Let's All Be Brave

Jumped over here today in hopes of reading another good book by blogger and author AnnieDowns

http://www.incourage.me/2014/10/a-lets-all-be-brave-giveaway.html

Happy Birthday Ginny!

I make it a habit now to be reading one fiction (fake as we call it in my 1st grade classroom) book along with the other books I am reading.
A lot of women come in to LifeWay in Maple Grove where I work part time to buy books by Beverly Lewis so I picked up a copy of The Shunning.

Beverly Lewis is a New York Times Bestselling Author and in this book she writes about Katie Lapp's mother, a plain and simple Amishwoman who embraces the old way, and hides a beautiful satin baby dress in the attic ... but why? You will have to read it to find out :-)

You can pick up the book here: http://www.lifeway.com/Keyword/the+shunning+book or by stopping into the store at Maple Grove!

Today is my good friend's birthday and in honor of her birthday I am wrapping up my copy of The Shunning to give her as a birthday re-gift! You see, she is a missionary and has a missionary mind-set so I know she will appreciate that I did not spend a lot of money on her. (ps because she is such a good friend and I love her a lot I did spend time on a homemade gift as well) 

Most of my books given off my book shelf this year have been non-fiction however my good friend Ginny will hopefully enjoy getting lost is this fiction book as I did. 

Happy Birthday Ginny! 

Words written in red

When I sat with my grandson on Friday night and I listened to him read Frog and Toad Together I was pleased to hear another generation read. I want to never take the ability, art, and privilege to hold a book, touch it's pages, read it's words and have the words wash over my life and change me for granted. 

It is the reason I practice the "daily office" as some call the discipline to read the word daily 

It is the reason why the gift of a book is my first thought for giving

This year 2014 I had a desire to give the gift that keeps on giving so I looked over and through my bookshelf. I handled and touched and reread some books and some that had handwritten notations and prayers I had jotted down during the times I read the books.

It is the reason why when my Tx daughter turned another year older I passed on The Mother's Topical Bible

It is the reason why when my son turned 30 I passed on a devotional I had read at different times over my life span in Christ of thirty seven years

It is the reason why I passed on My Daily Light to a good friend. She is one who continually reminds me, instructs me and holds me accountable to the reading and applying of the word  

When my grandson was reading Frog and Toad together and he read their "lists" I was reminded of the things on my list this year....

passing on books that had depth and meaning in my life 
books on prayer, classics like Pilgrims Progress, books with journaling pages and character traits 

my prayer this morning is that the next generation of Pederson's in a time of computers, i phones, kindles will never loose the desire and ability to touch the pages, read the words especially the words written in red

The Gospel Unites Us!

Hoping to read this book that I just read a blog post and 

watched a video about over here:

http://www.incourage.me/2014/04/united-in-sisterhood-and-a-book-giveaway.html

be sure and check it out...

morning quiet time in TX

Eden journals in my journal

Annika follows along in a picture Bible while I read in my bible

Slowing Down

A couple of weeks ago I was able to take a drive out to Deerfield and enjoy space on a friend's farm for a 3 hour time frame, uninterrupted, to speak and hear from God.

The most important task was to slow myself down so I could find meaning in everything; every word I read, spoke, and wrote.

So when I started with 1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" I knew how important it was for me to release my concerns, review what concerns actually led me into sin, and then remember God's faithfulness. These were the three areas, release, review, and remember that made it possible to slow down enough to find meaning in everything that day.

The view outside my window at the farm ...
breath-taking and peaceful

first days of school

Every year around this time I begin my first days of school.

This year I was not the only one  in my family who enjoyed the first days of school ....

here's Beckett showing exactly how I felt after my first week of school

Here's my five-year old home-schooler from Texas

 

and here's my five-year old private-schooler from North Mpls (he turned six on September 10th and we will celebrate tomorrow)

 

 

here's lunch home-school style

 

 

 

 

and here's Pru ready for Pre-School

and as for Lenny ... she often gets to hang out with the "golfer" on Tuesday mornings while I work at school ....

FMFMP (five minute flash mob party) Listen

LISTEN   

Taking 5 minutes to write today no edits …

START:

Listen, I am now out of school for the summer

Because of this I have intentionally planned time:

To listen to my Father by spending extended time in His word

To listen to my girlfriends over coffee

To study the bible with my girls group and listen to their prayer requests

To listen to my music daughter over donuts on Fridays

To listen to my grandchildren, one at a time when I spend each Friday with a different child each week (today was with Pru)

To listen to the Blooms book club and the words from Shauna Niequist, author of bread and wine

And finally I will listen to some authors as this is my current list of books on my end table:

The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey

Crispin by Avi

Running for my life by Lopex Lomong

Leading Change in Your School by Douglas Reeves

The Blessing of Friendship (Focus on the Family)

Biblical Fasting (Kay Arthur)

END

(I have to admit this took me a bit more than 5 minutes)

Linking up here:
 

 

60 years of life!

