THIS IS THE HARDEST THING I’VE EVER LIVED THROUGH. I HAVEN’T THE SLIGHTEST IDEA ON HOW TO MOVE ON. WHEN YOU LOSE SOMEONE WHO IS PRACTICALLY CONNECTED TO YOU AT HEART, THEY EXPERIENCE IMMEDIATE HEALING…IMMEDIATE JOY…IMMEDIATE COMFORT FROM THE FATHER…THAT IS NOT SO FOR THE ONES LEFT HERE. WE LIVE ON WITH HEAVY HEARTS. THE FEELINGS IN MY INNERMOST BEING CANNOT BE CONTAINED IN MERE WORDS. I CRY, I MOURN, I LAUGH, I REMEMBER, I CRY SOME MORE. I HEAR KIND WORDS FROM PEOPLE THAT LOVE ME, BUT THEY AND I BOTH KNOW THAT THEY CAN’T SHARE THE SAME PAIN. AND THEN WHEN I SPEAK WITH SOMEONE WHO I HAVEN’T SPOKEN TO IN A WHILE, IT’S LIKE I HAVE TO RE-LIVE EVERYTHING. I HATE THAT PART. HOW EASY IT WOULD BE TO CLOSE MYSELF OFF IN ISOLATION. HOW EASY IT WOULD BE TO JUST BLOCK EVERYONE OUT. BUT THERE’S NO WAY I COULD EVER DO THAT. THERE ARE NO WORDS, THERE ARE NO THOUGHTS, THERE IS NO HELP THAT CAN HEAL THIS. WHAT HAS BEEN DONE WILL NOT BE UNDONE UNTIL THE TRUMPET SOUNDS. THAT IS WHAT I WAIT FOR. FOR NOW, THERE IS JUST BROKENNESS. I AM STILL TRYING TO TRUST, TO LEAN ON, AND TO PRAY TO THIS GOD OF SORROWS THAT I FEEL LIKE I HAVE TO GET TO KNOW ALL OVER AGAIN. PLEASE PRAY FOR ME, EVEN NOW AS YOU READ THIS. I HATE TO EVEN BE THIS VULNERABLE ON MY PAGE, BUT I KNOW PEOPLE ARE WANTING TO KNOW WHAT’S BEEN GOING ON. I REALLY DO APPRECIATE THE THOUGHTFULNESS FROM THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE CONCERNED. EVEN MORESO, PRAY FOR MY DADDY. HE WILL FOREVER LIVE WITH IMAGES THAT ARE FAR BEYOND ANYONE’S WORST NIGHTMARE. NOW, IN THE TIME OF MOURNING, OF GRIEVING, OF WEEPING, IS WHEN ONE DEPENDS ON THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF YOU WHO I KNOW HAVE BEEN WONDERING ABOUT ME AND PRAYING FOR ME...REBECCA, JIL, MANDOLYN, VICKI, ANDREA(MEEKANDQUIET). AND ANYONE ELSE, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COMMENT, YOUR THOUGHTS ARE MOST WELCOME.

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING!

*DYLAN SNEAKING HIS B-DAY CAKE AT HIS AUNT'S HOUSE*

I WOKE UP NEXT TO MY HANDSOME HUSBAND...I HARDLY GET TO SEE HIM IN THE MORNINGS, BECAUSE HE'S ALWAYS UP AND GONE SO EARLY. MY LIL' BABY SLEPT IN THIS MORNING...WHICH NEVER HAPPENS!!! ALL THE WINDOWS ARE OPENED, BECAUSE THE SUN IS RIDICULOUSLY GORGEOUS TODAY. AS I WAS EATING MY APPLE WITH MY COFFEE, DYLAN CAME UP AND WANTED A BITE...(YEAH, RIGHT, ANYONE WHO KNOWS ME KNOWS IT'S A TASK GETTING HIM TO EAT ANYTHING, LET ALONE SOMETHING HEALTHY...) SO I HUMOR HIM...HE THEN EATS ALMOST MY WHOLE APPLE, THEN ASKS FOR ANOTHER. WHAT?!?! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF, I HAVE A DATE TONIGHT WITH THAT HANDSOME MAN I WOKE UP TO. THANK THE LORD FOR EVERYTHING, EVEN THE BAD DAYS...BUT RIGHT NOW, I'M THANKING HIM FOR TODAY.

"COME ON IN, BOYS...THE WATER IS FINE."

FROM: "OH, BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?"

"BUT PROVE YOURSELVES DOERS OF THE WORD, AND NOT MERELY HEARERS WHO DELUDE THEMELVES." -JAMES 1:22-

HI BLOGWORLD!! OUR NET'S BEEN BROKEN FOR A FEW WEEKS. WELL, OUR PHONE LINE, ACTUALLY. ANYWAY, LOTS HAPPENING. HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!!



I MADE MY HUSBAND MAD THE OTHER DAY (WELL, JUST FRUSTRATED, BUT THEN HE WAS GLAD) BECAUSE I WAS JUST IN A CRAZY MOOD, AND I MOVED ALL OF OUR BEDROOM FURNITURE IN OUR ROOM...BY MYSELF...ALL OF IT. :) TWO DRESSERS, AND A BED WITH THE FRAME. IT WAS QUITE INTERESTING. HE JUST DIDN'T LIKE THAT I DID ALL THAT BY MYSELF, HE LIKES TO DO ALL THE "MAN STUFF"...HE LIKES TAKING CARE OF ME LIKE THAT. MY ARM MUSCLES WERE KILLING ME THE TWO DAYS AFTER THAT. BUT IT LOOKS GOOD! :)



"THIS IS THE DAY WHICH THE LORD HAS MADE, LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT."

A BUDDHIST ONCE TOLD A CHRISTIAN: "YOUR CHRIST IS WONDERFUL, OH, SO WONDERFUL; BUT YOU CHRISTIANS, YOU ARE NOT LIKE HIM."

1. I WILL BE SAD WHEN ALL THE PUMPKIN ITEMS (CREAMER, CANDLES, LOTIONS, SOAPS, ETC) WILL BE TAKEN OFF THE SHELVES. MAN. I LOVE THAT STUFF!!!

2. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF WATCHING THE FIRST SEASON OF “THE OFFICE”. HAHAHA. IT’S HILARIOUS. (HEY, I KNOW IT’S OLD…WHEN YOU HAVE A LITTLE ONE, YOUR T.V. DAYS ARE OVER….THANK GOD FOR NETFLIX, THE ONLY WAY WE GET TO WATCH STUFF IS WHEN DYLAN’S ASLEEP)

3. DYLAN’S GOING THROUGH A “I HAVE TO BE NEAR YOU, SEE YOU, OR BE RIGHT ON YOUR LAP ALL THE TIME” PHASE. (OF COURSE, I DON’T MIND, I LOVE THAT BABY) BUT THE ONLY TIME IT’S A LITTLE CRAZY IS AT NAP/BEDTIME. HE INSISTS ON THE DOOR BEING OPEN, AND ME BEING IN PLAIN VIEW FOR HIM TO SLEEP. IF I HAVE TO GET UP TO GO PEE IN THIS TIME PERIOD, HE CRIES LIKE I’VE LEFT HIM ABANDONED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. IT’S QUITE HEART-BREAKING. HE’S NOT BEING DOMINANT, SPOILED, OR REBELLIOUS. (I’VE TESTED ALL THOSE THEORIES) HE JUST WANTS TO KNOW I’M THERE. POOR LIL’ MAN. ANYWAY, NOW AT BEDTIME I REFER TO HIM AS THE OL’ BALL AND CHAIN!! J

4. FALL IS BEAUTIFUL!! I LOVE IT SO MUCH. YET, I AM ABOUT TO DECORATE FOR CHRISTMAS…….I SWEAR I COULD LIVE IN WHOVILLE AND BE TOTALLY HAPPY.

5. WE ARE GOING ON A WEEK OF VACATION!! YAY!! DON’T KNOW WHERE WE’RE GOING, BUT OH WELL. AND, MOST OF THE TIME, MY HUSBAND WILL BE AWAY AT SOME LECTURES. SO, I’LL IN ESSENCE BE DOING THE SAME THING I DO HERE (LAUNDRY, CLEANING, CHANGING PULL-UPS FROM WHEN LIL’ MAN DOESN’T MAKE IT TO THE POTTY, FEEDING HIM AND CLEANING UP, HOMESCHOOLING, STUDYING, ETC, ETC….) AT ANOTHER PLACE. I’M NOT NAÏVE. :) I KNOW ALL MOMMAS HAVE TO DO THIS!! (OR GET TO…I LOVE IT) ON THE UPSIDE, I’LL BE STAYING PART OF THAT WEEK WITH MY SISTER…THAT’LL BE SO FUN!!! I LOVE SISTER. (I LIKE TO JUST CALL HER THAT..”SISTER”…WHICH SOMETIMES GETS TURNED INTO “THITHER”…BECAUSE I’M THE BABY ONE.)

6. LOTS OF CHANGES ARE ABOUT TO BE TAKING PLACE IN OUR LIVES…I AM ASKING FOR PRAYER. I KNOW LOTS OF YOU ARE PRAYER WARRIORS, AND I’D APPRECIATE IT. THESE ARE GOOD CHANGES, BUT STILL…CHANGE ALWAYS SHAKES THINGS UP A LITTLE BIT.

7. JOKES. HERE’S A FEW THAT CRACKED ME UP…

“KNOCK KNOCK…WHO’S THERE?...GOLIATH…GOLIATH WHO?...GOLIATH DOWN, YOU LOOKETH TIRED.” HAHAHA

“TWO PEANUTS WALK INTO A BAR, AND ONE WAS A SALTED.”

“DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE DYSLEXIC WHO WALKED INTO THE BRA?” (I’M IN NO WAY TRYING TO OFFEND ANY DYSLEXIC READERS, BUT THIS WAS HIARIOUS)

“HOW MANY BAPTISTS DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A LIGHT BULB?.......CHANGE?... “
HAHAHA (I CAN TELL THIS ONE, I’M AFFILIATED WITH THIS DENOMINATION…THEREFORE I CLAIM ALL RIGHTS TO MAKE FUN OF US :)

DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE MOM WHO GOT A VACATION.?, ALL ALONE, JUST BY HERSELF, NO HUSBAND, NO CHILDREN, NO LAUNDRY, NO DIRTY DISHES, NO CLEANING WHATSOVER…JUST PURE QUIETNESS AND RELAXATION…
DON’T WORRY, I DIDN’T EITHER.

