Our Boy Scout!

Tonight our son Jeremiah crossed over from a Cub Scout to a Boy Scout at the annual Blue and Gold ceremony! Who knew that 5 years ago when he became a Tiger Cub that we would be here! There have been many struggles along the way, times when we wondered whether he would stick with it, but he did awesome! Jeremiah is growing so much! Steve will continue to help out. This has been a great Father/Son thing for them to do together! Here are a few pictures from years gone by, and tonight! For those who have been faithfully praying for Jeremiah, I so love you! God is growing all of us!!

Tiger Cub - very 1st Genius Project! (Above)

Wolf

Made a bird feeder

The boys made tool boxes and Mr. Landis burned their names and Bear on them.

Here is Jeremiah and a few of his den buddies at a Pack meeting. There are 6 boys crossing over!

On a recent camping trip!

All the boys saying the Boy Scout Oath! We're very proud of all of them!Jeremiah and his Arrow of Light! It is just beautiful! A wonderful Keepsake!The proud parents and their proud boy!

At the end of a Thankful Thursday!

I just got done putting my son to bed. As I was doing it I was thinking of how much I enjoy putting my kids to bed! Having those quiet moments where we can talk about our day, and pray one last time together! I hope neither of them ever grow out of that! I am thankful for the two children the Lord has given me and Steve to raise! There was a time in my life where I wondered if I would ever have kids and if I would be a good mom! I have to admit sometimes I still wonder about the good mom thing, but God has taught me so much through my children. I will forever be grateful for his teaching me how to mother in a godly way!

I am thankful for the end of this day, and looking forward to the weekend. This week has been hard. There has been a spiritual battle going on in me this week! Satan has tried and sometimes succeeded in robbing me of my joy! God has shown me in so many ways that I have the power to over come! I spoke out against it, and Jesus has delivered the victory!!!!!

I'm thankful for Christian friends that encourage and admonish me. That give me hugs, and support, and give me scripture to claim! So many of you in blogdom have strengthened my walk with your words of hope and encouragement!

God bless you all tonight!

Set the World on Fire!!

I've heard this song many times, but just this Saturday it got into my soul! This has become my prayer to God! I so want to be used by him! Let's all tell him "Use ME!"

Are we of more noble character?

I am currently doing a study of the box of Acts. Chapter 17 is by far my favorite chapter so far! The verse I have always loved and been challenged by is Acts 17:11 - Now the Bereans were of more noble character then the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. That my friends is how we should be! Listen to awesome Ministers! We have some at our church, and my personal favorite Alistair Begg on the radio! But do not just accept what is taught from the pulpit! We should know the Word ourselves! We need to know it for several reasons, one being that in the end times some will come that will have a semblance to truth, but will be wolves in sheep's clothing! If we do not know the Word, we could be fooled by them! (2 Peter 2:1-3). I don't know about you, but I want to be of more noble character! I want to know the Word, and the God who it tells of! I want my children to know this too! We cannot sit back any more and be complacent in our bible study! We must be committed, passionate followers of Christ!

Oh it gets me excited!!!!

Another thing I love about the 17th chapter is the fact that twice it mentions the "Prominent Women", verse 4 or Prominent Greek Women", verse 12. So many in society would and have said that God and the church tries to keep women down! I don't know about you, but throughout the Bible I see God holding women in high regard! In chapter 16 we are introduced to Lydia , a dealer in purple cloth. This statement "dealer in purple cloth" signifies that she was probably wealthy. She was a disciple of Jesus! Others that come to mind in the Bible are Deborah, Esther, Jekobed(?sp), Abigail, Ruth, Noami, Mary, and so many others! Society would like us to think that God is not fair, and that women are thought less in His eyes, but he gives us proof after proof that He loves us, and desires to use us for His kingdom! This doesn't mean there is not a proper order of things, because we know that God is a God of order, he says that in the 14th chapter of 1 Corinthians, verse 33 "For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace". That order is: Christ is the head of the husband and the husband the head of the wife, and God is the head of Christ 2 Corinthians 11:3. Proper order, the way things should be; not subjection (to bring under control or dominion, or to cause or force to undergo or endure (something unpleasant, inconvenient, or trying)), but freedom with proper boundaries (the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action).

I don't know about you, but that encourages me!

Have an awesome night, and get diggin'

Me, Myself and I Meme

I've been tagged by CherDecor to do this meme! I haven't been blogging that long but let me see what I can find!


Here's the rules:Go back through your archives and post the links to your five favorite blog posts that you’ve written.But there is a catch:

Link 1 must be about Family

Link 2 must be about Friends and Family

Link 3 must be about Yourself

Link 4 must be about something you Love.

Link 5 can be anything you Choose (thought this was good since I'm posting it on Sunday)


Post your five links and then tag five other people. At least TWO of the people you tag must be newer acquaintances so that you get to know each other better.

