Wednesday's What is this?

Here is a tutorial (kind of) on how to make homemade Laundry Detergent. (the powder kind)

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
Psalm 18:2

Treasure Tuesday

Over the course of the last couple weeks I have given quite a few things away as I'm spring cleaning, decluttering and just plain getting rid of things.
I had a gal who lives about a half-hour away from me take Princess's crib, that was a 3 in 1. It was first a crib, then a daybed (for a toddler), and then a full size headboard. Well, Princess no longer sleeps in it as she has a twin size bed in her room, so ALL it was doing was taking up space. I had thought of maybe using the headboard somehow, but let's face it, her room was NOT and is NOT big enough for a full size bed! She also took a few toys that I had confiscated through my cleaning efforts of Princess's room, and later took 3 1/2 bags of clothes and a brand new Sesame Street Umbrella stroller that we had maybe used twice.
I also have given away an end table that I don't need anymore, a kids' recliner that was kind of broke, but still worked as far as sitting in it goes. ALL of this stuff is just MORE than my house can handle right now! Bub was a little upset to give up his recliner, but let's look at this. He's 8 1/2 years old, doesn't sit in it anymore, and ALL it did was take up room! So after telling him I'd either buy him another one or figure something else out when we get a new house, he was perfectly fine with getting rid of it!
I truly hope that the things I have gotten rid of in the past couple weeks blesses someone else, they way they have blessed me in the past!

I hope everyone is truly blessed today, blessing someone else!

In Christ,
Audie

Miracle Monday

There have been many, many miracles in my life. Small and big.
The Lord is an awesome God, and He gives miracles to everyone each and every day. You just need to learn where to look for them.
When that single mom doesn't have enough money to buy dinner, but is able to find a clearanced Mac and Cheese, that is a miracle. When you have bills to pay and have no idea where the money is going to come from, and a friend remembers some money they owe you, that is a miracle.
We ALL have miracles, each and everyday, it's just how you classify them and whether or not you give thanks for them.
I could tell you about my miracle of my son, Bub. Or I could tell you about the miracle of my daughter, Princess. Or many of the blessings and miracles in between. But I think for today, I'll tell you of a miracle that I was blessed with just a few weeks ago. And although it's a small one, it's still a miracle of God.
For the last 2 years I have wanted to have a garden. My husband did not want me to plant a garden, for many reasons, but we'll leave it at that. Over the course of the last 2 years I've researched plants, figured out what went well together, found information on Square foot gardening, and tried to figure out the best way to store my harvest. Well, this year, my husband has FINALLY said I can have a garden. So I started planning. Well then, about 3 weeks ago the Lord blessed me with a fridge for free off of Freecycle.com, so that allowed me to put my old fridge in the garage AND have a place to STORE MY HARVEST!!!! This has TRULY been a miracle for me. Although it may not seem like it to you, the Lord blesses each of us in the way He knows our heart. He knows what we desire, and praise God thank you Jesus, He loves us THAT much, to provide those pleasures for us!

I hope you ALL have a blessed day in Christ!

In Christ,
Audie

Super Simple Spiritual Sunday

This post over at Mamas*Little*Treasures cracked me up!

And isn't it the truth?!?!?!?

Have a blessed day!

In Christ,
Audie

Sunday Seven

From: Sunday Seven: 52nd Edition

As we welcome a beautiful Mother's Day weekend, we invite you to end this week and begin the next by --

Telling 7 memories of your mother;

Telling 7 qualities you admire about your mother;

Listing 7 reasons you are glad to BE a mother; or

Making 7 ways in which you plan to be a better mother than you have been in the past.

I have been so blessed by my mother, as a child, growing up, and now as a mother myself.
My mother has always been a wonderfully giving person. Giving of herself to help her family, friends and others, and also giving of things that someone may need at the time.
She was also a stay-at-home Mom majority of the time us kids were growing up. Which I definitely believe was the main reason the three of us turned out the way we did.
My mom was always there for us, no matter what. And still to this day, is.
My mom worked hard to make a loving and wonderful home that we all lived in.
She also made sure we ALWAYS knew she loved us!
My mom always made sure we had everything we needed, and a lot of times wanted.
She wanted to make sure we had the best childhood my parents could give us, even sacrificing things they needed for us.
My mom has also carried this out in her grandchildrens' lives as well.
I have definitely been blessed to have my Mom!


