Thanksgiving Part 2

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.  We had a lot of family come together in Thomson, GA (my mom's home) for a great celebration of the Lord's goodness to us.    There were 28 of us in all!  That doesn't include all the dogs that came.  We left Friday morning to spend the rest of our holiday with family in NC and we had a blast.  I'm now officially good with hearing holiday music, watching Christmas movies and even learning Christmas carols for our hymn study in school.  I'll probably "holiday" my blog when I finish updating this post.  

I began a Bible study through my Counting It All Joy yahoo group today using Peter Lord's "Getting to Know God the Son Jesus Christ".  I'm looking forward to working through this study during the month of December and really focusing myself and my family on Jesus.    I spent November trying to thank the Lord for things each day.  I'm purposing to spend December focusing on Jesus, the Son of God.  I want to spend it rejoicing in Him not focused only on Him as a baby in a manger but as the Lord of All who rules and reigns now.


Ephesians 1:3-14:  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses,which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.  In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.  In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Thanksgiving

This month I have purposed to find things to be thankful about each day.  I've tried to post these ponderings on my facebook page.  Because I love to write, I often think of a ton of things each day I'd like to put into words that I never quite get around to.  As I sat down tonight to purposely throw out some thoughts on the page, so to speak, I must admit I've decided to visit an old memory.

Thankfulness is not a thing I struggle with because I truly am overwhelmed with the blessings God has given me in this life and know how unworthy I am of it all.   Not that I don't have to purpose to choose to be thankful at times that are difficult or purposely make choices to rejoice when my flesh would like to choose differently.  I truly am still a work in progress.  (Thank you Lord; You haven't quit on me!!)  One of my favorite times that God taught me thankfulness was during a Bible Conference at Grace Fellowship.  I was soo sick, again.  Yep, pregnant and nauseous was I.  My pregnancies didn't consist of morning sickness.  They were all day and sometimes all night sickness.  The illness  lasted from 16 to 40 weeks.  Jack Taylor was teaching on being thankful even for the difficult things that come our way in life.  Well, as he was preaching, my body was telling my mind to run or be very embarrassed.  I ran out the door to the bathroom and was relieved to have listened and made it in time.    As I was hugging the toilet, I decided even in this I need to choose to be thankful.  So during and after what felt like the worst case of food poisoning you could imagine, I began praying and thanking Him.  I ended with "Thank you Lord that every pregnancy that I have been ill has resulted in a healthy pregnancy."    Would you believe, I was never sick again that entire pregnancy!!  It was a miracle.  (Of course, I tried that in following pregnancies and He didn't bless me in the same way but He still fixed me and my heart.)  I could truly thank Him during those sick times despite everything else in life that was getting so far behind due to the sickness.  I'll never forget that miracle He did for me that Bible conference.  He healed my body, encouraged my spirit and fixed my heart to choose thankfulness in all things.  Thank you Lord.

No Mom, I Don't See Buzzards!

I was pondering my crazy weekend and had to laugh to myself thinking I know what Mom will say when she hears about it.  We woke up early Sunday morning, fed everybody (which is a feat itself on Sunday mornings) and was heading out a bit early because we knew we needed to get gas in my son's car.  Well, we load up in 2 vehicles and my car doesn't start.  Battery dead!  ARGHHHH.  No biggie, I'll get out the jumper cables.  3 vehicles parked in my driveway, yet not a jumper cable to be found.  Nary a neighbor out this early in the morning either.  Okay, we still have time....I'll take hubby's car.  We move 1 car seat, 7 children, 5 Bibles, 3 purses and hit the highway.  We will now just be "on time.".  We can handle that because it still beats being late.  We unload at church and my eldest son, bless his heart, isn't used to being the driver and getting out a baby.  Being the great helper he is, he gets the baby out but forgets he left his keys inside the car when he removed the little fella.  He then proceeds to shut the door and, of course, it's locked.  No problem the spare is in the glove box.  My husband works nights and obviously cannot save us because the car I left at home won't start either (remember?).  BTW, did I mention I'm bringing home my niece this day so that my sister's family can go see the Braves game after church? 