I've seen this Meme around before and I don't know who's done it or not. I would love to get to know you guys better too, so if you've done this meme tell me in your comments so I can go take a looksy!
Have an Awesome Sunday!

Super Word Saturday

Well it's that time again! The kids have picked their new words, so the challenge begins:



Bekah's Word: Respondent: one who responds: as a: one who maintains a thesis in reply b (1): one who answers in various legal proceedings (as in equity cases) (2): the prevailing party in the lower court

Sentence: When my mom calls, I am a respondent.

My Verse: Psalms 102:17 He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea.


Jeremiah's Word: Nightie (I don't know how he gets these interesting words): a nightgown for a woman or child

Sentence: That child wears a nightie.

My Verse: Psalms 42:8 By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.

Have an awesome Saturday! Enjoy your family, and be in the WORD!

God Stop Friday!

Where to begin! I usually want to participate in these God Stops, but never put to words how God has moved in my week! Well today he moved in two big ways! One GREAT, the other not so great for my sister, but for me it seems to be working out well! Isn't that kind of her! You'll understand in a minute!

So God Stop #1 - Some of you know that I have been wanting to go to Precept upon Precept bible training, which is taking place down in Elkhart Indiana on April 11th & 12th. I have been wanting to go, but not sure that it is God's desire for me to go! I have been praying that he would give me a clear sign. Well today I called to ask a couple of questions about which one they felt I should go to, to eventually be able to lead bible studies. In talking with this pastor I mentioned that I was the Director of Children's Ministries at our church. We had a wonderful discussion about children and God's plans for them. So anyway he says "since your on staff, I think the conference is FREE. Let me check and I'll call you back". Well do you know how excited I was?! Huh do ya??!!!! So I run to Rose our Secretary and say pray that this is God's sign to me! I was all giddy! The gentlemen calls me back and says yes it is indeed FREE for full time staff. I wanted to withhold info, but know that wouldn't be Christlike so I said, well I'm only part time do you know about that. He said no, but gave me a number to call. I was still very excited, but went off to meet my sister so we could go to our mothers today. (We will briefly leave this good news for the not so good, good news!)

Kam was not having the best of mornings. Her sweet little puddin "Buddy" went to the vet this morning and preceded to have the @#*& scared out of him, literally in her lap! Yeah that's not cool! So I meet her at her house. She gets him all cleaned up, in his cage and off we go, or so we thought. As she is backing out of her driveway she wasn't really paying that close of attention and backed into my van! Well she has a 2006 Grand Caravan and I have a 1999 Grand Caravan. She was quite upset (Understandable), I on the other had was quite calm. I figure what is another dent in my van. We have one from a lovely light post in York, ME, and the back end has some scratches that ever got taken care of from when my car and other vehicle decided to kiss in a parking lot. So forget my mothers, off to the local dent and fix shop. There Kam is talking to her Insurance company and asking me alot of questions about my van. Strange, but Okay. She proceeds to tell me that my van will be fix for free, and we get a rental car when it's being worked on. I said "Hey O.K., wouldn't it be great if you dented the door panel where the Maine dent is, then we could finally have that fix! Guess what, she dented my drivers door, nice sister isn't she!!!!

So now I just have to tell Steve! Kam says I should tell him "Hey, hon I figured out how to get the dent fix". Ya know start out with a positive!

So back to Precepts! When I got home from all of the above, which included Chinese lunch, I called Chattanooga, TN to see if I would be going for FREE. After being put on hold for awhile, the lady came back on and said YES! So guess who got her clear sign from her FATHER, and is going to Elkhart, IN on April 12th! ME!!!!! Praise God! I know he has his hand in this and that I am meant to do this. I am so excited!!!!

Have a great rest of the day today! It's been an amazing one here!!!!!

Thankful Thursday!!!

Whoosh!!! Dishes are done, clothes folded, Boxtop, Campbells and Spartan Labels cut and counted (for school), Kids are in bed, and I will soon be heading there myself! First though I must get to my Thankful Thursday post!

Even though I haven't been able to sit down to blog all day, I have been thinking about Prayer, since that is what Iris was thankful for on her blog! My prayer life continues to be something I struggle with, because I still assume there is a special method for which I should approach the throne of God, and I fall far short! But this post is about being thankful, and I am!

