I Want to Be a Vessel

My family and I were fortunate to go to Youthquake last night. Youthquake is an outdoor concert that is hosted in a nearby town each year. It is primarily geared toward the youth, but trust me, this is an event for all ages!

We were able to see live and in person Jon Reuben, Revive, Brit Nichole, Hawk Nelson and Casting Crowns. Our speaker was Matt Pitt from The Basement in Birmingham, Alabama. It was awesome and moving and Spirit filled to say the least.

I was totally blessed by the whole event but I confess found myself distracted on many occasions. During prayer, folks of all ages are walking around, screaming, laughing, running, hanging out. Again during the reading and preaching of the Word the same thing. Folks playing on their phones, texting and so very unconcerned that the very Word of God was being spoken.

My heart was broken. People in other countries are putting their very lives in danger just to hear the Word and here we are, so oblivious to the preciousness of what we have.

Thankfully, there were just as many who were soaking up every ounce of what God was pouring out. While I choose to put my focus there, I can't help but carry a heavy burden that so many need Jesus. So many need to fall into His arms and give everything over to Him. I don't want to be an ostrich and bury my head in the sand and pretend that this isn't the reality of our world today. I want God to use me. Starting in my own household and reaching out to those many, many people I come in contact with each day.

I want to be a vessel that God can readily use. How about you?

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!!!

Update! Update!! Yes..I'm Still Around!!

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly time can get by me!! It's been over a month since I've posted and that really wasn't my intentions at all. I can be honest in saying though, that I'm trying terribly hard to let God manage my time and time spent on the computer verses time spent with my family???.....family every time!!!

One thing that has always been precious to me but that has become more precious to me since I went back to work has been time with my family. Sit down dinners that used to happen at least three or four times a week has now came down to every Wednesday and every other Sunday but they are non-negotiable. No other plans. No friends. Just family. EOD!!

It's hard to believe I've been working for almost six months!! Again...how time has flown!! All is good on the job front and as I've posted before, my patients are wonderful!! They truly do make my job a blessing!

Wedding plans are in full swing! With the big day only seven weeks away, those tiny details are becoming hugely important!! We are now at the stage of mailing invitations and planning bridal showers, the first of which is next Friday night!! Such fun and excitement!

I shared that in going back to work, I was struggling within myself about being a Titus 2 wife. I truly struggled with not having the time to make food from scratch or making our own laundry detergent. I confess I've crossed over into the land of convenience. Quick and easy has become my friend and you know what?? It's truly okay.

With most of our meals being DH and myself, it doesn't take that much to feed us supper anyway and boil-in-bag rice and Chunky soup has become my friend!!

Three evenings a week, I get home rather late and it's so simple to boil some rice, heat up a can of soup and pour over it and bake some Pilsbury frozen biscuits in the oven. Within thirty minutes we are eating a hot meal that is filling and cheaper than take out.

I've come to the realization that being a true Titus 2 wife has nothing to do with staying at home and being the best at that. It has everything to do with living the life and being the model that Christ has set before us.

Do I miss my days at home? Yes! I've realized though that this is the course I'm on and it's okay. God CAN and WILL use me and THAT is what I truly want more than anything.

Catching Up!

As I sit at this computer, all is quiet within my house. I can hear the gentle trickle of the waterfall DS gave me for Christmas and the ticking of the clock.

I can hear the plow as DH is busy tilling up the garden and preparing it for winter planting. Cabbage and turnips will taste delicious this winter!

DD is sleeping in bed. She has a tough headache, probably brought on from being very tired as she and a friend were up into the wee hours of the morning working on wedding have-to's.

DS is at work. This kid has been working almost 40 hours a week at his job and has taken on a second job that gives him 10 or so more hours a week!! He is helping put up political signs around the area for a wonderful man that is running for Senate. The "real deal" as a Christian, we are praying so hard that he will be our next Senator. Anyway, DS is proving to really be stepping into the shoes of "mandom". We're proud of him and DD.

Things on the job front are going well. I do enjoy my job and I love my patients. They can truly bring many smiles to my day!

We are back off of vacation. If you've been on my Facebook, then hopefully you've gotten to enjoy the pictures that I posted. We had such a wonderful time of refreshing and renewal. Something we needed badly individually and as a family. With all of us on crazy different schedules, a one night a week family dinner can prove very challenging! It was great to enjoy a whole week and spend some time reconnecting!

Folks, I'm still praying and wondering what direction to take my blogging. It's no secret to those of you who have been faithful to keep checking back in, that my posting is sporadic at best. This is not something I'm willing to give up right now and I truly may, for a time, just post what's going on in our world. Maybe through that, someone can glean what it's like to transition from full time stay at home, home schooling mom, to a working mom of adult children, one of which is on the edge of flying out of the nest!

My, my how quickly life brings changes.....

Have a blessed Sunday. Go to your place of worship and do just that...worship. Praise our Creator and enjoy the blessings that He has given us.

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.

Let Me Encourage You, Stay At Home Mom...

I'm finding that time has become a very precious commodity in my life. I mean, it always has been, but I took it for granted everyday of my life.

I've found that, as a SAHM, what I considered to be me running out of time, was in all actuality, me being lazy.

So many days, so many things didn't get done just because I chose not to do them.

Now that I'm back in the work-world, so many things doesn't get done because I literally run out of time.

The greatest lesson I'm learning though is that things aren't falling apart because they're not getting done. No dust police have come into my home with their white gloves on and arrested me because their white gloved finger is now black.

We haven't went without a meal because of dirty dishes and we haven't pulled out the 'fine china' (aka, paper plates) to compensate.

It's made me look back and wonder just how much time as a SAHM did I waste? Not in laziness, because I've already established the fact that I was indeed lazy at times, but how much time did I waste enjoying my children and being a better wife for my husband because of the dust police?

