Coffee with Lynn

Pursuing Peace/ Part 1

2012-01-10T19:47:00.004-06:00

As mentioned previously, in The Plan, one of the things that I am working towards this year in our home is finding ways that we can have a more peaceful environment. Because one of the Fruits of the Spirit is peace, when our home is filled with people who are indwelt by the Spirit of God, peace ought to be a natural byproduct in our home. One would think that would be the case, but I ought to be honest with you here and tell you that, unfortunately, too many times I find myself not walking in the Spirit but rather walking in the works of the flesh. Galatians 5 would teach us that the flesh wars against the Spirit and they are contrary to one another, so that when I am in the flesh, I am not doing the things that I want to be doing. Things come out of me that I recognize as works of the flesh that I hate, such as outbursts of wrath, jealousies, contentions, etc... They are so ugly and NOT what God wants from me, and certainly not promoting peace in my home!

"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit" Gal. 5:25

I know the answer - it's so obvious! But yet, when I fail so miserably, how am I to be training my little ones to walk in the Spirit? I am so thankful that the Lord loves my children more than my husband and I could even begin to, and that He is doing a work in their lives that goes far beyond me! By God's grace, we pray that the Lord would allow our children to see us changed more for His glory, and that they will go so much farther than we will go!

Romans 8:6 says that, "to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." (as opposed to setting the mind on carnal things) So, my first step in trying to create a more peaceful environment in our home is to find things to help my family (myself included) set their minds on the Spirit. I am thinking of specifically targeting 2 of the senses here - hearing and sight! I am completely just beginning this journey, and am wide open to suggestions that you may have for me to help in these areas (like I have said before, I'm not exactly a creative person, but I like to take your good ideas and run with them =0] ).

Hearing -
"You shall teach them diligently to your children, and you shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise up." Deuteronomy 6:7 / Be conscious to constantly be talking about the Lord - His commandments, His mercies, His love and care - seek to see His hand in everything and every day life

Keeping music in the home that will lift our hearts to worship

Consistent reading aloud of the Word of God

Sight -
Scripture verses around the home

Visual reminders of God's goodness in our lives

More on The Plan!

2012-01-08T14:52:00.004-06:00

Part of having a peaceful home includes me being more organized. Those of you who know me well, know for a fact that organization is not one of my strong suits. Actually, I rarely wear it as a suit at all!!! I grew up in a home with a lot of clutter. (see my sister's post on this topic) Neither the family I grew up in, nor my family now, has a single person in it with any organizational skills - AT ALL! Sometimes, I wish the Lord would have given me just one more child... one with a passionate longing to organize my home!

I like to think of myself as a Recovering Clutter Addict! And really, I have come a long way over the years. Especially since my college days, when each of us had our own room, yet I bunked in with a friend and left all my junk in the other room. I did clean it in time for inspections, but I think that was only twice a semester... I have spent time pairing down on my own personal items, but it doesn't help that I currently have 3 sizes of clothes in my closet (I don't want to have to shop and spend money if I lose or gain weight)...my husband owns at least a thousand books... and the kids both are sentimental and want to hold on to EVERYTHING!

The whole idea of organizing is so painful to me... enough that I want to just ignore it and go have a bowl of ice cream (ok, just being honest here). But, I am purposefully doing this in a low pressure way... SMALL steps at a time. Some of my friends would laugh, because they would have it all done in one weekend, but I'm pretty sure I need to take baby steps here. But you know, I have found that even in doing something like organizing my silverware drawer (which was desperate, by the way) I am encouraged by it and am eager to press on!

So, here's the beginning... In the past I have used a system for house cleaning and daily routines by Motivated Moms. I highly recommend it for those wanting get started with something. Her prices are amazing (it was $8 a year), and she incorporates spring cleaning and other maintenance items throughout the year in easily doable chunks.

She even has you clipping your children's nails every Wednesday. One of the reasons I am changing it up a bit is that when we are on the road a lot, I just need something that gets the main things done, and I'll tackle the other things at another time.

So, this year I saw a post over at A Holy Experience, and I have printed off her chart, but then made my own standard form for each day of the week, writing in the main chores I plan to accomplish on each particular day that works for me with our schedules.
Now all I have to do is photocopy each week and fill in the day's activities. I particularly love her space for the Memory Verse I am working on (a great reminder) and A Doxology for the day (looking forward to actively seeking things each day to praise the Lord for.)

Already this weekend, I had to cross a bunch of things off Friday's list that didn't get done, and transfer them to Saturday. I still have one outstanding item, and I may or may not get to it tonight. We'll see! I'm ok with that though. There was a time when I would get so stressed out by seeing the things on my list that weren't finished, and I realized that I was becoming a slave to a list and I was getting frustrated by it, which in turn leads to a less-than-peaceful home! Completely the opposite of what the goal is! So now, I commit my day to the Lord at the beginning, and I know that He will give me the ability, strength, resources and time to accomplish what He wants me to, and the rest, well, I'll just have to trust Him with those things!

Trust in the LORD, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.

Psalm 37:3-5

When Women Pray...

2012-01-07T15:53:00.003-06:00

Today we had a baby shower for an amazing young couple whom we all love so much! This couple has been investing in our own kids at our local church for a couple of years, and so it is such a blessing for us to be part of their experience as they welcome a precious baby girl into their home!

One of the habits that we have is that we spend time praying for the mom, dad, baby, etc... It is so sweet to hear the different ladies' thoughts as they intercede for the family. I particularly love taking note of the unique ways in which the Lord leads the thoughts and burdens of each lady. What a beautiful thing when we share our heart with the Lord and each other in such a way!

So, on the way home, I was sharing this thought with my daughter. I was telling her that I was so proud of our young ladies and how mature and thoughtful their prayers were. She was expressing to me in return how it is hard, because she doesn't know how to say exactly what she is thinking, and she feels like she stumbles around and doesn't do a good job. She never expected that I would tell her that I completely understand and that I struggle with the same thing! As a matter of fact, I have heard so many people say the same thing. So, I shared with her for awhile about how the Lord just loves to hear us express our thoughts to Him; about scriptures that would tell us that the Lord doesn't care about fancy, perfectly put-together prayers; and then about some practical things that you learn about praying out loud... specifically, she said that she know that she says, um, too much, but doesn't like it. I was telling her about 'filler' words, and how, eventually, you just learn to pause while you are thinking.

She looked at me in disbelief, and said, "Really! That is what they are doing when they pause? I just thought they were all crying!"

LOL - I am still cracking up. Because, yeah, that's what happens when women pray!

A Plan

2012-01-05T13:33:00.002-06:00

Yesterday was our planning meeting for the semester. Scott and I sat over our lunch (Tuptim Thai) and talked about things we wanted to work on in our little family. It has been on my heart lately to consider the gravity of the task given to me in mothering my children. It is a tremendous blessing to be able to train these ones in a godly manner, yet an overwhelming responsibility at times, especially those in which I feel that I am falling far too short of the goal! I already feel like the time I have is slipping away... it is just over 4 years until my oldest graduates high school. 4 years is going to fly by! I want to make the most of the opportunity the Lord has granted me in this amazing boy's life! And his sister is only 2 years behind that...

I've read in books before that the majority of the training you do in a child's life happens in the first 6 years. While I do see that the things we instilled in them during those early years have shaped them in many ways, there seems to me to be tremendous opportunities of a different nature now. In many ways we were training their behavior in those beginning stages of parenthood... now I feel like we are teaching them how to think through situations, make personal decisions of deeper significance; and wow, it is challenging! Parenting is a whole new ballgame now! (And here I will hold back all of my clever baseball analogies that are running through my mind.)

So, we sat and we talked over our crab fried rice and money bags (yum!). We discussed what we want to be teaching our children from scripture these next few months. In case you are curious, we are going to be studying from Christ Loved the Church in the coming weeks. We are also going to continue to help them through their talk thru the Bible they are working on in Sunday School, and our reading schedule for the morning. We also wouldn't dream of leaving behind our time in One Day at a Time, since it has been a family favorite, and such a challenge!

I asked Scott what he would like to me work on specifically in the areas of 'loving my husband, loving my children, and keeping my home'. I couldn't believe it when he wasn't sure what to say about loving my husband. Trust me, when you ask your husband, "What is one thing you want me to work on to make you feel more loved as a husband," and he's not sure... that feels great. For sure there were times when there were obvious things I needed to work on. Of course, after discussion, we came up with tangible things for me to work on, but I feel like I've gotten somewhere at least in these last 15 years! Specifically, one things that is so important to Scott is that there is peace in the home... I am glad that for the most part that he feels like our home is peaceful, we are just going to continue to work on keeping it that way!

Loving the children - I am going to work on closer supervision with our one child who is getting a bit sloppy with schoolwork. Working on doing chores without complaints and consistency in keeping up with the basics. I immediately came home and put a simple system in place that helps me not have to remind them of things each day, which in itself makes for more peace and less frustration!

Keeping the home - I am working specifically on healthier meal planning and organization. I am really excited about the new format I am using this year to try and help keep me on track. This is so important with the busy lifestyle I lead. There are times I fall behind, but a good plan helps me not feel overwhelmed and gets me back on track in no time!

I have so many thoughts I would like to share. (I'm not sure you want to hear them all, but I have found that writing things down can be therapeutic for me.) I am going to try to be better about blogging some of these things, and hoping that, in itself, will help me with these goals. So, you can look for my ideas coming up... on peace, and how I plan to work on keeping a peaceful feeling in my home; on organization, and how I plan to keep up with the daily grind, as well as try and weed out some of the 'extras' in our home; and I'm hoping as well to share some of the projects I'll be working on to get to 'a place for everything, and everything in it's place.'

I hope that you enjoy taking this journey with me!

And...since I'm a creature of habit

2012-01-03T21:47:00.001-06:00

As usual, here is my New Year's prayer! It never gets old!

May the mind of Christ my Savior, live in me from day to day
by His love and power controlling all I do and say.

May the Word of God dwell richly in my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph only through His power.

May the peace of God my Father rule my life in everything,
that I may be calm to comfort the sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me as the waters fill the sea,
Him exalting, self abasing, this is victory.

May I run the race before me strong and brave to face the foe,
looking only unto Jesus as I onward go.

May His beauty rest upon me as I seek the lost to win,
and may they forget the channel, seeing only Him.

With Sincerest Apologies...

2012-01-03T21:22:00.002-06:00

I am in the midst of changing my background and layout (in case you hadn't noticed). I am really quite bummed about it, because I really don't like change that much. I'm not the kind of person who gets the itch to change around my furniture, shop for new things, reorganize, etc... No, I find what I like and I keep it.

But today, we were in Best Buy to get some vacuum cleaner bags. It seems like a weird place to go for that, but it's where I bought my vacuum years ago, and I have always gone back there for bags. But they have so many cool things in there, that we just had to peek around a bit, and play around a bit. Inevitably, we ended up in the Apple section (because we're some of those Mac lovers), and Scott decided to pull up the blog on their big screen computer. And oh, my goodness, were we in for a shock! My cute little blog background that I have used for so long looks a bit different on a large screen! I've never seen it on a bigger monitor, nor had I even considered that it would appear any differently! Let's just say that my cute little legs with knee-hi socks were a bit scandalous in the thigh-hi picture.

So, if you have a large screen and have viewed my blog before, I am SO sorry. Hopefully the fact that nobody ever mentioned it means that you all have small screens as well. =0] Oh well, you live and you learn. I think this new background is looking fairly safe.

Meet the Family...

2011-12-15T14:07:00.003-06:00

This is my older sister's blog, where today she gave a bit of info. on our family. Things someone might need to know before they marry her daughter someday. Thought some of my readers might like to get a glimpse into the craziness that is the Auld girls!

http://momto5.com/2011/12/things-to-know/

Ready for the Festivities!

2011-12-08T16:24:00.007-06:00

There's something about getting our trees and lights up that just put us in the mood for the holidays! We went to get our tree this year, and we actually all liked the same one - this is our favorite tree ever! It's branches are so wispy and pretty, and I particularly like the fact that they are not sturdy enough to hold tons of ornaments... in other words, I got to decorate it without all our mass of random and sometimes gaudy ornaments! smile.

And this one is our fake skinny tree for the other window
We wanted a Charlie Brown tree that would not intrude into the sitting area!
(and I like to have trees in both windows to see from the outside!)

My boys were so sweet and put the lights up for me!
We were smarter this year and did not wait for the first snowstorm to go out and decorate!

This is a close-up of our pretty branches!

I do love the holiday season! It is such a fun time of year... not only with Christmas and New Year's, but we also have 7 family birthdays this month! The past couple of weeks I have been enjoying listening to Pandora and for the first time getting a good mix of music, as opposed to being limited to the few Christmas albums I actually own, like in the past. Here's my very favorite Christmas Hymn!

A weekend of baby sweetness!

2011-11-28T20:32:00.008-06:00

Scott with Andi Rose!

Rebekah with Wyatt Stephen

Rebekah and Andi

sweet Jayla Rae

...and big brother Ezra!

A Thousand Thanksgivings!

2011-11-26T21:43:00.003-06:00

Thou Life of my life, blessed Jesus,
Thou death of the death that was mine,
For me was Thy cross and Thine anguish,
Thy love and Thy sorrow divine;
Thou suffered the cross and the torment,
That I might forever go free -
;A thousand, a thousand thanksgivings,
I bring, blessed Saviour to Thee

For me Thou hast borne the reproaches,
The mockery, hate and disdain;
The blows and the spittings of sinners,
The scourging, the shame and the pain;
To save me from bondage and judgment,
Thou gladly has suffered for me -
A thousand, a thousand thanksgivings,
I bring, blessed Saviour to Thee

O Lord, from my heart I do thank Thee,
For all Thou hast borne in my room,
Thine agony, dying, unsolaced,
Alone in the darkness of doom,
That I, in the glory of heaven,
Forever and ever might be -
A thousand, a thousand thanksgivings,
I bring, blessed Saviour, to Thee!

