Tears of Disappointment

Christmas morning for me this year was not at all what I had pictured. In my mind, two children would squeal with delight over the gifts they received, my husband would love everything I picked out for him and everything would be perfect. Or at least that is how I envisioned it.

The reality of my Christmas morning was really quite different.

For the first time tears were shed and they were not the "I'm so happy" tears. No, these were tears of disappointment. Apparently, something that was mentioned in passing was really #1 on the Christmas list and my dear sweet child could not hold back the tears when it did not appear under the tree.

I sat getting more angry by the second. I mean did no one realize how much work I put in to everything that was under the tree. Did I need to shout so the neighborhood could hear that I had not been to bed before 2:00 am the two nights leading up to Christmas? Did anyone care about everything I had done?

No, not really! In that moment, no one cared!

We finished opening our presents and I headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for our family that was coming. All the while I was just mad and now I was the one disappointed. I was disappointed that Christmas morning was not how I had planned it.

I bowed my head and began to pray. I began retelling the events of the morning to my Heavenly Father like a two year old tattling on someone. I was definitely pleading my case.

Then God began to speak to my heart and it was something like this "People still don't accept and appreciate The Gift I have given." "Are you really going to miss what Christmas is really all about?" "You know it is not about anything that you had wrapped under that tree."

Tears began to roll down my face as I thought about how it must make God feel when we totally ignore His Son, The Christ, Emmanuel, Savior.

How He must feel when we act less than excited over The Gift that He gave to the world.

I stood in my kitchen speechless. All I could do was raise my hands to the heavens and praise my God for His indescribable gift.

My prayer leading up to Christmas was "Please don't let me miss what Christmas is really all about." I am so thankful that God answered that prayer even if it took tears of disappointment for me to realize it.

Decking My Halls!

Merry Christmas! When I looked at the date of my last pitiful post, I was embarrassed. I try to help everyone win $500 and then I desert my blog. Well, I am back and I am participating in BooMama's Christmas Tour of Homes 2008. If this is your first time to visit, welcome and please make yourself at home.

I must tell you that I have been busy decking my halls. It has really been so much fun knowing that you would be stopping by to visit. My tree is a combination of all kinds of ornaments and that is what makes it so beautiful to me. I started collecting Christopher Radko Celebrate Adoption ornaments when my son was born, and they are always one of my favorite things to unpack. So, without further ado...here is my tree!

I just have to tell you that I am very pleased with my tree this year! I think she is just beautiful! You may be wondering what is on the top of my tree...well here is a closer look.

My husband said that it looks like aliens landed on our tree. Truly, he can not appreciate the beauty of lollipops, curly ribbons and glittering green balls bursting forth to celebrate Christmas. I must confess that I copied this idea from my local craft store's Christmas tree display. It really was love at first sight.

Here are some of my other decorations. This is my mantle and my garland. I must say that Nesting Places inspired me this year to update my tired looking garland. I added some more greenary with red berries because I must confess that in previous years my mantle was decorated with $1.99 garland with some lights in it. So I fluffed it up a little this year and it does look much better.

My son who will be eight the day after Christmas loves nutcrackers. We have several nutcracker ornaments guarding the bottom of our tree. If you look real close you will see a very small nutcracker next to the large one in the middle. Please guess his name!?! May I introduce you to Jason. I mean doesn't that name scream mighty nutcracker!

This is my favorite nativity. I love the Willowtree figurines. I have this placed next to our tv. I want myself and my family to stay mindful of why we are celebrating.

God's amazing love for each of us was demonstrated with the birth of Jesus. My prayer is that you know, accept and abide in His love for you.

Next, I will take you to my kitchen. This year I only placed the tree in the kitchen. In the past I have filled the buffet with snowmen and the like, but this year I just decided to be a little simplier. Please pardon the stuff I have hiding in the corner. I really tried to angle the picture so you wouldn't see it, but it did not really work.

So, I will conclude the tour by taking you back to the foyer. This is where I have my Christmas village displayed. I started collecting these a few years ago. You will see the town's Bed and Breakfast, Church, Clock tower and Farm along with a pond. All I need are some ice skaters on my pond.

Thank you so much for dropping by to visit. It has truly been a pleasure to have you. May you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Who needs a Walmart gift card worth $500?

Well, I thought that would peek your interest! I think everyone could use a $500 Walmart gift card. I wanted to tell you about a contest that is going on. Go to this link and read the post detailing the rules. There are several other bloggers giving away $500 gift cards, so you have several chances to win. Good luck to all of you!

P.S. Sure it is appropriate to buy me a gift from Walmart if you win!

Thankful

Well, this past week was a bit crazy for me. I literally went through it in Survival Mode, literally. I only did what was necessary to survive all the responsibilities that seemed to come to a head in this one week. And as an added bonus to the chaos, I had a child home with strep throat. So, as I sit at my computer this morning I am very thankful that I lived to see the week come to an end, O So Thankful!