Yes, I do find myself in quite the battle at times because when folks show up at my house they are probably going to walk across sand-gritty floors. Most likely there is going to be dishes in the sink and on the counter with bread or cookie crumbs scattered about. Guess what I'm learning? It's OK.

With my daughter getting married in four months, I'm learning that dust bunnies pale in comparison to laying across the bed and catching up with my teenager.

With my son struggling in his walk with God, I'm learning that reading the Word with him and allowing him to see me in the Word more and in prayer more, is far more important than shiny sinks and immaculate floors.

I don't label myself as a failure as a mom and wife....although satan would have me believe that, but I do see where my priorities aren't always what they should have been.

So my sweet SAHM friend, listen to a lady who has been there and is still in the process of learning mighty lessons......a clean house and a well taken care of family is much desired and worthy of praise, but nothing is more important the relationships you build with your family and with your Father.

Making a Return!!

I so miss my blogging. But I have to confess that I have had some time to blog, I've chosen not to. I've been struggling within myself, trying to decide if I've turned my back on everything I believe in. A revelation...I haven't.

I still firmly believe that the best place for a mom is at home with her children. I still believe that any financial sacrifice is worth the blessings of teaching and training your children. As I've said before on here, that doesn't mean if a mom has to work outside the home that she's a bad mom...life has a way of throwing us curve balls when we least expect it.

However, I've also come to realize that now that this season of my life is past, it's time to begin anew...fresh. My children still live at home. My daughter will soon be getting married and moving out, but our son, who is fresh out of highschool, will be here a while longer. We are learning to work family time around very different schedules and bask in the reality that dinner together one night a week is truly a God-send!!

Even though when I accepted the position that I'm on, I was very angry...at my husband and yes, even at God.....I realize now that my obedience to my husband's wishes has brought me the blessing of a wonderful job with a wonderful boss and some awesome co-workers. You see, by being submissive to my husband--even when I didn't want to be--brought God's blessings!! How wonderful!!!!

This position is enabling us to give more liberally to our church. It is enabling us to pay off debt. It is paying for our daughter's wedding without putting a crunch on our budget. How fantastic God in His wisdom is!!!

With that, I am going to try to begin posting about once a week--at least in the beginning. One Single Minute is going to be taking a bit of a different course than in days gone by. I'll still be focusing on being a Proverbs 31 woman...a submissive wife..but I will also be sharing what God brings my way in this new season of my life.

Let me encourage you...even when you don't agree with Him...even when you're angry with Him...He is faithful. Don't we serve a wonderful God??!!

Oh my, how time does get by me now!!! If I thought my days went quickly before, getting this job has just magnified that!!!

Things are going good on the job. I'm quickly learning many things, and can even call many of our patients by name when they walk through the door now!! Thankfully, I'm blessed that I enjoy my co-workers and (most) of my patients....as in anything else, there are just times when personalities clash no matter how hard you try.

One thing I've learned for certain is to make sure that whenever I go to a doctor's office now, I'm incredibly patient and always talk with the person at the front desk in a pleasant manner. While I always tried to live by that rule anyway, it's become even more important now that I'm the one working the front desk.

Yes, things do "happen" that will suddenly put the doctor twenty minutes behind. Yes, people do just walk in expecting to be seen right away and even when they get worked in when there is a lull...it inevitably puts things behind. Yes, people are late and that puts everything behind...including the time I get to walk out the door for the night!! No, I can't devote 100% of my attention to the patient signing in, the patient checking out, the patient needing to go back to an exam room and the patient on the phone at the same time!! Someone will get the short end of the stick... I'm not complaining by no means, just sharing the things I've learned and realized in a very short amount of time!!

On the home front, we have settled into our routine..and it's a routine that is always adjusting!! It puts a new meaning to 'never a dull moment'!!

The biggest and newest news though came last Friday night. Last Friday night DD went on a date with her boyfriend and came home engaged!! Yes, we already knew about it because he came to us and asked our permission and our blessing a week earlier. It made for a long week for this mom since I could hardly look at my baby girl without tearing up!!

She is SO excited...actually that might be a bit of an understatement...the big day?? December 4 of this year!! Doesn't leave a lot of time for me to absorb my beautiful daughter to the uttermost before she moves into her own home. I have to admit mixed emotions. I'm thrilled for her and the fiance` is a wonderful, young, Christian man, but at the same time I will truly be writing "The End" to a chapter of our lives that has been going on for almost 20 years.

However, a wedding puts me much closer to being a grandma now doesn't it??!! :o)

So there we are.. another quick post catching you up on this beautiful, wonderful, ever changing life of mine. Thanks to all of you still trying to keep up with me. I do the best I can to visit all of you still from time to time.

Here is a of pic of the newly engaged!!..


And the engagement ring...


The wonderful thing about the ring is that is was my Mother-in-law's (over 42 years ago). They were passed to my husband and me when we married over 26 years ago and now my daughter is proudly wearing them. What a wonderful legacy!!

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...

Blogging on the Run!!

I'm one month into the new job and I must say that I'm making progress...GOOD progress. I'm getting past the frustrations of my world being turned upside down. I'm coping with a house that isn't spotless, or cleaned the way "mom would do it", but it is clean and we're managing just fine.

About my God time. I spent the good portion of this past month explaining to God that I didn't have time to spend time with Him. I've whined and complained and decided in my mind that it just couldn't be done when God took things in His own hands. Last Sunday, my SS teacher asked me to teach the ladies class for the next two weeks. Well of course I began to give her all of the reasons why I couldn't do it. She just smiled and quietly said, " Deb, I'm sure you'll do fine." What could I do??

