Equiped and Ready

Is changing course ever easy? We are finding it difficult - but not impossible. Shoring up areas where we see there to be deficiency. Habits that have come in almost unnoticed; but now a part of everyday family life. Harsh, bitty words. Frustration. Delayed obedience. Bad attitudes. Lack of attention to detail. We notice it with the kids; and it hurts us when we do. Not so much because the habit is not becoming of them; but we know where they got it from. US!

The realization stings like a knife and we are left to realize that they pick up on our bad habits. We also realize that a lack of vigilance in this area for any length of time allows them to cement that habit down even further.

It is encouraging to know that you can not fix a problem that you do not know exists. We are thankful for the realization even though the truth at times can hurt. It has been made clear to us that it is time to change course. To stop the forward motion and say we have to go another way.

Family meetings have been held. Agendas have been set; and we are looking into the future with hope. Hope that God can change hearts, alter courses and give wisdom. We start with ourselves first. That is the hard part.

I open my Bible this morning and am encouraged: "Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh." I pray for wisdom. My prayers are heart felt - "God change me into what You want me to be. Make me the wife and mother that my family needs. Alter my course."

So thankful that I don't have to parent in my own strength. Rejoicing that I don't have to try to be the help meet for Rob. Ever so thankful; because neither one of these things is possible without His strength.

I close my Bible, turn off the lamp and head upstairs - ready in His strength.

Meal Plan

I have not posted my weekly menu for some time. With having surgery and having meals brought in - I have not needed to plan out a lot. Then, we had the heat wave through here and to be honest dinner was more pick up and go. Yeah for yogurt and fruit, cold cut sandwiches and veggies with dip!

Well, I am feeling better and ready to be back in the swing of things. We also are in full swing of getting our fall routines well undersay and ready fro school. So, I will try my best to start posting every Monday what we will be having for dinner. This is probably more for me than for any of you - as if reading about what we are eating is exciting enough to pop over here on Monday. :)

So here is this week's plan;

Monday: Scalloped Potatoes and Ham* / Fresh Salad (from the garden)

Tuesday: Shell Casserole* / Beets / Salad (from the garden)

Wednesday: Casey's Beans* / Homemade Bread / Salad (from the garden)

Thursday: Chicken in a Pot* / Salad (from our garden)

Friday: Homemade Pizza / Salad (from our garden)

Saturday: Steaks on the grill ** / Hobos / Black eyed peas

Sunday: Sloppy Joe's / Veggie Sticks / Brownies

*Made in the Crock pot

**From meat given to us (what a blessing!!)

I have planned a lot of the meals for in the crock pot due to the weather. This way if it is too hot to cook I can put the pot downstairs and not heat up the kitchen with cooking. We are doing a lot of salad. I was a bit ambitious with planting salad stuff in the garden this spring.

I use the Fix it and Forget it Cookbook for my crock pot meals. I LOVE this cookbook. It comes in handy during the school year too - when I want to have dinner done before we start school.

Hope you have a wonderful week with your family meals. We are trying something new this week by moving family devotions right after dinner is done and the kids are all still at the table. We will see how this works for us. Needing to find a better time with the little ones. Looking forward to eating together from the food God has given our earthly body and the spiritual food He has given us from His Word.

Thanks so much for stopping by. I am so glad you did.

Blessings,

~Martie