Broken Spirit

Just Curious...

2006-10-06T14:51:00.000-05:00

There are a few questions about blogging that I have been pondering for some time. I have my own answers for each of these questions, of course,but I'm very curious to know the answers and opinions of other bloggers. I would love to have some feedback, so I'm leaving this post up for awhile. Feel free to leave your answers in comments, or you can email me.

1) Why did you start blogging? What was your motivation?

2) If no one ever read your blog, would you still continue to blog?

3) Are there specific areas of your life that you don't blog about, or do you feel like nothing is too personal to blog about?

4) Do you sometimes add a blog to your blogroll simply because that particular blogger added you to theirs?

5) Would you consider it offensive or rude if you repeatedly commented on someone's blog, and they never commented on yours? If so/not, why/why not?

6) Do you ever feel pressured to post just to give your readers something to see?

7) Would you ever consider meeting a fellow blogger in person? Why or why not?

8) Have you ever considered deleting your blog, only to keep it going so as not to disappoint your readers?

9) Is there any situation that would ever cause you to stop blogging?

10) Have you made any close friends in the blogging world, a person you feel as if you have really connected with?

Well, that's it for now. Once again, any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

Field Trip

2006-10-05T09:28:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, Chloe's class took a field trip to Boyd's Orchard:

I went along as a chaperone, and we had a really good time.
We got to take a hayride:

sample some apple cider doughnuts, which were delicious:

pick pumpkins:

play on the playground:

and visit the petting zoo:

We had a really great time, and the weather was absolutely gorgeous!

You can see more pictures here. I've also created a slide show on MySpace. You can click on the link on the lower right side of this page, under my 'Here and There' section.

Changes

2006-09-25T09:31:00.000-05:00

Well people, the hair had to go. It was getting a tad too long:

It was halfway down my back and getting pretty annoying.
Here is what it looks like now:

Thanks, Dayne!

I have also begun to 'reluctantly' embrace autumn. I have not been ready for summer to end: I'm still ready to go swimming and attend cookouts and continue working on my tan. The changing of seasons often depresses me. I enjoy autumn, it just seems as if summer flew by too quickly, and I'm still searching for it, not quite ready to let go.
However, with the recent chilly mornings and the changing colors of foliage around town, I've been forced out of my denial of summer's end.
I bought some pretty baskets of mums to set on my front porch,

made a fall wreath to hang on the front door,

and hung a berry garland around the door frame:

I also set out this little treasure I found at a yard sale a couple of weeks ago:

Next on the list: hunting down Halloween costumes for the kids. I better get on that before Christmas sneaks up on me!

Amusing Conversation

2006-09-18T09:26:00.000-05:00

Last week, Chloe's friend Addy came over to announce that her pet mouse had just had babies. She invited Chloe to go across the street and look at them. Addy informed Chloe that she could look at the babies, but she couldn't touch them because they weren't "winged" yet.
When they came back, Chloe was excitedly telling me all about the new babies, and before I could blink, she was asking me, "Mommy, how do the babies get out of the mommy mouse's belly?" I was caught completely off guard, wracking my brain for an answer. This was the first time Chloe has ever asked me the question before; Paige asked me the "where do babies come from" question a few years ago, which I guess is only natural since she's seen me through three of my pregnancies. I didn't go into a lot of detail with Paige, but my answer seems to have satisfied her for the time being. I suppose I should have been expecting it from Chloe sooner or later, especially after just having visited the new mouse babies, but honestly it never crossed my mind. You'd think I would be prepared for such things by now.
Anyway, before I could say anything, Addy piped in with her bitingly honest 6-year-old reply, " I know how they get out--they come out through the mommy's 'pee-pee' !"
She exclaimed this triumphantly while pointing at her own 'pee-pee'. Chloe wrinkled up her nose, turned to me, and said,
"Is that why they come out all red?"
I laughed so hard I thought I would burst.

Father's Love Letter

2006-09-13T10:24:00.000-05:00

I was given this letter just yesterday, and I have to say, I've never read anything so beautiful. I know it's been around for awhile, but I thought I'd share it with you. I highly recommend that you check out the website and watch the videos, especially the narrated version.

www.FathersLoveLetter.com

Father's Love Letter...The Cry of a Father's Heart from Genesis to Revelation

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you...Psalm 139:1 I know when you sit down and when you rise up...Psalm 139:2 I am familiar with all your ways...Psalm 139:3 Even the very hairs on your head are numbered...Matthew 10:29-31 For you were made in my image...Genesis 1:27 In me you live and move and have your being...Acts 17:28 For you are my offspring...Acts 17:28 I knew you even before you were conceived...Jeremiah 1: 4-5 I chose you when I planned creation ...Ephesians 1: 11-12 You were not a mistake...Psalm 139: 15-16 For all your days are written in my book...Psalm 139: 15-16 I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live...Acts 17:26 You are fearfully and wonderfully made... Psalm 139: 14 I knit you together in your mother's womb...Psalm 139: 13 And brought you forth on the day you were born...Psalm 71:6 I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me...John 8:41-44 I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love...1 John 4:16 And it is My desire to lavish my love on you...1 John 3:1 Simply because you are My child and I am your Father...1 John 3:1 I offer you more than your earthly father ever could...Matthew 7:11 For I am the perfect Father...Matthew 5:48 Every good gift that you receive comes from My hand...James 1:17 For I am your provider and I meet all your needs...Matthew 6: 31-33 My plan for your future has always been filled with hope...Jeremiah 29:11 Because I love you with an everlasting love...Jeremiah 31:3 My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore...Psalm 139: 17-18 And I rejoice over you with singing...Zephaniah 3:17 I will never stop doing good to you...Jeremiah 32:40 For you are My treasured possession...Exodus 19:5 I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul...Jeremiah 32:41 And I want to show you great and marvelous things...Jeremiah 33:3 If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me...Deuteronomy 4:29 Delight in Me and I will give you the desires of your heart...Psalm 37:4 For it is I who gave you those desires...Philippians 2:13 I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine...Ephesians 3:20 For I am your greatest encourager...2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles...2 Corinthians 1:3-4 When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you...Psalm 34:18 As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to My heart...Isaiah 40:11 One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes...Revelation 21:3-4 And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth...Revelation 21:4 I am your Father and I love you even as I love My son, Jesus...John 17:23 For in Jesus My love for you is revealed...John 17:26 He is the exact representation of my being...Hebrews 1:3 And He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you...Romans 8:31 And to tell you that I am not counting your sins...2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled...2 Corinthians 5:18-19 His death was the ultimate expression of My love for you...1 John 4:10 I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love...Romans 8:32 If you receive the gift of My son Jesus, you receive Me...1 John 2:23 And nothing will ever separate you from My love again...Romans 8:38-39 Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen...Luke 15:7 I have always been Father and I will always be Father...Ephesians 3:14-15 My question is...Will you be My child?...John 1:12-13 I am waiting for you...Luke 15:11-32

...Love, Your Dad
Almighty God

Father Heart Communications
Copyright 1999

Death of Doughboy

2006-09-08T10:24:00.000-05:00

Received in email:

Please join me in remembering a great icon of the entertainment community. The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of yeast infection and trauma complications from repeated pokes in the belly. He was 71. Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, The California Raisins, Betty Crocker, The Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch. The gravesite was piled high with flours. Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded. Doughboy rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half-baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times he still was a crusty old man and was considered a positive roll model for millions. His wife Play Dough, two children, John Dough and Jane Dough, survives doughboy plus they had one in the oven. His elderly father, Pop Tart, also survives him. The funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes. If these made you smile, for even a brief second, please rise to the Occasion and take the time to share that smile with someone else who may be having a crumby day and kneads it.

Prayers of a Godly Woman-Day 9

2006-09-07T09:33:00.000-05:00

By Jim Gallery

Help Me, Lord To Pursue Gentleness

"Cultivate inner beauty, the gentle, gracious kind that God delights in."
1 Peter 3:4 The Message

This country was founded on rugged individualism. Most of us have been taught that ambition, perseverance, and hard work are important components of the American way, and, of course, they are. Successful women also understand the need of assertiveness and drive.

Yet, in a world that glorifies ambition, the Bible teaches that gentleness is a fruit of the spirit; thus, the godly woman will exhibit the virtue of gentleness in word and deed. On the surface, ambition and gentleness may seem to be mutually exclusive, but they aren't. Gentleness is strength under control.

