The Beale Bungalow

     I do hope you and yours had a wonderful and blessed 4th of July!  Me and mine had a spectacular time!  One of my CHG's, Jessica, opened her home and totally out did herself!  There was grilled BBQ chicken and hotdogs with contributed salads of all sorts!  The meal was topped off with homemade (handcranked) peach ice cream!  Yum!  Yum!   Her children had games and  a costume contest (where everyone won!) planned which were played while the grilling was being done. 

     After the meal and ice cream it was sparkler time.  The children were running around in circles with the sparklers making a beautiful airborn trail of dancing colors.  They were having a blast!  Then came the bonfire for roasting marshmellows and making smores.  The children again were dancing around the bonfire--some in Native American style--some in a style all their own!    A couple of the men then handled the little fireworks show.  Everyone oooed and ahhed and clapped!!   It was fun for children of all ages!!

    As the firework show was ending--God decided to show us His light show!  A big thunderstorm was on its way, so everyone jumped in and cleaned up.  Sadly, the celebrating was coming to an end.  It was a magical time for the Beale family--for sure--a very memorable 4th of July!

     Now--quite--personally, I feel that summer has begun.  Oh, I know this hottest of the four seasons has been here for some time, but after the wonderful party last night, I finally feel the Summer "spirit" has arrived!  (Better late than never!)  I am ready for summer flowers, water fights, parties and memory making! 

         It was a very blessed celebration!  Thank you, Jessica!!

     Since I have a seriousness about my personality I thought I would post some information about the Fourth of July.

     From David Barton, founder of Wallbuilders, I found this article.

 "This year marks 230 years since our Founding Fathers gave us our National Birth Certificate. We continue to be the longest on-going Constitutional Republic in the history of the world. Blessings such as these are not by chance or accidental. They are blessings of God.

On July 2, 1776, Congress voted to approve a complete separation from Great Britain. Two days afterwards – July 4th – the early draft of the Declaration of Independence was signed, albeit by only two individuals at that time: John Hancock, President of Congress, and Charles Thompson, Secretary of Congress. Four days later, on July 8, members of Congress took that document and read it aloud from the steps of Independence Hall, proclaiming it to the city of Philadelphia, after which the Liberty Bell was rung. The inscription around the top of that bell, Leviticus 25:10, was most appropriate for the occasion: “Proclaim liberty throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof.”

To see the turmoil in other nations, their struggles and multiple revolutions, and yet to see the stability and blessings that we have here in America, we may ask how has this been achieved? What was the basis of American Independence? John Adams said “The general principles on which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity.” Perhaps the clearest identification of the spirit of the American Revolution was given by John Adams in a letter to Abigail the day after Congress approved the Declaration. He wrote her two letters on that day; the first was short and concise, jubilant that the Declaration had been approved. The second was much longer and more pensive, giving serious consideration to what had been done that day. Adams cautiously noted: “This day will be the most memorable epic in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival.”

It is amazing that on the very day they approved the Declaration, Adams was already foreseeing that their actions would be celebrated by future generations. Adams contemplated whether it would be proper to hold such celebrations, but then concluded that the day should be commemorated – but in a particular manner and with a specific spirit. As he told Abigail: “It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.”

John Adams believed that the Fourth of July should become a religious holiday – a day when we remembered God's hand in deliverance and a day of religious activities when we committed ourselves to Him in “solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.” Such was the spirit of the American Revolution as seen through the eyes of those who led it, evidenced even further in the words of John Quincy Adams, one who was deeply involved in the activities of the Revolution.

In 1837, when he was 69 years old, he delivered a Fourth of July speech at Newburyport, Massachusetts. He began that address with a question: “Why is it, friends and fellow citizens, that you are here assembled? Why is it that entering on the 62nd year of our national existence you have honored [me] with an invitation to address you.  . ?”

The answer was easy: they had asked him to address them because he was old enough to remember what went on; they wanted an eye-witness to tell them of it! He next asked them: “Why is it that, next to the birthday of the Savior of the world, your most joyous and most venerated festival returns on this day [the Fourth of July]?”

An interesting question: why is it that in America the Fourth of July and Christmas were our two top holidays? Note his answer: “Is it not that, in the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior? That it forms a leading event in the progress of the Gospel dispensation? Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer's mission upon earth? That it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity?”

According to John Quincy Adams, Christmas and the Fourth of July were intrinsically connected. On the Fourth of July, the Founders simply took the precepts of Christ which came into the world through His birth (Christmas) and incorporated those principles into civil government.

Have you ever considered what it meant for those 56 men – an eclectic group of ministers, business men, teachers, university professors, sailors, captains, farmers – to sign the Declaration of Independence? This was a contract that began with the reasons for the separation from Great Britain and closed in the final paragraph stating “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

Dr. Benjamin Rush, the father of American Medicine and a signer, recorded that day in his diary. In 1781, he wrote to John Adams “Do you recollect the pensive and awful silence which pervaded the House when we were called up, one after another, to the table of the President of Congress to subscribe to what was believed by many at that time to be our death warrants? The silence and gloom of the morning was interrupted, I well recollect, only for a moment by Colonel Harrison of Virginia (a big guy) who said to Mr. Gerry (small in stature) at the table: 'I shall have a great advantage over you, Mr. Gerry, when we are all hung for what we are now doing... From the size and weight of my body I shall die in a few minutes, but from the lightness of your body you will dance in the air an hour or two before you are dead.' This speech procured a transient smile, but it was soon succeeded by the solemnity with which the whole business was conducted.”

These men took this pledge seriously. Robert Morris of Pennsylvania is an example of the highest level of integrity. He was chosen as the financier of the American Revolution. What an honor, except that there was no bank willing to give any loans to help fund the revolution. It was three years and the Battle of Saratoga before America got any kind of funding at all. After winning that battle, foreign nations like France, Holland, and others decided maybe we weren't such a bad risk and began loaning us money. So where did we get money for the first three years? Congress, at that time, could not have obtained a loan of one thousand dollars, yet Robert Morris effected loans upon his own credit, of tens of thousands. In 1781, George Washington conceived the expedition against Cornwallis, at Yorktown. He asked Judge Peters of Pennsylvania, “What can you do for me?” “With money, everything, without it, nothing,” he replied, at the same time turning with anxious look toward Mr. Morris. “Let me know the sum you desire,” said Mr. Morris; and before noon Washington's plan and estimates were complete. Robert Morris promised him the amount, and he raised it upon his own responsibility. It has been justly remarked, that: “If it were not demonstrable by official records, posterity would hardly be made to believe that the campaign of 1781, which resulted in the capture of Cornwallis, and virtually closed the Revolutionary War, was sustained wholly on the credit of an individual merchant.” America couldn't repay him because there was no money and yet Robert Morris never complained because he had given his word.

