The Ya Ya's

We are the Ya Ya's.... but we call ourselves the "Yahweh Sistas". There are 5 of us, ironically like the movie, without the abuse and alcohol of course!! These girls are my sisters in Christ. We just mesh like we were meant to. It has taken each of us a while to get to where we are and we aren't done yet. As my dear friend Brenda said, Look out World!!

We meet once a week for our Emmaus 4th day grouping and it is a very essential part to my life. None of us go to church together, or live in the same towns but we make it a priority to get together. It helps keep us accountable. I absolutely LOVE these girls; Tami, Andrea, Annette, Andi (my real life sis!!) and myself.

I am going to my sisters house today and we are making surprises for the others. I am very excited!! I think up the ideas and Andi gets to work. She is crafty with what this project is and just jumped right in when I said "do you wanna". We are trying to get them done for our Monday night group. Plus, the added bonus I get to see my nephew and niece Caleb and Chloe! They are SO cute and what personalities they have!

Well, I better get around. I am going to rearrange my living room before I do anything. Ed is very thrilled about that!! Have a good Saturday, it is beautiful out there!!

Let's get physical....

I want this shirt...lol!! I just got my head out of the freezer because the kids and I have been...well.... let's say trying to get in better shape. God love them, they are just trying to indulge me I think. We have been walking a mile every day, and I started a new exercise routine. I never struggled with my weight until after I got married. . . Thanks Ed!! =) I don't worry to much about my weight per say but I am interested in getting in better shape.



I usually do not have very good will power so we will see how long I keep it up. I am going to try to anyway.



Aimee's travel softball season starts next weekend. We will have 7 tournaments consecutively ending with nationals in Alabama July 15-20. Cole opted out of Babe Ruth baseball this year, he is at that age to decide what he really likes, and we do not believe in forcing them to do what they do not want to do, it just wastes the coaches time, our time and the childs. So, he is going to the High School soccer practices and that is his summer along with 2 basketball camps.



Aimee has a new beau, John. He has been over to our house a few times, well actually just about every night. He seems to be a pretty good kid. Kinda shy, and around the Farhar house that just doesn't fly. He has been really good with Cole, playing soccer and the wii with him. We'll see..... Ah, to be a teenager again. Whew!! I am glad I am not!!



Ed and I are having date night tonight. We are going to Red Lobster (our FAVORITE restaurant) I will try to eat sensibly ;-)


Have a GREAT weekend friends!!

Timewarp Thursday

I am going to start a "Timewarp Thursday" on Thursdays.

September 2006 on a Sunday evening, I received a call from a lady asking if we would take a foreign exchange student (Angie Burkhardt gave her our name and number). At first I said no, we just don't have time to do that. She continued to talk and I told her I would pray about it and talk to Ed. We had BIG reservations about it. We are so busy with our kids that we just wasn't sure about it but, the host family that was supposed to take him had a medical emergency and couldn't and he was flying in on Friday with no where to go. She called me on Monday and I told her yes we would take him.

We were so scared! Would he like us, would the kids like him, 9 months with a stranger. Little did I know that this "stranger" would come to be a part of our family in a deep way.

So, we prepared the kids for it and they were ecstatic about it. We had 4 days to prepare for his arrival. We were told he was 17, his name was Lap Hou Chan, and he was from Macau (just off the southern tip of China) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macau

Cinamon (the coordinator) picked him up from the airport and took him straight to school. Poor thing, spent 2o some hours on a flight just to get here and go straight to a strange school. I went to pick him up at school when it was over. Ed was coaching JV boys basketball at the time and the kids had practice so it was just me and Lap Hou Chan... Oh my!! Have you ever seen the movie "Encino Man"?? Well, that is what we had...kinda. We got him home, in his room and then he and I just sat and stared at each other. His English was less than average. I was thinking "What have I done". This poor kid can't even talk to me!! Well, needless to say we made it through the night and before we knew it we had made it a month and his English was improving.

Hou Hou (as I call him) is a concert pianist. I could sit and listen to him play the piano for hours., He was that good. He came to us not knowing a thing about Jesus. He left us with the knowledge of Christ and even China picture Bibles. My childhood preacher took all his life savings and invested it into making picture Bibles in Chinese. Think about how that is affecting the lives of the Chinese today! God's plans are perfect, who knew I would need a China picture Bible!

Anyway, the months flew by and before we knew it almost a year ago to the date, we were putting him on a plane to fly home. The kids opted not to go to the airport. You see we all came to deeply love Hou Hou like he had been with us his whole life. I am sitting here with tears running down my face thinking about the impact we may have had on this child's life. You see, in Macau, going to church isn't something you do. The Asians are a very independent people, and I can honestly say that I have grown to cherish and have a heart for the Asians.

