Sharyn's outlet

Water lily on our pond

2009-05-27T09:18:00.000-04:00

How BIG is God to you?

2009-05-27T08:52:00.002-04:00

I have been doing a Bible Study on Believing God! by Beth Moore. There is a five statement plegde she encourages us to say to our selves every day!

God is who He says He is.
God can do what He says he can do.
I am who God says I am.
I can do all things through Christ.
Gods word is alive and active in me.

God is! He is all knowing, all powerful, sinless, everywhere, He shed his blood for our sins!

He is there for us to call on anytime. We just have to do it! and Believe Him.

There is one thing I need to believe God for today. That is for my mother.

She has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I lift her up in prayer during this time of realization and change. I pray for peace and encouragement for the whole family to support her through the surgery that will change her body forever. I pray that God will teach her and us what we need to know in going through this. Most of all I pray for complete healing!! They have caught it early so her chances are good. We rest in that diagnosis.

My strength is in God and thank Him everyday for the mom that I have. She has sacrificed alot for us growing up! She gave of her time, money and heart everyday! Her faith has gotten her through many difficult situations in the past! That faith in God allowed her to help us grow into the people we are today. She is always there to give a hug and feed you dinner! There is always another seat at her table! She never thinks twice about fixing another plate for a visitor. They are always welcome! Her intelligence drives us to be better at what we can be. We all have reaped the benefits of her faith and prayers.

God is good and He works all things together for His purpose.

I love you mom!

Back again...

2009-05-13T20:33:00.002-04:00

Its been a while again.. I have been working alot during the week while the kids are in school to fill in for the guy who just had surgery. I like the extra money, but I'm not getting anything else done. Both Kira and Derek started T-ball and Softball so we have been running them there 4 nights a week! I still have tons of ideas to write about just not much time to put all my thoughts on "paper".

Mother's day was nice. I got a dozen roses and some Japanese Cherry Blossom lotion from Bath and Body works - My favorite! Thanks Hugh and Heather(sis)! I took the kids and their friends to the peninsula and watched some birds and beavers and then had dinner at a 50's dinor that is on the beach! Hugh said he was going fishing while we went and then surprised us at dinner! That was nice!

I have been woken up at night lately by thoughts that come to mind. I think God puts them there to tell me things sometimes. I woke up the other night feeling overwhelmed by all the things I had been doing lately and feeling like I have lost some closeness with my kids. When I woke up the only thing I could think about was that my kids have a wonderful home and two parents who love them and take care of them and they are well behaved (for the most part). I know I can let them play with their friends or by themselves in the playroom in the basement and they can keep themselves occupied with good activities. Yet, I haven't been taking the active role in teaching them to BE a friend, LOVE God, Believe God and share a relationship with God. I asked myself the question, " Do I know what my kids ask God about?" "Do I encourage this relationship and nourish it with God's word EVERYDAY?" Satan is out there ready to attack them at any moment and they need to be prepared! Their little hearts and minds are so fragile at this time. It is my responsibility to prioritize the day praying God's word over them first thing everyday.

It's hard growing up sometimes. Kids are learning to play with many kids at the same time. They are making close friendships with a few. A little envy creeps in sometimes when one person doesn't play with them at recess enough. It's tough when you get in trouble for laughing at a cruel joke when you know it would hurt someone else. Even learning how to make someone feel comfortable in any group situation is important. Learning how to walk away from the kids who will get you in trouble and not wanting to hurt their feelings in the meantime. (I say he's not really your friend if he wants to get you in trouble.)

All these little lessons we learn in Kindergarten apply throughout life!! I am still trying to remember them myself.

I ask God for wisdom everyday to give me the words to answer all their questions. Even then I know they have to figure out most of them by themselves! That's when they remember them the most.

I can do all things through Christ! The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom! I am thankful to wake up in the middle of the night to hear God's voice if that's what it takes to get my attention! I am amazed at how the Holy Spirit protects and guides me! He will do it for you if you ask too!!

Hi Again

2009-04-25T19:30:00.002-04:00

It has been busy around here. I am back working three days a week during the day when the kids are at school so there is little time to blog lately. It is very nice outside. Today was past 80 degrees! Very unusual for April, but we need the taste of summer around here! The smell of fresh cut grass and the pond waterfall running again. Hugh pulled 4 frogs out of the pond already. We can hear them singing away out there!

I am struggling to find my TV remote too... Derek thinks Aliens might have taken it. Not really. But the question of the day on the radio the other day was "Is there life outside this planet? Alien life form? Well many callers called in to give their opinions. It was 50/50. One of the answers was " God created the heavens and the earth. Heavens being plural so there must be! I am having a hard time believing this, but I actually have to think about it. There was a man on his death bed who had to tell someone about the fact that he was sworn to secrecy about the fact that there is life form on other planets. Hmmmmm..

Believing God...

2009-04-04T21:07:00.002-04:00

Many of us say theat we believe IN God, but do we really BELIEVE God?

I am doing another Beth Moore study with two friends and this is really hitting me. I have been a christian since I was 7 and almost everything I have done has been surrounded by christian friends and family.

There are some things that I have to truly let God have. I say I have but have I?

I have to have complete faith in God for the following:
1. God is who He says He is.
2. God can do what he says he can do.
3. I am who God says I am.
4. I can do all things through Christ.
5. God's word is alive and active in me.

Deciding to believe God's word over our circumstances can be a tremendous exercise of the will at times. The great adventure of faith is not for the languid, but if He can raise the dead, He can surely help me through my minor circumstances.

I chose to believe God. He said I was forgiven. That I was beautiful to Him. That He had a purpose for my life. That I was a new woman, not bound by past decisions. That Christ took on my unrighteousness so I could be the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Cor 5:21)

God CAN help us through anything because He is always there! He doesn't allow us to go through anything without His help when we accept to be in His kingdom! WE just need to BELIEVE God!

I know there are things in me that I have to let God take over. He can and will help me to keep a strong and postive spirit through it.

Something to Ponder...

2009-03-27T15:54:00.002-04:00

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.
But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

It amazing to me how true this is! I remember most the people who touched my heart with at kind word or action. It inspires me to be better at this with the relationships I have!

Congrats to Kira!

2009-03-21T21:16:00.002-04:00

Kira has taken gymnastics for almost a school year now and she has learned sooo much! She loves it and that is worth all the money I put into the sport. She competed thursday night and did well. There were boys and girls ages 6 - 18 at the meet all doing their routines. Even though we had to sit and wait alot through all the events, watching Kira perform was worth the waiting. She took Third in all four categories. Vault, Bars, Beam and floor exercise. She is a budding gymnast and we are so proud of her! She had fun doing it! She is looking forward to her next meet at the end of May.

An update..

2009-03-15T19:54:00.002-04:00

If I looked at life lately all I can see is God's hand in everything. He is all around me everywhere! I have been praying for motivation to do what God wants me to do. Wow, has God been busy. I have to admit, that lately I was not really motivated to do much for God. Hugh was doing enough for the both of us. I have learned that God wants me to do more. When I relinquished this desire to fulfill my own wants, God reminded me in His word that He loves me and cares about every detail of my life. He also has a plan for what I am supposed to do. I have met three wonderful women who blessed me with God's love has shared an interest in growing deeper in his word. God's love can cover our human wants and desires. I have been so encourged through their kind words and prayers. Life's trials and daily walk is MUCH easier with Godly friends surrounding you and keeping your foot from being caught! The closer you get to God and the softer your heart gets to share His gospel, the more Satan tries to stop it, whether it be cutting down your confidence or throwing something in front of you that takes your attention away from God. So be on your guard! The Holy Spirit, if He is in you, will fight for you every step of the way! That seems to be my life lately.

Patience...

2009-03-04T13:44:00.002-05:00

Patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit. There are two Greek words that translate "patience", Hupomone and Makrothumia. The word Hupomone possesses the meaning you most often associate with the word patience. It means to persevere, remain under...bearing up under. It refers to the quality of character which does not allow one to surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial. Hupomone is endurance in relation to "things or circumstances".

Hope inspires Hupomone. There are two kinds of hope. English definition of hope and the Biblical(Greek)meaning of hope. The English definition is a positive thought or wish toward something we might obtain. The biblical concept of hope is positive outlook toward an expected end. It is focused on what must happen not on what might happen. With all that said. Hupomone is perseverance, endurance and bearing up under difficult things or circumstances inspired by a beneficial expectation.

Makrothumia means forbearance, self-restraint before proceeding to action. It is the quality of a person who is able to avenge himself yet refrains from doing so. Makrothumis is patience in respect to persons while hupomone is endurance, putting up with things or circumstances. In 2 Timothy 3:10 and Colossians 1:10-12, Paul emphasizes the importance of being patient in respect to persons and enduring in respect to situation or circumstances. Hupomone is inspired by hope and Makrothumia is inspired by mercy.

We need to forbear and restrain ourselves when it comes to trying people and persevere with all hope and endurance through our physical circumstances. In neither case does God allow us to give up and/or complain! Whatever it is, a person who gives you grief or a situation that leaves you empty, we have a biblical hope that ensures our reward!

Hebrews 10:35-36 "So do not throw away your confidence: it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised!"

We have patience with others as a result of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
The things we hope and pray for in Christ will be taken care of and we WILL have victory over them.

The opposite of patience is judgement. We cannot be patient and judge at the same time! When we judge others, we judge ourselves. We are incapable of reading minds and judging hearts. Only God can do that!! Rom 2:2. When we judge others we are judging God. Our judgment reveals contempt for the riches of God's patience Rom 2:4. God desires to give every chance for the sinner to say "yes" to salvation.

"TIME is not nearly as important as God's timing!..Dr Adrian Rogers.

God's judgement is always righteous. Ours is tainted by flesh. Our judgement of others is tainted by our attitudes, our pasts, our personalities,and our positions. Only God is the perfectly righteous judge. "David would rather fall into the hand of God than that of man." 2 Samuel 24:14.

This is weighing on my heart lately so I wanted to share this with you. Thanks to Beth Moore, I am reminded of God's patience and strength to help me be more patient!

Encouragement...

2009-02-24T12:13:00.003-05:00

"Of all things you wear your expression is most important."
( even though I don't feel like smiling, my joy should be evident)

"The best vitamin for making friends is B1."
(never let good friends slip away, keep the friendships alive)

"One thing you give and still keep is your word."
( It is very important to do what you say you will do. If you are late you are tell ing the other person you are more important than them.)

"Ideas won't work unless "you" do."
(this says it all)

"The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts."
(Always think of the things that bring peace and protect those you love. Deal with, don't dwell on the negative.)

Be inspired today. Proceed with purpose!

Valentine tribute

2009-02-12T13:56:00.002-05:00

Happy Valentines Day!
I have a wonderful husband and two beautiful children who are blessings from God.

I know that love is something that God has created and wants to share with us. That's why he created us! I am so glad He did. I have been given so many examples of love my whole life. My parents started it with showers of love and protection. No life is perfect, but mine was darn close! I didn't chose the family I have, God did. I thank him for that. I have memories of loving parents and friends throughout my life. I see life through that lens of kindness and protection. I have chosen my husband Hugh to continue the love and kindness the rest of our lives together.
When I met Hugh, I liked how he treated people. I like how he never took a dime for pitching lessons because he never had to pay a dime for his. I respect that decision. He is a great listener and storyteller. He makes me laugh. If Hugh doesn't know how to do something he finds a way to learn. I had an apartment building I bought right out of college and my father helped me take care of it. I could do some things, but I didn't know how to fix plumbing and electric problems which are the most expensive to fix! Hugh was willing to learn whatever it took to save money and keep the apartments running and rented! That is before we got married! All these things combined showed me the depth of his love and commitment to me. Because of this wonderful character he showed, I fell in love with him. There was just one thing. He wasn't really into going to church with me at the time. That mattered to me so I knew I had to start praying! I just started working for Sherwin Williams and now I am surrounded by Christians! I had to reevaluate my relationship with God and with Hugh. I wasn't keeping God first at the time. I find it providential that God brought me to a place where I was influenced by Christians everyday! I prayed for the right place where Hugh and I could worship and after a few rocky months, We found First Baptist Church and Pastor Elliott. He was the first pastor that made the gospel make sense to Hugh. Up to this point he was just going to church for me. I was blessed by God's answers to my prayers. His grace was beyond what I had ever seen. My faith grew and Hugh and I grew closer to the Lord together. I came back to Christ and Hugh found Him. That was the real beginning of our relationship. Then we got married 1 1/2 years later after Hugh finally got a full time teaching contract. We counseled with Pastor Elliot and got more involved in church and then after two years we started praying for children. This was a longer process than we wanted it to be and challenging to our marriage. God had a plan the whole time. We learned to focus on God and each other rather than our jobs and sports. After almost 2 years of trying, I met a new friend who told me to try eating strictly organic foods and clean my body of impurities. I did this and two months on this diet God answered our prayer we were pregnant with Kira. Well it wasn't but a short year later God gave us Derek out of the blue! God is always there and he works all things together for good. That trial brought Hugh and I closer and our faith continued to grow in Christ.
Hugh's faith grew like I had never seen any one's faith grow before. He was reading more and more books, and growing closer to God in knowledge and sincerity. He was influencing the kids at school daily and started a bible study for those kids that grew to over 40 kids! Again I was blown away at how God was using Hugh.

Softball was his life almost every summer evening for years. I have spent many hours at ball fields across the United States from Allentown, to Virginia to Seattle to New Mexico. He went without me most of the time after Kira was born and then Derek came along and He started playing closer to home. He was living his dream yet realizing what was more important to him.. his family. I could go on and on...

Life is good and God has never let us fall from His protective hand. God intends marriage to be a beautiful picture of His love for us. I love you Hugh very much and I fully appreciate your loyalty and devotion to God and our family. Thank you for loving me the way you do and seeing me for who I am. Thank you for all the roses left on my pillows and dozens through out the years. Thank you for the kisses everyday that say "I love you and I am here for you" You are a gift from God. I pray for many more years to come!

Its been a while..

2009-02-10T21:05:00.002-05:00

Sorry it's been a while since I have blogged. I have been spending more time with my family than on the computer lately. They have needed it. I have picked up another day of work during the week so I can have Saturday's off now that Derek is playing basketball.

I have really enjoyed the Upwards basketball program at First Alliance Church. They focus on skill, but also on growth of christian character. The five year olds practice skill for the first 30 min and then they have a 5 minute bible story time. Then they scrimmage the other 5 years olds for the last 25 minutes. It is fun to watch them develop skill and be able to throw that big heavy ball all the way up to the basket!! I have to hold back my "pointers" sometimes and just let him learn! He is catching on fast and actually scored 2 points last week! Go Derek!

Kira has almost mastered a back handspring on the trampoline. She claims gymnastics as her sport. Writing and drawing are the next best things in her life.

We had a great Saturday out on the ice on the peninsula. The family had fun sliding around and plowing into each other on the ice. Kira brought a friend and had a blast! They were soaked and freezing after a half hour, but they said it was worth it!

Just a little update and all is well here. I am soo glad to see mostly grass outside and looking forward to temps in the 60's tomorrow!! YEA! The yard will be clean, but I am sure that the snow piled on the sides of the road will take a while to melt.

Coming soon a Valentines day tribute...

Prayer...

2009-01-17T10:55:00.003-05:00

Prayer is not just something we do. Prayer is a mindset, an attitude, an atmosphere we create. As we learn to cultivate the presence of God, walking moment-by-moment with a conscious awareness that we have a friend who sticks closer than a brother, a counselor who is always near, a teacher who is always speaking, every waking hour becomes a prayer.
It's been aptly said, "When we work, we work. But when we pray, God works." A discerning woman knows when to cease from human labors and fold her eager hands in prayer.

The purpose of prayer is to bring heaven's power to bear upon earth's circumstances. We can literally invite heaven to invade earth, declaring to God the Father, Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Then prayer becomes the bridge that links heaven and earth. But we must listen to those promptings.

As you spend time in prayer, each morning and throughout the day, take time to listen. If you have your notebook handy, write down what you sense God is saying and focus your prayer effort accordingly. Too many of us have a one-sided approach to prayer. Our total focus is upon what we want to say to God. Let your prayers become a two-way conversation and see what a difference it makes. Prayer can be the ultimate adventure. Or it can be nothing more than a glorified gripe session. The second approach will do you no earthly good; the first will bring down the power of God. Which do you prefer?

