Aug. 15, 2008 - being hectic!

Oh my, time has gone by!  Our lives have been busy with other things & I noticed as the children get older, it gets busier!

I dont like that.  I dont do well with that. I so love being home & working here.  I love the protection of my home & can stay in & not go out forever.  I really so enjoy the peace. 

So, I look forward to winter! I love being in & baking & being all warm & snuggly.  Its my favorite time of the year.  Summers fine, but theres too much to do. I make a resolution each summer to do school with the younger girls. I did it maybe 6 - 8 times this summer. Im not happy with myself.  I used to be real consistant. I dont know what happend to me!

Oh, lots of work to do on me. LOTS!  Monday, I plan on starting school HARD!  It keeps the children in order. In the summer, there is too much fooling around, I think. No order. I am out of my comfort zone when things are out of order.  God is a God of order.  Theres a reason for that.  He knows we need structure. 

I thank the Lord though, that I stay in the Word daily. Its the first thing I do upon wakening.  I cant start my day without it.  Its my breathing-machine.  Its what keeps me going. Its my way to Him! 

Its breakfast time here.  All ready thinking, how do I keep everyone in order?  So many voices & such.  I do so want order!  So, today begins my plea with the Lord, He alone can help here.  I have much work to do. I need order in every thing.  There is no safety in chaos. 

Its a beautiful day here in Ohio!  My flowers are looking spent!  SO, so sad.  They are losing thier beauty.  I get such satisfaction looking & loving them all day.  I sit outside & just get such joy from them.  Fall is in the air.  I love that feeling.  I cant wait until it gets a bit chilly. Now thats perfect weather!

• 2 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Aug. 5, 2008 - ~welcome~

~welcome~

to our humble abode..................

Look at these beauties!

breath taking~

A glimpse of our beautiful gardens~

I had this little yellow chair in our entrance way in our home & brought it outside in the garden to fill space

This is where I hang out the most. I love to sit on the swing & look over the lovely flowers & spend time with the Lord there.

We just enjoy our yard so much & thank the Lord daily for this little piece of heaven right here on earth~

Our woods, I go back there once in awhile, but I dont do bugs~ so I dont hang out there too much  : )

Anna made this fire pit for us to enjoy our evening bon-fires. Sometimes we roast marshmallows & dogs here.

Spring time & summer is just such a pretty time here in the yard. Winter is just as beautiful. I love the winter, especially when the trees have mounds of fluffy snow all over~ so, so pretty.

• 4 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Aug. 1, 2008 - Look at all them maters!

Oh my, we have a ton of tomatoes! I only put in 6 plants. I really dont have much room here. Most of my gardens are filled with beautiful flowers.  Really, my yard is over flown. So, so pretty.

Last year I had a hard time finding Roma tomatoes. This year I planted Romas & they are looking like clusters of grapes! My flat leaf Italian parsely is doing wonderfully. My father shared with me seeds right from Italy for flat leaf parsley & basil. They are nice, big leaves. Aromatic! mmmmmmm..........  There is nothing like it anywhere else!  My basil is just lovely.  Again, seeds dad gave me from Italy.  I did buy basil plants at a garden center that are doing beautifully also, but there is quite a  difference with the Italian seeds.  My pasta dishes are beyond words. 

If your lookin' for me, Ill be sittin' amongst the basil & the parsly, enjoying the aromas....................

• 1 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jul. 31, 2008 - Update

Well, my appointment was today with the Neurologist. The Lord always does amazing things for me, He really does.    I went in with the attitude that if this man wants me to take any medication, I would not. I'm very against meds.  Unless, I'm dying  : )   He seems to think we can almost rule out a TIA (mini-stroke) but, says hes not so sure. He thinks instead that I am having silent migrains.  Acephalgic Migrain.  In other words I might have  a migrain that is not felt, but, that causes slurred speech & week legs. I guess this is a condition. Okay!  What I described to him sounds that way, so we will see what happens.  We are going to just watch me to see if I have another attack. Makes no sense, but okay.   Turns out this Dr. Is a Christian! I'm not kidding you!  He is into prevention first. When I told him I don't do meds or doct. He totally agreed. He did nothing but give God glory through the whole exam. I thought Id be there to witness to him! We were truly blessed & the Lord used this man to encourage us today. We just prayed for encouragment last evening with the girls & He uses a doctor! Wow. Neat, really neat.  We told him that we home school & he said that he & his wife are thinking about it. How wonderful God is! So here I am with a Christian doctor who is natural in his thinking, avoiding drugs as much as he can. The Lord knows what we need.   Had the last of my 2 tests today. An echocardiogram & an ultra sound of my arteries in my neck. Forgot the name. It looks as if my heart is great! Still waiting for the the Cardiologist to read everything, but the lady who did the ultra  sound said that my heart came up very clear & distinct. She said most people come in & the photos are foggy, that it is quite unusual for it come up that clear! She also said that that hole in the middle (hey, I call it a hole) is wide open for all the blood to flow, very, very clear. So, I'm guessing the Lord is not done with me yet. That heart is from the Lord, He made it what it is today, a changed heart.   So, all I wait on is the Echocardiogram to see if I have blockage anywhere.   I did get my driving privileges back! Yahooo!!!!!!!!!!!   Please pray that I do not have any blockage. I thank you.    I'm hoping to avoid any more attacks, it was very scary.  I thank the Lord for a Neurologist who would rather go natural, to me that is very important.    I thank you dear ladies once again.

