~~Goodbye 2009, Hello 2010~~

Wow...2010. That's a big number! I never thought I'd live to see the day! I remember when the 1900's were over and we had to start with a 20...and that was weird! Now...we're almost to the point of that old, OLD song, "In the year, 2525...if man is still alive". I think the Lord will return before then, but then there are 1000 years to go, so SOMEONE will be alive in 2525! Okay...I guess I'm spending too much time alone these days, but we are THANKFUL Dennis has a job! Ha!

I just redid my blog design. Another thing I do when hubby is working nights. Feelin' a little "out with the old, and in with the new" tonight! I took my Christmas decorations and trees down yesterday. It feels good to vaccum the entire room again! Also just thinking about the new decade we are about to enter and I'm thankful, so very thankful for the one we are saying goodbye too! So much has happened in our family in the past 10 years and I thought it'd be kind of neat to just bullet some of our blessings for you to see too! God is faithful...always has been, always will be!

• Moved from St. Louis to Indiana (June 1999)
• Brother Scott moved from Detroit to Wheaton, IL. {just an hour from us}
• Both girls attended and graduated from Purdue University
• We've attended 2 churches {not at the same time!}
• Allyson married Adam (Oct. 2004)
• Moved Mom and Dad from Colorado Springs to St. John, just 8 blocks from us! (2006)
• Dennis has had 3 jobs following being "downsized" with Roadway after 28 years
• Dennis and Adam built me an old lady porch! (2007-2008 Ha!)
• Adam and Ally moved to the country, 37 miles from us ( Oct. 2007)
• Scott married Robin (Dec. 2007)
• Amy married Brian (Mar. 2008)
• Amy moved to Arizona, 1747 miles from us! (March 2008)
• Life threatening illness for Dad left him hospitalized for almost 5 mos. (April 2008) Still with us...PTL!
• Carter Michael Frahm was born May 3, 2009
• Kierstyn Emmaleigh McKown was born July 3, 2009
• Vacationed in Colorado, Florida, New Hampshire, Nebraska and Arizona!
• The Lord provided Dennis with a job after being off work for 10 1/2 months!!!
• Met some wonderful new friends
• Became family with some wonderful old DEAR friends!
• Growing closer to the Lord
• Had trials we never thought we'd encounter, but it is good. {see previous bullet!}
• Gained 20 lbs....lost 38 lbs...gained back 28 lbs. UGH!
• The "change of life" isn't bad at all!! {once I got through it!}
• In the process of learning to live healthy

And now...some exciting news for ya'll regarding 2010...

My parents are going to be grandparents again!!

They will have 2 great-grandchildren who are older than their grandchild!

no...it's not me, silly!

I'm just the Aunt.

Scott and Robin are having their first baby together!!

Robin is due Aug. 1, 2010!!!

It's been fun bloggin' these past couple years! Stop in to visit from time to time and I'll keep you posted on our family!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."

Isaiah 40:8

Christmas 2009

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Some of my favorite Christmas Memories! Enjoy!

Merry Christmas from the Chicagoland!

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. we have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

~John 1:14~

As I ponder these words penned by the Apostle John so very many years ago, I can't help but think about the birth of my grannybabies this past year. Even though I can't find one thing wrong with MY grandbabies, they are not Jesus...not even close. {that is already being demonstrated at their young ages} BUT...they were born flesh,

JUST LIKE JESUS!

Take that in for a moment...Mary looked down upon her newborn son the same way my daughters must have looked upon their newborn babies. She looked at him wondering what the future would hold for him. She hoped the best for him, and trusted God to provide and lead the way.

Lead the way He did...demonstrating the life we are to live. It's impossible, which is why that little baby, at 33 yrs. of age had to go to the cross, to die, so that our sins could be forgiven.

Imagine for another moment how his mother must have felt to witness this...her little baby, now a man, hanging on the cross to die. Don't forget...she was human...she too, was a sinner that needed a Savior! Her son and her Savior.

What a sacrifice!

For both the mother and the Son. BUT GOD...according to His perfect plan raised Jesus on the 3rd day, proving that JESUS WAS GOD in the flesh.

He died for your sins and mine. That is just almost too big for me to grasp somedays. Most days. But it's true...and next Friday, we celebrate his birth!

Oh WHAT A SAVIOR!

PRAISE THE LORD!!!

He's coming home today!!

Not going to the nursing home for rehab...but coming HOME!

and if that weren't enough good news...

MOM's culture came back NEGATIVE!

No mrsa...not even a bacterial infection!

Thank you so much for praying!

A Reminder especially for me...

December 17, 2009

Spent

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: Serving others can be exhausting.

“I’m taking care of my grandchildren and my parents! I drop into bed exhausted every night.”

Nancy: Can you relate? The apostle Paul understood how exhausting serving others can be, yet he said, “I will very gladly spend and be spent for you.” Whether you’re ministering in a Sunday School class, a nursing home, or a house full of little ones, you know what it’s like to feel spent.
In Mark chapter 1 we read about an exhausting day in the life of Jesus. If anyone had earned the right to sleep in the next day, He had. Yet the account ends by saying, “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up . . . and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”
Unlike Jesus, we often attempt to live life in our own energy. We think we can keep giving out without getting replenished. Have you spent time lately being filled up in God’s presence?

With Seeking Him, I’m Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Fa-la-la-la-la.....

Just to update you so you can update your prayer list!

Dad is still in the hospital. He was scheduled for an epidural tomorrow, but his neck MRI shows no change since Aug. (PTL!) so now he's considering canceling it b/c he's afraid Medicare won't cover it since he's in patient and he's nervous he'll be paralyzed afterwards. He is still eating. (PTL!) Still struggling with anxiety...shucks. He was denied in hospital rehab...shucks. He MIGHT go home tomorrow...{not sure how I'm feeling about that one!} He's in the Lords hands...so I rest in that.

Mom has an infection on her arm...shucks. Dr. tested her for a mrsa infection....oh double shucks! She is home...(PTL!) The reddness is looking a little better today after starting a 10 day cycle of Bactrim last night...(PTL!) She's feeling pretty good, but still overwhelmed with all that is going on...prayer please.

Continue to pray for wisdom...and patience (dare I ask that?) and supernatural peace that only my Lord can give me during this time. Christmas, gifts, cooking, get togethers, shopping, caregiving, hospital visits, Dr. appts., hub's work schedule, household chores, car registration for my parents new car, which the dealership just delivered the paperwork today, one day late!....I know you understand it.

Merry Christmas to all...and to all a goodnight.

Busy week last week...

