God is good!

Today my son called (a few times) and everything is going good. He ran into a friend that he met this summer and they had lunch together and he introduced my son to all his friends. I could hear the happiness in his voice! Later, he called his dad to tell him he was bike riding down a country road and saw five or six deer (of course, they both thought that was too cool!) so I'm sure he'll be out riding a lot! It's a blessing to know all is going well! Thanks to everyone who has been lifting us up in prayer!

Well...my son is on a new journey. Yes, the tears are flowing! My prayers go with him. In fact, the Lord is right there with him. What peace that brings to my heart. As I began to type God sent a little angel my way to kiss me on the cheek and hug my neck (my youngest son, one of the twins). And a few minutes later he sent another little angel my way (my daughter) who did the exact same thing...God knows just what we need at just the right time!

I just cried and cried this afternoon. I know it will get easier...for the days when it's not, I pray for strength!

What are you doing to reach out to the lost and hurting?

Ever heard of a Protestant Prayer Rope? Probably not! Most people haven't, because it's not really something you see out there anywhere...until now! A friend of mine, who is a member of our church, began to pray that God would use her in whatever way he wanted to, and after seeking the Lord's guidance on how she could share the gospel and reach out to people this idea became a reality. I would love to share more about all the work that went into creating the material that goes with them, so if you are interested in hearing more about it, please let me know. My main reason for this blog is to share a piece of her life with you and what God is doing. I asked her if I could share this story that she shared with me a few days ago because it meant so much to me to hear her share it! God has given her a passion for the lost and a way to reach out to them and it is REAL and EVIDENT and I just love to hear testimony after testimony of what God is doing through her obedient heart. Here is what she wrote:

I gave away another prayer rope today. I was up at Whole Foods doing my grocery shopping and I was about done, headed to the checkout lines and this guy comes flying around the corner almost bumping into me and I kind of jumped. He said “Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you.” I just sort of smiled or nodded my head and went on to the check out line. Moments later, he comes along and gets in the line next to me. I’m just standing there and he is fanning himself with is hands and he smiles and says “I need some of your calmness to waft over here to me.” Well, that’s my cue. I smile, nod, and start digging though my purse trying to have a real quick conversation with God about which color to give him. I was pretty much directed to just grab the one on top. He was about to move on to unload his groceries when I pulled out the prayer rope and handed it to him and said “Here. Maybe this will help.” He was so surprised, and pleased. After he checked-out he came around to the isle where I was still unloading my groceries and gave me a hug and said that was just what he needed today. Pretty cool huh?

Thank you, friend, for seeking the Lord and asking Him to use you to reach the lost, and for giving a reason for the hope you have! I love you! :)

Obedience or Sacrifice

I guess I never really thought about this much, until today - whether God wants our sacrifice or our obedience - but when I was reading 1 Samuel 15:22 it says, "But Samuel replied, 'Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice and to heed is better than the fat of rams.' " You'd have to go and read all of the story to really gather everything about Saul, but in God's word we see that God was very angry with Saul because he was disobedient. Sure, he saved some of the best, saying he was giving it as a sacrifice to the Lord, but God commanded him to do otherwise, to destroy EVERYTHING, not just what he thought he should destroy.

I think we all do this from time to time...what we think would be a good enough sacrifice to the Lord may only be a partial sacrifice (if that is even a sacrifice at all). God requires it ALL in order for it to be a sacrifice. In other words, a sacrifice that cost you nothing isn't really a sacrifice at all, right? The sacrifice is, many times, in being obedient - you may have to sacrifice something in order to be obedient, or like Samuel (the one who confronted Saul about his conduct) you may find out that obedience IS the sacrifice. Samuel was faithful to God and did all that God asked him to do in speaking to Saul about what he had done. It could not have been easy for Samuel. In fact, scripture tells us "Samuel was troubled and cried out to the Lord all the night" (1 Samuel 15:11b)

In my own life, there are times when I think I know what I should do, but then I find out that was MY way, not GOD'S way. Why did I do it then? It seemed like the right thing to do (there wasn't anything morally wrong with it, or it was a good thing to do). Saul's argument was that he went on the mission God assigned him, and he destroyed everything but that which was devoted to God, but it wasn't what God required. Or, an even tougher one to admit...because I wasn't in tune with God. Sometimes I just don't spend the time with the Lord that I should and it's like when you're driving along, listening to your car radio, and you begin to hear static or part of that station and another one, the music just isn't coming through as clearly as it once was. That's usually two of the biggest reasons for me.

