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Join us May 5, 2008
Next Topic—
"The Crazy Way We Met"

Here is a sneak preview of my upcoming post.

My husband and I met while we were both working at McDonalds's. I was the opening manager and he was an employee. I don't remember the first time we met but I love to hear him tell his side of the story.

Come back on May 5th for "The rest of the Story".


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Just when I needed You Most

I can't imagine not knowing God. I know there were many years that I tried to do things without Him. Growing up I didn't know the first thing about God and His love for me. I only remember going to church one time as a child. It was a Easter Sunday; My sister, brother and I received what I thought to be, some lovely clothes for our Easter gift. We dressed all up and headed off to church. On our way home from church my parents argued about us not being dressed well enough for "those people". I thought if that is what church is all about, why would I want to go to it. (I was only around 5, but it left me with some very bad thoughts about God, church and church people). What an impact that church could have had on an unsaved family. I PTL that in my teen years my Step-dad and Mom received Christ as their personal Savior and not long after that I did.

Last night I read about Jesus taking the little children into His arms speaking about the love, care and protection with which He embraces all those who come to Him. This is how God is, He doesn't care about the clothes we wear. In my forever and ever persuit for complete holiness (I know I can't receive complete holiness until I see Jesus someday). I am forever searching the scriptures to see how God wants me to live my life. I was so comforted by these verses below. Knowing His arms are forever around me helping me make it through each day, carrying me when I run in to some hard times. These verses remind me and show me, how things in my life, that I think are troublesome are nothing for God.

I am so glad God’s arms are everlasting. My arms grow tired too soon. I can only do so much with my arms, before my arms fall limp by my side, but His arms are everlasting. They never grow old, they never weaken and they never need to rest. Their strength never fail and they last forever. Long after they have done all the saving, comforting and creating that needs to be done, they will still be as strong as the day it all started.

Chronicles 32:8 speaks about the weakness of the arm of flesh (man’s arm) and yet I so often put my trust in the arm of flesh which is very weak, limited and will fade away. If I were being swept away by a powerful river and a child stretched out his arm, but at the same time, a giant stretched out his arm, would I grab the hand of the child or the giant? Why then do I grab the arm of flesh when God’s mighty arm is also outstretched? Seems crazy, yet that is exactly what I do most of the time.

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms… (Deuteronomy 33:27


Psalm 89:13 says: “You have a mighty arm; strong is Your hand, and high is Your right hand.” Yes God’s arm is mighty. In fact it is almighty. We have real limits to how much weight we can pick up, but there is no limit to God’s strength. He is all-powerful and has unlimited power.


Throw yourself on Him with all your cares, fears and weakness. Lean on Him. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5)

When I stumble and fall God is always there to catch me. Psalm 37:17 says “For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.”

How reassuring to know He is not only steadying me when our legs feel weak but He also holds me up. Unfortunately I often think I am standing on my own feet and don’t realize that I am being upheld by Him.

Just when I need Him, Jesus is near,
Just when I falter, just when I fear;
Ready to help me, ready to cheer,
Just when I need Him most.
Just when I need Him most,
Just when I need Him most,
Jesus is near to comfort and cheer,
Just when I need Him most.

Just when I need Him, Jesus is true,
Never forsaking, all the way thro',
Giving for burdens pleasures anew,
Just when I need Him most.
Just when I need Him most,
Just when I need Him most,
Jesus is near to comfort and cheer,
Just when I need Him most.

Just when I need Him, Jesus is strong,
Bearing my burdens all the day long;
For all my sorrow giving a song,
Just when I need Him most.
Just when I need Him most,
Just when I need Him most,
Jesus is near to comfort and cheer,
Just when I need Him most.

Just when I need Him, He is my all,
Answering when upon Him I call;
Tenderly watching lest I should fall,
Just when I need Him most.
Just when I need Him most,
Just when I need Him most,
Jesus is near to comfort and cheer,
Just when I need Him most.

The Surgeon

She jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room.

