Happy 18th Birthday Tayte!!!!

Our sweet and wonderful fella turned 18 this month!  It's so hard to believe he's already 18!  And what a fine young man he's become...in my person opinion that is.  :-)  Just today I was so blessed as he had some running to do and let me come with him and we spent time talking together and he even took me out for lunch for the very first time ever!  It was such a precious time...special memories that I will not easily forget! It has been such a joy to watch him turn into the godly, responsible, pleasant and cheerful young man that he is!  I pray the Lord will continue to guide him and make him even more wonderful than he is now!  Okay, I'll stop bragging and share the pics from his birthday!  :-)

We did a surprise birthday party for him, or at least it was supposed to be.  He accidentally became away of it the morning of his birthday.  So hard to keep secrets around here!  Anyways, we were able to sneak him away from work for the evening and had a dear family over from church to celebrate with us.  We had just gotten a beautiful big new table that the Lord blessed us with and it was perfect for having company!  We fit two families around it!  Yay!  Here's the gang...

Embarrassing Tayte singing happy birthday to him! :-)  Love his smile!

He is a true country boy...loves his meat and potatoes!  lol!  The corn, rolls and root beer were an excellent compliment.  :-) 

After supper and dessert we had a wonderful time in the Word together and then retired to the living room for a great time of playing fun games together! 

Playing occupation...

Playing 4 on a couch here, only this particular couch seems a little crowded! It makes for the best times!  These dear folks from church are such blessings to us and so sweet!  What a delight it was to share this special day of celebrating the 18 years of our sweetie with them!

And here are just some random pics taken this week of him.  He's been so busy at work lately, which we are thankful for, but we cherish every minute with him when he's home!

Ti and Bell enjoying big brother!

Tayte and Mom doing what everyone enjoys doing with Mom...

enjoying the bestest of conversations!  :-)

And here he is again...wondering why on earth I keep taking pictures of him!  

Love this guy sooo much!

And thus he begins another year of life.  So much has happened in this past year, so many changes in him...I wonder what the Lord has for him in this year?   I am excited to see how the Lord uses this young man for His glory and works in his life for good according to His good and perfect will!  

~Posted by his adoring sis...Bree

What My Husband Needs

Inspired by a series that Matthew and Lisa Jacobson are doing on marriage over Club31Woman.com here is my newest poster that I am seeking to keep before my eyes and applying to my life.

What My Husband Needs

Trust him.  Somehow a man instinctively knows if you believe in him–or not. For instance, how you respond to his decision-making speaks powerfully to him. Is your first response to question him? Challenge him? Or do you save that “coupon” carefully? He needs you to trust him and his final decisions.
Admire him. He’d like to know that you are his biggest fan – hands down! No one should admire him more than you do. My personal goal? I never want anyone who works with my man to think more highly of him than I do. I want him both to see it in my eyes and to hear it from my mouth.
Be loyal to him. Fiercely loyal. You’ve got his back and he knows it. Your children should know it too. In fact, there should be no doubt in anyone’s mind where your loyalty lies. No one would dare say anything disparaging about your man in front of you because that is simply not done.
Honor him. Both in private and in public. So that he doesn’t have to concerned about what you might say to him or how you’ll represent him in front of others.  You never want to demean him or bring him down a notch. Quite the opposite. He can even be confident that you’ll respect his wishes when he’s not around—your regard for him goes that deep.

What am I doing??

Not that we are fully settled into our new home and area, as this will take time but our home is 90% done and the time has come to get back on track.  The Lord has really been prompting me, through the Word, to do a better job at guiding my home and to kill every lion that I see in the street so as to not hinder me from being about that which He has called me to.  (Proverbs 22:13)  As I have been seeking the Lord for wisdom and direction in this matter I came across an old study that I had done a few years ago and I was so blessed by it that I revamped a few goals and am seeking to walk forward in these areas.  I share this with you for several reasons.  

1.  I thought that perhaps it might be a blessing to someone else and 

2.  For accountability for me.  :-)

Inspiring Quotes on Homemaking

 

“Homemaking is not simply housework.  Housework is keeping a house clean; homemaking is creating a pleasant home for one’s family.  The aim and greatest reward of real homemaking is a happy, contented family.” 

