• Dec. 21, 2007
Things that make me very happy today...

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• Dec. 14, 2007
Missing Natalie...

She has been on my mind a great deal lately.  She has been home in heaven now for six months and her birthday is tomorrow... we shared December birthdays among a whole slew of other things.  Her family is on my mind, too.  I miss my soul sis!!!  So in honor and sweet, sweet memory of her I bring you another edition of....

fe·lic·i·ties

*   My sisters at W@H
*   My mom who came when I needed her most
*   My family that has done what they can to help me through the recent recovery time
*   Bright sunshiny cold days
*   A Christmas tree full of ornaments that bring back so many great memories
*   Advent and the time we are spending thinking about Jesus coming to get us!!!
*   Turtle cheesecake
*   A snicker's bar offered at just the right moment
*   a brand new beautiful afghan from a soul sister in MT
*   an amazingly huge new refrigerator
*   children with a great sense of humor
*   Music in my home - EVERY SINGLE DAY OF MY LIFE!!!
*   Wrapping presents for my family
*   a phone call from a sweet friend
*   A Mitford book - Light from Heaven - starting it today
*   Christmas music being played on the piano in our home by my children
*   A cleaner home than I had two months ago
*   Books!!!
*   Homemade Chex Mix - (see the foodie blog for a favorite recipe)
*   Being alive and well and with my family - God is so good all the time!!!!!!

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• Nov. 18, 2007
Another week away...

I know... I am neglectful!  I finished up the week with a bake-off last week.  You would be glad to know, I hope, that I placed 1st in the pie category - took a gold medal and everything!  SO COOLIO!!!  This is the pie... my own version of a Snicker Bar Pie...



This week I am finishing up my last take-home assignment in Nutrition and doing a bit more pie baking before the holiday and weekend are upon us.  We will also be cleaning house this week and setting up for the Christmas season on Friday.  I think we are going light on school this week.  I also have a volunteer opportunity for the dinner at school on Wednesday for the Child Crisis Center.  I think I will do it... I cannot pass up feeding kiddos for free!!!  I love such things...  So, that means I am scarce again for this week.  I also have about 2 weeks until surgery...  You all understand I know.  I miss you all so much when I am not here on a regular basis but you know I am thinking about you all.  I know that my New Zealand and British friends will not be celebrating Thanksgiving specifically but I want to wish all the best for Thanksgiving.  Take time to just reflect on all God has done for all of us this past year.  I am so thankful that three out of my four children know the Lord as their Savior now.  I am so thankful I have my husband and family for another year.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to go back to school and do something I really love.  So much to be thankful for... 

We may have lost friends and family members, too... take time to remember them.  I will be thinking especially of Natalie this year...  God is so good!  I cannot wait for the ultimate day of Thanksgiving when we all get to meet up on the other side together.  We are all gonna squeal like little girls and run to embrace.  What a day... then we will get to worship our Father forever TOGETHER!!!!!

Love to you all!!!  May your holiday be very full of all of God's blessings!!!!!

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• Oct. 26, 2007
No Pomp.... No Circumstance....

Had a typical week this week.  You know, the usual...

*   Did a research paper and presentation
*   Went to class
*   Schooled the kiddos
*   Made a trip to pick up Coop stuff and a trip to the health food store
*   Baked mini souffles and flan
*   Made fruit sauces and a variety of caramel and custard things
*   Got a book in the mail that I ordered a few weeks ago.
*   Prepped some food for the Boy Scout court of honor
*   Attended a little concert at the middle school where Dan teaches and J(almost 14) plays
*   Did some laundry
*   Had a study date with my friend Julieta to go over our study guide for coming test
*   Watched a movie with the kids
*   Caught up a bit on our Netflix... 24 addiction
*   Cooked lots of meals
*   Worked on culinary cookbook and attended culinary club meeting
*   Ran a few errands

and....

Oh yeah, was quietly inducted into Phi Theta Kappa honor society this week...  with a 4.0 GPA

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• Oct. 19, 2007
Friday Felicities...

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• Sep. 29, 2007
An Anniversary today...

Twenty-two years ago today Dan and I kissed for the very first time and we have been GAGA for each other ever since... 

Here is to my Schmoopy and to many more years of love and affection!!!

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• Sep. 28, 2007
Friday Felicities...

I really need to do this for me today.  I need to focus hard on all that God is doing right now.  Pray for the depression to flee in the midst.  I have had a hard emotional day today. 

Send some rain, would You send some rain?
'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade
Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?
Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down
Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid
But maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case . . .

(Chorus) We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to thirst for You
How to bless the very sun that warms our face
If You never send us rain

Daily bread, give us daily bread
Bless our bodies, keep our children fed
Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight
Wrap us up and warm us through
Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs
Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time
Or maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case . . .

(Chorus)
We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
A lesson learned to hunger after You
That a starry sky offers a better view if no roof is overhead
And if we never taste that bread

Oh, the differences that often are between
What we want and what we really need
So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace
Move our hearts to hear a single beat
Between alibis and enemies tonight
Or maybe not, not today
Peace might be another world away
And if that's the case . . .

(Chorus)
We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You
That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream In abundance or in need
And if You never grant us peace
But Jesus, would You please . . .

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• Sep. 21, 2007
Friday Felicities...

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• Sep. 10, 2007
God is good...

If you have igoogle you might know that they have a feature to help you memorize scripture.  The new one for this week was this....

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV

God's timing is right on the money!!!

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• Sep. 7, 2007
It's Friday...

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• Jul. 22, 2007
Family firsts...

Well, J(3) is doing well in his new underwear and potty trained state.  He is such a big boy with washing his own hands and brushing his own teeth and all the other stuff he insists on doing for himself.  They are growing up SO FAST!!!

D(almost 7) accepted Christ this week and we have big plans for his birthday.  Dan baptized J(13) way back when he was baptized and E(9) has been waiting for baptism for some time now.  We do not have a baptismal tub at our church so we have to find other places to do that.  It is a family tradition to baptize in the river where we go fishing every summer so this year we will be having 2 from our family.  Dan will baptize them both and I will take lots of pics.  D(almost 7) birthday is on the Sunday we will be camping and he will get to be baptized on his birthday.  How cool is that????  My heart is so full!!!!! 

God is so very good ALL THE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

More on the retreat and all the other stuff in our lives later... 

Blessings!!!

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• Jun. 18, 2007
One week...

One week ago Natalie's family and friends held a memorial for her.  Becky put a video memorial up for us, too and I wanted to share that with you.  I cannot put it on my blog here but I can link you to my old  blog (which I have kept and may use again someday)

Oh, Nattie Pie Video Memorial

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• Jun. 8, 2007
For Your Information...

Natalie's Memorial Obituary is now online for us.  Her father and mother have been great in keeping us posted on all that has transpired over the past month and I am grateful for all they have share to allow us to be a part of her life.

