Becoming the woman...

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:

If one falls down, his friend can help him up.

But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Also if two lie down together, tehy will keep warm.

But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

The author says to find an accountability partner who will encourage you while you are trying to make changes, ask them to do the study along with you. (I have laways had a few people that I consider my accountability people).

Americans take great pride in our independent spirit. We can do it our way & we dont need any help. But the Bible says people need one another. It says we are to bear one another's burdens & share one another's joys. These are not suggestions, they are commands.

Dont forget to drink your water & walk...

Grandma Jackie Dump Salad

I havent posted a recipe in awhile. This Dump salad recipe comes from Matt's Grandma Vanzant, easy & YUMMY!!!

Dump Salad

1 8 oz cool whip

1 c eagle brand milk

can cherry pie filling

20 oz crushed or tidbit pineapple (undrained)

walnuts

Mix it all together & let set in fridge overnight...

Taylor photo gallery

we added to the Taylor wall gallery. :) Since I didnt beat Jess to the phone to get the blown up picture Nat took of Taylor I went & printed my own.LOL Actually the photo on the right is the new one & it is dads favorite of the 7 month ones. And the one Natalie gave Jess looks great on their fireplace

During my cleaning & purging I found another treasure , the girls hand prints from preschool arent they cute with Taylors foot prints???

Chuck made the photo our screen saver on our computer, LOVE IT!!!Love seeing that sweet little face every day whenI get on the computer...:)

Taylor bear 7mnth/bday dinner/Nat family drawing

Found a journal Natalie did in Kindergarten , here is a family portrait it is sweet, she put hearts on all the girls shirts & then something on Chucks & out to the side her kindergarten teacher wrote Amy Grant picture with an arrowm Natalie must have told her that her dads shirt had Amy Grant on it. How funny is that. I shrunk it down & have it in a frame on my desk..:) I love finding "treasures" like this, its like having a piece of the girls being little again. Taylor is growing so fast already.

Chuck brought us home King Gyros for a belated birthday dinner YUM!!!

Taylor 7 month bear photo, she is sittin gup really good now & really reaching for things..

look how big she looks by the bear...

Becoming the woman

Ps 62:1-2

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

I am finding that rest in God. I have not been this relaxed & peaceful for quite some time. I am enjoying a FREE summer that I am not reading up on new preschool teaching ideas or thinking about what I want to do differently next year. I am reading for pleasure (I LOVE the KINDLE Chuck got me for my birthday, I can truly say it is one of the best birthday gifts I have ever received- the best by far though was when Natalie was born 2 days before my birthday 23 years ago- what a blessing she is to me).

Ellie & garage

my old friends & some new ones. I watch Ellie middle front onoce a week, Ella on the right side is a former preschooler & Evan is her brother , the rest are sisters that kive in the neighborhood.

Ellie & Ella in Ella's pink Barbie car (Ella mom Kory was my aide this past year at preschool). She said Ella is outgrowing the pink car hmm maybe a new ride for our Taylor girl down the road..

Arent they so cute....

Chuck climbing the tree he is determined to get the fallen branch that has been stuck for a few years down

Our clean garage. CHuck was showing off riding the mower around. You can even use the back door, we have had stuff in front of it for years.

Icondensed my preschool stuff I know it doesnt look like it but I did.

This is the last tub I have to go through for preschool & it is done, still organizing in the basement though. The blue tub is moms..

Becoming the woman....

Ps 23 The Lord is my shepherd I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

he leads me beside quiet waters

he restores my soul

He guides me in paths of righteousness

for his names sake

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

I will fear no evil, for you are with me

your rod & your staff they comfort me

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows

Surely goodness & love will follow me

all the days of my life

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

The author guided prayer reminds me that God provides everything I NEED. And that I need to recognize & confess my tendency to confuse my wants & needs.And how that confusion robs me of the peace God desires for me to experience. I desire to find rest even in the midst of a busy day & life. I want to cultivate peace & quiet within my soul. I know that hard times will come, help me to not overreact, panic or give way to fear.

The action we are to take today is to find a special place to focus on our relationship with God and becoming the woman we want to become. It may be on your porch, in your garden, maybe a special room in your house or just a special chair in your house, make it your favorite place you will be more likely to spend time there. Create a prayer basket with your Bible, this book, pens, highlighters,post it notes, notebook, note card, tissues, hand cream & lip balm.The post it note is for things that pop in your head that you need to do later that seem to occupy your mind if you dont write them down, if your praying for someone you might want to jot a note to them, the other 3 big ones for this author is a stuffy nose, dry hands & chapped lips. This basket will help you stay focused. Your prayer basket will evolve as you see the things that draw you away from this special time.

Discipline is the human effort to create the space in which God can be generous and give you what you need--Henri Nouwen

When you set aside time for spiritual discipline, you put yourself in a place where its easier to recognize and receive the blessings God desires to shower upon you. Get ready to receive!

I forgot to mention that each day she gives diet ,exercise things- today's says Drink 8 oz hot lemon water upon rising, take a multivitamin, eat as many raw or steamed veggies as you can, bounce for 2-3 minutes ( I think she has a mini trampoline), & walk briskly for 15 minutes.