. . . a greaaaaaaaaaaat week. (reminds me of Tony the tiger!) Not really sure when I will get to a place that has the net (probably Thursday) But I wanted to leave you something in case you dropped in. Here's a couple of photo's that make me smile.
I want these shoes! I know I would look adorable. Wouldn't I!
I don't know why but I love this photo. I have been saving it for a Wordfilled Wednesday post. Don't know why I love it. But I think Gidget and Moon Doggie. Silly I know. But maybe it is because I live in an adorable little bungalow on the lake. Well even though my Moon Doggie aka Cowboy is going to be working loooooong hours this week (which is why I won't have the computer) we're going to enjoy 'life' in the bungalow.
Good morning. Today here in Texas it is hot, hot, hot. The other day a friend (Becky clickhere )wrote a post and said what do you have if you drop the 't' from hot? I didn't get ,but I bet you did! Yes you have ho, ho, ho. So if it is really hot, hot, hot where you are think ho, ho, ho, maybe it will cool you done. Sorry that was really silly wasn't it!
Well I am thinking silly this morning because I am watching . . .
Yep I am watchin' Blues Clues with my 3 year old grandson. And, I am thankful that I am. And, I am thankful for all the really sweet emails and comments I got the other day after I wrotethis post.
And since we're watching Blues Clues I thought I would share a couple more Blue photo's with you I found.
I thought this was amazing.
This was a DIY project I found over here. Amazing. I so want to do this.
And I found this at my friend Beth's she is an amazing DIYer and she has done an amazing job decorating. I so want to copy her ideas since I live no where close and can't 'hang out'. I would so love to go shoppin' with this girl!
So your thinkin' this isn't my normal post here. But since it is a silly day I thought I would share what I normally post over at what I call my 'fun' blog. But it hasn't been too fun lately. Gosh I don't remember when I got to post there? actually it was over 23 days ago because I just found out that my friend Sally has been in the hospital for that long. She is the sweet hostess of Blue Monday. She has been going through an awful time. I know she would love a visit.Her sweet granddaughters have been keeping up with her blog.
About my fun blog . . . all of my friends over there have deserted me. I mean really who wouldn't after so long! So, I thought I would post here today and invite you to come and see me. I have some amazing I think Blue posts and a few other things. Go over and see me there sometime. I love visitors.
Today I shared this verse on facebook . . . Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding but it in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.
I'll be writing more about this verse and why I posted it so come back a little later and check it out!
Thankful Thursday . . . it's interesting that I was planning on writing this post and then Lynn suggested that we write about Turning Points which is exactly what this post is about. Although I didn't really know how to title it till I read Lynn's suggestion. I planned to write today because I am so thankful for this particular turning point. I have to ask you dear friends to say a pray for me. To also bear with me because this is a really, really hard post to write. But it is an important post. And the first in a series.
What I have to share with you is hard to talk about. It is hard to admit. It is hard put into words the pain, anquish and emotional feelings that I need to express to you all. But if this story can help even one person then it is necessary. Here's my Thankful post . . .
Today I am Thankful that after 5 years of emotional abuse on Labor Day weekend my daughter left her husband. The last few weeks have been a rollar coaster for all of us. Before I go much further in this part of the story I wanted to share a photo . . .
This is Cowboy and our 3 year old grandson putting new tags on our daughters new "to her car". Because of the seperation she had to get a different 'unrecognizeable' car.
I am Thankful that God provided this car. I am Thankful that God kept her safe for the last 5 years. I am Thankful that even though it wasn't my timing that God provided her the strength she needed and the rescources she needed to leave. I am Thankful that miraculously the friends she is staying with happened to have a bedroom available (just two weeks before another young woman was able to move out after 2 years) I am Thankful for an over 18 year friendship with our friends that have provided shelter for our daughter and grandson. I am Thankful my relationship with my daughter is beginning to get back to where it was 6 years ago. (emotionally abuse women are brainwashed) And, I am Thankful that my daughter wrote these words on her facebook "God is faithful . . . if you don't believe that just ask me I'll tell you how I know."
