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-