• 1 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jul. 30, 2008 - Bible studies & ground hogs!

You know, I could continue on the topic of courtship vs. betrothal, but decided that I shall change the topic!  Yeah, I can hear everyone clapping.  Ill spare you bordem!  So.....................................

Today was quite a day for us here in this very busy house hold.  I really should start off with yesterday first. Lets see..........  the 2 older girls & I started on a new Bible study. We began with Psalm 1.  Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I normally dont follow main stream christians or writers, but I really like her. So we picked her book, " A 30-Day Walk WIth God in the Psalms. 

We gathered round the picnic table under the gazebo, oh, I just love it there. Brought our Bibles & sat & prayed, & then dove into the Word.  You know, it really made for a wonderful day.  I do my Bible reading every morning on my own like clock work. I tend not to do devotions, just the Bible I like to do.  When I do it with my girls though, its really quite a blessing. SO! I encourage you to get those Bibles out & get your self a nice, little study goin' with them youngins.  Im telling you, you will be glad you did!

Today, well........ not so good.  First off, Michaela & I were headed out for a bike ride & then it began to rain.     HOWEVER, we made ourselves brave & went for it.  Oh, what fun & joy!  We were sopped & my glasses really could have used wind shield wipers, but you cant have eveyrthing.

I have been riding now at least 3-4 times a week. My endurance is getting better & better each time. Last year I couldnt even get up a slant~ Not a hill, a slant!  IM NOT KIDDING YOU. Huffin' & puffin' like an old, worn out shoe!  I would have to get off my bike & walk! Oh, dreaded day.

This year, I  am doing great! You wouldnt believe it, I am not the same person.  Im havin' a ball too.  I can get up them hills with little pain. Well, the pain is well........pain. I dont like pain!  We all know the saying, "no pain~no gain."  Well, I get pain & I gain too!  HA!  Im trying to lose a few pounds these days.

The difference with today, compared to yesterday is I kept telling the girls we were going to do our Bible Study & anything that could happen today, did!  SO! WE DIDNT HAVE OUR STUDY!  Shame, shame, shame!  Really, it made a difference. It was just out of hand here today! 

When you got a good thing, dont lose it!  I regret that we couldnt get to it today. Im really mad at myself. 

I did take time to myself a bit today. After the pouring down rain, the sun came out & everything was just wet  & beautiful outside. I need to get some photos put on here of our yard. Youll understand after you see it.  Its just so pretty & so serene. 

I put on my flip-flops on & stood near the gazebo. I stood & watched these little birdies, dont know what they are, actually never have seen anything like them in my life!  I have several bird houses out there, but this one I just put out in the Spring. Its shaped like a gourd & its very hard.  Well, these little guys have made quite a lovely home of it. I watched as they flew back & forth to feed the babies. The babies are very loud. If they are trying to hide from cats, it aint gonna work!

I so enjoyed watching them, it was so entertaining. I was able to view a beautiful butterfly very up close on my flowery bush & so thanked God for all his little creatures.

I look up & I see these little beady eyes staring back at me! It was him! Its that pesky ground hog who has resided  under our shed with his wife!  I saw em' last year, but now he is just freely walking around, not a care in the world!  Thinks he owns the place!  I took baby steps toward him, he froze still, you know trying to do that camoflouge thing. Being a statue, thinking I cant see him. HELLO! 

I got closer & closer. He was not moving. I thought, poor little guy, hes scared to death of me!  Got too close, so he ran right under my shed!  I know where he lives & I think I will visit he & his lovely bride more often.

