"The principle of submission in marriage is...

...an acceptance of God's created order of male headship. Rebellion against this order is rejection of the biblical legacy of womanhood."

~ The Legacy of Biblical Womanood by Susan Hunt & Barbara Thompson 

(All quotes in this post will be from this book!)

We were created to be helpers. That is our design. It's not a bad design since it comes from the perfect Creator! Feminism has taken this beautiful design and beat it, smashed it and thrown it away. Now the role as helper is seen as something to be ashamed of...when a woman is a stay at home wife ~ fulfilling her role as helpmeet to her husband and managing her home ~ it is often looked down upon.

"...God's world was not complete without man and woman. The woman was not a clone of the man. God made one who was equal but different from the man. The God of glory created woman as a helper. Our redemption frees us and compels us to glorify God by fulfilling this helper design in all seasons and circumstances of life. This is our calling as redeemed women."

Girls are automatically expected to go to college after high school (with a career oriented mind-set!). Most of these girls want to get married and have a family but they find themselves in debt and in a "must work outside the home" situation after college. I am definitely not against higher education. I am against debt ~ which the Bible warns against as well (Proverbs 22:11, Romans 13:8).

"The helper proclivity of women is crushed in a culture of individualism and independence. Women are encouraged to pursue self-fulfillment and self-actualization."

I remember watching Reading Rainbow when I was younger (which I am not against that program...I had always really enjoyed it) ~ but the theme song told me I could "be anything". Thoughts swirled in my head of being an astronaut, a marine biologist, a school teacher and more. None of these are bad! However, when thinking of what "wonderful" thing I could "be" ~ "just" a mom and wife never seemed as exciting as all those other careers. My mindset was on **myself**. How I could fulfill *me*...how I could be "great". I was not set on thinking of how I was created as a helper. I wasn't having the Christ-like attitude of a servant. Thankfully, the Lord did a great work in me...opening my eyes to His truth and although I still fight that "self" monster...my heart is set in the right direction. I have a desire to glorify Him through my role as helper.

"When the Lord God breathes new life into our dead souls and makes us disciples of Jesus, our helper heart will overflow in life-giving covenantal ministries. We will be gifts to our churches. Community life will be richer. Compassion will flourish. The kingdom will be extended.....We disobeyed, and Jesus was cursed. He obeyed, and we are blessed. Such grace compels us to obey from a heart of gratitude and love."

Thankfully, as I was finishing high school, the Lord put it in my heart: all I truly wanted to be was a homemaker, wife and mother (I still didn't totally comprehend my helper role...but over the years ~ the Lord has opened my eyes to so much!). I went to college for a year since that was "what you do" after high school...but I just picked a random major because I had no particular desire to go to school for anything since my heart was *at home*.  From there, the Lord continued working in my life to put everything in order for me to fill my helper role. Chris and I got to know each other more and soon, fell in love. We were married in fall of 2000 and 10 months later, we had our daughter! :)

So, back to the reason for this post. Submission. It is a scary word to a lot of people....but it is what the Bible requires of us all (wives to husbands and husbands to Christ. All of us are to be submissive to governing authorities etc.). We find the Scriptures telling us to be submissive to our husbands in Ephesians 5:22 and 1 Peter 3:1. Submission is *not* a threat to redeemed women.

"The redeemed helper is not threatened by male headship. She values male and female distinctiveness because she knows that they are God's design and order. She knows that submission has nothing to do with status. Submission has to do with function and is a reflection of the ontological equality and yet the functional difference in the Trinity. Submission is built into the way God has ordered life in the kingdom, and it is good because He is good. Headship and submission are God's ordained order for achieving oneness in marriage and unity in the church....The redeemed helper knows that submission does not restrict her; it actually frees her to fulfill her life-giving mission." (emphasis mine)

Are you really being submissive? It is a question I have to ask myself often. Sometimes I *think* I am being submissive...but if I really am honest with myself...I realize I'm not. I have a bad habit (or should I just say "sin") of trying to convince my husband that my way is right. Submission does *not* come easily or naturally to me. I have to work at it. I always think I'm right (ok..not always...but often) . I have improved a lot through the years but still have a ways to go! I often have to humbly tuck my tail between my legs, apologize and admit that I was wrong. In some circumstances, I *am* right...however, the way I go about expressing it and fighting for my way is wrong. I often have to remind myself to be "submissive in all things". I am reminded of Eve...in the garden...who was deceived and then convinced her husband to follow suit. We know how that turned out!

