Thankful Thursday - Compassion

Lamentations 3:21-23

Yet this I call to mind

and therefore I have hope:
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

I am reminded of this verse when I hear that everything is relative, and that we are all O.K. We don't have anything to be forgiven for so who needs a Savior! Even though I know you can't argue with someone who does not know the Lord my question is: why would we be consumed and in need of compassion if not for our great sin?!

• I am thankful for God's great compassion, in while I was yet a sinner, Christ died for me!

Psalms 18:16-19
He reached down from on high and took hold of me;

he drew me out of deep waters.
He rescued me from my powerful enemy,

from my foes, who were too strong for me.
They confronted me in the day of my disaster,

but the LORD was my support.
He brought me out into a spacious place;

he rescued me because he delighted in me.

• I'm thankful for how God is working in my life, and the many examples of waiting on Him, he is showing me! The peace that is coming with that!
• I am thankful for the many things he is showing me in scripture! That his Word is alive an active!
• I am also thankful for yesterday's snow day! The kids and I had a very relaxing day together! I stoked up the fire really good (we was a sweatin it out). We read, baked cookies, make the crown prince of doggie/catdom a new pillow throne to sit on, and just enjoyed being in doors! I did prove my toughness in that I snow blowed in the morning. I have to learn how to position the blower so the snow doesn't come back and get me in the face! I have to admit if you want a show and live close, come watch me sometime!!!

Have an absolutely great Thursday! I'm going back to bed now!

The smell of coffee brewing!

That is one of my favorite smells in the world, next to Campfire smell of course! I woke up this morning at about 2:30 to a bunch of howling wind. I looked out the slider and their was a whiteout. Needless to say our children are home again today for a snow day! Now that is cool! It's Wednesday, I don't have to work (well one short meeting). We can bake and hang out! I will miss Bible Study this morning though! When I get together with this group of ladies it is always a blessing! We talk about scripture and search it together to find the answers to our questions. We challenge each other to go deeper into the Word. There have been times of much prayer, a word from the Lord given, and growth! To those of you who read my blog I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!! When it is light out Ill try to post some pictures. Keeping it lite right now! Have a great day!

May God bless you REAL good! ***Edited*** Heather at Mommy Monk told me about this Chris Rice Song! I think it fits don't you!

Hadassah - An ordinary girl

Lately I have become infatuated with Hadassah, otherwise know as Queen Esther! I am a lover of biblical fiction books. I love the added dimension they bring to the biblical characters. I love the research that is needed to go into these books so that we readers get a good picture of the period that the people lived. Lately I have been reading the books "Hadassah - One night with the King, and the 2nd book The Hadassah Covenant. Now I know theses books are fiction, but I love the way they draw me back to the word of God. Since reading these books I have read the book of Esther twice. If you will allow me to, I am going to empty the many things God is showing me and collecting in my cluttered mind unto these pages. This book has blessed me, and again because the Bible is "living", there is so much to be applied to our lives!

The verse that I believe summarizes the whole book is : Esther 4:14 "Who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this"

Chapter one begins with the great feast Xerxes throws for all his noblemen. Then the last 7 days he invites everyone from Susa, every one! Can you imagine the pageantry that went on! In the book Hadassah, it describes what the palace may have looked like. It's amazing the wealth that the Persian empire had! Also if you read this chapter you will note that wine flowed quite generously. The bible speaks of "in keeping with the king's liberality" - Xerxes appears to be a generous guy! Of course he partook generously as well. So after many days of drinking, in the bible it says Xerxes was in "high spirits" - can you say drunk, he comes up with the bright idea of parading his beautiful wife around! How many rash decisions are made when not in the right frame of mind? Now it doesn't say why Vashti didn't come, there could have been several reason, including not wanting to be gawked at by a bunch of drunken people. She doesn't come, Xerxes encouraged by his advisers banishes her from his sight forever! Can you imagine waking up the next day and realizing what you did (Xerxes does this in Chapter two). Now I know that God has ordained and set this up as a tool of rescuing His people, I just find it fascinating!
So my questions to you are?

1. Should Vashti have come in to Xerxes? Do you feel the Wisemen were correct in their advise?
2. How are we today in our everyday life to act toward our husbands? Now hopefully no husband would ask us to do something like this, but where do you draw the line? Was it right of Vashti to deny the King? Was it right of him to demand?

I have something to say about the Kings advisers, but I will wait for another post!

May God bless you REAL good!

Six non-important thing/habits/quirks about myself

Heather at Mumblings of a Mommy Monk tagged me for this Me-me. I am to list 6 Non-important things/habits/quirks about me! These are the rules:

The rules for this meme are: (1) Link to the person that tagged you. (2) Post the rules on your blog. (3) Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself. (4) Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs. (5) Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

But first I have to show you a picture of what I woke up to this morning! Last night in the middle of the night I couldn't sleep (this happens quite often), so I got up this time to pray about things the Lord were laying on my heart, and I read the books of Esther. At 4:45 I got back in bed. When I came our around 6:30 this is what I found:

Curling up with THE GOOD BOOK! Isn't he a godly pooch!!!!! If only he were reading, not sleeping!!!!

Anyway here are the 6 things about me:

1. I can't stand to hear people eat! It literally drives me nuts! Which of course spurs my husband on to annoy me all the more!!!
   