Becoming a mother has also been a tremendous blessing to me.
I LOVE being a mother to my 8 1/2 year old son and my 3 year old daughter.
They teach me something new everyday! And I love showing them how to do something too!
The love to help mom and dad with anything and everything! Of course!
Watching them growing up these past few years has been so wonderful for me. To see who they are, and how they are literally blossoming before my eyes!
I honestly cannot imagine a more gratifying job in the world!
Being a stay-at-home Mom has definitely enhanced my life!
And to top it off, when I was little I couldn't figure out exactly WHAT I wanted to do as a job.....well, as most Mom's would agree with me, we do EVERYTHING imaginable!!!! LOL We are an accountant, a doctor, a nurse, a teacher, a chef, a baker, a gardener, a creator, a stretcher-of-the-money, a custodian, a banker, a librarian, a commander-in-chief, a keeper of the peace, and MANY, MANY more!!! And I LOVE it!!!!

I hope each and every one of you Mom's have a WONDERFUL day, spending time with the ones you love most, and the ones that love YOU most!

In Christ,
Audie

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

East to West by Casting Crowns

Fruit of the Spirit Friday

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ---Galations 22 & 23



The Fruit of the Spirit that I have been working on this week is Love.

Isn't it wonderful that the Lord has provided us an entire chapter in 1 Corinthians completely devoted to Love?
Through 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 we are shown that if we have SO many others things, but have not Love, we are nothing! NOTHING! Love is everything!

We are also shown in verse 13: But the greatest of these is love.

I encourage you to read 1 Corinthians Chapter 13. It is a WONDERFUL passage, whether you've read it a million times or not even once.

Have a wonderful day in the Lord!

In Christ,

Photo Friday

Princess LOVES her big brother!!!!

Thankful Thursday

Today I am EXTREMELY thankful for being able to plant gardens to bless my family. With the rising costs of food, it is awesome that we are able to grow our own fruits and vegetables to help stretch the paychecks that our husbands bring in!

Wednesday's What is this?

Wednesday's What is this? is a new meme brought to us by Nina over at Mamas*Little*Treasures. To learn more about it, and join others in this meme, please check her site out!


I know it's kind of hard to see in these.....





....I'm working on a drawing for my Sister-in-law.

New Meme....Have a looksie!

Starting May 13th, 2008
If you'd like to join, just grab your button by: right click on image; save image as; then paste the image to your post! That's ALL there is to it! :)







I know, I know, we have enough Meme's!!! LOL But, I have been thinking about starting a meme that encourages everyone to bless each other by decluttering their homes. Maybe there is something that you don't use anymore, maybe there is something you have never used. I want to encourage you, instead of having a yard sale or garage sale (whichever is used in your neck of the woods) make the effort to take your removed declutter to a thrift store, or even check out Freecycle to see if there is one in your area! Everything on freecycle, is just that, Free and recycled. That saying, 'One man's trash is another man's treasure' comes to mind.
I want to encourage each one of you, every Tuesday, to bless someone by giving something away. Whether it is giving it to a friend you know will be blessed by it, taking it to a thrift store, or giving it away on Freecycle. And maybe you don't have anything to give at this point, maybe you know someone who is having a rough time in their life, you could send them a card, or take them a flower from your yard.
Whatever it is you end up doing, post about it! Add your information to the Mr. Linky below and take a look at the others!

In Christ,
Audie

'Doesn't' Work for me Wednesday

Wow, what doesn't work for me? Now, I definitely don't say that in a 'everything works for ME' type tone. To be honest, I was all excited to say what DOES work for me.....but that's alright, life is ALL about change, right?
So, let's think here, what doesn't work for me is working on one single project until it's finished. I have to have a bajillion projects going on at the same time, as I tend to get bored working on ONE thing.
What doesn't work for me is doing things weeks in advance....which is definitely something I need to change. Because I'm a procrastinator....but this is a what 'doesn't' work for me post, right?!?! So that fits! LOL
What doesn't work for me are school districts changing the school boundaries every freakin' year, and then TWICE this year. So not only will my son be going to a different school next year, there is not a dang thing I can do about it! Which DOES NOT work for me!
What doesn't for me is laziness. That being said the last couple years I've basically tried to do what I absolutely HAD to do, not actually trying to bless my family. Which is so wrong, and so not satisfying. So, laziness does not work for me. The Lord has definitely been working on my heart with this.
And lastly for this week, what doesn't work for me is living IN a town. I would much rather live OUTSIDE of town. There are just too many things I want to do for my family, and without the space, it's just not possible.
So, I guess this wasn't a WHOLE lot of what doesn't work for me, but at least it's a start. I look forward to this next week, and I'll be thinking during the week about this as well, so hopefully I'll have some interesting ones!