Today I am praying for you. I am praying that if you have a loved one or a friend or an acquitance. Or, if you know someone that is in an abusive relationship that you will pray for that person. And, pray for yourself. Pray that God will give you the strength to trust him. He is faithful. Pray that God will give you patience and strength. And most of all that God will give you the right words to speak at the right time. God is faithful. And, God is the only way the only 'real' resource. And, please , please understand and realize that hitting is not the only form of abuse. Emotional abuse is just as deadly as physical abuse.
And, I am Thankful that you came by today. Because I know that God sent you here for a reason. If you need someone to talk to. After you've prayed about it please feel free to email me. I will pray with you. I will talk to you. I will listen. Because sometimes the only thing you can do is just tell someone about your hurts will you are doing this . . .
This post is the first in a series. I pray that by sharing 'our' story someone else can be saved.
Welcome to Wordfilled Wednesday . . . I have been looking at this photo for awhile today it spoke this verse. Amazingly at least for me this is one of those verses I had to go and 'look up' to get the reference right. I really seem to have a hard time remembering!
When I looked it up I stumbled onto this video. Which btw we will use Sunday for our chapel service. I thought you might enjoy it too.
Hope your day is Blessed and you get a chance to Be Still
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
This one caused me to ponder . . . prayful that I don't ignore or miss an opportunity. (for more great songs visit Amy.)
Here's the complete passage . . . “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Even though I didn't get to post this yesterday I am still Thankful and I wanted to share!
She smiles! And today she wrote on Facebook and I quote "God isFaithful..if you don't believe me just ask me I'll tell you how I know!"
My darling daughter (the sunshine of my life) has been going through a tough time. On May 25th she left her husband. It has been a long few weeks. (4 years)
I am thankful God rescued her. I am thankful that God kept her safe. I am thankful that God kept my grandson safe.
I wanted to share this photo as a follow up to post from last Saturday. This photo is of our boys in chapel last Sunday watching the "Everything" drama video. You can go here and read my post about the video.
I am Thankful 33 of 43 boys were in chapel on Sunday. I am thankful that I get to see their enthusiasm and excitement to Worship and Praise and Seek.
I am Thankful for the ministry God allows us to be a part of.
Even though it is Friday it seems fitting to share this list because these are things that I am Thankful for everyday.
More Stories From Grandma's Attic is Book Two in the series by Arleta Richardson is a sweet and wholesome little book. I really enjoyed the stories about a much simpler time.
This was an easy book to read and would be great for a younger reader. Or for a family read along. Here's the description from the back cover . . . Every story brings laughter or tears. And each story proves that Grandma lived in a simpler time, some things about growing up never change. Every one has a special message about growing up and living in a way that honors God, and something surprising waits just around the corner anytime you step into Grandmother's attic.
And from the publishers website: If you are young enough to love a story—and just about everyone is—here are more stories from Grandma's attic. Magical pieces of a day gone by . . . told by that natural storyteller of all loving families—Grandma, the one who never forgets the fun and laughter of a simpler, perhaps richer time.
Stories of an old rag doll that seems to come alive . . . of a newborn goat dancing stiff-legged in the old farm kitchen . . . and of a faith that gives life meaning. Here are those marvelous tales—faithfully recalled for the delight of young and old alike, a touchstone to another day when life was simpler, perhaps richer; when the treasures of family life and love were passed from generation to generation by a child's questions . . . and the legends that followed enlarged our faith.
Interested check out the first chapter over at this blog review. (click here)
I really enjoyed the wholesome stories and I look forward to be able to read them to my grandchildren. I will recommend them to my dil for a homeschool resource or for a great 'read along' book for family time.
The paperback book has 16 stories (chapters). Each story is 8 to 10 pages.
Here's the book info. and links to purchase:
List Price: $6.99
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: David C. Cook; 3 edition (April 1, 2011)
I love it when someone teaches me or shares something new with me. I especially love Titus 2sdays and all the great posts.
Some from new wives and mom's. Some from more 'mature' wives and mom's (like myself). By mature I mean age. Not; to say that I happen to have much more wisdom, or knowledge at all! But I am a grandma that loves to share what I've learned and so here's a little . . . How to . . . . . . So it cracked me up last night. I wish I had my camera when I walked in and found my daughter taking a mesh laundry bag out of the washer (actually 2)which was filled with . . .
