Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil, and let us see what we are made of. ~Charles Spurgeon

Monday, March 29, 2010

Our Challenge This Week

For the month of February the Schoenbach's decided to challenge ourselves to no T.V.  I am proud of my family, they did very well.  We are not big T.V. watchers anyway, but it was still a good challenge to fill in the gaps for the times that we did.



Our new challenge is to not raise our voice to anyone for one week.  It is a contest between all of us and there is a special treat for the winner.  We noticed we tend to raise our voice a bit too much when we get frustrated so I am looking forward to the challenge.  I pray the challenge will have a lasting effect.



Well I wouldn't say this is exactly how we sound in our house but it's pretty funny. 
 



Saturday, March 20, 2010

Our worship songs




















Have you ever heard the story behind these hymns.  This one is amazing!  The short of it is...43 yr. old Horatis Spafford , lawyer lived in Chicago w/ wife Anna and his 5 children.  In 1871 his only son died.  Months later the Great Chicago fire consumed his entire life savings.  2yrs later he decided to take a family vaca. to Europe.  He sent his wife and four daughters on ahead because of a business delay, he would catch up a few days later.  Nov. 22, 1873 the ship sank in 12 minutes and 226 people were killed.  His wife Anna sent a message to her husband stating "saved alone, what shall I do?"  Spafford left to bring his wife home.  While sailing back with his wife the captain let him know he was near the place of his daughters' death.  He went to his room and proceeded to write the words to the hymn "It Is Well With My Soul"

 My personal fav of all time.  As the Deer was sang in my wedding by Lynn Fink (Aunt Lynn).












































Tuesday, March 16, 2010

BLAST IT




"No More No Less"

I'm not trying to hide anything

I wear it on my sleeve
I wear it on my sleeve
I'm not trying to be something I'm not
This is all I've got
This is all I've got
I'm not trying to re-invent the wheel
Just trying to be real
Trying to be real
I'm not trying to say follow me
I'm not the one who leads

I'm not the one who leads

Let me introduce myself to you

This is who I am
No more, no less
I am just a man who understands
Because of You I'm blessed
No more, no less

I'm not trying to prove anything

It's all about the change

It's all about the change

I hope you stare just long enough to see

The heart that's beating here inside of me
Beyond all the things you may think you know
I'm just a kid trying to make it home, that's it
No more, no less
Lord, I want to go home
Nothing more, nothing less

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Comfort in my Best Friend

For a while now I feel there has been a spiritual battle going on around me attacking relationships in my life. Having said that I realize it's a spiritual battle,  I try not to take things personal but it's hard not to sometimes. Feeling some insecurities lately and praying for the ones who mean the most to me, I was comforted the other day while blow drying my hair. Out of the blue I started to hum the song " What a Friend we have in Jesus". It's not a song I hum often. The words of a song again bring tears of comfort and a great peace that surpasses my understanding. As like with any song that brings me such comfort, it has been playing in my house all weekend. The neat thing too is I can hear my Grandmas voice singing the song in my head. Talk about leaving a special legacy!

I have decided this will now be the song the girls and I will work on daily in school to memorize and sing until it too is written on theirs hearts.  Funny because without even praying about it, I was just wishing the other day that I would find a song to incorporate in our schooling. Romans 8:28   Interesting how things work out.

I pray one day when my girls are feeling insecurities in their relationships they too will find comfort in the best friend of all, Jesus.  I also pray that down the road when they find themselves humming the song " What a Friend we have in Jesus" they too will hear my voice singing the song in their head just as I hear my Grandmas.


Thank you Lord for the relationships you have blessed me with.  For all of the wisdom that comes from trial and error.  Thank you Lord for your Grace and for your perfect example of how to be a good friend. 




 
    What a friend we have in Jesus, 
    all our sins and griefs to bear! 
    What a privilege to carry 
    everything to God in prayer! 
    O what peace we often forfeit,
    O what needless pain we bear, 
    all because we do not carry 
    everything to God in prayer.
 
    Have we trials and temptations? 
    Is there trouble anywhere? 
    We should never be discouraged; 
    take it to the Lord in prayer. 
    Can we find a friend so faithful 
    who will all our sorrows share? 
    Jesus knows our every weakness; 
    take it to the Lord in prayer. 
    Are we weak and heavy laden, 
    cumbered with a load of care? 
    Precious Savior, still our refuge; 
    take it to the Lord in prayer.
 
   Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? 
   Take it to the Lord in prayer! 
   In his arms he'll take and shield thee; 
   thou wilt find a solace there.
     











Saturday, March 13, 2010

A Prayer I would like to memorize and have framed in my house


             The Belt Of Truth
Around my waist I put the belt of truth. Father, I commit myself to Jesus as the foundation of my life today. With your strength Lord, I will resist the temptation to stand on any worldly foundation. Jesus, you alone are my foundation for any situation that will arise today. (John 14:6)
            The Breastplate Of Righteousness
On my heart I put the breastplate of righteousness. I can fight any battle today because of the righteousness of Jesus, not my own! Jesus I declare that you are my righteousness and that though the victory of the cross I can stand victorious against temptation, sin and the attacks of our enemy. (2 Corinthians 5:12)
            The Shoes Of Readiness and Peace
On my feet, I put the shoes of the gospel. Father, prepare me by helping me known Jesus in a deeper way. Let your word become the guiding light for every step I take today and let the knowledge of the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection be my source of peace. (Romans 5:1)
           The Shield Of Faith
In my hand I take up the shield of faith. Father, by faith, connect me to the power of Jesus. My desire is to trust in you and your strength alone. Protect me from the arrows of the enemy today as I rely on your power. Give me faith so I may go forward doing your will. (Hebrews 11:33–34)
            The Helmet Of Salvation
On my head, I receive the helmet of salvation. Jesus, you are my salvation. You are my deliverance. Deliver me from all sins and weaknesses – spiritual, physical, and emotional. Cover me with strength, peace and anointing and bring me to complete wholeness in you. (1 Thessalonians 5:8–9)
           The Sword Of The Spirit
In my hand I take up the sword of the Spirit, the powerful word of God. Jesus, you are the living version of God’s word. May God’s Word give me wisdom to apply the Word to life’s situations and today’s troubles. (Hebrews 4:12)


Friday, March 5, 2010

I am not sure there is anything more precious than this.

I am telling you, compassion has been pouring out of this child in the past few months.  It is blessing my heart! 
So Olivia is in the back of the house right now yelling for me.  "mom, I just changed Madi's diaper."  I've gotta see this!  (she has never changed a diaper.)  I'll update you later on this one......

  



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Update on the diaper change:  Not bad.  Not bad at all for the first time!  I fixed it a little but not much.  Olivia has become my little helper.  She is eager to help when I ask and even when I don't ask.  I praise God for these changes I have seen take place in her life.  Children truly are a gift!