1. I so thank God for his availability to me anytime, anywhere. He just wants me, and to communicate with me.
2. I am thankful he doesn't see me the way I sometimes see myself! He sees me perfect through His son! I don't need to be someone I am not!
3. After having another friend lose a young husband, I am so thankful for mine! So often we take for granted that they will always be there with us, but none of us knows what tomorrow holds! Go give yours a big kiss right now and tell him how thankful you are for him!
4. I am thankful that tomorrow is Friday, and that this week will be behind us! It has been so busy, and snowy!!!
5. I am thankful for the safety of my family this week on the roads, and for the warm house that we have.
6. I am thankful my husband still has his job. There has been so much upheaval lately at his work, nothing is secure!
7. I am thankful that I just hit spellcheck thinking it still wouldn't be working and it WORKS NOW!!! Now there should be no more spelling errors right?!
8. I am thankful for all the encouraging women out there in blogdom! I love being part of this community and getting to know you all!

I'm tired now, yes I know it's only 9:33, but hey what can I say, I'm old. BTW I should post tomorrow about the latest in my doctor saga. Has anyone ever been put on 3 cholesterol medicines? Like I said another post!

Have a great night, and Happy Thankful Thursday!!!

Oops almost forgot! Go check out all the other thankful ladies at Sting My Heart !

The ABC's of Salvation!

Found this on Chrysalis' Blog. I just had to share it! Today I was alittle discouraged for alot of different reasons! #1 being I don't feel like I am making the difference I would like to make for God's Kingdom in the role I play at church. Don't get me wrong I am not asking for affirmation, I just wish I could articulate my passion better to the leadership to help them see the importance of parents steping up and being the spiritual trainers of their children. Check out her blog for more info!

Running with arms flailing and screaming!

Can you picture me doing that through my house! Stop for a moment and picture it! Did you get a good laugh?!!! Good, that makes my day! O.K. the reason for this mad rant!!! SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED AGAIN TODAY!!!!! Someone help me! At first is was great! A couple of snow days a year are wonderful times of cozy bonding between mothers and their chicks! Not so much any more!!!! Have you been counting?! Not only that, but we've coming off of a "Mid-winter break"! Did they really need that break? I highly doubt it! My kids are well "breaked"! It is I who need a break!!!! Now my kids would be perfectly happy to sit in front of a square box all day! Not so much me, for them! My father used to call it a "boobtube"! He was so wise! Do you want to know what my plans were? To go to a local mall, and spend the gift card that has been burning a hole in my purse since I received it! I am going to miss all the great clearence sales!!!! AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!
O.K. I feel better now! Thanks for allowing me this rant! Please do not let the picture in your mind effect how you view me on a normal day!
On a good note, I know that the snow replenishes the earth, and for that I am truly thankful! Maybe my Lake Superior lake levels will go up now!
Have a great day, and may God bless you REAL good!

Sad news!

Last night when we got home from church there was a message waiting for me from a woman that I have known throught Curves, bible study, life. She told me that the former owner of Curves in Allendale, husband had died on Saturday of a heart attack. I am not a good friend of Lori's, but I so enjoyed getting to know her and her wonderful mother Sharon. Her husband Duane was 46 years old! I have to admit it hit me so hard. After the loss we at Lighthouse experienced last May, it just hit me that another young father is gone! I had just seen Lori on Tuesday at the Orthodontist. Life was normal, we laughed and talked about what was going on with each of us, now her life is completely changed forever!
The reason for this post is to ask for prayer for them! She has two sons, one has graduated High School the other is a sophmore. They also have his niece living with them, she is 17. I will be going to the funeral home tomorrow night. I ask for prayer that I will be able to minister to the family. I do not believe that they know the Lord. I have had several conversations with Lori, and at times she is just a little antagonistic to things of God. She has had some bad experiences in the church she used to go to (they were part of the Catholic church, and the abuses there totally left her and Duane, not wanting to go there anymore). Her nephew is the one that hit the youth pastors wife near Burnips, and they have seen alot of anger from the family, who are Christians, and with the closing of Curves here in town, alot of women were very angry and did not act in a Christlike manner towards her. We have always had a good relationship, I actually worked there for a while a few years ago. Please pray that the Lord will give me comforting words, and that somehow I can bring peace to the situation, and that I can be a Christlike representative to them. Lori's mother grew up going to church. Her family actually went to our church many many years ago. She also hasn't gone to church for years.
Please just pray!!

Thanks,

God is so good!

Today we all went skating at Rosa Park Circle in downtown G.R. Now I haven't been on skates since Steve and I dated, and before that I was a little girl on the farm. Bekah was very excited about going, and Jeremiah said O.K. Now anyone that knows our family and some of the stuggles we have gone through with our eldest in the way of perfectionism and impulse control may understand when I say I was a little nervous! In the past we would try to have a fun family time and it would end up being very stressful because Jeremiah could not master it right out of the shoot, and become angry and then Steve and I would be all stressed. This usually leaving Bekah losing out on any kind of fun! Now please I hope no one thinks I'm cutting down my boy, I sure am not! We've learned alot of lessons about God's grace through the years!
Anyway it started out really not looking to good for him or for me. I felt like I was never going to find my skating legs. Well I have to tell you, that boy kept at it, he smiled more then he frowned! When we thought about leaving instead of putting money in the meter, he said he didn't want to go yet, he was just getting the hang of it! He never gave up! We were more then proud, we were praising God, and having a great family time! It was such a blessing from God!
And I found my skating legs too!

