P.R.A.Y.

It seems blogs are hard to fit into my schedule these days.
In truth, they've always been hard to fit into my schedule.  But I do like to write when there's time.  I wonder if that will be in 10 years...when little boys are gone and I'm trying to fill hours previously occupied by book reading, math teaching, history devouring, and just kid learning in general.  It's ok.  I have many ambitions.  But am learning that I must prioritize those ambitions alongside the things I am obligated to, and maybe the extras will fit in later.

So, I've had these thoughts jotted down on my to-do list for at least two months.  Oh well.  Sooner or later it hits the old blog.

I enjoyed the pleasure of dancing at The Rock in San Diego in December for an event their women's ministry was putting on.  A woman spoke and, though I can't remember her name, I do remember her heart.  One of the many valuable nuggets she mentioned was a very practical tool that she suggested to us.

P.R.A.Y.

Sometimes we get so busy and so overwhelmed but it only takes a couple of minutes to P.R.A.Y.

And, though I do usually have the chance to study the Bible most mornings, I have decided to apply P.R.A.Y. to my almost-daily clothes-hanging time.

Jamie got me a cute clothesline a few months ago and boy, do I love it!!  I feel like I'm channelling my darling Grandma.  Weird, I know.  But really I do love it.  It forces me outside for at least 10-15 minutes a day (and usually motivates me to be out there more) where I can listen to the birds sing, the wind blow, the few words of walkers and bike-riders as they pass by, the dogs barking, today it was the unpleasant yelling of a distant neighbor (not my fave), but overall it is a pleasant-to-the-ear time.  I love, in this season, that I can immerse myself in the smell of the orange and grapefruit blossoms...absolutely my favorite aroma on earth.  And I love that for a few minutes a day, I can breathe and slow down...because hanging clothes and folding them takes time and can't be rushed and must be done.  So I allow myself... no, I force myself to pause.  And during that pause I P.R.A.Y. -  just like that darling lady at The Rock suggested.

Praise God for His goodness.
Repent of my recent sins and misbehaviors.
Ask those things which my heart desires.
Yield to His will even if it's not what I thought I wanted; knowing that He is good always.

This only takes a few minutes and I have enjoyed this (somewhat) regularly scheduled time where I converse with God.

You know what I've noticed, though?
Every day I have to repent of something.  Every.single.day.  Really?  I realized this after about a week or so of daily repenting.  I went out there one day and I thought, "Maybe today I have nothing to repent of." And about 1.5 seconds later I realized I did have something to repent of.  And it's pretty much been like that every day.  ...except now I'm not surprised.  I always say something I shouldn't have.  Or had a bad attitude toward a member of my family.  Or should have exerted more energy and attention into this or that. Or, or, or.  Ho hum.  "The heart is deceitfully wicked.  Who can know it?" (Jer. 17:9)  "For we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Rom. 3:23)
Don't I know it?  I fall short every single day.

"Purify me from my sins, 

and I will be clean; 

Wash me, and I will be

whiter than snow.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,

and make me willing to obey You."

~Psalm 51:7,12

It's such a bummer to be convicted.  All I want is to feel free, clean, and not bear the weight of even my smallest and most unintentional sin.  And so we lay these at His feet.  He takes it.  We may have to make it right within our own earthly relationships, but He is faithful and just to forgive us of ours ins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Anyway, I thought that maybe I might not be the only one who has something to repent of every day.  And thought I'd mention the easy practice of P.R.A.Y.ing.

God bless you,

Psalm 30, the Kori version

My Beth Moore Bible study encouraged me to take Psalm 30 and express my own version of it.  Here goes:

Psalm 30

I will exalt You, Lord,

because You have radically rescued me

and have not allowed

abortion to ruin me forever.

Lord my God, I cried to You for help,

and You heard me, and loved much.

Lord, You brought me so far;

You spared me from

my own hell, sorrow, and numb existence.

Sing to the Lord, you His faithful ones, 

and praise His holy name.

