Summer Time~

I love Summer. I grew up in Southern California and went to the Beach a lot each summer. I was blessed to live 30 minutes from Malibu Beach yet my favorite beach was Zuma Beach. It had consession stands, bath houses and lifeguards always on duty! But you had to pay to park....I remember it being $5 and that was a lot it seemed to me. I spent my hard earned money though to go to Zuma Beach because that is where all my friends were!

Now all these many years later, I still like the BEACH....any beach. Summer isn't summer without at least one visit to the Ocean. I was thinking about this yesterday ~ why is summer so special to me when I am surrounded by people who always say they love Fall or Winter and enjoy the cold?

I decided it would be fun to make a list of things I like about summer! Those of you who love winter or fall can do the same thing! Post it at the end of this post!

~Warm days to bask in the warm sun
~Flip flops
~Shorts and sleeveless shirts
~Flowers....all kinds
~Warm ocean breezes
~Popsicles
~Coke floats
~Cold Watermelon
~Fresh mowed grass smells
~Riding the waves
~Berry picking
~Bicycle riding
~Pool fun
~Slip and slide fun on our hill
~Riding in the country
~Steak on the grill
~Corn on the cob
~Vacation at the shore
~Washing my car in the sun
~Sleeping past 6am
~Frozen drinks
~Sitting under an umbrella on our deck
~Lilac bushes smelling sweet
~Roses in my garden
~Squirting the kids with the hose
~Playing games at night
~Flash light tag
~Shell hunting
~Sand between my toes
~Dead heading my flowers
~Fresh tomatoes
~Peaches....lots of them~
~Ocean City, NJ, with the Teens
~Walks in the evenings with my honey
~Ocean smells
~SnowBalls
~Family visits
~sooo many more...too many to list!

We only have a month of summer left~ and I will enjoy every day of it! Thank you Lord for giving us seasons but especially SUMMER!!!

With a Grateful Heart, Sherry

DayBook~

Outside my window~ the sun is shining and the coolest soft breeze is blowing my Canna Lilies in the wind. The soil is wet from storms last night and not a cloud in the blue sky....chipmunk playing on our deck.

I am thinking ~ how delightful it is to have my first cup of coffee in the morning with my lovey. It doesn't happen too often, as he is up and gone, he is an early riser (like 5:30am everyday) and his feet hit the floor running ~ so mornings like this are a gift.

I am wearing~ an Open Bible Mexico Missions Team blue tee shirt, navy shorts and barefoot! My hair is crazy (not combed) and a huge smile on my face!

I am thankful for~ friends we have all over the East Coast. Shannon and Katie were here from Utica, New York for the week end and it was pure fun!

From the learning rooms ~ working on Hannah portfolio this morning!

From the kitchen ~ hope to make it to the Orchard this week to get peaches....and make jam.

I am creating ~ a pretty bookmark to give the girls at Ocean City this year....I need to make 25 or 30!

I am going ~ to our pool today with a friend, taking lunch along with us!

I am reading ~ a new Daniel Silva book.....he is a fun read ~ spy novel!

I am hoping ~ God woos and draws near to HIMSELF all those I am praying for daily.

I am hearing ~ the fan running in Hannah's room, she has the warmest room in the house, it has no return vent (only room that does not) so needs a fan.

Around our home ~ getting lots of little projects done this summer. My hubby painted and sealed the garage floor (I love it-easy to sweep---too small to put a car in, we use it as a mud room), working on re-organization of school room, cleaning out closets(now things don't fall out--ha)and painting wood work around the house.

One of my favorite things ~ going to our local dairy farm for homemade ice cream at Broom's Bloom (look it up on Google). We went last night with friends and had great fellowship together! I had a small with coconut chip chip and coffee flavor (they were out of peanut butter---my personal favorite!)

Grateful to be HIS, Sherry

Marriage is good!

Random thoughts of marriage today; some food for thought ~

"Feminism is mixed up with a muddled idea that women are free when they serve their employers but slaves when they help their husbands." ". --G.K. Chesterton, The Collected Works of G.K. Chesterton, vol. 4, p. 440

“Marriage is a vocation. It is a task to which you are called. If it is a task, it means you work at it. It is not something which happens. You hear the call, you answer, you accept the task, you enter into it willingly and eagerly, you commit yourself to its disciplines and responsibilities and limitations and privileges and joys. You concentrate on it, giving yourself to it day after day in a lifelong Yes.”Let Me Be a Woman, p. 102 --Elisabeth Elliot

"Sisters, if you repeatedly attempt to control the man in your life, and if you disrespect him and the decisions he makes, you will get nothing for it but neglect and emotional abandonment. It is another of those mysterious paradoxes. There are plenty of witnesses to this truth all around--women who dismiss the biblical admonition, 'let the wife see [to it] that she respects her husband' (Ephesians 5:33). Instead, they try to their ever-loving' frustration to get their man to do what they think he should do--about every matter under the sun. But here is the thing: men naturally chafe and eventually flee from direct instruction from their wives. They do not change when you tell them to. And they never, ever will. When you turn up the volume, you tune out the man.

