This past week has been a great week for me.  This was our spring break from school work.  I didn't know how much I needed it.  I started to feel stress and tension fall off my shoulders around Tuesday.

Some of the old dread is wanting to creep back in this morning, but I'm not going to let it.  I'm going to start this week with an open mind and a fresh out look.

Although I'm not looking that forward to math, we start basic Algebra.  The teacher's books are great and I'm sure we're get through it (maybe a few more prayers than usual).

Also I got an email from one of my older sons.  He has been sent over to the Afgan area to fight.  Please pray for him.  I know it's been awhile since I last blogged, will try to keep up with it.  No promises.

Are you ready?  Some people would put that phrase to the occurrence happening to day.  Are you ready for the Arizona Cardinals to be the Super Bowl Champs?  But no that is not what this blog is about.

Are you one of those that is always ready and on time for appointments or is everyone always telling you to hurry up and get ready?  Seems like there is always some one we're waiting for.  That one person who is never on time.

Will you be found READY on that most important day of all?  You ask what day is that?  To ask that question my friend tells me you aren't ready.

I hope and pray my friend that when the great trumpet is blown and Christ's children are called to meet him in the clouds you will arise.  There won't be time to say, "just one more moment, I'm almost ready", or "I was Almost Persuaded".

AlmostPersuaded

Almost persuaded now to believe;Almost persuaded Christ to receive;

Seems now some soul to say, "Go, spirit, go thy way,some more convenient day on thee I'll call.

Almost persuaded, come, come today;Almost persuaded, turn not away;

Jesus invites you her, Angels are lingering near, Prayers rise from heart so dear, O wanderer, come.

Almost persuaded, harvest is past!Almost persuaded, doom comes at last!

Almost can not avail; Almost is but to fail!  Sad, sad, that bitter wail - Almost - but lost!

Now is the time!  Open a Bible and read.  Talk to a friend or Pastor.  Or right now where you're at Accept the fact that your a sinner, Believe that Christ Jesus is the only son of God and the only way to eternal salvation, and Call out to the Lord and ask him to come into your heart to abide forever.  Do it now, my friend, before it's to late.  There won't be a second chance.

Where do you want to spend eternity?  In Heave n with Jesus Forever or Hell to burn forever.  The choice is yours to make.  Make it Now!  Be Found READY!!!

Our country is going through a big change right now.  We have a new president in office.  Already he is making big changes for our nation.  Whether he or these changes will be good for all concerned, only time will tell.

There are changes around us everyday.  Some are small and usually go unnoticed.  Large changes tend to receive more attention.  The season's change, hair and clothing styles change, technology seems to change every moment.  Yes, even our children change - young, sweet, adorable toddlers, then rough, tough adolescents, to finally young adults.

There should be a change in your new Christian life also.  The moment you opened your heart's door and accepted Christ as your eternal salvation - a new life began.  Your life should now be under conviction.  Your walk and talk should change.  Many change their old habits - smokers stop, long hair is cut short on men, clothing style to more appropiate gender clothing, and sometimes our friends change.  For some these changes happen fast and others have to gradually adjust to the changes.

Have you made any changes in your life lately?

We are now into a new year.(Happy New Year 2009).  Many people make resolutions on December 31.  These resolutions are things people want to do or accomplish during this new year.  Many people only get about 3 weeks and they quit, some make it 3 months, and a very few make the full year.  Keeping these resoltions get too tough for them to complete on their own.

Some things that people need to change are bad habits.  Do you have any bad habits?  Most of us do!  Maybe we don't always call it a bad habit, but it's something we do that we would like to quit or at least change it.

I know someone that has a few bad habits that I would like to see them get rid of.  I will call this person AL as to not hurt feelings.  I have asked this person to stop doing these things, but AL say's AL can't stop.  I tell AL that if they really want to stop they can.  Their will power just needs to be strong.  AL's  bad habits are picking the nose and biting their nails.  I tell AL that if they can't stop these nasty habits on their own they need to ask for help from GOD.  Through GOD all things are possible(Matthew 19:26).

