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!!