Wonderful Book To Read

I'm reading this most fascinating book. I'm only two chapters in but can't wait to get my pajamas on tonight and dive into the third chapter.

Here are a couple of passages from the book that have really gotten me thinking today.

Just to set the scene for you, this first passage is a conversation between Corrie and her father. She takes time during their trips to Amsterdam to ask her father questions she is unable to ask at home with all the family around giving their own input. There is a specific word that was discussed in a poem at school. Nobody seemed willing to explain its meaning. Here is the conversation she and her father have regarding the word.

He turned to look at me, as he always did when answering a question, but to my surprise he said nothing. At last he stood up, lifted his traveling case from the rack over our heads, and set it on the floor.

"Will you carry it off the train, Corrie?" he said.

I stood up and tugged at it. It was crammed with the watches and spare parts he had purchased that morning.

"It's to heavy," I said.

"Yes," he said. "And it would be a pretty poor father who would ask his little girl to carry such a load. It's the same way, Corrie, with knowledge. Some knowledge is to heavy for children. When you are older and stronger you can bear it. For now you must trust me to carry it for you."

And I was satisfied. More than satisfied-wonderfully at peace. There were answers to this and all my hard questions - for now I was content to leave them in my father's keeping.

Are we giving our children simple, Biblical based answers to their questions or do we act stunned and dismayed when they ask us things? Do we go on and on about things they really don't need to know about yet or do we give them these simple, well guided answers so they are content for the time being. Are we as parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents and adults reading books with substance along with the Bible so that we can learn how to deal with these questions and conversations with children or are we getting our knowledge from television and radio? If you spend much time in front of the television having things put into your brain that are sinful and Godless, I encourage you to turn them off and pick up a wonderful book to read. There is so much to learn from the Godly generations before us. Don't forget that even as adults we are suppose to be careful with what we hear, see and put in our minds.

At the end of chapter two, Corrie is frightened and distraught over a family that lost a little one. Her father comes to tuck her in at night and this particular night she fell to tears.

"I need you!" I sobbed. "You can't die! You can't!"Father sat down on the edge of the narrow bed. "Corrie," he began gently, "when you and I go to Amsterdam - when do I give you your ticket?"I sniffed a few times considering this. "Why, just before we get on the train." "Exactly. And our wise Father in heaven knows when we're going to need things, too. Don't run out ahead of Him, Corrie. When the time comes that some of us will have to die, you will look into your heart and find the strength you need-just in time."

I believe that the above part of the story needs no explanations. It speaks for itself.

A Day Baking

"The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things, that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be descreet, chaste, keepers at home, good obedient to their own husbands, that the Word of God be not blasphemed."

Titue 2:3-5

Sunday I was honored to have two young ladies over for the afternoon from church. This verse came to my mind as they spent the day with me baking, laughing and playing. What an important role we women with no children have. We still have plenty of influence on young women and can be such an encouragement to them. I find so much pleasure spending my time with the mothers and children from church.

Theresa cooking at the stove. We had a wonderful time wearing our aprons. I found this one at World Market over the summer when I was in Michigan.

Miss K stirring the no bake cookies

I had to have them take turns in measuring the ingredients out. We had a quick math lesson while we were at it.

My mother made these aprons. It was wonderful having them being used by such two darling girls!

A Lazy Winter Day

Today I woke up, the wind was blowing and the snow was all over the place so I decided to spend a delightful day in the comfort of my home. James ran out of bread so it was a good day to catch up on that chore. I only call it a "chore" because of the cleanup otherwise making bread is actually fairly easy. When I taste tested it like I usually have to (at least a piece or two) I noticed there was a "taste" missing. Well wouldn't you know it, I realized I forgot the salt. Oh well, hopefully James won't notice. I always make five loaves so I have a few to put in the freezer. This is so I don't have spend time making it every week.

I found these two delightful books at the free library section yesterday. I stayed up until midnight reading one last night. They are an enjoyable little read!

Today I got out this wonderful afghan my mother made (probably before I was even born). I always come back home from Michigan with a car load of things. We needed some blankets to pack around a piece of furniture last time I was home. My mother let me use this afghan! I was so excited because this was one of my favorite blankets to curl up on the couch with on Sunday afternoons while my dad watched a movie when I was little. Today I washed it up and put it on the back of Jame's reading chair and it makes the room seem cozier and more comfy to me. There's nothing like having something your mother made close by to curl up in! Thanks mom!!!

Spoiled Lily

Yesterday I took Lily to get shaved. Her hair was a mess and being the end of winter, our yard is nothing but a mud pit. Oh, if only I could have a yard with grass instead of just patches here and there. It just doesn't seem to want to grow here. I've told James many times we need to just pour a big slab of cement out there and paint it green. He reminds me how expensive of a project this would be.

Lily was zonked out last night. As soon as I brought her home from her bath and cut, she had to go out in the mud right away. I'm sure I've had to wash her up about ten times a day at this point. She's a lot like James and just likes to be dirty.

Well, she can't sleep on the top of the couch without having her baby blanket under her!

My Shadow Box

I was delighted when James hung my new shadow box this weekend. I spent two nights getting out all my miniature stuff and arranging it on the shelves. As I was unwrapping all of it, Lily got to hear lots of stories of where everything came from. We had a good time and got to remember lots of memories. The clown on the top shelf was a Christmas gift from my Grandma and Grandpa Foley. There are a few things that my oldest sister and her husband brought me from their travels in England and Scotland. My mom and dad brought me home the pelican from one of their many trips to Florida. Jenn and mom have gotten me lots of dogs through the years as I have a huge dog collection that my great-aunt started for me when I was little. My family loves our little miniatures! They are so much fun.

Terrific Finds

I hit the jackpot at the library today. They have a free book section and I found all these books. Most of them weren't on my list but I couldn't pass them up! I only had one Mercer Mayer book growing up and absolutely loved it. It was one of my favorites to read before going to sleep and today I brought home six! I left the library with my bag and my arms full. I started painting my dollhouse today. It needs a little tlc as it has only been painted once and that was when it was put together when I was in elementary school. I would put some photos on for you to see but I decided to wait. It temporarily does not look good.

Valentine's Day is near just in case you weren't aware or haven't been to the stores to check out the cool stuff they have for this romantic holiday. I've decided that Valentine's Day is my day! James doesn't have to get me a thing because I'm just buying myself whatever I find fancy. We headed to Target in Rapid City Saturday (140 miles away but well worth the trip) and our first stop was Target. It's hard to live so far from Target but I save a lot of money by not having it so near. My favorite purchase of the day were these two adorable mugs with an owl and bird perched on the handle. They are so cheerful and if you know anything about the family I come from, we love "cheerful". This week I've been busy crocheting hearts that my sister Jenn requested. I'm in the process of making as many as I can for friends and relatives! Thanks for the pattern Jenn! I love it!