An Appointment with God!

This past weekend I participated in a Prayer Fast at our church. When it was first mentioned I was all for it, then as time began to get closer I wondered if I wanted to go, but God wasn't calling me to go. Last week I realized that I needed to be there. I needed to go for two reasons: I needed peace over a situation I had no peace over, and I needed to address and put behind me my issues with pride. I told my husband I have to go! When I got there I was emotional, it was weird, I didn't know why. The evening began with 7 women. I'm not going to go into specifics about the whole evening, there's no way I could! I wanted to share 2 of the many scriptures that the Lord laid on my heart over that a 21 hour period.

Isaiah 26: 3 & 4

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

and

Lamentations 2:18-19

The hearts of the people cry out to the Lord. O wall of the Daughter of Zion, let your tears flow like a river day and night; give yourself no relief, your eyes no rest. Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at the head of every street.

The Lord gave me exactly what I needed. He comforted me with His peace and gently instructed me in His way. Where there is pride God cannot work. We discussed the different ways that pride manifests itself. There were ways we were surprised by. We prayed, sang, cried, laughed, and slept a little. We were blessed by the God inspired music of one. It added a dimension to our individual time that I will always remember and be thankful for. I found I liked V8 vegetable juice!!! We came away surprisingly refreshed, not hungry, and with a sadness that it was over. I thought that when I got home that I would be attack because that alway's seems to happen after a mountain top experience, but God shielded me from that so my family and I could have a nice quiet, blessed evening together.

To those who could not attend or did not feel lead to attend, but prayed for us, your prayers were answered!

I want to thank Nancy for being such a faithful servant of the LORD. She is a blessing and a continual well of spiritual knowledge and encouragement. I am so glad that we all get to benefit from her time with Him!

Praising God for His incredible greatness!!!!!!

Art Appreciation 101?!

Yesterday was a perfect Fall day so we decided that we would take the kids to the Frederick Meijer Gardens. Bekah's class went there when we were in Pittsburgh and she really wanted to go. I have always wanted to see the replica of Da Vinci's horse so I was O.K. with going too. The horse did not disappoint. It is beautiful! Very big and very detailed, and I mean every detail (nuf said).

From this point we travel into the sculpture loop, and we get a lesson in art and that it is subjective. The old saying "one man's junk is another man's treasure" is like saying "One man's art is like another man's huh?!" There were alot of displays around the loop that made you wonder "what were they thinking, or smoking when they came up with that one?" The great thing about this all is in everything there is a lesson to be learned. Jeremiah has always struggled in art. He doesn't think he is good at it, so he doesn't want to try. We told him we've seen his work and it's about as good as this, so look at the money he could make. Case in point this little fella. We still don't know what happen to 1/2 his face. I think this was called the thinker. I like the original better.

The picture of Bekah is cool, but I really don't think a huge garden spade is art, do you? I like art Van Gogh, Da Vinci, Rodin, Knoper (Nancy). I have to admit I just don't get some art! Can someone out there help me understand?

Another thing that we had to confront is they had a replica of Rodin's "Eve". I don't know if you know what this is, but it's a naked woman. The kids really took issue with this. Especially of course Jeremiah. His words after we left were "way to many naked women, I am a 10 year old boy after all"! We reminded him that he is 11 and yeah probably not a great idea to have naked women around.

This all left my family quite perplexed. Both Steve and I decided that we would rather take a walk in the woods on a day like yesterday, then walk through art. Lesson learned. For the 2 naysayers yesterday (and you know who you are), you were right on one count but we had to try. Like I said the Horse was great! Oh, one more thing, $38 dollars was spent to learn our "art" lesson. Money well spent, hum?

