when things go wrong

I thank God for His hand in my life. 
Not everything that occurs in this world is THE will of God [there is always the sin factor], but nothing happens without His knowledge. And He CAN work EVERY situation for my good.
And I am so thankful.
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: 
for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: 
but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us 
with groanings which cannot be uttered.   
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth 
what is the mind of the Spirit, 
because he maketh intercession for the saints 
according to the will of God. 
And we know that all things 
work together for good 
to them that love God, 
to them who are the called 
according to his purpose. 
Romans 8:26-28
for the Thankful Challenge link-up!

something modern

Today, I am thankful for my refrigerator. 
If it were not for the ability to consistently keep foods cold, we could not have leftovers! and I would have to cook today. I love cooking, but after yesterday I am very thankful to be able to simply reheat foods!
A refrigerator also allows me to buy certain foods in larger quantities at a time than if we did not have one. I am thankful we do not have to stop by the market every single day to gather certain things needed for our supper that day.
Also, I am planning to can some apple sauce today-since I do not have to cook! YEAH.

a goodly heritage

a goodly heritage

The Lord has blessed me above even comprehension. I was not born into a Christian home, but my parents were saved when I was young. Their salvation led to my own at a young age; and my earliest vivid memories are from being at church, in Sunday School. 
I attended a Christian School or was homeschooled my entire life. I even graduated from Bible College. 
My parents sheltered me from much of the world. They knew the heartache that the world brings and wanted better for my brother and me.
 
There were those who did not agree with my parent’s parenting, and there were times I did not understand either. But looking back as an adult, I realize they always did what they felt was best for me.
 
We had fun, went to the coast, went hiking, played in the park, rode bikes around our neighborhood, washed the car with Daddy, had picnics… 
 
And! I learned how to clean a house [though you would not always know it from walking into mine!]. I learned how to plan meals and cook. I learned how to be giving and hospitable. I learned to sew and to love making things for my family and loved ones.

 
I learned of God. His Word. I learned to sing, for Him. I love music. I love to sing. And I am so glad that I know songs that honor Him and that I know Bible verses that bring comfort and encouragement and that I know the right way to live. This does not mean I always live right. There is a difference between knowing and doing; but I am glad I KNOW. There are those who were not taught!
 
Now that I am grown and have a full family of my own, I am thankful that my children have grandparents that pray for them, love them, shower them with encouragement and gifts. I am thankful my parents share with us. I am glad that they want the best for me [still] and my family. 
 
I am so thankful that I married the man my parents approved of! If there was one piece of advice I could give any unmarried girl, no matter her age, it would be: Do NOT marry a man your parents are not comfortable with or cannot give their blessing to. I have yet to meet a lady who did marry outside her parent’s blessing that did not regret it. 
 
God was smiling on this citified-country-girl {or am I a countrified-city-girl?} the day He gave me to my parents. He knew what my life needed for me to find Him and learn how to follow Him. Thank you, Lord, for my parents.
I love you, Mom and Dad!
I would not trade your love and care 
for my pick of all the bigger houses in the world! 
 ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~
Goodly Heritage {lyrics}
1 I may not have riches 
as some others may
  But I have a mother 
who knows how to pray
  And maybe there’s some things 
I missed in my youth
  But I have a father 
who stands for the truth
Chorus:
  I have a goodly heritage
I’m blessed with things you can’t see
  I have a goodly heritage
And that is worth far more to me
2 And if in the future, 
my parents pass on,
  To dwell in that City 
we’ve come to call Home
  They may not leave me 
the goods of this world
  But I have accepted 
Chorus:
  I have a goodly heritage
I’m blessed with things you can’t see
  I have a goodly heritage
And that is worth far more to me.
I have everything, all that I need
All that I need, treasures unseen,
And that is worth far more to me. 
The Lord has blessed me above even comprehension. I was not born into a Christian home, but my parents were saved when I was young. Their salvation led to my own at a young age; and my earliest vivid memories are from being at church, in Sunday School. 
I attended a Christian School or was homeschooled my entire life. I even graduated from Bible College. 
My parents sheltered me from much of the world. They knew the heartache that the world brings and wanted better for my brother and me.
 
There were those who did not agree with my parent’s parenting, and there were times I did not understand either. But looking back as an adult, I realize they always did what they felt was best for me.
 
We had fun, went to the coast, went hiking, played in the park, rode bikes around our neighborhood, washed the car with Daddy, had picnics… 
 
And! I learned how to clean a house [though you would not always know it from walking into mine!]. I learned how to plan meals and cook. I learned how to be giving and hospitable. I learned to sew and to love making things for my family and loved ones.