The Bible gives examples of godly women who were successful in worldly endeavors. Deborah was a prophetess and judge used by God to deliver the children of Israel from oppression. (Judges 4, 5) Lydia was a businesswoman chosen by Paul to begin a church in Philippi. (Acts 16) Esther courageously confronted her king to save her people. (Esther 5:1)

A gentle spirit is the hallmark of Christian maturity. Peter challenges the godly woman to cultivate gentleness because God delights in it. So should we.

You cannot cooperate with Jesus in becoming what He wants you to become and simultaneously be what the world desires to make you. If you would say, "Take the world but give me Jesus," then you must deny yourself and take up your cross. The simple truth is that your "self" must be put to death in order for you to get to the point where for you to live is Christ. What will it be? The world and you, or Jesus and you? You do have a choice to make.
Kay Arthur

In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want to them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew 7:12 NASB

Today's Prayer
Lord, please give me the strength to do my best for You. May I give all of my heart and soul to loving You and doing Your work. And may those around me see gentleness in my words and deeds as I live for You today and every day.
Amen

Prayers of a Godly Woman-Day 8

2006-09-06T11:39:00.000-05:00

By Jim Gallery

Help me, Lord To Be Secure in Your Faithfulness

"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:22, 23

I am thankful for absolutes. In a world afloat in a sea of relativism, we need anchors. One of those anchors is the constancy of God's faithfulness. He never changes.

Godly women understand that the Lord's immutable laws are not open for debate. Godly women seek God's will and they study God's Word. Godly women understand that people change, circumstances change, but God does not.

There is great comfort in the knowledge that our Savior stands firm in a world filled with change. Paul writes to the Hebrews that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. (Hebrews 13:8) When the shifting sands of life throw us off balance, when friends disappoint us and circumstances confound us, God remains faithful, loving, unchanging, and, above all, present. Even before we reach out our hands to Him, He is there.

Not a star, not a planet, not a meteorite or a quasar, no, not even a black hole is missing. God made them. He knows their names, knows exactly where they belong. Can He not keep track of us?
Elisabeth Elliot

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark, never failing...
Martin Luther

Nothing happens by happenstance. I am not in the hands of fate, nor am I the victim of man's whims or the devil's ploys. There is One who sits above man, above Satan, and above all heavenly hosts as the ultimate authority of all the universe. That One is my God and my Father!
Kay Arthur

Today's Prayer
Lord, I praise You for Your faithfulness to me. I know that today and every day I can depend upon the constancy of Your love. Help me to be faithful in my love for You as You have been faithful to me. Hold me always in the palm of Your hand, and keep me ever-thankful for Your unending grace and for the gift of Your Son.
Amen

Prayers of a Godly Woman-Day 7

2006-09-05T20:39:00.000-05:00

By Jim Gallery

Help me, Lord To Not Tire of Doing Good

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
2 Corinthians 9:8

John Wesley said it well:

Do all the good you can.
By all the means you can.
In all the ways you can.
In all the places you can.
At all the times you can.
To all the people you can.
As long as ever you can.

Grand expressions of generosity are wonderful, but I believe the small acts of goodness we do each day impact the world in a much greater way. One person at a time, one day at a time, one life at a time, we can bring kindness to those around us. And when we finish our day's work, God will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" ( Matthew 25:21)

So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.
Galatians 6:9, 10

Let us not cease to do the utmost, that we may incessantly go forward in the way of the Lord; and let us not despair of the smallness of our accomplishments.
John Calvin

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Luke 6:36

Today's Prayer
Lord, help me not only to dwell on that which is good, but also to do that which is good. Show me the countless opportunities that come my way each day to share Your goodness and loving-kindness. May I never grow weary of doing good and may I always give You the glory.
Amen

Buck is 2!

2006-09-01T11:27:00.001-05:00

Happy birthday, Buck!

Two years ago on this day, my little Buckaroo came into the world at 11:06 am weighing 9 lbs, 2oz, and measuring 21 inches long.
He informed me of his impending arrival earlier that morning at about 3:00 am with some mild contractions. I got out of bed and decided to walk around a little. I'd heard that walking around can alleviate the discomfort of false labor. Not so in my case-- this was the real thing. My contractions steadily increased in pain and frequency, so I did what any woman would do in my situation; I began to vacuum the floors and wash some dishes.
While at the kitchen sink, I experienced a horrible contraction, the likes of which I'd never had before. I felt as if my entire body was in the grip of a giant hand, squeezing me relentlessly so that I was paralyzed for several minutes. When I was finally able to move again, I waddled to the bedroom to wake Dewey up. I then called my doctor, who told me to go ahead and go to the hospital, and my sister, who came and watched the girls for us.
Shortly after 5:00 am, we arrived at the hospital to find the main entrance doors locked.
Locked.
You would think that a hospital would be the type of place that would never close, never lock it's doors. To my misery, we had to walk all the way around to the back of the hospital and enter through the emergency room doors.
As soon as I was admitted to a delivery room and situated, a nurse came in and checked to see how much I had dilated. To my utter shock, I was already 6 centimeters. Everything seemed to happen at warp speed from that point on. I received an epidural, began having harder and faster contractions, and was checked by my OBGYN, who informed me that I seemed to have halted at 8 cm during my dilation process. He said that the baby had to come out now because he was in distress; if I couldn't push him out with only 8 cm of room to work with, he'd have to prep me immediately for a c-section. As I am terrified at the prospect of being cut open, I was determined to push the baby out with everything I had in me.
My efforts paid off; about a half hour later, Buck made his debut.
I knew almost immediately that something wasn't right.
A few more nurses and a pediatrician rushed into my room and hovered over the bassinet where our boy lay. He was barely making a sound; my doctor told me that Buck had swallowed some amniotic fluid while he was coming down the birth canal, and it had gone into his lungs. The pediatrician and nurses worked over him frantically, holding an oxygen mask over his tiny face while attempting to make him cough up as much of the fluid as he could. They only let me hold him against my chest for a brief moment before they rushed him to the nursery where he was placed under an oxygen tent. His appearance disturbed me; his lips were blue, and his eyes were wide open as he looked around, as if in shock at his new surroundings. I kissed him on his cheek and whispered in his ear that I loved him, and that I knew he was a fighter and would be O.K. Inside, I wasn't so sure.
Later, in the recovery room, Dewey and I were so scared we held each other and cried. I prayed for God to help our baby breathe and to protect him from pneumonia. Dewey went down to the nursery what seemed like every 5 minutes to check on Buck, then he'd come back and pace around the room, only to go running back to the nursery again. I've never been so scared in all my life, and I know that Dewey felt the same. At that time, I was experiencing a strange mixture of emotions: elation at the arrival of my baby, exhaustion, fear and concern about Buck's health and safety, and an underlying peace that could have only come from God. On the surface, worry pervaded my mind until I almost went crazy, but underneath, I somehow knew that everything was going to be O.K. I knew that God would protect my baby and keep him healthy.
Later in the evening, after what seemed like an agonizing eternity, a nurse finally brought our precious baby to us, bundled in his blankets, lying peacefully in his bassinet. She assured us that he was going to be fine, that he might still have a small amount of fluid in his lungs but he would eventually cough it up. They had no concerns about infection. I was so thankful, relief washed over me as I thanked God for answering my prayers.
Buck has since grown into a wild, energetic toddler who always keeps us on our toes. His energy seems boundless; some days I feel as if I may collapse from exhaustion trying to keep up with him, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm just so thankful that he came out of his crisis healthy and vibrant, with no complications.
I love my little man so much and I'm so glad he came into our lives. Even on the days when he drives me crazy, I count him as one of my many blessings, one of the many areas in my life where I have truly encountered the healing hands of God.
Happy birthday, Buckaroo! I love you more than I can say.

