Well I slept in today a bit and I feel tired but I am plugging along. I emailed my hubby and apologized for the Eeyore attitude yesterday and he forgave me.

We are going to see The Phantom of the Opera tonight. We have dinner reservations at a great restaurant downtown. This is a cultural experience for our family. We do not do this all the time but thought we would enjoy this one. Us girls are looking forward to it and my Hubby is also but the youngest boy is trying to get out of it.  I hope he enjoys it and I think we will let him pick the next family thing to do for going along with us.

I hope you all have a wonderful day and if you live in the midwest...stay warm :)

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      Wow time flies no matter what you are doing. As for this busy season I am very relieved to report that I am totally ready for Christmas. Presents are all purchased, deocorations are all up and it is time to just enjoy the rest of the month. Some of you will think this is either the act of an overchiever or just great organization. I have to admit that every year I DO NOT enjoy Christmas. For me it is just a time to get through. Crazy I know because I am a Christian, I should enjoy this season. So I decided this year was gonna be different and I was going to get organized get things done and find a way to treat my family special and enjoy this time of celebrating the birth of my savior.

If you have any positive ideas, family traditions that bring you joy etc please share. I can use any advice you have.

I also pray that all of you are having a great time of looking forward to the season of sharing, family and making memories.

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  Wow! It is already the 8th of August. We usually start school after Labor Day and that is coming up soon. I need to get organized and get some stuff ordered !   

   August is a busy month for us. Our oldest son will be home Thursday and we have to take him back to college Saturday. He will be a junior this year and is moving in to his first apartment. Our Daughter will be 16 this month and hubby also has a birthday. Our youngest son is taking drivers ed and our daughter started her first real job. Busy, busy.

     I have logged 900 miles on my bike and it goes in for it's first 1000 miles check up tomorrow, weird but I am excited.

    Is anyone else ready for school?  I hope to get back here more and check on you all. Have a wonderful day.

Amber Sue

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We have been so busy with gardening, farmers market and keeping up with the building that I forgot to take the time to tell of the new gift from my hubby. We are having alot of fun riding our bikes all over Iowa. We put the kids on the back and take off for the day way too much fun.

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Greetings

   I am taking a few weeks off from blogging to get some school caught up and some unpacking done. Thank you so much to all of you who stop by and read and post comments. Do not worry about me as I will be back in a few weeks.

Until then keep pressing on and stay strong in the Lord.

Amber Sue

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    It is Sunday and tomorrow starts another new week of school. I am trying to get geared up and stay positive. We are re-starting our Algebra program and I am praying for wisdom to keep up with this and to learn, learn, learn. Funny thing is I really thought I had learned it ,then I took the test . Oh well that is what homeschooling is all about right. When we do not grasp a subject we go back over it until we get it. With the move and the holidays before that I am glad we are still on track with all the other subjects. The kids have been great they realize we will be doing school over the summer and they are allright with that.

   I wonder if anyone else struggles with their time frame on schooling? Share please.

    Have a Great Week!

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John Leonard is a missionary that our church supports. They are a wonderful family and they spoke at our church this past Sunday. I wanted to share his story here and his website. Please uphold this family in prayer as the Lord is still using them mightily. They have been on the news several times and are even visiting churches and telling about the glory and sustaining power of the Lord.

www.prayforjohn.com is the website 

DES MOINES, Iowa -- A missionary from Ankeny was gunned down last July as he greeted people at his church in Brazil.

John Leonard defied predictions that he wouldn't survive. Though his life has changed forever, he hasn't stopped spreading the word of his faith.

Leonard listened to the latest news from Brazil, a place he has called home.
"(I) never had a reason to feel unsafe," John Leonard said.

Leonard grew up in Brazil, living there with his missionary parents. As an adult, he and his wife, Bev, have also served as missionaries, starting five churches and working to change the lives of the people there.

"We saw many people come to meet God and change that way in their life, also," Leonard said.

Last July at one of his churches, two men came looking for him and opened fire.

"The reason why or who did it has not been discovered yet," he said.

Now, he's paralyzed and must use a wheelchair. His family and his faith sustain him.

"We all know that God has a purpose," Leonard said.

His son, Josh, was there when his father was shot. At the time, the Leonards had just returned to Brazil after a trip to Iowa to bring him home. Josh has a brain tumor and had an accident.