Do you have a teachable, meek, quiet spirit? Humble and loving? These are things I am constantly asking myself and praying for. I strive to glorify the Lord in the way I am submissive to my husband, a helper to others and in training up my children. I fail....which makes His grace even more beautiful to me. As I continue to be sanctified by Him...I can look back in my life and see how He has been working. Sometimes I cringe at things I have done and then I praise God for His grace and lovingkindness towards me despite myself.

Submission, God's created order, a servant's heart and a helper's spirit are things that are very important to me and I am passionate about. In a culture where people are calling right wrong and evil good....I think it is important for God's people to keep things in order. God made males and females. He did not make one better than the other...He just made a system of order. He is a good God who does all things well. Women don't have to fight to be like men or to be as strong as men. We need to be women...the helpers God made us to be. :o)

A couple good reads (from trusted sources) that you might enjoy and glean much from:

23 Things I've Learned in 23 Years of Marriage ~ a post by Michelle Lesley

What does it mean for a wife to submit to her husband? ~ a post from CARM

This has been a bit of a longer post....and indeed...I need to get moving. My morning is flying by and I have much to get done! Thank you for taking the time to read and hear my thoughts on this. I'm sorry if they are a bit scattered. Sometimes organizing my thoughts is difficult (especially when I am helping with school work, answering phone calls, and more all while trying to write a post). :) I would love to hear your thoughts as well! Please share your comments and emails with me! I would most certainly love to hear them (even if you don't agree). If you don't agree...I do just ask that you talk in love and respect to me as I will to you! :)

I have just intertwined some pictures from home in this post! I hope you have enjoyed them!

A letter from the child we sponsor through Compassion. I treasure these letters! They are just too sweet...

Although super cold outside...we are enjoying some sunshine...

Thanks so much for visiting! I encourage you to be a helper to those around you. If you are married...after your relationship with the Lord...remember your husband comes first. Be submissive (even when it isn't easy) and you will honor the Lord in your behavior!

I really gotta run! This is why my posting has lessened over the years....it just takes so much time and thought to post! ;o) I hope you will bear with me! Have a great weekend friends!

Warmly,
Katy

Compassion

Compassion is, as defined by the merriam-webster dictionary, sympathetic consciousness of others' distress with a desire to alleviate it.

As humans, and especially as Christians, we should be full of compassion. This comes first by realizing humanities' dire condition. We are each born with a sinful nature. We are separated from God. We *need* a Savior and the *only* One Who could be that is God Himself. Jesus Christ's perfect life, His death and His conquering of death with His resurrection is our only hope. He is the *only* way to the Father. We can be saved...even the most wretched of people can come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Believing in the good news of Jesus Christ and repenting of our sinful behavior (which happens when a heart truly longs to be with Christ) is our salvation! We are to spread the gospel in love....raising our children with a gospel centered mindset as well as sharing the gospel with others. Physical suffering is wretched...but the loss of one's soul is worse. You cannot live out the good news. You must proclaim it...and your life of good fruit will reinforce your beliefs to a dying world. It will draw people to Christ.

With a heart full of compassion, we share the gospel and then we attend to the physical needs of the suffering. Poverty, disease, hunger...there are needs beyond imagination. We live in plenty. My home is simple and in much need of repair and renovations. But the Lord has provided abundantly for us. We are warm when it is cold outside. We have food to fill our stomachs. We have Bibles to soak in His Word. We have clothes to cover our bodies. We have the ability to educate our children. We have soft mattresses and warm blankets to sleep with. We have clean, running water to drink and bathe (many do not). We have vehicles to transport us from one place to another. So despite the fact that our government would put us in the category of *low-income*, we are truly wealthy. We do not need a thing...not one single thing.

And then you look around you or around the world and know that there are millions of people living on barely anything. People earn less in one day than the price of what people will pay for a coffee! As Christians, we are to tend to the needs of those with less. We can do so locally and also by sponsoring a child through Compassion. My family and I have decided to do this and are sponsoring an adorable little girl through Compassion. If we, on the *low income* category of our country can do this...then most anyone can!

