snow, snow go away!

I believe we are going to have another snow day. There is a winter storm warning. (Have I told you how much I love summer???) Summer seems so far away, especially when there are ten more inches of the white stuff coming tonight.

Paul is off work tomorrow. (He has every other Friday off...it's a very cool schedule!) The kids will probably have the day off. and.i.will.have.to.work. :((((((( Maybe the people will flood into the restaurant...likely not. People are rushing the Super Walmart as I type, stocking up on supplies for a long weekend.

Did I tell you that we will be blessed with two more children for the next week? Our precious friends are going to a conference on a cruise ship!!!! We get to keep their thirteen year old daughter and eight year old son. They are awesome kids and we are the closest things they have to family around here. So, we will be a five kid family for a week. Should be loads of fun!

Hmmmm...oh, also our Pastor, (the one who is going on a cruising conference) is taking a sabbatical. The cruise is the beginning, and they wont be returning to church/work for a month. That means Paul and I are taking over responsibility of the church while they are taking a season of rest. SWEET! Seriously...we are excited for the opportunity to serve in this way. So I will be preaching three times this month. Pretty fun stuff!

God gave me an incredible word on honor. I am still trying to chew on it...and will be preaching on it this weekend. I am really looking forward to it. God is good.

Ok, updates over...

OH...one more thing...it is Susan's birthday...go over and sing to her or something! THIS Girl...she rocks!

Change of Plans

I awoke over an hour and a half ago...(it is 7:00 am) to the sound of my cell phone vibrating on my bed side table. It is never a good thing to hear that sound when you are in a sound sleep, especially when you are not expecting it.

Our tax dollars have gone to wonderous work. Yes, it is an automated service letting us know when there is something amiss at the schools. While it might seem as if I am complaining about this, I am not. I am SURE they are thinking..."It is nice of us to inform the families early, that way the kids can sleep in..." (So much for Moms sleep!)

Anyway, if I had been expecting a call from the school I would have been happy with the racket this morning. Usually if there is a Major Snow Storm or something...but nada. The schools are closed because the "back roads" are not safe to travel on.

I do not live on the "back roads."

Please bus, won't you please come pick up my non-back-road children?

Here is what I was going to do this morning....

I was going to take this...

and this...

and this...

Because I have to preach this Sunday...and today is my only day off this week.

Welcome to my life. When the best laid plans can change as quick as the weather in Michigan. This is the state where we celebrate the fact that we get "all four seasons" most of you don't know that often it happens all in the same day!

So, this...

will have to wait, because today I will be doing this...

instead. Which is what I exist for anyway!

Have a great day!

Updates

Elizabeth had her other surgery today. They repaired the retina and got rid of some more scar tissue. She is spending tonight in the hospital because having put her under twice in four days was a little nuts. So she is safe there with her Mom and Dad is home taking care of the boys. The prognosis as far as sight??? Well they are going to have to wait to see how much she can see in a few months...but the family is believing God that He still heals blind eyes.

As far as Andy goes...he was working Friday so I was able to talk to him for a few minutes. He seems to be in a pretty good mood, but that can change depending on how life at home is. I just keep on encouraging him and praying for him. the cool thing is, I can be as free and open as ever because it is a family business and they are very cool about it.

Well, that is all! Hope you all have a great night!

I'm IT...again!

Charlene from Living Life out Loud tagged me...here is the drill....


The theme is six inconsequential things.

The Rules: Link to the person that tagged you. Post the rules on your blog. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

So here it goes!

1. If I have time to kill I would rather read than do just about anything else.

2. I have a huge competitive streak. Especially with my husband. It is very hard for us to play games together because if we are on the same team, he tells me what to do and drives me nuts...but if we are on opposite teams, we get so competitive that we aren't fun to play with. I once dragged his sisters and father into an argument over the game Scattergories. Paul would not concede to my triple score "G" Scattergory of AUTOMOBILE...my answer GoGo Gadget mobile...he said no way...his sisters quit the game because they didn't want to pick a side...but I am not bitter or anything! (That situation was actually YEARS ago...we are growing in that area very well...at least nobody sleeps on the couch anymore...JK!)