We were a little mischievous while he was here. We told him that when you were going from your bedroom to the bathroom to shower that you had to wear your clean underwear on your head to he bathroom. Ed told him one Saturday while he was doing homework, that it was illegal in the United States to do homework on Saturdays. You should have seen him scramble to get it put up. He was such a joy to have around. It was tough and it was a big adjustment but I miss him so much.

He came to visit over Christmas and was here for 10 days. It as like he never left. Putting him on that plane was no easier than the first time we did. I was crying, Ed was crying and Hou Hou was crying. We made a bond with him that will never be replaced or forgotten. He says he is coming back this summer, and I said you say the word and I'll be there to get you. He is actually attending college in Washington State. He calls every couple of weeks or so, and it makes my heart glad every time I hear him say "Hello Cwisty".

Prayer Request

The Christian music industry has been hit hard lately with tragedy, and another family needs our prayers. A site that I cherish, Todd and Angie Smith's amazing blog (Todd is in the group Selah) today posted a thing about Todd's sister loosing their baby, Luke suddenly. Please pray for the Smith and Sponberg families as they mourn the loss of Luke, infant son of Todd's sister Nicol (also formerly of Selah).This family--our brothers and sisters--have seen a lot of heartache. Please take a minute to pray for them as they sort out this loss and for peace in the middle of the storm.

http://www.audreycaroline.blogspot.com/

Please also to continue to remember the Chapman family in the loss of their little girl Maria.

Preaching to ya!

I don't mean to sound like I'm preaching to you all but I heard a thing on "Grace To You" about parenting and since it seems to be a hot topic right now and it really hit home so I thought I would share.




Parenting is not difficult because it’s expensive, it’s not difficult because it is time consuming, it’s not difficult because it is distracting from your own personal agenda, it’s not difficult because it is hard to meet all the demands, it’s REALLY difficult because there are such heavy pressures from society around us and the nature of the children in them. Believe it or not under society as it is, children can become real problems to parents and society. Have you ever stopped to think about how angry today’s kids are? It is an angry generation, listen to the music, look at the movies, vengeance, anger, hostility. Who are they most angry with?? You guessed it…their parents! So, what has the solution been??? Well, we are told “they lack self-esteem”, they don’t have pride in themselves, they need to love themselves. So, tell all these kids that they need to accept themselves for the way they are, they need to feel good about who they are, they need to respect who they are. All we are doing by that is telling these kids that they are justified in wanting their own will, their own way, which is all they want anyway. It has been popular to say to blame our problems on “self-esteem”, that people who don’t like themselves don’t have enough incentive to stay out of trouble. That is wrong!! You know why they don’t stay out of trouble?? Not because of self-esteem, but because of self-control. They don’t know how to control themselves. There have been several studies in California on this very subject. They have said but we have been told we need to boost their self-esteem, make them feel good about everything. Let’s look back at Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

What do we do to change them?? What is our job?? Our job is to teach them the law of God and lead them to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. First of all, children need to know that they are sinners and just how deep that goes in their nature. They need to be taught that they will feel impulses that are wrong and that it alienates them from God. They need to be shown clearly the consequences of sin. For example, not getting the blessing God has for us, trouble in life, death, and even hell. We need to teach them the truth of sin, the truth of death and the truth of hell. It’s not what we do to our children that make them go astray it’s what you don’t do. We need to teach them God’s law and not just that Jesus wants to be their friends. Their hearts have to be transformed people! There are no if’s and’s or but’s to it. I think too many times we try to sugar coat it, why do we do that?? It isn’t any different teaching kids than it is adults. You don’t leave out the reward of heaven either. It’s easier to lead children to truth then it is to lead them to error. They need to understand that if they put their trust in Jesus Christ their sins are forgiven and they shouldn’t be afraid, but live in the joy and hope of heaven! We have to tell them of the gospel that saves, they do not know it. They are sinful and lack a solid fear of the consequence of their sin. We have made them selfish, self-centered, and proud. They crave worldly pleasure, they are frivolous and thoughtless about serious matters. They are influenced by the world around them, and they are greatly affected by evil friends. They can’t understand the blessings of salvation, the joys of conversion UNLESS they see that in our lives. Leading our kids to God is powerful task but it is also a thrilling one. We don’t have to brow beat them, we just need to be straightforward. It has to be constant. You don’t have to be confusing, but not too simplistic either.

