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Sunday, June 17, 2007

Sunday Psalm


Psalm 139:1-18

O Lord, you have searched me
and you know me.
You know when i sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O Lord.

You hem me in--behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me."
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully
and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the scret place.
When I was woven together
in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are your thoughts,
O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.


Husband Encouragement Challenge: DAY 17

Reflections on yesterday...
Kevin was a super help yesterday!! He took Eli to the grocery store with him in the morning, so I could enjoy a few quite minutes of the house to myself. He made monkey bread for our breakfast. He watched Eli so that I could shower and get dressed. And he stayed home with Eli all afternoon while I was at a church bridal shower. He helped clean up dinner, he took a bunch of boxes to recycling, and he helped cook the sausage links for this morning's breakfast casserole.

Okay now, since it's Father's Day today (woohoo!), I'm going to take a minute (or more) to reflect on all the ways I'm thankful for Kevin's role as a father...
* His schedule allows for him to be a VERY involved dad!! And he chooses to spend this free time with his family!! And for that I am so thankful!
* When Eli was a newborn, Kevin LOVED to take naps with him almost every day.... so sweet... and to read Dr. Seuss books to him.
* Kevin's the one who gives Eli his baths.
* He changes diapers or feeds Eli anytime I ask... without complaining!
* If Eli's having a horrible day and freaking out, Kevin's the one with great patience to rock and sing to him.
* And when I'm getting anxiety from the crying, Kevin relieves me and takes over.
* He's been at all of Eli's doctor appointments, including all the prenatal visits!
* Even though he doesn't especially enjoy walks, he's taken to like our evening routine of taking Eli out for a short stroll before bedtime.
* He's so great at playing with Eli and making him laugh, but he also enjoys getting him to snuggle.
* Every night before we go to bed, we peek in on sleeping Eli and Kevin gently an quietly leans over the crib rail and gives Eli one last kiss for the day.
* He prayed for Eli every day when he was in utero and he continues to pray for him every day now.
* I mostly appreciate how involved he is and just BEING HERE and all the help he does around the house. I know it won't always be this easy, especially when we get out of the Navy. But for now, I LOVE IT!!!

Can I just say that the Proverb verse for today is one that Eli and I just read in yesterday morning's Proverb reading!

June 17--DAY 17

30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge
By Nancy Leigh DeMoss

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Prov. 9:10

Are you a wise woman? Do you open your mouth with wisdom, as Proverbs 31:26 suggests? As you continue in your 30-day challenge, remember that a wise woman encourages her husband. Is your husband a "wise man?" Does he have a godly perspective that comes from knowing God and walking with Him in obedience? Does he have a sense of purpose for his life and vision for your home? Tell him how much this means to you.

If you are not sure about your husband's vision for your home, ask him, "Honey, what do you want to accomplish with our marriage and home in the years to come?" and "How can I help you accomplish that?" If he does not have a vision, your questions may inspire him to develop one.

If your husband is not walking with God—or perhaps, does not know the Lord - you have the opportunity and responsibility to practice your faith and create a thirst for God. Thank God for giving your husband a place in his heart that only He can fill, and keep praying that he will turn to the Lord to fill that vacuum!

Today I am going to ask Kevin what his vision is for our marriage and home and what he (with God's help) hopes to accomplish.



Saturday, June 16, 2007

Husband Encouragement Challenge: DAY 16

Thanks, ladies, for sharing your mid-challenge reflections yesterday! I'm so glad that we're all benefiting from this. This challenge is definitely a good way to create and establish good habits that we can then carry with us all throughout life. If you're interested... starting this Monday another blogger, Christine at Fruit in Season, is going to be leading an "Honor Your Husband 30 Day Challenge" that she's come up with on her own. I know I'll be checking it out, and I thought I'd let y'all know too!

30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge
By Nancy Leigh DeMoss

June 16--DAY 16


"And the LORD God said, 'It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." Genesis 2:18

God says that it is not good for man to be alone. But the way some women criticize their mates, the husbands may long for solitude. Be careful today not to criticize your mate, but look for ways to encourage him personally and publicly.

