Clothed With Scarlet

Do You Ever Enjoy The Silence?

I wrote this last year but feel it important to share again.  The Lord has brought me full circle in the matter of being quiet, particularly in reference to our husbands. 

"Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit."  ~ Ecclesiastes 4:6

"The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD."  ~ Lamentations 3:25-26

"And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing."  ~ I Thessalonians 10-12

Over the last year the Lord has been teaching me to be quiet.  The Lord will always take our fumblings and self-will and use it to His glory but have you ever stopped to think about what He might do if were to just be quiet for awhile?  If we were to serve and love others...particularly our husbands...but cease to constantly excerpt our thoughts and opinions...    Are you guilty of speaking defensively to some of your husbands comments?  I am.  Are you guilty of snipping at your husband when he fails to live up to your expectations?  I am.  Are you guilty of grumping and nagging your husband?  I am.  Are you guilty of just being crabby and sour in tone of voice?  I am.  How about the other side of the coin?  Are you guilty of giving suggestions that weigh heavily towards your desires?  I am.  Are you guilty of jumping on the bandwagon of complaint or gossip?  I am. 

Silence and quietness is a powerful and tremendous blessing.  Without our constant ramblings and regular voice into ALL matters, I wonder what the Creator would do.  What exactly would He work together?  What precisely would He orchestrate in the heart of your beloved husband without your words.  Don't misunderstand me now...  Our words can be a great encouragement to our husbands.  I am his helper, his lover, his confidant, his best friend.  I should be the arms of Christ when my beloved is weary.  I should be his greatest warrior, in prayer on your knees daily for my husband.  We should always be ready with words of kindness and encouragement for our husbands.

Do you often think you know what is best?  I do.  I am guessing that there are times when we do know best but it may not always be appropriate for us to make sure that we tell our husbands just how it should be.  Have you been in prayer over a particular issue concerning your husband or your children or your family?  The Lord has been teaching me that there are great rewards and blessings in silence.  Serving, loving and ministering to my beloved husband in silence is an amazing thing!  We visit and talk of course but God's word tells us to pray without ceasing and to do all things without complaining or arguing.  When we are in constant prayer and when we never complain or argue, the words from our mouth should be laced with sweetness and never spoken without prayer first.  "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones."  ~ Proverbs 16:24

Think of all that God has created.  Think of the daily miracle of the sunrise and sunset.  Think of the intricacy of how God weaves together the lives of our wee babies within us.  Think of how awesome and amazing God is.  Think of the power and omnipresence of the Lord.  Now think of what your marriage might be like if you were always praying and often silent. 

"1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 7Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. 8I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 9In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 11Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety."  ~I Timothy 2

It is in my heart to encourage you as a wife.  To encourage you to be the woman that God designed you to be.  God's design for your life will set you apart from this world.  It is right and best for all of us to start our day on our knees.  All of the words written above come as a result of my selfish and my sinful nature and as the result of the correction of a loving Heavenly Father. "But exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.  ~ Hebrews 3:13"  "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: ~ Hebrews 10:24"

Won't you join me?

Being quiet is not always appropriate.  Being prayerful is.  We must take every thought captive and that is not possible once we have flung that thought out of our mouths.  Conversely, taking a thought captive can translate into "taking something back" from the Lord that He intends you to speak to your husband.  Ladies, we must be constantly in prayer.  The thoughts that are on our heart ... we must take them to the Lord to determine when we should be quiet and when we should speak with tenderness and love.  Being quiet can also create a place in which you run from the word of God...a crutch to not speak when the Lord is nudging you to talk to your husband.

Pray, pray, pray...  We must pray without ceasing ladies.  We must cry out to God and deny ourselves...we must seek His face and not be satisfied with the mere "crumbs" of His obvious existance in our lives.  Trust in Him with all of your heart and never, ever lean upon your own understanding.

~~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

Originally posted:  June 23, 2007

"Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit."  ~ Ecclesiastes 4:6

"The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD."  ~ Lamentations 3:25-26

"And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing."  ~ I Thessalonians 10-12

Over the last year the Lord has been teaching me to be quiet.  The Lord will always take our fumblings and self-will and use it to His glory but have you ever stopped to think about what He might do if were to just be quiet for awhile?  If we were to serve and love others...particularly our husbands...but cease to constantly excerpt our thoughts and opinions...    Are you guilty of speaking defensively to some of your husbands comments?  I am.  Are you guilty of snipping at your husband when he fails to live up to your expectations?  I am.  Are you guilty of grumping and nagging your husband?  I am.  Are you guilty of just being crabby and sour in tone of voice?  I am.  How about the other side of the coin?  Are you guilty of giving suggestions that weigh heavily towards your desires?  I am.  Are you guilty of jumping on the bandwagon of complaint or gossip?  I am. 

Silence and quietness is a powerful and tremendous blessing.  Without our constant ramblings and regular voice into ALL matters, I wonder what the Creator would do.  What exactly would He work together?  What precisely would He orchestrate in the heart of your beloved husband without your words.  Don't misunderstand me now...  Our words can be a great encouragement to our husbands.  I am his helper, his lover, his confidant, his best friend.  I should be the arms of Christ when my beloved is weary.  I should be his greatest warrior, in prayer on your knees daily for my husband.  We should always be ready with words of kindness and encouragement for our husbands.

