Nothing to Share at this Time

I'm sorry if you keep visiting me here at Cozy Comforts and aren't finding anything new. I've been very busy taking care of my family and home and homeschooling my three boys. My oldest one will be graduating this year, in just a few weeks.

I've found that Facebook works better for me right now because I can simply post a few lines and move on. I don't always know what to post on my blog lately and don't have much time to devote to it.

I will try to do more posting after graduation, but I'm not making any promises. I find that the only time I really have to do anything that I enjoy doing is in the evenings after the littlest one is in bed, but I enjoy reading so much that I've been spending most evenings with my face in a book.

I began reading the Bible every evening before reading the Christian fiction books I enjoy.

Sometime, I want to share what we are learning in Sunday School. We are doing The Truth Project, which is absolutely phenomenal. I just have to figure out how and to what extent I want to do that.

So I do an idea or two, but you'll have to wait. I'm struggling with time. There are many things that I need/want to have time for and just don't have enough hours in the day. I am trying very hard to save money on our grocery bill as well as have us eat healthier, which requires more time in the kitchen because it eliminates most pre-packaged items. Plus, I love to bake, especially to make my own breads, rolls (including hamburger and hot dog rolls), and bagels. So between trying to make more things in my own kitchen to save money, it takes more time, but there is still the laundry, keeping the house clean, homeschooling the boys, etc. So, I'm not sure how much longer I will even hang on to the blog. I've been considering shutting it down. I have a homeschool blog that I have more ideas to share on. I'm just not sure I can keep both blogs or even if I want to.

So, I'll be taking some time to wrap up the end of the school year and thinking about what to do with this blog. I'll let you all know my decision in about a month. I hope you are all doing well.

A New Year

It's been a long time since I've posted, and I apologize. However, January is a month filled with basketball. Basketball season is now winding down, so I have a little more time. Sometimes, too, I just don't know what to post about and that keeps me from posting.

This year I have decided to try to share my favorite Christian artists and/or songs with you as my monthly headers. Although I missed January, I have chosen to begin with Casting Crowns for the rest of February. I love the music Casting Crowns puts out. Their songs have such wonderful messages and are so worshipful. Under the title of my blog is the chorus to one of the songs that they sing that has become a huge favorite of my. It is called "Oh, Glorious Day". I've been told it's an old hymn, but I never heard it until I heard Casting Crowns sing it. Since then, we have actually sung it in church once, but I have to say, I prefer the Casting Crowns version.

Also, I wanted to share that I have challenged myself to spend more time in God's word this year. There is nothing more important than where we will spend eternity, and having a close relationship with our Lord and really knowing His word are of eternal importance, so I want to really know God's word. I've been told many times to study the Bible, but have never really been taught how to do that, so I have found a book that I am reading that is teaching me exactly how to do that. It's a great book. The lessons are short and easy and so rich in value. I am already learning so much and getting so much out of my Bible, precisely the book of Jonah, which is the book this study walks you through. The book I am using to learn to study the Bible is:
It helps me to really focus on the scripture and calls my attention to who is writing the particular scripture I'm reading, who is it about, where and when does it take place, what does it teach and what can I learn and apply to my life from it. It has me color code things which really helps as well. All scripture that it wants me to read is actually printed in the back of the book right from the Bible, which makes it easy if I want to take the book with me if I know I'm going to have to wait for someone in a quiet place.

If you've never learned how to study the Bible and you want to, I highly recommend this book. By the way, the title doesn't mean that you'll study the entire Bible in 28 days; it means you'll learn, in 28 days, how to study the Bible.

The Joys of Homemaking

Some women absolutely abhor the idea of being a homemaker. They think that only true success can be found in a high-paid career. They don't even want to have to think about cooking, washing laundry and cleaning the house, and, unfortunately, they don't have much time to spend with their children (if they have children).

Well, I'm here to tell you that I am not only a homemaker, but a homemaker who also homeschools my three boys (I know, you regular readers are well aware of this), and I LOVE IT! To me it is by far the most rewarding career possible!

I hear those groans from those of you who prefer working outside of your home. I also hear those two all-too-familiar questions "What do you do at home all day?" "Don't you get bored?" To which I answer, "How can I possibly get bored? And, what do I do all day -- well, each day varies because of all of the activities and possibilities.

On a daily, Monday through Friday, basis, I spend about half of the day teaching my boys. We read great books that teach us about history and literature, science, art, music. We begin each day reading our Bible to learn more about our Lord God. We read books about others who have learned to walk with the Lord and who are missionaries in other countries. We write Bible verses to practice our writing. I listen as my new reader reads some fun stories to me. We solve math problems.

