Taxi

And they're off.... My life as a soccer mom is beginning again. Ahhhh, the break was nice but alas, children are calling. Mom, we have to be there for practice. Mom, the bus leaves at 4:00. Mom, I need my uniform. Mom, I need food. Mom I need a Gatorade.




It gets hectic at times, especially since Cole is in Jr. High and Aimee is in High School and often times their sporting events are on the same nights. So, Ed and I usually pass on the road and wave to each other while we go our separate ways. Tomorrow night Cole has a track meet at Mitchell at 4:30 and Aimee has a softball game (weather permitting) at Paoli at 5:30. So I will rush home from work get ready, leave, go to some of Cole's meet then on to Aimee's game. Ed will wait for Cole to finish then come to the game in Paoli. (Which means I will miss A. Idol. ARGH!!!)


I am telling you in a few years Ed and I will be sitting around looking at each other wandering what to do. I enjoy it, I really do even though it gets a tad crazy around the Farhar home. Sometimes, I think only Chopper (the Boxer) is the sane one!! (I know many of you don't think that at all). He really is sweet, I swear! lol


Often times I think that ole scum dog keeps us busy to get us farther away from God. When we are busy, it is hard to find times to sit and be along with God and our Bible. That is why it is important to have an accountability partner or a group to have grouping with. I really need to get this going again. It just helps to keep me on track, but with my schedule it has to be flexible, so it can be hard to do. Anyway, I am signing off for today to read my daily chapters for our read through the bible in a year!!

Have a great week!!

Boldness

Today in church we had a toe-stepping sermon. IT WAS AWESOME!! Pastor Dan was really convicting everyone. I wish you could have seen Cole and Aimee, they were mesmerized by him, they were following his every action. Praise God!! Although sometimes it can be hard to hear, we need to hear it. We need to be told that there will be a second coming of Christ! It can be so easy to not totally buy into it. Like Dan said this morning, if everyone believed it why do we have empty pews in church?? Why are we not concerned with our friends salvation?? Why are we glued to our pews??


MAN!! That hit me, I have been praying for more boldness for myself along with others to go out and profess the love and good news of Christ. That can be, at times, a hard thing to do. We all in one way or another want to "fit in" or don't want to be labeled a "Jesus Freak" or "Bible Thumper". Why not??? I heard it said somewhere once. "It is amazing what can be accomplished when we don't care who gets the credit". Most people want to be patted on the back for things done. I admit, there are times when I like it too. BUT, we need to have more of a servant's heart and do things joyfully and with a smiling face! It is amazing what you can teach someone just by your actions and how you handle situations.


I am not "preaching" to any of you who read this. It is meant for me more than anyone! I just hope we can all find that boldness to profess our love for Christ and let his love shine through us.

Have a blessed week!!

Goals

What are your goals??


A couple of years ago we had a Navy reserve unit at Crane for a couple of weeks. One of the guys was riding with Bob Smith, who at the time was 54 and had worked at Crane since he was 18 years old. The reservist looked at Bob and said "What are your goals?". Well Bobby just looked at him and said I am 54 years old, my goals now are to retire and die!



I have had many "goals" in my life some I have reached some I have not. A couple of the ones I haven't reached are:

1. To take a trip to Africa
2. To visit Rupp Arena



Now, these are such human goals, however I have some more vertical goals I want to reach. Like:

1. To lead many to Christ
2. To tell others the love of Jesus and sometimes use words.
3. To be the best parent, wife, friend, and child I can be.
4. To make sure no child goes to bed hungry, and knows the love of Jesus.


WOW! Those sound big and they are. Can it be done??? I am sure however, when we attempt to do things and do not succeed we cannot give up or beat ourselves up over it. We must push on friends, because let's face it, we all fail and daily. That is what makes God's Grace so great!


2 Corinthians 12:10 (New International Version)

10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

The Last Lecture

I had sent this out in an e-mail a while back but wanted to post it here. It is a very good video. It lasts about 10 minutes. I hope you take the time to watch it. It is a great perspective on life and how to live it.

Billy Ray Cyrus ft.Miley Cyrus- Ready,Set,Don't Go(W/Lyrics)

I'm going to quit driving....

You want to know what they are looking for??? ME driving!!

Because....

What are the chances of having 4 accidents in 2 months??? Well, Aimee and I have done it. Aimee had her first wreck, that you all know about a couple of months ago. Then Monday on her way home from a friends' house she got hit by a deer in the side of her car, she cannot open her door. Man, I was NOT happy, even though it wasn't her fault. I was just thinking our Insurance is going to drop us!


WELL...... On my way to work this morning at 4:30 I hit yet another Bambie! And guess what??? I can't open my door! Hmm... guess that it someones way of saying so much for your anger the other night. SO, here I sit at home getting ready to go get an estimate on mine, (Aimee's ended up being not enough to turn in..Thank God!!)