Do you often think you know what is best?  I do.  I am guessing that there are times when we do know best but it may not always be appropriate for us to make sure that we tell our husbands just how it should be.  Have you been in prayer over a particular issue concerning your husband or your children or your family?  The Lord has been teaching me that there are great rewards and blessings in silence.  Serving, loving and ministering to my beloved husband in silence is an amazing thing!  We visit and talk of course but God's word tells us to pray without ceasing and to do all things without complaining or arguing.  When we are in constant prayer and when we never complain or argue, the words from our mouth should be laced with sweetness and never spoken without prayer first.  "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones."  ~ Proverbs 16:24

Think of all that God has created.  Think of the daily miracle of the sunrise and sunset.  Think of the intricacy of how God weaves together the lives of our wee babies within us.  Think of how awesome and amazing God is.  Think of the power and omnipresence of the Lord.  Now think of what your marriage might be like if you were always praying and often silent. 

"1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 7Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. 8I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 9In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 11Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety."  ~I Timothy 2

It is in my heart to encourage you as a wife.  To encourage you to be the woman that God designed you to be.  God's design for your life will set you apart from this world.  It is right and best for all of us to start our day on our knees.  All of the words written above come as a result of my selfish and my sinful nature and as the result of the correction of a loving Heavenly Father. "But exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.  ~ Hebrews 3:13"  "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: ~ Hebrews 10:24"

Won't you join me?

Being quiet is not always appropriate.  Being prayerful is.  We must take every thought captive and that is not possible once we have flung that thought out of our mouths.  Conversely, taking a thought captive can translate into "taking something back" from the Lord that He intends you to speak to your husband.  Ladies, we must be constantly in prayer.  The thoughts that are on our heart ... we must take them to the Lord to determine when we should be quiet and when we should speak with tenderness and love.  Being quiet can also create a place in which you run from the word of God...a crutch to not speak when the Lord is nudging you to talk to your husband.

Pray, pray, pray...  We must pray without ceasing ladies.  We must cry out to God and deny ourselves...we must seek His face and not be satisfied with the mere "crumbs" of His obvious existance in our lives.  Trust in Him with all of your heart and never, ever lean upon your own understanding.

~~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

Originally posted:  June 23, 2007

I wrote this last year but feel it important to share again. The Lord has brought me full circle in the matter of being quiet, particularly in reference to our husbands.

"Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit."  ~ Ecclesiastes 4:6

"The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD."  ~ Lamentations 3:25-26

"And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing."  ~ I Thessalonians 10-12

Over the last year the Lord has been teaching me to be quiet.  The Lord will always take our fumblings and self-will and use it to His glory but have you ever stopped to think about what He might do if were to just be quiet for awhile?  If we were to serve and love others...particularly our husbands...but cease to constantly excerpt our thoughts and opinions...    Are you guilty of speaking defensively to some of your husbands comments?  I am.  Are you guilty of snipping at your husband when he fails to live up to your expectations?  I am.  Are you guilty of grumping and nagging your husband?  I am.  Are you guilty of just being crabby and sour in tone of voice?  I am.  How about the other side of the coin?  Are you guilty of giving suggestions that weigh heavily towards your desires?  I am.  Are you guilty of jumping on the bandwagon of complaint or gossip?  I am. 

Silence and quietness is a powerful and tremendous blessing.  Without our constant ramblings and regular voice into ALL matters, I wonder what the Creator would do.  What exactly would He work together?  What precisely would He orchestrate in the heart of your beloved husband without your words.  Don't misunderstand me now...  Our words can be a great encouragement to our husbands.  I am his helper, his lover, his confidant, his best friend.  I should be the arms of Christ when my beloved is weary.  I should be his greatest warrior, in prayer on your knees daily for my husband.  We should always be ready with words of kindness and encouragement for our husbands.

Do you often think you know what is best?  I do.  I am guessing that there are times when we do know best but it may not always be appropriate for us to make sure that we tell our husbands just how it should be.  Have you been in prayer over a particular issue concerning your husband or your children or your family?  The Lord has been teaching me that there are great rewards and blessings in silence.  Serving, loving and ministering to my beloved husband in silence is an amazing thing!  We visit and talk of course but God's word tells us to pray without ceasing and to do all things without complaining or arguing.  When we are in constant prayer and when we never complain or argue, the words from our mouth should be laced with sweetness and never spoken without prayer first.  "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones."  ~ Proverbs 16:24

Think of all that God has created.  Think of the daily miracle of the sunrise and sunset.  Think of the intricacy of how God weaves together the lives of our wee babies within us.  Think of how awesome and amazing God is.  Think of the power and omnipresence of the Lord.  Now think of what your marriage might be like if you were always praying and often silent. 

"1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 7Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. 8I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 9In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 11Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety."  ~I Timothy 2

It is in my heart to encourage you as a wife.  To encourage you to be the woman that God designed you to be.  God's design for your life will set you apart from this world.  It is right and best for all of us to start our day on our knees.  All of the words written above come as a result of my selfish and my sinful nature and as the result of the correction of a loving Heavenly Father. "But exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.  ~ Hebrews 3:13"  "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: ~ Hebrews 10:24"

Won't you join me?

Being quiet is not always appropriate.  Being prayerful is.  We must take every thought captive and that is not possible once we have flung that thought out of our mouths.  Conversely, taking a thought captive can translate into "taking something back" from the Lord that He intends you to speak to your husband.  Ladies, we must be constantly in prayer.  The thoughts that are on our heart ... we must take them to the Lord to determine when we should be quiet and when we should speak with tenderness and love.  Being quiet can also create a place in which you run from the word of God...a crutch to not speak when the Lord is nudging you to talk to your husband.

