You have to read this blog. I'm sure it will speak to you truth.

Tuesday Tunes

PTL! I am finally out of bed! Been sick in bed since Sunday, I feel some better but still a little weak. Anyway, I LOVE the words to this song that come from Isaiah! Enjoy =)


Everlasting God by Lincoln Brewster


Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary

You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles

The Cross

I got this today & thought it was too good not to share.



The Cross
by Max Lucado


The cross. Can you turn any direction without seeing one? Perched atop a chapel. Carved into a graveyard headstone. Engraved in a ring or suspended on a chain. The cross is the universal symbol of Christianity.


An odd choice, don’t you think? Strange that a tool of torture would come to embody a movement of hope. The symbols of other faiths are more upbeat: the six-pointed star of David, the crescent moon of Islam, a lotus blossom for Buddhism. Yet a cross for Christianity? An instrument of execution?
Would you wear a tiny electric chair around your neck? Suspend a gold-plated hangman’s noose on the wall? Would you print a picture of a firing squad on a business card? Yet we do so with the cross. Many even make the sign of the cross as they pray. Would we make the sign of, say, a guillotine? Instead of the triangular touch on the forehead and shoulders, how about a karate chop on the palm? Doesn’t quite have the same feel, does it?



Why is the cross the symbol of our faith? To find the answer look no farther than the cross itself. Its design couldn’t be simpler. One beam horizontal—the other vertical. One reaches out—like God’s love. The other reaches up—as does God’s holiness. One represents the width of his love; the other reflects the height of his holiness. The cross is the intersection. The cross is where God forgave his children without lowering his standards.



How could he do this? In a sentence: God put our sin on his Son and punished it there.


“God put on him the wrong who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God” (2 Cor. 5:21 MSG).

Brrr

What happened to the warmer weather???


I woke up today with a sore throat & sinus problems. I'm thinking it was coming back to Indiana weather! Right now I am sitting on the couch under my "happy blanket" and I'm freezing!


Back to work tomorrow. I don't actually mind going back. My job isn't physically stressful (except they are implementing a physical fitness program). We don't have to participate but if you do & pass then you get a step increase so it's worth a shot.


Well that's about it for today. Hope everyone has a great week!!

Mountain top or Valley

Where are you now? Are you on a mountain top or are you in a valley??



For me it seems that I can be as high as I can on the mountain and as deep in the valley in just a short time. But as I thought about that, I also thought that even though life may throw us curve balls, it is all about how we look at it.



How do you deal with life issues? I have to admit I haven't always dealt with them in the best way I can and to be bluntly I have let God down many, many times HOWEVER, he always takes us back. What amazing love is that?!?!



So where ever you find yourself today stop and think about God's faithfulness. No matter if it is the worse place you feel you can be or on the most spiritual high remember God's grace is still the same!

Verses

I've been catching up on my disciple study for this week & came across several great verses. I just had to share.

Isaiah 40:3-5
A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the Lord make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain & hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. & the glory of the Lord will be revealed, & all mankind together will see it.


Isaiah 40:11
He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms & carries them close to his heart; He gently leads those that have young.


Isaiah 43:1
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.


Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news; who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, Your God reigns!!

Home Sweet Home

We arrived home last night around 9:00. We started out at 6:15 a.m. and drove all day. It wasn't a bad trip at all.



I had several pictured BUT they got deleted from Aimee's camera on accident while in my bag. I got a few on my camera. My camera was too big to carry around the whole trip.



I am glad to be home.... Ed met us outside last night. He was glad to see us as well. I have missed listening to 88.7 this week. We were able to find Christian stations while we were gone so that was nice and I had my XM.



Tomorrow night the Ya Ya's (minus Andi, who has a slumber party with old classmates from high school...how fun!!!) are going to Bobe's before going to Emmaus! I am excited, these Emmaus activities recharge you. Even though Shirley has stolen my friend, Annette!! =)

Universal Studios

We just arrived at Universal Studios. Today is performance day for the band. This is such a good opportunity for so many kids who would possibly never get out of Indiana. They have had a ball!!


The band plays at 10 then they have the rest of the day for the park. Should be a fun day!!

Florida Continued....

So, I got a text from annette telling me I needed to quit goofing off and blog, so here I am!!


Yesterday we started the day out at Kennedy Space Center. It was pretty neat until it started raining! The kids decided they wanted to go to Disney, so we ditched the band and went! We had a great time although we were all so tired by the time we made it back! The band went to Cocoa Beach. We are just not beach people!