I am starting to think these deer have it our for me... I have never hunted deer, never eaten (much) deer, I think they are all pretty BUT they hate my Durango. It is tan so maybe they think it is one of theirs to run with??? I mean I hit one deer and they all gun for me now?? What's up with that? I told Ed I think I am going to start driving 30 mph or quit driving all together! Which we know isn't possible. :-)

Cole is in Florida until Saturday, and man am I missing that little guy! I hate it when he leaves for more than a weekend....I am sure he is ready to come home as well.

Have a good day!! And watch out for deer!!

Tuesday Tunes

Long time listener, first time caller. I think I might have the onset of "Empty Nest Syndrome". I know you are thinking what is she talking about. But, think about it in 5 years both kids will be in college!! ARGH!!! The guys at work tease me that I will have really bad "ENS".


Anyway, the song today is from Hannah Montana... lol. I know, I know, the Farhar house likes Hannah Montana. Here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QofeGJehx0Q


Ready, Set, Don't Go ------Billy Ray Cyrus

Billy Ray: She's gotta do what she's gotta do

And I've gotta like it or not

She's got dreams too big for this town

And she needs to give 'em a shot

Whatever they are



Miley: Looks like I'm all ready to leave

Nothing left to pack



Billy Ray: There ain't no room for me in that car

Even if she asked me to tag along



Both: But I gotta be strong



(chorus)Miley: I'm at the startin' line of the rest of my life

As ready as I've ever been

Got the hunger and the stars in my eyes

The prize is mine to win



Billy Ray: She's waitin' on my blessings before she hits that open road

Baby get ready

(oh im ready)Get set

Don't go



Miley: Feels like things are fallen into place



Billy Ray:Feels like they're fallen apart

I painted this big ol' smile on my face

To hide my broken heart

If only she knew



Miley: This is where you don't say what you want so bad to say



Billy Ray: This is where I want to but I won't get in the way

Of her and her dreams

And spreadin' her wings (im ready to fly)



(chorus)Miley: I'm at the startin' line of the rest of my life

As ready as I've ever been

Got the hunger and the stars in my eyes

The prize is mine to win



Billy Ray: She's waitin' on my blessings before she hits that open road

Baby get ready

Get set

Don't go (dont gooo)


Miley: I'm at the startin' line of the rest of my life

As ready as I've ever been (ever been)

Got the hunger and the stars in my eyes

The prize is mine to win (I'll be waiting)



Billy Ray: She's waitin' on my blessings before she hits that open road

Baby get ready (wooo hooo woo)

Get set

Please Don't go


Don't go (let me go now, im ready)Don't go


Miley: I'll be alright

I'll be ok

know that

I'll be thinking of you

each and every day



Billy Ray: She's gotta do what she's gotta do (let me go now)

She's gotta do what she's gotta do (I gotta do what I gotta do)

Snap Away!!

Well remember yesterday when I wrote an excerpt from Patsy Clairmont's book??? I'll refresh your memory..." I don't remember ordering an extra large wad of rubber-band emotions at the take-out window of life, but, honey, I've got 'em!"



Boy, did I ever have an extra large wad of rubber-band emotions this morning!!! I shouldn't have said I was doing better in this area, because this morning at 4 a.m. (when I get ready to leave for work) my rubber-band emotions wound tight and yep you guessed it, they snapped. Now, don't get me wrong, I feel justified in my "snapping" and I think Ed would agree BUT, and that's a big but (not butt!!!! well.....) I could have been more tactful and not so emotional, it could have been handled more graceful and not so how did Lauren put it "Bull in a China shop" (man that is me sometimes). Maybe it was a combination of tiredness, Monday morning blahs, and just the daily chores piling up.


I talked to Ed on the way to work and was still a little "snappy" so he was smart and got off the phone and texted me (what a smart man). I texted him back about an hour later and told him I loved him and he said I love you 2 and I asked even when I snap.. he said of course... I am so lucky!



Anyway, this got me to thinking about anger. Is it ever appropriate to be angry??? For sure it is. It is just that anger needs boundaries....which doesn't include Bulls running through China shops. I have learned that anger can sometimes be an attack of the truth when kindness is more likely to be heard by others, instead of being tuned out with mutterings of "Here she goes again". Truth is essential HOWEVER, it is the way we approach it that makes all the difference. I was told yesterday that a girl my sister knows said her husband thinks I pulled him over once, I don't remember but my brother-in-law said "Was she blonde" and he said "I'm not sure" and my brother-in-law said "Did she have a big mouth"? Talk about a slap in the face!!! I thought about that and thought is that how he really sees me??? What an awful image to have.



