Today I continued to celebrate my friends 40th birthday. I say continued because we've been celebrating for a little over a week now. I don't care. I like celebrations...pretty much any chance I get to eat dessert and hang out with friends...I'm there. We went to the Blue Mesa (a first for me...but I will be going back...yummy!) I also met some other incredible women in her circle of friends. A photographer, a first time mom at 40, a woman who just found out her husband has cancer and a woman who, when questioned by her son why everyone looks different, replied "God is an artist". It was an amazing lunch and I felt lighter and encouraged after spending two hours over a leisure lunch with them.
I was also gifted with two days of babysitting this week by a sweet godly woman in our church. This comes at a much needed time and I am so glad I don't have to worry about them this week while I have to be away. God always provides for this little incidentals that I spend way too much time thinking about!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
The "New" Smell
Our church has recently moved into a "new to us" building. We have renovated the old elementary school in town and have gussied up the place. New paint, new wall decor, new carpet. It's got that new smell you find in new cars, on new babies, and that unfortunatly wears off way too soon. But we are enjoying it while it lasts. God is blessing us with individuals each week that need Jesus. Thankful and prayerfully we are sharing Jesus in an effective way, so they can know him as their forever friend.
School has started back and with that the adventure of keeping Tucker busy while I am trying to teach the 3 r's to Savannah. As long as Tucker is busy...everyone is happy. Savannah is doing good and Tucker is surviving. He's learning a few things along the way about atronauts, family and the alphabet!
Tucker has also proclaimed a few things lately. This morning the first thing he said to me when he woke up was "Mom, I eat my snot." Could I be any more proud!?!
School has started back and with that the adventure of keeping Tucker busy while I am trying to teach the 3 r's to Savannah. As long as Tucker is busy...everyone is happy. Savannah is doing good and Tucker is surviving. He's learning a few things along the way about atronauts, family and the alphabet!
Tucker has also proclaimed a few things lately. This morning the first thing he said to me when he woke up was "Mom, I eat my snot." Could I be any more proud!?!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Catching Up
It's been a while!
The summer got crazy...life got hectic...SAM Club wrapped up...SMAK is over...I had a birthday...Mom came into town and now I am making preparations for school to start back for Savannah!
All that to say...I LOVE the AUTUMN! When school starts back things just seem to fall into place around my house. Our schedules get a little more organized and everyone is in a routine. I like it. I even notice my kids like it. Bruce...not so much....he's a spontaneous...fly by the seat of his pants kind of guy. He balances me out. I remember before we had kids going to walmart at 12 or 1 am just to get groceries. I can't even think about doing that now!
Anyway...I'm back on the journaling wagon again if anyone cares...I'll be posting more later!
The summer got crazy...life got hectic...SAM Club wrapped up...SMAK is over...I had a birthday...Mom came into town and now I am making preparations for school to start back for Savannah!
All that to say...I LOVE the AUTUMN! When school starts back things just seem to fall into place around my house. Our schedules get a little more organized and everyone is in a routine. I like it. I even notice my kids like it. Bruce...not so much....he's a spontaneous...fly by the seat of his pants kind of guy. He balances me out. I remember before we had kids going to walmart at 12 or 1 am just to get groceries. I can't even think about doing that now!
Anyway...I'm back on the journaling wagon again if anyone cares...I'll be posting more later!
Friday, July 25, 2008
Random thoughts on God's Will
This study on Proverbs is really challenging me to seek God's will on many issues in my life right now. I also see and hear how it is challenging some of the ladies in the study to really take a deeper look into what they have always thought about knowing "God's Will". I love it. It is very rewarding to see people walk away with something they can use in their everyday life. Thank the Lord for Words that don't expire, or become irrelavant after being read once.
In our house God's Will is a big deal. We are constantly finding out how much we haven't figured out about parenting! We are asking God to show us how to raise these little people. Verses that never popped out to me now jump off the page. I've recently made a career change and that has again, been a test of following God or doing what I felt was the right thing to do. One thing I guess I discovered was that just because you "feel" like you are helping or doing the right thing that if you are seeking Him and He shows you otherwise...the best thing to do is listen to HIM! Bruce is looking into hiring a secretary...need God's will for that...The church is hiring a children's minister...need God's will for that. The church is growing...moving...good things...but so much wisdom is needed in order for us to stay centered in God's will. I love it that His Will comes from His heart and that when I am seeking His Will I am closer to His heart. He is awesome!
