Foto Friday

by ObtainingMercy, posted in Foto Friday

 

DSCN1887 (Click to enlarge.)

This is one of those "living is a small spaces" posts, as well as a "foto" post. 

When space is limited you have to be creative.  One of my creative spaces is behind the door. 

I have my exercise mat hidden back there.  (Yes, that means the door doesn't open all the way, but that isn't necessary for this doorway.) 

I also utilize the doorknob by hanging my "grabber" there.  This way, I always know where it is!

My final use of this space is for my purses.  I use a holiday wreath holder on the top edge of my desk, and hang my church purse and my shopping purse there.  I don't know why I haven't thought of this before!  It's a brilliant use of that hook that only gets used during one month of the year.

(Of course, I have no idea where I'll put my purses in December!!!)

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I pray you have a good weekend, as you celebrate the Resurrection of our Saviour.

Romans 6:[5] For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
[6] Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
[7] For he that is dead is freed from sin.
[8] Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
[9] Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

Such a wonderful thing to know that as Christ rose from that grave, He guaranteed my resurrection as well.  He has given us victory over the grave!  Not only that, but he has given us victory over the curse of sin. 

I can live alive to Christ and dead to sin because of His resurrection!!!

Happy Easter!

Alesha

 

Managing My Mondays

by ObtainingMercy, posted in Uncategorized

It's not been a particularly hectic Monday, for which I am grateful.  I am pretty tired though, from a busy Sunday, and so I started out the day a little unmotivated.

However, I went ahead with my exercise program this morning.  I'm so glad that I did!  My energy level rises, the aches and kinks and knots get worked out a bit, and I do feel better afterward! 

I followed my exercise with some time in God's Word, and felt my spirit and emotions brighten after a spiritual "workout", too.

I was then able to make some phone calls, pay a couple of bills, give Isaac's caregiver a to-do list, make lunch for hubby and I, and work on next month's budget with a relaxed, yet energized body and a peaceful mind and spirit.

Managing our households is all about keeping the proper priorities. 

Doug and I often use this analogy to keep ourselves mindful of our priorities:  When the flight attendants on the airplane give the emergency procedures lecture, they remind the parents that if there is a change in oxygen levels and the oxygen masks fall down, they are to put on their mask first!  Then they are to place the mask on their child's face.

I can't help my child breathe if I am passed out in the seat next to him, can I?

It's the same in our homes.  I have to take care of myself so that I can be a good mommy to Isaac.

I'm not talking about selfish "Me Time" when I neglect my family to give in to my selfish whims.  I mean doing the things for myself that help me to function at my optimal level.

Most of the time, that means that I need to make time for exercise, for Bible study, for proper nutrition.  Sometimes it means that I need to have a "play date" with a girlfriend, or to go out window shopping all-by-myself.

I need to be introspective enough to see what is necessary, yet unselfish enough to refuse to be indulgent in my list of "needs".

It's not an easy balance, and I confess that I am not very adept at keeping my priorities right all the time.  Just one look at my current physical state will tell the tale on me.  I neglected my health for many years, and am now trying to play catch-up.

I'm so glad that God is a forgiving God, and that He is also very merciful when I cry out for help.  I know that He is helping me as I continue to keep my priorities in their place and do the things that He has laid on my heart to do.

I use my Mondays to look toward the week ahead so that I can manage the week well.  I want to be as diligent in my work, here in my home, as the most highly-paid executive assistant out in the business world.

My work has a wonderful eternal value!  No one else in the world can fill my role in this family.  I want to do all I can to be the best Manager I can be!

How are you "managing" your home today?  I challenge you to rearrange your priorities, and tackle those areas that have been neglected for far too long.

 

Psalm 116:4 Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.

 

Thankful on Tuesday

by ObtainingMercy, posted in Thankful on Tuesday

 - Today I am thankful for all the nights that Isaac sleeps through the night.  (When you have a night when he doesn't sleep, it tends to make you grateful for the nights that he does sleep.)

