Harvest Lane Cottage

I thank God for my son, Matthew. I've learned so much through the years of mothering, teaching, and loving him. He's nearly grown now...at least I hope he is. He's over six feet tall! I thank God for my daughter, Emily. She helped me through the grieving my mother's death, just by being my baby girl. She's such a wonderful girl...a real Proverbs 31 lady in the making. She is my singer, dancer, and baker. I truly enjoy her company. She is my Wednesdays at One appointment. I thank God for my son, Michael. He brought joy and laughter back to me after my mom's death, just a couple of months before his birth. His name was supposed to be Zachary Isaac, meaning "God remembered laughter." The night before he was born, Matthew asked us to name him Michael Gabriel, "Man of God, God is my Strength". After he was born, we prayed. His name is Michael Gabriel. He truly is the one who brings laughter and laughs the most in our famil...

I thank God for seasons and celebrations in our lives. Our existence would grow rather hum-drum if we never celebrated anything. I told my daughter yesterday that Fall ends in December; but, we seem to have five seasons now rather than four. The Christmas season has been added to the basic four. I suppose it helps ease us into winter. Today, fall will disappear in my home to be replaced bit by bit with Christmas. I did go shopping yesterday morning. There were a couple of items that I couldn't afford any other way. I went to our town's Wal-Mart. Things didn't get crazy like in the city; but, one lady actually fainted. Perhaps it was the crowd. I got the two things that I needed; but, after reading about the deaths at Wal-Mart and Toys R Us, I don't think I want to participate anymore, regardless of the sale prices. It's just not worth it. What could shoppers have been thinking as they trampled that poor man at Wal-Mart? Will they enjoy their "bargains" pur...

I Thank God for Matthew, Emily, Amy, and Michael. They changed my life for the better. They have been the greatest challenge and the greatest blessing of my life. I love them all the best. Thank you God! Laura Blessed with Four

I Thank God... for the Christians that went before us to prepare the way so that we can worship God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Thanks Living! Laura Blessed Beyond

Okay, Friends, we're down to the wire for Thanksgiving preparations. Hopefully, you've already cleaned, planned out menus, and gotten food in the house. Next, it's time to make a list of all the things you have to do from now until dinner is served tomorrow. I'm going to a friend, Mrs. Smith's, house with my family, but I'm bringing much of the feast with me. I am responsible for the following items: turkey gravy dressing sweet potato casserole veggies for the dip she's making 2 pumpkin pies 1 pecan pie That's nearly an entire feast in itself! I won't tell you all she's adding. You'll gain weight just reading the menu! So next, you need to think about a time table. What can be made or prepared early? I need to continue to thaw my turkey ; it's not ready yet, though I did put it in the refrigerator 3 days early. So, I'll be thawing it in cold water in my sink, changing the water often. ...

Day 26... I thank God. This month has made me really think. Thank you Sue at Country Pleasures for suggesting this theme for the month. Last night, I was talking with my children and praying with them after our company left. I amazed them by thanking God for my mother's cancer. It was a most painful time in my life, in her life, and in the lives of our family members. But God! I thank God for my mother's cancer because He used it for so much good. Here is a list of just a few of the things that I know God did with Mom's cancer. My mother, Barbara, dedicated her life to God, and sought Him with all her heart, mind, will, and strength. She had known about God all along. Now, she gave her life to Him and set about searching the Holy Scriptures to know God. She was saved by accepting the sacrifice of Jesus for her sins and believing in Him and His word, the Bible. My step-father accepted Jesus and was saved. My little brother, Brent, accepted Jesus and was s...