To debate or not to debate...

2011-10-23T14:55:00.002-05:00

When the kids were little we found ourselves saying often, "This is not open for debate. You need to learn to submit to our authority and obey with a glad heart. There are appropriate times for discussion about how you may want to do things, but this is not one of them," etc., and so on and so forth. I am guessing that every family has their own little sayings like these.

But there comes a time when you have to let your kids grow up a bit, do their own problem solving, learn by their failures (and see that the way you used to MAKE them do things really was the smart way!). And there has to come a time when they feel like they can converse back and forth with you and express their opinions about things without getting into trouble if they see things differently. Sometimes we can take those things as a personal attack, but it may not necessarily be the case.

I find this so important, probably because growing up, I never felt like my opinion was valuable. (I'm sure this was my own fault). But it's so hard to figure out as a parent how and when to allow the 'healthy debate.'. You know the old saying,"Give an inch and they'll want a mile?" Eventually, they'll get all the miles they want, but in the meantime, it takes all kind of wisdom and patience to know when to give the inches.

Well, there's always one child that this is harder with than another. One child who has such a hard time not saying everything they feel and biting that little tongue and obeying without discussing the details. One child who just has to have his/her say without feeling like they are going to die. But even with the child this is not naturally true of, as soon as they hit the teen years, there's some magic little switch that turns on, and all of a sudden, every little opinion is suddenly stated as fact, and they have become experts on every subject. If you have children, you know exactly what I mean!

So, it completely cracked me up today when my child said this to me... "Mom, I am SO excited about Model UN! I hear we get to debate,
and I love to debate at school! You know why? I'm really good at stating my opinions!".

Yes dear, I know this is true!

Embracing the Cross

2011-07-08T19:44:00.002-05:00

"You need to learn to separate yourself from unnecessary and restless thoughts which grow out of self-love. When your own thoughts are set aside you will be completely in the middle of the straight and narrow path. You will experience the freedom and peace that is meant for you as a child of God.

I try to follow the same advice that I give others. I know that I must seek peace in the same way. Often, when you suffer, it is the life of your self-nature that causes you pain. When you are dead you do not suffer. If you were completely dead to your old nature you would no longer feel many of the pains that now bother you.

Endure the aches and pains of your body with patience. Do the same thing with your spiritual afflictions (that is, trouble sent to you that you cannot control). Do not add to the cross in your life be becoming so busy that you have no time to sit quietly before God. Do not resist what God brings into your life. Be willing to suffer if that is what is needed. Overactivity and stubbornness will only increase your anguish.

God prepares a cross for you that you must embrace without thoughts of self-preservation. The cross is painful. Accept the cross and you will find peace even in the middle of turmoil. Let me warn you that if you push the cross away, your circumstances will become twice as hard to bear. In the long run, the pain of resisting the crossis harder to live with than the cross itself.

See God's hand in the circumstances of your life. Do you want to experience true happiness? Submit yourself peacefully and simply to the will of God, and bear your sufferings without struggle. Nothing so shortens and soothes your pain as the spirit of non-resistance to your Lord.

As wonderful as this sounds, it still may not stop you from bargaining with God. The hardest thing about suffering is not knowing how great it will be or how long it will last. You will be tempted to want to impose some limits to your suffering. No doubt you will want to control the intensity of your pain.

Do you see the stubborn and hidden hold you have over your life? This control makes the cross necessary in the first place. Do not reject the full work that the power of the cross could accomplish in you. Unfortunately, you will be forced to go over the same ground again and again. Worse yet, you will suffer much, but your suffering will be for no purpose.

May the Lord deliver you from falling into an inner state in which the cross is not at work in you! God loves a cheerful giver. (II Corinthians 9:7) Imagine how much He must love those who abandon themselves to His will cheerfully and completely - even if it results in their crucifixion!'

excerpt from The Seeking Heart, Fenelon

Adventures of a Little White Hat!

2011-06-13T19:02:00.007-05:00

If you know my Rebekah, you know her little white hat. She has worn it for a long time! Well, recently she lost the beloved little white hat, and so I started looking at all the pictures I had of her in it over the last little while. The first picture I found of her in it is over 18 months ago. But that's when I got my computer, so there may be earlier ones somewhere else!

Well, today, I found the hat! She is at camp and doesn't know - she will be ecstatic!!! I am going to mail it to her tomorrow - I so wish I could be there to see her face - she may even cry =0]

This hat has seriously been all over - take a quick journey with me!

in the new house

at the park

in Branson

at brother's 12th birthday

on a date with momma

snuggling a puppy

stripping wallpaper

with a new father's day shirt

on a carousel ride

testing how a Harley feels

plane ride to New Orleans

sailing Lake Ponchatrain

with Louisiana friends

meeting Oscar
(he makes sweet jewelry and the stars all buy from him)
R is wearing her Oscar earrings here

posing with a street performer

singing in a nursing home

with sweet friends at a conference

taking a hopper plane to the Bahamas

snuggling another sweet pup

wearing momma's sunglasses

relaxing in Indiana

staying warm in Iowa

stocking up at the library

another road trip

yummy cupcakes

serving a Valentine's breakfast

swinging at the park

enjoying dippin dots

at a Newsboys concert

climbing a tree

enjoying the beautiful tulips

Wow! How fun was that? And can you see how much she has grown?

Posing for all those pictures wore us out =0]

A quick thought on purity...

2011-06-03T09:51:00.005-05:00

I was recently giving a seminar where we were looking at the difference between/similarities in, being holy and being blameless. I was struck by the thought that in our christian culture we can be so determined to talk about purity and stand for it, but it seems like we have allowed ourselves to become more and more stained by the world.

Have you ever heard a brother/sister say, "Well, I'm ok with this or that because it doesn't affect me." What they mean is they can take something in (by watching) because it will not cause them to fall in moral purity. However, the scripture is just as much against being stained by the world - blameless!

Here's Strong's concordance on Holiness: (emphasis mine)
It's fundamental idea is separation, consecration, devotion to the service of Deity, sharing in God's purity and abstaining from earth's defilement.

Wow - sharing in God's purity!

We are not supposed to be determining what holiness for ourselves will look like - we are supposed to be discerning what He says holiness is, and adopting His standards for our own.

This little creature below is a compelling example!

The Ermine
(Our Daily Bread, April 21, 1997)

In the forests of Northern Europe and Asia lives a little animal called the Ermine, known for his snow-white fur in winter. He instinctively protects his white coat against anything that would soil it.

Fur hunters take advantage of this unusual trait of the ermine. They don't set a snare to catch him, but instead they find his home, which is usually a cleft in a rock or a hollow in an old tree. They smear the entrance and interior with grime. Then the hunters set their dogs looks to find and chase the ermine. The frightened animal flees toward home but doesn't enter because of the filth. Rather than soil his white coat, he is trapped by the dogs and captured while preserving his purity. For the ermine, purity is more precious than life. - HGB

Wouldn't it be a beautiful thing if all God's people were to value sharing in His purity to such an extent that they would say, ' it is more precious than life.'

Then we would instinctively keep ourselves from anything that would cause blemish or spot as well!

Chickpea Madness...

2011-05-18T21:13:00.004-05:00

Have you ever been crazy busy?

Needing to get things done in and hurry

so you can move on to the next thing

and hopefully,

just hopefully,

make it down that to-do list for the day?

Recently I was having one of those days. It's been so busy lately, and I feel like I'm always running at full speed. One of my dear friends tells me every single time she sees me, "You look so tired." Usually, I say, "Oh, it's just because I don't have any make-up on." Except I was always wearing make-up. It wasn't helping!

Well, this particular day, I had no time to spare.... or so I thought....

but the Lord has His own ways of slowing me down sometimes =0]

His method this time?

I bet you can't guess!

It was Taco Soup!

I had decided I needed to throw something quick and easy together for dinner. I also didn't want to add a trip to the grocery store to my list. So, I went for an old standby. Taco Soup with whatever can be found in the cupboards... this time being a can of kidney beans, a can of great northern beans, and a can of chickpeas.

Chickpeas is one of those things I bought a few cans of once upon a time because I thought I'd be all 'Martha Stewart -y' and make some homemade hummus. But I never got around to it. Actually forgot I had those cans that came with us when we moved 2 years ago.

As I dumped that can of chickpeas upside down (in the hurry that I was) I pounded the bottom of the can to get the last out, and I saw the expiry date. 2/2009
Oh dear.
I don't really know what the effect on your body of eating horribly old chickpeas is.
I tasted one and it was not good.
But then again, I've never eaten a chickpea straight from a can.
So I bent over and smelled it.
Yuck.
But then again, I've never smelled chickpeas in a can!
Hmmm...
Well, better safe than sorry!

Oh, but wouldn't it have been SO much easier if I had found chickpeas and kidney beans and pinto beans? But alas, I had chickpeas and Northern beans! A sea of white! (yes, I had already stirred them in)

So the Lord gave me a nice 20 minutes in the kitchen just sitting there laughing at myself picking out chickpeas from the crockpot!

I got behind on my list, but I had fun.

He knew I needed that forced time to slow down and contemplate on the tediousness of picking chickpeas out of a sea of great northern beans.

And I thought of how grateful I am that the Lord takes the time to keep working on me...

I'm pretty sure I make that job tedious sometimes!

He's still workin' on me,
To make me what I ought to be.
It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars,
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars.
How loving and patient He must be!
He's still workin' on Me!

My Go-To Breakfast Casserole

2011-05-09T11:00:00.002-05:00

This casserole was originally called Christmas Morning Casserole, I think because it is so easy for Christmas morning! You mix everything together the night before, leave it in the refrigerator, and then pop it in the oven before you hit the shower. It is yummy and easy!

At our Ladies conference this weekend, we talked about hospitality. One of the things the speaker, Nancy, talked about is having some g0-to recipes... I have some of these that I try to keep the ingredients for on hand. It can be very helpful. It was ironic that one of my go-to recipes that I had made for this weekend, I had shared here, and now Nancy uses it as one of her go-to recipes! Well, I am glad that she loved it, because she ate it again here! LOL

This was a busy weekend, so I also made this go-to breakfast casserole! Nancy's husband, Craig, loved it! So Nancy, this is for you... although if we share all of our go-to recipes with one another, I suppose we may be eating the same things everywhere we go!!!

My Go-To Breakfast Casserole!

9 eggs (slightly beaten)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 t. dry mustart
1 T. parsley flakes
1 T. dried onion flakes
1 t. oregano
1 lb. browned italian sausage
1 cup biscuit mix
2 cups milk

Mix all ingredients and pour in a 9x13 pan. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Cook in the morning, uncovered, 350* for 1 hour

I like to serve this with fresh fruit!

Need Bloggy Help

2011-04-19T07:14:00.002-05:00

Lately, blogger has not been working well. I've been trying to post for 2 weeks and I can't get my photos up. I have noticed several other sites being used. Does anyone have any advice? I don't want to lose everything though - does any site transfer all your old feed???

Let's give a warm welcome...

2011-04-18T20:22:00.002-05:00

Hop on over to

www.momto5.com

and welcome my sister to the bloggy world.

I guarantee she will give you better reading than I!

2011-03-29T15:50:00.006-05:00

S - sleeping in
P - piles of books
R - running at the park
I - Ice cream
N - new clothes for summer
G - girl time

B - Billy Vanilly's
R - riding motorcycles
E - eating sushi with friends
A - a dollar movie
K - kid's cook breakfast

2011-03-24T16:49:00.003-05:00

What better way to start Spring Break than with a trip to the library?

Another Fabulous Soup for a Cold and Rainy Day!

2011-03-08T10:57:00.002-06:00

It is cold and gloomy out today, and it's a busy day! This afternoon I'll be baking brownies for Danny's Bible study, delivering them to the school, getting Rebekah from drama club then a make-up piano lesson, grabbing a quick bite to eat and then off to Kid's Club! And, somewhere in there, Scott gets home from his weekend trip to Scottlea Youth Conference!

So, into the crock pot goes one of our family favorites that we can all grab when we have a chance! This recipe is one that I got from a magazine (about healthy food while breastfeeding) when Danny was a baby. We loved it then, and we still love it now! It's pure, simple goodness!!!

Chicken and Salsa Soup

1# cooked and cut chicken
4 c. water
4 c. chicken broth
3-4 t. chili powder
3 c. corn (can or frozen)
2 c. salsa

Throw it in the crockpot! When I serve it, I like to top with crushed tortilla chips and cheese!

2011-03-04T12:01:00.002-06:00

There are times as a parent when I don't have a clue how to respond to a situation that arises with one of my children. It can become taxing, frustrating, mentally exhausting. And of course, it is cold out, raining and hailing, and I'm thinking that there could be a remedy on my couch in front of Netflix along with one of those brownies in the freezer. Yes, that is the way that is tempting to respond on days like this, and although those brownies are really calling my name saying, 'just ignore the situation for awhile, eat and chill out, and deal with it later,' the truth is, that I know the temptation is not from the Lord. Somewhere in my mind I realize that there is another voice saying, 'Come unto Me all ye that are burdened and heavy laden, and I will give you rest for your souls.' So, instead, I choose to pray, to seek the Lord's guidance and help, and there I know that I will find comfort, answers and real refreshment!

