Nancy Shares

Hi Friends,
I'm letting you know of a new series of videos that I'll be making. Since they are not basket weaving related, I won't be posting them here. You can find them either on my YouTube channel or on my other blog How To Homemaker.

I just feel that this is the direction that God is taking my life at this time.

God Bless,
Nancy

The Bible in Five Words

Good morning Friends,
I've had a phrase floating around in my head for the last few days that summarizes the Bible in just 5 words. We Are Called To Love.
Just think about it. We are asked to love the Lord our God and to love one another. Love is one of our keys to the kingdom of God.

Of course I know we need other things. We need faith and we need to invite Christ into our hearts as our Lord and Savior. We need to forgive. We need to repent. With Christ in our hearts, we are called to Love....always. The Bible speaks a lot about love and the power of love.

4 Love is patient and is kind; love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not
proud, 5 doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not
provoked, takes no account of evil; 6 doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness, but
rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all
things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. (1Corinthians 13:4-8)

What a wonderful world this would be if we all believed that our calling was to love one another.
The one thing I do know is that sometimes loving others is not easy yet it is something we must do. It's a door opening key. Not only is it a key into heaven, but it is a key that will open many doors for us here on earth. Think about it.

With this in mind, you have to read this lovely post HERE about simple ways you can show love and random acts of kindness. I wish I could be like this fellow blogger.

I hope all of you have a wonderful day and know that I love you.
Blessings,
Nancy

My Lenten Resolution

Dear Friends,
Today is Ash Wednesday. It is an important day on the Christian calendar as it is the beginning of Lent. It is a time of preparation for Easter the highest of Holy Days. It is a time of repentance and prayer. Many people use this season to give up something as a sacrifice and to offer that sacrifice up to God. I teach religion, this year to first graders, and I speak to them about Lent and having a Lenten resolution. Those children can come up with some thoughtful answers. "I'm going to share my toys every day." "I'm going to help my mother every day with chores." "I'm going to pray every day." Some I'm sure have heard their parents speak about what they are doing for lent and will say, "I'm not going to watch TV," "I'm not going to eat candy," and so on. I really stress to them, and to my own children that this is a time not just of sacrifice, but a time to keep Christ first and foremost in our thoughts and in our actions. It is a time to work on becoming closer to Christ and becoming a better person.

I've given quite a bit of thought this past week as to what my Lenten resolution would be this year. For myself I've decided to truly be obedient to my husband and to put him first above myself. It is easy to say, "sure Honey I'll get to that," and it gets pushed to the bottom of the pile or is the task completed at the end of the day. I have decided that when he asks me to do something I will put it first, if at all possible, and do it right away or at least at my first opportunity. I will also do it with a glad attitude and happy heart. So when he asks me to help him with the taxes, ugh that's going to be the tough one for me, I'll smile and say "sure". It will be hard to have a happy heart for that task.

One thing I must confess is so far this year he hasn't asked me what my Lenten resolution will be and I haven't volunteered it either ;-) Not that he'd take advantage of my kind gestures, but I can see the potential where he might think he could have some fun with this. As long as none of you blab to him about my resolution I'll be in good shape. He doesn't read my blog unless I have something specific to show him so no worries about writing it here. Now if he asks me what I'm doing for Lent I will tell him, but otherwise I'm keeping my lip zipped.

My desire through this resolution this year is that I want to become a more Godly woman and I want my God light to shine.

Have you made a Lenten resolution? I'd love to hear what you chose this year.

with Love and God's Blessings,

Nancy

Make Your Home a Haven

Good Morning Friends,

Today is a day of cleaning, straightening, organizing and the beginning of putting away the Christmas decorations. It is a day of making our home a haven. Our company has now gone and it is time to get things back in order.

I have read much about people making their home a haven and it is something I try and strive for especially while on a major cleaning and organizing spree such as today.

I'd like to share just a few tips I use and think about when trying to make my home a haven.

• Pray throughout each room and ask God to bless the room and those who use it. I try to make sure the items in each room are uplifting. May we all have positive attitudes throughout our house.


• 1st Corinthians 10:31 Therefore whether you eat, drink, or whatever you do, do it for the glory of God. As I go through each room I am doing this for God.


• Work on the house some every day. I'm a horrible procrastinator but I do try to do a bit every day so that things don't get out of control with the cleaning. Surprisingly I stay on top of our laundry without any trouble. That is one chore I don't mind. ;-)


• If I see things that cause my family stress, I try to deal with those things first, whatever it may be.

