My son Justin loves weird animals! Some of his "pets"...I say this word loosely...have been, tarantulas, anoles, fish, turtles and Iguanas.
He had Two big Iguanas and from time to time they would have a jail break.He didn't always tell me when they were loose.one time I was lifting up some laundry on the basement floor and I uncovered one.Talk about shock and awe!!!
One day Justin told me (probably because of my previous reaction) that not one but both of those nasty (I mean) pets had escaped! This time I responded a little differently tho'. I was excited because I had just read in Gen. 2:26 "Then God said, "Let us make people in our own image, to be like ourselves.They will be masters (or have dominion) over all life- the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the livestock, wild animals and small animals".
I told Justin, Hey I know what to do!!! I just read about it so I told him that he had dominion over the beasts Chuck and Pigquana ....... (I mean, I told him to say "you Iguanas... In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to appear before me"........ Welll.... I just left him and totally forgot about them and "the situation"....until the next morning!
I woke up because I heard a strange sound... kind of like scratching. I sat up AND RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME (on my pillow to be exact) The Iguanas jumped up on my pillow, and our bed is high!!! The Iguanas appeared RIGHT BEFORE ME!!!
If any of you know me you can guess what my reaction was!! I woke everyone up.
I later asked Justin if he had commanded those things to appear before him and he said he forgot!!! IMAGINE THAT!!!
I am here to tell you....It's true what God says!
We have commanded other things to appear before us since then and God's word WORKS!!! TRY IT!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
believin' lies
Recently, my son Nathan (the youngest) started acting up. This went on for about a month. He seemed angry, said he was stupid and was not happy!
One day, as I watched him and saw how miserable he was, I told him to come and sit by me. There's a verse in proverbs that says "As a man thinks in his heart, so he goes" or where the mind goes , the body follows. I just started to tell him to think about what he was thinking about! I said how much Bill and I love him, and told him he needed to talk to himself in a way that God sees him! I told him that "he was fearfully and wonderfully made"...Ps.139 and that God doesn't make stupid people.Scripture also says that "we have the mind of Christ". I ended our conversation by telling him not to talk badly to himself, and not to believe those lies...( I know we all do it at times. I will tell myself what a dummy I am or tell myself that was stupid.)
I gave him a hug and that was that... I didn't know if he really heard my heart or not.
The next day Nathan came and sat by me and said "Mom, remember when I was believing all those lies"????
I was so blessed that he received what I had said and more excited by the transformation I saw in him! Back was my sweet sensitive, kind son!!!!
This was a visible lesson for me, as I saw the power of words and how important it is to not believe lies I (or you) tell ourselves!! Practice with me... I am God's workmanship. I am loved, I have gifts and talents. God says "I am altogether lovely" Your turn now !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One day, as I watched him and saw how miserable he was, I told him to come and sit by me. There's a verse in proverbs that says "As a man thinks in his heart, so he goes" or where the mind goes , the body follows. I just started to tell him to think about what he was thinking about! I said how much Bill and I love him, and told him he needed to talk to himself in a way that God sees him! I told him that "he was fearfully and wonderfully made"...Ps.139 and that God doesn't make stupid people.Scripture also says that "we have the mind of Christ". I ended our conversation by telling him not to talk badly to himself, and not to believe those lies...( I know we all do it at times. I will tell myself what a dummy I am or tell myself that was stupid.)
I gave him a hug and that was that... I didn't know if he really heard my heart or not.
The next day Nathan came and sat by me and said "Mom, remember when I was believing all those lies"????
I was so blessed that he received what I had said and more excited by the transformation I saw in him! Back was my sweet sensitive, kind son!!!!
This was a visible lesson for me, as I saw the power of words and how important it is to not believe lies I (or you) tell ourselves!! Practice with me... I am God's workmanship. I am loved, I have gifts and talents. God says "I am altogether lovely" Your turn now !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Craving Chinese
My husband is the best!!! He is patient and has always put up with my goofs!
One day, I had such a craving for Chinese food! I was pregnant, and I REALLY wanted some.............so Bill told me to call the restaurant and order what I wanted! That was the first mistake!!! I asked what the menu was and it ALL sounded soooooooooooo good....so I ordered about four entrees.oops... I mean ooooooooooooopppppppppppppsssssssssss!
Bill picked up the order on the way home from work and when he came in he was a little red in the face. I asked him if he was okay, and he just said 'what were you thinking"???? I wasn't thinking anything I guess...until he told me the cost of what I had ordered! He told me that he hoped I was REALLY hungry!!! When Bill brought the food into the house though, I told him to take it back out and quick! The smell of it made me sick (not because it was bad) I had nausea from the pregnancy. It was winter, but he couldn't have any in the house and I certainly didn't want any now!! We ended up giving all of that food away that night .
