Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: In the pool

(Well, almost wordless!)

 We had a great time at our church picnic and pool party this past Sunday evening!
My nephew and me at the picnic...
 Jakob in the pool with some cousins...
 Sweet boy with sunglasses on at sunset!
Daddy in the pool with Bethany on his back! What fun!

Have you been to the pool this summer? We love it! I wash the towels thinking this will be the last time at the pool and then we go again!


Psalm 114:7-8
Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord,
at the presence of the God of Jacob,
8 who turned the rock into a pool,
the hard rock into springs of water.

John 5:7
“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”

John 9:7
“Go,” he told him (a blind beggar), “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Toss-back Tuesday: Summer as a kid

I recently saw a writing prompt about what summer was like when you were a kid. I didn't get pictures from my parents house until just this weekend, so I am finally getting around to writing about my summers.

Summers lasted forever, with lots of time to forget everything we learned in school. We had long days of playing outside, when my hair turned blonde and my skin turned brown. I don't remember putting on sunscreen until I was maybe 10, and that was when we went to the pool. When I was in preschool, my parents had an above-ground pool in our backyard. I don't remember much about it, except my green bikini, since I was only five years old when we moved from that home. But I do love this picture showing my tiny behind and two of my church friends. My oldest brother is in the pool smiling at the camera.
Such cute hinies...

Another memory that I have of other summers "way back when" is of my family going to a cottage in Michigan (I think). We usually went there with friends from church, or longtime friends (with kids) of my parents, and family. I love the carefree attitude we had while we were there, with spending lots of time in the lake. I remember there was a hot metal slide there and one time I was afraid I would be stung by a dragonfly. (Just the name is scary, right?!) I like my plain blue swimsuit that I had, and since I had no permanent front teeth, I couldn't have been more than six years old.

 I am still in contact with the girl in the middle on Facebook. Not sure if she reads my blog or if she'd like to see this picture... but I think it is a cute one of me (on the right).
 The evenings would get cool and we kids would put on our footie pajamas. I like seeing me in my pink ones (which look too big) and my friends from church (the same ones in the pool picture above). We're so cute, and very late-70's in our styles. What great memories I have of summers... now they are not as fun... what did my mom do to keep us all entertained?

What about you? What were summers like when you were a child? I'd love to hear about it!


Psalm 74:17
It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.


Luke 18:16
But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.


1 John 3:2
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

Monday, July 29, 2013

Prayer for Husband's Integrity/ Reputation/ Priorities


Prayer for Husband's Integrity/ Reputation/ Priorities

Several years ago, I read the book Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian. I really enjoyed the book, and typed up many of the prayers from the book so I could pray them over again for my husband, Joshua. This prayer is part of a blog series on Mondays this summer with prayers for husbands. I encourage you to print the prayers and pray them along with me for your own husband! I hope you will join me in asking God to protect our husbands reputations and to give them wisdom in their daily priorities.

See first prayer here.
See second prayer here.
See third prayer here.
See fourth prayer here.
See fifth prayer here.
See the sixth prayer here.
See seventh prayer here. 


Prayer for His Integrity 

Lord, I pray that You would make my husband a man of integrity, according to Your standards. Give him strength to say “Yes” when he should say “Yes,” and courage to say “No” when he should say “No.” Enable him to stand for what he knows is right and not waver under pressure from the world. Don’t let him be a man who is “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7). Give him, instead, a teachable spirit that is willing to listen to the voice of wisdom and grow in Your ways. 
Make him a man who lives by truth. Help him to walk in Your Spirit with truth at all times (John 16:13). Be with him to bear witness to the truth so that in times of pressure he will act on it with confidence (1 John 1:8,9). Where he has erred in this and other matters, give him a heart that is quick to confess his mistakes. For You have said in Your Word, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8,9). Don’t let him be deceived. Don’t let him live a lie in any way. Bind mercy and truth around his neck and write them on the tablet of his heart so he will find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man (Proverbs 3:3,4).

