Today Is ...

Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.

And so we are listening to his famous speech,

I Have A Dream .

Multitude Monday: One Thousand Gifts

26.  Stomach bug, short-lived.

27.  Catching snowflakes on my tongue.

28.  The Arctic Blast of nearly 3 weeks is drawing to a close.

29.  Accomplished horse trainer to teach us … it’s about FEEL.

30.  Pencils scratching on today’s lessons.

31.  Double Dental Insurance Policies – and a dentist who participates in both.

32.  Health Insurance.  Good coverage.

33.  Warm water, bubbles, soft PJs … a clean boy, if only for a while …

34.  Mugs of warm peppermint tea on chilly evenings.

35.  Line dried sheets and blankets.

36.  Wire shelves, fluorescent lights, surge protector, and SEED TRAYS waiting.

37.  Seed trays filled with dirt, planted with seeds – SPRING IS COMING !

38.  Fog covering the mountains.

39.  Soft rainy drizzle.  Mist in the air.

40.  Warm toast with melted goodness on top.

41.  7yo but not too big to snuggle.

42.  Aspiring chefs – and taste testing.

43.  Tiny, fuzzy bats, hibernating.

44.  Dear friends, good food, board games, and adventure.

45.  Flannel sheets on rainy days.

46.  C.S. Lewis said “You can never get a cup or tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”  And to this I say AMEN !

47.  Compost pile additions.

48.  Working leaf blower – finally.

49.  Prayers for Haiti, uttered by old and young.

50.  Beginner readers, rumpled pages, small fingers keeping “pace”.

51. Google calendar – wow – what a load off my mind. (HA !)

52.  Purrrrrr-ing of kitten snuggled beside.

53.  Garden-in-waiting, and big plans in the making.

54.  Warm days (50s) and cool nights (30s & 40s) again.

55.  Stored lumber awaiting creations.

 

Sunday: Psalm 3

Save Me, O My God

A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.

3:1 O Lord, how many are my foes!
Many are rising against me;
2 many are saying of my soul,
there is no salvation for him in God. Selah

3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4 I cried aloud to the Lord,
and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah

5 I lay down and slept;
I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
who have set themselves against me all around.

7 Arise, O Lord!
Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
you break the teeth of the wicked.

8 Salvation belongs to the Lord;
your blessing be on your people! Selah

Today Is ....

The birthday of Benjamin Franklin who

said many things which we still repeat today.

A penny saved is a penny earned.

A place for everything, and everything in it's place.

Anger is never without a reason, but seldom a good one.

Any food can criticize, condemn, and complain and most fools do.

A small leak can sink a great ship.

Beware the hobby that eats.

God helps those who help themselves.

Half a truth is often a great lie.

Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days.

He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.

I didn't fail the test; I just found 100 ways to do it wrong.

In the world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.

Industry need not wish.

It is easier to prevent bad habits than to break them.

Lost time is never found again.

Never confuse motion with action.

Necessity never made a good bargain.

Tell me and I forget.  Teach me and I remember.  Involve me and I learn.

The worst wheel of the cart makes the most noise.

Time is money.

Three can keep a secret, if two of them are dead.

Well done is better than well said.

When in doubt, don't.

He that lies down with the dogs shall rise up with fleas. (Thanks I.B.)
When the well's dry, we know the worth of water. (Thanks K.B.)

 

Have some favorite Franklin quotes ?

Please share them by leaving a comment, and

I will add them to this list.

A Prayer

Father God, 

renew our spirits by Your Holy Spirit, 

and draw our hearts unto You this day, 

that our work may not be a burden, but a delight; 

and give us such a mighty love for You that our obedience may be sweet. 

Let us not serve with the spirit of bondage as slaves, 

but with cheerfulness and gladness, 

as children, 

delighting ourselves in You and 

rejoicing in Your desires for the sake of the Kingdom. 

In Jesus Name, 

Amen.

* Revised from the Book of Common Prayer

Winter Blahs ....

Summertime fun.

Splish-spashin',

green as far as the eye can see,

sunshine, fresh foods.

Then, Autumn enters,

with it's splendor and color ...

Then fun of Winter with the holidays,

chock full of glitz, sparkle, and shimmer ...

