The View from my Goldfish Bowl

Part 4....

2011-08-06T18:18:00.003-05:00

July 5 finally arrived. We had to leave our house by 3:15 a.m. to make it to the hospital by the 5:30 a.m. check-in time. I was feeling nervously calm...does that make sense? I knew that my surgery was in God's hands, so I was calm....but nervous. :) We arrived at the hospital and did all the pre-surgery stuff....and was wheeled back to surgery right at 7:30 a.m.

I remember moving to the operating table. I remember seeing pictures of my scans on the wall and asking "Are those mine? See....I do have a brain...wait until I tell my brother!" :) A mask was put on my face....they said, "Just breath normally. You'll be going to sleep." I said, "Okay, I'll just close my eyes then." The next thing I remember is a moment in the recovery room....another moment in the recovery room....they told me they were taking me to my room....and my husband walked in. The meds really knocked me out...I was in and out of it for hours....mostly out. :)

When I finally woke up I was told that the tumor wasn't as bad as the scans had indicated...in fact, the tumor was NOT on my jugular bulb, but next to it. Now, I wonder WHO could have moved that tumor??? :) Because of the different location, my incision was 'only' behind my ear and not all the way down my neck. Originally I was going to be in ICU for a day, but went right to a regular room. Praise the Lord. I wasn't feeling horrible, but the first time I got up I did get sick....yuck. To hold protect the incision site and to keep my ear stable, I had to wear a 'muff' on my ear....I call it the "VISE OF DEATH".....it was sooooooooo tight. It strapped around my head - coming together on my forehead, and on my other ear. It was awful. I ended up with blisters on my forehead and on that ear. ouch. The doctors came in the next morning and told me I could go home! Really??? I had surgery less than 24 hours ago and now I am okay to leave??? We waited until later that afternoon before we finally decided that I was ready to go, and then at about 5 p.m.....off we went.
Home.
To my family.
To recover.
To marvel in the miracle that God had done for me.

I learned soooo much through this tumor trial - and I'll share that next. :)

my 'tumor tale' part 3

2011-07-20T16:10:00.004-05:00

The Lord knew that my nerves were almost worn out, and He allowed the CAT scan to be scheduled within days. Throughout all these tests I kept thinking, "Praise the Lord we live in America and NOW in our history....all these medical tests save lives!" The CAT scan was smooth - except for the moment when the nurse said, "I will need your signature on this release form. This form simply states that I have informed you of the dangers of a CAT scan. The iodine we will inject in you has been known in very rare cases to cause severe reactions...even death."

Well, okee dokee then...where do I sign? :)

We waited just a few days and I received a call from the ENT doctor informing me that my tests were still unclear to him. Because of this, he was taking the scans to a 'tumor clinic'....a meeting the best doctors and surgeons have to discuss tumors. Should I be proud? :)

After all these great doctors looked at my scans, it was agreed that I did have a glomus jugulare tumor. My ENT doctor recommended that I see a surgeon at the University of Wisconsin hospital. "He is the best", my doctor said. Unfortunately, because he is the best, he was also very busy. These scans took place in March, and I was unable to see the surgeon until May 23. I was sure that I would need medication for my frazzled nerves by then.

May 23 finally came and we met with the surgeon. He was kind and thorough. He talked my husband and I through our options, all the while knowing that surgery was really the only route to take. Surprisingly, I left his office feeling better than when we entered. I had my answers. I felt somewhat prepared for the things to come. I knew what was coming.....and while it wouldn't be fun or easy, it was manageable.

His nurse called the next day and my surgery was scheduled for July 5....waiting again. :) (could it be that patience is one of the lessons God wanted me to learn?? :)) I was still feeling calm about the whole surgery....AND THEN.... :)....I started looking on-line. Oh boy. I wanted to find a first hand account of what I was REALLY in for. I wanted to know. Well, I found it.

And I cried.

I found pictures. I found stories. I found it all.

It was bad.

In my emotional state, I allowed myself to get really worked up. My doctor told me about MY tumor and the stories I was reading were not ME. Mine, in God's mercy, wasn't as bad, or in the same location, as all of the horror stories I was reading. Was it going to be fun? NO.
Was it going to be easy? NO.

Again, I claimed the verse, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." Is. 26:2

Glomus Jugulare Tumor Part 2

2011-07-13T09:45:00.003-05:00

We live in a small town, so we do not have an ENT (ear, nose and throat doctor) available every day. In my small-town clinic, the ENT comes once a month. After my doctor recommended that I see him, she noted that 'luckily' he was at our clinic that very day. Unfortunately, he was unable to see me that day. My appointment with him would not be for six long weeks. Those weeks of waiting were looooooong. I didn't know what was wrong with me, and despite my doctor's assurances that nothing major was wrong with me, I was still very nervous. I didn't know what was wrong - serious or minor - I just knew that whatever the 'spot' was, it would have to be removed.

When I met with the ENT those weeks later, he was great. He took a lot of time looking in my 'good' ear (which he declared to be 'beautiful'. HA) and then in the ear that was aching. After the exam he told me what he thought I had.....a glomus tumor that is easily removed by laser. You lift up the eardrum, laser the tumor out and you are good to go. He said I would have to have a MRI to confirm this first, but really, no big deal. He also said, almost in passing, that there is another kind of glomus tumor - a glomus jugulare- that is really rare....it would be hard to remove and could possibly cause of lot of issues, but really, not to worry about that kind of tumor because it is so rare.

So, my MRI was scheduled for the next Saturday, and I left the doctor's office feeling fairly calm, knowing my issue was really no big deal.

Have you ever had an MRI? I hadn't. In fact, I had never really had ANY kind of medical testing. The MRI was uneventful - I didn't panic, and it went quickly. I saw pictures of my brain....yes, I have one. :)

On Monday morning I was getting our son ready for school and he and Andy were just about ready to walk out the door when the phone rang. It was the ENT doctor.
"So Debbie, I'm looking at your scans from the MRI. They didn't get really good pictures, but it looks like I am seeing a hint of a glomus jugulare...." He kept talking but at that point I started to get light-headed and had to sit down. The doctor wanted better pictures so he was going to schedule a CAT scan. He told me not to panic, just to wait for the results of the next scan.

Andy and I talked for a moment - both of us in a bit of shock- and then he had to leave. Fortunately (and a rare occasion) the girls were still sleeping. When Andy walked out the door I fell on my knees and started to cry....I was praying, but no real words were formed....you've prayed like that before, I'm sure. After a few minutes I stood up and walked into the kitchen. I looked out my kitchen window, and on the hillside behind my house were 2 deer. Now, that might not be a big deal to most, but for me, that is one of the ways that I know God is showing His love to me....when I see a deer I hear "I LOVE YOU, DEBBIE" from Jesus.

I saw those 2 deer and was reminded by Jesus, "I LOVE YOU. YOU ARE NOT ALONE."

Glomus Jugulare Tumor Part 1

2011-07-13T09:19:00.006-05:00

I promised God that when this 'adventure' was over I would give Him the praise - NO MATTER WHAT. So, in attempt to give Him just a small amount of the praise He deserves, I will tell a pretty detailed story.....my tumor story.

When I was first diagnosed with my tumor I looked on-line for any information I could find about it. There was little to no information to be found. This is a really rare tumor. So, if you are one of those 'random google-ers' who found this blog and are feeling put off by 'religious' talk - don't let that stop you from continuing to read...I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at what you find. :)

I don't know exactly when my ear first started feeling strange, but around Thanksgiving of last year is when it got really noticeable. I felt a 'pulsing' and slight pressure from time to time in my left ear. I ignored it, thinking it was probably an ear infection. I don't like to go to the doctor, so I waited - hoping my ear would heal on its own. Finally on a Sunday afternoon in January, I went to a walk-in clinic for antibiotics. Quickly diagnosed with an ear infection, I went home armed with Amoxicillin and the knowledge that I would feel better in 10 days or less. The 10 days went quickly, but I felt no improvement. I waited a few days longer and then went to see my own doctor. She looked in my ear for a long time.....and then she said, "You have a small spot. I want you to see an ENT."

My heart sunk. Suddenly, I was very nervous.

Helloooooo?

2011-06-25T18:16:00.002-05:00

Hello?????? Yes, I am still alive.

No, I did not fall off the edge of the earth....at least, I don't think I did. :)

So much has been happening lately - does life ever slow down? No, I don't think so. Most days I feel as though I am clinging to the day by the coat-tails and just holding on for the ride. I wouldn't like to be bored, though - and I am not.

I won't even attempt to try to catch up on the last few months - there is just too much. Suffice it to say, GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!!! Good days - bad days....GOD IS GOOD.

I am going through a health trial right now - don't worry, I won't turn this into a health blog, but I would like to ask you to pray for me. I will be having surgery on July 5 to remove a very small skull-based tumor. Yes, I am scared and worried - and I am not a worrier. God knows all about this - it is not a surprise to Him. After the surgery I will be writing a longer summary post about this trial - not because I want to have pity, but for this reason alone: as I was looking on-line for information about my issue, I found very, very little. My tumor is a rare one. After MUCH looking, I found one blog entry about it.....perhaps when God has brought me through this storm I can blog about it, have someone read it and they will see Jesus through it all. I want Him to be praised.

So, until next time - thank you for praying! :)

Thank you for your investment

2011-03-10T21:36:00.003-06:00

Tonight my 5 year old daughter walked up to me and said, "Mom,do you know what is so special about God?"
Of course, I wondered what she would come up with.....I said, "Tell me - what is so special about God?"
She replied, "You can talk to Him anytime!"

WOW!

You just never know what these little ears hear and absorb. My daughter is high-energy (code for 'naughty sometimes' :)), and OFTEN I wonder if she hears a word I say.

Sunday School teachers, Junior Church workers, nursery workers and ANYONE who works with kids....DON'T QUIT!!! Don't get discouraged when the wiggle worms wiggle to the point you wonder if they heard a single word. THEY DID!!! THEY HEARD!

Thank you for your investment in my child!

If you can't say something nice....

2011-01-21T13:06:00.002-06:00

....don't say anything at all.

We've all heard that phrase, haven't we? Unfortunately, it is very difficult to practice. In 'real' life I struggle with it, but trying to practice it in my 'blog' life would explain my silence in the past few months.

If I am perfectly honest I would have to admit that I have been struggling.....

I have been struggling with people.....working with people, being kind to people, being used by people and being 'abused' by people......you know, the ministry. :) My struggle isn't over, but there is a gleam of light at the end of the tunnel.

