Monday, October 17, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Praying for my families (and mine) character not comfort.
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the lord forever, for the lord, the lord himself, is the Rock eternal.http://bible.us/Isa26.3.NIV
I worry so often. I have been looking for my blue notebook for over a week. I had it at the csdc Cbo class in April. While at a different training I had written interview questions for our teachers. I have looked high and low- AND dug through my yet to be unpacked suitcase numerous times- with no luck. I moved my office downstairs and thought maybe it was lost in the move- still couldn't find it. This morning, upon waking, I realized I was really out of coffee but don't really have time to run to the store. Wandered into the kitchen with a prayer on my heart. Lord, please show me where my blue notebook is. Father I need it today. After my quick prayer, I wandered back into the room to see if by chance I had another package of single serving coffee in my gym bag (which is next to my still packed suitcase). I glance down, and there with just a corner peeking through my now messed up clothes is the blue notebook! I have looked there at least once a day for a week! There was also one more pack of coffee!
If God answers these insignificant prayers, why do I always worry about bigger things? Like our grant, my ability, attacks on the school?
Monday, May 2, 2011
I worry often about hurting other people or disappointing them. Father I desire to fear only you. I know I need only to revere you. I don't need to fear your wrath. Lord Jesus thank you for loving me so completely. Go before us lord as we interview assistant principals, teachers , and other staff. Father give us wisdom. Speak to me through the small things. I believe you have put the idea for this culture in my mind and I ask that you create it. Lord I desire to lead as you did. I am at times amazed and then overwhelmed with all you have called me to do. Love people through me. The children, their families, the staff. Lord please let your love be evident in all that I do. Father I know I also need your strength to stand up when someone/something is wrong. I feel at times I am in a constant battle trying to keep the rutters moving in the right direction. As though I am on the rough waters of the sea, navigating towards your light, but the current is always pushing and pulling at the ruttier. If I don't hold tightly to the steering heel which is your word, our ship may end up on the rocks or worse- over turned. Thank you for your word.
Friday, April 22, 2011
New Study
1 Cor 1:27 but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put to shame them that are wise; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong;28 and the base things of the world, and the things that are despised, did God choose, yea and the things that are not, that he might bring to nought the things that are:29 that no flesh should glory before God.
Revelation 3:8 I know thy works (behold, I have set before thee a door opened, which none can shut), that thou hast a little power, and didst keep my word, and didst not deny my name.
I can not start a school, on my own. But God can use me to do His will! Thank you Lord that YOU know the beginning and the end. I know that this is from you, as you put it on my heart years ago, and then have confirmed it over and over. Father, please go before us in the grant reading process and give us favor. Please go before us as we screen and interview teachers, and only bring those that you would have come.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Entrace
the wine rack in the kitchen
This door will be replaced with a wood/glass door to open up the entrance and the living room
The white on the floor is the beginning of prepping it for flooring...
The real front door
Still needs some trim around the windows and on the floor....and then...flooring!
The new light fixture...I LOVE it.Friday, March 18, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Make friends with your problems
From Jesus Calling, (Young)
Make friends with the problems in your life. Though many things feel random and wrong, remember that I am sovereign over everything. I can fit everything into a pattern for good, but only to the extent that you trust Me. Every problem can teach you something, transforming you little by little into the masterpiece I created you to be. The very same problem can become a stumbling block over which you fall, if you react with distrust and defiance. The choice is up to you, and you will have to choose many times each day whether to trust Me or defy me.
The best way to befriend your problems is to thank Me for them. This simple act opens your mind to the possibility of benefits flowing from your difficulties. You can even give persistent problems nicknames, helping you approach them with familiarity rather than with dread. The next step is to introduce them to Me, enabling Me to embrace them in My loving Presence. I will not necessarily remove your problems, but My wisdom is sufficient to bring good out of every one of them.
Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
1 Cor 1:23-24 So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it's all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and teh wisdom of God.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
Living room
This is what the wall looked like...