Today we slept in and boy did it feel nice! The kids went to Wet n Wild. We decided to go shopping instead! We just got back. Tomorrow is Universal Studios and the band performs at 10 am. Then Thursday we head home!


Yes Annette I really DO miss my Ed!!!! Can't wait to see him and ole Chopper!!

Florida

Well we made it to Florida yesterday! We had a really good trip. Got stuck in several construction zones but we had a good time, didn't stop until 2 a.m. at hotel!!


Today we went to Islands of Adventure at Universal Studios. I am POOPED! We rode several roller coasters, rode a water ride, in which my mom wore a shower cap.... Yea she did. I even got to ride the Hulk again with Austin Jones cause no one would go back with him. It was great!!


We are back in the room, eating pizza & watching March Madness basketball! Tomorrow we got to Kennedy Space Center & Cocoa Beach.


I heard from Annette & Andi that the Emmaus walk has been awesome this weekend! It is an amazing thing. God ordaines it all. It is not a camp, or retreat. It's more like a spiritual experience. We are so blessed by God! That weekend just shows a little of God's love through his people.

Oh & I miss Ed TERRIBLY!!!!

Look how talented my sister is!!

The Price is Right

I got off work today at 9:00 (that is my half day... crazy huh). Anyway, I ran a few errands and got home started packing etc.. and turned the t.v. on. It was still on CBS from watching games last night and the Price is Right was on. I thought what the heck, I liked it as a kid.



Well let me tell you it was great! They called Susan to "come on down". She is an older, heavy set lady. Well, let me tell you, it was like she had died and gone to heaven. She loves her some Drew Carrey. She cried, she hyperventilated, she cried some more, she had a hot flash, and that was just when she got down there! She made her first bid, and won! Oh, here we go again! I tell you I just about had pop coming out of my nose!



She got on stage and her "prize" to win was a jet ski. Now this is the last person I'd think of on a jet ski. She went through the whole act again.... So, time to play the game. She had to pick the price and you guessed it...she won!



Running to the bathroom at this point cause I was laughing SO hard. Finally got calmed down. Time to spin the wheel, she was the last one to spin and I'm telling you I don't know how she spun it for all the hyperventilating and hot flashes but she won. I thought Drew was going to fall over.....



Honestly though she was really sweet. I am hooked now, waiting for the Showcase Showdown!!

Update

I wasn't sure when I started my text message ministry how it was going to work. I am here to tell you I have been blessed by it. I send a daily verse out to about 10 teens and a few adults as well =)


I get great response when I send them. I struggled with trying to find just the right verse but I never have any trouble finding one to use and every day since I have started someone has said it was just the verse they needed for the day.


We leave tomorrow for Florida. I can tell you now I am NOT ready! I am sure the trip will be nice. I do believe I will miss Ed. With the exception of when I was in Mexico in 2003 on a mission trip, we haven't been apart this long. He also pointed out that it would be the first time he will be totally alone for that long. I am sure he will be just fine!!

March Madness

It's once again time for the Annual Farhar NCAA Bracket Tournament. Here is where they are posted. I had to laugh today because on the write in game we ALL got it wrong!! Anyway, we all have the same team to win this year so it may not be as fun....

Tuesday Tunes

HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY to my hero, my Dad. My computer crashed or I would share pictures. Working from our laptop!


I came across this AMAZING video today. Enjoy!!


There Will Be A Day - Jeremy Camp

I try to hold on to this world with everything I have
But I feel the weight of what it brings, and the hurt that tries to grab
The many trials that seem to never end, His word declares this truth,
that we will enter in this rest with wonders anew


But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering


(Chorus)
There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face
But until that day, we'll hold on to you always


I know the journey seems so long
You feel you’re walking on your own
But there has never been a step
Where you’ve walked out all alone


(Chorus)
There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face
But until that day, we'll hold on to you always


Troubled soul don’t lose your heart
Cause joy and peace he brings
And the beauty that’s in store
Outweighs the hurt of life’s sting


I can’t wait until that day where the very one I’ve lived for always will wipe away the sorrow that I’ve faced
To touch the scars that rescued me from a life of shame and misery this is why this is why I sing

Trip Pictures

Here are some pictures I snapped and a few Cole got as well!! I also have one photo I am saving to tomorrow or whenever I can get the original scanned to use with it to see how the time has flown by!! Enjoy =)

On a better note the doctors in Oklahoma City think they can fix Richard's vision loss. At first he was told no but now they are hopeful. He will have surgery with 2 doctors operating on him. The date has yet to be set. We appreciate all those who have been praying for him as well as our trip!!