Bill wasn't real happy with me as money was always tight, but he wrapped his arms around me and tried to comfort me because I was so sick. He told me it was o.k. !!! What a man!!
Now Bill orders the food if we order out.fancy that!!!
That's love! He didn't try to punish me with words of how dumb I was, didn't tell me we couldn't afford it etc. etc. He forgave me and that was that!
That's just like God when I screw up.again,and again, and again.......sometimes I think He even smiles as Psalm 103 says "He removes our sin as far as the East is from the West".
Thank you Bill for showing Christlikeness to me continually! I love that man!
One day, I had such a craving for Chinese food! I was pregnant, and I REALLY wanted some.............so Bill told me to call the restaurant and order what I wanted! That was the first mistake!!! I asked what the menu was and it ALL sounded soooooooooooo good....so I ordered about four entrees.oops... I mean ooooooooooooopppppppppppppsssssssssss!
Bill picked up the order on the way home from work and when he came in he was a little red in the face. I asked him if he was okay, and he just said 'what were you thinking"???? I wasn't thinking anything I guess...until he told me the cost of what I had ordered! He told me that he hoped I was REALLY hungry!!! When Bill brought the food into the house though, I told him to take it back out and quick! The smell of it made me sick (not because it was bad) I had nausea from the pregnancy. It was winter, but he couldn't have any in the house and I certainly didn't want any now!! We ended up giving all of that food away that night .
Bill wasn't real happy with me as money was always tight, but he wrapped his arms around me and tried to comfort me because I was so sick. He told me it was o.k. !!! What a man!!
Now Bill orders the food if we order out.fancy that!!!
That's love! He didn't try to punish me with words of how dumb I was, didn't tell me we couldn't afford it etc. etc. He forgave me and that was that!
That's just like God when I screw up.again,and again, and again.......sometimes I think He even smiles as Psalm 103 says "He removes our sin as far as the East is from the West".
Thank you Bill for showing Christlikeness to me continually! I love that man!
Stand Out!!!!
Autumn is beautiful in Wisconsin!!! This year the colors are really vibrant!
As I was driving down the road I noticed a sea of green and every once in a while there would be a brilliant splash of bright red and orange... simply breathtaking!!!
I am pretty much a word picture learner, and when I saw this I thought...this is how God wants each of us to be. We are to stand out in our lives! In wherever we are and go, we can stand out....with kindness, joy, love, service, in every way.
Tofu is a food filler and it's good. it has protein and blends with what you are cooking...nothing stand-out. Hot chili peppers definately make a difference! you know when you've eaten one!!! They really add spice and zing (maybe a little heartburn if you have too much).
As you go out at this time of year, look around and be in wonderment at the beauty with the colors around you.....you'll see how the awesome colors usually are surrounded by green. Think of how you can be your personal best and STAND OUT in this life you are blessed with.God says,in Matthew 5:13 that "You are the salt of the earth". Salt is flavorful and makes food taste better.but too much and it's grose!Let's be flavorful, and do our best to stand out like the brilliant trees, and be like hot chili peppers in our world!!!!!God has made everyone different and unique..don't be like tofu and blend in . Be the YOU that God called you to be!!!!! STAND-OUT!!
As I was driving down the road I noticed a sea of green and every once in a while there would be a brilliant splash of bright red and orange... simply breathtaking!!!
I am pretty much a word picture learner, and when I saw this I thought...this is how God wants each of us to be. We are to stand out in our lives! In wherever we are and go, we can stand out....with kindness, joy, love, service, in every way.
Tofu is a food filler and it's good. it has protein and blends with what you are cooking...nothing stand-out. Hot chili peppers definately make a difference! you know when you've eaten one!!! They really add spice and zing (maybe a little heartburn if you have too much).
As you go out at this time of year, look around and be in wonderment at the beauty with the colors around you.....you'll see how the awesome colors usually are surrounded by green. Think of how you can be your personal best and STAND OUT in this life you are blessed with.God says,in Matthew 5:13 that "You are the salt of the earth". Salt is flavorful and makes food taste better.but too much and it's grose!Let's be flavorful, and do our best to stand out like the brilliant trees, and be like hot chili peppers in our world!!!!!God has made everyone different and unique..don't be like tofu and blend in . Be the YOU that God called you to be!!!!! STAND-OUT!!
Friday, September 24, 2010
full circleI
I grew up in a nice little subdivision in the town of Lisbon. I was eleven when we moved there and it was a real neighborhood. The first family we met were the Goepels. I LOVE this family!!!! I practically lived at their house. They had four young children. three boys and a daughter...was God preparing me back then?????????
I would babysit them, clean their house, cut their grass and sometimes just hang out!
As time went on, I even had Chris (who will always be Dolly to me ) stand up in my wedding.
The neighborhood kids would come over and I would teach them stunts, songs and play games....(I was the oldest).
