So Very Thankful!

I cannot believe this month is almost over!! Last year I posted Giving Thanks throughout the month of November. And as the one or two of you that visit me, you may have noticed that I didn't do it this year. 

This fall, our Bible Study was 

and during the very first week, God impressed upon me that I spend way too much time on my blog, blog stalking hopping, pin*eresting, facebo*k, & on & on. What it boiled down to, is that I spend way too much time on the computer and it robs me of what I always say I don't have enough of...

TIME! Hmph, at first I fought it a little, a lot and at the end of that very first week of homework. It was super clear to me. I allow the internet to ROB (yes, Women's Retreat ladies) me of precious time from the Lord, (yes, even when time is spent on blogs in search of what God is doing  in others lives), my family, my home, my job, my friends, etc. 

So, I haven't posted very often, and I have limited my time on the computer, no I haven't completely, shut it off. But, I can say that I have gone through a weekend or two without checking my email, or facebook, or pinning, or reading a blog post. I have found that I do have more time to spend with the Lord, with my family, and getting some things done that I seem to never have time to do. 

God is shown me some other things through this study, and I am working on that obedience thing. It seems that the same issue comes up in almost every Bible study I do. I struggle in this area, and I work on it, and then I find myself, right back at it again. Will you pray for me as I do want to get well??!!

If you haven't done this study, I highly recommend it, especially if you are struggling with priorities in your life. God can use it in such a way that you will come away, broken, humbled, and refreshed!

As to not get so lengthy in my post..... 

I wanted to say that I am very thankful for so many things in my life. God has blessed my life with His hand of mercy, and He has never failed me. I am so blessed. And I am so very thankful for not only the good, great things in my life, but for the hard, and the tough, and what seemed impossible. 

Twenty-five years ago today, I made a decision that rocked my world, robbed me of my stability, my independence, my sanity, and so much more. (I honestly don't know why I remember this date? Goodness, I can't remember what I had for lunch yesterday.) For almost two years, I stepped farther and farther from the Lord and little did I know it...... GOD WAS RIGHT THERE. 

In the midst of a terrible storm, He lifted me out of a pit of lies, that I allowed satan to drive me to.

BUT GOD intervened and became such a presence in my life. I love the BUT GOD stories in my life......because it is PROOF of answered prayers, long awaited news, that God has my best interest at heart, He uses evil for good. 

Which reminds me of another study, we did a few years ago...

Psalms of Ascent and the following Psalm became so very real to me and when I am weak and feel as if I can't take another step, He reminds me that He is all I need.

Psalm 124

If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel say;
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us:Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us: Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul: Then the proud waters had gone over our soul. Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

So very thankful for what I went through and especially thankful that the Lord never gave up on me. 

 

In this month of Thanksgiving I GIVE PRAISE TO THE LORD THAT WAS ON MY SIDE!!!!

I am a 1 Minute Indian.....???

When Thanksgiving rolls around in Elementary school, also comes the learning about Thanksgiving. You know about the Pilgrims and the Indians.... well, mostly general stuff that we all sort of know in our minds. Some of you, me, may be shocked at what your my second grader remembers about what they are studying. I know I haven't posted much about Kea and how his little mind works. The main reason I haven't, is well.... I am not really sure how to explain it.

Anyway....he has been asking about his ancestors for a while now. Every time the ancestry.com commercial comes on it catches his eye. "See Mom, that's what I am talking about." I know no one else does this, but I sort of, "mmhmm" and go on. I know I should pay more attention, but you just have to know that if I entertain him at all, it will go on & on & on.

Well, back to the Pilgrims & the Indians. The other night this is how our conversation went.

"Mom, do we have any Indians in our family. Are we part Indian? Were any of our ancestors?" (you see where this is going don't you?)

"No, not really, but yes, we do have some ancestors that were Indian." (me in my mind... why is it no one every asks if they are part Pilgrim?) 

"Well, can I go on ancestry.com?" (see what did I tell you??) I mean I would really like to know if we have any Indian ancestors. (this was a 15 minute discussion and finally I just gave in!)

"Ok, sure.... go ahead." (He started with my mother and 20 questions later, I tell him, that his Grannie Q was French Canadian, so he is probably not going to find Indians, that the Indians are on Paw B's side)

"So does that mean I am part Indian??" (oh dear here we go...)

"Yes, you are a very small part Indian" (I was trying to think down the line what I would be and what he would be).... " I think you are like a 32nd Indian."

As serious as he can be he says, "So, that means you are a 1 minute Indian?"