Is this unpleasant? Often times, yes. Is this hard? Yes! Teach them about God’s holiness, teach them to fear God. Start with Leviticus 11:44-45 I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves about on the ground. 45 I am the LORD who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy. Show them their sin (bad attitudes, lies, failure to do a chore, disrespect) and teach them of God’s forgiveness. BUT beyond all that tell them that anything they do in their life falls short of a perfect standard, we all do and are in danger of hell. Tell them that are not alone, we are all in the same situation!! Then tell them they can do nothing to earn their salvation. Our sins offend God. We can’t forgive ourselves, He has to. Romans 3:20 By the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight. We are in a helpless state here, we cannot help ourselves. This is where we want them, you know why?? The major point is this: Tell them about Christ and what he did. The good news! That God became man to live a pure and blameless life. He endured the same temptations we do. 1 John 3:5 You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin.. He became the sacrifice for our sins…WOW! 2 Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Then tell them about the resurrection. Lastly tell them what God asks them to do in response. To repent and TRUST!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean NOT on your own understanding, but in ALL your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.

Tuesday Tunes

Here is a little bit older song that has a great message.


Phillips, Craig, and Dean
Mercy Came Running


Once there was a holy place
Evidence of God's embrace
And I can almost see mercy's face
Pressed against the veil



Looking down with longing eyes
Mercy must have realized
That once His blood was sacrificed
Freedom would prevail



And as the sky grew dark
And the earth began to shake
With justice no longer in the way



Chorus:
Mercy came running
Like a prisoner set free
Past all my failures to the point of my need
When the sin that I carried
Was all I could see
And when I could not reach mercy
Mercy came running to me



Once there was a broken heart
Way too human from the start
And all the years left it torn apart
Hopeless and afraid



Walls I never meant to build
Left this prisoner unfulfilled
Freedom called but even still
It seemed so far away



I was bound by the chains
From the wages of my sin
Just when I felt like giving in



Chorus
Mercy came running
Like a prisoner set free
Past all my failures to the point of my need
When the sin that I carried
Was all I could see
And when I could not reach mercy
Mercy came running to me



Sometimes I still feel so far
So far from where I really should be
He gently calls to my heart
Just to remind me



Chorus
Mercy came running
Like a prisoner set free
Past all my failures to the point of my need
When the sin that I carried
Was all I could see
And when I could not reach mercy
Mercy came running to me

Everyday Home Remedies

I found these amazing home remedies today. Try them sometime, you will be amazed!!


1. Avoid cutting yourself when slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold the vegetables while you chop.


2. Avoid arguments with the females about lifting the toilet seat by using the sink.


3. For high blood pressure sufferers ~ simply cut yourself and bleed for a few minutes, thus reducing the pressure on your veins. Remember to use a timer.


4. A mouse trap placed on top of your alarm clocked will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.


5. If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives. Then you'll be afraid to cough.


6. You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape.


7. If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.


DAILY THOUGHT:Some people are like slinkies - not really good for anything but they bring a smile to our face when pushed down the stairs.

I actually experienced this once but I was the one being pushed down the stairs.... Hmmm... That might just be the blog for Wednesday!!

Blog

So, here we are at my Mom and Dad's today for a cookout. You just never know what is going to be said or done when we all get together. We were sitting here talking about my blog and someone asked Dad if he had ever read my blog, to which he commented the only thing I get is ones saying I'm naked in the shower. We all looked around and just busted out laughing. We still have NO IDEA what he was or is talking about. . . So, if you can help let me know. He isn't old enough to be senile so who knows.


Today is Memorial day and I totally spaced it. We usually go to the cemetery to put flowers out but Johnna just got out catch phrase so I guess we will go play it. Have a good one!!

S.W.A.T.

Well, today was the last day of my training this quarter. We had active shooter ALL day long. In years' past the Law Enforcement approach to an active shooter was to set up a perimeter and wait. Needless to say, since there has been so many school shootings etc.. tactics have changed. Now, the tactic is to get in the building and get to the source of the shooting.

Look at the picture above and stick a helmet on them, that is what I wore today for around 4 hours. It is VERY taxing to wear this very long. It is hot, uncomfortable, and hard to move in. So, we get to the building where the "active shooter" was. I was to be the first person in the door.... hmmmm. I think they threw me under the bus. The point man usually takes the most rounds. This building had a smoke machine going, so it was hard to see. There were "bad guys", victims, and others in the building. We didn't know what we were facing other than an active shooter. So, we get in the building, heard gun shots upstairs, get up there and encounter a suspect. We got him down and got to the victims. All in all, it went pretty good.

I must say it felt good, the adrenaline was pumping. I went from a team member to a team leader to the ASAP Commander. I kicked butt, the other leaders froze basically so I was put in charge. After it was all over they were laughing because when we encountered gunfire the point man on the front of my team after we merged wanted to stop. I was literally pushing him down the hall to get to the source. They were like man, Christy was wanting to get to the action. Now, mind you I knew we had soft aerosol guns, they sting but it's nothing like a bullet so I think that was part of the reason I went charging in.

