Game Night Taboo!

I love game nights with
friends from church...we played Taboo while the kids played upstairs at my friend Teresa's house. Pam, I miss going to Bambohe's ;(...
Yeah, the guys won...oh well, next time, they are going DOWN;)
I would love to know what I said that caused this look on Brian's face Hahaha...

You REALLY Don't Wanna Know...

..but I thought I'd share this recent bit of reality.

Ayden ATE my pearl earrings...yes they are real. Guess how I found out? One is still MIA, or should I say MIP...see, I told you didn't wanna know *sigh*...

'Nother Four Signed Away ;)

Well, I must start by Praising the Lord for His bountiful...overflowing measure. Brian did not have to leave with the advanced party so he is here with us for another week!! God is so good :)
Even if he did leave...God is so good.

Well, as you can see, Brian has sworn in to another 4 years of service. I will support whatever he decides :)

The girls...looking on, with the rest of the Marines, as they read a letter of appreciation to me...the loving supporting wife ;)

And it was over...just like that.

In The Toil Of The Way

"...to dwell for ever with Him we love, in the midst of His people, in the presence of God. Christian, meditate much on heaven, it will help thee to press on, and to forget the toil of the way. This vale of tears is but the pathway to the better country: this world of woe is but the stepping-stone to a world of bliss."-Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotions (I added the emphasis)

(edited to add) I write this and must honestly share that recently, as I have "looked" at my salvation and understand better the fullness of it...I have been shaken to the core. The more I see...the more I must embrace and enjoy the fullness of this precious gift, not doubt that it is mine. The wondrous truth of it all is more than I can bear and for some agonizing moments I questioned "could this really be mine-could I have really understood-believed this wondrous truth!". But I did, as a child I trusted what He revealed to me...that I was a sinner and needed a Savior, the revelation in the years to come of understanding how great a cost it was does not in any way change the fact that the Lord gave me a gift that I with child like faith accepted. My children today accept the gifts I give without *fully* understanding the *cost* or the *worth* nor are they able to fully appreciate them until they better understand the *cost* and *worth* of what they received. When they come to a realization of what a sacrifice really is or how much worth the gift really has...does it change the fact that the gift had already been recieved? No. There are much better illustrations but this will suffice, I hope, to convey my recent experience.

I have grown and matured and, I take out my gift of salvation from time to time and "look" at it, admire it, notice more and more the beauty of it...the cost, the complexity, the love...and it is agonizing to realize how much I take it for granted. In tears I have knelt before the Lord and held out the Gift He has given me and was/am silenced by the blinding Glory of it all -dizzy from the reality that I will never fully grasp the understanding of His Grace and Mercy shown to me by His Sacrifice, while bound to this flesh. It is in those moments that I promise to cherish my gift that much more...this beautiful gift that can never be taken from me. Oh, there are some agonizing moments in our growth, but the fellowship of His suffering...the realization of who we are in Him and why, brings us ever closer to Him and the embracing of the fullness of our salvation which is only through Christ.

But for some, the reality is that it is not theirs. They may believe, but they never received the gift. Maybe they didn't understand they were sinners...lost. Oh, that they would have that child-like faith...that gift of faith which is necessary to believe...

The beautiful reminder above, that this veil of tears is temporary, only pertains to those of us who are truly HIS...sinners saved by Grace-those of us who have BELIEVED in our hearts that our sin debt was settled on the cross of Calvary by our Lord Jesus Christ (God become flesh), who conquered death when He arose physically from the dead. We, who have called on HIM to save us personally, not only will have an eternity of bliss with Him when we shed this old flesh, but we have the GIFT of sweet fellowship with Him today and everyday. We have the gift of knowing our prayers are heard and answered according to His perfect will...this is OURS. We have the gift of His WORD to teach us and help us in the way. While the world crumbles around us, when the path seems dark and endless...He is there waiting for us to reach out and hold His ever outstretched hand...it is always there, because we are HIS.

Are you HIS dear reader? Do you have that moment forever ingrained in your mind in which you, realizing you were LOST as a sinner, called on the Lord Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior? I am pleading with you, your works, your baptism, a reliance on anything else other than Believing and receiving the FREE gift of Christs shed blood as payment for your sin- is a DISBELIEF in HIM as the ONE sacrifice for all sin. A reliance on any works or "goodness" of our own is saying that Christ's death was in vain! If you have not trusted in Christ alone...taken a moment to confess your trust is only in Him and accept Him as your Lord and Savior, please, seek the ONE who has sought after you..THE ONE who has brought you to the CROSS that you could be "born again", go see-look at the cross-the account is recorded in His Word. You must, with your entire being BELIEVE- that you owe a debt but He has paid it ALL. Only one payment under heaven is accepted...that's Christs' shed perfect blood...alone-you can't add to it or take away. It is not enough to believe and agree that these things are true...you must in FAITH pray/talk to HIM, to receive His gift. Don't worry about the words...it's not about that...HE knows and hears yo ur heart the moment it cries out to Him. He knows what your heart longs for before you can even form a word. If you are struggling with belief, ask the Lord to help your unbelief, read the book of Romans-allow the Holy Spirit to work in your heart as you read His Word...it was written for YOU that you might come to the knowledge of His saving GRACE (unmerited favor).

The Bible says none are good...none doeth good...if you are relying on your works or anything/anyone other than Christ's blood to settle the debt of your sin...PLEASE READ THIS -get it settled today!