Prayers for His Reputation

Lord, I pray that (Joshua) will have a reputation that is untarnished.  I know that a man is often valued “by what others say of him” (Proverbs 27:21), so I pray that he will be respected in our town and people will speak highly of him. You’ve said in Your Word that a “curse without cause shall not alight” (Proverbs 26:2). I pray that there would never be any reason for bad things to be said of him. Keep him out of legal entanglements. Protect us from lawsuits and criminal proceedings. Deliver him from his enemies, O God. Defend him from those who rise up to do him harm (Psalm 59:1). Fight against those who fight against him (Psalm 35:1). In You, O Lord, we put our trust. Let us never be put to shame (Psalm 71:1). If you are for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31). 
Your Word says that “a good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matthew 7:18,19). I pray that my husband will bear good fruit out of the goodness that is within him, and that he will be known by the good that he does. May the fruits of his honesty, trustworthiness, and humility sweeten all his dealings so that his reputation will never be spoiled.
Preserve his life from the enemy, hide him from the secret counsel of the wicked. Pull him out of any net which has been laid for him (Psalm 31:4). Keep him safe from the evil of gossiping mouths. Where there has been ill spoken of him, touch the lips of those who speak it with Your refining fire. Let the responsibility of those involved be revealed. Let them be ashamed and brought to dishonor who wish him evil (Psalm 40:14). May he trust in You and not be afraid of what man can do to him (Psalm 56:11). For You have said whoever believes in You will not be put to shame (Romans 10:11). lead him, guide him, and be his mighty fortress and hiding place. May his light so shine before men that they see his good works and glorify You, Lord (Matthew 5:16).

Prayer for His Priorities

God, I proclaim You, Lord over my life. Help me to seek You first every day and set me priorities in perfect order. Reveal to me how to properly put my husband before children, work, family, friends, activities and interests. Show me what I can do right now to demonstrate to him that he has this position in my heart. Mend the times I have caused him to doubt that. Tell me how to prioritize everything so that whatever steals life away, or has no lasting purpose, will not occupy my time.
I pray for my husband’s priorities to be in perfect order as well. Be Lord and Ruler over his heart. Help him to choose a simplicity of life that will allow him to have time alone with You, Lord, a place to be quiet in Your presence every day. Speak to him about making Your Word, prayer and praise a priority. Enable him to place me and our children in greater prominence in his heart than career, friends and activities. I pray he will seek You first and submit his all to You, for when he does I know the other pieces of his life will fit together perfectly.
--------------------------------------------
What about you? Do you pray for your husband? If not, why not start today?

Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Psalm 31:4

Keep me free from the trap that is set for me,
for you are my refuge.


1 John 1:8-9
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Thankful Thursday #10

 Once again, I have much to be thankful for this week!

 #608- Our son Caleb won his first game in the state baseball tournament! (Our nephew came to watch with his mom!
#607- For the sunny, fun time we had at the pool and for our friends' hospitality.

#612- Thankful we got to stay at my sister's house- I got my nephew dressed for church on Sunday. (He added the boots!)
 #616- Thankful that Rebekah made it home again & safely from her mission trip. We missed her!
 #618- Bethy jumped off the low dive at swim lessons even though she was scared.
#623- Thankful that I had time to hang out and chat with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law after we went to a movie. (This picture is a few years old.)

What are you thankful for this week? Have you told God about it?


1 Chronicles 16:34
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

1 Chronicles 29:13
Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

Psalm 7:17
I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: State Tournament Trip!

We went out-of-town for our state All-Stars baseball tournament this past weekend, and we had a great time! OUr son Caleb played three games and won 1, lost 2. It was a great experience for him, he made some new friendships, and played hard!
 I have lots of pictures of him hitting, and he doesn't always hit but he swings! That is much better than not even trying to swing. He hit several pop-ups to the pitcher or first baseman. He also had a really great hit to right field, but the outfielder caught it!
He was so happy to get to play first base in one of the games (instead of only outfield!)

My sister and nephew came to all of his games, and he even sat in my chair for a minute!

 My brother came to two of the games also, and since he lived nearest the field, we stayed at his home for two nights. This is his sweet dog, June!
 My brother's girlfriend took us to her friend's pool and Caleb had a blast swimming, jumping and diving! His dad is throwing him into the pool here!
 At my brother's house, Caleb found a squirrel climbing the tree and got pictures of it!
 Sure loved hanging out with this cute guy and being fans together!
 My nephew at the third game was hot and got a very messy push-up pop! Yum!
 After the games were completed, we went to the coach's family's pool and the boys swam. We also had a team BBQ together, and enjoyed getting to know other baseball parents more.
 Who says big boys can't have fun in the toy store? (My brother and hubby playing with a cool marble constructed piece!)
 "You gotta pray and swing, watch it 'til it's going, going..." ( from "Home Run" by Geoff Moore and the Distance)
We stayed at my sister's home for one final night before heading home. I helped my nephew get dressed for church, and he added the rain boots! I thought it was a cute look. :-D

It was a wonderful experience for us, but we missed our three girls and were so happy to be home all together on Sunday night! Thanks again to our family for hosting and helping us!



Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus,the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Box day!