I have been enjoying studying prayer with some of my friends lately. I was impressed this last week by the fact that there are several thing that God gives us when we pray:

The Holy Spirit: In Luke 11 when Jesus is teaching His disciples about prayer, He doesn't promise any certain answer, but He promises the Holy Spirit, our comforter and helper. Oswald Chambers said, "The meaning of prayer is that we get a hold of God, not the answer." As a parent who doesn't know the answers, I can commit my requests to Him, the giver of all good gifts, who gives perfectly - and He gives me comfort and guidance through the Holy Spirit! I can seek His mind and cling to Him and find His grace this is abundant!

Peace: In Philippians 4:6,7 we know we are to 'be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication' let our requests be made know to God. When we do this, committing our desires, our shortcomings, our requests to Him, we are given God's peace! A peace that surpasses our understanding! So we don't have to grab for the brownies and the movies and whatever gives us momentary satisfaction or distraction, but we get something that is not only sufficient for our needs, but far better! The peace of our heavenly Father that protects our hearts!

Strength: When Jesus was praying on the Mount of Olives and He asks the Father, "If You are willing, remove this cup from Me." We know that the Father still had in His plan that His Son would go to the cross. And that the Son only wanted to do His Father's will. He was not delivered from what was to come, but an angel from heaven came and strengthened Him for the task ahead. As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, I know that His grace is sufficient for me, and that my strength is made perfect in my weakness! Because He will give me His strength!

Whom have I in heaven but You?
And I have no delight or desire on earth beside You.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the rock
and firm strength of my heart,
and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:25,26

Another Amazing Crock Pot Soup/ Ham and Wild Rice

2011-03-02T11:36:00.002-06:00

2 cups diced cooked ham (I use turkey ham)
3/4 c. uncooked wild rice
1 med. onion, chopped
1 bag (1 lb.) frozen, mixed veggies, thawed
1 can (14 oz.) chicken broth
1 can reduced sodium cream of celery soup
1/4 t. pepper
3 c. water
1/2 c. half & half

1) Mix all ingredients except half&half in the crock pot
2) Cover and cook on low heat 8 or 9 hrs.
3) Stir in half&half, increase heat to high and cook 15 min.

Delighting in God!

2011-02-25T15:49:00.004-06:00

If you were to have googled 'delight' on Feb. 23, 2011

you would have seen these things...

Halle Berry: Sheer Delight at Annual Costume Designer's Guild

Tonight's Delight is Chicken and Bacon Sarne'

Delight.com best-selling gifts

Define Delight at Dictionary.com

psalm 37.4
Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart

Charles Spurgeon said, " Men who delight in God desire or ask for nothing but what will please God; hence it is safe to give them carte blanche."

a blank check....

from God

when you are praying, what are you filling in the blank with

is it in accordance with His will?

IT CAN'T BE UNLESS YOU ARE DELIGHTING IN HIM!!!

Halle Berry: Sheer Delight at Annual Costume Designer's Guild
there was delight in what was seen
Are you delighting in what you see of God?
Psalm 66:5
"Come and see what God has done,
He is awesome in His deeds toward the children of man."

Tonight's Delight is Chicken and Bacon Sarne'
there is delight in what was tasted
Are you delighting in what you taste of God?
Psalm 34:8
"O, Taste and see that the Lord is good."
If you taste of Him, you WILL see that He is GOOD!

Delight.com best-selling gifts
there is delight in receiving gifts
Are you delighting in your gift of salvation?
Colossians 1:13,14
"He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins."
Are you delighting in the gifts of God in your life?
James 1:17
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of Lights, with whom is no variableness or shadow of turning."
You have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ! (Eph. 1:3)

Define Delight at Dictionary.com
A high degree of pleasure or enjoyment; joy; rapture
Are you finding rapture in His presence?
Acts 2:28
"You have made known to me the ways of life,
You will make me full of joy in Your presence."

A study of scripture will show many things which delight the heart of God; obedience, the prayer of the upright, the fear of the Lord, a pleasure in the study of His works, having His law written in our hearts, a hunger for God's Word, etc....

If you are delighting in God, then He will delight in you and give you the desires of your heart!

carte blanche

a blank check

When you pray for your family, is your heart like His?

When you pray for your sisters (bros) in Christ, is your heart like His?

When you pray for the lost, is your heart like His?

When you pray for your own desires, is your heart like His?

if not, then pray that He will give you a new heart!

Then I will give them a heart to know Me

that I am the LORD,

and they shall be My people,

and I will be their God,

for they shall return to ME with their

WHOLE HEART

jer. 24:7

DEAR FRIENDS, DELIGHT IN GOD!

THERE IS RAPTURE IN HIS PRESENCE AND FULNESS OF JOY!

Cyndi's chicken

2011-01-28T19:22:00.002-06:00

Oh dear, I forgot about my plan to post crock-pot recipes

and now it's warming up.

But that's okay -

you will totally forgive me when you try this recipe!!!

It is AMAZING AND EASY!!!

4 ingredients; throw them in the crock pot

4 boneless, skinless frozen chicken breasts
a can of corn, drained
a can of black beans, drained & rinsed
a jar of your favorite salsa (med. size)

before you eat - take 2 forks and shred the chicken right in the pot
serve over rice with guac, sr crm, cheese (whatever you like on your mexican)

I love this recipe because you can throw it in the crock pot while the chicken is still frozen! Low all day, or High for half the day - you choose!!!

2011-01-26T21:51:00.002-06:00

He reached over, as he so often does, and put his hand in mine. I felt his daddy's hand on the other side, and it struck me how little difference in size there was!

Once again life has been sneaking up on me, days come and gone, and then something hits me - when did we get here? How quickly it changed from the tiny fingers in my hand to the strength in a man's hand.

There are subtleties, signs of what is to come. A lower voice, a fuzzy lip, even showers taken with no prompting...

I feel so inadequate, so unprepared to know how to handle this next phase of life with him. How do I raise a man? And yet, when did I feel like I had it all together before? It is only by God's grace that he is who he has become so far.

And who that is, I am so proud of! This I do know, that a mommy should be proud of her boy, be his biggest fan, cheer him on, help him along. And those things, I can and will keep doing.

And in the meantime, while life is changing and flying by some more, I will keep on holding that hand as long as he offers it!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

2011-01-19T10:19:00.002-06:00

With all the snow and the cold temperatures, we once again have been relying heavily on our crock-pot meals! I just love a good soup and easy prep on those cold, dreary days! Over the next week or so I'll be sharing some of our favorites! And, I'm always on the look-out for more, so if you have some you'd like to share, please do!!!

Here is a new favorite - it is fresh, yummy, filling, and healthy!

Chicken Tortilla Soup (4 serv.)

ingredients:
4 corn tortillas, cut into small strips
2 cans chicken broth (I use homemade)
1 zucchini cut into large bites
1 clove crushed garlic (I like more!)
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 cup corn
1 can rinsed red kidney beans
1 1/2 c. shredded chicken
1 tomato cut into bites
1/2 c chopped cilantro

directions:
cook the tortilla strips (sometimes I bake them on a cookie sheet, or you can quickly brown them on a pan with olive oil - until crisp)

Everything else, I just throw in the crock pot! If you are short on time, stick the zucchini, garlic and tomato in a pan and cook through first

You can either top the soup with crunchy tortilla strips, or sometimes I throw them in the crock pot as well.

Enjoy!

Command Central

2011-01-08T09:17:00.003-06:00

It used to be in my living room.

Everything went here...
mail
schoolwork
ministry correspondence
bills to pay
papers to file
etc...

the answer to almost every question in this house is...

put it on mom's desk

We always hated it in the living room, but it was either that or our bedroom.
The desk itself was super cute, but not the mess that went along with it.

We got to look at it when we visited

(and apparently when Rebekah made doll beds)

We were graced with its beauty every time we ate a meal

When a room opened up in our house, it took awhile to figure out what to do with it.
It started as a playroom
(not for our kids, but for company, which we have often)
but we recently decided it would serve better as an office for me.

I am so excited! I never dreamed of having an office!

So, this is our new command central.

For me, it signifies the next phase of my life.

Things have been changing a lot around here and we are really excited about the possibilities the Lord has been laying before us.
(more on that later)

But, for now, it's slowly coming together!

Here are 2 bookshelves from Target - $16 each
We prayed for the Lord to help us find some reasonably priced

And here is the rest.
$15 desk from a garage sale
free desk chair
my birthday gift of a chair which I love
and a rug I purchased with my birthday money

I have a few more things I would like to do, such as an end table to put my coffee on while I read, some curtains and some things to organize with.

The whole point of this office is not to indulge myself, but to be a tool in becoming a more profitable servant of God. This is a place where I intend to grow to know Him more, to learn more accurately how to 'rightly divide the Word'. A place where I can have privacy in talking with women.

So, ladies, here's my invitation to you... Come on by, we'll visit and pray, I'll make you a latte or tea, and hey, while we're at it, I'll drag out the foot bath and wash your feet!
(bring your favorite nail color)

Blessings, friends! Have a wonderful weekend filled with the joy of the Lord!

New Year's Prayer

2011-01-04T18:08:00.003-06:00

I am a creature of habit.

I don't make New Year's Resolutions...

When I was a young teen I chose this song as my New Year's prayer.

I enjoy reading over the words and seeing how the Lord has worked in my life over the past year, and I pray that He continues to work in me to change me and make me more like His Son over the next year.

So, you may have read it last year,

and you may read it next year... =0]

but I find this hymn to be very compelling.

May the mind of Christ my Savior, live in me from day to day
by His love and power controlling all I do and say.

May the Word of God dwell richly in my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph only through His power.

May the peace of God my Father rule my life in everything,
that I may be calm to comfort the sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me as the waters fill the sea,
Him exalting, self abasing, this is victory.

May I run the race before me strong and brave to face the foe,
looking only unto Jesus as I onward go.

May His beauty rest upon me as I seek the lost to win,
and may they forget the channel, seeing only Him.

Happy New Year's friends! I pray that 2011 will be a year in which you grow closer to the Lord and enjoy your walk with Him in a fuller way!

The Miracle of Christmas

2010-12-23T19:56:00.002-06:00

We have been so thankful for opportunities to share the Lord with friends over the holiday season. I find it a time where people are open to hearing about the greatest gift of all!

One of the opportunities the Lord gave was to our daughter, Rebekah. She was asked to sing a solo at the Christmas concert for school. She requested to be able to choose the song, which in turn they approved, and we were so proud of her testimony that night! I would have loved to record it, but I was the accompaniment, so the words will have to suffice =0]

Miracles still happen at Christmastime, like they did so long ago,
What began in Bethlehem that winter night is for all the world to know.
Far more than reindeer dancing through the snowy skies,
the Christmas story is the love in the Savior's eyes,
For on the cross He gave His life, to save
to give the greatest miracle of all.

There could be no greater gift than Jesus gave, when He left His home above,
coming down to Bethlehem, a lowly babe
Bringing us the Father's love,
It was a miracle of love that He died for me
It was a miracle of love for the world to see
My sins He took away when He died that day
to give the greatest miracle of all.

Could it be this miracle is big enough to save a little man?
Is the plan of the Father so simple that a child could understand?
Had there never been a Bethlehem when the Savior came,
There would have never been a Calvary when He knew my name,
For on the cross He gave His life, to save
To give the greatest miracle of all!

I'm so thankful for the miracle that happened to save me! I pray that each one of you, too, understand this simple truth; that Jesus came to be born in a manger, obeying His Father and going to the cross to die for you and me. To each one who believes that Jesus died for his sins, and confesses that Jesus is Lord; the Bible promises eternal life with God forever. What better gift can be celebrated this Christmas?

Merry Christmas, friends!

The unexpected gift

2010-12-20T08:48:00.003-06:00

You may remember about 4 months back when our coffee pot died.

It is not a good thing when that happens around here. We are pretty much addicted to coffee.

When Scott and I drink coffee together in the mornings,
he tells me he loves me.

It's a vital part of our relationship!

We also call it the second blessing...

or the nectar of the gods...

Are you getting the picture?

So, I researched and decided I wanted a good coffee pot, but I wasn't ready to spend a lot of money. Everyone kept telling me to 'get a Cuisinart, they're the best.'

I went to Bed, Bath and Beyond, equipped with coupons, and decided to go middle-of-the-road. Cuisinart was the most expensive, so that was out. Honestly, I don't even remember what kind I bought now, but it worked nicely.... For about 4 months!

So, back I go, this time determined to find myself a good deal on a Cuisinart. I did! The Lord had put one on sale for me at the same price as the last one. The cashier looked up my last purchase and was willing to do an exchange for me, plus she applied my previous coupon, and I get a rebate! So, in the end, the nicer coffeemaker is cheaper!

... and nicer

... and a Cuisinart!

But, that's not all!

Recently Scott was reading about how freshly grinding your beans is essential to the perfect cup of coffee. Apparently, if you are serious about your coffee, you must have a good grinder!

Since we are serious about our coffee, I looked at machines with grinders.

You already know I didn't buy one. Too expensive, and it just seemed like a frivolity to me. After all, our cheap little grinder works just fine, and we still have freshly ground coffee every day!

And Scott still tells me he loves me!

He didn't really care about the grinder, either, it was just a fun thought.

But, can you guess what happened?

Yup - you got it!

The very next day we received a package in the mail.

The next day, mind you!

From Pennsylvania!

Which means it was shipped before I went to look for a coffee pot!

A friend, who appreciates good coffee as well, decided that Scott needed a grinder to make the 'perfect cup o joe'

And guess what kind it is?

Aren't they beautiful together?

Now to those of you who do not share my passion for my morning cup of coffee, this could seem like a silly little thing. But the reason I'm sharing this story is because it is a reminder to me of just how good my God is!

I love having a God who cares about the little things that are important to me.