This morning I wished I had a filter on my big mouth (and lots of other times) that would have taken what I said and made it a little more kind... oh well maybe it is just me but I often times find myself failing however, that is the amazing thing about God, he loves us just as we are, for who we are on the inside. We can't get hung up on our failures because we would all be under a rock if we did! And folks, that is what matters Gods Grace is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow!!

I had this song on my imeem.com playlist, and I went there to jam when I hit shuffle and it came on.. how appropriate for today. I wanted to share it with you all. I'll post a link so you can hear it. It is titled "Visible" by 4Him.

http://profile.imeem.com/z7vEkgE/playlist/eiGV-8zJ/1_music_playlist/

4Him Visible Lyrics

Sometimes I feel so inadequate
I start to question am I ready for these things you ask
My words are not so eloquent
But if I speak the truth in love
Even simple words are equal to the task


Oh Lord let your spirit rise within me
Until the world cannot deny that you
This is my only passion the very reason why I live


To make you known
To make you seen
To be your hands
To be your feet
Oh I want to be a revelation of love
Oh I, I want to make the invisible god – visible


May my life be an offering so completely given
Till there’s nothing left but you alone
This is my prayer, my destiny
That my life reveals your glory
So that you remain long after I am gone


Oh Lord you have made me for this purpose
And all I have is just one life to give my all


To make you known
To make you seen
To be your hands
To be your feet
Oh I want to be a revelation of love
Oh I, I want to make the invisible god – visible


Make it clear to see who you are revealed in me (a sacrifice)
The beauty of the life you gave unending love amazing grace
My one desire, my one desire


To make you known To make you seen
To be your hands
To be your feet
Oh I want to be a revelation of love
Oh I, I want to make the invisible god – visible

Hey, who supersized my emotions???

I am reading a book by Patsy Clairmont titled "I second that emotion. Untangling our zany feelings". If you have ever heard Patsy speak or read any of her books you know that you will be entertained. She is about 90 lbs of fire! The title attracted me to the book.


In the introduction she says " I don't remember ordering an extra large wad of rubber-band emotions at the take-out window of life, but, honey, I've got 'em! No wonder I sometimes snarl and snap at folks; it's all those elastic knots inside me. This isn't a new condition for me, but menopause hasn't exactly enhanced the situation. Instead, it has added, ahem, emotional dynamics that my family claims I didn't need. I took that as a compliment. I thought that by the time a woman reached my age, she pretty much had her emotion cinched in. Don't get me wrong, I've improved. Honest. Les, my husband of forty-five years, is still alive, and that
s proof I'm doing better (just kidding...sorta). The poor guy has had his hands full, dealing in the past with my radical reactions and now my hot-flashing hormones. I came to understand that life is constantly pressing our buttons because people, circumstances, changes, hormonal shifts, and our emotions (his too) combine to make us a work in progress.

Man, that hit me right on the head (minus the menopause stuff). How true is that that people, circumstances, and our emotions press our buttons constantly. At times I let my emotions get the best of me. I have done better but there are still those days when I could snap, and then I have to give myself a little talking and say Listen you, this is stupid, get back on track and contain yourself. That is hard at times.

There are a few issues that I am very passionate about. My kids and family are the main thing, and there are times when I feel that I need to step up and control a situation if I feel that they are being done a disservice too, when many times I let my mouth overload my brain. I should learn to just stop and let happen what may, and then if I need to pick up the pieces I can. I have been working on this.

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter. We had a very busy weekend, and we are tired but we get to start all over in the morning. Have a great week. I am excited for this week. My older sister will be going on the Walk to Emmaus this week and I am pumped for it!!

Happy Good Friday

Good Friday is the most important Christian "Holiday" in my opinion. Now, some might argue that Christmas is since it was the birth of Christ. However, without this dreadful day we would not be where we are today. We would not have the grace and mercy that God so willingly gives to each of us if we only take it. It is free, so why not???

Think about it like this, if Jesus hadn't died on that cross for our sins we wouldn't have the Holy Spirit to guide and direct our lives. Jesus had to die to give us the gift of the Holy Spirit. The disciples had Jesus to guide them but he knew there was more to fulfill. What love!

Did you know that Good Friday is celebrated all over the world?? For instance, in Canada, banks and government offices (at all levels) and public sector businesses are closed, along with most private sector businesses (except in Quebec). In Hong Kong, all businesses and government offices are closed for a public holiday. The Republic of Ireland, a predominantly Catholic country, prohibits all alcohol from being sold on Good Friday. The day is a bank holiday, but not a public holiday. All pubs and many restaurants in Ireland close for the duration of the day. In Germany, comedic theater performances and events which include public dancing are illegal on the day (although this restriction is enforced unevenly); cinemas and television are not affected, although many TV channels show religious material on the day. In South Africa, the government regulates the opening of businesses and entertainment outlets on this day (as with Christmas Day). All government offices, schools and certain businesses are closed on Good Friday by law. The buying and selling of alcohol is prohibited. In India, Good Friday is a Central Government as well as a State holiday, although Stock Markets are usually closed. I could name more but you get the picture. It isn't just celebrated in the United States.

