VERSE FOR THE WEEK

Ecc. 3:11 “He hath made every thing beautiful in His time...”

Boy, does time go by fast!  The last time I wrote we were getting ready to move into the parsonage.  That move was the most amazing move we have ever done!  It went so smooth!  My aunt and uncle came up/over and helped along with a few from church.  My aunt and one lady from church put all the kitchen stuff away and another lady set up the living room, I set up the office/schoolroom and Dale, the boys and the men set up beds and furniture.  We started at 8 am and was moved and set up by 4 pm!!  It truly was amazing!!!  It was like we never moved come supper time.  We are so thankful to those who helped make this such an easy move; for without them, it couldn’t of been done so easy!

Last week I worked a couple days and when I do that it makes my week busier.  This week, I’m not working any because we are headed up north to visit with my parents before they head south for the winter.  On Friday, we are going to have our Thanksgiving with some cousins that will be up from PA and their parents at my parents home.  It will be kind of funny to have Thanksgiving on Halloween!  We don’t do Halloween at all, so no big deal to us.  The holiday is not a one that we feel is right to participate in.  I believe that if Christians did some research about it, they might not feel it right to participate in either.  One would be amazed at the real meaning of the holiday and all that is really done on that day!  So for us we will celebrate Thanksgiving with our family, which will be nice.

Church has been going good. God has been good to us and we know that He has great things in store for us and the church in the future.  We have prayer meeting tonight.  Today, I made a custard pie for our Thanksgiving dinner.  The boys go to an after school program over at the elementary school and they are having a supper for them and the parents tonight.  Since it is before church, we are going and I made a banana pudding desert for it. 

We had to get new cell phones and change our cell phone company.  DH and I did that today.  I tried to get a free Bluetooth, but didn’t work…so I passed on getting one, as I couldn’t afford to pay for one.  We haven’t been able to get a signal here at the house with our other company so we switched to a more local one.  We get a signal now, but we had to change phone numbers because dh didn’t want to wait up to 3 hours in order for us to keep ours.

The boys are happy that they don’t have schooling for the next couple days and they didn’t have any tests this week.  I have to say it’s been an easy schooling week.  Yesterday, I was not feeling so great, so not having to teach was a plus for me.  I don’t know what was going on, but my stomach was upset and I was in the bathroom a lot!  NO FUN!  Today, I am better.  Now I’ve got to get going and pack before the supper and church.  I hope everyone has a wonderful week!  Thanks for stopping by and catching up!

 Verse for the week

Matthew 24:32,33 " Now learn a parable of the fig tree; when his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors."

It is amazing to see the things that are going on in our country, and this world lately.  I believe we are very close to the Lords' return.  We, as Christians, shouldn't be surprised.  God's word says these things are to happen. Even though I get bewildered at peoples thinking, I still have to stand in awe at how the Lord is unfolding things as He is.  So look up, be ready, "for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."

Now onto our lives lately.........BUSY!  My dh and I have been working over at the parsonage.  Taking down wallpaper and painting.  He is even over there right now.  The wallpaper thing was not fun and was a bit frustrating!   Since I loved the color that we painted at this house so much, I decided to get the same exact color for the parsonage.  Unfortunately, even though it was the same paint, same kind, same formula etc, it was far from the same color!!!  I couldn't believe it.  It was suppose to be a nice creamy yellow, BUT not on those walls!  It was a fleshy peach color  Needless to say it was not pretty!  I had to go and try to find something close to what I wanted.  I ended up getting "butter" and it is very close.  The kitchen is going to be sage green.  That is also the color of the office part of the living room here at this house we are renting.  We will be moving on Friday and Saturday.  I went to get our direct tv changed over for this weekend, but found out that they can't do it until the 29th  NO NEWS!!!  O'well, we will survive  So most of yesterday and today was on the phone changing things for the move. 

Our dog, Spanky, had to go to the vet today.  He has had a swollen, red eye since Sunday.  He is now on antibiotic eye stuff.  I think I need vet insurance!!!   My son also has to have his toe nail removed and the closest podietrist he can get into is about 1 hour away!  Poor boy, he constantly has an ingrown toenail and it just won't go away. 

