It is now 2 weeks into Operation Can and things are going great. There will be no official weigh in today it will be tomorrow when we all get together for New Year's Eve. My home scale indicates I have lost another 2 pounds making a total of 4 pounds in two weeks (20% of my goal.)
Workouts: Everyday this week including Monday. I woke up early Christmas morning so after my prayer time I went downstairs and did 20 minutes on the treadmill. The rest of the week was at the YMCA mixing up my cardio between the bike, tread and some cycle step thingy (real technical I know.) With cardio being 20 minutes with cool down. I also added weight training to my workout this week. Focusing on different muscle groups each day. This is new territory for me. I can tell you I feel ALL my muscles. I love the feeling of productivity. If I am feeling it, it means it is doing something. Because my focus is on being in shape to dance, stretching is playing a huge part in my workout time, beginning and ending with it.
Eating: This is going great. I have increased my vegetable intake by about 400%. My water intake is up and my sweet intake is down. The Holy Spirit has been designing my meals and I can say, I am amazed. He has shown me how to put different things together, scrumdidiliumptious! I am venturing out in stir-fry making both steak and chicken stir-fries this week. Good stuff. I really have been trying to listen to the Holy Spirit on what to eat, how much and when including sweets, which I do eat. Amazingly enough I am able to take two small pieces of a chocolate bar and put the rest back in the fridge for another day. This has helped me curb the sweet desire without going overboard.
Sleeping and Waking: My goal is to be to bed around 10pm. I woke up every weekday when the Lord woke me. Only once did I have to convince myself to get up. Last night I went to Visions so I did not get home until after midnight. Then I read a chapter of my current read (Troubled Waters, thanks Gina!) finally turning in at 1am. The Lord did wake me sometimes around 6am, I however did not get out of bed until 7:59am. Little girl got out of bed 2 minutes later so it made quiet time a challenge. I opted for praying walking around after I made the kids breakfast. Perhaps later I will get to sit down and read some of the Word.
Operation Can has been blessing me. I see myself getting healthy and strong. It is happening. I know I will reach my goals. I can and I will. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Friday, December 29, 2006
Confession
Yesterday as I was on my way to the YMCA I was speeding 5 miles over the speed limit. This is not the confession. I was driving along when across 4 lanes of traffic a brave squirrel, a bit fat from his fall harvest, darted. This brave squirrel quickly became a dead squirrel when he hit my front left tire. Smushed, smashed, thump, dead. The kids were oblivious to the fact that there mother had taken a life. I repented quietly and drove on. This morning as I went to the Y I had to drive past the crime scene. The evidence was still present, flat with many tire tracks, but present. As an attempt to make peace, I left our fattened neighborhood squirrel a treat on the back porch. Bird seed and peanuts.
Vision and Desire
This has been the theme of the week. It started Saturday morning when I put in CD #4 of Reaching Your Physical Goals. Vision and desire. I took notes, pausing the CD on chapter 11. I went to my brother-in-laws home church and the sermon for the day...Write the Vision. All about vision and desire. So all week I have been praying through my heart's desire and envisioning my future. I finished the remainder of the teaching on disk 4 and listened to it again. This morning I sat down and began to write out the desires of my heart. I got a good start to my list and hope to finish it tomorrow. After I wrote my list I checked bloglines and had to smile when I read this from June and Ward. I tell you it is the theme of the week.
The desires of my heart:
To yield daily to the Holy Spirit
To wake, eat, sleep, clean and play by the Spirit
To have control over my flesh
To spend 20 minutes daily in prayer
To be in the Word daily
To finish reading through the Bible
To weigh 140 lbs
To eat healthy
To have a presentable and hospitable home
To use computer time effectively
To meditate and memorize scripture
To dance for the Lord
To play my flute
To grow in encouraging others (prophecy)
Freedom to sing, dance and play flute in front of others
For boldness to pray over others
To see healings
To see people set free
To see more friends, family and people around me come to know the Lord
For my faith to increase
For the fruits of the Spirit to multiply in my life and be evident
To bless others with our finances
To see a need and be able to meet it
Wisdom and understanding
For a pure heart (holy and righteous)
To stand firm
To speak truth
To respect my husband
To honor him with my words and actions
To meet his needs spiritually, physically and emotionally
For open communication
A healthy marriage in all things
That was the list for today. To close I will leave you with a few scriptures on vision and desire.
Habakkuk 2:2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
Proverbs 10:24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
Psalm 37:3-5 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
How sweet it is, indeed!
The desires of my heart:
To yield daily to the Holy Spirit
To wake, eat, sleep, clean and play by the Spirit
To have control over my flesh
To spend 20 minutes daily in prayer
To be in the Word daily
To finish reading through the Bible
To weigh 140 lbs
To eat healthy
To have a presentable and hospitable home
To use computer time effectively
To meditate and memorize scripture
To dance for the Lord
To play my flute
To grow in encouraging others (prophecy)
Freedom to sing, dance and play flute in front of others
For boldness to pray over others
To see healings
To see people set free
To see more friends, family and people around me come to know the Lord
For my faith to increase
For the fruits of the Spirit to multiply in my life and be evident
To bless others with our finances
To see a need and be able to meet it
Wisdom and understanding
For a pure heart (holy and righteous)
To stand firm
To speak truth
To respect my husband
To honor him with my words and actions
To meet his needs spiritually, physically and emotionally
For open communication
A healthy marriage in all things
That was the list for today. To close I will leave you with a few scriptures on vision and desire.
Habakkuk 2:2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
Proverbs 10:24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
Psalm 37:3-5 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Psalm 145:16-19 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfies the desire of every living thing.
17The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.
18The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
19He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
How sweet it is, indeed!
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Horse Rescue
I had not heard about this on the news but apparently this November over 100 horses were trapped on an small piece of land in the Netherlands after being caught by an unexpected storm. This video is their beautiful rescue. Wow.
http://video.google.nl/videoplay?docid=-4584913278289860160
The video is 6 minutes long and worth every second of it. Incredible. My son and I watched it three times.
http://video.google.nl/videoplay?docid=-4584913278289860160
The video is 6 minutes long and worth every second of it. Incredible. My son and I watched it three times.
Water
"I used to think I had the world's best bladder, now I know I have lived life dehydrated."-Momteacherfriend
Water. It is my favorite drink. And for most of my life I have not drank enough of it. Kidney and gall stones attest to that fact. Which I do not recommend you go seeking after. It has been three years since my last one but I can go the rest of my life without another one. To me they are worse than natural child birth. The pain level is slightly higher than that of transition pains except they do not follow a natural rhythm of intensity. It can hit and stay strong for long periods of time. Unlike child birth, there are no rewards at the end. No, I do not consider a small fleck of white stone to be a reward. After experiencing these pains, it was brought to my attention that the number one cause of them is dehydration. And I had mastered living life dehydrated.
I have gone in seasons of drinking enough, most of my life not enough and am currently entering into the time of plenty. Who knew you would have to make so many trips to the bathroom after drinking a half gallon of water? Who knew? Probably many of you who take care of your bodies. I never understood before why others had to stop on long trips. For most of my life I could seriously go 12 hours without using the restroom and be perfectly fine. Not dancing around or squirmish in pain. Now, I am trying to be conscience of my fluid intake and that makes me a bit more observant of where public restrooms are located.
Water. Usually tasteless. Yet in the city with over chlorination and additives, it does have a taste. In the country, well water, you can taste the extra minerals. At my sister-in-laws, the water is the BEST! Smooth. She has the coolest water filter....EVER! A Berkey. And I too will be an owner of a Berkey sometime in the near future. It is high on my list of investments. The thing is amazing. It can filter anything and everything out of water. I do believe you could pee in the thing and be able to drink it. Take it down to the Grand River (known for its pollution) and filter the water through and be able to drink it. Tax return cometh and Berkey I buyth.
I am tired of living life dehydrated. It robs me of strength. It makes me tired. It is not good for my body. It compromises my organs function, including but not limited to my kidney's, gall bladder and skin. I can drink more water because I can do all things through Christ. Including drink more, the good stuff that is. WATER!
Water. It is my favorite drink. And for most of my life I have not drank enough of it. Kidney and gall stones attest to that fact. Which I do not recommend you go seeking after. It has been three years since my last one but I can go the rest of my life without another one. To me they are worse than natural child birth. The pain level is slightly higher than that of transition pains except they do not follow a natural rhythm of intensity. It can hit and stay strong for long periods of time. Unlike child birth, there are no rewards at the end. No, I do not consider a small fleck of white stone to be a reward. After experiencing these pains, it was brought to my attention that the number one cause of them is dehydration. And I had mastered living life dehydrated.
I have gone in seasons of drinking enough, most of my life not enough and am currently entering into the time of plenty. Who knew you would have to make so many trips to the bathroom after drinking a half gallon of water? Who knew? Probably many of you who take care of your bodies. I never understood before why others had to stop on long trips. For most of my life I could seriously go 12 hours without using the restroom and be perfectly fine. Not dancing around or squirmish in pain. Now, I am trying to be conscience of my fluid intake and that makes me a bit more observant of where public restrooms are located.
Water. Usually tasteless. Yet in the city with over chlorination and additives, it does have a taste. In the country, well water, you can taste the extra minerals. At my sister-in-laws, the water is the BEST! Smooth. She has the coolest water filter....EVER! A Berkey. And I too will be an owner of a Berkey sometime in the near future. It is high on my list of investments. The thing is amazing. It can filter anything and everything out of water. I do believe you could pee in the thing and be able to drink it. Take it down to the Grand River (known for its pollution) and filter the water through and be able to drink it. Tax return cometh and Berkey I buyth.
I am tired of living life dehydrated. It robs me of strength. It makes me tired. It is not good for my body. It compromises my organs function, including but not limited to my kidney's, gall bladder and skin. I can drink more water because I can do all things through Christ. Including drink more, the good stuff that is. WATER!
Monday, December 25, 2006
Merry Christmas
Merry
Christmas!
God's
Richest
Blessings!
As you remember His birth, His life and Resurrection may a peace fill your life.
This day and forever.
God's
Richest
Blessings!
As you remember His birth, His life and Resurrection may a peace fill your life.
This day and forever.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Support
I can use all the support I can muster up. And you my friends and family are just that. My support. I need you. I need you to ask me how I am doing. I need you to ask me if I got up to spend time with God. Ask how I am eating, whether or not I worked out. Ask me what I am learning. Ask me what truth I am claiming for myself that day. Hold me accountable. And if you like, I can do the same for you.
I weighed in today, I have lost 2 pounds! WooHoo! 1/10 of my goal!
Overall the group is doing awesome. Out of the 5 that weighed in last week we collectively have lost 20 pounds. Go ahead and clap. This is a holiday week and look what we have already accomplished. Two more joined us this week so that makes 7 for Saturday weigh-ins. I have been intentional on stretching. Day one I was shocked how much flexibilty I had lost. I could almost touch my ankle and well my toes, forget it. As the week has progressed I have been able to grab hold of my toes in the flex position. Improvement. For me this 16 week focus is not as much about the weight loss, as it is improvement in my overall health. Am I able to breath after physical activity? I am hoping to gain complete flexibility. I am desiring to strengthen my muscles. Define them. I am desiring to take control of my flesh. To not sleep in, to eat healthy, to regularly exercise. To have self-control. I know I can do it. Especially with the accountability of all of you!
Thanks!
P.S. I passed the Fire Mountain Grill test. Grand buffet! I managed to eat properly and without over indulgence. This is huge for me as when I usually go to an all you can eat buffet, I usually stuff myself to sickness. You know to get my monies worth. I had an enjoyable meal last night, so I feel I got my monies worth with no ill effects. YEAH!
I weighed in today, I have lost 2 pounds! WooHoo! 1/10 of my goal!
Overall the group is doing awesome. Out of the 5 that weighed in last week we collectively have lost 20 pounds. Go ahead and clap. This is a holiday week and look what we have already accomplished. Two more joined us this week so that makes 7 for Saturday weigh-ins. I have been intentional on stretching. Day one I was shocked how much flexibilty I had lost. I could almost touch my ankle and well my toes, forget it. As the week has progressed I have been able to grab hold of my toes in the flex position. Improvement. For me this 16 week focus is not as much about the weight loss, as it is improvement in my overall health. Am I able to breath after physical activity? I am hoping to gain complete flexibility. I am desiring to strengthen my muscles. Define them. I am desiring to take control of my flesh. To not sleep in, to eat healthy, to regularly exercise. To have self-control. I know I can do it. Especially with the accountability of all of you!
Thanks!
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
10 If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
P.S. I passed the Fire Mountain Grill test. Grand buffet! I managed to eat properly and without over indulgence. This is huge for me as when I usually go to an all you can eat buffet, I usually stuff myself to sickness. You know to get my monies worth. I had an enjoyable meal last night, so I feel I got my monies worth with no ill effects. YEAH!
Friday, December 22, 2006
Miracles In the Night
Driving home from the YMCA my son fell asleep. Not uncommon, it was dark and just after 8PM. We got home and I carried him in and plunked him on my bed. I am not fond of his loft bed in moments like these. I can climb the ladder with him and hurl him over the edge but last night I chose not to. He woke up enough to throw off his shoes and coat, then went right back to sleep. I got little girl around for bed, read to her and tucked her in. Later I went in to tuck DS in. As I did so I felt intense heat as I kissed his head. Fever and he was hot. When my kids run fever they tend to run on the hot side. Often freaking their mother out. I went about the house looking for the thermometer. I could not find it. As I am going about I am praying, Lord, help me find the thermometer. To which he replies, "Why do you want it?" Because I want to know his temp so I can monitor him. To which he replied, "It's a 103." Lord, can I still find the thermometer to confirm that. To which he replied, "Go pray over your son, his temp is 103, trust me."
So I went in and laid hands on him, he felt at least 103 and began to pray. I placed my anointed hanky around his neck and continued to pray. He stirred once, looked at me, and went back to sleep. I confessed healing over him asking that the Holy Spirit would align every cell, tissue and organ to complete and proper function. That his white blood cells would rise to fight for him. That the Holy Spirit would heal him completely and wholly taking the fever from him. And that he would awake in the morning with a normal body temp. That all sickness would be gone. I kissed his burning head again and went to bed myself.
