be a watchwoman of your home

I would like to share an article here written by Nancy Campbell from the Above Rubies Ministries. ( shared here with from permission from Nancy )


It is so good, and is the very things that have been heavy on my mind and heart for my family.






SCARE THE DEVIL

The ark kept Noah and his family safe from flood. But, although they were safe, they had to go through the storm. We will never be able to avoid the storms and tempests of this life. Consequently, we have to learn how to navigate them. God shows the way through the example of Noah who built a strong home, a home that could withstand the biggest tempest that ever hit this earth.





...Each one of has faced our different storms. We may face bigger storms ahead. The most important thing we can do is to continue strengthening our marriage and our home. Ask God to show you any leaks where the destroying enemy can enter in. Our homes constantly need repair. I am glad I married a “Mr. Fix It” as I call my husband. But more than physical wear and tear is spiritual wear and tear.





Constantly check what is going on in your home, what is being watched and read in your home, and what is coming into your home. The enemy hates godly homes and he looks for openings in the walls where he can enter in. He looks for broken down walls. Close up all holes. Take authority over compromise, worldliness and all evil. Plead for God’s protection and cover your home with the power of the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Become such a diligent watchwoman that you scare the devil!


Love from Nancy

So well put, and must for us all to do. May we all be ever so watchful of our homes not allowing any evil to enter therein.
( If you would like to learn more about the Above Rubies ministries please visit www.aboverubies.org )

In Him,
Mae

the TV song

I just recently came across this little song in one of the children's piano books.
After reading it I was like, "really!? Is this what it's like in some homes?"
Here is the song.

TV
Every night I watch TV till time to go to bed.
Every night I watch TV till I'm a sleepy head.
Mother turns out every light, Then we watch TV.
Pictures, stories, every night for our family.
Every night I watch TV till time to go to bed.
Every night I watch TV till I'm a sleepy head.

That sounds so very sad to me, if that is really true in some homes.
I am thinking what about...
~ reading good books
~ playing family games
~ family devotions
~ writing letters
~ sewing, knitting, or crocheting
~ doing crafts or coloring or puzzles
~ talking with each other about the day
~ or just time to think, and going to bed at decent hour?

I am thinking there is much more exciting things to life than watching TV every night.

So glad that song isn't true for our home.
In my opinion life is far too short to spend it that way, I have way to many great things to accomplish and do in life!!
I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Just leave me a comment.

In Him,
Mae

sewing denim skirts from jeans

Just recently a fellow homeschooling mom told me about sewing denim skirts from jeans. Then another mom gave me a web link to some very good step-by-step instructions for sewing the skirts.
So I decided to sew both my little girls a jean skirt. And here is pictures of the completed project, along with the step-by-step instructions to go with it!!!

Now I have two very happy girls proudly showing off their jean skirts!!

Instructions:

Things you will need

~ Jeans

~sewing machine with sturdy needle for thick fabric

~tan denim strength tread

~straight pins

1) Cut off jeans at the desired length and turn them inside out.

2) Using a seam cutter, rip out the inside seams of the legs ( up to the zipper in the front and to the yoke in the back).

3) Starting at the top ( what used to be the crotch area, right under the zipper), pin together the front panels leaving 3/4 - inch for a seam. If the top area seems to bulky, take this small flap area and fold it over the to be sewn flat against the front of the skirt.

4) Using a heavy duty needle ( for thick fabric), sew the flap flat against the skirt; then sew the seam down to the hem area, leaving about 1 1/2 in. for the hem. *

5) Turn the skirt around and repeat the above process, pinning and stitching the seam down to just above the hem area.

6) After the front and back have been stitched, but before hem it, try it on to see if it is to tight. If the skirt needs a little wiggle room, cut a 2 or 3 inch slit up the back, or side of the skirt. Fold the cut the material of the slit inside ans stitch it down to the hem. Stitch across the top of the slit to keep it from fraying.**

7) With the skirt turned inside out, fold up the hem about 1 inch and secure all the way around with straight pins. Stitch the hem, directly under the pins; then remove the pins after hem is finished. ***

Tips

~ personalize your new denim skirt with studs , embroidered designs, rhinestones,or other craft decos. If you prefer the hem to gradually fray , then omit stitching the hem; just be sure it has been cut evenly around. ( for theses skirts I did not add any thing for decore, these jeans were already decorated like this)

* In step 5 I did not sew back the flap as instructed, but simply cut that all off (leaving about a 1/2 inch from the seam), after sewing up each seam. It seemed to be just fine, at least on the girls skirts.

** In step 6 I did not cut a slit in the girls skirts for they seemed to be just right. I can see though in a longer skirt that a slit may be needed to be roomy enough.

*** In step 7 I did not pin the hem but just simply tucked the material under while I was sewing the hem. Less hassle that way. It worked fine for me, but I was not to concerned with having an absolutely even hem. But as you can see in the pictures it does looks alright. I made a very narrow hem.

Well enjoy sewing!!

My next project will be to sew me one. That may be a greater challenge than doing little girl skirts! But I look forward to seeing how it turns out.

Wishing you a most wonderful day!!

