Rejoicing In The Lord

Fear Of The Unknown

2011-02-12T08:30:00.000-05:00

Don't we all get fearful of the unknown from time to time? Last summer I had surgery that left 4 scars on my tummy. From time to time one them will still bother me and I will rub it. The one that bothers me the most is right where the snap to my jeans are. I often wear an under shirt so the snap doesn't rub. The other day I was rubbing this spot and I felt a hard lump. Right away my thoughts go to what could be wrong with me now? You see I had so many medical problems last year. A total of 9 different forms x-rays, health issues with tummy, allergies, H1N1, head injury, back injury, pneumonia, sinus, breathing, and the every lasting cough. So I just started going there again when I felt this lump. I really didn't want my 2011 to be repeat of last year with medical issues. After obsessing for several minutes I decided I better go have a look. I go in the bathroom and pull up my shirt and what do I see........ A piece of cookie dropped down my shirt and was sticking there.

After I finished laughing I got to thinking how often we do this in our lives. We hear, see or don't see something and we start playing out the worst cases in our mind. A speaker once said every time her husband would be late coming home for dinner she had him dead and trying to figure out how she would survive. A large number of women in that room agreed. Where is God in these situations? He is right next to us but we don't seem to see Him. In stead of thinking what might be think about what is. God is! So have a look or wait with God till there is the answer. God will walk you though what ever it is. One thing I noticed. No matter what it is God doesn't do thing the way we think. I love looking back at problem and saying "Wow God I wouldn't have done it that way. This is awesome."

When you feel you have no control, you'll become aware that God has the reins.

Where Is Happiness

2010-10-29T10:54:00.000-05:00

What makes you happy? I was asked that question recently?
I happiness in the following (no special order):
Being a wife, Mom and Grandma
visits with the grandsons
all my kids together
taking the puppy for a walk and crushing leaves
falling snow flakes
date night with hubby
someone else cooking our meal
a cup of tea and good book
in a boat on a lake
visiting WV and friends
watching family play sports

You get the idea I could go on. But what if those things couldn't be anymore. The kids are growing and moving away. Grandson will grow and have an active life where they live. Autumn and winder only last 1/2 a year. Money runs tight so date nights end. Someday I will go blind (Dr. says) with my back problems travel may be come a problem. Are you getting the picture. What makes me happen can dissolve.

What I come to realize is I've been putting my happiness into the situations of my life. I need to learn how to put my total happiness in God.

Philippians 4:8-12

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

God's Hand

2010-10-08T13:37:00.007-05:00

Did you ever give thought to God's hands? What do they look like? Recently on the TV show Dancing With Stars one of the judges said a star has hands as big as a frying pan. I've come to think God has these huge hands that cover mine. I didn't always think that way.

Each morning when I rise and as I am doing my hair I recite this little saying to God. "Lord I'm at the start of a new day, make it fresh in every way. So God I come to you to ask your blessing and renew me too. I know each day I'm not on my own, You take my hand, hold it tight so I'll never have to walk alone."

I was sharing this with someone recently and telling her when thing get tough I visualize my hand closing around God's. Her response was "Are you holding His hand or is He holding yours?"

Oh NO there it is. They are two entirely different things. I had to omit I'm a controller so I was holding His hand. You see I could let go when I think my life is going smoothly and would only have to grasp it in the hard times.

Being in the child care business I related it to the one little boy I watch. We often go for walks. He loves the freedom of not holding my hand and I let him go on our quite back streets but if we need to cross a street or are walking along a busier road he knows he must hold my hand.

I'm that child with God. I like my freedom to explore but I know when life is busy I need to grab his hand. However with God that is not the way it truly is. God always has a hold of my hand. I now need to reprogram myself to God is holding My hand.

I think Mandisa says it well in her song "He Is With You"

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The Hidden

2010-10-03T17:58:00.006-05:00

Sometimes I feel like I don't matter. I guess I'm having a "down" day. Maybe it is living with the this pain for the last week or so and the cough that has returned. I just feel like What about me Lord, do you remember me? Are you hidding from me or am I hiding from you?

I go to an awesome church that preaches the Word of God. They also have many out reaches which we are a part of some. They even just bought another church building to use as a ministry house. As you read my blog please don't get me wrong I do love our church and the people.

Recently there was one very nice gal who asked what could she do to bring cheer to my day. She said what about dessert, something chocolate. I took her up on it. It was yummy!

So many people ask me how I'm feeling but they don't make eye contact and body language seems to say they need to get moving on.

I also get can we do anything? My answer is usually "just pray". They say ok and hurry off. Today however the Pastor Wife (love her) said lets pray right now. Even her 5 year old son bowed his head to pray with us.

But what should I say, help me pay my co-insurance because it's a burden on us. Or come clean my house while I sit and watch you, tv or read a book? That is not me I don't know what you like to do. Why don't you say what you would like to do for me?

One Peron asked why I was moving slow. I started to tell them and they cut me off saying "You always seem to have health problems" then walked away. So I put up my wall to hid behind. I don't want to share if that is the way people will feel.

Then there was the gal who made a point of hearing how I'm doing she is even going to talk with Dr. at the hospital she works at. She truly wants to know how I'm doing.

So what is one to do when they have so many continual health issues. Keep your mouth shut or share? How should I respond to people? Maybe they are afraid it is contagious or I'll ask something of them.

Where is God in all this? Why is He allowing this to go on. I know He is trying to teach me something. Well great open my eyes to it. Make it plan and simple so I can see it. I can't learn if I don't get it.

I came to the conclusion I am hiding till I find out why God is allowing me to go though a year of health problems.

Toilet Water

2010-06-25T12:44:00.002-05:00

People often tell us we have great accommodations for a mission trip. I do agree but we are put to the test these last few days. Yesterday, Kris, Jamie & Jessica noticed the ceiling leak in Kirs's room and the hall ceiling was wet. The room above them the carpet was wet. This morning John woke up to a floor by his bed and Tucker who is above us said their carpet in the back bedroom is wet. John didn't think our ceiling looked wet but when the maintenance came this morning they said our ceiling is wet and the AC was drying it. John then tells me he just thought his bed was damp every night because the AC was running.

What John didn't know is he was sleeping in toilet water at night! Yes you read that right. So the guys dried the floor and turned off the water around 8:00. It is now 2:00 and they are no where around and we can't use the toilets. They just don't flush. Nothing goes down. I guess that is why the water is still off. The thing is it isn't just our 4 rooms no one has water.

So parents and friends be prepared we are coming back home smelly tomorrow if this continues.

A Different Kind Of Church

2010-06-24T05:19:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was our day off. That means we can do things as a group to build ourselves up. Most of the group when canoeing. They had a great time they tell me. A few did work on homes but not many. I along with 2 others went to a museum and then out for a nice lunch. Then in the evening it was time for Wednesday night church. We visit the church of the families we are doing work for. This is where it got interesting.

So we go to this church that had about 10 people with our 40 that increased attendance. On a Sunday they have about 30 people. They were so welcoming. I think the most welcoming of any church down here we ever attended. Then they pray. They all pray. They pray at the same time. They pray our loud there own personal prayers. It truly sounded like you were at an auction. John being who he is whispers "sold" Now we are all fighting not to laugh because were thinking the same thing but we knew to keep quite. Just looking at each other trying not to laugh made us want to laugh more. After many minutes the prayers stop and the "Blue grass" music start. Let's just say you don't have to sing on key to sing a solo at this church and leave it at that.
Then this very nice lady gets up and starts leading her bible study on Revelations. We were thinking she might be the pastor but not sure. See down here if you want to be a pastor and have your own church you got it. No need for any type of schooling. We didn't agree on all they believe but we agree their is only one way to heaven and that is though Jesus Christ.
After bible study she announces now we will have testimony from our guests. Well that took us by surprise. We didn't know we would be doing the sharing. So the lead work site persons just shared what they were doing and for who. That was followed by the families thanking them.
Church was over and they treated us to ice cream.

Tuesday

2010-06-23T05:25:00.003-05:00

Well there a reason I didn't post last night and you'll read about that at the end of this blog.

Yesterday start out great. We just about doubled the number of kids we had at VBS from the previous day. The energy level was very high. Today is our day off so we will see the kids again tomorrow.

After VBS came back to the dorm and then Dean and Wink arrived. They are two from our group who could leave on Saturday. We were so happy to see them. Dean battles with Cancer and is one of the nice guys a person could know. He is rooming with us and brought so much laughter to our dorm. (If you didn't know we are staying on a college campus in real nice dorms. There are 3 bedrooms and sitting room some have a kitchen in the sitting room.)

Our dinner was a community cook out. Ok here is where I admit I'm directionally challenge and people found out how far I drove the other day before I realized I'm going the wrong way. Yes I can read a map but we don't have one here, it is the driving that confusses me.

After the picnic we came back to the dorms and a group gathered in our sitting area to chat. The lights flickered off and came back rather quickly. However a short time later all the fire alarms in all the rooms in a part of campus went off. So we exit. I'm on the ground floor so that was easy. I must people exit fast and with no confussion. That is where we learned a tranformer burnt out. As it turn out some areas had electric and others did not. We had no power in one bedroom and the bathroom. Another group had no power in the kitchen but did in all the bedrooms then their was the room with all teens and one adult. Then didn't have power in any room. We also had no internet service last night so that is the reason there was no post.

Last night while standing outside I learned all and more than I needed to know about electrical things. Thank you John Kugal. I can see how you love talking about your work. You are like my John and machanical things.

To let everyone know my friend Reggie's quad by pass surgery went well. Thank you for your prayers.

Our First Full Day

2010-06-21T20:07:00.002-05:00

Today was the first of Summer Adventure or as some know it Vacation Bible School. It went great. So much fun. The kids were awesome. They loved Joseph's prison. Susan & Cherie did a fanstic job. Thank you gals. Tomorrow I hope to visit, spend more time at the Market Place(crafts) and the playground (games) I just love working with the kids. The lunch ladies did an awesome job.

John, Bob, Tucker, Carl and a few others are working on an addition to a home. Debbie and Cherie got to visit the family in the afternoon and just share. How much fun that must have been. I think I'll go Thursday.

Our Evening sessions we are learning the 3 steps to being a missionary.

2010-06-20T08:20:00.006-05:00

I must say at first I was little depressed yesterday. I think it might be partly to the medication I am on. but things were not going well. The drive was really uneventful. I drove for a bit (got blisters on my hands too) then John took over. We got here it was so HOT and Humid I was glad I just had to stay in our dorm and supervise the unpacking. Then we went to dinner. It was great catching up with Missy again. After dinner I ran to the store to get a few things like milk for my tea. When we got back our frig was not working. I was also missing some people that I wish were here. I was getting depressed. So I went to bed and prayed. During the night God was at work and fixed our Frig and reminded me it is all about serving for Him. When I woke up the frig was working and I was smiling.

It is great each year seeing how people have changed.

for example Jessie and Jamie who were so very quite last year are much more out going and I'm sure will be all hugged out by our craft lady by the end of the week.

Today we went to 2 different churches. The one I went to did a full 1 hour & 45 minutes of tribute to Dad. The best was the baby and nursery singing to the their dads.

After church we set up for Summer Adventure (VBS). Then it was back to the dorms and had dinner and our nightly meeting.

Please friends pray for our friend Reggie here at World Vision he is having open heart surgery at 8:00 AM tomorrow.

It's Time

2010-06-18T20:06:00.002-05:00

It's Time. Do you remember that saying from an old I Love Lucy show? No one is having a baby. It is time to leave for our yearly mission trip to WV. This is my 5th year.

We leave tomorrow morning. What is different this year is I am driving and not John. John is hoping to sleep since he has to work at 2:00 AM. We are leaving as soon as he gets home from work. My friend Susan & I decided to let John sleep this year and we will drive.

John will have a back seat buddy too. We are taking our friends grandson with us. His grandparents live in WV so he is going on vacation for a nice visit with his grandparents.

We are also praying for a wonderful surpise to work out. I can't share what it is right now. However I sure hope it can happen. I know so many many people would be blessed and very happy if it did.

I got the OK to go from my surgeon this week. He just said bring your meds, no lifting and limit steps. My friend Susan said she is going to be my accountablity partern in making sure I relax in the afternoon.

Once again I will try to post every night about our adventures. So if you know family or friends on our trip and they would like to read or see pictures all you need to do is tell them to request me as a friend on facebook or send them directly to my blog. On face book I will have pics from my phone from time to time that won't be in the blog.

Lastly I would like to ask everyone to be praying for Reggie. He is one of the bosses at World Vision in WV. He will be having open heart surgery on Tuesday. In past years Reggie was right beside us every day working and sharing. We all love Reggie very much and wish him the best and a speedy recovery.

