MAKING TRACKS

The weather Saturday was just SO beautiful that my family and I (our cats came along, too!) took a walk in the fields behind our house.
Nathan and Samuel love to look for animal tracks. The ground is still kind of soft, so the tracks show up pretty well. Among the tracks that we found were tractor tire tracks, deer tracks and, of course, people tracks (ours :-)!).
Some of the deer tracks were old, but my husband said that you could tell from the track how heavy the deer was, along with whether or not it was a buck or doe, as well as if it was running or walking. Boy! I learned alot that day. See pictures below:

BUCK TRACKS
MY HUSBAND SAYS THAT YOU CAN TELL THE BUCK WAS RUNNING BY THE WAY THE FRONT OF HIS HOOF IS SPREAD.

DOE TRACKS
MY HUSBAND SAID THAT THIS DEER WAS JUST WALKING.

PEOPLE TRACKS

TRACTOR TIRE TRACKS

CAT TRACKS
OUR LITTLE "TAG-ALONGS"

When we got back to the house, I started thinking about my life's path and what kind of "tracks" I was leaving behind me.

I have a poem on my refrigerator that reads, "The future lies before you like a field of driven snow; Be careful how you tread it for every track will show." Author unknown.

You know, everything we do, every decision we make, how we talk to and treat people (our families included), all leave "tracks" both in our lives and the people around us.

Our children are like sponges. Whether we are aware of it or not, they watch us VERY closely. Sometimes too closely. Often times, I will see an attitude or action in my child that I know they have seen in me. It's often hard and most humbling to see yourself reflecting back in your child, especially when it's a not-so-pretty attitude.

We as Christians have to be so very careful how we walk down this path of life. We should be a light, a beacon, shining out and showing people the way to Christ, starting with our own families.

Saturday's walk opened my eyes to a few life lessons. I am so very human. I need to rely on the Lord an awful lot. But, you know what? He is there for us. Keep praying, stay in your Bible, attend church REGULARLY.  We will fall, that's the truth. But He is there to catch us and put us to right again.

What kind of tracks are you leaving?

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Beth :-)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my readers! I can not begin to thank the Lord enough for all of the blessings that He has bestowed on my family and I!
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

A MONTH OF THANKS-DAY 23

"Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name." 2 Samuel 22:50

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I am so thankful today that my son, Samuel, joined me for my morning devotions. He has always been an early riser, but I usually have already had my devotional time with the Lord by the time he gets up (I try to get up atleast an hour before the rest of my house does).

Well, this morning, I told him that I hadn't read my Bible or had my special time with the Lord yet. He was excited to join me in my devotional time. We each took our Bibles, climbed up on my bed (my husband had already left to go deer hunting), pulled the quilt up and read. I read three verses and he read three verses. At six years old? Why, yes! As soon as each of my sons started to learn how to read, I would give them verses to read out of the Bible at our Family Devotion Time. It is VERY slow going at first, I must admit, and takes alot of patience. But they do eventually start doing better and better.

After reading, we prayed. Then Samuel jumped up and said, "Mommy! We have to sing some Bible songs!" So I said OK. He ran into his room and grabbed his little song book. We sang about five songs.

 Let me tell you, nothing, absolutely NOTHING, could have made my morning any better! What a joy and awsome privilege to share Jesus with my children!

Have you shared Jesus with your children today?

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Beth :-)



A MONTH OF THANKS-DAY 22



"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." 2 Corinthians 9:15



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Well, it's been a few days since I've posted. Between sick children, sewing bag orders and laptop issues, it's been difficult to find time to just sit down, so I am going to pick up my Month of Thanks from today, Nov 22.

Today I am thankful that our local Wal-Mart put their full-service fabric department back in. Now I don't have to travel an hour to buy fabric!
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

A MONTH OF THANKS-DAY 15



"Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name." 1 Chronicles 29:13

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I am so very thankful for the healing that my friend received from cancer. We were praying for what ever the Lord's will was for her life, because, since she is a born-again Christian, she said that she is a winner either way. Praise the Lord!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Beth :-)

A MONTH OF THANKS-DAY 14

"Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." Psalm 50:14-15

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I am thankful for a wonderful, Christian mother-in-love. She took me in with arms wide open and accepted me into the family with love.

