A Servant's Heart

Daily Devotion 337

December 3

Attentiveness

That ye be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets.

2 Peter 3:2

When Henry Nelson of Wilmington, Delaware, arrived home one evening, he discovered that his apartment complex was being fumigated with hydrogen-cyanide. He  removed the sign, tore down the barricade, and went in. Neighbors tried to warn him and called the authorities. But by the time help arrived, it was too late. Henry Nelson was dead.

Mount St. Helens in the Cascade Mountains of Washington state was dormant for several hundred years. However, a few years ago, authorities discovered that there was activity and reason to believe there might be a serious eruption. People were evacuated from the area. But Harry Truman, who had grown up on those beautiful slopes, refused to leave. When the eruption was over, Harry and his home were buried under tons of volcanic ash.

Both men disregarded both written and verbal warnings, and it cost them their lives. If they had learned to be attentive, they would not have died.

When we ignore the instructions of the written Word, we show the highest disregard for God. “My son, hear the instructions of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother. For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck” (Proverbs 1:8, 9).

Melvin L. Yoder, Gambier, OH

Give ear, and live!

Bible Reading: 2 Peter 3:1–14

One Year Bible Reading Plan:

1 John 1

Ezekiel 47, 48

Used by Permission of Vision Publishers

PO Box 190, Harrisonburg, VA  22803

Phone:  877-488-0901

E-Mail:  [cs@vision-publishers.com]

The longing of a sacred place called "HOME"

My Two Year Old Knocked Over the Christmas Tree!!!!!

Ok, stop laughing already!  LOL  Ok, it might be a little funny today but let me tell you, this mommy was not too happy when it happened earlier today!!!  UGH!!  But this pretty much explains my day today in a total nutshell.

I think Noah woke up on the wrong side of the bed or something.  He was whiney and grouchy and crabby all day long.  When he is like this he doesn't want to snuggle and calm down, he just PUSHES EVERY BUTTON HE CAN until you bust.  LMSO  So, it started off with the fabric Christmas doll on the back of the couch.  He picked it up, looked at it, hugged it, and then threw it on the floor, and jumped off the couch and pounced on it.  I was shocked because normally he is not like this.

Then started the whining for POP!  We have a few 2 liters left over from our late Sunday Thanksgiving dinner and he saw them in the kitchen and wanted some.  I said no way!!  So, he turned to get the broom (I forgot to put it away last night after breaking a plate and sending shards of glass everywhere) and was using it as an entended limb to turn the light off and on, and hit me in the leg.  The part of using it to turn on the light really impressed me, but I was a little annoyed he was banging me in the leg and I took it away from him and told me to follow me into the living room.  Well he refused!  So he got in trouble.

Then he refused to do something else, stood on toys he knows he is not allowed to stand on, and he climbed up on his little table and stood there looking out the window.  About the time I hollared for him to get down, he reached up and decided to hit my expensive stained glass angel hanging in the window.  (It is huge,a nd I love it so!)  Well, he sat in the chair and had a talking to AGAIN.

FInally about that time, was when I decided I might need to calm down, and get him to calm down for a few minutes before his nap (in about 15 minutes).  I called his dad to check on him and low and behold, while I was picking something up I had dropped, he jumps up from the naughty chair and then BAM.  Down went the tree.  Before I knew it the tree was on the ground and Noah was under it.

After lifting the tree off of him, and accessing the boy for any marks I picked him up and took him directly to bed for his nap.  It was either that or I am afraid I might have lost my cool!!!  So he was upset that I didn't do the naptime routine and I was upset that there was my tree angel laying on the floor in the corner.  I was praying her porcelain face was not broken because my mother gave her to me the last Christmas she was alive.  She was intact and ok!  I put the ornaments that were scattered around the living room floor back on the tree and by then the phone was ringing off the hook.  It was hubby saying, I heard screaming in the phone and then the phone went dead.  He wanted to make sure we were ok.  I told him what happened and we talked for a few minutes before getting back to work.

As I sit here now, looking at the tree, I realize there are still a few "dented" areas in the greenery that need to be fluffed more.  LMSO   Geesh.  Maybe tomorrow will be better.  I didn't get much of my list of items done today either.  I did get some tidying up done, but the dishwasher wasn't set correctly last night for some reason, so when I opened it to unload clean dishes today, they were still dirty!  So I ran them again, and will put them away in a bit when they cool down.  

Pictures, Pictures and more Pictures

Projects for Today:

I am not goign to be super busy today, but I do have a few projects in the sewing room I need to get going on!!!

1. Tidy up the house

2. Unload clean dishes and put away

3. Put clean clothing away

4.  Put supper in the crockpot (bbq pork for sandwiches tonight)

5. 

Sewing:

1.  cut and sew a crayon roll (to be hung on the wall even) for a swap

2.  Cut fabric and start sewing new apron (for another swap)

3.  Get all packages ready to be shipped tomorrow

Changing Tastebuds or Forgetfulness??