Super Word Saturday!

Many years ago when I was single and worked at an Insurance Company in Grand Rapids, I became an Eliza Doolittle of sorts to a guy that worked there. This guys was one of the Mensa types! Very intelligent, almost to intelligent to be useful, if you know what I mean! Anyway we were having a conversation once, I can't remember what about exactly, but he told me I was catholic. I said P, I am not catholic, and he said no you don't understand catholic means "universal". Oh, well I learned something new. So from that point on for quite awhile he would put 2 words on my desk each morning for me to look up the definitions on, and that is how I became his Eliza!
That being said as background. The other day I used the word Plethora, and I thought I wonder if my kids would like to do something similar to what I did. So I asked them, "what would you say if once a week (not every day as my task master did) I had each of you flip open the dictionary, close your eyes and point to a word, and we will put that on mom's blog. They both loved the idea. Here are the rules:

1. Each one needs to flip open the dictionary, close eyes, and point at a word.
2. We write down the definition
3. They try use it in a sentence
4. Mom trys finding a verse in the bible that will go with it.

Here are our words of the week:

Bekah: Levorotary - turning toward the left or counterclockwise

Her sentence: I went levorotary in a game.

My verse: Ezekial 18: 30 Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.

Jeremiah: Snapper - one that snaps: as a: something (as a remark) that gives new orientation to a situation or utterance

His sentence: Champ is a snapper. (He was being silly, but it works with the 1st part of the definition)

My verse: Ezekial 18:31 Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? (That may be a stretch, but hey they were right next to each other too!)

Well we hope you enjoyed Super Word Saturday! If anything it should help you when you play scrabble!!

Kim, Jeremiah & Bekah

Thankful Thursday - LOVE!

Today is Valentines Day and Thankful Thursday so today is about LOVE!

1. I am so thankful for my Father in Heaven who has given me all that I need! I'm thankful for the hard times where I grow closer to Him because I see my need, and I'm thankful for the times of plenty, where he showers blessings, even though undeserved! I'm thankful that He desires to bless us, and to show us His great love!
2. I am so very thankful for the husband that He provided for me! Steve is everything I need in my help mate! He loves and supports me, encourages me and pushes me to action when I need it! He is an awesome friend, my very best, and an awesome father! He is a hard worker, and I am amazed at his brilliant mind! He can figure things out and make them work that just amaze me!
3. I am thankful for God's Word that has so much to say and to show us about who God is! Just this week I was reading in Acts 14, and the following verses just popped out at me: 16In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." Even though God may let us go our own way, he does not desert us! He still is showing us love and mercy through the rain, crops, food, and best of all fills our hearts with Joy! Just like the verse says: Duet 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." and Duet 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. GOD'S WORD IS ALIVE AND ACTIVE!!!
4. Go out and make the most of your day! Go see what other people are thankful for at
5. Sting My Heart

Wordless Wednesday!

A Plethora of Awards!

Both Melissa and Jennifer were given some great awards, and they past them on to all the blogs they read! I have the awesome privilege of being one of them! Melissa is a wonderful example of a Christian young woman and Jennifer is a wonderful mother, who has it together more times then she doesn't! Thanks for considering me worthy of these awards!

Rock the Crib Award!

I would like to pass this one along to: Deedra at Nspired by Faith because she will soon be rocking the crib for real!

Spreader of the Love Award!

This award I am giving to Denise at Shorty Bears Place because she is always so encouraging in her comments to others and to me. She spreads God's love everywhere!

Lovable Blog Award!

The Lovable Blog award goes to Connie at Little Red Hearts from God . She is always showing her heart for God in each post! Also she is so tender in talking about her loving daddy!

Pay it forward Blessing blog! This award I would like to give to Elisa at Extravagent Grace for the way she is building up and encouraging young women today!

I have so enjoyed getting to know these women and all you others through Blogging! Thanks for being used by God to be a blessing to me and so many others!

Random Acts of Kindness

Mari over at My Little Corner made me aware that this is Random Acts of Kindness Week. This is what she said on her blog.

Did you know that this week is Random Acts of Kindness Week? I'm thinking this would be a good time to challenge you all. I would love it if you would think of some kind thing to do for someone this week. It can be big or small, you can do it for someone you know or a stranger. Just keep your eyes open for ways you can help someone this week.

Check out her blog for more info, and the Mr. Linky button.