We went on to Sunday School classes.  Did I mention I showed up to my class 10-15 minutes late?!  After church, a very patient family spent 30 minutes helping us break into my son's car.  My sister's family went on their way and we had a great afternoon despite the cRaZy start.  The best part is that we could all laugh about it and not let it ruin our entire day.  My truck ended up with larger problems than the battery and it will get fixed later this week.

When my mother lived in Atlanta, I would call and tell her the latest Tordoff news.  She would  laugh at the children's antics.  But invariably when things seemed to go wrong, another appliance broke, another vehicle to replace, she'd say "Michelle, my goodness, do you look out your windows sometimes and see buzzards flying around?".  She was implying I had buzzard luck.  Well, I could only laugh because the Lord always sees us through the craziness of this life... the broken appliances, broken bones and broken hearts, the financially lean times, the one-more-thing goes wrong kinds of days.  He has just always been faithful.  I knew when I called her that afternoon and told her the latest she would shake her head and would ask me again about the buzzards.  So I laughed as I told her the story in person Monday.  (She now she lives closer.)   I was then able to tell her "Don't worry, I don't see buzzards Mom." 

Fall is Coming

Although it's still warm outside, it's only been in the 90's and not the 100's and you get the sense that fall is on its way!  Perhaps it's the school supplies covering the shelves in the stores or the school buses on the streets or because I know Labor Day weekend is this weekend or even that "Arts in the Heart" will be here soon.  Whatever it is, our whole family is excited that fall is approaching.  We're looking forward to football, windows open, fresh bread with soup or chili, blue jeans, hoodies, camp fires, etc.  However, I want to relish each day and not rush through any of it.  The days go so fast already that I don't want to miss a thing.    

Since I last wrote, Timothy broke his arm skim boarding on our last beach trip of the year.  

He had it reset in NC but one of the 2 bones didn't stay in place.  Therefore, they did surgery here in Augusta and his arm ended up looking like this inside when they finished.

We were pretty nervous about the amount of pain he would be in.  He was determined not to miss night 3 of the "4 nights in August" that the youth were involved in.  God has been so good and has really been Timothy's healer.  He hasn't been in too much pain and has gotten by with just a little motrin each day.  He didn't miss any of the youth conference and has been such a trooper.  Now he is using it as an excuse to not have to write too much in school and I've been letting him for the most part.  I've become his secretary.

As the seasons change, may we each be reminded to be encouraged in the Lord during changes we pass through in this life.  Nothing takes Him by surprise and we can trust that He will be with us through it all.  He is faithful.  

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.    Colossians 3:16  

More Summer

I cannot believe we will be back into full swing school very soon.  Public and private schools have already begun.  We've done some school throughout summer but it's felt like a great break from full-time.  As I was canning some sweet relish today, I realized it may be the last of the cucumbers to process this year.  The tomatoes are still coming but I'm going to treat today with a solution of epson salt for blossom rot.  My pear tomatoes have been mostly fine but my romas have suffered.  My heirlooms didn't produce like they should've either.  Big beautiful plants....late on making big beautiful green tomatoes and then just few of those.  They also got hit with the blossom rot. The watermelons are still feeding us dessert a few times of week but we only have a few of those left either.  We tilled up one area that was "done"and are getting ready to plant some fall veggies soon.  It's been a lot of work but I really enjoy the end result....fresh, healthy, no chemical food for the family.  Now I've got to finish the white pillowcase dresses for the girls before we head to the beach.

We've got one last beach trip to make and I'm soo looking forward to it.  A few more days to hold on to the joy of summer...building castles in the sand, older boys skim boarding, all of us jumping waves and floating, and most of all laughing a lot together.   Until then, finish dresses for beach pictures, wrap up garden, hopefully get some painting done that I thought I'd get to this summer.  I can't even imagine what boredom must feel like.

We got rid of cable this year and so a few times a week I've been listening to things on the computer at night while I'm busy folding clothes, catching up e-mails, playing family feud on facebook on the weekend, doing a sudoku/crossword, or just holding the baby.  You can find some great listening at sermonindex.net.  It's really been some great challenging stuff.  A few nights ago, it was "Ten Shekels and a Shirt" that we enjoyed listening to.

