New Year's Prayer and verse for 2012!

scripture pictures

I am not making resolutions this year as I usually just end up breaking them. This year I asked God for a verse and this is the verse He gave me. My prayer for 2012 is that I will get my heart and spirit right with God with God's help.
I know if I have a clean heart, a heart focused on God and a right spirit with Him, then the rest of my life will be in better order too. So this year I am going to focus more on God and prayerfully have a better year!
Praying God will be #1 in your 2012 and it will be the best year yet for you!
God bless,
Pat

Wonderful Bible Study! Check it out!

Psst! Have You Heard About HER?

     How many times have you heard someone say those words in reference to another person? Maybe the "HER" that's being referred to happens to be you. This "HER" that I'm talking about refers to me, you and the woman next door.I'm inviting you to join me and many other women to an online Bible study about "HER." A friend paid for me to do this bible study starting in January!  I am so excited and thought you might want to check it out too.

  For more information and/or to register, please visit Proverbs 31 Mama Ministries

God bless,
Pat

Great Site and Free 2012 Calendar

Have you heard of the The Blog Guidebook?

 If not, you must go there now! 

They're a great resource for blogging with tons of tips and resources for blogging and you can have your blog listed in the guidebook and search for other blogs by category! 

 

It is almost 2012 and you know you need a new calendar to write down all the important events in your life. Well, they've just lowered the price to $2.12 in honor of the new year. Once you download the calendar you can print it as many times as you want to and use it for many different purposes throughout the year.

Or you can get a FREE download just for writing a post about their calendar. See their post about that HERE.

Check it all out here: The Blog Guidebook 2012 calendar!

 

God bless,

Pat

PS Yes I am getting a free download but would share this great site even if I wasn't.

Blog Giveaway Winner

(Property of Studio 13 and used with permission, please do not steal it)

     The winner of the Scripture Print giveaway is........ Melanie Ski from www.melanieski.blogspot.com won the giveaway.  The print shown above is the one she won. I will be getting it in the mail to her ASAP.  If you are interested in buying a print, please go to here and contact Jonathan.  

http://www.facebook.com/Jonathan.Studio13Photography

God bless and Congrats Melanie,

Pat

Stressed or blessed?

     I will be the first to tell you I am blessed.  I have always been taught to be a blessing and receive a blessing.  Now this does NOT mean you can do something for someone and just set back and say, "okay, now Jesus, where is my blessing?" It doesn't work that way.  I try to find a way each day to find someone to be a blessing to.  If you look, you will find them.  Don't forget those in your own home, they need blessings too.

     However, the last few days and weeks, I have felt a little overwhelmed and stressed out.  We have had lots of doctor appointments, Stephen's surgery, preparing for Christmas programs at church, home, life, Moms group, Childrens church, homeschool.  Wow, just typing it makes me tired.  I was getting down in to being so stressed and just knowing I cannot possibly get this all done.  Yet, it all comes together and God just keeps blessing.  This week alone, ladies from our church are providing supper every night so that I can concentrate on caring for Stephen and doing what I need to do.  I have bought nothing for Christmas and yet Billy got an unexpected bonus at work so now I get to go shopping for a little Christmas.  I could go on and on.  As I said I know I am blessed even as I am stressed.
     I was looking on google for a picture for this blog post and I found something, it really touched me and made me stop and think.  I hope it will be a blessing to you too.

     So yeah, I still feel a little overwhelmed and stressed but I think I will try to be more overwhelmed with Jesus than with life, how about you?

God bless,

Pat

   

Pizza Joe Crescent Sandwiches

     I found a great site for some really good affordable recipes that are family friendly.  This is one I am looking forward to sharing with my family.....check out the site and let me know what you think.....