I will be the first to admit that I am spoiled....I have a wonderful husband, 3 healthy children, parents and in-laws that love me, a wonderful home....the list could (and should) go on and on. God is so good to me. Because I KNOW how good He is, I struggled with the fact that I was struggling. Does that make sense? How can I struggle in this Christian life KNOWING full well how good God is to ME!?!?! HOW??? What kind of horrible person am I? How can I call myself a 'good' pastor's wife if I struggle with people....with the ministry and other things?

So, I was struggling with the ministry and then I added the burden of guilt to that struggle.

I was reading my Bible one day when I came to Psalm 31. (Oh how I love the Psalms!!!!) As I read the chapter it dawned on me that David, the man after God's own heart, was STRUGGLING!!!! He was telling God how rough he had it (vs 9)....
how people hated him(vs 13)....
how he was consumed with grief (vs 9)....
how he felt forgotten (vs 12).
WOW.
He went on to encourage himself and remind himself of how good God is.

vs.19: "Oh how great is thy goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; (ME!!!!)

vs. 24: "Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord." (ME AGAIN!!!)

What an encouragement this Psalm was to me.

My struggle hasn't ended overnight, but I am more convinced than ever that God cares about me. He loves me. He will answer me when I call (CRY!!) to him.

He will guide me through my struggle.

Friday's List

2011-01-07T13:36:00.002-06:00

1. Ye haw. Today is Friday.

2. I bundled the girls up today to go outside and play in the snow. It is a project. By the time we are ready to go out, I am sweating.....and they usually no longer want to go out.

3. We went out anyway.

4. When did I get old? After being outside for less than 30 minutes I was COLD and wanted to come inside. I am sure it had nothing to do with the fact that the wind was howling and it was/is 18 degrees outside.

5. The girls, on the other hand, were not cold and did NOT want to come inside.

6. We came inside anyway. I like having power like that.

7. Our youngest, precious child flushed a potato down the toilet recently. (on a side note, why do I always spell "toilet" wrong???)

8. The outcome of the aforementioned flushing did not go well....it was dirty. It was smelly. It was stressful. It was not good.

9. After the flushing, our 5 year old suggested that we sell our youngest on eBay.

10. We did not sell her.

11. Shipping would be too much.

12. Oh, and we love her. :)

13. The boys of our house are going to a Milwaukee Bucks basketball game tonight....the Bucks are playing the Miami Heat. For those of you who do not have sports-loving boys in your house, this means that they will see LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade. This is a good thing - a very good thing - for the sports-loving boys in my house.

14. I have nothing more to say, but didn't want to end on #13....even though I am NOT superstitious.

:)

Impossible

2010-12-07T13:15:00.002-06:00

Helllooooooo! :)
As you have probably gathered, life has been very busy lately.

Very busy.

I have had so many things that I wanted to blog about, but absolutely no time to sit down and type it out.

How is it possible now - now that I have a few moments to sit down and type - how is it possible for me to not be able to think of one interesting thing to blog about?

Not one.
None.
Zero.
Total lack of anything.

I got nothin'.

So, there.

:)

Comfort Food

2010-11-11T18:36:00.003-06:00

The weather this fall has been glorious.
Today, however, was a bit dreary....perfect weather for some comfort food.

Today's comfort food: Corn Chowder and Butter Biscuits

This recipe is soooooooo easy and sooooooooo yummy...

Corn Chowder

5-8 potoatoes, peeled and cubed
1 onion, chopped
2 cups milk
2 1/2 cups water
1 stick of butter (I am sure you could do without the butter, but I add it because butter comforts my soul.)
3 cans creamed corn
Seasonings to taste (I add pepper, oregano, garlic salt, or whatever strikes my fancy for the day.)

Toss it all in the crockpot and cook on HIGH for about 5-6 hours. (after that time I turn the crockpot to warm, and the longer the soup sits on warm, the thicker it will get)

Butter Biscuits
3 cups flour
4 1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 T. sugar
3/4 tsp. cream of tartar
3/4 c. butter (again, my soul is comforted)
1 egg, beaten
1 c. milk

Combine flour, baking powder, sugar and cream of tartar. Cut in butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. Add milk and egg - stirring quickly and briefly. Roll out and cut OR place in a greased pie plate. Cook 12-15 minutes at 450 degrees.

Let me know if you try these recipes....my kids LOVE them!

Oops....

2010-11-10T12:42:00.002-06:00

I appear to have fallen off the edge of the earth.....and left my poor blog behind. Oops.

Where have I been? What have I been doing?
(you mean besides the usual laundry to infinity, meals, dishes and all those wonderful and horrible mommy chores? :))

Well, I think that I have mentioned that we bought our house at an auction about 18 months ago.

Our house was in sad, Sad, SAD shape....did I mention it was sad? :) So, before we moved in my amazing husband (with the help of a few others) got our main living level completely done.

BUT - the lower level was, you guessed it, still pretty sad.

As time and money allowed, we have little-by-little been working on finishing the lower level. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, and MY FAMILY COMING TO SEE ME (YIPEEEE.....YES, I AM SHOUTING!!!!!!!!!!!!), we needed to HURRY and get the guest bedroom in the lower level finished.

All of that to say - what have we been doing? (and I use the term 'we' quite loosely....'we' means that my amazing man has been doing 99.9% of the work.) We have put up drywall, mudded and sanded walls. We have painted (after spraying texture) those walls. We have put down ceramic tile in the hallway from the family room (that is already finished) to the garage. We have installed laminate flooring in the spare bedroom.

WHEW! No wonder I am tired. 'We' have been busy. :)
(I will try to get some before and after pictures put up soon.)

So, that is what I have been up to.

How 'bout you? :)

A list

2010-10-28T13:22:00.002-05:00

1. After 2 days of horrific wind, things have stopped blowing around.

2. I thought I saw a snowflake today....I am hoping someone around me just had dandruff.

3. I just saw a Blue Jay out my kitchen window....JESUS LOVES ME.

4. My husband is out today chopping wood for one of our church widows. I am thankful for a husband/pastor who not only preaches with love but serves with love.

5. I want to go shopping and buy something. It is a good thing that the nearest mall is over 60 miles away.

6. "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of Heaven:....." Matthew 16:19. I read that today. AWESOME.

7. Today is October 28 and the Christmas decorations at our local Wal-Mart have been up for weeks. WHAT?!??!

8. It IS too soon to decorate for Christmas, but it is NEVER too soon to start on your Christmas list!

9. Everywhere I look there are pregnant women.

10. Perhaps there is something in the water?

11. I am switching to bottled water.

12. While making this list a horrible odor reaches my nose.

13. I notice this odor just after my 23 month old daughter runs by....she is wearing "Buzz Lightyear" costume and an Anakin Skywalker mask.

14. I suspect that the smell is coming from neither Buzz nor Anakin.

15. I suspect that I will be the one to rid the house of that smell.

16. First I will light a candle.

Christmas

2010-10-15T13:41:00.002-05:00

I know - it is ONLY October...

BUT...

I am starting to think CHRISTMAS!!!

We start our Christmas shopping the day after Christmas...make sense? :) We like to plan ahead, AND we like to save money by purchasing things on sale...plus, the more money we can save in buying for others, the more money I can spend on clothes and shoes for me. HA. I'm giving like that.

So, what is on YOUR Christmas list this year??

Cinnamon Rolls

2010-10-13T10:33:00.003-05:00

I love to cook. I love to eat.
Because of these two aforementioned loves, I have also learned to love to exercise...but that is a different topic.

I made cinnamon rolls on Saturday. OH.MY!!!
THESE ROLLS
They are divine.
Divine.
You must try them - and the sooner, the better.
And now, because I ate too many of these divine things, I must get back to my exercise.

Under Construction

2010-10-06T08:29:00.001-05:00

I am attempting to change a few things about my blog today, and since I am pretty clueless about things like this, it could take awhile. :) If the page looks like a mess, well...it is, but I am working on it! :)

Apple Pie, Pneumonia, and other random thoughts.

2010-10-02T13:02:00.004-05:00

Apple Pie.

Can you make a totally delish apple pie? I cannot.

First, I should say that I don't really even care for apple pie. (please don't start sending hate mail.) I don't. Really, I don't care for most pies. Again, don't hate me --- my doctor assures me that YES, my brain is functioning. :) Anyway, back to the apple pie.

I don't care for it. My hunky-husband does. I would go as far as to say that he LOVES apple pie. Not mine, though...well, he hasn't had much of a chance to love mine, because I don't make one that often because remember, I don't like it, and really, I don't think my apple pies are good. (and lest you think I can't cook PERIOD...I really love to cook and I do love to bake, and most things I make are truly to die for. HA! How is that for modesty?? :))

All of that nonsense to say - HELP! Do you have a really terrific apple pie recipe? I would be forever grateful as would my hunky husband.

Pneumonia

Our 8 year old son has it. Poor baby...um....I mean, poor young man! :) He isn't terribly miserable, but he sure isn't feeling like himself. When my boy doesn't want to go outside and play football, baseball, basketball, or any other 'ball' - YOU KNOW HE IS SICK!! Praying that this antibiotic really works quickly!

Other thoughts

~My precious girl is 5 years old today. She is my stubborn sweetie. If you look up strong-willed in the dictionary, my girls' picture is there. While it is very difficult at times rearing such a strong-willed child, I can't help but wonder how God will choose to use her. I know that with her determination she can do great things for Jesus' sake.

~I have an addiction. I am confessing. Perhaps I need RU? I am addicted to "Words with Friends" on my iPod. It is true. I need help.

~**~Happy Saturday~*~*

Thoughts

2010-09-30T12:54:00.002-05:00

I have been to a ladies conference, a pastor's conference and have heard some REALLY amazing sermons from my husband lately. I have been trying to 'digest' all that I have heard...to really take it to heart and allow it to change me.
Here are some random things that I have learned and have been thinking about...

~Every problem in life is a heart problem.

~"Make it your goal to understand why your husband is right." (OUCH!!)

~Most stubbornness comes from fear and past hurts.

~Insecurity is trusting and having confidence in things that can be taken away or moved.

~I should find my security in Who carries me.....God creates my value.

~God wants me to be persistent.

~God will give me more than I can handle....it is never more than HE can handle.

I am praying about these things....I want my life to be changed. I don't want to be one of those people who goes to conferences and hears good preaching every week but leaves the same. I want to be different. My hearts longing is to be useful to Jesus...to allow HIM to change me.

