Sacrifice or Blessing

" For when I am weak, then I am strong" - 2 Corinthians 12:10

God allowed me the privilege of teaching my children many things in 5 years of homeschooling. During these years, however, my children also taught me several important lessons.

First, I learned to savour the joy of life's moment. Reading a story or having a time to talk was far more important than keeping the house perfectly organized and clean. Second, I learned to experience the wonder of God's creation through a child's excited eyes. Everything is fresh and new to a little one, and God desires me to experience each new day in the same way. Perhaps the most important lesson my children taught me was to have an unquestioning faith in God. Even when homeschooling cut the family income in half and then to none. My children's faith challenged me to trust God for every need. He is indeed faithful in everything. It is during these times that we experience God daily. Living by faith, trusting Him with all our needs. It is a daily miracle. Undoubtedly, I was the one who received the better education in our family's homeschool.

God's Word declares that if we choose to follow Christ in this life, we must be prepared to suffer. Showing the love of God to others isn't easy, and many times we may think God is asking too much of us. The blessings God imparts to those who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus, however, far outweigh the sacrificial obedience required in learning lessons in God's schoolroom. Not only does the Holy Spirit intercede for us on our behalf, but He also guides and fills us for each day's tasks. The more we deny ourselves and give through our service to the Lord, the more we experience the sweetness of his fellowship.

Have you experienced God's sustaining power and love in your homeschooling? When the days seem long and you feel like you've given everything you have to give, let the Lord show you a better way. As you allow Him to guide you, you will discover His promises are true and His blessings are far greater than any sacrifice you make. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9

Excerpt from - Homechool Mom Bible
Sharing as it is exactly how I feel :)

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Before and After I Do

Before and After I Do

When I got married, I did not have enough knowledge on God’s design and my role as a wife. All I knew was I am in love and wants to have happiness. Unaware of the challenges that may arise, certain trials and challenges happened.

Gladly, we have this workshop now that can give a glimpse and lessons on married life. This is a marriage starter workshop to help couples learn the principles needed to have a wonderful and lasting marriage. It was four years back when we were able to participate in this workshop and we are still attending yearly because there is so much to learn. There were a lot of aha moments as we listened to each session and hearing it from experienced speakers.

We were indeed so blessed attending this as we have learned to know more about our roles as husband and wives. It was a life changing event.

This workshop is open to engaged couples, newly weds and all married couples. We were already married for 18 years when we attended and still learned tremendously.

I highly recommend this once in a year event and surely you will learn the how to’s and what to do before and after you say I do.

Here are more information about each session and speakers

Before and After I Do Will be on March 16,2019 from 8am to 4pm ( registration starts at 7am)
Mutipurpose Hall CCF Center Fontera Verde Pasig
Early Bird Rate - 2,000 per couple until March 6, 2019
Regular Rate - 2,500 per couple inclusive of buffet lunch, snacks, coffee and activity materials

See you there!

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The Presidential Suite

Since day 1 that they had their fever we have been praying for healing. Resting in God’s sovereignity we knew we do not need to end up in the hospital. When Kyle was having hallucination on his first day of fever, I was freightened but I know the Lord will see us through. Simone on the other hand was also chilling and having a high grade of fever. We were just really down on our knees praying.

The following day we had them checked in a clinic nearby. The long line for sick patients was unbelievable. Feeling sick and weak they waited until night and finally the doctor was able to check on them and was advised to have some blood tests. Morning came and they had their blood extraction. The results came in late in the afternoon and we were advised to have a dengue test for the kids because of low platelet count and Kyle was having few rashes.

And so we did. We decided to take them to Medical City to get the results faster. After waiting for a couple of hours we were relieved that it was negative. But the doctor advised us to have the kids admitted in the hospital because of low platelet count and they were reddish and dehydrated. They said we cannot be complacent, with a negative dengue test result. Monitoring of their platelet count is best.

I was crying to the Lord because we knew that this is something we cannot afford at the moment. But still His answer to our prayer was different.

With no healthcard, God is teaching us to depend on Him instead. He is our healthcard.

They were waiting in the ER with no bed because of so many patients and was just sitting in a monoblock chair. We decided to obey with the doctors recommendation trusting God that He is in control. My husband then opted for a ward room only since it is the cheapest.

While they were in the ER our third child Sean started to have fever too. We were at home and I was wondering how we will be able to manage taking care of all of them.

It was a sleepless night for us. Our eldest son Ivan hurriedly went home too.

