Weekly Journal Tuesday

For Today

 It has been a challenging time in my life but I am taking steps to move forward every day. 

Outside my window......Beautiful crisp fall day- Sunny

I am thinking............I can't wait to have a coffee tonight!

Church.............We are in the 6th week of Sunday School classes that parallel what Blake is learning in Sunday School. It is neat to see that our own Bible lessons are on the same topics. We have been challenged to work on the things we learn during the week and then we discuss how it went in class. 

Family...... 

We are adjusting to this area. We have had many challenges but I am still hopeful we will make friends and this will begin to feel like home. It has been a blessing to be closer to our family now. We have had several family members come to visit, in fact almost every weekend for the past couple months. 

From The Learning Rooms....

Austen

some of his photos

Photography

(thank you Grandma Shaun for leaving us your camera to use)

At the park with the family

"Umm...really MOM?"

Blake

Report on Koalas

 Daily Grams

QUOTE

Amid trials hard, temptations strong, and troubles constant, true faith is persevering faith.

Author Unknown

I am thankful for:  a new day with renewed strength, funds to purchase 2 new tires for our car, answered prayer (grandma had 3 mo cancer check- no cancer!)

From The Kitchen... Hamburgers

I am reading..... Bible

I am creating:  nothing this week ;)

I am praying.... My marriage, finances, Austen- a good friend,

new godly friendships, growth in my spiritual walk,

friends & family who have cancer, friends who are hurting, ect...

Around the house .... cleaning, cleaning, never ending cleaning...

New.....We started the Dave Ramsey financial series. So far we have had 2 budget meeting. Blake started KIX on Sundays from 4-5:30

A few plans for the week...

Austen youth group Tuesday from 7:30-9:00

Blake practice Tue-Thurs 5:30-7:15

Homeschool Mom Night out Tue 6:00-8:00

Game Day Saturday 9:00 am

Church- Sunday 9:00-12:00

KIX (Kids In Christ) 4:00-5:30

Happy Trails....

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Grady & Blake 

2011

Taking Out the Trash

 

Who wants to live with yesterday’s rubble?  Who wants to hoard the trash of the past?  You don’t, do you?  Or do you?

 

I’m not talking about the trash in your house, but in your heart.  Not the junk of papers and boxes but the remnants of anger and hurt.  Do you rat-pack your pain?  Amass offenses?  Record slights?

 

A tour of your heart might be telling.  A pile of rejections.  Accumulated insults.  No one can blame you.  They’re innocence takers, promise breakers, and wound makers.  They’re everywhere and you’ve had your share.

 

Jesus answered Peter’s question in Matthew 18:21 and 22 when he asked:  “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me?  Seven times?”  “No, not seven times,” Jesus said.  “Seventy times seven!”

 

Do you want to give every day a chance?  Jesus says to get rid of the trash.  Give the grace you’ve been given!

 

From Great Day Every Day

Joy Through The Storms

The past few weeks have been a bit challenging.

I have begun to do some inventory of my life and the things I need to purge out in order for growth to happen. Also in the mist of working on this, there has been some trials that are weighing on me. It just seems more overwhelming then normal. The cloud just did not seem to be moving fast enough away from me.

The verses that have really been a comfort

Psalm 56:3

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

2 Tim 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

There have been many blessing in spite of the trials.

*New Friendships being built (Joy, Teri, Michelea, Tonya)

* Austen is making new friends and is now in a Bible study group on Tuesday evenings.

* Getting involved in my church

* Sweet fellowship with the Lord during my prayer time

The weather has been so beautiful here in Texas. I think today it is suppose to be in the 80's! We are getting ready for our Easter program for April 1st. Blake has a role in the play, so we have been practicing on music and his part that he plays.

Until Later,

Brandie

Thankful Thursday~

What a week.........

I am so thankful my aches and pains have subsided,

it has been a day virtually pain free! Lot's of trials this week,

but God has been faithful! There are so many out there who are going through

tough times, whether it be with health, financially or family issues. My heart breaks when I see

the ones I love in pain. The neat thing is to see how God works through the tough times, and

how God puts those special people in our lives to help ease the pain.

Thank You Lord for your goodness, mercy, friendships, and Love!

Count Your Blessings

Count Your Blessings
Author Unknown

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;
Count your gains instead of your losses.
Count your joys instead of your woes;
Count your friends instead of your foes.
Count your smiles instead of your tears;
Count your courage instead of your fears.
Count your full years instead of your lean;
Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.
Count your health instead of your wealth;
Count on God instead of yourself.

Father God, lift the heavy burdens off my heart and let me see this new day as You do. Give me strength to stand against the discouragement that weighs me down and help me defeat Satan's lies with praise to You for Your blessings. In Jesus' name, Amen.
~aophomeschooling

Blessings~ Oh YES I'm Blessed!

You know there are times when you wonder what your kids are learning? Is God's Word working in their heart? Many of you know I homeschool Austen (13). Austen has been so good about getting up early (5:30-6) to get his school work done. He has his list for chores he is responsible for every day. For the most part he is pretty good at making sure his chores are done before he has free time.

Well, yesterday I had to go work at the school with Blake (He goes to public about 2 days a week). I spend Monday's with him in class. There are times when Austen will go with me and work in the classroom, but sometimes he stays home and does his school work. I tell you, yesterday was a BIG breakthrough! When I got home Austen had totally went above and beyond his chore list and cleaned the whole house.....even the dishes (yes, that's a shock,lol)! I was really happy and praised him for doing that for me. He then told me, that he has been reading (his literature book) and he learned about how God wants us to work hard without expecting anything in return (Go to the ant thou sluggard, consider her ways and be wise).

He is learning some great principles out of the Word of God, that he would NOT learn in public school! As we look around at today's society there are so many lazy teens, who have no sense of work ethic. It is my desire to train my sons that working hard at everything you do is a MUST! This lesson was not profound, however for Austen, it is. We have really been working on this area in his life. There will be a day he will have to support his own family. It is our responsibility to train them to work hard at all they do!