Busy-ness

2010-09-22T11:27:00.002-05:00

My heart is full....and so is my laundry basket, so I can't stay here long. :) In the past month I have been away from home almost 2 days each week. This is a rarity for me...with small children and many responsibilities, I don't go away often. This month has been different....crazy different...good different.

Early in the month I was in Michigan for 2 days for my grandfather's funeral. He was 91. He loved the Lord and was a great man, a hard worker and a lifetime farmer. I went alone on this fast trip - my wonderful husband stayed home with the kids so I could drive the 20+ hours in 2 days much easier. I was able to make part of the trip with my sister, and we had a great time laughing together.

This past weekend I went to a Ladies Conference in Oshkosh, WI. It was wonderful....both the speakers and the fellowship with the ladies from my church were such a blessing. (PLUS, we were able to spend an afternoon shopping at an outlet mall!!!!!!!!!!)

This week I was able to go with my husband to a preaching conference in Washington, IA. It was such a nice time and the host church was so gracious to all visiting pastors.

So - that is the month of September....I have so much to think about from all the speaking/sermons I have heard.....I will be pondering all of it as I try to catch up on my laundry. :)

(Did I mention that I have a dead mouse somewhere in my house, too??? I can smell him, but cannot see him....and I don't want to!! :)

Today

2010-09-11T18:18:00.003-05:00

I have several new posts that I have been *meaning* to get finished and get posted, but today.....well, today is different.

September 11.

9/11

However you say it - it is different. I woke up remembering....I have thought about it many times during the day....September 11, 2001.

When we moved here to Wisconsin in 2000 we never connected to cable, and here in our 'remote' part of the country (HA!), you cannot get ANY channels without cable. Here we are - almost 11 years later, and still no TV channels. All that to say, there have been several times in the last 10 years that I have wished that we had TV. September 11, 2001 was one of those times....and every September 11 since then.

9 years ago I was teaching Kindergarten. We had just learned we were expecting our first baby just 3 or 4 days before. I was teaching that morning when the phone calls started coming in...parents checking on their kids and making us at the school aware of what was going on. I remember turning on the radio and listening for any clue of what was going on...no one really knew.

I am so thankful for the President that we had during that horrible time. I am so very thankful for the military who daily put their life on the line so that I can do normal things FREELY....like open my Bible, drive to Wal-Mart and bake cookies. I am thankful that the Lord has given me AMERICA for my home.

I hope ====== no, I pray that we always remember.

VBS 2010

2010-08-17T22:35:00.008-05:00

Our Vacation Bible School was held the 16-20th of August. It is hard to know where to start in telling you about this amazing week. NO church does VBS like Bible Baptist Church in Prairie du Chien, WI. No one. This is the most fantastic, exhausting week. We love it. We canvass our town for weeks leading up to VBS. We put ads in the paper....we use the radio station....we put posters up everywhere we go. God blesses VBS. Parents come to church because of VBS. We meet 100's of new kids each year because of VBS....

I had the privilege of teaching the 11-13 year old girls class. I love this age. We had a great class and I didn't have one problem with any of them. On Monday night we started out with 28 girls. Praise the Lord. I told the girls, though, that I wanted to pack out our room....I wanted it to be so full that I couldn't even move. God answered that prayer, and on Wednesday night there were 40 girls. I couldn't move. The girls were packed so tightly...and we loved every minute of it.

God is so good.

Wednesday we had 248 in attendance. On Friday night each year we have a 'carnival'....our gym is full of booths with games and prizes while outside we have a bounce house, a zip line, 4 wheeler rides and FOOD, FOOD, FOOD....all of this can be purchased with the Vacation Bible School money that they kids earned throughout the week. Every carnival we have sooooooooooo many parents come. It is impossible to count how many people were there on Friday, but they couldn't fit into our auditorium. PRAISE THE LORD.

God is good.

I am thankful for VBS. I am thankful for the exhaustion it brings. I am thankful for the visitors and new families that we meet each year. I am thankful for the 70 professions of faith that were made during the week.

GOD IS GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!

Dinner....or maybe lunch??

2010-08-17T22:35:00.005-05:00

The busy-ness of last week's Vacation Bible School has started to subside, and this week we will be back to our abnormal 'normal' schedule. I am glad! My house needs a good scrubbing and laundry needs to be done....so much got put on the back burner for VBS. I will tell all about our amazing week, but I wanted to share a story with you.

God loves me.

He does.

He loves me best of all. :) I know I have said it before, but I truly believe it!!!

Last Saturday my husband and I went on a date. We had been given a gift card and also babysitting time for my husband's birthday. We arrived at the restaurant at about 4:00 p.m.. When we were seated we were given the dinner menu. We looked at it, and although everything sounded wonderful, one entree was more that our entire gift card. Not a problem, really, but like any other couple in the ministry, or any other couple PERIOD we like to try and be economical. So, we were looking and trying to figure out if we should share an entree and or exactly what we should do.

The greeter who had showed us to our seats came out several minutes later and said, "The cook has just informed me that our dinner menu will not be available for at least another hour. We do apologize for the inconvenience, but you will have to order from the lunch menu."

SEE???? Jesus loves me BEST!!!!!!!!! We each ordered what we wanted and had $.43 cents left on our gift card when we left.

"I LOVE YOU, DEBBIE!" I heard Jesus say. And I happily replied, "I see you Jesus....and I love you, too!!!!!!!!!!"

Do I really believe?

2010-08-13T12:39:00.003-05:00

We had a funeral at our church today. A funeral for a man who was only 61 years old. He was diagnosed with leukemia and within a week he had passed away. A sudden loss, to be sure. This man leaves behind 4 daughters - all in their early 20's, and a 7 week old grandson. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.

As I talked to the family, both at the hospital and at the funeral, one daughter in particular was especially struggling. This man had trusted Christ as his Saviour, as had his wife and 4 daughters - Praise the Lord. As I talked with this young lady I reminded her of Heaven....and while it seems so far away right now, the time she and her dad will have there will make this temporary world look like a grain of sand on the seashore. While she knew these things to be true, her heart truly was not comforted....she found no comfort in Heaven. My heart broke for her.

As I laid in bed last night I began praying for this family, and for this young lady in particular. As I prayed I thought, "She would not be nearly as brokenhearted if she truly believed in Heaven.....if she truly thought that Heaven is real."

I am not doubting her salvation for one moment, but I think that she has lost the realness of Heaven. How could the promise of Heaven NOT be a comfort.....streets of gold, no sickness, no crying, no bills, no struggles, no separation, no cancer, no foreclosure, no night.....JESUS!!!! What a comfort it is for ME when I think of all these things.

For a moment last night I think, to my shame, I began to think a bit too highly of myself...."I truly believe in Heaven....I truly think it's real!!"

The Lord very quickly brought me back to myself when He brought this thought to my mind, "What about Hell? Do you truly believe in Hell? Do you truly believe it is real?"

OF COURSE I do!!!! Hell is real.

"If you truly believe that Hell is real, why doesn't that belief change the way you live? Why aren't you telling more people about Jesus so they can escape Hell? If you TRULY believe that there is a Hell - why isn't that belief affecting your behavior?"

I laid there stunned. I SAY that I believe in a literal Hell. I SAY that I believe that those who do not accept Christ will go there. I SAY these things.....but do I really believe?

Do I really believe?

My actions do NOT back up what I say I believe. I do not take EVERY opportunity to tell others about Jesus. I do not always notice the lost souls around me. I am not always conscious of the fact that HELL IS REAL and I must tell everyone of Jesus. I am going to change that...with the Lord's help, I am going to change that.

Yes, I believe in a literal Heaven with its untold wonders....joy forevermore.
Yes, I believe in a literal Hell where those who reject Christ will spend eternity....eternal torment.

My life, by God's grace, will prove that I truly do believe.

I really do believe.

Needy, oh so needy!

2010-07-31T17:20:00.002-05:00

"But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me:
thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God."
Psalm 40:17

I know that I need - I MUST HAVE - Jesus every day, but there are days, like today, when I am reminded over and over and over......that I need Him....I need Him so badly. I canNOT do life without Him.

As I sat on my deck today reading and praying I just closed my eyes and begged God for His wisdom - His help. I reminded Him of what He already knows so well - I am a needy creature. I am helpless without Him. I am a mess. I NEED JESUS. With tears in my eyes I asked Him for His help and for His wisdom. I know He will help and I know that He will give wisdom...I am so thankful for that, but then I realized how frustrated God must get with me. He is ever willing and WANTING to help, but so many times I wait until I am at the breaking point before I really, REALLY reach out to Him.

Why do I do that?

Am I so forgetful that I just forget to ask?
Am I so busy that I don't take time to ask?
Am I so full of pride that I think that I can just struggle through alone?

It is probably a sad mixture of all those things - and others. How pathetic I am.....but how loved I am......Jesus takes ME: a forgetful, too-busy, prideful person and He LOVES me. HE LOVES ME. He knows I am needy, YET - THE LORD THINKETH ON ME!!! (I might just have to AMEN myself right there!!! :))
The Lord thinketh on needy 'ole me!

I am needy - YOU are needy, yet the Lord thinketh on me...He thinketh on YOU!!

Praise the Lord!!!!

Family Devotions

2010-07-26T09:51:00.003-05:00

Each night we have a family Bible time together. Audrey is usually in bed by this time - a 20 month old has a hard time sitting still. :)

On Saturday night my husband was telling the kids a Bible story, as he always does. The story that night was about Lot, his family and the destruction of Sodom. Now our 8 year old listens carefully. He pays attention and really thinks about what is being said.

Our 4 year old lives in another world. She lives in a world filled with imaginary friends, imaginary trips....a world in which she doesn't have to take a nap or eat broccoli. She is hilarious, but more often than not, she is in this pretend world during devotions.

After the Bible story my husband will ask a few questions - just to make sure that they were listening...even a little.

He asked our son a question - his answer was right, of course.
He asked our daughter, "What happened to Lot's wife when she turned back? What did she turn into?"

Her answer:
"A pillow."

"No, not a pillow...a PILLAR. A pillar of what?"

Her answer:
"Of sauce."

So, obviously, Lot's wife was turned into a 'pillow of sauce'.

That is right, folks.....the Dolls are rewriting the Bible, one family devotion at a time. :)

Catching Up....

2010-07-21T08:19:00.003-05:00

Last week my parents came for a visit. They live in Michigan, and while that isn't 'the other side of the world', it is just far enough that visits don't come as often as any of us would prefer.

