Wordless Wednesday

Snake was showing me all the different ways he could pray...

GO SEE THIS MOVIE!!!

OK, I talked about this movie on my blog and even posted the trailer to the movie last month. I just came from seeing this movie with my husband and some friends... The movie is "Fireproof". It was probably the best Christian movie I have ever seen, really the best movie period. I can't believe it, but I may like this movie more than "Facing the Giants"... if that is possible.

GO SEE IT TOMORROW OR AS SOON AS YOU CAN.

The movie is loaded with excitement and heart stopping moments... You will laugh and you will definitely cry. The movie addresses some very important tough issues that many marriages face today, and does it so well. My favorite part of the movie is that the Gospel message is presented pretty boldly, and done in such a wonderful way.

OK, I think you know I love it, now again, go see the movie... You will not be sorry and think you wasted your money, and if you do go and feel like you wasted your money I will pay you back (OK, I was just joking about the paying you back part :)

I believe this movie can be used of God as a tool to help save marriages and lead people to Christ. I pray that it will!!!

(I am not going to post the trailer again, but if interested go to Fireproofthemovie.com, and you can see the trailer there).

Cafe Chat Meme

*I host the Cafe Chat meme at the Internet Cafe on Saturdays, but wanted to post the question here on my blog too. Feel free to visit the Internet Cafe (See sidebar), but also feel free to answer my question here at my blog too.*



Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2)

The verses above are some of my favorite verses, and honestly I think we could answer questions on these verses for weeks. Over the past 5 years I have felt like the Lord has really opened my eyes to the many ways I conform to the world. I am so thankful that the Lord has done this for me because without His light on my “sin” I would probably not have made changes in my life. I still have changes to make and I will do that by “renewing my mind” with God’s Word. God will work through me to make the changes I need to make, I know I can’t do it on my own. So today, I ask you once again to examine your own lives and see what the Lord maybe saying to you.

In what ways have you “conformed to this world” in your own life? Then share the story of how God worked through you to “renew your mind” in that situation.

Thankful Thursday

Thank goodness for "Wordless Wednesday" and "Thankful Thursday" lately, or I would have no other posts :) Actually, like I said in my last post I have about 20 posts in my heart and mind they just need to make onto my blog page. So onto today's post...

-I am thankful that I was able to attend the Bible Conference that I referenced in last week's post. What I learned has unsettled me, but in the best way... I know that sound confusing, but I hope very soon to be able to post about it. I am still trying to process all of what I learned this weekend...actually what I have been learning over the last year.
-On that same note, I am thankful for my husband who so willingly watched the boys so I could go to the conference on Saturday and Sunday. THANKS AGAIN HONEY :)
-Also, at the Bible conference, there wasn't a charge for anything, and I was able to take home so many resources all for free (over 30 CDs, plus handouts). What an awesome gift!!!
-I am thankful for my mother-in-law who came to stay with my family for the next two days. My two older boys do not have school, but I have to teach PRE-K, so she is going to watch them for me. I LOVE YOU MA!!!
-I am thankful that I can sleep in and get about an extra hour and half sleep for the next two days :)
-I am thankful that I get to go see the movie "Fireproof" on Saturday with my husband and some members from our Small Group. Oh, the movie is going to be so good!!! (If you don't know about the movie, look in my archives for a "Word of Mouth" post and you will see a trailer, or just Google "Fireproof" the movie and watch the trailer).
-I am thankful that my best friend has started the second half of her journey with raising support to be missionaries for Family Life. It will be so cool to watch what God is going to do in the future.
-God is moving in the area of my parenting... Awesome...
-Travis Cottrell is releasing a Christmas CD in October, and it has "O Holy Night" on it :)
Well, I am about falling asleep so I will close... Blessings today!!

Wordless Wednesday

Hubby with a beard... I don't like the way the beard feels when I get a kiss :), but I think he looks cute with a beard. This is an older picture... (FYI: For those few people that check my blog regularly, I have about 20 posts I could write I just have not had the time... I hope to soon) PS... Check out those cute little boys in the picture behind my hubby...I love that picture!!!

Thankful Thursday

It's Thursday already??? Time does fly! It seems I was sitting here yesterday and typing last week's "TT" post. My husband tells me Christmas stuff is already out in stores... I remember when time seemed to pass so slowly, but the words that my parents echoed about "time flying" sure has come to pass quicker than I had expected, or wanted. I think I could do a post on this "time" thing, but I will save that for a later date and get onto my "TT" post.

