Thankful Thursday Sept. 30, 2010

Today I am thankful that even though blogger messes with my mind I know that my God is in control and that he supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory.

Last night I sent an email to a sweet sister that I met through WFW yesterday.  She is struggling with a few things right now and I wanted to encourage her.  One of the things I shared with her was that this has been the absolute hardest year of my life.    It has taken every ounce of strength that I could beg our Savior to provide.   It has taken every word that the Holy Spirit could speak for me because there have been times that I have been so spiritually confused that I had no idea how to pray.    There have been times that I have wondered things that I feel guilty to even speak or write here.   And, I won't because here what I desire to write is only words of encouragement.  It has taken every ounce of strength I could muster not to write out the pain I have felt for the last 8 and 1/2 months. 

But today I am here to tell you that God is good and God is faithful.  And I believe and trust these words more than ever now . . .

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord,
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways."

In some ways today I am just as confused as I have been because God is working in our lives and in our ministry.  I am joyful and anticipating bountiful Blessings but I am confused because I have no idea what is going to be happening next.  I wait.  I trust.  And I give Thanks for our God supplies.  Our God hears.  And our God loves.

Thankful Thursday is hosted by Iris click here to go to todays post and linky.

Wordfilled Wednesday

Today's Wordfilled Wednesday was inspired by these words . . . 'This isn't a book of philosophies. It's a collection of powerful stories that show what life can look like when people step out in courage and love, and strengthen the family of God. I hope that these stories inspire you to create a story of your own. ' From this book.



I haven't gotten farther than the first few chapters and the dedication but I am totally excited about this book. I had to share it with my WFW.

This is a photo from a chapel service at the boys prison where we serve. I thought this photo was really cool because I managed to capture the video. I love this verse as it describes our heart for these boys.

Here's the info. about the book. Check it out.

City on Our Knees
by TobyMac
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0865-2
Price: $19.99
Format: Hardcover
Publication date: Sep. 10 Division: Bethany House

You can purchase at Amazon and Barnes and Noble

Love Abounds Here Today

Today I wanted to share with you What Love Looks Like In My Home . . .

The Cowboy left earlier to go get tires on our new Tahoe. Well not new, new. Just new to us.

Here's what I saw when he returned!

See the cart? See the sack of veggies being cared by the . . . well it isn't Cowboy. I didn't get a photo of him carrying the sack of veggies so I thought I would improvise. This is what he actually brought home . . .

Oh I am in love. I love okra. And he also brought . . .

He knows I love salad. And he brought . . .

Frozen peas. Well two out of three isn't bad! He is a little confused I prefer frozen to canned veggies. But peas are well my least favorite. He couldn't find the brocolli and he said he thought we had corn. But I am not complaining.

He also brought home brick chili, crab claws, and avacado's. I love my avacado's, milk and a couple of other things that really aren't important.

So now your wondering. Why is this a big deal? Well if your a regular reader here you know Cowboy doesn't really like vegetables. He would prefer a steady diet of meat and potatoe's. That is it. But he knows I like veggies. And salad. And he knows that health wise it is better for me. Him too but he won't admit that.

And so today I saw love because he brought home veggies. I am wondering does your husband show you love in little ways like this that no one else would even notice?

JoAnne is the hostess of What does love look like in your home over at her blog One So Blessed. She didn't put up a linky today and I hope that she hasn't decided not to do this little meme.

Book Review--A Despicable Profession

This reader is sorry to have missed book one. A Despicable Profession is Book Two of the American Spy Trilogy. Here's what the editor of Mystery Magazine has to say . . . "Hal Schroeder is destined to join the ranks of classic characters in American fiction." From the author's site . . . "Hal Schroeder, the hero of A Despicable Profession, is only 25 years old. He is not well-seasoned. He is young and cocky enough to think he has all the answers. His immaturity drives the action, as we watch Hal learn the painful lessons that veteran agents like le Carré’s George Smiley already know. Too many spy novels, in this man’s opinion, are steeped in cynicism, which breeds lethargy. The protagonist does what needs to be done, coolly, professionally. But without passion. Not Hal Schroeder. He thinks he’s a cynical hard guy but his youthful enthusiasm always gets the better of him. Which is usually, but not always, for the best." I had to keep myself from trying to cast actors for the movie version. I'll let you to your own imagination. But this reader would definitely want to see the movie!

