It is very beautiful outside the Beale Bungalow.  The air is clean and brisk.  The sun is shining brightly.  But the picture above is how I feel inside.  Panic comes in waves and dread accompanies it.

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   Yet, another rainy day!  The puddles now have puddles!!  Everyone is getting weary of having to stay inside; even my daughter's dog is bored and is beginning to chew on things she shouldn't.  I can remedy that by buying her another rawhide bone.  She loves to chew, so rawhide it is.

   Yesterday was coffeehouse.  The children were at odds with eachother.  What to do?  I don't know at this point, but I am going to pray on this problem and come up with a solution.  Next week will not be a problem.  We are having a colonial Thanksgiving with venison stew, fish and corn cakes.  I will be cooking it here, but we will be reheating it over an open fire.  The children will be fishing and crabbing off Marianne's dock.  There will be morning services-complete with prayer, psalms and a Thanksgiving devotion-starting and maintaining the fire-watching the stew-cooking fish and corn cakes, squashes etc.-playing some possible puritan/colonial games-feasting outside-clean up-and another church service.  I think the children will enjoy this very much.  It is supposed to be cold, so we will see.  I think the adults will moan and groan about the cold more than the children.

   There seems to be an oppression over my CHG's.  Everyone is being challenged at this time.  So, prayer is so very needed.  Is it just us?  I don't think so!  The blogs that I read are also somewhat oppressed.  Is it because of the elections here in America....could be?  The economy is not good--The holidays are rapidly on its way!  and there is very little money....at least in this household.  I am afraid that material world is in for a shock this Christmas.  But, is this not an opportunity?

   What kind of opportunity you may ask?  Well...maybe we can spend more time in the Word this holiday season.  Have a special advent for each family...count down to Christmas morning your own way.  I have heard of making a tree out of some limbs.  Just put them in a decorated coffee can of sand.  Then go and purchase 24 cheap glass balls and some writing craft paint.  Write on each glass ball a character trait of Jesus with the scripture reference.  Each morning or evening put a new glass ball on your tree-look up the reference and discuss it.  You could write a part of the Christmas story on the ball and work your way up to the birth of Christ.  There are so many possibilities.

   There is a Jesse tree one can do.  You can make a calendar of 25 days and for each day place a bow...when all the bows are on the calendar it will be Christmas morning.  There are live nativities, church programs, luminations, watching Christmas movies and reading Christmas books, remembering the elderly in your neighborhood with some cookies or some Christmas tea, .  We can make this Christmas about Jesus and His love for His people.  (We can show the 'world' how Christians can do Christmas!  smiling...)

   Christmas Day could be filled with caroling with the family...around the tree...an informal home church service in someone's home then a progressive dinner.  Start at someone's home for the informal home church service and maybe appetizers-everyone jump into their cars, vans whatever and travel to the next house...do some more caroling and maybe have a soup and/or salad at that house.  At the next home-watch the Nativity and eat the main meal--the next home--dessert and singing--some Christmas type games--maybe some outloud story reading--praising--and prayer...by the time all of this is done it will be almost time for the little ones to go to bed.  When everyone returns home there could be more prayer of thanksgiving for the Christ child and for a very special holiday in His honor (this can be done by candlelight-like the old days).  All of this can be spent with family and friends, and not at much cost because the hostess can be frugal and creative or whatever.  Anyway, it sounds like a plan to me.

   If the holidays are looking bleak--just remember it is He that  we seek! 

Oh--I do believe the sun is trying to peak out through the clouds! 

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NEED OF JESUS

LORD JESUS,

I am blind, be thou my light,

ignorant, be thou my wisdom,

self-willed, be thou my mind.

Open my ear to grasp quickly thy Spirit's voice,

and delightfully run after his beckoning hand;

Melt my conscience that no hardness remain,

make it alive to evil's slightest touch;

When satan approaches may I flee to thy wounds,

and there cease to tremble at all alarms.

Be my good shepherd to lead me into the green pastures of thy Word,

and cause me to lie down beside the rivers of its comforts.

Fill me with peace, that no disquieting worldly gales

may ruffle the calm surface of my soul.

Thy cross was upraised to be my refuge,

Thy blood streamed forth to wash me clean,

Thy death occurred to give me a surety,

Thy name is my property to save me,

By thee all heaven is poured into my heart,

but it is too narrow to comprehend thy love.

I was a stranger, an outcast, a slave, a rebel,

but thy cross has brought me near,

has softened my heart,

has made me thy Father's child,

has admitted me to thy family,

has made me joint-heir with thyself.

O that I may love thee as thou lovest me,

that I may walk worthy of thee, my Lord,

that I may reflect the image of heaven's first-born.

May I always see thy beauty with the clear eye of faith,

and feel the power of the Spirit in my heart,

for unless he move mightily in me

no inward fire will be kindled.

