Happy Birthday, America!

America, the Beautiful

O beautiful for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America! May God thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness,
And ev'ry gain divine.

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees, beyond the years,
Thine alabaster cities gleam-
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.
                                        -Katherine Lee Bates

In the duty of nations, as well as of men, to own 
their dependence upon the overruling power of
God and to recognize the sublime truth announced
in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history,
that those nations only are blessed whose God is
the Lord.
                                       -Abraham Lincoln

Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet anchor of your
liberties; write its precepts on your heart and
practice them in your lives. To the influence of this 
Book we are indebted for the progress made, and
to this we must look as our guide in the future.
                                      -Ulysses S. Grant

The God who gave us life gave us liberty at the
same time.
                                     -Thomas Jefferson

My Country, 'Tis of Thee

My country, 'tis of Thee,
Sweet land of liberty
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrim's pride,
From every mountain side
Let freedom ring.

Our fathers' God to Thee,
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing;
Long may our land be bright
With freedom's holy light;
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God our King.
                                    -Samuel Francis Smith
                         
God bless America!
In God we trust!
May freedom ring!
God bless you all!
Happy Birthday, America!

Today's Journal Entry and Letter to God

May 31, 2014-Mom's 70th birthday!

Daily devotion from Devotional Daily: Peace by Sarah Young-from Jesus Calling 

2 Thessalonians 3;16, Job 22:2 

(I get a devotional sent to my inbox from Devotional Daily and today's entry was from Sarah Young's Jesus Calling book- I read it and following our my own thoughts.)

My thoughts and letter to God:

 

Transform my mind so I think with Your perspective, Lord!

Dear Lord, I don't want my mind to be filled with my own scheming thoughts. Fill me with your thoughts! I want you to control my thinking today! You are my Hope and My Salvation, overflowing with great plans for my day! I invite you into my body, mind and soul! Fill all who live here and all who touch our lives with your Holy Presence and Peace!

Thank you for this beautiful day!

Thank you for joy!

Thank you for Mom and bless her birthday today with Your loving gifts!

How great thou art! May our hearts be full of praise for You all this day!

Amen, In Jesus Name!

Notes to myself:

Look for todays gifts-they abound!

Enjoy God's food, enjoy the people gracing my life!

Enjoy God's Presence!

O Happy Day!

Broken Chairs

I'm sighing.
It seems like every other day I find something broken around this house.
A broken toy, basket, dish.
A broken vintage chair.
No one seems to know how any of these things broke.
It's a mystery!
I cried about the chair.
I'm sighing.
Aren't we supposed to take care of the things God gave us?
I'm wondering if we have too many 'things' and we just don't care anymore.
What's the big deal?
Just get a new one!
I think we DO have too many things and you all know how I am trying to simplify by having less stuff.
After I found the broken chair, I threatened to get rid of EVERYTHING!
All the 'extras'.
Why have anything if we won't take care of it.
It just doesn't make sense.
Oh, and I know some darling little children who are probably eagerly awaiting the Christmas gift RECIEVING season.
WE DON'T NEED ANYTHING!
We can't even take care of the things we do have!
Sighing, sighing.
But today is Veteran's Day!
I had the kids attention at the breakfast table.
Listen, children, about those who gave so much to defend our country and fight for freedom.
Your own Grandpa and Uncle.
And countless others I could name.
And what about the ultimate sacrifice of forever freedom in Heaven someday.
Jesus didn't even have a home to call His own and we can't even be thankful for the chair we get to lounge on every day!
We are making an attitude change.
When I cried about the chair it was more for our attitudes and how we are so flippant sometimes with the things God has entrusted us with than just the hole in the chair.
We have been given so much that I wonder if we even realize just HOW MUCH!
We are taking too much for granted.
I want a thankful heart and a desire to take the focus off of ME and onto others.
And I want to truly be thankful for ALL THINGS.
I don't want to be crying over broken chairs.
So today we started 51 Days of Giving!
51 days from today, Veteran's Day, until the end of the year we will focus on giving, not getting.
Giving, because we are given so much.
Giving, because we truly want to be thankful.
We went to the library and found books and VeggieTale's DVD's about giving and one book, of course, about Veteran's Day.

This giving thing is going to be fun!
I think it's the perfect antidote for my broken chair!
The kids and I brainstormed for ways to give (and there's no need to stop after 51 days!)
1) Give thanks to God-give Him our hearts.
2) Use kind words.
3) Call a veteran to give thanks.
4) Tell someone about Jesus.
5) Make bookmarks and leave them in the library.
6) Leave coupons in the grocery store.
7) Invite someone new over for a meal or dessert.
8) Visit someone new.
9) Rake a neighbors leaves or shovel their sidewalk.
10) Send someone a 'thinking of you' card.
11) Decorate lunch bags for Meals on Wheels recipients.
12) Visit a nursing home to pass out treats and sing songs.
13) Bring treats to the fire and police stations.
14) Leave a kind note for the postal carrier.
15) Fill shoeboxes for Samaritan's Purse.
16) Donate to Toys for Tot's.
17) Pick a name off the Giving Tree at the local library and buy a gift for a recipient in need.
18) Give a favorite book to someone you know who'll enjoy it.
19) Make a special craft with a special child.
20) Call an old friend.
21) Give a dollar to a child for no reason
22) Give hugs and kisses.
23) Send an encouraging note to a minister or teacher.

