Hola!

Hi friends!

I haven't had much time to post.  Been enjoying the season and kids home on vacation.  I do have a post in my drafts that I hope to finish this week.  I'm excited to share what God has been doing here!

In the meantime, here are three great reads that are helping me focus as we enter the New Year.  I pray you're blessed!

The Only Place to Really Live

I'm A Two Bit Dud...And Smiling Ear to Ear

Words (I get to be real live, in person friends with her- how cool is that?!?)

Oh, and don't forget to register to read the Bible in 90 Days!

Multitude Monday

 

Here are some of the things I was thankful for this week:

798.  Difficult mornings- allow me to put into practice what the Lord has been teaching me

799.  Crying before the Lord and knowing how He cares

800.  Peaceful mornings- allow us all to rest and enjoy one another

801.  Coffee with a friend

802.  Access to health care and antibiotics

803.  Friends who help in tangible ways when you have a sick little one

804.  Listening to the boys when they asked to drop an extracurricular activity

805.  Christmas Eve with family

806.  Christmas morning shouts of glee!

807.  Christmas Day at home with family

808.  Sunday service before the blizzrd rolled in

809.  A blizzard!

810.  Kids bundled up and playing in the snow

811.  Watching them from the warmth of the living room window ;)

812.  Pondering a big decision

813.  Sir Ken Robinson- my new obsession

814.  A week without rushing in the mornings

You can read why I got started here.

Praying the Psalms- Psalm 50

Jenny has begun a journey of praying her way through the Psalms that I have decided to join. Each weekend, we will pray through one psalm and post our prayer and/or meditations on that psalm as the Lord leads. Check out her journey and join us in Praying the Psalms.


Psalm 50

“Sacrifice thank offerings to God, 

   fulfill your vows to the Most High, 

and call on me in the day of trouble; 

   I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” Pslam 50: 14-15

I love how God works the little details of things together.  In two weeks, I will celebrate a year of Praying the Psalms and Counting the Gifts!  And here in Psalm 50, He reminds me these are two of the most important things I can do- give thanks and call on Him.


Lord,  thank you for all you have done for, in and through me this year.  I pray that You would keep a spirit of thanksgiving growing in me this coming year and help me to learn how to pray without ceasing.  In Jesus' name, amen.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Christmas Encouragement

These posts so encouraged me this week.  Hope you enjoy them!

Are you ready for Christmas?

How to Really Live a Life

He Holds All Things Together

These many weeks, tears have been my food.  One of our children has been struggling and as with the ripples from a stone dropped down deep into a pond, the pain has touched five hearts.  Our family has been pulled and stretched and sometimes I think we just might split right open and apart.  But I am reminded that He is before all things and in Him, all things hold together.  And then I can breathe again and put feet to the cold floor when morning comes again and continue the fight.

And I share again in His sufferings and obey even when it is hard.  The tears still fall but also the hope swells when I read what He has to say about that: I will also share in His glory and His comfort will abound.

And also sometimes I make things worse.  Forgetting what He's teaching me about love and grace and mercy and gentleness and succumbing instead to that which I already know.  Those sins I've rehearsed long- anger and despair and hopelessness.

And He is so tender with me.  Given me so many who love me.  Who let me be sad and vulnerable even though I am usually the strong and confident one.  And who gently tell me the Truth and help me tear down the lies that lead to the pit.  

I'm not sure of many things these days.  This not knowing is outside my comfort zone.  Sometimes my mind wanders too far past today and worry sets in.  But I tell myself that today has enough trouble of its own and He is before all things and I fight back the fretting with thanksgiving and learn what it means to wait upon Him.

Multitude Monday

 

Here are some of the things I was thankful for this week:

781.   My big boy getting the flu...

782.  And how it forces life to slow down

783.  And how it gives countless opportunities to love and nurture and encourage

784.  And how it gives time to be one on one with him- baking and playing bottle cap hockey and board games

785.  Christmas Cards- sending and receiving and remembering and praying for loved ones

786.  Knowing when to rest- even in the hustle and bustle of this season

787.  Finishing the Christmas shopping

788.  Pictures with Santa!

789.  Our girl's Christmas concert at school

790.  The world's cutest church Christmas pageant

791.  Starring a lowly (and adorable) shepherd, a regal (and handsome) wise man and a positively glowing (and beautiful) North Star

792.  Pageant director who prohibited me from helping and insisted I just enjoy the finished product!

793.  Reminders to trust

794.  Ice skating- all 5 of us- with friends

795.  Singing along with the Heat Miser and Snow Miser- and how it still makes me smile

796.  Starting the gift wrapping

797.  God speaking and teaching me- hope to find time soon to share what, here

You can read why I got started here.