Well, better run finish making my sweet cucumber relish before the baby awakens.  It's a new recipe so I'm hoping it turns out as pretty as it looks.  Above is what it's supposed to look like.  Aren't they just gorgeous!  The only differences in mine is that I chopped the veggies with my Pampered Chef crinkled cutter into small cubes and diced onions really small so no "wee"ones would object to the relish in their tuna.  Hope everyone is having a wonderful Jesus-filled summer.  Until,  Michelle

P.S.  Heres the recipe from "Joyous Home" (joyoushome.com):

Sweet Cucumber Relish Just like Bread & Butter pickles, except much tastier! ~Makes 4 quarts or 8 pints~ In a large saucepan combine the following: 4 1/2 cups sugar 1/3 cup + 3 Tbsp. pickling salt 3 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar 2 tsp. celery 2 tsp. dill weed 1 1/2 tsp. whole black peppercorns Stir well until well combined and bring to a low boil.  Stir and simmer over medium heat for 2 minutes.  Set aside and let cool.  While the brine is cooling, prepare the vegetables. 4 qt. (about 12 large) peeled and sliced cucumbers, about 1/8" thick 3 large sweet bell peppers (red, yellow and orange), diced 2 large white onions, thinly sliced Evenly divide all of the vegetables between two large bowls, or all together if you happen to have an extra large bowl!  Mix together well.  Pack and fill the jars very tightly.  The relish really will shrink up in the brine, so fill the jars all the way to the top and pack down as tight as possible.   For Refrigerator Relish:  Fill the jars with the cooled brine almost to the top, screw on the lids tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 6 weeks.  To Process:  Once the brine has cooled to room temperature, fill the jars 1/2" away from the top.  Adjust two-piece lids and screw snugly.  Process 10 minutes in boiling water.  The processing time given is for sea level.  If you are a at a higher altitude, you will need to adjust the timing accordingly.

Summer....Summer....Summer

Thus far we have had a great summer!!  It's been busy with a beach trip to our great friend Suzanne (whom is more like a little sister to me and a fabulous aunt to my children).  We've planted a large garden this year and some things only provided a few meals like our green beans and squash but our cucumbers, tomatoes and watermelon have been abundant.  Peppers have been steady and half of the herbs I planted are "happy".  We've done some school, a little sewing, a little visiting (Kathy & Chuck in NC, Fran & Mike, Brian's family), lots of reading, some canning and some relaxing at the Y by the pool with great friends.  The kiddos have been able to spend a good bit of time with their local cousins (and Aunt Sandi & Uncle Wendell) whom they love and their Nana & Grandy Randy on a regular basis.   We've all been getting to know folks better at Kiokee and settling into a routine at the new church.  We've been making new friends along the way as well and doing our best to make time for our old friends whom we love.   My father has been recovering well from heart surgery and I hope to visit more this summer with he and Nit  and Aunt Edna & Uncle Chuck.   The older boys have gone to Youth camp and 2 more kiddos are going to camp next week.  It's gone fast but not so fast that we haven't been able to enjoy each day.  I always wish I could spend more times with friends and family than I have time to spare but am trying better to "schedule" time together on a regular basis.

We're listening to the Focus on the Family Narnia Radio Series as we travel and are up to the "The Silver Chair".  A great quote from the book that has grabbed me is the following:  

"Doubtless," said the Prince, "This signifies that Aslan will be our good lord, whether he means us to live or die. And all's one, for that.   Now, by my counsel, we shall all kneel and kiss his likeness, and then ... all shake hands one with another, as true friends that may shortly be parted. And then, let us descend into the City and take the adventure that is sent us."

That little quote spoke volumes to me.  From the beginning, that as Christians we may have differences but there is unity in whom we believe Christ is and that He's our Lord.  That we will follow Jesus whether it means life or death.  That we are to worship Him and become His likeness due to our intimacy and then we shall journey into the world on a great adventure of capturing it for Christ.  Ahhh, I just love it.   I'll probably chew on it for days.