Well today I performed one act of kindness. We have a single gentlemen that lives kitty corner across the street. My husband and I were just talking about him the other day that we never do anything special for him. So today when I was out snowblowing, I decided to snowblow his driveway as well.

I'm continuing to keep my eyes open for the other opportunities out there. They are there we just need to "Have eyes to see". I'll keep you posted!

Of Broccoli Soup

So your probably thinking this post is going to have a great broccoli soup recipe in it right?! No not quite. I got a great Broccoli Soup recipe from Cheri awhile back that I made again tonight. The hubby and I were loving it! My terribly picky children were not!!! Now I have a confession to make (you can save the hollerin until after). I have not done the best job at forcing my children to eat what I make. Honestly I hate the fight. Call me to old of a mother, call me weak, call me a glutton for punishment, you'd probably be right on all accounts! So anyway I make the their wonderful Mac & Cheese, but tell them they get none until they have tried my soup! After alot of complaints, gulps and assundried faces. They both try it and promptly spit it back in their bowls! Of course their Dad made them continue to eat it even though they spit in it. WHAT HAVE I CREATED?!!!!! How do I stop the insanity!!! Do I just not make anything else and in my son's word "So you would be O.K. with us starving then?" Which I promptly said yes to.

UUGGGHHH!!! There are days! It could be that we've been cooped up together to long! No I've just created monsters and now I have to deal with it! O.K. feel free to let me have it in the comments! Or take pity on me and give me some good Titus 2 advice!

A little lesson from Daniel!

Since we had the whole day yesterday to veg around the house, due to the fact that all services at our church were cancelled, my kids had an opportunity to catch up on their Inductive Bible Studies. Jeremiah was working on the book of Daniel and was talking to me about how Nebuchadnezzer was pretty full of himself and had a hot temper! So this started a discussion on good ole "Neb" (as I will call him from now on). I told him that soon he will be learning how Neb was taken down quite a few pegs! We then read the 4th chapter of Daniel together so he could see what Neb thought of himself and how God shows Neb who is really in control. You have to read this chapter, if not the whole book of Daniel, it is fabulous! Neb is telling the story in his own words. He's writing to all the people, about the "miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me."
I'll let you read the chapter for yourself, but the short version is: Neb has a dream, Daniel interrupts the dream, Neb does repent, the dream comes true; Neb realizes who's boss, and who is God, and gives him the praise he is due. Here are the verses that just jumped out at me:
28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 he said, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?"
31 The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven, "This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. 32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes."
God gave Neb a whole year to repent before his judgement fell! It reminds me of his patience with us.
2 Peter 3:9 says "9The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
and
Romans 9:22-24
What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? 23What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory— 24even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?
and
Romans 2:4
4Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?

Daniel 4:34 says: "At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
verse 37 says "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

This just blessed my heart yesterday, and I just wanted to share it with you! Desire to be in His word today! Read it and see the richness of his message to us! There is so much to learn from in His word, there is no end to the lessons, messages, and hope that is found there!

Dig in and be Blessed!

Recap of White (Week)!

So as I write this new post, guess what, it's snowing and blowing outside! The poor Michigan meterologists they have not chance of really being that accurate! We knew we were going to get something, but nothing like is currently happening out my windows! We are snug as bugs though! Thank you God for a warm house, and please be with those who do not have this, and need shelter, may they find a warm place to spend the day!

I thought I would recap our very interesting week!

Jeremiah made it to school 1 day this week! Out 3 days for illness, 1 day for snow! Bekah was out 2 days, 1 for illness, 1 for snow! Mom came down with malady in Thursday, and just got off her sick bed last night!

Bekah started Piano lessons on Thursday! Here is our little concert pianist after one lesson, can you believe it!

Also here is a picture of #1 son who made the Principals list!

Lastly my husband took the only non-sick children to Rosa Park Circle to skate yesterday, at the recommendation of Jennifer . They both had a ball, and Bekah did really well for her first time! Here is a video of that!

P.S. Hey Jennifer, my husband had to pay the same parking bill you guys did! Isn't that a coinkodink!

My 8 in 2008 Check up!

Well here it is February 8th! Where did the time go?! Oh I know, I've spent most of that time enjoying Snow Day's here in Michigan! Well let's see how well I have done so far!

To learn to wait on God!

God has been showing me many things in this area this past month. I have had situations where prayers were not answered as quickly as I would hope, but God showed me reasons why, while I waited. I have also become so much more aware of the topic of waiting.

To practice better hospitality!

O.K. here I've had lots of good thoughts, and ideas, but haven't put them to practice yet! The one thing I have done is, at church being more intentional about meeting new people!

To speak truth in love and to stop gossip before it begins!

I haven't had alot of need to do this this month! I think I've done O.K.