You see the same thing in the life of John Hart. He was a strong Christian gentleman and Speaker of the House of Representatives in New Jersey. He promised to help provide them with guidance and leadership. There were three things that were important in his life; his Savior, his family and his farm. Because of his signature on the Declaration, the British were seeking him (and the rest of the signers) to execute as traitors. John Hart fled his home after which his farm was ravaged, his timber destroyed, his cattle and stock butchered for the use of the British army. He did not dare to remain two nights in the same location. After Washington's success at the battle of Trenton, he finally returned home to find that his wife had died and his children scattered. He lost almost everything that was important to him but kept his word.

John Hancock, a very wealthy individual lived in a mansion reflecting his princely fortune – one of the largest in the Province of Massachusetts. During the time the American army besieged Boston to rid it of the British, the American officers proposed the entire destruction of the city. “By the execution of such a plan, the whole fortune of Mr. Hancock would have been sacrificed. Yet he readily acceded to the measure, declaring his willingness to surrender his all, whenever the liberties of his country should require it.” A man of his word, he demonstrated his integrity.

The 16 Congressional proclamations for prayer and fasting throughout the Revolution were not bland (i.e., the acknowledgment of Jesus Christ, the quoting of Romans 14:17, etc.); however, this is not unusual considering the prominent role that many ministers played in the Revolution.

One such example is John Peter Muhlenburg. In a sermon delivered to his Virginia congregation on January 21, 1776, he preached verse by verse from Ecclesiastes 3 – the passage which speaks of a season and a time to every purpose under heaven. Arriving at verse 8, which declares that there is a time of war and a time of peace, Muhlenburg noted that this surely was not the time of peace; this was the time of war. Concluding with a prayer, and while standing in full view of the congregation, he removed his clerical robes to reveal that beneath them he was wearing the uniform of an officer in the Continental army! He marched to the back of the church; ordered the drum to beat for recruits and nearly three hundred men joined him, becoming the Eighth Virginia Brigade. John Peter Muhlenburg finished the Revolution as a Major-General, having been at Valley Forge and having participated in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, Stonypoint, and Yorktown.

Another minister-leader in the Revolution was the Reverend James Caldwell. His actions during one battle inspired a painting showing him standing with a stack of hymn books in his arms while engaged in the midst of a fierce battle against the British outside a battered Presbyterian church. During the battle, the Americans had developed a serious problem: they had run out of wadding for their guns, which was just as serious as having no ammunition. Reverend Caldwell recognized the perfect solution; he ran inside the church and returned with a stack of Watts Hymnals – one of the strongest doctrinal hymnals of the Christian faith (Isaac Watts authored “O God Our Help In Ages Past,” “Joy to the World,” “Jesus Shall Reign,” and several other classic hymns). Distributing the Watts Hymnals among the soldiers served two purposes: first, its pages would provide the needed wadding; second, the use of the hymnal carried a symbolic message. Reverend Caldwell took that hymn book – the source of great doctrine and spiritual truth – raised it up in the air and shouted to the Americans, “Give 'em Watts, boys!”

The spiritual emphasis manifested so often by the Americans during the Revolution caused one Crown-appointed British governor to write to Great Britain complaining that: “If you ask an American who is his master, he'll tell you he has none. And he has no governor but Jesus Christ.”

Letters like this, and sermons like those preached by the Reverend Peter Powers titled “Jesus Christ the King,” gave rise to a sentiment that has been described as a motto of the American Revolution. Most Americans are unaware that the Revolution might have had mottoes, but many wars do (e.g., in the Texas' war for independence, it was “Remember the Alamo”; in the Union side in the Civil War, it was “In God We Trust”; in World War I, it was “Remember the Lusitania”; in World War II, it was “Remember Pearl Harbor”; etc.). A motto of the American Revolution directed against the tyrant King George III and the theologically discredited doctrine of the Divine Right of Kings (which asserted that when the king spoke, it was the voice of God speaking directly to the people) was simple and direct: “No King but King Jesus!” Another motto (first suggested by Benjamin Franklin and often repeated during the Revolution) was similar in tone: “Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God.”

Preserving American liberty depends first upon our understanding the foundations on which this great country was built and then preserving the principles on which it was founded. Let's not let the purpose for which we were established be forgotten. The Founding Fathers have passed us a torch; let's not let it go out."

     I do believe this sets the tone of this most Patriotic of Holidays.

     Well,  I am still pondering this "Holy"  "Holiness" thing in my heart.  I laid awake thinking and praying about it last night, only to wake up early this morning with this issue weighing heavily upon me.  Sheesh!  When something hits me hard like this I ponder and dissect it to its basal form!  I haven't even scratched the surface of this concept.....sigh....

    I thought I would try to take my mind of the Biblical concept of "Holy" and just read a passage of scripture that I go over quite frequently-just to keep focus on my role as a woman, wife, mother and homemaker.  Proverbs 31:10-31.  Easy, already committed to memory--just a little boost in print for me this morning--right?  Hmm....

   I decided to do something I have not done in a long while--cross reference!  I was reading and praying through some areas that the Holy Spirit was revealing I fall short in--then I got to verse 16.  The cross reference was Romans 12:11.  I read it-pondered it-prayed on it, everything was going okay until my eyes fell on Romans 12:1-2.  These verses just jumped off the page at me screaming, "Read me!  Read me!"

   "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present you bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  -And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." 

    I can't seem to get away from this obviously very important Biblical issue, at least in my life.  Sighing once again......

    I thought I would look up holy in my 1828 Webster's Dictionary.  I use this dictionary all the time in my daily life, especially when I am studying the scriptures.  (Thanks to my CHG's for this wonderful birthday gift!  It truly has been a blessing to me!!) 