A God who loves to give good things to His children when they are walking in obedience to Him.

A God who lavishes His love upon us!

It might just be a coffee pot, but every time I look at it, I think

God is good!

Every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
James 1:17

Like my parents always said....

2010-12-10T17:02:00.004-06:00

Conversation had today with girly...

"Mom, will you take me to Taco Villa tonight?"

"No, you won't be home for dinner, remember? You have a sleepover."

"Taco Casa, then?"

"No, I'm not feeding you dinner."

"Las Fuentes?"

"Um, NO!"

"But mom, I NEED cheese dip!"

This is the point that as a child, one of my parents would have said to me...

'I'll tell you what you need!'

...and the other would have said...

'You need cheese dip like you need a hole in the head.'

I can't believe I actually said it! I always said I wasn't going to become my parents (no offense, mom and dad) Doesn't everyone say that?

Yup, this is what I said,

"You NEED cheese dip??? I'll tell you what you need!!! You need cheese dip like you need a hole in your head!"

And someday she'll say that to her kids, too.

That's just the way it works.

The handiwork of God!

2010-12-06T17:21:00.005-06:00

The heavens declare the glory of God
and the firmament shows His handiwork

day unto day utters speech
and night unto night reveals knowledge

there is no speech nor language
where their voice is not heard

their line has gone out through all the earth

and their words to the end of the world.

In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,

which is like a bridegroom coming out of His chamber

and rejoices like a strong man to run its race.

Its rising is from one end of heaven

and its circuit to the other end
and there is nothing hidden from its heat
Psalm 19:1-7

Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens;
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Psalm 36:5

Island Flowers

2010-11-28T20:41:00.004-06:00

So Thankful!!!

2010-11-25T16:25:00.004-06:00

I can honestly say that I can't think of a time where I have ever seen my son so happy!

That means so much to me...

Can you see it in his face?

Oh, and isn't he just so stinkin' cute?

More Spanish Wells Pics...

2010-11-18T13:32:00.008-06:00

Jellyfish around the docks (all the circles)

Sea soldiers (yes, they are all alive and walking around)

Conch with moss growing on it
I think this is where they got the idea of Chia Pets!
I call these Chia Conch =0]

Scott with a crawfish (lobster) he speared

Scott also speared this stingray!

A porcupine fish

Danny with a crab

A Hog Fish - one of the yummiest!

Titan's trumpet

Nassau Grouper - the other yummiest!

A Fishing Day for the Boys!

2010-11-13T20:49:00.004-06:00

Starting the day with fresh Papaya!

First catch of the day:
A Trigger Fish
a.k.a. the piranha of the Bahamas

Danny's first:
Mutton Snapper

Danny and his buddy, Gideon

The snapper of the day
This is just a fraction of the fish they caught!

We are so thankful for the kindness of the folks here! The family the boys fished with today have been so good to us - having us for dinner, taking us for ice cream, taking them fishing... We have appreciated the good fellowship so much and have been blessed to get to know the believers here. One thing we love as we travel is being part of the family of God - there is an instant fellowship and unity of spirit!

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
that He would grant you,
according to the riches of His glory,
to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;
that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
may be able to comprehend with all the saints
what is the width and length and depth and height—
to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge;
that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:14-18

11.12.2010

2010-11-13T09:34:00.003-06:00

Since yesterday was chilly, rainy and windy...

it was a food day! =0]

More large avacados!

Breakfast:
Johnny Cakes
(a cross between English muffins and English toasting bread -
a secret island recipe, which I now have
and am sworn not to give to anyone here!)
Guava Jam

Lunch:
Conch Chowder...

...and stuffed crab!

A windsurfer getting some hang time

Supper:
Hog Fish fingers
Lobster tail
Bread-fruit salad (bottom left)
a yummy rice dish

Scott's plate post-supper!

2010-11-11T21:01:00.003-06:00

Today we were able to get in an hour at the beach before the rain came.
We had a cozy afternoon of study time :0)

Lunch today:
Conch stew (on the right you see the conch meat)
Fish stew (on the left you see Mutton Snapper)
YUM!

Dessert:
Guava upside-down cake
Next to it you see a key lime (we had freshly made limeade)
and a sugar apple

Humongous avacados!

Check out the center seed

This is proof that I am here and documentation of what
crazy things the weather here is doing to my hair!

If it was the 80's again, I would be in good shape!

I thought this little tugboat was so fun to watch!
It amazes me how powerful they are!

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they display knowledge.

There is no speech or language where there voice is not heard.

Their voice goes out into all the earth,

their words to the end of the world.

Psalm 19:1-4

2010-11-10T20:47:00.003-06:00

Today the kids and I went for a morning walk while Scott was out...

They just couldn't keep out of the water!

At first it was just the feet...

But, of course, it didn't take long for the boy to get all the way in!

We were right next to a school where the kids were playing outside. Some of them knew Rebekah from the first night's meetings, and they kept calling to her, "Bekah, come over here. Climb the fence and have P.E. with us." Then they would laugh at the crazy Americans who were in the freezing cold water! Even the fishermen now will wear their wetsuits in the cold water. It was beautiful to us, though =0]

As we were walking along, Danny spotted a lion fish. He was staying in the shade of the pole towards the bottom, but you can see him if you look closely!

The local fishermen here who catch lobster bring them to this building, which supplies Red Lobster in the states!

And here is a little crab coming out for some sunshine

Daddy and daughter walking into the sunset during low tide

Our fruit salad with dinner, topped with a star fruit! (there was also fresh mango in it) We were invited into a lovely couple's home tonight and had a nice visit. They had a parrot that talked and maybe the fluffiest cat I've ever seen! We also tried 'fish fingers' tonight, which is pretty much a real fish stick - MUCH better than the packaged ones!

The Pinder's very sweetly sent us home with some sugar bananas and more starfruit!

We had a beautiful, blessed day.

Scott and I drank our coffee outside this morning and read our Bibles while the kids slept in.

He visited multiple shut-ins and felt that it was a very profitable time. Those people so look forward to visits from their elders each week! One of the kind ladies invited us back for Rebekah to look at her shells later on.

We had a picnic lunch in a little gazebo and watched the fish under it.

Danny had a boy come from the chapel to take him fishing off the docks. This 13 yr. old boy showed up in his golf cart to get Danny, and off the 2 of them went. It was fun to see him strike up a friendship with Gideon, and he is hoping to do more with him!

Scott, Rebekah and I went to get groceries, and I came back to bake some bread for the week. This is the first time I've had to make bread and knead it all by hand. I am spoiled with my Kitchen Aid. It is smelling wonderful, though!

We ended the night reading Our Great Adventure In Faith, the autobiography of Vernon Schlief. We are hoping to read his whole testimony as a family over the next couple of weeks.

Tomorrow we need to buckle down on some school work and study time! Having a schedule will be good for us!

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His mercy endures forever!

We Made It!!!

2010-11-09T20:45:00.004-06:00

After two days of travel, we have arrived in Spanish Wells, Bahamas! We had a great couple of days as a family just traveling together, and we were able to stay with a friend overnight in Miami and meet his family and friends as well.

What fun to walk out onto the tarmac and climb the steps into the propeller plane. Maybe there was a little hesitation on Rebekah's part? =0}

Here is our first view of the beautiful Bahaman waters...

Our first walk on the shore. Not exactly a good place to swim, but we are hoping to find a good beach sometime! Danny had fun finding conch shells and looking at their eyeballs. lol

Can you find its eyeballs?

Because of Scott's travels as a preacher, we get to see and do some amazing things. Best of all, we get to meet the Lord's people all over the place and serve Him together with them. Please pray for our trip if you think of it. After 2 days of travel, Scott spoke for the first time tonight. He's pretty tired! In the morning he will be accompanying a brother to visit shut-ins here on the island. The opportunities abound! It looks like he will be speaking 5 meeting a week at least while we are here. We are looking forward to study time when the kids can do school work, and Scott and I will be able to put together new series of messages.

When we arrived today, one of the sisters here had cooked us lunch. We were SO hungry (we got in about 2:30) and it was wonderful! We sat to eat and discussed how blessed we felt, and so after lunch Rebekah suggested singing this song, so we did. We sang it far too low, and messed up some of the words, but it was sweet to praise the Lord together!

Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
Sing, O Earth, His wonderful love proclaim!
Hail Him! hail Him! highest archangels in glory;
Strength and honor give to His holy name!
Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children,
In His arms He carries them all day long:
Praise Him! praise Him! tell of His excellent greatness;
Praise Him! praise Him! ever in joyful song!

Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus our blessed Redeemer!
For our sins He suffered, and bled, and died;
He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation,
Hail Him! hail Him! Jesus the Crucified.
Sound His praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows,
Love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong:
Praise Him! praise Him! tell of His excellent greatness;
Praise Him! praise Him! ever in joyful song!

Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus our blessed Redeemer!
Heavenly portals loud with hosannas ring!
Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever;
Crown Him! crown Him! Prophet, and Priest, and King!
Christ is coming! over the world victorious,
Power and glory unto the Lord belong:
Praise Him! praise Him! tell of His excellent greatness;
Praise Him! praise Him! ever in joyful song!
- Fanny J. Crosby

Glimpses of October

2010-10-31T20:52:00.009-05:00

Our first football season was a blast! Danny played center on offense, d-back on d-fense. He had a fun 1st season with a great team and had an interception.

Rebekah brought home 'snowball' from Iowa, and then daddy thought he needed a friend. Danny's cat's name is 'Sammy'.

I had the priviledge of babysitting these wonderful kids. I wish I had good pictures of them all. We had a very fun day together!

...And this was just TOO cute! This little guy walked all around the yard with his helmet and light saber, being followed everywhere by the kitten.

Rebekah won the limbo contest at SK8 Away.

Flying to New Orleans

A boat on the bayou - still sitting there since Katrina (5 yrs.) just waiting for its owner to claim it.
I couldn't believe the devastation that we saw - houses still torn in two by trees, or still with painted symbols on them from body counts by rescue teams... It looked in places like a war zone in a 3rd world country. There are beautiful houses that have been restored surrounded by houses that have never been touched since the storm; rat infested, sitting empty, being looted, horrible eyesores to the neighborhoods that will just sit there. The people aren't coming back. Rows of businesses closed down, all the windows smashed out, etc... I read blogs and see pictures of people visiting impoverished nations, and I think - we have that places in America too. It took a full year to take 3,000 homeless children to find their parents again - if they survived the storm. Can you imagine?

A home rebuilt on the bayou.

Learning to sail!

Lake Ponchatrain

Our fabulous group touring New Orleans. (the nice parts :0) We were with Bob and JoAnn Brown (who we stayed with), George and Kathy Abbas (who provided music for the conference - loved it! Lots of scripture songs they write themselves), and Brooke Ford (missionary to Tanzania)

Beignets at Cafe Du Monde! A New Orleans tradition!

This is Oscar! He designs jewelry and is a friend of Bob's, and he gave us a great deal! Lots of famous actresses will buy his stuff. I love my Oscars! Rebekah has a pair of his earrings on here.

Love these guys! Bob and JoAnn are missionaries in LA - they also run a christian school there. Wonderful people!

Beautiful Live Oaks that survived the storm!

What's grosser than gross?

2010-10-29T16:37:00.003-05:00

So, a very weird and icky thing happened to me...

I was bitten by a spider, or a beetle

ON MY LIP!

How gross is that?

I felt it and woke up, and my lip hurt so badly.

Basically it tingled and hurt for two full days.

It swelled up, oozed out, and the whole top layer of skin died and fell off.

I had decided that I would go to the doctor on Wednesday if it still hurt

but, thankfully, the swelling went down and it was much better.

Now there is just a sore that needs to heal.

If only I could stop dreaming about waking up with hundreds of baby spiders crawling out of my lip and down my face and neck...

A Picture Worth A Thousand Words...

2010-10-13T22:28:00.003-05:00

I hope you don't mind...

2010-10-02T17:16:00.003-05:00

...if I brag on my husband.
He bought this for me.
Went in and offered them 1/2 price
and they just could not refuse him.

I love it when my man scores a great deal!!!

Now I just have to work on the curtains and the wall ;0)

September in a Glance (or two, or three...)

2010-09-28T21:20:00.007-05:00

Girl time at American Girl opening in KC

Time with the niece and nephew at the zoo

Time with friends on the lake!

Beautiful Kansas skies!

Checking out the Harley's!

Pigeon hunting with Joe!

Making a poster that describes me - it cracks me up that Daniel put Absent-Minded! (and exiting - lol)

I loved it when I found all these notes that Rebekah had saved from her lunch box! How sweet that she has kept them all!!

Date night at the K!

Also to note that we started football games this September - what fun! Those pics are on a different camera, however =0[

Healing Waters!

2010-09-18T20:50:00.016-05:00

"The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail." (Isaiah 58:11)

I have spent quite a bit of time meditating on this verse, as of late. I can recall times in my spiritual walk where I have felt like my soul was in drought. I felt dry, useless, weary, yet realizing my need for spiritual revival. At times I knew it was because I wasn't drinking from the well - I was neglecting time with the Lord; in His word, at His feet. And yet, there were times I couldn't explain. Times I was obeying, seeking Him, but still feeling like a desert.

I remember those times as I read Isaiah 58 and dwell on the desperate need of Israel at the time. They were in desperate need of spiritual reformation, they were seeking the Lord daily (v.2), they took delight in approaching God (v.2), yet they were not following God's desires in HIS WAYS, they were doing them in their own ways. God tells them, 'when you do it MY WAY (this specifically had to do with their fasting), then Your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you.' Isaiah 58:8

When the people decided to get rid of the things that were not pleasing to the Lord, the spiritual reformation that took part inwardly was revealed in their outward acts. There are 3 specific things I noticed that were SO compelling to me! Very applicable for today!