Temptation

2010-06-14T10:20:00.003-05:00

Well my life has had some turns and bends in it lately. I am busy getting ready for our annual Mission Trip. I'm almost done with the Bible School lesson and planning. However God took me on a side trip this past week. I had to have some major surgery. So I'm on a rest only life. That is so very hard. I am trying to get off the pain medicine so when I do things or say things they make sense. It is nice however to have an excuse for my blunders. I will go back to my Dr. on Thursday and that is when I will get the all clear for my trip.

My biggest challenge is temptation. I'm told to do nothing. Well that is just BORING! I am reading a book a day. So yesterday my hubby had to work and so did my daughter. They left me home alone. If you know me that spells trouble. The day started looking beautiful outside. So I wanted to do some laundry. I knew it would be wrong to carry the basket of wet laundry upstairs and hang it out. But I was BORED. The temptation was calling me I felt good too. So I gave in even knowing it was wrong. I carried the basket and hung wash. Well with in an hour I knew I made a big mistake. Why didn't I listen? Why did I give in so easily?

It's just like with our lives and sin. Gossip is a biggie. We know we should share but it is so easy and what harm will it do. Well the harm is how we hurt God. Being disobedient children. He had to pay the price for every time we gave into temptation. So next time you are tempted to do something you know is wrong picture Christ on the cross.

The Graduates

2010-05-27T13:22:00.002-05:00

Life is busy at our house. Our son, Jason graduated from Liberty in Lynchburg VA with a degree in Biblical Studies. He is working for World Vision in WV. Glenn Beck was the keynote speaker. We had a great week end with him.

Our daughter, Amanda graduated, with honors, from East Stroudsburg with a degree in Sociology. She is working locally at shelter for displaced teens. She is continuing on for her masters. Below are a few pictures.

God's Timing

2010-05-11T14:34:00.002-05:00

I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you.

Isaiah 46:4

I've been under stress and health issues lately. Today I came home from my weekly Dr. appt. Yes I said weekly. I sat down and told my hubby I'm so stress I'm about ready to burst. He said what do you do to relieve stress. Well I would of said a tub of M & M ice cream but I can't have that right now. I have to be careful what I eat. So what do you you do to relieve stress I'm open for ideas.

I wanted to read God's word but I can't sit still when I'm stressed so that makes it hard to read God's word. I tried to pray but just couldn't be still to hear God.

Then this afternoon I got a lovely card from a friend at church. It had the above verse from Isaiah in it. How perfect. God will sustain me, He will kept me going. He will carry me when I can no longer feel like I can keep going. What an awesome God we have. He sent me the verse I needed on the day I needed it.

So I know you want to know what is going on. Well first is this years mission trip we take in June. It is 10 days after my surgery and we just don't have enough people for VBS this time. I feel like I'm letting the kids down this year. As the person planning I just don't know how to stretch the people we do have. This is the first year I'm not excited about the mission trip. I feel sad the kids are not getting the best they deserve.

Next I have several health issues. I'm not giving details but I have had 3 x-rays, 2 CT scans, 1 ultra sound, numerous medications and every blood work possible I believe. I have had a cough since Nov. when I had H1N1 and that was the start of all this. Every time someone runs a test they find a new problem. I have surgery in June and a surgical procedure to follow at a later date.

Family Friday

2010-04-23T18:48:00.002-05:00

It has been so long since I did a Family Friday. So I thought I would do an update for all my family and friends.

First I would like to say Hi to John's family in Wales. This is a great way to keep up isn't it?

Well who should I start with? Let's start with the pets. Puppy Molly is almost 6 months old so on Wed. she will go to the vet for her procedure. We are hoping this will slow her down. I never saw such an active puppy. Our 3 cats are hoping so too. They have become cuddle cats. They will sit on laps just to get away from the puppy.

Well lets go on to Nikki and her family. Nikki and Steve are doing great. They are kept busy with the two little guys. Ryan is now 2 and potty training. Carter is almost 3 months. He holds his head well for floor play time.

On to Jason. He will be graduating from Liberty Unvi. in VA on May 15th with a degree in Biblical Studies. He will be working for World Vision. John & I along with John's sister Rosie are looking forward to traveling to VA for his big day.

Next is Amanda she is graduating on May 8th from East Stroudsburg Unvi. with a honors. Her degree is in Sociology. She has been been hired by Valley Youth House working with run-a-way teens. She will continue on for her Masters in the fall.

John is doing great. He is playing softball again this year. But his big task is remodeling our kitchen we are tearing it down to the studs and rebuilding it. We will have a big summer project.

I am still battling health issues. That H1N1 I had last November sure did a number on my lungs. It looks like I will have some procedures done this summer. I'm still baby sitting three days a week till June. I love having my summers off. I am also having fun with designing and re-arranging things for the new kitchen. Now if I can just get a cook with the kitchen. Some day I will post my cooking issues.

Mom is doing great. It is garden time and she loves working in her garden. If you sit down with her she will tell you all about her garden. She also enjoys our girls day out about twice a month. Mom, Aunt Lois and I will always come home with a funny story. We added my Amanda and Aunt Lois's granddaughter Haley twice now when they were home from college. I think mom loves that spending time with her granddaughter too.

My niece Krista, Rick's daughter is driving cross country to Cali. She is moving there. She set up a page on facebook called Road Trip 2010. I love following her posts and pictures. We wish her well.

So there you have the family update.

Faith Stretch Marks

2010-04-11T13:42:00.003-05:00

Do you have Faith Stretch Marks? They come in all kinds of signs. They are both negative and positive ones. Here are a few: gray hair a wrinkle, a peaceful look, lack of sleep, a smile or frown. It all depends how you handle them. What cause them you may wonder. It is cause by life. By challenges and situations you are faced with. I have had my share over the past year.

Last summer I was excited about our Children's Summer Sunday School however it didn't turn out the way I planned. Was it a failure? Yes in some ways but I used it as a growth and got a few stretch marks. Now it is time to plan this summers and it is scary but I am relying on God for directions.

My in home child care. I've had many great parents and children in my home over the years. From time to time one parent challenges me because they want me change the way I do things to meet just their child's needs and not be concerns about the others in my home. I had one of those situtation recently. The mom and I agreed it is best for her daughter to have a more one on one child care so she with drew her child. My christian values will not waver in my providing care for children even if it meant a cut in pay. I got a few stretch marks.

A family member that don't speak to me even though I give my heart to them. I have no clue why. I need to trust God that their heart will soften and when they come to me I have a heart to hear and accept what they have to say. These marks are still growing.

Leading the Sunday School department at church. I often hear complements. I hear them weekly but I need to have a concerning heart to those who have concerns. I need to be approachable to them and listen. When a child goes to mommy and daddy with a concern and they in turn come to me I need to take this seriously. I then need to put my faith in God's leading to see if changes need to be make. What is best for all the children. God cares for every child so I need too.

Summer mission trip is going to be very different yet the same this summer. I feel God is going to work in me major this June. I feel it may be very hard on me. You know the unsettling feeling one gets. It will be life changing but will I be willing to let it change me. If I fight it the stretch marks grow deeper. I don't like change and I like control. I can see it will be a year without control and changes. Lord I need to hang on it will be a "wild ride" as they say.

So my Faith marks are growing but with God's guidance He will smooth them out.

So how do I heal with Faith Stretch Marks? I need to have accountability with my time with
God. I need to be spending time with God daily in prayer (which meanings listening too) and studying His word. I come to this challenge now. Finding an accountability partner, any willing takers?

People Watching

2010-04-09T07:55:00.004-05:00

This past week my hubby had to have a little surgical procedure. As he was having his procedure done I got to people watch. That is one of my favorite things to do. People would come in, go to the window and then sit down. Some seemed calm and others a tad nervous. Those that were calm seemed to understand what was going to happen and the nervous ones asked lots of question as not sure what was going to happen. One gentleman came in and spoke very little English. I must say the gal at the window was so calm and patience with him. She explained numerous time to every questioned he asked. She just wanted to make sure he truly understood. This gal treated the gentleman like he was the only person that mattered.
By the time he sat down he seemed so much at peace.

This made me think of our Father, God. He wants us all to understand Jesus is the only way to Him. He is there to answer all our questions and will keep answering till we are satisfied. He is so very patience with us. He treats us like we are the only person that matters. If we keep asking God will stay with us and we too can feel so much at peace.

Everything is fine with hubby and all went well.

Letting Them Fly

2010-03-23T13:11:00.003-05:00

I'm at the stage in life where I need to let go. My kids are growing up and Mama Bird needs to let them fly. My dream for life wasn't there their dream. I dreamed they'd grow up go to school, get married and live in our home town. So we would visit often and Hubby and I could have a house filled with grandchildren. We would be called to baby sit and would love it.

Well they have their owns dreams and they are doing great with it. Our oldest daughter live far enough away that it means a day visit and no calling Grammy and Pappy to baby because they felt like going to a movie that night.

Our son will be graduating from college (VA) this May and moving to W. VA. to work with
World Vision. We are proud of him but it means very few visits. Somewhere along the way I messed up and didn't teach him to call Mom & Dad and let us know how he is doing and what is going on so we won't hear from him often.

Our youngest lives at home while going to college and will graduate this May also. She has a job and will continue on for her Masters. We are ok with her living at home. I know some people think we should get her to move out since she is 22 but we want to help her out financially at this time. We need to let her make her own appointments, handle her medical bill problems, deal with adult situation on her own but she keeps coming to us to solve them. If we don't she gets difficult to live with. She is the baby and use to getting her away. I messed up where and didn't teach her people manors.

Well we need to let go and let our children have their own dreams but mostly let them handle their own situations like any adult has too. We can be here for advice but they will have to do the work themselves. We can't keep bailing them out. We need to give them their wings and let them fly.

Fasten My Seat-belt

2010-03-12T20:15:00.004-05:00

I had a few really good and fun days. Then God said I was getting a little comfortable.

1) I was talking with someone who pointed out they notice a difference in me since I'm not in a steady bible study lately. They said they see my "laziness" toward God when I'm not doing a bible study. What it comes down to is I'm not studying God's word so I'm not giving much time to God. I'm filling my day with other things and leave God out. When I am doing bible study I spend a large amount of time in the Bible, praying and researching on the Internet what I'm studying. So I am now trying to discipline myself to get back into a study and asking God what's He is trying to teach me here.

2) The other night when hubby got up to go to work at 2:30 AM he found out 2 or our cars and one of our friends car we had were broken into. So I found myself standing in my PJ's and robes at 3:00 in the morning talking to the police for an hour. I think our pride was hurt and that is what bothers some of us the most. So I find myself asking God what's He is trying to teach me here.

3) I was hurt by a lie. Back in January I had a conversation with someone and we both agreed not to do something. Then I found out yesterday they went ahead and did it any way and told more lies to people and now it is going to cost me money that is not budgeted for. What bothers me if they wanted to go ahead and do it they should have just said so. I was fine with it. There reason was they felt I would argue with them. I can honestly say I would not in this substitution.
But what really bugs me is why would they think I would argue? Are they seeing something in me I am missing? I guess I need to be asking God what's He is trying to teach me.

I guess God is about to do some major work in my life so I better fasten my seat-belt and get ready for a change.

The Log

2010-03-08T19:18:00.004-05:00

Our church talks a lot about redemption community. It is a one of many values I like about my church family. However this past week I got hit by am I doing well enough in this area?

See our church has a women's bible study for ladies who want to become fit and lose a few pounds. Well this past Sunday I heard a teenage girl make a comment to her mother. She said "Now there's a lady that needs that weigh lost study, gees she gross". The sad thing is the lady heard too. She looked right at her when she said that. The mother said nothing to her daughter.

I was angry, not so much at the girl but the mother how could she not say anything to her daughter. What kind of mother would just keep her mouth shut. Thoughts like that were running though my mind about the mother.

Then God dropped a mirror in front of me. I may not have said them out loud but I was thinking wrong things about about a mother and a situation I knew nothing about. Just like the young girl may not have known the health issues for the lady with a weigh condition. I didn't know the family situation. It may have been much better for the mother to remain quite till they got in the car on the way home. I don't know how the girl would have responded if the mother said something in church. So I am just as wrong if not more so.

I believe God was using this situation to show me how quick I form an opinion about people. I often feel they are judging me but there too I don't know for sure so I am judging them. I need to work on my sins and stop working on others.

Thank you Lord for showing me the log in my eye.

2010-02-26T21:21:00.002-05:00

Ok everyone here is our Molly. This is the picture we saw that made us fall in love with her. Her ears and top of her head is darker now. Molly will be 4 months old on March 13th.
In a matter of two weeks we were hit with a big snow storm. This last storm we got about 16 inches. So I spent most of the day outside blowing snow. The bad thing about these storms is we had to cancel bible study twice now. I feel left out of the loop.