3. I don't mind washing clothes. I don't mind drying clothes. I don't mind folding clothes. BUT I HATE PUTTING THEM AWAY!

4. I have said this before...I love to mow the lawn. Seriously. I grab my sunglasses, my ipod and a bottle of water and it is a true happy place!

5. I named our wireless internet "Love Shack" I think it is funny...especially if the neighbors are wondering if it is the Pastor's house that it is coming from. (Just so you know...it is a house full of love...hence the name Love Shack.) I loved telling the tech guy at Netgear the name...I am sure he hears all kinds of strange names!

6. I could live on Nachos. I seriously love them. Especially if I am eating them the day after I make taco's and there is all kinds of stuff to put on them! Yummy! Nachos, mashed potato's and chicken noodle soup are my favorite foods. Plus dark chocolate. And ice cream. Which I am about to go eat. So good bye!

I am not tagging anyone because I am too lazy to link and I am craving ice cream. So...TAG...YOU ARE IT!

Urgent Prayer Request...

****Update****

Elizabeth came out of the surgery fine and PRAISE GOD...she still has her eye's. The Doctor only operated on one of her eye's this morning. She will be returning to the hospital Monday to have her other eye done. The Doc's say it is the same situation as today, so please still keep your prayers going for her...but the family is much more optimistic. Thank you SO much...you all are HERO's! XOXO

We have some friends who are precious people of Faith and they are experiencing a very heart wrenching situation right now.

My husband left the house this morning to be at the hospital with them by 5:00am because their two month old baby girl was having surgery. At her two month well baby check-up the doctor was concerned that the baby was not following light with her eyes. The concern was that she was either blind or that there was a tumor. This morning they put the baby under so they could do a CAT scan. The CAT scan didn't show a tumor but did show extensive scar tissue built up. They are taking the baby into surgery right now to try to "clean things up" but said that once they got in, if the scar tissue was too extensive they would have to remove the baby's eyes.

Please pray for this family. They are very concerned and shaken to the core. The baby's name is Elizabeth and her mom and dad are Mike and Cristan. (She also has two big brothers, Jeremiah and Josiah.)

Thank you my siestas. I bring this to you because I have seen the power of all of your prayers...it is amazing and it is extremely special. Thank you.

A Passion for Purity

A few years back I was leading the Youth Ministry at the church. The group was a small mix of Middle School-ers and High School-ers and they were also a mix of teens that had grown up in the church and some who were just starting their adventure in the Lord. About a year into my time with them the Lord began to lay on my heart a message of purity. What we ended up doing was a weekend retreat. My husband and a couple of guy leaders took he guys and I took the girls with a couple of girl leaders and we taught them about what the Bible says about purity. (The couples that helped us were amazing newly-married couples who had waited for sex until they were married...as did Paul and I.)

It was so much more than the whole "no sex until you are married" spiel...it was about purity (thoughts and actions), modesty, covenant and encouragement. We didn't use a curriculum, we created the whole thing as we waited on the Lord for what He would have for our particular group. (Not THAT weekend, but for months prior as we met as a team.)

It was a precious time. At the end of the weekend we told the students that we had planned a banquet in their honor that would take place two weeks from that evening. We had a chef coming to cater the meal. (Who just so happened to be my twin brother!) We had some really special things planned for their evening. Their only decision was if they were going to attend or not. Their attendance would mean that they decided to come into covenant with the Lord for their purity. (His covenant for it already exists, basically they were just saying "Yes" to His covenant.) We were very excited for the fifteen kids who said "YES!"

During the ceremony we had their parents give them a ring to remind them of their purity and how precious it was. It was a very special night.

I would love to report that is was a success. I believe momentarily it was successful. The kids that were the oldest of the group are now nineteen years old. Two of the girls will be having their first babies this summer. They are not married. Out of the other thirteen students, I know for certain that five of them are sexually active. (The whole schebang.) Three of them no longer attend our church and I have lost touch with them. The last five are still holding on to their purity.

I truly believe it is possible for teenagers to walk in purity. Beyond the shadow of a doubt. I know of some incredible teens who are keeping it pure. I also know some beautiful young married couples who made it part of their wedding ceremonies to victoriously give their purity rings back to their parents just before taking their wedding vows to their betrothed. It is a beautiful thing.