Lately for me, I feel like I am in a daze most of the time.  Must be all this moving!  I really have to say that I am SICK of it and do not look forward to doing it again for a VERY long time!  Church is dong well and we have had a good crowd over the last couple weeks.  We are excited and anticipate the Lord blessing this work.  There is alot of healing that needs to be done within peoples own hearts and minds, but we are all committed to put or focus on the Lord and move forward.  When the focus is on the Lord, He will bless and only good things will happen for His glory.

Well, that updates you all for this week.  Keep us in your prayers as we move.  Life is busy, Life is interesting, BUT Life is GOOD

VERSE FOR THE WEEK

2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

     I was reminded today of this verse and how important prayer is.  I know that lately prayers have been answered in my life and I have seen the Lord work in our lives in a great way.  We have had to go through some trials and testings, but in it, we have learned to be patient a little better.  One thing, I think that many forget is that the Lord wants us to go to Him, not try to figure things out on our own and do our own thing.  We often get caught up in trying to do things ourselves and leave Him out.  Sometimes when that happens, He takes us through some things to show us and teach us.  I think our country is in need of the Lords hand and grace.  We are once again at a cross roads in our country.  More than ever, we need to pray for our country and all that is going on now.  There IS a lot going on.  Our economy is shaky, “christians” are coming “out of the closet”, and the presidential elections are approaching.  I don’t think I need to say more!  The Lords return is eminent!  I have an acquaintance friend who has put up a website calling on all born again Christians to pray.  Her website is http://prayerbowl.wordpress.com for more information.  I believe that it is very important to pray more than ever at this time, and she takes it a bit further wanting people to pray corporately on Friday nights at 7 pm. I am joining in this effort to the best of my ability on this night and I encourage you to join with us.

     Now onto what is going on in our lives!   Last Wednesday night my dh was voted back into our former pastorate back here in Maine.  This has been on our hearts and minds since about February.  The devil, for some reason, did not want us back there, and he tried his best to keep God’s will from happening.  He didn’t win, because God’s will is always accomplished one way or another.  Our first Sunday, was this last Sunday.  It felt like we just went on a very long vacation and came home.  There is a lot of work to do and a refocus on the Lord by all.   It has been unfortunate, some of the things that had been happening, but now we move forward together doing what the Lord wants us to do.  With that, we will be moving again!!  We will be living in the parsonage that was bought during our last time here.  It is a very nice parsonage with a nice cottage along side for company, missionaries or special speakers.  The move won’t be for a few weeks, because we had to give our landlord a notice.  This will give us time to clean and paint a bit and move things over gradually.  We are so thankful for how the Lord works everything out in our lives for our good and HIS glory.

    About a week and a half ago, my monitor on my 2 year old computer went.  I was looking to buy a new one or a used one.  Well, the Lord provided me with a FREE one!  It is the fat one, not like my flat screen, but it works and it is free!  My glasses broke while I was at work this last Saturday and I was facing having to have a vision test and buy new glasses.   Last year I bought new glasses for $200 and there was no way of fixing these.  Since I was in PA at that time, my vision test was not good for here and my glasses were just over 1 month warranty!!  After consulting with my eye doctor who set me up for an appointment for Oct 8^th, they suggested trying to get

the frames and they would put my lenses in them.  I called PA and they said they could send me the frames.  I was looking at anywhere’s from $200-250 for new glasses but now I am paying only $88 with shipping.  So I am praising the Lord for His goodness on my monitor AND my glasses!!!

     Let’s see, am I covering everything??  Oh my parents are coming for an overnight tomorrow, and then other relatives are coming over the weekend.  We are looking forward to both visits.  We enjoy having people in our home.  Well, I do believe that catches you all up on our lives.  I hope you enjoy coming into our living room every so often.  Keep us in your prayers and keep in touch!  Have a great week!!!

Verse for the Week

Job 23:10 “He knoweth the way that I take”

Well, it’s been a while since I wrote, but I have been very busy and time tends to get away from me. I can't believe it is almost October!  Schooling has been going good and the boys are doing well.  They are going to be involved in an after school program here beginning tomorrow.  It is a small group and will give them extra curricular activities.  My youngest will be a participant and my oldest will be a volunteer.  My oldest will be eligible in the Spring to go on a trip to Washington D.C if he volunteers 40 hours.  I am finding out if I can go on that trip, as I think that would be the only way he could go.  That’s an awful long trip and one I would want to be a part of for my reasons.

