The Refreshment Stand

Came home after morning Bible Study to find my middle son had created a lemonade stand in our front foyer. The foyer is really just a patch of tiles about 4' by 6', but he had set up his place of business at one end to create a small "refreshment stand" on the tiles. The sign read simply:
Freezies 10cents
Peanut butter bread 75 cents
Iced Tea 25 cents
Well, when the entrepreneurial eldest son arrived on the scene, he immediately developed the business plan and "helped" get things "going". Within minutes a big sign was taped to our garbage can and sitting in the middle of the driveway - but now the "Refreshment stand" had a tag line - "all profits going to Neighbourhood Outreach" ( a local shelter for homeless folks).

I was enjoying them working together, and figured it all rather simple, yet delightful.

Then we got the idea of making cookies, to expand the menu, as well as a Sucker Tree and a Candy Tree. Less than an hour later, the "Refreshment Stand" had doubled its menu, and "improved" its decor to include a stool for customers to rest on, as well as some penguin napkins to spruce things up.

Now the advertising had to improve too. "Mom, what do we do to get people to stop?"

We found some old signs in our excess storage and posted them out on the major streets nearby. Then we came home and prepared for the onslaught of customers after school. (The signs were strategically posted near the local school around the corner - in time for dismissal).

At this point, I was hesitantly hopeful for a customer, but realistic that we may not see a soul. At the same time, I wanted to foster the hard work, charity, and entrepreneurship I was witnessing in my wee ones. Therefore, I thought we'd best get pretty distracted, so that waiting for a patron wouldn't result in my going batty... repeatedly saying, "Maybe the next car will stop in."

Long story short, no one stopped, and though the boys were disappointed, I was thankful for the experience. It was neat to see them work together like that. It was neat to see them think of passing the profits on to others in need. And it was neat to see them set it all up.

Hopefully next time we'll have some coin to show for their efforts, but in the meantime, the lessons were great... all in a day of school at home!

Lamentations

I was reading Lamentations this morning. Feeling a little lost in understanding what Jeremiah is saying through the poetry, I thought I'd spend a few minutes gathering information this afternoon. Came upon the following quote from J.Vernon McGee and it made me smile, as I imagined his nasal voice crackling over the radio and delivering the following:

The book is filled with tears and sorrow. It is a paean of pain, a
poem of pity, a proverb of pathos, a hymn of heartbreak, a psalm of
sadness, a symphony of sorrow, a story of sifting, a tale of tears, a
dirge of desolation, a tragedy of travail, an account of agony, and a
book of “boo-hoo.” It is the wailing wall of the Bible.

Be a Woman of the Text

Ever have a hard time getting up early to spend in God's word?
Here's a good kick in the pants.... enjoy!!

Don't Change Course!

Recently, I've been working my way through Teri Maxwell's "Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit". Her third chapter deals with fears and worries that can discourage us and prevent us from living with a meek and quiet spirit. She discusses how God will use difficulties in what we are doing to refine and grow us - particularly when we are being careful to walk in God's way and the Enemy is working to dissuade us. She writes about the particular challenge of deciding to homeschool and the fears that bombard us about that choice.
Keep in mind that the Lord usses difficulties in what we are doing to refine and grow us. Seldom are those struggles a signal to undo what He has called us to do! THe problems should be pulling us to a greater level of seeking the Lord and depending on him. They should not be causing us to consider returning to where we were before He directed us to homeschool. Mentally recall some of the best-known Bible stories. In many of them, a godly man is given a specific task from the Lord. This person soon faces difficulties. Are these obstacles circumstances from the Lord to change His follower's direction? We know, without a doubt, that they are not.Yet, in our lives, we will question our homeschooling "call" when we face trials...... May we never choose to turn back from the path the Lord has set us upon simply because it isn't easy.
This morning in bible study, we were looking at Ezra 4, and the discouragement the people faced in building both the temple and the city walls. In their case, the discouragement kept them from completing the task at hand in a timely manner.
What a good reminder to "stick to it"... when we pray for the Lord's guidance and we struggle to keep faith in our ever-faithful, ever-true, and ever-loving heavenly Father... who is working all things out according to His plan and for our good (Rom.8:28).
Blessings, my fellow pilgrim!

May Jesus Be At Our School

I came upon this Invitation... a lovely poem and song to invite Jesus into our school. Thought you might enjoy.

A Sunday Song

Many a church probably sang the Doxology today, but none like this. It's a little "Gaither-like" for my tastes, and yet, you can't help praise the Lord as the song exhorts by the final key-change and Amen. Enjoy!!!

