Day 3 #31daystoclean

Ok, we are on day 3, but the last two have been hard ones for me. I was not home all day today. So, I loaded the dishwasher! I am keeping it real!! The day before was a hard, no energy day for me, I managed to keep my kitchen clean, make a few meals for the freezer and that's all folks. 

Two weeks ago, I was above my cupboards and had to vacuum them the dust was so bad! That was a sight to see!!! Here I am standing on the ledge of my counter to reach with the vacuum plugged into a counter plug and my two part vacuum in hand. The canister in one hand and the small hose in the other!! Oh the things we have to do, in order to clean cupboard tops that haven't been touched since I moved in two and a bit years ago!!! LOL

I loved this quote from Day 2... A good reminder and encouragement:

“Life-giving is about receiving from God in order to give to others.” Barbara Mouser, Five Aspects of Woman

“Who is woman? She is the redeemed Life-giver, enlivened by the love of Christ and continuously renewed by Him as she nurtures others.” Barbara Mouser, Five Aspects of Woman

In all this, I am seeing room for improvement and seeing room for growth, and room for more of God!

Yesterday and Today I am learning to trust God. He has been speaking to me about areas in which I have struggled in this. It is almost easy to trust God for other people's healing ( even over a period of time) then it is to trust for your own healing. Today I had the pleasure of taking time, just me and God and Starbucks to have personal time. It was amazing, but only after the surrender. With out the surrender it was hard slogging! The pic below, is what I was working on today!

If you need a good study to follow, I highly recommend the ladies over at if:equip.com. IF you allow God, you will SEE BREAKTHROUGH.

 Snow drifting, temperatures dropping, Christmas lights light up my dark country lane.

December

Garland and lights, stuffed snowman and Christmas music fill my house

December

Advent readings, new traditions, baked good, and icing tasters

December

 Tonight as I wrap my hands around a cup of warm, spicy tea, and listen to a new album by a very talented friend, I can't help but linger...

Karla Adolphe is a very talented musician and a good friend. Her songs have a hauntily beautiful sound to them. They make you think of a light fluffy snowfall, and a walk in mild winter temperatures. They encourage you to fold into a blanket, warm drink of choice in hand and reflect on what this season's meaning truly is.

I love how when she sings "We three Kings" you are drawn in and it is personal, this is not an overly common Christmas song, but I become expectant and long to see the Star.

In the song " Do you hear, what I hear?" She encourages you so that you wish you could have heard and seen, she invites you to the precious serenity of the stable home of Jesus Christ.

There are three more songs on the album, one being an original. I can see this album playing over and over in my home this season as I linger with my Father.

Karla describes the songs as  "The songs express themes of pilgrimage, longing, hope, revelation, visitation and prophecy. I hope in them you find rest, linger with me and thank you for joining me on this journey." ( as quoted from her blog)

Advent means COMING

I invite you to come, linger here with me, pick up a cozy blanket, warm cup of choice, come sit at the feet of our God, meet Him as we have been beckoned to. Let this season be about HIM, his love, his sacrifice, and the greatest gift.(More on that inspiration from a favourite blogger and encourager Ann Voskamp tomorrow.)

Please follow this link and be blessed this season,

Lingering

motherhood

when I think about this day, like all women I can't help but think about my mom.

Laurel Evangeline Fortune, is truly a gift from the Lord for me...

She has raised 10 kids, in the North of Canada, Whitehorse Yukon
She was a Pastor's daughter and a Pastor's wife
She balanced the home while Dad worked to provide for us,
many times doing two separate jobs at once

I don't have bad memories of my childhood, even with all of us to care for I remember..
Mom, caring for my friends, our church family, our family friends, and even taking in people in need of a loving family.

I remember Mom, wholeheartedly loving and serving her Heavenly Father and teaching us to do the same.

One day when I was (probably grudgingly) vaccumming the couch, I  found a list and on it was all the names of us kids and notes beside each name. When I asked my Mom, she said it was her prayer list. I later found out that before she started each day with all of us, she would start each day with God.

Mom is the woman I look up too, the woman I hope to emulate. Mom's favorite words are "Yes!" and "Obey!" They have become mine as well.

Thank you Mom, for all that you are, for being obedient to the Lord and teaching and encouraging me to do the same.

Do you need to be encouraged to say "Yes!"? I encourage you to get your hands on a copy of Rhinestone Jesus #Yesinmymess by Kristen Welch.
This lady has read my heart.
Trust Jesus, Say Yes, and take the ride of your Life.....you won't regret it.