-I am thankful for another great week at work. Last year, I got the Pre-K teacher position right before school started, and I kind of always felt "behind the eight ball" (especially with planning). This year I feel much more prepared for the job, and I learned several things last year about what works and what doesn't work with my class.
-I feel that the Lord is awakening me to take action in my parenting...kind of starting all over again :) I also believe the Lord has allowed me to find a few resources (just a few) that are encouraging me in the path that He wants me and my hubby to take with our kids. I know these resources are not the answer...Jesus and His Mighty power are the key to me raising my boys in His ways... I think I see more everyday that I cannot do anything in my own strength that will benefit my boys spiritually. I think that is right where I need to be :)
-The Small Group that my hubby and I lead had an answer to prayer when we were able to move our meetings to another night of the week at our Church... Moving nights has allowed us to get access to better childcare rooms. Presently at our max we have about 20 children in our Small Group, so this is a huge answer to prayer.
-I watched a video on the Internet several months ago that really shook my soul up... A powerful sermon (that was very hard to hear in many ways) that challenged me to go even deeper with what I believe God had already been showing me. I had never even heard of the man preaching before, and I find out this coming weekend he will be in my town having a Bible Conference at a Small Church. The conference is free, and I will be able to attend several sessions. As I told many friends...That cannot be a coincidence...no way...
-My Fwend has had a week of many blessings and answered prayers... She and her family have been on a very long journey and have been learning so much about God and His sovereignty. These things that have happened have just confirmed what God is teaching her. (If you want to read about their wonderful journey...click on "Cooke Family Journey" on my sidebar.

Well, my buddy just called me and said she is ready to walk...so I shall go get some exercise... I need it. Blessings Friends!!!

Wordless Wednesday

THIS PICTURE IS A BIT OF A FLASHBACK, BUT HAVE YOU EVER FELT MORE SAFE KNOWING THIS SUPER HERO IS FIGHTING FOR YOU? (you may notice "Terminator's eye is turned in, this is before his eye surgery)

Chocolate Skittles???

If you check this blog often you are likely to find a totally random post about nothing really... Well, you are so lucky because this is one of those posts today :)

So, I was at my local gas station and I accidentally :) found myself in the candy isle. Go with it... As I looked down I saw a brownish box of Skittles...no... I must be seeing things I thought... The Skittles' box is red, but this one was brown and it did not have the normal Skittles' flavors. This Skittles' box had a chocolate theme (Chocolate pudding, Brownie mix, etc). Being the chocolate lover I am I decided to buy the box, but after seeing the $1.39 price tag I put it down. I exercised self control :) However, the next time I went to that store the curiosity got to me, and I purchased the chocolate themed Skittles' box. Click here to see the new Skittles candy.

The Flavors did taste like their names, but my overall opinion is that the Skittles original flavors are better...Chocolate candy needs to be the real thing...milk chocolaty chocolate chunks :)

On a side note, as I paid for my Skittles, I looked and saw that Snickers now has a candy bar that comes with CAFFEINE (Extra added) in it... That is not the best part, it also has "B" vitamins in it too. Can you believe that? Now I can't feel as guilty about buying and eating that Snickers bar because I am getting my "B" vitamins :)

OK, rant done... Will post a real post soon :)

September 11th

I found this video on another blog...Touching and moving...

Thankful Thursday

Hey "TT" community... I will do my "TT" list bullet point style this week...

-I am thankful for Cappachinos (I totally don't know how to spell this word..spell check didn't help either) from my local BP gas station. They have kept me awake this week... I have been so tired.

-I am thankful for my new Women's Bible Study that began Monday night. We are doing Jennifer Rothschild's study...Lessons I Learned in the Dark. The first night was really good :) There are several ladies this go around that have never been to a Women's Bible Study... I just love when women come for the first time, because I know it won't be their last time :)

-I am thankful that my mother who has been severely ill for years now has some answers to what is wrong with her. The doctors were able to diagnose her with two different conditions. There is still much to find out, but this is a start.

-I am thankful for the Hope God offers when I have felt quite discouraged/confused this week... I feel it so strong that God is doing something in my heart (a complete transplant I think), but it comes with much struggling and questions, but also with such hope and I think I can even anticipate joy.

I will stop here... I must go get ready for the school day ahead... Blessings!!!

Wordless Wednesday

This is the gourmet food that $7.00 can buy you on an airplane... It sounded better when the flight attendant described it over the intercom :) Oh, the Diet Coke was at no charge...

Shocking Statistic

Not much of a post here, but today at Church I found out (from a study/poll) that of the 12 million people that live in my state, 8 million of them are "lost" (term commonly used for someone that doesn't have a relationship with Jesus Christ)...That just disturbed me so... A mission field in my own state...
Jesus send Revival in the hearts of those that do not know you yet, and in the hearts of those who know you even now... Begin with me...

Skeptic...

Warning! This item appears larger on this post than it actually is...It is less than 4 oz...

Why post a picture of a Ben & Jerry's Empty Ice Cream Carton? Because I am goofy, and I have a little story to share...

First of all, I have seen these little tiny cartons of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, and have just thought they were so cute...so adorable, but not at all tempting to me because that is just not enough Ice Cream for me to eat in one setting. However, my skeptical mind decided to give it a try last night, and since it was only a dollar I decided to buy one. Actually, I first looked at the pint of Ben & Jerry's New York Super Fudge Chunk and realized I couldn't consume over 1000 calories after 7 PM at night. It's not like I have not done that before...when I was pregnant I think I had a pint of the NYSFC weekly, but last night I was feeling strong to resist the urge of purchasing the pint, but finally gave in and bought the cute little mini carton of ice cream. Hey, it came with a tiny little spoon to boot so I could consume the ice cream in my car before I even arrived home :) No need to tempt my boys...

As I opened the carton I kind of scoffed, and thought to myself, "I could eat this whole carton in one bite"...no more than 3 bites top. I already was getting dissatisfied with my purchase, but decided to press on and eat the ice cream anyway (I am a trooper that way). OK, first of all it was literally impossible to eat the carton in one bite because the tiny little spoon made it difficult to eat even one bite. I could only get just a little amount of ice cream each time... I actually had to eat the ice cream like normal people do...slowly with portion control :)

To my great surprise I was feeling pretty good because it took me several bites to finish the carton, instead of my normal 1-3 bites. I believe I was tricked into feeling satisfied because it took me awhile to finish this tiny amount of ice cream, and when I was done I felt so much better about my choice of the tiny (it still had over 200 calories) carton, instead of the bigger carton. I felt like I got more ice cream than was actually in the carton. Woo-Hoo...I love Ben & Jerry's mini cartons of Ice Cream...

What's my point of this blog post? I think if I buy a baby spoon, and eat all of my meals I bet I can lose some weight. Why? Because I will probably only eat about half of my meal because I will be dead tired of taking all those tiny bites of food :)

(For those of you who are worried about me...please don't worry I am only half serious :)

Friends of my Heart

First of all, don't kill me for posting these pictures... You both are adorable...My Jenny Girl and my Fwend just got done working an all day Yard Sale...I just got off a plane...
No, they didn't rob a bank, although the big fan of cash may make you think differently :)

I love you both... Even though our time together was so short, it was so meaningful to me. You both are treasures in your own way.

Jenny Girl, I am thinking of you, and I won't forget you once our Friend leaves Florida...I love your heart!!!

Fwend, I am so proud of you!!! Go for the Prize that will not perish in Eternity... I love your heart too!!!

Thankful Thursday

Oh my... what a weekend, and beginning of my week... I mean that in a good way, but it has been stressful to say the least, but in the stress I find many things to be thankful for...

-I got to go to Florida with my hubby this past weekend (for about 48 hours total)... First of all, my in-laws watched the 3 amigos for us, and there weren't any major issues, except for some normal sibling rivalry. Thanks Mom and Dad!!!
-While in Florida, I got to see my mom, dad, sisters, and bestest buds. That was amazing considering I was only there for 2 days.
-I also got to spend some quality (very quiet, w/out kids) time with my hubby.
-Our hotel room was awesome...
-We got back Monday, and then Tuesday was my first day of school teaching my Pre-K class.
-Judging from my 2 days with my Pre-K kids...they seem like an awesome mix of kids :)
-I have a great boss!!
-To end my thankful list, I shift gears a bit, but am thankful for two separate situations that happened to me in the last 5 days that were very hard for me in a plethora of ways, but I feel like God maybe trying to show me something...teach me something... So I am keeping my spiritual eyes open...
Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Snake's first lost tooth...a second came a few days later..