I have started studying the book of Proverbs in preparation for a bible study with a friend of mine. In the first chapter, I am already swimming in great "stuff"!
Our pastor said in a sermon many Sundays past that "wisdom is what you ought to do based on how the world works". I don't know if those are his words or another person's, but I like it!
In Chapter 1, the first few verses point out the purpose of Proverbs: attaining wisdom, discipline, insight, prudence, knowledge and discretion for the young, and for the wise (aka old people could be added here, or maybe not) to add to their learning. I don't know about you but I could use a bit or a lot of all those! But maybe that is just me.
In verse 7 is his first point and the one that I am camping on this morning.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge."
As I roll around in my head what does a "fear" of the Lord mean, I come up with a lot of thoughts but nothing I can put in five words or less. However what a statement to start a book on wisdom!
If we do not have fear of the Lord then the Bible essential means nothing to us. Why follow one word of it? Why read it? Why attend church or worship at all? If we do not fear the Lord then why do we even care what He said? I think it is safe to say that if you do not have fear of the Lord than you wouldn't give one iota to any of it.
And I think that is precisely what has happened in our world. We, as a whole, have taken God out of everything possible and even taken Him out of those things not possible. We thumb our nose at Him and turn our backs at His word all in the name of "We have it under control. We don't need you. Mentioning your name offends others." We have done this without so much as a thought as to whom it truly offends: God, himself! There is no fear of the Lord in our world, in our government, in our schools, or in our communities.
I read an article about a well known atheist who is dying of cancer. He continues to not believe in God and his response to those believers who write to him to let him know they are praying for him is this, "Pray for me if it will make you feel better but do not pray on my account."
It blows my mind. To be on your deathbed and believe that Jesus Christ, the almighty powerful healer and savior, has nothing to over you. It moves me to tears.
Sorry, Charlie Daniels, this world doesn't need a few more rednecks. It needs a healthy dose of "fear of the Lord".
Monday, November 1, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Steinbeck
I love books! Just love em! However, I hate paying full price for a book as I have posted before. (And no, I will not succumb to the communistic or democratic carcinogenic ideation of a Kindle, thank you very much!)
So, I check out the selection at thrift stores from time to time and found a John Steinbeck, whom I have never read, called Travels with Charley. It is a gem! It basically chronicles his travels across America in 1961 and the interesting people he meets along the way. Very good and humorous while being surprisingly deep at times.
At one point he comes into contact with the immigration services and has a bit of a run in over nothing really and he writes: "Before I went to sleep I went over all the things I wished I had said to that immigration man, and some of them were incredibly clever and cutting." Ha! Haven't we all been there!
Later, he writes of visiting different churches along his journey and one in particular, a Vermont church where a pastor brings the message of fire-and-brimstone unlike any Steinbeck had heard to which Steinbeck writes: "He forged a religion designed to last, not predigested obsolescence."
Not predigested obsolescence....I love that!
So, I check out the selection at thrift stores from time to time and found a John Steinbeck, whom I have never read, called Travels with Charley. It is a gem! It basically chronicles his travels across America in 1961 and the interesting people he meets along the way. Very good and humorous while being surprisingly deep at times.
At one point he comes into contact with the immigration services and has a bit of a run in over nothing really and he writes: "Before I went to sleep I went over all the things I wished I had said to that immigration man, and some of them were incredibly clever and cutting." Ha! Haven't we all been there!
Later, he writes of visiting different churches along his journey and one in particular, a Vermont church where a pastor brings the message of fire-and-brimstone unlike any Steinbeck had heard to which Steinbeck writes: "He forged a religion designed to last, not predigested obsolescence."
Not predigested obsolescence....I love that!
Early Humans vs. Neanderthals
Just saw a head line that there is now scientific evidence that early humans mated with Neanderthals. I am no archaeologist but are those not one and the same???? Unfortunately, I didn't care enough to read the article.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Doing Life Differently
I picked up Luci Swindoll's biography: Doing Life Differently a couple weeks ago and not knowing much about Luci, it has been very interesting. She has done it all: missionary, opera singer, writer, exec for Mobile Oil, etc.
