Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Our House
I remember a popular song from my childhood in the 70's called Our House by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. It went something like..."Our house is a very very very fine house, with two cats in the yard"..... not deep, but sweet. That song is running through my mind this morning as I sit in our new house with boxes scattered everywhere. Our new house is a gift from God.
We left Montana in 2007 and headed for Alaska. I loved my house in Montana. It was ours, all 25 acres had our imprint on it. It was a gift to our family. But an opportunity in Alaska came our way. Kip my adventurer wanted to head for Alaska. Next thing I knew, I found myself in a blue house we "borrowed" from the clinic where he worked. It was God's provision for us. It was alot like us - in need of an overhaul. It kept us warm (well, sort of), but was less than beautiful. The Lord did some work in my blue heart about that blue house. Until finally He gave me fortitude to fix it up. Off we drove to Home Depot which was only a four hour drive! We bought paint, ordered carpet, and began the tedious face lift. Since we were to be in Glennallen, AK for only two years I decided to look upon it as a ministry not only to my family, but to the next medical worker living in the "blue house".
Home is where I've poured my heart. I take the admonition of Titus 2:2-4 seriously -that the young women be encouraged to "love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers..." I love working in my home. Leaving my palace is hard because that is where my life is.
Back to the needy "blue House". We scrubbed, painted, carpeted, and generally gave it a face lift until one day I said, "O.K. this will do fine." Then, we just lived there happily for the 2 years we were to be in Glennallen, AK.
Now, we are in Texas. We fearfully add the words "to stay". Kip and I are hoping this is our last move. We want to give our children and grandchildren a place to call "home". We want them to have a place to go where they are welcome and loved beyond measure. Our moves have been enriching experiences for them. Each one possesses dear remnants in their hearts of a culture they would know nothing about had they not had the experience in that particular place. But, now...if the good Lord wills it, we stop.
To our children and children's children...this is your house. Come and find solace. Come and grow. Come and find Jesus. Come and have your wounds soothed. Come and pray. Come and find rest. Come and find laughter. Come and find love.
James 1:17 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."
We left Montana in 2007 and headed for Alaska. I loved my house in Montana. It was ours, all 25 acres had our imprint on it. It was a gift to our family. But an opportunity in Alaska came our way. Kip my adventurer wanted to head for Alaska. Next thing I knew, I found myself in a blue house we "borrowed" from the clinic where he worked. It was God's provision for us. It was alot like us - in need of an overhaul. It kept us warm (well, sort of), but was less than beautiful. The Lord did some work in my blue heart about that blue house. Until finally He gave me fortitude to fix it up. Off we drove to Home Depot which was only a four hour drive! We bought paint, ordered carpet, and began the tedious face lift. Since we were to be in Glennallen, AK for only two years I decided to look upon it as a ministry not only to my family, but to the next medical worker living in the "blue house".
Home is where I've poured my heart. I take the admonition of Titus 2:2-4 seriously -that the young women be encouraged to "love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers..." I love working in my home. Leaving my palace is hard because that is where my life is.
Back to the needy "blue House". We scrubbed, painted, carpeted, and generally gave it a face lift until one day I said, "O.K. this will do fine." Then, we just lived there happily for the 2 years we were to be in Glennallen, AK.
Now, we are in Texas. We fearfully add the words "to stay". Kip and I are hoping this is our last move. We want to give our children and grandchildren a place to call "home". We want them to have a place to go where they are welcome and loved beyond measure. Our moves have been enriching experiences for them. Each one possesses dear remnants in their hearts of a culture they would know nothing about had they not had the experience in that particular place. But, now...if the good Lord wills it, we stop.
To our children and children's children...this is your house. Come and find solace. Come and grow. Come and find Jesus. Come and have your wounds soothed. Come and pray. Come and find rest. Come and find laughter. Come and find love.
James 1:17 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
What's For Dinner?
Our family is in transition at the moment, excitedly anticipating moving into a new home at the end of February.
My menu planning was taking a dive downward as I tried to juggle all the duties a cross country move entailed. That is until I stumbled upon an old fashioned idea worth bringing out again.
Each night of the week has a name. Of course, you would want to vary this according to your family's favorites.
Monday is Mexican Night
Tuesday is Pasta Night
Wednesday is Soup Night
Thursday is Chicken or Fish Night
Friday is Pizza Night
Saturday is Crock Pot Night
Sunday is Grilled Meat Night
I've been at it for 2 weeks now, and the ease with which I plan the weekly shopping list is amazing. Now I can group all my wonderful Italian pasta dishes for use on Tuesdays. I can collect the tasty soups I've tried for Wednesday. If I want to make fresh bread during the week...I can easily see which recipes it would be most helpful with.
Just an idea, and I'm sure wouldn't work for everyone. It's predictable, yes. But it doesn't seem to be boring because with a myriad of recipes the family hasn't even noticed.
Not true exactly...they noticed pizza night!
My menu planning was taking a dive downward as I tried to juggle all the duties a cross country move entailed. That is until I stumbled upon an old fashioned idea worth bringing out again.
Each night of the week has a name. Of course, you would want to vary this according to your family's favorites.
