Tea Talk--How Many Are Your Works!

Welcome to my home!

Sit and share a cup of tea with me as we encourage each other in the Lord.

To participate, click on Ruth's button above.

I'm having...flavored black tea in my Pfaltzgraff tea cup. The tea was a sample given to me by a neighbor, and it is passionfruit flavored.  Since it was such a little sample, I used half the amount each time I made tea, and steeped it longer, so that I could stretch it out and make it last longer!  It's a delicious tea.

I'm feeling...still achy with my back, though I finally learned today that I should sit on a pillow when I'm at the computer desk.  So that's what I'm doing right now!  I still need to stand and walk around frequently so my back doesn't stiffen--very painful--but it is slowly healing and I feel so much more capable of running our household now!

On my mind...is our state's homeschool convention this coming June.  I know it is a long way off, but it is on my mind since I just finished organizing and sorting through all the workshops I will be managing for families homeschooling special needs children.  I have volunteered for a number of years now at ICHE (Illinois Christian Home Educators), and for the past two years have served as the Coordinator for Struggling and Special Learners.  One part of my responsibilities includes finding and scheduling special needs speakers for our annual state convention each June.  The fun part of that responsibility is getting to manage everything at the actual convention--all my speakers and this year I will be handling 12 workshops.  I love logistics.  :)

I leave you with...a short verse from Psalm 105, which we read at dinnertime devotions tonight.  After David exclaims all the works on God's hands--all the things He created--during the first 23 verses, he then exults:

O LORD, how many are Your works!

In wisdom You have made them all;

The earth is full of Your possessions.

Psalm 104:24 nasb

We shared a lively discussion of His creativeness in forming all of His creatures, including man.  We spoke of His creativity in making this earth, in telling the sun and the moon where to go, and in commanding the sea to come so far and then no more.  And He knows me--such knowledge is too wonderful for me!

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

FFG -- Take Refuge

My amazing friend Lori hosts Friday Farm Girls @ Heart every week;

please click on her button to visit her blog

and to find out how you can participate!

My farm girl's heart just aches--along with my back!--this week because I am not able to do all the things I need and want to do.  When I think of this meme each week, I desire to share something I've done, or made, or baked, or accomplished during the week.  But this week, besides some laundry and a few meals, I have not been a woman of accomplishment.

I confess, when I'm healthy I can sit at the computer for hours, and I'm really good at procrastinating; however, I am essentially a doer.  My husband tells me, "Sit and relax with me."  And if we're not engaged in conversation, my mind is making lists--what's for dinner tomorrow night, I need to put garlic powder on the grocery list, do I have the money for the food co-op on Sunday...  My organizer/planner has space along the right-hand side for sticky-note grocery lists and to-do lists.  Sometimes I even add extra sticky notes on dates gone by so that I have room to write my notes!

Many of you have been praying for healing for me, and I humbly and gratefully thank you!  But for right now, the Lord has a better plan for me.  My Bible studies throughout this week have focused on healing, resting in His love, and acknowledging Him in my circumstances.  I continue to keep my focus in those places.  He is my refuge.

But let all who take refuge in You be glad,

Let them ever sing for joy;

And may You shelter them,

That those who love Your name may exult in You.

Psalm 5:11 nasb

How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!

And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.

Psalm 36:7 nasb

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

Tea Talk--It Will be Healing

Welcome to my home!

Sit and have a cup of tea with me and share a little time of relaxation and encouragement.

To join, click on Ruth's button above.

I'm having...Earl Gray in my Pfaltzgraff teacup (Ocean Breeze pattern).  This is loose tea that I've had for a long time.  I don't know why I haven't enjoyed this tea more recently--it is delicious and hits the spot on this chilly end-of-December day!

I'm feeling...the same as the past several days.  I continue to slowly recover from my fall up the stairs two weeks ago.  Afternoons and evenings are more relaxed, since I have worked out the stiffness by lunch time.  But when I first wake up, I'm so stiff and sore!  I'm trusting the Lord to work His healing in me, unless He has a better plan.  When I see the splendor with which He displays His creation--such as in the frosted trees in the photos below on our drive to the chiropractor this morning--I know without a doubt that He is working in me!