For His disappointment lasts only a moment,

but His favor, a lifetime.

Weeping may spend the night, 

but there is joy in the morning.

When I was secure, I said,

"I don't need anyone.

I'm strong in my own will.

I won't fall."

Lord, when You showed Your favor,

You made me overwhelmingly relieved

and unexplainably at peace;

when You were displeased with me

I was terrified.

Lord, I called to You;

I sought favor from my Lord;

"What gain is there in my brokenness

and mindless existence?

Lord, listen and be gracious to me;

Lord, be my helper."

You turned my grief, guilt, and shame

 into dancing, hope, and revelation.

You removed my sin and unquenchable sadness

and clothed me with

peace, truth, healing

so that I can sing to You and not be silent.

Lord my God, I will praise You forever.

(italics mine)

my weaknesses today

Today, I vacuumed like a fiend!  No, I am not Suzy Homemaker.  I got a new Dyson!  My old vacuum is still sitting in the hallway.  I'm sure my husband would like that to be gone from the hallway when he gets home.

Today, I moved 20 gallons of paint from the garage to the shed in an effort to continue organizing my garage.  No, it is still not organized.  I mean, look at this!

Today, I assembled a new wardrobe for dance costumes.  When I disassembled the old one, I whacked myself in the head with a pole.  Yeah, that felt good.

Today, I admitted to the world (via Facebook) that I am not in the least bit domestic.  It went like this:  "I think I'll start blogging for moms who can't cook, are allergic to the kitchen, couldn't care less about being crafty, but still want to raise world changers. I'm feeling incredibly inadequate when I see all these domestic genius moms around me. You all are amazing! How can a non-domestic type compare!? :-) Maybe you all can look into mass producing your domesticity and shipping it to us kitchen/craft phobes."  Yes, I am passionate.  Yes, I love my husband and my children.  Yes, I love my country.  Yes, I love Jesus, the Lord and Savior and forever Healer of my life!  Yes, I speak boldly about the things the move my heart.   But, I hate crafts, baking, cooking and doing creative things that would otherwise please my family.  I don't even like to babysit.  How's that for some honesty?  When I put something on the stove, I walk away and forget about it because I just don't want to stand there idly waiting for food to do what it does.  I burn things because of this.  I often have pots that boil over.  My husband shakes his head.  Contrary to popular belief, I cannot multitask.  Yes, I have many things going on at one time and they all sit unfinished as I start a new task.  I will eventually finish each one, but not before annoying myself and my husband by the mess I leave in my wake.  My son, Brandon, is the same way.

Today, I read this blog post:  Competitive Mothering and I loved it and it has inspired me to boast in my weaknesses.  I try to follow many wonderful mom blogs, but what I really want to know that they have Mount Washmore in their laundry hampers, too.  I mean, how do these gorgeous women homeschool numerous children, bake the best cinnamon rolls in the world, keep a spotless house, raise goats and chickens, and have time to write about it?!!  I often have the most hideous time management.  I would rather play a logic puzzle on my phone than do some task that would actually allow me more leisure to read a book, play a game, etc.  I spend too much time on my computer and I need to do something about that.  Right now, as I write, my dining room table houses an old purse and a tote bag full of papers...both of which I really need to put away.  The manual to my new Dyson is poking out from under my computer and there are about 157 lego pieces strewn over the table.  Oh! and 2 Hershey's Kisses (which I should not have eaten) wrappers stare at me reminding me that Christmas has been one poor excuse for too much egg nog, candy, cookies, and calories.  I refuse to step on the scale.  Ha!

I hope that in the next week, I will finish the garage and the shed.
I hope that I will get back on my bike and be motivated to do so.
I hope that I have not gained the 5 pounds I'm pretty sure have glued themselves to my waist and tush.
I hope it's only 5, and not more.
I hope that we will melt into a decent "school" schedule.
I hope I will read instead of wasting time on Facebook and logic puzzles.  And maybe clean the house a bit, too.
I hope I will write more.  I like to do that and so many ideas fly through my mind, but I don't take the time to do it....because Mt. Washmore is calling my name.

