Time Will Tell

Do you remember as a child thinking a year was forever long and a month was just under that? Funny how in the eyes of a child time can seem so different that now as an adult! I wonder how it must seem to God when we want something now and He is thinking .. now now my child not now!

So often we rush to get somewhere or obtain something and honestly we should be taking it slow.. learning with every step!

I think back to when I was in the middle of having little children and I thought.. they'll never be teens.. look where I am now! In Aug I will have 2 who are classified as Youth and I now I wonder where the time went!

When we ask God for an answer we think if we don't see an immediate change or hear something in the now... well we get worried! In reality God is just waiting on us to be ready for the answer! 

Over the years I have learned so much and still I will be the First to say I do NOT have all the answers! Being a mother, a wife, a cook, a teacher, a friend and various other jobs comes with a label! One that says let's ask her and she'll know what to do... LOL Plaease do not be surprised if I say "I don't know" . Only time will tell if indeed I am learning  the steps to better motherhood and wifely duties!  Until then you will see the imperfect version of myself wandering around here on this earth, living in faith and trusting that when time does indeed tell I can say I did my best!

I have said before and I will say it again... time is realtive to your age and to your knowledge of each situation!

Psalm 71:1

In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.

.Psalm 118:8

It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Five Words Friday

Knee ~ Anatomy . the joint of the leg that allows for movement between the femur and tibia and is protected by the patella; the central area of the leg between the thigh and the lower leg.

.Isaiah 35:3 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.

.Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
 
I chose the word Knee for obvious reasons... I am fighting a knee problem. In my experience we often fight areas on our body that seem to affect us the most on our spiritual walk... thus my choosing to look specifically on wortds of the body today!

Heart ~ Anatomy . a hollow, pumplike organ of blood circulation, composed mainly of rhythmically contractile smooth muscle, located in the chest between the lungs and slightly to the left and consisting of four chambers.

.Psalm 49:3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.

Psalm 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

 My heart has recently become a focal point of my prayer life. Selfish you say.. maybe however it controls so much of my body function and for it to be controlled by a piece of machine is a miracle itself! It is not a problem too small or too big for God to fix!

.Revelation 17:17

For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

The Bible has almost 900 Scriptures speaking about the heart!

Eye ~ the organ of sight

Psalm 119:18 

Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

Some say the eyes are the window to the soul! My eyes are beyond precious to me after having been without my sight at different times in my life. How precious is it when God chooses to show us something?!

Ear ~ the organ of hearing

Job 34:3 For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.

.Revelation 2:29
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Many who know me know I love Sign Language ! This is a language I adapted as a child and am still learning as an adult! This is near and dear to my heart as it often allows me to be silent and use my ears to hear what it is God is trying to tell me!

Feet ~ a plural of foot.

Psalm 119:105

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Though I do not suffer from feet problems I know that so often when our feet are alligned in any sense we are on the right path! When our feet go awry we often find ourselves tripping or even falling! This is true is any sense Spiritual or Physical!

Kneed Lots of Prayer!

Yes I spelled need like that for a reason! This morning started off with a bang.. or rather a "pop" really! Ouch was the next thing I felt and my right knee gave way! I made it about an hr before calling my hubby to come get me! At about 10 just 3 hrs after it happened we headed to the ER and Drs said I either badly sprained it or tore some cartilage! Either was I was in a LOT of pain! After a pain shot they sent me on my way in a very long and huge brace! I quickly felt some relief and yet much more clumsy!

I am now forced to stay off my knee through the weekend at least... I look at as time to relax and time to read..maybe even play a computer game or two! 

This is an attack and anyone who knows me knows I see it this way! I believe in healing and this pain is most defintely covered!

So anyone seeing fit to pray in the same manner... that I am indeed healed... Fell free to do so! 

While I am asking I'll add in Grace too she has an ear infection and she too is healed!

Jesus is Love!

Our pastor double dog dared us to talk about Jesus to everyone we know... so here I go!

Jesus is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me! Jesus is Love! Jesus never fails!
Jesus loves YOU! Jesus died a horrific death just so I could live a forgiven life free of worry! Jesus is my best friend! Jesus Loved me even when I was a sinner and even now when I sin! Jesus will never fail!

In our world today so much is going wrong and so many still need to hear of Jesus!

Have you shared with someone what Jesus has done for you lately?!

Take time today to share with someone...anyone that Jesus loves them!

In our weekly Encounter with service today our pastor pointed out that dozens of lives came to know Jesus this past weekend and that alone should give us reason to Praise the Lord! As we sang I was almost in tears thinking of all that Jesus has done for me!

