Smile

All my life I have been a "serious" thinker, not something I am proud of.  I remember when people would stop and ask me if something was wrong and I would be startled. Nothing was wrong, I was just deep in thought. 

I have noticed recently that I need to smile more, especially at my children.  If you are like me and need to work on this, smile on purpose at someone and watch what happens.  I remember when I first did this some months back.  I, on purpose, smiled at my daughter. It took her a moment, but after the initial surprise, she smiled back.  It was wonderful, and a little sad at the same time. The fact that my smiling unexpectedly would take her off guard revealed to me that that this was something she was NOT used to.  

How many times have I missed opportunities to smile at my children, my spouse, and others?  Not anymore!  A sincere smile is a valuable gift that we have the ability to offer freely to others.  It can to brighten days and instantly offer encouragement.

Did you know that a smile is not just good for those around you, but it has health benefits for you as well?
So, in addition to counting my blessings and personal devotion time discovering joy, my challenge for this week is to practice smiling more often, intentionally, to bless others...
joyfully yours,
lisa

His lamp of joy

The first scripture that comes to mind when I think of joy is Psalm 16:11 - "...in His presence is fullness of joy."  God does not want us to walk around joy-less.  Have you ever had a joy-less day?  I sure have.  The key to lasting joy is staying in His presence.  We enter His presence with thanksgiving and praise,  but how do we stay there?

How do we stay in His presence?  Read John 15 (the entire chapter) - Jesus tells us to abide (make our abode, our home) in Him, and Him in us, and to let His words abide in us..... Then in verse 11 He tells us, "These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be FULL." (emphasis mine)

In addition to praise and thanksgiving, which are vitally important, we must abide in His word.  Not just on Sundays, or only during devotions.  We are to feed on His word throughout the day.  One friend carries whatever verses she is meditating on with her - written on an index card - tucked away in her pocket, but ready to be pulled out and looked upon at a moments notice.

It is easy to be happy when everything is going good.  Not always so when circumstances become difficult.  David, a man after God's own heart and who cried out to God during difficult times as recorded in the Psalms, declares that God's word is a lamp unto our feet and a light to our path. (Psalm 119:105)  When do you need a lamp?  When it is dark!  Okay, I am stating the obvious here but it just dawned on me today.  God has provided His WORD to light our way through dark circumstances of life.   Lamps provide light which provides clarity and hope - you are able to see where the path is, if there are rocks or snares along the way, how to avoid them, and which way to go...  The light of God's word helps us to stay on His path and walk through dark, difficult circumstances safely.

In addition to light, when we cling to His word and let His words abide in us, we are provided with His joy (which is our strength).  His joy is added to us so that our joy may be full, even during the most trying of times.  What a good deal!

So this week, in addition to counting gifts (moments of gratitude and thankfulness) and family devotions, I am going to spend more time meditating in His word and beginning with John 15, and Psalm 119.  What scriptures are you meditating on this week and how are they ministering to you?  It would be a blessing if you would take a moment to share.

Joyfully His,

lisa

Using Your Words to Encourage

The Art of Encouragement.

We are all called to be encouragers.  As moms, we have a mission field right in front of us: our children, whom God declares are gifts that He has blessed us with.  Today I read an excellent post about encouraging our children and I thought I would share it with you.  Here are 5 ways to be an encourager right now:

1. Express Thankfulness- Tell your child how thankful you are for the chores that they did, the homework they finished, or the smile they gave you!
2. Compliment- Find something that your child did well today and tell them how proud you are of their effort.
3. Speak Love- It may not come easy for some, but saying I love you to your child each and every day is essential! Don’t assume that they know!!
4. Build Them Up- Do you see something they are struggling with? Build them up in that area! Be a cheerleader and come alongside the sidelines and help them get across that finish line.
5. Smile- A sincere smile of love goes a long way in the heart of your child.  Don’t underestimate the power of the smile.
“Encourage one another and build each other up.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

I would encourage you to read the entire post from Grace Full Mama shared on Roo Mag.

You and your children will both benefit from your efforts!

Blessings,

Lisa

Joy for 2012

It took almost all of 2011 to come up with a word to signify my year, and it is "confidence."  Confidence in my ability to hear His voice and confidence in His ability to lead and guide us.  This happened after I was blessed to return home as a full-time stay-at-home wife and mama.


So, I have pondered what the word for this new year would be, and the Lord obliged.  It is JOY.  I am so excited to embark on this year long journey to discover what that really means, for I know the Lord has more for me to learn and experience than what I already know.  After all, isn't that how He works, bringing us from glory to glory and into a deeper revelation of Him?  His kingdom is righteousness, peace, and JOY in the Holy Ghost. There is much more to joy than just being "happy", and I am delighted to start on this discovery.


I have been way to serious for most of my life, and frankly I am ready to let loose and really experience HIM and this JOY unspeakable and full of GLORY that He offers.

And, you know what?  He is just so good that He led Ann Voskamp to have a Joy Dare!  What joy!  I am taking the dare.  Will you join me and take the Joy Dare?  Ann even gave us a list of ideas for January.

The Bible says in Psalms 16:11, "in His presence is fullness of joy."  We are also admonished to enter His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise (Psalm 11:4).  So, this Joy Dare is a perfect way to begin, and continue, this year.

The Aching Void

Dr. Lillian Yeomans said, “God delights in his children stepping out over the aching void with nothing underneath their feet but the Word of God.”
Have you ever thought about that statement - the aching void?

The Word of God is like a hot bath with Calgon (or in my case Bath & Body Works Sleep Lavender Vanilla) that soothes sore aching muscles and enables one to rest in His promises.

Tis The Season

As a young adult I remember seeing “A Christmas Story” for the first time and learning about the infamous Red Rider BB Gun. I got married and we were blessed 2 years later with our daughter.  Then along came 3 bouncing baby boys.  I had declared a “no gun or weapons” policy for our home.  Lego Duplos were fine.  And then one day the Duplos took the form of guns!  I was outnumbered and came to the realization that boys are BOYS!  They like to pretend to conquer and hunt, etc…. It seems that it is hard wired in them!  Can anyone relate?

We have a Christmas Catalog from Vision Forum, and guess what?  There are initials of various children next to knives, guns, and bows!  As well as a certain initial next to doll items (whew! I am so glad I have a daughter to relate to.)  I have to say that I am impressed with the quality of the items we have so far from Vision Forum.  The boys grandparents bought them wooden play guns from VF 2 years ago and they have had lots of play.  Now son number 1 wants a REAL Vision Forum BB Gun!!!!  (Some things never change.) Hmmmm.  I will need to get him and the rest of us goggles to protect our eyes!   Vision Forum also has a great number of Christian books for all ages, definitely more my speed!

Let the Holiday fun begin and the joyful celebration of God's goodness and overwhelming love for us, even with boys who prefer playing with guns!

It's That Time of Year Again

Thanksgiving is days away....and we still are unsure of what our plans are.  We were blessed with a turkey that is happily thawing out in our extra refrigerator in anticipation of being joyfully consumed. (An IEW writing instructor would be pleased with those strong verbs and -ly descriptors.  I am learning so much this year - thank you Institute for Excellence in Writing!) 

In less than 2 weeks my 8 year old turns 9.  His wish is for a Lego Death Star set.  It has been on his "list" for almost 2 years.  Have you seen this set?  It is truly incredible boasting 3,803 pieces and includes 24 mini-figures, possibly his favorite part.  Ahhh, the power of Legos.  When we were in baby mode, our friends had 5 young boys and Legos, lots of them, everywhere.  When they came and visited us they each bought a set and they were spread throughout our home diligently working on them.  I can still see them.  Now I understand.  It is my wish that our two families can someday get together and their boys, now young men, can see our boys who are about the same age they were when we first got married...

In approximately 3 weeks my daughter turns 12and I am hoping to do something really mom-daughter special for this girl who is blossoming into a beautiful young lady right before our eyes.

Then, Christmas.....Thank you Father for sending us your Son.

The Most Important Things to Know

The most important things to know:


1.  God is love.
       1 John 4:7

2.  God loves YOU.
     1 John 4:19

3.  Because God loves you so much He gave you the ULTIMATE GIFT.
     John 3:16
 
4.  His gift to you (should you receive Him) changes EVERYTHING!
       John 5:24     Galatians 3:13,14     2 Peter 1:2-4

Thoughts for Today

Proverbs 3:16 Amplified Bible

 ¹MY SON, forget not my law or teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;    ²For length of days and years of a life [worth living] and tranquility [inward and outward and continuing through old age till death], these shall they add to you.
    ³Let not mercy and kindness [shutting out all hatred and selfishness] and truth [shutting out all deliberate hypocrisy or falsehood] forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them upon the tablet of your heart.
    ⁴So shall you find favor, good understanding, and high esteem in the sight [or judgment] of God and man.
    ⁵Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
    ⁶In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.


Jesus gave us 2 commandments - Love God and love others......which is made possible as we get a revelation of God's love for us.  Selah

TODAY

Today
I am learning to trust You day by day.
I don't have to ponder tomorrow, You just ask for today.
You paid for my yesterday, the failures and mistakes
giving me a brand new start, today.
You are all I need today, bringing me peace and joy,
my Savior, Provider, Teacher....
whatever the need is today, You are there to fill it.
Because of You, today is a beautiful day.

school

So, we are into our second week of homeschooling and it is going decently well.  Before last week it dawned on me that I hadn't actually homeschooled (been the primary teacher) since my daughter was in kindergarten and now I was getting ready to teach a k, 3rd, 4th, and 6th grader.  I had some fleeting thought of panic!  God has been so faithful.  He graces us for the task/privilege of teaching our children.  And, it is not all up to us - Isa 54:13 - what a relief!

This is what we are studying so far:
Bible - our daily Bible chapter in the New Testament and other Bible study curriculum.
Math - Horizons Math K, Teaching Textbooks 5, 6, 7
Lang Arts - Institute For Excellence In Writing, Teach Your Child To Read In 100 Easy Lessons, Handwriting Without Tears, Essentials of the English Language
History - Mystery of History II and Veritas Press Online History (free trial! - the kids ask for it!)
Science - Apologia Young Explorers Series Exploring Creation With Anatomy & Physiology
Various Readers

It's a start!

Home Educating Family Publishing

Home Educating Family Publishing

is having a contest for Artfully Yours art curriculum.  Check it out!