Now, after being married for thirty years, the neighborhood has changed in some ways. My daughters, help me take care of Grandma along with my sis. After the children put grandma to bed they have gone out and made some good friends,..(and so have I)..
The older Goepels have sold their home and live around here for part of the year, then in Florida and there are alot of new young families but........................ one day I saw a young girl and I was instantly back forty years.She was the spitting image of the kids I had grown to love and help take care of so many years ago! I found out that the Goepel family sold their home to their son and now their daughter is a friend of my daughters and our families. I love her Mom and of course her husband!!! It is so wonderful that as my children serve their grandma, they have been blessed with a forever friend.Danielle and for me Debbie!!! It's come full circle and the kids have joined in the neighborhood and BELONG!!! FULL CIRCLE!!!!!!! What a great blessing!
I would babysit them, clean their house, cut their grass and sometimes just hang out!
As time went on, I even had Chris (who will always be Dolly to me ) stand up in my wedding.
The neighborhood kids would come over and I would teach them stunts, songs and play games....(I was the oldest).
Now, after being married for thirty years, the neighborhood has changed in some ways. My daughters, help me take care of Grandma along with my sis. After the children put grandma to bed they have gone out and made some good friends,..(and so have I)..
The older Goepels have sold their home and live around here for part of the year, then in Florida and there are alot of new young families but........................ one day I saw a young girl and I was instantly back forty years.She was the spitting image of the kids I had grown to love and help take care of so many years ago! I found out that the Goepel family sold their home to their son and now their daughter is a friend of my daughters and our families. I love her Mom and of course her husband!!! It is so wonderful that as my children serve their grandma, they have been blessed with a forever friend.Danielle and for me Debbie!!! It's come full circle and the kids have joined in the neighborhood and BELONG!!! FULL CIRCLE!!!!!!! What a great blessing!
Top Model
When I was little , I wanted to be a glamorous model......yes I was/am kind of shallow sometimes!
After college, I got a teaching job. I loved this job! I taught first grade and it was wonderful watching a new world of reading and writing open up for the children.SOOOOOOOOO exciting! First graders notice everything.......when I would wear different earrings, or get my haircut. They would all try to be my little "pet" and I loved them! I found out what a powerful influence I had in there lives. The children would mimic so much of what I intentionally AND unintentionally did! I learned so much from these children, and the old adage is so true...More is "caught than taught".
As I fast forward to my present life, I reflect and smile at the dreams I had. I thought my influence would be a tangible thing, but the most meaningful I've done for the children that I taught in school, sunday school and now at home with fourteen of my own is simple... It has been to love them, discipline them,and MODEL( washing dishes, floors, going shopping,doing laundry.... LAUNDRY......LAUNDRYand more LAUNDRY!) It has been doing the same thing over and over and over even if I didn't feel like it as God says, In season and out"..whether I feellike it or not. The children are now models to me , their grandma, and school friends . They have learned by watching Bill and me to get up and do what is in front of them whether it's convenient or not....to persevere..and be faithful to try to do there best!
My point is this ...You and me,We are top models in every attitude we have, how we treat others, and if we are willing to clean the toilet AGAIN even when nobody seems to notice. God sees!!!.He is El-ROY that is the Lord who sees.AND he knows our heart intention (oh oh)
My challenge to all you other Top Models like me is to" NOT GROW WEARY for in due season you WILL reap a harvest if you do not give up.". Gal. 6:9 ...I'm expecting a BIG one!
After college, I got a teaching job. I loved this job! I taught first grade and it was wonderful watching a new world of reading and writing open up for the children.SOOOOOOOOO exciting! First graders notice everything.......when I would wear different earrings, or get my haircut. They would all try to be my little "pet" and I loved them! I found out what a powerful influence I had in there lives. The children would mimic so much of what I intentionally AND unintentionally did! I learned so much from these children, and the old adage is so true...More is "caught than taught".
As I fast forward to my present life, I reflect and smile at the dreams I had. I thought my influence would be a tangible thing, but the most meaningful I've done for the children that I taught in school, sunday school and now at home with fourteen of my own is simple... It has been to love them, discipline them,and MODEL( washing dishes, floors, going shopping,doing laundry.... LAUNDRY......LAUNDRYand more LAUNDRY!) It has been doing the same thing over and over and over even if I didn't feel like it as God says, In season and out"..whether I feellike it or not. The children are now models to me , their grandma, and school friends . They have learned by watching Bill and me to get up and do what is in front of them whether it's convenient or not....to persevere..and be faithful to try to do there best!
My point is this ...You and me,We are top models in every attitude we have, how we treat others, and if we are willing to clean the toilet AGAIN even when nobody seems to notice. God sees!!!.He is El-ROY that is the Lord who sees.AND he knows our heart intention (oh oh)
My challenge to all you other Top Models like me is to" NOT GROW WEARY for in due season you WILL reap a harvest if you do not give up.". Gal. 6:9 ...I'm expecting a BIG one!
