Happy Thanksgiving..

I was toolong around on Godtube and found this video. I think that It is sad that it takes a Holiday to recognize sometimes how thankful we are. We have had a rough year and i have found myself questioning and grumbling quite a bit. Sometimes I wonder how I am going to get through the next day and why things are so hard but I think that the more i question and wonder the longer i walk around the mountian I am supposed to go over.

Poor Terry...

We had the pleasure of going to my dads house for thanksgiving. Poor Terry woke up sick this morning. So he stayed home. I guess he gets a day of peace. I will of course bring him some food home and some dessert. Please pray that whatever bug this is leaves quickly.
Lots of vernors and chicken noodle soup:)

fireproof....

Terry and i went to see Fireproof on Friday. it was amazing. I am not one who gets emotional especially watching movies but i needed some kleenex and waterproof mascara.Terry and I have had some issues the last couple of years and watching the movie and thinking about what pastor has been preaching on really got me thinking about who I am and how I relate to my husband and everyone around me. In the movie, the plot was kindof centered this book called the Lovedare. wow...... I recommend. we went to the christian bookstore directly after that to buy it. I need to get another one though because I felt like I should give it to someone today and i did. There is website to: www.fireproofyourmarriage.com.

totally encouraged!!!!

I really had a challenging week and I really had to learn to trust and put my faith to the test. I don't want to got into a lot of detail because I don't feel that I should right now. Lets just say that The week started out VERY stressful. There are a couple of things that added to the stress that i can mention:
my van: antifreeze leaks, back brakes are going, and i need a new ignition(we start it w/ a screwdriver right now lol)
School: I have a paper that i need to start and finish.
the House: hmmm where to start lets just say i need to catch up on a few things.
My digital camera has finally bit the dust and I really like to take pictures.

Every week i get an email with weekly verses. I was really encouraged when i read them and then i had the week i did. I read them again today and wow!!! Totally encouraged again.
Here are those verses:
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. --Psalm 119:105
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. --John 17:17
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. --Psalm 1:1-2
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. --Psalm 95:1-2
I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way - in all your speaking and in all your knowledge. --1 Corinthians 1:4-5
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15
Enter [the Lord's] gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. --Psalm 100:4-5

I am really thankful for all that i have and I didn't really appreciate it until this week!!
I wish I could give more details but But I cannot at this time. One Hint the issues above are pretty minor. If you would like to more email me we could possibly talk. I covet your prayers I thank God for this tremendous peace i have.

powerful podcasts...

I found and subscribed to true woman podcasts on i tunes. I listened to a message called a woman after Gods heart. I cannot explained how much i needed to hear that message or really explain in words i got out of it. So i thought i would pass the info along.

If you have i tunes: go to the itunes store and in the search engine put true woman. It should come up in the podcast section. It is a free download and subscription. I HIGHLY recommend.

Love.......

Why is it so hard to to truly love our neighbors and family. Pastor talked about how if we would truly love others the world really would be a different place. It is way easier to hold hurts and unforgiveness but it so much more devastating in our lives and when we do hold those things we just spill that out of us instead of the Love that God commands of Us and ultimately turns to sin because we are deliberately disobeying.
Matthew 20:37-40
37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

It is especially hard at least for me to love to really reach to people who intimidate me or have a tendency to be challenging. I really try to turn the other cheek and give the benefit of the doubt.
It really takes a lot for me to get upset or mad (except when its my own family--- i seem to lately have real short fuse) I am so guilty of taking things personal and really pulling away instead of taking those things to God and immediately taking those things to Him and killing the roots at the source. If i really would do that I would to be able Love my neighbors and family more effectively. I am so Thankful for a pastor who does not beat around the bush and really challenges us to truly "Be the Church" to live a life that truly shows Jesus. It is not easy.
Thank you Pastor Jim for your obedience. God Bless.

remembering.............

Here are a couple videos i discovered of Noah when he was about a year old. I think I knew he was gonna be a charcter. Boy, how time flies.

some ideas needed...

I have a few housekeeping things i am trying to come up with and since i dont have a creative bone in my body I need some ideas.
1. chore chart ideas and motivations
2. rule chart and creative discipline
3. 3 year old tantrum remedies
4. good grade motivations (this is a real issue with Nick- mostly a responsibility
issue)
5. free time activity ideas
6. sibling argument remedies.

