One Word 2016-Nervous, Excited and it is "Grow"

      I am not sure if any of you have ever chosen a "word" for the year.  It is something I have done for a couple of years now after hearing about this from some friends.  It has not always turned out the way I thought but it has been a good experience.
     I know it is not quite 2016 but after praying and struggling some I know my word for 2016 is Grow.  I am prepared it may take me places I may stuggle to go but I know as I grow this year it will be with the Lord.
      I will be sharing more as 2016 arrives and as we go through the year.  I am sharing some verses that God has given me to use and to help me in this travel. The first two are for my personal growth.

The second is for my family

I am nervous and excited to see what God has for me and my family.  Are you choosing a word?  If you are and would like to share I would love to hear from you.  I also look forward to sharing more with you in the next year.

God bless,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2016!

Pat

When Grace SIngs-Makes You Think ( A Book Review)

When trouble roars into quiet Arborville, Alexa and Anna-Grace find themselves the target for discord and exposed secrets. Can they continue to seek the God of all grace amidst the fog of confusion?

"When Grace Sings" picks up where "When Mercy Rains" left us. This second book in the series continues the modern-day story of the Zimmerman Family and Alexa finds herself at the start of a new chapter in her life....I honestly had not read the first book but this one seemed to be interesting so when I got a chance to read it I jumped at it. Now having read this one, I will be reading the whole trilogy

Kim Sawyer has a gift of words....I was drawn into the characters and their personalities and lives. It was almost like I was there in the story. It is written about a time and place far removed from where and who I am but at the same time, it made me think about who I am and where I belong. It was a good relaxing read and yet makes you think too about your own life.

I was given this book free from blogging for books.com but all opinions are my own and I highly recommend this book and a good read and to make you think.

You can order this book at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307731332?refRID=8RNZT96AF2P6YE8RHYW6&ref_=pd_rhf_cr_p_img_1

And if you would like to have the opportunity to read and review other books go to bloggingforbooks.com  and sign up.  I highly recommend them also.

I hope that this review will help you to find a good book to read.

God bless,
Pat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



One Word for the Year (Check up on my word for 2015)

     Several of my friends every year choose "one word" for their year.  Most people make all kinds of resolutions which barely make it past January but the movement behind one word is that you choose one word instead. One word is something you can focus on but yet it moves and flows with you through the year. 

       Unlike resolutions or even goals which are easily broken, this is one word that I will keep coming back to as the mission or theme for the whole year. 
     I decided to give it a try and the word I kept coming back to was REST.  Well, I am not sure what I expected but rest has not come easily this year.  It has been one battle after another and rest seemed far away.  I have to admit I chose the word on my own.  I did not pray or seek what God would have me to choose.

     At the end of September through a sequence of events my Pastor and I decided I needed to take a Sabbatical or a rest for the month of October.  I was not totally happy but followed his leading and after prayer.  I am Childrens Ministries Director at our church and it is a very time consuming position.  It is a position I love and cannot imagine not doing.  However I let it and more overload me.  

     I was not really sure how this would go but the Children's program did not fall apart and I did survive.  Not only did it survive but so did I.  I got to go to Sunday school and preaching service, something I do honestly not get to do often enough.  It was like every lesson and sermon was just what I needed. I learned I do need to pray more and ask God what He wants me to do and not what I want or other people want.  I learned something can be good but doesn't mean I have to do it.  I learned to rest in God.
     My month is over and I am back in class and my position.  However, what I learned this month continues.  It took me almost a whole year but I have learned to rest, not so much in the physical sense but in Gods grace, forgiveness and strength.
     Not sure what my word will be next year but I know this, it will be something I have prayed over and asked God about.  
     Have you ever chose a word for the year?  Will you choose one for 2016?  I will let ya'll know in January what word the Lord led me to.
     I am linking up athttp://ichoosejoy.org/2015/10/28/from-house-to-home-link-party-142/  If you would like to read other blog posts or join in.

     

God bless,
Pat

Hoodwinked-The book for ALL Moms and is available starting today!

   I was honored to be on the launch team for ths book.  I got the chance to get an advance copy and to read it before it was available to buy.  I wasn't sure this book was for me because I am the Mom of grown children but boy was I wrong.  This book is for all Moms.

     Today this book is now available for sale and you can buy it here.......

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0310343437/ref=nav_timeline_asin?ie=UTF8&psc=1

     "In their encouraging “we’ve been there” style, Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk enable mothers to:

• Identify the ten myths of motherhood our current culture perpetuates
• Replace the lies with the truth of what God says in the Bible about mothering
• Acquire practical tools to help them form new and improved thought patterns and healthy behaviors
• Forge healthy, supportive relationships with other moms of all ages and stages
• Confidently embrace the calling of motherhood as they care for their families in their own unique way"

     Sometimes even today when I see my children making mistakes, I blame me, if I had been a better mother, if I had taught them better,but you know what, we raise them the best we can with God's help and then they have to seek God and His help for themselves and make their mistakes and raise their kids with Gods help too.