Tragic

2006-08-29T09:47:00.001-05:00

This morning, I read a story in the newspaper that horrified me.
A married couple locked their three-year old foster child in a closet for two days while they attended a family reunion on August 4th. The couple reported the boy missing on August 15th, and pleaded for help at a press conference, but police believe that the child was dead when they arrived home from the reunion; I suppose the missing persons report and pleas for help were a sham, a diversion to throw police off. Police suspect that the father burned the child's body to get rid of the evidence.
I am just sickened by this. I can't even imagine what it must have been like for that poor child; the horror of being locked in a small space, in the dark, all alone with no food and water for two whole days. What makes the situation even more tragic is that the little boy was developmentally disabled, and had the mental capacity of a 12 to 18 month old. I just do not understand the purpose and the reasoning behind locking your child in a closet. It's completely insane. Were the parents ashamed of him because of his mentality, and afraid of what their family would say about him at the reunion? Was he a "problem child" that they just didn't feel like tolerating during the long road trip to another state? I can't fathom what the thought processes of these people could have been. How can two people, who are supposed to be providing this child with a loving, stable environment, come to such a monstrous decision? I shudder to think of the possibility that the child could have been dead before they left, and was stashed in the closet until they had time to think about how to dispose of him. Either way, it's a tragedy that I won't soon forget.
My daughter Emma is three, so this story hit me with an especially nasty impact. Whenever I hear of a story such as this(especially when it involves children close to my own kids' ages) it makes me want to hold my children tight and never let them go.
I just can't comprehend how anyone could be cruel in any form to a child; I know that it is a Christian's duty to forgive and forget, and leave judgement and punishment to God, but I have great difficulty restraining my anger towards people who hurt children. I thank God that He is sovereign, that His ways are not our ways, and that it's not up to me to judge and dole out punishment to these people. I have faith that the situation will be worked out according to His will.
I pray that these parents will repent and turn to God; His forgiveness is vast and neverending.
It is also my hope and prayer that the other children in the household are taken into consideration and placed elsewhere for their safety, and that justice will be done.

Prayers of a Godly Woman-Day 6

2006-08-28T19:55:00.000-05:00

By Jim Gallery

Help me, Lord to Show Kindness

"...always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else."
1 Thessalonians 5:15b

When Bonnie attended high school, she learned an important lesson about kindness from her mother, Mary James. Many poor families lived near the James' rural Georgia home, but one girl in particular impressed Bonnie. The girl was quiet and polite, yet extremely shy. And she wore the same tattered dress to school every day.

Bonnie decided to give some of her clothes to the girl, and she asked for her mother's help. Mary James, in her wisdom, offered a suggestion: why not pick out clothes that the other students wouldn't recognize as Bonnie's? So Bonnie and her mother carefully selected an assortment of dresses and delivered them anonymously. Their act of kindness helped protect a needy child's self respect. And God smiled.

It is the duty of every Christian to be Christ to his neighbor.
Martin Luther

I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone,
Kind to the rich, for they are afraid,
And kind to the unkind,
For such is how God has treated me.
Max Lucado

He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and He will reward him for what he has done.
Proverbs 19:17

Today's Prayer
Lord, You have poured out Your kindness on me. I must do no less for others. In my strong words and deeds, and in my gentle words and deeds, may I always mirror Your love and kindness in my thoughts and in my actions.
Amen

Prayers of a Godly Woman-Day 5

2006-08-27T15:44:00.000-05:00

By Jim Gallery

"I waited patiently, for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD."
Psalm 40:1-3

The accidental death of her husband was devastating to the young mother. She was left with four small children to raise, and the insurance check would not last long. The first day of the rest of her life was long and lonely. She cried out to God for strength, but she felt so terribly weak and vulnerable.

Soon, however, she could voice thanks to God for the friends who had surrounded her with love and helping hands. Then, she found a satisfying job (with on-site childcare). Within a few years, she met a caring man...

God knows our circumstances and hears our cries. He leads us through the darkest days of our lives, and in time, He puts a new song in our hearts. But God's timetable is His own. We must be patient. God is at work.

I do know that waiting on God requires the willingness to bear uncertainty, to carry within oneself the unanswered question, lifting the heart to God about it whenever it intrudes upon one's thoughts. It is easy to talk oneself into a decision that has no permanence, easier sometimes than to wait patiently.
Elisabeth Elliot

Patience is the companion of wisdom.
St. Augustine

To wait upon God is the perfection of activity.
Oswald Chambers

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Psalm 27:14

Today's Prayer
Lord, I always seem to be in a hurry. There seems to be so much to do and so little time. Help me to live on Your timetable, not my own. Give me patience, Lord, and acceptance of Your will and Your way.
Amen

Prayers of a Godly Woman-Day 4

2006-08-26T15:22:00.000-05:00

By Jim Gallery

Help me, Lord, To Know Your Peace

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee..."
Isaiah 26:3

She was by my side everywhere I spoke, in church and in homes. Heija Kim was my translator on a mission trip to Korea. I would read from a Billy Graham tract entitled "Peace with God," and she would interpret my words to the listeners. Heija and I spoke with hundreds of Koreans as we shared the message of God's peace.

We were told by missionaries that the tract had been chosen because of the universal need that all men and women feel for a sense of peace with God. Jesus has promised all believers a
"peace that passes all understanding." (Philippians 4:7). Godly women, such as Heija, pray for and work for the peace that only comes from one source: the Prince of Peace, Christ Jesus.

God loves you and wants you to experience peace and life-abundant and eternal.
Billy Graham

There may be no trumpet sound or loud applause when we make a right decision, just a calm sense of resolution and peace.
Gloria Gaither

I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you. Peace...
Jesus
John 14:27

Today's Prayer
Lord, Thank You for the peace I feel in my heart. Thank You for calming me when I feel overwhelmed. May the peace You provide for me draw someone close, and may I point them to You today.
Amen

Prayers of a Godly Woman-Day Three

2006-08-24T14:20:00.000-05:00

By Jim Gallery

Help me, Lord to be Joyful

"Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy..."
1 Peter 1:8

To say that I looked forward to visiting Miss Amelia was something of an understatement. She was an elderly lady living in a small, frame home, and she brought revival and refreshment to my heart every time I was around her. Miss Amelia's eighty years on this earth had taken their toll on her physical body, but the years could never extinguish her joy for living. In fact, she seemed to love life more with each passing day.

When Miss Amelia's health began to fail, and as she spent her final days in the hospital, I observed a remarkable demonstration. She understood that death was near, yet she had no fear. She was utterly and completely prepared to be with her Lord, and she shared her dynamic faith with everyone she met. Even as her strength ebbed, she encouraged those around her. Doctors, nurses, nurse's aides, and visitors all marveled at the joyous spirit of this godly woman. Miss Amelia was indeed "filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy." She loved God and God rewarded her. He will do the same for us, if we let Him.

It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes our happiness.
C. H. Spurgeon

Whence comes this idea that if what we are doing is fun, it can't be God's will? The God who made giraffes, a baby's fingernails, a puppy's tail, a crooknecked squash, the bobwhite's call and a young girl's giggle, has a sense of humor. Make no mistake about that.
Catherine Marshall

Some Christians are too full of the world to enjoy God, and they are too full of God to enjoy the world. They try to get the best of both. They get neither or either.
Peter Marshall

Today's Prayer
Lord, remind me that the joy I will experience today comes from You. Remind me also, Lord, that the circumstances I face this day and any day cannot rob me of a sense of celebration and joy...unless I allow it. Thank You for the blessings You have given me. May I be a joyous blessing to others, and may I give all the praise to You.
Amen

Tagged!

2006-08-23T09:32:00.000-05:00

Bob has been tagged by Church and Guido to list five wierd facts about himself:
List 5 weird things about yourself or your pets. Tag 5 friends and list them. Then, those people need to write on their blogs about 5 weird things, and state the rules, and tag 5 more people. Don’t forget to let the people you tag know by posting a comment on their blog!

1. Bob does not like to eat in front of people. Since he spends most of his days running around the backyard and playing (when the weather permits), we keep his food and water dishes outside. After we fill his bowls, he waits patiently for us to go back in the house before he chows down.
2. He really loves cheese.
3. For some strange reason, he also likes to eat grass.
4. Bob won't sleep anywhere except for the girls' room. When we first adopted him, I tried to get him to sleep next to me in our bed, but he wasn't having it. He prefers to sleep curled up at Paige's and Chloe's feet, or sometimes in between them. Go figure.
5. Bob is somewhat particular about his animal friends. There are certain dogs he refuses to have anything to do with. I have no idea what criterion he bases his friendships on, so we never know what other dogs he will be compatible with. (That makes him sound like a snob, doesn't it? He's really not, trust me. He loves all people and is very loving in general.) Don't get me wrong, he's not mean to other dogs; he'll simply do the sniff thing and if he's not interested, he'll walk away.
However, there are also dogs that Bob has an instant chemistry with. For example, Bob loves my sister-in-law Jennifer's dog, Samson. They hit it off the moment they met. As a matter of fact, I think they might like each other a little too much, if you know what I'm sayin. We've witnessed some...er...um..."physical activity" between these two that is...not quite natural, so to speak.