A very delayed post but also a very wanted to be documented post was my 60th birthday celebration.

This year I had great plans in how I wanted to celebrate but just physically not feeling quite myself I was grateful to have it be a somewhat quiet celebration and a complete surprise.

It began with a birthday hug from the golfer
Then a birthday lunch at Edinbrook with almost 6 balloons, representing 6 decades(1 did not make it in the building) from my 3rd daughter
Next dinner out to Pizza Luce' with my good friend Ginny and her husband

 

After dinner we were off to the Timberwolves game (it was military appreciation night so the golfer had sent away for surprise tickets. As a bonus we were able to sign the welcome home card for the MP257 that was at the game)

My final gift from the golfer. the kids and grand kids came a few days later .... it was a book!

And considering I am a book lover this was a wonderful gift but what made it wonderful is that it was written by the golfer, the kids and grand kids ... the title ....

 

60 Things we love about you

from the ones who love you more

thinking about purging excess

If someone had told me I would sit down and read the second half of the book of Deuteronomy in one sitting I would have said, “No Way!” Yet that is exactly what I did this afternoon. To read another book that will explain a book of the Bible feels like cheating to me because I am not just getting Jesus’ words but someone else’s words too.

 But when it comes to the Old Testament, believe me I need all the help I can get.

I love what Billy Graham says, “Our faith is not dependent upon human knowledge and scientific advance, but upon the unmistakable message of the Word of God.”

So today, I did spend some time in What the Bible is all About by Dr. Henrietta Mears. Mears breaks down the book of Deuteronomy into three parts:

• Chapters 1-4 Moses’ first address Looking Back
• Chapters 5-26 Moses’ second address Looking Up
• Chapters 27-34 Moses’ third address Looking Out

It is important to note that along with the book of Deuteronomy I began reading
7 an experimental mutiny against excess today also.

So when I opened to Deut 17 and read on through Deut 22 and counted over ten times Moses says “You must purge the evil from among you” can I just say that it was no mistake to read this passage in one sitting. There must have been a reason that he repeated this pharse so many times; don't you agree?

That was just one of the many verses that spoke to me here are a few more:

When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to           imitate the detestable ways. Deut 18:9

For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory. Deut 20:4

Keep away from anything impure. Your camp must be holy, so that he will not see among you anything indecent and turn away from you. Deut 23:9, 14

Oh Father, as I continue in your word may I be one who follows theses decrees and laws; carefully observing them with all my heart and with all my soul. This day may I declare that the Lord is my God and that I will walk in His ways and that I will keep his decrees, commands and laws, and that I will obey Him. May this be a choice not only for me but for my children, and grandchildren. May we live and love the Lord our God, listen to his voice and hold fast to him.

Hoping and will you hope with me too?

Kindof (is that a word) excited about this smash book idea for the summer writing program for the 900 students who go to Edinbrook Elementary.

See it here:
http://youtu.be/_PFsArr4Z1s
I am on the reading committee and this was one of the ideas so ... I am hoping to get 900+ journals donated for the students from different retailers in the next few weeks as I go and ask. He says, "ask and you shall receive".

Would you hope with me too?

Putting Off the Old

Love this quote about being chosen, holy, loved:

 “The measurements are in and the character clothes are going to fit. The wardrobe is ours. There is only one more step, as it were, to donning the virtues that hang literally within our reach. Our old vices and habits must go. The petty practices we’ve worn, the bland shades of bitterness with our beads of resentment, all of it must go. Shoved into bags and left on the curbside so we’re not tempted to try them on again in four years when we can’t find a thing to wear! We must ready ourselves for the fitting room where the curtain is drawn, and the old is gone, and we slip into something altogether new. And when we emerge, only God knows what we will look like—I suppose beautiful will have something to do with it.”

What Women Fear

I am kind of excited to begin another Bloom Book Club book. The first book I read with this online book club opportunity was One Thousand Gifts and I am still counting.

Then this summer I read The Fitting Room. I love this opportunity for a number of reasons. The book club involves viedos with the authors and other women, the books have been great in helping me grow spiritually and finally I love that I can listen to the videos at my own pace morning, noon or even midnight in the comfort of my own home.

Now I will join in and read What Women Fear by Angie Smith. Want to come along for the read? Just click below!

Do You Dream Big?

OK so I'm reading this book and I thought I was reading it simply to write a meaninfgul book review for BookSneeze. Instead I am 135 pages into this compeling book. I am ready to own my dream to someday publish a book! There, I said it aloud!

When I went to the library, I asked the reference person to help me locate books about  the art of writing stories, non-fiction, fiction etc. I asked specifically for  books  written at a 3rd grade level.