I'm thinking about...the few priority items to do this week--pulling together the rest of the special needs portion of our state homeschool convention (ICHE--Illinois Christian Home Educators) for June 2011; and getting our own homeschool lesson plans in order for the rest of the school year (mostly for Danny who will be graduating next June).  I also have to update my business accounts, and get some house cleaning projects completed.  The first two major items will be done by tomorrow--and I always say "Lord willing!"  :)

I leave you with...verses in Proverbs.  As I ask the Lord to heal me, I realize that He brings healing in various ways.  These verses in Proverbs have to do with healing:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart

And do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

It will be healing to your body

And refreshment to your bones.

Proverbs 3:5-8 nasb [emphasis mine]

Healing and refreshment come from doing these things:

• Wholly trust in Him with my situation
• Don't trust my own understanding of the situation
• Acknowledge Him in everything I do (or try to do, or even can't do!)
• Don't think that my wisdom is best
• Give the Lord my reverent respect
• Turn away from sinful desires

I'm asking the Lord for strength to do these things.  May you be blessed as you follow Him!!

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

Tea Talk--Thanks Forever

Welcome to my home!

Sit and have a cup of tea with me and share a little time of relaxation and encouragement.

To join, click on Ruth's button above!

I'm having...a cup of strawberry rhubarb tea (in the photo below).  I drank out of this beautiful teacup that belongs to Lori when our family visited her house for Friday Game Night last week!

I'm feeling...a bit overwhelmed with to-do's.  That hasn't changed since last week, though.  I wish some of them would just float away!  But that won't happen, either.  And in the midst of the list, the laundry, and the dishes, and the...await me!

Lori's single-cup tea ball

On my mind...is our family get-together this Saturday evening!  All 11 of us (with my dad as the patriarch) will share a "breakfast at dinnertime" potluck this Saturday.  My sister-in-law plans to bring biscuits and gravy, which I can't wait to try.  She is a great cook!  We're getting together before Thanksgiving, because my brother and sister-in-law will be sharing that special day with her extended family, and will miss Thanksgiving at my parents' home.  Thanksgiving will start to be on my mind next Sunday!

I leave you with...a Bible verse of thanks, in honor of this wonderful season.

So we Your people and the sheep of Your pasture

Will give thanks to You forever;

To all generations we will tell of Your praise.

Psalm 79:13 nasb

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

Tea Talk--The Riches of God

Welcome to my home!

Sit and have a cup of tea with me and share a little time of relaxation and encouragement.

To join, click on Ruth's button above!

I'm having...a cup of organic Jasmine silver needle, loose tea given to me by my heart-sister Lori.  A perfect perk-me-up tea to give me energy for the rest of the day!  My tea steeper, from ingenuiTea, makes two cups of tea.  Once the tea is brewed, I place it over my cup.  As it presses down on the rim, it filters a stream of tea into my cup.  It's the neatest thing!

I'm feeling...safe in His arms, for He is rich in mercy.

On my mind...I'm always making mental to-do lists.  I have to go to the post office and the library today.  Praise the Lord that they are across the street from each other!

I leave you with...portions of verses in Ephesians that I studied this morning with my heart-sister Dee.

But God, being rich in mercy...

Ephesians 2:4a nasb

...the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us...

Ephesians 2:7 (middle) nasb

...(but you are rich)...

Revelation 2:9 (middle) nasb

In these passages, the Greek word for rich is plousios; its derivative had the connotation of "flowing, abounding."  God is rich, and has untold riches, but they're not just sitting there.  They are constantly flowing, being transferred to and poured out upon His people.  And those riches are not drained--they are a never-ending source and a constant supply.  I'm not talking about money here!  These are His riches:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who has blessed us with

every spiritual blessing

in the heavenly places in Christ...

Ephesians 1:3 nasb (emphasis mine)

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

Month of Thanksgiving -- Blessing 11

This post is part of a giveaway at Tamara's blog.

Please click on her tag below to find out more!

Today I thank the Lord for His food, both physical to nourish the body, and spiritual to nourish the soul.  In our fallen state, our bodies grow weak and require food and water to function.  The growling emptiness and the dry thirst remind us that we are weak, and that we need to rely on Him for strength.

Just as our physical bodies grow weak without nourishment, our spiritual souls require food.  Fellowship with the Lord--in reading and prayer--and spiritual sharpening with our spouses, children, and the community of believers is vital to the growth of our souls.

He has made His wonders to be remembered;

The LORD is gracious and compassionate.

He has given food to those who fear Him;

He will remember His covenant forever.