We can't solve all our problems without the intervention and revelation of God's power in our life situations. Our lives come from God and He wants to help us through everything! God's word is his power and our prayers invitite his power into our personal situation. God has revealed to me my mistakes and given me encouragement when I am under satan's fire. I can't live without that!! Invite God into your situation today!

A new year...

2008-12-30T10:14:00.006-05:00

I woke up today and opened the blinds only to see the light of the sun shining on my face! It was so warm and beautiful I just stood there for a few minutes basking in its warmth and brightness! All I could think of was that Jesus Christ is the light of my life. I was reminded of His VAST love for me and that He chose me to shine His light on everyday! That is intimate and romantic!

I haven't blogged in ohhh what about a month - that is awful as I am inspired everyday trying to think of what I will write about. First I will catch you up. Christmas was very nice and the kids were blessed with many thoughtful gifts of which they played most of the vacation time.

I attended a funeral for a dear friend from college who died at 38 of colon cancer. He is with our RISEN savior Jesus Christ right now! He lived his life with a reverence for Christ every day. He fought the cancer until the end of his time here only to be welcomed in heaven by our wonderful creator who gave him a new and perfect body with no pain! Even though it hurts us when we lose someone close to us, GOD is still GOD and will continue to be faithful to provide all our needs. He works all things together for good!

I also celebrated 11 years with my husband on the 27Th! I am reminded of the love I have for my husband and the gift of his friendship that surrounds me everyday! I have been blessed with his insight into God's word. I have been blessed with two beautiful children who also have expressed interest in knowing our savior Jesus Christ! There is no greater joy than knowing your children are walking in the Lord! Hugh is a good father and husband who works so hard to provide and care for us everyday. He loves our Savior and tells people about HIM every chance he gets. I love you Hugh and thank God for the blessing of you in my life everyday! I know that your love will always be there even if we disagree. I know that you seek the counsel of God in every situation and I thank God for everything he puts us through to bring us into the people He wants us to be! I wouldn't change a thing in regards to what God is doing in our lives! As we are stronger for every trial and blessing he bestows on us! I love you will all my heart!

Reverence...

2008-12-08T22:58:00.004-05:00

Today's Truth
Ephesians 5:21 "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."

This story has sooo much meaning in my life right now and I want to share it with you!

"Mom, they were whispering to one another about the birthday party. They didn't want me to hear because I am not invited," my daughter said with trembling voice as tears filled her big beautiful eyes.

My heart was breaking in half as I listened to how hurt she was. "They are my best friends at school, Mom. Why would they not invite me?"

I reached out to hug her, our arms wrapping around each other tightly as she turned her soft tear stained face toward my neck. Sometimes there are just no words to make things better, so I cried with her. One week later, while driving our daughter to school, she asked her dad in a quiet voice if he would please stop at the grocery store.

"Why DaNae'? Do you need something for school?"

"Well, sort of."

"What do you need, honey, because we are already going to be late."

"I need to buy a balloon for someone who is having a birthday party tonight."

"Who is it?" I asked.

"Do you remember the girl who was whispering about her birthday party in front of me? Well, I want to take a balloon to school for her." I looked over at my husband and he looked at me, each of our hearts melting both with a sense of pride and of sadness. We knew we had to stop even if it meant we would be late. It was worth it!

Da-Nae' walked happily into the grocery store and in a few moments came running out with a huge grin spread across her seventh grade face. She was the happiest girl in the world!

She stooped to conquer feelings that could have been filled with anger and hurt. Some people might ask why she would make a fool of herself after being treated the way she was or how she could lower herself after what her friend had done to her. When Christ is the center of our lives, He empowers us to do things we could never do in our own human nature. She chose to stoop a little so she could rise up on a much higher level. She chose to reject her sadness about not being invited to the party. She reaped the blessings of stooping to conquer her emotions and blessed her friend in spite of how she had been treated.

When was the last time you stooped to conquer?

Wise Men or Kings?...

2008-12-08T09:20:00.002-05:00

Friend to Friend

I had my kids ask some of these questions about the Christmas story.
Girlfriends in God has a great answer for them.

There has been quite a bit on confusion over the years about the "Wee Three Kings of Orientar." Who were they? Wise men? Magi? Kings? How old was Jesus when they arrived? Did they get there on Christmas night? Or was Jesus a toddler by the time they arrived? The rough and rowdy Herdsmen in The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever thought a ham was a much more practical gift than gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Matthew 2:1-12 tells the story of the wise men (KJV) or magi (NAS) who came from the east to worship the new King of the Jews. Traditionally they have been referred to as Kings, but nowhere in Scripture is that confirmed. We don't know exactly how many of them there were, but again, traditionally we've celebrated three, because of the three gifts.

Most likely, they did not show up in the stable at the advent of Christ's birth. Matthew 2:11 says that they "came into the house and saw the child," indicating that Mary and Joseph had moved from the stable. We're not sure how old Jesus was when they arrived. Some sources say He was approximately two-years-old.

Apparently, God did not think all these details were important, but He did give specific details about the gifts that the wise men brought for Jesus: Gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Gold stood for the riches of a king. Jesus was the King of Kings. (Revelations 19:16)

Frankincense was incense used by the priests in the temple worship. Jesus would be our high priest who would go before the Heavenly Father and intercede for us. (Hebrews 4:14)

Myrrh was a perfume used in burial services, pointing to Jesus' death on the cross - a holy sacrifice for our sins. (Romans 5:8)

One way to emphasize the journey of the wise men is to place them a short distance away from the nativity displayed in your home. Each day, move the trio a little closer, until they finally arrive on Christmas Day.

Snow and more snow!

2008-12-04T21:29:00.003-05:00

We did get a little break from the snow. Most of it melted from the last blast. We are getting another blast tomorrow! This is more snow in November than I remember for a long time.

Busyness has set in around here. Shopping the sales, clipping coupons and racing for the kids perfect gifts!

Well it's official! Kira got her ears pierced last night and is so excited! She is cottonball happy!(they have to be cleaned with antiseptic 3 x's a day for 6 weeks) She wore her hair in a ponytail to show her new earrings off at school today. We wanted to wait until she could take care of them herself. She has deemed herself responsible! She looks so grown up! She is now waiting for a stocking full of earrings!

I finished my Beth Moore study this week and I am soooo blessed by the depth of her study and clarity in the way she brought God's message of worthiness to my heart! . He gave us perfection in heaven! Everyday we go through the process of being molded more like Him. As christians, we are his tabernacle! He gets things accomplished in our lives when we submit our selfishness to Him. He fulfills like nothing else can!

A little note about a prayer... Hugh was on his way in the snow fall to help a friend who got a flat tire when he spun out on the Interstate. Meanwhile. I had just finished helping Derek finish his homework when a went into Kira's room...she was sitting on her bed praying that Hugh would have a safe journey!!! I have never seen her pray like that on her own just because she cared! My heart wells up with joy that her prayer was answered and that she thought to pray on her own!! She is my special girl brought to me by the grace of God!

Have a wonderful day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T21:08:00.002-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Today was a good time with family on both sides. The turkey was delicious at both homes! I love the sweet potato casserole my mom makes and the pineapple casserole Hugh's Aunt Gina makes! I don't know why we only get once or twice a year! I guess that keeps it special!

I am truly looking forward to our sisterly tradition we have started about 5 years ago. My sister Heather hosts the "Christmas Cookie Baking Fest" at her house. We all make the dough of the cookies we want and bring them to Heathers and play awesome christmas music and have a blast remembering old times and making new memories with each other. It gets more fun every year because we add more kids to help! (Heather has been the one to do that lately). Kira is a big help now, she loves to roll the thumbprints and Derek, he likes to lick the frosting spoon!

I am so thankful for my family. They are the most important possession in the world! I cherish every moment I have with them.(even whem I'm tired and cranky). I am thankful for the new friends I have met at church. They have given me encouragement when I need it the most. God led me to this group of women at just the right time in my life and I say thank you to all of you for your prayers and support. Have a wonderful day and see Jesus working in your life today giving you peace and clarity in every situaiton. You will know what to do when He leads you!

Prayers..

2008-11-24T10:03:00.003-05:00

Sometimes prayers don't get answered the way you want them too. They always come true the way God wants them too. It's amazing to see God's glory revealed in His way. It is always better than what I could imagine.

This emotion stems from a friend who seems to be losing his battle with cancer. He is 38 and has a wonderful family with 3 kids all dear personalities. I have learned so much from the strength his wife has shown through this whole process.

Looking at life with a positive outlook can make any situation brighter! Relying on God's strength and not our emotions is the only way to live!

My friend may be with the Lord sooner than I want him to be, but He will be in a place of perfect peace , no pain and all the love he could ever imagine! He professes a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and knows of the Glory that shall be revealed unto him! We will miss him greatly if God choses to take him soon. His strength is perfect and I always have hope for a miracle!

Finally back up..

2008-11-20T20:35:00.003-05:00

After a few days without a computer, we are finally up a running again. Apparently we had a trojan virus. Thanks to "Uncle Milty" ( Hugh's friend from work) we are back online! That is the reason I haven't blogged in a while.

I finished painting a countertop and backsplash today. Epoxy is rough stuff! I will have to take a lot of grapeseed now that this job is done!

Kira had a rough fall the other day practicing her backbends. She is almost there. She tried on her own without a mat and fell smack on the top of her head! She bit her tongue on contact so it looked alot worse than it was with blood in her mouth, her head and neck hurt too. We put ice on the neck and stopped the bleeding in her mouth and ten minutes later she was up to going to friend day at gymnastics! They bounce back so fast! I was nervous for a few hours after that and she was asking me "What's wrong mom?, Im fine!" Oh how I pray for their protection always and peace when accidents happen!

Winter has hit Erie!

We have been digging out of the snow yesterday and today and more is coming tonight! We have about 6 inches now. The good thing is the roads are fairly clear! This is the snowiest November we have had in a few years! The kids are loving the snow so far and have already spent hours sledriding! The next thing is tubing at "The PEAK"!

God Bless!

Waitin on a woman..

2008-11-14T11:46:00.005-05:00

I watched the Country Music Awards Wednesday night and thoroughly enjoyed every minute! I have a thing for country music I guess. Carrie Underwood was awesome with a beautiful array of dresses. She was also Female Vocalist of the Year again! Brad Paisley, another favorite, was Male Vocalist of the year!
Martina Mcbride and Kid Rock were great too!

Brad sang his new hit "Waitin' on a Woman". His choice of song lyrics are very down to earth and a lot of people can relate to them.

Artist: Brad paisley
Album: Time Well Wasted
Title: Waitin' On A Woman

Sittin' on a bench at West Town Mall
He sat down in his overalls and asked me
You waitin' on a woman
I nodded yeah and said how 'bout you
He said son since nineteen fifty-two I've been
Waitin' on a woman

When I picked her up for our first date
I told her I'd be there at eight
And she came down the stairs at eight-thirty
She said I'm sorry that I took so long
Didn't like a thing that I tried on
But let me tell you son she sure looked pretty
Yeah she'll take her time but I don't mind
Waitin' on a woman

He said the wedding took a year to plan
You talk about an anxious man, I was nervous
Waitin' on a woman
And then he nudged my arm like old men do
And said, I'll say this about the honeymoon, it was worth it
Waitin' on a woman

And I don't guess we've been anywhere
She hasn't made us late I swear
Sometimes she does it just 'cause she can do it
Boy it's just a fact of life
It'll be the same with your young wife
Might as well go on and get used to it
She'll take her time 'cause you don't mind
Waitin' on a woman

I've read somewhere statistics show
The man's always the first to go
And that makes sense 'cause I know she won't be ready
So when it finally comes my time
And I get to the other side
I'll find myself a bench, if they've got any
I hope she takes her time, 'cause I don't mind
Waitin' on a woman

Honey, take your time, cause I don't mind
Waitin' on a woman

I personally think it is disrespectful to be late when someone else is waiting. I try to be on time, but don't always succeed.

There is a message about love that hit me.... something that stays with a person to get them through 10, 20 -50 years of marriage.

If you can look past the fact that someone is late, and look at why they are late, in this instance a young girl so wrapped up in the love she feels for her man!

"It was worth it", he says in the song.

You can't put a price on the feeling you get when someone is head over heels for you and looses all track of time, not from disorganization, but from that feeling of wanting to put forward their best for the one they love. NURTURE THAT!!

Lasting love isn't built only disciplining yourself to love, but mostly on the memories of those times your mate was totally head over heals "stupid" in love for you!!

The good thing is that God feels this way about us everyday and it never fades!!
God pursues you and His mercies are new everyday!

When God calls...

2008-11-12T14:35:00.004-05:00

I am so glad God doesn't have a bad day. He doesn't forget things. He is not indecisive on what to do next. He always knows what to do in every situation and He has all the answers!

Hugh and I have been led to a new church this past summer somewhat kicking and screaming. Since the journey began, we have wondered what God was doing next in our lives. We tried a few churches and have been led to stay at Millcreek Community Church for now.

This past Sunday, Hugh wasn't feeling up to par, so I took the kids to Awanas and was going to the bookstore to kill time for and hour. After I dropped the kids off, I was pulled to go back home and get some laundry done instead and make sure Hugh was okay. So I went home and Hugh was up looking for something to eat, so I suggested we go have a bowl of soup at Panera. So we did and that was nice, then went to get the kids. We got there a little early and entered the church through a different door than usual and Hugh sees a 15 yr old boy with a hood on siting on a bench waiting for his mom. This boy did not want to participate in youth group that night for some reason.

Hugh said to me "God has and assignment for me, give me a few minitues" He LOVES this!! He eats this situation up!!! A troubled teen a little rough and confused looking!! That is his element! I left the room and started praying!!! Up to this point at this church, Hugh felt like he was on the bench in a softball game, knowing that if he would just get put in the game, he had a pitch that could strike out the next batter and win the game. He hasn't been plugged in to a ministry yet.

I went to get the kids in the other part of the church.

The kids and I made our way back to the narthex where Hugh was still talking with the boy.

Picture him sitting down talking ebonics with this kid laughing!!!! He got a background on the boy and built a relationship with him that the Holy Spirit was now allowing to happen. Hugh set a "date" with him next sunday to talk with him about his questions about God. His mother had been bringing him for 4 weeks now and finally her prayers were answered for a Godly man to talk to him about salvation.

I pray for this Sunday night when they meet again.

Hugh had a purpose, and was willing to jump at the chance to serve. He tried to stay home and watch the football game, of which the Steelers lost!! But God had a mission and He was GOING to make it happen. We don't have a choice when God calls. Serving Christ is the joy that fills our hearts with peace. Nothing else matters!

Life lately...

2008-11-05T21:16:00.002-05:00

Halloween went well. The weather was perfect and the kids had alot of energy to get around to all the houses this year! We soooo look forward to the house at the end that gives out Juice boxes! The kids were thirsty by then. We have made it a tradtion to have pizza at someone's house and the all the Vernondale kids trick or treat together! This has been so much fun and the parents get a chance to catch up with each other too.

I was rear-ended yesterday going to see High School Musical 3! A lady couldn't wait for me to merge into traffic! Luckily there wasn't very much damage to my van. Getting it fixed is just something else to have to do in a busy schedule. I am so glad it wasn't worse!

Today I went to Bible study and was encouraged by Beth Moore's insight on who Jesus is and what He's doing for us. There was alot packed into this weeks video, but the part that stood out the most is the story in Luke 13:10-13. This is about a woman who couldn't stand up for 18 years! She was bent over double v 11 says. Jesus saw her and said "Woman you ar freed from your sickness. He laid his hands on her and she was made erect again and began glorifying God. Jesus didn't care what day he healed her. The synagogue officials had a problem with the timing of this miracle, but Jesus explained to them that it is more important to heal this woman than worry about some man made law!

Beth Moore pulled out the woman's state. She was in a position where there wasn't anything else she could do better or different. Whether it be food, a pill, exercise etc. She was bent over and there was nothing she could humanly do about it! God had her in this position for a reason. His glory was so much more evident in this situation. Noone could attribute her healing to anything else but God's miraculous power!! In this case Jesus healed her.

Jesus is in heaven right now interceding for us on our behalf. When we pray as saved Christians, He hears us and LIVES everyday to intercede for us about everything! Every detail! We are not just pawns wallowing about in a sea of people waiting to be plucked out at any moment to do something for God. We are placed where we are now in this century at this time to reflect God's glory and live relevant lives for him today! We can just live each day, or we can pray for God's will in each day and LIVE more abundantly! He cares about and has a plan for every part of our lives!

Have a great day!

Story time...