... and then ...

brown grass, cold ground,

leafless trees, cloudy days,

and chilly air.

We call these days Winter Blahs.

Thus, the "changes" to our blog.

Just trying to brighten things up a bit.

What's For Breakfast ?

Baked Oatmeal With Raisins
Easy and delicious, hearty, and healthy -- what a wonderful way to start a morning. We love this, especially after chilly mornings after coming in from doing our barn chores. Enjoy ! 


Yield:
6 servings

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups oats (quick oats work best)
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup golden flaxseed (or substitute cornmeal or grain of your choice)
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 eggs
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2-1 cup raisins (optional - other dried or even frozen fruit could be used)
** Warm milk and fresh fruit for topping (optional)

Instructions:
Combine ingredients well. 
Spread mixture in greased 9x13 baking dish.
Bake for 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees, or until edges are golden brown and top if "crusty".
When finished baking, spoon into bowls immediately.
Top with warm milk and fresh fruit if desired.
Serve.

Artistic Perspective

"Lying in bed

would be an

altogether perfect and

 supreme experience

if only one had a

coloured pencil

 long enough

to draw

on the ceiling."

--G.K. Chesterton

(quote found online, somewhere)

A Survey of 2009

1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?

We had a successful experience starting our own garden plants – flowers, veggies, & fruits.  

And we visited Stone Mountain, GA to play at their Snow Mountain instead of skiing last winter. 

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I kept a few for a while, and kept a few for the whole year.  

For this year’s Aspirations, I am doing pretty well so far.   

3. Did anyone close to you give birth or get pregnant?
Sunny Socks was born June 9th .  

J.B. was born 9 months ago. (Does that count ?)

Mrs. Birdie is due in March 2010. 

4. Did anyone close to you get married?

K&A got married in November.

5. Did anyone close to you die?

My dad passed away in November. 

And our beloved 17yo Golden Retriever, Daisy, passed away on the same day.

6. Travel? 

To Georgia and back, several times, several reasons, several occasions.

7. Did you move anywhere?
We moved, suddenly, from the big old farm house to a wonderful new home. 
 

8. What was the best month?
All of them are special – January is a new beginning, February and March are quiet and are also seed-starting time, March and April begins garden season, May and June and July and August are SUMMER FUN, September and October are full of autumnal beauty, November and December are holidays and togetherness.

9. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Aspirations:  a stronger body physically, and an even closer relationship with My Savior. 

10. What date(s) from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
June stands out because our first (and only) baby horse was born.

September stands out because we moved very quickly.

But really, no dates stand out, but then I am not sure what today’s date is either.  Ha !

11. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Starting our seeds last winter.  Starting school in August and going strong through Thanksgiving, despite moving in the middle (we only missed a few days for moving).  Making strides with our family horsemanship lessons.  A simpler holiday season.  Missing the swine flu so far.  Setting some new heartfelt Aspirations for 2010.

12. What was your biggest failure?
That I continue to fall short …. And yet He loves me and calls to me every day.

13. Did you suffer illness or injury?

 Cherub 2 had a scary issue with Poison Sumac ... and thanks to the Power of Prayer and His Healing, she is well.  But other than that, there was nothing notable. Actually, 2009 was a pretty healthy year for all residents of Beck’s Bounty.

14. What was the best thing you bought?
Estrella, our Momma horse.  

And Simon, our old "new" mower.  Seed starting supplies and garden tools.

15. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Cherub 1, Cherub 3, Cherub 4, and Cherub 6 for beginning Scouts and making great strides.  

Cherub 4 and Cherub 5 for making HUGE improvements concerning reading.  

Cherub 2 and Cherub 5 for beginning horse club and horseback riding lessons.  

And DadToCherubs for working hard, often forgoing sleep, for our family !! 

16. Whose behavior made you appalled and/or depressed?
Politicians …. Newspapers … World Leaders ... actors and actresses ... too many to name.

17. Where did most of your money go?
Groceries, books, groceries, books, our vet, the Feed Store (farm supplies), groceries, books.

18. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Having 2 dental insurance plans, and finding one dentist that participates in both.  Yahoooooo !!  