I've realized over this week that teaching this class was God's way of disciplining His daughter. Of course I have time to hang out with Him....I just have to make it a priority to do it, and by dropping this class in my lap, even for just a couple of weeks, He made His point...it's time to quit whining and complaining and get back to life. It's just a new chapter, not the end of the world.

I took my spanking, repented and find myself now thankful for this job that He blessed me with.

The facts are: I DO enjoy my job. I have some of the kindest patients and they do a better job of blessing me than I do of blessing them. I have a wonderful boss. I don't always agree with him, but he has been patient and kind to me and I'm grateful for that. I get to work with my best girlfriend every day and that is a blessing for both of us!! My family has stepped up to the plate to help around the house. Again...it's not always done like I'd do it, but it's done and I've learned many lessons in humbleness and thankfulness.

On another note: DS graduated from high school last Saturday. Since I don't have to work tomorrow, I'll get busy on here and share some pictures and some moments from that very emotional night.

Got to run for now and change clothes. It's time for church (almost) and tonight is our outreach night. I always love I Care night because I get to go to the homes of our shut ins and hopefully brighten their day!!

Love you my bloggy family!! Thanks for checking in with me as I seem to now be 'Blogging on the Run!!'

Update

Wow. I really miss you guys!! Not getting to blog regularly is a real bummer and I feel like I'm missing out on so much of what's going on in your lives!!! Please keep checking back with me!..there won't be as many posts, but I will try to do my best. I'm not ready to quit just yet!

The new job is going much better. This week I've been mostly on my own and have only needed to chase down the lady that is training me (she's busy learning another position as well!) only occasionally. I'm remembering more than I'm forgetting and the knot that has been living in the pit of my stomach for the last week and a half, is actually loosening up on occasion.

Personally, I still find myself in a bit of a struggle to be at home, but with each passing day things seem to be getting a smidge better (within myself).

DH and the kids have really stepped up to the plate to fill in the gaps that my going back to work has opened. It's been a great lesson for me in humbleness as I go around saying "Thank You" much more than usual.

After eighteen years as a SAHM I'd gotten quite used to taking care of everyone and everything so to let go and let someone else clean the kitchen or wash a load of towels is quite an adjustment.

I've been blessed so much on my job to meet so many wonderful people!! I have laughed and smiled, shared and listened to stories....it's been quite a refreshing experience in many ways.

Another struggle is finding balance....or at the very least, a new kind of balance. The biggest challenge: my God time..DH leaves for work right before me and at night the kids get home anywhere between 8 and 10 p.m. Trying to divide my time has been a tough process of learning and one that I'm still getting lessons on. I could try getting up a little earlier but staying up to check in with the kids at night makes that difficult for me...at least right now...

So there you have it...another rushed post, but hopefully you're caught up and know what's going on in my corner of the world.

What's going on with all of you??

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

What a Week!!!!!!!!!

No...I haven't disappeared, but what a week this has been!!

As everyone knows, I began a new job this past Monday. I'm a front desk receptionist at a busy chiropractic clinic where I live. No big to most people maybe, but to this lady....BIG deal!!

You see, this is my first job in a little over 18 years!! It's way different than being a stay at home mom for sure!!!

To say I've been a bit overwhelmed this week would be an understatement. I've had all of my bloggy friends on my mind and in my heart, but I've just been way too tired to try to post anything. Hopefully with a little time, I can at least do a few posts a week and stay in touch with everyone!!!

I have to admit, by Tuesday evening I had a pretty big deal break down, complete with sobs and the inability to catch my breath. I confessed to DH that I missed him, my kids, my home, my cat, my dog, my laundry, my dirty dishes.....you get the picture. I truly felt that I'd abandoned everything that meant anything at all to me. DD still isn't too thrilled and even DS admitted yesterday that he was missin' his mom.

I'm quite certain this is an adjustment period and that, given a little time, things will fall into a new rut...at this moment though, I find myself second guessing if this is what I should be doing....

About my job...it's very overwhelming right now. So much to learn and so much has changed in the office world since 1982 (the last time I worked in an office setting!!). However, by week's end I found myself remembering more than I was forgetting..so I'm certain that's a good thing. My boss is all business, but a sweetie at heart and his wife and kids are adorable. I get to work with my best girlfriend and another lady that has a tough exterior, but is a sweetie at heart.

And the patients....oh yes...I'm in love. I have met some of the kindest, sweetest people. Definitely a perk to the job!!

So...I'm hoping next week is easier and smoother. Doc said that I came in on a tough week...we were short handed, I'm trying to learn a new job and so was another lady and Doc was trying to run between both of us!!!

It ended on a good note though and at quitting time Friday, Doc leaned over my desk and with smile said, "You made it through the first week....are you coming back Monday???....."

I assured him I was.....

Sharing From My Inbox!!

I got SO tickled when I read this!! Then I got paranoid.....WHO has been following me around and been spying on me????

Hope you enjoy!!!!


AAADD

KNOW THE SYMPTOMS!!!!!!


Recently, I was diagnosed with A.A.A.D.D. -
Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder.

This is how it manifests:

I decide to water my garden.
As I turn on the hose in the driveway,
I look over at my car and decide it needs washing.

As I start toward the garage,
I notice mail on the porch table that
I brought up from the mail box earlier.

I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car.

I lay my car keys on the table,
put the junk mail in the garbage can under the table,
and notice that the can is full.

So, I decide to put the bills back
on the table and take out the garbage first.

But then I think,
since I'm going to be near the mailbox
when I take out the garbage anyway,
I may as well pay the bills first.

I take my check book off the table,
and see that there is only one check left.
My extra checks are in my desk in the study,
so I go inside the house to my desk where
I find the can of Pepsi I'd been drinking.