A Despicable Profession was an easy and fast read. I enjoyed the book. Not usually a fan of WWII or any war novel's I was pleasantly surprised. And I stayed interested through all 300 pages.

Here's a short synopsis:
May, 1946. America is basking in hard-won peace and prosperity. The OSS has been disbanded, CIA does not yet exist. Rumors swirl about the Red Army massing tanks along the Elbe in East Germany.
Former OSS agent Hal Schroeder gets an offer from Global Commerce LTD to be a trade rep in Berlin. He flies to New York to meet his new boss. Hal’s jaw drops when former OSS Chief Wild Bill Donovan strides in. Schroeder, who survived perilous duty behind German lines, says he is no longer interested in being a spy. General Donovan assures him that’s not part of his job description.Hal comes to doubt that when he meets his immediate superior in Berlin. It’s Victor Jacobson, the case officer who sent him on repeated suicide missions in WWII.

You can purchase on-line at Amazon or Barnes and Noble. This book was published by Blue Steel Press. You can visit there for more info. and to read an excerpt.

This book was provided for review by Pump Up Your books.

Worfilled/less Wednesday

Leaving you a Happy Face this morning. Have a great day!

A Walk for Sunshine Review/Monday 4 Mission

I don't normally combine Book Reviews with my regular posts but today I felt like this book just fits into Mission Monday.


The book is about the author Jeff Alt's amazing story. It is a biography that chornicles his amazing 2,160 mile hike along the Appalachian Trail to raise money for Sunshine Home. I was amazed and impressed.





Normally I am not much of a fan of biography's but A Walk for Sunshine captivated me from page one to two hundred ninty seven! The author shares his ups and downs while making the long hike from Georgia to Maine. The first couple of chapters gives the reader an overview of the authors strategic planning, fundraising for the walk and a little background about why he would spend an estimated six months on the trail.





As a lover of the outdoors and nature I was fascinated and captivated by the story. And I learned as fascinating as this adventure was I realized that I would rather read about it than sleep in a hikers shelter in the middle of the mountains with field mice sharing the nights lodge. I must add here ...ick!

The author shares at the end of the boo a few pages of more information including his: gear list, info. for parents wanting to hike with children and suggested reading about adventure hiking.

I enjoyed Chapter 36. In this chapter the author shares a little more with the reader about how to do a fundraiser.

The post script included information about Cerebral Palsay and info. about The Sunshine Home in Maumee Ohio.

I was impressed with the authors dedication and with his commitment in doing something so noble to help this wonderful home.

I would highly recommend this book for anyone from nature enthusiast to the CEO. My Cowboy read a few chapters and really enjoyed it. It is both informational and humerous.

Ten years after his amazing hike Jef Alt continues as an avid hiker and has written other books about his adventures. He is the host of the annual Walk-With-Sunshine a fundraiser inspired by his original Appalachian Trail Journey. For more information about the offer and to purchase the book click here.

This book is also available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Borders.

Monday Morning Clean up

Thanks for stopping in. I am doing a little clean up today. I'll be writing my post soon so come on back for the next installment in my Journey toward full-time ministry.

And, I have a great book review that fits my Monday 4 Missions category.

Sorry for the little mess you know how cleaning sometimes goes. Once you get started you start seeing more messes that need your attention.

Look for changes to the sidebar that is what I am working on.

Have a Happy Monday

Simple Sunday

Tonight the words of this song are on my mind. We sang it this morning in the Worship and Praise service at the prison where we serve.
As the boys sat and listened to the message I could get these words out of my head.
Call my name. Are you in a place where you need the reminder that all we need to do is seek our Lord and Savior. Call His name and He will be there with you.
Maybe your just needing to take a minute and just rest. Turn your volume down and enjoy this wonderful message in song.

Book Review--It's No Secret Rachel Olsen

What a great find! In this book the author gently encourages the reader to become a

'Yaweh Sister' as she begins by sharing with the reader how to understand God's teachings by entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ.

This is a great study book for all women. Olsen shares her faith with stories and anecdotes and then points the reader directly to scripture. Each chapter ends with study questions. It is a great book to read through even if you don't take the time to answer the study questions.