Our big plans were tonight we met with a kitchen design guy. We are gutting our kitchen and knocking a wall down to have a more open floor plan. I am excited but I just pray we can get it all done in the budget we set. I'm learning there is a lot more to kitchen make over than I thought. One of the things I'm exciting about is I'm getting a Tea Cup cabinet. I have about 40 tea cups and they have this cute cabinet just for me. As we go along I'll post pictures I'm sure. I was surpised when Hubby and I talked it sounded like we wanted different things but when we sat down with the Disigner it turned out we are very close.

Comfy

2010-02-19T19:49:00.004-05:00

Here is our new little guy. This is Carter James. Don't you love that name. Carter was born on Feb. 1st.

Since then we had a major snow storm here. I know some areas got a lot more but we got 20 inches. I loved it. I enjoy snow so much. I love the cold weather too. I love when the snow first falls and there is a blanket of white outside. Life just seems to sparkle.

On another note God has been really nudging me lately. He seems to want me to be an encourager to people I don't know. I'm struggling with this. I put that wall up around me if I don't know people. But God is reminding me to keep letting the wall crumble. See I was starting to finally feel comfortable at our church. I know what happen last time I got in this comfy state. That is when going church became more of a social club. So I'm starting to walk the path God is leading me again. It amazes me the people He puts in my life and the changes He makes to what I got comfy with. I love how God works.

Changes

2010-02-03T13:28:00.003-05:00

So much has changed around here since my last post.

As you know in December our beloved dog Kaci had passed away. Well just after the new year we welcomed an adorable puppy named Molly into our home. Molly is a cockapoo or as Hubby says Cockadoodle. She is cream with tan ears. So it is every 1/2 to 1 hour we are going outside in the cold and snow. She is doing very well though. Sometime in the near future I'll post a picture but for now there is another picture I must post first.

Ok I can't post that picture yet either as I don't have one. You see on Monday we welcomed our second grandson into our lives. Carter James was born Monday and Mommy, Daddy and big brother Ryan are so happy. I'm hoping to be able to go visit him this week end but that depends on a few things. As soon as I do I'll post pictures.

Another change the New Year brought to our home is Hubby has a new route and this one brings him more peace and a small raise. Hubby is so much happier on this route. On the old one he seemed depressed daily, but more so Mondays.

On top of all this I had pneumonia. This winter has not been a good one for me. Every since I had the Swine Flu (early Nov.) it seems everything goes right to my lungs. I sure spent lots of time at Dr. offices.

So now you see why I haven't had time to post. Because of Changes.

2009-12-24T13:59:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas to all of you reading. My Christmas wish for you is that you will be drawn closer to God in the coming year. That our Lord will fill your life with joy.

2009-12-19T14:36:00.004-05:00

Last night our son started home from college over 6 hours away and was stranded in the snow with very slow going till a snow plow came along. He was very wise and followed the plow back to college since he wasn't to far away. Today we are having the snow storm. Hoping he can come home by Monday night. (we are having hubby's 50th birthday party). Neither of our daughters can make it so I really hope our son can.

Our beloved dog Queen Kaci is now in heaven. I miss her greatly. I still have a hard time in the morning remembering she is gone. I will stand in the kitchen waiting for her to come. Our routine would be we would walk out to the mail box every morning and bring in the newspaper. If she was a good girl and stayed with me she would get a treat when we got into the house. I think there was only one day she didn't get a treat and that was early on. I miss her at night when everyone is in bed. I have no one to sit with and watch TV. (the cats go to bed with my daughter or hubby). Hubby goes to work during the night and I miss Kaci in bed. I never realized how many sounds there are in the night. I keep thinking what was that. Would Kaci being barking or know it was nothing.

She developed "Springer Rage Syndrome". She became very aggressive toward hubby and our daughter. She would just attack them and then be as happy as normal. Yes she did bit. So I took her to the vet and they said the best thing is to put her to sleep. Taking her and driving home in tears I just claimed over and over "I can do all things in Christ who give me strength."

At first I said no more dogs because it was a painful day. But I'm thinking more and more I might want another dog. It won't be my decision alone so I just can't say what we will do.

False Alarm

2009-12-08T18:42:00.002-05:00

Today started out interesting. I was talking with my Aunt around 7:15 when I hear this noise in the back round and ask her what is that noise. She thought maybe one of the alarm clocks in her house were going off and said she would call me right back. Next thing I hear is our local fire whistle going off. Then it hit me that was the noise I heard a smoke alarm. I tried calling her back but no answer. She only lives 2 1/2 blocks away so I grab my coat and as I did my phone rang, it was her cell phone. Yes it was her house. Her carbon Oxide alarm was going off. She was outside without a coat so I grabbed an extra coat and arrived the same time as the policeman. A few seconds later the first fireman arrives. All was well in her house but what we learned today is C.O. alarms are meant to only last 5 years. It even says so right on the package. You need to replace them. Yes it was the alarm going off and not the replace battery. The alarm broke and wouldn't shut off.

I assured the fireman I would take my aunt right away to buy a new one as she doesn't drive. So off we went to Walmarts and then a nice breakfast.

My Aunt just loves creating fun and excitement.

Merry Chistmas

2009-12-07T17:23:00.004-05:00

It really has been a long time since I posted. My life is busy but slow at the same time. I am taking my time and enjoying the Christmas season. Most of my shopping has been done. Christmas cards have been written (hope to mail out this week). My daughter did some cookie baking but I'll do more too as I do enjoy baking cookies for Christmas. The house is decorated. Music has been playing. I have read 4 Christmas novels so far. I love the Hallmark channel running Christmas movies from noon to midnight every day.

This morning I went to my mom's house and wrapped a few presents. Then I dropped shoe boxes off at a church. They are collecting shoe boxes to take to the children of WV that we serve every summer.

I'm looking forward to spending time with family this month. I can't wait to see my lovable grandson again. I just don't feel like I see him enough. Soon I will have 2 grandsons as Ryan will be a big brother. So looking forward to another little baby. I also enjoy the fact my son will be home from college for awhile.

I sure hope you are taking time to enjoy the season.

The Pigs Part 2

2009-11-07T19:16:00.002-05:00

Just a quick update on the Swine H1N1 flu. It got worst by this past Friday and had to go back to the Doctors. She wanted to send me to the hospital but I talked her out of it. I now have an infection in my lungs which makes breathing hard. Her concern is the medicine I need raises my blood pressure. But we agreed to double my BP meds and I have to use a breathing machine at home 4 times a day. Today I can once again take a deep breath.

I just read there is a cat in Iowa that has the Swine flu. The first pet to get it. I am glad my cats are fine. They are a comfort to me. They like to sit with me.

I did get some online Christmas shopping done today so I am productive.

This Is For The Pigs

2009-11-01T08:02:00.004-05:00

This blog is for the Pigs out there. Keep your flu to yourself! Yes the H1N1 (swine flu) has hit my house hard. I don't know who brought it into the home and I don't really care either. In a matter of about 3 days every child I care for, my daughter and myself have it. One of the babies ended up at the hospital. They are now saying it was a reaction to the medication they gave her. My advice to anyone who has a cough and a slight fever go to your dr. Get the Tamiflu shot.

Thursday afternoon one of my moms call to tell they are at the hospital with the baby she has the Swine Flu. Thursday night around 11:30 I started with a cough. So I went out on the couch so hubby could get some sleep he had to get up at 2:00 AM to go to work. By 2:00 I had a slight fever and could take a deep enough breath to use my asthma inhaler. So around 5:45 AM I call the family I b-sit for to say I think I got it and can't b-sit. Thankfully they have a grandmother who could help with child care.

Breathing was so hard for me so I called the dr. They take me right away. She said my chest was real tight she would give me a breathing treatment but was also going to give me the a strep throat and flu test. She already told me I had an inner ear infections. The first few minutes of the breathing treatment were hard I keep cough but I guess enough medicine was getting in my lungs because I soon settled down and could breath easier. My results are back and yes I have H1N1 and strep too. I get the Tamiflu shot and head to the drug store for my 3 RXs to fill. The first drug store was out of the main one so they sent me to another store that had it. I'm doing all this while contagious. Don't you think the Dr. should of called it in and then I could of went to the drive up window? Well after sitting and waiting 20 minutes I get my meds and go home to cough and doze off and on all day. I felt worse then I ever remember.

It's been 2 days and I am feeling better just no energy and still coughing. The breathing is better but I do believe another breathing treatment would help more. Last night a wonderful friend emailed me and asked if she could drop off dinner for us. What a blessing that was. I didn't have energy to cook and money wise if we got take out it would of been Burger King. Not the best when you are sick. The meal was Sooooooooo good. Thank you Marie!! This morning I made a list of everything that needs to get done around here. By the time I was done writing I was exhausted. There are only 8 items on the list! It has been 24 hours with out a fever now so they say I'm not contagious but I felt it best to stay home from church today just to be extra safe. Beside they don't want to hear me coughing all morning.

Our Amanda has it too but she refuses to go the Dr. I told her if she is still bad Monday I'm calling she has no choice. Well she is 22 yrs. so yes she does but I'm not telling her that. I'm guessing it is only a matter of a day or two are hubby will have it too. I pray not.

Mind Reader

2009-10-29T13:52:00.003-05:00

You know what really bothers me. People who don't use turn signals! I just don't understand what they are thinking. I'm behind them how do I know they are just going left at the stop sign. I'm not a mind reader. Just like on the highway too. Switching lanes. They jump out, out of no where it seems. They never use a signal. I think police need to hand out more tickets and maybe they will learn to respect the laws of driving. They get away with this what is next?

OK that had been on my mind for awhile now and every time I drive there is someone who thinks I'm a mind reader. I just had to post about it.

Life here is busy. I am baby sitting and reading and doing more reading and more child care. I'm enjoying the 2 bible studies I'm doing right now. The first one is on 1 Peter. So much more there than I ever thought. The second one is Spiritual Warfare. Wow is that loaded.

We are trying to stay healthy at my house and it is getting harder and harder to do. I like to look at the bright side if we are sick now we should be fine for the holidays.

Hello

2009-10-11T16:18:00.003-05:00

Life is getting so busy here. One would think with the kids grown life slows down, so not true. I last blogged about Women of Faith week end. I've been enjoying my life and maturing. I am loving our churches Sunday message series on marriage. We are gifted with great pastor. I missed church today as I was up sick ALL evening. But I can view the message the web site later this week.

Last week end I went to the Children Ministry Conference. I learned so much. I would love to be able to do some events with the kids but I just need to remember what I was asked to do. That is to over see Sunday School. I know I'd have the support from the church to do some of these things but then would they expect more and more from me?

I am baby sitting full time 3 days a week right now. I enjoy it. The boys are great kids. They are bothers and both under two. I think that is how I got this virus they seemed to have had it. But that goes with the job.

This Friday I go to my eye specialist. It has been a year already. I look forward to the report but also pray my condition hasn't gotten worse. I don't want to go blind anytime soon. I want to remember to ask if it will effect both eyes or just the one. I know my vision changed but it is my reading vision so I am glad to be able to get new glasses.

Hubby has been working hard lately and the environment is not a happy one. He can't wait to get home every day. He is also helping several people out at church with their car repairs.

Well that is about all I just wanted to update and say Hi to all of you.

2009-10-02T10:30:00.003-05:00

I know, I know it has been awhile. I am back baby sitting for teachers and my day is usually very busy with 3 babies.

Anyway to update on Women of Faith. I learned I'm more then directionally challenged (I get lost easy, even when I've been somewhere several times), I'm also directionally gifted. Usually when someone is gifted it is a good thing. I guess in certain circumstances one might this is a good thing. Directionally gifted means you are bossy and controlling. I don't think I'm that bossy but my family confirms I an in our home. That is why they don't do house work. I never thought they did it right. So God opened a door for me to start working on. It's not that easy either.

Hubby really benefited from me going. Friday night he got to spend time with our daughter at a high school football game. She went back to her high school to see the band/guard. Then Saturday he got to go to a college football game with our son. I do think this is only the 2nd time father and son did something together. I was so excited for them. And yes Liberty (our son's college) beat the local team.

Now this week end I am going away again. This time I am drive 2 hours to Hershey to a Children Ministry Conference. I'm sure once again God will have great things planned for me and my church when I take what I will learn and apply it.