A few hours later, my dear son rolled over to my side, bumping me and waking me up. I felt his head and it was no longer hot. I checked again to be sure. Normal. I began praising God out loud. Thank you Lord, Praise you, You are good. You heal. Thank you! My son stirred and looked at me, I told him that God had made him better and he went right back to sleep.
When I woke up this morning I kissed his sweet head as I got out of bed and it was cool. Absolutely positively NO FEVER!!!
My miracle in the night....PRAISE GOD!
So I went in and laid hands on him, he felt at least 103 and began to pray. I placed my anointed hanky around his neck and continued to pray. He stirred once, looked at me, and went back to sleep. I confessed healing over him asking that the Holy Spirit would align every cell, tissue and organ to complete and proper function. That his white blood cells would rise to fight for him. That the Holy Spirit would heal him completely and wholly taking the fever from him. And that he would awake in the morning with a normal body temp. That all sickness would be gone. I kissed his burning head again and went to bed myself.
A few hours later, my dear son rolled over to my side, bumping me and waking me up. I felt his head and it was no longer hot. I checked again to be sure. Normal. I began praising God out loud. Thank you Lord, Praise you, You are good. You heal. Thank you! My son stirred and looked at me, I told him that God had made him better and he went right back to sleep.
When I woke up this morning I kissed his sweet head as I got out of bed and it was cool. Absolutely positively NO FEVER!!!
My miracle in the night....PRAISE GOD!
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Snippets
My mom is home and doing very well. I could not be more thrilled on how it all played out. She will be laying low the next few days but really does feel good. Thanks again for your prayers. I know they were a great encouragement to her, the medical team and the family as well.
The flesh won this morning, I slept in a bit. I did get up not much later, prayed and accomplished a whole bunch. So not a total failure. I have yet to workout for today but plan to go to the gym later. Lift some weights and do some cardio. Because , YEAH, I am not Rambo! There is currently no running up 10,000 steps in victory. I ran up three flights at the hospital yesterday, my heart was racing and I was a bit out of breath. Phew! Just adds to the motivation for getting in better shape. Food choices are going well. And the Operation is so far been a great success.
Yesterday, after mom was stabilized I went out shopping. I had the majority of my list still to buy for. I prayed before I went that the Holy Spirit would guide each purchase and He did! I have everyone done except one. WooHoo! Little girl and I went on a date last night. We went shopping and had dinner together. We made a list of names for everyone she wanted to buy something for. Then we went to the Dollar Store and I let her pick out a gift for each person on her list. It was so cute watching her decide what was for who. She did a great job! I did not interfere with her choices, I let her choose. I simply made sure we stuck to the list and one thing for each. I hope everyone enjoys the treasures she chose for them.
I just finished going through all the digital pictures from 2006. Let's just say it took me awhile. I have not printed off any pictures since last year so I downloaded my favorites which should be printed today. YEAH! I have lots of favorites.
Time to sign off, I have a lot of wrapping to do.
God bless! Have a wonderful day!
The flesh won this morning, I slept in a bit. I did get up not much later, prayed and accomplished a whole bunch. So not a total failure. I have yet to workout for today but plan to go to the gym later. Lift some weights and do some cardio. Because , YEAH, I am not Rambo! There is currently no running up 10,000 steps in victory. I ran up three flights at the hospital yesterday, my heart was racing and I was a bit out of breath. Phew! Just adds to the motivation for getting in better shape. Food choices are going well. And the Operation is so far been a great success.
Yesterday, after mom was stabilized I went out shopping. I had the majority of my list still to buy for. I prayed before I went that the Holy Spirit would guide each purchase and He did! I have everyone done except one. WooHoo! Little girl and I went on a date last night. We went shopping and had dinner together. We made a list of names for everyone she wanted to buy something for. Then we went to the Dollar Store and I let her pick out a gift for each person on her list. It was so cute watching her decide what was for who. She did a great job! I did not interfere with her choices, I let her choose. I simply made sure we stuck to the list and one thing for each. I hope everyone enjoys the treasures she chose for them.
I just finished going through all the digital pictures from 2006. Let's just say it took me awhile. I have not printed off any pictures since last year so I downloaded my favorites which should be printed today. YEAH! I have lots of favorites.
Time to sign off, I have a lot of wrapping to do.
God bless! Have a wonderful day!
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
UPDATE: Please Pray For My Mom
My mom is having surgery tomorrow, Wednesday the 20th. She has some blockage in her heart. The doctors will determine the best course of action once they are in surgery. This may mean outpatient if blasted or an overnight stay if stints are needed. Her surgery begins at 8amEST. Please pray for the medical team as well. Thank you!
Those checking in today, I will update as I have news. I know my mom cherishes many of you, her online community. Thanks for praying.
UPDATE:
Prayers have been answered! Glory to God! At about 8:15 Mom was wheeled into surgery, at 8:45 the doctor was already complete and going over the results. They did not need to put her under. She was alert during the whole procedure. Which ended up being a heart catheter, no balloon, no stints! During the procedure the doctor asked my mom, "So you have people praying for you?" To which she replied yes. He said his job goes a whole lot easier when people are praying. Mom told him people were not only praying for her but for the whole room, which brightened the hearts of all, one even gave an "Amen sister." Mom also went on to share with him that it was not just local prayer but national and international prayer as well. Which we are very thankful for. As the doctor completed he looked at her, not finding the damage that they had anticipated and told her, "Looks like your prayers have been answered." How awesome is that? Mom will be home later this afternoon. Those wishing to share a prayer, praise or warm wishes may do so in the comments of the post.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS!!! God bless.
Those checking in today, I will update as I have news. I know my mom cherishes many of you, her online community. Thanks for praying.
UPDATE:
Prayers have been answered! Glory to God! At about 8:15 Mom was wheeled into surgery, at 8:45 the doctor was already complete and going over the results. They did not need to put her under. She was alert during the whole procedure. Which ended up being a heart catheter, no balloon, no stints! During the procedure the doctor asked my mom, "So you have people praying for you?" To which she replied yes. He said his job goes a whole lot easier when people are praying. Mom told him people were not only praying for her but for the whole room, which brightened the hearts of all, one even gave an "Amen sister." Mom also went on to share with him that it was not just local prayer but national and international prayer as well. Which we are very thankful for. As the doctor completed he looked at her, not finding the damage that they had anticipated and told her, "Looks like your prayers have been answered." How awesome is that? Mom will be home later this afternoon. Those wishing to share a prayer, praise or warm wishes may do so in the comments of the post.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS!!! God bless.
Habits and Hang-ups
A couple months ago my church did a series on hurts, habits and hang-ups. Birthed out of the foundations of Celebrate Recovery, a program that bases it eight recovery principles off of the beatitudes. It began in California at Saddleback Church and has branched out all over the United States. The truth is, the church is a mess. We have addictions to porn, drugs, alcohol... We have gluttons, adultery, rage... We have laziness, jelousy, greed... We have the overweight, the underweight. We have flesh issues. Yes, we have issues of the flesh. I am not exempt. I have gone in seasons of triumph and seasons of defeat.
Growing up I was thin, as some would say, pencil thin. I was a noodle. I had little meat on my bones. So much so that it was a concern for my parents. I would sit down to eat as a 5 year old, eat a couple tablespoons of food and be "full." I know what it is like to be underweight. I remember in high school just wanting to gain weight, to have more muscle. I also remember when I achieved it, thinking "If I stayed this weight my entire life, I would be happy, this is right for me." I got married, I gained some weight. Thickened out, and some would say I needed it. I got pregnant with our first and actually lost 15 pounds in the first trimester due to morning sickness, extreme morning sickness. I put it back on by the time the baby was born but I lost all again while breastfeeding. So much so that people were concerned again. "Are you eating?" they would ask. And I was, I was eating double what I normally would yet I was nearly 30 pounds UNDER my ideal. I weaned. Got pregnant again, miscarried. Got pregnant again and gained. Had the baby and maintained a healthy weight. I weaned and continued to eat as if eating for two. Pounds were added. I had no self control in eating. If it was good, I ate until I could eat no more. When eating out, I would finish the entire entree, even if I was full with a portion. Let's not even talk about healthy foods. I have been failing terribly. It is no surprise that I have gained. That I am more than what is ideal for me. Because along with eating more, I have been moving less. Growing up I was active. I enjoyed being outside. I marched, competed in sports...physical. As in moving. Which I do move, but not nearly as much as I should.
Overall, my physical body has not been a huge struggle in my life. I have had seasons. Seasons of victory, seasons of weakness and seasons of good enough. It has not been something that Satan really has a stronghold in my life. No he has other areas of life in mind for me. Such as sickness. In pregnancy, I struggled with sickness. Today if Satan wants to knock me down he will first try to make one of us sick. Irritating but not necessary. He also tried to tempt me with sleep. A few more minutes he will whisper. Or is that my flesh...hmmm. Most likely it is my flesh saying, "come on, just a little more sleep.""You deserve it!" "Just until the kids wake up." "You need 8 hours to function so you better get a little bit more." Yup that sounds like my flesh. Sounds all to familiar. Sounds a bit lazy. Sounds like a stronghold.
And let's just throw in a little bit of ungodly rage. Momzilla, the moments when I am less than kind with my words. Taking a tone that brings tears, unnecessarily. Guilty. . Again a flesh issue. I could exhibit self-control. Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don't. Today as I listened to disk 2 from the How to Achieve your physical goals I am struck with the first step.
1. Admit you have a problem. Honesty. Being honest with myself.
Here it is, I am a glutton, lazy. I lack self control in eating. I say sleep more than I say get up. I have moments of rage. Or shall I say...was. I was these things. I struggled with these things but I will no longer. I see what needs to be changed and I will allow the Holy Spirit to work out that change. For greater is he that is IN ME than that piece of cake. Greater is he that is in me than those few moments of sleep. Greater is He that is in me than the desire to yell to be heard. For He is in me and He is greater than me. He is my guide and my help. But he can only do what I allow him to do. So today I choose to admit that I need his help, that I can not do it alone. And that I believe that WE can do it.
We have only just begun in Operation Can but what a difference I can already see in my perception of things. I have woke up three days in a row when I was suppose to without going back to sleep. I have brought healthy foods into the home and I am choosing to eat them. I have restrained from those things that are not going to bring life. Yesterday, I yelled at the kids, unnecessarily. Today I will take that into perceptive when I say I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Because I believe, nothing is impossible for me.
And you know what, I believe in you too. Nothing is impossible for you, if you believe.
Growing up I was thin, as some would say, pencil thin. I was a noodle. I had little meat on my bones. So much so that it was a concern for my parents. I would sit down to eat as a 5 year old, eat a couple tablespoons of food and be "full." I know what it is like to be underweight. I remember in high school just wanting to gain weight, to have more muscle. I also remember when I achieved it, thinking "If I stayed this weight my entire life, I would be happy, this is right for me." I got married, I gained some weight. Thickened out, and some would say I needed it. I got pregnant with our first and actually lost 15 pounds in the first trimester due to morning sickness, extreme morning sickness. I put it back on by the time the baby was born but I lost all again while breastfeeding. So much so that people were concerned again. "Are you eating?" they would ask. And I was, I was eating double what I normally would yet I was nearly 30 pounds UNDER my ideal. I weaned. Got pregnant again, miscarried. Got pregnant again and gained. Had the baby and maintained a healthy weight. I weaned and continued to eat as if eating for two. Pounds were added. I had no self control in eating. If it was good, I ate until I could eat no more. When eating out, I would finish the entire entree, even if I was full with a portion. Let's not even talk about healthy foods. I have been failing terribly. It is no surprise that I have gained. That I am more than what is ideal for me. Because along with eating more, I have been moving less. Growing up I was active. I enjoyed being outside. I marched, competed in sports...physical. As in moving. Which I do move, but not nearly as much as I should.
Overall, my physical body has not been a huge struggle in my life. I have had seasons. Seasons of victory, seasons of weakness and seasons of good enough. It has not been something that Satan really has a stronghold in my life. No he has other areas of life in mind for me. Such as sickness. In pregnancy, I struggled with sickness. Today if Satan wants to knock me down he will first try to make one of us sick. Irritating but not necessary. He also tried to tempt me with sleep. A few more minutes he will whisper. Or is that my flesh...hmmm. Most likely it is my flesh saying, "come on, just a little more sleep.""You deserve it!" "Just until the kids wake up." "You need 8 hours to function so you better get a little bit more." Yup that sounds like my flesh. Sounds all to familiar. Sounds a bit lazy. Sounds like a stronghold.
And let's just throw in a little bit of ungodly rage. Momzilla, the moments when I am less than kind with my words. Taking a tone that brings tears, unnecessarily. Guilty. . Again a flesh issue. I could exhibit self-control. Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don't. Today as I listened to disk 2 from the How to Achieve your physical goals I am struck with the first step.
1. Admit you have a problem. Honesty. Being honest with myself.
Here it is, I am a glutton, lazy. I lack self control in eating. I say sleep more than I say get up. I have moments of rage. Or shall I say...was. I was these things. I struggled with these things but I will no longer. I see what needs to be changed and I will allow the Holy Spirit to work out that change. For greater is he that is IN ME than that piece of cake. Greater is he that is in me than those few moments of sleep. Greater is He that is in me than the desire to yell to be heard. For He is in me and He is greater than me. He is my guide and my help. But he can only do what I allow him to do. So today I choose to admit that I need his help, that I can not do it alone. And that I believe that WE can do it.
We have only just begun in Operation Can but what a difference I can already see in my perception of things. I have woke up three days in a row when I was suppose to without going back to sleep. I have brought healthy foods into the home and I am choosing to eat them. I have restrained from those things that are not going to bring life. Yesterday, I yelled at the kids, unnecessarily. Today I will take that into perceptive when I say I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Because I believe, nothing is impossible for me.
And you know what, I believe in you too. Nothing is impossible for you, if you believe.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Trinity and Pastor Brad in the News
On the front page of the State Journal this morning...
http://lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061218/NEWS01/612180338/1312
For more on Pastor Brad Mitchell read this interview from this Spring.
http://lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061218/NEWS01/612180338/1312
For more on Pastor Brad Mitchell read this interview from this Spring.
Operation CAN!!!
All things are possible for me because I am a believer. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I CAN!
