I went to the doctor last week to have some things I have been neglecting checked. I found out that I have hypothyroid so I will be taking meds that I am hoping will help me feel better and loose some weight. :) I also have had gall attacks over the years and wanted to get it checked. They had me come in on Thurs for a radioactive test.

I went in for the test but the first time through the gall didn't show up...they gave me morphine to send it back up again. It still didn't show. The doctor said it was an abnormal scan. He said "Usually what that means is you will be going to surgery today." My eyes were like saucers worried. He then went on saying, "However, since you are not in pain right now we can wait until you see the surgeon" So, they scheduled my surgery for Monday. I go in at 10:30 am and the surgery is at 12:00. It is suppose to be the laparoscopic (sp?) kind which would have faster recovery and I should go home the same day. There is only a 5% chance of having to have the cut you open kind....hoping I am not the 5%.

My parents and hubby are taking the day off and my sister is coming over. Sis has graciously decided to come stay with me to help me and the kids! I would really appreciate your prayers. I know this is a pretty routine surgery but it is not routine for me! :0 I am not real good with these things but I know I am at a bigger risk if I don't have it done. The doc. also said if I have any pain or fever I have to go to ER to have it done immediately. YIKES! So, that is what is going on here. Thankfully our insurance went through really quick. Again, I would appreciate your prayers!! Thanks!

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I have been in quite a few situations in the last month where I needed to be silent and listen.  I enjoy listening while I also get to give my own input.  However, I am talking about the kind where you SHUT the mouth and really pay attention only to what they are saying.  Putting aside your goals, intents, to do list etc...

I have a dear family member whom I love who is lonely and needs to be listened too. At first, when I was hearing stories two and three times, I began to feel a sortof frustration and wanting to yeah yeah the story up.  However, through many different avenues the Lord guided me to calm down and enjoy the ride.  I mean, just listen. You know, even when stories are the same there is usually one thing different.  Or, even if it is the same story you can still take joy in it thinking of that person in that time. 

I was invited to lunch at a Crumpet Tea Room with my Mom and her buddies.  I ended up going to the wrong one so I was pretty late getting there. They had all finished eating and my food was waiting on me so I started to eat.  Right off the cuff they wanted my opinion on some marriage things.  The conversation later turned into parents with grown children.  They were talking about trying to help their kids but how that seems to make the kids mad.  We ended up sharing some about how my Mom handled this.  She'll admit that in the beginning she didn't handle it right.  She suggested, encouraged, expected etc while I heard in my mind not good enough, criticism, failure. It goes along with a quote from a devotion she studied that really stayed with me.  "Unsolicited advice is criticism".  Whoa.  Now, I know with young children it is a little different but we are talking adults.  Anyhoo, chatting with those ladies and hearing my Mom say that the very Best lesson she finally learned was to "Keep your mouth Shut!"  It kindof hit me that I need to be practicing this lesson now on insignificant things like the color of my kids shorts not matching or the way They fold the napkins.  Some things are important but the most important thing is them knowing God's love through me! 

Anyhow, back to case in point.  Art of listening.  Listening to friends, family, God.  I believe it is an aquired art!  As I heard it said to me "Love, Is, Something, That, Everyone, Needs = LISTEN.

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Have you ever felt this way? It seems that this feeling of inadequacy peeps it ugly head quite often with me. I can feel happy and joyful about life but then it seems I realize once again how I fail or come short on so many levels.

My husband sent me an article by a man who was highly involved in marketing. He is out of marketing now and telling people the truth about the marketers and how they work...it is very eye opening. Their goal is to keep us feeling inadequate so we buy all their products to make us feel better.(www.sixwise.com) Lies. Deception. Sound like someone I have read about before. I realized that once again the father of lies wants me stuck in my inadequate mode because there it goes to self-focus and a downward spiral.

It is amazing to me how opposite God's message is....hope, peace, worth. I realize that I have been allowing myself to listen to many avenues that provide lies. I am feeling convicted but still allowing it to be in my life. Why?

