Random

Now when I say random, I mean ran.dom.

But we'll start with this:



Doesn't that just make you smile?

Yes, this a picture of Avril. I know, bald head, blue blanket, white hand-me-down onesie. Such is life with two older brothers.



I have been reading this book, Stepping Heavenward. A book about one woman's journey to Godliness. The other day I was wondering how we do normal, everyday things to the glory of God. You know, like losing weight, combing our hair, talking on the phone, blogging. Stuff like that. That same day I decided to pick up my book after about two weeks and this is what I read:

The woman and her sister-in-law are sitting and listening while a friend reads from a book.

Exerpt from Stepping Heavenward by Mrs. E. Prentiss.

How shall I offer my purely indifferent actions to God; walks, visits made and received, dress, little prophecies, such as washing the hands, etc., the reading of books of history, business with which I am charged for my friends, other amusements, such as shopping, having clothes made, and equipages. I want to have some sort of prayer, method of offering each of these things to God.

Reply.

The most indifferent actions cease to be such and become good as soon as one performs them with the intention of conforming one's self in them to the will of God. They are often better and purer than certain actions that appear more virtuous. First, because they are less of our own choice and more in order of Providence when one is obliged to perform them; second, because they are simpler and less exposed to vain complaisance; third, because of one yields to them with moderation, one finds in them more of death to one's inclinations than in certain acts of fervor in which self-love mingles; finally, because these little occasions occur more frequently and furnish a secret occasion for continually making every moment profitable.
It is not necessary to make great efforts nor acts of great reflection in order to offer what are called indifferent actions. It is enough to lift the soul one instant to God, to amke a simple offering of it. Everything which God wishes us to do, and which enters into the course of occupation suitable to our position, can and ought to be offered to God; nothing is un worthy of Him but sin. When you feel that an action cannot be offered to God, conclude that it does not become a Christian; it is at least necessary to suspect it and seek light concerning it. I would not have a special prayer for each of these things; the elevation of the heart at the moment suffices.
As for visits, commissions and the like, as there is danger of following one's own taste too much, I would add to this elevating of the heart a prayer for grace to moderate myself and use precaution.


* * * *

A day or two later the woman reads this to her husband and this is his reply.

"We should have a new order of things as the result. Instead of fancying that our ordinary daily work was one thing and our religion quite another thing, we should transmute our drudgery into acts of worship. Instead of going to prayer meetings to get into a 'good frame,' we should live in a good frame from morning till night, night till morning; and prayer and praise would be only another form for expressing the love and faith and obedience we had been exercising amid the pressure of business."

I was amazed at how God used this book to help me understand that ordinary acts can be transformed into acts of worship if only offered to God from the heart. I can worship God while washing laundry if only I would give my heart to Him in the process.

Changing subjects, this is what my house looks like this morning.

The Kitchen


The Laundry Room


My Pet Peeve


The Living Room


Jay's Pet Peeve


Now you can only imagine what the rooms I am able to hide look like!

I took some pictures today just to mess with settings. They were a little better but I seem to need a new lens...(hee hee hee)

Here is one of my son's ensambles.



Yup. Polar bear Christmas jammies, cowboy boots, and a fireman helmet. The boy has style.






Well, that's it for today. I'm going to practice with my camera some more this week and see what I can come up with.