He has made known to His people the power of His works,

In giving them the heritage of the nations.

Psalm 111:4-6 nasb [emphasis mine]

Please visit Tamara's blog to find out more about Month of Thanksgiving,

to be encouraged by others' blessings,

and to participate!

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

WWU--Heartily as to the Lord

Thank you, Mary, for hosting Weekly Wrap-Up!

It's time to reflect back on my week, to store up memories in my heart,

and to acknowledge the Lord's ways in my life.

To participate with us, please click on Mary's button above.

Home Life

My young men are staying busy with school.  Danny, forced to work within the constraints of his textbook, is still agonizing over his argumentative essay due next week.  He at least has a general idea of what to write about; he needs to get it into outline form and find some quotes from his textbook.  Then he'll really be on his way.  Everyone else is working hard, getting things done, and life is settled.

I think back to early September, when I was so overwhelmed with starting homeschool and assisting with college classes...  Praise the Lord for steady routine!  I still have a long-and-growing-longer to-do list, but with the Lord's strength, I am getting things done!


My Kitchen and Garden

I canned the last of the jalapeños, which Becki gave to me.  Thank you, Becki!  I had to use half-pint jars, since that was all I had left, and I canned 21 jars.  My spicy-lovers are happy!

My Projects

Hmm, no craft projects to report this week.  Just cleaning, organizing, keeping things de-cluttered.  I will post soon about cleaning my dining room.  It's nice to have a clean, tidy room that welcomes you when you peek in!


Behind the Lens

The Lord has brought several photography projects my way.  I had three photo sessions in an eight-day span last week!  I'm currently editing photos from my borrowed daughter's senior portrait session.  She was so sweet--she sat where I asked her to, tilted her head, smiled, laughed.  We had a great time together!  I will post photos of her soon on my photography blog. Below is one of my favorite photos from a session I did last week with two sisters.  This photo is of the little one.  Precious!

I also just purchased a 50mm f1.4 portrait lens, and the bokeh is amazing (sorry for the technical language!).  Bokeh is basically the blurriness of the background, so the focus is drawn to the sharp point of what the photographer wants the viewer to focus on.  The below picture demonstrates this concept.  Yep, I dream about this stuff!

Heart Thoughts

I connected to the Friday Farm Girls @ Heart meme at Lori's blog yesterday about the Lord's awesome power, and I'm still stuck on those thoughts.  It's a good thing to be stuck on!  The thoughts ran toward this--that my life is to glorify Him.  I am not to think, "I'm going to do something outstanding for God," as if I'm going to do the accomplishing.  I am simply to trust and obey, and to be outstanding in the realm in which He has placed me.

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Colossians 3:17 nasb

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,

knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance.

It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

Colossians 3:23-24 nasb

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

FFG--Out Standing, Outstanding

My dear friend Lori hosts Friday Farm Girls at Heart every week;

please click on her button above to visit her blog

and find out how you can participate!

Preface:  I started a "phone Bible study" with my heart-sister in Georgia last week, but yesterday, I overslept!  And her toilet was leaking, so she was a little distracted.  At 1:00 the realization hit that I never called her for our 6:30am (central time) Bible study hour.  Big oops, but we both laughed over our circumstances, and had an impromptu 15-minute study instead of our usual hour.

That said--and keep trusting me that this really is a Farm Girls post--here is the passage we studied:

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened,

so that you will know what is the hope of His calling,

what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.

These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might

which He brought about in Christ,

when He raised Him from the dead

and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,

far above all rule and authority and power and dominion,

and every name that is named,

not only in this age but also in the one to come.

And He put all things in subjection under His feet,

and gave Him as head over all things to the church,

which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Ephesians 1:18-23

Keep reading!  It's a Bible study but it touches my Farm Girl heart!  Really!

Dee and I stopped on the phrases surpassing greatness of His power and strength of His might.  We guessed--correctly--that the word power was the Greek dounamis, from which we get our English dynamite.  From the phrase strength of His might, we discovered that the word strength is also translated as dominion, and the word might is simply His strength.  Slightly confusing, but I think the Lord (through Paul) is emphasizing the incredible power, might, and strength that He possesses.  Look at what the Lord did, through His power:

• He raised Christ from the dead
• He seated Christ at His right hand
• He seated Him far above all rule, authority, power, dominion, every name named
• He seated Him in this age and in the one to come
• He put all things in subjection to Christ
• He made Him head over all things
• He called the church the body of Christ
• He calls the church His fullness

That's pretty powerful!  After we talked about how the Lord should be preeminent in our lives, and that our life is not about us, but all about Him, and His being glorified, Dee commented about a book that she is reading by Blackaby (Chosen to be God's Prophet, about Samuel I think).  She paraphrased that our desire is to do something great/incredible for God, when He wants simply our trust and obedience.  He will cause efforts to succeed, or fail.