Since we had our late Thanksgiving dinner with hubby's family on Sunday, last night we had leftovers.  YUMMY and EASY, too!  LOL  So, since most of the family was supposed to go to different celebrations on Thanksgiving Day with traditional foods, I switched our dinner up a little and we had pork loin and potatoes and carrots in the crockpot instead of turkey.  Now, I ahve fixed this before at home, several times in fact because I love it, but hubby has kinda wrinkled his nose at it before.  So, for him, I fixedd a large batch of sweet and sour meatballs for Thanksginving Day.

Last night, we had leftovers and I told hubby I would fix him a dish to take to work if he wanted, and of course he excitedly said yeah!!!  So I asked him what all he wanted me to put in his dish and he said, oh I would be great with just the pork loin and all those yummy vegetables.  I said huh?? He said I really enjoyed them, can we do that again???  LOL  Inside my head I am thinking, who are you and what did you do to my husband?  LOL  I said well hunny, we have plenty of pork loins in the freezer from the hog we had processed a while ago, but usually you wrinkle your nose at that dinner and barely eat it, so I stopped making it for a while.  He said oh, well I liked it this time, maybe my taste buds are changing and then he laughs.  I said, yeah, maybe you forgot you liked it???  Whatever!  LOL

He is so silly sometimes!  So today in his lunch, he is having pork loin with potatoes and carrots, some sweet and sour meatballs and some homemade hotrolls I snuck in for a suprise!  LOL  It is probably enough food ofr at least 2 days (I love the LARGE Tupperware dish we have for hubby to take leftovers in), so he will be well fed for a while!  LOL

Menu for the Week:

Ok, so I am a day late.  LMSO  Oh well.  I was much too busy to even think about this yesterday.  Since we had our late Thnksgiving dinner at our house with hubby's family on Sunday, we simply ate left overs last night. 

Monday: Thanksgiving leftovers

Tuesday: BBQ Pork Sandwiches, cheesy potatoes, pie (all of these are leftovers as well...the pork loin we had Sunday is being turned into BBQ pork for the sandwiches)

Wednesday: Kielbasa, fried potatoes and onions, green beans with bacon (hubby request)

Thursday:  Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese

Friday: Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza, Brownies and Icecream

Saturday: Beef Roast and Vegetables (crock pot)

Sunday: Planned Leftovers

Daily Devotion 336

December 2

Commitment

Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass.

Psalm 37:5

To commit myself to someone brings accountability and responsibility. It means to bind oneself: I am obligated to; I have pledged. Are we willing to commit our lives, ways, plans, and future to God? How about a commitment to the brotherhood? Is it possible that Satan has succeeded in blinding our minds to the blessing commitment can bring to our lives? Perhaps the most important commitment is being totally honest with God and man. If we have not learned that, we will find it very difficult to be committed in other areas as well. An older man once said that because of his upbringing he could say, “I would rather die than lie.”

The story of a Spanish explorer, Cortez, who landed at Vera Cruz in 1519, can teach us a lesson about commitment. He began his conquest of Mexico with a small force of 700 men. Upon landing, he set fire to his fleet of eleven ships. His men on the shore watched their only means of retreat sink to the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. There was now only one direction to move—forward into the Mexican interior to meet whatever might come their way.

We too must purposely destroy all avenues of retreat as Christ’s disciples. We must resolve that whatever price is required to be His follower, we will pay it.

Daniel B. Miller, Middlebury, IN

It is better to not promise, than to promise and not keep it.

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 2

One Year Bible Reading Plan:

2 Peter 3

Ezekiel 45, 46

Used by Permission of Vision Publishers

PO Box 190, Harrisonburg, VA  22803

Phone:  877-488-0901

E-Mail:  [cs@vision-publishers.com]

Christmas Shopping

Well the busy shopping season of the year is upon us!  How are you gals coming along on your shopping endeavors???  As you may know from reading it before, I am making ALOT of the presents for my friends and family this year.  I have one thing bought for Matthew and we will both buy one large toy for Noah, but most of it is homemade by myself.  Maybe Matthew will help me wrap them since I will be making them all???!!!

However, on Thanksgiving Day, Matthew's mother reminded me we still needed to do our family shopping.  Matthew's parents give each family (Matthew and his 2 sisters) a certain amount of money to spend.  The best part is, we get to pick out what the money is spent on and can pick it out ourselves!  The rules to this are, we can pick and use the money on anything we want, but we can not have it until Christmas. NO PROBLEM right????  Well, this can work several different ways.  Either Patty (my MIL) will go shopping with us for our things, or we can find them online and she will order them, etc. 

Well, some of you may not know this yet, but I HATE SHOPPING AFTER THANKSGIVING!!!  Each year, I try to get all my Christmas shopping, decorating supplies and yes, even groceries for the month of December shopped for ahead of time.  (If I do need something like milk, bread, etc. Matthew usually gets them for me!  LMSO)  So I told my MIL I would much rather do my shopping for myself and Noah online (Matthew will needd to pick out what he wants and let his mom know whether he wants it ordered online or to go shopping, etc.) because so many companies will offer free shipping on all orders and online specials, etc.