This is what I will be telling myself daily, many times a day for the next 16 weeks. As a small group we have decided to join together and strive to reach our physical goals. Inspired by the biggest loser, we are entering into 16 weeks of encouraging one another, weigh ins and healthy life change. We could call it the biggest loser but I personally do not want to confess being a loser. Conquerer YES!!! Loser, I am not. So in my own mind I have entitled this time Operation CAN!!! I will tell my flesh, you can rise early to pray. Flesh, you can eat that which brings life to my body. Flesh, you can refrain from eating that which does not. Flesh, you can move about. Flesh, you can exercise without complaint. Flesh, you will read the Word. Flesh, you will have balance. Flesh, you can drink water and plenty of it. Flesh, hello, I am bringing you under control.
I am listening to a teaching series by Keith Moore called How To Reach Your Physical Goals. In it he is teaching me, Wow! He says in that teaching we need to control the flesh and we need to say to it..."Flesh, you sleep when I say sleep, you rise when I say get up, you eat when I say eat and what I say, you don't when I say you don't." In the last 24 hours I have begun to practice this and I CAN say that WOW, it works.
For the last month or so, I have been struggling to wake up in the morning. The Lord would wake me, I would say good morning Lord and then roll over and go right back to sleep. I would sleep until the kids woke up, meaning I was lacking alone time with God. No longer! I will keep my body under control. And I will tell it to rise when the Lord wakes me. It is breaking habits, strongholds. It is a spiritual issue more than a physical one. But I will be victorious. The last two mornings I have been victorious. I have had to yell at myself to get up, repeatedly. But the flesh did respond and I did not fall back asleep. I did get up to pray, to read and excersize. WooHoo!!
This next 16 weeks I will be focusing and diligent both in spiritual things and the physical. I will get my body in shape. I will eat healthy. I will bring my weight to what is ideal for me. I will increase my endurance so that I can dance for the Lord without getting tired. I am going to do it because it needs to be done. And because I CAN!!!
All things are possible for me because I am a believer. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I CAN and I WILL!!!
This is what I will be telling myself daily, many times a day for the next 16 weeks. As a small group we have decided to join together and strive to reach our physical goals. Inspired by the biggest loser, we are entering into 16 weeks of encouraging one another, weigh ins and healthy life change. We could call it the biggest loser but I personally do not want to confess being a loser. Conquerer YES!!! Loser, I am not. So in my own mind I have entitled this time Operation CAN!!! I will tell my flesh, you can rise early to pray. Flesh, you can eat that which brings life to my body. Flesh, you can refrain from eating that which does not. Flesh, you can move about. Flesh, you can exercise without complaint. Flesh, you will read the Word. Flesh, you will have balance. Flesh, you can drink water and plenty of it. Flesh, hello, I am bringing you under control.
I am listening to a teaching series by Keith Moore called How To Reach Your Physical Goals. In it he is teaching me, Wow! He says in that teaching we need to control the flesh and we need to say to it..."Flesh, you sleep when I say sleep, you rise when I say get up, you eat when I say eat and what I say, you don't when I say you don't." In the last 24 hours I have begun to practice this and I CAN say that WOW, it works.
For the last month or so, I have been struggling to wake up in the morning. The Lord would wake me, I would say good morning Lord and then roll over and go right back to sleep. I would sleep until the kids woke up, meaning I was lacking alone time with God. No longer! I will keep my body under control. And I will tell it to rise when the Lord wakes me. It is breaking habits, strongholds. It is a spiritual issue more than a physical one. But I will be victorious. The last two mornings I have been victorious. I have had to yell at myself to get up, repeatedly. But the flesh did respond and I did not fall back asleep. I did get up to pray, to read and excersize. WooHoo!!
This next 16 weeks I will be focusing and diligent both in spiritual things and the physical. I will get my body in shape. I will eat healthy. I will bring my weight to what is ideal for me. I will increase my endurance so that I can dance for the Lord without getting tired. I am going to do it because it needs to be done. And because I CAN!!!
Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
All things are possible for me because I am a believer. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I CAN and I WILL!!!
Friday, December 15, 2006
Poisonous Health Food!!?
"There's a slow poison out there that's severely damaging our children and threatening to tear apart our culture. The ironic part is, it's a "health food," one of our most popular. "
Read more in this interesting article.
Read more in this interesting article.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
What Would You Do If...
you were a Super Hero?
you were invisible?
you found $20 at the store?
your baby threw-up on your new shirt?
You could end up finding $20 at a store and taking off your shirt and walking around top-less!
What would you do if you found yourself in a room with 6 of the best ladies in the world? I would laugh so hard I would cry.
A few years back I joined a Wednesday night bible study. I was placed with 6 other woman. From the outside we could not be MORE different, even our interests and life styles vary drastically. But I could not love these woman anymore than I do. I truly believe when you do life with someone, no matter the external circumstances, a love grows. A beautiful love that lasts throughout the years. This past year we all went in different directions for Wednesday nights. We longer met together weekly for bible study. We have kept in contact over email. But as far as seeing each other it has been very limited. Until last night. All seven of us were able to get together for a night of great food and fun. We each brought something to contribute so we had an awesome Mexican spread. And we all brought our personalities so we had more than enough fun. We played one truth, Apples to Apples and What would you do and I kid you not we laughed ourselves speechless. To tears and beyond.
Thank you ladies for blessing my life. I love you all!
Alright readers, commenter's and lurkers, for kicks, PLEASE ask a what if question and answer the one above yours.
So my first responder answer me this...
What would you do if...your computer said password denied?
Answer then ask a question of your own beginning with What would you do if...
you were invisible?
you found $20 at the store?
your baby threw-up on your new shirt?
You could end up finding $20 at a store and taking off your shirt and walking around top-less!
What would you do if you found yourself in a room with 6 of the best ladies in the world? I would laugh so hard I would cry.
A few years back I joined a Wednesday night bible study. I was placed with 6 other woman. From the outside we could not be MORE different, even our interests and life styles vary drastically. But I could not love these woman anymore than I do. I truly believe when you do life with someone, no matter the external circumstances, a love grows. A beautiful love that lasts throughout the years. This past year we all went in different directions for Wednesday nights. We longer met together weekly for bible study. We have kept in contact over email. But as far as seeing each other it has been very limited. Until last night. All seven of us were able to get together for a night of great food and fun. We each brought something to contribute so we had an awesome Mexican spread. And we all brought our personalities so we had more than enough fun. We played one truth, Apples to Apples and What would you do and I kid you not we laughed ourselves speechless. To tears and beyond.
Thank you ladies for blessing my life. I love you all!
Alright readers, commenter's and lurkers, for kicks, PLEASE ask a what if question and answer the one above yours.
So my first responder answer me this...
What would you do if...your computer said password denied?
Answer then ask a question of your own beginning with What would you do if...
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Posts That Have Shaped
We are shaped by those around us. They live by example, we take notice and sometimes it impacts us to make change. The following posts have touched me, made me think and caused me to react. They are must reads. I hope they bless you, as they have me.
What A Year By Kelsey at Family of Ten
A beautiful tribute to her adopted brother.
Guilty As Charged By Gina at Portrait of a Writer...Interrupted
We are the keys to our homes.
Compact Lessons and Clothing By Sara at Walk Slowly, Live Wildly
Introducing the concept of compacting and living simply.
Choosing to Forgive and American Dream vs Living For Him
by On Fire For Him
Remember my little experiment Quiet as a Mouse. Choosing to forgive is the follow-up to her situation.
Please stop in, read, be challenged, leave a comment to let them know you stopped in and that I sent you over. Enjoy!
What A Year By Kelsey at Family of Ten
A beautiful tribute to her adopted brother.
Guilty As Charged By Gina at Portrait of a Writer...Interrupted
We are the keys to our homes.
Compact Lessons and Clothing By Sara at Walk Slowly, Live Wildly
Introducing the concept of compacting and living simply.
Choosing to Forgive and American Dream vs Living For Him
by On Fire For Him
Remember my little experiment Quiet as a Mouse. Choosing to forgive is the follow-up to her situation.
Please stop in, read, be challenged, leave a comment to let them know you stopped in and that I sent you over. Enjoy!
In and Out
Written by my dear son, age 5
Once upon a time there was a bird living inside.
And it saw some yummy food sitting on a table.
And it wanted to eat that yummy food.
And it came out and it took some yummy food.
Then it came right back in for some more.
Then it came back to it's nest.
Then it came right back to the house and the window was shut.
The people were already home.
It had to peck and peck and peck.
And animal control came and catched the bird.
And then the person's that already had it.
Buyed it again.
The End
Once upon a time there was a bird living inside.
And it saw some yummy food sitting on a table.
And it wanted to eat that yummy food.
And it came out and it took some yummy food.
Then it came right back in for some more.
Then it came back to it's nest.
Then it came right back to the house and the window was shut.
The people were already home.
It had to peck and peck and peck.
And animal control came and catched the bird.
And then the person's that already had it.
Buyed it again.
The End
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Grandparents in Homeschooling and Life
A few years ago, when I began researching homeschooling, I bought one of the best books. Homeschooling The Early Years by Linda Dobson. I have read it many times through and have loaned it out to many friends, it is an amazing resource. In it I know she planted a seed and it was not until recently that I realized that seed was bearing fruit. So I went back and read again what she said. Here are two little excerpts of the book.
Page 53- Other homeschoolers live close to extended families, and flexible schedules provide equally important bonding with family members. Grandparents enrich their homeschooling grandchildren's learning experiences in many ways. They read with the children, tell stories of their past, teach hobbies, and take field trips near and far.
Page 314- If willing, grandparents can add a rich dimension to any homeschooling experience.
I remember thinking over that "If willing..." Would our parents embrace our desire to homeschool? Would they actively participate in our learning journey? The answer to those questions are YES and YES! And I could not be more thrilled.
Shortly after the success with the Sound Box, which I shared in this post. I decided to read through the entire series by Jane Belk Moncure. We had visited my Mom during the early afternoon and was leaving to come home and finish the last thing we had to do. DS was to read a book. Grandma asked what book he would be reading and I told her. My "C" Sound Box...and then what she did was brilliant! She asked if it was the same kind of book as the letter B when he found "all those B words." And DS said yes, excited that grandma remembered. And then here is her brilliance, she challenged him. She said, " Go home and read that book and then make me a list of as many C words as you can find. And if you find 15 (I believe her original number) I have a surprise for you." It was a deal. We went home, he read, we got out a piece of paper and he began listing words. He found all the words from the book, he got out another ABC book, he went around the house sounding out words that he saw around him. He was on such a roll, I took the job of secretary and kept quiet. Next he busted out his dictionary. His idea. He looked at all the pictures in the C section and figured out what they were trying to represent. Then he went to sounding out some words. In no time we had filled the page with words and he was beaming. 65 words that started with the C sound as in cat. And he had found them all. We headed back over to show grandma and grandpa the list. I think we were all a bit surprised, and we all realized that we had discovered homeschool gold! DS received his prize, a color scratch pad. I received something far greater, grandparent participation. My parents were so pleased with my son's enthusiasm they wanted to encourage him in the rest of the books as well. He reads a Sound Box book, makes a list of words, shows it to grandma and/or grandpa and they give him a small something as incentive. For D he got a dime, E he got an Easter egg with a piece of candy inside, F was a folder of fun. The folder of fun had printouts of mazes, coloring pages and cut-outs, it also had five pieces of Juicy Fruit. Which DS loved!
I am so very thankful for my parents involvement in our learning journey. My mom has joined us on trips to the zoo, my dad has gone with us to the planetarium. They are usually the first people to know the results of a science experiment and many times they are right in on the fun. It was my dad that taught our son about the vortex of a tornado and to watch if it turns clockwise or counter-clockwise. It is my dad who has worms in his basement as a winter project. They often ask, "What did you learn today?" And I think we are all beginning to realize that if you ask that, you get a shrug of the shoulders. But if you ask "What have you done for science lately?" You may get a 5 minutes explanation of this, that, and the other. If asked what they read that day, they may even tell you what the book was about. Yes I am very thankful for my parents involvement. I cherish our relationships. My mom and I go shopping together weekly. Countryside driving, moments of teaching in the grocery store; often led by my mother. "how much is this? How many? Do you see any deer? How about turkeys? What color is this?" As I was thinking this over, my mom and dad have embraced this life of learning, they instilled it in us as kids, they continue on in the next generation. Yes, with my homeschooled kids but to their credit with their public school grandchildren as well. They look for opportunities to encourage their development. They take interest in what the grandkids are interested in. Be it putting a hammer in her grandsons hands or playing chess with grandpa. And I think they are enjoying their journey.
That is my parents, my hubbies parents have had their own style of involvement. Grandpa Reindeer, likes to read to the kids and introduced them to comic strips. Grandma Reindeer, is very crafty and has worked on sewing projects with them. They are still working full time so their level of involvement is limited. My sister-in-law also homeschools and their flexible schedule has allowed them to make Thursday afternoons dedicated to my father-in-law, Grandpa Eagle. We have started joining her on some of her trips out to see him. At our last visit I asked him what he would enjoy doing with the grandkids. A project of sorts. Something he would enjoy that would be a good way for him to connect with them. We have yet to land on something, for now it may be a card game. In time it may develop into more. I pray that it does because when a grandparent is connecting with their grandkids, everyone wins!
How about you? Do you have parents that our involved with your kids? In your homeschooling? What does that look like for you? Are you a grandparent with grandkids? What do you enjoy doing with your grandkids?
Page 53- Other homeschoolers live close to extended families, and flexible schedules provide equally important bonding with family members. Grandparents enrich their homeschooling grandchildren's learning experiences in many ways. They read with the children, tell stories of their past, teach hobbies, and take field trips near and far.
Page 314- If willing, grandparents can add a rich dimension to any homeschooling experience.
I remember thinking over that "If willing..." Would our parents embrace our desire to homeschool? Would they actively participate in our learning journey? The answer to those questions are YES and YES! And I could not be more thrilled.
