Still the same God

I was listening to Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah and he said something that made me stop and think. He said "The same God that helped Gideon triumph, is still the same God that helps us today, we just have to remember that".



That really struck a cord with me. You read the Bible of all these amazing stories of how God provided and it is hard for us to imagine that the same God that was present back then is still the same today. I guess it is because some of those stories are SO amazing that we don't see our situations as being that amazing or big. However, to God they are still problems, big or small, he is a caring God. But, it is up to us what he do in good times and in the storms of life.



You can praise God in ALL situations you are handed in life AND that is what pleases him!! Sometimes it can be really hard to do but even in the times when you cannot find the words he understands.


Hope you all have a great week and good 4th of July!


Oh yea, Nicole is at AAU Nationals and they are just kicking butts and taking names. Keep it up Nic!!

Paparazzi

Well, I received my new camera today. So, Ed the photographer kinda took it over and we had to go for a drive to take pictures.

Here is some of what we got!! Ed has always wanted to make a photo book of old barns so we started our collection today.

Have a good weekend!

Time Warp Thursday

Newborn Austin Cole



Cole in 2nd Grade





He always loved his broom!

Cole & Aimee -ages 2 and 6 (notice the "fake smile" on Aimee..lol)
Also, Cole did comment on this picture that he couldn't believe that we would put a Chicago Bulls shirt on him, since he has never liked the Bulls.... who knew???? I mean he was 2!!

Me & Cole (man was I skinny or what??)

Present Day Cole

Today it's all about Cole since his 13th birthday is Saturday and I will not be able to blog due to softball. It is hard for me to fathom that my little baby will be 13. 13!! Ouch, a teenager.

He is really changing, maturing and becoming who he is. It is neat to watch but also a little scary!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLE!!!

I Love books!!!

I have a thing for books......



If you know me you will know that no matter where I go I always have a book AND a spare in case I get finished with the one I am currently on. I went to check the mail and I had a package. I knew it was one of 2 things; the new camera I ordered or more books!!! It was books and it just made my day!



I don't read the romance books because let's face it, it isn't realistic!! =) I thought I would list some of my favorite books or authors. (Not in any particular order)



1) Harry Potter Series (I know Mom, but I like them. hehe )
2) Alex Cross Series by James Patterson
3) Lucas Davenport Mysteries by John Sandford
4) Women's Murder Club by James Patterson
5) Morning Shade Mysteries by Lori Copeland
6) Sisterhood Series by Fern Michaels
7) Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer
8) The Beach House Series by Sally John
9) Heavenly Daze Series by Lori Copeland & Angela Hunt
10) Nancy Moser (all of her books are great)
11) Iris Johansen
12) Jude Deveraux



I was especially excited today because I am getting ready to finish a book and I got 4 new ones!! I am still reading through the Bible in a year and we are in Proverbs, which I enjoy. I read about 4 chapters a night.



Well, I am off to read!! Have a good night

Tuesday Tunes

Sanctus Real "Whatever You're Doing"


It's time for healing time to move on
It's time to fix what's been broken too long
Time make right what has been wrong
It's time to find my way to where I belong
There's a wave that's crashing over me
All I can do is surrender



(Chorus)
Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something heavenly



Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Revaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow your will
or just climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is you want from me
I give everything I surrender...
To...


(Chorus)
Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something heavenly



Time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out
That I've wanted to say for so many years
Time to to release all my held back tears



Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but I believe
You're up to something bigger than me
Larger than life something heavenly



Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but now I can see
This something bigger than me
Larger than life something heavenly
Something heavenly



It's time to face up
Clean this old house
Time breathe in and let everything out

Mind Dump Monday

* I am so tired today, and have a huge headache

* My mom is healing good, seems to be feeling much better

* The Ya-Ya's are going to start a new study next week Max Lucado's 3:16, I can't wait

* June is almost over, can you even believe it!!

* Cole will be 13 this Saturday, That is so hard to fathom

* It is way too loud at work today with all the construction, no wonder my head hurts

* We are going to St. Louis next weekend for a softball tournament, should be a good trip

* Here is a good laugh for you, there was a note on the desk at work today that read :"All of the canapee lights must stay on to keep the air unit on in the booth". Canapee??? Is that like a can of Coke?? I think they meant canopy. Anyway It was good for a chuckle this morning.