A Special Invitation

Today I got to be a stand in Nana! Most of you know that my sister Sandy and brother-in-law Ralph had to move to Mississippi for work. Well that left Samantha and Erica without 1/2 of their Grandparents to come to Grandparents day at Allendale Christian Schools. I cannot believe it, but Erica wanted to ask me if I would come because I was her Nana's sister. To say I was honored by this is an understatement. Even when people I told teased me about being a Grandma I didn't mind, and believe me I told alot of people. Well today was the day, and it was great to see all the grandparents, and to see how excited the kids were to show their grandparents their school, desk, artwork etc.... I really enjoyed myself, and a couple of times had to work really hard at not crying (I know Brandon thinks the Klifman side crys alot, which of course we do!) I thought I would be the hippest (?) grandma there, but I think there were quite a few hipper them me! I think I did get some strange looks from people who kind of know me and were trying to figure it out. Even Mrs. Warners (samantha's 3rd grade teacher that both Jeremiah and Bekah had for Pre-school) asked "are you their Aunt, and I said yes, but actually I'm their dad's Aunt". It's hard for people to get sometimes, but that is one of the joys of coming from a large family. Here are some pictures of today. I wish I were a better picture taker. I couldn't keep my hands still. The last picture is of a picture Erica made of her favorite story in the bible. It goes like this "My favorite Bible story is when Jacob is tricked by his uncle and gets married to the sister of Leah who he wanted to marry" reason why this is favorite "I like this story because I like the colors pink and purple which are the colors of most wedding flowers." Remember this in years to come when Erica gets married, we'll see if they are the colors she chooses. She made sure to tell me I had to share it with Uncle Steve, and show Jeremiah and Bekah.

Erica thank you so much for inviting me! If you and Samantha ever need another stand in Nana I'm your girl!!!!!

Our cheerleader!!!!!

Tonight we went to the Rocket Cheerleader pizza party. At this party all the girls got a trophy, a dog tag with their name on it and a little gift bag. Here is our little cheerleader with her stuff. Just thought I'd share it. Have a great night!

Things I love about Fall

The pooch and I went in search of Fall colors today to add to this post. We really didn't find what I was looking for (it's always there when I don't have a camera), but Champ loves to go in the van so he was happy. I've been thinking of all that I love about Fall, so I thought that I would put them down.

1. Of course I love the color changing. I love the lesson that the Lord give us that there is beauty in Death, through the dieing of the leaves.
2. I love the smells of Fall. The leaves on the ground that add an aroma to the air.
3. I love sweatshirts and jeans.
4. I love going to football games (when I go) and it's cold enough where I have to where a coat, mittens, and wrap up in a blanket, sipping good coffee, and chatting with people.
5. I love coming home and having a cup of cappuccino on a cool day.
6. I love taking walks with my family in the woods. Let Champ off his leash so he can hop and frolic.
7. I love raking leaves and watching the kids have a great time playing in them.
8. I love when we can still have fires out back. Sitting around it and enjoying the crispness in the air.
9. I love the way the clouds look. They have a coldness in them and a different color gray in the sky then other times of the year. It says winters coming.
10. I love the way the sun makes the trees look on beautiful sunny fall days.
11. I love how God sends that last big gust of wind to take the last remaining leaves off the trees before winter starts.
12. I love how the leaves in our front yard always get blown clear of our yard and into Ponshairs. (tee hee)
13. I love picking up leaves with the kids and seeing the beautiful patterns in them. We don't do this much any more because they are older now.
14. I love the sound of geese heading south (which I've stated before).
15. I love the first snow fall. When it's only a few that are coming down you run to the window and watch.
16. I love using our woodstove for the 1st time. It feels so warm and cozy in here. Then it get's stinkin hot (right Diane?)

I don't know if that's it or not, but I think I've gone on long enough. Have a great day and remember:

Romans 8: 19-22 (I love this chapter in Romans, it's a chapter of victory!)

The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

My first Award!

This is so much fun! My friend Mari just give me this award! I love getting to know people better that I already know, and learning about new people. You would never think average, everyday life would be so much fun to read about, but you can see peoples personality in their blog, and so many other things about them. Thanks Mari!!!