I am not one to trust big companies...I must admit. I have been weary of sponsoring a child as I fear that quite often, the money gets sucked into other places (or the pockets of greedy men or women). I spoke with a lady who has been sponsoring a child for over 10 years (and actually just came back from visiting that child halfway around the world!). She is a woman who would not put up with hanky-panky nonsense happening with money that was meant for a needy child. She is a huge advocate for Compassion and saw what her donations did to help that child. You can read more about their financial integrity HERE.

I trust that God is sovereign over all things...that is where my trust lies. Not in men...but in God. I trust that when we send this money and prayer over this little girl that we are sponsoring, that God is in control of it and He will properly care for her. I have *such* comfort in that! So, we have committed to sponsoring this sweet girl for as long as we can afford it....which I trust to be until she no longer needs the help, for God is gracious and good.

I am not saying that you *must* sponsor a child. I know so many who give of their money, time and energy to children (and adults) who are struggling right in our own areas. But, if the Lord lays it on your heart, I pray that you will consider this as well. There are children who have been waiting months upon months for a sponsor. What a beautiful thing it is to give.

He who is generous will be blessed

 for he gives some of his food to the poor. 

~ Proverbs 22:9

No matter what you do....do it all to the glory of God. May He be glorified in our giving. May lives be touched, improved and brought to the feet of Jesus.

When we give, we are to do so quietly and not announce it from the rooftops (Matthew 6:3)...and I pray that my sharing this post is not going against that. I only mean to draw more people to the act of giving...and to show that you don't need to be America's version of wealthy to help others. People *need* the gospel...and they need our compassion for physical needs. Sometimes, it takes someone talking about it to stir our hearts a little...that is my intention here. May your heart be stirred and encouraged to give to any who need it...near or far....all done out of love and a selfless, Christ-honoring heart!

In love and tenderness,
Katy

*This post was written straight from my heart. Other than sponsoring a child, I have no affiliation with Compassion International. :)

An Open Letter to Christian Wives

My passion beyond studying theology and growing closer to Christ is about how I can be a better wife, mother, and woman...all to His glory. I hope, if you are a Christian woman, that this is your passion too! I hope you will take a moment to read on for the words I have to say are so important... Books such as The Excellent Wife: A Biblical Perspective , Home-Making and now this one: The Fruit of Her Hands: Respect and the Christian Woman encourage us as wives, mothers and homemakers. There are many more as well...but these are great places to start! I highly encourage you to seek out and read these books as soon as possible...they are doctrinally sound and chock full of nourishment for your heart!

“Home is the true wife’s kingdom. There, first of all places, she must be strong and beautiful. She may touch life outside in many ways, if she can do it without slighting the duties that are hers within her own doors. But if any calls for her service must be declined, they should not be the duties of her home. These are hers, and no other one’s. Very largely does the wife hold in her hands, as a sacred trust, the happiness and the highest good of the hearts that nestle there. The best husband—the truest, the noblest, the gentlest, the richest-hearted—cannot make his home happy if his wife be not, in every reasonable sense, a helpmate to him.

In the last analysis, home happiness depends on the wife. Her spirit gives the home its atmosphere. Her hands fashion its beauty. Her heart makes its love. And the end is so worthy, so noble, so divine, that no woman who has been called to be a wife, and has listened to the call, should consider any price too great to pay, to be the light, the joy, the blessing, the inspiration of a home.

Men with fine gifts think it worth while to live to paint a few great pictures which shall be looked at and admired for generations; or to write a few songs which shall sing themselves into the ears and hearts of men. But the woman who makes a sweet, beautiful home, filling it with love and prayer and purity, is doing something better than anything else her hands could find to do beneath the skies.” 
~ J.R. Miller