Try to take a few minutes today to reflect on that dreadful day on a hill in Golgotha, and what it means to us as Christians.

Cable

Well, I was all pumped up for last night. I was getting ready for my daily dose of "Little House on the Prairie" (I am addicted) when what happened??? The cable went out... Oh my goodness!! This is not happening, this was my Survivor and American Idol night... (I know I know... it is just a t.v.)

Anyway, we went to church which was a great night of our class. Got home and guess what still no t.v. At that point Aimee bailed on us and went to the Harder's house. Cole was pacing the floors when.... Da Da Danta... Andrea came to the rescue and said come out here, I'll turn Survivor on before A.I. and the kitchen t.v. can go on basketball so you can keep up there. I just love this girl!! (not just for your t.v. either) :-)

We had a good night, she has the cutest family! And we were shocked that Amanda Overmeyer was voted off. Who'd a thunk it??? lol. I cannot believe that Christy Lee Cook is still there but hey whatever.... Even though my man bombed on Michele he stayed so I am happy.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that the t.v. will be back on by the time I get home today. It is offically March Madness!! Kentucky plays at 2:30 and I am ready for some quality time with my couch!!

Have a good day!!

Flood

Does anyone know how to build an ark??? I think we might need one when all this rain is over. The kids were out of school today, now don't get me wrong I love my kids, but I have OCD and I like things in order and a schedule to things. When things get off track I tend to freak a little... I have my routine that I follow when I get home and it is usually in peace and quiet!

I drive Ed crazy because when we go on vacation, I have it all planned out right down to the minute. I do not like the unknown, I do not like surprises. I want to know what is going on and when it is going to happen. However, it is good to get out of our comfort zones every now and then. I just don't want to get too carried away with it!!



I know I will be glad when the Beatles theme is over on American Idol. I think they are hard songs and it is hard to tell which has been my favorite. The real dilemma tonight is that Survivor is on due to the NCAA tournament tomorrow night. So, after church I'll get home take my place on the sofa and flip between Survivor and A.I.



Tomorrow starts the bulk of the NCAA tournament and I can't wait!! Kentucky plays at 2:25 and I will be home at 1:30 tomorrow so I hope to get to watch it. I love the next few weeks then it is onto Baseball season. Warm weather AHHHH!!



Gotta go tend to the little ones....Have a good night!!

Tuesday Tunes

Here we are for another edition of Tuesday Tunes. The song I chose for today is one that has become my lifesong. I first heard it at a team formation "Dying Moments" on Women's Walk 35 that I worked and it really spoke to me.

I know that we as "humans" have done many things that we aren't proud of and things that can control our lives. The hardest part is learning to forgive ourselves. Once we can do that it is easy sailing. But often times we lay our burdens at the cross and trust God to deal with them and then we turn around and pick them up and take them with us. We need to learn to lay them down and leave them at the cross for God to destroy.

The Devil preys on our weaknesses and he knows right where to get us. I hope this song speaks to you as it has to me. I am going to add a link to the video for it that I found on God Tube.

East To West - Casting Crowns

Here I am Lord and I’m drowning, in Your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me, I yearn for peace and rest
I don’t want to end up where You found me
And it echoes in my mind
Keeps me awake tonight
I know you’ve cast my sin as far as the East is from the West
And I stand before You now as though I’ve never sinned
But today I feel like I’m just one mistake away
From You leaving me this way

Jesus can you show me just how far the east is from the west
‘Cause I can’t bear to see the man I’ve been
Rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
‘Cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other

I start the day, the war begins
Endless reminding of my sin
And time and time again
Your truth is drowned out by the storm I’m in
Today I feel like I’m just one mistake away
from You leaving me this way

Jesus You know just how far the east is from the west
I don't have to see the man I've been rising up in me again
In your arms of Your mercy I find rest
cause You know how far the east is from the west
from one scarred hand to the other

I know You’ve washed me white
Turn my darkness into life
I need Your peace to get me through
To get me through this night I can’t live by what I feel
About the truth Your word reveals
I’m not holding on to You
But You’re holding on to me
You’re holding on to me

Jesus You know just how far the east is from the west
I don't have to see the man I've been rising up in me again
In your arms of Your mercy I find rest
cause You know how far the east is from the west
from one scarred hand to the other

Psalm 103:8-14 (New International Version)

8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=68a4c2bc6bc5ba337b4e

Daylight Savings Time

I hate daylight savings time. Three days a week I have to start work at 5 a.m. and the other 2, I start at 6 a.m. (usually). I am not a morning person. I have the guys at worked trained not to talk to me for at least an hour or 16 oz. of coffee whichever comes first.