TWO COWS STANDING NEXT TO EACH OTHER IN A FIELD. DAISY SAYS TO DOLLY, “I WAS ARTIFICIALLY INSEMINATED THIS MORNING”. “I DON’T BELIEVE YOU,” SAYS DOLLY. “IT’S TRUE, NO BULL!” EXLAIMS DAISY.


The king of an ancient tribal village lived in a massive grass palace atop the highest hill. He was so loved by the villagers that every year, they would go into the surrounding forest, cut down the mightiest tree, and hand-carve a new throne for his birthday. The king, upon receiving the new throne, would promptly stow the old throne in the attic, which happened to be right above his bedroom.This continued on for many, many years. One night, as the king slept, the massive weight from the thrones of years past came crashing through the bedroom ceiling onto the sleeping form of the king. He was killed instantly.The moral of the story? People who live in grass houses shouldn't stow thrones!



HAHAHA. HOPE I GOT SOME GIGGLES.


AND NOW FOR ANOTHER FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE AND QUOTE:

“IF WE ARE FAITHLESS, HE REMAINS FAITHFUL, FOR HE CANNOT DENY HIMSELF.” -II TIMOTHY 2:13-


WHO WAS THE FIRST PERSON TO LOOK AT A COW AND SAY, “I THINK I’LL SQUEEZE THESE DAINGLY THINGS HERE AND DRINK WHAT COMES OUT”? (SEEN AT GOODQUOTES.COM)

LIL' BIT RANDOM

COME ON OVER.
YOU NEED MAKE NO APPOINTMENT.
COME ON OVER.
THERE’S NEVER ANY RESENTMENT.

TURN AROUND AND WALK AWAY
FROM THE SIN THAT’S GOT YOU DOWN
TURN AROUND AND WALK AWAY
DON’T STAY AND HANG AROUND!

I KNOW YOU THINK YOU CAN’T
BUT REMEMBER, YOU CAN WITH ME
I KNOW YOU THINK YOU CAN’T,
BUT STAYING THERE, YOU’RE NEVER FREE.

REPENTANCE IS SO EASY,
JUST DO IT ONCE AND YOU’RE DONE.
REPENTANCE IS SO EASY,
YOU KNOW I’M YOU’RE ONLY TRUE ONE.

DON’T DWELL IN YOUR MISTAKES,
BRING THEM TO ME AND JUST TURN AWAY,
DON’T DWELL IN YOUR MISTAKES,
NO MATTER WHAT ANY OTHERS SAY.

MY LOVE FOR YOU HASN’T CHANGED,
THOUGH YOU THINK THAT IT’S LESS
MY LOVE FOR YOU HASN’T CHANGED,
I’M STILL YOUR TRUE HAPPINESS.

REMEMBER, THOUGH YOU FALTER,
MY VIEW OF YOU IS THE SAME.
REMEMBER, THOUGH YOU FALTER,
YOU CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON MY NAME.
******************************************

"FOR THE LORD IS GOOD; HIS LOVINGKINDNESS IS EVERLASTING AND HIS FAITHFULNESS TO ALL GENERATIONS." -PSALM 100:5-

""SHE WAS THE ARCHETYPAL SELFLESS MOTHER: LIVING ONLY FOR HER CHILDREN, SHELTERING THEM FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR ACTIONS--AND IN THE END DOING THEM IRREPARABLE HARM." -MARCIA MULLER-
******************************************************************************
IF YOU'RE WANTING TO PUT BACK A LIL' CASH FOR THE HOLIDAYS, USE CLOTH DIAPERS AND/OR CLOTH OR HOMEMADE WIPIES ON THE BABIES...ONE COULD EASILY SAVE ABOUT A HUNDRED SMACKAROOS (THAT'S JUST FOR ONE LITTLE ONE IN DIAPERS/PULL-UPS) BETWEEN NOW AND BEFORE CHRISTMAS!!! IT'S SUPER EASY!

I FORGOT ABOUT PUTTING A VERSE AND A QUOTE WITH THE LAST SEVERAL BLOGS!! FOR THOSE OF YOU READING, HERE'S A LIL' "CATCH-UP" WITH THAT...SOME OF MY FAVORITES:

"BY AND LARGE, MOTHERS AND HOUSEWIVES ARE THE ONLY WORKERS WHO DO NOT HAVE REGULAR TIME OFF. THEY ARE THE GREAT VACATIONLESS CLASS."
-ANNE MORROW LINDBERGH-

"YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT IS ENOUGH UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT IS MORE THAN ENOUGH." -WILLIAM BLAKE-

"YOU WILL NEVER 'FIND' TIME FOR ANYTHING. IF YOU WANT TIME, YOU MUST MAKE IT." -CHARLES BURTON-

"DON'T LET WHAT YOU CAN'T DO INTERFERE WITH WHAT YOU CAN DO."
-JOHN WOODEN-

"TO LET FRIENDSHIP DIE AWAY BY NEGLIGENCE...IS TO VOLUNTARILY THROW AWAY ONE OF THE GREATEST COMFORTS OF THIS WEARY PILGRIMAGE."
-SAMUEL JOHNSON-

"THE LURE OF THE DISTANT AND THE DIFFICULT IS DECEPTIVE. THE GREAT OPPORTUNITY IS WHERE YOU ARE." -JOHN BURROUGHS-



"CEASE FROM ANGER AND FORSAKE WRATH; DO NOT FRET; IT LEADS ONLY TO EVILDOING." PSALM 37:8

"THE RICH AND THE POOR HAVE A COMMON BOND; THE LORD IS THE MAKER OF THEM ALL." PROVERBS 22:2

"THE MIND OF MAN PLANS HIS WAY, BUT THE LORD DIRECTS HIS STEPS."
PROVERBS 16:9

"HE WHO OPPRESSES THE POOR TAUNTS HIS MAKER, BUT HE WHO IS GRACIOUS TO THE NEEDY HONORS HIM." PROVERBS 14:31

"FOR WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE YOUR HEART WILL BE ALSO."
MATTHEW 6:21

"THIS IS MY COMMANDMENT, THAT YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER, JUST AS I HAVE LOVED YOU. GREATER LOVE HAS NO ONE THAN THIS, THAT ONE LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS." JOHN 15:12-13

"BELOVED, LET US LOVE ONE ANOTHER, FOR LOVE IS FROM GOD; AND EVERYONE WHO LOVES IS BORN OF GOD AND KNOWS GOD. THE ONE WHO DOES NOT LOVE DOES NOT KNOW GOD, FOR GOD IS LOVE." I JOHN 4:7-8

SOMETIMES I THINK THAT IF I DON’T PRAY HARD ENOUGH, GOD WON’T LET GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO THE PEOPLE I LOVE.

SOMETIMES I THINK THAT IF I DON’T FAST FOR LIKE DAYS ON END, GOD WON’T HEAR ME AT ALL.

SOMETIMES I THINK I HAVE TO CARRY ALL OF MY BURDENS, MY HUSBAND’S, MY PARENT’S, MY SISTER’S, AND ALL OF MY FRIEND’S BURDENS…ALL ON MY OWN.

SOMETIMES I THINK THAT ALL THESE THINGS ARE IN MY HANDS, IT ALL DEPENDS ON ME…I BETTER NOT MESS UP AND DO THE WRONG THING…I BETTER KEEP GOD HAPPY WITH ME.


WOW. HOW COULD I EVER HAVE BEEN SO FOOLISH AS TO PUT ALL THAT POWER IN MY OWN HANDS?

“DO NOT BE AFRAID, LITTLE FLOCK; FOR THE FATHER HAS CHOSEN GLADLY TO GIVE YOU THE KINGDOM.”

I ALWAYS FIND MYSELF COMING BACK TO THESE WORDS OF OUR LORD:
“COME TO ME, ALL WHO ARE WEARY AND HEAVY-LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST. TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU AND LEARN FROM ME, FOR I AM GENTLE AND HUMBLE IN HEART, AND YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. FOR MY YOKE IS EASY AND MY BURDEN IS LIGHT.”

I HAVE THIS FRIEND.

THIS PERSON IS SO WONDERFUL.
THIS PERSON FORGIVES ME CONSTANTLY, EVEN WHEN I KNOW I DON’T DESERVE IT.
THIS PERSON IS ALWAYS KIND.
ALWAYS THINKING OF ME FIRST.
ALWAYS LOVING ME.
ALWAYS FAITHFUL TO ME.
ALWAYS THERE FOR ME.
ALWAYS MAKING ME LAUGH.
HOLDING ME WHEN I CRY.
TAKING CARE OF ME.
A PERSON FULL OF INTEGRITY.
A PERSON WHO ALWAYS THINKS OF OTHERS FIRST.
ALWAYS SERVES OTHERS, EVEN WHEN IT’S NOT SO “CONVENIENT”.
ALWAYS MAKES ME WANT TO BE A BETTER PERSON.
ALWAYS PLEASING TO ME.
ALWAYS PLEASED BY ME.
ALWAYS ENCOURAGING TO ME.
ALWAYS SELFLESS.

MY HUSBAND.

MANY PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME OVER THE PAST SEVEN YEARS UP UNTIL NOW HOW I GOT DARRYL TO BE SO GOOD TO ME. ??????? I DID NOTHING. HE WAS THAT WAY WHEN I FOUND HIM. I DIDN’T HAVE TO TRY TO HOPE THAT ONE DAY HE’D LOVE ME THE WAY I WANTED HIM TO. HE JUST DID, AND HE DOES. I DIDN’T HAVE TO HOPE THAT ONE DAY HE’D FIGURE OUT HOW TO BEHAVE LIKE A GODLY MAN, OR MAKE GOOD DECISIONS, OR LOVE ME AND ONLY ME…HE JUST DID. I KNOW I DON’T DESERVE HIM. HE IS HONESTLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST WAYS I’VE BEEN ABLE TO UNDERSTAND GOD’S LOVE FOR ME. JUST THE FACT THAT GOD GAVE HIM TO ME, THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES. WHEN WE WERE ENGAGED, I NEVER THOUGHT I’D BE ABLE TO LOVE HIM MORE…BUT TIME HAS PROVEN ME WRONG. I LOVE HIM MORE EVERYDAY, AND HE MAKES IT SO EASY. HE TREATS ME WITH SO MUCH LOVE, RESPECT, AND ADORATION…AND I DON’T KNOW WHY. I TRULY HOPE EVERY WIFE FEELS THE WAY I FEEL. I JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT. I REALLY LOVE THIS MAN I MARRIED. ALL SIX FEET AND EIGHT INCHES OF HIS LITTLE HONKEY-SELF.