I hope you ALL have a wonderful day!

In Christ,
Audie

Word Filled Wednesday

He waters the mountains from his upper chambers;
the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work. ---Psalm 104:13

I took this picture on an adventure we went on one day. I hope you enjoy!

In Christ,
Audie

Wordless Wednesday

Tackle It Tuesday

My bedroom was a disaster this morning, so that was my 'Tackle It Tuesday' project!!!

Before:


After:

Tuesday In Other Words First Edition

Hosted this week by Heather at Titus 2 Woman.

The Quote:

Therefore I am now going to allure her;
I will lead her into the desert
and speak tenderly to her.
Hosea 2:14

Four years ago, the Lord was speaking to me, and at that point I had decided to listen.

Like, Heather, I also had problems with being competitive, striving to be able to do ALL things equal to, or better than the person who COULD do them. I also had a hard time trying to be like 'everyone else'. In my mind, and heart, there was ALWAYS someone better than me, and it didn't matter what it entailed. I had no knowledge of who I was in Christ.
When I was 16 I was desperately trying to discover who I was. In my seeking, I decided to become pregnant. My son was born 6 months and 1 day later. My God watched over him day and night until he was ready to come home from the hospital 4 1/2 months later. Perfect as can be. However, even with becoming a mother of a premature son, I was no where closer to understanding who I was in Him. I was a HORRIBLE mother. I still lived with my parents, which gave me the ability to leave my son with them and go run off and do other things. I partied, I drank, I probably could have become an alcoholic, but praise God it didn't go that far. The one thing I did DO during that time which I believe was actually a good thing was graduating with my class. I was more determined than EVER to graduate high school, with my graduating class, and NOT become that statistic of a single-teenage-mother dropout.
I got a job, I worked full-time, I tried to become a better person. A better daughter, mother, friend....but nothing was working. I just lived 'through' life. I was still an awful parent. I moved out of my parents house and my son stayed with them. I look back now and can see where the Lord tried to get my attention, tried to help me with what I so desperately needed. But I denied Him.
It wasn't until I could no longer deny the fact that He 'was' there, and wanted to help me. My family had had a house fire about two weeks before, which just so happened to be in the basement, which was my bedroom. And as I left work early that day, as it was not very busy, I ended up in a car accident on the interstate. I had kind of side-rear ended a dump truck. I had been going 60mph, and the truck had only been going about 5 or 10mph as he was entering the interstate. I hadn't been paying attention, and at the last moment was able to swerve, but ended up popping the dump trucks' duel tires. At that moment, I actually felt arms around my body 'holding' me to the seat. As my vehicle came to a stop I realized I could have rolled down a hill, which thankfully, I did not. The poor man in the dump truck was numb to the fact that the person who had just hit him, was dead. He could not even come see if I was okay. He knew. He had been on the phone with his supervisor I later discovered saying a person hit him and there was no way that they were alive. At this point, I'm finding my cell phone in the rubble of glass on the floor boards of my car, and hit the numbers 3-3, and think no, 9-1-1. I finally get a hold of someone and tell them I'm fine, I don't need an ambulance. They send a cop AND an ambulance. After I had gotten off the phone with them, I realized my door was so smashed that I couldn't open it with the door handle. I had so much adrenaline rushing through my body I somehow managed to kick the door off of the actual car with my leg. Which is still amazing to me this day because there was NO room to even move. A man, in a blue truck, had stopped and asked if I was okay. The look of surprise on his face was weird, I'm pretty sure he thought I was a goner too. He asked if he could help me out of the car, and I told him that I was fine, but thanks. As I stepped onto the ground, my legs immediately felt like Gumby and gave out from underneath me. Thankfully the man grabbed me and stopped me from falling flat on my face. I never did get his name, but I have prayed for that man every day after that. I did end up calling my dad and letting him know what happened, and he showed up after the ambulance got there. I told the ambulance I did not need their medical attention, and they told my dad I needed to go to the hospital. Which is where I sat for the next 4 hours of hearing 'Does that hurt?' 'What about that?', as I was poked, prodded and annoyed. And I had 5 doctors tell me there is no way I should still be alive. Didn't find much comfort in that at the time, but hey. When I was finally discharged and riding with my dad on the way home, I started crying and blubbering like a 2 year old. 'I have no bedroom, and I have no car.'
That night, I went to Barnes Nobles and bought a bible I still use to this day. I gave my heart to the Lord that night and asked that He would forgive me of everything I had done. But most of all, I praise His Holy name that He loved me THAT much! To see me through that accident, to see me through everything that had happened in my life.
Which brings me to exactly four years ago. I had met a guy, in one of the most unlikely places. A bar. It just so happened he was in the Army and was in town for a conference with the bomb squad. And he was a Christian! We talked the entire night until he had to leave the next morning to go back to California. (Me in South Dakota) We talked for the next 3 months, day in and day out, sometimes ALL day and ALL night. In May, he asked me to go to an Army Ball with him in Florida. I went, to the surprise of myself and everyone else who knew me and had the most surreal time. At that point, I knew I would marry him. 4 months later, he asked me to move with him to Utah, we had only known each other 7 months! How crazy was this?!?!?! But, despite what everyone was thinking around me, I agreed. That was the first step in my life towards becoming and understanding who I am in Christ. I have lived here 4 years, in the absolute desert. And in this time, I have NEVER 'needed' anything. Wanted, sure. But our needs have ALWAYS been provided by Him. Have we had hard times? Yes, we have. But we have also grown so much closer in the time that we have known each other. I have become a better mother, and also welcomed our daughter into this world 3 years ago. I make mistakes, yes. I know I do, but I am His daughter! And He loves me with all that He is! And I grow and learn each and every day. But most importantly, I finally know who I am. And I don't honestly care what people think, that I don't act like them, that I don't fit in to society's way of thinking and doing. I am ME! I am the daughter of the Most High, who created me, to be ME!