I've had quite a week...good and sad...yet, this week is starting good! My Dad has had quite a time of it since he got out of the hospital a week ago today. He had belly and back pain and he was so scared he was going to have what he had a year and 1/2 ago....when his bowel perforated. He went to the ER, and they admitted him...was there a little over a week and did every test under the sun. All came back normal. This all started the day after Thanksgiving, so it's been going on for awhile, and getting worse. He went home from the hospital, and still the next morning, he had awful pain. Hadn't eaten enough to keep a bird alive since his Thanksgiving meal. Loosing weight...feeling weaker and weaker b/c he couldn't get out of bed. Scheduled for an epidural {tomorrow} but that's been cancelled. He went to the hospital via ambulance last Wed., only to be sent home after a CAT scan and normal blood work...still in pain and not eating. Friday morning, he was so weak that he took a fall. His home health nurse came soon afterwards and called 911 b/c he couldn't turn his head and was crying out with pain. Mom felt dizzy too...and was having to hold onto walls to walk and her little hands turned blue, so the HHC nurse called 911 again...this time for Mom!! I had taken a day off to go with Jeanne to her daughters to help her decorate for a Christmas party when I got a call from the HHC nurse..."both of your parents were taken to the ER via ambulance and I thought you might want to know." Back to town I came...over to the hospital and bounced back and forth between rooms until 8:00 PM. They were both admitted...to the same room!!! So...they ended up being roomates! Praise the Lord, Dad didn't break anything, but he was pretty sore. Mom was just her usual dizzy self...but she's been under a great deal of stress with Dad and just reached the end of her rope, I think. The CT of her head was normal...as were her labs. Dad's xrays were normal...and his labs too. Sooo...it was like they checked into the Ritz for the night! I got a good nights sleep....finally.

I'm sharing this so you might pray. Dad has suffered for over 50 years with depression. He's been on many meds during that time, but as he ages, it seems to be getting worse. It's known now that his "pain", although it was REAL to him, was brought on by stress and anxiety. The good news....his meds are kicking in and he is now eating again...just a little, but he is eating. He is being evaluated tomorrow to see if he qualifies for an in-patient hospital rehab to get stronger again with physical therapy. He's been in bed since the day after Thanksgiving and not eating, so he's pretty weak. The criteria is that they have to decide if he will be able to go back to his house and live within 2 weeks...otherwise, he'll have to go to a nursing home to rehab...and take a longer time. I know this will mean he will have to be in there over Christmas. They never let anyone out quicker than 4 weeks. It takes them that long to get used to them! Ha! Although I think Mom and Dad would enjoy and surely benefit from assisted living, they are afraid it's like a nursing home and don't want to talk about it. I help as much as I can, but I can't be there everyday as their constant care nurse. Neither of them has a terminal illness...and honestly, they could live another 15+ years!

We need prayer. I need wisdom and strength to handle not only the daily needs of my own home but theirs as well. I don't know what the right thing to do is. I love them and surely don't want to make a decision for them that they won't like, but I fear for their safety at home alone. They want to continue to live a normal life at home. Someone coming into the home isn't something they want to talk about either. I just don't know what to do at this point and would appreciate your prayers on our behalf.

That's all...I'm bushwhacked!

Thanks for listening...and praying.

I just got a whole SLEW of pictures from Arizona...

Can you tell?

Look at these EYES!!!

Thank you Jesus!

Friday Favorite...a Day EARLY!!

Because I couldn't WAIT to share one of the best kept secrets EVAAH!!

Girls...I'm gonna share a secret with you. I don't have wonderful skin! 'Specially my face. It's getting better...but I'm tellin' ya, I've had zits blemishes off and on since I was like 7! I thought it'd get better when I got older...well, it didn't! In fact, a few years ago...when time started marching by at warp speed, it got WORSE! It's finally calmed down, but I still have to be careful about the soap I get to use on my face. For several years, I've only used Mary Kay Timewise, but I just can't bring myself to pay that price for a BAR OF SOAP for heaven sakes! {I'm thinkin' it's like $9.00 or something crazy like that!} My last Timewise "sample bar" was getting paper thin a couple weeks ago. My mistah was with me when I had to make a Dollar Tree run to see if they had those stinkin' glass vases (which they didn't...and STILL don't!) but my cool hubs decided to make the best of it and perused the aisles while I was busy looking for candles and vases. I got nuttin'...he picked up $7.00 worth of goods! And one of them was this bar of soap! I'm like..."Honey, we don't buy soap at the Dollar Tree!" Okay...lesson learned...AGAIN! He hung his head and slumped away since I was so SWEET and GENTLE...and I was convicted! Right there on the spot! I had to chase him down and apologize and ask him to let me see what kind of soap it was. [Girls...don't embarass your hubbies at the Dollar Tree...or anywhere else! We need to build them up, not tear them down with one sentence that spews out before we THINK! I felt so bad, and still do, but I am married to a very forgiving man and I'm eternally thankful.]

I read the box. "Hypoallergenic Non Comedogenic". Hmmmm...REALLY? Here at the Dollar Tree? They have soap like THAT? Sure do! I figured what did we have to loose? $1? I've tossed away more than that before. A broken out face? Whatev! I figured I deserved it for being such a jerk! Lets give it a shot.

Girls...it's THE BEST SOAP! {listen to your husbands! I almost missed this b/c I thought I knew better!} It's so good, I stopped in last night and bought 5 more bars! They are big...so my soap stash will most likely last me at least a year, if not longer! And they were ONE DOLLAR each!

It smells so fresh...unlike that other soap that's the same color. What do they call that stuff...Neutragena or something like that? I think that stuff smells medicinal, and I like to smell fresh when I crawl into bed, not like a medicine chest. {Winter months are hard b/c I do like to put Mentholatum on my lips before bed. Hubby won't kiss me if I do. Hmmm....DILEMMA!}

One more thing...Isn't this is the CUTEST ways of storing your soap in the guest bath.

I prolly won't do that even though I have the enamelware pan because Ivory soap disappears if you leave it unwrapped. Did you know that? I honestly have no idea WHERE it goes. It's like it just "evaporates" or something. I'm serious! I used to love the way it smelled so I put a bar of it in my sock drawer once. {I'm still serious!} Went to look for it one day and it looked like a "hotel bar"! WEIRD, I tell ya! For that reason, I won't unwrap my Ivory and tie it with rag strips. But it's SURE cute!

Okay...ya'll run over to the Dollar Tree and pick up yourself a bar of Pears. I'm pretty sure you won't be sorry!!!

The Wonder of her first Christmas!!!

We went out to the country yesterday...and lookie what we found under the tree!!

Glittered Acorns??? Sure thing!

I've been busy this afternoon!!! For almost a year I've been wanting to get some of Martha's glitter...you know..the expensive kind. As you also know, I've refrained from shopping for the most part while Dennis was off work...just didn't want to spend the do-re-mi on things I didn't need. {good lesson by the way...I STILL don't need it!} BUT...I had a 40% coupon for heaven sake! And it was burning a hole in my pocket. And Thanksgiving was coming quickly! So...last night, in the rain and wind, I went out shopping. Lo and behold...there it was...at Hob Lob! The BIG kit! Oh...be still my beating heart! I grabbed that baby and didn't look back! I couldn't wait to get up this morning and go out searching for acorns in my backyard...and believe me, there are a TON! So...a gathering I went! I'm just going to post a few pics of these now b/c I'll have a slide show for you Ame...sure wish you were here at my table! I'm thankful that you won't be alone down there though...and that you are "practicing hospitality" with Susan and Jeff....and having a lovely Thanksgiving Dinner at your house!

