Guest Post by Barbara Rainey of Family Life Today

 I have often prayed, “Help my unbelief,” over the decades of my faith.  Far too often I have believed my unworthiness greater than His perfect love delighting in me.  Is that true of you too?

Like a photographer with his eye behind the lens of his camera, so we have the power to choose where we focus our vision.  Every day we are aware of our failures, our flaws, our frailties, but in those moments of self-awareness we can change the attention of our heart from self’s shortcomings to Christ’s grace.  Zoom in on the truth that we are fully loved because of the cross, and allow the lies of unworthiness to recede.

What God desires is for us to be so captivated by His love that we live like a newly-engaged couple, overjoyed with the delight of being chosen, who think about each other almost every waking moment.  Yet the Father’s love toward us is far better, for the attention of Eternal Love never ceases.

 

 

 

May we live today more like the name He has given us, His bride!

 

 

 

 

The post Captivated by Eternal Love appeared first on Ever Thine Home.

the Secret

The secret of life isn't what happens to you,
But what you do with what happens to you."
Norman Vincent Peale

Treasured Memories

"O praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from dead... Jesus!

♥ If God is for us who can be against us?"

 Romans 8:31

They can never be destroyed or taken from us!  Creating meaningful memories for my family is one of my priorities in life.  “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal;
 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”  (Matthew 6:20-21)

Time is the commodity needed to make good memories, not money.   Am I glad for that! 
 Today is January 6^th, “Epiphany” for many believers.  This is the day that many churches celebrate the coming of the Wise Men.  For the Blue Willow household, Epiphany is a special day, the last day of Christmas.  We never take our decorations down until after midnight of this day.  And then there are “Three Small and Precious gifts”  for all.  We read and talk about the Nativity Story one more time, reflecting on the belief that Jesus was probably about 2 and a half years old when the Magi arrived.  We discuss the words Jesus  might have spoken, HIS favorite games and foods, and how HE responded to the camels and Royal Men.  There are ALWAYS 3 candles on our dinner table this night, and we eat with no other electric lights on. 

 One year, we read about an old tradition of leaving 3 candles in the window to tell the Wise Men that Mary, Joseph, and Jesus were waiting up for the Famous Caravan bearing gifts.  And so now we, too,  place 3 electric candles in our front window to shine out all night as a tradition on this date.  It is my hope that all of this will be treasured up in Kimba's heart and pondered later during the year, and in future years. 

It is late now as I write this, and I am thankful to the LORD for the things in my life that can never be taken or destroyed:  Salvation, my love for my family, and my memories. 

Father God:

Please help me to continue to create meaningful memories for Papa and Kimba,

memories which keep us focused on the True meaning of Epiphany and Christmas!

In Your SON’s Name,

Amen

Thanksgiving 2014 at the Cottage

May this Thanksgiving be
 

a time that overflows with happiness...

And may the beauty of this season warm your heart
 

 in all the days that follow

"His children will be mighty in the land;

 the generation of the upright will be blessed."

 

Psalm 112:2

 

 



This Needlepoint piece was
a gift from a sweet friend
 

 

 Keep striving for simplicity,
joy, and peace.

And never give up!






Armoire topped with Leaves and
Autumn Accents






To Be Prepared...

Meat, Giblets, Celery,
 Onions for the
Dressing



A Messy Kitchen equals
a Delicious Dinner!





It began to snow and the boys begged to go
out and play...
how perfect!
 

The Antique Hutch is dressed for
Autumn



Our Foyer

Designed to Welcome Warmly

Wedding promises remain in site...

Accented with fall leaves



We dressed the Turkey with
braided peppered bacon
and fruit.

before applying the bacon,
I rubbed the bird with butter, and stuffed
Garlic Cloves under the skin for
seasoning.
Inside, I placed a quartered Apple,
a quartered pear, and 2 quartered yellow onions,
not to mention a whole bulb
of chopped garlic, sage, and thyme



I await the look on my dear Mother's face
when she beholds the
Dinner Table!

So many meals she has prepared for us...
countless thousands, no doubt.

Now it is her turn to be served!

The Dessert Table



The Children's Table

Buffet Style, my Brother, Curtis, and
Byong, our adopted Korean son
begin the Feasting



Teen's Table

(We had 23 total guests)

Just some vignettes...



Colorful Fruit/Vegetable/Nut Table



Fruit Tart and Apple Crisp



New Addition
The Hot Cocoa Bar

The children especially loved it!

 

 

What warms the heart?

Whole Wheat Pancakes with thick, smoked Bacon for Breakfast on a cold day.

I remember waking up in my parent's home after being away at college. The aroma of Bacon called me to rise and join my Mother for breakfast in the Kitchen.

 It is my goal to imprint the same type of memories in the mind of my son! We had a wonderful family day today... First Saturday Mike was off in months!

Childhood Sanctuary

Whenever I fall prey to the stress that adult life sends my way, I head to a place in my backyard... A Place where a special chair sits by my sacred garden. 

 

Among the birds singing their sweet songs and the butterflies being amused by the rosemary and thyme, my favorite childhood chair remains, basking in the beauty that surrounds it ... 

I am not quite sure when this old, distressed piece of furniture came into my life, but I do remember the feeling of excitement.  "Just for me?"  I asked my mother.  Her reply:   "Of course." 

Though the seasons change, my little special chair does not.  It survivies rain, heavy winds, and rays of sunshine; it stands faithful and often hints of Pride, knowing that no matter what my mood, it is there to preserve my childhood memories.  During the exuberant early days of autumn, as a child, I used to sit with excitement near our tiny pumpkin patch, wondering which great pumpkin was coming. 

My chair is the bridge to my past,-- an extention to days of innocence - when life was simple and the hug of my Mother was more than enough. 

 

As my Grandmother May sat near me in her own chair, reading a book, the strength of womanhood was instilled in me for life. 

Weeks will sometimes pass before I sneak in  a memory or two; but when it gets to the point where I need to deeply exhale, then inhale and refill my soul, I sneak to my backyard chair and rekindle the thoughts of yesterday, where a little girl sat with the marvelous world all around her.