I heard a pastor talking about how we are in good company if we do the things we don't want to do and don't do what we want to do. Paul. He was so passionate for the Lord. David. A man after God's own heart. And yet, obvious downfalls and sin in their lives. Did that stop their journey? No. How encouraging. We are a work in process.

I saw a passage that I have seen many times before, however, it had new meaning for me as far as our home and school wise.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is inspired by God and is
profitable for teaching,
for rebuking,
for correcting,
for training in righteousness,
so that the man of God may be COMPLETE,
Equipped for EVERY Good work.

Complete. Wow! That is where I need to be in Him, His words. I want that for me and my family, my kids.

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Do you ever do this? Wonder about the purpose of different things going on in life. I was asking myself why I do certain things certain ways. I mean, I LOVE paper plates that you can throw away instead of washing a dish just to make it dirty again. I do find joy though in having pretty dishes and a nice dinner and I don't want to support cutting down All the trees with my lack of desire for washing.

So, anyway, back to the point....purpose...what was the purpose of this blog...oh yea, I was thinking of this in relation to my kiddos and our agendas. I have been accused of being a fun mom which I love. However, I have begun to see kinks in that wonderful plan. You know, kids require more fun times, expectations are up, gratefulness is down etc etc... I want my kids to have a fun life and then thought why exactly? I mean, I guess it is because I want to have fun in life. I believe our heavenly father created us to have those fun moments and to find joy in the midst of life....however, I don't read where he says our life is about fun only. He talks of persecution and sacrifice....things I cringe at. Hmmm, not fun. However, in the martyrs I have read about, they have such peace and contentment in Him alone. There are stories I read that one would think they would chuck it and get out of that mission field but they stay. For what purpose. Their desire to be Holy not just Happy.

So, in light of that...realizing I may be sending my kids the wrong message with only fun times in mind. We will continue to have them but I want them to also understand sacrifice and perseverance, putting others first and discipline. I have always hated that word....discipline...maybe because I feel like a failure there. I don't want my kids concerned with failure but rather focusing on the goal. Not focused in a Me mentality but Him mentality. We all have ups and downs but you know what I mean? What is the purpose of all we do? Is it really for the higher purpose or are we only focused on Me and My stuff. Life is so fast and I don't like how fast it is going but now I realize more than ever that my purpose is to guide my treasures to be ready for battle, be ready for defeat, be ready to be focused, disciplined, self-sacrificing. True contentment, peace and joy will be found in Him.

Sometimes in homeschooling I have put our table work or reading/knowledge work before the heart work. When I do that things get out of wack. Usually when I do that it is representative of my own heart issues. So, striving forward. I love to read other peoples schedules so I will list some of our own routine for now. You will find not perfection here but what we strive for Enjoy.

Sortof Early Morning :)
*Breakfast
*Morning routine and daily chore
*Bike riding (for kids)

Mid Morning
*Table time - this focuses on whatever season the kids are working on. Usually always involves copywork of things I choose or they choose. They usually like to accompany copywork with artwork. Alternate days of math, Language arts/phonics, geography (however, as you know this is always going on anyway).
*Prayer/Bible - we move to living room, have globe/dictionary handy. We sit around coffee table, talk about what we want to pray for, look at past requests and see what has been answered then we all pick some to pray for and pray. When we begin the Bible reading,I read and answer questions while they draw whatever they want from the story. BTW, they are wiggly, moving and drawing etc. However, they listen very well even wiggly. I ask them to tell me about the story...youngest first....older always seem to get more.
*Free play

Lunch

Early Afternoon
*Reading
*Outside activities...for summer often swimming

Mid-Afternoon
*Productive Play - This is their special interest times or things I encourage them to do to see if there is any interest there. I let them help me in this to develop their special bents and gifts.
{Some examples:
**Son age 9 - movie making(illustrating, filming, editing), building(with wood, invention creation, legos), reading, playing learning board games, nature study.
**Daughter age 6- drawing, sewing, knitting, board games, puzzles, playdough, nature study.}
**Me - designing regency/modern dresses, sewing, songwriting, knitting, researching interests, writing about findings.

Supper

Evening Family activities and free time.