Well, after looking all over last for toys for Noah, I realized that the toy companies, etc. are only offering free shipping on the items they want you to buy like discounted old out of date things (like beach Bum Barney......I kid you not.........they still have Barney junk out there. LMSO)  And the sales and specials....HA!  Almost non-existant.  $5 off here, $2 there, but no big wonderful spectacular sales (and this is the day to get them.....Cyber Monday)  like I found at these same stores last year.  Sad isn't it????

So, as much as I hate shopping this time of year, I think I may end up calling the MIL, and telling her I would rather do some of Noah's shopping for him at Wal-Mart.  I have already taken him down the toy aisles and made mental note of the items he ooohed and ahhhed over, so I know what he wants and yes I approve of them. LMSO

My shopping on the other hand will most likely be done online.  I want some new clothes, and maybe some crafting and sewing books and supplies.  Some may think I am silly about this, but I have become much more practical in years past.  I don't need anything really!!!  And these are things I wouldn't spend my money on myself probably.  Crafting and sewing items will be made into things for my friends, family, and little one.  I am excited to get busy tonight picking things out online that I want.  LMSO 

So, how are all of you doing??? Are you finding out that you are buying more practical items than you were in the past???  Are you spending more or less than you have in the past?  Are you making lots of things this year?

We survived Thanksgiving With The Inlaws

This Sunday, we had our Thanksgiving dinner here at our house with my hubby's family.  I did all the cooking (because neither are clean people and don't cook anything that tastes good....sorry, not trying to be mean, but it is true) and was thrilled to do so.  Matthew's sister, Melanie brought ice and pop, and his mother brought a cheeseball and some crackers that no one touched. 

My only complaint would be Melanie got here late.  And I am not even sure why, she had her parents come by and pick up her 5 year old, Mindi much earlier.  So, why she ended up being almost 30 minutes late I don't know.  I am one of those people who tells everyone we will EAT at noon, so show up a little early and visit if you want.  Not to be mean, but when I sazy we will EAT at noon, I mean it....not 10 after....not 15 or 30 minutes after.  I spend the whole day Saturday chopping, mixing, cooking and baking (with the help of girlfriends), and I spent all Sunday morning tidying up, getting things in the oven to cook or heat up, etc. and after going to all that trouble you could at least SHOW UP ON TIME!  Sorry, but as you can obviously see, this is a big pet peeve of mine.  

Melanie and Matthew ended up playing Wii and then playing online games on dueling laptops at the dining room table.  I told Matthew later I was a bit miffed that they both ignored the rest of us all day, and that Melanie just expected me to be at her daughter's beck and call every 15 minutes when she needed something.  Melanie was irritated with me because if Mindi asked, "can I have some Root Beer?", I would say, "Let's ask Mommy.".  I am one of those parents who doesn't just give someone else's child something to shut them up without asking if they are allowed to have it.  Especially since Mindi has ADHD and is not allowed to have certain foods.  But Melanie would say, YES she can have the rootbeer, geesh.  Finally in the afternoon, I told Matthew, I was DONE (off to the side, so she couldn't hear)  I told him they hadn't spent enough time with the children, and I was sick of taking care of everyone and everything while they sat there in their own little world and ignored everyone.  By now, his own parents had already left (after his father fell asleep on the couch for an hour).

Matthew asked Melanie to leave shortly after that because she made a BIG DEAL out of the fact that my 2.5 year old KISSED his 5 year old cusion on the lips.  GEESH!  She was rather permiscuous in highschool and has no real morals, but she told me that Mindi is taught that boys should not kiss you until you are married.  I understand her point, and it is important to teach your child to not grow up and sleep around with all the men and play with their emotions like your mommy did.  But a 2.5 and a 5 year old???   Come on????    She told me I obviously grew up in a different kind of family where things like that were excepted....and I said, with ones under 5 yeah.....with older children....no!

She left, and hubby and I had a talk about how well the day had went except for those things.  He promised to not get out the laptops and games and such next time until he had visited with the adults and I told him thank you for realizing he had spent WAY too much time on the computer.  I told him I did have a good time visiting with his parents and watching the little ones play (even though Mindi is rather bossy telling Noah what he could and could not do.  I finally told her sweetie, this is Noah's house and he knows the rules here, and if he needs corrected, then I will handle it.) and make play food in the play kitchen.  They both loved that!

Anyway, we survived, and we have lots of yummy leftovers.  I had a few girlfriends stop by today after college classes to eat with me.  We heated up plates of food and talked and giggled while eating them while Caina's little one Shayla and my Noah played and had fun.  They were so cute together!  One time, Noah fell and I went in to see if he was ok because he was crying, and Shayla had grabbed his hands and was going to lead him to me.  SO CUTE!!!  (He is so funny.  He needs the compassion of the pat on the back and the hug, etc. and he sits there on your lap until he decides he wants to play again, which this time was less than 1 minute, and then he stops in mid cry, in mid tear even, and gets down as if nothing ever happened.  LMSO  He cracks me up)

Hubby forgot to take leftovers to work with him today, so he ate something else, but he told me to remind him to make up  a dish to take with him tomorrow!!!  He was rather jealous when he called home at lunch time and I told him I was eating leftovers and boy were they good!   LMSO