I thought it would be fitting to begin this week being mindful of all the blessing in my life and truly thanking God for them. So, I hope you will join me in having a mind and heart of gratitude this week.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

Things I Am Thankful for:

God's love for me
My salvation
God's Faithfulness
My family
My friends
My health
God's Steadfastness
God never sleeps
I'll enjoy Thanksgiving with my family

Leave a comment and let me know what you are thankful for this week!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Did Something Just Crawl Out Of My Jeans?

I just have to share with you what caused me to be the last parent to pick up her children in the car rider line on Friday.

Friday was my house cleaning day and as you know I am not a big fan of cleaning but believe me it was time. I had a very prosperous cleaning day.

I got my shower and began to get ready to pick my children up from school. I went to the laundry room and got my jeans. Unfortunately, they were going to need ironing.

Now I know that some of you are gasping at the thought of ironing your jeans. And I will just go ahead and tell you that I iron everything. I also iron everyday. We are an iron as you go family. I don't iron undershirts and underwear, but everything else gets ironed. Yes, even my kids t-shirts and sweat pants. I just like my family to emerge from our home looking crisp.

Back to Friday. I turned the iron on and went to do something else while it heated. I came back and laid my jeans out on the ironing board. All of the sudden I think I see something move.

Sure enough I did. A stink bug crawled out of my jeans. I am totally grossed out. I go get something and kill it which leaves a nasty smell, hence why they are called stink bugs.

I live in Georgia and I have always known these bugs as stink bugs. I am sure they have a more prestigious name, but I have never heard it. They are rather large bugs with a flat back and when you get too close and they feel threatened they let out some stink.

Once I dispose of the unlucky stink bug, I resume my ironing only to discover another stink bug crawling on the floor under the ironing board. Same as above, he did not make it either. And again there was some stink.

I am back to ironing. I iron the legs and move up. And what do I see but a stink bug crawling out of the pocket.

Well, now I am getting mad!

Where on earth are these things coming from?

And then it hit me. These are the jeans that I had hung outside to dry. And now my memory replays all the stink bugs I saw on the grill cover outside right by the deck where my jeans were hanging.

My mind immediately plays images of my laundry room covered in stink bugs. I mean the jeans did lay in the clothes basket for a couple of days.

Well, after killing 5 stink bugs and thoroughly examining my jeans I think I have them all. I believe that my jeans are safe to put on.

I slip my right leg in only to fell something crawling on my foot. I sling the jeans off and run out back on the deck. I start slinging the jeans because I am about 5 bugs past grossed out.

I then look down to see that I am on the deck in my shirt with no pants. My poor neighbors! I don't believe they saw me, but to be honest I really did not care. I mean I was being taken over by stink bugs.

Finally there are no more bugs and the jeans are safe.

I know some of you are probably wondering why I did not just leave the jeans on the deck and grab another pair. Well, I thought of that but my other jeans were dirty and I was just in it too far to give up. No stink bug was going to keep me from wearing my jeans!

Fast forward a few hours. I call my husband at work because at the last minute we were going to have a few hours on a Friday night to ourselves. So we were making some dinner plans.

He made the comment that he was going to have to come home and change first. Of course I asked why.

He said all day he had been smelling something. He said he was wearing the jeans I had hung out and they just stunk like the outside.

I started laughing and retold him my jeans experience. I told him it wasn't the outside he was smelling but some stink bugs. He said he never felt anything crawling on him probably because he sat on them and killed them. Oh my!

Well, the lesson in this story is don't hang your jeans out during stink bug season!

My Plate Is Full!

Have you ever felt like you took on more than you could handle?

Well, can I just tell you that this sister's eyes were way bigger than her stomach!

In May I left my full time job and now I am staying home full time, working part time from my house. Well, we all know that the staying home part is more than a full time job. And when you add to that all the volunteer things I am doing now...well it makes me tired just thinking about it.

Do you know what we have to be careful of?

We have to be careful that we don't let our busyness distract us from the things that are most important.

I know I can sometimes get carried away doing. Can you relate?

I was reminded tonight of the story of Mary and Martha. If you remember Martha was busy doing and Mary was just sitting at Jesus' feet listening. Martha complained to Jesus and wanted Him to tell Mary to get up and help her.

I want to be Mary, but here lately I see a lot of Martha in me.

I love how Jesus answers Martha in Luke 10:41-42 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Basically, Jesus was telling her that all the good stuff she was running herself ragged doing wasn't the best things she should be doing. And on top of that, all the "doing" was making her worried and upset.

Boy if I didn't know better, I would think my name was Martha. What a lesson I can learn from these sisters.

Heavenly Father, please keep me mindful of the things that are most important. Help me to set aside time to just sit at your feet. And Lord please help me to not over do it with my doing. Amen.

I have been redesigned!

I am excited to welcome you to my newly redesigned site. Look around and as you will soon discover I have not completely filled out all the links. But I am working on them. So please come back and visit with me often. I'd love to hear from you!