I am blessed with amazing parents. They are on staff at a church in Michigan and they are such hard workers.

My dad was called to preach when I was young, and when I was in 6th grade we moved to Northwest Indiana for my dad to attend Bible College. He worked and provided for his family while in college AND got all A's!!!! I remember times when all we had to eat were potatoes, but my dad never complained. I don't know that I have EVER heard him complain....and I KNOW there have been many, MANY times when he wanted to - and probably would have been 'justified' in doing so, but he didn't. I am so thankful for my dad!

I always tell my mom that she is a loon! HA....and I mean that in the nicest way....really. My mom is a crazy woman with an amazing energy and zest. She NEVER stops....nothing stops her - not even when she had cancer almost 3 years ago. She is hilarious and will do ANYTHING.

I am blessed.

I am so thankful for the time my kids have to be around their grandparents....learning from them and loving them.

Sooooo much!!!

2010-07-19T09:15:00.002-05:00

I know that you have been on the edge of your seat waiting for me to have a new entry in my blog! :) I do have so much to write about.....my parents came for a visit, my husband and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary, and we had a great tour group sing at our church, to name a few things....

So, I will post about these things....I will.....

But, first....

Laundry.

I will be right back.

(If you don't hear from me in 24 hours please call for help.... :))

My Father Planned it ALL!!

2010-07-06T13:00:00.001-05:00

Isn't a comfort to know that even when the circumstances of life are not exactly (or at ALL!) what you would choose....our Father planned it all?!?!?

The past 2 days at our house have been an 'adventure', to say the least. On Monday morning I walked into our lower level bathroom/laundry room only to find water EVERYWHERE.

This is not good.

I dug out our dehumidifiers, mopped and mopped, and mopped.......and then called my husband. He, of course, was not happy to hear about this, knowing that plumbing problems most of the time are NOT inexpensive problems. My husband came home, made a few phone calls, and began to dig.....and dig......and dig......to find the "thing" he was looking for.

(I would try to explain it to you, but it deals with plumbing, with the septic system and with gross-ness in general. :))

Several men from our church came over bringing with them their strong backs and shovels. After several hours of digging, they found the 'thing' they were looking for, and were able to find what they thought was the problem. A plumber came this morning and was able to fix 'it'. I can now do laundry and we can again flush the toilet!!!! :)

Obviously, this 'little' issue was not a part of our plan. We didn't choose for this to happen, and given the choice, we would have chosen a lot of OTHER things instead of this, but MY FATHER PLANNED IT ALL!!!

After the men had finished digging last night, and my husband had cleaned up, we went to my in-laws house for dinner. They had graciously delayed the family grill- out until we got there....that, and my father-in-law and both brother-in-laws were at our house digging! :) While we were eating I began to think of really how BLESSED were are.....yes, this problem will cause a few financial issues, but we are BLESSED. We were sitting around a table full of food surrounded by family that we love, and amazingly enough, love us, too. I thought of my friend, Amy, who recently lost her father-in-law....I thought of how I am sure that she would gladly trade places with me - sewer issues and all - so that she could sit around the table and eat dinner with her father-in-law again.

I don't know WHY God allows the things He does....from small things like our sewer issue, to big things like loosing a most dearly loved one unexpectedly, but THIS I DO KNOW.....

My Father Planned it All.

......and I can trust Him.

Saturday night

2010-07-03T18:57:00.002-05:00

Tonight I am packing my Sunday School bag.
Laying out church clothes for the kids.
Bathing said kids....they spent the day on the river and they are extra sandy and dirty tonight.
Preparing food for our church picnic tomorrow.
.....and packing extra kleenex in my purse.
I am prepared to do MUCH crying tomorrow. I always do on the 4th of July. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for our country and for those who have fought, and are fighting for our freedom.
I will cry when we sing "God Bless America".
I will cry when we sing - and I really think about the words of "My Country Tis of Thee".
I will cry when I think of how good God has been in allowing me to be born in America.

God Bless America.....God shed His grace on Thee.
Have a wonderful 4th of July.

Thanksgiving

2010-06-30T09:45:00.002-05:00

"Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms." Psalm 95:2

Have you ever just walked around your home and started to give thanks for the things the Lord has blessed you with? Things that we certainly don't need and things that we certainly don't deserve, but extra things that the Lord has given you simply because He loves to give good things to His children? I am doing that today....

I am thankful for the beautiful flower baskets that hang from my deck.
I am thankful for the house the Lord has given us.
I am thankful for my Swiffer Vac....silly to be thankful for that? I think not! It is amazing! :)
I am thankful for the beautiful hardwood floors in my home.
I am thankful for an indoor restroom.
I am thankful for coffee. (Our little one was up at 6:15 this morning....I needed it!! :))
I am thankful for the laptop I am now typing on.
I am thankful for the health of my children.
I am thankful for the huge yard we have.
I am thankful for my dishwasher.
I am thankful for my washer/dryer.
I am thankful for my refrigerator....my full refrigerator.
I am thankful for the toys my kids have....soooooooo many toys! :)
I am thankful for silly 'ole Facebook that keeps me in touch with so many dear people.
I am thankful for my bed....beautiful and oh, so soft.
I am thankful for my kitchen cupboards...I love them!!! They were made just for me.
I am thankful for my vehicle.
I am thankful for my makeup. (and you should be thankful that I USE said makeup! :))
I am thankful for my clothes.
I am thankful for the American Flag that hangs from my porch.
I am thankful for the freedom we have in America.
I am thankful for my husband....almost 12 years of marriage and he still loves me! :)

......I could write all day and then some about things for which I am thankful. I am blessed. I am spoiled.

I am thankful. What are some of the 1000's of things you are thankful for today?

Friends

2010-06-28T11:08:00.002-05:00

What a great weekend! Not only was church GREAT, and the preaching AMAZING, we were also able to spend some time with great friends.

We have known Dave and Donna Crews since college. (I am not going to admit how many years ago that was! :)) Dave and my husband were roommates their Freshman year, and Donna and I spent a summer together touring in a college singing group. Dave and Donna have been missionaries in Canada for the last 10 years. They started a great church in a very difficult area....British Columbia. They returned to the US for a furlough time and to get some additional needed support. While they have been back the Lord changed their direction....doors were closed to return to Canada, and doors have been opened for them to start a church in Florida. We are so excited for them.

They presented their ministry in our church last night. What a blessing to see them and also to see their heart for the Lord has not changed....only grown.

What a blessing it was to see our children playing together. It was so fun to talk about memories made in college. We laughed a lot. :)

It was also great to see that none of us have aged. Not one bit. :)

Distracted

2010-06-25T14:34:00.003-05:00

I have been a negligent blogger.....again.

So much has happened in the last month, and so many times I would sit down to write about it only to be distracted.

Distracted by, oh, I don't know....say, the chicken pox....a toddler getting FOUR eye teeth all at once WHILE having the chicken pox....you know, little things like that! :) Not to mention the 'normal' day-to-day things like laundry, dishes, cooking, cleaning, playing with and enjoying our kids, spending time with and encouraging my husband.....'BIG' things like that.

Before you know it, months have just flown by.

I, like you, am a busy person. I, like you, enjoy my schedule and my routine. I, like you, dislike being unorganized. And I, hopefully unlike you, often forget PEOPLE in the midst of all of my organization. Distraction, to be honest, annoys me. (I know, I AM working on that!!) I like to do what needs to be done....do what is on my list....do what I have planned for the day....WITHOUT distraction.

I am trying, sometimes, successfully to SLOW DOWN....to not be annoyed with distraction - ESPECIALLY when that distraction comes in the form of the loved ones in my life. My children are only little ONCE....they will only desire me to hold them and rock them and read to them for SUCH a short time. I MUST put down my list....put MY plans on hold (as much as possible, of course!) and HAPPILY be distracted. :)

A cute pic

2010-06-11T12:29:00.002-05:00

A cute picture of our cute kids taken while we were on vacation.....this was taken BEFORE the 'pox' took over and left the kids looking scabby and scary! :)

Sunday

2010-06-06T12:03:00.002-05:00

The last month has just flown by....I am sure that is the case for everyone. Between end of the school year activities, the actual end of the school year, graduations, open houses.....the list goes on. I love this time of year. :)

We just got home from a week away on vacation. It was sooooooooooooo nice to get away.....no phone, no Internet - nothin'! Amazing....I CAN live without a computer...who knew?!?!? :)

I am home from church today with my girls - they both have chicken pox. Fun. (note the sarcasm! :)) I AM glad that they got them at a young age, but I am not enjoying the actual 'pox'....it is hard to convince an 18 month-old not to itch.

So - off I go to be nurse-mommy! :)

Have a blessed Sunday!

My amazing husband

2010-05-12T12:13:00.002-05:00

My husband is amazing.

I feel sad for every other woman in the world because they can't be married to him. I GOT HIM! :)

He is truly wonderful...for millions of reasons.

Today as I was sweeping and cleaning I started thinking about my house. We bought our house over a year ago at a tax auction. (the former owner didn't pay his taxes for YEARS and owed millions to the IRS.) There is a long, weird story behind our house, but suffice it to say that our house is well-known in this area.

"Oh, YOU bought that house!!" is a reaction we get a LOT! :)

Our house had been empty for almost 5 years when we bought it. Needless to say it needed a lot of work. My husband knew how much I loved this house and the room for the kids to run that it has. He has willingly worked and worked and WORKED to make this house my dream house.

Before and after pictures:

Our house is still a work in progress...the basement spare bedroom and an office is still being worked on. Little things here and there like window treatments and closet doors :).....but this house is my DREAM house.

I am so thankful for a husband who works hard for the Lord and works so very hard to please me.

My girls....

2010-05-07T09:37:00.009-05:00

I am blessed with adorable children.

Today we will focus on the amazing cuteness of our girls.
(the focus will be on our son very soon as he celebrates his *SOB* 8th birthday in just a few days. *SOB*)

**Brownie Making** (I think maybe she had a taste test! :))

While we were working on the brownies, it got very quiet....

I am blessed....

There are days - more than I would like to admit - when I am tired and I long for TWO MINUTES all to myself. There are days when I consider changing my name from "Mommy" to something the kids cannot pronounce, like "Svetlana", so that they cannot yell to me every 2.34 seconds.

There are many days like that.

And then -

I look at a picture like this -

and all is well. I want my name to be "Mommy" forever....and ever.