We've celebrated summer birthdays (Praise, Grace Anne, Michael) and soon to celebrate my and Timothy's birthday in August.   We've just been trying to enjoy life together, capture each moment for Christ, refresh ourselves before the school year fully begins again and to live well.   One most be purposeful not to get distracted by the cares of the world and to live each day to the fullest.  It's a rare day I can complete every task I want to accomplish but I'm purposing to enjoy my husband, my children and grandchildren, my friends and to laugh a lot.  In a big family, there are so many opportunities at laughter and I'm blessed to be able to enjoy great laughs daily even many at my own expense (like the day I got a goose egg getting into the truck...that's a story for another post, lol).    "You have put more joy in my heart then they have when their grain and their wine abound" Psalm 4:7

 

Until,

Michelle

 

Do you Know Him?

Suppose you are extremely interested in a particular star.  (You picture whomever it is in your mind:  an actor, athlete, political figure, whatever you may find interesting).  You watch every talk how you hear about to learn more about this person (whom I'll call him for now on).  You see his face on magazines a the check out line and you purchase them to read.  After a few years, when his name comes up you probably feel like you really know him since you've watched and read everything you could about this person.

You find out there's a contest with him and you surprisingly win.  The big night comes.  You dress your best and jump into the limo sent for your big date.  You spend a few hours at dinner with this person you feel you knew a lot about and probably one of the 1st things that occurs to you is that you knew A LOT about this person but they knew absolutely NOTHING about you - not even your name until a few moments before dinner. Secondly during your ride home as you reminisce about your evening you should realize you although you thought you knew him it was very much like going on a blind date with a complete stranger except you knew who the person was and what they looked like.  You didn't really know him at all; especially not as an intimate friend.

So it is with Jesus.  Many of us know all about Him.  We call ourselves His followers.  We go to church.  We support good causes.  We've read the Bible.  We've read a lot of books about Jesus.  We've talked to Jesus but we didn't really take time to know Him personally.  We didn't stop to listen to His still small voice.  From all appearances, we look like a Christian but when we get to heaven, we may hear those frightening words in Matthew 7: 23 "I declare to you I never knew you...depart from me!".   YIKES!!!  

Do you know more than "about" Him but who He is?  Col 1:15-20 says  "He is the image ofthe invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. ¹⁶For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. ¹⁷And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. ¹⁹For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, ²⁰and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."

Are you doing what Paul says in Colossians 3?  If you truly know Him, you know it will cost you your life but it is worth any cost.  Pauls says in Phil 3:8-11:  Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ ⁹and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— ¹⁰ that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Make it your purpose in life to know Jesus, the true and living God.  Desire earnestly to know Him and make Him known.  As Tommy Tenny says in God Chasers  "God is calling....Intimacy with God requires a certain level of brokenness because purity comes from brokenness.  The games are over friend.  He's calling you".   As for me, I'm going to answer that call.  How about you?

David Brainerd Quote

"My desires seem especially to be after
weanedness from the world, perfect deadness to it,and that I may be
crucified to all its allurements. My soul desires to feel itself more of
a pilgrim and a stranger here below, that nothing may divert me from
pressing through the lonely desert, till I arrive at my Father's house."
- David Brainerd

Good Friday

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

I Peter 3:18: “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.”

Matthew 27:27-28:8;  Mark 15:16-16:19,;  Luke 23:26-24:35, and John 19:16-20:30

Tell the Story

“The highest act of love is the giving of the best gift, and, if necessary, at the greatest cost, to the least deserving. That’s what God did. At the loss of His Son’s life to the totally undeserving, God gave the best gift – the display of the glory of Christ who is the image of God.” [John Piper]

My daughter's just finished a ballet performance in Augusta called "The Roar of Love". It's a beautiful ballet portraying C.S. Lewis' "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe". I never tire of the story as the Lion in Lewis' story gives his life for one of the main characters, Edmund. Of course, I hope I never tire of the overwhelming awesomeness of Jesus' sacrificial death for us either. We usually do a 6 week study before Resurrection Day on the Life, Death and Resurrection of Christ. I was unable to pull it off this year but instead am doing a study this week with the children for our Bible class on the final days before Christ's death. We use one of two books each year. This year we are using "Family Celebrations at Easter". We are also reading "A Miracle in Jerusalem". I haven't read it in 5 years to the children so it's like new again to most of them. It's a great read as we focus on the Resurrection this week. Let's strive to be purposeful in the seeds we plant in our children's hearts. Tell the Story!! "Preach it to the world and to ourselves (Wade Trimmer)."