He did not find my tomatoes! How could that be?  Its so obviouse! You cant miss em'!  Whats wrong with him!  Maybe hes not the vegetarian type?  Could be.  Maybe hes just being hospitable. Ill have to ask him next time I see him.

A ground hogs life is a great life. You run around all day looking & hoping to steal food from someone else who needs it. If you want to move, you just go!  If you dont want to see anyone, dig a hole & just hide underground. Its a beautiful life! No pressure, nothing. Who wouldnt want this life?

Hes a pretty cute little guy. Visions of me bombing his house have crossed my mind, but you know, hes not bothering my maters' & I kinda like the guy. I think Ill keep him. (not that hes going anywhere!)

• 0 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jul. 28, 2008 - Interesting insights~

 

Ill be posting here for awhile on the topic of courtship vs. betrothal.  We are not there yet, we are merely being students.  Learning  & wanting to hear the Lord should this come our way some day.  We have been praying for our future son-in-laws for years now & have taught our oldest daughters to begin praying for the spouse the Lord is preparing for them.  They may be called to be single, so we do encourage them also to pray for thier future if it does not include a husband.

I post some interesting quotes here, but ultimatly its the Word of God that has the final say.

Gothard: Courtship - "A father’s agreeing to work with a qualified young man to win his daughter for marriage."

Lindvall: Courtship - "A romantic relationship between a young man and woman in which both were of marriageable age, had the full blessing of their parents, and were seriously contemplating marriage."

Thompson: Courtship - A stage/period in Scriptural Romance prior to Betrothal. Courtship constitutes the process of investigating a person with marriage in mind: evaluating character, values, beliefs, practices, interests & life purpose to ensure a godly match. There is to be no physical contact and no developing of romance/emotional ties during this period. Parents first investigate, followed by more detailed investigation by the young people themselves, generally within family settings.

Harris: Courtship – "Dating with a purpose; friendship plus possibility; and romance chaperoned by wisdom." A relationship with a clearly defined direction. "A reformed version of dating under the supervision of parents between a man and a woman who are ready for marriage in the near future."

Myers: Courtship - consists of three main elements: 1) accountability to parents and other trusted adults; 2) building each other’s character rather than focusing on physical attraction; and 3) waiting to develop serious relationships until you are ready to get married.

Raunikar:Courtship – a relationship / process begun with full approval of both sets of parents (or an accountability couple if not possible) with the intent to consider marriage, and to become acquainted through family and group activities.

Barth: Courtship - "a process by which a mature young man or young lady of marriageable age, along with their parents, seek to discern their God-given life partner. It involves the parents or authorities on both sides and yet allows for feelings and discernment from both of the young people involved."

Lindvall: Betrothal – An irrevocable and publicly announced commitment to marriage, only terminated for infidelity, during which the cultivation of a romantic relationship is permitted. Betrothal is instigated by the young man and woman with the full approval of parents. No physical contact occurs until after the wedding.

Thompson: Betrothal - A stage/period in Scriptural Romance, following the stage of Courtship. It is a binding commitment to marry, approved & supervised by the fathers, attested by a bridal provision (bride price / dowry) and by witnesses and/or a document. It follows a careful investigation that occurs during the Courtship period.

Note the above similarities and differences. Concerning courtship: Parental authorization and guidance appears in all to varying degrees. A purpose of considering marriage is present or implied in all. A degree of readiness for marriage is stated or implied. Some stress investigation while others stress the cultivation of romance. Lindvall’s definition of betrothal defines a binding commitment to marry, without a period of courtship investigation or any romantic involvement preceding. In Thompson’s, betrothal is a stage that follows courtship.

This last paragraph & including the quotes are from an article that I found on the web while doing a search on courtship/betrothal.

• 1 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jul. 26, 2008 - Courtship or betrothal~ whats the difference?

A huge question, yes?  There is a difference. Ive been doing some studying on this for our family. Ill keep it there though, Id be interested in your opinion. Have you studied it out?  What conclusions have you come to?  Why? Does the word of God speak of courtship?  Does it speak of betrothal? 

 I would love some input. I know what we think, but I really want to hear what someone else has to say. If their are any of you out there who have practiced either, Id be very interested in hearing of your experience.  How did the Lord work it out in your family. Would make for a great discussion!

Rejoicing In Him, Patrizia

• 0 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jul. 25, 2008 - Making memories~

 My 5 blessings~

 Gotta love these girls!  I couldnt ask for more. They are a blessing to us.

 enough said~

 This is our Lidia delighting in the flowers in our backyard.