I want my home to be comfortable, clean, relaxed, inviting, and loving. Today I am making my home a haven. What tips do you have for making your home a haven? I'd love to hear them.

Blessings,
Nancy

Daily Audio Bible

Good Morning Friends!
It has been so cold here this past week. As I type this it is only 18 degrees outside! Poor puppy hardly wants to step foot through the doggie door and now she is sitting in a comfy chair beside me all nested in a flannel blanket. The rest of the family is still asleep and I've got my hot cup of coffee to keep me warm.
Several weeks ago I said that my only New Year's resolution was to menu plan. I've decided to add another to my list. I know, I don't want to put more on my plate than I can handle but I've decided to do this as well. I ran across this website of a 1 Year Daily Audio Bible and I've listened to a couple of episodes. It has been very pleasant to listen to, not dry at all. Each daily episode is around 30 minutes and I can listen to it on my iPod at my convenience. I can listen to it when I cook, clean, craft or weave. I've never made it completely through the Bible as I have a real tendency to pick it up and just read the New Testament, so I'm excited to go through the Bible from start to finish. It doesn't go exactly start to finish as there is a reading from the Old Testament, then the New Testament and then a bit from Psalms and Proverbs. I'm guessing that in 2010 they will follow the same format as in 2009.
So, if you'd like to listen along with me this year here are the links: First is to the Daily Audio Bible website HERE. Second is to the link HERE where you can subscribe to it through your podcatcher of choice. I just use iTunes and it puts up a new episode each day as I sync my iPod.
Do you have any New Year's Resolutions? Will you be listening to the Daily Audio Bible with Me? We can start together in just a few days!
Blessings,
Nancy

Lets Put Christ back in Christmas Part 3 - Planning

As Christmas approaches we have been doing so much planning. I know I've been making many lists and more lists. I've been planning everything from gifts, to sending cards to decorating to menu planning to our activities and on and on and on.
This brings to mind two questions....First, with all I am doing for the Christmas season, am I following God's plan? Second, what is my plan for after the holidays to continue to keep Christ first and foremost in our lives?
I plan to keep those two questions on my mind as Christmas approaches.
Love and Blessings,
Nancy

Lets Put Christ back in Christmas Part 2 - Listening

It says in the Bible that God speaks to us in small quite ways.
With the busyness of this season, are you taking time to listen to God as he speaks in our hearts.

Is he asking you to slow down and just share his love and spirit with others or are you feeling rushed to buy the perfect present and in a panic to get your cards written and sent?

Is your home one of peace and gentleness or is it in a state of chaos with a half decorated tree and gift wrap strung about?

Sit down and spend TIME with your family and more importantly, spend time with God. What is God really saying to you? Now, implement what he says in your life and that of your family. That is putting Christ back into Christmas.

Love and Blessings,

Nancy

Lets Put Christ back in Christmas Part 1 - Welcoming Him

Dear Friends,

As we approach the day of Jesus birth it is time to remember the real reason for the season. On December 25th we will be welcoming Jesus as we celebrate his birth.

My challenge for you throughout the remaining days of advent is to welcome Jesus now, each morning with prayer and praise. Ask Him to help us be more like Him.

May your basket be overflowed with His blessings,

Nancy

Homemakers By Choice with Donna Otto

I wanted to share with you a podcast that I've been listening to for some time and truly touches my heart. It has such meaning for me as a woman. It is "Homemakers By Choice" with hostess Donna Otto. Here is a link.

http://www.oneplace.com/Ministries/Homemakers_By_Choice/

It is a 30 minute free daily podcast that discusses Godly principles involving women.

Recently I've run across so many women who are hurting for one reason or another. What I find this stems back to is they either have made poor choices, or they lacked knowledge to make the better choice. I wish I could help these women and their situations. I feel the best thing I can do is to share with everyone who reads this, resources that they can utilize to help themselves.

What I find with Homemakers By Choice is that it guides you with God's word in making choices and living our daily lives as a woman. Even if you are not hurting and are leading a Godly life, this podcast still teaches, uplifts and reinforces the good choices already being made.

My promise to you is that using God's word to guide us will lead to a more happy and fulfilling life, family and ultimately society. It will give us strength, encouragement and our needs will be met.

God is great!

Love and Blessings,

Nancy

God is in Control

Sometimes I hear a story that touches my heart and I just need to share it. I hope it touches yours and you will always remember that God is in control. Always.