"Christ the Lord is risen to-day," Sons of men and angels say. Raise your joys and triumphs high; Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply." (Charles Wesley)

Same Picture....Different Eyes

I woke up this morning with a very cool picture from the Lord. I tried to draw it while my daughters were in ballet today but it didn't translate from my mind to the paper as I would've liked. I hope to work on it until it's good enough to paint and frame. (It will take some time, lol).

There were two pictures depicting the exact same thing seen through different "eyes".

The 1st picture had a fence with 10 posts in a square formation. Each post representing the 10 commandments. The fence was covered with barbed wire. When you looked outside the fence, you saw drugs, alcohol abuse, pornography, wild living, and many other "dangerous" things to your soul. The person inside is glaring out from within WISHING he wasn't trapped inside.



The 2nd picture had a fence also with 10 posts in square formation. Each post representing one of the 10 commandments. However, this fence looked like something in a country meadow. Outside the fence you saw the same things as the first except circling the fence was a fierce lion prowling "seeking whom he might destroy". Inside this fence is a person relaxing and resting in a hammock in perfect peace.



It reminded me of a sermon Pastor Wade Trimmer taught us years ago. He gave us an example of someone coming into the church and him telling the person he/she could sit anywhere they wanted but not in this one particular seat. You can get really aggravated that you were unable to sit in that one seat. Why am I being denied the ability to sit in that one seat?! What you miss out on is that there are 100's of other seats you CAN sit in. We miss the wonderful freedoms we have when we focus on the things we don't need to do that ultimately are for our good and for our protection.



The End (for now)

That's Why I Don't Do Santa, I'm jealous!!

I'M JEALOUS!!!! The personal, wonderful,awesome, most gracious God I serve should not have to share His attributes with an imaginary fat man that delivers toys to our children. What attributes you ask? "He sees you when he's sleeping, he knows when you're awake, he knows when you are bad and good so be good for goodness sake", or the one children expect to get the best gifts from, the one with the most anticipated arrival of the year". I don't mind the true story of St. Nick. If I'm given cookies in a Santa tin, I am by far not offended. I don't even mind the children singing songs or seeing Santa at the mall for fun. But I don't want my children to anticipate the arrive of Santa more than the return of Jesus or His Spirit visiting us on earth even now. I don't want them to ever believe he knows all about them when there is only one all-knowing God, Jesus. He's the One you need to fear when you are in sin. When my youngest daughter this year decided Santa had to be real because she had seen him at the mall and other people wouldn't lie to her, I thought it was funny at first. Then realized that I really don't like any honor that belongs to the Lord to ever go to a "fun celebration" on the day when most Christians celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus. I'm jealous. I don't want His glory shared with any other. I also don't want her ever to doubt the "realness" of Jesus as if this was just another fairy tale we tricked her about. I want her to know He is real and that she will desire to know Him herself when she sees Him in our lives. I'm jealous. I don't want to share any of God's glory with Santa. We even had to weigh whether or not to celebrate Christmas in our early Christian walk when we learned the history of the holiday. It's interesting to know the Puritans in England outlawed this holiday as witchcraft. Near the end of the nineteenth century, when other Bible versions began to appear, there was a revival of the celebration of Christmas. We decided to celebrate Christmas in our home...we don't worship the tree or even a baby in a manger but celebrate the risen Lord who was born in the manger. We don't mind the holiday movies as long as they are viewed as any other movie they watch in the year...pure entertainment. It's not for me to decide how anybody else celebrates Christmas, but for me and my house we will focus on the risen Lord Jesus.

Our Annual Christmas Letter

2009 Christmas Letter

I Peter 1:2-4: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.

