Christmas Past...Christmas Present and Future.....

  That picture was taken last Christmas.  It was probably one of the darkest times of my life.  We didn't know what was going to happen with Katie.  We didn't know what her prognosis was going to be.  I thought to myself Christmas will never be the same.  At the time it was stated with all the drama this sanguine could muster up in her melancholy state of mind.

I was right.  I will never look at any Christmas that way again.  God is so good, to let us see up from the bottom of the pit.  I pulled out those Christmas ornaments I bought last year and gave them to our children to hang on the tree.  I wondered what would come to mind when I gave them out.  I wanted them to know that God brought hope to me, when I bought them.  Buying those silly little sparkly ornaments brought me hope for this year.  Hope that Katie would still be with  us.  Hope that we would again smile and laugh at the funny things of our life together.  We did. 

I was able to share with everyone my own fallen state of mind and how real God became to me when I bought the ornaments.  I was able to share that God knows our names, and He knows our times.  He knows our comings and our goings and nothing we can do can change that.  What peace and joy swept over me as I shared the ornaments with my bunch.  They snatched their ornaments and began choosing the right spot on our very junky ornament laden tree. 

Life is good, even if our doctor sent us to the hospital  last week to again have many tests run.  It's good, even if her numbers are crazy high...or crazy low.  Christmas this year is full of hope.  I've wrapped my packages, decorated our home and now it's on to making a few goodies and planning our Christmas Eve dinner.  The Lord has wrapped my heart in His care.  He will care for me, no matter what happens. 

The difference this year is that we know what we are dealing with.  We know what it can do and what we need to do if certain things happen.  That's how God's word works.  It's our guide.  It's our "help" button.  It steers us in the right direction.  It gives us strength when we are weak.  It has been my buoy this year to keep me from drowning.  The enemy so wanted to drown me in the tsunami of his evil lies, and did for a time.  But God's word brought me up out of that pit.  I can still feel so deeply all that has gone on this past year, but it's all for good.  God uses so many hard things to draw us to Him and perfect us into His image.  That's where the "American" gospel doesn't really pan out.  It's not always soft and cuddly.  Sometimes it's bone splitting hard.  But it was for Jesus too. 

2 Corinthians 4:8-10

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; stuck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body."

We are so blessed to have the opportunity to reveal Christ in everything we do. You never know, who you are ministering to in the trials of your own life.  You never know how many people you are touching that you never would have touched had you not been thrust into a place not of your choosing.

This Christmas, we are rejoicing in God's gift of Jesus.  The Jesus that reveals himself to us over and and over again.  As I have sung the wonderful Christmas songs this year, I just see such hope and such grace to have carried me along this year.  I'm so truly thankful. Part of that hope and grace has come through the Body of Christ.  I don't know what we would have done without the prayers and encouragement of our church friends and family.  They have carried us through the darkest of days and truly been the hands of Jesus to us. 

"But the gift of God is eternal life.  Eternal Life in Christ Jesus our Lord".  That is one of the verses on one of our Awana CD's.  I sing it all the time in my heart (sometimes out loud too!).  I'm so thankful for the gift of Eternal Life.  I pray you are too.  I pray that this season truly is a Merry Christmas.  That you can call out to God  from the very depth of your being and rejoice in the "new born King...Who IS Christ The Lord!"

Merry Christmas From the Hilltop,
Sheri

Thankful Prep Can Be Messy!

Yep...right now, my kitchen is a mess, my three year old (didn't do nothing) but my toilet has overflowed not only all over the bathroom floor, but also there was a waterfall to the basement.  I have sent the children away with my mother!  I'm alone, and it's best that way! 

I needed a moment to gather my wits about myself and face the music...or smell whichever you prefer.  I'm banking on music!  This is one of those moments, that I'm reminded of another Thanksgiving Day.  It was the last Thanksgiving my Grandmother was with us.  Since she wasn't well, my mom was in charge of the day.  As she was putting the last of the veggies down the disposal, water began to bubble up and flow out of any pipe that would take it.  What a mess.  Later they discovered that there was a broken foundation pipe.  Messes happen at the worst times!  Couldn't they come on a day that I assigned?!

There are always things that are happening in our lives that would love to get our goat!  I'm choosing to remember that it's so much better to choose thankfulness in the midst of a mess.  Oh it's so hard.  I can think of things to say and do that would make you blush! 

Thankfully, God has found a way to get my attention today.  I'm going to count it all joy and move on!  I'm going to go and clean up that crazy mess!  I had to clean the bathrooms anyway! 

I pray y'all have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day.  We've been reading all the little books about the Pilgrims and the Mayflower and Squanto.  We have so much more!  We can choose to be Thankful. 

Yesterday I posted on Facebook that peace is not meant to be a heavy yoke, but to refuse peace is a heavy burden!  When I choose to not be thankful, it's the same thing.  I hate a heavy burden.  So I'm going to go and lug those nasty towels to the laundry room and get the floors cleaned and rejoice that God is good, He knows my name and this is but a minor affliction!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Hilltop Blessings,
Sheri

Pursue Peace!!!

Psalm 37:37
"Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace."

