Quiet Life Homestead

Daily Devotion 284

October 11

Can Gifts Be a Snare?

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 3:14

A story is told of a Greek who had spent many years working in a foreign country. Before he returned home, he used all his fortune to purchase a diamond. He was traveling home by ship to spend his last years with his family. After some time of rest in his room, he decided to go up on deck to see what was happening. He discovered interesting games taking place. He felt he could also put on a show. Quickly he decided to get his diamond. He started throwing this gem up into the air. He was a talented juggler, and he would catch the diamond just before it hit the deck. The onlookers cheered. He did this several times and successfully had it land into his hands. But the game ended poorly. For some unknown reason, the sea waves drew the ship slightly off course. He vainly struggled to catch the diamond, but down into the sea it disappeared. What a sorrowful man he was!

What caused this man to act this way? Today’s Scripture passage tells of a mortal standing in the place meant for God alone, and there is an inner urge in each of us to impress others. Thoughts and actions arising from self glorify the creature rather than the Creator. Often I have caught myself in this kind of snare: trying to show the best of myself in the way I say or do things. Only God deserves honor and glory for what I am. I have since surrendered to God all He has given to me. I have asked Jesus’ blood to cleanse me of this impurity. I have fully made up my mind not to allow any gift to honor myself but God alone.

Collins Okoth, Nakuru, Kenya

Jesus calls us to a life of humility.

Bible Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2

One Year Bible Reading Plan:

Colossians 2

Isaiah 43, 44

Used by Permission of Vision Publishers

PO Box 190, Harrisonburg, VA  22803

Phone:  877-488-0901

E-Mail:  [cs@vision-publishers.com]

The cool night air

Finding Simplicity in doing dishes

Okay, I have a confession to make. I HATE washing the dishes! It is the least favorite of all my chores, and I really don't mind my other duties that much, but for some reason I have never been able to find peace or happiness in washing the dishes. I've tried, oh, how I've tried.

It all goes back to childhood, I guess. The dishes were my job as soon as I could reach the sink. We never had a dishwasher until I was about to move out of the home. My mom would inspect the dishes each time I did them, and if she found one speck left unclean, I had to wash all of them all over again. This made me learn to wash the dishes very well, but at the same time despise the job.

So as soon as I moved out and got married, well, at first we ate off disposable everything, and if any dishes were dirtied, they sat in the sink sometimes for days. (I know, I'm so ashamed) After we bought our first house, a gift from my husband was a dishwasher, and I've had one almost ever since. After we filed bankruptcy and had to move into a rental, I even talked my husband into buying me a portable dishwasher, which is what I still have.

Now here's the problem, my kitchen is kind of small and shaped awkward so that there is not room for the dishwasher, so I'm not able to use it, but I found out that Maytag sold a conversion kit to make the portable into a regular dishwasher, and I even already have a hole cut for it . I ordered the conversion kit over 3 months ago, and they have decided that they don't want to make this part any more, and I am getting my money back and now have a dishwasher being used as a clutter catch all sitting in my living room. The last few months I have wavered between using disposables and having a sink full of dishes all the time.

So I am learning to find simplicity in washing dishes, maybe even some peace and happiness. I sat there today with my hands in the hot and soapy water and the breeze blowing in from the window above my sink, and the sudden quietness, (my children were locked playing in their rooms quietly, for once) and I felt such peace as I washed those dishes, so much so, that I actually looked forward to washing them after lunch and dinner. (Crazy, huh?!) I suddenly realized that washing the dishes gave me a sort of mental break. I didn't really have to think about what I was doing. What a blessing this has been.

sara

October 10, 2008

Well, hubby is back safe and sound from his overnight to Kentucky. I called him this AM when I got up for work, and all was well. He had a partner with him, but he said that he (DH) drove on the way home. I kind of figured he would. He drives on 98% of our trips anywhere. He's a good driver, and besides, I tend to sleep whenever I am in the car )passenger side)! LOL!