I thank God for planes, trains, and automobiles. They allow us to see loved ones far away. I thank God for phones, e-mail, and snail mail. They allow us to talk to loved ones far away. Thank you God! Laura

No, it's not mine; but, it's beautiful! Okay, some of you may be getting a little stressed at this point. Thanksgiving is but a few days away. First, take a deep breath. Now, go take your turkey of of the freezer. Put it in the refrigerator to thaw slowly and safely. We have a lot of control over how much tension we have in our own minds over holiday dinners. Planning is so very important. Here are some ideas that might help you: Sit down with paper and pen right now and think think think. Start with today. Plan your meals for each day from now until the end of the weekend. Try to use the food you have on hand as much as possible to save your money for special items you will need to celebrate. Plan for a few impromptu snacks as well. Monday Breakfast- Lunch- Dinner- Snack or Dessert Write this out for every meal. Then make a list of every item you will need. Now, ask yourself a few questions. ...

Thank God it's Monday! This is an odd week for a sales executive. My hubby will work regularly for Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday will be strange because no one really wants to buy advertising or anything else on the day before Thanksgiving. So, I think he'll have a meeting with the boss and tie up some loose ends, etc. I thank God for Lowell's employment. It really seems to be something he enjoys, his boss seems to be pleased. I'm also thankful for regular paychecks again. Some of you know that Lowell was out of work from last November until August. Those were really growing in faith and creativity months. We've learned so much in the last few years. I thank God for bringing us through these hard times and building our faith in Him. I also thank God for protecting our marriage during the very worst of times a couple of years ago. He sent us to Marriage Encounter right before we lost our business. Thank you God! Laura Thankful to be Regular ~giggl...

Twenty-seven years ago today, I said a three letter word that changed my life. Yes. My Honey Lowell asked me to go steady with him. ~smile~ We had only known each other a little over a month at the time. Honestly, I didn't expect it to last this long. The kids I knew usually went steady for one to three months at most. When we got to three months, I remember thinking that it was really a long-term relationship. By six months, I started thinking about marriage! Mind you, we were only 16! I found an old diary where I had planned out how we would get through college and the steps toward marriage. I forgot about it; but, we ended up following "the plan" almost all the way. Oh, how I wish I'd know God better back then. Even then, I was leading. It would have been so much better to let God and my future husband lead. It's taken 27 years; but, I'm doing much better at letting them lead. I thank God for my husband Lowell. He's the best part of m...

Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without is one of the phrases and philosophies by which I live my life. It's one of the blessings of being a stay at home momma! It seems that my children are always wearing out their jeans! My first son didn't do this; but, my two youngest children seem to have made a hobby out of it! Standard square patches are fine for boys; but, I thought I'd make my little girl's patch a little prettier. She is an "almost always dresses" girl; but, sometimes she wears jeans while playing outside. Some of my friends are "dresses only"; some are "It doesn't matter." My husband made the decision for us girls in the family to follow this "almost always" dress code. Anyway, the reason I wrote was to tell you what I did. Had I thought ahead, I'd have made this a tutorial. Ah, maybe next time. For now, I'll tell. First I cut the hole into a heart shape. Next, I used a seam ripper and opened u...

I thank God for my church family. I've attended several churches since I was saved. This is the first church in which I have been part of such a close-knit, living life together group. It's small. It's relatively new, only a little over a year old. We meet in the YMCA building. Most of the parents of school age kids teach their children at home. There's an understanding and kindred spirit feeling here that I've never had anywhere else before. Is it perfect? No. Am I perfect? No. I'm just thankful for the time God is giving us in this body of believers. It's so much easier taking the hard way with companions in The Faith. Jesus Christ, The Living Word, is the focus of this body. I thank God for this privilege. Laura Blessed with Companions

I thank God for my children, Matthew, Michael, Amy, and Emily. They have brought depth to my prayer life. ~smile~ I never imagined myself living this kind of life. Even as a girl, I didn't think I'd be a stay-at-home mom. I was a child of the 70's and grew up with feminism as the norm. Blech! God's way is so much better! I know lots of women who work for a variety of reasons. I work too—at home. When I was a working outside the home woman, I worked in customer service at Blue Cross Blue Shield. Lots of women worked there. Nearly all of them came back to work after their babies were 6 weeks old. I remember one expectant mom telling me she was going to work until her child was two years old because "nothing important happens before then." What a chilling thought! Even then, I realized that wasn't true. When asked if I was going to work after my first son was born, this very pregnant momma would say I didn't know. My husband and I went in to t...