I don't care for training but today was good, exhausting but good.

I had to come home and take a nap! Anyway, we have to get ready for honors night so I'm signing off for now.

Have a good night!

Daring to be different

WOW!! What an amazing Finale to American Idol. I was sitting there enjoying it when out came Bryan Adams.... Bryan Adams!! WHOOO HOOOO!!! I thought that was pretty cool then out came ZZ Top, way cool! It was a great show, Andrea said we should have had a Finale party but there is always next year!! I enjoyed this today from Dr. David Jeremiah and thought you might as well!

Thursday, May 22

Being Different Is the Difference

Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.Joshua 1:9

Recommended ReadingDaniel 3:16-18

Rosa Parks, a lifelong member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, refused to give up her seat for a white man on a Montgomery, Alabama, city bus in 1955. The bus driver ordered four African-American riders to give up their seats for white riders who were standing. Three did, but Rosa decided the day had come to be different. Her arrest, and the resulting Montgomery Bus Boycott, set in motion the modern Civil Rights movement.

In order to make a difference, one has to be different. Three young Hebrew men in Babylon made a difference by being different. They were the only ones in Babylon who refused to bow down before a ninety-foot tall image. As a result, they were thrown into a furnace of fire from which God miraculously delivered them. The difference they made by being different was that the king offered praise to "the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego" (Daniel 3:28) and established a nationwide ordinance against defiling their God.

If you want to make a difference for Christ in your home, at your job or school, or in your community, ask God to show you ways to be different for Him.

Make a difference by daring to be different. Joe Stowell

Wednesdays Worries

Well, it is hump day so I am going with Wednesday's Worries since it has been a hectic week! Enjoy!

• Parenting is HARD!!! I am not sure you ever think you are doing things the "right" way all the time do you??
• School is winding down, which is good because I do have good kids that keep the house clean while we are working.
• My co-worker and friend Jake lost his grandma last week and today his step-dad was taken to the hospital as well. He has been real sick for a little while now PLUS, his daughter is having her twins today. Please pray for them.
• I am thankful no matter how much we feel like failures and can't get anything right there is always a bright moment to bring us out of our "gloom and doom".
• I am in training AGAIN!! Ugh, I am too old and fat for this!! lol
• My Ed has been working his butt off this week, what a good provider he is!

Well, that's about it for today. Enjoy this weather!!

Tuesday Tunes

This video can be hard to watch, but what a very powerful reminder of no matter how far we run away that God is ALWAYS there ready to run to us to take us back. The first time I heard this song is was sung by the beautiful, Lauren Biggs, at my walk when her awesome mama was my lay director! You will never find a better warrior for Christ than Cheryl, now walking the streets of gold!! This song has spoken to my soul many times. Take some time to listen to it and really take in the words. Love you all!!

When God Ran

Almighty God,
The Great I Am,
Immovable Rock,
Omnipotent,
Powerful,
Awesome Lord,
Victorious Warrior,
Commanding King Of Kings,
Mighty Conqueror


And the only time,
The only time I ever saw Him run
Was when He ran to me,
He took me in His arms
Held my head to his chest,
Said my son's come home again
Lifted my face,
Wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice
He said son,
Do you know I still love you?
He caught me by surprise,
When God ran


The day I left home,
I knew I had broken His heart
I wondered then
If things could ever be the same


Then one night,
I remembered His love for me
And down that dusty road
Ahead I could see


It was the only time,
Was the only time I ever saw Him run
And then He ran to me,
Took me in his arms
Held my head to his chest,
Said my son's come home again,
Lifted my face,
Wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in his voice,
He said son,
Do you know I still love you?
He caught me by surprise,
And He brought me to my knees
When God ran


I saw Him run to me


I was so ashamed
All alone
And so far away
But now I know
He's been waiting
For this day


I saw Him run to me,
Took me in his arms
Held my head to His chest,
Said my son's come home again,
Lifted my face,
Wiped the tears from my eyes,
With forgiveness in his voice,
I felt His love for me again


He ran to me
Took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest,
Said my son's come home again,
Lifted my face,
Wiped the tears from my eyes,
With forgiveness in his voice,
He said son,
He called me son,
He said son,
Do you know I still love you?
He ran to me
When God ran


I saw him run to me
When God ran to me
When God ran
When God ran

Job

Have you ever thought you had it bad?? Well, of course you have. We all have at one time or another. But, consider Job, he is portrayed as a wealthy man of upright character who loves God. Yet God allowed Satan to destroy his flocks, his possessions, his children, and his health. His friends even tried to convince him it was something he had done for all of this to happen. Did Job give up on God? No! Did he feel sorry for himself, yes somewhat.