Starting a church is on hold for a bit.  There is a possibility of my dh going back to his former pastorate.  This would be a challenge also, but if it’s what the Lord wants, He will work it out.  He’s been working behind the scenes.  Our neighbor and long time member of this church who was 99 passed away yesterday morning.  His wife is 96 and she has taken care of him at home.  Last week he came down with pneumonia and was taken to the hostpital and died there.  He lived a very long life.  My dh would go and have coffee and a donut with him once a week.  He loved to tell the old stories and my dh loved to listen to them.  His wife asked my husband to do the funeral, which will be at the church.  My husband has many fond memories of knowing this man and his wife, and I think it will be a hard funeral to do.

I’ve been busy trying to get a 20^th class reunion together.  The hardest part is contacting everyone and finding them.  I have about 21 months to get things ready, but I am one that likes to plan and thus I started early.  I am looking forward to it, as we haven’t had one for our class yet.  It is a challenge, but I like challenges and I love to see the end result.

On another note, we have recently learned that a Christian artist, Ray Boltz, has declared that he is a homosexual.  Years ago, we listened to this mans music and still have used some of the songs he wrote, even recently.  One famous song he wrote was “The Anchor Holds”.  Others included: The Alter, Watch the Lamb, and Feel the Nails.  These are wonderful songs with wonderful messages.  Oh how satans grasp on peoples lives are so tight.  This is such a sad situation because not only has he come out saying he is homosexual, but he goes on in his interview to, in my opinion, mock God.  I am very saddened, to say the least, about this news, and pray that the Lord will speak to this man and turn from his wicked ways.  The Lord didn’t put the story of Sodom and Gommorah in the Bible for no reason!!

Well, lately I’ve called our home the “drama box” and so here you have some of the news from the Drama Box.  Each day for the last couple months, has pretty much changed, BUT we are staying steady and relying on the Lord more and more each day.  I am enjoying my job also, in case some may be wondering. 

Have a great week!

Verse for the Week

We started schooling this last Tuesday and it is Friday.  I have to say we have had a good first week. On our first day, I woke up with a headache, probably from paint fumes in my room since my dh painted.  The headache subsided a bit for schooling, but after it turned into a migraine.   I did have something to take to get rid of it!  PTL!!!

 I am really liking the Learning Language Arts Through LIterature with my oldest son.  I think he likes it also.  We have been finishing up last years Math and for History they are both doing a "Dear Mr. President" book about the civil war.  We then will move back into Mystery of History.  In Science we are continueing with Apologia, which we really like.  I had a spanish program, I thought, but it didn't work right on my computer!  So my sister has one she is going to let me try, and hopefully that will work.  The boys even had some tests today.  They did pretty good. 

We arrived home last Sunday in the early evening after a week at my parents.  The boys and I had a good week and my dh arrived on Friday night and we all had lobster  Saturday we went to the Springfield Fair.  The kids had lots of fun on the rides.  It makes me mad though that you still have to pay full price even if you don't go on rides, so to make it somewhat worth it, I went on the Ferris Wheel   It was nice to get back home after a week away and my dh had the boys room all painted.  He is now working on ours and the fumes do get to me.  I think when he paints the walls, I will be sleeping on the pull out couch

So more news on our home front is that my dh has decided to start a church here..  We came back here to take a break, not knowing how long, but the Lord has impressed it upon my dh heart that this area needs a good, Bible preaching, soul stirring, winning church.     We have a place to meet, some hymn books and some money to get started.  We are excited for what the Lord has in store.  Please pray for us, as this is a big thing and we want it all to glorify the Lord.  At first we will only have one service, but as it grows, services will be added.  Prayer meeting will probably be held at our house. We have lots to do in the next few weeks and look forward to what's ahead.

Note: Monday 8th---------God is working behind the scenes in a big way.  The above entry about starting a church may not move forward as we see it.  There is much happening.  We do know for sure that my husband will have a church in this area that preaches the gospel, reaches the lost and loves the Lord.  So we covet your prayers over the next few days!