To Do List...

I am not a To Do List-er. On the rare occasion that I did create a list, I would usually loose it or not get anything on it done, which made me feel bad. So, I decided a while ago that I was not going to write out any more lists.

I do however, create lists in my brain. Oh, and they are grand and full of hope. I still don't always get the things on my list done, but it helps keep me focused without adding the guilt of others seeing that I didn't get anything checked off.

Well, this week I read an article about Indianapolis Colts punter Hunter Smith and his family. He loves football, but loves God more. In the article his wife, Jennifer, said something that really made me think. This is what she said on the subject of church and quiet time with God.

"I don't really feel like I have to make Him a priority; I feel like He's a desire. He's not on a checklist of things to do, He's just who we want to be with. It just has to be that way in order for life to make sense."

Wow!

Does that challenge you like it challenges me?

Since I read the article, I have been thinking if I could say the same thing. Do I sometimes make God and spending time with Him a line on my imaginary To Do List? Oh, I hope not but the reality of it is that sometimes I do.

This morning in my prayer time I asked God to forgive me for treating Him like an obligation. He is so much more than that to me. I told Him that I wanted to desire Him above all other things. I want Him to be my passion.

What about you...Is He your passion or just another obligation?

Last Dance

Well, turns out that dance I did with Hoover is not going to be my last one after all. I am sad to tell you that I did not win the Oreck vacuum.

You see I have this problem and I was really hoping that the Oreck would solve it for me. My problem is that I really do not like to clean my house. To just be blunt about it, I pretty much hate it. Somehow I think if I buy the latest cleaning product then I will somehow love the results it gives and fall madly in love with cleaning. It has not happened yet!

I have bought some wonderful looking sponges with handles that fit just so in the palm of your hand. Oh, they promised that with just one wipe soap scum would vanish but believe me it took more than one wipe or even two.

So, my hopes of dancing with a new vacuum cleaner will just have to wait. And I will wake up tomorrow still hating to clean my house.

I'm A Winner!

Oh yes it is true...I'm a winner! I am a winner of Travis Cottrell's Christmas CD. YEAH!!! I can not even begin to tell you what this does to my Monday! I entered for the giveaway on BigMama's blog along with 1074 other Travis lovers. I was in total shock as I read the winners. I had to read them several times before it sunk it that I was a member of their elusive group.

I entered the other week at BooMama's blog for the same giveaway, but I did not get invited in to the winner's circle. I was a little bummed, but I held out hope when BigMama did her giveaway.

I also entered in the giveaway for the Oreck vacuum cleaner at BooMama's and not to be selfish, but I do hope that my winning streck continues. I mean what could be better than listening to Travis while vacuuming with a PINK Oreck vacuum cleaner? I don't think life gets any better than that!

Maybe I will go have one last dance with my Hoover, you know as a fond farewell.

Happy Monday to everyone!

16 Years...But Who's Counting!

Well, the plague visited our house this week. Luckily I was the care giver and not the victim. My daughter has been sick and out of school all week which did not allow me much time to post any of my many thoughts. To be honest, this week I didn't get much sleep so my thoughts were a little lacking.

Today is a very special day for me. You see 16 years ago today I said "I Do" to the man of my dreams. I met him (and fell in love) when I was 13 years old. It wasn't too long after we met that I announced to my best friend that "one day I was going to marry him." And 16 years ago today at 7:30 pm I did just that!

A few years ago we decided that we were not going to do the gift thing for our anniversary but we would try to go somewhere to celebrate. Last year we went to Florida, but it wasn't extremely romantic because our two children accompanied us. We had planned to leave them behind with grandparents, but then my son informed us that he had not seen the ocean all year. Apparently, he has to see the ocean at least once a year. Who knew! I can't really blame him because I really like to see and hear it myself. So we had to take them because we could not have enjoyed ourselves on the beach knowing we had deprived our son from seeing the ocean.

So this year my in-laws gifted us an overnight stay at Chateau Elan. It is a fancy place with a spa. And I actually talked my husband into getting a couples massage instead of playing a round of golf. Had he had a friend to play with, he would have bailed on the spa experience. Lets just say he is not the spa/massage type.

Apparently, it is best to not mention that you have had a crick in your neck and shoulder when asked of any problems. Mr. Magic Touch felt the need to rid me of all my knots and almost crippled me in the process. And while I am pretty much complaining let me just add that I did not really enjoy the greasy, oily hands rubbing my head. I left there looking like I snuck out of Ripley's Believe It or Not. I was the freaky woman with excessive oily hair. So needless to say the whole experience was a little lacking.

Oh and I forgot to add that while we were walking to the spa I stopped because I thought I had a piece of mulch in my shoe. I removed my sandal to find that it was not a piece of mulch but rather a very angry yellow jacket with it's rear end stuck in my foot. "Good Times!"