I pray that today, you will find something you TRULY like about yourself, and thank God for that! And may He continue to bless each and every one of you, in Him.

In Christ,
Audie

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!!!!

Here are a couple songs to start out your Cinco de Mayo!!!!

La Bamba by Los Lobos


Live out Loud by Steven Curtis Chapman

Memory Verse Monday

The Lord showed me Matthew 12:33 Saturday, but it goes along with being His Chosen Servant, which is also something I have been meditating and praying on.

33: Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

Pretty interesting isn't it?!?!

Have a GREAT Monday!

In Christ,
Audie

Marriage Monday

Since Marriage Monday was started by Christine from Fruit In Season, I wanted to make sure I gave her the credit. However, there hasn't been a post about this or questions to answer since June of 2007, which I'm sure she's been extremely busy....so I guess this first post I will answer those questions, and later on I will ask some questions that seem valid for this meme, and then answer them too! :)

First question: What is your definition of a traditional marriage? Do you consider yours to be traditional or contemporary?
Now, this may be incorrect but I'm going to look at this as 'biblical/Christian' = Traditional marriage and non-biblical/non-Christian = Contemporary marriage.
I believe my husband and I have a more Traditional or biblical marriage. I have the traditional roles of being a Wife and a mother, taking care of the kids and the household, plus pets and whatever else I decide to add in there. And my husbands' main job is the primary provider for his family. In the very beginning my husband asked that I stay home with the kids, because he felt as a mother that is where I needed to be. Now coming from an environment where my father was the primary provider and mother was the primary caregiver, although not a traditional/biblical marriage, I didn't see a problem with this. However, having a job since the age of 14 years....now that was a little tough to overcome the first year I was home. What can I say, I was BORED!!!! Sure, I had a LOT of fun with my son, taking him to pre-school, being able to pick him up as well, and everything in between....but my goodness! What does EVERYONE do?!?!?! LOL It didn't take me long to figure out hobbies, activities, etc. to pass the time, but that first year was VERY difficult. I think most important here to remember about that first year was basically dying to the flesh. Yes, my husbands makes the money. Yes it is still mine too....I'm sure you know where I'm going with that! So.....next question.