I also know a few young adults who have only kissed their spouses. EVER. These are incredibly talented, beautiful on the inside and outside, smart people. These are people who spent four years on a college campus and still didn't even give away one kiss.

My heart for the Students of this generation is one of compassion. It is terrible what they have to live with. Many of them have terrible homes. Many of them have parents that are not only encouraging relationships with the opposite sex, but are also providing them with birth control. (Both Christian parents and non.) The images that constantly bombard them are so graphic.

Ultimately, it is about a decision. A decision to totally and utterly depend on Christ. But it is possible. And it is beautiful when it happens the way God intends for it to happen.

Join with me in praying for the purity of tweens and teens in our communities. They need every prayer offered on their behalf.

Awarding....

I received these two awards from Janel at He Knows My Name. She is a sweetie and has really been an open and authentic woman on her blog. If you have read my blog long, you know that is what I appreciate most in people.

I am going to give these awards to Susan, Fran, Jackie, Debra, Suzi and Alana. Why??? Because they are my favorites! Seriously, I love these blogs because they are written by extraordinary women who love Jesus and they love people. I am thankful for each of these women for enriching my life. I heart them! I wish I could have coffee/tea with each of them and give them some chocolate too...because that is what I do with my girlfriends! Anyway, YAY!

Recipe For Comfort Food #1

This is my all-time favorite food to eat right now. In fact I will probably eat it for breakfast this morning! (Hey, don't judge!) Here it is.

1 Whole Chicken or whatever you like to use.
4 carrots
4 celery ribs
1 onion
1 pkg noodles (again, whatever you prefer)
1 large can chicken broth (only if you need it)
salt or seasoned salt
pepper

I like my Chicken Noodle Soup with out herbs...but feel free to add whichever herbs you like.

Put chicken in pot cover with water. Add salt. Cut up all veggies in bite sized pieces and add them to pot. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and cover. If you are using a whole chicken or chicken pieces let the thing simmer for hours, it makes the best stock. When chicken is done, pull it out of the pot and add can of broth if you need it. (If you are adding broth, turn the heat back up so it boils.) Pull chicken off bone and put back in the pot. Usually I cook my noodles on the side and rinse them in cold water before adding to soup. I am not sure if this is the way to do it or not...it is just what I do. Now it's soup, eat it already! Easy peasy!

Yesterday I made it the quick way...I used boneless breasts of chicken so I did need the chicken broth...it is much faster this way.

Also, I use a huge soup mug and ALWAYS garnish my chicken noodle soup with Parmesan cheese. YUM!

Alright, I'm out!

A Soupy Sort of Day!

Happy Sunday friends! It doesn't officially seem like Sunday because the kids and the hubby have the day off tomorrow. (I don't have the honor of staying home tomorrow...I am a little whiny about it.) Anyway, today I have been inundated with football. Cute Son #1 hearts the Patriots...he was very happy with their 18th win in a row. Cute Son #2 hearts the Packers...their game is still in process...but it is All Football All Day here. (They just showed three beautiful girls in the stands wearing Packer bikini tops...their thirty seconds of fame...I am sure their mothers are so proud...) It is below freezing...yikes.

This morning I woke up at dark thirty. I despise that. My brain starts up before I am ready, but no matter how hard I fight it, I lose. So I grabbed my laptop and got a few business things out of the way and then stopped in on a couple of blogs.

I stopped in at Linda's Blog. Let me just tell you, she is funny. Ok, many of you read BooMama's blawg, which is very funny as well, but hers is a southern funny. I must report to you that 2nd Cup of Coffee is northern funny. Is there a difference? Yes. Can I explain it? Nope. I spent some time on Linda's blog this evening reading some archived posts and I must tell you all...I heart Linda. Not only is she a mother of three children, but she also works in youth ministry. Plus she likes AI. And chocolate.

