Just for now

Well, I think it will be just for now, anyway. :) I don't want to be spending alot of time blogging right now, simply because I have so much going on around here. So, I am going to blog on Homestead Refuge only for a bit. You can go there and check it out. I like this blog and the purpose of it, but I also thrive on feedback and I just don't get as much here as I do at Homestead Refuge. I will let you know when I have time to go back to blogging on both.
Blessings,
Rashel

Prayer works, but we knew that already!

Yes, God has answered my prayers and given me back my energy. I really think my slump was a combination of things, but praise God, He has renewed me once again. He does care about even the little things in our lives and He is waiting for us to ask Him for help. Not only did He hear my prayer about my energy, which may seem like a trivial thing, but He also heard my prayer on a larger matter. I have been having very stressful extended family issues which I won't go into, but it was heavy on my mind Sunday morning. Without going into details, I just want you to know that after praying with someone at church on Sunday morning, I immediately had peace about the whole situation again. God is faithful and wonderful. He gave me a peace that only He could and I am so thankful for that. It is too easy sometimes to let the enemy get a foothold and bring condemnation in our lives. However, that is not what God wants for us. God brings conviction, there is no condemnation for those that are in Christ. God knows my heart and that is all that matters. Praise God for hearing prayers, both big and small!

Blessings,
Rashel

Trying to get back to normal

It seems I have been having a hard time lately getting things back to normal around here. I don't know if it is a true lack of energy, laziness or just that I got so out of my routine I can't get back into it. I have gotten back to my morning devotion times, which I ashamedly had let slide for awhile. It really feels good to have that time to start my day. I can't stay on long today, my dh and two big boys just got back from football camp, so I should get off now.

I will be back soon, probably Monday, and hopefully be able to report that I am getting back into my normal routine. I think I will pray about it.

Blessings,
Rashel

Still really busy but having fun

This week is VBS which means it is really busy around here right now, but we are having a good time too! However, we are noticing that the enemy is attacking all around us. He knows we are spreading the word and love of Jesus to many children (and their parents) and he wants to try to stop us. I am praying we all continue to follow our Lord and Saviour and to rely on His strength through these times. I know the children our having a wonderful time at VBS and they are also hearing God's truth.

On a side note, Saturday we went to a BBQ at my cousin's home for my great grandpa; his 91st birthday was last week and this was to celebrate. We had a good visit and good food as well. Yesterday, my mom called and said they had put him in the hospital because he had passed out and was unresponsive at home the evening before. We still don't know exactly why but he is feeling better now. The kids and I went to the hospital to see him before VBS yesterday, he was happy for the company and we had a nice visit. I am so thankful that my children have gotten to know their great-great grandpa and for the time we have had with him. I am afraid though, that he won't be around for much longer. The same goes for my paternal grandpa, the kids great grandpa. He is also getting very weak and declining in health. We don't really expect either of them to make it to next year. We know death is inevitable, but that doesn't make it any easier to handle. I am just trying to see them both as much as possible while we still can and I am thankful for the time the Lord has allowed us to have this far. It seems as though this past month has been full of death, we know of 6 people that have passed away this last month. They weren't all close, some we just knew who they were but that is still alot for such a short time.

Okay, I need to get off of here and get some chores done. I pray you all have a blessed day!
Rashel

Too busy

This month has made me realize that I just don't do well when I am too busy. I don't do well at all! I need some structure and routine in my life at times and if I am running here and there, then there isn't much structure to be found. I know alot of people can function just fine running all nilly willy all the time, always on the go, always busy busy, but that just isn't me. I really enjoy my simple life and being home, keeping my home and training up my children. I don't do well keeping my home or training my children if I am not at home. If I am busy and always running, my children get disciplined, not trained and I don't like that much. Now don't get me wrong, I like to get out once in awhile to go to a friends or to town for my shopping, but this having something everyday that takes me away from my home and my duties here, it is for the birds. I honestly don't know how some women do it when they are consistently away from home or even if they have alot going on at home, how do they keep up with their homekeeping duties and take care of their families as well when they have so much other stuff? I don't like feeling rushed and stressed all of the time, I like simplicity. I like knowing what I am doing the next day and having some kind of plan, and so do my children. I have come to realize that my children need that structure as well, we all function better when it is in place. I have also come to realize that when we have structure and routine, my children behave better. I wonder if it is actually them behaving better or me having more patience with them and more time to train instead of just discipline them that makes the difference. Perhaps it is both! So, for me and my family, I have resolved to do my best to keep my life simple and enjoyable. Yes, enjoyable. I found that I don't enjoy my day or the things and people around me as much when I am rushed and busy. That is no way to live life. I want to be able to take a moment to stop and watch my children play, to see them laugh when they don't know I am watching. I want to be able to stop what I am doing, close my eyes and let them lead me by the hand to show off their latest artwork or invention. Yes, the simple life is the life I enjoy. What about you? Are you too busy? Remember, even if the things you are doing are good things, it can still be bad if it makes you TOO busy. Think about it and take it to God, ask Him for guidance in this area. Ask Him if you are too busy.

One more thought on this, make sure that all you are doing is for God's glory and not your own; are you doing this to glorify Him or to get the praise yourself?

Blessings my friends,
Rashel