Rejoicing!

"The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork." Psalm 19:1



I don't know about you all, but I am really, really enjoying this beautiful spring weather. Are you all getting rain and storms? Ours have already passed and have been replaced by gorgeous sunshine and cool breezes. I love it. I'll take it, even if it comes with that extra dose of pollen. Have I told you that we live in a town which was famous back in the day, and still is I suppose, for the peaches we produce? Well, all of the peach trees are in full bloom, not to mention the pecan trees - and we live just down the street from a few pecan groves. We're coated in pollen.



But that hasn't stopped us from getting out and enjoying God's creation. Benjamin loves being outside. He runs anywhere and everywhere. He explores through the yard with big, confident steps. He picks the weeds flowers. He sniffs the weeds flowers. He plays with balls and runs all around the yard.



I love taking him outside to play. And it gives me great opportunity to take out the camera and capture him on such a beautiful day. God has been so good to us, blessing us with this weather, blessing us with this precious boy. God is good!






Right now I can't believe it is almost noon... shouldn't it be 3PM? I have done a lot this morning concerning house work. It's been a beautiful, productive day. When Benjamin wakes up, we're going to have lunch, and hopefully his daddy will have remembered to go and pick up the power car that someone is giving us, so he can play outside in the driveway later.

I hope you all are having such a wonderful week. I wrote a post recently about being too blessed to be stressed. Some of you said you needed that reminder, so here's another reminder that I came across that has helped me:

"casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

God cares! We have no reason to be overcome with worry or anxiety. God cares, and wants us to lay our burden upon Him.

Easier said than done, because it is so easy for us to just worry our minds away over so many different things in our lives. But you can do it. I can do it. We can do it!

Just ... look up!

Life Lately

We've been busy. Busy with many things, whether with our hands or in our heads. I've been catching up on housework, which includes laundry, kitchen, and Ben's bedroom. We filled our bare pantry and freezer.

Benjamin has had a lot of fun with his friend Mariah. We have played outside and enjoyed the spring weather. Of course, lately it's been really rainy and stormy, and today it's actually pretty cool.






Yesterday, a giant limb fell off of one of the trees in our front yard right onto the powerline. Thankfully nobody was hurt, but across the street, the neighbors' cable was yanked out of their house. So they were without power for a while.



Me? Well, besides cleaning, baking, and cooking, I've picked up yet another hobby {because we all know that I needed a new one}. Embroidery! I really enjoy it! It is easy and relaxing!


My first project

And my second project was finished last night:




I'm pretty happy with the results! Now I'm working on something for an upcoming holiday... ahem... I can't really say because I don't want the special person to figure out what I'm doing...

Ah! And I've said too much! Let's change the subject!

Tonight we are going to a Gospel Meeting in Macon, like we did last night. It was really good, and I am excited to be back tonight!

Now, though, I have dinner to think about and a little mister needs a bath...



I hope you're all having a good week!

Far Above Rubies: Proverbs 31:11

I enjoyed last week's discussion SO much! I hope you all did as well! I am so glad that you all had no reservations about sharing your thoughts on Proverbs 31:10! If you're new to the study, you can read through last week's study here. Here's the skinny: Far Above Rubies is a ladies' study where we take one verse per week and discuss how we can apply it to the way we are living our lives as Christians.

This week we are going to look at Proverbs 31:11.



I love how these verses hold so much in them, and how timeless they are, don't you? There are so many people who think that the Bible is outdated, but I seriously beg to differ. It seems to me that wives today are just like wives back then. I don't know how many of you know this, but I am a gigantic I Love Lucy fan. My kitchen begs to be decorated in Lucy decor, and I have seen every single episode there is, in fact, I own them all. Anyway, I don't mean to turn that into a discussion of Lucy. But if you've ever seen a show, every other one has to do with Lucy buying something and having to hide it because it cost waaaaay too much. Ricky always comes in ("Luuuucy, I'm hooo-ooome!"), and notices her odd behavior, and then asks how much it cost ("You've got some 'splainin to do...").