In Him, Mae

Come unto me, all ye that labour.....

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke up on you , and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30

I love those beautiful the words of Jesus!!

How often and how easy it is for us to take things in our own hands, and try to handle everything on our own.
Or let the things and cares of this world get the best of us. Or worry about this and that.
And when we do our load is soon way too heavy for us.

That's not what God wants for His children though.

He wants us to come to Him with all our problems.
He wants to lead and direct our lives.
He wants us to come to Him with anything and everything!!
Nothing is to big or small for Him!

We all know how wild and hectic some days can be as moms; with homeschooling, tending our sweet little ones, plus house work and laundry and cooking to no end. What a heavy load it can be!!

But God knows all of that dear moms. And he cares about all those little details, our struggles, our concerns, our worries , our little ones sickness, and so on.

We can unload all our troubles and burdens at His feet.

So if you have had a hard day, and your weary and tired in spirit, just bring it all before the our Heavenly Farther in prayer.
Pour out your heart to Him. Tell Him all about your rough day, and the things that are heavy on your mind and heart, or concerns you may have.
And He will refresh and renew you, and give you rest unto your souls.

For His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

( I felt compelled to share this verse too)
"It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so He giveth His beloved sleep." Psalm 127:2

In Him,
Mae

singing the word to my blessings

I have just realized I really need to be singing to my children much more than I have been.

Songs such as Jesus Loves Me, and God Loves All The Children of the World, are my usual ones I sing to them.

But I really feel that I should be speaking the word of God to them more, so I thought what could be a better way than singing it!!

I can make up my own little songs from the Word. So now not only will they have a cheery momma going around the house singing, but they will also be hearing the Word of God at the same time.

How awesome is that!!

I have decided to start with their Bible verses I have chosen for them to learn this week.

So the last couple days I have been singing......


"....the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Fear not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."
Matthew10:30&31

Also this will be a good one to sing.

"My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is thy keeper...."
Psalm 121:2-4
I am so excited about doing this is my home!!

There is so many wonderful verses and passages that can be sung.

And if I can do it, any momma can!!
Cause here is a confession, I can not sing very good at all. I can not carry a tune even if my life depended on it!!
But that is ok, we are to make a joyful noise unto the Lord!!
And that's what I attend to do, along with speaking or I should say singing the Word into my children.

Something I have already been doing with the children for the last couple of years is singing each one a personal version of Jesus Loves Me as I tuck them in bed at night and pray with each of them.
It goes like this.....

"Jesus loves you ( child's name), this I know, for the Bible tells me so, little ones to him belong, for they are weak but he is strong. Yes, Jesus loves you dear ( child's name), and your momma does too!!"

Sometimes I will change that up a bit and add more words and so on. I try to make it different and fun for them.
Sometimes I do something like this....

"Jesus loves you ( name), yes, Jesus loves you my big helper ( name). Jesus thinks your so special and momma does too!!"

or this....

"God loves all the children all of the world, red and yellow, black and white, they are all so precious in His sight. Yes, God loves all the children of the world, red and yellow black and white, Nathan, Clayton, Samuel, Sarah, Anna, and Benjamin too, they are all so precious in His sight!!"


Now with the bed time songs and the day time Bible verse singing this house ought to be really rocking!!!

May your home be filled with the beautiful sound of the words of God too!!

In Him,
Mae

for the hairs of your head are numbered

"And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do."

"But I will forewarn you whom ye shall hear: Fear Him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you Fear Him."

"Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?"

"But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are more value than many sparrows"
Luke 12: 4-7

What beautiful words of Jesus!!!

If those above verses do not convince us that God has us completely protected, then I don't what would.
That is enough to convince me!!!

But there is many, many more verses than that in the Bible on God's protection over His people.
OH, how I love and cherish them all!!

I will leave a few more here that you can look up.

1 Peter 3:13

Hebrews 13:6

Psalm 18:1-3

Psalm 27: 1-6

Psalm 33: 18 & 20

Psalm 121

Psalm 139

Psalm 91

May you enjoy theses verses of God's love and protection as I have.

They are beautiful in deed. Not only beautiful , but a promise to those who love and obey Him!

May you rest in God always knowing He has you covered!!

In Him,
Mae

think on these things

Some scriptures that have been on my mind lately.

"Finally, brethren , whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Philippians 4:8

If our thoughts are to always be pure, honest, and lovely, it would seem there should be no room to have anything unholy, impure, and imperfect for our eyes to see, and our ears to hear.
Never ever!!

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with God in Christ."
Colossians 3:1-3

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world.
1 John 2:16

I think we are to apply these verses to our daily lives, not just merrily read them and then pop on the T.V, radio, etc. with it's less than perfect content.
I feel like if God wants us to think good thoughts all the time, then we must NEVER put anything negative in our lives.
The things of this world are not of God, and I feel like we are to be in this world, but not a part of the world.
We will find there is many things in this world that we can not partake in if we are truly one of God's children.

"He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk, even as he walked."
1 John 3:6

It is time we take our walk with God seriously and to always put our affection on things above.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Please feel free to comment.

In Him,
Mae