Tell someone today what Jesus has done for you!

Tuesday Tussels

I tossed up the idea of doing school today... I really needed to finish laundry though and so I have! I also managed to reorganize our vast dvd assortment for the hundredth time I think and this time I moved it closer to my viewing so when one is watched it has to be put back before another can be taken! Let's hope this works!

 My oldest and I constantly butt heads and mostly over the simplest things... today I had a heart to to heart with him and used the example of (   ) this is your bad qualities and (                                                                        ) this is your good qualities! I think it finally made him realize there is more to himself than the things he sees wrong! I also shared a little tidbit with him that even at almost 35 I am still learning to know when to speak and when not to speak. For the first time in a very long time I fell like he actually heard me! I will not say I made it through the day perfect...in fact I made a few big mistakes though in the end we ended up with good results! So often I see only my bad qualities too and really in reality I need to learn to look on the bright side so to speak!

Ever heard a woman say " I wish I was a better mom! " In a sense she is really saying I have so much to learn! I am most defintely in need of being a better mom! I still have so much to learn and so much more to give up! Being selfish is not an option when you are a mom... being wise is! By this I mean it is NOT selfish to take time for yourself.. however if you are taking time every five minutes... you may need to re-think your priorities!  I am speaking from my heart to anyone who may ready this measely little blog!  I am so far from perfect ... in fact I do not even like to hear the word perfect... I will never get there nor do I ever intend to, what would I learn next if I did?!

God has so much in store for every mom .. whether you have one or ten under your roof or in your heart.. God has a purpose for every child he has given you!

Today, on this Tuesday in April I have seen so many imperfections on myself and also so many good qualities! Take time today and notice all the Good things God has given you!

Monday Monologue

Yesterday had to be one of the Best Easters I have had in a long while! Now known as Ressurection Sunday in my mind as it will be forever and ever the True Reason we Celebrate!

Today I decided it was going to be a clean up day and gather up the strength we lost over the long weekend! I needed to get much more done than I acctually did..however it was a much needed rest!

I think I washed 3 of the 23 loads of clothes that needed washing... my dryer is Beyond Blessed! I did manage to get the clean clothes folded and a Huge load of socks put together! That in itself is a big "feet" Pun intended!

I had just about decided to not take Micah to the last night of the fund raiser at a local resturant when I convinced a great friend to come keep the kids so I could go alone with Micah and enjoy the quiet! It was a great semi~date night and I loved getting to fellowship with other Relaters! I took my colors and at one point had 4 children at my table coloring with me..indeed I love children even when I choose to leave mine at home!

And so I survived another Monday! Truly I am Beyond Blessed!

Amazed @ God's 6lory

This morning for the first time ever... I saw God in a Church service! Let me Explain... I've been in church so many times in my life... way too many to count... every Easter... the same sermon the same altar call the same music... All of it was good and you could see the message in every one! Today i saw the message of CHRIST! I saw God at work in real time... through the Worship team... through the Pastor... through my friends... through my son next to me... through the two yr olds i taught ... through the young girl who helped me! Shall i go on... in reality it was as if Jesus himself was sitting there serving in every aspect of every moment! Today we have thanks for the sacrifice God gave in Jesus and the love Jesus showed by giving of his life! I was almost in tears as i left church and for only the fact that so many were won to Christ by God's simple message and the willingness of his people to serve him in every aspect! Thank you to my Pastor for sharing God's word in such a profound yet simple way! Thank you to the Worship team for Showing me into God's presence yet again and inspiring me to worship unashamed! Thank you to everyone who served in any capacity allowing so many to hear the Gospel and come to know what an Awesome God we serve!

Saturday before Easter!

This day always brings a little saddness and a little Joy to my heart! To know my Savior was Crucified just so I might have a better life brings me saddness! To think of how he Rose again brings me Joy! 15 years ago God brought me the love of my life! We met at a joint Good Friday Service and well I guess you could say the rest is History! 15 years later we have been married over 14 yrs and have 7 wonderful kids! 
Eater has ever since brought even more Joy to our family! To celebrate God's gift of Life is enough though He has given us so much more!

Five Words Friday

Accountability ~ Allowing someone else to help you in an area you struggle the most in!

"But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Matt. 12:36-37

Church ~ A body of people who gather and unite under the same belief.

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so is Christ. for by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body... and have all been made to drink one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. 1 Cor. 12:12-14

Resurrection ~ He is Risen !