We later laughed about our experience. Which happens to be my most favorite part of my relationship with my husband. He makes me laugh...usually at least once a day. I love his sense of humor and I truly think he is funny.

Our marriage has not been easy over the last 16 years. We have endured our share of challenges ranging from financial to infertility. But God has been so good to us! He has always provided for us and He has grown us so much.

I can honestly say today that I love my husband more than I did 16 years ago. He is not only the man of my dreams, but he is the man of my every day life. I thank God for him and for our marriage.

For the Glory of His Renown!

Yesterday a group of ladies at my church and I began the Beth Moore Daniel Bible study. After only one day of study, I would highly recommend it.

The book of Daniel opens with the king of Judah and others being taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar. They were then taken to Babylon. Four of "the others" consisted of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. All four were renamed and Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were renamed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

In the first video session, Beth conveys that Babylon is more than just a place on the map. It is a way of thinking. It is a culture/mindset that thinks only of themselves. "I am the greatest, there is none above me." "I can have anything I want because I deserve it."

Boy does that sound familiar to the message that is coming from our televisions and magazines. Our current culture emphasizes beauty, youth and being thin. Just like King Nebuchadnezzar valued it in his day. Take a look at the first chapter of Daniel.

But can I just tell you it is not all about us. Believe it or not our purpose here on earth was not so we could gain popularity and wealth all while staying young and beautiful. We were put here for the Glory of His Renown! It is all about Him and not about us!

Do we live that way?

Do we order our days by our agenda or by His?

Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has a plan and a purpose for our lives. That plan and purpose entails making a mark on this world for Him. You and I were created with the purpose of advancing the Kingdom.

Are we living a life of purpose?

I don't know about you, but this challenges me. May we start today by taking the focus off ourselves and putting it where it belongs...For the Glory of His Renown!

Feasting On Leftovers

Where have I been and why have I had little to nothing to say over the last couple of weeks? Well, God has given me the answer and it is not writer's block. I have been feasting on leftovers. I have been relying on what God did for me in the past and what He said to me in the past instead of seeking Him for a new word each day.

I feel compelled to share this with you because I don't think I am the only one who faces this. I should know better and yes I should be more disciplined, but I let the busyness and noise around me become a distraction.

I like most other women, start the morning with my feet running and the pace doesn't usually slow down until I am close to collapsing in the evening.

This past week, I was preparing for my Sunday School lesson and it was on obeying the Holy Spirit.

As we discussed in our class yesterday, before you can obey the Holy Spirit you have got to hear the Holy Spirit. And unfortunately, we do not always have our ears tuned in to hear His voice.

So I ask you...are you hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit?

This morning I prayed and asked God to do a work on my ears so that they could hear and recognize the voice of the Holy Spirit. Even in the midst of everything going on around me, I want to still hear His voice and obey what He is telling me to do.

What about you?

Are you feasting on leftovers or did you wake up this morning hungry for a new word from Him?


"But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you." Matt. 6:33

Contests!

Well, Happy Monday to you! I hope your day is off to a wonderful start.

I thought I would have a random quick post about blog giveaways. I so love a bargain but a freebie excites me beyond measure. I have been known on more than one occasion to loose all control when my name was called as a winner. Let's just say there might have been some jumping and screaming going on (and sister here can scream).

There are a few blogs that I read pretty much everyday. One of them is http://boomama.net/. She is hilarious and is giving away some music this week and an Oreck vaccuum cleaner. I would recommend that you go over and visit her. But if you win the Oreck you totally have to give it to me. I mean really that would only be fair.

And while I was at Boo Mama's today getting a good laugh, I discovered another blogger with a giveaway. It is for beautiful custom photo fall cards. So here is the link for you to check out http://rachelengcards.blogspot.com/. Follow her directions for how to win and be sure that you put in the comment that you read about it at my blog. This way when you win I won't have to take your cards because we will both be winners!

So let's have some fun this week and maybe one of us will be a blog giveaway winner! I mean really what could be more fun!

Time to Clean Out!

Well something awakened inside of me while escorting my little black shoes to the trash can that makes me want to clean out my closet. I know, I wish it would just go back to sleep!

I am fortunate to have a very large closet. I think we could fit a bed in it. My husband keeps his section so neat and tidy and then there is my side. I have stacks and piles and stuff strewn everywhere. I claim to have a system, but if truth be told there really is no system.

I have been looking over my clothes and I have determined that I do not wear 80% of the stuff hanging in my closet. It really may be pushing 85%. There is the black floral dress that I wore years ago that I really loved the way I felt in it and will never fit in it again. Why do I still have it in my closet? I mean if I could fit in it by now it is out of style!

Oh and let's not forget the green checkered shirt that my mother purchased for me at least 5 years ago that I think is too ugly to even clean house in. Why is it still hanging there?

Why do I still hang on to these things? Why do I allow them to take up my valuable closet space?