Being at work for 2-3 hours with no daylight brings me down, and when it is time for me to go to bed it is hard to with daylight! This is a lose lose situation for me as well as Ed. It delays his work day by and hour or 2 hours which puts him home later in the evening.

The only advantage to it will be softball/baseball season. It will be easier to save energy for lights and since our softball field doesn't have lights that will help.

Now I know many people like it because it gives them ample time in the evening to get done what they need to. I just don't see it that way!!

Ok, I will get off my soap box now! I think I have finally recovered from the hour we lost last week.

Have a good week!

Happy Palm Sunday!!!

Happy Palm Sunday!!

We were asked at church this morning how many people we called to wish a Happy Palm Sunday to. Some people snickered while others like me were wandering where this was going. Pastor Dan went on to say that he called his Mom, daughter and Son to wish them a Happy Palm Sunday. Now, he said his Mom wished him one too but his kids were like ok Dad whatever...

I had never thought to wish anyone a Happy Palm Sunday, but why not??? Isn't this the day that is a very important one as a Christian? Just to be clear for everyone, I looked up the definition for Palm Sunday, it is a moveable feast which always falls on the Sunday before Easter. It was a common custom in many lands in the ancient Near East to cover, in some way, the path of someone thought worthy of the highest honour.

We today know the story and what happened. But imagine the disciples when they entered he city with Jesus then he told them what was about to happen. What would our reaction be? Would we see the significance in it? How would we handle it?

Today is the start of Holy week. It isn't too late to put aside ourselves daily and take up our cross and follow Jesus. Sounds easy right?? It isn't, most of us know this by now. We want to "fit in", we want everyone to "like" us. I am tired of trying to conform to this world. Who else will step out in faith with me and follow Jesus??

Take time this week to think about Holy Week leading up to Easter.

Have a blessed Holy week!!

Turning Point

One of my favorite author/speakers is Dr. David Jeremiah. I receive his devotional every day by e-mail and today's was too good to just delete it. So, I am adding it here.

Weekend, March 15 & 16

They Walked with Him: Zacchaeus

He sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.Luke 19:3

Recommended ReadingLuke 19:1-10

Five-foot-three is a popular size. That's how tall Sammy Davis Jr. and Judy Garland were, and Mahatma Gandhi, Nikita Khrushchev, Bo Derek, Mickey Rooney, and the Olsen twins. Voltaire was also 5'3", but the artist Prince didn't make the list. He's 5'2?". Pablo Picasso came in at 5'4", right up there with Mel Brooks, Michael J. Fox, and Queen Elizabeth.

Zacchaeus was short of stature, too, but his size was an asset. Because he was a "wee little man," he climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus, and there—out on a limb, so to speak—he came face-to-face with the Master. Jesus beckoned him down, walked with him to his house, and transformed him into a spiritual giant.

Most of us would like to change our appearance in some way. But Jesus said that no amount of worry would add a single cubit to our stature (Matthew 6:27). Don't be anxious or self-conscious about things you can't change about yourself. Let Jesus change the things that need changing, and trust Him with the rest. Remember—when you walk with Jesus, you're always walking tall.

I thank God for my handicaps, for, through them, I have found myself, my work, and my God.Helen Keller

Glitzy Lady

I saw a license plate today that said "Glitzy Lady". Well, I am not a "Glitzy Lady", I know suprise suprise huh?? I find it fascinating and a little frustrating at times how we are all made different and how we have our own little quirks.

I have been told that God made us all different and unique for a purpose and to fulfill our place in the body of Christ. What the frustrating part to me is that often times, AND I MEAN OFTEN, my mouth overloads my brain and I say things then think oh my did I say that??? Most people always say well we always know where you stand. That is not always a good thing. While I do not tend to hold back, it can sometimes be hurtful when I don't mean it to be.

I have tried to work on that, but at times it is hard. I guess in that way I am like my Dad. Sometimes people just look at us like we have 3 heads or somethings, which can be funny at times!

I am getting ready to go to Tecumseh High School for a Band Competition. While I enjoy watching my kids in their performances, I hate to say this but well, it is a long way.... lol However, the good thing is that I will have good company, since Ed somehow has gotten out of going. Andrea and I are going, and I told her if she was real good I would get her a McDonald's Coke (her favorite).

I am starting to get worried about her brother Kent, he hasn't posted since March 3 about smiling. I guess he is out there just smiling at the world!! (Hint Hint Kent)!!

