The Desire of My Heart

I remember reading in one of my old journal attempts about what I wanted to be when I grow up. Sometimes at night I'd lay in my bed and picture myself in the future doing/being one of these things. At the time, when I was about 10, I had many, *ahem* varying interests.

They were:

1. A Wife and Mother; I mentally added, "Before that..."

2. A Writer

3. Maybe a fashion designer ('maybe' being a key word)

I know there might havebeen one or two more but they escape me at the moment. :)

After my horrible sketching/drawing attempts, I gave up my fashion designer 'dream' because all I kept drawing was wedding gowns and characters from books. (Big suprise there?!)

I still write and hope to at least self-publish (eventually) the book I'm currently working on now. However I don't want to have a career outside the home as a writer. I can still write from home! But I am content and happy with writing stories, novels, and articles.....not to mention all my schoolwork writing assignments. :)

My one 'dream' that has stayed true and steady since I was little was to eventually be married, run my own home and have children. Since I've grown older, that 'dream' is becoming almost a reality. It's the desire of my heart. At my mother's feet I am learning to do all the practical and useful things a wife and mother does. I learn mostly by doing, watching, listening and inquiring. At times I have a discontented heart because I can't do the things I feel are best in our home. Mum gently reminds me that it is HER home and she knows best. And that the Lord knows best for placing me in this home with this particular family. Mum hardly ever says this with a harsh tone or impatient countenance. Instead she lovingly guides me and instructs me with never a complaint. A very good character lesson I'm learning through this is to keep my heart under my parent's leadership and authority; as I will someday when I am married.

Pride is one area I struggle in, with many different faces. How can, when I'm married, be content and humble under my husband's leadership with a prideful heart?! How can I listen to advice or opinions of my husband if I can't do so now with my parents without snapping at them? I am so thankful that the Lord is slowly molding and shaping my heart through my parents discipline and love. I'm so glad that I know the Lord and I am being raised by the most wonderful parents. :) Though sometimes I may grumble at the slightly cluttered condition of the counters, or throw a disrespectful retort towards one of my parents out of pain or anger, my parents lovingly and gently correct me and I'm reminded of God's grace and love when I hear the words from my Mum or Dad, "Of course I forgive you!"

The desire of my heart is to be a wife, homemaker and mother someday. I hope to be as good and wonderful a wife, mother and homemaker as Mum is. But more than anything I want to be the wife, homemaker and mother the Lord wants me to be someday.

The Keepers at Home Goal:

To have a teachable spirit so that I can master the different crafts and skills which will enable me to become a competent, well-balanced Christian girl who loves God, and who will one day be a proper helpmeet and keeper at home.

*This future hope-to-be 'keeper at home' needs to get some shut eye!*

A birthday party...and a "pre-Super Bowl" party!

What a great day! Church was wonderful...worship made me cry...and having Ron there, actually, all of us together made our day even more special!

Today we had a party to celebrate Ronnie's birthday! Filled with family...even though some of our precious family couldn't be with us today, they were in our thoughts. ( Hi, Mum!) Of course, with the Pittsburgh Steelers in THE playoff game today, everyone was talking about that. Here are some fun pictures from the party!

Happy 7th Birthday Ronnie!!!

My sister... Lori, Ty and Todd

My youngest sister, Pam and her son Justin
My wonderful nephew, Shayne! (NOT liking getting his picture taken!)
Ty ( 6 months old) I enjoy him so very much! Thank goodness, Lori is good about sharing him with me!


I love this!!! My Dad and Ty...guess who they are cheering on?!


I caught my Dad laughing...and eating pretzels at the same time!


Ronnie got an 'Anakin Skywalker' costume...I think it's really cool! Before him, I only had sisters and 2 daughters...so all of these "Guy" costumes and interests are all new to me!

Opening presents...


My Dear friend and old neighbor, Jamie! Boy, do I miss living across the street from her! I'm so glad that she and Elissa were able to join us!

My step-mom, Maryellen...a BIG Steeler fan! (makes great crab dip, too!)





My beautiful daughter, Meghan and I...it's rare that she agrees to have her picture taken, let alone posted on the blog...I still can't believe that she will be 16 soon!