* Have you ever notice how you judge people that you really don't take the time to get to know?? What a shame we do that, we are missing out on some really neat people I'd say.


Until tomorrow.....

Emmaus

I was reading the blog "Bring the Rain" and it really spoke to me today. I have had a really down and just feeling depressed day. I have slept most of it, not eating once until 8 p.m. and if you know me this is SO not right. I had no desire to read or turn on the computer. It has been literally years since I have felt like this and I am not sure where it has come from but as I was reading this blog it really touched my heart and I wanted to share it. I hope it does the same for you.

http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Emmaus

So many of you have asked about how I came to be so close to God. I want to talk a little about that here, and I hope that it speaks to you and encourages you to seek His face. Before I start, I want to say that if you are not a "believer," you are welcome here. I hope you read these words and feel blessed, even if you and I do not share the same Lord. Your letters and emails have spoken volumes to me about the legacy of my sweet daughter, and I hope you will continue to spend time here with me. My deepest prayer is that you will feel safe here, and that if you do have questions about the Lord, you will email me and allow me the great honor of trying to fill in some of the blanks with you. With that said...


Where do I start?


I always loved the idea of God, but He just didn't seem practical, and for most of my life, "not practical" meant "not necessary." I put my full weight into what I could see and touch, and I found out the hard way that this life let me down (several times). I tried to read the Bible, but it just seemed huge and totally foreign to me. I felt like it had nothing to do with my life. I decided to read it the whole way through before I made up my mind, but I only got a few chapters into Genesis and I decided it was less fun than trigonometry (I did eventually make it the whole way through and it was incredible). I hosted "Young Life" in my basement in high school, but truth be told, it was because there were some really cute Christian boys who I wanted to notice me (it didn't work...turns out they were really coming over for Jesus). I used to sit on my bed and say "Show me you're real!" to God and then let my Bible fall open, pointing my finger randomly at the page, positive He was going to give me a scripture that would answer all of my nagging questions (come on, you know you've done this too....). He taught me 2 great lessons in my "Bible-pointing" days.



1. I can't put God in a box, and I cannot expect Him to show up on my timetable.


2. I pretty much always end up somewhere in 1st or 2nd Chronicles, wondering why God loves the word "begat" so much.


Years ago, I sat down with my Bible and I asked the Lord to speak. Unlike the other times, I wasn't "testing" Him, I was just wanting to feel His presence with me. I didn't do it because I wanted Him to prove anything, but rather because I was hungry for Him. He led me to two stories within a matter of days, the first being the story of the Lord calling Samuel (1 Samuel 3:1-21). It is still one of my favorites, and includes what was, for me, the key that begins to turn the door of faith. "Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening." It has become a mantra of sorts to me and I repeat it over and over as I go about my daily life. I realized that God had created me to be in communication with Him, He wanted me to invite Him into to corners of my life that seemed too small for Him to fit into. I began to listen, and I invited him to speak.




The other story is in the Gospel of Luke, where two people are traveling the road to Emmaus. I decided I was going to read it over and over again, slowly digesting the words and asking God to reveal Himself to me. I did a little word study and found that the word Emmaus means "warm springs," and that these springs were frequently used for healing purposes. So I began to picture two people walking toward "healing" instead of a place I had never heard of. If you have a Bible, it is found in Luke 24:13-32. If you don't have a Bible, and would like to, please email me and I will send you one. Here is the gist of the story...




Three days after Christ was crucified, two of His disciples are walking to Emmaus, and they are saddened because they don't feel convinced that He is risen, nor that He was really the Christ at all. They are discussing this when a man (Christ) "catches up" to them. The word used is the Greek word "eggizo" which means "to draw near, approach." One commentary I read explained that they must have been walking slowly enough for Him to catch up. I like that.




They didn't know who He was. They told Him all about their disappointment, sharing that they had believed that Jesus was the promised One, but now they doubted. There was no evidence.
There they are, walking with the living Christ, and they have no idea who He is. They are looking past His face and into the abyss that demands proof. They see his sandals, his hair, his eyes, his robe, but they do not see Him. They continue to walk side by side for miles as He speaks to them, reminding them of everything from Moses to the Prophets, but they do not know their Shepherd.




Finally, they reach their destination. Jesus acts as if He is going to continue on, and they beg Him to stay for supper. They long to be in His company so they invite Him to be their guest.
As they sit around the table, the Lord takes the bread and says a prayer. Scripture then says:
"...he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him..."



