A few weeks ago we went shopping for the possibility of getting Joe a truck. Not sure of what he might be doing here in the near future because of Him leaving the company he has been working for. If he embarks on his dream I really think he needs a truck verses the SUV we have to hall his remodeling supplies. The used car lot dealer has become a friend over the years. He got us a great deal for Kelsey's car which we gave her for her 16th birthday this past weekend. She will drive the girls to school this year -they are all excited!!We finally got the siding put on our house this month also. What a sweet makeover here too! I'm not crazy about the siding color but I am sure it will grow on me. I didn't choose white as I was afraid it would make our house look "old" and this particular siding was on another colonial house I saw. Here are the before and after pictures (excuse the construction mess):
All of this is fun but as I reflect on it...that's all it is..."fun". It doesn't assure my happiness, complete me, give me contentment or make my family love me more or me love my family more. I'm not bragging or boasting here but just sharing in my "fun". I am joyous that He has made a way for us this summer to do these things. I am thankful (as are the neighbors) that my house is no longer an 'eye sore' with those hideous shakes it had on it and I am thankful for the deals (or should I say steal) we got with the two cars. God watches over us in all things!
As I look at all that has happened over the summer I asked myself what I mentioned in my last blog entry...what brings me joy-real joy? I can say with all my heart that it is the spiritual-my God and my relationship with Him. We have been an example of how God works above and beyond to meet our needs-all our needs and none of these material things happened without His hand being in each and every one.
There's been a lot of giving in our home this month so I think I will bless my blog friends with a little giving too!! One of my favorite things is reading and I have a weakness for books. I purchased the following book this week and though I haven't read it yet I have a good feeling reading it's back cover that it will be a blessing so I bought two! I want to give one of these away!!
Next Friday (August 8th) I will draw a name for this book "The Remarkable Women of the Bible: and their message for your life today" by Elizabeth George. This book looks at how God enabled ordinary women to live extraordinary lives by turning their weaknesses into strengths, their sorrows into joys, and their despair into hope. To enter this give-a-way, leave a comment including a piece of scripture referencing one of these: a time in which God turned a weakness into strength or a sorrow into joy or a despair into hope or provided above and beyond for you as He has for my family this summer.
I probably won't be able to be back onto this blog until the end of next week. I have a Beth Moore televised conference this weekend and then a work related conference the beginning of the week in St. Louis. I can't wait to come back and read your responses!!
In Him~MrsJoeB
10 comments:
Beautiful!!! :) :) :) Your husband is such a gem!
Psalm 37:4--Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. This verse holds especially true as my sorrow over not being able to have kids (according to the doctor) became pure joy when God granted me the desire of my heart...Nora Grace! :) God is so good! For with Him, NOTHING is impossible!
I'll be attending Beth's conference via satellite, too! I CAN'T WAIT!
Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca
How blessed you are! YOur house looks great, and I can really see you tooling around in that new set of wheels!
Can't wait to hear about the simulcast, as I missed it to go out of town with hubs.
Let me know all about it!!
My verses: These brought me from despair to hope. God gave them to me before I went into a counseling session that I was very afraid of. I was so scared, that I didn't even really register what I read... Until a day or two later, as I realized what God did in that session, and I remembered what verses I had read
Ps. 30:2-3; 5
"O Lord my God, I cried out to you and you healed me. O Lord you brought my soul up from the grave; you have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life. Weeping may endur for a night, But joy comes in the morning."
He is so faithful, He has fulfilled (and still is) His promises to me. I am growing stronger in him, my weeping is turning into joy and laughter. Oh He is so good...
God bless,
Heather
Have you done Elizabeth George's study, A Woman After God's Own Heart?
I think that is one of my all time favorite studies! I bought A Man After God's Own Heart written by her husband after I finished the study and gave it to my husband for Father's Day. Literally, he read through it twice, back to back.
These two books helped our marriage IMMENSLEY!
Love ya,
Yolanda
Your house looks great!
Don't you love it when God blesses with good deals?
This summer while I was away at church camp my husband took a week off work and he and a friend remodeled my kitchen. We've lived in this house for 20 years and believe me, it needed some updating.
I'd love to be in on the drawing for the book.
Talk to you soon.
Love,
Valerie
Pamela:
I love the makeover pictures. God has blessed you with a beautiful home, and I'm so glad for his provision that allowed you to spruce things up to your liking.
I need some sprucing up to his liking. He never fails to shine the light into the deep places that still remain hidden and are in desperate need of refinement.
Thanks for your heart, Pamela, and for being such a wellspring of encouragement to me. This has been a particularly hard summer, but I've walked it with God and feel stronger for the journey.
peace~elaine
How awesome!!! You're such a blessing Pamela.
I love the pics of your home. So pretty!!
I have this book, so you don't need to put my name in the drawing. I haven't read it yet. I love anything by Elizabeth George though so I know it will be good. Have you read it yet?
HOW was the Beth Moore conference?
Psalm 37:4 has special meaning in my life to. My desire was for a 4th child a girl. My husband felt 3 was enough. A lot of teaching at church on the submissive wife so he got the cut job. I still longed for a second girl. Well, the doctor goofed and found another was on they way. I wanted a girl so bad but when felt I could miscarriage I would say, Lord a boy is fine just to have this baby. Well the deisre of my heart 32 years ago was that baby girl. Of course I cannot enter the contest as my first girl is Pamela. I love you Pamela so grateful you are walking with the Father. Lets pray all your siblings will to.
Hi,
Have been reading your blog this evening! Your house looks FABULOUS!
Love the makeover!
Lea
I wish I could share the verse that spoke to me this spring when my Grandpa died. Unfortunately I didn't mark it and I can't find it right now. I know it was good though! :)
This verse 2 Thessalonians 2:16,17. "May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." is amazing!
I came home from work one day and was just down and discouraged. I picked out a verse from several that were typed on pieces of paper given to me by my Secret Sister. This verse meant everything to me that day. God spoke to me. He let me know that HE IS there with me.
There are several other verses I could share. God is so good.
Lisa
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