Good Monday Morning!!
We’ve gotten an early start to our day. I’ve noticed over the last several months that as the day reaches about noon, we begin to become less and less productive. Armed with this knowledge, I’m finding that getting an early start to our day allows us to get more done and in less time than we would if we took our time getting started in the morning.
*One note this morning, I heard from Angie after my post last week on fasting one day a week. I had mentioned that pregnant women should never fast but she wrote and told me that it’s O.K. for pregnant women to fast if they are drinking fruit and veggie juices during the day. I’m glad to learn this…and might try it if we find ourselves with a new little blessing on the way at some point in the future. Fasting really does make a difference in the way you feel.
Over the weekend, we had several things that kept us busy.
When Mom came for her birthday, she was so sweet to bring us vegetables from the farmer’s market. We spent Saturday morning shelling peas. It’s amazing what you learn about children…Timothy (age 4) could shell peas as fast as I could! We were all amazed!! We had a fun time sitting around the kitchen table chatting as we worked together to prepare the vegetables for the deep freeze.
We started to work on various web projects and sewing…alas, it was not meant to be. The water heater that Paul has done so well repairing over the last few months took it’s last breath on Saturday.
I was never one to sit under my parents and try to learn from them the things that I needed to know to maintain a home….apparently, neither was my hubby so we are learning as we go along.
What I’m Learning
(We’ll do this first today …..)
Hot Water Heater 101….
If you don’t have hot water, first check your breaker and then take a look at the element in the tank. Has it been changed within a few years? (This is what happened to us awhile back.)
If your water is too hot, check to make sure the thermostat is set for 120 degrees and hotter will damage your tank….ask me how I know!) chances are, you’ve lost your hot water heater thermostat. Paul didn’t have too hard a time replacing this and the water went back to a normal hot water temperature in my home.
This brings us to Saturday, when we realized that again, we didn’t have hot water. Upon opening the access panel we realized that water was standing in the floor around the unit. As we began to research the problem, we found out that if your water gets too hot, it will damage the hot water heater (in such a way that it can’t be repaired…..why is this always the category that our stuff falls into????).
Hot water heaters need to be drained monthly…especially if you live in an area prone to lots of sediment like we do (this, btw, will significantly shorten the life of a hot water heater!).
I’ve also read recently that you can lower your monthly power bill by wrapping it in a hot water heater blanket. We’ve not done this one yet…but it will be in the near future. The blanket itself costs right under $17.00 at Lowe’s. You can buy an additional piece of insulation for the top as well for around $6.00. If anyone has a savings estimate that they would like to share ….a before blanket/after blanket savings….I would love to know!
Prayer Requests
The Schuj family…they are beginning life now without wife and mom. Please pray peace and comfort over this family.
Tanya’s cousin Kendra, is preparing for marriage. Please pray for wisdom and that God would reveal Himself to this young lady in a very special way. Also, for her cousin, Keri and Brian who are expecting a baby. Keri has epilepsy and needs prayer as she begins the task of finding a medication to control her epilepsy without harming her little one.
The Greenlaw family are to have received news on Kim’s Dad (who has been battling cancer for the last few years) over the weekend. Please pray for this family.
My aunt Denise has been on my mind over the weekend. Please pray for her and her family.
Today I’m Thankful For
A great weekend with my family (even with the hot water troubles!!).
It’s 8am and I’m almost finished with it for the day!! Can I get an AMEN?? 🙂
It’s supposed to rain again today….I’m so glad! My fruits and veggies are loving all the water lately.
It’s Monday…Paul has an appointment to talk to our business mentor today….I’m hoping that things are about to start moving a little faster.
I’m *VERY* thankful for hot water this morning!
Tracy’s Task
I’ve been making a mental list of all the back to school sale items that would make good additions to Christmas stockings or gifts. Crayons and a Dover coloring book make a great gift for any young child…and at Walmart last week, crayons were only 20 cents! It’s good to think ahead…you will save lots of money in the long run!
Today’s Scripture Meditation
Ps 51:1-13
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.”
(NIV)
I wish for all of you a wonderful and productive day!
