The Week in Review

It's been a pretty quiet week, actually. After days of haziness and looking like it would rain, we finally got a quick shower this morning, before 6:00am. It's sunny out now, so I'm thinking it'll be another South Florida sunshiny day.

Monday was the most hectic day this week. We had the outside air conditioning unit replaced with a new, more energy efficient model. I was so thankful! Sunday morning when I got up I noticed the a/c was on but no cold air was coming out of it. It was set to 72 degrees but the house felt more like 82. My husband went outside to check it and found the unit wasn't running. I turned it off and turned on the fan, but that wasn't going to cut it. It has been in the 90's this past month, and the heat became so stifling I couldn't breathe. Mind you, I'm usually the one complaining the house is too cold, so for me to say it was hot, means IT WAS HOT!!! Because it was Sunday we needed to wait till the next day to get a repairman in. That night was awful! We thanked God for the times we do have a/c, and prayed for others who never have a/c (how can they live?!). Turns out a capacitor went out which caused the fan not to work, which caused the unit to overheat, which caused one of the lines to blow. This was the 2nd time this unit needed repair, and it was only 9 years old. Not only that, our electric bill is always over $200 in the summer because the unit is not very efficient. The new one is; our neighbor recently had his unit replaced (his had even more problems than ours) and he highly recommended these people to hubby. They not only replaced the outside unit, they hauled away the old one and cleaned the unit inside so that it looked brand spankin' new. It took them just over 2 hours to get all the work done, and we're very satisfied. The rest of the day we just enjoyed the coolness. Ahhh....

Now in my much cooler home, I was able to get a ton of household chores done on Tuesday. Tons of laundry and cleaning up, and when I was done, what a feeling of satisfaction! E and I went to the library, and I got 2 books: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, because the movie is coming out in November and I want to compare it to the actual book (finished it already; it's a small book), and Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. I'm really getting into the classic English literature. I like it much more than the books that are being written today.

Wednesday I attacked the family room. It takes me all morning to clean the family room because it's where we spend most of our time. I moved furniture, vacuumed furniture, vacuumed drapes, dusted all the furniture, and when I was done it looked like something out of a magazine (at least I thought so!). Let's see how long it lasts!

Thursday I went through our school supplies and made an inventory list. School starts August 24, and I was able to download the supply list off the school's website. Thankfully I have lots of the items needed. What I need to buy most is paper. E started work on a workbook that reviews third grade, to get him back into the swing of things before school starts. My little one is excited about going to school because a) he gets to see his school friends, and b) he gets new school supplies. Otherwise, he says he'd be glad to be homeschooled. We'll see where God leads in this respect.

So today, with God's blessing, we have planned the following: grocery shopping, school supply shopping, and growth groups tonight. I hope to post a review of tonight's study this weekend. This is the next-to-last study, and it's going to be powerful, I just know it.

So, even a not-so-busy week can be pretty busy. I'm thankful for all that was accomplished this week. Praying for an equally busy weekend!

Expensive Children?

I was reading this article and was troubled by the topic. Not about how expensive it is to raise a child; I think we all know that it's expensive to do anything nowadays. I was troubled at the fact that someone bothered to try to quantify the total cost of raising a child from birth to age 17.

When we purchase a home, we spend lots of money to do it. Unless, of course, you're fortunate enough to have someone gift it to you; nevertheless, there are taxes, insurance, maintenance, etc. to pay. A home purchase for most people means having to save lots of money just for a down payment, closing costs, bank costs, etc. Then there's a mortgage that can last 15, 20, 30 or more years. Yet we happily put down our hard earned money to purchase "the American dream". Why? Because we don't look at it as an expense; we see it as an investment.

Why, then, are we looking at children as an expense? Are people to look at this and decide children aren't a worthy investment? The article boasts, "Middle-income family spends $221,000 to raise baby". Does that seem like a lot of money to spend on a child? Seems to me most people spend much more on a house these days, and don't think twice about it. Aren't children a much more precious and treasured investment?

I know that for some people, having everything budgeted out for them is necessary. I'm one of those people who needs to have expenses written out so I can see that I'm using our money wisely. Even Jesus said a wise person calculates costs before proceeding with a project (Luke 14:28-29). It's just that, to me, my children aren't an expense. They are an investment, one that pays dividends in heaven if I take care to raise them and care for them as my Father has taught me. They may not bring in a financial return, but the love I give and receive from them is priceless. And that's worth every penny.

When we stop looking at children as expenses, and treat them as the one of the greatest blessings that can be received, maybe then we'll reap the rewards of parenthood so sadly forgotten.

