Weekly Memory Verse

How did you do with your verse last week? How did it encourage you throughout your week? It encouraged me to keep practicing my verses several times throughout the day (usually while I was sitting at high chair feeding baby) and "meditating on it day and night". I did better this week, memorizing the verse and working on some of the other ones that I was getting stuck on. So I'm ready for a new verse this week! But first let's...

Review

Luke 10:27 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind. And love your neighbor as yourself."

Colossians 2:6-7 "So then just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

Psalm 119:9-11 “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

Psalm 86:11 “Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.”

Joshua 1:8 "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."

New Verse

Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

I know it's a little long and probably a little hard to memorize but I chose this verse this week, in preparation for the Husband Encouragement Challenge that is starting tomorrow. To help strengthen me as I [hope to] encourage other women throughout the challenge.

If you want to join in memorizing this verse, just sign Mr. Linky below! Have a blessed week!

Thankful Thursday

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
Psalm 28:7

I am thankful for our church's Memorial Day conference over the whole weekend. We learned a lot and we relished the fellowship time with our church family.

I am thankful my mom is flying in today and staying for almost a week! It's always good to have her here.

I am thankful for my weekly memory verses. It has helped center my thoughts on Christ throughout the day, and strengthen and encourage my spiritual walk. And since I have been sharing it on my blog, it has been encouraging fellow bloggers as well.

I am thankful for the upcoming Husband Encouragement Challenge that I'm hosting on my blog, starting TOMORROW! I think it will help set my heart right, challenging me to be more patient, wise with my tongue, supportive, and encouraging to my husband.

I am thankful for the military and everyone who has made "the ultimate sacrifice" by giving their life for our nation.

I am thankful for the beautiful weather we've had lately and the opportunities to get outside!

I am thankful for my husband being so patient and understanding, and doing little things that are loving to me.

What are YOU thankful for today?? Take a moment to think about it, to praise God for all he's given you, to be thankful in all circumstances. Click here to visit other Thankful Thursday participants.

Husband Encouragement Challenge

A month or two ago I came across this 30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge at this website and automatically bookmarked it so I could take on this challenge in the near future. Well, the "near future" is now here, and I've decided that during the month of June I will take on this challenge, welcoming anyone who would like to join me!

Why June? No reason really, except that there really is nothing going on for us (no trips) so I will have access to computer daily throughout the entire month, enabling me to post for all of you who might be taking this challenge as well! So June 1 (this Friday!!) come back to see what's in store for us for Day 1 of encouraging our husbands and enriching our marriages!

Tackle it Tuesday: Preparing for Company

My mother is coming on Thursday for a week-long visit. So I need to tidy up a bit! Today will be a "many little things" sort of day:

* laundry-- baby clothes, adult clothes, sheets
* tidy up guest bedroom
* pack away baby clothes that had been borrowed
* clean off end table in living room
* grocery shopping

Alright, I'm sure I could come up with a dozen more things, but this sounds like enough for today! Have to set realistic goals, right? Have a great week, friends!

Go to 5MinutesforMom to visit other Tackle it Tuesday participants!

Menu Plan Monday: Memorial Day

Wow, I'm late getting this posted and even thinking about what to put on the menu this week! Our church has a big conference over Memorial Day weekend so we've been busy running back and forth, working around naptimes and such. It's been a lot of fun and we've learned so much. We are now pretty exhausted, so I'll make up something on the fly as I type...

Monday: cook-out at church
Tuesday: spaghetti
Wednesday: tacos, pineapple
Thursday: my mom arrives! appetizer nite--BBQed chicken tortilla pizzas
Friday: Creamy Chicken Rigatoni, oranges
Saturday: Pot Roast
Sunday: out to dinner

For more great menu ideas visit Org Junkie! Have a great week!

Sunday Psalm

PSALM 150

Praise the Lord.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with tambourine and dancing,
praise him with strings and flute,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with the resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord!

****************************

Weekly Memory Verse: Joshua 1:8 Do not let the Word of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8

Weekly Memory Verse

I've been on vacation for a week, so I'm excited to get back to it this week! Plus, my friend Ben was so thoughtful and he gave my husband and me the same Topical Memory System that he's using for his missionary work with college students since he knows I've been doing memory verses on my blog. So let's get started!

Review (I really need to work on reviewing the past weeks!!)

Luke 10:27 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind. And love your neighbor as yourself."