God's Working

2009-09-17T08:10:00.005-05:00

I love how God works in our lives. For several months now I've been thinking and hoping to attend the Women Of Faith conference in Philadelphia. Several months ago I asked a friend if she was going this year. She said she didn't think so. Later another friend whose husband works for World Vision said that the president of World Vision will be there. We wondered if we could get free tickets then we would just have to pay for lodging. Well that didn't work out either. I had this deep feeling I need to be there. I don't understand why. But day after day something would come up to remind me about the upcoming Women of Faith. It has been about 7 years now since I've been to one. Finally about 3 weeks ago. I said "God if you want me to go you have to make this happen or stop this feeling that I should be there." Two weeks had passed and the topic came up about driving down just for Saturday. I sat back listening and didn't seem to have that desire to say "yeah lets do it." The ladies decided not to do it anyway. So my thought process was I guess God doesn't want me to go and I'm OK with that. A few days later on last Thursday I get a call from the friend I asked early on if she was going. She said her and another friend of ours from church were going and they were staying at a relatives. They wanted to know if I wanted to go with them. They didn't know if I could get a seat with them because she thought the section was full, but we could play musical seats and take turns one person sitting by themselves. I told her I would love to but first I had to check with the parent I b-sit for to see if grandma will switch days with me. I got Friday off so I called back and said "YES I'll go" I asked where they were sitting I'd try to get something close by. So off to the Women of Faith website I went. I was shock to see the seat next to my two friends is now empty and I could sit with them. Praise God He has great plans for me. I can't wait to see what happens this week end. I know I am to be there and I waited for His timing to make it all happen.
So tomorrow morning bright and early I leave for Philadelphia. I am so looking forward to it and will blog about it when I get back next week.

What's Your Ring

2009-09-07T17:27:00.003-05:00

If you would call my cell phone you would hear music till I answer. You don't hear the ringing. You would hear these words:

"And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never'
Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends" By Michael W Smith.

I chose this for two reason. First so it would hold me accountable to how I speak when I answer the phone. I now know the person on the other end would guess I am a christian so I better talk like one when on the phone. Do you think about your response to people when you are on the phone or do you lose yourself in "the things" and "gossip"?

The second reason is in honor of my closest friend. We've stayed friend even with different views on something. We both know the other will be there no matter what. We've have so many things a like in our lives. We laughed at things you wouldn't understand, we've cried at things you would think are odd. We share our grandchildren's lives. We have no problem asking the other to tell us what they think about something because we know we will hear the truth even if it hard to hear. This friend is moving to other state if a month and I know we are friends forever and I know we will see each other often but I'll sure miss her.

Now if you are standing near me when my cell phone "rings" you hear this song from Cast and Crown

"But if we are the Body Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way, There is a way"

What a great way to remind me God wants me to reach out and serve the unsaved. I have lots of unsaved family that can be the ones calling me and it is so easy to say "I can't" or " I have plans" When really just don't want to. But if we are Christ body and an unbeliever is in any kind of need or has a hurt we should be there to show them God's love.

We need to be doing not just telling. It is so easy to tell others about Christ but to take time out of our busy lives and show them. That is not so easy. We we need to show them too.

So what is your ring? What do you think about when you hear the phone go off?

Family Friday

2009-09-03T17:17:00.002-05:00

It has been awhile since I did a Family Friday so I thought I'd do an update on the family.

Amanda & Jason both started their senior year of college. That went quick. Amanda also started an internship at a local youth house working with run-a-way teens.

John's jeep's drive shaft broke but he fixed it himself. He also has 2 cars in waiting for repairs.

I am back to child care as the teachers went back to school.

Nikki and Steve are doing great and expecting their second child in 2010.

Ryan is growing so fast. He is 19 months now and loves watching the fire truck. He likes to chase farm animals.

Mom is doing well. She has her garden to keep her busy.

So there you have it our family update.

Policeman or God

2009-08-25T18:29:00.002-05:00

Imagine you are driving down the high way. Would you be going the speed limit. Come on are you really going the speed limit? Do you you use your turn signal every time you change lanes? Then up in front of you see a police car on the side of the road. You step on the brakes to slow down and make sure you are doing everything right. He pulls out behind you but doesn't have his lights on. You are nervous but want to be the best drive you can be. Soon he pulls off the high way and you are back to driving like you were before you saw him. (OK I'm saying him but it could be a her). What is a policeman's job? To keep us safe and protected. Why were you nervous when he was following you? You weren't doing anything wrong at that time. That nervousness could be considered a healthy good fear.

So God wants to keep us safe and protected. When we are close to Him we are so much more aware of our behavior. But what we need to remember God is with us always. We need to have that healthy fear. If God pulls us over to write a "ticket" he is just doing it for our safety and because He not only wants us safe and protected He loves us with the greatest Love of all. A love that has no end.

Sometimes it hard to accept our "tickets" from God. We question him on why he is allowing something to happen. But we don't learn if we don't go through things. We don't think of questioning a policeman. God is so much more so I'm going to just try to keep my mouth shut and accept what God has for me to learn.

This is just something I was thinking about today.

It's No Surpise

2009-08-21T16:23:00.002-05:00

I read the following this week by Elizabeth George:
"God knows our problems. The difficulties we face are no secret to Him. In fact, He has known about them forever. The challenges we face are no secret to Him. In fact, He know and has has know since the beginning of time exactly how He would them to draw you closer to Him and make you more like Christ."

This give me great comfort and joy. God already new what was to come in our life. He knew where we needed the extra help. He knew the challenges we would face in life. He gave the OK so to speak. He knew it would make us a better person. So why do we fight it? Why to we question Him asking why? I think it is time to reprogram our thoughts and not ask why but "Father I am will to go through this because you have great things for me to learn. Open my eyes to see what it is you are teaching me and mold me more like you."

Jeremiah 1:5 NIV
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

John 16:33 NIV
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Appreciation

2009-08-11T11:46:00.004-05:00

I've been so appreciative of my church lately. When we joined about 3 years ago I can say I didn't feel as if I fit in or was completely accepted. Don't start panicking (those who attend Cornerstone) it wasn't you, I know it was me. I was hurt a lot in the past and I needed to heal so I held myself back. I didn't want to make the bond with people. I put up a wall.

Why did hubby and I chose this church. We chose it because of the solid bible preaching. Our former church was not preaching the bible at the time so there was a very large number of people who left the church and yes many settled at Cornerstone. I fell very strongly we would have settled at Cornerstone even if others did not.

It is hard to see things and growth in oneself. So something I noticed early on was the rapid growth in my hubby. Things like taking notes during messages, attending Sunday School and talking about it, reading his bible daily and bond with other men in the church.

Last night we had our last softball game and as I looked at how packed the stands were and how many friends I made, it hit me like a brick or should I say bricks. My wall had crumbled and I didn't realise it. I have made so many friends. People I can trust to be honest with me in a loving way. People who will lift me up in prayer. People who don't care about the odd things I sometimes say. People who give hugs even when I don't realize I need one. ( I must say Cornerstone is a very huggy church. Our last church only had one lady who was a hugger.)
I've also grown spiritually and in knowledge of the bible. It is amazing how much one can learn from just one word like "Our".

I would like to post a you tube link to a baptism service that we had recently.
http://

So my question to you would be Why did you chose the church you attend?

Peace Like A River

2009-08-03T12:30:00.003-05:00

"If only you had paid attention to my commands,

your peace would have been like a river,

your righteousness like the waves of the sea"

Isaiah 48:18

I absolutely love being in a boat out on a lake. It is one of the most peaceful experiences I ever had. Even as the water got choppyI felt at peace. Then one year I went in a canoe down a river. That was so fearful. The water moved faster there were rocks sticking up out of the water. We tried to paddle our way around the rocks but the current was rough that day. We lost all control and flipped being pulled down under water several times by the power of the water. Put one gal just went with flow of current and drifted calmly to an area to wait for the two of us who tried again to fight the power and stand up and walk away on our own. The result was the power of the water pulled us under again.

Our peace if we chose to claim it is above the rocks and rough water. It is calmer than the most difficult situations. But we try to control it. We need to calmly let God move us through the current and stop trying to stand on our own and we will feel an over whelming peace.

"If you've ever done any boating or rafting in a river you know what incredible power those waters contain. Many times we face situations that seem to roll over us, but we have the image reversed. God's peace is the river. The obstacles of life cannot stand against the power of God's river of peace. "

Beth Moore

Happy Heart

2009-07-23T19:41:00.002-05:00

Psalm 139:23-24

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.

As I said in my last post I'm having some heart health problems. Monday I had a Myoview Stress Test. They have you lay under this image machine for 15 minutes while it is constantly taking pictures of your heart. It moves very slightly every 25 seconds to be sure to see every part of your heart. As I laid there I thought of 2 things. Can they see a different when someone has Jesus in their heart? Do they see a happy rejoicing heart? The other thing I thought about is how closely and magnified they are looking into my heart. Kind of like God does. When your 15 minutes are up then you go out of that room and into a room with a treadmill. This is the stress part of it. They put you to work. You are out there running the race called life. The one I had they injected me with some junk and I had to walk very slowly. I was only there a very short time before they stopped it. Then you go back to the room with the image machine for another 15 minutes of viewing your heart.

It is so much like the life. God is searching your heart and then you go out into the world and He is still searching your heart. Does your heart look worse, the same or better at the end of each day? Does your heart look like a happy heart after running the race each day? Just something I was thinking about.

A Crazy Fun Week

2009-07-18T06:28:00.002-05:00

This week our church had their Vacation Bible School in the evenings. We had a packed house every night. It was so much fun and every one did an outstanding job. I could still hear the music every evening when I closed my eyes to go to sleep which didn't take long.

During the days my time was filled with Dr. appointments. See I had a wisdom tooth out last Friday and developed problems. Problems with both my mouth and blood pressure. I got what is called dry socket. Very painful. That required several trips back to the oral surgeon this week. I also had Dr. appointments they are trying to figure out what is going on with my blood pressure ( have been on meds for this already) that only at times does it spike. So as you can guess that means tests. Monday I go for a Myoview stress test. They think I might might have CAD or CHD, coronary (artery) (heart) disease.

Thursday I went to New York again. This time to see a taping of The View. We had so much fun. Got some great gifts too. Then when we were walking a CNN reporter for American AM interviewed us. I'm told it was aired Friday morning by someone who saw it.

So there you have why I have not been on to blog in awhile.

Good Books

2009-07-09T21:09:00.002-05:00

Looking for a good book to read. I found a great series. I love learning about history but don't like reading history books. Well there is a series out of about 40 books. The series is called "The House Of Winslow" by Gilbert Morris.

I am almost finished with book one "The Honorable Impostor" . This book is a novel about why people England to come to the "New World" then continues on to the trip over on the Mayflower. This take place in 1620.

Book 2 is 1659 Life in the New World

Book 3 is 1740 Pre-Revolutionary America with Jonathan Edward

Book 4 The American Revolution.

What a great way to learn or recall what you learned about history.

I would love to hear from anyone who read these books on what you thought about them. Please feel free to leave me a post.

Perfecter Of Our Faith

2009-07-08T21:01:00.004-05:00

I didn't fall of the face of the earth. My life since I'm not baby sitting has gone crazy busy.
Over the long Holiday week end I went back to Philippi WV. Having friends who work for World Vision is a joy. I got to see some behind the scene stuff.

Hubby's softball team finished the regular season in 1st place. We had our last two regular season games this week. Now come play offs.

This week I also had a dentist appt. to have a cavity filled, went to a funeral, has a bible study and Friday I get my wisdom teeth out. Maybe that will give me some down time. Next week our church has bible school.

Though all this I am still spending time with God. I am not putting Him off. I found yet another verse I just love.

Hebrews 12:2

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,

who for the joy set before him endured the cross,

scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I am over joyed that he is the Perfecter of my faith. I mess up so much but He prefects it for me. Just how great that is. He finds joy in enduring the cross from ME.

Thank you Father for perfecting MY faith. For you take joy in me but to think you took joy in being nailed to cross just so I can life. What great love that is. Thank you AMEN

Ending The Week in Philippi

2009-06-26T14:24:00.002-05:00

Our week is coming to a close. Our group was assigned 22 plus projects and as of 1:30 PM today all but 2 were completed. So they do believe they can get them done too. Our group that was working in World Vision warehouse were told they had the afternoon off. They closed the warehouse. Our group has them ahead of schedule so they employees had a break too. That was so nice.

VBS or Summer Adventure as it is called here. Went very well. I always have a hard time on Friday knowing it will be a whole year till we are all together again. This year we had fewer kids but just as much fun. We had 6 children say they wanted to pray the salvation prayer so I asked a few teens to take them in the other room and ask them question so we know they understand what they are doing. This year I was blessed to have Mr. Nathan on my team. He is a sound and music guy. He was so rewarding to us.

Dean spoke at our evening programs. He was awesome. I do think this was his best year. Yes better than the year he did Ruth. He will have a tough time topping what he did. He spoke on prejudice and the God Samaritan.

I will say I am so tired and am looking forward to going home tomorrow so I can sleep in my own bed.

Thank you for all your prayers and maybe tomorrow or Sunday I'll post a bunch more pictures.

Tuesday/Wednesday In Philippi

2009-06-24T15:35:00.003-05:00

I'm writing this afternoon while we wait for the team to come back. See it is the day off when the group goes canoeing not me. If you knew me to years ago you know why.
I spend the day with Susan and Deb. We did some site seeing. We toured Anna Jarvis house museum. She is the women who created mother's day. The home was also used by both the North and South during the Civil war. It is a wonderful house. It doesn't have the museum feeling.