What a fast and furious year! Seems like we just brought Christopher home from the hospital and yet like he’s been with us always. We began our year with a big, happy baby boy Christopher birthed 2/2 at 8# 14-1/2 oz. Before I knew it, spring break was upon us. Blinked again and summer was here and we spent vacation with the family at Suzanne’s on Sunset Beach. It was a blast!! Turned around and we were back working away in school. We now have 2 high schoolers, John Russell and Nicholas. Timothy, Praise, Michael and Emily are in the home school co-op, Classical Conversations. This year’s rotation is in Ancient History. We’re learning a lot and I’m enjoying teaching on Tuesdays also. Now fall is upon us. As the trees and plants change into their full fall array, I think upon the year and of the many changes our family has gone through. With the economy’s downfall, Rusty is working full-time now for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Dept. as a deputy jailer. He enjoys his work processing folks into the “government hotel”. I’m still running the book warehouse for Nigel, a missionary on assignment in a big city in Canada. Although, I LOVED my position over the children’s ministry at Grace, I’ve taken a break for a season. It was such a blessing to be given the privilege of pouring into children the love of our Savior Jesus! Our family has been blessed with so many great friends, old and new. I’m overwhelmed with the generosity of our great God who would bless me with a joy-filled home full of happy and healthy children, a devoted dad, a happily married daughter and 2 precious grandchildren and so much more than I ever dreamed or deserve.

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Psalm 127:3

My prayer for each of you would be to know the love and joy that I have found in Jesus. Many blessings to you all for a full and wonderful year. May each day be filled to the brim with Life and that you will walk in the freedom, grace, joy and love that Christ died to give you.

Merry Christmas,

Michelle and Rusty
John Russell, Nicholas, Timothy, Praise, Michael, Emily & Christopher

Choose Joy

It's that crazy time of year again. Each year I try to do less and less to make it a more relaxed month but somehow MUCH still creeps in. We're still in school but each day is becoming December "homeschool light" as the days creep on closer to the 25th. Work has picked up a lot and my mother is now full time employed (PTL) after a year and a half from being laid off. I'm very happy for her and realize again what a blessing she was to me here as I pick up the full load again. I'm allowing the teens to work again to help lighten the load. Being a mom of many, running a warehouse, homeschooling 5, being a wife, and trying to juggle housework, healthy diets, exercise, and more adding a busy month in could be a recipe for disaster BUT once again I choose joy. I will choose to rejoice in the Lord each day! I will choose to thank Him for the work He gave my husband and I instead of complaining. I will choose to thank Him for the ability to homeschool my children instead of straining under the stress of the task at hand. I will choose to thank Him for blessing our home with good health, joyful children and most of all a peaceful home to lay my head down at night in. I will enjoy the Christmas music, the hot tea or chocolate (even if there will be a dozen more spoons and powder spills on the counter), the warm fire (that I never have to build thanks to my pyro sons), and the busyness of it all because we miss out on the abundant blessings poured out into our every days if all we gaze at are the troubles. Thank you Jesus for the joy you infiltrate into our lives. Help us to keep focused on you and enjoy the ride of life.

I Want to Love You More
Michelle Tordoff

Help me love you more than my pillow Lord
To rise and praise you in the morn
Help me love you more than the food I eat
To fast and pray, on your Word to feast

I want to love you more
You are worthy of all and what am I?
In light of You
It’s a small thing to give my life.

Let me not be captivated by the world.
Over uneternal things, may I choose Your ways
Let my recreation be pleasing to You
And not the focus of my days.

I want to love you more
You are worthy of all and what am I?
In light of You
It’s a small thing to give my life.

I want to love you more and myself less
Look towards You for whom I should bless.
To thank You when praises come
And not believe that I’m really anyone.

I want to love you more
You are worthy of all and what am I?
In light of You
It’s a small thing to give my life.

