Fashion? What's that?

I sometimes thought that people who had their children dressed this way...obviously knew nothing about fashion and let there children go. You know those thoughts you have BEFORE you have your own?

This last year Rebekah has really enjoyed her clothes, picking out her own things, and putting together her own ensembles. She loves the socks or tights, her skirts, sometimes multiple barrettes, headbands, and whatever else she can fit on her body. She thinks that if they are pretty, then more will be even prettier!

I do think about fashion, within reason and godliness, but since having Rebekah, it's been fun and comical at times - a form of entertainment and pleasure - to see what she thinks is beautiful, and what she puts together without the care of other people's thoughts, or eye-brow raising. She is herself, she is not bound by another's idea of beauty, or acceptance, except what is modest and acceptable to a lady.

So, here's to my rag-a-muffin who dresses herself! :)

Agh....Spring!

While many are showing pictures of lovely flowers and beautiful birds, I want to show some stuff we are ridding ourselves of. I'm going through and selling, donating, junking...and SIMPLIFYING!!!


A large Sleeper that we bought to use downstairs, but won't have room if we move...plus could use the money now.




A Baker's Rack that has been lovingly used, and much appreciated, but...time to go.
It feels soooo good to clean stuff out and minimalize. I'm going to be going through my cupboards and keeping everything that I use ALL the time, and give away or sell that which doesn't get used much.

I know many people can relate to the feeling of throwing off the bonds of "stuff" and freeing ourselves from the clutter, the agony of "Oh...I really neeeeeed to dust/clean that"....I'm embarking on a new use it or lose it mentality and although my husband is worried I'll go to the extreme and my daughter clings to her toys, I'm on a mission. A mission to release the guilt of too much stuff, the burdens of extra cleaning, the entrapment that goes with being owned by all my knicknacks and such. Gone are the longings of a perfect setting and knicknacks to fill every corner, Gone are the ideals of collections and "gotta have-its".

I am reclaiming my life, my home, and my time. I will only get what I know I need. I will only keep what I use on a regular basis, and if it's decor that will go on the wall, it must replace something else, and not accompany it.

I want to simplify and I'm serious!

Constitution Party Event - Nebraska

Stand up for the United States, your family and your future generations!!!

Don't stand by and take the lesser of two evils, when there is a party that stands for good.

We'll be there!



State Parties and Candidates
Nebraska
Constitution Party of Nebraska
Contact: Victor Novak
Email: venovak@earthlink.net
Address: P.O. Box 642296
Omaha, NE 68164
Phone: 402-677-5501
Mid-Western States Area Co-Chairman
Contact: Scott Bartlett
Email: sdakcpchair@sio.midco.net
Address: 4505 South Tennis Lane, #5
Sioux Falls, SD 57106
Home Phone: 605-221-3330
Work Phone: 605-331-6972
Events in Nebraska:
CONSTITUTION PARTY OF NEBRASKA

The Party of Prairie Populism

INFORMATION AND ACTION MEETING

Saturday, March 28, 2009, 10:00 AM

UNIVERSITY PLACE INN
5250 Cornhusker Highway
Lincoln, Nebraska 68504

There will be morning and afternoon sessions, with a break for lunch. The meeting will end in mid-afternoon. Spending the night? Double occupancy is only $59.00 per night, with single occupancy only $49.00 per night. For reservations call: (402) 464-3171

CONSTITUTION PARTY OF NEBRASKA
P. O. Box 642296
Omaha, NE 68164
venovak@earthlink.net

There is only one solution to the crisis we are in – an authentic second party, a party of Main Street rather than Wall Street. The national Constitution Party is that party! The Constitution Party of Nebraska is a Nationalist and Populist political party. We are Nationalists, America Firsters, not globalists or free traders; and we are Populists in the tradition of “the great commoner” William Jennings Bryan, George Norris, and Pat Buchanan. In fact, if you like Pat Buchanan, you will love the Constitution Party of Nebraska!

Politics is history in the making. Together we can make history. No one is going to do the work for us. No politician is going to save us, and the Republican Party is part of the problem, not the solution. This is your opportunity to strike a blow for freedom. See you in Lincoln! It’s time to -

STAND UP FOR AMERICA!

Smiles through Trials

The above photos has nothing to do with my post, but it's the latest of my little lady. :) She is always ready to put on a smile. :)

**************
Lately we've had a few setbacks - if you will - in life. Things to worry about, and of course, I'm a worrier...it's in my blood, so it seems to take a toll on me more than Chris. Some times it just seems as if you are praying and God has His back turned, or His fingers in his ears? I know He doesn't really, but is there a point where we know it in our head, but haven't accepted it in our hearts? I think so.

When situations get you down it's easy to say and be told,
"Give it time, it'll work out",
"Just keep praying, the answer will come when He knows you need it",or maybe...
"It's just a trial, you'll get through it, just keep trusting the Lord".

Honestly these don't help. When someone is going through a seemingly hopeless issue or situation, the only thing that really helps is to know that others are praying and then it's up to the one worrying about it, to actually accept those truths and deal. It has to be accepted in the heart and not the head, which is hardest, but once done, is so much easier to really give things up and trust the Lord.

He says in His word:

(Isaiah 55:8&9) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.


And we cannot forget Dear Job. Nobody would understand our hurts, griefs, or losses like Job. (besides God, of course)When he was going through all he was the Lord finally told him (Chap 38 -41) all He is in control of. There is so much and it is so humbling, you need to read it, but it really really really puts things into proper perspective to do just what we can, and back off. Praise the Lord! Let God be God. We can not change anything without His help and the quicker we come to that realization the more content we will be.

1 Peter 5:6 & 7
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for He careth for you.

What would this journey we are on to be more perfect and Christ-like be if there weren't bumps in the road and reasons to really trust in God? It's too easy to say we trust and feel that we do, and then when our faith is put to the test, ask God why He is letting us go through this.

(Matthew 5:45)38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
and (Eccl. 3:16, 17;)And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

So, for whatever the Lord has in our future, my prayer would be that we wouldn't get discouraged, but that we eagerly look forward to what He brings out of our trials and how He shows Himself.

Proverbs 15:3
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

Oh Man...I did it again! ** Updated at bottom**

I know it's great to read about people's lives. Alot of times we get to read the good of what's going on...mostly because that's when we feel like writing? That's the case with me at least...but here goes...an Uh-Oh....


Do you ever have those moments...."oh no. I did it again." but not until after you stick your foot in your mouth? yeah. That was this morning. I did IT again. I really really try to think before I speak maybe to the point of not speaking enough...yet when it comes to letters and emails I have on 3 occasions really just said too much. I sincerely apologize if you are one of those.

I have an opinion. Everyone does. Is is wanted by people...sometimes, but maybe not quite to the level I unleash it. It's so easy to mean well, think well, and even be humble when writing, but then...that's not what someone else reads. They are thinking of it from a defensive, attacked view.

I think the problem lies in while it starts out as just a response to an email, it begins to sound like a rant (not intentionally) because the other person isn't there to clarify, interject, and detour my thought process. Not to mention they can't see in my head and heart that I'm truly not trying to attack.

I am learning this, that email is not (even if it's the only form of communication) let me say that again... NOT... a way to humbly give advice even if it's asked for.

The lack of tone, (no matter how many smileys or other emotions you use) lack of body language, lack of immediate questions on clarifying the meaning, that personify it as an angry monster attacking the person reading.

I try to be humble, and not judgmental, but then I do something like give my thoughts on something in this manner and afterward I think, "Why did I say anything?" Not that the person won't think about what was said, it's just that we could have had a more intimate heart to heart and connected on an issue if I'd thought about my delivery a bit more. Does this make any sense?

I believe that I will let me hubby read any email/letter going out as my thoughts on something BEFORE I send it. He's not as passionate as I am nor as opinionated and since I am the opposite - well-meaning or not - it will hopefully stop anything like this from happening again.

I'm trying to be a more Christ-like person, and while I think people should stand for things and their beliefs, to convey thoughts on a personal issue in an email while trying to be "humble" is like running over someone's dog and saying "It's for the best...now you don't have to feed it."...ok not really, but you get the point.


************************************************

Updated...

I have been thinking that maybe having an opinion/belief is ok, but being opinionated outwardly (especially to those who don't know you REALLY well - like my mom and Aunt Holly)is far from being humble.

I think I fear that I'll fall into the "If you don't stand for something you'll fall for anything" category without thinking that there is a fine line between being pushy and being steadfast in your faith/beliefs etc. Although I've never thought of myself as being proud or arrogant, I believe in my writings/communicating with people, He's showing me a very weak aspect in my being. I will work on this. Humbleness is what I strive for, and learning how to HUMBLY give my thoughts {If there's an opportunity} will be my goal.

Women and children first...Iwo Jima

I have to share a very true article from a beautiful little book I've been reading.

"Iwo Jima was a battle of men for women and children"

We live in an effeminate society where politicians and pastors have ignored the age-old principle of male sacrifice taught to us by Christ in the Gospel of John. All too often, they have sold their mass of cheap for a mess of pragmatic porridge they hope will lend them the title of "culturally relevant" or "politically effective". This is particularly clear on the issue of women in the military. As the number of girls and mothers returning from foreign wars in body bags rises, our collective consciousness towards the moral wrong of placing our nation's daughters in harm's way becomes increasingly seared. Like the murder of the unborn, we have learned to be tolerant of that which is barbaric and unnatural. We have even learned to cheer when women go off to war to die in the place of men.
But it was not so on Feb. 19, 1945. Iwo Jima was a battle fought by men in defense of women and children. When I asked the combat veterans of Iwo Jima what they think it would have been like to have nineteen-year-old girls hit the black sand beaches with them, they stared at me and stammered, usually unable to process my question. The thought was incomprehensible.
There were no female combatants on Iwo Jima. There were not even female non-combatants. Quite simply, there were no women. Of the more than 100,000 Japanese and Americans fighting over that rock in the Pacific, not one was a woman. This was a battle for men.
The message of "women and children first" was not lost to the fathers on Iwo Jima. Their letters tell the stories of dads who made it their mission to communicate the ancient chivalric code of manly virtues to their sons by example and by written word.

Sad but true, another sign of the dwindling state of our minds. The Lord said we are
to be salt and a light, but if we (SUPPOSED FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST) don't uphold what it says in the Word of God, Titus 2:5
"Aged Women...that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, THAT THE WORD OF GOD BE NOT BLASPHEMED."

(I don't see a clause that excuses this due to the evolution of our culture...btw, how are women supposed to be keepers at home, discreet, chaste, and obedient to their own husbands if they are miles away from their homes, and husbands???)

Then how are we to shine and be set apart?

The more women leave their place the more our Christian conscience is perverted. It was Eve who first was lured away...and it's up to us now, to be aware, take a stand to do what is commanded of us and to not be deceived again.

Where do I buy Elbow Grease?

We have finally accomplished a giant project, one that I was actually able to help my hubby alot with. I find that while doing a job such as moving furniture in and out, in and out, in and out...and scraping by hand adhesive that comes off in crumb-sized pieces, that I doubt my love of "work". This project was definitely more "work" than fun, but now....sooooooo worth every achy muscle, and trip moving furniture.

While we finished the floors, my parents kept Rebekah. It's way easier to tackle a project like this while their aren't little feet trying to get around as well.

There are before and after pictures. I think you can enlarge them if you click on the picture.

We decided to go with a realtor and hopefully soon all that will finished as well.

Our new price, $108,000 for anyone interested ;)

Spinach in March?

So I have to show my lastest experiment. I'm so excited. Last Thursday I was pretty antsy to do something in the way of gardening, but we can't yet because our ground is frozen still. Kind of a futile task until let's say April or May?

While longingly gazing at my basket of seeds, I spied a couple old pots of dirt that are waiting until spring for flowers. I decided that, since they were vacant of life and my spinach seeds were calling I'd experiment. And I did.

pots of dirt,
seeds,
warm water,
lightly covered with plastic wrap,

whah-lah!
On Sunday...about 3 days later...This is what I saw!

I'm just hoping that they'll get enough sun and do well enough to get spinach.

I can just taste it now...fresh grown spinach in March or April???