"Happily ever after"
When I was little I used to think that I would help better the world by joining the Peace Corps...........and in between I would be a princess, Miss America, a model, rock star and of course live "happily ever after"
when I got married, my husband would ride up on a white horse (even tho' I am terrified of them) and we would ride off into the sunset..........again "happily ever after".
When the time was right, we would have our perfect family, with three children, which of course would be perfect, too! I would never have a child throwing a tantrum, or being rude....and of course, they would Never be dirty or have a runny nose!
Welllll....right about now I would LOVE to show you my "perfect" family!
I really did try hard to keep everything together for the first three children(which I thought was our limit), but then God interrupted all My plans and started to share His plans with Bill and me.
We asked for counsel about children, and family size...we prayed, we fasted...everyone told us to stop at three. We didn't have peace, so we prayed and waited .after about a month Bill asked me if I had an answer and I asked him.
Now there are fourteen children . We got an answer and obeyed! The only way to do this was by obedience and unity.
After our three children, the twins came along! After this everyone gave up on us!!!!We were told we would Never be able to afford these children(and that's true),we would never be able to offer these children extra benefits(that's true) we were even told by church leaders to STOP having children! I don't believe everyone is called to have a large family, but I KNOW WE WERE! I would rather obey God than man ANY DAY!! God says All things are possible with God!!! I believe
When the children were younger, they thought that their clothes came "from the bag".(sometimes someone would give us their children's old clothes)
God is soooooooooooo good! He does it all! When I had three children I would mop the floor three times a day and vacume a couple times a day. After the twins came (four children two and under and a four year old) I just couldn't! God was showing me that I was so desperately trying to make the outside look good because my insides needed to be cleaned up! Well, nothing is so freeing as coming to the point of I CAN'T!!! I told the Lord that I couln't do it anymore and He just released me to be me!
My children all spit-up..(alot),they had snotty noses and LOVED dirt!! (STILL DO).Nine sons and Sunday Football.
Bill and I learned more about our Lord thru' utter dependance on Him. With our lack God showed Himself as Jehovah- Jireh (our provider)With everything we didn't have God would bring a friend to help, an extra job for Bill and we saw God in our everyday lives.
SO do we have the perfect family? I still have children in the "middle" of their testimoney.they get in trouble, fight with each other (the girls have clothes wars) it's messy here.not my ideal but I wouldn't trade it for anything! We love each other and i know God is at work....and we are living "happily ever after" it's just not how my childish vision was! I also believe that we are all world changers....one heart at a time!
when I got married, my husband would ride up on a white horse (even tho' I am terrified of them) and we would ride off into the sunset..........again "happily ever after".
When the time was right, we would have our perfect family, with three children, which of course would be perfect, too! I would never have a child throwing a tantrum, or being rude....and of course, they would Never be dirty or have a runny nose!
Welllll....right about now I would LOVE to show you my "perfect" family!
I really did try hard to keep everything together for the first three children(which I thought was our limit), but then God interrupted all My plans and started to share His plans with Bill and me.
We asked for counsel about children, and family size...we prayed, we fasted...everyone told us to stop at three. We didn't have peace, so we prayed and waited .after about a month Bill asked me if I had an answer and I asked him.
Now there are fourteen children . We got an answer and obeyed! The only way to do this was by obedience and unity.
After our three children, the twins came along! After this everyone gave up on us!!!!We were told we would Never be able to afford these children(and that's true),we would never be able to offer these children extra benefits(that's true) we were even told by church leaders to STOP having children! I don't believe everyone is called to have a large family, but I KNOW WE WERE! I would rather obey God than man ANY DAY!! God says All things are possible with God!!! I believe
When the children were younger, they thought that their clothes came "from the bag".(sometimes someone would give us their children's old clothes)
God is soooooooooooo good! He does it all! When I had three children I would mop the floor three times a day and vacume a couple times a day. After the twins came (four children two and under and a four year old) I just couldn't! God was showing me that I was so desperately trying to make the outside look good because my insides needed to be cleaned up! Well, nothing is so freeing as coming to the point of I CAN'T!!! I told the Lord that I couln't do it anymore and He just released me to be me!
My children all spit-up..(alot),they had snotty noses and LOVED dirt!! (STILL DO).Nine sons and Sunday Football.
Bill and I learned more about our Lord thru' utter dependance on Him. With our lack God showed Himself as Jehovah- Jireh (our provider)With everything we didn't have God would bring a friend to help, an extra job for Bill and we saw God in our everyday lives.
SO do we have the perfect family? I still have children in the "middle" of their testimoney.they get in trouble, fight with each other (the girls have clothes wars) it's messy here.not my ideal but I wouldn't trade it for anything! We love each other and i know God is at work....and we are living "happily ever after" it's just not how my childish vision was! I also believe that we are all world changers....one heart at a time!