Other things that take up my time are the things I love to do for my family, like cooking, baking and sewing. I cannot tell you what a joy it is to hear my boys say "these are great cookies, Mom. Thanks for making them," or my husband remark, "this is a really good meal, dear." I made our little guy pajamas for Christmas this year, and when I showed them to the older boys, I heard, "you made those? They're really cool!" I would call these successes, but more importantly, I call them blessings of great joy.

I love doing things that give my family pleasure. I love making them special treats, favorite meals, warm pajamas, etc.

You may be thinking, "but isn't it a big sacrifice? How do you survive on one income?" Yes, it can be challenging, and I suppose many of you may think it's a big sacrifice. I make lots of things from scratch to help save money on groceries, like I make my own granola instead of purchasing expensive cereals. I make cookies from scratch instead of buying expensive prepackaged cookies. I bake my own bread. We have a small garden each year to help save some money as well because we grow some of our own vegetables, and I can some items like making our own homemade salsa.

You may think that sounds like too much of a sacrifice, but I really enjoy doing these things, and I can always do something to earn money when my boys are grown. We only have them for such a short time anyway. I want to cherish the time I have with them now because time goes so fast.

I cherish the relationships we have because of the time we spend together and the open lines of communication we have with one another. I don't have to worry about where my children are, who they are with, or if they are getting into some kind of trouble or messing with illegal drugs or alcohol. We have talked about all of these things, and my boys know how detrimental they can be. My boys know the Lord and are walking with Him. I know that I can trust them, and I know that they don't ever want to break that trust. We have a special bond, and I love them all dearly, even on the days that they do, occasionally drive me crazy.

Do special, nice things for my family and seeing their faces light up when I hand then a freshly baked cookie or some other special, nice thing, and these are my joys of homemaking.

The Lord Continues to Bless

Last night, we attended Andrea's viewing to pay our respects to the family. The family seems to be surprisingly well. They are just so glad to know that Andrea is now with the Lord and no longer suffering. It was difficult for me, as I waited in line to pay my respects, not to dissolve into tears, but I made it through and waited until I was at home to weep. It just gripped my mother's heart to see all of the photos of Andrea with her children, ages nine and seven. And, when I reached the casket, to see Andrea so tiny and frail and weak, as the cancer left her, I know that she is in a better place and I rejoice that her pain is gone, but to see the cards and pictures that the children created "for mommy" that lay in the casket with her was another tear-jerking moment. It greatly saddens me to imagine them growing up the rest of the way without their mother being there and loving them and comforting them and tending to them when they don't feel well and all of the things a mother does. It just breaks my heart, but they have a good father and extended family that I know will take good care of them, but my mother's heart just aches because I know how much those children meant to Andrea, but I know that God will also be watching over these little ones. I know they are in good hands.

God is good. He is my help and my strength. After unloading my heart here on Tuesday, I turned to God's word, where my comfort comes from. I am so glad to be a Christian and to know that God is in control so I don't have to be. All I have to do is rest in Him.

I am greatly looking forward to this Christmas and celebrating the birth of my Lord and Savior. It is my absolute favorite holiday, and I will begin baking some cookies tomorrow, and I have been looking at recipes to plan our Christmas Eve day, as we will be spending the day together as a family and celebrating our Christmas on Christmas Eve day so that Friday evening we can celebrate with my parents and Sunday, Christmas Day, after celebrating with our dear church family with a special service, we will be celebrating with my husband's side of the family. I enjoy it all, but after experiencing our first full-day Christmas celebration on our own last year on Christmas day, I must say that is the part I cherish and look forward to the most. I love building loving bonds, holiday memories and family traditions with our children. We are truly blessed.

Many Ups and Downs Right Now

I feel a need to write from my heart here today, as my heart is full of much mixed emotions. We received very sad news yesterday. A friend of ours who has been battling cancer for quite some time passed away yesterday morning. She was only 43 years old, and she leaves a husband and two precious children. It's been quite a struggle for the children watching their mother, sick more than she was well for most of their lives. The thing that strikes me to my very heart is that I remember when she was diagnosed all those years ago, and it was just before Christmas, and now she has passed away just before Christmas. It is of great comfort, though, knowing that she knew and loved the Lord, and I am sure she is feeling no pain or suffering as she now rests in His embrace. We will miss you, Andrea.

On a happier note, I am rejoicing with our dear friends, Joe and Susanna and their family, as their precious newly adopted daughter continues to grow and improve in so many ways. Hers was a sad story until Joe and Susanna determined to make her a part of their family. You can find out more and see pictures of precious little Katie here.