2. I love to clean toilets, hate to dust!!!


3. Like Heather my right leg is shorter then my left. Not for the same reasons though. I just found that our when my back when out!


4. I love campfires! I love the smell and everything about them! Camping is not camping if I can't have a fire! I am very good at starting one too!


5. I have been to the furthest points from each other in the U.S. I've been to Lubec, ME and Seattle, WA.


6. I come from a family of 10 kids. 1 Boy and 9 Girls!

That's it! Hope you found it interesting. Here are the people I have tagged:

Iris @ Sting my heart

Sue @ Praise and Coffee

Diane@MyJourneysPath

Mari@MyLittleCorneroftheWorld

Nise'@ Thus Far the Lord has helped me

Jennifer@Zaankali's Adventure

An award from two great ladies!

I am a bit late getting the acknowledgement of this award out. I guess I had other things on my mind that I felt needed to get out! LOL! Anyway I received this award from two great ladies Mari and Diane . This two women are a great source of encouragement to me in so many ways. Mari is a wonderful prayer warrior! I so appreciate her and her husband in the humble way they call us to prayer! Diane and I have been friends for so long! She is my dear sister in Christ! I appreciate you both and love you! Thanks for the award.
Here is what the maker of this award says:"I have met so many lovely and very talented ladies here in Blogdom, what more can I do or say to express my humbled heart to each, than to give all my dearest readers and friends a special award filled with love. So, spread the love dear ones, spread the love to those you love."

I have met so many wonderful women out there in blogdom that have encouraged me with the word of God! I love how he is using this technology to bring people together from all over the world! God is so cool! I'm going to be a bit radical here and I'm going to "Spread the Love" to my faithful anonymous commenter's: D, D, J, & P! Thanks for making the effort to post a comment! You guys are great, and I love ya!

Thankful Thursday!

Colossians 4:2

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Today I am Thankful for the following:

• God's Word that He gave as a revelation of who He is and His wonderful plan!
• His Son Jesus Christ, who is our redeemer, savior, brother, friend!
• The Holy Spirit, who guides us, convicts us, helps us, comforts us, and dwells in us!
• For God's promise to never leave me or forsake me!
• God's Word and how it is alive and active, even today!
• For the Psalms, and how they help in times of sadness, depression, anger, etc....
• I am thankful that we are without excuse, just because of creation itself, Romans 1:20!
• I am thankful that he always makes a way of escape, 1 Corinthians 10:13!
• I am thankful for people who challenge me to be in the Word!

Today I pray that you all will feel the Father. That you will see His many blessing that he bestows on you today! One thing we all take so for granted is the blessing of breath, each one is a gift!

God Bless you REAL good today!

How Should we then live?

This question has been on my mind alot since our Staff Prayer Retreat yesterday. I was able to make it to 2 1/2 hours of it, and we had a wonderful time of discussion and prayer. One thing we discussed is knowing that things are not going to get better as we speed towards Christ return, but that things are progressively going to worsen, especially for Christians! How then should we live? I thought this statement was in scripture and myself and my Wednesday morning group of Sisters searched. Come to find out it is a paraphrase of something Francis Shaffer(?) said based on 2 Peter 3: 11-18(amp):


11Since all these things are thus [b]in the process of being dissolved, what kind of person ought [each of] you to be [in the meanwhile] in consecrated and holy behavior and devout and godly qualities,
12While you wait and earnestly long for (expect and hasten) the coming of the day of God by reason of which the flaming heavens will be dissolved, and the [[c]material] elements [of the universe] will flare and melt with fire?(C)
13But we look for new heavens and a new earth according to His promise, in which righteousness (uprightness, freedom from sin, and right standing with God) is to abide.(D)
14So, beloved, since you are expecting these things, be eager to be found by Him [at His coming] without spot or blemish and at peace [in serene confidence, [d]free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts].
15And consider that the long-suffering of our Lord [[e]His slowness in avenging wrongs and judging the world] is salvation ([f]that which is conducive to the soul's safety), even as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the spiritual insight given him,
16Speaking of this as he does in all of his letters. There are some things in those [epistles of Paul] that are difficult to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist and misconstrue to their own [g]utter destruction, just as [they distort and misinterpret] the rest of the Scriptures.
17Let me warn you therefore, beloved, that knowing these things beforehand, you should be on your guard, lest you be carried away by the error of lawless and wicked [persons and] fall from your own [present] firm condition [your own steadfastness of mind].
18But grow in grace (undeserved favor, spiritual strength) and [h]recognition and knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (the Messiah). To Him [be] glory (honor, majesty, and splendor) both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (so be it)!
So based on this I have questions as far as what you feel we as Christians should be doing? Most importantly since I am the Director or Children's Ministries at our Church and so feel the urgency that our children know Christ and the power of His resurrection, what is most important to their spiritual life? How do we prepare them for the very real possibility of persecution in our time? Am I making sense? Am I prone to hysterics, and making a mountain out of a mole hill? Sometimes I think that within the church we are so busy with programs and such that we are missing out on what is BEST!
I would love to hear your thoughts. I hope that I made sense! Please feel free to either e-mail me or leave a comment. There are so many women out there in Blogdom that I have come to respect and appreciate as Sisters in Christ, whose wisdom has helped me so often. I appreciate any insight you may have.
Thanks and God Bless!