Second question: What scriptures do you turn to (if any) when determining your role in your marriage?
To be honest, there are SO many scriptures that we can relate to marriage. Whether it is physical marriage, spiritual marriage, etc. I continually enjoy reading The Wife of Noble Character or Proverbs 31:10-31. I mean, how many of us can read that and think to ourselves...'I could NEVER be that woman?!?!?!' Indeed, we are not perfect, but we CAN become her! There is a site that I enjoy reading very much, it's called Laine's Letters. Although it's not been updated in some time now, she has SO much information to offer on this subject and many more concerning the heart, spirit, etc. One letter has DEFINITELY spoken to me on this subject, you can find that letter here. And I will post it along with this too.
This is honestly one of the most wonderful studies I've seen in a long time....see if you don't agree with me:
Dear Sisters,
Here we are back in the beautiful book of Proverbs. A beautiful part of Scripture that was originally a acrostic poem that King Lemuel learned from his mother orally. Each verse started with a letter of the alphabet that he was so familiar with. She would have written it like this and had him repeat it back to her (vs. 1: the "utterance" his mother taught him), so that he would never forget it. A wise way to help out own children remember Scripture and inscribe it upon their hearts. Let's take out our magnifying glass now and study these beautifully woven "stitches of Scripture" revealing the heart of a woman whose deeds speak love, love , love.

"Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies." Proverbs 31: 10

This verse starts out with a question posed to the man of God. It tells King Lemuel that he cannot find this woman on his own. He has to ask God for her. Only God can give him a woman that exemplifies wisdom. Only God can help a woman be a virtuous wife; and it takes a soft heart. He has to seek a woman whose heart pants for God as much as his own mother's heart did. The kind of woman whose goal is to practice righteousness and Godliness by serving those God gives to her. Proverbs 19:14 says, "Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the LORD." We must tell our children to take time to pray for the wife or husband God has for them. This is the second most important decision in their lives. (The first being their life given whole-heartedly to Christ!) Our sons want a woman who will love God more than them and more than their children. That is a balanced woman of God. As she will affect their career, their children, where they will live, the peace in their home, oh, so much, so much by either her obedience and submission to the Word of God or her disregard of it. Their wife makes them ONE together in Christ.

"The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain," vs. 11

This woman goes to work every day in her home with the absolute trust of her husband. She has earned his trust over the years. He knows he is only going to gain by what she does daily. You will see as the verses go on that he can trust her totally with his income (even to the point of buying land for them!) as she is a prudent woman. He can go to work in peace knowing she is doing only good for him and their children. He gains, gains, gains with her by his side. She has to be willing to learn or she could never have gone this far to gain his trust. He knows that most men do not have what he has in a wife. (We shall also see this as the verses go on.) She goes the extra mile. She crowns him with her wise living.

"She does him good and not evil all the days of her life." vs. 12

As I said before, this woman does good for her man. She is willing to learn how to live to bring good to him and her children. In fact, this woman will still be doing him good even if he dies before her. Because this woman is going to do her husband good until the day SHE dies. I know a recent widow who still crowns her husband by all the good she does. She did it when he was living during their 50 plus years of marriage, and she is still doing it by continuing the good she practiced while he lived. That man is crowned on earth and in heaven!!!

"She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands." vs.13

And what is the good that she does? Quite simply, I think it is the beautiful art of homemaking. Making a home a peaceful refuge for those who she loves. She is a "seeker". It takes seeking to bring the best home at the best possible prices (living within their means); and it takes working with her hands to bring the beauty out of what she has sought out. The key word in this verse is her willingness. She willingly works for her family because her work is crowning her LORD. It is a gift of God to enjoy one's work, and she has that gift. The gift is laid at His Feet daily.