I am blessed.

Monday Musings

2010-04-26T10:04:00.002-05:00

Today I am reflecting on a few amazing Sundays......2 weeks ago we had "Old Fashioned Sunday" at church. We had a special speaker, decorated the church and foyer in old fashioned things, had lunch (a hog roast! :)) right after the service, and then an afternoon service instead of our usual evening service. (I'm pretty sure that the previous sentence isn't grammatically correct, but it IS Monday, so I am going to let it slide! :)) We had a married couple saved in the morning service! The church was so full! Praise the Lord. It was an exhausting, WONDERFUL day. I love my church!

Yesterday we had "Open House Sunday" with a strong emphasis on inviting visitors. It started with one of our adult Sunday School classes hosting a pancake breakfast before Sunday School......peach pancakes, chocolate chip pancakes, blueberry pancakes.... YUM! :) In our foyer we had tables set up with information about some of the ministries of our church. We had many, many visitors and it was such a blessing to see our church welcome each one. I have never seen our auditorium as full as it was yesterday. So exciting.

Jesus is coming soon. There is so much to be done and so many people to reach in the short time we have left.

I hope your weekend was blessed. Pray for your pastor today!!

Feeling Overwhelmed?

2010-04-23T13:09:00.002-05:00

I have a devotional book that I enjoy reading from, "Streams in the Desert". I wanted to share with you a small part of today's entry:

This way of thine - this, it may be, a crooked, mysterious, tangled way - this way of trial and tears. "He knoweth it". The furnace seven times heated, He lighted it. There is an almighty Guide knowing and directing our footsteps, whether it be to the bitter Marah pool, or to the joy and refreshment of Elim.

That way, dark to the Egyptians, has its pillar of cloud and fire for His own Israel. The furnace is hot; but not only can we trust the hand that kindles it, but we have the assurance that the fires are lighted not to consume, but to refine, and that when the refining process is completed (no sooner - no later) He brings His people forth as gold.

When they think Him least near, He is often the nearest. "When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knowest my path....."

Isn't God so good to us? He knows exactly what we are going through today....and He is with us every step of the way!

Bad News

2010-04-13T12:09:00.001-05:00

I have some bad news.

I do.

I have been putting off posting this for the simple fact that I don't want to make anyone reading this feel badly.

Okay - here it goes....

Jesus loves me the best. I am His favorite.

Ahhhhhhhhhh.....it is out. I feel so much better now. :)

I am sorry if I hurt any of you, but the truth must be spoken. Jesus loves me. He loves me the best. Do you know how I know this to be true? Let me just share 2 of the many, MANY proofs that Jesus loves DEBBIE the best... :)

Proof #1:
A few weeks ago, on my usual Thursday grocery day, I loaded the girls into the van, grabbed my bags and my Aldi quarter (:)) and off I went. After getting halfway to the store I realized that I had forgotten my coupon for the baby wipes that I needed. UGHHHHHHHHHHHH. Well, I was too far from home to turn around so I continued on - but I was frustrated with myself. After our Aldi stop we proceeded to Wal-Mart. For some reason that day I decided to get the baby wipes in the front of the store - at the health and beauty section - instead of in the baby section at the back of the store. As I walked out of the health and beauty area a man walked up to me. I had never seen this man before in my life. (and we live in a small-ish town, so you know almost everyone!)

"You have kids. I bet you can use these coupons!" He handed me a stack of coupons and walked away while I tried to get out a surprised 'thank you'.

I started to walk away and then I looked in my hand. The coupon on the top of the stack was for BABY WIPES!!!!!!!!!!

It might as well been on the speaker system at Wal-Mart, because I heard Jesus yell, "I LOVE YOU, DEBBIE!!!!!!!" and in my amazement I said, "I see you, Jesus. I love you, too!!"

Proof #2: (this one involves shopping again, but I assure you, I really do more than shop and eat. :))

The day before Easter I had to go to Wal-Mart because I had forgotten to get potatoes earlier in the week. We were having company on Monday and I HAD to have potatoes. I went to get them and WAL-MART WAS OUT OF POTATOES! How does that happen? Well, it happened. I was busy, a bit frazzled and now I was going to have to stop at another store for these potatoes that I SHOULD have bought on Thursday. I was getting ready check out with a purchase that my husband needed, and as I walked into the checkout lane I looked to my right. There, sitting on the water bottle display was ONE BAG OF POTATOES!!!!!!!!! Again, I heard, "I LOVE YOU, DEBBIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" and again, I replied, "I see you Jesus, and I love you, too!"

So - there you have it. Two of many proofs that I am Jesus' favorite.

Jesus loves you so much. I pray you feel like His favorite, too!

Notice ME!

2010-04-08T12:15:00.002-05:00

Thursday is grocery day here in the Doll house. Perhaps I am odd, but I do enjoy going to get groceries. I enjoy the planning of meals for the week, making a list and crossing things off the list. I am a list maker. A chronic list maker.

As we travelled the aisles of Aldi today we kept passing a mom pushing a little boy in her cart. He kept saying, "Hello people!" to everyone that passed. If that 'people' didn't look at him, he would say it louder, and LOUDER, until they would acknowledge his happy little greeting. In the last aisle we passed again. He again greeted me, "Hello people!". His mom, obviously frustrated, said, "Would you just stop it! Not everyone wants to say hello to you!!" I have been hurried like this mom apparently was, but I stopped and looked at the little boy and said, "Hello there! How are you? Are you helping your mom shop today?" His only reply was the most gigantic smile.

He just wanted to be noticed.

Aren't we all like that?

We may not say it out loud, but we feel it. We want someone - ANYONE - to notice how hard we are working. We want to be noticed for our doing right. We want to be noticed for our new dress. We want to be noticed. Wrong or right, it is human nature. A need to feel appreciated and loved.

But.....

Isn't it also our nature to ignore those who are crying out to be noticed the most? We react with "OH BROTHER....they are so needy!!" or "What a high maintenance person! Won't they just leave me alone! Who cares what they do!" Again, we may not verbalize these thoughts, but the thoughts are there.

Today when I said a few kind words to the little boy it didn't cost me anything. It wasn't difficult. It didn't cause me stress or make me late and it certainly wasn't anything special.

But......

It made the little boy happy. He was noticed, and that was really all he needed.

Today, as you go about your tasks it will be so easy to get caught up in your 'to do list'. (preaching to me, right there!) It is so easy to ignore, or simply not notice, the many people around us who long to be noticed and appreciated. Won't you say a kind word today? Notice what others are doing around you - And then TELL them that you noticed.

I promise you will be blessed!

Molars......

2010-04-06T17:06:00.005-05:00

So, Audrey is getting her molars. Can you hear the excitement in my voice??? :) Her upper molars came in without much fuss, but these lower molars.....my oh my.....if they don't come in soon I may just go in with a spoon and DIG them out.

On a happier note, after carrying around a 20 pound little person 18.95 hours every day my arms should be made of steel very soon! :)

While I am whining about Audrey's whining I will say that as she fusses and wants to be held all.the.time. I am reminded to be so very thankful that THIS is the biggest of her 'health issues'. I have a healthy baby. (or is 16 months old a toddler? :)) She will not want me to cuddle her always and I need to take advantage of, and even appreciate, the opportunity to be her mommy. To comfort and to cheer. To kiss and to cherish.

And I do. (besides that, who can resist that adorable dirty face??? :))

Kids

2010-03-24T10:06:00.002-05:00

Last week when my husband was away I took the opportunity to make a few meals that I like, but he doesn't. On Tuesday night I made my dear friend Heather's Sweet and Sour Chicken. It was soooooooooo good. Divine, actually. :) After dinner I asked our son (age 7) if he liked it.

"YES!!!! I wish there was more!" (Ahhhh, a boy after my own heart!)

I asked our daughter (age 4) if she liked it.

"NO! It was disgusting!"

Now perhaps I shouldn't have laughed. But I did. She had sat at the table, ate a bit and hadn't said a word about how it tasted, so I guess I can be glad that she was polite at that time, at least.

And really, I did ask! :)

I'm all alone......

2010-03-17T08:59:00.002-05:00

My husband is gone this week. I am reminded AGAIN of how much I need him and how much I depend on him. I am also reminded of how my schedule is based on HIS schedule, and when he is gone, my schedule is gone. Ugh. Don't like that. I am really trying to stay on a modified schedule this week - and as soon as I get going on it my husband will be home. :) I am so glad. I know my husband will be home on Friday, but during this week while he is gone I am spending more time in prayer for the widows that I know. Those dear ladies whose husbands are gone from this life. Can I encourage you to do the same??

Have a great day!

Spring.....glorious spring!

2010-03-04T11:43:00.002-06:00

Does anyone else have spring fever?????
I have it.
I have it really bad. :)
Winter seemed especially long this year....it wasn't, it just seemed that way.
AND this year we are in our new (to us) home. We moved in last August so I didn't do any yard work or plant anything - we were too busy getting the inside livable for humans. :) Soooooo.....this year I am planning to plant a few things and just be outside!!! (The Lord blessed us with 22 acres!!!) I am not really a gardener - it is not something that I really love to do - but I am going to plant a garden this year. For economic reasons alone it makes sense! So - bring on the spring!!!! (although now that we live in the country that also means bring on the MUD.....the kids will love it! :))

Happy 'spring is coming'!!!

And you thought YOUR day was bad.....

2010-02-23T21:32:00.005-06:00

We had several nights of special meetings at church this week. Tonight the speaker spoke on trials.....before which he told this story......(a story that the preacher says is really true!!)

A certain man owned a Harley that he loved. He loved it so much that in the winter months he brought it into his front porch. One day he was working on this Harley. He was fixing and oiling and doing all sorts of manly things to this machine. As he worked he soaked the parts he was fixing in a bucket of gasoline. After he repaired the bike he decided to start it up and see how it was working....yes, still in the porch. He sat on the bike and started it up. Somehow, his hand slipped and he grabbed the throttle and off the bike went.....right through the glass patio doors. His wife heard the commotion, saw the accident and called 911. The paramedics arrived and took him to the ER where his cuts were bandaged and he was sent home.