Anyway, this is a little bit of venting, but mostly I just want to keep it real and boast in my weaknesses.  I have two AWESOME boys who, today, when my hub showed them a pic of a "politically connected family" who recently visited our desert, they recognized the political figure in the bunch.  They read Red Wall books and I am shocked over that.  They just counted out nearly $60 in change all on their own.  And when I asked them to clean the guinea pig cage, they did it.  I have clean floors today (ok, so they do need a good mopping).  I have paint stored properly.  I have costumes (almost) put away --- ok, so there's still a pile on my bed!  I have a husband that probably would like a wholesome home-cooked meal but loves me even when most of the time that just doesn't happen.  My home is full and beautiful, but my yard has junk all over it.  My dog door is really dirty...it's almost gross...no, it IS gross.  And I have no idea how to clean it effectively.  Many people think I am amazing.  I'm not...obviously.  I'm just me.  But in those things where I excel, I want to be a blessing.  And I want a cozy home for my family.  I think I accomplish these things (for the most part).

I am a work in progress and may never be Rachel Ray in the kitchen, but I will get better at the things I'm not so hot at.  "He who began a good work in [me] will be faithful to complete it..."  There's always something to work on.  (And I didn't even talk about my unpleasant responses to the people that annoy me.) Be strong in my weaknesses, Lord!

It's getting dark and I have to go to the shed.
And I will reheat the Christmas chili (which I cheated and made from a kit) for dinner... which neither of my boys are thrilled about, but my hub loves.

And it's ok that I'm not a domestic diva.  I am a patriotic, Christ-loving, passionate wife and mom; and I don't know too many like me.  That may make me a really radical odd ball, but today I'll be glad that I am filling a unique role that a handful of others appreciate, and I feel called to.

the source of America's past success...and the reason we are flailing today

"...even in the land of uprightness

they go on doing evil

and do not regard the majesty of the Lord.

Lord, Your hand is lifted high, 

but they do not see it...

Lord, You establish peace for us;

all that we have accomplished 

You have done for us."

~Isaiah 26:1-13

Americans should govern America.   Those [senators] who believe that the UN needs to protect our people should have the decency to resign their offices and give them to those who feel up to the task of passing American laws to protect American people.
~Michael Farris, Patrick Henry College, Dec. 3, 2012

there's a par-tay goin' on!

Our 6th annual Christmas Open House is just around the corner.  I love planning this event and my family has come to love it as well.  It's become a great kick-off amongst our friends and family for the Christmas season.  Yea!

I really try to keep it simple...yet, still find that I am running around like a chicken with her head cut off.  Can't imagine what it would be like if it wasn't "simple." Ha!  Anyhoo... I try to limit food to just a few items.  Finger foods only or things that can be obtained by a skewer or toothpick.  The boys and I already had our cookie making afternoon.  It was dreadful!  LOL.  I REALLY don't like the kitchen.  I mean, I think they're cute and all, but I am so not a domestic diva and I hate all that has to happen in the kitchen.  Can't someone else please cook all our meals?!!

Ok, so simple foods:  we bake a zillion gingerbread and sugar cookies.  Then we frost the dang things 'til our tummies ache and the poor, little brown men start looking like hideously dressed blobs or wounded zombies.  Six hours later we're done and every year I swear it'll be at least a year before I ever do anything that crazy again...so I guess that works out.  I buy a couple bags of candies and crackers.  I throw together two cheese balls and I make several batches of what have become very popular cranberry meatballs.   That's it!   Of course, there's punch, tea, coffee, cocoa, and cider.

I set up the bounce house, have the boys stock every fire place (indoors and out) with ample firewood, and decorate, decorate, decorate.  Play music, light candles, have fun!  And don't forget to invite family, friends, and neighbors (obviously this should occur way before lighting candles).

So, how 'bout those recipes...  I usually find a cheese ball recipe online.  Still haven't found one that I love enough to repeat, but this year I discovered (in my mom's stuff while moving her and her hub out of their home) my Grandma's fabulous pineapple cheese ball.  Oh my goodness gracious great-balls-of-fire it is to die for!


Pineapple Cheese Ball
(F. Maxine McClain)

12 oz. cream cheese
green pepper, diced
small can crushed pineapple (well drained)

Mix it all together (let the cream cheese stand at room temp to soften).   Refrigerate for 24 hours.  Shape into a ball and roll in crushed pecans or bacon bits.  Ta da!  Try not to devour the whole thing before hand.  It is SO good!


Sweet Cranberry Meatballs
(Fix It and Forget It)

50 meatballs (Obviously I multiply this like crazy for our shindig.)
1 cup brown gravy
1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
2 T. heavy cream
2 t. Dijon mustard

Put meatballs in slow cooker.  Mix remaining ingredients to gather and pour over meatballs.
Cover.  Cook on high 2-3 hours or low 5-6 hours.

Easy peasy.  That's how I like it.  If food involves more than 10 minutes to organize, then I'm so out of there.  So, you know this has to be easy enough for someone with a cooking allergy like me to be able to pull it off.

He raises up kings

For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, 

“For this very purpose I have raised you up,

that I may show My power in you, 

and that my name may be declared in all the earth.”

Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills,

and whom He wills He hardens.

~Romans 9:17-18

“Lord, let me serve my country 

by loving You with all my heart.”

~The Truth Project Daily Travelogue

We are days away from a great and important election. After nearly 4 years of the most pro-abortion/pro-socialist president in our American history, we now have the opportunity to replace him or leave him where he is.

Remember that according to the Declaration of Independence, our first inalienable right is life. If our leaders won't protect life, then can we expect them to protect our property, or our freedom? And with no life, there is certainly no freedom.

This whole world seems to be in those “sorrows” mentioned in Matthew 24. The earth is groaning. So much of the Muslim world is literally on fire in protest against America. Incredible moral and spiritual decline envelop us. Threats are in abundance and it can truly cause us to become fearful.

I encourage you to go to www.HisChannel.com and watch recent archives of the World News Briefing? When we look around us things can seem overwhelming and scary but when we see things Biblically and prophetically, well...it just is pretty darn exciting!!! “Look up, for your redemption draws near!” (Lk, 21:28) It's so good to have a heavenly perspective and to put our faith solidly in our unfailing God who is sovereign over all things...even nauseating politics.

“...he (anti-Christ)...shall wear out the saints...”

(Dan. 7:25, KJV)

“And let us not grow weary in while doing good,

for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

(Gal. 6:9)

The enemy's m.o. is to weary us. Keep doing the good GOD has called you to.

“The next president will receive 100% of the vote- 

Jesus alone will choose.

And whomever He chooses 

will be better than we deserve."

~R.C. Sproul, Jr.

Whatever happens, we are in the hands of magnificent God who is working even the ugly around us into His perfect prophetic purpose! “...ALL things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28, emphasis mine.) There is a big picture, a greater epic story; and we are a part of it. Play your part well. Pray. Vote wisely. You've been placed in this act and scene of world history “for such a time as this.” (Esther 4:14)

"And He changes the times and he seasons; 

'He removes kings and raises up kings; 

He gives wisdom to the wise 

and knowledge to those who have understanding."

~Dan. 2:21

There are many voter resources available. I have spent a considerable amount of time on this: http://www.psalm30v11.blogspot.com/p/vote.html.  I include links to several voter guides and my own research on various candidates. ...so you can essentially one-stop shop. Yea!

“...believers have been given the prophetic task

of holding nations accountable 

to the standards of eternal truth.”

~The Truth Project Daily Travelogue

The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord;

he directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases.

~Proverbs 21:1

Register and vote! You matter!