Simply Heart and Soul: Yes, No, Wait

“Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.

Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” Psalm 25:4-5

God always answers prayer. 

His “yes” answer is exhilarating, faith inspiring. 

His “no” answer can be difficult.

His “wait” answer, for me, is often the most difficult. 

Not too long ago, I found myself in such a situation. 

“Wait,” He whispered to my heart.  “Wait,” He showed me in His Word.  “Wait.”

“But, Lord…..” 

What I wanted to do was right, godly, needful, yet still, He wanted me to wait.  

Waiting in this particular circumstance was trying; daily logistics were difficult and to top it off, due to the private nature of the situation, my extended family and friends didn’t have the inside scoop and must have naturally made negative assumptions.  God reminded me of Noah.  Clearly, he looked foolish to others, yet Noah trusted God and proceeded to do as told. 

Adhering to God’s timetable stretched my faith, and tried my courage. 

At the time, those many months felt dark.  But now that time has passed, I can see more clearly the necessity of that difficult waiting period. 

I had to look beyond my circumstances and what I could see; my view was limited.  I had to look at it from God’s perspective – His all encompassing knowledge and wisdom, His unending love, and His perfect sufficiency.  

There were more important things than what people thought, or what would make day to day life easier.  Eternal consequences were at stake.  Had I rushed things, the outcome would have not been favorable.

The Lord’s timing is always for our good and His glory.  Let us be determined to

seek and obey His will,

trust His perfect timing,

and wait until He gives the signal to proceed.   

 

Simply for Fun

 

Simply Pictures: With Psalms

Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness,  and for His wonderful works to the children of men!  

For He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Psalm 107:9

  

 

Simply Pictures

“Yet the Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,

and in the night His song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.  Psalm 42:8

 

Simply a Review: Wii Fit Plus

If you are looking for something fun to add to your fitness routine, you just may enjoy Wii Fit Plus.  It actually makes me look forward to getting some exercise!

You can set goals, track your weight and BMI, and customize your fitness routine.

Create your Mii  character to look like you and you will be ready to go! The entire family can join in, and you can even make Mii characters for family pets.  This is a screenshot of our family.  (My Mii Character is the one on the left.)

Wii Fit Plus offers fun games and aerobics that help you forget that you are exercising and will make you want to come back again and again.

It also offers strengthening exercises and yoga.  It measures your every move, coaches and corrects you as needed, and ranks your ability and progress, while tracking burned calories.

Your family’s Mii characters cheer you on, march in parades with you, toss you hula-hoops, joins you in rhythm kung fu….

and much more. 

On the negative side, it is a little time consuming.  It takes me an hour of using it to get a 30 min. workout.  There is a meditation game that I don’t care for, but is easily avoidable.  For the strength and yoga training, you choose a trainer.  The trainer characters are realistically drawn, and the female is showing a little skin.  That is also easily avoidable just by choosing the male trainer.

Wii Fit Plus is a great way to exercise, improve posture, balance, rhythm, get kids moving, and have family fun!  It can be all about exercise or it can be a great addition to your family game night fun! I give Wii Fit Plus a big thumbs up!  

Simply Heart and Soul: Frames That Count

Before going to sleep, I looked at my calendar and jotted down a note.  As I looked at the little square representing the day, I thought about the reality that I now have one less day to live in this life.  I know, it sounds pretty negative.  Truth is, I felt a little negative, at first. 

But then, the Lord turned my negative thoughts.

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom”   Psalm 90:12 (KJV)

I felt reminded to live wisely, not carelessly, with the days that He does give me.  To make sure that the stuff that matters to God matters to me – my relationship with Him, my relationship with others within my circle of influence, doing what I can, with what I have, to further His Kingdom. 

I am reminded of a local photographer that told his 4H’ers to try and make each frame count as they took pictures.  Each frame count…..

Let us make each frame in the calendar of our lives count for Christ.

Simply Pictures

Taken with the last bit of light Saturday evening.

Spider lilies (aka hurricane flowers; lycoris radiata) signify the beginning of autumn here in the southeast.  They are oftentimes found in cemeteries, or dotting the landscape of old home places, sparking imaginations of bygone times. These in our yard, came from my husband’s grandmother’s home. 