This is our routine that we try to live out. There will defininetly be God interuptions. However, I don't stress if something gets left out. We are striving to do this routine and always willing to tweak it when needed. :) I would love to hear your routines as well!

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We have been visiting some different churches lately.  Got some really great insight revealed that I have to share! Yesterday the man who spoke talked of the story in the Bible where a man who owned vinyards went out and got day workers to help him harvest.  This owner made an agreement on payment with the workers from the very beginning.  He hired some at 6am, 9am, 12, 3pm and then, almost at the end of the day,  he hired some at 5pm who he found had been waiting for work all day.  As the day ended he instructed them to be paid last to first.  What he pointed out next is what struck me. 

The ones who were there at the beginning of the day got discontent....they wanted more than the ones who got there at the end.  I could totally relate....I would probably be one of those irritated workers.  Then he brought out that it was because of their wanting MORE.  They had been fine all day. They were okay with working first and agreeing to the pay. They were okay with other workers being hired throughout the day and being paid something.  However, when they were paid and thought they Deserved More is when the discontment happened.  They were not treated unfairly and the vinyard owner pointed that out.  He had in fact given grace by hiring them in the first place. He had just extended grace to the late workers.  Whoa. That hit me.  How many times have I begrudged someone a pleasure or grace because I felt it unfair.  Really hit me and I took it home.  Time to get more in tune with the grace I have already been given and be happy and content even when others get more.

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Deu 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

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I went to a party one time for scrapbooking but it was called Faithbooking.  I will try to describe it and then give an example.  She chose pictures of times in her life where God did something with her Faith...to grow it...kindof like a picture book of her faith journey.  The pictures may not even have always had her in them but it was something or someone who led her further. The story was so beautiful and brought us to tears.  It is not as decorated as a scrapbook (however you could do that if you wanted to) and has more journaling beside pictures.  One thing I loved is how she spoke about how history was past down with writing and pictures. What an awesome thing to leave to our kids....our faith journey...or their own faith journey to look back on. It is just such a wonderful idea.

I am going to try to link a picture so you can see the pic and see my journal as an example. http://www.flickr.com/photos/10996764@N00/120578496/

 The kids had been avidly praying for a dog.  Dad had even kindof wanted one.  Mom said NO.  One day we were at soccer games until late in the afternoon.  When we got home there had been a message left early that morning that a dog was chained to a handicap parking pole in our church parking lot.  They wondered if my hubby could do something about it.  He was a minister on staff.  He told me he thought it had probably already been taken care of but he wanted to go see about the dog since it had been a really hot day.  He took off.  Shortly, he came home and opened up the back of the car.  Out came the cutest dog (a lab beagle mix).  My kids were estatic.  They asked if we could keep it but Dad said we needed to see if we could find it's owner. The dog had been well cared for and was well trained.  He slept on a bed we made him that night and didn't get up once.  He was quiet, loved to snuggle and play with kids, didn't bark much, obeyed most all orders.    After days of not finding the owner, the kids were saying "God gave us a dog!!"  I had to admit that if I Had to have a dog this one met my standards of already being well trained and not loud and irritating. God met the whole family's desires and answered my kids prayers!     

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Since my grandfather passed away and we have moved back as well as my son turning a year older and looking more like a growing boy than my baby, It makes me ponder what kind of legacy I am leaving. I so want it to be one of love and joy and leaning on the Lord but I also know they get the harshness in my tones and the view of my selfishness shining at them.  Thinking about life and how quickly it goes by makes me want to make the best of each moment even though I don't.  I love so many songs by Nichole Nordeman.  This one legacy really touched on some of what I have been thinking deeply about and praying for.  I would love to hear what are some of the things you are doing to leave a legacy.  I will share some of my plans too such as Faithbooking and studying the Bible together.  Can' wait to hear your thoughts. 

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We are finally hooked up again and I'm so excited. It is amazing how you miss some of the connections while being off. However, we have been so busy with unpacking, job searching, family visiting that we have had little extra time. Thank you so much for your prayers during this time.