(The Valley of Vision)

   This book has been so helpful to me.  I highly recommend it. 

 Baking done this evening.  Pumpkin muffins, 2 loaves of pumpkin bread, and cupcakes for tomorrow's coffeehouse.  No use straightening the house because it will not stay that way.  Letting go of my neatness---isn't neat to me. 

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   There seems to be rain everywhere today.  The puddles have turned into small flooded areas.  The drainage systems are trying to gulp down the excess water, but they unable to handle the amount of this seemingly never ending deluge.  This is also how I feel inside.  sigh....

   I was reading in a little book that I keep around called, Get Focused, Answers to Life's Tough Questions.  Long title for such a small book.  Since I have been experiencing fear--I looked it up.  Here is what I read:

"What can I do whenI am overcome with fear?  How do I find the strength to go on?

Psalm 46:1-2 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.  So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.  'God promises to comfort us in our fear if we seek him when we are afraid.  We have the confident assurance that he is with us in any circumstance.' "

   This little section has been a great help to me today.  I am not walking around wringing my hands in fear, but there is a dread feeling that I cannot seem to shake.  So, I am speaking some truth into the matter.  Philippians 4:8 says-"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."  This is what I have been trying to do; it is harder to do than one would think.  Since I cannot seem to cut off my thoughts-EVER- this is a challenge to me on normal days let alone on trying ones.  small smile...

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   The book that I have posted above is called, "The Valley of Vision, A collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions".  I have been reading and meditating on the prayers since Monday.  These prayers have been a healing balm to my heart, mind and soul.

CONFESSION AND PETITION

Holy LORD,

I have sinned times without number,

and been guilty of pride and unbelief,

of failure to find the mind in thy Word,

of neglect to seek thee in my daily life.

My transgressions and short-comings

present me with a list of accusations,

But I bless thee that they will not stand against me,

for all have been laid on Christ;

Go on to subdue my corruptions,

and grant me grace to live above them.

Let not the passions of the flesh nor lustings of the mind

bring my spirit into subjection,

but do thou rule over me in liberty and power.

I thank thee that many of my prayers have been refused--

I have asked amiss and do not have,

I have prayed from lusts and been rejected,

I have longed for Egypt and been given a wilderness.

Go on with thy patient work,

answering 'no' to my wrongful prayers, and fitting me to

accept it.

Purge me from every false desire, every base aspiration,

everything contrary to thy rule.

I thank thee for thy wisdom and thy love,

for all the acts of discipline to which I am subject,

for sometimes putting me into the furnace

to refine my gold and remove my dross.

No trial is so hard to bear as a sense of sin.

If thou shouldst give me choice to live in pleasure and keep my sins,

or to have them burnt away with trial,

give me sanctified affliction.

Deliver me from every evil habit, every accretion of former sins,

everything that dims the brightness of thy grace in me,

everything that prevents me taking delight in thee.

Then I shall bless thee, God of Jeshurun, for helping me to be

upright.

   Pain and suffering are a part of life.  For the unbeliever--I don't know their purpose other than calling the afflicted to the Cross of Christ--are we as belivers any different?  Is not pain and suffering's result to prostrate oneself before the Christ of the Cross, for forgiveness and repentence?  Mortification is the easy part.  Vivification is the hard part.  Both are according to God's plan.  Passive righteousness and active righteousness.  Hmm.....   All for HIS Glory! 

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   When I was a little girl, my mother always quoted the poem:

"There was a little girl, who had a little curl right in the middle of her forehead. 

When she was good, she was very good, and when she was bad she was horrid!"

   Of course, I had curly hair and that poem was always directed at me.  sigh....

   My mother also had a saying which she used on me all the time:

           "You are enough to drive a wooden woman crazy!!"

  Well, it is pretty hard to drive an inanimate object crazy--don'tcha think?  These two phrases, plus several more, I have a hard time forgetting.  Whenever I mess up or feel bad about myself--BAM--those phrases return with a vengence!  And the wounds open up again!  and I am a scared sad little girl all over again.  another sigh...

  Yesterday, did not turn out as I expected.  The circumstances are private and I will not mention them here.  Of course, apologies and forgiveness was in flowing abundance at the end of the day, and relationships were restored and strenthened, so good did come out of this very long week on Monday!  I am very thankful for this outcome.  Please believe me when I say I am thankful--I really mean--I AM  THANKFUL!   smiling...

   I am woman who puts a great deal of stock into words, as many of you probably can tell from my remembering what was said to me so long ago.  I have the tendency to hold on to words not neccessarily choosing my words as kindly as they should be, but none the less, I remember them.  Whether spoken, typed or written...I remember them, and this is not always a good thing.  That old saying: "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!"  Is a lie from the pit of hell!!  Jesus identifies Himself as the Word.  John 1:1 is proof enough for that.  So words are extremely important.  Scripture talks about tearing down and building up with words.  Words are very important.

