What are we teaching our children?

(photo courtesy of D's Photography)

 I was laying in bed thinking about my newest blessing and okay so by the summer I will have 5 peanuts. How God will equip me to be able to do everything that is needed for them to grow properly. That they will have everything they need to be successful in this life. No I don't mean that they have the nicest clothes or latest toys, or even the most friends. I mean making sure that I train them up in the way of the Lord and that they learn to love serving others with a gentle heart. That they learn to stand up for truth when no one else does. That when they see someone hurting they share love with them not judgment. To be entrusted with precious children is one of life's sweetest joys, great privileges, and heaviest responsibilities. My children can have no greater heritage from me then to be taught to read the Word, to pray, and to look at Jesus as the One who knows and understands each problem and has a solution. It's never too early to start teaching my children that God loves them completely and unconditionally and that they need never be afraid to come to Him. I am teaching my children the Bible stories, the scripture for them to memorize so when times or things come against them they have a foundation to stand on a firm one.. I am teaching them that the promises of God are as much for them as they were for the people in the Bible. I am trying to build a sense of God's goodness in my children's lives. I am teaching them that God is a good God, that everybody is somebody in God's eyes, and that He is concerned about every part of their lives. No need is to big or to small. Children pick up what we say and do even when we don't realize they are listening or observing us. I want to be sure that what they see in me and observe is that mommy has a heart of Christ.

"What is your greatest joy? 3 John 4 says, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." Is this your greatest joy and longing? Not pursuing your own agenda, not getting a bigger house, not aiming for the best college for your children, BUT, earnestly longing that they will walk in God's truth. If this is our greatest joy, we will give our time and order our household to make it happen. It won't automatically happen. It takes your WHOLE LIFE to ensure that your children walk in truth, especially in the midst of this deceived world. Make it your greatest joy." (A quote from Above Rubies)

                      Encouragement to chew on:
Not only are your children special to you, but they are even more important to God. Today, think if a specific way in which God has shown that He considers each of them to be somebody in His eyes. Then share your thoughts with them.

Giveaway Announcement!!!! Yay...Are you entered?

So it's here Monday and I am announcing the give away. I have mentioned this soap company before in a previous post http://joyfulmelody.blogspot.com/2011/11/fantastic-soapsperfectly-natural-family.html . I love them, love they way they feel, smell, and look. So much I want to share it with you. So they have specifically put together a special basket for my giveaway. Here it is

They did a wonderful job putting together. In the basket it includes  6 soaps (gingerbread, cherry almond, sweet harvest berry, spiced pumpkin pie, eucalyptus aloe, sweet honey almond) 2 salts (moon dance,crystal blue waters), and 3 lip cream (blueberry, grand marnier apricot, bubble gum)

So win it for yourself, for a gift (Christmas is coming) or share the wealth with others, trust me you will be glad you have it. So you want to enter the giveaway. Here's how

1. Follow the my blog and leave a comment.

2. Due to Facebook's new regulations I am unable to offer entries for Facebook likes, but I'd love it if you'd like my Facebook page {http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Joyfulmelody/176433765780276} anyway

3. Share the wealth...share the giveaway on your blog, and/or you page let peole know how great it is.

Here's the page link to the Facebook page... http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Joyfulmelody/176433765780276

I will be annoucing the winner Friday Dec 2nd, and then will be sending you your special basket.

Can't wait to give...so much fun. Good luck.

Happy Birthday to the man who holds my heart.

Happy Birthday to the most handsome, clever, sexy (oh that's right I went there) funny, witty, dedicated, determined, loving, sweet, thoughtful, kind, great shrimp dish chef, smart, best daddy ever, my husband Michael. You are God's great gift in my life, and blessed is the day that you noticed me. I love you Mr. West more now then ever.

