41. Cooler weather. The summer was nice, but there's something invigorating about the crisp September air! I also like the shorter days. Our household tries to pack so much activity into our days, and the longer summer days tempt us to stay up way to late. We tend to get more sleep during the fall and winter because we go to bed earlier!
42. The rain that brought the cooler weather. Seems like this year the LORD has spread out the rains more evenly, and for that I am grateful.
43. A rained-out church picnic that moved to our home. We had a lot of cozy fun with a bunch of people we love!
44. The graces measured out to us daily in the form of extra time with people whose lives hang by threads.
45. For my mother-in-law, whose birthday was yesterday. Happy Birthday, Mom! Hopefully we're going to be at her house later today helping her celebrate in a lonely house, since Dad is in rehab hospital for the next couple of weeks.
46. Spiritual warfare that drives us to our knees before the throne of grace. Protection from the Lord during those times of intense battle with the powers of darkness.
47. The wisdom given by the Father through His Spirit when requested.
48. The tender words of endearment from family members at unexpected times. "I love you, Mommy!" from my youngest son, hanging out the car window as he drives off with his Daddy.
49. The enthusiasm of my youngest daughter (a creative soul) as she plans a costume to go along with our medieval unit study.
50. The enthusiasm of my youngest daughter (the social butterfly!) as she plans our fall calendar hospitality.
Awww! Do I hafta quit now? There are SOOOOO many things for which to be grateful! Thank you, Lord!
Your daughter,
Hester
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Looking Ahead Part 2
After a friend pointed out doctrinal errors in Henry Blackaby's EXPERIENCING GOD, I have decided to remove the "Looking Ahead" posts. Please forgive me for misleading you by promoting this book.
Contritely,
Hester
Here are two critiques of the book:
Contritely,
Hester
Here are two critiques of the book:
Personal Financial Disaster
Here's a great Yahoo! financial article about why most people have to declare bankruptcy. I think they've hit the nail pretty squarely on the head.
Let's be good stewards of the resources the Lord has provided for us!
Hester
Friday, September 24, 2010
For These Things, I Thank You, Lord
31. For our friends John and Ilyana, who so graciously hosted our church family in their home for an ethnic meal! Yum, yum! Cabbage rolls!
32. For dear grandparents. Lord, please help them in their infirmities.
33. For shoes and socks.
34. For a persistent neighborhood kitten who has won my heart against my will. Love you, Carson! You rascal.
35. For the privilege of reading a good book with my young son.
36. For the privilege of reading a challenging, convicting and encouraging book aloud to my family.
37. For lapbooks and mini-offices. We're having fun!
38. For telephones that help us keep in touch with loved ones, and sometimes let us talk to real people and not computers.
39. For cooler weather and gentle breezes. The sky was beautiful yesterday when I sat outside to drink my special nano-tea.
40. For neighbors. We are so blessed to have many wonderful neighbors.
Thank you, dear Father, for these gifts from Your hands.
Amen.
Hester
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Kleptocracy
I heard a new term a few weeks ago: kleptocracy. Probably it's a recent creation, but perhaps not.
You may recognize the component parts, and can guess at its meaning. We've heard chronic shoplifters dubbed as "kleptomaniacs." So there's an idea that "klepto" has to do with thievery and stealing. And we've lived in a democracy all our lives. A hazy conception presents itself that "-cracy" is somehow related to government.
Wikipedia's dictionary confirms these concepts: "Klepto" - "representing a combining form of Ancient Greek kleptos "thief" and klepto "steal." Then, "-cracy" - Ancient Greek kratos "power, rule." We deduce that kleptocracy must have something to do with people in power who steal. Wiktionary gives this meaning for kleptocracy: "A corrupt and dishonest government characterized by greed." Hmmm. Since I have promised to keep this blog politics-free, I won't comment on this. But I thought it a novel and possibly useful term.
Yours for expanded vocabulary,
Hester
You may recognize the component parts, and can guess at its meaning. We've heard chronic shoplifters dubbed as "kleptomaniacs." So there's an idea that "klepto" has to do with thievery and stealing. And we've lived in a democracy all our lives. A hazy conception presents itself that "-cracy" is somehow related to government.
Wikipedia's dictionary confirms these concepts: "Klepto" - "representing a combining form of Ancient Greek kleptos "thief" and klepto "steal." Then, "-cracy" - Ancient Greek kratos "power, rule." We deduce that kleptocracy must have something to do with people in power who steal. Wiktionary gives this meaning for kleptocracy: "A corrupt and dishonest government characterized by greed." Hmmm. Since I have promised to keep this blog politics-free, I won't comment on this. But I thought it a novel and possibly useful term.
Yours for expanded vocabulary,
Hester
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Good Food & Missing Legs
When our youngest daughter was learning to talk, she made her first joke. She entered the room holding a saucepan, which contained her elder sisters leather boots.
With a twinkle in her eye, she pronounced, "Good food."
------------
For some reason, when children are very young, their tangible world is limited to what they can actually see. About the same time as the "good food" incident, she came into my bedroom as I lay under my blankets, just awakening.
Her little head was barely above the bed. With grave concern, she queried, "Mama, where you glasses?"
Her eyes followed my finger as I pointed to the nightstand.
"Oh," she said. Then with even more urgency than the first question, she asked, "Mama, where you legs!"
Isn't it refreshing to see the world thru the eyes of little ones? I'm so thankful for the fresh perspective the Lord gives us that way.
With a bettered view of life,
Hester
With a twinkle in her eye, she pronounced, "Good food."
------------
For some reason, when children are very young, their tangible world is limited to what they can actually see. About the same time as the "good food" incident, she came into my bedroom as I lay under my blankets, just awakening.
Her little head was barely above the bed. With grave concern, she queried, "Mama, where you glasses?"
Her eyes followed my finger as I pointed to the nightstand.
"Oh," she said. Then with even more urgency than the first question, she asked, "Mama, where you legs!"
Isn't it refreshing to see the world thru the eyes of little ones? I'm so thankful for the fresh perspective the Lord gives us that way.
With a bettered view of life,
Hester
Monday, September 13, 2010
Still Grateful
Sigh.
It's been too long since I've added to my "1,000 Gifts" gratitude list. And to be honest, I've been having a hard time making myself be grateful. What a wretch I am! How can I NOT be grateful, being surrounded by so many blessings. Blessings like:
22. New friends.
23. Surprise provision of a large sum of cash from an anonymous source. Much, much needed.
24. The ability to minister to other people's needs. Very significant for me, having been prevented from doing much of that in recent months.
25. The steady love and prayers of my husband.
26. The way the Lord is leading my husband, step - by - step, to lead our family. Pretty exciting!
28. Our daughters getting to do something they've wanted to do for a long time!
29. Websites such as ABE books and Amazon.com and paperbackbookexchange.com, where we can purchase books economically.
30. How much fun it can be to home educate a 3rd grader! And how much I learn as I teach my junior-higher.
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, for these and for hundreds of other gifts - small and large - that You pour into my life so abundantly, I thank you. May my life be a continual response of gratitude for Your loving care and provision, and flat out indulgence toward me, your unworthy wayward daughter. Amen.
In the Name of the Giver of every good and perfect gift,
Hester
It's been too long since I've added to my "1,000 Gifts" gratitude list. And to be honest, I've been having a hard time making myself be grateful. What a wretch I am! How can I NOT be grateful, being surrounded by so many blessings. Blessings like:
22. New friends.
23. Surprise provision of a large sum of cash from an anonymous source. Much, much needed.
24. The ability to minister to other people's needs. Very significant for me, having been prevented from doing much of that in recent months.
25. The steady love and prayers of my husband.
26. The way the Lord is leading my husband, step - by - step, to lead our family. Pretty exciting!
28. Our daughters getting to do something they've wanted to do for a long time!
29. Websites such as ABE books and Amazon.com and paperbackbookexchange.com, where we can purchase books economically.
30. How much fun it can be to home educate a 3rd grader! And how much I learn as I teach my junior-higher.
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, for these and for hundreds of other gifts - small and large - that You pour into my life so abundantly, I thank you. May my life be a continual response of gratitude for Your loving care and provision, and flat out indulgence toward me, your unworthy wayward daughter. Amen.
In the Name of the Giver of every good and perfect gift,
Hester
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
My Response to Disobedient Children
As a mother, my "response to disobedient children should be characterized by God's discipline toward" me.
"The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger,
and abounding in mercy."
Psalm 103:8
"If someone is overtaken in any trespass,Adapted from the Peacemaker website
you who are spiritual
restore such a one
in a spirit of gentleness,
considering yourself
lest you also be tempted."
Galatians 6:1
Friday, September 3, 2010
Journaling
Journaling has been a habit for me since high school.
I used to be quite the sloppy thinker. Actually I emoted more than I reasoned. I was by no means unintelligent. Just undisciplined and illogical, encouraged by the spirit of rebellion festering in the '70's.
I've also had a double infection - staph and Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) - since my teens. (Didn't know it until recently.) These infections cause cloudy brain function.
The brain fog combined with the undisciplined thinking made for a lot of confusion and noise in my noggin. Most days found my active brain teeming with ideas and thoughts - and I would feel overwhelmed. It seemed there were 50 ping pong balls bouncing around in there. If they'd only be STILL, and get in line, then I could think properly!
My solution was to journal. I'd grab a ping pong ball, read what was inscribed on it, then record that in my journal. Then I'd pluck another ball, read it, then write it down. And so on, until I had captured the last, lone elusive thought on paper. And guess what? There weren't 50 balls (thoughts). There were only maybe 7 or 8. They just seemed numerous because they were always moving around! Writing them down not only tamed them, but helped me realistically evaluate the quantity and scope of my thoughts and feelings. I could order them on paper.
I've owned some fancy journals, with pretty designs on the outside, or scrollwork down the page borders. But my favorite and most common format is the humble spiral notebook. Fifteen cents at Wal-Mart in August. The 70-pager seems to be a manageable size for me. When I begin a fresh notebook, I just write my name on the front with a fat marker in large block letters. Then I record the beginning date followed by a dash. The ending date is added to the front when I use the last page.
I used to have a separate notebook to record the books I've read. About 3 years ago, I struck upon the idea of writing that list on the back of my journal (that cheap notebook). I like that idea - it's very convenient, and most of my books actually get recorded.
I not only write my thoughts, but I record events and even paste in cards from friends, or magazine clippings, or some other piece of paper I think worth saving for posterity.
I express my frustrations and joys, and write out my prayers to the Lord. Sometimes I'm too honest, and think about it later. What if someone found this and read it? Yikes! Then I go back and black out the incriminating words! Too bad for my posterity. They'll never know what I meant there! Ha! It was only meant as therapy for my confused soul, only for the eyes of the Lord. Seeing it written out somehow helps me think better.
Do you journal? Let me hear from you how you think that has helped you and why you do it.
With writer's cramp,
Hester
I used to be quite the sloppy thinker. Actually I emoted more than I reasoned. I was by no means unintelligent. Just undisciplined and illogical, encouraged by the spirit of rebellion festering in the '70's.
I've also had a double infection - staph and Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) - since my teens. (Didn't know it until recently.) These infections cause cloudy brain function.
The brain fog combined with the undisciplined thinking made for a lot of confusion and noise in my noggin. Most days found my active brain teeming with ideas and thoughts - and I would feel overwhelmed. It seemed there were 50 ping pong balls bouncing around in there. If they'd only be STILL, and get in line, then I could think properly!
My solution was to journal. I'd grab a ping pong ball, read what was inscribed on it, then record that in my journal. Then I'd pluck another ball, read it, then write it down. And so on, until I had captured the last, lone elusive thought on paper. And guess what? There weren't 50 balls (thoughts). There were only maybe 7 or 8. They just seemed numerous because they were always moving around! Writing them down not only tamed them, but helped me realistically evaluate the quantity and scope of my thoughts and feelings. I could order them on paper.
I've owned some fancy journals, with pretty designs on the outside, or scrollwork down the page borders. But my favorite and most common format is the humble spiral notebook. Fifteen cents at Wal-Mart in August. The 70-pager seems to be a manageable size for me. When I begin a fresh notebook, I just write my name on the front with a fat marker in large block letters. Then I record the beginning date followed by a dash. The ending date is added to the front when I use the last page.
I used to have a separate notebook to record the books I've read. About 3 years ago, I struck upon the idea of writing that list on the back of my journal (that cheap notebook). I like that idea - it's very convenient, and most of my books actually get recorded.
I not only write my thoughts, but I record events and even paste in cards from friends, or magazine clippings, or some other piece of paper I think worth saving for posterity.
I express my frustrations and joys, and write out my prayers to the Lord. Sometimes I'm too honest, and think about it later. What if someone found this and read it? Yikes! Then I go back and black out the incriminating words! Too bad for my posterity. They'll never know what I meant there! Ha! It was only meant as therapy for my confused soul, only for the eyes of the Lord. Seeing it written out somehow helps me think better.
Do you journal? Let me hear from you how you think that has helped you and why you do it.
With writer's cramp,
Hester
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