"She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar." vs.14

Merchant ships were loaded with beautiful sights, smells, and delicacies. She is likened to this ship! She knows some of her seeking takes her away from home sometimes to bring home the finest fare at the best possible prices for her family. She is always seeking to lay on the table the BEST for her family, no matter the struggle meant for her to get it. She asks God to show her the way and to shop wisely. It might mean shopping several stores. It might mean shopping once a month an hour away at a store with great prices. It might mean "cooking research" and asking lots of questions. It might mean buying some co op and bulk buying. She is constantly willing to learn and willing to practice it all pleasantly for Him!

"She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants." vs.15

This woman does not sleep in. She is up before the dawn! How she can't wait to talk to the LORD. She is early on her knees recognizing that He holds everything she is and everything she has in His Hands. She is His Bondservant. How she loves His Word and asks Him to help her meditate on it all the day as she works. Oh, the peace, the peace she finds in His Presence. His joy is her strength! To provide spiritual food for her household, she must drink from the Living Well daily. For she cannot impart to her children what she does not possess. And Her Food is to do the will of Him Who set her in this family. To crown her husband by her obedience and righteousness and in so doing, crown Her beautiful, beautiful LORD. So, she must spend time alone with Him to do all that these beautiful verses teach. Once she has sent time in His Presence, then comes the serving! (As the LORD taught concerning Mary and Martha.) His joy is her strength! How she relishes her early morning encounters with her beautiful Savior. She's with the SON before the sun! She is excited to serve The One she has been blessed to spend time with alone in the early morning hours before the family has stirred. This is the preparation for her "spiritual food": "He awakens me morning by morning, He awakens my ear to hear as the learned. The LORD God has opened my ear; and I was not rebellious." Isaiah 50:4b-5

Now she works on her physical food. In her time she had servants and got them fed and going early in the morning. She was an "early bird who caught a lot of worms". In other words, she had a lot done before most women even got up. Today our "servants" are the refrigerator, oven, bread machine, stove, washer and dryer, mixer, crock pot, food processor, etc. These are the jobs her servants would have had to perform early in the morning for her. These are the "servants" in our home that we are wise to get going early in the morning as she did in her home. The sweet cooking smells draw the family into the kitchen where she is ready for them. She feels His joy as she serves them because she has sat at His Feet before she started her service. His joy is her strength!

"She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard." vs. 16

Remember she is prudent. She moves cautiously asking the LORD continually to guide her. She does not want to put her family into jeopardy by foolish, quick decisions. She is wise financially as well as with the use of her time. Will it take time away from her family? Will it put a burden on their finances? Her husband trusts her with some of the major financial decisions in the family, so she will use that trust wisely. She has her own profits from her work in the home (as we will see soon), so she has her own profits that she puts back into their land to produce even more for her family. She is definitely a picture of the wise servant Jesus told about who went to work right away with his talents to make more for His Master. She is always seeking to be a better steward of all that her beautiful LORD has entrusted to her. (This is even possible with a foolish husband as seen with Abigail and Nabal in 1 Samuel 25. Abigail's wisdom shines in this passage bringing much glory to her LORD.)

"She girds herself with strength; And strengthens her arms." vs.17

This woman is willing to learn. As she learns at His feet daily, she finds strength she never knew she had. "For bodily exercise profits a little, but Godliness is profitable for all things, having the promise of the life that is now and of that which is to come." ( 1 Timothy 4: 8) She is the opposite of the contentious woman; she has taken off the "ious" and is so content with what God has given to her to work with. She willingly learns to get better and better at it, in the process strengthening her arms as He grants skill to her hands by His grace. The raw material is handed to her; she learns how to work with it skillfully and joyfully; and hands it back to Her Beautiful LORD for His Glory. His joy is her strength!

"She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out at night." vs. 18

She has plenty of oil which signifies strength for her family. She is light as He is light. It does not mean that she doesn't sleep; it means that she is always ready for what He should have her to do. She was a seller of merchandise (linen garments) and a light in the window told those around her she had garments for sale. She was an enterprising woman. We can't help but think of the wise and foolish virgins of the parable in Matthew 25:1-13. This was a woman who was counted with the wise. Ready. Prepared. Alert.

