A New Baby in the House. . .It's a BOY!

This little bundle of joy entered our lives on June 4th . . .Brutus. . .what a cute little bundle of energy. . .I forgot that having a puppy is like having a new baby in the house. Sleep deprived and weary of cleaning up accidents, I still love this little face! He has made a great addition to our house. 

Steam Cleaner purchased & used alot already. . .fence built for him so when he wakes up a 5AM he has a place to play. . .then add 2 granddaughters into the mix and you have quite a time in our house. Thankfully they girls love Brutus & he loves chasing & playing with them. 

Update on my weight loss. I am now down 6 lbs! So excited!! Probably would be more, but my walking has not been as regular as it should be. The Green Coffee Bean & Metabolic booster seems to be doing it's part! It was even confirmed at the Dr's office today that my scale is correct! Very awesome. 

Faithful God in uncertain times. . .

I truly had a God moment two days ago. . .

All my life it has been ingrained in me that I had to be doing something to be in God's favor. I had to go to church, be actively involved in Bible Study, have a quiet time every day. . .do do do. . .does that not equate to a works based faith? I am not knocking all of these things as they are beneficial to you and keep your heart & mind on the things of God. But that is not all there is. 

God's heart is faithful through every phase of my life. . .He does not love me less or more at any given moment. It all hinges on that. . .His faithfulness . . . my heart should emulate the same thing. David was "A man after God's own heart". Definitely not perfect but his heart reflected his love for God and God's love for him. It was an awareness of God in every moment of life. In the everyday things we go through. I like what my Husband says in his sermons. . ."church is not here every Sunday. . .it is part of your everyday life, it is who you are. Not the list of rules we told to observe." It should be who we are when no-one is looking. Not in perfection but in all we do or don't do, but knowing His faithfulness is what will get us through.

I love to watch God at work. . .it is so cool to see when a verse shared on Facebook touches someone else . . .when I read someones post about what God is doing and it touches my heart. . .A conversation that has nothing to do with God suddenly turns into a God moment. . . The small insignificant gesture someone makes that changes someone else's life. . .Or you are walking through life one day and God stops you and helps you make a change that is much needed for your health.

That leads into my God moment. . .I started to get more active when I was gone on my first work assignment and got into this great habit of walking everyday & eating healthy. . .then my situation changed to a new assignment & I didn't continue. Fast forward to now that I am back at home and 3 months later and I've wanted to get back to doing it, but just didn't. 

So, I am out shopping two days ago and in the midst of this store my knee pops and I cannot walk. . .it hurt so bad & I had to limp out to the car. . .I was worried because I had one more stop to make at Walmart of all places. . .not the place to need to go when you have a hurt knee. I get to the car and climb in debating if I should just go home. I bend & stretch my knee & it still hurts. So, I decide I can get a cart and hobble through to get what I need & then go home. I park and go to climb out of the car & my knee does not hurt at all! Weird! 

In the moment of being kind of stunned, but very thankful! I hear this voice in my head say "That is what is going to happen to you if you don't get active & do something." Wake up moment! I do not want to be an invalid that cannot walk because I was lazy.So, I am on to doing something about it!

I called my brother and talked to him about it (he is a personal trainer) and always glad to kick my butt when needed! :)  We make a plan and I have now been walking for two days and watching what I am eating. 

I will be posting on here what I am doing and my success with this. so feel free to check back and comment. . .I will post the ups & downs of what Happens on this journey. Accountability is a good thing.

So, here we go!

Feel free to contact my brother for help with a http://www.trifitsa.com he knows his stuff and can help you make a plan. . .

Prayer changes things?

"Prayer changes things." I've always contemplated on this passage and wondered about it compared to the other verses I have heard and things people say about God and His sovereign will. No, I will not be solving this issue anytime soon, I am glad we cannot figure out this amazing God & His ways! But sit and think about it for a minute. . .

Reading in 2 Samuel about Moses, I am in awe of the way he reasons with God about not wiping out all of the people because of their complaining and lack of commitment to Him. He does this several times for them.