I met my Mother-in-Love Judy twenty-seven years ago today. My Lowell invited me over to his house to meet his family and celebrate his birthday. What he didn't tell me was that they were having a family reunion! Well, sort of. All I know is that there were a whole lot of people in that little house! ~smile~ Talk about awkward for a 16 year old girl. Everyone wanted to meet the little girlfriend. I wish I was still the "little" anything. Ah well, that's another post and another project! Well, his momma decided that she liked me. She really talked me up to Lowell. Believe me, that's a great way to start a relationship with your mother-in-law. Of course, I had no idea she was my mother-in-law at the time. That would come almost five years later. The interesting thing is that almost from the beginning, she insisted that I call her Mother. I called my mother Mom. In fact, I cannot remember calling her Judy. She is a very loving lady. She just adopted m...

My parents divorced when I was 9. My dad had moved to a little town half way across the state, so we didn't see him as often as I wished. We did see him as often as he was able to come, however. I'm thankful for that. We always looked forward to seeing him. My little brother, John, and I would drop everything in excitement when we found out he was in town. One night, when I was in junior high, we had a little surprise. Dad took us out to dinner at Red Lobster. In our town and our experience, that was a pretty fancy place. He introduced us to his friend Annie. I liked her. She was cheerful and friendly. Well, he'd never introduced us to a girlfriend before. So, in my junior high romantic mind, that meant he wanted to marry her. When Annie and I went to powder our noses, I asked her something like, "So, when are you and Dad getting married?" I'm sure she nearly swallowed her teeth! I don't remember what she said; but, I do remember shock registered o...

I thank God for the many ways He's taken care of us. Last year, at this time, my husband was out of work. It was a long unemployment, about nine months. God miraculously provided for us in many ways during that time. After he'd only worked for three months for his previous employer, the owner decided to pay him for an additional three months. Miraculous! Then, he was able to get unemployment benefits even though the person he talked to at the office told him he probably wasn't eligible. Then, our tax refund came just in time.  We were able to buy a second van for $750 so that Lowell would have dependable transportation for work. Then, Lowell's brother came and worked on both vans to get them in running order. Then, the economic stimulus check arrived. Food stamps were available to us in varying amounts during this time. A local ministry helped us to get food, clothing, shoes and a pair of pants or a dress for our kids when school started. They also helped with...

Phelps House, Carthage, Missouri He has put so many people in my life to teach me things along the way. I think of my friend, Debbie. I met Debbie when I was in my early thirties. She is one of the most gracious, kind, caring ladies I've ever met. She helped me learn to be a good friend. I've developed many good friendships through the years since. Debbie continues to be my chosen sister in Jesus. She is my lifelong friend, even though we don't see each other often enough. ~smile~ I thank God for Debbie and for other friends that I've made along the way. He is so kind to teach me and give me the gift of friendship. God bless you my friends, all of you! Laura Blessed with Friends

I thank God that He smiled indulgently when I said, "We are confirmed one child parents." Three more blessings came in His timing, according to His will, to our great delight. I will tell the story sometime. It's really a miracle in more ways than one. Happy Thanksgiving Month! Laura Thankful for God's Will for My Family You might also like: I Thank God...Day 24 Let's Pray for a Third Great Awakening in America You are Loved... Don't Give Up!

