RESTORE!

Posted on by Mary
Restore

When I began thinking and praying about what my word for 2022 was going to look like RESTORE was NOT on the list. Actually as I sit here typing I cannot for the life of me remember what was on the original list. YEAH they were THAT memorable lol!

I was praying though the words and none of them felt right at all. Then one day I was scrolling / tapping through my Instagram Stories and my friend Kalyn Brooke was asking her followers what they thought about the word RESTORE. I told her I loved it and asked if I could use it.

Why it struck such a cord

Restore

So much of my life is in a restoration phase.

  • We have an offer on a house that needed to be restored.
  • our home needs some restoration
  • my heart needed to be restored not just to where it once was but I want to move beyond that
  • and my prayer binder is littered with prayer requests for some form of restoration or another.

I just knew that was what this year was going to look like . I knew what lay ahead and RESTORATION was it.

AND I wasn’t wrong

The prayer list has grown longer….I have grown more and more aware of just how much my heart and mind need to be restored and renewed.

We are still hunting for a home which will probably have some form of “restoration” required.

Honestly I think that ever moment and every day and every month and every year should be marked by restoration.

As believer’s in Jesus we should be seeking to become more and more like Jesus and sometimes we get stuck wallowing in our pain and agony. We make excuses as to why we remain victims to our circumstances. We declare while beating our chests that we are survivors all the while making our circumstances our identity.

I don’t just want to be a SURVIVOR anymore….just surviving isn’t and option anymore. My goal ist to thrive. I want to be restored. I’m not hiding scars. I just don’t need to make them me. They are a part of me, BUT they don’t define me.

I am living breathing proof that God makes beauty from ashes and that my identity in found in him alone.

My verse for the Year

10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.

(1 Peter 5: 10 NLT)

Wow. What a promise!!!

And that firm foundation….I just wrote about that on my Happy Homemaker post on Monday.

You can check it out here

I couldn’t have planned that better!! When I started this blog post I hadn’t made the connection and yet isn’t THAT how God works!

How about what is Your One Word? Are you new to the whole One word for a year? Check out this book that helped me understand the concept My One Word This is not an affiliate link

Let me know what your word for the year is in the comments below! I can’t wait to share the growth and progress throughout the year with you!

Greetings: Happy Homemaker Monday

Posted on by Mary
Greetings

Greetings sweet friendsI know it has been a long while since we have last chatted! The last few months have been…..Interesting….to say the least. Nothing short of lessons in having patience and being seen.

It has been so amazing to know that in this beginning of our new seasons that God is answering prayers from over the last number of years. They are not how we planned for them to be answered and yet we have been seen…..AND HEARD. It doesn’t mean it hasn’t been hard. BUT even in the midst of what is hard GOD IS THERE. He sees me and He sees You.

So let’s jump into this weeks Happy Homemaker Monday!

♥♥ The Weather ♥♥

We have been experiencing a little bit of spring each week. We have been getting those hope filled days of high 40’s to low 50’s with a few in between days and then days that are much colder
Monday 51 partly sunny. Tuesday -51 rain. Wednesday – 54 Rain. Thursday -29 partly Sunny. Friday 33 snow. Saturday – 26 partly sunny. Sunday – 34 mostly sunny

♥♥ How I am feeling ♥♥

Pretty good. I have been pretty sore lately (tweaked my whole right side -not sure how I just did) but it is getting much better.

♥♥ On the breakfast plate ♥♥

Cup of coffee, egg whites

♥♥ On my reading pile ♥♥
  • The Life giving Home By Sally and Sarah Clarkson.
  • the book of Luke from the Bible
  • 365 ways to Save time
♥♥ On my TV ♥♥

The kids and hubby have been revisiting Knight Rider and Star Trek

I haven’t been watching much of anything but I have been listening to podcasts as I work around the house. I finished Season 1 of the Rise and Fall of Mars Hill a little over a week ago and Over the last two weeks I have been catching up on missed podcasts of Mom to Mom Podcast

♥♥ On the menu ♥♥

This week is super simple as we have almost a full week of school (yes we give our homeschooled kiddos off all the normal holidays. And we have some fun with friends planned and a bunch of extra time at church this week
Monday– Pasta Night- Mac & cheese

Tuesday- Chili, biscuits, and salad

Wednesday-Pizza. (we have friends coming over for a movie/ game night.

Thursday-Soup and Salad

Friday Loaded Baked Potatoes

Saturday- Mashed Potato Sundaes

Sunday- Tacos

♥♥ From the camera ♥♥
Greetings
Meet Bella- who is keeping her buddy company!
♥♥ Looking around the house ♥♥

UGH…..let’s not talk about this. We have been working to pack and downsize but it’s been a crazy rollercoaster. We have no move date we just want to not wait to the last minute.

♥♥ To do list ♥♥

HAHAHAHAHAHA this is funny!

