Stay Strong!!

As most people do this time of year, we cleaned up our garden and tilled up a new spot for even more garden next year. Pulling up dead vines and plants, tilling the soil and planning out where we'll plant what next year on our homestead. It is a great anticipation of wonderful things to come, dreaming dreams and watching them come true!

New garden space for next spring!

During the pulling up process though, we found a couple of little guys who are refusing to give up the fight! Two strong, healthy cucumber vines, climbing the trellis and in full bloom!!

Not just in full bloom, but producing fruit!!!

When everything around them was dying and giving up, these two guys are standing strong, reaching toward the sun and producing fruit!!

What an awesome reminder from God! When everything and everyone around you seems to be giving up the fight...stand strong!!

When everything and everyone around you is dying, you can still produce fruit!!!

It's all God asks of us...reach for Him and produce fruit for Him!! You might be the seed planter or the trellis holding someone up, but fruit is the result!!

"For if you stand firm, you will win your souls." Luke 21:19 TLB

Wedding Joys!!

Just a quick bit to share the celebrating!!

After an eleven hour day at work, DD and I were able to get most of her wedding invitations stuffed!! We'd have gotten finished, but we ran out of stamps to put on the RSVP cards!! Every time we get another little thing marked off the list, I can see DD's stress level go down. She has so much on her plate right now!!

The best news of all though...they were approved for their loan for their dwelling! Now...bear in mind that we are still all about saving money and staying out of debt...DH and I, that is. DD and Son-in-law-to-be, are still in the learning process. They have been able to save a few thousand dollars though along with paying for some the "extras" they want for the wedding.

They found a cute single wide trailor, small (14x50) but SO cute, for $4250. They were able to secure a loan for $5000 (the extra will move the trailer) and their loan is only for two years! How exciting! Their plan is to start small, save and build a house as they go along with minimal to no debt. Help us pray for them that they would allow God to direct their steps and they would be found walking along the path He is choosing for them in this...well, in ALL areas.

I'm off to a hot bath and a comfy bed! 'Night all!!!

Hangin' at the Beach

Almost a month since I've checked in with blog world. There never seems to be enough moments in my day. God has been faithful, though to teach me many things in this last month. He has been pruning this daughter of His, sometimes painfully so

He has spent many weeks teaching me about what kind of power is in my tongue. Very hard lessons and painful pruning have shown me that I have spoken death more often than life with my tongue. I have had God bound..He hasn't been ALLOWED to work in this daughter's life!!

Then He has spent time showing me two doors. One door that is leading to His perfect will for my life, and the other door which leads to the world and the plans satan has for me. He has shown me that I've often not chosen the door of Life, but the easy way of the world.

Now He is in the process of teaching me that my mind is often my worst enemy and my biggest problem. This is, so far, proving to be the toughest lesson yet!

But for today, He has blessed with a period of rest. In His faithfulness, He has provided me, DH, DD and DS with an entire week away at the beach. Never have we been able to be away for an entire week and this could not have come at a more perfect time!!

Even in my time of correction, even in my time of pruning, God is loving me and in His wisdom, has given His daughter a time of refreshing.

So, I pray all is going well for my bloggy friends, who, even though I'm not in touch with as often, I do think about, pray for and read your posts...for now though, I'm going to join my family on the beach and enjoy the blessings God is providing!

Waiting Patiently

Last week was such a busy week and this week is proving to be a repeat.

This Friday I leave for Atlanta with my boss and a co-worker for a conference. Haven't done one of those in a VERY long time, so I'm excited about it. There is one downside though, and it's a biggy......I won't be home until late Saturday night and Saturday is my birthday!!!! :o( ..... oh well... such is life.

We went to a youth rally this past Saturday night. You might consider me a little old to be going to a youth rally (I'll be 46 Saturday.....), but I love them so much!! Why? Because teenagers are so uninhibited in their worship. They just cut loose and let God have His way!! It's awesome. What was more awesome about Saturday night was the fact that when the evangelist had everyone bow their heads and close their eyes, he posed the question, "Are you where you should be in your relationship with God? If not, raise your hand." Well, with the situation with DS, of course I peeked. He had a bit of a struggle, but slowly his hand went up. Well, apparently DH was peeking as well because he grabbed my hand and started weeping. Then DS took off towards the altar and I lost it. I fell into my pew, sobbing and praying and it was awesome!!!

This, for me, is reassurance that God is still very able to deal with my son. That He hasn't turned his back on him!! God is still working and doing a mighty work in a young man that He saved physically and spiritually so many years ago.

Then today during lunch, I'm doing my devotions and God brings me to this verse, "Then Abraham waited patiently and received what God had promised." Hebrews 6:15, NLT

So that's what I'm choosing to do. Waiting patiently on God to keep His promise.

Graduation

On May 22, 2010, we graduated our baby. He is 17 years old and out of high school now. We have homeschooled his whole life...it's all he's ever known. He's a well rounded, intelligent, happy young man and we are so very proud of him.