He disappears from their sight immediately and they ask each other, "were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" It all made sense now...He was the great Rescuer.



As soon as they recognize this, they travel to Jerusalem to share their news. We have seen Him!!! He is risen!!!



I realized that in this beautiful story, God had posed a very important question to me, and He may be asking you the same.



Where are you on the road to Emmaus?



I thought about the way that I had finally slowed down enough to let Him catch up to me, the way I walked for years beside Him and never really knew who He was. Then I thought about the way I was drawn to Him, and invited Him to stay with me. And then, the bread was broken, and I saw Him for who He was.



And just as the disciples said, I remembered the way my heart had burned for Him, even before my eyes were opened. I love the Greek word in this scripture. It is "kaio," and it means, "to set on fire, to be consumed..."



It all became really simple to me, and it helped me understand the walk of the believer in a tangible way. As you travel,



1. walk slowly, deliberately with thoughts of Him on your mind (He will catch up).

2. listen when He speaks (you will want to be with Him longer).

3. invite Him to stay (He will accept).

4. acknowledge who He is when He reveals Himself to you (You are Jesus Christ, the son of God.

You were crucified, and paid the full penalty of my sin. You died on the cross and were resurrected on the third day. You are now in heaven, where I will spend eternity with you). For those of you who are looking for the fancy Christian words, this step is what we call "being saved."

5. allow yourself to be consumed with love for Him (you will want to go and tell the others).


I hope this encourages you to open your Bible and ask the Lord to reveal Himself in His words. To make it come alive for you as you read. Before you begin, say a prayer asking Him to "slow you down, " and help you focus on the words. Sometimes I just read the same sentence over and over until I feel like I am ready to move on to the next. I had to get past my "speed-reader" tendencies and see Scripture for what it was...God's letter of love to us, His workmanship.


I realize that this does not answer all of the questions you have asked about how I came to be where I am with the Lord, but it is a first step. It is my prayer that before I continue, you will open His word and be blessed by the God who loves you enough to walk alongside you and cause your heart to burn within you.


Have a blessed Sunday. If you have never believed in Him before, I am praying that today is the day of broken bread.


Speak, Lord. Your servants are listening...



Angie

Sleepy Saturday

I actually caught a few minutes to blog today. We aren't doing so well in this tournament and we had a couple of hours before our next game so we came back to the hotel. Ed is sleeping, Aimee is sleeping, Carly is sleeping (a team mate that came with us to the hotel) and Cole is laying in bed watching t.v.



It gave me a few minutes of silence, kinda, to just sit back and think of how blessed I am. I am blessed with a great family, good friends, the resources available for the kids to be able to do these things, and the good weather (so far).



It is very easy to get SO busy and caught up in the "things of the world" to stop and "smell the roses" and to just sit back and thank God for what he has blessed us with, because it all belongs to him, we are just lucky to have the privilege to be borrowing them for awhile. Take a little time to stop and think of how blesses you are. You might surprise yourself.

Gnats, Locusts, and Bug Spray!

I don't know about you but the gnats shave been terrible this year. I can't hardly stand outside at work without being attacked with a swarm of them. Not to mention how aggressive they are and they bite!! I have tried bug spray and that doesn't seem to work however, we are in Indy this weekend, (I am typing from our hotel room) and the little pesty things are just not as bad up here or at least I didn't notice them at the ballpark today.



Anyway, it got me to thinking. Can you even imagine what it must have been like to be living when God sent the plague of locusts?? I cannot fathom it at all. I know that God had hardened their hearts and that in turn they endured many plagues, but the bugs....can you imagine?? And to think they didn't have bug spray. We are a lucky people to be born in the country that we were and in the time period. I know that in years past it was a simpler life and sometimes wish we lived in the "Little House on the Prairie" days but I think I'll just stay where I am.



I am attaching the passage from Exodus 10 on the plague of locusts. Try to imagine it.


12 And the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over Egypt so that locusts will swarm over the land and devour everything growing in the fields, everything left by the hail."

13 So Moses stretched out his staff over Egypt, and the LORD made an east wind blow across the land all that day and all that night. By morning the wind had brought the locusts;

14 they invaded all Egypt and settled down in every area of the country in great numbers. Never before had there been such a plague of locusts, nor will there ever be again.