It's funny because when I read these passages I think, "Dang! Why don't they get it? They have witnessed numerous, amazing miracles and still they beg to go back to Egypt & slavery!" Then the second thought that enters my mind. . ."Oh, yeah, we are all the same today just different scenery." (hang head in shame). . .

Why can't we be more like Moses? How great to be able to enter the throne room and say, "God, they know we serve You, so if you annihilate us, that won't look very good for Who You are to all of these other people! Can you give us another chance?" Mercy.

My spiritual gift is Mercy. I can identify with mercy. It defines alot of what I do. God's mercy is even greater!

I used to do this for my children when they were in trouble. I would go to my husband, who is very black & white on issues of discipline and beg for them to be given another chance. He couldn't see my heart that it begged for Mercy, he thought I just didn't want to deal with the issue. I couldn't see his heart that he wasn't just being mean, he was trying to lead them in the right way. God could see straight into Moses heart. He knew him, talked with him "as man speaks with his friend".

That is the key part here. Moses spent many hours in the throne room of heaven seeking, begging, confessing, listening, talking, adoring. The God of the Universe wants to be that intimate with us! How humbling and exciting all at the same time!

Prayer. . .an avenue straight to God. He sees our hearts, He hears our thoughts, He desires us to be that close! Good thing is there is no manipulating Him. . .just reality.

Dealing with a tough issue?
Struggling?
Hurting?
Angry?
Grieving?
Happy?
Lonely?
Sick?
Betrayed?

Go to a quiet place, turn off all distractions, fall on your face & seek His face! Don't know what to pray? that's ok He sees your heart, knows your mind. . .let Him in and He will love you through whatever it is! And He knows, it might just change something!

Good Morning Father!

Several of the past mornings I awoke with a prayerful heart. . .thinking of my family and what the future holds for each of them. . . for my friends that have been on my mind and are dealing with issues. . .I am so thankful that I can talk to my Heavenly Father about each of them and know He is listening and He cares and loves them. Below is one of my favorite songs by Phil Wickham. . .

YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL

I see Your face in every sunrise

The colors of the morning are inside Your eyes

The world awakens in the light of the day

I look up to the sky and say

You're beautiful



I see Your power in the moonlit night

Where planets are in motion and galaxies are bright

We are amazed in the light of the stars

It's all proclaiming who You are

You're beautiful, You're beautiful



I see You there hanging on a tree

You bled and then You died and then You rose again for me

Now You are sitting on Your heavenly throne

Soon we will be coming home

You're beautiful, You're beautiful


When we arrive at eternity's shore

Where death is just a memory and tears are no more

We'll enter in as the wedding bells ring

Your bride will come together and we'll sing

You're beautiful
I see Your face,

You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful

I see Your face,

You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful

I see Your face,

I see Your face

I see Your face,

You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful

Phil Wickham from the Album CANNONS

Thoughts from the day. . .

Been contemplating coversations & thoughts from the day. . .


To me being OPEN to what God wants for me is something I have always been ready for, except for the past year or so. . . .I have fought it tooth and nail. . .He has been so patient with me and loved me through this rebelious time I have been in. Thankfully HE is more gracious than I and much more ready to forgive me and draw me back to Him than I am to others. . .working through that. . .He also knows my weakenesses.

God has placed YOU, my friend, in my life to show me that being HIS is not an option. He chose me, not me HIM. I am His child and I want to be where HE wants me. . .seriously that does not matter where, because where He has planned is so much better than where I fight to be on my own.

Even the thought of loosing this precious man He has made for me has been a very sobering train of thought and one I do not want to have to find out what it is like.

Don't let fear play a part in your life be open and ready for HIS plan. Let God show you what it is that He wants to bless you with.

Let His peace flow over you this weekend and rest in Him.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love and of hope and a sound mind!" II Tim 1:7 my fav verse!

Can I Get a "Do-Over"?

Over the past two years I had several major and a few minor things happen in my life. Some to me and some to others that affected me greatly. I sit here now looking at the date of my last post and I am shocked at the amount of time that has passed. 


These past two weeks have been just as bad, but have served as a wake-up call.


Decided to change this to an account of my journey back. . .