So, there you have it. I don't know how weird these facts are, but they are definitely what make Bob so special and why we love him and his qirkiness so much.
Bob is tagging PJ, Kimmy, Courtney, Eph2810, and Heather.

Prayers of a Godly Woman-Day Two

2006-08-21T18:28:00.000-05:00

By Jim Gallery

Help me, Lord to love others

"And the second (commandment) is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Jesus
Matthew 22:39

Some people are easier to love than others. When people are lovable, happy, and well-behaved, it is easy to like them and to love them. But, when people misbehave or do things that hurt us, love does not come easily. Still, Jesus says we must love even our enemies and pray for them. (Matthew 5:44)

Though it may seem impossible, we can love those who hurt us, but we need God's help. Elisabeth Elliot writes, "It is as we come to the Lord in our nothingness, our powerlessness, our helplessness that He then is able to enable us to love in a way which would be absolutely impossible."

We are commanded to love all our neighbors, not just the lovable ones. And when we fill our hearts with God's grace, He makes it possible to love those whom we could never love without the presence of a living God in our hearts.

If you are having difficulty loving or relating to an individual, take him to God. Bother the Lord with this person. Don't bother with him, leave him at the throne.
Chuck Swindoll

Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.
Corrie Ten Boom

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4: 7, 8

Today's Prayer
Lord, I love You and want to obey Your commands. You have asked me to love my neighbors, all of them. I will try. And when I fail, Lord, love them through me. May all who see me know that I belong to You because of my love for all people.
Amen

Prayers of a Godly Woman-Day One

2006-08-20T09:31:00.000-05:00

By Jim Gallery

Help me, Lord to love you more

"...Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment."
Jesus
Matthew 22:37, 38

Mary's actions stunned the dinner party. Instead of helping sister Martha serve the meal, Mary took expensive perfume and poured it on the feet of Jesus. Mary then wiped His feet with her hair. One disciple complained that the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor. He saw waste. Jesus saw love. "Leave her alone," Jesus said. "It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have Me." (John 12:7, 8)

Jesus was preparing to endure a tremendous agony. The very same disciple who complained about Mary's extravagance would soon betray Jesus. Jesus would stand trial and be mocked, scourged, spit upon, and crowned with thorns. He would suffer the pain and humiliation of the cross. But, for a brief moment, Jesus experienced the devotion of a godly woman who was focused only on expressing her love for her Lord and Savior. Mary's was an extravagant love. Our love should be, too.

Love is not merely an attitude with wich God clothes Himself at certain times; rather, it is an attribute that so permeates His being that He could never divest Himself of it. To do so would make Him less than God. Therefore, whatever actions or commandments issue forth from His throne must come from love.
Kay Arthur

Everything in your Christian life, everything about knowing Him and experiencing Him, everything about knowing His will, depends on the quality of your love relationship to God.
Henry Blackaby

The grace of God is infinite and eternal. As it had no beginning, so it can have no end, and being an attribute of God, it is as boundless as infinitude.
A.W. Tozer

Today's Prayer
Lord, I love You. Help me to love You more. I can never give to You more than You have given to me. I can never love You more than You have loved me. But today, I want to love You more than yesterday. May my love for You be evident in everything I do.
Amen

Happy Birthday Emma!

2006-07-02T16:28:00.000-05:00

Today is Emma's 3rd birthday.

My pregnancy with Emma was by far the hardest of them all. I was in a constant state of nausea throughout the entire nine month period. Smells in particular made me ill, no matter what they were: foul smells, pungently sweet smells, cooking food, gasoline, you name it. Sometimes even talking could bring on bouts of vomiting. I was miserable.
I was even more miserable the last few weeks of the pregnancy. As any woman who has ever given birth knows, the last month or so can seem like an eternity, what with the anticipation and the overwhelming frustration. Every visit to the doctor began with an exciting eagerness, the hope that I would receive some encouraging news about the possibility of going into labor soon, and ending with crushing disappointment when I learned that I was still locked up tighter than Fort Knox. I went a week past my original due date of June 24th, and my doctor, who was well acquainted with my misery, mercifully decided to induce me. He scheduled me for Wednesday, July 2nd at 7:oo am.
Neither Dewey or I got much sleep, we were far too excited. I drifted in and out of sleep for a few hours, waking to the ringing of the phone at about 5:oo am. I told Dewey that I would bet him a million dollars that it was the hospital calling to reschedule me. A friend of mine had also gone past her due date and the same thing happened to her; she'd get her hopes up when her doctor scheduled her for a certain day, only to be upset when she got rescheduled by the hospital three times. I vowed that this would not be the case with me. I told Dewey that I was going to have my baby that day no matter what; I was bound and determined.
I lumbered out of bed to go get the phone to check the caller ID, and sure enough, it had been the hospital that had called. I was irritated, but before I could really react, my water broke. I was ecstatic. I wanted to shout "Halleluiah!"
I quickly roused Dewey, telling him to get up and get dressed, 'cause we were gonna have a baby! I called the doctor and he told me to get myself to the hospital as quick as I could. I called my sister who came over to watch Paige and Chloe, and Dewey grabbed my bag and we were off.
We arrived at the hospital a little after 6:oo am, and 6 short hours later, Emma came into the world at 12:06 pm. She weighed 8 pounds and 8 ounces and was 20 inches long. My labor and delivery was very easy, as easy as any labor can be, and there were no complications.
We are very blessed to have Emma in our lives. She's our little pixie princess, a non-stop ball of energy and entertainment with her outgoing personality, sweet disposition, and irresistable charisma.
I love you so much, sweetheart. I can't imagine life without you and I never want to. Happy birthday!!!

Birthday pics

Wordless Wednesday

2006-06-20T23:42:00.000-05:00

2006-06-20T15:49:00.000-05:00

My kids can go in this room and play, and ten minutes later it will look like this:

This room ordinarily wouldn't be hard to clean up; I usually just throw the toys back in the toy boxes, pick up trash, and put clothes away. However, I'd been putting it off because I desperately needed to sort through the toys and decide what to keep and what to get rid of. My kids have accumulated more toys than they know what to do with, and it's getting ridiculous. My motivation came when I heard that my sister is having a yard sale soon, and has invited my other sister, my mother and I to include some of our unwanted stuff in it. I got busy earlier today:

Ahh, success!
At least until the next birthday, and Christmas.....

Tackle It Tuesday

Happy Father's Day!

2006-06-18T14:04:00.000-05:00

Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there!

The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him. Psalm 103:13 NLT

My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Proverbs 3:11-12

Emma's First Haircut

2006-06-16T12:58:00.000-05:00

Before the cut:

After the cut:

We went to Cookie Cutter's today for Emma's first haircut. She had about 2 or 3 inches taken off into a chin length bob. I think it's adorable!

2006-06-15T06:29:00.000-05:00

Thirteen Movies I Would Like To See

1. An American Haunting

2. Over The Hedge (*ahem* for the kids)

3. Cars (um, also for the kids...)

4. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

5. The Godfather trilogy (I know, I know, no one can believe that I've never seen them)

6. The Lake House (It's a chick-flick, but it looks good to me)

7. Scary Movie 4

8. Miami Vice

9. The Hills Have Eyes

10. Poseidon

11. Pirates of The Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest

12. Click

13. United 93
Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

1. Beck

2. reverberate58

3. shellibells

4. amy the black

5. karen!

6. pixieprincessmom

7. mar

8. melissa

9. heather

10. lazy daisy

11. wystful 1

12. fated hearts

13. mary

14. yellow rose

15. susan

16. kailani

17. mary horn

18. scouser

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wordless Wednesday: Sleepover Style

2006-06-13T23:14:00.000-05:00

2006-06-13T14:09:00.000-05:00

Last Tuesday, my first project was to clean underneath my girls' bunkbeds.
Here is the finished result:

This week, I'm going to tackle the space on top of my refrigerator:

My husband and I have a bad habit of throwing stuff up there, mostly in an attempt to keep everything away from him.
Lately it's gotten out of hand and it's driving me crazy. When I can't find something, I automatically start digging around up there and that just makes it worse.
Wish me luck!
You know, I would just shove everything into the cabinets above the refrigerator, but it's already full. *Sigh*.