Can you guess? O.K. probably not I mean it could be basically anything right? So here's a hint.
I told you it cracked me up. She was actually washing lego's in the washer. It worked perfectly. So this morning I wanted to post and didn't have a photo so I googled and found this. It was too cute so had to share it with you.
And I found this How to . . .
And then I found this; just in case you want to make a Lego washing machine with all your clean Lego's.
And as I continued to look for photo's I actually found a blog about Lego's and they had some instructions. I think the washing machine idea is the greatest but you might want to check out the site they have all kinds of stuff about Lego's. Click here.
So, now you know how to wash Lego's.
Now that our Lego's are all washed I am going over to Time Warped Woman follow me over there for more Titues Tuesday posts.
Yesterday I linked up for the regular Saturday Then Sings My Soul. I posted a video that I happened to stumble onto yesterday morning but I didn't have time to write a post and explain why I chose it.
I ended the post briefly with this question "Who is your everything?
Here is the video again along with my thoughts followed by the lyrics.
The video took my breath away. If your a regular reader of my blog you know that I love horses. So seeing this I could appreciate the beauty. But as I thought about it and thought about the words of the song I began to wonder why someone would put this song with this video.
I stopped and thought about My Everything and the words of ths song. Your all I want. Your all I need. Your are the light thats leading me to the place where I find peace. You are the strength that keeps me walking. You are the hope that keeps me trusting. And as I thought of the question I know that I want my strength and my hope and my peace to come for Jesus. I want my heavenly Father through his son to give me strength. And I want to put my trust in Him.
But I began to wonder about someone, anyone that might not have that Peace. That might be putting thier hope and trust into a relationship like the one shown in the above video.
You see I can understand it because that is what it is like. I have had that kind of relationship with a horse. And I can tell you that without meaning to that yes, that relationship took precident over my relationship with God.
One of God's commandents is ...Thou shall have no other God's before me.
And, I know how easy it is to let something, or someone come before God. Is there something or someone today that if you were to think about it might be Your Everything? Or can you say He is my Everything.
Below are the lyrics and the original video.
Find Me Here
Speak To Me
I want to feel you
I need to hear you
You are the light
That's leading me
To the place where I find peace again.
You are the strength, that keeps me walking.
You are the hope, that keeps me trusting.
You are the light to my soul.
You are my purpose...you're everything.
How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
You calm the storms, and you give me rest.
You hold me in your hands, you won't let me fall.
You steal my heart, and you take my breath away.
Would you take me in? Take me deeper now?
How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
Cause you're all I want, You're all I need
You're everything,everything
You're all I want your all I need
You're everything, everything.
You're all I want you're all I need.
You're everything, everything
You're all I want you're all I need, you're everything, everything.
And How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
Here's the video.
Each time we show this video in chapel we have boys that finally realize that there are many things that are seperating them from the relationship with God that they crave. And each time they leave the service with these answers . . . Your all I want. Your all I need. Your are the light thats leading me to the place where I find peace. You are the strength that keeps me walking. You are the hope that keeps me trusting. I know that I want my strength and my hope and my peace to come for Jesus. I want my heavenly Father through his son to give me strength. And I want to put my trust in Him.
A few July 4th moments (dreams) . . . (sources Google images)
I have always wanted to leave in a small to town. You know one like from the t.v. show Gilmore girls or the quaint little town in Runaway Bride (loved that movie. Didn't you?) A great little sleepy quiet town is perfect for a July 4th parades. My favorite part is the horses. So I googled and found a few images.
Adorable. I can just see my daughter and grandson and a pony all decked out in Red, white and blue!
My grandson. Looks like the 4th doesn't? Actually this one is a couple of years old. But when I dream of small town living part of that dream is all of us living close again and I see him on the street watchin the parade.
This one cracked me up. Someone did a lot of work. Very patriotic!
I hope if you live in a small town and you get to see a parade you have a great time! Stay Cool!
A different kind of a review because I really didn't want to read this one . . .
O.K. I know your already expecting me to admit it. So here goes without further delay. I read it. Yes I did. I was being rebellious because when a friend kept saying over and over and over "You have to read this." I finally had to give in because . . .
I was tired of hearing her say it again and again
And
I had nothing else to read.