Can I just say everything and call it good!?!

  ♥♥ Today’s Devotional ♥♥

This is a verse that really hit me a few days ago .

Luke 6: 46-49 (NLT)

46 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? 47 I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. 48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. 49 But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”

So many times we build our foundations on shaky things like relationships, money, status, a job….the list can really go on and on. But these things are unstable. People will let us down. We tend to elevate our expectation of them to God like status. I have seen so many people do this for celebrity pastor’s and speakers and even friends. The problem is when we do this we put them on a pedestal only meant for God and they will ALWAYS fall short.

Money, status, and a job are all temporary and fleeting. Are here one day and gone the next. Our foundation NEEDS to be on Jesus and him alone and when it is life isn’t perfect BUT when people let us down or our income is lost or we no longer have the influence we once had we can stand firm on our rock solid foundation.

Solid foundations still are shaken in earthquakes. Life will still shake us but we can remember and take comfort who is holding us.

For more Happy Homemaker posts you can check out Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

And you can check out my other Happy Homemaker Posts here

Happy Homemaker Monday: 1/23/2022

Posted on by Mary
:::: The Weather :::: 

It has been a rather roller coaster sort of week. and this week is shaping u to be no different. It can range from 30’s down to the negatives. Last week we had a negative 14 morning (That’s without the wind chill).

:::: How I am feeling this morning :::: 

I am ready to tackle the day! I have a lot of planner work to do today since it didn’t happen on Saturday. So I have some catch up today but I am ready to go!

   :::: On the breakfast plate :::: 

A cup of coffee gingerbread syrup and Oatmilk. Egg whites with parmesean cheese and bacon

   :::: On my reading pile :::: 
  • The book of Matthew (Bible)
  • Wingfeather Tales (with the kids)
  • Simplifying Prayer (PDF)
  • Get Out of Your Head
  • The Life Giving Home
:::: On my TV ::::

Nothing really

:::: On the menu this week :::: 

Monday -Hamburgers and French friens and fresh veggies
Tuesday – Ham and Scalloped Potatoes. Wednesday -Subs and Chips Thursday– Chili and Biscuits
Friday –  Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole. Saturday-Meatball Subs Sunday– BLT’s

::::From the Camera ::::
Happy
Daisy is our garage cat. But when it is super cold out she comes in and hangs out in the warm house. she is very pleased with her current situation.
:::: Looking around the house :::: 

Lots of work to do as we make plans for a move and adjust to new schedules and the like. Homeschooling has made these transitions a lot easier for sure.

::::  To do List :::: 
  • Kitchen – dishes and sweeping and counters
  • catch up planner work
  • Kitchen table
:::: Today’s devotional ::::  

Today I’m reading Matthew 22-23. Chapter 22 talks a lot about Blind guides and this resonates with me a lot because I understand this concept perhaps a little more differently than some….because I have literally been a “blind guide”. I am what is commonly referred to as a visually blind person. I have shared that a number of times here on my blog.

As a teenager in my Junior year of high school I attended “blind camp…..sounds amazing right? Well it was. And at this camp as a camper there were no real “Can’ts”

We went hiking over night and slept in A frames, we fished and canoed and paddle boated….we even had a group that went spelunking (crawling around in caves) and we even rafted down a local river. There were two types of campers. Blind campers and sighted blind campers and as a “sighted blind camper” I had to help those who were completely blind.

Well one night as the Sr High campers were walking back to our cabins (we got to stay up later and were in the senior lounge” I had the task of walking back t one of my cabin mates who was completely blind complete with cane. And we were walking kinda fast….and well there are certain things even a sighted blind person can’t see real well in the dark…..like volleyball nets. Needless to say we both ended up flat on our backs rather stunned but the surprise that seemed jump out of nowhere. It’s not like it was new it had been there ALL week. I had dodged it myself many times but in the dark its completely different story.

Well In Matthew 22 Jesus is talking about how the Pharisees were a bunch of blind guides. they are referred to as such numerous times throughout the book of Matthew but 22 is really when Jesus hits home- They are leading the people in the wrong direction focusing on the outward appearances rather than the hearts of those they are leading and teaching.

Ya know it’s funny I remember very distinctly thinking to myself oh we aren’t anywhere near the dolly ball net and literals 30 seconds later we were laying on our backs stunned. I thought I was leading her around it. BUT I was wrong.

And we like the Pharisees and myself leading my cabin-mate have to be incredibly careful when leading other people.- or even being led by people- because what appears right and good can be very misleading……and very harmful. Mentally, spiritually and/or physically.

Thank you so much for doing me today! For more Happy Homemaker posts you can visit Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

Hello 2022- Happy Homemaker Monday

Posted on by Mary
2022

Hello Friends and Hello 2022! what an end to 2021- What started as a week long break in the middle of November quickly spread through the New Year! It wasn’t my plan but it was necessary! After blogging for 100 days I needed a break and some time with t family. She have been extremely busy and there are some announcements spread throughout todays post! We are beginning an exciting journey and we hope that you will come along for the ride!