To pray for others more. To pray for the savation of my family (extended)

I have done a better job at this. Not to where I want to be yet, but being more intentional towards prayer.

To take better care of God's temple!

As I chew on my Milk Duds I would say I'm not doing to well here! I am coming to realize that part of me does not want to give up those things I like or love for that matter! I also have felt defeat (which I've talked to my DH about), I lose weight only to gain it back. I feel defeated, and that's hard to get up from.

To Study 8 books of the bible!

I am currently studying the book of Acts, with a little Esther thrown in. Next I want to study the books of Nehemiah and Timothy 1 & 2.

To Memorize 8 Verses!

Here are the verses so far God has given me to memorize! I started the month great, and have lost steam, but there is always hope!

Isaiah 26:3; Romans 12:13; Ps 5:3; Ps 27:14; Ps 40:1; Isaiah 30:18

To organize all the closets, bookshelves and storage areas in my house!

Here I have had some success: See below the 3 areas I have tackles and won! You would not believe the stuff that came out of that game closet!

Thankful Thursday!

Today's theme is joy!
It made me think of the verse:

James 1: 2-3
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Looking back over this past week the things I am thankful for are:

1. Seeing my daughters attitude even when she is suffering. She is such a trooper and I thank God for her! She is a ray of sunshine and a Joy to her mother!

2. My son made the Principals List! He was so proud! He didn't think he would get it, because of some struggles he had. He came home with it in his coat because, he said "He couldn't stop looking at it!"

3. I'm thankful for again another snow day! Three weeks in a row the kids have had 4 days of school! Not much to complain about huh!!!

4. I'm thankful for the lessons God continues to teach me about answers to prayer, and how waiting for answers allows us to see others in a different more compassionate way!

5. I'm thankful for the opportunity I had to hear Kay Arthur speak at a conference this weekend, and how it doubled my devotion to just being in the Word of God!

6. I'm thankful for my husband, who is so supportive and encouraging! I am still amazed at how God brought us together, and I am so thankful He did!

7. Even though it's cold outside, I'm thankful for the "Blanket of White" that reminds me of how God sees me in Christ!

8. I'm thankful that my children are so excited about the new bible studies I brought home for them from the Conference! They are Inductive Bible Studies for kids. Bekah got one on Jonah and Jeremiah got one on Daniel! It has been a great time of sitting down and studying together!

I hope you all have a very "Thankful Thursday" too! See the other's who are Thankful at:

Sting My Heart.

Are you weary, like me!

This morning I was feeling a little down because of a health issue with Bekah! As I began to study Acts, the Lord brought Matthew 11:28 to mind "Are you weary and heavy laden?" Well that was me, so I went to my King James to find where the verse was (I couldn't remember it was Matthew). After I found it, I read it in the amplified Bible, I love how it put it there:

Matthew 11: 28-30

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]
Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.
For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good--not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.

So if you are weary today, dragged down by the weights of your responsibilities, worries, life, remember this passage and find rest in Him!
This morning already he has blessed me abundantly!
Oh yeah, while as I searching I found this little poem that I thought may encourage you as a Mother:

In the Bible Mother Read

There's a book I've always treasured

That I'll keep where're I'm led;

It has brought me joy unmeasured,

It's the bible Mother read.

All the pages are so fingered,

Many verses underlined;

Places worn where Mother lingered,

Where she left a tear behind.

Yes, this precious book I'll cherish,

I will read it ev'ry day,

for it's truth will never perish

though the world should pass away.

God bless you today MOM's!!!

More 100 things!

So this is the last of the (interesting) things about my life! I hope they have brought you insight into who I am, or how I got to be how I am! Thanks for coming by!
My life begins anew!
58. In March of 1994 I told God that if I’m single for the rest of my life or single until I’m 50 he’s picking the next one!
59. I met Steve in April of 1994.
60. An old friend called me after her divorce (this happened often, friends calling after divorces) and asked if I wanted to do dinner.
61. Then she invited me to her singles group at her church.
62 She pointed out Steve and said she’d like to set me up with him. I politely declined.
63 Another time we went out with the group M was late so I sat by Steve and his friend M.
64 After the movie we all went out to eat. I sat next to Steve and M sat next to M.
65 Steve and I started dating in June.
66 I knew when I loved him and one reason why is: are you ready? He loved his dog and his family!
67 We went to California in December to see Steve’s brother & his family.
68 We talked about merging our stuff, but not marriage. (Not that we were moving intogether, no, no, no! Just we didn’t talk about it. I was in no hurry! Can you believe it!
69 He proposed on March 4th, 1995 on his living room couch.
70 We went to Cygnus, (a fancy restaurant the next night).
71 We were married on July 22, 1995.
72 Steve got a kidney stone on our wedding night and we ended up at the hospital.
73 Our honeymoon was supposed to be to the Smokey’s.
74 We went north instead to Mackinaw City.
75 We went on a cruise 6 months later.
76 I was pregnant for Jeremiah at the time!
77 We were living in Wyoming, MI
78 Jeremiah was born September 30, 1996
79 I quit working after Jeremiah was born.
80 Our family took a trip to Washington State to visit Steve’s brother H and his family (Beautiful State)
81 We miscarried a baby in early 1998.
82 We moved to Atown, MI in June 1998.
83 I got pregnant for Bekah in July of 1998.
84 We started attending 1st Reformed of Allendale in August 1998.
85 My faith has grown in leaps and bounds since then.
86 Bekah was born April 13th 1999.
87 My sister Darlene died of Lupus October 19, 2002

