Lesson from a 2 year old

This morning as I was laying in bed, next to a wiggly 2 year old that had decided she didn't want to be in her crib any more, I learned a valuable lesson.  She wanted to put her feet down on the side of the bed, but when she did her feet got stuck. She put them there, they got stuck, she cried for help, I pulled her legs out and told her don't put them down there, she puts them down there again! 

This cycle continued maybe two more times and then I started thinking about how we're all like that with Elohim. He'll tell us to do, or not do, something for our own good. But in our willful, and selfish, way we go against what He says. Which only results in us getting into a situation where we must cry out to be rescued. How senseless of a cycle! If only we'd obey instantly we could avoid so much heartache.

My prayer this Shabbat is that Adonai would show me the areas that I am in rebellion and help me adjust them accordingly. 

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.  -Psalm 139:23-24

May your sabbath rest be blest! Shabbat Shalom!

Torah Momma Journal 1-2-13

What did I…

Offer thanks for? For some awesome friends who have so lovingly helped my family during this time. For my hubby who has let me sleep-in the past few mornings and placed my Bible beside me so that I could have a quiet time with Elohim when I wake up. For my youngest turning 2! It's amazing how the time flies by, but I'm thankful that I get to be with my children and watch them grow. 

Accomplish? Is it terrible that I can't think of anything???

Struggle with? Dishes. This week I have just not felt like doing much of anything. I know it seems like a small thing but for us it's an issue. Thankfully my hubby has stepped up and helped me out. 

Teach my children? We're working on phonics/reading, as well as working on character qualities. 

Study and learn? I've been working on my Hebrew. 

Laugh about? We went to visit my in-loves(laws) and the girls had so much fun with their uncles. We laughed for hours watching them talk about all the important things in life, like ice cream, and ballet lol.

Pray about? I've been trying to be more deliberate in praying for our girls. I've been praying this scripture over them:

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. -1 Timothy 4:12

What is this week’s Torah portion and what did I learn from it?

This weeks portion is Shemot Exodus 1:1-6:1

during my reading the thing that stood out the most to me was verses 5:22-6:1:

And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all. Then the Lord said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.

As I read these verses I started thinking about how often times when things don't go how we think they should, we quickly blame Elohim or assume He's not paying attention. But really the truth is that He's looking at the situation thinking "Now shalt thou see what I will do". That amazing truth, was right on time for me. 

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A New Civil Year

For my family, 2012 was kind of rough. Of course we saw God move in amazing ways, and we have much to be thankful for. But I think I'd still classify 2012 as a valley, in our life. 

My husband and I have decided to step out in faith that 2013 will be a much better year for us. We've prayed and now we're trusting Elohim{God} to bring it to pass. We've taken Hebrews 11:1 as our family verse and plan to have the girls memorize it and refer to it as we see Adonai{the Lord} working in our lives.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." -Hebrews 11:1

Well, yesterday morning {new year's eve} I was reading Psalm 119 and I noticed a recurring theme. The Psalmist delighted in Elohim's law, or Torah, and because of that he was able to withstand all the troubles around him. This really spoke to me, because like anyone else I am not without troubles. But the cure for our troubles can be found in the Word! When we meditate on it, allowing it to direct our actions and our thoughts, we can find solace. 

As I came to an end of my reading a few verses really spoke to me. So I decided to take them on as my own life verses! Now as I move forward in this new year I plan to focus on my Elohim and His Word. 

I pray that you also will have a blessed year as you walk with Elohim. 

My Verses:

It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy law. Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. -Psalm 119:126-129

Homemade Bagels!

This week I decided to make bagels to have for breakfast on Shabbat. I tried making them once before but I just used dough I had already made for bread. Those bagels turned out ok, but the ones I made on Friday from this recipe were DELICIOUS! 

My hubby has informed me that we will no longer be buying bagels. So I figure I wouldn't be too good of a friend if I didn't pass along this great recipe. :o)

If you decide to make them, I hope you enjoy them.

Shavua Tov!

Torah Momma Journal 12-27-12

What did I…

Offer thanks for? Having 4 wheel drive! We went out not realizing there was a snowstorm and  having 4 wheel drive was a HUGE blessing. 