Shortly after the success with the Sound Box, which I shared in this post. I decided to read through the entire series by Jane Belk Moncure. We had visited my Mom during the early afternoon and was leaving to come home and finish the last thing we had to do. DS was to read a book. Grandma asked what book he would be reading and I told her. My "C" Sound Box...and then what she did was brilliant! She asked if it was the same kind of book as the letter B when he found "all those B words." And DS said yes, excited that grandma remembered. And then here is her brilliance, she challenged him. She said, " Go home and read that book and then make me a list of as many C words as you can find. And if you find 15 (I believe her original number) I have a surprise for you." It was a deal. We went home, he read, we got out a piece of paper and he began listing words. He found all the words from the book, he got out another ABC book, he went around the house sounding out words that he saw around him. He was on such a roll, I took the job of secretary and kept quiet. Next he busted out his dictionary. His idea. He looked at all the pictures in the C section and figured out what they were trying to represent. Then he went to sounding out some words. In no time we had filled the page with words and he was beaming. 65 words that started with the C sound as in cat. And he had found them all. We headed back over to show grandma and grandpa the list. I think we were all a bit surprised, and we all realized that we had discovered homeschool gold! DS received his prize, a color scratch pad. I received something far greater, grandparent participation. My parents were so pleased with my son's enthusiasm they wanted to encourage him in the rest of the books as well. He reads a Sound Box book, makes a list of words, shows it to grandma and/or grandpa and they give him a small something as incentive. For D he got a dime, E he got an Easter egg with a piece of candy inside, F was a folder of fun. The folder of fun had printouts of mazes, coloring pages and cut-outs, it also had five pieces of Juicy Fruit. Which DS loved!
I am so very thankful for my parents involvement in our learning journey. My mom has joined us on trips to the zoo, my dad has gone with us to the planetarium. They are usually the first people to know the results of a science experiment and many times they are right in on the fun. It was my dad that taught our son about the vortex of a tornado and to watch if it turns clockwise or counter-clockwise. It is my dad who has worms in his basement as a winter project. They often ask, "What did you learn today?" And I think we are all beginning to realize that if you ask that, you get a shrug of the shoulders. But if you ask "What have you done for science lately?" You may get a 5 minutes explanation of this, that, and the other. If asked what they read that day, they may even tell you what the book was about. Yes I am very thankful for my parents involvement. I cherish our relationships. My mom and I go shopping together weekly. Countryside driving, moments of teaching in the grocery store; often led by my mother. "how much is this? How many? Do you see any deer? How about turkeys? What color is this?" As I was thinking this over, my mom and dad have embraced this life of learning, they instilled it in us as kids, they continue on in the next generation. Yes, with my homeschooled kids but to their credit with their public school grandchildren as well. They look for opportunities to encourage their development. They take interest in what the grandkids are interested in. Be it putting a hammer in her grandsons hands or playing chess with grandpa. And I think they are enjoying their journey.
That is my parents, my hubbies parents have had their own style of involvement. Grandpa Reindeer, likes to read to the kids and introduced them to comic strips. Grandma Reindeer, is very crafty and has worked on sewing projects with them. They are still working full time so their level of involvement is limited. My sister-in-law also homeschools and their flexible schedule has allowed them to make Thursday afternoons dedicated to my father-in-law, Grandpa Eagle. We have started joining her on some of her trips out to see him. At our last visit I asked him what he would enjoy doing with the grandkids. A project of sorts. Something he would enjoy that would be a good way for him to connect with them. We have yet to land on something, for now it may be a card game. In time it may develop into more. I pray that it does because when a grandparent is connecting with their grandkids, everyone wins!
How about you? Do you have parents that our involved with your kids? In your homeschooling? What does that look like for you? Are you a grandparent with grandkids? What do you enjoy doing with your grandkids?
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Scammers
This morning my girlfriend called to share her first experience with a true sale. She has never done the day after thanksgiving or really been drawn by an ad, but when she saw an item for half price she figured, hey, what a good deal. So she was advised to be there when the store open; which she thought was unnecessary but she went. And as she said, "She completely underestimated the power of a sale." She got the item and was glad she was there early. As we were talking we were discussing the gift card scam. Scammers writing down numbers off of gift cards, waiting a few days then calling the company to see what the remaining balance was on "their gift card." They then turn around and spend the balance of the card on the internet. So not right.
Well, awhile back my mom and dad bought a Lego Mindstorm NXT off of ebay. It was before Thanksgiving, my mom had been searching for one as a project for my dad to do with the grandkids. It was not a gift, so when it arrived my dad and one of my nephews went to work assembling and programming it. It is a robot that you can program from your computer and it does various tasks. Pretty cool. Apparently a hot item this holiday season. So the scam....stay tuned. When my mom made the bid, it stated money order only. Now normally ones preferred method of payment for internet purchases would be PayPal. This Mindstorm was a great deal so mom and dad decided to make the bid and send in the money order. The lady had apparently put the item in layaway before Wal-Mart did away with there layaway, she had bought it at full price and then put the item on ebay to sell for profit. Not a crime. Well, at the time my mom made the bid, it was expected to be a hot item but the buyers were not yet buying, so she won the bid, for $80 less than the going price. Mom was ecstatic, she sent the money order and a few days later the package arrived. Shipped directly from Wal-Mart layaway and fully intact. The packaging lasted but a few minutes. A month later my mom received a letter stating that the seller was sorry but the Mindstorm needed to be returned. The whole letter was a bit hokey stating that she had a partner and there was a misunderstanding and sorry but I need it back and a report has already been established with the FBI. The original money order was included in the letter. Apparently uncashed. My mom was irritated, it was already being used and it was not going to be returned. They had paid the asking price and followed all the stipulations of the contract. My dad was concerned, what was it all about. As mom looked online she quickly realized that Mindstorm NXT is A VERY HOT ITEM and that some were selling for four times the original price. So it appeared that the woman was trying to get it back so she could resell it for the profit she originally planned. Dirty. My mom got curious about the money order so she went to Western Union to look into it. AND HERE IS THE SCAM...apparently you can now scan in money orders and cash them from the digital form. Leaving the original fully intact and appearing uncashed. So my mom asked if this money order was cashed or not, and it HAD BEEN CASHED. Total scam. Totally irritating. My mom contacted Ebay about the seller and has yet to hear back from them. She also made a file documenting all that transpired. Should any FBI agent come knocking on the door, ha!
Use your head, scammers are getting more creative all the time.
Well, awhile back my mom and dad bought a Lego Mindstorm NXT off of ebay. It was before Thanksgiving, my mom had been searching for one as a project for my dad to do with the grandkids. It was not a gift, so when it arrived my dad and one of my nephews went to work assembling and programming it. It is a robot that you can program from your computer and it does various tasks. Pretty cool. Apparently a hot item this holiday season. So the scam....stay tuned. When my mom made the bid, it stated money order only. Now normally ones preferred method of payment for internet purchases would be PayPal. This Mindstorm was a great deal so mom and dad decided to make the bid and send in the money order. The lady had apparently put the item in layaway before Wal-Mart did away with there layaway, she had bought it at full price and then put the item on ebay to sell for profit. Not a crime. Well, at the time my mom made the bid, it was expected to be a hot item but the buyers were not yet buying, so she won the bid, for $80 less than the going price. Mom was ecstatic, she sent the money order and a few days later the package arrived. Shipped directly from Wal-Mart layaway and fully intact. The packaging lasted but a few minutes. A month later my mom received a letter stating that the seller was sorry but the Mindstorm needed to be returned. The whole letter was a bit hokey stating that she had a partner and there was a misunderstanding and sorry but I need it back and a report has already been established with the FBI. The original money order was included in the letter. Apparently uncashed. My mom was irritated, it was already being used and it was not going to be returned. They had paid the asking price and followed all the stipulations of the contract. My dad was concerned, what was it all about. As mom looked online she quickly realized that Mindstorm NXT is A VERY HOT ITEM and that some were selling for four times the original price. So it appeared that the woman was trying to get it back so she could resell it for the profit she originally planned. Dirty. My mom got curious about the money order so she went to Western Union to look into it. AND HERE IS THE SCAM...apparently you can now scan in money orders and cash them from the digital form. Leaving the original fully intact and appearing uncashed. So my mom asked if this money order was cashed or not, and it HAD BEEN CASHED. Total scam. Totally irritating. My mom contacted Ebay about the seller and has yet to hear back from them. She also made a file documenting all that transpired. Should any FBI agent come knocking on the door, ha!
Use your head, scammers are getting more creative all the time.
Friday, December 08, 2006
And the winner is....
My son with the EXACT guess of 3 inches.
I did not notice that these were the smallest growing alligators and that the record growth is 5 inches so I was way off with a guess of 10 inches. I was beat by a five year old, a smart one. Next time we will try purified water and see if we can get it to grow over the 3 inch mark.
Way to go kiddo!
Inspiration
Last night, our family went to a sports bar for dinner. My hubby played darts as the kids and I played a couple video games while we waited for our food. As we waited a story on the TV caught my eye. It just happened to be College Football Awards night on ESPN. And the story was about the recipient of the 2006 Spirit Award; Patrick Henry Hughes. Wow! Patrick was born with no eyes or the ability to fully strengthen his arms or legs, leaving him unable to walk. When Patrick was very young his parents observed his love for music and would often sit down with him at the piano. It did not take long to realize he had a gift for music. His story is amazing, I highly recommend clicking on this November article from ABC and watching the video clip on the left. This father son relationship is one to truly admire, they are both an inspiration. His father works the night shift so he can attend all of Patrick's college classes, band practices and football games. They are an incredible team. Go watch their story now, it will move you. I know it did me, I found myself flooded with tears as the waitress brought our food. Yes, it is really that touching.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Prayer request
Please pray for my Aunt who is having surgery today on her vocal cords.
And please also pray for my mom. She has a doctors appointment with her heart specialist, at her last visit he wanted to hospitalize her that day. My mom still feels like there are things she needs to do before she will go into the hospital for surgery.
On a lighter note, hubby stummbled across this fun little game. Eskiv. The object is to touch your circle to the square without touching any of the the blue balls. My highest is 125.
Have fun and thanks for praying.
And please also pray for my mom. She has a doctors appointment with her heart specialist, at her last visit he wanted to hospitalize her that day. My mom still feels like there are things she needs to do before she will go into the hospital for surgery.
On a lighter note, hubby stummbled across this fun little game. Eskiv. The object is to touch your circle to the square without touching any of the the blue balls. My highest is 125.
Have fun and thanks for praying.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Operation Complete
So how did it go?? I thought you would never ask.
First off I must say that our dog is the loudest dog in the world. Even just walking across the kitchen floor is a noisy endevor, put a toy in her mouth and she thrashes about, runs and goes crazy. Add a ball to the mix and she is ripping up and down the hallway like a torando. This is why I believe dogs are not allowed in apartments. Not to mention the THUMP THUMP of her tail against the wall as she walks down the hall. So today she was the noisiest soul in the house but for the experiments sake we ignored her, afterall had we been truly in an apartment she would not even be present.
Let's just say our family failed terribly!!! As in kicked out of the complex. The lady downstairs would not only rap on the ceiling and call the police; I am pretty sure she would egg our car and leave mean messages in our mailbox.
I discovered that my kids believe that to get from point A to point B you MUST run. And running as pointed out before is a NO NO in an apartment, it is not a quiet way to go about the house. After reminding them many times they finally developed a light footed canter. And remembered to use it...most of the time.
I discovered that my kids feel it is necessary and acceptable to yell my name from any location in the house at any decibal they feel fit. Especially the three year old. "Mommy!!!! I would go to the room they were in, remind them to use their quiet voice and then they would whisper until the next crisis i.e. wipe their butt. Then it was back to "MOMMY, please can you wipe my butt?" And once I was in the room it was back to whispers. I am sure the lady downstairs enjoyed hearing my child's potty needs.
As we did school I noticed the house settled into a nice quiet routine. I am sure the lady downstairs was smiling. That was until my kitchen chairs got pushed away from the table and their was a horrendous SCREECH across the floor. Yup, this is why kitchens are carpeted in most apartment dining rooms. I get it now. Then there was the throwing away of some trash and the door did a double slam as my knee brushed up against it. Wince, double wince. Thankfully our lesson plans for today had two very time involved projects. Making pretzels. Rather quiet. Next melting broken crayons into "rainbow crayons." Which involved sorting the broken from the still intact, stripping them of their paper, and placing them in a foil lined muffin tin. Again rather quiet. If you ignore the chair SCREECHING every time you move it even an inch. Then yes it was a very quiet hour. But school was far from over and our day far from done.
There were many little sounds that I tune out daily. Marbles rolling this way and the other, yeah, it would be rather annoying to the lady downstairs. And the fire truck that my little girl loves to drive around, foot powered, does not always follow the straight path of the hallway. No it runs into the wall, many many times. Again I usually tune this kind of stuff out.
I discovered today that my kids do not step out of their chairs, they jump out of their chairs. THUMP.
Recess was a welcome break and I was more than eager to shove the kids outside to run about. I perked it up by explaining that they could run, yell, jump and be very very loud outside. DS was very eager and suited up in his snowsuit and not so quiet snow boots and TRAMPED outside where he played for an hour. DD wanted nothing to do with the cold, no snow suit, no boots, no go on the outdoors. So we decided we would try and dance...quietly, go ahead laugh. I thought it could be done. I put on Selahs Greatest Hymns, nice, relaxing, slow moving, I was thinking ballerina like grace across the room. So DD tries to swirl gracefully around and trips over a shoe on the floor. CLUNK down she goes and the lady downstairs hit the floor twice. We giggled and she hit the floor again. We got back up and tried again. Yet the music was too quiet for little girl. So she turned up How Great Thou Art to the full volume of our speakers. Doh. Too loud. As if a worship song could be considered too loud. We turned it down and I whisked her around the room. Trying ever so carefully to use the tips of my toes. I thought to myself this may work for a little girl but there is NO WAY my son would go for ballerina hour for recreation indoors. Push ups and sits ups, yes, dancing yes but surely not the quiet type.
Later as DD finished her snack she put her dishes in the sink, only she did not set them in the sink, they CRASHED into the sink. My son comes in from outside, STOMP STOMP STOMP. Reminder of the quiet as a mouse, to which he rolls his eyes. Humor me kid, humor me.
We went on with our day, we did more school. We talked about On Fire For Him and her kids. We talked about the real lady downstairs for them and how she called the police because the kids were running down the hall. He liked hearing about their world. My son began to taunt the "pretend" lady downstairs at our house. If I reminded him to be quiet he would give a good STOMP and then comply. There were a few times he said, I am done playing this quiet as a mouse "game". On with school. As long as they were at the table there was relative peace. There was still an occasional scwabble, which leads me to my next point. There is no such thing as a quiet TANTRUM. A crying fit can not be hushed. I can only imagine what the lady downstairs thinks of us now, I know she is not amused. THRASHING, STOMPING, SCREAMING, CRYING, sitting on her bed, "MOMMY!!!" Yes this happens to me.