Happy Tuesday :)

Because Brian will hopefully get a little bit of today off from work! So, we are counting down the days until the "window" of his departure. I spent a good bit of yesterday just wasting my time pouting, I guess about the fact that they scheduled him for duty (24 hours) after having to work Sat...to get it (the duty) in before he left....though the rest of the service had yesterday off. So yeah, my attitude stunk and I am paying for it today as my house needs some REAL TLC ...as do my kids after my neglect yesterday. I don't know how the Lord puts up with me sometimes. Even yesterday, I resisted His loving Spirit coaxing me to stick to my routine...I'd get up, get started and then just putter out. I must say too, that this is very unusual for me-to not go insane in a cluttered mess of a house-today, it's driving me insane.

Have you ever had a day where you just physically did not feel like doing a thing? And, I'm not talking about due to sickness, or a new baby..you know, reasonable causes, I'm talking about giving in to well, I guess a sinful attitude of pouting? Ouch, kinda hurts when I put it that way. Well, anyway, it was awful, and I feel so guilty about the precious day I wasted. I will *never* do that again. But today is a happy Tuesday, I am shaking off the dust of yesterday and moving on...:) God is so good to me, even when I am rotten :(

Would You Please Take A Minute

and just pray. I am up....it's 1am (well, a minute before) and I just feel such a burden to pray. On my mind is my Aunt Pam...she has cancer, she has been fighting it for a while. It is not that I have heard any news or anything...just an intense burden to pray for her and to urge you as well. I'm also lifting up others who are suffering with cancer this very moment...would you please, just take a minute, or two, please and pray for those that the Lord brings to mind right now-those deployed, our President, family, friends, missionaries? Thank you so much.

Sushi

Brian and I like sushi, but a couple of these looked...a little disgusting, so I thought I'd capture a reaction ;)

Nobody NOSE...Hair

What an attractive title...hahaha it will come together in the end;)

There are some things we can change and some things we can't...or in my case, shouldn't. We should just strive to look our best and take care of what the Lord has given us. :)Just to show you how goofy I really am/can be...not that you didn't already know, or didn't at least have an inkling, I give you the following embarrassing, but funny reality that is mine, and it will, hopefully, give you a glimpse of *me* and some of my insecurities.

I will start by saying, (to those who don't know) that I have NEVER liked my nose, not that I was teased HORRIBLY about it, but I just knew that when people described me in *compliments* as "striking"...I would smile and just know that...oh yeah, that's a classic "prominent nose" compliment. I mean what else could be *striking* except when I turn around and BAM!! there's a NOSE with some features around it...no, okay, it's not that bad, but it is fun to be able to tease myself about it. I will also shamefully admit that I've "shopped" around a bit, haha, there's a new one. Have you ever gone nose shopping? I can spot a good nose surgery from a mile away! Well, not that I obsessed about it (still in denial),but really, the Lord just impressed upon me the absolute vanity of it (surgery) even warranting a thought, so I comforted myself with the fact that at least I HAD a nose. So now, I just use the little camera doohicky thing on my laptop and angle.my.head.. just.right. so ...my nose is not accentuated any more than...uh....it usually is? Hahaha, anyway...I always say it keeps me humble...

HERE is the "Hair" part. My HAIR is a different story. I can DO something about that..to keep it looking its best. I was a pretty light blonde, til I started having kids, so yes, I shamelessly dye my hair to keep it looking, to be redundant, its best. I prefer it long, but my face is long and I had been advised to CUT it...so I did, but don't worry, I'll get over that notion and grow it out again.

ANYWAY, I have adjusted to having shorter hair and I recently asked to get my hair thinned as it was VERY thick. My stylist, bless her heart, took a full hour on my hair-without washing or blowdrying-just CUTTING and cutting and c.u.t.t.i.n.g....cutting....until my hair was utterly thin. She styled it well and I told her how I have to straighten my hair because otherwise it looks like a big poof ball. She assured me it would be easy to maintain...Does THIS


look EASY to manage/maintain??? There was no trying to exaggerate here, this is really what my hair looks like when I am finished blow drying it. I am sure Brian is eternally grateful that I don't just *leave* it like this for even a minute. NO, I get RIGHT to work on the 'fro ball. With some straightening gel and a straightening iron...it took me about 25min to get my hair into working order.
...so then, today, after dealing with the hair ball situation, I sat and snapped with my trusty laptop picture thingy, oh, about 10 pics to get the right ANGLE, (as mentioned before *ahem* about said nose), for my profile pic up there to the right and, there you have it, a real live profile of a silly mom who just wants to look her best if not, dare I say *striking* hahaha :).

I'm not sure why I posted this...and I don't really have a moral to this story except that we all have things that the evil one wants us to be discontent with and be insecure about...we all have them. We must decide to take what we have and, instead of neglecting it all together, do our best with it -to His honor and glory. The rest, the physical things we can't or shouldn't change or maybe are in the process of changing such as weight, well, I've had to learn to laugh about some of those things (some must be patient) and appreciate that it contributes to a vessel made for HIS honor and glory, not mine. So, if you ever wonder if some of your would-be-if-not-already hang ups are normal...they are, and if they are not-according to some Ms looks perfect (who does she think she is being perfect anyway huh?), well, we can be not-normal together always striving to be our best for the Lord. Blessings!! ;)

Marine Wives

We are PROUD of our Marine husbands!