   Anywho, I now have three more phrases to ponder and pray over.

#1-You are the devil!  Wow!  That hurt!  But I do believe Jesus was called that by the Pharisees.  They were upset because Jesus was speaking, living and walking in the truth and they couldn't handle their loss of power and influence.

#2-Your heart is dark!  Man!  That one really hurt!!  But, light shines in the darkness and that one can be dealt with by turning my heart back to the light and asking for forgiveness, praying, praising and renewing my heart with the word of the LORD and by the power of the Holy Spirit.  God will chase or banish the darkness from my heart, so I, once again, can live for and serve Him.  This has been done.  Thank you Abba for never ending forgiveness.  Where would be without it?....

#3-You contol EVERYTHING!!!!  Hum!  I must say that I do control whatever I can.  I am the only one who must do this for this to be said in the way and manner it was verbalized.  I must admit--yes I control.  I control what comes into my house....there is no porn, no adultry, no sexual abuse, no words that my husband and I had deemed unworthy to be spoken.  I control the television, the cd's, the dvd's, the books, the entertainment in general--for obvious reasons.  I control who my son plays with--again for obvious reasons.  I control what we eat, how I spend my husband's hard earned money, what I wear, what my son and husband wears, the turning off the lights, the wasting of food, and the wasting of other resources that God has blessed us with.  I control the amount of gas I use, the amount of time spent away from home, the amount I spend on schooling curriculums, Christmas gifts, birthday gifts and other holidays.  I control what my son learns, reads, watches, and does with others.  I and my husband are responsible for all the above and much much more.  I am using the "I" but it is really "we".   Is that not our job as parents?  Hmmm...

   Things are now happening in my home that I am not accustomed to, and it has me frustrated, scared and angry.  These things will pass, and all will be well again, but adjustments are ongoing and painful.  God is riping our world apart and me with it.  Everything that I have believed in and put into practice in my home has been systematically torn apart.  It has been going on for a long time.  And now I am being tested, and I am failing miserably.  Learning yes, but with a failing grade.  

   Now, God is gracious and He will just run me back around the learning wheel if I don't learn this time, but I am pleading with Him to reveal my sins and cleanse me of them this time around.  I am bleeding now, I certainly don't want anymore trauma to my heart and soul.  So, my prayer is this:

"Father in heaven,

   Please continue to purge me of my insecurities and sin.  Please heal my hurts and pain.  Place a divine balm upon my unseen wounds and heal them up forever.  Help me to see that You are my Rock and my Fortress.  You are my strong tower!  It is by Your right arm that I am protected, shielded and carried.  Please blind me to my circumstances and help me to focus on You and only You!  Not family or friends, but You!  You are my protector, my good Shepherd!  I can no longer swing my manmade wooden sword that I thought was so great.  I have dropped it to the ground and You can do with it whatever You wish.  Burn it!  Cast it!  Crush it!  I no longer want it.  I am weak, tired, hurt and weary.  You have said for me to come to You if I am like this so that is what I am doing.  I am running to You, my Abba!  I am crying out to You the only way I know how.  There is nothing good in me, but Your Holy Spirit!  Please come and clean house.  Please come and dwell within me in a very visible and mighty way.  I am undone.  I am a sinful woman.  Father, the hem of Your Garment is what the woman with the issue of blood wanted.  I am asking for no more.  Because I know that You can and will heal where there is faith, and I do believe You are the ONLY ONE WHO HEALS!!!!!  Thank You for loving me.  Thank You for forgiving me.  Thank You for not forsaking me.  Thank You for Your steadfastness!  Thank You for Your Word!!  They mean everything to me and they are what I am clinging on to for peace, comfort and kindness.  Yes, I am all that was said to me yesterday, but You are my God and King and You have DEFINED ME DIFFERENTLY.