*Update:
Here are the pictures of the clean area on top of my refrigerator:

Tackle It Tuesday

100TH POST!!!!!!!!

2006-06-10T16:14:00.000-05:00

It's my 1ooth post! Woo Hoo!!!

O.K., so technically, this is only the 26th post on this blog. However, I had a total of 74 posts on my old blog, the one that was lost. Thus, I am counting this as number 100.
So there.
Let's proceed:

100 Things About Me:

1) I was born on January 13, 1977.
2)My mother named me after Barbie's friend Stacey.
She very nearly named me after the nervous, excitable nurse who practically delivered me (the doctor on call refused to come to my mother's room at the onset of her labor; he insisted that she was no where near ready to deliver me even though I was halfway out). This poor nurse didn't know what she was doing and was pretty scared, but obviously everything went O.K. She later bragged about her ordeal, proud of herself for having to help my mom through her labor. Apparently, this was her first time assisting with a birth. My mother couldn't remember her name later, though, so she opted for Stacey instead.
3) My middle name is Jane, which is also my grandmother's middle name.
4) Jesus is my Lord and Savior.
5)When I was eight years old, my father prayed with me in our kitchen to receive Christ. When we finished, he told me that angels were rejoicing over me in heaven. I'll never forget how I felt at that moment.
6) I met my husband Dewey when I was 15 and he was 20. Shortly after we began dating, I told my parents about him; not surprisingly, they weren't too thrilled about it.Dewey didn't want to sneak around so we broke up for several years, only to get back together when I was 19. We've been together ever since.
7) I've never loved anyone like I love Dewey.
8) Our four children are now and forever will be my greatest accomplishments in my life.
9) I never thought I'd ever have kids, or be married for that matter.
10) I always envisioned myself living in a cute little apartment, having a high-paying, prestigious job, owning a big dog, and pretty much coming and going as I pleased.
11) Instead, my days are filled with watching Dora the Explorer, chasing kids, changing diapers, making hot dogs and macaroni, cleaning up red koolaid and vomit, and reading bedtime stories.
12) The only thing I have from my "dream" existence is the big dog.
13) I wouldn't have it any other way.
14) I didn't get to participate in my high school graduation; I was barred from attending the ceremony. A teacher I'd had in 11th grade lost my math portfolio which was a graduation prerequisite. I had no idea it was gone until halfway through my senior year. I was given the chance to redo it, but I refused on principle; I felt that it wasn't my fault and the whole situation was unfair. After I'd been out of school for a year, a secretary from my high school called my mom's house to inform me that she had my diploma and that if I wanted it, I had three days to come get it before she threw it away. I am an official graduate yet I still feel cheated that I didn't get to walk with my class.
15) I never attended college.
16) I've never been stung by a bee.
17) I've never had a broken bone.
18) The only hospitalizations I've had were for my childrens' births.
19) My favorite color is green.
20) I love music from the 50's, 60's, and some from the 70's.
21) If I could choose any time period to live in, I would want to be a teenager in the 50's and be a young adult in the 60's.
22) I would totally have gone to Woodstock.
23) I liked growing up in the 80's, but I hated being a teen in the 90's. It was the dullest decade ever.
24) I generally don't like chick flicks. I prefer action movies and thrillers, sometimes horror movies if they aren't too bloody.
25) I do like Stepmom, Fried Green Tomatoes, and
The Notebook.
26) My favorite movie of all time is It's A Wonderful Life.
27) My favorite season is summer. There's nothing better than cooking out, floating in a pool, and enjoying all the green.
28) Ever since 9/11, I have tremendous respect for firemen.
29) I own a Dodge Caravan but my dream car is a
'69 Mercury Cougar or a '71 GTO Judge. Maybe I'll own one of them when the kids are grown.
30) I'd love to have a boston terrier.
31) Dewey and I are planning on taking the kids to a beach next summer.
32) If we go, it will also serve as the honeymoon we never had.
33) One of my dreams is to be a writer someday. I'd like to publish a book of poetry and write a couple of fiction novels.
34) I don't like to cook, but I love to bake goodies such as cookies and cakes.
35) I'd like to create my own dessert cookbook.
36) I like to make jewelry.
37) I love to read.
38) I'm currently reading the Left Behind Series.
39) I love to swim.
40) I like taking long walks, sometimes with the kids, sometimes alone.
41) When I walk alone, I take along my CD player or I talk to God.
42) I'm starting to appreciate nature a lot more. It's beauty astounds me and reaffirms my faith in God.
43) God's creativity never ceases to amaze me.
44) Some of my favorite Christian music groups include: BarlowGirl, Watermark, Casting Crowns, Third Day, and Skillet.
45) I also love Stevie Wonder, David Gray, Loretta Lynn, Cheap Trick, Stone Temple Pilots, Stevie Nicks, and The Foo Fighters.
46) I love motown.
47) One of my favorite songs of all time is The Flame by Cheap Trick.
48) When I was a teenager and was suffering from a broken heart over a breakup, I'd moon and pine away to that song.
49) I had my first puppy love crush when I was in the third grade. His name was Jeremy Truelove. No, seriously.
50) Halfway there! (phew)
51) When Jeremy moved away to Tennessee at the end of third grade, I thought I was going to die. I felt physical pain.
52) I was a "good" kid until I entered high school. Most of my friends moved away during the summer after 8th grade, and the rest of them just kind of drifted into different groups. I became something of a loner and began my downward spiral.
53) I made pretty good grades all throughout school.
54) I made my first "F" in 12th grade in Algebra 2. I skipped this class on a regular basis.
55) I can't sew to save my life.
56) I want to learn how to crochet.
57) I would also like to learn how to tat.
58) I enjoy participating in bible studies, especially Beth Moore studies.
59) Some of my favorite Christian authors include: Max Lucado, Beth Moore, Rick Warren, Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins.
60) I also read Stephen King, John Grisham, Ann Rule, and Caleb Carr.
61) When I was kid, some of my favorite books were: A Cricket in Times Square, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, My Darling, My Hamburger, The Mouse and The Motorcycle, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Super Fudge.
62) When I was a teenager I enjoyed reading V.C. Andrews' books.
63) With the exception of one, I'm the only one of my circle of friends who doesn't have a tattoo.
64) I am exceedingly grateful for this. As much as I used to want one, there is not a day that goes by that I'm not thankful that I'm tattoo-free.
65) I came close to getting one when I was 17; my brother was going to pay for it but they wouldn't let me get one because I was underage and they wouldn't let him sign for me since he wasn't a legal guardian. Thank God!
66) I don't have anything against tattoos or people that have them, I just know for a fact that I would have lived to regret it had I gotten one.
67) I have four children, but I've been pregnant 5 times.
68) Shortly after Paige turned a year old, I discovered I was 4 weeks pregnant. I didn't know how to feel about it. Having a baby changed everything and I was still trying to get used to my new life; adding another baby to the mix was not something I was 100 percent sure about. When I was 8 weeks along, I miscarried. It was the single most horrible experience I've ever had. I never knew how much I wanted that baby until it was gone.
69) There is hardly a day that goes by that I don't think about that child.
70) I know I will see him/her in heaven someday.
71) O.K., enough sad stuff.
72) I often daydream about what I would do if I ever won the lottery.
73) Do you want to know?
74) O.K. here goes:
75) First, I'd pay off my family's and my debts.
76) I'd buy everyone in my family nice sized homes and the vehicles of their choice.
Nothing too extravagant though, we're not talking MTV Cribs here.
77) I'd take the whole family on a month-long vacation somewhere, preferably a beach, maybe Hawaaii, someplace like that.
78) I'd keep just enough money for all of us to be set for the rest of our lives, then I'd give the rest away to various charities and church missions and organizations.
79)I'd definitely give a generous amount to Saint Jude's Children's Hospital and other cancer research foundations.
80) I would donate money for the building of homeless shelters around the country, and for shelters for abused women.
81) I would also like to form a company similar to the
Make A Wish foundation. I think it would be so much fun to travel around the country and surprise people by making their dreams come true.
82) I would like to travel around the world with my husband and kids, showing them first hand the things that they learn about in school books.
83) I know it's not likely that I'll ever win, but I can dream can't I?
84) What's up with television shows these days? There just aren't any good family-oriented shows like there used to be when I was a kid.
85) Thank God for T.V. Land and Nick at Night. At least I can watch Good Times, Roseanne, The Cosby Show, and What's Happening? re-runs.
86) I feel the same way about movies. It seems like nowadays everything is a remake.
87) Coal Miner's Daughter and Urban Cowboy are two of my guilty pleasures. I grew up with these movies.
88) I rarely wear make-up anymore. There was a time when I wouldn't leave the house unless I was completely made up head to toe, but those days are long over. Usually the only time I wear make-up and fix my hair is when I go to church or various family functions.
89) My favorite food is lasagna.
90) No one makes lasagna like my mom. I've tried and failed miserably.
91) My favorite ice cream is dulce de leche.
92) I also love microwave popcorn.
93) Dewey and the kids and I try to have a family movie night often. We eat popcorn and if it's winter, we drink hot cocoa with marshmallows.
94) It's one of my favorite ways to spend time with my family.
95) I enjoy decorating for Christmas and baking cookies.
96) I feel like I'm too much of a pushover.
97) Among my friends, I'm the quiet, serious one. I'll bet they don't know how much I long to be the outgoing, "good time" girl, the one that's fun to be around.
98) I love breakfast food, especially pancakes.
99) In an ideal world, men would appreciate women for their inner beauty and society wouldn't be so demanding in it's expectations of physical beauty. There would be no such things as poverty, taxes, illness, or calories. People would be less judgemental and be more sympathetic and compassionate toward others, peace would prevail, ....oh wait. What am I talking about? There is such a place. It's called Heaven.
100) I can't believe I made it!!