Yes, I used to be a Marine (for those who didn't know), but it's just not something I am proud of -because it was not of the Lord....Now, in all honesty, being the Marine wife and stay at home mom is far more challenging and much more rewarding than my time in the Marine Corps...the Lord has shown me a life truly worth living and I am proud to serve my Marine Husband.

Happy Birthday Anjolie and Mom :)

Today we celebrate two very special birthdays ...Anjolie and my Mom's. I love that Anjolie was born on her birthday...just like my sister was born on her mom's birthday :) Anjolie is now 5 and it is so hard to believe that she has spent over half her life here in Japan ;) We were going to celebrate yesterday...because we are about a day ahead here in Japan...but something happened. Yes, we had a little mischief maker that decided that he would reach his wittle fingers up onto the counter and pull Anjolie's cake down (in the box)...yeah, we found him sitting on the floor with his little hand in the cake box just helping himself to Anjolie's cake-that she hadn't even seen yet! Again...I laughed. So, Anjolie is gettting to celebrate her birthday AGAIN tonight with a new cake :)

Brian leaves next week sometime, please pray for our children (and me ;) ) as this will be the longest they have ever been away from daddy..... I won't be posting much until he leaves....but I will be around to visit a bit, I hope :) Love you all!!-Heather

Cocok's Toes-A Date With Daddy

I secretly scheduled a double date for Anjolie and Brianna to go to get their toes done. I knew Brian would enjoy watching them get a little pampering session while sipping delicious tea. Enjoy the pics :)

When They Leave

I mentioned that Brian is deploying...he has been supposed to for over a year now and it just never happened. He was supposed to go to the sandy spot...never happened and then someplace else, but it just never happened. The Lord's timing is always perfect and the situation has always been in His hands. After all the "false alarms" we have been through concerning him leaving...I kind of got desensitized to Brian telling me "this time, I think it's for REAL" ;) Now, I guess the D0D has their planning done and Brian will in fact be deploying the beginning of next month, but not to the sandy spot. He is going to a place that starts with K and ends with a...he will be gone for about 3 months ( I feel almost guilty as my friends' husbands are leaving for over 4 times that!) and then he will go somewhere else for a few weeks...I can't explain how I feel. I feel thankful that he (probably) won't be gone longer, guilty because of my friends' husbands who will be gone long, and also sad that he has to leave at all. I can't help but worry about his safety-though, I know that he is just as safe there as here being in God's perfect will..and THAT is a comfort. These men who love the Lord and are HIS, are SAFER -even in what appears to be harms way being IN His will than they could possibly be anywhere else OUT of God's will. Almighty God is their keeper.

I guess, my heart is still "raw" feeling from knowing my friend Ash's husband has just left to the sandy spot for the next 13 months (my eyes fill just typying it)...my friend Lauren's husband has been gone for almost 6 Months (?)...Mrs McCada's husband...has a long way to go, Carmen's beloved is about to deploy, Lisa's just deployed for 13 months...and I just sit and cry for them, I really do. I am so proud of them, proud of their willingness, their faith in the Lord, their courage, their strength, their determination to continue on with their chins up. At the same time, my heart aches...the kids ask about them- "Is Tony's Daddy still at the war mommy?", "I'm so glad I got to sit in the Super Hero seats on the plane" ...they look up to them and know they really are heroes. Every time someone's daddy is not at church, my children ask if they went to the war....and my eyes fill....Please PRAY for these brave families. Yes BRAVE FAMILIES. I love them all dearly and love my Lord who will supply their every need.

When he gets back from his little trips, we will be getting ready to move tooooooo (drum roll please)pbpbppbpbpbpbpbpbpbpbpbp VIRGINIA BEACH :)

"Un TEEF", Stuff and What in the WORLD?

Okay, so having 4 little children very close together is NEVER as easy as it seems...and though I have learned to laugh at MOST of the things, sometimes I have little meltdowns too. But, I would not trade or change any of these moments for the world. Keep in mind that BUSY, these days, is truly an understatement folks :)

"What in the WORLD?"-what Brian said as a result of witnessing the after affects of "stuff" and "Un TEEF"

"Stuff"- pertains to the event I unfortunately forgot about until it was too late. Anjolie...for, who-knows-what-reason except *she's four*, decided that our bathroom sink needed to be stuffed with toilet paper...stuffed to the point of no return, well, I guess stuffed to the point of no entry of water with needs to drain would be more accurate. I had every intention of UNstuffing it before the "Un Teef" incident, but alas, my memory failed me (as it seems to do that LOTS these days).

"Un Teef"...this is what Ayden said when we found him in the above said bathroom leaning over a *flooding* (think mini waterfall) sink with 2 toothbrushes stuck in his mouth..."Un Teef!!" he insisted, as he stood on the toilet in his little diaper with his little sink waterfall cascading mercilessly over the sink rim. "UN TEEF!!", he cried (with the 2 toothbrushes, mine and Brians, still stuck in his mouth), when he saw Brian's aghast look as he stood on his very own porcelain "island" surrounded by water. My memory, concerning the toilet paper stuffed sink, was instantly jogged...amazing. Yeah, I laughed. Brian...not so much, especially when enlightened about the "stuff" ;)

Happy Birthday!!

