From Annette Lyster

I sometimes think that He will say hereafter, not only "As ye did it unto one of the least", but, "As ye did it in little things, ye did it unto Me."  I don't want to preach; but if we could remember at the right moment that the unkind word, the quiet ignoring of suffering, the contemptuous look, may be inflicted on Him, perhaps we should be more cautious.  Favorite thought from the book The White Gypsy.

Blessings,

E.W.

Little Britches

We are reading aloud a sweet family story called Little Britches by Ralph Moody.  It is a series of eight books.  The story is akin to Little House on the Prairie but the main character (who is a hoot) is a young boy.  I love the imagery that Moody uses in his writing.  Ralph Moody was eight years old in 1906 when his family moved from the east coast to Colorado.  Auctions and roundups, family picnics, irrigation wars, tornadoes, and wind storms give authentic color to the this series.  In seeing for the first time their new cabin he writes, 'From the hill beyond the Fort, it looked like a little dollhouse sitting on the edge of a great big table, with a brown tablecloth smoothed out flat all around it."  We have laughed and giggled through some of the old ways of ranching, but we also have heard some truly great life lessons.  The virtues of God are peppered throughout the story.  Plus this book appeals to all ages, so the whole family will enjoy it!
Coram Deo,
E.W.

Proverbs 9

Go get your bible and turn to Proverbs 9.  The beginning 12 verses discuss the way of wisdom.  The last 6 versus, versus 13-18, illuminate the way of folly.  Now check this out; verse 4 (from wisdom) and verse 16 (from folly) say the SAME EXACT THING:

"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here":

And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him.

Both wisdom and folly sit in the highest places of the city, both are offering bread and drink.  How do we guide our children, especially our teens, and ourselves when these two rivals are saying the same thing?

First, wisdom appeals to the mind, whereas folly appeals to the senses.  We are emotional creatures, easily excited or swept up in the moment.  There is a lure about wickedness, we are curious about what appears to be wild or seductive or dark.  The world often portrays itself as 'the good life', living high and free.  It something 'feels' wrong it most likely is.  Thinking clearly and carefully takes more than a second.  That second could be the difference between safety and sin.  The Holy Spirit has a chance to instruct if you take a time out and think before responding.  If you are not sure, ask someone as vs. 9 says:

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;

Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

Second, vs 10 distinctively tells us how to find yourself at the banquet of life and discerning whose voice is speaking:

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

This is how we can help our kids navigate through the tumultuous waters of life.  Know God by spending time with Him and reading His Word!  It will save your life.

Thank you Lord for your Word of life and wisdom and power!

Blessings,

E.W.

Moms in Touch

Today I kicked off our first Mom's in Touch meeting. One other mom and I joined together to pray for our kids, our school staff, and our school.  It was the fastest hour of my day!  If you have time on Monday afternoons at 1:30 please, please join us to cover our loved ones in prayer!


Matthew 18:20  "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."


Coram Deo,
E.W.

Masquerade Ball

Every other Friday night a local church has a swing dancing night that draws the older teens and college kids.  It is a fun way to gather with friends and learn some new moves.  This past Friday was a masquerade ball, very informal, but so fun to wear a mask...it does have an air of mystique!

The phantom on the right hand painted the mask of the phantom on the left!  Best buds!

Dancing is like dreaming with your feet!  ~Constanze

The Pirate Gweedo

I could never tire of sparkles.  I was wondering how in the world we were going to go to the church corn maize and then leave, get dressed, and go dancing.  I contemplated coffee, but ate some dark chocolate instead to have the energy to leave the house at 8:45 and dance till midnight??  I am not a teenager anymore, but somehow, once we got there, the evening flew by!

Some masks were painted on!  I love this chick!  She is an original!  She knows who she is in Christ, she is totally mind-blowing smart, and has the sweetest personality you ever did wanna meet!

There are always more girls at a dance than boys, always!  Why is that??

Superheroes in disguise...

Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in high heels.  ~Faith Whittlesey

Blessings,

E.W.