"One of the greatest illusions of our time is that love is self sustaining. It is not. Love must be fed and nurtured, constantly renewed. That demands ingenuity and consideration, but first and foremost, it demands time." DM

Over this past weekend my husband asked me to sit and watch the movie Rocky Balboa (which in all honesty I had no desire) so I did. I was pleasantly surprised over the underline message and being me took that message of character and turned it towards marriage (where character seems to lack in many). Where this seems to be a  day and age where people consider their happiness over their character, and forget that character produces long-term joy and peace, which is a goal that God set. Sure I have had some moments in my life where I prayed that they would pass, they were hard, and I wanted them to be different, but looking back on them I realize that those were the moments when God was growing me. I was being conformed to the image of Christ.

Choosing character over happiness means:

*God gave you your mate to make you holy, not happy (happiness flows from holiness)

*Marriage is the best tool I know for making you more like Jesus.

*Marriage builds character through patience and endurance.

*Character is not built overnight and neither is your marriage. It takes more than just a couple of years; it takes a lifetime.

*No one will ever know you better then your spouse. They are a partner in character development and can help you quickly identify chinks in your armor.

Always choose character even when it leads you down a difficult, painful, or hard road. The person who is constantly looking for the easy way out is not going to become all they are created to be. Don't try to change your husband, the worst thing about trying to change him is that those attempts create a unsafe place in your marriage, insecurity within him, and can create walls to push you and your attempts of change away. Trying to change your marriage  could make your marriage worse and open the opportunity to failure. What I have learned is that we influence change in others far more powerfully by our own changes, ones they can see have really worked on us. Focusing your husband to change any area is going to be a conflict. Promise that you are through beating your husband to change, and from now on you work on yourself. As God starts a shaping your character , you will be at peace. That will bring the happiness and joy you are craving. Change begins with in us, not him, and by our actions of love, respect, and nurturing our husbands, they will be drawn and God will work on their character not us.

Homemade melt in your mouth rolls

Roll recipe:
1 cup warm water 90 degrees
2 tablespoon butter melted
1 egg
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
3 1/4 cups of bread flour
2 1/4 tsp dry yeast

dissolve sugar in water then add yeast...set aside for 15 mins, then pour onto large mixing bowl, add butter, egg, flour and salt mix together when big ball of dough formed, set aside covered in a warm spot let rise for 1 hour, the work out air, on a baking sheet divide dough into round balls cover let rise in warm spot again covered for 30 mins, bake at 375 for 13-14 mins. When done I brush melted butter on each one then sprinkle parm cheese with salt on each.

***side note....these are great also if you bake them with a little pepperoni and cheese in them

Don't forget to visit Joyful Melody's facebook page...click "like" and be entered for the upcoming giveaway.
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/pages/Joyfulmelody/176433765780276

Fantastic soaps...Perfectly Natural Family Soaps

Let me introduce you to my new favorite soap makers, I can't say enough about them so let me give you a peak at their stuff.

Good morning coffee

Spicy citrus

Soap cones

Sweet harvest berry (I have this one)

They are fantastic, they smell heavenly and your skin feels wonderful. Not to mention I love the detail in the color of them they are as beautiful and wonderful. They are made by Perfectly Natural Family Soaps. Check them out here http://www.etsy.com/shop/PNfamSoaps?section_id=10697998


Have you visited my facebook page...looking to reach 100 likes and will be announcing my give away...so pop over, click "like" and stay tuned for Monday for the announcement of the giveaway...spread the word.

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/pages/Joyfulmelody/176433765780276

Riddle me this

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July 18

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Vacation week...and Happy Thanksgiving

As per request of my husband (Mr. Handsome himself) I will be away on vacation this week, and will not be able (or allowed) to visit the computer. I will be back on Monday November 28th with loads of new recipes, stories and lots of love. Which gives my blog plenty of time to obtain 100 likes on the page...so keep sharing and maybe we can finally announce the giveaway next monday. Have a wonderful thanksgiving in the mean time....gobble gooble!
Come visit JoyfulMelody blog facebook page click "like" and be entered for the soon giveaway. http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Joyfulmelody/176433765780276