My Cozy Corner

Jennifer over at Zaankalis adventures posted about a fun little contest from Monkey giggles . You are to take a picture of your cozy corner, and link back to her post. Well I posted this when I first started blogging, but here it is again for those who I've had the pleasure of getting to know since then. This is my little cozy corner. My mother had this bookshelf make for me to house all my very necessary study helps. I usually brew me a cup of coffee or cappuccino, grab a fleece blanket, pull out my Bible and books and quiet down. Of course the pooch usually has to be on my left side as well. Strange thing he always needs an invitation. He usually does not just jump up, he seats and whimpers until I tell him come up. Even then he hesitates and I usually say "well what do you want an engraved invitation" and ignore him. Then he hops right up. We have a strange co-dependency relationship! Anyway I digress! Here is my Cozy Corner.

It doesn't look this neat anymore! The Afghan on the back of my chair, my Aunt Esther made Steve and I for a wedding gift!

SNOW DAY!!!!!

O.K., it's Tuesday. A day I have chosen to work at my job outside the home. Hummmm..... it snowed oh, about 6-8 inches last night. Guess what, NO SCHOOL! Now I really find it fascinating how God always covers us with a big blanket of white just before a day I work. Could he be telling this mother something? I always wonder. Don't get me wrong, I really love snow days, I just wish they would come on Monday, Wednesday or Friday!
Anyway I was up at 1:41 last night. Came to the computer for a little while, then got into the Word. I am reading in Acts right now. I am so enjoying it. I thought I would write about what God showed me in Act's 6 today:
It is where we are first introduced to Stephen. It seems a disagreement of sorts broke out in the new church (does that sound familiar). Anyway the apostles knowing they shouldn't neglect the ministry of the word to "wait on tables" (don't you love that), they had the disciples appoint 7 men "who are known to be full of the Spirit and Wisdom". Stephen was one of these men. It is said about him "a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit". So Stephen "a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people". He got busy for Christ! I love that! Well along the way he manages to tick some people off! Opposition arose (sound familiar, it doesn't matter the century). The thing is the couldn't knock holes in his witness, it says "but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke". So they had to make up lies about him, probably misinterpreting his words somehow.
This made me think. I want to be seen as a "woman full of faith and the Holy Spirit". I want to do miraculous things for Christ. I want to have an argument that cannot be refuted. Lastly it says as he faced the Sanhedrin that "his face was like the face of an angel". He was a peace, even in the midst of the trial! I want that too! The thing is I can have all this, if I am "full of the Spirit and wisdom". I just need to remain close to Christ, read His Word faithfully, and be obedient. We can all do and be as Stephen! May today be a new beginning, a fresh start, a WHITE BLANKET OF SNOW!
God Bless you REAL good!

Why are you downcast O my soul?

Don't you just hate those days, where you have the blahs and there is absolutely no reason that you can think of to have them! I am having one of them today! URGH!!!!! I am blessed beyond measure! I am loved by the King! He is my Father! I am forgiven! Why are you downcast O my soul? Why so distrubed within me? Put your HOPE in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God! A word to me, that I'm sharing with you!

PSALMS 42

As the deer pants for streams of water,

so my soul pants for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

When can I go and meet with God?
3 My tears have been my food

day and night,

while men say to me all day long,

"Where is your God?"
4 These things I remember

as I pour out my soul:

how I used to go with the multitude,

leading the procession to the house of God,

with shouts of joy and thanksgiving

among the festive throng.
5 Why are you downcast, O my soul?

Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,

for I will yet praise him,

my Savior and 6 my God.

My [c] soul is downcast within me;

therefore I will remember you

from the land of the Jordan,

the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep

in the roar of your waterfalls;

all your waves and breakers

have swept over me.
8 By day the LORD directs his love,

at night his song is with me—

a prayer to the God of my life.
9 I say to God my Rock,

"Why have you forgotten me?

Why must I go about mourning,

oppressed by the enemy?"
10 My bones suffer mortal agony

as my foes taunt me,

saying to me all day long,

"Where is your God?"
11 Why are you downcast, O my soul?

Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,

for I will yet praise him,

my Savior and my God.

Come apart and rest awhile!

Well my family has abandoned me for yet another water park! Oh it's not all that. Their cousin was having a birthday party at a local hotel that has a mini-water park and my kids just didn't think they had enough soaking yet. My wonderful husband took them there (it's his sister's son's party) and left me hear with the dog, a cozy fire, and a beautiful winters day outside. This is a day that is good to be inside since it's only in the single digits here. We had a great time at the Great Wolf. I was amazed at how not busy it was. We usually go in February and it's alot busy. When we got there Thursday night their was minimal people in the park. No lines at all. Steve and I couldn't figure out if we liked that or not, because at least with lines you have to stop on the steps instead of going all the way up every time (can you say you two are OLD!!!!) We all had a great time! It was restful, and the ride home wasn't too bad. Not the blizzard of two years ago. Steve really wanted me to take it easy, which I so appreciated, so I did alot of sitting!

A couple of things came to my mind while I was sitting there. I was looking around at all the people and kids and thought "we don't have a clue". We so take for granted the luxury that we have of going to an INDOOR WATER PARK in the winter. It is just something we do. The rest of the world is suffering with all different kinds of suffering and we go about life as normal. I don't know whether this will change what we do as I family, but God is definitely showing me that we in America so have it to good to be true. We can't continue to ignore the great possibility of persecution happening here to us as Christians, and we so need to give of our wealth to those less fortunate.