I know you've probably all read this amazing book. I know I am probably the only fan of Christian romance to not have read this book. Unless your a "new" fan and if you are well you probably haven't read it but you should. Trust me if you ask your friends they'll tell you the same thing. Here's a couple of quotes from other reviews . . .
"My friends went so far as to be absolutely horrified when I’ve told them I’ve never read this author, before! LOL. Now I can say that I have read a book by her, and it was really, really as good as they said! "
And . . . I had to post the following because it was like this reviewer got in my head and put more thoughts into words . . .
. Rivers skilfully weaves Hosea’s and Angel’s stories together, opening up their worlds, their hopes, their dreams and their fears to us. The narrative’s many twists and turns grip me and draw me along every time, but the reason I return to it year after year and recommend it to anyone who’ll listen is the novel’s window into the amazing love God has for his people. It makes me cry and cry and cry every time, being reminded of how fickle and ungrateful we are, and how patient God is, but most of all, how deeply it hurts him when we reject his love and kindness and return instead to the things we know are going to harm and hurt us.
O.K. if you haven't read it your wondering what is all the hoop la about?
Here's the summary from the author's site . . .
California’s gold country, 1850. A time when men sold their souls for a bag of gold and women sold their bodies for a place to sleep. Angel expects nothing from men but betrayal. Sold into prostitution as a child, she survives by keeping her hatred alive. And what she hates most are the men who use her, leaving her empty and dead inside. Then she meets Michael Hosea. A man who seeks his Father’s heart in everything, Michael Hosea obeys God’s call to marry Angel and to love her unconditionally. Slowly, day by day, he defies Angel’s every bitter expectation until, despite her resistance her frozen heart begins to thaw. But with her unexpected softening come overwhelming feelings of unworthiness and fear. And so Angel runs. Back to the darkness, away from her husband’s pursuing love, terrified of the truth she can no longer deny: Her final healing must come from the One who loves her even more than Michael Hosea does…the One who will never let her go. A life-changing story of God’s unconditional, redemptive, all-consuming love. Over 1 million copies sold!
Click here to go to the authors site for links to purchase the book.
Redeeming Love is an amazing story thatreminds the reader of God's amazing love. I was pleasantly surprised.
And, I guess your wondering why didn't I want to read the book? I am just not a fame of historical romances. But I have say next time a friend suggests a book I think I'll read it!
One of my favorite verses. I have been asking myself alot 'why this verse means so much to me.' And I guess the reason is because of 'what' it means to me. I think alot of people take it to mean that if we trust and believe and delight that God will give us what we 'ask' for . . . what we 'want'.
And, maybe that is what it means; I actually thought this for a long time. At least until recently when I realized that I desire to be closer to God. To have a closer relationship with Him. As I have made an effort to read and study God's word more. I have begun to pray before I read and ask him to help me to understand. To help me get what he wants me to get out of the scriptures that I read. And, as I strive to have a closer relationship I have realized that many times I run around during the day doing 'things'. Most well intentioned but most days I am doing what 'I' think needs to be done. Good well intentioned 'thing's but not necessarily the things that God wants me to do.
As I think about these words I reconsider 'my desires' and I realize that I want God to put those desires into my heart. So that the 'things' that I desire are things he wants from me; or of me.
Thanks for stopping in today and joining me on my Journey. And, joining me for WFW . . . my first WFW in months! I have missed Wednesday's the most I think. I love adding God's words to my photo's and I love seeing everyone elses work. Please visit Amy for more WFW posts. Click here.
. . . I think this is just a great photo of the Cowboy. Isn't he handsome? So now you know why I am doing the 40 Day Challenge!
I happened to stumble onto this one while I was looking for ministry photo's. This was taken while he was supervising some of our boys at the local food bank. Back to updating the ministry blog!
Titues Tuesday sharin' N gettin' real . . . ok. so here's the real truth. I began this 40 day Dare because God spoke to me about this. A couple of years ago when all this started with the Fireproof movie I wasn't in any mood to watch the movie much less do a Love Dare Challenge.
You see I was 'mad'. I was angry and annoyed about a lot of things. And I really didn't really want to 'be nice'. And I really didn't want to write about 'being nice'! But over the last few months God has done a work in me.