However, Job asked one important question in Job 21:22. It says "Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since he judges even the highest?" Have you ever thought of asking that when going through the storms of life? Sounds easy, but not so when you are in the eye of the storm.



Job's friends continued to get Job to admit his sin and ask forgiveness, and eventually he did repent. Strangely though it was not the kind of repentance called for by his friends. He didn't ask forgiveness for committing secret sins, but for questioning God's sovereignty and justice. He repented of his attitude..... his attitude!! He also acknowledged God's great power and perfect justice. We can learn a lot from Job.


Will you trust God with your unanswered questions??

Sunday Sunday....

I didn't blog yesterday!! I didn't really have anything to say so I didn't want to ramble on so I opted to just not say anything! It can be hard at times to come up with things to say on here. I am sure people really do not want to just read me ramble on and on and on.... Oh I guess that is what I am doing!!




We had a pretty good week last week. We got to enjoy our small group Thursday with our Sunday School class. Ed & I are the youngest on the class but you wouldn't know it. It is a CRAZZZZY group! We had a ball. Then today at church it was Consecration Sunday, and we had cards to fill out (if we wanted) about our giving or tithing to the church. How much you plan to give a week etc... Well, this one crazy lady, Shirley thought it would be funny to fill one out for us. Mind you, they send out reminders on what you put and encourage you to follow through with it. It is totally optional. Well needless to say the Farhar's will be giving 2000.00... that is weekly! I just looked at her and laughed and said well, honey you are giving 5,000.00 according to what I put for you guys!! We thought we were being sneaky!! Her husband said boy someone will be surprised!!



It is such a beautiful day today. I can already tell it is going to get hot quick and probably be another dry summer. The weather has changed so much that it makes you think!



Well, until tomorrow..I guess I just rambled after all huh??? Oh well =)

Jesus Fish

Ok, I am going to get on my soapbox! Don't you think that if you are going to put a Jesus Fish on your car or a license plate on the front that has a picture of Jesus that says "Still saving lives" you should at least attempt to be nice???



Don't get me wrong, I know everyone has bad days every now and then, BUT, come on!! As most of you know I work at the Police Department at Crane. My job today was to work the Burns City Gate. I like interacting with people so I usually great then with a "Good Morning, and a have a good day" as they depart after I check their badge.



I saw this car pull up that has the above mentioned license plate on it. I did my usual song and dance and they don't even attempt to look at me or acknowledge that I have spoken to them. Now mind you this has happened with these particular people before and I have let it go thinking that were having a rough day, but it happens every time I see them. I mean do they actually think I enjoy getting up at 3:30 to drag my butt to work to smile at people and say have a nice day???? No, I don't! I know you may find this hard to believe but hang with me here... I have to really work at being nice. There I said it, it's out. Whew!! I feel better just saying it. I try to smile at people because for many of them I am the first person they will see in the morning and I can make or break their day.




About a year ago another car always did the same thing to me until one day I said "Have a nice day" and they rolled their eyes!! Rolled their eyes... AT ME! That is my speciality! Well, at that I said "or not, I don't care" Well she stopped and said I am sorry to treat you that way, it's just I had a bad experience with a police officer once. Well, that's all you had to say!! We are very friendly now. Even though once again, (as happens many times) my mouth overloaded my brain but it actually turned out good.



Ok, I am jumping down from my soapbox now!! Have a good weekend and thanks for letting me rant....whew, I feel better!!

Thursday Mind Dump

What a blah day! So I decided I needed a mind dump....

• Please pray for the Groves' family. They lost their 20 year old son, Jordan last Sunday, due to some very unfortunate circumstances. He was good friends with me lil' bro Jordan.

• I am sick sick sick of rain!!

• My mama's knee surgery is coming up quick. Keep her, the doctors, and my daddy in your prayers! If you get a chance go to http://www.edheads.org/activities/knee/glossary.htm and see what they do, it's kinda neat. Go the the choose your activity box on the top right and watch!

• I am excited that since Aimee's game was cancelled for tonight we get to go to our Sunday School get together tonight at 7.

• There is a candlelight this Saturday at Camp Illiana for a Journey. Can't wait!!

• I wish my blogger friends would post... I'm having withdraws!

• Ed tells me I am addicted....to Reality television. Hadn't really thought about it but I may be. Is there a 12 step program for that?

Anticipation

I am not a fan of the news. I don't want to see what is going on in the world, it can be a scary place. Is that denial?? Probably, but I'll take it!