Pray, pray, pray...  We must pray without ceasing ladies.  We must cry out to God and deny ourselves...we must seek His face and not be satisfied with the mere "crumbs" of His obvious existance in our lives.  Trust in Him with all of your heart and never, ever lean upon your own understanding.

~~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

Originally posted:  June 23, 2007

Denying Ourselves by Mrs. Crawford

Mrs. Crawford over at Generation Cedar writes with tremendous passion and intensity.  She wrote an article a few days ago that I wanted to share.

Here is an excerpt from Denying Ourselves:

"It's just like Jesus to ask us to do something He knows we can't do! And why? Because that leaves us completely dependent upon HIS strength and grace to walk in obedience. And that's tricky; He requires obedience (my will) to the things He asks of me (His will), but it's an obedience that can only be carried out through the strength He can give me.  And what if I don't deny myself? What happens to me, my family, my church, community, neighborhood, world?"

Please take a few minutes and read Mrs. Crawford's article:  Denying Ourselves.

~~~
posted by Mrs. Klause

July 21, 2008

Music:  Be Thou My Vision

Lunch anyone?

I like lunchtime.  It is a wonderful break in the day's activities.  It is a time to nourish our bodies and nourish our hearts.  I have not yet made it a consistent habit but opening God's word at the lunch table is good for everyone I think. 

As I was nibbling my sandwich today, I thought it might be fun to post my favorite lunch meal and then see if I could get a few of you to post your favorite lunch and the recipe if we need one.  :0)  I find that the midday meal is the one that needs a little "spice" sometimes...so a couple of new ideas might do us all some good. 

My favorite lunch is a bologna sandwich.  Really, it is.  I like sandwiches a lot.  Now I will take a bologna sandwich with just about anything on it but "the perfect" bologna sandwich is made like this:

two slices of fresh white bread

a thin coating of mustard on one slice and Miracle Whip on the other

layer bologna, lettuce, tomato, fresh onions, salt, pepper and the most important part (that makes it so yummy) is fresh sliced jalapenos

You must slice it in half.  This is the only way to make sure that all of your goodies stay in the sandwich.  I like plain potato chips with my sandwich but I will eat any fruit, fresh veggie or chip that we might have on-hand.  An occasional slice of pepper-jack cheese is yummy and avocado slices always makes a nice addition to any sandwich that I eat.  ;0)

So...what is your favorite lunch meal?

You can post a comment with your favorite and the recipe or just leave a link to your blog or website.  Everyone...make sure you check the comments on this post!

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

July 17, 2008

Music:

Teacup Tuesdays - Stacking Four

Isn't she lovely .. a new way to hold teacups and saucers!  She is made of a thick creamy colored metal.  She actually matches another pretty that I have that holds teacups. 

Mother gave it to me a couple of weeks ago for my birthday.  She couldn't wait...my birthday is in August.  ;0)

I like it.  The upright display allows more cups in a smaller space. 

Thank you Mother!

:-)

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

July 15, 2008

Wife, you just can't do it. Stop trying...

Isn't this a beautiful picture of a man and his wife? 

Clinging to one another...  Looking through his eyes right down into his heart...  Allowing the soft music to carry their steps...  The sweet smell of the flowers surrounding them...  When they stop dancing, they will peer out into the magnificent blue sky and wonder together...  Then they will wander over and see their images, side-by-side, in the reflection of the water...

I just can't be that wife to my husband.  I do not have all that he needs. 

You do not have all that your husband needs either.

You cannot be the wife that your husband needs.

What is it that you, Wife, have prayed about and determined that you need to do for or with your husband?  Words that you need to speak...  An attitude that needs adjusted...  An action carried out daily...

A conversation that needs to be had.

Socks that simply need to be picked up daily, with a smile on your face.

A friendship that needs to be ended.

An alarm clock that needs to be adhered to.

A tongue that needs to be controlled.

Daily exercise that needs to be done.

Meals that need to be prepared.

~~~~

I don't know what the Lord has laid on your heart or if you have even begun to seek the Lord's will in your daily words and actions toward your husband.  Are there things that you feel like you need to do that you just can't?  Are there words to be spoken that you just cannot seem to pull from out of the depths of your heart?  Are there tasks that you need to do or that your husband has asked you to do that you struggle to complete each day? 

~~~~

Our marriages are not about our happiness.  Most of us know that already.  We have made a commitment to love, honor, cherish and obey for better or worse until the sting of death parts us from our husbands.  Marriage is, however, about our holiness.  It is about refining us.  Our marriages are for the glory of God. 

As I sat before the Lord this morning, I realized something.

The Creator told me something this morning.  Not in words that were audible but in that "voice" that you can "hear" deep down inside your heart. 

"You cannot be all that he needs."

{sigh}

That statement doesn't mean exactly what you think it might mean though...

Sometimes we see things only from our perspective.

Marriage is not about our husband's happiness either.

God uses our marriages to make our husbands more holy.

God uses our marriages and what happens each and every day to refine our husbands.