"She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle." vs. 19

This was considered women's work. She realizes she is the "weaker" part of the union between her husband and herself. There is some work that her body is geared for and which her hands move "rythmatically". She was made for this kind of work. Her body reveals that. In her weakness is found His Strength. It gives her such pleasure to cloth her children. To see them wear her creations. No one can create what she will for those God has given her to love. It is such a unique and beautiful work. It cannot be duplicated. She is God's fingerprint leaving His Impression with her loving hands. Her husband provides the raw materials for their family; she takes those raw materials and fashions them into a home. His work is supportive. Her work builds on that support beautifully. He is the leader and provider. She is the sub divider and home manager; managing their God-given resources into a place on earth that everyone longs for- a home where you are fully loved.

Love,
Laine
*************************To find the first part of Proverbs and many, many more letters like this, visit Laine's Letters.
I'll add more scriptures later on, but personally Proverbs 31 is one of the greatest resources I turn to when I'm having a problem with my husband....which I think we can ALL agree, at that moment it is generally a problem inside of ME!!! LOL And Praise God for His Mercy on us!!!

Third and final question for today's meme: In the sharing of duties in your home (childcare, work, house cleaning), are you and your husband satisfied with the way things get done? If not, how would you or he like it to change?
You know, I will be the first to admit that I have been the one that was most DISsatisfied with the duties in the beginning. But as I've grown in the Lord, what I do and what my husband does is perfect in Him. It is how it's suppose to be, and I LOVE being a servant to my God and to my family. I honestly, would NOT have it any other way!

I hope this 1st Edition of Marriage Monday has blessed you!

In Christ,
Audie

HAD to pick both!!!

For Sunday's meme, I couldn't just choose one. I HAD to pick them both. They are both SO wonderful in the content that they share, that I thought Sunday's I would be ESPECIALLY appreciative.....not that I'm not ALL the time, but I thought it would be fun.

I hope you ALL are having a WONDERFUL and BLESSED Sunday in the Lord!

In Christ,
Audie

Sunday Seven Edition 1

Let's see......this week was actually a pretty decent week.
Seven things that have happened this week are:

1. Was able to spend quite a bit of time with dh and kids.
2. Was able to get my house tidied up.
3. FINALLY got my Mount Wash'more DONE!!!! :)
4. Started on the last piece of debt we needed to work on.
5. Mowed my front lawn for the first time this year.
6. Am watering my back lawn 'religously' , so to speak to 'green' it up.
7. And number seven is......I am becoming a faithful blogger!!!!

Okay, so there's not REALLY a whole lot going on in my life right now, but I'm okay with that. I am enjoying just 'being' and serving my God and my family. And that makes me feel great!

I hope each one of you had a blessed week, and are ready for another Blessed-filled week!!!

In Christ,
Audie

Super Simple Spiritual Sunday

One of my favorite post this week comes from Peggy over at Mazes, Messes and Miracles....aMAZING GRACE.

http://mazmagi.blogspot.com/2008/05/then-sings-my-soul-saturday-cubreme.html

Have a Looksie!

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

How You Live by Point of Grace



You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban

Bub and Princess Painting on the sidewalk!

I thought I'd add the caption for this picture:
This is ME.....painted by Bub

Fruit of the Spirit Friday

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ---Galations 22 & 23

The Fruit of the Spirit that I have been working on this week, and truth be known before that as well is Self-control.
So I thought we'd dig a little deeper into Self-Control.....shall we?

In Nelson's 'Three-In-One Bible Reference' Companion we are shown that Self-Control is the restraint or discipline exercised over one's behavior. The origin of Self-control is of course by none other than our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. Self-control involves ruling over one's spirit, having soberness, and control of the body(hmmm....bridling the tongue?) And of course, is hindered by, fleshly lusts, tongue, drink, s*xual sins, unclean spirits, and self-expressionism.

Now, you're probably wondering why 'tongue' is bold, and I happened to mention bridling the tongue. Well, this is one part of the self-control I have a VERY hard time with. I generally end up speaking at the INappropriate time or I don't say anything at all and let it bottle up inside me until I can no longer hold it and blurt it out to the next passerby'er(kind of an exaggeration, but close to it anyways), which could also be considered gossip.

I found an article the other day on one of my favorite sites (unfortunately is no longer updated, but extremely valid) Laine's Letters, you can find the specific article I am talking about here. And I 'encourage' you to read it, as she has a beautiful talent from the Lord for encouraging each and every one of us by what she writes.

