Laurie's Everyday Notions

Whew, it's Friday. It's been a great week but I'm a bit worn out. Though my "to-do list" is long, I am so thankful for a bit of rest that I will get this weekend. Sleeping in past 6 am, drinking coffee for a bit in the morning while still in my pj's.......this is what I look forward to. I may even decide to skip a few to-list items and take an afternoon nap. :) Thank you, God, for always sustaining me and providing rest when it is needed.  "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find  rest for your souls ."

In the back row: Stepson, Hubs and Stepdaughter Front: The Boy, Me and my daughter Tonight I was blessed with time. Instead of quickly eating dinner together and rushing off to bible study, we were given a night to stay home. As we sat around the table, sharing a meal, sharing in conversation and laughter, I was filled gratitude for my family. My family is my greatest blessing.  Thank you, God, for each moment that I have with my family. May I cherish every single moment. 

I appreciate snow but only the view from my window as I sit inside my warm home with my hand cupped around a mug of something warm. This morning however the snow surprised me. Wasn't it just a week or so ago when I was still sporting shorts and flip flops? So although I do not look forward to winter, the excitement of the daycare kids over the fresh layer of white stuff caused me to join in the excitement, grab my camera and head outside. It's amazing how the wonder of a child can spark a little wonder in this "old girl". As I snapped a few shots of the snow I went to check on my girls...usually by this time in the morning they have flown the coop and are rooting around the yard. This morning they were still roosted. My heart swelled with appreciation for the girls that would be providing eggs for our evening quiche. Back inside I went to search for my coffee......ah! Gratitude again overwhelmed me when I found my favorite cup (one my dear hubs spent weeks sear...

Last month I shared a story from Noel Brewer Yeatts' book "Awake" about Evah, a girl who was captured by the LRA, was forced to carry weapons and was repeatedly raped by her captors. The story broke my heart. The stories that Noel shares in her book are continuing to break my heart. And then at church at last week we honored with the presence of a man who has made his life mission to serve girls and women who have suffered from war crimes. Women who have suffered greatly. As Dr. Mukwege spoke tears ran down my face. Although my heart ached I lifted up praise to God for equipping people such as Dr. Mukwege. People who are courageously raising their voices against the injustices found around the world. Denis Mukwege Interview from Autumn Ridge Church on Vimeo . "Our call is call to serve. Our call is a call to care for, to comfort, to restore women who have been hurt in their bodies and hurt in their hearts because of the atrocities of war crimes." T...

I will praise the name of God with a song,   and will magnify Him with thanksgiving.  Psalm 69:30 On this cold day, I am thankful for a home that gives me shelter, a furnace which provides heat, a warm cup of coffee to wrap my chilly fingers around, and the foresight to cover my bed today with my "winter" comforter.  On this Monday, a day dreaded by many as the "back-to-work-day", I am thankful for a job that provides for my family, a job which I love and allows me to serve both my family and the children in my care, a job which allows me to work from home and makes it possible to home school my son.  Thank you, God, for this day.

This weekend didn't go quite as planned. You see, in Minnesota we have "MEA weekend" every October. This is a four day weekend for public school students and one that we've taken advantage of for several years (even if we are homeschoolers). I usually take the time off and take my boy on an extended field trip. In 2008, my son and I traveled to Hannibal, MO to explore the childhood home of Mark Twain. In 2009 my stepson was attending Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI so in lieu of a field trip, hubby, The Boy and I went for a visit. The following week my son went to Disney World with my parents (lucky kid). My dad and The Boy, Disney 2009 In 2010 we decided to stay a little closer to home. We took a Wisconsin road trip, stopping at neat places along the way and ending up in Eau Claire, WI. We stayed in a hotel that was sandwiched between an awesome water park and a super cool "fun center" (laser tag, arcade games, batting cages and...