~~~~

Our lives are so intricate.  The Lord weaves us together for His glory.  I do believe that it is beyond our ability to understand how God weaves our free will and poor decisions into His plan.  I recently shared a very simplified word-picture with a young woman:  The way that God weaves our lives all together would be like us trying to knit a tiny little baby's hat when someone keeps changing the color of the yarn and the pattern.  It is like trying to knit this hat when someone randomly removes one of your needles from your hand and then gives it back a while later. 

God gave us free will.  The ability to choose whether we would obey His will or whether we would disobey His will.  He "weaves" all things for the good of those who love Him.  He "weaves" our lives so that He is glorified no matter what our decisions.

My beloved husband's heart is beyond my ability to understand.  The work that God is doing in his heart is beyond my ability to understand.  No matter where our husband's are in their lives...  No matter who they are....

...loving or unloving...

...gentle or harsh...

...hard-working or lazy...

...sober or drunk...

...self-controlled or selfish...

...saved by Grace or not...

Wife, if you are seeking the will of God in your marriage, then you must obey when He makes clear a particular plan.  When the Lord tells us something or shows us something then we must simply obey.  We must take not allow our own emotions to control us but we must simply obey the whisper of our Heavenly Father. 

Ladies...if you have "heard" the Lord over a particular matter but are failing to carry it out or move forward...you, me...we are grieving the Lord greatly.  We are disobeying the Lord.  We are exerting our wills over the perfect will of the Lord.  We are allowing our emotions to control us.  We are thinking that we know better.  How arrogant we can be sometimes. 

Have you ever or do you ever instruct your children to simply obey and then ask questions later? 

:-)

I have.

I think it is that simple for us too.

~~~

Do what you have been told to do Wife. 

Almighty God, Creator of the Heaven and Earth, The I Am...  He is at work in the hearts of our men.  We cannot be all that our men need.  We try to fill all the gaps.

There are threads that we do not have.  There are stitches that we cannot weave.  There are gaps that we cannot fill...

...only Christ can fill the gaps...

...only the work of The Master's hand can create some things...

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."  ~~Matthew 6:33

 "2That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;  3In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."  ~~Colossians 2:2-3

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

July 14, 2008

Music:  Canon in D

Happy Birthday Addison!

Addison is turning two today. 

~~~

She was born in the afternoon...

...with lots of family and friends at the hospital awaiting her arrival...

 

...Daddy and Addison...

...Kennedy (17 months old) and Bailey (4 years) seeing and holding Addison for the first time...

...when Kennedy saw Addison, she started giggling and she giggled for days every time she saw Addison or held her; she was so excited...

~~~~

 

Her first birthday party celebrated 2000 miles from family and friends.  We had just moved to Washington a month prior.

Addison really liked balls so we made it a Round Birthday Party.  ;-)  We had a polka dotted cake and balls and bubbles.

...she liked the bubbles...

~~~

We have family coming in this weekend.  I will post more photos over the next couple of days for our family and friends that are far away from Addison on her birthday.

~~~

May I just take today to shout from the rooftop...

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward! 

~~~~~~

Psalm 127

 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

~~~

Birthdays are completely different to me now that I have children of my own.  What an amazing day of celebration.  A celebration of life of our child...the life that has already been lived and the life that is ahead of our child.  A day where my feeling of thankfulness to the Lord overwhelms me.  The reward of our children is amazing and humbling.  A day of tremendous joy for the Klause quiver is blessed.

posted by Mrs. Klause

July 11, 2008

Music:  Over The Rainbow

Teacup Tuesdays - Drinkin' From My Saucer

DRINKIN' FROM MY SAUCER

I've never made a fortune
And it's prob'ly too late now;
But I don't worry 'bout that much,
I'm happy anyhow!

And as I go along life's way
Reapin' better than I sowed.
I'm drinkin' from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed!

Haven't got a lot of riches,
And sometimes the going's tough;
But I've got loving ones around me,
And that makes me rich enough!

I thank God for His blessings
And the mercies He's bestowed.
I'm drinkin' from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed!

I 'member times when things went wrong,
My faith wore somewhat thin;
But all at once the dark clouds broke
And light peeped through again.

So, Lord, help me not to gripe
About tough rows I've hoed.
I'm drinkin' from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed!

If God gives me strength and courage
When the way grows steep and rough,
I'll not ask for other blessings;
I'm already blessed enough!

May I never be too busy
To help others bear their loads.
I'll keep drinkin' from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed!

Author: © Jimmy Dean

~~~

:-)

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

July 10, 2008

 

Do you homeschool? Are you thinking about it?

I have just finished read a book called Relaxed Homeschooling.  It is written by Mrs. Kelly Crawford of Generation Cedar.  I have been reading her blog for quite some time now.  Her writings will challenge you; they will provoke you ... I assure you that the Lord will use her words to change things in your heart.

She has just published this e-book and it is well worth your time and pennies. 

Relaxed Homeschooling is to-the-point.  This book is well-organized and easy to read.  She gives tips and ideas throughout the book for fun ways to learn and good things for the littlest ones in the house to do while you work with the older children.