Sometimes, we as wives and mothers (in my opinion) can give ourselves *too* much grace.  **Please know that as I write my intention is not to be cruel but to lovingly hold us (myself included) accountable to the noble task we have been given as wives and caretakers of our family (and home).** Let me take a few paragraphs to elaborate on what I mean by too much grace. Life is a balance of truth and grace. The truth is that you were designed and created to be a helpmate to the man you married. Your job is to help him in whatever way he needs you...and the bible places us primarily in the home. If you are neglecting your home, you are not being obedient to the Word of God.  Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,  to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.   ~ Titus 2:3-5
Does this mean perfection? Not at all. It means keeping up with daily tasks...caring for your children and doing the things that makes your husband happy. Does your husband like his clothes ironed? Do your best to iron them then. Does your husband enjoy a tidy home? Then keep it tidy (even if you have little ones, let them help! Right before daddy comes home from work, do a 15 minute clean up of toys.) Maybe your husband desires a hot meal when he gets home from work...make it your priority to have that as often as possible for him.
Caring for your home doesn't mean it has to be magazine-worthy day in and day out. It's about keeping up with it to the best of your ability (realizing that we all have seasons of life that make this easier/more difficult at different times). This is where grace comes in. Every day is not going to be perfect, you simply must give yourself grace. This must have boundaries though. You are going to have an off day from time to time...it happens. But in general, it *is* possible to keep your home tidy. Constantly making excuses as to why you can't keep a tidy home is giving yourself *too* much grace. If you desire to honor God, then you must fulfill your calling as a wife (and mother). It's not an easy task but it is what you are here for. This is how you glorify God. 
Let's use the picture of our eating habits. If we generally eat a healthy diet, that one indulgence of dessert now and then isn't going to damage us. But if we are constantly sneaking treats or just eating "whatever" ~ we are going to gain weight and damage our health. So it goes with our homemaking. If we generally keep the house tidy and have an off day now and then, our husbands should understand (as they follow their biblical guidelines of loving us as Christ loves His church). 
Telling yourself you are just "not organized" or that you are just a "messy" person doesn't cut it. Millions of women over the years have kept their homes (doing laundry by hand, making all meals from scratch, and managing children etc.). I don't see how, with the appliances and luxuries (like running water) we have today, some women are falling short in this area. It's almost as though they don't realize what a privilege it is to be a caretaker of their husband, children and home. 
  "As the Christian woman takes stock of her resources and abilities, she can be motivated to make her home lovely in a Christ-honoring way. She can seek to make her home beautiful to please God. The pagans may want to impress one another, but the Christian can delight in Christ.   This may provide an entirely new motivation for Christian women to keep their homes clean and organized and to be always working to make them more beautiful, given the resources God has given to them." ~Nancy Wilson, The Fruit of her Hands
Again, don't get me wrong...my house is far from perfect and **I** am far from perfect. I am not saying the Bible commands our perfection....rather a glorifying of Him and respecting of our husbands by keeping up with the tasks we have been given. 
"God has designed your husband to need respect, and He has commanded you to be the principal source of it. As you obey God in this, you will see that an obedient respect for your husband will always have positive consequences." ~ Nancy Wilson, The Fruit of her Hands 
Sometimes, if you have let your house go for too long, the clutter can be terribly overwhelming. There are wonderful resources online to get you back on track though! Free videos on how to best organize your home are scattered on youtube. A couple places I enjoy and find help and encourage me with my home are A Bowl Full of Lemons and Alejandra. I also have a site called Simply Organized Homemaking where you can find some helpful articles (if you have any specific things you would like me to try and cover, please feel free to contact me!). Ask a friend or family member to help you. 
If you have children, they should have chores (or at least be responsible to clean up after themselves). This not only helps you but helps teach them responsibility and how to care for their own things properly. You can go HERE to see how I make simple (inexpensive) chore charts for my children. 
"Young women desperately need a picture of Godly homemaking in a culture that derides and despises the mother at home." ~ Nancy Wilson, The Fruit of her Hands
It's not my intent to anger you (although I am sure some of you who are reading this right now are)...but rather to admonish us as followers of Christ ~ to live our lives in a way that is truly pleasing to Him. There is more to be said...such as rearing children in a God-honoring way which I wrote about HERE. My goal today is to focus more on our roles as wives in the home. 
I am reading another excellent book called: "Reforming Marriage Revised Edition by Douglas Wilson . It is full of absolutely wonderful, biblical wisdom! I was going to include some of that in this post...but I am realizing this post is incredibly long enough! So look forward to seeing that post sometime in the near future. 
My prayer is that you are blessed here. Do not fret if you have fallen into a rut of disorganization or clutter. Just make it your goal to begin getting things on the right track. After that, it is only a matter of up-keep! If I can be of any help to you...please, please feel free to contact me by a comment here or email me! I love to hear from you!
In loving kindness, Katy

            

A Fight for Life

I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind.
Some come from ahead and some come from behind.
But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see.
Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!
~Dr. Seuss

I probably cannot name one single person who has not been affected by the terrible disease of cancer in one way or another. Maybe you have fought (or are fighting) this disease or know someone who is. So many suffer with it...tearing from us ones we know and love. When I hear that someone has cancer, often I feel so helpless. I cry out to God in prayer but always wish there was more I could do. Today, I have been given the chance. I thought that maybe, just maybe, you would want to help too! ;)