I have shoes in my closet that I wore to a friends wedding almost 10 years ago and I haven't wore them since. But I kept them because who knows when one will need silver shoes.

All these thoughts of cleaning out made me think of my heart. Do I have items stored in there that I have long forgotten about? Or maybe I do know about them but I have chosen to just bolt the door shut.

What about you? Do you have anything lurking in the recesses of your heart?

I have learned over the years that even though I may have momentarily forgotten about some old junk, satan hasn't forgotten about it. And he uses that old junk to try and hinder my relationship with God.

So I want to encourage you, along with myself, to do some heart cleaning. Let's ask our Heavenly Father to bring to our minds anything that we have let just settle in the corners. Let's do a heart inventory with Him and get rid of the junk we don't need!

"...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus..." Hebrews 12:1-2

Farewall My Little Black Shoes, Farewell!

Well, I am so sorry for being so quiet this past week. I can honestly say that this is the first time I have ever had to apologize for being quiet! Thank you to MM for posting about her funny morning. It did make me laugh.

I thought I was going to have another post of "Can I Crawl Back in Bed" today. My morning had a glimpse of craziness. If you have read my profile you know that I have a love for necklaces and jewelry, costume of course. Well, I am also very fond of shoes. I have several favorite shoes that I have been wearing this summer and one is my black slip ons. They are so comfortable and cute with a little flower on top.

This morning, I was dressed and walking across my bedroom to take one last look in the mirror before heading out the door. As I walked all the sudden I felt like I stepped in a hole. My first thought was (yes, honestly) "Oh my goodness, we have a hole in out bedroom floor." It never once crossed my mind that the heel of my shoe could have fallen off. I mean, my shoes would never betray me like that, especially not my favorite little black pair.

I am sad to say they did betray me. I turned and looked back, thankful that there wasn't a hole in the floor, and saw the heel of my beloved shoe laying lifeless. I rushed over but there was no hope. I tried aimlessly to put it back on, but with no avail. The shoes must be put to rest. Yes, I am a little sad.

I am thankful that fall is coming and I have a year to replace my beloved shoes. Of course, I have other black shoes (what woman has only one pair of black shoes) but none quite like my little black pair.

Fairwell little black shoes, you and I have traveled many roads together. You will be missed greatly!

Can I Crawl Back in Bed?

You know it is not going to be a good day...when one of the first things you do in the morning is step in cat throw up and track it all through your house. Yep, that's where I am this morning. It is never good if you have to get out Resolve carpet cleaner before 7:30 am.

So today I need a heaping helping of my Lord because it is very evident to me that I am dangerous on my own.

I thought it would be fun if some of you would share your worst morning stories. You know, it makes us girls feel better when we know we are not in this alone. I am smiling right now because I am remembering a morning my friend told me about and I do hope that she will share it. If not, I may have to share it for her.

So, please post a comment and make us laugh. I could definitely use it today!

You Are Worth It!

I thought we could all use a little refresher this Monday morning on who we are as a child of God. (Well, technically it is Sunday night, but most of you will be reading this in the morning) I know I could use a refresher and I know my friends could use a refresher. You see satan is trying to rear his ugly head in the lives of a couple of my friends and it just makes me mad!

If you are a child of God, when you awoke this morning you have a very real enemy that was at work even while you slept. He wants nothing more than to destroy you, your family and your relationship with God.

He is the author of fear, anxiety and lies. The voice that says "you are not good enough", that's his. The voice that says "you are worthless and useless", that's his also. He will try and feed you these lies every chance he gets.

Please do not listen to that nonsense!

Do you know how much you are loved? Do you know that the Creator of the Universe knows you by name and desires to have a relationship with YOU?

You were worth God giving His only son to die for you. Let that sink in for a second. Yes, you were worth it to Him!

And if you have accepted salvation that comes through Jesus Christ, then you are a Princess. That is right, you are a daughter of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! You are joint heirs with Jesus. Now that is something to shout about! It totally blows my mind, but definitely something to shout about!

So stand a little taller today not because of who you are, but because of whose you are. You are God's masterpiece created for a purpose. Don't allow satan to feed you any of his lies today. After all, you are a Princess and you have work to do!

"For we are God's masterpiece, He created us anew in Christ Jesus so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10

Passing The Test

How can a morning go so wrong? Have you ever felt that way?

This past May, I "retired" as an accountant to pursue full time God's calling on my life. My day to day goals have shifted quite drastically. One of my new goals is that my husband always has clean underwear, socks and t-shirts in his drawer.

You may be thinking...and this is a new goal! Well, let's just say that my family was not use to things being put away. Due to our schedules, we mostly lived out of clothes baskets.

So far I have achieved my goal until this morning. First my husband had to go on a hunt for a t-shirt. I was of no help because I overslept (which means everyone overslept) and was in the kitchen slinging lunches together all while encouraging my children to EAT FASTER!