 A cheerful homemaker creates a cheerful home for her family.  A complaining housewife produces such a dismal atmosphere that her family may spend as little time as possible at home. 



 Homemaking need never be tiresome.  On the contrary, it can be the most satisfactory of all careers because it is so creative.  A homemaker uses her skills not only to keep the house clean but to make it beautiful. 



 All the activities of civilization revolve around the home and the homemaker’s job is the most important one in the world. 

 ~ All quotes quoted from an entry titled “Homemaking” by Ida Bailey Allen

 ~Posted By Breanna

"Before the Morning" ~ song with lyrics

The truths in this song have been such a blessing and encouragement to me over past month or so.  I hope that maybe it can be of some blessing to some of you as well.  The song is a bit more upbeat, so for those of you who don't prefer the style, you may best appreciate just reading the lyrics below.
May the Lord bless and guide your weekend!
~Brittany

"Before The Morning"

Do you wonder why you have to,
Feel the things that hurt you,
If there's a God who loves you,
Where is He now?

Maybe, there are things you can't see
And all those things are happening
To bring a better ending
Some day, some how, you'll see, you'll see

Would dare you, would you dare, to believe,
That you still have a reason to sing,
'cause the pain you've been feeling,
Can't compare to the joy that's coming

So hold on, you got to wait for the light
Press on, just fight the good fight
Because the pain you've been feeling,
It's just the dark before the morning

My friend, you know how this all ends
And you know where you're going,
You just don't know how you get there
So just say a prayer.
And hold on, cause there's good who love God,
Life is not a snapshot, it might take a little time,
But you'll see the bigger picture

Would dare you, would you dare, to believe,
That you still have a reason to sing,
'cause the pain you've been feeling,
Can't compare to the joy that's coming

So hold on, you got to wait for the light
Press on, just fight the good fight
Because the pain you've been feeling,
It's just the dark before the morning
Yeah, yeah,
Before the morning,
Yeah, yeah

Once you feel the way of glory,
All your pain will fade to memory
Once you feel the way of glory,
All your pain will fade to memory
Memory, memory, yeah

Would dare you, would you dare, to believe,
That you still have a reason to sing,
'cause the pain you've been feeling,
Can't compare to the joy that's coming

Would dare you, would you dare, to believe,
That you still have a reason to sing,
'cause the pain you've been feeling,
Can't compare to the joy that's coming

Come on, you got to wait for the light
Press on, just fight the good fight
Because the pain you've been feeling,
It's just the hurt before the healing
The pain you've been feeling,
Just the dark before the morning
Before the morning, yeah, yeah
Before the morning 

- Josh Wilson -

Peace and Patience in God's Power and Deliverance

“And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.”  -Jeremiah 15:21

Note the glorious personality of the promise. I will, I will. The Lord Jehovah himself interposes to deliver and redeem his people. He pledges himself personally to rescue them. His own arm shall do it, that he may have the glory. Here is not a word said of any effort of our own which may be needed to assist the Lord. Neither our strength nor our weakness is taken into the account, but the lone I, like the sun in the heavens, shines out resplendent in all-sufficience. Why then do we calculate our forces, and consult with flesh and blood to our grievous wounding? Jehovah has power enough without borrowing from our puny arm. Peace, ye unbelieving thoughts, be still, and know that the Lord reigneth. Nor is there a hint concerning secondary means and causes. The Lord says nothing of friends and helpers: he undertakes the work alone, and feels no need of human arms to aid him. Vain are all our lookings around to companions and relatives; they are broken reeds if we lean upon them-often unwilling when able, and unable when they are willing. Since the promise comes alone from God, it would be well to wait only upon him; and when we do so, our expectation never fails us. Who are the wicked that we should fear them? The Lord will utterly consume them; they are to be pitied rather than feared. As for terrible ones, they are only terrors to those who have no God to fly to, for when the Lord is on our side, whom shall we fear? If we run into sin to please the wicked, we have cause to be alarmed, but if we hold fast our integrity, the rage of tyrants shall be overruled for our good. When the fish swallowed Jonah, he found him a morsel which he could not digest; and when the world devours the church, it is glad to be rid of it again. In all times of fiery trial, in patience let us possess our souls.

