Worshipping a Forever-Loving God

Home with a sick kid today, so we can't go to church to worship God. Thankfully, His Spirit is in my heart and I'm not without Him.

I have a life of experience with broken families because of broken relationships. My grandmother married several times. I and then my sister were born to an unwed mother. She married my step-dad and had two more children after my sister and I. I bore my first son before I was married, then married that man and was shortly after divorced.

But that's not what this blogpost is about.

This morning, reading in the Jesus Storybook Bible (written by Sally Lloyd-Jones) I was struck by the truth that God doesn't always choose those people whose lives exemplify purity and perfection. The only life like that was Jesus' life.
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So, I'm reading about Leah in "The girl no one wanted" from Genesis 29-30. "Now when Leah knew that God loved her, in her heart, suddenly it didn't matter anymore whether her husband loved her the best, or if she was the prettiest. Someone had chosen her, Someone did love her- with a Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love...
You see, when God looked at Leah, he saw a princess. And sure enough, that's exactly what she became. One of Leah's children's children's children would be a prince- the Prince of Heaven- God's son...
This Prince would love God's people. They wouldn't need to be beautiful for him to love them. He would love them with all of his heart. And they would be beautiful because he loved them.
Like Leah."
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I think we miss this aspect when we teach our children purity. This aspect that yes, we want to love God with all our hearts and we want to be faithful with our hearts, minds and bodies. And recognizing that it is grace alone that saves us, grace also keeps us pure. Also, though we want to do these things, these things are not what make us beautiful to him. They're not what make us saved. There are those people that do make wrong choices, and our children could be the people on the other end of those bad choices. Leah, for one was used by her father to deceive Jacob. Then she had to be married to Jacob, a man who loved her sister better. But God loved her. He saw her. And He had purpose for her. We have to pray for our children, meditating on scripture that promises that His Love matters most. It's the only Lasting Love. Then we have to live in front of our children like we believe that. Not trying to control every relationship, but at the appropriate age, after we've trained in righteousness, letting our children go to live a life covered by grace.

Resolved to Sew 2012

I really didn't have any resolutions this year that I care to share with the world wide web. But it's still January, and in my family we would say "it's resolution MONTH." So I am Resolved to Sew in 2012.

I found the blog post Resolved to Sew 2012, and decided I want to win me some fabric! Hoorah!!

Each Friday (hubby's day off) I am working on bow-ties. In addition, I would like to finish one project each month to complete my Handmade Christmas 2012. Some of my hopes are on Pinterest if you want to have a look-see.

I don't suppose I'll blog much about my sewing though. Three kids is kicking my butt. Also, I really don't know why I have so many blogs. I don't really blog at all. Who knows?

Finished Product

Well, I just finished my first "top." The verdict: FRAGILE! Washing instructions: DO NOT WASH. Ever.

I am glad I did it. I will wear it. I will make another. I gotta master this. Word to the wise... Linen draperies may not be the best thing to reclaim when choosing blouse fabric.

But I do like the concept.




Got the pattern at Burda Syle. It's called Jocelyn.

DIRTY JOBS

Have you ever seen that show where the host, Mike Rowe, features different dirty jobs and explains what it takes to get them done? I mean, I don't even know if the show is still airing, but it was really popular there for a while. Christopher still likes very much to watch their re-runs on Netflix.

You see him do anything from wrangle pigs, to stuff pillows, from wax hair to shovel sewage (or whatever it is you do with it). But I wonder if he ever tried to be a mom. I mean in the past 30 minutes I skinned a chicken, took out a poopy garbage pail and knocked down a wasp nest.

Just sayin'.

Passion for Fashion

 Confession: I think about fashion a lot. And lately, about how much I want to create it. Made this necklace for a friend's birthday gift. I used all items I had here at the house. An old skirt, a pair of hose and an old necklace.

So fun, I think! It's so twenties!

P.S. I learned to make the rolled flower here. The rest is my invention.

"Laundry List"

I like looking up the etymology of things- terms, expressions... Like today, where does the phrase "laundry list" actually come from?? Well, thank God for Google. 


Wiki Answers says: 
"It may originate from as early as the Civil War, when soldiers would jot a list of their items to be laundered (and hopefully returned). In any event, it comes from the late nineteenth to early twentieth century when many sent their laundry out to be cleaned. "
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There is also very much a negative connotation when one uses this expression. In my mind, on a daily basis, I have a laundry list of things I must do. Sometimes when I write it down, though, it doesn't seem that bad. But each day I feel as though the things aren't getting crossed off the list. Also, others in my family don't seem to see this same "list" I have swimming through my head. Not a good thing. So, I came up with this simple system to list things in a fun, creative way that will help motivate me to do the thing (so I hope!)

I am thinking that this list will also help me get things done before they have to get ON the list to begin with. I kinda like seeing the "Do, Mi... (or do me!)" list semi-empty. Catch on to the music theme? Oh well, I get it. And that's all that matters.


And speaking of laundry lists, we got one at the dentist office today. C'est la vie!!

Psalm 34:2 & Missing Christopher

I find myself blogging in twos. I don't have time to blog regularly. By the time I get a minute on here I have so many different thoughts to journal.

Christopher comes home in 4 days! Been in acceptance mode, just accepting his being there in Florida with his dad. And now that it is so close to his coming home, I am letting myself really miss him. Just kinda resting in this feeling. This picture shows very well how I feel.

Also, this is what I am dealing with, spiritually and as a mom of babies:

My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad... Psalm 34:2

I am prideful. And "by pride comes nothing but strife..." Proverbs 13:10.

Motherhood is revealing my pride to me. Daily I have to repent of it, or I become tormented by it.

Thank God for His everlasting mercy on me.