My Sewing/Craft Room

My darling Husband worked very hard to make my Craft Room dreams come true!

Will & Amy worked hard also!

It is gorgeous!

 

farm puzzles

farm puzzle with quilt medalions on the barn

I have a like/hate relationship with my serger!

button jar & little figurines

Mine & Amy's sewing tables back to back

work/cutting/crafting/bookshelf table ~ Pinterest idea..box underneath is my fair projects.

Truth for Thursdays

Our Christian walk/relationship with the Lord is very important to us.

It should be the most important part of our lives & days but sadly, the world creeps in and sometimes our focus is on the world & not so much on the Lord.

Through prayer, Bible reading, sermon listening, discernment, and focus, we can put our eyes & hearts back where they need to be.

We rejoice that the Bible clearly spells out the way to Christ.

He is ALL we need.  Its not Christ & (anything else).

Its just Christ . (period)

He did it all for us.

And guard our minds, and our eyes, and our thoughts/intentions

This is our homeschool family verse!

Fair Week

We are elbow deep in

metal art

framing

grout

painting

binding

sewing

labeling

making a list & checking it twice

organizing

stenciling

weaving

decoupage

etc.

I called off school for this week...we are getting these things finished if humanly possible!

And last year, I said "we are going to be more organized next year".

HA...didn't happen!

But there is always next year!!!!

Here is a little funny I found on Pinterest last week....is so describes some of my friends and I

Sermon by Charlie Daniels

The following is a sermon given by Charlie Daniels...(yes, of the Charlie Daniels Band) on the National Day of Prayer--May 3rd, 2012.  I didn't know this good man had such a passion for God and for America .  What Charlie said:  Leave it to Charlie Daniels to tell it like it is!

This speech was given by Charlie at the Wilson County Day of Prayer Celebration on May 3rd 2012.

National Day of Prayer Speech 2012

"I didn't come here today to attend a social event or to talk about meaningless things or to make points with the community I love so very much.
I will make no attempt at humor or trivialities; my mission here today is to come together with my brothers and sisters in the body of Jesus Christ to plead with our Creator to give America another chance.
It is not my intention to offend any person or to point an accusing finger at any group or ideology and it is not my aim to judge any man, I have no right to judge, I am a sinner whose only hope is in the boundless mercy of Almighty God and the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.
In my 75 years on earth America has fallen from a God fearing nation where family and fidelity were honored, to a nation which our own president says is no longer a Christian nation and where promiscuity and adultery are accepted as a given.
We have come from a nation of doers to a nation of takers and a society so permissive we fear to utter a word of criticism, against the vilest of social practices because we're afraid of seeming out of touch with the times and being shunned as a fuddy duddy who doesn't understand the new morality.
Well there is no new morality, there's only one morality and it was passed down to mankind by the word of Almighty God, and He changes not.
Our enemy is powerful and has had millenniums of years and thousands of generations to explore the weaknesses of mankind, what temptations are the most appealing, the seduction of wealth and power, sex and drugs.
The introduction of cable television has turned the public airwaves into a cesspool of pornography, available to impressionable young children at the touch of a button.
Most music videos have little to do with music any more but flaunt blatant sexuality and anti-social behavior, and even the most vulgar words have become vocabulary and lexicon among our teenagers.
We have become so politically correct that we won't even stand down those who deny even the existence of the God we serve and fight tooth and nail to have any mention of His name removed from every official document and even from public view.  America folded her hands and let a handful of self-serving politicians pass laws that forbid a child to say a prayer in school.

Well America , the farther we drift from God the more lost we become.  We have a decision to make. Are we going to continue down this path to certain destruction or are we going to turn back to our only true hope?
If we want to please God we've got to make a stand, to go against the tide of popular culture, against public opinion, to bear the white hot lash of criticism and the hurtful sting of ridicule.

Abortion is a foregone conclusion. Man says it's all right to destroy the unborn; after all they're just blobs of flesh.
But God says He knew us in our mother's womb and knitted the pieces together and scheduled the days of our lives.
Man says that God should not be part of public life but God says you should love the Lord your God with all your heart and that means acknowledging Him in public as well as private.
Man says there's nothing wrong with same sex marriage but under the old covenant and the new covenant there is something very wrong with it.