• I am born again…through the living and enduring word of God. (1 Peter 1:23)
• I am a child of God. (John 1:12)
• I am saved by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
• I am loved by God and He gave his one and only Son for me. (John 3:16)
• I am a new creation in Christ; the old has gone and the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17)
• I have peace with God. (Romans 5:1)
• The Holy Spirit lives in me. (1 Corinthians 3:16)
• I have access to God's wisdom. (James 1:5)
• I am helped by God. (Hebrews 4:16)
• I am reconciled to God. (Romans 5:11)
• I am not condemned by God. (Romans 8:1)
• I am justified. (Romans 5:1)
• I have Christ's righteousness. (Romans 5:19; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
• I am Christ's ambassador. (2 Corinthians 5:20)
• I am completely forgiven. (Colossians 1:14)
• I am tenderly loved by God. (Jeremiah 31:3)
• I am the sweet fragrance of Christ to God. (2 Corinthians 2:15)
• I am a temple in which God dwells. (1 Corinthians 3:16)
• I am blameless and beyond reproach. (Colossians 1:22)
• I am the salt of the earth. (Matthew 5:13)
• I am the light of the world. (Matthew 5:14)
• I am a branch on Christ's vine. (John 15:1,5)
• I am Christ's friend. (John 15:5)
• I am chosen by Christ to bear fruit. (John 15:16)
• I am a joint heir with Christ, sharing His inheritance with Him. (Romans 8:17)
• I am united to the Lord, one spirit with Him. (1 Corinthians 6:17)
• I am a member of Christ's body. (1 Corinthians 12:27)
• I am a saint. (Ephesians 1:1)
• I am hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3)
• I am chosen by God, holy and dearly loved. (Colossians 3:12)
• I am a child of the light. (1 Thessalonians 5:5)
• I am holy, and I share in God's heavenly calling. (Hebrews 3:1)
• I am sanctified. (Hebrews 2:11)
• I am one of God's living stones, being built up in Christ as a spiritual house. (1 Peter 2:5)
• I am a member of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession and created to sing His praises. (1 Peter 2:9-10)
• I am firmly rooted and built up in Christ. (Colossians 2:7)
• I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me. (1 John 5:18)
• I have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16)
• I may approach God with boldness, freedom, and confidence. (Ephesians 3:12)
• I have been rescued from Satan's domain and transferred into the kingdom of Christ. (Colossians 1:13)
• I have been made complete in Christ. (Colossians 2:10)
• I have been given a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)
• I have been given great and precious promises by God. (2 Peter 1:4)
• My needs are met by God. (Philippians 4:19)
• I am a prince (princess) in God's kingdom. (John 1:12; 1 Timothy 6:15)
• I have been bought with a price, and I belong to God. (1 Corinthians 6:19,20)
• I have been adopted as God's child. (Ephesians 1:5)
• I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 2:18)
• I am assured that all things are working together for good. (Romans 8:28)
• I am free from any condemning charges against me. (Romans 8:31f)
• I cannot be separated from the love of God. (Romans 8:35f)
• I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God. (2 Corinthians 1:21,22)
• I am confident that the good work that God has begun in me will be perfected. (Philippians 1:6)
• I am a citizen of heaven. (Philippians 3:20)
• I am a personal witness of Christ's. (Acts 1:8)
• I am God's coworker. (2 Corinthians 6:1, 1 Corinthians 3:9)
• I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm. (Ephesians 2:6)
• I am God's workmanship. (Ephesians 2:10)
• I can do all things through Christ, who gives me the strength I need. (Philippians 4:13)

   Father, it is time like these that I have to be reminded who I am in You, because I have so many other people (past and present and undoubtedly in the future) telling who and what I am.  Please Abba, Help me to remember who YOU say that I am.  Please help me live in who I am in You--Help me to glorify You and You alone, no matter what my circumstances are.  Help me to always have Your praise on my lips.  Help me to never ever forget Your mercy and forgiveness.  Let the work that You ordained through Jesus' death on the cross never be wasted on me.  O, Father, may that never be! 

                                                    In Jesus Name,

                                                    Amen and Amen

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    Mondays!  My Mondays are filled with cleaning, laundry, schooling and menu making!  I really do not mind the work at all--to me, it is like taking a shower--refreshing and promoting that clean feeling!  So, this Monday will be no different.  There are beds to be made, laundry to be done, vacuuming, dusting and mopping all to be done.  Purpose and productivity!  I love it!!

   The sun is shining on this most beautiful chilly morning.  It is going to be a gorgeous day--I can already tell.  I have my coffee in hand, my family is up doing their chores and I have my list ready and waiting to be checked off!  Ahhh.....for a left brained detail oriented person there is nothing better!!!! 

   Yesterday was a wonderful day.  Sunday school and our sermon was great!  Convicting, as they should be, but great!!  I had a typical roast beef dinner in the crockpot waiting on us when we got home, so Sunday dinner was a breeze!  The afternoon was spent talking, laughing and then debating (with ye ol' son-in-law).  Now, I love a good debate!  So, I did enjoy the afternoon very much.  I am concerned over some of my SIL's doctrine that he has been taught, but I God and the men at our church will deal with that.  I ended up going to bed early and sleeping most peacefully.

   This morning was Will's first day on his new job.  I do hope and pray all goes well with him.  He was so nervous that he didn't want to eat any breakfast nor take anything for lunch.  He has a very high anxiety level and an even lower self worth level, but hopefully, all that will change when he gets to know God more and more.

   Anna is up and taking care of baby William.  She is relieved that Will is at work, not only for financial purposes, but for a break from a frustrated out of work husband.  Plus, she has William all to herself!  She is ready for Will to be the providing father while she can mother her son and help out around here on her own.  Will is the type of young man that needs to work and stay busy.  This has not been the case for a long time, so they are both glad (for the same and different reasons) that he is back to work!

