Just an update on the goings on around here.  Mary-Kate and I have been sewing up a storm trying to produce some inventory for a possible  we based business.  Now we are just novices at this whole business thing and worse than novices at the whole web thing.  But we thought that it might be worth a try to showcase our talents online and see what transpires.  Nothing ventured noting gained as they say.

So if you all want to get a gander at what is for sale just go to http://RebekahandMaryKatesplace.blogspot.com .  If you are brave enough to want to buy just add a comment and we will go from there.  Thank you.

I came across this meditation about a month ago and said that I would post it sometime.  St. Augustine is one of my favorites, because he was a serious sinner and he knew it.  But when the chips were down he gave up his sinful life and worked hard for the kingdom of God.  He was also honest about his sinfulness and his struggle to be holy.  Anyway here it is.

You mustn't regard fasting as an unimportant or superfluous matter.  Please don't think to yourself when perhaps you are fasting because it is the Church's custom, don't say to yourself, or listen to the suggestions of the tempter inside you saying, "What are you doing, you and your fasting?   You're cheating your soul, you're not giving it what it takes delight in.  You're inflicting punishment on yourself, you have turned into your own torturer and executioner.  So does your torturing yourself please God?  That means he's cruel, if he enjoys your being punished."

Answer this sort of tempter like this:   "Yes, I do hurt myself, so that he may spare me; I do impose my own punishment on myself, so that he may come to my assistance, that I may please his eyes, that I may charm his goodness.  I mean, the victim too is hurt, in order to be laid on the altar.  In this way my flesh will exert less pressure on my mind."  And to someone of this sort trying to dissuade you with bad arguments, reply with this comparison:   "Suppose you were going to ride a horse, and it looked as if it might throw you with its friskiness, wouldn't you make sure of having a safe journey, by cutting the rations of the unruly beast, and taming it  with hunger, since you couldn't curb it with the reins?  My flesh is my mount.  On my journey to Jerusalem it frequently runs away with me, and tries to make me lose my way, and my way is Christ; so as it plays up like that, shouldn't I restrain it with fasting?"

Saint Augustine

This meditation really struck me and made me wonder if I don't fast enough to control my flesh.  Would it make it easier to dwell on Christ and his teachings and promptings.  I have a new tool in my arsenal against Satan.

Outside My Window:  The sun is shining brightly.  It is 88 out and getting very muggy.  The air is perfumed with freshly mown hay.

I Am Thinking:  It is very quiet around here since my son left.  How can one quiet person make such a big impact on life around here?

I Am Thankful For:  The love of my family.  For too warm days that keep me indoors so I can get some work done inside.

From The Kitchen:  Nothing is happening there.  There is quiet and order since lunch is over and all is cleaned up.

I'm Creating:  Sewing and sewing to have items to sell when my website gets up and running.

I'm Going:  into the pool when I get some more done in here.  Hopefully nowhere else in the car today. 

I'm Wearing:  a denim skort, orange tank top, and flip flops

I'm Reading:  Passion for Purity (can't think of the author)  I have to prepare a presentation of purity and modesty for the young girls group at church. 

I'm Hoping;  that Matthew and I get all the hay baled before it rains this evening

I'm Hearing:  Mary-Kate at the sewing machine making baby quilts for sale.

Around the House:  everything is quiet and clean.  (we worked hard to clean before the humidity got too bad)

One of My Favorite Things:  Having my daughter near.  I'm drinking in the time with her before she has to leave for college.

A Few Plans For The Rest of The Week:  sewing, scrapbooking with the neighbors girls, more sewing, making hay

Here Is A Picture Thought I Am Sharing With You:

My wonderful husband at work milking the cows.  It takes a big man to do this job on such a hot and muggy day.  He milks day in and day out to support us and never complains.  Thanks be to God for the good man that he is.