Last night one of the things we talked about till late (besides why the guys shaved their legs) was what the guys have been doing. Dean is working on a home that needed a ramp, door and windows. World Vision get most supplies donated to them. So you use what is given and make it fit. They got a door that was taller than the trailer and had to make it fit. They raised the roof a little. Now sitting here I'm wondering why didn't they cut some off the door? They also have 4 different size windows to fit in one size openings. Well if you had no windows I guess you wouldn't care if you ended up with 4 different windows. Would you want that in your home? Just think about living a full year without windows.

Our teen girls are spring house cleaning a home. They are so shocked by what they see. Layers of black soot and animal doo doo all over the carpets, chairs and bed. Yes I said bed.

Bob is doing odd jobs and lots of running here and there to fix things that break.

John has been doing break repairs on automobiles. Rhonda, Nate is helping John.

Tuesday in Philippi

2009-06-23T20:23:00.004-05:00

Monday in Philippi

2009-06-22T21:55:00.002-05:00

My day started at 5:00 AM why you wonder. I'm a morning person. I have some good quite time. By 7:00 I am so full of energy I could out power the bunny.

We had group devotion and pray then off to breakfast. After breakfast it is time to head to summer adventure (VBS). It was a good day but not with out conflict to be dealt with later in the evening. God sure doesn't want me to stick to my agenda. He wants to see how I handle change. I am know for sticking to a plan but God just say not in Philippi. I keep coming back and each year God has a new lesson for me.

We had about 40 children in VBS and that is small for our numbers from the past. I can't post pictures yet. I was told wait another day a few parents didn't sign the back. After VBS we had lunch with the children. Well one child said it is breakfast because they only eat dinner in their home so this would be there breakfast. Lunch is a no no. They don't have money for food but I am learning most have the money for computers and cell phones. They want our emails.

After lunch I have a staff meeting of which about 1/10 of the staff showed up for. But that is OK I will work on them. John (hubby for those who don't know) took me back to the dorm so I could prepare for tomorrow while he headed back to his site.

5:30 we had dinner and then I had to deal with the conflict I mentioned earlier. Before I could approach them to speak I was hit by problem after problem. I was drained at the end of the meeting. I found a quite spot sheded a few tears and sought God's strength. I then went and dealt with the problem. I did it in a loving way I hope. I asked God to go before and give me a loving approach. 3 of the 4 seem very happy with the out come. The 4th I won't know about for sure till tomorrow. I am praying God will work in her hurt.

It is late. It is 11:00 PM and I need to head to bed to be up at 5:00 AM so sorry I am not proof reading this.

Father's Day In Philippi

2009-06-21T21:17:00.003-05:00

I started my day at 5:00 AM. Like most of our group I don't sleep well the first night. But this worked to my advantage. I woke and went back to Easyworship and it just all came together. Thank you for your prayers.

We head off to breakfast. We are staying on a college campus so we have college food for lunch and dinner. I will so far the food is good. We then had a brief meeting and then headed to People's Chapel for church. They were celebrating Father's Day. Happy Father's day to all you fathers. They
bought king size candy bars for the kids to give their fathers. The kids had to get up and say who your father was. I made my husband so happy to see our son up their saying who his dad is.

The church provided lunch for us. We then had a VBS meeting and the construction guys went to see their sites. What a super group of people we have here.

Tonight we had dinner and then I met the man of my dream (after my hubby) for this trip. His name is Nathan and he runs the power point and Easyworship at his church in NC. He stepped in my night became so enjoyable.

Dean Wildasin spoke at our evening meeting. I think it was the best message I ever heard Dean speak. Even someone from World Vision Commented to Dean that was the best message he ever heard. Dean is an awesome man of God who I feel anyone would be blessed if they have a chance to sit and listen to him speak.

Tonight's prayer request is for clarity for those going on work sites. For understanding what they need to do. For VBS and the staff and we share Jesus with the kids. For the adults literacy group getting to know the people.

I'm hoping tomorrow to have time to post some pictures.

Mission Trip Arrival

2009-06-20T21:06:00.003-05:00

9:45 AM 53 + people gathered to pray in sending us off. I say 53+ because 53 people for 3 different churches were going but then you had family and pastors there to pray too. It started to rain but my calls to my friend in WV assured we were coming to nice weather. About 1 hour into our drive my feet started getting wet. OH NO there is a leak and I had a puddle on the floor of my side of the car. After our 2nd our we stop at KFC for lunch. Hubby had a good idea he got an empty KFC bucket to catch the water. The next for 4 hours I caught 6 buckets of water and toss them out the window while we were driving 65 mph.

We arrived and the young guys had the luggage trailer unloaded. Thank you guys this meant so much to me. Our son was one of those wonderful guys. It is my understand he is the one who suggested it.

We then packed a restaurant for a nice dinner then back to the dorms for the night.

Here is my prayer request for today. I had to load the worship songs into the program on my computer and I'm running into problems. I have VBS set tomorrow after church so please pray I have patience and time and it will come together without me stressing.

Denfending The Word

2009-06-18T11:42:00.003-05:00

Yesterday the rest of the crafts for VBS were dropped off at my house. The reason was so my daughter could prep them. When we opened them up all 84 of the one craft was made!!! The craft was leaf necklaces. They were to sting leaf beads on to a string. So my wonderful daughter sat down and cut them all apart and took them apart then bagged them individually. She make one sample of each so we know what it should look like and how long it takes. She is a big help to to us. She is not going with us but yet she serves.

Today I went to get my nails done. I'm sitting their when this gal comes out of the tanning room. She starts complaining about the rain. See here in the month of June we only had 3 days it didn't rain so far this month. She said she heard that the world is coming to an end in 2021. It will be a flood and only 40 of Noah's descendants will survive. I just started laughing. Then she says it is in the bible. Now I had to say something. I said, " I know my bible and may not understand everything, however I do know that is not in the bible." She said she saw it on the history channel. This was a great opportunity to share. So I started sharing what the bible does say.

One never knows when you will need to defend or share the bible. Just another reason to truly know what the bible says.

Mission Trip Bound

2009-06-17T08:37:00.002-05:00

Do you have those feelings something is going to go majorly wrong. I've been battling them for a few days. Every time I start working on things for our mission trip I have an overwhelming feeling this is not going to be a good year. The more consuming these thoughts come the more I am turning my eyes to heaven. Please be praying for our team. We leave Saturday for Philippi WV. This is a World Vision short term project. Did you know World Vision is more than just sponsoring children?

Until 5 years ago when the churches started doing these mission trips I didn't realize there are people in the US living is such conditions. Oh I knew of flood, hurricane and tornado areas but these people lived like this for year. There is an area called Chestnut Ridge or "The Ridge". The people on "The Ridge" most don't have jobs. The businesses are not close by so it is really cheaper for them to not work and be on welfare. The cost of transportation is just to high. The life style is so different then one would exspect. It is nothing unusual for a child in VBS (vacation bible school) to say her sister is also her aunt. Most children come to VBS hungry because they don't get breakfast. I rich family will have 2 meals a day it seems. We provide granola bars in the AM and then we have lunch with the children before they go home. We also provide transportation for the children to attend. On the last day of VBS last year we provided the children with 2 pairs of sneakers (their current size and one size larger) and 6 pairs of socks thanks to a large donation from the Nazareth Rotatory club. Most of these children never had a pair of socks and some didn't even know what socks were! This is life in the USA not another country.

We are leaving Saturday to service for another week on "The Ridge". This year crayola is making a donation to the children along with other churches who will be supplying book bags and school supplies. In Philippi children must provide all their own materials for school right down to paper and pencils. The school just don't have the money to buy these things so it falls on the parents.

I hope to be able to blog each evening about the days events and post pictures. So come back each day and join our journey as you read my blogs. We have a team for VBS, construction, adult literacy and auto mechanic. We are know as the "Lehigh Valley Group" as we have about 56 people from 3 churches going. I know for a fact the children look forward to our coming every year. When they see us they run to us hug us and say I remember you. It is a great joy to service.

My Days Are Filled.

2009-06-10T05:19:00.003-05:00

Life continues to be busy. I only have a few more days of baby sitting then school is out and the little ones will be home with mommy. I enjoy the time off but the no pay can be a challenge.

I'll fill my days with more time in God's word. This summer I believe God is telling me to study "Malachi". I'm not sure why. I keep hearing things about this book and you should really take a look at it. I heard it in church, in bible studies, on TV and radio. So I believe God has something for me there. I would be a fool not to dig in. I hope to use the method I learned this past week end.

In 10 days from today we leave for our annual mission trip. I do believe vacation bible school (I do this) is ready to go. I got a call from the church the crafts are in. I need to pick them up and make sure everything is there. I am even about 1/2 packed. Clothes are not packed but they need to wait till about 2 days prior. Please be praying for our team as we lead VBS, repair cars, fix homes and tutor adults. I hope to put up a daily blog when we are gone so our team can be followed and prayed for daily.

I had so much more I wanted to write today but it time for little ones to arrive so I need to get going.

Hugged By God

2009-06-06T20:02:00.003-05:00

Back on April 10th of this year I Wrote a blog called Struggles I just didn't feel like I was getting much out of my bible reading. Today I feel like I've been hugged by God. See shortly after that blog. A friend Sally contacted me about doing "How To Study The Bible" by Kay Arthur of Precepts Ministry. Oh the things I learned in that 6 hours. We looked at 2 Timothy. We looked at verses I thought I knew but now they have a whole new meaning for me.
Someone once gave me Miss Kay's book ( I call her that because my friend Sally, she and her husband call her Miss Kay and they work for her) "How To Study Your Bible". I tried reading it but I just didn't get it. I need to be walked though it. If you ever have the chance to sit an a class on how to study the bible please take the time and do so. It will change the way you read the bible.

God's Tools

2009-06-04T20:55:00.003-05:00

I am so thankful for my family. I love them all for different reasons. God is using them to teach me. Did you ever notice some of the ugliest things about you your family can bring out of you. I thought I could deal with people no matter how I am treated but then something happens and the "nasties" come out of me.

Lastly I feel like someone doesn't give the respect I feel I should have. Why does it matter so much to me? Isn't what God thinks more important? Am I not to be doing all for God not for personal approval?

God is showing me I need to fall fully into His arms. I thought I was doing good but now He is asking me to go another step.

Lord hold me as I weep. Emerge me in your love. Fill me with the desire to serve only you. Draw me to seek only your pleasure. Jump with me as I shout for joy.

Two Shall Become One

2009-06-02T11:14:00.002-05:00

June is known as the wedding month. So weather you getting married or celebrating a marrage I would like to share this with you. It is what we stated writing in every wedding card we give.

Our advice to you as you start this new life together is this. When the disagreements come before you approach each other say 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Where ever the words “love” or “it” put in your own name. If you find you are not what you are saying fix yourself before approaching your mate.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Doing Things

2009-05-26T17:37:00.004-05:00

I spent last week and today getting things ready for our mission trip next month. I thought everything was set for VBS but found out the crafts were no longer available so had to pick out some new ones. I'm not a crafty person. Now working on getting Vans to pick the kids up.
Another area this year on our mission trip is Adult Reading. There is a group of women who would like to help a few adults learn to read. Last one man had asked for help the last day so this year we thought we would offer it to the community.

Saturday hubby and I went to a wedding of a young couple who went with us on the mission trip last year. It was a special day because it was also Hubby's and my 28th anniversary.

Keep Loving

2009-05-19T08:38:00.002-05:00

I found this poem this past week end. Not sure who the author is. I am posting it in honor of John's and mine 28th wedding anniversary this Saturday and Kristen & Seth who will be getting married Saturday. I am looking for to spending the day celebrating with them.

Keep Loving

Keep Loving because of...

Keep Loving in spite of...

Keep Loving when to Love is most difficult

Keep Loving when you have not strength

Keep Loving because Jesus Loves you

in good times and bad

on mountain tops, in valleys

when all else fails

Keep on Loving.

More Like You

2009-05-17T19:18:00.003-05:00

Everything, every person, every event changes our lives for the reason to make us like Christ.
Many of us can recite Romans 8:28 but let me add verse 29 too.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

I draw comfort and hope in the fact God will use everything, person and event to make me more like Him. I don't need to panicky with my life. I life my eyes to God and thank Him for the great purpose has for me. Lord I'm in your hands, lead me and change me to become more like you.

Rain Down On Me

2009-05-15T10:27:00.003-05:00

I heard this song yesterday while driving in the rain to the bank. I still hear this song in my head. Sorry I can't find it on video but is some else does sent me a link please.