When Something You Love Disappears

Growing up, I was a barefoot girl. Would walk around the yard barefoot. Nice soft feet in April. Tough by June. Able to run on gravel by August.

Naturally, I would walk barefoot inside the home too. Unless, of course, it was cold enough to require socks.

Moving to Northern Alberta, Canada for post-secondary education necessitated the re-education of "minimal sock wearing" to include such words as angora, merino wool, and the like.

I still enjoyed walking barefoot or socked inside over the years that followed University - spurning my mother's constant slipper-wearing. Clip, clip, clip. They seemed so noisy. And she even took them on holidays with her - wearing them in hotels, at Auntie Irene's home, or in a camp cabin.

Six years ago we moved to an acreage that had ceramic tiles over much of the main floor and my feet began to ache when I would spend large amounts of time in the kitchen. I discovered slippers reduced the pain and began to search out good, comfortable slippers.

After looking through a few stores, found a pair at Wal-Mart of all places, and they cost just $12 to boot (no pun intended). I noticed after Christmas these same slippers had gone on sale, so I stocked up a little.

And then, last year, they changed the design of those slippers, so that now they flipped and flopped, rather than slipped and walked.

Out I was, looking from store to store, searching for the perfect slippers.

Last trip to Costco, I found some again!!! NukNuuks they are called. They come in pink and grey. I opted for the grey - more practical with all the goop I spill on them.

Well, they have gone missing!! I have searched high and low. Who knows where my beloved NukNuuks have disappeared, but I know we'll be making a trip to Costco soon to get another pair. In the meantime, I have been complaining... the floor is too hard. My feet are cold. Where are my NukNuuks????

How is it that something so insignificant can mean so much?? Oh... sin, I guess. Discontent. Here the good Lord was allowing me to experience a loss - though small, and I have been complaining. The words of Paul ring in my mind, "for I have learned to be content" (Phil.4:11). Maybe that's why my slippers went for a walk.

As I tread today Lord, may I rejoice in the discomforts, knowing that they teach me about You, and allow me to learn a little along my walk.

Got an hour?

For the past 2 months, sleep has been evading me thanks to my dear children. Tonight, everyone is sleeping, and yet, by the mercy of God, I have been awakened by the storm outside... even had to go outside and secure our gate in my bathrobe :)

The blessing of this sleepless night is that I was able to listen to a wonderful sermon pointing to Christ through Numbers 1-10. If you have an hour in the next week... or a sleepless night... or a trip somewhere... consider listening to Michael Lawrence preach at Capitol Hill Baptist Church. A helpful history lesson on the organization of Israel to prepare the picture of God living in His dwelling-place among men... and a helpful reminder of the sacrifice we need to believe in, in Jesus Christ - the perfect blood sacrifice for our sin.

Enjoy!

Raspberries

Being the new pastor's wife has its perks... 2 families have invited me over to pick raspberries in their gardens. It has been delightful and the fruits of our labors have included a few tortes, breakfast treats, etc.

I will try making jam tonight... have never made raspberry jam before, so this will be an adventure. Hopefully it will be worth the work. Will let you know.

To Be Like Jesus

Sovereign Grace Music has released their second children's album, To Be Like Jesus, and I'd like to give my official two-thumbs up. The album offers a nice variety of styles of music, with a focus on the fruit of the Spirit.

My children have been struggling, particularly lately, with experiencing God's peace in the midst of our upturned life due to our move. The album addresses that.

The boys have been fighting and short-tempered with one another... the album addresses that.

Mommy has been struggling at displaying self-control and patience, as she's been working through boxes, on minimal sleep (while baby adjusts to the new home and life), and amidst the dryness of soul that comes when dear brothers and sisters are removed from one's life... the album points to Christ for help with such battles.

There are a few tunes that are a touch "rocky" for me... especially early in the morning, but overall, this is a great album... which explains why it's been in our CD player for almost 3 weeks straight.

Definitely different than Awesome God, but a favorite nonetheless!!

Move is Done

We have officially moved... to a small town... and a darling home... and a new family of believers... ie.church.

Just have 15 more boxes or so, and we'll be ready to make a final trip to the recycling depot to dispose of cardboard.

Plans can now begin for beginning a more regular life, but then, what is regular?

For tonight, regular means going to bed early, as baby was up a lot last night, and I want to avoid those nasty canker sores I get when I'm short on zzzzzzs.

Blessings, my friends.