Happy Birthday Baby Girl

OUR REBECCA GRACE!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday today to our little sweetheart! We love you so much!

Thank you for being our little girl and one of God's many gifts to us~

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!!!!

Remember Me

********** Memorial Day **********

This weekend is Memorial Day Weekend

~~~~~~~~GOD BLESS YOU~~~~~~~~~~~~

All the service men, women and families

You are all amazing and we love you and

GOD BLESS YOU and thank you, thank you

so very much!

Spring, Summer

Oh Boy! I loved the weather today....I like spring & fall the very best.

I like the new beginnings of spring....the hope, the promises of a fresh new start and everything starting to flourish. The beautiful birds chirping.

Open windows, breezes, ice tea.

Then I like fall too. The coolness, the crispness, the changing leaves, the colors, The skies and the squirrels. The smells when I am baking a pie,

warm candle glow, pumpkins and being cozy, hot chocolate.

This year though it seems one of my little guys has developed allergies.

He rubs his little eyes and sneezes so much. He looks and feels so uncomfortable. It makes this mommy sad that she can't take that pain from her little son. Since today was our last day of school till fall, I declared today....

"Stay in your PJ's if you want Day!" It's a wonderful idea I got from a wonderful friend

and a Christian sister. All my children loved the idea and after a busy school year we just

took a nice day of rest and a day to kick off our Memorial Day Weekend. It was fun, refreshing,

and restful. We laughed, we played, we colored and we did crafts....all in our PJ's for this very special PJ day! Sometimes just doing something you don't usually do gives you a fresh look

at everything. Great Day! Tonight is, Family Movie Night.......we'll have popcorn and we

hope to watch "Are We Done Yet?" The Plugged in Movie Review, from Focus On The Family, rated it high for Family entertainment. Enjoy your wonderful evening!! See you at the movies!!!

School's Out For The Summer

********************************************************

It's Fun to Learn!!!!!

Today is our last day of school. Some summer fun work "extra fun stuff" will still be done....

but now summer fun begins.

Funny Baby

I was shopping for a baby gift on line and this picture was on the site I was at.

It is so darn funny. I think the site was baby genius or something like that.

I'm sure this picture was all changed with computer graphics. It was cute, it was funny and it made me smile.

lol lol lol too cute!

A great Church

There are Three Non-Tangible Components that Go into the

Making of a Great Church!

MEMBERS: 1. TRUST the church's leadership Trust in leadership is built on three elements: Leader's Credibility, Respectfulness, and Fairness Credibility means that leaders: a. fulfill their roles with integrity b. explain to members how their efforts relate to fulfilling the church's vision and mission c. maintain open, delineated lines of communication to members as well as open, delineated lines of feedback from members. Respectfulness means that leaders: a. appreciate and support the work of the members b. value member's input and seek to work collaboratively with them in making decisions affect their area of responsibility c. value and care for member's lives outside the church Fairness means that leaders: a. demonstrate balanced treatment of members (i.e. no favoritism) b. are objective in terms of who gets appointed or assigned to a given role or position c. are seen as just in terms of how they handle and resolve (i) interpersonal disputes, (ii) complaints about policies or procedures, and (iii) member or staff performance issues 2. TAKE PRIDE in the ministries of the church and the role they play Members: a. find purpose in knowing that the work they individually do makes a difference b. find satisfaction in being part of a team that is effectively serving the Lord c. are pleased be a member of a congregation that is having a positive impact in the world 3. ENJOY their connection with others in the church Members: a. are comfortable being themselves b. experience warm and meaningful relationships c. feel as if they are part of a extended loving family . What Great Churches Experience more people want to become part of them fewer people want to leave them creativity and ministry development blossom within them, & increased contributions to them allow them to do more for the Lord

Norman Vincent Peale~ Quote

"In moods of discouragement or despair,never forget that the sunshine will ultimately come back,that it's absence never is permanent.Hang onto your faith, knowing that soon you will rise into the sunshine again." ~Norman Vincent Peale~

Oh Jesus, thank you Jesus

“He carried our sorrows” From Isaiah 53:4

RIGHT? WRONG? Who are you to judge?