A PERSONAL THOUGHT.

YOU’RE ALWAYS THERE, JUST WAITING
WHEN I CLING TO OTHER THINGS.
YOU’RE ALWAYS THERE, JUST WAITING,
AS I DO MY LINGERING.

YOU’RE ALWAYS THERE, STILL LOVING
WHEN I’M NOT SO LOVING TO YOU,
YOU’RE ALWAYS THERE, STILL LOVING
NO MATTER WHAT IT IS I DO.

YOU’RE ALWAYS HERE, NEVER LEAVING
WHEN I GIVE SO MANY GOOD REASONS TO GO,
YOU’RE ALWAYS HERE, NEVER LEAVING
AFTER ALL THE TIMES I TELL YOU, “NO”.

YOU’RE ALWAYS NEAR, NEVER CHANGING,
ALWAYS WANTING TO CHANGE MY HEART,
YOU’RE ALWAYS NEAR, NEVER CHANGING,
READY TO GIVE ME ANOTHER START.

YOU’RE ALWAYS CLOSE BY, WATCHING ,
EVEN THOUGH I CONTINUE TO IGNORE
YOU’RE ALWAYS CLOSE BY, WATCHING
AND I REMEMBER IT’S ME YOU ADORE.


LIKE A CHILD THAT STANDS CORRECTED
TO HIS MOTHER, HERE I STAND.
PLEASE FORGIVE ME FOR LOVING ANYTHING BEFORE YOU-
PLEASE LEAD ME BY MY HAND.

JESSICA SCHAFER OCT. 21, 2007

CONFESSIONS FROM THE PAST.

I REMEMBER ABOUT SIX OR SEVEN YEARS AGO, I WAS WATCHING “7TH HEAVEN” AND THE DAD (WHO PLAYS A PASTOR) WAS WITH HIS WIFE. AS THEY WERE SPENDING SOME QUALITY TIME TOGETHER, THEY POPPED OUT A BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE TO HAVE A DRINK, JUST THE TWO OF THEM. I WAS APPALLED, I COULDN’T BELIEVE IT, A PASTOR, DRINKING!! WHAT A SINFUL MAN, WHAT AN UNHOLY ACT!!! WHAT IF SOMEONE SAW HIM??!!

I REMEMBER ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO, (ONE OF MY DEAR FRIENDS REMINDED ME OF THIS STORY) WHEN I WAS LIVING IN THE DORMS. IT WAS MY FIRST YEAR AT A PRIVATE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY. I WAS TELLING A STORY ABOUT A PARTICULAR PERSON, AND HOW I KNEW THEY WEREN’T A CHRISTIAN. THIS FRIEND I WAS TALKING TO INNOCENTLY ASKED ME, “HOW DO YOU KNOW HE’S NOT A CHRISTIAN?”. I REPLIED SMUGLY, “BECAUSE HE SMOKES.”

I REMEMBER A TIME WHEN I HAD THIS IDEA OF PERFECTION, AND I EXPECTED IT FROM EVERYONE AROUND ME. EVERYONE HAD TO FIT INTO THIS IDEA, TO MEET MY STANDARDS. EXCEPT MYSELF, OF COURSE. AND WHEN OTHERS DIDN’T MEET THESE QUALIFICATIONS FOR HOLINESS, THEN I JUST THOUGHT IN MY HEAD, “LORD HELP THEM”…BUT NOT IN A LOVING WAY, AS TO EDIFY…RATHER IN A SELF-RIGHTEOUS TONE, TO BELITTLE THEM.

THESE THINGS I DEALT WITH YEARS AGO, AND SOMETIMES, IF WE’RE NOT CAREFUL, THEY CAN CREEP RIGHT BACK IN AND SET UP CAMP IN OUR MINDS…IT HAPPENS WHEN WE THINK WE KNOW IT ALL. IT HAPPENS WHEN WE’RE REALLY PROUD OF OUR OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS, OUR OWN DECISIONS, OUR OWN CONVICTIONS. IT HAPPENS WHEN WE GOSSIP. IT HAPPENS ALL TOO OFTEN. IT HAPPENS AMONG THE BRETHREN. AND MY FRIENDS, IT’S SO EASY TO FALL INTO THAT TRAP.


LORD, THANK YOU FOR THE FORGIVENESS YOU LAVISH UPON ME, THOUGH I DESERVE IT IN NO WAY. THANK YOU FOR SAVING SOMEONE WHO CAN HAVE SUCH JUDGMENTAL THOUGHTS. THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO SAVE ME FROM MYSELF. PRAISE TO YOU FOR LOVING THE UNLOVABLE.

*SOMETIMES I HAVE TO SHOUT TO MYSELF, “LOOSEN UP!!!”. THERE’S SO MUCH MORE TO LIFE THAN THE LITTLE INSIGNIFICANT THINGS WE CHRISTIANS LIKE TO NITPICK AT!!!*

OKAY, SO I’M BACK. ONLY TO LEAVE…I’M NOT KIDDING!! LET’S SEE, SINCE I LOVE TO POST LISTS, HERE’S SOME OF THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN THE PAST MONTH AND A HALF TO TWO MONTHS, AND WHAT’S ABOUT TO HAPPEN:

1. DYLAN TURNED THREE.
2. HE’S HAD THREE PARTIES ALREADY: ONE FROM MY MOMMA AND DADDY AND SISTER AND FAMILY, ONE ON HIS ACTUAL B-DAY-FROM ME AND DADDY AND HIS GRANDPARENTS, AND ONE FROM HIS AUNTS…THE “BIG ONE” TO COME. (WE DIDN’T PLAN IT LIKE THIS, THE BIG ONE WAS THE ONLY ORIGINAL ONE WE INTENDED)
3SAW HILARIE TWICE, SHE CAME UP HERE ONCE!!
4.NEWKIRKS CAME TWICE
5.MY AUNT VICKY PASSED AWAY
6.TRIP TO OK. TO VISIT FAMILY
7.FOUND OUT MY MOMMA WOULD HAVE SURGERY TO HAVE HER THYROID REMOVED.
8.PRAYED ABOUT THE SURGERY
9.WENT BACK TO OK. FOR THE SURGERY
10.THE SURGERY WENT WELL, SHE WAS BACK AT WORK 7 DAYS LATER! THANK THE LORD FOR ALL OF THAT.
11.MY SISTER HAD A BIRTHDAY…DON’T WORRY, I WON’T POST YOUR AGE. ALTHOUGH YOU’RE NOT OLD!!
12.MY PARENTS HAD THEIR 37TH ANNIVERSARY!! YAY!!
13.I’M ABOUT TO HAVE A B-DAY!! YAY FOR ME, THE BIG 27!!
14.WE HAVE REALIZED WE’LL BE MOVING…PRAYING ON HOW WE’LL BE GONE BEFORE JANUARY.
15.TRIP TO “THE LITTLE APPLE” FOR DARRYL TO SEE THE K-STATE/KU GAME.
16.DYLAN’S OFFICIAL FIRST YEAR OF SCHOOL!!
17.KRYSTLE WILL BE COMING SOON!! CAN’T WAIT!
18.THANKSGIVING’S ON THE WAY…THEN CHRISTMAS!!!
19.MY HOT HUSBAND’S TAKING ME AWAY FOR THREE DAYS FOR MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!! (I THINK HE LOVES ME)
20.WENT TO “OZTOBERFEST” IN WAMEGO!!
21.TOOK DYLAN TO PICK OUT A HUGE “DADDY-SIZED” PUMPKIN THAT DARRYL CAN’T WAIT TO DESTROY.
22.HAD DARRYL’S PARENTS HERE FOR A WEEK
23.MY PARENTS HERE FOR A WEEKEND

24. PARENTS COMING BACK AGAIN THIS WEEKEND!! NEPHEW'S BIRTHDAY!!
25.SAW ELIZABETH AND DAVEY AND THEIR NEW HOUSE!!
26.SAW EMILY BEFORE SHE AND HER HUSBAND MOVED!
27.SAW MY TWO SISTERS-IN-LAW, AND THEY GAVE DYLAN A B-DAY PARTY!!
28.PUT TOGETHER DYLAN’S FIRST TWO YEARS OF SCHOOL!! J
29.NOW IF I CAN ONLY SEE THESE PEOPLE SOON, IT’D BE AWESOME: KRYSTLE, HILARIE (AGAIN, OF COURSE), MANDOLYN, BENECCA AND HER NEW BABY HOPEFULLY!!!, BRIANNA AND HER FAMILY, ANDREW AND LISA, NEWKIRKS AGAIN, ANDREA JONES, ANDREA AT MEEKANDQUIET-SOMEDAY HOPEFULLY!, ELIZABETH AGAIN, AND VICKI AND JP.




THERE YOU HAVE IT, THIS IS WHY I HAVEN’T BEEN ONLINE MUCH. I SHOULD BE ONLINE A LITTLE MORE NOW…WE’LL SEE. I THINK IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS, WE’VE ONLY HAD ONE WEEKEND FREE…IF THAT. I MISS BLOGGING AND CHECKING ALL YOUR XANGA’S AND BLOGSPOTS!! BETWEEN PACKING, LEAVING, DRIVING FOUR HOURS ONE-WAY, COMING BACK HOME, UNPACKING…AND SOMEWHERE IN THERE TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING ELSE…I’M EXHAUSTED!!

RANDOM STUFF I’D LIKE TO SHARE.

THE LORD’S LOVINGKINDNESSES INDEED NEVER CEASE, HIS COMPASSIONS NEVER FAIL, THEY ARE NEW EVERY MORNING. THIS RINGS LOUDLY IN MY HEART RIGHT NOW, AS I’M ON THE OTHER SIDE OF MY MOMMA’S SURGERY. IT ALL WENT SO WONDERFULLY, I CAN’T DESCRIBE IT IN WORDS. THERE WERE LITERALLY TIMES BEFORE THIS SURGERY THAT I FELT A NEED TO FERVENTLY PRAY, AMONG OTHER THINGS. GOD’S MERCIES IN THIS SITUATION HAVE BEEN SO APPARENT. MY MOMMA AND DADDY HAVE BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH, IT’S AMAZING TO SEE WHAT THE LORD HAS LED THEM THROUGH. IF YOU WERE ONE OF THE ONES PRAYING, THANK YOU. PLEASE KEEP DOING SO-- FOR HER AND MY DADDY.