Our will is not strong enough to succeed on it's own.  Call out to the Lord for his help.  Ask for God's will to be done to help in any situation.

At this time of year, many are busy celebrating the miraculous birth of Christ, but too few remember why He came.  It's not important whether He was born in December.  Joseph and Mary traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem.  Jesus was placed in a manager ( a crib where cattle are fed).  His persona was always of humility and meekness.  Jesus identified more with the common people than the elite.  Simplicity was His ministry.  Christ came into the world to save sinners.  He is to have first place in our hearts and our schedules.

Many celebrate this time of year with gifts being delivered by a fat, jolly, bearded man dressed in red.  They put bright lights on their homes and have an evergreen tree to put the gits under.  The stores start preparing for Christmas back in October.  People have to out do each other with gifts that they put themselves into debt buying with credit cards.  If only we could get out the word of Christ as easily.  Let them know that Christ paid the greatest debt of all, upon an old rugged cross.

Last week was one filled with busy days.  The weather didn't help any either.  I had to go into Lake Havasu 4 times last week.  I had to go see clients to get paperwork done on them before the end of the year.  This drive is an hour one way.  It was rainy and cold for a couple of those days.

We made some family time with this.  My DH did the driving for me.  We ate at our favorite restaurant (In N'  Out), and did some shopping.  My DH needed a Glock for work.  I surprised him with buying one.

The 18th was my birthday.  Yes, I had to work on it.  First I took care of my own client.  Then the family came with me to see a client up in Bull Head City.  Then they took me to lunch at Smith's Deli (grocery store).  We then took off to Lake Havasu to see clients up there again.

Finally done with my traveling.  Friday was still a busy day.  I had to help my client who is a quadreplegic.  He is taking an online A&P class.  Friday was his midterm.  I had to do the typing for his exam.  He scored very well on it.

This week has eased up.  Seems like there's always alot to do before the new year arrives.  Will try not to let so much time get between blogs.  Got to go check on my pecan pie.

I got tagged by Alizona to do this tag.  I will answer it, but won't send it to anyone since I don't know many people.

1.Plants- I love plants.  I'm always buying them, and said to say my black thumb is always killing them.  Yes, I said black thumb not green.  I don't have much luck with plants.  But I keep trying.

2.Fireplaces - I love them.  An Eskimo could sell me an igloo if it had a fireplace.  Yes, my house has a fireplace and I use it almost every evening during Arizona's winter months.  My favorite is woodburning, getting to put the logs on the fire.  Gas fireplaces are okay though.

3.Laundry - Why does it never seem to get done?  By the time you are folding the last load of clothes from the dryer, there's a new pile of dirty ones to go in the washer.  Don't even mention the sock fairy and the dryer!

4.Sleep - Seems like you never get enough!!!!!   I roll over and look at the clock and tell myself to get up.  It would be nice to wake up, look at the clock, and say WOW I got to sleep this long.

5.Sewing- I love to sew.  Just don't get to do it that much anymore.  I'll admit it's getting hard for me to see to thread the needles.  But my ds loves to help mom, by using his good eye site to thread them for me.  Oh, to be young and have good eye site again.

6.Scraping-I love to do it.  I started scraping shortly after my ds was born.  I've got his whole life in a few differnt books.  I am behind a few years, but plan to try to catch that up by the end of this year.

That's my six random thoughts, hope you enjoy reading them.

This week has been a pulling the hair out week.

My DS compared things to his old public school this week.  We just keep reminding him that was then and this is now.  He is 13 and in the 7th grade.  He has been diagonised with ADHD.  We have decided to take him off medication this year.  We didn't see a difference with it or without.  Mom and Dad know how to deal with him for the most part.

His public school didn't know how to deal with him.  These are some of the things they would do with him.  If the class had 20 spelling words he only had to do 10 of them.  If the math sheet had 40 problems he only had to do 20.  He was never given any homework.

He is smart, when he wants to apply himself.  That is alot of the problem, he doesn't want to apply himself.  On days when this happened in public school they just let him do his own thing.

His father and I are not going to treat him like a baby.  We don't care if it takes all day for the assignment to get done.  We keep telling him we aren't going to give up on him.