He has so many things that he enjoys but one of his favorite things is to run sound boards for bands. We've lovingly dubbed him our 'A/V junkie' and while it's a passion for him, with graduation he announced what his plans for the future are....our son is going to enter college in the spring and take 2 years of criminal justice. When he turns 21, he will join the police academy and become a police officer with a goal of being on the SWAT team. (BIG sigh.......) How proud I am and how this Mama heart fills her throat. I'm sure God has big plans for his life. After all, saving him in the womb is proof of that....I trusted God with his life then, and I will continue to trust God for his life now.

Enjoy just a few pictures from his big night!!...



Even celebrating..he's not crazy about crowds!


The big moment...diploma in hand!!


Gift time!! Sure to bring a smile!!

Son...I'm so very proud of you!!! I pray God's blessings on your life...

Worship Him

"Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised."
Proverbs 31:28-30, NLT

Worship Him

"He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what He has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.
Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols.
O Lord my God, You have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal.
If I tried to recite all Your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them."
Psalm 40:3-5, NLT

Introducing a New Addition!!

Hi bloggy friends!!!

If you've been around my site any this week, you will notice that I've been a little slack in posting. Not to fear..I haven't left, ran away or switched identities.

I am however working on another blog that I am positive that God is leading me to do.

One Single Minute's sister blog is called I Saw God Today. I'd love it if you'd head over and check it out. It's still very much a work in progress, as there is a lot of things I'd like to add to the site, but I felt like I needed to start posting or my heart and head would blow up---that's how I know it's God. I'm not able to say no.

You will notice that each post will contain something that reminded me of God that day. I don't know how often the posting will come, but I do know that it will come exactly as God directs it.

Don't worry, OSM isn't going anywhere. I've just been focused on her sister this week and trying to make sure that I'm being totally obedient to Father God.

I believe I Saw God Today is in direct answer to a prayer that I've been praying for some time now....that God would reveal Himself to me and that I would be so in tune with Him, I would recognize Him however and whenever He chose to do so.

I hope you enjoy my new addition and that you'll visit often and that you, too, will begin to recognize God when you see Him...

Worship Him

"Happy are those who hear the joyful call
to worship, for they will walk in the light of Your presence, Lord.
They rejoice all day long in Your wonderful reputation. They exult in Your righteousness.
You are their glorious strength. It pleases You to make us strong.
Yes, our protection comes from the Lord..."
Psalm 89:15-18a, NLT

Just Catchin' Up!

Wanted to share another couple of updates within our family with you...actually, I wanted to post something and give you a chance to leave a comment since tomorrow is the last day of my give-a-way and a daily comment increases your chance of winning!!!

It's official..it's one month until my baby graduates high school!!! Where has the time gone?? I was so blessed to be a SAHM and to homeschool my children and yet it still went by so quickly!!! How is that possible? What do I do with all of the extra time that I'll have?? Well, I'm not sure but.....

This past Tuesday night, I went for a group interview at the chiropractic office that I gave my resume to and yesterday they called me in for a second interview. They will call me back today for a specific date, and at that time I"ll get to talk to the Doctor and his wife one on one. So...we'll see what God has in store.....

DD went back to see the surgeon yesterday and she is healing up quite nicely from her surgery (of a month and a half ago!!) She still has one little spot that isn't quite healed but we have moved up to "see you in a month" status which is a good thing! She got to go back to work about 3 weeks ago, but still hasn't been released from the doctor...that day may be an occasion to celebrate!!!

It has been a week full of blessings for us so far this week. Nothing over the top, but just those daily blessings that God gives that we sometimes just overlook because life gets in the way. Let me encourage you to sit down and take a few minutes and just reflect on your week so far and thank God for His blessings...big and small!!

Worship Him

"I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth!
He will not let you stumble; the One Who watches over you will not slumber.
Indeed, He who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.
The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.
The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever."

Psalm 121, NLT

Just a Couple of Things

My guys really enjoyed night one of the men's conference last night. They got to hear Rick Burgess speak and today, after enjoying breakfast at Ryan's with the men from our church, they are going to get to enjoy hearing Jason Crabb....yes, I'm jealous....I'd like to hear Jason Crabb too!!..but how God spoke to my 17 year old son through Rick Burgess last night was nothing short of awesome and I can't wait to see what He does today and how He works through DS in the coming weeks and months!!


















Next..

Did you know that starting Monday through the end of the week (19-25) Dairy Queen is offering Blizzards for BOGO for 25¢!!! Now me and DH love us some DQ Blizzards and this would be a very affordable date night!!!....we might even go twice!! :o)



And..finally, to bring a smile to your face.....

Art Supplies

(I used to work in an art supply store. We sold artists' canvas by the yard, and you could get it in either of two widths: 36 inches or 48 inches.)

Customer: "Can you please cut some canvas for me?"

Me: "Certainly, what width?"

Customer: (confused and slightly annoyed) "Scissors?"


HA!HA!HA!HA!HA! Have a wonderfully blessed weekend!!!!

Worship Him

"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out on us who belong to His dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins. He has showered His kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding."
Ephesians 1:3-8, NLT

God...Even in the Small Things

I don't know why, but it always seems to amaze me when God works in the small stuff. You know, the stuff that doesn't matter to anyone in the world but you. For me, He did it again yesterday.

I was in the bathroom and I dropped a pair of tweezers in the sink. At first when they slipped from my hands, I didn't panic too much. After all, I'd dropped those tweezers plenty of times. But this time however, they fell straight into and down the drain!!!

I know I had a look of shock on my face followed by the "OH NO!!!!!!!! THAT DIDN'T JUST HAPPEN!!" look.

But....it did just happen and now I am faced with the fact that instead of DH getting to rest when he got home from work, he would be found under our tiny vanity taking apart the drain pipe and pulling my tweezers out of it. He wouldn't be mad, but DH is claustrophobic and I just hate the thought of asking this big guy to spend time in that tiny space.

So I sent up a quick, desperate prayer. "God, You know that I don't want to have to confront DH about this when he gets home. Please help me to figure out some way to get those tweezers out of the pipe!"

So then the thought (God) came to me, "If I had a small enough magnet, I could tie a string to it and lower it into the drain and possibly latch onto the tweezers and pull them out." I knew it was a long shot, but with God impressing on me to give it a try, it just might work. After all, if I do what I can, then God will do what I can't!...right??

Now, to find a magnet. I went to the fridge, where like every good mom, I have tons of pictures, coupons, schedules and anything else you can imagine stuck to the front of it, but no magnet that would fit down that tiny drain hole.

Then God drew my attention to a carrot that one of my kiddos had made so many years ago. Attached to the back of that carrot was a flat magnet that would fit down my drain. "If I pull the carrot off the magnet, I could punch a hole in the end of it, tie a string to it and possibly get my tweezers out. BUT..is it strong enough? That's a very thin, tiny magnet....." But it was literally all I had that would fit. E.O.D.

So with flashlight and strung up magnet in hand, I began the quest of lowering the magnet down the drain in order to rescue my tweezers and DH from what could be a frustrating evening.

The first two or three tries produce nothing but a whiny, "PHUUUULLLEEEAAASEEE!!!!!" to God, Who at that moment was silent. (Come on' Moms....we've all been there when the whining starts........)

The next two or three tries allowed me to realize that I was indeed catching hold of the tweezers, but the clinking let me know they weren't getting to far up the pipe. "Okay...at least that's progress, huh God??" Then the encouraging, "Just keep trying" "Okay!!"

As I heard the now familiar clink of the tweezers meeting the magnet, I gave a gentle tug and guess what......I was stuck!!! Not only would the tweezers not move, but my magnet wasn't going anywhere either!!! "Seriously??? Are You serious??? Here I stand in front of the sink with a pair of tweezers in the drain and if that wasn't bad enough, they've joined forces with the magnet and neon, lime-green yarn. Oh hubby's gonna love this!!!...."

Well, guess what? God wasn't too impressed with my attitude either so I resorted to whining again...."I'mmm sorrry.....I just really need this to come out and it's not working for me....." "Try again."

The next gentle tug released the magnet and dropped the tweezers.

One more try and I noticed the magnet felt heavier coming up the drain and when I looked, to my amazement, I saw the points of the tweezers coming out of the drain hole!!!! I got excited but maintained my calm because the last thing I wanted was for these things to come loose and head back down the drain. A little higher and I put a death grip on those tweezers. A little more tugging and....BING!!!..VICTORY!!!!!!!!!! Tweezers and magnet in hand!!! "Thank You Lord!!!!!"





Then I heard a soft voice say....."I love you so much, even tweezers in a drain is important to Me...remember that."

....It's important for you to remember that too.....

Worship Him

"But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.
The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for Someone who is alive? He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what He told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”
Luke 24:1-7, NLT

Worship Him

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Champion Who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility He endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up."
Hebrews 12:1-3, NLT

Worship Him

"Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of Your presence, Lord. They rejoice all day long in Your wonderful reputation. They exult in Your righteousness. You are their glorious strength. It pleases You to make us strong. Yes, our protection comes from the Lord..."
Psalm 89:15-18a, NLT

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!!

Thank you so much for your prayers for Beth!! She came through surgery fine with the added blessing of no problems with her heart! (For those who didn't know, she has a heart condition--which added to my concerns of surgery...)

The doctor was able to get all of the cyst and he is comfortable that there is nothing more to be concerned about.

She was a trooper and actually did quite well waking up from anesthesia.

We were able to come home last night and that made for a much more restful night's sleep!!

Again, thank you so much for you kindness, encouragement and prayers!

Worship Him

"But then I recall all You have done, O LORD; I remember Your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about Your mighty works."
Psalm 77:11-12, NLT

Worship Him

"O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for You. My soul thirsts for You; my whole body longs for You in this parched and weary land where there is no water."
Psalm 63:1, NLT