Then came the question that almost made me loose it. "Where are my black socks? I don't have any black socks!" I almost lost it because I knew where the black socks were, they were in the dirty clothes hamper. Well ladies, I am going to be honest with you and tell you what wanted to jump out of my mouth "Oh here, let me pull those black socks out of my secret stash of black socks. I keep them in my pockets just so they will be ready when you need them!" Luckily it did not come out!

I yelled back that all that was clean was in the basket in the laundry room. And as I said those words I felt like such a disappointment. Why didn't I remember to throw the black socks in the laundry yesterday and why didn't I remember to wash a load of whites. It wasn't like I spent my day laying on the couch eating bon bons.

After everyone left miraculously clothed and with lunches in hand, I sat wondering how a morning like this can be prevented. Did it happen because I was too prepared, after all I had laid the kids clothes out on the ironing board. Did it happen to teach me to do laundry more often, maybe, but I doubt it.

I think it happened sort of as a test for me. You see I have been reading in the Bible about being meek, pure in heart, merciful and a peacemaker. Boy were those put to the test this morning! I have been asking the Lord to let His Word penetrate my heart and over flow into my life.

Did I pass the test? Well, I wouldn't give myself an A, but I don't think I failed it either. I think I just need to keep studying!

What about you? Are you ready for your next test? The only way I know to get ready is to study God's Word and stay in touch with the Teacher!

Blessings to you today!

He Knows Their Name...

Sunday, our church was privileged to have the Uganda Children's Choir with us. These children are orphans and are here in the states raising money to build their new orphanage. They sing and dance and are truly amazing.

They came in through the back of the church and came down the aisles singing. It was such a wonderful, beautiful sound. They took the stage and began to dance. I was trying to fight back the tears.

Their skin was flawless and each face contained the most beautiful smile. They finished the first song and a little girl on the far left said her name and that they were glad to be here.

They went down the row (three rows in total) and each shared their name...Sharon, Jeffrey, Godfrey, Jennifer, Whitney, Simon, Margaret, Edith...just to name a few.

God grabbed my heart so tightly and whispered "and I know them each by name." More tears came than I could blink back. The reality of what I heard in my heart hit me. God knows each one of those precious, beautiful children by name.

God is aware of their suffering. He is aware that many are alone with no living relatives left. He is aware of the conditions in which they live.

I have often wondered why God allows such poverty in the world. And after Sunday, I believe I understand a little better. I believe it is so that Christians can have a chance to do something about it. We have a chance to make our religion "pure and faultless" by not turning away but by doing something.

James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

As I read this verse, I am struck by the words "polluted by the world." It doesn't take long for the world's pollutants to rub off on us. We live in a constant state of excess.

I am not saying that having stuff is wrong. I think that sometimes God blesses with material things. But the blessings were never meant to just make us more comfortable. We were blessed so that now we have more to give.

We forget that!

Just for Laughs

Food Network is not going to be knocking on my door!

I don't think I am a bad cook, in fact I think I can cook pretty well. However, last night I proved myself wrong. To my defense, I did not have high hopes for my dinner because I was having to work with tough chicken.

Let me take a sidebar here and give you a little advice that I have learned the hard way. In 2008 if boneless, skinless chicken breasts drop below $1.99 a pound there might be something wrong with the chicken. My mother clued me in on a great sale at her local grocery store. They had boneless, skinless chicken breasts for $1.64 a pound.

So what did we do...well we bought a lot because that is insanely cheap. Well, I cooked my second batch of said chicken last night and it is just plain tough. The reason the chicken was so cheap is probably because they were senior citizen yard birds.

Now back to my dinner. I was making a chicken ring (sounds gross doesn't it) where you shred your chicken and mix in other stuff and then wrap crescent rolls around it to form a ring. As you probably guessed this was a Pampered Chef recipe to be cooked on one of their stones. To go with my chicken ring I cooked beans and Velveeta mac-n-cheese. I told you I did not have high hopes!

We were all sitting at the table and my daughter (the one who promised she wouldn't forget me) immediately told us what she would and wouldn't eat. I am sure you can guess the only item she would eat. And then I started watching my husband. He had taken one bite of the a'la chicken ring and was trying to prepare himself for bite number two. He moved it on his plate several times before having the courage to actually pick it up with the fork. I started to laugh because I couldn't really make myself eat it either.

He did not pick up on what I was laughing about. He ate some beans and then moved back in for bite number three only this time he was really having trouble mustering the courage. He moved it back and forth on his plate. I guess maybe he hoped if his fork danced with the chicken ring it would taste better. Well, I just couldn't contain my laughter any longer.

I said "its disgusting isn't it?"

I added that they didn't have to eat it if they didn't want to. To which my son (who is 7) said "Well thank goodness!"

After church Chick-fil-A came to our rescue and served us some wonderful, tender chicken nuggets!

I think I am going to retire the chicken ring!

