"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house." Matthew 5:14-15

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." Matthew 13:45-46

Friday, July 31, 2009

Smells of Fall

I had a list of things that I had hoped to accomplish today. One of those was making applesauce. For some reason our apples are ripening faster than normal this year. I had two big bags of apples that needed attention before they spoiled. So I began the task of peeling apples to make applesauce. I already have one big pan finished and the last one is still simmering. I can smell it cooking as I write this.

Although it didn't seem like it would be a big job, I have spent at least two and a half hours this morning peeling apples. My fingers and back are feeling the results of my labor. I had hoped that our apples would be better this year, since a friend of ours has been faithfully spraying them since Spring, to keep the bugs away. Well, apparently the bugs still managed to find a home in my apples. Many times I would look at the outside of the apple and it looked perfect. But as I cut into it I was often surprised by a little worm friend.

As I was peeling and peeling and peeling I couldn't help but think about a lot of Christians today. We look pretty nice and appealing from the outside, but perhaps not on the inside. Perhaps people know that you are a Christian, but at times things come out of your mouth that sound no different than those in the world around you. We say we are Christian but do we live lives that are fully set apart and different from the world around us?

Which are you today? An apple that looks lovely but has bugs on the inside or are you an apple that has some spots and bruises on the outside, but inside is a healthy, crisp core?

Monday, July 20, 2009

Looking Ahead

Last week I was out shopping to pick up some last minute items for my sons trip to China this week. While I was out I noticed the back to school items in the store already - you know - pencils, papers, notebooks, scissors, crayons, etc. All of those things that conjure up thoughts of fall. I know I mentioned some of this in my last post. But my mind keeps going back to it. This will be a different fall for me with only having one son at home. Usually during this time I start thinking about what ladies Bible study I will be teaching and what God wants me to focus on. My thoughts continue to stray in that direction and I still don't have a clear idea of what God is calling me to do. I need insight of what things to be involved with. I don't want to have too many things scheduled. I know that my son will have sports practices to be carted to, as well as his job once a week.

Perhaps things are a little more 'cloudy' right now because of the past few months that we have had, dealing with my husband's skiing accident. He hopes to return back to work full time sometime soon, but still will be undergoing therapy - perhaps for a while yet. These months have been difficult ones. The people that we thought would be with us, supporting us, often were the ones that were not. God often used people that we didn't know very well, to reach out to us. We did have ones that were extremely faithful. I still am seeking the Lord's direction in where He wants us to be in relation to all that we have been through. Sometimes He uses something like this in our lives, to point us in a new direction. My husband and I are trying to remain open to God's leading in this area. No definite answers have been shown us as of yet.

My prayer is that above all else, I will remain close to the Lord, and seek His direction for our lives. I want to be in the center of His will.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Catching Up!

It seems hard to believe that it has been almost a month since I was last able to post a blog entry. Things have been pretty busy in our household. My oldest son graduated from our homeschool, my Mom celebrated her 70th birthday, my husband has returned to work part time and we are in the midst of preparations for my youngest son to leave for China next week. I feel like my life has been a whirlwind lately.

I have been trying to squeeze in time as well to do some lesson planning for the fall. I still have a long way to go. Before long I will be sending my oldest over 1000 miles away to attend Pensacola Christian College. I already have started accumulating some items for him. I still have a ways to go. I only can buy a little at a time since we are on a reduced salary right now.

Here in PA we have had an unusually cool and comfortable summer so far. I have been loving it since I don't do well with heat and humidity. Right now it is raining, which means I won't need to water the garden today. As I picked up a few grocery items this morning at a retail store, I noticed the school supplies already lined up for fall. I ended up buying some supplies for my college bound son.

Fall is a favorite time of year for me - looking ahead to a new school year. Enjoying the beauty of the changing leaves. Walking in the crisp air and hearing leaves crunch underfoot. I always have enjoyed getting new school supplies - for my sons as well as for me too! :) It seems hard to believe that I only have three more years of teaching homeschool with my youngest son...

I know the next week will be busy with getting my son off to China, so I'm not sure how much I'll be able to write, but soon hope to be a little more regular with my entries. Will you please pray for my son as he will be gone for 18 days. I pray that God will use this trip in a mighty way in his life, to draw him closer.

Blessings to you all!