After arriving home he went straight to bed to rest. His wife, meanwhile, began the clean-up process. She swept away the glass and dumped the bucket of gasoline into the toliet. Soon after this, the husband went into the bathroom. He sat on the toliet and lit a cigarette. (SEE....YOU SHOULD NEVER SMOKE!!!!) When he was done he tossed the cigarette into the toiet. You guessed it....WHOOSH....blew the bathroom door and windows right out. 911 was called AGAIN and the same paramedics arrived. He was diagnosed with 2nd and 3rd degree burns on his back side. He was put on a gurney and readied to be taken to the hospital. The wife told the paramedics exactly what had happened. After hearing the story they began to laugh....and laugh.....and laugh..... In fact, they laughed so hard that they dropped the gurney and the man broke his collarbone.

And you thought YOU were having a bad day!!! :)

True Love

2010-02-16T08:37:00.002-06:00

Tonight I saw a picture of love. True love.

True love isn't the Hollywood glitz and glamour and plastic 'surgery-ed' couple on the red carpet.

True love isn't deciding to live together before marriage just to make sure 'we're compatible'.

True love isn't staying married until the first sign of trouble and then running away as fast and as far as your latest credit card will take you.

True love isn't Mary Kay or Lancome or Arbonne or even Cover Girl.

True love isn't that fluttery feeling you get when you see your spouse.

True love isn't romantic dinners over candle light.

True love isn't exotic vacations to tropical places.

True love is what I saw tonight.

True love is a wife of 62 years. Wrinkled and tired....and beautiful. True love is this wife sitting by the bedside of her sick husband and not leaving for days and days. True love is this wife taking the hand of her dying husband and telling him it is okay to go to Jesus. True love is this wife looking at me, just minutes after her husband went to Heaven, and saying "He is all I ever wanted."

THAT is true love. Love that only Jesus can give. Love that is real.

Monday

2010-02-15T09:22:00.004-06:00

I was nominated by my friend Amy. Ahhhhhhhhhhh. How sweet. The problem is now I am supposed to list seven - SEVEN- interesting things about me. SEVEN!!!!!!!!! And on a MONDAY morning, no less. Okay...we'll give it a shot.

1. I am still madly in love with my husband after almost 15 years of dating and marriage.

2. I adore my kids. Yes, I would like to lock them in a soundproof room at times, but I adore them. They bring out the best and worst in me.

3. I love my church. I love the people in our church. I love to watch them allow God to change them and mold them. I love seeing God work in our church. I love it that SOMEONE TOOK MY SEAT......ME.....the PASTOR'S WIFE......someone took my seat because the church was so full. I LOVE THAT! :)

4. I love to read. Sadly, I neglect life and my family when I am in the midst of a good book.

5. I love to crochet. I can't just SIT and watch anything - I get bored - so I crochet, and I really enjoy it.

6. I really like to exercise....really, I do. Don't judge me.

7. I really REALLY love chocolate....and cheesecake....and CHOCOLATE cheesecake....and pasta......and chocolate.....and cappuccino......and Chinese food.....and Thai food.....and Italian food....and CHOCOLATE.....and Mexican food..... It is a good thing that I really like to exercise! :)

I get to nominate 7 bloggers, but I will have to come back for that. My youngest child (14 months) is running through the house with the toilet brush. :)

My Valentine

2010-02-13T10:28:00.002-06:00

My Valentine and I will celebrate 12 years of marriage this summer. We dated almost 3 years before we were married. That is a long time.....especially for someone as extremely young as I!! :) We had our first date at the beginning of the 2nd week of my Freshman year in college. I knew he was something special from the first time we met. I am so thankful for my husband - my sweetheart. He is not perfect (very, very close, though!!), but he is PERFECT for me......perfect. He balances me out, and you know what? I do the same for him. It is obvious that the Lord matched us. I am so thankful. I was created for this man. I am blessed.

And the award....

2010-02-04T12:21:00.003-06:00

....for the most neglected blog goes to.......MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! :) Sad, but oh so true.
Daily - almost - I would think that I MUST update my poor little sad blog, but it just didn't happen. LIFE gets sooooo busy sometimes...or is it all the time? Either way, I will try very hard not to neglect all of you in bloggy land. :)

Sometimes....

2010-01-22T21:45:00.002-06:00

....all you can do is dance.....

....and twirl.....

Sick

2010-01-17T18:23:00.002-06:00

I am home from church today with our son who is sick. Poor thing. We tried to go to Sunday School, but ended up just bringing the poor kid home. Our family hates to miss church. My whole day has been off. I miss the preaching, the singing - the spirit of the church. (I am thankful for churches that have their services on-line for a time like this.) I also miss the social time of church - chatting with friends and encouraging and being encouraged.

I anxiously await my husband arriving home from church so I can hear all about the service. The funny thing is, my 'all about the service' and his 'all about the service' are NOT the same. He tells me "It went well. The crowd was great. The spirit was good." etc..... That is wonderful....BUT......who sang? What did they sing? What was Suzy-Q wearing? Did teenager A and teenager B sit together in church again? Who were the nursery workers? Did the ladies music group practice?

See how our minds work so differently?

Now, my wonderful husband does his best to answer all my nosy questions, but he certainly does not understand why in the world I even care about this stuff. :) My husband is the best. I am so thankful for him.

Did you have a good Sunday?

Haiti and being thankful

2010-01-14T13:34:00.002-06:00

Like anyone who looks at any form of news, I have been bombarded with images of the devastation in Haiti. It is horrible to look at. Truthfully, it is disturbing. I don't like it. BUT.... I am a spoiled American. I am not complaining....I LIKE being a spoiled American. It is good for me, however, to see these pictures. It is good for me to snap out of my comfort zone for a minute and see how 'un-spoiled' people live. As I sit in my padded chair and access a world of information on the Internet, while drinking my favorite coffee/cappuccino concoction in a warm house, with nice clothes, listening to music on my nice stereo system, while ignoring the groceries I just purchased that need to be put away, and my healthy girls nap on beds, with blankets, with full tummies, wearing princess costumes.....when soon I will go pick up my son from a Christian school, where he was surrounded by Godly people, in a Godly environment, in a sturdy building, reading the Bible, eating a healthy lunch....while my husband drove in a heated car to a wonderful hospital several hours away to make hospital calls, to talk to people who have wonderful health care, the best in treatments and facilities....

I know - that was the world's worst grammatically formed sentence, but I just started writing....look how spoiled I am. I am blessed. Truly blessed. Did I deserve to be born in America and enjoy all these blessings and more. Certainly not. However, God is good. He, in his mercy, allowed me to live here and to be blessed beyond my imagination. My WORST day as an American would be the majority of the world's BEST day.

So today I am determined to be grateful. I am going to open my eyes and look at all that I am blessed with. Then, I am going to hit my knees and pray for the many, many suffering people of Haiti. I will pray that they will be reached with the Gospel. I will be praying for the missionaries that are in Haiti. I will be praying that God will protect them and supply each need. I will also thank the Lord that they were willing to go. I am also going to e-mail several missionaries - in Haiti and around the world - and thank them for the sacrifice they make so that others may hear of Jesus.

Today, I will be thankful.

2 years

2010-01-07T13:09:00.003-06:00

Today marks 2 years since our miscarriage.

To be honest, I am a little surprised at how much this day affects me. I thought that the hurt would ease with time....and while it has, it is still so sharp. Those of you that have experienced a loss like this know exactly what I am talking about. There will be times when all the family is together, working on something or just being together and I will look around and feel like someone is missing. This happens often.

While it still hurts, I am thankful. I am thankful for Heaven. I KNOW that when I get to Heaven I will recognize my little one right away. He or she is mine, and I will know it. I can't think of a better place for a baby to grow up than in Heaven, can you? I know that my Grandpa and Grandma who are in Heaven have been spoiling that baby rotten for the last 2 years. I am thankful.

I don't know WHY God allowed this loss....but I do know that because of it He has allowed me to more fully empathize with others. Within 6 months of our miscarriage there were 2 ladies in our church that went through the same thing. I knew their grief and the Lord allowed me to sorrow with them. I also grew closer to the Lord through it....I could FEEL Jesus' love for me. I am thankful.

Won't Heaven be amazing?!?!? Sweet reunions and wonderful fellowship. I am thankful.

I don't know what you are going through today. I don't know what sorrow you are facing, but can I encourage you to trust Jesus? I heard a quote once, "God loves you too much to be unkind, and He is too wise to make a mistake." He loves you. Whatever trial you are facing - whatever trial we have gone through - that trial has a purpose. There is a lesson to be learned in the storm. I often pray that God will help me learn the lesson quickly because I don't want to go through the trial again. Jesus loves you. He loves me. I am thankful.

A song that encouraged my heart so much:

He Already Sees
When the storm raged about them
The disciples were afraid
For the waves were high and the ship was tossed
They could not find their way
Then they awoke the master
Saying Lord please save us now
He rebuked the winds and the sea grew calm
And they all wondered how

God sees the storm from the other side
He knows the lessons learned
And just beyond the clouds He sees clear skies
He speaks peace to the raging storm when peace could not be found
He already sees the rainbow when we see only clouds

Like the man on the sea did
I have called on God in prayer
When it seemed to me all hope was gone and in my deep despair
I remembered what the Lord said when He calmed that troubled sea
And I know once more how He sees the storm
And peace floods over me

God sees the storm from the other side
He knows the lessons learned
And just beyond the clouds He sees clear skies
He speaks peace to the raging storm when peace could not be found
He already sees the rainbow when we see only clouds

And when the storms of life come crashing in and trouble me
I can feel Gods arms around me and he whispers
Let it be, Let it be

God sees the storm from the other side
He knows the lessons learned
And just beyond the clouds He sees clear skies
He speaks peace to the raging storm when peace could not be found
He already sees the rainbow when we see only clouds

(written by Dianne Wilkinson and Joseph Smith )

Isn't God good to us? I pray that you will feel His love in a special way today!

Kids

2010-01-04T09:32:00.002-06:00

Do you have perfect children?

Of course you do! :)

My kids should be perfect. They are, after all, preacher's kids! HA HA.

My children are not perfect, sadly, but they are mine, and they are funny, and they are cute. (that cuteness helps them out sometimes when they are being especially naughty. :))

On Saturday, Emily, who is four, was taking her turn being naughty. (wouldn't it be great if they actually did take turns rather than all being naughty at the same time?!?!? :))
My husband said to her, "Emily, how many times should Mommy have to tell you to do something before you obey?" As serious as can be Emily replied, "Ohhhhhh.....probably four or five!"

The obedience training continues....