On a positive note I think, I realized too that we need to "Come apart and rest awhile". We Americans as so busy being busy. Do we take enough time to slow down and enjoy life?! I don't think so. That's why my vacations to the UP are so important to me. I am forced to slow down and commune with God. We need to make more time to "Come apart and rest". In Mark 6:31 Jesus said to the disciples "And He said to them, [As for you] come away by yourselves to a deserted place, and rest a while--for many were [continually] coming and going, and they had not even leisure enough to eat. (Amplified)

People of God, let's stop and rest in Him. These days we have to make it a priority. Even all the wonderful, great things we are doing for Him, can keep us from Him. I don't think that's what Christs' wants do you?

O.K. I've said enough, here are some pictures of our time! Just another note, don't you just love it when your kids play together and talk to each other and have fun? I do! Which brings up another point about getting away. In the lazy river I was able to have a great conversation with my son, and in the hot tub my daughter and I just chatted. It was so nice and relaxing!

May God Bless you REAL good!

Be Still My Soul!

Several years ago I was fortunate enough to be involved in Bible Study Fellowship (I hope to start again soon!) Anyway the dear woman who lead the class always picked the songs to go with the lesson. She told us to not only sing the words but read them and take them to heart. This song has become so precious to me, and the way that the lead singer of Selah sings it brings tears to my eyes. Be Still My Soul, The Lord is on My Side! Doesn't that just cause you to exhale in relief!

Thankful Thursday!

Boy it's amazing how fast weeks go! Here is my list of things I'm Thankful for this Thursday!

1. I'm thankful for the healing that I've had this week! The Lord is good!
2. I'm thankful for the awesome time of Bible Study we had yesterday! Getting into the Word together and chewing for awhile. I'm thankful for the Word that was spoken and for the heart that needed to heart it. I love being part of moments like that.
3. I am thankful for the great school year so far! Our oldest is growing and maturing! I'm thankful for the prayers that have and are going up for him. It's been a road of lessons for all of us!
4. I'm thankful for my husband! He is an awesome provider! Not only financially as our main source of income, but he provides love and fun for our children, and the list could go on and on for what he provides for me! His unconditional love continues to melt the heart of this girl who had alot of walls up in that area! I'm thankful to God for bringing us together!
5. I'm thankful for the family time we will be having starting a 12:30 today! We get to go to The Great Wolf Lodge in T.C. This is always a fun time of relaxing and getting wet for the whole family. I'm thankful the chiropractor gave me the Thumbs up!
6. I'm thankful for my husbands job. The past couple of weeks have been hard on him. In this economy you should never take anything for granted.
7. I'm thankful for what God has taught me and is teaching me in these very first weeks of January about waiting on Him. I'm thankful for the verses he has brought to my attention concerning waiting! He is so good!!!!!

Colossians 2:6 & 7

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Those who may be forgotten

This morning as I dropped my Peppa off at school, I had a thought. It always hurts her momma to see her walking up the sidewalk all by herself. Some friends went by just before she got out of the van, said hi and didn't wait. Now it may not have phased her, but her mother hurt for her. Why didn't they wait? Did they know it may have hurt her feelings? Anyway I'm not going to go into my poor baby. That's not where this is going. It made me think "What does my heavenly Father think, when I ignore one who is precious to Him! Ouch that hurt! This year one of my Living Intentionally in 2008 - 8 in 2008 is Practicing better hospitality! I thought about some of the things that make me uncomfortable, but that are so important to others! Like Phones calls to people who may not get many. Visiting those in Nursing Homes ( I always think I don't know what to say). So many other things that I could be doing to show God's love to those who may not have many opportunities to see it. So I guess what I am saying is someone out there hold me accountable. If hospitality is a gift of yours, do you have any encouraging words, to help one who struggles. I so want to do what God wants me to do, and He taught me this through my sadness over my little girl.
Matthew 25:40
The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.
Romans 12:13
Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (This will be a verse I memorize this year)
1 Peter 4:8-10
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

We can memorize scripture too!

This give me hopes that not only our kids, but I can memorize scripture! I found this on the blog Rahabs Thread . This is an awesome blog that desires to help women get into the Word more! Gotta go now, helping in Bekah's class this morning!

God Bless you all today!

O.K. How did that happen?

O.K. now how does a good baptist girl transform to having John Calvin as the Theologian she most identifies with?! I saw this quiz over on Linda's blog. I about laughed myself silly when I got the results! Some of the questions where hard for me to understand, but hey who do you most identify with? BTW it looks like I tied with Martin Luther!

Which theologian are you? created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as John Calvin Much of what is now called Calvinism had more to do with his followers than Calvin himself, and so you may or may not be committed to TULIP, though God's sovereignty is all important. Martin Luther 93% John Calvin 93% Anselm 67% Jonathan Edwards 60% Augustine 33% Karl Barth 33% Charles Finney 27% Paul Tillich 20% Jürgen Moltmann 13% Friedrich Schleiermacher 7%

Tori tagged me for a Meme!

O.K. so I've been tagged by Tori for this strange meme that people are doing! I have to admit 7 wierd things about me. Here are the rules:

The rules are as follows: Simply link to the person who tagged you. SHARE SEVEN WEIRD things about yourself. Tag SEVEN bloggers to do the same AND include a link to their blog. Let each person know that they have been tagged and finally post the rules on your blog.