You know, before my husband and I were married, I heard all sorts of "mother-in-law horror stories".

 My husband and I lived in two different states before we got married-I lived in New Jersey, and he lived in North Carolina. We decided that, when we got married, we would live in North Carolina (much to my Mom's dismay! But that worked out, and that is another story of God's grace to tell!). This meant that I would be moving ten hours away from everything I had ever known, to where I knew absolutely NO ONE except my husband and my uncle, who had introduced us. Alot of my friends and co-workers tried to talk me out of it. They said that was too far away to go where I didn't know anyone. They especially emphasized the "mother-in-law" factor, for , you see, she lived next door.

Well, let me tell you. All those stories were FAR from the truth about my husband's mother. She is a sweet, loving and kind woman. She never intrudes in our marriage, and will not take sides when we have disagreements, unless absolutely necessary, which does not happen very often.

I could not have asked for anyone better for my mother-in-love!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Beth :-)



A MONTH OF THANKS-DAY 13

"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving." Colossians 2:6-7

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Day 13! Wow. The month is really flying by. Next week is Thanksgiving! Well, today, I am thankful for my children's hugs and love.

You know, some days I feel like such an imperfect mom. I make SO many mistakes. Sometimes I fuss and am grumpy when I should have just stepped back, looked the situation over, then reacted. The list goes on and on. I start thinking about it, and I get somewhat discouraged. I love my children SO much, and yet I am always messing up, or atleast that's the way it seems to me.

Then, out of nowhere, I get an impromptu hug from one or both of my boys. How wonderful that makes me feel. But I also think about how undeserving I am for such love! They seem to love me no matter what.

You know, that's the way it is with the love of Jesus. We don't deserve it, but He loved us so much that He came to earth, lived, died and rose again, for you and me-imperfect, undeserving you and me.  

Do you know Jesus as your saviour? If not, why not today? He knows your heart, your imperfections. But He LOVES you. He is knocking at your heart's door. All you have to do is let Him in. Ask Him in today!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Beth :-)





A MONTH OF THANKS-DAY 12

"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name." Psalm 100:4

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Today, I am so very thankful for my home. Last month marked our eighth year here in this house, the house that God provided for us.

How so? Well, let me tell you our story.

When my husband and I were first married, we lived in his grandmother's old house (she had passed away several years before) which we were renting from his uncle. My mother-in-law lived next door, which worked out perfectly when our first son was born. She watched him while I worked.

One day, we decided that it was time to look for a house of our own. We started praying and looking and PRAYING! Like everyone else, we were on a budget, had a certain price range we could afford, and we really needed a house in the area that we were living in. My prayer was for a house close to my mother-in-law so that I didn't have to do any extra travelling during the work week.

Every house that we looked at was either way out of budget or just too far. What were we going to do? Time was getting short. We really had to move out of the house that we were in. It was getting pretty discouraging. But, we held on to the promise that Jesus gives us in the Bible that says, "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall as, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 18:19. John also tells us, "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:" 1 John 5:14.

The key words in 1 John 5:14 to me is "according to his will". We knew what WE desired in a house, but we also wanted to be in the will of God, and go where He wanted us to go. Well, only two months after we started looking, guess what? A house opened up that wasn't on the market, but was being sold privately. How far do you think it was from my mother-in-law's? About two miles right up the street! Plus, it was definitely in our price range. Glory to God! 

What are you praying for today? If you are a born again Christian, are you praying YOUR will or GOD's will? We need to pray for God's will. Make Him first in your life and decisions, and it will all fall into place. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Lean on God, He knows what is best for you.