She said: 'How is my little boy? Is he going to be all right? When can I see him?'

The surgeon said, 'I'm sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn't make it.


Sally said, 'Why do little children get cancer? Doesn't God care any more? Where were you, God, when my son needed you?'

The surgeon asked, 'Would you like some time alone with your son? One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's transported to the university.

Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said good bye to son. She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair. 'Would you like a lock of his hair?' the nurse asked. Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally.

The mother said, 'It was Jimmy's idea to donate his body to the University for Study. He said it might help somebody else. 'I said no at first, but Jimmy said, ' Mom , I won't be using it after I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one more day with his Mom .' She went on, 'My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he could.

Sally walked out of Children's Mercy Hospital for the last time, after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy's belongings on the seat beside her in the car.

The drive home was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house. She carried Jimmy's belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son's room.

She started placing the model cars and other personal things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them. She lay down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep.

It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Lying beside her on the bed was a folded letter.

The letter said :

'Dear Mom ,
I know you're going to miss me; but don't think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just 'cause I'm not around to say 'I Love You' . I will always love you, Mom , even more with each day. Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy so you won't be so lonely, that's okay with me. He can have my room and old stuff to play with. But, if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn't like the same things us boys do. You'll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, you know.

Don't be sad thinking about me. This really is a neat place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything. The angels are so cool. I love to watch them fly. And, you know what? Jesus doesn't look like any of his pictures. Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him. Jesus himself took me to see GOD! And guess what, Mom ? I got to sit on God's knee and talk to Him, like I was somebody important. That's when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you good bye and everything. But I already knew that wasn't allowed. Well, you know what Mom ? God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you. God said for me to give you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him 'where was He when I needed him?' 'God said He was in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross. He was right there, as He always is with all His children.

Oh, by the way, Mom , no one else can see what I've written except you. To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn't that cool? I have to give God His pen back now He needs it to write some more names in the Book of Life. Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I'm sure the food will be great.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I don't hurt anymore the cancer is all gone.. I'm glad because I couldn't stand that pain anymore and God couldn't stand to see me hurt so much, either. That's when He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get me.

The Angel said I was a Special Delivery! How about that?

Signed with Love from God, Jesus & Me.

'When you're down to nothing, God is up to something.

Do you see the bright side of Things?

I can't leave my blog on such a sad note, it is just not my personality. I had a wonderful visit with my boy; I can't wait until I see him again. Maybe, I'll be able to visit Virgina. Won't that be fun!


I talked to Aaron last night and he said things were going to be o.k.., I am so grateful that he is willing to serve our Country.

I always try (I sometimes fail) to look on the bright side of things that happen in my life. My husband asked me if I was always going to cry when our children visit and when they leave to go back home. I told him, I am sure I will always cry! I don't think that it is a bad thing. God gave us our tears and emotions for a reason. I just seem to always have a reason to either laugh or cry. I asked my boy's if they were going to cry when Aaron left this time. Jimmy looked at me and said he was just hard to him leaving. I understood what Jimmy meant. It isn't that he won't miss him, he is just use to him not living at home anymore. I don't ever want to get to the point were I am hard to them leaving. If I cry it is just because I will miss them so much. I don't stay down for long, just a few days. I am now looking forward to all the fun stories he is going to be able to share with me.

My weekend was busy but good! Bo had a soccer game yesterday; his team won! They are 2-0 right now. There was a big Word of life conference at our church yesterday so I couldn't clean the church until they left. I got home around 10:00 p.m. This a.m. my papers were really late, so late that I couldn't even make it to church. There is a bright side! It was suppose to rain last night and it didn't. When it rains I have to bag all papers plus I get soaked. Sunday papers are pretty big, it takes a lot of energy without having to bag them.

This afternoon I went to my oldest Grandson's soccer game (His team won) I then went over to his house for a Birthday party for him. I can't believe Josh is 10 already. I had a wonderful time!

