week five

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
We are blessed to have a loving family; sure we've been through our hard times but we have learned that above all, LOVE each other.

I only made it through 2 days of my homework so I'll go right ahead right now and say that I'm doing the other three days this week.

So if you're behind, or not even keeping up join me.
I will be going through workbook pages 59-66.
I know more of you wanted to join but couldn't and for others this format has not turned out to be your thing, I want to encourage you to be seeking God daily through some time in His word; memorize some scripture, read a Proverb a day but keep your eyes on His Word! Your holidays will be much more peaceful!!

Back to the study:
I can always use a refresher in loving my husband.

We've been married 16 years and it amazes me how I still have to chose to love him each day. Some days or even weeks it's harder to do, but I have found that when I make an effort things turn out alright. Just like our extended family Steve and I have been through some rough times, but we've learned that loving each other always works out. When I put him first somehow I love him more, so not only am I thankful for Steve this season but I am also desiring to love him more, to love him like Christ loves me. I wanna be "my man's #1 fan!"

For today:
Proverbs 12:4
A wife of noble character is her husband's crown,
but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.

1 Corinthians 11:7
A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.

In the comment section below do the following:
1.) name
2.) read the above verses, Prov. 12:4 and 1 Cor. 11:7; What do these passages say about a woman's great value and blessing?
3.) click on this link and read Philippians 2:1-8 How does the example of Jesus Christ serve as a model for women?

Homework:
Week 1 days 3-5, or 1-5 pages 53-66

book peps: continue reading the chapters on loving your husband

questions came from the workbook

See you next Monday!

Making New Friends

So we went to a birthday party for a close friend of ours at a third party friends house.

It was an amazing experience because when we walked into this house of strangers we felt like home. Steve, the boys, me... we all felt like we knew these people.

They were like family.
We laughed, we ate, we cooked, we connected.
Perhaps they are in our "soul group"- a concept I know nothing about beyond the term. They are defiantly people who are super similar to us.

I look forward to getting to know them more.

Have you ever had that experience?
Where you met someone and instantly connect?
What about a family, ever had your family meet another family and they all instantly connect?

I'm sure we're not the only ones.

Thanksgiving 2009

For about 2 weeks before Thanksgiving day we thought it was going to be a small event, 6 of us. With family not coming into town, family moves out of town it looked like our annual hosting of Thanksgiving would be our family and Steve's dad and step-mom.

Then, the day before Thanksgiving I get 2 calls, our numbers had jumped up to twelve. Steve's brother adn girlfriend, his sisters and 2 of her friends and a friend of Steve's dad would now be joining our table.

Here are our pre-guests activities:
I had made the pita already and Steve made the mashed potatoes.
I set the table

Justin was ready to eat right at 2pm when we had planned, the only thing was NO ONE was here at 2pm. Yep. Steve's family always runs very late. The plan was to start coming over at 1pm and then eat at 2!!

Finally everyone arrived between 2:30 and 3:00, and when I say everyone I mean the 7 of us that actually showed up! Not only am I thankful for my family but I am thankful for the love and grace that is extended within the family during the holidays!

It has become a tradition for Steve to make a campfire on Thanksgiving and we all sit around it after dinner.

Vaughan and Uncle Chuck.

Steve and I, boy do I look wasted? I wasn't.

Steve, brother , dad and step-mom.

So that was our Thanksgiving day! Good food. Greek food. Family and fun!

Week Four

OK, so I didn't even pick up my workbook this week.

Yikes!

I did however, read chapter 16 in the book this morning.

Oh it was good!

A Heart That Weaves a Tapestry of Beauty

Titus 2:4-5

Train the younger women...

to be busy at home...

(NIV)

Younger women will know...

to keep a good house...

(Mess.)

I don't know why but I often struggle with making my home my priority.


I think I do a decent job making my family my priority, they are my favorite people, but I don't do that great making my home a priority.



I really enjoyed this chapter and am putting as much of it into practice as I can today.



If you get a chance read this chapter, it's short and was so worth it for me.



So, due to my lack of study time this past week in A Women After God's Own Heart it's up to you.

Today:
In the comment section below:

1. name

2. whatever stood out to you, however you saw God this week, how you have been challenged by God's word this week... whatever you share!

This Week:
workbook week 4 pages: 53-66

book: chapters: 7-8

I Am Still Saying the Word Cute Over These

These are the cutest dishes. I love my Fiestaware but if I were getting married today this would be on my gift registry.
Called: Chirp
Super cute cake made to match these dishes, check it out here.

Greek Fest Daytona 2009

This past February we went to the Greek Fest in Orlando, this last weekend we went to the Greek Fest is Daytona Beach.

