Reflecting... on a Sunday

Outside my window...

It is grey. It's been grey a lot this winter. Sunshine is very occasional and very welcome. A few snow flurries were on the air at times today.

I am thinking…

I need to write a mission statement. Something that can be a lens to look at all of life through.

I am thankful for…

My husband. Dear, kind, thoughtful, wise, godly.

From the learning rooms…

We just came through a grueling session of preparing for a culture fair. (More on that later, hopefully.)

From the kitchen…

Food as fast and frugal as possible these days. Lots of meals with potatoes because that's what is abundant in storage. If you like a menu plan ready-made for you, try out Eat at Home. For a break and some inspiration I purchased a month and was really pleased. Meals are frugal, your grocery list is all made out and even color coded by meals, and you get three months worth of meals for the price of one. We have enjoyed nearly every meal we tried. (Have I told you about this before?)

I am wearing…

A dark dress- olive? Brown? Some strange color. Ankle socks. Clogs.

I am creating…

A dress. When I have time.

I am going…

To a singing with a few other families this evening. For a song that should challenge you, listen to this one.

I am reading…

A Thomas Jefferson Education.

I am hoping… .

To get rid of 500 things by the end of January. My sister challenged me to this and it's been great. I'm at 355 by now. It's embarrassing how much I have that I don't need.

I am hearing…

Austin making popcorn. A hunting video the younger boys are watching.

Around the house…

A problem door was fixed recently by Austin. Yay! Now it latches.

One of my favorite things…

Writing. 

A few plans for the rest of the week…

Get back into our normal studies. Host Bible study Wed evening. Prepare for Thomas' sister's family who plan to visit over the weekend.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing….

Puzzle

What happens when you clean out 70 some years worth of storage? One happens across unique items.

This puzzle was one of those unique items in the things that collected in my parents' home over the years.

The box. Look at the original price.

The address on the back tells us that it was from many years ago.

Oddly shaped pieces make a bigger challenge.

The finished treasure is worth all the work (a.k.a.fun).

And after 40+ years... the pieces are actually all there!

(Edith Troyer- my birth mother- would have been 79 years old this month had she lived.)

Do a Google search for the Nyangombe Falls. Or just click that link.

I'm addicted to puzzles. 

What is your take on them?

Joy...and Faith

A huge topic.

Here are some thoughts I'm gleaning.

Joy is a choice.

Forgive, forgive and forgive.

We choose to be hurt.

Talk and think about good things.

Brothers and sisters, think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. (Philippians 4:8 paraphrased)

Does God instruct us to think about ANYTHING negative?

Smile! 😀 It makes you happy.

Celebrate victories. Your own and others. Don't think big. Tell yourself what you did right. Tell your partner what you like about him/her. Tell your child what they did right.

Think of the person you do not like. Is there one good thing about this person? Think about this thing only.

We likely grew up in a family or church or school where you were only told what you did wrong. You have the mentality that you are not enough.

Do you say things like-

"I didn't get enough sleep last night."

"Money doesn't grow on trees!"

"There's way too much to do."

"I can never do it right!"

"Maybe I'm good for something after all."

"I don't have time for that."

There's not enough space."

What do all these statements say?

"Not enough." 

"There's a scarcity."

Truly? Is the ocean only a few drops of water? Is the air you breathe nearly gone? Is the sky about to fall on you?

No! A thousand times NO!

Live with an abundance mentality.

We have an abundant God.

He owns the cattle on a thousand hills.

For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. Psalm 50:10

He wants to give us the kingdom.

Fear not, little flock: for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32

He says ask and I'll give it to you.

For everyone that asketh receiveth... Luke 11:10

He promises rest. (Yes, on earth!)

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:2

Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Hebrews 4:11

He says he'll give us feet like deer, wings like eagles, strength like youth.

Habakkuk 3:19; Isaiah 40:31

He wants us to be a joyful people.

In thy presence is fulness of joy...Psalm 16:11

And it all boils down to a choice.

Really?!

I get to choose these things?

Absolutely!

We see... hear.... get -

What we look for. What we want. What we believe in.

Do you believe God when He says He is for you? 

If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

Do you believe everything is against you?

You get what you believe.

Where is your faith today?

What are you expecting?

Are you choosing joy?

Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Psalm 67:3 & 5