Anyway, Have a great weekend!!

Come on warm weather....

Well, it's been a couple of days since you have heard from me. I am finally upright and alive. I was in bed literally all day yesterday with a fever and stomach problems. This has been the worst winter for us. I have had the flu 2 times and pneumonia once. But the warm weather is on the way!

It's has been a nice break for us in between sports though. But with Aimee's softball and Cole's track starting up we are about to get busy again. I enjoy it though, because in 5 short years they will be in college. What will Ed and I do with ourselves????

I received an e-mail from Tami the other day about Easter that I wanted to share, it was pretty neat.

Thought this was interesting..

Easter is always the 1st Sunday after the 1st full moon after the Spring Equinox (which is March 20).

This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar that Hebrew people used to identify passover, which is why it moves around on our Roman calendar.

Here's the interesting info: This year is the earliest Easter any of us will ever see the rest of our lives!

And only the most elderly of our population have ever seen it this early (95 years old or above!

And none of us have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier!

Here's the facts:
1) The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be the year 2228 (220 years from now). The last time it was this early was 1913 (so if you're 95 or older, you are the only ones that were around for that!).

2) The next time it will be a day earlier, March 22, will be in the year 2285 (277 years from now). The last time it was on March 22 was 1818.

So, no one alive today has or will ever see it any earlier than this year!

Tuesday Tunes

Here we are again for another edition of Tuesdays Tunes. Today I am picking a song by Jeremy Camp. I just adore him. It is called "Let it Fade". It has a great message and a catchy tune, and this boy is a Hoosier! I will attach a link to the song at the bottom so you can listen to it as well.

Let It Fade

------Jeremy Camp

Have you been walking on a surface that's uncertain?

Have you helped yourself to everything that's empty? yeah!

You can't live this way too long.

There's more than this, more than this.

Have you been standing on your own feet too long?

Have you been looking for a place where you belong?

You can rest, you will find rest.

You can rest, you will find rest.

Let this old life crumble, let it fade.

Let this new life offered be your saving grace.

Let this old life crumble, let it fade, let it fade.

Have you been holding on to what this world has offered?

Have you been giving in to all these masquerades?

It will be gone, forever gone.

It will be gone, it will be gone.

Let this old life crumble, let it fade.

Let this new life offered be your saving grace.

Let this old life crumble, let it fade, let it fade. Let it fade.

Are you carrying the weight too much?, are you running from the call?

Let it fade, Oh yeah.

You can rest, you will find rest.

You can rest you will find rest.

Let this old life crumble, let it fade.

Let this new life offered be your saving grace.

Let this old life crumble, let it fade, let it fade.

Let this old life crumble, let it fade.

Have you been standing on your own feet too long?

Have you been looking for a place where you belong?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCzE1UXwAuA&feature=related

That link is to a you tube site, it looks like the concert that my Sista Tami and I went to!

SPRING!!!!

Have I told you how much I like Sundays?? Yesterday, we got up (felt a little jet lagged from the hour time change), went to church and when we got home, I started supper and watched Kentucky beat Florida.. Ahhh how much better could it get?? Also, we went to one of the best basketball games I have seen in years on Saturday night. We, along with some GREAT friends of our Aaron & Andrea went and watched the championship game at the Washington Regional between Washington and Evansville Memorial. We got there 30 minutes early and still had to stand. I even got a high five from a grandma in the stands on one play!! Tyler Zeller is just amazing, he can just flat play basketball. To top that he is a good kid too. He was actually at the candlelight for Aimee's Chrysalis. He wasn't the only player they had, it was a combined effort, but he was just fun to watch. I guess I will have to watch North Carolina play next year to see him.



From there we went to my parents house and had dinner with them and my little sister. It was a great time and what made that better was seeing IU get beat! I know I'll get some flack on that one!! However, my mom did answer my question about what you got if you read through he bible in a year with Granny Ruth. Your name got on a plaque and posted at Wonder Valley camp.



I have been sitting here at work, and it has been the best day. The sun is shinning, the temperature is decent and spring is right around the corner.



With spring comes renewal. I like to see the flowers bloom, grass green up, trees bloom. It gives me a renewed hope. Just like with our lives, we have to go through the stormy, nasty, just plain yucky stuff to make us into who God wants us to be. He sees us as beautiful even when the world doesn't.


Have a great week!!

Snowy Saturday

Ed woke up this morning just thrilled. The snow was an "old fashioned" snow as he called it. I am ready for the snow to be over but this one was very pretty, we actually went out to sled. We took Claudia, who is Annette's foreign exchange student from Columbia. She had a ball, she rolled around in the snow more than anything. It was hard to sled on it unless you made a path. I even got up enough gumption to tackle Annette from behind when she wasn't looking. It was hilarious, we rolled down the hill while Ashley (Annette's daughter) took pictures.