Hopscotch was the recommended activity for my cirriculm, before DS came in from outside I tried it out with little hops and found that while the thumping was not present the CREAKING of our floor was. So I passed on it, no hopscotch, no jumping jacks. Instead we made card houses and played board games.
Later in the evening I was entertained by my happy son who started dancing about. I reminded him we were still being quiet. To which he replied. "I was dancing like Happy Feet. Do I sound just like him?" I am sure he did and I am also pretty sure that the lady downstairs did not care one bit about his dancing even if it did sound like Happy Feet. For I concluded that she must be an old crab with a snaggle tooth, she must have never had children of her own or she would have compassion on a stay at home mother who is with her children ALL DAY, and she would know that it is not possible to keep a child "quiet" for such a length of time. Nor is it for the better health of a child or his family to keep them quiet all day.
I found this experiment to be very enlightening. I find that I have a whole lot of compassion for On Fire For Him and a whole lot of respect. How does one raise her family to be respectful without compromising the happiness of her children. Kids do need to be kids. They do need to play and run and jump. No not all day long. But these things are not bad, these things are good. I would be sad if my kids did not have the energy that they do. If they moved about their day in a lull, video hypnotis kind of state. I think that there are natural rhythms in a day that allow for quiet times and times of activity. I do think learning to be quiet is an important thing. One needs to be quiet during a church sermon or when their mother is on the phone. They need to be respectful around others and learn to control their impulse to act crazy. There are places where it is not appropraite to run from point A to point B. So training these things are important. But living them day in and day out I would find incredibly difficult and compromising to our quality of life.
So give me my silly, running, jumping, laughing, dancing, LOUD kids any day of the week. And the lady downstairs can either join in the fun or she can move.
My name is Sarah and I live in a noisy house and ONLY after all are asleep is it ... quiet as a mouse.
First off I must say that our dog is the loudest dog in the world. Even just walking across the kitchen floor is a noisy endevor, put a toy in her mouth and she thrashes about, runs and goes crazy. Add a ball to the mix and she is ripping up and down the hallway like a torando. This is why I believe dogs are not allowed in apartments. Not to mention the THUMP THUMP of her tail against the wall as she walks down the hall. So today she was the noisiest soul in the house but for the experiments sake we ignored her, afterall had we been truly in an apartment she would not even be present.
Let's just say our family failed terribly!!! As in kicked out of the complex. The lady downstairs would not only rap on the ceiling and call the police; I am pretty sure she would egg our car and leave mean messages in our mailbox.
I discovered that my kids believe that to get from point A to point B you MUST run. And running as pointed out before is a NO NO in an apartment, it is not a quiet way to go about the house. After reminding them many times they finally developed a light footed canter. And remembered to use it...most of the time.
I discovered that my kids feel it is necessary and acceptable to yell my name from any location in the house at any decibal they feel fit. Especially the three year old. "Mommy!!!! I would go to the room they were in, remind them to use their quiet voice and then they would whisper until the next crisis i.e. wipe their butt. Then it was back to "MOMMY, please can you wipe my butt?" And once I was in the room it was back to whispers. I am sure the lady downstairs enjoyed hearing my child's potty needs.
As we did school I noticed the house settled into a nice quiet routine. I am sure the lady downstairs was smiling. That was until my kitchen chairs got pushed away from the table and their was a horrendous SCREECH across the floor. Yup, this is why kitchens are carpeted in most apartment dining rooms. I get it now. Then there was the throwing away of some trash and the door did a double slam as my knee brushed up against it. Wince, double wince. Thankfully our lesson plans for today had two very time involved projects. Making pretzels. Rather quiet. Next melting broken crayons into "rainbow crayons." Which involved sorting the broken from the still intact, stripping them of their paper, and placing them in a foil lined muffin tin. Again rather quiet. If you ignore the chair SCREECHING every time you move it even an inch. Then yes it was a very quiet hour. But school was far from over and our day far from done.
There were many little sounds that I tune out daily. Marbles rolling this way and the other, yeah, it would be rather annoying to the lady downstairs. And the fire truck that my little girl loves to drive around, foot powered, does not always follow the straight path of the hallway. No it runs into the wall, many many times. Again I usually tune this kind of stuff out.
I discovered today that my kids do not step out of their chairs, they jump out of their chairs. THUMP.
Recess was a welcome break and I was more than eager to shove the kids outside to run about. I perked it up by explaining that they could run, yell, jump and be very very loud outside. DS was very eager and suited up in his snowsuit and not so quiet snow boots and TRAMPED outside where he played for an hour. DD wanted nothing to do with the cold, no snow suit, no boots, no go on the outdoors. So we decided we would try and dance...quietly, go ahead laugh. I thought it could be done. I put on Selahs Greatest Hymns, nice, relaxing, slow moving, I was thinking ballerina like grace across the room. So DD tries to swirl gracefully around and trips over a shoe on the floor. CLUNK down she goes and the lady downstairs hit the floor twice. We giggled and she hit the floor again. We got back up and tried again. Yet the music was too quiet for little girl. So she turned up How Great Thou Art to the full volume of our speakers. Doh. Too loud. As if a worship song could be considered too loud. We turned it down and I whisked her around the room. Trying ever so carefully to use the tips of my toes. I thought to myself this may work for a little girl but there is NO WAY my son would go for ballerina hour for recreation indoors. Push ups and sits ups, yes, dancing yes but surely not the quiet type.
Later as DD finished her snack she put her dishes in the sink, only she did not set them in the sink, they CRASHED into the sink. My son comes in from outside, STOMP STOMP STOMP. Reminder of the quiet as a mouse, to which he rolls his eyes. Humor me kid, humor me.
We went on with our day, we did more school. We talked about On Fire For Him and her kids. We talked about the real lady downstairs for them and how she called the police because the kids were running down the hall. He liked hearing about their world. My son began to taunt the "pretend" lady downstairs at our house. If I reminded him to be quiet he would give a good STOMP and then comply. There were a few times he said, I am done playing this quiet as a mouse "game". On with school. As long as they were at the table there was relative peace. There was still an occasional scwabble, which leads me to my next point. There is no such thing as a quiet TANTRUM. A crying fit can not be hushed. I can only imagine what the lady downstairs thinks of us now, I know she is not amused. THRASHING, STOMPING, SCREAMING, CRYING, sitting on her bed, "MOMMY!!!" Yes this happens to me.
Hopscotch was the recommended activity for my cirriculm, before DS came in from outside I tried it out with little hops and found that while the thumping was not present the CREAKING of our floor was. So I passed on it, no hopscotch, no jumping jacks. Instead we made card houses and played board games.
Later in the evening I was entertained by my happy son who started dancing about. I reminded him we were still being quiet. To which he replied. "I was dancing like Happy Feet. Do I sound just like him?" I am sure he did and I am also pretty sure that the lady downstairs did not care one bit about his dancing even if it did sound like Happy Feet. For I concluded that she must be an old crab with a snaggle tooth, she must have never had children of her own or she would have compassion on a stay at home mother who is with her children ALL DAY, and she would know that it is not possible to keep a child "quiet" for such a length of time. Nor is it for the better health of a child or his family to keep them quiet all day.
I found this experiment to be very enlightening. I find that I have a whole lot of compassion for On Fire For Him and a whole lot of respect. How does one raise her family to be respectful without compromising the happiness of her children. Kids do need to be kids. They do need to play and run and jump. No not all day long. But these things are not bad, these things are good. I would be sad if my kids did not have the energy that they do. If they moved about their day in a lull, video hypnotis kind of state. I think that there are natural rhythms in a day that allow for quiet times and times of activity. I do think learning to be quiet is an important thing. One needs to be quiet during a church sermon or when their mother is on the phone. They need to be respectful around others and learn to control their impulse to act crazy. There are places where it is not appropraite to run from point A to point B. So training these things are important. But living them day in and day out I would find incredibly difficult and compromising to our quality of life.
So give me my silly, running, jumping, laughing, dancing, LOUD kids any day of the week. And the lady downstairs can either join in the fun or she can move.
My name is Sarah and I live in a noisy house and ONLY after all are asleep is it ... quiet as a mouse.
Operation Quiet As a Mouse
In this post, my online friend On Fire For Him shares her challenge of living in an apartment with young children. Did I mention young boys? While those of us with children know this is virtually IMPOSSIBLE, the neighbor below her does not. If you have not already make sure you read her post as it is what prompted the challenge of Operation Quiet as a Mouse.
I thought how would we do in an apartment situation? My husband and I lived in an apartment our first year of marriage, no children. My father-in-law lived in an apartment for many years on the first floor, so the pitter patter of feet were not an issue. We just needed voice control, which was not a big issue. And if it was we simply cut our visit short. So for today and today only we are going to pretend that we live in an apartment. That there are people living below us and we must be quiet and respectful. The challenge was acknowledged with a smiling grin. I announced the challenge and the cat jumped off the refridgerator with a THUMP! This is going to be interesting. The first half hour was their TV time so it was REAL quiet as they watched Little Bear. Then when they got up, they ran down the hallway. And if you read the post, you know this is a BIG NONO. So I asked them to please walk and try to be quiet and respectful. I got a look. Next there was dragging of chairs into another room to make a fort. And it has only JUST begun. I think this is truely going to be a challenge. DS has already proclaimed he does not want to do the challenge anymore, but I think we are going to press ahead and see what the results may be. I am already feeling a whole lot of compassion for On Fire! There is no one below us but I am pretending with every noise a tapping and a tsk tsk. And what about the water in the pipes and the running of the dishwasher? These things are not quiet. Now we are off to the kitchen table to do school, I guess there will be no jumping jacks today...
My name is Sarah and I live in a noisy house, today and today only we are going to try and live....quiet as a mouse.
I thought how would we do in an apartment situation? My husband and I lived in an apartment our first year of marriage, no children. My father-in-law lived in an apartment for many years on the first floor, so the pitter patter of feet were not an issue. We just needed voice control, which was not a big issue. And if it was we simply cut our visit short. So for today and today only we are going to pretend that we live in an apartment. That there are people living below us and we must be quiet and respectful. The challenge was acknowledged with a smiling grin. I announced the challenge and the cat jumped off the refridgerator with a THUMP! This is going to be interesting. The first half hour was their TV time so it was REAL quiet as they watched Little Bear. Then when they got up, they ran down the hallway. And if you read the post, you know this is a BIG NONO. So I asked them to please walk and try to be quiet and respectful. I got a look. Next there was dragging of chairs into another room to make a fort. And it has only JUST begun. I think this is truely going to be a challenge. DS has already proclaimed he does not want to do the challenge anymore, but I think we are going to press ahead and see what the results may be. I am already feeling a whole lot of compassion for On Fire! There is no one below us but I am pretending with every noise a tapping and a tsk tsk. And what about the water in the pipes and the running of the dishwasher? These things are not quiet. Now we are off to the kitchen table to do school, I guess there will be no jumping jacks today...
My name is Sarah and I live in a noisy house, today and today only we are going to try and live....quiet as a mouse.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Overheard
The kids made a fort in DS's room.
DD: "I am the mom, so OBEY me!"
DS: "I am not playing house."
A few minutes later...
DS: "I don't have to, I am Jesus!"
DD: "OH, Hi Jesus!"
DD: "I am the mom, so OBEY me!"
DS: "I am not playing house."
A few minutes later...
DS: "I don't have to, I am Jesus!"
DD: "OH, Hi Jesus!"
Upgrading
As we our switching over files we will be in and out of service. If you need to get ahold of us, please call. This may take 1-3 days. I am hoping this goes smoothly. I am very thankful for the upgrade, it will be worth every second of my computers disconnection. See you when it's complete. WooHoo!!!
Update: We have scheduled for the transfer to take place Wednesday evening so we will be operating until then.
Update: We have scheduled for the transfer to take place Wednesday evening so we will be operating until then.
The Owner
Before I had my babies and before I worked on barns, I worked at the same company my husband does now. So the company christmas party is often a mini reunion for me. Seeing technicians and their wives. Meeting the new employees. Many of the same employees that were there when I was there are still there and many new have come. It has been interesting for me to see the progression of the company. When I was there the owner of the company was very much involved in the daily grind of the business, it was not uncommon to see him daily. Sometimes several times a day. Fastforward to now, where the owner has stepped out of the daily operation of the business. This year as we were enjoying the company of those at our table, a new hire had still never met the owner. Another at the table had been there a year and said he had seen him maybe six times in that whole time. This really surprised me. In fact they were so distanced from this man that they didn't know his full name. Then there was my husband and I who have established a relationship with him throughout the years. And even though I personally have not seen him in a few months, it was no problem to converse with him. I know the names of his kids, his interests, his church, ect. As does he know the same about our family. There is a relationship that has built throughout the years.
Last night I was really thinking about this dynamic. And I could not help but see it in light of Christ. There are many that enter the holiday season knowing of the Savior, they have heard he exists, but they have never met him for themselves. Then there are others who have met him. They could recognize him in the room, but don't know much about him. They see him a couple times a year, perhaps Christmas and Easter. They may even call him if they need help. Then there are others still that make it a point to stay in relationship with him. They know his name, his interests, they love what he loves and take an active role in keeping close to him. They are comfortable around him because they KNOW him. A servant of the King, yet a child of the King as well.
As the evening progressed I found myself thankful for knowing the owner. That there was a relationship beyond a yearly visit. The same goes for me and my God. Ever thankful for relationship.
Last night I was really thinking about this dynamic. And I could not help but see it in light of Christ. There are many that enter the holiday season knowing of the Savior, they have heard he exists, but they have never met him for themselves. Then there are others who have met him. They could recognize him in the room, but don't know much about him. They see him a couple times a year, perhaps Christmas and Easter. They may even call him if they need help. Then there are others still that make it a point to stay in relationship with him. They know his name, his interests, they love what he loves and take an active role in keeping close to him. They are comfortable around him because they KNOW him. A servant of the King, yet a child of the King as well.
As the evening progressed I found myself thankful for knowing the owner. That there was a relationship beyond a yearly visit. The same goes for me and my God. Ever thankful for relationship.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Letter From Jesus- Author Unknown
Letter from Jesus- Author Unknown
Dear Children:
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking my name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate my birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival - although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily
understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own.
I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate my birth just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now, having said that let me go on.
If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all my followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday
tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can & may remember me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks are. If you forgot that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.
If you want to give me a present in remembrance of my birth here is my
wish list. Choose something from it:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way my birthday
is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from
home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know because they tell me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally.
They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year? Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of my birth, and why I came to live with you here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6 Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take his or her
own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes my love & good news to those who have never heard My name. You may already know someone like that.
9. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I suspect you don't) buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Marines, the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in me. They will make
the delivery for you.
10 Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in my presence. Let people know by your actions that
you are one of mine.
Love, Jesus
P.S. Don't forget; I am God and can take care of myself. Just love me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above then get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the
ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all
those whom you love and remember, I LOVE YOU.
Friday, December 01, 2006
Steve Spangler Arrives
Since they were closed over the Thanksgiving weekend, our package was shipped on Monday. Making yesterday the day that all of our cool science stuff was to arrive. We went to my ladies morning bible study (which was beautiful.) Then as we got in our car to come home we began to sing about our package that was to arrive. We went home and did a normal school day. With the blinds in the living room up so we could quickly see if the Fed-Ex truck was here. We finished the normal stuff, took a break and I had dear son read to me. My "e" Sound Box by Jane Belk Moncure. These books are a bit long for early readers, nearly 300 words. Well the truck arrived about a third of the way into the book. We heard the brakes of the truck before we saw it. We all jumped up and ran to the door, doing a little dance as we went. Knowing he would not finish the book unless we did that BEFORE we opened the box, I told DS he had to finish the book before we would open it. He read the next few pages with a quick ease, then dad came home and distracted him. After a few minutes I got him focused again and he finished the book, no problem. Talk about motivation to get through a book. We both wanted into that box. And we were not disappointed. Science gold is what I think about Steve Spangler and his products. It was a matter of minutes and we had science racks with test tubes of mini experiments set-up. Then we tried the tornado tube, not knowing there was a trick the first few times, then I got smart. We made a little traveling science lab to go show grandpa and grandma, our biggest cheerleaders in the science department. The kids had fun showing them some of their new stuff. We tried the marshmellow masher with a large marshmellow but found it too tricky to get into the bottle and have a positive effect. Although we found that the pressure really was building in the bottle as I sent the top blasting into the ceiling and zooming behind the curtain. Lesson learned, slowly unscrew the pressurized bottle with a good hold on the top as you release it. Unless of course you are outside and wish to see it go zooming like a rocket. Although it would have enough force that it could easily be lost as I do believe it would go VERY high. Just a prediction for you. Speaking of predictions, we all made predictions on how big DS's alligator would grow. It started out as 2" and will soak in water for a week. The prediction is for how big it will be at the one week mark. Anyone want to make a guess?
We have science and will travel...science is so cool!
We have science and will travel...science is so cool!
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Under Utelized
My sister-in-law posted about the library a couple weeks ago. There are so many resources they offer that I have just not taken advantage of, until now. Silly me.
Our local library is a network of 13 area libraries. All materials can be checked out from any location and they can also be transfered to the location of your choice for pick-up. Which means I have literally thousands of options for books, videos, audio cds and dvds. Add on top of this that it is all FREE! WooHoo! I love free. It used to be that videos and dvds were at a minimal charge but now even these services are free. For a week you can check out any movie(s) of your choice (including new releases) and pay nothing, although small late fees are applied. We are just beginning to take advantage of this.
You can also place holds on books from the internet and have them ready for you when you come. Which makes it nice when you are looking for cirriculm materials. Put in author or subject, pull up what you want and put it on hold. No more searching and searching, only not to find it. Or forgeting the list at home. Or you get there and find out it is at the library 30 miles away, nope the library courier makes many rounds daily so he brings the book to the library closest to ME! Yippee! Homeschooling has never been easier.
Then I found this gem on their site...Great web sites for kids. A list of kid friendly sites recommend by the American Library Association. I have already checked out a few and have not been disappointed.
I love my local library!!!
Our local library is a network of 13 area libraries. All materials can be checked out from any location and they can also be transfered to the location of your choice for pick-up. Which means I have literally thousands of options for books, videos, audio cds and dvds. Add on top of this that it is all FREE! WooHoo! I love free. It used to be that videos and dvds were at a minimal charge but now even these services are free. For a week you can check out any movie(s) of your choice (including new releases) and pay nothing, although small late fees are applied. We are just beginning to take advantage of this.
You can also place holds on books from the internet and have them ready for you when you come. Which makes it nice when you are looking for cirriculm materials. Put in author or subject, pull up what you want and put it on hold. No more searching and searching, only not to find it. Or forgeting the list at home. Or you get there and find out it is at the library 30 miles away, nope the library courier makes many rounds daily so he brings the book to the library closest to ME! Yippee! Homeschooling has never been easier.
Then I found this gem on their site...Great web sites for kids. A list of kid friendly sites recommend by the American Library Association. I have already checked out a few and have not been disappointed.
I love my local library!!!
Monday, November 27, 2006
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Verses on Thanks
1 Chronicles 16:34
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 29:13
Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
2 Chronicles 20:21
After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: "Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever."
Nehemiah 12:46
For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there had been directors for the singers and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.
Psalm 7:17
I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.
Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
Psalm 69:30
I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.
Psalm 100:4
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
Jeremiah 30:19
From them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing. I will add to their numbers, and they will not be decreased; I will bring them honor, and they will not be disdained.
1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 9:15
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Ephesians 5:20
always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:3
I thank my God every time I remember you.
Yes indeed I do, giving thanks!
Have a blessed day, counting your blessings and giving thanks to the LORD Most High!
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 29:13
Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
2 Chronicles 20:21
After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: "Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever."
Nehemiah 12:46
For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there had been directors for the singers and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.
Psalm 7:17
I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.
Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
Psalm 69:30
I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.
Psalm 100:4
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
Jeremiah 30:19
From them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing. I will add to their numbers, and they will not be decreased; I will bring them honor, and they will not be disdained.
1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 9:15
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Ephesians 5:20
always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:3
I thank my God every time I remember you.
Yes indeed I do, giving thanks!
Have a blessed day, counting your blessings and giving thanks to the LORD Most High!
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
SCIENCE IS SO COOL!
I do not know how many times we proclaimed that this evening. Many, yes, many times.
Today I ordered my science stuff from Steve Spangler Science, and needless to say I was excited! Very, very excited. Then I reopened an email I got from them today and it had some great ideas in it. And since I was already in a science mood, I decided to try some.
Do you have a potato in your house? How about a drinking straw? Go get them...yes..now. Ok? Ready? Take the straw and stab it through your potato. If you have a bendable straw, it is ok to cut off the bend. Are you amazed yet?
Then I tried to balance two forks on a glass with a toothpick. It can be done but I was unsucessful tonight.
Then we poured some milk onto a plate added food coloring (a drop of each color) near the middle of the plate. Taking a q-tip we put it in the middle and noticed what happened. Then we put dish soap on the q-tip and let out a woohoo.
Not wanting to stop there...we got out an egg from the fridge did a little balancing act on a cardboard circle from a frozen pizza then SMACK dropped the egg into some water. OH YES IT WAS COOL!!!
After all Science is so cool!
Wondering the trick to get that straw to go through the potato? Wonder why the dish soap had the reaction it did? Wondering how to get more information so you can do these experiments yourself and the science behind them? Go here!
Let me know what you think.
Sorry no pictures we were having too much fun to remember that we owned a camara.
Today I ordered my science stuff from Steve Spangler Science, and needless to say I was excited! Very, very excited. Then I reopened an email I got from them today and it had some great ideas in it. And since I was already in a science mood, I decided to try some.
Do you have a potato in your house? How about a drinking straw? Go get them...yes..now. Ok? Ready? Take the straw and stab it through your potato. If you have a bendable straw, it is ok to cut off the bend. Are you amazed yet?
Then I tried to balance two forks on a glass with a toothpick. It can be done but I was unsucessful tonight.
Then we poured some milk onto a plate added food coloring (a drop of each color) near the middle of the plate. Taking a q-tip we put it in the middle and noticed what happened. Then we put dish soap on the q-tip and let out a woohoo.
Not wanting to stop there...we got out an egg from the fridge did a little balancing act on a cardboard circle from a frozen pizza then SMACK dropped the egg into some water. OH YES IT WAS COOL!!!
After all Science is so cool!
Wondering the trick to get that straw to go through the potato? Wonder why the dish soap had the reaction it did? Wondering how to get more information so you can do these experiments yourself and the science behind them? Go here!
Let me know what you think.
Sorry no pictures we were having too much fun to remember that we owned a camara.
Snippets and a Challenge
Last night my kids crashed out in the car as we were running errands. So I came home put them to bed and convinced my hubby to stay with them while I went shopping. It was unbelievable! I do not know how long it has been since I shopped alone. Amazing. I went to three stores in just over an hour and got everything I needed. Woohoo!
This morning I told DS we were going to learn how to count by 5's. I turned around to get something and he starts. 5, 10, 15, 20 , 25, 30 , 35, 40...all the way to 100. My mouth dropped, it took me completely offguard. I had mentioned a month ago counting by 5's, once. And not mentioned it again. That was probably the easiest thing I have taught him yet. He proceeded to do it about 10 more times. Shock value, he got a kick out of it. Of course we had to call dad and grandpa.
When we were out today with my mom, we stopped off at the river. She had been saving all sorts of bread items for the "ducks." There were a few seagulls and geese on the water. We plopped down the grocery bag full and begin to throw stuff out to them. Then literally out of the woodwork came hundreds of birds. Ducks, geese and tons of seagulls. They seemed happy to see us.
Today was a gorgeous day. In the 50's after being in the 30's for a few weeks. We spent a couple hours outside putting things away and throwing away trash. The next couple days are suppose to be nice as well although the night and early morning are below freezing. I will take any warmth we can get.
The other night hubby came across an addicting game, Road Block. The first night we played it we got stuck on level 14 and wondered if the creators of the game had a twisted sense of humor. It did not seem to have any solution so we began to think there was no solution. We went to bed without solving level 14. Then the next night we started at it again and finally figured it out. Well hubby did, he's smart like that. We then continued on until one in the morning playing the game and finally got to the end. Any one up to a challenge? Play this game and let me know when you reach the end. The first to respond with the ending level well earn my respect. Dad you need not apply, I already know you figured it out. And you already have my respect.
Have a great day!
This morning I told DS we were going to learn how to count by 5's. I turned around to get something and he starts. 5, 10, 15, 20 , 25, 30 , 35, 40...all the way to 100. My mouth dropped, it took me completely offguard. I had mentioned a month ago counting by 5's, once. And not mentioned it again. That was probably the easiest thing I have taught him yet. He proceeded to do it about 10 more times. Shock value, he got a kick out of it. Of course we had to call dad and grandpa.
When we were out today with my mom, we stopped off at the river. She had been saving all sorts of bread items for the "ducks." There were a few seagulls and geese on the water. We plopped down the grocery bag full and begin to throw stuff out to them. Then literally out of the woodwork came hundreds of birds. Ducks, geese and tons of seagulls. They seemed happy to see us.
Today was a gorgeous day. In the 50's after being in the 30's for a few weeks. We spent a couple hours outside putting things away and throwing away trash. The next couple days are suppose to be nice as well although the night and early morning are below freezing. I will take any warmth we can get.
The other night hubby came across an addicting game, Road Block. The first night we played it we got stuck on level 14 and wondered if the creators of the game had a twisted sense of humor. It did not seem to have any solution so we began to think there was no solution. We went to bed without solving level 14. Then the next night we started at it again and finally figured it out. Well hubby did, he's smart like that. We then continued on until one in the morning playing the game and finally got to the end. Any one up to a challenge? Play this game and let me know when you reach the end. The first to respond with the ending level well earn my respect. Dad you need not apply, I already know you figured it out. And you already have my respect.
Have a great day!
Monday, November 20, 2006
Santa
I remember the year I found out. You know. The truth about Santa. I remember clearly being "able" to hear the bells from Santa's reindeer on the roof and certain he must be there. I remember the "Yeah RIGHT!" of my sisters. I also remember feeling VERY upset when I was finally told the truth. Angry may be the more appropriate word. I could not understand why my parent's would lie to me. Why my siblings humored me and let me believe something that was not. It distrurbed me. I think I may have been older than normal. I can not remember the exact age, somewhere between 8-10. It so rocked me as a child that when I grew up and had my own kids I did not want to ever dileberately lie to them. Hubby was in agreeance so we decided that we would not do santa with our kids. Nor the Easter bunny or the tooth fairy. We taught them early on the difference between make-believe and truth. And I do not regret it one bit.
Some people begin to get nervous to be around my kids when the holiday season approachs. What if my kids ruin it for theirs? So I complied a little list of do's and don'ts. I hope it helps.
1. Don't ask my kids what they are getting from Santa...
2. Do ask them what would they like for Christmas
3. Don't press them in any discussion about Santa...
4. Do drop the subject after they give you the polite wink
5. Don't try and convince them that Santa only comes to nice kids
6. Do mention that Jesus loves it when they are nice
7. Don't ask if they want to watch Santa is Coming to Town or Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.
(They have watched them. That is not the issue, they may open up dialogue that Santa is not real.)
8. Do read stories about Christ birth
9. Don't pity them or think they have missed a part of childhood
10. Do love them and see that they are still very happy kids
They do know that others believe and that their parents will tell them when they choose. That it is not their job to do so. They will usually get a twinkle in their eye and perhaps give you a little wink when you talk about Santa in their presence. They may cast me a glance and shake their heads. They will normally not say anything if it is a brief mention and then dropped. But if you press them, all bets are off. They will more than likely educate you on the truth. And that is Santa is not real. Jesus is.
Hope this helps.
Some people begin to get nervous to be around my kids when the holiday season approachs. What if my kids ruin it for theirs? So I complied a little list of do's and don'ts. I hope it helps.
1. Don't ask my kids what they are getting from Santa...
2. Do ask them what would they like for Christmas
3. Don't press them in any discussion about Santa...
4. Do drop the subject after they give you the polite wink
5. Don't try and convince them that Santa only comes to nice kids
6. Do mention that Jesus loves it when they are nice
7. Don't ask if they want to watch Santa is Coming to Town or Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.
(They have watched them. That is not the issue, they may open up dialogue that Santa is not real.)
8. Do read stories about Christ birth
9. Don't pity them or think they have missed a part of childhood
10. Do love them and see that they are still very happy kids
They do know that others believe and that their parents will tell them when they choose. That it is not their job to do so. They will usually get a twinkle in their eye and perhaps give you a little wink when you talk about Santa in their presence. They may cast me a glance and shake their heads. They will normally not say anything if it is a brief mention and then dropped. But if you press them, all bets are off. They will more than likely educate you on the truth. And that is Santa is not real. Jesus is.
Hope this helps.
Splash of Color
A few weeks back I bought a Splash of Color kit from the Steve Spangler Science catalogue. It is the best $6 I have spent in a long time. With the three primary colors, you can make a full array of colors. Then when your done plop in a few super absorbant polymers and you get colorful jelly globs. On the website the polymers are not listed as being in the kits but we did receive a small bag of them in our kit. I also ordered a couple extra mixing trays so that we can all get in on the fun. They have been such a hit. Last night I watched some kids and we got them out, they loved it. The kids were asking each other how they made the different colors.
Red + Blue= Purple
For those looking for great science materials, whether you homeschool or not, Steve Spangler is the way to go. You can ask for a catalogue online (scroll down and it is on the left sidebar), it took a week or two to arrive in the mail, but when it did it came with an offer for free shipping. WooHoo. My mom has made two orders now and the products have arrived earlier than expected. I get to make my next order tomorrow.....(SMILING HUGE) I love science.
I am momteacherfriend and I approve this ad!
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Learning the Sabbath
I have heard it many a times, Sabbath rest. The Lord worked 6 days and on the seventh day he rested. So he called his people to a Sabbath rest as well. For years we have set aside Sunday as the Lord's day to go to church. Yet I believe I have sadly missed what he was really calling His people to. Sure at times I would claim my Sabbath right not to do the laundry or dishes. Afterall that is work to me. And other times the busyness would overtake everyday all day including Sundays.
Yesterday I got a glimpse of what he really meant. I think I am learning the Sabbath. It may take a few months, perhaps longer.
Someone my husband and I love and respect have been called to start a home church. They are in the birthing stages. It is all very new. After church, everyone is welcomed to stay all day. Yes, all day. We shared a meal together. We laughed. The kids played. We enjoyed each others company. Some left and returned later in the afternoon. The guys had time for guy stuff and the ladies had time for lady stuff. It was such a relaxing and refreshing day. The Sabbath.
Much to learn.
Yesterday I got a glimpse of what he really meant. I think I am learning the Sabbath. It may take a few months, perhaps longer.
Someone my husband and I love and respect have been called to start a home church. They are in the birthing stages. It is all very new. After church, everyone is welcomed to stay all day. Yes, all day. We shared a meal together. We laughed. The kids played. We enjoyed each others company. Some left and returned later in the afternoon. The guys had time for guy stuff and the ladies had time for lady stuff. It was such a relaxing and refreshing day. The Sabbath.
Much to learn.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Yummy!!!
One of my favorite meals is Applebee's Orange Chicken. Orange chicken PERIOD. I love it. At Wal-Mart I found Asinnovation in the freezer section, it is good stuff. Then I decided to get brave and make it myself. My mom found this recipe Applebees Crispy Orange Chicken Bowl. Y U M M Y!!!! At first glance I wondered what in the world hoisin sauce was, then I found it in our major grocery. It is a red asian sauce and should be available in any international aisle of your large grocery store. Today Mindy came over for lunch and we prepped 4 lbs of chicken and a single serving of sauce. We ate our full and then froze what was left. I froze it as cooked crispy chicken so that I can choose whether I want to prepare it as orange chicken or sweet and sour.
Served over rice then sprinkled with slivered almonds.........so tasty.
If you love orange chicken this recipe is definately worth trying. If I can do it.....anyone can. Seriously!
Served over rice then sprinkled with slivered almonds.........so tasty.
If you love orange chicken this recipe is definately worth trying. If I can do it.....anyone can. Seriously!
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Brought To You By the Letter Bb
Some of the greatest moments in learning do not come from the textbook!
As we embark on this new reading journey I have been in search of early readers, such as bob books. I want as many early sucesses in reading so that he is more excited than frustrated in our reading journey. It has been a challenge getting my hands on begginer readers. The library has many early reader books that are one step ahead of where he is. No bob books, no scholastic book sets. I looked through the latest book order and found none there as well. As I searched the library shelves I did find one series that seems to be a good transition, The Sound Box Library by Jane Belk Moncure. They are much longer than those first phonic books so I was concerned that DS would not want to even try. We made a deal, he reads one and I read him two long books. It was a deal. The other night we sat down and he read, there were some words that were just above his level and had some vowel sounds or sound combos we have not covered. I helped him through those. He did it, he read the book. Woohoo. This morning we did the second book My "b" Sound Box. I helped him on the difficult words like carefully, something and bounced. And I gave assistance when he was saying the wrong sound. This all is normal school stuff. Pretty textbook. In the story the girl, little b, goes on a b walk looking for things to put in her box that start with b. DS came up with the idea that we could make a "b" box. So when we finished reading the book, we got out a big box and began to fill it up. DS and DD were running all over the place finding things that started with B, and the majority of the things they found they discovered on their own. It was brillant. Then DS wanted us to write all the words of the things we found. The list kept growing and growing.
Here is the big box with the boy and their "b" belongings.
The "b" list
And my big blue-eyed babe.
Beautiful!!!
As we embark on this new reading journey I have been in search of early readers, such as bob books. I want as many early sucesses in reading so that he is more excited than frustrated in our reading journey. It has been a challenge getting my hands on begginer readers. The library has many early reader books that are one step ahead of where he is. No bob books, no scholastic book sets. I looked through the latest book order and found none there as well. As I searched the library shelves I did find one series that seems to be a good transition, The Sound Box Library by Jane Belk Moncure. They are much longer than those first phonic books so I was concerned that DS would not want to even try. We made a deal, he reads one and I read him two long books. It was a deal. The other night we sat down and he read, there were some words that were just above his level and had some vowel sounds or sound combos we have not covered. I helped him through those. He did it, he read the book. Woohoo. This morning we did the second book My "b" Sound Box. I helped him on the difficult words like carefully, something and bounced. And I gave assistance when he was saying the wrong sound. This all is normal school stuff. Pretty textbook. In the story the girl, little b, goes on a b walk looking for things to put in her box that start with b. DS came up with the idea that we could make a "b" box. So when we finished reading the book, we got out a big box and began to fill it up. DS and DD were running all over the place finding things that started with B, and the majority of the things they found they discovered on their own. It was brillant. Then DS wanted us to write all the words of the things we found. The list kept growing and growing.
Here is the big box with the boy and their "b" belongings.
The "b" list
And my big blue-eyed babe.
Beautiful!!!
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Lunch
The Lord is so good. A few months ago I wondered what he was thinking as I looked around the table at the faces of the women in my new small group. No offense here, but I really wondered how these lives meshed together and what His plan for the group was. Our table leader is 3 score and 10 as she would say and I had no clue what that meant until I met her. She is a hoot. Last week I received an invitation to join her for lunch. I gladly accepted. Today was lunch. We met and as we looked over menus it was a bit of an awkward silence. After we placed our orders it quickly turned to chatting. And the awkwardness was gone. I shared about my husband, his employment and blessings in his work and faith. She shared about her faith, how it has grown and how much the Spirit means to her. I fell in love with her as we talked. I found myself getting excited talking about things that have been on my heart. And having someone to share them with that has been there and completely gets it. We bantered back and forth as we shared what the Lord was doing, what He has done and how we want to be used by Him. She shared of her daughters healing. Her belief that gifts are alive and well. And the work of the Spirit in the behind the scenes of my church. I could not help but get excited as things within me were affirmed. It was such an encouraging time and left feeling very blessed.
Thank you Lord for bringing a Titus 2 woman into my life, for such a time as this. Thank you for the work you are doing within my life and the life of your church. I love you!
Thank you Lord for bringing a Titus 2 woman into my life, for such a time as this. Thank you for the work you are doing within my life and the life of your church. I love you!
Monday, November 13, 2006
Box Top
Life has been a whirlwind of God activity lately. Which in itself has been very awesome. I am very thankful to be in a place of growth and life.
On Friday I found myself awaiting news about the upcoming weekend. We were out most of the afternoon and then I returned to wait by the phone for the final call of wether or not this event was going to take place. I watited and waited and waited. I bite off every nail. I waited and waited some more. I had expected the call early evening and as time went on I found it getting later and later. I left a couple messages for the person I was needing to hear from and TRIED to be patient. At eleven I decided it was time for bed, so I moved the phone into the bedroom and went to bed. Morning came and I waited a bit more and then the phone rang. It was THE CALL. And the news was not exactly what I wanted to hear. The weekend was to be canceled.
God has been preparing me for many things. I have pieces to a puzzle, I know certain things about how things will be. But I only have pieces. I can put a few things together and they make sense. There are other things that I know they are a part of the big picture but I have no clue how they play into it or come to be. I just know that they are a part of it. God is good and His plan is best. I am very confident of this. Accepting the fact that the weekend was canceled was not the hard part for me. I could accept it, I waivered over communicating it. How to tell my team, in a way that glorified the Lord and gave hope rather than grumbling and complaining bringing about desenion. In a breif moment on the phone with my hubby I urged him to pray, which he did. Then I went about the task of calling all of the team.
In conversations with my team I saw many times pieces of this puzzle. I know that this weekend is not the end of the journey. We press forward for the spring where we will see the fruit of our labor. Many times as I discussed with various people I thought of all the puzzle pieces. I would say to them "I wish I had the box top and could see how all this comes together, but I do not. I have pieces and have been called to obey with each piece." That's were I find myself. Obedience. Submission on several levels. I know that the big picture is beautiful. I know it is beyond good. It has to be, for I have seen only glimpses and they are GOOD! So VERY GOOD!
Does anyone have the box top?
On Friday I found myself awaiting news about the upcoming weekend. We were out most of the afternoon and then I returned to wait by the phone for the final call of wether or not this event was going to take place. I watited and waited and waited. I bite off every nail. I waited and waited some more. I had expected the call early evening and as time went on I found it getting later and later. I left a couple messages for the person I was needing to hear from and TRIED to be patient. At eleven I decided it was time for bed, so I moved the phone into the bedroom and went to bed. Morning came and I waited a bit more and then the phone rang. It was THE CALL. And the news was not exactly what I wanted to hear. The weekend was to be canceled.
God has been preparing me for many things. I have pieces to a puzzle, I know certain things about how things will be. But I only have pieces. I can put a few things together and they make sense. There are other things that I know they are a part of the big picture but I have no clue how they play into it or come to be. I just know that they are a part of it. God is good and His plan is best. I am very confident of this. Accepting the fact that the weekend was canceled was not the hard part for me. I could accept it, I waivered over communicating it. How to tell my team, in a way that glorified the Lord and gave hope rather than grumbling and complaining bringing about desenion. In a breif moment on the phone with my hubby I urged him to pray, which he did. Then I went about the task of calling all of the team.
In conversations with my team I saw many times pieces of this puzzle. I know that this weekend is not the end of the journey. We press forward for the spring where we will see the fruit of our labor. Many times as I discussed with various people I thought of all the puzzle pieces. I would say to them "I wish I had the box top and could see how all this comes together, but I do not. I have pieces and have been called to obey with each piece." That's were I find myself. Obedience. Submission on several levels. I know that the big picture is beautiful. I know it is beyond good. It has to be, for I have seen only glimpses and they are GOOD! So VERY GOOD!
Does anyone have the box top?
Friday, November 10, 2006
Yesterday
Yesterday began a little early as we got most of school done before I went to my morning bible study. I had missed last week so I was a week behind in my homework. I went, listening to discussion. It is not as strict at some were you can not speak if you have not completed your study but I went in to listen. Interesting chapter and conversation. I will definately need to get caught up on it. I commented once to a personal response. Trembling in the spirit. I love it when I know that I know the spirit is leading me. It feels so much better to speak from the spirit than from the flesh. Just following that, the DVD teaching began. Beth Moore's Daniel, session six. She started off by talking about how we can react in an emergency situation. I will quoted her here in saying, "In a situation I can panic, paralyze or pray." She made us repeat it after her about 5 times. So I will repeat it again here for the fun of it. "In a situation I can panic, paralyze or pray."
It was about that moment that I had a lesson within a lesson. The Lord showed me again the dream I had a few weeks ago. This time I was actually in the room where the dream took place. And I imagined the whole scene play out. I could see the people around me. Some paniced, others paralyzed and some prayed until we were all released to pray the blood of Jesus. Then I went on a spiritual download. The spirit was revealing to me and I wrote at the top of my notebook. "*Spirit says reprograming response, call in the angels, plead the blood of Jesus." I sensed he was saying you are reprogramming your responses. Over the last week I had reactions and stopped and said that is the old response. I am on this whole thought tangent while Beth is still teaching.
Minutes later Beth says in papraphrase according to my notes... changing your old pattern to a new pattern. Wouldn't it be nice to react in the spirit, defaulting into the things of the spirit. Rather than defaulting to old patterns. Our old patterns could be new patterns, they can change.
Wow!
The whole teaching was great and I wrote a whole other tangent of notes as the spirit was really confirming some things he has been showing me all week. Why is it I need to hear both from the spirit and the world to really get it? Maybe this is how God deals with me. Anyway I am to be thankful in everything! And to look for the good to praise...sound familiar J?
The day would have been great if it would have ended there. It got better. I had agreed to go with my mom to a craft show in the afternoon. I was not sure exactly why I was going. Crafts are nice but I really don't get into them all that much. I do enjoy the time with my mom and the kids like to look at different things. So we went. Here in Michigan we have home craft shows were the community has an oppurtunity to open their home and their crafts to the public. There are usually 20 or so that you can drive from one house to another. Mom stopped at one she knew she wanted to see and then it was off to McDs. As we drove I read the brouchere of the other home crafters. There was one in particular that caught my eye. A former teacher, one of my favorite teacher's. Not only that but the VERY DAY BEFORE I was thinking about her. Ironic, ha.