Speaking of communication, does your husband communicate with you? God has made you a companion and helper for your husband, and part of being "one flesh" with him is the privilege of sharing and discussing personal needs and concerns. Thank God for that wonderful gift. Thank your husband for communicating with you. If your spouse does not communicate as you wish, look for ways that he communicates that are normal for him—smiling at you, nodding his head, even a pleasant "grunt!"—and then thank him for letting you know that he cares. Perhaps he needs to be lovingly taught how to communicate. Be patient with him . . . and listen when he does speak.

Kevin is a good communicator. He talks to me about his day, things going on at work, his Jeep stuff, plans for the future, his goals, hobbies he wants to take on, and sometimes even about his feelings regarding certain situations. I looove the times when we sit outside at night, sipping on a warm drink, and just talk about anything and everything. Makes me feel very close to my husband!

Kevin's not only good at communicating with me, but also with his family, calling each of them (his parents, and his sister) at least once every week, sometimes more. He's also good about picking up the phone and calling friends who've moved away. I really, really value that quality in him, because it shows to me that he truly values these relationships and that's he's willing to take the initiative to maintain the friendship.

Today I will make sure to tell Kevin how much I value his communication with me and with others.

How is your husband when it comes to communication? Are there certain things you do to help encourage him to share more with you? Is this an area in which you struggle? Share your thoughts, and leave your link below...



Friday, June 15, 2007

Husband Encouragement Challenge: DAY 15

Reflections on yesterday...
Yesterday afternoon I made sure I didn't get carried away with scrapbook stuff and played with Eli, allowing Kevin time to do whatever he wants. Every day I try to ask him if there's anything he wants to do for himself that day. And I think he really appreciates me at least asking, even if he doesn't have anything. So I'll try to remember this habit. And then later in the afternoon after a trip to Toys R Us (for Eli's birthday presents!) I was pretty tired so he told me he'd watch Eli so I could take a little nap. Wait, what was that? A nap?! Mommy's hardly ever get naps so I really appreciated the time to just lay and rest, even if I couldn't actually sleep.

Today is Day 15, we're halfway through the challenge already! What are you realizing about yourself or your husband? How is the challenge affecting your marriage? What parts of the challenge are going well? What parts need more work?

I'm realizing how negative I was being before and how I really can just let things go. If I do need to speak up about something, I can take the time to consider how I'll use my words wisely. For Proverbs 19:13 says, "The contentions of a wife are a continual dripping." Maybe Kevin didn't realize how negative I was being, but it was still wearing on him and our marriage. But I'm seeing change... I'm learning to be more positive with my words, to consciously build up my husband to him and to others. And I don't know, maybe I'm just now noticing it, but Kevin's been really sweet about helping out or allowing me time to myself or saying nice things. He seems happier, and I seem happier. We as a couple are happier.

So far in this challenge, I've been doing well at not making negative only making positive comments to Kevin, building him up to others, and saying Thank You for all the things he does. But I need more work at building him up and saying things that I appreciate about him to him. I remember one day (before this challenge) saying something really nice about his the Jeep and how nice it looked or something, and he just lit up, like "Really?!" So I need to do more of that kind of thing.

30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge

By Nancy Leigh DeMoss

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. . ." 2 Pet. 3:18a

Sometimes we live so close to our spouse that we fail to see him as others do; we only see our husband's faults. But take a step back. Perhaps he is growing spiritually in ways you have failed to appreciate. How can you encourage his growth in a fresh, new way? Remember—your husband is accountable to God for his spiritual development. You are accountable to God to encourage and not hinder that growth.

Can you identify an area of spiritual strength in your husband? Does he pray or read his Bible regularly? Does he like to read about or discuss spiritual matters? Does he go to church with you? Is he a spiritual leader? What do others say about him? If you can identify a specific area, praise him for that. If not, pray earnestly that God will work in his heart, and watch for signs of spiritual growth in the future.