I am now going to get an early start on my Monday cleaning. On Monday's I try to go through my house and clean really well. That means dusting, vacuuming, mopping, scrubbing everything I can get my hands on. This way the rest of the week I just have to pick up and do laundry. I like to always have my house ready for guests to drop in.

On the brighter side! (Just kidding)

I am now going to sign off and get to cleaning!

BTW-My kids all made the schools Honor roll! woohoo!

The Next Chapter

I put my boy (Sailor) on the plane a few hours ago. He is now heading towards the next chapter (Five years) of his life. I think the unknown makes us all a bit nervous. I don't think I will ever stop aching to hug my children. I've been putting the guest room back in order for the last hour. Not that it was that messy but I needed to put Aaron's things that he couldn't take with him away. What can I say besides it is so very hard. We had such a wonderful time with Aaron, Grrrrrr, this is just so hard. I hate growing up! I mean my children growing up. : ) It'll just be a few days until I can stop the tears from flowing. Darn it, I'm such a girl! Did I say how much I will miss him!

Spring is in the Air

It was so beautiful on my route yesterday. I know it is Spring when the golfers are out. Reddeman Farms Golf course was busy, busy, busy with people. The only thing I don't like about the golf course is that the road I deliver on is just feet away from the golfing range. One year, one of the golf balls hit my truck and dented it. LOL!!! I am always afraid one will fly in my window and hit me in the head. RoFL!! I know this sounds so silly! I wish I could say I'm joking but I roll up my window if people are at the range hitting balls.

BTW-My tulips are coming up! I would take a picture but I'm feeling a bit lazy this morning. I am just happy that Spring has arrived!

Did I mention how much I love Spring?

It just makes me feel like singing

Spring is in the air, lalala lah, lah
Spring is everywhere, falala lah, lah
Spring is here and there falala lah, lah, lahahahahahahahahah

So sorry! Just a silly moment is all.

Oh what a beautiful morning… oh what a beautiful day….. I’ve got a beautiful feeling.... everything’s going my way…. Oh what a beautiful day!

A fun night of Bowling

We all went to the bowling alley Friday evening for a little fun! Well, lets just say it started out as fun and ended as a bit of competition among all my boy's. Yes, this included my grown son's as well. LOL!! Jessica's brother, who so happens to be 29, was a big part of the (Boy) manly competition.
We ended the evening at Big Boy's for a little treat before going home.
Here is Ethan getting a big High five from his Uncle Donnie after Ethan knocked down all the pins. Donnie was hot tonight as well. I watched some great bowlers tonight.
Here is Ethan's Daddy and my oldest son. His smile shows how well he was doing.
Big John owned this round.
Aaron ended up being the all around winner in the last game.
Two thumbs up says John and Joshua.
Here are my babies Ethan and Jenna.
Oh yea, oh yea, Boaz was hot tonight.
Yummy, Yummy eat up Bret, Jessica and Ethan. The snacks at the bowling alley were great. Chilli cheese fries, Chicken Tenders and Nachoes and cheese.
Another High Five for Ethan from Aaron. Ethan was so happy just to knock down a few pins.

Trials

On Sunday our Assistant Pastor prayed for the offering. While praying he asked God to be with those people that might be going through trials in their life. I thought I'd do a little digging into the scriptures to see what God has to say about trials.

As I have reflected over trials that I have faced in my own life, I was drawn to the first chapter of James. In the first 13 verses we are given some understanding of the purpose of trials that come our way.


Purpose in Trials
(verses 2-4)

1. When difficult times come into our lives and we find ourselves unable to comprehend/to understand; the enemy is quick to throw doubts/questions into our minds.

2. We find ourselves questioning God's goodness/God's wisdom in allowing these things to happen.

3. We may even be bitter and angry with God for allowing this to happen to us and wonder if He really understands.

4. But God's word confidently reminds us that God does understand . . .

Things do not just happen haphazardly to the Christian.
With no meaning/no purpose.

5. God is in control and as Paul reminds us no one or nothing can separate us from God's love. Rom. 8--even the most difficult of circumstances.

