Wisdom for today

As Jeff and I carefully and prayerfully considered our new business venture, Jeff took me to Proverbs 31:

10  An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She dresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.  (ESV)

I hope that as I (and our family) pursue this opportunity, the Lord gives me wisdom for each day so that I can honor Him all along the way!

I hear the clock ticking...

It's Sunday evening, and we have mostly been in repose here at home today due to illness. We vacationed this week, if you can call tending to one full-fledged flu victim and trying to prevent a domino effect among other family members, along with spending a fair amount of time on school planning, vacation.

In spite of the challenges, it was an enjoyable and mostly relaxing time. Our cabin was perched next to something of a deer interstate, so we enjoyed the morning and evening parades. Only on the last day did we discover that the deer stood staring at us because they were waiting for corn, as provided by many of the previous tenants of the cabin! (Note: in a pinch, deer will eat wheat bread.)

School starts on Wednesday, and I'm not quite ready. Still more planning needed, as well as a couple of books that I need to order. Thankfully, we'll start with a modified, lighter schedule and work into our full schedule by sometime in September. Last year was challenging, and both kids are starting a new phase of study, so I almost feel like I'm starting from scratch in my planning, focus, and discipline. In addition, we're starting a new family business (shameless plug) which will require additional time from all of us.

Thankfully, we are daily laying our plans before the Lord as we allow Him to direct our steps.
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8/17/2010 Update: AnnaKate succumbed to the stomach bug last night. I wasn't feeling very well myself, so my sweet husband stayed up with her through the night. He held her head when she was sick, and sanitized the hound out of the house while she was resting. Bella, our dog, kept vigil with him. On the bright side, I guess this gives me one more day of planning, since I doubt AnnaKate will be up to doing school tomorrow. Sadly (in his opinion), Jared will be starting on his own tomorrow -- provided there are no more victims!

Launch Pad

Well, today was launch day. Our oldest child has left the nest, moving into the city to be closer to work and (eventually) school. After church and lunch today, we came home, loaded up three vehicles, and trekked down to get him somewhat settled in.

We're proud that he is on his own, and his younger brother will probably enjoy having a room to himself, but we're going to miss him. We've had him for most of twenty-three years, so this is new territory.

CBJ, phone home. Often.