a favorite.

 

The best things in life are nearest: 
Breath in your nostrils, light in your
eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at
your hand, the path of right just before
you. Then do not grasp at the stars,
but do life's plain, common work as it
comes, certain that daily duties and daily
bread are the sweetest things in life. 

~Robert Louis Stevenson

Have a blessed Sunday, Tami

simple.

{here}

Have a blessed Sunday. I will be back tomorrow. Tami

AMEN

Simple Mom posted this article today in her weekend links. It is written by The New West blog. I love it when others are able to express so beautifully thoughts I just cannot articulate.

My favorite part is:

"We might often feel that the secularization of our favorite holiday has deprived it of all meaning. But on the contrary, Christmas is the time when many who would qualify themselves as ‘non-believers,’ feel a stirring of the spirit that leads them seeking. If we are truly disciples of Jesus, we should celebrate any element of the season that urges people toward the holy.  It may start with the mall or the Hallmark channel, but it often lands them in church. I’ll take it."

Oh and this part too:

"Speaking of shopping–if you are bothered by all the secular expressions posted around malls and big box stores this season, might i gently suggest that you spend less of your Christmas season at the freakin mall? If you don’t like the signage, spend more time serving the poor, going to worship, getting out in nature, and spending time with the people you love. I’m pretty sure the birthday boy would be all for it."

Amen.

Have a truly blessed Sunday, Tami

for today and always



Almighty God,

who hast given us this good land for our heritage:

We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves

a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will.

Bless our land with honorable industry,

sound learning, and pure manners.

Save us from violence, discord, and confusion;

from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.

Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people

the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues.

Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom

in thy Name we entrust the authority of government,

that there may be justice and peace at home, and that,

through obedience to thy law, we may show forth

thy praise among the nations of the earth.

In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness,

and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail;

all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(from the book of common prayer)

Have a blessed day, Tami

one of my favorites

{source}

Just something to ponder. And to remember.
Have a blessed Sunday, Tami

one of my favorites

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.

It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal

into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our

past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

~Melody Beattie

Have a blessed Sunday, Tami

one of my favorites



{credit}

I want to remember these words......if and when we need them. Maybe we should just post this on the refrigerator and it will be clear to all where we stand, LOL. Yes, what a good plan. :~)
Have a blessed Sunday. We are off to spend a few days at some wonderful lake cabins! See you on Tuesday!
Tami

one of my favorites

Have a blessed Sunday. Tami

one of my favorites

When I first started the blog, I would post a favorite verse or quote on Sunday. I am going to do that again. It starts my week off right.
Have a blessed Sunday, Tami

inside & out

A read a quote the other day and was instantly changed.

"There's a reason women want to be beautiful. It's part of our makeup, our innate knowledge. Just as we have an undeniable yearning to know God before we can even articulate it, we know we are meant to reflect His beauty. Cultivating beauty starts in our HEARTS, but we should not think our outside matters nothing to Him."

Can I get an Amen.

I walk a fine line of wanting to be physically attractive and wanting to let looks be unimportant in my life. I want to be loved and accepted just the way I am. A belief that I am shallow if I care about looking beautiful, and to focus only on inner beauty, for that is where the treasure lies. Then why do I feel so vibrant and alive when I take care of my body by dressing well, exercising, and eating well? All things that enhance physical beauty? Why would God put this good thing in my heart, if it weren't valuable to Him? I see now that outward beauty is valuable to God. I used to think that the inner beauty I was cultivating, would automatically be seen as beauty on the outside. Then I thought, this would mean that it doesn't matter what I wear, if I bathe, etc. ~And this just isn't true, is it? God wants all of it for us, the inside and outside, all for His glory.
This is so freeing for me.
I truly believe that each person possesses their own unique beauty. A personal beauty that can be ignored or appreciated. A beauty that when appreciated, is cared for and pleasing to the eye. I was in a sort of rebellion for a few years about wearing make-up. I hated that it was expected of me (by society and certain well meaning family members), that I would only be considered attractive if my face was painted. That really irked me. I wear it occasionally now, and feel pretty doing so. Living in rebellion is not fun, I just needed to let it go.
There's one other thing.
There is only one person in this world that I care to be physically attractive for, my husband. The fact is, he is human. He will never love me like God does. God finds me beautiful inside and out with a love I cannot even fathom. Humans just aren't capable of it. It will always be important for me to catch the eye of my loving, but very human husband. It is an honor for me to make an effort for him. I want him to still desire the woman he married 20 years ago, and to know it's important to me. A long and fabulous marriage brings glory to God. This I truly believe.