Cherub 1 got a clean bill of health from the ENT.  

Needing minimal medication for my back issues – the strengthening is working !  

SNOW -- several times last winter, and a few times so far this winter too.  

Our Lenten Garden .

2009 was our first summer with NO children wearing swimmies or life preservers.  

Having our own horse – and then that horse having a baby.  

Watching Bella, our Great Pyrenees, settle down and become a bit more social since we moved.

19. What song will always remind you of 2009?

It’s a Hymn …. I Surrender All ….

20. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?
ii. richer or poorer?

 What’s not to be happy about ?  (My first "Multitude Monday:  One Thousand Things" post) 

Richer in the things that matter (Things of Him) … probably poorer in the financial sense (we do have 6 Cherubs, moved to a mini-hobby farm, and have many animals and hobbies afterall – ha !)

21. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Not sure – I try to do it all, today, because you never know …..

22. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Being impatient …. God is working in me.

Being late ... God is working in all of us on this.

23. How will you be spending New Year's Eve/Day?
We stayed home, made lots of delicious food, and invited some new friends (the G family) to ring in the New Year with us – board games, the Wii, good company. 

24. What was an unexpected surprise?

Becoming horse owners – it was spontaneous. 

DadToCherubs took all 6 Cherubs on a Back To School Camping Trip.  

Moving – if you had asked us the week before, we would have said you were crazy – but it happened and WOW what a blessing it was to move to this place !!  

25. Did you fall in love in 2009?

All over again … celebrating our anniversary … with my dear loving husband who loves me far more than I deserve ….. 

26. What was the best concert you've been to this year?

We did not attend a single concert in 2009 … but what about the Tax Day TeaParty Protest ?  There was music, and some fantastic speakers ....

27. What was your favorite TV program?

I dislike TV enormously other than an occasional news program or a DIY presentation.

28. Do you dislike anyone now that you didn't dislike this time last year?

I pray for them every day … and I forgive them.

29. What was the best book you read?

My Bible --- and I am loving it !!

I re-read Atlas Shrugged.

I pre-read Do Hard Things (for my teens).

I began Raising Maidens of Virtue with my girls.

I am reading Horsemanship By Feel, recommended by our Horse Trainer and friend, R.G.

I am reading The New Square Foot Gardening – it’s that time of year, and perhaps a new way to garden for us.

30. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Sitting on the stairs, listening to Cherub 1 play his guitar (he gets nervous if he knows you’re listening).

31. What did you want and get?

DIRT !! 

32. What did you want and not get?

I am incredibly blessed …. And do not ever focus on the DID NOT GETs.

33. What was your favorite film of this year?

I do not care for TV watching.  But I did enjoy the newest Chronicles of Narnia movie, a la dvd.

34. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 38 last January – and I believe I was working on starting my seeds at the time

This January I will turn 39 – and I believe I will be working on starting my seeds, followed by a promised dinner out with DadToCherubs – an official “date”.

35. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Better things happening between the walls and in the halls in Washington ….

36. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Shifted from “feminine” style to a bit less than “feminine” style without realizing … and now trying to shift back … (but it’s soooo cold working outside and in the barn.  What happened to all of my tights and longjohns ?)

37. What kept you sane?
Coffee …. Hot tea …. The garden and the dirt … the birds outside … the horses … DadToCherubs ….

38. What political issue stirred you the most?
The Election, The Health Care, Iraq, Afganistan, The Bail Out …. Oh the list could go on and on ….

39. Who did you miss?
Family far away.  Friends far away.  Mickey (my dad).  Daisy (our Golden Retriever). 

40. Random Memories from 2009?
The FLU !!  The seeds.  The garden.  The Horses.  Boy Scouts.   The move.  Sunrise & sunset over the mountains.  The Goat.  Autumn’s beauty outside my windows.   Beginning the journey into Horsemanship Through Feel with R.G., a very patient trainer and teacher.  New friends.  Old friends.  Lovely holidays. 

** These Survey questions were copied from Mama Squirrel's Dewey's Treehouse , who copied it from The Common Room .  The answers are my own.  Thank you ladies for a wonderful walk down memory lane ...