Finally:
88 I am a perfectionist, which makes parenting a God thing always!
89 One of my key sayings is “I am being a willow, not an Oak! Can you tell I have issue there too!
90 I think I’m a little OCD
91 I have issues with food and weight. I love food, and weight seems to find me!
92 I tend to be very hard on myself and hard on others!
93 I am the Director of Children’s Ministries at our church. This is very much out of my comfort zone, and God has me here for a purpose.
94 I love the Lord more and more each day!
95 I want to know His word and be able to speak it boldly for His kingdom!
96 God has blessed me with a wonderful Husband and Kids.
97 We love to camp!
98 I love the U.P.
99 I love stones from the shores of Lake Superior!
100 I am becoming addicted to blogging!

My 100th Post!

I have seen others do 100 things about me for their 100th post, so that is what I am going to do! I hope it doesn't bore you to much!!! Anyway instead of posting all 100 on the 1st post, I'm kind of doing 1/2 and 1/2. This has been so much fun getting to know you all, and getting some things off my chest! Thanks for listening!

100 things about me:
The early years:
1. I was born in 1964
2. I am 9th of 10 children
3. I have 1 brother and 8 sisters
4. I was brought up in a Christian home, how be it not perfect!
5. I have a niece that is 3 months younger then me
6. I grew up on a farm near Lowell, MI. A beautiful place of rolling hills and great smells!
7. When I was around 5 I was hit in the head with a hay bale! My sister forgot to yell watch out below! (yes that explains a lot doesn’t it ladies) Also got stitches on my forehead.
8. Also when I was younger I was rolling on a Milk can (ya know like a log) and I fell of and got stitches on my chin
9. When I was walking down our hill from the bus stop I was almost hit by a car that was out of control. It rolled and landed in our front yard!
10. We did not have a TV in our house until I was 9 then it was just a 13”, black and white model
11. We never had a Christmas Tree growing up. Dad didn’t like the commercialization of Christmas.
12. I was once told by a boy I had a crush on that he would never marry a women with false teeth. This was just as I was spitting a tooth into the sink in 2nd grade. Dodged that bullet!!!
13. My little sister Kam has been taller then me since she was 3.
14. I never went “Trick or Treating” when I was younger. Never felt I missed anything either.

The inbetween years
15. I was asked by my sister’s mother-in-law if I bleached my hair when I was in the 6th grade. Yeah my good Baptist parents would allow that! Right!!!
16. I once wore my bib overalls backwards like Buck Owens for picture day at school!
17. In the 6th and 8th grades I went to Arizona for a month with my parents and sister!
18. On a trip around Lake Superior I feel in head first in Thunder Bay! Another reason for the way I am!
19. My brother use to pay me a quarter to blow dry his hair for dates!
20. Driving my dad’s John Deere tractor I almost knock a buggy down that was on a special stand. Never told my dad how that board got move!

The teen years (these are not pretty)
21. My curfew was 10:00 for the longest time (they used to sing, “every party has a pooper that’s why we brought Kim) Oh yeah my self esteem was great!
22. I would not want my kids in a Youth group like I was in (nuf said)
23. Once my friend and I snuck down the fire escape and skipped church at night!
24. I once had the nick name of “Moe” to my girlfriends “Joe”
25. We once imbedded her Camero engine deep in snow in a cemetery!
26. The only rock album I ever had was Billy Squier. Otherwise I was country when country wasn’t cool.
27. I started dating ED my senior year of High School!
28. That lasted 4 years, and ended very badly! Praise God he had better plans!
29. I was an average student in High School
30. I was a wall flower, follower, YUCK! Glad God changed that!
31. I graduated in 1982! (25, almost 26 years ago!!!)
32. My first job out of school was a prep cook at Wolfgangs’s Just Breakfast in Eastown.
33. My 2nd job was at Hudson’s
34. My 3rd job was at Baker Book House Publishing Division