     Anyway, the definition of holy is:  1.  Properly, whole, entire or perfect, in a moral sense.  Hence, pure in heart, temper or disposition; free from sin and sinful affections.  Applied to the Supreme Being, holy signifies perfectly pure, immaculate and complete in moral character; and man is more or less holy, as his heart is more or less sanctified, or purified from evil dispositions.  We call a man holy, when his heart is conformed in some degree to the image of God, and his life is regulated by the divine precepts.  Hence, holy is used as nearly synonymous with good, pious, godly.  Be ye holy; for I am holy.  1 Pet. 1

   2.  Hallowed; consecrated or set apart to sacred use, or to the service or worship of God; a sense frequent in Scripture; as the holy sabbath;  holy oil; holy vessels; a holy nation; the holy temple; a holy priesthood.

   3.  Proceeding from pious principles, or directed to pious purposes; as holy zeal.

   4.  Perfectly just and good; as the holy law of God.

   5.  Sacred; as a holy witness.

         Holy of holies; Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit; Holy War

   Well,  I must say--for me--I don't see this too much in my life!  Sighing once again with tears in my eyes.  How this must grieve my Heavenly Father!  All of heaven trembles at His Voice.  All of heaven instantly obeys His command.  All of heaven longs for the Will of God...and yet they know nothing of the position of being willingly and obediently redeemed by Jesus, the Messiah, on the cruel Roman execution stake that we Gentiles flippantly call "the cross". 

   Now, once again, I am thinking in print here.  This is how I work things out in my heart, soul and mind.  I have to either talk it out or write it out.  I am not making any apologies for my words, mind you, I am just trying to digest this freshly revealed word of scripture for my sake and the sake of my family and friends.  I appreciate the comments on my entries that I have received so far--but it is not my intent to sound judgmental or holier than thou---oooo, that would hurt me deeply.  As I said in my last blog--I am not trying to be Super Christian here.  I know I am crawling on thin ice here, but it is a journey I must crawl, walk then continue on for the Glory of God, and God Alone.

    So, with that said, holiness is a concept that I find lacking in my world of American Christianity.  Is there nothing sacred anymore?  You know set apart for the worship and service of God, as in number 2 of Webster's definition of holy.  I am not just talking about holy vessels used in the church, such as communion plates and cups or the lectern, where the man of God proclaims the very Word of God.  I am talking or rather thinking about my life in general.  If I am the temple of the Holy Spirit, boy--that changes everything.  There is an active responsibility here, don't you think?   If Scripture says;    "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present you bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."   And  "Be ye holy for I am holy."   Shouldn't we look into this further? 

    Most of the prophets in the Old Testament were called by God to warn God's chosen about their unholiness.  The prophets of old where proclaiming consequences to their sinfulness, and yet these same prophets were pleading with God's chosen to turn from their ways and return to God and His Holy ways.   I think I might make a study on the prophets---that might help me in my "quest" if you will.  Hmm...good idea. 

                                 Ahhh.....my brain is tired!

    I have been reading and meditating on the book of Ecclesiates.   

                                    I am undone!

    I know in my life that I am not living as closely to the LORD as I should be.  Our Sunday School class, this session, is on "Pop Culture".  The final statement in this week's class was this, "Is Jesus the center of everything you do?"  That would mean being "Holy" wouldn't it?  Ah!!!!!!!!!  This has brought up several questions and ponderings within my soul.  My old pastor, Jim, called it pneumospection---spirit inspection--anyway--my heart is about to break because in my home and church not much is considered "HOLY".  For example-The Sabbath is not especially "Remembered or kept "Holy".   (Oh, we go to church, but that is all that one could see different than any other day of the week.)   In our church, the communion bread is attacked after church by the pre-teen boys as if was just a piece of bread on a table in their own kitchens.  How can something be Holy one minute and not the next?  Is this being petty?  O Father in Heaven, I hope not.

    Is there anything wrong in having a sanctuary that is understood to be a "Holy" place--where fellow believers meet to worship God, the One who calls Himself, Almighty?  Am I off my rocker? 

    Has "church" become so "grace"-filled that one forgets---1 Peter 1:16?  What ever happened to holiness?  What ever happened to a higher standard?  What ever happened to "reverencing" the Almighty?  This is really bugging me--can ya tell?

    If Jesus is the center of everything--wouldn't that effect everything?  Our speech, finances, clothing, music, behavior, television viewing, roles that we are born into?  It seems to me it would effect our marriages, our parenting, our working relationships (men-out of the home/women-in the home), our friendships--etc. etc. Am I being "legalistic"?  I totally blown away by this!  I have always known that there would be and are changes in a believers lifestyle, but if God is who He says He is--and He IS!--then I and others like me need to come before Him and repent and then obey His Word! 

    Obedience is such a very hard concept to teach our children and ourselves, is it not?  The times I have told my son to pick up his things--go set the table--empty the dishwasher--make your bed--do your math--eat your vegetables--etc. etc.--just trying to instill good life habits and the divine concept of obedience--well, I can't even count that high!  If our children are expected to be obedient to us--sinful fallible parents--how much more are we expected to be obedient to our "HOLY" parent?  Oh my goodness--how--frightening!

    Is idea of restoring "Holiness" back in the church an issue that one would die for?  Have I, as a Protestant, run so far away from the Orthodox Church from the past--that I don't have reverence for the things of God anymore?  Inside the church building or Outside the church building?  Wow!  I need some help with these questions! 

     What is wrong with the word "Holy" anyway.  The Webster's online dictionary defines holy as: 1: exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness  2: divine holy — Psalms 99:9(Authorized Version)>  3: devoted entirely to the deity or the work of the deity holy temple> <holy prophets>  4 a: having a divine quality <holy love> b: venerated as or as if sacred <holy scripture> holy relic>.   

   The book of Ecclesiastes causes me to drop to my knees in prayer!  This morning was absolutely no exception!  "Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity." is how this book starts out in 1:2, and it ends with this in 12:13-14, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:  Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.  For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."  Just those scriptures alone will bring a person to their knees and beg for forgiveness and salvation!

   This morning started out quite normal.  Coffee, strip my bed and put the sheets in the washer, straighten up the livingroom, ready a birthday package to my brother, outside to sit and read scripture and journal.  Yep, pretty much a normal morning-then bam! the Holy Spirit starts pressing on my very soul the vanity of all done for ones' self!  Am I fearing God and keeping his commandments?  Am I truly living for God and not man?  Am I raising my son to be a normal American Christian or a true man of God?  I felt like running a hiding somewhere, but where would I hide?  God would be there!--all I have to do is just ask King David!!!   Anyway, this morning ended up with a very heavy chastening from the LORD, and hopefully and prayfully a renewed purpose. 