This month holds some special birthdays in it. Today is my friend Pam's Birthday. She is a gift herself with her special talents and thoughtful ways. I can't even begin to tell you how thoughtful she is. I will post some pics soon of the beautiful things she has made and sent for our family (I am such a procrastinator-sorry Pam!). Please take a moment so wish Pam a very special "Happy Birthday". Thank you!

Sisters

God is so good isn't He? I just want to say, that I am trying to be very careful in what I am posting because I truly believe that I should just keep pointing to God and how He has helped me *see* what He sees. I don't want my words to be misconstrued or used as a tool of harm against ANYONE, so, as you read, please only apply them to yourself instead of thinking of, *so and so* who really could use a talkin' to about her pride" ;). The *so and so* in my life is always ME-though I don't like to admit it...the Lord shows me all the time what a depraved state my heart is in and how it is riddled with pride.

The issues that have been placed on my heart are very very sensitive ones. To divulge my heart in its entirety would be reckless, riddled with human reason and not of the Lord, so, I am asking that you read with all discernment and prove everything with the Word of God. The Holy Spirit's work is never to be mocked or mimicked in any way by ANYONE. My job, as a wife and mom, is simple (in theory-HAHAHA). I will never be too little for God to use but I can get too *big* in a hurry if I in any way allow pride to guide me when helping others. I am to be a Biblical help-meet to my husband, a godly mother, a virtuous women, a soul-winner, and a teacher of good things to those women that the Lord brings my way who need encouragement. (Forgive me for not taking the time to add in verse links-maybe later I will add them in)

I will say that sharing my convictions, preferences, thoughts etc in a way that tries to mimic the work of the Holy Spirit or undermines the authority of the husband or Pastor is destructive and is evidence of the pride of life among other things. The transforming work of the Holy Spirit works from the INSIDE OUT! I know I said this before, but I can't stress enough that it is HIS work and never ours to try to change someone...our efforts to do this will always result in confusion and worse. We do not see clearly and are easily deceived, as women especially...we must consider this humbling fact of life and be ever prayerful when giving counsel.

The Lord uses relationships and people to teach such wonderful truths doesn't He?When determining the best way to encourage a sister in Christ...especially a new Believer or carnal one (being CAREFUL with that word), it helped me to observe the way my daughters interact. So, I share the following (WAAY too long-but hopefully helpful) list of observations ;) Brianna and Anjolie are 20 months apart. Because Brianna was born first, she will always be more mature, older, and have more experience. Does this mean in any way that Anjolie is inferior or WRONG in her lack of understanding or skill? Is she any less important? Of course not, I love them RIGHT where they are at. When they walk in their appropriate *age paths* (lol), they are so pleasing. When Anjolie tries to leap ahead and keep up with Brianna-she only fails miserably. Brianna will even (in her pride) try to encourage Anjolie to *keep up* with her and do the same things she does because she knows it will only bring her out on top and leave Anjolie to stare in the awful glare of her shadow. (Does this sound familiar?) On the other hand, just because Anjolie is younger does not mean she doesn't have strengths that Brianna can learn from. Brianna's pride rages when Anjolie's differing strengths shine through. I am so pleased when Brianna can set her pride aside and just be happy for Anjolie and enjoy her individual gifts. It is much harder for Brianna-due to pride-to learn from Anjolie than it is for Anjolie to learn from Brianna. Do you see some parallels? Since Brianna is older and more capable, she is expected to, IN LOVE and with MEEKNESS, help her sister when she makes her bed or tries to tackle some other task that requires more experience. The very second that Brianna allows pride to leak in- she is tearing down and NOT building up.

It is amazing how clearly I can discern the spirit in which the help is given (as it is for our Father in heaven when observing us). When a task, that Brianna has helped Anjolie with, is complete, Brianna is expected to stand down and allow Anjolie to receive the praise for a task well done. When Brianna allows Anjolie to recieve public praise, I take her aside in private and love on her and tell her how proud I am of her for being so humble and allowing her younger sister to be encouraged.

How does Brianna know when she is to help? She observes and quietly steps along side of her when she struggles, or Anjolie will ask her to help. Brianna is to help her in the task and not just take over and do it for her. Boy is that a tendency we have sometimes! Brianna's "help" is destructive when it is done in a way that causes Anjolie to feel shame for not being as mature or when she is critical or when the help is done in anger or pride..or with the desire for personal praise. Anjolie is best helped when she is approached with a pure desire to build up-she glows when Brianna praises and encourages her. It is hard sometimes for Anjolie to accept help from Brianna, but when Brianna patiently waits and encourages, Anjolie's heart is able to soften and accept the help that she needs from an older loving sister. Brianna seeks out oppurtunities to encourage Anjolie. When we consider one another, we will see that the opportunities to encourage are endless. I, as their mother, can see the bigger picture in what can be accomplished in their relationship as sisters. God has a plan in our relationships as well His plan is not seen in a competetive and prideful spirit. I can see how they can build each other up with kind words and loving actions. I can see how I can build others up by applying what I have learned through these observations. My heart is grieved when my daughters try to exalt themselves by belittling the other by actions, hints, words.... How our Lord must be grieved when we overwhelm or try to outdo another sister in Christ all for the praise of man.

