New Blog

My son, Justin, has started his own blog and would sure like to have some visitors. If you have a moment, drop by Justin's Life, and say hello! If you know of any Christian/Homeschool young men who blog, please leave him a link. Thanks!

Friendship Friday

For today’s Friendship Friday post I want to introduce you to Sandra at Watercolour Dreams– A Safe Haven To Anchor in the Storms of Life.

I only recently met Sandra, when she joined my KJV blogroll, so I don’t know her very well, but I have been enjoying her posts, and wanted to share them with all my readers.

This is what Sandra had to say when I asked her to tell me about herself:
“My name is Sandra. I am 47 years old, married to my childhood sweetheart for almost 29 years. We have six children ranging from 29 down to 8. The oldest three children are married with children. We have 4 grandchildren ranging from 5 down to 12months. I live in New Zealand.
I have been a Christian for 28 years. Most of them was living as a pretend christian, where you call yourself one, go to church but don't really live it each day. But the Lord wouldn't let me go and I came into a deeper walk and faith about 10 years ago. We have endured some ups and downs in life.........and still do. I am so far from perfect but am so thankful to our precious Saviour who is so patient, tender and loving. I love teachings from the old saints. Their message is so rich, powerful and is not watered down.
We still have three children at home who are 16, almost 10 and 8. I homeschool the two youngest daughters who have some learning difficulties. I want to train these girls up in the ways of our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ. What I didn't bargain for was that it wasn't them that was going to be taught but me. I am presently going through pruning and being finely honed by the Lord. It hurts too. I see so much in my own life that is sinful. My heart cries to live righteously, to be holy and upright, yet I fall so often. My Lord picks me up and sets me aright again. Each day is a new day and I am so thankful for his grace and mercies that are new every morning.
I love to encourage others in their walk with the Lord. I pray my blog will express that.”

Sandra started her blog about the same time that I did... in March 2008. She says that she didn't really know too much about blogging and had attempted to try to start one and ended up quitting as she couldn't manage the use of the website settings. She says she is learning by trial and error now. Can I ever relate to that!

When asked what topic she writes about, Sandra said,
“I started with quite a mixture of things such as items of interest like the washberries for laundry, recipes, some news about me...ie, my helicopter trip with my son in law. I mainly post beautiful quotes from old saints which have lifted up and encouraged and inspired me in my faith in Jesus Christ.”

When asked, “What do you want people to 'get' from reading your blog?” Sandra replied,
“I want people to feel they have arrived at a safe place to be encouraged, and to grow in a deeper walk with Him. What I post is as much for me as it is for anyone else. To build someone up in their faith is such a blessing to me. I am still growing, and love to be amongst believers who are willing to grow too.”

What Sandra 'gets' from blogging is:
“I enjoy blogging and reading other people's blogs and learning how they live and walk out their faith. We are all so vastly different yet have a common thread too. I also like reading blogs that are simply about homemaking, cooking or being frugal; something that is also dear to my heart. I get a sense of relief being able to send something that I too am learning to work on in my own life. So for every post I send in, it's a learning curve for me too.”

In response to my request for a favorite verse, Sandra said, “My favourite verses?? Goodness, so many actually. Psalm 139 is very special to me as when I was working through depression once this chapter and particularly the verses about the Lord knowing us before He even knitted us together in our mothers womb is so comforting. I love Colossians 2:8, "Beware lest anyone spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." For me, I base my reasoning of homeschooling on this. I am the first teacher my child has and it is a privilege for me to be able to raise them up and teach them the ways of the Lord...........and especially when I am learning along side them. I have many more verses but you might need to publish a book for all of them!!

I asked Sandra to list a few blogs that have been a blessing to her. Her answer:
I have enjoyed visiting yours, Deborah...this one as well as Manitoba Gardens
I also love visiting:

CONNIE"S THOUGHTS FROM THE HEART
The Path to Health
Pen of Jen

A note from Theresa
Double Nickel Farm

Sandra adds, “I would love to get to know more bloggers as I am still learning about the subject of blogging and not sure how to find people, so if you are willing to show me I am willing to learn!!”

