Just a little Prayer in Spanish

We are studying Spanish in our free time. 
We pray at least once a day in the Spanish language.
This is a little prayer card we use to help remember the words
to use when speaking to God.  It is amazing that He understands in
EVERY language!

Sweet Simplicity

enjoying the little things together

    I was recently scrap booking, and came across some photos or our recent family trip to the Amish Farm in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.   In reflecting this trip, it came to me that I have managed to make my life quite complicated. Virtually everything I do is complex, from travelling, to working, to laundry. In touring the Amish Farm and observing this wonderfully simple way of life, it occurred to me that I have twisted my life-style in a way that may not be pleasing to my God.


So here is what the Lord taught me from this experience:

• Keeping things simple really helps us enjoy our lives more...
• I desperately need an understanding of simplicity.
• God really doesn't want our lives to be super complicated.
• The simple approach is also Jesus' approach to dealing with life.

Upon further reflection, I have made several discoveries. Did you know that the difference between being "simple", and being "complicated" is very obvious? To "complicate" means 'to make or become complex, to twist or become twisted together.' Complicated things are usually things that are hard to understand, or bewildering. Simple things, on the other hand are "composed of only one thing or part, not complex, but easy".

I believe that, in my life at least, complication may be a work of the devil. I say this because Satan is the author of confusion (see Isaiah 51:7). The Devil hates simplicity in my life, because he knows the power, joy, and peace that it would bring to me.

Reader, if you have time, read Matthew 11:29. I have often laughed at this verse, and questioned my sweet husband as to what it really meant. Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and lowly (humble) in heart, and you will find rest (relief, ease, refreshment, blessed quiet) for your souls. Wow, that sounds great, but how do I find this rest? It was in reflecting on God's word this morning in my quiet time, and later discussing my observations with Michael, that I began to remember Jesus' words in Matthew chapter 11.  I have pondered them so many times in the past.

I am slowly coming to some understanding of all of this... Jesus was (is) saying that if I want to remain restful and peaceful in my thinking, my feelings, and my decisions, I need to identify and remember how He handled situations, dealt with people, and responded in situations. I have been asking God to give me the strength to follow Jesus' example in this in my life.

So now, I am developing a new habit, and one which was learned from my own Lord and Savior... I ask the Lord, "What is the simplest approach to dealing effectively with this situation, as your own Son would have done?" Since the Holy Spirit God lives within me, I am quietly listening and searching the scriptures for His answer, as I know that He will guide me in all things.

God loves us SO much. He has a unique plan just for each one of us. He really doesn't want us to be completely miserable, but to enjoy the abundant Life He has provided. So for now I am striving to relax, Seek His face regularly, and watch His plan unfold. He has definitely NOT told me everything I want to know at once, by in each situation I have faced since these things have been learned, and as I ask Him what to do, He has shown me! Brilliant! God is doing amazing things in our home and our lives, as I pray He will do in other's lives.

Keep striving for simplicity, joy, and peace.

And never give up!

Simply sleeping

Quote of the Week



Summer Decorations will soon be replaced
with Autumn ones in our home.



"We were equipped by our Creator not only to live on this earth,

but to live in touch with Heaven."

--Billy Graham

Quote of the Week

We are Herbal Tea brewers at Blaueberry Cottage!

"The primary means to know God's will

is through God's Word."

--Marva J. Dawn

Quote of the Week

Time spent with best friends is essential!

"God can turn every failure and frustration into unexpected Victory!"

-Catherine Marshall

Deep Ponderings from a Mother's Heart

     I love this photo of Blaine's hand at 7 years old.  Sometimes I just stare at him, trying to memorize every detail of him at this age, for I know time will zip by and he will grow, and I want to store up all these treasures of him in my heart, for later pondering (as Mary did in the Bilble).  Imagine Mary's ponderings, how precious was the little boy Jesus to her?  It makes my heart ache to think of what she endured before and during His crucifixion.  I believe she DID understand the purpose of His life, how else could she have helped prepared Him for such a precious and sinless and sacrificial life?

     When our Birthmother told us that she had been to the hospital (she thought her water had broken) and had found out that she was having a boy, a little band tightened around my heart at the very sound of her words.  A Boy!  Such a marvelous opportunity to train and equip a MAN for God's Kingdom.  The very next day, I went to the Library and checked out a stack of books on Godly, Great men.  I scoured their pages for hints of a mother's influence in these men's lives.   In the end, my very favorites were Susan Wesley and Rose Kennedy.  These mothers purposed in their hearts to live in a way that influenced their sons for leadership, intelligence, and service to the world.  I began to look differently at Mary, Elizabeth, Hannah, Ruth, Sarah, and yes, even Leah and Rahab.  I still meditate on how these women raised their sons to make a magnificent difference in this world in their time.   May the Lord continue to help me mother my bouncing grasshopper of a boy to make a difference in his time and culture!

Quote of the Week

Packing Peanuts from a Care Package
from Grandma in PA

"People may not remember what you said or did,

but they will always remember how you made them FEEL."

--Author Unknown