Sorry...I got a little emotional there for a minute. I just miss her so much and our blogs keep us close!! Well, as close as you can get when your firstborn lives in Arizona!

Soo....ya wanna see how these babies came out? First...this is the kit I got. It was $29.99 and I had a 40% coupon! {I have to keep telling myself that...but really...how much is glitter really worth??

I painted some glue on the caps with a sponge brush...then sprinkled glitter on their hats! I let those dry, then glued them to some whole pecans that I didn't use anymore. The squirrels ate all of the acorns already...and just left their hats!

Squirrels are smart!

They don't bring stuff home they can't use!

Instead of putting hats on all of them, some I just painted glue on and shook some glitter on to simulate hats! I like those too, since pecans have a pointy little head!

After they dried, I put several in a little pewter gravy boat thinkin' that'd be kinda pretty.

I picked out 6 of the best ones, and made place cards. Now...keep in mind, we are having Thanksgiving at my brothers tomorrow in Wheaton b/c my mister has to GETS TO work...then we are having "our" turkey day on Friday so he can have some goodies too! Mom and Dad, Ally and Adam and baby Kiki are my only guests...so why do I need PLACECARDS?? We might eat so much we loose our spot? I dunno...I just like em.

It's like cloth napkins.

I LIKE EM!

Then, I sprinkled some around my centerpiece!

Here's a snap of that...that big 'ol bird! She boarders a freak show, but I felt sorry for her. I got her at the thrift store a couple months ago...for $1.90! She may end up gold leafed next year if she's not good this year!

I like gold leaf stuff too!

I got kinda carried away with my center island decor! I will take that down before I serve dinner! I do buffet style serving with a group and I serve off the center island. There will be too much food for this junk beautiful decor!!

We'll be more about eating than looking pretty!

Don't cha just LOVE sparkly things? I do!

Especially my acorns!

And don't forget, in the hustle and bustle of your day

To ALWAYS...

Have a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving!

Vampire Craze

I haven't been too tempted to go see this movie series, yet it's all over blogdom, in our churches and seems to be a series that has taken the world by storm...so what is up with this Vampire Craze? This article was snagged off the True Women Blog this morning and if you have teen girls, you might want to give it a look see. It amazes me how some of the movies and shows today give us a flavor of "Christianity", yet it is so diabolically opposed...and we think it's good! These shows typically contrast good vs. evil...with the good winning. Somehow, these ideas have made us consider them "safe" when realistically, they are forming our theology. Remember the childhood song...what goes in, comes back out! {how'd that go? I forget!}

Remember, we are to guard our hearts!

Your Relationships posted on 11.23.09 by Erin Davis


Unless you've been living under a rock, you already know that the Twilight sequel, New Moon, was released in theaters Friday. News organizations nationwide reported sell-out crowds at local theaters. Thousands of fans camped out for hours to stake out their seats for the heavily hyped movie premiere. Experts are reporting that New Moon is now the number-one advance ticket seller of all time. In other words, it's a mega-hit! It's more than a blip on the landscape of culture. It's more like a bombshell, and young women are among the series' biggest fans.

Because I care so deeply about pointing young women toward God's truth, I couldn't let this movie premiere go unaddressed. I know it's controversial and I know, because I've blogged about Twilight in the past, that my stand on the series doesn't make me the world's most popular blogger. But I also know what's at stake. These aren't just books. New Moon isn't just another hit movie. We need to talk about it.

Proverbs 4:23 warns, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

What we allow into our hearts and minds will impact us. As I've researched New Moon and heard about it from countless young women in my sphere of influence, it's clear to me that this movie and the rest of the Twilight series are designed to pull at your heart strings.

People magazine released its "Sexiest Men Alive" issue last week. An entire section of the magazine was dedicated to "Vampires to die for." Twilight star Robert Pattinson topped the list. Stars from the hit vampire shows The Vampire Diaries and True Blood were also featured. All three series have this in common—they're centered around male characters who are dark, brooding, and dangerous.

Vampire Diaries star Ian Somerhalder offered this explanation for the phenomenon: "The mythology behind vampires has never really gone away. It was always there. Now you have this market for it because I think they're fun. They're powerful. They're sexy. They're dangerous. They're beautiful. Something draws you to them . . . The girls like the bad boy."

Vampire Diaries co-executive producer Julie Plec offered this spin: "You want to believe there is so much going on behind those eyes. You want to believe that they have epic amounts of knowledge and soul and spirituality and intelligence lurking behind those eyes. And in real men, you don't often get that. So in a vampire, just by definition, you are getting the bad boy with the brain."

Here's where my spiritual antenna starts to perk up. As young women everywhere choose between Team Edward and Team Jacob and as over 5 million viewers tune in weekly to the vampire shows I mentioned above (for comparison, that's equivalent to the population of Scotland), I can't help but wonder if this fascination with the dark, dangerous, bad boys featured in these series is fitting for girls and women who love Jesus.

First Corinthians 13:4–7 says this, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

Galatians 5:22–23 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."

I've always seen these passages as a great barometer for choosing a fella. These are the qualities that I would advise Christian young women to look for in a man—patience, kindness, joy, peace, goodness, faithfulness, self-control. This is what we should be drawn to. We shouldn't link our lives with those who are envious, boastful, proud, rude, self-seeking, easily angered, concerned with keeping score. It isn't wise to form emotional attachments with a guy who delights in evil.

I've seen firsthand, in my own life and in the lives of so many young women, the train wreck that occurs when we're drawn to bad boys. I know the pain that can occur in real life when girls link their lives with guys who are dangerous, brooding, dark, and unpredictable.

That's why I can't help but see New Moon and the rest of the vampire craze for what it is—dangerous! It isn't wise to buy in to the fascination with these characters who are "sexy" because they are dark. Remember the warning in Proverbs, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

As New Moon rises to the applause of our culture, I have to ask, are you guarding your heart above all things?

A couple a things...

Got a couple things I wanted to share with you today...first...if you haven't stopped by Michael's, you might wanna take a swing by. They have their Fall stuff marked down to 90% off! I saw a crow I wanted a week ago, but it was still $10.00. They were only 50% off then and I'm NOT going to pay $10.00 for a bird. The other night, we stopped by again and they had been marked down to 90% off! What's the chances of that dirty ol' bird still being there??

100%!!!

and he was only $1.99!!

Don't pay attention to the dust, mmmkay?

This picture is for my bff, Carolyn...b/c she isn't on facebook! I got bangs yesterday for the first time in like 12 years or so. I'm still not used to them but it's fun to have a change! It's funny how I like change in some things, but not in others. That's a whole different post! Ha! So....this one's for you Carolyn! {I miss you btw!}

Dennis saw this picture and he know's where Carter gets his looks...from his Grammy!