Friday, September 17, 2010
It really is a wonderful life!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Life is fragile................a few weeks ago we found out how true this is!
My husband Bill came to bed (I was already sleeping). He stood by my side of the bed, and put my hand on his chest and told me to pray. I was kind of groggy but obeyed. He told me that there was tremendous pressure on his chest, and that he was having a hard time catching his breath.............well, that got me to really start praying! Bill thought he was doing better for a while and then he came right back and told me to pray and NOT stop! Well, I think I fell asleep after awhile, and he told me I was praying in my sleep! Finally, he felt relief, and just wanted to go to bed....and YES I did try to convince him to go to the hospital.Bill seemed ok the next day, but still short of breath. The next morning I told him this isn't normal and wer'e going to urgent care. Big surprise! HE AGREED! We went to a nearby Urgent Care and they told us it was a 2/1/2 -3 hr. wait... then the receptionist asked me where Bill was, and I told her he needed to sit down as he was out of breath... they moved immediately! The Dr. saw him, ran blood tests.....no heart attack(THANK GOD) but the Dr. was concerned so told us to go IMMEDIATELY to the hospital. Since it was Labor Day the next day, Bill thought he could take the next day off if need be.After a cat scan, he was informed that he had had a pulmonary embolism. A huge clot had passed thru' his heart and is resting on the "saddle" of his lungs. He was told by 3 dr.s that he should not be alive! After more ultrasounds a huge clot was also found in his leg. Bill had a procedure done where a filter was put in him to help block any other clots that could cut loose.
After 4 days in I.C.U. he had all the family together along with a few friends. We kind of spontaneously grabbed hands and prayed for Mr. Bill...... there were at least 15 of us gathered there.... later, Bill and I were talking and he said that he felt just like George Bailey in "It's a wonderful life".... so blessed! Thank you to all our friends who interceded for Bill and our family! We felt your prayers and are convinced that all of you helped Bill with his miracle recovery!! We LOVE YOU!!!!!
It IS a WONDERFUL LIFE!!!!!!!!!!
My husband Bill came to bed (I was already sleeping). He stood by my side of the bed, and put my hand on his chest and told me to pray. I was kind of groggy but obeyed. He told me that there was tremendous pressure on his chest, and that he was having a hard time catching his breath.............well, that got me to really start praying! Bill thought he was doing better for a while and then he came right back and told me to pray and NOT stop! Well, I think I fell asleep after awhile, and he told me I was praying in my sleep! Finally, he felt relief, and just wanted to go to bed....and YES I did try to convince him to go to the hospital.Bill seemed ok the next day, but still short of breath. The next morning I told him this isn't normal and wer'e going to urgent care. Big surprise! HE AGREED! We went to a nearby Urgent Care and they told us it was a 2/1/2 -3 hr. wait... then the receptionist asked me where Bill was, and I told her he needed to sit down as he was out of breath... they moved immediately! The Dr. saw him, ran blood tests.....no heart attack(THANK GOD) but the Dr. was concerned so told us to go IMMEDIATELY to the hospital. Since it was Labor Day the next day, Bill thought he could take the next day off if need be.After a cat scan, he was informed that he had had a pulmonary embolism. A huge clot had passed thru' his heart and is resting on the "saddle" of his lungs. He was told by 3 dr.s that he should not be alive! After more ultrasounds a huge clot was also found in his leg. Bill had a procedure done where a filter was put in him to help block any other clots that could cut loose.
After 4 days in I.C.U. he had all the family together along with a few friends. We kind of spontaneously grabbed hands and prayed for Mr. Bill...... there were at least 15 of us gathered there.... later, Bill and I were talking and he said that he felt just like George Bailey in "It's a wonderful life".... so blessed! Thank you to all our friends who interceded for Bill and our family! We felt your prayers and are convinced that all of you helped Bill with his miracle recovery!! We LOVE YOU!!!!!
It IS a WONDERFUL LIFE!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
PERSERVERANCE
When my so Ryan was a jr. in high school, he taught me a wonderful truth about perservance.that is GOIN' THRU'.
Ryan was typing up a huge term paper on our computer. Sarah, our daughter who was 2 at the time....just loved to be around Ryan..............and she was kind of a cute "pet" for him! She would follow him everywhere, and just want to be around him. This particular night, as he worked so hard and looonnnnnnnnngggggggggggggggggg typing this paper.............Sarah decided she would "help" and pushed a button on the computer.She was NOT his pet for awhile after that!!!! OPPPPPPS!! I mean OOOOOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPSSSSSSSSSSSS! Whatever she did was NOT good! We could not get the computer to save, print, nothing!