After thinking about Saul and the actions he took that were disobedient to what God asked of him, here are a few questions to ponder: Are we obedient even when it doesn't come easy or make sense to us? Are we obedient even though it doesn't seem like the way we would do it? Are we obedient when it's not what we want? Those are the very times we see God show up and we step out of the way and let him work. Saul missed that blessing by not doing exactly what the Lord told him to do. I can count numerous times when I felt so out of place or thought to myself "this is not how I would do it" or felt unworthy to be doing what God had asked me to do, but EVERY TIME he was faithful to work through me because I was obedient. Plain and simple. God desires our obedience - not our knowledge, not our status, not even our talent - just our willingness to do whatever it is he ask of us!

Today (and everyday) I want to be like Samuel, obedient and faithful to the Lord. God, use me today to bring glory to your name. Help me to be obedient!

Psalm 23 came to mind this morning...

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

(I trust You, Lord, to supply all my needs because I know You are watching over me!)

He makes me to lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.

(What a peaceful place to be! Thank you, Lord, for providing refreshment for my soul!)

He guides me in the path of righteousness for his name's sake.

(I am so glad Your guidance is there to do Your will...I could not do it on my own. I want to bring glory and honor to Your name!)

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff they comfort me.

(I have nothing to fear for You, God, are with me every step of the way, through the good times and the bad. I am comforted by Your authority in my life and the guidance You give me!)

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil and my cup overflows.

(Thank you, Lord! I am blessed!)

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

(I can have complete confidence in You and Your plan for my life! You have come that I might have life and live it to the fullest, and I praise you for that this morning!)

Today's Blessings...just to name a few

• Being able to get up when I felt like it, then go down to the lobby of the hotel and have a really nice, free breakfast (with my husband beside me)!
• Receiving two comments on my blog - one from a long time friend and one a complete stranger, but both encouraged me!
• Being able to spend the day alone with my husband!
• Having the opportunity to just do whatever I felt like doing (like not work, not clean house, not cook, spend time with the Lord, Blog, watch a movie while laying around at a nice hotel...
• Having the opportunity to just spend time chatting with my son over pizza and Dr. Pepper.
• Feeling tremendous love and support from my husband!

I thank the Lord for the blessings in my life this day!

A new chapter in our family history book...

Yesterday we arrived at Texas A & M Commerce with our oldest son. This will be his new home for the next four years or so (unless he decides later to go to another college, of course). I never knew how difficult it would be to watch him tell his brothers and sister good-bye. As I watched him wander aimlessly around the house I knew in my heart how hard this truly was for him to tell his sister (and good friend) good-bye before she left for school. In a strange sense I felt blessed...blessed because I'm sure there are many kids out there that head off to college and could care less about telling their siblings (and parents) good-bye.

We arrived at his apartment here on campus at 10:00 and 10 minutes later there were 6 girls helping us unload the truck. I stayed near the truck so by the time I made it into his apartment everything was in his room, with no room to spare. It took us a little while to figure it out, but by the time we got done it was completely different than originally set up and he loved it! I wish I had brought the camera so I could have taken a picture...

My husband and I are staying in a nice hotel across the street for a few days. We decided a long time ago that we would take this time off to be with our son and help him to adjust to this new season in his life. I know...everyone has their own ideas and thoughts about how it should be done, but we are following the Lord's guidance on this...he knows our son better than anyone else. Yesterday we got him moved in, shopped for other needed items, bought books (expensive!), toured the town and campus again, and then looked for churches in the area and had dinner at Red Lobster. Afterwards, he wanted to get online to look up some of the churches he thought he might want to visit, so we did that. Then he and his dad went back to his apartment for a while to raise his bed, and I stayed here at the hotel to just relax and sift through the emotions I was having. When he left our hotel room, after bringing his dad back from his apartment, I was a little shocked that I cried, but it's okay...I'm just going to allow myself to "feel". Two things I love about staying here is it has allowed us to love on our son and give him undivided attention when he needs it - helping him to feel more comfortable in his surroundings, as well as a chance for my husband and me to go through this experience in our own way, and just love on each other through it all.