   This week is going to be filled with a great deal of planning.  Planning a Thanksgiving co-op celebration, Thanksgiving itself, some holiday planning, as well as, schooling and holiday baking.  (I have already started to stock up for my baking and candy making.)  I want this holiday season to be filled with the love of the LORD, family and friends.  This does take some planning, so I am going to sit with Anna and we will do some of this planning.  Fun stuff for me....we may not do everything we plan, but at least we will know what to shoot for.

   Well, my morning needs to be attacked, so I do hope all goes well with you and yours.  May God grant you a meaningful Monday!

                        God Bless!!! 

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This is an email I sent to my CHG's this morning.  I thought maybe you might glean some ideas from these words for your Thanksgiving celebration!  Plus, my email services are down and I don't know if they actually got my email, so I am insuring that this email will be read by them.

My dear friends,

   First, I would like to say that I cannot get on my hotmail or my yahoo accounts, so I have to use my husband AOL account for emailing for a time.  I don't understand why I cannot use my accounts but I can't.  So, until further notice--I cannot view any of my emails--sigh---

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                    Coffeehouse Day!!

   Oh, have I been looking forward to coffeehouse this week.  I need the conversation and the break!!  Yippeeee!!!!! 

   This morning has been a busy one.  Bed made, floors swept, floors mopped, more laundry done, house straightened, kitchen cleaned up and bathroom cleaned up, as well.  I still need to get Seth up, dressed, devotional done and off to my second home--Marianne's! 

   I think we all are going to need this week's coffeehouse.  Prayer needs are the usual, but colds, flu, pneumonia, needles in a foot, loneliness, and many more needs will be talked about, prayer over and cast away during this gathering--I do believe!

   Well, that is all I have for this morning.......I will probably come back this evening and write some more.  So have a nice day!  Stay warm if you are in a chilly climate.  (South Dakota is!)  Stay cool if you are in a warm climate.  Here, we are going to try to stay dry.  The gray damp air is getting to us.

                                 God Bless!!!

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   It is another gray morning here at the Beale Bungalow.  I think the temperature outside is supposed to be warmer, but it is damp and chilly inside.  This will soon pass when I crank up the stove to bake for tomorrow.  I don't mind the grayness of the morning, but the dampness penetrates down to the bone.  I guess that is why I have made some of my Winter Blend coffee via my coffee press this morning.  Sipping on this wonder brew of spices and flavor is beginning to warm me up! 

   So, what is going on in the mind and heart of the Lady Beale?  Well, I am thankful that much of the housework was done yesterday.  Thank you, Abba in Heaven!  I am the type of person that cannot relax unless my home is in clean order.  I can explain it, but it would take forever.  The jest of it is--if my home is clean in neat then I can play act like I am in some sort of control.  Now, even I know that control is a myth, but hey, it works for me. 

   Another thought on my mind is the election.  God is the one who is entirely in control, so what is He telling us--His children?  Reading, Lynn Austin's book, God and Kings, and the book of Isaiah, has really got me thinking and praying.  Isaiah, the prophet, tried and tried to tell Ahaz to turn from his sinful ways and lead God's people back to God, but of course, Ahaz did not heed God's warning.  So, what are we, the modern age of God's people going to do?  Are we going to trust in a newly elected socialist president?  Or are we going to trust in God and His ways and word?  Are we going to truly start living and breathing our faith in the LORD of Lords and the KING of Kings?  What breaks my heart is that many a proclaiming Christian HAD to vote for Obama in order for him to be elected the next president of the United States.  He stands up and proclaims sins against our GOD, such as abortion, same sex marriages, and a socialist agenda!  "Change has come to America!"  he also proclaims--I just hope that America is ready for the kind of change this man is talking about.  "Spread the wealth around"--well, in my book that is already happening with the welfare system--are you happy with that?  I am not!  Anywho, Obama made some big promises, but he has to work with a somewhat shadey congress to accomplish all his agendas--I wonder what will be compromised or dipped into to obtain this socialistic agenda?  I also wonder when the sleepy, sloppy, slothful church of America will finally get on their faces before God, repent and start living for Him and Him alone!  Too many people live by their pocketbooks instead of living for the glory of the LORD!  

   What else have I been pondering this morning?  Slavery!  Not the kind from our history, but now, in my home.  There are days when I have worked so hard that I pretend I am a slave with no say--just to get through all the work.  Now, before certain people get their dander up-Marianne-hear me out.  I am trying to be like Jesus--Jesus came to serve not to be served--Jesus illustrated this by taking the lowest chore in a Biblical time household--the foot washer.  He washed the disciples feet.  That was a thankless job back then.  Haven't you seen all the dust and sand from Iraq on the news?  It is everywhere and on everything!  So, the feet become quite gross and our LORD washed them.  This position is usually done by a slave--a very low slave on the totem pole of power type slave.  So, I have been led by the Holy Spirit to take this role in my own household.  If I have the right mindset, which would be to bring honor to God, then I am okay with things.  If I want to be rescued then I am not okay with things.  I truly have a problem with my daughter and my son-in-law.  They have both been pampered and taken care of without anything required of them, but I can choose to be resentful about them here and causing so much more work or I can serve them into the kingdom.  I am basing this on several scriptures involving serving those who are not part of the kingdom, so one day they will become part of God's kingdom. 