We have family friends, whom we love. We grew up knowing each other most of our lives! The eldest daughter and I grew up together in church and graduated high school together. Her mother, Jamie, is battling lung cancer (this is not her first run-in with this awful disease, either, as you can read HERE). She is a sweet and loving woman...always striving to be a strong and good mother to her three children. She has a wonderful sense of humor and is generous with her time and abilities. *** I just know, if you knew her, you would like her too! :) *** Jamie's children are all adults now, having children of their own...and oh how she loves those grandchildren of hers (and one still being formed in it's mother's womb)!

One day, I was at my dad's garage and Jamie came in...she looked defeated and heavy-hearted. I asked if she was okay and she said she wasn't. I didn't press for information though. Once she had left, I prayed for her and have done so, each time she is brought to mind. I didn't realize until recently that she was diagnosed in the fourth stage of lung cancer.

My friend, Jamie's daughter, is trying to help her mother relieve some of her stress from all that she is going through. We all know that much of this burden, unfortunately, can be financial. So, in an attempt to raise money to aid her mother's finances during lost work time and tests and treatments, she has started a website called Cakes to Fight Cancer.

I know the hearts of the readers who visit here. Your always loving encouragment and support through comments and emails show me who *you* are. So, I come to you, first asking for prayer for Jamie. This is the first and most important thing we can do. And next, to consider entering (through donation of any amount) a monthly raffle for one of these fantastic specialty cakes my friend makes! You can see some photos of her cakes HERE. Talk to your husband first...and pray about it...every little bit helps and you just may win one of the monthly raffles to enjoy one of these *fantastic* cakes!

You can go HERE to learn more and HERE to donate...all donations are safe and secure. I thank you so much for reading and praying...as I know even if you can't afford to give *monetarily* that you will pray ~ our God hears those prayers...Thank-you, thank-you dear friends!

Warmly,

Katy

"We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand... and melting like a snowflake. Let us use it before it is too late."~Marie Beyon Ray

Duties of a Loving Mother

One of the best tools I have found for raising your children in the fear of the Lord (second to the Bible) is the book The Mother at Home by John S.C. Abott. This book was written in the 1800's but oh-so-full of valuable wisdom and thoughts. I have underlined many sentences in my book...things that really stuck out to me...but the whole book is very good. I will share a few of the sentences I have underlined and even quote the pages they are on. If you desire to be a strong and loving mother with obedient and happy children ~ I completely recommend this book!

"...as the mother is the guardian and guide of the early years of life, from her goes the most powerful influence in the formation of the character of man." (The Mother at Home, p. 2)

"His character is now, in an important sense, in your hands, and you are to form it for good or for evil." (The Mother at Home, p. 11)

"If you would be the happy mother of a happy child, give your attention, and your efforts, and your prayers, to the great duty of training him up for God and heaven." (The Mother at Home, p. 12)

"Obedience is absolutely essential to proper family government." (The Mother at Home, p. 13)

"...there should always be authority sufficient to enforce prompt obedience, whether the child can see the reason of the requirement or not." (The Mother at Home, p. 15)

"Never give a command which you do not intend shall be obeyed." (The Mother at Home, p. 16)

"...just so far as any mother allows her authority to be disregarded, so far does she expose herself to the contempt of her children, and actually teaches them lessons of disobedience." (The Mother at Home, p. 18)

"A mother must have great control over her own feelings--a calmness and composure of spirit not easily disturbed--or she will be occasionally provoked to acts of injustice by the misfortunes of which her children are the innocent cause." (The Mother at Home, p. 38)

"Every effort should be made to make home the most desirable place; to gather around it associations of delight; and thus to form in the mind of your child an attachment for peaceful and purifying enjoyments." (The Mother at Home, p. 44)

"Let a mother feel grieved, and manifest her grief when her child does wrong. Let her, with calmness and reflection; use the discipline which the case requires. But never let her manifest irritated feeling, or give utterance to an angry expression." (The Mother at Home, p. 49)

"It is the motherly influence, after all, which must be the great agent, in the hands of God, in bringing back our guilty race to duty and happiness." (The Mother at Home, p. 123)

"O mothers! Reflect upon the power your Maker has placed in your hands! There is no earthly influence to be compared with yours." (The Mother at Home, p. 123)

***Truly, this book is full of wonderful wisdom...if you can, please read it. I am reading it for a third time and will probably re-read it many times over! :) If you *have* read this book, I would love to hear your thoughts on it! Or, do one (or maybe all) of the quotes above speak to your heart? To discipline correctly creates a more loving and enjoyable home life! :)

Some pictures, from my home...