Well that's all for this week.  I hope you all are having a great week and enjoying the remaining of the summer.  Take care!

Deuteronomy 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."

Verse for the week

2 Corinthians 4:3 “But if the Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost”

It has been an extremely busy day for me today.  This week has actually been pretty busy, now that I think about it.  The boys have continued to blueberry rake and they bought there Wii system.  I’ve even played a couple times.  That Wii fit is interesting and I have been 67 and 87!!!  Anyone who has a Wii knows what I am talking about.  It’s fun!

Sunday my dh preached in a nearby church. Monday the boys raked and I came home and did my exercises and worked on some church related things most of the day.  Tuesday it rained, so the boys didn’t rake.  My oldest son has an ingrown toe nail that just won’t go away.  It has been off and on infected, not infected since June.  Since he had the day off and it had been bothering him a lot lately I set up an appointment at the clinic and we went in the afternoon.  The Dr. recommended taking the nail off!!!  He was very explicit on what would take place and I thought my son was going to lose it!!  We got in the car and he said “mom, I want to see another Dr.”  I agree that we do need to see our regular doctor, so we are keeping the infection under control and when he gets back from visiting his grandparents we will go to the Dr.  I wasn’t too keen on the Dr. anyhow, but wanted to make sure that the toe wasn’t infected so bad that it would cause harm.

Wednesday I took the elderly lady that I had been cleaning for to the Dr.  I packed a picnic for us and we had a picnic on the way home by the ocean.  It was a very nice day.  Today I haven’t stopped since 6 am.  The boys slept in by mistake so it was rushing time around here.  I came home and decided that I needed to cook today for company because I have to work at my new job tomorrow.  So after going to get a few groceries’ I came home and began cooking. In the middle of cooking, I realized I didn’t have any yeast to make grams rolls.  I called a neighbor friend and they were going to town, and they said they would get me some.  I made blueberry pie, blueberry cake, blueberry muffins and dinner rolls.  This is the first time I have made my grams rolls, and they came out pretty good.  I sent some up to my neighbor who got me the yeast. I still think my mom does a better job!  Here's mine

Tomorrow, as I said is my first day at my new job.  This was a call in day, and my reg day will begin on Sept 6^th.  When I get home, my in laws will be here and I have to turn around and take my boys back into town (21 miles) so they can go to a youth activity!  That is the only thing about being involved in a church so far from home.  But it is good for them at this time, as the Lord has plans for us in the near future that He is beginning to unfold to us.  Keep us in your prayers. No, we are not leaving Maine!!!

Well, that catches you all up on us.  This next week, I will getting things ready for schooling while the boys are away.  I can’t believe schooling begins in a week!  Summer has flown and I am praying for a good school year!  I am hoping to get the boys schooling pictures done at the ocean this weekend!

Have a great week!

Proverbs 3:5 &6

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all they ways acknowledge Him,

and He shall direct thy paths.

I’ve been meaning to write for a couple days, but my days have slipped by.  Last night while talking to my mom she said she checked my blog but I hadn’t written anything.  Sitting here at the computer, I decided I had some time to write.

I got up at 6 and had devotions with the boys then took them to the blueberry field for another day of hard work.  When I got back, I IDIDN’T go back to be for an hour as I did last week!  I did my devotions and got on my gazelle and watched the news!!  I just got done breakfast and checking my email.  Oh I also did a load of laundry which now I have to hang out.  It looks like it is going to be a nice day, so I can hang them out.  I love hanging clothing on the line!

My job situation didn’t turn out as I would like it, but I will take what is given.  I will be working Saturdays and as a call in for evenings.  This will be good though as I will have my foot in the door and if an evening on a weekly basis comes up maybe I can get that.  If God wants that for me, He will bring it my way.  I won’t be starting the Saturdays until Sept 6^th, but will be doing orientation sometime soon.

We are praying about something very big and asking the Lord for wisdom and anyone reading, I ask that you pray with us.  The Lord knows all about it and when and if it’s fitting to post, I will do so.  Decisions, Direction, guidance and wisdom seems to be on our plates a lot.  I continue to meditate upon Proverbs 3:5 and 6 each day.