Praying the Psalms- Psalm 49

Jenny has begun a journey of praying her way through the Psalms that I have decided to join. Each weekend, we will pray through one psalm and post our prayer and/or meditations on that psalm as the Lord leads. Check out her journey and join us in Praying the Psalms.


Psalm 49

"People, despite their wealth, do not endure;
 they are like the beasts that perish.  This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings."  Psalm 49: 12-13

 "But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself."  Psalm 49: 15

I am blessed to have a good friend who keeps telling me to trust God.  When my mind is swirling about a decision to be made.  When I say I am knee deep in research.  When I lament that I am not sure about the choice we made.  When I think, maybe this would be better or that would be more profitable.  She looks into my eyes and says, "Trust God.  I'm praying for your trust in God to grow deeper."  And I know she's right.  I know she advises me from the other side of pain, confusion and despair.  So I receive it.  


Lord, as I ponder and research and plan, let it be all through You.  Give us Your wisdom and Your peace.  Help me to remember that there will never be a perfect answer in this imperfect world.  Help us to find Your answer to our questions and to rest peacefully in it, knowing that we are in Your will.  Let me be like a tree who is planted by streams of water.  In Jesus' name, amen.

DaySpring Giveaway Part II Winner!

Well, I have had my big boy home all week with the flu.  And yes, he had a flu shot!  I only spent a few moments despairing over how I had to miss a shopping day with two friends that had been planned for weeks.  Instead, I have been choosing to see this week as an opportunity for my little man I to bond.  And it's been wonderful- just what the Doctor ordered for us!   We've played games and watched movies and baked cakes and snuggled and enjoyed one another.

But all this togetherness has also meant that I am behind on, well, just about everything.  So, here is the winner of the DaySpring giveaway I had promised to deliver yesterday.

Once again, we used the highly scientific method- pull a name out of a pot :) My assistant...

And the winner is...

Heidi!!!

Heidi, please contact me at onethingspoken(at)gmail(dot)com ASAP so I can forward you your coupon code worth $20 in the DaySpring store!

Thanks for entering, friends!

Bible in 90 Days

As I mentioned here, I am planning on Reading Through the Entire Word in 2011 as a part of my Radical Experiment.  I just popped over to Amy's wonderful blog to see if there was any new information about the group that begins reading in January and, lo and behold, I realized I never officially signed up using the sign up form!  I thought simply replying in the comments was signing up but it is not.  So I would post the link to the Sign Up Form here just in case you were planning on reading along and made the same mistake I did.  Finally,  you might want a handy bookmark with the reading schedule to keep you on track.  You can print that from here.  Let me know in the comments if you are joining Amy (and me) in this challenge!  I'd love to know :)

Multitude Monday

Here are some of the things I was thankful for this week:

774.  Another DaySpring Giveway

775.  Beautiful, joy filled Christmas concerts at school

776.  4th grade basketball

777.  Coffee with a friend and now accountability partner

778.  Friends who love me- really, truly love me

779.  Straining to see God in this situation

780.  Fellowship with new friends from church

You can read why I got started here.

Praying the Psalms- Psalm 48

Jenny has begun a journey of praying her way through the Psalms that I have decided to join. Each weekend, we will pray through one psalm and post our prayer and/or meditations on that psalm as the Lord leads. Check out her journey and join us in Praying the Psalms.


Psalm 48

"Within your temple, O God, 
   we meditate on your unfailing love." Psalm 48: 9

And I am His temple.  I should, then, always be meditating on His unfailing love, His lovingkindness.  Meditation on His unfailing love leads naturally to worship and to numbering the innumerable gifts.  


Lord, help me to meditate on Your unfailing love.  Give me eyes to see Your lovingkindness all around me.  May I love You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.  May Your praise be always on my lips.  I am Your temple, Your city on a hill.  May Your light shine forth through me to my friend and family, bringing Truth, Salvation and Freedom!  In Jesus' name, amen.

Bloggy Birthday Winners!

Mary and Shelli- you win!  No scientific method needed this time- you were the only entries for each item :)  I'm going to try to send the Blessings Paperweight and Insulated Coffee Cup (to Mary) and the Flower Pins (to Shelli) on Monday.  Please send me your address ASAP- onethingspoken(at)gmail(dot)com.

Your chances of winning on this little blog are very good so be sure to check out the DaySpring giveaway I posted about today!

Another DaySpring Giveaway!

You might remember from this post that this beautiful Memo Board and Easel from DaySpring's Ever Grateful line has found a home here.  DaySpring and (in)courage were sponsors of The Relevant Conference and set up a beautiful lounge for us with cozy places to connect with one another and lots of yummy, hot coffee and snacks available at all hours.  They were wonderful hosts and gave the attendees many wonderful items to take home as well as the opportunity to win some beautiful products.  One of the opportunities they offered was to choose an item to keep from their Jesus is the Gift collection in exhange for sharing about it with our readers.  I requested the 13.5" Serving Platter.