In honor of her I am contributing to her Friday Felicities Meme that she began some time ago.  Those are things that make you happy...

1.   Brand new haircut for me and Emmy today - Emmy donated her hair to Locks of Love (I will share that later)

2.   Time with family

3.   Amazing things God does with our children in spite of our parenting

4.   Traveling mercies - heck, NEW MERCIES EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!

5.   Generous people in a selfish world

6.   Time to relax and let go of some stress

7.   Friends that can only be found in a technological age such as ours. Without it I would have never met Natalie!!!

8.   Afternoon rain...

9.   Homemade biscuits and gravy

10.  Beautiful memories and laughter shared

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• May. 9, 2007
Good new, Bad news...

Ok, so which do you want first?  That is ALWAYS the question isn't it?  LOL  Well, I am a bad news first girl so here is how it went down....

Bad News:  We DO have termites!  We will be doing the treatment on Friday of this week.

Good News:   They are NOT in the house yet!!!  WOOT!!!!!

There is a colony growing beneath our home but not IN our home at this point.  There were several places in the yard where they were visible if you lifted something up and looked under it.  I LOVE our pest control guy, though.  We have been using him for about 10 years and he is a Christian.  He also treats our church and several other church members homes.  He just got his termite control license about 18 months ago and we are thrilled to have him on our team.  He will also give us a discount on the treatment and we can make payments!!!  While he was here I had him go ahead and treat for snakes, too.  You remember we have had several snakes in our house and on our property in the past.  We do NOT like snakes - there is ENMITY BETWEEN ME AND THEE.  LOL  God is GOOD ALL THE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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• May. 9, 2007
What a week so far...

I so rarely complain, I hope, on this blog.  I try not to share a bunch of bummer news or talk negatively but this week is flooring me!

*   A man in our congregation passed away...  he had terminal cancer but that does not make me less sad.
*   We have termites and the financial strain is killing us!
*   The money I had saved for the fall semester is going to pay for the termite issue.  I get to start over with saving more...
*   J(13) fractured his foot yesterday.
*   The baby has been crying ALL MORNING!!!  That is NOT something I need right now.
*   Dan is in a funk of indecision right now - not one to change easily I must say.  ...but I have my flaws, too.  ;)

I am human.  I have bad days.  I want to crawl in a corner and sleep.  I want quiet time away from it all.  I reach for the Lord sometimes ALL DAY - I know He wants that...

A light at the end of the tunnel...  God is in control!!!  *sigh of relief*

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• Apr. 27, 2007
Shhhhhhh....

...be very very quiet... or you will wake the kiddos.  I just got them all down to bed and it is mighty quiet around here.  I am up making yogurt and I just finished 5 loaves of bread baking.  It has been a long day...

Oh, I wanta share with you all so badly but I promised I would not until the ball is rolling (no, I am NOT pregnant). 

This has been a weird week, for sure.  Our oldest is off on a field trip to the state capital and will be home tomorrow night.  The man is off with the Scouts just a few miles from the house but will be in a tent for the night.  His 42nd birthday is Sunday.  My Daddy has a birthday tomorrow and will be 70.  I love my Daddy!!!  I love my hubby, too!!! 

I won't be leaving the kitchen, much less the house tomorrow.  I am glad for the time I had out this week some with friends and some schooling.  Thursday was all about the Women's Missions meeting.  My MIL left town so I was in charge and we had a wonderful time of prayer together.  We also had some scrumptious treats together - mostly the kids ate but I had a bit of muffin and some salad. 

I got a great deal accomplished in the way of prepping for my final for next week in my "cold kitchen" class.  Today was another fun time out with my Garden Club ladies.  They are a great bunch of ladies - full of information and tons of fun!!!  We had Japanese Tempura at  one of the ladies homes.  Wanta see what we shared?





For the record, I never touched that fork - I used the chopsticks for the ENTIRE meal and did not drop a thing...  LOL

I also got a new vinca vine and some mint from one of the ladies to plant and some radishes for our table (I may be using a few for my presentation next week, too).  I made a run to the grocery store for a few things for cake making and terrine and cheese making for the weekend.  I will be busy tomorrow all day between cooking, baking and watering the garden...  I love my life!!!

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• Apr. 3, 2007
An update for those praying...

Dan's tests went well yesterday and the nurse was optimistic.  We are now waiting on the doctor to read the results and get back to us.  We feel that the kidneys are fine and that we will resume our regularly scheduled diet and meds and just get him healthy as quickly as possible that way.  Thanks for praying with us and I will update more when I have more. 

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• Apr. 1, 2007
*GIANT GIRL SCREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*

When I brought my oldest home from the hospital 13 1/2 years ago I had NO IDEA!!!!!!!!!!!!  Are you ready for  this???  I will start at the beginning...

Around Christmas time J(13) finished a piano composition and submitted it to the Music Teachers Piano Guild for assessment.  They loved what he wrote and sent it on to the state level (Texas).  We almost kinda forgot about it until a few weeks ago when we started asking if Grandma (his piano teacher since he was 5) had heard anything.  We got the phone call this afternoon from her.  Dan answered the phone and talked for a minute and then handed the phone off to J(13).  Dan pulled me out of the room and whispered to me... "You remember that composition that got sent to state... well, HE WON - FIRST PLACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"  Ok, so I screamed like a big girl and then we both cried like big babies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

So, in June we travel to the state convention where our "little" 5'8" musically inclined teen plays his composition before all the music teachers in the state at their annual convention!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Then it gets published and all that jazz...  WOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


*GINORMOUSGIRLSCREAMAGAIN*       


  We will be in shock for some time to come... 

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• Dec. 4, 2006
They that wait upon the Lord...

We have learned to wait.  We have learned some very serious lessons when we have not waited.  I won't take time to tell you how often we have fallen in this area.  I will merely tell you what the Lord has done this weekend.  He truly knows what is best for us...

We have been in search of the vehicle we are meant to own.  We have looked at Yukons and Suburbans thinking that this was the route we should take.  We had not even considered a mini van again because we have really loved our Suburban so much.  We have never been against mini vans just did not consider it for some strange reason.  Well, God totally considered it!!! 

In our search we have been praying that the Lord would bring just the right vehicle at the right price.  The bank turned us down for two we had brought before them over $10,000 because we just had too much on our plate.  Our credit is good but we have just been stretched with other expenses lately and they made a good call.  They made the call because God whispered in their ears that the time was not right.  We knew that was why so we waited and waited and made a trip in the old "Burby" for Thanksgiving and God held it all together - until we pulled into the driveway at the end of our trip.  We pulled in and unloaded and then we noticed a huge puddle behind the back right tire.  We lost ALL of the brake fluid at the moment that our trip ended and it has been parked ever since. 