      It is kind of weird about this morning because I have had several questions on my heart here lately.  This morning really did not answer any of them, but it did bring out the seriousness of my pondering.  I must find the answer to them, and I must by the power of the Holy Spirit, make some changes.  Some of my questions are:  "If a woman is Holy Spirit led and obeys the Word of God, as she understands it--Is she a legalist?"  Gods' Word is very specific on many aspects of a woman's life--"If she truly obeys God from the depths of her heart (without trying to gain entrance into Heaven, because she knows that the only way to God is through is Son, Jesus, and His work on the cross) will she be a legalist?  Are things written in scripture for all time and all cultures or just Biblical times and Jewish culture from 0 to 33 A.D.?  Do I stay in a church were I am growing more and more uncomfortable with "nothing to die for" issues?  Are the issues that I am having wrong, selfish, oldfashioned?  Would I want my son to grow up under the influence of this church and maybe even marry one of the young ladies that has grown up under the influence of this church?   I sure could use an older mature woman's teaching and counsel right now! 

    The reason for my fearful questioning is this:  In the past I have been considered a legalist.  I was very firm in my faith and in the Word of God.  If God said it--I believed it!  I did not have a problem with it--at all!  I knew that my entrance into Heaven and being reunited with God was ALL JESUS AND NO OTHER PERSON OR WORKS did and does that honor go to!  But, I followed scripture and was considered a legalists.  It could have been my militant attitude at that time that caused this vein of thought about me, but I have since been humbled in multiple ways which has resulted in a much softer and vulnerable personality.   Anyway, I have been told that I have a tendency to lean towards "legalism" in my walk with my LORD.  I know I like to follow the rules--it is safe.  Does this make me a legalist? 

     Now, I have been under teaching and teachers where modernism is prevelant and the Word of God--especially concerning women and their roles--are chalked up to 0-33 A.D. timeline or completely avoided.    "Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this IS the whole duty of man."  Everyone seems to be in the "age of grace"--so what does one do about "Fearing God and keeping HIS commandments?" 

          "And Mary pondered these things in her heart"...

                         I LOVE BEING..... 

I love being a daughter of the Heavenly Father,

Being loved and cherished like no other.

Worth far above rubies His Word says I am,

All because He sacrificed His Precious Lamb.

I love being a woman of His Creation,

Living for Him and His Reputation.

Meditating on His Word that is noble and true,

Transformed this female and made her anew.

I love being a lady of God,

No matter what circumstances through which I trod.

There is so much freedon found in His Ways,

I pray to be His daughter for the rest of my days.

I love being the mother of Anna,

Because of her I have tasted Heaven's Manna.

A Daughter of Zion I pray she will continue to be,

Because I know that my God loves her as much as He loves me.

                      Sharon Beale

                         12/6/01

     I am doing a Nature Journal with my son for science this coming fall.  I knew that I had a sketch book in my bedside table, so I went looking for it.  I found it this morning.  It did have a pencil sketch of a sunrise at the beach in Avon, North Carolina.  The very next entry was this poem.  I had forgotten about it, and I thought I would share it with my friends.

     It was written before my daughter's trial and tribulation (of which she is still in-even though she doesn't think so).  My heart really does long for her return to the LORD!  I know that if I feel this strongly about her return--God Himself feels it unmeasureably more. 

     I believe when Anna does return to the LORD, she will be a young or an old (depending on the timing of her return) woman with a message to other young woman that will totally glorify God! 

     I do hope and pray everyday for her return--the role of the mother of a prodical is a very painful and often times lonely road to trod.  My child is never out of my mind or heart.  Oh, I may joke about her folly and her foolish decisions, but that is only to hide the massive gaping laceration that my mother's heart has acquired during this trial.  I know that I am not the only mother to have walked this road, but the sad thing is-even though others are walking with me--I don't see them.  I don't hear them.  I don't feel them.  Maybe because my senses are dulled from too much pain.  It is like unknowingly eating a very hot pepper in a bite of plain ol' macaroni and cheese.  It takes you totally by surprise and all you can think of is ridding your mouth of this burning taste.  You know that there are other flavors of pasta and cheese, but you only can taste and feel the effects of this wayward pepper.  So, you run about trying to find some milk to soothe this pain--all the while not seeing others handing you glasses filled with possible relief. 

     My heart goes out to all those who are walking this possibly very long bending rocky road.  My only "glass of relief" is to offer prayer and scripture.  Only GOD truly knows the pain that you feel, so only HE can soothe and heal your heartache.  So, just keeping walking, one step at a time, in faith, on this difficult and lonely road.  Someday, one way or the other there will be an end to this journey. 

            May God be with you and your prodical child.......

   Today was planned to be a go kind of day, but it ended up a go-go kind of day instead!  I don't really like go-go days!  They are very confusing and tiring at the same time.  Now, I know why I prefer to stay at home---I don't like being confused and tired!    Wow!  Imagine that!

   A local theater is showing free movies every Tuesday and Wednesday for the summer.  This was a great deal of fun, and Seth was very excited.  We do not go to many movies, so this was a real treat.  The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything was playing this week.  We have not seen this one, I must say, it was really good.  I would recommend it to anyone, any age.  Of course, the message this movie communicated was wonderful, so rent it or buy it or go see it in a summer theater somewhere--you will not be sorry.

   I think the go-go part came when I had to go to Michael's Art Supply twice today for a 66 cent bottle of paint for a picture frame I am working on.  I could not get the color right-even then!  I ended up using some paint that I had here all along, and it (the frame) looks fine, but I wasted a lot of gasoline and some money in the process!  Sheesh!

   Then I thought I would treat my son, Seth, to a little lunch at Taco Bell.  This is one of the few places where he will actually request and eat what he requested.  "2 soft tacos with no lettuce and a medium Pepsi, please".  The medium drink is because he knows I will drink about half of it before we get home.  I thought that was a nice (cheap) treat, but then Seth started hinting he would like some ice cream----so I went to a little place that his daddy always takes him to for a blueberry twisted soft ice cream--small.  Somehow, we ended up with a large--I thought the price was a little high.  I was in the drive thru, so I just went home with a very happy son and a lighter wallet. 

   Anyway, not much work got done around the Beale Bungalow today, but I guess that is ok, too!  I did fix Donnie one of his favorite meals--Fried Pork Chops, homemade macaroni and cheese and baby butterbeans.  Yep, the way to a man's heart is his stomach!  Donnie loved it!  He is at a men's prayer group meeting tonight.  Seth is at Vacation Bible School, so I didn't have to plan any activities for our usual Two Hour Tuesday--everyone is gone.  I am not complaining--the quiet is nice.