When Dee mentioned our desire to do something outstanding for God, I remembered something humorous my dad said:  "I know this farmer out standing in his field."  Or was it, "...outstanding in his field?"  *wink*

Obviously, I would love to accomplish something outstanding for the Lord!  But the Lord wants me to be out standing in my home, outstanding in my home:  loving my husband, nurturing my children, and yes, doing the dishes.  He will work what He desires in my life.  I am to trust and obey.

So, if you ring my doorbell today, you will probably find me out standing in my kitchen.  :)

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

Tea Talk--Girded with Strength

Welcome to my home!

Sit and have a cup of tea with me and share a little time of relaxation and encouragement.

To join, click on Ruth's button above!

I'm having...a cup of Provence Rooibos, a blend purchased at SereneTeaz (I love their store!).  It is slightly fruity with the typical rooibos (pronounced ROY-boss; meaning red bush, from Africa) flavor.  I'm using my everyday china cup; teatime is special when it's fancy!

I'm feeling...tired but safe in the Lord.  The name of the Lord is a strong tower!

On my mind...a to-do list that keeps growing!  I cross off two or three things, only to add five or six more to it.  Lord give me the strength and grace to get things done!!

I leave you with...a verse about a Godly woman--may it be me today!

She girds herself with strength

And makes her arms strong.

She senses that her gain is good;

Her lamp does not go out at night.

Proverbs 31:17-18 nasb

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

WWU--Every Spiritual Blessing

Thank you, Mary, for hosting Weekly Wrap-Up!

It's time to reflect back on my week, to store up memories in my heart,

and to acknowledge the Lord's ways in my life.

To participate with us, please click on Mary's button above.

Home Life

This week, Joseph, poor thing, has had a sore throat and cough.  He is fine other than that, and has done his daily activities as usual.  But he did spend one entire day in his pajamas!

Jacob, Danny, and Thomas are working hard at their schooling.  Jacob's and Danny's Rhetoric class at the local community college is going well, and they are currently working on another speech.  This one is a little trickier, since it is about gender roles and the definition of a family, plus they have to work within the constraints of the essays given in their textbook.  We're bathing this issue in prayer, and the Lord will be faithful.


My Kitchen and Garden

The garden has finally petered out.  I thank the Lord for His bountiful harvest for our family, using just three raised bed garden boxes.  I still have tomatoes in bowls all over my kitchen, and though I'd like to space them out as far as eating them goes, I know they need to be eaten once they turn red or I'll have rotten tomatoes!  We're enjoying them while they last.

Here are the peppers we picked off my pepper plants.

Project Desk

I haven't been crafty lately, but I have accomplished some cleaning projects!  My friend Helen and I called each other (for accountability) on Tuesday and spent the entire afternoon cleaning the first floors of our respective homes.  I started in the dining room, and ended up there the entire three hours!  It is amazing to me that I had to spend that much time in that room, since it is one of the cleanest rooms on the first floor.  But, it contained its clutter.  I will blog about the dining room in my Tackle-It post next Tuesday.

I decided I would just pick up each misplaced or "no-placed" item and process it--hang it up, put it away, throw it out, etc.  I found a game I had bought at a summer garage sale, so I de-cluttered the hallway closet and put it away on the shelf with all the games.

I also found the cover for the hallway light fixture!  Kevin, our handyman extraordinaire, had painted much of our first floor, and the cover never made its way back on to the fixture, probably because we were going to clean it!  So Jacob kindly cleaned it, replaced a burned-out light bulb, and got the cover on.  (Confession--Kevin painted about a year ago...)

I spent some time cleaning in the kitchen; boy, can this room get messy even when I'm not cooking!  Below is the counter area next to the fridge, where we pour our drinks.  Another unabashed plug for his services:    Kevin installed the tin backsplash that you see in the photo.

I found the basket in a garage sale (50 cents!), so I used it here to contain Fernando's vitamins and other bottles which were spreading all over the countertop.