I did a little research and found quite a few reviews. It seems everyone is talking about It's No Secret. I found this site that actually has the 1st Chapter posted so you can go over there and read it.

Here's what a couple of other people are saying . . .

Here's another bloggers review I found on Amazon http://atitus2woman.blogspot.com/2010/09/its-no-secret-review.html
This review is from: It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know (Paperback) I totally loved, loved, loved this book!! Once I opened it, I couldn't put it down! Rachel is so down to earth and REAL about her struggles and failures, that it felt like she was writing my story. I really loved the chapter called, "Turn the Beat Around". She talks about truly resting on the Sabbath, and what it means to really trust the Lord by resting. There are Bible study questions at the end of each chapter to help you dig deeper for yourself into the decoder ring that God has given us in Christ. This book is a MUST for any Bible study group, and I know it's on the list for the 'next do" in my group!

And from the book ... "Just a few chapters into It’s No Secret, I felt like I was sitting with a wise and witty girlfriend who had opened her heart and drawn me in with memorable stories told in a spunky yet sensitive style. It’s clear that Rachel Olsen cares about her readers and longs to share the secrets she’s come to know…”Ann Krocker author

You can go over to Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Borders to purchase this book online.

For more info. here's the authors website and an interview with the author is hereauthor interview http://www.wendyblight.com/2010/09/meet-my-friend-rachel-olsen-author-of.html.

Thanks to Karen Davis at B&B Media Group Inc. for offer this book.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful that even when I don't leave Him room he is patient with me.

I am thankful that He continues to redesign me when I make room for Him.

Wordfilled Wednesday Sept 23,2010

Revelation 21:4&5 "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

Sharing another repost today. It has been crazy busy at my house. I sure hope it settles down soon. Have a wonderful Wordfilled Wednesday and visit Lori for more beautiful illustrations of God's word.

Tuesday Titus Women

Today/Tonight I am reposting something I wrote way back in 2008. Earlier I was doing some cleaning here and I ran across this post. And since I am so late today posting I thought well why not redo this one. It actually speaks of what I hope that the new Titus 2 Woman posts is all about. Use girls helping each other. Us older more mature (in years) women helping the younger women.
I hope you enjoy!

Tackle it Tuesday A New Project
Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. Psalm 86:11 (NIV)

I believe he uses us to encourage one another. Just as the Two Mom's over at Tackle it Tuesday have encouraged so many in the areas of organization and mommy tips etc.
I want to Tackle Tuesday by encouraging you too.Today I want to begin a new weekly Tackle it Tuesday project.
I want to share with you what God has placed on my heart or what I learned each week. It might be a devotional, a verse, a tip who knows.

But it is meant to help you and encourage you. And possibly help you maybe be a Happy Momma or make your baby Happy or help you have a Happy Husband.

Today I want to share what I read this week in 15 Minutes with God by Emalie Barnes.
This particular devo. talked about telling and showing your children you love them.

I know your thinking well I am a SAHM. We take our children to church. Or maybe your thinking it's too late my kids are older they aren't babies little children anymore.

Here is a little of the devo. "Oh look,Daddy,I catched it!" That's good boy get ready for another make more and dad proud of the next one. "Look,Daddy I am only 8 and I can through faster than anyone on the team. Yea but you gotta work on your batting. You can't play in the big league if you can't hit. "Look, Dad I am sixteen and...." Yea but you need to."Although not meant to these conversations were not edifying or building up the boy.I know these are a bit of an exaggeration. But a point is being made here. Emalie went on to tell of a story about a father frustrated because his son wasn't into to sports. But instead was into motocross. The dad wasn't into out doorsy things or getting dirty or dust etc. He went to their pastor asking him what to do.The pastor wisely told him. "How much do you love your son? Enough to get grease on your hands?"

Sometimes we get so busy 'taking them to church' or 'grading papers or planning lessons' or 'cooking dinner'. That we forget why we are actually doing all that. Sometimes maybe our husbands didn't have fathers that were daddy's and they don't know how to be a Daddy like in Emalie's first example.

Do you show your children by your actions that you love them? Or are you just busy running around and taking them to games and practises and driving home thinking about what you are going to cook for dinner.Or; do you say to your son "Wow that was a great game I saw how you hit the ball. And I saw how you clapped for your team. And I saw how ..."