Today has been a gloomy, rainy day. Our little guy is exhibiting some challenging behaviors lately as well. My oldest son believes it's all because of the excitement and expectation of the holidays. To which my response was, but he didn't behave this poorly last year. But then, my oldest reminded me, "Well, Mom, last year he didn't know what to expect." (As we are sure that he hadn't experienced holiday celebrations before becoming a part of our family.) It has put my mind to rest, but it is so difficult to have to deal with the challenges on a daily basis amid all of the other things that life throws my way. Oh, well, I know it is all part of being an adoptive parent and no one ever promised that it would be easy. Alas, I grow weary trying to find new disciplines and encouragements that work because it so often seems that nothing works.

It is difficult being so alone in these challenges, as we have very few friends who truly understand our struggles because our children did not belong to us as infants. They came to us as toddlers or preschoolers from the foster care system. They came with so many insecurities, fears and anger. They had no boundaries or training in self-discipline in their early years, so when they are feeling strong emotions, whether positive or negative, they don't know how to control their actions and it's exhausting trying to teach them.

I know that it is well worth it, as clearly evidenced by our two older boys, who are such a blessing as they grow in the Lord. I know that this little one too, but I guess, I forgot how challenging and tiring it can be, and I'm no longer a Spring chicken!

Anyway, that's all for now. I feel a little better, just getting some of this off of my chest.

Out of a Far Country by Christopher Yuan and Angela Yuan

I just finished reading this book last night. It is not a very long book and it is an easy read. It also kept my attention. It was very interesting as reading this book and hearing about the life of a young man who had chosen the homosexual lifestyle, but later came to a saving knowledge of the Lord, learned that the Lord condemns homosexual sex and that Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 make it clear that "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination."
The Bible does not say that God hates homosexuals; it says the act of homosexuality is an abomination.

It was also quite clear that Christopher, the young man whose life the book is about, was living in sin and searching for something that was missing in his life, but he was searching in all of the wrong places. Not only did he practice homosexuality, but he became a drug dealer and addict, and eventually, he ended up in jail.

The story is also about Christopher's mom and her own problems, which seemed to come to a head, when Christopher left in an angry state because his parents would not accept his homosexual lifestyle. She became so depressed, she planned her own suicide.

It is a blessing to read this book and see how God worked in the lives of Christopher and his mother, and eventually, Christopher's father, and how God saved each of them individually and the three of them as a family.

One of my favorite parts of the book is where Christopher shares that he came to a realization that his identity should not be his sexuality, but that Paul said in Acts 17:28, "For in him we live and move and have our being." God says, "Be holy, for I am holy." Holy sexuality is based on obedience, which means that no matter what his situation, no matter what his feelings, he must obey and be faithful to God.

I think this book shows that people are not born homosexual. It clearly shows that God seeks and saves people from this so-called lifestyle. It is a book worth reading, and I recommend that you read it to find out how God changed Christopher's mother and to see what God called Christopher to. It is a great example of God's love, grace, mercy and faithfulness.

Busy is as Busy Does

I just can't seem to find enough time to do much posting here on my blog. I am busy schooling my boys, taking care of my house and family and trying to get my business running. In order to get my Etsy shop noticed, I need to spend a couple of hours a day online on the Etsy site networking with other shop owners.

I am also trying to build a bit of a business offline as well. It's a slow process, but one that I am enjoying, and one that I hope will pay off.

Today was our last co-op day until after the holidays, and as much as we all enjoy our co-op, I am thankful for the break. However, basketball begins on Saturday. I received the schedule for the months of November and December and they aren't too bad. We did, however, receive some bad news today in regard to the varsity team that Anthony will be playing on. They will have a different coach again this year. The bad thing is the one boy who is moving up to the varsity team this year has strong self-centered tendencies and a bad temper. Last year, most of the boys on the JV team wanted him off of the team because he gets nasty to his teammates, and we've seen him lose his cool in a game. Well, the coach is his father, who encourages the self-centered attitude and hasn't done much to curb the bad temper, so we are concerned for the team this year, and Anthony, who was looking forward to this season, (as it is his senior year), is now dreading it. So, please help us bathe this issue in prayer. This is a Christian Homeschool team my boys participate on, and we hope the organization will take a stand, if it becomes necessary, to be clear on the appropriate behavior that is expected. However, it is quite apparent that a lot of people shy away from saying too much to this gentleman, who will be coaching, because they feel indebted to him because he helped to start this homeschool basketball program and has been involved for many years. So, please help us to pray.

Another, much bigger prayer request is for dear friends of ours who adopted a little girl from another country. They are currently in that country to bring her home, but they are experiencing some problems in that the little girl stopped taking her bottle for them and began to dehydrate, so they had to take her to the hospital. They have a nurse who was to arrive yesterday to be with them on the journey back to the U.S. to help with this precious little girl's special needs, so please pray that all will go well. Pray for sweet little Katie and her new mommy and daddy, Susanna and Joe.