MY WEE LIL’ BABY, WHOM I SWEAR I JUST GAVE BIRTH TO, TURNS THREE TODAY. HOW CAN TIME PASS THIS QUICKLY?? IT’S SO WONDERFUL TO WATCH HIM GROW, YET SO HEARTBREAKING AT THE SAME TIME. THE LORD’S TAUGHT ME SO MUCH THROUGH BEING A WIFE AND A MOMMA. ONE OF THOSE BEING HIS AMAZING LOVE FOR US, AND HOW THERE’S NO WAY WE CAN IMAGINE HOW GREAT IT IS!! ANOTHER THING I’VE LEARNED IS THAT CHILDREN ARE GOOD, THEY ARE BORN WITH SUCH INNOCENCE…..SUCH BEAUTIFUL INNOCENCE THAT CAN OFTEN BE STRIPPED AWAY MUCH TOO EARLY. I’VE SEEN IT HAPPEN TO MYSELF WHEN I WAS YOUNG, AND TO MANY CHILDREN THROUGH THE YEARS. OFTEN, PARENTS AREN’T TRYING TO DO THIS, BUT THEY CAN. MOTHERS, PLEASE LOVE YOUR CHILDREN. THEY ARE GOOD. GOD CREATED THEM GOOD. THEY’RE NOT A BURDEN, AN INCONVENIENCE, OR THIS SINFUL LITTLE CREATURE THAT WE HAVE TO “MAKE” HOLY. SO MANY CHRISTIAN PARENTS FALL INTO THE TRAP OF BELIEVING CHILDREN ARE BORN SINNERS. HOW CAN THAT BE? I HAVE MUCH MORE TO SAY ON THAT ISSUE…THAT’LL HAVE TO BE ANOTHER POST.

BALANCE. HAVE YOU EVER JUST LOOKED AROUND YOU, AT YOUR LIFE? WHEN I SIT BACK AND LOOK AT MY OWN LIFE, AND THE WORLD AROUND ME, IT’S SOAPPARENT THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE GREAT BALANCE. YET THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT ARE LEFT UNBALANCED, SO WE HAVE ALL THE BOOKS TO “TELL US HOW”…HOW TO “BE A GOOD CHRISTIAN”, HOW TO BE A GOOD WIFE, HUSBAND, MOMMY, DADDY, THE RIGHT WAY TO DIET, HOW TO CONQUER DEBT, HOW TO STOP AN ADDICTION…THE LIST GOES ON AND ON FOREVER. TO LARGELY SUM UP MY THOUGHTS ON THIS, I THINK THE LORD GIVES US HIS WORD, HIS SPIRIT, AND OUR BRAINS TO DEAL WITH LIFE!!! (DON’T MISTAKE WHAT I’M SAYING…THERE’S A PLACE FOR LEARNING ABOUT DIFFERENT SUBJECTS, THERE’S A PLACE FOR EDUCATION…BUT OFTEN MANY PEOPLE, NAMELY CHRISTIANS, WANT A BLACK OR WHITE ANSWER, WHEN THERE IS NOT ONE!) I THINK MANY CHRISTIANS CHOOSE TO IGNORE THE BRAIN GOD PUT IN THEIR HEAD (I KNOW I HAVE DONE THIS MANY TIMES!) LET’S NOT FORGET THAT WE ARE CALLED TO LOVE THE LORD WITH ALL OF OUR HEART, WITH ALL OF OUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL OF OUR MIND!!!

THERE ARE SO MANY PICTURES I WANT TO POST, BUT MY COMPUTER’S MESSING UP. I WILL TRY TO SOON!

FAVORITES.

1. WAKING UP AND SEEING MY HANDSOME HUSBAND NEXT TO ME.

2. WAKING UP AND SEEING MY HANDSOME SON NEXT TO ME, BECAUSE HE WOKE UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WANTING MOMMY AND DADDY.

3. RAINBOWS.

4. BEING WITH MY MOMMA AND DADDY EVERY CHANCE I GET. THEY'RE HILARIOUS.

5. HANGING OUT WITH MY SISTER AND HER FAMILY-WE'RE SO MUCH ALIKE.

6. READING MY NEW NASB/MESSAGE PARALLEL BIBLE.

7. ANTICIPATING OUR MOVE TO KENTUCKY, AND MEETING NEW PEOPLE.

8. MY BEST FRIENDS.

9. SEEING THAT I'VE LOST ALMOST 35 POUNDS!

10. READING TO MY SON.

11. KNOWING THAT I'M A DAUGHTER, DISCIPLE, WIFE, MOMMA, FRIEND, AND PASTOR'S WIFE...THERE'S SO MUCH WRAPPED UP IN ALL OF THAT.

12. BUILDING OUR FAMILY'S LIBRARY.

13. THE SMELL OF FRESHLY MOWED GRASS.

14. WHEN I SEE PEOPLE ACTING UNSELFISHLY OUT OF LOVE.

15. WHEN I EXPERIENCE THE LORD'S FORGIVENESS ON THIS HEART OF MINE THAT CAN BE SO HARD ON MYSELF AND OTHERS.

16. LEARNING NEW THINGS.

17. THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE, BUT LIVING IN NOW.

18. WHEN MY HUSBAND HUGS ME AND HOLDS ME VERRRRRRRRRRRY TIGHTLY. AND "WATCHING MOVIES" WITH MY HUSBAND... :)

19. SEEING DYLAN LEARN SOMETHING NEW.

20. BEING SUPPORTIVE TO MY HUSBAND, AND LOVING THE FACT THAT HE'S ALWAYS SUPPORTIVE OF ME.

21. WHEN CHRISTIANS THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX.

22. RED ROSES.

23. PUMPKIN SCENTED THINGS, AND PUMPKIN FLAVORED THINGS.

24. WHEN CHRISTIANS ARE INTERESTED MORE IN LOVING OTHER PEOPLE, RATHER THAN BEING "RIGHT" OR PROVING A POINT.

25. VEGETABLES.

26. THE WIZARD OF OZ, SCRUBS, LOTR, CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND, BOSTON LEGAL, JENNIFER KNAPP, SHANE AND SHANE, BLINDSIDE, POD, STAVESACRE, OLD HYMNS, NEW HYMNS, FEIST, DEREK WEBB.

27. HOMESCHOOLING OUR SON AND THE REST OF THE CHILDREN WE'LL HAVE.

28. LOOKING FORWARD TO STARTING OUR PRIVATE SCHOOL THAT WILL BE AFFORDABLE OR FREE.

29. THE SMELL AFTER THE RAIN.

30. LOOKING FORWARD TO ADOPTING ONE OF THESE DAYS.

"FAITHFUL IS HE WHO CALLS YOU, AND HE ALSO WILL BRING IT TO PASS."

*I THESSALONIANS 5:24*

"HE WHO WAITS TO DO A GREAT DEAL AT ONCE WILL NEVER DO ANYTHING."

*CHARLES SIMMONS*

OUR INTERNET'S BEEN DOWN...THIS WAS FROM SAT. MORNING...ENJOY

DO NOT BE DECEIVED

I GOT UP SUPER EARLY THIS MORNING, AND WENT FOR A LITTLE DRIVE BY MYSELF. DYLAN AND DARRYL WERE ASLEEP…AND STILL ARE. IT WAS VERY REFRESHING TO WATCH THE SKY TURN BRIGHT AFTER BEING SO DARK. PRETTY SIGHT.

SOMETHING I’VE HEARD SOOOOOOOO MANY PEOPLE TALK ABOUT BEFORE, (MYSELF INCLUDED,) IS WORSHIP SERVICES…AND HOW GOD IS OR ISN’T MOVING, HOW THEY DO OR DO NOT “FEEL THE SPIRIT”. IT’S TAKEN ME YEARS TO ARRIVE WHERE I AM NOW ON THIS MATTER, AND I ONLY HOPE IT HELPS SOMEONE GET THROUGH THE DECEPTION THAT I, MYSELF, WAS IN YEARS AGO.

OUR GENERATION, ESPECIALLY, IS SO WRAPPED UP MUSIC. SO WRAPPED UP TO THE POINT WHERE WE SAY WE CAN’T “WORSHIP” AT A CHURCH THAT DOESN’T HAVE OUR STYLE OF MUSIC…WE CAN’T “FEEL” THE SPIRIT THERE, SO WE CONTINUE TO CHURCH HOP, NOT NOTICING THE HANDFUL OF MINISTRIES AVAILABLE AT THAT CHURCH FOR US TO LEARN, GROW, AND SERVE. THIS MAKES ME SO SAD. WHO SAYS THE HOLY SPIRIT ISN’T MOVING WHEN A 26-YEAR OLD, OR 62-YEAR OLD ARE SINGING “COME YE SINNERS, POOR AND NEEDY” TO THE TUNE OF AN ORGAN WITH A MUSIC LEADER WHO DOESN’T NECESARRILY SOUND LIKE WHITNEY HOUSTON? HOW DARE SOMEONE PUT A LIMIT ON THE SPIRIT OF GOD! I, MYSELF, HAVE DONE THIS, LONG AGO.
FRIENDS, BROTHERS, SISTERS, THE SPIRIT OF GOD WILL MOVE HOWEVER HE SO CHOOSES…WHETHER IT BE IN A CONGREGATION OF AN OLD BAPTIST, METHODIST, CATHOLIC, OR WHATEVER DENOMINATION CHURCH SINGING ALL OFF-KEY TOGETHER TO AN OLD HYMN WITH NO MUSIC, OR A 16 OR 60-YEAR SINGING TOGETHER WITH A CONGREGATION OF “CONTEMPORARY” CHRISTIANS BELTING OUT THE NEWEST, LATEST, MOST HIP SOUNDING WORSHIP SONG, COMPLETE WITH BIG WORDS ON THE WALL, FULL BAND, AND OUTSTANDING SOUNDING WORSHIP LEADERS. LORD, FORGIVE OUR GENERATION FOR MAKING CHRISTIANITY A TREND. THE HOLY SPIRIT DOES NOT ONLY “MOVE” IN A GROUP OF PEOPLE SINGING A SONG. IT MOVES IN SO MANY OTHER PLACES…AND SHAME ON US FOR TRYING TO HINDER THAT.

