Investments of a different kind...

 

When we first started to pursue parenthood, a very wise, "mature" friend advised Mike and I to make our priority to "Start with the End in Mind" when it came to our Childrearing Practices.   Happily, we have done just this, and have offered our son many Lessons:  Important Investments of time and information.  This week is no exception.  For a reason not known to me, 'B' has an unquenchable interest in Slavery, and in the Civil Rights movement currently.  We went to the Public Library, borrowing and devouring the following:

Rosa Park's Story told from the voice a young boy on the bus.

Another captivating story about the truth which occurred at Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina

Even I cannot image a world that forbids swimming in the same pool together, what was the point?

Even in revisiting these issues myself, it is my joy to observe our wonderful lad, to actually watch his face and see his eyes as he learns about the good and the bad in our Country's History. I love that I am here with him as he discovers some of these issues.  I love how we can talk about how the LORD allowed these inequities, just as HE allowed other unfair events in the Biblical times.  I trust we are building a Foundation upon which future Terrors and Happenings will be filtered through the Colander of past events (hashed and re-hashed in our home as our  family discusses such occurrences).  If you are reading this and are a Mother, don't settle for less.   Don't spend endless hours on your cell phone, or online.  Go get some good material and EXPLORE!  SHARE.  TALK.  Argue if necessary.  Just do it.  You will never regret the investment.


 I cherish these times.
  I pray that they will last long after the boy can fit on my lap

The New Blog at Blue Willow

Our New Blog is under Construction at Wordpress. 

BlueWillowCottage.Wordpress.com

We love a good sermon!

"God never sends His servants on a fool's errand. It pleases God by the foolishness of preaching to accomplish His divine purpose, not because of the power of preaching, nor the power of the preacher, nor any power in those preached to, but because 'all power' is given unto Christ 'in heaven and earth,' and He chooses to work by the teaching of the Word."
~C.H. Spurgeon~

Our Preacher making cards for the friends

at the Golden Living Nursing Home

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!