Multitude Monday: One Thousand Gifts

A day late ... but OH so much to be thankful for ... the list grows ...

11.  Snowflakes on the tip of my nose.

12.  Mismatched socks on the dryer.

13.  Watching Cherub’s faces at the windows, anticipating snow.

14.  Watching the sun rise over the mountains.

15.  Chicken & Dumplings for dinner.

16.  Coffee, brewing, fresh and bold.

17.  Cozy flannel sheets and heavy quilts.

18.  Our warm house, even during this extended “arctic blast”.

19.  Christmas cactus in full bloom.

20.  Tiny tips of daffodil greens, peeking from the ground.

21.  Candles, glowing in evening time.

22. Folded hands, in prayer, large and small.

23.  Secure fences for horses.

24.  Good fence stretcher (tool).

25.  A good report from the ENT concerning Cherub 1.

 

Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

*

Welcome to the first edition of the

Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival for 2010.

*

Amber of MommyEarth writes Book Review: Little Lord Fauntleroy :  “Its main message could perhaps be summed up the idea that people tend to live up to our expectations of them.”

Michelle of Holistic Homeschooler writes On Art And Natural Gifts :  “the ability to draw what we see seems a reasonable expectation if we start developing that part of the brain at a young age”

Christy of The Secret Lies With Charlotte writes Keys where she shares her favorite homeschooling resource, a book called the Easy Homeschooling Companion by Lorraine Curry.  Of this book she says:  “Faith is such a big part of success. Translate that faith into uplighting and positive words. Optimism results from living each day in faith-in assurance that all will turn out well, that each child will fulfill his potential. Determination is never allowing for failure. It ties all the other keys together. It is the character quality that says, "I will never give up."”

Naomi of Living Charlotte Mason In California writes Descent Of The Holy Spirit : “According to CM, the teacher is a facilitator of great ideas - not the source. Her point is simple - why dilute great works of art, literature, etc. with everything you know? Why lecture and explain and beat the idea to a living pulp? Present the idea "true, direct, and humble". And with the aid of the Holy Spirit, the infinite Teacher, learning will occur. Individually, intimately.”

Jeanne of A Peaceful Day writes Bad Books : “So often you hear parents and educators saying that is doesn't matter what kids are reading as long as they are reading. Of course it matters! It is like saying that it doesn't matter what they're eating as long as they're eating! A child filling up on chips and dips and artificially coloured Twisties will not have a healthy body. A child filling up on a diet of dumbed down twaddle will not have a healthy mind.”

Tammy (that’s me !) of Adventures On Beck’s Bounty shared about a Hike: Cumberland Trail: Rockcreek Trailhead.

Michelle of Holistic Homeschooler writes Life Happens ... And So Does Education : “Today was definitely a "non school" day. I didn't plan it that way, but then isn't that the way those days occur? Unplanned?”

Michelle of Holistic Homeschooler writes Composer Study & Music Appreciation:  Mozart : “For those unfamiliar, Music Appreciation is conducted in the same way as picture study. The child listens to 5 minutes of a piece and then narrates what he heard, felt, thought of while listening. This is done 3x per week.    In addition to Music Study, we will be using the following resources ….”

Melissa of In The Sparrow’s Nest writes January Nature Notables : “The new year is an excellent time to make a resolution to get outside with your children and enjoy nature more! Despite the cooler temperatures, January is plenty full of nature study opportunities.”

Angie of The One Thing: Psalm 27:4 writes Handicrafts/Life Skills Spotlight And Challenge where she presents a two week Photography Challenge.

Barb of Harmony Art Mom shares Term Exam:  Grade 11 (Charlotte Mason Style) : “These are not the sort of term exams that put fear into the hearts of my children, but rather the kind of exams that they actually look forward to.”

Angie (of The One Thing: Psalm 27:4) is a co-writer for Habits For A Happy Home .  In this article, she writes about The Habit Of Quality Time Together “You know you can be in the same room with someone and really not be spending time with them. As parents we need to make sure that we aren’t constantly just in the same room with our children.”