Nothing happening today so Pictures

Here are more pictures of our trip this summer. Bekah and I took a walk on my birthday and we saw that someone had used rocks to spell this out on the beach. Just in case you can't read it it says "Thank you God."

We were fishing out on Muskellunge lake and we had a full moon come up. It was more breathtaking then this photo shows.

TQ falls at very low water. It was fun for the kids to wade in, but sad that it was so low.

This is the beginnings of the fire that burned something like 19,000 acres. When we left on that Saturday it was very smoky along the road. A couple days after we left they closed the only paved road to Muskellunge. The only other way out was to travel 14 miles on dirt roads to Grand Mariha(?) That's not how you spell it, but for the life of me I can't remember it right now.

Have a great night!

OnYa

So last night I get home and Steve ask's me "what does OnYa" mean. My hubby's been reading my blog. Well I thought I'd better explain since most of the rest of you don't know what it means either. In one of the many Beth Moore studies I've done she mentioned how those in her office go around blessing each other. They just raise their hand and say "OnYa". So that has become my little way of blessing ya'll. So here is a blessing for today too. I usually bless the kids with this when they are going to school or at bedtime:

" ' "The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." '

My quiet spot

Here is a picture of my quiet spot. The place that I do my bible study in the morning. All of you don't know that the beautiful bookshelf is new courtesy of my mom. I told her last year to be on the lookout for a bookshelf in her wanderings with my sister Sandy. They love to garage sale, estate sale, and antique sale alot. They can always find great deals. Well my mom ended up telling me that for doing her taxes she was going to have her neighbor make me one. I told her that was completely unnecessary because it was very easy and not a big deal, but she refused to listen. She's more stubborn then she give's herself credit for. I should have taken a before picture because it was a mess. I had piles of stuff behind my chair like my Strongs, bible commentaries and extra versions of the bible that I like to look at, at times. It was not very organized, but look at it now. Hopefully it will stay this way

: - )

Bekah's room is almost done. Today I found a 16x20 frame for her doggy poster, and some tie backs. Hopefully soon I will have a picture to show.

Steve and Jeremiah are up at Camp Gerber with the boys scouts. If you read this say a prayer that they will have a good safe fun time.

I think I'm going to go look at my bookshelf somemore. Have a great night's sleep.

OnYa

Visitors from California & Thinking

Tonight we got a visit from Steve's brother Bern and his wife Tracy from California. They are here visiting their son Kyle how is going to Calvin. 5th generation Calvin! They came for parent weekend, and are trying to get in as much visiting as they can. It was great to see them. We get to see them again on Sunday before they take the red eye back. Jeremiah shared a piece of his birthday cake with his Uncle Bern (I should have taken a picture of that). His uncle e-mailed him and told him he wanted a piece of his cake, even if it's 2 weeks old. So we put some in the freezer and gave it to him. Both Bern & Tracy are teachers in Visialia(?) Ca, and this year they would be teaching both our kids if we were out there. Tracy is a 3rd grade teacher and Bern is a 5th grade teacher.

O.K., now for my dilemma. So tonight I'm reading the paper and another Public Pulse just hits me between the eyes. I'm feeling another response coming, but I need to know that God wants me to write this, and if so I most definitely need to have him give me the right words. After all I have to say it in 300 words or less, and believe me that is quite hard to do. If any of you read the Public Pulse, it is the one from Thursday's paper under the heading "Gay Christians". Pray for me as I begin thinking and praying as to my response. I believe as Christians we cannot remain silent or let someone put out half truths or use scripture in a way not intended. I also looked up this "pastors" website, Scary. He is loving people straight to Hell. People today do not want to know that they are sinners. That would be to harsh. But what does Roman's say "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. If there is no sin how can you fall?

