What a Friend I Have in Jesus

Some days go by so quickly, don't they? Other days seem to drag on and I am so glad to crawl into bed for a little rest. I am blessed with a friend who always understands and loves me. He loved me before I was ever born - that is hard to fathom! As a mom I can only get a taste of His eternal love for me. And, as a mom, I feel the burden to stay focused on the most important things. My kids are WATCHING me and learning. Good or bad, folks. Sometimes I have to re-evaluate what the overall goal is for this family (alongside my husband, but sometimes he is not here) and tweak this or that. Do you ever think that way? Do you ever ask yourself, "Self, I am doing this or letting my kids do/watch/listen to/say/ this. What might be the outcome of this habit? Is this seemingly simple thing they do going to benefit them for serving God and others?" I am not talking to you about this because I have achieved perfection in this area of life.
I will never forget that one day my grandmother put signs in our bedrooms when we were at school (she lived nearby). The signs simply read, "THINK". Often, we are so busy we don't take time to think, we just "do" like a robot. Maybe I am preaching to the choir here with the folks that read my blog, but if you are not a Christian, (one who believes on Christ as their one and only Savior) I do urge you to take time to think about your future (it could be over next week or decades away). The days do go by so quickly and it is something too important to put off. I don't suggest web surfing for answers. Googling to find a good price on a slow cooker is one thing, eternity is another. I do highly suggest going to a Bible preaching church and sitting down with a pastor for a serious talk. Ask questions, seek understanding! Here is a website by a trusted pastor that you can read and know for sure what will happen when your time to die comes: HEAVEN
On a lighter note *smile* - winter is here to stay. The kids are enjoying playing in the snow. They will be more excited when daddy is home and can take them to the ski slopes for some snowboarding! It was a balmy 9 degrees this morning when I woke up. Em was so sweet to make me coffee and watch Owen while I got ready for the day. Speaking of Owen - he is finally walking and running around the house. He is a typical brother already, finding ways to torment his older sisters!
I have been enjoying more reading lately as you might have noticed a list of the books on this page. I finished one of them yesterday that had some good tips on managing a large family - but many ideas would work for any size family to keep things running more smoothly and help mom keep her sanity. The next book I am finishing up is a Duggar book which I have enjoyed as well. We don't have cable tv, but I bought a season to watch on the computer. The main reason I like the show is because Mrs. Duggar is a woman who strives to serve God and care for her family with the grace that God has given to her.
Next week I am having some ladies over for a "tea". Nothing fancy, but a chance to fellowship and get to know people better. It is so nice to be surrounded by people who love the Lord! We had the blessing of having a young missionary couple stay with us for a week and it just gave me a greater appreciation for the work God has called them to do for Him. Missionaries are real people who love the Lord and have the needs we do, but they need our love and prayer and support as they go outside their comfort and safety zone.
We are about to dive in to a half day of school - we have music lessons later and a Skype session with Nana as well as tackling a few things on a to do list.
Enjoy November! I look forward to Thanksgiving - if you think of it, check out Power of Family Meals for a delicious recipe that reminds me of Thanksgiving fare.