Accomplish? Sadly not much. This week has been slow and not very productive. I did however find a site with some homeschool resources I am very excited about using next week :o)

Struggle with? Energy! For some reason this was a tough week and I am sooooo looking forward to Shabbat. 

Teach my children? We've been working on learning the days of the week. 

Study and learn? I've been working on some songs to play on the piano. 

Laugh about? My girls are always providing lots of things to laugh about. One thing that sticks out was when the girls were supposed to be sleeping but were up talking about what they were going to wear to church! Well one was asleep and one was awake, but they were talking to each other lol. 

Pray about? Oh lots of things. My hubby is still looking for work, so that's been the most pressing thing. 

What is this week’s Torah portion and what did I learn from it? 
Vayechi Genesis 47:28-50:26

This portion is about the blessing on Joseph's sons, as well as the 12 sons of Israel (Jacob). But what stood out the most to me was Gen 50:20 "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." This stood out to me because, Joseph fully forgave his brothers for what they did. He was able to look past their bad choices and see the hand of God. That is a prayer of mine. That no matter what happens to me, good or bad, I would be able to see my Elohim and His protection/provision. 

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Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls... Jeremiah 6:16

This post is part of a Torah Momma link up over at TorahFamilyLiving.com, you can head over there to see more posts like this one, from other mommas seeking the narrow way.

My Interview with Sowers of Hope!

Shalom Ladies! I was recently interviewed by the very lovely ladies at Sowers of Hope and I'd love for you all to check it out. While you're over there look around at some of their beautiful creations. I have a few items from them and they are all very well made and high quality. Here is the link: my interview

A Lesson I Learned This Past Shabbat

As  I was reading in Ezekiel this past Shabbat, Adonai dealt with me about something. I was just starting to read Ezekiel so I hadn't gotten very far before things started to make sense as to why I was even reading Ezekiel in the first place. The verses that the Lord used were Eze 2:6-8.

And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious. But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.

Now just to clarify, I believe that scripture has one interpretation, but many applications. So while these verses only mean exactly what they say and are an account of what happened with Ezekiel, that does not mean that Adonai can't use them to speak into my life. Ok, now on to my point :o)

As I was reading I felt like Adonai was telling me to pay attention to what was about to come, and then I read those verses. If you knew me personally, in my "real life", you'd know that I will gladly share with you about Yeshua (Jesus). I have no problem witnessing. But what I do struggle with is sharing my convictions. If you asked me why I wear skirts, or a headcovering, I most likely won't give you scripture and tell you exactly why. I'll just say oh it's my conviction or something else similar. If you asked me why we don't celebrate christmas, I'd just tell you well it's pagan in origin and so we choose to abstain. But I will quickly change the subject. Now of course if someone presses the issue I will share. Because it's not that I'm shy, it's that I'm afraid. I'm afraid of being the odd one, or being looked at funny. But I shouldn't be because YHVH in His Word {1 Peter 2:9} says that I am to be peculiar!

I am Set-apart for my HOLY Elohim, and I should not {and neither should you} be "afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks". I am to speak HIS Words to them, or else I'm being rebellious! Ouch! I don't want to be in rebellion to my Creator. Now this is not to say that I need to, or even should, go around preaching to everyone. It's not so much a matter of preaching, as it is teaching. Who knows how often the enemy has used my fear to keep me from sharing the truth with someone who was searching. When we refuse to open up we aren't allowing Adonai to use us. We were not created to fear! 

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. -2 Timothy 1:7

 The really funny thing though is that it's not the unbeliever that I fear. It's the other so called Christians who are quick to scream legalist, when in truth my hearts desire is the please my Abba. Not to be under bondage, or to put others under bondage. Every conviction that I hold has come from YHVH, and whether or not "they" see it is not my concern. What is my concern though is to always be prepared with scripture for why I live the way I live. Not to argue or to condemn another but so that those who would falsely accuse me, can know of the hope that I have in Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ)! So I am leaving behind that spirit of fear and stepping forth in the truth of my Abba. His Words will be my reply and His Spirit my guide. :o)

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. -1 Peter 3:15-16