I want this man to understand that yes Christ came and fulfill the written law of the O.T., but he did not call us all righteous. Only those who believe in Him, and what He did to cover our sins. If not for sin, why did he have to die, good question! He said to the woman who was caught in sin "Go and sin no more". Face it we all sin, and there is no difference between homosexuality and gluttony or gossiping, etc... etc... We all need a Savior and we all need to realize that or we're going to Hell. There may be someone out there who is reading this that thinks it's all about punishment. It's not, its really about relationship, relationship with Christ. But we have to face the fact of why he came and who we are without Him. Oh boy I could go on and on, but then the post would be to long and no one would read it.

Have a great Friday!

OnYa

Colonial Boy

So last night Jeremiah tells me he needs to bring a tin can to school and he needs to dress up like a colonial boy for colonial days. Last night! So this morning I tell him we have to improvise and come up with something that looks remotely like a colonial boy. I had him put on a pair of shorts and then I pinned them in back to be snug to his legs. Then I had him put on his new shirt (that wasn't white, but we're rolling with the flow here ). I remembered I had a vest in my closet that I had him put on. I knew to do this because I googled clothes of colonial children (gotta love the internet). Anyway here is a picture of my colonial boy. I was very proud of him because he worked with me, didn't complain that it wasn't right, and made the most of it and enjoyed his day! That is a big Praise God!!!!!

So we've had some missing assignments lately, and I have been working with his teachers to correct the issue. I even got a cool binder on clearance at Target and made it all nice and organized. Well I went on good old Parent Portal yesterday and low and behold a Missing Assignment. He told me he didn't know where it was, but it wasn't in his desk or locker. Where is this black hole that keeps swallowing my son's work?! So today after I helped with Colonial Day's I go to his locker - look it's opened, I don't need to ask for the combo. I cautiously open the door and what do I find, but stacks of papers and pencil box (what is that doing there, why isn't it in his desk), and that beautiful binder. So I empty the locker and bring it home and we go through it - hey look your Missing Assignment! So now when ever Missing Assignment shows up on PP, someone is grounded. Yeah, that should take care of it... He's cute thought don't you think!

Just another Monday

I have been meaning to blog all weekend, but alas never made it to the computer to sit down and think thoughts until now. I spent all day yesterday on the couch with a sinus headache. I think I have a sinus infection but haven't gone to the doctor to see. My head still hurts, but I am plugging through my day. My kids told me this morning I should rest today. Isn't that sweet! I told them "Oh that would be nice, but I have to much to do, and laying down is not an option."

Something interesting I found in the trash in our bathroom, 2 uneaten vitamins. Hum who could have stuck them in the trash? This mom detective will be questioning the usual suspects when they get home from school. I'm thinking a loss of something will take place. This has happened in the past and I told them it won't happen again. It's amazing where I would find them! Children, they don't know whats good for them.

Saturday my sister Kam and I spent 1 1/2 hours at Yonkers trying to sell Community Day sale booklets for our Women's Ministries. Boy howdy that's tough! People do what we all normally do when we don't want to be approached for something. We laughed alot though because of peoples responses. I was able to sell 3, Kam didn't sell any. Not very good odds for 1 1/2 hour is it. One funny thing that happen is we had a woman tell us one thing on the way in, then when she came back through she apologized for lying. After she left we looked at each other and said "she's a christian". Also we had one lady just give us $3.oo. That was a blessing. I told Kam God will bless us if we perservre. I also told her that this is just another area where God is stretching us. Asking us to go outside our comfort zone to support a ministry that He is using. I believe in this ministry 100%. Not many women from Lighthouse use it, but lives are being changed in the community because of the bible studies alone. Women are going back to their churches closer to Christ then when they came. I know that my faith has grown through the bible studies they provide and through the prayer support I have received. We also had a young girl accept Christ last March in bible study. Praise God for that.

Well I have to go do Manna Meals now. Have a great day!

OnYa

YIKES!

I just re-read my blog from yesterday. What was I thinking?! I don't say out loud, glad that's not me. I smile out loud. I am one rude chick. "Hey lady glad that's you not me!". Diane I think that was a kimism, but I will let you decide that. Enjoy the Day!