As Luci writes, she tells of growing up in Texas in 1950s and how strained her relationship could be on occasion because she did not follow her mother's and society's views of what "was appropriate" for a girl at that time. You see, Luci did not want to get married and she did not want to have children although she was engaged at one time and loved kids. She just wasn't interested. Never had been. It just was not in God's make up of her dreams.
How easy would it have been for her to just "be a good girl" and do what her mama told her? After all, we rear our kids to be obedient and some of our kids are parent pleasers to the core of their very being. (I personally don't have one of these kind of kids, but I have heard urban legends that they exist.)
If she had ignored the very fiber of who God designed her to be, how different this world would be...and I believe not for the better. She served and still serves the Lord all over the world, being the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need.
So, it is not that hard to begin thinking of my role as parent:
What do I do as mother that imposes or restricts my children's God given design for their lives?
What do I deem appropriate for their future and who am I to make that decision?
And in doing so, how much of God's perfect plan am I trampling on?
How can I support my girls to not just follow God's voice but to run toward it with gusto?
As Luci writes, she tells of growing up in Texas in 1950s and how strained her relationship could be on occasion because she did not follow her mother's and society's views of what "was appropriate" for a girl at that time. You see, Luci did not want to get married and she did not want to have children although she was engaged at one time and loved kids. She just wasn't interested. Never had been. It just was not in God's make up of her dreams.
How easy would it have been for her to just "be a good girl" and do what her mama told her? After all, we rear our kids to be obedient and some of our kids are parent pleasers to the core of their very being. (I personally don't have one of these kind of kids, but I have heard urban legends that they exist.)
If she had ignored the very fiber of who God designed her to be, how different this world would be...and I believe not for the better. She served and still serves the Lord all over the world, being the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need.
So, it is not that hard to begin thinking of my role as parent:
What do I do as mother that imposes or restricts my children's God given design for their lives?
What do I deem appropriate for their future and who am I to make that decision?
And in doing so, how much of God's perfect plan am I trampling on?
How can I support my girls to not just follow God's voice but to run toward it with gusto?
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Bubba's Tacos
Here is a quick and easy recipe from our friend's, the Howes. Since getting this recipe a couple weeks ago, it has become a Sunday football staple. It got the name from Micki's uncle, Bubba, who made a version with ranch dressing. Micki and Heath changed it up a bit and since we have gotten the recipe, we have changed it up a bit.
I have made the filling the night before then refrigerated it overnight, set it out while at church then when you get home, an easy and quick lunch while you watch the football game. It also makes quite a bit so we usually save half the mixture for a quick dinner during the weeknight
Bubba's Tacos
3 small tubes of sausage (we like hot)
2 cartons of cream cheese (we use fat free)softened
1 bell pepper (diced)
1 onion (diced)
1 package of won ton wrappers (in the refrigerated section by the veggies and tofu)
muffin pan
Heat the oven to 350. Brown your sausage, bell pepper and onion in a large pot. Drain. Return the meat and veggies to the pot and add your cream cheese. Stir until well mixed. Place one won ton wrapper in each muffin "spot", pushing it down into the opening. Add a spoon of meat mixture into the wrapper, leaving the wrapper up or open.
Bake for 10 minutes and serve.
I like mine with a bit of "Slap ya Mama" Cajun spice sprinkled on top. Mo likes his with salsa. Heath and Micki add some green chilies to theirs and the kids usually like them "plain". Never tried it with ground turkey sausage but its a thought or some finely diced mushrooms would be tasty.
I will try and post a pic next time we make them so you can see what I mean by leaving the won ton wrapper open.
Now, to be honest, I don't like the name Bubba's Tacos but can't find anything else I like. Mo's bid for the new name is "suppleness" but I just can't bring myself to say, "Suppleness is ready." so that name is out. Let me know if you like them and if you can think of a better name. Enjoy!