   Well, I am going to go outside and enjoy the evening........

                                      God Bless!!

   Today has been a good day.  Donnie was off for a doctor's appointment and true to his routine-he took the whole day off.  Working for the United States Government does have some advantages.  The morning was spent just sitting, drinking some coffee and reading together.  He, the newspaper.  Me, a Karen Andreola book on the Charlotte Mason method of home education.  It was a very satisfying morning.  Sometimes, especially after 25 years plus years of marriage--talking isn't needed nor required--this morning was one of those times.  Just being together was bliss.

   Seth did his summer lessons with ease and was out the door to play, play, play.  Until......it got hot, hot, hot.....then he was inside and complaining of having nothing to do.  So, the house got vacuumed (me) and the furniture got dusted (Seth), the woodwork also got dusted (Seth), the bathroom cleaned (me) and the kitchen got a good scrub too (me).  Needless, to say Seth decided he was no longer bored and got out all his army men and equipment and played at the diningroom table for a good long while.

Just look at that smile on Seth's non-bored face!

   This morning I realized it was my mother's birthday.  She would have been 69 years old.  The fact that I was somewhat meloncholy over this fact-kind of-threw me.  My mother was not a very nice woman.  As matter of fact, she could be (and was most of the time) mean as second skimmings!  But for some reason I found myself sad today.  I ended up calling my brother.  We are the last two of our original family.  (Both mom and daddy have died--young)  So, I called Ronnie and we talked.  It was nice.  Neither one of us really talked about mom--we just talked--it was our way of being together.  (And we knew that we were the only ones that even cared that today was mom's birthday.)  Anyway, we both hung up the phone feeling better and knowing that our relationship was brought a little closer.  Happy Birthday, Mom.........

   This day was filled with some errands and shopping.  My daughter's birthday gift was put in the mail; hotdog's and the fixings was bought for our grilling out supper tonight; stamps were purchased; children delivered to Vacation Bible School; kitchen cleaned up-so, the kitchen is closed for the evening! 

   Then--my Donnie and I sat out in our backyard watching the beautiful fireflies twinkling in our little patch of heaven on earth.  There were sooo... many tonight!  These little fireflies had the appearance of a sequenced evening gown being danced all around our backyard reflecting the soft lighting of God's outdoor ballroom.  It was truly a spectacular show of our Creator's imagination and creativity.  It left us speechless........

    Well, more "work" could have been done today--but I read instead.  More "things" could have been persued today--but I played with my son instead.  More "errands" could have been done today--but I helped my neighbor instead.  More "planning" could have been done today--but I spent time healing instead.  More "gardening" could have been done today--but I took a much needed nap instead.  More "crafting" could have been done today--but I watched in awe, a small wonderous creation of my Heavenly Father.  Yes, today has indeed been a good day! 

                                       God Bless!! 

   It has been a very long time since I have felt like blogging.  I really cannot give anyone a reason for this absence.  I have been somewhat busy, but not to the point of not blogging, but I chose not to.  I  have been reading two of the very best books I have ever read in my life, so I did not want to blog because it would take time away from my reading.  My kitchen has been dejunked and cleaned from the ceiling to the floor-this took three days-I was on the ball, and I did not want to stop that roll, at all!  Hmm....what else....oh, my friends and I went to the Homeschool Convention-shopping only-so I am preparing for our next year of home education....that caused me to think on other things instead of blogging.  My gardens are in, so there has been much time taken up with weeding instead of blogging......I think you get the idea.  I have been up to much activity and work, hense no blogging.

   I am now trying to figure out how to set up a suburban homestead in my backyard.  I have been reading, researching city codes, gathering information, and trying to get my husband on board with my ideas and plans for the Beale Barnyard at the Beale Bungalow. 

   Our past several Sunday School lessons have been on the "Fuel and Food Crisis" coming our way.  A farmer taught the class, so it was from a farmer's prospective, and HE IS VERY CONCERNED!!  When a farmer is concerned over fuel and food--I tend to listen!  Anyway, I am trying to come up with ways to #1-be a good steward of the resources that LORD has bestowed on us   #2-be obedient to the promptings of the LORD   #3-feed my family on less   #4-save money and #5-possibly earn some money.  There is actually much anxiety over some of my plans, so I have thrown out a fleece....If my husband comes on board then I will know that I am definitely on the right path and will proceed post haste! 

   There are so many things I wish to talk about:  my homeschooling thoughts for this next year/ how well Seth is doing on our summer homeschooling lessons schedule/ gentleness/  gardening/  dejunking and cleaning/  a cleaner diet/ the LORD and His work in my family's life---the list is endless---but I am extremely tired--so I must bid you a good night.

                                        God Bless

    Today has been a very peaceful day.  The dejunking is on hold for today.  I did not sleep well therefore not much got done today.

    It was a cloudy, cool and gray day.  We ended up with an inch and a half of rain from last night until this morning.  All my new plants are standing tall and erect after this wet and soaking blessing.  It amazes me that I can water each and every day, but the difference one rain shower can make with my gardens.  Amazing!

    I made a neat Strawberry Sensation dessert this afternoon.  Here is the recipe.

Ingredients:                                                                                          

4 cups of strawberries 

1 can of sweetened condensed milk                                                   

1/4 cup of lemon juice 

2 cups of whipped cream                                                                      

8 Oreo type cookies (I use the ones from Trader Joes)                    

1 tsp of butter

Directions:

Line a bread pan with foil-set aside                                                   

Wash, cap and drain strawberries                                                       

Crush 2 cups of the strawberries in a large bowl                            

Add in the sweetened condensed milk and mix                               

Add in the lemon juice and mix                                                         

Add in 2 cups of whipped cream and mix                                         

Pour this mixture into the foil covered bread pan                                

Set aside

Crush the 8 Orea type cookies                                                        

Melt the 1 tsp of butter and mix with the cookies                           

Spread the cookie mixture over the top of the strawberry mixture

Cover and place in the freezer for 6 hours

To serve:

Invert the bread pan onto a plate                                              

Remove the foil                                                                               

Frost the top of the dessert with the left over whipped cream   

Slice the remaining strawberries and place on the top of the dessert

Slice and serve.......yum!