The old mini van we have is also leaking more and more oil so it is parked a great deal of the time unless I just HAD to drive somewhere.  Dan has been driving his mother's old Probe to work in the meantime (since about August) and I have been driving it to school at night.  We had to replace three tires last week after a flat and some balding treads. 

In the midst of this God tapped on the shoulder of a friend who had sold us the old "Burby".  He was buying a new vehicle for his daughter who had been driving the family van for the past few months.  The mom had gotten a new car and so the teen got the hand-me-down until she could afford something else.  Well, they called us and told us that they thought of us and wanted to let us know they were selling it before they put it in the paper to see if we wanted first choice.  I must admit that I have been getting goose-pimples over this all weekend!!! 

So we headed to the bank to see if the loan could be obtained and it was a go.  We test drove it yesterday, we are paying them today and when I wake up in the morning (on Tuesday) I will have a NEW-TO-ME van sitting in my driveway.  GOD IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL TO MEET OUR NEEDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  The best part is that we are only paying about $3,800 for something that is totally reliable, holds the whole family and can eventually be my catering van when the time comes to do that.  Less than trade-in value...

WOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...BTW, the rest of that verse is so very true.

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up  with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint

Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)

There is also a little chorus using this verse and it ends with the line...

...teach me Lord, teach me Lord to wait. 

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• Nov. 16, 2006
God's blessings...

You guys have all heard about the struggles of the past few months.  God is teaching me so much through these things.  We have had our vehicles in the shop at least once a month since about March of last year.  We are currently praying over finding a new vehicle.  We found one recently and it wound up being too much even though it was just what we were looking for.  God said no... that was good and we know that God has something better out there for us.

We have also had some appliance issues.  We recently replaced a washing machine with help from my parents.  God brought a pay bonus at the time we needed something and my parents offered that to us.  We LOVE our new washer and use it daily.  ;) 

We are also living in a constant state of remodel and that has it's own frustrations but we are moving forward one little thing at a time and we will eventually get it all done. 

We have recently paid off two outstanding debts and are going to have all but one paid off completely by next May or so.  God is good... 

The latest in the saga is that we have a refrigerator that we bought about 12 years ago when we had only three people living in our house.  We now have six people in our house and it is so small.  It is also falling apart.  I opened the door the other day and a part of the door fell off.  LOL  The ice maker is now broken and we are going back to ice trays after only 4 years of enjoying an ice maker.  The temperature is also wonky.  It is freezing stuff in the fridge area.  We are going to be saving for a new one as soon as we can get a bit more paid off. 

You know, people who never have to think about such things are really missing all that God can do.  I know, because I used to be one of those people.  I grew up in a wealthy home and we never wanted for anything.  If we wanted something we just went out and got it.  Once I got married that all changed.  Now, I trust God so much more for what we need than ever before.  It is always just so humbling when God comes through (which is ALWAYS, btw).  He gets to show us how great He really is in the midst of our needs.  I feel so blessed to have a God who loves me so much that He never lets me go without what I really need.  This is why Thanksgiving is an everyday thing around here.  ;)  He is so very good ALL THE TIME!!!

Oh, remember that vehicle we are looking for?  I think God has done something again this morning when I least expected it.  I had to take the Burby (what Josh calls the Suburban) into the shop this morning to get it ready for travel and to have a leak looked at.  In the midst of talking with our mechanic (who is also a TOTAL Godsend) he mentioned a man who is selling, not one but TWO Suburbans right now.  He keeps them in AMAZING SHAPE and uses our mechanic and has for years.  He is going to hook us up the the man and we will take a look and see if this is what God has planned for us.  Pray for us 'cause this may be it...

Did I mention that GOD IS AMAZING ALL THE TIME?!?!?!?!?!?!

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• Nov. 13, 2006
The simple things make my heart sing...

I am posting at 5:14pm in the afternoon on a Monday.  You wonder why that is special?  Because I am usually in my Basics class at that time.  We got a walk today.  Chef had a meeting and so he left a take home test and a vocabulary worksheet for us to complete by a week from now.  So, coming home early makes me happy!!!

You know what else makes me happy?  I came home to a quiet house because the kids are still at Grandma's for piano and Dan is picking them up. ...and true to form I took that opportunity to be in the kitchen to make dinner for the family.  The routine and process of cooking is relaxing to me and it makes me SO happy!!!  (I know... weird... LOL)

Another thing that makes me happy today is that I have opened the Christmas music file in my Media Player and have been thoroughly enjoying some lovely Christmas tunes while working.  I am singing at the top of my lungs while I work.    I just wish it were colder outside...   It is a mere 65 degrees right now. 

One more thing makes me happy today...  Eating dinner with my family and settling in for a movie on a Monday night.  This just so rarely happens and I am happy about it...

Told you I would come out of the funk... 

Toodles!!!

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• Nov. 3, 2006
Thinking about Thanksgiving and Advent...

Talked to my professors and got full permission to be out for the whole week of Thanksgiving so I can go visit my folks.  I am so excited about this!!!  I have not been to see my parents for Thanksgiving in about 10 years or so.  Once we moved so far away it was just too much to make that trip on a short weekend.  The school district that Dan works for has decided to give them the whole week for Thanksgiving this year so we are doing the drive.  I GET TO EAT MY DADDY'S DRESSING AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!  We get to sit around and watch parades and ballgames with my parents and brothers and their families.  I get to go do a bit of shopping with my mom and hang out with her.  I get to help cook and prep for our dinner together, too.  We get to play in REAL PILES OF LEAVES and take walks in the Piney Woods part of the world.  We get to smell a warm yummy kitchen and watch movies and visit all week.  I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As for Advent... 

I will be starting now to post links in the right sidebar for you guys and will be blogging more about it this year.  Our Christmas vacation (Dan's time) will be cut a bit shorter because of the extended Thanksgiving but I get a whole month off from culinary school during that holidays.  Stay tuned for lots and LOTS of links and posts...

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• Sep. 18, 2006
Praising...

Thank you all for praying for us!!!  God is so very good  ALL THE TIME!!!!!

The baby's fever broke yesterday afternoon and he woke fever free this morning.  He is playful and happy again. 

I also got a full night's sleep last night and woke up at 6:00am for my morning walk/run!  I ran over a mile of the 2.2 miles this morning.  I feel GREAT!!!

My Mom also called yesterday and she and my Dad want to send money for a NEW washing machine...  of course, I said YES!!!!!  I am so grateful and thrilled!!!!!!!!!!!

All of my homework is done for both classes through Tuesday night, my menus for the week are planned and the kitchen and bathroom are getting cleaned in just a few minutes.  I have bread to bake and pants to sew as well as school with the kiddos today. 

I feel like a new woman today after all that sleep and exercise...

Look out world!!!!!!!!!!

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• Sep. 15, 2006
My deepest gratitude...