15 They covered all the ground until it was black. They devoured all that was left after the hail—everything growing in the fields and the fruit on the trees. Nothing green remained on tree or plant in all the land of Egypt.

16 Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "I have sinned against the LORD your God and against you.

17 Now forgive my sin once more and pray to the LORD your God to take this deadly plague away from me."

18 Moses then left Pharaoh and prayed to the LORD.

19 And the LORD changed the wind to a very strong west wind, which caught up the locusts and carried them into the Red Sea. Not a locust was left anywhere in Egypt.

20 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let the Israelites go.

Time Warp Thursday

Today I am going back to our Vegas trip on 2005. We went to a Women of Faith Conference. I know in all places...Vegas. Well we had a ball. Enjoy!!

Make a Smilebox photobook

Seasons of Storms

Have you ever noticed just when things get going good and looking up you get bombarded in a season of storms that you think might not ever end??

I have several friends right now that are just going through a rough patch, I don't just mean one friend but several. I find at times not knowing what to say to encourage them but have learned that sometimes all we need to do is just be there for them. Whether that means offer advice or mainly just to listen.

Listening is the most important communication skill in my opinion. Often times my mouth overloads my brain, as I have often said before, and I don't hear a thing someone is trying to tell me. Then I wonder, was I really that insensitive to what was going on in their life??? We as a generation are a selfish people. Thinking only of ourselves, wanting more for us, wanting to make us happy no matter what the cost. How sad is that???

I am in the book of Psalms for my read through the Bible in a year we are doing at church and I found one the other day that was good, and I want to share it with you so that maybe it will give you hope and comfort in whatever storm you might be facing.

Psalm 130

1 From the depths of despair, O Lord, I call for your help.

2 Hear my cry, O Lord. Pay attention to my prayer.

3 Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive?

4 But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you.

5 I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word.

6 I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn, yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.

7 O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is unfailing love. His redemption overflows.

8 He himself will redeem Israel from every kind of sin.

In the depths of despair this writer cried out to God. Despair makes us feel isolated and distant from God, but this is when we need God most. Despair over sin should not lead to self-pity, causing us to think more about ourselves than God. Instead, it should lead to confession and then to God's mercy, forgiveness, and redemption. When we feel overwhelmed by a problem, feeling sorry for ourselves will only increase feelings of hopelessness, but crying out to God will turn our attention to the only One who can really hope.

I don't know what you might be facing right now in your life but look to God for your strength!!

Tuesday Tunes

Today's Tuesday Tunes is a request from the "Joyful One" Tami. We Ya-Ya's met last night and as usual it was well needed for all of us. We met around Andrea's pool and it was great. So, here's to you Tam



Paul Baloche - Your Name


As morning dawns and evening fades
You inspire songs of praise
That rise from earth to touch Your heart and glorify Your Name



Your Name is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name is a shelter like no other
Your Name, let the nations sing it loud- er
'Cause nothing has the power to save
But Your Name



Jesus, in Your Name we pray
Come and fill our hearts today
Lord, give us strength to live for You and glorify Your Name




Your Name is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name is a shelter like no other
Your Name, let the nations sing it loud- er
'Cause nothing has the power to save but Your Name




Your Name is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name is a shelter like no other
Your Name, let the nations sing it loud- er

'Cause nothing has the power to save but



'Cause nothing has the power to save but Your Name

Manic Monday

It's Monday, and boy and I'm pooped!! We had a long weekend. Aimee had her first travel softball tournament this weekend. It was in Indianapolis. She played 4 games on Saturday and 2 on Sunday. She plays for the Indiana Sting 18U travel team, even though she is 16. They went 6-0 for the weekend, qualifying for Nationals their first weekend out, I'd say that's a good way to start out the next 7 weekends!! It was pretty cool, at the championship game there was a guy from HoosierAuthority.com doing a live web cast of the game. We came home and downloaded it. We are all burnt to a crisp and sore. I even put on sunscreen but I guess it didn't help much. I just hope it turns into a nice tan.