    That was our dessert tonight.  My guys really liked it.  Donnie, my husband loves, loves, loves strawberries, so he really enjoyed this dessert.  The recipe says it serves 12--not in my family--it is about 6.  We are southerners--large portions please!

    Well, that really is the only thing I did today worth chatting about, so I am going to go read my book.  Have a great evening. 

                                         God Bless!!

    What a busy week I and my little family have had!  I suggest you go and get yourself a cup of something to drink and plan to sit a spell if you are taking on this blog entry today!  I have not had the time for over a week to even turn on my computer much less sit down and write anything out, so this will be a catch up entry!  

     I would like to place a disclaimer or an apology right here at the beginning--I am sorry for those who cannot see the pictures that I am going to post.  I don't know why some can see them and others cannot.  When I figure everything out I will correct the problem. 

     Gee--where do I start?  I have begun to dejunk my home!  Yipee! As many of you know I have been going through a depression of sorts.  I must say that I am coming out of it--slowly--but God is bringing me through a very dark time.  Now, if there was a barometer on my mental, emotional, spiritual and physical status--it would be the condition of my home.  If my thoughts are not focused on God-they become cluttered--which in turn is directly reflected in my home.  So, when I tell you my home is in need of a dejunking and a deep cleaning-you can safely bet that it truly needs to be dejunked and deep cleaned!  I am a dust and vacuum daily kind of lady, so when I don't--something is wrong!  Here lately-much has been wrong!

     I started with my little bathroom.  No need to tell you anything spectacular about that, but it sure looks (and smells) much nicer.  I am planning on making a new shower curtain and when I do I will post a picture.

    Moving on-our master bedroom was next!  I have been sort of collecting a few new things for our room--just to make it nice for Donnie and myself.  There are new lampshades, new bedcovers, new pictures, (that I do not have up as of yet.  I need to rough up the picture frames that I bought.)  but it sure looks all nice and orderly.  Not to mention, everything has been scrubbed from the ceiling to the floors!  So, here are the results.

    I have invested about $40 and two full days of elbow grease in our little "makeover", and it is a massive improvement.  Donnie liked it, too!

    I am trying to infuse life back into our home.  Life on all levels!  I want to have plants, fish, people, fun--that is my goal for the summer.  To bring life-Abundant Life-back to the Beale Bungalow!  So, I am looking for a plant for our room.  One to go beside the mirrored dresser and the window.  I have a table in the attic that my husband made for his mom when he was in shop class back in 1960.  The year I was born!  It will go nicely in our room holding a bit of life!  I will post that later-when I find the perfect plant.

    Seth's room was next.  Now, I do have before and after pictures here.  I was so out of it that I didn't stay on my son to keep his room picked up.  I say that because this mess is not all his fault.  He is a typical-there are better things to do in life-10 year old boy.  So, don't be alarmed at the before pictures!  Remember, there are after pictures to follow!

    Seth actually showed some maturity and let several of his precious belongings go!  He came to his own conclusion that he had out grown many of his toys and books and was willing to bless other children with them.  I was very proud of him because he is a pack rat, as you can probably tell.  I worked on his room for 2 & 1/2 days!  Again, ceiling to floor deep cleaning.  The results?  You tell me.

     I think it looks wonderful!  Seth even admitted that having it neat and clean makes it better for him, too.  He has kept his room looking this nice ever since.  What kind of life can I put in here?  Well, I think Seth's interests are life enough at the moment! 

     During my cleaning of Seth's room--the second of my two mother's day gifts arrived. Check it out!

     6 cubic yards of beautiful, sifted, rich topsoil!!! I needed to replenish my veggie and front flower garden.  Not all of this soil was mine.  Our neighbor, Keith, bought 6 cubic yards as well, so his is in our pile, too.  We saved on delivery charges doing it together.  It is his house you see in the picture.

    We had people driving by asking to buy some!  We told them where they could purchase, as one passerby called our dirt--"black gold".  The reactions of some of our neighbors was quite comical.  We actually had one neighbor who never speaks to us, even though we make many attempts to speak to him, if he could have about 4 or 5 wheelbarrows full!  I was shocked!  Number one that he would make such a bold request and number two that he actually does have a voice.  Well, we ended up using it all and could possibly use another 6! 

    Seth learned a little about having a good work ethic.  Donnie was going to move all the dirt by himself, but I highly suggested to my--there are better things to do life--10 year old son to be homeschooled in another way.  Get a shovel and help.  Seth fussed alittle in the beginning, but he came around and actually enjoyed working along side of his daddy!  I was right proud of my guys!

     It took my guys and Keith four days to move all that dirt.  Donnie got on line and figured that they moved 3.24 tons of dirt this past week!  Now my veggie garden and my front flower garden, as well as some low places in our yard are filled with this "black gold"! 

     While all of these activities were going on my prodical daughter, Anna, called and asked if she, her boyfriend and their dog could come for a "I am homesick" visit.  I was not planning on them coming until the end of June.  I thought by then all my dejunking and deep cleaning would be done, and I would be ready for them!  But, how does a mother, longing for a restorted daughter and that most precious mother-daughter relationship, say--"No, Honey I am cleaning.  Come when we planned."  Thus, communicating that "a clean and neat house is more important than you are!"  So, of course I said yes!  Come on home!  

     She is beginning to feel the results of some of her decisions, and she was homesick!  I mean homesick!  The stress of everything in her life was imprinted under her eyes!  She had such deep dark circles, and she clinged to us!  All of us, including her daddy, of whom she does not normally cling.  She was affectionate, respectful, obeyed our rules, and we had a wonderful visit.  The quality of life-Anna is finding out-is directly related to the choices we make.  When one factors out God--life is not fun, nor does it make sense, but when we do factor in God--even through the bad times--life makes sense and is worth living.  Just like the song says--Because HE lives I can face tomorrow!  Someday, I pray that my Anna will BELIEVE that truth.  Head knowledge is nothing like heart faith!

     Anyway, here are some pictures of my Anna, her Will and their Daisy.

    Daisy was just a puppy when we saw her last.  She has grown, but she still has a great deal of puppy in her.  Because of all the dirt moving-Daisy took advantage of a free ride in a wheelbarrow.

    Anna wanted to take Seth off, so they went to our local zoo.  Seth was so happy to have his sister back home, even if it was for a short while.  They had a great time together!

    We ended up with two pick up truck loads of mulch.  Everyone shoveled mulch that morning!  Well, I didn't ()--I held the dog while everyone else held a shovel.  I don't have any pictures of the actual work day, but I do have some shots of the results.