We finally have Amelia set and ready for work. She starts tomorrow!  She got her physical and we went to pick up her uniforms today. Of course, she looks adorable! Black pants, white tuxedo shirt, black vest and black tie. We just returned from having to search at the Mall for some black shoes. I wouldn't have went there, but they closed our Payless Shoe Source this spring! I'll post pictures when I get some (probably tomorrow) of her in her work uniform....

Last night, Amelia slept with me. She asked if she could, and who am I to say "No" to my 15 year old? All too soon, I won't have her and she'll be grown with a family of her own.... So, my baby girl slept with me last night.  I woke up about 1:30a to do what I always do in the middle of the night, and I saw the upstairs light still on, and 2 children (11 year odl son and 14 year old daughter) up there giggling and carrying on.... so I told them to turn the lights out, and of course, when I got back to bed, I still hear my very disobedient young man still carrying on. But 4:00 am comes way too early for me anyway, and if I would have gotten back up, I would have been awake all night.

THIS TIME, I let it go, cause I KNEW he would get tangled in his little snare before the day was out... and he did. He asked the same question of both DH and I 3 times today and got the same answer... he wanted to go out front to play.

Now mind you, he's grounded, but we have been allowing him a bit more freedom these days due to good behavior. But after asking 3 times if he could go out front, and being told 3 times, "No, you cannot."

DH came in the house to talk to me about his trip, and within 2 minutes.....

Our son had snuck outside and down the road!!!!!!!!!!

Because he said, "I wanted to walk...."

Can we say.... "Grounding again, with a more strict regimen this time?"

*SIGH*

What are we gonna do with him?

Any suggestions?

Anyone?

~Blessings~

***Vegetarian Soup Recipe ***

Cleaning the house

NEWSTART... and disclaimer

I assigned categories for the pieces of health information that I plan to write about.  These categories focus mainly on the acronym NEWSTART.  I have added a couple other categories which really do not relate to the NEWSTART acronym, and may continue to add a category or two as necessary. 

The NEWSTART acronym is described below:

N- Nutrition

E - Exercise

W - Water

S - Sunshine

T - Temperance

A - Air

R - Rest

T - Trust in God

Remembering the different parts of NEWSTART can help one to remind themselves of the areas that can improve one's health.  We hardly ever fall apart because of ONE problem, but rather it is usually a combination of health struggles.  Making changes in one area may show improvement, but it likely is not going to be a lifelong answer to our struggles.  NEWSTART can help us towards a healthier lifestyle.  It isn't about diet to lose weight, or sleeping pills to get our rest, but simply getting back to what we were designed to live by. 

DISCLAIMER:

A disclaimer that I want to add is that some of us have bodies that are far along in disease processes.  Changing late in the game is likely not going to cure us, however, we may see decreased symptoms by making healthy lifestyle changes.  A diabetic may still be a diabetic, but their blood sugar levels  are easier to control.  Also because of sin,  our bodies have become run down after generations of misuse.  That means our children can have problems like allergies or other horrible diseases that are not caused by how they are living, but rather a compilation of problems in our own genetics that we have passed down to them, or problems caused while growing in the womb...not to mention the exposure of so many things that are just considered normal these days... (chemicals, pesticides, immunizations, pollution, etc.) that can adversely affect one even though many others can take those exposures without much of a symptom at all.  So, do be realistic in making changes, they won't cure us overnight and they may not cure us at all.  Some changes may relieve us of some symptoms, but some changes could be detrimental to our specific medical condition.     

What does that mean?  If you have a medical condition or your children are sick, please read for guidance of where to go for information, not to substitute for medical treatment.  Making changes without your medical doctor's knowledge can cause big problems.  Medications you may be on may become too strong when making changes to a healthier lifestyle and without some guidance from your doctor on how to wean from your medications, you may end up sicker trying to live healthier than when you just lived "as is" with your medications.  Also, if you are ever feeling concerned or overwhelmed with a situation, do not try to do it on your own, just because it is healthier.  Our gut feelings are there for us to seek help.  And sometimes we do not notice something going terribly wrong because we are untrained in knowing what to look for. 

