Smiling

Things that make me smile.

*A job well done.
*A kind word well-spoken.
*Cooking and entertaining for my friends and family.
*A certain blue-eyed, blond-haired boy's hugs.
*A well-earned nap.
*Seeing God's Word take root in someone's life.
*Positive people.
*Unexpected kindness.
*Planning surprises.

Heavenly Father, How great is Your Name! And how worthy is Your Name! May we praise You this day with all that is within us! Teach us Your ways, give us wisdom and revelation to understand Your Word. And Father may all we do and say bring a smile to Your holy face!
In the saving name of Jesus!
Amen!

What makes you smile?

Smiling and praising!
Teresa

Pleading The Case...

December 19. January 19. March 16.

Three dates on the calendar.

Three Christian friends.

Three set of tears.

Three funerals to plan.

Three widows leaning on their Lord.

....Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. Isaiah 1:17


Do you know a widow?

Pray for her.
Go see her.
Hug her.
Cry with her.
Include her.

Praying,
Teresa

Having Fun!

I had the sweetest morning yesterday.

We are on spring break this week-(which is a little misleading because at the moment it is 31 degrees and sleeting). I took a little time out from the kiddos yesterday morning and got together with one of my mentors from way back that lives in another town. Another one couldn't meet us but we talked on the phone for 30 minutes! These are godly women a little older than me with young adults, (some in college, some out). They have always shared their wisdom (& struggles) with me anytime I needed them. They have prayed with me, over me, listen to me pitch fits and rejoiced with me! I love them bunches!

I just wanted to share a couple of things they reminded me about this job of raising children:

1: Praise them! Praise them!- Praise their character traits, not always their performance. Sometimes this takes intentional means on my part. My 3 children are all very different with different temperaments and personalities they have different strengths and struggles, it is my job as their mom to know those strengths and struggles.
2. Have fun with them!- Now for some of you this may be a no brainer, but for those of us who were born going on 40 (as my daddy used to say about me!) this too takes a little intentional planning on my part. Now, I'm not always a stick-in-the-mud, BUT I like routine, and my quiet time, and reading, etc...you get the picture..:)

SOOOO.....here I sit in a quiet house with 4 precious, sleeping (although loud at 2am) teenage girls among a BIG pile of dirty dishes, clothes thrown everywhere kind of mess...trying to have fun...*grin*...no really it was fun! and I am filled with His joy this morning!

Do any of you have any "fun" ideas that you have done with your children to share?
I would love to hear about them!


Filled with His joy this morning (sleepy joy!)
Teresa

ps: Don't worry about me...the cavalry (that tall handsome hunky husband) arrives at 12:30 to whisk them (and the other 2) off to the movies so I can have the whole afternoon to write next week's teaching!!! YEAH!

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

About 3:15 Saturday afternoon, the Lord opened His storehouses of snow on our little corner of West Tennessee and for about 6 hours decorated our world in the most beautiful, breath-taking way. Never mind that I've had buttercups blooming for 2 weeks, this was the prettiest snowfall I can remember. So pure and white, blinding white and sparkling like diamonds! As I wandered around applauding our Lord for His handiwork, my heart felt as though it would pop...

Could it be true? Really true?
Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. Isaiah 1:18
Oh Yes! my friend it is true!!! Through the blood of Jesus our sins are washed white as snow!



In just a few short weeks this is where I'll be sitting with a tall glass of tea, studying God's word, and drinking in His sunshine!


And this tree to the right will be covered in dogwood blooms!

In case you can't read that very well it says...12 inches!!!! Yes sir!!!!

Beautiful! Simply Beautiful!!

Now I know for some of you sweet, Northern sisters this is small potatoes; but for us Southern sisters this is a BIG deal!!! I'll try to post more later of the children, but I better take advantage of this quite house and study for Bible Study!

Soaking in His beauty and (washing clothes! good grief, snow produces a lot of laundry!)

love,

Teresa