#1 They got rid of things that were holding them back - Isaiah calls it the 'yoke in their midst'
What 'things' might be holding you back from a real, intimate walk with the Lord Jesus?

#2 They had to stop pointing the finger and speaking wickedness
Are you getting caught up in speaking of others in a degrading way? Are you idly chatting about your brothers and sisters in Christ?

#3 They were to extend their soul to the needy and satisfy the afflicted
Are you too caught up in your own life to look for the needs of others?

The Lord calls us to abandon hypocrisy! James 3:17, "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." If we repent of hypocrisy, the Lord gives us restored fellowship and blessing!

The Lord will guide you continually,
and satisfy your soul in drought,
and strengthen your bones;
You shall be like a watered garden,
and like a spring of water,
whose waters do not fail.

Needing Refreshment?

2010-09-09T22:21:00.006-05:00

Coffee Hour - a fixed occasion of informal meeting and chatting where refreshments are served

I stumbled upon this definition in the MW Collegiate dictionary and I immediately fell in love with it. I know, sounds crazy, right?

But really, who doesn't love a good coffee hour, with it's informal meeting and chatting where one can just fellowship, relax, be themselves and come away refreshed, in more ways than one!

In our home, our morning 'coffee hour' is definitely a fixed occasion! It's a normal, expected, much anticipated part of life. We don't ever miss it! And trust me, if we did, you'd know!

We are committed to coffee hour! We long for that daily refreshment!

I saw this definition and was struck by this thought: I hope that I will always be as passionate about my time with the Lord as I am about my coffee!

I know, that could sound silly, but I fully mean it! How is my fixed occasion of spending time with the Lord, informally meeting with Him and chatting with Him, just enjoying the fellowship of My Savior? Does it mean so much to me that it is a normal, expected, much anticipated part of my life? So much that I never want to miss it, and if I did, that I'd feel the loss of it all day long?

Proverbs 3:7,8 say that when we fear the Lord and depart from evil, it will bring healing to our bodies, and refreshment to our bones!

Acts 3:19 also tells us that 'times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.'

I need His refreshing every day! And I can have it - by keeping that fixed occasion of meeting with Him!

What about you, friends? Are you needing a little refreshment? Are you anticipating getting together to share with Him, to feed on Him, and to be refreshed?

This is one coffee hour you don't want to miss!

Rebekah's story

2010-09-04T19:52:00.010-05:00

It was a big decision that we made this year to change our direction with schooling. That's a whole story in itself, which I won't go into right now. I am certain, however, that even if we were to change our minds tomorrow, the few days the kids have spent in public school were where the Lord had them to be! This is Rebekah's story ...

"I was in reading class and 'A' asked me if the world will ever end. I said, "I don't think that's a question I can really answer with a yes or no," so I told her I'd talk to her at recess when we have more time. I talked to her about the Lord all recess. I said that technically, yes, the world will end, but that some of us won't be there when it does. I told her that God created earth, even us, and He deserves everything. A long time ago He (Jesus) came and died on the cross for us; the worst death anyone has ever died. For 3 hours straight He took on the sins of the whole world, anything anyone has ever done. He wants to be your Saviour, but He can't be if you won't accept Him, because He doesn't want to force us. He lets us make our own decision. She asked me if kids go to heaven automatically, like her mom says. I told her that I believe babies who don't have a chance to understand the gospel will, but that she is old enough to make her own decision. I told her more about the gospel, and she said she wanted to go to chapel with me. I told her how Jesus took the disciples to the upper room and taught them about the symbols of the bread and the wine and how they meant His body would be broken and His blood spilled. I asked her if she wanted to be saved, and she said yes. She told me she was worried that she would go to hell and and wanted to ask Jesus to forgive her sins. She prayed in the classroom on her own and then she said she had repented and wanted to be God's child! I am so excited that I have a new sister, and I really hope that her mom will let her come to chapel with me."

Rebekah took an opportunity on the second day of school to read a paper out loud to the class, in which she said that she wants to give the Lord everything in her life because He died for her, and He deserves it. We are praying this opens up even more opportunities to share God's love with the other kids, and her teacher. Although Rebekah is our outgoing child, this was not an easy thing for her to do. She almost cried when she sat in her seat, it was so overwhelming to her. But, she knew she needed to obey the Lord and that this was a good opportunity. I pray that this would spur you on like it has me, to be a bold witness for the One who does deserve all that we are and have!

"who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree,
that we, having died to sins,
might live for righteousness -
by whose stripes you were healed."
I Peter 2:24

"But God, who is rich in mercy,
because of His great love with which He loved us,
even when we were dead in trespasses,
made us alive together with Christ
(by grace you have been saved)
and raised us up together,
and made us sit together in the
heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
that in the ages to come He might show
the exceeding riches of His grace
in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and that not of yourselves,
it is the gift of God,
not of works, lest anyone should boast.
For we are His workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand that
we should walk in them."
Ephesians 2:4-10

Under Construction

2010-09-02T09:33:00.000-05:00

Look for us to be back up and running soon!!!

New Bloggy Friend!

2009-11-14T14:19:00.002-06:00

Our friend Eunice has joined the bloggy world. Please give her a warm welcome over at

www.grandmasugie.blogspot.com

Life changing ideas....

2009-11-12T10:01:00.006-06:00

'Oh yeah,' I thought this morning as I was looking at a friend's photos online. 'I have one of those things called a blog, too.' Unfortunately, my blog has not been the only thing that has been neglected as of late. But, I'm working on it :o)

So, although there are MANY things that have happened since my last post in September, I have only 2 things I want to share today...

2 things the Lord has really seen fit to impress on me as of late...

maybe they will mean as much to you as they have to me!
(p.s. - should note here since my last post that my sister has been cleared of skin cancer scare - all was successfully removed - praise the Lord)

#1 - Death is a good thing. What????? There is no denying that death has it's sting... and, oh, how it hurts. Death has touched our lives only because of sin. I hate it. I hate it that my husband, my children whom I just want to protect, my friends... have to feel the sting of death. But, remember, after Adam and Eve ate of the fruit, how they were kicked out of the garden? What if they would have stayed in their sinful state and eaten of the tree of life? Immortality.... in a sinful, fallen state. Yeah, I'm thankful for death, in a way! Because death for a believer means eternal life, not in a sinful, fallen state, but in heaven, with the Lord Jesus! I hate experiencing the sting of death, but oh how glad I am that for a believer, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord!!!

#2 - God gives grace for the day! My mother-in-law shared a devotion with me that I think is going to change my way of thinking. You know, those days when you wake up in the morning, the day's tasks looming large ahead of you, and you start the day feeling like you just can't do it? Well, stop it! You can't think that way - because you can't measure what you can do today by the strength you had yesterday, or the day before, or any day before that! God's grace is sufficient every day! I am no longer going to wake up feeling intimidated by the circumstances of the day, because the more challenges that face me, the more of the Lord's strength is at my disposal! (Deuteronomy 33:25 As your days, so shall your strength be.)

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."
2 Corinthians 12:9

Trusting in the hard times

2009-09-30T15:51:00.002-05:00

It's been a super tough month - really I can't begin to tell all the reasons why - but the past couple of days it seems like things have been snowballing. Ever feel like that? Why is it that when you feel like you are just trying to keep your head above water that the waves seem to come taller and stronger?

A month ago Scott's dad passed away of pancreatic cancer; 2 days ago, my step-dad's brother died of cancer; my older sister has skin cancer that is in the second layer of skin and they are running further tests; a good friend's dad is very sick and they just discovered he has leukemia.... and there are more stories just like this. Maybe one of them belongs to you...

It's been a month of learning to trust. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding... Well, I definitely do not understand, but I keep committing it to Him - and I DO trust Him - but that lack of understanding keeps trying to push it's stubborn head over the top. Have I ever told you how much I hate sin and the effects on this world that it's had? Stinkin cancer.

The Lord has a marvelous way of reminding me over and over again that He is here, He is in control, His understanding is the best, and most of all, He Cares!!!

This morning we read this:

Returning from an unsuccesful fishing trip (a whole night's worth) the seven disciples were astounded when they followed the instruction of a stranger on the shore. They let down the net on the right side and caught 153 great fishes in one cast. "It is the Lord," said John to Peter. John understood that only He could do such a thing. In our times of disappointment or need, it is assuring to know that the Lord is on our side and all power and authority belong to Him. Perhaps by the end of today's work, you too will be able to exclaim, "This is the Lord's doing and it is marvelous." -Roy Hill

Thanks Lord for the reminder - again!

I fully expect that I will continue to fight my own understanding and disappointment; and I fully expect that every time I do - the Lord will graciously remind me yet again that He is able! And yes, He is marvelous!

A gentleman, yet a boy...

2009-08-07T21:49:00.003-05:00

Yesterday Danny took two lady friends out for coffee (one of which could drive)... They walk into World Cup as Danny holds the door for them. Then he says, "Ladies, order whatever you like!" After they all order, he adds 3 cream puffs, one for each of them. He was absolutely suave, and quite the gentleman!

......... yet earlier that day.........

in he runs from outside with a mischievous 'sweet' - grabs something and takes back off outside.
Look out the window, and what could you see? Danny standing over the slug, with the salt shaker - the salt GRINDER to be more precise - a. slow. and. painful. one. turn. at. a. time. I'm. going. to. burn. the. slug. to. death.

Ah, the joys of having an 11 yr. old - it's fun to watch him in both of his worlds!

What a day!!!

2009-05-30T21:46:00.003-05:00

...had a friend spend the night for D's birthday

...helped Eunice move in this morning

...unpacked

...fed all the movers lunch

...took Danny, Rebekah, Christian and Abby to the pool to swim

...bathed kiddos

...helped unpack more boxes

...made birthday dinner for Danny

...had birthday dinner (yummy biscuits and gravy - his favorite)

...cleaned up

...unpacked more boxes

...put 4 kids to bed

...did laundry for hubby's trip tomorrow am

...got food ready for potluck tomorrow

...rearranged furniture

...going to pack hubby soon

I was actually SO busy that I forgot my coffee this morning - that's practically insane!!!

But, it's been a great day!!! Being busy is not so bad when one is joyful :)

Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice!

Car talk...

2009-05-25T15:41:00.003-05:00

Christian: Auntie Lynn, what would happen if a wok tocked?

Me: Hmm, I suppose I would know when dinner was done!

C: But what if a wok talked?

Me: Well, it might say, feed me, I'm hungry.

C: No, I mean a Rock

Me: OH!!! If a Rock Talked! (I was a little distracted by driving)

C: Yeah!

Rebekah: Maybe our family should speak Spanish

C: Ola

Abby: How do you say grill in Spanish?

Daniel: Well GIRL is chica, and boy is chico

C: My cheek can say 'oh'

April showers....

2009-04-30T09:45:00.003-05:00

Yeah, it's been pouring cats and dogs around here lately... lots of rain = lots of people with wet basements, and some with more than just water... yuck!

It seems like April's been a tough month - you know what they say - when it rains, it pours! I'm sure you can think of a few struggles that you've seen some of your friends, maybe yourself, going through... maybe it's 'water' related... flooding banks, basements (or waiting for your water to break :) ) ... or maybe it's the tears that have flowed for other reasons...

But, don't be discouraged!!! April showers bring May flowers... and not just in children's rhymes!

Psalm 84:5-7a

Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca (weeping),
They make is a spring;
The rain also covers it with pools (blessings).
They go from strength to strength.

Isn't it just beautiful? It doesn't need my commentary - the Lord said it perfectly!

So, my friends, cling to His Word today... and be encouraged that those flowers are sure to come after the rain!!!

"There shall be showers of blessing:"
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.

Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy drops 'round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.

Check it out...

2009-04-09T09:58:00.001-05:00

My adorable niece Gracie made the newspaper - how fun!

http://www.wellandtribune.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1517794

I love you guys and miss you bunches!!!

a little scary...

2009-04-04T19:53:00.006-05:00

We are moving and considering not taking our dog with us... this has been tough for the kids and hubby, but I seriously did not expect to hear this conversation...

Rebekah: Dad, I'm sad that we can't keep Aggie.

Dad: I know, I am too.

R: Well, I have it all figured out. We can just stuff her and take her with us.

D: Rebekah! That would mean she'd be dead!

R: I know, but that way we could still pet her every morning! I think that's way better than
just giving her away!

Aaaaaaahhhhh....

2009-04-02T12:22:00.003-05:00

...the perfect, warm, easy, yummy-in-my-tummy crock-pot soup for a cold, snowy day!

3/4 cup frozen cut green beans
2/3 cup frozen corn
1 1/2 lb. meat (I sometimes use stew meat, sometimes ground turkey)
1 large chopped onion
2/3 cup uncooked barley
1 1/2 cups water
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dried thyme leaves
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 cans beef broth
2 cans diced tomato (with roasted garlic, or add your own)
1 can (8oz.) tomato sauce

Right now, thanks to Rex and kids club, barley is a big hit at our house... so this old well-loved recipe has become much requested again :)

2009-03-16T13:37:00.001-05:00

We are on our first official road trip of the year! I was hoping I could blog photos from my phone, but it doesn't look like I can work it out....

So far, so good... We played the mile game today - traveling through western Kansas we saw grain bins and water towers over 9 miles away. We are getting really good at guessing long distances. The winner gets to choose the next object to guess... I won the last round, so that means I get big slobbery kisses on both cheeks at the Colby rest area. Oh, I just can't wait!!!

