Happy Anniversary to Us!! Wow! 14 years! I can't believe it!
Honey, thank you for all the wonderful moments of much laughter
You truly have a gift of making me laugh everyday!
Thank you for taking out the trash without being asked.
Thank you for looking me in the eye's and telling me you love me before you head out the door (because you know I am obsessive and need this in case something ever happened to you)
Thank you that you accept me for who I am, appreciating the good, looking past the bad
Thank you for being an amazing father who puts our family first, when you love on our kids it is as if you are just pouring that love on me too!
Thank you for mowing the grass, taking care of the lawn, house and us!
Thank you for being a loving provider! Who would do anything to make things work for us!
(even if you had to be a heart technition again....lol)
Thank you for being a compassionate, steady, strong, to the point, leader!
Thank you for loving God and following His leading even when you don't understand it and even when you might be ridiculed for it!
In the song I sang at our wedding it said "I have chosen the one to love, now I will love the one I've chosen!" Thank you for choosing me and making my choice of a mate a pleasure!
You are my dear heart and soul mate and I love you and cherish every moment I get with you!
Happy Anniversary sweet hubby!
(verse sent by sister)
Remember His wonderful deeds which He has done…..I Chronicles 16:12
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Monday, June 26, 2006
Grace at 5:00
We have been visiting some different churches lately. Got some really great insight revealed that I have to share! Yesterday the man who spoke talked of the story in the Bible where a man who owned vinyards went out and got day workers to help him harvest. This owner made an agreement on payment with the workers from the very beginning. He hired some at 6am, 9am, 12, 3pm and then, almost at the end of the day, he hired some at 5pm who he found had been waiting for work all day. As the day ended he instructed them to be paid last to first. What he pointed out next is what struck me.
The ones who were there at the beginning of the day got discontent....they wanted more than the ones who got there at the end. I could totally relate....I would probably be one of those irritated workers. Then he brought out that it was because of their wanting MORE. They had been fine all day. They were okay with working first and agreeing to the pay. They were okay with other workers being hired throughout the day and being paid something. However, when they were paid and thought they Deserved More is when the discontment happened. They were not treated unfairly and the vinyard owner pointed that out. He had in fact given grace by hiring them in the first place. He had just extended grace to the late workers. Whoa. That hit me. How many times have I begrudged someone a pleasure or grace because I felt it unfair. Really hit me and I took it home. Time to get more in tune with the grace I have already been given and be happy and content even when others get more.
The ones who were there at the beginning of the day got discontent....they wanted more than the ones who got there at the end. I could totally relate....I would probably be one of those irritated workers. Then he brought out that it was because of their wanting MORE. They had been fine all day. They were okay with working first and agreeing to the pay. They were okay with other workers being hired throughout the day and being paid something. However, when they were paid and thought they Deserved More is when the discontment happened. They were not treated unfairly and the vinyard owner pointed that out. He had in fact given grace by hiring them in the first place. He had just extended grace to the late workers. Whoa. That hit me. How many times have I begrudged someone a pleasure or grace because I felt it unfair. Really hit me and I took it home. Time to get more in tune with the grace I have already been given and be happy and content even when others get more.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Flowing moments/What did he just say to me!
Our Father's day had interesting happenings. We had my husbands family in Sat. night and it was so good. We headed to church to sit with my Memaw since it would probably be a tough day. It was. However, the whole song service was on God's faithfulness....how loving and encouraging!
So, afterwards I said goodbye to all except my kids and we headed to the airport to pick up my parents from mission trip to Brazil. My husband was going to head to the resteraunt to save us seats. I got there all excited. No plane...delays...hmmm, what to do. I quickly feed the troops some junk food that they split (being the airport food is a rip-off!) . After I realize that we are going to be here a while I decide to take them outside. There is some hills of grass that they want to play on. As I sit in the car (in front of them) I watch as they run and play. I had let them take off shoes and socks so they were barefoot and looking like a movie moment. I watched as my daughter danced and twirled and ran. Brother chased after her. He then used a hand that pointed at sister, she acted like she was choking.....she brought out shield and sword and fought back he acted like he was choking.....ahhhhh, star wars moments.
We eventually headed back inside to explore and play. As we heard the plane had finally landed (almost 1 1/2 hour late), we headed over to the escalater to watch for Meme and Poppa. I caught eyes with a man and his wife. They said "Ohhh Hi!! How are you doing? What are you doing here?" Trying to think how I knew them, "Hiii, doing good, here to pick up my parents." Bit of confused look from them. Found out they were from our church we had been at here. We chatted as I shortly brought them up to date. THEN, the man says to me out of the blue, "So, now this means you'll be able to get out there and get a real job to...help make a living"
My thoughts...."WHAT? did he just say to me?!!!" From the bottom of my feet to my head feel the blood boiling, heart begins to pound really hard and almost anger sets in. I smile and say "I do have a job (point to kids), Two little jobs right over there that keep me pretty busy!" The wife possibly picking up that I might slug her hubby or wanting to slug him herself steps in and sweetly says "Sure you do, that is a big job."