2008-10-28T13:49:00.010-04:00

Our local library had a "Spooky" story time last night. A friend invited us to go. I am thinking okay it's something to do they won't get too scared at the library. Well, it turned out to be a great time. Members from the American Chemistry association put on a great chemical event. They read stories about pumpkins and dragons and witch's brew. As they read the stories, a chemist was mixing concoctions of various elements to create a really neat, spooky and gross effects. Liquid Nitrogen was used to create cold "smoke" and "firey dragons". PVA and borax was used to make slime, and candle wax and baking soda was used to make writing on the wall appear! The kids got to try all these things! The best part was the slime and pretending to be firey dragons with cheetos dipped in liquid nitrogen. As they eat them the can blow smoke out their nose! I have pics to show this! This is the only time I will let them smoke! They had fun and learned alot about chemicals at the same time!

The Shack continued...

2008-10-26T16:34:00.004-04:00

It's been a few weeks since I have spoken about the book The Shack. I have a few things to clarify about this book. I read this book about 3 weeks ago and as an evangelical christian, I was moved by this fiction story. I like the relationship of the trinity portrayed by the author. He validates the fact that there are three persons in the trinity all with different roles, yet still one God. I like that.

If you are using this as a witnessing tool, however, there is no mention that Mack accepted Jesus Christ as his personal saviour. As a christian, I assumed this in the beginning, but it is not clear to a person who has not yet met Christ.
I was a little leary about the fact that God is a big black woman! I believe the Bible is clear that God is male. He should be addressed as Almighty Father and Lord. I do think it's okay to let our human hearts understand Him as a Papa-like character. This helps us understand the depth of His love for us.

Jesus doesn't have to be a perfectly beautiful human on the outside, only on the inside. We don't know what he actually looked like!

The Holy Spirit is with us through everything we go through. When we realize we are sinners and accept that a perfect Jesus had to die in our place in order to redeem us; it is then that the Holy Spirit comes to us and is there to comfort us. He is there even if we don't believe, but, we are now aware of His presence after we are saved.

The character of Jesus in the book makes a comment that He died for everyone even the Jehovah Witnesses, Muslims, Hindus, etc.. He still died for all even though they don't believe it. But, we still need a personal saviour. We have to admit we are sinners and accept Jesus personally or we don't get to heaven! Young left that part out!

The imagery and the waterfalls, the gardens and papa cooking is all the fiction part of the story.

It is a FICTION book and moving story. For complete biblical truth read the BIBLE!

Pumpkin farm?

2008-10-16T14:29:00.002-04:00

I have been wanting to take the kids to the pumpkin farm for a week now and it just didn't seem to work out. However, last night we decided to try to get there. We got the kids off the bus and drove 45 minutes to the farm. Derek fell asleep on the way. It was a great road trip up until we pull into the farm. It starts to rain a little! Hugh said we aren't spending the money to get in if it's going to rain. Hugh takes a vote as to whether we should stay or not. I say yes it looks like the rain will pass. Kira says NO It's no fun in the rain. Derek wakes up and says "It's just a little rain Dad. I don't mind getting wet! " Hugh makes the executive decision to get back in the car and go home.

We were hungry so Kira won again with her vote for KFC for dinner. Then we saw that the movie "Journey to the Center of the Earth" was playing at the dollar theater. I was thinking Derek would be scared. Kira couldn't wipe the smile off her face! Derek was as brave as could be even though cousin said it was scary. Hugh said What if I get scared Derek? Derek said We can just leave Dad if you're too scared.

So we went to the movie. It was a good movie. Only a little scary and quite educational about the earth and it's compounds, volcano's, and good humor too.

Hugh said "I was a little scared Derek" and Derek said, "Who cares about a "little" dinosaur!" I could just kick him and he will go away! Dad "it's just a movie!" He was too cute!

It turned out to be a great family time!

Time..

2008-10-14T11:33:00.002-04:00

Okay, this is a personal post. Lately I have been busy doing my own things now that the kids are in school all day. I have read a book "The Shack" and completed three 1/2 weeks of Beth Moore devotionals for a bible study I am attending on Wednesday mornings.

When I read I'm not putting laundry away. When I am studying I am not reading a calander, When I share at lunch with a friend, I am not cleaning my house. Get the picture..I was not prioritizing the seconds of my day.

God has been cleaning out my heart, showing me my imperfections and giving me strength through all of it. God revealed to me that I am not perfect. Here is what happened.

I agreed to work this weekend to let my boss have a weekend off. I had a weekend off last week. Only I forgot it was the same weekend that my kids had Friday and Monday off school. I was now working all those days! What was I going to do with my kids now. I try to help someone with a spontaneous yes and I end up leaving my kids Friday and Monday with my wonderful Aunt and Uncle who stepped up willingly.
Hugh had to work too.

I was mad at myself. I had noone else to blame. I wanted to go to the pumpkin farm, but I was stuck working all weekend!! I had to keep my word at work. It taught me to slow down and pay attention to detail!

God knew I needed this devotional today!!

Gilrfriends in God devotional was fitting today! All God here!!

I open up this email and here is what I read!
Today's Truth
Psalm 90:12 Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom. (NLT)

Every minute of every day is either wasted or invested. Since the Bible contains over 400 verses about time, we can safely assume that time management is important to God. In fact, it is a spiritual discipline. We not only need to view time as an eternal investment, but as an immediate one as well. One of the most valuable investments we can make is to spend time in solitude.

I once read an African proverb, "Lord Jesus, make my heart sit down". Solitude is deliberately and diligently setting aside time to "sit down" at the feet of Jesus. It is in those still, quiet moments of solitude at his feet that we can more clearly hear God speak and gain strength and wisdom for the journey ahead. In order to practice solitude, we must learn how to budget time.

( I had lots of solitude, it's the budget time part I needed to work on)

It's been said that women must balance their time more carefully than men because women don't have wives. The fact is we are all responsible for how we spend the time God has given us. Time is a precious gift! Every morning we are credited with 86,400 seconds. No balance is carried into the next day and every night erases what we fail to use. If we use it in the wrong way, that time is lost forever and cannot be reclaimed. Un-budgeted time gravitates to our weaknesses, is stolen by others or wasted on the unimportant. We must budget time, just as Jesus did.

Set priorities: Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us that "there is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven" (NLT). We either set our life priorities or allow circumstances and other people to set them.

Schedule priorities: There is a right time and a right way to carry out right priorities. Ecclesiastes 8:5-6 warns, "For a wise heart knows the proper time and procedure. For there is a proper time and procedure for every delight" (NASB). We must schedule time for solitude. We must set aside portions of each day to spend with God.

Stick to priorities: The apostle Paul teaches us to "make the most of every opportunity" (Ephesians 5:16 NIV). Every challenge will either wreck our priorities or affirm them. Right priorities stand firm in the face of change.

One day, we will all stand before the Father and give an account of how we invested our time. Today, examine your time management habits in light of eternity. Initiate schedule changes that honor God. Make a new commitment to invest your time wisely.

Now that I have blogged today, I am going to make some apple turnovers, my husbands favorite!

My Favorite Recipes

2008-10-08T14:59:00.005-04:00

I have been trying new healthy recipies on my family lately. I'm a little tired of the same old mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, hamburgers and pizza my kids would eat everyday if they could..

With America realizing the increase in health issues, I am trying to move to a more healthy lifestyle. Here are three of my family's favorite recipes.

Chicken quesadillas

4 chicken breasts chopped into small pieces
1/2 Green pepper chopped
1/2 red pepper chopped
1/2 small onion chopped
4 cloves garlic minced
organic taco seasoning
olive oil
8 sprouted tortillas
garlic powder
1/2 package cream cheese
colby jack cheese shredded about 1-2 cups

Side of guacamole ( 1 avacado, 1 heaping tsp sour cream 2 cloves garlic s/p blended)

Saute chicken in olive oil and taco seasoning til cooked through about 6-8 minutes.
Remove from pan. Saute peppers, onions, garlic and more seasoning (1tsp) in olive oil til softened. Mix in chicken to reaheat and mix flavors.

Brush olive oil and sprinkle garlic powder on bottom of tortilla and place on baking sheet or stone. Spoon chicken mixture onto tortilla and spread around. Mix cream cheese with 1 tbls of taco seasoning and then place dollops randomly over chicken mixture. Then sprinkle a little shredded cheese on top just to cover. Put tortilla on top and brush olive oil and garlic powder on top. Put in the oven for 15 minutes til cheese melts. Makes about 3-4 quesadillas.

Bow tie Pasta

8 oz spelt or whole wheat pasta bows(Farfalle)
1 bag california mix veggies ( broccoli, carrots, cauliflower)
1 can black beans or edamame (soybeans)or both
2 tbls organic honey mustard dressing
2 tbls soy mayo
6 cloves of garlic minced
1 tbls Italian or Asian seasoning

Cook pasta according to box instructions. Steam veggies and beans in microwave or stovetop pan. Mix honey mustard,soy mayo, garlic,and seasoning together in a bowl. Mix all ingredients together and serve. You can use ranch dressing instead of honeymustard and mayo if desired. MY family likes honey mustard.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

1 pkg spring mix
1/2 package raw baby spinach
toasted walnuts or almonds (toast in toaster oven) 4-5 minutes
6-8 strawberries cut in slices
1 pkg frozen edamame beans
Rasberry pecan dressing (Kens Steak House)

mix greens together, top with remaining ingredients.

Carrot Juice

Juice together in Juicer:

5-6 carrots
1/2 small lime
1/2 small pineapple
1/4 red pepper
1 beet with greens
makes 10 servings of veggies per glass!

Enjoy!

Cedarville trip

2008-10-07T13:50:00.002-04:00

I just got back from Cedarville.. I had a very nice time touring the campus and playing in the Alumni Softball game! It has been about 8 years since I have seen a fastball whizz by me and I am expected to hit it!! I played first base which is not really where I play but I enjoyed the position. I have been playing in a modified league for the last 8 years where they don't steal or bunt very often. I was quickly reminded of the much faster pace fastpitch is played. I have been sitting in the bleachers watching my husband play Men's fastpitch all these years. That wasn't enough to keep me updated on the actual speed I used to play. I actually hit the ball three times. That's all I really wanted to do! I hope my husband and I can help with the program in the years to come.

Coach Rowe was great. He split the Cedarville team in half and filtered in the alumni to form two teams and we played each other. The pitchers did well. The players have a lot of talent.

I brought potential player with me to the game from Erie. She was very grateful for the catcher who gave her many tips she could take back with her. Melinda felt comfortable there and hopes to attend in two years.

The campus has grown so much! I enjoyed eating in the new cafeteria for the first time in 15 years! It's like a food court in a mall! Anything you want anytime! No wonder they warn new students about the freshman 15(lbs)!

Overall it was a great trip!

Roped In....

2008-09-23T13:04:00.003-04:00

I just got off the phone with the new softball coach at Cedarville college. I talked with him about bringing a prospective student to homecoming. She is interested in playing at the college level in two years. He was very encouraging. He then asked if I was going to play in the alumni game. He said he had 7 -8 players so far and could use one more. How coincidental!
It's providence! I'm playing! I can't leave them hanging! I will have to pull my glove out and dust off the old cleats! I am gonna do it! I am roping my husband into pitching a few practice rounds of fastballs! I probably still won't be ready, but hopefully I will have some fun! The game is Oct 4 Saturday and 2:30 on the lady jackets softball field!

Just keep Swimming..

2008-09-23T10:06:00.002-04:00

Dori is a blue fish on the Disney movie Nemo. Dori's famous saying is "Just keep swimming." She and Nemo's father, a clown fish, are friends that are swimming hundreds of miles to find Nemo who was captured by a diver in the sea. During these hundreds of miles they encounter various trials of the sea. Sharks, jellyfish, deep ravines, getting lost. etc. Dori's attitude through the whole movie is somewhat oblivious yet positive. Her encouragement during each trial is "Just keep swimming!"
This came to mind after listening to Tony Evans last night.

Tony Evans had a great broadcast on WCTL last night about Where in the world are You? He told a true story about the first woman who swam across the English Channel. Her name is Gertrude Ederle. Her first attempt began and lasted close to 15 hours. The fog was dense and she was getting very weary and couldn't see anymore. She told her mom, who was in the boat next to her, that she couldn't do it anymore. Her mom encouraged her to go about 55 min longer, but she couldn't do it and quit. Once she got in the boat, the fog lifted and she could see shore about a half a mile off. She was that close.

She attempted the swim again at a later date. That day was more foggy than the first. Her mother asked her if she really wanted to try again today and she said YES! Her mother questioned why. Gertrude's response was I can do this. I have a picture of the shoreline on the other side in my head. I won't forget it. She made it that time in less than 15 hours.

We can't always see the shoreline, but God promises that it's there! If our focus is on Christ we WILL make it!

Just an encouraging story today!

AWE...

2008-09-19T09:03:00.003-04:00

I Have been thinking alot about AWE these last couple of days.

"Awe precedes faith" - Abraham Herschel

Many or the things we do we do because we were inspired or AWWWWed by something. We buy things because they awe us. We watch fireworks because they are awe inspiring. The people we listen to for example, Tony Evans, inspire us to keep listening.

I mentioned in my last post about how I haven't been awwwed in a few years. I have to correct that. I took a good hard look at everything in my life from a new perspective. God's perspective.

My husband and children come home everyday. I have everything I need. God's sustaining power of healing in our lives is awe inspiring.
My Husband has awed me in his teaching of Understanding the times in the way he brought scripture to life again. He communicates very well in every situation. He takes the time to study every part of the topic he is teaching and makes sure everyone knows and understands what God word says. He brings that same discipline into our relationship. He communicates and listens and he wants that from me. I am in awe of how God has strengthened our relationship over the years through all the ups and downs. I am in awe over how God did this! We couldn't have done it without Him!! Nobody is perfect and we all get busy and preoccupied. Satan wants our lives to be that way. He will try to confuse and distract us wherever he can and try to keep us from spreading the peace Christ brings to us. I am not awe inspiring in this state of mind.

The more I stay in his word and become encouraged by it, the better wife and mother and ambassador for Christ I am; the more AWE inspiring I become for Christ.

Pursuit..

2008-09-17T14:26:00.003-04:00

I started a new Bible study at our new church today. I left feeling more blessed than ever and I was brought to tears for what seemed no apparent reason.

We had to introduce ourselves and tell a little about who we are, our families etc.
A woman at the table in front of me said I have to Praise God because I just got my CAT scan report and blood tests back and my cancer is gone!!! Her face shown like I had never seen before. She was in awe of God's power and grace. The woman sitting directly across from me said her father had colon cancer and lived 7 years beyond what the doctors said. At break, I approached the woman who just beat cancer and asked her to pray for a friend of mine who is young with a wonderful family who was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer and she took the name and said she will pray for him and his family. She then told me another story of God's perfect healing in a man who had it everywhere in his body (stage 4) prayed with Awe and faith with a preacher on Tv. That was 15 years ago! He is still here! I didn't feel skeptical that time. I didn't feel bitter. Like why does God heal some people and not the others. I just felt hopeful. I am thinking I just came to hear Beth Moore and these women are talking about healing. I wasn't ready for this emotion. I went thinking I would be one of the stronger ones in the bunch. THEN..

What moved me the most is when we started Beth Moore's study "A woman's heart- God's dwelling place" The first thing she said was " Every woman wants to be pursued." We are going to study the wonder of God's pursuit of man in Exodus 25:1-2, 8-9. God wants Moses to build a tabernacle. God wants to have a place to dwell and show us His awesome power here on earth now. He singled out Moses and CAME to HIM and said "I want to be with you, make a place for me."(paraphrased)

She told us that God pursued you today to be here and be blessed by what God's word says. In EX 25:40, God showed Moses what he wanted him to see. In other words, He "caused him to see" it. God causes us to see and run into and hear things at the moment we need to. I was there today to hear stories of healing and pursuit. Both of which brought tears to my eyes, revealing a burden in my heart for both. Looking around I wasn't the only one in tears. Happy tears. Powerful tears, tears of AWE and encouragement. I haven't felt that kind of awe about anything in years. 5 years at least when my youngest son was born.

Our hearts are a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. We just have to ask him to show us His power and be ready to open the doors we may have closed and He will bring hope to every part of our souls.

There is nothing more wonderful than the presence of God who is in hot pursuit of YOU!!

My response..

2008-09-14T09:21:00.005-04:00

I feel the need to respond to the best poem ever. My mother in law sent this to me and I found it funny and liberating and mostly true.

It isn't all true about me, but here is how it applies to my life.