New Quote

From the Confessions of St. Augustine:
"Most highest, most good, most potent, most omnipotent; most merciful, yet most just; most hidden, yet most present; most beautiful, yet most strong; stable; yet incomprehensible; unchangeable, yet all-changing; never new, never old; all-renewing, and bringing age upon the proud, and they know it not; ever working, ever at rest; still gathering, yet nothing lacking; supporting, filling, and overspreading; creating, nourishing, and maturing; seeking, yet having all things. Thou lovest, without passion; art jealous, without anxiety; repentest, yet grievest not; art angry, yet serene; changest Thy works, Thy purpose unchanged; receivest again what Thou findest, yet didst never lose; never in need, yet rejoicing in gains; never covetous, yet exacting usury. Thou receivest over and above, that Thou mayest owe; and who hath aught that is not Thine? Thou payest debts, owing nothing; remittest debts, losing nothing. And what had I now said, my God, my life, my holy joy?"

Worship

Although I've purposed to live a life of no regrets, I've discovered once again it's almost impossible. Sometimes we just plain make poor choices and other times until God reveals things to you, you don't even realize you walked off in your own way. It may not be necessarily a "bad" way but not God's "best" for you or your family. It has impressed upon me to be more purposeful in praying for God's guidance for our family. As I strive to walk in this path, I'm praying for an ear to hear and feet to obey whatever direction He's sending us in.

We've been visiting different churches the past few weeks. My children are so used to great praise and worship music in the church we've been a member of for the past 16 years that even if the Word is preached great and the teachings for their ages are challenging, some of them aren't interested. That saddens me. I want my children to worship the Lord with the whole hearts whether it's great praise music, an old hymn, in silence, prayer, the reading of God's Word, participating in communion, and/or serving their family or others. My prayer is that they realize they can worship while studying the Word, as they work, and in Biblical teachings. It's not limited to one act, but is done properly when the heart and attitude of the person is in the right place. I hope they can worship the Lord in a crowd that looks like them but if they found themselves in a totally different group that they have absolutely nothing but the Lord in common, they can worship the God of creation with their whole heart. It's easy to believe one is "free" in worship because we don't follow traditional religion's services. One can even become quite arrogant that if they were as full of the Spirit as we are, they would have more modern worship music, a great band, great lighting, latest technology, yada, yada, yada. Those things can be just as traditional in the charismatic world as 3 hymns and a prayer can be in traditional church world. I also believe in both places you can find a heart for worship. I enjoy both when the folks have a heart after God and it's God-centered. I don't mind each of us having different preferences because God created each one of us as unique individuals. Whether it's traditional hymns, modern praise songs, loud concert-style worship, I'm okay with their choices as long as we're God focused and don't completely miss the point of coming together to worship. Jesus tells us that true worshipers will worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). This means we worship from a pure heart. Finney says, "The Savior says the pure in heart are blessed because they shall come into his presence and enjoy him forever. But more than this is true; they are blessed here in time. They have in their souls a sense of sweetness and purity; they are conscious of loving God and of having great peace of soul and purity of heart--which, of themselves, work out great peace and joy." Our attitude and heart should be towards God not matter what worship service we find ourselves in. For God alone is worthy of all our worship and praise. Worship is done for God and God's pleasure alone! True worship is felt inwardly, and then comes out through our actions. King David had a pure and grateful heart towards God and he worshipped Him with all that he had. So many of the Psalms reflect David's passionate heart for worship. My prayer is that my family will also be men and women after God's own heart. That their lives will be to glorify and exalt God. Although the one hour of worship in church is good and sometimes even great; it's the moment by moment acknowledgment of God and all His power and glory in the day in and day out moments of life that lead them into a lifestyle of worship.

According to the spirit of this age, the ultimate sin is no longer the failure to honor and thank God but the failure to esteem oneself. Self-abasement, not God-abasement, is the evil. And the cry of deliverance is not “O wretched man that I am, who will deliver me?” but “O worthy man that I am, would that I could only see it better!”

John Piper

Canning and 'Maters

Nicholas came in today pretty excited that our slow moving tomatoes finally have ~100 green tomatoes looking like they are on the road to turning red soon. He's already planning and plotting our fall garden. We're thinking cabbage, lettuce, broccoli and carrots. I'm going to keep my eye out for someone's old window or glass door to turn it into a little greenhouse area when winter comes. We kept cabbage and lettuce going all winter once and it was great.