Point of Grace Rain Down On ME

Showers of sadness flood my soul

In the dryness of my pain

I watch for the rainbow

When my heart turns gray

As I long for yesterday

I know that I need You

In the times that I stray

So I'll follow like night after day

Chorus:

I need You to rain down on me

Please pour down Your light

For this is my life-line

I need You to rain down on me

The weather is fine when You rain on me

The power of gladness takes control

When it's streaming from Your face

You vanish my sorrow

You wash it away

Like the sunlight in the rain

I know that I need You

In the times that I stray

So I'll follow like night after day

Chorus

Bridge:

Holy heaven flows straight through

My spirit as it carries Your embrace

Chorus

As I was driving was thinking how dirty my car is. It has all this dirt and dust on it. It even has paw prints from some animal walking over it. The rain was washing it clean.

This made me think of life. We have dirt in our life. You know the things we hope others never find out or even things we want to forget. We all have dust. The every day things we do and wished we could do over. Then we have the pain from people who walk over us. We just need to cry out to God. Rain down on me. Rain on me with your forgiveness, love, compassion, grace and comfort.

Lord Rain Down On Me.

Sunrise Service

2009-05-08T07:28:00.003-05:00

Life has been so busy here. I am baby sitting every day for a 6 week, 11 week and 15 month old. My days are filled with activity. Then I have to do my chores in the evening but they are filled with softball games, bible study and family time. I am just now reading an April magazine of Faith Talk. They have an article on Easter Symbols and how they got started. This one is interesting to me as I live 10 minutes away from this town.

Sunrise Services
The Easter custom of Sunrise religious service was brought to America by Protestant immigrants from Moravia (Moravian) who held the first such service in Bethlehem PA in 1741.
Origins of early morning time stem from the bible passage where the women found Jesus' tomb empty: "But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared." (Luke 24:1).

This verse in Luke is what I base the start of my day on. Sunrise Service isn't just for Easter. Before my feet hit the floor each morning I pray giving God the glory for the day past and the day ahead. I spend time thanking him for 10 things each morning. This isn't the time I will do requests as I save them for devotion time. That doesn't mean I don't stop through out the day to praise God or lift something or someone up in prayer that happens too.

I am off this week end on a road trip to WV. It seems to be the week end/ week to be away. I know of 6 families going to other states leaving Saturday. I'll be taking my camera and hope to remember to take pictures.

The Motions

2009-04-30T05:35:00.003-05:00

At the end of this blog is a youtube video. The song is "The Motions" by Matthew West. I would encourage you to take the time and LISTEN to the words. I found this video on a friends blog "Live Laugh Love Home".

"The Motions" that is so often just what we do. Of we say it is the "Christian thing to do". Let me ask you this why do you go to church on Sunday? Is it because that is what Christian's do? Or is it because you heart is there 100%? Would you go to church on Sunday if you knew it would be just you (no one else) listening to a message the pastor recorded each week? Or do you go to church because that is what Christian's do to "refuel" for the up coming week?

What about your personal time with God at home? Do you read your bible or do you study it to drawl out God's voice to you? Do you have your devotions to just say "I did today". Where does it become personal to you.

James 4:8 Come near to God and God will come near to you.

Now take a moment and listen to the words of this song and see if that is your life.

Self Talk

2009-04-29T07:50:00.003-05:00

“When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger.”Ephesians 4:29

This was the key verse in Max Lucado's devotion for today. But it really got me to thinking. So often when I read this verse I think right of way of the things I said that I should of just kept my mouth shut. Gossip is a big one. I don't need to share those things. But today it hit me as the things I DON"T say. I don't make it a point of saying encouraging things daily to the people I'm in contact with. I need to change this. If I would say something encouraging to every person I talk to I could change someones day for the better and never know it.

I know when people encourage me I feel better about what I'm doing and who I am. I could be feeling down and a few words from another can lift me up and stop the downward spin.

Don't limit this talk to just others. What about self talk. How do you talk/think about yourself. do you say "I can't eat that." Could it be you are saying "I'm fat". What about "I can't remember that" it is like saying "I am dumb." You need to change self talk into encouraging talk. You day will change for the better.

Joyful In Hope

2009-04-27T18:31:00.003-05:00

I tried yesterday a few times to post this but for some unknown reason I just couldn't get on my blog.

Last week a friend of ours was going through a situtation to must people just didn't look good. It was truly looking like he was going to suffer for someone else's mistake. Then on Thursday morning I woke a great excitement. One so great I just knew God was going to do an amazing thing. I told him and his wife that morning I have this great excitement looking forward to seeing what God was going to do. It was JOY over flowing. A few of our friends that morning thought I was a bit odd. But the joy was so great I just couldn't contain it. It was an awesome feeling.

Then yesterday our Pastor's message was on Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer

That is what I felt. I had joy in the hope of what God was going to do. I was patient for a long time I kept saying it will come down to the very end. I can't say I was patient in affliction because I wasn't afflicted. Faithful in prayer. For longer than anyone would guess I lifted this

situation up to the Lord. I know many many people who joined me in lifting him up in prayer.

I loved this quote our pastor read.
“Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees.” William Cowper

How awesome is that. If we would just get down on our knees we can make Satan tremble. I love knowing with Jesus I have that power.

Our Pastor ended on this note

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
It’s the way of life for the fully committed Christian!

If you would like to listen to the message or read the Pastor Tim's sermon notes click on the words or visit our church web sit http://www.cefctoday.com/

God did do amazing things that day in our friend's life. His response was beyond comprehension to the unbeliever. I'm sure the unbeliever is asking questions. God truly was given the glory.

Proud Momma

2009-04-24T19:25:00.004-05:00

I'm proud of all my kids in many different ways. I'm proud of Nikki and the way she is raising her son and managing her home. I'm proud of my son for going to college after being out of high school for a few years. He struggled in high school but knew God wanted him to go and study his word so he did. Today was a day I got to be proud of Amanda. She was inducted into

ALPHA KAPPA DELTA INTERNATIONAL SOCIOLOGY HONOR SOCIETY

(that means she is smart)

receiving her tassel

the hand shake

Amanda and her friend Amanda

The girls

the group

These are the top senior and juniors in their class at East Stroudsburg University. They said there are only 80,000 people in the whole WORLD that makes it into this international honor society. This was also the first time in 4 years this college inducted students.

Her father and I are proud of her. I must also mention her boyfriend attended the ceremony too. I was impressed by that because after sitting in classes all day I wouldn't wanted to sit thought speakers.

Spending Time With God

2009-04-23T18:53:00.004-05:00

I've been in prayer an extra amount of time lately. I've been praying for my friend Craig and his family. Today I saw God's hand in so many ways. Did things turn out like we wanted. No but it wasn't that far off. Craig is submitting and accepts the direction God is leading him with dignity.

So I was thinking about Jesus' prayer life. He prayed a lot. The bible tells us of some of the times Jesus went off to pray. Sometimes we know what he prayed about and others we don't. From what I've read I'm sure he prayed daily and often. He was a man without sin and yet He was drawn to pray.

Now we are people who sin. How often do we turn to God? Do you turn to Him just to draw close and spend time with Him daily or are you turning to God in prayer to present your request. Yes there is a time for request but I am in awe of the fact praying just to spend time with the Father. Why didn't I think of it that way before. Yes I will keep praying as Jesus taught us to pray but I think I'm going to take a look at praying just to spend time with my Lord.

Hope this makes sense to you those reading this. It is hard today for me to put down what I feeling and meaning.

A Little Of This And A Little Of That

2009-04-19T17:33:00.002-05:00

Hubby and I were both off this past week and had a "stay home" vacation.

Monday- a nice day and Hubby did a lot of out door work from my mom. It is time to start mowing grass around here again. Yes that means nice weather and we can be out more but it also means my allergies will kick up a notch. I'm allergic to fresh cut grass.

Tuesday- I had an interview with a new mom about baby sitting. I will start watching her little girl in May she will only be 6 weeks old. I also learned our son won't be coming home from college this summer. I was very sad to hear this.

Wednesday- a relaxing day. Hubby and I went to breakfast and I spent most of the day reading a book.

Thursday - I bought a new camera (mine broke on Easter) and we bought top soil. Hubby spent the afternoon filling in small holes in our yard.

Friday- Tyler Adam was born. Very close friends ours, their daughter who we are also close with had her second child. Our friends are in WV right now so we also took a ride to make sure every thing is fine in their home. They live about 45 minutes away. Their daughter only lives 2 minutes from us. I hope to go see the new baby Monday or Tuesday. We also went to see the High School Play "The Pirates of Penance" The kids did an excellent job.

Saturday- Hubby and I went to breakfast and met up with my mother and aunt. Then we had softball practice. In the evening we went with our bible study group out to dinner. We had a great time.

Tomorrow will mark one year with out my father. It has been a hard year. I can now talk about him with out crying the whole time. I am remembering the good times. Yes each holiday or special event did bring tears. I do still get teary eye when I start missing him deep down. But he is with the Lord! It gives me great joy.

This week I would to ask all my friends to be praying for a miracle in Craig's situation. I can't give out details but God knows. Lives will be changed Thursday so please be praying. Pray God is seen more than anything else.

Fear Or Fear

2009-04-14T15:23:00.002-05:00

Matthew 28:1

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week,

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

This was the morning of what we now call Easter. So I've been thinking about this verse. I thought I would spend a little time in thought as if I was one of the Marys. My friend Mary might of came to me and said "lets go visit our Lord's tomb". I would know the guards would be there. But what would of I been thinking as I walked to the tomb. Would we have discussed the events of his death? Would of we been weeping still not wanting to accept he is gone? Would I be nervous how would the guard accept us coming. Would we be walking with anticipation? He said he would rise again, after all he rose Lazareth after he was death a few days.

Then when we get there the stone is rolled away the tomb is empty. The angel tells us Jesus has risen just like He said. Go tell the disciples that Jesus is no longer dead. With excitement we run till we see our Lord. Who wouldn't fall on their knees? I might be shaking with fear of what is happening. Not fear of danger, just of the events. I can't even imagine how awesome that worship to the Lord would be. He is ALIVE. I know he was dead I was there. Then we take off most likely running we couldn't wait to spread the news Jesus is ALIVE.

Matthew 28:8-10

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

What it comes down to in away I am one of the Marys. Jesus is ALIVE. I can have the awesome worship. I am to be so full of excitement I can't wait to tell others. So why don't I hurry off to tell others? It is fear. Not the same kind of fear when the Marys fell at Jesus feet. That was a good fear to have. This is a bad fear. A selfish fear.

God's Answer And Easter

2009-04-13T16:07:00.002-05:00

I feel as if the hand of God has touched me this week. After my last blog and reading a friends blog that I left a comment to, God reached out to me. My friend who is a wonderful ladies bible teacher offered to teach me how to study the Bible inductively. She even thought there may be a few other gals who might be interested. I had tears when I read her offer. I feel this gal knows how to gleam the bible. I sat under her teach in the past. She knows a lot of the bible but I can also say she is learning a lot. I plan on taking her up on this offer and doing what I need to so this does happen. Who knows maybe sometime in the future I can offer this to another lady who is struggling.

Easter was yesterday. It was the first Easter without my Dad. I thought of him often. He couldn't have candy but that didn't stop him from sneaking candy when Mom wasn't looking. Another great memory of Dad.

My day started off bad. I was almost ready to leave for church when I dropped my make up on my Easter outfit. I had to do a quick change. Then I dropped a serving spoon on the floor and it broke. Oh my camera broke too. The day did get better.

My sister sent me the picture below. It is of my grandson who is now 14 months and her granddaughter who is 3 months. It was taken at our mothers place.

Struggles

2009-04-10T12:12:00.002-05:00

I know it has been a week since I posted. The problem isn't that I'm too busy. I am admitting I'm struggling. I just don't seem to have a desire to read my bible or study books right now. I do read my little devotional each morning but that isn't speaking to me either. I'm seeking God, begging God to give me the desire again. I open my bible and just don't know how to really dig deep and gleam from it.

Today is Good Friday and has deep meaning but my thoughts don't seem to travel there. You see 22 years ago my brother killed himself this holiday. I wish I could say we had a good relationship but we didn't. Now I miss him. Now I want that relationship.

Today our daughter got a call from a friend. Her best friend's father died today. Hubby and I often sat with her parents at band competitions when the girls were in high school. I feel so sad for Molly. I know how much she will miss her father.

Maybe I'm just feeling a little depressed. I want spring to come and stay and be able to enjoy the outside and the fresh air.

So there you have it. I am struggling and that is why I haven't posted lately.

Through Hell To Heavean

2009-04-03T17:57:00.003-05:00

During my devotions this morning Max Lucada was taking about what Jesus went through before he died on the cross. That is when this thought really hit me.

Jesus went THROUGH hell so I can go straight to heaven.

I am so thankful He went through hell for me. No one including me wants to go that route.

I am so thankful and have a deep love and appreciation for my Lord.