   Oh, I could stand as matriarch of my home and demand tribute and service to me, as many probably will say that I should do.  But is this based on the Word of God or today's worldly philosophy?  God has place me in a very unique position to put His Word to the test.  I intend to learn all I can.  By doing things God's way-He is glorified--and the results are His--not mine.  What a relief!

   I have also been pondering how to save more money.  That one has me stumped!  We don't have cable.  We don't eat out much.  We don't go out much at all!  I am on the budget plan for everything.  I don't buy things that are not needed.  I make my own laundry soaps.  I do need a clothesline....that would help with electricity bill.  I need to can more foods--that is truly on the agenda for this next harvest season.  I just don't know how I can cut down more on spending.  )Except to move in a log cabin and live totally of line--which my sweetheart will not consent too.)  So, if you have any suggestions.  Let me know.  Maybe there is an area I am overlooking.

   Well, I have been pondering more things, but I need to get my day going.  Everyone is up now and schooling lessons have not even started.  I hope everyone has a great day.

                            God Bless!!!

   Jessica,  How did Sarah's doctors appointment turn out?

   Natasha, How is Nate?

   Angie, Is it science this week?

   Marianne, We will talk about Thanksgiving!

   To everyone else,  Are you praying for our nation and its return to God?

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   I am very tired this evening.  I did get the schooling lessons done; the house vacuumed and dusted; four loads of laundry done; the bathroom scrubbed; two loaves of bread-a big pot of chicken with slider dumplings and a 9x12 pan of brownies baked.  No reading done today.   (There is tomorrow hopefully.)

   Seth did not do so well in his studies today.  I think he was so distracted by all the talking and the baby crying-that he just couldn't focus.  After Will and Anna went out for a few hours, Seth seemed to calm down and finish his lessons.  He was a perfect gentleman for the rest of the day.  He even ate his supper without a fuss.  That is saying a great deal-believe me!

   Baby William is doing just fine.  He is growing and filling out.  He is so cute.  He is beginning to say some "er" like sounds.  He loves being held; he totally hates his bath.  He is beginning to notice absolutely everything.  Lights, sounds, voices....   He is so sweet!

   I do believe that God is teaching me so many things while Anna, Will and their family are living with us.  I can't put these lessons into words yet, but I know God is working....sometimes overtime!  Anyway, God is good! 

   Well, that has been Wednesday at the Beale Bungalow!  I am going to get ready for bed-goodnight!  

                                  God Bless!! 

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   I am sitting here at my computer on a very damp and chilly morning!  The grayness of the morning has me in somewhat of a somber mood.  All I want to do is clean my house-finish Seth's schooling lessons-then curl up with a good book and a hot cup of coffee.  But, alas, I have no bread in the house, so baking will be have to be done today.  Anna has had the washer and dryer occupied for three days now, so laundry will have to be done as well.  Cleaning the house is a must, especially with all the extra people and a dog, so that part of my daydream will have to become reality, too!  No reading today.  Oh well, there is always tomorrow...

   This past week has been very busy.  I am trying to keep my head above water, but I feel the waves sometimes over take me.  I like getting up early and getting a head start--plus I like the time alone!     This morning there is no time alone--I slept in, and boy did I need it! 

   So, there isn't much to tell about the Beale Bungalow this morning.  I am sorry that Obama won the election, but God is still on His throne and in control, so we need to pray and anchor ourselves in God's Word.  I just finished reading a book by Lynn Austin, God's and Kings, it was awesome.  I think we are entering the American version of this novel.  Stay prayed up and focused on God! 

                              God Bless!!!

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   For the past two or three days-I have been growing up-so to speak.  My idealism has been blown out of the water!  Now, this is a good thing!  I will not go into detail, but God is so good, and I am thankful for Him and His Word, as well as, my CHG's and their words of godly wisdom.   Trials are a painful, but they are a good tool that God uses to mold us into his image.

   Now, the homefront.  I do feel like I am living in a cabin on the frontier.  The Beale Bungalow is small--1148 square feet--with two complete families within its walls.  So, yes it is small, but believe it or not--we are making it work.  Each family is having to compromise and get up and do what is required of them.  I have not yet been able to teach my daughter and her husband to turn off lights when exiting a room or stop wasting drinks, by only comsuming half of what they have poured, but all in all--it is still working--it has to work.