We picked Cole up Sunday from his Dad's. Talk about a long day, leaving Indy going to Seymour, to Cannelburg to pick Chopper up then home. But, this is a choice we made and for the most part we enjoy it. On the trip home Aimee & Ed got talking about bait to use on line hooks in ponds and I guess Cole wasn't paying too much attention because Ed said "Hominy works good for that too" and Aim said "What is Hominy", out of the blue Cole said "Harmony is a place of tranquility". We all about died laughing. Well, that's it for today because I am tired and I want to veg on the couch for a while. My 2 kids had all the house work done when I got home so I have a chance to. What a blessing.

As soon as I get a team picture I will attach it. I hope I don't drive you nuts with it, I am just proud of my kids!!

Father's Day

Well, Father's Day is this Sunday and I have the same ole' dilemma. What do you get a Dad when he never wants anything for himself and only thinks of others??? So, I texted him today and asked him and what did he say..... a new cartridge for his pool that is broke. Now mind you this isn't a gift for him or a fun one either. In which I told him!! So he said, one short sleeve dress shirt 16 1/2 neck, not white.

Give me a break!! So, I will buy him a shirt and try to think of something else to get him. This is just too hard!!

Let me tell you about my Dad. He had a very hard childhood, living alone from the age of 8 until 13 when he moved in with his grandmother. He is a very hard worker and a dedicated father. I remember when we were little Dad playing with us and our kitchen sets, painting cartoon characters on our room walls, painting our fingernails, and washing our hair. He comes off as a rough guy, with a strange personality at times, when he really is a sensitive, caring person.

I have been very blessed with wonderful parents. I always knew I would have food on the table, clothes on my back, and anything my Dad could afford to get me. I am one of the lucky kids in this world to have parents that never divorced, and worked hard to raise our family the way God intended.

Happy Fathers Day Dad!!

Time Warp Thursday

We are going back today to my childhood. Ahhh, the memories. Well, if you know my Dad then you know he thrives on playing practical jokes on people.



He walked a mail route that was 18 miles long each day. He had a guy that worked with him named Mike Blanton that was terrified of snakes (a man after my own heart). Dad had a plastic fake snake, that doesn't look as real as my nephew Caleb's does, but Dad would put it in a mailbox and when Mike would open up the door to the mailbox there was this snake in there. He would jump and scream.



Dad actually got kicked out of a church softball game once. You see he was a pitcher and he had a rubber chicken and a rubber hand. He would go to pitch and throw either of them, until the umpire had enough. It was all in good fun.



Andi and I were running home once from the neighbor's house and we saw the plastic snake on the ground in front of the porch, we jumped over it and went into the house and said very funny Dad, we saw your snake. He said it isn't out there. We had actually jumped over a real live snake.



And they wonder why I used to have nightmares about snakes and are terrified of them....



At least it wasn't dull in the Woodsmall home.

Wacky Wednesday

Well, I made it to Wednesday. I am sitting here at work...shhhhh. Ed and Aimee will be home tonight, thankfully!! I told Aim I might squeeze her until she pops, she said that would be fine with her!! I have missed them. On a good note, the girls have gone 9-1 at basketball camp. Paige Dobson got to play in an awesome all-star game last night and Rachel got 3rd in the Hot Shot competitoin out of like 50 girls!



We didn't have grouping this week since Tami is in Florida as well as Andrea. I miss those girls!! Tami doesn't text so I haven't been in contact with her.



I have to give a big shout out to me "consulting firm", boy I sound important huh??? I had an issue I needed to work through for a school board thing and the great minds of the Burns/Jones family really came through for me, even on vacation!! What a friend that ole' Andrea is!



Annette and I escaped to Jasper on Tuesday night. We had a good time, she is one of those gals that I can just be totally me with, flaws and all and she doesn't judge me, and the best part is that she still wants to be around me... I got my toes re-done and we went to Applebees. I have the best friends anyone can ask for. I am SO blessed in that area.



My turning point for today was a really good one that made me think, I am going to end with it. Have a great hump day!!



And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord . . .
Deuteronomy 6:18


Standing up for what’s right is not an easy thing to do. In fact, some people feel it is easier to go with the flow of whatever is popular at the time or avoid the issue altogether. Sadly, this can lead to an entire culture of weak, misguided, and apathetic people. As one person states, “When 40 million people believe in a dumb idea, it’s still a dumb idea. So if you believe in something that’s good, honest, and right, stand up for it.”