"I had a seizure and fell down some steps, broke my heel, wrist and hip," Josh Leonard said.
The family's ordeal has definitely tested them.

"You think, 'I could never take this.' The Lord always gives you exactly what you need," Bev Leonard said.

"He's the only one who brings anyone through anything," Josh Leonard said.

Mission work can be dangerous as a new movie called "End of the Spear" shows. It tells the story of five missionaries who are murdered in Ecuador.

Leonard said even with all he knows, he doesn't regret anything.

"If God makes us fit to go back to Brazil, we'd be back in a heartbeat," he said.

Leonard and his family will soon be going to various churches to talk about his ministry in Brazil.
Leonard's churches are continuing to operate. He has family members in Brazil as well.

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   Another week has gone by and I am still getting an A with my eating habits. I also made my exercise goal last week and even got in one extra day of exercise.

   Where we live there are lots of hills so walking is a great workout and I even had my kids walk with me so I was motivated. No weight loss but I do feel better and when I got dressed for church I didnt have to suck it in to zip up my skirt if you know what I mean .

   The kids and I went shopping yesterday afternoon and I could have had anything I wanted to eat , but I decided to make wise choices instead and so I had the victory of choosing to do right.

    How is everyone else doing.? I hope well. Stay strong and take it one day at a time. Gotta go paper route.

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Life is just rolling on bye. I had a really great week last week. I was able to eat well and I even exercised two days last week! Pretty good for me. I think I will try for four days this week.

I use a computer program called Diet Power to record what I eat and when I exercise to help keep me accountable. This program is pretty neat. It records my foods and tells me how I am doing and I got an A this week for my food and calorie choices. If you want to know more about this program you can go to http://www.dietpower.com/dealer/dealer.php?action=webpage&id=640 and read about it. It also has a place to put in your favorite recipe and it will break down the calories for you.

I hope the rest of you who are on the road of being healthier are having a good week too. If not just remember that every second is a second to begin again.

Have a great week

Amber Sue

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     It is the day before my 39th Birthday and I have some goals for the year and I wonder if anyone else is interested in some accountability for weight loss? I need to lose 20+ pounds but my goal for this year is just to get 20 off and keep it off. I have heard that after 40 it is much harder to do so I am determined to make this work LOL.

     True confessions; I am borderline desperate to do this. I even went to a weight loss center to see if I could afford it but it was too much and the truth is I know what I should be doing I just am choosing not to do it... and if I am right James calls that SIN! Ouch. Realization this morning is hard. I have two accountability partners at church and thought if anyone else is interested then post a comment and we will see how we can do this. My main goal is to eat healthy, move or exercise consistently and to feel good about myself. I will post how much weight I have lost or gained once a week and journal how it is all going and what I am learning through all of this.

Prayer Request;

That I would stay consistent! Slow and steady finishes the race

To not be grumpy with my family while I make changes and they still eat anything they want to

To seek help from the Holy Spirit daily!

Enough said and I appreciate all who read this and pray

I have about a dozen other rants floating in my head today but I will stop here LOL

Have a great day

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Quick Update

    We are all moved, as in the stuff has all been relocated to the new building and the old place has been cleaned, yet the placement of all belongings has yet to be finished. 

     The place is wonderful! All new and very spacious. Still trying to figure out which switch turns on which light. I hope to figure out my camera so I can post some pictures.

     Thanks to all of you who prayed for us. Everyhting made it and no one was injured during the move and that is a big praise to the Lord for his protection. I am still catching up on sleep and of course school too. I hope to be back writing regularly soon but I need to finish this unpacking and hanging of pictures first.

I will be checking up on all of you soon

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Happy New Year!

   We have an hour and a half to go before it is official. My hubby and I are trying to stay up with the kids so we can drink sparkling apple cider at midnight (yummy).

We have already eaten the finger foods and cleaned up the kitchen. My hubby just asked me if we were old fuddy duddies because we are at home tonight. LOL

   The New Year will be starting off with a move for us. We cleaned the place today and will start moving next week. I am glad my #1 son is home from college he is a strong young man. The other kids are teens and they will be alot of help too.