OnYa

One of my favorite Autumn Things

One of my very favorite things in Autumn are the flocks of geese that fly over. No matter what I'm doing if I hear that familiar honking I run outside and watch them. I even have my kids doing it. Some may think me morose, but I've told Steve, I hope I die in the Fall and God sends a flock of Geese over my grave. Have I shocked you?! Anyway Friday is my second favorite day of the week. I have a schedule pretty much all week, but Friday's I leave for me. I usually go over to my mom's for a while, but before that I run a few errands. There's nothing better then being in a store by ones self. Seeing and hearing the other mothers with their young'uns, (while sympatizing with them, saying in my head I'm with you sister) outwardly going "Glad that's not me anymore"! PRAISE GOD!!! I can meander, and take my time, sigh. I found cool bright pink curtains for Bekah's room today at Walmart (gotta love the Mart). Jeremiah says "It really pinkafy's the room). I will take pictures when it's all done. Today also Jeremiah got a letter from an author he wrote to. His name is Brian Davis and he writes Christian Novels. His first series is "Dragons in our Midst". Jeremiah wrote to him for advice because he wants to be an author. He first said that it's hard to give advice because there's so much that he could say, but one of the things he said I love. It"s "Be able to take critisim". Oh, my oldest needs to hear that. Maybe he will take it from Brian. I think it's so cool when people respond back to kids. It sure gives them a boost. Have a great night everyone!

Very tired today!

Well today was a typical day at work. I think I accomplished things, at least I hope. This past week I am having one of those incredible exhaustion spells. Right now I just want to go to bed. I don't want to complain so I will stop right there. I wanted to add some pictures of our trip to Pittsburgh. It was alot of fun and we saw some great things. My favorite part was the zoo. I was particularly fond of the Gorillas.

I tried to add more pictures and put captions under them, but it didn't work, and I am to tired to try again. I'm going to lay down now.

OnYa

A tale of two dogs

Have you ever worked with uncooperative models?!!!!! Bekah has been wanting a picture or two of the mutts for her bedroom wall. She is ga ga for dogs, so today since I had buddy I thought I would try. Buddy at least likes to sit straight and have his picture taken. I don't know about the other white mutt! Who owns him anyway.

Has anyone been there?

Hey again,

So this is my Friday night at the Allendale Homecoming game. I am enjoying the game, even the the temps were just wrong for a football game, to HOT! So my son comes up crying his eyes out saying he can have crooked teeth the rest of his life. I ask him what's up and he says his retainer was in his pocket and it fell out. Now he had been hanging out with his friends all over the place. So we go down and check out every napkin on the ground (because that's what he had put it in). Finally we find it in an interesting place and yes it is broken. Well I am none to happy, but everyone near us is saying it happens, yada, yada. Well so I make an appointment for the Orthodontist for yesterday and we go and have a new mold made. By the way, some how he will be paying this off, since this is the 2nd time. So I take him to school and he calls me in the afternoon saying, I have bad news. YEAH! He was doing extra work in the hallway and someone stepped on his glasses. I don't know how that happens when glasses are supposed to be on ones head. Mr. Thompson and I worked for quite a while on them, finally using a paper clip to keep them together until the end of the day. I told him to tell the other kids it's your antenna. So last night after school we went to the Optometrist(?). Praise God that was covered by warranty. So my question is, can anyone relate, and do they start to remember things you've said 1000 times eventually?

Here's a picture of my oldest too. He is a true blessing, I am just always amazed at what they don't think of.

I am experimenting here. These are some pictures from our trip to the U.P. this summer. Above is a picture of the sunset over Lake Muskellonge.

Here is Rebeka on one of our stone scavenger hunts

After the long trip to Crisp Point Light, my family played in the water. There is a wonderful lot of Lake Superior frontage here for only $189,000. The problem is it takes forever to get there. If you truly seek peace you will find it near Crisp Point Light.