There is one person in the Bible who perhaps understood this better than anyone. When Joseph was approached by his master’s wife, he not only stood up for what was right, he ran, leaving his coat behind him. Most people would think he was crazy for running away from such a proposition; but he knew what was right, and he stood by it. For that, he was immeasurably blessed by God.



Whether you’re dealing with ethical issues at work or moral issues with friends and family, don’t be afraid to stand up for what you know is right. It may be difficult, but it will be worth it. Take God’s hand, and take a stand!

Tuesday Tunes

This is just one of those feel good songs. Remember those days????



Bubbly by Colbie Caillat


I've been awake for a while now
You've got me feelin' like a child now
'Cause every time I see your bubbly face
I get the tinglies in a silly place



It starts in my toes
An i crinkle my nose
Wherever it goes
I always know
you make me smile
Please stay for a while now
Just take your time
Wherever you go



The rain is falling on my window pane
But we are hiding in a safer place
Under covers staying dry and warm
You give me feelings that I adore



They start in my toes
Make me crinkle my nose
Wherever it goes
I always know
That you make me smile
Please stay for a while now
Just take your time
Wherever you go



What am I going to say
When you make me feel this way
I just mmmmm



And it starts in my toes
Makes me crinkle my nose
Wherever it goes
I always know
That you make me smile
Please stay for a while now
Just take your time
Wherever you go


I've been asleep for a while now
You tuck me in just like a child now
'Cause every time you hold me in your arms
I'm comfortable enough to feel your warmth



And it starts in my soul
And I lose all control
When you kiss my nose
The feeling shows
'cause you make me smile baby
Just take your time now
Holdin' me tight



Wherever wherever wherever you go
Wherever wherever wherever you go



wherever you go
I always know
'Cause you make me smile
herejust for a while

ROAD TRIP!!!

When the kids were smaller we would go for drives a lot. We always enjoyed that time we had together. Since they have gotten older we rarely get a chance to do that. However, Saturday when Aimee's games were cancelled Ed & Cole devised a plan (actually to go to Bass Pro Shop) for a road trip. Aimee and I were all up for it (we didn't know the Bass Pro thing).



We took off to head to Leavenworth to go to the Overlook restaurant and just have a nice scenic drive. We had a great time. The kids were in good moods, other than the usual back seat bickering. We got close to Leavenworth and Cole saw a sign for The Dock restaurant down on the river so we opted to eat there. IT was the best food we have had in a while. Cole had jumbo butterfly shrimp while the rest of us had catfish. Aimee says they had THE best sweet tea ever.



From there we went to New Albany to the Bass Pro shop. Ed had decided that Aimee and I needed new fishing poles????? Go figure! Aimee picked hers out and I didn't really care so I got a purple and white one. It is cool. The kids talked dear ole' Dad into getting them hats (as you see in the picture) as well as t-shirts. From there the boys decided we needed to go fishing. So we ventured home to go to Adam & Carlye's pond.



It was SO peaceful and relaxing at the pond. It was a real God moment to sit there and just praise him for what we are lucky to have and be able to do. That is until the competitiveness in Aimee came out. She was a little upset because she was being out-fished. Of course Ed kept aggravating her as well!! It wasn't until we got home that he realized that he had messed up her new pole while he fixed it up to go! That made her feel better.



So, here I sit all alone with the realization of what the "empty nest" must feel like and I have to admit .... I HATE IT!! I don't want my kids to grow up and leave, I don't want a quiet house. Ok, enough of my pity party.



Ed & Aimee will be home on Wednesday night and Cole on Sunday night so I guess I will survive.

Are you Religious?

Here I sit getting ready to head out the door to church. Just Cole & I since Ed & Aimee are on their way to Kentucky to basketball camp until Wednesday evening. Cole leaves today at 2:30 to go to his Dad's for a week. I think I am going to take some much needed quiet time with God.



Aimee's tournament was cancelled because of the storms that hit Indianapolis hard so we got to go to Jasper and visit with some friends of our that Aimee used to play with it. We had a good time. They are really good people. It is amazing to me how many people you meet and lifelong relationships you will make through this. It is a blessing.



I had a statement said to me that had really made me ponder it though and I am really struggling within myself over it. I am sure it was a God thing. I had a person say to me "We knew you went to church all the time, but until we read your blog we didn't know you were religious." Well, I had to stop and think about that. Am I "Religious"?