Thankful Thursday

2009-04-02T08:55:00.002-05:00

I am so thankful my Father knows my needs. I think I know what I need but I am so often wrong. He knows, He provides.

This week I've been battling with needs and wants. I thought I needed a patio set for outside. I want to invite people over this summer. (You need to understand our kitchen is so small we need to move a chair when someone comes in the door. No I don't have a dinning room either.) To me a patio set would be the ideal way of having friends over. See to have friends over you can sit 4 at the table and the others sit around the living room. I want to enjoy God's outdoors. I want to have friends over. As I was making my list of reasons I "wanted" at patio set I didn't have any needs listed. It was all "I want".

So God opened my eyes to the fact the money does not need to go to a patio set. I have needs that must be met and we are not sure what the summer finances will be like so a patio set will be taken off my "I need" list. If I'm to have a patio set God will provide it.

Forgiven Sinners

2009-03-30T16:35:00.003-05:00

I saw a neat T-shirt today.

The front says

"Good people don't go to heaven"

The back says

"Forgiven sinners do"

So this got me to thinking. Do you have a hard time sharing the Gospel with people. Well if you were wearing this shirt the door of communication sure would be open. At first I thought I couldn't wear this someone might get offended. I'm tired of being offended by what people tell me. Then I said to myself, would I be embarrassed to wear this shirt if I am them I'm embarrassed of God. Same is true if we are afraid to speak out for Christ then we are ashamed of our God. No I will not be embarrassed or ashamed. I hear enough garbage on what I should believe. They don't hesitate well I won't either.

I'm going to be bold and tell people. Only forgiven sinners will get to heaven.

Father Hold Me

2009-03-28T20:36:00.002-05:00

Tonight on the way home from great dinner and fellowship with friends I heard a song on the radio that brought a childhood memory to mind. At one point in the song the words go "Father hold me, hold me" . As I heard this the memory when a was about 4 or 5 years old popped into my mind of sitting on my Pappy's lap. I loved sitting on his lap when they would come visit me. We even have home movies of me sitting on my Pappy's lap. I felt so special my Pappy holding me on his lap.
So this got me to thinking......
I love being with children. The littler the better. I love cuddling with them. I love holding them and having a chat. I started thinking about when does a child wants to be held and what they feel. I child like to be held to be close to you. I child like to be held to feel secure. A child likes to be held for comfort when they don't feel well. I child likes to be held to have your full attention. A child likes to be held for your strengh when they are tired.

I came to this conclusion I want my Father to hold me. Hold me Lord.

Family Friday

2009-03-27T19:26:00.002-05:00

It has been a while since I did an update on our family. So here we go.

Our kitten, Milo turned one this week. Our other two cats are now three and Kaci the dog doesn't care at all about the cats.

Amanda is very close to securing her internship for the fall. She will be a senior in college this fall. Wow that time went fast. She is also now baby sitting for her cousin's baby two nights a week. Yeah she has a little income again.

Jason is coming home for an event this week end. He is driving now as I type. He should be here by midnight. We will most likely see each other in passing but a Momma always enjoys having her kids home.

Nikki and Steve are doing well and little Ryan is becoming a handful. They just want the weather to warm up and stay that way for awhile.

John is happy softball starts tomorrow. So for the next 3 1/2 months he will be having fun. He needs that with the long hours and shorten pay.

I started watching a baby this week. The baby is just 2 months old. I love the new baby smell. I also care for a 14th month old.

Mom is doing very well. She is planning what she wants in her garden this year. We are planning a shopping day for Monday. That is always loads of fun.

So that sums up what we are doing.

Oh What A Beautiful Morning

2009-03-25T21:10:00.002-05:00

I woke to this song playing in my mind. I gave thanks to the Lord for the beauty around all day long. By noon I was on to "Oh What A Beautiful Day." I played praise music this afternoon and am just in a thankful mood today.

Lights Please

2009-03-24T20:17:00.002-05:00

During bible study tonight one of the questions was "What would your life be like if you did everything as if you were doing it for God" Well close to those words. One of the gals said peaceful. I said I thought we might have more spiritual warfare. Then this example popped into my mind.

Imagine you are in a dark room, a pitch black room. You've there a very long time. Someone comes in and turns on a light. What is your reaction? How do you feel? Well first you try to cover your eyes because the light hurts and you want to hide. Then you get vocal. Turn the light off, get out of here.

The light I just talked about is God. We live in a world who wants the light off. They want to hide. They grumble but no matter how bad the world gets we need to keep our light switch in the "ON" position.

On another note sorry I don't get around to all my friends blogs every day. I've been a busy person. I try to get to all of you at least once a week.

My Day

2009-03-23T19:13:00.002-05:00

My day was filled with excitement. Not good excitement. I can't write much on my blog because I need to protect people. Two situations happened today. One is a family in crises and children are involved. The other is a person who was hospitalized today.

I must say I had a good time sitting in the emergency room for 6 hours. But I truly feel sorrow it was at someone expense. They were ill and I had fun watching what was going on around us. If I was one who believed in superstitions I would say we must have full moon.

I'm giving both situations to the Lord. I trust in His will. I know the person who is ill will be well and home soon. As for the family, God is in control.

Joy Takes Control

2009-03-22T14:09:00.004-05:00

I am so enjoying not worrying. I give concerns to the Lord and am filled with Joy as I see how He answers things. I can't even describe the joy that fills me lately in these situations.

I must say where I can't see a way He make the way. I am finding by not fretting about a need and praying about it, the need seems to be filled quicker than when I use to worry. Just another reason not to worry.

One of my concerns recently was filling a position for this years mission trip VBS. I've been praying about it for two months as I pray for the trip. Just this week someone stepped up to head the bible story time and then today someone who wasn't going came up to and said they decided now they can go and is willing to help the person who is doing bible story. I was praying for one person but God gave me two.

I've learned sometimes my concerns may not be met but the reason to that is God may not want to fill it because He has other plans. Who am I to argue with God's plans his way is perfect.

I've replace worry with Joy.

2009-03-20T19:21:00.001-05:00

Thank you Lord for taking my sins to the cross with you. I fall to my knees to honor you. I give my heart and life over to you daily. Use me to your fullest

You Are My Sunshine

2009-03-19T18:06:00.002-05:00

I committed to journal every day till our mission trip. I don't really have a lot to say as I am not feeling 100%. What I can say is God is my Sunshine. I'm not my bright and chipper self today with this sore throat. I feel like I'm a cloudy day. But God in my sunshine and he shined though all day.

1979

2009-03-18T11:47:00.003-05:00

Thirty years ago today I went on a blind date. I was suppose to go on this date for St. Patrick's Day but I had to baby sit so it was set up for the next day March 18, 1979. At this time I was a senior in high school. He came and picked me up in this car that one look and you would wonder does it really work? We went first to the Movies. We watched "Good Guys Wear Black". Then we went to the local pizza place. That person is my hubby, John.

Here is something I found interesting. Yesterday on my facebook I got an email for a gal named Donna asking me if I was the same person who use to baby sit her so-o-o-o long ago. So yes on St. Patrick's Day I heard from the little girl I use to baby sit 30 years ago. I'm sure she is not a little girl because it seems she has a son in high school.

De-Clutter

2009-03-17T16:52:00.002-05:00

Today I spent time cleaning since I haven't had much time for that lately. The house is about 95% cleaned up. Well the main living areas. I noticed I feel so much better and happier when the house is cleaned up. This got me to thinking about something.

When our lives are filled with clutter, how does God fill? He is longing for us to clean up the clutter and make room for him. If you are in a messy room it is hard to find something. If your life is filled with clutter it is hard to find God. Do you think God is sad we are missing something with him.

So clean your life up, you'll have more time for God. This will make God happier for us.

In Loving Memory Of Uncle Dale

2009-03-16T18:42:00.003-05:00

Uncle Dale

You have shown me love

Brought me joy

Made me laugh

Give me a lasting gift

full of blessed memories forever

Dale H. Miller

January 9, 1937

March 11, 2009

Comfort Overflow

2009-03-15T13:30:00.003-05:00

Well I guess you noticed I didn't post yesterday. So much for every day till we leave on the Mission Trip. This will not discourage me. It is just like reading my bible. If I miss a day I just pick it up the next. I don't let discourage on negative thoughts enter in my mind because that is what Satin wants.

This evening I will be with family and again tomorrow. My uncle passed away and I will be taking Mom to her brother's viewing and funeral. I'm sure both Mom and I will be flooded with memories of Dad's funeral. It will be emotional and draining I'm sure.

2 Corinthians 1:5
For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

Isn't that great our Comfort overflows.

Ask And It Will Be Given

2009-03-13T13:57:00.002-05:00

We all heard the verse, ask and it will be given, seek and you shall find.
Luke 11:9 Is one of several times this is stated in the New Testament
So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

So today during my devotion time they asked the question something like this. Could you ask Jesus to die on a cross and be bruised and beaten for you and while your at it take my sins away?

Could you ask that and still say take those sins away and forget them but you will have to keep on forgiving me because I'm going to keep on messing up and sinning.

Each bruise Christ received could easily be bruises from us as we are disobedient. I'm not talking about sin we don't know we are doing. I'm talking about the sin we know of. We know we shouldn't share someone else's business. OH but if I do, I'll just be warning people. We know when we make the call we shouldn't talk about others but we do. I know I'm not alone. Each time I do this kind of thing I'm am brusing Chirst.

I can't imagine the forgiveness and love it took Jesus to do this for me. Me someone who he knew would be a repeat offender. Yet His love for me so great. Great than a parents love.

I say greater than a parents love because I'll have to omit when my grown kids talk back to me or say something mean (which isn't often) there are times I think I just won't talk to them for a bit. Christ doesn't ever think that way. He thinks I love you so dearly. I hurt with you. His love is so great I just can't fathom it completely. But I am truly grateful for it.

Sun Rise

2009-03-12T12:57:00.002-05:00

I never made a point to get up early enough to watch the sun rise. Some people love doing this but I discovered why this morning. I'm going to share with you my morning and what I learned. This post is just something I learned about myself.

I need to first state when I got home last night hubby was asleep on the couch. I sat at the computer for about 1/2 hour and then went to bed. He was still asleep.

This morning when I woke up I saw hubby was out of bed. ( Another side note, hubby is on vacation this week). I love waking up reading my devotions and then turning the TV on to get the weather, getting dressed then going to the kitchen for a cup of tea to start the day. As soon as I woke up Hubby walks in the room and says I have a question for you. He wanted to know if I could follow him to drop off a car he repaired this morning and bring him back home? Then he tells me we only have one hour because he promised a friend to be at his house to help put a roof on. This place is 20 minutes away. That means 40 minutes of driving. It will give hubby 5 minutes to get to his friends and give me 15 minutes to get up and get ready to go.

I know ladies you now understand my problem. Get ready in 15 minutes. But there is one major problem that leaves no time for my morning cup of Tea. If you are a Tea or Coffee drinker you understand needing the first cup before you can start your day.

I learned today no one should have to see the sun before a cup of Tea (coffee). I was miserable and disoriented. I wanted to curse the bright sun. Why does the sun have to be so bright first thing in the morning? Alright I do get it the sun needs to rise but I shouldn't have to be out in it with out a cup of Tea first.

The Battle Is The Lords

2009-03-11T13:52:00.003-05:00

Today is an odd day. I got with this thought playing over and over in my mind:

The Battle Is The Lords

My thought was OK God where are we going with this. About an hour into the day I get a phone call my uncle passed away in his sleep. My mother was crying so I didn't get to much information from her at first. This brought back a flow of memories for her about my dad.

I can remember the night before he died. They were moving Dad to Hospice and when we arrived there was my aunt and uncle. There were there to support mom. Dad had some good laughs with my uncle and they talked about fishing. Then the next day when my dad passed they were there too. He was an encourager to Mom.

Now it keeps playing on my heart God wants me to talk to mom again about his love for her. So please be praying for me.

We will have to see where God is taking all this but I am will to go along as this world is God's battle and he gives me the complete armor to fight.

Ephesians 6:14-18
14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

God Is Crazy About Me

2009-03-10T17:33:00.002-05:00

I love my Max Lucado devotion. Grace For The Moment book 1. The message today is just what I needed to hear with how I've been feeling this week. It is called "God Is Crazy About You" That sounds so good right now. He uses the verse from Matthew 10:30 to start off with.

God even know how many hairs are on your head.

Here is what he wrote:

There are many reasons God saves you: to bring glory to himself, to appease his justice, to demonstrate his sovereignty But one of the sweetest reasons God saved is is because He is fond of you. He likes having you around. He thinks you are the best thing to come down the pike in quite a while.....

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If he had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, he'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and he chose your heart....

Face it, friend. He is crazy about you.

How can anyone not feel special when they take the time to reflect on that and thank God for it.