We finished, reading together, Little House in the Big Woods and began reading Little House on the Prairie. The children love it...and so do I! :)

Gifts for a friend...

Fresh bread from the oven...

After cooled, carefully put into bags and tucked into the bread drawer...

Lamplight on a rainy day...

A love note ~ from Xavier to me...

Madelyn reading...

Her newest reading choice...

Progress on my knitting (for other pictures of the afghan you can go HERE)...

My newest skirt and knit tights from HERE...

I pray that you, as mothers, have found encouragment in this post, today. I pray if you are struggling with your duties or feeling inadequate, that you will order the book I mentioned at the beginning of this post. You *will* find answers and encouragment! :) The Almighty, the great I Am, created *you* to be the mother of the child/children you were given. He will give you the strength, grace, patience and power to fulfill your role properly. Lean on Him, stay in prayer and use proper wisdom and guidance. You *can* be the mother you truly want to be! :)

Warmly,
Katy :)

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. ~Ephesians 3:16-20

Loving Encouragement in Truth

Like I had mentioned in my post, yesterday, I am reading Reclaiming Christianity: A Call to Authentic Faith by A.W. Tozer. Wow! It is passionate and a definite must-read for all Christians, in my opinion.

I don't know about you...but for me, I struggle with knowing when I am acting in a righteous way or not (in some things). There has always seemed to me that there is a fine line between unrighteous judgment and righteous judgment. Of course *self*-righteous judgment is wrong. Judging by my standards is absolutely not the way God wants us to do things. However, as Tozer brings up in his book, as the church of God (I don't mean an individual building...but Christians who make up the *church*), we are to stand against the things of the world and the evil one.

Of course, we are to live in absolute love, always. However, we are not to condone, accept (or especially participate) in things that are clearly spoken of as wrong-doing in God's Word. How can it be loving, to know another is engaging in things that are not of God, and not gently and lovingly warn them? We should have a heart for restoration...not condemnation. A heart of love....that wishes good for that other person. We should not bring up their faults to make ourself look "good".

Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
~Galatians 6:1

First, we must look into our own lives. Are we, in our actions and behavior, glorifying God in what we do? We must *not* be hypocritical. We should be living in authentic faith, ourselves, before restoring anyone else. But, again, I want to emphasize that if you are restoring someone...it must only be done in love, with glorifying God at the heart. It's not our job to pick people apart...but rather strive to help them because we love them and desire for them to love God and spend eternity with Him.

God has been opening my eyes so much lately. I have been praying for wisdom and knowledge on this issue. It is so important to me...because I would never want to hurt anyone...but at the same time, I don't want to mesh with the world by turning a blind eye to sin. For we are told....

For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
~Galatians 5:14

Knowing that thousands upon thousands of people die, daily, without the hope of an eternity with God....are we truly reaching out in love? Are we seeking to restore hearts to Him? If you were, unknowingly, on a path that led *away* from Christ rather than *to* Him...wouldn't you want someone to help turn you around?

Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
~James 5:19-20

I write to encourage you as I am being encouraged. I am not perfect. I'm not sitting here to condemn anyone...but rather, as Tozer, I genuinely hope and pray for the true restoration of the church. I am here, a simple wife and mother....just sharing what God has layed on my heart. He loves you and desires for you to be part of His flock. He is the Shepherd. Love each other, gently restore each other and walk in the Spirit! The example of our daily living, in Truth, is a huge testimony to those around us!

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
~Galatians 5:16

I encourage you to read THIS, entitled Encouragement to Soul Winners, from Charles Spurgeon. It's quite long...so you can skim and glean important parts or else...I hope you will set aside a quiet time to read it....if you can.

Thy Word is like a garden, Lord.
With flowers bright and fair;
And everyone who seeks may pluck
A lovely cluster there.
Thy Word is like a deep, deep mine;
And jewels rich and rare
Are hidden in its mighty depths
For every searcher there.

They Word is like a starry host:
A thousand rays of light
Are seen to guide the traveler,
And make his pathway bright.
Thy Word is like an armory,
Where soldiers may repair,
And find, for life's long battle day,
All needful weapons there.

