T-r-o-u-b-l-e perhaps?

I can't imagine life without her. And some days I can't imagine how I'll live with her.

 Words #2:
"A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."  Proverbs 15:1

Watch your mouth---#1

"Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips." Psalms 141:3

Breakfast is ready

Yesterday morning John woke us up and said "Breakfast is ready!"


(hairdo by Daddy)








Thanks Chef!

and McDonalds!

49 Weeks of Words

Okay. So I'm a little behind. Therefore it will be 49 instead of 52.

One of those 'resolutions' I made at the new year, was to be more much more aware of the words I speak and the way I speak them. I am a bit forthright. I am a fan of "telling it like it is." But is it always said "in love"? NO. I believe "honesty is the best policy". But God is showing me that there really is a difference in speaking the truth and speaking the truth in love. (Ephesians. 4:15) "Truth not spoken in love ceases to be truth. Love without truth isn't love." (Paul David Tripp) There's a fine line. I need to find it. I want the wisdom to know the difference. Another part of this big mouth issue is the one of too many words. I can get a little wordy. I am a lover of details. So I usually can talk and talk and talk about something or nothing. Especially in an argument. Especially with John. Not always just him. Sometimes even with my children. Why is that? I am opinionated, and I feel the great need to make them understand agree with my opinion. So I think the more words I say the better chance of them "getting it". Not so true! And sometimes, most times, all the time I should just not say so much. ("In the mulititude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise." Prov. 10:19) My wordiness also comes with a tone. A negative tone. One that is not necessarily "health to the bones." (Prov. 16:24)

So.........my goal for this year is to memorize one verse every week about "talk". I'm a little apprehensive to make this committment because I know I will fail. I will have a bad day. Someone will get on my nerves. I will get angry. My children will exhaust me. John will start an argument (HA,HA!) We will disagree. And he will remind me. The devil will work overtime. But I am determined. And God's grace is sufficient! I will start Monday.



Words
A careless word may kindle strife.
A cruel word may wreck a life.
A brutal word may smite and kill.
A gracious word may smooth the way.
A joyous word may light the day.
A timely word may lessen stress.
A loving word may heal and bless.

What I like best about my family

An essay written by an 11 year old boy...

My mother keeps a cookie jar in the kitchen and we can help ourselves, except we can't if it's too close to meal time. Only dad can anytime. When he comes home from the office, he helps himself no matter if it is just before we eat. He always slaps my mother on the behind, and brags about how great she is and how good she can cook. Then she turns around and they hug. The way they do it, you'd think they just got married or something! It makes me feel good. This is what I like best about my family.

They're watching us more than we know!

New every morning

Hope
"This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quitely wait for the salvation of the LORD."

Thank God He pours out His mercies on me every morning! With the new year, came a new determination to stay positive, 'do better', 'be better', & try harder in my marriage, my friendships, my parenting, and my walk with God. Since that 'new year's resolution', I'm not sure that any of those areas have improved. It seems the harder I try the more determined satan is to make me fail! Lately life has been down right frustrating. I'm constantly reminding myself it's only frustrating. It could be a whole lot worse! But even those frustrations can tend to wear on us, tear us down, tear us apart, and make us lose our joy. And our hope. Trials, tests, and tribulations are part of a Christians life. I've heard before that a Christian is either about to experience a trial, in the middle of a trial, or coming out of a trial. God continues to refine us by fire. "And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them."Zechariah 13:9 Thankfully, He doesn't waste any test!

And now on to things that make me smile...












"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-- kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him: and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls." I Peter 1:3-8