I personally think my husband or my sister Kam should be answering this instead of me. I also know some close friends (Diane) who think I am weird quite often. O.K. here goes nothing!

1. I have been told I am a loud talker ala: Jerry Seinfield days! Told this by both aforementioned people.


2. I have yogiisms that I say quite often! I've told Diane to write them down, because someday someone may want to here them, and as soon as I say them I've forgotten them!


3. I have a strange fascination with clearing clogs from drains! I love to do what ever possible to clear them! I do not recommend using a clothes hanger on old pipes though!


4. I blotch several different shades of red when I have to get up in front of a crowd, or when i am upset! Having to get up in front of our congregation quite often has made if necessary that I wear turtlenecks alot! Also I can't keep being upset to myself. Those closest to me and now all of you can always tell!


5. When I am doing my bible study or concentrating on anything I cannot have any noise. I immediately focus in on the noise!


6. That leads to another odd thing about me! I hate it when I can hear someone eating! It drives me besurk! My poor husband gets the look alot, especially if I'm trying to study while he is eating. That is one reason I have to get up so early, so I have nnnnoooooo distractions!


7. This was harder then I thought! Oh here's one someone has to explain to me! Once I've been on a said diet, such as : Curves, Weight Watchers, Weightdown Workshop, Etc.... I cannot do it again once I've gone off the wagon. Am I nuts or what?!!!!

O.K., now to tag 7 people! I don't know many people out there in bloggy land that I would feel totally comfortable tagging! I don't want to offend my new friends out there, by asking them to do something quite yet so, if I've tagged you and you've already been tagged that's cool. I'm tagging: Jason, Cheri, Alecia (thought you could get away in spain ay!), Carl, Mari, Brandon (thought this might get you back blogging)

O.K. I'm cheating and only doing 6! Do I get docked points for that?!!!!!

What I love about winter in Michigan!

Since the guys of the house are gone my daughter gets to sleep with me. I have been banished from my own room until my daughter gets to sleep because she informed me - Mom, your snoring! I didn't even know I was asleep. I told her well you wiggle, so I'm going out of the room until you are asleep, so here I am blogging. I thought about this today, and I guess now is as good a time as any to write:
What I love about winter in Michigan!!!!!

• Blankets of white everywhere!


• A fire in our wood stove!


• Sitting inside with a cup of cappuccino, and watching the snow fall!


• The first snow!


• When snow falls down in big clomps like a snow globe!


• Red cardinals on a green fir tree covered in white! Talk about contrast!


• Sledding, even though I don't do it much any more, I love watching my kids with their dad!


• The Lake in winter! The pier all covered in ice! You will never find me on it though!


• Snow Days!


• Listening to the snow fall! Have you ever done that! Lay on the ground and just listen!


• Feeling all tough and snow blowing the driveway! I always feel so macho after that!


• The different snows! Heavy and wet, light and blowy, big chunks!


• Snow drifts! Now mind you I don't want to drive in this stuff!
• Snow Angels!
• Snowmen!
• Memories of:
  the blizzard of '78 when we were snowed in for 3 days!
• skating on the pond in back of our house to the music our dad had playing from the cupola(?) on top of the barn!
• Walking home from the bus on top of 10 foot snow piles!
• Sledding down the big hill across the road!
• riding in the sleigh with my dad!
• Cross country skiing in the fields and woods around where I grew up!
• Herds of 30 or 40 deer in our back field!

I love living in Michigan! I love seeing other places in the U.S. and hopefully the world, but to me there is no better place to live then here (for me that is)! Yeah sometimes winter may seem long, but to be able to see all the seasons, I just feel blessed!

Psalms 74: 16 & 17 The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon. It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.

Hosea 6: 1-3 Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth."

Well my sweet little bed mate may be asleep now, so I can go to bed. Where ever you live, give praise to God for what he has created!

Colossians 1:16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

Even in things we find hard to understand or explain, God is in it!

Good Night!

I AM your Fame - Lesson 9 - A set up for a show up!

Discussion Questions:
1. On a scale of 1 to 10, rate yourself on how often your conversation is seasoned with the works of the Lord on your behalf? If you speak very little of Him, is there a reason you know of? If you speak often, how do people respond? I'm hyper critical of myself, but I think I would say an 8. He is filling up more and more of my conversations. I love talking about simple, yet amazing things he has done with my children: The sunrise in the morning; freshly fallen snow that weighs the tress down; etc.

2. Have you experienced a Set Up for a Show Up when you were uncertain whether the situation was the chastisement of the Lord or a temptation of Satan? I'm sure I have, right now nothing is poping up. I'll have to get back to you on this one.
3. Have you ever or are you now experiencing any Job trials where you can still not identify any wrong-doing on your part? My trial right now is health, and I look at it as God teaching me patience and compassion.
4. Apply this principle: How can my response make my God famous? Will obedience result in my sanctification and God's Glory? It is God who heals when he chooses! I have had many people praying for me this past week. It is up to God when he will heal me. It is not for me to wonder or fret over how long and why was my healing not instantanious! God is doing a work in me, and I give him the glory because I hope in Him!
5. Does the origin of our affliction matter in view of the fame God can gain from it? No, but I do think that when we are proclaiming what God has done, to know where we came from will show his great mercy and love for us!

Thankful Thursday!!!