When I am correcting Anjolie, it is NEVER a help for Brianna to chime in with ANYTHING...a well timed loving pat (rarely even a word) on the back is about the only appropriate action that is expected and well received of Brianna. A haughty look is corrected immediately and holds greater consequence than the stumbling of her sister. The only time Brianna is ever allowed to use any type of authoritive tone or what would be perceived as words of rebuke is if she is doing something that is of danger to herself or someone else...whether it be in words or actions. 99% of the time she is to leave any rebuke or correction to the proper authority...either to me or her dad, Pastor, teacher etc. So you see, Brianna's job, as the mature sister standing along her younger sister is to be "little"- to allow her sister to lean on her when needed, to be quiet and meek when she witnesses her sister's rebuke, to ALWAYS use words of encouragement, to supply a loving hug when she is sad instead of a cheery mocking song, and to allow Brian and I, under God, to be the undisputed authority in Anjolie's life. WE, as her parents, know where Anjolie is at in her growth, we know what she is capable of. For Brianna to burden her with her own personal idea of training or opinion only distracts Anjolie from her current course and causes her to be in sin as she is not doing what WE have told her to do. In the end, Anjolie ends up defeated and depressed because she will never be able to please or outdo her sister...they end up despising one another. Anjolie is NOT pleasing us when she is trying to keep up with her sister in areas she is not yet mature in or has not been instructed in. Anjolie is just learning to read and is gaining nothing by trying to tackle reading one of Brianna's readers. She does best just moving at the pace I have set for her-learning the basics for a firm foundation with Brianna encouraging her IN the course WE have set for her. I do ask Brianna to listen to Anjolie read and to help, but only what is within Anjolie's understanding and what is helpful to her at that time. It is never my desire to overwhelm either of them with tasks that belong to me. I only want for them to continue walking in their own paths-encouraging and loving one another. I am sure most of you could break this down alot better than I just did :)

When is Brianna expected to be big? She is after all, the big sister :) Brianna fills that role when she comes to Anjolie's aid against friends that would tear her down or tempt or hurt hurt her she can warn her of danger when she sees her doing something out of ignorance that would harm her. It is then that she is to come out of the "shadows" so to speak and use her wisdom and experience to protect and aid in a time of trouble-until I come. Brianna can *hide* Anjolie behind her and protect her, she can shield her from hurtful words or blows...she can usher her to the safety of my arms. She is never to leave her broken and alone as a *lesson* to her to wise up...or as an "I told you so". If Anjolie insists on doing wrong, Brianna is never to participate but to sincerely warn with the intent to protect and then get help. Even in this, an attitude of meekness is the only acceptable one. When wounded, even through her own doing, Brianna is expected to be that much more of assistance to her growing and learning sister. I hope I am conveying my thoughts clearly :)

God uses the people and our relationships to teach us. The relationship between my daughters has been most helpful to me and the Lord has taught me how I can apply what I have observed to my role as a fellow sister in Christ :) I must learn to be humble in both roles, for I am found as the younger sister and the older sister in this life. I hope you can examine this on a deeper level as the Lord leads you.

My posting is and will be sporadic. Brian deploys next month and my 4 little ones really need about 99.5% of my time these days :) Love you!! I think of you all often and wish I could *visit* with you more, but I know you understand!!

So, Now What...

Well, I just deleted the post that WAS going to go here because, well, I can observe scary symptoms and see that something is obviously wrong, but when it comes to prevention or *fixing* only God can do that. Real change...transformation of a life can only come by the work of the Holy Spirit and with a renewed mind which comes with a repentant heart and the daily reading, study, meditating on God's word.

We are known by our fruit...people can see, hear, *smell*, a prideful spirit long before even a personal conversation occurs, many times. My pride, *shaking head*...I don't see it coming..but it is sure to hit me in the behind on the way out of whatever exchange I got myself into. Lord God, renew my mind daily! Having said that, I am taking inventory, and I am asking the Lord to reveal to me that which I will have to give an account for-what did I do with what the Lord gave me...my works, my words...are they gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble. The Lord has His own version of "Blog Slurper"..He has a Life Slurper which we will have to give an account for. Will I suffer loss? 1 Cor 3:11-20. Lord, purge the pride in my heart.

So, like it says, "Now What?". May I ask you to please please, I am pleading, read and study Romans 12 and Romans 14, then Ephesians 5, 2 Timothy 3, 4:1-5, Titus 1: 10, 2 and 3:1-11....and ask those that would, ( I know I am )to read it after, and in, much prayer in hopes of a renewed mind concerning the Lord's will for our conduct and the manner in which we should do all things. Ask your husbands to pray for you/with you concerning your place and conduct...I have in fear asked my husband to pray for me after the Lord has allowed me to see a warning of what could be if I am not in complete submission...a living sacrifice (NOT a dead one note). It is easy sometimes to be dead for Christ instead of living for Him.

We are to be renewed from the inside out...NEVER the other way around. In the process, we are at times rebuked,exhorted, confused, encouraged, and helped among other things, by the people in our lives. We must always go back to God's Word with anything recieved..to test it. Correction comes from the authorities God places in our lives-primarily His Word...I need to stop looking for a way around that. We have gotten away from the important things -stepped out from under the authority God has placed in our lives and our families are suffering because of it. However humbling it is, we must get back under the authority of our God, our husbands, our Pastors...it was EVE that was decieved, and we continue to be decieved today...we continue to undermine our husbands by showing them a way that *seemeth* right and then we try to adopt someone else's light and lifestyle for ourselves. We must gather our OWN manna and EAT IT not throw it at someone else and so that it hits them in the eye to where they can no longer see clearly to gather their own.