I thought for a second, and I lost it, I absolutely lost it. It was not the kind of laugh that you can hide, I busted out, laughed so hard I was crying. Even typing this I am getting tickled all over again! ((I know you may have had to think on that a minute, if it takes you more than 30 seconds you may have a problem, lol)

Bless him! His Daddy got a measuring cup out to explain it to him, because I could NOT keep a straight face.

When I finally composed myself, I called my Dad (& and he cracked up too) so that I could find out for sure and he said that Kea is a 32nd. So I guess I am a 1 minute Indian after all!!

I can only imagine what Kea will share at school..... I am almost afraid!!!

Love this boy!! We never know what he is going to do or say.....

Never a dull moment with this boy!!

Happy Birthday Honey!!!

Happy Birthday !!

I want to wish you a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I thank God for you every day!! You are my best friend, my husband, love of my life, the best Dad, an awesome "Pop", and so much more!!! You mean the world to me!! I am so thankful that God created you and that He made you for me. I know that may not sound like a great thing to you, but I know that God worked in our hearts as we were growing up to bring us together and bless our lives together.

You are the bestest!!!

Ohhh and, just a reminder we are now the same age again!! 

I love you more!!!

 Happy Birthday Honey!!!

 

Worship Wednesday : He Never Gave Up on Me!!

In this month of thankfulness, I have been reminded of God's love for me. This song is one that goes along with my testimony. Even when I was so far away from Him. He was there welcoming me just as I was....

THANK YOU LORD FOR NEVER GIVING UP ON ME!!!!

Happy Birthday E!

Last weekend we went to help celebrate this sweet girl's 10th birthday. Of all things she wanted to have Coach B come and do some games for her party. Now, if you don't know who Coach B is.... well, he is a silly, fun-loving, witty, comical, and sometimes extremely embarrassing character, that loves children, has lots of fun and games, and typically shows up at our kids summer camp. 

As you can see he is a bright fella too! Sorry, I don't have a picture of him in his entire get up....but the suit jacket has matching pants, and what else but black Conv*rse tennis shoes to complete his entire ensemble? Thank goodness, she chose to have a costume party, so he didn't look too out of place.

Coach B and the birthday girl!!

Beautiful Snow White and Raggedy Ann (guess who this is??)

My little Ninja!!

My silly blue haired boy.... the apple doesn't fall far does it???

Typical Coach B!!

Thanks to E and her family for inviting us to celebrate with them!! We had a great time!! Never thought Coach B would go on the road!!!

We love you guys!!!

Worship Wednesday: People Get Ready

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him 

while he is near: Isaiah 55:6

Twenty Years!!!

On November 1, 1992, I married my best friend. The person that I know God placed in my life to complete me. Now, I am as sure today, as I was back then, that he is the best part of me. The Lord worked in him and prepared him for me and we became one on that day. Oh... I took some detours along the way, and Praise HIM that He never gave up on me. On, many days, I do not feel worthy to have such a wonderful loving husband, yet, the Lord has blessed me. I cannot thank the Lord enough for having our paths to cross, for us to come together through HIS love and mercy.

Not only did I marry my best friend, I was blessed with a daughter on that day. I may not have given birth to her, but God placed her in my heart and gave me a love for her as if she were mine. I may not remember every thing that has happened in the past 20 years, but I do remember most everything about that day. I do remember that my heart was about to beat out of my chest as I walked that aisle, thinking I would never reach where he was standing. My Daddy had asked me to have my step-dad walk me down the aisle with him, I was so overwhelmed with the love and appreciation he had for him that he would have ask. B had no idea, I don't think. This happened just before the ceremony. But, the moment my hand was placed into B's I knew that God had given me a gift that He prepared just for me. Out of my 2 father's arms, I was given to a wonderful man. 

B is so loving and generous. He loves me... I know he must to have put up with me for 20 years!! God has blessed our lives with 3 more wonderful children.  Our oldest has a wonderful husband (they just celebrated 4 yrs!!) and they have a sweet little boy. We are now "Lolli"-"Pop" to him. Not only is B a wonderful husband, but he is the dad of all dads!! He is the best!! I know I may sound a bit biased, but I have the best husband and father to our children that I could ever ask for. Thank you Lord for 20 years!!! 

Twenty years is a long time when you think about it. And yes, we have had our ups and downs, our fusses and our make-ups, our bad and our good, and sometimes we just didn't know which way to turn. But, our God is a BIG GOD and He has been the glue that has bound us together. If God, isn't first in you and your spouse's lives, you need to work on that. Because the closer you get to God and the closer he gets to God, the closer  you become to one another. 

Happy Anniversary to the love of my life!! I love you! And I thank God for you!!! You are the best!!