God's provision again! My hubby has found a job! Yeah!! It is not in ministry but rather management. It looks like it will be something he will enjoy and an income we can live on. It will definitely be an adjustment but we are excited about it. We have prayed and wrestled about full time vocational ministry but at this point we believe we are not to be full time. We love ministry and will continue to do it as it is our first calling. However, it will just look different than what we have done in the past. Thank you for continuing to pray for our future.

We are enjoying being back at home and close to family. It has rained for several days and we have LOVED it!! We came from desert so the refreshing rain and cooler weather feels terrific! We also love the rolling hills and greenery!! Nothing like home. :) I firmly believe that your prayers have helped us in this very chaotic and emotional time. I cannot thank you enough for all the loving support. I am anxious to get done unpacking so that I can have more time to read your blogs and catch up on your lives!

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"God is faithful even when we are faithless" (part of a verse in the Bible that has ministered to me....at the moment can't remember the reference will have to fill in later)

I want to thank so many of you for your sweet encouraging words.  My family and friends have done so much...they have given money, hosted us in their homes, helped us move, brought us food and certificates etc. I believe all of that is God's provisions.

Also, we had an amazing moment when we were getting down to nitty gritty and bills were rolling in, a man who had been at our last church in this area somehow heard about us coming back and our situation. We really don't know how he knew because we hadn't told to many people in this area yet. However, God allowed him to know and impressed him to give to us. He wrote us a check for $5000.00!!! I cannot keep quiet about it because all of you are praying and I must give testimony to God providing!! WE are thrilled and thanking God! I had peace that God would provide, He has done it before but he also allows us to struggle at times for learning reasons. Needless to say, I was overjoyed when the money was revealed. Relief and less stress for this month. Thank you God!!

So, thank you for your continued prayer support. I am only briefly at a computer. We will not have internet until around Tues. I miss getting to chat. Hope you are all doing well! Thanks for your love. It has brought me to tears

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Today is a sad day for our family. One of our favorite people made his way from this life to our real home.  It was our Papaw.  We love him so much that it hurts and at the same time we are happy for him to have relief.  He was so many things to us. He was a support, encouragement, laughter, loving, kind, loyal.  I would love to give a royal tribute to him but it may come later. Today I am dealing with goodbye.  And my encouragement is thinking of his face to face hello.

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I have to share something so incredible with you. My friend did all the work to find this video and it was SO touching to me. I wrote a few blogs back about wanting prayers for new decisions. I just want to say thank you for your prayers. A new decision in our family has been made. I don't have time to write all about it but we are moving back to our previous home. We have peace about this decision and many factors in the reasons. We do not have things figured out for future but we are living on faith in our Father who is more than faithful. We would appreciate continued prayer support.

I would love to encourage you by having you double click on the song (video)....beautiful message of our Lord Jesus and His Daddy and what love they have for us.

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Today is the birthday of one of my greatest Heros! He is the man who worked two jobs to make ends meet so that my Mom could stay home with us. He is the man whose family WAS His hobby and we knew it. He is the one who was always there filming pretty much anything we did and promoting us to others like a promotion manager would do. He is not about being in the lime light and is a very behind the stage personality. He is a major Server and serves the Lord with a joyful spirit!! He is always sporting a big grin and His face just naturally looks loving and caring. He is a man so many others respect. He is consiencious (sp?) and detailed with financing and overseeing the affairs of the home. He is wise. He is a follower of Christ, not just in words but in deeds. He shines the love of God to anyone he meets. He is friendly and a hugger. He is also a teaser! He loves to jump out and scare or to do pranks. He also receives this back with laughter and fun. He has helped laughter always be in our family. He has shown courage, faith, love, hope, and peace throughout His life!

Dad, there is no way to adequately describe you. I do want to say that I am forever grateful that on this day many years ago :) you were born and have blessed and enriched our lives forever!!

I love you!!

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I have read some heart hard blogs as well as heard from people whose heart was heavy loaded. I too have had those times lately. It made me think about my life. So many good as well as painful moments.  I want the good ones to last and for things to be ease for me, my family, friends.  Even when I feel I am in a pocket of ease someone I love or care about may not be.  I think I have hoped that there is that place where I will glide and be at peace not wrestling. 