So, when I got home from church this afternoon, I parked myself on the couch (Of course after I put a pot of home made chicken noodle soup on...I am addicted.) Aside from a trip or two to the stove, I have remained here. I napped pretty hard for about an hour, and since I woke up I have been reading, trying to plan a vacation, and well pretty much lazing around. I love it. Sometimes you just need to chill. (Or chill-ax as my tween would say.)

So here I am, totally chilled, maybe it is time for some more soup!

Teriology

Feel free to take this survey too it's fun;) Just tell me if you do!

MOUTHOLOGY
Q. What is your salad dressing of choice?
A. It is a tie, Balsamic Vin and Ranch while eating out but Newman's Olive Oil and Vinegar for home.

Q. What is your favorite fast food restaurant?
A. Rio Wraps

Q. What is your favorite sit down restaurant?
A. Kruse and Muir

Q. On average, what size tip do you leave at a restaurant?
A. ALWAYS 20%...that is my starting, if the server is really good then more.

Q. What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of?
A. Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup with Parmesan cheese!

Q. What are your pizza toppings of choice?
A. I like bbq chicken pizza or veggies

Q. What do you like to put on your toast?
A. butter

TECHNOLOGY
Q. What is your wallpaper on your computer?
A. Me and my Zoe girl with our BFF's

Q. How many televisions are in your house?
A. Too many...6 (four of them aren't set up to use though!)

BIOLOGY
Q. Are you right-handed or left-handed?
A. Lefty

Q. Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
A. Just three babies! And a nickel.

Q. When was the last time you had a cavity?
A. Just before Christmas.

Q. What is the last heavy item you lifted?
A. My sofa this morning...I was looking for Zoe's Library book...why can't ppl just put them in their bin???

Q. Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
A. Yes, when I was a kid I jumped off a swing while it was the peak of height and landed pretty much on my head...so that's what happened!

BULLCRAPOLOGY
Q. If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
A. Heck no!

Q. If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
A. Probably not.

Q. What color do you think looks best on you?
A. Red or black.

Q. Have you ever swallowed a non-food item by mistake?
A. Yep...a nickle! (Had to have it surgically removed!)

Q. Have you ever saved someone’s life?
A. Not that I can recall.

Q. Has someone ever saved yours?
A. Not that I can recall.

DAREOLOGY
Q. Would you kiss a member of the same sex for $100?
A. nah

Q. Would you allow one of your little fingers to be cut off for $200,000?
A. Ha ha...no, I don't think so. (Unless we were REALLY hard up for cash and it was a sterile environment...but no, probably not!)

Q. Would you never blog again for $50,000?
A. No, I would have my little finger cut off before I would stop bogging! (Just kidding...)

Q. Would you pose naked in a magazine for $250,000?
A. Here is the real question...Why would a magazine pay for pictures of me to publish when they wouldn't sell a single issue??? The question is silly, but the actual THOUGHT of it is hilarious! TMI...I am one huge stretch mark from just above my belly button to my c-section scar lines...it aint pretty girls!

Q. Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?
A. No, that question really should be "Would you commit suicide for $1000?" because that is what it would do to me...

Q. Would you, without fear of punishment, take a human life for $1,000,000?
A. Take them where? To the mall? Out to dinner?
NO!

DUMBOLOGY
Q. What is in your left pocket?
A. $7.12 left over from Caribou Coffee!

Q. Is Napoleon Dynamite actually a good movie?
A. Hilarious.

Q. Do you have hardwood or carpet in your house?
A. Tile and Carpet...Carpet hates me...I have allergies (Same answer as Alyssa, er...Suzy.)

Q. Do you sit or stand in the shower?
A. Um, stand. If I am sitting that would be called a bath.

Q. Would you live with roommates?
A. My life time roommate, Paul and 3 kiddo's!

Q. How many pairs of flip flops do you own?
A. Too many.

Q. Last time you had a run-in with the cops?
A. 2006, I got a ticket for speeding in a construction zone...but it was a sham and I went to fight it and WON!

Q. Who is number 1 on your Top 8?
A. This is not myspace!

LASTOLOGY
Q: Last Friend you talked to?
A: Laura

Q: Last person who called you?
A: Jennie

Q: Last person you hugged?
A: PJ

Q: Last person to stick their foot in your face?
A: PJ

FAVORITOLOGY
Q: Number?
A: 7

Q: Season?
A: SUMMER...I miss you!