First, I don't want to move out.
My past isn't all that juicy.
I do own my own set of screwdriver,cordless drill, and a black bra.
I do have at least one piece of new furniture.
I hope that my guests feel honored when they visit.
I am learning to feel in control of my destiny(God is ultimately in control of that).
About confronting friends, I don't always do it the right way. I am reminded that Jesus had to confront many people: in the temple, hungry crowds,sick people, etc. There was no time to be shy. His confrontations were not always gentle, but always done out of love.
What God gives me I don't want to change.
I don't really want to live alone.
A charming Inn in the woods sounds soothing to me.
I THINK I can accomplish everything in a day. That's my problem!
Always be yourself and learn to appreciate others for being themselves!

A Great Poem..

2008-09-09T21:03:00.001-04:00

MAYA ANGELOU'S

BEST POEM EVER

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
something perfect to wear if the employer,
or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
a youth she's content to leave behind....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ......
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
one friend who always makes her laugh.. and one who lets her cry...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal,
that will make her guests feel honored...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
a feeling of control over her destiny..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD
KNOW...
how to fall in love without losing herself..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without ruining the friendship...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....
how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. .
whom she can trust, whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
where to go... be it to her best friend's kitchen table..
or a charming Inn in the woods....
when her soul needs soothing...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW..
What she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month..and a year...

AND REMEMBER:

GOOD FRIENDS ARE LIKE STARS.

YOU DON'T ALWAYS SEE THEM,

BUT YOU ALWAYS KNOW THEY ARE THERE!!!!!!

Be yourself...everyone else is already taken!

Bad words continued..

2008-09-09T09:09:00.002-04:00

I had a friend come to me the other day who was concerned about her 12 year old son saying the word "freakin'". "That is so freakin'cool" and "What are you freakin' doing?"

Is the word really that bad. I put it in a category with darnit and stupid and crap. Not really that bad. Well my mother had other ideas.

I had to ask my mom, 20 some years later, why she really washed my mouth out with soap for saying the word crap. I really didn't feel that word deemed such a punishment. I can remember her holding my chin very tightly and squeezing the liquid soap onto my tongue and I almost gagging. I can't even remember why I said it or in what context I said the word. I didn't have a habit of saying bad words. All I remebered was the punishment. She didn't tell my why at the time.

Now she told me that it wasn't the word you said it was your attitude and the way you said it. . I can see that. There are words like freakin' , whatever, Stupid and hate that may not be appropriate words to say. They can be funny in some contexts and hurtful in others.

Kids use these words to be cool sometimes and I don't really think about it much. I may say something to my kids like "that's not a nice word" but that's all I do if they aren't being disrespectful. My job is to teach them to think about what they say before they say it. If someone's feelings may be hurt don't say it. Have fun with your friends and laugh with them not at them. I also have to realize that boys have a totally different way of relating than girls. Guys rip on each other and that seems more encouraging to them than a kind word. I never really understood that, but its something I've come to accept.

Every situation is different and words are words. It's how and why we say them that really matters. Glorify God in all you do and say! That is good advice I need to be reminded of often.

Bad words...

2008-09-05T15:05:00.002-04:00

Derek is adjusting to kindergarten. He is playing with some new friends now. It was a little hard on him when his friend from preschool said "we are only kinda friends now." His friends play with other kids now. Derek said they say bad words mommy. I asked him what they said that was bad. He put both hands up around his mouth and whispered "they said stupid and hate and I don't really want to play with them anymore" I then felt a little relieved it wasn't worse. I had to explain that calling someone stupid is not nice, but if you say "that was a stupid thing I did" that's different that's okay. Telling someone you hate them isn't nice either, but if you are referring to the bee that stung you. That's okay.

The C___ is not a nice word either. CRAP. I got my mouth washed out with soap for saying that word when I was 12! Is that really a bad word? I think my mom had PMS that day. (I'm a women I can say that.) Im not perfect!!

I love to hear about life from the eyes of a child! I am glad he has remembered his manners and I hope he continues to be polite. I pray for that!

Derek went to kindergarten....

2008-08-28T21:28:00.002-04:00

My baby is now is school all day long!!! I did shed a small tear about an hour after he got on the bus. He gave me a heavy hug before he got on and had the look of insecurity on his face. I stayed at the bus stop until the bus went around the block and passed our street again. By then he was smiling and waved. Later that night Kira said the Kindergarten aide came to her room to tell her that Derek was crying as he was walked with his class to the bus line to go home. Kira came out and assured him that Hugh and I would be waiting at the bus stop for him when he got off. That calmed him down again. He got home and gave us a huge smile and gave us all the details of the day. He met new friends and played with the old friends from preschool at recess. He got to play with a "talking ball" in class. This is a squishy ball that you pass around and when you get it you get to talk. That was his favorite part.

Kira has a great class this year! All her friends are back and three new girls too! She is so independent and seems to have everything together this year. What a veteran! She loves her teacher. Kira's favorite part was having Mia in her class again and word searches.

As for me the first day of school, I got to clean an empty rental apartment to get ready for new tenants on the 1st. I don't mind working a couple of hours to get a steady paycheck every month! I have to tell myself that every time I open a stinky fridge that hasn't been cleaned for a couple of weeks!

God has been good providing when we need help. Our tenant moved out in July so it has been empty two months. We had a renter that backed out at the last minute and one that said she would be paying a week late. (Part of the business) We didn't get paid for another week and the bills seemed to all be due at the same time so we were low on cash. I called the International institute to put our name on the list for potential renters and the girl in charge there asked if she could see the apartment as soon as possible! Hugh showed it too her within an hour and she said she had a family from Nepal coming on Tuesday and our place would be perfect. We did have to make 6 screens from scratch for two days to comply with code, but we did it and she has it rented for Sept. We trust her and she takes care of the rent too! Thank you God! We are never left alone and God knows our need and he provides!

Just a little update. Fill your days with hope. It's a gift God gives and no one can take it away!!

One Life to Love...

2008-08-27T15:11:00.003-04:00

I heard this song twice today on Christian radio and I Loved it!!!
http://play.napster.com/track/24656832
It is coming out Sept 16. Some radio stations are playing it now!
Here is a little background on the new group.

33MILES RELEASES “ONE LIFE” ON SEPT. 16

First Single “One Life to Love” Has High Impact at Christian Radio
Nashville, Tenn. … Aug. 18, 2008… After logging in over 120,000 miles (not including air travel), performing at over 200 churches, garnering three consecutive radio hits and a Dove nomination for “New Artist of the Year,” 33Miles is releasing their sophomore record “One Life” on Sept. 16. The new project on INO Records includes efforts from a trio of well-known producers including Nathan Nockels (Passion, Point of Grace, Phillips, Craig & Dean), Sam Mizell (Matthew West) and Brown Bannister (Amy Grant, MercyMe, Third Day).

To kick off the new record, the first single "One Life to Love" has already been one of the most added singles at Christian AC since its release as well as earning airplay at CHR and Inspo formats. The single is now No. 25 on the R&R AC-Monitored charts and is currently No. 18 on the AC-Indicator charts. “One Life to Love” also exploded on to iTunes reaching the No. 25 position on the Christian & Gospel Top Song charts in only a matter of days.

“’One Life to Love’ still gives me chills,” says lead singer Jason Barton. “It also goes back to the meaning behind 33Miles—the idea that life can be short, that Christ lived only thirty-three years on this earth. So the question remains: what will you and I do with our miles, with the years we are given?”

33Miles continues to be committed to their original goal of loving the church which is evident throughout the entire record. The album also offers up beat tracks such as “When It All Comes Down” and “One of Those Days” that are comparable to today’s biggest selling country pop acts.

This overall mission and heart of the band is not only reflected in the single, but also in the lives of Barton, Lockwood and Stoddard. Whether it is serving the people of Guatemala on a Food for the Hungry mission trip (photo attached) or lead singer Barton and his wife being featured in Redbook magazine’s June issue discussing their covenant marriage (also a front page story on MSN.com), the members of 33Miles are living every moment to the fullest.

“The people of Guatemala returned the charity I expected to administer with a relationship I didn't know existed,” recalls member Collin Stoddard after their trip to the third world country with Food for the Hungry. “They showed me the gracious, selfless love of a Sovereign God who chose a specific place for me on heaven and earth, and the equivalent place for every person in this world. I think the size of my God grew exponentially in my heart and mind.”

From March to the launch of “One Life” in mid-September, 33Miles will have played for just under 100,000 young adults and youth ministers across the country including five of the largest youth events in the states. Their schedule also includes stops at some of the summer’s biggest festivals such as Alive, Spirit West Coast, Big Ticket, Kingdom Bound, Rock the Light, Unity and Lifelight. Continuing their mission of loving the church, the band will also be headlining fall tour dates across the country starting Sept. 16 (tentative dates listed below) as well as an extensive list of radio visits and events throughout the upcoming months.

Since their debut in 2007, 33Miles’ Jason Barton (lead vocals), Chris Lockwood (guitar) and Collin Stoddard (keys) celebrated one of the highest-selling freshman albums of 2007 with their GMA Dove nominated project 33Miles. In addition, the band has made tremendous impact on the radio charts garnering three consecutive radio hits with “What Could Be Better,” “There Is A God” and “Thank You,” two of those hits breaking the Top 10.

# # #

One more week..

2008-08-19T21:53:00.005-04:00

8 days til school starts for Kira and Derek! Today we had so much fun trying on all the clothes that were too short or too tight. Derek was stoked about getting taller!! All of his pants are two inches too short! Well that is two inches closer to the basketball hoop!

Kira is getting into style now, last year all that mattered was comfort, this year baby doll shirts and leggings are the hit. Jeans too. The stitching on the jeans is important. Who taught her that??? They are growing so fast! Last year we got away with clothes until Christmas. Not this year. Thank goodness for Old Navy's 40% off sale!

Kira is loving gymnastics! Shawn Johnson is her idol now!! She has loved watching the olympics with me. I am so glad she is starting to take interest in her own sport. We aren't pressuring her to play softball. Only if she wants too!

Parenting gets more challenging too. As I try to think of ways to motivate my kids, I am reminded myself of the same lessons. We went for a bike ride around our neighborhood tonight and Derek was getting a little tired, Kira was way ahead and I was running between. Derek stopped and said he was getting tired and wanted a push. We hadn't even gone half a mile. The whole circle is about two miles. I gave him intermittent pushes and the Kira wanted some too. She turned around and almost ran Derek off the road. I caught him before he fell, but he was shook up. He wanted to go home!! I said "Don't let one little setback keep you from finishing the bike ride. Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it! You can let that stop you or you can finish the bike ride." That came to mind out of the blue, but apparently gave Derek the motivation he needed, because he took off and said you can't catch me mommy!!! I tried but he was right! We went down an extra culdasac and made it home in no time and then practiced roller skating! Just a little teachable moment.

Never let circumstances take your joy. God's power and love is always with you even if he allows things to happen we don't want. God is most concerned about our reaction. He gives us a push when we need one and carries us when we can't walk. Never let seeds of doubt grow in your heart or your mind. Pull those weeds before they root. Don't worry and trust that God know what He is doing, Just keep going and trusting!!

Giving...

2008-08-15T21:20:00.003-04:00

Something came to mind a couple of days ago about what is really important. What do I really strive for.
My husband and I have been looking for a new home church on our side of town. We have been serving extensively in a church of over 500 for 14 years that is 40 minutes away and it's time to get our kids more involved closer to home.

On our quest, we attended three diffenent churches that have strong children's programs and came out with three different perspectives on worship and youth ministry. The first church is brand new 1 1/2 years ago and has a coffee bar, bookstore and computerized childrens area and three services (to serve all ages) and a gymnasium etc. All very, very nice and appealing to the seeker. The kids remembered the story they heard - great!

The next church was large and established and has a huge awana program and it's own basketball league for kids 5 and up! Everything computerized too. Very appealing on the inside and outside. Kids sat with us because they had no sunday school.

The third church was huge also. It was brand new building made of cement blocks and corrugated siding painted on the outside and cement floors and padded chairs in the sancturary that transformed into a gym on the off days. The children's area was very appealing to the kids in a large room that used to be the sanctuary. Not as appealing to the seeker on the outside.

I am really going somewhere with all this. Looks aren't everything! The most important element we want is to hear and we want our kids to hear consistent truthful messages that challenge us all week long, educate and remind us of the saving power of Jesus Christ and welcome new people into their congregation from all walks of life. We didn't find that in the first two churches as much as the third.

We truly felt God directing our steps when we heard the pastor of the third church give a very challanging message in only a few words. After he was done giving a rundown of his missions trip, he gave a plug for newcomers. He said "You may visit other churches and find latte bars and book stores and brick and stone outside, and when you come here you find only what we need. He said "My first priority is to see that the church's finances are spent on spreading the word of God to all cornes of the earth! The money we would spend on brick and mortar could be used in other places. WOW! That was it the clincher! We have found our new church! He did say there is nothing wrong with latte bars and bookstores, but make sure you can give to those in need first!

How much do I really need? I want $800 new rugs for my kitchen on a $300 budget. To go a step further, I can live with the rugs I found for $150 and give the rest away. Rugs are rugs, the hearts of the lost are so much more important! Who cares about what I think I want. God gave me one most important job and that is to tell others about Him!! I want to be a good steward of what God has given me and that doesn't mean I have to buy cheap stuff, I just have to be wiser in my choices. My heart is happier than ever giving things away rather than feeling the softness of expensive rugs under my feet!

True joy comes from giving to others when they need it the most. God bless

Blonde or Red?

2008-08-15T21:14:00.002-04:00

Out of all the blonde jokes, this one has to be the best!

Football FINALLY makes sense..........

A guy took his blonde girlfriend to her first football game. They had great seats right behind their team's bench.

After the game, he asked her how she liked the experience.

"Oh, I really liked it," she replied, "especially the tight pants and all the big muscles, but I just couldn't understand why they were killing each other over 25 cents"

Dumbfounded, her date asked, "What do you mean?"

"Well, they flipped a coin, one team got it and then for the rest of the game, all they kept screaming was: 'Get the quarterback! Get the quarterback! ' I'm like...Helloooooo? It's only 25 cents!

Okay, After this joke, I am seriously contemplating a change to red!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Speedometer...

2008-08-12T09:14:00.003-04:00

This story was posted on Girlfriends in God and I am posting it because I can relate. I had a car like this growing up in high school and college. It was big old red stationwagon that got me from point A to point B. I didn't look cool that's for sure. I didn't really care as long as I could go where I needed to go. Oh the memories I made!!

Here's the story.

Sharon Jaynes writes:

I met my husband at a Bible Study in college and quickly learned that he was a very frugal, industrious, and resourceful young man. On our first date, he came to pick me up in his ten-year-old Volkswagen Beetle, which he had purchased for $725. He says it was yellow. I say it was beige. Regardless of the color, this fine piece of machinery had several "remarkable" features.

I don't know if it was the weather or our excitement on our first date, but as soon as we got into the car, the windows fogged up. As we drove down Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, he asked, "Sharon, will you please get the defroster from the glove compartment and help me out so I can see?" I reached in the compartment to pull out the defroster - a small towel. Of course, I was impressed with his great wit and was delighted to ride around campus, wiping the front windshield as we went along. (Isn't it amazing the perspective we have of inconveniences when love is new?)

But perhaps the most remarkable feature of the VW was the speedometer. It didn't work. The speedometer broke when the odometer hit 200,000 miles and never left zero again.

"Steve," I asked, "If your speedometer doesn't work, how do you know how fast you are going?"

"Well," he answered, "I never know for sure how fast I'm going. I just have to pay attention to how fast cars around me are traveling and pace myself according to their speed. Besides, I can tell when to change gears and about how fast I'm going by how much the car shakes!"

Steve traveled around town and on highways, with no earthly idea of his exact speed. He was totally dependent on those around him in order to pace himself.

We were married ten months after our first date, on a hot August day, between the last session of summer school and fall semester. It was about 98 degrees the day that Steve drove from Charlotte to Rocky Mount, N.C. for our wedding weekend. (Oh, did I mention that the VW had no air-conditioning?) He left Charlotte in the wee hours on a Friday morning to avoid the mid-day heat. Because it was so early, there was virtually no traffic. Now that may seem like a dream come true for most people, but remember, Steve needed traffic to judge his own speed. His points of reference were missing, and he began to sweat.

About two hours into the trip, Steve saw a blue light flashing in his rear-view mirror and his heart sank as he realized he was being pulled over by a state patrolman.