My lovely mother-in-law, Ro...the kids call her "RoRo" instead of Grandma....my niece, Amanda started that when she was little and it stuck! Another big Steeler fan!Look at my sisters....aren't they beautiful?!




Of course, we're gathered around the food!

And.....as of RIGHT NOW....Pittsburgh Steelers are going to the Super Bowl!!!!!! Way to go, Steelers!!! Darn....I guess we'll have to have another party! ( it's the day before my sister Lori's birthday....we'll have another celebration!) ~Sue~

Random Musical Questionare!

My friend over at Unworthy Maiden has done these, and they looked really interesting! Since I don't have a playlist on our blog, I'm using my playlist from my laptop. I am very curious on the answers, for I have many different songs on this thing!!!! What you do is for every quuestion, your answer has tpo be a song. Just keep clicking Next for each question...here we go!

If someone says, "Is this okay? "Stand" by Rascal Flatts... what the heck???

How would you describe yourself? "Baby Girl" by Sugarland...awww, I guess this is true with my daddy.

What do you like in a guy/girl? "Change" by Taylor Swift...okay, changing..."Would You Go With Me" by Josh Turner...much better!

How do you feel today? "The Best Day" by Taylor Swift...thats a good one!

What is your life's purpose? "Love Story" by Taylor Swift...*sheepish grin* thats not all I think about! Just Sometimes...

What is your motto? "My Hallelujah Song" by Julianne Hough...neat! Look on the bright side of life

What do your friends think of you?"Adore" by Jaci Velasquez...good to know 8)

What do you think of your parents? "All that I Need" by Soverign Grace

What do you think about very often? "You lift Me Up" by Rachel Lampa

What do you think of your best friend?"Boondocks" by Little Big Town...odd

What do you think of the person you like? "Heavenly Father, Beautiful Son" by Soverign Grace...good: I like Jesus, so it makes sense! : )

What is your life story?"O Great God" COOL!!! God has been my life ever since the beginning!

What do you want to be when you grow up?"Live For You" by Rachel Lampa

What do you think when you see the person you like? Odd, "That song in my head" by Julianne Hough

What will you dance to at your wedding? "Love Story" by Taylor Swift

What will they play at your funeral? "Long Black Train" by Josh Turner...ohhhkay!

What is your hobby/interest? "Imagine Me Without You" by Jaci Velasquez...hmmm...

What is your biggest fear?"Lost Without You" by Jaci Velasquez (Talking about Jesus)

What is your biggest secret? "God So Loved" by Jaci Velasquez

What do you think of your friends? "Every time I Fall" by Jaci Velasquez

Okay, I tag Ella, Dani, Tia, and Lane so tag you're it!

Sabbath Rest....

I've been continuously reminded lately, of the Lords presence with me and my family....daily, minute by minute, with each of us...and His deep love and care for us! As you celebrate the Sabbath today, I pray that you are blessed with the following devotional about Jesus presence in your daily life from 'Streams in the Desert'. Have a blessed day...enjoying the love and presence of your savior with you! ~Sue~
"O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee" (Dan. 6:20).

How many times we find this expression in the Scriptures, and yet it is just this very thing that we are so prone to lose sight of. We know it is written "the living God"; but in our daily life there is scarcely anything we practically so much lose sight of as the fact that God is the living God; that He is now whatever He was three or four thousand years since; that He has the same sovereign power, the same saving love towards those who love and serve Him as ever He had and that He will do for them now what He did for others two, three, four thousand years ago, simply because He is the living God, the unchanging One. Oh, how therefore we should confide in Him, and in our darkest moments never lose sight of the fact that He is still and ever will be the living God!