For my husband, this is an area that needs work. [Use your words wisely, Sarah...Continue to build Kevin up even in this area...] I have tried to encourage him in different ways, but if I do much more it will become nagging, and I don't want that. So at this point, I just need to pray... Kevin is a Christian though, and he takes us to church every Sunday, prays for our family at every meal, and looks for Christian fellowship. I appreciate all those things about him, and I know God can do all things and will work in Kevin's heart in amazing ways, but in His own time, not mine. I pray that I will take notice and encourage him at all the right times.

Want to share with us today? Leave your link below...



Thursday, June 14, 2007

Husband Encouragement Challenge: DAY 14

Reflections on yesterday...
Thanks, ladies for your participation yesterday! If we need to do that sort of thing every day we can--2 positive things about our husbands and 1 thing to do for him to show him respect and appreciation. I made the custard pie yesterday during the day actually, so we had it after lunch and in the evening for dessert! Kevin looooved it and very much appreciated that I did that for him! He'll be spoiled this week with another pie coming this weekend for Father's Day!

I'm sure by the end of today I'll have 2 positive things to say about him for the day. And as for what to do...hmm... don't want to make another pie or cook anything else since we don't need that...he's been watching Eli a lot while I've been doing things of my own like scrapbooking, so today I'm going to watch Eli in the afternoon so when Kevin gets home from work, he can do whatever he wants, whether it be taking a nap or spending time on the computer, or whatever.

June 14--DAY 14

30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge
By Nancy Leigh DeMoss

"The righteous man walks in his integrity . . ." Prov. 20:7a

Every week there are news reports about men who gave in to temptations and compromised what they said they believed. We hear countless reports about dishonest business dealings, hidden infidelity, and hypocritical leaders. It's so easy to focus on these things and ignore those who are being honest, faithful and genuine. As you continue in the "30-Day Encouragement Challenge," determine to look for ways that your husband stands against the culture.

Is your spouse a man of integrity? Is he fair in his dealings with people? Does he understand the meaning of justice? Is he honest in business? Unhypocritical in his faith? Consider all the ways a man can live in integrity, and praise your husband for one of them. As you have the opportunity—as it is appropriate—share examples of your husband's honesty and integrity with others.

Kevin is very honest and faithful, a man of great integrity. If they need a volunteer at work and no one speaks up, he's the one who steps forward and offers himself. If someone drops something on the ground, he'll chase after the person to give it back, instead of keeping it for himself. If he says he'll do something, he does it (eventually). He would never cheat someone out of their money. And he makes good decisions based on his faith, like what social events to go or not go to. I can confidently put my trust in him as the leader of our family.

UPDATE: 2 things Kevin did today...
1. This afternoon he offered to watch Eli so I could take a quick catnap since I was tired. I didn't really fall asleep but I never get a nap so this was so nice of him!
2. AND he cooked dinner since tonight's appetizer (fried ravioli with marinara sauce) was his request! It was tasty tasty!!

Alright, if you've posted something today about the challenge, leave your link below!



Weekly Memory Verse

I'm so excited at out how many verse we've done already! If you're just joining me today, hop on! First, let's review our 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 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.

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.

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

Hebrews 10:24-15 And let us consider how 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.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

New Verse. I came across this one earlier this week while reading to Eli is daily chapter of Proverbs.
Proverbs 3:5,6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Next week I'm going to switch to posting a new verse on Wednesdays since I do Thankful Thursday posts on Thursdays. So remember to come back on Wednesday for a new verse! If you're memorizing this week's memory verse with me, sign your name below and leave a link to your blog so we can get to know you! Have a blessed week!



Thankful Thursday


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


This week I am thankful for...

* Another good week of the husband encouragement challenge and the support of the other ladies doing it with me. This is really helping me to have a more positive attitude.

* Eli sleeping until 6:15 yesterday morning instead of 5:30am (like he has been lately, teething...) and when he woke up at 5:10 this morning, he went back to sleep until 6:00!

* Our new screen doors Kevin put on this week. Now we'll hopefully be able to open the doors when it's nice out and I won't have to worry about Eli pushing the screen doors open because they didn't latch.

* Emails from two friends I hadn't heard from in awhile.

* Two good doctor appointments and the cream I was able to get to heal my dry, cracked hands.