Grandad's homemade game (he cant see to play well but they helped him)

Dad and Son

Not sure what was going on here


Chang being silly =)


Serious game here

Cole thought this was the neatest thing.... easily amused

Walking to Indian Cemetery


Not real easy to see but the markers are in a giant circle

Pronounce that!

We called this one Ed's Indian name!! lol

Aimee

The kids

Cole and Aimee

Grandad looking all serious....

Chang the Indian

Being silly...

Ed after telling the kids not to get close.... he accidentally got too close....

While I was "banned" to the back seat on the trip home cause Cole just HAD to sit up front he snapped this.... I told you.... easily amused!

Trip

Well it's 5:24 a.m. Shoals time & we have been on the road about an hour for the trip home.


We had a great visit! We soon learned that we aren't as young as we once were & the 12 hour overnight trip isn't as easy as it used to be. Grandad was very happy to see us. The neat thing is everytime we have been there it's like a big Italian family. Always visitors in to see us. There is this one couple, Sanie & Edna Day. They take good care of Richard! They started this "tradition" with Ed's pappy Joe & gma Irene. They go over every night around 6 or 7 & visit for an hour or two. When Pappy & Irene passed they moved the tradition to Richard & Martha's. They are great folks! When Richard's eyesight got so bad that it limited daily necessity things for him they didn't hesitate to do what they could for him. He did get good news from the doctor Friday. They think the vision loss is fixable with a surgery that 2 doctors will preform, which is great news as they had first said it was not. The date has yet to be set. He still has some vision left it's just very limited.


He has always been a good entertainer for the kids. He has this "homemade" board game that they got addicted to. We also got him out of the house on Saturday to take Chang around to show him some of the Indian stuff around Okenne. I took pictures & will post them tomorrow hopefully. I even got to take a "reinactment" photo in the same spot taken many years back. I will post both of them. The only difference is Chang is standing where Chad did.


Now we are on the road back home. It was a good visit but we are on the journey back home. With the only stop beong at the Bass Pro Shop in Springfield, Missouri for Cole!

Sufferings of a broken heart

The Sufferings of His Broken Heart by Max Lucado

Go with me for a moment to witness what was perhaps the foggiest night in history. The scene is very simple; you’ll recognize it quickly. A grove of twisted olive trees. Ground cluttered with large rocks. A low stone fence. A dark, dark night.

Now, look into the picture. Look closely through the shadowy foliage. See that person? See that solitary figure? What’s he doing? Flat on the ground. Face stained with dirt and tears. Fists pounding the hard earth. Eyes wide with a stupor of fear. Hair matted with salty sweat. Is that blood on his forehead?

That’s Jesus. Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Maybe you’ve seen the classic portrait of Christ in the garden. Kneeling beside a big rock. Snow-white robe. Hands peacefully folded in prayer. A look of serenity on his face. Halo over his head. A spotlight from heaven illuminating his golden-brown hair.

Now, I’m no artist, but I can tell you one thing. The man who painted that picture didn’t use the gospel of Mark as a pattern. When Mark wrote about that painful night, he used phrases like these: “Horror and dismay came over him.” “My heart is ready to break with grief.” “He went a little forward and threw himself on the ground.”

Does this look like the picture of a saintly Jesus resting in the palm of God? Hardly. Mark used black paint to describe this scene. We see an agonizing, straining, and struggling Jesus. We see a “man of sorrows.” (Isaiah 53:3 NASB) We see a man struggling with fear, wrestling with commitments, and yearning for relief.

We see Jesus in the fog of a broken heart.

The writer of Hebrews would later pen, “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death.” (Hebrews 5:7 NIV)

My, what a portrait! Jesus is in pain. Jesus is on the stage of fear. Jesus is cloaked, not in sainthood, but in humanity.

The next time the fog finds you, you might do well to remember Jesus in the garden. The next time you think that no one understands, reread the fourteenth chapter of Mark. The next time your self-pity convinces you that no one cares, pay a visit to Gethsemane. And the next time you wonder if God really perceives the pain that prevails on this dusty planet, listen to him pleading among the twisted trees.

The next time you are called to suffer, pay attention. It may be the closest you’ll ever get to God. Watch closely. It could very well be that the hand that extends itself to lead you out of the fog is a pierced one.

Blogging in the strangest places

Well I was laying in bed last night & thought of a really good post. Got up today & yep you guessed it... Gone. I really should learn to write these things down.