We entered and immediately got some food, gyros, spinach pizza, Greek beer, Greek wine and some ouzo; not the kids they had soda.

Picture of the food, very yummy!

The popular Greek glasses...

We always like to have our friends and family around. The Greek's are very close and so at any Greek fest you'll see large groups sitting around food, laughing and enjoying one another.

We had 2 sets of friends meet us there.

The girls took the tour of the church.

I love the paintings and stories on the walls of a Greek church. An older lady with a thick Greek accent moved from one fact about the church to another as if she did the tour weekly.

On our way back to the festivities we found all our men, along with a little baby girl, sitting at the handicap entrance in the shade. Here's what we saw:

Why the handicap entrance?

To be near the ramp so this little guy could run up and down it.

Up and down.

Up and down.

After the Greek kids danced we decided it was time to leave.

And of course we now have a designated driver!!

Until the Spring, or Christmas or Greek Easter-

opa!

Week Three

A Woman After God’s Own Heart

Ephesians 6:18 (Message)
“In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. ”

So, week two of spending time seeking God's Heart.

This week was on prayer. I know your time is valuable so I'll be quick today. Discontentment can haunt us, the voices in our heads tell us what we have and who we are are not "good enough". A passion for prayer and the habit of prayer can drastically change the nagging of discontentment. Prayer changes our focus, allowing the heart of what God values become real in our own lives.

On page 36 (53-54 in book) you will find tips or ways to help you in improving your prayer life. Take a moment to go over and read these.

I was given a prayer journal in 2006 and it has changed my prayer life. I journal praises, thanks, requests and confessions in my journal. Last week I needed some encouragement and looking back over answered pray did just that! It is a simple small 3-ring binder and it sits in my box of "spiritual aids" next to the chair I do my Bible study in.

For today:
In the comment section below please do the following:
1. name
2. yes that you did your homework or that you spent more time this last week with the Lord than the week before
3. type out a verse that stood out to you this week
4. what is one step you can take to developing a more vibrant prayer life?

Hearing God’s Heart:
Ephesians 6:18-20
Philippians 4:4-7
Hebrews 13:5-6




This Weeks Key Truths:
say these out loud
-We can have great confidence in our decisions when prayer is part of every day

-Trusting in God's sufficiency is central to great contentment in life

- Praying for others is a dynamic, powerful ministry that helps release the power of Almighty God

Homework This Week:
Workbook peps:
Complete week 3, days 1-5, pages 38-51


Book Option Peps:
Chapters 5-6

I am praying for you all.

I Can Blog About My Teens

Ok so one of the things about blogging and having teenagers is that they have asked me to NOT share some things on my blog.

That's tough because Vaughan looked perfect when he dressed up for "Geek Day" at school, or Justin sitting in the back room, guitar in hand and music papers surrounding him as if a whirl wind came through.

Mums the word often around here.

So yesterday while walking around Wal-Mart I realized that although I don't have to blog about them I can blog about parenting them.

Take yesterday: by the time 4pm rolled around home school child and I were still plugging away at math, science, and grammar.
4:00pm- did you read that correct?
About that time a slight attitude broke out and inside I thought I'd lose it! No, wait, I thought I'd blow my top, so I calmly stood up, said,"You've got this concept and can do this by yourself now so I am going to buy some cat litter.", and I calmly put on my shoes, grabbed by keys and purse and headed for Wal-mart, my insides boiling all the way!

I navigated Wally World, found my cat litter, browsed the fabric department without buying anything, ran into my cousin I hadn't seen in 3 years, saw 2 youth groups friends and another kid we've known forever who went and grew up without telling me!
All the while I was texting Vaughan to see if the home schooler was done.

So, I chose to remove myself from a sticky situation and came home to peace and completeness.
Now I have the rest of their lives to make it through!

Checking In With Real Words

So I have been absent from this blog lately.
We've been busy and I've been focuing on home things.
Home school,
home cleaning,
home organizing,
home weeding- outside and inside.

I could use some prayer.
That I'd stay focused on home school and persevere when it gets tough.
11 years of home schooling and I'm still trying to figure this whole thing out! Each year poses new challenges, heck each month day does!

Steve is feeling much, much better- he has battled something for over 2 months! Vaughan goes in for his MRI today, then the reading of it on Monday!! Perhaps we'll get some answers on his shoulder.

I have been sewing and spent most of yesterday in the attic. The cooler weather in Florida makes attics bearable *smile*

We had 5 kittens born in September and so far we've found homes for 3 of them! Well I need to run, home school, shower and a late breakfast!

Oh and Tuesday is our last meeting for the study of Daniel. It has been incredible to study the book of Daniel with high school girls.

have a blessed day!

Youth Sunday

Vaughan spoke at church on Sunday. It was an amazing time.
Nuff said.