Amy call's it his mischevious look!

Then again, maybe I got that look from him!

But I've got more hair!

Speaking of hair...this little one is getting more of it! Can't tell in this picture b/c she's got her head covered, but trust me...it's coming in good!

Had to give my girlie girl equal time! ;)

That's all I got. Have a GREAT weekend!

I want a friend like this...

I want a friend like that!
Your Relationships posted on 11.17.09 by Kimberly Wagner

Do you have friends who point you to truth? Friends who offer the comfort of God's grace when you are hurting? Do you have friends in whom you feel safe confiding your heart, knowing they will go to God alone with your struggles? I am eternally grateful for friends like that. They are gifts to me from the Father.

Women are normally wired to be social creatures. When there's exciting news to share, heartbreak, disappointment, or the need of a shoulder to cry on, we usually turn to a friend.

Within the Titus 2 passage there is a valuable word of exhortation that should be a vital aspect of our friendships: "Encourage the young women to … be sensible" (v. 5).

This one little word is packed with meaning. It's the Greek word sóphrón—to be of sound mind, self-controlled, temperate. To operate with this mindset is to use wisdom, taking the knowledge of the Word of God and applying it practically to the demands of daily life in order to live life to God's glory.

To be a "sóphrón woman" means that your behavior is directed by God's truth rather than driven by your emotions.
When faced with challenging circumstances, the tendency for most women is to react—not in wisdom—but with our emotions! This is where being a Titus 2 friend can be helpful. I have a few friends that I turn to when I know I'm not operating with a sóphrón mindset, and my request is, "Speak truth to me."

Do you have friends like that? Are you this kind of friend to others?

A "Titus 2 Friend" …

Listens well (Proverbs 15:28; 18:13)
Doesn't get caught up in the emotions of the situation, but is sensible in her reaction (Proverbs 31:25–26)
Offers godly comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3–7)
Speaks words of hope, grace, and truth (Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 4:6; Proverbs 24:14; 27:6)
Demonstrates faith (Hebrews 11:1; Psalm 56:3–4)
Humbly leads by suggesting ways to practically apply the truth of God's Word (Proverbs 22:17; 25:11–12)
Is discreet and confidential (Proverbs 25:9)
Directs her to the One who has all wisdom as her ultimate Counselor (Psalm 9:9–10; 91)
Prays with her and commits to prayer intercession for her (Colossians 1:9–12)
You may be reading this post and thinking, I want a friend like that!

Be a friend like that. And then ask God to bring friends into your life who will point you to truth when you are struggling.

How about it? Will you develop Titus 2 friendships? Women need these kinds of relationships.

Ohhh....I like this..A LOT!

November 16, 2009
Quick Repentance

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: No matter how God gets our attention, the important thing is to respond immediately.

“I was headed toward divorce. A good friend kind of grabbed me and got my attention. She looked me in the eye and helped me to realize the path that I was on. That was the turning point. It was hard, but I made a lot of changes."

Nancy: The best time to respond to God in repentance is the moment we’re convicted of sin. If we delay and resist His Spirit, it gets harder and harder to humble ourselves and repent.

Jesus spoke about being quick to repent in Matthew 5 when He said, “When you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

Today, let’s be ready to respond if God brings conviction of sin.

With Seeking Him, I’m Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

I've got a few of these Friday Favorites coming up for ya! This one has been something I've been looking for on my list for quite some time, but Amy picked one up somewhere and it prompted me to go a lookin' harder! A few weeks ago, my mistah and I were at Ace Hardware. He needed some Carhartt overpants...what do you call those things??...anyhow...he needed some for the cold Chicago winter that he's getting ready to face on the dock at his new job. Soooo...if you've ever been pant shoppin' with MY MISTAH...you're just happy he's going to do it at Ace Hardware and not Kohl's!! {unless you happen to be Marty. Marty and Dennis are pants shopping buddies. Unfortunately, we don't live close enough for them to go together all the time!} I go b/c I like being with him, but after 30 minutes...I'm moving onto other things. So it was on this day.

I love hardware stores. I could own one! But I won't. Anyhow...I began to meander. {don't cha love that word?...MEEEAAANNDER.} Okay...back to my story. I meandered up and down every aisle at that big ol' store when I happened to run across the cleaning aisle. Now...Ace has cleaning supplies that your regular grocery store doesn't have. Like Mrs. Meyers cleaning agents. I think they are the organic type...but the scents are so pretty. Lavender counter top cleaner. Now WHO wouldn't like that?? They also have other DELIGHTFUL scents like:

Basil
Lavender
Lemon Verbena
Geranium
Baby Blossom
Scent Free
Holiday

Here's what that looks like:

They have liquid pump soap, bar soap, All Purpose Cleaner, Dishwasher Soap, Surface Scrub and other soaps. (I'm sounding a little like Bubba from Forrest Gump, aren't I? Wonder if they have SHRIMP soap? Ha!) Soo....this isn't my Friday favorite today, but it might be someday!

BUT THIS IS!!!

Girls...if you have stubborn spots/lime buildup or whatever on your toilets...go grab buy yourself one of these pumice stones and put some elbow grease to it...and it'll be so shiney you can eat off of it! {okay...don't eat out of your toilets...but you get the picture!} That lime buildup and stain is G-O-N-E!

The price of this little diddy was a mere $3.99 and it was SOO worth it! As you can see...there are many uses for it. I saved my box incase i ever want to use it on something else! Ha!

So that's what I got for ya today! Go find yourself one. Tell 'em I sent ya.

Nevermind...they don't know me!

But tell your hubby that you got the idea off of an "ode laties" blog...and he'll hug you for buying it! At least he'll hug you for wanting to go to the hardware store with him!! ; )

Speaking of "ode laties"...I ran across this sweet picture not long ago. Thought a "couple of ya's" would get a good giggle out of this one! Sweet little Lane is going to marry the love of her life on Dec. 19th in Topeka, Ks. Doesn't she look like a "bride to be"? Congrats Lane Elizabeth...praying for you as you get ready for your big day!!! Pretty soon you will be like your "ode laty" friend, Amy...shopping for pumice stones to clean your toilets!

Ya'll have a wonderful day!!

A GREAT reminder for all of us!

November 11, 2009
A True Repenter

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: What does a repenter look like? Well, for one thing, a repenter accepts God’s discipline.

“I’m glad I had those problems because I spent more time praying. That showed me some of the sin in my heart.”


Nancy: A repenter also follows God personally.

“I learned not to worry about what everybody else is doing. When God convicts me of an issue, I want to obey.”


Nancy: A repenter renews his mind with the Truth.
“For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation.”

“When I read in the Bible about God’s holiness, it makes me realize how sinful I really am.”


Nancy: A repenter responds to God immediately.

“When I’m convicted about something, if I wait, I am just miserable.”

Nancy: Because we all sin, we all need to be good repenters. Is there an issue you need to talk to God about?