CURRENTOLOGY
Q: Missing someone?
A: Sure, many people!

Q: Mood?
A: Happy and tired.

Q: Listening to?
A: The click of the keyboard.

Q: Watching?
A: Letters appear on the screen in front of me.

Q: Worrying about?
A: Nada.

RANDOMOLOGY
Q: First place you went this morning?
A: To wake up JZ for school.

Q: What can you not wait to do?
A: Go to San Antonio in August for the Siesta Fiesta! (Meeting all my blogging buddies!)

Q: What's the last movie you saw in a theater?
A: Enchanted

Q: Do you smile often?
A: sure

Q: Are you a friendly person?
A: Pretty much.

Love...

Mark 12:28-29

28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
29"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. 31The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these."

Love...

It truly is the key to the Kingdom. How do we "love our neighbor as yourself?" I believe the only true way to fulfill the second part of the command is if we continually remind ourselves of the first part.

My heart is so full of gratitude to my Lord. I know the pit He rescued me from. I fully understand the magnitude of my salvation, and because of that I do not find it difficult to love the Lord. I would be lying if I said I did it right 100% of the time...but that is the part I lay down to Him. He knows I blow it, and I know I blow it. He knows I choose my way at times. He knows the wretchedness of my soulish ways. Because I fully believe His love for me does not depend on how well I demonstrate love, I am free to let Him work in my life, and still love others in the midst of it all.

If I was too wrapped up in my own junk I would be missing some incredible opportunities. Like Andy. Or my neighbors, who are needing Jesus in the worst way, and are seeking Him.

God is so good. His ways are higher than our ways. I don't understand why He would use flawed people when He is perfection. He is perfection, yet He chooses to make His dwelling place in us. WILD. That is just so cool. It is also SO worth sharing.

Keep your eyes open...you never know who needs to see Jesus in you!

"I'm Just Lost Right Now..."

Were the words I heard this afternoon as I was talking to the teenage dish guy at work. He has been on my heart since he started working a couple of months ago. He is a very hard worker...he walks over after school and usually talks to me until his shift starts. When his shift is over he walks six miles home. No matter how cold/snowy/rainy/dark it is.

His family life is...horrific, and I don't use that word lightly.

His heart is so special. He makes sure his younger siblings get up for school. He makes sure they have a lunch. He makes sure they are showering and eating at night and then he sees them off to bed. His gives his parents his hard earned money. His Mom is mentally disabled. His Dad gambles every single day.

He is just ONE. But he came into my life and the words he spoke today were an open door. He very well may be lost. But, I know the WAY. Thank you Jesus.

I asked him if he was hopeless. He said he was. I told him I knew the giver of true hope. He is interested in finding out more. My husband and I will be reaching out to him. He needs to see what a man of God looks like.

I am on my face in gratitude. I am amazed that I get to watch God do incredible things.

Pray for him.

Speaking of which...

It is Sunday. I have almost finished Redeeming Love...please, READ THIS BOOK!

It looks like there is some preaching on my horizon...the Pastor is taking some time off and hubs and I have to fill four Sundays!

I am speaking at our Woman's Retreat too. We have to iron it all out, but it looks like I am going to be splitting the speaking with my BFF. Yikes. I have a ton of prep before me. I am not the greatest at this. I LOVE speaking to women. Not so much the whole church. It is a small church...but I don't know, I get uncomfortable for some reason. The last time I had to preach went ok. Not great...not horrible...but ok. I hope this time is much better! I sure wish you all were going to be there...Siesta's having my back would rock! (I know you all will pray...believe me, that is a relief!)

Ok, I am off to finish Redeeming Love!

I stole this from Sooz...

Question 1
Favorite season and why?
SUMMER. I have said it numerous times on this blog...I am a summer girl! Why??? Because I love the warmth and romance of summer. Late nights and sleeping in. I adore sitting on my deck late at night sharing a cup of tea and intense conversation with a friend. (Sound like fun?) I also must point out the fact that the trees have green leaves in the summer...the grass is lush and the flowers are in full bloom. The daylight goes on and on and usually the sun does as well. There are WAY too many things I love about summer!!!!

