Scripture Sunday

I wanted to share a verse tonight - hoping to memorize this one this week. It was a verse my dear friend here in Irving shared with me on Wednesday night. She linked this verse with Proverbs 31. As a woman who has studies this chapter and felt intimidated more than once, I was thrilled to see Alicia link these two passages of scripture. So here it is :

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

2Peter 1:3

Do you see the promise in that verse. First, I was reminded that God does not want us to feel guilty and intimidated by his word. He hopes to encourage us and inspire us to reach for him. On top of that, he has equipped us to attain the goals he sets before us by giving us all that we need. So when we start to feel inadequate or think we are not good enough, we need to stop and know that if we think that of ourselves we are also saying He is not good enough to help us. We are good enough, because he is in us and helps us be who he calls us to be. It is not about us trying harder, doing more, or anything else. It is about him, what he does through us and in us, and who he calls us to be.

Today was great, Sunday usually is. To spend the morning in the Lord's house and be encouraged and inspired through a sermon, praise and worship songs, and to join together in prayer just has a way to making the small stuff --> small!! And it makes him seem so much bigger! And that is what we need more of!

So another week of schooling my kids and managing this home. We are starting on the right foot, oatmeal is in the crockpot for breakfast, dinner will go in when we finish breakfast - so 2 meals not much prep! School planned for the week. And I think I may even squeeze in some sewing projects.

My focus this week:

Another goal I have added to my list, to increase my joy and thus increase the level of joy in my home. This goes hand in hand with saying yes more - and I hope to focus on that this week. Impromptu game playing, special story reading snuggled on the couch and maybe even some craft time! I may not get it all done, but I continue to reach for that higher level. I hope to have contagious joy in my life and pass that on to my precious children!

Hope you are seeing God move in your life, hope you are feeling him close!

perspective

it is amazing how much influences our perspective on life. How sleep and a full belly change your perspective!

Today we watched the 2 big boys play their first ever basketball games - it was so much fun! J learned a lot about the details in the game today - with mom, the coach and the ref trying to explain the center line to him in different ways! :) Then P was just an amazing bundle of energy on the court - could hardly contain his enthusiasm!

But yesterday? Different story! I figured out about 3pm that when you begin year committing your time, your mind and your year to God, you make someone else upset! I mean really. Not only did I make these crazy, wild goals for 2010 - but I am following through!! I mean, I have my verse memorized! I have been reading my Bible every day along with Manna's plan, I have spent time in real prayer each morning and again at night too. I have stayed true to my goals to limit computer time. All of it. I am actually following through.

Well, the spiritual warfare officially began yesterday(Friday)! I just felt mildly depressed. I could not cook : oven broke and I almost killed myself (literally) trying to take it apart, then due to sparking I was afraid to turn the power back on so I lost use of the cooktop too. I cannot do dished : the plumbing is completely backed up and the water will not drain. I cannot do laundry : see dishes part & know the plumbing is linked (go figure!). I cannot sew : I cleaned all my sewing up the day before and wanted to bless Robert with a clean living area. I did not have school to do : we finished the day before. So what do I do??? My back was the worst it has been in weeks. Result : Janelle feeling lost and really depressed. I wanted to call Kristen to have a mini-pitty party. But I knew that I needed to turn to my verse and my God for comfort. So I did. But my verse is

Blessed is the man …[whose] delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:1-3

Do you notice the last part? Whatever he does prospers? Well, I did not feel too prosperous yesterday (despite the fact that I did not get hurt). So instead of wandering aimlessly through the afternoon, I found my book, and snuggled in at the couch with various kids at different times reading my book while the other non-snuggling kids played games and puzzles on the floor nearby. About 7pm (the kids normal bedtime) Robert arrived home with hot pizza. So the day finally ended and it was a good ending to a bad day.

But Saturday seemed to be a different story. Between great ball games, we were on our way to see the Mavericks play while the kids spent the night with cousins! yeah! Robert's brother Brian and wife Lisa gave us tickets for Christmas with the offer to watch the kids too! So it was a much needed break for Robert and I! Amazing how your perspective changes when you get some sleep and have something fun to look forward to!!

meeting with Him

First, fun with friends & guns... what could be better?

And then a little girl with an umbrella..

Just another day in our home!!

It always seems to amaze me when God blesses me when I least expect it. I am so hoping 2010 will be a year immersed in scripture, living and breathing his words to me. Every where I turn this week re-enforces that calling on my heart. Nancy Leigh DeMoss was replaying some sessions of a lady, also named Nancy, who spoke about memorizing scripture and all the good is does for us, for one it causes us to think on him every time we think of the verse we are trying to seal in our minds. And every time I think of him I think it strengthens his hold on my heart, it draws me further into this intimate relationship with him, and that is precious!


But last night I made it to church with the kids. I was ready to see adults and to hear our pastor speak and for the kids to see friends. I expected to catch up with my friend Alicia while the kids did their post-choir thing with Team-Kid. She had other plans though, and I gently asked if I could "tag-along" to her Bible study prep with another friend of hers. She graciously allowed me to join them, and it was such a blessing to me.