* Hubby's early work days (home at 9:30am) twice this week! It's been so fun having him home!

* Making good progress on Eli's baby scrapbook. I still want to have it done for his birthday next month, but that may be an unrealistic goal seeing that I'm not even done with his first month yet. Still, I'm getting past 3 pages that I've been stuck on for forever!

* The new routine of reading a chapter of Proverbs every morning to Eli at breakfast. (since he doesn't sit in my lap EVER we do reading times at meals when he's still in the high chair) I too am being blessed by these verses and am using one of them for this week's memory verse.

* My husband Kevin. He's been very thoughtful lately and taking care of Eli when he knows that I am stressed.

To visit other Thankful Thursday participants visit Iris at Sting My Heart.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Husband Encouragement Challenge: DAY 13

Sounds like several of us are kind of on "blah mode" with the challenge the past couple of days. So today I'm going to try help motivate. Audience participation day! I'd like to have some response today, but if you don't get to it, anytime is fine too....
1. Tell us 5 positive things your husband has done already this week. (big or small, anything!)
2. Tell us 1 thing you're going to do for your husband today to tell him that you respect and appreciate him.


I'll go first. PART ONE: Here are my five things:
1. Yesterday afternoon Eli was having trouble napping and just in his crib screaming. I was getting real anxiety listening to him cry and just having to let him be for a few minutes, so Kevin suggested for me to go to the scrapbook store and he would take care of Eli since it doesn't bother him so much to hear Eli cry. So off I went and it turned out that 15 minutes after I left, Eli went to sleep. I really appreciated him for a) recognizing my stress and b) taking that burden off of me!
2. I was working on scrapbook stuff yesterday and cutting out letters. Of course Eli was trying to get all into it, but Kevin was really great to take Eli and play with him so he wouldn't get into my stuff and I could finish what I was working on.
3. Last night a small plastic lid somehow got into the oven and melted to the bottom of the oven when I was baking fries, but Kevin was so gracious to clean it up without me even asking!
4. Last night when preparing dinner, I realized I didn't have enough mayonnaise for the salad I was making, but Kevin kindly offered to run out and get some. Huge help!
5. Kevin left early for work this morning as soon as he was ready, in hopes that his not being up and around the house would help Eli sleep later. Don't know if that was the trick, but Eli actually slept until 6:15 instead of 5:30 or 6:00! Believe me, that 15 minutes makes a huge difference! So already at 5:50 this morning, Kevin was being kind and thinking of others!

Part TWO: What I am doing today to show Kevin I love him... Food is the way to his heart. He's been asking for custard pie this week so before he mentions it again, I'll make it for him for tonight! (seriously, the easiest pie to make ever and sooo good!)

30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge

By Nancy Leigh DeMoss

"I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me." Song of Solomon 7:10

The sexual relationship. It's one of those elements—along with money and children—that can derail a marriage through negative comments. Negativity destroys intimacy, but encouragement builds and strengthens the marriage bond.

Let's get practical here. Is your husband a "good lover"? Have you told him so? Be specific. Let him know when he pleases you. Most husbands genuinely want to please their wives, especially in this important area of marriage.

In moments of intimacy, do you find your mind wandering? This can change as you focus on something wonderful about your husband. Realize that your husband wants intimacy with you . . . his desire is toward you.

Does this area of your marriage need some work? Remember that this is a sensitive area for men. Be sure to encourage his lovemaking and masculinity in positive ways.

If you're participating today and sharing your 5 things at your blog, leave your link below!



Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Husband Encouragement Challenge: DAY 12

Reflections on yesterday...
Yesterday Kevin and I started a new project at our place and worked on putting new screen doors in the back. Working on projects can certainly be a breeding ground for arguments, as we usually have different ideas on how things should be done. I thought we should paint the doors first and then put them up, but Kevin thought we should put them up first and then paint them. In the end, he's the one who gets to decide and when he made the final call to put them up first, that's what we did, and I made no further comments. It was good for us to share in that teamwork. We work well together, but we haven't had many "projects" in quite awhile since we're just renting. When there is something to fix, the landlord usually just lets us do it ourselves and then we send her the bill. So it's kind of fun for us, because we miss having a house (we're at this location for only 2 years so we're renting again) and having our own things to work on. At the end of the day, I praised Kevin for going to work and then coming home and doing this project and then going to a church softball game. What a long day for him! And today it will be much of the same, minus the softball game! What a hard worker! I'm looking forward to Father's Day this weekend and doing specific things just for him, to show him how much I love and appreciate him.


