Know & Tell Friday

Another Friday, and my brain is struggling to pop out some questions. I may rely heavily on my books today (I found my "Coke & Pepsi" book...the one that inspired me to do this meme). For those of you who normally participate in this meme, please make sure to read my post "The Angels Threw a Party" if you get the chance. We had an exciting event occur this week. For the newcomers to this meme, if you have never participated before let this week be your first week.
I just wanted to let you all know that when I answer the questions each week my answers are based on my experiences. I hope that when I answer the "tough" questions or the "spiritual" ones that you all know that I don't have all the answers, and I hope that my answers never come across like I have all spiritual knowledge. I speak from what I know, but I have learned that sometimes the things I think I know now, I realize later that I didn't have a clue. If you ever have any questions for me (about the questions or my answers) my bloggy is always open to you. I find it a privilege that you all participate weekly. Thank you!!!

Question 1 (I couldn't get the bold off :)
I can't bear the sound of_________. My children whining... there is something about the tone of their whines :)
Question 2
I would love to time-travel back to_________. I would love to travel back to biblical times (from Genesis through the Gospels). I would love to see with my own eyes the wonderful things that are described in the Bible.
Question 3
Shop alone, shop with mom, or shop with friends? My favorite way to shop is alone, although I would not mind shopping with my mom or friends. When I shop, I am a woman with a mission, and it is easier to complete my mission when I am by myself :)
Question 4
Worst movie ever? I hate to admit that I even went to view this movie, but it was a long time ago. Natural Born Killers (I think it had Woody H. in it). It was so full of swearing and killing that if I remember correctly I left the theater (my hubby might have gone with me too). Honey, did we go and leave together? Leave a comment...
Question 5 (More of a poll)
Have you ever had your heart broken (by the opposite sex...not by a family member, or close friend) YES, severely :(, but everything worked out in the end... I think it always does :)

Bonus Questions
Question 6
In what area of your life have you felt the most judged (by others or even self condemnation)? I have to think about this one a little more...
Question 7
(relates to number 6) Are you now free from that judgment, and how did you get free if you are? I can't really answer this one, until I answer the one above.
Question 8 (written by Dan Whitney)
What is one new way you could be a blessing to your pastor (or other ministers) this year? There are probably many practical ways I could be a blessing, but I think one of the best ways I could bless my pastor is to pray for him. I really do need to do that...

Blessings to all today, and next week I will be back on my "A" game with the questions :)

I just love James and Betty...

Life Today is one of my favorite programs, and the hosts James and Betty Robison are the "Real Deal"... I am posting a link here... It is the testimony of Brain Head Welch (former band member of Korn). I have heard his testimony before, and it is AMAZING!!! Oh, to love Jesus the way he does... His testimony challenges me in a good way. The clip is about 10 minutes long...Watch and then let me know your thoughts... Blessings, Kim

Here is the link..

Once you are directed to the webcast page, choose the testimony of Brian "Head" Welch.

Thankful Thursday

Today I will post only one thing (not because there is not more, but because this one thing is absolutely wonderful). My nine year old accepted Christ into his heart two days ago. Click here to read the post about his (really our family) experience (or just go down a few posts..."The Angels Threw a Party"). Blessings!!!

Wordless Wednesday...

Rock Star Wannabe...my hubby!!!

The Angels Threw a Party...

Luke 15:10 (NIV)
In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

In the message the last part of this verse says... Count on it—that's the kind of party God's angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God."

Our little (or not so little-he weighs 93 pounds :) Moose asked Jesus into his heart last night with his father and me leading the prayer. Moose turns 9 on Wednesday and this is absolutely the best present Moose could receive. Hey, it is one of the best presents we (me and hubby) will ever receive (in the future the salvation on Snake and Terminator too!!! :).

As many of my readers know our Moose has Autism, and as a mom I have worried at times about how he will understand Jesus' offer of salvation to him. I know that Moose understands so much more than he can actually communicate to us (hubby too). My hubby and I have had many spiritual conversations with Moose, but have felt he just wasn't ready to accept Jesus in his heart for a lack of understanding. You see one day Moose may blow us away with a spiritual truth, and in his next breath he is talking about space rockets and other make-believe stories.