    

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 lb ground beef, cooked, drained(we will use ground turkey as we eat very little beef cause of my sweet grandson and hubby)

1/2 cup chopped pepperoni

1/3 cup pizza sauce

2 cans (8 oz each) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls or 2 cans (8 oz each) Pillsbury® Crescent Recipe Creations® refrigerated seamless dough sheet

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (4 oz)

  

DIRECTIONS:

1 In 10-inch skillet, mix beef, pepperoni and pizza sauce. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. 

2 Separate or cut each can of dough into 4 rectangles (if using crescent rolls, press perforations to seal). Spoon meat mixture in center of each rectangle; sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of the cheese. Fold dough over filling; press edges with fork to seal. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.  

3 Bake at 375°F 18 to 20 minutes.

I found this recipe at:  http://www.pillsbury.com 

and also at http://www.facebook.com/Pillsbury

Check out the sites for more great recipes!  I received nothing in return for this review! 

God bless,

Pat

 

Count Your Blesings!

     I know today is December 1st and everyone is off of being thankful and on to Christmas.  I think we should be thankful every day, every week, every month and not just at Thanksgiving.  We are always so blessed.
     I decided for the month of December every day Stephen and I will find someone to be a blessing to in some way expecting nothing in return.  But more than that I want us to count our blessings.  So I decided we would make a blessings jar to count them and on days when we are down we can go back and pull them out and remind our self how blessed we are.  We are making our jar later today so no pictures to share yet. I am sharing  this with you so you could make one for yourself or your family if you want to.  

     First you need a jar, box or some type of jar or container.  I like using a clear jar so you can see the blessings as they grow.  You could paint the lid, cover with paper, cloth, tie a ribbon on it or leave it plain, that is up to you.

     Next you might want to make or print you a paper to put on the jar that says count your blessings, blessings jar, our blessings or something like that.

    

     Then cut some strips of paper, we are using white but you could do any color you have on hand.  You will use these to write your blessings on each day.  Then you fold them and add them to your jar.  At the end of the month you will have a jar full of blessings, a heart full of blessings and memories.  

      So are you up to the challenge?  Let me know if you decide to make one for your or your family? Also this would be a nice gift for someone else if you made them one to be a blessing.

God bless,

Pat

PS I am linking up to a 31 day generosity challenge this month and this is my entry for them, if you would like to join in go to

http://www.littlenaturalcottage.com/2011/12/31-days-of-generosity-gifts-in-a-jar-a-free-ebook-a-link-up/

A Pecan Pie with No Pecans

     I know what you are thinking, those pies look like pecan pies and I am told they taste like it too.  I was a bit skeptical when I first read about these but after reading the recipe and directions on a blog I read I am thinking they are worth a try.  Stephen and I plan on trying them and thought you might want to try them too.

      I am linking to the blog where I got the recipe because the picture above and the recipe is hers.  Go check out her blog and if you try the pies let me know what you think.  I will post a picture and review of ours after we make them.

     The blogpost and recipe can be found at:  

http://simplyhomemaking60.blogspot.com/2011/11/oatmeal-pie-poor-mans-pecan-pie.html

God bless,

Pat

Scripture Photography Giveaway!

     My son does photography and does scripture photography too.  To help highlight his business and to thank you my bloggy world friends, I am hosting a giveaway of one of his 8 X 10 prints. You can choose which print you want from his facebook page http://www.facebook.com/Jonathan.Studio13Photography   To be entered once leave a comment on this post(have to do this one first) and let me know which print you want if you win and click like on his page.  For other entries (1 for each of these that you do and let me know in comments what you did), facebook this giveaway, blog about it, tweet about it.  If you do all you get 3 extra entries. 
     I will pick a winner on December 9th so that he has time to get it done and I can get it mailed to you before Christmas.  It will be nice to frame and display in your home or you could give as a gift for Christmas.
God bless and good luck,
Pat

Arkansas Bloggers

     Do you have a blog?  Are you from Arkansas?  Then you need to go to this link http://arkansaswomenbloggers.comand/ and check out Arkansas Women Bloggers.  I recently joined the site myself.  I am still trying to figure it out.  It seems to be a site where we can find each other and our blogs.You will have opportunities to visit other blogs, they will have meet and greets, other events and a chance to submit guest posts also.  I am excited and hope you will go check it out too.
God bless,
Pat

Sunday Night Family Time!