2006-06-10T15:38:00.000-05:00

I was going to post yesterday so that today would be my 1ooth post, but I got really busy cleaning the house and running errands. Tomorrow will be my 1ooth post, and I'll be listing 100 things about myself. I know the excitement and anticipation must be overwhelming, but please bear with me. We'll get there.

2006-06-07T20:56:00.000-05:00

Thirteen Things I'd Like To Change About MyselfWith God's Help and Strength 1. I would like to be less critical and judgemental of others. 2. I need to be more humble. 3.I would like to learn to appreciate my life and particular situation more. 4. I need to stop taking my blessings for granted. 5. I would like for God to grant me more patience. 6. I would love to be rid of my hot temper and be a more peaceful person. 7. I want God to give me a servant's heart and attitude. 8. I want to become the person God wants me to be and achieve inner beauty. 9. I would like to learn to worry less, and trust God more. 10. I want God's love to pour out of me onto others. 11. I want to be more open and honest about my faith. 12. I want to have more compassion for others, and for God to instill in me a passion for the unsaved. 13. I want to think and pray for myself less, and for others more.
Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Wordless Wednesday

2006-06-07T09:25:00.000-05:00

2006-06-06T09:50:00.000-05:00

I've decided that my first "Tackle It" project will be to clean underneath my girls' bunkbeds. This is a chore that I have put off for far too long; I actually get kind of depressed when I think about it. The girls and I have gotten a good deal of their room cleaned and organized over the past couple of weeks, and this is one of the last few things we need to get done.
Here are some pics of the horrendousness:

Trust me, it's a lot worse than it looks.
Wish me luck!

Puhhleaze

2006-06-05T19:30:00.000-05:00

Good grief.
It seems that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have decided to sell pictures of their newborn child, Shiloh, in order to give the proceeds to an un-named charity. Their concern is for the welfare of newborns dying all over the globe.
I'm confused, though. Why don't they just take some money from the 46.8 gajillion dollars they have in their bank account to donate to charity? Why do they need to sell pictures of their daughter? I mean, it's for a good cause and all, but could this perhaps be a ploy to stay in the limelight a little longer? Hmmm, something to think about....

"The images, taken at a private photo shoot, will be distributed by Getty Images, the photo agency said Monday. All profits will be given to charity, though no specific foundation was announced. "While we celebrate the joy of the birth of our daughter, we recognize that two million babies born every year in the developing world die on the first day of their lives," the couple said in a joint statement. "These children can be saved, but only if governments around the world make it priority." Deb Trevino, a spokeswoman for Getty Images, told The Associated Press the family would later name the charity that will receive the funds. She would not disclose how much the photos were being sold for, or when they would be distributed."

2006-06-05T12:23:00.000-05:00

I think this is hilarious.

2006-06-04T19:35:00.000-05:00

Psalm 14
To the Chief Musician. [A Psalm] of David. 1THE [empty-headed] fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable deeds; there is none that does good or right.(A)
2The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there were any who understood, dealt wisely, and sought after God, inquiring for and of Him and requiring Him [of vital necessity].
3They are all gone aside, they have all together become filthy; there is none that does good or right, no, not one.(B)
4Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread and who do not call on the Lord?
5There they shall be in great fear [literally--dreading a dread], for God is with the generation of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (those upright and in right standing with Him).
6You [evildoers] would put to shame and confound the plans of the poor and patient, but the Lord is his safe refuge.
7Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord shall restore the fortunes of His people, then Jacob shall rejoice and Israel shall be glad.(C)

Romans 14:11 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
11It is written: " 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'

Mmmmm, cake

2006-06-01T21:46:00.000-05:00

Suzy Q's are my favorite Hostess cake ever and for quite some time, I've wanted to model a regular sized cake after one. I also decided that it should definitely have some sort of chocolate topping (being the chocolate freak that I am) so I chose a simple chocolate glaze. Here is a picture of my first attempt:

These are the recipes I followed. However, when I make this cake again, I'm going to do a little tweaking:

For the cake:

2 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 and 2/3 cups sugar
3/4 cup shortening
2/3 cup baking cocoa
1 and 1/2 cups water
1 and 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 large eggs

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom and sides of rectangular pan, 13 by 9 by 2 in., or 2 round pans, 9 by 1 1/2 inches, or 3 round pans, 8 by 1 1/2 inches with shortening; lightly flour.

2. Beat all ingredients with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on high speed 3 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pan(s).

3. Bake rectangle 40 to 45 minutes, rounds 30 to 35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool rectangle in pan on wire rack. Cool rounds 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire rack. Cool completely.

For the cream filling:

1 cup milk
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup crisco
1 tsp vanilla extract
5 tbsp flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter

1. Mix flour and milk; slow boil until thick, then cool.

2. After cooling, beat with mixer until fluffy, about 10 to 15 minutes.

3. Add remaining ingredients, beating well as you add them individually, one at a time.
Spread filling between cake layers.
*Note: My cream filling began to melt a little as I spread it onto my cake. I recommend putting it in the refrigerator for a few minutes before spreading it onto the cake.

For the chocolate glaze:

3 tablespoons stick margarine or butter
3 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate
1 cup powdered sugar
3/4 tsp vanilla
About 2 tablespoons hot water

Melt margarine and chocolate in 1-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally; remove from heat. Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla. Stir in water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until smooth and spreadable.
*Note: I added about 1/4 cup of heavy whipping cream to my glaze to thin it out a little. I found that it was much easier to spread this way. Also, the next time I make this cake, I think I will use semi-sweet baking chocolate instead of the unsweetened kind; I found the taste of the glaze to be a little on the bitter side. Of course, it may just be the kind of chocolate I used, or the fact that I have a raging, impossible-to-please horrendous sweet-tooth. On a final note, this glaze takes on a fudge-like consistency when it hardens. I find it quite delicious, but I realize this may be a little heavy for some, so you could always use basic chocolate frosting, or choose to have no topping at all, like the original Suzy Q. Me, I need the topping.

2006-05-28T07:44:00.000-05:00

Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live.

Psalm 119:77 NLT

7 Reasons Not To Mess With Kids

2006-05-27T23:02:00.000-05:00

Received in e-mail:

1) A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales.
The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to
swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was
very small.
The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.
Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not
swallow a human; it was physically impossible.
The little girl said, "When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah."
The teacher asked, "What if Jonah went to hell?" The little girl replied,
"Then you ask him."

2) A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children
while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's
work.
As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what
the drawing was.
The girl replied, "I'm drawing God.
The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like."
Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied,
"They will in a minute."

3) A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five
and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to "honor" thy Father and thy
Mother, she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our
brothers and sisters?
Without missing a beat one little boy (the oldest of a family)answered,
"Thou shall not kill."