“SOMETHING SPIRITUAL IS FOLDING THE LAUNDRY AT THE END OF THE DAY, OR TAKING DINNER TO A SHUT-IN, OR RAKING SOMEONE’S LAWN WHO CAN’T DO IT THEMSELVES…IT’S NOT JUST A FEELING YOU GET AFTER HEARING THE ACOUSTICS FROM A WORSHIP BAND, MISTAKING THE LOUD SOUNDS THAT JUST AFFECTED YOUR BODY FOR THE SPIRIT OF GOD MOVING IN YOURSELF…” (PARAPHRASED) -RICH MULLINS-

“BECAUSE YOUR LOVINGKINDNESS IS BETTER THAN LIFE, MY LIPS WILL PRAISE YOU.” *PSALM 63:3*

“THE MORNING HOUR HAS GOLD IN ITS HAND.” -BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

SEEKINGDILIGENCE TAGGED ME. I WAS A LITTLE LATE, SORRY!!


1)What is your school name and why?
G.R.A.C.E. (HAVEN’T YET DECIDED ON “SCHOOL”, “ACADEMY”, ETC…) (GOD’S REDEMPTION ALWAYS CHANGES EVERYONE…..I KNOW, I’M CHEESY…BUT IT’S WHAT CAME OUT OF MY HEART!)
2)How is your weather today?
UNBELIEVABLY BEAUTIFUL.
3)What steals your joy?
OFTEN MYSELF.
4)Name five blessings you received this week.
1) OKAY, THIS IS OLD, BUT HILARIE CAME TO SEE ME!!! (THAT WAS A COUPLE WEEKS AGO)
2) JIL CAME TO SEE ME, TOO!
3) HEARING MY TWO YEAR OLD SON RECITE BIBLE VERSES ALOUD THAT HE’S KNOWN FOR OVER A YEAR…I ALMOST DIDN’T TYPE THAT, BECAUSE I HATE TO EVEN ALMOST SOUND “PROUD” IN THE BAD SENSE OF THE WORD…BUT HECK-FIRE, I’M PROUD “IN THE GOOD SENSE” OF THAT BABY! J
4) MY HUSBAND…HE’S ALWAYS BLESSING ME.
5) GETTING TO SEE MY SISTER!!! AND IN A DAY AND A HALF, MY PARENTS!!! WOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOO!!
5)Favorite Scripture
HONESTLY, I CAN’T PICK ONE…HERE’S A COUPLE: “DO NOT BE AFRAID LITTLE FLOCK, FOR THE FATHER HAS CHOSEN GLADLY TO GIVE YOU THE KINGDOM”, “THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND”, “SO IF THE SON MAKES YOU FREE, YOU WILL BE FREE INDEED”, “COME TO ME, ALL WHO ARE WEARY AND HEAVY-LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST”.
6) Who in the Bible do you think are most like?
CAN’T REALLY THINK OF AN ANSWER HERE.
7)The passage of scripture you read last:
ROMANS 11
8) Have you ever praised God for something weird?
I’M SURE I HAVE. I’M SO EXTREMELY CHEESY.
9) If you were making a greeting card for God what would it say.
YOU MADE ROSES RED AND VIOLETS BLUE, WHY CAN’T WE BE MORE LIKE YOU?
10) What is the best miracle God has performed in your life, or what is your favorite answered prayer?
THERE’S NOT JUST ONE…MOST RECENT IN MY LIFE: MARRYING DARRYL, HAVING DYLAN (WE HAD COMPLICATIONS IN THE FIRST PART OF THE PREGNANCY), AND EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED WITH MY MOMMA AND DADDY IN THE PAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS.

11)what is the most fun thing you have done lately.
TOOK DYLAN TO THE CIRCUS AND THAT WAS SOOOOOOOO ADORABLE TO WATCH!!!
12) How did you choose your screen name
IT’S MY EMAIL ADDRESS, OTHER SITE’S NAME: MY FIRST NAME PLUS THE FIRST PART OF MY MIDDLE NAME.

I TAG: BREA, MEEKANDQUIET, AND VICKI

QUOTE OF THE DAY FROM A CONVERSATION WITH DYLAN: "MOMMY, CAN WE GO TO A WESTAUWANT TO EAT?"..."WHY DO YOU WANT TO GO THERE?"....HE REPLIED THE FOLLOWING WITH AN ADORABLE LITTLE GRIN, "BECAUSE I'M CUTE!". THE CHILD DID TELL THE TRUTH!!

VERSE: "LET ALL BITTERNESS AND WRATH AND ANGER AND CLAMOR AND SLANDER BE PUT AWAY FROM YOU, ALONG WITH ALL MALICE." -EPHESIANS 4:31-

I LOVE LISTENING TO THIS SONG, THE LYRICS OFTEN MAKE ME CRY. ESPECIALLY IN A WORLD WHERE SO MANY PEOPLE (MANNNNNNNNNY CHRISTIANS INCLUDED IN THAT GROUP...) ARE SO JUDGMENTAL, AND WANT THINGS DONE THEIR WAY. AND IF THEY'RE NOT DONE THEIR WAY, THEN EVERYONE ELSE IS WRONG. LET US NOT FORGET THAT DIVERSITY BRINGS BEAUTY. AND LET US REMEMBER EDIFICATION...SOMETIMES IT SEEMS THE CHURCH HAS FORGOTTEN BOTH OF THESE THINGS.

Oh the days when I drew lines around My faith to keep you out,
to keep me in, to keep it safe. Oh the sense of my own self-entitlement
To say who's wrong, who won't be long, or cannot stay.
Cause somebody somewhere decided we'd be better off divided.
And somehow, despite the damage done He says come:

CHORUS: There is room enough for all of us
Please come, and the arms are open wide enough
Please come, and our parts are never greater than the sum
This is the heart of the one who
Stands before the open door and bids us come.

Oh the times when I have failed to
Recognize how many chairs are
Gathered there around the feast.
To break the bread and break these
Boundaries that have kept us
From our only common ground the
Invitation to sit down if we will come:

CHORUS There is room enough for all of us
Please come, and the arms are open wide enough
Please come, and our parts are never greater than the sum
This is the heart of the one who
Stands before the open door and bids us come

Come from the best of humanity
Come from the depths of depravity
Come now and see how we need every
Different beat on this same street. Come

(ALL BY NICHOLE NORDEMAN, FROM: http://lyrics.christiansunite.com/lyrics_642_9.shtml)

"BUT NOW GOD HAS PLACED THE MEMBERS, EACH ONE OF THEM, IN THE BODY, JUST AS HE DESIRED." I CORINTHIANS 12:18

"IT IS NOT FAIR TO ASK OF OTHERS WHAT YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DO YOURSELF."
-ELEANOR ROOSEVELT-

LOTS HAPPENING HERE. WE'VE HAD COMPANY EVERY WEEKEND, (WHICH I ABSOLUTELY LOVE...I THRIVE ON PEOPLE COMING OVER!!!) I'VE BEEN ABLE TO SEE MY PARENTS TWICE IN THE PAST COUPLE WEEKS, MY SISTER A LOT SINCE SHE LIVES HERE NOW. :) ALSO, HILARIE CAME UP, THE NEWKIRKS ARE COMING THIS WEEKEND, AND HOPEFULLY KRYSTLE WILL BE COMING SOON!! FALL IS FAST APPROACHING. CAN'T WAIT. IT'S SOOOOOOOOOOOO PRETTY OUTSIDE DURING THE FALL. DYLAN'S BIG 3 IS COMING SOON...HE'S DECIDED ON VEGGIETALES. HE'S VERRRRRRRRRRRRY EXCITED ABOUT THAT. BUT HIS MOMMY IS EXTREMELY SAD AT HOW FAST THE TIME IS PASSING. :(


I WANTED TO START POSTING A PROVERB OR SCRIPTURE FOR EACH DAY (THAT I ACTUALLY GET TO POST) AND A FAVORITE QUOTE:

"DO NOT WITHHOLD GOOD FROM THOSE TO WHOM IT IS DUE, WHEN IT IS IN YOUR POWER TO DO IT." PROVERBS 3:27

"SPEND LIKE YOU HAVE NEXT TO NOTHING,
GIVE LIKE YOU HAVE IT ALL,
LOVE LIKE TIME IS RUNNING OUT,
AND LET HIM PICK YOU UP WHEN YOU FALL."
-J.N.S.-


P.S. DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT MY LINKS TO FAVORITE PAGES, THEY ARE WONDERFUL!! THERE'S FRIENDS OF MINE, EDUCATIONAL SITES, PROFESSORS, ETC. ENJOY THOSE!!

I'M BACK, AND THANKS FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT. I NEEDED IT. :)

I'M PUTTING A HALT TO BUYING ANYMORE BOOKS RIGHT NOW. YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE IT IF I TOLD YOU HOW MANY I'VE BOUGHT IN THE PAST MONTH OR SO...AND I'VE ALSO TRADED SOME. I'M SET FOR ABOUT TWO FULL YEARS FOR DYLAN'S SCHOOLING. IT'S AMAZING. AND IT'S AMAZING WHAT YOU CAN FIND USED ONLINE, AND AT BOOKSTORES...I GOT ABOUT TWENTY BOOKS LAST WEEK, ALL A DOLLAR EACH!! I'VE PURCHASED ABOUT THREE 15-25 DOLLAR BOOKS FOR ABOUT 5-9 BUCKS EACH. YOU CAN'T BEAT THAT. AMONG THOSE FOR A DOLLAR: "THE BOOK OF VIRTUES", COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM FOR KINDERGARTEN, "DAILY LEARNING DRILLS" FOR KINDERGARTEN, A COUPLE A BEKA BOOKS, AND MANY MORE. I COUDN'T PASS THAT UP!
THINGS ARE GOOD, AND MOVING RIGHT ALONG. I'VE LOST ABOUT THIRTY POUNDS, BUT REMEMBER, I AM A WOMAN!! I'M ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED THAT I COULD BE WEARING A SIZE 0, AND STILL NOT BE HAPPY WITH HOW I LOOK. I HATE THAT ABOUT MYSELF!! BUT, I AM AT LEAST GLAD I'VE LOST WHAT I'VE LOST. THE OTHER DAY, I ASKED MY HUSBAND WHAT HE THOUGHT I WEIGHED....IN HIS SWEETNESS AND CLUELESSNESS, HE REPLIED, "WELL, I WEIGH xxx, SO I GUESS THAT MEANS YOU WEIGH ABOUT 125?"...BLESS HIS LITTLE HEART. I LEFT HIM BELIEVING HE WAS CORRECT. HAHAHA. ANOTHER CUTE STORY FOR THE DAY: THIS MORNING I WAS FIXING DYLAN'S HAIR, AND I SAID, "OKAY, NOW LOOK DOWN AT YOUR FEET FOR A SECOND"...AND HE SAID, "NO, MOMMY, I WANT TO LOOK AT YOU"..."WHY?"...I ASKED. HE RESPONDED WITH, "BECAUSE YOUR FACE LOOKS SO GOOD!!". NOTHING HAS EVER MADE ME FEEL SO BEAUTIFUL IN MY LIFE...BESIDES MY HUSBAND. :)