     When I was a kid, we got together as a family all the time.  I don't just meant the people in my house but I mean all my family.  We got together to share, laugh, eat, the kids played and the adults talked.  It was wonderful.  But times change, people grew older, moved away and those times were over.  You hardly ever hear much about such things anymore.  People have to much to do, too many places to go and are scattered so far apart.

 

     I am blessed to have one son still at home and one who is married but just lives across the street from me.  We share lots of times together but one of my favorites is Sunday night get togethers.  I am not sure when or how it started but every Sunday night we eat together as a family.  We alternate who does main dish and who does sides.  But the food is not the best part though it is always good.  The best part is laughing, talking and sharing.  The best part is watching and being with my grands.  They know who I am and how much I love them. 
     Get togethers may be a little old fashioned and from a time gone by but in my family they are the best time of my week.  If you haven't tried it you should, maybe not every week will work but sure don't let time pass you by before you try.

God bless,
Pat
 

Scripture and a Snapshot

Proverbs 22:6

 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

 Click here to join the weekly Scripture and a Snapshot.         

Thanksgiving, Black Friday,Movies, Wii and Family!

     It has been a whirlwind last few days and I would not have missed them for anything.

     We had church on Tuesday night so Jenny and I went to the church Wednesday night to have a marathon baking party.  I don't have an oven so I go to the church that has two and can be done in just a little while.  While we were waiting on stuff to bake we worked on future church projects and actually got a lot accomplished actually.

     Thursday Billy and Jonathan cooked lots of hams, turkeys and brisket.  They smoke and deepfry meat for extra Christmas shopping money for me and Jenny.  We ate late lunch with them.  Amanda was not home for the first time in her life and that was weird but she is married now and we have to learn to share. They got here later that night after spending Wednesday and Thursday after spending time with his family first.  We ate leftovers for supper and geared up for shopping.

     Next came the formerly called black Friday shopping and went to Walmart about 9 o'clock to be met with more people than I knew we had in this town all with the same thoughts at us.  They all wanted that one slightly marked down but got to have it item.  It was a nightmare but it is a time I look forward to every year.

     More cooking and then we had "our" thanksgiving.  Ate way too much again, glad there is a month til Christmas cause I probably won't need to eat again until then.  After a break to visit for awhile and Amanda and Anthony went to visit friends, we went to the movies.  It was so nice to just sit and relax for a couple of hours, thanks Jenny for buying my ticket.  

     After the movies and this morning has been filled with Wii contests.  I knocked out Stephen and Billy.  I am undefeated in boxing so far...LOL!  Stephen says having a brother-in-law is not so bad after all, he really enjoyed game time with Anthony.  

     Now, comes the hard part, the see ya next times....Amanda and Anthony are on their way back to Oklahoma and Jonathan and Billy go back to work Monday so back to the normal way of life.  I think I can handle the normal though cause every once in awhile normal is broken up by some pretty special times and any time with my family is special times to me.  I hope your holiday was filled with as many blessings and as much joy as ours was.

God bless,

Pat

Faith Matters: Meet Faith & Love

Faith Matters: Meet Faith & Love

This is my youngest granddaughter...she was severely burned and this is the story of how God brought her and us through this traumatic time. To God be all the glory.
God bless,
Pat

Stephen still needs prayers

  We start the next round of Dr's visits tomorrow for Stephen.  We go tomorrow to his regular Dr and will prayerfully get some answers on asthma and blood pressure.  Then on Friday we will go back to pediatric cardiologist at Arkansas Children's hospital for a Cat Scan of the Aorta.  Next week we are back to the hospital here for more ultrasounds and then back to the urologist here.  Prayerfully we will get answers.  Please pray for answers and strength to handle however God answers them though we are hoping for good results.  We will give it all to God however He chooses to answer.
  Thanks to all who are following our journey and lifting us up to God.  You will never know what it means to us.
God bless,
pat

Winner (finally)

     I forgot while I was really not blogging the last couple of weeks to draw a winner for my giveaway but the winner of the fall giveaway is Jackie!  Jackie I will get your prize in the mail to you, God bless everyone who entered.....Pat

Just some thoughts on where I am.....

