Thankful Thursday

Today, I am thankful that God keeps showing me areas of my life that I am in spiritual bondage. Just this week, I felt a strong conviction after speaking with a friend that it was time to get serious and obey what I feel God has been wanting me to do for a very long time. There are two areas in my life that I have struggled with for probably about my whole life.

Lately, I have felt a bit disconnected and a times a little hard hearted towards God and prayer. I was racking my brain trying to figure out why the disconnect had happened. I believe at least one reason is that I have not been obedient to take steps toward freedom in the above two areas. Most of the time, I just kind of ignore these areas by not really focusing in on them... I guess I thought if I just don't give thought to "breaking free" in these areas I was not really sinning, or at least sinning deliberately on purpose. What I felt this week is that I am outright sinning on purpose when I do not do the things I feel God wants me to do. I can pretend not to deal with my problems, but sadly my problems/struggles are dealing with me.

These areas I am struggling with are areas in which I find comfort (a false comfort), but I have been deriving comfort from them so long I can't tell the difference if it is a false comfort or not. In my head, I know the God should be my only comfort!!! I was having a little pitty party for myself as I was thinking about what steps needed to be taken to "break free" ( I have taken Beth Moore's study :), and what things I needed to give up... Later that day, I was doing my Bible study and I came across this verse that put things in perspective...

Hebrews 12:4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

In your struggle with sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood... Wow, that definitely sent conviction up and down my spine. The sin that I am struggling with is so very trivial... it really has to do with my comfort and pleasure, and I am having a pitty party that I have to give it up. Wow again!!!

Then I read the verses that come after verse 4 and am encouraged...

5And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:
"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."^[a]

7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

WHOA!!! I love it... When God disciplines me it is for my good (that I may share in his holiness-Verse 10), and if God is asking me to give up something, it is for my good. I know all of this in my head, it just hasn't worked itself into my belief system yet. I have 20 years of thinking way one (IN UNBELIEF), and now I need to get serious about my relationship with God, and BELIEVE HIM!!!!

The Bible also says, "without faith it is impossible to please God", and I want to so please Him. If I don't please Him in this life, then I really wasted my time on planet Earth. When life is over, I will never look back and complain about the things I had to give up... In giving up things now on earth, I have an opportunity to really live my life to the fullest on earth :)

So, I am thankful once again that my spiritual eyes are open to see what God wants me to see.

If today, there is an area that God is asking you to change, I encourage you to change it (remember I will be encouraging myself to do the same thing... my flesh is so very weak), because I know we will never regret it!!!

Blessings today and everyday!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Casting Crowns viewed by me on the Front Row :) Go down a few posts to see my full post and pictures of the Casting Crowns concert if you would like...

Time Travel Tuesday

Today's Travel is all about Halloween. I was trying to think of what I dressed up as when I was a little girl. Annie says she dressed up as a gypsy... ME TOO!!! I know I was a cat at least once, and I sure hope I was some kind of Princess when I was a little girl :)

I remember that my Daddy (I still call him Daddy) always made a big deal of decorating our place. He always came up with the coolest decorations for Halloween (any Holiday really). I remember one time he made this haunted house that was about as tall as my younger sister. I think it was out of Styrofoam... It is funny the things that you remember.

So, today I am posting pictures of my kids from some of their Halloweens....
-Snake as Darth Vader
-Terminator as the Chicken that kept running away from my camera... I caught him before he got away... this Chicken had not had his eye surgery yet...
-Moose as a Pirate... "What do you do with a scurvy pirate?" Do you recognize this song?
- The 3 as a Bug, Lion and a Doctor... I think Moose looks good in scrubs :)

PS. I have another memory about Halloween... That was normally the day I would go off my Diets ( I say Diets because I have been on plenty of them :)

In "other" Words

"The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection. And we must not select a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others. Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian."

~ A.W. Towzer ~

Wow, some of these quotes are a bit meaty (spiritually speaking)!!! Today I suggest that you visit others' sites to see their take on today's quote too.

Today, I will focus in on the second part of the quote... "we must not select a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others". I think this is a very common thing in today's Christian world. Christians (myself included) find verses that we can obey and hold true to, but at times we can ignore those verses that may convict or challenge us to change. I suppose that at times our lack of understanding scripture may lead us to think that scripture does not apply to us too. We must believe all of the Bible, not just the parts that suit us.