Psalm 85:8
"I will listen to what God the LORD says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants— but let them not turn to folly."
 
Psalm 85:10
"Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other."

Psalm 119:165
"Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble".

Proverbs 17:1
"Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife."

In the world of homeschooling and homemaking there are so many different thoughts of what is good and right.  So much so, that a gal could get really overwhelmed in wading through the waters to peace!  I have always thought my place in the Body of Christ, homeschooling, church philosophy, all boils down to balance.  Paul and I felt like God's word to us when we married was one of BALANCE.  It made no sense then.  It's very clear now.

We are usually in the middle of most things.  No that's not lukewarm!!!  It's balanced.  Our identity does not come from eating whole grains, no that's bad, we have to eat only glutein free grains, no that's bad, all grains are bad.  Our identity does not come from our schooling choices.  We use prepared schoolbooks, no we use Charlotte Mason, no we do Unit Studies...We do a bit of each!  See what I mean? 

There are seasons.  Seasons to be especially diligent on your food choices.  Seasons to do a unit study or make a nature notebook.  There are seasons to sit and read out loud to your children.  However, not many mothers of littles can find peace if they are trying to do it all and manage special needs children, a farm, a home business, two bible studies, awana, and music lessons for all! Doesn't just reading that make you jumpy inside?!

There was a season that I was grinding wheat, making bread, cooking everything from scratch, homeschooling everyone and taking care a sick baby.  I began to be a bit grouchy.  "No I can't  help you right now, I'm cooking.  No I can't read right now, I'm doing laundry....."  I began to be no fun!  I also noticed that the children were growling at each other as well!  I had set the pace for our home. 

Peace begets peace!  When I looked at what was important to our family and let the other stuff go, was when I found peace.  We still do some of it regularly, but not all of it all the time.  The most important thing, is that none of it earns me the Holiness Crown!  None of it.  Nor does it earn me the Super Mom Who Can Do It All Crown! 

When I get to the place of Grumpy Mama, I try to figure out where I went wrong.  Sometimes unfortunately, I go even more wrong in my "Mama Bootcamp"!  I will try to whip everyone in to shape.  We get a schedule, we get a chore list, we get CRAZY!  That doesn't work either. 

When I seek peace, then I find peace.  There might be a "Mama Bootcamp", but it's different.  It is a peaceful change.  It may even be abruptly different than before, but there is peace and joy!  That is the difference. 

This week, I have been sick, which is rare for me.  I had to let some things go.  It really bugged me that I was letting our schedule go, but it was not going to bring peace or healing to me.  It's amazing, but my children are still getting their work done, the laundry isn't piling up (too badly), there are still meals each day, but I have napped my way through the entire week!  Can we continue like this?  No, but for a few days, it's brought us peace. 

The Lord promises us peace if we keep our minds on Him.  I'm so thankful that He reveals Himself to us,even in the mundane things of our lives.  He is a good and faithful God.  I pray that today in the midst of your world, you find find peace and joy in the Holy Spirit! 

Hilltop Blessings!
Sheri

It's looking Like Fall Y'all!

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." Ephesians 1:3

It's this time of  year that I feel the abundance of the Lord's blessings.  Fall just does that to me.  I love seeing piles of pumpkins and gourds.  I love the leaves that change...(here they don't change until November, but I can imagine!)  I've really enjoyed temps in the 80's instead of the 100's!  That right there is enough to just stop and shout about!  Come and take a walk with me through my Fall decorating.  I've really enjoyed myself!


Truth be told...I'm a copier!  I love to look at other blogs and then make it my own or sometimes all out copy someone's great idea.  I've been dangling my foot in the waters of Pinterest.  I'm not really sure what it is or how to use it, but this weekend, I came out from under the book pile and have been looking at lots of blogs.  (I can do that because I'm coughing my head off...everyone has been happy to leave me alone!)

So, what to do with all these vases and candle stick holder, leaves and silver plates?  You make hurricane lanterns out of them.  They are awesome.  You can get all of the glassware at Dollar Tree and also the tall skinny candles. 

 Then you start playing with them.  You text  your close friends and ask them a million times to tell you how cute they are!  Yep and then they tell you they love them and where exactly in Dollar Tree can they find the stuff.  That makes you feel really good!  Of course you've just copied them from some other gal who has probably done the same thing!

 Here it is with the skinny tall candle inside the vase.  I had to be careful not to tip the plate.  It does fall over!

Next  you get your fake leaves and put them down in between the candle and the vase.  Just sort of shake them in.  Doesn't that look cute?

 Then I thought I would try some other looks.... Not so good.  In fact...awful!  You have to keep trying.... 

And then I tried some other looks.  Still not winning any prizes here, but the look is beginning to come together.

 It just looks better like this.  Oh well, that is how I saw it to begin with!  So much for my creative juices!  What can I do with those little gourds?

     

So here are my hurricanes all grouped together on my mantle.  You would think I would have a picture of the whole thing....I forgot.  Oh well, you get the idea.

 

This plate will forever be a part of my home decor!  I bought it the day we were told Katie might have Leukemia.  It has seen me through the dark days and brought me to His light and love!  There is a picture above it on my mantle, I can't move it, so I just go with it.  It's fine....