With Seeking Him, I’m Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Happy BD Mom...#76!!

Today is my Mama's 76th BD! Doesn't she look amazing for being over 3/4 of a century old! Wow...that's a LONG time! Imagine all the changes she's seen in her lifetime! Indoor toilets, telephones, telephones NOT on a pole, telephones that are not party lines, telephones that are not a rotary dial, telephones that are cordless, telephones that are cellular!, crock pots, dishwashers {other than the kids!}, ATM's, computers, ipods vs. radios, TV's, automobiles that you didn't have to push to start, loaf bread at the store, air travel, children, grandchildren and GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN! I'd say she's having a wonderful life! Happy BD Mom! I'm so glad you're MY mom! I love you and hope you have a beautiful day!

Graphics: Raspberry Road, Raspberry Jam QP

My lil' AZ Punkin

Just foolin' around with some PE this afternoon...and thought this was the cutest picture of my little AZ punkin! Sorta made his cheeks a bit rosey...but he looks cute with rosey cheeks...and I'm his Grammy...so I can get by with it! ; 0

Grandchildren make the best subjects for pictures, don't they?

Sweet, Sweet, Sweet...

I got to go to Kierstyn's 4 month appointment yesterday. She got hungry, so her mama gave her the paci while we waited for her Dr. to come in the room. (ugh...we waited over an hour IN the exam room!) She got 4 shots. I don't like those. Neither did she! Such a peaceful baby. But she has the same personality as her mommy when it comes time to get her shots....

She didn't like that doctor very much afterwards...no matter how nice he was to her!

4 month stats...25.5" long, 15.5 lbs. Growin' right on track!

My Friday Favorite

I know it's been awhile...but I have a new FAVORITE blog. Here it is...and when you have some time, you'll wanna check it out. That is, iffin' ya like primitive things. She has some SWEET ideas! That's all. Just a short note today! : 0

Where are all the little old, godly women??

Yesterday, Ally and I had a discussion regarding MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) that sort of touched upon the subject addressed below. She had a delightful morning visiting with some old frineds but after attending she found out that there was a $20.00 one time registration fee, then it was going to cost $50.00 per semester (fall, spring) to attend this group that meets once a month at church. These groups not only meet at our church, but many churches throughout the country. I've known WONDERFUL women that have personally been involved in this "ministry" and know they have a deep desire to encourage younger women, I'm just not all together sure this is the biblical way of going about it. I don't mean to be critical...really I dont...I just don't "get it". WHY do we need to charge our young women to be a part of this fellowship? Allyson said there was no biblical teaching, maybe a couple of verses read. These, for the most part, are women that have chosen to be stay at home Moms, many of them trying to make ends meet on their husbands income, and we are charging them to come? WHERE ARE ALL THE OLDER WOMEN and WHY is there a need to charge money for this group? I know there is paid childcare, but honestly, WHERE are the older women and WHY aren't they {I?} there to take care of the children so these young women can spend time with one another? It's just the most perplexing thing I have tried to wrap my mind around in years!

This morning, Amy and I spent quite a good deal of time on the phone discussing this matter as well...only with a little different twist. "How do you open your home to weekly Bible Study with food...when kids come that are not taught that food should stay at the table?" Been there Ame...I understand. Now, I know that each home has different "house rules". In our home, we did occasionally have "pizza night" or "popcorn night" where we laid out a quilt on the floor and the children were allowed to bring their food into the living room and we watched a movie with our dinner. But those were "special" nights...not the norm. We decided to do this for various reasons. When I had children, I wanted the dinner table to be a place to come together as a family where we could discuss our days together, talk about things we've learned and to be encouraged. We did not have a TV in the kitchen where our heads would all be turned to one direction and no one talked. We TALKED to each other. It mattered a GREAT DEAL how my hubby's day went. It mattered a GREAT DEAL that my daughters saw that when Daddy had a hard day at work, we were there to make him laugh and to show him love. It mattered a GREAT DEAL what was going on in our girls' lives. And it mattered a GREAT DEAL that Dennis and I would hear their take on life and to gently guide them into biblical thinking, not just letting them form their own opinions on everything that brought disappointment to their hearts. Without sitting as a family at the dinner table, I'm not so sure this would have been possible in my family. Second, we wanted to also let them know that there are times we can deviate from the "norm" and have FUN...which for us, meant "moobie night"!! Those were fun nights...often ending in spilled milk or pop and what not, but I protected my carpet from such disasters while teaching them to "be careful". I believe both lessons are valid.

Anyhow...I'm so stinkin' opinionated and long winded....sorry.

After Amy and I had our wonderful discussion this morning on "how do you open your home for ministry opportunities without having your house destroyed by the kids"...it came to me again...WHERE ARE THE OLDER WOMEN?? It also came to me that we JUST MIGHT have our hearts more focused on our possessions rather than our hospitality. BUT...Why are small church groups made up almost exclusively age related? How are the young men and women supposed to model godliness when there are no older people around to model? How can they be gently taught in love when there is no one to do it? I know I'm being pretty vocal here, but this is something that has always been such a burden on my heart and I've found that young women and church leaders are not receptive to it. Is is ME? Am I being too critical? Do I expect more out of children than they are capable of doing? I have searched my heart as well as the scriptures and I continue to come up with the fact that we are to TRAIN OUR CHILDREN. I've always said that the training ground for a child is in the home...but there are such great opportunities to train a child at a friends house, at a restaraunt, at the mall, at church, all over!!We are to teach our young women how to LOVE THEIR HUSBANDS AND CHILDREN. This must mean that it doesn't come naturally for us! We have left our younger generation of women to fend for themselves, I believe b/c many of our generation of Mom's were out making a living, instead of living on what the Lord has provided in their husbands income. We encourage them to go shopping, so they can have the latest fashion trends, which only seems to perpetuate the idea of being a slave to what we have. I do understand that there are certain circumstances where staying home with the children may not be an option however, most of the time, it seems that option is taken away b/c we buy homes and cars that are beyond our needs. I'd drive an old car anyday in order to be home when my babies needed direction...and no one can take the place of a mommies touch when it comes to a child needing their mommy. Please forgive me if I'm being too verbal about this. It's my blog though...and this subject has been burning a HOLE in my heart for several years now. {not with you girls...I know, I'm preachin' to the choir here!} I know it's not a popular opinion, but the more I see the family deteriorate, walk away from the Lord and follow the world and it's desires, the deeper this burden gets for me. I guess I'm not here to change the world as much as I am to leave my footprint on the hearts of my own children and grandchildren. Lord willing, I'll be here many more years to "bend their ears" to what I think is BEST for them. I know I sound like a nag from time to time...and I apologize for that girlies...but God's design for the family is THE BEST design there is. And I will encourage you as long as I have breath...to walk in HIS WAYS...to train your children up in the admonition of the Lord and to teach them by modeling to them how sweet it is to trust in Jesus. You will be blessed!

