Miles to go before I sleep...

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5: 43-48

A Morning's Readings

For the LORD God is both sun and shield;* he will give grace and glory; No good thing will the LORD withhold* from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, happy are they who put their trust in you! Psalm 84: 10-12 Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised. Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 They shall be Mine, says the Lord of hosts, on the day that I make them My jewels. Malachi 3:17 But to you who fear My name, The Son of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings... Malachi 4:2

Morning Pages, At Home By the Fire

Dubai 2010

"Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let your love increase. Where there is injury, we will never judge. Where there is striving, we will speak your peace. Where there is sadness, we will bear their grief. We will be His instruments of peace."

From the "Intimate Worship" CD

I love the way this music swirls in my head, and I awaken to the prayer of being the instrument of God's peace. His peace, to rule over my heart and mind, has been my request for so many years. I love Him and am growing in the knowledge and certainty of His love for me.

I remember, years ago, accepting that Jesus died for my sins, that He was raised on the third day and is seated on the right hand of God the Father. He paid for my sins, for all of them, not even one is left for me to attempt to pay.

His love is new every morning . It has taken time for me to move, to breathe, to swim in the great pool of His love for me. Sanctification, maturity in Christ? Never fear, I know I have miles to go, but truly, my heart's desire, and fervent prayer for over twenty years now, is to be "conformed to the image of His Son," to know Jesus and be like Him. I do know, without doubt, that He is working all things for my good, and for His Glory.

I love Jesus today and also God my Father and His precious and dear Holy Spirit. His mercies are indeed new every morning. Draw us to Yourself, Lord Jesus, that we might walk in a manner worthy of you, pleasing You in all respects. Continue to make us instruments of Your peace.

What does Halloween mean to me? Chili...of course! Our church has an annual Fall Festival, filled with games, candy, space bounces and best of all.. all the chili and hot dogs you can eat.

I signed up to bring a pot tonight, along with nine other chili connoisseurs. I am thinking of my childhood today as I prepare my Mom's "Saturday Afternoon Chili." She would make a pot of her famous concoction and it would simmer on the stove all afternoon, through ballgames on the TV and through leaf raking fiascoes in the yard. Autumn in the South brings all those sounds and smells, tastes and feelings to the foreground.

I am grateful. Thanks, Mom.

To everything there is a time and a purpose for everything under heaven.

Well, last night was a first for me. We actually created a Homecoming Dance, "Movie Magic" in our very own back yard. Unbelievable and way cool. DJ, dance floor, twinkle lights in the trees. It was beautiful.

As a homeschooling family, we have the amazing ability to allow our children to dream big dreams and then do our best to make those dreams come true.

I am grateful and amazed. Hurray for "The Academy!"

Thoughts on My 26th Year as a Mother

Mary's Magnificat: Mary, the most significant mother of us all, spoke these words while the baby Jesus rested in her womb:

^{From the book of Luke:}

⁴⁶ And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

 ⁴⁷And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

 ⁴⁸For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

 ⁴⁹For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

 ⁵⁰And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

 ⁵¹He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

 ⁵²He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

 ⁵³He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

 ⁵⁴He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

 ⁵⁵As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

As I awaken on my 26th year of celebrating Mother's Day as a mom, my heart is filled with gratitude for the mercy and love that the Lord God has spread abroad in my heart and in my life.  One perfect husband (since I'm the perfect wife, of course). Six children, each one so beautifully special and precious have adorned my life and shaped me into the person I am today.  And grace upon grace- an incredible son-in-law and perfect little grandson have been added and I have the promise of a beautiful daughter-in-law in a mere few weeks. They make my heart sing. The Lord's love overwhelms me, my cup does indeed run over!

So...this weekend found part of our family searching out treasures at various estate sales scattered throughout our town.  We are now the proud owners of two antique desks, two French Country chairs and a fun, French Country game table.  Needless to say, we found quite the treasures!

The French Country pieces are now home in our master bedroom.  The room was redecorated in the "let's move everything around to see if I like it better here" method.  Lots of dust and back- ache later....we have a new room. Voila!!

The bedroom really is more beautiful and peaceful.  I napped here this afternoon and then decided to rule my little world from my cozy bed.  I brought my laptop back and rewrote some lesson plans, caught up on some correspondence, even talked on the phone a little.  All in all, this "newness" renew and revived me.  Isn't that interesting?