"Where you going in such a hurry, young man?" the officer asked.

"Actually, sir, I'm on my way to get married," Steve replied.

The patrolman just smiled as he handed Steve the ticket and said, "Well, don't let this ruin your day."

When Steve told me his story, I was angry at that patrolman, but the truth is, cars are not intended to be driven without a speedometer, and neither are we. Our speedometer of course, is the Word of God. The Lord has written us this wonderful love letter to teach us how to drive safely through life. We aren't supposed to judge our pace or lifestyle by what others around us is doing. We aren't supposed to listen to the world's ideas for success, happiness, and fulfillment. We are to listen to God and allow His Word to be our guide.

Romans 12:2 says, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." I'll admit that I have a tendency to listen to the world's wooing and pace myself according to what is going on around me. However, when we listen to the world's voices rather than to God's voice, when we pace ourselves according to the culture around us, we are headed for trouble, but when we pattern our actions according to God's Word and depend on the Holy Spirit to fuel our lives, we'll be headed safely in the right direction.

Happy Birthday Kira!!

2008-08-11T09:42:00.003-04:00

Happy Birthday to Kira (Aug 9) She is 7!! We are celebrating with her friend at Splash Lagoon, a giant indoor water park today! She has been looking forward to this for months!!

We had a family party last night with all the cousins!

The best part was making slime!

The recipe is:
Mix 1 cup water with 1 tsp. borax(powder soap) in one bowl
Then mix 1/2 cup elmers glue and 1/2 cup water and a few drops of green food coloring in another bowl.
Then add the borax water with the glue mixture. Mix with your fingers to make the gooey fun. Mix until most water is absorbed. You can pour off extra water to leave the slimey putty like substance behind!

I would suggest not putting it on fabric, any hard surface is fine!

The buzzard,The Bat and The Bumblebee

2008-08-02T22:35:00.002-04:00

THE BUZZARD :

If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open
at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute
prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground
with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will
not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail
with no top.

THE BAT:

The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkable nimble creature in
the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or
flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt,
painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw
itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.

THE BUMBLEBEE:

A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies,
unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but
persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It
will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

PEOPLE:
In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We
struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that
all we have to do is look up! Sorrow looks back, Worry looks around, But
faith looks up! Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly,
And trust in our Creator Who loves us.

I say Amen to this!!

I spent some time tonight talking with several people at a party. One person in particular brought to my attention that her life was not as she planned and wished she could do things over again. Her kids didn't turn out like she had hoped (yet anyway) and her husband is nothing like what she married. This can be painful.

She does not know the peace that knowing Jesus Christ can bring to her life. Prozac is her answer. Sometimes this helps and is very much needed to get you through tough times emotionally. But the only real answer is knowing Jesus Christ who knows us inside and out and takes all our worries on Him. He doesn't leave us in our sorrow. He changes our hearts first and then starts to works on those we love. All we have to do is ask and emulate Christ's example. Much easier said than done, I know. All it takes is one step of faith.

All it takes is one step to get on that really exciting roller coaster to experience the thrill it gives us when we get on.
One act of kindness can open up doors to relationships that we never thought we could have.

Be hopeful and Don't worry!! The fruits of our lives are a picture of what is truly in our hearts. The more time I put into my kids the happier they are. The more patient I am when things aren't going as planned, the more cooperation I get to accomplish what I started. I could go on.. Just more thoughts rolling around my brain.

Look up and see the Glory of Jesus Christ!

Helpful..

2008-07-31T20:16:00.003-04:00

I have learned(so far) at least one thing I want to comment on from Randy pausch, a man who just passed away from pancreatic cancer.

I need to pay closer attention to what I do and say and ask myself this:
Am I enabling the dreams of others or at least being helpful?

I learned this about being helpful.

Helpful is a relative term.

Sometimes what I say or do can be helpful to one person and not another.

I have been known to give an opinion when I wasn't asked. I have been known to try to help someone with information that may be factual but not applicable.

Complaining or thinking negative thoughts hasn't ever gotten me very far.
It is a waste of time to complain about something when I could be spending my time finding a solution to the problem.
If I wallow in my mistakes or rehash someone elses, it doesn't profit anyone!

I have to ask myself if what I am thinking or saying is helpful to the present situation. I may be completely right about what I am thinking, but it is not always helpful.

I need to take a little more time to Listen and THINK about what I say and do. It can make a much bigger impact on my family and friends.

I am not perfect and I am learning from everyone around me everyday. . I have to remember to be completely open to what God wants me to say and do and not what I think I should say or do.

Just a few random thoughts!

Jury duty..

2008-07-26T20:51:00.003-04:00

It all over so I can talk about it now!!

This is the third time I have been chosen for my civil duty as a Juror.

This case involved a guy who was charged with selling counterfiet Nike sneakers.
Nike was not happy about this! Big wigs from Oregon came to this trial to testify!

First of all the prosecution needs all the evidence they can get in a case like this. They did prove that the merchandise sold in his store was counterfiet. The UPC codes did not match up with those at Nike.

The charge brought against the defendent was whether or not he KNEW they were counterfiet when selling them. He pleaded Not Guilty. After listening to two days worth of evidence, the only thing they could prove was that the sneakers were indeed counterfiet. He can't be held accountable unless they could prove he knew they were counterfiet. Okay... We all know he had to know they were fakes, but noone could prove it. So we couldn't put him away based on assumption.

After all, I have shopped a lot of places and found many purses, shoes and clothing that certainly looked like the real thing. I would not have known they were fake until someone told me what to look for. I also love to shop at liquidation sales and discount stores. Who doesn't! If I find a bargain I am stoked!! It's actually hard for me to pay full price for anything!! Maybe I'm spoiled or cheap, but I can't spend all my husband's money soley on a name or a brand when I can buy similar things at a lower price.

All that said, I will not buy counterfiet products and will try to avoid them at all cost. If I suspect that the product I am buying may be counterfiet, I won't buy it! there are serious consequences for this!

In this case, we had to render the guy "not guilty" based on the fact we couldn't PROVE that he knew they were counterfiet. If he did know, he hid it well!

Happiness....

2008-07-23T17:53:00.002-04:00

Today I got chosen for Jury Duty.. The selection process took most of the day so I had time to read alot!

I was reading an article on happiness from the Reader's digest and I wrote things down that I really wanted to remember and share.

Eleanor Roosevelt said:

" Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness you are able to give."

Mark O'Connell says:
"Happiness is a by-product of a well-lived life and it is achieved through the pursuit of endeaveors that are meaningful and sometimes painful."

The moral of the story is that values and morals bring more happiness than people or things.

Economic, political and religous freedom bring happiness, moral freedom and lack of discipline doesn't and can't.

One of the things I tell my kids when they don't want to follow instructions, such as no hitting, punching, kicking, spitting etc. is "Can I do that to you?" If they say no, then the rule is don't do it to them. Well they were exerting moral freedom based on how they felt.

We can't just knock someone off because we don't like their opinion on something or take something that doesn't belong to us. Very simple concepts! There are written and unwritten rules for that sort of thing.(The ten commandments, our innate need for love) Why can't people put their brains around this!! Our society says, I want to do what I want to do!! I'll keep doing it until someone stops me. (jury duty on my mind)

When confronted with a situation, look at the facts not your feelings and ( As Hugh always says) " SAY THAT OUTLOUD and then form an opinion!! "

Ask yourself what kind of freedom do you want?

Are you happy?

Happy or Joyful - There is a difference. Happiness is circumstantial and Joy is everlasting! That is another post.

(My husband would get technical about joy and happiness, but in this post happy covers both definitions:))

Summer....

2008-07-22T10:13:00.002-04:00

We still have half of summer left to go!!

Just a little update...

I have one softball game left to play and Hugh has 3 left to play and it's only July 22!! Wow!! normally we are playing games into Sept.

Congrats to Hugh and his team that won the mens fastpitch softball tournament in Dunkirk for the first time ever this past weekend!! Good job honey!

Derek just finished basketball camp at Behrend this past week. He has never played or been instructed on the basics before, so this was a great learning experience for him. He is now dribbling up and down the kitchen floor all the time and shooting the ball up the stairs so he gets an instant rebound!! He is practicing his shooting. He can almost get it up to the top step! When using a basket, The 8 foot hoop seems no sweat, but we are still working on the high one (10ft)!

Kira is finally doing cartwheels all over the house any chance she gets!! Gymnastics is finally paying off! We can't wait to see her show Aug 8!

VBS was a success last week too! All I hear are the songs they sang about the rainforest adventure where they learned to share, give, grow and love God and each other! What a joy to see them so excited about learning God's word!

August is filled with birthday parites and hopefully a vacation somewhere!!

Why do we do good things?

2008-07-09T21:08:00.003-04:00

I got to thinking about why we really do good things.

Do I give to the needy? Why do I give to the needy? For my own recognition or true desire to fulfill someone else's need. Does God enter into the picture? Does this change my perspective on the situation at hand?

Things don't just happen, I believe everything happens for a reason. If God allows something to happen right in front of me, He wants me to respond to his word and not only help them but give an encouraging word and even ask about their eternal destination. There is no room to be shy when God speaks!!

Still WHY?

If I don't have God, then WHY do I do good things or even obey rules..?

Maybe selfish reasons at first. I won't cut them in line because I might get hurt. Or I may not be asked back to the party if I treat people badly.

Some People do them because they think it will win points with God and gain more of a "chance" to get into heaven.

Really, When do the good works count? Sure, I was nice to someone and my heart feels fulfilment, but how long does that last. Sure I taught a Sunday school class, but how long do people remember what I taught.

Can I earn my way to heaven? How much is enough?

Without the blood of Jesus Christ, none of my good works count for anything!!!
If I accept what Jesus did for me on the cross, I WANT to do good things for God and others. It is only then that they count for something!!!! A crown or jewel in heaven, blessings on earth and everything else positive that comes with doing good!

Our works will be tested at the final judgement. If we do not have Jesus Christ to stand with us, noen of our good works will mean anything and we will NOT enter the kingdom of heaven!! Don't wait to ask Jesus into your heart, make every good work count!

Just an inspired thought I had today!

Strawberry Garlic Chicken

2008-07-02T20:19:00.002-04:00

I was watching a local news show that features a weekly chef. He gave us this chicken recipe that leaves you wanting more!!

Strawberry Garlic Chicken

Marinade:

6-8 Strawberries pureed
1T Worschestire Sauce
6-8 cloves of garlic minced (or more if you like garlic!)
juice from half a lime
2 T olive oil
2 T honey

4-6 Chicken breasts thawed and pounded lightly to tenderize

marinate Chicken for at least 15-minutes or more

Grill the chicken on medium heat for about 5-6 minutes or more on each side depending on thickness. Internal temp should be 160 degrees. (I like it a little more done)

Baste chicken periodically with marinade as you grill.

Serve as a sandwich or entree. Sweet potato and beet chips make a great side!

Delicious and healthy!

This recipe was a unanimous success with my family! My kids LOVED it! I fixed it two nights in a row.

I hope you like it too!

Enjoy!!

Run from doubt...

2008-07-01T21:43:00.002-04:00

Focus on God continually.

Psalm 34:6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

We focus on the mountain while crying out to God for help, wondering if He really will do anything. We need to remember what God promises and does not promise. God does not promise to remove the mountain or that we will even understand the mountain.

However, God does promise to help us climb the mountain and He does promise to climb it with us. We must make the continual choice to fix our gaze on God and our glance on the circumstances. When doubt comes, refuse it.

There may be people in our lives who have a doubtful outlook on life.

Seek out faith-builders persistently.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 And one standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer; three is even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

We need to look for people who will encourage us to be faithful instead of constantly looking for ways to undermine our faith.

Did you hear about the farmer that had a brilliant dog? He also had a neighbor that was negative - no matter what. If it was raining, the farmer would say to his neighbor, "Boy, look at it rain. God's washing everything clean." The neighbor said, "Yeah, but if this rain keeps up, it's going to flood." Then the sun would come out and the neighbor would say, "If it keeps that up, it's going to burn the crops."

The farmer thought, "What am I going to do with this guy?" He made a plan! The farmer trained his dog to walk on water. He didn't tell his neighbor - just took him duck hunting. Boom! Boom! They got two ducks. The farmer said to his dog, "Go get 'em." The dog sprinted across the water, picked up the ducks and hopped back in the boat, nothing wet, just his paws. With a confident smile, the farmer asked his doubting neighbor, "What do you think of that?" The neighbor quickly replied, "He can't swim, can he?"

Do you know people like the neighbor? Run from the doubters in your life. We struggle enough with doubt on our own and should not compound it by investing time in doubters and cynics.

Look for people who walk in faith, who believe God and study His Word. They will encourage and build your faith while weakening your doubts.

I want to encourage all those going through tough times. Never doubt God's plan for your life. Never doubt his strength, love, and mercy. The more you read about it, the less we worry and complain because our eyes are fixed on something positive and perfect!

Isaiah 40:31 "But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will mount up with wings as eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."

Sparky!!

2008-06-24T22:14:00.003-04:00

We got a new kitten!! Kira has proven that she can take care of a cat. After consistent feedings of our cat Joey, we decided it was okay to get Joey a friend. Joey is very independent and didn't let Kira hold him much ..or at all.

We went to cleveland for a day trip and came back with at kitten!! Who knew! We all fell in love with THIS kitten. There were two VERY cute gray and white ones with longer fur that Kira liked best at first, but when she picked them up, they wouldn't pur. All they wanted to do was get down and play.

Then Hugh found Sparky and held him. He purred and purred and purred! Then he had to convince Kira that this was the cat! She refused for about a half hour! Then he took Kira and Sparky to an unoccupied isle and let it down. Sparky immediately came right back to Kira and rubbed his fur against her leg and purred and purred and purrrrrred!! Never before has any of our cats given Kira that much attention! She was in! This was the cat for her! This now means we travel 1 and 1/2 bours back home with our new kitten... Sparky!! The travels went very well, he sat on Kira's lap most of the way and then mine. Derek even took a turn even though he could take it or leave it.
When we got home, she loved it and hugged it all evening! I haven't seen Kira so excited over something in a long time. It gets even better... That night she held it in her arms and the cat fell asleep in her bed snug as bug in a rug!!

Welcome to the family Sparky!

What's really important?

2008-06-18T21:56:00.004-04:00

Remember what is important. Satan's first priority is to throw me off course. He gets me off track so easily sometimes. Through little comments and situations that take my focus away from those things most important. I can take for granted those closest to me.

The little things get me the worst. I walk through my house and find another load of laundry to do, then look down to find a melted popsicle stuck to the floor only to have to clean that up now. The kids say "Come push me on the swing", At first I thought "When I am finished with the dishes left in the sink from breakfast, I will come push you on the swing."

That made me feel guilty and overwhelmed.

Well, I was inspired at that moment with wisdom. I asked Kira to clean up the popsicle she left on the floor and Derek to help fold the laundry (towels, something easy)and they were willing to help!!! That doesn't always happen, but at that moment it was God bringing the ideas and the peace to my heart! I was spending time with them without the guilt. The work got done and we all went to the zoo!! I did not have to feel guilty anymore!

When your emotions get tied up into something and worry about it for days, It's not just you who is affected by the worry and anxiety, it's everyone who loves you.

God is our refuge and strength! Cast all your cares upon Him!

He won't rip you off!! He won't leave you hanging!

Set aside time for your family and don't let other things interrupt that precious time together. We are all in this life together to love and support each other through it, not to make our loved ones wait for our attention until everything else is done, because "everything else" is never done!!

These are just some deep and random thoughts about life I decided to share today.
Maybe you can relate!

Storms...

2008-06-15T21:02:00.003-04:00

We all go through storms in life as God allows. Sometimes the storm is in our friendships, sometimes in our church family, sometimes with our health or finances etc.
God is testing us in our ministry at church and refining and sharpening our swords to help us fight the enemy's firey darts. Hugh has had an awesome ministry with teens at our church and it seems Satan is playing hard trying to destroy it. God is faithful and wants us to be strong through it all. He is our refuge and strength through anything!!

Here is a story that gives me comfort.

I have a friend who does quite a bit of sailing, so I asked him if he had ever been caught in a bad storm. "Many times!" he said. Unbelievable! I had to ask, "Then why on earth do you keep sailing?" His answer was profound. "Mary, every sailor knows that there will be storms. The trick is to learn how to respond to the storm. In a fierce storm, there is only one thing to do and only one way to survive. You have to put the ship in a certain position and keep her there."