• 1 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jul. 23, 2008 - My "brown colored man's suit blog" is gone forever! Yahooooooooo!

My old blog looked like a mans suit. I was trying to get the "coffee" look. I did not succeed. Being that im new at this & probably will NEVER figure out how to make my blog all nice & pretty, I took a big step today~ I CHANGED THE FACE OF MY BLOG PAGE!   I am happy that I could at least use a recyled template that someone has all ready used, so that I dont have to have a brown colored suit blog anymore)

To this, we added some photos. Pretty smart, huh? Thank God for my daughters who figure this sort of thing out for me. "Mom, your blog is boring, you need something."  So, they are the ones who spruce it up for me. So good to have them. And encouraging they are too!

None of my links work!  Try it! Click on them. Nothing! See~ I told you, they dont work.

Ah well, good intentions anyhow.

Enjoyed a 7 mile bike ride today. Yep, thats right, 7 miles. I took up bike riding again. Went on a few jaunts  starting last week in the 90* weather we have been having here. Not very smart! But hey, its good excercise!  So today, my husband & I went on a 7 mile excursion. For the first time, I didnt have to walk my bike at any time. Im really kind of enjoying it! 

Im not a jogger. Looks silly in a skirt anyway. I look like a runaway tent!  Skating is not for me, too embarrassing. I can walk! That I can do! 

 

 Biking is fun though. Having to avoid many obstacles along the way is quite the challenge.  Today on our bike path I almost bumped into a chip munk. (nice little guy) A rabbit ran out in front of me! Im pretty sure it was Bugs. Havnt seen him in years, but he sure did look familiar!  Im huffing & puffing, huffing & puffing & right there in front of me was a frog! Leaping for its dear life, trying to avoid me!  I scared the poor thing to death. Cardiac arrest for sure. Hes a goner after today. If not, he is definitaly counting his blessings this evening. His life was spared! Whew.

• 3 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jul. 23, 2008 - Family fun..........

Paddle boating!  Such fun! & WORK!  Here is My husband, Michaela sitting with him & behind them are Julia & Maria~ We had a great time! 

Those cuties~ Maria & Julia holding on for dear life. Not really.

Me.  Doing quite well, considering I am not liking the water.

Heres the lake we boated on. In Lorain, Ohio.

Julia, Maria & Lidia, my 3 youngest girls having fun at a different lake the same day. Lots of funnin' that day~ 

• 0 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jul. 21, 2008 - ooooh-la-la!

I cant speak French. Sorry, all I can say is oooooh-la-la & viola! Thats it!  I wish I could though. Such a beautiful language.  I have just recieved from my Uncle in France a DVD of he & his family. Its been years since Ive seen him, maybe 30 years or so.

I wrote to him a few months ago & he then sends me this DVD which is dedicated to me & I have been on an emotional roller-coaster ever since. I litteraly cried buckets the first time we watched the tape. The Lord is so good to me. After all these years, you just dont forget your loved ones. I have the memories still, I thank God for that. I also know that the Frenchies are quite liberal. I know that my family there is. How does one like this get saved?????? Oh, Im so grieved. None of them are saved. They are such wonderful people, but no one cares. How do you make them care?

How do you show them Jesus from America?  They arent too fond of Americans!  Oh my! What to do? So, today my heart is heavy for them. I need an answer. Oh Lord give me an answer.

I will write to him again to thank him for the DVD & then I plan on making one myself here & sending it off. I will take direction from the Lord as to what to do next. A mission field, no doubt.

Well, its been 85-90* each day here in beautiful Ohio. The sun is shining its beautiful face on our land these days. My garden is stunning & Ive been observing the humming bees. Have you ever seen one of those before!?  Its like a gigantic bee. At first its quite a scary picture, then when you realize what it is, its a beautiful thing to watch.

I dont do bugs very well. Why I keep rescuing them is beyond me. As if they were human or something! "Girls! Dont step on the ant! You might crush em'!"  "Careful, your about to step on a potato-bug!"  "Dont pick up the butterfly! Youll break its wings!!!!!!!"  My poor girls will never see science! I wont let them!  Great for home schooling you know!  Oh my.

These poor girls are scared to death of spiders! When I say, SCARED TO DEATH~ I mean it!  I always know when I hear a curdling scream that one of the girls has encountered a spider. Whos fault is this, you dare ask?  MINE!  No denial here. I know it, I AM GUILTY! 