The things I was 'mad' about haven't gone away. Some of the attitudes, actions and annoyances haven't gone away.
But God changed my heart. I have been praying that God would use me. And, I have been praying and studying scripture more and making a big effort to get closer to God. And, well I have learned that there are some things, some areas in my life that are keeping me from that closer relationship that I desire.
Ladies if your stopping over following the link I urge you to pray. I urge you to pray for your attitude. I urge you to pray for your man. Even if your in a place like I was. Even if you don't feel like it. God will give you the strength and the courage.
And he will give you the desire. One of my favorite verses in Psalms talks about God giving you the desires of your heart. My pray is that he does. That 'the desires' I have are the ones that puts there. That He puts there.
And so, 2 years later it is my desire to do the Love Dare.
Patience is what I am asking God for. Do you ever have those days. Or weeks. Or months when things just don't go like you planned?
That seems to be what continues to happen to me. Outside pressures and influences steal my time and frustrates.
But, the funny thing is that I know that God is in control. God has plans and somehow he is teaching me something.
Could it possibly be Patience. Quite possibly.
I mentioned Saturday that I am dedicating the next 40 days (day 3 today) to the Love Date. Day 1 began with Patience.
Which is what I needed this morning. Unfortunately I didn't have a lot this morning. Still working on patience.
God continues to show me over and over he is in control and that his ways are not my ways. That his timing is not my timing.
But His ways, His timing is perfect. I wait Patiently sometimes.
My prayer for you and me today is a day filled with Patience.
Welcome to Then Sings My Soul Saturday...I happened to stumble onto this song this morning. I haven't heard it before but I love the lyrics.
I love the reminder of . . . being still and freeing your mind and receiving God's peace.
I hope you enjoy it.
Thanks for stopping in. I'll be posting more regularly now so come on back by. I've missed you!
Then Sings My Soul Saturday is hosted by Amy. Click here for more music!
. . .one of my favorite authors has a new fan and a new book. You see . . . this fan is very, very, very discriminating. I should know it is my very own Cowboy. But he read this one . . .
The Covert Element by John L. Betcher is the third in the series. My Cowboy is asking to read the first two. And, I would suspect your husband would like it too!
The Covert Element will have you on the edge of your seat from the beginning. Betcher does a great job of weaving an intriguing and thrilling story about current events or issues and making the story seem believable without being 'Hollywood'. The Covert Element is about Mexican drug cartels setting up drug operations in small town America.
Both Cowboy and I are waiting for the movie! We just finished Knight and Day with Tom Cruise . . . if you've seen it the Becker series remind me of the movie. Fast past and edge of your seat.
I found the summary of the story over at the authors site . . .
Former military intelligence operative, James "Beck" Becker and his CIA code-cracking wife, Beth, have retired to Beck's hometown of Red Wing, Minnesota. Their retirement has already proven more exhilarating than they'd expected.
But they could never have anticipated the new source of crime and intrigue in their small community. A Mexican drug cartel has set up shop a few miles down the road. And they're not just selling. The new meth production facility is the largest north of the Rio Grande.
To complicate matters further, Terry "Bull" Red Feather's former comrade-in-arms has come to visit. And he's on a mission. His decades-long assault on the cartels is coming to a head with a plan to blow up the Minnesota meth plant ... if he can find it. He wants Bull to help.
The Beckers' challenge? To dismantle cartel operations before a full-blown drug war breaks out in Red Wing.
There are a few other reviews already posted you can click here
and here ... to check out what a few other readers think.
And, you can go to the authors site to read the first chapter. Click here.
So, how do I rate The Cover Element? As many stars as allowed. I really enjoyed it and all the "Beck" stories. And, I am waiting for the next one. And, well I just can't wait for a 'Beck' movie.
Would I recommend this book? Absolutely. I would recommend it actually for any age group. With parental guidance I think even a young adult would enjoy any of Betcher's work.
So if you dropped in earlier you know what I have been up to but one important thing I have been doing a lot of is scripture memorizing and actually reading my Bible more.
Here's the verse I have been working on . . . Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23
And a photo that illustrates it . . .
Just a little reminder to myself to trustin God and not be anxious . . .