Still Small Voice, "This is not who you are!"
me, "Did I hear something?"
Still Small Voice, "This is not who you are!"

me, "What?"
Still Small Voice, "This is not who you are!"

me, "Did You say what I think You said?"
Still Small Voice, "This is not who you are!"

me, "Yes, I know that." and still proceeded to NOT heed the warnings.

Two weeks and alot of heart/gut wrenching pain later. . .

Still Small Voice, "That is not who you are!"

me, "I feel like it is who I am. HELP ME!! PLEASE!"
Still Small Voice, "Sit with Me child & listen & learn. I Love you!"
me, "I am so sorry. Will you help me out of this pit?"

I have been led to start reading two books,

So Long, Insecurities
&
Get Out of That Pit
both by Beth Moore

This will be my dialogue of how God brings me out of this PIT.

Random Thoughts. . .

Sitting here today with many thoughts running through my mind. . .

I have found that I truly love Jeff.

I enjoy my job

I get to see my grandbabies very soon! I miss them sooo much!

I hate that feeling just before you get sick. . .

My daughter & I talk alot - I like that.

The beach is my Haven of rest.

Why are things so often complicated?

I am happy my son is so happy.

Laughter truly is a wonderful medicine!

Jeff is my favorite Biker!

Ever have to deal with something you knew was going to be a mess?

Trust can be dangerous and good at the same time.

Is there ever a good time for a crisis?

My life turned out differently than I thought it would.

I love my car.

It's interesting when you catch someone in a lie that you don't even know.

I am very thankful for the friends God has given me!

28 years is a long time and then again it is a short time.

I am excited to see Primal Faith's finished product!

Photography is something I really love!

It is hard to see a friend that is greiving.

Death leaves such a hole in your heart.

I love my family sooo much!

Life is a wild and crazy ride. . .I am glad I am on this particular ride!

SIGH. . . . .

Blessed Be Your Name!

4 days into 2009 already in the desert place. . .

My precious daughter miscarried this evening. . .our hearts are broken. . .

This song is reverberating in my head!

Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
- - -
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

Merry Christmas!!!

Can you believe 2008 is almost gone? Where did the time slip away to? We have had a full year and blessings in our family beyond belief!

We added a grandson to our family in 2008 and will welcome another precious baby in 2009! I am so thankful for my kids, their spouses & my grandchildren. . .Our family continues to enjoy time together when we can. . .watching them work through issues and what life throws at them, makes me even more proud of who they have come to be. I love each of you more than you will ever know!

Cheri, words cannot express how much our friendship means to me! Being able to spend time with you this past year has been so awesome! I love you and your sweet family! Look forward to more time in the coming year!

The friends we have made along the way in our journey continue to enrich our lives! (thank God for Facebook!) We have been able to reconnect with many of you through FB, how wonderful! Never pass up a chance to make friends even if it is for a short time, connecting with people is so important in this day and time.

Know that we love you all and look forward to the coming year and whatever God may bring our way, we will be thankful and give Him all the praise!

Merry Christmas to all of you! And may you not let the business of shopping, wrapping, cooking and running from here to there overwhlem you or keep you from focusing on what really matters! Slow down and enjoy the days and people around you.

Love is pouring from Your heart. . .

Funny how you can be tooling along thinking you are heading your own way or just exisiting, not doing much and then a simple breakfast or need to have a talk with someone can turn into such a God moment. Have had that happen several times in the past couple weeks. I believe God is showing me that He is in control and prooving to me that the saying "You can do nothing to make God love you less OR to make God love you more!" is very evident in my life right now. We can get so caught up in feeling the need to "do" so God will be pleased, that we forget He is the same always. His love never changes.

Love is pouring from Your heart
Hope is in Your hands
Life is in your arms. . .Spirit FALL. . .

What to do? What to do?

Been struggling to find my place of late, at our new place of worship & ministry. Even though it is temporary we know getting connected its vital to our way of life. Have had many conversations with my hubby about just where I feel I am gifted to serve.

Have always struggled because everyone always thinks a minister's wife should be teaching or something like that. . .I like the interaction of teaching, but studying is not my fav thing to do - to be honest I DON'T like it! I am sure you are totally shocked. ;o) I love feeding people in a literal sense. but I feel there should be another aspect to what I am doing for God.