In the first place, Christianity is not a list of taboos. "For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9). Remember that the Lord Jesus Christ has already suffered and died for all our sins in order that we might be freely forgiven and saved, through an obedient trust in Him. In the second place, it is not our right to pass judgment on someone else and his activities. As the Bible says: "Let us not therefore judge one another any more; but judge this rather, than no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way" (Romans 14:13). Most of us are quick to criticize others, but it is far more important to be sure our own conduct is pleasing to the Lord. "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged" (I Corinthians 11:31). Of course, it is very important for a real Christian, one who has been saved through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, to live a life that is honoring to his Savior and that is helpful to his fellow Christians and to those he should try to lead to Christ. In order to evaluate particular activities and problems, God has established a number of general principles in His Word for our guidance. Some of these are as follows: If there is a specific warning or commandment in Scripture dealing with a particular matter, then there is no question. Thus, murder, adultery, fornication, drunkenness, theft, etc. are always wrong; such sins as these are clearly and definitely condemned in numerous Scriptures. When there is no specific Scriptural reference, it is good to ask, not whether a certain thing is wrong, but rather, if it is definitely good. The Bible says, for example, to "redeem the time" (Colossians 4:5). Our few days here on earth are so short and precious, in relation to eternity, that we ought never to waste time on selfish trivia, but to use it only on that "which is good, to the use of edifying" (Ephesians 4:29). A good test is to determine whether we can honestly, in good conscience, ask God to bless and use the particular activity for His own good purposes. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (I Corinthians 10:31). If there is room for doubt as to whether it pleases God, then it is best to give it up. "For whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Romans 14:23). We need to remember that our bodies, as well as our souls, have been redeemed and belong to God. "What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (I Corinthians 6:19, 20). This great truth should have a real bearing on what we do and where we go with our bodies. We must evaluate our actions not only in relation to God but also in relation to their effect on our family, our friends, and other people in general. Even if a particular thing may not hurt us personally, if it harmfully influences or affects someone else, it is wrong. "It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak... We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves" (Romans 14:21; 15:1). Remember, finally, that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, and nothing else can be allowed to take priority over our conformity to His will. No habit, or recreation, or ambition can be allowed to have control over our lives. Only Christ has that authority. "All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any" (I Corinthians 6:12). "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Colossians 3:17). Excerpt from The Bible Has the Answer, by Henry Morris and Martin Clark, published by Master Books, 1987 The Bible Has the Answer book by Henry Morris, Ph.D, and Martin E. Clark The Bible has the answers to the most important questions of life, and this book reveals what it says about more than 150 of those questions! Includes answers to some of the most difficult doctrines of Scripture

Sin

I'd like to bring to light scripture and hard core truth that would really solve a lot of problems in Christendom if we heeded the Lord's direction on the topic. There's actually a ton of meaty content on either side of the verses I'm going to highlight, so maybe that'll be a part two and three or more... Matthew 18:15-20 "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. 18 "I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Before this verse Jesus is talking about lost sheep, after He shares a parable about the unmerciful servant, and then the next chapter leads into divorce... So, what I am talking about here is sin. We all sin. It's not like one day, we just 'out of the blue' decide to have an affair or murder someone or hoard or squander wealth or be 100lbs overweight. The list goes on, obviously, but an affair starts with poor/no communication, then co-existence, then striking up 'trust' and 'friendship' with someone of the opposite sex who is not your spouse, then justified late nights at work and BAMMO, your new 'best friend' is not the one God designed and you actually think that person is worth destroying your family over. You justify in your heart that you can be a great parent but not a great spouse. In summary, believing lies... Let's take the next one on the list...murder. You don't just go shoot/stab/whatever someone at lunch one day. There are obviously pent up emotions of anger and angst that build and build because healthy ways of dealing with disappointment, frustration, abandonment, rejection, were never