Thanks so much for praying for us!  Josh was still running fever this morning and it was higher than it had been all week (103*F).  I made an appointment for the doctor and he officially has strep throat!!!  I am so glad to have an answer for this crazy fever he has run all week.  The medicine was only $10.00.  We started the antibiotics...

We still have no washer and will be waiting until another payday to fix it.  In the meantime Dan and JoNathan are going to be washing on Saturdays while I take kids to gymnastics classes.  We can get everything clean and dried in one day, not have to drag everyone down to wash and then just go easy on wearing too much during the week.  This will be good for us - I think... ;)

I also did really well on my test last night.  One more unit (four chapters) before the midterm and all that we were tested on yesterday will be on it, too.  I will just keep reviewing everything as I go and should be able to retain it all.  God has done amazing things in allowing me to get back into the swing of being a student so quickly.  This is all TOTALLY orchestrated by the LORD!!!!!

I am trusting HIM for the washer issues, the car issues, the school issues and the kids health issues.  He is teaching me to trust more each day... 

Have a lovely weekend and I will see you on Monday if not at some point in the weekend.  ...more studying this weekend for assignments due Monday.  :)

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• Jul. 24, 2006
Blogging with conviction...

I attended a retreat in Midland, Texas this past weekend.  It was a WMU (Women's Missionary Union) event.  They are a branch of the Southern Baptist Convention.  The events they sponsor are often very inspiring and quite convicting.  I was not disappointed.  They are still having events through September around the state so if you are near one you might consider it. 

There were things that were light and many things that were very deep.  I attended some of both.  It is funny how God works a theme in my life so many times.  You remember the post I had a few days ago called "In the Quiet???".  Well that was just preparation for all that God had to tell me this weekend.  It is so hard to even know where to begin in sharing how this has changed me.  I have been asleep ladies!  Thank you so much for your comments.  It was and is so encouraging to see that God is stirring our hearts in one accord on such things.  I believe God is doing something among us.  God is stirring me from my state of hibernation as I feel He is doing with many of you.  He is about to take me where I have never been and I must admit it is a bit scary.  After writing that post I went and listened to a broadcast with Nancy Leigh DeMoss that AJ shared with me.  It was a weeklong interview with Henry Blackaby.  Wow, what wisdom!!!  He shared so much of what I have been wrestling with.  Then I got to the retreat on Friday and cried the whole weekend over the conviction that fell on me. 

I heard a missionary speak on Saturday that changed me forever!!!  Her name is Carrie McDonnall.  She is the lone survivor of an Iraqi terrorist attack in 2004.  Here is an article on her and her website at Carry On Ministries.org.  Her testimony was the most profoundly moving thing I have experienced in a very long time.  God had been preparing me for this weekend and this weekend is preparing me for what lies ahead.  I love it when God's plan comes together - and it ALWAYS does!!!  ...and to top it off - Dan's sermon fell in line, too. 

I have a mission and a purpose that I have been neglecting.  NO MORE!!!  I am getting rid of the distractions and moving ahead.  I have been putting off finishing the LBY study and picked up week 10 this morning to finish it this week.  I have had four ladies in the past month ask about starting up a Bible study this fall and I am praying fervently over that.  God has told me to get offline more and live my life and I am turning in obedience to Him in that.  I am also preparing to move into a mission field of my own this fall and am prepared to live a life that witnesses and glorifies Christ to a very non-Christian group of people but I have to stay close to my Father in this.  His strength is required to be effective.  A deep relationship with Him is crucial.  I am replenishing my salt and light through time spent in study and prayer in preparation for all that is coming.  I will not be the same!!!  God has broken through my hard headedness and hard heart and changed me.  My gratefulness and thanksgiving are so very small in measuring all that my heart holds right now.  I have a job to do and it starts with being still and turning from sin in my life.  If it doesn't fit within the priorities set before me I need to cut it out.  Building the relationship with Christ, ministering to my family and being about the passion God has put in my heart are the things I will be about.  There is much to do so I need to go sit in His presence first each day and get ready to take marching orders.  I read a little bitty book a long time ago called Sit, Walk, Stand by Watchman Nee.  That pattern is very important to us as believers.  We must sit with Him and get to know Him first.  We must walk daily in His word and prayer then and only then are we ready to take a stand for Him.  There is much sitting and walking I need to do.  I am getting started today!!!

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• Jul. 18, 2006
Didya miss me???

    I am back!!!  I got back in last night around 8:30pm but had trouble logging in here so after being in contact with the admin I am now back into my blog and ready for the Carnival of Beauty.  I will have those up in the morning for you...  there are some lovely posts this week about the beauty of play!  I cannot wait to share them with you...

I also have tons of pictures of us doing absolutely NOTHING for a week!!!  It was TRULY WONDERFUL!!!!!  Seeing my parents was a much needed time out for us.  I will share all the goodies and photos after I get the carnival up.  I have another outing this weekend with a women's retreat and so I am washing up and getting repacked for that.  We will get back just in time to ship out to Boy Scout camp and then pack the trailer for a much needed fishing retreat.  My blogging will be a bit sporadic as we try to fit it all in before Dan has to return to his teaching duties on August 8th. 

Well, I also wanted to say thank you to all of those who encouraged me with your votes in the Blogs of Beauty.  I did not win but I sure had fun reading all of those blogs and just being a part of such a lovely group of ladies.  I feel so honored that you even thought of me - thank you!!!  Congratulations to all those who did win...

It is truly sweltering here today and it has been so very hot all last week, too.  I am just trying to stay cool for now.  We are eating light suppers and shutting down the activity in the afternoons to rest.  Tomorrow will be full because I need to take a food run to the supermarket and get some bread baked for the family.  I have one order to do before I head out for the weekend but need to call and touch base with the family. 

We did put a vehicle in the shop today to get it ready for camping and the other needs some work after our trip.  God is so good!!!!!  We sprung an oil leak somewhere along the way going and had to keep putting oil in it all the way home.  We went through 8 quarts of oil coming home yesterday but there was no damage to the engine and we will be checking on getting it fixed once our life settles back down a bit.  We are now officially praying for God to bring a new vehicle our way.  We are praying for His timing, His price and His mode of transportation that He has chosen just for us.  He has never failed in bringing the right vehicle at the right time and we will trust Him on this one, too.  I am so glad to be home safe and sound and to have had such a lovely time cooking with my Dad and visiting with my Mom.  I did, briefly, get to see my brothers and they are well, too.  Praise God for His new mercies each day and for that little angel who rode with us all the way there and back keeping our engine safe.  We are truly blessed!!!!!

See you guys tomorrow with the carnival post links.  Have a great evening!!!

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• Jul. 13, 2006
Blogging from East Texas...