To listen go here.

Week Two

A Woman After God’s Own Heart

1 Thess. 5:17

“Pray without ceasing”

Ok, so how was it?
How was your first week seeking to be a woman after God’s own heart?
Did you find it easy to add this to your schedule; or was it a challenge, like it was for me?
Either way I spent more time with God this past week than the week before!
I’ll take it!
I really liked the challenge given on page 10: we were challenged to commit to do three simple things this week. 1. Get a prayer journal, 2. Set a must keep appointment with God, 3.Designate a place.
How did you do?
Me? I grabbed my small 3-ring binder prayer journal and tried to sit down in my living room at about 8:15am. I put a cardboard box under my coffee table that holds all I need: my bible, pens, index cards, workbook. We can do this!

For today:
In the comment section below please do the following:
1. name
2. yes that you did your homework or that you spent more time this last week with the Lord than the week before
3. type out 1 Thess. 5:17
4. finish this sentence: I have tasted that the Lord is good by…
5. anything you feel Spirit-led to share, comment or link to your blog for this one

Hearing God’s Heart
Beloved remember that God’s Word says it will do it's purpose and not return empty.
Psalm 5:3
Matthew 6:5-15
Hebrews 11:6


This Weeks Key Truths:
say these outloud
-God rewards those who earnestly and wholeheartedly seek Him.
-Our relationship with God and with others influences the effectiveness of our prayers.

Homework This Week:
Workbook peps:
Complete week 2, days 1-5, pages 22- 36


Book Option Peps:
Chapters 3-4

If you haven’t yet, read comments section from week one.
We can do this, I am so grateful to go on this journey with you all.

Pictures

Halloween 2009 and more!

So this last weekend was crazy.

First of all it was Halloween.

I had a headache but pushed through the festivities.

Every year we take a truck and trailer and pull a bunch of kids around Florida Shores, a large housing development here.

This year we had way to many kids/people for my liking, but it was fun none the less.



I discovered I like being scared.

Yep.

This year did it.

I stood up to Jason and his chainsaw but it was the masked guy right behind me that made me jump, scream and run away!! You did an awesome job Needle Palm house, well done!



Then Sunday morning I woke up and my headache was still there. Stronger this time.

I had an early meeting at church that I went to but bailed when I saw the room was packed. I headed straight home where I lay with a migraine all day.

Yuk, but I'll take time on the sofa.



Steve is developing asthma, we think. Yuk on that one but we'll see, I'm praying it's a passing "thank you" from the flu he had 2 weeks ago.



So Monday has us ready to do a room switch, our November budget, start a new math curriculum and finish with the breakdown of Legoland.

Happy week!

Week One

Welcome to the first day of a 9-week study through the workbook devotional A Woman After God's Own Heart.

This started as a way for me to have some accountability in my personal time with the Lord. The current season of my life makes it hard to be part of a study so I decided to give an online option a try.

How does this work?
It's easy: each Monday you will check in here at this blog and comment as part of your accountability, I will have post up by 9am each Monday. I will have a list of a few things for you to comment on as well as your homework for the coming week.

For today:
In the comment section below please introduce yourself
1. leave your name, first name is OK
2. state in which you live
3. a brief bit on yourself, kids, job etc.
4. yes that you read your intro to the workbook
5. a one sentence commitment to complete this 9 week study, "I, Michelle, commit to this 9-week study."

Hearing God's Heart
grab your Bible and read these verses, I've got mine now let's go!

Luke 10:38-42, our time with the Lord is so valuable, what comes from that time can not be taken away from you
2 Timothy 3:16-17 our time in the Word is time hearing what God has to say, His Word is applicable to all areas of our lives from wife/mother/friend to every good work designed for us to do!

This Weeks Key Truths:
say these outloud
-Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
-Those who abide in Christ will bear much fruit.
-We can do everything through Christ, who gives us strength.

did you say them outloud? do it again either way *smile*

HOMEWORK THIS WEEK:
Workbook Peps:
Complete week one, days 1-5, pages 7-21

Book Option Peps:
for those of you who do not have the workbook but want to read the book I will include a weekly chapter reading for you. While the content is similar it is not identical week to week so we'll give it our best- and I think it'll work out just fine.
read chapters 1-2

See you back next Monday, November 9th.

You can do this.
Carve out 30 minutes of each day, let the kids watch movies, eat ice cream, play in the tub or let them veg-out on facebook/x-box 360.



Why the Woman Woman photo on my sidebar?
Mainly because she is my favorite female superhero, I mean who wouldn't want an invisible jet and incredible strength!?
While a perfect woman does not exist we can all be Wonder Women, woman who in the midst of life can be in awe struck wonder of an amazing God and with His help make the world wonder what we got?