Colossians 2:6-7 "So then just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

Psalm 119:9-11 “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

Psalm 86:11 “Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.”

New verse:

Joshua 1:8

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. then you will be prosperous and successful.

If you're doing this memory verse with me, please stop back during the week sometime and let us know how you're doing! What method do you use to memorizing?? And remember, come back next week for a new verse!

Thankful Thursday

I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.
Psalm 69:30

I just got back from a week trip in Iowa, so I have much to be thankful for this week!

I am thankful for safe travels flying alone with Eli. For having nice seat mates, many of them being kind grandparents. For people being so helpful in getting my bags or stroller set up for me. That even though one suitcase got "lost" it was mine (as usual) and not Eli's. That Eli would still rest on my shoulder during times that he wasn't able to sleep (like when the man next to us had to get past us to go to the bathroom, waking Eli from only 20 minutes of napping that we'd waited all day long for him to get) and that when I started to cry I was able to maintain composure and stay calm. That our flights were all on time so we didn't have to change flight plans. That my friends at my destination had a car seat so I didn't have haul ours along.

I am thankful for the week I got to stay with my friend Angie and babysit her 6-month old Caleb while she was at work during the day. For the welcoming change from our ordinary life. That even though it was pretty frustrating and overwhelming at times (a taste of life with twins!) we were able to get through and in the end still be smiling. That after several days of Eli getting into everything (pulling up to entertainment system and banging on glass door, crawling to kitchen, opening all drawers and pulling out all the tupperware bowls and lids, and crawling to fan, by the end of the week I had figured out how to use pillows and turned-over chairs to block things off so I wasn't always chasing my dear son. That even though Caleb started waking up at night screaming bloody murder, not only did it not wake Eli, but we figured out it was due to separation anxiety (since it's usually daddy home during day and not a strange babysitter) and would only last a few days instead of being a whole new phase. That the weather was be-u-tiful and Angie and I were able to take our babies on walks and to the park (the dream of our life to get to do together even though we're thousands of miles apart). For the day my mom came to visit and the good it was to see her and the help she was with the boys. For reunion with other close friends and the time to catch up and enjoy laughter. For good conversations and feeling strengthened and encouraged by the end of the week.

I am thankful for my friend Angie and her husband Ben and all that they've helped me to understand. For being such a sweet sister and brother in Christ and helping me to grow into the Christian woman I seek to become. For the resources to which they have led me.

I am thankful for my husband who allowed and encouraged me to take this trip. For giving me (and Eli) up for a week so I could help a dearest friend.

I am thankful for feeling such joy and peace, feeling strengthened and renewed, and loved. Life truly is beautiful.

Go to Sting My Heart to visit other Thankful Thursday participants.

Mother's Day

So yesterday was my very first Mother's Day. (well, you know what I mean) Here's the special picture my hubby took for me yesterday of my son and me. It only took one shot to get this, I'm surprised. It usually takes about 50, literally!

I had a very nice day! Hubby fixed a yummy breakfast for me--scrambled eggs, bacon, and blueberry muffins--and a fabulous dinner with the help of Omaha Steaks--filet mignon, mixed veggies, and twice baked potatoes with New York Style Cheesecake for dessert. We went to church in the morning and in the afternoon we got to go to Hubby's soccer game. This time it was at the field that Eli and I could go to with him, since it has a track around it for walking and nice grass for sitting to watch the game. It was beautiful weather (though still a tad chilly) and I enjoyed the day of no obligations. As I was busy packing and getting ready for my trip this week, Hubby was sooo helpful in watching and taking care of Eli.

And now today has come and in 3 hours we'll be hopping on a plane to see friends! We have 3 flights today and I'm a bit nervous about how it will go. It took an hour but I FINALLY got Eli to go for his morning nap and I anticipate he'll be running on NO nap this afternoon. So we'll see how it goes!

Well, so long friends! I'll be back in a week!

Thankful Thursday

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:4-7

This week has been a much better week, and I am thankful for...

...Eli's third tooth that just popped up because now I have an explanation for him being off schedule lately.

...Kevin getting two unexpected days off during this week of night shift.

...this being Kevin's last week of night shift!

...getting started on Eli's baby scrapbook in hopes of having it done for his birthday in 2 MONTHS! (yikes, I better get haulin!)

...sunny weather and getting outside so much.

...Heather's surgery going so well.