         I haven't been on here is a couple of weeks, sometimes I would just wonder why I even blogged?  Does anybody read it, does anybody care.  I also could not figure out what to post, do I use memes?  Do I not?  Do I just talk about homeschool, religion or life in general?  I just didn't post.
        Then I came to this conclusion, I will just post what and when God leads me.  He already knows who will read or not read and also this is for me partially as a place I can just freely share who and where I am.  So if you are here I am so glad and if not well, I am happy here and this is who I am....thanks everyone who does read.
God bless,
Pat                           

Making Your Home A Haven-31 Day Fall Challenge! Week 2

Last week we had a two-fold challenge, “light a candle and every time you see the glimmer of it pray for peace in your home“. I want to encourage you to keep your candles and prayers going. 

 This week’s challenge is two-fold also:
Play soft music everyday in your home. Choose music that the family enjoys.
Then, focus on using peaceful words and maintaining peaceful relationships. Role model gentleness with your words this week and while you’re add it have a little fun.  Since the music is going,  grab your husband or children and dance!

     I did notice if I forgot to light the candle my son would light it so that was nice, we shall see how the music goes this week.....are you taking the challenge?
God bless,
Pat

Monday Blog Share October 10, 2011

     Every Monday I share a blog that I enjoy and I think you my readers, if I have any might enjoy.  I am sharing one today that I normally would not share but it is my 16 year old son and I am trying to encourage him.  It is all about sports but hey if you get a chance could you go by and at least encourage him for trying.  Thanks everyone.

Stephen's blog is http://sportslinewithsl.blogspot.com/

God bless,
Pat

Making Your Home A Haven-31 Day Fall Challenge!

     The challenge this week is this: "Go buy an extra large candle and light a candle everyday in your home. I will be starting mine in the morning! But you can start yours at dinner time. Do what makes sense for your family. I will be placing mine in the kitchen – the main hub of my home. Each time the candle catches your eye, say a prayer for peace in your home."

     If you are participating, go here and link up and read more:  http://womenlivingwell.org/

God bless,

Pat

Old House Kitchen Blog and Great Giveaway

     Carmen over at Old House Kitchen has a really great blog.  She shares some really good recipes, like Peanut butter pie which is divine.  Right now she is having a really nice giveaway for some spice tins to help organize your cabinets, I know everytime I open my cabinet, mine fall out, I would love to win these and thought you might too.  So go check out the blog and the giveawy but hurry it ends on October 11th.
      You can find her blog at:

http://www.oldhousekitchen.com/2011/10/birthday-palooza-another-giveaway.html

God bless,

Pat

Monday Blog Share October 4, 2011 (sorry a day late)

     Sorry I was so busy with Stephen and worrying about him, I forgot to post my blog share this week.  Every Monday I am sharing a blog that I enjoy reading and think my blog followers might enjoy too.
     This week I am sharing the blog of my friend.....Jolene Sloan, she along with her husband and children are Missionaries to the Ukraine.  I love how she shares her life on the field and burdens also from a wife and mother's perspective.  Go and check out her blog and tell her I sent you by at

http://jolenesupdates.blogspot.com/

God bless and I hope you will go by and say hello to Jolene.

God bless,

Pat

Prayer Request For My 16 year old Son--Stephen

    Stephen, Amanda, and Jonathan Love

{Well Amanda is Master now :)}

    
     These are my 3 kiddos from our wedding renewal, the one of the left is Stephen and he is 16.  He went to the Dr a couple of weeks ago, then we went to hospital for tests here in our town and back to the Dr.  The tests did not come out like we had hoped.  So today we are going to a urologist here in town today and tomorrow we will be heading to Little Rock to Arkansas Children's Hospital to see a Pediatric cardiologist. 
     I know God is in control and will see us through but please this pray if you will cause this Moma is a little scared.
     Thanks and God bless,
Pat (and Stephen)

Happy Fall Ya'll and a Giveaway......

