Rural Simplicity

I love to think, meditate, and day dream. There are so many interesting things in life to wonder about (or better yet research out!) But many times I find my thoughts lazily falling back into the same old patterns of meaningless, blah... So here are 10 Questions to get our thoughts headed down a delightful, interesting path for today. 1) Do you think we will ask God and other great warriors of the faith questions in heaven? Or will be busy praising God all day long? Or maybe we will just know all the questions to our answers? 2) Do you have a dream job? A job you would love going to everyday? Is it possible you could be doing that now instead of your current job? Use a mind map to trace out ideas of how to get to your dream job. 3) Do you ever stop to reminisce just for the fact of reminiscing? Many times we think back into the past with sadness because life can't be that way now? Or maybe we haven't forgiven someone and we are constantly replaying the past in hate. ...

People like to be labeled, they like to be known for certain things. Some people are proud to be Geeks and Nerds (I hear the phrase nerd addiction a lot) Women like to be known for wearing their babies, and eating organic, paleo, or sugar free. Many people follow the trends that movie stars and music stars set, in hair, clothing, makeup, attitude, etc... Others like to be known for not owning a T.V. , homeschooling, and gardening.   So what is normal? I've noticed recently that the generation around me doesn't have it's own style. There is a big break in setting a trend as everyone chooses a different generation to dress like. There is no one particular hairstyle, suit type, shoe brand, dress length, etc... So what is normal?  I live in the Bible belt of America where a church can be found on every corner, street, and intersection. Maybe even two or three. Sometimes more than one of a single denomination. Some people go to one faithfully, some go to a few different ...

This is my "Everything Book". I use it to jot down notes, write down inspiring quotes, packing lists for vacation, weekly menus, goal sheets, craft ideas, etc... It's a never ending list and I just don't know what I did before I got this book. I love quotes, but I'm not good at memorizing the ones that inspire me most, besides what about the good quotes that are second rate? So I write down every good quote I come across into my "Everything Book" and then when I need to be inspired or encouraged I know right where to look. Many times I leaf through my "Everything Book" to get an idea for my blog post. Today I want to share some of my favorite quotes. There is no rhyme or reason to the ones I choose, just some personal favorites! "Perfectionism has no place in a humble life." - Lydia J Will ( Check out her blog here. )  "Don't promise when you're happy,  Don't Reply when you're angry Don't Decide wh...

It's not often that you find a movie that is decent enough for the family to watch that also has a good moral to it. It's not often that you find a movie that's about family and real life without it being skewed into a soap opera drama. I am not a fan of watching t.v. but I am a fan of watching wholesome movies as a family on occasion. But they are so hard to find. Below is a list of my favorite movies, but even these have elements of things I don't agree with. I will give you a quick synopsis on why I think it's good and what some of my dislikes about the movie are. Each family must come up with there own standard of movie watching; what is allowed and what is not. Never take someone's word on movies. Always, ALWAYS look it up first. Our family go to sight is IMDB.com   we reference the parent advisory content frequently because they give a detailed unbiased report of what you will see or hear. Cartoons: 1) Emperor's New Groove      There is nothing out...

Prayer is something humans will always struggle with. We like tangible things too much. We like to see who we are talking too, see the progress and know what the outcome will be. We like to be in control too much. When we pray we have to lay everything into the Saviour's hands and say "I can't see the end of the road, I can't see what is best or even see who you ultimately are God, but I trust my life in you hands." Which is exactly what we should do because God is the one who gave us life and sustains us. But again that is something we can hardly grasp the concept of and we get pulled away into the stream of self worth and quickly forget about our Maker.  I follow right along with everyone else and struggle daily with my prayer life.  So I decided to write some prayers for when my brain is not in the best of moods, when I want to pray and don't have the words, or when I'm still groggy but desire to start my day with God. Writing your prayer can hel...

Someone is always looking for some fun things to do over the summer. So I thought I'd add my twenty cents worth! There are lots of lists out there and each one is unique to it's owner. This is my rendition of a good evening with My Hubby. But this is an ideal list for me, I don't have everything I need to accomplish some of these.  Read through and then make a list of 20 things you would like to do. I would love to hear you ideas! 1) Weekend Camping Trip/ Living Room Campout 2) Drive-in Movie Theatre (yes, they still exist!) 3) Dinner out (pick a one of kind place, not a chain restaurant) 4) Picnic 5) Day at the Park/Beach/Lake 6) Game Night 7) Work Day (for yourself or someone else) 8) Singsperation 9) Read a Book Together (Novel, DIY, Devotional) 10) Porch and Ice Tea Talk 11) Frisbee Golf 12) Stove Popcorn and Home Movie Night 13) Putt Putt Golf 14) Run Out for an Ice-Cream Cone on a Hot Night! 15) Fire and Hot Cocoa Night - bonfire or fi...

Is there a particular day of the week or the month that you dislike? Maybe an upcoming event you shrink at the thought of? That is my Tuesday! Unlike most people, I rather enjoy Mondays. Tuesday is the new Monday for me. I work a full 8hr day in an office on Tuesday but also must keep my toddler happy, napped, and feed, and have dinner somewhat in the makings. I have two days like this in a week, the other being Thursday, but don't despise the day so much because it is followed by Friday -  the beginning of my weekend. Perspective! That's all it is. The work hours are the same, the job description is the same, the perspective is different. Why are Mondays bad? Why are my Tuesdays bad and not my Thursdays? Why do I look forward to some events and not others? Perspective! Time is the most expensive thing you can give. Most people (myself being included) live for days that belong to them. No one enjoys giving their time to some else. We would rather waste time doing nothing...

The Lagging Lass Little Baby bent her knee A critter on the ground to see A careful, watching, wondering eye Each crawling bug she quickly spies Pointing, poking, babbling so  Until Her mother thoroughly knows No object from her sight is missed No item does her grasp resist Till pulled away by higher cause Tiny fingers happily pause Every mother understands the long road of patience when it comes to children. And I don't necessarily mean temper tantrums, picky eaters, and the like. Just everyday cute stuff, that feels impatiently long when you are in a hurry.  Children are God's best teachers! He planted little test givers all over the world. He made them cute, irresistible, and lovable. And then he gave them a Mommy test and said-   "make sure she takes this everyday at least once!"  I don't know about you but I hated school, homework and tests. But I love children, and daddy's and home. So, I got to work and set up shop. Da...