Enough

2009-03-09T17:25:00.003-05:00

Once again God is telling me is Enough. I need to accept that. Why do I put thing and needs on the people around me? The only one who can provide what I need is God.

This week end my expectations were high and I felt left down once again. I don't understand why. I felt hurt. So when I questioned why, I realized I'm expecting earthly people to fill a need. If they would of, I would have felt like I achieved a great week end. But I don't achieve anything out of God's will.

God has been hammering me with He is Enough. I don't understand why I can't accept that. So I'm sure God will keep allowing this type of disappointment till I grow enough to accept He is all I need.

Think about it. We don't need anything, nothing. God is ALL.

Lord why do I long to be filled by people. Why don't I give it all to you so you can be my all. Lord help me make the next step in accepting you are ENOUGH.

Preparing With Age

2009-03-08T15:02:00.002-05:00

If you follow my blog you know every June I go with a group to Philippi WV on a mission trip. Well last night we had a dinner to kick off the planning. We had this dinner at another church. The pastor of this church wants us to memorize Ephesians 3:7-21

I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

The pastor also wants us to journal about what God is doing in our life every day. I found this may be a little easier. I figured I would try to blog every day. Some days it may just be short sentence. But I will give it a go.

I also have the 5 memory verses for VBS to learn too. Now I have a lot of memory work to do. This is not going to be easy. I am aging.

See today is my birthday. As we were leaving church and walking the few blocks to the car I turned to hubby and said I forgot my gift someone gave me. It was upstairs in the church. He said he would go back for me. Then we get home and as we are walking into the house Hubby says did you forget your pink bag (holds all my Sunday School material)? Thankfully I only forgot it in the car. I said I'm forgetful today. Hubby say well you are a year older.

Oh Lord I'm going to need your help. If you want me to memorize all these verses it will be of your power. Show me how and prepare my mind as I am aging.

Admission

2009-03-06T11:16:00.003-05:00

OK this is a something I'm admitting because I realize I need to change. I don't want to admit and wonder what will some people think. I learned a long time ago if you don't want to admit you do something you better take a closer look and see why that is.

Here Goes.
I watch the bachelor. Monday my girlfriend called me. They just arrived at their new place Sunday and the TV was hooked up but they didn't get ABC and she wanted to see the final bachelor. She was stressing out. She knew it was going to be the "most dramatic ever." We talked for awhile during the show. Then she called her daughter to tape it for her.

This got me to thinking about myself. How mad and upset I'd be if I could see it. Oh I realized I'm in danger here. It would ruin my week if not the whole month. I just felt I had to know. Yes I saw it but I now I don't feel settled about myself. I will say I did get rush of excitement and wanted to smack the bachelor across the face at one point. I told you I was hook to this. I realized I left this show take over a part of me.

I am seek God for advice on why this now bothers me so much. I know He has something I must learn about myself. I'm looking forward to what He will reveal.

So this may not of been a good post for those reading but I needed to write this out as a way of admitting it was controlling me. This post is for me.

My Kids

2009-03-03T17:03:00.003-05:00

I hope you will forgive me, I just want to take a moment and say I'm a proud Mom. Our daughter who is in her junior year of college found out last week she has been accepted into National Honor Society. She said her professor said only 10 students were accepted. It is based on their grades. She is seeking her degree in Sociology. She hopes to work in the adoption field.

We were proud of her before this too. I am very proud of all my kids. When they were in high school I use to think why don't they get recognized for thing like it seems all their friends were. But I've come to realize my kids are the top at all they do.

Our oldest daughter is following her dream. She use to say she didn't really want to go to college and spend all that money because she wanted to be at home when she had kids. Yes hubby and I would of liked to see her go to college, if she wanted too. We found ourselves defending her decision many times her senior year of high school. We want all our children to follow their dream.

I remember our son's sophomore year of high school. He wanted to attend the high school vo-technical school. However our high school wants kids to do college prep and continue on to college. I remember getting a call from the school one day. They told us our son's grades are not bad but not that good either and did I know he wanted to go to "vo-tech" instead of college? I said I did and that is fine with us. The following year he did attend "vo-tech" and made honor roll. The first few years after high school he was in the work force of the world. Then the time came when he felt God leading him to go back to school. He too is a junior in college seeking a degree in Biblical Studies.

When I look back to those high school years wishing they got the same recognition as others I'm glad they didn't. It showed them they needed to search their hearts and try harder to go for their dreams. I don't know what their futures hope but I know it will be God's perfect plan for them.

Thankful Thursday

2009-02-26T14:13:00.002-05:00

I am so thankful for the life God planned for me. I really do enjoy my life. Sure there are times I am sad and disappointed but God fills my life with so much joy.

I am thankful I no longer worry like I use to. I use to lay awake at night worried about things but not any more. I accepted that worry is a sin. When worry sets in I ask God to forgive me and heal me. Don't get me wrong I do worry once in awhile but not much. What joy to have peace even when you don't know where the money will come from. I also found by not giving into worry God is working in beautiful ways.

I am thankful God answers prayers in His way and not mine. Oh, I could plan how He should do things but when I let God do it His way, I'm amazed at how things come to be.

I'm thankful for my friends. Hubby and I have very close friends who we know will always stand by us just as we will stand by them. We may not always agree but we do always love and support. This week end the husband will leave to work with World Vision in another state. His wife will be staying behind for the first year. She will visit often yet they both know hubby and I will be here to help out in any way.

I am thankful Christ died for me so I can live.

Women

2009-02-21T19:45:00.003-05:00

Today I heard a clip from Gary Chapman on the radio. He was interviewing a lady who was very strong during the feminise movement but has since changed. She said some good did come out of it but we took to much. For example equal pay if you can do the same job is a good thing.

At one point she talked about homes were created to be the place where we teach our children christian values and God's word. Our homes were to be a place we could visit with believers and non believers a like. But she went on to say we turned out homes into museums. We made our homes into a show case of who we are and what we like.

I didn't get to hear more because I arrived at Burger King for lunch at that point. But it sure gave me something to think about.

So I gave some thought to what is my home like? Why do I want "things" for my home? Many years ago people didn't care if the sofa was worn they just tossed a blanket on it. People went to visit with others instead of visit by phone or over the Internet.

Next my mind wandered to what changed for the man/women relationship. Men are not as willing to open car doors or take a women's hand like in the past. Lets say once one is married that seems to slowly stop. Or walking a women to the table when you are out at friends to eat. I also noticed guys don't put their arms around there wives much either anymore.
I'll have to ask my hubby what he sees changed in women behavior.

That made me think of a comment I heard Dr. Phil said and told my hubby about it recently. Women look at a man taking the trash out as an act that says "I love you" men look at it as job.

Well that is just what I've been thinking about today.

A Cat's Story

2009-02-19T17:47:00.005-05:00

Three years ago Fred and Wilma were born. Fred is the bigger of the two cats. They are very different. Fred loves, paper bags, bread ties and sleeping on the bed with you. Wilma or Wil as we later find out loves plastic bags, rubber bands and sleeping almost anywhere.

Wil was always our trouble maker. If there was mischief we would usually find Wil was involved. Wil is the one who would steal Jesus from our manager at Christmas time.

Well yesterday Wil came running to me crying. I reached out and pet him. Only to feel something sticky and said. "Now what did you get into?" When I looked closer I saw a long gash in the tail. Hubby held the cat while I looked closer and the blood was running out. So off to the Vet ER. They admitted Wil for surgery. As it turns out there were 2 punctures along with the long gash. The Vet says it went right though the nerve. They are not sure the tail will be saved we will have to wait and See. Six stitches later and an empty bank account we bring Wil home. He comes home with his tail bandaged up and one of those satellite collars on. Sometime during the night Wil gets his tail stuck between my daughter's desk and the wall and pulls the bandage off. So today I had to make another trip to the vet to have a new bandage replace.

Here is a picture of Wil without the bandage. Sorry it is so blurry I took the picture with my cell phone and Wil wouldn't stay still

Made Me Laugh

2009-02-17T15:18:00.002-05:00

Why are commercials so dumb. I just cracked up last night when I saw this commericail for a home security system. The parents just left and the teen daughter hears a noise and starts to walk to the door. It is someone trying to break in. She runs screaming and the phone ring. She picks up the phone and says "Hello".

Am I the only one who would of picked up the phone and yelled help someone is breaking in? Give me a break you are scared and someone is breaking in. Would you take time to say hello! The callers next question is "Is every thing alright?' She calmly answers, " No someone is trying to break in."

I just found this so funny I thought I would share it with you all.

2009-02-16T17:23:00.002-05:00

I am happy to say my life isn't real busy right now. But then you may wonder why I'm not posting more. Well the answer is simple. I am giving more time to doing my bible studies. I am doing Nehemiah on Sunday night, Colossians on Tuesday night, Soul Repair, (rebuilding your spiritual life) and lastly I am working my way through Judges now with two friends.

Do I feel I am busy, no, I am enjoying all the studies. I am learning so much. I do my studies instead of watching TV. This does not take away from my morning devotions. I actually look at the times I spend doing these studies as my hobby or relaxing time. I learned a long time ago if I feel I am over committed to things to say no. I don't feel that way with my studies. Hubby is doing Nehemiah and the Colossians study group too. It is something we enjoy doing as couple. Some of you may enjoy going to a movie or out to eat, we enjoy going to bible studies. Yes if life gets busy we skip the week. We don't feel bad we know we are OK.

I also realized I haven't been reading novels much so I went to the Library and got a book this week. I got DEWEY. It is about a cat that lives in the Library. I will spend some time reading novels again.

So if I don't post daily like I once did, don't panic did something happen. I'm fine just spending time with my bible.

Brokenness Part 2

2009-02-13T11:27:00.003-05:00

Went to bible study this week and part of our discussion was on Spiritual Brokenness. Then we had to go find a quite place and sit with the Lord. Here are a few thoughts that came to me.

God meets me in my Brokenness
We discard something broken but God fixes
We cry over the value or personal lost when something breaks, God uses brokenness and longs for it.

These three statements brought the following thought from God:
The power of the wind is like God's power: unseen but great and in his control at all times.

Ephesians 1: 18-20

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms

Brokenness

2009-02-10T15:50:00.004-05:00

For over a week now it seems when I sit before the Lord the word "Brokenness" is laid on my heart. This has been going on for a week now. So I thought let's blog the word and see what comes to mind as I type.

I took a moment to look it up in a dictionary. I like these means of the word: made weak, not complete or full.

This made my mind wonder to a song and the words in the song say something like this: Brokenness is what He wants from me.

I think God wants me to remember I am week, He is the strong one in this relationship. It is only God who can complete me and fulfill me. This reminds me God Is Enough.

I understand I need to lay it all before the love. Not just the things. I need to lay my emotions and thoughts. So often when I think of God as Enough. I think I don't need the stuff. I don't stop to think of the emotions. That is one area like to avoid. But if I make myself weak He will make me strong.

There are things going on here that I do feel difficult times will be upon me soon. I may feel like things are falling apart. God is calling me to fill up now so I don't shatter.

I'm sure over the next week I learn more as I wait upon the Lord.

He Was Thinking Of Me

2009-02-06T08:40:00.002-05:00

Last night I saw this documentary video. It was about a religious group and people who left to become born again Christians. During the video one gal said something that I've been thinking about since. She said, "When Christ died on the cross He was thinking about me, about me."

My first reaction was no He wasn't it. He died for all sins and sinners. But if I think that then I'm generalizing God. That got me to thinking.

God hears all our prayers and is every where so why can't he be thinking about each of us at the same time. That means with each painful nail being nail and each painful breath, God was thinking, Sandi I'm doing this for you so you can have eternal life. WOW! I don't even know what words to use to discribe how I feel right now. God was thinking of me. God was thinking of you too.

When you think of it that way who would want to service their Lord. I think I now have new powerful quote that will play on my heart daily.

Happy Birthday Ryan

2009-02-04T12:32:00.006-05:00

Ryan will be 1 year old tomorrow. Saturday he was at Grammy house for a party. Enjoy a few pictures we took.

I call this one the kitchen crew. If you see Ryan is at the bottom. I have a feeling Ryan will on day be a great cook. Also in the picture is Pappy, our dear friend Deb, Mommy and Aunt Amanda

Ryan got a Tonka Fire Truck from his Great Aunt Lois. He loved it.

This is Ryan and my great nephew Brandon, they are second cousins. Brandon is 3 weeks older than Ryan.

This is Ryan greeting his great Aunt Wendy.

Ryan's cake was a cupcake cake. It you look closely you will see it is made of cupcakes but the top looks like a sheet cake.

Ryan had icing for the very first time. I must say he enjoyed it and loved it. Ryan had to go right to Gammy's bath tub when he was done eating while his party was still going on. I found blue icing smudges in the bathroom Monday while I was cleaning. A reminder of all the fun we had.

Happy Birthday my precious one.