When we first moved in to this home a gigantic, black bug with huge teeth, bug-eyes & 25 million legs flew into our home!  The size of a dragon! IT WAS UGLY!  The scariest thing you ever saw!  AND IT WANTED TO HURT US!  Flying all around, not caring at all about the screaming that was going on. Just antagonizing us & wanting harm done to us!

I tried to be brave & look for it. Before you know it I had moved furniture all around the living room & things were knocked down. I mean this thing was going to hurt us bad!

Finally, after much screaming & running around in total panic, I came up with a great idea. Get the girls out of harms way & get them outside where this thing wont kill them. So, I did what any other mother would do, I took my brood & put them outside where they would be free from any anguish.

Then another good move on my part, I went to go get my neighbor! Good thinking, huh? Surly this woman would come & rescue us from this evil thing lurking in our home. Sure enough, she was kind enough to come & help! After all, what are neighbors for?????  Now mind you, I just moved in a few months earlier, so this was quite the ice-breaker for us.

This brave woman, who since then I have the upmost respect for comes in with what she called a "fly-swaRter. Now Ive heard of fly-swatters, but this was new to me~ a fly- swaRter?  It looked like my fly-swatter, but nope, she insisted it was a fly-swaRter. Okay, whatever. Fly-swaRter it is!

She's in my house, we are all outside. She is so brave. She should have been a fire-fighter.

A few minutes later, she comes out with the beast RIGHT ON HER FLY-SWARTER!  AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!Then you know what she did?  She picked that big, black thing  off of the fly-swaRter by its wings & shows it to us!  God love er', she is so, so brave. Ill never forget what she did for us.

It turns out it wasnt exactly as big as I thought it was. Actually, it was only about maybe half the size. Well, really it was maybe only about an inch big. However, at the time it seemed a lot bigger than it was!  You know what Im talking about, youve probably had one of those nasty, lookin' bug-eyed things invading your home too at some time or another. If she wasnt home to protect us, good neighbor that she is, I would have called the fire department. Im so glad to have neighbors like this. Always willing to give a helping hand. Just like the days of old.

Just the other day, we had an enormous dragon-fly sitting right there on our family room sofa!  BIG OLD EYES STARING RIGHT AT ME, wanting to eat me for supper!  It was lookin' at me not in a nice way!  So we did our screaming ritual & all left the house. You know, because I am wanting to protect my children as any mother would have done in my position.

Oh, I did leave my oldest Michaela in the house to try to catch it with the colander. Good thing my husband just pulled up the driveway just in time. Whew, that was a close call. We ran to the car & told him about this huge, mamoth sized dragon fly that was trying to whisk  us away & probably bring us back to its hide-away & we would have never seen the light of day again, so  he ran in right away & soon enough came out to let us back in from outside. Close call! What a brave soul he is. Great timing. It could have been a disaster. I shudder just to think what could have happend to us.

Im glad Im not a bug & Im glad I dont beleive in reincarnation.  Id hate to come back as a dragonfly or that black thing that was flying around our heads & caused havoc on our home. Life is good.

 

 

 

• 4 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jul. 15, 2008 - The Amish way of life.......aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh...........

Yesterday we went to what we call Amish Country. Actually, we go to Holmes county where the Amish live. Their are also Mennonite, Hutterite & Apostolics with various other groups in between. It is only 45 min. from here & it is just beautiful. My cousin & her husband were in from Italy a couple of years ago & we took them to Amish Country. Pietro likened it to Tuscany. Its really quite majestic. Get on the web & take a peek!  Oh, its just beautiful. Also, you may have heard of Lehmans Hardware. Well, most people I know hate that we live so close to it. It is just  a wonderful, wonderful store. The best.

Anyhow, I do a lot of my shopping there. I get all of my staples. This  is how I can cook nutritionally for my family. I normally buy my wheat berries there for grinding, but they are so, so expensive now. I have been buying whole wheat flour from Bobs Red Mill, it is less expensive that way. (all ready ground)

I get everything down there. My cupboards are full & plentiful today! I love that feeling. I made Macaroons today. MMMMM,MMMMMMM!  DOUBLE, TRIPLED!  Now these are not healthy. Not at all. You see why Im so excited now.

My oldest is our bread maker. So, now that we have ingredients again, we will have fresh bread. She makes wonderful bread. So pretty. Michaela makes abot 6loaves a week when we do have the stuff. Anna is my baker too, she likes to make coffe cakes. The girls are wonderful cooks & tend to make more gourmet things. Our house hold is eatin' great!

We enjoyed the countryside yesterday. We enjoy the people too. Have made some friends down there, but havnt visited with any this time. Got some wonderful bargains on books & we love going to the Mennonite Thrift shop, always come home with goodies from there. SO fun! 