I must go get ready for work, but I would love to hear your comments today on this quote (I was a little short on words today...which is surprising for me :) Also, make sure to click on the "In other Words" link to bring you to today's host and meme.

Blessings to you!!!

Casting Crowns...

OK, first if you have not read the comments from my Thankful Thursday post, please do. My hubby made a cute comment on my last post about me and concerts...

I knew that we were front row for the Casting Crowns concert, but our tickets were front row center. There were some sweet ladies that were actually sitting in our seats, but we let them sit there because we were only a few seats down, and the seats were just awesome. I am being kind of nerdy about the front row, but it was so cool. I actually took a picture of my boot and the proximity to the stage (it was to dark, and didn't turn out). I doubt there will be another time I have front row seats... not necessarily because of price (sometimes that is a factor), but because you have to be the first one waiting in line to get those seats, and I am not the type of person that would stand in line for a very long time. So, if I never sit in the front row again, I feel so blessed that I did for the CC concert.

First of all, CC was so cool. A real neat thing that happened at the end of the concert was that the band sat down on chairs on the stage, and prayed all kinds of specific prayers for the audience. Now that is cool!!!

My 30 year old self had to wear earplugs last night :) I have sensitive hearing, and the music was just too loud for me. Every once in awhile I took out one ear plug :) The worst part about wearing earplugs was that I heard myself sing (off tune). I think I sing pretty well, not like a professional, but I can carry a tune, but with earplugs I realize I am not so good... Simon Cowell picking on me, not so good :)

OK, the pictures are unbelievable because I was so close, but because of the darkness at times, some of the pictures are a bit blurry. Also, I did go to the concert with friends, but I didn't post their pictures here... I didn't ask them if it was OK. John Waller and Leeland were the opening acts. I didn't know much about either. I posted one picture of Leeland. Make sure to look for the picture of me with my earplugs. The pictures at top of our an artist and his finished painting...

Enjoy the pictures... I so enjoyed the concert!!!

Thankful Thursday

Today, I am thankful for front row seats (free) at a Casting Crowns concert. Last year, I had tickets for CC that I had purchased months before, and the night of the concert I got a migraine headache (I suffer with migraines :( . A friend of mine had a friend that had connections, and so it came to be that we now have free front row tickets. AWESOME!!

Second, I am thankful for coming across Dee Brestin's book "A Woman of Moderation". I was listening to Midday Connection on Moody, and Dee was the guest. I caught the title of the book, and my first response was a little rebellious (moderation...I don't need to read that book). Oh, yes I do!!!! The book deals with "eating habits", but I so need to be a woman of moderation in all areas of my life. I don't know how to do things just a little, or even in moderation, it is always more is better... The cool thing about the book is that she points you to God first, and not how you should be eating. I also have an accountability partner to really hold me accountable while I go through this book. I have given her permission to ask me the hard questions, and to challenge me when I am not doing what I need to be doing.

Last, I am thankful for the TBN channel. TBN stands for Trinity Broadcast Network. It is a 24 hour Christian programming channel. If you have read my posts, you know about my love for TV, so I am glad that when I watch TV I can normally turn on TBN and find something that uplifts me or challenges me. Last night, a 30 minute show called, "The Stranger" came on... the TV show is based on the movie "The Perfect Stranger" (that movie was based on the book, "Dinner with a Perfect Stranger"). The premise of the movie was that Jesus invited a woman to dinner, and answered all of her hard questions she had about religion and Him. It was a great show, and now there is a TV show that has the same man that played Jesus in the movie, playing Jesus on the TV show. The last two episodes I watched were wonderful, and again the writers of the show did a great job with answering some of those hard questions. If you are interested in watching the show or movie, and can't get the information on your own, just let me know and I will lead you in the right direction. I think you will be blessed by this Christian entertainment. (Thanks WAG for telling me about the TV Show)

Well, I gotta get ready for work, so I will close... Blessings to you!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Brotherly Love

Time Travel Tuesday

Today's Travel ask us to name a time when you were in a serious accident, or had a serious illness. Well, there is not a time in my life that I can remember that I have had a serious accident or illness...at least one I can remember (these days...that ain't much).

So, I will name the time when I almost died in childhood. I do not remember a thing, but my parents sure do. I was around 5 and I was with my parents as they were shopping in a local store. I believe we were at the checkout line when I wanted a lifesaver. My mother definitely said no, but I think my dad may have talked her into it (I am sure I was throwing a fit to get that lifesaver). It is so strange, because my mom is definitely not the type to even let me have a lifesaver, at least not until I was over the ago of13. :) However, my mom gave me the lifesaver and in mere seconds it was lodged in my throat.