Shirley Ann of Bugs, Beetles, and Barefoot Days writes Education Is A Discipline – Charlotte Mason : “Charlotte Mason claimed that one third of education is the discipline of habit! That is quite a sizeable chunk! The habit of committing to a weekly schedule of learning seems to me like a good place to start. If my children are to learn diligence and excellence in their standard of work, they need to form good habits now while they are in the safe learning environment of home.”

Erin of Delighting In His Richness writes about making a Pilgrim’s Progress Lapbook : “Pilgrim's Progress has entered into a few conversations recently in our home, and I had an inspiration to use this for our Bible time for a while. We will read the book, some of the corresponding Scriptures, memorize a verse a week, and put together a lapbook as we go.”

** UNRELATED TO CHARLOTTE MASON:  There were many spam posts submitted for the Blog Carnival which were deleted.  However, 100 Best Reference Tools For Homeschoolers actually contains some useful information.

There are some interesting reference resources listed that I had not seen before, and so I wanted to share it with others who may be in need of reference resources too.

Multitude Monday

Ann Voskamp of A Holy Experience began her Thousand Gifts blog some time ago.  Encouraged, I began privately logging things for which I was thankful.  Big things.  Small things.  Things of Him.

Ann said:

"I am seeing things I have never seen before, atuned and aware of this constant, endless stream of gifts from His hand. I am one waking from slumber....from the stupor of indifference and ignorance. I have sight, fresh and keen---the world is new and full of His gifts.

Too often I miss Him, oblivious, blind. I don't see all the good things that He is giving me, gracing me with, brushing my life with. True, He is everywhere, always. But maybe, before The Gift List, I thought of Him as further off, not so close. When I started to see all the things that I love bestowed upon me, I started to see Him as near, present, everywhere, showering me with good things. Seeing the things I love all around me gives me eyes to see that I am loved, that Heloves me.

It is happening to me as John Milton wrote: "Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world."

Everyday epiphanies everywhere, indeed: gifts....Grace.

"... the smell of the florist’s... the sound of kernels of corn streaming, tinkling.... leaves floating in puddles..." Just writing them down as they happen.

Yet my list is different than another's for a reason: God has made me uniquely me. The Gift List is about gratitude... but it is more. It is about what defines me and my own personal identity. Reflecting on The Thousand Gifts List... "...cracking open a new book... pushing children on the swing.... old men looking at cards in the stationery aisle..." I am thankful for the things on it, yes, but I am also thankful that He has given the gift of me; that God made me who I am and I am one who sees and experiences the world in a way uniquely her own. The Thousand Gifts list is about the gifts Abba gives this child every day... and, ultimately, about the very gift of self, life as I know it.

George MacDonald wrote, "No gift unrecognized as coming from God is at its own best...when in all gifts we find Him, then in Him we shall find all things."

It is the season of lists. Care to begin a list of a Thousand Gifts? You'll find Him in all things---the very best gift of all.

Father, You are the Giver of all Good Gifts. They are everywhere. I can hardly jot them down fast enough. How You love.
~~
Will you too begin your list of a Thousand Gifts? It will change your life. Guaranteed."

Now, in this new 2010 year, I am again inspired.  A renewal.  I will be keeping a list ... sharing ... a thousand things ... and more.

1.  Husband who loves me far more than I deserve.

2.  Six beautiful Cherubs, healthy and strong.

3.  Fresh eggs every morning.

4.  The scent of good hay stored in the barn.

5.  Frosty "flakes" glistening outside.

6.  Warm mittens and winter coats.

7.  Bean soup cooking in the crockpot.

8.  Fresh homemade bread.

9.  Ears up, both eyes, and morning winnies (our horses morning greeting).

10.  New seed packets, bags of dirt, seed trays - the promise of this year's garden.

Curious ?  Perhaps consider joining too ?

Our Lord, He blesses us.  Do we see ?  Feel ?  Hear ?

What about the little things ?

Check out the Gratitude Community (what it's all about) and join here .


** Thank you Ann, for inspiring and encouraging .. and for sharing your Thousand Gifts.

Aspirations

1a.  I plan to read the Bible from cover to cover in 2010.  I will be using this Bookmark System recommended by Ann's blog, A Holy Experience, in her post  Eat This Book .

