Surrounded by Grace

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I did some organizing today. I think I have just too much stuff! I have a shelf for each child’s school books, then there are games, art supplies, reference materials, math manipulatives, books, books, and more books. I got my labeler out that my dh bought for me several years ago, and finally used it! Yay! Now the shelves are labeled. I just have to decide what to do with my extras! I need to read some organization tips! We use our dining room table for school usually…I don’t want it to be too cluttered in there, but I think it looks presentable. So for now, we are up and running our homeschool…just need a couple of shelves to finish it!

We are getting ready to start “school” again next week. I’ve spent the week trying to organize(wait, what is that?). I really don’t ever feel “organized”. I know that I must be somewhat together to make this a successful year! I could use all of the tips that I can get. We have two of the three sets of books. I am still waiting for little guy’s to come in. When we see the big brown truck, as he calls it, stop at our house, the books will be here! I’ve had to tweak little guy’s books this year to fit his special needs. I am trusting that it will be successful.
It was a beautiful day here. The kids asked me if they could have a garage sale today and tomorrow. We had one today, and plan for the same tomorrow. Hold off rain, please! We took Charlie, our sweet cat in for an exam today. On the way home, Christopher asked Anna if she is allergic to anything. She said no, and he said, “Yes, you are allergic to bullets, Anna!” The mind of a 7 year old never ceases to amaze me! By the way, he heard that from my dh who was kidding around with him! Boys will be boys, I guess. I love them all so much! They add sunshine to my life, as always…

How beautiful the hands that served
The wine and the bread and the sons of the earth
How beautiful the feet that walked
The long dusty roads and the hill to the cross

How beautiful, how beautiful
How beautiful is the body of Christ

How beautiful the heart that bled
That took all my sin and bore it instead
How beautiful the tender eyes
That chose to forgive and never despise

How beautiful, how beautiful
How beautiful is the body of Christ

And as He laid down His life
We offer this sacrifice
That we will live just as he died

Willing to pay the price
Willing to pay the price

How beautiful the radiant bride
Who waits for her groom with His light in her eyes
How beautiful when humble hearts give
The fruit of pure lives so that others may live

How beautiful, how beautiful
How beautiful is the body of Christ

How beautiful the feet that bring
The sound of good news and the love of the King
How beautiful the hands that serve
The wine and the bread and the sons of the earth

How beautiful, how beautiful
How beautiful is the body of Christ

By Twila Paris

“Remember, you are special because I made you. And I don’t make mistakes.”
— Max Lucado

“Start by doing what is necessary, then do what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”

St. Francis of Assisi

1. The version found written on the wall in Mother Teresa’s home for children in Calcutta:

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

-this version is credited to Mother Teresa

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