Let’s get into todays post!

:::: The Weather :::: 

Today is the coldest day of the week at a whopping 17 degrees! But the rest of the days will be up in the mid 30’s for the most of it

:::: How I am feeling this morning ::::

This morning was a whirlwind. Hubby and our oldest son had to fix one of the brakes on our truck (it failed when they were out and about yesterday). I am so thankful that there was no troubles other than the brake not working. Then it was off to the hospital for my 4th IVIG infusion.

  :::: On the breakfast plate :::: 

I had a bagel and cream cheese before I left for the hospital so I could take my vitamins (which I forgot UGH). And then I had bacon, yogurt and egg and cheese omelette after the infusion started.

 :::: On my reading pile :::: 

I have a few books I am finishing up before I start on thee 2022 reading list. Stay tuned for the first few books, in the near future.

But for now I am finishing

  • Get Out of Your Head
  • Hello Fears
  • 365 Ways to Save Time
  • LisettesList

Not to mention my Bible. I am going to read through the New Testament this year. One Chapter a day.

:::: On my TV :::: 

Currently yje Tv Show from the 80’s Different Strokes

:::: On the menu this week ::::

I must confess I don’t have a menu set up for this week it is on my list of things to do for today
Monday – Burgers and fries and veggies (hubby and Had salads from one of our favorite local places as a celebration. Tuesday – Baked Chicken with mashed Potatoes and Gravy and broccoli. Wednesday -Pasta. Thursday – Soup of some sort. Friday –  no blessed idea.

:::: From the camera :::: 

We have been keeping a secret!!!!!

2022
Hubby accepted a position at a new church. The cool thing is it is at the church we have been attending since he resigned his other position. We have all been fully integrated and we really do love our Faith Family!

:::: Looking around the house :::: 

BOXES UPON BOXES UPON BOXES- we are in the slow process of packing and downsizing for a move. Thankfully it’s not a far move . We have gone under contract with a house and are excited bout the possibilities ahead of us!

::::  To do List :::: 

  • Downsize
  • pack
  • downsize
  • Pack
  • pack
  • Pack
  • Downsize some more…..
  • oh and undecorated from Christmas

:::: Something fun to share :::: 

Oh man…..I don’t really have anything right now.

:::: Today’s devotional :::: 

1 Peter 5:10 NLT

10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.

What a promise! When we suffer for a little while (because in light of eternity it is really a “little while) He (God) will restore, support and strengthen you….me….I don’t know about you BUT I NEED this reminder.

Thank you so much for doing me today! For more Happy Homemaker posts you can visit Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

Drum Roll Please- Week 14 Update

Posted on by Mary
Drum

DRUM ROLL PLEASE- Cue the trumpets and Confetti!

We did it friends- 100 Days! All wrapped up here in this last blog post…..and ya know what? I don’t want to stop. I knew going into this challenge one of two things were going to happen. Either I was going to get to the end and still want to write OR I was going to get to the middle give up and I knew that it would be really hard to continue writing,

I wasn’t sure if I could even do this. It wasn’t easy. I had to let go oof some ideals a long the way (as do we all). I know I mentioned last week that hubby really wanted me to take a break but I didn’t know how that will all would pan out BUT!!! I have figured it out. I will be taking break until December 1st…HOWEVER if you show up here or on facebook you will see that I still have posts that have went up! THAT”S because I wrote them ahead!

A Couple of Thank you’s

I have to thank two very special ladies who really kept me going through this project. I could NOT have done it without them. They have been such a great encouragement even when other people let me know they thought I was crazy. And they were right on the mark when I was struggling. (They didn’t know I was struggling so much that I wanted to quit). And then BAM both of them texted me in the same evening letting me know how much I was encouraging them. WOW.

I couldn’t have done this without my hubby either . Man whenever I was struggling with a topic God had laid on my heart to write about but I wasn’t sure about connections he and I would tease out the various areas I was struggling with. He also provided time and space and encouragement to keep going when the schedules got rough.

And for God, through this project he showed me some things about myself. (That post will come at a later date). Without him I wouldn’t have had the courage to do this. nor would I have had the words to say. Through this I have learned why I do what I do AND I have learned to give myself grace and to let go of my ideals and seek to truly please HIM and only Him.

In the coming weeks….

In the coming weeks there will be some big announcements about my blog and the future of it…and many other things. so stay tuned.

And one more thank you!

This thank you goes to YOU my readers. Thank you for hanging out for the last one hundred days I appreciate you so much.

I hope you all have a blessed thanksgiving and we will see you back here December 1st!

Feel Free to check out the other Choosing Courage 100 Day blogging Project posts here