...actually talking to the neighbors for quite awhile yesterday afternoon.

...my walking group. I really like this group of women!

...Eli's dentist appointment yesterday and finding out his weird gum line is okay.

...my brother was okay after his fender bender.

...this good read on frugal living.

...my mother and ALL that she has taught and done for me throughout the years, showing her love for me.

....vacation next week!

For more Thankful Thursday posts visit Iris.

Weekly Memory Verse

First, review of previous verses:

Luke 10:27 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind. And love your neighbor as yourself."

Colossians 2:6-7 "So then just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

Psalm 119:9-11 “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

How have you been doing? Gotta admit, even though I did get the entire verse memorized, this week I was distracted with other things and didn't do as well. Just didn't feel focused or motivated or whatever. I've been writing the verse on a small piece of paper and posting it up by the changing table so I can practice the verse every time I'm changing a diaper. Works for me! Any memorizing tricks that you'd like share? Here's a website I found that offers some tips for memorizing Bible verses.

And for this week's new verse, drum roll please...one of my favorites:

PSALM 86:11

“Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.”

Sign your name below if you'd like to join me! And remember to come back next week!

Menu Plan Monday--May 7th

Hope you all had a nice weekend! Hubby did get the weekend off so we were able to enjoy some family time, something we haven't had much of during this period of night shift. Fortunately this is his last week and then we'll be back to our normal schedule! It's still a cool spring here but we're loving all the time to get out anyway! Isn't it amazing how much that changes life? It means being able to go for long walks during baby's awake time instead of trying to cram in work out video AND a shower during his naptime. And that means I have at least an hour to do anything else, be it chores, quiet time, or something fun like scrapbooking. It means doing outside stuff like playing on blanket, going for hikes, swinging in the park, going to softball games, or visiting neighbors since Eli's been restless inside lately and not too interested in toys. It means turning off the air and saving money. It means waking up in the morning and actually feeling awake. Spring is just amazing, and I love it!!

So with that, here's my menu for the week. Oh and if anyone has any ideas for table foods for a 10-month old with 2 teeth, let me know! Has to be semi-soft, only egg yolk, and not too spicy. Now this website says even though you can't give a baby less than one year a glass of milk to drink, it's okay to use cow's milk in cooking--is that right?? We're just starting to introduce dairy stuff and it's all new to me. This week I figured out he can have chili, modified French toast, and modified meat loaf. This child eats pretty much anything as long as he's able to chew it! But when it comes to meats, we've mostly just been doing jarred baby food. Any ideas??

Okay, NOW here's my menu for the week...

Monday: pulled BBQ chicken sandwiches, fries
Tuesday: Apricot Glazed Pork Roast (didn't get to this last week), cooked carrots
Wednesday: grilled chicken, mixed veggies, oranges
Thursday: Appetizer Nite--haven't decided yet
Friday: meatballs, mashed potatoes
Saturday: hamburgers, chips n salsa, apples
Sunday: Mother's Day! family will cook for me!

Go to Org Junkie for more great meal ideas. Have a great week, everyone!

Sunday Psalm

Psalm 119

169 May my cry come before you, O Lord.
give me understanding according to your word.
170 May my supplication come before you;
deliver me according to your promise.
171 May my lips overflow with praise,
for you teach me your decrees.
172 May my tongue sing of your word,
for all your commands are righteous.
173 May your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation, O Lord,
and your law is my delight.
175 Let me live that I may praise you,
and may your laws sustain me.
176 I have strayed like a lost sheep.
Seek your servant,
for I have not forgotten your commands.

Weekly Memory Verse Review: PSALM 119: 9-11
"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart, do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."

Nurture Your Heart

So it's been a hard week. Hubby (Kevin) is working nights 5pm-5am and sleeping during the day, so basically I've been doing everything regarding Eli with no break. And he's in a lot of difficult phases right now: little interest in toys, crawling everywhere and getting to all the things we can't babyproof (stairs, vents, piano, etc), spitting while he's eating, waking way too early in the morning (it was 5:30am today) yet resisting any additional naps to his regular schedule to make up for waking so early. And now that he's just learned to pull himself to standing, he just stands and wails over the crib rail. It's so sad to see. Really.

I've been really bitter, frustrated, angry, and overall just really ugly lately. My heart attitude has been... well... wicked. I have not been a godly mother AT ALL. And if I could actually see myself, I would probably cry. Along with all the rest of my crying this week. I've been wallowing in self-pity, thinking Eli is just in the worst of stages right now and how we live so far away from friends and family because of the military, and how Kevin is on nights, and I'm doing this all alone, etc...