If you are struggling to understand, find or determine God's Will for your life, get in the Words of God (Bible) and listen as He whispers it to you! I look forward to hearinng about what He has to tell you!
In our house God's Will is a big deal. We are constantly finding out how much we haven't figured out about parenting! We are asking God to show us how to raise these little people. Verses that never popped out to me now jump off the page. I've recently made a career change and that has again, been a test of following God or doing what I felt was the right thing to do. One thing I guess I discovered was that just because you "feel" like you are helping or doing the right thing that if you are seeking Him and He shows you otherwise...the best thing to do is listen to HIM! Bruce is looking into hiring a secretary...need God's will for that...The church is hiring a children's minister...need God's will for that. The church is growing...moving...good things...but so much wisdom is needed in order for us to stay centered in God's will. I love it that His Will comes from His heart and that when I am seeking His Will I am closer to His heart. He is awesome!
If you are struggling to understand, find or determine God's Will for your life, get in the Words of God (Bible) and listen as He whispers it to you! I look forward to hearinng about what He has to tell you!
Monday, July 14, 2008
The Skunk Always Wins!
Saturday night at 11pm I let Annie, our dog, out to go to the bathroom. Things have never been the same. She routinely takes these midnight runs and I have never been sure just what she gallivants around the neighborhood doing. Now I have a much better idea!
About 15 minutes after Annie went outside, I heard a bit of a ruckus outside the back door. I turned on the lights for the backyard and noticed Annie in the yard, repeatedly wiping her paws over her eyes. I opened the door and immediately smelled the reason she was acting so frantically. She'd been skunked! Somewhere very close to home, a skunk had obviously gotten fed up with her, and sprayed their unforgivable smell all over our Wheaten Terrier.
At first this was a little comical. I went to the computer and "googled" "what to do when your dog gets sprayed by a skunk" and quickly realized this problem was going to be harder to solved than I first thought. I read several posts where dog owners shared their experiences, similar to my own, and noted the solution was tomato juice.
Being that small town living doesn't render itself to late night markets and grocery stores, I knew it would be Sunday before I could do anything about Annie. So, we put her kennel outside, and put her in it!
Sunday afternoon, I purchases 6 large bottles of tomato juice and washed Annie 3 times consecutively to take care of the problem. Hopeful, I let Annie air dry, I came in and took a shower and soaked in the hot tub and rejoiced that I had accomplished the daunting tasked of washing the skunked dog.
About an hour after washing, Annie was dry. I was still smelling a little skunky myself, from washing her, but decided it was time to see if the tomato juice had worked. Bruce had taken the kids to the store so I let Annie in the house and waited for them to arrive home and congratulate me for curing the dog of her horrific smell.
Bruce arrived home with the kids. Annie greeted them at the door. Bruce's first words...."That dog still reeks!" Needless to say, I guess because I had been around her for so long, I didn't smell her funk. Hmmmm.....
Isn't there some sort of Biblical application????
Do I even have to tell you that I have put the dog back outside? I'm getting the skunk-be-gone shampoo this afternoon and will attempt to de-skunk her again! Someone has suggested dipping her in febreeze...hmmm.....
I'll keep you posted!
About 15 minutes after Annie went outside, I heard a bit of a ruckus outside the back door. I turned on the lights for the backyard and noticed Annie in the yard, repeatedly wiping her paws over her eyes. I opened the door and immediately smelled the reason she was acting so frantically. She'd been skunked! Somewhere very close to home, a skunk had obviously gotten fed up with her, and sprayed their unforgivable smell all over our Wheaten Terrier.
At first this was a little comical. I went to the computer and "googled" "what to do when your dog gets sprayed by a skunk" and quickly realized this problem was going to be harder to solved than I first thought. I read several posts where dog owners shared their experiences, similar to my own, and noted the solution was tomato juice.