     Because if I were a perfect mom-knew all the answers, never steered them wrong, could meet their every emotional, spiritual, and physical need-it would bring about a terrible awful result. My children would have no need for God. p.126 Hoodwinked

     

     I have raised my kids to love God, got to church, read their bible and live for God.  They now are at a point where they make their choices. However as a Moma, I still pray for them and lift them up to Him too.

     There is also a bible study coming up based off this book and if you are interested you can go here.....http://candacecameronbure.net/practically-speaking/psst-want-to-know-the-secret-for-being-a-great-mom-join-the-club/

     Yes, I was given this book for free as a part of the launch team but the opinions are my own and now go get you a copy and see what you think for yourself.  It is available today and I think it will be a blessing for ya'll.

God bless,
Pat

PS Also linking up at http://fdeanhackett.com/2015/11/tell-it-to-me-tuesdays-link-up-party-38.html  Go here to check out other wonderful posts of interest to ladies  
 and http://timewarpwife.com/titus-2sday-link-up-party-43/

Simple Woman's Daybook November 2nd

For today...Monday November 2nd

Outside my window...it is already dark at 5:47pm but yet this is my favorite time of year, it is cool and misty, it is cool and quiet and just seems so peaceful

I am thinking...about some homemade Christmas gifts I am making this year

I am thankful...for my husband who works a full time job and does odd jobs so I can stay home

I am wearing...fuzzy pajama pants and a tshirt

I am drinking...honey sweet hot tea in a fall mug from a friend

I am going...to finish up blessing my house so I can have some time to read my new book later tonight

I am wondering...why people want so much more than they are willing to give

I am reading...

I love any Amish books and really anything Amish.  This is the 3rd in this book series.  If you like Amish books, I reccommend this series.

I am learning...that you cannot help  someone who does not want to be helped

In my kitchen...banana nut muffins and blueberry muffins for tea time later for me and hubby

I am creating...a baby shower gift for a friend-it is a name wall hanging for the baby's room

My quote of the day...

Enjoy your week and thank you for reading!

If you want to learn more about this type of daybook, please visit http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

God bless,

Pat

Healthy Harvest Snack (Candy Corn)

     I am Children's Ministries Director at our church and I teach 4-K  children.  They like most of us like snacks sometimes.  Several of the Moma's have said they preferred more healthy snacks for the kids and less candy.  When I think of harvest time and the fall, I think of candy corn.  I have a lesson, complete with craft and coloring sheet that I have used with the kids that relates the trinity to the candy corn, (3 in 1).  Anyway as I was preparing it this year I was thinking I am sure they don't need lots of candy corn which would be the expected snack so I went looking for a healthier alernative and this is what I found.

It is pineapple on the bottom, orange slices(or peaches) in the middle with a little bit of whipped topping on top and then decorated with just a couple of candy corn.  I thought this was a cute, healthy snack.  We will see what the kids think of them in class.

If you make these let me know what your students, family or you think of them.

God bless and Happy Harvest Time,

Pat

Making Your Home A Haven-From My Heart!

(picture from google)

I have been taking a sabbatical at church-which basically for me means that for the month of October I am not teaching or working in classes.  I am going to Sunday school and church services in "big" church.  While I have been off this month I have had some time to search my life and heart.  One of the things that has been on my mind a lot is making my home more of a haven, a place my family wants to come home to, to be together, to enjoy.

As I started to think about what I could do to make it a haven, first I looked up the word to make sure it was what I was dreaming of. When I looked up the definition of haven, the one that caught my eye was this " a place of safety, refuge".   That is what I want, I want my home to be a place where anyone who comes there feels safe, calm, a place where they can relax and rest and feel joy.

Now, how do I do that?  I started with google, it is what I do and these are some ideas I found some ideas and I even found some challenges on some other blogs but this is what I have found so far that is working for us.  
1) I have been burning my Scentsy warmers and candles
2) I put out my crocheted and fleese lap blankets
3) I make sure I have tea made all the time
4) I try to make a pick up run right before I know hubby gets home
5) We have been reading the bible as a family and praying together
6) I made me a Quiet time area in my bedroom

As for us, it is helping, hubby has made comments on how nice the house smells and looks, (everything looks better in candle light).  Tea might not be a big deal in your house but my hubby LOVES a cold glass when he gets home summer or winter.  It is just so peaceful snuggling under a blanket and watching tv together and praying and reading the bible is a winner every time.  Making a space that I feel I can away to and read, listen to music or relax helps me too and this in turn helps the atmosphere of our home.

Now, I am not sure if any of these would interest you or even help making your home a haven, but they have helped mine.  You have to search for what makes yours a haven.  What makes your home a place that your family wants to come home to?  Think on that, and try some ideas and see what happens.

What are your thoughts or ideas about making our homes a haven?  I would love to hear what you think.

God bless,
Pat