I took this picture of the seagull. I thought it was pretty cool!

For some reason it didn't post all my pictures. I so have alot to learn.

Seeing Double

I Samuel 16:7
"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, bug the Lord looks at the heart."
Proverbs 31:30
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised!"

Do you ever have an issue God is working on in your life which is a big issue but where a sense of humor is so important?! The Lord has been working on me in the area of pride alot lately, so I have a little ditty to share with you all. A few of us laughed together yesterday, and I'm sure more chuckled that I'm not even aware of, but that's O.K.
Where to begin? I bought a new dress the other day at Target, off the clearance rack. I just love those new polyester dresses. They're very comfortable to me. Anyway so I go into church on Sunday morning, a little hyper because of my morning in Kingdom Cove (It didn't go badly, winging it just exhausts me) and set down in my not so usual spot of the 3rd row instead of the 2nd row (I know, I know, change once in a while, I will but I am a complete creature of habit). I noticed on the seats in front of me a sign saying reserved for a family who was having a baptism. That's a good idea by the way. Anyway I didn't realize that that included my row as well. So the sweet young mother comes up to tell Bekah, Angela and I that we have to move. That's fine, but guess what, she has the same dress I have on, except I think she looks better in hers, you know the comparisons. So right at the beginning of church I have to get up, with the mother in close proximity for everyone to see, yep same dress. Then more and more family come, and we decide it would be nice to more back one more row. So the Westrick's help us move a chair and we make more of a spectacle of ourselves moving back another row. I think you are getting the picture. Anyway I am setting there mortified, then God says to me "what does it matter?", that is not who you are, you are bigger then having the same outfit, don't let this very small issue effect you. Enjoy the humor! So a lesson learned. Don't think so highly of yourself, and remember not to take yourself to seriously. Look for the lessons the Lord is teaching, thank him and be obedient.
Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom (Ah)
Proverbs 16:18 & 19
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. (Ouch!) Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed then to share plunder with the proud.
Proverbs 29:23
A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor (hey I want that!)

OnYa

Why Scattered Stones

I wanted to write about why I chose Scattered Stones as the name of my blog. My family and I love to go up to the UP (Upper Penisula of Michigan for you out of staters) for vacations. What I have found about myself on these vacations is take me to any beach along the Lake Superior Shore line and I will come back with pockets full of stones. I also tend to fill the pockets of my husband, kids, and any sand buckets that are available. This year we came back with 1 - 5 gallon bucket full, 1 cake carrier full, and 1 sand bucket full. I just love them. Then are all so pretty and unique. The waters of Lake Superior have made them smooth over time, and they are all such interesting colors. I am not the only one that does this, there are many people you will find with their pockets full. There is even a special tool, if you don't want to get your feet wet. It cost to much for us to afford though. Maybe my wonderful inventive husband will come up with something to help me. I have uses for my stones too. I have given them away with verses on them to children at our church who participated in a Summer Bible Challenge. I have given them to women in a bible study I was in, and I have used the smaller ones to decorate bird houses and gave them away as Christmas gifts. Anyway I throughly enjoy the search for these stones. It makes me think of how my search of scripture should be, as passionate and relentless until I have found all I need to fulfill my desire, which won't be fulfilled until I see my Savior face to face. Keep digging, keep looking and the treasures you find will bless your life and grow you closer to the one you desire most, Jesus Christ. Here is a picture of me in a very familiar position at the Lake.

I apprehensively wade in!!

Hello to whomever,
I have been blessed by blogs for awhile now and thought, why not. Maybe through this blog I can find others who feel the way I do about things, or maybe I can even be a blessing to others as well. That would be cool! Right now I need to go pick up my children from school. Jeremiah has hurt his thumb so it's off to the doctor to see if it's really hurt, or "cry wolf" hurt. I'll let you all know. So as the title says I'm wading in. I'll explain the title later.