Today the house smells so good. I love it!  Gotta go~ my dough is calling me : )

• 4 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jul. 12, 2008 - Everything's comin' up Daisys!

I take such pleasure in my flower gardens. You know, when I get good at this bloggin stuff, I will have my older girls put up photos of our beautiful yard. Oh, its so, so pretty.

Their are daisys everywhere. They line the back of the fence & I have Shastas too. I have been stuck in the house since driving has been taken away from me by the ER Doctor. I am wanting to spend more time in the yard now.

You must know, I DO NOT LIKE TO SWEAT! Is anyone out there like me?  I dont understand how anyone can just sit & bake in the sun & just pour down sweat. Yik.  

Years ago, I would lay out in the sun & just bake. I would even slather on olive oil instead of sun tan lotion just to get  a deep-dark tan! WHAT WAS WRONG WITH ME?   Come to me cancer! My~I still cant believe it.

I did end up looking as if I came off of some Carribean Island, in this I did succeed. To think it was so important to me back then! On top of it all, I would go to the tanning booths. OH MY! Leathered skin!

You couldnt pay me to do something like that now. I cant even stand being out in the sun! And then sweat on top of it? 

I went from daisys to tanning. Makes perfect sense, eh? 

So, I think Ill go back out & spend time with my daisys again. Just me & them.

For Michaelas graduation party I bought 3 dozen dyed daisies. Pink, purple, yellow. blue & green. Oh my, so, so beautiful. We put them in small vases, 2 next to eachother in the center of the tables. We tied white & lavender ribbon on each vase. So, so pretty.

I get such peace from my little bit of heaven out back. The flower beds are breath-taking!  Such joy! I put in a bit over $200.00 in flowers out front & in pots, some veggies. Its stunning.

I figure, I dont have any bad habits. I dont buy anything, so the money goes into flowers once a year. I will get those photos up soon. Somehow I dont think photos will do them justice though.

Im headed toward my window again~ Isnt it so pretty? You are missing out! Oh, I wish you could be here.

• 1 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jul. 9, 2008 - "Wait patiently for the Lord"

I want my prayers answered NOW! TODAY!  Oh, I have had to learn over & over again to wait on the Lord. He is God, He can take His time. He knows whats best for us. Why do we rush Him?  Who do we think we are? Its hard isnt it?  I know I struggle with this at times, especially when I need an answer right now, this second! 

My reading today:

If your prayers are not answered immediately, "wait patiently for the Lord" for His timing.  Also, look to see if anything is wrong in your life that would hinder His answer such as:

1. disobedience: (Deut. 1:43-45)

2. unconfessed sin (Ps. 66:18)

3. indifference (Prov. 1:24-33)

4. neglect of mercy (Prov. 1:21-13;   1 Pet. 3:7)

5. turning from the commandments (Prov. 28:9)

6. stubborness (Zech. 7:11-13)

7. instability (James 1:6-7)

8. self indulgence (lusts) (James 4:3)

We should never forget what a GREAT PRIVILEGE  we have to take EVERYTHING TO GOD IN PRAYER!

Thank you Jesus for this great privilege, forgive us Lord for not taking it to heart. We scream when we need you & we use you. You are there for us to reach out to only when we need you, forgive us. Help us to take you mor seriousely. You are God, let us humble ourselves before you Lord & remember you want us to talk with you & spend time with you.

• 1 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jul. 8, 2008 - It is finished!

We had a nice graduation party for Michaela. I think everyone enjoyed themselves. there were around 60 people, 5 short of what we thought~ not bad.  The decorations were nice, the food fabulous (we had it catered) the Italian Polka music, the beautiful, gigantic Casata cake was just breath-taking.  Friends, family, fun! What a day to remember.

We were just exhausted when it was all over. The day before we set up all the tables, chairs & tents. Whew!  When the party was over, we had good friends stay & tear everything down for us without us even asking them to. What  a blessing. The Lord knows what we need & its wonderful to see the saints that are in tune to our needs.Thank you Jesus!  We are still eating left-overs & I have much of it frozen now. Everything was just tremendous.

Long story very short, I spent the day in ER the Thursday before the party. 6 hours~ Oh my.  It was tough. That morning, I went to Borders book store to get a gift for a friends daughter. I began feeling funny, sort of heavy with a very strange feeling going through my body. I staggered a bit, this happend twice. I was afraid to walk over to the cashiers to pay for my stuff before Id get to the van. I found a chair & plopped down to get myself in order. I prayed.  Still feeling funny, I tried to get control of my legs to get moving. I felt very wobbly.