I finally got online long enough to check e-mail and post something.  I miss you all so much!!!  We are having a wonderful time at Mamaw and Poppy T's and hope to get to see my brothers and their wives as well as the cousins this weekend before heading home.  I did take a moment to pop over to Sallie's at Gracious Home to see the finalists and do some voting.  To my utter delight and total amazement someone has nominated me.  You have no idea how humbled I am that you guys nominated me in three catagories and enough to get me into the finals in the recipe catagory!!!  I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH!!!!!  What a wonderful surprise... it's like waking up Christmas morning to find a big present under the tree!!!!! 

 

 

The voting is still going on through the weekend so I am casting my votes and if you feel so inclined to do so you can vote, too.  (both men and women)  There are some very wonderful blogging ladies out there and I have found some new ones to enjoy through the process. 

 

Again, thank you so much for the nominations.  I am blessed to know you all!!!

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• Jul. 4, 2006
Happy Independence Day...

In the midst of all the great grilled food, potato salad, strawberry shortcake, outdoor enjoyment, sun, fun and swimming, watching of tennis, patriotic programs on television, the fireworks and patriotic programs in your community, I hope you will stop and take a moment today to reflect on freedom.  We are a spoiled nation who often takes for granted all that we have.  (pointing finger at self, too)  I pray that there will be a quiet moment today where you can say thank you to the One who makes your ultimate freedom possible.  The freedom that only comes in knowing Jesus Christ and the example He set on the cross in giving His life for the world.  Without that there is no freedom anywhere on the planet. 

I also hope you have the opportunity to say thanks to families and friends who have lost loved ones in sacrifice of our nation's freedom.  Greater love has no man than to lay down his life for a friend ...

Here is a great link for today I just had to share with you. 

Sara at Clothed in Joy shares these convicting thoughts today.  I LOVE SAYRUH!!!

I leave you with the words of Frances Scott Key and a great website with some history for you.

The Star-Spangled Banner

O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O thus be it ever when free-men shall stand
Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust!"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
 
Have a wonderful day!!!

flag graphic from Karren Kountry Graphics.

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• Jun. 30, 2006
My First Everyday Things...

    This is something that intrigues me.  I have been reading some really neat posts on this and thought I would join in...  You can find out more here.

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• Jun. 28, 2006
Thinking out loud...

I got home from my Italian cooking class about an hour ago.  I am having a blast!!!  I have never felt more in my element in a class before.  I talked with Jenn (our teacher) after class for a few minutes about what to expect this fall in the way of work and class.  I am going to be very honest when I say that I am so nervous about it all.  Not scared just nervous - in a good way. 

I am going to have to do some kitchen time so there will be some late nights in my future but I will be serving and catering and that is just where I want to be.  I have had twinges of guilt over wanting to do this.  I feel that God is leading in this direction but I still have the guilt over doing something for me.  I have no idea where all of this will take me but I know God has ministry in mind for all of this training. 

I have been thinking about all of this so much lately.  I don't want my family to feel neglected.  I don't want our home and family life to be pushed aside.  Dan has been absolutely amazing in this decision.  He says over and over that I need to do this and that we can make it all work.  We will do what it takes.  I always knew I would go back to school at some point.  I love school and learning that much.  I never dreamed it would be as a caterer in training. 

I am beginning to see something that God has been trying to show me for a very long time.  He is showing me that service to others is service to Him.  I am beginning to see all the little tedious things I do every day as things I can praise Him with.  Cooking and cleaning up the kitchen are becoming times that I spend with God in prayer.  I really do treasure my time working in the kitchen more and more.  I am reading a book right now called Lord, Please Meet Me in the Laundry Room.  I'll be doing a review when I finish it but I am seeing that the kitchen is my "laundry room," if that makes sense...  I am also seeing that I can serve Him in all the laundry, cleaning the bathroom, sewing and patching clothing, sweeping and mopping the floor and vacuuming.  These are all ways that I can "wash the feet" of my family, so to speak.  God is changing me and He is using this new call to show me some valuable things...  I love the way God is always teaching me in everything around me.  I am so grateful for the fact that He loves me so much!!!

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• Jun. 25, 2006
17 years and counting...

Dan and I just celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary on Saturday June 24th.  I am sorry to say it was not a huge shindig.  We are waiting on the next payday to really go our and celebrate.  I think dinner and a dollar movie is in order but it will have to be next weekend or so...

In 17 years I have become a very different person from the girl Dan married.  I believe our love is stronger now than it has ever been.  I know that I have been made better in knowing and loving Dan.  Someday I will post on all of the things we have lived.  For now, I will share our first year of marriage and a little update...

The day we married was the beginning of a life of full time ministry.  Dan had been serving in a little church in Big Spring, Texas.  He was the music and youth minister.  He had served as a music minister for six years prior to that in a little church in Abilene, Texas, where we attended Hardin Simmons University.  We were the responsible first borns in our families so we waited to marry until Dan graduated and I only had my student teaching left to finish.  We planned to live in Big Spring and I would commute to Midland, Texas to teach while he commuted to Lubbock to attend Seminary Extension classes with SWBTS.  We married and settled into our roles there.  Our first year was very hard.  We were fine as a couple but we realized several things in that first year.  I realized that I could not spend money like I had with my parents.  I went from a household of... let's just say, lots of money to a household of a starving minister.  It was hard but God taught me so much that first year about trusting Him.  Dan and I learned to cling to each other and to God that first year.  I think that is what made our marriage so strong from the beginning.  We only had God and each other and I truly believe God planned it that way for us to learn those valuable lessons. 

We served under a pastor that was very good at his craft.  He was a workaholic but a very wise man and taught Dan a great deal.  There was a secretary that could read their minds on staff and a deacon and his family that took us in as their own.  We still love that family very much.  The pastor went by the title Brother Bob.  He was a short little man with tons of energy.  He is still full of energy into his 60s.

That first year we realized that youth ministry was not our thing.  Music was a strong ministry for us, though and Dan was quite good at it.  He had grown up playing and singing in church and so had I.  He really excelled with the music.  He really fell on his face with the youth, though, and that is why we had to leave.  We went through disappointment, bad landlords, the death (murder) of one of our youth, pneumonia, money struggles, the flooding of a home, heart ache, a heart attack of Dan's father, finishing up student teaching and substituting in the schools there, a calling we had to answer and the final decision to cut our ties and move forward to the seminary to go back to school full time while I taught in Ft. Worth to put food on the table.  It was a hard year - oh yeah, I mentioned that - but God was so gracious and wonderful to us. 

Zip forward to tonight...

Dan just got off the phone with an old friend named Andrew.  He was a roommate of Dan's in college and they were in Cowboy Band together at HSU.  Andrew is, quite possibly, the very reason Dan served in Big Spring.  You see, Andrew's dad is Brother Bob.  We have kept in touch with the family throughout the years.  Brother Bob went on to serve with the NAMB in Montana after leaving Big Spring.  He has been a home missionary for many years.  He is such a gifted man.  His children have all followed him into ministry, too.  The call was not a happy call tonight.  Brother Bob has been diagnosed with Lymphoma (Cancer).  He is about to undergo tests and very aggressive treatment.  We are sad for the family.  We are praying fervently for Brother Bob.  We ask you to join us.  He is in such good spirits over this and knows that God is in control.  You see, I know that because he taught us that 17 years ago and he lives what he preaches. 