Arnel then told me to go to hospital by morning so we can all be together and help each other in taking care of the kids.

In God’s majestic ways, He surprised us...the hospital advised my husband that they will be given the Presidential suite and Executive Suite as their rooms because of no room availability. This is all worth 40,000 but we were only charged with the amount of a regular room. How amazing! Praise God!

When I entered the room I was amazed beyond words with what God has prepared for us. I can still vividly remember that first moment when we were entering the room, every glimpse of each corner was perfect. I wondered how much more the kingdom He has prepared for all of His children. Opening the door slowly and my eyes peaking inside, I can’t believe we have the best room at the highest floor with all the special assistance. When their pedia came to check on them she can’t believe it too that we were there.

We were beyond grateful that God provided for a comfortable room for us. The Presidential Suite was big enough to accomodate all six of us witnessing the daily sunrise and sunset.

It has a beautiful view where we meet with God. Our favorite spot where we kneel down and pray. It eased our burden. The heaviness in our hearts were lightened and assured by our Creator.

Apart from the room, the food and water was overflowing. Their food serving was a lot so we did not have to spend so much. Surprisingly, our visitors would always bring Jollibee food for the kids which is their favorite. God made us feel so special.

While we were confined I was asking God if we did not trust Him enough that is why we still ended in the hospital. But then He made me realized that His reason is not because of our desire or our prayer of healing but because He wants us to experience His majestic glory just like what He did with the Israelites on their journey to Canaan. God became our pillar of cloud at night and pillar of fire at day. It was a bittersweet journey.

For 5 days in the hospital God gave us the best room. We were never transferred into a regular room. That alone is because of His goodness and graciousness. He orchestrated everything.

But God was not yet done, each day He has something in store for us to experience that He is our God almighty.

What God taught us....

1. He is always in control. We pray for our desires and if the answer is no, He has a better reason and purpose, we may not understand it but we just need to keep on trusting Him.
2. Each situation is not about us. It is about WHO He is.
3. We felt our togetherness as a family that God allowed us to fit in one room and be with each other.
4. We felt so loved by people who graciously prayed for us. We received a lot of messages that they are praying for our family and we felt comfort and joy.
5. It was a humbling experience. From being a proud person swiping our healthcard before, we were left with nothing but God to depend on.
6. Patience and wait on the Lord. We wanted to be out of the hospital on our 3rd day but their pedia discharged us on our 5th day. It was God’s way in giving a treat for my husband to celebrate his birthday on our 5th day in a presidential suite with all of us being together and my kids were well and playing, that alone is one of God’s greatest gift.
7. God taught us that we can always find joy even in our darkest times. We danced, played and laughed. We chose to be joyful! It was a different staycation that God prepared for us but the lessons He taught us matters the most.
8. God comes before us. He already knew what will happen. He knew from the beginning that my kids will be confined. God was thinking about us, he knew that my husband will be celebrating his birthday there thats why he prepared the best room for Him. Amazing!
9. God pursues us. He wants us to know that He would always have that gentle bond to pull us gently close to Him in our trying times. He wants us to find comfort in Him.
10. We felt God’s love through our spiritual family who cared for us, prayed, called and visited us. It was a loving moment to see and talk to someone in times of need. People who went on their way despite of their busy schedule to visit and pray for the kids. We were also so touched when one couple visited us, helped us generously, took us out to eat and reminded us not to be anxious. God used them to remind us to always have faith.

When we were discharged and I was looking at our bill I saw a big amount but did not realize how big our God is.

God lovingly provided, we received help without asking unexpectedly. For me, this is a miracle. God will send people who thinks about you and give wholeheartedly. Someone even went to the cashier to make a partial payment. It was humbling and yet fills our heart with love. We can hear God whispering to us...never will I leave you nor will I forsake you and He just did what He has promised.

My heart is beyond grateful.

I was able to understand why God allowed it to happen...He wants us to experience His presence and His majestic glory. His compassion through our spiritual family, friends, relatives, parents and siblings. He is my God and my Almighty Father.

I am in awe of His goodness and faithfulness.

During our 5 days in the hospital and seeing the vastness of His creation, God keeps on telling me “ Be still and know that I am God” - Psalm 46:10

What I felt was God’s unconditional and unfailing love. His undeserving to a sinner like me. He is beyond compare.

“ Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me." Psalm 50:15

All Praise, Honor and Glory to God!

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Decluttering my Soul

Since the end of 2018 until the first 2 weeks we have been doing a house clean up. Living in a small space, we needed to free up some area so we can fit in. We checked every area of our house for unused items that can bless others. To be able to accomplish this, my husband and I tried our best to free up our schedule to focus on our priorities. We have noticed that we tend to dump a lot of items in our home and a major clean up is needed so we can have a fresh start.

I am not an expert in organizing our home. My husband is, and he does a better job in doing it. He checks our pantry for expired items and he does an inventory of what we have so we would know what we need...because the more stuff there is in our home, the more I become anxious and the more work that needs to be done. I am grateful that through our situation now, God taught us the simplicity of life by just living on what He blesses us with. If not for this, the more anxious and worried I can be.

But not just in our home, because of the extra load of the holidays I somehow felt overwhelmed. Routines may go by the wayside and clutter slowly takes over. I felt lost and needed some space and time to go back to our routines with life and homeschooling.

The same is true with activities. I have learned to say no to some invites and just choose what fits our family and our schedule. Freeing up some space in my calendar was a big help because the more activities that we have, the more hurried we feel, the more time was taken out from our family, the more possibilities I will not be able to have my quiet time with the Lord, the more our house gets into a mess and the more tired and weary I become.

When I am not at peace, nothing in our home is at peace.

Decluttering is not just for our home but for our soul as well. I have realized that my heart can be the same way —— cluttered with anxiousness, what ifs, worries, responsibilities, duties, concerns about the future, finances, frustrations, disappointments, critical attitudes, and negative mindset. All of these added together can tend to create soul piles and heart clutter. If I don’t take the time to sort them out, my spirit becomes a mess, and my heart becomes overwhelmed and weary.

So is our home, when my heart is a mess our home is a mess too.

It creates tensions, critical and temperamental emotions, misunderstandings, ugly words and unhappiness. A messy heart cannot serve a home joyfully.

This is the time when I allow the thief (Satan) to steal my joy.

At the beginning of the year, I ask God to help me clear my heart trashes. I wanted to start fresh so I can be at my best to all the people I encounter with.

I also made time to review and reflect on the year that was. Goals that I have missed and reasons why I missed it. Routines that I want to change and improve. Habits that we want to teach our children and values we want to impress in their hearts.

I think of things that I also want to improve and strengthen in major areas of my life:

Physical - our diet
Relationship - with husband, children, parents, relatives and friends
Spiritual - quiet time, ministry and discipleship
Growth - books to read, journaling and what to study
Finances - being a faithful steward

There is a long list if I will go through all that I want but I can only focus to 2 to 3 things at a time.

One important thing that I felt I needed to prioritised and thus needed much work is my relationship and intimacy with the Lord. If I wanted to grow deeper in His knowledge I have to work on my spiritual muscle.

This needed a morning routine.

I prayed and asked God for the grace to allow me to wake up early while everyone else is asleep. And He did.

I started waking up at 5am and would go out our balcony or have a morning walk to pray and smell the fragrance of the morning. This soothes my soul. Then I would prepare my hot coffee, play worship songs and will lit a candle, so I can start reading my Bible and devotion and journal my thoughts. It would always give me a good start and would fill my heart with what I needed before I greet my boys in the morning and face the day, but I needed to discipline myself too so I will be able to get up before the whole household does. If I want to be consistent with this routine I also needed to sleep early. We started to have our bedtime at 8:30pm to give us enough time for our bedtime blessing.

God made me understand that a daily quiet time is foundational and it shapes the soul. There were mornings that I still feel hurried but I would always discipline myself to sit down, slow down, worship, pray and read some Bible verses to help me through the day. Otherwise, I will be empty and will not have anything to give.

I felt that it is the most important thing that I need to keep me from giving of what is asked of me. If I missed it, I become temperamental and mood swings would kick in. Thus, the temperature in our home is affected.

After this first 2 weeks of quietness, I found what God needs from me. My heart, my priorities and my time. I would give Him the first hour of my day so He can fuel me for the rest that is to come.

As I was also trying to do my goals for this year, and prayed about what He wants me to do. God answered me in a fascinating way, making me realized that HE IS MY GOAL. If there is anything that I should pursue first, it is Him. Then everything will follow. To focus on what is eternal rather than the temporal.

“ You will seek me and find me if you search for me with all your heart” - Jeremiah 29:13

Establishing a quiet time routine is a positive lifetime habit. The most important habit above all else. Where we meet with God in the quietness of our hearts. It becomes a way of life.

The decluttering that I needed allowed me to know that God is my breakthrough. He cleanse my heart and He listens. I felt closer, loved and more intimate with Him. Just like the first days when I surrendered my life to Jesus. He renewed and recharged my soul.

Though as days past by, weeds may come into my heart again but I will always be reminded that Jesus has overcome everything that I needed and I can always go back at the cross, soaking in His love and listening at His feet. It is like being saved again. Yes, we always need Jesus to save us each time we fall. It is only by His grace alone.

Decluttering is going back to the cross. No one else can clean up the weeds and the trash in our hearts except Jesus. Come and spend some time with Him and receive His fullness and love.

“ Let the morning bring the word of your unfailing love for I have put my trust in you show me the way I should go for to you I entrust my life” Psalm 141:8

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A Season of Embracing and Letting Go

Being a mom of four boys was not an easy task though their age gaps became helpful.

Our eldest Ivan is now 21 followed by our 2nd son Kyle who is 12 (9 years gap) then our 2 boys Sean and Simone who are 6 and 5 (like twins). Each day we are dealing with different generations of boys which requires different approach.

Few years back, we felt that we had a handful. But now it hit us…they are really growing fast. Sometimes me and my husband would think that we could have had more hahaha :). What we realized with these past few months is CHANGE IS INEVITABLE. As our kids grow, they change. Change in preference, views, character and others.

My eldest Ivan who wants to be called as Elijah now ( this is his second name) is a full grown man. He was asking us for the past 2 years if he can live in a dorm during school days because transportation was really hard for him. This year, we are embracing that change. We agreed that he can live in a dorm weekdays and go home every weekend. It was a tough decision but he started to have evening classes until 9 pm which may lead to a difficult commute. He also wanted to learn more about lifeskills like cooking, cleaning, budgeting his own money which we also think will be helpful for him.

God reminded me that my son is already at the right age of living independently while studying. I was 19 when I lived in a boarding house back then, younger than my son.

And so we agreed with his request. I also had no choice left, I needed to submit to my husband’s decision too.

We felt the changes with the rhythm of our home when his classes started. Oh my and I had a lot of instructions, felt like treating him like a child.

God is teaching me that my children are not my own and as they grow to maturity they will really have independent lives and all they will carry are the values, teachings, memories and love we gave them while they were with us.

Embracing this new rhythmic melody required a lot of changes with our schedule. Protecting our schedule with other commitments and extra activities so we can have our family days during weekends, adjusting our date night from a weekday to Saturday. Saying no to some invites on a weekend to prioritise our family time.

It was not easy but as months past we experience the blessing of this new change. We learned to value time too.

We felt closer to our son. His Dad helped him out in setting up his own place and buying his needs while I helped him out with his financial decisions. But the best lesson that this move gave our son is, he realized that he needed us. When he had problems he would message us and go home to seek help. We praise God for this blessing of finding refuge in our home. Yes, he saw our home as his dwelling place were he finds love, safety and protection.

God would really make something good out of each situation. Each night I would tell God…” Lord, I trust you on this. I know you will protect my son in any and every situation and you allowed this because you know better than I do.” And I am grateful I surrendered and trusted God. I gave all my worries and apprehensions on Him, because I know I do not have control in my son’s life, but He does.

In the recent family thanksgiving we had we asked each of our child..." What are you thankful for from each member of our family?" He answered “ I am thankful for Daddy because he helped me set up, buy stuff and fix my place” “ I am thankful for Mommy for being my financial advisor” We felt joyful that we heard these from our son who seldom speak and say emotional things.

My husband is planning to do passing of rites to each of them as they enter different phases of manhood. I am also grateful that their Dad is intentional in discipling them and would spend time to do so.

Another new season we are having is with our second son Kyle who is hitting his puberty this year, he will be officially a teen soon when he turns 13. There were a lot of physical and character changes in him. He grew taller and his voice is deeper.

Kyle is the opposite of his Kuya. He is outgoing and easily gets bored when doing something that requires a long time. I still see him as a child but when I see his big feet, God reminds me that he is growing up, fast, really fast. I remembered there was this one time when we were in a public place and I told him, “ No, we cannot buy that baby.” He told me…” Mommy don’t call me a baby, I am not a baby anymore. Hahaha. Yes he is not and my heart needs to be reminded of that.

I need to let go of his childhood and embrace his season of becoming a new teen :)

He is more conscious with his clothes, face and appearance. I have to let go of him leaving the palm of my hand half open. God is always reminding me that my grip should not be as tight as before or I might choke and exasperate him.

In the recent homeschooling discussion that we had… God was telling me to say something to him and I did. I told him “ I believe God has big and greater plans for you, son! “ Oh and I suddenly saw tears coming out of his eyes. Oftentimes, our kids need to hear encouraging and powerful positive words from us and I am grateful that God gave me the wisdom to say it. It was a special moment for me and my son and I called his little brothers so we can group hug. He felt encouraged and assured.

I am still an imperfect mom and sometimes I still allow my temper to conquer me VS the love that I have for my children. In times like this, I will ask God to allow me to see my children the way He sees them and not to let my kids see an angry face.

This is a season in our family when we needed to let go and embrace the new changes that God wants us to do. Sometimes when He calls us to do something I always have apprehensions because I worry, not seeing how Big God is. It may require a leap of faith but God taught me that His promises are always true and evident.

We always pass and experience different seasons in life but in each season there is always One Great God who will see us through.

Just like what God told me to tell Kyle. I believe that God has big and greater plans for our family and for your family too. We just need to continue to seek His heart.

“ Now may the God of hope fill you with all the joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” Romans 15:13

All Glory to God!

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Curriculum Review:Fix it! Grammar Series

Last year when I was searching for our Language Arts and Grammar curriculum, I came across this website Institute of Excellence in Writing and saw their Fix it Grammar sets. I checked the reviews about it and thought of trying it. The first thing that struck me is that I can teach grammar 15 minutes a day. Just what I needed, plus repitition really works for my son. The practice lesson each day will really help in the mastery of the lesson.

I went ahead and purchased The Nose Tree Teacher's Manual and the Student workbook. However I found out later on that a pdf file of the Student workbook can be downloaded for free once you purchased the Teacher's Manual. If you are planning to use this curriculum you just need to have the Teacher's Manual and then print the downloadable pdf file for the Student book, but you can also purchase the book if you wish to have a printed workbook right away.

The student workbook has grammar cards which helped my son to identify and review previous lessons such as indent, articles, nouns, verbs, adjectives and others. He adds each card to his "working collection" whenever a new topic was introduced to him.

Each time we have a lesson for 4 days a week and 15 minutes each day, we learn how such words are being used with a certain part of speech. My son would rewrite the sentence, fix it, write down the parts of speech or how each word was used in a sentence and will do one vocabulary word all for 15 minutes a day!

What are the advantages?
- Grammar is taught in context
- Repetition ensures mastery
- Editing skills transfer better to writing

How does it work?
- Learn it: Explore a grammar concept.
- Fix it: Locate and fix errors in four ahort passages a week.
- Discuss it: Explore how the grammar applies to the passage.
- Copy it: Rewrite the corrected passage into a ynotebook.

What's included?
- 33 weeks of daily passages
- 132 vocabulary words
- Reproducible student pages
- Clear teacher's notes
-Grammar Glossary

It is not a traditional grammar program, so it will not feel as if you are really learning grammar. Instead, you and your child will be internalizing the tools necessary for editing their own compositions, which is the main goal of grammar - Cathy Duffy

This is can be used as early as third grade until high school. However the author Pamela White recommended that each student should start with the 1st book, The Nose Tree and then move progressively since the knowledge, skills, and strategies taught in each book build upon one another. But for higher grade levels, there is a placement test that your child can take to check what level you could start.

Lessons begin on a relatively easy level and gradually progress to a challenging level. The Fix It! Grammar series now includes six courses, each based upon a fictional story in an abridged or rewritten version. The six courses are:

The Nose Tree (Book 1)
Robin Hood (Book 2)
Frog Prince or Just Deserts (Book 3)
Little Mermaid (Book 4)
Chanticleer (Book 5)
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Book 6)

This also works well with IEWs Teaching Writing with Structure and Style as the concept is related with each other.

Sharing Cathy Duffy's review on this:

Fix It! courses should be more effective than traditional grammar courses because they teach grammar through immediate application—they teach students only what they need to know at the moment. The interesting language of the stories combined with the story lines themselves are also much more likely to engage students’ attention. Even students who have begun to learn grammar using other resources might find Fix It! a welcome change.

We are enjoying using fix it grammar, he fix it and we discuss and ends in 15 minutes a day! I would recommend this curriculum for your grammar lessons.

This book is available for preorder through Books for Wisdom and Journaling :)

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Decluttering my Soul - A New Tradition

After our family time at the beginning of the year, I needed to refocus and take advantage of the quietness of each day.

I know I have a lot of things that needs to be accomplished, especially that we will be in our 4th quarter of our homeschooling year plus the demand of managing our home, If I am in a mess our whole household is in a mess too. It is contagious and bringing ugly results. I have realized that I needed to prepare my heart so I can be equipped.

We were so grateful for the gifts we received last Christmas. It was overflowing and we realized that our house is full.

Full of memories from our recent family time and full of new things. Yet my heart is still full of the unnecessary. I know it is the best time to declutter, not just with things unused in our home but also with the things that hinders me to be more intimate with my Savior.

I know I needed more time to be still in the quietness of God's embrace. If I have a lot of trash in my heart, God's love will not be able to conquer my heart. And God is telling me that I need to declutter for Him, for my family, so His grace can surpass all of my shortcomings.

By decluttering my soul, I gain more strength to overcome from the One who redeems my soul each time I fall.

It was so timely because it was our praying and fasting week in our church. The devotions that I read and listened to spoke to me and God was so near. I did not have fasting with food but I really focused on my Quiet Times with Him.

Starting with doing our daily devotions in our prayer and fasting booklet and then I started to use my Prayer and Character Journal.

In our prayer and fasting week, we focused on this verse " Be still and know that I am God" - Psalm 46:10

Oh one of my life verses. It speaks to me each time I remember and read it. The topic on my Prayer Journal was about having a Rested Heart, which was so helpful to me as I ask God to declutter my soul. For most of the trash are anxieties ( what ifs and the like) that hinders me from my restedness.

While my Character Journal focuses on having a Grateful Heart. I have realized how God's grace was also sufficient for me each day, enabling me with all that is needed to do.

At the same time, I also started with Bible Journaling which really helped me as I journal and do art on how God speaks to me.

It was also so timely that I was blessed with NIVs Homeschool Mom Bible. The devotions were based from life experiences from a homeschool mom which were all uplifting and encouraging. It reminds me each day that I was called by God to homeschool because this is His purpose for me and He is the source of my strength.

These Bibles and Journals are available online through Books for Wisdom and Journaling. You may check it on Facebook.

With all of these provisions that God gave me and all undeserved favor I really wanted to be faithful with my Quiet time and it soothes my needs when the time requires.

I wanted to declutter but I cannot do it alone. I needed God's presence and grace. I needed to commune with Him daily. I need my spirit to meet God's spirit and be awakened by His presence. I needed to rest my heart in Him. Through this, all of the unnecessaries in my heart will be broken.

And as I go through each day, God gave me the grace to read His Word in the morning and have a short devotion from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.

As half of the day goes by, I have learned to share quiet moments with the Lord as I read my Homeschool Mom Bible after Lunch and start with Bible Journaling.

Before I sleep, I review our day and I write to my Prayer and Character Journal. I was also writing my Love Letters to God that I send thru email to myself to commune with the Lord before I sleep. The instrumental worship songs helps me to feel the quietness as I journal. Each art stroke that I do in the Bible reminds me to pray and meditate with His Word. I felt how God was speaking to me. His voice was clear.

As I was reading through my journals and the book of Corinthians, God helped me to declutter my soul and drew strength from Him, by His assurance from His Words.

The1st three weeks of the year passed by and God revealed to me that with His grace I can be Strong and Brave with the days ahead. It helped me to hear as I removed the distractions from my heart and along came spiritual healing.

" I will never be shaken" - Psalm 62:2

I was encouraged by this verse and felt God's assurance to me. That He is sufficient and I can never be shaken because He is my God and my Savior in anyway that I need.

All of the anxieties, brokenness and fears were overcomed through grace alone.

Brokenness is beautiful because it is how God will work in and through you to find courage and strength drawn from His love.

In His hands I found rest.

It is easy for our hearts to be filled up by things that are not needed in our Christian walk. Time and time again we need to declutter. Alllowing God to remove the unneccesarry so He can fill it with all of His love.

God also prompted me to have a Cleaning Day each month. A major overhaul not just with our home but with my spiritual life.

I am grateful on how my gracious God stitched all of the provisions and abounding grace that I needed to declutter and have a rested heart.

His grace is always sufficient for those who call upon Him and ask for it.

"Some actions like telling half truths, laziness and overindulging in shopping or eating may appear acceptable in your eyes at first, but if unconfessed for too long they may begin to make a total mess of your daily walk with God" - Janet Tatman

Does your spiritual life need a major clean up? Isn't it time to clean up your actions and reorganize your spiritual walk with Bible Study and Prayer?

"Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness of reverence for God" 2 Corinthians 7:11

All Praise, Honor and Glory to God!

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