Behind the Lens

I finally figured out how to upload photos from Lightroom 3!!  Here is one of my favorites from my photo shoot with Danny (17) and Thomas (14).

Heart Thoughts

I started a weekly Bible study on Thursday mornings with a dear heart-sister in Georgia.  Our phone ringing at 6:30am is an alarm clock for the boys!  We chose the book of Ephesians, which I have studied in depth before.  I thought it would be a little easier for us to read through and study.  *riiight*  :)

Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing

in the heavenly places in Christ.

Ephesians 1:3 nasb

We made it through several verses in chapter 1, and got stuck--in a good way--on the phrase heavenly places in verse 3.  The word places is not in the original Greek, which is the word for heaven.  We had a lively and thought-provoking discussion about why Biblical scholars would translate this word heaven in some places, and heavenly places (or, more accurately, heavenlies) in other places.

I'm still mulling over that word.  It is good to meditate on God's Word!

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

WWU--Shield, Anchor, Tower

Thank you, Mary, for hosting Weekly Wrap-Up!

It's time to reflect back on my week, to store up memories in my heart,

and to acknowledge the Lord's ways in my life.

To participate with us, please click on Mary's button above.

Home Life

Well, the week didn't start out well.  But that's my perspective.  You can read about Murphy's Law Monday here.  God is good.  :)

Our school schedule evolved a bit this week, with Fernando allowing Thomas to drop Spanish II.  I have also rearranged Danny's schedule to better organize the time he is spending on each of his subjects.  Since he will have almost enough credits to graduate high school at the end of this semester, I dropped a few requirements and will add a few different ones come January.  It should help ease the load he's carrying.

My Kitchen and Garden

I was able to do some canning earlier this week.  I'm so thankful for food put up!  Whenever I go to the basement bomb shelter (that's what we call it), I thank the Lord for the canned apples, applesauce, spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes, jalapeños, and pepperoncinis gracing my shelves.  Even typing that all out just now made me realize how blessed our family is.  Thank You, Lord.

Behind the Lens

The Positive:  I started our family photo shoot (for Christmas pictures and to update the boys' wall frames with current photos) this past week.

The Negative--or, The Negative Right Now.  My photos are all sitting in Lightroom, my new photography editing software.  After two solid hours of work, I edited a total of two photos.  I don't even know if the changes will be saved when I return to working on the photos.  In other words, I have never been more thoroughly confused in my life (except maybe that math class in college).  I'm sure that in six months or so I will love Lightroom.  Right now, however, it is not my friend.  And because of these circumstances, I have no extra photos to share today.


Heart Thoughts

It has been an up-and-down week for me, partly due to constant mishaps and accidents, interruptions and frustrations; and partly due to hormones.  *cross eyes*  I have been on the Emotional Roller Coaster, with almost no time to get off and breathe before I scream down another plummet.  Don't get me wrong, though.  God is an ever-present help and shield, sure and steadfast anchor, and a mighty tower of refuge.  I continually remind myself to keep my eyes turned toward Him, even on that downard plummet.  :)

Scripture in my heart for this last week:

Our soul waits for the LORD;

He is our help and our shield.

Psalm 33:30 nasb

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul,

a hope both sure and steadfast

and one which enters within the veil...

Hebrews 6:19 nasb

The name of the LORD is a strong tower;

The righteous runs into it and is safe.

Proverbs 18:10 nasb

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

Tea Talk--Character Exhibited

Welcome to my home!

Sit and have a cup of tea with me and share a little time of relaxation and encouragement.

To join, click on Ruth's button above!

I'm having...peppermint tea.  My tea cup is the Pfaltzgraff Ocean Breeze pattern, and matches our everyday dishes.  It is shown below (not with peppermint tea!) with a breakfast of cinnamon apple puff (recipe tomorrow).

I'm feeling...tired but calm, and looking ahead to a day filled with activity.

On my mind...I'm asking the Lord for His grace today.  So many mishaps and little accidents have occurred around here this week that I'm wondering what the Lord has in store for me today!  And I'm praying that He gives grace to help me yield to Him throughout His plan for my day.

I leave you with...a quote I just found, which describes my week.  May the Lord grant me grace to submit to His loving plan for me, be it easy or hard, simple or complicated, smooth or full of pits.

Character is not made in a crisis; it is only exhibited.