Emalie suggests thoughts for action:
* Write your child a love note or draw a picture for a young child
* Spend one on one time with each child
* Put a note on your calendar to remind yourself to do the above again nextweek.

I hope you all have a great week. I hope that you are able to Tackle your own projects today. And I hope in some way that what I have shared will be a Blessing to you.

Have a Blessed week and I hope your days are filled with happiness.

Book Review--You Changed My Life (Lucado)

I noticed on another blog the other a count down to Christmas. Yes folks are already thinking about the holidays and let me tell you if your considering your list put this one on it.

This is a great little gift book. I would highly recommend it for anyone. Buy it for someone that might need a little encouragement. Or buy it for someone that needs to learn about God's love. You'll find both in Max Lucado's new book You Changed My Life.

This tiny little book of a mere 192 pages is filled with wonderfully inspirational stories of people that have touched other peoples lives.

From the back cover:

Kind people not only say good morning, they make the coffee.

They're the people who make life nicer, more beautiful . . . and far some, bearable. They're real people with remarkable hearts. People whose unselfish generosity wraps a strong arm around your shoulders and walks you from the brink of despair to the axis of hope.

They give whether anyone notices or not. They sacrifice without being asked . . . What would we do without them? Let's say "Thank you".

When I first started reading this book I thought of the friend that I want to give it to. And, tomorrow I am giving away my copy. I am going to wrap a little ribbon around the book and include a little Thank You card.

One of the stories that I really enjoyed was in the very first chapter. It was the story of Catherine Lawes whose husband was the warden of Sing Sing prison. She is quoted in the story. "My husband and I are going to take care of these men, and I believe they will take care of me." She went out of her way to show God's love to the inmates. And for 16 years through her simple acts of kindness their hard hearts were softened. These were America's hardest criminals, murderers, robbers. These were the men the nation had locked away for life. But when Catherine Lawes passed away every prisoner with tears on their faces stood and paid their respects to a fine lady. And the warden allowed them to go to the home of Catherine Lawes without guards to pay their respects. Real Love Changes People.

There are many such stories in this amazing little book.

You can go to the authors website for more info.

Do you know someone you want to say Thank you to? Or someone that needs encouragement?

This book is available at Amazon,

Family Christian Book Stores and at Buy dot Com

This book was provided by Book Sneeze.

Book Review--Stay by Allie Larkin

Disclaimer #1. Right here at the beginning . . . Just because the dog on the cover looks exactly like my Daisy I is not why I am giving this book a 5 star rating and an 'I loved it!'
Disclaimer #2. And the author only asked me to review not say something nice about it.
BTW . . . I read it in just a couple of days. Now understand if I hadn't had such a busy weekend I probably would have read it in a few hours . . .

. . . Now does that face not just draw you in. Whoever thought of the cover was genius I have to say. Yes this was one that I enjoyed from cover to cover and I have to ask 'Miss Allie' when do we get to read book two? I know that there just has to be much more to come. Especially since 'Van's and Joe's story had such a happy ending there must be more! You know maybe a 'girl friend for Joe! Can't you just see Allie with a bunch of Joe puppies! Opp's sorry...just a thought.

I am not even going to give too much away about the story. You can go to Amazon and buy it and you can go to the author's site too for nore info. I found a few comments there.

Feel-good debut novel…
People Magazine
Larkin makes writing look easy… Stay has everything a summer read needs: humor, heart -- and, endearingly, buckets of dog slobber.
The Miami Herald
A charming tale of love, loss, discovery, and healing.
Modern Dog Fall 2010

What I really liked about the book . . . 1. It was easy to read. 2. The characters were fun and you were pulled into their stories. (Although I personally thought a couple were jerks in the way they treated Allie but they redeemed themselves)3. It was a fun sweet story. I love a good novel and I especially like happy endings.

What you 'might not like' . . . Because I love my faithful followers I have to share one thing about the book that might bother you. There are a couple of places where there is some language that you might find offensive. It didn't bother me at all. In fact I thought it made it more real. Van the main character is a little like me at times and probably alot like the rest of us and during 'high stress' situations sometimes not such pretty words just happen to slip out. I mean who could blame her when the dog has a big accident on the floor. I mean Joe is a big dog!