I thank God that my husband has encouraged me to write. Just sitting here, clicking away, feels so write...er...right. There's something about writing that is so much easier for me than talking. I've often thought that my hands know what to say better than my mouth. ~smile~ Seriously though, I just wonder if one uses a different part of one's brain when writing. Ah, well, either way, I'm glad to do it. I hope that one day, when you read my blog, you will find a pearl of wisdom, an idea, a recipe, or friendly encouragement just when you need it. Most of all, I hope that my love for my savior Jesus Christ comes through. I hope that you know that God loves you and has made a way for you to be saved from your sins, both in this life and the next. This is my prayer for you, my friend. Thankful for my Salvation, my Jesus, my God, and for forgiveness, Laura

I thank God for my CD player. It brings music to me that I would have had to be rich to enjoy just a few generations ago. I enjoy music so much. It calms me. It energizes me. It motivates me. It soothes me. It helps me to enter into worship. It helps me celebrate. It brings back memories. It fills a void when it just feels too quiet. Yes, contrary to popular belief and the normal activity and noise level in my house, it does occassionally seem too quiet. I enjoy instrumental music the best. My favorites are hymns, Christmas music, hammered dulcimer, and worship music. Think about the Christmas season. Wouldn't it be different without the familiar carols? May God bless you this Thanksgiving Season. It brings our focus to the reason for the Christmas Season. Start now to think about new ways to show thanks and kindness to those whom God puts into your path and your life. Laura Enjoying the Season

Okay, I've succumbed to a bit of peer pressure. I've added the Christmas music to my blog. I've been listening to it as I work on my Christmas projects anyway. I had planned to wait a little longer; but, everyone else is doing it! ~sheepish grin~ I figure it's okay because I'm trying to get as much done in preparation for Christmas as possible before December 1st. I want December to be left free for friends, family, traditions, fun rituals, and Advent. At least, that's how I'm justifying it to myself! Happy Holiday Preparation Time! Laura Thinking Ahead

I am taking my children three places today. The first is the grocery store. I thank God that when I need food, I have the privilege of shopping in a place where the food is fresh or well preserved. I don't have to pick through rotting food and garbage to feed my children. The second is to a Geography Bee with fellow homeschoolers . The Third is a little co-op Thursday school where my children will have art, music, dancing, geography, chess, and bug classes. I thank God that I have a group of friends and acquaintances who share my values, my interests, and who support each other in our efforts to teach our children. Thank you friends and thank you God! Laura Blessed with Fellow Teaching Moms and Good Food

I Thank God for clean water, plenty of food, a warm bed, enough clothes for my family to create a laundry problem, pretty things to decorate my home. Laura Plentiful Abundance

I thank God for a heater that works! My family went a year and a half with a furnace that didn't work. Thank the Lord, the winter was mild and we had some oil space heater. I always knew that we'd go somewhere if it got dangerously cold. I thank God that we don't have to worry about that this year. I can turn up the heat if I want to. Keeping the thermometer low is one way we are trying to keep our bill low. God is so good! Thank you God! Laura Chilly by Choice

Hi, Today, I'm thankful for my family who took care of me all day. I spent two days in the cold with a friend who has a cold. We were having a yard sale. Yes, in November. Yes, it was 38 degrees at least part of the time. Yes, I have a cold. But it was wonderful to have that time together and to make a little extra money. I hope you are well. Thank you God for my family. Laura Blessed times 5.

I spent the day today with my dear dear friend Joyce. We've been friends for at least a dozen years now. She is a Titus 2 woman to me even though she is just a couple of years older. Why? She encourages me to love my husband, love my children, love my home, train my children, teach my children, and to love my God. She's a real gem to me. She practices hospitality and has a happy marriage and 8 beautiful, well-behaved, hard working children here, and 4 little loves waiting for her with Jesus. If anyone deserves to have a dozen children, it's Joyce and her husband. They're great parents who love the Lord. I'm so thankful for the influence and friendship that Joyce has given me over the years. She's a chosen sister in the Lord. Laura Blessed blessed blessed

I thank God for yard sales. My friend Joy and I had one Friday and Saturday this week. Boy are we tired. We also found a few bargains at a couple of other sales. I have to admit we did a little trading among ourselves, too. Joy is one of my newest best friends. We've not known each other a whole year yet; but, I just know God brought us together. We have so much in common; but, most of all we have a love of God, a love of our husbands, a love of our families, and a love of hearth and home. Have a wonderful week! Laura

I thank God for my Friend Sherry. I could write about her all day. She's so precious to me. I can share my thoughts, my fears, my worries, my hopes, my joys, and she always finds a way to point me back to God, to Jesus. She's not preachy, she's compassionate. She's walking the journey, too. She is a true gift from God to me. Best of all, she's fun! She brings out the fun side of me. We always have a great time together. She's silly and serious, a great combination. Thank you for being my dear friend, Sherry! Thank you God! Laura Blessed Beyond Measure

Sue of Country Pleasures has been so supportive and helpful to me as have learned to blog. She created the banner for my shop, Harvest Lane Cottage , she has encouraged me often with her comments, she has shown a sweet spirit on her blog, I have just enjoyed her friendship. I thank God for Sue's friendship. Laura Blessed Beyond Measure

I've just finished reading the book, A Child's History of the World, by V. M. Hillyer. In one of the last chapters, I read of how when the Communists came to power in Russia, it was illegal to disagree with the government. In fact, you could be tortured or shot for disagreeing with the government. The same was true during the rise of the Nazis in Germany. I thank God that I live in the United States. I am free to disagree. We are in God's hands. He raises up the leaders and countries. So, to those who support President Elect Obama and Vice-President Elect Biden, I congratulate you. To those of you who do not support them, realize that this is God's will for our country at this time. We are in His hands. May God bless you; and, may God bless America. Laura Free to Disagree

I thank God that I am free to vote for the candidates I wish to rule our country. PLEASE VOTE! Laura You might also like: A Humble Request I Thank God... Day 16 I Thank God...Day 24

I thank God that I am free to vote for the candidates I wish to rule our country. PLEASE VOTE! Laura You might also like: A Humble Request I Thank God... Day 16 I Thank God...Day 24

I thank God for my 4th and 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Higgs. Mrs. Higgs was my teacher at the time of America's Bicentennial celebration. Mrs. Higgs introduced us to many different things that I've enjoyed over the years, embroidery, needlepoint, macrame, Laura Ingalls Wilder, reading for pleasure, butter making, and she inspired an interest in the way the old timers made do with what they had. She helped me to develop my trait of making it myself. It's been many years now. I've forgotten most of my teachers; but, I thank God for Mrs. Pamela Higgs. There was a reason I kissed her good-bye each day as I left school. Laura Strolling Memory Lane

I thank God for my dad, Jim. As I was growing up, he answered every question, no matter how complicated it was. It was he who explained the electoral college and how presidents were elected. My parents were divorced when I was nine. My dad moved clear across the state. He made sure that he saw us often. He would either fly or drive across the state to come and pick up my brother and I. Then, we'd either spend an afternoon or evening together, or he'd take us home with him. He made me feel special and loved. I missed him a lot; but, I enjoyed the special treatment when we got to see him. ~smile~ It was my dad who encouraged me to go to college. It was my dad who drove me all over central Oklahoma to look at all the campuses near Oklahoma City. It was Dad who went with me to enroll me in the college in Edmond where he lived. He helped with all the paperwork, choosing classes, and gave me a home to live in while I was in college. He gave me something I hadn't h...

I thank God for my Mom, Barbara. She helped me to be creative, loving, and kind. Although I was not raised in a Christian home, she did teach me to "be good". I grew up with a strong sense of right and wrong. She did send me to Bible classes after school when I was in first grade. That's where I asked Jesus into my heart. She also sent me to VBS a few times. It was enough to plant the seed in me. In 1980, I gave my life to Jesus, thanks to her sowing those seeds in me. She did the best she could raising me and my brothers. I'm so thankful that in her last years, as she battled cancer, she fully gave her life to Jesus and pursued Him with passion. Thank you Jesus! Jesus, please tell Momma, that I miss her, I love her and I'm thankful for her love, protection, care and just who she was and is in Christ Jesus. Thank you Lord! Who are you thankful for in your life? Laura Missing Mom