sought. In summary, believing lies... Or take over-eating and obesity. You don't just wake up one day 25, 50, 100, 300lbs overweight. This sin of gluttony is real and I lived it, though I may have never 'looked' the part, it's abuse of God's temple, our bodies. In Some cases (mine) this one comes through daily choices of not taking a short walk, choosing life giving foods on a regular basis, and thinking food is something other than just that...food. In summary, believing lies... So, back to sins...James encourages us. "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16 Most sermons you hear from this scripture only refer to the verses before that talk of faith healing for the sick. Well, sin makes us sick. Worry, fear, anger, pride, lust, greed, control, passive-aggressive angst, gossip, etc, etc. "My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins." James 5:19-20 Again, this verse is mainly used in circles referring to people who don't know Christ, but James is talking about Christians who are wandering, steeped in sin. We need to stop expecting the 'hardcore, real' sinners to start fessing up and heed the scriptures that are directed to followers of Christ. I've done it before and will most gladly do it over and over again...I will air my dirty laundry because as crappy as it is to admit I'm not perfect, it's not like anyone thought that in the first place, so, it's helping me see what everyone else has seen all along and what God sees, and that brings freedom. You know what satan loves (it's the only thing he's capable of 'loving'...)? He loves to hate us. He loves to see God's creation, that is, all of mankind, in bondage to sin. He loves lies and is the author of them, so when we realize we are believing lies and desire to break free from them, he gets REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY ticked off! And that's not the whole of it! He knows scripture more than many of us, so when he sees that we are starting to 'know' it and live it and walk in it, he freaks because he knows that a man who knows who they are in Christ is a dangerous force against his cause...the destruction of God's image, Man. Soooooo...when we openly confess our sins to one another, or are turned from sin because someone we love rebuked us, we are breaking the enemy of our hearts hold on us. No, it's not necessarily pleasant! It totally sucks, really. Oooh, how fun to tell the world that our sins...our dirty laundry...but once confessed it has no hold on us! James 4:4-10 says, "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." Legalism uses this Scripture to refer to not listening to anything other than Christian music or only going to Christian schools or boxing yourself into Christian circles so you aren't 'exposed' to the world. What I think it means is befriending sin. Befriending the temptations that so easily entangle, our buttons, our weaknesses, the thoughts that run through our minds, instead of taking them captive since they are in opposition to the Most High God. I love the book of James. There is so much meat in it. Anyway, the 'funny' thing about lies and sin is that it's not original. For instance, do you or your husband or your friend's husband or wife really think you are the only person to be tempted with looking at another beautiful person other than your own spouse? Oooh, it's not original! You aren't all that and a bag of chips! None of us is! Sin isn't original...it's WAY old, like, since even BEFORE the Garden (when Lucifer thought he was all that and a bag of chips), and until we get sick of it in our lives and openly confess it because of the blood of Christ, NOT CARING WHAT OTHERS THINK BUT ONLY CARING WHAT GOD THINKS, it will eat us alive, corrupt our hearts, our minds, our marriages, our attitudes, our relationships. It will cause us to believe that friendship with the world is where we were created to exist and take our focus off of heaven, God's presence, the place for which we were created to breathe. I'm not saying to go look for the specks of dust in everyone and their dogs' eyes. Though, if there is someone in your life who has sinned against you, or whom you have sinned against, go to them quickly instead of allowing it to eat away at your heart. Follow the instructions of Jesus above and if, after all the steps are followed, they don't give a rip, walk away, with forgiveness in your own heart and pray. Believe me, James says that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely, NOT slightly. God will work on that person's heart, and if they still are self-serving even after that...I guess I don't really know what happens. That's between them and God. Not all our sins have to be taken to this public a level if we would swallow our pride early on. Newspapers, tabloids and TV stations would actually report on news and not people's personal lives if we were willing to admit our need for prayer and sharpening in the first stages of temptation. I can tell you from personal experience, confession of sin to a 3rd party behind a booth or curtain has no accountability. When we are able to be real about our weaknesses, shortcomings and sins, face to face, full exposure, we are closer to healing and walking in freedom. Without accountability there is no motivation for change, and certainly no need for remorse and hardcore repentance.