Tonight Praise and I are making pear oatmeal breakfast bars (already put together to bake in the morning), pear honey and pear butter. She'd also like to make her daddy a pear pie for when he comes home from work. If not, we're going to hunt some more pears tomorrow. I'd love to give these away for Christmas this year.

I found a great site today at http://www.homesteadoriginals.com. They are having a contest to win a canning dvd if anyone is interested. I haven't dug totally in and read everything yet because we're so busy today but it looks great.

This fall-like weather makes me want to free my weekends for sewing. We have a lot of unfinished projects we need to catch up on first but I'm hoping to wrap them up this weekend. The big summer to fall clothes swap needs to happen before I think about sewing so I can see what we really need. My aunt has inspired me by some incredibly cute aprons she's been making and selling. I'll have a picture soon on my etsy site. They are great and she's charging too little for all her work! I know they'll really bless some people.

Well that's all for now! I've got pears and an anxious daughter calling my name.

Wandering Thoughts

I've had a LOT to write but haven't taken much time to sit and write lately. Life is flying by fast and furious. I would relish in a day that I could be bored. I don't even recall what that felt like :).

Vacation in August was fabulous. We always have a great time at the beach. It also makes me wish we lived closer to Suzanne. She's like a little sister and I just love her. Had a fabulous time with my daughter and her family, my sister and her family and, of course, my hubby and our family. I hope my little ones alway remember what great times we've had on our beach trips. They are such memory makers.

This vacation I finished the book "Beyond the Glittering Mask". This book is about a visit to a professor from Satan and Michael and their thoughts on the 7 deadly sins. Some quotes to ponder:

Satan on pride: It has always been among my noblest goals to inspire the sons and daughters of Eve to resist by refusing instruction. This simple tactic thoroughly frustrates the Tyrant. Men and women who stand fast against the Tyrant’s thinly veiled instructions, reproof, correction, direction, and regulations infuriate him beyond measure. One of my most proven strategies in the fight for liberation is to infiltrate families, factories, and forts with the plan of passive resistance. Refuse to listen! That is the anthem the Tyrant hates to hear. It is the holy song of the proud and the melody to which my most successful armies have marched throughout the ages. When school children whisper, pew sitters pass notes, employees ignore directions, and the young laugh off the admonitions of the old, the cause of liberation is furthered.
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Michael speaking to Lucifer on sloth: What’s the difference? Sloth steals their souls’ desire. Unable to shake themselves and rise to seek His face, they help themselves to willing doctors who will reject them with the serum of Sloth. Religion, like a lullaby makes men too lazy to live. Or else they find an organ grinder with a dancing monkey on a string, and look at the monkey! Look at the monkey dance! See how funny! And Heaven weeps. You, Lucifer, you are no god at all, but a lazy deceiver who thinks the play’s the thing. And you make your children laugh until they weep from emptiness and dance until they die. Do NOT speak to me of religion! You are the father of that carnival show.

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Those were some of many lines in the book that really make you ponder how lightly we take sin. Another great moment at the beach was the Sunday service on the beach. That's always one of my favorite things to do when we go. There's nothing like sitting in front of God's creation of roaring waves, splashing seas, blowing wind, and sing to and of our mighty Lord with fellow believers!! I love it!!

Since the beach, we've been getting in "school" mode. We're already back into tennis, ballet, band and co-op. Next week we're back into art with my mom teaching. Tordoff Academy light ends and we take off into full speed next week. We've been 3/4 speed since last week and next week we'll be running on all cylinders. Vrrrrrrooom.

We've also started as a family to read through the Bible in 90 days. I have over 20 other people reading with us that I send daily reminders to. It's going to be a great adventure. I just encourage folks to look for Jesus in every reading. I'm really excited about doing this.

Well, that's it for news on us besides our baby is already 6 months old and has the greatest, chunkiest legs ever. His diaper makes it look like we're cutting off the circulation to his legs. You just want to squeeze him and his happy face. He's the happiest little fella. We just love him. Thanks again Lord for all the blessings you've given us!