     I love fall, and in honor of my new fall blog look and this being fall, my favorite season, I decided to have a sweet little giveaway on my blog.  All you have to do is comment on here or on my facebook post about this blogpost and share why you love fall, a fall quote, poem or something that tells me you love fall too.  If you share on your facebook wall or blog you get an extra entry.  Link back here or message me if you do please.

     So go enjoy fall and let me know why you do and you could be the next winner. Enter until Thursday October 13th and on what would have been my Moma's birthday one of you will get the present.  So enter away!

God bless and Happy Fall Ya'll,

Pat

Apple Slab Pie and Friendship

      I have been thinking of inviting a couple of neighbors over to visit, share a little conversation and maybe some Jesus time too. I was thinking this and a cup of hot tea would be the perfect snack to maybe invite a friend over to share.  Sometimes it is easier to talk and share our heart over a little tea and dessert.  This is a really good fall dessert too.  It is really quick and simple and  I hope you enjoy it whether you make it for your family or to share with a neighbor or friend.

 

  Apple Slab Pie

INGREDIENTS
1 box Pillsbury® refrigerated pie crusts, softened as directed on box
1 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon salt
1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
9 cups thinly sliced, peeled apples (9 medium)
1cup powdered sugar
2tablespoons milk

DIRECTIONS
1 Heat oven to 450°F.
Remove pie crusts from pouches. Unroll and stack crusts one on top of the other on lightly floured surface. Roll to 17x12-inch rectangle. Fit crust into 15x10x1-inch pan, pressing into corners. Fold extra pastry crust under, even with edges of pan. Crimp edges.
2 Mix granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and lemon juice. Stir in apples to coat. Spoon apple mixture into crust-lined pan.
3 Bake 33 to 38 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbling. Cool on rack 45 minutes.
 4 Mix powdered sugar and milk until well blended. Drizzle over pie. Allow glaze to set before serving, about 30 minutes.

Happy fall,

Pat

Monday Blog Share

     Every Monday I am going to share a blog that I enjoy reading and think you might enjoy too.  I hope you will go check them out and let them know I sent you.  This is not for a contest or anything, it is just to share some great blogs written by some great ladies.
     The first one I am sharing is by my friend Ava Kinsey, It is called "21st Century Keeper at Home".  She says according to her blog she is a "Modern-Day Techno-Geek Homemaking Mama with Old-Fashioned, Traditional Values."
      The link is:     http://21stcenturykeeperathome.blogspot.com/

God bless,
Pat 

My Moma is now rocking my Grandbaby!

     My Moma is now rocking my grandbaby in heaven.  God decided that we would not be raising our newest grand here on earth.  I do NOT understand but I do NOT question either.  It hurts and today going through Walmart I cried just looking at the little baby things.
     Thanks for all that prayed and please continue to pray for my son and daughter, Jonathan and Jenny as they learn to deal with this pain and find a place in their heart to forever hold this little one.

This is the picture of their precious family!

God bless,

Pat

Welcome and a "little" news!

     Welcome to all my new followers and I hope you enjoy my little corner of the blog world.  If you comment below I would love to come check out your blog too.  I am going to be having a giveaway on here soon so keep checking back to have a chance to win.

     Now, for the "little" news.  My Dil has not been feeling well and Monday night I had to take her to the ER, well we were in for a shock, she is 8 weeks expecting and in danger of losing the baby.  She is on complete bedrest and goes back to the Dr tomorrow.  Pray for Gods will but we pray it is for us to get to hold and love this baby.  

     My daughter is coming home today, have not seen her since August 13th so am super excited to see her.  Though her trip is to be short, it is her first home since she got married so we are excited.

     The grands are calling and so off I go, please pray for Jenny if she crosses your mind and check back often for my giveaway and have a blessed day ya'll!