The next step was taking Ryan to "Kinko's" ...a place that stayed open 24/7. Soooo, we let Ryan type for about 2 hrs. and their computer pooped out.they could not save anything.. they decided to waive the fee Since it was their fault).So , he started to type AGAIN and what do you think?????????????? It happened ALL OVER AGAIN!!! Since it was "Kinko's" fault , they again didn't charge us, but it was now 2:00 a.m. Well, Ryan kept plugging and at 4:00 a.m. he had success!!!!
I don't know if I could have kept going... he really pressed thru' and completed his course! His teacher had NO idea of what he (and we) had gone thru' for him to complete his assignment on time, but I knew that God knew!
We had a computer repair man come the next day.he charged us alot, and couldn't figure it out.then we had a friend that was good with computers come over and take the computer apart and what do you suppose he found?! There was a BASBALL card stuck in the place you put c.ds . The problem was solved, Ryan got his paper done (with an A) AND.. we learned such a valuable lesson from him by watching how he "set his face like flint" to complete his course..Colosian s 4:17 says "see to it that you COMPLETE the work the Lord has given you" It's easy to start well, but to keep going amidst life's difficulties?
Romans 5: 3-5 says "and not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, character, and character, hope. Now, hope does not dissapoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us".
thank you for teaching us to set our face like flint (as Jesus did ) when He went to Jerusalem !
Thank you, Lord for the picture you gave to our home about goin' thru'!!!!! and how you meet us And reward us!
Ryan was typing up a huge term paper on our computer. Sarah, our daughter who was 2 at the time....just loved to be around Ryan..............and she was kind of a cute "pet" for him! She would follow him everywhere, and just want to be around him. This particular night, as he worked so hard and looonnnnnnnnngggggggggggggggggg typing this paper.............Sarah decided she would "help" and pushed a button on the computer.She was NOT his pet for awhile after that!!!! OPPPPPPS!! I mean OOOOOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPSSSSSSSSSSSS! Whatever she did was NOT good! We could not get the computer to save, print, nothing!
The next step was taking Ryan to "Kinko's" ...a place that stayed open 24/7. Soooo, we let Ryan type for about 2 hrs. and their computer pooped out.they could not save anything.. they decided to waive the fee Since it was their fault).So , he started to type AGAIN and what do you think?????????????? It happened ALL OVER AGAIN!!! Since it was "Kinko's" fault , they again didn't charge us, but it was now 2:00 a.m. Well, Ryan kept plugging and at 4:00 a.m. he had success!!!!
I don't know if I could have kept going... he really pressed thru' and completed his course! His teacher had NO idea of what he (and we) had gone thru' for him to complete his assignment on time, but I knew that God knew!
We had a computer repair man come the next day.he charged us alot, and couldn't figure it out.then we had a friend that was good with computers come over and take the computer apart and what do you suppose he found?! There was a BASBALL card stuck in the place you put c.ds . The problem was solved, Ryan got his paper done (with an A) AND.. we learned such a valuable lesson from him by watching how he "set his face like flint" to complete his course..Colosian s 4:17 says "see to it that you COMPLETE the work the Lord has given you" It's easy to start well, but to keep going amidst life's difficulties?
Romans 5: 3-5 says "and not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, character, and character, hope. Now, hope does not dissapoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us".
thank you for teaching us to set our face like flint (as Jesus did ) when He went to Jerusalem !
Thank you, Lord for the picture you gave to our home about goin' thru'!!!!! and how you meet us And reward us!
Friday, September 3, 2010
It's not about you, honey!
One Sunday, a few years back, I was asked to pray for the church service. I had prayed about what to pray about, and was a little nervous, but thought I had a general idea.......until....................I went upstairs to change and was getting really upset because "I had NOTHING to wear". I threw most of my clothes on the bed , tried on a bunch and nothing looked good! It was then that I heard a voice in my heart yell at me! Laurie, it's NOT about you, honey!!!!(at least He called me honey)..... And furthermore you are displaying PRIDE and I HATE PRIDE!
Well, I didn't need to hear anymore! I said I was sorry to the Lord for being more concerned about me and how I looked, rather than honor the Lord!
I just grabbed a blouse and put in on and came downstairs. My husband is VERY unobservant about stuff like clothes, but he took one look at me and said, "you're kind of wrinkly" (I was wearing a linen blouse) but I just said It's not about me" and
off we went to church.
Just before I went up to pray, the song Heart of worship" came on and I thanked God for doubly reminding me .there's a line in the song that says, I'm coming back to the heart of worship and it's all about You, it's all about YOU, JESUS". So when I went up to pray I was able to share why I was "wrinkled"...... and was able to share that when I am in heaven I will be without "spot OR WRINKLE"! Thank you, God you are so good!!
Well, I didn't need to hear anymore! I said I was sorry to the Lord for being more concerned about me and how I looked, rather than honor the Lord!