The same is true for the believer. When the storms of life overwhelm us, there is only one thing to do. We must place ourselves in the comfort of God and He will keep us there until the storm is past. Yes, God's comfort is faithful! What a great promise that every time we have trouble He will be there with comfort! The faithful and consistent comfort of God depends upon nothing but the character and heart of God.

I love my children with all of my heart. Naturally, there are times that they make me very angry. They disobey me and sometimes even disappoint me, but if they are hurt, sick or in trouble, the anger, disappointment and even the disobedience is overruled by my love for them and a driving need to comfort them! If my imperfect heart responds to my children that way think about the perfect heart of our heavenly Father!

Richard Fuller writes:

"This, Christian, is what you must do. Sometimes, like Paul, you can see neither sun nor stars, and no small tempest lies on you. Reason cannot help you. Past experiences give you no light. Only a single course is left. You must stay upon the Lord; and come what may -- winds, waves, cross seas, thunder, lightening, frowning rocks, roaring breakers -- no matter what, you must lash yourself to the helm and hold fast your confidence in God's faithfulness and his everlasting love in Christ Jesus."

Few things in this unstable life are completely dependable, but God's comfort is one of them! When the hard times come, we can hold on to the promise that is found in Jeremiah 16:19, "Lord, you are my strength and my protection, my safe place in times of trouble."

May you hold onto God with all you have and He WILL bring you through!!

Did you ever see this?

2008-06-09T22:41:00.002-04:00

I have got to get the book that tells me how to accomplish this!

I have a cat and my kids want another one. This will be an incentive!!

The Waterfall is complete!

2008-05-30T11:10:00.004-04:00

Backyard cleanup has slowed down and the waterfall is for all to enjoy!!

After many trips to my parents creek, we are finally finished!!

Landscaping is next! It is beautiful! Hugh you did a great job and I love to hear the water flowing in the evenings before I go to sleep. Thank you for all the hard work you do around here. It never goes unnoticed and I greatly appriciate it!
I know you hate attention, but I have to show off your masterpiece!! I am very proud of you!

Can we know for sure?

2008-05-27T14:06:00.002-04:00

When you say it out loud, it sounds a bit different.

There is a big issue debate lately about Eternal Securtiy. Can we know for sure we are going to heaven? YES!!!

Here is what I think. Charles Stanley has helped make this a little more clear.

A gift is a gift is a gift!!

Eph2:8-9 " For by grace your are save through faith, It(salvation) is a GIFT of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast."

Paul says salvation is a gift. I don't know about you, but I learned that a gift that can be taken back is not a gift! True gifts have no strings attached. Once you place a condition of any kind on a gift, it becomes a TRADE, not a GIFT!
To say that salvation can be taken from us for any reason, whether it be sin or disbelief, is to ignore the plain meaning of this verse and John 4:10.

Ephesians 4:30 " And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were SEALED for the day of redemption."

What if you lose faith in God? Are you still saved?

Let's look at faith.

1. Faith is not the reason God saves us. Love is the reason according to Paul in Eph.

2. We are not saved by our faith. We are saved by grace. The instrument of salvation was and is grace. God carried out His plan through Christ's shed blood on the cross. WE did not take part in it, nor do we deserve any part of it. It was GRACE from start to finish.

Then paul adds...through faith. Faith is the agent whereby God was able to apply His grace to the life of the sinner.

Imagine a burning building and a woman trapped on ledge three stories up. Her only hope is to jump into the net that has been set right below her. She is scared. We can see the net and it looks strong enough to hold her, the firemen are confident that she will jump and spare her life. Suddenly, without warning the woman screams and leaps from the building. The firemen caught her and the woman escaped with only minor injuries.

Think for a moment. What saved the woman's life?

The net of course. No one would credit her with saving her own life. Fortunately the firemen were trained and knew what to do and saved her.
What bridged the gap between her need and the provision waiting below?
One desperate leap!! However, leaping did not save her. Many people leap only to end up dead on the pavement below. The net and the firemen saved her.

So it is with FAITH. Faith does not save a person. Everyone has expressed faith at one point or another. Yet not everyone will spend eternity in heaven. God's GRACE is what saves us.. Our faith is the thing that bridges the gap between our need and God's GRACE.

Our faith is constantly under attack! WE ask WHY Lord?

"The enemy prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8

Our salvation is NOT based on the condtion of our consistent faith. It is based on Grace.
Even John the Baptist, who gave up his life to spread the word of our coming Savior, began to doubt. He was not sure Christ was who he thought he was. Luke 7:17-20. Yet Christ still said ...of those born of women, there is no one greater than John. Luke 7: 27-28.

Rest Assured! Your salvation is safe if you have prayed to Jesus christ, repented of your sin, Believed that Jesus paid the penalty for your sin on the cross with His shed blood, and asked Jesus christ to come into your life and save you! Your name is written in the Lamb's book of life and cannot be erased!!

when you feel alone, don't lose faith. God hasn't let go! He will never leave you and you can't impeach Him!! Feel Safe! Rest in His peace! Put on the new man Christ has willed you to be!!

Kira's Big Question Today

2008-05-16T07:27:00.003-04:00

"Where is God? Does He live in Heaven or outerspace?

Circle the right answer.

Heaven or outerspace

This was the letter she brought to me this morning.

If there is anything you want to talk to your kids about it's God!!!

I took the challange immediately!!

Both! He lives everywhere!

Col 1:15-17 came to mind thanks to a study on "Who is Jesus?" this winter.

It says TLB "Christ is the exact likeness of the unseen God. He existed before God and made anything at all, and, in fact, v16 Christ himself is the Creator who made everything in heaven and earth, the things we can see and the things we can't; the spirit world with its kings and kingdoms, its rulers and authorities; all were made by Christ for his own use and glory. v17 He was before all else began and it is his power that holds his Church---which he began; and he is the leader of all those who arise from the dead, so that he is first in everything; v 19 for God wanted all of himself to be in his Son."

This establishes that Jesus is God and that He is ruler OVER all.

Where does He live?
Psalm 103:19 says " There Lord has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything there is."

Psalm 139:1, 6-12 - O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.
v5 You precede and follow me, and place your hand of blessing on my head. This is too glorious, too wonderful to believe! I can never be lost to your Spirit! I can never get away from my God! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead , you are there. If I ride the morning winds to the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, your strength will support me. If darkness cannot hide from God; to you the night shines as bright as day.

Even a 6 year old can understand the vastness of God!! He is everywhere!!

The Next Five Minutes..

2008-05-14T17:21:00.002-04:00

I have always liked Steven Curtis Chapman. Here is a song that I feel inspired by when life becomes the same everyday.

http://free.napster.com/player/?play_id=18703693&type=track

Inspiration to live every moment!!

Today Derek graduated from Lakewood Preschool! My last child in Preschool. I will miss all the moms I made friends with this year alot! However he is looking foward to Kindergarten!

Every day I have to think of ways to entertain him now! Swimming at Uncle Billy's pool, playing at the park...oh yes.. printing letters and numbers, sounding out words and reading lots of books!! Kira and Dereks favorite are science experiments! Green slime and lava lamps! The recipes are found in cookie magazine. Thanks for the ideas!!

I ran today...

2008-05-10T09:27:00.003-04:00

Okay, that doesn't sound very spectacular.

Today was the Mother's Day 5K race at Presque Isle. I was determined to at least complete a race sometime in my life. I tried last Thanksgiving and, unfortunately, did not make it to the finish line.

Today, I did everything different. I ate pasta Saturday night, went to bed early. got up with enough time to eat light carb breakfast of a banana and a half a quart of gatorade and a garden of life granola bar with lots of whole food in it!

I went not knowing anyone this time. Sara and Heather were hurt so they passed. So it was me and 300 other people I didn't know!!

Well it was time to run! I felt great! I wanted to beat my time of 33 minutes. I am just a beginner don't laugh!!

I not only felt a burst of energy on the last mile stretch, I beat my time AND under 30 minutes!! 29 minutes and 48 seconds!

I am thankful for the ability to run and the opportunity to do it. The best time in my age group was 24 min 32 sec. That's my next goal!! The relay for life race is coming up the end of this month - I will shoot for the stars in that race!!

I

What it feels like to be a mom..

2008-05-10T09:08:00.002-04:00

Before I was a Mom,

I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom -

I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.

I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,

I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.

Before I was a Mom,

I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't
Stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom -

I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so
Important and happy.

Before I was a Mom -
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache,
The wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a mom.

I love the feeling I get when I immerse myself in the love of my children. They are so young and impressionable and FULL of love and affection. They are bursting with new thoughts and ideas on life. It inspires me to do things like catch frogs from our pond and hold on to my son for dear life when he is learning to skateboard. Even colored every page of a coloring book for fun and read a book 5 times before bed! I love every minute of it and I thank my husband for making it possible, loving me and being by my side to share in the joy!

Happy Mother's Day!

God's power...

2008-04-28T18:05:00.003-04:00

Today's Truth
"My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power" (1 Corinthians 2:4-5 NIV).

This verse relates to the post What's on my mind.

In the Bible, we learn that Jesus Christ has already won the victory over sin and death, and because we are God's children, that victory is shared with us. However, until Jesus returns, we will continue to fight a spiritual battle on three fronts: the world, the flesh and the devil (Ephesians 2:2-3). All three voices shout commands, and as a soldier of Christ, we must be able to recognize the voice of our commander and the voices of the enemy forces.

If the voices glorify God and protects the ones we love it is probably from God. If the nudge we hear is for our own selfish desire or want or hurts someone else it is not of God. The more we listen, the less trouble we get into! The more we listen the more we can help others in the same situation.

Be encouraged! God will never leave you hanging. He knows your every hurt and weakness and wants to help you through it. He created marriage and relationships. He is there with the answers to help you and gave us the perfect example in His word! His divine power can change things and only for the better!

Frogs-or-toads?

2008-04-27T14:48:00.009-04:00

Our latest project has been our pond in the back yard. Hugh is still putting the finishing touches on his masterpiece.

Saturday I woke up at 6:15 in the morning and heard, through the crack in the window, the loudest bullfrog sonata I have ever heard! I asked Hugh, who was now awake too, how many frogs were in the pond? He said probably 5 or 6. Well I got up and went to work.

When I came home Hugh showed me a bucket of 20 frogs or were they toads? I was amazed at the number of frogs we had. He started pulling them out one by one throwing them on the grass and Derek would pick them up and put them in the bucket. I would loved to have seen that! Kira said EWWW Im not touching them! My girly girl!! We took them to a nearby swamp and let them go that night. Home sweet home.

Well the question is still unanswered. How did so many frogs get into our pond? Well here is a science reminder about frogs ~no~ Toads! Only toads, that normally live on land, come back to the ponds to mate and have their young - They swim around for a few days, find their mate and leave never to go back to the pond again!! So they were toads mating in our pond!! They would have left anyway - Oh well, it was fun for Derek to play with them!

What's on my mind..

2008-04-25T20:08:00.003-04:00

I look at life and all that God has done. It gives me peace. I look at how God has shaped every circumstance in my life to make me who I am today. The puzzle pieces fit because God works all things together for good. There are marriages failing around me and people struggling with, to me, small things. They are small to me because God's power can help us overcome anything.

I was faced with an issue that strengthened my faith in the true power of the Holy Spirit. In our humaness, Satan tries to pull some really low stunts. In my weakness, I stayed close to God and drew on His power and God turned a potentially detrimental situation into an opportunity to witness for Him. I can't go into the details, but my confidence in the Holy Spirit has been renewed. We have to face satan's power every day, so I thank God that we have a Holy Spirit who fights even harder for us. I am very strong - IN THE LORD - without Him I am nothing.

Backyard cleanup!!

2008-04-17T09:41:00.005-04:00

We have started cleaning up the backyard! Pulling weeds, picking up sticks,and ... removing rocks!! Huge boulders in the ground. My husband has built a waterfall that flows into our pond. I love it. well I loved it. until he decided it wasn't big enough so he ripped it all out and started to dig deeper and higher. After all two water drops is better that one! Well he ran into a hard spot! A huge rock that couldn't be removed with a shovel.

He came home from school monday and decided to tackle this rock. He asked me to give him an hour or so to work on this so I took the kids to the park. An hour later I came home to find a huge machine in the backyard. Hugh had rented a JACKHAMMER of all things to remove this mamouth rock!! He didn't stop at the drill and chisel. He didn't waste any time.. I had to "Git 'er done" he said. He was still shaking a day later from the jolting. He couldn't hear for a couple of days, but That darn rock is OUTTA THERE!! Now we are waiting patiently for the final result a DOUBLE waterfall! pics will come of the result, but here are pics of the project!

Today's inspiration!

2008-04-17T09:18:00.002-04:00

In the circle of God's love. God's waiting to use your full potential.
1. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts…
2. Dear God, I have a problem, it's me.
3. Growing old is inevitable; growing up is optional.
4. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.
5. Silence is often misinterpreted but never misquoted.
6. Do the math…count your blessings.
7. Faith is the ability to not panic.
8. Laugh every day, it's like inner jogging.
9. If you worry, you didn't pray. If you pray, don't worry.
10. As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home everyday.
11. Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape.
12. The most important things in your house are the people.
13. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still.
14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.
15. He who dies with the most toys is still dead.
16. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.
17. "God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change,
the courage to change the one I can…and the wisdom to know it's me."

How this applies to my life...

#2 I know that I have to look at me first when I have a problem.
#6 anyone can count even if math scares you!
#7 helps me when I take on too many things that rely on other peoples decisions or response to finish.
#9-10 Never forget to pray!!
#11 helps me when I don't think I can be any more flexible, or I will turn into a knot!

#12 makes me realize that family time can involve getting housework done so I don't have to do it all myself. Kira made her own lunch today because SHE wanted to! Derek made his bed because he was having a friend over! NOW we have something going here!!

#16 assures me that God WILL untie the knot I got in #11 even if it's when I go to bed at night - I know I will be still then!

#17 The best one yet! I can't change people, God can. I know that courage gives my relationships stability. Most of all I need GOD'S wisdom to keep them stable!

Be inspired!

Our Thoughts....

2008-04-09T13:47:00.002-04:00

Emotions.....what a wonderful part of life. Finding balance in our emotions is an ongoing plight. Every day I have a choice as to where I put my emotional energy. There ARE good and bad emotional choices. Just because I feel something doesn't make it right. If I am in prayer every morning and stay focused, I will accomplish emotional balance and God's direction. Satan is always trying to get my emotions and when he does it only leads to unrest.

Here is an excerpt from today's Girlfriends in God devotion! I needed this today!!

We constantly need to check our emotional balance, guarding the emotional withdrawals we allow and diligently making consistent emotional deposits. Prayer, solitude, Bible study, friendships, service, accountability and a guarded thought life are just a few of the deposits that can make the difference between emotional health and emotional bankruptcy.

Emotional imbalance occurs when we operate in our own strength, doing our "own thing" instead of wholly depending upon God and living in the parameters of His will. When we abandon all that we are to His strength, purpose and power, the Father deposits everything we need to accomplish every good work He created us to do.

Our words...

2008-04-08T09:40:00.002-04:00

"What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean.'...The things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean'" (Matthew 15:11,18 NIV).

I am queen of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. I usually just say what I think! It most likely comes from how I am feeling. Just as our words can encourage, they tear down even harder. Encouragement goes a long way! The hard part is that it takes twice as many encouraging words to fix the discouraging words that hurt them.

This story of Isaiah brings to light God's power and forgiveness over our mistakes.

I imagine Isaiah was feeling pretty good about himself, being called by God to prophesy to this irksome people. But just when he got out the sixth woe, God decided to hold up the mirror of His holiness in which Isaiah saw his own sin. And where did the sin manifest itself? His words.

God doesn't convict us of our sin to condemn us. He reveals our sin to bring us to repentance and change. Just as God sent the Holy Spirit to the believers at Pentecost in the form of flaming tongues, He sent a coal to set Isaiah's tongue afire with cleansing power. The seraph touched Isaiah's tongue with the burning coal and then announced that his guilt was taken away.

Now Isaiah was ready to go out into the world and proclaim God's message to His people and his "woe is me" was transformed into "Here am I send me."

Isaiah didn't need to change his eating or drinking habits, he didn't need to alter his outward appearance, or take extra classes at the local seminary. Isaiah needed to have his words purified and fortified so God could be properly glorified.