Robert Freeman

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

WWU--First Pure, Then Peaceable

Thank you, Mary, for hosting Weekly Wrap-Up!

It's time to reflect back on my week, to store up memories in my heart,

and to acknowledge the Lord's ways in my life.

To participate with us, please click on Mary's button above.

Home Life

What a week.  I have felt a calmness that can come only from the Lord.  I'm amazed that I feel this way, simply because our days are busy, in my opinion.  I've crossed off three or four items from my to-do list, only to write down five or six more.  I think, like my friend Shani, that I need to just buckle down and schedule some of these to-do items, so they actually get done.  Some of them require me to actually go out and do something, or get something--such as Joseph's handicapped state i.d. card (free, but we have to go to the driver's license facility with proper paperwork and identification).  The rest require simply my time.  Time?  What's that?!

Jacob and Danny turned in writing assignments again this week.  I think Danny is getting over his fear of talking in class, and talking to the professor!  He even emailed her to get an "okay" on which historical references he could use in his paper, after she told him that his example of Corrie ten Boom was not well-known enough to be cited in the assigned essay.  I must have read The Hiding Place dozens of times growing up, so I was somewhat taken aback that someone hadn't heard of Corrie.

Danny completed a few chemistry experiments.  The sales rep at the hardware store lectured Danny for several minutes about the dangers of working with lye.  Needless to say, I was nervous as he worked through the experiment.  But everything went without a hitch.

Also this week, I cut everyone's hair.  And I took pictures!  I keep telling my boys to stop looking so handsome, but they don't listen.  Jacob is still full of hair in the photo below, but he still looks good!

Future police officer/detective

My Kitchen and Garden

I'm still picking--my vegetables, that is!  We've enjoyed almost two glorious weeks of summer-like weather, and my tomatoes and green beans have gone crazy.  Plus, all the little green peppers on my plants are getting bigger.  Even though they're not supermarket-sized, they will work for salads, chili, soup...

I also have canning on my radar.  In fact, it's blipping away loudly as I prepare this wrap-up of my week!  Today is canning day--apples, spaghetti sauce, jalapeños, pepperoncinis... (I won't get it all done!)



My Project Desk

Sadly, I haven't completed any projects this week.  Up in my bedroom, my desk sits empty, waiting for me to work on something.  But Fernando says homeschool is priority, and I'm trying to rest in that.


Behind the Lens

This week, I took the plunge and created business cards for christine anne photography.  I wanted a photo to be imprinted on the cards, so I had to experiment.  Most of the photos I've taken aren't suited for writing to be imprinted on them.  I ended up outside for several different shots.  After creating six different cards, Fernando and I both decided on one--yes, the same one!  Here is a photo that didn't work well for a business card, but it's pretty enough for my portfolio.

Heart Thoughts

We've been reading through and studying James during our dinner hour (more like dinner hour-and-a-half!).  Fernando has gone into depth with word studies, which is one of my favorite things to do.  Here is a passage we studied this past week, with word definitions added.

James 3:17 nasb

But the wisdom from above is first

• pure -- characterized by spiritual integrity
• then peaceable -- peace-loving, peace-promoting
• gentle -- characterized by a sweet reasonableness
• reasonable -- showing obedience to God's standards
• full of mercy and good fruits -- quick to forgive, having a concern for others
• unwavering,
• without hypocrisy --consistent and unwavering, undivided in commitment and conviction, doesn't make unfair distinctions

What a list.  It shows me that I have so far to go in seeking the Lord's wisdom instead of instantly using my own frail human wisdom.  God's foolishness is wiser than my greatest wisdom, and most times I can't grasp even His foolishness!  I read verses like these with a hunger to continue to seek after His wisdom, and with a humility that acknowledges that without Him, I am nothing.

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

Tea Talk--Joy of My Heart

Welcome to my home!

Sit and have a cup of tea with me and share a little time of relaxation and encouragement.

To join, click on Ruth's button above!

I'm having...my regular Scottish breakfast tea, robust and enlivening for this morning.  Since I have only a few different tea cups and mugs, and I've already shown then, here is a shot of breakfast on Tuesday.  For some reason, I love taking photos of pancakes--goofy, I know.  Thomas instigated things for this shot, however.  He arranged everything on his plate and hollered, "Hey, Mom!  Go get your camera before I pour the syrup!"  How can a photographer mom resist that??