I know I have some creative people out there with some fresh ideas. cuz I am just short of calling supernanny. lol

learning.....

I am really struggling with a few issues. I believe I have talked about this a little bit before. I am really struggling with feeling a sense of belonging. I know that i need to overcome this and that I have the Lord but I really just need some prayer to really push through this emptiness.
I have tried to hang out with different groups but always up feeling like the third wheel or I say or do something that makes me the outcast. I also think that this stems from being a social outcast as a teenager and younger. I know that Joyce meyer has a book called approval addiction and would love to get my hands on the audio version. I just thought I would share this because its on my heart and now i have daughters and I really am starting to see some of what i went through starting to develope in very subtle ways not as severe as what i had though.

On the Bright side i have been really working on being purposeful or intentional in what i say and trying to really take things to prayer instead to others. i feel I have been a burden to some people with my issues and it seems like the last couple years there have been ALOT of issues.

these videos really struck a cord in me:

im catcing on:

Im catching on to the coupon thing, i think. I went to Kroger twice this week and both times did very good. They some VERY good deals going on.
My first trip: My total was about $280 and after sales, instore coupons and my coupons my total was about $153.00. savings of $122. Yes!!!!
my second trip i dont remember totals off hand but my savings were something in the neighbrhood of $75. not bad. I know I have a lot to learn but im catching the coupon bug and its a great bug to have.:)

New Pictures

A good friend of mine who happens to be a photographer blessed me with taking pics of the kids and family pics on Saturday. We had a great time and we really needed them done. Noah was an infant when we got them done last time. Anyway I really want to thank Megan cuz I really was BLESSED by getting them done. I changed our individual pics on the blog to the ones just taken and I thought I show you what a ham Noah is Below:

Has it really been a week?

Wow i guess i am slacking. maybe not I have been super busy.
lets see there is....
5 messy kids
a mountian of laundry
a house to keep clean
college classes
parent teacher conferences
youth leader meetings
youth on wednesdays
Whitney dance on Mondays
coupon clipping and hunting
Family pictures
i know there is more and i just cant think of what.
sometimes i wish there were more hours in a day or i had a personal assistant.
(wait I have 5) lol jk
anyway God is good and I am learning to really prioritize and not sweat the small stuff.

I am a little disappointed in the decision to elect Obama for president. I dont know what God has planned but i know i can trust Him in know that He is really all i need. I dont understand but I dont have to. I was browsing on God tube and came across this video and it really spoke to me.

on my heart.

When we lived in Swartz Creek, my kids went to school with a little girl named Payton Cram.
Last year this sweet little girl (11) found out that she is a cancer patient. She loves Jesus with all of her heart. Her aunt goes to our church and is in my Tuesday Bible Study. She is fighting and is in a lot of pain. She is currently trying a new experimental treatment.
Below is a link to a news story they did about her.
http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=news/local&id=5869245

She also has a website:
http://www.caringbridge.org/
enter in: paytoncram
Please pray for this sweet little girl.
I dont know every detail about her cancer but im sure the website will explain.

Thank You.

I just want to thank everyone who helped me with Light the Night!!!! You were truly a blessing and helped love our community who Jesus really is.
God Bless You.

childlike faith.

On Saturday Kelsey was playing a game on the computer and in the background i had music playing. She was so sweet singing the song We fall down (Chris Tomlin). I was almost in tears listening to her sing it word for word and all i could think is i wanted that child like faith. To be able not to worry about what others around me were thinking and to be able to focus on him without limits.
i found myself praying for that.
Here is a video with that song included.

just remember.....

in light of the election tomorrow i thought i would repost this again. i found myself gatting anxious watching the tv and all the polls and stuff. I really do not want a certain obama to be pesident but its not all about me. i am one vote. I reread this and had to remind myself of who is in control...... God.
I got this email and thought it was good so.....I got this email and thought it was good so.....
TEN PREDICTIONS NO MATTER WHO WINS THE ELECTION:
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost.
ISN'T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS STILL IN CONTROL? AMEN!!!