This verse to me says that this is not a trait of a virtuous wife. This verse says that the heart of her husband safely trusts in her and is never worried about her going out and spending his paycheck. She is financially trustworthy. He doesn't come home and wonder about how much money she's spent and whether or not they'll be able to pay the bills that month because she's gone out and bought a new wardrobe.

I guess the question we need to ask ourselves is this: does my husband trust me? Am I trustworthy when it comes to what I spend?

For me, I believe that I am. And I don't say this to boast. I feel physically ill when I go to spend anything, especially if I am paying full price. Is anyone else like that? I hope that my husband fully trusts in me. I don't ever want to give him a reason not to. I want to be that virtuous woman!

What are your thoughts on the matter? Last week we had a good number of posts on the subject! I was so excited to read everyone else's thoughts in the comments and on their own blogs! Thank you everyone for joining in! I am going to put a Linky up so you can all link your own blog posts. I can't wait for the discussion!

What I Love on a Stormy Saturday...

.sleeping in

.the relaxing rain

.staying home

.napping with Benjamin

.my new embroidery book



.feeling stress melt away

.a phone conversation with my mom

.praying for those in Yazoo City, MS, which got struck by a tornado today

.knowing that tomorrow is the Lord's Day

am I too blessed to be stressed?

Today I just have not felt myself. I have been feeling sluggish and tired, grumpy and irritable. Like every last thing was just wearing down my patience to the point where I just wanted to throw in the towel. I was trying to think why on earth do I feel this way, today, on a Thursday?

Well, I'm not just grumpy because I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. I had no trouble getting up this morning. I have come to the conclusion, and this should have been obvious to me, that I am stressed. I wish I could tell you all the things that are bogging me down, but a lot has to do with family issues, which I'm not going to disclose here. I feel worried and burdened. I feel worried and burdened about financial things. I don't like complaining because I know there are so many other people in the world and even nation who are worse off than we are. But it is scary to realize that if something major happened in our life, say a bad wreck or our car broke down and was irreparable, that's it. I wish we could save money but there is no way we can put aside anything and still be able to pay bills or buy groceries and other necessities. We don't eat out a lot, we don't buy stuff we don't need, we don't go grocery shopping every week even. I think it has been about 2 weeks since we have gone shopping, actually.

But we're not needing anything right now, either. Maybe the other week when we drove forever to find a doctor to go to that wouldn't cost an arm and a leg since we don't have insurance. We didn't find one, by the way, but we're 99.9% well again. We try so hard to make the best of our situation but there are just times when I feel stressed and worried and wish there was some way to ease the burden.

I feel so stressed because while I was sick, the house didn't get cleaned like it should have, and it has taken me a while to get caught up. I am still not caught up, and it is only getting messier and messier. I am trying so hard. But I feel like everything I do is completely undone in the following 15 minutes and it is frustrating. I am not one who is very good at cleaning in the first place, and whenever the tornado follows around behind me and makes every place look like a disaster area before I can even get out of the room, I'm so discouraged from cleaning.

I am so tired of being stressed out about these things.



Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30


When I thought of that verse, I felt more at peace than I have all day.



I woke up with a pillow under my head and covers keeping me warm, and I am blessed.
My husband and child also woke up this morning, and I am blessed.
The dishes in the sink let me know we have plenty of food, and I am blessed.
All of the toys that are continuously strewn all over the floor in the family room shows me that my son and his friend have been having fun playing today, and I am blessed.
There are so many things out of place in my house that show me we are well provided for, and I am blessed.
We have a roof over our head, and I am blessed.
We have a car in our driveway, and I am blessed.
I have a husband who loves me and a child who adores me, and I am blessed.

I have a God who has promised to take care of me {Matthew 6:33}, and I am blessed.