We are also embellishing Scott's recently renewed love of classical music and are currently listening to Mozart. We may listen to Pilgrim's Progress soon- we are halfway through... And we brought along our old faithful Chronicles of Narnia on CD. No more movies - our player broke this past year - I am truly hoping we make it well without it. I really don't care to have to play the abc game or 'I'm going on a trip' more than once or twice :).

Okay - here are our top reasons we love to travel together as a family...

scenery is beautiful
Pretzel pieces
Collecting ball caps
Playing 'how far away is it'
Talking together for hours
Going skiing
More than 1/2 hour of DS
Catch up on phone calls
Quizzing state facts
Baskin Robbins for lunch!
Spring break
Catching up on crafts
Get to see amazing things and beautiful places

If you think of us this week, pray for us. Yes, we are having fun, but we are also sharing the Lord. Last year 2 girls got saved on this trip! The youth look forward to this all year, and one of the reasons is the relationships we have built. They love Scott (of course) and really listen to him!

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of them who bring good news" (haha - that's our verse for the week. Maybe we'll take a pic of our feet at the continental divide!)

Happy Spring break!!!

When you homeschool...

2009-02-13T11:12:00.002-06:00

and you have had an extremely busy week and your 3rd grader has been reading history all alone.... it is essential that you review together on Friday to make sure she has been learning what she was supposed to.... lest you have a conversation like this....

Who captured Squanto to sell him as a slave? Okay, I know this isn't right, but since I don't know I'm going to guess.... Potiphar???

Who offered Squanto a home in America? Hmmm... I don't remember
I'll give you a hint..... Chief... Chief Yahoo! Oh, wait, no, it's chief mascot!
That would be pronounced Chief Massasoit.

What did Squanto teach the pilgrims to do with the trees? swing from the vines
Yes, but what did they get out of the trees? Pop?

.... because it's just not enough to know how to grind corn and make a great stew like the indians of the prairie!

Pantry clean-out!

2009-02-12T20:20:00.003-06:00

Thanks to http://motivatedmoms.com today I was supposed to clean out my pantry. Well, little did I know what I was in for! Here is what I accomplished - just one shelf!!!

And here are all the things I had crammed into that one shelf!
Among other things, 7 packs of Tuna and one unmarked bag of some sort of white powder. Beats me what it is! Pancake mix, biscuit mix???

And the list I made - and plan to use for my next menus as long as it all lasts!!!

I can't wait to see what I find tomorrow when I finish the lower shelves - the backs of which I haven't seen in a long, long time =)

false doctrine???

2009-02-06T18:40:00.003-06:00

I made butter chicken for dinner, with rice and chapatis. We love Indian dishes that we can eat with our hands.

However, the butter chicken was a little bit too spicy for Rebekah! She took a bite and jumped from her chair for her water, knocking it over... all over the table =) I grabbed a rag and told her not to worry about it - sorry it was too spicy for her (trying to hide my laughter at her overreaction).

So, she ate rice - which is just about her dream meal!

Then she decided it was not quite enough for her little belly.

"Can I have some yogurt? That way I'll have some protein too!"

'Really, yogurt is protein?' asks an obviously ignorant mother.

"Well, of course mom. What, did you think my health book is teaching me false doctrine?"

Link Love

2009-02-05T08:10:00.002-06:00

...except for I don't know how to post a link, so here it is =)

Cardboard Testimonies from College Park Church on Vimeo.

Kidspeak!

2009-02-03T10:21:00.003-06:00

This morning Rebekah knocks on Nana's door.

Nana: "Come on in pumpkin. Or maybe I should call you half-pint. That's what I called your mom when she was a little girl. She was my little half-pint."

Rebekah: "Except now she's a whole pint!"

The Indian Song

2009-01-26T07:59:00.002-06:00

A couple of weeks ago, Daniel's piano teacher pulled me aside...

"I have to warn you that I have assigned the Indian Song this week. I'm SO sorry."

You see, apparently boys REALLY like to play this catchy, rhythmic, obnoxious tune OVER AND OVER AND OVER!!!

We discovered - yup, it's true!

I had heard this tune SO many times that week, I was so happy when Monday rolled around again - I knew FOR SURE he would pass the song and move on... I mean, I heard it SO many times and I knew without a doubt that he knew it PERFECTLY!!!

So, this week, Daniel is practicing away at the circus song (which, believe me, is NOT much better!) He stops after awhile and says, "Mom, do think that's enough?" "Oh, I think so," I reply! (thankful it is over with)

"Sweet!" he says. "Now I can play the Indian Song!!!"

I would be remiss here not to tell you that although I hated listening to this song over and over and over again; there was something that was drawing me in... and while the kids played outside I thought I'd sit down and try it... in secret of course. Oh, but it WAS fun - and I finally gave in and played it while they were INSIDE - and we discovered that you can do a marvelous duet with the Indian Song, a mom, and a 10 year old boy =)

2009-01-22T12:58:00.005-06:00

..."giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light." Colossians 1:12

I spent a lot of time my high school years, training to qualify for regionals, for state... I worked hard to compete, to be the fastest, to win the race! It took sweat, it took tears, it took determination. It was so satisfying to win - so amazing to cross that finish line first and to see all the hard work pay off!

Sometimes I work SO hard in my life to win the race... and rightfully so. Paul tells us to run the race as if to get the prize! But this verse reminds me that on my own merit I did not even qualify to be in the race! No matter how hard I trained, how hard I pushed, how many tears and how much determination - I didn't even meet the basic requirements!

"And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumsision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross." Colossians 2:13,14

The requirements in place were contrary to my nature - I could never make it on my own merit! The Father took it out of the way - nailed it to the cross - and when I came to the cross I was qualified - by His Son's merit - to run the race!!!

Not only am I going to run the race - I get to win the prize!!! He 'qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.' And what is that inheritance? Ephesians 1:11 says, 'in whom we also have obtained an inheritance,' also translated, 'we were made His inheritance.' Both ideas are true - we are His inheritance, and He is ours! Among and above other things, He is my inheritance! He is the inheritance of ALL those who have come to the cross!

'qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light'

I have always loved pictures of the sunrise! This one I took on a lake in Georgia. We were out fishing early and it was so calm and peaceful; it was breathtaking, really. I think one of the reasons I love light so much is that I hate darkness. Even as an adult I have to admit - I am afraid of the dark!

And so, I really love to think about the fact that Christ is the true Light;

that God commanded the light to shine out of darkness;

that His light has shone in our hearts;

that we are commanded to walk as children of light!

I Peter 2:9 is a favorite verse of mine, especially Steve Green Hide 'em in Your Heart style =)

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light"

So, how about you? Have you come to the cross; are you qualified to run the race; will you claim your inheritance? If so - take the opportunity today to give thanks to the Father who qualified YOU and proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light!!!

Tender Mercies

2009-01-17T16:37:00.002-06:00

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies. Colossians 3:12

This year we are reading through the Bible as a family. Since we are doing that all together, I decided that on my own I would really try to do more in-depth personal study. I am currently working on Colossians - reading it over and over and over. It amazes me how each day something new will pop out at me - there is so much for me to learn and apply! Currently, this is the phrase that I am looking at

... therefore...put on tender mercies...

As far as I can tell, the therefore refers back to vv. 1-4 (I am not allowing myself to use commentaries :) ) Why should I put on tender mercies? Because
1- I have been raised with Christ
2- I have died and my life is hid with Christ in God
3- someday, I will appear with Him in glory

therefore! My response (for one) is to put on tender mercies!

I would eventually like to look up the specific meaning of this, but for now, these verses of the example of Christ have really been impressed upon me...

First, in Luke 1, when Zecharias is prophesying about John the Baptist preparing the way of the Lord, when he says, "for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on High has visited us."

It is through our God's tender mercy that the Messiah came to forgive sins!!!

Second, Lamentations 3:22,23 "through the Lord's mercies, we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning."

It is the Lord's mercy that gives me each day! And His mercies are new to me each day! Oh, how I need that!

So, I am to imitate Christ and put on tender mercies. Not just be merciful - but do it in a gentle way like our Saviour is so gentle with us. That has been a huge task for me! I think the first thing the enemy attacks when my husband is on the road is me! He knows my patience wears thin - the kids test more when their daddy is gone - and I am not very good at being merciful. Oh, but when I do find it in myself to be merciful - it rarely ever comes with tenderness!

Maybe this is why my Father is giving me this verse to focus on. Maybe, just maybe He is wanting me to grow up in this area to become more like His Son!

there's a wideness in God's mercy

like the wideness of the sea

there's a kindness in His justice

which is more than liberty

Rejoice in today!

2009-01-07T12:36:00.002-06:00

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

The kids and I were reading this today, along with a devotion on some of the different days God made - each unique in its own way: the day of creation, the day of the incarnation, the day of redemption, etc... There are many wonderful days to come as well - the day of rapture, the day of His appearing, the day of judgment...

I started to dwell on the day that God created, knowing it would be the day of incredible suffering for Him as He watched His only Son go to the cross! It is beyond my comprehension what it cost Him, the suffering He endured... yet He willingly allowed it, and Christ willingly obeyed. In fact, the scripture says that knowing what lay ahead of Him, He set His face steadfastly to go to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51)

What about my day, your day? Can we follow the example of the Lord today and press forward, no matter what it may hold? Not each of the Lord's days were the same as that one - but each had the same meaning - looking forward to the cross! Wow - it reminds me of what I live for today - to bring glory to Him; to prepare for the day when I meet my Saviour face to face; to tarry and sow while I sojourn here on earth...

There was a day in history - and it played out exactly as He said it would - the day that Christ rose from the grave! It is the day that gives purpose to my life, that makes that day that He endured at Golgotha a triumphant one!!! A day that makes me understand how each day we can say, "This is the day that the Lord hath made - let us rejoice and be glad in it!"

On Sunday we sang a song that tells the story of that day, and the days to come - and how we are to respond to it! Don't be afraid to belt it out!!! ;)

Rejoice and be glad! The Redeemer has come!

Go look on His cradle, His cross and His tomb.

Sound His praises! Tell the story, of Him who was slain!

Sound His praises! Tell with gladness, He liveth again!

Rejoice and be glad! Now the pardon is free!

The just for the unjust has died on the tree!

Sound His praises! Tell the story of Him who was slain!

Sound His praises! Tell with gladness, He liveth again!

Rejoice and be glad! For the Lamb that was slain

O'er death is triumphant, and liveth again!

Sound His praises! Tell the story of Him who was slain!

Sound His praises! Tell with gladness, He liveth again!

Rejoice and be glad! For our Lord is on high:

He pleadeth for us on His throne in the sky!

Sound His praises! Tell the story of Him who was slain!

Sound His praises! Tell with gladness, He liveth again!

Rejoice and be glad! For He cometh again!

He cometh in glory - the Lamb that was slain!

SOUND HIS PRAISES - TELL THE STORY

OF HIM WHO WAS SLAIN!

SOUND HIS PRAISES - TELL WITH GLADNESS

HE LIVETH AGAIN!

2009- Here I come!

2009-01-03T10:47:00.004-06:00

I would have to say that my life is an adventure... I married a man full of ideas, and I knew when I married him that I would have to be flexible - VERY flexible!!! I really never know what day to day is going to bring! I laugh that I actually carry a schedule, because a lot of times what I have written in gets changed - I have, at least, learned to write in it in PENCIL!!!

In the midst of the craziness, I have a few things that never change, and that is indispensible to me. I don't make big goals - 'I have to do this by such and such a date' , because it would be foolish - I'd almost be sure to be setting myself up for disappointment and failure.

But the truth is, I have always operated this way! And that's one thing that makes us such a good team! And I'm thankful for the Lord preparing me ahead of time for the life He was going to place me in.

Maybe that's why I've never been big on New Year's Resolutions. I mean, really, it just wouldn't work well for me... but the Lord gave me this back in 1993, and it has been what I have returned to each year. It perfectly fits everything that I would want to continue to grow in , and also I'm thankful to be able to look back and see how God has worked in me since then. So, you may remember from last year, but this is it...

May the mind of Christ, my Saviour

Live in me from day to day

By His love and power controlling

all I do and say

May the Word of God dwell richly

In my heart from hour to hour

So that all may see I triumph

only through His power

May the peace of God, my Father

Rule my life in everything

that I may be calm to comfort

sick and sorrowing

May the love of Jesus fill me

as the waters fill the sea

Him exalting, self-abasing

this is victory!

May I run the race before me

strong and brave to face the foe

Looking only unto Jesus

as I onward go

May His beauty rest upon me

as I seek the lost to win

And may they forget the channel

seeing only Him!

Happy 2009! I pray that all of you will grow in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord this year! His riches are endless, His goodness to you unfailing - if you know Him as your Saviour today - this year can only be better than the last, because every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before!!!

arg, happy birthday me love

2008-12-12T15:52:00.002-06:00

I just wanted to tell you today that I love you very much!

You are a wonderful husband,

the best dad ever,

a respectable man of God,

my best friend.

oh, and in case I haven't told you lately...

you're first in my heart!

oh, and this is you with facial hair

;{0]

Happy Birthday!

2008-12-10T14:12:00.004-06:00

Some people make jokes about mother-in-laws... not at our house! I have been so incredibly blessed to call this lady my mom for the past 12+ years... Jackie is not only a godly grandma, but one cool lady too. If you need proof - just check out these photos!

Indulging Rebekah and trying on hats in Williamsburg!

Cramming in the back for our trip to Virginia, grandma reads us books, passes out healthy snacks and never complains!

Her grandchildren know that they are loved!!!

Stop on over at today www.encouragementfromabove.blogspot.com and wish Jackie a very happy birthday!!!

Out with the old...in with the new!