Pat

Fall weather and potato soup

     I love the fall, the sights, colors, smells, snuggling and the changes in what foods you can and do eat.  potato soup is one of my favorite fall foods.  I am sharing one of my favorite recipes for this soup, that I got from a close friend.  I thought some of ya'll might want to make some too.

DEB'S POTATO SOUP

5# to 10# Potatoes
1-2 sticks Margarine
1-2 pkgs. Oscar Mayer Real Bacon Bits
1-2 cups Milk
Salt & Pepper (to your taste)
Minced onions~dried (to your taste)

Toppings...
Margarine
Sour Cream
Grated Cheddar Cheese
Chives/Green Onions
More Real Bacon Bits, if you like

Peel & cube potatoes (not too small, they'll cook down some) Boil till totally done...add stick margarine, milk, bacon bits, minced onions, salt & pepper. Simmer about 15 more minutes. Serve in bowls with the toppings of your choice. Yummy!!! ENJOY!

(Adjust the amounts you cook according to how many you are going to feed but this is so good reheated too)
God bless and enjoy,Happy Fall,
Pat

Blessing my house

     Cleaning our house is something we all have to do.  Some love to clean, it is a joy to them.  I am going to be honest cleaning my house as always been something I HAD to do.  Sometimes I did it better than others and sometimes I barely did it at all.
     One day I was online reading and I read where a lady said she changed her attitude and she changed her house.  She quit saying I have to wash dishes, I have to wash the clothes, I have to cook supper.  She started saying I get to do the dishes for my family, I get to wash my clothes for my family, I get to cook for my family.  She said just the change in attitude made such a difference.
     I read on another site where a lady said she decided to look at things differently too, she decided she was not going to clean her house anymore, she was not going to wash her clothes anymore....hang on, she wasn't giving up or quitting, she said she decided to BLESS her house, BLESS her clothes, BLESS her family by cooking for them.
     Now, no matter how you say it or do it, it still has to be done.  But, I thought it would not hurt to try so here I went.  I started with changing my attitude and then I started blessing my house.  At least it did not sound quite as bad, my attitude changed a little, and my house changed a little.  Then, one day me and my husband were talking and he said he doesn't always want to go to work, sometimes he has to make himself but he does it cause he loves us and he needs to take care of us.  That made me think even more.

 

     I looked at alot of "schedules" people have etc and nothing seemed like it would work for me.  So, I decided to basically create my own.  I started first with what I call maintenance....I started washing my dishes every night before I went to bed, I made sure all toys were picked up, making my bed up, keeping the floors swept and getting laundry caught up.  I try to never have more than 3 loads at a time going, 1 in washer, 1 in dryer and 1 to put up, that way I do not feel overwhelmed and you know what now my laundry pretty much stays caught up.  My day starts better when I get up to a clean kitchen, all of the stuff I can have  is laid out to fix breakfast and lunch for Billy, his clothes are laid out and waiting, it all just seems to go smoother.  I have supper laid out and most days waiting when he gets home from work. 
     Now is my house perfect, oh no, I still have boxes that need to be gone through and stuff that needs to be decluttered so starting today I am adding one area each day to declutter along with maintaining.  My house may not be clean to your standards but it sure feels blessed to me.  The best part is now if I do what I need to I usually have time to enjoy this at the end of the day too.

     I know I don't have babies at home and I only have 1 teenager but this is what works for me.  You have to decide what works for you.  I can promise you the first step has to be your attitude no matter what and when I changed that, other stuff started changing too.
God bless,
Pat

Why are people......