Monday is Mexican Night
Tuesday is Pasta Night
Wednesday is Soup Night
Thursday is Chicken or Fish Night
Friday is Pizza Night
Saturday is Crock Pot Night
Sunday is Grilled Meat Night
I've been at it for 2 weeks now, and the ease with which I plan the weekly shopping list is amazing. Now I can group all my wonderful Italian pasta dishes for use on Tuesdays. I can collect the tasty soups I've tried for Wednesday. If I want to make fresh bread during the week...I can easily see which recipes it would be most helpful with.
Just an idea, and I'm sure wouldn't work for everyone. It's predictable, yes. But it doesn't seem to be boring because with a myriad of recipes the family hasn't even noticed.
Not true exactly...they noticed pizza night!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
What are You Reading To Your Children?
I am a staunch advocate of reading to children. My own five children have been read to profusely, they have been made to read to each other, they have all read aloud to the family, and been made to listen to books they couldn't even quite grasp yet. For those they weren't ready for, they simply picked up on as much as they could get and put the rest in their quick little minds for later use.
When I was a young mother in the 1980's looking for answers to my many parenting questions, I stumbled upon a great book. Honey For a Child's Heart gave me much needed insight into the world of children's literature. Through Gladys Hunt's instruction I grasped the importance of making books and reading an integral part of our home.
Honey For a Child's Heart, published in 2002 is worth your time whether you are a new mom or one that's "been around the block". Give your family the gift of good literature. Gladys Hunt's book is the best place I know to start.
When I was a young mother in the 1980's looking for answers to my many parenting questions, I stumbled upon a great book. Honey For a Child's Heart gave me much needed insight into the world of children's literature. Through Gladys Hunt's instruction I grasped the importance of making books and reading an integral part of our home.
Honey For a Child's Heart, published in 2002 is worth your time whether you are a new mom or one that's "been around the block". Give your family the gift of good literature. Gladys Hunt's book is the best place I know to start.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Timmy 1997-2010
Thank-you for your faithfulness...We will miss you."You won't EVER see another one like 'im" Travis speaking about Old Yeller
C.H. Spurgeon Autobiography
Among the books in our home right now, is a hardback copy of
C.H. Spurgeon Autobiography: Volume 1
The Early Years
I try to read at least a couple of pages each morning during my devotion time. I immensely enjoy reading Spurgeon's own words, penned by his own hand, and flowing from his own heart. Spurgeon weaves his story in all the richness that is Spurgeon. All is done so that we are pulled to the core of his life, that of glorifying Christ. Archibald Brown has described Spurgeon this way:
"In his heart Jesus stood unapproached, unrivalled. He worshiped Him; he adored Him. He was our Lord's delighted captive."
As I read, it is not Spurgeon I see, but God.
I look forward to sharing some of the precious stories from Spurgeon's childood here on Girls Coffeebreak.
Friday, January 15, 2010
The Book Nook
If you look over to the right, you can see that we have added a list of books. These are books we have been reading recently. Every now and again, we are going to post our thoughts on one of these books, and we welcome your input too. Maybe you've read one of these before or maybe you'd like to read it along with us. Whatever the case may be, we look forward to discussing these books with you over a good cup of coffee. Below every post, you can find a place to put your comments, feel free to do so, so that we can all enjoy a wholesome God-honoring discussion of these books together. Looking forward to the first "Book Nook" post tomorrow!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
What's Next?
"There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction." Winston Churchill
Then why is it so hard? My entire life is changing. My children are growing up before my eyes. Things I thought would last forever don't. Birthdays are somewhat bothersome to me. It never used to be this way. It's easy to let fear creep in and take up housekeeping in my heart. I don't know the outcome of all the changes. I don't know what it will all "look like" when the changes are complete. I don't even know if I like the changes. But in it all, I can find hope because the God of the Universe directs my every step. His Sovereign control over my life is a source of great strength and comfort. He who never changes knows just when to throw me the lifeboat and reel me in to safety. Hebrews 13:8 tells us that, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." So, bring on the changes! Re-location, New House, New Job, New Church, New Friends, New Hairstyle maybe?
Then why is it so hard? My entire life is changing. My children are growing up before my eyes. Things I thought would last forever don't. Birthdays are somewhat bothersome to me. It never used to be this way. It's easy to let fear creep in and take up housekeeping in my heart. I don't know the outcome of all the changes. I don't know what it will all "look like" when the changes are complete. I don't even know if I like the changes. But in it all, I can find hope because the God of the Universe directs my every step. His Sovereign control over my life is a source of great strength and comfort. He who never changes knows just when to throw me the lifeboat and reel me in to safety. Hebrews 13:8 tells us that, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." So, bring on the changes! Re-location, New House, New Job, New Church, New Friends, New Hairstyle maybe?
Why Don't You Join Us Too?
Mom and I love to sit down with a good cup of coffee and take a quick break from the days work. We talk about how God is working in our lives, how we need to respond to God's work in our lives, and how we are encouraged or discouraged. We study the Bible, read good books, laugh, cry, pray, and sip on our coffee together. We don't promise that this blog will be up to date or on the edge. However, we do promise that we will try to glorify God in everything we talk about whether that be telling you a story we thought was funny, talking about a verse that encouraged us, sharing lessons we learned, or giving you directions on making a great cup of coffee. So, sit down with us, grab a good cup of coffee (or if you don't like coffee, we'll settle for tea) and join us for a coffee break.
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