If God thought it necessary to deal with Isaiah's tongue before he embarked on his heavenly assignment then we should not think it would be any different for you and for me. But did you notice that God did the cleansing? It takes more than washing our mouths out with soap to be a woman of clean lips. It takes the power of the Holy Spirit and the touch of God. Our part is to cooperate with Him, submit our words to Him, fill our lives with Him, and live our lives through Him.

Ten character traits

2008-04-02T15:40:00.002-04:00

I have written these ten things down as a reminder daily to have a goal for each day as a mom.

Ten character traits I want to teach my kids.

1 To love the Lord with all their heart soul and mind.

2. Tell the truth

3. Be polite with tact

4. Show confidence in all their relationships

5. Laugh at their mistakes

6. Admit when they are wrong

7. Be thankful and appreciative

8. Give back

9. Do the best they can and work hard at all they do.

10. Encourage others to be their best.

I will need prayer to accomplish this list for myself and my children. Writing them down is a start!!

Organic or not?

2008-04-02T10:26:00.007-04:00

I have been on an organic kick lately and it seems to be helping my son who has had a few aliments: strep throat, planters warts and colds. I have done some more research on whether organic foods are the way to go or not. It gets expensive to buy all organic produce!

I have found a list of non organic foods that you CAN buy from your local grocer.

Avacodos, Bananas, broccoli, cabbage, kiwi, mango, onions, papaya, pineapples, oranges and tangerines.

www.thedailygreen.com has more info!

There are some foods that should if at all possible be purchased organic.

These are:
Red meat, chicken, tomatoes, strawberries, potatoes, lettuce, grapes and milk.

There is a higher concentration of pesitcide penetration through the skins of the vegetables and fruits. However the meat has a lower concentration of pesticides and is rather low compared to lettuce and potatoes and strawberries.

Eat well, live longer!!

True Peace

2008-03-31T13:15:00.003-04:00

I have some personal words today.

I have always been someone who seeks peace in almost everything I do.
If I know that something I do is going to upset someone else I TRY not to do it or say it. Sometimes I fail to keep everyone happy. They get mad and I say I'm sorry and I go on living and try harder. It happens again with something else and I say Im sorry again. Then the relationship starts to be stressed. WHY? Why isn't I'm sorry good enough. There always seems to be something I do that will upset someone at sometime. I am only human and NOBODY is perfect. How do I stay positive in a world full of disappointments? I can't keep everything bottled up inside. I have to let my feelings of hurt and even inadequacy be known to the person I am trying to please. It's okay to ask for help when I need it. It's okay to say "that hurts when you say that" I hate arguments but there are times when they are necessary!I ask for God's help first and watch what He can do to solve any problem! Speak UP girls!! Submission doesn't mean quit thinking. We submit to God first and everything else WILL fall into place and your relationships WILL be stronger for it!
I am ME. I can't be anyone else! I need unconditional love.. the kind that comes from God. A perfect God who loves an imperfect me!! These words came from website called Girlfriends in God. They brought me peace today.

"I'm too blessed to be stressed and too anointed to be disappointed.
I refuse to be discouraged, to be sad or to cry.
I refuse to be down hearted and here's the reason why:
I have a God who is almighty; who is sovereign and supreme.
I have a God who loves me -- and I am on His team.
He is all wise and powerful; Jesus is His name.
Though everything else is changeable, My God remains the same.
I refuse to be beaten or defeated.
My eyes are on my God.
He has promised to be with me, as through this life I trod.
I am looking past my circumstances, to heaven's throne above.
My prayers have reached the heart of God and I am resting in His love.
I give thanks to Him in everything.
My eyes are on His face.
The battle is His; the victory is mine; He will help me win the race.
I repeat!
I'm too blessed to be stressed!"
(Author unknown)

I AM too blessed to be STRESSED!!!

Running again!!!

2008-03-27T09:48:00.002-04:00

After my last running experience I have been a little shy of running long distances!
Now is the time to start again! I have signed up to run a 5k on Mother's day with my sisters. That should get me in the groove to run another 10k and eventually farther! Running is something I love to do! It is a renewing time to spend with God one on one! Most importantly I can run for a cause if keep going. Off I go!

Just a Mom?

2008-03-27T09:47:00.000-04:00

JUST A MOM?

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.
She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.
"What I mean is, " explained the recorder, "do you have a job or are you just a ....?"
"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman.
"I'm a Mom ."
"We don't list ' Mom ' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it," said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.
The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar."
"What is your occupation?" she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out.
"I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations."
The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in m midair and looked up as though she had not heard right.
I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.
"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?"
Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't?). In the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humane ties, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money."
There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern.

I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mom ."

Motherhood! What a glorious career!
Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers "Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations"
And great grandmothers "Executive Senior Research Associates?"
I think so!!!
I also think it makes Aunts "Associate Research Assistants."

Thanks Amy!

He is risen indeed!!

2008-03-22T20:23:00.002-04:00

Christianity is validated!!

Every time we do something wrong, we can't take back what we did.
Every time we say something to hurt someone we can't take back what we said.
We can apologize and forgive and forget, but that is as far as it goes within humanity.

That is why we need Jesus Christ!

He can erase all of our sins and wipe the slate clean. Because of His sacrifice on the cross, His perfect blood was shed for all of us!! We just have to realize we have sin that cannot be erased any other way. Then ask Jesus to forgive those sins and send His holy Spirit to you to save and protect you from the powers of darkness! Jesus said "I am the way the truth and the life, NO man comes unto the Father but through HIM." John 14:6

It is Well....

2008-03-21T21:12:00.004-04:00

">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYP--c2LTfg

This is a video from a friend from church. With all life brings, our stronghold is in Jesus Christ. Our hearts can still live and love even in the midst of trials. It is well with my soul! The story behind the lyrics brings new meaning to this song!

I have a mission..

2008-03-20T10:49:00.005-04:00

My mission now is to learn more about how this computer works!! Yesterday I spent an hour trying many different ways ot get videos on this blog but I was unsuccessful!! I called in experts on the field, Grandpa, Uncle etc. I got as far a link! They couldn't even figure it out!! I really need to take a class!

He believes in You...

2008-03-16T15:22:00.000-04:00

I love this Point of Grace song called "He Believes in You".

Here are the lyrics to a song that has encouraged me lately.

You're not hearing the answers you have been praying for,
You try and try, Can't find an open door.
You're not seeing the miracles, not a one in sight,
And the way you feel, you sure need one tonight.
Your faith is crumbling, your feet are stumbling,
It's so hard to believe in Him, But He believes in you.
When you're at your weakest and hope's still burning through the night,
But you can't see it. You know in you heart He loves you
But at those moments when you can't believe it's true,
He believes in you. Chin deep in the water You tried walking on
And you reach for Him and you think he's gone He's still there beside you
With His stubborn love. No, He never left and He won't give up.
He will protect you until you're rescued.
Oh there's nothing that He can't do Cause He believes in you.
When you're at your weakest and hopes still burning through the night
But you can't see it You know in your heart He loves you.
But in the moments when you can't believe it's true,
He believes in you You know in your heart He loves you,
But at those moments when you can't believe it's true
He believes in you.

I Like this because no matter how we feel at the time God always knows what He is doing. He never leaves us nor forsakes us! His stubborn love just won't go away!!
Thank God!! Really!!

What to do on a snowy day!

2008-03-08T19:58:00.000-05:00

Snow everywhere!! This is the most snow we have had at one time all winter!!
It has piled up all over! Almost everything is cancelled including church tomorrow! We have 2+feet of snow. The kids can't even walk through it it so deep. We built snowmen, and dug tunnels and shoveled ALOT! We couldn't sled ride because the drifts were too deep to walk through. Here are some pics... Spring where are you??

Respect

2008-03-04T19:40:00.000-05:00

I like the saying on this picture from Successories and wanted to share with you.

The Essence of Respect

Promises are only words until they are tested.
It's when your best intentions meet hard reality that true character is revealed.
Maintain your integrity in those difficult times and your word will gain a quiet strength that others will never doubt.

I need to be reminded of this occaisionally. Maintaining character in a world where satan reigns is impossible without the gentle nudgings of the Holy Spirit and his protection of our mind and soul.

The Ultimate Gift

2008-03-04T10:12:00.000-05:00

I watched a movie Saturday night called THE ULTIMATE GIFT. The title struck me at the video store so I rented it. Great movie! Its about a young man who's grandfather just passed away. He was very wealthy and had many successors to split the inheritance. His grandson(the young man) was given part of the estate too, but he had to follow some instructions first in order to get his part. The movie is about the path he has to take in order to get this ultimate gift. He is a rich spoiled boy who hasn't had to work a day in his life. His grandfather doesn't want him to continue living his wayward lifestyle. The series of instructions teach him many important things about life along the way! He learns lessons about 12 things: Work, money, friends, learning, problems, family, laughter, dreams, giving, gratitude, today, and LOVE. He meets a young girl and her mother along the way and learns as much from them as he does from his grandfather! Very moving and very motivating!

The Farm...

2008-03-02T13:26:00.000-05:00

Friday night we had a chance to visit a farm with about 160 milking cows! Very exciting for the kids. It was their first time to see real live cows being milked. They got to run up and down the parlor where the are lined up ready to be milked. We could walk down the middle where all the cow butts are pointing. Kira was talking with the daughter of the farmer when all of a sudden one cow had to go... She was splashed with you know what! She started to laugh and couldn't stop. Im glad she thought is was funny. We hosed her down in the freezing cold milk room so we could get her home. The car smelled for two days! I washed Kiras coat and finally threw it away because even tide with bleach couldn't get the smell out! She made a memory! God bless all the farmers and their quest every day to bring us milk and steak!! Thank you to Mary for a great steak dinner straight from the farm!

Snowy day...

2008-02-27T10:34:00.000-05:00

My thoughts for a snowy day... God has painted our town with a beautiful blanket of white snow. The kind that sits on every branch of every tree and bush and glistens in the sun that is shining after the storm has passed! I t was so nice I called up some of Derek's friends and we went to a local wildlife trail park to take a walk.
There was absolutely no wind and the flakes were huge and fluffy and falling slowly to the ground. We have about 8 inches, just enough to build a good size snowman. I stopped to take some pictures because I didn't want to miss the moment!

I realized I need to stop and look at life that way every day. If you look hard enough and long enough I won't miss so much of what God gives us every day to encourage us and give us hope and fulfillment. I would notice more the smiles of my children and the sweet words of friends and the quiet sweet loving actions of my husband. My schedules and agendas get in the way too much. The more I look at people, the more I notice, the more I remember and less of me gets in the way.

Tips For a Powerful Productive Life

2008-02-22T11:19:00.000-05:00

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate antidepresant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. Buy a Tivo(DVR), tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement,
"My purpose is to _________ today."

5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy.

6. Watch more movies, play more games and read more books than you did last year.

7. Always pray and make time to exercise, practice meditation, yoga, Tai chi. etc.

8. Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds and walnuts.

12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13. Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowin evergy into your life.

14. Don't waste you precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class....but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out credit card.

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

23. Don't compare you life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24. Ladies -- Go on and burn those "special " scented candles, use the 600 thread count sheets, the good china and wear our fancy lingerie now. Stop waiting for a special occasion. Everyday is special.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "in five years, will this matter?"

27. Forgive everyone for everything.

28. What other people think of you is none of your business.

29. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time!

30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick.
Your friends will. Stay in touch with them.
32. Get fid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

33. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

34. The best is yet to come.

35. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

36 Do the right thing!

37. Call your family often.

38. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements" "I am thankful for _____." "Today I accomplished ___________."

39. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

40. Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life, so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

"Somebody should tell us, right at the start of our lives, that we are dying. Then we might live life to the limit, every minute of every day. Do it! I say. Whatever you want to do, do it now! There are only so many tomorrows."

Michael Landon

Valentines Day...

2008-02-13T20:56:00.000-05:00

Valentines day is a great day to remember those you love.

It's also a day to spend twice as much for something you could get the next week and it would still mean the same thing.. I know what you're thinking " your a woman and you can't mean that." Well after ten years of marriage to a very practical man, I have come to appreciate his frugality and find encouragement in the little things. I know I will not get roses or jewelry on valentines day. That's okay. I can't believe I would ever say this but I would be mad at him for spending the money. A love letter and quality time are just right for me!! A friend bought a $2500 pair of earrings for his wife and took her to New York to celebrate. WOW! I guess if you have it why not, but I think the money could be better spent. Like on gas cards for the kids coming to sunday school who don't have enough money to get there otherwise. Or donating to a local women's care center for young pregnant girls etc.... That is what matters and the love flows freely to all who give and receive.

I will say a few things about my husband because he is a wonderful person. He is strong and disciplined in every area of his life. His main passion is for the lost in Christ, his family is a close second. He is there for us when we need him, He provides everything we need financially and spiritually. Romantic? well, I guess I'm not really the traditionally romantic type. Our idea of romance seems to have blended over the years and fits just right! I love you Hugh!

Happy Valentines day to all of you! Keep in mind what love can do!

Do I have Time.....

2008-02-12T15:17:00.000-05:00

...to get everything done?

I am getting busy again!! Its the time of year people start redecorating their homes and need help!! I work for Sherwin Williams as Decorator. I go to people's homes to help them with colors and ideas. I also put hours in at the store. I try to do all these things while my children are in school. This past week was a big sacrifice for my family because I spent alot of time at home prepare color boards for customers to meet their deadlines. Taxes got pushed back, even family night was tapped into!! All for the good of who - Sherwin williams! Okay where were my priorities!! My guilt to provide great customer service was coupled with my guilt of missing my family time has stressed me out!!! Above all the customer still hasn't picked up the samples due to a delay! That fries me even more!! However - they are done for whenever he can pick them up!! I have to look at the positive side.

I have been reading a book called "The Lies women believe and the truth that sets them free" by Nancy Demoss

This really sat me down!
The Lie: "I don't have time to do everything I am supposed to do."

The feeling: I am so busy, we have so much going on in our family, I can't keep up with everything!

When you look at all the ammenities we have today, why are we so much more frazzled??
We all have 24 hours in a day!

Jesus himself was given only a few short years on earth to accomplish the entire plan of redemption. Talk about a long "to do " list!
Here is the powerful truth. In the 33 years Jesus wsa here on earth Jesus said, " I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." John 17:4 That is the secret! Jesus didn't finish everything His disciples wanted Him to do. ( Some of them were hoping He would overthrow the Roman government!) He didn't finish everything the multitudes wanted Him to do.(There were still lonely, sick and dying people). He finished the work that God gave Him to do!!
We can't do everyone else's to do list. We don't have to do all those things without sacrificing something. We only HAVE to do God's list for us! What relieving words!! I will still do my job and I will still be a wife ,and mother, but my perspective will be different. I will prioritize my time better and not promise things I can't fulfill. When fulfilling God's list suffers so does everything else. Same goes for the opposite. When God's list is fulfilled, there seems to still be time to complete other things for other people. If there isn't time, it can wait for tomorrow! I hope this encourages you too!!

Ash Wednesday?!?

2008-02-05T14:58:00.000-05:00

Hugh has been teaching a class on Wed. nights about doctrine and apologetics (Why we believe what we believe). I am going to start posting some of the questions he brings up. They really get you thinking!

Ash Wednesday is tomorrow and many get ashes on their foreheads that day. Why?? It is also the beginning of Lent. Is that biblical? Do we ever think much about these rituals and how should we approach them.

Lent is a period of fasting and repentance traditionally observed by Catholics and some Protestant denominations in preparation for Easter. The length of lent is 40 days and you simply give up a food or habit for that time. Lent is a way to remind catholics to repent of sin like those in the Old Testament.(Eshter 4:1-3, Jeremiah 6:26,Daniel 9:3) Some believe its a way of gaining blessing from God.

The Bible does NOT teach that such acts have any merit with God. (Isaiah 64:6). In fact the New Testament teaches us that our acts of fasting and repentance should be done in a manner that does not attract attention to ourselves. "When you fast do not look somber as the hypocrites do, with ashes....When you fast, wash your face and do not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matt 6:16-18).

Fasting is a good thing when done with a Biblical perspective. It is good and pleasing to God when we give up sinful habits and practices. There is absolutely nothing wrong with setting aside time to focus on Jesus death and resurrection. However, these practices should be done every day of the year!!
Feel free to observe lent, but be sure your focus is on repenting from your sins and concecrating yourself to God - not on trying to earn God's favor or increase His love for you!

Go Giants!!

