Building A Foundation

It is so exciting! We laid the cement foundation for our house. I am including a picture with today's blog but I wanted to share what I learned today as I watched the cement being poured. The most important thing I learned was how important the foundation is to the stability of the house. The cement must be the right mixture - too wet or too dry would not work at all. Then, as it is being poured, there must be someone to guide it to the right areas as other men must push it around to make sure every nook and cranny is filled. After that someone comes through and smooths out the cement just laid making very sure to fill all holes and gaps so no pockets exist. The edges get much attention as well making sure the whole foundation is flat and no cement is left to harden in a pile. Then, they run this machine over the top of the foundation to ensure a tight fit and total compaction as well as a smooth finish. I probably make it sound so easy but it is hard, delicate work. Everything must be done for the foundation to be ready for a house to sit upon it. It reminded me of my Christian walk. I, too, need a firm foundation to stand in this world. And my foundation begins with accepting and receiving the sacrifice by Christ on the cross on my behalf so that I may know the forgiveness of sin and the hope of eternal life. Like the cement mixture, Christ had to do what He did. If He had used His power to stop the crucifixion and saved Himself from the cross, I would not have hope. But because He was willing to die for me, I gain a new life and a changed heart. I see the hope of eternal life through His death and ressurection. 1 Corinthians 3:11 reads "For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." Isaiah 28:16 says "Therefore thus says the Lord God, ' Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: Whoever believes will not be in haste.'" Then, as a growing Christian, that foundation continues to grow strong and firm by reading, memorizing and praying God's word every day. Daily experiences, trials that may come my way and times of joy are other ways that the Lord continues to perfect me in Him. And each day my foundation grows stronger and more sure. "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)

Sadie

Purposed Family

So, today I was reading this short article written by Melton Duncan about families and their purpose. It really made me think about the purpose of my family. Our time on earth is very short yet God has us here for reason. That reason, my friends, is for His purpose and His glory. Duncan wrote "in the Old Testament God worked through families to accomplish His purposes in establishing his covenant people." Isaiah 59:21 reads "And as for me, this is my covenant with them,' says the Lord: 'My spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children's offspring,' says the Lord, 'from this time forth and forevermore.'" Isn't that so fabulous?? God has purposed my family and my children and their children. We have a purpose and our lives are not in vain. We are here on earth to serve the Lord and not ourselves, to share the gift of salvation found in the shed blood of Christ and the hope of eternal life because Christ has risen and sits at the right hand of God. Joshua 24:15 says "But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." This is the ideal for my family. Not only did the Lord use families in the Old Testament to establish and accomplish His purposes but he continues this in the New Testament. Duncan writes "that the family continued to be one of the primary means of evangelism for those within the growing Christian church." The Bible is the truth of a faithful and loving God who uses faithfulness within families. Praise God for faithful redeemed families that are the instrument of God to share His redemptive plan from one generation to another. Thank Him for the family he has placed you in. Adorn Him with praise for He is so deserving of it.

Sadie

Kids activities

My kids are involved in different activities. One is a tap dancer who teaches tap to other kids. Another one plays baseball, plays golf and plays guitar. The last one tap dances, golfs, and plays the piano. They are all busy with the things they love. Some parents might think they do too much but I disagree. They do just what they can handle. And honestly, God has allowed these activities not to interfere with our home life too much. We still get to enjoy our evening meal together as a family and we are pretty much together most of the time. A bonus is these activities give my children an opportunity to grow as people, to put into action what they are taught at home, like kindness, sharing, putting others before yourself, speaking well, paying attention to others, and so on. Homeschooling kids also get a bad rap when it comes to socialization yet when I watch my kids interacting with other kids and adults and putting into action what they are taught at home, it is an assurance that they are not missing anything and will cope well, if not better than some, in this harsh and trying world. I'm so grateful we home educate our children and I hope they, too, will do the same for their children. God is good to call us into this rewarding and sweet adventure called homeschooling. It is good to be obedient to our Father.

Sadie

Today I Begin

Well, I have no idea what I am doing 'blogging" but I felt very compelled to jump into this with two feet and trust the Lord with the rest. I mean, I journal at home and have kept journals for a very long time, so why not share my blessed life with others who might be interested? So, here I go jumping in!!

Let me share a little about myself. I am very happily married with five kids (two in heaven). I have two dogs, Samson & George Bailey, and one cat, Patches. I enjoy scrapbooking, quilting, cross stitching, reading my Bible, being a mom, homeschooling and working on my website. And we are presently in the process of building our first homestead. Yikes!!! That in itself has been an adventure. We have learned about patience and completely trusting the Lord with all details. End the end, if we build this house without Him, we build in vain.

I will share more about my blessed life tomorrow. May you know how much God loves you in your life.

Sadie