The boys are earning lots of money.  They are buying a Wii this weekend it sounds like.  My dh went with them on Saturday and he said it was worse then picking potatoes….I can’t imagine that!  I think it felt that way because 1.  He’s 40!   2.  He hasn’t used those muscles in a LONG time!  They tried to get me to go, but NO WAY!  I could tell it was hard work!  My dh was VERY sore for 3 days! My oldest son is doing really well. My youngest is doing good also, but he doesn’t like it so much!  The boss has made very good remarks about the boys and what a blessing to hear those things from others.

The church we just came from in PA has merged with another church that we we friendly with and they had their first service this last Sunday.  My sisters dh had been filling in and so they went up for the first service and she said that the church was packed.  We are so excited about this merge and excited about what the Lord has in store for all.  The pastors wife was a blessing to me while there and helped me a lot when we first went there.  I will treasure our friendship forever. 

Well that updates us once again.  Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

 This weeks verse

1 Cor 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

 Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.  Psalm 71:9

This last week, I have been helping out a lady that I started out cleaning for, but now she has grown to like me.  She hadn't been feeling good all week and she would call me and ask me what she could do.  I told her to eat a bland diet while her stomach was upset.  I took her over some rice with broth and some jello  on Tuesday or Wed.  She told me on Thursday that she was sick of eating that way.  Her nurse had told her some over the counter medicine she could take and she was feeling better by Friday.  Poor lady, she had hip surgery a couple months ago, and that is why she got me to clean in the first place.  I went over one day to visit with her and sing to her.  She really liked that and said she wonders why I bother with her so much.  Friday I took her to her dr. appointment.  She says things that crack me right up!  She is 85 and her children live an hour or 2 away and her husband died 3 years ago.  I've told my husband often this week, that I don't want to grow old  She seems so lonely and I don't want to be that way.  I think maybe 75 years old would be good, but I don't know about any older, especially if my dh went home before I did.  She speaks often of her husband and she really misses him alot.  She is trying to sell her place so that she can move closer to her children in an assisted living home.  It really won't be good for her to stay the winter in her home.  She wants us to rent it, but utility costs and all would be far above what we could do.   I hope that I have been a blessing to her this week and can continue to be.  I can't even imagine how she must feel day in and day out.  Having to rely on others and being alone, boy it must get lonely.  She is a Christian and she reads her Bible alot, and sometimes she likes to get in "discussions" that can turn interesting.

Well, you can see what my mind has been on this last week, but onto other things...my dh finished up the livingroom, office and kitchen and it looks so nice.  Some of you got some pictures. For those who didn't get them in an email, I posted them below.  I really am pleased with how the living room and kitchen came out.  I don't have one of the office yet, as he just finished that last night.  Don't make fun of my Big Bird cookie jar...I know he doesn't match, but he is the same cookie jar, I had when I was a kid.  My puppy has been chewing our coffee table!!  I've got to get something for that!

Today has been a lazy day.  We had somewhat planned to go to a parade, but decided not to.  We didn't want to be tempted to buy food from the vendors because we didn't want to buy!  It hasn't been a real nice day anyways, so no big deal.  I made cabbage rolls and my oldest son tried a fudge recipe that looks good and we are hoping it will set good.  I went to a yard sale and found a brand new pocket book for $1.00 and a few other things and they were packing to move and I got the other things dirt cheap!!!  I also clipped some coupons from the weekend paper, made my menu for the week and my grocery list.   We won't have to go grocery shopping tomorrow after church because my dh has an appointment on Monday to set up with a VA doctor, so we will do all our errands then.   Unfortuantely he has to miss a days work, but what can you do?! 

My parents and my aunt will be coming for a visit on Thursday.  On Sunday my dh is filling in the pulpit nearby and then we will all go have a picnic by the ocean  Lord willing it will be a nice day!  So we are looking forward to next weekend.    Well I think that updates you all on our family.  Hope and pray you all are well and that you are having a great summer.  Feel free to leave comments anytime.  I enjoy reading them and knowing that people are reading my blogs.    Have a great week!