Lumber, Weed Killer, and Just Keep Scanning!

So, yesterday was just a slight bit crazy.  To start with, the day's verse was 1 Corinthians 12:7, "To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."  We often think about the spiritual gifts God has given us are for us to edify and build ourselves up, but this verse makes it clear that He gives us these giftings to build up and encourage one another.  It reminds me of 1 Thessalonians 5:14, which says, "And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all."  That was another good verse to challenge and mediate on yesterday.  How often do we hoard God's gifts and keep them to ourselves.  We are part of one body for a reason, each for a very specific purpose.  I wonder how well a foot would serve as a hand, or a liver as a heart?  They just wouldn't work, no way you cut it!

Today's verse was Luke 15:7, which says, "Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance."  This verse really made me stop and think about how much I reach out to others and share the Gospel with those I come in contact with.  This verse definitely wasn't a "feel good" verse, because it was more of sting to my heart and a serious challenge to truly reflect on my actions and priorities.  Though, I take great joy and comfort in knowing that that glorious heavenly party was carried on for me when I realized my need for a Savior and Lord.  That adds sweet balm to the sting of reality.

We moved one step closer to making the boys' bedroom set yesterday, I purchased all the lumber and plywood to build the beds and console!  Ray, at Home Depot, was the bomb!  He ripped down 7 sheets of Oak PureBond Plywood for me in a range of different sizes.  See picture, oh the smell of freshly cut wood was marvelous the entire way home.  I was amazed everything fit in the van so perfectly! The longest, tallest pieces could not have been another smidgen taller or longer and still fit...God is good, and even in the details!

 Today consisted of paperwork, bills, scanning paperwork, paying more bills, and phone calls.  Then we took a trip to the commissary, which is 45 minutes away, to stock up on stuff that is just too expensive to buy at the local grocery store.  Then I made more natural weed killer for the yard.  If you loathe Round Up as much as me, this is a tried and true wed killer.  In fact, I loathe Round Up so much that I bought the more expensive 1 1/2 gallon sprayer, just because the cheaper one had Round Up written on the side.  To me, it's all about principles.

The recipe:
3/4 gallon vinegar
3/4 gallon water
1 c. Epsom salt
1 c. Dawn dish soap
1 1/2 gallon sprayer

This stuff works and you don't have to worry about the kids or animals getting into it!  L even helped me apply the first round of spray.  I had to stop because I ran out of vinegar, but at last, I bought more and mixed up another batch this evening.  The weeds growing up in the gravel driveway are next! ;) 

Sadly, today was so busy and I was stuck in the house from 8 am - 1 pm waiting for the internet man to arrive, which never happened, then getting wrapped up in more paperwork, I didn't get out to see the horses and cats!  :(  So, instead of getting my daily fix of kitten and horsey endorphins by petting them, here is a picture of one of the horses.  Her name is Dinally (sp?).  All three of the horses are very sweet, but she especially loves me loving on her, so I spend more time and attention with her than the other two.