I just grabbed a blouse and put in on and came downstairs. My husband is VERY unobservant about stuff like clothes, but he took one look at me and said, "you're kind of wrinkly" (I was wearing a linen blouse) but I just said It's not about me" and
off we went to church.
Just before I went up to pray, the song Heart of worship" came on and I thanked God for doubly reminding me .there's a line in the song that says, I'm coming back to the heart of worship and it's all about You, it's all about YOU, JESUS". So when I went up to pray I was able to share why I was "wrinkled"...... and was able to share that when I am in heaven I will be without "spot OR WRINKLE"! Thank you, God you are so good!!
Thinkin' back!!!
Here I am at home alone! I didn't think it would ever happen. The children are in school (elementary, middle, high school,and college). The others are at work and it is quiet.....even Max (the dog, is sleeping).
Our house has always been so loud this seems strange......... now I am thinking back to when I named my house (affectionaely) " The Zoo".
Many year's ago, I tried going to a bible study......I thought it would be great to get out and learn how to live this "christian life".
The study was good, but afterwards, I was trying to catch my two year old run-a-way in the church lobby, juggle my one year old holding my hand carry the huge diaper bag while waddeling my VERY PREGNANT body with little (actually NO) success!
An older woman must have seen my MOM look.............you know it, and even that wasn't working to rally in two year old Ryan. She approached me and said Oh, honey enjoy these days............welllllll.....................I won't tell you what I was thinking (after all, I was in church) .
I finally captured Ryan and just stewed at the audacity of that woman! Now 23 years later, I would LOVE to find that lady and thank her for her wisdom as I reflect fondly, of those crazy days that happen in a blink! She was right and as I think back I do enjoy those days......... and it will be the advice I will give to others, too!!!!Enjoy the little things...........they are tomorrow's memories!!!!
Our house has always been so loud this seems strange......... now I am thinking back to when I named my house (affectionaely) " The Zoo".
Many year's ago, I tried going to a bible study......I thought it would be great to get out and learn how to live this "christian life".
The study was good, but afterwards, I was trying to catch my two year old run-a-way in the church lobby, juggle my one year old holding my hand carry the huge diaper bag while waddeling my VERY PREGNANT body with little (actually NO) success!
An older woman must have seen my MOM look.............you know it, and even that wasn't working to rally in two year old Ryan. She approached me and said Oh, honey enjoy these days............welllllll.....................I won't tell you what I was thinking (after all, I was in church) .
I finally captured Ryan and just stewed at the audacity of that woman! Now 23 years later, I would LOVE to find that lady and thank her for her wisdom as I reflect fondly, of those crazy days that happen in a blink! She was right and as I think back I do enjoy those days......... and it will be the advice I will give to others, too!!!!Enjoy the little things...........they are tomorrow's memories!!!!
Can you hear me now???????
I love life..the ups and downs, beauty all around, I can tell it's a new day especially by the sounds!!! It started very early with the alarm clock blaring, then children in showers with the music on LOUD. Max barking to go out and then school buses humming.
Now I am sitting and trying to be still, so I can listen to what God says so I will obey His will. WELLLL..... you can see how this is not working too well for me, try as I, do I'm still hooked up to the satelite, or the t.v. It's hard to be still even tho' try as I will!!!
God says in His word to "Be still and KNOW that I am God".
It's so easy for me to rattle off my wants, then run off to busyness ....and at the end of the day nothing seems to be done!
I get frustrated when I am not heard...yet how dare I run off in MY world without looking in HIS word!
The God of this universe, most awesome of all....has big plans for me and you as well. Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, to give you a future and a hope".
The verizon ad from a couple years ago is sooooo true we're so busy talking we really don't know what to do. Can you hear me yet???? can you hear me yettt?????
That's what I think God is saying to me....I'd be willing to bet!
Today is a new day, I will listen and trust, that God will guide me this day as I deliberately take TIME to HEAR AND OBEY!!!!
The old saying so precious and true is my new reminder for me and for you.
"Yesterday has passed. we call it history. the future is coming ....it's a mystery. today is a gift.that's why we call it the present" .
Today,
I will deliberately look in people's eyes, I will smile at people as they pass on by. I will not multi-task while talking with my kids and I will study your word, Lord and ask for your help to do your will!!!
Thank you for your patience with me everyday. I'm so glad you understand me and love me anyway !!
Open my ears to hear your sweet voice to guide me and lead me with your perfect plan!!!!!
O.K., I'll be quiet now!!!!!!! (and be still)
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOWWWWWWWWWWW!!!! I do hear you Lord!! I LOVE YOU , TOO!!!! YES, I'll spread the word.it's not just me He loves, He loves each and every one of you too!!!!!
Have a great day!
Now I am sitting and trying to be still, so I can listen to what God says so I will obey His will. WELLLL..... you can see how this is not working too well for me, try as I, do I'm still hooked up to the satelite, or the t.v. It's hard to be still even tho' try as I will!!!