1 Corinthians 15:14-20:

14And if Christ has not risen, then our preaching is in vain [it amounts to nothing] and your faith is devoid of truth and is fruitless (without effect, empty, imaginary, and unfounded).
15We are even discovered to be misrepresenting God, for we testified of Him that He raised Christ, Whom He did not raise in case it is true that the dead are not raised.
16For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised;
17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is mere delusion [futile, fruitless], and you are still in your sins [under the control and penalty of sin];
18And further, those who have died in [[a]spiritual fellowship and union with] Christ have perished (are lost)!
19If we who are [abiding] in Christ have hope only in this life and that is all, then we are of all people most miserable and to be pitied.
20But the fact is that Christ (the Messiah) has been raised from the dead, and He became the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep [in death].


John 11:25-26:

25Jesus said to her, I am [Myself] the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on) Me, although he may die, yet he shall live;
26And whoever continues to live and believes in (has faith in, cleaves to, and relies on) Me shall never [actually] die at all. Do you believe this?


Trust ~ Believing that some one or something will not fail!

Proverbs 3:5-6:

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.

 Worship ~ an example of true Joy in All Jesus has done for me! An expression of my love and thankfulness for his sacrifice!

Psalm 100


A psalm of thanksgiving.
1 Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
3 Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

Faith Over Feeling!

In life there are many people who choose not to walk on faith completly... I do NOT want to be one of those people! I know right now I am facing physical issues in my body.. I know this and choose to believe I was healed when Jesus did on the cross for my sins and All my sickness!

Today has been a purely faith over feeling! My body wants to do one thing and my spirit says stand strong on what God has given you in His Word!

.Psalm 30:2

O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.
.
Isaiah 53:5

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.



My Blessings far out weigh my problems! I am so thankful for God and all He has given me!

Be Willing!

To be willing you need to be available! I ask my kids to do so much sometimes and really all I want is a willing heart! Over the years I have learned that no one will clean like I want it cleaned and really that is okay! There is NO WAY that I alone could ever do all it takes to run a family of 9!  All the women who think I am some sort of Superwoman... If you only knew how much I choose to delegate out to the other hands in my house! We work as a family... laundry, dishes, picking up a room... all of these are included in the chores they pick from daily!
As I said before I look for a willing heart first and foremost! SO what if I have to re mop the floor after the 8yr old did her best or if I must rewash a plate or a cup before I use it!
Willingness is something I wish I could reward every time I saw in any child anywhere! So often I find myself unwilling to cook supper, unwilling to teach for the day or unwillling to even be a mom! Does that mean I check out and not do it... certainly not... I must change my attitude and do what needs to be done!
Often I will ask a child to do something and when they say no I will quietly go to the next to find one who will( I have an unusually large selection) and when I do find one I will reward them! Of course the others fuss and say I would have done it if you gave me something too... yes but you see the reward came with the willing heart!
In every day life I see attributes or characteristics in each of my children that unmistakeably comes from me! These are the areas that often I have to work hardest to change on myself and thus how must I expect my children to change them with ease!
For today I leave with you this thought... place on your children the level of willingness you have for anything! (age appropiate of course)! This is NOT something I have mastered! Today I am striving to remember what Blessings I have been given!

If I could skip a day...

I go through every monday thinking if i could only skip today i'd be so much happier ... then i quickly realize my tuesday would become my monday and well that would not work! I said all that to say i crawled into bed thinking i was sure glad this monday was over and realized it was indeed tuesday and i o true have missed monday somewhere along the way! Oh my if this week has bed this busy and it's almost half over.... i sure hope the next 3 days slow down! So much time and so little to do.... wait strike that.... reverse it:) i'm praying the next day or so i get some things accomplished and i'm not worn slap out for Easter!

Long Day Behind Me

Yes i said it today was a long day! Spent the day working on computer issues... getting kids ready to leave the house and eventually leaving...Now we're headed home... and prob bed! Tomorrow will be a much more productive day for sure!

Late Late!

I have been up since 5 thirty this morning so still being up at this hr is almost crazy! Our church started it's own Facebook of sorts for our members and I've been check it out!

Tomorrow I will post more about my day and all it's glory! Tonight I am tired!

Someday Somehow!

  Today has been a good Saturday! We went to our first church picnic @ Relate and the kids had a blast! The fellowship was also great! Amazing just how many kids were there! John Russell found the "most looked for" golden egg with the $20 dollars in it! What was most funny is he found it by stepping on it... I told him I knew his big feet were good for something!
   After the picnic we took the boys to get much needed haircuts! Then we came home and had wonderful hamburgers made lovingly by my hubby! Now I'm actually going to bed before 9! Yay me! LOL!
   Someday Somehow it will be easier than ever to go bed early and get up early!

