Knitting

What an accomplishment!
My mom recently taught me how to knit!
It was extremely humbling and hard to get even the basics. I was sure my mom second thoughts about my mental capacities.


But now, well, I accomplished something. Surely I can do more complicated things, but I think knitting nerds use a different language involving a complicated series of Capital letters and numbers...like K3 -15times; 6M till your fingers fall off...
Even the beginners jargon is like that! Help MOM!

Theological pick up lines

Some of you may have seen this, but I thought it was pretty funny!

My sisters

Today is Karen's Birthday. Happy Birthday Karen! (right) -(Missy on the left)

I love my sisters!!!!!

Tea, Paint, Larry and Euchre

My sweet friend posted about a delightful 'tea party' that I attended on Saturday, so I will let her tell the story :)....


The rest of my life seems consumed with construction. For the most part I am loving the process. It is hard for me to do 2 things at once at times, so I welcome comments to balance painting with homeschooling :) The part of the process I love is 'getting it done'. Tim and I see so clearly the difference in our personalities in this area. Especially in painting. I need to get the job done and he needs it to look nice :) Fortunately we have learned a lot about communicating through the construction. I think that is code words for: "we have gotten in a couple of arguments" *smiles*

Anyway, I am thinking we need to have a BIG OLE party when we are done, so everyone can see the combo of "Get 'er done" and "Perfectionism".... (Tim isn't always a perfectionist, but he can be, he doesn't have OCD or anything, but if there is a disorder that is named after "Get 'er done" well, I have that.... do you all picture Larry the Cable guy when I say that? Because that is the part the disturbs me when I say that I have that "Disorder" )



--By BIG OLE party I mean 'Let's play Euchre' *smiles* (and talk and visit and eat--cuz some people don't like Euchre-- I KNOW, strange but true!!!!! :)

Heaven

I just finished reading Heaven....Know what I am going to do now??? Start over immediately!! I do not know what I think of all the things he says in the book and have had several interesting discussions over it with Tim, but it has been so totally helpful and encouraging to me! I highly recommend it, even if you don't agree with it all, it just set me to dreaming of Heaven/being with Jesus and everything else that waits for me!

What have I been doing?

I looked at my last post, and was shocked at how long since I posted. My one loyal fan must be MAD at me! :)

Here's part of life lately --Jake's bday and constant snow...that about sums it all up!!! (o, and continued construction, but there's only so many construction pics I thought you could stand :)

Story for the day

I am  so glad to have Tim home...He just got home
a couple hours ago from the
Desiring God conference in Minneapolis, MN.
They left about 1pm on Wed.
He called me a couple times in the night to tell me
that it was going to take a
while to get home.  He called for the last time at 11pm.
I woke up at 6:30am thinking
they would be almost home, but went back to sleep.
He called again at 9:30 to say they
were almost home!  That's what, 20 hours of travel
instead of 8!
.....he got stranded 2 times in Wisconsin...once for
5 hours and once for 1 1/2 hours!!!  Because of the
icy, snowy weather
so he got home at 10am, instead of midnite last nite!!!
I guess there were semis that
jacknifed, etc, etc... There were stories
(he's not sure if it's true or not) of
travelers that had been stranded for 12 hours!
Evidently the the West-bound lane
had a lot more issues and they were headed East-bound --PTL!!!!
poor guy.... exhausted...

He said that the 2 counties that they were in at the
time of being stranded
declared a state of emergency and they had the
national guard(?) out and
helicopters were going over and they had some shelters
or something set up....quite a story,
I said, that is funny, and he said it didn't seem funny
at the time... cuz you
just don't know when you are going to get to go again!  :)
So i am glad he is
home... Poor Ben (Mich state trooper ) was in his van and
he was trying
to get them to stop! He knows all about that stuff and
why they call it a
state of emergency, I'm sure
but the I guess they decided to keep pressing on and
get home!  ;)   He said the ice on the roads was like
going on a gravel road
with potholes, only worse... Sounds like quite the trip!!!!
smiles  (glad i didn't know all that last nite!)

We searched for a news story on it, but found
nothing...guess the news people think
there's more important things, but that sounds
newsworthy to me.
_________________________________________________________
*after checking the comments*


...a better way to put it than search was
that we watched tv for a while thinking it would jump out.
...thanks mwh for the story
now it jumped out..thanks   :)

Found it!

I still have this song floating around in my mind and found it here
to listen to, so I thought I would share it with you.

Also...love this song and have been searching around for it... here is a youtube version of it.

God has used these 2 songs in my life at significant times, so they mean a lot to me. The 1st song came at a time when that I needed to be remembering who I really am in view of God's mercy. The second one came when I was very homesick a couple of years ago and just helping me to feel God's presence! What a HUGE blessing! God's presence! It is always there, but so nice when He communicates it to us!


Sorry I hate pushing Youtube, but only place I could find it--well, maybe I COULD have found it somewhere else, but I got sick of searching and hey, I have a life you know ;) :) heeheee....

Quotes to feed my Obsession

John Newton said, "When I get to Heaven I shall see three wonders. The first wonder will be to see many there whom I did not expect to see, the second wonder will be to miss many people who I did expect to see; the third and greatest of all will be to find myself there."

C.S. Lewis said "I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it my main object of life to press on to that other country and to help others do the same."

Blogging for Tim

I have a bunch more time in general than Tim to blog. I told him he needs to blog this quote he likes...but he said, you do it for me. He has a blog, but it has one entry from like a year and a half a ago. So we may share this blog...but I will let you know if it's from Tim.

He saved his quote, but I can't bring it up, so I searched for it... and I believe this is it. I will ask him when he gets back :)

"Cowardice asks the question, 'Is it safe?' Expediency asks the question, 'Is it politic?' Vanity asks the question, 'Is it popular?' But, conscience asks the question, 'Is it right?' And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but one must take it because one's conscience tells one that it is right."
-- Martin Luther King Jr.

btw...MLK Jr has a bunch of good quotes

Retraining the Brain in Marriage

Here are some things I have been thinking about in relation
to marriage.
Just some initial 'helps and corrections to my current thoughts
and wrong attitudes.   I realize my  blog doesn't follow a common
theme and jumps all over the place, but bear with me.
These are all things I struggle through, you may not, but I feel like
these are so important for me--so thought I would share.

...Some  of them are things to pray, but most of this is just plain ole
practical....

-Date your husband/wife ....even if it has to be an in house date
(kids to bed early, special quiet  meal together,
etc, be creative).... just spend a little planning....
don't worry about how extravagant it is...just putting some
simple thoughts into it...it doesn't have to be perfect, just done
(there's my get er done attitude)....don't wait for him/her  to
do it, it's your responsibility.

-Pray that you will have a love for him/her....sometimes it
is hard to love, but the love has to be there...only God can
put love there, you can't make it happen.  You still have
to love though, no getting off the hook.  (does that make sense?)

-Fight in your mind (this takes some prayer)
and 'turn off' the bad things that your mind says about your
husband/wife.   this is an  an EMERGENCY!  You MUST MAKE
your mind STOP!  no questions...this HAS TO HAPPEN......
they know or sense...
when you are not right towards them.   Sometimes
a visual in your mind is helpful.  When you notice it
happening you visualize a
cloud in the sky or  a beach view, or whatever you
want to visualize.

This visual can act as a trigger when you realize it is
happening so that you can at least acknowledge that it is
happening, Then after you know it, you have to fight with all
your worth to make it stop...sometimes it takes days.... Keep
using your visual not only as a trigger but also
as a distraction.  Use Scripture as a redirection for your mind
as well, that would be the best tool.   An illustration of
is that
I see/feel that my husband has done something wrong
(this may
or may not be a true thing, almost always it isn't true).... and I
can't stop thinking about it, processing it, going over it in
my mind, etc.... the thing is, this blinds me to any of my
issues, because my mind makes it  seems so gigantic
because it is such
a constant in my mind, that I can't possibly be doing
anything wrong...
It  can feel like a  sub-conscious " i am going crazy, war" But
i feel like this
voice MUST STOP  because of the terrible destruction that it
 leaves.....
So it requires a re-training of the brain. Which obviously takes time,
but MUST happen.

-Forgive and/or let go whenever you can....Fight (with God's help)
for forgiveness, even when an apology isn't offered

-Do not expect ANYTHING from your husband/wife,  but love
who he/she is, for what he/she  is, as is, in
front of you.... this also probably requires a re-training
of the brain as well.


I realizing more and more that marriage is hard work,
BUT it is
incredibly worth it.  The work can become
harder or easier, but always worth it.

More Construction, ETC....

TWO Pictures are from more construction and I found the other one on the camera...hmmm...what are those boys doing while we work ;)???? something with night vision goggles??????

Tim has put up 2 beams for support in our 'new' openings, so it felt sooooo much more open, strange how removing a few boards opened it up so much more, but I am PUMPED! :) He has one more beam to do and than...on to other parts and painting is coming up! YAY!

Loving this/Needing this

Ezekiel 11:19 And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart,*

Footnotes:

11:19 Hebrew a heart of flesh.

God used this in me this last week, to remind me that I need HIM to change me...and boy did I need changing...just ask TIM ;) Miscellaneous/Multiple episodes of bad attitude, hard heartedness, etc. So although I still feel a sense of hard heartedness, I believe that God is working in my heart and I am so thankful. Because this past weekend, I felt the utter powerlessness to change my own heart, so what a cool promise! I kept it to one verse for brevity, but feel free to scan the passage for context, as it is GREAT!

Update

Well, here's what we have been trying to accomplish. We really want a more open look in our house, so we have removed alot of our walls.... We have seen a-lot of progress, but now plumbing is slowing us down. That is funny, because I say 'us'...but really it is mostly Tim! ;)

Tim has to make some beams for the ceilings, than we can remove those studs

It's VERY exciting to see the progress... I am also soooo excited to see the finished product! We bought some flooring yesterday for the dining room, and than we need it for the kitchen when we decide what we want. In the midst of all that we also had some fabulous friends help us remove most of the chimney....thank you FRIENDS!!!!!

Later guys....

Probably won't be posting for a while...I will update later, but just wanted to say that....

Than I won't feel like I have to.... some strange unknown cyber pressure to post on my blog won't be calling out to me! ;)

until later!

Couple things

Here
is what I got for a Christmas present
Yay, a hair straightener!!!!!
I am sooo enjoying it and it is such a new thing for me! This is the girlee side of me :) I am not always like that, having boys and all....but wow...what a fun toy!

But than there's a conviction from a mental picture that I am living with in my mind. This picture keeps coming to my mind, and I am really glad, actually!

I was talking to Tim about (this came to my mind after a conversation in SS) what if there was a video camera running in my house 24/7. What would I act like if my friends saw the way I talked to my family when no one is around. As soon as I said it, I was hugely convicted! It's interesting, because I have become blind to the way I treat those closest to me!

Wanzalara's Cottage

One of my Christmas presents from my parents was a book that their pastor wrote...here is the page that gives his bio and the first 2 chapters of the book... :) you can borrow it from me if you get hooked :) I got hooked. It is a kid's book I think, but it kept my attention and was a fun and short read.

I plan to read it to the boys after I finish with the Chronicles of Narnia. We are on the Last Battle and anxious to finish it! After I finish both these books, I plan to read them the Chronicles of Narnia again.

I suppose they aren't going to let me read to them forever....but for now...it's been alot of fun!

Prayer and Thankfulness

I pray for a heart of repentance like this..."The king and the leaders of Israel humbled themselves and said, 'The Lord is right in doing this to us!' " (they were sorry and repentant, even though God was going to destroy them!...I am often sorry so that the consequences will be removed)

I am so thankful for God's mercy as in ...."When the Lord saw their change of heart, he gave this message to Shemaiah: 'Since the people have humbled themselves, I will not completely destroy them....' "

II Chronicles 12:5-6 NLT

Browsing in the New Year

Here is where my browsing led me this 2nd day of January. We are looking into doing a mission trip, so I have been browsing the different agencies. It has been very informative to me and I like the education of looking at the different websites. I particularly like the way this ministry is approaching this particular people group. It makes alot of sense. See what you think if you want. Here it is.

Evil Eye

Someone sent me this random video...but it's funny ;)

Tim Hawkins update

Tim Hawkins (one of my new favorite comedians) updated his website....there are 2 new videos on there...my particular fav..."Cletus take the Reel"

check it our here

see ya tomorrow or sometime....off to do some holiday shopping!

I have stumbled on an interesting topic. For those of you who have time to read all this:

John Piper has an article here--It's titled "Tragically Widening the Grounds of Legitimate Divorce" He is commenting on an article by Instone-Brewer's Article in Christianity Today.
I found both of the arguments interesting but tended to agree with Piper on this one. Let me know what you think.

I found a loophole

I was reading my blogs and I came across a mom was on a trip and calling her husband at home she said:

"I called my husband yesterday and he started talking about he had installed some lights and a new mailbox. He must have talked for ten minutes about this before he asked me about New York. I kept thinking to myself, “Is this how I sound? Do I really go on and on like that about the mundane things I do all day?” The answer hit me as a resounding YES! I guess it’s inevitable. When you’re stuck home all day, dealing with kids, isolated from other adults, you sort of go crazy and given the chance, you talk your head off about any subject to any adult who will listen." (italics mine)

That made me laugh, because it is soooooo true!!!! So does that mean, I have some special privileges and actually you all have to listen to me?

Of course I am kidding.... but maybe my husband should--kidding again....I do want to strive in the listening area, but given my 'handicap' it may take longer *smile*

This is COOL!

Help

I don't think I should have posted the "Listening" post (see below).... I am realizing, what a huge amount of self-love I have! I heard this in my head very recently as I was listening to a conversation. I was thinking, "when is that person going to be done! I think, I don't want to talk, personally, I just want something else" O-WOW! what a huge lack of love for someone else! How could my heart be that ugly! I also am often finding myself anxiously waiting for the person to finish so I can talk, that is pretty common for me, but this seemed like my heart was even more deceptive. I wasn't interested in talking--therefore, I wasn't loving myself--right??? WRONG!

So I ask for your help... Tell me how to cultivate love for others and/or weed out self-love. I know that I need to read my Bible and Pray, but I wonder if there are some practical ideas as well. Feel free to tell me to read my Bible and pray...maybe I just need a kick in the rear end! This, by the way is not a time to encourage...just hit me with the TRUTH...
thanks!!!!

More seriously now....

Here is what has been on my mind a-lot lately. This is Dietrich Bonhoeffer, titled "Ears of God" The thing is he is addressing pastoral care, but I really think that it is applicable for all Christians and that we all have the responsibility to tell truth to other believers. That is why this is so convicting to me! I can see myself in the words that he is saying. So many times, I have been the person he is talking about and I can see myself (like a movie in my mind) in many of those times...--patiently waiting for the person to finish....

Ears of God

"For Christians, pastoral care differs essentially from preaching in that here the task of listening is joined to the task of speaking the Word. There is also a kind of listening with half an ear that presumes already to know what the other person has to say. This impatient, inattentive listening really despises the other Christian and finally is only waiting to get a chance to speak and thus to get rid of the other. This sort of listening is no fulfillment of our task. And it is certain that here, too, in our attitude toward other Christians we simply see reflected our own relationship to God. It should be no surprise that we are no longer able to perform the greatest service of listening that God has entrusted to us--hearing the confession of another Christian--if we refuse to lend our ear to another person on lesser subjects. The pagan world today knows something about persons who often can be helped only by having someone who will seriously listen to them. On this insight it has built its own secular form of pastoral care, which has become popular with many people, including Christians. But Christians have forgotten that the ministry of listening has been entrusted to them by the one who is indeed the great listener and in whose work they are to participate. We should listen with the ears of God, so that we can speak the Word of God.

I think that this has been on my mind since --Monday, November 19, 2007 as I had posted about this topic there as well...I do plan to revisit this subject with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, since I do NOT have this down and I desire to be a good listener. When I do take the time to listen, I have found it to be SUCH A BLESSING!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp7DMynmORE

Interesting way to put it

Tag Team

I just finished reading this book. I have enjoyed reading a couple biographies lately and this was the 2nd one . The other one isn't worth mentioning :).... I enjoyed this book because it happened to tag team in my mind with a movie that we just watched ( "Home of the Brave") that talked about similar issues. The book talks about Bob Dole going to war, his injuries and recovery. The thing that I find interesting is his re-entry, so to speak, after the war and injury. The movie was basically about the re-entry as well, and several soldiers' lives after they came home from Iraq. This issue just hasn't been something that is on my radar screen to think about or care (till now). So I have appreciated having my eyes opened .

Why I Love Mercy

This song has been rattling around in my head and is a great follow up to yesterday!

Thy Mercy, My God

1. Thy mercy, my God, is the theme of my song,
The joy of my heart. and the boast of my tongue;
Thy free grace alone, from the first to the last,
Hath won my affections, and bound my soul fast.

2. Without Thy sweet mercy I could not live here;
Sin would reduce me to utter despair;
But, through Thy free goodness, my spirits revive,
And He that first made me still keeps me alive.

3. Thy mercy is more than a match for my heart,
Which wonders to feel its own hardness depart;
Dissolved by Thy goodness, I fall to the ground,
And weep to the praise of the mercy I’ve found.

4. Great Father of mercies, Thy goodness I own,
And the covenant love of Thy crucified Son;
All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine
Seals mercy, and pardon, and righteousness mine.
All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine
Seals mercy, and pardon, and righteousness mine.

©2001 Same Old Dress Music (ASCAP).

Why I don't love Mercy

Stay with me here..just trying to get your attention.... *smile*....I realized lately that I don't LOVE Mercy.... but as I thought through it, I realized there were reasons why. Mercy is making a comeback in my heart...and thinking and writing about it has helped me immensely! Here are some of the reasons :I think I have been expecting mercy. I think forget to realize what it costs. I think I decided that I am 'safe'. I think I made mercy about me.

As I think about it, I think if I remember that Jesus found me and that I still need daily mercy (as in forgiveness of my sin), than I would love and adore mercy. The truth is, I deserve to be punished for my utter disregard for who God is and my daily sins of anger, pride, etc, etc. So, I need MERCY! I believe the definition of mercy is: not being punished when I deserve to be punished....I need to let that sink in to my mind. Just a bit, or at least till I am mourning /sad. Because really, at the end of the day, I will still think it's about me! So as I let that sink in and see who I really am, what my heart really thinks..... my only hope is to look to Jesus and you know what I find?? Mercy, Love Kindness, forgiveness, etc.... And OH is it beautiful when I have seen where I came from and see his mercy and grace taking me somewhere :) Nearer to HIM!

Holiday Cheer

Shake the HOLIDAY SNOW GLOBE"

Bella

Has anyone seen this movie? It looks really good and evidently has a great pro-life message. I read about it on a Christian blog and also heard about it on Christian radio.

OOOPS, Travis....

Happy Belated Bday to Travis! His Birthday missed my blog.... It was the 24th.

Narnia

Here's something I have been waiting for!!!! AND they have projected dates for 2 more! Can't tell you how excited I was to see this.... It's fine, if you don't share the excitement with me -- I understand! :)
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (click here for information about the book) Status: Post-Production
Filming: Complete
Release: May 16, 2008
Filming Pseudonym: Toastie
Film Title: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Production Company: Walden Media, Walt Disney Pictures (Buena Vista), Wimbleweather Ltd.
Wallpapers: N/A
Movie F.A.Q.: You've got questions, we've got answers.
Cast: See who's currently in the cast, our list is updated as more are announced.
Crew: See who's putting the film together.
Locations: Locations that appear in C.S. Lewis's PC Novel, should appear in the film. Filming in New Zealand, Prague, and Slovenia.

Projected Timeline:
February 2006 - Announcement, Pre-production Begins
February 2007 - Filming Starts in Auckland, New Zealand through March. Moves to Prague in April of 2007, for four months.
August 2007 - Filming Ends, Post-production Starts
April 2007 - Post-production Ends
May 16, 2008 - Film Released




AND

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

(click here for information about the book) Status: Script/Pre-Production
Filming: Starts early 2008
Release: May 7, 2010

Plot Summary: Lucy and Edmund Pevensie return to Narnia with their cousin Eustace where they meet up with Prince Caspian for a trip across the sea aboard the royal ship The Dawn Treader. Along the way they encounter dragons, dwarves, merfolk, and a band of lost warriors before reaching the edge of the world.

Projected Timeline:
February 2007 - Announcement, Pre-production Begins
Summer 2008 - Filming Starts
Fall 2008 - Filming Ends, Post-production Starts
Winter 2009 - Post-production Ends
May 7, 2010 - Film Released




AND

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair

(click here for information about the book) Status: Script/Pre-Production
Filming: Starts late 2008?
Release: May 2011

Projected Timeline:
February 2008 - Announcement, Pre-production Begins
Late 2008 - Filming Starts
Early 2009? - Filming Ends, Post-production Starts
November 2010 - Post-production Ends
May 2011 - Film Released



OOOO, And!!!!!

Update on The Screwtape Letters Movie From Producer Ralph Winter

02/17/07

Submitted By Jon

"Ralph WinterProducer Ralph Winter was interviewed by Infuze Magazine, and had this to say about the progress on the in pre-production film, The Screwtape Letters:

What's happening with C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters?

It's in development with Fox and Walden Media. Fox has owned the property for decades. They bought it in the 50s. There was management at Fox that wanted it and bought it, and they've owned it for decades.

So what's the current status?

We're signing deals right now. We're finishing the Fox option deal, we're finishing my deal with Walden. Doug Gresham's deal is done.

Does the movie have a green light?

Not yet. We've been talking to Randall Wallace about writing and directing. We need to have more discussions with Fox and Walden about that, and make sure that Randy's still available. Everybody wants to make this movie; I think it's going to happen, I just don't know what the timetable is right now.

We're very excited about that. With the right script, dealing with temptation and that whole upside down world, it could be a very, very interesting movie. And it's going to be dark. This isn't a light, happy, Narnia piece. "

I can't find ANYTHING that is after February...wonder if this is a no-go???

Needed this....

BUT THERE THE LORD IN MAJESTY WILL BE FOR US A PLACE OF BROAD RIVERS AND STREAMS.

Isaiah 33:21

"Broad rivers and streams" produce fertility and abundance in the land. Places near broad rivers are remarkable for the variety of their plants and their plentiful harvests. God is all this to His Church. Having God she has abundance. What can she ask for that He will not give her? What need can she mention that He will not supply?

"On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food."¹

Do you want the bread of life? It drops like manna from the sky. Do you want refreshing streams? The rock follows you, and that Rock is Christ.

If you still have any need, it is your own fault; if you are deprived, you are not deprived in Him, but in yourself. "Broad rivers and streams" also point to business.

Our glorious Lord is to us a place of heavenly merchandise. Through our Redeemer we have business with the past; the wealth of Calvary, the treasures of the covenant, the riches of the ancient days of election, the stores of eternity - all come to us down the broad stream of our gracious Lord.

We have business, too, with the future. What ships, laden to the water's edge, come to us from heaven! What visions we have of a new heaven and a new earth!

Through our glorious Lord we have business with angels - communion with the bright spirits washed in blood, who sing before the throne. Better still, we have fellowship with the Infinite One. "Broad rivers and streams" are specially intended to set forth the idea of security.

Rivers were often a defense. Beloved, what a defense God is to His Church! The devil cannot cross this broad river of God. How he wishes he could turn the current, but do not fear, for God abides unchangeably the same.

Satan may annoy, but he cannot destroy us; no galley with oars shall invade our river, neither will a majestic ship pass through.

¹ Isaiah 25:6

Please note: Devotional material is taken from “Morning and Evening,” written by C.H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg. Copyright (c) 2003, Good News Publishers and used by Truth for Life with written permission. Scripture quotations are taken from Holy Bible: English Standard Version, copyright (c) 2001, Good News Publishers.

Truth For Life's agreement with Good News Publishers prevents the ministry from allowing a printer-friendly version of the devotional material. We are sorry for any inconvenience.

Happy Thanksgiving

Glitter Graphics & Comments

2 things.....

A couple of things for your monday ;)

First....I have been wanting to post this for a while.

Listen

"Just as our love for God begins with listening to God's Word, the beginning of love for us is shown by the fact that God not only gives us God's Word, but also lends us God's ear. We do God's work for our brothers and sisters when we learn to listen to them. So often Christians....think that their only service is always to have to 'offer' something when they are together with other people. They forget that listening can be a greater service than speaking. Many people seek a sympathetic ear and do not find it among Christians, because these Christians are talking even when they should be listening . But Christians who can no longer listen to one another will soon no longer be listening to God either; they will always be talking even in the presence of God. The death of the spiritual life starts here, and in the end there is nothing left but empty spiritual chatter and clerical condescension which chokes on pious words. Those who cannot listen long and patiently will always be talking past others, and finally no longer will even notice it. Those who think their time is too precious to spend listening will never really have time for God and others, but only for themselves and for their own words and plans." From Life Together 98 by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

the only reason to post this is my conviction in the matter....and I hadn't heard it put like this before. So interesting!

2nd thing....

I keep seeing Nick Vujicic all over the internet...so you may have seen some of him, but here he is giving his testimony and message...it's really good!! Not sure about the content of the rest of the " Hour of Power" ...i only watched Nick Vujicic

http://www.hourofpower.org/video/nick.php

have a great monday everyone!

Monday

I was so glad to have found this on Monday...definitely needed that pick me up! I am thinking of ordering one of his videos....

click on the video clips on the first screen and in the drop down menu above there are some previews of his videos! FUN!


timhawkins.net

Andrew is 12!!!!

Happy Birthday to Andrew!

2 Things

Something caught my attention in this passage today.

Hebrews 121-4 NLT

"1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.* Because of the joy* awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne.3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people;* then you won't become weary and give up.4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin."

1. How to do verse 1 (which includes running with endurance, stripping off weights, especially sin)??? Answer: Keeping my eyes on Jesus

2. How to not become weary???? Answer: Think of Jesus (all that he endured)

Field Trip

The boys and I got to go to Donald C. Cook, Nuclear Power Plant on Thursday morning for a field trip! It was so fascinating. We only got to see the reactors through a big picture window, but the videos they showed were very cool and informative. They also have a scale model about 2 stories tall and 15 feet around (approximately) that rotates around and explains things in a very kid friendly and dynamic way! I had no idea that the nuclear reactors merely heated water to run generators, which run turbines! I also learned more about the intake and replenishing of water from Lake Michigan. School can be fun! :)

I have found a new joy/obsession ;) .... Now for the record, no one will replace CS Lewis' influence on my life, but I have found that I really enjoy Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I have heard numerous quotes by Bonhoeffer, and enjoyed them. I have recently been scanning some of his stuff at the bookstore when we go. I find that he (like CS Lewis) really challenges my thinking... for example--

"God's Unfathomable Love
Behold God become human, the unfathomable mystery of the love of God for the world. God loves human beings. God loves world. Not an ideal human, but human beings as they are; not an ideal world, but the real world. What we find repulsive in their opposition to God, what we shrink back from with pain and hostility, namely, real human beings, the real world, this is for God the ground of unfathomable love. God establishes a most intimate unity with this. God becomes human, a real human being . While we exert ourselves to grow beyond our humanity, to leave the human behind us, God becomes human; and we must recognize that God wills that we be human, real human beings. While we distinguish between pious and godless, good and evil, noble and base, God loves real people without distinction. God has no patience with our dividing the world and humanity according to our standards and imposing ourselves as judges over them. God leads us into absurdity by becoming a real human being and a companion of sinners, thereby forcing us to become the judges of God. God stands beside the real human being and the real world against all their accusers. So God becomes accused along with human beings and the world, and thus the jugges become the accused. --from Ethics 84

Tim got me A Year with Dietrich Bonhoeffer for my bday ;)

awww :)

This is what I need to be reminded of constantly....and what so many seem to NOT realize.....

I WILL MEDITATE ON YOUR PRECEPTS.

Psalm 119:15"There are times when solitude is better than company, and silence is wiser than speech. We would be better Christians if we were alone more often, waiting on God and gathering through meditation on His Word spiritual strength for service in His kingdom. We ought to ponder the things of God, because that is how we get the real nutriment out of them."




this is a portion of.....( Devotional material is taken from “Morning and Evening,” written by C.H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg. Copyright (c) 2003, Good News Publishers and used by Truth for Life with written permission. Scripture quotations are taken from Holy Bible: English Standard Version, copyright (c) 2001, Good News Publishers.)

I am reading through How People Change. I found this little section (below) so helpful!

"... As J.C. Ryle said, ' A true Christian is one who has not only peace of conscience, but war within.' We are united to Christ for a purpose: 'For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.' (Eph 1:4). Our new life in Christ is just that: new life. A glorious fight against the world, the flesh, and the devil is at its heart and one of the clearest signs of our union with him."

I like this because, when I feel that struggle, it feels so hard and unnatural, but I can actually view it as an encouragement, because I can view it as a sign of my salvation. Thinking that if i weren't saved, there wouldn't be a struggle. The struggle is about making me holy and blameless, and that is another way I can view the struggle, as accomplishing something....so often it does NOT feel like it is accomplishing anything.



*J.C. Ryle, Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots (Cambridge: Redwood Burn LImited, Trowbridge and Esher, 1959) pg 21
*How people change Timothy S. Lane /Paul David Tripp New growth Press 2006

Another bit of randomness for you....

I hate this, but the other day, Travis asked me "did you have that CD when you were a kid".... Never imagined myself saying.... "Travis, we didn't have CD's back than...." OUCH!! and today, Jake found and old disc that we still have around and said, "mom, what is this?"....I said, Jake that is what we used to use in "old day" computers before we had CD's....

This is sort of random, but I am always making those quote marks in the air when I say thing to signify that it's questionable whether I or someone means them or not. So I came across this blog in my blogging that is right up my alley.... http://quotation-marks.blogspot.com/

It's called the " 'blog' of 'unnecessary' quotation marks" heee heee.....
I look forward to exploring it more....

I LOVE this passage....notice how at the end, He signs "your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." (that's just my imagination.... I just like to think of it as God wrote a letter and signed it at the end ;)


Isaiah 43 The Savior of Israel
1 But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
"Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
2 When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
3 For I am the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

THE HOPE LAID UP FOR YOU IN HEAVEN.

Colossians 1:5 Our hope in Christ for the future is the mainspring and the mainstay of our joy down here today. Our hearts will be stirred by thinking often of heaven, for all that we can desire is promised there. Here we are tired and weary, but over there is the land of rest where the sweat of toil will no longer soak our shirts, and fatigue will be banished forever. To those who are weary and worn, the word rest is full of heaven. We are always in the field of battle; we are so tempted and so molested by foes that we have little or no peace; but in heaven we will enjoy the victory, when the banner shall be unfurled in triumph, and the sword will be sheathed, and we will hear our Captain say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."¹ We have suffered bereavement after bereavement, but we are going to the land of the immortal where graves do not exist. Here sin is a constant grief to us, but there we will be perfectly holy, for there will be nothing in heaven to defile it. There are no needs in the furrows of celestial fields. It is a source of deep joy to realize that the wilderness journey of our earthly pilgrimage will end and we will inherit heaven. But let us make sure that we are not just dreaming about the future and thus forgetting the present. Let all thoughts of the future serve to make us useful in the present. Through the Spirit of God the hope of heaven is the most powerful force for producing virtue; it is a fountain of joyful endeavor; it is the cornerstone of cheerful holiness. Those who have this hope in them go about their work with vigor, for the joy of the Lord is their strength. They fight hard against temptation, for the hope of the next world repels the fiery darts of the adversary. They can work without immediate reward, for they anticipate a reward in the world to come.

¹ Matthew 25:23

Please note: Devotional material is taken from “Morning and Evening,” written by C.H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg. Copyright (c) 2003, Good News Publishers and used by Truth for Life with written permission. Scripture quotations are taken from Holy Bible: English Standard Version, copyright (c) 2001, Good News Publishers.

Tim has a 'new' hobby--Salmon fishing...fortunately it co-ordinates with one of my obsessions ;)....being outside!

We went to one of our secret parks (we don't want to share :) and picnicked and went to the river to fish for salmon...Well, tim fished, Andrew explored and Travis and Jake and I swatted mosquitoes ;).... It was so enjoyable, even more so, if we would have brought bug spray --smiles... I told Tim that I don't usually get bit, but they were CRAZY hungry I guess, because they were thick! And they were BITING all of us! Travy took a couple pics and so did I so thought i would share them with you :) Andrew is the explorer. Travy is the camera shy one and Jake is the clown :) I am not in the pics because sadly they all turned out awful of me :)

I was reading in Ecclesiastes today....I realized that this is some really cool wisdom.... just accepting where I am in life and enjoying it! What are my options? Discontent, coveteousness, etc... Some cool wisdom in just enjoying where God has me and what He has given... I know that, what's wrong with me?


NLT
18 Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life.19 And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God.20 God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past.

here's a funny side note....my One Year Chronological Bible has the phrase "a good glass of wine" after the "eat, drink"

Last night Tim and I were at the bookstore for part of our date and I picked up several books to skim through...as I love to do when we go. One of the books was "I Want to Live These Days With You: A Year of Daily Devotions "
by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I think God directed me to it, because one of the entries has encouraged me so much....I have to paraphrase and give you what I gathered from what I read...but here goes :)

It was talking about how God has given us day and night. We have all day to seek and go after God. We either seek God or other things or idols, but at the end of the day, if we have failed to seek God and have sought other things, well, the next morning is a new beginning to start fresh! How cool....I really needed a fresh start today...Yesterday I was seeking wrong things and giving in to VERY WRONG emotions! .... So praise God for a new day! For a fresh beginning!

I think this is my favorite CS Lewis quote (well, one of them, i just can't pick a favorite.... )


"And now, what does it all matter? It matters more than anything else in the world. The whole dance, or drama, or pattern of this three-Personal life is to be played out in each one of us: or (putting it the other way round) each one of us has got to enter that pattern, take his place in that dance. There is no other way to the happiness for which we were made. Good things as well as bad, you know, are caught by a kind of infection. If you want to get warm you must stand near the fire: if you want to be wet you must get into the water. If you want joy, power, peace, eternal life, you must get close to, or even into, the thing that has them. They are not a sort of prizes which God could, if He chose, just hand out to anyone. They are a great fountain of energy and beauty spurting up at the very centre of reality. If you are close to it, the spray will wet you: if you are not, you will remain dry. Once a man is united to God, how could he not live forever? Once a man is separated from God, what can he do but wither and die?"

from Mere Christianity "A Good Infection"

Ok...conference, but first ;)

The idolatry series in the post below, was talking about the phrase "if I was the only person in the world, Christ would have still died, even if it was just for me"....I have been troubled by this phrase, for a long time, because that is so "ME" centered, not about Christ dying, but about how worthy or loved I am....well.... C J Mahaney was saying, (he may have gotten this from someone else...you'll have to listen to the series so you can correct me ;).... that that only means that the sins that I have committed are SO GRIEVOUS that Jesus would have to still die for my sins (even if I were the only sinner) so that I could have right standing with God! That makes me rejoice.... Because that is the gospel.... That is about God and that puts me in the right mindset to worship God and rejoice over what Jesus did for me, instead of using it as a 'self-esteem booster'.
(this is a long post ....feel free to not read it all ;)

Conference... we left with our friends at approximately 8:30 am on thursday morning and arrived about 12 hours later in Bala Cynwyd , Pa. We settled in and got up the next morning to a specialized Muslim focus. We were in the few who arrived early to be able to do this part, the rest of the group arrived later for the 7pm start. We were very enlightened by the Muslim focus. a man that was there shared his story of conversion and the repercussions of that. Tim and I really enjoyed that casualness of the Muslim focus and the Q & A. We were able to have lunch with this man who was converted out of Islam. That was very enjoyable as well and the conversation with him was informative and we were able to get to know him, just a bit more.

That evening we started the actual 'Next Step' conference Friday nite...we were already exhausted by than and the conference was just beginning ;) :)..... to make a long story shorter, we heard several missionaries tell their stories, we were all assigned mentors to help us 'see' where we are at in the process, and worship. We also had lots of opportunities to eat with and hear casual stories from the mentors. It was an emotional time of self searching and digging. I LOVED the people there and felt no pressure from them, but internal pressure to know the answers to my 'next steps'.... the end of the conference we all shared ( I suppose there were about 23 'students' ) our 'next steps'. I am not sure where God has us in this process, but I feel like He is teaching me to depend on Him for that....but our mentors helped us to see that our next steps should be .... 1. Gather a group of people to help us in the process. 2. Go on a short term mission trip. 3. Spend more time in discussion about it. So that's it in a nutshell! :)

WOW...... where to begin....I will tell you all stuff about a conference we just returned from....BUT FIRST


Sovereign Grace Ministries has Made all there resources available for FREE!!! (in the last few weeks or so)....this one is ROCKING MY WORLD!!!! Life changing (I hope and Pray)....I listened to the 2nd 2 parts today, on the way to and from getting my boys....

here they are:
http://www.sovereigngracestore.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=A1040-01-51

http://www.sovereigngracestore.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=A1040-02-51

http://www.sovereigngracestore.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=A1040-03-51

I know this would take some time.... there are 3 parts...but YOU MUST HEAR THEM!!!!!!! smiles.....I know 'caps' means I am yelling, but I am not yelling at you, I am just soooo excited about them ;)

One of the comments to the 'thumb' issue (see previous posts) included this link:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ukcV-xtU3hc

.... Excellent, excellent.... that is soooo what I was trying to say, or to be more honest.... What Tim was trying to tell me when we talked about this issue :)....I tried to say 'we' talked about it, but really, my wise husband was telling me that :)

Thanks for the link Chuck--I had seen this before...it is sooo powerful and such a great reminder to me!!

Here's where my mind is going lately. Tim and I were talking about the whole 'thumb' issue (...see previous post). Here's the thing....I wonder what i would have posted if i had broken my thumb? Would I still proclaim that God is good?? This has been going around in my mind lately anyway. I think "o, how good God is that I arrived home safely", or " How good God is for keeping my thumb from being broken". BUT isn't God still good and even kind, if I would have broken my thumb, or gotten in a car crash? Isn't God using those 'bad' things for my good and therefore, still being kind and/or good?? Is a parent being a good parent when they spank their kids or a good parent when they never spank or discipline?

This is a 'funny' story.....

Yesterday we went to the store. (the boys have money to spend, I usually don't take them anywmore)

Anyway, we got to walmart and I was waiting for the boys to get out and I had
locked the van and somehow I suddenly found that my thumb was SHUT in the door when Jake shut it! From the very tip to the very end of my thumb where it connects to my hand.... I was like--o man, the van is locked!!!! so Jake is immediately saying, I am sorry mom...I was (calmly, don't know where the calmness came from, 'cept God).... like...it's ok Jake, i just have to get my thumb out ;) :) smiles.... :)

.....so i had to get in my pocket, get the keys and unlock the van to get my thumb out....fortunately, it wasn't hurt that much at all...it was stuck in a little area that seemed to have
some space.....sooo weird, really, but it was sore and had a small piece of skin
torn, but THAT'S IT!! I was so glad, cuz you know how stuff is sometimes numb
when you first hurt it??? :) And i really thot (while it was still in there) that it would be HURT. Andrew was very sympathetic too...i don't even know if travy noticed that much ;) 'cept he said, mom I was afraid you locked you keys in the van, than we would have to go (for help he meant ;)
I teased them afterwards when i knew it was fine, that it was broken....travy
said, you scared me mom ! ;) smiles-- i am so mean ;) smiles

Anyway, jake kept saying he was sorry :( poor guy ...and right before bed, he
said, mom, I am sorry I shut your thumb in the door ;) :) I kept telling him it
was my fault, cuz I had my thumb there (I seriously cannot remember why I would
have had my thumb there??? --so weird!)

So I think that God is trying to tell me something. I really was grateful that He kept me calm...cuz how embarrassing if i were screaming in the Walmart parking lot ;)....but mostly I am thankful that something CRAZY can happen and God is still in control :)....cuz I really felt like He was and not me.... (nice of you to read this far....silly, silly story)

Can't wrap my brain around this quote by CS Lewis from Mere Christianity

"Everyone who believes in God at all believes that He knows what you and I are going to do tomorrow. But if He knows I am going to do so and so, how can I be free to do otherwise? Well, here once again, the difficulty comes from thinking that God is progressing along the Time-line like us: the only difference being that He can see ahead and we cannot. Well, if that were true, if God forsaw our acts, it would be very hard to understand how we could be free not to do them. But suppose God is outside and above the Time-line. In that case, what we call 'tomorrow' is visible to Him in just the same way as what we call 'today'. All the days are 'Now' for Him. He does not remember you doing things yesterday; He simply sees you doing them, because, thuogh you have lost yesterday, He has not. He does not 'foresee' you doing things tomorrow; He simply sees you doing them: because, though tomorrow is not yet there for you, it is for Him. You never supposed that your actions at this moment were any less free because God knows what you are doing . Well, He knows your tomorrow's actions in just the same way--because He is already in tomorrow and can simply watch you. In a sense, He does not know your action till you have done it: but then the moment at which you have done it is already 'Now' for Him."



hmmmmmm still thinking on this :)

CS Lewis said "It is not simply that God has arbitrarily made us such that He is our only good. Rather God is the only good of all creatures: and by necessity, each must find its good in that kind and degree of the fruition of God which is proper to its nature. The kind and degree may vary with the creature's nature. but that there ever could be any other good, is the atheistic dream. George Macdonald, in a passage I cannot now find, represents God as saying to men, 'You must be strong with my strength and blessed with my blessedness, for I have no other to give you .' That is the conclusion of the whole matter. God gives what He has, not what He has not: To be God--to be like God and to share His goodness in creaturely response--to be miserable--these are the only three alternatives. If we will not learn to eat the only food that the universe grows--the only food that any possible universe ever can grow--then we must starve eternally. "

--from The Problem of Pain

Here's a tiny bit more on the food part of heaven by Randy Alcorn

"The person who's eaten the widest variety of meals on Earth still hasn't tasted countless others. How many special dishes will you discover on the New Earth? As yet, you may not have tasted your favorite meal--and if you have , it didn't taste as good as it will there. The best meals you'll ever eat are all still ahead of you on the New Earth.

If it seems trivial or unspiritual to anticipate such things, remember that it's God who promises that on the New Earth we will sit at tables, at banquets and feasts, and enjoy the finest foods and drinks. Ant to top it off, our Father promises that he himself will prepare for us the finest foods (Isaiah 25:6)."

I was thinking of a friend of mine today when I read this in Randy Alcorn's book "Heaven"

"Reformer John Calvin wrote, 'If we consider to what end God created foods, we shall find that he wished not only to provide for our necessities, but also for our pleasure and recreation...With herbs, trees and fruits, besides the various uses he gives us of them, it was his will to rejoice our sight by their beauty, and to give us yet another pleasure in their odours.'


We won't 'need' fine meals; we don't need them now. But we enjoy them now for the same reason we'll enjoy them then--because God made us to enjoy them and to glorify him as we eat and drink (1 Corinthinans 10:31)"

Can you get an idea of why I am obsessed about Heaven when you read this quote ;)????


"Isaiah 65:19 In heaven the glorified do not weep, for all outward causes of grief are gone. There are no broken friendships, nor unfulfilled longings in heaven. Poverty, famine, danger, persecution, and slander are unknown there. There will be no pain to distress us, no anxious thoughts of death or bereavement to sadden. Those there do not weep, for they are perfectly sanctified. No evil heart of unbelief prompts them to depart from the living God; they are faultless before His throne and fully conformed to His image. Well might they stop mourning since they have stopped sinning. They do not weep, because all fear of change is past. They know that they are eternally secure. Sin is shut out, and they are shut in. They are safe in a city that will never be taken; they bask in a sun that shall never set; they drink of a river that will never run dry; they pluck fruit from a tree that will never wither. Countless cycles may revolve, but eternity will not be exhausted; and while eternity endures, their immortality and blessedness shall endure with it. They are forever with the Lord. They do not weep because every desire is fulfilled. They cannot wish for anything that they do not have. Eye and ear, heart and hand, judgment, imagination, hope, desire and will-all the faculties are completely satisfied; and although our present ideas of what God has prepared for those who love him are imperfect, still we know by the revelation of the Spirit that the saints above are supremely blessed. The joy of Christ, which is an infinite fullness of delight, is in them. They bathe themselves in the bottomless, shoreless sea of infinite blessing. That same joyful rest awaits us. It may not be too long before the weeping willow is exchanged for the palm-branch of victory, and sorrow's tears will be transformed into the pearls of everlasting bliss. "Therefore encourage one other with these words."¹

¹1 Thessalonians 4:18

Please note: Devotional material is taken from “Morning and Evening,” written by C.H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg. Copyright (c) 2003, Good News Publishers and used by Truth for Life with written permission. Scripture quotations are taken from Holy Bible: English Standard Version, copyright (c) 2001, Good News Publishers.

O, forgot to give you an update on "Skin".... i found it to be a good story....I really like how he plays out the idea of destroying the ugliest and where things go from there ;)

i have not enjoyed some of the last Ted Dekker books. They were OK, just not Great. This story renewed my interest in Ted Dekker and made me remember why I like his work. It still isn't as amazing as the Circle Trilogy, but definitely worth the read! I don't feel like there was a strong spiritual theme that came out of it, but appreciate that he is trying to reach the mass market.

I am also totally pumped because he is releasing some more books that are a continuation of the Circle Trilogy. I can't wait!

sorry to bore those of you who are not obsessed with his work like I am ;) :)

I have a question...I would love to hear what you are "obsessed" about...i have several obsessions and would love to know what some of yours are :)???????

This is to CUTE!!

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=9e7c4b40cf5a13cea6ca

I am reminded of how much I enjoy CS Lewis. I am having a hard time fighting this fight of faith (just in the duldrums I guess). Tim preached on Hebrews 12:1-2 last Sunday and I am seeing that CS Lewis is one of the fans in the grandstand (my choice of paraphrasing language ;) cheering me on. I picked my copy of "A Year with CS Lewis". I really like this collection of quotes. I have a couple other ones, but this one has ministered to me the most! I really feel so encouraged by his writing. What do you do to encourage yourself when you are down????

OK, on to one of my other obsessions.... Tim got me "Skin" by Ted Dekker! I was going to get it for myself, but the Amazon reviews were SO MIXED!!! I didn't know if it would be worth it! Well, so far it is a good story! I will let you know when i finish it. Sometimes and ending can ruin a book.

My boys have been playing a lot of baseball with the neighbor kids lately. I am taking advantage of it, as I will have to be teaching and with them non-stop in just a couple of weeks. Well, guess that sums up life around here ;)

Here's a question that I was wondering about in our small group....

What is the significance of the phrase "thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies" from the 23rd Psalm??

I asked this in our small group. I had thot about it before, and never came to a conclusion. The 23rd Psalm is so beautiful and it all seems to flow, but I get stuck on that part, cuz it makes no sense to me ;)

Here is a quote from Heaven by Randy Alcorn pg269

"If we would miss something from our old lives and the Old Earth, it would be available to us on the New Earth. Why? Because we will experience all God intends for us. He fashions us to want precisely what He will give us, so what he gives us will be exactly what we want"

O, ya, Tim and I finally got a date!!! YAY!!!

we had so much fun

I think that joy is a good thermometer of my spiritual life ....seeing some today, not full... there you go....really honest with you...cuz i am not living life(with God) to the full!


We are having 5 day club this week at our house...it is so fun! I was really dreading it (here's why.... it's in the middle of the day....i CAN'T go to the BEACH!!!) but it has been quite fun and I am getting a better chance to get to know my neighbors. It's great!

well, not much else is going on in life....so

later....

what in the world!! i can't get my letters to be small!!! That post refuses to be be edited....

see below

I realize that I was talking about not having joy in an earlier post.... and not having it, well, fyi...God has given it to me again. I do not take it for granted! Days without it make me realize how I depend on Him for it :) Which is fine ;)

Here's something fun....well, for me anyway...I found (she found me rather) a my best friend from gradeschool. We have been chatting online for a week or so now....She seems to still have a lot in common with me... I am very much enjoying the connection. I had looked for her for quite a while and not been able to find her....so that was cool that she found me! It's funny tho, cuz it takes me back to childhood like crazy...I felt like I was living in my memories for a couple days there :) Anyway, it's been fun....

Hi Mia! (if you end up reading this ;)

I forgot to give you all a pic of our fourth of July festivities....

Since it is my dad's bday, we usually go spend it with my family.... I love it! Fireworks bday Celebration....while i didn't get pics of the whole day, i took pics of the rocket launch...

Being made for Joy, as in my title...makes it hard when i don't have joy...

That's where i am today... i am still striving for it, but it is a harder day for that today! No particular reason...nothing particular going on, just one of 'those' days...

On the other hand, I have sooo much to be thankful for, A great husband and family, all my needs met, great friends and family, etc, etc....so that's where I will keep my mind for today ;)

You all have the rare privilege, (LOL hee heee...hahaa) if this link works that is, of viewing some of my favorite slideshows.... they are from family gatherings, youth activities and misc. things from my life :)

enjoy

http://photoshow.comcast.net/lisatatj/
favorites?sk=857d08af794e17dd9e1ea9a1e045e5a5



fyi, not sure that you may have to sign up for a free Photoshow account..... but it is worth it, as it is a valuable photo storage and photoshow maker....
let me know if you can't get it to work

Seems like we do this every year...i join them sometimes, but this time I just watched them ;)

This was several weeks ago, but it was a CRAAAZY summer rainstorm, where it's hot one minute and POURING Rain the next!

they had fun!

I JUST saw this interview with Ted Dekker on Youtube via CBN ......it is GREAT....if you don't like scary tho, there are previews of his new movie "House" .... hope it's as scary as it looks ;) :)




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keCP-k756o8

this interview is great! enjoy

Well not much going on....but a couple of things are exciting
opportunities to me right now....

I took Travy to a robotics class and as
 i was there the lady was telling
me about a great opportunity!!  we
constantly are thinking if we need to put the
boys in school or continue to homeschool....well
this seems like a great
compromise!

The galien school system is struggling,(if i understand correctly)
so they are partnering with the
homeschool group.... they get paid if we
dual enroll with them, soooo if we take
one galien class, we get to take some xtra classes
as well (all for free, cuz the government pays
the teachers and the school!!! ) So while i pay for this
robotics class for xtra, i can get them for free
in the fall....they have math,and science, computer,
art, band, etc...for the classes that we HAVE to take
and than they have  gym and swim and robotics and
karate and art as the xtra ones....i am
 sooo excited to be able to get them these
classes....i will have to
be careful to not overdo....but the art classes
look to be in buchanan, so they
could even walk to that ;) :)

but anyway, travy like his class alot...he
said when he first started to get
excited was when he saw the wiring
for the lego robot.... evidentally, he uses a
computer to control the robot and he
got to decorate it with extra lego..... the
teacher said they all did really well
and that she is moving them on to more
advanced stuff cuz this all was too easy
 for them.  He has 2 other girls in the
class with him.... the one girl
evidentally is soooo advanced that the teacher
told the mom she HAS to keep the
girl in this field. :)..... maybe travy will
catch on that good as well....i told
 him it combines 2 of his loves
(legos and computers)

also a mission opportunity that i will post about later ;)

I love nature...maybe that's why the beach is so fun to me ;)

Anyway, we went camping this weekend, with Tim's family and these are my boys and the cousins....boy did they have fun l!! They were always dirty! It was very relaxing and we all helped with meals, etc.

Sunday morning I just sat at the campfire and marveled at God and His nature! I am very glad that He gave us nature to enjoy ;) In heaven, there won't be bugs and scary frogs tho....I didn't see any frogs, but we had some bugs --they seemed to like being in the showers....o well, better than frogs in the shower ;)