I want to thank all who participated in the study this week, and wanted to remind you all that it is never too late to join in. Next week, we will be looking at Proverbs 31:11, and I can't wait. I feel very blessed to have so many wonderful friends who desire to study God's word as well.

I started this entry feeling stressed and upset, and now I feel at peace and blessed beyond measure. I hope you feel the same.

Benjamin, you are fifteen months old!

I know you guys are probably thinking "How long is she going to do this!" - but I just hate passing up a month, and a post to be able to put down Benjamin's milestones. It is so important to me to reflect and keep record of these things! Who knows, maybe one day on down the line I will go back and reminisce, after Benjamin has left our home for a wife and job and children of his own... Sniffle!





I probably say this every month, but Benjamin, you have changed so much this past month! It is so shocking how much you learn in only a month. You just soak up everything around you and it is precious. This month you have learned to bark like a dog. Nana and Papaw said that you barked at Bailey while you were at their house. It is so funny! Just this weekend you taught yourself how to get down the stairs on your own! Of course, you have had a lot more falls lately {and when I say stairs, it is just three steps so it's not a big deal}, but you really like this new skill.





I love your mind. I love how inquisitive you are. You spent thirty minutes this evening figuring out a jar and lid, and I just loved watching your face. Everything is so new to you and fascinating. When we went outside today, everything in the yard was new and fascinating to you. 15 Months is such a fun age. I love it.







Your Well-Baby Checkup is tomorrow, but the last time we took you to a doctor {two weeks ago?} you weighed 22lbs. I don't really know how tall you are, but I always expected you to be bigger than you are because of how big your daddy was when he was your age. You are wearing size 12months clothing, and sometimes if you're not wearing your big ol' cloth diapers, your pants slide down your rear end. You may have chunky cheeks and a bigger than average head {hehe} but you really are slim and trim! It's probably all the running you do!





You are a little helper. Tonight you wanted the sponge from the kitchen sink so you could wipe down the counters with me. Nana and Papaw found an old cell phone they let you carry around in the dishwasher a couple days after you left - you must have wanted to help with dishes, too! You are so sweet and affectionate and we love you to death! I love my Benjamin hugs and kisses!



Benjamin, you are so goofy. You love to dance around and be silly. Our day is not complete without your belly laugh, or your broad, precious smile! You are the apple of our eyes, Benjamin!



Thank you for helping me become the mommy I have always wanted to be, and for helping me to slow down and smell the flowers every once and a while with my boy.



Or, the dandelions.

Far Above Rubies: Proverbs 31:10

I am so excited to start this segment on my blog. For all of you women who are joining in this study, thank you so much! I really hope that we can all grow as Christian women through this study. For those of you who are new to my blog, I am very honored that you have come over. We are going to take one verse per week focusing on being the Christian women that God wants us to be. I will post the verse, and my own thoughts on the verse. The comments will be open for discussion and I hope that we can all discuss and grow together! Please join in on the discussion! And if you have a blog and would like to make your own post with your thoughts on the verse of the week, please do so! If you do this, say so in the comments and I will put up links of those who post! If enough people do this, I'll put up a MckLinky next time. :)

Anyway, let's get started!



The first thing that struck me when I read this verse was this: A virtuous wife is not common, or else her worth would not be so much. This was true back when the words were written, and I fully believe that this is true now! Things that are less common have more worth, while in contrast things which are more common have less worth - that's where the term "cheap as dirt" came from.



This is what Merriam-Webster had to say about the word "Virtuous":

1 : potent, efficacious
2 a : having or exhibiting virtue b : morally excellent : righteous {a virtuous decision}
3 : chaste
synonyms see moral
— vir·tu·ous·ly adverb
— vir·tu·ous·ness noun

I love this word virtuous because I feel like it just blankets all that a Christian should be. Morally excellent... someone who believes and LIVES morally. In all aspects. It makes me think about what sort of word people may associate with me as a Christian. I really, really would love to be called virtuous.