My mom started panicking and I started turning blue. I think my dad ended up carrying me and running with me to find help as my mom screamed. There was a pharmacy right next door to the store, and my dad and mom took me to the pharmacist. My dad handed me to the pharmacist, whom I suppose did the Heimlich (possibly spelled wrong) maneuver and saved my life.

I can't even imagine what the scene looked like in real life, but I am thankful that the Lord used that pharmacist to save my life. I wonder if my mom kissed him? :)

Go see these movies...

I am a former movie addict... so if I tell you that a movie is good, you probably will like it (there have been a few times people have disagreed with my opinion, but rare). In recent years, I have become the "find the best Christian/moral or faith based movies girl". I have a hefty collection of those types of movies that I share with others.

Today, I had the pleasure of taking my "Moose" to see the new version (animated, but looks kind of real) of the "Ten Commandments". It was great, and the best animated "Ten Commandments" movie I have seen so far. The production company that put out the "Ten Commandments" has plans to make 12 (I think) epic animated films from the Bible. I think "Noah's Ark" is next in 2009. I had such a great time explaining things about Moses and the Israelites to my "Moose".

If you are thinking of seeing the movie, go very soon. The first few weeks are crucial to whether a movie will survive and thrive, and the more we as Christians can support movies like the "Ten Commandments", the more Hollywood will want to make them.

PS. I have also come across a movie called "Bella" that was made by Christians, and has been endorsed by several ministers/pastors. It will be released October 26th... you may want to check it out as well. Google "Bella" and watch the trailer. You can do the same for the "Ten Commandments" too.

I should get a job reviewing films, huh??? Blessings!!!

Check out this link...

OK, I still have not been able to post my own "You Tube" videos, but I came across this video after clicking on the website of a sweet gal that left me a comment. Click here and scroll down until you get to the You Tube video (enjoy the sweet pictures of this gal's kiddies as you are scrolling down)... The song is from Nichole N. and I almost cry every time I hear it.

I just think about the people out there that don't believe in Christ...I heard this on a movie as a Christian was talking to a person who didn't believe in God. The Christian man said something like if we are wrong when we die we will all be OK, but if you are wrong (the one who didn't believe) then you have something to worry about. I know this kind of statement has been worded in several ways, but it is true.

Go to the link, and listen to the song and watch the video and then come back here and leave me a comment with any thoughts you have... Blessings!!!

Thankful Thursday

-First, I am thankful for winning a blog makeover. Shera at Sweet n Simple designs did my makeover. I can't believe the things you can win through blogville. Thanks again Shera!!!

-Second, I am just so thankful for my kids and their hearts as they tender toward the things of Christ. My boys are 8, 6, and 4, and at present they have not accepted Jesus as their Savior, but I see in them the first fruits of understanding what becoming a believer means.

My oldest, "Moose" has Autism... Moose is high functioning so he understands a lot, but I am not sure he is quite ready to make his decision for Christ. My hubby and I are praying that we will know the right time for him, but I must share something so precious he said to me in Church a few weeks ago. I had just picked him up from his "Worship Time", and he said something like, "I ate the bread and juice". I said... "you ate the bread and juice?, You aren't suppose to do that yet, you have to wait until (a pause) you make a decision for Jesus (I couldn't come up with anything on the spot that he might better decipher)" Then Moose looked up (I think), and his hand might have been raised when he said, "Jesus, I make a decision for you". That moment was so precious.

I feel so unequipped at times to present the wonderful message of Jesus to my kids. They ask some tough questions that at times I don't have answers to...but, I know that God will give me the answers I need when I need them.

Speaking of "Moose", my hubby had been reading the story of Moses and Pharaoh to him last month. One night when we were praying Moose was asking forgiveness for his sins, and he said something like "forgive me, and don't let me be like Pharaoh". Sweet times for me!!!

(FYI:You will notice I write things like.."he said something like"... Well, that is because my memory is not so good anymore, and I hardly ever remember the exact words :)

Well, I wanted to write more, but I must get going..

Blessings to you on Thankful Thursday!!!

Wordless Wednesday

My $7.00 (each) Mums... Can you believe the size of the yellow one? It is even bigger now...

In "other" Words

Gentleness is part of being feminine - part of being a woman, and God made us distinctly different from men on purpose!"
~ Melanie Chitwood ~

Iris at "Sting My Heart" (see sidebar) is today's host for "In "other" Words". I have recently stumbled across this Meme (is a Meme or a Carnival or something totally different?), and I have really enjoyed participating. Although most of the time I am probably clueless to discuss the points, but that does not stop this gal...it should, but it doesn't :).

I will just comment on one aspect of gentleness today, and that is how that trait applies to the relationship of women and children. It is the gentleness of a mom's touch that cuddles her little baby and how she can't stop gently touching the sweet newborn face. The gentleness shines as a mom embraces her child after he/she is hurt, and then carefully bandages up every little boo-boo. Many times no bandage is needed, but just a mom's kiss. I have to think that women even tuck their children into bed differently, more gently if I can say that... As I sit here I realize that I could probably write a whole long story about how women get to show their gentle side with children, but I think you get the idea of what I am saying.

Everything I wrote above doesn't just apply to women that have children... any woman can show gentleness to a child. I am thinking of teachers at this time. GO TEACHERS (a little encouragement for the teachers)!!! Back to my point... and of course men can be gentle with children to, it is just plays itself out differently (in my opinion anyway).

I am so thankful God made men and women distinctly different, gentleness and all!!!

Blessings to all today!!!

Time Travel Tuesday

Blogger is having some problems with the downloading of pictures/graphics, so I don't have my Time Travel button up today :( Today's Travel is to name the most adventurous thing we have ever done. Sadly, I am the most unadventurous person there is, probably because I struggle with fear issues, but after I read Annie's post (the host) I realized that I do have something to share...

Annie joked about things to do with her children... I also agree, going to the Grocery Store with my 3 boys, or sitting in a restaurant that is not child friendly could be adventurous in my book :) Hey, life with children is an adventure everyday, but I actually do have an answer to today's question.

At first this huge thing totally slipped my mind until I read Annie's post. Three years ago, God called my husband and I (boys too :) to move without a job, or house, or anything really to a city that we really knew nothing about (22 hours away from the place I was born). I had always told my husband that I would never move, but God had different plans. As mentioned above, my main struggle in life is with fear, so moving across the US was something I never dreamed I could do, but again God knew I could.

This whole moving story is one big miracle, or shall ( I have been using this word a lot lately) I say miracle after miracle... I have mentioned it before on the blog, and maybe in the near future I can journal about it. God's presence and blessing poured out on my life, and the life of my family. I would not be the same person I am today without this move. Praise You God!!! You are faithful!!!

So, thank you Annie for helping to jog my memory. It is so sad how info just flies out of my head these days :)

Blessings!!!

No, you are not on the wrong blog...

To my regular visitors... all ten of you... You are now looking at the new and improved, aesthetically speaking, To Know Him blog. I won a free complete blog makeover courtesy of Sweet n' Simple Designs (See Button Below). Shera is the gracious designer that gave away a free blog makeover. She is a mom to six boys... we are kindred spirits :) Shera worked like a champ for me to come up with a custom design for my blog, and she was super quick about it. If you are considering a blog makeover, please make sure to visit her first. She's was a blessing to me!!!

Thanks Shera!!! May the Lord bless you many times over for your sweet spirit, and generosity!!!

A little shocked...

To my regular readers, and those who stop by every once in awhile... I was left a very let's say, not nice comment from a person who signed anonymously who definitely does not share my Christian beliefs. The comment was very long, and a little shocking, so I have now enabled my comment moderation (which just means that I get to see them before they appear, and I can choose to delete a comment if I need to).

Has this happened to any of you bloggers out there? It is just a sad thing, but I suppose that is just part of what comes with all new technology.

Blessings!!!

Thankful Thursday

First of all, I am thankful that my body is finally getting adjusted to my working a job. My husband made a comment on Saturday that he sees me having more energy. He was in total shock that our bed was made in the 7 am hour... He would be in shock anyway... Most of the times, I'm not a bed maker. I know that shattered your image of me, but I figure I am going to get back in it sooner or later. I am just being honest..too honest :)

I was in my bathroom getting ready for Church and I just had the thought that I am thankful for being a woman. We women get to do such fun things. I sometimes have to think the men are missing out when it comes to the friendship thing... I love getting together with my girlfriends and talking into the late hours of the night (although, now in my 30's my body doesn't like when I stay up too late). Plus, the beauty thing (make-up, hair, jewelry, clothes) is just plain fun...all the choices we have. The only thing I will say on this subject is that we need to keep the beauty thing in check with God. I know my focus a lot of the time is out of whack when it comes to this issue.

Womanhood does come with its down side...Our monthly visitor..AGHHH.. Cramps, acne due to hormonal changes... Labor!!!! However, I will say although labor is the pits, carrying and having that baby is a gift from God. Just being a mom period is a gift from God. Well, like always I will stop here and publish my post because I certainly could go on and on with this one.

Blessings to all!!!

"I Am" online study

Discussion Questions:

1. I am going to present to you a little acrostic to begin our discussion today. What is your latest NLIP? (Not Like I Planned?) There is not a specific NLIP that comes to mind, so I will speak about the NLIP in general terms/situations.



2. How did you react to your NLIP? Are you still upset about it? Happy about it? Baffled by it? Explain. Initially, I do not always handle my NLIP well. I have issues with control... I like the control. Years ago, a NLIP could make me blow like a volcano with very outward expressions of anger, frustration, or tears... Now, and with a lot of help from God, 99% of the time I do not have those volcanic like adult temper tantrums, for lack of a better word. However, I can become anxiety ridden, and obsess about the situation, and then try to find ways to control the situation. I know, not good, but I am thankful that God has showed me my unhealthy ways, and I am seeking Him to help me in this area.


3. Have you ever attempted to step into an area of ministry and found your desire rejected? Did this cause you to question God and yourself? Perhaps distrust what you perceived to be your calling? I have not really had this particular situation happen to me, but I will say if I feel God has called me to do something, or maybe God is teaching me something new, and others doubt it, then I start to doubt it too.


4. Do you harbor any bitterness towards any individual or situation which you believe waylaid your best laid plans? Sometimes, but not always.


5. Have you had a life experience or trial that left you with a shaken faith because it ended in an NLIP? Please share if you feel free. I will have to think about this question. I may come back to it later.


6. Based on Moses' response of faith to his own rejection, how will you re-evaluate your own experiences or look at future ones differently if a NLIP presents itself? I think the most simple answer is to take every situation to God, and let Him show me how to handle my NLIP. It sounds easy, but I know it is not always an easy process, but I believe it is what I need to do.

Wordless Wednesday

The Boys after a visit to a pumpkin patch (kettle corn and fresh apples in hand). They each drank a Gatorade and they are showing their colored tongues :) PS. I have no idea how why all these words are underlined...

In "other" Words

"We are not built for the mountains and the dawns and aesthetic affinities, those are for moments of inspiration, that is all. We are built for the valley, for the ordinary stuff we are in, and that is where we
have to prove our mettle."
~ Oswald Chamber~


This week's quote is from Oswald Chambers... I find it funny that I would try to expound on one of his quotes...he is quite deep, but I have been very challenged in my spiritual walk by some of his writings.

Laurel Wreath is this week's host for "In "other" words. She says on her website that the word "mettle" means temperament. What can I say about this quote... Well, first I would say that we do not live most of our lives on the mountain top, but in the valleys. Our valleys prepare us for the mountain top experiences. I think because of the valley experience (the hard times of life), we truly can appreciate standing on top of that mountain.

In my own personal walk, I have found that if I try to stay on a mountain too long I grow cold in my walk with Christ. When things are good, I don't seek Him out as much :( That's a shame, but for some reason it is true in my life. However, when life is hard, stressful, and out of control I am clinging to Jesus to get me through those times. I am hoping that as I grow and mature in my walk with Christ that I will not only seek Him in the valleys, but that I will look for Him, and rejoice with Him on the mountain tops.

The last thing I will say is that I want to learn how to appreciate the valley experiences...not after they are finished, but while I am smack dab in the midst of them. When you are out of the valley it is sometimes easy to look back and see what God was teaching you, but while you are sinking low in the depths of the valley all you want to do is be delivered from it. At least that is how it has been in my valleys, but I know that out God can give us peace, strength, and joy in the midst of our valleys. So I will continue to press on, and draw close to Him, and I hope one day I will be truly thankful for the valleys, not when I am on the mountain, but when I am deep in the valley.

Blessings to you!!!

Fall Fun

This weekend we went to our local Apple Barn and purchased us some Fall Stuff (I am trying to say it with a southern tone...grammatically I know you wouldn't say "purchased us some stuff". The only thing that was a little disappointing was that we did not get to experience typical Fall weather... It was more like a nice hot Summer Day. That would explain why Moose is standing in front of a huge fan :)

The boys had so much fun picking out stuff for us to buy. I think at one point we had about 10 pumpkins in our wagon. We left that day with a car full of gourds (the Apple Gourd is my favorite...it kind of looks like a watermelon), pumpkins, and 3 beautiful mums. My husband gave me another chance this year when he said it was OK for me to buy the mums... My mums didn't do so well last year. I don't think I watered them enough :) The picture at top is of the front of our house. Doesn't it look so cute with all the Fall stuff?

Well I have all the Fall decos, and all I need now is the crisp cool Fall weather :)

Something I found in Blogville

I came across this on another blog... I thought it was cute, so I copied and pasted it here and input my info...Try it on your blog, or pick a few of your favorites and then leave them in my comment section...


Here's a fun meme!

1. MY ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car),
Bandit Van

2.MY GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)
Mint Chocolate Chip-Chocolate Chip (Gotta love that one :)

3. MY “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name),
T-Him ( Since I don't post my name, I used my Blog name)

4.MY DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal),
Blue Cat

5. MY SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born),
Kay Ft Myers ( I did use my real middle name)

6. MY STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first),
Him-To (Blog name-on this one my real name is so much better :)

7. MY SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink),
The Red Diet Coke

8. MY NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers),
William Myrick (that sounds pretty good :)

9. MY WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ),
Kay Allen

10. MY TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter),
MaClain Minneapolis

11. MY SPY NAME: (your favorite season or holiday, flower).
Fall Rose

12. MY CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)
Strawberry Sweatie

13. MY HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree),
Luna Bar Weeping Willow (That sounds like a real hippy name)

14. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + A fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”),
The Party Planning Snow Tour


Have fun with this meme....

Dentophobia

I came across this picture and it made me smile. This is my Snake, and he is in the dentist (actually the hygienist) chair for the first time. Can you see the fear in his eyes (title means fear of dentists)? He was fine once things got started, but he was not so sure at the beginning.

Fear (in general) is one of my biggest strongholds in my life... I could really do some in-depth posts about this struggle of mine. I will just say, for now the Lord is working on this area with me daily. However, many of us have specific fears... spiders, water, heights. If your read this post, try to find the name of your particular fear and comment on my post. Google "phobia list", and you should be able to find it.

My hubby has Dentophobia...maybe the next time he is in the dentist chair I may take a picture of him :)

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Thankful Thursday

I know I have several bloggers that only visit my site on Thankful Thursday, so I am going to post a link to one of my posts for the first thing I am thankful for... I am thankful for my hubby, and the work that God has done in our marriage. Click on this link and it will bring you right to the post about my hubby.

The second thing I am thankful for is how God watches out for me in the little, or not so little things in life. As many of you know, I started a new job about five weeks ago. In that five weeks there were about 3 times that I would have had to call into work, but I believe God took care of it so I wouldn't have to miss work. One time my in-laws were here unexpectedly (they spent the night with us), and my oldest got the stomach flu about one hour before I went to work. Needless to say, my in-laws lovingly agreed to watch Moose for the morning. Another cool thing about that morning was that Moose threw-up (vomited) in the morning....that wasn't the cool thing :), but he threw-up about 15 minutes before the school day starts... Stick with me... you know the rule about not sending your child to school for a full 24 hour vomit free time period. Well, he never threw-up again that day, and he was able to go to school the next morning so I could go to work. God is Sweet!!! I also have been sick for the last two days ( I just found out I have a sinus infection). In school the last two days, I have felt not so great, but able to perform my duties as the super Pre-K teacher :) Today after I left school, I went from mildly sick to hurting really bad. I had a massive headache, and ended up pulling over with my van on a random street and threw-up myself. I just thank God that I held it together while I was in school.

The whole point of my number two thankful thing is to encourage all of you to look for God in everything, and thank Him in the things that sometimes we may not even realize He is working in...

Blessings... I love this little Thankful Thursday community!!!

Wordless Wednesday

A little payback. At a baby shower I made the men drink juice through bottles in a race. Some of them really got into it. That is my hubs in the middle :)

In "other" Words...

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in HIS wonderful face,
and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, by the light of His glory and grace."

~ Helen Limmel ~


The CWO (see sidebar) has this "other" meme (I think this is called a meme) every Tuesday. The person hosting that week's meme picks a quote and then writes his/her thoughts about it. This week's quote is above..."Turn your eyes..." What can I say about this quote???

Well, for beginners I can say that it is absolutely the truth. In my life at least, but I suspect it would be true in any believer's life. It has only been in the last decade of my life that I have actually turned my face toward Jesus, and in the last five years I would say that I have adjusted my eyes toward His sweet face.

My flesh/sinful nature is so strong... It takes no time for me to start seeking satisfaction in the world, but about 10 years ago the Lord did something so amazing in my heart. He showed me a glimpse of Himself. How was that life changing? Well, after that glimpse of Himself I could no longer enjoy all the pleasures of the world, or at least without knowing that something better for me was out there... something that could truly satisfy...Jesus!!! No matter how many times I tried to go back to my own way or the world's way, I could never find the kind of satisfaction in those ways like I once did. God gave me a taste of His presence, and it set my life in a direction I never expected in my wildest dreams.

I feel like I am getting off the topic, so I will refocus. I will give you a small example of how this quote is true in my life. I was once a entertainment addict... My days and nights were filled with gossip mags, TV shows, and a lot of trips to the movies. These things are not necessarily bad things (well gossip mags are probably bad :), but I was using the whole entertainment scene to fill a place in me that was only suppose to be filled by God Himself. I escaped from all my life's troubles into this world of entertainment.

Something so strange started to happen to me with regards to this entertainment thing. Once I started growing closer to Christ, I desired less and less to seek fulfillment through entertainment. Knowing me, that is unbelievable, but that is how I also know it was because of God. Outside of Him, I would have never changed that part of my life.

I do have to say that the entertainment thing can and is still a big temptation for me in my life today. It is a very easy out for me when I want to escape my reality, but I know for sure that it can never truly satisfy. The job of satisfaction in my life belongs to Jesus.

The last thing that I will say about this quote is that you don't have to worry about trying to turn from the things of this world...all you have to do is turn and look at Jesus, and it will be a natural occurrence in your life to not desire the earthly things so much.

I hope I made sense, I just took some cough med and I am a little woozy...

Blessings and love from our Father Jesus Christ!!!!!!!!!

Time Travel Tuesday

Today's Time Travel takes us back to our "first home". The first home that I will talk about will be the home of me and my hubby. Actually, the home was his first... He moved down from Illinois to Florida to win my heart (he did :). The home was actually a duplex that was about 900 square feet.

When I officially moved in, I had to de-man (this is my word) the duplex. It had way too (Grammar Police-This too is right, right?) much sports memorabilia pinned to the walls. In our master bedroom on the ceiling (DON'T PANIC-this is a G rated story :) was a huge US Flag that eventually came down. Hubby was a bit reluctant at first at all my de-manning, but he eventually realized that he needed to part with his bachelorhood decos.

It is so funny how decorating can make a house/duplex feel like a home. That small duplex soon became a cozy home that we would begin our lives in. However, home sweet home did have some things that were not so sweet. We had a couple hundred/thousand extra visitors living with us for a very long time. A sweet family of Palmetto Bugs (a nice word)... AKA, ROACHES lived with us rent free for awhile. I remember one night I went into the kitchen and flipped on the lights, and to my dismay (lightly put) a million (probably less than one hundred) roaches scattered from my cat's food dish in search of their dark hiding place.

After many exterminator visits, and me spraying the roaches to death with my Clorox spray
we finally got rid of the roaches. The pests did not stop there... we had a bout with ants, killer bees (they were probably just regular bees, but they were vicious), and black widow/brown recluse spiders (dangerous spiders) all inside my house. I think that covers the insect world that decided to take up residency in our place. Oh, we did have a great big family of circus fleas that lived in our carpets doing tricks and nibbling at our legs for awhile, but we are probably to blame for that one since we did have cats.

One of the not so fun things about our home was the AC that really didn't work that well. In Florida a working AC is a must, or at least for me... I am spoiled when it comes to AC. I remember coming in and finding the thermostat in the high 80's... I think sometimes it was hotter in our home than outside of it, but I survived :)

I could go on and on about my first home memories, but I will end it here so this post can go out today. The last thing I will say is in that home God got a hold of my heart and helped me find my way back to Him. I remember sitting at my round kitchen table with the 70's looking chairs realizing things were going to be different, spiritually speaking. That is one of my best memories that I will take away from my first home.

PS. Spiritually speaking, things are different :)

Blessings to you all...