   Seth is doing great!  He is eating me out of house and home!  His feet are hurting because I think his shoes have gotten too small, so we will be going shoe shopping this weekend.  I just bought him shoes, but another pair is needed.  His schooling has been going great.  He loves the new science I am doing.  Yesterday, was on magnetic force, and he had a blast with all the magnets (that were given to me) and learned about one of God's created forces on the earth. 

   He and Daisy are buddies now.  They go out in the backyard and run until they both want to drop.  Will goes out with them--thinking he can out last an eleven year old and a 1 year old beagle.  It doesn't happen!  Will comes in all sweaty and begging for a bottle of water.  TeeHee!!  I have yet to find someone who can out play my son! 

   Will has been putting in job applications everywhere.  The men's group at our church have also been putting out feelers and coming up with some promising job opportunities.  There is one in particular that seems to be tailor made for Will.  They have asked for him to send the resume he has, even though Will is meeting with a man, Pat, this evening to create a better resume.  This man said that they are definitely interested in him and to just send what he has--if he wishes to send a new one he can, but it may not be necessary.  Will also has another job interview tomorrow.  His previous military experience has helped him out with getting this interview.  It is for guarding subs and carriers.  We will see what unfolds.  Please pray that this young man gets a job soon.  He does have bills and diapers and dog food to buy, and he does want to be able to provide a home for his wife and son. 

   Anna is still getting the hang of being a new mommy.  But, she has taken some of my advice and things are getting somewhat easier.  She still has the deep dark circles of fatigue, poor eating and stress, but she is coping.  She made supper last night.  Whoopee!!  I didn't have to cook!  It isn't that I really mind cooking, but having some else doing it for me is definitely a blessing.  As far as, helping with the cleaning.....not yet....but she never was a cleaner, even before her adult years.

   The baby is growing out of his newborn clothes.  His little face, which looks just like his daddy, is filling out and he is getting longer and longer.  When his eyes are open they are like two blue pools with beautiful reflections of whatever he is staring at.  I think his vision is clearing up because of the way he just stares at his mommy and me.  He loves looking at his toys.  I think his favorite toy is a musical seahorse.  He will look and turn his head wherever it is.  He also has a great set of lungs!!!  Good Grief!!  He can beller alot!  I do believe he likes the swing and he loves being held--which my daughter is always doing. 

   Donnie is the quiet steadfast one of us.  He is the pillar of strength throughout this whole situation.  His quiet faith and meek demeanor is one to be modeled and honored.  I have said it before and I will say it again---he is my hero!  I love him dearly. 

   Today, Donnie is not at work.  He took his oldest son, Lee, to the doctor's office.  Lee has a herniated disc at L5.  He went today for an epidural and a steriod insertion.  This has to be done 2 or three times.  If he is not showing any improvement--he is looking at back surgery--which I am very leary of.  I have talked with Donnie this morning and Lee already feels better.  I am praying that Lee will not have to have any surgery--period!  Please pray for Lee.  He is back to work, but on limited duty.

   Well, today's agenda is to clean the house--as everyday as of late--schooling lessons with Seth and getting food ready for tomorrows co-op and coffeehouse.  My days have been so busy that I can not believe that coffeehouse is already here!  Yippee!!!!!!!  Friday, my favorite day of the week!!!!

   So, all in all, after my lessons of this week, I do believe this week is going to end better than it began. 

                                       God Bless!!

P.S.--Jessica, I will be at prayer meeting tonight!

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   The trees in my area are turning beautiful colors.  The dogwood's are about done.  I love all the colors when I drive out somewhere.  Changing colors really seem to capture my eye.  It is so nice to have such a visual for the concept of change.  I love seasonal changes, but I do not like life changes, but they come anyway.  It is like God saying "change is as regular as the seasons I set up during creation.  It was good then and it is good now.  I know the plans I have for you-plans not to harm, but to prosper--God knows all about the changes in our lives and it is good."

   Today has been a busy one.  The baby kept Anna and Will up most of the night.  I got up at about 2:30 am and told them to lay down.  I would take the baby for awhile and give him to Anna when he needed to nurse.  She is so very tired.  Well, the baby was wonderful.  I have a trick I used with my son.  I sat in the glider--placed William high on my chest--covered us in a baby afghan tucking the sides behind my back.  William was all warm, safe and snug.  If my hands were to drop he would still be safe.  That way all can sleep.  He slept that way for about 3 hours!  When he woke up, as promised, I gave him back to his momma and I went to bed. 

   I have tried to stay out of Anna's care of her baby, but today she was willing to listen to some of my advice.  We worked hard to keep William up.  He was a bit fussy, so this really wasn't hard.  There are times when William cries-not because he is hungry or needs a clean diaper, but because he wants facial interaction.  I showed Anna how to interact with her son and watched his face light up.  Her face lit up, too!  She did this several times throughout the day and some this evening.  She gave him a good long (and screaming) bath this evening and was able to play with him more.  I have been pumping her full of chamomile tea, so the baby should get some relaxation with that.  I am hopeful that the wee little man will sleep better for his momma and daddy tonight.

