Do I believe that Hannah is an angel?

  Yes, I know this is deep to start off the morning, but I feel it time to explain some things.  We've been studying the end times in our small group from church.  And as you all know, we lost our precious daughter, Hannah Elizabeth(you can read her story here), 4 years ago, we have suffered 2 miscarriages, and we just lost a very, very close friend, who was the leader of our small group.  As you can imagine, understanding death and losing a loved one is close to our hearts.

  A few weeks ago, the topic of angels came up.  We discussed this whole idea of when someone dies that they turn into an angel.  I will say, that I feel I may have misled people into thinking that we believe this by naming my blog "Hannah's Wings" or by saying in my profiles that I have 3 angels in heaven.  This is not true.  While, I will not go into great detail of what we believe on what happens after death (going to heaven, Jesus coming back and raising up the dead in Him, and so forth).  I will say, that we do NOT believe that Hannah herself is an angel, nor the other two babies that I misscarried.  Perhaps, if it is too misleading maybe, I should rename or change my profile, but for right now, I just think clarification is in order. 
  Now, I do not want to discuss such a deep topic without some scripture, so I'm hoping if this is confusing to you, maybe God will help us shed some light on the issue.

1.)  Angels were already present when God created the heavens and the earth. 

Job 38:4 - 7 ~

⁴ “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
⁵ Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?
⁶ On what were its footings set,
or who laid its cornerstone—
⁷ while the morning stars sang together
and all the angels^[a] shouted for joy?

 

 

2.)  Satan was an angel and was thrown out of Heaven.

 

Revelation 12:7-12 ~

⁷ And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, ⁸ but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them^[a] in heaven any longer. ⁹ So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

¹⁰ Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. ¹¹ And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. ¹² Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”

 

 

3.)  We DO have guardian angels. 

(They are just not people we have lost here on earth.)

 

Psalms 91:9-12~

⁹ If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
¹⁰ no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
¹² they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

 

  I hope and pray this clears some things up for you if we had misled you here at Hannah's Wings.  I also pray that if you have lost a loved one, that was saved, that you can take comfort in knowing that they will be in Heaven as a child of God, with their name written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
 

  Also, here is a very good article on angels as a whole.   http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/are-guardian-angels-biblical/

 

Spring Cleaning, a refreshing start!

I don't know what it is about Spring that makes me want to clean, but it does!!  It really doesn't make any sense, if you think about it.  I have all winter to stay cooped up and have plenty of time to get everything in nice neat order, but for some reason, I don't have the energy or the motivation to until I hear bird singing and can open the windows.  Sure, we keep up on or day to day chores, but I'm talking about that deep down stuff.  You know, the good stuff, washing windows, curtains, wiping away cobwebs, cleaning and organizing drawers and shelves, and scrubbing floors.  I've been following one of my favorite blogs as she does the same this month.  And though, I'm not on the same schedule as she is, it has definitely helped me with ideas.  So I thought I'd share some of my resources.

www.flylady.net

 

I highly recommend Fly Lady.  However, spend about an hour looking over this website and jotting down ideas.  There is a routine set up that you can follow and then certain 15 minutes zones for each day.

The Modest Mom Blog Clean Sweep Chore Chart List

 

Caroline, over at The Modest Mom, has been writing about Spring Cleaning all month, you can click on this link about Chore Charts for Kids and then it will also take you to all of her other posts from this month.  This is a great resource to get started, however after a couple of years of using "charts", I have decided I like our Chore Pack System much better.  Take a look at this very cute little girl explaining the system.

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.31daystoclean.com

 

I recently purchased this e-book by Sarah Mae on Spring Cleaning for $4.99.  It's very simple, a page a day.  It's more like a devotional than and instruction manual.  It has a "Martha" challenge ~ cleaning project for the day and a "Mary" challenge ~ a spiritual project for the day.

 

 

 

 

 

My Organizing Pintrest Board

 This is where I keep all of my ideas organized and when I get discouraged or loose my inspiration, I browse through here.

 

 

Well, I'm off to work on my "zone" for the day!  Hope you have a wonderful day!

 

 

Psalms 51:10 ~ Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

 

Are you Spring Cleaning?  If so, how is it going? 

It's that time of year again!!

My favorite time of year is here!!!!  Spring, finally!!!  It just kept snowing this winter, I didn't think I'd ever see Spring.  And it's actually supposed to cool down again, for a few days, but it's better than it had been :) 

 
A picture is worth a thousand words, right?  Good!  Because I can not even begin to describe what this does for my heart!  Hubby tilling the garden while all the little blessings play in this wonderful warm air!

Doesn't this face just say it all?!

 

 

 

So with all that work and play, and rumors that the "rooms" were popping up, the following Sunday we decided to go on the hunt!

Here is our fearless leader, guiding us down the path.

(I have decided, I am completely out of shape!)

 

 

He's becoming an excellent woodsman!

 

 

 

 I feel like she's either ready to part the Red Sea or starring in one

of The Lord of the Rings Movies ;)

 

 

And of course, Daddy's sidekick bringing up the rear.

 

 

We didn't have any luck this day finding any, so Ronnie and Derek went back out yesterday morning.  And....

 

22!!

 

 

Look, at this tiny one, isn't it so cute?!

 

 

They were all fresh too!  So that means more to come!!

 

Is your family putting out a garden?  If so, one big one or lots of raised beds?  Have you been mushrooming hunting yet?

 

 

Have a Blessed Day!

Amanda

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week 1 - No Yelling Challenge

Well, how did your week go?

Mine was ok, but not great!  However, I've been able to understand 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 on a much deeper level. 

  ~ ¹⁵ See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.


I haven't been two days in row yet without yelling, but I can definitely tell what my "trigger points" are.  I can honestly say, I have done so much more "praying without ceasing", I caught myself breathing prayers almost every 5 minutes.  I've also been on my knees in fervernt prayer a whole lot more too!  A friend of mine shared with me this book, I haven't been able to purchase it yet (because it is so cheap and I'm waiting for a $25 order to get free shipping ;), however, I'd also encourage you to read it yourselves.

Praying Circles Around Your Children on Amazon

 

 

  I've also noticed how much dicipline plays a part into setting me off (or my husband for that matter.)  It makes a huge difference if you have not trained your children to obey the first time or to be polite and courteous.  And I've definitely seen where we need some help!  For example, one of the things that sets me off furiously is the children interrupting me or whing continually while I'm on the phone. 

 

 

 

 So this week we are going to work really hard on this.  I've told you before how much I love the book "Large Family Logisitics" by Kim Brenneman, who has 9 children herself.

 

     

Large Family Logisitics on Amazon

 

 

  In her book, she talks about ways to teach/train your children to be polite and obey.  For the phone issue she says she trains her children 1.) Never interrupt unless it is an emergency or someone is getting hurt.  2.) If it something you really think Mama needs to know then place your hand on her arm and wait patiently until Mama can tell the person on the phone to hold on for a second.  *Absolutely no whining, yelling, crying, or fighting while Mama is on the phone (all of these things are not allowed anyway, but just to reinterate.)  If any of the offenses do happen while Mama is on the phone, as soon as she hangs up, a diciplinary action will take place!

 

  So this is what my family will be working on this week.  This will also help Mama to keep calm and not yell!  :)

 

 

Things We Will be Working on This Month:

 

1.)  No Yelling or Running inside or in Public Places (unless it's a gym)

 

2.)  Following/Helping Mama in a Store

 

3.)  Sitting Quietly/Respectfully in Church and in a Resturant

 

 

Remember, We can do this!!!  Keep calm and count to 10 or 100, whichever you need ;)  This verse was on our group page this week and I thought it very fitting!  

 

~ Proverbs 16:24   Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

 

Have a Blessed Day!!!

 

 

How is your 30 Day Challenge going?  Have you figured out what your "trigger points" are yet?  What coping mechanism are you using to stop from yelling?  I'm always looking for good ideas!! 

 

 



NO YELLING ALLOWED!!! 30 Day Challenge

Ok, so I announced it the other day on Facebook, that I was not yelling for 30 days and that you all could follow me on my blog in my journey. 

So here it is.  Here's the story behind the whole idea, if your interested in reading the rules and such....

   

www.theorangerhino.com

 

This lady named her blog "Orange Rhino", because she needed something to yell when she became upset or also a code word for her kids to give her when they could tell she was going to yell.  She gives all kinds of neat ideas to use not to yell at your children.  Also the different levels of yelling and what is acceptable.  I have also joined a group on facebook called, "the Joyful Rhino and Friends" group.  My friend Suzanne over at www.thejoyfulchaos.com  actually introduced me to the whole thing. 


So anyway, back to us here at Hannah's Wings........

Day 1:  Went very well....no yelling, however the stress of the day was extreme!!!  Satan totally wanted me to yell!!!  The radiator in the van blew up while we were driving down the road, we found out our insurance on our new business was going to be extremely expensive, and few other just over the top things. 

Day 2:  I had lots of company over preparing for the "Seder Meal" at church and did very well.

I'm not sure where it went after that.  So, here's what I'm doing.  I decided to take this a month at a time.  And hopefully a new good habit every month.  I read somewhere that if you can do something for 30 days it becomes a habit.  So for the month of April, I will be working on yelling (Ronnie says after I achieve this, he will try ;) 
I'm hoping this will also motivate me to be better about writing here.  :) 

****Just had to get up from typing to break up an argument between the older two....and I didn't yell!!!  Yay!!! 

So, here's to everyone with me......keep calm, remember to start out in a whisper when you are getting upset and you will have farther to go before you are yelling.  And here's a few resources to help us along the way.

In this book, Teri Maxwell talks about her struggle with depression and yelling and being angry ~



                                                           

Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit

 

 

 

 

~Proverbs 15:1~

 

~Phillipians 4:13~

 

 

I encourage you to look up these verses if you don't already know them and memorize them over and over when getting upset.  Also, I would encourage you to create your own journal and keep track of your days and how many times you get upset.  It's amazing how motivated we become when we can see progress.  Satan won't be able to keep us down as long if we can look back on our blessings when we are having a bad day :)

 

 

And remember, if all else fails.....Smile....even if you have to fake it!

 

 

Have a blessed day :)

 

Amanda

Christmas, Sickness, New Years

  Well, we have been absolutely bombarded with sickness around here since before Christmas.  Everyone pretty much cleared up for Christmas day except Leah, who ran a fever all day.  Then we all came down with it again after Christmas and then again on New Years :(  For the most part it was sinus and ear stuff.  A couple of episodes of other (if you know what I mean;), but not much of that compared to everyone else around us.  Thank goodness!!  We're not out of the clear yet though.  I'm hoping it's over soon.

  We were able to make it through our Christmas Play at church without getting sick.  But just barely! 
Here's the link to the watch the play.  Be ready to turn the volume down, due to lots of loud screaming ;)  Christmas in Cricket County

  Our Christmas was very nice, unfortuantely my mom and step-dad could not come down and join us for the day like they have in the past.  There was too much sickness and they had it going on up north as well :(  We once again did our "3 gifts just like Jesus".  The kids actually only opened 2 of their gifts and saved one to open when Grandma and Papaw came down.  (Which was great, because Lindsay's 3rd gift had not come in the mail yet!  *Note*  when buying Internationally from ebay it takes longer than the the suggested time period of shipping.)  The kids also, spent some time picking out a gift to give each other again this year, which is soooo sweet to watch them really think about each other.  Even Leah put thought into her gifts!

  Normally, I would do a birthday post, but since we were not feeling well, I didn't get around to doing so.  On, New Year's Day, Derek turned 8!!!  I do this every year, and every year, it doesn't seem possible that he can be that old.  I told him, he had to stop growing, he of course did not agree, until that night when we were eating supper.  A friend of mine told me what they do with their children while eating, so we quickly incorporated it at our dinner table.  When trying new foods or finishing up a plate of food they don't particularly like, they are required to take as many bites as they are old.  So when Derek asked that night if he could take 7 more bites and then get up, he quickly realized he now had to take 8 and said, "Ok, I don't want to get any older".  :)  Love him!!!
 The following weekend we had a birthday party him at our church and all of his friends came.  It was an Army theme, so Ronnie set up some chairs for an obstacle course, we did a tug of war, and played Bingo.  Then after his party we came home and did Christmas with Grandma and Papaw.

  On Monday we started school back up and the day went very, very well!!!  I couldn't believe how well!  I woke up early, the older two kids and I read our 4 chapters of the New Testament (Our church is reading through the New Testament in 90 days), did our morning chores, schoolwork, and stayed on schedule all day!!!  Tuesday came, and I didn't wake up as early, we didn't read in the morning and it was a struggle to stay on schedule all morning.  We did it, but it did not go nearly as smoothly as the first day.  I am honestly finding lots of truth to Proverbs 31 woman, in verse 15 "she gets up while it is still dark...", and I know I've said this over and over again, but like Peter, when will I learn?  My day always goes much smoother when I rise early and get in the Word early!!  
  Tuesday night, I got sick, so yesterday was terrible and you can tell it when we don't stay on schedule, the house falls apart!!  So today, I will be doing a lot of clean-up!  :)

  Ronnie starts a new bible study tonight at church on Biblical Manhood!!  I am soo excited for him to go.  I think it's going to go right along with the bible study I have been doing for women. 

 So that's the update so far.  I'm hoping once we get over all this sickness, 2013 will be fun filled blessed year :) 

Blessings to you all,
Amanda :)

I'm Still Alive

Hey All!!!
 
Sorry, I haven't written in awhile.  I've had to take a little break and try to get a new routine down.  Things had not been running smoothly, so I've been trying a few different things.  So just to update you on different areas of my life right now.

~ I went to see the Maxwell's last month, with two of my "besties", Whitney and Lisa :)  We listened to two different sessions, one for Mom's on "Scheduling" and one for Dad's and Mom's on "Keeping our Children's Hearts".  They were both really good!  And totally inspired me to get back on a routine.  They do what is called "chore packs" and I will post a video at the end of this post, so you can check it out.  I had read about them before, but kinda put it off on the back burner, but we are now doing them and they are going great!!!  Teri, the mom, did say, that she thought some of her boys were going to take their chore packs with them when they got married.  I was so glad to hear her say that, because there are some days I feel like the kids may never get the simplest things ;)  They also talked in the second session about Family Worship/Bible Time and how important it was.  He gave the illustration that if you don't read the Bible to your children daily, it's like starving them for a day of their spiritual food.  He even went as far as to say, if your family forgets to read the Bible, then parents don't eat for the next day.  Then you can feel the pain in your stomach, that your heart and life is actually feeling.  It was definately a good idea to make you aware of how important Family Worship is!

~ My BFF, Melisa, and I have been working hard lately on preserving potatos (they have been on sale at our local Aldi's for .99 cents for a 10lb bag!!!).  We've also been researching and trying out different freezer/crockpot dinner recipes for our families.

~ I've been pinning alot of organizational ideas and tools lately on pintrest and going through Fly Lady's webpage with a fine tooth comb.  I've found all kinds of usefull ideas and I hope to put some of them into play very soon!!

~ I've been re-reading Large Family Logistics.  It's one of my favorite books.  Don't let the title scare you, if you have just one or even two children, it is a wonderful, wonderful organizational book!!! 

~ I read Created to Be His Help Meet.  That was an eye opener!!!  I know there is alot of people out there that would totally disagree with this book, so if you are feminist, you might need to pray alot while reading this!  But it was definately something I needed to hear!  I get so bent out of shape sometimes when I feel like Ronnie does not help me enough or isn't doing what I "think" he should be.  This book gave me a whole new prespective!

~ And I started reading Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit.  I'm about half-way through the book and it's been really convicting!!  I definately suggest reading it, even if you don't currently or plan to homeschool, it has a lot of ideas of how to deal with anger and disorganization. 

~ This past month, I went to Mom's Night Out with our local homeschool group, where we were discussing the book Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe.  It was really good to talk about our downfalls with each other and to realize we need to stop comparing ourselves to other families who seem to have it all together, when in reality, they really don't either :)


 * Things I'm currently working on:  Revamping the Schedule.  It just wasn't working, as much as I loved it, there were some kinks that needed to be worked out.  One of the things that Teri Maxwell suggested, was doing any preschool work first before you school the older kids.  Otherwise, she found, she would put it off until she was finished with the big kids and then she didn't have the energy to worry about it.  And since we have 2 "littles" running around the house tyring to interrupt "school time", we're going to start doing preschool time in the morning and regular "school time" for the big kids in the afternoon at quiet time while the 2 littles are down for nap.  I'll let you know how it works out ;)
  2nd thing I'm working on is:  Trying to stay up when I get up to get Leigha.  I've been going back to bed alot and then getting up when the kids get up.  But, it puts me so far behind on things like getting schoolwork copied and myself ready and so on.  I make to about 10:00 each morning and think, "If I had stayed up this morning, this would have already been done!  Why do I do this to myself?!?"  Well, mainly because sleep is my best friend!!  So my goal is to try and start getting to bed earlier ;)  Yeah, I'll let you know how that goes too!

A big part of being organized is realizing and taking account for what is NOT organized or NOT working in your daily life and trying to fix it!  So don't be discouraged when you have to take a time-out and step back and start over :)

Proverbs 14:1 The wise woman builds her house; but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.



Have you felt overwhelmed lately??   Do you have any great "Organizational Tools/Ideas"?  Read any good books lately? 

Here's the Chore Pack video.  This is Courtney from Women Living Well.

 

 

I'm linked up to:  Growing Home, The Modest Mom, and Raising Homemakers