Instead, try indirect instruction….This is the way of a woman with a man. She teaches him primarily by example. When needed, she may appeal to his thoughtfulness and ask for his consideration, but she will not go further. He will be far more apt to give consideration to her words when they are heard as an appeal or a suggestion rather than as a directive. Think of it as the difference between casting a flashlight down the path versus pointing it in his face. Direct light causes us to close our eyes. Indirect light, pointed away from our eyes, causes us to strain to see." --John Ensor, Doing Things Right in Matters of the Heart, p. 99

I highly recommend all these books~ I have read them all. Especially the last one is good for all young men and women!!!! Why learn things the hard way through making all the mistakes.....learn from godly men and women and thank the LORD for those who are in your life!!!!!

I'm off the pool today with the love of my life and a good book in tow! It is going to be 110 degrees here in our hopping town! Enjoy summer, I know I do!!!!

Grateful for Jesus today! Sherry

Sounds~

I am hearing chain saws buzzing very loudly this morning! Tracey, our next door neighbor is having his huge, big, dead oak tree taken down today. It sounds like a large bee hive outside! As I watched and heard the huge tree come down in one huge swoop, I was amazed at the way the ground literally shook! It's a pretty breezing morning.....but it will get hot cutting up all that wood.

I am thinking how blessed we are to 'hear'. The saw buzzing is unique! The beach waves are soothing. The cry of a new born baby is sweet. The sound of a lovers voice is pure gold. The noise of children arguing can be irritating. The sound of thunder can frighten. The music of your choice is fun. The praise of God's people for HIM is worship. The sound of a piano being played is pure joy (Thank you Hannah). The guitar humming away is beautiful (Thank you Rebekah). The chatter of a happy son is delightful (Thank you Caleb). Songs sung with gusto is thrilling (Thank you Dave ~ my favorite person in the whole world). The sound of a friends voice on the phone is encouraging. Water splashing in the pool full of kids is cheery. The sound of cars crashing is terrifying. Hearing your name called with love is wonderful Soooo many sounds we take for granted!

THINK!

How blessed we are!

You can use your voice to 'bless' or you can use your voice to 'curse'. Which will it be today? What 'sounds' will you make today? I hope to be a voice that 'blesses' my God, my family and friends, and others. Look around today and see how YOU can make a difference. Make a joyful noise today. You CAN you know. Just open your ears and listen. Then make a sound that blesses......I know I will!

Grateful to be HIS, Sherry

DayBook~

My DayBook~

Outside my window~ humid wet air on the sliding door. Green grass and not a stir in the garden, altho the birds are enjoying the birdbath in our back garden.

I am thinking ~ summer is going way too fast. Summer is my favorite time of year, all the smells, pretties to see and delicious fruit of summer. Love our squash--all kinds!

I am wearing~ a white skirt, turqoise top, flips and coffee in hand....as I prepare to go to the office with my darlin' man this morning.

I am thankful for~ Sunday School.....learning all about Christ and HIS ways.

From the learning rooms ~ school room lookin' good. I am 75% there in cleaning out and re-organizing. Got rid of lots of old stuff and streamlining things for Hannah this coming year! She reminded me to 'push hard' on her this year as she will be a Junior in HS.

From the kitchen ~ lots of goodies...peaches! Going to the orchard this week and get my yearly bushel of delicious, juicy, big PA peaches! Peach pie~ my favorite!

I am creating ~ Cards and more cards. Also going to JoAnns to pick up some material for matching skirts for me, Bekah and Hannah. Hannah is going to be making matching skirts for us with my helping hands!

I am going ~ to lunch today with a girlfriend. Just to chat and pray together!

I am reading ~ a really good spy novel for pleasure. Also a really really good Spurgeon Book after finishing "Faithful Parents" ~ a book filled with HOPE and GRACE for every parent and Grandparent!

I am hoping ~ God woos and draws near to HIMSELF all those I am praying for daily.

I am hearing ~ Taffy snoring as she lays next to me on the couch~ so cute.

Around our home ~ laundry day, so we are on load number 3 with 3 to go. I love getting all my laundry done in one day....and then forgotten about until the next Monday ~ way cool! (when my kids were little, I did 2 loads everyday ~ always always laundry either in the basket or waiting to be folded or waiting to be put away...ugh)

One of my favorite things ~ listening to music on my ipod station in my room with the music blaring loud.....to the chagrin of my kiddos! I have spent many many years listening to lullabies, kids praise, teenagers wild and then my hubbys classical. I like it all ~ but especially praise music ~ and yes, I will admit a bit of the Beach Boys (after all, I am still a California Girl at heart)

Spurgeon Quote~

I love to read Charles Spurgeon ~ he is easy to understand and his words speak straight to the issues of life. Here is a quote from one of his sermons. We can learn much from such devoted men of God from ages past! Discernment in faith is good!