I am praying about what more I should share about this...I really think the Lord IS stirring in hearts and convicting-He is convicting me! Praying for our minds to be renewed.

Gal 5:22-26 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

I am so looking forward to the post that is hopefully in the makings concerning these things from Mrs Mishel at Seasons of Life :) no pressure or anything. I just know it will be such a help.

Sowers of Discord

I have had a bitter reminder today of why it is so important to walk in truth and LIGHT and let my conversation reflect that walk. How can we encourage one another when we are so busy judging one another? I am not talking about exposing what the Bible calls sin...I'm talking about the doubtful issues ie.. who agrees with birth control or not, who is breast feeding or not, who has the most ministries AND homeschools, and uses whole foods, etc...not that those are not good things or that I don't enjoy some of those things- but to make it an issue of righteousness..Oh DEAR, ...how things have been distorted and used to MAIM the ministry we have to our sisters in Christ!

Galatians 5:13,14 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Are we truly exhorting one another or holding one another to some non Biblical standard that we have set so that we always come out on top? How many haughty looks have I given?...even if only in my mind...oh, the damage...the destruction, owed to pride. I am weary of it...on both sides I can be found a player in this destructive game in which no one wins...are you weary? Do you know of someone TODAY that you can encourage? PLEASE pick up the phone do it today...YES, that person that you just thought of as you read that, (before you even finish reading this poorly written post) they NEED your prayers and love.

When discipling or giving counsel as Christian women...we ((I)) need to remember that the Lord knows our hearts and motives. Too often we are confusing and placing stumbling blocks before Christians instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to do His work. The LOVE is missing...true Christian LOVE. Oh, my heart is broken for some dear friends. The devastating shambles I have witnessed of more than a few disillusioned Saints is more than my heart can bare. I pray that the Lord searches and tries my heart that I may not be one that contributes to the oppression and confusion of a sister Saint. Walk in His Light my friends and shake off the weights that distort His Word. Any distortion at all is dangerous...like an infection....purge me Oh Lord of any self-righteous pride...any belief that is apart from YOU.

Gal 5:18, But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

I cannot even know my own deep thoughts....Lord keep my heart and my tongue.

Psalm 139:1 O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.

edited to say that this post is NOT about some falling out or issue in my church...this is just something that I am seeing more and more of in the real live world and cyber world....and it is really a very scary thing

For the Grandparents :)

I'm not sure if all the relatives can access the video below, so I wanted to post some pics :) The girls and Ayden are having a wonderful time and enjoy their gifts...thank you! We are back to schoolwork today...I must say that I had a hard time gettin' goin'! I will catch up with you all soon! Thank you for all the comments below..I read each one...I just don't have a moment right now to comment. Love you guys so much!!

2007 Memories, Christmas and Lily's B-day!!

One More Thing...

...about that little whisker faced 4 year old girl in the post below. She and Lily were playing out front, where I could see them through the kitchen window. I saw two little boys about her age approach them and they appeared to be shouting at them and just acting like little children sometimes do...mean, but not in a dangerous way, just a little boy way. Anjolie and Lily, after getting their "ear-full" turned on their heels and ran up the sidewalk to the door where I met them-smiling at what I would probably hear about those "mean boys" ;). Anjolie looked up into my expectant eyes and said, "Mommy, they are being mean, but they don't know better, they just don't know the Lord." (def. of mean=calling them "poopy heads")I told her how proud I was that she recognized that, kissed her little head and advised her to play out back...my heart swelled. Thank you Lord, for those little glimpses into her heart made new by You.

"ONO COW COW"

That little *ahem* ...kitty....

there (who found some MaryKay eyeliner and put it to good use early one morning...yes, those are supposed to be whiskers..lol), just keeps us smiling.

We love to eat at a restaurant here called ONO COW COW, and we have no idea what in the world that means. But, anyway, we see the words, Cow Cow, quite frequently here, as far as business names go. Brianna and Anjolie noticed it too, and they discussed it in the back of the van this past weekend, while we were running errands, with great interest...

Brianna: Well, there, *pointing* it says "COW COW", but there is no "ONO" with it.

Anjolie, in a very analytical and serious tone: Maybe they named it "ONO COW COW" because it means like "Oh No, there goes my Cow Cow"...

Brian and I started giggling, and they, of course, came up with all kind of crazy ideas just to keep us laughing..."Oh, No, I need to milk my Cow" etc... okay, I guess you had to be there to really be amused ;) Then again, it doesn't take much to amuse me! Good times.

Babysitting Kitty

Have you ever agreed to something without completely thinking it through? "SURE, I will watch a little kitten for a week so it can be a surprise for your son...of course, NO PROBLEM!", that was me, two days ago. I had forgotten how crazed my children get when it comes to animals. I have been refreshed overnight....ahhhhhh!!!!! Just kidding.