Five Words Friday

Beautiful... a word for describing the way something looks or in my case how i feel at times when my hubby say's he loves me or my children say i'm pretty after doing my hair up all crazy!

1 Peter 3:3-4:

3 Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. 4 You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

Thankful... A word for so much and even so little it can be so nice to hear... a word which says gratitude for all we've been given!

Psalm 136:1:
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.


Faith... a word for which there is much controversy... for each person it means a different degree of which it is... a true trust in God for all you've been given in His Promises!

Hebrews 11:1-6:

Great Examples of Faith

1 Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. 2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.
3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.
4 It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.
5 It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.”[a] For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

 Growth... measured by time and knowledge in every culture... proven by the evidence of change!


Smile... proven to turn a frown upside down...an exercising of muscles that takes little effort... a way of touching another person without even saying a word!


My hopes are that my opinions and thoughts on 5 words each Friday will touch you and cause you to think on the words you use or say each day!

"Change Me, Lord!"

So often as a wife and a mother I see so many ways everyone around me should change and tend to forget the ways I need to change. This following paragraph could have very well come form my own talks with God!


This is an excerpt from Stormie Omartian' s book The Power of a Praying Wife of a conversation she used to have with God...

"Do you see the way he is, Lord?"
"Do you see the way you are?"
"Lord, are You saying there are things you want to change in me?"
"Many things. Are you ready to hear them?"
"Well, I guess so."
"Tell me when you're reall ready."
"Why me, God? He's the one that needs to change."
"The point is not who needs to change. The point is who is willing to change."
"But God, this isn't fair."
" I never said life is fair, I said I am fair."
"But I ..."
"Someone has to be willing to start."
"But..."
"How important is preserving your marriage?"
"Very important. The other options are unacceptable."
"I rest my case. Let's get on with changing you."
"Help me to have a good attitude about this, Lord."
"That's up to you."
"Do I have to pray for my husband even if he's not praying for me?"
"Precisely."
"But that's not... okay, okay, I remember. Life's not fair. You're fair!"
(Silent nodding from heaven)
"I give up. Go ahead. Oh, this is going to be painful!"
"Cha...change.... I can't believe I'm saying this."
(Deep breath) "Change me, Lord."

I indeed have had this conversation with God and often in many different forms. Varying details of how I'll change or when I'll change!  So often even with my children.. I often want to change them NOW!

Today in Grace's spelling Lesson she was learning the word Instant and immeadiately it popped into my head... Instant Gratification! Our world so revolves around seeing the now factor in the latest technology or food or reformed behavior.

When I see my kids doing something wrong I want the behavior to change now! God has been speaking to me..."How can they change of they don't know how?" That really hit me... just as I need to learn even in my thirties they need to learn even more so at their ages!

Prayer has been a small part of my life in every day... I can say now it will become a much bigger part!  My prayer is for God to change ME!

Which side are you walking on?

Something was said tonight that really hit home with me.. especially as something I need to change! We are either walking in Life or in Death there is no inbetween!

The Spirit brings life and the Flesh profits NOTHING!

So often I myself find myself acting out the spiritual stuff when I know all the time really living it is so much better!

Do yearn for the Word of God? Do you long to be in His Presence?

I really want to do the above a lot more than actaully do it! This WILL Change!

I desire to allow others to see the JOY in my life I feel as I discover more everyday how much God loves me and guides me in every step I take!

God is greater than ANY OTHER! Why am I NOT shouting it from the rooftops just in the way I live!

Sitting by while so many walk in Death that just sounds harsh yet if they are not walking in the Spirit which leads to life then indeed they are walking in the flesh which leads to death! I will walk in FAITH as I strive to draw near to God ! In turn shlowing His light to ALL around me!

Are you walking in Life or Death?

What Touches You?

Honestly think about what touches you...

I know one for me is my children serving out Lord in the little ways! Doing the little things that need doing even when not asked! Serving so that others will get to join in a good time even when you won't! Caring for a younger sibling over playing a video game. Taking time to pamper me when they could be playing!
 
Another thing is a teen giving of their time to serve here and abroad to bring others to Christ! Even in their daily walks as they choose to live in a way most might see as funny!

Or a child willing to ask the questions about what salvation really is.. will they ever lose it or can this love ever be lost?  And actually listening with sincerity to your answers!