Claudia told me once about how in Columbia it isn't safe at all. I guess there are a lot of drug dealers and gangs. She was so scared when she first arrived here because she was worried that something would happen to her parents while she was here. I just can;t imagine fearing for your life every single day.

That got me to thinking about how lucky we are as Americans with all we have. I once went on a mission trip to Mexico and I was appalled how those people have to live and under the horrendous conditions. The kicker was how thankful the people of Roserita Beach were. I was blessed and it is something I will never forget. It is so easy to get spoiled and take our lives for granted. We are a VERY VERY lucky people. To wake up everyday to clean water, a roof over our head, transportation, jobs, and freedom to worship!!

I can't even imagine how it must be to have to hide a bible in your own house. Today I am very thankful for what I have and where I was born. I am thankful for my many blessings that God has given to me with no expections put on me. What an amazing God.

Have a good Sunday!

Finally Friday!!

Here it is Friday! WHOO HOOO!!!!

However, when I said yesterday was the hardest day I was oh so wrong. Today I spent 6 hours in S.W.A.T gear standing outside half of that and then doing building entries the other half. Picture this, (Do I sound like Sophia from Golden Girls)? Here I am wearing my jeans and hoodie with knee pads, 2 jackets, a Kevlar vest, gun belt, goggles, and a helmet. Now, I bet you are laughing thinking about what I looked like right???

We get inside and guess what, I have to pee!!!! OH MY GOSH... you have got to be kidding me! So, I go to the bathroom and 2 hours later come out fully dressed again.... I am exhausted. I was just plain fed up by the time we got done. There is just something about walking into a room to be pelted with BB guns that I didn't find amusing. It however, was excellent training.

I was just ready to go home and by the time we got out, I was pessimistic... man God has a sense of humor. And what did I do with this pessimism, I took my frustration out on Ed. Poor lil' Ed, he puts up with so much. He just took it and tried to make things better. That is what he does, makes things better. How many times do we take our anger, frustration and just plain bad moods out on others? Way too much would be my guess. I am going to try and work on that flaw of mine.

Ok, who doesn't just LOVE Jason Castro on American Idol?? The more I hear him sing the more I like him. Do I think he will win Idol.. Not with David Archuleta there. However, there is an innocence about his voice that I really like. Also, on one of the interviews they did with him he said his greatest pleasure was to serve others. If only more people had that attitude, but no we are always out to "get ours". I am going to attach a link of his last performance that was just amazing. He sang the song "Hallelujah".

Have a great weekend!

http://www.americanidol.com/videos/?vid=996&pcs=501

UGH!

Well, today was the hardest training day so far. I am pooped and still have to fix something for a softball meeting/pitch in dinner tonight. Yea!! :-/

Last night at church we got into a discussion about if most people in the world were optimistic or pessimistic. Of course most said pessimistic, and Pastor Dan asked why we thought so. What a good question to think about. Do you find yourself being more pessimistic than optimistic? Well, hmmmm... that kinda grabbed my attention because it is so easy to be pessimistic isn't it?? We all get lazy or think about giving up at times, even those of us who call ourselves Christians. But why do we do it???

We do it because we try to solve our problems our own way or answer questions we have by ourselves. Just like putting a piece of furniture together, don't we (well most people) use a manual to guide us to put the furniture together? Well, then why don't we use our daily manual to guide and direct our days??? The Bible is the best way to help us in our everyday lives. But often times we get hung up on tradition or misinterpretation and that leads up to just give up, or we just get "too busy" to do it.

Like I have said before we are reading through the Bible in a year with church. You read about 4 chapters a day. 4 chapters, easy right?? Wrong!!! I have struggled with it on several occasions but I have to keep on it. It reminds me of a lady we used to have at my hometown church growing up named Granny Ruth. She was great. She was one of these older ladies who, by golly, if you didn't read your Bible or go to church or support missions she let you know about it! I remember she used to make pot holders and hair scrunchies and sell them to make money for a local church camp. She would call the house and you always knew it was her because when you said hello she said "Praise the Lord". She had a way of getting you to buy these items from her too. We probably had 100 hair scrunchies. She also did a chart that had people who had read through the Bible in a year although I can't seem to remember what the reward was for it now.... I'll have to ask Mom about it. Help me out here Mom!!!!

~Anyway~
My point is that we have to keep on top of it and stay on track because that ole' scum dog is ALWAYS right there ready to pounce when we get even just a little off track.

Keep running the race friends!!

Joshua 24:15
15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

Wacky Wednesday

What a strange day today has been so far. It started out crazy and has just kept me hopping from there. I had EVOC practical driving today and the range, which just wears me out.

