we have or who surrounds us. Contentment is the opposite of self-pity. If our hearts are content because we trust in God as our loving provider, then we'll tend to keep our eyes off our troubles. But if we dwell on our wants or our difficulties (great or small), we will lose sight of the provisions God is granting us. ~(read Job 1:21 and think about the trials of Job) ~Contentment is not based on what you have; it is based on how you choose to view life. It is an issue of the heart. ~(read Philippians 4:11-13 and think about the trails of Paul) Now if Paul could say this from his prison cell, I wonder if we could say it from our laundry room? ~1.)Recognize who the enemy is. Satan... 2.)Change your perspective. Consider what is good... 3.)Ask God to give you strength. Based on Philippians 4:11-13... ~(after a story about kids whining and complaining about everything, she says this) Believe me, God understands. His children frequently complain and grumble and whine, oblivious to all the good he is doing in their lives. May you and I not be those kinds of kids! Pretty good stuff!! What I got from this chapter; Quit whining and be content! :) Note: By recommending this book I am not suggesting you follow the author, nor am I saying I agree with everything she has ever said. I had never heard of her prior to the title of the book catching my eye on the book shelf. Like I always say when I recommend a book, I am a strong KJV girl. This book uses other translations. I encourage you to read this book, however, pull out your Bible and read the verses for yourself to see what it says! I would never recommend a book that changes doctrine of God's Word. If I read a book, for instance this one, that has a good message, and sticks with the teaching of the Word, I will share it with you! Happy Reading! Week seven's challenge was "LOVE". Who doesn't LOVE cupcakes for Valentine's Day?!? WE DO!! "LOVE"A little update on last weeks photo challenge. Last week was growth and we shared a photo of a cup full of garlic cloves rooting. We got a chance to put them in soil this week! We are anxiously and patiently waiting to see if a bulb of garlic grows for us!! We'll share photos when and if it does!!
Yay for another set of Children's Bible Studies. This set is on the wonderful promises found in God's word (the good ol' KJV!). Of course, there are so many, we could not fit them all in one month of devotions. Maybe in the future we can do a part two on this subject. We did, however, pick some of our favorites! I am sure you will enjoy teaching these to your kids, as they are all precious promises from above! Here is your downloadable link to 20 lessons (one for each weekday for a month): Children's Devotions "Precious Promises"
This weeks photo challenge is growth. I read that you can grow garlic bulbs from a clove of garlic. I put the cloves in this cup and sure enough we have lots of roots now. The next step is to get these planted and see if we really get some bulbs!!! So Exciting!!! "Growth""Comfort Food"I don't know if it's the coffee or the cup that I like best! I LoVe cute coffee cups! And like they say, "Life happens, COFFEE helps!" (I know, I know, coffee is not a food! To me it is, and, well, "But First Coffee"!!
Oh!!! Btw... this week I reeeeeaaaallllyyy wanted Sam to take me to All About Cha because I was reeeeaaaalllyyy craving their coffee. We've only been there 4 or 5 times, I have to give in to my cravings every now and a then!! However, we are really not eating out or getting out for that matter with all this flu junk going around so rampantly. This lead me to searching for a recipe, thus feeding my crave for yummy coffee! Here is a link to one I found and have already made. Believe me, it's comfort food! Link: Yummy Salted Caramel Mocha Latte WARNING: This comfort food may lead to an addiction. Had a little photoshoot this weekend! Can not wait to share her photos... must wait for her special day though!! Check back soon to see them!!!Oh BOY!! Isn't he the sweetest thing ever?!?Snips, Snails and Puppy Dog Tails.
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AuthorHello! I'm a wife, a mother of 4, a homeschool teacher, the preacher's wife, a coffee addict that has a love for Jesus, and I tell my story with lots and lots of photos! Welcome to our Blog!Join us, through Storytelling Photography, in the ins and outs and ups and downs of our everyday life. We share homeschool ideas, recipes, Sunday school stuff, children's daily devotionals, DIY projects, home remedies and so much more! I am also a part-time Children's Photographer in the Oklahoma City Area. If you are interested in booking an appointment with me, see the 'Contact Us' page on this site (or click on the blue link below). You can message me there, or find my phone number there as well. Categories
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