 

I have to admit that homeschooling in her home and homeschooling in our home look very similar.  The methods and ideas that she presents really work!  The things that she is articulating are working so well in our own home...I so encourage you to read her book.  My girls and I have such a wonderful time learning every day. 

~~~

If you would like to purchase Mrs. Crawford's book, scroll back up and look to your right and click on the picture of the book.  It will take you to a link to make your purchase.

 

Also, you can click here to make your purchase.

 

**** If you purchase the book, will you please email me at mrs.klause@hotmail.com  - thank you. ****

 

Relaxed Homeschooling

           There is Another Way!

Homeschooling is about to get exciting!

Homeschooling is hard work.  But it isn't supposed to be drudgery! After hearing so many moms who were discouraged about "keeping up", always feeling behind, overwhelmed and inadequate, I decided to put on paper some incredible things we've learned on our homeschool journey.

Whether you are one of those tired moms, contemplating giving up, or just need some relief, or whether you are considering homeschooling and don't know where to start, you'll find this ebook full of answers and practical help. 

Here are just a FEW of the things you'll discover in "Relaxed Homeschooling":

• Teaching children is easier than you think!
  

• How to follow a routine without a restricting schedule.
  

• Giving your children a full education without enslavement to a curriculum.
  

• The classroom all around you.
  

• Keeping records SIMPLE!
  

~~~

 

You can read more about her book when you click here or by clicking on the picture of the book above.

~~~

 

posted by Mrs. Klause

July 9, 2008

Music:  Over the Rainbow

What happened to Tuesday?

~~~~

Okay, somebody keeps moving Tuesday!

Which one of you is it?

:0)

Either Tuesday sneaks up on me or it passes me right by.

I have some readers that stop in just on Tuesdays to read Teacup Tuesdays and then they spend a few minutes looking over the last weeks posts.  I have had quite the time being consistent with my Teacup Tuesday postings and I should apologize, at least to some folks.

I will try to do better. 

~~~

I have something good to share with you all.  I just reviewed a book that many of you really should consider reading.  I am waiting on some 'linking' information from the author before I post on the matter.  So, this week we shall have TEACUP THURSDAY.  See....it just doesn't have the same ring.  :0)

Have a wonderful day!

~~~

"A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken."  ~~Proverbs 15:13

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

July 9, 2008

Music:  Over the Rainbow

The Strawberry Farm

These are Kennedy's horses.  Yesterday I sat with her for about an hour and played with her and her animals.

Kennedy pretends to tend her animals...feeding them, watering them, grooming them, milking the goat, sheering the sheep...

We made a watering trough out of some popsicle sticks...

Kennedy has named most of her animals along the way.  Yesterday we named most of them.  I wrote their names in ridiculously small letters on the bottoms of their feet or along the inside of their legs.

She named some of them herself:

Myron - a mare - She was sure that Myron was a girl's name.  ;0)

Lollipop - a mare - She originally wanted to name this horse Sunscreen.  Ha!  Mother suggested that she think some more.

Dottie - a filly - Started as Spotty but she changed it.

Shadow - a stallion

Caramel - a filly

Chocolate - a filly

Mother rattled off many, many male and female names of which she selected for some of her other animals:

Henry - a rooster

Thunder - a stallion

Mother named the momma pig...Pauline.  :0)

~~~

We still have a few animals left to name.  She enjoys her little farm.  Mother enjoys watching her imagination and helping her learn as she plays.

:0)

~~~

Oh yes...and it is not Old MacDonald's farm.  It is The Strawberry Farm.  Some time back as the girls were playing, they were addressing one another politely and a "problem" came about.  They were all calling the other Miss Klause.  Collectively they determined that they should not be "Miss" because they were pretending to be grown, married and with children. 

Kennedy (age 3) asked if Daddy would be her husband.  I told her 'no' that he was Mommy's husband.  She asked what her husband's name would be.  I told her that God already knew her husband and was preparing him to be her husband.  I told Kennedy that only God knows his name and at this point she should pray for him and then we will wait patiently for many years before the Lord shows us who he will be.

The girls then inquired of what they should call themselves while playing.  I suggested that maybe they select a name that would not likely be a real man's name AND use something that was created by God's hand.  Maybe tree names like Mrs. Oak or Mrs. Maple or flower names like Mrs. Marigold or fruit names like Mrs. Blueberry or Mrs. Blackberry.  Well...since then Kennedy has been known as Mrs. Strawberry.  Addison named herself Mrs. Apple-orange.  Bailey is Mrs. Blueberry.

:0)

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

July 8, 2008

Music:  Old MacDonald Had A Farm

If God is so powerful & good, why do bad things happen?

The Little Girls' Room

Let's see...

We moved back to Texas May 21st.  There are still boxes in the garage.  Mostly books and off-season clothes that need to be re-boxed and labeled.  It is so hot here.  The weather is just the opposite of Washington weather.  We lived on the eastern side of Washington.  Very little rain there...  The last seven months we spent in Washington the high temperature was 50 degrees and we saw that only twice.  We acclimated to the climate nicely.  About two weeks before we left I was taking the trash out in short sleeves and no shoes and it was 42 degrees.  Ha!  A dear friend that we met there had moved from Phoenix about three years prior.  She was serious when she said that 40 degrees would be a heat wave. 

The girls and I have had a hard time getting used to the heat again.  It hovers around 100 and has since early June.  Funny....the girls and I are back to wearing a sweater when it is 80 in the morning. 

Our new home has four bedrooms:  two very small ones, one small and the master is moderately-sized.  In Washington, all three girls shared a room.  Here, Addison and Kennedy share and Bailey has her own.

Addison's bed...

The walls were already painted a lovely light green so their pink and green pretties went well in their room.