I thought I would take part in Thankful Thursday today, to remind me, even in the tough times to give God praise! Today I am thankful for:

1. People who are praying for my healing! I have a wonderful church family that is bringing me before the throne!


2. A wonderful husband who goes above and beyond in helping me. I can see he wants to make it all better, but can't and that bothers him, and I love him for it.


3. A son who comes up the stairs in the morning lately all dressed for school.


4. My children who help get me things when I can't get to them!


5. Ice packs, Motrin, vicadin and muscle relaxers! ; - 0


6. A Chiropractor who is willing to come in on his day off to help ease the pain!


7. Having a job where I have flexibility of hours, and wonderful co-workers in Christ who care about me.


8. Blogging friends who are praying!


9. God being good all the time!

Romans 8:28-29 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.

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

So I'm not out of the woods yet!

Remember my post where I said I was coming back to the land of the living? Well I lied, or at least spoke to soon! My headache and earache are gone Praise God, but my back! Oh my aching back!!!!!!! Today marks 6 days of pretty bad pain. I went to emergency on Saturday. They did nothing, no pictures or tests outside of urine test, but did give me vicadin and a muscle relaxer. They really didn't dull the pain, they just made me not care about the pain I was in. Nights are pretty bad. Tonight I am going to try sleeping on the couch again. My back likes the support that the couch back gives. Yesterday I went to my gynecologist first to see if it did have something to do with my cycle (sorry for any men reading this). He said everything seemed fine. Then I went to a doctor at the practice here in town. Let me just say I won't be going back there. After seeing my back for all of a nano second, he told me to go to a physical therapist! I started to cry. I said you don't even know what's causing this and your wanting to send me to a physical therapist! He said he didn't see enough to put me through a MRI. How how is an MRI I thought, don't you just lay there. Well yes, but it's a confined space! What do I care I'm in pain here I want to see my insides to see what is going on! No can do! So Thursday I see a physical therapist and they will evaluate me! Hummmmm, well see! I'm also considering going to a chiropractor, but I really would just like to see what's causing it, either by X-ray, MRI, cat scan or whatever!!! Do any of you wonderful nurses out there have any advice for me. One kind of funny is I took some Vicadin before our staff meeting today. It made me pretty loopy. The guys got a couple good laughs, but mostly they prayed for me which was very nice! I do have alot of people praying for me and I so appreciate your prayers! So far God is not choosing at answer them with complete healing, but I am waiting on Him, knowing that he is taking care of me!
Jeremiah 17:14 says: Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.
So no matter how long it takes! I will praise Him! I think about what I want God to teach me in 2008 (see my post below on waiting). This is one way I am waiting on Him. Like I said above I have alot of people praying for me, some even praying over me. I've wondered at times "Lord, why not instant healing" Do I lack faith? Does the person/people praying lack faith? No, but God! Like Pauls says in 2 Corinthians 12: 7-10 "To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
So that's what I'll do! I will wait on Him and His healing!

My 8 in 2008!

Hi Everyone,

I am joining the bloggy accountability group from Extravagant Grace. I'm hoping with God's help to see improvement or completion in the following areas this year! O.K. here are my 8 in 2008!
1. To learn to wait on God
2. To practice better hospitality
3. To speak truth in love and to stop gossip before it begins
4. To pray for others more. To pray for the salvation of my family (extended)
5. To take better care of God's temple
6. To study 8 books of the Bible
7. To memorize 8 verses
8. To organize all the closets, bookshelves and storage areas in my house.
I think that's it! May God give me the wisdom and strength to accomplish this and beyond.

Coming back to the land of the living!

Well today didn't start out to well, but I have to say at this moment the pain in my head is subsiding, and I am able to be among the living! Praise God, thanks for the prayers that were said on my behalf! Today was a good last full day of Christmas Break with the kids, even though I was on the couch alot! They really helped me out with chores and getting along with each other! Even though routine is nice, I do so enjoy having them home. I just wish I was better at planning non-money activities we can do together. Maybe next year! Here are some pictures of the kids enjoying each others company today OUTSIDE!!!!! Then they came inside and had some hot cocoa. In the picture they are trying to suck a melting marshmallow through a straw.

TURTLE UPDATE: The turtles are adjusting just fine. Champ seems to be adjusting too! Sorry for the obnoxious post the other night, he was pretty upset! The kids have named the turtles Kermit (bigger one) and sparks (little one). Right this minute Sparks is sitting on top of Kermit on the rocks. I have to admit it does look pretty funny. Maybe they will be entertaining after all.

Not a real gun, just so you know. I think Jeremiah found his air rifle out in the snow. He takes real good care of his stuff doesn't he!

Hopefully I will be back to full speed tomorrow.

It's way past my bedtime!

So, it's 11:38 on my computer clock and here I am posting! It has not been a good couple of days. Some of you know I've had back pain for the last couple of weeks. Sometimes severe, sometimes dull. Well yesterday it came back again, and just by coincidink a got my sinus headache again. Well today I pumped myself with all sorts of pills for sinus and back pain, and nothing and I do mean nothing has helped! My last resort was, are you ready for this Vicadin that I got from my gallbladder surgery back in April. Guess what, I am still in pain! O.K. I am now going to scream, you may want to plug your ears!!!!!
On top of all this I have been having one of these cluttered brain moments that my blog is described after. You would think the beginning of the new year would leave me refreshed and full of excitement. I really don't know why, but I feel overwhelmed by all the things going on in my head. It may be because I need routine, and since the kids are home from school we don't have structure like we normally do. I guess I am one of those people who need structure in order to keep things in perspective. I still don't think I can put into words what I'm feeling so I guess at this point I won't write it. Sorry I just needed to vent a little! I think I'll go back and watch Letterman! Please pray the pain away!