Reading this verse reminded me about how so many people like to say that the Bible oppresses women or puts the as being inferior - this verse says the complete opposite! It is very apparent that a godly woman is very precious, to treasure - a godly woman has worth beyond measure! If anything, the Bible should be empowering to women - especially empowering them to strive to be godly, virtuous women. When I read this, it doesn't make me feel like God or man {as in gender, not mankind} is trying to pull me under or oppress me. It makes me really want to be that virtuous woman, so my husband can say, "I found her, the virtuous woman! I am the richest man on the earth!"



How do you think we can become more virtuous, as Christian women? What are your thoughts on this verse? Let's discuss it!
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Read Dawn's Post Here!
Read Joy's Post Here!
Read Holly's Post Here!
Read Ruby's Post Here!
Read Lisa's Post Here!

Jesus, the Great Physician

Every time I start to get sick, I can just imagine what my mom will tell me. If it has to do with a cold or any of those symptoms, whatever she has to say has something to do with Vitamin C. I'm no doctor, but I figure there's something to that Vitamin C. Usually if I am coming down with a cold, I can get rid of the symptoms pretty quick if I boost my Vitamin C intake, whether it be by supplements, or orange juice, that sort of thing. It is taking a lot more to get rid of the sickness we're getting over now, but a little more Vitamin C makes a bigger difference, to me at least.



We live in a Sin-Sick world. You can't deny it. This world is full of depraved people, perverse minds, and people who just don't care a thing about what God expects of them in their lives. It's sad. It is so, so sad. The devil has so many followers. He has infected this world, and the disease of sin is spreading like wildfire. We can't turn blind eyes against this. If you don't see the fire, you're in danger of being burned as well. This world is sick. And all of the Vitamin C in the world can't help it.



But there is One who can help. Jesus Christ, the Great Physician.

"When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Mark 2:17

Christians have the responsibility to bring the Great Physician into their home. Parents usually do not hesitate to take care of their children when they are physically ill. Usually Hubby and I will watch Benjamin and if he doesn't get any better with our home care, we call the doctor and set up an appointment. However, when one is Sin-Sick, there should be no waiting. If there is Sin in the home, the Great Physician must be brought in right away. We all know how serious Sin is, left unattended.

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23

Christian parents have a huge responsibility to keep their children Spiritually Well. While there does come a time when the child is able to make adult decisions, when the child is under your roof, they are your responsibility. The Father/Husband should be the highest earthly authority, and Christ, the Great Physician, is always to be the Highest Authority.

I don't have teenagers. It wasn't too long ago that I was a teenager. I'm only 21. I can remember very well the feeling that sometimes came over me of just wanting to do my own thing, or doing what my friends were doing. A verse that always brought me down to earth was this one:

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15

We can't be a part of the world, and be a part of God's family as well. It is the parents' responsibility to keep our children separated from the world.

Now. The entertainment industry is thriving, and honestly it seems all young folks, or perhaps just everyone in general, revolve around the latest movies, music, shows, and sometimes books. We don't have cable in our house so usually we don't know what new movie is playing.

But I do know of one movie that I won't even list on my blog because even the title of this movie has a curse word in it. And it broke my heart completely when I saw that a Christian young man that is even a member of my family was going to see this movie. And even more than that, his brother was going with him... and who was taking them? Their dad.

Their dad was taking them to see a movie which had the title of profane language.

What is wrong with this picture? Well, everything. You know, what would happen if we got to Heaven and there was a log of every single movie we had ever seen right there in God's hands. And His finger would run down the page and point out every movie that you really shouldn't have seen and then He'd ask you, "Why?"

Or maybe He'd ask the parent, "Why did you let My child fill their head with this filth?"

I don't want to be the parent who is responsible for that sin. I never want to be that parent.