Ended up in the van, called my husband & the side of my face was very heavy & my speech was slurred. (not a good thing)  He calls 911 & they come to get me. Everything they did to me in the ambulance turned out fine, I forgot my street name, but then it came back to me. I was alert & all of that, just a bit dingy that moment.

Ended up in ER. Had an MRI & CT & numerous other tests. PRAYED, PRAYED, PRAYED. all came back negative. Whew.  I thought I had a stroke, the ER doctore thinks I did too, a TIA.  He doesnt see any proof of it, but is not discounting it. The Neurologist wants me to see him. I will be getting more head tests & an ultrasound on my neck which will show any blockage or bleeding in the brain or anywhere. WHAT A DAY! Also checking into seizures. Never a dull moment in my life.

Im doing great! I am not worried at all. I faced some hard issues that day, but I realize we have no control over what happens to us, this was a reality for me that day. I am peaceful today. The Lord is my helper. Im not trying to sound like a martyr, but I know I can trust Him with me.

The Doctor made me laugh (he was NOT trying to be funny) He said, "I dont think you are getting enough oxygen to your brain." I looked at him & said, "Ive finally been diagnosed after all these years!"  This would explain my ditzy moments that I have forever lurking over me. That Ziggy cloud that follows me EVERYWHERE!  HA! I had a ball with that one. I did get a chuckle out of him thankfully. Livin' up everyone!  Oh my, it was a hoot!

So life goes on............................................

Ps. 139:14    I will praise thee; for I am fearfully & wonderfully made.

James 4:10  HUMBLE YOURSELVES in teh sight of teh Lord, & he shall lift you up.

Oh, the Word is so, so good. He is so good to me. I thank Him for the trials, He is the lifter of my head. How do people do it without Him?  I cant understand it!  Its so simple! He is the giver of life, He is in control, He is dependable, He is all powerful, He is our God! How can we not have a relationship with Him?  Im baffled.

• 3 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jul. 2, 2008 - Prayer is a time of...........

1. Giving God praise & thanks for His grace, mercy &love; showing our fiath in His Diety & ability.

Heb. 11:6 He that cometh to God must believe that he is, & that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

2. Confessing sins & recieving forgiveness through Jesus as personal Savior.

Isa. 1:18 Come now, & let us reason together, saith the lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.

3. Petitioning for the needs & desires for ourselves & others.

Jms. 5:16-18 Pray one for another...... the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.....

4. Recieving help, peace, joy & revelation from Him.

5. Praying "for them wich despitefully use you & persecute you." Mat. 5:44

I love that I can go directly to the Father, I dont need a mediator like I was taught growing up. What did He die for if I need to go through another man?  A MAN????????  He died for us. He answers prayers, not a man. He is our helper in time of need, not a man. He has given us the privilage to communicate with Him through personal prayer. He hears us, HE IS GOD!  I dont need to go through someone else. He is God!

Thank you Jesus for this, that I can come to you with no one between us. Just you & me. What a blessed relationship that is! I thank you for dying on the cross for me, that I can come to you & you hear me & care for me. I love that you have given us that gift.

Today is a new day!  Ive messed up many times all ready~ BUT.................... Ive acknowledged it! It is 12:28, there is a lot of time left in the day. Now that I realized that I have all ready made plenty of mistakes today, I go to the Father who is my helper. I will pray now. Ill get through my day with His help. I repent right now & life goes on.

To be oh so careful NOT to repeat this again tomorow. His mercies are new daily. Whew!

 

• 0 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jul. 1, 2008 - Prayer & protection..................

Most of my blogging is about me as a mom & how I choose to work on myself daily, so that I can be a blessing onto my family. The Lord has blessed us with 5 daughters, so theres much work to be done. Each & every day I pray for their protection, whether it is when I leave the house or their character or their future mates, even their relationship with the Lord. There is so much to pray for that it would take days to type it all out. Weve all heard the saying, "prayer changes things." IT DOES! Most of the time.

He doesnt always have to answer yes, He can answer no! He can also answer, "wait."  I used to struggle with this. Today, I accept it more & know going into praying that I may not get an answer right away, or that maybe He just needs time with me. He just wants to hear from me. Prayer is communication with Him!  If we dont pray, we dont have a relationship. I believe this.

In my little study I had today, this is what I read:

Jesus instructs us to go directly to God,   whom we may address "Our Father."  making our petitions in His name (Jn. 14:13) & "Use not vain repetitions,  as the heathen do."