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Beth :-)



A MONTH OF THANKS-DAY 11

"For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer." 1 Timothy 4:4-5

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Since today is Veteran's Day, I will have to say on this day, Day 11 of my Month of Thanks, that I am very thankful for those who have served and are serving our country and the sacrifices that they make so that we may enjoy the freedoms that we have.

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Beth :-)

VETERANS DAY-11/11/11



Happy Veteran's Day! I would just like to take this time to thank all veterans, past and present, for their sacrifices so that we may enjoy the freedoms that we have here in America. Let us never forget or become unthankful! God bless all of you!
Have a wonderful and blessed day.
Beth :-)

A MONTH OF THANKS-DAY 10

"O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms." Psalms 95:1-2

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Day 10! Today I am thankful for my mom, who taught me about Jesus from the time I was born. I love you, Mom! You are the best!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)



A MONTH OF THANKS-DAY 9

                                             
"It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the Lord, saying, For He is good; for His mercy endureth forever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord; So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God." 2 Chronicles 5:13-14
All I can say is, Wow! See what can happen when we praise and thank God for what He has done for us! Oh, that the glory of the Lord would fill our churches! Let's praise Him today! You may be going through a hard and very trying time right now, but, if you are a born again Christian, please don't forget that He is still with you and will not forsake you. He knows what you are going through. Thank Him for this. As I always say, He sees the end that we do not. He is bringing you through this valley for a reason. Hang in there!

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Well, today, I am thankful for YOU, yes, YOU my dear readers. You are an encouragement to me, and give me a reason to keep on blogging and writing. Thank you!
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

A MONTH OF THANKS-DAY 8

"And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen." Revelations 7:11-12.
Hallelujah! Doesn't this verse just make you want to praise God even more?

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Today, on Day 8 of my Month of Thanks, I am so grateful to God for the Christian school that my children attend. It is not "conformed to this world", but takes a firm stand for Christ, upholds Biblical standards and the KJV Bible, and teaches the children to know, love and serve the Lord.

How about you, my dear readers? What have you found to thank Him for? Keep searching! There is so much that He has blessed us with. We don't have to look very far.

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Beth :-)

A MONTH OF THANKS-DAY 7

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful." Colossians 3:15 

What am I thankful for today, as I sit and pay bills, bills, bills? I am thankful that the Lord has provided the money so that I can pay them. We may not be rich, but He sees to it that every month we have enough. Thank you, my dear and precious Saviour!
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

A MONTH OF THANKS-DAY 6

"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57

Today, I am thankful for the beautiful weather. After last week's cold snap, it feels so VERY good!
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

A MONTH OF THANKS-DAY 5

""Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Phillipians 4:6

Today, on day five of my "Month of Thankfulness", I am so very thankful for my church and church family. We have a very loving and friendly church that is not afraid to take a stand for Jesus and preach the true Gospel.
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

NOVEMBER-A MONTH OF THANKS

HI, everyone! Since Thanksgiving is in the month of November, I thought that I would try to post a verse or quote about "thankfulness" every day. I'm a little bit behind as my laptop went a little wacky on me, and I haven't been able to access the internet. It is finally back up and running, so I will pick it up from today, which is November 4th.

11/1- "O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever." Psalms 136:1

11/2 - "Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever." Psalms 106:1

11/3 -" In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
1 Thessalonians 5:18

11/4 - "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name." Psalm 100:4

The Bible is absolutely full of  "thankful" verses! What are you thankful for today? How about a challenge? Each day of this month, find something that you are thankful for. You might say that you don't have 30 things to be thankful for, but I guarantee that once you get started, you will find that you have many more than 30 things that you can be and are thankful for!
I'll start-First and foremost, I am thankful for God, Who sent His only begotten Son to die and live again, that I may have eternal life! Second, I am thankful that Jesus did this for me. Third, I am thankful for my husband and two boys. Fourth, I am thankful that we were able to get the new heating system installed in our house (it was getting quite chilly!). I will continue on tomorrow and each day of this month.
Have a wonderful and blessed day!!!!
Beth :-)