     

     Why are people....never happy?  No matter what they have, where they are or what they are experiencing, it is never quite right. 
     What brought this first to mind was the weather....first it is Winter and people hate the cold, they can't wait til spring but then it comes and maybe it is too rainy and still kind of cool, they can't wait til summer, but wait, it is so hot and the bills too high, they can't wait til fall, but then comes fall and wow, it sure is cool, it will be winter before you know it and I will be freezing, and I wish it were summer.  See the problem here, they are never happy.
     I see it with people and their kids too....when they can walk, when they can talk, when they will obey, when they can dress theirself, when they go to school, when they can drive, when they graduate and then it is when are they coming home, I miss them, I wish they were little.
     I know part of it is human nature and life in general but sometimes I just get so tired of people complaining.  My challenge to you if any one is reading this, is this, take a few minutes and think of a few blessings in your life, no complaining, no when, if, or someday but just count the blessings of your life right now.
      Enjoy the now or God may decide you don't need any future!
God bless,
Pat

Is anybody here-I am back and ashamed of what I have neglected or rather who!

     I was ashamed when I came to my blog and realized I have not been here in over a month.  Even worse I have not been reading some of the blogs I follow and I was amazed when I read some of the wonderful words that I had missed.
     I can blame it on life, facebook, or just how busy I am, but the real truth is this, I made a choice.  I made a choice to go where I went, read what I read and to skip what I skip.
     As bad as I feel for my blog and how I have neglected this blog, I through reading some other blogs that really touched my heart, I realized I have been neglecting something or rather someone far more important.  I have not spent the time in my bible reading or prayer life that I should.  I have been reading just enough to "get by" and praying is pretty much limited to prayer requests and bedtime.  I am ashamed that I am letting the computer take way more time and importance than family and God.
     If anyone is still here reading I ask that if you pray that you will pray that I get myself where I need to be in all areas of my life and most importantly that I put Jesus back at #1 where He should be in my life.
God bless,
Pat

The Simple Woman's Daybook for August 2

FOR TODAY

Outside my window ... VERY hot! The temps have been above 100 for days now.  It is sunny but you cannot go out and enjoy as it is too dangerous.

I am thinking ...  How am I going to get all this done before my daughter gets married this Saturday afternoon and then a trip out of state next weekend to take stuff to them

I am thankful for ... that my family are all pitching in to make sure my daughter and their daughter, sister, sister-in-law and Nanna has the wedding of her dreams

From the kitchen ... supper waiting to be cooked, now what shall I cook?

I am wearing ... pink T and Rose pants

I am creating ... bouquets for my daughters wedding and decorations for the reception

I am going ... to clean the kitchen, cook supper and then run more errands

I am reading ... Bible is about all I have time for right now

I am hoping ... that everything will turn out dreamy and "perfect" for my daughters wedding

I am hearing ... Little House on the Prairie that my hubby is watching

Around the house ... there is almost always laundry to fold, I need to cook supper and oh so much that probably won't get done this week, sorry :(

One of my favorite things ... spending time enjoying my family

The Simple Woman's Daybook is a weekly habit enjoyed by many bloggers.  It is a pleasant and effective way to bring more traffic to your blog.  For more information about the woman who came up with this idea, go to http:..thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Not Back-to-School Blog Hop: Curriculum Week

     I’m so excited to be participating in the 3rd annual Not Back-to-School Blog Hop, hosted by Heart of the Matter Online. This will be my first time participating.The hop is kicking off with curriculum week!
We all love seeing what everyone is using, so be sure to check out all the posts on the hop.
     We came to homeschool late in the game, my older two went to and graduated from public school.  This was my husbands wish and honestly it was what fit best in our life at the time we thought.  However they both went on to go to Christian college.  Our youngest went through middle school in public school.  However many things finally convinced hubby to let us try homeschooling starting at junior high and we have been going since then.  This will be our 5th year homeschooling.
      Our son does ACE paces through our churches christian school but we supplement with many other choices of curriculum.  This year we will be supplementing with reading books of choices and doing both written and oral book reports. We do a biblical study with different character studies for bible and as well as daily reading in the bible and at least one verse that God leads us to and recorded in a journal.  We will be doing Home Ec cause I believe boys should know how to care for the home too in case wife is sick or God does not lead them to one.  We will be doing a business course of sorts with budgeting, check writing, balancing and all that.  Also he will be doing a yard and car maintenance course.  We will be studying for and taking the drivers test.  We will also be working on oral communications.  This is not all laid out as it should be but prayerfully before the 15th I will have it all planned and ready.  We also have physical education and field trips planned.
     This is our simple plans at the moment and prayerfully God will lead us to the exact place he wants us to go.  Praying that everyone who reads here will also have a blessed year in their school.
God bless,
Pat

Missionary Monday-How to Pray for Missionaries!