Sunday Blessings

2010-01-04T09:20:00.002-06:00

I love Sundays. I do. They are very exhausting, however. Yesterday was no exception. Sunday morning was good. It was. My husband didn't feel well, though, so it made it a bit more exhausting. After a Sunday nap, my preacher husband thought about staying home on Sunday night....he never misses church. Never. I knew he didn't feel well at all. He decided, though, to just go. He went, and wow - God blessed.

About a month ago a new family started coming to church. Their 3 kids had been riding our bus for years off and on, but the parents 'suddenly' showed up in church one Sunday morning....and then Sunday night....and the next Sunday, too. We had them in our home for dinner and they were committed to getting into church. Wow. What a blessing. Last night the husband got saved!!!!!!!!!!!! Praise the Lord. Before my husband went to Bible College he worked for a short time with this man. He invited him to church. This man never came. This was over 10 years ago. God gives the increase IN HIS TIME....what a special blessing for my husband.

During the service last night my husband preached on getting a renewed, fresh vision. He shared his vision for our church in the next decade. (On January 8 we will celebrate 10 years here on staff at Bible Baptist Church....isn't God good??) When we got home there was a message on our answering machine. The message was a young married man stating his commitment to the Lord, our church and letting my husband know that he was loved. Isn't God good?

I am so glad that God allowed those things to happen last night. My sick husband was encouraged.....and so was I.

New Years Eve Random Thoughts

2009-12-31T21:49:00.003-06:00

We are having a great get together at church tonight....I couldn't believe how many people were there. It was amazing. I am home early, though. Moms of babies and toddlers and young kids in general can't be staying out until midnight...well, not without regretting it the next day! :) The little ones are in bed, my husband is still at church and I am going to enjoy a bit of quiet time.

2009 ----- what a year. It is impossible to count the ways that God blessed, provided, comforted and cheered. God is so good. I am excited to see what God has in store for 2010. (so, how do YOU say that....'twenty-ten'? 'two thousand ten'? :))

Things have been slow here for the last week - it has been wonderful! Audrey is finally over her ear infection....one that lasted most of the month of December. I am taking her to the chiropractor next week and hopefully we can deter any more illness on her little body. She has been smiling and laughing a lot in the last few days...I have missed that. Emily seems to be growing up just before my eyes. The other day she picked up a piece of Tupperware and said, "OH MOM....this is just gorgeous!" What a goofy angel she is! Jacob is missing school - well, he misses playing basketball at school. He is seven and is getting really tall....nearly up to my shoulders. I sure love my munchkins....I am blessed.

I cannot even begin to express how thankful I am for my husband. We will celebrate 12 years of marriage this summer. We dated for almost 3 years before that. We have been 'us' for almost half my life....I am so thankful. He is stable, wise, sure of himself, loving, tender, stubborn-at-the-right-time...and the list goes on. I am blessed.

I am so thankful for my church. We are truly a family. A growing family. I took a new 'attender' out for lunch yesterday. I saw our church fresh through her eyes and I am so thankful. Sometimes when you have been in a church for a long time your eyes are naturally drawn to what needs to be fixed/changed. This dear lady was bragging about all the wonderful things about our church....it was all true....God is working in our church. You can feel it. I am thankful. I am blessed.

I pray you have a wonderful last few hours of 2009 and a blessed 2010...however you say it! :)

He's More Than Wonderful

2009-12-28T21:41:00.002-06:00

I am a fairly musical person. I really enjoy good music and I really love to sing. God often gives me a song that really speaks to me in different circumstances of life. My song right now is "More Than Wonderful". Have you heard it?

He promised us that He would be a counselor
A Mighty God and the Prince of Peace
He promised us that He would be a Father
And that He would love us with a love that would not cease.

Well, I tried Him and I found His promises are true
He's everything He said that He would be.
The finest words I know could not begin to tell
Just what Jesus really means to me.

For He's more wonderful than my mind can conceive
He's more wonderful than my heart can believe
He goes beyond my highest hopes and fondest dreams.
He's everything that my soul ever longed for
Everything He's promised and so much more
More than amazing, more than marvelous
More than miraculous could ever be
He's more than wonderful, that's what Jesus is to me.

I stand amazed when I think that the King of glory
Should come to dwell within the heart of man
I marvel just to know He really loves me
When I think of who He is, and who I am.

For He's more wonderful than my mind can conceive
He's more wonderful than my heart can believe
He goes beyond my highest hopes and fondest dreams.
He's everything that my soul ever longed for
Everything He's promised and so much more
More than amazing, more than marvelous,
More than miraculous could ever be
He's more than wonderful, that's what Jesus is to me.

As I talked to many people in the last few weeks this song kept coming back to me.

He's More Than Wonderful -
When we spend Christmas with the family that we love.
He's More Than Wonderful-
When that money comes just when we need it.
He's More Than Wonderful-
When you FINALLY find a job.
He's More Than Wonderful-
When you see God answer that 'impossible' prayer.
He's More Than Wonderful -
When the cancer test comes back negative.
He's More Than Wonderful -
When that loved one finally LISTENS to the Gospel for the first time!!!

But...

He's also More Than Wonderful -
When the money is gone.
When you spent another Christmas alone.
When the cancer test comes back positive. Very positive.
When you discover that a loved one has once again gone back to
the besetting sin that they have struggled with for years.
When your child is diagnosed with medical issues.
When your spouse will enter Heaven at an 'early' age after giving
his life for missions. (PRAY FOR THE KALAPP FAMILY!!!).

These are the things that I am thinking when the Lord brings this song to my mind. These are the people that I will be thinking of when I sing this song in church on Sunday morning. Jesus IS more than wonderful. I am thankful for it, and I will be praying that He shows Himself very real in each of your lives today.

I'm in love

2009-12-21T10:44:00.005-06:00

Have you seen one of these?

SWIFFER VAC
(okay, so that picture is advertising the replacement filters, but on the box it DOES show the actual swiffer vac. :))

I AM IN LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a personalized "I love you" from Jesus yesterday and it was one of these amazing machines. I may never use a broom or dustpan again!

This thing is great.

In our house we have a wood floor in our living room and hallway, and despite the fact that there is no eating allowed in that room, the crumbs migrate. It is a many-times-daily task of sweeping in there....but this machine makes it fun! :) It works great on the laminate in the bedrooms and on the kitchen and bathroom floors, too. So, I am off to continue my Monday cleaning....and I can't wait!

(do you think that I should contact Swiffer and see if I can be compensated for my 5-star endorsement??? At least a box of cloth refills would be nice. :))

Life is hard, but God is good

2009-12-20T17:47:00.003-06:00

Have you heard that song before? I haven't heard it in quite some time, but the title and a few lyrics kept coming back to me over and over this week. It seemed that every day I would hear of a dear Christian going through a trial or heartbreak. One particular day I heard some truly heartbreaking news - about the loss of a child. My heart hurt for this family that I knew briefly while in college. My heart was so heavy for their grief. I prayed and prayed for them. "Life is hard, but God is good" kept going over and over in my mind. Despite the fact that life IS hard, aren't you glad that we have Jesus? He truly is so good. I am so glad that I can trust Him with my life.

I love Sunday!

2009-12-13T14:27:00.002-06:00

I think that I say this every week, but it is true. I really do LOVE Sunday!!
I love my Sunday School class. I teach High School girls and they are so fun.
So honest.
So real...what you see is what you get.
I love them.
I love seeing each family in church. I love seeing the visitors God is bringing in each week. I love it that the auditorium is FULL and we are struggling to quickly find ways to accommodate our crowds. I love it that God is working in our church and in our community.
I love sitting around the table on Sunday afternoon having the kids tell me about their Sunday School classes and Junior Church. It brings me such joy to hear them talk about what they are learning. I pray that they will always LOVE church and the Word of God.

I love Sunday!!!!!!!! How was your day? :)

Rambling....

2009-12-12T19:27:00.002-06:00

In the days since I have started this blog, I have become more aware of the 'style' of the other blogs I read.
I love Amy - who doesn't?
She is so real.
She has ELEVEN kids.
She homeschools. (With 11 kids I am sure that I would be looking into boarding schools.....in Switzerland. Just kidding. I think.)
She is amazing.

I enjoy Julie Fink's perspective as a fellow pastor's wife.

Those are just two of the blogs that I frequent - some more than others. Each blog has its own 'personality'....have you noticed that?

Have you also noticed that I am struggling to find my 'blog personality'?
I have always been more of a private person.
I type out a post and the re-read it.
Too much information, I tell myself.
I RE-type a post.
Too boring...not enough information.
But then I wonder - does anyone care what I did today?
And then I remember one of the main reasons I decided to start this blog - to remember. To remember my kids when they are older. To remind myself of all that I forget when I get old.

So.....to that end, I am going to find my blogging personality. Not too much information. (I had toast for breakfast....whole wheat bread and just a touch of butter.) Not too boring. (I am wearing a brown skirt.)

And now I must close. I was going to type more, but my older kids are trying to shove my baby into a kitchen cupboard. Really.

Have a great Sunday! :)

Dearest Blog....

2009-12-11T08:21:00.003-06:00

Dearest Blog ~

You poor neglected thing, you.

Should I use our newly fallen 14-ish inches of snow as an excuse?

Or perhaps our sub-zero temperatures?

Mounds of laundry?

Baking lots of yummy things?

EATING lots of yummy things?

Perhaps I should be busy EXERCISING???

Hopefully, dear blog, you won't be neglected much longer.

Friday and playing catch-up

2009-12-04T09:07:00.005-06:00

This last week has been such a whirlwind. It all started the day before Thanksgiving. My sister, her husband and their 4 boys arrived just before church. Then, just before 2 a.m.(*YAWN*) my brother, his wife and daughter and my parents arrived after driving 13 hours.

By the time Saturday hit, Jacob had 'partied' out....he was sick all day, but by Sunday morning he was feeling fine. Saturday was also Audrey's first birthday!!

Audrey wasn't feeling all that great and was totally unimpressed with the birthday 'hoopla'. In fact, she took only one bite of her birthday cake. She proceeded to be very cranky all day Saturday. On Sunday in the church nursery she got a fever. I thought maybe she just had a flu bug, but by Wednesday afternoon she wasn't better. Her fever had come and gone but the crankiness remained....oh, did it remain. I am not the kind of mom that runs to the doctor for every sniffle, but all my 'remedies' hadn't helped the poor baby. By the time we got in to see the doctor on Wednesday I was ready for drugs. If nothing was wrong with Audrey, then the drugs would be for me.....either way, one of us was leaving that office with a prescription - preferably for something STRONG :) Audrey has/had an ear infection, so an antibiotic was given....I asked for drugs for myself, but all they did was laugh?!?!? I was serious!

