Scattering Seeds

"All our thoughts, words, and acts are seeds. They have in them a quality which makes them grow where they fall, reproducing themselves. This is true of the good we do. The mother’s teachings enter the mind and heart of her child as mere germs; but they reappear in the life of the son or daughter, in later years, in strength and beauty, in nobleness of character, and in usefulness of life. Not only is this strange power in the mother’s words; her acts, her habits, her tones of voice, the influences that go forth from her life, are also seeds, having in them a vital principle. Where they lodge, they grow.
You never can lose your mother. She may die, and her body may be borne out of your sight, and laid away in God’s acre. You will see her face and hear her voice no more; no more will her hand scatter the good seeds of truth and love upon your life’s garden. But you have not lost her. Your mind and heart are full of the seeds which fell from her hand along the years. These you never can lose. No hand of death can root them out of your life. They have grown into the very tissues of your character. They reappear in your habits, your dispositions, your feelings and opinions, your modes of thought, your very phrases and forms of speech. You never can lose your mother; the threads of her life are woven inextricably into your life.
~J.R. Miller
The Seeds We Scatter

Shared:
A Return to Loveliness 
Monday
Mom's the Word - Good Morning Monday  

Modesty?

With the warmer weather, we would do well to think about modesty a bit.  I found an excellent post today that I'd like to share with you.  It's over at Family, Faith, and Fridays.  It was written by Michelle's oldest daughter. 
Modesty- A Command Not a Conviction


Just something to think about....

Planting Potatoes

We've bought the potatoes; and, we're planting this year!

D is for Do It!

Pinterest is a fun and convenient way to keep track of ideas you've found on the web.  D is for DO IT!  I need to get busy on some of those great recipes, craft ideas, and such.  Last night I tried a new laundry soap recipe that is so easy.

Find the recipe here:   onegoodthingbyjillee.com via Laura on Pinterest.

I've washed two loads of laundry with it.  So far so good!

Emily made this bread a couple of days ago.  It was yummy.

Find the recipe here: lafujimama.com via Laura on Pinterest.

I encourage you to find something that looks good and give it a try this week.
D is for DO IT!

Have a blessed day,
Laura

~~~~~

May I suggest?

If You Have Two or Three Witnesses.... 

~~~~~

Linking with:
Pinned It Made It Monday

Review: Beauty for Ashes

MY THOUGHTS:

I always enjoy historical fiction.  No page skipping required.  It's a nice clean love story.   Falling in love wasn't what either Carrie or Griff had in mind.  They each had hopes and plans that went totally to the wayside every time they saw each other.  It was very romantic.  It's a love story; BUT, it's a safe love story.  No worries about unchaste behavior.  I really enjoyed reading as they worked through their contradictory feelings and emotions.  There is plenty of drama happening in the background, too, that makes the outcome just a little bit tricky and uncertain.  Learning to live with step-families, making hard decisions, horse training, child training, seeking God, it's all in there.  I think you'd enjoy this one, especially if you don't want to have to skip pages with a blush.

ABOUT THE BOOK: 

She's a beautiful young widow. He’s a Southern gentleman with a thirst for adventure. Both need a place to call home.
After losing her husband in the Civil War, Carrie Daly is scared she will never have the family she longs for. Eligible bachelors are scarce in Hickory Ridge, Tennessee, but Carrie has found love. Not the weak-in-the-knees kind, but something practical. Still, she isn't quite ready to set a wedding date with Nate Chastain.

Griff Rutledge is a former member of Charleston society, but has been estranged from his family for years. He’s determined to remain unattached, never settling in one place for too long. But when asked to train a Thoroughbred for an upcoming race in Hickory Ridge, he decides to stay awhile.

Despite objections from the townsfolk, and her fear that true happiness has eluded her, Carrie is drawn to Griff's kindness and charm. It will take a leap of faith for them to open their hearts and claim God's promise to give beauty for ashes.

THE AUTHOR:  Before returning to her writing roots in historical fiction, Dorothy Love published twelve novels for young adults. Her work has garnered numerous honors from the American Library Association, the Friends of American Writers, the International Reading Association, the New York Public Library, ad many others. The Hickory Ridge Novels mark her Christian fiction debut. 

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Hidden Treasure

"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."

Psalm 119:11 NIV

I've been reading and listening to the Bible extensively recently. Although I am not memorizing it, I am becoming increasingly familiar with God's word. It is good.

~~~~~
May I suggest?

I'm the Worst.  Sin, Bitterness, and Forgiveness

~~~~~ 

C is for Christ

I cannot imagine my life without Christ.  Jesus Christ.

I was raised in a broken home.  My father left us.  My mother had a live-in boyfriend.  Eventually, she married him.  He was abusive physically and verbally.  Anger was a way of life.  I spent a year or more in a suicidal state when I was in 9th grade.  I was tormented at school.  Home was no better.  I had no hope.  My only relief was sleep and summers with my Grandma Mamie and Grandpa Frank.  They gave me the little black and white t.v. that changed my life.

During my 10th grade year, I began watching the PTL Club in the mornings while getting ready for school.  On New Year's Day, I watched the program again.  An ex-drug addict was talking of how Jesus had changed her life and saved her.  I remember thinking, "If God can save a drug addict, maybe He can save me, too."  Within a month, I was saved, going to a Christian Church, and on my way to a changed life.  It took a long time for the change; but, I had hope I'd never had before.

Over the years, Christ has continued to change me.  He who began a good work in me has been faithful to complete it.

He saved me from a life filled with sin and from repeating the abusive environment in my own home with my own children.   Thank you Jesus for salvation.  Thank you for saving me from what I could have been in this life as well.

~~~~~

May I suggest?

Offend Away

~~~~~

Classical Homemaking

Crying for Help

"Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I will never pray to anyone but you."
~Psalm 5:2 NLT

Who do you cry to?  Is it your friend?  Your husband?  Talking to others and asking for help is good- most of the time.  It can get out of hand, though, especially with friends.  Sometimes, we seek these people instead of God.  We talk it all out with our friends or husbands.  If we never turn to God, who are we "praying" to?  You might not think of it as praying; but, who are you really turning to for help?

The one source of true help is God, the God of Creation, the God of the Bible.  He can help when no one else can.  Cry out to Him in prayer.  He always, always listens.  And thought you might not hear Him answer, talking to Him, then listening by reading His word and being still and quiet, He will answer.  You will have a knowing in your spirit.  Reach out to Him.

Cry out to Jesus!

Blessings to you from Harvest Lane Cottage

Laura

B is for Bible Reading

"Bible reading is an education in itself."

  ~Lord Tennyson

Bible reading. 
There are definitely two camps-
those who read their Bible daily
and
those who feel guilty because they don't.

I am using Professor Horner's Bible Reading System right now.  I have found that it is a real time commitment.  The plan calls for reading ten chapters a day from ten different books of the Bible.  I was introduced to the plan by my friend, Deb.  At times, I've gotten behind.  Using the checklists on YouVersion, it's easy to see where I should be and read a little extra each day until I catch up.  If I'm doing it religiously, pun intended, it takes me just under an hour a day.  I snatch a few minutes here and there throughout the day to read. 

My younger children 10, 12, and 14 are required to read thirty minutes a day.  This is either by the reading plan from church or the chapters of their choice.  They will sometimes use a devotional or Bible study book as part of this time.

My advice is to fit it in any way you can.  Maybe you find it difficult to read at one time of day and easier at another.  Take advantage of your natural rhythms.  God gave them to you.  Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and to make the scriptures alive for you.  He will.
A last piece of advice- just get started!


~ A clarification ~
I read ten chapters total per day. 

Today's reading:
Luke 17
Exodus 11
Philipians 4
Revelation 18
Song of Solomon 7
Proverbs 30
1 Samuel 12
Acts 5

Linking with:

Thrifty Thursday: Above Rubies

Nancy Campbell's ministry has changed my life.  Her influence helped change us from a confirmed one child family to a full-house family of six.  Nancy, her daughters, and her crew of volunteers create, publish, and distribute Above Rubies Magazine.  She is so generous with her time and resources.  She longs to see women embrace motherhood as a sacred calling.  Thank you Nancy!  Thank you God!  Please bless her Lord!

From Above Rubies, "For over 33 years Nancy Campbell has been publishing the Above Rubies Magazine, as an unpaid labor of love, supported by a very small band of dedicated volunteers.
Supporting family and motherhood in these tumultuous and uncertain times, Above Rubies is definitely a major international ministry, reaching and playing a crucial role in over 100 countries of the world. The magazine currently circulates over 160,000 copies worldwide – and if 160,000 are being distributed, readership is estimated to be more like half a million!"

Above Rubies magazine is supported by donations.  When God provides the funds, Nancy has the magazines printed and distributed by mail.  Many ladies receive multiple copies so that they can distribute them to other ladies, leave them in waiting rooms, pass them out at church or homeschool groups, or to neighbors. 

Subscriptions are free; but, the magazines are of great value.

Click For Godly Encouragement from the
Above Rubies Women's Ministry

~~~~~
May I suggest?
Marriage Advice from an Older Mother

More Storms in the Joplin area. This time in Branson, MO.

It was an F2 tornado.  Fortunately, their busy season doesn't start until next week.  Unfortunately, 13 died.  Please pray for their families and for those who were injured in and around Branson.