The morning the kitten arrived, my girls' kitty sonar must have detected an inbound target. Well, that is the only explanation I can come up with for all three of them pouring out of the house in pjs to welcome their furry house guest before she even got out of my friend's car early Saturday morning. I had forgotten all about it and was quite the morning beauty in my husbands PT sweats and bed head hair. The little squealing group ushered my friend and the kitten into the house and that is about all I remember. Now, we have a kitten...for a week ;) You would have thought I brought a new baby home what with all the squeals, ahhhs and ohhhs. Even Ayden is in love with the fuzzy little thing. The little thing is cute and is being spoiled to death. I guess you could say we are breaking it in for the family it will go to on Christmas morning...he he he...they have 5 children to love and smother it with kisses. :)

Delivered- From the Power of the Lions

Dan 6:26-27
"I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he [is] the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion [shall be even] unto the end.
He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions."

I am not in any physical danger...no one physically seeks to harm me, but at times, in the midst of spiritual warfare I sometimes feel as though I were in danger. My thoughts are anxious ones, my body tenses, my heart feels strained, and my emotions follow my undisciplined thoughts down steep and treacherous slopes.

We are a simple family just trying train our children up in the Lord, serve faithfully in our church and walk closer to the Lord every day. We struggle and we fail sometimes, but we, by the Grace of God are moving forward never satisfied to sit still in our walk. There are times when trials come and, if I am not where I should be, it feels as if the flames of hell lick at my very soul tempting me to throw up my hands in frustration. Then I further complicate the situation when I discard the my sword of Truth and lash out instead with angry thoughts, words and actions. My tears of anger bear witness to a defeated spirit after the dust settles. Then, ashamed, as I cry out to God, I remember that these trials, these ravenous lions, don't define who I am in Christ. I was tricked...again. My response was the key to what was going on in my heart and told where my real faith stood. Try as I might, I will be defeated- in myself and, if I don't repent I am left open and vulnerable to a continued attack. It is during these times that I know my walk with God, my testimony, my ability to be used is in danger. If I am not filled with His Spirit daily I will not be victorious in my walk with or without trial.

The Lions come when I am right where I should be in my walk as well. The end result is much different when the Lord fights...He's already won and His Holy Spirit keeps me close to His victorious path. Sometimes the attack seems relentless and I fret wondering if perhaps I have erred in some way. Before I despair, I must remember that I am 100% justified, so why wouldn't there be lions sent from the evil one? Their very presence should cause me to rejoice in the Redeemer that lives in me. He has already witnessed the final defeat of the evil one. It is never flesh and blood that I am wrestling against, but the principalities of darkness, the Bible says. That is a horrifying fact for those who are not Saved! To those of us in Christ, it means that we must choose to respond to the Lions in our life victoriously! We must respond IN CHRIST -filled with HIS Spirit.

Does my response to trial consistantly reflect a solid belief that God is indeed my Lord and Saviour capable of victory in all circumstances? More often than I would like to confess, my response reflects a sense of doubt and impatience with the ways of the Lord which leads to defeat. In light of this, I am meditating upon these verses from Daniel today, as I sit here home from church with two children, sick *again* *sigh*. I want to be frustrated and downcast-in my flesh...for various reasons other than the two little sicklings, BUT, He has shut the mouth of the Lions! They are present, yes, intimidating, yes, but they have no power over me-the believer -hidden in Christ.

"He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions." I love how this is worded...He DELIVERETH and RESCUETH...and in the Believers life...we, like Daniel have been DELIVERED and RESCUED from the jaws of the Lions. Past tense...my battles are all won in Christ..all of them, but I must choose to WALK in that TRUTH. I must walk in a way that gives testimony to this fact. Thank you God for delivering me from the power of the lions...may I ever rejoice in my trials because you have already delivered and rescued me from their grip. Hallelujah, God is so good!

BORAX Snowfakes

The whole process takes about 2.5 hours-or you can let it sit over night as indicated in the directions.. I LOOVE THESE :)

Borax Crystal Snowflake
You will need:
-string
-wide mouth pint jar
-white pipe cleaners
-blue food coloring (optional)
-boiling water (with adult help)
-borax (available at grocery stores in the laundry soap section, as 20 Mule Team Borax Laundry Booster - NOT Boraxo soap)
pencil Directions:
Cut a white pipe cleaner into 3 equal sections. Twist the sections together in the center so that you have a "six-sided" star shape.
Pipe cleaners and string form a snowflake base for the crystals to grow on.If your points are not even, trim the pipe-cleaner sections to the same length. Now attach string along the outer edges to form a snowflake pattern. Attach a piece of string to the top of one of the pipe cleaners and tie the other end to a pencil (this is to hang it from). Fill a widemouth jar with boiling water. Mix borax into the water one tablespoon at a time. Use 3 tablespoons of borax per cup of water. Stir until dissolved, (don't worry if there is powder settling on the bottom of the jar). If you want you can add a little blue food coloring now to give the snowflake a bluish hue. Insert your pipe cleaner snowflake into the jar so that the pencil is resting on the lip of the jar and the snowflake is freely suspended in the borax solution. Wait overnight and by morning the snowflake will be covered with shiny crystals. Hang in a window as a sun-catcher or use as a winter time decoration.

A Christmas Day Is Every Day

by Robert M Wilson

A Christmas day is every day, not one date in December,

A special birth, haloed in light, which some choose to remember.

Just once a year neglects the truth that birthing never ceases,

So seen by those who see, in which the living world increases.

As well, the birthdays we observe for family and friends

Should not suggest forgetting other times what life intends.

Each waking is a childbirth,

as sure as sleep is death,

A momentary passing

on the rhythmic wind of breath.