4) One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do
the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several
strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head.
She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, "Why are some of your hairs
white, Mom?"
Her mother replied, "Well, every time that you do something wrong and make
me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white."
The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and
then said,
"Momma, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?"

5) The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to
persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture.
"Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up
and say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or 'That's Michael, He's
a doctor.'
A small voice at the back of the room rang out, "And there's the teacher,
she's dead."

6) A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of the blood.
Trying to
make the matter clearer, she said, "Now, class, if I stood on my
head, the blood, as you know, would run into it, and I would turn red in the
face."
"Yes," the class said.
"Then why is it that while I am standing upright in the ordinary position
the blood doesn't run into my feet?"
A little fellow shouted,
"Cause your feet ain't empty."

7) The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary
school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of
apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray:
"Take only ONE. God is watching."
Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a
large pile of chocolate chip cookies.
A child had written a note,
"Take all you want. God is watching the apples."

2006-05-25T11:02:00.000-05:00

1. Sorry,
2. No
3. TT
4. Today.
5. I'm
6. Taking
7. The
8. Kids
9. To
10. The
11. Mall
12. To
13. Play.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Wordless Wednesday

2006-05-24T06:34:00.000-05:00

Graduation and Promotion

2006-05-22T16:22:00.000-05:00

Paige and Chloe had their awards ceremony at school today. Chloe graduated from Kindergarten and Paige was promoted to the 4th grade. Chloe is pictured above with her teacher, and Paige is holding her "Most Creative Artist" award. They each received several awards and they are very proud of themselves. They both worked hard all year long and I know they are looking forward to the summer break.

I remember the last day(s) of school when I was a kid, the anticipation of summer making me feel as if I would burst, my heart pounding as I received my final report card. It wasn't grades I was concerned about, as I was always a fairly good student; I was worried about the teacher I would be stuck with for the duration of the next school year. Since I attended a smallish elementary school, I pretty much knew every teacher, the nice ones and the shrews. Getting stuck with a shrew for the next year could just about ruin your whole summer (well, maybe just for the first day or so). After that came the endless hot sunny days of riding bikes, climbing trees, getting sticky from eating melting ice cream (purchased from the "ice cream man" in his truck with the clanging bell that could be heard for miles), scraped knees and countless games of hide-and-go-seek in the dark with all the neighborhood kids. We had so much fun back then. We actually went outside to play and we used our imaginations. Most of the people in my neighborhood didn't own computers, and cartoons were a Saturday morning treat. We didn't have the luxury of Cartoon Network 24/7 and there was no such thing as the X Box. Kids nowadays are so...imagination-challenged, I guess. My kids are constantly whining about wanting to be entertained and complaining that "there's nothing to do". That is why I am making a pledge to myself to limit the number of hours my children spend on the computer and watching T.V. this summer. I'm going to try and make them play outside on every nice day we have, or go to the park or go swimming. Any physical activity or activities in which they need to use their imaginations are preferable to playing computer games or watching movies. I sincerely believe this is why many of our young people are overweight today; it's easier to lie on the couch and watch cartoons or to play on the computer than it is to get involved in game of kickball or to build a treehouse. When entertainment is practically spoon fed to a child, their imaginations lie dormant so long they forget how to use them. It's really sad.
It is my hope that someday my kids will look back on their childhoods with the same fondness and bittersweet twinge of nostalgia that I have.
I'm going to do my best to help get them there.

2006-05-20T18:07:00.000-05:00

I'm so sick of hearing about The DaVinci Code. I can't believe people would actually waste two hours of their lives viewing this piece of crap. And no, I haven't seen it, but you know what?
I don't have to smell garbage to know it STINKS.

2006-05-18T09:16:00.000-05:00

Thirteen Lawn Ornaments/Decorations That Irritate Me

1. Wishing wells.

2. Those big geese that people dress up according to the seasons or holidays.

3. I can't stand it when people "plant" fake flowers in their flower beds and hang up pots of fake flowers in their front yards. Um, we know.

4. Overturned wheelbarrows full of flowers.

5. Overturned whiskey barrels full of flowers.

6. Anything that's overturned and full of flowers.

7. Wagon wheels with plants or flowers growing on them.

8. It irritates me when people leave their holiday decorations up too long. I'm talking about big red Christmas bows on houses in July and plastic Easter eggs hanging from trees in November.

9. Fish ponds in front yards.

10. Those big wire trellises in front yards.

11. Those big goofy flags (the ones with lady bugs and Mickey Mouse and flower pots on them) people hang by their front doors. I know a lot of people have these, and I'm truly sorry, but I can't stand them.

12. Those gigantic concrete baskets.

13. I know this list sounds mean and I know we live in America and everything, and to each his own and all that, but come on people.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Wordless Wednesday-Anniversary

2006-05-16T21:23:00.000-05:00

Tuesday

2006-05-16T11:28:00.000-05:00

Paige had her first cheerleading class last night, and it went very well. I was surprised because the teacher got right into toe touches, front flips, and back hand springs. Of course, the kids did none of these on their own, they used the trampoline for toe touches and flips, and big barrels for the back flips. It was still slightly unsettling, though. I would have been scared to death to roll backwards over a big barrel at Paige's age ( It scares me to think about doing it now! ) but she was fearless. It's one of the many things I admire about her: she's not afraid to try new things and take chances. I was a very shy child, afraid of my own shadow, and the only accomplishments I can boast from my childhood is teaching myself how to swim and ride a bike. I don't believe I ever would have tried cheerleading or gotten up on a stage in front of dozens of strangers to do a performance. I would have frozen solid at the prospect. It never ceases to amaze me how two people can create another person who is totally unique, has different interests, talents, tastes, and a personality all their own.

I'm so tired this week. It seems like the time is flying by and I have so much to do and I never seem to get ahead. I've been spring cleaning for the past several days. I'd been putting it off for some time, out of sheer laziness I guess, but the pressure finally got to me and I caved. I could no longer ignore the state of my home. I really don't mind cleaning so much, washing dishes, sweeping, mopping, etc. but what needed to be done around here the most was sorting through clothes and toys and getting rid of stuff. I spent almost an entire day in the girls' room; I folded clothes, went through their toy boxes, threw stuff out, and bagged up stuff to give away. When I was going through the toy box, I found approximately 31 dirty socks ( when I was little, my mom called them "dead" socks ); I won't tell you what else I found, out of respect for those of you who are faint of heart. It looks pretty good in there, though, and it will be even better once I've painted. I'm dying to paint the whole house, I just can't seem to find the time or energy. I wish I had the money to pay someone to do it.

I still haven't gotten to go see An American Haunting yet. :(

My husband is outside right now, weeding our flower bed. He says he's going to plant a little rose garden for me for my Mother's Day present. This will be the best present he's ever given me, I think. I love flowers, all flowers, and I'd rather see them growing in the yard than have them inside in a vase.
We already have a few roses growing in the bed, along with some pretty little wild flowers:

Ain't they purty?
Today is primary election day, but I don't think I'm going to vote because... well, there's just no one who tickles my fancy. All the candidates sound alike to me and no one really sticks out in my mind as a better choice. I think I'll just wait until the next election to make up my mind.
That's all for now. I'm going to try to talk my hubby into letting me take a nappy.

Gifts

2006-05-14T13:48:00.000-05:00

I've had a pretty nice Mother's Day so far. At church, every mother was given a small pot of impatiens:

The kids made some nice gifts for me in their classrooms too:

Paige decorated a bar of soap with tissue paper and stickers.
Here is a picture of what she wrote on the tag:

The bible verse inside is actually the same verse I posted earlier today!

Chloe made a flower for me out of felt and buttons. She painted the little terra cotta pot purple:

Emma and Buck each made a picture for me:

(Emma's)

(Buck's)

I think the best Mother's Day presents are those that your children make for you when they are little. No other gifts will ever be as precious to me as the ones made by their tiny hands. I'll treasure and keep them forever.

Happy Mother's Day!