My Devotions Blog

For the past couple of months, I've been putting my SOAP devotions on this blog. This is my personal Bible study that I do typically in the mornings. I am currently studying the gospel of Luke. God speaks to each of us; I feel Him speak to me as I study His Word at the beginning of my day. I hadn't mentioned it before only because I wanted to see if I was comfortable blogging about it. I could erase it any day if I felt it was too personal or something I didn't want to share. Now, though, I feel the Lord would have me share this with others who may be needing to hear these words also. So, feel free to join me each day as I share the words God is speaking to me through Scripture, and please share any thoughts you may have. God bless.

A Saint Speaks

"The people who are of absolutely no use to God are those who have sat down and have become overgrown with spiritual mildew; all they can do is to refer to an experience they had twenty or thirty years ago. That is of no use whatever; we must be vitally at it all the time. With Paul it was never 'an experience I once had,' but 'the life which I now live.'"

- Oswald Chambers

Tackle It Tuesdays

For Today, August 4, 2009...

I've gotten so much stuff done already, I'm amazed that I'm not complaining of exhaustion:

Put pot roast in crock pot at 7:00am
Had morning devotions
Fixed my bed and tidied up bedroom
Folded and put away 4 loads of laundry, and have 1 load in washer & 1 in dryer
Cleaned 2 bathrooms
Cleaned kitchen
Polished dining room table, swept floor
Read Cam Jansen mystery with 9 year old

We've all had lunch, except hubby who hasn't gotten home yet. After that:

Library to return books
Wash and blow dry hair

I love days when I feel like so much has been accomplished!

Tackle It Tuesdays is hosted by Susan at 5 Minutes For Mom.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, August 3, 2009...

Outside my window...it's a scorcher. Not a good thing today.

I am thinking...the air conditioning repairman is putting in a new unit, because ours is shot. Praise God we're getting a good price on it, thanks to the recommendation of our neighbor.

I am thankful for...the fact that we have a home to live in, which usually has a/c. I think of the families who suffer this weather without relief all summer, and I shudder.

From the learning rooms...school starts in 3 weeks. E and I have been slacking a bit, so we need to get back to reading. We're reading Owen Foote, Super Spy by Stephanie Greene. Funny book.

From the kitchen...kielbasa sausage, sauteed with onions, and yellow rice with veggies.

I am wearing...a light pink tank top, beige capris, brown sandals, my hair up because it's too hot to let it down.

I am creating...nothing. It's too hot to think of creating anything.

I am reading...Daniel for morning devotions, Luke for SOAP devotions (I'm on chapter 13), Discerning the Voice of God for growth groups (2 weeks to go) and Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.

I am hearing...water from my neighbor's pool, and the a/c repairman as he works on cleanup.

Around the house...some laundry to be put away, more laundry to be washed, but for the most part the house is clean.

One of my favorite things...is air conditioning. I live in South Florida, it's been in the 90's everyday, believe me, I've come to appreciate it now more than ever.

A few plans for the rest of the week: don't really have anything concrete planned, other than the library and growth groups. I teach in children's ministry this Sunday so I have to prepare for that. Let's see what the Lord has in store.

Here's a prayer request I'm sharing...pray for the smaller parts of the body of Christ, those that do the little things that don't seem to mean much but are just as important as the bigger parts. The guys that set up and tear down each week so the service runs smooth. The ladies taking care of the babies so mommy and daddy can hear God's message. The little old lady who doesn't have a big name ministry, but prays faithfully each day. Everyone is important, everyone is loved by Jesus.

Wanna join in the fun? Visit Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook. God bless and have a great week!

Observing My Senses

For Today, August 1, 2009...

I am seeing...what might be a sunshiny day. The sky is blue, the clouds are white and fluffy, and there seems to be no rain in sight. Of course, many a morning has started that way this week and yet it rained in the afternoon. I'm hoping it won't; my son would be disappointed. He's going with his aunt to her company picnic and is seriously looking forward to it.

I am feeling...tired, even though I got a good night's sleep. My allergies were acting up and I took a Benadryl last night. They knock me out every time.

I am tasting...toothpaste. Haven't had breakfast yet.

I am hearing...Phineas and Ferb. My son's new favorite cartoon. It's about 2 brothers who are daily inventing something new to do over the summer, to the distress of their big sister. Plus, their pet platypus is actually a secret agent. It's funny, in a corny sort of way.

I am smelling...biscuits in the oven. Breakfast is ready!

It takes just a moment to stop and observe what's going on around you. Won't you join me?