Simply for Fun: Calvin & Hobbes Saturdays

Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson

                                             

Simply Homeschooling: Reality

Nineteen years ago, my idea of our homeschool life began with dreams of a picturesque little room, filled with shelves and shelves of books, maps, and all sorts of learning things neatly hung on the walls, wooden desks filled with my children happily and enthusiastically learning.  Me, all organized, up and ready to begin school by 8:00 a. m. with the day of learning all planned out, ready to implement.

My reality of homeschool is quite different.  A messy bookshelf graces our dining room, filled with books, papers, notebooks, and mail (I must do something about that!).  Books oftentimes reside on our dining table, kitchen table, coffee table…. We have an upstairs hall closet filled with more books, and even a few maps that aren’t hanging on the walls.  My one remaining student is my sparkly, little whimsical junior high gal, who usually sits at a table, or on the sofa – her feet that is - the rest of her is likely to be found on the floor, along with her sidekick “Baby” the Maltese next to her.  Typically she is rushing to finish.  Who could blame her?  A pretty fall day beckons her.  A magnolia tree to climb fills her imagination.  And the old tire swing, hung in the ugly crooked tree that survived the tornado, delights her, far more than studying about polygons that tessellate, or finding antecedents and reflexive pronouns.  And as for me, generally I am disorganized, up and ready to go by……well……who knows.  It depends.

But nonetheless, they learn.  I learn.  By the way, do you know how important education is to God?  I don’t either.  But I suspect, cultivating a love for Him is His greatest priority.  I am thankful we have had opportunity to walk and talk of the Lord throughout the day, and use Christ centered curriculum.

My older two have graduated now.  Even though I had plenty of days that I wondered if they would ever get it, they eventually did.  Even though I had plenty of days that I feared at the rate we were going, they would be forty before we got to graduation, yet they made it.  And somehow along the way, they developed a love for reading, and writing (Musings of an Elf), and learning, and most importantly, for God.

 

Simply Heart and Soul: The Call To Joy

[You are welcome to keep this vintage image of hymns.]

Have you ever wished a friend would call, feeling if only you could talk to someone.  Someone that would understand.  Someone that would love you unconditionally.  Someone that genuinely cares for you, would never leave you, that you could count on, always.

I have someone in my life like that.  He gives me joy.  He fills my lonely heart.  He comforts my fearful ways.  He soothes me to sleep when I worry.  When I just can’t anymore, and I am feeling completely helpless and weak, He takes over.  It doesn’t mean that I won’t feel troubled, or that I won’t go through difficulty.  But I know that He is there for me, every step of the way. Always.

His name is Jesus.

He will be there for you, too.  He will give you joy. He is calling you.  He is tenderly calling your name; calling you to Him.  He loves you. He cherishes you.  He wants to be by your side …. every step of the way …. right by your side.  Always.

Simply for Fun

Calvin and Hobbs by Bill Watterson

Simply Heart and Soul: On These Things

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  Philippians 4:8 (KJV) 

                        ~~

Ever wonder why it is so easy to get caught up in daily concerns and struggles; 

big,

small,

or anything in between?

I am an expert at it.  I’ve had lots of practice.

Today, dear friend, together, let’s simply make the conscious decision to direct our focus on all that is

true,

honest,

just,

pure,

lovely…

with thanksgiving to our Precious Savior, whom is so worthy of our praise and adoration.    

Simply Pictures: Roses, Buttons, & Saturdays

I love roses…..  I love shutter buttons….

And I love Saturdays!  Hope you had a great one!

Simply Sharing: Telling Others About Jesus

I don’t know about you, but I am a bit timid when it comes to witnessing to people.  This is where The Pocket Testament League (http://www.ptl.org/) comes in.  Pocket Testaments are handy-dandy booklets that contain the complete Gospel of John.

Inside the attractive cover, the reader will find the plan of salvation, which is comprehensive and easy to understand.

These little gospels make a very nice presentation, fit nicely in a pocket or purse, and I have found that most people readily accept them.  There are a variety of covers and translations to choose from.  

Sharing these booklets couldn’t be easier.  If I can do it, anyone can!  Try giving them to your waiter with a tip tucked inside, or to your cashier, or leaving one with the magazines in a waiting room.  Sowing seeds…What could be better than that!