2006-05-14T08:03:00.000-05:00

Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: [29] "There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!"
Proverbs 31:28-29 NLT

Ana and Mia

2006-05-13T16:06:00.000-05:00

I now know that Pro-Ana and Pro-Mia websites are old news, but I honestly hadn't heard of them until a couple of weeks ago. I was watching the news one night and heard of the rise in popularity of these sites among teenage girls, so out of curiosity, I decided to check some out. What I found shocked me.
I won't post the names of or link to any of the sites I visited, but I will say that the girls that run these sites and their members need serious help. They view anorexia, which they call "Ana", (bulimia is referred to as "Bella" or "Mia") as a "friend" and a lifestyle choice. They refuse to believe that they have a disease which is slowly killing them. On the contrary, these sites encourage these diseases, offering tips and tricks to fool family and friends into thinking they are eating and not losing weight. These sites also offer what they call "thinspiration", pictures of super-skinny celebrities and models, and even pictures of some of their members. The pictures are supposed to keep these girls focused on their goal of achieving so-called perfection when they feel themselves wanting to eat. There are also message boards where members can go to comfort and support one another, as well as other tools of encouragement such as the decision to wear certain colored bracelets (red for pro-ana and blue for pro-mia) and the daily reading of what is known as The "Thin" Commandments:

1. If you aren't thin you aren't attractive.
2. Being thin is more important than being healthy.
3. You must buy clothes, cut your hair, take laxatives, starve yourself, do anything to make yourself look thinner.
4. Thou shall not eat without feeling guilty.
5. Thou shall not eat fattening food without punishing oneself afterwards.
6. Thou shall count calories and restrict intake accordingly.
7. What the scale says is the most important thing.
8. Losing weight is good/gaining weight is bad.
9. You can never be too thin.
10. Being thin and not eating are signs of true will power and success.

Pretty sick, huh?
In all fairness, though, I did come across one particular site in which the owner willingly admits that anorexia and bulimia are not glamorous, that they are indeed deadly diseases. She herself suffers from anorexia, and has even dedicated an entire section of her site to recovery from the diseases called "The Flipside". She also makes some valid points about hypocrisy in society. People are quick to put down girls who are anorexic and bulimic, ridiculing their support of their own "lifestyle choice" yet society itself encourages thinness and demands perfection.
I mean, honestly, how many commercials do you see on T.V. promoting various diet pills, fad diets, and exercise equipment?
Radio, billboards, and magazines are no exception. The owner of the site talks about the yogurt commercial in which the woman buys the yellow bikini, hangs it on the wall, and looks at it every day as she eats the low-fat yogurt and dreams of fitting into this bathing suit (you've seen it, right?) I'm paraphrasing here, but she says something to the effect of, "Duh! We (anorexics) use the same kind of tricks!"
Apparently, buying clothes that are too small and starving yourself to fit into them is one of the various methods used to stay thin.
I do not condone these diseases in any way, shape, or form; however, I completely understand how they have come about. Society has placed an extraordinary amount of pressure (especially on women) to be thin and beautiful. All you have to do is pick up a copy of US magazine, or People, or Star, or watch a Victoria's Secret commercial, etc. to know what I'm talking about. Overweight people are ridiculed constantly in our media, and are rarely looked upon as beautiful people. It's easy to see how these impressionable young girls have begun to equate thinness with beauty. It's truly a sad world we live in now, in which hardly anyone cares about inner beauty.
I believe that anorexics and bulimics need hardcore therapy and the constant support and love of those who sincerely want them to recover. They definitely don't need to be bashed and made fun of:

That's not going to solve the problem. I blame society anyway, and until our views on what beauty truly is changes (which is highly unlikely to happen in this lifetime), unfortunately, there will be these kinds of diseases to contend with.

2006-05-11T06:38:00.000-05:00

Thirteen of my Favorite (Secular) Songs:

1. The Flame-Cheap Trick

2. Fire and Rain-James Taylor

3. Into The Mystic-VanMorrison

4. Winter's Come and Gone-Gillian Welch

5. This Year's Love-David Gray

6. Everlong-Foo Fighters

7. I Just Called to Say I Love You-Stevie Wonder

8. Portland Oregon-Loretta Lynn

9. As Deeply As-The Blueberries

10. Remember When-Alan Jackson

11. The Joker-The Steve Miller Band

12. Strong Enough-Sheryl Crow

13. Me and Bobby McGee-Janis Joplin

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

1. Heather

2. Friday's Child

3. Reverberate58

4. Joan

5. Chi

6. Surrender Dorothy

7. TNchick

8. yellowrose

9. a&i's mommy

10. Susan

11. Jen

12. ardice

13. Norma

14. Michelle

15. ames

16. eph

17. EmilyRose Jewel

18. LibertyBelle

19. Bar Bar a

20. Mandy

21. Mar

22. Courtney

Nothing Much

2006-05-09T16:45:00.000-05:00

Nothing much going on today. Emma's appointment with the dentist went well. She did great! She didn't cry and she cooperated completely.
The best part of the visit was that the dentist seems to think that she doesn't need root canals. He believes that some tooth-colored fillings will suffice. Emma has to go back in June to have them done. During that visit, she will have to have an anesthetic administered by shots or drink a special drink that will make her sleep through the procedure. Our insurance doesn't cover the drink, it will cost $150, but it does cover the shots. We haven't decided which way we will go yet.
I signed Paige up for cheerleading classes today. I wanted Paige and Chloe to have something to do over summer vacation, but Chloe doesn't want to be a cheerleader; she wants to play soccer. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find any soccer camps or available teams for the summertime. The next team sign-ups aren't until June 1st, and then the teams won't even practice or play until the fall, so I don't really know what I'm going to do for her.
This coming weekend promises to be another busy one; Paige has two more birthday parties to attend, and I plan on seeing An American Haunting (I didn't get to go this past weekend) and of course there is church to attend. I also plan to paint the living room and the girls' room sometime soon, I'm not sure when, but the walls need it badly.
O.K., so this has been a very boring post, so I'll go for now.
Oh yeah, I'll leave you with something that I thought was pretty cute:
Paige, Chloe, Emma and I went for a walk after dinner. The owners of a house down the street from us own a couple of Pomeranians, one white and the other black. The white one must be pretty old, because it doesn't bark, it hacks, and Chloe finds this extremely funny. Every time we walk past this house, the dogs, who are tethered in the front yard, begin to bark frantically (as I suspect most Pomeranians do), and the white one always runs up as close to the sidewalk as it can get, straining it's leash. It begins to "hack" and doesn't stop until we are out of sight. The first time Chloe heard it bark, she laughed uncontrollably and said, "Mommy, that dog sounds just like an old lady!"
Tonight when we walked by, she said, "Hey Mommy, there's that old lady dog!"
(Thank goodness the owners weren't around).

2006-05-08T14:48:00.000-05:00

I am so tired. It's been a long, busy weekend.
Emma had to go to the dentist Friday, and it didn't go well. She did alright at first, climbing up into the big exam chair with no problems, allowing the dentist to put cute little heart-shaped sunglasses on her, and even opening her mouth wide for the dentist to take a peak. When it came time for the dentist to put flouride on her teeth and brush them, however, we began to have problems. Emma just flat out refused to let the woman in her mouth with the toothbrush. We both tried to sweet talk and cajole her, to no avail. I finally had to force the brush with the flouride on it into her mouth (which I hated) and brush her teeth myself.
After the examination, the dentist informed me that Emma's two upper central incisors have cavities and she will most likely have to have root canals. She referred me to another dentist who specializes in oral surgery and I called his office today to make an appointment. It turned out that they had an opening for tomorrow, so I took it. I'm very nervous about the whole thing and anxious to get it over with. When her teeth are squared away, we will then have to deal with the birthmark on her face. It's gotten quite large over the years, and unfortunately, has begun to sprout hair. The birthmark itself doesn't really bother me, but her pediatrician believes I should have it removed. I definitely plan on having it removed before she enters Kindergarten so that she won't be made fun of by the other kids. Kids can be really cruel sometimes.
On another note, Emma said something today that I thought was pretty cute.
I made some chicken noodle soup for Emma and Buck for lunch, and after I put Buck in his high chair, I put his bowl on his tray and said, "Here you go baby", to which Emma replied, "No, Mama, he's not your baby, he's my Buck."

LOST!!!!!

2006-05-05T09:06:00.000-05:00

AAAAAAaaaaaaarrgggggghhhh!
Somehow, I've lost my blog. It's just gone. Poof. I tried to make some changes on my template and when I clicked the "Save changes" button, all I got was a white screen. I've tried everything I can think of, I even went to blogs whose owners link to me, and I still got a white screen. I don't know what's going on and until I can figure it out, I'll be posting here. This sucks.