With primer
Not sure if I'm going to leave this wall like this - will clean it and see what it ends up like
The kitchen after papering the dining area
the built in hutch...all cleaned upSaturday, February 26, 2011
Worry
All nestled warmly in bed this morning, I believe worry is what finally prompted me to get up. There is always something to worry about. Did Craig make it safely to Coalinga? Will I ever finish that grant? What's that noise, are the dogs out again? (that is what actually did get me up!) Looking around my living room I worry about how on earth are we going to fit this entire house into my moms? (we aren't) Will we ever finish the work to be done at my moms to be able to move? Are the horses OK, after how cold it's been? How is Miranda feeling today? How is Clarissa doing?
Today's devotional was on worrying, and how it's actually a sin. Worry is a form of rebellion according to the author.
Deuteronomy 29:29 says, The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law.
This leads me on two paths... one from yesterday, in Malachi 2:17 You have wearied the Lord with your words, yet you say, "How have we wearied Him?" In that you say, "Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of he Lord, and he delights in them, or where is the God of Justice?"
We worry, and we wonder what on earth God is up to, why isn't He doing things the way we think that he should be doing them? Why did He take Ember? (that is my most recent "Why God, where is the justice in that?") But I am convicted, that this is one of those secret things of God... (Hmmmm...makes me really believe that the
"Secret" is not a good book....) and in His time, He will reveal it to us.
But I also went down another path with the verse in Deuteronomy - What ARE the secrets God has?
Acts 1:7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know times or seasons, which the Father hath set within His own authority.
John 5:"I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me.37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form,38 nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent.39 You studyt the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
Acts 17:11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
2 Timothy 3
1 But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come.2 For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,3 without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good,4 traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;5 holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power therefore. From these also turn away.6 For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts,7 ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.8 And even as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also withstand the truth. Men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith.9 But they shall proceed no further. For their folly shall be evident unto all men, as theirs also came to be.10 But thou didst follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience,11 persecutions, sufferings. What things befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.12 Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.13 But evil men and impostors shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.14 But abide thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.15 And that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.16 Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness.17 That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.
Everything we need to know is in the scriptures. It is hidden, until the Holy Spirit reveals it to us. Even yesterday, God was teaching me something knew when I started Malachi chapter 2. I kind of felt, how on earth can this OT chapter teach me anything - but the Holy spirit did!
Oh, Lord, if I could only stop worrying...if I could trust completely in you, even when I don't understand what your plan is. Forgive me for wearing you.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
All the cabinets we'll need!Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
The wall to the masterbedroom, before - a lot of work!
Eventually we'll sleep here!Overwhelmed
Lord, please order my day - that I would do what you have called me to do. Thank you for always loving us even when we get ourselves into messes -
Friday, February 11, 2011
Kitchen
What little work we've managed to do this far really looks good! :)
Remodel
Craig and I have decided to begin fixing up my mom's house. This way, we can rent it and Tony and Lisa can get some income from it. I will be posting some before and after pictures... There are some before pics:
These are various before pictures of what was the "office" but is going to become the master bedroom
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Feeling blessed
Today's scripture reading was perfect timing for me - as it always is...
A Song of Praise
1 In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:
We have a strong city;
God makes salvation
its walls and ramparts.
2 Open the gates
that the righteous nation may enter,
the nation that keeps faith.
3 You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.
4 Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.
5 He humbles those who dwell on high,
he lays the lofty city low;
he levels it to the ground
and casts it down to the dust.
6 Feet trample it down—
the feet of the oppressed,
the footsteps of the poor.
7 The path of the righteous is level;
you, the Upright One, make the way of the righteous smooth.
8 Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws,t
we wait for you;
your name and renown
are the desire of our hearts.
9 My soul yearns for you in the night;
in the morning my spirit longs for you.
When your judgments come upon the earth,
the people of the world learn righteousness.
10 But when grace is shown to the wicked,
they do not learn righteousness;
even in a land of uprightness they go on doing evil
and do not regard the majesty of the Lord.
11 Lord, your hand is lifted high,
but they do not see it.
Let them see your zeal for your people and be put to shame;
let the fire reserved for your enemies consume them.
12 Lord, you establish peace for us;
all that we have accomplished you have done for us.