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Showing posts from July, 2011

Crazy, Drastic and Wildly Rewarding

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In the reflection and analysis of our life that John and I have been doing in the last month or two, we came to a conclusion...the way we had our home laid out just wasn't working for us and what God has called us to. In some ways it never has.  Our disaster of a home office, is a prime example.  We have had a "home office" the entire 11 years we've owned our house.  We have only used it very sporadically during that time.  Most of the time, I work at the kitchen table and John works curled up on the living room sofa.  So... part of the reason that I've been so quiet this month is that John and I decided to drastically cosmetically and organizationally "remodel" 4 rooms in our house: The kids' room. The office. The family room. My sewing/craft/scrapbooking room. We're about halfway through and we've gotten rid of more junk stuff than I could have imagined.  We've bought several pieces of new furniture and made 4 trips to ...

Menu Plan Monday - Week of July 3rd, 2011

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One of our dinners from our camping trip last month - salmon and corn on the cob! Yum! Does anyone else feel like summer just arrived and we're already halfway through it?  I am wondering where my June went here.  July is going to be very busy for us and I'm hoping to get several large things crossed off my do-to list.  We'll see! In terms of menus, I'm loving the summer produce!  We have had a cold and very, very wet spring and early summer so the summer produce is just now coming into the Farmer's Market and the grocery stores.  I am really enjoying the strawberries and blackberries - and I'm eagerly awaiting our first crop of raspberries on our 'invading' bushes that crawled under the fence from next door.  It looks like we're going to get a good crop and I'm excited! Here's what we're eating this holiday week: July 3, 2011, Sunday:    Breakfast: Cereal and Milk    Lunch:  BLT's, Strawberries and Blackberries    Di...

Goals Update - A few little things that have arrived at our house...

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The stole and the cross are from Tanzania, a gift from my parents and their work in Tanzania - the purchase of the stole and the cross supports the school they work at there.  The robe with its tie and the shirts are part of the progress through seminary.  He needs both for the work he'll be doing this fall. It has been so amazing and humbling to watch John as he travels this path.  He has lead worship this summer and will be doing so again - wearing the shirts, the robe and its tie.  He cannot wear the stole until he is ordained.  He has done a wonderful job.  Even when being put on the spot to chant and come up with a children's sermon that he hadn't previously prepared.  He is so humble and unassuming and yet definitely the leader. The stole symbolizes the yoke we take on when we are equally yoked with Jesus, pulling with Him on His labor in life.  There are other things it symbolizes too, but that is the part that I like th...

These are a Few of My Favorite Things - June's Blessings

Way back when I started this blog, before it was even 'open to the public', I wrote a monthly review of blessings that God had given us over the previous month.  I decided that for my own reminder I needed to bring that back! So, here are June 2011's Blessings: * All the uniform pieces our kids need for school in the fall (including an awesome fleece sweatshirt for Missy!) for totally free via the uniform swap at the kids' school.  Yes, ALL of them.  About 22 pieces total.   I was beyond excited! * A new black skirt and sweater for me for 25 cents each at a neighbor's garage sale. * The repairs needed for our van that came up very suddenly only costing us $150 to repair! * A chance to see Cars 2 for free!  (And it was an awesome movie too!) * Two outdoor movies in a friend's backyard with great food (potluck style) and great conversations with great people. * John not needing major medical treatment for his illness this month - just lots and lo...