Company Girl Coffee - Moving

I've known for 4 months now that I will be moving next month.  Slowly but surely I've been packing what we don't need and getting rid of what we will never need again.  I've taken countless trips to Good Will, and I've thrown away numerous bags of trash.  Now that we're down to three weeks, I am anxious to just pack it all up and be done with the moving part. 

I'm ready to close the chapter here and turn the page to our new life in another town, another home.  But oh, this home has been good to us for almost 7 years now.  It's given us room to grow from 3 children to 5.  We've been able to open our doors to family members, and help out a friend by letting them live with us.  We've had New Year's celebrations with friends and hosted many game nights.  There were BBQ's and S'mores in the Summer and snowmen and Hot Cocoa in the Winter.  Yes, we have lived well here.

I am looking forward to those things and more in our new location.  We are moving to a smaller town, with family only 5 minutes away.  We're looking at a quiet, safe neighborhood where I can let my kids ride their bikes without worry.  If we are blessed enough to get the home we want, it is even more spacious than the one we live in now, with plenty of room for my children to grow into teens.  It will be fun to re-connect with old friends from when we lived their before and meet their children.

There are a lot of uncertainties ahead of us, but this I know:  God has facilitated this move, and He is guiding us every step of the way.

"For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end." -Psalm 48:14 

Following His Lead,
~Melissa 

Company Girl Coffee - Trials and Crowns

I have a weapon, and I'm not afraid to use it!  It seems like lately more and more I am quoting scripture when I feel tired, discouraged, or overwhelmed.  I am not a Bible scholar, and I do not claim to understand everything I read in the Word of God.  What I do know, is that His Word is strong and His promises are true.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 says "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

I am on memory verse 10 for this year.  With each verse that I hide away in my heart I feel stronger, and better equipped for when I really need it.  Every one of them has been accompanied by a life lesson, to help me grow in my walk with Him.  I struggled to memorize my last verse, rehearsing it again and again.   Just when I was about to give up, He revealed the significance of the chosen verse in my life.  Because of His generosity, I am changed.

This verse is a long one, but when I heard it from a speaker, I knew I had to memorize it.

"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him."  -James 1:12 

If you are experiencing trials of any kind right now, take heart!   The greek word for persevere here is hypomeno, which translates "to remain, abide, not recede or flee:  to preserve- under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one's faith in Christ."  (Strongs translation) Do you love Him?  Then "hold fast" to your faith when under trial.  In the end, you will receive the promised crown of life.

Seeking to know Him more,
~Melissa

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Housekeeping Matters

The words "She keeps her house immaculate" resonated through my mind as I worked swiftly, cleaning the kitchen and dining room this morning.  Questions like "Does she keep a schedule," "What supplies does she use," and "Did she keep it that clean when she had children in the home?" arose in my mind as I pondered what "immaculate" meant to the commenter.  I cleaned what I can only assume was boogers off my dining room wall today.  What more could anyone ask for than a booger-free wall?

Seriously though.  Could I do a better job at keeping my house clean?  Sure.  Immaculate, no.  But there is always room for improvement.  I asked my husband last week if there was one or two things around the house he wished I would do more often, or better.  I gave him complete freedom to hand out any suggestions he wanted, and told him I would take no offense whatsoever.

He suggested vacuuming 2x a week instead of one, and making sure the kids pick up their things before bedtime on a consistent basis.  How helpful!  Those are both easily done!  I don't think he expects me to keep the house immaculate.  If he did, that would be asking way too much at this stage in our lives.  I sure can do my best to keep a reasonable housekeeping schedule though.  It all goes back to my housekeeping mission that I revised at the beginning of the year.

"I want my home to be peaceful, simple, and cozy.  I will value my relationships with my husband and children by showing them unconditional acceptance.  I will maintain a reasonable housekeeping schedule and designate chores to keep clutter at bay.  I will decorate tastefully and affordably creating a relaxing environment for my family and all who enter my home."

Peaceful, simple, cozy.  These are attainable goals.  I think many of us look around and compare ourselves with others far too often.  What is a reasonable schedule for me may be different for a single mom, working mom, or otherwise.  If we set goals that are too unreasonable, then we are only setting ourselves up for failure.

Proverbs 31: 17 says "She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks."

There is always work to be done.  For me, what matters is that I decide what I am going to do, and then do it well.  Even if it's the task of wiping boogers off my walls! :)

Blessings,
Melissa

P.S. If you've never set up a house-keeping schedule of your own but would like to, pop over to Home Sanctary and start the process with this post.  You'll be glad you did!

Mother's Day Photos

A couple of years ago I started a tradition where I take photos with my kids on Mother's Day. One day I will put them all together in an album, but for now, I'm just going to post them here. :) What a fantastic Mother's Day I had! I feel so blessed to have five wonderful children.

RL (Almost 10)

JS (Almost 9)

BC (Almost 8)

LR (6 1/2)

CD (4 1/2)

My Lovely Gifts! :)

Mother's Day Thoughts

This Sunday is Mother's Day and there's been a lot of buzz and hype around here from my school kids about the treasures that they are making for my special day.  I cherish these hand-made gifts that they bring home to me, but there is something I cherish even more.  I wonder, do they know that the gift I cherish most is the honor of being their Mother?  Do I tell them often enough how much they mean to me?  Do they know how much joy I find in caring for them, day in and day out?  My love grows deeper for them with each passing day and every moment that we share together.   So Sunday might be Mother's Day, but I am thankful for the blessing of being a Mother every day!

I am also thankful for the blessing that I have been given in my own Mother.  She has always been there for me.  I remember nights that she stayed up with me and cared for me when I was sick, tears that she wiped away when I was sad, and the many times that she told me that she was proud of me.  I admire her for her strength and love her for the sacrifices she made when my sister and I were growing up.  Now that I am full grown, I cherish the relationship that we have, even across the miles.

I haven't even mentioned all the moms that have had an impact in my life and the way that I mother.  I thank God for the seasoned Moms that have answered the tough questions, and given firm, sound advice.  My Mother in Law is one of those Moms, and I have appreciated the many talks I have had with her over the years about mothering.  I am also grateful for the Moms that are walking through the same seasons I am and nod in understanding when I tell them my greatest fears and concerns.  There are the ones who pray for me when I need it, and even when I do not ask. And of course, there are those that I may never meet in person, but encourage me here on a regular basis.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to everyone who has touched this Mother's life!
~Melissa    

 

Siesta Scripture Memory Verse 9

It's been a full day here, with absolutely beautiful weather.  Something about being able to open up the doors and windows and let the fresh air in really lifts my spirits.

Before I call it a day I thought I'd stop in and share my memory verse for the first part of May.  He has continued in His faithfulness to reveal the perfect verse for me.  I know I've heard this one before, but never committed it to memory. 

Isaiah 64:4 "Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him." (NIV)

Yes, we have a God who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him!  He is so gracious to us and He has plans for us beyond our wildest imagination!

Waiting on Him,
Melissa