6. James reminds us that God wants us to trust Him in the trials of life.

For as we trust Him in the trials God can use the difficult trial to mold us:
To mature us.
So that we will be more like Jesus Christ our Savior.

7. Isaiah the prophet said in trying to comprehend God's ways: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts. Neither are your ways my ways, saith Jehovah. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isa. 55:8-9)

8. God would have us trust Him in the difficult trials:

For even though we cannot understand He loves us and He is in control.
He will use this trial to help us grow spiritually and to help us mature and become more like Jesus Christ. This is what I am praying for in my own life.

9. Trust Him! Keep your eyes on Him! And God will use even this trial for His glory. I have to remember to trust Him in all that I am dealing with. I know He will work everything out to His glory.

10. But James goes on to tell us that not only does God have purpose in trials--but also that God gives wisdom in trials.

Wisdom in Trials
(verses 5-11)

(Read verses 5 and 6)

1. James recognizes that we may not always be able to see the purpose in trials or see the good that can come from trials.

2. When we find ourselves unable to see the good and the purpose in trials we are to:

Keep on asking Him for wisdom.
In faith.
And our God who loves to give will respond so that we can see the good and the purpose in trials.

3. Then James illustrates and says:

That even a poor man has much good in his trial of poverty if he knows God--the owner of the universe.
And a rich man through he lose everything can rejoice in the good of having learned not to place his faith in riches which quickly pass away.

4. God has been very good to us in allowing us to see the good even in difficult trials.

For so much good has already come from this trial:
As individuals we have seen faith in action and we have learned lessons we shall never forget.

5. Yet in the days to come we will continue to need wisdom to see the purpose and the good in this trial.

James exhorts us to keep on asking God in faith for wisdom.
And our generous loving God will give us the wisdom needed.

(But finally James reminds us that not only does God have a purpose in trials; and gives wisdom in trials but thirdly there is comfort in trials.)
Comfort in Trials
(verse 12)

(Read verse 12)

1. James here reminds us that this life is not all there is to life.

That right will be commended.
That due reward will be give for faithfulness.

2. We often live as if we are the living on the way to the dying.

3. But God's word makes it very clear that we are the dying on the way to the living.

4. What is in store then for one who knows Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and passes from this life?

Phil. l tells us that when a Christian departs he is with Christ.
II Cor. 5 tells that when we are absent from the body we are present with the Lord
And I Corinthians 15 and I Thessalonians 4 tells us that someday that body which for the present sleeps in the grave will be resurrected and united with our soul/spirit and in this glorified state we will be with the Lord forever.
And there rewards will be given for endurance through trials and for faithfulness to God in difficult times.

I have come to this Conclusion

l. There is purpose in trials:

God is still in control
He has not forsaken us but wants us to trust Him so we can mature.

2. God has and will give us wisdom to see the purpose and the good in all trials--As we ask in faith.

3. And there is comfort in knowing that this life is not all there is--that absent from the body means present with the Lord.

I have tried to work through the book of James in my quiet time this week. I know God wants me to grow, mature, and to seek Him in all trials I find myself going through.

Materials used The Bible and Bible.org

All is Well

This is a picture of my son Aaron, my niece Erica and her fiance Aaron.

I woke up this morning at 5:15 a.m. Out of habit I checked my phone to see if my boy texted me. I then remembered he is in our home asleep in his bed.

My Sailor is home; all is well.

Special Blessings

I want to thank all of you for praying for my son, Aaron, to pass his final test to become an Electrician in the Navy. He received a 91 out of 100. He will be coming home tomorrow and will spend 15 days at home before heading off to his new Base in Virginia. He will be on the• USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) — Norfolk, Virginia. I know all the prayers helped! He seemed so happy last night on the phone; he was packing everything and just having a great time with him roommates. One of them will be going to Virginia too! They want to stay in touch; this I think will help Aaron alot. I can't wait to see him and give him a big hug.

Once again, I thank you for all of your prayers.