Mrs. Bohot gave Addison the piggy bank before she was born.  The little pink wooden house is one of my favorite material possessions.  My Daddy gave it to me several years ago.  It is actually a recipe box and a music box.  It plays My Favorite Things.  The little rabbits were given to Kennedy & Addison by Mrs. Bohot before we left Texas.

This pretty little rabbit was mine when I was a little girl.  I think Mother actually got her for me somewhere along the way.  I must ask Mother about Miss Flopsy's history.  ;0)

Under Miss Flopsy is a small light so that Addison can look at books while in her crib.  The girls get to look at books in their beds before "lights out".  This came about when we were in Washington with all the girls in one room.  I wanted Bailey and Kennedy to be able to look through books without disturbing Addison's rest.  We purchased small shelves at Michael's and my ever-so-smart husband decided that headlamps would be the best option.  They are battery operated and came with a headstrap.  You know, so that men can wear them and have a hands-free flashlight.  We use rechargable batteries and it works so well.  The lamps are attached to the shelves with heavy-duty Velcro.

This is a mosaic.  It has a sweet story behind it.  Bailey was a baby.  The pastor's wife at our church made the most beautiful mosaic crosses.  Each year we had a nice dinner for the ladies and there were always door prizes.  Mrs. Sweet donated this cross.  Mrs. Jakubauskas and I went to the dinner and she won the cross in the drawing.  I admired it and said something like, 'If you ever suddenly find that missing from your wall, I'm the guilty one.'  ;0)  I couldn't get a good picture of it.  It is in shades of purple and so lovely.  Guess what I got from Mrs. Jakubauskas for Christmas that year.  Now don't feel sorry for her, I had selected the broken ceramic pieces from Mrs. Sweet's collection for a cross to be prepared for Mrs. Jakubauskas about a year prior.  :0)  So she has one of Mrs. Sweet's lovelies as well.

This is Kennedy's side of the room.  That big horse on the bed was a gift from Mother & Daddy last December.  Kennedy's named her Furry.  She is so soft that I would dare you not to find yourself petting Furry if you ever happen to come to visit and lay your hands on her.  Furry travels with us on any lengthy journeys.  Mother convinced Kennedy to pack her in the suitcase instead of bringing her on the plane when we flew back to Texas.  She went to Walmart with us a couple of weeks ago.  She was strapped in the seat next to Kennedy.  :0)  Kennedy asked if Furry could come into the store with us but I required that Furry remain outside.  As I was getting out of the van in the parking lot, I looked over at the minivan parked next to us and I saw a toddler seat....in the seat next to the toddler seat was a large stuffed giraffe.  :0)  I should have left a note on their windshield.  I am sure that the other momma would have gotten the same giggle I got out of seeing the big horse in our seat.

The girls got these little pink straw hats last February.  They were very sincere in wearing their pink cowgirl boots and pink hats in Washington.  Momma had nothing to do with this.  There was many a smile put on many a face in the state of Washington at the site of three little pink cowgirls.  The picture above is something that I bought when Kennedy was a baby.  I thought it was nice...Sweet Sisters...it is actually an old advertisement for strawberry jam.

I bought the ceramic when Bailey was a baby:  "Blessed are those that rejoice in the little things."

The fabric heart was purchased for my infant girls by Mother:  "Angels Sleeping".

This is above Kennedy's headboard.  Her shelf with her light, a cross that Mother bought for me several years back, pretty flowers arrived via Mother while we were in Washington and one of Kennedy's horses.

Mother bought this simple creamy metal towel rack (actually) that has worked nicely for a quilt rack.  The crocheted blanket was made for Bailey by a friend of Mother's.  Bailey used the blanket on her bed while in Washington.  The little white box was also a gift from Mother.  It makes a nice place for doll clothes.

The floor area where the ironing board is at changes from week-to-week.  Currently, the baby-doll bunk beds are kept on this wall.  :0)

These are my ballet shoes.  I took ballet only for a short time.  I think I was about six.  The tiny birdhouse is has a mosaic roof, also made by Mrs. Sweet. 

The bedroom stays mostly free of toys.  There is a small toy basket under Addison's bed.  The other toys remain in the garage in boxes.  The boxes are brought in only one at a time and then returned to the garage at the end of the day.  It is a wonderful way to keep toys under control, but that is an entirely different post.

:0)

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

July 3, 2008

Music:  My Favorite Things

Teacup Tuesdays - A Pretty Place for Your Spoon

(Sorry for the blur...)

I received four of these spoon holders as a gift from an acquaintance at church several years back. 

Isn't this one lovely?  I have always wanted a window box overflowing with flowers.

{sigh}  Pink roses...my mother likes pink roses.  They are her favorite flower.  A few years ago for Mother's Day, my brothers and I bought her some pink rose bushes to plant.

Although difficult to see in the photo, this is five large blue pots with pink roses.

 

Blurry again...    :-/

The red flowers are poppies growing amongst other flowers.  I do like poppies.  They are so dramatic with their thin, deeply colored petals and the contrasting dark center.

