Ponder this dear reader

"Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right."

-Henry Ford

Ponder these words today my dear blog readers! :)

2009 reflections

Okay guys. 2010 is right around the corner. I mean seriously too. Lets see, in... 3 days!

Looking back over 2009, I see several memorable things that happened.

• We got a big garden started
• I had a birthday (does this count?)
• Lyddie was born
• Kayden came home
• First year where my grades in school actually count :)
• The Lord taught me some interesting things
• I've grown in my desire for self-sufficiency
• I sorta-kinda-a little bit- got a VERY small business going (or at least the start of one)
• I started piano again
• I got a harp
• I found my love to play music

I think that covers most of it, but of course I could go on. However, I think that is enough for now.

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just musing

I've been thinking lately about something I could blog about, but could find nothing. I'd think to myself..."I really should update my blog...hhmmm, maybe tomorrow??" That's me. I love to read other people's blogs, and I know others feel the same way about mine.(or do they?) Sometimes a problem I have is not knowing what to write about. I mean, my life is anything but boring, I have plenty of things to blog about, but choosing one, and finding a time to do it is just a little challenging!

So... here is my plea(and an urgent one, mind you!)

Tell me what you want to read more of. Anything! Here are some options (but not limited too) to get you going.

• Daily life
• Random tags, or fun posts that are random(like me!!)
• Pictures of random things
• School thoughts (beware, I may use this to reteach ya'll things! Does Latin sound fun?)
• My view on Biblical topics (which will be better than it may sound!)
• Praise to the Lord
• Recipes
• Links to good videos, or songs, or my favorite blogs! (hhmmm that gave me an idea!)
• etc. etc. etc. etc...........................................(you get the point)

Let me know, by leaving a comment, with more than one option please!!

Tori L.

The I Am

Exodus 3:14 (13-15)
And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, " Thus you shall say to the children of Israel. 'I AM has sent me to you.' (nkjv.)
The Jewish people view God's name as being very precious. They believed the name YHWH (Yahweh)was very sacred, and should not be said aloud. So they made a substitute. The put the word Adonai in instead, which means "my Lord".
When you look in your Bible, you may see the word LORD, in all capital letters. This stands for YHWH, and when translated into English, means, "I AM WHO I AM." This is a very powerful name, showing that God created everything, even the highest star, planet, or galaxy, it's all in his divine palm. He has every hair on your numbered, and he knows you better than you know yourself!
God wants us to talk to Him, and call him by his name. He tells us in the new testament that we can call Him Abba, father, or daddy. He wants us to know him as an awesome father. Not just some vague God, or mystical spirit. He longs for us to get to know Him. However, He will not force this relationship. He wants YOU want to talk to him. He wants YOU love him. He wants YOU trust him, always.
Is God the I AM, in your life? Do you trust him, to take care of you? The God who made the universe, all the way out into space, and beyond forever, cared enough to make YOU. Just think about that. He has always been, and will be forever. He made the galaxies, the stars, the planets, the ocean, the land, He is the creator!! And He wants to be your daddy! Talk about an honor! Won't you let him, take care of you? He tells you to cast all your cares upon him, because he cares for you!! He loves you so much! Won't you love, and adore him back?? Is He the I AM in your life??


Tori L.

Wow guys, sorry, I didn't know the message I copied was so very long. Well, PLEASE take a minute out of your busy day to read this. It is a wonderful idea. My family is thinking about doing this. Won't you join us???


The following message was sent to my e-mail box...and I forwarded the idea on to my e-mail list of friends/family. But for the rest of you who may not have seen this yet, here it is! GREAT IDEA! Copy this, paste it in an e-mail and send it to everyone you know who cares about children of all ages and sizes. A couple more thoughts on this red envelope idea: We took WHITE envelopes and colored the front RED...then put a white label on the front for the address. Just an idea if you don't have red envelopes on hand and you don't want to buy them. Another thing I did was change the wording below. Instead of "because that life was UNABLE TO OFFER ANYTHING to the world", I wrote "because that life was NOT ALLOWED TO OFFER ANYTHING to the world."Also...we are sending one per child. Who says we should only send one? It is a home education project today!

Dear Friends and Intercessors:This afternoon I was praying about a number of things, and my mind began to wander. I was deeply distressed at the symbolic actions that President Obama took as he began his presidency. Namely, that he signed executive orders releasing funds to pay for abortions, permission to fund human stem cell research, and federal funding for contraception. I have been involved in the pro-life movement for nearly 20 years, and it pained my heart to see a man and a political party committed to the shedding of innocent blood. This man, and this party lead our country, but they do not represent me or the 54% of Americans who believe that abortion is wrong and should no longer be legal.As I was praying, I believe that God gave me an interesting idea. Out in the garage I have a box of red envelopes. Like the powerful image of the red LIFE tape, an empty red envelope will send a message to Barack Obama that there is moral outrage in this country over this issue. It will be quiet, but clear.Here is what I would like you to do:Get a red envelope. You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply stores. On the front, address it toPresident Barack ObamaThe White House1600 Pennsylvania Ave.Washington , D.C.On the back, write the following message:This envelope represents one child who died in abortion.It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world.Responsibility begins with conception.Put it in the mail, and send it Then forward this email to every one of your friends who you think would send one too. I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died before having a a chance to live. Maybe it will change the heart of the president.Warmly,In Christ, John Otto

Be a baby's voice!!

Is not this last one just so precious? These babies are so valuable, and yet we just toss them aside. Who will speak up for them?

My family and I have always felt a burden for these little ones, as I'm sure many have. I will be doing a post (Lord willing) on a simple thing you and your family can do that will hopefully change our president's mind. If you don't speak up for the babies, who will?

Feel free to copy and post pictures as needed!!

Shalom,

Tori L.

The Prayer Challenge

PRAY.
It's a simple four letter word, Yet it has so much meaning. Prayer is essential to turn our nation back to the Lord. Prayer is so powerful. We can pray for anything!
Will you join me every Monday, at about 1:00 pm. to pray for our nation, our senate, family and friends? If 1:00 is not a good time for you, you can change it to a more available time. Of course, you can pray any day, but if you'd like to join hundreds of other ladies who will be praying for everything, Monday is the time to do it.
For more information, on the Monday prayer challenge, you can scroll down the screen and look for the Prayer Challenge icon on the sidebar. While you're at their site, be sure to pick up their icon to post on your blog, and to remind you to pray. You can even post something about the challenge on your blog!
Thank you
Shalom
Tori L.

PS. Be sure to vote on the poll and say whether you accept the challenge or not!

New Year's resolutions

Well, it's finally 2009. This year has truly flown by.
I made a list of "reachable resolutions" for myself. That way they are more "reachable". Does anyone ever actually reach their goals for the new year? I don't, so that's why I made mine easier.
Here is a list of some of them:

1. Journal more often
2. Let Jesus shine in my life
3. Start an online business
4. Grow lots of herbs
5. Drink at least four big cups of water a day
6. Eat a salad (with no dressing) for lunch once a week
   
7. Look into homesteading
8. Crochet an afghan
9. Raise bees
10. Spend at least 30 minutes a week with Annis
    

So there you go! Let me know if you made any resolutions.
Shalom,
Tori L.