30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge
By Nancy Leigh DeMoss

June 12--DAY 12

"With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love." Eph. 4:2

Part of the difficulty you may face as you continue in this 30-day challenge to encourage your husband is that you really are struggling to find positive things to praise. Perhaps the problem is not with your husband. Have you checked your own heart?

Sometimes we get disillusioned because of our own unreasonable or unrealistic expectations (Prov. 13:12). It may not be that our mates are doing something wrong; it's simply that we expect too much in some areas. Our expectations must be met in God alone, and then we will have the right perspective to ask God for the healing and grace we need to respond to others.

How sad that we give more grace to others than to those in our own homes. Today, try to look at your husband through eyes of grace. Verbally thank your husband for what he is already doing.

I know I'm not perfect and as a woman I can't help but have expectations at times, but I try hard to made my expectations clear to my husband. Not by saying, "You need to do this." But if I want him to do chores, I leave him a list. If I want him to do romantic things (he is not a romantic), I leave him a list of things that are loving to me or I create the romantic evening. If my birthday is coming up, I give him some ideas of things I might like. I may be spoiling surprise, but at least I'm not creating the unrealistic expectation that he'll go inside my mind and know exactly what my desires are. It took the first year of marriage to realize all this, to learn to not have unrealistic expectations. I am a woman and a dreamer and can easily get carried away with my ideas. But this is reality and I want to show my husband joy and appreciation, not disappointment and frustration, so I have to be realistic in my expectations, and this is what works for us.

I also wanted to comment on the last few sentences of today's challenge... "How sad that we give more grace to others than to those in our own homes." I was just thinking the other day how I am a people pleaser and would never say anything negative to anyone else. Yet to my very own husband, the man who walks by my side through all of life, who loves and cherishes me, who is the father of my beautiful son, to him I so carelessly use my words?! I was so sad when I realized this about myself, but also so encouraged to do better. And that, my friends, is what this challenge is all about.

If you're doing the challenge today, leave your link below, so we can visit your page and share in your thoughts! And if you don't have a blog, just leave some thoughts in the comments section (under "Other" or "Annonymous"). Happy Tuesday!



Monday, June 11, 2007

Menu Plan Monday - June 11th

It's maybe supposed to rain a lot the beginning of this week, so we'll plan accordingly...

Monday: Chicken Tenders (frozen, ready-to-go style!), cooked carrots, cole slaw

Tuesday: Garlic Alfredo Shrimp Pasta, mandarin oranges, tossed salad

Wednesday: hamburgers, curly fries, Suddenly Salad

Thursday: appetizer nite--hubby requested something specific but I don't remember what it was--I'll ask him later

Friday: Crockpot Lemon Garlic Chicken, green beans

Saturday: Slow Cooker Onion Soup Pork Chops, mashed potatoes, corn muffins

Sunday: FATHER'S DAY--
Egg Casserole (recipe below) for breakfast, leftovers for lunch, to Cracker Barrell for dinner! Blackberry Cheese Pie for dessert

EGG CASSEROLE (I've never made this myself, but my mom makes it and it's delicious!!)

FOR EACH SERVING--
1 slice bread (crust removed, then cubed)
1 egg, beaten
1/2 c. milk
1/8 tsp. salt
1/4 c. sausage pieces or bacon
1/4 c. cheese
1/8 tsp. mustard

>>Grease pan. Combine egg, milk, salt, and mustard. Place layers of the following: bread, meat, cheese, egg mixture. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.
*Note: best if sets overnight before baking. The flavor is better AND it's all ready to just pop in the oven when you get up in the morning!

For more menu ideas, head on over to Laura's at OrgJunkie. Happy Monday!