Know & Tell Friday (2nd posting)

Thank you to all the bloggers who participated in my first "Know & Tell" last week. Your answers to my questions were great. Feel free to copy and paste the button above in your post if you are answering the questions on your own blog. "Overwhelmed with Joy" (host of the "Pay It Forward Giveaway") created the button for me... THANKS "Overwhelmed with Joy"!!! If you do not want to do a post on your blog, remember to leave your answers in my comment section. I am still working on the Mr. Linky thing. So, with no further delay here are today's questions...

1.What scares you? Many things scare me, but I will give you a couple... Dogs scare me (ones I don't know). I always think they want to bite me, especially if they are growling, and it doesn't have to be a big dog either, a little "hot dog" can scare the pants off me. At times, darkness can scare me...it seems all my fears are magnified in the dark.
2. Coke or Pepsi (Diet counts)? My dad was a Pepsi Man (literally-he worked for Pepsi) while I was growing up, so I grew up on Pepsi products. Coke was a BAD word in our house :), but today I am a Diet Coke girl, and I think my dad has forgiven me :)
3. I would love to try... to ballroom dance, or learn a dance like the Samba or Jive...I would love to dance in high heels, but then I would end up in the ER :)
And now for a bonus question...
4. Spiritually speaking, do you have a Quiet Time? If so, where, when, and how long have you had one? If not, what is stopping you from having a Quiet time? (Quiet time is defined as time alone with God. It can consist of praying, reading God's word, and worship among many other things) Sadly, I cannot say I have a consistent QT, but I know I need to. It is more like hit or miss QT's, and I know that is part of the reason that I struggle at times in my Christian walk. This is something I have been convicted over, and I hope very soon that I can say I have a consistent QT every day.

I can't wait to see all of your answers, and remember please participate. I would love to hear from all who visit my blog. Blessings and thanks for stopping by my blog.

Thankful Thursday

Today, I am thankful for learnin (my southern side comin out) some lessons this week.
(Grammar police don't get me today, I am just jokin :)
I must give background about myself for these lessons to make sense, so stick with me if you have the time.

If you have read my blog on a regular basis you will know one of my biggest struggles with sin is in the area of fear. Well, fear is not my only major struggle... I also struggle with being quite selfish at times. I have changed so much in the area of selfishness (meaning I am not as selfish as I used to be), but it is a battle that I must fight weekly, and sometimes daily. I really get down on myself at times because when I look at others' sins (I know I am not suppose to do that), and see my sin of selfishness I feel like my sin is so much dirtier and worse than others' sins. Let me say, that I am not in the habit of comparing my sin with others, but more like I compare my sin of selfishness to a person who is selfless and gives until it hurts.
Listen, I absolutely love giving to others... more than you know, but I like to also get myself, and at times am not willing to sacrifice so others can have without me getting anything in return. I want my cake and eat it too. Already, I am getting nervous sharing all this ICKY stuff with the blog world, but I need you to know where I came from in relation to my sin of selfishness, or the lesson I learned and am sharing with you won't mean as much. Worse, what I learned may sound like I am so super spiritual.

In the past 3 years God has blessed our family in the financial realm with many miracles. My husband (me too) equates these blessings with beginning to tithe regularly and to give with a cheerful attitude. That is a whole different wonderful story to share at another time. So needless to say this year we are able to have a nice Christmas without going into any debt. We have the ability to pay everything off, and we can buy for others this year. So, I started Christmas shopping after Thanksgiving and the way I felt this year was different. I normally shop and have so much fun buying things, but this year I felt like it was not as much fun as it has been in the past. I knew we had the money, but I realized how much (especially when it comes to my kids) my family really didn't need anything. I didn't want to just buy something to buy something, and I also felt a strong urge that I needed to stay within our Christmas budget. Normally, I take the liberty and go over the budget, not a lot, but still over, and this year I felt that it would not honor God if I spent more than what my hubby and I budgeted. (Confession: I did end up going over just a little, but I think I can make it up in other areas)

Another thing that stuck with me is when my husband named several people that were close to us that didn't have the liberty to spend like we were this Christmas, or at least without having them go further into debt. I felt so sad, and blessed at the same time. My hubby and I have lived most of our married life in debt and struggling, and it is so strange to be on the other side of things (financially speaking). Sometimes I think it is a greater responsibility to have money and manage it well. (FYI:I don't want to mislead you...by no means are we in the wealthy or in the well off category, but at present the only debt we have is our house and we are working to pay that off). My hubby and I know that things can change in an instant, but we are both learning so much about how God wants us to view money. The lessons are not always easy, especially for me, but the lessons are worth learning.