Okay...I'll get off my soapbox here, but when I saw this series coming up for this month on the True Women Blog, my heart jumped for joy! Somehow, if it comes from an organization, it's not so critical...much less judgemental or something. So...I wanted to share it with you all. Tune in for what I believe, will be some great teaching this month!

Nuff said.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Your Relationships posted on 11.04.09 by Kimberly Wagner

As a young woman preparing for marriage, I kept wondering, Where are all the little old, godly women who can help me get ready for this? Who could give me some pointers for my role as a new bride? I wanted to sign up for some kind of "wife and mom apprenticeship." But as I looked around, many of the couples' marriages were struggling or had already ended in divorce, and the elderly women felt they had nothing to offer. That is when I really began to have a burden for training younger women.

Hopefully many of you were blessed by a woman who poured biblical truth into your life and encouraged you in how to live that out practically. But if you've never had that experience, it could be because we are currently experiencing an epidemic of loss. To a large degree, we've lost the biblical model of women discipling or teaching younger women.

Calling all women!
That is why I'm so excited about this month's topic. We're going to focus on living out the Titus 2 mandate. No matter your season of life, whether married or single, childless or with a houseful, this topic affects you!

Tucked away in the little book of Titus, we find the "biblical womanhood curriculum" simply outlined as follows:


Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled (Titus 2:3–5).


Only three verses, but they are packed full with opportunity!

What are we to be teaching?
Let's focus on one phrase in this passage, "teach what is good." This phrase is translated from one Greek word—kalodidaskalous. Literally it means to be teaching what is beautiful, good, commendable, excellent, honorable, sound, right, and honest.

If you spend time studying the book of Titus, you'll notice a critically important phrase throughout: sound doctrine. This is referring to healthy teaching—to truth that produces spiritual well-being. It is biblical truth that affects your worldview, your thoughts, your attitudes, your actions, and ultimately your entire lifestyle. So, most importantly, what we are teaching must be built upon "sound doctrine."

The Biblical Womanhood Curriculum
The "biblical womanhood curriculum," according to verses four and five, covers these topics:

Loving your husband

Loving your children

Being self-controlled (which would also cover "holy behavior" as mentioned in verse 3)

Moral purity

Being a "home-worker"

Being of good character; having a kind, pleasant disposition

Being submissive or respectful of your husband's headship

Honoring the Word of God by living it out

This month's topic really goes to the heart of the True Woman Movement—women training and encouraging others to fulfill their purpose and calling as women. So, why don't you consider how you can apply this month's teaching to your life?

Dividing up the Loot...

Aren't they cute? We had little ones {and bigger ones!} from all over come out last night to enjoy the nice weather and hold out their bags to collect candy. One cute little fella announced right away, "I'm allergic to peanuts"! You could tell his mommy rehearsed extensively with him! Good for her! Then, there was a precious little lady...I'd say about 3, whom when I stooped down with the candy holder to give her some candy, she reached right into the container and said, "I want this one"! She was a princess...and I thought she was too cute to argue with, so I told her to take that one and I'd give her another one for later. Her eyes lit up like a jack-0-lantern...and she ran off squeeling to the top of her lungs..."THAT NICE LADY GAVE ME TWO, DADDY!!!" Did my heart good! But now I have a question for you all...

How do you divide your candy up between your children when it all comes in? I was out rakin' leaves this afternoon (well actually, I mowed them up and dispersed them on the curb so our leaf sucker boys can come this week and mulch em!). I think a lot when I rake leaves. Too tired to do anything but think I guess. Anyhow, back to the subject...I found a few candy wrappers from last night in the leaves. I smiled, remembering the days when we took Amy and Ally out to fetch a ton of cavity producing treats...and then remembered how we tried to divide it all up later that evening. Amy laid hers all out in order. She'd not put one thing in her mouth until it was all organized! The candy bars in one pile, the singles in another, the *Smarties, *Sweet-Tarts, etc. in yet another pile. Ally, on the other hand, just started eating, bless her heart! (a girl after my own heart!!) She loved Halloween! I'll never forget the year she was Raggedy Ann...her make up was smeared from ear to ear and chocolate was dripping from her mouth. She looked like a horror movie by the time we stopped her. Amygirl was still sorting her candy...each piece in the right place. Then, she wanted baggies to divide those up so they didn't touch. It was a stitch watching them...and then looking at Dennis as he tried to sneak one out of the batch. He tormented the girls! All in the end...we let them have a "few" pieces of candy that night and then one or 2 per day until they lost interest or until their favorites were gone. Of course, Dennis and I snuck some here and there too...knowing they wouldn't miss a few pieces. Amy counted hers...I think she knew when a gumball was missing! But after a few years, she just grew to expect some of it was for our enjoyment too, after I explained that we bought their costumes and Dad walked every house with them while I stayed home and made dinner, handing out treats to the little munchkins that came to our house!

Sooo....back to my question...HOW do you divide up your candy FAIRLY? If you allow your children to go trick-or-treating, how do you maintain Christian principles while giving into some of the "Americanized traditions" of these pagen holidays? I say that b/c I know how Halloween started and while I'm not a fan of this "holiday" at ALL...I don't run from home when it rolls around {anymore!}. Most of the children that come to my door are not gathering candy to offer in exchange for their souls, after all. They just want CANDY. Sooo...there leaves a mountain of candy. Just wanting to get your ideas incase we have more children! Ha....just kidding about that, but my girls are just getting started with their families and thought this would be good for all of us to hear from each other about.

How can we divide this mess up fairly?

Any and all ideas are welcome!

It's Fall, Ya'll!

It seems our seasons are changing right before my eyes! I took the first set of pictures the day before I went to Phoenix b/c I knew the colors wouldn't last if we had a hard freeze. Glad I did...b/c the leaves had started to turn brown when I got home. This morning, we woke to 70 degree temps but it was raining sideways most of the day. Strong winds and rain took down many of the leaves, leaving a mess to rake up as soon as it dry's out. Next step...rake leaves and drag them around to the front curb...and wait for the "leaf sucker boys" to come around with their big machine and mulch them up! It's always a fun time in St. John...since we have SOOO many trees! Glad my sweetie is off next week!! Guess what we'll be a doin?? :)

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jog

And lookie here who I had to leave behind!

Carter's mommy said I couldn't stick him in my carry on, even if I promised to not tuck it under the seat...so I had to leave him behind. But that's probably the right thing to do, beings his Mommy loves him so! Miss you buddy!! Oh how I loved givin' him a bath and that last bottle of the day! Mmmmm...the smell of a baby...

I just miss him.

There's a slideshow a comin' as soon as my youngin' puts her makeover pics on her blog. I don't want to steel her thunder, ya know! Had a marvelous time in Phoenix...now home to 50 degree weather and rain.

But, theres no place like home!

Happy 5th Anniversary Adam & Allyson!!