I have thoroughly enjoyed getting acquainted with Sandra, and hope to get to know her better in the future. Please take some time to stop by her blog, Water Colour Dreams, today and leave a comment. I know you will enjoy her posts as much as I do.

I'd also appreciate it if you would take a few moments to stop by and visit a new blog friend of mine, Cora. She is going through a difficult time and could sure use some words of encouragement.

Due to July 11th being a very important occasion for me, Friendship Friday will be preempted for the day, and will return in two weeks, on July 18th.

But don’t forget to send in your own questionnaire, so that I can feature your blog here too.

HAPPY 4th of JULY!

Gardens and Tea Parties

Cielo, at Garden Of The Month is featuring my parents' garden for the month of July. If you haven't been to Cielo's blog(s) it's worth the visit. While you are there, go through her archives, as each month she features a different garden. Along with the pictures, she does a very creative and thoughtful write up. Along her sidebar she has more lovely pictures of birds and animals. Near the bottom, you will find a beautiful old wooden door that leads to Cielo's other blog. It's called The House In The Roses. If you love elegant decorating, be sure to go have a look in there too!

It is Cielo's blog that inspired me to start my Manitoba Gardens blog. I don't post there every day, but I've been adding other garden links and joining garden tours, so I hope you take a stroll through now and then to see what's blooming. I've even added a tea party! You can check it out on my sidebar at Manitoba Gardens... or click here for Tuesday for Tea, and consider joining. The first tea party is July 8th.

Proverbs 13:19a The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul:

By Mercy and Grace

Along this journey I’ve come through some valleys,
and I’ve stood on some mountain peaks.
I’ve been led beside the still waters,
and lain down in pastures green,
Yet I’ve struggled up a rocky path,
until I finally gave Jesus my load,
then been lifted up on eagles wings,
as the world disappeared down below.
I’ve had my share of the wilderness wanderings,
and I’ve camped by the river’s edge.
When I stepped out into the water, Jesus took my hand and led.
Though I’ve stumbled through some fog and mist,
I’ve found shelter from many a storm.
And I’ve watched God roll the clouds away,
as the sun broke through in the morn.
But the trip I took to Calvary is where this journey began,
and though sometimes I lose my way,
Jesus always knows just where I am,
and by mercy and grace, I’ll finish my race,
knowing I’m safe in his hand.
Only by his mercy and grace I stand.

The recording for my two cd's is now complete....all 24 songs! Hopefully they will be ready in the next couple of weeks, so I can put some on a playlist here. The lyrics above are for the song Brian and I recorded, and are now scheduled to sing in church soon. I'm hoping that the boys can learn it too, so we can sing as a family...for the first time.

Psalm 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Isaiah 25:4 For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against a wall.
Job 36:29 Also can any understand the spreading of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?
Psalm 139:7,8b Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence….behold, thou art there.
John 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

O Canada!

Happy Canada Day!

We Pray For Canada

While the values of this country are diminished day by day,
may we lift your standard higher, to show the only way.
While folks claim their rights and freedoms,

lives are crushed beneath sins waves.
May we sound a warning siren, and tell them Jesus saves.
As we beam the gospel message, shining hope and grace on lives,
may they reach out for the lifeline,

that they may come to Christ.
Make us a lighthouse on the sea, drawing souls to faith in thee.
And in your strength help us to stand,

against attacks throughout this land.
Lord, shine the light of your salvation, in the hearts across our nation.
Lord, we pray for Canada, and your blessings from above.
As we pray for Canada, may revival start with us.

Every day, the values of our country are increasingly eroded. Immoral groups push for their rights, while the rights and freedoms of believers continue to be infringed upon. More and more children grow up without ever hearing about Jesus Christ. As the darkness of sin spreads across our nation, we as a body of believers have the responsibility to shine the light of the gospel through that darkness, in our own city, and across this country. We pray that God will continue to give us opportunities to spread his word, as he draws the lost to his saving grace. We'll be going to see the fireworks this evening, but I doubt I'll get pictures, so for a great fireworks display put to music go to CanFire, a Manitoba pyrotechnics company. Hope everyone has a safe, mosquito free day!