Thank you, Father, for the life Brother Bob has led and is still leading before the world even in the midst of his suffering...

Blessings to you all... and thanks for praying with us!

 

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• Apr. 7, 2006
My Mentor Friend Rosie...

    OH.MY.GOODNESS!!!  I got to spend the afternoon with one of my MOST FAVORITE PEOPLE on the planet.  I LOVE my Rosie!!!  Anyone that has read me for a long time might remember my post I wrote on my friend Rosie Jones.  She is the lady that got me started baking bread.  She is the "real live and in flesh" Proverbs 31 woman in my life.  She is a weaver and baker.  She spins her own yarn and her children all have learned trades and skills that allow them to use their hands to be creative. 

She came today, to talk to women from age 12 to 112 (ok, so nobody was actually that old there today).  She shared about grain.  She shared about bread.  She shared about nutrition and feeding our families.  She shared about being mothers and wives.  She shared about God.  She shared about Hebrew and the Bible.  She shared about her children and husband.  She shared about things God has taught her and shown her.  She loved us.  She really LOVED on us today!!!  She inspired me to be a better woman.  She inspired me to be a better Christian.  She inspired me to be a better student.  Did I mention that I LOVE HER?!?!  Gonna have to make a plan to go out to see her and spend the day, SOON...

One more day of conference and we, our family, are performing in the morning worship time tomorrow.  Please pray for us!  Thanks!!!

More later...

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• Apr. 6, 2006
Thursday Thankfuls...

    It is already Thursday and we are spending the weekend at the local homeschool conference.  I won't be around much until after Saturday but here are some thankfuls from this week and today...

*   Got our tax check in
*   Got extra money back on some stocks
*   Got paid for bread this week
*   Picked up some curriculum at the used booksale and saved over half on all things and even got the teacher's manuals for Saxon 2 and 3 for FREE!!!
*   Had an excellent outing with the kids to do some fossil searching this morning and then lab this afternoon with a local geologist/Creation scientist.
*   I am tired but in a totally good way!!!
*   Don't have to cook supper tonight 'cause Dan took us out for dinner.
*   Looking forward to tomorrow's sessions.
*   kitchen is clean
*   laundry is ALMOST done
*   Everyone is heading to bed shortly.
*   Got another quilt square finished with Monica, yesterday.
*   Made some granola bars from a recipe that Tulipgirl posted awhile back - YUMMO!!!
*   Pantry is stocked
*   Freezer is full
*   Life is good because God is good!!!

Later...

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• Apr. 4, 2006
My Darlin' Loves Me!!!

    Dan walked in the door tonight with a set of new cookie sheets, industrial sized spatulas and a box of cold medicine for me.  The catch is that I did not ask for any of that from him today.  He just knew that was what I needed today.  HE LOVES ME, HE LOVES ME, HE LOVES ME!!!!!

He brought home the Narnia movie, too - the kids are thrilled!!!  :)

More on why he brought kitchen stuff later...

BTW, I am moving everyone over to bloglines so my new reads list is coming back soon - you are not deleted, I promise.  Thanks for being patient!!! 

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• Mar. 29, 2006
Time for "What's in the..."

wanta play??? 

 

What's in the...

 

Oven?

Four loaves of bread - honey wheat... boy does the house smell great right now!!!

 

Crockpot?

Lentils and Rice with taco seasoning - ready for tortillas and a salad for dinner.

 

CD player?

Michael Feinstein:  Nice Work if You Can Get It - songs by the Gershwins

 

DVD player?

*   Sky High - very fun movie!

*   and then I Am David - this one is up next

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE MY NETFLIX???

 

Sewing Room?

*   Boy Scout Patches

*   and a Quilt Square to finish

 

Craft Basket?

*   Crocheting a shawl and a pair of socks

*   Some beads for another necklace

*   A book on tying flies for fishing - I have been flyfishing for 17 years with my darling Dan - he keeps me around 'cause I cook mean camp food and am willing to learn to tie flies so that he won't have to with his stubby wide fingers. LOL

 

Music Folder?

some music for flute for a performance at the homeschool conference for next weekend.  Dan, JoNathan and I are performing together before the guest speaker comes to address the crowd.  We are very excited about this...

 

Mailbox?

*singsongy voice crooning*  A NEW BOOK!!!  Got Velveteen Mommy in the mail today to review... 

 

Review Hopper?

*   TEACH Magazine review is almost done

*   Homeschooling High School is almost completely read

*   Connecting with Your Kids is up next...

 

Stack for Reading?

besides review books... I have

*   How to Read the Bible for All It's Worth by Fee and Stuart - this is a book Dan had to read for his doctorate but had two copies and passed one on to me.  He said it was a must read so I am giving it a go...

*   The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis

*   What Your Doctor May NOT Tell You About Menopause by Dr. John Lee and Virginia Hopkins

 

Study Stack?

*   The Prayer of Jesus by Ken Hemphill

*   Living Beyond Yourself by Beth Moore

 

Washroom?

Two more loads for today and at least that many every day it seems... *sigh*

 

Glass?

 

Iced Tea freshly made

 

Stomach?

 

A BLT on Honey Wheat... YUMMO!!!

 

Back Yard?

Seven darling children playing quite nicely together for the afternoon.  Three of them are mine and four from a friend who homeschools that needed to be somewhere with her husband who is deploying again soon.

 

Mommy's Lap?

One snuggly little blond headed, blue eyed, 22 month old...  Dana, ya want a bite???

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• Mar. 16, 2006
We have a connection!!!

It is here... I am now in the world of DSL.  I have streaming video and radio!!!  I am entering a new way of living...   LOL

 

I have more to say but it will have to wait...  Later...

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• Mar. 13, 2006
In the midst...

I think I used this title once before but it seems to be a recurring theme in my life lately.  Dan and I have come to, what Henry Blackaby would call, a "crisis of belief".  It is the moment you realize that God has allowed you to be at a fork in the road and only by looking to Him will you take the right path.  We are there and it is scary to say the least...

 

In deep marriage conversation last night (won't share what cause that is our business - ;) ) we came to a point of earnest prayer.  We needed some reassurance that God is going to work all of this out and that He is still totally in control.  I awoke to those reassurances today...  We are thankful for the reminders of God's constant love in the midst of our crisis.  We are grateful for the privilege we have to come before the Father to lay it all before Him and even ask for such assurances.  He is our Assurance in the midst of what life throws at us...

 

Maybe God will bring me to a point of sharing all of this sometime but for now...

 

He has provided for us this day...

