Riverbend Ramblings

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~Riverbend Ramblings~
The days are long, but the years are short.
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Friday, August 24, 2012
First Day of School 2012
The kids have made through their first week back to school. Bryn is now in third grade, Hope is in fifth, Case is in seventh, and Shay is a freshman (or freshWOMAN) in high school!!! My, how the time is flyin' by! Just look at this picture from the first day of school five years ago. Makes me want to cry!

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Written at Friday, August 24, 2012 by Paula.
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Monday, August 13, 2012
Sisters
Bookworm treated her little sisters to a "Spa Day" complete with bubble baths, fuzzy bathrobes, and new hairdos. They really enjoyed being pampered.

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Written at Monday, August 13, 2012 by Paula.
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Saturday, August 11, 2012
Thoughts on Discouragement

"Restlessness and impatience change nothing except our peace and joy. Peace does not dwell on outward things, but in the heart prepared to wait trustfully and quietly on Him who has all things safely in His hands." Elisabeth Elliot

Webster's 1828 dictionary defines discouragement as follows: the act of disheartening, or depriving of courage; the act of deterring or dissuading; the act of depressing confidence. That doesn't sound very pleasant! Christians aren't immune from becoming discouraged, but the way we handle discouragement should be different than the world's method.

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." I Peter 5:8-9

The Bible is full of examples of people who experienced discouragement and how they responded to it. Some turned to God in their time of trouble, and others used their circumstances as an excuse to sin. Satan can only gain the victory when we give in to the flesh and allow his attacks to consume our minds. The right response is to turn to the Lord and cry out to Him.

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsover things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do:  and the God of of peace shall be with you." Philippians 4:6-9

What do you do when you get discouraged? Do you lose hope? Do you want to give up? God wants us to keep our joy in the midst of trials. God gives us His peace to overcome the insanity of Satan.

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever:  for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:" Isaiah 26:3-4

I have no idea what you're facing today. You may be having problems with your health, your family, or your finances. Perhaps someone has let you down or has lied about you. How should you respond when you are discouraged? Give your discouragement over to God!

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." I Peter 5:7

We've been promised the victory! Memorize and meditate on Bible verses, spend extra time in prayer, stay away from ungodly influences, and refuse to give place to the Devil. We are on the winning side and are complete in Christ Jesus!

"But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." I Peter 5:10

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Written at Saturday, August 11, 2012 by Paula.
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Friday, August 03, 2012
Siesta Key
It's been a little while since I've posted, so I thought I'd give a quick update. We've had a great summer. The kids have enjoyed staying up late and sleeping in. They all went to our church's summer camp out in the woods. We spent the most relaxing week ever at a condo on the Gulf coast. I could have stayed there forever.

I think my friends up north have over a month left of summer break. We start back to school on August 20, so the kids have just over two weeks left to be lazy. I actually won't be going back to school with them. I officially hung up my principal hat at the end of July. I'm sure I'll still have plenty to keep me busy, but I am looking forward to the change of pace.

There are some really good back-to-school sales right now during Florida's tax-free weekend on clothes and shoes. I have some $10 off coupons for Ko*hl's and hope to find the tennis shoes for all of the kids there. Wish me luck!

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Written at Friday, August 03, 2012 by Paula.
3 comments
Wednesday, August 01, 2012
Welcome, August
"What dreadful hot weather we have! 
It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance."
-  Jane Austen 

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Written at Wednesday, August 01, 2012 by Paula.
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