God says in His word to "Be still and KNOW that I am God".
It's so easy for me to rattle off my wants, then run off to busyness ....and at the end of the day nothing seems to be done!
I get frustrated when I am not heard...yet how dare I run off in MY world without looking in HIS word!
The God of this universe, most awesome of all....has big plans for me and you as well. Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, to give you a future and a hope".
The verizon ad from a couple years ago is sooooo true we're so busy talking we really don't know what to do. Can you hear me yet???? can you hear me yettt?????
That's what I think God is saying to me....I'd be willing to bet!
Today is a new day, I will listen and trust, that God will guide me this day as I deliberately take TIME to HEAR AND OBEY!!!!
The old saying so precious and true is my new reminder for me and for you.
"Yesterday has passed. we call it history. the future is coming ....it's a mystery. today is a gift.that's why we call it the present" .
Today,
I will deliberately look in people's eyes, I will smile at people as they pass on by. I will not multi-task while talking with my kids and I will study your word, Lord and ask for your help to do your will!!!
Thank you for your patience with me everyday. I'm so glad you understand me and love me anyway !!
Open my ears to hear your sweet voice to guide me and lead me with your perfect plan!!!!!
O.K., I'll be quiet now!!!!!!! (and be still)
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOWWWWWWWWWWW!!!! I do hear you Lord!! I LOVE YOU , TOO!!!! YES, I'll spread the word.it's not just me He loves, He loves each and every one of you too!!!!!
Have a great day!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
amy scissorhands!
Amy is my daughter. She is beautiful and creative!!!
one day when I had some errands to run, the older children were babysitting. I got a phone call from the kids to "COME HOME QUICK"!!! They told me Amy grabbed a pair of scissors, and decided to cut the electric fan cord..yes, while it was turned on. The power went out for the house , sparks flew, and there was a burning odor through out the house! The only thing that kept Amy from being burned were the rubber handles on the scissors.....(and the angels that were watching over her). I was so glad that the children were o.k. that I wasn't too hard on them. They were plenty scared! When iI asked Amy why she did that guess what typical answer I got??? "I don't know"!
.After Amy's initial scissors experience, I really thought she was "cured"..............but she went on to cut her sister's American girl doll(which had to go to the doll hospital to be fixed), then she cut her sister's hair which was long,curly and a beautiful shade of reddish blonde. She cut it so short that the only thing we could do was put it in a half inch tree top!!! It's a good thing Elisabeth has a good self image.
The next major thing Amy decided to cut, could have been majorally humiliating! Bill and I were on our way to a wedding and i had on my dress (my only dress).... As we sat down in the car I thought to myself..."I didn't remember this dress having fringes". As we kept going, I realized, IT DIDN'T!!! At first I thought I could get away with it, but was afraid that if I made one false move it would split all the way up! I was shocked and thought WHO DID THIS??(for about two seconds) ....We had to go home and I wore pants. The funny thing is, is that all this happened before Amy was THREE!
Amy still remember's, as do the ones who survived Amy Scissorhands!!
Amy's goal is to be a nurse,or a hairdresser.fancy that!!
Psalm 91 says"He will give His angels charge over thee to guard thee in all thy ways" WE BELIEVE!!!
one day when I had some errands to run, the older children were babysitting. I got a phone call from the kids to "COME HOME QUICK"!!! They told me Amy grabbed a pair of scissors, and decided to cut the electric fan cord..yes, while it was turned on. The power went out for the house , sparks flew, and there was a burning odor through out the house! The only thing that kept Amy from being burned were the rubber handles on the scissors.....(and the angels that were watching over her). I was so glad that the children were o.k. that I wasn't too hard on them. They were plenty scared! When iI asked Amy why she did that guess what typical answer I got??? "I don't know"!
.After Amy's initial scissors experience, I really thought she was "cured"..............but she went on to cut her sister's American girl doll(which had to go to the doll hospital to be fixed), then she cut her sister's hair which was long,curly and a beautiful shade of reddish blonde. She cut it so short that the only thing we could do was put it in a half inch tree top!!! It's a good thing Elisabeth has a good self image.
The next major thing Amy decided to cut, could have been majorally humiliating! Bill and I were on our way to a wedding and i had on my dress (my only dress).... As we sat down in the car I thought to myself..."I didn't remember this dress having fringes". As we kept going, I realized, IT DIDN'T!!! At first I thought I could get away with it, but was afraid that if I made one false move it would split all the way up! I was shocked and thought WHO DID THIS??(for about two seconds) ....We had to go home and I wore pants. The funny thing is, is that all this happened before Amy was THREE!
Amy still remember's, as do the ones who survived Amy Scissorhands!!
Amy's goal is to be a nurse,or a hairdresser.fancy that!!
Psalm 91 says"He will give His angels charge over thee to guard thee in all thy ways" WE BELIEVE!!!
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