Memorizing scripture

In our small group, we are encouraging each other to memorize scripture that will remind us daily to focus on our Lord and to encourage us throughout the day. As a tip for remembering, I write it on our bathroom mirror with a dry-erase pen so that I will be sure to see it and even have time to read it. It began with...(and this is from my memory)

All Scripture is God-Breathed useful in teaching, correcting, rebuking, and training in righteousness so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped to do all good works.  2 Timothy 3:16-17

After I memorized that one, I "stumbled" upon a very helpful verse that I need to remember everyday and proceeded to memorize it...

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and become angry because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-20

I am also working with my kids on memorizing scripture. There are lots of great homeschooling sites that share what they do and have free printables. I am learning alongside with my children. :)

update: I found this post on my Google Reader the day after I posted this on I Can Teach My Child and found it perfect to share!

I try every morning to be in God's Word even if I didn't manage to wake up before the kids (still working on it and some days it does happen) and they are doing laps around me. I know that sometimes I've made excuse about not picking up my Bible, but I can find peace and quiet in the midst of chaos and noise with the Lord's help. So I read.

I have found that when I don't find time for God and His Word in my daily life...I begin to spin out of control. It's not noticeable at first. I get the "I can do this...fix this...handle this-by-myself" attitude. I can probably go a few days. Then, the stress, doubts, and worries seem to find their way in...and suddenly I find that I can't do it by myself, and I am a mess and the people around me (the ones I love) have suffered for it, too.

I also try to pray every night before I go to bed. Sometimes, it's so easy to say, "not tonight...I'm so tired...I promise I will do it tomorrow..." But what I am really saying is, "Lord, I am too tired to talk to you....I am more important than everyone else who need my prayers..." I don't want to say those things. I know that God knows my innermost thoughts even before I speak or think them so I could argue, why do I have to actually say it or think them in prayer? That's almost like never saying the words "I love you" or "I'm sorry" to the ones we love because we know they know...almost....God is too big for little ole me to try to explain...He just loves me...and you...and everyone in the world that he created. That's all there is to it. He loves me and wants a relationship with me. Can't have a very good relationship if I don't actually try to communicate.

I am still very young in my spiritual walk with the Lord. I've only just begun but I am loving it! He is the reason I sing...apparently, I don't always know that I am singing. It just starts out as a little humming in my heart.

That's all...just wanted to share that with everyone tonight. Goodnight...and God loves you, too, and wants to hear from you as well.

~ H

Weekend in Cali!

I just returned from a long weekend girls' trip with "S" to visit my very pregnant girlfriend "I" in Santa Cruz, California with visits to nearby cities. This post will be a photo-documentary of our trip.

Our first stop in SF- Vietnamese sandwiches!

picnic lunch with a foggy view of the Golden Gate bridge

Now you see it...

Now you don't.

resting pelican...he was very watchful of me, though

plant growing from center of the log

can you spy the starfish?

San Francisco Botanical Garden

The first of our tree climbing ;)

pretty 

Dutch Windwill at Golden Gate Park

Pebble Beach- on our way to Santa Cruz from San Fran

cool looking rocks

yummy coffee and donut for breakfast

Attempt #3- Someone finally got their Blueberry crumb cake from Whole Foods

Monterey Bay

Looking for sea otters...no luck

in Candyland

cool looking mural 

Dametra- yummy Greek restaurant in Carmel

very yummy calamari at Dametra- the best!

Carmel Mission Basilica
we didn't go inside but it looked very cool from the outside

Walton Lighthouse in Santa Cruz- across from the restaurant Crow's Nest

my first fancy latte and probably my last...realized I like just regular coffee

We took a nice stroll in this park

amazing redwoods

can you find a four-leaf clover...i haven't yet

having fun between the redwoods

acting silly inside the remains of a redwood

cool trash bin

very yummy pizza

pizza joint

covered bridge in Felton

Ice Cream shop in downtown Santa Cruz

driving around the coast of Santa Cruz

yummy tri-tip roast at the best restaurant EVER..."I's" place ;)

"I"- glowing, isn't she?

me and "S"

tea salad at Burma Superstar

rainbow salad at Burma Superstar

mixing it up

much acclaimed Burma Superstar- Thanks for the recommendation JC!

Alamo Square- location of the opening credits for Full House

in front of "Postcard Row"

The Painted Ladies

garden "pots" in front of the park's public restroom

This is the last tree that I climbed

at the bottom of the Coit Tower

at the base of Coit Tower

Oakland Bridge

The World's Curviest Street in San Fran...I think it this was Lombard Street

in Chinatown looking for good hot and sour soup

Found some at Hunan Home's Restaurant

Appetizer Combo..not that great

This place didn't seem like much when we were there but later that evening, the line was out the door. We think it was a tourist stop.

Chinatown in the afternoon

Wall art

Chinese Street Musician...makes me think of my grandfather...even though he doesn't play an instrument.

The gates to San Fran's Chinatown

Cable car leaving

Chinatown at night

China  Girl

Fresh baked sourdough at Boudin's

Teddy Bear bread!!!

moving bread basket

Clam Chowder in bread bowl

yes...eating the bowl

I LOVE the taffy! Although it's not from California...from Salt Lake City, Utah

Our last night out

We got upgraded in our room at the Raddisson because the bathroom wasn't working well...this was the upgrade...a shoe shiner

my last breakfast in California

"I's''" breakfast

"S's" breakfast

Breakfast at Cable Car Cafe

departing hugs

Goodbye California

WOW! What a fun 5 day trip. Jet lag hasn't been horrible. It was so good to get to visit "I", see some great sights, and eat some yummy food. I missed my family tremendously, though. I hope that we will get to go visit this great state together as a family one day.