The world claims to find salvation in Humanism, Buddhism, Hinduism and any number of faiths based on man being his own god but there is no salvation for ourselves or our nation in these new age concepts, there is only one place to turn to save America.

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is not the same as the god of Mohammad, Khomeini and Osama bin Laden.
There is only one God and his name is Jehovah.
He is a loving God, but he is a jealous God.
He is a God of compassion but he is also a God of wrath.
He is a fair God who deals with the nations according to how they have dealt with His Son, His law and His chosen people of Israel .
God told Abraham, he who blesses you I will bless and he who curses you I will curse, and He changes not.
Are we listening America ? Do we take it seriously or is God's word, as some would have you believe, just an old and ancient manmade writing that is no longer relevant in our world today?

On this National Day of Prayer the verse from Isaiah will be repeated thousands of times, as it should be. It encompasses the sole purpose for this meeting this morning.
The Bible says, if My people, who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
God has blessed America above every other nation on the face of the earth and we, as a nation, have turned our backs on Him.

It's up to us because, if My people would turn, if My people would repent, if My people will pray.
So today when we pray let's forget the pressures, the prejudices, the political parties and all the other distractions that exist right outside that door and as the word says, come together as touching and beseech Almighty God for one more chance for America, that for the sake of those who are called by His Name He will send a revival, a reformation to our nation.

That He will embolden and strengthen His servants and give us a will and a purpose and the determination to go forth from this place and make a difference, each in their own way.

I would close in paraphrasing a verse of scripture:
What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
What does it profit a nation if it gains the whole world, and loses its own soul? What do you think?
Pray for our troops, and for our county.
God Bless America ."

Charlie Daniels

 I received the above message in an email this morning ~ it was too good not to share!  Lots to think about~

 

 

Crunch Week

Its here....fair turn in week!  We are completing projects.  We still have messes everywhere.  We've got to reword a couple of items to make them sturdier for entry. 
Everything has to be labeled and put on the entry sheets.

I am going to be using the crockpot alot this week!  

Last night was Pizza Hut (Greg declared this past weekend ~ Mom No Cook weekend, in honor of my birthday...it was great)

  Monday ~ crockpot potato soup

Tuesday ~ crockpot chicken Fajitas (new recipe) with Rice

Wed. ~ pork chops or pork loin, vegetables

Thursday ~ Mashed potatoes, hamburger gravy, vegetables

Friday ~ chili, cornbread (fair entry day)

Saturday ~ maybe grill something

On Sat. Greg painted the walls in the sewing/craft room for me ~ I am loving the neutral color on the walls now.  Yesterday, Will and Amy got up there and cleaned the baseboard areas from all the paint scrapping, sanding, and dust.  Then we got busy and arranged, re arranged, and maybe finally arranged the room (no guarantees there!)~ Greg, James and & Will were my strong, heavy toters and furniture movers.   I stayed up there another couple of hours and cleaned up, put up, made the daybed, ironed some stuff, etc.  Amy helped for most of that.  We also hung up some Farm Scene completed jigsaw puzzles (quilts on either the fences or barns in these), and my large sewing notions puzzle we did.  I put a quilt my grandmother made on the daybed, and an afghan will go at the foot of the bed from my other grandmother (one had quilting skills and one had crochet skills and we benefited from both!)

Amy and I are still looking for a cute sewing type fabric for the windows ~ Hobby Lobby had a cute one, but we can't find it now.  More stuff will be hung on the walls after the fair~definitely my quilted wall hanging.

 

If I can get the new blogger to upload the sewing room pictures I will post them later (I do NOT like the new format, its harder for me to use).

We are enjoying the cooler weather.  70's and low to mid 80's is a blessing after 95+ degrees for months.

Time to get busy!

Oh, Greg got me a digital picture frame...now we need to figure out how to load all our grandbaby pictures on there! 

Childhood/Teenage Memories

Ours had 5 candleholders & I think we had blue Bulbs!

girl scout pins

Much time spent using one of these!

filled many a book with these!

Haha!  Sorry to brag!

First Grade!

 

yummy candy!  Grape & lime were my favorite!

had these for my 45's

This looks just like my brownie uniform!

Captain Kangaroo!

had these in our freezer!

Being a Keeper at Home

This was sent to the members of the Betty Crocker Homemakers Society in the 1920's.  The statements pretty well explain what being a Keeper at Home is.  Some of the changes from the last 90 + years would include ~~~ staying at home: many women that don't work outside the home are never home, we live in a very mobile, very active society; another would be not seeing homemaking as noble, challenging, or influential. and that includes the homemakers.  Most days, especially with little ones, it is a challenge to get the laundry done, nourish yourself, take care of babies, straighten up the home, and get dinner ready.  Routines come in very handy then, and schedules if need be.

I've worked on both sides of the working outside the home/working at home debate.  I've taken little ones to sitters or daycare, gone to a fulltime job, picked up cranky little blessings, gone home, fixed dinner, and did bedtime routines.  I did not like working at offices and being away from my children all day. And for a time, I worked in an ideal environment as my Dads secretary at his insurance office...and James stayed with my Mom.  Many times, I would look out the window and James & Granny were coming up to the door.  But I was still away from my home and my child.  Its hard.  I know that not everyone wants to stay at home ~ many fall into the camp of...I am just tolerating this until my child is old enough for daycare, or school starts back or whatever ~~~ you are missing a wonderful blessing.  And to those who HAVE to work or the basic living bills don't get paid (rent, food, utilities not 2nd car payment, extravagant vacation, private schools),  I pray the Lord will provide a way for you to be home.

I love being a fulltime Wife, Mom, Homemaker, Teacher, Errand Runner, Taxi Driver, Nurse, Cook, Supervisor, Task Assigner, Researcher, Counselor, Listener, Corrector, Guider, Gardener, Menu Planner, Cheerleader, Maid, etc.  I also have 2 apprentices that are being trained daily in many of these areas, some they are quite proficient in accomplishing and there is still training going on in other areas.  Amy will know and have the skills it takes to run a home everyday, Will is going to have the skills and will appreciate what it means for his future wife to be a keeper at home.  I want our home to be inviting to Greg when he gets off work ~ I want dinner getting ready, his favorite beverage prepared (right now its grape koolaid), the house relatively clean, and calmness to reign.  Yes, this sounds old fashioned, quaint, unattainable to some ~ buts its my life and I love it!

Thanks to my Mom for setting such a great example for us! I am glad that she was there all the time ~ trying to "train us in the way we should go".  I know it wasn't an easy job but you handled it gracefully and lovingly!

And as Dorothy said, as she clicked her heels....

There's no place like home....there's no place like home!

Truth for Thursdays

HE is our strength when we are weak~

Why Am I Doing This?

Yesterday, last  night, and this morning ~ I've been contemplating Fair Projects.  Both the completed ones and the ones yet to start or finish.  And I am wondering "why am I doing this"?  Or at least, why am I doing projects that I don't even like...just to have another completed project?

I love the sewing, crochet, smocking, quilting, wreath making, decoupage, painting wood, etc. Sewing covers cross stitch, embroidery, needlepoint, clothing, toys, etc)  I love helping Amy and Will complete projects.  But there are some projects that I have done this year and in years past that I only do once a year and thats just to fill that category in the book.  No one will know but me and the fair officials if I have the most projects in the fair or only 1 project.

Honestly, I do like seeing blue ribbons on my projects.  They are things I love doing and the ribbons are a validation that they are done well (I do wish with white or red ribbons ~ they explained what was wrong with the project that knocked it down in the judging).  Each of these ribbons earns a set amount of $$ and that is a great incentive.  Last year, my check went to help with our Disney trip ~ this year it will go to help celebrate Greg's 50th birthday in Jan.  I can see Will & Amy's confidence levels increase with each learned skill and completed project.

I've decided that I can go through life without ever doing the following crafts again.....and really not miss them ~~~~~  quilling, paper snipping, metal art, string art, and  paper mache.  Some of these are already completed for this year and will be entered.  But its not likely a priority for next year or after.

I've decided to stick with what I love, concentrate on those things, and do them to the best of my ability.