Here I go chatting at myself again, working things out in my head and heart. Writing always helps. I am praying with my hands moving on the keyboard, but my heart and mind are still, focusing on the thoughts and feelings, and processing what the Holy Spirit is saying to me. Thanks for hearing me out. What do you think?

Have a blessed and beautiful day, Tami

(the above quote came from a wonderful website called The Next Step.)

alphabet psalm

I mentioned one of the writings we did at retreat called the alphabet psalm. We were asked to use the letters of the alphabet as a guide for writing. It was a very interesting way to be inspired. I just started writing and let the spirit lead.
I want to share this, because I really need to practice the act of being open, but also as an act of memory-keeping for my children.

All around nature is coming alive.
Bursting forth greenly, then the
Colors come. All the colors in nature by God's
Design.
Everywhere.
From the ground to the tips of the tallest trees.
Green everywhere, lush, dark, alive.
Having been through the gray winter now
Into the time of rebirth.
Just in time as the sun warms the earth.
Knowing that God's mighty power restores the
Land as He restores our spirits.
Mighty.
Now we feel alive as the earth comes alive.
Open your eyes and see it.
Praise God for the miracle of it. He sends the
Quenching and life giving, the
Rain is back to sustain the green.
Summer heat.
The bounty of food that grows
Up from rich soil to feed us. The
Very food we need to nourish our bodies.
We praise God. We
eXalt His holy name. We say
Yes Lord. A
reZoundining yes.

We were given about 15 minutes to write this. It is very raw and unedited. I loved the experience of just letting the words come. In the end it made sense, at least to me. I know that I used the x and z rather creatively :~)

This would be a great tool to use in other times also, maybe when I am struggling with something, as a way to pray. To help find the words.

Have a blessed day, Tami

well said

I saw this quote and really liked it. It encourages me that I am right where I am supposed to be.

"I enjoy doing housework, ironing, washing, cooking, dishwashing. Whenever I get one of those questionnaires and they ask what is your profession, I always put down housewife. It's an admirable profession, why apologize for it. You aren't stupid because you're a housewife. When you're stirring the jam you can read Shakespeare." ~ Tasha Tudor

Have a blessed day, Tami

made me smile

Eric was very busy at work today :~)
He created this in Photoshop and posted it on Facebook for a good laugh.
What he wrote was very sweet, and so very true.
I made a very wise choice I do believe.

Here is what he wrote:
"It just occurred to me that if you absolutely, positively want to know if the person you’ve decided to spend the rest of your life with is a good choice; you can ask yourself one simple question. Would you choose that person as your apocalypse buddy? If your answer is yes then you have chosen wisely. If your answer is no then take a good long look at that person and if you’re thinking “Yep, this person is zombie food” you may just want to rethink your relationship. I’m just saying."

Have a great evening, Tami

 

meaningful writing

I recently put together a hardback copy of my blog writings from 2007-2009. I love looking back through some of my old posts, it gives me a great sense of what season of life I was in. I stopped writing for most of 2010-2011, mainly because my motivation for blogging became unclear, and frankly I was uninspired to do so. I had gotten so much of what I wanted to say "out there", so to speak. I wrote about some very personal thoughts and philosophies, and about the general dailiness of our lives. I was also experimenting with my writing style. I had never done that type of writing, so it took me awhile to find my groove. It's a little uncomfortable to look back and see words or phrases I used that are absent from my writing now, as my own style has emerged. Reading my older posts is like taking a look in the mirror, and seeing a different person. I have grown. I have learned. I have changed over the last 5 years. I am a little sad that during my blogging break, I missed out on documenting some of those changes. In photos and words, this blog documents my life and the lives of my family. This is meaningful writing to me. I question sometimes whether anybody cares what I did today, or how many chickens I have, or what we ate for dinner. I have to remember that in the years to come, my writings will serve as a reminder of this season of life, and to provide details that might otherwise have been forgotten. My children will have a living record of our days as a family, something I don't have from my childhood, and frankly I don't much remember. When we don't write these things down they get lost.
So I will carry on writing about bread, and chickens, and kids knowing that my motivation for blogging is to preserve this precious dailiness and these little details of our life together. So while my writings might not always be deeply moving or thought provoking, they are important.
Knowing that time passes way too quickly, I will remember to write it down, and I am sure that my kids will be thankful for it when they're grown.