    The week went on and fun was had by all.  The Saturday before they left we all went to the Pungo Strawberry Festival.  I really didn't want to go, but I went anyway, and I did have a nice time--even though I got teased a bit because I took an umbrella to keep the sun off me.  I despise to just bake in the sun!  If I am working somehow that is a different story, but to just sit, lay, or walk in the hot sun--not my idea of fun, so I was the only one in the thousands of people that had my umbrella up and open.  I am way too old to worry about getting a summer tan.  (Even though I usually have a farmer's tan by the end of May.)  Below are some pics of loads of fun!

Seth and the bumper cars!!

Seth making his way through some sort of open fun house!

I cannot believe Seth did this.  He has a fear of heights, but I guess having fun overrides fear! 

Seth had a bit of a hard time climbing the stairs to this ride, but he did it!  Again, having fun must override fear!

Look at that face.  He was having a blast!  We all had a blast!

  On Sunday, we all went to church together.  My Anna was nervous and figidity the whole time, and our pastor preached a wonderful sermon.  It was as if he knew that Anna was visiting and did this sermon just for her.  Seeds are planted and prayer is going up to heaven on her behalf--so we sit and wait on God for the results. 

   Well, that was our week and now everyone-including myself is all caught up on life at the Beale Bungalow.  Have a great day! 

                                  God Bless!

     This morning, as I was opening my back door, I was greeted by Mr. Mallard Duck.  Mr. Duck is the one nearest the birdfeeder pole facing the camera.  He was gently quacking asking me to feed him and his buddies.  So, I quietly walked past them all and got some cracked corn for my morning visitors.  I was wondering where Mrs. Mallard Duck was.  She is usually with Mr. Duck, but it 'tis the season' and she is quite frequently on the run from all her male suitors.

     It wasn't long before I saw Mrs. Duck fly in with a couple of these hot blooded suitors following close behind.  Mr. Duck immediately went into action and started lowering his head and running off the "hopefuls".  This female duck truly prefers Mr. Duck (who does not have a white ring around his neck) to all the other males that have found their way to our backyard. 

Here is the cute couple finally able to rest quietly together.

But some of her "suitors" are still very close by. 

     It has been amazing to watch the Mallard Duck dynamics from my back door.  Mr. and Mrs. Duck are so used to us that we can walk past them and they will not move.  They are not that way with anyone else that comes too close to them, so I believe they trust that we, meaning my family, will not harm them.  They do not allow us to touch them, and I do not encourage that from us or anyone else, but it is nice to know that there has been a relationship, if you will, forged with these beautiful creatures.

     They are so funny sometimes.  If my husband is watering something-Mrs. Duck will start quacking at him--the reason?  She wants fresh water in her pan, so she can take a bath!  They will (at a small distance) follow us if we have any form of bread in our hands, because they know they are going to get a treat.  I think it would be great to figure out a way to have a Mallard to nest in our backyard!  I really would like to see the eggs hatch, watch the ducklings grow and just observe their familial habits.  I know my son, Seth would like the same thing.  He loves the ducks!

                  Anyway, I have had a ducky good morning!

                                          God Bless!!

     There is just something about that first cup of coffee in the morning that can make my day.  I like it hot-extra hot-fairly sweet and creamy.  Yummy!  I guess you can tell that I am sitting here having a perfect cup of it-right now.  Yep, I am sitting in my very cluttered computer room in my nightgown and a pair of jeans, barefooted--(I did brush my hair..)--looking out my opened window and enjoying my first cup of the day.  The sun is trying to peek through the clouds causing my backyard to have shadows that seem to be dancing in and out of my view.  I love the morning; it is my favorite time of day!  Especially when I have a cup of coffee in my hand.

     The air is nice and cool this morning.  We have been experiencing rain, wind and some cooler temperatures here in Virginia.  I don't mind it so much--that is God's department.  Last night when it was getting cooler-we finally lit up my chiminea!  It was beautiful!  Seth actually roasted marshmellows over a wood fire for the first time in his life that spans ten whole years!  He had a blast, and so did his daddy.  I cannot believe how many marshmellows they went through!  I only had one--way too sweet for me!!

      I am finally starting to dejunk my house-hense the reason for me sitting in a cluttered computer room.  Now I need to sort and pitch what is here.  I have a storage problem with blankets.  I absolutely have no place for them.  I don't want to put them in the attic.  (It takes forever to remove that old attic smell.)  So, I am trying to figure out ways to store my blankets and winter comforters.  I could use another closet solely for blankets and wheat!  (There are a few disadvantages in living in a bungalow-storage being one of them.)  Oh well, I will figure it out.

     Anyway, I have the bathroom and our bedroom cleaned and dejunked.  This is a good start!  I only have 6 more rooms to go!  It will take some time, but God will be pleased when it is done--not to mention my husband.  Seth is just dreading me getting to his room.  He knows he is losing some of his clutter, and he is a pack rat of the worst kind.  I have really let things go, but with the LORD's help and with right priorities--things will be righted soon.

     My Donnie wants to give me a nice load of dirt, as a matter of fact, I stayed home all day yesterday waiting for this load of sifted topsoil, but alas--no dirt!  Donnie has called around and the fees for not be a contractor are a bit steep for our budget.  We want to replenish our garden plot and level out some areas, but the cheapest load he could find was for 3.2 tons of needed earth.  I really don't need that much dirt!  Not to mention pay upwards to $250+!  So, I am on hold for my garden once again.  He has one more place to contact--that is okay as long as it isn't delivered on Friday!  Here I am trying to clean out the dirt in my house, and I can't buy it for my backyard!  (Chuckling as I type )

     Oh well, I need to get my day started-even if it is going to be a late start.  I hope you have a nice day in the LORD.  God Bless!! 

     Daniel 4:29-39 "At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.  The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?  While the word [was] in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, [saying], O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.  And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling [shall be] with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.  The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' [feathers], and his nails like birds' [claws].  And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom [is] from generation to generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth [are] reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and [among] the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?    At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.  Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works [are] truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase."

     King Nebuchadnezzar isn't the only one who is filled with sinful pride thinking that he and he alone has built a majestic kingdom for his own praise and honor.  I have come to the disturbing realization that King Nebuchadnezzar and I have much in common.  When this revelation came to me--I was shocked, saddened and humbled. But after a short while--I was free!! 