The study is on Proverbs 31, and yes I voluntarily asked if I could come along to a Proverbs 31 study - sound like a glutton for punishment don't I? Well it was just wonderful. First, my dear friend is a gifted teacher, but wow - she did an amazing job with this study! She referenced scripture I have never seen linked with Proverbs 31 - it was great. Not only that, but the conversation I had earlier in my day with Kristen was on the topics she focused on in her study. She had some great verses to back up what I was talking about with Kristen and it was just so sweet. I felt like God really put it all together leading up to Wednesday night. So sweet!

Here is a great recipe to share too - we ate this this week (from the freezer) my friend Sidne made it for a recent meal swap I participated in. This is wonderful!!

MEXICAN-STYLE PENNE
8oz Penne (or whatever pasta you have on hand. Bowties are nice, too.)
8oz lean Ground Beef (venison or shredded beef work well, too.)
½ tsp. Ground Cumin
1 tsp. Chili Powder
1 15.5oz can Pinto Beans
1 15.5oz can Whole Kernel Corn
1 15.5 oz can Diced Tomatoes
1 small Diced Green Bell Pepper (optional)
½ Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
½ Cup Sliced Green Onions (optional)
1 Cup Sour Cream (low fat works great)
½ Cup Salsa
½ Cup Broken Tortilla Chips (optional)

Prepare pasta according to package directions. If you will be freezing this meal, cook pasta only ½ done.

In a large skillet, brown ground beef and drain. Add beans, cumin and chili powder; heat through. In a large bowl, combine pasta, meat mixture, tomatoes and corn. Pour into a gallon sized zip-lock freezer bag. Measure and package in individual, snack-sized zip-locks, the green pepper, cheese, onions and salsa. Place these inside the gallon-sized bag with your meal; press the filled, gallon-sized bag flat, squeezing out as much air as possible. FREEZE YOUR MEAL (WITH THE EXTRAS) AT THIS POINT. You will need to provide only the chips and sour cream on serving day.

Preparing this meal from the freezer
Cooking Instructions: You will need the following on cooking day (not included): 1 Cup Sour Cream, ½ Cup Broken Tortilla Chips (Optional), ½ Cup Sliced Green Onions (Optional.)
Thaw package overnight in the refrigerator. Remove Salsa and Cheese packets; rinse off and set aside. Place remaining mixture in a large skillet; heat, stirring often, until heated through. (Check pasta for doneness part way through; if needed, add a bit of water.) Remove from heat. In a small bowl, mix the sour cream, salsa and green pepper; fold into the skillet mixture. Serve topped with cheese, broken tortilla chips and green onions.
I like to serve this with a side spinach salad, tossed with 1 clove pressed garlic, ½ cup rice wine vinegar and 1/4 cup olive oil.

Per serving: 353 calories, 11g fat, 17g protein, 48g carbohydrates, 7g dietary fiber, 31mg cholesterol, 503mg sodium.

walking in the word

Today is another day in this new year. 2010 - the year of following (for me).

School started earlier than the other days in this week, that was after all the children were bathed and we had breakfast. So school ended earlier than the other days allowing me some extra time before lunch. I was able to catch up on some of my favorite blogs and even get about 15 minutes of housekeeping in!! FlyLady would be proud! I stumbled upon a blog called Econobusters from an email from Old SchoolHouse Magazine. She is running 31 days of organizing tips on her blog for the new year. I was inspired to run into the kids rooms (colder than the room I was in) to quickly pull out some extra clothes. Literally it took 15 minutes and it was WONDERFUL!! I cleared out pant drawers for 3 boys and PJs too. I now have 4 bags of extra clothes and a box of PJs.

I was able to have a great conversation with my dear friend Kristen and we even talked about that whole "stumbling" on blogs and just following rabbit trails until you cannot get out. Yes, I too suffer from that! I suggested setting a timer for blog reading to keep from wasting too much time - I think I will have to try the timer thing. I am just so thrilled at regaining so much of my time through managing my on-line time better!!

Most importantly today, I spent some time with God - I walked with him. I have been reading my Bible in bed before I get up - while icing my back (following the plan from Manna Church). And this is working so well for me! The ice ensures I am awake and alert and it helps my back heal, while soaking in the word and committing my day to Him through prayer. I have been meditating on my memory verse - it is posted in the bathroom, kitchen sink, dash of my car, and a copy is on the school table - so I almost have it memorized! And working on it has been keeping my mind on Him, His word, and His promises for my life - I need that!

I feel like, because I am putting him first in my day and throughout my day, he is blessing my time management and my attitude through the day. Am I still yelling at the kids at times? Yes, but not as angrily or as often. Instead I am trying to remind them what obedience looks like - since we have been talking about that for our Character Training this month. That seems to be working, they know what they are supposed to be doing, they are just not in the habit of choosing it. Kind of like me - huh? Sometimes I need a gentle reminder from someone I love to get me back on track.

Even found a few minutes to help start the kids on this new puzzle from Goodwill (missing 4 pieces :))

So, I am enjoying this new found time, this new focus on the Word of God and hiding it in my heart, and the moments with my children. We have many days left in this year, and it will feel long, but it will be short, I hope to stay on this course 'til then end!!