Wow...5 years! Seems like it was just last year that we were planning a beautiful Fall wedding! I remember it was raining cat's and dogs that morning...when we girls went to 'get our hair did'! Not just a sprinkle...but a full out gully washer! Then, it turned off really cool in the afternoon and the sun came out just in time for your ceremony to begin! It's been that way ever since, hasn't it?? What a beautiful marriage you two have. God has blessed you over and over again, most recently with the birth of your first child, Kierstyn Emmaleigh. I have seen you both grow closer together as you have trusted the Lord with your lives...and it brings us so much joy to see you walking with HIM! May you have many more years together, walking hand in hand, following the SON! I love you...

It's my Party...

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Dennis went to work at 4:15 PM...I had bloghopped for about 2 hrs. and was just getting ready to crawl into my jammies when the doorbell rang. It was Adam, Ally and Kiki...stopping by to wish me a "Happy Birthday". I shut the door and Ally said, "Wait, we're not all in yet!" Looked out and in comes Patti and Tim. (they had gone out for dinner earlier) We were sitting in the Family Room chatting when the phone rings...it's Jeanne, wanting to know what I was doing!

Jeanne: "Hey...what are ya up to?"

Me: "Oh..nothing much, Adam 'n Ally and Patti and Tim just stopped by for a bit."

Jeanne: "Well, I won't keep you, I just wanted to thank you for sending me the link to Ashley's wedding pictures and for Carter's new video! That little boy is SOOO cute!"

Me: "Aww...thanks! I can't wait to see him this week!"

Jeanne: "Well, I won't keep you since you have company, just wanted to thank you for the pictures. I'll talk to you on Monday."

Me: "Okay...talk to you then. Bye."

2 minutes later...DING-DONG!!

Go to the door...it's Jeanne, Tom and Mom and Dad!!

Allyshawanda had totally pulled off a surprise BD party for me! She made a homemade German Chocolate cake and everything!! IT was so delicious, but didn't compare to the surprise on my face when they call came over! If I knew they were a comin', I'd have at least put on some MAKE UP, for heaven sake!! Ha!

Anyhow...hope you enjoy getting a peek at my birthday party. I missed my honey, but it's okay...he's got a JOB! ; ) And for my BD...he gave me tickets to go see our AZ kids!! I'm leavin' tomorrow morning! Be prepared for a whole new slideshow next week!!! Thanks for the party Ally...you're pretty special no matter WHAT your sister say's about ya! Ha! {inside joke ya'll!}

Somebody turned 35 today!!

My wonderful son in law turned 35 years old today! Happy BD Brian!! It is my prayer that the next 35 will be a blessing to you, as you are to us!!! Can't wait to hug your mug in 3 more days!! We'll celebrate all over again! Love you!!

Help, Mommydom leaves no time for God!

Here are some practical tips on creating space to hear from the Lord:

1. First, think through the last 48 hrs. Any time-stealers come to mind? Facebook, Twitter, TV, email, Internet, phone calls, or texts? Make sure the enemy isn't robbing you of God-moments by offering a "harmless" substitute.

2. Time with the Lord takes intentional planning when you have a full, noisy, busy house. Some days, gather your kids around and read a passage to them. If you can make it interesting to listen to, you might get through several verses. Write a few verses out and leave them in the kitchen, laundry room, or car so you can contemplate as you cook, fold, or wait for your kids.

3. Place Bibles in several spots around your house so anytime you do get to sit down you can snatch a verse or two to ponder.

4. Use the first few minutes of nap time to get rest for your spirit. You probably won't be reading chapters or books at one sitting, but the Lord can use even snippets to instruct and encourage your heart. If you have kids who no longer nap, make a quiet zone where they can read or color while the little ones sleep and you get refreshed. Occasionally, this will actually work!!

5. Escape for a few minutes if you can after your husband gets home or right after dinner. I have had quiet times on picnic tables at the park, in my car at Sonic, on my driveway sitting in my car, and in my laundry room or closet.

6. Practice God's presence "in the midst" of your crazy days. He doesn't leave because your life is hectic. He can minister grace to your heart as you comfort that child or chop veggies for dinner or sort dirty socks. Christ knew what it was like to wash dirty feet. He is not absent when we are surrounded by lots of them! Remember that the Lord had many moments when He sought to draw apart to seek the Father. Sometimes that happened, sometimes He was moved with compassion and returned to the multitudes. His heart was to do the will of His Father every moment of every day, but He didn't live apart, He lived in the midst.

7. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom and discernment as you discover what will work for your family. Since it is God's will for you to know Him, ask Him to enable you to creatively pursue that in this season of your life. God's Word is eternal. The lives of those who come to know Him are eternal. Houses, stuff, and even time will all pass away. We won't regret time invested in His Word and in raising our kids to love Christ.

Proverbs 2:1–10 says:

My (daughter), if you will receive my words
And treasure my commandments within you,
Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your heart to understanding;
For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding;
If you seek her as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will discern the fear of the LORD
And discover the knowledge of God.
For the LORD gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity.

Hope this helps!
~Holly Eliff, Revive our Hearts Blog

Fall Decorating

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Come on in and take a peek! I have a couple new things since I took these pics last week, but was too lazy to go take more pictures. I LOVE FALL decorating! I would have had myself a few Mum's for my front porch, but with a freeze coming tonight, I figured I'd save the $! Tomorrow, if it's not nasty out, I'm putting my porch to sleep for the winter. I get sad on that day...b/c I don't get to curl up in my wicker rocker and read anymore for the year. Thankful I have a fireplace that I can snuggle in front of! Aren't the season changes a beautiful thing?

My little messMaker!

After seeing all the pictures of Anna's "creative" children, I had to find this one and only picture of Amy being "up to no good"! I've been wracking my brain to remember if my kids colored on the walls [did they even make Sharpies back then?], flushed things down the toilet, stuck objects in their ears or up their noses, and THIS is all I can come up with! (caught on film!) Remember, we lived in a day of having pictures developed the old fashioned way {thus the grainy photo above!} and I didn't run for my camera b/c I'd forget what happened by the time I got the roll developed anyhow! Ha! So....Anna...eat your heart out! This pretty much sums it up for my crew. Now...I DO recall Ally putting on my lipstick and kissing her painted wall once. Got the color off, but the "lip print" was still there the day we moved out...bled thru after having painted over it with another color! I think the most ghastly mess we had was when one of the girls (can't really remember which one now) had chili for dinner and promptly puked it up on my BRAND NEW OFF WHITE carpet. Yes, we had it installed and not one week following, one of our little missies got the flu bug and stained the carpet from the sofa in the living room, all the way down the hall to the bathroom! I nursed them back to health while my dear hubby cleaned up the mess. THAT...was a mess! And to think....I carpeted over beautiful hardwood floors! UGH!
The End.

Adam J's Visit, Apologetics Conference 2009

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We're having a great weekend with Adam! Wish you all were here to soak up some of his teaching, b/c it's GREAT! We really enjoyed the conference Friday and Sat. and now look forward to putting some of what we learned into practice with our Bible Study group. We're headed to Lowell Southern Baptist Church with him this morning to hear him preach, then he gets to go to Mi Ranchito with the Pastor and his family for Mexican. Thus...the reason we changed our menu plan last night...didn't want him on a mexican overload...not a good idea when you're gonna be in the pulpit ya know! It's not good to "blow away" your congregation! Ha! Wish you all were here! We're having a wonderful weekend!