We all write our own chapters, everyone does things a little differently, and one thing that I've learned over the years is you have to follow your heart. My heart tells me this is beneficial to my son and he is being blessed by our being here, allowing him to move into this change slowly. Today, he is writing his own chapter as well, as he's spending the day with hundreds of other freshman going through the same thing. Our prayer for this day is that he will find many wonderful people who will become very close friends one day, and that he will feel more secure with the changes taking place in his life. Though I still see the "don't go yet" in his eyes, I believe it will soon change and I will see the "I'll be okay, it's okay to go now", and we'll head back home to continue adding new chapters to our history book.

I've been tagged...

1. The Book nearest to me?
My bible
2.Stretch out left arm what do you touch?
A hymnal
3. Last thing I watched on T.V?
Steel Magnolias - that was the last thing I sat down to watch a few days ago.
4. Without looking what time is it?
2:00 p.m.
5. Now look and tell what the actual time is
2:56 p.m. Man! Saturdays go by way too fast!!!
6. With the exception of computer, what do you hear?
The T.V. My husband laid down on the couch to take a nap with the T.V. on...no idea what is on, just hear it!
7. When did I last step outside?
An hour ago. My husband and I went out to lunch - just the two of us!
8. Before this survey what did you look at?
Praise music. I lead worship at our church.
9. What are you wearing?
T-Shirt, capri pants and flip-flops.
10. What did you dream last night?
Leaving my son at college (which is what we will be doing in one week) and not wanting to let go when we hugged good-bye, crying all the way home...it felt so real.
11.When did you last laugh?
Today!
12. What are on the walls in the room?
Candles, that I recently hung to surprise my husband when he returned from his mission trip to Peru, and a picture with flowers.
13. Seen anything weird lately?
Everyday! This world is full of weird people...lol!
14. What do you think of this quiz?
Just hoping someone reads it...
15. What is the last film I saw?
Taladagan Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. I was disappointed!
16. Tell me something we don't know.
I guess that would depend on who was reading this! Paulette, who tagged me, knows a lot about me...not sure what she doesn't know.
17. Do you like to dance?
Yes. I'm not too good at it though. I love to watch people who can really dance (as long as they are modest and not doing some of those sick moves I see on T.V.)
18. President Bush?
What about him? I must have missed part of the question. My daughter met who she thought was President Bush a few weeks ago in Midland at Rock the Desert, and my husband talked to him on the phone - but when we saw the pictures we weren't convinced it was really him! This guy looked a little too chunky!
19. Imagine your first child is a girl.
I love that my (only) daughter was second. I love that she has an older brother who can watch out for her!
20. Imagine your first child a boy.
Well, no need to imagine...I got that! And then, my third and fourth were boys too (that came at the same time!) Lots of boys in this family!
21. What would God say to you at the pearly gate?
"Well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter in, for great is your reward!" because I've placed my faith in him and He is my Lord and Savior!

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord...

Sometimes life just doesn't make sense to us. We don't understand why certain things happen in our lives that bring us sorrow or pain, and we may never know this side of glory, but I want to encourage you in the Lord to trust Him! We live in a fallen world, and because of that we will all experience difficulties, some because of choices we make or the choices of others, but there is someone who is always there for us, and that is Jesus Christ. The bible tells us that we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with us...praise God! The bible also tells us that greater is He that is in us (believers) than he that is in the world! Take heart! The victory has already been won! Our Warrior has conquered sin, and death, and He is in control! His plans are to prosper us, not to harm us, plans to give us a hope and a future! Take that to heart today. Trust God, not man (that includes yourself) and let Him have his way in your life. You can't go wrong if you entrust it (your life, all your circumstances, your children, whatever it is for you today) to God!

Psalm 40: 1-3
I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, and a hymn of praise to out God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.

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There is no greater joy than knowing God. He will forever change your life!
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My baby girl turns 17...

My daughter turns 17 this Sunday...wow, slow down life! I am so proud of her. She is a wonderful daughter who loves the Lord and strives to live for him! It's only a few short months before she too will go off to college.

