I have been so blessed as I engaged in community with Good Morning Girls and their Facebook group.
Today’s scripture really thrilled my heart. I have often said that my girls are my heart and soul. They are the reason that I’m here on this earth. I fully believe that. My children have inspired, encouraged, and uplifted me without even trying. It just comes naturally for them.
My children are my life!More
Have you ever really searched your heart and narrowed down all those who truly inspire you? That is a tough one because all throughout our lives we have and will encounter those that challenge us and inspire us in different ways. It’s hard to pick just one person or group of persons.
While thinking on this topic during this past week, I have to say that all those that have been affected by cancer inspire me. From the ones fighting the brave fight right now, to the ones that have conquered it and are considered “survivors,” to the ones that lost their lives while fighting with all of their might. There’s also the family and friends that have stood by their side every step of the way loving, caring for, encouraging, supporting, and cheering them on. They all inspire me more than mere words could ever say.More
Have you stopped to consider how much music inspires, encourages, and reduces anxiety in our lives? Do you have a song in your heart (psst, God placed it there)? Do you walk around humming to yourself or whistling a tune? I’ve been told that it is a sign of happiness when you do that.More
Most everyone is ready to escort Old Man Winter right on out the door by now. There has been tons of snow in the North, and there has even been snow AND ice in the South! We’ve encountered freezing temperatures, downed power lines and trees snapping under the pressure of the weight of the ice, loss of electricity, with massive clean up efforts needed afterwards.More
My family and I spent some time at the ranch this afternoon. We groomed the horses, picked their feet, put on their saddle, and away we went on our trail ride. My entire family was able to go on this trail ride today, and we had the absolute best time!
We started out on pretty flat land, then went over some unstable ground. It was at that time that my youngest daughter struggled to get her horse to cooperate. The horse went into a trot, and all she could do was hold on at that point and try to enjoy the ride. She’s okay, and this did not scare her at all as her heart is 100% into these horses. It did get me to thinking this afternoon, though.More
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to The Joyous Home where you will find The Tea Times & The Seasons of Home Magazines.
The Tea Times is a Home Economics Newsletter for Mothers and Daughters. The Seasons of Home Magazine is a God honoring magazine that alternates from Titus 2 fellowship, sewing, whole grain baking and cooking, themed teas, and homeschooling. There is even a section by John Power for Father & Son
Be sure to check them out. You will be glad you did!
TGIF! You know what time it is, right?! It’s time for Five Minute Friday with Lisa-Jo Baker!
The idea is to write for five whole minutes on the prompt word given. You are to write your little heart out without worrying about how it is coming across. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it does have to be your words straight from your heart. Deal?
Now …More
You are beautiful. Yes … You! The one reading this right this very minute.
Proverbs 3:15-18 ESV She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.
When times are tough and things of this world threaten to shatter our peace and steal our joy, quickly turn your thoughts to pleasant things that speak life into your heart and soul. What restores your peace and joy, friends? Allow me to share my thoughts here.
For me, when the world comes crashing in, all I have to do is shift my focus to my darling daughters. I escape the grownup woes for a little while by playing like a child again in their world. Oh the fun we have dancing around, laughing freely, throwing our heads back as we laugh so hard that our sides hurt. Just tonight we had such a moment. We were watching Titanic, of all things. My entire family was glued to the television. During a dancing scene, my oldest daughter disappeared into her room and returned shortly thereafter shuffling her feet, dancing around, kicking up her heels, all the while twirling a blanket over her head. We burst into uncontrollable laughter. None of us were expecting that, but it was the best thing she could have done to entertain us at that moment. These are the times that we’ll remember forever!More
My mind wanders back to my childhood days where I would run wild and carefree just as barefooted as you please with the hot summer sun beaming down on me. I would chase my dad’s chickens all through the “chicken yard” as they scrambled and extended their wings at times to escape my tomboy ways. I smile at the thought of those days that are long gone now.
There are so many things I can recall from my childhood. Another favorite is playing in the forbidden hog pin. My dad warned us about not getting close to the hogs, but did I listen? Not as good as I should have, but that, too, brings a smile to my face and causes me to pause for a good long chuckle. I fondly remember trying to be Wonder Woman as I jumped off the ramp at the entrance of the hog pin. I would also climb the highest mountain (okay, it was a pile of wood), adjust my silver wrist bands, and position myself in that super hero pose as I jumped. One time the landing didn’t go so well, and I found myself laying on the ground trying to recover as I knocked the breath completely out of my body when my knees hit my chest on impact. Thankfully, I did not break anything. There were no injuries, except to that of my pride. More
Last night my family and I watched the movie Unconditional at a friend’s house. If you have never seen this movie before, I highly recommend it. I had no idea what the movie was even about when it started. But, my, oh my, did it ever bless my heart.
While I have no intention of giving the entire movie away, I will tell you that part of the story line struck a cord with me because of how much I can relate to it. One of the main characters was a writer. However, something tragic happened in this lady’s life, and she lost the desire to write after that. If you’ve read the “About Us” section, you’ll understand that this struck a cord in my heart because I went through something very similar after the death of my only sibling, my sister. Before, the words just seemed to flow like a river. Once tragedy struck, though, it felt as if I was thrown into the middle of the dry Arizona desert. More
We continue today with the last two in the series of The 5 Love Languages of Teenagers New Edition: The Secret to Loving Teens Effectively
Acts of Service can be a powerful expression of love for your teenager. According to Dr. Gary Chapman:
Loving service is an intentionally motivated desire to give one’s energy to others.
When you honestly want to give of yourself to serve another person in love, now that is priceless. Be aware, though, of manipulation. If you are only doing something for someone so that they will do something in return, that is not a true loving act of service. The “If you __________, I will _____________.” An example: “If you clean your room, I’ll take you to the game.” This is asking the teen to do something you want, then you’ll do something nice for them in return. Dr. Gary Chapman says:
Manipulation has nothing to do with love and everything to do with control. It is not a good approach for parent teen relationships.
Keep in mind, though, as you choose an act of service that More