THE HAPPY FILE

1. I thought this was a wonderful thing and I wanted to share.... “Be joyful always.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16 (NIV) It wasn’t what some would call a perfect day, but to her it was special. We had spent the day together just hanging out around the house. Simple things like lunch on the deck, soaking in the sunshine, and giggling over funny memories traced the outlines of our shared moments. That’s when she whispered a few words as if she were telling herself a secret, “This day is going in my Happy File.” She explained that her Happy File was a record kept of God’s simple blessings, those moments in time that beam with a little extra spark. You know the ones. When no one else would get it, but whenever you recall it… you smile. Her collection was spilling over the top. Often we choose to hang onto the bad memories. We relive the abuse. We replay piercing words. We carry the guilt and hold on to the shame. We forget the promise of Romans 8:1, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (NIV). No condemnation. Period, nada, zip, none! She found the Happy File very helpful when darkness came creeping into her life. Satan loves to fill our minds with negative thoughts and trip us up with stumbling blocks. A stash of happiness works like a flashlight in the middle of the night. The evil one can cloud our world with gloom, but when we open the file that holds God’s blessings, the shadows are shattered. So what are you choosing to keep on file? Here is the deal. Start a collection of Happy Files! God’s fingerprints are all over each day. Look for them! Record them! Recall them! Next, pull out those old musty files that have collected guilty dust and shameful mildew. One by one as they come to your mind plunge them into God’s thought-shredder. Second Corinthians 10:5 instructs, “Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (NIV). When you say this verse out loud, something amazing happens! The thoughts go away! God longs to give you freedom from guilt, shame, worry, and anything else that hinders your ability to be joyful. When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can begin daily to rid your mind of the garbage Satan has dumped on you and replace it with Happy Files. Then you truly can BE JOYFUL ALWAYS. Dear Father, thank You for forgiving us for every sin we have ever committed and promising never to condemn us for them! Help us each day to choose to live in the freedom of that promise and to be joyful always. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Our Church Our Storm

I was sure by now That You would have reached down And wiped our tears away Stepped in and saved the day But once again, I say “Amen”, and it’s still raining As the thunder rolls I barely hear Your whisper through the rain “I’m with you” And as You mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives And takes away I’ll praise You in this storm And I will life my hands For You are who You are No matter where I am Every tear I’ve cried You hold in Your hand You never left my side And though my heart is torn I will praise You in this storm I remember when I stumbled in the wind You heard my cry You raised me up again My strength is almost gone How can I carry on If I can’t find You As the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain “I’m with you” And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives And takes away I lift my eyes unto the hills Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord The Maker of Heaven and Earth

NEW*** Thankful Thursday

This Thursday I am thankful for....... A beautiful day outside, windows could be open, good day of school, laundry being done, my migrane FINALLY going away, chocolate brownies, good friends, our victoriously Frazzled Female study, My wonderful husband taking our children out so it was peaceful for study, late night talks, warm and comfy bed, My Jesus

What's in your bucket?

When our oldest daughter started Sunday School, she had a little girl in her class that she tried to play with and tried to get her to smile. She was a very sad little girl and it was a great concern to our daughter. We prayed with our daughter and God gave us great yet very simple wisdom. We pictured this little girl holding a bucket. And her bucket was empty. She didn't have any kindness or joy or smiles in her bucket. We told our daughter that every time she was kind to this little girl, some kindness would be put into her bucket. Every time she smiled at this little girl, a smile would go into her bucket, etc. And soon, this little girl would have some smiles in her bucket that she could share with our daughter. A few short weeks went by, our daughter came home from sunday school very excited. The little girl had smiled at our daughter for the first time. God showed our daughter the principle of sowing and reaping first hand. And she took great joy in learning this valuable lesson and seeing the answer to her prayers for this little girl. What you sow into other peoples' lives, you will also reap. Do you know the account of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38 and on? Martha is frantically trying to get things ready for a meal with Jesus, and Mary is sitting at Jesus' feet listening to Him. Martha gets irritated because Mary isn't helping her in the kitchen. But Jesus says, " Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one; for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Martha was worried and bothered - those words mean anxious and disturbed. Wow, what are we anxious about today - what are we disturbed about today? When we allow those type of emotions to get into our thoughts and in our heart, we move into a realm of fear, doubt and unbelief. Those things are not from God. 2 Timothy 1:7 says that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. Fear,doubt and unbelief are the opposite of faith. Hebrews 11:6 - "Without faith it is impossible to please God". I want to please God. Jesus also told Martha that there is only one thing that is necessary....and Mary had chosen the good part. That is, sitting at Jesus' feet, spending time with Him, learning from Him and soaking in His everlasting love. And no one can take that away. I love that. No one can take away my precious time with Jesus. No one can take away my love for Him. No one can reach in and take away from me what God is doing in my heart. So today I say, "what's in MY bucket?" I have been running pretty hard the past couple weeks. Some things get pushed aside because of the busyness. I confess, I was being a "Martha". And the result of being too busy brought unrest to my heart. My bucket was not being filled daily with the sweet peace of Jesus. You know the old childrens' song "There's a hole in my bucket, dear Georgie, dear Georgie" ? I had a hole in my bucket and it leaked out everything I had. Jesus is so very faithful. His arms are always open - always open - and the invitation is always there to come meet with Him. I will be as Mary and choose the one good thing...sitting at His feet and taking in everything that He has for me for today. Blessings on you as you sit at the feet of Jesus.