I have made the filling the night before then refrigerated it overnight, set it out while at church then when you get home, an easy and quick lunch while you watch the football game. It also makes quite a bit so we usually save half the mixture for a quick dinner during the weeknight
Bubba's Tacos
3 small tubes of sausage (we like hot)
2 cartons of cream cheese (we use fat free)softened
1 bell pepper (diced)
1 onion (diced)
1 package of won ton wrappers (in the refrigerated section by the veggies and tofu)
muffin pan
Heat the oven to 350. Brown your sausage, bell pepper and onion in a large pot. Drain. Return the meat and veggies to the pot and add your cream cheese. Stir until well mixed. Place one won ton wrapper in each muffin "spot", pushing it down into the opening. Add a spoon of meat mixture into the wrapper, leaving the wrapper up or open.
Bake for 10 minutes and serve.
I like mine with a bit of "Slap ya Mama" Cajun spice sprinkled on top. Mo likes his with salsa. Heath and Micki add some green chilies to theirs and the kids usually like them "plain". Never tried it with ground turkey sausage but its a thought or some finely diced mushrooms would be tasty.
I will try and post a pic next time we make them so you can see what I mean by leaving the won ton wrapper open.
Now, to be honest, I don't like the name Bubba's Tacos but can't find anything else I like. Mo's bid for the new name is "suppleness" but I just can't bring myself to say, "Suppleness is ready." so that name is out. Let me know if you like them and if you can think of a better name. Enjoy!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
What if?
I am not typically a "what if" person but did wonder tonight:
What if we, as a society, took our personal relationship with Christ as seriously as we took sports?
What if we took our children's spiritual growth as seriously as we took their sports growth?
What if we took all hours of our child's schedule devoted to practice and games, not to mention money, and transferred that into their learning of Biblical Truth and serving others?
What if we, as a society, took our personal relationship with Christ as seriously as we took sports?
What if we took our children's spiritual growth as seriously as we took their sports growth?
What if we took all hours of our child's schedule devoted to practice and games, not to mention money, and transferred that into their learning of Biblical Truth and serving others?
Thursday, October 7, 2010
The Many Faces of God
I was at a Women of Faith event a couple of weekends ago and enjoyed the speakers although it was nothing like I thought it would be. Isn't it funny how our own expectations can get in our way...
One thought that was made by a speaker when referencing another woman she knew has bounced around in my head for the last two weeks. Or it might have been from our church pastor referencing someone else, I am not sure BUT the comment went something like this,
"God is either all loving or He is all powerful. He can not be both because if He was, then he would heal. But He doesn't. He would answer our prayers. But He doesn't. So that means He either doesn't love us or He doesn't have the power to do it." And when asked if this person prayed anymore, the response was, "Yes, but I don't ask for anything."
With all the pain in the world, it would be easy to see how someone could arrive at this conclusion. Children dying of cancer. Spouses betraying each other. Random violence. Children being sold in to sex trades. Infertility struggles. A parent losing a child from drugs or an accident. A teenager about to age out of the foster care system still wanting a "forever family". These people are not asking for sports cars or to win the lotto. They are asking for survival. It is an ugly world we live in.
You can understand the thoughts:
"Why pray when God can't do anything about it or He doesn't love me enough to do anything about it? Why pray boldly when the answer is silence? I begged of you and nothing. If you are going to do what you want, God, then why pray for anything."
Interesting, isn't it, the pondering of the how's, why's and the what for's of our God...
One thought that was made by a speaker when referencing another woman she knew has bounced around in my head for the last two weeks. Or it might have been from our church pastor referencing someone else, I am not sure BUT the comment went something like this,
"God is either all loving or He is all powerful. He can not be both because if He was, then he would heal. But He doesn't. He would answer our prayers. But He doesn't. So that means He either doesn't love us or He doesn't have the power to do it." And when asked if this person prayed anymore, the response was, "Yes, but I don't ask for anything."
With all the pain in the world, it would be easy to see how someone could arrive at this conclusion. Children dying of cancer. Spouses betraying each other. Random violence. Children being sold in to sex trades. Infertility struggles. A parent losing a child from drugs or an accident. A teenager about to age out of the foster care system still wanting a "forever family". These people are not asking for sports cars or to win the lotto. They are asking for survival. It is an ugly world we live in.
You can understand the thoughts:
"Why pray when God can't do anything about it or He doesn't love me enough to do anything about it? Why pray boldly when the answer is silence? I begged of you and nothing. If you are going to do what you want, God, then why pray for anything."
