Beautiful Winter

I know with a title like that on this blog you would expect a picture. Sorry to disappoint, but you will just have to use your imagination. Like a large section of the country, this week we have had ice. School was even canceled one day. So by yesterday, it was time to run errands--we hadn't been out of the house for days! I never thought I would be thankful for a Wal-Mart trip! The roads were clear, but the trees were covered with the most beautiful ice. The day before it was mostly clear ice, but this day was white. As we drove SweetDoll, SweetTate and I were in awe of the beauty of the winter! God really out-did Himself today! I was glad the roads were clear because I was watching the scenery more than watching for ice patches on the road.

Anyway, there is not much exciting going on here, just the normal stuff. SweetHeart and I have been going to a Bible study with some friends called The Truth Project. It has been so good and very thought provoking. It has really hightened my awareness of God's truth and what lies I have fallen for from the world's point of view. One of the theme questions is "Do you really believe, that what you believe is really real?" Think on that one for a while! All of that to say, if there is one happening in your area, it is worth the effort to go! On a kids note...Baseball sign-ups were this week. This spring we will be juggling 2 teams. SweetDoll is so excited to play! Speaking of her...as I watched her play, I realized that I have to get her new pants! Her other ones are getting so short. Anytime we are out, people ask if the two little ones are twins, but she has grown and the gap between them is a bit bigger. Not much though, it will not be long before SweetTate passes her! Which will rock their world, because you know the tallest is the oldest! One day the kids asked if I was as O-L-D as Uncle Justin! He just loved that! I guess I better go get the laundry done, again. Hope you are having a beautiful winter day too!

Scripture Memory Team

Beth Moore is having a Scripture Memory Team Challenge for 2009 to memorize 24 Scriptures in 12 months. I have never been good to memorize Scripture, so I am really looking forward to this. For the past two weeks I've been memorizing this verse:

Psalm 86:11-13
Teach me Your way, Lord, and I will live by Your truth. Give me an
undivided mind to fear Your name. I will praise You with all my heart,
Lord my God, and will honor Your name forever. For Your faithful love for
me is great, and You deliver my life from the depths of Sheol.
(HCSB)

This verse has fit right in with other things I'm studying. It has been so neat! Here is what I have learned by meditating on this verse.

* undivided mind and with all my heart--complete devotion. This is going in the theme of having a transformed mind and focusing on things above.

* honor Your name forever--do what will be honoring to God forever, don't be short-sighted

* live by Your truth--"Do I really believe that what I believe is really real?" (Truth Project) My actions will reveal what I believe. Am I living by His truth?

* This way of living is cross culture and not human nature. It will be tough. But God is with me, a mighty woman of valor! Be courageous! (Wising Up by Beth Moore, videos 7,9)

So here is the next verse I'm working on.

Colossians 3:1-2

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (NIV)

Introducing Daisy!

I'd like you to meet the new addition to the family. This is Daisy!

This is SweetBoy beside her so you can see she isn't very big. She is so soft and sweet! We chose her at the animal shelter yesterday, and she has fit right into the family. There is just something about having a dog around. Yes, it is more responsibility, but she also adds an element of relaxing that I have missed. I'm sure you will be hearing more dog stories in the future, so you had to meet our new dog. (Hopefully nothing like Beth's post today--I'm still laughing!)

Happy New Year!

I just love clean slates, and that is what the New Year feels like. A chance to start again. I have finally realized that I don't have to feel like the past year failed if it wasn't "perfect." There was some growth and that was good. I won't arrive until I'm in heaven, so do my best and be happy with that. Now it is time to refocus toward the goal and go again. Last year the theme was giving God my best. This year the theme is focusing on Him through it all. I'm watching the video Bible study by Beth Moore called Wising Up. One of the points she made was about Proverbs 3:5-6:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own
understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path
straight.

Acknowledge means to know Him. In everything I face I need to know Him there. Money trouble--know Him there. Parenting struggles--know Him there. Success--know Him there. Failure--know Him there. Relationship problems--know Him there. Get the picture? And I have to set my heart, mind, and soul on Him.

Colossians 3:1-2
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things
above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mnds on
things above, not on earthly things.

So this is my main goal for the new year: to know Him and keep my heart set on things above.

Here is my top 9 list for 2009 that I want to work on.

1. Meet with God everyday in prayer and Bible study and use my journal.
2. Pray for SweetHeart and the kids more.
3. Memorize Scripture (Beth Moore has a challenge going if you want to join me. Here is the info and here is the sign up.)
4. Exercize more.
5. Read the Bible with my kids more.
6. Teach my kids to help around the house more.
7. Take time to play and enjoy my kids more.
8. Go to bed earlier.
9. Be on time to church. (Hubby will love that!)

These are not very qualitative, but any progress is good. I'm sharing it here so you can help keep me accountable, and I'm interested in any tips you may have that work at your house.