-Charles Spurgeon's Evening Meditation for October 10th

~Brittany

Lift up thy hands in prayer and praise

The other night at church, Sarah was sitting on my lap.  We were gathered in the Morton's living room singing, and she did something that so blessed me and a few others that saw her.  Imagine this sweet little three year old, blond hair with a little red dress on, sitting on her mama's lap listening to the song being sung and she gently some what appears to go into her own little world, gently closes her eyes and lifts her left arm and hand up in praise to the Lord.  It was one of the most beautiful sites to see.  I was so blessed as I saw the Lord receiving praise from one of the wee ones.  An image I hope my mind will never forget.  As I read the verse at the beginning of this  devotional this morning, I was once again reminded of this of this precious sight.

“Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.”
- Lam_3:41
The act of prayer teaches us our unworthiness, which is a very salutary lesson for such proud beings as we are. If God gave us favours without constraining us to pray for them we should never know how poor we are, but a true prayer is an inventory of wants, a catalogue of necessities, a revelation of hidden poverty. While it is an application to divine wealth, it is a confession of human emptiness. The most healthy state of a Christian is to be always empty in self and constantly depending upon the Lord for supplies; to be always poor in self and rich in Jesus; weak as water personally, but mighty through God to do great exploits; and hence the use of prayer, because, while it adores God, it lays the creature where it should be, in the very dust. Prayer is in itself, apart from the answer which it brings, a great benefit to the Christian. As the runner gains strength for the race by daily exercise, so for the great race of life we acquire energy by the hallowed labour of prayer. Prayer plumes the wings of God’s young eaglets, that they may learn to mount above the clouds. Prayer girds the loins of God’s warriors, and sends them forth to combat with their sinews braced and their muscles firm. An earnest pleader cometh out of his closet, even as the sun ariseth from the chambers of the east, rejoicing like a strong man to run his race. Prayer is that uplifted hand of Moses which routs the Amalekites more than the sword of Joshua; it is the arrow shot from the chamber of the prophet foreboding defeat to the Syrians. Prayer girds human weakness with divine strength, turns human folly into heavenly wisdom, and gives to troubled mortals the peace of God. We know not what prayer cannot do! We thank thee, great God, for the mercy-seat, a choice proof of thy marvellous lovingkindness. Help us to use it aright throughout this day!

Sin of Worry

I was so blessed and challenged as I read this devotional.  Something to definitely meditate on and evaluate myself in.  I hope you'll be blessed by reading this as well.

"Fret not" (Ps. 37:1).

 

This to me is a Divine command; the same as "Thou shalt not steal." Now let us get to the definition of fretting. One good definition is, "Made rough on the surface." "Rubbed, or worn away"; and a peevish, irrational, fault-finding person not only wears himself out, but is very wearing to others. To fret is to be in a state of vexation, and in this Psalm we are not only told not to fret because of evildoers, but to fret not "in anywise." It is injurious, and God does not want us to hurt ourselves.

 

A physician will tell you that a fit of anger is more injurious to the system than a fever, and a fretful disposition is not conducive to a healthy body; and you know rules are apt to work both ways, and the next step down from fretting is crossness, and that amounts to anger. Let us settle this matter, and be obedient to the command, "Fret not."--Margaret Bottome

 

***

 

OVERHEARD IN AN ORCHARD

 

Said the Robin to the Sparrow:

"I should really like to know

Why these anxious human beings

Rush about and worry so?"

 

Said the Sparrow to the Robin:

"Friend, I think that it must be

That they have no Heavenly Father

Such as cares for you and me."

--Elizabeth Cheney

~Posted By Breanna

Choosing Kindness in Marriage

We have been so blessed by Matthew and Lisa Jacobson as we have been following their blogs.  They are doing a series called The Seven Habits of a Highly Fulling Marriage currently.  As we have been so encouraged, we thought we would share with our readers as well. 