My hubby taking the time each and every night to pray for each of his children in his own unique way. Also taking time to leave a love note on the front of my phone each morning!

A friend taking time out of her busy morning to call and share a great book with me.. one that will change the way I see things potentially!

Someone saying we missed you at church on Sunday... even though we know you were on vacation! 

SO many times I think we miss the little things that really touch others or maybe we don't really know them and should. Not everyone is touched by the same things and yet so often if it touches you, more than likely it will touch someone else!

God gives us whatI like to call "happies" in every day and if we are not careful we can get overwhelmed by the busy stuff and forget to see them! Take time today to see what it is that touches you and those around you!  We are Blessed Beyond Measure!

Making Changes!

    Mondays come with many things to do! Seems like it often takes me a whole day to recover from a weekend.. this week we were gone for 3 days so even more so! Camping for a month would be more like my style! I say that because if I am going to go to the trouble to pack up stuff for a family of 9 then why not just go all out?!
    This weekend I was able to see how much my kids like spending time with me and more time than I am actually giving! Yes I admit I am not perfect in spending time with my kids. Often I have seen teaching them and providing for them all as a burden and in the recent months I have found a new Joy in all the little things that have to be done.
    I will be the first to tell you though that if given the choice of doing a craft with the kids or reading a book to them over washing dishes or cleaning house I'll do the former everytime! My children will only be little for a few years.. chores will always need doing!
I think if as a family we could gain so much from getting away from it all more often! You know as a type this I am seeing how I just might talk to my hubby and put this into more of a challenge for our family. Who knows you might see more of this in the furture.
    I am realizing that in less then 5 years I could have a child leaving the house and that is a wake-up call! I know it is time to step up and make some changes that will affect out family for the better! Amazing how for me writing things down I beginning to see things that God has in store for my family! Yesterday marked 100 days in a row I have been blogging so today as I begin the second hundred I am thrilled to see all that is to come!
    God's blessings are Amazing and even in the little things I see His provision!

Home Sweet Home!

Camping since Thursday night.. it feels so good to be home! I am loading tons of pictures on the computer... memories to last a lifetime!
We ate a semi lunch /supper and are trying to rest a bit now! Thus I have decided to sit for a minute and catch up on my blog! Some families like vacations in big hotels and big condos.. I like camping in a tent! Despite the dirt and the scrapes... it is fun to let the kids run! So many times it is hard to take the time to spend it doing what the kids want to do and camping makes me do that!

Here are a few pictures of our trip!

So the camping continues...

Yes we are camping till tommorow and loving it! The weather has been perfect and we've enjoyed the family time tremendously! Despite a few scooter spills with skinned knees ... the kids have had a good time and great attitudes!

April Heat

Yes it has been H-O-T hot today! It is only April and it's been hot... though the heat has eased up in the shade which makes it perfect weather for camping! About now we are waiting on John to get here to cook supper for us and get in a card game or two before bed! I think i've walked more today than i have in months.... guess i should go camping more often! Have a very blessed day!

Camping at Last!

At last we again go camping! For not being an outside person i sure do love going camping in a tent! This was not planned till last minute but it has already been great! Dirt and all! So far we've put up a tent and grilled hamburgers... now i'm finally laying down enjoying the cool air! What a blessing to be able to enjoy the night outside and spend the weekend away from the tv and video games!

Wednesday to Wonder

Wednesday is the day of the week I take time to wonder how much I have actually acccomplished and will I need to catch up! Especially in the school area! My teaching career has come to light this yr as a full-time job and I know you might say, " Career? you just teach you children?" To that I say what better students to have!
I often wonder, as I sure any teacher does, am I getting through to them? Then we have one of those "ah ha" moments or "wow really" moments! Funny thing is the more I teach the more of the moments we have!
Easy is all relative .. how easy do you make it for them to learn... are you teaching the subject their way... each child learns differently! I know without doubt I am still learning this! For example today I was teaching to the newly 8 yr old Grace and as simple as the problems were, the way they were laid out she was not getting it! I could feel myself getting frustrated because I know she new these simple answers! On paper it was NOT coming to her and I know I explained it several ways! Fianlly it hit me to pull out a visual aid such as groups of crayons and you could almost see the light come on in her head!
So often I blame myself or even the child, yeah I'm not perfect, and when I take time to step back and see how it is they learn!
Taking time to wonder often brings the answer to light in the area of teaching! I know now so much more than I ever have in my life and so I must remember that it is the same for my children! They will learn more and more every day!