Forget Me Not

Last night my daughter, who is five, said the cutest thing to me. I was holding her in my lap before bedtime. She had just gotten her bath and was comfy in her pajamas. She smelled so sweet. She put her hand on my face and she said that she loved me. She proceeded to tell me that she was not going to forget me tomorrow.

I said, "Oh great, I'm glad you are not going to forget me tomorrow."

She added, "Every other day I forget you, but tomorrow I am not going to forget you."

I did what every good mother does and I pretended to start crying. I was playing with her and saying how can you forget me. So tenderly she said with her finger pointed in my face, "But tomorrow I said I was not going to forget you."

If she only knew how my heart made me want to eat her alive for being so cute. (Here in the south it is common practice to say that you could eat someone alive for being cute.)

Last night in bed I was retelling this story to my husband and we just laughed at how adorable she is.

I got to thinking this morning that I am a lot like my daughter. There are days when I forget my Heavenly Father. Some mornings I wake up running in fast forward and before I know it the day is over and I have not spent any time with Him.

It is important for my sake and also for my family's sake that I get intentional about spending time with my Father. No matter how my day starts I need to steal away a few minutes to "be still and know that He is God."

Will you declare with me "but today I said I would not forget you God!"

Joy!

I was on my way home this morning and got behind a small truck with a dog in the back. The large dog was in a wire crate. At the stop light, the dog decided to be brave and stand. When it stood, the wind took hold of it's jaws and formed a huge smile on the dogs face. It was hilarious! The dog decided to sit back down and face my car. I then got the full view of his huge, wind induced smile. What a sight!

You know sometimes my circumstances don't induce a smile on my face. Sometimes I get discouraged, sad and just down. What about you? Did you wake up this morning hearing the blue birds singing or did you wonder if they flew south during the night?

I am so thankful that my circumstances, whether good or bad, do not affect the joy that I have inside of me. Sure, my circumstances can make me feel happy or sad, but my joy comes from Jesus. My joy comes from knowing that I have a Savior who loved me enough to leave His throne in heaven to die for my sins. My joy comes from knowing that He will never leave me or forsake me. My joy comes from knowing that He has a plan and a purpose for my life. And my joy comes from knowing that one day He is coming back for me.

Do you have real joy? When happiness departs, joy remains because it is not based on circumstances. Joy is based on a person and His name is Jesus. Do you know Him? He wants you to know Him. He longs for you! May you experience the joy of knowing Jesus today!

Laurie

Desires of My Heart...

I know that you are all wondering where I have been and why I have deserted you. I know everyday this week you have come looking and I have not been here. I am so sorry that I left momentarily. Just kidding, I know that your days went along just fine without any posts from me. I really do appreciate you checking in. Please don't just be a lurker, write me a comment and let me know you stopped by.

Well, you may be wondering what I have been doing. Unfortunately, it is nothing glamorous just cleaning and getting organized. But it sure does make you feel good when everything has a place. I have been wanting a large bookcase because I have books everywhere, but I did not want to pay very much for it. You see it is more for use than beauty and no one is really going to see it (I have it hidden away upstairs.) So this week I decided to go look at Goodwill and Salvation Army. I went to Goodwill first, but they did not have anything. I next went to Salvation Army and guess what was waiting for me. There standing tall and alone was the exact bookcase I had been wanting. I thought this was too good to be true, so I went right over to check out the price. The bookcase was only $10. I was more than excited. I took my little treasure home and began the fun task of cleaning out to prepare for the bookcase. So it has been a week filled with dust and stuff I didn't even know I had, but today as I type and look over at my glorious, organized bookcase I am very proud.

I have been praising God this week for my bookcase. You may think that sounds crazy, but I believe that God cares about every detail of our lives. It reminded me of the time I was dependent on hair wax. I went to the only store that carried the brand I liked and to my horror they decided to no longer carry it. That day I prayed right there in the aisle about my hair situation, remember I said I was dependent on it. I turned the corner and guess what my little eyes beheld...one last container of my hair wax and it was on clearance. (You will quickly learn that I love a bargain) Talk about having a revival, this girl had one! Now I am not of the belief that whatever I ask for God will give me. I am smarter than that. But I do believe that God gives us the desires of our heart. Do I believe that I always get what my heart desires, no I don't.

So is there some magical formula we can follow to always assure that we get what we want? I know the short answer to that, but I decided to turn to God's Word and see what He said. In Psalms 37:3-6 it reads:

3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

I don't know about you, but three words jump out at me...trust, delight, commit. That seems like a pretty good formula to me. "Trust in the LORD and do good." It is hard to trust God sometimes especially when what He is asking of us takes us out of our comfort zone. But God desires for us to trust Him with all our heart even when it is hard. "Delight yourself in the LORD." I looked up the meaning of delight and it is to satisfy. Now read it "satisfy yourself in the LORD." When I think of satisfy, I think of wanting nothing more. Can I say that, can you say that, "we want nothing more than the LORD." Lastly, "Commit your way to the LORD." Once again I turned to Webster's to find the definition of commit and it says "entrust to another's care." Isn't that good! We are to entrust our way to the LORD's care.