Over the last couple of years I have felt that I would rather have my children wait to ask Jesus in their hearts until they really understood what they were doing (at least at their best understanding). I asked Jesus into my heart at nine, and thinking back now I think one of the main reasons I did was so I would go to Heaven and not Hell (fear based). I do believe that I loved Jesus in some way, but looking back with perspective now, my young Christian life was more like that of the Pharisees... Seeking praise, judging, and criticising. I think I missed Grace and Jesus' love for me. I don't think I ever really saw myself as a sinner in need of God's
forgiveness. It was in my early 20's that I finally got it, and I surrendered my life to Jesus again. I can't say for sure I did not have a true decision at 9...only God knows the answer to that question, but I feel like I really became a Christ follower in my 20's.

In saying all of that, I just want my children to not have to go through all of the "playing the role" of a Christian, and then truly understand God's gift in their 20's. Of course, I know there are not any guarantees my children will not walk the same road I did, but at least they have a mom who was there, and I will have some lessons to share with them if they do choose that road.

My prayer is that when my children are ready to accept Christ I will know it because the Spirit will let me (and hubby) know that the time is right. I pray that my children fall so in love with Jesus that nothing can compare to Him in their eyes. I pray their love for Jesus even exceeds my love for Him :)

To end the story, I will say that the last couple of nights Moose was asking my hubby a lot of spiritual questions, so when my hubby came and told me that Moose has been quizzing him with questions last night for fifteen minutes I felt a stirring in my soul. My hubby told me that he talked about Hell with Moose, and I was like, "Oh my"... It was not too much longer that Moose came in the living room with tears in his eyes and said something like "I am sinner?"... He just wanted to know how to go to Heaven. He kept saying things like "Jesus I love you". Moose just would not settle, so I felt in my Spirit that it may be the time for him to accept Jesus (I did not want to quench the Holy Spirit if He was wanting to do a work in Moose). I looked at my husband and he agreed. We asked Moose if he wanted to ask Jesus in his heart, and he said a resounding "yes".

We got down on our knees and his dad and I walked Moose through confession and repentance, and finally asking Jesus to come reside in his heart. I really feel like I saw an immediate peace wash over Moose. He wondered how his heart would actually have room for Jesus to live in it (that will be something he will learn in time). My husband and I rejoiced with Him, and we are committed to keep teaching Moose more and more about what his decision means. God knows Moose's heart, and He knows what Moose can understand. I have to let go of control and let God do the work He wants to do in my children's lives... God will never lead them astray!!!

So please, rejoice with me as we celebrate another (little) brother coming to Christ!!! As Moose said this morning when he woke up (several times)... "I have Jesus in my Heart"... Yes, you do Moosey, yes you do!!!

The Long Awaited Euchre Post (that only about 3 people will get)

The Men's team making fun of mine and JW's high five ritual we would do when we won the hand... Overall, we won the game :)

Look at my hubby... he felt bad that night... He does not look like a happy camper...
Our opponents (logic VS. emotions, wasn't that our theme?)
JW
Well Fwend, KK , and JW... Here are the pictures of our fun late night. I thought I took more pictures than this, but hopefully these few pictures will bring back some happy memories, and you will feel like a "baby in a papoose" :)

Happy Birthday Christina!!! (written the night before your b/day)

(If you are looking for the "Know & Tell" meme...go down one post :)

(Fwend, you know what is so cool about this picture? We have gone down a size or two from these jeans... By the way, my Fwend and I bought the same pair of jeans from two different states... isn't that cool?)

This is my second birthday post to my Fwend (see video post below). I have to make up for actually forgetting that today (Friday) is her birthday. I knew her birthday was the 22nd, but I have still not adjusted to be a working woman, and all of my days seem to run together. So, I think she deserves two special posts on her 34th Birthday.

Fwend, the list below is loaded with things you already know (at least 99.9 %) because I tell you these things. However, I hope that you see something in my list that you did not already know. Happy Birthday!!!

34 Things I Adore About My Fwend...

1. She roots for the Underdog.
2. She is wise, but she does not think so.
3. She is smart, but does not think so either.
4. She can beat me at Scrabble (probably about 100% of the time)...it gives me a goal to shoot for, maybe one day I can win a game of Scrabble :) This point goes with point 3...she is smart.
5. She wore a T-shirt for me at a conference :)
6. She has mad (this is a good term) driving skills... If I am in a big city, I want to drive with her (with my eyes closed).
7. She LOVES God's Word. She is ravenous about it!!!
8. She loves deep conversations.
9. She welcomes hardships and trials because she knows they will bring her closer to God.
10. She has mad (again, good word. Trying to sound hip) cooking skills.
11. She has freedom in worship to our Jesus!!!
12. She is an alien (Hebrews 11:13 (NIV) All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.
13. She gets me, and sometimes that is amazing...
14. She is an awesome mom, although she doesn't always see that either :)
15. She is the "Excellent Wife".
16. She will do something out of the blue that is so unexpected, which normally ends in me laughing my head off.
17. She has a strong Faith... One of the strongest I have seen.
18. She is not afraid to tell me the truth, even when it means that I am in sin. She always does it in love.
19. She is a goofball!!!
20. She is one of the most mature people I know.
21. She sends me awesome emails that could be made into a book.
22. She challenges me to be a better Christian, wife, mother, and friend. (She truly is that "Iron sharpening Iron" to me.
23. She knows the difference between to, too, and two, and when to use them correctly in a sentence (Grammar Police).
24. She will fly up to see me, and then drive 12 hours with me to go to a Christian woman's conference.
25. She shares many of my same struggles... I am not thankful that she struggles, but she understands the depth of some of my struggles.
26. On the other hand, there are some struggles that I have that she does not have, but she always finds a way to help me through them.
27. I can tell her ANYTHING (I think I have told her everything :)
28. She is Paul, Frodo, and Fwend to me, and each of these have a special meaning to us.
29. She is a great friend!!! The girl has 3 best friends!!!
30. She will look at the beam in her own eye first...
31. She is my favorite book reading partner...We have had so many conversations in which we read sections of books over the phone... if we added it all up, we may have read a whole book together.
32. She has 3 boys (me too...I know I used that too right :)
33. She has one of the best marriages that I know.
34. She absolutely adores and loves with a radical passion our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!!

AGAPE GIRL!!! Hope your day and 2008 is beyond what you can even imagine!!!

Know & Tell Friday (posted early again...maybe I should do this meme on Thursday :)

I am so happy that this meme is finding its place in bloggyville. Thank you to all the women that participate (I don't think I have had any men answer questions yet) weekly, and to all the new women who join in weekly. I really have been encouraged by your answers each week. I hope to get the "Mr. Linky" thing (sorry, I am technically challenged still when it comes to the blog) going, and that would make it easier to link up to each other. For now, please keep leaving a comment that directs others to your blog to see your answers. (For some of the questions, I am still using Poole's book)

Sidenote... If you have not read the post on the new movie I just watched...go down a few posts (Christian Romance one) and view the trailer to the movie I just loved.

Question 1
1. Do you read or study best in silence or in a place with background noise? Why? Generally speaking, I read or study with background noise the best. I think that is because I grew up in a noisy home, and it just stuck.
2. If you were to write a book about your life, what would it be called? Former Pharisee (A different kind of testimony). This title popped into my head years ago... I think the title of my book will change from year to year as I grow in the Lord.
3. (This question is a deep one...I know it should be a bonus, but I already have a few bonus questions chosen for this week) Why do you think divorce is so prevalent? Ouch, I have written about this several times on my blog, but if it had not been for God I would have been divorced (I really do believe that). So, I will answer from my own experience of why I might have been divorced... For me I think the biggest thing was that I was totally focused in on all the things my husband needed to change, or do for me. Everything that went wrong was his fault in my opinion. It was not until God got a hold of me, and showed me that I was the one that needed to change. I needed to take my focus off of my hubby, and focus in on me. When I truly did that I was overwhelmed at how much I needed to change, and I began to see that I was just as responsible for the problems in our marriage, as my hubby was... You cannot change another person... You can only change (with God's intervention) yourself. It was amazing how my changing helped encourage my husband to change too. God gets all the praise for saving this marriage!!!
4. What's the best way to resist peer pressure? Again, I think in my case I can only resist the pressure of my peers if God is in control of my life. For so long (and still at times) I cared more about what people thought of me, than what God did. I would have never admitted that, but the way I was living was telling a different story. When I am encircled with God's love and presence, I care less about what people think and can resist that pressure... if I am disconnected from God I will easily give into that pressure. It is a constant battle.
5. What is the most serious illness or injury you ever faced? I have not really been seriously ill. When I was having my babies my blood pressure was very high, and things if not controlled could have gotten out of hand. When I was little I almost died from choking on a lifesaver (a pharmacist saved my life), and I once was stung by a caterpillar and had a severe allergic reaction that could have probably killed me too.
Bonus Questions
6. When was the last time you felt like you had a laugh with God? When I was growing up I didn't really think of God laughing with us...everything was so serious in my mind. I even thought that some of the Christian comedians that were making jokes about God were sinning... Well, I have matured and I really feel now that God does laugh with us... There is not a specific time that is popping into my mind, but I feel like God laughs with me when I catch myself doing a weird thing that is unique to me. I am just pure strange sometimes, and I think God may find that just as funny as I do. I remember one time when my husband and I were praying (I can't remember the specifics) something was said in our prayers that just made both of us start laughing so hard. We felt like God just waited for us to stop laughing, but that He may have been tickled by our silliness as well.
7. This question was inspired by a friend. My friend went through a very tragic experience, and I so wanted to comfort her, but did not have the words too (GP, right or wrong usage of the too?). I had a conversation with her at a later date and asked her what do you say to someone when they are going through a tragedy, because I know that people say the wrong things even when there intentions were good. So, here is my question.... What do you say to someone who is going through a tragic or hard time? I will leave you with the answer my friend found to be the best... Just tell the person that how ever they are feeling at that particular moment is OK. Simple, but I think that is a great response.

A post for KK and JW

I gave you two a direct post so you would not have to check my comment section...

First of all, JW, I knew that was you and the nursing home comment...at first I was like who wrote this post, and then I kept reading and started smiling and realized that it was my sweet JW writing to me. Second, I can't make you look bad about celebrating Fwend's b/day because I was on the phone with her yesterday, and she was telling me something and she mentioned her birthday. Oops... I realized I totally forgot about her birthday :(... I mean I know it is on the 22nd, but I have been so busy I didn't really take time to think about any dates in Feb. So my video post was to make up for the forgetfulness on my part. I have something planned for tomorrow as well :) I love you much JW, and if I have to be in a Nursing Home one day, I hope you are there too :)

KK, I have just come to adore you more and more since I started this blog, and my last trip to Florida. Thanks for the compliment about me looking like a model...you know I had to post that comment of yours... me and the word model don't normally go together :). I think that picture is two years old. I made a card for Christina with that picture on it. You and JW have fun celebrating our Fwend's birthday together. I wish I was there, and I would be requesting we play Euchre into the wee hours of the night :)

Love ya, TKH (you know my secret identity :)

Ladies, are you ready to see a Christian Romance?

I am so excited to share this post with you all... For years now, I have kind of made it my past time to find good "Christian" or moral based movies that I could watch or share with my friends. I am really big on getting together for "Ladies Nights", or having a "Girls Night Out" and going to, or watching a "chick flick".

Well, I have found a movie that I think you will enjoy (my husband even switched places around the fireplace so he could watch the end of the movie with me :). It is called "Belle and the Beast" (A Christian Romance), and you guessed it the story has been adapted from "Beauty and the Beast".

I was a bit skeptical wondering how the person who wrote this movie would put a new spin on a very classic (and retold over and over) story. To my delight, the movie was great!!! I also know that Christian movies sometimes suffer from a lack of budget, and that can sometimes show up in the overall quality of the film... This film did not suffer at all in my opinion, and I am glad to see that this film/or production company has another movie coming out in the Spring ( I will get that one too).

I purchased the movie with a coupon from my local Christian bookstore (it was $18.04), and I plan to have a "GNO" very soon to show my friends this movie.

Click here to see the trailer of the movie, and then leave me a comment on what you think of the clip...

Blessings to all!!!
(Soon I will write about this book I just read, "The Shack"...Whoa Ladies... That book made me think...think hard)

Thankful Thursday

I told my Fwend that I would start posting other things besides memes (I have been doing that lately), but I always look forward to my Thankful Thursday post. I will jump right in...

-I had a rough weekend with the weight loss (around Valentine's Day), but things are under control again, and I did lose a little more weight. I was so excited that I went down a size in pants... I went to Walmart and saw a pair of cute pants for nine dollars (you can't beat nine bucks), and I decided to pull a smaller size out to try on. I nervously pulled the pants on and to my delight they fit, well they snuggly fit, but that still counts in my book :)
-I am most thankful for a couple of spiritual breakthroughs with God this week. I keep thinking I have come to the end of myself, only to find I have such a long way to go... I really think major time freedom (in the spiritual sense) is just around the corner if I will obey what I feel God is leading me to do.
-Sickness is going around everywhere I go... My children have been sick, but I feel it could have been so much worse than it has been. That is a praise!!!
-The Small Group (as a whole) that my husband and I lead is growing by leaps and bounds spiritually... I just get so excited when I see people get closer to Christ, and break free from sin and bondage!!!
-I feel like this week God was speaking to me through many different circumstances with the same overall message. I love when that happens.

Blessings to you all today, and remember "JESUS IS LIFE!!!" (I love that Steven Curtis Chapman song)

Wordless Wednesday

Terminator when he was younger helping his mommy clean up :)

In "other" Words

"Momma prayed, momma cried, momma laid awake at night.
She would fight my battles while I slept away
Cause momma knew life is hard
without somebody on your side
I don't know how, but there is power in the way,
The way my momma prayed."

words and music by Jeremiah Olson of 40milesNorth


I have not participated in an "IOW" for a few weeks, but decided to today. My new bloggy friend :) Amy is the coordinator (for lack of a better word) of the "IOW" (make sure to check out her site), and she chooses different blogs every week to choose quotes and host, and then "others" join along to offer up their opinions on the quote. To visit today's host click here...

I don't know if I have heard this particular song before, but I have heard many songs about a momma prayin... I 100% believe that there is power in prayer , and I believe things will happen when a mother prays for her children (or a father :). The sad thing is that even though I believe this truth, I have not acted on it the way that I should. Yes, I pray for my children, but I have not been one that labors for her children in prayer. I have been convicted over this fact, and I am working through this with God.

I do believe with God's help I will become that mom that prays for her children (and husband) with a passion for them to know the Jesus that will set their hearts free to love him with complete abandon (I think this last statement will be an ongoing prayer that is lifted up). Blessings to you today!!!

Know & Tell Friday

Last week was the best week so far of the "Know & Tell" meme... Everyone I visited had such great answers to the questions...especially the Bonus Questions. If you have never participated, please feel free to join in this week, and for those of you that normally participate...please continue to do so :)

Question 1
Did you eat candy this Valentine's Day? Sadly, I did eat candy (including chocolate) today, and just a little yesterday. I say sadly because I am not eating candy or chocolate anymore with my new lifestyle change (or at least not at this stage in the game). I was given lots of candy by my Pre-K kids, and then my kids brought a lot home. On the positive note, I ate a lot less than I normally do :)
Question 2
What is something you do to relax? I like to go into the extra room of my house (we call it a playroom because the kids have their games and some toys in there) and turn the Lazyboy around so that it faces the window. On cold days, I also place my feet directly over the heater vent and get my feet nice and toasty... I have found this place to be a good place (when I am not to sleepy) to pray to God. I like to look out the window and talk to God while I am sitting there in that old Lazyboy. I am pretty relaxed after sitting there awhile.
Question 3
(From Poole's book) What is the best approach for resolving conflict? Let's say right off the bat, I hate conflict and confrontation, and I normally try to avoid it at all costs, but I know that conflict and confrontation can be a positive thing if handled correctly. I would say first off, pray and seek the Lord for a peace before you go to the person that you have an issue with... In prayer, ask the Lord to show you your part in the matter. I have learned that it is hardly ever just one person's issue, and I always seem to be able to find my part in the conflict somewhere. Then go to that person in love, and make sure to listen intently to what the other person is trying to say... If God is leading you, then I think no matter what the outcome is...it will be beneficial. (Although, I wrote all that stuff, I don't always follow my advice)... I can't wait to see what you all write :)
Question 4
(Poole's book again) How would you define "freedom"? (this could probably be a bonus question)
I am going to tackle this question from the "spiritual" aspect, but feel free to answer however you feel led... In the most simple terms, spiritual freedom means not to be controlled by anything (food, money, men's praise, beauty, etc), except the Lord Jesus Christ. Let Jesus rule over your life with full authority... I feel like I have freedom in some areas of my life, but I will strive to be free in all areas of my life with Jesus leading me. Jesus has already paid for my freedom, I just need to accept it.
Question 5
(Poole's book) On a scale of 1-10, how happy do you usually feel? Explain. This is kind of hard to answer, but normally I would rate myself a 7-8 most of the time. I think that has to do with where I am now in my walk with the Lord. 10 years ago, it was probably a 3, and 5 years ago maybe a 6. I don't normally have long bouts with depression, but every once in awhile I fall into depression for a couple of days, and on those days it can be like a 2-3. On those days, my heart often goes out to those who suffer with depression constantly :(
Bonus Questions
Question 6
If you could choose one "SIN" that you would never have to struggle with for the rest of your life what would it be? There really are two that are running neck to neck... Selfishness and Pride... I am not sure which one causes me the most problems...they both seem to get me into a lot of trouble when they are running amuck (is that how you spell that word?) in my life. Those two sins are probably a bit intertwined as well...
Question 7
What is one thing that breaks your heart? The first thing that popped into my head was Nursing Homes. I have always had a special place in my heart (from an early age) for the elderly in general, but the first time I visited a Nursing Home my heart was deeply saddened and troubled. When I have visited the NH I just wanted to reach out to all those people who did not have anyone... It breaks my heart that many of the people living in Nursing Homes do not have family or anyone to visit them. I do want to end on a positive note... some of the employees that work in Nursing Homes are just wonderful!!! It takes a special person to work in Nursing Homes, and I have run into some of those special people many times.

Blessings today, and I will see you at your bloggy...

Thankful Thursday

Well, another "TT" is upon me. I have noticed lately that I don't post much on a non meme day... I will have to get back to doing that :) So, below are my bullet points/that turn into paragraph with many ... following my sentences :)

-I am thankful that I have lost a little more weight in this past week. I had a couple of weeks of no loss... I know weight loss is not the only reason I am tackling my food addiction, but right now (as I am breaking free and learning about my stronghold) the weight loss helps to encourage me. My best Fwend has also lost weight and I am so proud of her (we decided to start changing this area of our lives around the same time, but we didn't start out trying together...it just happened that way, and it has been so cool to "break free" with her).
-I am thankful that my husband is now in a place where we can talk about spiritual issues together. For a very long time, I really talked about my spiritual issues with my girlfriends, but now my husband is in a place where he helps me greatly. (I still talk to my girlfriends though...sometimes you just need a woman's perspective :) He helped me two times this week!!!
-This point kind of goes with the point above... I was having a day today where I was feeling discontent in my life... I have those days every once in awhile, and normally the cause is a disconnect in my relationship with God (no prayer or Bible study). Today, I am sure that is one reason I was feeling discontentment, but I asked my hubby what did he think was the root cause of discontentment, and what does he do when he feels that way. He told me that when he feels that way he just thanks God for all the blessings that God has given him and our family. I knew right away that he was right.
I got my eyes fixed on other's lives and thinking that they had it better, or that their lives are more full than mine (although I know that is totally not true... I have learned that lesson). I think I just wanted to escape the everydayness (do you like that word?) of my life, and that is why my focus shifted away from all the wonderful blessings God has truly given me. I am so thankful for my husband's good advice. I need to thank God for all the wonderful things in my life, and blogville there are a lot of things to be thankful for in my life!!!


Well, I shall wrap it up by saying "Happy Valentine's Day" to all of you out there...share the love!!!

Wordless Wednesday (Friends)

Treasured Friends on a Treasured Night in Florida...
Florida Friends that came to visit me
Bunco Night
Downpour Conference with my Fwend (I don't know if I had started the crying yet :)
Best Buddy from High School (more like a sister)

Blog Makeover Giveaway...

I came across this giveaway on Annie's website... Click on this link to enter the giveaway. Doodlebug Designs is just getting started and is giving away a couple of prizes... I think I could use a bloggy change... I change my hair color, why not my blog design :) Enter too, if I don't win maybe you will :)

Know & Tell Friday

Welcome Know & Tellers :) I hope the bloggers that have been participating weekly are finding the "Know & Tell" meme interesting and a lot of fun. I found a new book of questions ( by Poole) this week, and I will use some of the questions from that book today. I also welcome any newbies to the "Know & Tell" meme to join in today. The Bonus Questions section is going to go a little deep today, and I hope it will be meaningful to all :)

Question 1
(In honor of my best fwend today.... she has been so ill :( How often do you get real sick? It seems that I get real sick maybe once or twice a year, but I am also a sufferer of migraine headaches that make me really, really ill. I seem to get migraines monthly, and I get the migraines that put me out of commission about 6-10 times a year (a good year).
Question 2
Do you usually send serious or humorous greeting cards? Why? The answer to this one is probably about 50/50, and the "why" really has to do with either the mood I am in, or it may reflect what type of circumstance is going on with the person I send the card to.
Question 3
Are you a person who has a whole lot of acquaintances, or just a few very close friends? The answer would be both (kind of...) I have a few very close friends that I treasure more than gold :), but I also have a lot of acquaintances that I adore. I am a very social person, and the more people around me the better!!!
Question 4
If you could cure a disease, or heal a sickness, which one would you choose? I guess it would be Cancer...that is the first one that popped into my head... I have many close relatives that have died from Cancer, and it just seems it is so rampant in today's world... Not to mention the way it just destroys the body :(

Bonus Questions
Question 5
What does "being spiritual" mean to you? I think the old me would have said that being spiritual means being perfect, but now I think it has to do more with my maturity in Christ...Am I different than I was a year ago? Am I growing closer to Christ, and I am reflecting Christ's image more than my own?
I also think that "being spiritual" has been used in a negative way, and it can push people away from Jesus... I think I was like that when I was young. I acted spiritual, and pushed people away from Jesus, but thank goodness He opened my eyes to what I was doing, and I feel like I am a totally different person now.
Question 6
Imagine you were talking to someone who did not believe in God and Jesus... How would you explain to them that Jesus is Real (from your experiences in your own life)? This is my question that I thought of today in the car... I figure that there are a few people who visit my blog from time to time that are not believers in Christ... I hope that this blog never comes off as a place that is only for Christians... I welcome those that are seeking, and even those that are scoffers. I do not have any theological smarts to debate people over the existence of Christ... I can only tell my own story of how Jesus changed my life, and how I know that He is real. OK... here is my answer.

This answer probably seems so simple, but it is the thing that popped into my head. I know Jesus is real because I am a different person than I used to be... In my youth, and young adulthood I was very judgmental, self absorbed, selfish, prideful, and I had a major anger issue. In my early 20's when I turned my life back over to Jesus, he began a work in me that is continuing today. I know that if Jesus had not changed me, I would not have changed on my own. I was very content to live my life serving myself, and I believe had Jesus not intervened I would be the same miserable person today.

Do not get me wrong, I still may struggle with some of the sins I mentioned above, but those sins do not define me as they once did...The Bible says we are new creations in Christ... I am an example of that truth!!! 7Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Blessings to all!!! Can't wait to see your answers this week!!!

Thankful Thursday

I can't believe it is Thursday again... Time really does fly when you are older :)

Some housekeeping really quick before I begin my "TT" list...
-"Jackie" won my Starbucks Gift Card that I gave away in the bloggy giveaway last week.
-I wrote a post earlier about being a "slave to the scale"... in that post I said that I would only weigh once a week...well, that did not happen. I know I have a problem with the scale...well, just not the scale, but the whole food addiction. I think as I grow in freedom with the food addiction, the scale thing will not be such an issue anymore.


OK, onto the "TT" post.
- My Hubby and I are leaders of a Small Group of adults from our Church. Last night, we added three new couples, and the group went so well... I hope the new couples will find that the regular members will become family to them, as they are to my hubby and me. Also, we had babysitting issues (meaning we had way more kids than babysitters) with our SG for awhile, and God answered our prayers and orchestrated the best babysitting set up I have seen in over 2 years!!! Woo-Hoo!!
-My hubby has been reading the book "Bringing Up Boys" by Dr. James Dobson, and that book has been ministering to him left and right. He is learning so much from the book, and the info is clicking in his heart... What do I mean by clicking? Have you ever read something (even from the Bible) at one time in your life and nothing really happened in your heart or mind, and then later in time you read the same information and it is speaking to every area of your life??? Well, that is what I kind of mean about my husband and this book. Now, he is telling me to finish reading the book which is so funny, because I am normally the one nagging him to read books :).
-I have continued the exercise routine I have set up for myself about 4 weeks ago. Also, I am thankful that I have the funds so that I could join my local 24 hour fitness place.
-My hubby (wow, this thankful is a lot about him) over the past several months has really deepened some of his friendships... some of these friendships have been in the works for over two years... I am so excited for him.
-Last, I am thankful that God is loving and patient with me... I am so wanting to walk the narrow path that leads to life, but have found myself lately taking a few road trips (spiritually speaking) to some of the broad roads of life. I have given up on myself a million and one times, but the Lord has not given up on me.

Blessings as you seek the Way, the Truth, and the Life (aka: JESUS)!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Snow Day

Time Travel Tuesday

My good (blogging :) friend Annie hosts "TTT" every week, and every week I realize how much we have in common when we participate in each other's weekly memes. Today she asks to go back to a time of answered prayer... This answer is really the first one that popped into my head.


My Grandma (on my mom's side) was dying of throat cancer. My Grandma had lived her whole life without having a relationship with Jesus Christ. I actually felt as if she was very hardened to the things of Jesus...I can't remember exactly, but once my family became Christians Grandma was not really interested in accepting Jesus as her Savior. I know my mom witnessed to her for years and years without any response from her.

The cancer hit her fast and hard, and it was during her last month's that I became close to my Grandma... We had a good relationship, but we were not really close. I think during those last months the urgency to tell her about Jesus was on my heart, and I really think some part of me believed she would accept Christ as her Savior.

One day I was going to visit her in a facility... I was running late, and I think I almost did not go, but I knew that time was not a luxury anymore, and I needed to see her as much as I could. When I arrived to her room no one was there with her (which was rare at this point of her journey). By this time Grandma could not really talk because of the Cancer in her throat (I believe she had an operation to remove the cancer and I don't think she could actually talk), so I did a lot of babbling (not surprising)...

At this point the details get a little fuzzy, but I think I was telling my Grandma about a story of when I had "Moose" and he was in the hospital only days after he was born. It was a very scary time (a great story for another time), and I told her how God showed up for me and ministered to me through my own dad. I believe it was then that Grandma wrote something like this on a piece of paper...I want to believe, but it is hard. Right then I knew that God was doing a work, and my heart began to race. I can't tell you the exact conversation that happened, but by the end of the conversation I asked my Grandma if she would like to pray to receive Christ as her Savior and she nodded her head yes. I said a simple prayer, and asked Grandma to repeat the prayer in her heart.

It was not too long after that Grandma passed away... Another cool thing was after her funeral we were having dinner at my aunt's house, and I was having a conversation with my uncle. I knew my uncle was a Christian, and in conversation I just said something about Grandma becoming a Christian. The look on his face was priceless... Little did I know that my uncle had been witnessing to Grandma about receiving Christ, but yet she never did. My uncle must have been in misery thinking his mom died without knowing Christ, and when I told him what happened hope and peace washed over his face. Awesome!!!

Blessings today...gotta go get ready for work :) (Sorry for any writing errors, besides the blatant ones I purposely do... I don't have time for a proofread)

She Speaks 2008

(If you are looking for my TT post... go up a few I linked to this post by accident...sorry)
I came across this contest to win a scholarship to the She Speaks conference (click on the words, She Speaks to be directed to the conference link). Although, I do not know a lot about the conference I know it is a conference designed to help women that may be interested in speaking, writing, and other women related ministries.

I entered the contest to see what may happen... I think if I won I would focus in on the writing aspect of the conference. Although, my writing at times may lack (due to being out of English 101 for so long) grammatically, I have always had a passion to write. I think that is one reason I started this blog, as an outlet to get what is in my head and heart out. I don't know that I will ever write that book that I sometimes dream about writing, and I am learning that will be OK if the Lord doesn't open that door. If anything, I think if I won this contest I would use the information to reach out to the women in my circle and beyond (bloggy land included).

Today is the last day to get your post up if you would like to enter. Click here to enter contest... Blessings, and we will see what happens!!!