Well, today I decided to just leave all the chores (trying to be quiet as a mouse so Eli can just. get. a. good. nap for once) and read in my book A Mom After God's Own Heart, since I've barely touched it for a couple weeks now and haven't made it past the intro. And wasn't that the perfect thing for me to pick up TODAY.

Chapter 1: Take Time to Nurture Your Heart.

The author starts out discussing Deuteronomy 6:4-12, making these points: "we need to take car of our own hearts. We need to take time to nurture our hearts. We are to love the Lord. We are to love and obey His Word. His word is to reside in our hearts. And THEN we will be godly mothers and we can more successfully teach God's word to our children."

Wow. That's exactly the problem I've been having lately.

[according to book] If I don't nurture my heart...
1. I am running on empty-- have a hollow and numb heart, apathy, dull and devoid spiritual energy, purpose, motivation, and accomplishment
2. I am heartless and am on autopilot with parenting.
3. I am worldly.
4. I am unspiritual-- screaming, yelling, name-calling, etc.

Yes, I could say I'm guilty of some of these things the past week or two.

Proverbs 31 says a godly mother rose up each day to tend to the fire of the house and to the "sacred fire" of her heart. I have really been wanting to get up earlier so I can start my day with quiet time. And it seems like just yesterday I was saying that "once Eli starts sleeping through the night and I'm getting good rest, it'll be easier and I can start getting up." Well, he started sleeping through the night 3 MONTHS AGO!! And look at me still dragging myself out of bed after Eli's already been awake for 30 minutes or so playing in his crib!

So my new goal is to REALLY start getting up at 6:15am (the ultimate goal is 6:00, but we'll start with 6:15 for now) so I can have quiet time before starting my day. So I can set my heart right with God before even that first battle strikes. So I can nurture my heart as I strive to be "a mom after God's own heart".

Thankful Thursday

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16

I am tired, I've been crabby, and it's been a difficult week with hubby's new schedule and a constantly-on-the-move baby who wakes too early in the morning and is tired throughout the day. Sooo... it's a perfect week to take time to reflect on all that I'm thankful for!

* I am thankful that after 2 1/2 hours of Eli crying two days ago, hubby was able to get him to finally fall asleep!
* I am thankful for Bible study fellowship this week.
* I am thankful for some nice weather and getting in good walking workouts.
* I am thankful for the short bits of time to connect with church people while handing out baby shower invitations last Sunday.
* I am thankful for these next two days and time to spend with local friends.
* I am thankful for hubby and the long nights (5pm-5am) he's been working and not complaining at all.
* I am thankful for strollers so I don't have to carry my 25-pound 9-month old everywhere I go!
* I am thankful for the start of church softball and its fun and fellowship.
* I am thankful that's it's May and I get to fly back home in just two weeks!
* I am thankful for my mom and getting to talk to her most every day. And how she encourages me and makes me feel like I really am a good mommy even when I'm super frustrated.

Go to Sting My Heart to visit other Thankful Thursday participants. Have a blessed day!


PRAYER REQUEST: TODAY is the day that our dear bloggy friend Heather has brain surgery to remove her tumor. Here's a list of specific things to pray for. And if you want to join a prayer chain and spread the word on your own blog, click here. May the Mighty Doctor be at work today!

Weekly Memory Verse

It's Thursday! Time for another memory verse! But first let's review our first two verses:

Luke 10:27 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind. And love your neighbor as yourself."

Colossians 2:6-7 "So then just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

How have you been doing? I've been writing the verse on a small piece of paper and posting it up by the changing table so I can practice the verse every time I'm changing a diaper! Works for me! Any memorizing tricks that you'd like share? Here's a website I found that offers some tips for memorizing Bible verses.

Alrighty, here's this week's new verse: PSALM 119:9-11

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

If you'd like to join me in putting this verse to memory, sign your name below!

Tackle it Tuesday: Vent

Today's project is small, but one of those things that I dread doing. So today I'm just going to do it and call it done! Cleaning the dusty vent in our hallway...

BEFORE

AFTER

Ahh, now that wasn't so bad, was it?

Go to 5MinutesforMom to visit other Tackle it Tuesday participants. Happy Tuesday!