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Good Morning Dear Readers!
Last night we received a very welcome phone call declaring today a "Snow Day." To fall on a Friday means a long weekend and this delights the boys!
I have just made peace with Wonderdog who completely irritated me this morning with a rompous fit over a loose dog in the yard. He has since warmly offered puppy kisses to my cheek, and I have given in, as usual, to those sparkling dark eyes.
As you are aware I have been reading "Stepping Heavenward", by Elisabeth Prentiss. I so enjoy this book and this author. The book is about the lifelong, spiritual journey of Katy, a fictional character, but someone that you and I can relate to. Her journey to godliness begins at age sixteen and that is when we are introduced to her and her family.
In 1838-1839 Katy becomes a mother. She is fascinated with baby Jotham Ernest, named after his father.
A close friend of Katy's shares a book with her titled, "The Imitation of Christ."
In that book are Four Steps To Peace:
1.) Be desirous of doing the will of another rather than thine own.
2.) Choose always to have less, rather than more.
3.) Seek always the lowest place, and to be inferior to every one.
4.) Wish always, and pray, that the will of God may be wholly fulfilled in thee.
I thought I'd leave you with that list over the weekend. And also leave you with a comment from Katy's husband. "When a man has been all day encompassed with sounds and sights of suffering, he naturally longs for cheerful faces and cheerful voices in his own house."-Ernest
It is not easy to become self-less. In the quietude of the snowfall, if we ponder the portion that is ours and thank God for that perfect piece that he has entrusted to us, our gratitude to Him enables us to want the best for the ones we love.
Today I pray that you will meditate on the eternal. If you are "cooped up" or snowed in, confined to four walls, thank God that you are not a shovel!
Blessings,
Alis
Good Morning!
I can't wait to tell you about this book! It's called Stories in Hand, Over 900 Questions to Help You Tell Your Life Story.
It's written by Jessica Sprague, Northridge Publishing, 2010.
This book would make a fabulous gift for parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, or just about anyone else. It's also loads of fun to read through on your own. It brought back lots of memories! Someone who enjoys journaling would have 900 story starters with this book.
We will look at just a couple questions this morning.
"What did you love about your first home together?"
-Our first home was right in the middle of an orchard in California's fertile valley. With almonds on one side, and walnuts on the other, it was spectacular in the spring with the blossoms pink and white. The canal that ran parallel to it made an excellent walking trail. Set at the end of a long driveway, the cottage was quiet and private. Very small, but charming with built in shelves and aged white paint. Cozy!
"What is your family's favorite restaurant? Describe the last time you went there."
-Our family loves to dine at Claim Jumper in the city. We enjoy the lodge-like atmosphere, fireplace, and food. It's been awhile since our last visit. We can't always afford a meal out. I've started a jar in the kitchen for "Claim Jumper Night." Oh my stars! How we will enjoy the evening when it comes. Often the portions are so large, there is plenty of food leftover for lunch the next day.
There are so many fun questions to ask your family in this book. My husband and I sat at our favorite bookstore while I went through the book with him.
I would suggest this book. It's important to feel connected to a family. Recalling memories with your children shows them how much you valued the moments with them from the past. It also reminds us to live in the moment today. The days are fleeting. Perhaps each question could be answered in a notebook and saved for family history. What a fun gift that would make to leave to our children!
Our pre-studies cocoa and UNO game are waiting for me. They are a great way to get the brain moving. And my youngest is flashing some handsome smiles my way! We'll transition into math and history...
Have a memorable day!
Alis
