A Mother's Frustration!!!

On Sunday our son complains of a sore throat. Usually I think O.K. "well his pain tolerance isn't so high, so let's just see". So on Monday he still has a sore throat, so I keep him home from school knowing full well he would be calling me in about an 1 hour to come pick him up. I call the doctor and make an appointment for 11:15, which fits into my busy day quite nicely in between helping in Bekah's class and my lovely Mammogram at 1:00. In the past I have hesitated to take him to the doctor (because of aforementioned pain tolerance) and have regretted it because he ended up having strep (can you say bad mother). So off the the doctors we go, he seems to be fine, I wonder if this is a mistake, you know a waste of a co-pay (does any other mother ever think that). We get there he sees the wonderful doctor. They do a strep test. It comes back negative. We leave pay our $25, and go on with our week. So day (Friday), I get home from visiting my mother and there is a message from aforementioned doctor saying, you guess it "Jeremiah has strep throat"!!! He hasn't been complaining lately, I don't understand! They said, and have said before that 10% of the time the strep test in the office is wrong. This is the 2nd time this has happened to Jeremiah. So there you have it. I apologize for any children my child may have infected. It was totally unintentional and innocent on my part!

A Southern Woman at heart!

I really have nothing to post today, so I am going to try posting one of my favorite scenes from Steel Magnolias. I think I must be a closet southern woman because I absolutely love this movie, and when it was on I loved to watch Designing Women. Anyway I hope you enjoy this video, except for the one @&!*! No matter how many times I see this movie it still makes me cry!

Birdhouse

I have been wanting to make a birdhouse for awhile that I can put my wonderful U.P. stones on. Finally Sunday my wonderful husband and I went down stairs and built one. The next time you see this house it will have stones on it. I wanted to give them as Christmas gifts, but I'm not sure I can get them done in time. I think it turned out cute. This weekend if Steve and I get a date on Saturday we plan on shopping for more wood. Aren't our dates exciting!!!!! Well at least I may get alone with the guy for a nice dinner. We have a $50 gift card to Applebees which I earned with my Speedy points. There's another story there that I'll have to blog about sometime. I got rather convicted this morning at Bible study about a certain habit (addiction) I may have that God may be telling me has a hold on me. YIKES!!! Talk to you about that later! Here is my cute little house!

When Life doesn't work out like you planned - Part 2

This is the 4th lesson in the On-line bible study " I Am" so you don't have to be. I am throughly enjoying my time doing it. Today I also finished my 6th or 7th Beth Moore Bible Study "Jesus the One and Only". It was great finishing it right before Christmas! We ended at his glorious Ascension!!! Here are the discussion questions for the online study:

Discussion Questions:
1. I am going to present to you a little acrostic to begin our discussion today. What is your latest NLIP? (Not Like I Planned?) I guess the only thing I can think of right off the bat is raising my kids. The struggles that come that I think will never happen. We have struggled alot with our oldest and his impulse control. I'm glad for the lessons I've learned through these times though.

2. How did you react to your NLIP? Are you still upset about it? Happy about it? Baffled by it? Explain. I have reacted in may different ways through this time. Not all of them good. God has changed me through them. I'm no longer baffled I know he holds the future, no matter what it holds.

3. Have you ever attempted to step into an area of ministry and found your desire rejected? Did this cause you to question God and yourself? Perhaps distrust what you perceived to be your calling? There are times now I feel that. Then I have to put it in perspective and remember that I am not following man, but running hard after God. He is the only one that matters. If he is still calling me to this position then I need to ride out the rough times.

4. Do you harbor any bitterness towards any individual or situation which you believe waylaid your best laid plans?5. Have you had a life experience or trial that left you with a shaken faith because it ended in an NLIP? Please share if you feel free. Several years ago I had a real issue with someone. I gave it to God and now we are friends, not best friends, but I love this person as a sibling in Christ.