I'm going to look for my checks,
but first I need to push the Pepsi aside
so that I don't accidentally knock it over.

The Pepsi is getting warm,
and I decide to put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold.

As I head toward the kitchen with the Pepsi,
a vase of flowers on the counter
catches my eye--they need water.

I put the Pepsi on the counter and
discover my reading glasses that
I've been searching for all morning.
I decide I better put them back on my desk,
but first I'm going to water the flowers.

I set the glasses back down on the counter,
fill a container with water and suddenly spot the TV remote.
Someone left it on the kitchen table.

I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV,
I'll be looking for the remote,
but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table,
so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs,
but first I'll water the flowers.

I pour some water in the flowers,
but quite a bit of it spills on the floor.

So, I set the remote back on the table,
get some towels and wipe up the spill.

Then, I head down the hall trying to
remember what I was planning to do.

At the end of the day:
the car isn't washed
the bills aren't paid
there is a warm can of Pepsi sitting on the counter
the flowers don't have enough water,
there is still only 1 check in my check book,
I can't find the remote,
I can't find my glasses,
and I don't remember what I did with the car keys.

Then, when I try to figure out why nothing got done today,
I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day,
and I'm really tired.

I realize this is a serious problem,
and I'll try to get some help for it,
but first I'll check my e-mail....

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

God Made a Decision

Wanted to pass along that God made His decision....Monday morning I start my new job!!

For the first time in 18 years, 3 months..I will get ready and go to work. I am completely at peace with this and it's simply because I handed to God and let Him have His way. Yes, His timing was different than mine, but I'm confident in Him and I know that He gave me this at this time for a purpose and I'm excited to see what that purpose is.

So last night, DD and I went shopping for me some clothes to wear in an office setting. Being a SAHM, there isn't much need for nice pants and shirts and cute little shoes!

I'm excited and a little nervous but as with most things in life, the end to one chapter is the beginning to a new one.

I'll still be blogging, of course, and I'm sure with a new job, there will be plenty of opportunities to see God. I may not post quite as often, but still, as God leads.

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement as I waited on God!!

So, My Week Went Something Like This..

Well, guess what?? I was called back for a second interview on the job I previously posted on!! I was really excited and not too nervous actually....all because of God, seeing as it was my first interview in almost 25 years!!!! I've decided I hope I do get this job, but I'm trusting that God knows best in ALL things!

My guys left yesterday morning on their father/son camping trip. This trip, in particular, was really needed. DH has a stressful job, as I've mentioned before and so the break in and of itself is very good for him. DS needs some peace and quiet. Time to clear his head, think and hear God. There is no doubt that God is trying to get his attention and give him direction. But, as most 17 year olds, he keeps himself so busy and everything must be tended to "Right now!" that he's staying in a state of confusion most of the time. He knows he needs to make some tough and maybe painful decisions, but he keeps hoping, "everything will just work itself out". Oh the pain of wanting to make everything okay for our children, and yet having to stand back and watch them step out on their own......

That should leave me and DD with time to hang out, but as it would be, she has to work everyday they are gone!! She couldn't take any time off of work because of the time she had to take off with her surgery so....We rented a movie and watched it last night and tonight we're going to grab a bite to eat at our favorite Italian restaurant and do a (small) amount of shopping.

I did manage to get my oven cleaned yesterday. On Wednesday I had made a meatloaf and for some reason the thing splattered and made a mess all over my oven!! Thank God for self cleaning ability!!! A few presses on the pad and voila`!!...3 hours later I had a beautifully clean oven!!

I know this hasn't been an awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping leave you breathless kind of post...but hey!! Sometimes, life is just life...and that's not so bad!! :o)

By the way...If you haven't yet, head on over and check out my new blog, One Single Minute's new sister, 'I Saw God Today...'!!

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...

Random Dozen

Time to share a bit about myself by linking up with Linda over at 2nd Cup of Coffee for Random Dozen. I really love participating in this meme. The questions are fun (although sometimes the answers can be tough) and it's great to read how others think about the same things.

Click here to join us!!

1. Have you ever been so lost that you were really afraid?

I remember one time....My FIL had gotten burnt really bad and was in the burn unit at a large hospital in a large city where we lived. We stayed with him until we had to leave at 11 pm that night. Unfamiliar with the area, we found ourselves in the.....'wrong part of town'...trying to get to the interstate. Stopped at a red light, we were really nervous. To the drivers side of the car, we noticed a man walking up to the window and he didn't appear to be needing directions. DH floored it, we ran the red light and got out of Dodge!!!

2. Have you ever been to an island?

Nope.

3. Are you more of a thinker or feeler?

I tend to think waaay too much!! That's probably the greatest cause of most of my problems..

4. Do you tend to see issues or situations in life as black and white or shades of gray?

Black and white, most certainly. In all honesty, there are few areas that are gray when you look at them in light of God's Word.

5. If you were stuck on an island, what book would you hope to have with you (Let's pretend the Bible is already there, so you can't say that.)

Well....I would want a book that would make me aware of the vegetation and life on the island so I could make it until help arrived!!

6. What are you most afraid of?

That my teenage/young adult children will make decisions in 'the moment' that will forever change their lives in a negative way.

7. Would you rather lose all of your old memories or never be able to make new ones?

Whoa...........I'd rather keep both!!!

8. Pretend I'm looking at a scrapbook page about you. There are three spaces for you to drop in individual pictures. What are those pictures of, and why did you select them?

My wedding day. The day DD was born and the day DS was born. These were the most wonderful days of my life!!

9. If you were re-doing your wedding, what would you do differently? (If you're single, tell me one thing you would do if you were planning a wedding OR huge party.)

I don't know that I'd do anything differently. We had no money so it was a very simple ceremony at my husband's grandmother's house. Just family and a couple of friends, but so very beautiful...

10. Tell me one thing you know/believe about forgiveness.

That even when the devil is sitting on my shoulder telling me I'm the worst person in the world and God could never love me because of all I've said, done, thought......I know in my heart he's a liar because my Father told me so. My sins are forgotten as far as the east is from the west.

"He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west."
Psalm 103:12, NLT

11. You're waiting in a doctor's office. What is your favorite way to pass that time?

People watching!!! I wish their was a way to make money at that, I'd have a fortune!!!

12. If there were a clone of you in a parallel universe what is one way you hope she/he would be the same as you and one way you hope she/he would be better?

I would hope she would be loyal. I am loyal...to a fault. I would hope that she would be a stronger Christian. One who didn't continue to take one step forward and two steps back.

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

And the Winner Is.................!

First, let me say that I really appreciate all of you who left comments this week and participated in the give-a-way. Thanks so much for your support!!!

Next, I truly love all of you, my bloggy buddies...you really encourage and strengthen me and I will be forever grateful for being allowed into your corner of the world.





And finally, thank you to DS, my awesome and handsome name-drawing assistant!!!









Now....The winner of the Fruit 2 O Essentials give-a-way is..................................................

Andrea over at Arise to Write!!!



Congratulations Andrea and if you would be so kind as to e-mail me your full name and address, I'll get that to the sponsors of this give-a-way so you can start enjoying this delicious water!!

Last Day of Give-a-Way & Just Sayin'

Just a reminder...today is the last day of my Fruit 2 O Essentials give-a-way.....I would love to be able to give everyone a chance to try this delicious water, but I can only choose one and that will happen in the morning. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment. You can leave as many comments as you want, but only one per day per post can I count!!

Okay....I was just scrolling around on my Facebook and saw a 'conversation'...if you can call it that between two women. One of the ladies is a woman I've went to church with and known most of my adult life. The other woman I don't know. I won't go into the conversation because that becomes gossip, but it did spark something in me that I've just got to speak up on....

So many people live such stressed out lives brought about by their own hand. Who fills up that day calendar? Who says, "Of course I'll be happy to _______" knowing that one more thing on your list will put you over the edge. We do!!

We put so much on our plate.....we try to be a part of everything that is going on....we allow our children to participate in every sport, play, etc that comes around for fear that they might get 'left out' (seriously??!!)..we meet ourselves coming and going, yellin' and stressin'..for what???? This just doesn't make sense in my mind. Why would anyone want that kind of lifestyle??

No one is more of a people pleaser than myself. No one has a harder time saying no than I do...but even I have limits. My children have limits and many times when they were younger they would get frustrated because I would say, "No you can't (do, go, play, watch..) because I could tell they were running on reserve and that was emptying out fast!!

Even now, with them being 17 and 19 I still tell them off the phone by 11:30 and every other weekend they have a midnight curfew..the rest of the time it's 10 pm. That's not popular, believe me...but they will (and have) pushed themselves to dangerous levels (like DS almost running his car over a bluff because he was so tired and sleepy!!)..

Come on parents!!...grow up, set boundaries. Little Johnny or Suzie won't die if they can't play year round sports. They won't miss out if they don't go to every sleep over, every concert every party that comes along.

But they are missing out if it's rush here to get there. They are missing out if supper is always in the back seat while they are rushing to the next thing they "have to do". They are missing out if mom and dad are so stressed about the schedule that all they can do is yell or stay in an uptight frame all of the time...

Is it really worth it????

"Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted.
Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.
It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night,
anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.
Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him.
Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.
How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!
He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates."
Psalm 127, 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!!

Random Dozen

Time to share a bit about myself by linking up with Linda over at 2nd Cup of Coffee for Random Dozen. I really love participating in this meme. The questions are fun (although sometimes the answers can be tough) and it's great to read how others think about the same things.

Click here to join us!!

1. Ever had any run-ins with the "library police?"

I've been a huge library fan all of my life and while I've had a few overdue fines, nothing too major!

2. Do you have a special organizational plan and place for wrapping paper, gift bags, etc., or do you just purchase whatever you need as you give gifts?

I'm pretty organized here. I've got one of those red containers that hold wrapping paper as well as a container that I keep under my bed with bows, bags, tissue paper, ribbon...etc...

3. Have you ever been in (first-hand witness) a natural disaster?

Nope. Of course...there is DD's bedroom....wonder if that classifies as a natural disaster???.......

4. What's your favorite Barry Manilow song?

I was one of those folks classified strange growing up because I LOVED Barry Manilow...and still do. My favorite song though?? Mandy...nope. I Write the Songs...nope. Looks Like We Made It...nope. Somewhere In the Night...awww heck!!...all of the above and more!!!

5. What's the best costume you've ever worn?

Probably the one that I wear when I roll out of bed every morning. It's ever changing and varies from terrifying to hilarious!!!

6. Which do you use more often, the dictionary or the thesaurus?

Depends. If I'm curious about what something is, the dictionary of course. If I'm writing, the thesaurus.

7. What's your favorite breakfast food?

Scrambled eggs with sausage gravy-----YUMMY!!

8. Have you ever purchased anything from an infomercial?

Nope. I actually don't believe any of them....

9. Have you ever crawled through a window?

More times than I care to recall......

10. Do you believe in love at first sight?

Nope. I believe in attraction at first sight. Love takes a lifetime.

11. How man pairs of jeans do you own?

6...but only 3 of them are fitting to wear in public. The other 3 are most definitely around-the-housers...

12. If someone were going to bake a cake to honor/represent you, what would it be? (Think creatively, like Duff and Crew on "Ace of Cakes.")

It would be a cake made up of different sections. Each section would connect, but would look and taste different than any of the others. Why? Because it would represent the many different hats I wear and the many different directions I go in a day!!

Remember to leave a comment!!..It will enter you for a chance to win my give-a-way!!

Talk to Me Tuesday

The other week when I asked you for your opinion about returning to work (which by the way, I turned in my resume but as of yet haven't heard anything) I was very intrigued by your answers and thoughts on a wife and mom at my stage of life returning to work. It sparked a thought in me for my blog about doing a weekly run on subjects that can be debated (in good taste). I've always been of the opinion that everyone's opinion is valid and worth listening to. It doesn't mean that we agree with each other but that we respect each other enough to listen and take into consideration someone else's thoughts.

So on Tuesdays for the next few weeks we are going to try Talk to Me Tuesday to see how turn out is. If it seems to be going in a good direction, we'll run with it. If not we'll back up and try something else.

This Tuesday I'm curious about something that was brought up in church last night....

In our world of ever changing technology, some people are using their cell phones in place of their Bibles. With all the new apps and the availability of the web wherever you go, you can just pull out your cell and read the Word off of there. You can take notes on your cell as well.

For me, this is a big no-no. Yes, I know what you're reading off of your phone, is the same thing I'm reading out of the Book in my hand. But, for me, where do we draw the line and say, "Enough is enough!". I know people of all ages who have no idea how to look up a verse in the Bible. Be it from the fact they've not studied the Word and so they just don't know to this techno thing where they can just type it in and boop! it pops up. For me, the respect factor for the Word of God is lost when we stand up in church for the reading of the Word and some are holding Bibles, some are looking at the screen up front and some are holding their phones.

I'm going to stay with the physical, hold it in my hand, hard copy of the Word of God.

How about you?

Talk to me!!!

(Hey!! Don't forget about leaving that comment!!..it gives you another chance to enter my give-a-way!!!)

My Sumthin' Is...........

A GIVE-A-WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yep!! That's what it is!!

I was chosen to try out these really cool bottles of water called Fruit 2 O Essentials. These not only taste delicious, but they are so healthy for you!!!

Their taste is cool and refreshing with an added bonus of zero calories and zero sugar!! Talk about Mom-friendly!!!...for us and the kiddos!!!




When our box arrived, I opened it to find many different varieties of water. We enjoyed Strawberry/Kiwi, Peach Mango, Blueberry Pomegranate, Cranberry Raspberry (2), Citrus and Cherry Acai. (You'll notice in the pic that there aren't as many bottles showing as I listed...uhh....the kiddos got to them before I could get the pic.........sorry...:o) )

DS couldn't wait for them to get cold, so he grabbed the Strawberry/Kiwi, opened it and poured it over ice. YUMM!!!!!!!!

We have not been disappointed. Each flavor is so distinct but I have to say that my favorite has been the Cranberry/Raspberry.

So..for the give-a-way part....

Sunny Delight Beverage Co., the distributors for Fruit 2 O Essentials, will send to the winner of my give-a-way, a box of these delicious bottled waters just like I received!!

Included are several pages of nutrition information, how to become a Fruit 2 O fan on Facebook, information on their partnership with the American Diabetes Association, a comparison sheet on the calories, carbs and sugars of other drinks compared to Fruit 2 O and information on how to lose 10 pounds in 2010.

This is an awesome opportunity to try, free of charge, tasty, healthy bottled waters that will spark that desire to not just lose weight, but make health conscious choices for you and your family!

The way to enter??....Just leave a comment! The contest will run today through Friday, April 23, 2010, midnight, CST. I will have one of my beautiful assistants, aka DH, DD or DS, draw the winner on Saturday and I will post the winner on Saturday as well.

You can up your chances of winning by commenting each day, but only one comment per day will be counted, so you will have up to 5 chances of winning.

Now.....start leaving those comments!!!!!

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!!!!

I've Got a Sumthin' Goin' On!!......

Yep, that's right. Sumthin's goin' on and it's gonna include you.

Yep. You.

Starting Monday, sumthin' I'm doing will involve you and I'm not gonna tell......until Monday.

SO...When you get here Monday, you'll know what to do....and why...and when....

Yep...Sumthin's goin' on!!.....

Catching Up with a Blank Brain..

I'm not sure what's going on in my lil' ole' world, but God's just not leading me with too many posts this week. Seems as if the old mind has drawn a blank and I'm just kind of bumping along.
I guess that could be a good thing, no major problems, no major excitement, nothing earth shattering or life changing so, hey!!..think I'll just enjoy this!!!

To catch up on the three things I wanted to change in my lifestyle this year...

1) Doing better with our budget....I'm doing--okay. I was doing real good going all cash, but old habit crept back in and I started using the debit card more and more. Before I know what's going on.....where'd it go??? So tomorrow will find my first stop at Ye Old Bank so I can hit the ATM and say, "Gimme the cash!!". That certainly seems to be the best route for me to go.

2) Losing these 65 pounds. Yes, I have not done so great here. Hadn't really done more than whine about it. But then a few weeks ago spring showed up and I realized that all the cute capri's that I own that fit two years ago...still doesn't fit! So I decided it is way past time to get real and in the last week and a half I'm down 8 pounds!! WOO HOO!!!!!!!! Now, for me this isn't uncommon to drop 10-15 pounds really quick. After that I'll go into "Yea! I lost a ½ pound this week!!" mode and then I'll need big time encouragement!!

3) Spending daily time with my Father....again, hit and miss. What is it with this ole' flesh?? Why do we find it so easy to just roll along and then realize we've let our whole day go by and some days haven't even given time with our Father a second thought. If my kids didn't talk to me all day, I'd be heartbroken. I'll bet He is too.

So there you have it. The reality of me. How I tend to bobble up and down, veer to and fro and just "run around like a chicken with my head cut off" as my Mawmaw would say.

How are you doing with your lifestyle changes this year???

Random Dozen

Time to share a bit about myself by linking up with Linda over at 2nd Cup of Coffee for Random Dozen. I really love participating in this meme. The questions are fun (although sometimes the answers can be tough) and it's great to read how others think about the same things.
Click here to join us!!

1How do you feel about "Gladiator" sandals, also called "Roman" or "Jesus" sandals? A fashion yea or nay?

I actually kinda like them..however, being the owner of size 11 feet makes finding them a challenge!!

2. What is your favorite pizza?

Canadian Bacon and Pineapple!!

3. There are plans in the works to sell roughly 1,000 items from Star Trek: The Experience in Las Vegas. This means you could buy Picard's chair for your family room. If not a Star Trek item, what prop, background, set, etc. from what TV or movie would you buy if you could?
[Ex: Hurley's "I Love my Shih tzu" shirt from LOST, the plantation home "Tara" from Gone With the Wind, or Tracy's tambourine from the Partridge Family.]

Not a clue. Can't think of a thing.

4. Name a local food or restaurant that your area is famous for.

There is a restaurant where my DH grew up called Lacy's. They make the best ham and cheese sandwich in the world!!!

5. What is your current favorite snack?

Only one??? Okay...nope, gotta give you two....Reese Cups and potato chips...have I mentioned here before that I LOVE potato chips??

6. Hypothetical: You are required to be a reality show contestant. Which show would you choose based on your probability of success? (You cannot choose "none.")

A. Dancing with the Stars
B. Biggest Loser
C. Survivor

Don't Forget the Lyrics. DS and I rock at this show!!!!!!!!!!! But choosing from A, B, or C....would have to be A. Still fighting the weight loss, yo-yo battle and ain't even trying Survivor!



7. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being uninhabitable and 10 being cleanliness that meets the standards of OCD, how clean is your vehicle's interior?

8

8. It doesn't feel like Spring until _________.

I can sit on the porch in the early morning with DH and not need long underwear and a blanket!

9. Something that made you laugh really hard recently is ____.

I can't really remember, but I'm sure it included DS!!

10. Tell me about a goal you're working toward.

Again.. only 1?? Stop fighting against the budget, losing these nasty 55 pounds and spending much more One on one time with my Father!

11. Share a thought-provoking or inspiring quote this week.

"Do you want fire insurance or victory?" Pastor Greg (our pastor!!)

12. Name one thing that you do as a parent that you absolutely know will make your kids happy. If you're not a parent, feel free to substitute "friend" or nomenclature that works for you.

If I'm out and it's Happy Hour at Sonic, I'll get their favorite drink and drop it off where they work! Brings a smile every time!!

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.....

Sharing From My Inbox

THE BIRD CAGE

There once was a man named George Thomas, a pastor in a small New England town. One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit. Several eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak.

"I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me, swinging this bird cage. On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright. I stopped the lad and asked, "What you got there son?"

"Just some old birds," came the reply.

"What are you gonna do with them?" I asked.

"Take 'em home and have fun with 'em. I'm gonna tease 'em and pull out their feathers to make 'em fight. I'm gonna have a real good time."

"But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do then?"

"Oh, I got some cats. They like birds. I'll take 'em to them."

The pastor was silent for a moment. "How much do you want for those birds, son?"

"Huh??!!! Why, you don't want them birds, mister. They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing - they ain't even pretty!"

"How much?"

The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, "$10?".

The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill. He placed it in the boy's hand. In a flash, the boy was gone.

The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot. Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free.

Well, that explained the empty bird cage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story.

One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting.

"Yes, sir, I just caught the world full of people down there. Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!"

"What are you going to do with them?" Jesus asked.

"Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other. How to hate and abuse each other. How to drink and smoke and curse. How to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really gonna have fun!"

"And what will you do when you get done with them?", Jesus asked.

"Oh, I'll kill 'em."

"How much do you want for them?"

"Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good. Why, you take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you!! You don't want those people!!"

"How much?"

Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "All your tears, and all your blood." Jesus paid the price.

The pastor picked up the cage he opened the door and he walked from the pulpit.

-- Author Unknown

A Little Catch Up..

If you remember, a week or so ago, I sought out your opinions on my going back to work...with the understanding that I was going to follow the Holy Spirit's leading and DH's.

I laid out my fleece, my way and even though DH thought how I laid out my fleece was nigh impossible for God to work with, I kept things the way God and I had discussed it.

Yesterday, God moved upon my fleece and today I put my resume in. Now it's totally in His hands, for I fully believe He is in complete control.

I still find myself torn, but after several conversations with the ones I live with, we are in agreement that considering how I've laid everything out with God, if I get the position, it's His will.

Will keep you updated......

Random Dozen

Time to share a bit about myself by linking up with Linda over at 2nd Cup of Coffee for Random Dozen. I really love participating in this meme. The questions are fun (although sometimes the answers can be tough) and it's great to read how others think about the same things.

Click here to join us!!

1. Define a great relationship.

The one I have with DH....we each give and take, but think more about the other one's feelings..needs..wants, than our own. It's unconditional love and acceptance even when one of us is acting more like a child than an adult.

2. Why is it called a "drive-through" if you have to stop? (Real question: What was the last food/drink you purchased at a drive-through?)

Good question!!!....and to part B....a roast beef sandwich from Arby's.

3. As I type this, the Butler Bulldogs are getting ready to play in the NCAA championship game. Every Hoosier is hysterical about this except me. So in honor of the Bulldogs ... what is your favorite breed of dog? (I tried.)

This sweet black lab that is living in my yard. He is the most loyal, beautiful, getting on up in years dog that I've ever known.

4. If you had to move to a state besides the one you currently live in, where would you move?

Tennessee....As a matter of fact, we are looking at property that would give us a very simple 'vacation' home!

5. If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be?

Mom and Dad would be saved and I'd have grown up in a Christian home.

6. Who's the funniest person you know?

My son. He just can't help himself. Even when he's trying to be serious it sometimes comes across as hysterical!

7. Did you get enough sleep last night?

Did I get....enough....sleezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

8. What's the first thing you thought about this morning?

The fact that my left leg was contemplating a charley horse.....

9. Grilled or Fried? --HONESTLY

Fried.

10. Are you afraid of the dark?

Nope. I'm afraid of what's in the dark!!

11.When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An English teacher...and I accomplished that and much more. I taught the two most amazing students in the world!!...we homeschooled!!

12. If you had one word to describe yourself , what would you choose?

Loyal

Well....I'm Just Not Quite Sure....

We've all been there....wanting to post, needing to post...and drawing a blank.

Nothing earth shattering has happened, nothing grand has happened. Life's just kind of moving along and all is well with the world..for now at least.

So, I'm just going to ramble share about what has been going on.

Let's see.....

The Easter program was wonderful Sunday at church!! DH remembered most of his lines and the ones he forgot he did an awesome job ad-libbing!!

DD got the lighting job dropped in her lap on Wednesday and so had only practiced the lighting on Sunday morning before the actual performance. She did great and only lost our pastor once!!

Of course DS did a jam up job on the sound board. It's his gift and his ministry...'nuff said!

Then we went to my Mom and Dad's and we actually had all the family there for dinner and hiding eggs for the little guys. DD and DS did quite a bit of complaining when they thought that Mommaw was going to make them look for eggs too....(but she was only teasing!!) It was a really good day!!

I've been busy over the last week or so weeding and deep cleaning my house. I hate doing the deep stuff, but every now and then (more then than now!!) it has to be done. So, yesterday I finished the living room. Today I will take the curtains down in the dining room, wash them, clean the windows, the huge rug under the table and the cushions on the chairs...and then put it all back together!

My poor kitchen counter is piled with quite a stack of dishes and DH lovingly commented before he left for work this morning that I "....didn't get around to the dishes last night, huh?" Well, truth is, when I deep clean like this, it can get much worse before it gets better....

DD goes back to work today after being off for a month following her surgery. I have mixed feelings about this....it will be nice to have a few hours to myself again (she and DS's hours usually overlap by a couple) but I now have to go through the mini version of empty nest all over again.....She's excited and that's a very good thing when you're talking about your job.

I still haven't heard anything on the job I was inquiring about so I'm just trusting that the timing isn't right and God isn't ready for me to go back to work even part time yet.

Well, that about does it....I think everyone is caught up and hey!! guess what?? I've got a post written out!!! :o)

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

Pssst.....Follow Me....

I know I don't regularly do a post on Saturday, but just had to pass along that I'd love it if you'd head on over to The Well today. You'll never guess whose got something going on over there!!! :o)

Where Did the Strawberry Plants Go??

Spring has finally arrived at my house in full force. Flowers and trees are blooming, the grass is starting to turn green. We've got radishes, onions and lettuce about an inch or so high in our garden. And yesterday....it was 80º!!!!!

As we've walked around the yard looking at our fruit trees and bushes, we've noticed that the blueberries and the raspberries have lots of new growth as do the cherry and peach trees. If God blesses, we will have much fruit to give away, can and freeze!

There is one fruit that is doing exceptionally well and thankfully, it is one that we all love VERY much....strawberries. Our plants have spread and they are looking fantastic.....or they were looking fantastic I should say....DH is very upset....he doesn't like it when things don't go right in his garden....

Pictures are better than words so...

The before...


The after....


The culprit.....



RUN BAMBI RUN!!!!!

Random Dozen

Time to share a bit about myself by linking up with Linda over at 2nd Cup of Coffee for Random Dozen. I really love participating in this meme. The questions are fun (although sometimes the answers can be tough) and it's great to read how others think about the same things.

Click here to join us!!

1. How do you feel about the marshmallow Easter Peeps?

Yuck!!!! Yuck!!!! Yuck!!!!

2. Chickens are notoriously nervous creatures. When you are nervous, what is the best way to calm down?

Honestly...I'm a pacer. If I'm home, I'll clean.

3. People say, "April showers bring May flowers." Do you enjoy Spring rains?

Not where I live...they usually bring tornadoes!!!

4. When I was randomly flipping through TV channels this week, I saw a show in which tattoo parlor employees received tattoos of a co-worker's face on their bodies. I can't imagine having a portrait of a colleague tattooed on me. But if someone forced you to receive a portrait tattoo (face only) of anyone, who would it be? Why?

My Mommaw. She was the first person to ever show me Jesus and one of my best friends.

5. Would you rather have a tattoo (any kind) or a nose ring?

Neither!! But since I have to pick, a tattoo.

6. Do you have any special plans for Easter?

We are going to go to my Mom's for dinner. It will be the first time in a long time that my entire side of the family will be together.

7. Cadbury Eggs or Reese Eggs?

Reeses. I'm a fanatic!!!!!!!!!!!

8. What was the last thing/person you took a picture of?

Myself. Is that vain or what???

9. What book are you reading now, or what was the last one?

Woman to Woman by Joyce Meyer

10. What do you think is the most difficult task when it comes to Spring cleaning?

Taking down and rehanging the stinkin' curtains. I'm in the middle of that now!

11. How many pairs of flip-flops do you own?

Ummm....not as many as DD but 6 or 7.

12. Which color makes you happiest?

Orange!