Have a blessed day, Tami

::I heart books::

 

I like to know how to do stuff. And I like to read about other people doing cool stuff. And I like to be transported away (for a bit) by a fantastic story.

This is why I love books, and not so much ebooks, but touch them, smell them books. I like seeing them all lined up (sometimes by color arranged like a rainbow). I just love books.

We do not have an enormous collection of books, but the ones we do have are well loved for sure. We love the library, too. I should be a librarian sometime. Yeah, I'd be good at that.

Children's books are my all time favorites. The artwork is such a gift . The art makes reading them such an enormous pleasure. I would love to be skilled enough to write and illustrate a children's book. Writing one is definitely on my life list.

I recently had all of my 2007-2009 blog posts bound into a hardcover book through Blurb.
I have used them before and find it pretty straight-forward. I had to spend a few days
editing to get it to look just right. What a treasure this will be in the years to come.

I have no idea what the future holds for Joyful Noise, but I like knowing my words are forever on our bookshelf. I enjoy seeing my kids look at it, it's a book about them and they like that.

 

No matter what the future brings technology-wise, I will always own books.

I like having words and knowledge at my fingertips. Their physical presence in our home speaks coziness and comfort to me.

I heart books.

Blessings, Tami

Middle Time

I came across this beautiful poem on Laurie Elliot's blog, Blue Forest Soapbox. I just had to share.

MIDDLE TIME

Between the exhilaration of Beginning

and the satisfaction of Concluding

is the Middle Time

of enduring, changing, trying,

despairing, continuing, becoming.

Jesus Christ was the man of God’s Middle Time

between Creation and . . . Accomplishment.

Through him God said of Creation,“Without mistake.”

And of Accomplishment,“Without doubt.”

And we, in our Middle Times

of wondering, waiting, hurrying,

hesitating, regretting, revising;

We who have begun many things—

and seen but few completed;

We who are becoming more—and less;

through the evidence of God’s Middle Time

have a stabilizing hint

that we are not mistakes,

that we are irreplaceable,

that our Being is of interest

and our Doing is of purpose,

that our Being and our Doing

are surrounded by AMEN.

Jesus Christ is the Completer

of unfinished people

with unfinished work

in unfinished times.

May he keep us from sinking, ceasing,

wasting, solidifying—that we may be for him

experimenters, enablers, encouragers,

and associates in Accomplishment.
-- Lona Fowler

Isn't that just the most beautiful. It inspires me beyond words. Thank you Laurie for letting me share it.

I pray that you all have a blessed and peaceful day. (she types as her children are all wrestling on the floor and creating the utmost in joyful noise......LOL)

In God's Immense Love, Tami

One of My Favorites

"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature." ~ Anne Frank

I came across this quote at Seaside Enchantment.

This quote is absolutely how I feel, when I am in nature, experiencing God's creation.

I pray that you all have a restful Sunday.

In God's Love, Tami

"Little Things"

"Little Things" by Elisabeth Elliot
When we were growing up our parents taught us, by both word and example, to pay attention to little things.

If you do a thing at all, do it thoroughly: make the sheets really smooth on the bed, sweep all the corners and move all the chairs when you sweep the kitchen, roll the toothpaste tube neatly and put the cap back on, clean the hair out of your brush each time you use it, hang your towels straight on the rod, fold your napkin and put it into the silver ring before you leave the table, never wet your finger when you turn pages.

They kept promises made to us as faithfully as they kept those made to adults. They taught us to do the same. You didn't accept an invitation to a party and then not turn up, or agree to help with a Vacation Bible School and back out because a more interesting activity presented itself...

When I went to boarding school the same principles I had been taught at home were emphasized. There was a hallway with small oriental rugs which we called "Character Hall" because the headmistress, Mrs. DuBose, could look down that hall from the armchair where she sat in the lobby and spot any student who kicked up a corner of the rug and did not replace it. She would call out to correct him, "It's those tiny little things in your life which will crack you up when you get out of this school!"