 

For The Wives

I was always so happy to see her.
Whenever she dropped by – I dropped everything. Smiled and gave her a hug. Suggested that she stay awhile and made her a cup of tea.
They were just little things, I know. But it was my way of saying “I care about you” and “you are dear to me”.  Simple, small acts of kindness offered to a friend.
My husband watched it all from the other room. I think I’d forgotten he was even home that day. Observing it all from his favorite chair.
Then I noticed a rather melancholy look in his eyes. Sort of sad with a bit of regret. And so later I asked him about it.
“What? What were you thinking while Susan was here?”
He shrugged, but I wasn’t about to let him off that easily. I had to know. Please tell me. Even if hurts.
He started out slowly, “I couldn’t help wishing. And wondering.”
Yes….I urged impatiently.
“Well, why you wouldn’t smile like that at me. You know, drop everything and give me a big hug when I walked through the door. Offer to make a pot of coffee. Things like that…things like you did for her.”
He was right. And it hurt.
My husband – that man I love – was only looking for a little kindness. Small gestures of thoughtfulness. From me. His wife.
You might say it was a turning point for us. Before that I considered kindness as something you “felt” toward someone – more like a sentimental impulse. I didn’t understand that it was something you could simply choose.
And I certainly didn’t understand that this was something my husband needed from me.

A Kind Wife Who…

Smiles warmly. She lights up when she sees her man.
Looks up lovingly. When he walks in. Sure, she’s busy, but always has a moment for him.
Replies graciously. She doesn’t snap or snarl. She saves her sweet tone for him.
Offers thoughtfully. She looks for those little ways to bless him.

And on her tongue is the law of kindness. Prov. 31:26

Admittedly, this took some effort on my part. I’m sorry to say it didn’t flow naturally from me, but at least it came more easily as time went on.
And now it’s just my way of saying “I care about you” and “you are dear to me”. Simple, small acts of kindness offered to a friend.
Who also happens to be my husband.
That man I love.
In His grace,



Club31Women

For The Husbands

I never meant to be unkind but there I was, getting dressed as her words stabbed me deeply.
Why do you leave your dirty laundry all over the floor? Do you want the maid to pick up after you?
Maid? I don’t treat you like a maid.
Really? Then why can’t you carry your dirty laundry ten feet to the laundry basket, instead of throwing it on the floor? You’d never treat someone else like this.
Ouch . . . it was true, I never would. When I’m in a hotel, I even hate leaving the towels on the floor. So, what was I thinking? . . . was I thinking?
Or take the exhausted wife with young children whose husband regularly kicks back after work but rarely thinks of giving her a break.
Or the husband talking with me while keeping his back to his wife the entire time.
How about not considering her needs and desires when we’re being intimate?
There are a lot of ways to be unkind.
Choosing kindness in action, word, or tone communicates: I care deeply about how you feel. When a woman knows . . . feels . . . she is deeply cared for, she finds herself in a safe place where giving of herself becomes a pleasure. Without kindness, the habitual kindness, the highly fulfilling marriage you desire will remain a desire, nothing more.
There are plenty of good reasons to develop the habit of kindness but there’s one reason that trumps them all: God commands it:

Be kind to one another, Eph.4:32

There is a great deal of power in your possession – power that is unleashed to envelope your spouse with love when you learn the habit of choosing kindness in the many everyday moments that make up a marriage.
And, it is a choice – a choice for you and for me to make every day. And, yes, it flows both ways but, men, we are the initiators (or should be if we’re not).
If you need to know specifics, humbly ask your spouse where you need to change. And if being made aware isn’t enough, ask God to do His work in your heart and head.
Embrace the Habit of Choosing Kindness and you’ll be in fellowship with God, with your spouse, and on the road to a highly fulfilling marriage.
Please be sure and leave any questions or comment you might have. We’d love to hear from you!


matthewljacobson.com

"Strength made perfect in weakness bears up with patience under it all."  -Charles Spurgeon

~Brittany