 

*  Our taxes have been filed - God is VERY GOOD!!!

*  Our yearly bread supply is paid in full

*  We are being allowed to attend a Pastor's and Wives retreat in a few weeks for a refreshing get-away and we have a sitter for the kiddos.

*   He has stocked our freezer

*   He is providing for us to attend our local homeschool conference

*   We have a week to purge and clean our home

*   We have friends that lift us up in prayer and want to spend time with us

*   We have a roof over our heads

*   We have clothing for our backs and the backs of our children

*   We have a BEAUTIFUL AND WONDERFUL FAMILY!!!!!

 

GOD IS SO GOOD TO HIS CHILDREN IN THE MIDST.....

 

 

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• Mar. 2, 2006
It all matters to Him...

Over the years God has taken me into a deeper trust of Him as I was ready.  He has been very patient with me.  He has taught me that I should trust Him with EVERYTHING.  Alas, I am still letting go a little at a time.  One of the most recent things He showed me was that He really did have a Boy Scout troup for JoNathan.  Here is the story...

 

JoNathan finished up his Cub Scout years last May with honors.  He earned the Arrow of Light  and the Family Worship patches (which are the only two that move with you to the new Boy Scouting uniform from the Cub Scouts) and was so excited to begin his Boy Scouting years with a new group of boys.  We quickly became disillusioned with Boy Scouting as we begin to send him to a few local groups.  The boys were all out of uniform, dressed in black with chains and tattoos (skulls and other occultic symbols - not nice tatts), using filthy language and racial slurs, and wearing dog collars and spiking their recently dyed black locks into points on their heads.  It was scary to say the very least.  He just did not feel comfortable with any of these groups and neither did we.  I just knew that I could NEVER send my child on a camping outing with such behavior from these boys. 

 

Now before you go off on me as being unaccepting I must say that I have plenty of friends with tattoos and some that dress in the Goth style when they feel like it.  I am basically talking about putting my impressionable 12 year old with people that are rebellious and for the most part they are not church going Christian people.  How do I know that?  I took the time to ask... It is totally fine for me to work with kids like this and for Dan to teach children like this because we are, for the most part, mature Christians that are at a place in our lives that we can have a witness to these children without being swayed by their ways of doing things.  My 12 year old I am not ready to throw to the wolves to be slaughtered...  Understand???

 

We began to pray and pray really hard for God to show us a group that would be just the right fit for our son.  In desperation I made one final call to the local head office and the lady on the other end of the line gave me the same old list of troups.  My heart sank as I just knew that we would not be able to put him into a group where we live and then she said, "have you tried this troup?"  She gave me a number of a group I had not heard of before on our side of town.  I perked up as she began to rave on the Scout Master and tell us where they met and all the delightful things about their reputation in the community.  Plus, they were only two miles from our home!!!  Could this be the group? 

 

Dan took JoNathan to the meeting that week and it was like he was a puzzle piece that had been lost from it's puzzle.  The group embraced him and they were just what we were looking for.  They wear their uniforms to EVERYTHING and represent it beautifully.  The principles taught in scouting were very much what these boys were about.  They do lots of community service and outings and totally encourage dads to be an integral part of what they do.  The boys are all good students and responsible kids.  We were thrilled to find this group.  It was just what God had for him and for us.  We are so glad that it matters to God where our boy fits.  God has a plan and a purpose.  I have found that it just takes prayer and trust to know exactly what that plan and purpose is so that we can be obedient to it.  God reminded me that it is important to stay in tune with Him to know just where we belong.  In growing in relationship with God I am also becoming more and more sensitive to what He wants and there is that level of hope that He will bring what we need when we need it.  Just trust Him...

 

I taught the children a sweet little song that came with our Bible study a few weeks ago and it was such a beautiful reminder to me to stay in constant communication with my Father in order to hear Him when He is speaking and directing our steps.  They sing it around the house all the time now...

 

Whisper a prayer in the morning

Whisper a prayer at noon

Whisper a prayer in the evening

To keep your heart in tune

 

Talk to your Father - simple but, oh, so true...

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• Feb. 28, 2006
Can't help myself...

This is the the THIRD post for today...  sorry...

 

I will keep this as short and sweet as possible.  We are homeschoolers.  My hubby is a pastor and a band director.  He teaches in the public school and is awesome at his job.  We found a way this year - through Dan's research we found out that if I joined TMEA (Texas Music Educators Association - I have a music degree and teach them music at home, too) JoNathan could audition for TMEA sponsored events.  That would include All-Region Middle School Band competitions.  He placed fourth chair top band in the All-Region band in the fall and was the ONLY 6th grader and the ONLY homeschooler in the district to make the band. 

 

He has done it again!!!  He is FIRST CHAIR in the All-Region Jazz Band!!!  He is the ONLY 6th grader and the ONLY homeschooler.  HE GETS TO SOLO IN THE CONCERT!!!!!  We are submitting this information to the local homeschool newsletter, hoping to entice more homeschoolers to take this route.  WE ARE STOKED AND SO VERY PROUD OF OUR BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

PS.  A little side bar I should interject here is that he has been on task with his work now for two whole weeks and is doing his daily studies with NO YELLING and NO NAGGING!!!!!!  That's my boy...

 

I must also say that NONE of this would be possible if it were not for the fervent prayers on behalf of this boy by all the family and friends that love our family and lift us before the LORD daily!!!!!

 

Ok, that's it - good night...

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• Feb. 21, 2006
I know what my MOM is doing...

Tonight is the start of the women's ice skating competition.  That is something my Mom has loved for years and I do too.  LOL  I know where she is right now cause I am there, too!!! 

 

What a difference a day makes (and all of your prayers certainly helped)

After a good cry this afternoon and some time in God's word I am feeling better about things.  I have had so many people, including my MIL, say to me that this is the hardest part of life - raising all these children and never getting a break from things.  She said that she remembers those days well when all she could think about was getting away for just a little while to catch her breath. 

 

All of you that left comments surely made my heart soar with your encouragement!!!

 

Today the mercies poured in and I have been shown some things about my life and my calling.  I tend to see the other side of the fence and wish that I could play there but then God shows me that life ain't so green over there.  He has reminded me of all that He has called me to and shown me some things that are in my future - a future, by the way, that has my best interest at the very heart of God. 

 

When I started the path to healthier eating and bread baking I never dreamed that a door would be opened that would allow me to sell my bread but that is just what is happening.  I have had three requests to buy my bread from friends in the past week.  This could be the start of something really wonderful.  Dan and I are seeking God in this and will continue to look to Him for guidance and planning as this unfolds.  There has been some talk of catering, too, but that is not in the near future of this plan.  That will take some research and longterm planning but I am so up for that!!!