-A bonus thankful thing is that my kids are saving money and have given money out of their allowances to give to children in Africa (a community of children sponsored by our Church). It is so amazing to see how their hearts are tender toward the children in need. I think this Christmas will be good for them to change their thinking about what the real meaning of Christmas is (as it has to do with thinking of others and not themselves).

So, if I didn't make it quite clear what I am thankful for today... Here it goes, I am so THANKFUL that God is working in my heart to help me see my sin of selfishness, and not just to see it, but then to take me to the next level and help me not be so selfish... this is not something that I could do on my own. I am thankful also that God is showing me how I need to handle and view money (MY HUBBY ONLY HAS ONE WORD FOR ME....BUDGET).

Sorry so wordy today, but this blog has become my journal of sorts, and I think this year marked a change in my thinking that is so beneficial to me and my growth in the Lord. Blessings to you all (the ones that made it this far :)

Make sure to come back tomorrow for "KNOW & TELL FRIDAY" (Grab the button on my sidebar)

Another (less wordy) Wordless Wednesday post

I scanned this picture... My Snake and Terminator wanted me to take pictures of them praying. Snake gave me about 10 different ways to pray, it was so precious :)

Wordless Wednesday

My friend came over to take pictures of my family on Saturday. We were using my new camera, and I have not figured out how to take out red eye yet. We had MAJOR issues that day with my oldest son, and we rushed through the pictures (I might have thought to turn off the Dining room light so you don't see my messy table). My friend said she could Photoshop the background out (Thank Goodness). I will post a little more on my photo session day with more pictures on a day that is not suppose to be Wordless :)

Time Travel Tuesday

Today's Travel takes us back to last Thursday... Thanksgiving. What did you do on Thanksgiving?

-I didn't have to cook (WOO-HOO), well except for a corn casserole. My in-laws came down and we decided together that we would order a Thanksgiving meal from a Grocery Store. I know not so traditional, but it took the pressure off me and especially my mother-in-law (she normally cooks most of the meal). The only thing we didn't realize is that we still had to bake the Turkey for about 2 hours (it was precooked, but frozen). It didn't end up being an issue because my hubby's sister was running late, and we ate dinner around 4pm instead of 1pm.
-My hubby and father in law napped and watched a little football.
-I read a little bit of a book by Mark DeMoss called, "The Little Red Book of Wisdom" inspired by the book of Proverbs (I won that book at the 5 Minutes for Mom Website).
-We ate a delicious dinner...the grocery store did not disappoint, and I didn't overeat (well at first :)
-My mother in law and I took my 3 boys and my hubby's sister's two oldest children (8 and 7, a boy and girl) to see Enchanted (a modern day Princess story). It was hilarious to see the reactions of the boys and the one girl. My niece was for all intents and purposes "Enchanted" by the film. Her face was so cute as she watched the beautiful princess fall in love with her prince. The boys on the other hand were not so "Enchanted". They loved any part of the film that had action in it, and they loved the little chipmunk, and oh they loved when someone got hurt :), but while the love story was developing on the film they were as restless as can be... My nephew was adorable as he said "Yuck (or some other word that showed disgust) every time a kissing scene would go on (the kissing scenes were not bad, really quick and not drawn out) (FYI: In case you are thinking of taking your kids to see the movie...there was a shower scene that was a little bit iffy for kids, but overall I felt the movie was Great.) I was "Enchanted", and I want to be a modern day Princess, but I don't want to sew all my pretty dresses :)
-We came home and got all the kiddies in bed, and went to sleep ourselves.
-Oops, I forgot my hubby got me a MP3 (late b-day present) online once the sales started (11pm our time). I have it now, but still haven't figured out how it works.

Blessings to all of you!!!

Come back on Friday for my second edition/post of my new meme, "KNOW AND TELL FRIDAY"

In "other" Words

"One reason we are so harried and hurried is that we make yesterday and tomorrow our business, when all that legitimately concerns us is today. If we really have too much to do, there are some items on the agenda which God did not put there. Let us submit the list to Him and ask Him to indicate which items we must delete. There is always time to do the will of God. If we are too busy to do that, we are too busy."

~ Elisabeth Elliott ~

Today's "IOW" is hosted by "To Motherhood and Beyond" and I so love the quote. I know of Elisabeth Elliott and know a little bit of information about her life, but I don't believe I have had the pleasure of reading one of her books yet.

Today, will be different in the fact that I don't have much to say about the quote (I know totally shocked), but I so need to take the advice that Elisabeth is offering. One of my problems is that I don't live in the "NOW"... I am either thinking and living my life out in the "future", or am mulling (is that spelled right?) over the mistakes I have made in my "yesterdays". I have told many people that I feel like I don't get to "live in the moment" and enjoy what each moment offers, but I feel like I am an actress (not being fake) in my life and am going through the motions of life rather than living life to the fullest.

As many of you know I have recently taken a job, and my life went from one extreme to the other in a very short time span. Now my life feels like it is so full that I don't have time to breathe. The quote above comes at just the right time, because I have been thinking that what Elisabeth tells us to do (take our list to God) is what I need to do in my life. I don't want to waste anymore of my life NOT living for God, I wasted over 20 years, and as humans we just don't have time to waste. So today, I leave you with no wisdom offered, not that I espouse any wisdom here on my blog anyway :), but that I need to seek my God to let Him show me how to fill my days. Blessings to you all!!!

"Know & Tell Friday" (First Edition of MEME)

Hello All!!! This is the 1st week of my new MEME. I am still working on the button, and hopefully getting the Mr. Linky thing. Please participate anyway!!!

I will start simple today and ask 3 questions. You may leave your answers in my comment section, or leave a comment directing me and others to your site to see your answers. Remember this MEME is to help all of us in blogville get to know each other better. Today's questions should be pretty easy for everyone to answer. As we progress I will throw some thought provoking questions out there...

Question 1
1. What makes you crazy? When I clean a room and then someone comes right in and makes it dirty (normally my kiddies)
2. Best brand of jeans? I don't necessarily have a favorite brand, but I have recently come across some perfect fit jeans at Lane Bryant. I have a smaller waist, but am much bigger in the old hips and thighs. These jeans fit my waist and give me the room I need in the other areas. Oh, I must add I have to have boot cut jeans. I wish they made a version of perfect fit jeans in every store :)
3. What do you do on rainy days? I normally get depressed on rainy days because everything seems so gloomy... If I can sneak a nap in, I will do that too...

The answers in red are mine (I am sure you figured that out already :) OK, so there it is... my first round of questions. I think they are pretty easy and non-intimidating. I can't wait to see your answers. PLEASE PARTICIPATE, and hopefully I will get the link button up soon.

Blessings to you all!!!

Thankful Thursday

Well, how appropriate today to be thankful on Thanksgiving!!! I will keep it simple today (I know it hard to believe that I could do that... I am just so wordy... :)

-I am thankful for my relationship with Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross. (I have been hearing a lot about that lately, and it is good to be reminded of the price He paid for me).
-I am thankful for my hubby and 3 boys!!!
-I am thankful that I get to spend Thanksgiving with my in laws (that are about the sweetest in laws out there), and my hubby's sister and hubby and their 4 kids... my 3 plus her 4 = 7 kiddies. (5 of them are boys) will make for a lively household this weekend.
-I am thankful for my sweet family back in Florida that will get together without me once again this year, although I will miss them so, I am glad they have each other to be with on Thanksgiving :)


Well, I said simple, so I will keep it simple... Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!!!

PS... I am starting a new MEME this Friday (I am working on getting a button link, and the Mister Linky thing, but don't have it yet), please stop back by on Friday for the first "Know & Tell Friday" (you can read the post below this one about the MEME to find out what it is about). Blessings!!!

Wordless Wednesday (Posted Tuesday)

Daddy's Little Girl, even at 37... Yes, that is a shower door you see in the background... if you know my daddy you wouldn't be surprised (it's an inside family thing...don't try to understand it , just smile :)

In "Other" words

"The purpose of Christianity is not to avoid difficulty, but to produce a character adequate to meet it when it comes. It does not make life easy; rather it tries to make us great enough for life."

~ James L. Christensen ~

Simple Christian Living is today's host for "IOW", and her post is definitely worth reading. She has a lot of wisdom and insight packed into her post!!!

So,what is my take on the above quote? Well, first of all, life is not easy (that is nothing new to us all). We live in a broken world, and are faced with that brokenness everyday. We live in a sinful world that desires to overtake us everyday as well. I am a person that has and will try at times to avoid difficulty at all cost. I am frightfully fearful of difficulty, among many other things. In my own mind, I have tricked myself into thinking I can avoid the difficult circumstances of life, but have quickly realized... I am not in control of anything!!!

You know what is funny??? I spent my life trying to avoid difficulty, only to find out that difficulty has been a friend to me, spiritually speaking... Perspective casts its bright light on past situations that have been hard for me, and I see something so cool...what is it? Spiritual Growth!!! I just don't seem to grow very much in the happy times, as a matter of fact, I have been known to stray from God during the good times. I am not saying that in all the good times of my life I pull away from God, but sadly I have more than I wanted to. In my opinion, God wants us to live the joyfully abundant life, not just a difficult life.

However, in my life,there is something about the difficulty of life that draws me to God...probably the fact that I know how desperate I am of His presence or I will literally break down ( I have had that very thought many times). One thing I am learning is that I try to survive and get through the difficult times in my own strength, but that God doesn't want me to do anything in my own strength. I need Him to work through me to survive and thrive in the difficult situations of life. I say I am learning this because it has not yet fully worked itself into my belief system, but I want it to.

I love participating in these MEME's, but I admit I am so new to learning the ways of our God that I could totally be off base. I have a love to share what I learn, but also need to live what I learn as well. I hope that you will be encouraged today in the Lord, and make sure to click on the "IOW" button so you can be directed to the host site, and visit many other wonderful bloggers out there in the blogosphere.

Make sure to stop back by this Friday, as I am launching a new Meme of my own... It is called, "Know & Tell Friday" and I hope it becomes a point of fun fellowship for you all.

Blessings to you!!!

I am starting my own MEME...NEED YOUR HELP!!!

Well, I decided to start my own MEME. since I so enjoy several of them each week ("Time Travel Tuesday" and "Thankful Thursday" especially). The only thing is if you all (my readers) don't participate in my weekly MEME, it will kind of fail. I don't really want to be the only one answering my questions. I know I have about 10 people that visit pretty regularly, and out of those 10 probably about 6 comment regularly. I would love for everyone who visits to take part in the weekly MEME (if you don't know what MEME means...look it up as it refers to blogging). I think this MEME will help us get to know each other a little better.

Do you remember, or are familiar with a "Slam Book" (that is what I know it to be called)? I remember filling out the "Slam Books" in middle school. The "SB" consisted of a lot random questions like; favorite pet, biggest crush, favorite color....things like that. When you filled out the "SB" you would pick a number and then answer all the questions in the book using that number so everyone would see your answers to the questions. Well, I am using the idea of the "SB" to start my own "MEME".

Recently, I purchased a book titled, "Coke or Pepsi" that lists hundreds of great questions. The questions are somewhat simple, but oh the stories you can draw from someone answering a simple question. This past Wednesday, I asked my Adult Small Group (my hubby and I lead a Small Group at our Church) several of these simple questions, and the conversations were wonderful, so wonderful that our Small Group wanted to skip our marriage DVD that night and continue answering questions. The strange thing is that in the midst of asking these questions you can really hear some deep answers and very revealing things shared by the ones answering the questions. I hope that is what happens here on my weekly "MEME", that you all will answer the questions and by answering the questions we call get to know each other better.
I also hope the regulars that visit my site only on "Thankful Thursday" will take part in the "MEME" too.

OK, the "MEME" (are you tired of seeing that word yet?) will be posted every Friday, and it will be called "KNOW & TELL FRIDAY" (like Show & Tell... the Know is a reference to my blog title...I am sure you figured that out). The goal of "Know & Tell Friday" will be to get to KNOW everyone better. Remember, if you don't comment, the "MEME" will eventually have no purpose, but I so hope you do.

Maybe, I will get blog savvy and figure out how to have the "Mr. Linky" thing, and maybe even create a cute graphic button for "Know & Tell Friday". My first official "Know & Tell" will happen next Friday. Please come back to visit next Friday. I promise the questions will be fun, thought provoking, revealing, and maybe even deep :)

Blessings and have a good weekend.

PS... If anyone knows how to create a button for me, please let me know...

"I Am" Online Bible Study

1. How current is your God? Is he up to date on all your issues or do you have old hurts you still hold behind your back? He is very current in my life and issues... I don't always cooperate with Him, and at times hold up the work that He is trying to do in my life.

2. Has the enemy ever told you there are situations that are 'old news' that are better left stuffed down? Or perhaps because they were so long ago they can't possibly be affecting you now? I don't really think that has been how the enemy has worked on me in my life...normally, I go to the other extreme and obsess about my issues until I am ready to explode in my mind...

3. In the matter of established authority, does God truly reign in your life? Where are you when He calls your name? I would like to say yes, wholeheartedly, but I know there are still some things I am trying to hold onto and control.

4. Do you ever feel God has forgotten you in your 'west side of the wilderness'? Not really, but I definitely feel distance from God at times, and long for his presence to be so close to me that I can literally feel it in my Spirit...

5. Have you ever experienced a time of cleansing where God has illuminated and rejuvenated you? If not, do you find you are in need of this now? I would say definitely yes, but I think I may be due for another cleansing and rejuvenation :)

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for all the lessons I have learned in my 37 years. Click on this link or just look below this post to see my "Thursday Thirteen" list for today's "Thankful Thursday". Blessings all!!!

Thursday Thirteen (Birthday Edition)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


View More Thursday Thirteen Participants


OK, today's Thirteen (actually posted on a Wed) is about the "13 Lessons I have Learned in my 37 Years" (Most of these lessons/thoughts were not formed by me, but through life experience I have found them to be true)

1. If you were born in a decade (like 60, 70, 80, etc) and have a birthday at the end of the year you may be prone to aging yourself before your time. In my 30's I have found this to be so true... Every year (many times) when someone asked me my age, I would end up telling them that I was a year older... let me explain...IE: 2005- Well in 2005, I knew that I would be 35, but I didn't actually turn 35 until the end of the year, but every time I would here the "05" part, I would just assume I was 35. I hope that made sense...it is kind of hard to explain in writing. I have a hunch that I won't have this problem of aging myself when it comes to my 40th :)
2. I can do things that I never thought I could do!!! I said I would never move from the town I was born in, and at the age of 33 I moved 22 hours from my home town. The Bible had this precious truth in it all along... "I can do everything through Him (JESUS) who gives me strength". I guess it just took 30 years to believe that truth.
3. Being a parent is not an easy job (I don't think any explanation is due for this statement :)
4. Marriage is hard work (again, no explanation...I know those of you who are married know this to be true as well :)
5. Having a child with Autism has been one of the best things that ever happened to me. I say that because God used my Moose as one way to help me face my anger, pride, and judgemental critical spirit of others. I could write a whole different 13 list on this subject!!!
6. A leopard can change her spots, if she lets her God help her to... I know that I have in the past, and can in the present/future leave off that last part of my statement. I often try to take credit for the changes that I have made in my life, but when I am truly operating in the Spirit I know God is the only one who gets credit for changing me. I tell others I truly don't recognize myself at times...
7. Women can truly be set free from jealousy in relationships with their friends. I often say we as women are so hard on each other, and we cause each other a lot of extra strife (putting it nicely). I have learned that when I am jealous of another friend, whether it is about what they have, or how they look, or how many other friends they have or like better than me.... it really is my problem. I have learned through many circumstances, that I can take my jealousy and give it to God, and then actually be happy for that person. All of this progress has come through God changing my heart, and Him using a good Fwend to help me see this truth. Girls on this one, a lot of freedom is at stake!!
8. God can bring you a friendship that exceeds any expectation you could have imagined (FWEND) :)
9. God can save a marriage that was headed for divorce (MINE).
10. I can be a submissive wife with God's help, and I am happy with that role (this one is hard to do at times).
11. Husbands can change if they let God have the number one position in their hearts. (I saw this happen before my eyes, and it is beautiful).
12. WORK IN PROGRESS....You, well I need to personalize this one... I can stick to a budget :)
13. You can love someone in Christ that you have never met... An example is Beth Moore. God has used this woman to speak so much truth into my life, and help me to change to be more like Him, and I have never met her. Her study on Paul was my first introduction to her Bible Studies, and God used that study to set my life on a different course. I could write a book on this one, but I will stop. I love her and her whole family, and I don't even know them. That is the connection we can have through our loving God. (I have a hunch others may feel the same way).

Well, I hope you enjoyed today's 13...no profound wisdom, but oh what a journey I have had learning some of these lessons. Blessings to you today!!!


Again, I don't really know much about the "TT" links above, but click on them if you would like to. Goofy Girl designed the header...

Pay It Forward Exchange

Well, November's "Pay It Forward Book Exchange" is going on at "Overwhelmed with Joy" again. I am giving away a book this month too as part of the "PIF". I won this book in the "PIF" exchange and finally finished reading it. The book is "The Elevator" by Angela Hunt (think hurricane and 3 women with secrets caught in an elevator)... The book was interesting...

If you would like to win this month's book, just leave your name and a way I can contact you if you win. Make sure to stop by "Overwhelmed with Joy" as well for other "PIF" giveaways. I posted the rules of the exchange below... You have until the end of November to enter my giveaway. Blessings!!!

Here are the guidelines for my "Pay It Forward Book Exchange" (Overwhelmed with Joy's)t Forward Book Exchange.

Most all of us love to read and get “new-to-us” books, right? And if you’re anything like me, you love winning things (what a rush), not to mention getting fun stuff in the mail! So here’s what this book exchange is all about:

1) On the first Monday of each month I'll pick a couple of books to give away to two lucky readers (you don’t have to have a blog to enter). It may be a book that I’ve purchased new or used, or it may be a book that someone has shared with me that I really like. It’ll probably be a paperback, just to make things easier, but no guarantees.

2) Details on how you can enter to win will be listed in each monthly post.

3) If you’re the lucky winner of the book giveaway and you have your own blog I ask that you in turn host your own "PIF" exchange to give that same book away, after you’ve had a chance to read it (let’s say, within a month after you’ve received the book). If you mail the book out using the media/book rate that the post office offers it’s pretty inexpensive. If you're a non-blogger who has won the book, please consider donating the book to your local library or shelter after you're done with it.

4) If you’re really motivated and want to host your own "Pay It Forward" giveaway at any time this month, feel free to grab the button above to use on your own blog. Just let me know so I can publish a post on my blog plugging your giveaway and directing my readers your way!

So there you have it, my "Pay It Forward Book Exchange", designed to encourage people to read, to share good books, to possibly get you out of your reading comfort zone, and to get fun stuff in the mail instead of just bills!

I will announce the winners on December 1st... Blessings to you!!!

Wordless Wednesday

(Winter Time -a snow drift in a school parking lot)
(Me at a Casting Crowns concert... earplugs and all)
(Me in Florida at the Beach...sadly all the dead smelling junk decided to surface the week that we visited :(


(Easter 2007)
I am not trying to be vain by only posting pictures of myself on this post, but my birthday is tomorrow, and I am going to do a couple of posts about what I learned in my 37 years... Yes, I admitted my age, and sorry about the words on this Wordless Wednesday (actually posted on a Tuesday:) These pictures are all from 2007...I wish I had some better ones to post :)

Who do you want at your table?

I so hunted for way too long to find a picture of a beautifully set table for this post. I actually did find a great picture, but could not for the life of me get it to post here. I don't really know how the whole Internet thing works, so I was nervous about copying and pasting a picture I found on the net (royalties and things like that). Anyway, imagine a beautifully set table here on this post... One with your favorites dishes, decorations, and of course your favorite foods. Do you see it? OK, we can go further...

This post was inspired by my pastor's message from this past Sunday. It was a moving and thought provoking message. My pastor actually got the idea for his message from another pastor. Our church is doing a series on Heaven, and on Sunday, on the stage was a table that had been set, and it had room for about six guests (I think). The pastor asked us to imagine that this table was our table, and asked us who would we like to have sitting at our table in Heaven. He of course was not claiming that this was exactly how it would be in Heaven, but just wanted us to think of who we would like to talk to, or reunite with once we were in Heaven.

Our pastor's message was very moving as he shared with us the people he would like to have sitting at his table. One of the spots was for King David...cool :) Our pastor had a highchair at his table for a relative that had passed away at birth. He even had a dog bowl at his table (which I am guessing was really there to bring up the question...are their pets in Heaven?). His last place at the table was reserved for us (his congregation), because he let us know that he wants to see us all in Heaven one day.

So, I thought it would be neat to have you (my readers and friends) let me know the five or six people you would want to sit at your table in Heaven (again, this is a hypothetical, what if scenario... used to spark a neat conversation). I just don't know if we will have individual tables in Heaven... I would like to think it is one big table that goes on and on :)

You can post your answers in my comment section (list people and give why if you have time), or post answers on your blog, and let me know that you did so I can visit your site.

Have fun with this question, and I will post my answers soon.

Giveaway

Angela at mommy bytes is giving away six HP Photo Books.

I have never seen an HP Photo Book, but I would sure like to win one. If I won, I think I will possibly give it to my dad with pictures of my family. My family doesn't live in the same state as my dad, so I know this would be a special gift for him. Click on the link above to enter the contest yourself...you have until November 15th.

Thanks mommy bytes.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer

Which snack do you like to get when you go to the movies? I had to do today's feast once I read this question... I am a movie buff!! Well, you gotta have popcorn if you go to the movies, so I have popcorn and a Diet Coke on the first trip to the concession stand. If I venture out to the concession stand again, I normally get some form of chocolate. If I don't get chocolate, I buy Twizzlers (is that how you spell it?).

Soup
What year did you start using the internet? In the early 90's.

Salad
What is your first name in Pig Latin? (Here’s how to speak it if you don’t already know!) Well, I don't use my real name, so I will use my blog name... Ota (pronounced O-tay).. I think that is right.

Main Course
Name something you are picky about. When I clean my house I am picky about the way it is cleaned. Obsessive is more like it :)

Dessert
Fill in the blanks: I ____ ____ yesterday and I ____ ____ today. I don't have time to think about this one yet, so feel free to leave a comment with your answer and it might help me form one of my own.

If you want to do a feast of your own go to this website.... www.fridaysfeast.com
Blessings to you today and have a wonderful weekend!!!

"I Am" online study

Discussion Questions:

1. Have you ever found yourself 'in faith' yet bewildered or demoralized? A lot of the time... I have "faith" in my head, but it takes such a long time to work itself down to my heart, or better worded, my belief system.

2. Do you consider yourself content? Would you describe it as Decidedly Content or Dreamily Content? Hmm, that is a hard question... I would say at this point, any contentment has to be Decidedly Content rather than Dreamily Content. I am not content with my relationship with God, because I know it can be so much more... I feel I am the one standing in the way of going deeper with God. I am holding on to things I just need to surrender to God... I know better (in my head), but yet I still hold back. I am in the process of figuring this one out.

3. If you are not content, are there circumstances that keep you from this feeling? Well, I kind of answered that question above.. I think the circumstances are ME, ME, and ME.

4. Have you ever found yourself in a place where you looked back on a period of your Christian walk and believed a great opportunity passed you by? Oh yes, many times...

5. Do you ever believe your faith was stronger in an earlier time in your Christianity and find yourself floundering now? My faith is probably at this point the strongest it has ever been, but I know I need to go deeper...

6. Can you recognize that this season may be one of great preparation instead of a period of "I Was"? I feel like maybe God is using this question to speak to me. It struck me in a good way when I read it... The answer to this question just might be yes.

Feel free to check out the "I Am" online study for yourself...just click on the button.

Thursday Thirteen

13 things about my hubby (all positive)

1. He helps me clean the house (which he does a lot lately).
2. He helps me clean the house (I had to say it again, because I so appreciate it-there are two rooms in my house that are ones he cleans all the time-He is the dusting King)
3. He (no, I am not going to say clean the house again :) doesn't complain the many times I have not been able to/or purposely not cooked dinner (which is totally my responsibility)
OK, this positive list of my husband is making me look pretty negative :)...
4. He is totally goofy at times and makes me laugh a lot :)
5.He is competitive when we play games (this seems like a bad thing, but I am super competitive, and I think if he was passive I wouldn't have as much fun winning, or trying to win a game) He wins games about 80% of the time :(
6. He loves his 3 boys, and tells them he does everyday.
7. He is "Superman" when it comes to long road trips. I can sleep 90% of the time, and he still gets us to our location, even though I know he is tired. (FYI: I am horrible driving long distances.. I can only drive in town and where I know where I am going. I also think I have some kind of Syndrome (not yet diagnosed) that makes me fall asleep when driving on long road trips :) Really, I can fall asleep 20 minutes into the trip at 8am.
8. He doesn't really like sweets, so we do not have to keep them in the house. This helps me tremendously.
9. Even though he loves me above all else in the world, his first love and obedience is to our God.
10. He is really good with budgeting.
11. He is one of the hardest working men that I know.
12. He is honest, even when the truth is not always easy to hear or to tell me.
13. He is the spiritual leader of our household (this journey was a long one, but things are as they should be now with this role).

Hope you enjoyed today's Thursday Thirteen!!! Honey, hope you did too.

Below are some codes for the "TT", but I do not know much about the sites. I just like the idea of the "TT". Goofy Girl Designs did the header.


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Thankful Thursday

Today's "TT" will be a little short compared to what I normally write :)

-First, I am thankful that we made it home safely from Florida. I hate to fly, and the flights were pretty smooth. I am thankful for the extra leg room on the plane home. We (hubby too) sat in the Exit row (which is a little scary, because I would have had to help everyone get off the plane in the event of a crash :)
-On that same note, I am thankful that Oma and Opa survived the weekend with my 3 rowdy boys. Oma and Opa actually took them out to eat at a sit down restaurant...now that's brave.
-I am thankful that I got to spend some time with my mom, dad, and sisters while in Florida. It was very short, but every minute counts to me now that I live so far away.
-I am thankful for my hubby too...read the "Thursday Thirteen" post and you will see some reason why...

Blessings to you today on Thankful Thursday!!!

Wordless Wednesday

The two sides of every man or woman. Poor Terminator's eye... it looks messed up.... This picture is from this year.

In "other" Words

This week's quote is:

"In our lives the darkest times, the days that are bleak and black, add depth to every other experience. Like the dark bits of color in a mosaic, they add the contrast and shadows that give beauty to the whole, but they are just a small part of the big picture."

~ Amy Grant~
Mosaic: Pieces of My Life so Far

Another deep quote today, but I will just say something short and simple (I just returned from Florida and am not back to normal yet:) and suggest to you to visit the other blog's that are participating in today's MEME. "Extravagant Grace" is hosting today's IOW...click on the button above and it will bring you to CWO's blog, and then from there you can click on the link to get to the "Extravagant Grace" blog. I enjoyed "EG's" take on the quote.

When I look back at my life, I don't always see that it has been marked by the "dark times"... I think that is because I define the "dark times" of one's life as the most tragic circumstances that exist on earth. I have a good friend that reminds me that "dark times" don't have to only be the times of tragedies... Struggling with a sin can be a dark time... The more my life goes on I see that my Fwend is right.

Like Amy's quote the "dark bits" help to make the whole Mosaic beautiful. The funny thing is that I don't appreciate the "dark bits" while I am experiencing them ( I'd rather not use the dark bits to complete my Mosaic, if you know what I mean)... It is only when I look back, and look at the whole "Mosaic" of my life that I see what beauty and strength have been brought to my life through the "dark bits/times"...

My goal is that I will be able to appreciate the "dark times" while I am in them... I think there is something so beautiful when I look at someone who is in their darkest hour, and all I see is the light of Jesus in them. That is beauty!!!

Well, gotta go shape some young minds (I am a teacher :) Don't worry I will not teach them the word, gotta...

Blessings to you...

Friday's Feast

I have not done a FF in awhile, so I thought I would do one today...


Appetizer

Name a great website you would recommend to others. lifetoday.org This is James and Betty Robison's website of their Ministry. They are two of the sweetest people, and they love God with a fierce love.

Soup
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 as highest), how often do you dream at night? Probably about a 6, maybe a 7...maybe, I dream every night and I just don't remember it...

Salad
Did you have a pet as a child? If so, what kind and what was its name? All kinds of pets... dogs-Gomer and Lady, cats-Bandit and Spooky, duck-duck (I don't remember if we named it), ferrets, hamsters- Bandit ate the head off of my brother's hamster... I found the decapitated hamster while I was sitting at the Dining Room table. I thought it was a piece of meat...well, it was kind of a piece of meat :)

Main Course
If you had the chance to star in a commercial, what would you choose to advertise? Chocolate... I would not have to pretend that I like chocolate :)

Dessert
What is your favorite kind of hard candy? Cinnamon Discs, but they have to be a certain kind of Cinnamon Discs (the one that has stripes on the paper-I don't know the maker of the candy off the top of my head, but on Halloween I had a Cinnamon Disc, and it was horrible)

Enjoy, and feel free to leave your Feast in my comment section, or visit the Friday Feast site for yourself...