Thankful

Home:
We are officially without a computer at the moment. I was able, in my depth of computer knowledge, and knowing how much I warn my kids against it, opened something online and it delivered the nastiest of computer viruses onto my cpu. It is now unplugged altogether and going to be taken to a wonderful friend for his brilliant mind to fix. Praise the Lord for someone to help us! So, saying that, I'm now at the Library using their machine! Not bad, but I can't be on too long.
Well, our laundry is going better. I did forget, however, to start another load before leaving for Riverton. Oh well, it's not like it's going to sprout enough energy to walk out of the house and find someone else who would take better care of it! (for those of you who know me, it isn't THAT dirty!) The kids are starting to get better about doing theirs. They realize that Dad and I were serious with our statements about them doing their own. They do seem to resent the whole chore-wonder why? Maybe because it's my least favorite?? Well that sparks something...
Proverbs 31:15 mentions the THE woman is caring for and feeding her maidens(kjv), maidservants(nkjv), servant girls(niv). I think we all have a few servants in our homes more than we realize! Do we take care of them? Do we appreciate them? Do we "care" for them so they can perform at their best? You've either heard this before, or you're thinking "What is she talking about? I don't have any help, let alone maids!!" Well, almost all of us do...they are called appliances. Where we be without them? Those very convenient machines sitting in our kitchens and laundry areas. Even our bathrooms. All our faucets can even be considered servants...we turn a handle or lift one and wallah...instant water at our request. I personally couldn't imagine life without may "Servants." I can put food in my freezers to last the summer, let alone the winter. Turn a knob to ignite a nice toasty cooking temp of my choice for my food. Even throw something in the microwave to heat up in 30 seconds(and how many times does that seem like to long a wait?) Then there is the washing machine. What a marvelous product!! It has saved so much time and energy over the years. Praise God for the washing machine!
I guess what I'm saying is I need to remember to be thankful! Being thankful is so very important. It is also a very Godly quality. In Psalm 100 v 4..."be thankful unto Him..." and then Colossians 3:15 "...and be ye thankful."
Before I continue on thankfulness(or the lack thereof), I have to say that I believe God is over all things big or small. Most people would consider their household needs petty and small things that are insignificant to God. I DO NOT!! First Corinthians 12:6 talks of God being over all. This verse is speaking of ministries and gifts. My "CUSHY" home ministers to my family and I!
Back to Thankfulness; First Timothy 3:2 says "For men will be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, UNTHANKFUL, unholy..." and on with more in the next verses. I can't help it that unthankful sticks out to me. I want to be thankful in all things. Even in trials that I may see the Grace and handiwork of my loving God!

School:
It goes on, harder each day. I am dependent on God to change the hearts of my boys to appreciate school and the fact that it is at home. They have absolutely no motivation, so I keep praying. Abi heard me praying on day and told me it was no use. I let her know that, that was like saying God wasn't big enough. He is more than big enough. He's shown me too much to doubt now! It might be the death of me...lol....but He's big enough!!!!

Diet:
I did well last week. Down another 3 pounds. With the flex plan I'm using, I can have anything I want. Sadly, I don't choose wisely every day and still include foods high in sugar. For some reason I really crave chocolate, which I've really never done before...who knows...just a candy phase maybe. I haven't exercised enough yet. Paul asked me to start. Hopefully I won 't wait 14 years to do this request!

Family:
Keep on praying...things are looking up. God is answering prayer (like he wasn't going to, DUH!!)

Love you all,

number nine

The First Week O8

School: (Green for Growth)
We are officially through our first week of textbooks. Wow, before the month of September ended. That is a real improvement for us, considering we usually don't have all of our text before then or later! Praise the Lord. The kids are alive and so am I. God graciously provided for us. We are so incredibly blessed for this. He is AWESOME.

Home: (Red for heart.)
We are staying busy around here. I really miss Paul. Harvest is a lonely time of year if you have hayfever and allergies that refrain you from going to the field very often. There are very few times that I pray for snow, so now, as I'm longing to see my DH more, I fight the selfish urge to pray for snow. Anyway, it would ruin our crops. I know the Lord is asking me to transform, so there is my prayer. To be in obedience to the Lord and His order. I'm fortunate. Some wives don't have thier husbands home at night most of the year. I am truly blessed. Doublely so, one that he is here at night, and two that he is a marvelous worker and provider for our family.