   Seth did fairly well in his school lessons today.  He loves his math and he finally understood how to add tens on both sides of his abacus.  He was beginning to do them in his head before we were through.  It was wonderful for me today--watching the light bulbs flash all during our schooling hours.  He did really well, and I was so pleased with him!!

   Not much housework got done today.  Between schooling and baby William--I was fortunate to get most of the laundry done and supper on the table!  My, oh my, how my days seem to fly by!!

   We had a family meeting tonight and nailed down Will and Anna's plan of action for the next few months.  He has a job interview this Friday, and he is meeting with a friend of ours this Thursday for some more direction--on how to get a job.  This guy, Pat, will tell him like it is--and Will needs this kind of direction.  Will is a nice guy, but he really is like a wave being tosses to and fro.  Prayerfully, the stability of our faith in God along with some great Christian friends ready and willing to help with their gifts--Will can experience God's providence and provision. 

   We told them that this is not a free ride and we needed a plan.  So, as already mentioned-we have a plan.  Then we informed them that we will be their accountability partners.  They are not going to live here forever, and we wanted to make that loud and clear.  We explained that we, as parents, are willing to guide them and keep them on tract, but we are not here to pay their bills or even make it easy on them.  Living up to goals and staying on budget is hard thing to do!  (especially for Will--he is quite a spender!!)  So, we laid down some goal rules and prayerfully this will set them them on the path that God has plans for.  He will let us know--of this I am certain.

   Well, the rest of the day was run and try to catch up.  I only have one more load of laundry to do tomorrow.  I am planning on baking tomorrow.....we will see.   I did have some sweet and much needed time with the LORD today.  He led me to Acts and the Philipian jailer.  I am praying for the results of this portion of scripture for my family, as well.  It was such a wonderful truth revealing time, and I felt and was better afterwards.

   So, I am ending this day on a very positive note--and a very hot shower!  Goodnight and God Bless! 

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   This has been a fairly warm cloudy drizzly day here at the Beale Bungalow.  It has been a good day, but a day spent more inside than outside.  Autumn drizzle and spring drizzle are okay in my book. 

   This morning my Donnie and I were able to spend a couple of hours just sitting in our diningroom, sipping on our coffee and talking.  We just chatted about the daily things, but it was so nice to have the morning all to ourselves.  When the others woke up we were ready for them.  We were all smiles and closeness....

   The rest of the morning was spent cooking, doing a load of laundry and just talking with Anna, Will and Seth.  Everyone was in a great mood and the morning was so enjoyable. 

   I think I am beginning to adjust doing things "our" way instead of "my" way.  Compromise over non essentials is worth it for our two families to become one.  So, I am learning that giving up some small querks of mine can bring about much peace within my home.  Peacefulness in my home is one of my top priorities with or without Anna and Will here.  So, this is a good thing. 

   Will has a friend from New Jersey living here in our area, so he and Anna are spending some time with him.  They are out for the evening.  This gives Donnie, Seth and I (along with Daisy) some time together on our own.  It has been nice.  Seth and I sat down with some popcorn and watch Surfs Up while Donnie took a nap in his recliner.  Now, they are out at Walmart giving me sometime alone.  (Everyone who reads this blog or knows me--know that I love and need time alone.  )

   A great deal has been accomplished today--even with the drizzle!  The house has been vacuumed and dusted.  The floors have been mopped.  The bathroom cleaned.  Two loads of laundry have been done.  The kitchen cleaned.  5 pints of applesauce has been put up.  So, now I can really sit back and enjoy the rest of my weekend! 

   I am looking forward to church tomorrow.  I love the ladies class.  After church and lunch, if the weather clears up a bit, we might go to the Driver Days in the little town Driver, VA.  It took a big hit during the tornado this past spring, so we really want to go and show our support, as well as, have some fun! 

   Well, this is all that I have to say about this wonderfully productive, yet drizzly day.  I do hope your day is as wonderful!

                       God Bless!!

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   Today was, of course, coffeehouse.  Gee, I needed to be with my friends.  The day started out with a flurry of baking the Turtle Cake, straightening the house, getting Seth up and ready for co-op.  It was a very fast moving morning. 

   When I walked into Marianne's home--I immediately started relaxing.  I know that I will receive the truth there--no matter what--and that is a great comfort.  I got some straightening out which is a good thing.  I, sometimes, think that I am in the right or that I understand circumstances--but I do not!  (Go figure!)  My friends will tell me like it is.  They will confront my perceived reality with actual reality.  I truly needed this today.  I feel much better and I am reacting to my circumstances much much better.  I love my CHG's.

   Anyway, the day was wonderful.  The co-op portion of our day was great.  Angie does a great job.  I do believe the children really enjoy her science experiments, too!  It is fun to watch their eyes light up when things go as they should. 

   Seth was kind of "off&