 - Today I am thankful that we didn't plan to take Isaac to therapy today.  He would have been one miserable pup! 

 - Today I am thankful that we are getting our headlight on the truck fixed, and that during the past 2 months that it was out, we did not get a ticket.

 - Today I am thankful for quiet days at home with the men in my life…especially when they get along so well together.

DSCN1881

 - Today I am thankful for you, too. :)  Thanks for stopping by…I really appreciate it.

 - Today, what are you thankful for?

 

 

Managing My Mondays

by ObtainingMercy, posted in Managing My Mondays

Today's "managing" included the following:

  • Preparing Isaac's caregiver's "to-do" list and texting it to her email address
  • Giving Ike his 9 a.m. feed and meds
  • Uncovering the bird, and giving him a "treeeeat" (that's the way he asks for a peanut)
  • Taking the dog out – again!
  • Doing my Pilates (made it further in the dvd this morning – yay, progress!)
  • Editing some past blog posts for future use
  • Making lunch for my hubby and me
  • Calling in Isaac's prescription refills.  He needs 3 of them today, but only one could be done over the phone.  I had the other prescriptions in his "Isaac Notebook", so I pulled those out for Doug to drop off when he picks up the one that will be ready this evening.
  • Emailing to check on Isaac's new carseat.  It has been approved – thank you, Jesus!!! 
  • Making a phone call, and sending 2 more emails to see if it can be ready for his therapy session next Tuesday.
  • Shaking my head in amazement that his carseat cost over $1,000!
  • Ordering this month's incontinence supplies for Isaac
  • Preparing Ike's last medication and incontinence supplies receipts for mailing in order to get our reimbursement (in order to buy the next month's meds, diapers and wipes)
  • Filling up my vitamin container for the next week.  (I would have filled Doug's too, but I discovered that it was not empty!  Someone has not been taking his vitamins!!!)
  • Preparing supper:  baked potatoes with vegetarian chili, and fresh asparagus (by way of full disclosure, the chili is store-bought and frozen) ;-p
  • Meeting Isaac's needs from 3-5:30 or so, when Doug comes home.

I'm sure I'll fit a few more things into the day before it is over, like commenting on Facebook or watching our next Dave Ramsey dvd. 

I might also work a bit on my coupons for this week…my grocery store's sales end on Wednesday and I think I might need to pick up some more Garden Salsa Sunchips while they are on sale AND while I have a great coupon!!! ;o)  I have just discovered them and they are my new favorite thing!!!

I hope your Monday went well, and that you feel like you managed it, rather than feeling like you were mismanaged by your Monday. 

Remember – it's just another day in the week!  No need to panic if it didn't go quite according to your plan.  God's mercies are new every morning, and when you wake up tomorrow, you will have exactly what you need for Tuesday!

Until then, rest in His everlasting, unflinching, evermerciful love for you today!

Alesha

Where Do I Find Hope?

by ObtainingMercy, posted in A Door of Hope

Romans 15:4 – “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

Hope comes through patience.

“Oh great!” you’re probably thinking.

But wait!  Where do we find our patience?

Our patience comes through the comfort of the Scriptures.

When we read the Word of God, we find the stories of other Christ-followers there.

Often, I have found great encouragement reading of another Christian handling adversity in a Christ-like manner.  Sometimes, I've even found comfort in the telling of their failures. 

If God brought them through their failure and discouragement, He can help me through my times of despair, too.  Everything in the Bible was written for us…that we might learn from it.

The knowledge we glean from the Word of God teaches us about the character of God, and how He works with His children. 

The more I know of the character of God…

The more I can trust Him. 

The more I trust Him…

The more hope I have.

As I read the Scriptures, I find comfort there, and I learn to be patient as God is working in me.

That comfort and that patience work together with His Word to give me hope!

Where do I find hope?  In the pages of God’s Word!