There is a RIGHT and there is a WRONG

What is RIGHT...is not always EASY and What is EASY .... is not always RIGHT ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ And yes.....God says to LOVE THY NEIGHBOR However, God also says....... To everything there is a season.... There is a TIME to LOVE and if there is a TIME to love then to me that means there is a TIME when we need to place our love on the back burner and BE STRONG and do WHAT WE NEED TO DO in the name of LOVE. Being strong and doing what WE NEED TO DO doesn not mean...ILL WILL or HATRED. It simply means we need a back bone and need to do what is good and right and just....sometimes LOVE IS TOUGH it isn't always soft and kind and giving someone their way...or just not wanting to "make a scene" doesn't make it "LOVE". Jesus was a LOVING MAN....however when he knew ENOUGH WAS ENOUGH and he turned all the tables over in the synagoge....that didn't make Him unloving. He needed to be STRONG and DO THE RIGHT THING..... in the NAME of LOVE and what is right. So I believe that loving your neighbor does not mean being WEAK and letting them prevail so you don't "hurt" them. Discipline HURTS, Accountablitily can HURT, getting back on the RIGHT course can HURT. PAIN does not mean hatred. Pain can mean growth. Pain CAN mean love. However...LOVE does NOT MEAN you don't have to be strong and do what's right. Doing what is right in the name of LOVE is more important than letting someone go on doing wrong because you are afaird to offend or hurt them. Do you think Jesus was afaird when he was upset and turned the tables over? He did it in the NAME of love and WHAT IS RIGHT. We need what is RIGHT. THAT is real love. If I say I love my children and keep letting them do whatever they want.... because I am a Christian and should show love.....to me... That is NO LOVE AT ALL. However, if I make them accountable, responsible and if need be disciplined for their wrong actions THEN I am really showing them love. When I have a backbone....when I really care.... when I want God golified and I want the wrong dealt with... THAT IS LOVE!

God Is Using THIS

Four Words I recently heard four words that have changed how I view everything. These words are so profound to me, yet so simple. Before I share those words with you, I thought I’d share some instances in which those words can be used. See if you can relate: You have to work with a difficult co-worker. (A backstabber, perhaps?) Someone totally misunderstood what you had to say at Bible Study (or on your blog!) and became offended. Your ob-gyn calls you with questionable test results. You need to come in for a biopsy. You and your husband are in total disagreement regarding how a certain situation should be handled. The bills are mounting, and there's not enough money to pay them. Your toddler just decorated the couch with ketchup. The car made a pitiful noise when you started it this morning. Your child's teacher has some "concerns" and has requested a conference with you. You've prayed for years for a certain situation in your life to change, and it has changed alright… for the worse. Your teenager is deeply hurt over a friendship, and there’s nothing you can do about it. A loved one is continually making poor choices. And on, and on, and on. These scenarios (and more!) are what we face each and every day as plod this earth. There are moments and seasons of deep and abiding joy, punctuated by times of hurt, angst, and bewilderment. Here are the four words I heard a few weeks ago: God is using this. What if: Beth Moore (or insert the name your favorite Bible study teacher) was in town doing a conference, needed to make some last-minute changes in what she was going to say, and called you from the hotel to see if she could use one of your Bible study resources? Rachel Ray wanted to use one of your family recipes for her show? Laura Bush wanted to use one of your children’s books in a talk she was giving at your local library? Your favorite singer was sitting near you on an airplane wanted to use your iPod? I know these examples are somewhat far-fetched, but would you let them use what's yours? I would, in a heartbeat! It would be an honor for someone of their renown to want anything I have. I would offer it up gladly! What if the God of the universe, the Creator of all time, events, and people wanted to use the time, events and people in your life for His purposes? This one's not far-fetched at all. He does. God uses finite circumstances to accomplish eternal works. What a privilege it is to think that He would use what concerns me to fulfill His plans! And He does it every day. Oh, I think I've always been conscious of that on some level, and I’ve certainly repeated Romans 8:28 to myself plenty of times over the years, "God works all things together for good to those who love God, to those are called according to His purpose." (NASB) But lately, it has helped me so much to look situations square in the face and say out loud, "God is using this." These are the raw materials with which He will work as He "works all things together" in my life for my good and for His glory. He will use the big and small events in my life to mold me into the image of His Son, to draw me and others to Himself, to reveal more of His character, to further His Kingdom on this earth, and to bless me in this life as well as eternally. How that knowledge counsels my heart as I get a real sense that it is all in His hands. All of it- the good and the bad- must bow to His perfect will for my life and for this world. What are you facing today? Disappointment? Joy? Confusion? An area of bondage? Health issues? Remember, God is using this.