   
     This week instead of posting a particular Missionary family to pray for, I am going to post some practical ways to pray for missionaries as shared by a missionary.

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**Sunday--Spiritual life. (2 Peter 3:18) He said if missionaries aren't careful, they can get so caught up in the ministering aspect of missionary work and the difficulties of the day, that the day is suddenly gone and the Bible hasn't been opened and real, meaningful prayer hasn't happened. The culture in other countries is so different, things like bill paying, food preparation etc. is much more difficult and time consuming. And then they still have to minister to the people in their church or the surrounding area.

He said it's very important that we pray for missionaries to stay in the word and stay close to the Lord through prayer.

**Monday--Money. (Phil 4:14) Support needs, personal stewardship, wisdom to know who and when to give financial help, when asked. He said that the dollar is not worth as much as it used to be and this has caused many missionaries' support to become less. And then there are people who come and ask him for financial help. He needs wisdom to know when to give financial help and when to say no or perhaps give food or something else in place of money.

**Tuesday--Temptation. (1 Peter 5:8) (Ephesians 6:11) The temptation to be lazy or inactive (Hebrews 13:18). To give up. Or to be impure in mind or body.

**Wednesday--Witnessing. (Acts 4:29) Boldness to preach the gospel. Learn their language. An ability to present a clear presentation of the gospel (Acts 8:4).--There are many expressions used in English that don't make sense when translated to other languages. The missionary must keep this in mind when preaching or witnessing. Spread the gospel quickly.

**Thursday--Team Members. (Col 3:12-13) Pray for the missionaries who are working together to get along with each other. Also to keep a right relationship with the Nationals. A missionary can't have the attitude that they are superior to the Nationals.

**Friday--Family. (1 Timothy 5:8) Their wives and children need them to spend time with them and to not neglect them. Also pray for their safety.

**Saturday--Safety. (Psalm 3:3) Traveling, physical health, protection etc...

     I hope this will help you to know better how to pray for Missionaries.  This is only suggestions and not the only way to pray.  I know it helped me and I hope it will help you too.

God bless,
Pat

I miss my Daddy and Being a blessing......

     My Daddy went to heaven 28 years ago today. I was 21 and a Sr in college when he passed. I have lived longer without him than with him and that made me sad, til I read a friends blog and she was talking about her Daddy being in heaven and how he had seen Jesus' face and that gave me such peace and comfort. Love you Daddy and miss you but I know you and Moma are so happy together in heaven with Jesus and I will see you again someday. I am glad my friend shared her heart cause it helped comfort mine.

     A few months ago I was able to be a blessing to a friend.  I never told her about it or anyone for that matter.  I did not want any recognition, I just wanted to help her out.  She was so excited and it made me smile to just sit back and enjoy.  I had someone ask me, "Why don't you tell her it was you?"  I didn't care if she knew, it was just nice to see her happy.  
     Well, fastforward a couple of months and today I received a similar blessing from someone I just "met" and don't even know.  She just wanted to be a blessing to me.  She didn't make a big deal, just quietly sent me the blessing.  She asked for nothing in return.  
      I was telling my son about it and he said "Moma, remember you always have taught us that if you are a blessing to someone when you can and they need it, God will use someone to be a blessing to you when they can and when you need it."  My Moma also always taught me that when you do something for someone and you make sure that everyone knows then that praise is all you get but when you just quietly go on your way then God will reward you.  
     I don't always do what I should or what God asks but I try.  I think God is amazing and thank Him for letting me be a blessing and for the one I received.
     Forgive me for rambling today, but just sharing my heart and lessons learned.
God bless,
Pat

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