I catch several people now-a-days listening to the news or watching television with a sense of anticipation. You never know what the news will bring in today's world. We live in uncertain times and it can be quite scary. There are lots of people living in fear, BUT we do not have to be one of them! We are overcomers friends!!


It is not surprising that we live in uncertain times, think about it.

1. War and Terrorism - It is definitely uncertain
2. Health - Years ago you had some confidence that most diseases could be cured, not today
3. Economy - It is in slow decline and very uncertain
4. Politics - Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security are definitely uncertain and everyone keeps saying our government is "broken" (Duh!)
5. Climate Change - What a source of debate this one is, but there is definitely a big change in the climate.

I think we have declined so slowly that is has been easy to ignore then wake up one day and it is all over the news and hard to ignore any longer.

BUT...

We have one main reason for certainty: GOD! There are many uncertainties in our world that we could not find solutions to them all but the saving grace here is that everything in this world belongs to God!! God is eternal, God is unchanging, God is love, God is perfect, God is righteous, God is all-powerful, God is all-knowing, and God is merciful!!

Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Rest in that verse in an age of definite uncertainty.

Tuesday Tunes

Chris Sligh "Empty Me"



I've had just enough of the spotlight when it burns bright
To see how it gets in the blood.
And I've tasted my share of the sweet life and the wild ride
And found a little is not quite enough.
I know how I can stray
And how fast my heart could change.



Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you.



I've seen just enough of the quick buys of the best lies
To know how prodigals can be drawn away.
I know how I can stray
And how fast my heart could change.



Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you.



Cause everything is a lesser thing
Compared to you, compared to you.
Cause everything is a lesser thing
Compared to you so why surrender all?



Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me so I can be
Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you.
Oh, filled with you.
Empty me.

Yes, I have a ....

Security Blanket!

I call it my "Happy Blanket". My Aunt Carol made it for me as a Christmas present many years ago. I keep it neatly folded under my bed, and get it out when I need some comfort. I know it seems strange that a 32 year old woman has a security blanket, but it really does make me feel better. All I have to say is I need my happy blanket and my family knows what I am talking about.

As a child, I used to carry around a small pillow that I nestled with daily. It had to be re-covered many times. I also have a doll that I slept with and chewed on it's arms, it is quite raggedy now but it is still held together... barely! I think I just have to have something tangible to snuggle with.

Isn't it strange how we want to see and touch things to make us believe or make us feel better?? I think that is why so many people struggle with their Faith. They can't see God or grasp Him, but those of us who have tapped into the Holy Spirit within us know that there is a God and that he is ALWAYS with us. We all have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit, it is up to us whether we allow him to envelope us and guide our paths. The Holy Spirit is the security we need to carry on day to day!

Find your security today and snuggle up with it!!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!!


I love Sundays! I think I have said that before, but I truly do. We took my mom out yesterday along with my lil' bro and sis, Jordan and Johnna. We had a great time. I love getting together with family since we are usually busy and don't get to see then often. Today, after church we went to my mother in law's house. Man, this woman can cook! Which didn't seem fair that she cook on Mother's Day but she enjoys it.



We made it home and Aimee is working (poor thing, in this weather car-hopping can stink) Ed & Cole are doing laundry and sweeping for me. What a great family! I am going to type this, read my daily bible chapters, and veg out on the couch and watch the Survivor finale!


I want to leave you with a verse that is powerful:
Acts 4:31 (New International Version)


31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.


This is speaking on the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came down on all the people. What an awesome experience that must have been. I am sure you have felt the tug of the Holy Spirit at times but can you imagine an all consuming fire of the Holy Spirit being poured out on us!?!? WOW!


Have a great week Friends!!

So you think you can dance....

Or Ed does anyway. It can get quite comical at the Farhar house. Usually Ed will be in the living room and I stay in the bedroom but sometimes I go to the living room and the kids and I will watch "Idol" or "Survivor" or something like that. Well, last night I happened to be watching "What not to wear" (I want to be nominated, I could take the humiliation for $5000.00 for new clothes) when Ed walked through the living room and busted a move!



He does this quite often and well, needless to say it usually leaves us ogling him with a strange look on our faces or laughing hysterically. I try to video him with my cellphone but he stops really fast when I try. For those of you who know him I am sure you are already laughing trying to imagine that! It is a cross between the guy in the picture above and Rick Flair!



This is one of the many things that seems to make things never dull in our house. We have a good time... BUT not all the time. The kids know when they can push our buttons and when to not even think about it. I don't know about you but they usually think they can be a little more rude and pushing toward Ed. That is until he has had enough then look out. He is such a softie really, so they know they can get by with more with him.