After the main craft show we drove over to her home. Beautiful. Gardens upon gardens. She rememered me. We chatted. It was such an enjoyable conversation. Before we left she invited us to come back in the summer when everything is in full bloom. We will definately be taking her up on that offer. We ended the conversation with a "Toodles." Her trademark good-bye.
In the evening I was left with hope diminishing on an upcoming weekend. I noticed I have an emotional wall up, in regards to that event. I have not given up hope yet, but today will be the final call on wether or not it will happen this fall or be pushed to the spring. Some were speaking in the past tense, as if it were already canceled. It is hard to remain believing when others have already given up. Yet somehow I am still open to God moving mightily TODAY. Even if the numbers do not come in. I am not disappointed in Him. All things for a reason. All things in His time. Yet I would REJOICE, oh how I would REJOICE if it comes back as a go.
Today I await a call. While I mull over everything the Lord was showing me yesterday.
It was about that moment that I had a lesson within a lesson. The Lord showed me again the dream I had a few weeks ago. This time I was actually in the room where the dream took place. And I imagined the whole scene play out. I could see the people around me. Some paniced, others paralyzed and some prayed until we were all released to pray the blood of Jesus. Then I went on a spiritual download. The spirit was revealing to me and I wrote at the top of my notebook. "*Spirit says reprograming response, call in the angels, plead the blood of Jesus." I sensed he was saying you are reprogramming your responses. Over the last week I had reactions and stopped and said that is the old response. I am on this whole thought tangent while Beth is still teaching.
Minutes later Beth says in papraphrase according to my notes... changing your old pattern to a new pattern. Wouldn't it be nice to react in the spirit, defaulting into the things of the spirit. Rather than defaulting to old patterns. Our old patterns could be new patterns, they can change.
Wow!
The whole teaching was great and I wrote a whole other tangent of notes as the spirit was really confirming some things he has been showing me all week. Why is it I need to hear both from the spirit and the world to really get it? Maybe this is how God deals with me. Anyway I am to be thankful in everything! And to look for the good to praise...sound familiar J?
The day would have been great if it would have ended there. It got better. I had agreed to go with my mom to a craft show in the afternoon. I was not sure exactly why I was going. Crafts are nice but I really don't get into them all that much. I do enjoy the time with my mom and the kids like to look at different things. So we went. Here in Michigan we have home craft shows were the community has an oppurtunity to open their home and their crafts to the public. There are usually 20 or so that you can drive from one house to another. Mom stopped at one she knew she wanted to see and then it was off to McDs. As we drove I read the brouchere of the other home crafters. There was one in particular that caught my eye. A former teacher, one of my favorite teacher's. Not only that but the VERY DAY BEFORE I was thinking about her. Ironic, ha.
After the main craft show we drove over to her home. Beautiful. Gardens upon gardens. She rememered me. We chatted. It was such an enjoyable conversation. Before we left she invited us to come back in the summer when everything is in full bloom. We will definately be taking her up on that offer. We ended the conversation with a "Toodles." Her trademark good-bye.
In the evening I was left with hope diminishing on an upcoming weekend. I noticed I have an emotional wall up, in regards to that event. I have not given up hope yet, but today will be the final call on wether or not it will happen this fall or be pushed to the spring. Some were speaking in the past tense, as if it were already canceled. It is hard to remain believing when others have already given up. Yet somehow I am still open to God moving mightily TODAY. Even if the numbers do not come in. I am not disappointed in Him. All things for a reason. All things in His time. Yet I would REJOICE, oh how I would REJOICE if it comes back as a go.
Today I await a call. While I mull over everything the Lord was showing me yesterday.
Humor from Yesterday
DS- "Hey, DD, pretend it's a free sale" as he reached over to steal some of her polymers.
"Ever wonder why in nature it is the guys that are all colorful. With us people it's the ladies. We are the only species where the women and not the men get all fancied up." This male family member may be getting a colorful boa and some costume make-up. The thought of that makes me laugh even more.
"Ever wonder why in nature it is the guys that are all colorful. With us people it's the ladies. We are the only species where the women and not the men get all fancied up." This male family member may be getting a colorful boa and some costume make-up. The thought of that makes me laugh even more.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Anointed Songs
Do you have any songs that whenever you hear them, they bring you into the Lord's presence? Something about them lightens your mood. Something about them stirs your spirit. I now have a list on my media player entitled anointed songs. I love media player in that I can rip my music to the computer. Since having young children, it seems that NONE o our CD's go unscathed. It is now my practice when I get a new CD to immediately rip it to media player. And now that I have most of my music on the computer it makes it super easy to make my play lists. And hence the anointed songs playlist. These songs can take me from a bad day to a day of rejoicing in moments. They get my feet dancing, my voice praising and my hands lifted in worship.
Here's my list: (In no particular order)
Let The Worshipers Arise
I Am Free
Sing For Joy
Days of Elijah
I Will Bow To You
Let The Praises Ring
My Savior My God
How Great Is Our God
Made Me Glad
Friend of God
How about you, what songs carry you into the Lord's presence? Please, do share.
Here's my list: (In no particular order)
Let The Worshipers Arise
I Am Free
Sing For Joy
Days of Elijah
I Will Bow To You
Let The Praises Ring
My Savior My God
How Great Is Our God
Made Me Glad
Friend of God
How about you, what songs carry you into the Lord's presence? Please, do share.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Near Death By Chicken
With 4 lbs of chicken to cook, I layered them in the pressure cooker, covered them with Italian dressing and water. Securing the lid, I placed the pressure cooker on the stove and put the heat to high. Quick and easy. In 20 minutes to a half an hour, dinner would be ready. Right?
After a few minutes I checked the lid to see if it was sealed. Not yet but it was beginning to feel like pressure was building. A few minutes after that I noticed some steam was now coming out of the spout on top. Good. I got the ball that goes on top of the spout, that changes the pressure. I placed it on. Before I did I noticed a bolt on the spout that I didn't recall before. Hmmmm. When I put the ball on it fell right into place. Good, or so I thought.
I knew from the time pressure was established I wanted it to cook for about 20 minutes. So I took note of the time and went about cleaning the house. 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes and I hear a PSSSSSSSS. Note to self, I need to check that out. I enter the kitchen and the pressure cooker is silent. No rat-a-tat or shaking of the ball. Hmmmmm. Not so good. Come to think of it I had not heard that sound at all. Definately not good. So I go over and give the ball a jiggle. PSSSSSSSSSSSSSS. Uh oh. There is too much pressure in that baby. Think Sarah think!
Normally I would have turned down the heat once it was pressurized. Normally! That thing was still on high. Quick turn down the temp. Still no rat-a-tat-tat, that ball needs to come off. So I grab hold of it and it easily comes off. I quickly realize it needs to be off the heat. As the spout goes PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
I run to the opposite side of the kitchen and watch as steam turns to liquid that fountains and burst out of the spout. Like a whale it snorted Italian dressing and water onto my ceiling. I could hear the kids on the stairs about to come in to the kitchen."Wait, DO NOT COME IN HERE!" It seemed like the lid was swelling and I was bracing myself for an all out explosion. The spewing onto the ceiling and stove lasted over a minute. Then it simmered down and stopped. I let it sit there. Too afraid to go near it. I am laughing. I call my girlfriend who I knew could laugh with me. She did.
I then worked up enough courage to touch it. Carefully I placed it in the sink and sprayed some cool water on it. A little steam and it was over. The pressure was completely released and I was able to open the lid. There in side was the most beautiful sight. Perfectly cooked chicken, not scarred from it's recent ordeal.
I threw the biscuits in the oven, prepared the sides and all was well. Not to mention scrumpditiliumptious.
If I would have been thinking I would have taken a picture of the Italian snot on my ceiling before I cleaned it off. Sorry no such pictures. Just use your imagination. Or if you are feeling brave you can try it in your own kitchen, then you will understand. I recommend you use you imagination.
After a few minutes I checked the lid to see if it was sealed. Not yet but it was beginning to feel like pressure was building. A few minutes after that I noticed some steam was now coming out of the spout on top. Good. I got the ball that goes on top of the spout, that changes the pressure. I placed it on. Before I did I noticed a bolt on the spout that I didn't recall before. Hmmmm. When I put the ball on it fell right into place. Good, or so I thought.
I knew from the time pressure was established I wanted it to cook for about 20 minutes. So I took note of the time and went about cleaning the house. 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes and I hear a PSSSSSSSS. Note to self, I need to check that out. I enter the kitchen and the pressure cooker is silent. No rat-a-tat or shaking of the ball. Hmmmmm. Not so good. Come to think of it I had not heard that sound at all. Definately not good. So I go over and give the ball a jiggle. PSSSSSSSSSSSSSS. Uh oh. There is too much pressure in that baby. Think Sarah think!
Normally I would have turned down the heat once it was pressurized. Normally! That thing was still on high. Quick turn down the temp. Still no rat-a-tat-tat, that ball needs to come off. So I grab hold of it and it easily comes off. I quickly realize it needs to be off the heat. As the spout goes PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
I run to the opposite side of the kitchen and watch as steam turns to liquid that fountains and burst out of the spout. Like a whale it snorted Italian dressing and water onto my ceiling. I could hear the kids on the stairs about to come in to the kitchen."Wait, DO NOT COME IN HERE!" It seemed like the lid was swelling and I was bracing myself for an all out explosion. The spewing onto the ceiling and stove lasted over a minute. Then it simmered down and stopped. I let it sit there. Too afraid to go near it. I am laughing. I call my girlfriend who I knew could laugh with me. She did.
I then worked up enough courage to touch it. Carefully I placed it in the sink and sprayed some cool water on it. A little steam and it was over. The pressure was completely released and I was able to open the lid. There in side was the most beautiful sight. Perfectly cooked chicken, not scarred from it's recent ordeal.
I threw the biscuits in the oven, prepared the sides and all was well. Not to mention scrumpditiliumptious.
If I would have been thinking I would have taken a picture of the Italian snot on my ceiling before I cleaned it off. Sorry no such pictures. Just use your imagination. Or if you are feeling brave you can try it in your own kitchen, then you will understand. I recommend you use you imagination.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Kids and Government
Today during discussion time DS and I talked about presidents, govenors, election day, voting and such. Interesting conversation with a 5 year old.
ME: Who is the president?
DS: I don't know
ME: He is the man that makes desicions for our country, the United States
DS: No, God does
Daniel 2: 20-21
20 "Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are his.
21 He changes times and seasons;
he sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.
emphasis mine.
DS joined me at the voters booth. The system of voting has changed. No more brads. Connect the arrow of your choice and it is digitally read. Interesting.
Go vote! And talk to your kids about what today means. They get more than you think.
ME: Who is the president?
DS: I don't know
ME: He is the man that makes desicions for our country, the United States
DS: No, God does
Daniel 2: 20-21
20 "Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are his.
21 He changes times and seasons;
he sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.
emphasis mine.
DS joined me at the voters booth. The system of voting has changed. No more brads. Connect the arrow of your choice and it is digitally read. Interesting.
Go vote! And talk to your kids about what today means. They get more than you think.
Minor Changes
This week we are making a few minor changes in our school day. I knew many months ago DS was suppose to be listening to the Bible on audio. We did it once and the tapes got set aside. The prodding on my heart has returned. We need to be doing this. So today we begin again. During breakfast, for the 30 minutes before school, we will listen to the KJV. (Scourby) The plan is to continue in this manner every week day for the rest of the year. Starting in Matthew and going through to Revelation and then begin again. He may only catch snippets. He may catch large portions and grab hold of them. He will be hearing the Word. A minor change that may yield major benefits.
Monday, November 06, 2006
The Pro's and Con's of Blogging
It has now officially been a year of blogging. 12 months documented. Written forever in cyberspace. For or against me it is there. Highlights, daily life expressed, my spiritual journey, moments of triumph, moments of struggle. Written, typed. Mostly from the heart. Some for the pure fun of it. Some things shared because they were too good to keep to myself. I love blogging, I really do! Perhaps at times too much.
Here is a list of pro's and con's for me.
Pro's
An outlet to express my thoughts
A place to share pictures
A collection of my favorite pictures
Snippets of life in the moment, that I can look back on and remember
A ministry and light for Christ
Meeting people I would have otherwise never met
Positively influencing others
Thoughts written to reread and gain better understanding of what you are experiencing
Real life people given non-threatening way to understand my stances on life
Comments/ Affrimation
Reading other blogs, gaining knwledge and life expereince through the eyes of another
Being a voice
It is forever recorded
Con's
Too much time on the computer
Seeking others approval
Real life people know what is going on in your life and LESS likely to contact you, be it phone or in person
Vunerable to others opinions of you and their judgments placed on you
My tendancy to place blogging at a higher priority than it should be
Posts can be misinterpreted and cause misunderstandings
Need to protect identity, filtering all info released as it is very public
It is forever recorded
I am sure there are more.
As I enter into my second year of blogging. I will press on. I desire to write more under the anointing. I desire to place God first, then family, then blogging. I desire to honor God in all I say and do. I desire to be a light here in cyberspace. Sharing this life, that is uniquely mine. Thanks for joining me in the journey.
Here is a list of pro's and con's for me.
Pro's
An outlet to express my thoughts
A place to share pictures
A collection of my favorite pictures
Snippets of life in the moment, that I can look back on and remember
A ministry and light for Christ
Meeting people I would have otherwise never met
Positively influencing others
Thoughts written to reread and gain better understanding of what you are experiencing
Real life people given non-threatening way to understand my stances on life
Comments/ Affrimation
Reading other blogs, gaining knwledge and life expereince through the eyes of another
Being a voice
It is forever recorded
Con's
Too much time on the computer
Seeking others approval
Real life people know what is going on in your life and LESS likely to contact you, be it phone or in person
Vunerable to others opinions of you and their judgments placed on you
My tendancy to place blogging at a higher priority than it should be
Posts can be misinterpreted and cause misunderstandings
Need to protect identity, filtering all info released as it is very public
It is forever recorded
I am sure there are more.
As I enter into my second year of blogging. I will press on. I desire to write more under the anointing. I desire to place God first, then family, then blogging. I desire to honor God in all I say and do. I desire to be a light here in cyberspace. Sharing this life, that is uniquely mine. Thanks for joining me in the journey.
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