I looked up Religious in the dictionary just to see how it was worded. It states:
1: relating to or manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity

2: of, relating to, or devoted to religious beliefs or observances

3 scrupulously and conscientiously faithful, fervent, zealous



Back in the Bible times, the Religious people were the Pharisees, who sought to test Jesus to try and trick him. They were "above" the other people, they were hypocrites. I also looked up Pharisee in the dictionary and here is what I found:

1. a member of a Jewish sect that flourished during the 1st century b.c. and 1st century a.d. and that differed from the Sadducee's chiefly in its strict observance of religious ceremonies and practices, adherence to oral laws and traditions, and belief in an afterlife and the coming of a Messiah.

2. a sanctimonious, self-righteous, or hypocritical person.



WOW! I DO NOT want to be or mean to come off as self-righteous or hypocritical, and I am sure this person never meant it that way. It just got me to thinking.


What I did learn is that there are people who do not know that I love Jesus. How could that be? It says in the Bible in Luke 9:26 (New Living Translation) 26 If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.


I think this was a lesson for me. Do I need to go out and preach to everyone I meet?? No, I just have to be Jesus to everyone and show it through my actions. I thank God that I had to ponder this because it is so easy to get caught up in how you think you are being so good and not even realize that you could be making an impact on just one life and haven't done it.


Have a good week!!

The lure of the world....

Hey all!! I will not be blogging this weekend or probably the next 6 weekends since we will be at tournaments. I thought today's Turning Point was good so I am attaching it for today. have a good weekend!!



Friday, June 6


The Lure of the World


Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth . . . but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven . . .Matthew 6:19-20


Recommended ReadingMatthew 19:16-24


A man once asked D. L. Moody, "Now that I am converted, have I got to give up the world?" Moody replied, "No, you haven't got to give up the world; if you give a good ringing testimony for the Son of God, the world will give you up pretty quick."



This conversation echoes one that took place over two thousand years ago in Judea between Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler. Hearing that he must sell his possessions and give to the poor was simply more than he could bear, so he forfeited his "treasure in heaven" for temporary treasures on earth (Matthew 19:21-22).



The lure of the world is like a strong undertow, relentless in its pull toward certain death. This is why it is so critical that we, as Christians, keep our mind's eye fixated on the eternal treasures we lay up for ourselves every time we choose to give up worldly pleasures. By doing this over and over, we will gain strength in our stand against conforming to the world and become more like Christ every day.



Brother, let me say this to you: You are on one side or the other.Samuel Porter Jones

Time Warp Thursday

Since it is baseball season today's edition for "Time warp Thursday" takes us back to tee ball. Cole played on my dear friend, Andrea's husband Aaron's team. This was his first year to play so it was a big deal. Cole got up to bat, hit the ball and got on first. The next child was up and hit the ball so Cole got on second, you see where this is going. He evidently got on third base when Aaron said ok Cole go home. Cole ran in, we all cheered!! He then proceeded to the dugout got his stuff and came to our chairs and said....




Wait for it...... Wait for it.........



My coach told me to go home!! We laughed until we rolled. How innocent and naive our kids can be. I wish at times I could keep them that way.

Worry free Wednesday

I heard a saying yesterday that goes like this; "If all my family are in one place together, then there is a carnival running itself". That cracked me up!! The picture above is me and my Dad in the waiting room yesterday waiting for Mom's surgery to be over. I am doing the famous "Woodsmall fake smile" we have a profuse amount of family pictures in which SOMEONE is doing the fake smile. It is a Woodsmall tradition, I know pretty corny huh??? There are not many dull moments in my family.



Mom came through surgery wonderfully. I talked to her today and they got her up and she said it wasn't as painful as she had heard so that is good news. Nothing like new knees!!!



I'm not sure I can handle it BUT I will be alone for 4 days.... ALONE! Did you hear me??? Ed and Aimee are going to Kentucky for basketball camp Sunday-Wednesday and Cole will be at this Dad's next week. What will I do???? I should probably do some home project but that is doubtful. Chopper and I will just bond I guess....



We are starting a new Wednesday night study tonight at church based on Max Lucado's 3:16. I am excited to get started on it!! I'll keep you posted as we progress.



Have a good hump day!!

Tuesday Tunes

Here is a shout out to my Mama with her Tuesday Tune request!! She came through the surgery good!!