Perfection is not reachable in this life and to me that is a good thing...it means I can only wonder how close I can come!

ROLD GOLD® Cheddar Tiny Twists Pretzels

ROLD GOLD® Cheddar Tiny Twists Pretzels



I love this snack!

The Goodness of God's Grace

Let me first start be saying God's Grace is Awesome I know this for many reasons and today I will share the story of one of those reasons! On this day 8 years ago we were blessed with the birth of our first girl. After having 3 boys you can imagine how excited we were! Fianlly I was able to tradein all the blues and greens in for the pinks and purples! She was a very easy baby so not many stories to share other than my love for dressing her up and every chance I got! Truly she was a blessing to our family and still is to this day!
Grace Elizabeth was to be my Grace and I told everyone she is not a Gracie! My dad being the technical man in literature that he is said okay I will just call her Grace E. because her middle name is Elizabeth. I gave up and realized no matter what she was called she was stil my little girl!

She has a very sensitive heart and caring side! She loves to take care of others! My favorite time is when she asks to brush my hair! She grows is so many ways so fast right before my eyes! Last summer she Accepted Christ in her heart and became a part of my eternal family.. that was a day that touched my heart!

She has a very funny side!

So today we celebrate a very good example of God's Grace!

Happy 8th Birthday Grace!

Middle of the Road... is your path Wide or Narrow?

Monday is always a day I find myself reflecting over the message preached on Sunday. As a Christian we know we are not of this world.. only in it for a short time! To walk in Faith over Flesh takes determination.. it seems the more we've oversome the more we can stand up against without falling over at the slightest push! So often I have tried to seem perfect while trying to seem transparent at the same time... that hasn't seemed to work. I want to be one who says what you see is what you get! By no means am I perfect or will I ever be.. I just want people to know that when I say "yes" or "no" to a question it is because I have weighed the options and more importantly prayed about what it is I said in the end to the question.
This week my goal is to be the Mom, the Friend and the Wife, that God wants me to be! If I set that goal then I am setting myself up for sucess beacuse " I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me Strength!" Phil. 4:13

Be Transparent...Even Jesus asked for water on the cross.. it was his bad day. When you have a bad day remember it's okay to surround yourself with others who will pray and support you!

Ten Again!

Today I had the privledge of keeping 3 more children! Tuff who is 4, Mailey who is 2 and Garrett who is 10 mos. They fit in very well with the younger bunch and Grace adored carrying around the lil one!
At one poing there was 12 children in the house when our close friends came down to play Phase 10.. as is our tradtion on Sunday afternoons and we've been so busy it just hasn;t happened lately! The men dominated the 2 games we played... we'll get you next time suckas!
Today's message at church really hit home with me... even on the cross Jesus ask for something... so why is is so hard in our times of need to ask for help?! I am in a sense very transparent... what you see is what you get with me... however I do try to not seem so needy even when I am really in need of something! Change is headed my way...

I wanted to show you the 3 paintings I am giving to some young people headed on mission trips this summer... They are not the best and I just hope they will bring in a little something at auction to help them out! I will post a link to the auction as soon as I get one.. if any of you are intrested!

My First Fundraiser as A Mom of a Teen!

Today we got up VERY early for a Saturday morning and headed to my first fundraiser a the mom of a teen! I am sure there will be MANY more to come! The youth washed 46 cars.. I dried a bunch of those... being tall has it's advantages... I dried the roofs!

I'd even say I had a good time even with all the work! Ruth was Amazing for an almost 2 yr old... She of course was her adorable self! I will help next year, if they'll let me!

Here's a few pictures...

I know the boys are worn out.. I was really proud of the work they did!

Today was just another example of how Blessed Beyond Measure we really are!

No Fooling!

In light of April's Fools Day I am listing 10 things i am NOT fooling about!
1. Jesus Loves You!
2. Faith takes Faith... I mean you have to want to have faith to walk in faith!
3. Children are a BLESSING from the Lord!
4. To walk in Love in EVERYTHING is my goal!
5. Perfection is NOT obtainable in this life!
6. Change is not easy!
7. God is good!
8. Being a mother is my calling in life.. a life I learn more about every day!
9. Being married often takes more work than having children... though the work is often more enjoyable!
10. God is GOOD... Beyond GOOD .. Faithful and EVERLASTING!

They are in no particular order ... I am sure I could write for many days on the things which I am firm .. however this will do for now! May you have a VERY BLESSED April's Fools Day!