And what brought on all these thoughts?  Sitting at my embroidery machine yesterday, looking at designs, and watching projects stitch out.  Seeing my quilt in the frame waiting for some attention, looking at my patterns for clothes for Amy, seeing toy projects I would like to make for Robert, thinking about shower/wedding gifts for our 2 new daughter in laws, projects that I would like to make for sale at the craft fair we are doing in Oct.

Happy Crafting ~ I am ready to get back to sewing!

Last Night

Yesterday, I decided to "try" crockpot Lasagna again.  The first attempt was 6 or more years ago, and not successful.  But, we are busy with fair projects and school...wanted lasagna for dinner, so I was willing to try again.

First of all, I didn't have the wide lasagna noodles so I decided to use curly noodles.  Amy emphatically assured me, that this was NOT ok with her ~~~ it just wouldn't taste the same, you can't substitute noodles (I ignored her advice).

I got all my layers in the crockpot, turned it on, and let it cook for the day.  I do love the fact that once the crockpot is on, dinner is cooking itself, and I don't have to stand over it.

Now, we get to dinnertime..... here is the conversation

Greg ~ what are we having
Me ~ crockpot lasagna
Greg ~ when we tried that before, we decided to never to it again
Amy ~ I told her that and she didn't listen to me
Me ~ We are trying it again
Will ~ not a word...probably thinking lets say the blessing and eat.

Blessing from Greg ~ Father, thank you for this food...I'm sure it will be good (insert laughter) Amen

NOTE:  when you cook lasagna in the crockpot it does not stay in layers like in the pan in the oven.  The layers sort of meld, mesh, squish together.

Greg ~ this is good, lets keep this recipe
Amy ~ I still like the lasagna noodles better and it cooked in the oven
Will ~ nothing...ate 2 large plates full, just like his Dad!!!!!

My family is "special" and some days it shows more than others.  Can't wait to see the reaction to tonights Crock Pot Red Beans & Rice.

Found this on pinterest and everytime I read it, I laugh.......its so true (and could become reality for my "picky" family)


(This is truly what happened last night,  I didn't change any names to protect the guilty!)

Monday, Monday......

With homeschool ~ we are "managing" to keep busy!  Our studies have been whittled down some to a more manageable list.  We are listening to "Drive By Church History"~very interesting if you want to know how everything really started and the why's behind some of the traditions of men (lots aren't Biblical), Proverbs Study, Geometry, Ancient Rome, Study & Memory Skills, Zoology.

Our afternoons are filled with filled with craft projects, cleaning up craft messes, adding projects, etc.  We've got our new fair books, entry forms, and cards to label all our projects.  We keep finding things that aren't finished or that we wanted to do for this year ~ so we have to access what can easily be accomplished between now and Friday next week.  Then we start on next years projects!

Here are our menu's for the week...Greg helped with these

last night was Stir Fry
Monday night "lasagna" using rotini noodles (because thats what I have)
Tuesday night crock pot red beans and rice (new recipe from Pinterest)
Wed. Sloppy Joes & french fries
Thursday ~ Pirate Stew (its our homeschool potluck/craft night for families)
Friday ~ kids will be at Bible Drill Camp...date night for Donna & Greg!
Sat. ~ engagement party for Andy & Amy
Sunday ~ my birthday....kitchen is closed, we are eating out!

Here is the link for the Red Beans & Rice ~ its a Southern Living Recipe
http://www.southernliving.com/food/holidays-occasions/new-orleans-mardi-gras-recipes-00417000071840/page9.html

Fun Friday

Its been a fun Friday ~ for someone who likes to accomplish chores and have a free afternoon.
Fridays are home ec days at our house.  This morning we got the sheets on all the beds changed, washed, and dried.  All the clothes to be ironed from the laundry this week, were ironed this morning.  The bathrooms were cleaned.  The carpets were vacuumed and the wood floor in the living room "dusted".

The we worked on some fair projects and did some reading.

Afterwards, off to lunch at McDonalds ~ its cheap!  And to buy some goodies at Walmart.

When we got home, Amy hooked up our laptop to the TV and we all watched "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers".  Its awesome that we can watch movies through Amazon prime on our tv.  I really wanted to watch "State Fair" or the original "Yours, Mine & Ours" but they weren't  free ~ you had to rent them.  Since I bought some books this week for my Kindle, I didn't need to spend any $$ on movies today.

When Greg got home he indulged my wish to learn how to do stained glass.  He learned how years ago and still had all the supplies.  This is a category in the fair and I don't think I've seen one entered before.  My piece is a stained glass quilt square in white, green, orange, and yellow. It isn't perfect...but neither are my quilt squares!!! Now Amy wants to make one, so Greg will be busy this weekend.

Amy is fixing our dinner and then we are watching a movie of Gregs choice on Amazon.

Lots to do this weekend!  Tomorrow morning is our date morning.  And we've got 2 parties back to back to attend in the afternoon/evening.  Sunday is church & Youth Choir rehersal.

Hope everyone has a fantastic, fun, family weekend!

Pictures next week of some projects!

Truth for Thursday

Beautiful Verses and lovely posters!  I found these yesterday on Pinterest.

I want my children to have a servants heart and to do for others...whether it be family, church family, friends or strangers...

Yesterday that happened in our home ~ full scale

Amy baked cupcakes for our Pastors 50th birthday surprise party at church ~

8 dozen yummy cupcakes!

creativity is a messy business

yummy accomplishment!

The Birthday Pastor & Amy!

I am sharing this post at ~
http://mysimplecountryliving.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-country-homemaker-hop-37_12.html 

Blogs

Its funny to read other peoples blogs sometimes.  It makes you really wonder if thats their life or are they putting up a front to look good.  Do they really believe and live out all they share?

I do know that life is messy.  Its messy for everyone!  Some folks are honest about it and some adopt a "Pollyanna" attitude.  Some put up a front and make believe everything is peachy when its really rotten.

I read several different blogs ~ most are listed on my sidebar.  I do not agree with everything I read.  I don't follow what everyone says is the best way to do "whatever".  I laugh at some of the posts because I personally know some of these folks and can imagine the scenes they talk about in their homes.  And I shake my head at some of them because I know that what they write about and how they live are 2 very different things. 

I hope no one ever reads this blog and thinks "Man, she's got it all together" ~ that never happens.  We've got 8 kids, 1 grandson, 6 dogs, 6 chickens, a bunny, a busy church schedule, busy dance schedule, homeschool schedule, and all our household chores.  Some days I would much rather sit on the sofa to read or cross stitch than handle any of the above.  But, as much as I would like it somedays its not "all about me", its about the family, cooking, cleaning, schooling, gardening, etc.  And most of the time, I love all those things. 

In our home we are trying to base our lives/beliefs/convictions on Gods word ~ the Bible.  If we are convicted that something we've been doing is wrong ~ we eliminate it.  If we need to add something additional, we do.  We are at church Sundays and Wed. and some days in between.  We do homeschool, we do most of our cooking from scratch, we grow a garden, we stay home most days and accomplish our "home" work, we have a budget & usually live on it (it gets the bills paid and allows us to indulge in extras like a vacation), we don't sign up for every homeschool opportunity available~if we did we would never be home, we aren't perfect.  And we no one we know is perfect.

In saying all of this, there are some blogs I have eliminated from my reading list.  If reading a blog consistently make me annoyed then I don't need that in my life.  But, it is their opinion and they certainly have a right to it ~ just like I do on my blog.  I am amazed that the people who read my blog, that feel they have the "right" to be critical of me/us and leave nasty comments.  I will tell you the same things I tell my kids....if you don't have anything nice to say ~ then don't talk.  We will never all agree about everything ~ school choice, clothing, lifestyle, religion, worship styles, working, etc.  But I can't be less than honest if I am going to talk about something ~ so that no one gets hurt.  Just don't read if you don't like it.

I am constantly inspired to read about everyones gardens, their harvest, all their animals, crafts they are working on to fill their daughters hopeschests, their quilting, and just some funny day to day happenings. 

We all have loads to be thankful for in our lives.  I do try to be thankful in all things (but its hard sometimes).  I am thankful for the friends I have made through blogging that I will probably never meet in person.  I am thankful for their honesty, their creativity, their sharing, and their openness.  I don't always take the time to comment but I do read them frequently!

Happy blogging!

Crunch Time

In 2 1/2 weeks, all the fair projects will be turned in.  We've been really busy and still have work to complete.  So far I've got a project for the following categories completed and ready to be entered....
Hand Quilted Baby Quilt, HQ Pillow, HQ Wall Hanging, Hand Quilted Misc.~table runner,  Machine Quilting Wall Hanging, M Q Quilt (moms pinwheel quilt), M Q Misc.~table runner, Fine thread crochet ~ edgings 36", FC misc.~ bracelet, Counted Cross Stitch picture over 11x14 ~ Donnas kitchen, picture under 11x14, CCS small item, CCS afghan, CCS Misc. item, Hand Embroidery pair of pillowcases, HE picture, HE embroidery garment (jacket), HE Smocked item (dress), HE Misc. (dress), Candlewicking, HE candlewicking (have to frame), HE set of 6 napkins, HE  tea towel, HE hardanger, Hand Needlework chickenscratch, Yarn Crochet Baby Afghan, Ceramics glazed item, Ceramics Misc.,  Bags Tote & Novelty, Wood working/metal arts metal item (dragonfly), Wooden misc. purple tulip plant poke,  Decoupage item, Weaving~macrame angel, ribbon purse, Wreath, paper snipping, stenciled item (John Deere tractor), Mosaic trivet, glass etching.  If I counted correctly...thats 42 items.

The rules are, if the item was made in the current year or the previous year, it can be entered in the 2012 fair.  Some of these, I didn't finish in time for last year so they will be entered this year.

Still in the works are a hand embroidered luncheon cloth (pic will be below), a hand quilted table runner, and a hand quilted wall hanging.  The table cloth ~ I am ready for it to be done, its turning out great but 4 corners of the same pattern are getting tedious.  It will go in Amy's hopechest when its completed.  There are 3 panels on the table runner and I've got rows to quilt on the last panel ~ then the binding has to be put on it.  We've got some grout to finish on the tiled items.  And some pictures to get framed.

Amy & Will are working on their painted wood items.  Every afternoon is crafting time after the school work is completed.  We've also got to get the backing on their needlepoint items & frame their cross stitch.  Yes, my 18 year old son knows how to cross stitch.  Its great for eye/and coordination, reading a pattern and following instructions.  His needlepoint items is a quilt square done on plastic canvas and his cross stitch is a small owl. And Amy is learning some wood working techniques from her dad.  I like keeping their hands and minds busy and this is a great way to accomplish that.

Here are a couple of pictures of what I'm working on...

1 corner of luncheon cloth

hand embroidered scarecrow

cross stitch with beads ~ Rose

These last couple of weeks will be busy! 

Monday Musings

If you like crafts, and free projects at that, Pinterest is the place to find them.

It amazing what you can find on there for FREE.  (We really like free)

I've got ideas/free patterns/directions for...

cross stitch

hand embroidery

crochet

sewing

baby projects

smocking

crockpot recipes

breakfast recipes

dinner recipes

sweets recipes

birthday parties

harvest celebrations

patriotic celebrations

homeschool

grandchildren ideas

gift baskets

gifts to make

homemade cleaners

homemade mixes (no more little packets)

canning/preserving

sewing room ideas

scripture cards

quilting

state fair projects

and many, many more

I will probably never be able to start/complete most of them but the looking/pinning is free and fun.

You do have to be careful...there are pitfalls to Pinterest...

too much time on there (lack of self control ~ guilty)

a quite liberal use of blasphemy by others when exclaiming over a "pin"

pictures that are inappropriate (you can report these)

coveting (stuff you never knew you "needed")

discontent

too many great ideas and not enough time

I have learned that when you see something you like...you should repin it then because you may not find it again later...or ever.

I am surprised at the guys that like it...Greg, Allen, and possibly Andy ~ just in my family.  Its not just for gals.  We've found some cute wood working projects on there ~ John Deere tractor bunk beds!

But basically it all boils down to this some days...

 

and one more little funny I found last week....

I know some chihuahua's who love this game!

Hectic is Happening

It didn't take long for "hectic" to come set up residence in our home.

These last 2 weeks have been busy, busy, busy!

We started school last week!

Amy's dance lessons started last week...3 days a week!

We had all of our kids here last weekend, but Allen & Jennifer!

(hectic and fun do go together sometimes!)

We had a hurricane ~ thankfully we just got lots of rain.

A friend at church suddenly passed away.

We had a 3 day weekend!

Cooked our first fellowship meal for the church for this school year ~ between 80-100 came!

Amy accepted a "hire" for baking & is making cupcakes for a birthday party tomorrow.

For the rest of the month we've got...

church visitation

youth activities
a baby shower

homeschool youth dinner

homeschool potluck & activity night

finish fair projects & turn them in

my birthday

Amy & Andy's Engagement party

watching football games

+ all of our regular activities

A few more pictures from our weekend.....

reading with Auntie Amy

3 Generations...Daddy, daughter, grandson

A boy and his grandpa!

Grandma loves to kiss me!

But Mommy...why didn't I get any apple crisp?

Looking forward to our next visit ~ whenever that may be!

Truth for Thursday

Romans 1:16-17

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God in salvation fr everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.  Ft in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written. "The just shall live by faith."

Romans 3:23-26

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."

Romans 6:12-14

"Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.  And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.  For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace."

Romans 8:28-30

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.  Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified' and whom He justified, these He also glorified."

Romans 10:14-15

"How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed"  And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard:  And how shall they hear without a preacher:  And how shall they preach unless they are sent"  As it is written: 'Beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace.  Who bring glad tidings of good things.'" 

Romans 12:9-13

  "Let love be without hypocrisy.  Abhor what is evil.  Cling to what is good.  Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another, not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer, distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality." 

Romans14:10b-11

"For we shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ.  For it is written; 'As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.'  So then each of us shall give account of himself to God."

Romans 14:19

"Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another."

Romans was written by Paul to a church in Rome.  

This letter contains a detailed description of

1) the sinfulness of man (1:18-3:20)

2) an extensive discussion of justification by faith (3:21-5:11)

3) an elaborate explanation of sanctification (5:12-8:39)

4) a strong section on the doctrine of election (9:1-29)

5) an explanation of what happened to the nation of Israel and the destiny of God's people (9:1-11:36)

6) an extended section addressing spiritual gifts (12:1-8)

7) instructions on the believers relationship to government (13:1-14)

Romans is the most doctrinal book n the Bible.  Because it provides a systematic outline of the essentials of the Christian faith, it is as useful to the mature believer as it is to someone who wants a short introduction to the Christian faith .

(The details about the book of Romans & the outline are taken from the Introduction sections to the book in the New King James Version of the Holy Bible.)

 

 

Funnies from Pinterest

So true and so remember-able!

Thankful for my best friend!

how sad!

Its Amazing

Its Amazing to listen...

You learn a lot...

Lots of things you didn't know were going on...

Lots of foolish decisions being made...

Lots of lifestyles being justified...

Lots of choices they shouldn't even be considering...

Lots of attitudes that are becoming more & more apparent...

Lots of "traps" they are getting caught in...

Lots of advice they are being given they should not listen to...

Lots of wanting/expecting something for nothing...

Lots of self centered attitudes & actions...

Lots of disrespect...

Its apparent that...

they didn't listen...

our opinion doesn't matter...

they didn't learn from our mistakes...

they are forgetting their upbringing...

they are being influenced by foolishness...

Peer pressure is alive and well...

they are not content & want more, bigger, better, and newer.

So what can you do?

Bite your tongue.

Clench your teeth.

Guard your mouth.

Listen with amazement.

and

PRAY

 

 

Robert visits Mississippi for the 1st Time!

Grandma loves me! 

Uncle Rob & nephew Robert

Grandboy #1 (and only) is visiting for a couple of days with his Mommy &Daddy.  This is his first visit to Grandma & Grandpa Jacksons house!

He is a big boy now at 2 months old....

Naptime on Grandma's bed!

HI!

Hey look...I can stick my tongue out! 

So thats where the flashing light is coming from...Auntie Amy has the camera!

Chillin' with Grandpa

Helping my Uncles watch football ~ I don't what all the excitement is about!

Napping with Grandma ~ she is playing backgammon on the kindle~