reflections for wives....

"Wives, in light of the Lord's instruction to us, we have to ask ourselves the hard questions on a regular basis: Do I care for my home in a way that helps my husband or serves me? Do I manage my time in a manner that assists my husband or serves my own agenda? Does the way I serve others support my husband or promote me? Do I ask for my husband's input before committing myself to a plan? Am I oriented to him and the work to which God has called him? We honor the Lord when we minister to our husbands in ways that enhance our God-given roles as companions and helpers.

~Carolyn Mahaney

*image courtesy of allposters.com

A sabbatical...

I am going to be taking a winter sabbath from blogging. I will hopefully be back sometime in the next few weeks. :) I am feeling some not so little "nudges" from God that I need to put blogging way farther down on my list this Christmas season. It's just consuming way too much of my time , time that I could be devoting to other areas of my life. I guess that "simplifying" would be the word. I just feel this deep need to be more "present" in the lives of these precious souls around me and I want nothing to distract me from that.Most of all, I feel like I have some problems and decisions that need an enormous amount of time in prayer and that doesn't leave much time for blogging. So, until I can become better at putting everything in my life into it's proper place, I must take a break.

I would appreciate your continued prayers throughout this winter as we are facing a lot of financial strain and just some very hard decisions as a family. I will not be able to post on the 1 Corinthians study because of my break. Please forgive me for such late notice for those who were planning to join me. I am grateful for your love and friendship. We will pick back up on that after I have worked through everything. :)

Much Love to everyone & I pray that you all have a Blessed Christmas & New Year,

Julie

*I will probably be back periodically to post pictures and I will be emailing, just not as much.

update on me:

. my bilirubin (sp?) levels are a little elevated (pancreatitis is acting up again)

. I have an infection in my body, hence, the abcess tooth. I have to take these high powered antibiotics to clear up the infection.

. My potassium level is low and it is making me feel even worse. Have to take potassium and eat a high potassium diet.

. tonight I am in my comfy pajamas, drinking hot chocolate and going to read books to Claire. Lily is tucked in tight and Drew is sleeping away until time for his next bottle, around 9:30. Then it's off to sleep for everyone.

Thank you so much for your prayers. I had planned on taking a blogging break and I still am going to be doing that. So, I will see you hopefully by the end of this week after I get some things straightened and worked out.

Ya'll have a great week!

Love,
Julie

Update & a blogging break

Just a little update... I am still not doing anything major so it looks like it may be a little while before our son decides to make his grand appearance! He is just not in any hurry what-so-ever! =)

If he is not here by the 8th, we will talk induction. I want him to come naturally but I am being realistic. Both girls were inductions. So, the odds are not great that he will come on his own anytime soon.

Anyway, I will be on a blogging break for awhile. I just have so many things on my mind right now and things that need my major attention. I just feel a shifting of my priorities and right now blogging is not one of them. I don't know how long the break will be but I will be sure to post pictures and let you know of baby Drew's birth!! And, I will blog periodically after that, I am sure. Blogging is something I love but I just can't make it an idol. I have to take care of my family first. So, I will be back as soon as everything settles down and our schedule is going good.

So, I will still be commenting some on your blogs, I just won't be around as often or posting here quite so much. I hope you all have a wonderful month of September and a joyous and blessed Fall season. =)

Love to everyone & Thank you for your prayers!!!

Julie

Blogging Break

I will not be posting a menu plan today. I am going on a blogging break this week. I don't know for how long, we will see! I have a lot of projects to get accomplished before baby boy arrives and I really need to focus on those right now and getting our life back on a really workable schedule that will work after Drew gets here. :o)

Also, with everyone being so sick last week, I didn't get to clean much, so I have A LOT of catching up to do there, as well. (Is that a run-on sentence?lol)

I have just been feeling really convicted about being on the computer so much with so much to do right now and a lot of the word of God I feel that I need to soak in. I promise to be back soon with some insights and a new outlook!

Everyone have a very happy, blessed & productive week!

Love & Prayers,
Julie

Taking a break

I am taking a blogging break for awhile. I will be back sometime next week to tell you the results of the ultrasound, which is scheduled for Monday at 2 pm.

I just have so many things to do right now before the baby gets here and not enough time to get it all done! My little girls need more attention especially with the new baby coming soon! Thank you so much for understanding!

Love and Prayers to all of you,

Julie