~Edwin Hodder

My greatest hope is that you find encouragement in these words. Imagine the beautiful revival that can start when each heart is focused on Him. :) I would love for you to share your thoughts with me!

And before I go...I wanted to share a picture of the beautiful picture my mom found for me! Although I don't have a barn...it shows the sheep and chickens, I both dearly love! :) My mom knew that I would love it, to adorn my walls. She found it for a great deal...and I was so thankful for it! :)

I appreciate you coming by. Thanks so much for reading and sharing your heart with me. :)

Warm wishes for a beautiful day, friends!
Katy

Weigh Down!!!

So....over the years..I have been a yo-yo dieter. I would do really well...then gain the weight back, plus some. I felt like a failure and as my relationship has grown with the Lord...I desire to be the best I *can* be. I have even told my mom before, that I feel I serve God in every area of my life except with food/eating/my weight. That made me feel so horrible. I want to fully serve God in every area. After reading scripture about temptations....such as:

When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
~James 1:13-15 (emphasis mine)

...I truly feel that over-eating is sinful. Just like excessive alcohol drinking is....eating too much is bad for your body. God designed us a certain way....and carrying around too much excessive weight isn't good.



My mom had lent me, years ago, the book The Weigh Down Diet by Gwen Shamblin. I have read it before and set it aside. I like what she said...but my sinful self wanted to continue to over indulge myself. But I am truly at the point in my life that I have been broken. Not because I am completely obsessed about losing weight...but because I am sad and heartbroken that I am sinning in this way. I strive to live a life pleasing to our Creator....but I have been failing in how much I eat. So I am now re-reading the Weigh Down Diet and am turning all of my focus on Him...and have already repented and am implementing the methods in the Weigh Down Diet.

I must say...the Weigh Down Diet really isn't a diet. It's about filling your heart and life with God and watching portions. No crazy foods or counting calories. Just relying on your hunger to guide you. :) If you have weight to lose...and feel that in over-eating you have been living with that sin and are ready to let go...I invite you to join me in this! Let's gratify God and not ourselves! :) I encourage you to read HERE about the Weigh Down approach. :)

I would love to hear your thoughts about this and any encouragement and prayers are always appreciated!!! :) If you are joining me on this faith-filled walk for a lifetime....let's hold each other accountable and support each other! :) OK?

Organizing The Playroom

If you read my first post of 2010...you will know I am organizing my life...one area at a time. :) I try to stay pretty organized in general...but I definitely always have something to improve!

Last night, I felt frustrated because I noticed the playroom was out of sorts. I have helped the kids clean many times and I have even organized it before....but unfortunately, my kids don't always have the same *organizing anxiety* as I do...and it gets all befuddled.

I didn't take any before pics...I hadn't planned on even posting this. I was just focused on getting in there and getting it organized. We worked on it this morning. The kids helped...Madelyn especially. When she is in a *cleaning mood* ~ she is a fantastic helper! :)

It took a couple hours...but we got it done! :) We are going to start our schooling here in a bit. We all needed a bit of a break from the cleaning/organizing!

As you can see in the picture below...we have a cover over the windows in the room. I actually have cute valances in there..although you can't see them. The reason I put up the cover is because those are old windows that we haven't replaced with new ones yet and the cold air can blow in through there. The cover helps block some of that super cold air that we have up here in PA this winter!

Each toy has a spot! I am going to keep on the kids about keeping things picked up and put away in the right box. *We'll see how long it lasts!* I hope they start getting that Organizing Bug that I seem to have! ;)

We have a small shelf that holds some books. A lot of our books are kept on shelves down in the schoolroom....but some are in here as well.....

In tubs...we have blocks, play food, cars, and large play items.

As you can see...our tubs are pretty beat-up....but they still hold things and organize well...and to me, that is all that matters! :)

Just look at this play food the kids have....isn't that so much fun? They play kitchen with this play food and their kitchen items (pictured in the top pic).

So there you have it...an organized playroom!! :) YAY! Just walking in an organized room makes me happy! :) If you haven't already....check out my previous post. :)

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit! I enjoy reading your thoughts and comments! I read a great post on down--to--earth and really wanted to pass it on to others wives and mothers. It is really worth the time to read it! :) You can see it HERE.