Bookmarks for first half of the year.

Bookmarks for second half of the year.

(Thank you Ann !)

Here are some other Bible Reading Plans should you

aspire to make this your goal as well:

Bible Read Through

Chronological Bible Reading Plan

Five Bible Reading Plans In Over 50 Translations

Bible Gateway Reading Plans

52 Week Bible Reading Plan

Heartlight Bible Reading Plan

One Year Bible Online

And here is a great article about
Family Scripture Memorizing
by Family Reformation.
The original article was
written by Ruth Beechick.
(Thank you to James & Stacey MacDonald for this wonderful Ministry.)

1b.  I am also going to read Spiritual Disciplines For The Christian Life by Donald Whitney, and also will work through Spiritual Disciplines For The Christian Life:  Study Guide .

1c.  I have committed to being a stronger Prayer Warrior.  I intend to keep a list of intentions close-by, and to spend considerably more time in focused prayer.

Favorite Passages concerning Prayer:
(1)  If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened.
But truly God has listened;
he has attended to the voice of my prayer.  (Psalm 66:18-19)
(2)  “Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it—the Lord is his name: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”  (Jeremiah 33:2-3)
(3)  “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.  (Matthew 6:6-13)
(4)  “Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:23-25)
(5)  And he said to them, “When you pray, say:
“Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread,
and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.”
And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:2-13)
(6)  Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. (John 14:13-14)
(7)  If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.  (John 15:7)
(8)  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,  (Ephesians 6:11-18)
(9)  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6)
(10)  I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; (1 Timothy 2:8)
(11)  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  (Hebrews 4:15-16)
(12)  You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. (James 4:3)
(13)  Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.  (James 5:16)
(14)  And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.  (1 John 5:14-15)
(15)  “I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who stay united with me, and I with them, are the ones who bear much fruit; because apart from me you can’t do a thing. Unless a person remains united with me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up. Such branches are gathered and thrown into the fire, where they are burned up. “If you remain united with me, and my words with you, then ask whatever you want, and it will happen for you. This is how my Father is glorified — in your bearing much fruit; this is how you will prove to be my talmidim. “ (John 15:5)
(16)  And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9-11)




2.  I plan to spend considerable time memorizing Scripture in 2010.

Why Memorize Scripture:  A Habit Of Repeating Words

(Thanks again to Ann !)

How To Memorize Scripture:  Discipleship Tools

ESV Bible RSS Feeds

3.  In 2010, I aspire to eat better and to exercise more ... not for vanity's sake, but rather in an effort to be healthier.  I am turning 39 next month, and have been having trouble with my back and my hips.  As they say, I'm not getting any younger.  But it seems that I should feel better overall.  So --- I need a change.  After much prayerful consideration and research, I am going to use The Total Wellbeing Diet book which includes recommended eating plans, recommended exercise programs, great recipes, and more.  It's a life plan, not a diet.  (I am secretly hoping DadToCherubs will join me with the program.  It's much more fun to exercise with someone else !)

4.  In 2010, I have committed to Cherub 2 and Cherub 4 that we will sew more together.  Somehow sewing has fallen by the wayside since our move.  We found some neat websites with free patterns and tutorials that we are going to work with for now.

Free Apron Patterns You Can Make

Wearable Patterns

100 Handmade Tutorials

5.  And finally, I have been feeling a strong conviction concerning feminine attire.  Every day.  I made a commitment to this several years ago, but then with gardening and horses and children and other activities, somehow the skirts and dresses gradually disappeared from my daily attire.  During my quiet times, Bible in hand, and during my prayer time, I have felt led back to this again and again.  So, I am recommitting to a Year Of Feminine Dress.  (And I am secretly hoping that Cherub 2 and Cherub 4 will join me in this commitment.  We shall see.)

Here are some links that I found encouraging and helpful (there were far too many to list !):

Through The Week In Feminine Dress
Feminine Dress Regained
Maidens For Modesty
Modest And Feminine Attire
"Does God Really Care What I Wear ?" (Nancy DeMoss's radio program)

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Are you making any Commitments for 2010 ?

Resolutions ?

Changes ?

Please share them (comments) ... that we might be able to encourage one another !!

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