Tonight is church. Ed and I are just loving this class we are in. It is called, 2 cats, 4 dogs, 6 kids, a rabbit and a wife with a broken leg. It is about parents persevering through whatever may arise. It has been so good thus far. While we are in it the kids are in youth group. They go to youth 2 times a week and are having a ball and learning a lot. They are actually going on a mission trip this fall. I can't wait for them to go.

I believe that one of the greatest inventions as of late is text messaging (you are surprised right Andrea)? Anyone who knows me knows that I love to text. I like the convenience of it, the simplicity, and the fast way to get a message to someone. HOWEVER, I have found a draw back to it. It has cut out the way we are Americans communicate. I have noticed since one of my bestest (I know that is spelled wrong, but I like to say it that way) friends Annette has really gotten good at it that we do not talk as much on the phone as we used to, and I miss that! I am usually a busy person so it is convenient for me to text but you cannot tell a persons demeanor or attitude when you text and a few times that had gotten me in trouble. I had meant to say something and sent it but when I re-read it it sounded terrible! While it is convenient it is also very impersonal.

Take the time today and call someone you haven't talked to in a while.

P.S. American Idol is getting to be really good!!! More updates on that later!

Tuesday Tunes

Here we are for another week of Tuesday Tunes. I am picking a hymn today that my lil' Ed loves... I however, have not cared much for it since my papaw died and it was played at his funeral. How strange it is that songs tie us to emotions.

Ed wants this song played at his funeral and heaven forbid he goes before I do, but if he does I am NOT playing it at his funeral... Is that bad of me? I would hate to have it tied to more than one death. Maybe I will be nice after all. I have been extremely lucky to not have experienced death in my family too much at my age.

Which reminds me that I need to tell everyone I care about (not only family) that I love them. At times I get selfish and think about only things that are going on in my life and tend to forget what others mean to me. So to those of you who are reading this. I LOVE YOU! A countless amount of names have just went through my mind when I typed that statement. There have been SO many people influence my life in many ways and I need to take time to thank them and show my appreciation.

For my Papaw and lil' Ed:

THE OLD RUGGED CROSS

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,

The emblem of suffering and shame;

And I love that old cross where the dearest and best

For a world of lost sinners was slain.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it some day for a crown.

O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,

Has a wondrous attraction for me

For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above

To bear it to dark Calvary.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it some day for a crown.

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,

A wondrous beauty I see,

For 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,

To pardon and sanctify me.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it some day for a crown.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;

Its shame and reproach gladly bear;

Then He'll call me some day to my home far away,

Where His glory forever I'll share.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it some day for a crown.

The words of that song are beautiful. You have heard the saying "Everyone has their cross to bear". Let's pick up our cross and live for Jesus today.

Mach Training

Well, let me tell you. This training we do is quarterly. Last quarter we did defensive tactics, and got OC Sprayed. So, I was not looking forward to this session. My week this time will consist of EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operators Course), Defensive tactics, hands on combat, active shooter drills (actually being shot at with paint ball pellets), and range (both 9mm and M-4). Today was EVOC class and defensive tactics. I am not as young as I once was and definitely not as thin as I once was, so this tires me, especially when it is with strong men. But I hold my own!!

I dreaded the day but it turned out ok. Although the hard part is still to come. I will get through it and then just dread the next round of training. So, this weeks' posts might be a little dull!! But hang with me!

In about 2 weeks will be my Dad's 60th birthday!! It is hard for me to believe that he will be 60. My Dad is my hero. He has always put his family in front of his own needs and desires. He always worked very hard to provide for us and did a great job at it. My Mom and I were talking about what to do for this monumental occasion. We had a huge retirement party for him a few years back and I don't think he would want another party. He is one of those guys who you ask what they want and he says nothing or socks, which may explain why Cole always puts socks first of his Christmas lists! If you have any suggestions please let me know!!

I will leave you with my verse of the week. Have a GREAT week!!

Matthew 7:24-27 (New International Version)

24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

Whew!

It is Sunday evening and we got home from Indy today and boy are we exhausted!!! However, that is our last trip to Indy until June due to school softball. Plus, Cole is starting spring basketball and Babe Ruth will be immediately following.

I have training at work all week this week so I won't get to a computer until the evenings when I get home so my posts will be a little late.

Since I am SO tired ans have a ton of housework to do to get ready for the week, I am cutting this one short with a verse for the week ahead. I am using the message to bring this one to you, because I like its translation. I usually use the Message as an additional supplement to my bible and it really helps put it in our language.

Have a great week!!

Romans 8:28 (The Message)


26-28 Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

Romans 8:28 (King James Version)

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

I love the reassurance that verse gives us that God is making all things good for those who love him. It somehow makes this world a little easier to be in.

Love You!!