If you live where the winters are mild, you can plant the poppy seeds in the fall.  Otherwise, plant them in the early spring.  The seeds are to be sown atop the soil, you do not even need to cover them.  Make sure they are planted in a sunny to very lightly shaded area.  Keep the soil moist.  The poppies will bloom in late spring.  Each flower will only last a few days.

~~~

We use our little spoon rests every single day and I am thankful that a kind lady thought that I might enjoy them.

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

July 1, 2008

Music:  Tea For Two

Purpose Is Required

Every single day we are "steeping" character traits into our children.

That teaching can be passive as we fly through the days simply reacting to what happens throughout the day. 

...or...

We can be precise and particular in carefully teaching their hearts the character of Christ. 

Our children's character must "be purposed".

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."  ~~Proverbs 22:6

Purpose is defined as an end to be obtained; a subject under discussion; an action in course of execution.  Therefore, every moment of every day, mommas must remain focused on the end that we want to obtain for our children.  They must remain a matter of discussion with the Lord and with our husbands.  We must remember that the very hearts of our children are in a constant state of development.

What is the end to be obtained for each of our children anyway?  What is "the way he should go"??  I think it is this:

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment."  ~~Matthew 22:37-38

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

June 30. 2008

Music:  Ancient Words

Have you subscribed to get my blog updates in your email box??

***************************

If you have subscribed over on the yellow box that I had on the right side of my screen to receive an email in your inbox when I write something new...

It is not working!

AHHHH!!

I am very sorry for the trouble.  I have temporarily removed that option until I have a few minutes to figure out how to fix the problem.

In the meantime, if you want to receive an email when I update my blog, please send me an email.  Also, if you have already subscribed, please email me.  OR YOU CAN JUST POST A COMMENT TO THIS ENTRY.  That way I can update you in the meantime AND I can drop an email over to you to let you know when the subscribe feed is repaired.

My email is:  mrs.klause@hotmail.com

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

Goodbye Logan...

He's been pretty sick since February.  He was diagnosed with cancer.

I had to come up with some clothes for him to wear...

I found that a boy's 4T fit him nicely...with some alterations, of course.  I tapered the sides of his shirt, added snaps to the shirt and shorts so that I could snap them together and added a tail hole. 

Some of his tumors were internal and some were external so his the clothes protected the external tumors from being damaged...

He tolerated it just wonderfully. 

    :0)

Oh wait...these are from last fall.  It was only a matter of time before those girls put him in a dress!  ;0)  He was a good dog.

He's had some good days and some bad days since February. 

He sure enjoyed a good walk.  When he was feeling particularly bad, he still wanted to join us so we pulled him in the wagon.

Logan's favorite place to lay throughout the day.

Logan taking a walk with his girls.

Lots of love and kisses from his girls in his last days...

~~~~~~~

God's word is not completely clear on whether our animals will join us in Glory.  In Isaiah 65:25, He says this, " The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD." and in Isaiah 11:6, the Lord says, "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them."  It seems that only in Heaven could the wolf dwell with a lamb and the lion eat straw. 

We are thankful for the time that we had with Logan here.  May God be glorified...even in the death of our ol' dog.

Goodbye Logan.

We will miss you.

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

June 24, 2008

Music:  The Gift by David Nevue

Teacup Tuesdays - Mommy Mice

I know...I know...

It is Thursday, not Tuesday.

:0)

This is our latest addition...

Isn't she sweet?  My cousin, Mrs. Goodwin, brought her to us shortly after we returned to Texas.  She knows that we enjoy the stories of Beatrix Potter and this tiny little cup was purchased just for Addison.  It is plastic. 

Addison so enjoys her little teacup!!

Speaking of "Little Bit", as her father calls her...

...a few photos from the last few months...

She discovered that sugar is best when eaten directly from the sugar bowl.

Helping Mommy make a dress.

Stories with Amma (my Mother).

Addison had just finished her first ice cream cone.  A treat from Mrs. Hall...

Addison is truly such a sweet little girl...

Silly girl!  She and Kennedy were sitting in the floor sorting dry beans.

They do look like sisters, don't they?  :0)

Addison is doing her schoolwork.  She is a big girl now, you know.

Just last Sunday...

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

June 19, 2008

Music:  Tea for Two, Cannon in D, What a Friend We Have In Jesus (by Tennessee Ernie Ford)

Swimsuit #1

Swimsuits for little girls...

..whew..

The Klause girls all arrived into this world with very fair skin.  Between their fair skin and a desire that the entire world not be privy to their tiny f*nnies hanging out of their swimsuit bottoms, it seems the only available option was for me to make their suits.  I found only one company that had suits with sleeves and skirts/shorts but 1) I just didn't like any of them; and 2) boy, they cost a lot of pennies.

I purchased a pattern from Ms. Smisor at Fashionably Modest Patterns, purchased the necessary fabric and notions and set about to making swimsuit #1.  First of all, let me encourage anyone that would like to make their own swimsuits.  However, let me also tell you that you will need to set your mind firmly to the task because it will take some time, lots of patience, lots of trial and error and lots of determination.  The pattern itself (and other swimwear patterns I have looked at) are not difficult at all.  The challenge lies in sewing with lyrca.  Determining the amount of tension that is necessary to move the fabric through the sewing machine and serger along with the amount of tension necessary to place on the thread will take nothing more than trying it until you find what is needed for your machine(s).

Kennedy's suit is finished. 

After I make Addison's suit and Bailey's suit then I will go back and shorten Kennedy's skirt some.  It turned out longer than I had anticipated.

Each of the girls will have this butterfly on their suit.  Kennedy wanted a pink swimsuit.  Bailey wanted a turquoise blue.  I wanted to make Addison a yellow one but opted to veer from the light color that would surely be promptly soiled with the dirt she will plop down into the first 42 seconds she is wearing it.  ;0)  Addison's will also be turquoise blue.