In ministry I have seen situations where people are totally obedient and yet things get hard and bad.  Then there are others who seem to glide on to what we see as glory.  I get distracted and off base by that.  I want that. I'm realizing that is not my promise from Him. He doesn't want me distracted by the worlds view or even good people's view. He even tells me that I will have persecution.  He promises He will be with me.  He doesn't say life is about happy but rather joyful in Him.  To accomplish the ultimate purpose.

Our time on earth is not about ease. I have had the priveledge of those short moments, but all in all it is about sacrifice, challenge, taking up the cross and following after regardless.  This does not mean hopeless but how much more content and free would I be if I really expected trials instead of working to not have any. The real ease is life with HIM as well as our future home with Him in heaven. It makes me more hungry for Him and for my true home. It makes me realize that maybe that is the point, and Maybe the ultimate lie of the enemy is to get God's people striving for the wrong thing....ease.

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A few weeks ago my Mom and I were talking about greeting others. I had written a little article about it and was sharing with her. She then told me a story that was so cute. She talked about a lady in the office who refused to be ignored or not greeted.  She would speak to everyone and if they didn't even acknowledge her she would say something to the effect of "Does Somebody Need a Hug!!" and get up and hug them.

I totally laughed at this because I, myself, am a big hugger. I know the feeling of giving someone a hug who might not want it.  After a period of time, she trained others to know that if they didn't speak or greet, then she would help cheer them by giving them a hug.  Many people who do not speak are task people so they are not necessarily wanting hugs either.  Turns out, they were able to find it within to begin speaking to her. They also became more pleasent.  Isn't it amazing what just one person can do to change attitudes or environment.

How to Greet Someone

1.       Look at them and speak!  Have you ever walked in a room and people look at you but no one said a word to you?  It is a bad feeling.  On the flip side.  Have you ever walked into a room and were greeted with a warm hello?  It feels like a fresh drink of water.

2.       Raise eyebrows and smile.  I remember being in a seminar with Gary Smalley and John Trent and they talked about honoring someone.  They raised their eyebrows and opened their mouths with a gasp.  We all laughed but you know what, who wouldn’t want that greeting.  It is as if a great leader or movie star walked into the room and you can hear the gasping and excitement.  THAT is how we should greet others!  With enthusiasm and excitement!

3.       Words of warmth and excitement.  Suzie, I’m So happy to see you!  Julie, I am so glad you could make it!  John, great to see you here!  Hi! Hey there! What’s up?!! Hello! Welcome!  Do you notice what kind of punctuation is being used on all those welcomes?  Exclamation marks!!  That is how we should be with anyone we greet!

4.       How hard is a greeting really?  NOT HARD.  I actually think it takes more effort NOT to smile or  speak than it does to just do it.  When you greet you share a warmth with others.  It is like passing a fragrant flower rather than a mildewed dishtowel.

So Go for it!  The next person you see…Greet!

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Have you ever had times when your head is spinning out of control?! My husband and I have a lot of decisions that we are in the midst of making. It is talking and talking and thinking and thinking and praying, praying...you get the point. I want to focus on other things but find myself consumed. I know that He wants me to "cast my cares upon Him" and "be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication let my request be made known to Him" and I am trying to do all that but still find it consuming me. I prefer to know everything that is suppose to happen RIGHT NOW!! That is not how it all works out though. I guess it is part of His plan to Grow me. But I don't have to enjoy it do I? Oh yea, rejoice in everything....hmmm. I do find though that when I do go to Him and get His peace I am able to rejoice in who He is but it is just getting to that point. I would really covet your prayers for our family and decisions being looked at and made at this time

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Drum roll please!!! Our top five new appreviations are:

ks - knee slapper

lshtyas - laughing so hard that you accidently snort

gs - giggle snort

kawl - kid's asking why laughing

lshtwhtp - laugh so hard that we have to pee

Thank you ladies for your Great suggestions and participation in my goofy contest~! (See previous blog for credit to each participant.)

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