Isn't it beautiful?  And it's on sale now!!!  I can't wait to use it on Christmas Day!  I loved it so much that I bought the Oven Mitt and Potholder and the 16" Oval Platter.


And now, I have the joy of giving one of you the opportunity to win a coupon code worth $20 to use in the DaySpring store.  Shipping charges will apply.  All you need to do to be entered to win is check out the Jesus is the Gift collection and leave a comment on this post telling about your favorite item from the collection.  If you have not already liked One Thing Spoken, Two Things Heard on Facebook (see box on right hand sidebar of blog) you can do so for a second chance to win :).  I will leave the comments open until Tuesday, December 14th so you will have time to order and receive your item before Christmas.  

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

Preparing our hearts and home for Christmas!

`

Multitude Monday

Here are some of the things I was thankful for this week:

761.  Playing hooky fro school to take the kids to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular
762.  A bloggy birthday!
763.  A very productive week
764.  Cutting back and cutting out some commitments
765.  The courage and wisdom He gave this people pleaser to cut back and cut out
766.  Starting the Christmas shopping
767.  Finishing the decorating
768.  See this with T- lots of food for thought!  
769.  Sneaking in a dinner together before the movie :)
770.  Laughing at how we choose the same restaurant we take the kids to when we go out alone
771.  A Sunday afternoon, Christmastime wedding- beautiful!
772.  An opportunity to share Truth with unbelieving family at the wedding
773.  Fear and anxiety and trusting in spite of them

You can read why I got started here.

Praying the Psalms- Psalm 47

Jenny has begun a journey of praying her way through the Psalms that I have decided to join. Each weekend, we will pray through one psalm and post our prayer and/or meditations on that psalm as the Lord leads. Check out her journey and join us in Praying the Psalms.


Psalm 47

"Clap your hands, all you nations; 
   shout to God with cries of joy."  Psalm 47:1

Our little family has been going through a rough patch as of late.  Suffice it to say that it's been awhile since I clapped my hands and shouted to Him with cries of joy.  Cried to Him with tears of exhaustion?  Yes.  Shouted to Him in frustration and fear?  Yes.  Stomped my feet and demanded change?  Yes.  But shouted to Him with cries of joy?  No, not lately.

"For the LORD Most High is awesome, 
   the great King over all the earth."  Psalm 47:2 

I've missed the point, again, haven't I?  We clap our hands and shout for joy for He is awesome and the great King.  Not over our circumstances but in spite of them!  This is the only way to peace and contentment.  With God it is never too late.


Father, I praise You for who You are.  You are awesome.  You are the great King over all the earth.  Thank You for the privilege to bring my exhaustion, my frustration, my fear, my longing for change to You.  Help me to leave these things at your feet and receive Your peace.  Help me to trust You, to remember Your faithfulness.  Help me to clap my hands and shout to You with cries of joy!  In Jesus' name, amen.

A Bloggy Birthday!

Photo credit

Today my little blog turns one!  To celebrate, One Thing Spoken, Two Things Heard has gotten a makeover.  I love it and I hope you do, too!  Please click on over to see the changes if you read in a reader!  And grab the button from the sidebar, if you'd like.

This blog has been such a blessing to me.  It has become one of the places where I work out my salvation by examining my life in the light of His Word.  The unexpected sweetness of this place has come from the encouragement and relationships that have been born here because of you!  I know how valuable one's time is in the hustle and bustle of life so I truly appreciate when you spend some here.  I can only hope that you also have been blessed on occasion as a result of visiting with me here.

I thought it would be fun to give you a gift on this bloggy birthday :)  I have a bag full of sweet things that were gifted to me at The Relevant Conference that I'd love to share with you!  If you'd like a chance to win one of these items, please leave a comment with the item you'd like to win.  (For another chance to win, like One Thing Spoken, Two Things Heard on Facebook via the box on the sidebar of the blog.)  I'll leave the comments open here for one week and draw the winners using our highly scientific method on Friday, December 10th.  I apologize in advance for the poor quality pictures!

Without further ado...

Gift #1: For the Fashionista

Two adorable, trendy flower pins!

Gift #2: For the Java Lover

An insulated, reusable iced coffee travel cup!

(It says Family Matters Blog on it.)

Gift #3: For the Home Decorator

A pretty paperweight to remind you of your "Blessings"

Gift #4:  For the Little Ones

A Box of Memory Verses to learn with your children- one for each week of the year!

Wooly the Lamb Plush Toy

Come back Tuesday for another DaySpring giveaway!  (Oh, and I promise that this place is not turning into a giveaway blog.  I've just been blessed with some gifts lately that I want to share with you!)