2008-12-03T10:48:00.005-06:00

Today was a momentous occasion at the DeGroff house! We said goodbye to our old oven! There was not even a hint of sadness as we watched it go!!!

Our oven was so old we had seen it in antique stores and there were parts we could no longer replace!

The story is amazing, really! We've needed an oven for a long time. I have had numerous fires, almost everything burns because of the uneven temperatures, and I have more recently been without the ability to broil, which has been very sad, since we love nachos and frittatas! Anyhow, a friend called from shopping at Sears the other day and had found this oven in the clearance room. It was originally a floor model, priced at $1250. They had taken it off the floor and had it in this tiny little clearance room I didn't even know existed! It had sat there for months, being marked down to $950, then to $450, and now to $250! So, basically, we got a $1250 oven for $250 - never heard of the brand, but I figured, if it originally cost that much, then it's got to be better than we had! And it comes with Sears full warranty. So, we thought it was worth taking a chance. But then, after already having bought it - we were telling some friends about it - and discovered it is a top of the line oven! Isn't that just like the Lord??? :) What a blessing!!!

Meet our new Jenn-air!

Here are some of the things I am really excited about!!!

1. no fires!
2. even temperatures!
3. it has a timer!
4. it has a clock!
5. it is self-cleaning!
6. it actually tells me when it is pre-heated!
7. I can set it and leave it!
8. it is beautiful!
9. all of the buttons on it work!
10. I can program favorite settings - like for bread and cookies!!!

oh, and did I mention that I can use it in English, French or Spanish, fahrenheit or celsius, even true Sabbath Mode, whatever that is!! (maybe it means I can put food it in on Sundays and come home and it will be ready - imagine that) I think this may be life-changing for me, and maybe I will be able to put batteries back in my smoke alarms - I suppose that could be a good thing :)

Love Rekindled!

2008-12-01T16:11:00.007-06:00

The course of true love never did run smooth - one of my true loves throughout middle school and high school I simply pushed by the wayside. I forgot the meaning of it to me. I was recently reminded, and oh how wonderful it was to rekindle the memories and the passion!

Thou art such stuff as dreams are made of,
and the dreams dreamed on my pillow now smell right again.
Thou are more fair than all others - yea,
the beauty you bring me,
the sweetness you inspire,
the wonders of meeting you daily...

Though this be madness, yet there is method in it

To me, fair friend, you can never be old. For as you were when first your smell I smelled, such seems your beauty still.

To Aussie or not to Aussie, now that is the question for you

2008-11-28T15:36:00.004-06:00

As I was tucking my kiddos in bed on Weds. night, I said to them (individually), "You know that I am thankful for you?" Rebekah's response was, "Well, yeah. I mean, do you think that I thought you were lying the past 8 years. I mean, you tell me that ALL THE TIME!!!" Daniel's response was, " I know, I think you tell me that just about every day!"

Anyhow, it just cracked me up! I am so glad my kids know without a doubt how much I love them and their father, and how thankful I am for them every day!

I forgot my camera at Thanksgiving, but we had a great time at Anne and Micah's. It was a day that was very honoring to the Lord. We carried on our family tradition of making a Thanksgiving tree - and people had much to be thankful for... from growing through sickness and trials, to rejoicing in abundance; for family and friends and a God who is all-knowing and all-sufficient! There were 30 of us - some family, some friends, but all with a common bond. We prayed and sang hymns and ate LOTS of food - including Hope's 'sweet potato goodness' which has been demanded by all since the year she gave me the recipe! It even made the thanksgiving tree!!!

I hope you are all rejoicing today in the Lord!

Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." James 1:17

Cleveland Zoo/Summer Fun

2008-11-25T20:19:00.006-06:00

One of our weeks between camps this year landed us in Cleveland. While we were there we made it to the Metroparks Zoo. Here are some of our highlights!

Daniel took this shot of the snow leopards - it is one of my favorites!

And here's the oldest animal we saw!

The Cleveland Zoo had a great touch pool. It had lots of stingray and a few sharks.

There were animals everywhere!!!

If you look closely you can see my mom's teeth are blue. I think she was eating cotton candy, which was the treat we always bought at zoos and ball games. Now I realize it was more for her than for us!

They also had camel rides!!!

Daniel was trying to make Rebekah wave, but I think she was scared to let go!

There was a really fun building where you could buy nectar and feed these fun birds - Lorikeets.

This one was very smart and got the cup away from Rebekah :)

Underwater friends... these are always my favorite (besides the penguins with the big eyebrows!)

Yes, there is a fish here

Family photo op.... and just for the record, I think my shorts are hideous, but I was desperate for shorts this summer (had 2 pairs), and these were $2.49 at Target. For that price, I will wear them every week!!

pretty flowers at the zoo

2008-11-20T21:50:00.002-06:00

I know I told you all that I'd be posting about our summer adventures. Well, this isn't the first time I have confessed slacking off on my blogging, and I'm sure it won't be the last! Well, tonight, however, I have my computer back up and running (YEAH!), my kids and their cousins are snuggled warm and sleeping in bed, and my hubby is on a conference call. This is actually the end of the summer (really about 2 weeks after we should have been home starting school already - but one of the benefits of traveling camps out East is that you get a longer summer!!!) After our very last week on the road - week #10 - we drove home through Chicago. Now, those of you who know me... if there was one thing that I would do in Chicago, what would it be???

It was SO SWEET!!! I can't tell you how excited I was to hear that the Cubs were playing at home that night! Wrigley Field was amazing!

The next day we had to take the kids to experience their first Giordano's! It was especially good because it was super rainy and cold!

We tried to go up the Sears Tower, but it was closed - too cloudy. So, we drove to the Navy Pier, but it just wasn't going to let up! We decided just to head for home, but we had one stop to make. :) Can anyone guess why Daniel named his bear Sammy? :)

the right supplies...

2008-11-04T08:03:00.004-06:00

"Mama, what are we going to do if Obama makes president?"

"Well, we'll pray for him!"

"But mama, how can he lead a country without the right supplies, like Jesus Christ!"

"Sweetie, our hope is in Jesus Christ, not a man who will be our president. Either man who makes it, we'll pray for his salvation!"

PARTY/Summer of '08

2008-09-30T07:11:00.006-05:00

I really do have the intent of catching up on blogging my photos from the summer - maybe to the dismay of some of you :) Well, one of our big highlights was our baby turning 8! From time to time we talk about more kids - but I can't imagine going back to diapers now!! But seriously - I SO love my Rebekah - she is becoming such a good friend of mine - and those of you who know her - you know that with her by my side I will never grow bored. And with the life that we live, well, she's been my GIRL constant - so we do LOTS of talking about LOTS of things! I'm still hoping to go back and find her baby pics to post, etc.... but for now, here's the fab party that she threw. We've never before done one of these 'big' parties - but I learned that when you have a nice new bowling alley in town, you can go to the old one and BARGAIN (oooooh, I love that word!). Sweet deal!!! And loads of fun!!!

THE GIRLS

(this is not a good photo p but I still love it because their faces tell what an awesome time they had!) BIRTHDAY GIRLY ALL MADE UP
CAKE

THE BOWLERS - LOOK AT HOW THEY ALL THROW DIFFERENTLY - YOU CAN REALLY SEE THEIR PERSONALITIES!

(i love it that Daniel can hold his own and still have fun with the girls)

Summer of '08

2008-09-25T16:35:00.000-05:00

This summer was so much fun and full of adventures...lots of road trips, new camps, new friends, amazing sights, tanks and tanks of gas, quality family time...

Up and Running!

2008-09-18T11:07:00.000-05:00

We are home - finally! I ended up being gone for 8 weeks, minus one 2-day stop home. Wow, what a summer! I have many pictures, and as you can see I'm also tyring to re-vamp my site. It may take awhile, but it's good to be back!!!

Sabbatical

2008-07-26T14:00:00.002-05:00

I'm taking a little Sabbatical from my blog - we are on the road the next 5 weeks, and then I've got to get a new school year going - plus just catch up from the summer. :) So, just a little fyi for those of you who do not use a reader yet!

I've meant to keep up better this summer, but it just wasn't going to happen! I was hoping to blog about many things that happened this summer - funerals, weddings, birthdays, trips, etc... But, sorry to say you'll just have to be in suspense for the fall - although I doubt I'll take the time then to go back and write about those things :) Who knows?

But please continue keeping us in your prayers. We are excited for the rest of our trips this summer - we'll be at Family Camp in Missouri, Teen Camp in New York, Day Camp in Canada, Youth Camp in Canada - as well as catching a baseball game in Cleveland for our anniversary - sweetness!

So, we trust that you will all finish out your summer well. Stand strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!!!

2008-07-21T07:48:00.002-05:00

Please pray for us the next 2 days -viewing hours and the funeral. This is not going to be a christian funeral, and so our opportunities the share the gospel will come only through private conversations. There are many unsaved family members.

Thanks

2008-07-19T12:22:00.003-05:00

I haven't had time to post, but am wanting to thank you all for your prayers this week. My grandma consistently responded positively when questioned about her salvation. Although it was only through a finger wiggle, or such like that, I have confidence that she knew what she was communicating. We are obviously SO thankful and then it was a wonderful thing when her suffering finally ended! Now we can trust that she is done with her pain and with her dear Saviour!

Please don't stop praying for this family. Wouldn't it be wonderful if through this my grandpa also saw his need for the Lord in his life?

Please pray also for our friend Katie - http://confessionsofaslackermom.blogspot.com/ - you can find updates on her condition here. If this is new to you, please go back and read the whole story!

"Now to His that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that is at work within us. Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages..." Ephesians 3:20..

2008-06-13T11:38:00.002-05:00

I have no name for this blog - partly because I don't know where I'm going with it, partly because what I am thinking I really don't know if I can put into words. But when I feel like the Lord is putting a heavy burden on my heart, it sure helps me to write about it... so this is that attempt.

As Scott and I are traveling the country, it seems like the predominant discussion these days goes something like this, "My life is falling apart because..." Some of our days are filled to the full with one phone call after another where people are suffering... I don't know if it's always been this way, or if it truly is that God's people are opening themselves up to temptation more and more with the influence of the world around us. I personally didn't understand how much one person's sin could affect so many people until I was an adult. But more and more, we see these young people who's lives are being torn apart, and they are dealing with things well beyond their years.

So here it is - my plea that I just feel like I have to voice! It's God's plea to you...

Keep Yourselves!!!

...unspotted from the world; from falling to tempatation; from destroying your life and the lives of so many others! Too many people are dabbling with sin, and it's not a game that is going to end in your favor! The Bible says that sin is pleasurable for a season, but also that you can be sure that your sin will find you out!

The whole truth is, that none of us have to travel far from home to see the devastating effects of sin. And maybe it's even in your own home. It's in my home - I see every day the grief it causes, the tears in my children's eyes when they think of how people they know have been hurt by sin, how they have been hurt by it. And boy, does it make me just want to even more determine to 'keep myself'! Proverbs says it this way, "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life." Are you keeping your heart?

Yesterday a JW came to my door. I shared the gospel with him. He said this, "Well, do you think that we are going to find world peace?" What a loaded question. I told him that as long as there is sin in this world, we are not going to have peace. But that my hope doesn't lie in that! My hope lies in the Lord Jesus Christ, who someday WILL bring peace to this world, and sin will be forever done away with. And that now, even though my life is touched by sin, I personally have complete peace in the Lord Jesus Christ! I can say like the Psalmist that, "the lines have fallen to me in pleasant places." Oh, it's not that I haven't had my share of suffering and pain in this life - haven't we all? But I'm living each day with my confidence in a Savior who is able to keep me, who gives me peace in spite of all the pain.

Maybe you are one of those people now, who are feeling the effects of sin, who feels like their lives are falling apart - maybe not because of anything you personally have done. Are you just wondering HOW the Lord is going to do it??? Let me just remind you that we have a God who is able to do abundantly more than you could even ask or imagine! And it's by His power - not ours. Oh, trust me, I am still waiting to see what on earth the Lord is going to do with some of those things - cause I can imagine some great ends to that situation over there - but I am choosing to trust Him each day, and I know that His solution is far better than mine! "My ways are not your ways, says the Lord." Nope - they're FAR better!!! And I fully believe it!

And that's the best advice I have to offer! Give it to Him - completely! And GUARD YOUR HEART, because truly, that's where the issues in your life will spring from. Ponder the path of your feet - plan in advance what YOU are going to do when that tough situation arises!

"My son, give attention to my words;

Incline your ear to my sayings.

Do not let them depart from your eyes;

Keep them in the midst of your heart;

For they are life to those who find them,

And health to all their flesh.

Keep your heart with all diligence,

For out of it spring the issues of life.

Put away from you a deceitful mouth,

And put perverse lips far from you.

Let your eyes look straight ahead,

And your eyelids look right before you.

Ponder the path of your feet,

And let all your ways be established.

Do not turn to the right or the left;

Remove your foot from evil."

Proverbs 4:20-27

10 Years Ago.....

2008-05-31T13:39:00.005-05:00

we received an amazing gift from the Lord! Everyone said, "Enjoy him every day! Time flies!" And it sure did! And every day we have thanked the Lord for you, Daniel. You are amazing, and we are so incredibly proud of you! You are growing into such a great young man of God! When Daniel was born, he was on tv for Children's Miracle Network - very appropriate, we thought.
Even though this pic is blurry, it is essential to document the first Indians/Royals game - July 4, 1998. Manny Ramirez hit 2 home runs for Cleveland, leaving the score 2-0.

Also, must document first 'hobo' night at Turkey Hill Ranch Bible Camp!!!

... and first nap with sister :)

... and day of first fish hook caught in your hand!