So, every week, I just follow Jeff around and wonder what it might be that I would enjoy doing. He really loves speaking and teaching, it is something he thrives on, enjoys and really feels fulfilled. Through this area we are serving in Saturate weekend connect God began to answer my question. . .

Met a new friend, Amanda, through Saturate and we hit it off immediately, she is in the same boat, only 20 years younger than I. So, we talked, connected and I really enjoy hanging out and talking with her. Looking forward to more conversations. She is a really awesome young lady.

Met another young woman, Rachel, last night, it was instant connection, I was able to talk to her from the other side of a situation she is facing and shed some perspective. Seemed as though we talked for an hour when it was actually only a few minutes. Encouraged her and shed some of the ideas she had about Life Groups. Looking forward to getting to know her more.

Funny how God does that. Lets you form an instant bond with someone and not totally understand why.

Then it hit me. . .That is my ministry. . .one on one. . .sharing life with other women. . . one on one. . . connecting with someone . . .share life . . .and God's wisdom together. But isn't that what it is all about anyway? Connecting. . .doing life together. . .being there for each other. . .enjoying time spent together.

I came away after an amazing Baptism service . . .they bring a swimming pool into the auditorium and those coming for baptism get to share their story with everyone as they are being baptized! Key people in their lives can come into the pool with them and share this special moment at LCBC "Lives Changed By Christ" - http://www.lcbcchurch.com/ cried my eyes out at the sweet stories and special ways God has drawn each of these precious people to Himself! AWESOME!

So, with a lighter spirit and more thoughts on giving it away instead of just existing. We drove away from church last night in the middle of the rain that has set in and enjoyed the ride and thoughts running through my head and heart. Looking forward to what is to come. . .

It just get's better!

I never dreamed that after 27 years of marriage, things would be better and getting better each day. My wonderful husband has become even more precious to me!


We have made this crazy move for my job this time and our roles have become weird. But, we have made it a habit to walk together each day and during these walks our talks are of God and what He is doing. . .our dreams and what we could see possibly happening. . .Our sweet children and how they are doing - seems we tag team on the phone with them at times . . .the desires of sharing life with them and our grandchildren as much as possible. . .we prayer walk past the local college as we have felt from the beginning that we would have a spiritual stake in it somehow. . .deal with a few issues that have come along that are a bit uncomfortable. . .but through it all we join together and stand firm together.


I think that is the key to a good marriage. . .standing firm together in the Lord, but being individual enough to express concerns and issues with love and compassion. . .dream and share the others dreams. Somehow see God work it all out and mesh these two separate lives into one. Things have not always been easy, but even the issues have been worth sticking out and weathering. . .just to wake up another morning to see his sweet face sleeping in the bed beside me. . .to look forward to each morning as he reads the Word over us and as we hold hands and pray. That is so special to me.



As much as he talks about my smile. . .he has this smile that is only for me and I just love to see it, watch it form. And to see him laugh in one of our sparring, sarcastic go-rounds. He has helped me develop a sense of humor and I am so thankful for that. Laughter has kept this home on a level ground.



Jeff, You ARE so precious to me! I love you!

Visitin the grandkids. . .

Just concluded a week long visit with our oldest grandson Jackson! What a wonderful time we had! He rode on the plane back up here with me and the joy on his face watching us go "up on top of the clouds" was awesome! Then we rode 2 trains to get to our house. He thought that was alot of fun. We hit all of the train places here in PA for the next few days. Being on the Grandma side of life is the best thing I could have ever hoped for. The innocence of a child is a wonder to watch. He would say "There is my friend, PopPop!" So cute!

Sure is quiet here now. . . that is why I am picture happy. . . that helps make the distance not seem so far.

Ava & Nannie

Porter - what a QT!

How Can We Not Praise HIM??

There are so many things that happen everyday that without the Hand of God we would not make it through.