Be assured, if you walk with Him and look to Him and expect help from Him, He will never fail you. An older brother who has known the Lord for forty-four years, who writes this, says to you for your encouragement that He has never failed him. In the greatest difficulties, in the heaviest trials, in the deepest poverty and necessities, He has never failed me; but because I was enabled by His grace to trust Him He has always appeared for my help. I delight in speaking well of His name. --George Mueller

Luther was once found at a moment of peril and fear, when he had need to grasp unseen strength, sitting in an abstracted mood tracing on the table with his finger the words, "Vivit! vivit!" ("He lives! He lives!"). It is our hope for ourselves, and for His truth, and for mankind. Men come and go; leaders, teachers, thinkers speak and work for a season, and then fall silent and impotent. He abides. They die, but He lives. They are lights kindled, and, therefore, sooner or later quenched; but He is the true light from which they draw all their brightness, and He shines for evermore. --Alexander Maclaren

"One day I came to know Dr. John Douglas Adam," writes C. G. Trumbull. "I learned from him that what he counted his greatest spiritual asset was his unvarying consciousness of the actual presence of Jesus. Nothing bore him up so, he said, as the realization that Jesus was always with him in actual presence; and that this was so independent of his own feelings, independent of his deserts, and independent of his own notions as to how Jesus would manifest His presence.

"Moreover, he said that Christ was the home of his thoughts. Whenever his mind was free from other matters it would turn to Christ; and he would talk aloud to Christ when he was alone--on the street, anywhere--as easily and naturally as to a human friend. So real to him was Jesus' actual presence.

The public domain version of this classic devotional is the unabridged edition of Streams in the Desert. This first edition was published in 1925 and the wording is preserved as originally written. Connotations of words may have changed over the years and are not meant to be offensive.

Be A Clown!

Well, the title says it all: Anna and I were clowns tonight. I was feeling kinda bored, and I knew we had some white face paint, so my mom said, "Go for it!" I put my hair in a crazy style, put white face paint on my entire face, and made a red nose and a puppet mouth using washable markers. Anna wanted face paint too, so I painted her face after putting her hair into three tootsie rolls (ponytails tucked under) and her bangs into a poof. Then came the costumes: my nightshirt and pants for her, and a guys Harvard t-shirt and baggy pants for me! It was soooo much fun and she loved it! It was very fun to shirk my jeune femme responsabilités and act like a clown...by the way, the above french statement means 'young lady responsibilities'.

This was Anna's costume and you can see mine if you scroll down to the last picture. She wanted to wear my fuzzy scarf, so she wrapped it around and off she went! She is so adorable, n'est-ce pas?

We played runaway horse (as you can see from the picture above), clown wars (don't ask), and even walked the tightrope!We had so much fun and she even sang a special song for me and mum at the end, (Lyrics below):

Little Heart, little Heart,

where have you been?

I love you so so very much

You are my bestest friend.

I love to play games with you

I love to giggle and sing too

Little Heart, Little Heart,

you're my awesome best friend.

(Copyright Anna L. Gorecki, Age 4)

How cute is that????? Here is our final picture of us right after we finished our 'concert'.

We are now watching the movie Madeline and muching on some peanuts and rice chex, so I have to go. But as Donald O' Connor said in Singin in the Rain, "Make em laugh, Make em Laugh, MAKE EM LAUGH!"

Friendships...and the ultimate relationship!

Friends...what image is conjured up by the word 'friends'? Someone who you laugh with, cry with, pray for and with, share memories, talk for hours, support, make memories with, share hopes and dreams with...have common thoughts, interests....'kindred spirits'.

I've found, over the years, that some friendships come about thru shared circumstances...being neighbors, church, working together, or our children being in the same activity. Would these friendships have grown and/or thrived without the circumstances? I firmly believe that the Lord orchestrates these friendships in His timing, for His glory and sometimes...for a season only.

To quote a new friend....as evil as the internet can be, it has also enabled friendships and whole 'online communities' to develop thru shared interests and thru email, and other online discussion lists and blogs....sort of like old-fashioned 'penpals'...just not paying postage!

I was able to talk on the phone last night after Anna was in bed with a new friend...in Idaho. She and I have connected and share so many things...we feel as if we've known each other for a long time...she actually grew up on the same street that my Dad lives on now! Our daughters have also developed strong friendships...and were able to talk for hours last night as well...all 3 of them! Of course, it isn't the same as being able to spend time together, but I still believe that the Lord brings people together...to exhort, encourage and show His love for each other.

It seems the Lord has been strengthening friendships in our lives a lot lately....and blessing us with new friendships as well. Each one is so special to us...whether we've known them for years, or simply for months....I can see God's hand bringing us together for His purposes and His glory.