   Where we are moving to is kind of unique. Our church purchased an old school building two years ago. They started remodeling the second floor of the building and made it in to, two-three bedroom apartments. We are moving in to one of the apartments to be the care takers of the building. This will be an adventure for us as we join our churchbody in praying for what God wants to do with this building. I will try to keep you posted.

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I want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas! I pray that this time with family and friends will be a blessing unto you all. May the Reason for the Season be your focus and your joy.

Blessings

Amber Sue

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7 Things I want to do before I die Write a book Really KNOW God's Word See all my children serving the Lord Have peace and balance in my marriage consistently. Ride across America with my hubby on a Harley. Be able to explain God's perfect love to others Finish Well 7 Things I can't do Sew Clothing Slow down (lol) Play the piano Find my way on a map Keep the house clean Guess what my husband needs Make pastry(not yet anyway) 7 Things that attract me to my husband He is a leader Strong personality Sacrifices for his family Studies Gods word for the truth Will listen to my opinion even if it takes a few days to admit it Works hard at being a good Dad Would like to fix all my problems for me 7 Things I say most often Are you ready for this Uhuh I love you I love you too Can you believe it No way Holy Cow! 7 Books I love The Bible The Excellent Wife Victory Over the Darkness The Bondage Breaker Because I said Forever The Call of the Wild Where the Red Fern Grows 7 Movies I watch over and over Pride and Prejudice Steel Magnolias Ever After Pirates of the Caribbean Lord of the Rings Star Wars Series Gilmore Girls Seasons 1-4 7 People I want to join me on this The few people I know here have already done this :)

TAG -- You're It!!!  Ü

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It has been a few days of lounging and trying to stay warm! Leaves me feeling like UGH! I know I should just do something but the blankets of snow and the chill make it hard to do anyhting but stay warm. This is deer hunting season for my men and while they were out slaying deer for the past three days my daughter and I snuggled under blankets and watched movies, girl movies.I must say my daughter and I do enjoy it when the men go for the day and we can just stay in our jammies drink coffee have snacks and relax.  It was alot of fun. We did try to venture out Saturday but the snow was coming down so hard that we had to turn around and come home. I did not think my hubby would appreciate a phone call that we were in a ditch after he had been hunting all day. My men were successful on their hunt and we will have a freezer full in about a week. Anybody else have any hunters in their family? If so I would love to hear if they were successful. No details though just how many LOL.

Stay Warm

Amber Sue

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I just returned home from our annual Thanksgiving Praise service. It is always nice to hear how the Lord is working in the lives of others. I did not say anything, just listened. So I am now sharing what I am thankful for:. Salvation, my relationship with the Lord, the blessing of having grown in my understanding of him and his word. My Husband and the walking miracle he is. My children. I am grateful for every tear I have shed every heartache I have endured every pain that I thought would never end as it has brought me to where I am today. 

Whenever life gets low I sing a song that my Mom taught me when I was little to remind me of the wonderful love of God.

When I get to heaven gonna walk with Jesus

When I get to heaven gonna see his face

When I get to heaven gonna talk with Jesus

Saved by his wonderful grace

Because Im Saved, Saved ,wonderful is saved

Saved by the blood of the lamb

Saved, Saved, wonderful is saved

and Im so glad I am

I am so Thankful for the salvation that was so freely given.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving

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We had our first snow here in Iowa this past Tuesday. It was so beautiful and peaceful. I love it when it snows because it gets so quiet. I think all of creation must just sit back and take it all in and that is why it is so peaceful. My son took some really great pictures that I wanted to share but I could not get them to upload, I will have to work on that.

With the snow on the ground my thoughts turn to the holiday season. I am looking forward to Thanksgiving and having a houseful. My oldest son who is in college will be home and he is bringing 2 to 4 more young men with him. We always encourage him to bring home the ones who cannot get to their own homes. I will have a houseful and that will be nice.

We have a tradition of going to get our tree the Saturday after Thanksgiving and we include all guests in this outing. We go to the tree farm where you walk and find your live tree and then take the tag and they cut the tree down for you. We enjoy hot apple cider as we wait for our tree and if there is snow we will have a snowball fight too. We will return home to Christmas music, egg nog and decorating. It is alot of fun. How about any of you? What are some holiday traditions you enjoy? Do share, some of us might need some ideas.

Well have a good weekend and I hope to hear from you about the traditions.

Amber Sue

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