I love you, my sweet daughter! Keep living for the Lord and loving life! You are a light in this dark world and I am excited about what God has in store for your future. Continue to seek God's will for your life and you'll never go wrong! I LOVE YOU! Thanks for being such a wonderful daughter. I love all the long talks and good times we have together. Don't grow up too fast and enjoy your last few months of high school! Happy 17th Birthday!!!

Who's Your Favorite Blogger?

If you stop by my blog, let me know who your favorite blogger is, and why (feel free to put more than one if it's too hard to decide)!

A new season

In just a few days my oldest son will leave for college. I can't believe it! It's one of those bitter-sweet moments in life when you want to hold on to them like they are babies and at the same time you know it's time to push them out of the nest and watch them fly on their own. We've talked about it a lot lately and I know he's excited, and fearful, and uncertain of what life will be like on his own...all the same things my husband and I feel as well.

There is this amazing new song, called Find Your Wings, that describes my prayer for him (as well as my other 3 children), and the chorus goes like this, "I pray that God will fill your heart with dreams, that faith gives you the courage to dare to do great things, I'm here for you whatever this life brings, so let my love give you roots and help you find your wings." The first verse pulls at my heart everytime I hear it, and really expresses what's on my heart. It says, "It's only for a moment you are mine to hold. The plans that heaven has for you will all too soon unfold. So many different prayers I'll pray for all that you might do, but most of all I'll want to know you're walking in the truth." Isn't that so beautiful?! It comforts me when I hear it, reminding me that God will be watching over him when he leaves home!

My Hero

This is my hero!

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He's strong in the Lord, faithful and true!

He lifts my spirit when I'm feeling blue...

He's kind and compassionate, full of love.

He's the one God gave me, a gift from above!

He's a preacher and teacher and so much more.

He's the love of my life, the one I adore!

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This isn't typically how people see him (in a suit), but I thought he looked so handsome in it so I wanted to post it!

A time of reflection

For two weeks my husband has been in Peru ministering to the people and sharing the gospel with them. During that time, I've been here at home ministering to the people God has put in my path. It's been hard, challenging, enlightening and, above all, a God-thing!

When my husband left for Peru I was sad, wishing I could go and minister with him and do something exciting. Little did I know, God had plans for me right here. Several people in my life are going through very difficult things and when they called on me to help I was completely available to go be with them, or allow them into my home. It gave me time to spend with people who just needed someone to be there...something that normally doesn't come very easily for me with a family of 6, a full-time job, as well as the ministries God has me involved in at our church...so I count it a true blessing from the Lord.

Often times, my heart is pulled in many directions with the many things I have going on in my life, and one of those heart strings is sometimes pulled but not responded to like I should, leaving me feeling like I let friends and family down sometimes. This week God allowed me to minister like my heart was telling me to, even working out all the details to allow me to do so. My parents asked if my kids could come spend the week at the lake with them, and my bosses were wonderful to me when I needed to leave work early one day, and everything just worked out completely!

Another awesome thing about the last two weeks is the time I've spent reflecting on my marriage and what God desires for our lives. I often find myself asking God the same thing, "change me!" Not externally...what passes away...but change my heart, make it more like Christ. One of those areas would be in how I truly show my husband love and respect. For some time now I've felt convicted about how I speak to him or nag him about things, and during this last two weeks God has shown me the areas I need to work on and the courage to say okay, Lord, I'll take action and do something about it. I'm so excited about learning how to love my husband more, in a way that he needs to be loved, not how I think he needs to be loved. I've asked God to show me and help me to hear and respond.

Just this morning, as I was spending time with the Lord he took me to Proverbs 31 and, verse by verse, we conversed about me as a wife and how I could work on certain areas. It was amazing! I then felt God's leading in sharing all the Lord has shown me by writing a letter to my husband...nailing down I was willing to take action and do what the Lord has shown me I need to do. I am excited because I know the Lord is working in our lives to draw us even closer to him and to each other.

Thank you, Lord, for two special weeks in my life...first of all, for your love and protection, keeping us all safe while we were away from each other, and for time to spend with those who needed a friend, for time to spend all by myself (allowing me to look deep into my own life and your will for my life and my marriage). Thank you for a wonderful, godly husband whose heart's desire is to know You and make You known, and who loves me unconditionally and shows me every day how much I mean to him. Thank you for all the many, many blessings in my life!!