Maybe you will want to join us in our giving quest. Just start where you are and
please feel free to share any ideas you have for the encouragement of all of us to give during this beautiful thankful season!

My Super Simple Health & Fitness Plan

I am trying to not be so preoccupied with health and fitness.
I do not want it to take precedent over more important things like spending time on building relationships, especially with God and those He gave us to love.
I still think it is so important, though, to try to keep our bodies as a temple, feeding it good, God-given food, drinking pure water and keeping it in good shape so we can enjoy the life God gave us and to perhaps even be a helper in His plans.

So, here is my plan:
1) I get up early so I can 'hem' my day in prayer and read a little scripture (this is the number one thing that has helped me with my day!) while sipping on warm lemon water.  This takes anywhere from 15 minutes to 45 minutes depending on how early I get up. (I unload the dishwasher while my water heats up.)
2) I then put on my tennis shoes and start the laundry and immediately start exercising while the laundry is going.
I workout anywhere from 20-45 minutes depending on how much time I have. I do not stress about it at all. Whatever works is good enough but I never NOT do it. I exercise every day, but I make it easy by doing it early in the morning right in my own home in between household activities, which is usually when it is still dark outside, before kids get up.
Here is my workout schedule:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday:
Total body workout-alternating strength moves with cardio
My current workout, though you can make up your own, alternating strength with cardio.
Jump rope 100-200 rotations
push-ups
jump rope 100 rotations
assisted pull ups
jump rope 100 rotations
bicep curls
run stairs 5 flights
triceps dips
jump rope 100 rotations
kettle bell swings
REPEAT 2-3 times depending on how much time I have.
End with 200 jump rope rotations, cool down, stretch
You could just do jumping jacks alternating between push-ups, squats and tricep dips.
SO SIMPLE! NO EXCUSES!

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday:
cardio and abs or glutes
5 minutes jumping rope
5 minutes running stairs
alternating for 20-30 minutes
5-10 minutes abs or glutes exercises
cool down and stretch
Again, SO SIMPLE but very effective!

Sunday: 15 minutes of yoga and maybe a leisure walk with hubby. Nothing serious.

3) I drink a protein shake with ground flaxseed added mixed with water after every workout. I use All-natural Body Logix protein powder 'decadent chocolate' found at Meijer.

4)  Shower time: I dry skin brush before every shower using a natural bristle skin brush found at health stores, using long firm strokes starting from feet and brushing upwards towards the heart.
I take a shower using baking soda water (1 tablespoon per cup of water pre-mixed in a water bottle) for my face, body and hair; rinse, and then I use apple cider vinegar water (1/4 cup per 1 cup of water pre-mixed in water bottle) for hair conditioner and face toner; rinse.
I keep a large bag of baking soda and 1 gallon apple cider vinegar under my bathroom sink for refills.
Honestly, my skin and hair is SO soft!
And, really, it is just so simple, and cheap, too!
I towel dry and use coconut oil on my face, neck and entire body.
Now I'm glowing! Yes, I keep a jar of coconut oil under my sink!
Teenage daughters and hubby are saying how great my skin looks and it is super cheap and no yucky ingredients!
Super simple!

5) After my shower, I get to dress in something other than workout clothes now that my early morning exercise and shower is done!
Yay! I was tired of always being in workout clothes! 
It's done for the day and now I can enjoy my other tasks without worrying about it!
Plus, I feel great and perfectly ready now to start the rest of my day with that out of the way!

6) I focus on drinking at least 3 quarts of water each day and getting veggies in at every meal.
Breakfast is usually 2 whole eggs with sautéed onions and some other veggie. Love it! I sprinkle a little Braggs liquid aminos on my eggs which is a lighter version of soy sauce!
I am currently eating a large veggie salad every day for lunch with homemade olive oil and apple cider vinegar dressing and protein-chicken, salmon, hardboiled eggs. Sometimes I add nuts and seeds and olives.
For dinner, I usually have some kind of meat, venison, chicken, salmon with vegetables and a salad with healthy fats like olives and homemade dressing.
I keep almonds in my purse in case I need a snack when I am out, sometimes dark chocolate is added!
I eat fresh veggies for snacks, also; cucumbers, radishes, broccoli.
I limit my dairy, fruit, grains, starchy carbs and sugar, though I do not cut them out completely.
I just feel so much more energetic when I limit these foods. Usually I limit them to 2 servings total per day.
I do eat dessert here and there but try to just have a taste instead of a whole piece if I feel I have eaten way too much of the limited foods during the week. Otherwise, I do eat the whole piece!
If things have gotten out of hand with the eating, (which they do), I cut out all limited foods for a few days.
This is KEY to keeping me in my skinny jeans, plus, I feel so much better and energetic!