Being that small town living doesn't render itself to late night markets and grocery stores, I knew it would be Sunday before I could do anything about Annie. So, we put her kennel outside, and put her in it!
Sunday afternoon, I purchases 6 large bottles of tomato juice and washed Annie 3 times consecutively to take care of the problem. Hopeful, I let Annie air dry, I came in and took a shower and soaked in the hot tub and rejoiced that I had accomplished the daunting tasked of washing the skunked dog.
About an hour after washing, Annie was dry. I was still smelling a little skunky myself, from washing her, but decided it was time to see if the tomato juice had worked. Bruce had taken the kids to the store so I let Annie in the house and waited for them to arrive home and congratulate me for curing the dog of her horrific smell.
Bruce arrived home with the kids. Annie greeted them at the door. Bruce's first words...."That dog still reeks!" Needless to say, I guess because I had been around her for so long, I didn't smell her funk. Hmmmm.....
Isn't there some sort of Biblical application????
Do I even have to tell you that I have put the dog back outside? I'm getting the skunk-be-gone shampoo this afternoon and will attempt to de-skunk her again! Someone has suggested dipping her in febreeze...hmmm.....
I'll keep you posted!
Yep...we're talking about it!
Drunkenness, Illusions, Greed and Pride....the topics we will be tackling this week in our study of Proverbs. The Bible has tons to say about these issues that we still struggle with many years since Solomon wrote these words!
Most issues that we struggle with in the Christian life can be traced back to one of these four sins. Think about the issues you struggle with....can you think how one of these 4 sins has played a part in your struggle? I can!
This is going to be a great week! I hope you will make plans to be there!
Most issues that we struggle with in the Christian life can be traced back to one of these four sins. Think about the issues you struggle with....can you think how one of these 4 sins has played a part in your struggle? I can!
This is going to be a great week! I hope you will make plans to be there!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
The Real Relationship Expert
Oprah, Dr. Phil, Judge Judy....will the real relationship expert please stand. Yet no one really qualifies to stand. The world is offering us many tempting (and some not so) alternatives to getting the advice, counsel and wisdom we need in the relationships we are involved in. It doesn't matter how much good sense, training, natural smarts or good looks....nothing in the world compares to the relationship advice God provides in His Word. Proverbs in plum full of all the wisdom we could ever even begin practicing....but as daunting as it may be, our job is to dig deep and discover what it says about every area of our lives.
That being said (written) I don't want it to ever seem like I don't think God uses mankind to share wisdom with those of us who need help on a regular basis. I am thankful for the people who have spoken loudly into my life during times of confusion, questioning and searching. I feel very blessed to know many wise women who have taken the time to encourage me over the years. I remember one outstanding Sunday School teacher I had from the 4-6th grade. Her name was Nell Cook. She made an unbelievable imprint on my life. I remember vividly lessons on modesty and discretion. She was (is) a woman who took time to invest in an awkward....(very) young girl and helped to encourage me to walk and talk with God.
We have a responsibility to share what we know about God with others. BUT....our opinion should never speak louder than the guidance provided in God's Holy Word! Take time to identify someone who has spoken life into your life by offering wisdom from God and His Word. Maybe take time to write a note or send an email and let them know how thankful you are for what they have done.
That being said (written) I don't want it to ever seem like I don't think God uses mankind to share wisdom with those of us who need help on a regular basis. I am thankful for the people who have spoken loudly into my life during times of confusion, questioning and searching. I feel very blessed to know many wise women who have taken the time to encourage me over the years. I remember one outstanding Sunday School teacher I had from the 4-6th grade. Her name was Nell Cook. She made an unbelievable imprint on my life. I remember vividly lessons on modesty and discretion. She was (is) a woman who took time to invest in an awkward....(very) young girl and helped to encourage me to walk and talk with God.
We have a responsibility to share what we know about God with others. BUT....our opinion should never speak louder than the guidance provided in God's Holy Word! Take time to identify someone who has spoken life into your life by offering wisdom from God and His Word. Maybe take time to write a note or send an email and let them know how thankful you are for what they have done.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)