There is a day that homeschoolers get very excited about: Box day! It is a mixture of the first day of school, school supply shopping excitement and new grade jitters rolled into one. It is the day when the previously ordered curriculum arrives by UPS or FedEx!
 Here is our pile of books from My Father's World for Mallory (grade 2) and Caleb (grade 5). WOW! "Rome to the Reformation", here we come!
 My oldest daughter Rebekah is beginning high school this fall (EEK!) and she got a separate box of books all her own! It looks like it is going to be a wonderful homeschool year!
What fun! What excitement! What planning needs to be done...




Philippians 1:1-6, 27
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,

To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy  because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,  being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.


and verse 27 : Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.


Our homeschool theme verse:


Ephesians 6:17
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Monday, July 22, 2013

Prayer for Husband's Protection/ Trials


Prayer for Husband's Protection/ Trials

Several years ago, I read the book Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian. I really enjoyed the book, and typed up many of the prayers from the book so I could pray them over again for my husband, Joshua. This prayer is part of a blog series on Mondays this summer with prayers for husbands. I encourage you to print the prayers and pray them along with me for your own husband! This is a subject that is not discussed often, yet is so important in a marriage. I hope you will join me in asking God to protect our husbands and to strengthen them in their daily battles and trials.

See first prayer here.
See second prayer here.
See third prayer here.
See fourth prayer here.
See fifth prayer here.
See the sixth prayer here.


Prayers for His Protection
Lord,  I pray that You would protect  (name) from any accidents, diseases, dangers or evil influences. Keep him safe, especially in cars and planes. Hide him from violence and the plans of evil people. Wherever he walks, secure his steps. Keep him on Your path so that his feet don’t slip (Psalm 17:5). If his foot does slip, hold him up by Your mercy (Psalm 94:18). Give him the wisdom and discretion that will help him walk safely and not fall into danger (Proverbs 3:21-23). Be his fortress, strength, shield, and stronghold (Psalm 18:2,3). Make him to dwell in the shadow of Your wings (Psalm 91:1-2). Be his rock, salvation, and defense, so that he will not be moved or shaken (Psalm 62:6). I pray that even though bad things may be happening all around him, they will not come near him (Psalm 91:7). Save him from any plans of the enemy that seek to destroy his life (Psalm 103:4). Preserve his going out and coming in from this time forth and even forevermore (Psalm 121:8). 

Prayers for His Trials
Lord, You alone know the depth of the burden my husband carries. I may understand the specifics, but You have measured the weight of it on his shoulders. I’ve not come to minimize what You are doing in his life, for I know You work great things in the midst of trials. Nor am I trying to protect him from what he must face. I only want to support him so that he will get through this battle as a winner. 
God, You are our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). You have invited us to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). I come before Your throne and ask for grace for my husband. Strengthen his heart for this battle and give him patience to wait on You (Psalm 27:1-4). Build him up so that no matter what happen he will be able to stand strong through it. Help him to be always “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer” (Romans 12:12). Give him endurance to run the race and not give up, for You have said that “a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again” (Proverbs 24:16). Help him to remember that “the steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD upholds him with His hand” (Psalm 37:23,24).
I pray that he will look to You to be his “refuge until these calamities have passed by” (Psalm 57:1). May he learn to wait on You because “those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). I pray that he will find his strength in You and as he cries out to You, You will hear him and save him out of all his troubles (Psalm 34:6).
--------------------------------------------
Do you pray for your husband every day? Why not begin today?


Psalm 94:18
When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.


Psalm 62:6
Truly He is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.


Psalm 27:1-4
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked advance against me
to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.

4 One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Thankful Thursday #9

I meant to post this on Thursday, and in the frenzy of getting ready to go out-of-town, it didn't happen! Oops! So you get it today!

We've had another fun and busy week at our house, with many blessings to praise God for! Here are a few of them to share with you (as part of my 1000 gifts this year!) :
 #581- Thankful that we were able to help my parents and watch their dogs this morning!

#587- For my son's little league district championship game win on Friday night-- going to state!

 #588- My daughter Rebekah's mission team left on Saturday for a week in L.A. (Praying for their travel safety and the work they'll do for our Lord this week!)

#589- Joshua installed a new ceiling fan light in our kitchen-- yay!

 #593- Caleb and Mallory had fun on Monday at their first swim lessons! (Bethany was sick!)

#596- Bethany went to swim lessons on Tuesday and did great!
#600- Our purple salvia came back (it looked almost dead!) and is blooming in our front bed!

How about you? What are you thankful for this week?


Colossians 2:6-7
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Hebrews 12:28-29
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Works for Me Wednesday: Sink Hook

This is so simple, but it works for me!

I wear a watch (I may be one of the last people on earth who does, but I like it!) and a ring (on my right hand) every day. When I do dishes, I take them off. In the past, I have set them on the windowsill and the watch or ring has fallen into the sink, damaging or getting them wet. Or even worse... down the drain! This tip will help avoid that!