Whoo!
It sure is hot out here
Ya know?
I don't mind thought
Just glad to be great
Know what I'm saying, uh!



Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise you
(What'cha wanna do?)
I just wanna praise you
(Yeah, yeah)
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
(Uh feel me?)
And I'm gonna praise you
(What'cha gon do?)
I'm gonna praise you



In the corners of mind
I just can't seem to find a reason to believe
That I can break free
Cause you see I have been down for so long
Feel like the hope is gone
But as I lift my hands, I understand
That I should praise you through my circumstance



Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise you
I just wanna praise you
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I'm gonna praise you
I'm gonna praise you



Everything that could go wrong
All went wrong at one time
So much pressure fell on me
I thought I was gon lose my mind
But I know you wanna see
If I will hold on through these trials
But I need you to lift this load
Cause I can't take it anymore



Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise you
I just wanna praise you
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I'm gonna praise you
I'm gonna praise you



Been through the fire and the rain
Bound in every kind of way
But God has broken every chain
So let me go right now



Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise you
I just wanna praise you
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I'm gonna praise you
I'm gonna praise you
[repeat x3]



Take them off
What'cha gonna do, yeah



Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise you
I just wanna praise you
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I'm gonna praise you
I'm gonna praise you

Heat

Have you ever noticed how it gets SO hot real quick?? I was hoping for some more mild weather for our first softball tournament this coming weekend. It can get very hot for a pale skin sister sitting out in it all weekend!







I am kinda at a loss as to what I should blog today so this may be a little bit of me just rambling. Which brings me to turtles... lol I know you are thinking ok her ADHD has really kicked in here!!





So, I was driving the jeep trails at work the other day. (My absolute favorite thing to do) when I saw probably 3 or 4 turtles in about a 5 mile stretch. Have you ever noticed how they are just cruising along, all be it, rather slowly just enjoying the day when you drive by them and they just duck in their shells. They also use their mouths as a way to scare off predators, by snapping them shut producing a sound up to 75 decibels.





Ironically, I was thinking about this, how often are we just sailing through life when something comes our way and we just want to jump in our shells and stay there until it's gone? It would be so much easier to not have to deal with the storms of life. But it is in those storms that God teaches us the most about ourselves and we grow. Can you imagine if we just hid out all the time not wanting to get hurt, or something to happen to us?? I want to live life not hide in my shell.





On the other hand, a lesson to learn from the turtle is when to snap our mouths shut!! This is the one that gets me in trouble. I tend to let my mouth overload my brain, then I am standing there thinking, why did you say that! We must train ourselves to think before we react. Being honest, while essential, can be hurtful if it isn't put in the right way.





Decide today, which trait of the turtle you have and what to do about it!!




James 3:9-11
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Busy weekend!

Whew!! We have had a busy weekend. Mainly getting things done around the house and such. I went to my sisters yesterday. We had a good time making our "surprises" for our Ya-Ya's. I got to see my nephew Caleb and niece Chloe. I posted their pictures above. That is Chloe looking oh so sweet (don't let that fool you) Man, she knows how to get you wrapped around her little finger. Then there is Caleb in his costume. This kids has SO much personality. He loves to dress up in super hero costumes. They are really fun kids!! They helped us make our "things" and Chloe got out of taking a nap so Aunt Christy may have scored even more points!!

The bottom picture is Luke Edward. Like the middle name??? We stopped by Pat and Merly's in Seymour on the way to get Cole. He was playing Guitar Hero, and even singing "Slow Ride". Ness was playing with a friend outside. Ed & I took a country ride on the way to Seymour, we had a good time riding and talking. He even took me over a creepy bridge. If you know me I hate 2 things. Snakes & Bridges!! Caleb had a fake snake that really looked like a real one so he thought it was funny to throw it on the table while we were working!! I did not like it!!

I am sitting here in a quiet house. Aimee is at John's and Ed and Cole went and got Kevin Harder to go fishing for a while so I had time to write. Keep my Mama in your prayers, she has her knee surgery on Tuesday. She just text me and said
get this, I can't wear any makeup to my surgery, not even mascara" Now, she won't even go the mailbox without her hair done and makeup done so this is a big deal to her!! Ha Ha! In all seriousness, she will have a rough few weeks, but she will survive (as one of her favorite anthem songs goes)!

Have a good Monday and remember to start the week out right! Be thankful for the little things!!