I trimmed Kennedy's skirt with turquoise thread and will trim the other girls' skirts with hot pink.

I believe Ms. Smisor placed this particular pattern about an intermediate sewing level.  Again, the seamstress should simply go into the project knowing that the construction is not difficult but the fabric is not so easy to work with.  It will not be a project that you will zing together. 

~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

June 13, 2008

Menus - Breakfast & Snacks

Our breakfast menu is working out nicely.  If you missed that post, you can read it here. 

We did switch our Thursday and Friday morning menu.  We have cold cereal on Thursdays and save the pancakes or baked goods for Friday.  Had I have been thinking when making the menu, I would have done this in the first place.  We do our cooking and baking on Thursdays so we now make sure to enjoy the fresh baked goods on Friday mornings.

This has completely eliminated the habit of the morning-begging for cold cereal. 

~~~

This same principle has worked wonderfully for snacks as well.  Instead of the children constantly asking for their favorite snacks, we simply follow the menu.  Of course Mommy reserves the right to override or add to the snack menu at any time.  ;0)

Snacks:

Monday:  cinnamon graham crackers; oranges; pretzels

Tuesday:  fruit bars; nuts; left-over pancakes (the recipe that we use gives us a sweet pancake and the girls love them cold, too)

Wednesday:  apples; cheese & crackers; pickles

Thursday:  vanilla wafers; carrots; pretzels

Friday:  baked goods; popcorn; chips & salsa

~~~

Our girls are allowed to eat fresh fruit or veggies anytime and do partake daily.  I took a few of their favorites and intermingled with healthy snacks.  The children have a morning snack, a snack before their rest at 2pm and a snack around 4:30.  A few months back I pushed suppertime back to 6pm with hopes that Daddy would make it home each eve for a hot meal.  Tiny tummies are very hungry before 6pm so the 4ish snack arrived with the later suppertime in our house. 

It is working well for us.

I pray that if you will enjoy a Friday filled with the Lord's presence.  Let's smile at our children and enjoy their tiny hands and their silly giggles.  Let's smile at unintentional messes and "heal" grumpy hearts with bear-hugs today. 

:0)

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

June 13, 2008

Music: My Favorite Things

A Living Sanctuary

"To what aspect of my person am I drawing attention to and is that honoring to Christ?"

                                                   ~~Dr. Voddie Baucham

 

I recently heard Dr. Bauchman speak the above words.  He suggested asking ourselves this question each morning as we are selecting our clothing.

And we should teach our daughters to ask themselves this question as well.

~~~~

All that we are...

All that we do...

Do we honor and glorify the Lord?

Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary
Pure and holy, tried and true
With thanksgiving, I'll be a living
Sanctuary for You

It is you, Lord
Who came to save
The heart and soul
Of every man
It is you Lord
who knows my weakness
Who gives me strength,
With thine own hand.

Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary
Pure and Holy, tried and true
With thanksgiving I'll be a living
Sanctuary for you

Lead Me on Lord
From temptation
Purify me
From within
Fill my heart with
You holy spirit
Take away all my sin

Lord prepare me to ba sanctuary
Pure and holy, tried and true
With thanksgiving, I'll be a living
Sanctuary for You

~~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

June 11, 2008

Music: Sanctuary

Homemade Dill Pickles - Quick & Easy & No Canning Process Needed

4 pounds pickling cucumbers, quartered lengthwise (pickling cucumbers are the small ones)

fresh garlic, sliced

fresh onions, sliced lengthwise

dill weed

~~~~

In a large glass bowl, layer pickles, garlic, onion and dill.

Next, make your brine:

6 cups of water

2 cups of white vinegar

1/4 cup of pickling salt

On the stovetop or in the microwave, heat your brine until the salt dissolves.  Then pour your brine over your cucumbers.  You want the brine to cover the pickles.  You will place a dinner plate over the top of the bowl.  It should sit inside the bowl rim and press the pickles (cucumbers) down into the brine.  You may also fill a ziplock bag with water (or more brine just in case the bag ruptures) and place on top of the plate to weight it down further if needed.

You will let the pickles sit on your countertop for 72 hours.  Then...place them into glass canning jars or other glass containers and put in the fridge.  They will keep there for about two months. 

~~~

The amount of onion, garlic and dill are at your discretion.  I did not use fresh dill this time but used the dried dill weed and just sprinkled it over each layer of cucumbers like I would salt something.  We like garlic alot around here so we were generous with that.  The garlic and onions are much milder to eat once pickled.

The two older girls helped prepare the pickles and Kennedy really enjoyed getting the finished pickles into their jars.

 

*** Now if you find that you need some additional brine to get your cucumbers covered completely but not another entire batch, here is a list of the brine ingredients in smaller proportions.

3 cups of water to 1 cup of vinegar to 1/8 cup salt (which is also 2 tablespoons)

and half of the above is:

1.5 cup water to 1/2 cup vinegar to 1 tablespoon salt

*** Oh yes...another side note, these would be most tasty if you tossed in a few jalapeno slices! ***

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

June 10, 2008

Music: Ancient Words

I must act accordingly...

"Faith is picturing what God wants to do and acting in accordance with it."

                                                                     ~~ Dr. S. M. Davis

"Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you."  ~~Matthew 9:29

"And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."  ~~Matthew 17:20

 

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause