Clothed With Scarlet

The Sword is Sufficient

The last three mornings have been cool and comfortable. 

A Texas August is never cool and comfortable.

I am learning so much lately.  I have been chasing after God for a few months now.  I want more of Him.  I was, long ago, tired of my will and my ways.  I fail myself, I fail my husband, I fail my children, I fail my Lord. 

"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;"  ~~II Corinthians 3:5

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."  ~~Hebrews 4:12

 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."  ~~John 1:1

God has been showing me the power of His word.  He has been teaching me how sufficient His word is.  He has been showing me how insufficient that I am.  Do you understand?  The little bible with the maroon cover that lays upon the table in my home...it is not an it..."it" is Him.  He is sufficient.  Sufficient for every problem, every question of the day...

We have a tendency to want to "gulp" down a bit of God's word in the morning or in the evening and then we try to sustain ourselves on that small taste all day long.  We find ourselves in a "hamster wheel" just running and running and getting so tired. 

We are starving ourselves of Him.  How can we rest in His sufficiency when we run all day long and leave Him, our bibles, sitting on the table, touched...opened only briefly each day? 

What would happen if we opened God's word morning, noon and night and often in between?  What would happen if we put down everything but His word?  What would happen if we quit trying to "binge on God's word" and started consuming it?  What would happen if we began to nourish ourselves by simply reading His word.  No "bible studies", no devotionals, no watered-down forms or versions or outlines...

Just the sufficiency of The Sword...

I think it would be cool and comfortable...

...I think it would be like breathing in the coolness of the last three mornings. 

I think it would be like feeling comfortable on an August morning in Texas...

~~~ 

posted by Mrs. Klause

August 15, 2008

Music:  Big Snow in Salzburg

 

posted by Mrs. Klause

August 15, 2008

Music:  Big Snow in Salzburg

 

The Going-With-Us-Basket

Getting little children or several children ready to leave the house poses a few particular challenges.  Obviously.  :0)

At some point in the past, I made it a habit to place the things that we would be taking with us next to the door that we would be exiting.  I taught the children that the things in the basket or bag by the door were off limits.  This practice allows you to not have to go and collect the library books again or to not pack the swim bag again and so on. 

I have just realized (I'm a little slow...) that this practice needs to be extended to my children's feet.  The children's shoes truly do stay in their closets most of the time.  My previous practice has been that my oldest (age six) helps her sisters get their shoes and helps them with buckles and such. 

Well...sounds good in theory but the lack of attention span and ease of distraction can often deter them from the mission of covering their feet in a timely manner.  Instead, when each child is getting ready for the day, the child is to gather their own shoes and put them in the DO-NOT-TOUCH-THIS-IT-IS-GOING-WITH-US-BASKET. 

:0)

Works for us...

Just thought I would share...

;0)

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

August 13, 2008

Music:  Moonlight Sonata

Lemons or Lemonade?

Can you guess how many times I have mopped the dining room floor in the last 24 hours?

It has become rather comical.  I swear that there must be a little mouse pouring tea or water onto my floor everytime I leave the kitchen/dining area.  It seems like everytime that I walk through, there is another little puddle.

I had a friend over for Evening Tea yesterday and I assured her that her feet would surely stick to the floor!

:0)

I often tell the children that a situation is simply a matter of their hearts.  We can partake of lemons in their sour state or we can make lemonade out of them.  ;0)

They are but wee children...

It is up to Father and Mother to teach them how to take each step, each breath with care and with thought.  It is up to Father and Mother to teach the children to be attentive and considerate.

What is gained when Momma makes her frustration obvious? 

Eight times in the last 24 hours I have opted to smile with my mop in-hand or while I am assisting a little girl in mopping up a puddle.  

It is not always easy and it is not always the first response that comes to mind but I must choose lemonade...

...lemonade...

...with extra sugar...

;0)

posted by Mrs. Klause

August 7, 2008

Music:  Whistle While You Work

...we hold it in our hands...

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."  ~~Hebrews 4:12

~~~

Do we actually have any idea of what we hold in our feeble hands?  Can we actually wrap our sinful and selfish minds around the power of God's Holy Word?  His Word is quick.  His word is powerful.  His word is sharper than any twoedged sword.  Do we get that?  Do we understand that it is the words written on the pages of our bibles that pierce our souls?  Do we gather that it is the Word that is Him? 

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."  ~~John 1:1

 

posted by Mrs. Klause

August 5, 2008

Music: Lord of the Dance

Crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch...

So here is an excerpt from our discussion at breakfast this morning. 

The girls are eating their breakfast.  I am reading to them from the book of Matthew, chapter three.  This morning I read verses 1-7.  I read the passage straight through and then I go back and read it verse by verse and explain the words and the general meaning of the sentence.  Each verse is usually followed by discussion oftentimes quite lengthy.  After we have read through each verse and discussed each verse, then I go back and read the passage straight through again.  Finally, the girls give a narration of what they have just heard. 

Here is the passage from God's word:                                                                                                1In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,  2And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  3For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.  4And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.  5Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,  6And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.  7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

We talk about verse one, verse two, verse three and then we get to verse four.  "And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins..."  So we talk about the clothing that John was wearing and why he may have been wearing such clothing.  I give a definition for raiment, girdle and loins.  We discuss the pregnancies of Mary and Elizabeth and I have reminded them that Jesus and John were cousins and relate that their own cousins.  Then the second part of verse four, "...and his meat was locusts and wild honey."  Bailey's face gets all scrunched up as she is crunching her cereal in her mouth.  :0)   Kennedy looks at Bailey and plays off of her expression with her own scrunched facial expression.  It is what "eeewwwww" looks like on a persons face.  ;0)

Kennedy says, "Momma what's a locust."  Bailey hops in and reminds her of the plagues on Egypt and Kennedy scrunches her face up some more. 

Kennedy:  John ate bugs?

Momma Klause:  Yes ma'am, and honey.  It is what God's word says so we know it is the truth.

Bailey:  Kennedy, did you know that there are still people that eat bugs?

Kennedy:  (With an expression of utter amazement.)  No Bay-way, they don't.

Momma Klause:  Yes Kennedy there are people that eat bugs.  The Klause family does not eat bugs but if that is all that we had to fill our tummies, we would be grateful for them.  Maybe locusts are particularly tasty with wild honey.

** Their faces are still all scrunched up in the "eeeewwwww" position. **

Momma Klause:  (Assuming that all questions have been answered and with nothing more to add, I read the next verse.)  5Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,

Bailey:  Momma?  (With a very serious look on her face.)

Momma Klause:  Yes Bailey. 

Bailey:  I'm still thinkin' that pizza would have tasted better.

:-)

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

August 1, 2008

Music:  Canon in D

Pancakes, Time & The Sword

Do you ever just have fun?

I try to enjoy the little things and I try to help my children enjoy the little things more.

The picture above is two "normal" pancakes at the top and then a bird pancake and a flower pancake.  I didn't have any particular bird in mind when I started but she turned out a bit "duck-ish".  The above flower is about the fourth attempt.  Addison enjoyed nibbling my mistakes.

My niece and nephew were visiting.  The top pancake is a spider for Nathan.  And then Bailey's heart, which did not turn out very pretty but it tasted good.  The flower in the picture above was made just for Kyla Ann

Kennedy got the butterfly and Addison liked her caterpillar.

Poppa Calvin's turned out best since we were also having boiled eggs for breakfast!  :0)

I didn't premeditate or plan, I just poured some batter into a little ziplock snack bag and snipped the corner off and started "drawing"  I have altered the Mickey Mouse pancake "pattern" and made bear pancakes before but those got boring.  ;0)

Take time today to have a little fun with you children.  Live with the cheerfulness and joy that comes only from Christ.  Today's batch of pancakes could be your last. 

There is no promise of tomorrow.  We have only today and only this very moment to bring glory to God in all that we do, all that we say and all that we think. 

Our children must see Christ in us and we must place the Word of God into their hearts throughout the day!  Read your bible to them Momma!  Plunge the two-edged sword into their hearts as often as you can.  The Holy Spirit is waiting to do the rest...in their hearts...and in ours...

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."  ~~Hebrews 4:12

:0)

P. S. Maple syrup wipes off your bible cover nicely.

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

July 28, 2008

Music:  Nothing Without You

Teacup Tuesdays - This is what it is all about.

This is Kennedy in her gown drinking a cup of hot tea before breakfast.

Sleepy eyes and soft padding feet...  It is truly one of the best things to see and hear each day.  As each child wakes up, she comes to find me and we cuddle and kiss and hug and "love each other" into another day.  Oft times we have tea in the morning.  It satisfies their hunger so that we can prepare our morning meal together.  "Taking tea" could also be said "tying strings".  The conversations that take place over a cup of tea are always so wonderful. 

Sometimes we have fancy tea parties but most of the time I sit and have tea with my children just as I sit and have tea with friends.  We talk of this, that and the other; sometimes the conversation is lighthearted and many times the conversations are heart-changing.  This is what the teacup is all about.  It makes for a lovely addition and decoration to our home but it is the strings that are tied right through the very handles.  It is the strings that weave us together.  It is not the tea that is contained within the teacup, it is the relationships that fill the cups and it is the memories that overflow onto the saucers.

Although I so enjoy a cup of tea with a dear friend, the very best cup of tea is taken with my child.

 

...sometimes we laugh and smile over our tea...

...sometimes we cry...

 "9For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;  10That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;  11Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;  12Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:  13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:  14In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:  15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:  16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist."  ~~Colossians 1:9-17

~~~

I pray that my children be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.

I pray that they might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work.  I pray that they would increase in the knowledge of God and be strengthened with all might.  All according to the HIS GLORIOUS POWER!  I pray that it be all unto patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.  I give thanks unto the Father which hath made my children meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light...

~~~

The Lord has been teaching me to pray...not the fumbling words of a sinful and selfish wife and mother...but teaching me to pray the very words breathed by the all-mighty, all-knowing, all-merciful, all-loving, most-holy Creator. 

As we sit across the table from our children today, we must listen intently and leave all the busyness of the day aside.  Their characters are being formed, the hearts are being changed...

Each conversation...it really is all about eternity.

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

July 24, 2008

Music:

Do You Ever Enjoy The Silence?

I wrote this last year but feel it important to share again.  The Lord has brought me full circle in the matter of being quiet, particularly in reference to our husbands. 

"Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit."  ~ Ecclesiastes 4:6

"The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD."  ~ Lamentations 3:25-26

"And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing."  ~ I Thessalonians 10-12

Over the last year the Lord has been teaching me to be quiet.  The Lord will always take our fumblings and self-will and use it to His glory but have you ever stopped to think about what He might do if were to just be quiet for awhile?  If we were to serve and love others...particularly our husbands...but cease to constantly excerpt our thoughts and opinions...    Are you guilty of speaking defensively to some of your husbands comments?  I am.  Are you guilty of snipping at your husband when he fails to live up to your expectations?  I am.  Are you guilty of grumping and nagging your husband?  I am.  Are you guilty of just being crabby and sour in tone of voice?  I am.  How about the other side of the coin?  Are you guilty of giving suggestions that weigh heavily towards your desires?  I am.  Are you guilty of jumping on the bandwagon of complaint or gossip?  I am. 

Silence and quietness is a powerful and tremendous blessing.  Without our constant ramblings and regular voice into ALL matters, I wonder what the Creator would do.  What exactly would He work together?  What precisely would He orchestrate in the heart of your beloved husband without your words.  Don't misunderstand me now...  Our words can be a great encouragement to our husbands.  I am his helper, his lover, his confidant, his best friend.  I should be the arms of Christ when my beloved is weary.  I should be his greatest warrior, in prayer on your knees daily for my husband.  We should always be ready with words of kindness and encouragement for our husbands.

Do you often think you know what is best?  I do.  I am guessing that there are times when we do know best but it may not always be appropriate for us to make sure that we tell our husbands just how it should be.  Have you been in prayer over a particular issue concerning your husband or your children or your family?  The Lord has been teaching me that there are great rewards and blessings in silence.  Serving, loving and ministering to my beloved husband in silence is an amazing thing!  We visit and talk of course but God's word tells us to pray without ceasing and to do all things without complaining or arguing.  When we are in constant prayer and when we never complain or argue, the words from our mouth should be laced with sweetness and never spoken without prayer first.  "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones."  ~ Proverbs 16:24

Think of all that God has created.  Think of the daily miracle of the sunrise and sunset.  Think of the intricacy of how God weaves together the lives of our wee babies within us.  Think of how awesome and amazing God is.  Think of the power and omnipresence of the Lord.  Now think of what your marriage might be like if you were always praying and often silent. 

"1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 7Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. 8I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 9In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 11Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety."  ~I Timothy 2

It is in my heart to encourage you as a wife.  To encourage you to be the woman that God designed you to be.  God's design for your life will set you apart from this world.  It is right and best for all of us to start our day on our knees.  All of the words written above come as a result of my selfish and my sinful nature and as the result of the correction of a loving Heavenly Father. "But exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.  ~ Hebrews 3:13"  "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: ~ Hebrews 10:24"

Won't you join me?

Being quiet is not always appropriate.  Being prayerful is.  We must take every thought captive and that is not possible once we have flung that thought out of our mouths.  Conversely, taking a thought captive can translate into "taking something back" from the Lord that He intends you to speak to your husband.  Ladies, we must be constantly in prayer.  The thoughts that are on our heart ... we must take them to the Lord to determine when we should be quiet and when we should speak with tenderness and love.  Being quiet can also create a place in which you run from the word of God...a crutch to not speak when the Lord is nudging you to talk to your husband.

Pray, pray, pray...  We must pray without ceasing ladies.  We must cry out to God and deny ourselves...we must seek His face and not be satisfied with the mere "crumbs" of His obvious existance in our lives.  Trust in Him with all of your heart and never, ever lean upon your own understanding.

~~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

Originally posted:  June 23, 2007

"Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit."  ~ Ecclesiastes 4:6

"The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD."  ~ Lamentations 3:25-26

"And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing."  ~ I Thessalonians 10-12

Over the last year the Lord has been teaching me to be quiet.  The Lord will always take our fumblings and self-will and use it to His glory but have you ever stopped to think about what He might do if were to just be quiet for awhile?  If we were to serve and love others...particularly our husbands...but cease to constantly excerpt our thoughts and opinions...    Are you guilty of speaking defensively to some of your husbands comments?  I am.  Are you guilty of snipping at your husband when he fails to live up to your expectations?  I am.  Are you guilty of grumping and nagging your husband?  I am.  Are you guilty of just being crabby and sour in tone of voice?  I am.  How about the other side of the coin?  Are you guilty of giving suggestions that weigh heavily towards your desires?  I am.  Are you guilty of jumping on the bandwagon of complaint or gossip?  I am. 

Silence and quietness is a powerful and tremendous blessing.  Without our constant ramblings and regular voice into ALL matters, I wonder what the Creator would do.  What exactly would He work together?  What precisely would He orchestrate in the heart of your beloved husband without your words.  Don't misunderstand me now...  Our words can be a great encouragement to our husbands.  I am his helper, his lover, his confidant, his best friend.  I should be the arms of Christ when my beloved is weary.  I should be his greatest warrior, in prayer on your knees daily for my husband.  We should always be ready with words of kindness and encouragement for our husbands.

Do you often think you know what is best?  I do.  I am guessing that there are times when we do know best but it may not always be appropriate for us to make sure that we tell our husbands just how it should be.  Have you been in prayer over a particular issue concerning your husband or your children or your family?  The Lord has been teaching me that there are great rewards and blessings in silence.  Serving, loving and ministering to my beloved husband in silence is an amazing thing!  We visit and talk of course but God's word tells us to pray without ceasing and to do all things without complaining or arguing.  When we are in constant prayer and when we never complain or argue, the words from our mouth should be laced with sweetness and never spoken without prayer first.  "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones."  ~ Proverbs 16:24

Think of all that God has created.  Think of the daily miracle of the sunrise and sunset.  Think of the intricacy of how God weaves together the lives of our wee babies within us.  Think of how awesome and amazing God is.  Think of the power and omnipresence of the Lord.  Now think of what your marriage might be like if you were always praying and often silent. 

"1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 7Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. 8I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 9In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 11Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety."  ~I Timothy 2

It is in my heart to encourage you as a wife.  To encourage you to be the woman that God designed you to be.  God's design for your life will set you apart from this world.  It is right and best for all of us to start our day on our knees.  All of the words written above come as a result of my selfish and my sinful nature and as the result of the correction of a loving Heavenly Father. "But exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.  ~ Hebrews 3:13"  "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: ~ Hebrews 10:24"

Won't you join me?

Being quiet is not always appropriate.  Being prayerful is.  We must take every thought captive and that is not possible once we have flung that thought out of our mouths.  Conversely, taking a thought captive can translate into "taking something back" from the Lord that He intends you to speak to your husband.  Ladies, we must be constantly in prayer.  The thoughts that are on our heart ... we must take them to the Lord to determine when we should be quiet and when we should speak with tenderness and love.  Being quiet can also create a place in which you run from the word of God...a crutch to not speak when the Lord is nudging you to talk to your husband.

Pray, pray, pray...  We must pray without ceasing ladies.  We must cry out to God and deny ourselves...we must seek His face and not be satisfied with the mere "crumbs" of His obvious existance in our lives.  Trust in Him with all of your heart and never, ever lean upon your own understanding.

~~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

Originally posted:  June 23, 2007

I wrote this last year but feel it important to share again. The Lord has brought me full circle in the matter of being quiet, particularly in reference to our husbands.

"Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit."  ~ Ecclesiastes 4:6

"The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD."  ~ Lamentations 3:25-26

"And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing."  ~ I Thessalonians 10-12

Over the last year the Lord has been teaching me to be quiet.  The Lord will always take our fumblings and self-will and use it to His glory but have you ever stopped to think about what He might do if were to just be quiet for awhile?  If we were to serve and love others...particularly our husbands...but cease to constantly excerpt our thoughts and opinions...    Are you guilty of speaking defensively to some of your husbands comments?  I am.  Are you guilty of snipping at your husband when he fails to live up to your expectations?  I am.  Are you guilty of grumping and nagging your husband?  I am.  Are you guilty of just being crabby and sour in tone of voice?  I am.  How about the other side of the coin?  Are you guilty of giving suggestions that weigh heavily towards your desires?  I am.  Are you guilty of jumping on the bandwagon of complaint or gossip?  I am. 

Silence and quietness is a powerful and tremendous blessing.  Without our constant ramblings and regular voice into ALL matters, I wonder what the Creator would do.  What exactly would He work together?  What precisely would He orchestrate in the heart of your beloved husband without your words.  Don't misunderstand me now...  Our words can be a great encouragement to our husbands.  I am his helper, his lover, his confidant, his best friend.  I should be the arms of Christ when my beloved is weary.  I should be his greatest warrior, in prayer on your knees daily for my husband.  We should always be ready with words of kindness and encouragement for our husbands.

Do you often think you know what is best?  I do.  I am guessing that there are times when we do know best but it may not always be appropriate for us to make sure that we tell our husbands just how it should be.  Have you been in prayer over a particular issue concerning your husband or your children or your family?  The Lord has been teaching me that there are great rewards and blessings in silence.  Serving, loving and ministering to my beloved husband in silence is an amazing thing!  We visit and talk of course but God's word tells us to pray without ceasing and to do all things without complaining or arguing.  When we are in constant prayer and when we never complain or argue, the words from our mouth should be laced with sweetness and never spoken without prayer first.  "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones."  ~ Proverbs 16:24

Think of all that God has created.  Think of the daily miracle of the sunrise and sunset.  Think of the intricacy of how God weaves together the lives of our wee babies within us.  Think of how awesome and amazing God is.  Think of the power and omnipresence of the Lord.  Now think of what your marriage might be like if you were always praying and often silent. 

"1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 7Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. 8I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 9In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 11Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety."  ~I Timothy 2

It is in my heart to encourage you as a wife.  To encourage you to be the woman that God designed you to be.  God's design for your life will set you apart from this world.  It is right and best for all of us to start our day on our knees.  All of the words written above come as a result of my selfish and my sinful nature and as the result of the correction of a loving Heavenly Father. "But exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.  ~ Hebrews 3:13"  "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: ~ Hebrews 10:24"

Won't you join me?

Being quiet is not always appropriate.  Being prayerful is.  We must take every thought captive and that is not possible once we have flung that thought out of our mouths.  Conversely, taking a thought captive can translate into "taking something back" from the Lord that He intends you to speak to your husband.  Ladies, we must be constantly in prayer.  The thoughts that are on our heart ... we must take them to the Lord to determine when we should be quiet and when we should speak with tenderness and love.  Being quiet can also create a place in which you run from the word of God...a crutch to not speak when the Lord is nudging you to talk to your husband.

Pray, pray, pray...  We must pray without ceasing ladies.  We must cry out to God and deny ourselves...we must seek His face and not be satisfied with the mere "crumbs" of His obvious existance in our lives.  Trust in Him with all of your heart and never, ever lean upon your own understanding.

~~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

Originally posted:  June 23, 2007

Denying Ourselves by Mrs. Crawford

Mrs. Crawford over at Generation Cedar writes with tremendous passion and intensity.  She wrote an article a few days ago that I wanted to share.

Here is an excerpt from Denying Ourselves:

"It's just like Jesus to ask us to do something He knows we can't do! And why? Because that leaves us completely dependent upon HIS strength and grace to walk in obedience. And that's tricky; He requires obedience (my will) to the things He asks of me (His will), but it's an obedience that can only be carried out through the strength He can give me.  And what if I don't deny myself? What happens to me, my family, my church, community, neighborhood, world?"

Please take a few minutes and read Mrs. Crawford's article:  Denying Ourselves.

~~~
posted by Mrs. Klause

July 21, 2008

Music:  Be Thou My Vision

Happy Birthday Addison!

Addison is turning two today. 

~~~

She was born in the afternoon...

...with lots of family and friends at the hospital awaiting her arrival...

 

...Daddy and Addison...

...Kennedy (17 months old) and Bailey (4 years) seeing and holding Addison for the first time...

...when Kennedy saw Addison, she started giggling and she giggled for days every time she saw Addison or held her; she was so excited...

~~~~

 

Her first birthday party celebrated 2000 miles from family and friends.  We had just moved to Washington a month prior.

Addison really liked balls so we made it a Round Birthday Party.  ;-)  We had a polka dotted cake and balls and bubbles.

...she liked the bubbles...

~~~

We have family coming in this weekend.  I will post more photos over the next couple of days for our family and friends that are far away from Addison on her birthday.

~~~

May I just take today to shout from the rooftop...

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward! 

~~~~~~

Psalm 127

 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

~~~

Birthdays are completely different to me now that I have children of my own.  What an amazing day of celebration.  A celebration of life of our child...the life that has already been lived and the life that is ahead of our child.  A day where my feeling of thankfulness to the Lord overwhelms me.  The reward of our children is amazing and humbling.  A day of tremendous joy for the Klause quiver is blessed.

posted by Mrs. Klause

July 11, 2008

Music:  Over The Rainbow

Do you homeschool? Are you thinking about it?

I have just finished read a book called Relaxed Homeschooling.  It is written by Mrs. Kelly Crawford of Generation Cedar.  I have been reading her blog for quite some time now.  Her writings will challenge you; they will provoke you ... I assure you that the Lord will use her words to change things in your heart.

She has just published this e-book and it is well worth your time and pennies. 

Relaxed Homeschooling is to-the-point.  This book is well-organized and easy to read.  She gives tips and ideas throughout the book for fun ways to learn and good things for the littlest ones in the house to do while you work with the older children.

 

I have to admit that homeschooling in her home and homeschooling in our home look very similar.  The methods and ideas that she presents really work!  The things that she is articulating are working so well in our own home...I so encourage you to read her book.  My girls and I have such a wonderful time learning every day. 

~~~

If you would like to purchase Mrs. Crawford's book, scroll back up and look to your right and click on the picture of the book.  It will take you to a link to make your purchase.

 

Also, you can click here to make your purchase.

 

**** If you purchase the book, will you please email me at mrs.klause@hotmail.com  - thank you. ****

 

Relaxed Homeschooling

           There is Another Way!

Homeschooling is about to get exciting!

Homeschooling is hard work.  But it isn't supposed to be drudgery! After hearing so many moms who were discouraged about "keeping up", always feeling behind, overwhelmed and inadequate, I decided to put on paper some incredible things we've learned on our homeschool journey.

Whether you are one of those tired moms, contemplating giving up, or just need some relief, or whether you are considering homeschooling and don't know where to start, you'll find this ebook full of answers and practical help. 

Here are just a FEW of the things you'll discover in "Relaxed Homeschooling":

• Teaching children is easier than you think!
  

• How to follow a routine without a restricting schedule.
  

• Giving your children a full education without enslavement to a curriculum.
  

• The classroom all around you.
  

• Keeping records SIMPLE!
  

~~~

 

You can read more about her book when you click here or by clicking on the picture of the book above.

~~~

 

posted by Mrs. Klause

July 9, 2008

Music:  Over the Rainbow

The Strawberry Farm

These are Kennedy's horses.  Yesterday I sat with her for about an hour and played with her and her animals.

Kennedy pretends to tend her animals...feeding them, watering them, grooming them, milking the goat, sheering the sheep...

We made a watering trough out of some popsicle sticks...

Kennedy has named most of her animals along the way.  Yesterday we named most of them.  I wrote their names in ridiculously small letters on the bottoms of their feet or along the inside of their legs.

She named some of them herself:

Myron - a mare - She was sure that Myron was a girl's name.  ;0)

Lollipop - a mare - She originally wanted to name this horse Sunscreen.  Ha!  Mother suggested that she think some more.

Dottie - a filly - Started as Spotty but she changed it.

Shadow - a stallion

Caramel - a filly

Chocolate - a filly

Mother rattled off many, many male and female names of which she selected for some of her other animals:

Henry - a rooster

Thunder - a stallion

Mother named the momma pig...Pauline.  :0)

~~~

We still have a few animals left to name.  She enjoys her little farm.  Mother enjoys watching her imagination and helping her learn as she plays.

:0)

~~~

Oh yes...and it is not Old MacDonald's farm.  It is The Strawberry Farm.  Some time back as the girls were playing, they were addressing one another politely and a "problem" came about.  They were all calling the other Miss Klause.  Collectively they determined that they should not be "Miss" because they were pretending to be grown, married and with children. 

Kennedy (age 3) asked if Daddy would be her husband.  I told her 'no' that he was Mommy's husband.  She asked what her husband's name would be.  I told her that God already knew her husband and was preparing him to be her husband.  I told Kennedy that only God knows his name and at this point she should pray for him and then we will wait patiently for many years before the Lord shows us who he will be.

The girls then inquired of what they should call themselves while playing.  I suggested that maybe they select a name that would not likely be a real man's name AND use something that was created by God's hand.  Maybe tree names like Mrs. Oak or Mrs. Maple or flower names like Mrs. Marigold or fruit names like Mrs. Blueberry or Mrs. Blackberry.  Well...since then Kennedy has been known as Mrs. Strawberry.  Addison named herself Mrs. Apple-orange.  Bailey is Mrs. Blueberry.

:0)

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

July 8, 2008

Music:  Old MacDonald Had A Farm

Purpose Is Required

Every single day we are "steeping" character traits into our children.

That teaching can be passive as we fly through the days simply reacting to what happens throughout the day. 

...or...

We can be precise and particular in carefully teaching their hearts the character of Christ. 

Our children's character must "be purposed".

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."  ~~Proverbs 22:6

Purpose is defined as an end to be obtained; a subject under discussion; an action in course of execution.  Therefore, every moment of every day, mommas must remain focused on the end that we want to obtain for our children.  They must remain a matter of discussion with the Lord and with our husbands.  We must remember that the very hearts of our children are in a constant state of development.

What is the end to be obtained for each of our children anyway?  What is "the way he should go"??  I think it is this:

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment."  ~~Matthew 22:37-38

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

June 30. 2008

Music:  Ancient Words

Teacup Tuesdays - Mommy Mice

I know...I know...

It is Thursday, not Tuesday.

:0)

This is our latest addition...

Isn't she sweet?  My cousin, Mrs. Goodwin, brought her to us shortly after we returned to Texas.  She knows that we enjoy the stories of Beatrix Potter and this tiny little cup was purchased just for Addison.  It is plastic. 

Addison so enjoys her little teacup!!

Speaking of "Little Bit", as her father calls her...

...a few photos from the last few months...

She discovered that sugar is best when eaten directly from the sugar bowl.

Helping Mommy make a dress.

Stories with Amma (my Mother).

Addison had just finished her first ice cream cone.  A treat from Mrs. Hall...

Addison is truly such a sweet little girl...

Silly girl!  She and Kennedy were sitting in the floor sorting dry beans.

They do look like sisters, don't they?  :0)

Addison is doing her schoolwork.  She is a big girl now, you know.

Just last Sunday...

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

June 19, 2008

Music:  Tea for Two, Cannon in D, What a Friend We Have In Jesus (by Tennessee Ernie Ford)

Swimsuit #1

Swimsuits for little girls...

..whew..

The Klause girls all arrived into this world with very fair skin.  Between their fair skin and a desire that the entire world not be privy to their tiny f*nnies hanging out of their swimsuit bottoms, it seems the only available option was for me to make their suits.  I found only one company that had suits with sleeves and skirts/shorts but 1) I just didn't like any of them; and 2) boy, they cost a lot of pennies.

I purchased a pattern from Ms. Smisor at Fashionably Modest Patterns, purchased the necessary fabric and notions and set about to making swimsuit #1.  First of all, let me encourage anyone that would like to make their own swimsuits.  However, let me also tell you that you will need to set your mind firmly to the task because it will take some time, lots of patience, lots of trial and error and lots of determination.  The pattern itself (and other swimwear patterns I have looked at) are not difficult at all.  The challenge lies in sewing with lyrca.  Determining the amount of tension that is necessary to move the fabric through the sewing machine and serger along with the amount of tension necessary to place on the thread will take nothing more than trying it until you find what is needed for your machine(s).

Kennedy's suit is finished. 

After I make Addison's suit and Bailey's suit then I will go back and shorten Kennedy's skirt some.  It turned out longer than I had anticipated.

Each of the girls will have this butterfly on their suit.  Kennedy wanted a pink swimsuit.  Bailey wanted a turquoise blue.  I wanted to make Addison a yellow one but opted to veer from the light color that would surely be promptly soiled with the dirt she will plop down into the first 42 seconds she is wearing it.  ;0)  Addison's will also be turquoise blue.

I trimmed Kennedy's skirt with turquoise thread and will trim the other girls' skirts with hot pink.

I believe Ms. Smisor placed this particular pattern about an intermediate sewing level.  Again, the seamstress should simply go into the project knowing that the construction is not difficult but the fabric is not so easy to work with.  It will not be a project that you will zing together. 

~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

June 13, 2008

Menus - Breakfast & Snacks

Our breakfast menu is working out nicely.  If you missed that post, you can read it here. 

We did switch our Thursday and Friday morning menu.  We have cold cereal on Thursdays and save the pancakes or baked goods for Friday.  Had I have been thinking when making the menu, I would have done this in the first place.  We do our cooking and baking on Thursdays so we now make sure to enjoy the fresh baked goods on Friday mornings.

This has completely eliminated the habit of the morning-begging for cold cereal. 

~~~

This same principle has worked wonderfully for snacks as well.  Instead of the children constantly asking for their favorite snacks, we simply follow the menu.  Of course Mommy reserves the right to override or add to the snack menu at any time.  ;0)

Snacks:

Monday:  cinnamon graham crackers; oranges; pretzels

Tuesday:  fruit bars; nuts; left-over pancakes (the recipe that we use gives us a sweet pancake and the girls love them cold, too)

Wednesday:  apples; cheese & crackers; pickles

Thursday:  vanilla wafers; carrots; pretzels

Friday:  baked goods; popcorn; chips & salsa

~~~

Our girls are allowed to eat fresh fruit or veggies anytime and do partake daily.  I took a few of their favorites and intermingled with healthy snacks.  The children have a morning snack, a snack before their rest at 2pm and a snack around 4:30.  A few months back I pushed suppertime back to 6pm with hopes that Daddy would make it home each eve for a hot meal.  Tiny tummies are very hungry before 6pm so the 4ish snack arrived with the later suppertime in our house. 

It is working well for us.

I pray that if you will enjoy a Friday filled with the Lord's presence.  Let's smile at our children and enjoy their tiny hands and their silly giggles.  Let's smile at unintentional messes and "heal" grumpy hearts with bear-hugs today. 

:0)

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

June 13, 2008

Music: My Favorite Things

A Living Sanctuary

"To what aspect of my person am I drawing attention to and is that honoring to Christ?"

                                                   ~~Dr. Voddie Baucham

 

I recently heard Dr. Bauchman speak the above words.  He suggested asking ourselves this question each morning as we are selecting our clothing.

And we should teach our daughters to ask themselves this question as well.

~~~~

All that we are...

All that we do...

Do we honor and glorify the Lord?

Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary
Pure and holy, tried and true
With thanksgiving, I'll be a living
Sanctuary for You

It is you, Lord
Who came to save
The heart and soul
Of every man
It is you Lord
who knows my weakness
Who gives me strength,
With thine own hand.

Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary
Pure and Holy, tried and true
With thanksgiving I'll be a living
Sanctuary for you

Lead Me on Lord
From temptation
Purify me
From within
Fill my heart with
You holy spirit
Take away all my sin

Lord prepare me to ba sanctuary
Pure and holy, tried and true
With thanksgiving, I'll be a living
Sanctuary for You

~~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

June 11, 2008

Music: Sanctuary

I must act accordingly...

"Faith is picturing what God wants to do and acting in accordance with it."

                                                                     ~~ Dr. S. M. Davis

"Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you."  ~~Matthew 9:29

"And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."  ~~Matthew 17:20

 

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

June 3, 2008

Wise Words

Taste your words before you spit them out.

                                                ~~Unknown

"The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? "  ~~Psalm 12:3-4

"Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.  ~~Psalm 34:13

"I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me."  ~~Psalm 39:1

"The tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully."  ~~Psalm 52:2

"My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness."  ~~Psalm 119:172

"The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness."  ~~Proverbs 15:2

"She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness."  ~~Proverbs 31:26

"Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones."  ~~Proverbs 16:24

"19Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:  20For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God."  ~~James 1:19-20

I was going to stop with the scripture above but decided otherwise.  I challenge you to spend some time this week with your children studying these verses above.  Not just reading them but praying over them and meditating on the very words breathed by the Lord God.  It is so easy to just let the words flow from our mouths...easy for all of us.  Mommas, we must be ever careful mindful  controlled in what we say...to our husbands, to our children...  We must make certain that we do not allow our emotions to control our tongues. 

I will take the challenge...

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

May 19, 2008

Music:

I was living inside the box.

*+*     This was actually part of the next post, which you will find below, but technical difficulties prevented me from adding anything to that posting. *+*  The article The Rise & Fall & Rise of Motherhood in America has been posted with the written permission of Vision Forum Ministries.

~~~

Once upon a time I would never have been in agreeance with the writings of Doug Phillips in the post below, The Rise & Fall & Rise of Motherhood in America.

I was living my life "doing good" and "being good" according to the world's standards and/or "the Christian standards".  I did not really realize that I was in complete control of my walk with the Lord as I meandered along doing what everyone else did.  In hindsight, the steps were clearly taken as I deemed them according to God's word.

Then, one day, the Lord stopped me and had me look around and question my motives, my actions and my thoughts.  I had to think "outside of the box" and I realized that I was living according to societal norms instead of according to God's perfect word. 

...please read on to through the next post:  The Rise & Fall & Rise of Motherhood in America...

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

The Rise & Fall & Rise of Motherhood in America

Only women can be mothers. Have we forgotten this fundamental? Only a woman can carry in her body an eternal being which bears the very image of God. Only she is the recipient of the miracle of life. Only a woman can conceive and nurture this life using her own flesh and blood, and then deliver a living soul into the world. God has bestowed upon her alone a genuine miracle — the creation of life, and the fusing of an eternal soul with mortal flesh. This fact alone establishes the glory of motherhood. Despite the most creative plans of humanist scientists and lawmakers to redefine the sexes, no man will ever conceive and give birth to a child. The fruitful womb is a holy gift given by God to women alone. This is one reason why the office of wife and mother is the highest calling to which a woman can aspire. This is the reason why nations that fear the Lord esteem and protect mothers. They glory in the distinctions between men and women, and attempt to build cultures in which motherhood is honored and protected. In his famous commentary on early American life, Democracy in America , Alexis de Tocqueville explained: Thus the Americans do not think that man and woman have either the duty or the right to perform the same offices, but they show an equal regard for both their respective parts; and though their lot is different, they consider both of them as beings of equal value. They do not give to the courage of woman the same form or the same direction as to that of man, but they never doubt her courage; and if they hold that man and his partner ought not always to exercise their intellect and understanding in the same manner, they at least believe the understanding of the one to be as sound as that of the other, and her intellect to be as clear. Thus, then, while they have allowed the social inferiority of woman to continue, they have done all they could to raise her morally and intellectually to the level of man; and in this respect they appear to me to have excellently understood the true principle of democratic improvement. De Tocqueville contrasted the American understanding of women, with European sentiments: There are people in Europe who, confounding together the different characteristics of the sexes, would make man and woman into beings not only equal but alike. They could give to both the same functions, impose on both the same duties, and grant to both the same rights; they would mix them in all things — their occupations, their pleasures, their business. It may readily be conceived that by thus attempting to make one sex equal to the other, both are degraded, and from so preposterous a medley of the works of nature nothing could ever result but weak men and disorderly women. The War on Motherhood America ’s glory was her women. de Tocqueville believed this when he wrote: As for myself, I do not hesitate to avow that although the women of the United States are confined within the narrow circle of domestic life, and their situation is in some respects one of extreme dependence, I have nowhere seen woman occupying a loftier position; and if I were asked, now that I am drawing to the close of this work, in which I have spoken of so many important things done by the Americans, to what the singular prosperity and growing strength of that people ought mainly to be attributed, I should reply: To the superiority of their women. But this birthright would be exchanged during the last century for a mess of pottage. Perhaps the greatest legacy of the 20th century has been the war on motherhood and biblical patriarchy. Feminists, Marxists, and liberal theologians have made it their aim to target the institution of the family and divest it from its biblical structure and priorities. The results are androgyny, a radical decline in birthrate, abortion, fatherless families, and social confusion. Incredibly, the biggest story of the 20th century never made headline news [i]. Somehow we missed it. It was the mass exodus of women from the home, and the consequent decline of motherhood. For the first time in recorded history of the West, more mothers left their homes than stayed in them. By leaving the home, the experience and reality of childhood, family life and femininity were fundamentally redefined, and the results have been so bad that if this one trend is not reversed, our grandchildren may live in a world where the both the true culture of Christian family life and the historic definition of marriage are the stuff of fairy tales. Many “isms” have influenced these trends-evolutionism, feminism, statism, eugenicism, Marxism, and more. But in the end, the philosophical gap between the presuppositions of the Atheists, eugenicists, and Marxists of the early 20th century, and the presuppositions of the professing Church in the 21st century, have narrowed dramatically. The goals of the state and the goals of the mainstream church have so merged, that the biblical family with its emphasis on male headship, generational succession, and prolific motherhood are a threat to the social order of both institutions. Less than one hundred years ago, the architects of the atheistic communist Soviet state anticipated the death of the Christian family. They explained the need for destroying the Christian family with its emphasis on motherhood, and replacing it with a vision for a “new family.” Lenin wrote: