Short and Sweet Sunday Blessings

Sundays are such fun!

Going to church, praising God, fellowshipping with other believers and getting worship songs stuck in my head.
 I love Sundays.
We also went to our dear friends' house today. We had fun swimming, getting sunburn, eating yummy food, fellow shipping together and laughing together.



This song is stuck in my head. It's beautiful, isn't it? A great one to being humming over and over again.

How have you spent your Sunday?

Pulling out the thesaurus...

I've had to learn the hard way that there is more to good writing than a thesaurus at hand. I find sometimes that it's the only thing I focus on when writing a story or a blog post. I seem to always be looking through that thesaurus!
 It's my best friend. I admit it!
 Some times I don't even realize when a post is just a bunch of adjectives and nothing else.
(The lovely, beautiful, radiant shape of elegance, danced gorgeously by the luminous, inspiring, peaceful sunset......)

Using the perfect description is not the key to a being a good writer.
No one's going to die if you use only one word to describe something.
(That's what I have to tell myself or else my post would turn into a bunch of fluff.)

There's a lot more I need to learn if I ever want to be a good writer.

-You can write a sentence plainly or you can dress it up.
(The dog walked down the hill. -or- The frisky dog romped down the lush green hillside.)

-How you write counts, too. Is it first, second or third person?
(The girl picked up a book, sat down and started reading.-or- I picked up my favorite book and anxiously sat down to read the compelling story. )

-Having a goal to your story or subject helps me as well. Maybe dwelling on a certain aspect.
( The joy  in the room was clearly seen through the songs of praise and happy prayers of the peaceful church. The devotion to God was transparent on the faces of the Christian people. )

-What's the mood or feeling?
 Is it sad? ( Billy slumped in his chair, put his hands on his face and let out a moan. Tears trickled down his cheeks as he remembered the day his mother died. His head ached from the strain of sorrow.)

Is it happy? ( Kate giggled as she raced through the summer yard. All the children shrieked with happy smiles and sweaty faces. Their family's lively game of tag made the sunny day's cheer twice as cheerful.)

These are a just few things I use when writing. Asking lots of questions to myself helps keep my writing straight. Sometime I begin writing something and am not even sure where I'm going with it. Then it turns into a complete mess! (Although some times just writing what's floating in my head does help clear my mind.)

There are so many inspiring writers out there. So many good writing techniques to learn.


Do you have some writing tips you'd like to share?

I'd love to hear them! If anyone needs writing improvement... it's me! :-)

The Reflection in the Mirror

 Often times I'll look at my friends and try and copy what I like in them. Maybe their magnetic personality, maybe their quiet calm voice, maybe their vibrant smile, maybe the way they dress, maybe the way they can tell a joke ( And I can't)... or whatever it may be. I sometimes do it blindly with out stepping back and realizing how wrong my thinking is.

God made me the way I am.
My freckles, my smile, my laugh, my temper, my nose, my voice. He created me the way He saw fit.
And yes, He expects me to improve on my character, my flaws and my quick temper. But what ever is left in my personality He created it there for a reason. I can change my attitude, but I can't change the way I look or even the way I laugh.

It's sad that I should try to copy the people around me when God wants me to turn to Him for the example. He wants me to learn from the scriptures. Although their is nothing wrong with admiring my friends and learning from them, I need to look at my motives and turn my gaze to my Savior. I need to be happy with the way God created me.

Because in all I do, when I look in the mirror, I need to reflect Him.

"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s."
1 Corinthians 6:19-20


What are your thoughts?

A Post of Sorts...

I love to celebrate. How about you?

On Sunday, the third, we had our dear friends over for a very yummy dinner and went to the county's fireworks display. Yummy food, good friends, and fun fireworks.

Did I mention that our friends make beautiful, delicious cakes?

 Waiting for the fireworks to begin

The best part about fireworks is anticipating them before. :-)

We tried our best to make the fourth a productive day. So, we organized the garage.
Sounds fun, huh? :-)
Yes. Depends on your perspective, but fun none the less.
We made a lot of progress for a much needed clean. 
 For dinner we went out to eat at the Italian restaurant where our uncle works as manager. It was very nice. After dinner we were surprised to see more fireworks from the restaurant windows.

So, life has been very celebratory.

I thought I'd share a few other things, too. So here it goes.

One. My sister has the voting up for her poetry contest and every one  has done a great job on their poems. Maybe you should head over and vote, too. :-)




Two. Lots of giveaways over at Ashley's blog! So many beautiful prizes...




Three. One of my favorite photography blogs, just has the most inspiring photos! This week their showing holiday photos. Would you like to see? (Click here)

Four. Doing a little CAT testing. Sharp pencils and crisp test papers. Fun.

Five. We had some thunderstorms move through. Before the storm descended yesterday evening, upon the whole sky,  the clouds looked very much like cotton candy. God's creation is awing!

What have you been up to? How did you celebrate Independence Day?

Sisterhood Lessons...

 Early in the morning my three sisters and mother went to run some errands, while I stayed at home with three of the littles in our family.

I relished the time today while my cute two year toddler brother stood perched, craning over my shoulder watching every move I made, babbling on observing me, ( And giving me an occasional kiss or hug) as I sat working on my school work.

Sweet sisterhood!