P.S. IF YOU HAVEN'T YET, VISIT THIS WEBSITE...FREE BOOKS. IT'LL BE WORTH YOUR TIME! ;)

I CAN’T IMAGINE NOT HAVING MY SISTER HERE WITH ME. I KNOW THAT SOUNDS EXTREMELY SAD, BUT IT’S ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I THOUGHT OF WHEN MY MOMMA CALLED THIS MORNING TO TELL ME MY AUNT VICKY IS WITH JESUS NOW. THIS WAS ONE OF MY MOMMA’S CLOSEST SISTERS. AT THE RISK OF BEING COMPLETELY VULNERABLE ONLINE (WHICH I NORMALLY WOULD RATHER NOT DO…)

MY MOMMA WAS VERY CLOSE WITH HER. MY MOM WAS RAISED WITH ELEVEN OTHER SIBLINGS, AND IN MOST HUGE FAMILIES, USUALLY ALL OF THEM DON’T REMAIN EXTREMELY CLOSE. BUT FOR THE MOST PART, ALL OF MY MOMMA’S FAMILY WAS…ESPECIALLY MOST OF THE GIRLS. MY FAMILY HAS BEEN THROUGH THE RINGER WHEN IT COMES TO DEALING WITH CANCER. I HATE IT NOW. I CAN’T EVEN STAND TO HEAR THE WORD ANYMORE. I’M SO SICK OF SEEING SOMETHING LIKE THIS, SOMETHING TOTALLY UNEXPLAINABLE, TAKE IT’S TOLL ON MY LOVED ONES…AND I’M SO TIRED OF SEEING MY LOVED ONES HURT SO BADLY OVER IT. I’M SUCH A CONTROL FREAK, AND I ALWAYS WANT TO FIX THINGS FOR MY FAMILY AND LOVED ONES…AND I CAN’T FIX THIS. I CAN DO NOTHING. I HATE THAT FEELING. MY MOMMA’S LOST FIVE LOVED ONES IN THE PAST DUE TO THIS DISEASE…AND SHE’S DEALT WITH IT PERSONALLY, HERSELF. IT’S THESE TIMES, FACING DEATH IN THE FACE, FACING THE UNKNOWN, FACING A MONSTER THAT THERE’S NO REAL CURE FOR, WHEN A NICE LITTLE CHRISTIAN PHRASE WON’T FIX IT. TIME WILL NOT HEAL ALL WOUNDS, CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF. ONE NEVER GETS OVER LOSING THEIR LOVED ONES. THE ONLY THING THAT WILL HELP IS CHRIST, AND HIS CHILDREN COMING TOGETHER IN PRAYER AND MOURNING. ONLY THEN WILL HEALING COME. PLEASE, WHEN YOU’RE PRAYING, PRAY FOR MY MOMMA AND HER SIBLINGS. AND PRAY FOR US, TOO. I’M SO TIRED OF DEATH. I’VE STILL NOT FIGURED OUT HOW TO DEAL WITH IT, AND I DON’T THINK ANYONE KNOWS HOW. THANKS FOR READING. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

“…DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY. ‘O, DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?’ THE STING OF DEATH IS SIN, AND THE POWER OF SIN IS THE LAW; BUT THANKS BE TO GOD, WHO GIVES US THE VICTORY THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.”
*I CORINTHIANS*

“REJOICE WITH THOSE WHO REJOICE, AND WEEP WITH THOSE WHO WEEP.”
*ROMANS*

“BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN, FOR THEY SHALL BE COMFORTED.”
*JESUS-SERMON ON THE MOUNT*

I WAS TAGGED AGAIN...:)

***EDIT***
THIS MORNING I WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR A NEW TUNE FOR SESAME STREET'S THEME SONG....DOES THAT MAKE ME OLD, TO WITNESS SUCH A CHANGE?...AND, RACHAEL RAY SOOOOOOOOOOO JOINED IN ON THE SESAME STREET ACTION THIS MORNING!!! YAY!! I LOVE HER. AND I KNOW SOME PEOPLE THINK SHE'S TOO "BUBBLY"....BUT BACK OFF THE BUBBLY PERSONALITIES!! AIN'T NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT. :)


5 Things I was Doing 10 Years Ago
1. BEING 16
2. ENJOYING HIGH SCHOOL
3. WORKING AT UNITED…WITH REBECCA! AND DRIVING AROUND WITH HER AND OTHERS IN MY LITTLE BLUE CAR LISTENING TO “PUFF DADDY’S: CAN’T NOBODY HOLD ME DOWN”…BECAUSE IT WAS STUCK IN MY TAPE PLAYER. YES, I SAID TAPE. I’M STILL NOT OLD, THOUGH.
4. BEING IN STUDENT COUNCIL, OTHER ACTIVITES…(I’M FROM A SMALL TOWN, SO YOU COULD BE IN A TON OF STUFF, AND BE ACTIVE IN THEM)
5. BEING A CHEERLEADER, AND LOVING IT. AND NOT THE STEREO-TYPICAL ONE YOU MIGHT THINK.

5 Snacks I Enjoy
1. KASHI ALMOND/FLAX BARS (SOUNDS GROSS, BUT YUMMY!)
2. GREEN TEA
3. ANYTHING CHOCOLATE
4. MY HUSBAND’S HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE BROWNIES (JUST CALL HIM DARRYL CROCKER…)
5. MY GRANDMA’S AND MOMMA’S HOMEMADE TORTILLAS

5 TV Shows I've Seen Every Episode Of
1. EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND
2. SCRUBS
3. THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW
4. SAVED BY THE BELL…OF COURSE, THANKS KRYSTLE!! J
5.

5 Things I Would Do If I Were A Millionaire
1. GET RID OF ALL MY FAMILY’S DEBT
2. START A BUSINESS THAT TAKES BETTER FINANCIAL CARE OF MINISTERS, AND TRAINS CHURCHES TO DO SO.
3. START MY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL-FREE TO CHILDREN!!
4. BUILD MY MOMMA AND DADDY A HOUSE, AND OURSELVES, TOO!
5. EDUCATE PEOPLE ON WORLD POVERTY, AND THAT BIBLICALLY, THE BURDEN IS ON THE RICH TO TAKE CARE OF THEM…THEY HAVE NO EXCUSE!! OKAY, I’M OFF MY SOAPBOX.

5 Bad Habits1. TALKING TOO MUCH TO MY HUSBAND.
2. DEALING WITH OCD-REBECCA CAN APPRECIATE THIS ONE!
3. Not brushing my teeth at night (HAHAHA, IT’S ONE OF MINE, TOO!...THIS WAS ONE OF REBECCA’S…YOU’RE IN GOOD COMPANY)
4. SELF-DEPRICATION
5. BEING TOO TRANSPARENT TO PEOPLE

5 Things I Like To Do
1. READ
2. BE WITH MY FAMILY…ALL OF THEM.
3. INTERNET…DUH.
4. BE WITH MY FRIENDS…THEY’RE SO GOOD. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM.5. SING

5 Things I Will Never Wear Again
1. MY SKINNY JEANS. SAD, BUT TRUE. DON’T THINK I’LL BE A SIZE 7 EVER AGAIN. MAYBE A NINE, THOUGH!! ;) TOO MUCH “JUNK IN THE TRUNK” NOW. HAHAHA.
2.

5 Favorite Toys
1. LAPTOP
2. MY MINIVAN…YES, IT’S CONSIDERED ONE OF MY “TOYS”!
3. ELLIPTICAL MACHINE
4. ABLOUNGE
5. DOES DYLAN COUNT? :)

5 Things I Can't Stand
1. WHEN PEOPLE SEE A NEED AND DON’T RISE TO MEET IT.
2. WHEN PEOPLE THINK WHAT WORKS FOR THEM MUST WORK FOR EVERYONE ELSE, BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO CAN MAKE GOOD DECISIONS.
3. PICKING UP DARRYL’S CLOTHES ALL OVER THE HOUSE.
4. THE THOUGHT OF DYLAN GROWING UP.
5. WHEN PEOPLE TALK DOWN TO OTHER PEOPLE. OFTEN, IT’S A RESULT OF THAT PERSON BEING RIDICULOUSLY INSECURE. AND, I’LL HAVE TO ADD ONE…WHEN PEOPLE ARE JUDGMENTAL OF OTHERS. MAKES ME SICK TO MY STOMACH.

A THOUSAND WORDS.







MORE TO COME.

I WAS TAGGED A FEW DAYS AGO…BEEN A LITTLE BUSY. SORRY THIS IS JUST NOW GETTING POSTED! ANDREA TAGGED ME, AND HERE’S THE RULES:

Lara thought it would be cool to have a meme where we post links. We can post up to five. Then we tell five more people to share their links. If we all share who tagged us, our links are sure to be seen!They can be business links, favorite sites, affiliate links, whatever you want…There are Five Rules:1. MUST be clean. No R rated sites.2. Only FIVE links.3. MUST tell 5 people.4. A link back to the person who tagged you5. Lara’s Place is the meme originator. (an active link would be appreciated)



SOME SITES:
MY HUSBAND
5MINUTESFORMOM
OSWALD CHAMBERS/MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST
DR. REEVES
FANTASTIC FOODS

(OF COURSE, I HAVE A TON OF FAVORITES…IF THEY’RE ON MY PAGE, THEY’RE FAVORITES…) :)
LET’S SEE…I TAG:

KRYSTLE KAY
ELIZABETH DAVEY
REBECCA WINTER
JIL SHIPE (JUST DO IT ON XANGA)
MANDOLYN (XANGA)

P.S. I MADE AN AMAZING CHOCOLATE BREAD PUDDING-AND THE PEOPLE AT THE CHURCH LOVED IT. I’M PROUD. I’D NEVER MADE BREAD PUDDING BEFORE!!! YAY FOR ME. THOUGH I ATE NONE OF IT. :)

DELIVERER.