Blueberry-strawberry pancakes with strawberry topping and syrup

I'm feeling...calm but busy.  We're in a decent routine, and home and homeschool life have settled into a comfortable rhythm.  However, there are still several items on my to-do list, and they're tapping insistently at the back of my brain.  And yet a few more have been added this week.  I need to check a few of them off!

On my mind is...going out to get more cream!  I ran out when I had my cup of tea this morning.  For me, this is a crisis, as I always have my morning tea with cream.  It's the same thing with ketchup for our boys--if we run out, panic sets in.  ;)

I leave you with...a verse from Psalms that I came across this morning.  It lifts me up, and I hope it encourages you, too!

I have inherited Your testimonies forever,

For they are the joy of my heart.

Psalm 119:111 nasb

inherited -- to get as a blessing
testimonies -- admonitions, ordinances, or warnings
joy -- exultation, rejoicing, gaiety, gladness, rejoice greatly

The Lord's commands are a joy, not meant to put me under His thumb, but meant as my inheritance of blessing!

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

WWU--Seek Her as Silver

Thank you, Mary, for hosting Weekly Wrap-Up!

It's time to reflect back on my week, to store up memories in my heart,

and to acknowledge the Lord's ways in my life.

To participate with us, please click on Mary's button above.

Home and School

We experienced a busy week this past week--small projects, a greater focus on homeschooling, and general home "management" duties (a..k.a. chores).  Fernando asked Joseph to help out more with chores, and he is willingly working around the house.  Jacob and Danny continue to chug along in their college Rhetoric class.  Thomas continues to check his attitude as he and I work more closely together throughout the week.  Parenthood isn't any easier now, that's for sure.  Someone once told me, "You can't have quality time without quantity time."  And Thomas and I have quantity time in abundance!

It also helps when Thomas gets to play with matches.  Come to think of it, he's really enjoying science this year...

Physical science:  Observation

My Kitchen and Garden

I already posted about my adventures in canning earlier this week, so you can click here to read about it if you wish.  My vegetable garden continues to be the Little Engine That Could!  This week, I've picked another overflowing bowl of tomatoes, plus more green beans and the rest of my basil.

Three raised-bed vegetable gardens

Tomatoes on the vine

Tomatoes, green beans, and basil

My garden-wise friend Becki gave me several cayenne peppers, which are currently drying and will soon be crushed for adding to homemade salsa.

Cayenne peppers redden as they dry

Speaking of spicy, here's a photo of the enchiladas we had for dinner a week ago.

My Project Desk

Fernando was extra thoughtful this week; he not only built me shelves for a couple of kitchen cabinets, but he hung a few things that needed hanging.  He's my hangman!

I found this wrought-iron scroll at a garage sale, and we decided it nicely dressed up the photos of our sons:

Main hallway

Then, he hung this funny sign in our back hallway, which leads to our mud room/pantry/laundry room.  We have had the sign for almost two years!!

Behind the Lens

I've been experimenting with shooting into the sun.  What appears on the finished product is not what I see when I peer through the viewfinder!  Surprises--sunspots and glare--sometimes turn an ordinary scene into something amazing.  Here is an example, with more to be posted on my photography blog later today.

Heart Thoughts

At church, Pastor Fraley has been teaching through the book of Proverbs.  As I look back on all that I've learned--and my compulsive notes all over my Bible pages--one passage stuck out, as a reminder.  I'll quote a little of it here:

My son [daughter], if you will receive my words

And treasure my commandments within you,

Make your ear attentive to wisdom,

Incline your heart to understanding;

For if you cry for discernment,

Lift your voice for understanding;

If you seek her as silver

And search for her as for hidden treasures;

Then you will discern the fear of the LORD

And discover the knowledge of God.

For the LORD gives wisdom;

From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;

He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

Guarding the paths of justice,

And He preserves the way of His godly ones.

Proverbs 2:1-8 nasb with my [insert]

This passage goes on for several additional verses describing the results of seeking God's wisdom.  One aspect of the first verses is that I have to want wisdom.  I have to be intentional and deliberate about it.  Pastor Fraley talked about "seeking her [wisdom] as silver" as a very difficult process.  Isn't gold more valuable?  But silver is normally covered with gray or black material, making it very hard to find.  And once you've found it, the actual refining process is difficult and drawn out.  Such is the path of seeking wisdom.  It requires diligent investigation into God's Word.  It was good to have this reminder to seek Him this week.

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne