Thankful Thursday

My ten o'clock bedtime is right around the corner, so I will jump right into my list today too. -I am thankful that my husband and I recommitted ourselves two days ago to our prayer time together. The funny thing is what brought us to our commitment... We were having some major disagreements the last two days (some people may call that a fight :) We both have a growing relationship with the Lord independently, but in order for our marriage to survive and thrive we have to bring the Lord into the middle of our marriage... We are truly helpless without Him.-We may have an opportunity to decrease some debt...more to follow later...-Both of my older boys had Field Trips this week, and they arrived back home to me safe and sound... I always get nervous when they go off school property.-I am attending the First Place 4 Health program again, and I am so thankful for my friend "M" that has really been a strong accountability partner for me this time... We are truly helping each other through this journey... We both want freedom when we are done. OK, I could go on, but I do have several things to do tonight before I go to sleep. I am so sorry I have not been able to get around to all the wonderful ladies that comment on my "TT" post... You are all very encouraging... I hope to stop by and visit your blogs soon...

What Counts?

OK, I have been wanting to post this quote since I read it, and many of my bloggy siestas and friends that took the Esther study will probably remember this quote...I will write out the full quote, but then I will highlight with color the part that really got to me... (the font size is doing its own thing..sorry for all the changes :)

"When, because of your faith, your life too becomes perceptibly different; when your reactions are quite opposite to what the situation seems to call for and your activities can no longer be explained in terms of your personality; that is when your neighborhood will sit up and take notice. In the eyes of the world, it is not our relationship with Jesus Christ that counts; it is our resemblance to him!

Wow... Beth also said (about this quote) that our relationship with Christ counts to us, but to the world it is how much we look like Christ. She is so right...

Sometimes I look at myself and find that it is easy to live my Christian life out within the confines of my Christian circles and friends... But always nagging at me is the fact that I remember Jesus saying that if the world hated Him, they would hate me too... I too remember that He and his followers suffered much persecution, and I can barely label anything in my life as persecution. Jesus also said that I had to lose my life, to truly find it... So why, do I try to hold onto my life and control things...

The call of Jesus is not as I always thought it to be... It is hard, but it is the only life I truly want deep down in my soul, although fear tells me to play it safe, and coast on what God has already done in my life. But, in my soul, I say it is not enough to just coast through life, I want more... I need to know Jesus like He intended me too... Wow, I didn't realize all this was tied up in my heart and mind, but it helps just getting it out :)

OK, before I close...what do you think of the quote above? Any reactions???

This comes from Beth Moore's Study on Esther...she quoted this excerpt from The Queen and I. I believe the original author is Ray Stedman, but Beth said she got it from Charles Swindoll... OK, I hope I gave everybody the right credit :)

Giveaway winner

Congrats Brook, you won my book from Larry Crabb... I encourage you Brook to pass it along when you are done reading it... I love when we all can share resources...Stay tuned for my next giveaway :)

In Case You Missed This...

I am going to draw for my giveaway on Sunday...If you still would like to enter click here to see what I am giving away, and then leave a comment on the original post... Thanks, Kim

Thankful Thursday

I am on a new thing where I am trying to get in bed by 10PM, so I will jump right into today's list :)-I am thankful that my First Place 4 Health group started back up again. We have been on a small break and I felt like I started to slip into some old negative patterns when it comes to my food stronghold...The last quarter of FP4H I did lose about 12 pounds, but came away from the class realizing that I am still treating this program like one of the many diets I have done in my life. My goal for the next 12 weeks in FP4H is to go deeper with God, and really break this stronghold for good... I know I will never attain perfection when it comes to this addiction, but I can have freedom. -I am thankful that my Moose did an outstanding job at his recorder concert...He just keeps surprising me more and more :)-I am thankful for good friends that have been able to help us with babysitting our boys for FREE. FREE is good!!!-I am thankful that my husband continues to work at a job where the working environment is terrible... He tells me Christ is teaching him about being a servant... I need to learn that lesson too.-I am thankful for a good haircut I received this past week... I tried something new, and it worked out...-I am thankful for my best friend who keeps spurring me onto knowing Christ more by getting into his Word.-I am thankful that God continues to offer me chances to know Him, especially after the countless times I have ignored Him to pursue my own desires. OK, I must go now because it is 9:47 and I need to be in that bed by 10 :)By the way, if interested I am having a book giveaway click here to view the video post about it, and if interested just make sure to leave a comment on that particular post..
Blessings to all today...

Moose's Journal Entry

My little "Moose", or not so little Moose (he is ten) is a bold witness for Jesus. My family often jokes that he is going to be an evangelist :) I don't know this for sure, but I think the fact that Moose has Autism is one reason he is so bold. He just doesn't seem to have that social filter... At this point in his life he really doesn't seem to care what others think of him (for the most part). I could learn from him...

I was going through Moose's school work, and my eye saw the word "God" on a piece of paper, so I stopped myself from throwing the paper in the trash (that is where most of Moose's school work goes). Moose has to do daily journal entries, and this particular day the topic was... "Who I Love..." Here is what Moose wrote (I will not correct the grammar, although I am tempted to :)

(Moose goes to a public school)

" I love my God more than my school. We have to because he is only the one way. Soon we will have no body like him and thats how we become spirits." (Moose's teacher wrote...Very nice, his real name :)

I found out that my husband had a talk with Moose about how we need to love God more than anything else. My hubby used Moose's school as an example...Moose loves his school. Also, the last part comes from a conversation we had about how God doesn't have a body like we do...He is a Spirit, and one day our spirits will go to heaven to live with God. I love how Moose remembers things, and takes them to heart. He inspires me... ( FYI: I am giving away a book by Larry Crabb below...check out video for information, then leave a comment to enter the giveaway)

GIVEAWAY #1

Oh how I love how the video freeze frames on my weirdest faces :)

Well, as talked about in another post this is my first giveaway of books and resources I have found helpful in my spiritual journey. Watch the video to hear about today's giveaway, and make sure to leave a comment to enter the giveaway on this post.

PS. After viewing the video I just want to let you know that I am still working on the things I am talking about... My beliefs are right, but they haven't yet worked fully into my way of life. In an Anne Graham Lotz book she refers to how truth can be in your head, but it needs to work its way to your heart too. Or, as my mentor Beth Moore states... Our theology needs to be our reality (a paraphrase). I am working on that :)

OK, on with the video...

Thankful Thursday

Hello "TT" community :) Once again it is Wednesday night and I want to get my "TT" post out because I won't have a chance to tomorrow. I am so tired, but I just love my "TT" :)

-First up, I am thankful that a local computer fix-it shop donated an old computer to my school for use in my class. The old one we had basically shut down, or I may have made it shut down :( My husband mentioned that companies may donate old computers as a tax write off, and the very first place and person we called donated a computer...I am so thankful for the owner's kindness... I really do need an operating computer in my Pre-K class :)

-I am thankful that my mother is still recovering from surgery... However, she has had a major attack with fear... I think the events of the last four months have finally set in for my mom. If you would pray for her still I would be so thankful.

-This one may sound funny, but this week I am so thankful the Lord filled me with energy to clean both of my bathrooms...my personal bath has been neglected for awhile, so I had a lot of extra scrubbing to do (I DISLIKE SOAP SCUM :) in my tub and on my floor (MY HUBBY USES TOO MUCH HAIRSPRAY :). I think I cleaned on and off again for about 3 hours in those two rooms. I can be so NOT motivated when it comes to cleaning, so when I get in the mood to clean I am so thankful.

-I am thankful my hubby found a dental plan for us that I can use with my actual dentist...So many times you have to use other dentists that are on the actual plan. I like keeping my own doctors if I can :)

-I am thankful to be back at work after having a week of Spring Break... I too am thankful that I only have about 6 weeks, and then I get to have Summer Break... (This thankful looks contradictory, huh?)

-I am thankful that we will get to go to Florida this summer for vacation... I wasn't sure with our finances and all. Again, this is important because all my extended family live in Florida, including my mom who I have not seen since November, and I left her just a day or two after her open-heart surgery.

Well, my eyes are getting heavy...it might be from the allergy medicine :)... So I will end here for today.

Blessings as you visit the "TT" community.

Wordless Wednesday

Kids are excited after spotting a rainbow (actually a double rainbow)... Rainbows make me think of God :)

My mom..

Hey Bloggy Friends...

I talked to my mom today and although she is recovering from the surgery a new battle has come against her... I can relate to this one in many ways. She has been overcome with fear and anxiety. I think everything that has happened in the last 4 months has finally set in, and she now fears what will happen next... The unknown is overwhelming to her.

I know several women who struggle with fear, panic and anxiety... If you would lift up a fellow sister in Christ, my mom, it would mean the world to her. I think this battle of the mind is actually harder for her than the physical surgeries she has endured in the last several months.

Thanks so much... Blessings

Happy Easter!!

From Moose, Terminator and Snake.... Happy Easter... HE IS RISEN!!!!!!!!!!!

Whatever Is...

Philippians 4:8 (New International Version)Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

(Taken from my Cafe Chat question for this week)

Well, it will come as no surprise to those of you who regularly participate in the “Café Chat” meme that this week’s question was inspired by a situation that happened to me last Friday. I will try to give you just enough background so that my question makes sense to you.One of my biggest struggles of my past was an addiction to television, movies, and the whole entertainment scene in general. Over the last several years the Lord has taken me on a path to get rid of this idol in my life. Even today I can’t say I am totally free, but I am getting closer everyday with the Lord’s leading.

Today I do not watch a lot of movies or at least certain types of movies as part of my personal conviction. On the other hand, my husband who doesn’t struggle in this area will watch a movie from time to time. This Friday my husband watched a movie that he had been wanting to see for a long time. I wasn’t interested in watching it with him, so I just did chores and wasted some time on my computer.However, with my past of being drawn to movies I ended up sitting down by my husband and began watching the movie with him.

This particular movie in the world’s opinion was pretty clean. It hardly had any swearing in it, and the s_x scenes were tame by today’s standards. But as I watched the movie, I remembered the world’s standards are not God’s standards, and the verse at the top of this post came to my mind… “Whatever is pure, whatever is lovely…” I felt the Lord’s conviction, and in my heart I knew I was sinning by watching this movie. Again, the movie was clean in the world’s eyes, but still it had killing and revenge at the heart of the story. To me those things didn’t line up with what Philippians 4:8 says.

After the movie, I told my husband what I was thinking and although my husband doesn’t have an issue with movies and such, he was silent and then agreed with what I had said. I have to keep reminding myself daily that I must measure my life by what God says, and not what the world says, or even what other Christians might say. God must be the final authority in my life.

(Feel free to answer both questions today, if they apply)

So today, I wonder if you have had any experience similar to what I described in my post today. Please give specifics if you can.

Also, if you referred to Philippians 4:8 as a standard, would there be something or some situation you would stop doing, or give up completely? (Or at least begin trying to change with the Lord’s help as I am with the situation I discussed today). As always, specifics are great, but feel free to use generalities.

I am honored to walk this Christian road with you all. Let us strive daily to live the life Jesus has called us to. Blessings, Kim

Word of Mouth (MUST SEE DVD)

(After reading this post, click here to go to link to watch trailer for the movie I am discussing today)

My best friend once joked with me that I have the "gift" of finding resources... Several times over the years I have either read a book, or watched a movie and then told my friend about it and she loved the resource too. I am sure I have suggested a resource from time to time that might not have thrilled her as much as me, but I have a pretty good track record to date :)

I am so super excited today to tell you about a Christian movie that just came out this past week. I saw that the movie "Faith Like Potatoes" was a Pre-Buy item at my local Family Christian Bookstore not too long ago. Normally, if you pre-buy an item you get some kind of extra resource or major discount for pre-purchasing the item. However, this time you were not going to get anything extra, but a guarantee that if you didn't like the movie once you viewed it, you would get your money back. Now, I think that is a bold guarantee.

Money was tight so I didn't buy the movie, but later I saw that it was being released through our local video store :). Well, this past week the movie arrived and I rented and watched it. As I watched the movie I had very high expectations because of the guarantee I remembered at FCB.

I also had no clue what the movie was about, but that it was based on a true story. I too thought the movie was about a Christian family. Well, at the beginning of the story the main character, Angus did not appear to be a Christian man. Well, that is because he wasn't a Christian at first, but about 30 minutes into the story Angus accepts Christ as Lord. The conversion scene was amazing...

I think the first part of the movie was a little slow in the build up, but I too now think that I had the wrong idea about what kind of movie I was watching. After the conversion scene the movie was nothing but awesome... I cried several times, and was so encouraged by Angus Buchan and his pursuit to live for God no matter what.

There are so many miracles in this story as well, and I wondered if they were true because this movie was based on a true story. I know that many times when a movie is "based on a true story" that a lot of things in the story are not true. I had planned on doing some research after the movie to find out if the events in the story were true, but I didn't have to. Included in the special features portion of the DVD is a one hour documentary about Angus, and yes the things that happened in the movie happened in real life.

If you rent this movie, you must at least watch the one hour documentary on Angus and his family. It is just as good as the movie, and even more encouraging because he shares more of his amazing story. Once again, I was encouraged in my faith by another fellow Christian that loves God with all his heart.

I had such a sweet time of prayer after the movie. When I watch a story like the story of Angus, it makes me realize I am lacking in several areas of my own Christian walk, but I don't get discouraged because God is with me. I think God has used resources like the movie I am talking about today to challenge me and show me where I am weak, but I know that God doesn't want me to stay where I am.

Please today, go rent or buy the movie and then come back and talk about it with me... You won't be disappointed. My best friend in New York rented it this morning and is watching it as I type. I can't wait to talk to her :) (No, Fwend, not Tomatoes...Potatoes :)

PS... The quote in my last post is from this movie... Also, make sure to click on link above to be directed to a trailer of the movie.

Something to think about...

"The conditions for a miracle are difficulty. The conditions for a great miracle are impossibility."

(I will let you know where this quote comes from on my next post)

Thankful Thursday

-First up, I have to say my most thankful thing this week is that my mom's surgery went well, and she is now at home resting, or trying to rest. For those of you who don't know, she had surgery this week on one of the main arteries in her neck. It was extremely painful, but the doctor told her had she not had it she would have had a massive stroke very soon. There were several blood clots just waiting to break loose. Praise be to God!!!!
-Second a massive thanks to all the people that lifted up a prayer for my family. As I said in a prior post...you all were the hands and feet of Jesus to my family this week.
-I am thankful for the online Women's conference I have been able to participate in this week (see first button on sidebar). What a neat experience to have a conference online :) Tomorrow is the last day...you still have time to take advantage, just click button and get the details (you will be able to download previous sessions you missed).
-I am thankful for my bloggy friend Shelia...she wrote a post which I actually copied and pasted directly on my blog this week; "Confessions: Pet sins". Although I know I do not feel totally broken over my food addiction... I do feel different after reading Shelia's post and once again seeing how my sin cost Jesus his life... Thanks Shelia... (Feel free to read it...just a couple posts down)
-A good friend got back her test results this week, and the news was great. It appeared that something was seriously wrong with her, but the doctors found out they could treat her condition with medicine. Awesome...

Well, I am making my list short, but it definitely is a wonderful thankful list this week... Blessings All...

Updated Update :)

My mother is going home tonight :) Praise, Praise... The doctor would have kept her overnight, but she just doesn't like hospitals so they are going to let her go home :) She is still in pain, but the pain is being managed with medications... Praise again. The doctor also told her for now they will keep a watchful eye on the other artery in her neck, and they will talk about what to do later :) That information is giving my mom peace of mind for now.

Again, if you could hear the thanks my mom has offered for those who have prayed for her you would be touched (or I hope you would be)... Hopefully later she wishes to post her thanks.

Blessings to all of you... You were truly the hands and feet of Jesus these past days to our family :

Another Update...

I just talked to my mom not too long ago, and she asked me to pray for her as she is in excruciating pain. :( If you think of her through the next couple of days please pray that she may find relief from her pain. Thanks so much for all your prayers... What a beautiful thing.

I also found out that the doctors only operated on one side. My mother thought they would be doing both sides today, so this news set her back as she knows she will have to come back for another surgery later... Hopefully when she is feeling better she will be able to handle this news better...

Thanks so much for lifting my mom up in prayer...

" Confession: Pet Sins" by Shelia...

(The pictures above will make sense once you start reading... Refer to them later)

Dear Bloggy Friends... I just finished reading a post over at my friend Shelia's blog. Normally I would just put a link so you could click on over and read the post at her site, but I know there are times when we just won't click over to a site we may not know about... So with Shelia's permission I post her most recent writing. This post is long, put so powerful... If you have been struggling with a "sin" that you just can't seem to conquer...please read this post... (Please leave a comment if you read to let me know what your thoughts were...

Thank you Shelia for being a woman of courage, and a strong example to all of us :) Kim

It's 3am.

About 11 years ago I faced a night like tonight. Because I tend to rank sin on a scale of badness, what I did tonight almost slips past the cross of Christ in my mind like a pet. A pet sin. But tonight my broken Jesus, who was bruised for my transgressions was looking at me the whole time and I can no longer call my sin anything less than it is in light of the cross. It's lust.

I think if I were to make known what I did tonight some, like me, might laugh or sigh, or poopoo what happened. Some might think, "Aw come on Sheila, you're being too hard on yourself." I understand. That's what I did the entire time I indulged my flesh in the secret of the night tonight... I made excuses to the Holy Spirit. This is MY sin. This may not be sin to you, but it is to me and I'm tired of carrying it around like a pet. It's not a pet, it's chains!

Tonight I woke up to let my cat out. The first thing I thought of was the leftover chocolate cake sitting on the counter from my son's party. I immediately cut myself a large slice and sat down at my table to devour it. I'd never do this in front of my husband or kids... I wouldn't want to look like I was indulging myself. And if I did, I do it with a hard attitude, as though to say, "Geeze! Can't I even have a piece of cake!?" And that's exactly what I did. I sat down and argued with the Holy Spirit while I ate it saying, "Can't I even have a piece of cake?!!" Problem is I was sitting in front of our little lamb, who is laying on a stream of red satin underneath a boquet of flowers with the banner, "Christ our Passover Lamb has been sacrificed..." hanging over it.

(LOOK AT THE PICTURES AT THE TOP OF THE POST)

After I hardened my heart to the Spirit over a piece of cake, Christ's light was shining so much, I couldn't hide. Where can I go from His Spirit? Why do I even try to go?! I was drawn to His Word like a baby sheep longing for milk! I opened to Psalm 23.

"The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want..." -Psalm 23:1

His holy life layed down for mine exposed the true nature of my sin. It wasn't about cake. It wasn't about food. It was about lust. And before the holiness of God I saw that what I did tonight was not different at all in the eyes of my Maker than what I did 11 years ago.

11 years ago I called a dear friend weeping. Overcome by the guilt of what I'd just done while I knew Jesus was there. It wasn't cake that night. It was pornography.

I remember the excuses I made. But that night they were all broken because all I could see was my Jesus hanging on a tree. That night before the cross, Jesus broke my wicked bonds to sexual lust. Tonight, by His blood, He's breaking my bonds to appetite lust.

As I sat before my slain Lamb I realized tonight was a turning point, just like it was for me 11 years ago, and I had to confess it. I had to bring it out in the open. Because I want to be healed. It's not a pet for me, it's a ravenous wolf that's never satisfied.

I'll never be the same. Tonight the blood of Jesus dripped on my cake. It dripped on my lips. It poured on my tongue. It soaked my stomach. I can never pick it up again without seen the Cross.

Oh my Lord! You are my Shepherd... I shall NOT want the fullfillment of my flesh's lust in any area! I shall be satisfied in YOU! For YOU prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies! May the table of Your body broken for me, and the wine of Your blood poured out for me, forever satisfy me, even while the enemy who once claimed godhood over the appetites of my flesh is present.

This has been me in this area of lustful appetite even until tonight:

For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. - Philippians 3:19 NIV

NO LONGER! NO LONGER LORD! JESUS you have come! You have conquered! You have exposed this sin in me! I run from it! I run exposed to YOU! I run to YOUR salvation! From tonight on my stomach shall never be a idolic "god" I hold in my hand while I try to enter Your promised land! NEVER AGAIN! Let YOUR blood mark this night! Let it mark my stomach! Let it mark my mind! For from tonight I set my blood stained hands that have clung to this idol of my stomach on this:

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. - Philippians 3:19b-20 NIV

And this:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. -1 John 1:9 NIV

I write all this out here in the open because my Lord says:

When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh?... Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. - Isaiah 58:7-8 NKJV

My Lord, who exposed Himself and covered me on the cross calls me to expose my own sin and not hide myself from my own fellow man. But rather to cover my exposed brother or sister with the mercy of the Cross when I see them. This is not what I tend to do. I tend to hide my self under the cover of sleeping hours, or behind closed doors, or while away on an errand, and expose others when I see their offensive sin. But that's not my Lord's way. He heals me when I call my friend and confess my sin, or willingly let my shame be exposed to you here, and cover my friend, or you, or my husband when I see nakedness. This is how He cleanses us from our sin. This is how we can walk in His righteousness.

I wonder if any of you would, with me tonight, be exposed before our Lord. I wonder if any would see Him looking at our hands like He looked at mine tonight saying, "You're still holding that idol in your hand like a pet! Drop it! You can't go any further in if You're still holding that." I wonder if any would look at the Cross with me tonight in our nakedness. I wonder if any would be broken by His love and ask Him to mark our hands and our appetites for whatever it is our flesh lusts for with His blood so that we may never again approach that idol as though it were a pet. May His love and His grace make us tremble. May it shake us so much that we are free from our chains but not destroyed.

Oh may we see our "pet" sins as chains! And may we not cuddle our chains, or play with them in secret, but expose them before His cross, and each other, and let His blood break them! I don't want cake at 3am, or cookies in the middle of the day, or a KitKat on the way home from the store, to hold me back from further entering the life in the Spirit God leads me to through the cross! If He looks at me, exposing my "pet" as an idol, which is chaining me when He's made me free... oh let me drop it like a poisonous snake!

I'm looking to You who knew no sin, and became sin for me that I might become the righteousness of God tonight! I want YOU, not this! (By: Shelia)

Wounds from a Friend...

Hey Bloggy Friends...

Below I am posting my question from this week's Cafe Chat... Even if you do not normally participate in the Cafe Chat at the Internet Cafe I would love to hear your thoughts about this question.

(Taken from my Cafe Chat Post)

Proverbs 27:6 (New Living Translation)Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.

One of the things I love best about being a woman is the joy of friendship with other women. I think friendship is one of God’s wonderful blessings He gives to His children. A true friend will tell us the truth even if it hurts. The verse above in Proverbs says that “wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy”. We must too remember that we are to go to a friend and tell the truth in love. I believe anything we say to another should be said in love; love needs to be at the heart of why we share anything with another.

Many times in my life, I have been the recipient of hard words from a friend, but told with love in her heart for me. Even though what my friend shared may have been hard to hear, it was just what I needed to hear and God used her words to help me to see truth and to truly change.

So today, I ask you to share a time when a friend may have wounded you by speaking hard words to you, and even though you were hurt you realized it was the best and most loving thing he/she could have done. (If you can share the specifics that would be great, but if not feel free to use generalities).

Update on Mom...

My mother's surgery is scheduled for Monday at 10AM... As long as all her preliminary tests come back OK, the surgery should take place on Monday. Again any prayers you would lift up on my mother's behalf would be so appreciated. I have been so touched by the outpouring of love from so many of you...some of you I have never even met face to face... That has to be a God thing for sure :) Blessings and love...

Moose's April Fools Day Jokes...

Moose, my oldest son who is 10 years old got into April Fools Day this year. Most of you know that our Moose is high functioning Autistic, so when I tell you these jokes it just makes it all the more funny. I would venture to say that most kids with Autism are so very literal, and jokes of any kind just go right over their heads...

Joke 1 (the good one)
I asked Moose what he got on his Science test and he told me a "B". I then said "a B" with a questioning voice (side note: I think B's are great, but Moose really knew all the information on the test so I thought he wouldn't have missed any problems)... He then says to me "April Fools, I got an A++!" I told him that was a good joke...he sure did get me...

Joke 2 (not so great)
Moose told me that he did an April Fool's joke on one of his classmates. I asked him what it was, and he told me that he told his classmate that he (he referring to the classmate, not Moose) didn't have a sister :) Then he told him April Fool's and that the classmate really did have a sister... Ok, not his best joke, but something so sweet was that Moose told me the boy got sad like he didn't have a sister...that was so sweet that his classmate played along with Moose.

Just thought these jokes might make you smile, like they made me smile :) Blessings

Prayers for My Mom...

Dear Bloggyville... I have put this note out on Facebook, my email address book, and now I want to put this information out here for the blog world, and my wonderful bloggy sisters in Christ, my Siestas, and anyone else that may read this... So many people have already lifted my mom up in prayer and I am so touched :)


Hello Friends,

Some of you know that my mother had a heart attack in November of last year, and had to have quadruple by pass surgery. She felt a bit better right after surgery, but continued to go down hill since, and this week she found out some disturbing news from the doctor again.

Both of the arteries in her neck (the C. word arteries... I don't know how to spell the word) are blocked. One 50% and one 70%. The doctors told her that she must have surgery right away or she could have a massive stroke. They think she may have already sustained a few mini strokes.

I don't think this surgery is as invasive as her open heart, but it is still a major surgery as it is dealing with the main arteries in her neck. The fact that my mom is anemic and still losing blood somewhere in her body also puts her at a higher risk for complications. As you might guess she is afraid and nervous, but she is trying to put all of this in God's hands.

She talks to the doctor on Friday and I will know more about when the surgery will take place. If you can I would appreciate, as well as my mom, any prayers that you would lift up on her behalf. Please pray for peace for my mom during this process as well...

Thank you so much, and I will send an update out after I talk to mom this weekend.

Love in Christ, Kim

Thankful Thursday

This week's theme is "HE WORKS THINGS OUT!!!"

Hello "TT" community... Well, I will start with a little background information so my theme makes sense to you :)

This past Saturday after my husband and I got back home from our date (FYI: Our date was Grocery Shopping together...what does that say about us?) when we pulled into the garage I noticed a horrible smell...my hubby winced as he knew exactly what it was. His engine in his car had finally blown up and oil was all over our garage. I will try to make a long story short (my friends are probably laughing because this is so impossible for me :)... The engine that was in my hubby's car was made by a manufacturer that used parts of the engine that they should not have, and eventually anyone with this specific engine would end up having their engine blow. The company went out of business, so there was no way to get retribution. So now we were faced with either getting another whole engine or buying a car (used or new)...We prayed about this situation.

The same night a few hours later I noticed that our house was a little cold, so I checked the thermostat only to find out in a few minutes that our heater unit was broken. I think it was the ignite light or something like that. My hubby and I kind of laughed at the timing, but then resolved to pray about this situation too... That night I slept with my son's winter hat on :)

OK, now I will get to my Thankful list...

-The first thing is that I am so glad we have an "EMERGENCY FUND". Although I expect that no one likes to use his/her emergency fund, it is a blessing to have one. So we had money to repair the things that had broken down, and we didn't have to go into further debt.

-Another blessing was that we didn't even have to dip into the Emergency Fund to repair our heater...with a little penny pinching we paid to repair our heater with our regular income :)

-We were weighing out our options about what to do with my hubby's car... we even thought about buying a new car, but we didn't really want to have a car payment, as we have not had one in a very long time. We thought about buying a used car but that would almost empty our emergency fund, and we didn't want to take our E.F. so low. Our last option was to replace the engine in my hubby's car...which we thought would be around $3000.00.

A good friend told us about a guy that has dealt with her fairly when it comes to her car, so we called him. Although he could not help us, he referred us to another guy who was able to find an engine and install it for us for around $1300.00... AWESOME!!! God is so very good :)

-I can't share the details for personal reasons, but a prayer that we have prayed for awhile now was answered for our family... Even though I am not sharing the details...we are overwhelmed that the answer came this week with all these other answers to prayer :)

-Another blessing about this whole experience is how my husband and I handled this situation. First, my hubby was so calm and he remained in control even though I know he was panicking a bit. He prayed and trusted God for the outcome...

-For me, this situation was another situation in which I could tell that God has changed me... Let's just say in my younger days I was self absorbed and very selfish, and for the most part I would have just cared about how the situation effected me.

One thing that was brought up on Saturday was that if we had to spend all this money on the repairs it might mean my family could not go to Florida to see my extended family. We moved from Florida about 5 years ago, and I only get to see my family about 1-2 times a year...this is extremely important because my mom is not in good health, so to see her especially is important. At first I just thought no matter what we will still go to Florida, but later on that night I conceded to the fact that it might not happen if our funds get really low...That is a big praise because I wouldn't have thought that way before.

Also, in the past I would have complained about not having heat and I would probably have made my hubby call someone in the middle of the night to fix the heat. I didn't... I just bundled up, and covered the kids with extra blankets and told my husband that we would be fine. That was not how I would have acted in the past with my selfish attitude, so I give God praise that He has changed my heart... I still have far to go, but I praise God for the changes He has made so far...

OK, I think I have written enough for today... So I will stop here today. Blessings to All!!!!!!!