 
I learned of God. His Word. I learned to sing, for Him. I love music. I love to sing. And I am so glad that I know songs that honor Him and that I know Bible verses that bring comfort and encouragement and that I know the right way to live. This does not mean I always live right. There is a difference between knowing and doing; but I am glad I KNOW. There are those who were not taught!
 
Now that I am grown and have a full family of my own, I am thankful that my children have grandparents that pray for them, love them, shower them with encouragement and gifts. I am thankful my parents share with us. I am glad that they want the best for me [still] and my family. 
 
I am so thankful that I married the man my parents approved of! If there was one piece of advice I could give any unmarried girl, no matter her age, it would be: Do NOT marry a man your parents are not comfortable with or cannot give their blessing to. I have yet to meet a lady who did marry outside her parent’s blessing that did not regret it. 
 
God was smiling on this citified-country-girl {or am I a countrified-city-girl?} the day He gave me to my parents. He knew what my life needed for me to find Him and learn how to follow Him. Thank you, Lord, for my parents.
I love you, Mom and Dad!
I would not trade your love and care 
for my pick of all the bigger houses in the world! 
 ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~
Goodly Heritage {lyrics}
1 I may not have riches 
as some others may
  But I have a mother 
who knows how to pray
  And maybe there’s some things 
I missed in my youth
  But I have a father 
who stands for the truth
Chorus:
  I have a goodly heritage
I’m blessed with things you can’t see
  I have a goodly heritage
And that is worth far more to me
2 And if in the future, 
my parents pass on,
  To dwell in that City 
we’ve come to call Home
  They may not leave me 
the goods of this world
  But I have accepted 
Chorus:
  I have a goodly heritage
I’m blessed with things you can’t see
  I have a goodly heritage
And that is worth far more to me.
I have everything, all that I need
All that I need, treasures unseen,
And that is worth far more to me. 

signature

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a cheesy smile

I love when my kids give those cheesy grins for pictures. They know they are cute!
My youngest daughter has the cheesiest smile of all my girlies. and I love it!
She loves her big sisters.
She is so cute when she whispers, trying to be quiet while her baby brother sleeps.
She wants to help and be just as big as Kyria. or Anya.
She loves to sing. 
   and look at books. [and make stacks everywhere]
   and color. [and leave the crayons out]
   and pretend play.
   and kiss Mommy. randomly.
   and kiss Corban. alot!
Mikalah Elisabeth
her name means:  Who is like My God? My God is Abundance!
I pray that she truly learns and knows just how Big our God is! He is Abundance. and there is NO god like Him.
She is my own personal wind-storm. and I thank God for her!

the little teacher

My 7 yo daughter, Kyria [pronounced like Syria], enjoys reading to her younger sisters [ages 3 & 4]. 
She plays school with them on the weekend and teaches them letters and numbers.
She tries to make them understand how to add.
She explains the intricacies of organizing toys and stacking pillows.
She loves order and enjoys setting things ‘just so’ -like setting the table for supper or stacking the silverware in the proper slots. putting clothes away in her drawers.

She loves to sing and often makes up her own songs about God and serving Him and loving Him. She loves Bible verse songs. and Patch the Pirate.

Kyria Esther
her name means the noble or elect [Christian] lady. shining light, star
She has excepted Christ. My prayer is that she learn to truly follow Christ with her life. She always wants to have tracts to hand out and her heart is soft and sweet towards those who are obviously not saved.
I thank God for making her my first-born.

support

Today I am embarking on an endeavor that seems a little overwhelming to me [and which I will blog about only as the Lord leads]. but I have family and friends who are sure I can accomplish my goals and are praying and supporting me. I even have a friend who is going to join me.
I thank God that sometimes He wraps His invisible arms around me in the figure of a human. and tells me He loves me in the form of another’s encouraging words or embracing arms.  
How has God shown His love to you?
[beyond salvation]

for the Thankful Challenge link-up!

I will not be posting tomorrow.

fellowship

During the school year my church has a ladies meeting one evening a month [we take a break through the summer months].
We read missionary letters. which can help us pray better for them.
We have a project. This month was Thanksgiving baskets for the older members of our church. We also have projects such as making goodie bags for the bus children and gift bags for the missionaries scheduled to come through during the year.
We have a devotion given by a different sweet lady each month. 
This month we were challenged to really and truly deny ourselves for the cause of Christ. 
I am thankful for this sweet time of fellowship. It is refreshing and rejuvenating. both emotionally and spiritually.
for the Thankful Challenge link-up!