So, here I am in my car at Gasoline Alley getting all the necessary fluids changed, tires checked etc... I hate doing this stuff but I needed to get it done before the trip this afternoon. Most everyone is packed, gas tank full, maintenance done (well almost). All we have to do is load up, drop Chopper off at Kendra's K9 (she spoils him!!) & off we go. It will be a long night. Takes 12 hours to get there. I will drive to St. Louis & Ed will drive the rest of the way.


Anyway, I was sitting here getting the car worked on when that still small voice said "you could pray for these men working on your car". Hmmmm, what a concept. Imagine what the world would be like if we said a prayer for those we come on contact with daily.


Try it & see!!

The Countdown is on

Tomorrow night we will be leaving for Oklahoma. That is where Ed's Dad lives. It is about a 12 hour drive. We will leave around 5 & drive straight through. Richard is having some health issues & they thought they knew what they would do but now they aren't sure so we decided to go out for the weekend. We haven't been there since Martha's funeral in 2001 (Ed's stepmom). She had brain cancer, she was a great woman. That was a very hard time for everyone. We were making the trip out there about every other month for 18 months before she passed. I think we just stayed away because that was such a hard time. Richard, while having flaws like us all, is just a great guy. He loves the kids so much & has always been very kind to me. I pray that it is a good visit.


The other countdown is Florida for spring break the 20-27th! Cole & Chang are in the band & they will be playing at Universal Studios. Ed will not be making that trip with us. It will be myself, the kids & Mom. We will have a great time I am sure! We will be there from Saturday through Thursday. Taking in Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Kennedy Space Center, Wet & Wild and Cocoa Beach!


Cole has moved his room to the basement & I do not like it at all! I don't know why because at one time or another both Chad and Aimee have been down there and it didn't bother me. I guess cause he is my baby! He has OCD as well but you should see how great it looks down there now! I'm taking him to WalMart tonight to outfit his room. He wants it camo, imagine that!!

Tuesday Tunes

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this song!


Glory by Selah, lyrics by Nicole Nordeman

One day eyes that are blind will see you clearly
And one day all who deny will finally believe
One day hearts made of stone will break in pieces
And one day chains once unbroken will fall down at your feet
So we wait for that one day come quickly

Chorus
We want to see your Glory
Every knee falls down before thee
Every tongue offers you praise
With every hand raised
Singing Glory
To you and unto you only
We'll sing Glory to Your name

One day voices that lie will all be silent
One day all that's divided will be whole again
One day death will retreat and wave it's white flag
One day love will defeat the strongest enemy
So we wait for that one day come quickly

Chorus
We want to see your Glory
Every knee falls down before thee
Every tongue offers you praise
With every hand raised
Singing Glory
To you and unto you only
We'll sing Glory to Your name

We know not the day or the hour
Or the moments in between
But we know the end of the story
When we'll see

Chorus
We want to see your Glory
Every knee falls down before thee
Every tongue offers you praise
With every hand raised
Singing Glory
To you and unto you only
We'll sing Glory to Your name

Wind, Earthquake, Fire and Whisper

1 Kings 19:11-13 (New International Version)

11 The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 


God shows up in the small things not necessarily in the big, busy things around us.


"Be still & know that I am God".


Are you being still?

Thunderstorms

We have been getting some pretty strong winds & storm type weather. I LOVE storms!


Ed & I usually sit out on the porch & watch the storms roll on by. We always thought it would be fun to be storm chasers. (Yes we are weird).


Tomorrow I will post a few pics of us eating out in Indy yesterday after the girls' state finals. We had a blast!

Blind self righteousness

Wow! Talk about a smack in the face. I love listening to James MacDonald. He comes on at noon on 88.7. Today's message was really really good.

If you want to listen to it follow this link: https://www.walkintheword.com/broadcast_player.aspx?date=20090305&media=wm&bid=pYo7WQ4B4Fk%3d


I will summarize what he said for you anyway!


How we deal with our sin defines us. David had a lot going on and had a pretty good thing going on until he choose sin. He soon learns that no amount of spiritual victories can erase the sin that he choose., UNTIL he comes to a place of repentance. Repentance is the #1 survival skill for the follower of Jesus Christ!


2 Samuel 12 is the text he is using. There are 3 parts to repentance-


1. Realization - face the facts
- why do we resist this? Pride, we don't want people to know we have fallen. Fear, we are afraid of falling again. The difference between staying down and getting up is when we get up we get God's Grace.