     If you have been reading my blog-you know that I have been going through a very dark time in my life.  I have felt like a total failure; a fake; I have been totally weakened in every aspect of my being-physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  But God is Good!

     I thought if I had the perfect home; the cleanest house; wore the right clothes; taught the right truths; lived as straight as I could--then everything would turn out perfect--like in all the books I have read.  But, alas it was not to be...........

     Because of this--I fell apart.  I have felt feelings that I never thought I could feel.  I have said things I never thought I would say.  I have done things I never thought I would do.  I have also not done things that I thought I would always do.  I sunk very low-probably lower than I have ever been in my life.

     I do believe that I have been in a type of wilderness much like the one King Nebuchadnezzar was forced into.  I totally have let myself and my home go wild.  I couldn't do what I needed to do, and I really didn't care.  I would sit and wonder what in the world was wrong with me?  Why was I so sluggish?  Where did my energy go?  Why didn't I care about things anymore?  I tried to keep up, but only doing what I absolutely had to and even with that little effort-I found myself totally winded and exhausted!!  Why bother!  It hurt too badly!

      BUT-God in His mercy-allowed me to finally understand that I was building ME a type of kingdom (mine was just called a home).  I realized that I did all the things I did for me-not for my family or my God-for me.  I was bound and determined not to turn out like my mother, but sad to say-I did. 

     So, I bowed my head and ask God for forgiveness.  After a short while-I felt lighter than I have felt in a very long time.  I understood that I was in the wrong and needed to turn from my old way of thinking and doing things.  I believe that is called repentance. 

     I am not saying that I will not fall back into my old ways-but God-I believe will remind me of a few dark days in my wilderness, and I will come back to my senses, much like King Nebuchadnezzar did. 

     I don't think I am called to another vocation.  Titus 2:3-5 is a mandate from God, so I believe that I am where I am supposed to be--at home--serving my husband, raising our son and keeping our home.  All of this-is now-for God-not for my security and comfort. God works through the strangest avenues sometimes.  My life verse has always been-Proverbs 14:1 "A wise woman buildeth her house, but the foolish plucketh it down with her own hands."  I know believe that there are more ways to plucketh down my house than the ways my mother did.  I am living proof of that.

      Psalm 127:1a "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it:..."   I have been trying to build my own house, my own legacy, my own everything---and it has been in vain.  I am sure there are some good things done that will not burn, but the majority of it will flame high and hot.   Believe it or not--it's okay.  The great thing about God is "His mercies are new every morning."  I can start again--LORD willing.  And like King Nebuchadnezzar I, too can-- "praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works [are] truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase."

                                          God Bless!

    This is not my backyard, but the chiminea closely resembles the one I got for Mother's Day!  Mine is on a three legged stand not a four.  I was so surprised when I opened my back door on Sunday morning and saw the clay fireplace standing out in the middle of my yard!!  I was jumping, screaming, clapping and smothering my Donnie with kisses!  I was truly astonished!  You see, Donnie is not so good at Mother's Day or Birthday's and such, but he sure scored real big this Mother's Day!

    Actually, it was a great weekend.  Saturday, I got up and chopped onions, peppers and sliced strawberries, in preparation for a meal that I was helping with.  There is a ministry called Semilla, Spanish for seed.  The gentleman who runs this ministry goes to my church.  The vision of this ministry: "To stimulate the reformation of Latin America by offering a Biblical critique of our culture and by cultivating mature servant-leaders equipped with professional tools, a Biblical worldview and an international peer network."  You can look them up at www.semilla.org   Anyway, I love helping them out with a celebration for Latino graduates of Regent University.  Of course, this is only once a year, but it sure is fun.  That is an all day thing.  I think I got home about 10:30 p.m.  I was tired, but I had a blast!

     Then the next morning--my chiminea!  Yipee!!  After church, Donnie grilled up some steaks he had marinating in the frig--it was a delicious meal.  He told me to go and take a nap because I was still tired from Semilla, so I was an obedient  wife--I took a nap!  I then did my Bible study homework.  Marianne came and picked me up and off to our Women's Bible Study we went.  It was a great study, too.  We are studying the book of Isaiah.  When I arrived home, Donnie already had Masterpiece Theater on for me.  So, my day was fantastic!  I do hope yours was, too!

     Today, Seth and I have been taking it kind of easy.  It has been cold and rainy here in Virginia.  We played this morning and then decided to do our schooling lessons.  Seth wanted to break into a Weather Science Kit he got for Christmas, so we did.  I think the recent tornadic storms in our area have perked up his interest.  It was fun!  School was fun today.

     I then straightened the house and decided to fix some Chicken 'n Dumplings for supper.  It is so wet and cold outside that this nice hot "comfort" meal was just what we needed.  It did turn out good, even though I say so myself.  It sure hit the spot and warmed us up.  That is the jest of my day and wonderful weekend. 

     I have been so depressed and out of it-that a weekend like this one was and still is a blessing!  I think that just because something was done for me and me alone has boosted my spirit up considerably!  I have felt truly loved and needed these past few days.  Now, I know that I am loved and needed, but I sure have not felt like it much as of late.  Sometimes, even stay at home moms need a little fussing over by her family.  I do try to do things for myself every once and awhile.  Like a nice salts bath; a cuppa tea and a good magazine or book; some fresh cut flowers on my diningroom table.  But, it sure was nice to have something done FOR me for a change.  I had nothing to do with it.  I just sat, teared up and enjoyed all the fuss!  I desparately needed this.....Thank you. Father in heaven, for this wonderful weekend....you knew just what I needed!  I praise you and your name!  Amen!

     I heard a sermon from Dr. David Jeremiah last night.  It was on Gideon.  Dr. Jeremiah made a statement that hit me right between the eyes.  Gideon actually knew the will of God.  He said we are much like Gideon--we, too, know the will of God-we just lack the courage to do the will of God!  I was dumbfounded! 

     There have been many times, and I mean many times, when I knew the will of God--I just lacked the courage to do what God through scripture has bid me to do.  How to live-how to be-who to serve-the list is endless! 

      I believe even our wayward children KNOW the will of God-they just lack the COURAGE to do the will of God.  This has actually been a great comfort to me this morning.  There is a situation in my life that I am terrified to take an absolute stand on--because I might lose the relationship with someone I dearly, dearly love.  (Luke 14:26-"If any [man] come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.)  So, if anyone really reads this blog--please pray for me to have courage to do and stand up for the will of God.

      I have also come to the conclusion that