When we do these things, I have found that the desires of our heart line up with His ways. It becomes less about getting what we want and more about serving Him. So, how do I explain my bookcase and hair wax. I don't really know, but I do know that I want to trust Him more, satisfy myself with Him and entrust Him with everything. How about you?

Pork Chops Anyone?

I love to watch the Food Network. I am not a great cook by any means and I get pretty bored with my repertoire (yes, I had to look up how to spell that word). I watch the shows in hopes that one day I will go in the kitchen and magically be able to whip out a gourmet meal all the while looking fabulous in full make up and nice clothes. It has yet to happen! However, this weekend I watched Down Home with the Neely's and they actually cooked something that I thought I could do. I went to the grocery store and purchased my first frest herb, cilantro. My goal was to prepare marinated pork chops with a pineapple fruit salsa. It sounds delicious doesn't it. I started preparing for dinner before lunch time today which was a first for me. I assembled my marinade which consisted of honey, olive oil, fresh garlic, jalepeno pepper, cilantro, fresh squeezed lime juice, salt and a dash of red wine vinegar. I bought nice thick pork chops just like the ones the Neely's cooked. I was excited. I could just hear the cheers from my family as I plated my beautiful chops with pineapple salsa tumbling down them.

My husband came home from work and grilled our beautifully marinated pork chops. When he brought them in they looked delicious. The honey in the marinade had glazed the chops just like the Neely's said it would. My mouth was almost watering. I served my husband his chop and surprised him with the fruit salsa. He said it looked good. I then fixed my plate and I could not wait to get a bite of the pork chop. The Neely's had friends over when they served this meal and every one was moaning and groaning with delite as they ate. I was anticipating a few moans and groans of delite from my own dinner table. I sank my teeth in to the first bite and I could have swore some one traded my beautiful, honey glazed pork chop for a piece of shoe leather. It was so tough! I could not taste the garlic or even the salt for that matter. It was just a regular ol tough pork chop. I tried not to act disappointed, but my eyes had deceived me. What looked so wonderful on tv and so wonderful on my plate, left so much to be desired.

Isn't that what satan does to us daily. He tries to entice us with things that look nice and appeal to our weaknesses. I was reminded of the Garden of Eden and how delicious and alluring he made the fruit look to Eve. We are quick to judge Eve and wonder how she could fall for his scheme. But if we are honest don't we do the same thing. I have decided to get more passionate about hating satan and the lies he tries to get me to believe. Everything that looks good is not always good. My pork chops are proof. Everything that sounds good is not always truth.

I know that it takes more than passion to combat satan. We have to go deeper in our relationship with the Lord. We have to know the Truth of God's Word so we can identify lies. We have to be ready for battle everyday. Let's suit up in the armor of God and show satan that we are not going to be easily fooled.

Ephesians 6:11-17

11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

No Need for Portion Control!

I have peaked your interest haven't I. I have never been very good with portion control. I really enjoy some good food and have been know on occassion to enjoy some bad food. Pretty much I just like food. My mother tells me I came into the world that way. Well, I want to share with you a "portion" that you can heap on your plate and loose all control with.

I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." Lamentations 3:24

Finally, a diet I can live with! Do you know what I have found? The more I make Him my portion the more satisfied I am with every other part of my life. How satisfied are you with your life? Maybe you are trying to cut back on the wrong things. Try a little more Jesus, increase your portion of Him by spending more time in His Word, by spending more time in prayer, by spending more time with other believers and just see what He will do for you.

Well, I want to leave you today with my favorite verse of scripture and I think I like it so much because of the sweet taste my Jesus leaves in my life.

Taste and see that the Lord is good. Psalms 34:8

All these analogies of food are making me hungry. I have had breakfast, but I am not above a mid morning snack.

Have a great day in Him!

Laurie

Waiting on the LORD...

Psalm 130:5-6 reads "I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord, more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning."

Today I was helping my son determine what type of punctuation should go at the end of a list of sentences. We read the rules regarding the different types of sentences and the punctuation that should be used. Based on the punctuation mark that you give it, the sentence can almost change meaning. I thought about that when I read the title I gave this post...Waiting on the Lord.

Go back to second grade with me and let's give it a punctuation mark.

Waiting on the LORD? Posed as a question it begs an answer.

Waiting on the LORD! The exclamation mark displays strong feelings and emotion.

Waiting on the LORD. With the simple period, it is a statement.

So what mark best applies to you right now? I know for me, I am waiting expectantly on the LORD with some pretty strong emotion. Yes, my soul waits for Him more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.

May you seek the Lord as you go about your day!

Laurie

Welcome!

I am very excited to be making my first post on my new blogspot. This is pretty exciting for someone who is not very techno savy. So, welcome and check back often for posts. I would love to hear your comments.