My Owner (Daddy) dropped a bombshell!

Hello,

My name is Champ, and I rule the roost where I live. You may laugh, but it is the truth! I have my people trained quite well. When I need to go out I simply stand at the door and one of them hops up and opens it for me. Sometimes I refuse to go down the steps outside because I have delicate paws and I don't want to get them wet, so I make one of the bigger ones come out with me to keep me company. I have many places that I choose to sleep all day, but my favorite place is on the back of the couch like any cat/dog. I live the life people, let me tell you! I have a basket of toys that rivals any other pooch. Oh sure there are times my people do things that bother me like: leave me all day to go off in that yellow monster, or blue mobile; sometimes they take me to a lady that tortures me and I lose my hair; sometimes I don't mind what they do, if I get to stay with my cousin Buddy! We have a ball together!

Anyway that's what makes this latest episode so disturbing. My Man (daddy) and my boy and girl left for a while today. My Woman (mommy) and I had a nice relaxing afternoon just lying in the family room with the wood burner nice and toasty. Well finally they come home and are carrying this bucket thingy. It smelled kind of weird! They seemed all excited, well all except my woman, she seemed slightly annoyed like me. So my woman lifts me up and what do you think I saw?! These thingies floating in water with a big shell and tiny head and feet! Here are some pictures of me trying to get a good look at them and then letting them know that this is my House not theirs! Can you believe they did this to me! How ridiculous! Why would they need these things around when they have me?! This had better not mess with my attention or I just may have to resort to using the basement again to relieve myself. I do wonder though if they plan on eating them, they smell surprisingly like Chicken!

Thanks for listening and letting me vent! Please try to talk some sense into these people! They do not realize the turmoil they are throwing me into! I could become neurotic ( Oh wait I already am!)

Champ

Blogging Christmas Celebration!

*** This is a "sticky post" and will remain at the top of the posts until January. Scroll down for new posts.***

I saw this on Melissa's blog. I thought it would be fun too! She saw it on Laura's blog. Everyday in December, Laura will post a new "Christmas Favorite". Then those of us participating will post our "Christmas Favorite" that falls into that category. If you miss a day, just make it up next time you log in. For more details, you can visit her site. If you want to play along, you can make a "sticky post" to stay at the top, or post it in your sidebar. Link to Laura's button (above) so new people can join in the game. This will be a really fun way to learn more about our blogging friends. Have fun and Merry CHRISTmas!!
Dec 1- Favorite Christmas Song - Hallelujah Chorus
Dec 2- Favorite Christmas Flower(?) - I guess mine would be the Christmas Tree - Frazier Fir to be exact. I usually kill all other plants. I have to say though that I have gotten some very beautiful Pointsettia's from our MH at church. Receiving those have always made me smile.
Dec 3- Favorite Christmas Smell - That would have to be the Christmas Tree too, and maybe Cinnamon
Dec 4- I have two - My dad and mom made these Merry Christmas blocks before he died. They used to do crafts alot and mom hasn't done any since. They are very special to me. I hope to someday have a mantle to put them on. The other are several Christmas Tree ornaments that a friend of mine got Steve and I for wedding presents. She went out and pick blown glass ornaments that had special meanings. I won't go into all of them, but the cucumber is hidden in the tree on Christmas Eve and the first child to find it on Christmas morning gets to open a present first. These are treasured ornaments!

Dec 5- Favorite Christmas Color - I think burgandy and cream together! It's so rich looking!
Dec 6- Favorite Christmas Drink - Hmmmm! I don't know if I have a favorite. I do like sharing a glass of wine with my husband after the kids go to bed, sitting in our big chair with only the lights of the Christmas tree and Trans-siberian playing!

Dec 7- Favorite Christmas Movie - I would have to say Elf or The Polar Express.
Dec 8- Favorite Reindeer - I would have to say Prancer because I liked the movie Prancer. I'm a big fan of Sam Elliot (the father in the movie).
Dec 9- Favorite Christmas Candy - I guess right now it's the little M&M pretzel candies you make with the Hersey's Kisses. Bekah and I just made some the other night.
Dec 10- Favorite Christmas Quote or Saying - I guess the only one I can think of is "Everytime a bell rings, an angel get his wings" from it's a wonderful life.

Dec 11 - Favorite Christmas Ornament - The ornaments my kids have either made or purchased for me from Santa's shop at school!

Dec 12- Favorite Christmas Cookie - My mother's frosted sugar cookies. I could eat them til I bust. I'm to lazy to make them though because you have to roll them , then cut them out!
Dec 13- Favorite Christmas Decorating Style - I honestly don't think I have one. Simple and uncomplicated I guess. My poor children are not going to have great decorating memories!
Dec 14- Favorite Christmas animal/creature- The poor little donkey Mary road on!

Dec 15- Favorite Christmas store- I don't think I have one.

16- Favorite Christmas gift ever received- The gifts I get from my kids. I will treasure them always.

Dec 17- Favorite Christmas gift ever given-The little gifts I've made for people, like the Coasters, glass block wrapped present, and the birdhouses I gave to my Mom and Tena last year.

Dec 18- Favorite Christmas Activity - Probably getting our tree, and decorating it together. Steve and I started cutting down our own tree before we got married. We took the kids for several years where it seemed like they didn't like it. Now we are all excited about going, even the Great White Reindeer Champ!
Dec 19- Favorite person to buy gifts for - Besides my kids every year I make my mom a calendar of our year in pictures, mostly of the kids. I don't know if it's one of her favorites or not, but I love doing it.
Dec 20- Favorite way to wrap a present - My gifts don't look very pretty. This year I know I have some bows somewhere, but I can't find them in the mess which is our storage room, so the gifts look pretty plain. Bekah has helped me this year though, that's been fun!
Dec 21- Favorite time of Christmas - Christmas Eve after the kids are in bed, Steve and I get all their gifts out of hiding, put them under the tree, then turn the music on, sit in our big chair, and share a glass of wine together while listening to Tran-Siberian and Harry Connick Jr. (I always want him to dance with me to the song "What are you doing New Years Eve". Sometimes he humors me!
Dec 22- Favorite Part of Christmas Dinner - Well I have two things - #1 - just like the post below describes, Kam and I and our families have a Prime Rib dinner sometime before Christmas. It is soooooooooo gooooood, tender and yummy! On Christmas morning I always make a egg casserole for Steve and I, and get the kids cinnamon rolls.
Dec 23- Favorite Christmas Celebration (Big family, small family) - I love it when it's just the 4 (oops 5) of us. We usually get either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day just for ourselves and it's just a great relaxing time.
Dec 24- Favorite Christmas Place (in front of fire, tree, snowy window) - I've said it before, but sitting with my husband in our big chair with the only lights from the Christmas Tree and other decorations
Dec 25- Favorite Christmas Verse - Matthew 1:22-23 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us." (Isaiah 7:14)
Dec 26- Favorite Christmas Tradition - Getting our Christmas tree and decorating it. Giving the kids their new ornament for the year. They love getting all the past ones out and putting them in order from oldest to newest.
Dec 27- Favorite Christmas Lights - The lights on our tree. I love it when the lights of the house are turned off and their the only ones on. I also like seeing the tree when I am coming home, and I can see it through the window! It's warm and inviting.
Dec 28- Favorite Christmas Memory - My favorite Christmas memories really all started when I met and married Steve. Our 1st Christmas together we went out to California to visit Steve's brother Bern and his family. My favorite memories involve getting our Christmas Trees and all the traditions we have started as a family.
Dec 29- Favorite Christmas Leftovers - You mean there are some! Just kidding! I don't get it often, but I would have to say my sister Kam's cheese cake. It is delicious beyond words, and I'm not exaggerating!
Dec 30- Favorite Time to take down Decorations - Usually a few days after Christmas, but this year New Years Day! We didn't get our Christmas Eve picture of the family on Christmas Eve so we had to keep things up until we did! Mom is a bit obsessive about these things!
Dec 31- Nothing here except to say: HAPPY NEW YEAR, AND MAY YOU BE TRULY BLESSED THIS COMING YEAR!!!!!!!!!

"I AM" Bible Study Lesson 8 - Instruments of Wonder!

What a way to start out the new year, continuing my "I AM" Bible Study! I can't thank God enough for bringing me to Lisa at The Preachers Wife blog. Her Bible Study has enriched my time with God and I am truly grateful! Do you know what else?! In the lesson today she actually mentioned my favorite Preacher Man! You ladies that know me know I don't have to tell you who that! If you don't know, go to her blog for this lesson or comment and I'll tell ya, and no it isn't Alex Trebek!

1. Have you ever been in a situation where you had to 'go back' to a place of shame or ridicule? How did that make you feel? I haven't had alot of terribly awful experiences outside of the issues of school, and being ridiculed there. I do not have any desire to go to High School reunions because of that! I hated my school days and don't like to remember them.

2. Is there any circumstance in your life that still has you running for cover? Share if you feel comfortable. There is one I don't feel terribly comfortable mentioning, but just let me say, Satan tries to throw it back at me, and I have tell say "Satan, I am forgiven, and you no longer have power to use this issue in my life! I am covered in the Blood of Christ, Hallelujah!!!" For me it's the memory that can haunt sometimes. I wish that I could go back and not have done it. Do I know God can use it, yes. Do I wish it never happened? You bet!

3. When is the last time you felt like an over comer? Each day God shows me another truth!

4. If you have not yet taken the serpent by the tail, are you willing to stop running, take hold and trust God to transform it into a tool for wonders? Definately! I desire to be His willing instrument!

5. I would like for you to write down this statement based on 1 John 2:14 somewhere you will see it often this week: "I am strong, the Word of God abides in me, and I have overcome the evil one." Memorize it. Say it over and over until you believe it. Will you do this?? Most of the time, there are no right or wrong answers, but on this one, I'm expecting a 'yes'! YES!

A New Year, Another contest!

I love free stuff, and Sue over at Praise and Coffee is having a contest this year. You can sign up the first of each month, and the winner is announced on the 10th. Sounds like fun! I will wait in expectancy to see if I win! (have you had enough of those two words yet?!) See my sidebar for the button that links to the contest.

God Bless you this Year!