I know that God is pursuing me


2 Samuel 1 The Lord sent Nathan to David. Think about this, David is guilty of rebellion and adultery and murder BUT the Lord sent Nathan to David. Even when we quit God he doesn't quit us, he comes after us and pursues us. Just think about Jonah, there is a whole book in the Bible about God pursuing him and him ACTIVELY running!He sent Nathan to David


2. I know that God is pursuing me, I know He is speaking to me through people!- God speaks through people!!
We miss this, God speaks THROUGH PEOPLE. Very seldom does God audibly say "HEY YOU". The Lord can speak clearly to us in our hearts that is pretty close to audible but mainly he speaks through people!!! Thank God for Nathans! We need people in our lives that will speak to us candidly and openly! This is where we encounter blind self righteousness. Nathan tells David a story of a rich and poor man and how the rich man took from the poor man. This enraged David, he didn't see that HE was the rich man. We are the same way! We get so mad at other peoples sins. How often do you hear something and think oh, if only so and so could hear this. We miss the sin in OUR lives. When was the last time you were as outraged about the sin in your life as you are when picking up the paper and reading about horrible happenings?? Get it?!?!



3. I know the consequences of my sin will be painful
Part of moving to a place of repentance is a preparation to embrace the full consequences of the wrong choices we have made.

This was part one of the series. There are 8 messages. Listen to them and you will be blessed!

The Ya Ya's

Presenting.......... The Ya Ya's (minus Tami, darn those Emmaus board meetings! lol)

This is me laughing cause I was using the timer on the camera..... I look like I was hiding!

Tuesday Tunes for my Tams

Kathryn scott- I belong


Verse 1
Not angels, nor demons, no power on earth or heaven
Not distance, nor danger, no trouble now or ever

Pre Chorus
Nothing can take me from your great love
Forever this truth remains

Chorus
I belong, I belong to you

Verse 2
Not hardship, nor hunger, no pain or depth of sorrow
Not weakness, nor failure, no broken dream or promise

"Thine is the Kingdom..."by Max Lucado


There are certain mountains only God can climb. Ascend them and you’ll end up bruised and embarrassed. Stay away from them and you’ll sidestep a lot of stress. These mountains are described in the final phrase of the Lord’s prayer, “Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” A trio of peaks mantled by the clouds. Admire them, applaud them, but don’t climb them.


It’s not that you aren’t welcome to try, it’s just that you aren’t able. The pronoun is thine, not mine; thine is the kingdom, not mine is the kingdom. If the word Savior is in your job description, it’s because you put it there. Your role is to help the world, not save it. Mount Messiah is one mountain you weren’t made to climb.


Nor is Mount Self-Sufficient. You aren’t able to run the world, nor are you able to sustain it. Some of you think you can. You are self-made. You don’t bow your knees, you just roll up your sleeves and put in another twelve-hour day … which may be enough when it comes to making a living or building a business. But when you face your own grave or your own guilt, your power will not do the trick.


You were not made to run a kingdom, nor are you expected to be all-powerful. And you certainly can’t handle all the glory. Mount Applause is the most seductive of the three peaks. The higher you climb the more people applaud, but the thinner the air becomes. More than one person has stood at the top and shouted, “Mine is the glory!” only to lose their balance and fall.


“Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.” What protection this final phrase affords. As you confess that God is in charge, you admit that you aren’t. As you proclaim that God has power, you admit that you don’t. And as you give God all the applause, there is none left to dizzy your brain.

Do we listen like Samuel??

Then the LORD called Samuel.  Samuel answered, "Here I am." 5 And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." So he went and lay down.  6 Again the LORD called, "Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." "My son," Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD : The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. 8 The LORD called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.' " So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."


Notice how many times it took Samuel to realize he was being called from the Lord?? Are we too like that. Are we too busy to realize when God speaks? Are we too bust doing all the talking to hear HIM?

Busy weekend

We have had a busy weekend! Right now I am in Terre Haute with Aimee for her travel softball practice. She has been driving herself but she was tired so I brought her. She went to a Senior High YAK Retreat with her youth group this weekend.


Yesterday Ed, Cole & I along with Joey, Wes & Mert all went to watch the girls semi-state at BNL. Susan Brocksmith got us the tickets. Aimee played AAU basketball with some Rivet girls a couple of years ago & she still keeps in touch with them so it was nice to go cheer them on. What I found to be neat was after they won, before celebrating they went as a team in front of their fans, held hands & repeated the Lords Prayer. I thought that was pretty neat. Susan emailed me last night telling me she is getting us tickets for State next weekend so we are pretty excited about that.


Cole has been feeling sick this weekend & looks pretty pale so I am just hoping he isn't getting what is going around!


I'm excited to start grouping again this week too!


Well Aimee is out from pitching & catching so we are headed to the mall until full practice from 6-8.