Anyway, we are getting ready to go get Mom and take her to Mark Pi's (an awesome Chinese restaurant) in Bloomington then flower shopping! So, I better dance my way out of here and get ready.


"Work like you don't need the money, love like your heart has never been broken, and dance like no one is watching"-Aurora Greenway

Praying Hannahs

This was the devotional from Dr. David Jeremiah, I thought it was appropriate for today. Have a great weekend! !


Friday, May 9

A Mother's Prayers

She continued praying before the Lord . . . . Her lips moved, but her voice was not heard.
1 Samuel 1:12-13



Recommended Reading
1 Samuel 1:8-18


Someone once said, "It's not easy being a mother. If it were easy, fathers would do it!"


That's especially true for mothers torn between work and home. Former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir put it this way: "At work, you think of the children you have left at home. At home, you think of the work you've left unfinished. Such a struggle is unleashed within yourself. Your heart is rent."


But Christian mothers have a secret weapon—prayer; and the "patron saint" of praying mothers is the biblical hero named Hannah. In half of all the verses about her in 1 Samuel, she is praying; and her prayers produced one of the greatest heroes of the Bible, her son Samuel.



You can pray for your children when you're at work. You can pray for them when they're at school. Your prayers can pursue them to college, to Iraq or Afghanistan, or to the far corners of the world. Your prayers can mold, shape, protect, recover, and enrich them. And in praying, you can trust the Lord with their welfare and remain hopeful for their success.



In an age of "Hannah Montana," it's time to rediscover the original Hannah and to emulate her example.



Praying Samuels come from praying Hannahs. . . . Praying leaders come from praying homes.
E. M. Bounds

A Mother's Priority

Well, let me tell you I was really convicted while listening to Dr. David Jeremiah this morning, so I thought I would share in my words what it was about. It was about a Mother's priority. As a parent I am sure you have gone from a mountaintop of Joy to the valley of despair in the life of your children.

Think back to Hannah in 1 Samuel. She was married to Elkanah and he had 2 wives; Hannah and Peninnah. Now Peninnah had several children but Hannah had none. Elkanah loved Hannah dearly and would often give her double portions of meat because the Lord closed her womb, but Peninnah used this to provoke and irritate Hannah year after year. Which in turn made Hannah very sad, bitter and miserable. However, she was very dedicated to Elkanah and loved him with all her heart, AND she was committed to God. She demonstrated the first priority for us. She eventually conceived and bore Samuel, whom she had made a promise to the Lord to return to His service if he looked upon her with favor and granted her a son. 1 Samuel chapter 2 has a powerful prayer that Hannah prayed when she took Samuel to give him back to the Lord. 23 of 37 verses about her are her praying!! Take some time to read it http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Samuel%202:1-11;&version=31;

As Mothers our #1 priority is to love God with all our hearts! When you love God with all your heart you will in turn love your children more than you can imagine. We lead with our spirit not techniques!

Our #2 Priority is to love your husbands with all your heart. Now this one is the tough one for me. No, No.. I love Ed dearly however, I put my kids in front of him and often times I have put them in front of God. This is hard for me to grasp but I found a couple of scriptures that help. Titus 2 was written by Paul to encourage Titus, who had left Crete to lead the church that Paul had established. Titus 2:3-5 says: Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. If you love your husband with all your heart that will model so much for your children. Dr. David said today that the Bible teaches that a wife is her husbands crown. Did you know that? Proverbs 12:4 says: A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones. WOW!! She is the one who makes him stand out. In Proverbs 31 it talks a lot about a Mom, it says Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.

Do you know that when you love your husband with all your heart and lift him up that you honor him in a way that no one else can?!?! What a privilege. 1 Corinthians 11:7 says: A woman is her husbands glory. A wife is also her husbands companion. The Bible also says some things about a home where there is no companionship. In Proverbs 13 it says: A foolish son is his father's ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping. Is that like Chinese water torture?? Proverbs 21:9 says: Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. Proverbs 21:19 Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife. Proverbs 27:15 A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day; now how annoying is that??? The Bible says we love our husbands with all our hearts, honor them, be a companion to them, work on the relationship because that is a part of being a good mother.

I don't know about you but I have some work to do.

Moms

Well, it's Mom's Day coming up so I decided to dedicate this post to them.

Don't you like that picture? Who knew my parents were so sexy huh?? And you wondered where I got it from!! Seriously though, where would we be in this life without our moms? I was and am very lucky to have such a caring mom. She has made it a point to make sure we grew up knowing we were loved. In today's world that's big! I heard it said somewhere that kids won't remember the things you did for them materially but they will remember how you made them feel, if they were loved and important.