 

We made a trip to the library today, too, and I picked up some more books on crochet.  I have truly been enjoying that aspect of my life.  The ministry opportunities with this skill are amazing.  I spoke with a group today that does hats for the homeless, baby caps for the hospitals and afghans and shawls for the elderly.  I was encouraged by them so much.  I am planning some contributions for this group as well as continuing to work on prayer shawls for the Women at Home ministry. 

 

I know so many of you know this little bit of information but I was in need of being reminded of it this week in a mighty way - when you are wallowing in self pity it does a world of good to do for others.  I find it totally takes the focus off myself - which is not a good place to be focusing anyway. 

 

I found out something today, too, that really surprised me.  I had been nominated for a blog award - total shocker for me...  It was in the humor catagory - I am so not that funny!!!  LOL  Anyway, whoever nominated me - THANK YOU - you made my day!!!!!  I did not make the finals but I am delighted that someone even considered me...  :)

 

Well, I have pajamas to slip into, kiddos to get ready for bed and some crochet wristwarmers and socks to work on...  I will share more pics as I finish projects.  In the meantime you can head over to Flickr to check out some of my other things. 

 

Blessings to you all!!!

 

 

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• Feb. 13, 2006
The 200th post...

After a week away from the blogging world and a time full of family and fellowship I am ready for some normalcy.  We are getting back to schooling today and Dan headed back to work after taking Friday for the funeral.  There are still family members here visiting but over the next three days they will all be trickling back to their homes.  MIL and FIL are getting the heck out of Dodge and taking some days for themselves for a bit of R&R.  We have a birthday on Friday as my daughter will turn 8. 

 

We enjoyed time with Dan's cousin Ben and his wife over the past few days.  They stayed in our home.  They had to leave their four children home to make the trip.  Dan had time to catch up with Ben and I totally enjoyed his wife.  We do have a great deal in common including baking bread and healthy lifestyle issues.  We shared a great deal.  They are truly delightful people!!!

 

We had a lovely funeral and church service this weekend.  It was all full of wonderful memories and laughter.  It is very different from the funeral mentality of the world.  We sat around sharing memories and stories.  We ate WAY TOO MUCH FOOD!!!  A few of our church ladies really stepped up to the task of ministering to us in preparing a meal and taking care of kitchen tasks for us on Friday and I am truly grateful. 

 

I am also so very grateful for all of the prayers and comments you all lifted and left for us.  You are truly a wonderful blessing to me and I thank you for your concern and willingness to pray for us. 

 

I will move back into blogging mode this week and hope to have two book reviews up by Friday.  It is good to be back...

 

Blessings,

 

~Leann

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• Feb. 5, 2006
And the dead in Christ will rise first...

We are rejoicing in the homecoming of our beloved GiGi (Dan's Grandmother). She was 88 years old. She passed away around 10:00pm Saturday February 4, 2006. She will be missed but we are rejoicing that she is healed of all this earth brought her.

Please pray as family comes from around the world and the USA for the funeral. We will probably be doing the funeral on Friday or Saturday of next weekend to allow for everyone to be here.

Thanks so much for all your prayers as our family grieved her dying and is still grieving our sadness in missing her. We do not grieve for where she is, for it is a far better place, but for the loss of our wonderful and loving Grandmother Gaddis with whom we feel her absence from us if only for a short time.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

 

13 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are • asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.
14 Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen • asleep through Jesus.
15 For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen • asleep.
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will always be with the Lord.
18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

1 Thess 4:13-18 (HCSB)

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• Jan. 30, 2006
So much news...

I am watching as God is working some pretty wonderful things right now!!!  My friend Patti came home from Iraq this week and she is being reassigned come March to a stateside assignment.  I was thrilled as she came to church yesterday and we are planning some catching up time while she is home.  God is so good - He brought her through a year overseas safely and we are so blessed to have her home with us. 

 

I called my Mom this weekend and everyone is doing well.  My Dad had a heart attack about a year ago and is doing so great now.  He is getting healthier all the time and the doctor is pleased with his progress this year.

 

We had time yesterday to sing at GiGi's bedside.  What a blessing that was.  We just gathered the family together and sang about five hymns or so.  This time with her is trying but so very wonderful.  God has such a greater plan than we ever imagined and He is working some pretty wonderful things in terms of spiritual growth and relationships through this.  I feel privileged to be a part of this...

 

Our Sunday school class is growing each week and getting excited as we get ready to launch a contemporary service in about a month.  We are praying so much over this and waiting on the Lord to show us things.  It has been so exciting to watch as God brings a vision to our group.  We are also studying about prayer and things are coming alive in the homes of our people through this.  Marriages are being strengthened and people are being discipled.  It is an EXCITING TIME...  I cannot wait to see what God has in store as we move forward - waiting and watching and praying...

 

I have a doctor's appointment today.  There are a few concerns that I have but have been praying over them and God has brought a peace over my heart overnight.  I will trust Him no matter what the outcome of today. 

 

We have started a Prayer Shawl Ministry through the Women at Home and I am working on my VERY FIRST SHAWL.  I am hoping to get it in the mail no later than Wednesday.  I will share a picture when it is done.  It is for a teenaged boy having surgery soon.  THIS IS SO EXCITING!!!!!  For more information you can go here.

 

Have I mentioned lately that GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME?!?!?  Well, He is...

 

Blessings for a wonderful week ahead and I will see you later...

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• Jan. 12, 2006
Thankfulness...

There is much to be thankful for today in our home.

 

*   Dan is loving his new job so much and his hours are so much more family friendly.

*   Dan's grandmother is still with us and now ALL OF HER CHILDREN ARE HERE BY HER BEDSIDE!

*   The house is getting cleaner each day thanks to the new routines and schedules we are keeping

*   School is moving along again

*   There is more time to read and work on handiwork projects with the new schedules and routines

*   Best of all there is time for Bible study and prayer in the morning before everyone is in high gear.

*   Our Sunday school is growing and we are now studying the Lord's Prayer and a book and video series that is VERY BIBLICAL in it's approach called The Prayer of Jesus by Kenneth Hemphill.

*   We are working toward a "Contemporary" format that is very Bible based in it's approach, too.  We are bathing everything in prayer and God is really showing us some amazing things as we go.  The whole team is very excited as they watch God work...

*   I am getting excited about church again because of all of this.

*   God is leading us toward women's ministry and a Bible study time.  We are still praying over the impending start up of all of this. 

*   The younger men in our church are fellowshiping and Dan is mentoring two of them on a personal basis now.  This is something I believe God has really gifted Dan in.

*   Dan is moving along in his doctorate program and is learning a great deal as he reads and studies.  We are praying for more time for his studies so that he can increase the pace of his program and for the coming summer study time.

*   Emmy is crocheting

*   Davy is tying his shoes

*   Josh is into EVERYTHING!!!

*   JoNathan is preparing for all-region jazz band tryouts

 

God is really blessing us!  We expect that Dan's Grandmother will be going home to be with Jesus soon but we are a