It was one of those moments when the house is...quiet, when your twin brothers are getting along, playing nicely and peacefully, and your handsome, dreamy, smart, big blue eyed, ball of energy, love bug, tough two year old brother is... behaving, and life seems...orderly.

Serene. Still. Calm.

Oh, and then the next moment everything seems to fall apart...

(Like the dogs start to bark at nothing, the phone rings, your brothers don't want to share, and... well you get the picture.)

But moments of quiet (and rowdy moments,too) make me so glad to be in the family God's given me. They make me never ever want to trade a day of my precious life. The one that God lovingly gave me.
Even the juice spills and the toddler feet scampering into trouble, children shrieks and boisterous giggles, the toys on the floor and the dents in the door.

 The life that teaches me patience, love, endurance, self sacrifice, joy...and some many needed lessons!

My Mom's birthday

 Today is my Mom's birthday!
 She is very practical and doesn't make a fuss about her special day. 
 She has sacrificed so much for her children.

It was awful seeing her in so much pain when in labor with my sister and hard to watch when her uterus ruptured. Before she was rolled out for an emergency c-section I was holding her hand, she was squeezing as tight as she could. As my dad and I waited in the waiting room, I could not help but wonder if it would be last time I would see her and hold her hand.

But she made it through.

My mother is strong and determined and I am grateful to God to still have her today.  She makes wonderful meals, plants beautiful produce, cleans rigorously, and shares wisdom daily.

She a wise mentor, teacher, mother and best friend.

Happy Birthday, Mommy!

Steak Salad

Lettuce+Steak+Onions+Dressing= Pure yummy-ness on a hot day.


What did you have for lunch?

Ever Wanted To Be A Poet?

Now is your chance!

Click on over here to enter my sister's poetry contest!



 
Not my photo

Here's my entry:

 Fire Fly

Flashing flicker,
Small and bright.
Eyes delight.
Splashing shine,
Radiant divine.
Glowing brilliance,
Happy shimmer.
Luminous twinkle.
Flying fast.
At night you dash,
Sending glimmers
To my eye.
Wondrous as lightning;
You make me smile.

The First Day Of Summer

                                     

How did you spend the first day of summer?...

My Daddy...

Today is a day to praise the Fathers in our lives and I wanted to take some time and brag on my Daddy.

My Daddy has the best sense of humor. He never fails to make me smile and laugh.
I didn't get many spankings when I was growing up. ( I am not saying I never made trouble! Honestly, I did!) Instead He'd sit us down and explain why what we did was bad. He gives us words of correction which have blessed me more than any other punishment.
My daddy makes me feel needed and makes sure I know that I matter.
He is supportive in my endeavors.When ever I have a question, He is more than willing to give me an answer.
He has not only been a great Father to myself and my siblings, but a strong provider for our family.

Throughout my childhood and now I’ve had heartfelt support and continued wisdom poured into my life.

The just man walketh in his integrity; his children are blessed after him.

Proverbs 20:7

Do you have a special Father in your life...?

Battle of the Swimsuits

                                                   {via}
 I know I am not the only one out there, though oftentimes it seems like it...
I find that it's very difficult to find a decent swim suit. ( And might I say the cost is ridiculous!)
Do you have the same problem? Although I don't go swimming that often, I do find it frustrating seeing how the culture handles swimming apparel. Many prefer to swim around the pool wearing the latest colored underwear... :-P

I thought I'd share a few helpful links and ideas to dress modestly for the glory of God even at the pool.

Here are some options I've tried and discovered. Click the links to the websites. All photos are from their websites.

Land's end

  They have a selection of swim suits, rash guards and swim skirts.

( Sorry the photo is so small. Click the link below for a better view.)

{via}

Swim Modest

  They have a selection of swim suits.

I have bought a swim dress from them and it has held up very well. It's well made and comfortable.

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Dressing For His Glory

They have a selection of clothes as well as swim wear, swim skirts, swim shirts, and swim skorts.

Their swim skirts are about the same price as land's end's skirt, but are a  quite a bit longer with leggings sewn in.

{via}

Simply Modest Swimwear

They sell swim suits, leggings, swim suit patterns, and swim fabric.

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I bought a swim dress and leggings from here. They were well made, but the fabric hasn't been as durable as others.

Fresh Modesty

 Olivia sells a very pretty, stylish swim suit pattern. I haven't used her pattern before, but it looks very nice.

                                                                 {via}

These are just a few ideas and I am sure there are other solutions, depending on how much you prefer covering. I am not judging any one for what they swim in, but I hope that we'll all consider what we wear for the glory of God.


Do you have any suggestions on where to find or make a swim suit?... :-)

Blessings

Blessings

by Laura Story

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if the thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
And all the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

This song really spoke to me and I was able to relate to the beautiful words.
 It reminds me of when my sister was born. When my mom was raced to the emergency room and my dad and I were left to sit in the waiting room.
It's was a long sleepless night; and a rainy night.
But it was a night filled with blessings. God was near, telling us to trust in His will. His blessings come in different ways and I know that things would not be the same if God hadn't intervened. We would have taken for granted the precious life of my Mom and sister. You have to have a different perspective sometimes, when defining blessings. I know my definition of the word has changed.



How do you define blessings?