I am sensing one of two things., either I must read about the how-to's at an elementary level for understanding first, or this writing and publishing dream isn't just about me publishing it may be more about me teaching children about publishing.

As I begin to think outside the box, my dream of being published  is now being put to the test. Currently,  I think I have a good start towards my dream as I am actively writing. I know I have a long way to go and I will need to create a map to get there but I am excited to be on the path to published!

Smart Board Training Does it make me smart?

What do think does smart board training really make one smart? I can't say for sure but what I can say is that I feel a bit smarter about smart boards now that I have attended the training. There were many good things about the day like ....

I learned much while not working with kids for a day

Our presenter was cool with questions and comments which always helps me learn

I met a new friend, Darlene from Zanewood

Karen ordered a great lunch and even though I could not eat it I did have a little salad today for the first time in a month

I was able to be at a computer all day

I won a $20 gift card from Target

I learned about this great website

Pics4Learning.com

below is a picture of a study that I found at pics 4 learning

The Study of Ruth

It has been fun to begin a study of the book of Ruth, at the request of my daughter Ashley. I remember when we would read the Bible together when I home-schooled her and the other kids. Reading the Bible and studying the Bible are two different things. As Ashely and I studied separately but answered the same questions it was fun to see that not all answers were the same. As women we come from very different walks of life yet many heart issues are the same. I believe both of us desire to be like Ruth in being women who are self-sacrificing. Father teach us to be women who have great concern for others. Thanks for studying with me Ashley!lywm

Day 18 Still feeling crummy :-(

Ok I have to say that there is not a lot to say or write about when I still feel crummy ... except maybe to say how thankful I am for my husband who has taken such good care of me. He got up with me at 12:30 am and took me to the hospital last night. The doctor ran IV fluids and anti-nausea meds for the night because I have been unable to keep anything in my system.

As of 9:30 this evening I am happy to report I am doing a bit better and I have kept the banana, applesauce, toast and even popcorn down. Hopefully by tomorrow things will be a bit closer to normal.

One upside of being sick is at times during the day I actually feel like reading and I jump between the Bible, a leisure book and the following book I am reading towards spiritual growth:

Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us.

Fasting, Solitude, Contemplative Prayer ... Have you wandered from one practice to another? Then you may want to pick up this book. I love that this book is written by a women as many books like this are written by men and in particular Pastors. ... for me I am reading it on my Kindle!

Outward Circumstances are just not as important as ....

Wednesday Morning

Something I read this morning that impacted me as I look around at what still needs to be organized and accomplished ....

"God wants you to put Him and His work first. He promises to provide your every need if you seek Him first of all ... also when you are discouraged, remember that God is with you and that outward circumstances are not as important as God's presence."

# 2 As a Teacher I must be Organized

Tuesday, June 29, 2010
morning pages

I am always thinking that to be a good teacher one must be a good reader and a good writer. This morning early I was able to spend some fun time reading things I had written when I was 18 years old. And as a teacher doing the math that means I have saved things (mind you small things) that I have written for (57-18=49) yep 49 years.

Well can I just say I am encouraged becasue I have all the time I need and yesterday I spent 20 minutes getting organized and later dropped off $7.50 worth of books at the half price books. That means that I made $7.50 for 20 minutes of work.

Today I spent 30 minutes of work, no, not work because some of my time was spent having fun reading. 30 minutes later I have 2 bags of recycled paper and 1 bag to go to half price books.

Come back for more reading of my 3rd edition of a "Teacher must be Organized"

May you be blessed with Peace, Love, and Organization in your life today!

School's Out! Reading, Writing, and Art are In!

June 16, 2010 Morning Pages

I am so excited to share that school is out and therefore my mornings will be filled with reading, writing and art ... most likely, more reading, than writing and art yet, I do have concrete plans for the later two.

I have already started a new book on my kindle. As I was scrolling my kindle and scoping out some books I found a book of interest. What I love about my kindle is that I can download any book and sample it before I decide to buy the book for cheap ... this book $9.99. The book A Young People's History of the World by Howard Zinn.

I find that I have a deficit in knowing history, but I know there are many ways to learn history. One of these ways, of course, is by reading. In the past, I have had a tendency, to read authors I am familiar with. This particular author I did not know, he was not recommended, yet I found myself drawn to him. I even asked my husband (a history major some years ago) if he had heard of Howard Zinn.

I learned that Zinn, through this book, choose to use some unlikely voices, to teach about history, and some of these voices, include children. I also learned, by reading the sample of the book, that Zinn would choose to tell the truth of history through his eyes and knowledge. Of intrest to me, Zinn's truth may not be in the current history books our children are reading.

A quote to close my blog with today ....

"In learning you will teach and in teaching you will learn"

What I have not yet learned, I believe I will be unable to teach. Therefore, I am looking forward to the lazy days of summer ... to be learning, through the disciplines of reading, writing and art!