I got to thinking:
1. It is not good to blab your judgment on others. (especially when you don't even really know them!)
2. What other job is More important that investing in the lives and future of my own kids?!! Nope, nothing else in my noggin!
3. Do I forgive him? Of course I do, I make many mistakes and word mishaps myself.
4. I will close with a couple of verses.
So, afterwards I said goodbye to all except my kids and we headed to the airport to pick up my parents from mission trip to Brazil. My husband was going to head to the resteraunt to save us seats. I got there all excited. No plane...delays...hmmm, what to do. I quickly feed the troops some junk food that they split (being the airport food is a rip-off!) . After I realize that we are going to be here a while I decide to take them outside. There is some hills of grass that they want to play on. As I sit in the car (in front of them) I watch as they run and play. I had let them take off shoes and socks so they were barefoot and looking like a movie moment. I watched as my daughter danced and twirled and ran. Brother chased after her. He then used a hand that pointed at sister, she acted like she was choking.....she brought out shield and sword and fought back he acted like he was choking.....ahhhhh, star wars moments.
We eventually headed back inside to explore and play. As we heard the plane had finally landed (almost 1 1/2 hour late), we headed over to the escalater to watch for Meme and Poppa. I caught eyes with a man and his wife. They said "Ohhh Hi!! How are you doing? What are you doing here?" Trying to think how I knew them, "Hiii, doing good, here to pick up my parents." Bit of confused look from them. Found out they were from our church we had been at here. We chatted as I shortly brought them up to date. THEN, the man says to me out of the blue, "So, now this means you'll be able to get out there and get a real job to...help make a living"
My thoughts...."WHAT? did he just say to me?!!!" From the bottom of my feet to my head feel the blood boiling, heart begins to pound really hard and almost anger sets in. I smile and say "I do have a job (point to kids), Two little jobs right over there that keep me pretty busy!" The wife possibly picking up that I might slug her hubby or wanting to slug him herself steps in and sweetly says "Sure you do, that is a big job."
I got to thinking:
1. It is not good to blab your judgment on others. (especially when you don't even really know them!)
2. What other job is More important that investing in the lives and future of my own kids?!! Nope, nothing else in my noggin!
3. Do I forgive him? Of course I do, I make many mistakes and word mishaps myself.
4. I will close with a couple of verses.
Deu 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
| I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. |
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Faithbooking!
I have had some people ask me about faithbooking so I decided to write a post about it.
I went to a party one time for scrapbooking but it was called Faithbooking. I will try to describe it and then give an example. She chose pictures of times in her life where God did something with her Faith...to grow it...kindof like a picture book of her faith journey. The pictures may not even have always had her in them but it was something or someone who led her further. The story was so beautiful and brought us to tears. It is not as decorated as a scrapbook (however you could do that if you wanted to) and has more journaling beside pictures. One thing I loved is how she spoke about history was past down with writing and pictures. What an awesome thing to leave to our kids....our faith journey...or their own faith journey to look back on. It is just such a wonderful idea.
I am going to try to link a picture so you can see the pic and see my journal as an example. http://www.flickr.com/photos/10996764@N00/120578496/
The kids had been avidly praying for a dog. Dad had even kindof wanted one. Mom said NO. One day we were at soccer games until late in the afternoon. When we got home there had been a message left early that morning that a dog was chained to a handicap parking pole in our church parking lot. They wondered if my hubby could do something about it. He was a minister on staff. He told me he thought it had probably already been taken care of but he wanted to go see about the dog since it had been a really hot day. He took off. Shortly, he came home and opened up the back of the car. Out came the cutest dog (a lab beagle mix). My kids were estatic. They asked if we could keep it but Dad said we needed to see if we could find it's owner. The dog had been well cared for and was well trained. He slept on a bed we made him that night and didn't get up once. He was quiet, loved to snuggle and play with kids, didn't bark much, obeyed most all orders. After days of not finding the owner, the kids were saying "God gave us a dog!!" I had to admit that if I Had to have a dog this one met my standards of already being well trained and not loud and irritating. God met the whole family's desires and answered my kids prayers!
I went to a party one time for scrapbooking but it was called Faithbooking. I will try to describe it and then give an example. She chose pictures of times in her life where God did something with her Faith...to grow it...kindof like a picture book of her faith journey. The pictures may not even have always had her in them but it was something or someone who led her further. The story was so beautiful and brought us to tears. It is not as decorated as a scrapbook (however you could do that if you wanted to) and has more journaling beside pictures. One thing I loved is how she spoke about history was past down with writing and pictures. What an awesome thing to leave to our kids....our faith journey...or their own faith journey to look back on. It is just such a wonderful idea.