If you are organizing around your home or plan to...I would love to hear all about it! As well as if you have a post on your blog of what you have done...please leave the link in the comments! I would love to visit!

Hope you are having a wonderful week!!!! :o)

It's Amazing What A Little Cupboard Can Do!

In efforts of organizing our schoolroom a little more...I got a cupboard from Walmart. Of course, there have been nicer ones I have seen...but they have just been too pricey. This one works and serves its purpose well! It's amazing how that little cupboard makes the room look sharper! :)

Today is Tax Day *Tea Party Day*!....and also my dad's birthday! :)
He turns 50 today!!!

In schooling...we are working on the application and memorization of Proverbs 11:3o. Madelyn read her Bible Reader and with that summarizes the story she has read and illustrates a picture about it. She works on math...which is focusing on giving and receiving direction from a location. We have also been discussing the Constitution (I have been explaining why we are going to this tax day Tea Party today). So far....she has most of our 50 states memorized in alphabetical order and we are almost done learning about all our pasts U. S. presidents. (Of course, this was an introduction to it and she will learn more about them in history lessons in higher grades.)
It's been going well...although we *do* have our days that aren't so good....but I believe the benefits of homeschooling outweigh the bad points! :)

And...I have finished up a couple dishcloths for my aunt....I think this color of blue is so pretty, don't you?

Well, I have things to do...so I should skeedattle....our local Tea Party starts at 3 pm in town...so I gotta get ready to go to that and then afterwards, we are going to my mom's house for supper to celebrate my dad's birthday! :) Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday...and if you can...go to a Tea Party!!! :)

Tea for two.......

For those of you, like me, who want our nation's leaders to follow the Constitution of the United States....and see how they aren't in a lot of ways...below are some inspirational quotes that just may soothe your spirit a bit. :) I will be attending a peaceable Tea Party in our town on April 15th. Will you?

This isn't about politics. It isn't about fanatics. It's about normal Americans....telling the government that they work for *us*. It's about standing up for the values and principles our forefathers set in place. If you are locally around me in Western PA and want info on a tea party...email me! (Link in left sidebar). If not....I encourage you to join in a tea party in your area next Wednesday! Stand up for what you believe in! :) That is what freedom is all about! This doesn't just affect us...this will affect our children! If you have any questions at all about all this...please feel free to email me or leave me a comment with your email address.

There will be literally thousands of tea parties going on that day! Our voices *will* be heard! :)
Do you realize that alot of things that are passing through the Congress and the Senate aren't even being read??? They are voting on things they haven't read!!!! How is that responsible and in our best interests? Things are being pushed through too quickly!

**To be honest...when I read a blog that sounds (or is) fanatical....I quickly click away. It stresses me out!!! But, most of you who read here know me in real life or through my years of blogging. You can see my heart and the love I have for people (I hope). I have firm Christian beliefs and values and I want to make sure my children have the freedom to have the same. I am passionate about keeping the values of our country in place...and as I watch as they fall to the wayside...I sit, heart pounding, thinking "what can I do?"....and now I *can* do something. You can too. You aren't alone.

I encourage you...if you agree with me...sign THIS petition and go to a Tea Party. Write and Call your Senators, Congressmen, and Representatives. Let's help rebuild this country...with the hopes of keeping life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness....as well as our freedoms and rights!!! :)

"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."
John Adams


"If we wish to be free, if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending, if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained _ we must fight!"
Patrick Henry

"(T)he foundation of our national policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality; ...the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained..."
George Washington

"Can the liberties of a nation be sure when we remove their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people, that these liberties are a gift from God?
Thomas Jefferson

"Government is not reason; it is not eloquence. It is force. And force, like fire, is a dangerous servant and a fearful master."
George Washington

"We must all hang together, or, assuredly, we shall all hang separately."
Benjamin Franklin

"Let us therefore animate and encourage each other, and show the world that a free man, contending for his liberty on his own ground, is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth."
George Washington

"The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms . . ."
GEORGE MASON

This is the tendency of all human governments. A departure from principle becomes a precedent for a second; that second for a third; and so on, till the bulk of society is reduced to mere automatons of misery, to have no sensibilities left but for sinning and suffering... And the fore horse of this frightful team is public debt. Taxation follows that, and in it's train wretchedness and oppression."
Thomas Jefferson

"We, the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow men who pervert the Constitution."
Abraham Lincoln

Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
Patrick Henry