7) I try to get outside for fresh air and sunshine every day and get to bed at a decent hour.

I hope this schedule of mine encourages you to have your own little schedule no matter where life finds you.

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." 3 John 2

Bless the Lord, O My Soul!

My heart gets troubled by many things.
The child who gets left out.
The child with constant headaches.
A messy house.
Not enough time in one day.
A never ending pile of laundry.
Worry for the college kids.
Sorrow over others grief,
Am I helping others enough?
Do my loved ones know I care?
Am I too busy with busy stuff and not spending enough time with 'needful' things?

I am learning to give up my little worries with the simple act of praising God.
Oh, and it is helping me let go of worrying.

I was fuming the other week at church, (of all places) when one of my children and a friend were obviously bypassed by the other kids of the same age.
They had the nerve to walk right past and sit at a different table even though there was plenty of room at that table!
Every single one. Probably about 10 others!
As I was saying, I was SO mad!
What little brats!
I could feel myself heating up.
OK, so I thought, I'm in church, singing these beautiful songs and yet, here I am, fuming at these kids.
Give it to God, I'm saying to myself. Or was it God saying it to me?
Find praise for Him!
Oh, Dear Lord, I praise your Holy Name. You are So Good. How great Thou art!
Immediately, my heart calmed down.
This child that I worried about fitting in is precious to God.
Everything doesn't have to be picture perfect in a worldly sense.
"I love this child. This child is so special to me" is what I heard when I decided to give God praise during that somewhat stressful time for this mother!
I felt a little sheepish then, of course, when I thought of how I automatically labeled those kids as brats. I mean, after all, they are precious to God, too! And some other mother's special child.
Though my heart just ached for this child of mine-a quieter child and not very outgoing, though friendly. Of course, I want my children to be accepted by their peers and they probably are, but that night it just didn't look right to me.
As I was giving praise to God, I realized that I was making a way bigger deal out of the situation than was needed.
Another friend came over and it ended being the three of them while the other10 squished around another table.
Praise the Lord! He gives everyone a friend!
God is Good!

Thank you, God, for these dishes I get to wash and the food you provide.
Thank you for this laundry and all our beautiful warm clothes.
Thank you for providing health providers for this child with headaches.
Thank you for a husband who fixes the washing machine and provides so adequately for our family.
Thank you for a home that I can lovingly clean and share with my family and others.
Thank you for providing us with a wonderful church family and people who love us.
Thank you for taking care of all our needs.
Thank you for loving me when I am unlovely.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;"  Psalm 103:1-4

Amazing Grace, is all I can say!

Our Lesson on Joy

I flip the pages of this precious Book, this Book that breathes Life, in search of those precious words written in red.
Joy.
Just the sound of it fills my heart with such gladness.
I use my best handwriting to copy it onto our kitchen blackboard and wonder at the love that overflows from it.
"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." John15:11 KJV
We read the meaning of joy in our dictionary and this is what it says:
A condition or feeling of high pleasure or delight; happiness; gladness.
These precious words were spoken by our Dearest Friend.
Our Dear Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
He is Light. Full of Beauty and Goodness.
Full of unending Joy!
And He freely and joyfully gives His Joy to US!
So WE can be FULL of JOY!
Full of HIS JOY! The Joy of all Joy!
Full to the tippy top!
If that isn't the 'highest of pleasure'!

We are searching for comfort in sorrowful times. Loved ones are called Home and we aren't ready for them to go.
How our hearts ache and will go on aching for maybe forever.
The tears will not leave our eyes.
Oh, how we need these Precious Words of Life to breathe life back into our barely breathing souls!
"He will swallow up death in victory;and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces.."
Isaiah 25:8
"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy." Psalms 126:5
"And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you." John 16:22
That's our Dearest Friend again-the words in Precious Blood Red!
Feel the Breath of Life in these Precious, Holy, Beautiful words!
Words of comfort. Words of peace. Words of joy!
Living, breathing, words of LIFE!
And the promise to give us His joy so that ours may be full!
Fill our hearts, oh Lord, with your Perfect Joy!
Oh, what a Friend we have in Jesus!
"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Psalms 30:5
"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." John 14:18
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

May the Love, Peace and the Joy of the Lord be with you always, dear precious friends!

Memorial Day

Here is an essay that I found on the internet that was written in 2001 by Ali M, 3rd Grader, Academy Elementary School, Madison, Connecticut.
I think it is quite wonderful!

Memorial Day

As the flowers rest on the decorated graves and the sunlight shines on the beautiful sailboats, Uncle Sam whispers in my ear about how we should care for the soldiers and remember the ones that have died.  Swimming pools open, BBQs fry.  Today is the day to think of what they have done for us. There are blurs of red, white and blue marching down the street and flags are lowered half-mast.  But we should always remember and never forget what set us free, from this very day on.