Being a Mom is HARD! It is often a thankless, messy, depressing, sobering job but it is also the greatest gift in life. I mean you are given these precious little babies. You have many sleepless nights, but how many times do you or did you find yourself lurking over the crib to make sure they were breathing? We all have done it! Then those precious babies get to be toddler age. WHEW!! Talk about energy, you better have lots of it to keep up with them at that stage. Then the pre-teen age, forget the energy here, you better have lots of patience for this stage. Then the good ole' teenage years, I am convinced this might be the hardest part! You really learn to pray when your babies get their licenses and drive off for the first time.

I have learned that kids will be kids and there comes a time when you have to trust them to go out into this world. That is one of the scariest things ever! That is why we must make sure that we train them right in the ways of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4). Do you always get it right... Nope! Kids are very forgiving though and they love and cherish you even when it doesn't seem like it.

I think I'll take some extra time and love on my kids tonight!!

Tuesdays Tunes

Just a little while longer I wanna pray
Can't get You off my mind so I came to say
Thank You Lord just for loving me
Many times as I do forget
Every need that You have met
Oh thank You Lord, I know You're showing me
You are there when I am down and out
You're holding me, Your love is so amazing
Oh it changed me



Chorus:
Here I am with all I am
Raise my hands to worship You
I wanna say thank you, oh thank you
For everything, for who You are
You cover me, You touch my heart
I wanna say thank you



I could have died in my sin but You saved me
Didn't have any hope at all
You gave me peace divine, strength to carry on
I should have been the one to pay
But instead You took my place
My Jesus, words cannot explain
Even though I don't deserve Your love for me
You look beyond my fault and You showed mercy



Chorus:
Here I am with all I am
Raise my hands to worship You
I wanna say thank you, oh thank you
For everything, for who You are
You cover me, You touch my heart
I wanna say thank you




I wanna say thank you for the sun
I wanna say thank you for the rain
Everything You do is beautiful
I'm so grateful for Your love

Short and Sweet...

... is what my post is going to be today.



Have you ever just wanted to Thank everyone around you for what they bring to your life and what they mean to you? (Even when you do not deserve it! Think about that one!)




Well, that is just what I am doing today....




SO... THANK YOU...THANK YOU...THANK YOU...



That goes out to all my peeps, and you know who you are!

Spiritual Gifts

Whoa!! I know what you are thinking, Spiritual Gifts!!!



Why is it that we get so scared when someone mentions them?? I think I know why for me anyway. I have struggled for many, many years to figure out what my spiritual gifts were. I mean I know that God blesses everyone with them, it's just at times they are hard to see for ourselves. Until they smack you right in the forehead and you just say "Well, Duh!!"



A couple of years ago some of us took the "Purpose Driven Life" Class. Well needless to say this was supposed to be a great class. However, I found myself really stressed with it. I could not for the life of me figure out what my purpose was. Why am I here? What am I supposed to be doing? Those questions haunted me for a really long time.



And guess what I found out over the next couple of years??? God was leading me to a place where I would find my purpose, my spiritual gifts. You see it wasn't that I didn't have any or couldn't find them. I wasn't opening myself up to see what they were. I wasn't listening to that still small voice inside me telling me my worth! I recently did a "Spiritual Gifts Assessment" it is a really amazing tool and it really shows you things about yourself that you would have never guessed. If you haven't done this you need to. I can get you a copy if you want one, just let me know!



I am hearing and listening to that still small voice inside me and leaning on God's truth and understanding. Do I have all the answers...No. But I know the one who does, and that, my friends, is an amazing feeling!

Flowers

Well, I had a wonderful nights' sleep! I didn't get out of bed until 9:30 morning!! That doesn't happen often. Ed was up and waiting, rushing me to get ready so we could leave. We went to Bedford to get Mulch, and then to Walk-Mart (he needed a compass...not sure why, maybe he plans on getting lost). From there we went to Lowe's to get potting soil, and flowers. I really like their flower selection. I spent way too much on them but they are oh so pretty!! We came home and planted them.

I love flowers in a flower garden because it reminds me of individuality and growth. We are all individuals with different ideas, attitudes, and dreams. However, we can come together and spur each other on toward growth of all kinds. I am so very thankful for my friendships. We aren't always happy go lucky but we are together and that is what counts. I know I sometimes feel that I am burden to my friends but as one often tells me that's why we are here!

That is what Jesus wants from us. He just wants a close personal relationship with you! Yes, You! He longs for us to talk to him one on one. To share our dreams, joys, sadness, concerns. He wants ALL of us. Wow! That's big, all of us. I know it gives me a peace to know that I always have a friend like that!!

Do you call him friend??