If any of you have some suggestions we will gladly take them into consideration.  All help would be greatly appreciated.

Well it's that time of year again.  Yes, you guessed it!  Time to make the fruitcakes.

Fruitcakes have been given such a bad rap.  They aren't as hard as a brick.  They don't make good door stoppers.

  God blessed me with a husband that also loves fruitcakes.  Some people say only fruits like fruitcake.  I guess we're fruity and nutty because we like nuts in it also.

I admit I've had some bad store bought fruitcakes.  But since I've been making my own it's been great.  You put in it the only ingredients you like.  Mine are always moist.  I make so many they last all winter.  I never push my fruitcakes on anyone.

When a parent loves a child, they can't allow that child to go in the wrong direction without correcting or discipling them.  Our love for them will not allow us to ignore the disobedience.  Because of our love, we discipline them.  Hebrews 12:7  "If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?"

What should be our attitude toward's correction?  We are not to resent it or disregard it.

Things go better for us when we obey.  The heart is the center of our being.  It is the place of devotion and affection.  Children should give their hearts to the parents.  We are to give our hearts to God.  Proverbs 23:26  "My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways."

The true child of God wants to do what is right.  God wants to bless His children, but He will not bless disobedience.  Consult with God and allow Him to direct our hearts.

Today, we celebrate Thanksgiving.  A day to give thanks for everything we're thoughtful for.  Most people give a prayer this day for all the wonderful fixings' in front of them.  We are to give thanks for our food.      Joel 2:26

Why do we need a specific day a year to show our gratitude?  We have so much to be thankful for everyday.  The bible tells us to be thanksful for everything.                   I Thessalonians 5:18

I'm thankful for Salvation.  God saved a wretched thing like me many years ago.  I've lost my way a few times, but he has always found me and gathered me back into his everlasting arms.

I'm thankful for my loving family. Darrell is my best friend and I can confide in him.  He is the man of the house.  He provides for our house with the Lords guidance.  Tony keeps us always going.  Full of lots of energy.

I am so thankful for everything around me.  Just take a few moments to see something different today and know and speculate on the glory of God's great creation of that.

Thanks to God

Thanks to God for my Redeemer,Thanks for all Thou dost provide!  Thanks for times now but a memory, Thanks for Jesus by my side! Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime, Thanks for dark and dreary fall!  Thanks for tears by now forgotten, Thanks for peace within my soul!

Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered, Thanks for what Thou dost deny!  Thanks for storms that I have weathered, Thanks for all Thou dost supply!  Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure, Thanks for comfort in despair!  Thanks for grace that none can measure, Thanks for love beyond compare!

Thanks for roses by the wayside, Thanks for thorns their stems contain!  Thanks for home and thanks for fireside, Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!  Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow, Thanks for heavenly peace with Thee!  Thanks for hope in the tomorrow,  Thanks thro' all eternity!

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!

My son, Tony and I took an online class on Monday evening.  We took the class at http://www.homeschoolscienceacademy.com/academic.html.  It was titled "Life in the Blood".  The class was very interesting.  For me it ended way to soon.

How can someone see the pictures the instructor showed and hear how things work and not say  someone great created all this.  And that person knew exactly what they were doing.

God created this wonderful body.  He made everything to work precisely the way it does.  Things flow one direction only.  Let God have control of his creation and things will always work correctly.

Let God's will be done and the Blood  can flow.

Okay this week wasn't to bad.(Nov.16-22)

DH started on the grave yard shift.  That seems to be better for us.  We get to be more of a family.  DS does school work in the afternoon, which seems to work for him.  Maybe his brain is more active. We get to eat dinner together as a family, which I've missed.  He's not home to sleep with me(queen sized bed all to myself and not having to pull the blanket back when it's been pulled off.).  Was concerned about how church would go on Sunday, but it wasn't to bad.  DH did get two hours of sleep before going.  He slept in the car as I ran a few errands after church.

DH had an MRI taken of his left knee on Tuesday.  Waiting to hear the results.