When you know a man, if he be your intimate friend, you trust him, you love him, you esteem him, you are on speaking terms with him; you not only bow to him in the street, but you go to his house, you sit down with him at his table; at other times, you hold counsel with him, or you ask his assistance; and he comes to your house, and you hold familiar association the one with the other. Such the good understanding there is between you and the man of whom it may be truly said that you know him. On such terms must the soul be with Christ. He must not be merely an historic personage of whom we read in the page of Scripture; but a real person, with whom we can speak in spirit, commune in heart, and be united in the bonds of love. We must know him, his very person, so as to love and to trust him as a real Lord to us. Judge, then, each one yourselves, whether you really and indeed in this sense “know” Christ.

Do distinguish, however, between knowing about Christ and knowing Christ. We may know very much about many of our great men, though we do not know them. Now, it will never save a soul to know about Christ. The only saving knowledge is to know him, his very self, and to trust him, the living Savior, who is now at the right hand of God. To him it is we speak. With him in very deed we commune.

From a sermon entitled "Sincerity And Duplicity," delivered March 6, 1870 by Charles Spurgeon

Summer Saturday

I slept in today! I hardly ever sleep in. But today I did. I didn't get out of bed until 10am. WOW...can you imagine that? TEN A.M.? Yeppers! My early rising hubby said he brought my coffee in and sat it on my bedside table at 9am and I didn't move. He said "you were out for the count", so I let you sleep! And I did ~ it felt so good. Yet, I feel guilty about it!

Why? Why do I feel guilty about sleeping in after a long long while of early rising? Because we are all about productivity....doing, doing, doing. Dave and I had a discussion this morning concerning this topic. He said "the Lord gives sweet rest to the righteous, Sherry." But ~ why then do I feel bad about sleeping in? Because my thinking is influenced by our society!!!

So much of what we 'feel' is influenced by our thoughts. I am to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. What does the Bible say about each and everything I do? What about sleep? If I slept in every day then I could be lazy. The Bible says TOO much sleep is bad for you. And too little sleep is bad for you too!

Since we stayed up very late after rising very early everyday this past week but one, no wonder I was so tired! So I slept in. I feel rested. I have no reason to feel guilty. So I won't!

Thank you Lord for good deep rest. You have planned rest for us. You are God of rest. How I praise and thank you for being my REST!

Grateful to be HIS, Sherry

Tuesday Thinkings~

As I sit here and pray for Aunt Barbara Rehnert ~ I am reminded of God's FAITHFULNESS! She loves Jesus with all her heart. She has been a 'bright spot' in my life ~ in the way she talks about the Lord and her love for HIM!

She is in the hospital now. She has congestive heart disease. Jesus is with her and her constant companion. How I wish I was there in town to frequently stop by and 'chat'. But I'm not, and I can't. But I write. I have written her 3 times this week. To say all those things we never take the time to say. To say them from the depths of my heart. To get them on paper and into her heart. I love you Aunt Barbara for sharing your love of Jesus with me and with soooo many down through the years! Our HOPE is in HIM! Wait for me.....I can't wait to sing at the feet of Jesus with YOU!

Grateful to be HIS, Sherry

Parenting 101

I am still learning and growing as a parent and Grandparent ~
Summer time is a great time to read GOOD BOOKS! If you want to read a really really and I mean REALLY good book filled with Gospel Hope.....I have a superb recommendation. Here is a quick quote from the book~

Our Hope

Each child whom God gives us is a special blessing from him. He blesses us not only with the child but also with the promise that when we need help, we can always "with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16}. God has promised that he is "faithful, and he will not let you be temped beyond your ability...." (1 Cor. 10:13).

We have great hope not only in God's provision of daily grace to help us, but also from the help that is in God's Word. The Bible was, among other reasons, "written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope" (Rom 15:4). A recent television commercial claimed that " children do not come with an instruction manual." Well, that simply is not true. The Bible does tell us what we need to know, and God will give us supernatural help to be faithful to God's Word.

The above quote was taken from Chapter one. At the end of each chapter are questions. A couple questions from Chapter one (there are 8) were:
~How does the goal of being faithful differ from typical goals of parenting?

~ What do you think has been your main goal as a parent?

~What would you say it means to be faithful as opposed to perfect? How does progressive growth (sanctification) fit into parenting?

~ How is God using your children to sanctify you?

~Who gets the credit for any faithfulness on your part and why?

Wow....all good questions each of us should consider! This book is full, dealing with all stages of parenting! I think every parent will benefit!

The name of this book?
The Faithful Parent by Martha Peace and Stuart W. Scott (Forward by Tedd Trip) R&R Pub.

Happy Reading and Growing in the Lord ~ Let me know if you read this book ~ I would be interested in how God uses it in your life!