Thank you, Lord, for like-minded friendships! Thank you for fellowship, for 'kindred spirits'...thank you for being so interested in every little detail of our lives...and for sending people, whether family, church family, or other friends to walk this road together with You! You have created us for relationships...first with You, then in our families, and with other believers.....help us to share your love, message and friendships with all others...as we walk this journey daily with your presence always with us! ~May we all thank God for HIS love, care and friendship with us...and for the wonderful friendships He has blessed us with ! Time to get ready for a special birthday party tomorrow for Ronnie...with lots of food, friendships, and relationships with special people...making memories...may our love for each of these special people reflect Christ's love for us! ~ Sue~

Storms

(Picture Taken by Danielle Skiles)

Have you been bombarded by storms lately? In Streams of the Desert today, I read about strengthening storms. In the bible numerous times it tells us that God is in control and he causes all things for a reason. This poem below tells us that storms test our roots, and you never now how strong your roots are till the wind blows. So if your roots are tested, remember: the wind is blowing because God is testing your faithfulness to him.

The wind that blows can never kill

the tree God plants;

it blows towards East, then towards West,

The tender leaves have little rest.

But any wind that blows is best,

the tree that God plants,

strikes deeper root, grows higher still.

Spreads greater limbs, for God's great will

Meets all its wants.

There is no storm that has no power to blast

the tree that God knows;

No thunderbolt, nor beating rain,

nor lightening flash or hurricane;

when they are spent, it does remain,

The tree God knows,

Through every storm it still stands fast,

and from its first day to its last,

still fairer grows.

Remember, keep your roots strong in Him, so the wind won't rip them outwhen the storms come.

Happy Birthday...our one and only #1 Son!!!

What a joyful day today!!! Our only son, Ronnie is 7 years old today!!! What a happy, chubby little guy he was!From the time he was tiny, it seemed to me that he imitated his dad...he naturally seemed to gravitate to football and especially hockey...and he watched every move his dad made. Cracked me up! After my having no brothers, and 2 daughters...he fascinated me from the start.

No matter how 'tough' or what a little man he was, he was always and still is my special guy...still loves to 'snuggle' his mom, thank goodness! And...I love the way his mind works.

This has been a 'Star Wars' day....most of his presents are from one of the movies...books, dvd's...cards, and action figures...but, oh, the joy and pride of a little boy who is able to relate the struggles of good vs. evil to scripture! And the discussions we have....I think he gets it...and I love the questions he asks.

This morning, after he opened his presents ( he had to follow the clues to find them), and having the breakfast that he chose to start his special day....we went to the surgeon for a followup appointment after his surgery on December 3rd. The doctor had told us after the surgery, that he would be restricted to a walker for 6 weeks, then limited restrictions for apprx. 10 weeks until he was completely healed. Well....this morning, Ronnie was x-rayed and he is NOW completely healed...over 2 months ahead of schedule....Praise God for Healing and Answered Prayer!!! Even the doctor was surprised! Ronnie is now cleared of all restrictions, the darned walker is hidden in the attic, and he resumes hockey on Monday....we have one happy boy!

He had a short visit today from one of his best friends, Aaron, and the boys exchanged birthday gifts....of course, Star Wars! Ronnie and Aaron have known each other from birth...and get along so well! They always enjoy each others company.

Then, Ronnie had a surprise visit from our wonderful neighbors, Grace and Luke, who gave him a very cool Pittsburgh Penguin Sydney Crosby puzzle....they stayed and played for quite a while, which was nice as we've been a little 'isolated' for a while, due to different illnesses. We are very blessed to have the Kimmel family as our neighbors and friends.

We had a very special guest today, as well as all of the friends who stopped by....one of Ronnie's grandfathers, Buppy, drove over an hour to come and spend the day with him. Buppy can do anything...and if he doesn't know how to do something, he'll figure it out! Ronnie, his dad and Buppy worked on his car for the Cubscouts Pinewood Derby coming up in February. What a special time they had!

This last picture was taken as the evening winds down...with a fire in the fireplace, all of us watching a Star Wars movie...and of course, with lightsabres! Ronnie turned to me and said, " Mum....I'm filled with the good force, the force of the Holy Spirit".....I just smiled and agreed...May the God of all creation bless my boy...my 3 daughters, my wonderful husband, and all of you with the force of His love! ~Sue~