Irish Toast

May you never steal, lie or cheat.

But if you must steal, steal away my sorrows

If you must lie, lie beside me all the days of my life.

And if you must cheat, cheat death.

Because I could not live a single day without you

-Leap Year

The cost of hospitality

Hospitality is defined as the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers. Secondly, the quality of disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way. Hospitality is a gift that you give and should not expect anything in return. Hospitality is easy when you are prepared, when it is people you love, and when you are well. However, God rarely deals in ease and comfort. Silver isn't refined in a pleasant temperature. I am always amazed how the good Lord reduced you to a kicking screaming child as he is working on you. I was talking to my mother-in-law how I pray for the Lord to work on me and to use me. She replied "be careful what you wish for." I thought that was so weird at the time. God tells us to "practice hospitality" in Romans 12:13. He then instructs us to "offer hospitality to one an other without grumbling." That is it. There is no law that requires guests or strangers to bring a hostess gift. Hospitality is not even contingent on courteousness, thankfulness, nor kindness. I have been meditating on what it means to be hospitable. I believe that we are to practice hospitality in our homes in order to learn it in our hearts. I am so challenged by this and currently being challenged by this. I have an ugly little black heart and I know it. I know what I have to do and I am kicking and screaming. Gracious Lord, I know that when I open my home and offer hospitality without grumbling, it opens my heart to receives you warmly and generously. This is exactly the way I want to welcome you Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour. Please give me the strength to quite my grumbling. I pray for patience and kindness toward every one I meet so that I may glorify you. I thank you Lord for taking time to work and refine little old me.

Lord show me the way

Consider it pure joy, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Autumn Delight

I love the fall. Autumn to me means final preparations for a long cold winter. Buttoning up our land and belongings. Warm fires, snuggling, delightful smells from the crock pot, enjoying the fruits (vegetables and meats) of your labors, rose cheeks and cold hands.

I love this word: Brisk

I love this too:

Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:

If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

I Also love thinking especially about thanksgiving

God Bless America

We the people,
In order to form a more perfect union,
Establish justice,
insure domestic tranquility,
Provide for the common defense,
Promote the general welfare and Secure the blessings of liberty
To ourselves and our posterity
Do ordain and establish this
Constitution for the United States of America

Do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. —Galatians 5:13

Rise to the occasion of our forefathers, for the Glory of our Lord whom this country was founded upon.

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. James 4:8

Many Blessings on our country's Independence Day.

Thistle Adversity

Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity? —Job 2:10

I can understand raspberries, strawberries, radishes, and even danilions but thistle. I believe that thistle is God's little reminder that we will never fully understand his plan. Maybe it is part of the curse. I don't understand, the are just like a very unpleasent person, deep rooted, full of thorns and always trying to choke out life. They are God's creation and part of his plan, I just don't want them in my garden. But I do thank God for thistles because if there weren't any than Braveheart just wouldn't have been the same.

Changing Seasons

The season has changed so quickly I am trying to catch my breath. Due to current circumstances I will be hanging up my apron and jumping back in to my scrubs. Not very often can a gal be happy about this kind of thing but I am overjoyed. My dad is in dire need of an experience dental assistant and we are in dire need of reducing our debt. A win win situation. The third part of this is our beloved Grandma Debbie is finally moving in with us in our greatest need. It is times like this when you know God is working in your life. It is only 3 days a week but it will help much. Grandma Debbie and I can split the homeschooling duties. I am currently trying to pick out cirriculum, I just want a lot of organization. Dental Assisting at my dad's is very demanding so we must run a very tight ship. I am so excited we could us a little shaking up in our routine and much more structure. I am so happy to be giving relief to my husband.