Mother Daughter night

Tonight was the Mother Daughter Banquet at First Assembly. I bought tickets for my mom, sister, my four daughters and myself. The food was great and all the wonderful men of the church serving us....Pastor Bob too was GREAT! They were so kind and so attentive. It was great. Rusty was very kind too because in the middle of all the hussle and bussle he went and sent up another table so we could all sit together and eat. Rusty is GREAT too!!! Anyway, it was a nice evening and the speaker was excellent! She spoke on the Victorian era. It was very enjoyable to listen to her. We learned alot of fascinating stuff. Anyway it was a fun evening. Oh, by the way...the picture of my girls is from a "secret keeper girl" spa evening I made for them a few months ago where I pampered them and did manicures, pedicures, facials....we had lots of giggles that evening too!

My Elizabeth, My Dear Elizabeth

Today is our Elizabeth Marie's 12th Birthday!!! Today is celebrate Elizabeth day!!! Elizabeth is our first baby...and I just cannot believe that 12 years have gone by like the blink of an eye. I love this child....of course I love ALL my children. It's just having her MADE ME a mommy. I remember being in the hospital (after ICU) and finally, when they were going to release me, I just couldn't believe...I just COULD NOT BELIEVE...that I got to, (that WE got to) take this precious little baby home. What did we know? We were never parents before!?!?!?! There was no "direction manual" (other than the Bible)...I needed a book that said...NURSE 8 times a day! CHANGE DIAPERS!!! Everytime she falls asleep and you place her down she WILL open her eyes...this WILL BE NORMAL!!!! Gosh, even my vacumn, phone, car has a MANUAL.....but this precious, little baby just trusted and depended on me, on us, for EVERYTHING!!! Now I realize that is just how I depend on God. I really feel that the greatest gift that God has blessed me with besides my wonderful, loving, patient, Godly husband.... and all my precious babies. This includes my heavenly angels. I just thank God everyday for these babies which I prayed for and they truly are my life. This is what God has called me to do and the ministry he has called me for at this season in my life. Some days are hard, others make me laugh and still others just tug at my heart with moments I will treasure even when I get to heaven, I am sure. Nothing....NOTHING.....means more to me than the PEOPLE God has placed ion my life. THEY are the gifts, the blessings, the spirit of God that keeps me going. I am so thankful for everyone God has given me. I am so thankful for my husband, my children and my Dear Sweet Elizabeth. Today we celebrate her. Today we went to lunch, and FBS and to get her nails manicured and for fappicanions and then tonight her favorite dinner and cake and presents. Elizabeth is 12 now.....and she has been a gift to me since the day I was blessed with knowing I was having her. I thank you Jesus for your mercies on me and giving me things I could never earn or deserve. You are an AWESOME GOD........and thank you for trusting me with your sweet child Elizabeth. I am honored beyond words and I pray I do you justice Jesus. I love you God and I love the beautiful gift that you have given ME today...this May 9th of a little soul that will always, ALWAYS mean you bless me much more than I could ever deserve. Thank you Jesus. I love you. I love you too my dear Elizabeth Marie who is 12 years old today!!!!!!

My Handsome, My Samuel Walter

Today, Tuesday May 8th is my little guys 7th birthday. Our Samuel Walter Bishop turns 7 today. He is such a sweet and loving little guy. He has a gentle heart. He cares about everyone. He is a cuddler. Samuel started T-ball this year at the Christian Youth Center and he is so happy his team color is RED. The color of Spiderman. He loves "daddy time" He has long talks with mommy. He loves Jesus so much. When I think back 7 years ago when I delivered him...his story is amazing and it is because of the hand of God and a wonderful OB that Samuel is here today. If he would have gone to his due date we would have lost him because of 2 tight knots in his umbicial cord. I thank Jesus EVERY SINGLE DAY for this little boy. This GIFT! This joy in my life. His heart is pure and his love is open and honest. He is a Jesus follower and a totasl gift from God. I hear he shares a birthday with Pastor Rick too!!!! You couldn't ask for better company to share a birthday with. It's nice for little boys to have Godly mean to follow...in their daddies and Pastors and of course Spiderman...(who Samuel recently told me loves Jesus too!) Thank you Jesus for small gifts that grow into BIG BLESSINGS!!! I love you Jesus and I thank you and I love this baby boy you have entrusted to loan to me. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our SAMUEL WALTER BISHOP!!!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!!!~~~~~~~

JESUS IS THERE