This article is entitled 'Dying to Self', which I honestly believe has a LOT to do with self-control. And may actually be one of the most difficult things I have ever faced in my life. She wrote some beautiful stuff in this letter, but one of the things I made sure to print so I could put on my fridge was a poem she included called:
'Dying to Self' Author Unknown.

When you are forgotten, or neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you don't sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight, but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ.

THAT IS DYING TO SELF

When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take in all in patient, loving silence.

THAT IS DYING TO SELF

When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, any unpunctuality, or any annoyance; when you stand face-to- face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility-and endure it as Jesus endured.

THAT IS DYING TO SELF

When you are content with any food, any offering, any climate, any society, any raiment, any interruption by the will of God.

THAT IS DYING TO SELF

When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to record your
own good works, or itch after commendations, when you can truly love to be
unknown.

THAT IS DYING TO SELF

When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy, nor question God, while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances.

THAT IS DYING TO SELF

When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart.

THAT IS DYING TO SELF

Are you dead yet? In these last days, the Spirit would bring us to the cross.

"That I may know Him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship
of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death." Phil.3:10

A few months ago, I discovered I was pregnant. I was overjoyed, my husband not so much, but he got used to the idea. (men always thing $$$, women always think LOVE) However, things were going good, I was to see a specialist in a city about 3 hours away regarding a stitch placement. I was 11 weeks that friday afternoon as I walked with my husband and kids into the hospital. Only to discover my son had died at 8 weeks and 3 days. I was crushed. How could you not be. To know this wonderful, beautiful baby you had carried was no longer alive. His heart was no longer beating. I still have moments where I don't think my pain has eased at all, and others where I know he is truly with the BEST parent of all, my God! And isn't He an AWESOME God!!! Knowing that, does make it easier, but it's still hard. I share this story with you because there is ALWAYS a reason for everything, just as there is a season for everything. I believe my little Connor John was here for appointed time to help his Mommy die to herself. Die to MY flesh. This life that I have was NOT given to me for MY own. This life was given to me for my Father! So that He may live though ME. That I might serve HIM, in any way, shape or form that I can. And what a honor it has been! Discovering why you are truly here, is when you start dying to the flesh. And I believe when you are dead to the flesh, and we all make mistakes -- it can LIVE again, but when we are TRULY dead to the flesh is when we can stand with self-control. It definitely is NOT an easy thing, but just like anything, practice makes perfect, and try, try again!

May the Lord continue to bless you ALL!

In Christ,
Audie

'How Great Thou Art' Sung by Carrie Underwood

Blog Party!

This is a GREAT way to meet fellow bloggers! Mommy's and others alike!

Come have a looksie and see what's it all about!

Thankful Thursday

Today is Thankful Thursday!

I am thankful for ALL of the things the Lord has been showing me and teaching me.
I am thankful for the growth that I am able to see in my life as a result of the Lord.
I am thankful for my ONE TRUE God, the ONLY WAY!
I am thankful for my family, extended and so on.
I am thankful for my wonderful husband and wonderful children.
I am thankful for the AWESOME blessings the Lord has given us, and also for the ones we are about to receive.
I am thankful for EVERYTHING the Lord has provided; which, let's face it, is EVERYTHING!
I am thankful for such a wonderful group of Ladies on Old Fashioned Families.
I am thankful that we currently have freedom of religion, and the freedom to post what we believe.
I am thankful for a new and fresh start each and every morning.
I am thankful for prayer, and the opportunity to talk to God whenever I need/want to.
I am TRULY Thankful that today is Thursday, which means tomorrow is Friday!!! Praise the Lord!
And I am EXTREMELY thankful for a God who is just, merciful, loving, kind, and who loves us SO much He would rather die than be without us! PRAISE GOD THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!

'Here with Me' by MercyMe

One of my FAVORITE shows!!!!

Tune in for the 2nd Season of ARMY WIVES!!!! :)

Praise God Thank You Jesus!!!!

Praise God! It is SO wonderful to know, and not know, when someone is praying for you! To know that someone is thinking about you, and lifting you up to Christ to help you with whatever you may be going through!
In a way, this reminds me of this song that I wanted to share today! I hope it blesses you!