Audrey has improved some and isn't crying ALL.THE.TIME. anymore. Amazing what a little amoxicillin (however it is spelled...wouldn't you think that would make it into the spell check?? :)) and a good nights rest can do for a mom's sanity!

Christmas preparations are now going strong and with 3 semi-healthy kids I am ready to tackle the decorations....but first, laundry. :)

Wowzers.....

2009-11-30T19:00:00.002-06:00

What a week.....

My amazing family was here for Thanksgiving. It was the first holiday together in 3 years. It was wonderful, loud, messy and soooooo fun. There were 16 of us, including 8 kids - ages 8 and under. That is a lot of baby wipes and bibs. :) We stayed up late and laughed so much. Everyone headed home on Saturday. Jacob was sick all day Saturday and Audrey is sick now. Eventually I will write more about our Thanksgiving and post pictures. (and in the midst of it all, Audrey turned ONE on Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Happy Monday....we'll chat soon! :)

Tuesdays

2009-11-25T10:01:00.002-06:00

I love Tuesdays.

Truly.

I love them.

Each and every Tuesday my husband comes home at 12:30 p.m. and stays with the girls until I pick Jacob up from school. I leave the house ALL ALONE. I go wherever I want. I drive in a car ALL ALONE. I get a cappuccino to drink ALL ALONE. Did I mention I am ALL ALONE from 12:30 until 3 p.m. every Tuesday?? :) My amazing husband is so thoughtful. I am blessed. I never do anything spectacular with "my" time....usually just browsing at the library, or walking through a store with many breakable things. Those kind of things are so much easier to do without baby hands reaching and wanting. It is enough to deal with MY hands. :) Yesterday I had errands to run....the post office to mail eBay stuff......the CAP office (our 'goodwill'-type store) to drop off a load of outgrown baby clothes and then the scariest stop of all --- WAL-MART just a few days before Thanksgiving. WOW. It was crowded, but it didn't matter because, did I mention I WAS ALONE???? :)

Now, some might read this and think that I don't like my children. Every MOM reading this, however, understands EXACTLY how I feel. I adore my kids - most of the time I just want to kiss them to death. :) I love them MORE after I have some time away from them. Make sense? I knew it would.

Happy Thanksgiving.....isn't God so good to us?

Saturday Randomness

2009-11-21T21:19:00.002-06:00

Random thoughts and things from today....

~Our chest freezer died today. The Lord was so good to us, though. He allowed us to make this unfortunate discovery while 99% of the food was still frozen. The 1% was put on the grill tonight and we were able to enjoy a great meal with my brother-in-law and his family. A nice impromptu family time.

~Deer hunting season started today. We now live in the country and you could hear many, many gun shots all morning. (I hope someone got that big buck that I almost hit last night!!!!!!!!!! :))

~Jacob got a much needed haircut. I am so thankful that I started cutting his hair when he was little. The boy has MOUNDS of thick hair and it needs to be cut often. Every time I cut it I am thankful for the money we save by not going to the barber.

~Audrey is walking EVERYWHERE now. She had pink-eye this week. While at the doctor's office to get the drops for the pink eye Audrey was weighed. She is just 20 pounds. I know that may be HUGE for some of you, but my kids are NEVER small!! Audrey is the smallest at this age - by a good chuck. I think she is almost petite. Almost. Her FIRST birthday is next Saturday. How on earth did a year go by so quickly?!?!?

~When Audrey and I weren't at church on Wednesday night one of the ladies asked Emily if Audrey was sick. Emily told the lady that Audrey had 'purple eye'. :) Emily is my sweetie.

~I was reading about "Black Friday" sales today. I wish that the nearest 'city' to shop in wasn't 60+ miles away. I am NOT leaving my house at 3 a.m. no matter how cheap that blender is.

~MY WHOLE FAMILY is coming to MY house for Thanksgiving this year. I am thrilled beyond measure. I haven't seen my sister in EIGHTEEN months and I am dying to see her face-to-face!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is going to be a crazy few days, but I can't wait.

~Tomorrow is Sunday. I love my church. I love my Sunday School Class. I love my Pastor most of all. :) He is sure easy to look at while he is preaching! HA HA!!!

Have a great Sunday.

Mini-Blinds

2009-11-19T18:51:00.003-06:00

I strongly dislike mini-blinds. I don't like for my kids to say 'hate' about anything (except the devil....we hate the devil!!!), so I won't say 'I hate mini blinds', but if I could say it, I would! Let's back up a bit first......

We are still in the process of putting together the house we bought this summer....window treatments (still don't have those), rugs (still working on those), etc.... Most of the windows in the house needed mini-blinds, so I buy one each week. My husband, who is incredibly busy and who has done every.single.thing to make this house wonderful, has installed each one that I have bought. Today, however, I decided that I would help by installing the mini-blind in the girls' room. Please note that I am NOT handy with tools. I am NOT mechanically inclined. I am VERY MUCH a girl when it comes to that sort of thing. Phillips vs. Flat screwdriver.....all Greek to me. I have tried to learn a bit so that I can be somewhat of a help to my husband, but not much has sunk in through all this hair on my head. ( I think all that hairspray I used in the 90's burnt up some precious brain cells. :)) Anyway, since I had watched my husband install several blinds, I thought that this would be a no-brainer.....'no problem', I thought, 'won't Andy be surprised'. Well, he was.....

It started out alright and then quickly went downhill. By the time I was done (I was done, the mini blind was NOT) I was crying, all sweaty and sooooooooooooo frustrated. I had wanted to help so badly and I ended up making more work for my already busy husband. He was so kind. He praised me for trying. Bless his heart. I know he wanted to kill me. I am sure he was thinking "DUH!!! It is a MINI-BLIND not a rocket....how hard can it be???" For me, oh so hard. He encouraged me to keep trying. We'll see. :)

No moral of this story, really, just to say that I am blessed to have a handy husband. One who doesn't mind cleaning up my messes and fixing my mistakes. He has had a lot of practice.

Cast your burden

2009-11-17T09:26:00.004-06:00

As a pastor's wife I have the unique privilege to know the specific burdens of many people, to pray for these burdens, and to hopefully encourage those who are burdened. It is a daunting task at times. Life is hard. Walking through life with Jesus at your side helps bearing burdens more "bearable', but it doesn't take those struggles away. There are times that I am overwhelmed by the burdens that others are bearing......not to mention my own personal struggles.

In my Bible reading I came to this verse:

"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee...."

Psalm 55:22a

I looked up the word "CAST".....

Webster defines it as: to cause to move or send forth by throwing

I then looked up the word "SUSTAIN".....

it is defined as: to give support or relief to also to keep up, to prolong

In other words, when I have a burden I should THROW it on Jesus, and HE will keep me going. He will give me support and relief. Sounds wonderful, doesn't it???? YES!!!!!!!!!!!

BUT -

How many times have I prayed and GIVEN my burdens to the Lord, only to get up from my knees, PICK UP MY BURDEN and continue to carry it with me? I do this so often. I ask the Lord to bear the load, but I WON'T LET GO OF IT. How foolish I am. I get tired, overwhelmed and stressed because I won't allow God to do what He says He will do. Today, let us all purpose to cast our burdens on Jesus - give them to the Lord - and leave them there. Remember the hymn?

"Leave them there....Leave them there....

take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there....."

"Burden bearing" is a part of life, but today I have decided to not only take my burdens to the Lord, but I am also going to leave them there!!

(I have also decided to bookmark this post, because I KNOW I am going to need to remind myself of this almost daily!!!)

Have a great day!!

Monday

2009-11-16T11:52:00.002-06:00

Monday mornings are a little slow at our house. Sundays are a huge day.....church in the morning....home for lunch and most of the time company.....a quick nap for the kids (and if I am really lucky, a nap for me!!!!!!!!!!!!) and then back to church. We get to bed late on Sunday nights because of music practices and 'fellowshipping' (is that a word??? My spell check says no, but I'll use it anyway. :)) after church. I LOVE SUNDAYS, but we pay for it a bit on Monday mornings.

A worthwhile exchange.

I am so thankful for my church. I am thankful for the amazing friends and family that are a part of our church. I am thankful for our pastor.....I know, he is my husband, but I am thankful for him as a pastor, too. He is so wise. From time to time someone will ask me if it is weird to have my husband be my pastor. My answer is always the same, "Not at all." When he is preaching he is the Man of God.....he is the Pastor delivering God's message. I am thankful for his preaching.

Tomorrow night and Wednesday night we are having special meetings at church. Dr. Chuck Harding ( http://www.awakeamericans.org/) will be speaking. Being the history nut that I am, I am especially looking forward to hearing him speak again.

Here we are.....

2009-11-13T11:28:00.000-06:00

Hi....I guess that is how I am supposed to start out. :) I opened this blog weeks (maybe months) ago and just never posted anything. I debated over and over if I wanted to even be a 'blogger'. I had decided that I wasn't going to be...that I didn't have the time to be, and then yesterday happened. I was looking through my kid's baby books. All through their books were sticky notes.....sticky notes full of cute little things that they had done or said. As I read through them I came to the conclusion that I had better start writing more things down so that in my geriatric years (HA!) I can look back and remember.......so, here we are.......blog land. (is 'blog land' one word or two?? :)) All in all I guess this part of the blog will be more for ME than for YOU.....if YOU do read, let me know, but if not, that is okay, too. :)

We'll start out with an introduction. (this is for YOU.....hopefully even in my nursing home years I will at least remember ME! :)) I have been married for 11 1/2 years to the love of my life....Andy. He is amazing, fantastic, out-of-this-world. I love him MORE today that I did the day we got married. (okay, I am hearing all of you groan now, so I will stop with the lovey-dovey stuff.) I am sure I will be writing A LOT about this handsome man. We dated for almost 3 years before we got married. It seems that I can hardly remember a time when it wasn't "US", and I like it that way. I love my husband and I love being on his team. We have 3 amazing kids.....Jacob turned 7 in May, Emily is 4 and Audrey Grace will be a year old on the 28th of this month. We live in beautiful Wisconsin, which is truly GOD'S COUNTRY!! Andy pastor's Bible Baptist Church - which explains the title of this blog. I have often heard of the pastor's home/family referred to as a "goldfish bowl" because people are always watching you. So, through this blog you will get a bit of a view into our 'bowl'. ;)

So, with that intro over, I must go tend to the 'bowl'........ :)