5. Based on Moses' response of faith to his own rejection, how will you re-evaluate your own experiences or look at future ones differently if a NLIP presents itself? Keeping my eyes on Christ as much as I can, and trusting Him to forgive me when I fail.

Another Great Giveaway!

I love these ladies that have little giveaway's on their blogs! It is alot of fun to enter, and to see if I win. The funnies thing though is reading other peoples comments and seeing where they are from. Check out this blog for information:

http://sharonsquietreflections.blogspot.com/2007/11/my-first-giveaway.html

Lesson 3 - 'When Life Doesn't Work Out Like You Planned' Part 1

Discussion Questions:
1. It was stated in the Lesson that God has made you "once, twice, three times a lady." Where are you in this progression? Obviously we have all been physically born, but are you 'twice a lady'? Have you been born again spiritually? This may be a private matter you'd like to discuss confidentially. If so, email me. If you have already received this gift, write a brief prayer of thanksgiving or testimony. Dear Heavenly Father, I am so unbelievably thankful for the gift of Life you have given me! Not only eternity, but the many blessings you show me each day, her on earth. With all it's sin and darkness, your Light shines through! Love, your daughter, Kim.
2. Are you three times a lady? Has God given you a stirring deep within your Spirit to be a 'deliverer'? Do you have a desire or are you already meeting a need in the life of the church, a particular ministry (such as jail ministry, food ministry, etc.) or perhaps individuals who share common issues? God has given me an overwhelming passion for our children. To raise up strong, passionate disciples of Christ from birth. I am currently the Director of Children's Ministries at our church. This job can be overwhelming at times, but God continues to show me I am right where he wants me (for now). I so desire to do His will, no matter what, and I love seeing His power in my weakness!
3. Do you ever get tired of waiting for that opportunity to do something
worthwhile for God? Do you ever feel God is using someone else instead of you?
I sometimes selfishly think he is using other's in a mighty way, or am I making an impact for Him. It all stems from my selfish pride. Oh how I long for the day that that sin is wiped from the face of the earth!!!!
4. What do you consider 'worthwhile ministry'? Are you like me and sometimes find yourself mistakenly thinking it has to be Big to be Important?
Yep, see #3.
5. Have you ever taken a spiritual gifts test? If yes, what are yours? If no, here's a good one from Ephesians 4 Ministry. Will you take it and come back with a response? Knowing some of you like I already do, I can almost pick out what your gift is before you say it. I can't wait to see if I'm right! I have before, but just took this one again. It surprised me, but doesn't surprise me, does that make sense. Her are my 2 biggest gifts God is using right now: Pastor/Shepherd and Showing Mercy. I loved how it explained the assessment and how it explained the gifts. It's worth taking.

Craft Fair 2007

Today was our 4th Annual Arts and Crafts fair at Lighthouse. We hold it to support the Women's Ministries at Lighthouse. For the past 3 years I have headed up the organization of it with the help of two wonderful people, Barb Boelens and Joanie Hodson. This year I have stepped back a step and allowed Joanie to take over my baby (you may not know how hard this is for me : - ) Each year it grows a little more. We have new crafters come, but we also have some old favorites that we have begun to build relationships with. Joanie and I got to church this morning at 6:00 am and left after 3:00 pm. It is a long, but fun day! I usually spend the rest of the evening sitting in my lazy boy with my feet up. This year I think was the best so far. We had a steady stream of people all day, only little lulls. Women's Ministries at Lighthouse are such a vital part of the ministry that it is always a pleasure to be a part of helping it. I know that I would not be where I am in my spiritual life, if not for the wonderful Bible studies that I have attended.

I also couldn't resist adding a picture of my little crafter. Every once in a while Bekah will knit hats. She is making them for babies at the Family Life Center here in town, and for the homeless. Hopefully this week her mother will get on the stick and take her down to Degage to give them some hats, and the $62.00 she has collected for them. She has a wonderful heart for people!

Have a wonderful evening! Enjoy the warmth of your home as it blows and snows outside! We have a wonderfully warm fire going right now, and our family is watching "Amazing Grace".