The fearless hunters got back to town by 3pm on Wednesday. They both brought in an Antelope meaning at least 60lbs of meat for our freezer. What a blessing! We also had a dear friend offer to grind some into burger for us. What a great gift! We are thankful for meat that doesn't cost $3 a pound or more! We butchered Thursday morning and put the meat in the freezer by noon. Yeah!

I accomplished a lot of "get rid of" when Paul's mom was here. It was so nice to be able to get things out. There is very little we'll need for winter except a few pieces of duo-fold. We are even good on coats, I think. I really need to stay disciplined in the Laundry area. I am doing way better than I've ever done, but it still needs some tweeking. Esp. the ironing part. I need to be pleasing to my DH, and he loves 100% cotton shirts. So goes the iron. :)
Entertainment is a place of incredible strife for me. I enjoy movies and a few crime dramas, but the content isn't pleasing to the Lord. You would think it'd be a no-brainer, but still it is a strife and a battle. When I am strong I succomb to the weakness in others and let the other worms pull me back in the bucket. My prayer is for the others to see what I see and agree with total surrender that would be best for our home. I'll do my best to say nothing. I am looking for family friendly movies that are encouraging, and even convicting. That is what I'd like. I do shopping through cbd.com and have found several I'd like. We'll see. We didn't build up the collection of DVD's we have over night, and it will take time to fill our shelves with good ones. $$ for those isn't a priority anyway.
We have enough extra things around here, the house really needs cleaned out. What would we really have if we only had our true needs? REAL NEEDS??? Think about it. Things we think are nessecities would soon disappear. Some days, gladly so!!! Lord give us a Vision for our homes!!

Weight: (Purple for my least favorite color and subject.)
Today I seemed to do better on my diet (lifestyle change, sure.) The only thing was, I drank 2 cans of soda. They were diet, and I added lime. The lime really seems to make it more bearable and reminds me of Sonic. I just would like to stay off the soda. It is harder than I thought it'd be. I also had some chocolate. I didn't go over my points, but I used them all. One thing I can't seem to curb my appetite for is milk. I have managed to switch myself to 1%. It was something getting used to, since we're used to fresh. I do a lot of prayer about this diet. The one stumbling block I have, is when I start to feel encouraged and see my body changing as a good thing, something happens to discourage me. Either a weight adjustment that seems off (and I know it isn't,) or my hubby eats tons of overage points and then doesn't care to write anything down for days, still losing. I just have to remember that I am accountable for my actions, no matter what is going on around me! My actions, reactions and attitudes are mine to own, no one elses. As long as I remember that, I will will win this battle. I also have to remember that I have to do this for me. On one hand I am, but on the other, it is for my DH. He has really asked for this from me for 13 years. Hopefully it is encouraging to him. I hope so anyway. As of yesterday morning I'm -30. Not that it will come up that weight on Monday morning. If I keep it up and maybe walk at least once, if not twice this weekend, I'll not be disappointed. I really need to exercise. Lord please help me exercise!! I was looking forward to buying a digital scale this week, but it didn't come to pass. I'll get it, but just not this week. I've done this long without one, and if it works out not to get one, I'll live.

Flesh vs Spirit.....overcoming number nine

Challenging Routine

Here goes nothing yet everything. I've done a blog entry here and there, but nothing that ever lasted. That is the "Challenge" to this. I would like to be faithful, overcoming, and encouraging on the blog. Lord willing, this will be a good accountability for my undisciplined lifestyle.

First, to find the time. NO, to give the time. There is time, I just don't prioritize like I should, and minutes at one thing becomes hours and then there is no more time for things that should be more important.
Second-Complete honesty. A half truth is a whole lie, my husband likes to say. I agree. No more hiding. Showing who I really am or am not. Letting God control it all and changing what needs to be changed.

Third-To enjoy and be a blessing! I love you all.