I am going to try to link a picture so you can see the pic and see my journal as an example. http://www.flickr.com/photos/10996764@N00/120578496/
The kids had been avidly praying for a dog. Dad had even kindof wanted one. Mom said NO. One day we were at soccer games until late in the afternoon. When we got home there had been a message left early that morning that a dog was chained to a handicap parking pole in our church parking lot. They wondered if my hubby could do something about it. He was a minister on staff. He told me he thought it had probably already been taken care of but he wanted to go see about the dog since it had been a really hot day. He took off. Shortly, he came home and opened up the back of the car. Out came the cutest dog (a lab beagle mix). My kids were estatic. They asked if we could keep it but Dad said we needed to see if we could find it's owner. The dog had been well cared for and was well trained. He slept on a bed we made him that night and didn't get up once. He was quiet, loved to snuggle and play with kids, didn't bark much, obeyed most all orders. After days of not finding the owner, the kids were saying "God gave us a dog!!" I had to admit that if I Had to have a dog this one met my standards of already being well trained and not loud and irritating. God met the whole family's desires and answered my kids prayers!
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Back!!
We are finally hooked up again and I'm so excited. It is amazing how you miss some of the connections while being off. However, we have been so busy with unpacking, job searching, family visiting that we have had little extra time. Thank you so much for your prayers during this time.
God's provision again! My hubby has found a job! Yeah!! It is not in ministry but rather management. It looks like it will be something he will enjoy and an income we can live on. It will definitely be an adjustment but we are excited about it. We have prayed and wrestled about full time vocational ministry but at this point we believe we are not to be full time. We love ministry and will continue to do it as it is our first calling. However, it will just look different than what we have done in the past. Thank you for continuing to pray for our future.
We are enjoying being back at home and close to family. It has rained for several days and we have LOVED it!! We came from desert so the refreshing rain and cooler weather feels terrific! We also love the rolling hills and greenery!! Nothing like home. :) I firmly believe that your prayers have helped us in this very chaotic and emotional time. I cannot thank you enough for all the loving support. I am anxious to get done unpacking so that I can have more time to read your blogs and catch up on your lives!
God's provision again! My hubby has found a job! Yeah!! It is not in ministry but rather management. It looks like it will be something he will enjoy and an income we can live on. It will definitely be an adjustment but we are excited about it. We have prayed and wrestled about full time vocational ministry but at this point we believe we are not to be full time. We love ministry and will continue to do it as it is our first calling. However, it will just look different than what we have done in the past. Thank you for continuing to pray for our future.
We are enjoying being back at home and close to family. It has rained for several days and we have LOVED it!! We came from desert so the refreshing rain and cooler weather feels terrific! We also love the rolling hills and greenery!! Nothing like home. :) I firmly believe that your prayers have helped us in this very chaotic and emotional time. I cannot thank you enough for all the loving support. I am anxious to get done unpacking so that I can have more time to read your blogs and catch up on your lives!
Friday, June 02, 2006
God's Provision!
"God is faithful even when we are faithless" (part of a verse in the Bible that has ministered to me....at the moment can't remember the reference will have to fill in later)
I want to thank so many of you for your sweet encouraging words. Michelle, thank you for your blog and continued encouragement to us! My family and friends have done so much...they have given money, hosted us in their homes, helped us move, brought us food and certificates etc. I believe all of that is God's provisions.
Also, we had an amazing moment when we were getting down to nitty gritty and bills were rolling in, a man who had been at our last church somehow heard about us coming back and our situation. We really don't know how he knew because we hadn't told to many people in this area yet. However, God allowed him to know and impressed him to give to us. He wrote us a check for $5000.00!!! I cannot keep quiet about it because all of you are praying and I must give testimony to God providing!! WE are thrilled and thanking God! I had peace that God would provide, He has done it before but he also allows us to struggle at times for learning reasons. Needless to say, I was overjoyed when the money was revealed. Relief and less stress for this month. Thank you God!!
So, thank you for your continued prayer support. I am only briefly at a computer. We will not have internet until around Tues. I miss getting to chat. Hope you are all doing well! Thanks for your love. It has brought me to tears!
I want to thank so many of you for your sweet encouraging words. Michelle, thank you for your blog and continued encouragement to us! My family and friends have done so much...they have given money, hosted us in their homes, helped us move, brought us food and certificates etc. I believe all of that is God's provisions.
Also, we had an amazing moment when we were getting down to nitty gritty and bills were rolling in, a man who had been at our last church somehow heard about us coming back and our situation. We really don't know how he knew because we hadn't told to many people in this area yet. However, God allowed him to know and impressed him to give to us. He wrote us a check for $5000.00!!! I cannot keep quiet about it because all of you are praying and I must give testimony to God providing!! WE are thrilled and thanking God! I had peace that God would provide, He has done it before but he also allows us to struggle at times for learning reasons. Needless to say, I was overjoyed when the money was revealed. Relief and less stress for this month. Thank you God!!
So, thank you for your continued prayer support. I am only briefly at a computer. We will not have internet until around Tues. I miss getting to chat. Hope you are all doing well! Thanks for your love. It has brought me to tears!
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