Events from the past 3 weeks...

I've been a busy bee these past couple three weeks! A good busy...but busy, nonetheless! First off, and the most wonderful answer to prayer came just last week on Tuesday in the form of a job for my Mister! Before I tell you about that, I want to tell you a few things the Lord has made clear to us in these past months off.

HE IS FAITHFUL! -there were times we discussed alternatives that might help supplement our income as we waited upon the Lord, but we chose to continue to wait and pray. While we believe it wouldn't be sinful for me to go back to work, as we prayed about that, we never got a clear answer to "Go", which to us meant I was to stay home for now. When I look back now, I'm SOOO glad I didn't jump fast. I would have missed out on some pretty special times with my honey!

HE IS OUR PROVIDER! - probably one of the things that would have drained our savings straight away would have been to continue to pray Cobra insurance at the rate of $750.00 every month. In the very beginning, we prayed about whether to even carry insurance during this time but Dennis believed we should go ahead and keep it. Just 2 months later, President Obama signed the stimulus bill for assistance in health insurance premiums for a certain group of people. (we "fell" into this group!) So...after the initial 2 months of increased Cobra rates, we only had to pay $250.00 per month! This runs through the end of October. We found out just yesterday that ABF has only a 30 day waiting period before your health insurance kicks in!! YEA....no more Cobra!! And not one $750.00/month increase!!

HE IS OUR JOY! - There is no denying that a man without a job is a stressed man, however, my Mister continued to look to the Lord for his joy and his strength, trusting HIM to comfort him during this humiliating time. Sometimes HE brings us to our knees to get us to look up and see our blessings. There are many and we are so thankful that during this time, God saw fit to daily remind us of his provisions and to give us a deeper love and dependency on him. Our joy is found in Christ ALONE!

OBEDIENCE BRINGS PEACE! - I will say truthfully that I can count on one hand the times that we had a little "panic" feeling about our future! This is FULLY b/c when we began to fear, we would quote Philippians 4:4-9. It's easy to memorize this passage yet most stop short and only get the first 1/2 of the verse. Read this in full....THIS kept our hearts at peace the entire time!

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice! Let you gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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. "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4: 4-9

This is our life passage. There is something that I learned in a whole new light over the past several months within this very verse. You must do all the Lord has commanded you to do in vs. 4-6 in order to reap the blessings of verses 7-9! We have a tendency to dwell on the bad stuff, then wonder why we have no peace! It must be intentional b/c it sure doesn't come naturally. The more mature we get in the Lord, the more instinctive it becomes, but it STILL has to be intentional or the enemy will get in the middle of it and cause us to worry. When you face various trials, run to Philippians 4. Read it, memorize it and DO it! God honors HIS WORD! Oh what a Savior! Don't ya love it when you can actually see and feel God working? I don't hold onto the "feelings" part of it, but there's no denying it....PEACE is a feeling. Praise God that HE cares even enough for us to make us feel at peace in the midst of a storm!

Now.....if you want to know the details of the offer:

Dennis had applied for a job at ABF and they called the week earlier for him to come in for interviews. He had 2 that first trip in, then they called later that day to arrange for him to drive over to the Aurora, IL. to meet with the District VP the next morning. It was a beautiful morning so I rode over with him (I KNEW I'd get lunch out of it!) and he had his 30 min. interview with this gentleman. It went well, but Dennis didn't really know what the outcome would be. While he was in the interview, I drove across the street and perused the HomeGoods Store. Wow...it's been over 10 months since I've been in a place like that and OH how I was enjoying myself. I wasn't in there more than 20 min. when he called saying he was finished. So....I picked up one little Christmas gift and was on my way to fetch him! That was on Friday...Monday came and went and he heard nothing. Tuesday was a different story!! Praise the Lord!!! The local terminal manager called him and offered him a job but he had to first have a physical and pass a drug test. Hmmmm... shouldn't be too hard, but when you are 57, you just hope they don't find anything wrong! Ha! His BP was excellent and he figured all else came back fine since they didn't say anything was wrong. Left his "sample" and came home. 2 days later, the manager from ABF called and said, "I'm calling about your test results...I just don't know how to say this..." The blood drained from Dennis' head and he asked what they were. "THEY WERE FINE....COME TO WORK!" Oh my goodness...you DON'T say things like that to a man who's been out of work for 10 1/2 months!! Guess his new boss is a practical joker! BUT..he's willing to put up with that for a job! Ha! Anyhow...this past Monday, my Mister started work! We are so thankful for all you who prayed during our time off. We did find out that we will be wonderful during our retirement years together, Lord willing! We love each others company and I miss him so much already. I will sacrifice his being with me so I can make another trip over to HomeGoods though! : 0

Last week, I got a snap from my AZ daut of this handsome boy! She said that Carter wanted to tell me that he can't wait till I come see him the end of October! I can't wait either Buddy....Grammy's a comin'!!

I've also had the blessing of babysitting my little grannydaut off and on these past 3 weeks when Ally went back to work. She gave her 2 week notice at the end of her first week back so she just had a little time to finish up. The first 3 days, I went out to their home in the country to keep Kiki's schedule as normal as possible and also to help keep Ally from having to get up at the crack of dawn to nurse her and get her packed up to go. Remember, they live 50 min. from our house, so that would have been an awfully early morning for them. This is the view of my first morning drive out there. Ahhh...the country and sunrise! Nothin' like it, except maybe sunset!

The first day Mommy was gone, we played dress up! Kierstyn is wearing her cousin, Rylie's hat from when she was a little girl! Isn't it DARLING? Kiki loved it and thought she was pretty hot stuff!

Then, we had breakfast and a bath...and Grammy had to get out the camera again! Will ya look at this smile??

Back at home...I've been doing my Fall decorating. I'll post a slideshow soon. Not a whole lot of new stuff, but I tried to move things around a little this year.

Just this last weekend, my long time friend since Jr. High came to Chicago with her sweet daughter to visit overnight. They flew here from Kansas City and drove to a wedding in Madison, WI, then drove back here on Sunday. We had lunch waiting along with Ally's crew and we played with baby, looked at old pictures, talked about life in our past and had such a wonderful time together. This is Lynn and Lane. I love these girls! Lane is getting married to Brian on December 19th. Wish she lived closer so I could "shower" her with love before the wedding! Guess we'll just have to do it when we go back in December! Thanks for taking the time to come visit girls! WE LOVE YOU!

Oh lookie here...this baby keeps our attention! We took a video for Aunt Amy here, but it's too long and I can't figure out how to post it. I'll keep working on it. And OH..."Faye" came up a few times, Amy!

That's it for now.

Life is busy.

God is good.

And I am blessed.

ABUNDANTLY