Love,

Nancy

A man from Norfolk, VA called a local radio station to share this on Sept 11th, 2003, TWO YEARS AFTER THE TRAGEDIES OF 9/11/2001.

His name was Robert Matthews.

These are his words:A few weeks before Sept. 11th, my wife and I found out we were going to have our first child.. She planned a trip out to California to visit her sister. On our way to the airport, we prayed that God would grant my wife a safe trip and be with her. Shortly after I said 'amen,' we both heard a loud pop and the car shook violently. We had blown out a tire. I replaced the tire as quickly as I could, but we still missed her flight. both very upset, we drove home.

I received a call from my father who was retired NYFD. He asked what my wife's flight number was, but I explained that we missed the flight.My father informed me that her flight was the one that crashed into the southern tower. I was too shocked to speak. My father also had more news for me; he was going to help.. 'This is not something I can't just sit by for; I have to do something.'I was concerned for his safety, of course, but more because he had never given his life to Christ. After a brief debate, I knew his mind was made up. Before he got off of the phone, he said, 'take good care of my grandchild. Those were the last words I ever heard my father say; he died while helping in the rescue effort.

My joy that my prayer of safety for my wife had been answered quickly became anger. I was angry at God, at my father, and at myself. I had gone for nearly two years blaming God for taking my father away. My son would never know his grandfather, my father had never accepted Christ, and I never got to say good-bye.

Then something happened. About two months ago, I was sitting at home with my wife and my son, when there was a knock on the door. I looked at my wife, but I could tell she wasn't expecting anyone. I opened the door to a couple with a small child.The man looked at me and asked if my father's name was Jake Matthews. I told him it was. He quickly grabbed my hand and said, 'I never got the chance to meet your father, but it is an honor to meet his son.'He explained to me that his wife had worked in the World Trade Center and had been caught inside after the attack. She was pregnant and had been caught under debris. He then explained that my father had been the one to find his wife and free her. My eyes welled up with tears as I thought of my father giving his life for people like this. He then said, 'there is something else you need to know.'His wife then told me that as my father worked to free her, she talked to him and led him to Christ. I began sobbing at the news.Now I know that when I get to Heaven, my father will be standing beside Jesus to welcome me, and that this family would be able to thank him themselves.

When their baby boy was born, they named him Jacob Matthew, in honor of the man who gave his life so that a mother and baby could live.

This story should help us to realize this: God is always in control.. We may not see the reason behind things, and we may never know this side of heaven, but God is ALWAYS in control.

Please take time to share this amazing story. You may never know the impact it may have on someone. God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

Thou Shall Not Steal!

Exodus 20:15

I am hurt and sad that someone broke into our truck while my girls had it at the mall. Katie is 16 and this is the very first time I've let her drive it to the mall without me. Our mall is a pretty direct shot from our house about 10 minutes away. (yes,I'm an over-protective mama). Katie went with Emily and they took some packages out to the truck, put them under the seat, and then went back in to shop. Katie calls later and says they are leaving the mall and will be home shortly. Then she calls 2 minutes later crying and upset. I was afraid she ran into something and thankfully she did not. Instead someone broke into the lock on the passenger's side and took all their packages and hubby's sunglasses. It's hurtful and it's sad and has led to some long discussions. Their packages totaled about $100. Those poor girls work long and hard hours babysitting and other odd jobs to earn their money. We filed a police report. What is so frustrating is I firmly believe in the golden rule. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." No one in my family would ever EVER steal from someone. In fact, we are just the opposite in giving to those in need. Katie quoted our priest from Sunday who was paraphrasing what Padre Pio said, "They don't believe in hell now, but they will when they get there." I told the children they need to pray for whoever broke into the truck that they find Jesus Christ and turn their lives around. Emily had a Bible diary in the truck that they found, no surprise, they left that in the seat. Sigh...



On a more positive note. I'm involved in something that I'm finding quite fun. It is a Mystery CAL (Crochet a-long). It is an internet group and the leader puts up several rows of crochet instructions that we do. I have no clue what we are making, but we have been informed that it is a garment. I kind of feel like I am doing a mystery basket weave along with my videos. You don't know what I have planned with the basket and how it will turn out until the end! It's a mystery! Anyway, it is fun. I just finished the sample swatch to learn our stitches the other day. I'm going to use the sample as a dishcloth. For the mystery project we are crocheting some long rows of this design.



May you all have a wonderful day and be treated by others with only kindness and goodness.

Love,

Nancy