Simply for Fun: Nutty Cow Toons

 

 

Simply Home: Italian Beef Roast

Crock-pots.  I love them!  Home feels  more…..well…..homey, when there is something cooking all day and we are anticipating a cozy meal.

On the menu today:

Slow Cooker Italian Beef Roast:

1 4lb Roast

1 Package Zesty Italian salad dressing mix

1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 cup water

1-2 tsp. Italian seasoning or Italian Herb seasoning grinder

(I like McCormick Italian Herb Seasoning Grinder)

Rinse roast and place in slow cooker.  In a small bowl, mix remaining ingredients.  Pour over roast.  (If using an Italian herb grinder, grind over top of roast.)  Cover and cook on low-heat for 8 to 10 hours, or cover and cook on high for about 5 to 6 hours. 

Once finished, I top roast with sautéed onions, and serve it with buns that have been toasted in the oven with butter.

Simply Heart and Soul: Mountains, Seas, and Piles of Trees

A bizarre eeriness filled our home, and then it happened.  An F4 tornado came down our long, woodsy, driveway, to our front door, and then made its way across our back woods. 

Intense pressure filled our ears, and the “big bad wolf” roared loudly. Our floors and walls vibrated, outdoor objects flew across our windows, and just like that, it was over. 

We rushed to the windows and doorway to look out.  Our woodland landscape lay in destruction, appearing unrecognizable to us.

The sound of sirens brought our minds out of the shock of what just happened, and a new realization set in—our neighboring family members may be in trouble. We tried to reach them by phone.  It was of no use.  Landlines were dead, cell phones were jammed.  Our driveway couldn't be found for all of the downed trees and our cars were completely surrounded.  We were trapped......Our minds raced as we realized the desperate need to make sure everyone was ok.

My husband and 23 year old son knew what they had to do—just what God would want them to do—head out on foot in spite of impossible seeming conditions, to check on everyone.

Noaa radio repeatedly warned, "This is not a tornado warning.  This is a tornado EMERGENCY."  Were there more tornados to come, I wondered?  I was afraid for the girls and I to be separated from our men with no communication, but there was no other answer.  It had to be done.

Dusk was settling in, joining the rain and lightening and heavy walls of humidity.  In spite of it, they set out on their journey of climbing over and under trees, and the daunting task of  trying to find their way through.  My husband described feeling as if they were on another planet.  It was disorienting, challenging, and it seemed nearly impossible.  But God equipped them with the courage and physical strength to press on.

God doesn't ask us to do something that He doesn't equip us for.

Have you ever pondered what the disciples must have thought when Jesus told them to feed the 5000 people?  Can't you just hear them say, "You want us to do what?” It must have seemed impossible, yet

He equipped them to do what He asked, providing them with what He told them to give.

How about the Israelites?  Reckon what was on their mind when they saw the Red Sea in front of them, the Egyptians behind them?  Yet

God equipped them, making a way for them.

How about you?  What are you facing today?  Are you dealing with circumstances that seem too difficult, or maybe even impossible?  Are you between a rock and a hard place like the Israelites found themselves?  Or, maybe you are feeling like God is asking you to do something that you don't feel adequate enough to accomplish? 

Our Creator, the One that created all things, can handle what He has asked you to do.  Call on Him.  Ask Him for help and guidance and direction.  Submit your will to His will, and then, press toward the mark of Christ Jesus.

He will equip you.

His way, His timing, the way that will be best.  Friend, hang in there.  He loves you.  Trust Him.  He knows how everything will turn out.  

No mountain, or sea, or even piles of trees will stop our Faithful, Loving, Heavenly Father.

After some time, our men folks returned safely.  Everyone was ok.  Several family members’ homes were lost, but everyone was ok.

 

 

 

 

This is a view of our front yard and driveway, taken the following morning from an upstairs window. 

 

The same view after some clean up.

Simply My First Post

Glad you stopped by!  Now you can poke fun at me with my inexperience at blogging.

I’m so glad I have teenagers to help me figure out what I’m doing.  I used to consider myself tech savvy.  Teehee  ( me),  Bwahaha (them).

I hope you will join me on my journey with blogging!