In the little things our character was revealed. Our response would make our break us. "Don't go around with a Bible under your arm if you didn't sweep under the bed," she said, for she would have no pious talk coming out of a messy room.

"Great thoughts go best with common duties. Whatever therefore may be your office regard it as a fragment in an immeasurable ministry of love" (Bishop Brooke Foss Westcott, b. 1825).

It is not easy to find children or adults who are dependable, careful, thorough, and faithful. So many lives seem honeycombed with small failures, neglectful of the little things that make the difference between order and chaos. Perhaps it is because they are so seldom taught that visible things are signs of an invisible reality; that common duties may be "an immeasurable ministry of love."

The spiritual training of souls must be inseparable from practical disciplines, as Jesus so plainly taught; "the man who can be trusted in little things can be trusted in great; the man who is dishonest in little things will be dishonest in great. If then you cannot be trusted with money, that tainted thing, who will trust you with genuine riches! And if you cannot be trusted with what is not yours, who will give you what is your very own?" (Luke 16:10-12 JB).

From "Keep a Quiet Heart" by Elisabeth Elliot

What a wonderful passage to ponder again and again.

Have a blessed and restful night. In God's Love, Tami

One of My Favorites

I thank You God for most this amazing
E.E. Cummings

I thank You God for most this amazing day:

for the leaping greenly spirits of trees

and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything

which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(I who have died am alive again today,

And this is the sun's birthday;

this is the birthday of life and of love and wings:

and of the gay great happening illimitably earth)

How should tasting touching hearing seeing

breathing any--lifted from the no of all nothing--

Human merely being doubt unimaginable You?

(Now the ears of my ears awake and

Now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

This has to be one of my favorite poems of all time. In high school, I chose this poem to interpret, and to create a collage from.

Cummings' words just make me want to go outside and experience all of God's glorious creation.

Green is my *favorite* color. Green has always been that color that makes me feel alive. So much of God's creation is green, and lush, and beautiful.

We are having a truly relaxing weekend. So nice, so leisurely, so simple. We tidied our nest yesterday, and now today, rest. And maybe some baking :~)

I pray that you all have a glorious and restful Sunday. In God's Love, Tami

My *Gem*

"The Golden Gems of Life" by S.C. Ferguson & E.A. Allen.

It is finally here. I have shared *gems* from this precious book before, and I now have an original copy of my very own.

My search for this book began after Jewels quoted from it, on her"Eyes of Wonder" blog. I was so enthralled by the beautiful language and the timeless wisdom.

My challenge was to find a copy that was in decent condition and didn't cost a fortune. I found this very loved, and a little tattered 1883 version for $10.00. A steal in my book.

The book included hidden in it's pages, the original receipt, at a cost of $3.50 to the purchaser in 1883.

When I touch the pages, I can imagine the hands that have read through the passages over the last 125 years.

Wow....that's what I love about old things, they have had such a life before me. What did the original owner dress like, did she read it by kerosene lamp in her favorite rocking chair? What fun to imagine. I can see little markings she made in passages that she wanted to remember.

It's pages are filled with beautiful wisdom and such artistic writings. Some of the more interesting content titles are Home Circle, Duties of Married Life, True Nobility, God in Nature, and so many more that take me back in time.
Here are some of my favorites:

"Kindness makes sunshine wherever it goes. It folds its way into the hidden chambers of the heart, and brings forth hidden treasures, which harshness would have sealed up forever. Kindness makes the mother's lullaby sweeter than the song of a lark.....Kindness is the real law of life, the link that connects earth with heaven."

"Either patience must be a quality graciously inherent in the heart of man, or it must be acquired as the lesson of year's experience, if he would enjoy the greatest good life".

"And say to mothers what a holy charge is theirs; with what a kingly power their love might rule the fountains of the new-born mind; warn them to wake at early dawn and sow good seed before the world has sown its tares." ~ Mrs. Sigourney

One quiet evening very soon, I will spend some time pouring over this precious book in it's entirety. What a fascinating look into life 100+ years ago, and how wonderful to know it's wisdom still speaks today.
If you get a chance you can read over parts of the book online here.

Have a truly blessed and restful night with your precious treasures. In God's Love, Tami