Renew: Part One

I've been studying this word renew lately. When I was struggling with the entry to Spring and the weather warming up - this word seemed to speak to me and my heart and now I've latched onto it for a few weeks.

From my journal:

I've been thinking about the word "renew" today. I want and desperately need renewal of heart and spirit, mind and soul. As Spring approaches, I want God to renew me as He is renewing the Earth.

Tonight, I am weary {again} of foolishness, expectations, my own failures, etc... so I turn to God's Word seeking RENEWAL! Even for this evening ahead, please renew me Lord.

I opened my Bible and started looking up all the references to this word - renew:

:: Ruth 4:15, "He will renew your life..."

The people here are talking to Naomi - they are rejoicing with her that God has provided Boaz to redeem Ruth. How does this renew Naomi too?
- provision; care; the importance culturally of having a male relative
- hope and encouragement that despite all her struggles and heartache, God has not forgotten her
- hope for the future - grandchildren
- renew implies making something new again as though it has grown dull, dead, old, tired, weak
- renewed: hope, faith, trust, joy, love, peace

:: Psalm 51:10, "...renew a steadfast spirit within me..."

Implies that my spirit has not been steadfast - oh yes, that is sadly true of me - my mind is not fixed on Him, I am not living with an undivided heart.

What is a steadfast spirit?
- remains strong, stays the course even when things are hard
- focused, correct priorities
- not easily discouraged or easily swayed

Look at all of God's actions in Psalm 51:
- have mercy
- blot out
- wash away
- cleanse me
- teach me
- create in me
- restore
- save me
- cleanse me
- wash me
- let me {let}
- hide Your face
- blot out
- renew
- grant me

Now look at all the things David asks for:
- mercy
- forgiveness
- cleansing
- joy, gladness
- rejoicing
- cleansing
- forgiveness
- open my lips
- pure heart
- steadfast spirit
- God's presence
- Holy Spirit
- joy of salvation
- willing spirit
- save

What kinds of things do I ask God for?
- honestly, usually circumstantial help, guidance, wisdom

Write a list of things on my heart to ask of God right now ... here is my list:
- calm/peace
- holiness
- pure heart
- wisdom
- humility
- courage
- faith
- forgiveness
- contentment
- joy
- steadfast spirit
- willing spirit
- obedience
- healing tongue

Oh, friends - this is just the tip of the iceberg! Join me in studying renew? Here are some things to ponder today.

What does the word renew mean to you?
Write your own list of things to ask God for right now like David did in Psalm 51.
In what ways has my/your spirit not been steadfast?

Open Tabs

With the weather warming and my littles playing outside a lot more - there have been a lot of requests for snacks! These Carrot Cake Oatmeal Cookies are a yummy new-to-us option! Now, I want to try a few of the other variations: Apple Pie Oatmeal Cookies, Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Oatmeal Cookies and Blueberry Oatmeal Cookies.

Lowering Your Voice and Looking Your Kids in the Eye...Again {I think I need this every day}

And, this! At the Root of Clutter; I can't get enough of her most popular posts: Much About Doing Nothing {slow!!!!}, 3:30 Tea Time {yes please!}; Why I Don't Read My Bible

These Recipes - these are pure beauty and art just to look at! And, hand painted tea towels!!! And, this cake and adorable printable recipe cards!

I love golden hour and this post explaining Magic Hour is lovely!

I want to try these Brownie Cookies!

My sweet friend, Sarah, has this lovely growth chart ruler that she made and I love it! I want to make one this summer!!!

You asked about how to volunteer to fix dinner at the Ronald McDonald house? Start by finding your local RMH here. Then contact them from information given to find out how to sign up. Ours had a downloadable form to fill out and mail in but I'm not sure it is the same for all.

Fun free hot air balloon printable!

How to Live Well and Plan from a State of Rest

Quiet Study and Reflection playlist on Spotify {thanks Jessica for the link!}

Fabric flowers were inspired by these Christmas ornaments.

Mini Bathroom Re-Do

A project bug bit me last Saturday and I was antsy to get going on making this one happen! I've been wanting to paint this top half of the wall above the bead board with chalkboard paint and I l.o.v.e. how it turned out!!!

I swapped out towels with what we already had, made the canning jar soap dispenser from things on hand and used paint from my cabinet. The only things I bought were the art prints above the hand towel from The Meek Boutique on etsy.

I didn't really take before photos except for this one:

You can see a little more before in this Spring Cleaning post from days gone by. I wish I still Spring Cleaned, now I am lacking energy, motivation and time! My children keep this bathroom in terrible condition so I invested this time and energy to fix it up a bit in hopes that it would help them keep it nicer. So far, it is helping - but no matter what I love the update!

 

Total project cost: $20
Total time: about 3-4 hours

Other things:
- towel hooks are from Hobby Lobby clearance
- bird cage is from Pier One years ago - I painted it a while back
- art over towel bar was painted by a family member
- wooden heart on towel is from a craft fair
- star towel holder from my sister
- fabric and thread garland was made to wrap a gift years ago and when I received it back I tied it up there and it has stayed that way!
- enamelware toothbrush cup was a gift from my Grandma
- handtowel was a gift from sweet CC friends
- clock and shower curtain from Target in years past

Slow Day

Slow Saturday

After a crazy busy week, an open Saturday with nothing planned was just the medicine I needed! After a trip to the grocery store, it was time for a special treat breakfast! And, arranging flowers I picked out at the store.

Next, I made homemade peanut butter cups! I sweetened the pb filling with 2 Tbsp. powdered sugar but other than that followed the recipe as written.

And, then made granola for snacking on -

I'm pretty much always up for a project - I wanted to work in our kids bathroom some and it involved chalkboard paint.

When I have a slow day like this to just putter around and do projects, I love to make pretty food and often want to try something new. I made Artisan Bread, Apple Pie {I tried diced apples this time since I had a bunch in the freezer and loved how small the apple pieces were! Need to remember this next time!}, Fresh Green Beans and Pasta and Meatballs. It took me a while, but it was satisfying to serve such a lovely meal to my family. And, the pie was for Pi Day!

What is a Slow Saturday to you?