Happy Birthday Daniel! We hope you enjoy your gift!!!

Our Virginia Vacation

2008-05-29T13:53:00.009-05:00

Here's how we all fit in!...and our trusty driver sporting his new prize...
Our first night we stayed in Huntington, West Virginia, after a 12 hr. day. We were exhausted, but excited to be staying at the home of Marshall University!!! We ate at the Marshall Hall of Fame cafe that night - and even though it was raining, we drove around to see some of the sights! Doesn't this first picture make you want to start chanting? "We are.... Marshall"

The next day we drove through the Shenendoah Valley. Just had to take one stop to check it out.

Colonial Williamsburg

the firing of the cannons

some of the girls

oops, I forgot our family's t-shirts

the governor's palace

I had never seen an actual yoke in use; pretty cool

Of course we had to try on the hats of the day!

practicing for when we live in a cabin?

the 'tough guy' splitter
making wooden shingles
I'm sorry to say they were bad and proper public punishment was necessary

Touring the USS Wisconsin

fast attack 'Iowa class'

one foot on the Kentucky, one foot on the Wisconsin

(the Wisconsin had to have the bow replaced when it had an accident)

the local pets at our condos...

here's the ringleader

meet Mallard
and Sarah
and Lacy, Genevieve, Blair, Edeline...

(yes, for those of you who have girls like mine, Rebekah named them all, and pretty much after the 12 dancing princesses of Barbie)

We had a great trip in all, and it was so nice to see Scott's family who are so far away! We ended up passing around the flu, so I missed pictures of Virginia beach, where the kids had a great time on the wakeboards.

We were sad to miss out on a wedding we were supposed to go to - but the couple decided not to wait for Scott and an available weekend, but went ahead and got married without him. I really don't understand why. (just kidding)

We also had received the news of Melsie Glock going to be with the Lord. That was hard for us not to be able to go to the funeral. We had always intended on doing so. But the Lord knew! We love the Glocks dearly! I am wanting to write another blog about that later :)

...and now we are off and going for the summer, so don't be expecting much coming up. I'll try to post photos once in awhile at least!

catching up...

2008-05-14T10:39:00.005-05:00

So much has been going on... here are a couple of clips :) On our trip to Canada, I took the family to my hometown on Lake Erie and I got to show them this beach down the road from my house that I spent a lot of time at growing up!

Out of order, oh well, but here is the KU parade we went to before our trip. This cheerleader is all I saw (the parade was not well organized - the players were in a car low to the ground, so only the people at the very front of the crowds saw them) But, nevertheless, fun was had by all!!!

This is the path right down the road from my house growing up. Here are the kids with their great finds they brought home from Lake Erie.
The Holiday - still looks the same from the outside. I rode my bike here LOTS in the summer for great crunch coat ice cream cones! The family had lunch here :)

It felt great to get my feet in the water - even though it was COLD!!! I really miss living by the Lake!

And, then the cousins at Niagara Falls!!!

There was still ice floating in the river!

Again, out of order; the kids are ready f0r their drama - the musical Annie. Daniel was an orphan, Rebekah one of Daddy Warbucks servants - hence the dramatic difference in the way they are dressed!
...and, back at the falls ;)

More to come later :)

In the dark!

2008-05-05T19:07:00.005-05:00

We had a crazy experience at Cold Stone Creamery tonight! The kids had a gift card there, so I took them after we ran some errands. It was quite packed, but we got there during a lull in the line, so we could order right away. After Rebekah was done, she needed to use the restroom. I could see that it was a single stall, so I told her to go in and just lock the door. After a couple of minutes, I could hear her yelling and crying above the noise of everyone else. Apparently, they have a sensor on the light switch, and it turned off on her while she was still on the pot, leaving her in the dark! Poor girl- I was shouting at her through the door, and this whole line of people are just staring at me. Thankfully, they had a key, and Rebekah was very patient as they tried to find it :)

I am discovering that I don't like these new sensor lights. Believe it or not, the same thing happened to us with Daniel in Canada a couple of weeks ago. Thankfully, there he had not locked the door - so I just reached in.

Now, I don't know which they hate more...

toilets that flush on you,

or lights that go out on you!

(and yes, for the laughter of the kids, we ARE taking a poll!)

A Surprise Trip

2008-05-04T08:07:00.004-05:00

I am secretly planning a trip to the Great Wolf Lodge for the kids while my mom is out our way - we've been searching for coupons for a long time... I just had to share this website! Some of the promo codes only work occasionally, so I tried one over and over until I finally got it!

A night at the hotel (room for 6) and waterpark passes for 4 adults and 2 kids - $130 :) Sweet!

Oh, but don't tell!!! It's going to be a surprise in a couple of weeks!

http://www.retailmenot.com/view/greatwolflodge.com

canada

2008-04-24T18:24:00.002-05:00

It's a little bit scary, a little bit crazy, when you get this whole family under one roof - but lots of fun ;)

This weekend I'll work on taking photos - but in the meantime I'll share the crazy quotes of the day....

Gracie, 2 yrs old - "Look, Jesus is riding on a Honkey!"

Rebekah (old enough to know better, but not know the meaning...) "I'm a woman. I know why it's called a woman too.....wooooo man.... because she was taken out of man's womb!"

Pets

2008-04-12T10:01:00.004-05:00

My last post left me thinking about all the pets we have owned...I'm sure I left some out too :)
I think it is because of this pattern that I am presently feeling bound and determined to stick it out with Aggie. Every time we get rid of a pet I say, "That's it! No more!" But I have realized I have very little control over it - so if I don't stick it out now, what's next? I really don't want to go back to another snake, personally!

2 parakeets

beta fish

schnauzer

2 bala shark

oscar

2 blood parrot chiclid

2 blue cichlids

plecostomus (2)

turtle

countless brine shrimp

countless guppies

more aggressive fish - can't remember what they all were called

cats -
Gus, chewy, Percy, Esau, many kittens....

garter snake named Nick

lizard named Rick

present time Aggie

(and there is a dwarf hamster under discussion between Rebekah and daddy)

trouble - part 2

2008-04-10T18:47:00.005-05:00

So, the next 'trouble' with the police was not face to face. No, because they came to my home when I was not there. But once again, we must back-track...

You may remember this last fall when I posted pictures of our new puppy, Aggie. Well, the story with Aggie and me is this; we have a 'love-hate' relationship. I love her - she is so sweet and fun, and just great to cuddle with and keep me company when Scott is out of town and the kids are gone to bed. The hate part - well, this dog defies all the rules when it comes to training. I won't go into ALL the details, because they won't excite you; but I will share the pros vs. cons of owning a Shih Tzu, according to The Popular Dog Series. With the info. you get here, just use your glorified imagination and then multiply it by 10!

Think twice about getting a Shih Tzu if...

- you hate grooming a dog (or, I would add - you have no time to groom a dog)

- you're an obedience extremist... Shih Tzu can be very stubborn, this is not a breed in which training should be a battle of the wills..it's better to do an end run around the problem...if you meet resistance, just stop for a moment so you can both calm down, and give some love before you go ahead and do what you want

- you're lazy about housetraining...as with all toys, housetraining can be a problem...you must be vigilant...that vigilence should extend to after the Shih Tzu defecates... this breed is more prone to eating its own stool than others (and playing in it, apparently)

- you don't spend much time at home - and no one else does either...(reasons why...)....if the dog owners cannot give the dog attention during the day, that could be provided by a reputable pet sitter or doggie day care

-you're easily conned...the Shih Tzu loves to please her people but also loves to please herself...they will try to get away with murder!

AND BY NOW, IF YOU KNOW US AT ALL, YOU ARE LAUGHING HYSTERICALLY

Okay, I know this is getting long, but I have to add that every time we have boarded our dog with the vet we have been charged daily extra fees for 'special grooming' and not only have they suggested we call Cesar Milan (The dog Whisperer) for help, but they have also given us very friendly suggestions for other places we can board her.

...and the rest of the story goes that my 2 children and husband just fell in love with these dogs, had to have one, and taking care of this dog is, at the moment, my most difficult labor of love for my family - and trust me, I am biting my tongue very hard as I write this! Yes, you can bite your tongue to keep from typing those words that want to come out.

And so, after countless baths (a couple due to the rain), and my prior stop by the police, I come home on Sunday night at 11:00, carrying 2 sleeping children in on my own... and I find a NOTICE OF COMPLAINT on my door.

It is from the Police Department Animal Control Office that says they have received a complaint alleging neglect or mistreatment of my canine....

Apparently, a neighbor had reported that we leave our dog outside with no shelter or water. We have 48 hours to get a dog house and make a bowl of water available for her, or she will be impounded.

I seriously wanted to go somewhere and scream! And yes, I did cry some tears of frustration! I think the next morning as I described the whole ordeal to my loving hubby, that he must've felt some of that (I was trying to hold back!), because he so sweetly said, "Just give me the phone number and I will call and take care of it." [Thanks babe, you are awesome!]

I must say at this point, that we do take good care of Aggie. She does have shelter, food and water! The police have not come back by, at least to my knowledge... They did say, however, that we are supposed to register her with the city - now that's one that neither the breeder nor vet told us.

So, now that I got my license plate on the van tonight, I will drive downtown tomorrow and register her. I was trying to avoid driving to the police station without license plates! I am afraid that after this week they just might decide to detain me permanently!!!

Part 1 - trying to stay out of trouble...

2008-04-09T09:12:00.005-05:00

with the police, that is...

Yes, in some ways, it has been a crazy week Let me tell you about our little adventures... you may have seen our photos from our outing at the ballet - we had a great time together - even at the part about getting pulled over. Let's start at the beginning, shall we?

It's actually a great story! The Lord has answered our prayers concerning a new vehicle that can handle our many road trips this spring and summer. And once again, He has done more than we would have asked and provided a much nicer vehicle than the ones we were looking at. But the short of it is that right now we are without a license plate on it as we wait for our old one back, which means that the police are very interested in us as we drive by.

So, back to Sunday! After the ballet as we are driving home, sure enough, behind us appears the dreaded flashing lights. My daughter, in the back, is immediately concerned that I am going to jail. I assure her that I have all the necessary papers, and that it will not be a problem. My guess is that it was out of concern for a stolen vehicle that the officer was approaching us slowly, glancing over the contents of the van as he neared. I had a hard time not laughing as I thought through the whole situation...imagining myself in his shoes...

[Hmm... I wonder if this is a stolen vehicle...I'd better be careful, because people who steal a van might be carrying a gun and be prone to rash and careless acts. I think I'll just take it slow and check everything out, and I'd better keep my hand on my holster, just in case! Oh, but look at this - there are three little girls in the back, and it looks like a couple of moms and a grandma, and a wheelchair too! Not your typical car-theiving bunch! Ha! I don't really think they could be much of a threat if they tried!!!]

All it took was the necessary paperwork and off he went, bidding us good day He just said, "Keep your papers handy for the next time you get pulled over!"

After we got going again, the imaginations of 2 seven years olds were running wild.
So mom, you don't have to go to jail? No.
Did you get a ticket? No.
Have you ever gotten one? Just once. ( a good story too! )
Would kids ever have to go to jail? Maybe.
Is there a jail for kids? Yes, a juvenile facility.
Why would a kid go to jail? ... and this is where the friend, whose father is a police officer, chimes in. "Oh, well, you know, like if a kid grabs a gun and accidentally..." "Um, girls, let's save this conversation for another time, shall we?" (while the 3 yr. old is listening intently with wide eyes)

So, I have been intentionally turning at places I don't need to turn whenever I see a police car in the distance. Yes, I'd rather try to avoid having my children be able to say, "My mom was pulled over 5 times this week."

Stay tuned for the continuing saga of trying to stay out of trouble with the police.
Yes, there's more...

Sunday at the Ballet

2008-04-08T15:09:00.002-05:00

The girls had a day out to see Cinderella at the ballet. Along with R and I was our neighbor friend, grandma, and Auntie Anne and Abby.
Abby stayed awake long enough to see Cinderella appear in her beautiful ball gown, then she fell asleep for her afternoon nap!

And, here is what the older girls did during the long wait for the show to start!

Giving it up!

2008-04-02T20:06:00.008-05:00

A man's heart plans his way: but the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9

This, out of necessity and also some encouragement from a dear sister, has become my theme verse for the past few weeks. Without giving all the gory details, the basic idea is; things are just not going as planned!!! Stuff is breaking down, I find myself constantly rearranging my schedule out of necessity, and I am falling behind in pretty much all of life...but (here's the big but)... the Lord has shown Himself to me through all of it. Shown me without a doubt that He knows what He's doing, He's got a plan, and I NEED TO STOP TRYING TO CONTROL IT ALL!!! Why is it so stinkin' hard to let go of my plans even when He is making it so obvious that He is directing my steps in another way? I just keep thinking, 'How on earth is that going to get done, or that fixed? Or, if I can't deliver, who is going to take care of it?' Oh, but every time He's got a plan - and I have to confess that really, He does a WAY better job than I could've!!!

I still have some questions about some things, but, I'm finally learning to give it to Him before I know the answer. (at least I think... there is that one thing that I keep wanting to take back and I can barely stand to not know when it's going to get caught up with - but okay Lord, You can have it)

So, yeah, if you see me mumbling that verse under my breath over and over, I'm just reminding myself to let it go! Of course, God is SO good in the fact that every time I say it to myself, He brings to mind all the ways He's already taken care of so many things for me! He makes it easy, doesn't He - because that's His nature - and His plans are ALWAYS better than ours!!!

So, the moral of this story is....

if there is something that you are holding on to, just give it to Him

A MAN'S HEART PLANS HIS WAY: BUT THE LORD DIRECTS HIS STEPS