Christian parents have the medicine for any sin that infects our children. We have the Bible. We have God's word, which sanctifies us.

"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." John 17:17

We can't let our consciences become seared {1 Timothy 4:2}. We can't become like the world, and we certainly can't let our children become Sin-Sick either.



We need to take this Sin-Sick world to the Great Physician, starting with our own families, if there is a need.

For her worth is far above rubies.

It takes me a while to get to sleep at night anymore. Ever since I got sick over a week ago, I just haven't been able to sleep well. Let me tell you, I have tried to get more rest. In fact, there were a couple nights when I had taken two Tylenol PM's, and still woke up nearly every hour. That is unheard of! Usually just one would knock me out! It's a combination with the congestion {which is nearly gone, hooray!}, the coughing {which is subsiding, hooray!}, and the ringing that fills my head... all... day... long.

Anyway, last night I was pooped. I took a Tylenol PM, just one so I could wake up in the morning, and went to bed, sure that in a matter of minutes I would be off to dreamland. Well, I wasn't. I don't know how long I laid there. I know that I smelled popcorn and I'm not sure if that was my husband or my brother-in-law {who is visiting for the weekend}, but I distinctly remember being grossed-out. I hate the smell of microwaved popcorn.

I do pretty good thinking while I'm trying to go to sleep. I come up with pretty good ideas and think about probably everything. I do a lot of praying while I'm trying to go to sleep. I do a lot of self-searching and reflecting while I'm trying to go to sleep.

So last night I was thinking about my Bible class. I'm starting to put together a new class for Benjamin and the other little boy who comes occasionally. It's on prayer, and we're going to just look at all the different things that we pray about {in hopes to establish at least an understanding that when we pray, we are quiet and reverent}.

I was thinking about the different things we can pray for, for our families, and to thank God for our food and for the Bible. I was thinking about the different songs we could sing during class...

And then I thought about the song, "Read your Bible, Pray every day..."

I sing that one to Benjamin a lot. But sometimes I don't do too well with carrying through with what I'm trying to instill in Benjamin, and that isn't right.

So I'm starting a study. I am going to take one verse per week, memorize it, study it, think about it, meditate on it, pray about it. All week. Just one verse. My topic of study is something I know I will benefit from: How to be a godly woman.

I'm inviting you all to join in this study with me. I know that sometimes being a mommy or even just a wife comes with so many responsibilities that we sometimes forget to slow down and give attention to our Creator. I am really ashamed to admit that I sometimes allow other things in before my God. Matthew 6:33 says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." - I want to be taken care of, so I need to put God first.

That means that other areas of my life won't be as active. I never, ever devote complete days to one activity, unless it is something Spiritual. I never, ever devote a complete day to cleaning my house, because for one thing cleaning would take too much out of me to really give any attention to anything else, and another, if I'm cleaning all day, where am I devoting time to God? Is my house becoming my idol?

When I plan my day, what do I center it around? If it isn't centered around God, then there is a problem. Even if it is my job to take care of my son and my house and my family with my various responsibilities, if my center is not God, nothing else matters. God needs to be my hub, and every other aspect needs to be the spokes of my wheel. Just because my husband is a preacher doesn't mean I'm going to get to heaven if I don't do what God tells me.

Anyway, I just went off on a rabbit trail... I've made my way back, though! As I was saying, one verse per week. It's really not that much. Of course, I like to draw parallels to other verses when I study. I would really love for you to join me in this study. You don't have to write your own blog posts about it. We can all have a wonderful discussion in the comments of the post. I believe you can subscribe to the comments by e-mail.


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Feel free to add those banners to your blog to invite others to join in on the study. The more, the merrier.

We're starting this coming Monday with Proverbs 31:10. We'll go through the rest of that chapter, and move on to other sections of scripture that have to do with being a godly woman in today's world.

I'm really excited about this! I hope you are too!

Now, I have got to get Benjamin's class planned! I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!