I Am There Do you need Me? I am there. You cannot see Me, yet I am the light you see by. You cannot hear Me, yet I speak through your voice. You cannot feel Me, yet I am the power at work in your hands. I am at work, though you do not understand My ways. I am at work, though you do not recognize My works. I am not strange visions. I am not mysteries. Only in absolute stillness, beyond self, can you know Me as I am, and then but as a feeling and a faith. Yet I am there. Yet I hear. Yet I answer. When you need Me, I am there. Even if you deny Me, I am there. Even when you feel most alone, I am there. Even in your fears, I am there. Even in your pain, I am there. I am there when you pray and when you do not pray. I am in you, and you are in Me. Only in your mind can you feel separate from Me, for only in your mind are the mists of “yours” and “mine.” Yet only with your mind can you know Me and experience Me. Empty your heart of empty fears. When you get yourself out of the way, I am there. You can of yourself do nothing, but I can do all. And I am in all. Though you may not see the good, good is there, for I am there. I am there because I have to be, because I am. Only in Me does the world have meaning; only out of Me does the world take form; only because of Me does the world go forward. I am the law on which the movement of the stars and the growth of living cells are founded. I am the love that is the law’s fulfilling. I am assurance. I am peace. I am oneness. I am the law that you can live by. I am the love that you can cling to. I am your assurance. I am your peace. I am one with you. I am. Though you fail to find Me, I do not fail you. Though your faith in Me is unsure, My faith in you never wavers, because I know you, because I love you. Beloved, I am there.

Bad HAT day

*** LES ***

And a lifetimes not too long to live as.......

~Sarah & Kirstin~ ~Jacelyn & Elizabeth~ ***************************** FRIENDS **** I am so thankful for Godly Christian sisters (aka FRIENDS). I feel so blessed that my children have these friendships too, especially my oldest two children, Elizabeth 11 & Sarah 10. They have seen how important and precious and wonderful my friends have been to me. They realize that friends.....(WONDERFUL FRIENDS) are genuine gifts directly from God. Friends inspire us, encourage us, listen to us, pray for us, comfort us, stand by us, life us, help us and love us. I feel so blessed to have so many very dear friends who all lead me to growing stronger in the Lord and when I am wrong will tell me so and make me accountable to stand on God's word. My heart is bright and glowing that Elizabeth & Sarah have friends like this too. I pray for my children and their friends and the precious gift that friends are and the way God knew they would be!

XPRESS yourself for Jesus

Our largest group yet! This weekend was our church's Children's Ministry Weekend. This is the 3rd year I have had a child in it (Elizabeth) and this is the third year I went. This year was my Elizabeth's third year in XPRESS drama team. It was my Sarah's first year. What a wonderful weekend! What fun! What a blessing! What wonderful ministries our children are all capable of! I just enjoy to see the growth of all "our" children each year. I enjoy the part of encouraging them and cheering them on for our Lord. I enjoy being with all the other moms and families from our church in a kind of "field trip" setting. I enjoy watching Pastor Josh and Tammy work with our children. I enjoy watching and playing with Josiah! I wish our church would showcase our children's talents. They have so much to offer. They work so very hard to show their love for Jesus. Sadly this is Jessica Zambrano, Jacelyn O'Connor and my Elizabeth's last year. They Will be going into 7th grade and they are sad because in our church there really won't be any drama team or anything in ministry for them next year. At this time we really don't have anything in place. I am praying that the Lord works this through and doesn't let these children walk into emptiness but instead that the Lord places something in place so the ministry opportunities they have learned for years in our children's ministry can grow and flourish next year in youth ministry. That is my prayer. They are sad because they don't see a plan. I am sad cause I don't see that either. Anyway, this weekend was WONDERFUL. Had time with my wonderful christian church family sisters. I got to play with Josiah. I watched our church children and my two of my children show their love, their hearts for the Lord and we got to enjoy a really good buffet dinner on our way home (that is the part we wait for each year) with lots of laughing and so much fun. Thank you Jesus for this weekend! Thank you for a beautiful church family! Thank you for wonderful and loving children's pastors! Thank you for giving children this AWESOME opportunity to minister in your precious name! I love you Jesus!!!!

My Jesus, My Savior, My Church Family

I have this picture. I guess I should say we have this picture. I picked it out though because it spoke directly to my spirit 6 years ago when I bought it. Before we moved a year ago it was in our other home on a wall in our living room where everyone could see the picture when they walked into our home. I love pictures that remind me how Jesus walked the earth and He is still with us everywhere in all we do. In my very human moments, I very much need constant reminders that I am not a human being having a spiritual experience.....but I am a SPIRITUAL BEING having a human experience on this earth. Anyway, I must have looked at this picture a million times before a friend sat with me in my living room and as we talked over a cup of coffee she commented on how she loved the CROSS in the shadow of the young, boy Jesus. I was amazed...truly amazed...I must have looked at that picture a million times in my home, in my living room and possibly a thousand more while I was saving up to buy it....before I could have it in my home to share. My amazement was, in ALL THE TIMES I sat and looked at that picture and thought of the life of Jesus, I ALWAYS thought of the adult MAN...being Jesus.... the carpenter. THE ADULT MAN. I don't know who I thought the little boy was.... I guess I just always thought in my heart he was my baby son David (that I lost) working next to Jesus, learning from Jesus, in Heaven. I don't know for sure that that is what I thought...but, in some way I think that IS what I thought because I never ever asked myself, IF THE ADULT MAN is Jesus ...who is the little boy in the picture and why does the little boy reflect the cross in His shadow. I just never had those questions and I never even noticed the cross. I thought the adult man was Jesus. I never realized that the man was Jospeh and the little boy was Jesus as a boy and the cross reflection (or shawdow) was His bring to take us from sin to salvation. I was amazed and even though I saw...I really NEVER SAW at all. Today in thinking on this...I realize how much we never really see. How even things right before our eyes we can miss if our spirit is not in the right place and in line with Gods vision. I was thankful for this clarity. I was thankful for being able "to see" the truth and then to use that information to grow and to learn and to remember to ask GOD TO REVEAL things to me. OPEN MY EYES LORD....LET ME SEE CLEARY. Let me not view things in MY VIEW but, in YOUR VIEW, YOUR HEART, YOUR SPIRIT, YOUR PLAN. Also today...God revealed to me that He really can calm the sea...and He really does hear our prayers and He really does want to be at the heart of all we do. This morning, I had somewhere to go that I was scared to go. There was so much hurt there, saddness, pain, and so much of the spirit of satan and bondage and it had such a strong ugly hold on all involved. I wanted to be any place but go there this morning...but I knew that was wrong because God belonged there and this ugly spirit needed to leave. The tone of where I was, turned out so peaceful, and not filled with stress and just so opposite of what my heart was breaking over. I know why......this place where I was scared to be had another group of our church family praying over us.....praying over all the people who were there. Praying over all the hurt, and confusion and pain and brokeness that satan had somehow found a foothold to. Due to a loving and caring church family....Jesus had his hand on each of us at this place today and the tone of peace and kind words and gentleness and care prevailed. By the end of this event that I truly was "scared" to go into.....I felt satan smothered and I felt the bondage lifting. No, everything was not settled. That is ok though. Life itself can be unsettling. Anyway, that wasn't my hearts cry or our hearts cry. The heart's cry (my hearts cry)was for the bondage of the enemy to be gone....for satan to be far far far far FAR from us, from that place, from our spirits, from our temperments and for JESUS,OUR PRECIOUS JESUS, our Father, our gentle savior to lovingly lead us back to where we needed to be....where we should be and where Jesus was softly and lovingly waiting for us to be again. I am wise enough and blessed enough and so thankful enough to know the differnce was a church family of caring sisters and brothers who loved us all enough to pray us through this time.....and pray so frevently that they stromed the Heavens to break the months of satans foothold that grew tighter and tighter. NO, not everything is prefect... but life never is....and that was not the prayer....The prayer was that our savior, our father, our precious Jesus was in charge again and back where He should be. I am on my knees with thankfulness, for my savior and my wonderful, loving church family who showed me the love of Jesus today in caring so much and praying so hard and they are more than a blessing to my heart and my spirit and my life. I love them. I love them SO MUCH and I thank God that I have everyone of them in my life and God please BLESS THEM, bless them ...for carrying us through when we needed them to pray when we couldn't and taken us to the right path when we were feeling broken and lost. Lord I love them and they have touched my heart deeply, more than words can ever say. They are a gift from you Lord.....and your presence and your peaceful and loving hand on our hearts is a gift from you too Lord...and I love you and I love them and please Lord please BLESS our church family. Oh you are so awesome and your children reflected your heart today in so many different ways. THANK YOU JESUS! I LOVE YOU!!!! THANK YOU MY CHURCH FAMILY, I LOVE YOU TOO!!!!! Bless your hearts!