God I praise YOU!
for
WHO You are
Your love for me is neverending
Your grace abounds each day
You gave me a wonderful family
An adorable husband that loves me
3 wonderful grandchildren
4 amazing kids
safe travel for Jeff to Tahoe - He finally made it!
safe travel for me here to Florida!
a job for me that will help Jeff have time to get Primal Faith going
friends that are so special and have added so much to our lives
Giving me time to spend with my kids & grandbabies!
Gorgeous Florida Weather! You appreciate it when you leave it!
For Jeff's flat tire happening while he was NOT on the bike!
Helping me make it through another project and night shift

and a million other reasons. . .Thank YOU!

PORTER

He has arrived!! Our 3rd grandchild! What a blessing! He was greeted by Mommy & Daddy. . .big brother Jackson, Popop, Grandaddy & MiMi. . .what a precious bundle of joy God has given our family!

I am so proud of the father my son has become. He is so good with Jackson and I know he will be just as good with Porter. Tara is amazing to watch with Jackson, always teaching and guiding and loving. She is a natural Mother. Porter has been blessed with wonderful parents.

I love you Porter!!! See all of you soon!

I miss you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!! :o(

Happy Birthday Linsey. . .

Happy almost Birthday Porter. . .

and then Jeff

then Keith

then Ava

then Jackson

Lots of Birthdays coming up!!! I love all of you! Wish I was there. . .

Great visit and then I crashed. . .

Well, he has come and gone! What a great time we had. Just enjoying each others company in a new town. He loves history so what a better place to be than Philly. . .enjoyed our walks down 9th street market and all over the Historic area. . .what a great place. . .went to Philly's version of the "Soup Nazi" (from Seinfeld) Pat's Steaks. . . it was great. . . then joined new friends here for dinner at a great Authentic Italian Restaurant. . .then off to Italian Chocolate Shop for dessert near South Street. YUM!

The best thing was waking up and seeing him there. . .most times he was watching me. The love on his face amazes me sometimes. After 27 years of being with this man, he still looks at me like when we were dating. Kinda felt like that while he was here. I look forward to the next visit and then being back together. God has given me a wonderful husband! I am so thankful for him and what we share!

miss him again though . . .

Not good getting of Night schedule for three days. . .I crashed today. . .slept all day and could have slept longer! But it was worth it! I love you Jeff!

My LOVE. . .My Partner. . .My friend. . .the half of me that has been missing!

It has been 3 weeks. . .I am so glad he is coming here on Wednesday! A week earlier and a week less I have to wait to see him, be with him & enjoy his company! This has been a strange time, but one we both knew this was how it was to be. I am looking forward to 3 days of his presence and time to catch up!

I love you Jeff! See U Soon!!!!!

me

YOU'RE STILL THE ONE
(Shania Twain)

When I first saw you, I saw love.
And the first time you touched me, I felt love.
And after all this time, you're still the one I love.



Looks like we made it
Look how far we've come my baby
We mighta took the long way
We knew we'd get there someday
They said, "I bet they'll never make it"
But just look at us holding on
We're still together still going strong

You're still the one I run to
The one that I belong to
You're still the one I want for life
You're still the one that I love
The only one I dream of
You're still the one I kiss good night

Ain't nothin' better
We beat the odds together
I'm glad we didn't listen
Look at what we would be missin
They said, "I bet they'll never make it"
But just look at us holding on
We're still together still going strong



You're still the one I run to
The one that I belong to
You're still the one I want for life
You're still the one that I love
The only one I dream of
You're still the one I kiss good night

I'm so glad we made it
Look how far we've come my baby. . .


I miss you!

Pillar of Cloud led them. . .

God led the people of Israel through the wilderness with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

I was walking out from work the other morning and looked up to see the steam rising up from the Cooling Tower (there is only one here at this plant). Those verses ran through my head about how God visibly guided them the way he wanted them to go.

Do you ever wish He would do that today? (I think of those silly "black cloud" cartoons) I have often wished that it would be that clear. . .but now I look and see that He does make it clear. . .it is just not visible to everyone else, only those He is guiding. Then I got to wondering if anyone else passing by could see the cloud and the fire?

Sometimes others do not understand the leading of God in our lives. They silently (or verbally) think we are crazy or hitting mid-life crisis. . .