For presents-

only one cries out,

the one that's most ignored,

A gift unprized because it's free,

yet easiest to hoard,

Requiring neither ribbons nor a package for its worth--

The present of full presence

at our ever-present birth.

No days, no night, just flowing streams

and shades of constant light

Need constant celebration

just as long as there is sight.

Tee Hee

I just had to share this pic my Dad sent me...it doesn't match the normal tone of my blog ...but as a Marine wife and anti-feminist...this little pic struck my funny bone and just *cracked* me up.


(Pam, will this get me kicked off your trusted blog- blog roll? ;) )

M.I.A. Mom FOUND Buried Under a Pile of Laundry ;)

Sorry!! We had revival last week, and THIS week is recovery from revival week ;) I just feel soooo busy right now with Brianna's schoolwork, Anjolie's schoolwork, piano lessons, visitation responsibilities, church, and the biggest reason I have had to stay away from the computer is....AYDEN, he really needs a whole crew of people to watch him...he is BUUUUsY. Just a few days ago my cordless phone and a pair of Lily's shoes fell prey to his antics and found themselves in a deadly toilet bath. He has figured out how to *pluck* the keys off our new laptop...because it's fun to watch mommy try to figure out where they go....and Lily only encourages the entertaining mischief. *sigh* Soon enough they will be grown. I know it will go quickly, but I must say, these past 9 months have been some of THE most challenging for me. I hate yelling at the kids, and I have found myself resorting to this more often than not when they fight or create a huge mess for me while I'm making lunch or dinner. So, my number one lesson, that I have learned when training up my 4 children- that the Lord saw fit to add to my life within 4 years and 10mo ;) (that should like, be a record or something)....is to get up EARLY- well before the kids and getup and get the bulk of the days prep done. This was not possible before with a nursing baby who got up at all hours of the night. Now, they all get up at a decent time to allow me to have at least a couple of hours to myself in the morning.

So, if I want to have a normal busy day instead of a chaotic day, my morning must consist of survival prep....getting myself ready, get the kid's clothes laid out, morning chores done, dinner prep(if crock pot meal), PRAYER and Bible reading ...there is just no way around it for me. So, ...I didn't intend to ramble on so with all that, but there you have it. In a very large nutshell ;) . Life for me is very very busy at the moment. I look forward to catching up with you!!....and you are never going to believe this....the phone rang and woke up 3 out of the 4...so, I'm hittin' the ground running !!!! Note to self...turn OFF the ringer.

Can You Smell It?

My darling husband got me a KitchenAid quite some time ago. Well, I have become quite dependant on my "just throw it all in and wait" bread machine and a little afraid of the KitchenAid method, which involves a smidgen more of my involvement, in making bread. So, this is my first attempt at French bread using the KitchenAid and I likes. I likes it alot. ;) I made a cool rise loaf as well. I am in love....ahhhhh... Yes, the one looks a bit deformed, but hey, it tasted wonderful :)

In case your wondering, I'm home with an ever so slightly sick little Ayden :( Sick enough to not want him in church nursery with the stomach bug he has...so I'm here- posting away...hope you all are having a wonderful weekend.

The Butterball Turkey

is defrosting in the refrigerator. Anjolie discovers the bird and runs excitedly to Brianna saying, "Brianna!! We have the Thanksgiving Turkey without a head or feet and it's in the fridge!!"

Wonderful Promise

Jer 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find [me], when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

I have been pleading with the Lord over an issue that was grieving my heart. The door was shut to me for a very long time. I was certain that the Lord wanted this issue resolved so I was trying to "wrench" the door open in my own strength...and failing. The constant "trying" left me tired, overwhelmed and frustrated. One day I just simply gave the closed door to God. I had to move out of the way and allow the Lord to open the door. Wow, when the door opened, my heart was ready to walk through....and I did.

The Lord can truly unstop the ears of the unhearing and can melt the heart of the hardened. I didn't realize that the Lord was working on the heart on the other-side...and mine ((!!)). Only when He had properly prepared the hearts, on both sides, did He open the door....and our hearts, to HIM and His will. God is so good.

Is there an issue you are certain the Lord has led you to be persistant about? Don't give up, dear one, kneel by that tear stained door that you have broken yourself on and dedicate it to God. The Lord burdens our hearts for a reason. The confusion and error comes in when we think that burden means we are to do everything in our strength and personal wisdom to solve the problem we have been burdened about. Many times, we are to be silent, pray, and LISTEN! Boy, do I forget about that last very necessary part. The Lord then works patience and perseverance in our hearts over these matters. He teaches me to be still and listen to the desires He has for *my* heart and life.

When it comes to relationships, we are powerless to open the doors in the hearts of those we love. Most times, all our physical effort only results in further barricading by the one on the other side, to prevent our entry. We find ourselves in the way of what God is working out in the other persons heart, and this only delays the opening of the door that remains stubbornly lockd against our aggressive advances. God MUST enter first-on both sides. Only God can open doors and allow ears to be unstopped-hearts to be tender and yielded. Plead with the Lord to prepare your heart and the heart of the one on the other side...be patient....that door will swing wide open, in His time and for HIS glory. Blessings!

Please...

take a moment and visit a treasure of a blog. I am reading Hope's first few blog posts at Watering Wells of Hope. Her exciting story of what the Lord has done in her life is unfolding...I am left hanging and excited for more after reading parts 1,2 and 3. Get your coffee and head over to read...I promise you will be blessed!