Recently my husband came across a great find at the bookstore.  It was called Our Q&A a Day.  This is a 3-year journal for couples.  It asks questions like, “What famous couple would you like to go on a double date with?” Or “What new resolution have you stuck with so far this year?”.  There’s a place on each page for you to answer that question this year and the next two successive years.

We’ve made supper our time to write in our book, and have thoroughly enjoyed the discussion it has created.  It will be a good journal of our relationship over the next several years as we read what we wrote in the earlier years, and where we are today.

This is a great tool to refresh your marriage – and who doesn’t need that?  We all need to keep growing in our relationships!  I found the book on Amazon here, some as inexpensive as $9.  This might make a great Valentine’s Day gift!  Or you could make your own kind of journal, using an empty notebook and creating questions together.

My husband reminded a small group that he’s teaching about communication in marriage, that God communicated with us His love for us and put it in words – 66 books called the Bible.  God knows that we need communication in our marriages too.  A little book like this is just a simple way to help boost the conversation and intimacy created by sharing your heart.

How do you stay connected in communication with your spouse?

See you in church!

Be refreshed,

This is my verse for 2014. Recently I’ve meditated on “None of these things move me…”

What are the “these things?” The are the hard circumstances in my life; the hurts, the injuries that touch my pride. All the events under the category of “how could they treat me like that?” Or “That isn’t right/fair.” The times when my flesh wants to jump up and defend itself is a situation that tempts me to be moved. However, if I’m to finish my course with joy, then this will not move me. No, it won’t move me to react, defend, get bitter, quit or lash back.

I must stay steady. Resting. Trusting an almighty, sovereign God to take care of the person or the trial that He has allowed to sear my heart in two. His Son was not moved when He was mistreated. He kept His eyes on His mission – the cross. How thankful I am that He wasn’t moved to quit His purpose.

My hurting heart says, “Yes, Lord. I’ll stay on course, too, that I may finish what you’ve called me here to do. And I’ll finish with joy. Joy because this makes me more like You. It reveals your glory when I respond to this hard thing with joy.

Instead, draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord, to Thy precious bleeding side.

Do you need to stop and ask the Lord to help you not to be moved by the “these things” in your life? He will help you. You, too, can finish instead with joy!

Resting,

Decorating a home is really a continual process. There is always some fluffing, adding and rearranging that needs to be done. Then each season brings about different decor as well. I knew my family room needed a large clock over the cedar chest/bench, but I couldn’t find just what I was looking for. I wouldn’t buy until I found the perfect size and color. Also, I needed curtains for the double window, but didn’t want to settle for just anything. Then I took a trip to Kingsport. . .and look what I found!

The clock was on clearance at Hobby Lobby for $20! The light blue chevron curtains were also found at HobLob for half price! LOVE that store! When I saw both of these items, I knew immediately that they were perfect. I love it when that happens!

Thought you might like a peek! Thanks for stopping by!

Are there certain home decor items that you’re looking for? Keep a list in your purse or on your phone with dimensions, window width, etc. You never know when you’ll find that perfect item!

From my country porch,

One of the sweetest joys of being married to the parson is getting to make visits to the hospital when a new baby is born! I watch at the bedside while the new mommy is cuddling her infant. If I’m real lucky she’ll ask me if I’d like to hold her new little one. I pounce on accept that invitation gladly! I peek inside the soft blankets at the quiet little one tucked snugly inside. Often we hear the proud daddy boasting about how this little one will learn to love his favorite sports team. There’s often sporting wear already purchased – it’s in the team colors, of course, with a bib or hat to match! The parents of a daughter may speak of her learning to play an instrument due to her parent’s love for music. They dream of the day they’ll play in church or in a marching band.

But how do these inclinations become a part of a child’s heart? They are put there by the parents. They talk of their loves. And even greater, if the mommy and daddy love the Lord, their child will hear of Him often, and with an intensity that surpasses any hobby. Why?

Because this is a new little life that is so…
small
         precious 
               teachable 
                        needy

It happens in the instructing; that loving teaching that happens every. single. day. It starts at birth – before they ever hold a football or baseball, or touch their little sticky fingers onto piano keys. It starts in cradled arms and moves on to each day of their lives.

Click the picture to view in larger window

The craft room as it was BEFORE

I had that very response every time I entered my craft/guest room. It was awkward. It wasn’t easy to craft in. My storage bins weren’t handy, because if they had been out, they would have looked messy. Something needed to change. Sooooo, one day last week I started rearranging furniture.  =)

One thing I knew I needed to do was make my storage bins accessible. They were hidden in the closet – totally inconvenient when I was crafting! So I pulled them out and came up with a way to make them look neat, even though they’re full of supplies…

The crafting side of the room

I added a vinyl wall decor above the bed instead of hanging a picture.

I love going in this room now! I’m so much happier with the new arrangement. It just took a little tweaking to get it just right. This room gets the afternoon sun for more hours than any room in the house, so it’s generally always sunny and bright – making it a perfect spot in which to work on crafts! I love that I love this room now!

What room in your house makes you sigh? Refresh the room by rearranging the furniture. Do something to make the room work better. Even if you can only do a little at a time; keep working with it until it feels right. You’ll know when it get there – you’ll stop sighing and start smiling when you walk in!

See you in church Sunday!

Be refreshed,