Once I get started, I can't stop!  I love fall.  It is one of those seasons that make me feel blessed when I look around and see God' abundance!  Yes those are bows on the pumpkins.  The squaty  pumpkins are from Dollar Tree.  The mason jars have popcorn, split peas, red beans and a tea light in them. 

 How is easy is that to make?!  I love easy.  I used these for table decorations for a party the other night. 

 
 These little jars are on my coffee table.  I'm wondering how long it will take my children to gobble  up the candy corn out of my jars!  Will they sneak it or will they ask?  

I made this little bowl a couple years ago.  It was so simple and I'm finally thrilled with what's in it.  I bought four twin covered pieces of fruit from Kirkland's and then I just filled it in with some old potpourri.  It was an easy!  I had tried a cute thrifted square table cloth underneath it, but it was forever in the way.  An old place mat works great!

Thanks for coming on a "look-see" through my home.  I've loved doing some fall decor.  The best part, is it's been so inexpensive.  I love reworking things I already own.  I pray your home and family are experiencing the coziness that Fall brings, but most importantly the warmth and love of our Heavenly Father!


Hilltop Blessings!
Sheri

It's A Cupcake Kind Of Day!!!

We are so rejoicing in the blessing and mercies of God today!  Katie saw her Oncologist today and as usual, she had her finger "snapped".  I was cautiously hoping for a bit of encouragement that I could see.  I know Faith is not for the seeing.  I just needed a little sight..... can you give me that?

The Lord did.  He heard my cry.  He answered big!  The numbers we look at are her Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) and her White Blood Cell count (WBC).  Today her ANC was 1130!!!!  Last time it was 110.  See the difference? Normal is 1500.  In her life, I'm not sure she has had a ANC count that is this high.  Her WBC was 5.  It hasn't been that high on a day she needed a shot in a long time either.  I'm so thankful.  The Dr. said it was a fluke.  Maybe so.  He also said he would take a fluke!  I know I will!  

Last month after going to the Dr. and getting such a low count, I posted on facebook that even if her ANC was multiplied ten times it still wouldn't be normal.  Well, her number is more than times ten and I am rejoicing!  God is so good!  

I was thinking about baking a goodie to celebrate, but didn't know what.  Well, Linda over at Prairie Flower Farm knows all about goodies!  She posted the best cupcake recipe that I've ever seen!  It's called Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes!  What's not to like?!  You should go and check out Linda's blog, she has lots of great ideas over there!   I'm going to make those right now!  So blessings to you all and thank you so much for your prayers!

Truly His Mercies Are New Every Morning!

Hilltop Blessings, 
Sheri

"You Is Kind, You Is Smart, You Is Important!"

As a believer do you know your value?  Do you know it deep in your core?  I've said this before, but it was such revelation to me that I had real value that was not based on my looks, or anything I had done.  It was based on what Jesus did at the cross.  He gave me value.

Recently, I saw The Help.  I loved this scene with Mae-Mobely more than any other scene in the movie.  Abileen was imparting value to this little girl.  When I first saw this trailer, I loved it and started doing it with Katie.  As an adopted child, I figured that the more I impart to her the more solid a foundation she will have, if doubts of belonging ever hit her.

I tell her:"You are wanted.  You are a blessing.  You are loved."  She has gotten to the point that as soon as I start saying it, she does exactly like the little girl in the trailer.  She tells it right back to me.  She loves it!  When our 12 year old son was little I would tell him I was so proud of him when he had done something really good.  Later he would ask: "Mommy are you so proud of me?"  We all love being affirmed!

There was a season in my early walk with the Lord, that I had written out many verses about who I was in Christ.  Daily, I would read these verses.  I would recite these verses and after several weeks of reading and reciting, they were in my heart.  I knew I was loved. I knew I was wanted.  I knew I was bought with a price.  It was an amazing transition in my life.

I love the Word Of God, but without getting it in your being, it's really hard to know who you are in Christ.  I challenge  you to pour the Word Of God into your heart and mind and pour it into your children.  While you have children in  your home, this is an incredible opportunity to pour into them The Word Of God.

Take the verses that fit your child's needs and pour them in.  For example, if a child is struggling with learning.  You can tell them they are smart.  Why?  Because they have the mind of Christ!  Whatever the issue, you tailor fit it to your child or yourself.  God wants us to be full of His ammunition to withstand the darts of the enemy.


Philippians 3:11-13
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me" 

We are to press on and take hold of all that Jesus has for us.  It takes continual work.  It takes continual pressing into His Word.  I pray that as you enjoy your weekend, you are filled with the knowledge of God and that you know you are loved and have value! 

Hilltop Blessings, 
Sheri 

This One Is For The Tough Days!

We all have tough days.  My dear friend Christy sent this to me for my tough days.  I thought this was so good, I just wanted to pass it on.  We must remember that God DOES have the whole world in HIS hands!

In a world where we can control so much, we are often abruptly reminded that there are some things we can't control.  I pray that you are encouraged by this video as much as I. Be sure to turn off my music or you will have an abundance of music going on at one time!

Hilltop Blessings,
Sheri