2008-02-04T13:31:00.000-05:00

That was the best superbowl I have seen yet!! What an upset for the Patriots!!
Gotta hand it to Eli Manning and Plexico! It was nice to watch the team efforts it took to get the ball down the field on that last run. They played awesome defense too. As for the commercials! I like the baby Etrade commercials. But the coke and Carville was my favorite. Diet pepsi max was a close second. I missed the half time show I was putting the kids to bed. I heard it was okay - didn't miss much.
GREAT GAME!!!

The Future.....

2008-01-25T15:07:00.000-05:00

The future is just a collection of successive nows. by Rodney White

I really liked that saying on a picture I bought today. At first, it hit me with a depressing feeling like there is no hope for anything else but what is now. Then I read it again and came to this conclusion. What we do now affects tommorrow! Every decision we make today shapes the outcome of not only our future but future in general. The picture doesn't bring hope unless we have the promise of heaven in our future. I bought it as a conversation starter and as reminder that our choices matter.

Perspective is important too. I could do lots of things I would regret just because I don't know what tomorrow brings and this life is short so live it up.

The other alternative is doing what counts with a purpose in mind. Life has no purpose without Jesus Christ!!! We have families, jobs, hobbies and intersts that fill our days, but why do we do what we do?

I would rather chose to earn as many jewels as I can to lay at Jesus' feet than waste time trying to get a better wardrobe, car, house, toy etc. Having nice things is okay when we get them and use them for the right reasons.

I have been reiminded today that every decision is important! "For whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, lovely, of good report, if there is any virtue, anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things -- may the God of Peace be with you!! Phil 4:8-9

You Will Find Rest

2008-01-17T09:29:00.000-05:00

If there's one word I would use to describe life in these last years of the twentieth century, it is pressure. Everyone has demands on us and on our time.

My dentist tells me I need to floss every day and avoid using a toothpick.
My doctor wants to know how much I weigh, what I'm eating and am I getting enough exercise.
My CPA wants to know why I'm not keeping better records and if I'm staying within my budget.
My colleagues want me to solve problems, answer letters, return phone calls, make decisions. I have trips to plan and talks to prepare and articles to write. I am expected to meet deadlines, do it right the first time and, of course, do it with excellence-quicker, better, cheaper, faster and always with the right Christian attitude.

My wife wants me to spend time with her, She she says things like, "I've missed being able to share things with you recently." She also wants me to help redecorate the house, keep things repaired and work in the yard.

I'm expected to spend time playing with the kids, impart values to them, know their friends and what their parents stand for, be involved at their schools and prepare them for adolescence.

My church wants me to be available-always willing to serve, spend time on committees, teach Sunday School. On top of that, I receive pleas for more community involvement-to-help the poor, attend PTA meetings, join civic clubs. And I need to be an informed voter on all the candidates and issues.

And then there's God, who counters all these pressures with His own-calling me to love Him, obey Him, walk with Him, spend time with Him.

Oh, wait God is the one whose yoke is easy and whose burden is light. If my busyness can be given to Him, I can find rest for my soul.

Ask God to teach you how to wear His yoke and find rest.

By Dennis and Barbara Rainey

10 Years of Marriage...

2008-01-16T21:02:00.000-05:00

God has blessed me with a wonderful husband who has taken me to Las Vegas to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary!
We had some much needed time reconnecting and experiencing the joys of our relationship and even learning new things about each other.

We stayed at The Orleans hotel about 1 mile off the strip. Great Hotel rooms and spa! The buffet was the second best under the Spice market Buffet!

Hugh has been there before and saw the gondola ride in the Venetian Hotel. It has a boat ride you can take inside the hotel on the third floor!! He came back after that trip and wanted to take me there just to ride this gondola!

Here is the story. We get to the hotel and walk through the hotel which looks like the actual streets of Venice. We get to the river which runs the length of the hotel. He showed it to me and said "Let's move on" I am thinking that I am NOT leaving until we rode this ride! At first I thought he was playing with me until he said we saw it let's go! At that point I was going even if he didn't! I became very exticed and verbal about my desire to ride this boat so I bought the tickets and I was going on whether he was or not. Well He did go and It was very nice and we were even serenaded by an Italian singer (gondola driver) How romantic!! (That's what I learned about my husband) He only does things if he knows I REALLY want to do it! What was I thinking, for 10 years I have waited for him to want to take me places, Men don't read minds and they only respond to euphoric verbal excitement! WOW!!

What an exciting city in the middle of a desert. They don't lack things to do there! I like country music(the popular stuff) so we ate lunch at Toby Keith's "I Love This Bar" Country music, great food, country line dancers and videos all over!

We gambled a small amount and won pennies but nothing of real value. It was fun though. I can see where people get hooked thinking "The next spin I'll hit it" and loose alot of money.
The only thing missing is a beach! Not for long! Now the Mandalay Bay Hotel is putting in a Surf and swim area that looks just like a real beach with sand and all that goes with it like the surf shops and umbrella drink bars! That's my kind of place!
There were light shows at the Bellagio, Mirage, Treasure Island and Fremont Street downtown! And inside Cesar's Palace!

I noticed the efficiency of such a busy airport and city. We were a little in the dark about where to go to find a way to our hotel. When we got off the plane, because of the signs and airport personel, we knew exactly where to get our bags and get a taxi. There were stations set up with bellhops to help us get one. My husband hates to wait (so do I) for much of anything and He was a trooper the whole time!! That's how efficient it was.
The all day bus pass was the way to go! We must have walked 20 miles each day. We ate at the #1 dinner buffet called the Spice Market Buffet in the Planet Hollywood Hotel. If you could think of any food you wanted to eat they had it! They even cut the crab legs in half lengthwise so you didn't have to dig the meat out! The two other buffets we went to did not do that! The desserts were the best at the Caesar's Palace Buffet. We will have to catch a show next time. There was so much to see at every hotel we didn't miss going to a show.

Vegas has set a standard for artistic reconstruction and architechture. The speed and efficiency they use in building new hotels bigger than the one before is unmatched!

We made some memories to last a lifetime!

23 Minutes in Hell...

2007-12-28T09:07:00.000-05:00

Great Read!!

Okay.. I know what your thinking. Noone can go to hell and live to tell about it! I was really skeptical. My husband found it and picked it up because the title caught his attention. He started reading it and couldn't put it down!! I came home from work that night and he couldn't wait to tell me about what he was reading. He had tears in his eyes! He finished it that night and I started to read it. It is and unfathomable picture of what hell is like. Every description the author gave was backed up biblically! He is now a born again christian preaching and speaking abouth his experience and our need for Jesus Christ! Read it and tell me what you think!! VIVID!

The title is: 23 Minutes in Hell by Bill Wiese

Merry Christmas!!

2007-12-25T21:54:00.000-05:00

Today the day Christ was born! What a joy to those who believe!

I think its been a while! The Christmas season is full of parties and programs one for each child! After all someone has to bring the magic of christmas to the kids! Then there is the shopping, the wrapping and most fun the baking! This year we had a family cookie baking party! Kira was a great help rolling and dipping and EATING the dough While Derek watched the Christmas classics one more time! His favorite is the Heat misor!

Family was close and all was well. The kids got lots of games this year so we played Memory, Tip it and Qwirkle (a form of dominos with shapes and colors) all day. The little pet shop aminals are resting now and Spiderman and all the power rangers are on guard for the night anxiously waiting the drum solo and the hot wheels race tomorrow!

God is good! Everyone is well. Except a little scare from mom. She has a heart scan tomorrow to find out why she is getting sores on her hands. Her blood tests showed an infection in her blood so now the doctors are doing some tests to find out where it is coming from. We are praying for her.

Befor I go I have to tell you the chant I have heard several times throughout the week and I laugh every time Kira sings it.

Pet Snowball

I made myself a snowball
Just as perfect as could be.
I thought I'd keep it as a pet
And let i sleep with me
I gave it some pajamas
And a pillow for its head.
Then, last night it ran away,
But first.....It wet the bed!

Merry Christmas and good night!

God's strength is perfect

2007-12-16T20:00:00.000-05:00

"Therefore, since we have a so great a cloud of witnesses(heroes of the faith) surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance(that which hinders the believer from being a winner), and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of faith who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2 God's power is stronger than anything we might encounter in this sinful world. If our eyes are fixed on Him, we WILL glorify him in everything we do.
The Holy spirit is a constant reminder of how sinful we are. When I even think about sinning the holy spirit reminds me of my weaknesses but is there to lift me up and carry me through!

The Up Side....

2007-12-05T16:20:00.000-05:00

"Faith is not simply a patience that passively suffers until the storm is past. Rather, it is a spirit that bears things with blazing serene hope." - Corazon Aquino

"If you find opportunities, take them, and if you find no opportunities, make them."-Reverend Floyd and Elaine McCollins

"Pessimists need a kick in the cant's" - David Compton

"Beauty come from a life well lived. If you've lived well, your smile lines are in the right places." - Jennifer Garner

Enjoy the quotes from Guidepost Magazine!

Run recap..

2007-11-23T14:35:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

The day started out with the Turkey Trot 10k run on a cold 39 degrees and rainy with a flurry here and there. I got up and was psyched!! I had run the route before so I had an idea of what I was getting into for my first 10k(6.2miles) race. I started running with the pack and picked up the pace a little in the beginning to cover some ground.
Well I felt really good the first 4 and half miles and then I started slowing down and just wanted to finish.

God had another plan for me that day because 150 yards from the finish line I felt dizzy and walked a few steps and started to jog just to finish. I could see the finish line from where I was and then I collapsed and passed out. A very nice woman picked me up in her car and carried me across the finish line and then I got to ride in an ambulance for the first time ever. I don't remember much about how I got from the point on the trail to the ambulance. I was fading in and out and I was scared!!! I was dehydrated and coming down with something at the same time. They gave me some drugs to keep me awake. I couldn't move my arms or legs they were numb! I kept fading in and out and couldn't move most of the ride to the hospital.

When I arrived I finally saw Hugh's face and I felt so comforted. He was his usual self joking with all the paramedics trying his best to let me know it was going to be okay. Now I am just thankful for my life. They took me in and ran tests, EKG, blood tests and all was well except my electrolytes were out of balance. The doctors gave me some fluids and I started to feel my hands and feet again... That was a relief!

My whole thanksgiving day was spent not being able to keep even water down all day. I finally could drink some water and suck on some pretzels at 7pm. I rested the night and had some soup friday morning and I am feeling better. Very wiped out but on the mend.

I keep running the day through my head to figure out what I did different and to avoid the situation again. I realized I had 3 glasses of iced tea the day before and caffiene works against you. I should have had green tea. What was I thinking?

I had a visit with the doctor monday(today) to go over my blood tests. He gave a clean bill of health. There was only one alarm, the test for kidney function was a little high due to lack of water, so I have to have another blood test in 2 weeks to make sure it is in good range. NO caffiene and no running for two weeks then It's back to life!!

I don't know why this time was so different, but there is a reason!! This was a learning experience for me. I will run it again next year and start out a little slower, where less layers and drink lots of water!!

Hope your thankgiving was better!!

Opportunties!

2007-11-18T16:11:00.000-05:00

I know I have a lot to be thankful for. God has put so many puzzle pieces together in my life... And many more to follow. Every time I can't see what God is doing I am more amazed at the outcome every day. In my last post the moral of the story was

"Life is not the way it's supposed to be, It's the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference."

There are two ways of looking at everything.

I watched Evan Almighty the other night and the kids liked it and loved to dance to all the cool music!!

"Noah" (Correll) was forced into building the ark. In the Bible, Noah did it willingly. In the movie, the wife had trouble following and supporting him unlike the biblical version. But, I really liked "God's" speech to Noah's wife at the diner. He said we should see everything as an "opportunity". For example, if we ask God for patience, He doesn't always magically turn us into patient people, He gives us the opportunity to be patient. If we ask for courage, He gives an opportunity to be courageous! Sometimes He does drop things in our laps, but for most things we should keep our eyes peeled for opportunities!!

May God give you many opportunities!!

2 days til my first run, I feel good!!

Magnolia!

2007-11-18T15:28:00.000-05:00

I spent the week before my daughter's June wedding running my final trips to the caterer, florist, tuxedo shop, and the church about fifty miles away. As happy as I was that Patsy was marrying a good Christian young man, I felt laden with responsibilities as I watched my budget dwindle... so many details, so many bills and so little time. My son Jack was away at college, but he said he would be there to walk his younger sister down the aisle, taking the place of his dad who had died a few years before. He teased Patsy, saying he'd wanted to give her away since she was about three years old!

To save money, I gathered blossoms from several friends who had large magnolia trees. Their luscious, creamy-white blooms and slick green leaves would make beautiful arrangements against the rich dark wood inside the church.

After the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding, we banked the podium area and choir loft with magnolias. As we left just before midnight, I felt tired but satisfied this would be the best wedding any bride had ever had! The music, the ceremony, the reception- and especially the flowers- would be remembered for years.

The big day arrived- the busiest day of my life - and while her bride's maids helped Patsy to dress, her fiance' Tim, walked with me to the sanctuary to do a final check. When we opened the door and felt a rush of hot air, I almost fainted; and then I saw them - all the beautiful white flowers were black. Funeral black. An electrial storm during the night had knocked out the air conditioning system, and on that hot summer day, the flowers had wilted and died.

I panicked, knowing I didn't have time to drive back to our hometown, gather more flowers, and return in time for the wedding. Tim turned to me " edna, can you get more flowers? I'll throw away these dead ones and put fresh flowers in these arrangements."

I mumbled, "Sure," as he be- bopped down the hall to put on his cuff links.
Alone in the large sanctuary, I looked up at the dark wooden beams in the arched ceiling. "Lord," I prayed, "please help me. I don't know anyone in this town. Help me find someone willing to give me flowers - in a hurry!"
I scurried out praying for four things: the blessing of white magnolias, courage to find them in an unfamiliar yard, safety from any dog that may bite my leg, and a nice person who would not get out a shotgun when I asked to cut his tree to shreds. As I left the church, I saw magnolia trees in the distance. I approached a house... no dog in sight. I knocked on the door and an older man answered. So far so good.. no shot gun. When I stated my plea the man beamed, "I'd be happy to!" He climbed a stepladder and cut large boughs and handed them down to me.

Minutes later, as I lifted the last armload into my car trunk, I said, "Sir, you've made the mother of a bride happy today."

"No, Ma'am," he said. "You don't understand what's happening here."

"What?" I asked.

"You see, my wife of sixty- seven years died on Monday. On Tuesday, I received friends at the funeral home, and on Wednesday." He pause. I say tears welling up in his eyes. "On Wednesday I buried her." He looked away. "On Thursday most of my out-of-town relatives went back home, and on Friday- yeaterday- my children left."

I nodded.

"This morning," he continued, "I was sitting in my den crying out loud, I miss her so much. For the last sixteen years, as her health got worse, she needed me. But now nobody needs me!" About that time, you knocked, and said, "Sir I need you."

I stood with my mouth open.

He asked, " Are you and angel? The way the light shone around you head into my dark living room"

I assured him I was no angel.

He smiled, " Do you know what I was thinking when I handed you those magnolias?"

"No."

" I decided I'm needed. My flowers are needed. Why, I might have a flower ministry! I could give them to everyone! Some caskets at the funeral home have no flowers. People need flowers at times like that and I have lots of them. They're all over the backyard. I can give them to hospitals, churches- all sort of places. You know what I'm going to do? I am going to serve the Lord until the day He calls me home!"

I drove back to the church, filled with wonder. On Patsy's wedding day, if anyone had asked me to encourage someone who was hurting, I would have said, "Forget it! It's my only daughter's wedding, for goodness' sake! There is no way I can minister to anyone today." But God found a way. Through dead flowers!!

by Edna Ellison

"Life is not the way it's supposed to be, It's the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference."

Hebrews 13:1-3

"Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unaware. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body."

Two weeks away!

2007-11-09T20:21:00.000-05:00

I am running a 10k on Thanksgiving day! 7:30 am. My sister has signed me up and I have no more excuses.!! I ran the course today and I feel good enough to at least complete it! I had to push myself beyond what I am used to, but the feeling of accomplishment was the most rewarding! Off to train!!

The Bee movie!

2007-11-09T11:39:00.000-05:00

We saw The Bee movie the other night. I learned alot about bees I didn't know. I really hate bees because I swell up when they sting me! Not life threatening just annoying. Well I now have a new perspective!! We can't live without bees!!! Our food source is reliant on bees! So don't kill them, SHOO them away!
There were alot of things to learn in the movie too, like life decisions, friendships, even thinking about what we are passionate about! I enjoyed the movie and I might even buy it! I would give it a 4.