WHOA!  I used to do this! I was taught this in the Catholic tradition growing up! Why would they teach me such heresy if God himself says NOT TO DO THIS!   That I should go directly to God! I would have never known this, if I never picked up my Bible. The Word of God~ His love story to us. He speaks to us through His Word. Yet, we are told to obey man. "It is better to obey God rather than men."  The Word teaches.

God forgive me. The Word is so true. I am grateful for His hand book to me.

We should NEVER forget what a GREAT PRIVILEGE we have to take EVERYTHING to GOD in PRAYER!

 

 

 

 

 

 

• 1 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jun. 30, 2008 - Pomp & Circumstance...........

Well, it is finished.  Our oldest has graduated on Saturday. I just gave birth! How did this happen?  Where is my life going? Life is just flying by. Love my girls, but I know I have them but for a season.

The Lord is teaching me much. I am really appreicating my girls these days. So many  years of hussle & bussle, being so busy & not realizing what I have. God forgive me. He is truly showing me much these days. Thank you Jesus. Its never too late, never.

As I listend to the piano playing, "Pomp & Circumstance" at our daughters graduation ceremony, I thought, "Lord Jesus, how did this happen, why are we here?" I could not beleive my eyes. There was our little girl all grown up. Its beyond what I can bare. Hes given me peace today. I feel peaceful. To put my trust in Jesus is peaceful.

Col. 3:15    Let the peace of God rule in your hearts.  Be of good courage today~

• 0 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jun. 27, 2008 - Graduation day tomorow at CHEO in Columbus!

Tomorow our oldest daughter will be graduating at CHEO in Colombus, Ohio. Whew! Where has all the time went?  So many prayers going up. So much to do. We have almost everything we need for the graduation party next week. It will be fun!  Have many friends coming to celebrate & good friends at that. We sure are blessed.

Colombus is a 2 hour drive for us. It seems like it takes days to get there. Its a very long, boring ride. Oh my. We will get through it, right?

Happy Graduation day to Michaela!

 

• 1 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jun. 26, 2008 - Ugly Weeds........................

Well, today was weeding time!  We have had a lot of rain here in Ohio the past couple of weeks. Heavy rains I might add!  Each morning Id wake up & see my grass growing longer & longer. Almost lost the children in there once!  : )    Each time Id want to go out there & cut it, it would rain again! Oh my!

My husband has been on vacation this week & this morning looked like a good time to get out there & mow the lawn. YAHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I love clean, cut grass, so pretty, so refreshing. Its like new life to me.  As the grass was getting cut we noticed weeds! LOTS & LOTS OF THEM! GIGANTIC ONES! LIKE BIG CORN STALKS!  BIG CABBAGES!  ENORMOUS!  AND EVERYWHERE!  They were beginning to grow arms & legs! I am sure if Id kept them there they would have swallowed up the whole family! 

So we took to weedin'. I pulled out a bizillion weeds today. The girls were in the house cleaning & doing their chores, so just my husband & I took on this great project.  It seemed like it would be impossible to get every weed. Little by little I began to pull & clear the areas around me. IT WAS HOT TODAY! My hair stuck to my head~ I mean humid-hot!

Each area that was getting cleared out would bring satisfaction to my soul. I knew then the flowers I had planted would grow nicely now that the weeds were gone. Weeds suck up space & take nutrients away from growing flowers. My Patunias were screaming, " I CANT BREATH!'  So, I helped them out a bit by yanking the weeds.

I began to think as I was pulling each one, this is  what I try to do each & every day with me. I struggle to grow, & maybe I do here & there, but I have so many weeds to get rid of inside me. The weeds I have strangle the fruit that needs to grow at times. I am aware of that & now I will be working diligently to keep the weed out. Weeds choke. I cannot be the person Christ wants me to be if Im not getting rid of the weeds. HOW NEAT!  What a great lesson that is for me! 

Imagine the Lord using my gigantic, ugly weeds in my flower beds to teach me a lesson. Isnt that wonderful?  I was also thinking, He allows those weeds to be there, those that I live with also. Its to shape me & mold me, He is teaching me & showing me how to get rid of them. Wow.

Prov. 6:16  These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an obomination unto him:

1. A proud look.

2. A lying tongue.

3. Hands that shed innocent blood.

4. An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations.

5. Feet that be swift in running to mischief.

6. A false witness that speaketh lies.

7. He that soweth discord among the brethren.

These are all weeds if you think about it a bit.

 

 

 

 

• 0 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link