The Single Years!
35. From there I started my illustrious career in Insurance.
36. I’ve had to many jobs to mention them all.
37. I have worked on the Company and Agency side of Insurance.
38. In 1986 my sister Kam and I moved in together (not the best idea)
39. I started working at Foremost Insurance in 1985.
40. Kam and I met our friend Jamie that year.
41. She is now like family.
42. I moved out on my own in 1987 and lived that way until I married Steve.
43. I didn’t do much when I was single, all my friends were married.
44. I did go on one Cruise with my friend Suzanne! That was Awesome!
45. I started dating T during this period. Not a serious relationship, but one that increased my faith…. You see
46. He was an agnostic!! (let me say here, not the recommended way to grow your faith!)
47. He challenged me in the faith department, and I then began to realized what and in Whom I believed.
48. We broke up in 1989, but still continued to see each other occasionally
49. Finally one night I told him God will not bless me with my future husband if I do not let go of him, so that was it. That was in May 1993 I think.
50. My dad died June 2, 1990
51. I moved out to Lowell to be near my Mom.
52. I loved my apartment in Lowell, we still drive by it and reminisce (Steve and I)
53. I lived there for 3 years from 1992 til 1995
54. I started working at Lake States Insurance Company.
55. I went on several blind dates! I don’t recommend them but for some people they work.
56. I started hanging out with the singles from Alto Baptist Church
57. I began to have a social life, thanks mostly to my friend B.

More tomorrow! I'm sure your just sitting on the edge of your seat!

Women's Leadership Conference!

Well I'm back from the conference! What a time I had! I just wish that someone else could've gone with me so I could share it with someone! Anyway if you've never heard Kay Arthur speak or done one of her studies I so recommend her. Last night she spoke for almost 2 hours! If it weren't for the fact it was after my bedtime I would have wanted her to go on and on! She asked us "What do we want our Legacy to be?" She used examples of Joshua being Moses Legacy; David being Samuels Legacy; Solomon Davids, etc.... Who are we influencing and for what? It is of the utmost importants that we teach THE WORD OF GOD; THE WORD OF TRUTH; THE PRECIOUS TREASURE WHICH IS SCRIPTURE!!! She spoke of the biblical illitericy in American churches today! Isn't that sad! How many of us who grew up in the church know scripture, and how many of us want to?!!! This has so lite another fire under me to not only study the scriptures for myself, but to make sure that our children know it!

Today we did a quick inductive study of 1 Timothy. Boy is that book rich!
The breakout sessions I went to were awesome too! I have learned much, and am so excited to put it into practice! In one we study the leadership qualities of Nehemiah! Now I can't wait to get into that book too!

It was a great 1 1/4 days! I am so glad I went! I want to know: WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR LEGACY TO BE?

The next time I post it will be my 100th post, can you believe it? I can't! I have a list of 100 things about me to post, I just don't know whether I will do it in 1 or 2 post. I seem to get wordy!

In need of Titus 2 advice!

Oh this morning did not go well!!! Pick any of the following reasons:

1. I had cramps!
2. I was fasting because I needed my blood drawn!
3. I did not start out my day with God and His Word!
4. I was tired!
5. No COFFEE!

So my son who lately has been coming upstairs all dressed did the same today. Now I have looked at him before and decided to keep my mouth shut even though the pants were to his ankles and the shirts were either short sleeved (we live in Michigan), they seemed to small or not a thing matched. But today I pick to tell him 5 minutes before we had to leave (I had to bet the elderly to be first in line to get my blood drawn and get the kids to school and make a 9:00 meeting), that I wanted him to change his clothes because his pants were to short! They had a hole in the knee! and his shirt was too Small! A small world war occured! He said I could disown him! He cried, I spouted! No body was having fun!

Feeling like a loser, bad mom today! We made up before we left the driveway, BUT!

Can you say "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING"! So mothers of sons who don't care what they look like, what would you have done?

HELP!

Some Old Pictures

Cheri over at Just Another Day In Paradise has been showing some of her old pictures lately. She wanted to see some of ours so..... even though we haven't had our digital camera to long I found some old CD's that we have so here are a few of my kiddos! My sweeties are now 11 and 9!Jeremiah looking longingly at the thing he would come to love more then anything!First day of Preschool for J! The picture below he just took his thumb out of his mouth. Little did we know the wonderful ordeal schooling would become!Here's our little Bekah Wekah! This is right after Dawn give her, her first hair cut!This is her 2nd birthday! She is usually very easy going, but for some reason that day she wasn't too happy with things not going as she saw fit. This picture was just before she blew!
I think this was just before she got her first hair cut!

I thought Dawn would like this picture! See how little our kids were!Have a great Friday! Tonight and tomorrow I get to go to a Women's Leadership Conference at a local College. I am very excited because one of my favorite Bible teachers will be there. No not Alister!!! Kay Arthur!!!!! I so enjoy that woman!

May God Bless you REAL Good!