I really enjoyed this book and I cannot wait to read more from Allie Larkin. Here's a photo of the author and her dog
These guys are just too cute. And yes my dog could be a relative! I'll have to take a photo of us so you can compare. (I'm not as cute though!)

BTW I am going over to Barnes and Noble to buy a copy for my sister! You can also pick one up at Borders or Amazon

Mission 4 Monday

Have you begun to think about Christmas? I know it is barely fall but around here we are already making ministry plans. Last year the boys that we work made Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for local needy families.
Here is a photo of some of the decorating at McFadden Ranch.


I happened to drive in one day and luckily I had the camera! The everygreen they actually cut from the woods surrounding the ranch. I thought that was so cool. The already promised me they would cut some for me to decorate with!

Our ministry is already working on programs for the holidays. A Holiday to Remember is a special program that goes from Oct. through Dec. For many of the youth it is the first time for them to ever have a real holiday experience. For many it is thier first time to hang evergreen or decorate a tree.

The last few Mondays I have been sharing with you my Journey into ministry. And I do have a post today or should I say tonight. So I hope you will come back. And, I have book reviews this week too. It'll be a busy week around the blog.

So are you thinking about the holidays? Maybe as you begin to think about your family traditions and making plans would you think about sharing yourself to someone that might be forgotten.

Thankful Thursday

Today my mother is 85. I am thankful that God gave me a 'mommy'



I pray that my children will be thankful for thier mommy.

Wordfilled Wednesday

I did this one in red today as these are the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ from Matthew 22:37.

I happen to be writing this post very, very early on Wednesday. According to my computer clock it is 12:03 I am not usually up at this hour but tonight I have been spending some time in prayer concerning God's direction.

I have been praying about joining a study called Makeover of the heart. I feel a need to ask God to search my heart. I feel a need to make sure that all I say and do is pleasing to Him. I pray that this and every post is filled with His spirit, His love, and His wisdom.

I pray that when you come here you are Blessed and you feel God's Love.

Embracing My Second Calling--Part 3

Welcome to the 3rd part of Embracing My Second Calling . . . Today I am going to share the beginning of Auto Mission and how God answered my prayer!

He didn't call us to ministry in Alaska! Here is Part 1 and Part 2 is here.

And now Part 3 begins . . .

It was in December of 2004 that God laid the vision of Auto Mission on my Cowboy's heart. The vision came while he was a stage hand during our churchs Christmas Pagent. At that time we were serving our church helping in the youth ministry wherever we could. Sometimes teaching, sometimes managed the cafe in the youth building, sometimes planning parties for the teachers. And it was during that time that we began to realize that even though the local church can provide great programs and events that there are just some kids hanging out that were just not hearing the gospel. Some kids in our local neighborhood might never set foot into a church to hear the gospel.

And one night during a performance as Cowboy sat in the dark God spoke to him. He heard God's voice clear as day telling him to minister to those kids. As he sat and pondered he thought to himself 'how can I do this?' And he asked himself the questions 'What are boys interested in?' Everyone laughs when we share this . . . Cowboy answered his own question 'Boys are interested in two things cars and girls.' And he realized as soon as the thought came into his head. 'Well I don't know much about girls but I do know a little about cars.'

It was within a few short days that miracles began to happen. The first was that we received our 501c3 declaration in 30 days. Everyone we have talked to agrees that this was a miracle we have spoken to other non-profits that spent months and months trying to get the approval.

Exactly 35 days after Cowboy was sitting in the dark one bright and sunny afternoon the doors of Auto Mission were open and boys were coming everyday after school.

Within in the first few weeks we were at capacity everyday.

Come back next week and I'll share how God opened doors to reach kids from 3 different school districts and 2 counties. And I'll share with you God's answer to Cowboys question 'Why me?'

Simple Sunday

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he had done marvelous things . . . Psalm 98:1

Then Sings My Soul

Good Morning Welcome to Then Sings My Soul hosted by Amy. Today I wanted to share a rather old one. I happened to hear it last night and for the first time I really listened to the lyrics. It spoke to me. I hope you enjoy.

The last few days ....many misery's poured out....honest prayers of breaking and hopeful hearts. Praying that God does indeed hear a melody. Beautiful messes . . . beautiful melodies.

Dear Father please be with Joseph. Please give him direction and guidiance. Please listen to the messes and the misery. Please give him strength. Help him to know that you are with him listening to the melody.