Now, I do not want this to deter you from trying natural remedies or lifestyle changes.  Just when you do it, make wise choices and if under medical care, take it to your doctor to explain what you are wanting to try.  Some doctors are not supportive of healthy lifestyle/home remedies... in that case, find one who is and one who knows what you are talking about because not all doctors know what home remedies even are as many are not trained in that area or they have seen disasterous cases from one trying to cure themselves on their own.  Often a person will misdiagnose a problem and the "cure" they are using will never work, but only cause the problem to continue without restraint. 

 Many medical missionaries treat others with home remedies and teach unschooled mothers and fathers in treatments where medical facilities are too far away or too expensive.  These treatments are taught and used all over the world and have improved lives.  Why we don't use them here in America boggles my mind.  With medical care so expensive and drug treatments sometimes noneffective or the side effects so damaging, we need to go back to some simple ways of healing. 

In summary, I do not feel anyone should be afraid of remedies or lifestyle changes.  Many changes are as simple as not eating cheetos and eating a whole grain cracker instead.  Some home remedies you can practice even while on medications and see increased results above what just the medication alone will do.  As your skill improves, you will feel more confident.  As time goes by, you will understand how our bodies work and see why something will or will not work in a situation.   Be wise in your decisions; pray and ask for guidance. 

Warmly, ~Melissa

Friday at Home

Hello all,

     I pray your week has been blessed in all things. We have been busy working away on homeschooling and homekeeping. We've had some training issues here at home with the kids and have been working on that also, mostly discontentment and sibling rivalry.

I'm so thrilled that we have finally worked out a homeschool routine that is working for us. We have managed to do school and be done by lunchtime or shortly after all week. Partly because I'm giving each child a time limit on how long I let them do their work before moving on. That way if I have a dawdler, it won't hold us all back, and they will have to finish their work on their own time, which seems to be a big motivator to get it done.

I've been feeling extra tired this week, needing to go to bed early or on some days take an afternoon nap, but amazingly, I've still been able to keep up with the house even while feeling so tired, and that in itself is one of my biggest blessings this week. It always seems when I'm not at my best, that my home suffers immensely, and takes so much more time to get back in order.

I still need to finish working in the family room today, but we've been maintaining what's done. My bedroom has become such a sanctuary for me, especially on these days where rest is so precious to me. And it takes me less than 5 minutes to straighten it before heading out of their in the morning.

Today and tomorrow holds much more cleaning and work around the house. I'm hoping to finish up the family room, and clean the bathroom today, and tomorrow I would really like to work on the laundry room and outside. But I've learned to just work where I feel led to, and not stress about it. I know tomorrow is a big football game hubby is wanting to watch, so I'm not sure what we'll be able to get done.

Well, I better get back to the school table for now. I pray your day is blessed and fullfilling!

sara 

Daily Devotion 283

Root Cellar uh, I mean the Hobbit Hole, Re-visited

Good Morning! I hope you are all having a lovely start to your Friday!  I am excited for the day.
On Tuesday, we worked in the root cellar... or what my children are insisting we call the Hobbit Hole for a long while.  My Dad came and helped show Shannon how to build some sturdy shelves to store our stockpile.
My boys wanted in on the action.  And since you can 'work' in nothing less than overalls, that was the choice of attire for the day. :)
The littlest one lest be left out...
He even came equipped with his own saw and hard hat. ;)
Shelves were built across the back and down both sides. 
It is SO wonderful!!! I am so happy to have this finished and ready for use.
Have a terrific weekend. Fill it with your family,  laughter, smiles, hugs and kisses, snuggles, sips of hot cider, cozy quilts and love.
With much love from me to you...