I had my hubby put a screw hook in the cupboard side near the sink. Now I can put my watch and ring on the hook while I wash dishes! I told you it was simple...


I hope this idea helps you avoid a wet watch! 


Genesis 28:15
I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Psalm 59:9
You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress.

Psalm 121:7-8
The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Monday, July 15, 2013

Prayer for my husband's choices/ Health


Several years ago, I read the book Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian. I really enjoyed the book, and typed up many of the prayers from the book so I could pray them over again for my husband, Joshua. This prayer is part of a blog series on Mondays this summer with prayers for husbands. I encourage you to print the prayers and pray them along with me for your own husband! This is a subject that is not discussed often, yet is so important in a marriage. I hope you will join me in asking God to give our husbands strength to make wise choices and for His healing touch on our husbands this week. 

See first prayer here.
See second prayer here.
See third prayer here.
See fourth prayer here.
See fifth prayer here.

Prayer for His Choices

Lord, fill my husband with the fear of the Lord and give him wisdom for every decision he makes. May he reverence You and Your ways and seek to know Your truth. Give him discernment to make decisions based on Your revelation. Help him to make godly choices and keep him from doing anything foolish. Take foolishness out of his heart and enable him to quickly recognize error and avoid it. Open his eyes to clearly see the consequences of any anticipated behavior. 
I pray that he will listen to godly counselors and not be a man who is unteachable. Give him strength to reject the counsel of the ungodly and hear Your counsel above all others. I declare that although “there are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the LORD’s counsel-that will stand” (Proverbs 19:21). Instruct him even as he is sleeping (Psalm 16:7), and in the morning, I pray that he will do what’s right, rather than follow the leading of his own flesh. I know the wisdom of this world is foolishness with You, Lord, (1 Corinthians 3:19). May he not buy into it, but keep his eyes on You and have ears to hear Your voice.


Prayers for His Health

Lord, I pray for Your healing touch on (name). Make every part of his body function the way You designed it to. Wherever there is anything out of balance, set it in perfect working order. Heal him of any disease, illness, injury, infirmity, or weakness. Strengthen his body to successfully endure his workload, and when he sleeps may he wake completely rested, rejuvenated and refreshed. Give him a strong heart that doesn’t fail. I don’t want him to have heart failure at any time.
I pray that he will have the desire to take care of his body, to eat the kind of food that brings health, to get regular exercise, and avoid anything that would be harmful to him. Help him to understand that his body is Your temple and he should care for it as such (1 Corinthians 3:16). I pray that he will present it as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to You (Romans 12:1).
When he is ill, I pray You will sustain him and heal him. Fill him with Your joy to give him strength. Specifically, I pray for (any area of concern). Give him faith to say, “’O LORD my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me’ (Psalm 30:2). Thank you, Lord, that You are my Healer.” I pray that my husband will live a long and healthy life and when death does come, may it be accompanied by peace and not unbearable suffering and agony. Thank You, Lord, that You will be there to welcome him into Your presence, not a moment before Your appointed hour.

----------------------------------------------------------

Psalm 16:7
I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.


1 Corinthians 3:19

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”;


1 Corinthians 3:16
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?


Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Thankful Thursday #8

We've had another busy week in the summer time here, and I have many things to be thankful for...

 #558- Caleb got his new uniform for All-Stars baseball in little league-- I think he looks so great!
 Mallory was all ready for the Independence Day parade!
 #564- Walking to the 4th of July parade, I loved seeing my hubby holding hands and walking with my two little girls... so sweet!
 #566- We took the kids to see "Despicable Me 2" in the theater-- so fun!
 #567- Caleb has had great All-Star games-- they've won three four so far!
 Sliding into home...
 #574- We had rain this weekend after a game, and went to DQ with my parents-- Bethany and Grandpa are buddies!
 Summer deliciousness for the kids-- kool-aid made into popsicles!
#575- Thankful that I made perler bead crafts with Mallory several (& other kids too) days this week-- summer fun!
#579- Thankful for time to play and hang out with my sister-in-law Morgan and her kids. They are trying to sell their home and move out of town this summer, so we will take any get togethers with their family that we can get! We will really miss them!


God has once again blessed us this week! What are you thankful for this week? Have you told God about it? I'm so glad He is showing off in our lives-- what a joy!


Jonah 2:9
But I, with shouts of grateful praise,
will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good.
I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’”


Psalm 35:18
I will give you thanks in the great assembly;
among the throngs I will praise you.


Revelation 11:17
saying: “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
the One who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power
and have begun to reign.

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