"FOR HE WILL DELIVER THE NEEDY WHEN HE CRIES FOR HELP, THE AFFLICTED ALSO, AND HIM WHO HAS NO HELPER. HE WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON THE POOR AND NEEDY, AND THE LIVES OF THE NEEDY HE WILL SAVE. HE WILL RESCUE THEIR LIFE FROM OPPRESSION AND VIOLENCE, AND THEIR BLOOD WILL BE PRECIOUS IN HIS SIGHT." THE PSALMS

Joseph took his wife and her child and they went to Africa
To escape the rage of a deadly king
There along the banks of the Nile, Jesus listened to the song
That the captive children used to sing
They were singin'My Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by
My Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by

Through a dry and thirsty land, water from the Kenyon heights
Pours itself out of Lake Sangra's broken heart
There in the Sahara winds Jesus heard the whole world cry
For the healing that would flow from His own scars
The world was singingMy Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by
My Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by

He will never break His promise - He has written it upon the sky
My Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by
My Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by
My Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by
I will never doubt His promise though I doubt my heart, I doubt my eyes
My Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by
My Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by
My Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by
He will never break His promise though the stars should break faith with the sky
My Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by

*SONG SUNG BY RICH MULLINS*

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

VBS 2007: DYLAN HAD A BLAST. HE'S VERY WORN OUT, THOUGH. BUT HE LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT. :) HE'S SO TIRED THAT HE HASN'T EVEN BEEN ABLE TO SLEEP WELL FROM THE EXHAUSTION. HE WENT TO BED-FOR THE NIGHT TONIGHT-AT ABOUT 6:45!! WE'LL SEE HOW LONG HE ACTUALLY SLEEPS, THOUGH. I LOVE THAT BABY. EVEN WHEN HE'S ALL CRANKY AND MAD ALL DAY LONG. :)

BLESSINGS.

IF YOU KNOW ME, YOU KNOW MY FAMILY IS VERY CLOSE KNIT. MY SISTER IS ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS IN THE WORLD, THOUGH WE DON'T GET TO SEE EACH OTHER THAT OFTEN. EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, GOD ANSWERS A PRAYER IN WAYS YOU ABSOLUTELY DON'T EXPECT. TODAY ONE OF THOSE HAPPENED. AFTER BEING FAR AWAY FROM MY FAMILY FOR THE PAST SIX FULL YEARS, I FOUND OUT MY SISTER AND HER FAMILY ARE GOING TO MOVE CLOSER TO US----AS IN ONLY A 45 MINUTE DRIVE!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! I'M OVERCOME.

SO, THIS WEEK IS VBS. IT'S BEEN GOING REALLY WELL, AND HAS BEEN SO EXTREMELY FUN...AND I THINK THE CHILDREN ARE LOVING IT!! DYLAN WENT UP TO ANOTHER TWO-YEAR-OLD LAST NIGHT WHO WAS RATHER GRUMPY, AND AS CHEERFUL AS POSSIBLE, HE SAID, "IS MOMMY MY MY BABYLOVE?"...(HE CALLS ME HIS 'BABYLOVE' AND HIS 'LOVEHEART')...THE LITTLE BOY JUST LOOKED AT HIM GRUMPILY. DYLAN ASKED AGAIN, "IS MOMMY MY BABYLOVE?" WITH A BIG SMILE. THE LITTLE BOY LOOKED AT DYLAN AND QUIETLY SAID, "NO". THEN CAME ANGRY DYLAN. HE MADE A MAD FACE, LOOKED AT THAT LITTLE BOY, AND SCREAMED REALLY LOUD, "YES, MOMMY IS MY BABYLOVE, SHE IS!"...THEN IT TURNED INTO A CRY AS HE SOBBED, "YES, SHE IS, MOMMY IS MY BABYLOVE!". I HAD TO PICK HIM UP AND REASSURE HIM THAT NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE SAYS, I AM HIS BABYLOVE. POOR BABY. I LOVE THAT BOY. :)

OKAY, I'VE SEEN SEVERAL BLOGGERS WHO'VE DONE THIS, SO HERE GOES..."BROWN PAPER PACKAGES TIED UP WITH STRINGS, THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS..."....IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER:


MY BIG, RED, PURTY LEATHER BAG MY HUSBAND GOT FOR ME FOR OUR ANNIVERSARY...I'VE WANTED ONE LIKE THIS FOR LIKE TWO YEARS!
STASH TEA!
MY NEW KITCHEN TABLE!! ...AND WIZARD OF OZ STUFF IN BACKGROUND.
THE HOLY BIBLE-OF COURSE...AND MY BOOKS! THESE ARE ONES I'M READING NOW...
I'M A KITCHEN GADGET FREAK: JUICEMAKER, RED TOASTER, BREADMAKER...

MY NEW COFFEE POT COURTESY OF MY IN-LAWS!
MY COLLECTION OF SPOONS, THEY WERE GIVEN TO ME BY MY MOMMA...THEY BELONGED TO MY GRANDMA! I LOVE THESE!
MY MOTHER'S DAY GIFT: A DISHWASHER. A.K.A. LIFESAVER. :)
THE PIANO MY PARENTS GOT FOR ME WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL, AND ALL THE PEOPLE WHO'S PICTURES ARE ON IT!! :)

THIS WAS CHEEZY, I KNOW...BUT IF YOU KNOW ME, YOU KNOW I'M CHEEZY!! HOPE YOU LIKED A GLIMPSE INTO MY HOME!

THE SUN AND THE POTTY...AGAIN. :)

SO ONCE AGAIN, I'LL TRY THESE PICTURES. SORRY ABOUT THE LAST ONE. DIDN'T QUITE WORK OUT. THESE ARE FROM JUST THE OTHER DAY WHEN DYLAN WAS ENJOYING HIS POOL.

ALSO, DYLAN'S BEEN DOING A GOOD JOB DURING THE DAY WHEN HE WEARS HIS "BIG BOY" UNDERWEAR...THOMAS AND SUPERMAN, THAT IS. AND I'M CONVINCED THAT HE'S THE ONLY PERSON IN THE WORLD THAT I'D EVER KISS WHILE HE'S DOING HIS "BUSINESS". :)

THE SUN AND THE POTTY.

TODDLERS.

SO DARRYL AND I SPENT ABOUT 2 HOURS, AND I, ABOUT 1 EXTRA HOUR SEARCHING FOR TWO MOVIES THAT WERE MISPLACED…AND WE THOUGHT THE “MISPLACER” WAS SWEET LITTLE DYLAN. WE TORE THIS HOUSE APART, EVERY ROOM, EVEN CHECKED INSIDE THE PIANO (WHERE WE DID FIND A CD THAT WE’D LOST MONTHS AGO, APPARENTLY DYLAN FOUND A PLACE THEY’LL SLIDE RIGHT INTO BY THE LID OF THE PIANO…) AND WE STILL FOUND NO MOVIES. THE FUNNY THING IS ASKING A TWO-YEAR-OLD, “TELL MOMMY WHERE YOU PUT THE MOVIES, DID YOU TAKE THEM?...DID YOU HIDE THEM IN YOUR PLAYROOM?...DID YOU HIDE THEM IN YOUR CLOSET?...” TO WHICH HE JUST KEPT SAYING, “YES, UH-HUH, NO….” AND PUTTING HIS HANDS UP IN THE AIR AS IF TO SAY, “I DON’T KNOW”. THAT WAS HILARIOUS. AFTER ALL THAT, I PRAYED AND DYLAN AND I PRAYED BEFORE HIS NAPTIME, AND WE ASKED THE LORD TO HELP US FIND THEM…BECAUSE WE CERTAINLY DON’T HAVE THE FUNDS TO PAY FOR THEM!! (THEY BELONG TO NETFLIX) AFTER HE FELL ASLEEP, I OPENED UP A “SUPERMAN” DVD CASE, WHICH WAS LAYING RIGHT BY THE PIANO ON THE FLOOR, AND HAD BEEN THERE ALL DAY LONG, AND WE HAD WALKED BY IT HUNDREDS OF TIMES…….GUESS WHAT I FOUND? :)

BEING A PARENT, YOU OFTEN WONDER WHEN YOUR CHILD REALLY LISTENS TO YOU. SOMETIMES YOU DON’T KNOW UNTIL DAYS LATER. I’M USUALLY DYLAN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER, AND THIS WEEK WE TALKED ABOUT JESUS WALKING ON THE WATER WITH PETER, AND I READ THE WHOLE STORY TO HIM RIGHT OUT OF THE BIBLE. THE WHOLE TIME, HE SEEMED TO BE IGNORING ME, AND WAS EAGER TO GET TO PLAYING WITH PUZZLES. SO WE DID OUR MEMORY VERSE, AND WENT STRAIGHT TO PLAYING. THEN LAST NIGHT AT DINNER, I HAD TO BE GONE, SO DARRYL WAS HERE WITH HIM. DARRYL SAID THAT IN THE MIDDLE OF DINNER, DYLAN LOOKED UP AND SAID, “DADDY, JESUS WALKED ON THE WATER WITH PETER!”. DARRYL ASKED HIM TO REPEAT HIMSELF, AND THEN ASKED, “WHAT? HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT? WHO TOLD YOU THAT?”. DYLAN RESPONDED HAPPILY, “MOMMY TOLD ME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL!”. AHHHH, BLESSED ASSURANCE

GOOD OL' OZZIE...

THANKS FOR ALL THE KIND WORDS, EVERYONE! ENJOY THIS, IT'S A GOOD ONE!!


THE POINT OF SPIRITUAL HONOUR
"I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians." Romans 1:14


Paul was overwhelmed with the sense of his indebtedness to Jesus Christ, and he spent himself to express it. The great inspiration in Paul's life was his view of Jesus Christ as his spiritual creditor. Do I feel that sense of indebtedness to Christ in regard to every unsaved soul? The spiritual honour of my life as a saint is to fulfil my debt to Christ in relation to them. Every bit of my life that is of value I owe to the Redemption of Jesus Christ; am I doing anything to enable Him to bring His Redemption into actual manifestation in other lives? I can only do it as the Spirit of God works in me this sense of indebtedness.

I am not to be a superior person amongst men, but a bondslave of the Lord Jesus. "Ye are not your own." Paul sold himself to Jesus Christ. He says - I am a debtor to everyone on the face of the earth because of the Gospel of Jesus; I am free to be an absolute slave only. That is the characteristic of the life when once this point of spiritual honour is realized. Quit praying about yourself and be spent for others as the bondslave of Jesus. That is the meaning of being made broken bread and poured out wine in reality.


*TAKEN FROM: http://myutmost.org

COMFORT.

TODAY'S BEEN A ROUGH ONE. WE WERE WOKEN UP WITH A PHONE CALL FROM A DEAR OLDER LADY IN OUR CHURCH...SHE'S ALWAYS AT CHURCH, ALWAYS HELPING, ALWAYS DOING HER PART...NEVER MAKING AN EXCUSE FOR NOT COMING. HER HUSBAND PASSED AWAY THIS MORNING. MR. BILL WAS 89 YEARS OLD, AND ABOUT 85 POUNDS SOAKING WET. HE WAS ONE OF THE KINDEST MEN I'VE EVER KNOWN. THESE ARE THE TIMES THAT IT HURTS SO BADLY TO BE THE PASTORING FAMILY, THE ONES WHO ARE THERE TO NOT ONLY GRIEVE WITH YOU, BUT BRING COMFORT. IT'S HARD TO DO THAT WHEN SADNESS FILLS YOUR HEART. PLEASE BE PRAYING FOR THIS FAMILY.

"BLESSED BE THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE FATHER OF MERCIES AND GOD OF ALL COMFORT, WHO COMFORTS US IN ALL OUR AFFLICTION SO THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO COMFORT THOSE WHO ARE IN ANY AFFLICTION WITH THE COMFORT WITH WHICH WE OURSELVES ARE COMFORTED BY GOD. FOR JUST AS THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST ARE OURS IN ABUNDANCE, SO ALSO OUR COMFORT IS ABUNDANT THROUGH CHRIST." *II CORINTHIANS*

IT IS SUCH A GOOD THING TO GET THINGS DONE, TO FEEL "PRODUCTIVE", AND TO STAY BUSY!! HOWEVER, I'VE LEARNED THAT THESE THINGS DON'T DEFINE ME. MY PAST DOESN'T DEFINE ME. WHAT I DO DOESN'T DEFINE ME. WHAT I THINK DOESN'T DEFINE ME. OTHER'S OPINIONS OF ME DOESN'T DEFINE ME.

IF YOU ARE IN CHRIST, HE DEFINES YOU. HE DOESN'T CALL YOU A "SINNER SAVED BY GRACE" ANYMORE...YOU ARE INDEED, A NEW CREATION. YOU ARE A SAINT. YOU ARE A FRIEND OF CHRIST. YOU ARE A DISCIPLE. YOU ARE PART OF THE BODY OF CHRIST. YOU ARE FREE IN CHRIST. NOW ONLY IF WE COULD ALL LIVE AS WE TRULY ARE THOSE THINGS!!

"THEREFORE THERE IS NOW NO CONDEMNATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST JESUS." ROMANS

THE WAITING PLACE.

EVER THOUGHT ABOUT WAITING? WE SPEND ALMOST ALL OF OUR LIVES WAITING…WAITING TO MOVE, FOR A NEW JOB, FOR SOME FINANCIAL HELP, FOR MORE CHILDREN, TO SEE OUR FAMILY, TO SEE OUR FRIENDS, FOR THAT NEXT BIRTHDAY, CHRISTMAS, FOR SOMEONE WE LOVE TO BE HEALED OF SICKNESS, FOR SOMETHING AROUND US, OR IN US TO CHANGE….NEED I GO ON? I’VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT THIS SO MUCH LATELY. IF WE SPEND MOST OF OUR LIVES WAITING (MIND YOU, WHEN I SAY ‘WAITING’, IT MEANS ANY KIND OF WAITING…HAPPY, HOPEFUL, IMPATIENT, ANY FORM OF IT…) SURELY THE LORD GIVES SOME PRECISE STEP-BY-STEP APPROACH TO DEAL WITH THIS IN OUR LIVES…RIGHT? I MEAN, SURELY THERE IS SOME MAGIC REMEDY TO HELP US THROUGH THE WAITING PLACE…
I’VE BEEN WAITING SINCE I WAS BORN. WAITING TO TURN 16 TO GET MY LICENSE, WAITING TO GO TO HIGH SCHOOL, WAITING TO GO TO COLLEGE, WAITING TO FINISH COLLEGE, WAITING TO MARRY THE LOVE OF MY LIFE, TO RAISE OUR CHILDREN…….AND THE LIST WILL CONTINUE TO GROW...
I’VE BEEN TO THIS WAITING PLACE. I’M HERE NOW. I’M SURE YOU’VE BEEN THERE COUNTLESS TIMES, I’M SURE MANY OF YOU ARE THERE NOW. AND IRONICALLY, AS WE SIT HERE AND WAIT, TIME CONTINUES TO BE HARSH. TIME CONTINUES TO STEAL (IF WE LET IT) THE JOYS OF NOW. I’VE EVEN WONDERED IF GOD WOULD STOP TIME FOR ME, AS HE DID IN THE BIBLE, BECAUSE MY HEART ACHES AT HOW QUICKLY MY SON IS GROWING UP. I’VE SERIOUSLY WISHED I COULD GO BACK IN TIME AND TRY TO ENJOY, JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE, ALL THE TIME I’VE BEEN BLESSED WITH. BUT FOR NOW, I STILL WAIT. LET ME SHARE WITH YOU MY HEART, WHAT IS MY VERY HOPE AT THIS TIME, WHAT IS SEEING ME THROUGH THE WAITING PLACE. IT IS SURELY THE BEST WAY I’VE FOUND TO WAIT HERE.

YOU KEEP TELLING ME NOT TO WORRY
I KEEP TRYING MY BEST TO TRUST,
NOT LETTING MY HEART BE TAKEN OVER
BY WANTING MATERIAL THINGS OUT OF LUST.

YOU KEEP SAYING YOU’LL DELIVER
THE NEEDY WHEN THEY CRY…
YET I’VE BEEN HERE WAITING…
AND EVERDAY WONDERING “WHY?”.

I KNOW YOU ALWAYS KEEP YOUR WORD
I KNOW YOU WILL ANSWER ME
AND I ALSO KNOW ALL I CAN DO
IS SIT AND WAIT PATIENTLY.

I’VE PUT MY TRUST IN THINGS BEFORE,
IN OTHER PEOPLE, MYSELF, AND MY PLANS…
BUT THE LESSON I KEEP LEARNING
IS JUST TO LET YOU HOLD MY HAND.

“BUT LORD, YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND-“
AT TIMES I’VE CRIED TO YOU…
AS IF YOU DIDN’T, YOURSELF, CREATE ME-
AND MAKE ALL THINGS AND PEOPLE NEW!

“I CAN’T DO IT ANYMORE-I GIVE UP!”
I’VE CRIED BEFORE.
BUT I KNOW IN MY HEART THAT’S NOT THE WAY
I CAN BE ANYMORE.

ALL I KNOW IS THAT I DON’T KNOW!
AND IT’S OKAY TO BE HERE NOW.
IT’S OKAY TO TRUST YOU HAPPILY,
AND NOT KNOW THE “WHY’S AND HOW’S”.

EVEN WHEN THE FUTURE SEEMS HOPELESS,
IT’S A GOOD THING TO TRUST IN YOU-
IT’S GOOD TO KNOW, LORD JESUS,
THAT YOU KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO DO.

SO I STAY HERE-IN THE WAITING PLACE.
I MAY BE HERE FOR DAYS.
BUT I WILL DO MY BEST TO FOLLOW YOU, JESUS
AND LET YOU TEACH ME YOUR WAYS.

JESSICA SCHAFER-JULY 4, 2007


“HOW LONG, O LORD? WILL YOU FORGET ME FOREVER? HOW LONG WILL YOU HIDE YOUR FACE FROM ME? HOW LONG SHALL I TAKE COUNSEL IN MY SOUL, HAVING SORROW IN MY HEART ALL THE DAY? HOW LONG WILL MY ENEMY BE EXALTED OVER ME? ……. BUT I HAVE TRUSTED IN YOUR LOVINGKINDESS; MY HEART SHALL REJOICE IN YOUR SALVATION. I WILL SING TO THE LORD, BECAUSE HE HAS DEALT BOUNTIFULLY WITH ME.” *THE PSALMS*

“THE MIND OF MAN PLANS HIS WAY, BUT THE LORD DIRECTS HIS STEPS.” *THE PROVERBS*


“REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS; AGAIN I WILL SAY, REJOICE! LET YOUR GENTLE SPIRIT BE KNOWN TO ALL MEN. THE LORD IS NEAR. BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING, BUT IN EVERYTHING BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION WITH THANKSGIVING LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN TO GOD. AND THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH SURPASSES ALL COMPREHENSION, WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND YOUR MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS.” *PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7*

“FAITHFUL IS HE WHO CALLS YOU AND HE WILL ALSO BRING IT TO PASS.” *I THESSALONIANS 5:24*

I'VE GOTTEN A LOT DONE TODAY, AND SOMEHOW IT SEEMS AS IF THERE'S MORE TO DO!!! WE HAVE VBS COMING UP, AND I'M THE LUCKY ONE HEADING ALL THAT STUFF UP. I LIKE DOING IT. MY HUSBAND SAYS I HAVE THE GIFT OF "ADMINISTRATION"....I BEG TO DIFFER, THOUGH!! WE HAVE COMPANY COMING THIS WEEKEND, WHICH I'M SUPER EXCITED ABOUT.

STILL LEARNING WHAT IT MEANS TO BE IN THE WAITING PLACE. MORE ON THAT ON THE NEXT BLOG. WAITING ISN'T ALL THAT BAD, RIGHT? :)

A NEW DAY.

MANY THINGS ARE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IN MY LIFE, SO I SHALL RING IN THIS NEW SITE OF MINE WITH THESE ENCOURAGING WORDS: "THE LORD'S LOVINGKINDNESSES INDEED NEVER CEASE, FOR HIS COMPASSIONS NEVER FAIL. THEY ARE NEW EVERY MORNING; GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS." ~LAMENTATIONS 3:22-23~

IF THERE'S ONE THING I'VE LEARNED IN LIFE, IT'S SUMMED IN THISE VERSE FROM PROVERBS: "THE MIND OF MAN PLANS HIS WAY, BUT THE LORD DIRECTS HIS STEPS." THANK GOD FOR THAT!! THANK HIM FOR NOT LETTING ME HAVE THE CONTROL I SO DESIRE TO GAIN FROM DAY TO DAY. THANK HIM FOR ALWAYS LOVING ME, IN SPITE OF MYSELF. AND THANK HIM FOR FORGIVING ME WHEN I SO OFTEN KNOWINGLY FAIL HIM.

I HAVE LOTS TO GET DONE!! GUESS I BETTER GET OFF HERE AND DO THOSE THINGS!! :)