Interesting, isn't it, the pondering of the how's, why's and the what for's of our God...
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
titus publishing Launches!
Hi blog friends, long time no write! Just a quick update that I am launching my publishing company this weekend at a children's special needs fair in Colorado Springs. There should be about 300 people and I have a vendor booth reserved. It will be a learning experience no doubt and if I get one book order, all the more blessings.
God has moved in amazing ways just to get me ready for this event so I am already so thankful! And thankful for my friends and family who have suffered in the name of my wild dream to write and publish personalized books for children with disabilities, illness or unique social situations.
Prayers appreciated as I attempt to let the Lord work through me by showing other parents and children that they are WONDERFULLY made!
God has moved in amazing ways just to get me ready for this event so I am already so thankful! And thankful for my friends and family who have suffered in the name of my wild dream to write and publish personalized books for children with disabilities, illness or unique social situations.
Prayers appreciated as I attempt to let the Lord work through me by showing other parents and children that they are WONDERFULLY made!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Holy Word at Goodwill
I love going to Goodwill and plundering through stacks and stacks of books looking for a new treasure. I just love books! Among the racks of unfashionable clothing, chipped plates or just plain ugly wall decor, a treasure awaits! There is a reason the saying, "One man's trash is another man's treasure." is a saying. It's because it is true!
But on occasion what do I find? Someones bible. Some even have people's names engraved on them. Some have passages highlighted. Some are still in the wrappers. Some have handwritten well wishes from the giver.
And the going price for a used bible at Goodwill? $2.99.
It is so sad to me that someone has donated the most precious, priceless love they could ever get their hands on. Donated like a pair of old shoes that no longer fit or jeans that aren't in fashion.
Your bible is probably not sitting at Goodwill right now..but if someone else donated it, would you know it was missing?
God's word always fits and is always in fashion. Yesterday, today and tomorrow.
What a treasure, indeed!
But on occasion what do I find? Someones bible. Some even have people's names engraved on them. Some have passages highlighted. Some are still in the wrappers. Some have handwritten well wishes from the giver.
And the going price for a used bible at Goodwill? $2.99.
It is so sad to me that someone has donated the most precious, priceless love they could ever get their hands on. Donated like a pair of old shoes that no longer fit or jeans that aren't in fashion.
Your bible is probably not sitting at Goodwill right now..but if someone else donated it, would you know it was missing?
God's word always fits and is always in fashion. Yesterday, today and tomorrow.
What a treasure, indeed!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Mumus and buzz cuts
When I got old and gray, I vow to wear mumus and buzz my hair off. I will however continue to wear a bra unlike many of the residents I see on a daily basis. Of course by then, if I don't wear one I will have to tuck them in my socks to keep from tripping!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Bernina and memory lane
Been trying to sew some clothe napkins for the house and my little Bernina just won't sew the edges because they are too thick. My mom brought her "real" Bernina when she came to visit a couple weeks ago and it has worked like a dream!
It has also brought so many memories to mind of my mama hunched over that machine making our clothes. Not just one but for all three of us. She would buy one pattern and tailor it to fit all of us. So thrifty she was! She made our swimsuits, church dresses (all three matching on occasion), our slips (you can't find little girl slips these days), pjs, Halloween costumes and even some panties! I vaguely remember my dad having a robe made from her hands. AND Jamms shorts in high school.
Even as a little girl all my pants had to be taken up in the waist, thanks to the bubble butt I even had as a kid. She taught me on that machine along with Mama White teaching me on hers.
Now she is a master quilter and has a fancy Bernina with embroidery and computer screens and all that jazz.
Fun thoughts and happy memories!
It has also brought so many memories to mind of my mama hunched over that machine making our clothes. Not just one but for all three of us. She would buy one pattern and tailor it to fit all of us. So thrifty she was! She made our swimsuits, church dresses (all three matching on occasion), our slips (you can't find little girl slips these days), pjs, Halloween costumes and even some panties! I vaguely remember my dad having a robe made from her hands. AND Jamms shorts in high school.
Even as a little girl all my pants had to be taken up in the waist, thanks to the bubble butt I even had as a kid. She taught me on that machine along with Mama White teaching me on hers.
Now she is a master quilter and has a fancy Bernina with embroidery and computer screens and all that jazz.
Fun thoughts and happy memories!
Friday, June 18, 2010
My Beloved
Ya know what I love: That my big, strong, burly, man's man hears The Revolution Song by Phillips, Craig and Dean and can't help crying like a baby every time. I have never wanted him more.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Time Machine Murders
If I had a time machine I would go back in history to the person, presumably a woman, who thought up the stupid idea of feminism and kill her/him. Nothing inhumane, just a bullet to the temple.
Then I would come back to the present where things would be as God intended when it comes to women and the work place.
Then I would come back to the present where things would be as God intended when it comes to women and the work place.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Mercies New Every Morning
Re: my hypoglycemic rant yesterday
Nothing a handful of Mike and Ikes and working on my memory verses during my swim workout at 5 this morning won't fix!
Just me and Jesus, swimming laps and talkin'.
I am sure my lap buddies think I have lost my senses!
Or they are just used to the "Sasquatch wearing the silver swim cap who carries the bag of index cards and is constantly muttering to herself while she swims".
Nothing a handful of Mike and Ikes and working on my memory verses during my swim workout at 5 this morning won't fix!
Just me and Jesus, swimming laps and talkin'.
I am sure my lap buddies think I have lost my senses!
Or they are just used to the "Sasquatch wearing the silver swim cap who carries the bag of index cards and is constantly muttering to herself while she swims".
Monday, May 17, 2010
Slow and Painful Death..By Coupons
So we started the Dave Ramsey Money Makeover in March with goals of no debt before we buy a house. No school loans, no car payments. A decision made in haste now that I think about it more clearly. Now, don't get me wrong. I am all for this. I have prayed my hubby would get on the Ramsey ban wagon for many a years. He is on. I, however, want to jump off the moving wagon and rip my sack cloth. I still love the idea. I still love the end result (or what I imagine it will be like) but two things this week are wearing me thin.
The tiny little rent house we are currently living in and clipping coupons. Now, the issue with the townhouse is not the size although it is small but how much space does one really need? It is that we can not do anything to it. My creative expression to create a "home" is stifled! I must create! I must paint! I must re-tile! I must hang a photo, for all that is good and holy! My sketches of remodeling the kitchen or dry stacking the fireplace are nothing more than unused napkins. I finally gave in and hung up one wall hanging that I got for Christmas that says, "Welcome. Christ is the head of this house and the unseen guest in every room." I am pretty sure somewhere there is a commandment about "Thou shall not have white walls." HGTV and DIY is just too painful any more. Possibly living here without decorating makes it seem like we are still in transition?
The coupon clipping is driving me crazy! A hour a week of work to save 5 bucks! We have stayed on budget of $100.00 a week for groceries but my sanity has got to be worth more. Something about this week has made the task slightly better than a hot poker to the eye. Possibly PMS? And sweet Mo is helping me and clipping with me and running the calculator for me and going to the store with me, which he has never done in 14 years of marriage, but when you just want to get the food and get out, it is just a slow and painful death.
And at the risk of sounding like a spoiled 2 year old: Ladies and Gentleman, the new has worn off the Money Makeover! The Honeymoon has ended!
The tiny little rent house we are currently living in and clipping coupons. Now, the issue with the townhouse is not the size although it is small but how much space does one really need? It is that we can not do anything to it. My creative expression to create a "home" is stifled! I must create! I must paint! I must re-tile! I must hang a photo, for all that is good and holy! My sketches of remodeling the kitchen or dry stacking the fireplace are nothing more than unused napkins. I finally gave in and hung up one wall hanging that I got for Christmas that says, "Welcome. Christ is the head of this house and the unseen guest in every room." I am pretty sure somewhere there is a commandment about "Thou shall not have white walls." HGTV and DIY is just too painful any more. Possibly living here without decorating makes it seem like we are still in transition?
The coupon clipping is driving me crazy! A hour a week of work to save 5 bucks! We have stayed on budget of $100.00 a week for groceries but my sanity has got to be worth more. Something about this week has made the task slightly better than a hot poker to the eye. Possibly PMS? And sweet Mo is helping me and clipping with me and running the calculator for me and going to the store with me, which he has never done in 14 years of marriage, but when you just want to get the food and get out, it is just a slow and painful death.
And at the risk of sounding like a spoiled 2 year old: Ladies and Gentleman, the new has worn off the Money Makeover! The Honeymoon has ended!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Our Brush with Fame (kinda)
I got the blessing of hanging out with my sweet friend, Carolyn Churchill, for a short time today while she is in town from Oklahoma watching grandkids. Our conversation drifted to her dear friend of many years, Kay Larsen. I know of Kay just as one of Carolyn's friends. She begins to tell me of Kay's (and her husband) amazing life as a bible translator for a Mayan Indian tribe in Mexico, Wycliffe Bible Translators. This perks my ears up because I have heard that somewhere in Kami's homeschooling studies but couldn't place it. Carolyn is basically writing Kay's life story and has known her since the 60s. Any what a servant Kay is!
I get home and ask Kami about the Wycliffe name and it turns out she read about the founder, Cameron Townsend, in a book by the same name. I relay this to Carolyn via text and it turns out "Unlce Cam" ,as Kay knows him, was actually the very one who sent her and her beloved groom to Mexico!
How cool is that and what a small world we live in! Thanks Carolyn for being a faithful friend and servant to us all, especially Kay and can't wait to read this mighty woman's legacy.
And it dawns on me as I am so star struck by the whole situation, that the real "celebrity" is always just a thought a way. My sweet Jesus. AND he wants to spend time with little ole me...how humbling.
I get home and ask Kami about the Wycliffe name and it turns out she read about the founder, Cameron Townsend, in a book by the same name. I relay this to Carolyn via text and it turns out "Unlce Cam" ,as Kay knows him, was actually the very one who sent her and her beloved groom to Mexico!
How cool is that and what a small world we live in! Thanks Carolyn for being a faithful friend and servant to us all, especially Kay and can't wait to read this mighty woman's legacy.
And it dawns on me as I am so star struck by the whole situation, that the real "celebrity" is always just a thought a way. My sweet Jesus. AND he wants to spend time with little ole me...how humbling.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Oklahoma City is Alive and Kickin'!
A couple of weekends ago Mo and I participated in the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon commemorating the 10th anniversary of the bombing that claimed so many innocent lives. Mo ran in a marathon relay and I walked a half marathon. We went with some friends who had family in the area and got to listen to first hand accounts of that day and those that followed. Our friend Todd actually worked in the district and drove past the bomb 2 minutes before it went off. We spent the day before the race touring the memorial grounds with Todd as our personal tour guide and reading the many heartfelt messages that were left in remembrance. The "empty chairs" is just amazing. The destruction was unbelievable. It was so enlightening and tender but perhaps the most profound was the statue right outside the memorial. It is a statue of Jesus with his back to the bombing site and his hands covering his face as he weeps. And the simple words, "Jesus wept."
What a reminder that Jesus knows everything but is still saddened by our sin. He feels what we feel and loves us anyway. The heart is heavy and it makes you wonder about the evil that exists in this world that it can makes a mind think destroying people in such a massive way is appropriate. It was disturbing.
Perhaps the most awesome realization for me was on race day. As I walked the 13.1 miles, people lined the streets, cheering and offering encouragement. Music played from homes and people tailgated while enjoying the scenes and their neighbors. Posters honoring those who perished and thanksgiving for "those who walk and run for those who can't" littered every mile. Make shift concession stands with kids handing homemade treats and drinks nourished us each step while live music blared for the last 2 miles.
And in the final stretch, I become very aware, the bombing has nothing on this city. Good prevails. God is good all the time. The people of Oklahoma City have risen form the ashes and are a better and stronger city because of it. What evil seeks to destroy, the Lord brings blessings.
What a reminder that Jesus knows everything but is still saddened by our sin. He feels what we feel and loves us anyway. The heart is heavy and it makes you wonder about the evil that exists in this world that it can makes a mind think destroying people in such a massive way is appropriate. It was disturbing.
Perhaps the most awesome realization for me was on race day. As I walked the 13.1 miles, people lined the streets, cheering and offering encouragement. Music played from homes and people tailgated while enjoying the scenes and their neighbors. Posters honoring those who perished and thanksgiving for "those who walk and run for those who can't" littered every mile. Make shift concession stands with kids handing homemade treats and drinks nourished us each step while live music blared for the last 2 miles.
And in the final stretch, I become very aware, the bombing has nothing on this city. Good prevails. God is good all the time. The people of Oklahoma City have risen form the ashes and are a better and stronger city because of it. What evil seeks to destroy, the Lord brings blessings.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Must Be Getting Old...
The time has just flown by and not sure where it went! Hope you all are doing well and here is a super quick update on our world.
Mo is doing well and still enjoying his job. Anxiously awaiting spring! Turned 37 in Feburary.
I have started a new job and feeling some growing pains but it could turn out to be something nice for a while. We started Dave Ramsey's Money Makeover this month and will PREVAIL before we buy another house. How exciting that will be! Stupid new cars we bought a year ago will be the death of us! Just celebrated 14 years of marriage.
Kami is still home schooling it but taking art and Spanish at the local middle school as well as guitar. Loves her girl's youth group meetings on Wednesday nights. Thank ya, Jesus! Just turned 13 years old.
Kori is still doing hockey and lacross. She is anxiously awaiting spring too since I no longer allow roller blading in the kitchen. She landed on the dishwasher lid while trying to skate backwards with her hockey stick. It is all fun and games until someone gets hurt. In this case it was the dishwasher lid, not her.
So, what is up in your world?
Mo is doing well and still enjoying his job. Anxiously awaiting spring! Turned 37 in Feburary.
I have started a new job and feeling some growing pains but it could turn out to be something nice for a while. We started Dave Ramsey's Money Makeover this month and will PREVAIL before we buy another house. How exciting that will be! Stupid new cars we bought a year ago will be the death of us! Just celebrated 14 years of marriage.
Kami is still home schooling it but taking art and Spanish at the local middle school as well as guitar. Loves her girl's youth group meetings on Wednesday nights. Thank ya, Jesus! Just turned 13 years old.
Kori is still doing hockey and lacross. She is anxiously awaiting spring too since I no longer allow roller blading in the kitchen. She landed on the dishwasher lid while trying to skate backwards with her hockey stick. It is all fun and games until someone gets hurt. In this case it was the dishwasher lid, not her.
So, what is up in your world?
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
THE OLD TESTAMENT BOOKS BY KORI
We have been studying the books of the Old Testament so Kori can get her "badge" at Awanas and it just cracks me up because not only are they hard to pronounce to any child, but one who can't hear a lick is is down right funny. She can't just hear a song and memorize it (like most of us did when we were little) because she can't hear words in music. But don't get all upset at me yet for making fun of my "handicapped" child. I grew up with 2 deaf sisters so mispronunciation is common for me and because I don't treat her "different" is why she knows she is not "different". I don't laugh at her per se, I can just see God in Heaven with a big smile on his face too because like me He thinks she is perfect too. I put them in order so you know which ones are the "hard ones" and spelled it how she pronounces it. Please remember being deaf does not allow you to read phonetically. Each and every word a person who is deaf reads must be memorized. There is no sounding it out.
Genesis
Xus
Leticus
Numbers
Dutonomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruf
1 Samel
2 Samel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicle
2 Chronicle
Eeeza
Nehemiah (she's got this one down, somehow)
Eser
Job
Psalms
Proverb
Ecclesiesta
Song of Solomon
By the way her favorite verse is: John 1:1 "In the beginning there was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God."
Genesis
Xus
Leticus
Numbers
Dutonomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruf
1 Samel
2 Samel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicle
2 Chronicle
Eeeza
Nehemiah (she's got this one down, somehow)
Eser
Job
Psalms
Proverb
Ecclesiesta
Song of Solomon
By the way her favorite verse is: John 1:1 "In the beginning there was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God."
DEEP THOUGHTS FROM KORI
Here is another funny from Kori. Now you must understand that Kami, our oldest, came out speaking like an adult. At 12 months she was saying full sentences. Her first was, "Open the door.". So, there wasn't much funny about perfect English.
Kori tonight said,
Kori: "I wish we were rich."
Me: "WhY?"
Kori: "So I could get a $100 a week."
Me: "Too bad. So sad."
Kori: "ORRRR, I could just go to college, take climbing lessons and then go into the mountains and find gems."
Me: "That might work."
Kori: "But I want to be a hockey player in the Olympics so I would have to hurry and come right back down once I found them."
(Yes, Darling, because so there are so many mountain climbing Olympic hockey players hunting gems.) Anything is possible when you are a kid. I love that!
Kori tonight said,
Kori: "I wish we were rich."
Me: "WhY?"
Kori: "So I could get a $100 a week."
Me: "Too bad. So sad."
Kori: "ORRRR, I could just go to college, take climbing lessons and then go into the mountains and find gems."
Me: "That might work."
Kori: "But I want to be a hockey player in the Olympics so I would have to hurry and come right back down once I found them."
(Yes, Darling, because so there are so many mountain climbing Olympic hockey players hunting gems.) Anything is possible when you are a kid. I love that!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Now Open Kori's Hobo Hotel
We have been educating our daughters on proper money management since they have begun to get an allowance these last few months. We have been discussing tithing first, then you put some in savings then you may spend some. Well, the saving some is not hitting the mark. On Saturday when Kori and I were driving in Colorado Springs, I drove by the area known as "The Tent Cities". This is basically some public land that homeless people have pitched tents and live by this river around the corner from a local soup kitchen. I began my speech on saving money so you can be prepared for what the future holds, being a good steward with God's blessings, etc so you do not have to live in a tent. I answered some questions about how they bathe, where they might eat, what do they do when its cold and thought my point was well made when she turns to me and smiles real big, "I am gonna save my money and when I get big I will open a Hobo Hotel. I will get into my car, pile them in the back and take 'em to my hotel!" A missionary in the making? Quite possibly.
Of course, all of this went out the window when she saw a pair of house shoes she wanted at Walmart.
Of course, all of this went out the window when she saw a pair of house shoes she wanted at Walmart.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
First day of Home School
Today was the first day of home school for the Kamster! It went really well and I think she did a great job. Of course she is too cool to say it was great, but I did get an "It was OK." which in teen talk is "Great!". And the fact that she said an definite "No" to returning to public school. In Colorado you can attend electives at public school and still be home schooled, so she has Spanish and choir then back at home for the rest of the academics for the afternoon. Being right across the street from the middle school makes that very easy. Thanks for any prayers you can throw up for us.
Monday, January 4, 2010
My (New Year's) Life Resolution
This time of the year we become introspective. We gather a handful of goals based on how we failed the last year and what we would change about ourselves in order to be "New And Improved". Or "Old And Improved" depending on your case. I am ,like many of you, more than happy to wave good-bye to 2009. Although it came with many great things, it brought a lot of changes. And even good changes cause stress.
So, I am declaring a Life Resolution rather than a New Year's Resolution.
My Life Resolution beginning in 2010 is to DELIGHT IN THE LORD. That's it. Everyday, I want to delight in Him. I want to be so taken by our heavenly Father that life just can't get to me. The love affair so great that my focus on every task, no matter how mundane, how complicated, how trivial is on His goodness.
It is so easy to come to Him with concerns for others, our jobs, our homes, our families, and our nation. But how often do we come to the mercy seat just to "delight in the Lord"? I know it is not what I think of first. And I want to change it. Delightfully so.
So, I am declaring a Life Resolution rather than a New Year's Resolution.
My Life Resolution beginning in 2010 is to DELIGHT IN THE LORD. That's it. Everyday, I want to delight in Him. I want to be so taken by our heavenly Father that life just can't get to me. The love affair so great that my focus on every task, no matter how mundane, how complicated, how trivial is on His goodness.
It is so easy to come to Him with concerns for others, our jobs, our homes, our families, and our nation. But how often do we come to the mercy seat just to "delight in the Lord"? I know it is not what I think of first. And I want to change it. Delightfully so.
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