I treated my DH and DS to a very nice dinner at the Outback Wednesday evening.  I made the President's Club through my work a few weeks ago and was given a gift card.  We had a great time.

It's starting to get nippy in the evenings so we had our first fire in the fireplace the other evening.  Our dog lays right in front  of the hearth.

This coming week will be easy with just a few school assignments.  DS has to write a report on the systems of the body and their functions.  He seems to be enjoying learning things about the human body.  Last Monday night he did an online class on the computer.  He thought that was being grown up like the young man I take care of with my work.  He's taking an A&P class online.  DS thinks that is the coolest thing ever.

Having a big Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday.  No company just me, DH, and DS.  Turkey with all the trimmings.

Here's a little poem that I wrote while at work the other day.

Knocking

One day you came knocking

at my heart's door

But I decided that

I knew more

So your knock I did ignore

But as I grew

I soon knew

I didn't want to be blue

I wanted to know you

Again you came knocking

at my heart's door

This time I did not ignore

I opened the door wide to know you more.

You I now adore.

DS computer class tonight was interesting.

Pastor, has been teaching Revelation in our Sunday School class.  A few Sunday's ago he mentioned a movie made in the 70's based on the book of Revelation.  I have those movies.  It got me thinking about the song in that movie.  It's very touching.  Here's the Song

I Wish We'd All Been Ready

Life was filled with guns and war

and everyone got trampled on the floor

I wish we'd all been ready:

Children died, the days grew cold

A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold

I wish we'd all been ready

There's no time to change your mind

The son has come and you've been left behind.

Man and wife asleep in bed, she hears a noise

and turns her head, he's gone

I wish we'd all been ready

Two men wallking up a hill, one disappears

and one's left standing still

I wish we'd all been ready

There's no time to change your mind

The son has come and you've been left behind.

I hope we think about this and ask ourselves if we are ready or not.  I pray you will be ready at that time.

Well, my DH starts the grave yard shift tonight.  I think this will help with homeschooling.  DS will have two parents to keep him on task.  Classes seemed to go smooth today.

DS just needs to stay quite in the mornings to let dad get some sleep.  I think we can take care of that.  Afternoon classes will be good.

Sunday's will be the hard day.  DH has to stay awake in church or the pastor will throw the book at him.  Not enough time for him to get some sleep in before service.

DS will be taking an online class tonight.  Sounds very interesting.  I got the information from the pastor's wife, Sally.  Will let you know how the class went.

Today is my DH day off from work.  He also has Wednesday's off.  So we try to make one of those days be family fun night.  I made chicken fried steaks, mashed potatoes & gravy, sauteed vegetables, and biscuits.  Cherry pie for dessert.

We are in the middle of a Wii tournament.  The guys are playing baseball which I never stand a chance at.  I'm waiting for bowling.  I have pro status there, so I usually win.

DS had lots of test to do yesterday, not to bad.  He got a pretty good grade in Math, which isn't one of his favorite subjects.

Monday  Wash Day

Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity, so I may serve you with perfect humility through the week ahead.

Tuesday  Ironing Day

Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wwrinkles of prejudice I have collected through the years so that I may see the beauty in others.

Wednesday  Mending Day

O God, help me mend my ways so I will not set a bad example for others.

Thursday  Cleaning Day

Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.

Friday  Shopping Day

O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal happiness for myself and all others in need of love.

Saturday  Cooking Day

Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly love and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.

Sunday  The Lord's Day

O God, I have prepared my house for you.  Please help me so I may spend the day and the rest of my life in your presence.

This week my son,Tony, and I made Amish Friendship Bread.  You can go to his site to see the pictures.  We had a good learning week.

My DH informed me the other day that he will be going to graveyard shift next week.  The only problem I see is him getting enough sleep.  DS will have to learn to be quite in the mornings so dad can sleep.  We will both do school work together when I get home and he wakes up.

Just a few new kinks to have work out.

This is to let everyone know that if you like the way my blog site looks give the credit to Miss Alizona.  She designed it for me.  I love it.

Alison, Thank you very much.  You are a very sweet, kind young lady.  The lord shines through you.  You are a good example for your little sister to look up to.  God Bless You!