Question 2
How many times have you moved in your life?
12...too many! (In state moves except for one!)


Question 3
What kind of chicken wings do you like?
I don't like chicken wings...

Question 4
Which is worse? Shopping for Jeans or a bathing suit?
I don't mind either...but I loathe trying on clothes in the store.

Question 5
What is your favorite kind of pizza?
Jets Pizza. It is a Michigan thing. Thick crispy crust, tangy red sauce and melty cheese. YUM!

Bonus QuestionsQuestion 6
What is your favorite book of the Bible and why?
Hmmm...I am digging Nehemiah right now. I adore Acts too. It is hard to pick just one.

Question 7
Think Evangelism...I assume that most of my readers are Christians... I post a lot about my walk with Christ and it seems most people that comment encourage me in my journey. Saying all of that, what kind of witness (telling others about Christ, spreading the gospel) are you? This question is not meant one bit to make anyone feel guilty...so choose not to answer this one if you do not wish too. I am just wondering what how others feel when it comes to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with the World.

I am a licensed Pastor...so you would think I shout it from the roof tops...but I am more of a relational person. I love to love people right where they are at and if my life can speak to them YAY! I am into demonstrating the love of Jesus...serving, loving and waiting patiently for Him to do all the wooing!

It's Friday Y'all!

I am totally NOT southern, but I am speaking more and more like it everyday!

Friday means the weekend and that makes me happy!

I will be (re) reading Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers tonight. I read it usually every winter! I love this book! If you haven't read it, you must make it a priority! I am challenged every time I read it!

Well, this is going to be a short post because I don't have much to say today. (I know, I know...it is a true miracle.) I just didn't want to let this day go without sending The Siestas a little love...SO consider it done!

What is in my heart tonight....

My heart aches for the lost. Seriously. There are kids out there who are wandering around, looking for love and coming up empty. They search to fill the void. Some of them use drugs. Most of them find their momentary comfort in a bottle. Many of them give themselves over to casual hook-ups and/or Friends With Benefits. Temporarily it is fun. It works for a moment. But soon they find their warped quest for wholeness begin to choke the life out of them. They stop for a while and buckle down. Then they give up the fight to stay good, because the numbness that comes with the quest is better than the gut wrenching loneliness they feel when they aren't blasted out of their mind. It is a sickening cycle. And they try to hide it.

How many of them are in our lives? How many of them do we come in contact with on a daily basis? How many of them sit next to you at church? What about the girls that babysit your kids? What about the friends that your teens/young adults hang with?

I see it in their eyes and it makes me well up with emotion. It makes me terribly sad. It fills me with compassion. I just want to do something for them, because they are worth so much more.

They are worthy of love from the Father. They need this message of hope, because nothing can kill a soul faster than hopelessness.

Their eye's are haunting me tonight and I just have to do something. What can I do?

Love them. But it doesn't seem like it is enough.

My God Rocks!

Tristan came out of the surgery just fine! Thank you all for praying. He is the sweetest little baby and watching my brother and his wife with him thrills me. They are such gentle parents.

The family drama is still happening and there hasn't been any communication on it yet, but I know it is coming. My heart is lighter, because whatever happens, my God is in control!

I just got a phone call that makes me shake my head at the awesomeness of our God. Let me explain...In the past few years my family has experienced some grief. (You can read about it here) After losing both of Paul's parents and my Dad, it has left my kids with only one set of Grandparents. My Mom and her husband are wonderful grandparents to my kids, but a few years ago they moved three hours away and we don't have them around for everyday stuff very often. One of the cries of my heart is that God would bring some surrogate grandparents for my kids. WELL...did you know God cares about things like that?

There is a couple that has been coming to our church for about a year and a half and they are just the coolest retiree's around! They really have taken a liking to our whole family and we have forged such a nice bond with them. They have been here for dinner and we had a nice picnic in the park one afternoon in the summer. The time we had them for dinner, they found out that my boys like baseball cards and the next week at church they had some cards for them and a little something for the princess too! They are just so special. Well, Pastor Terry (the male half of the duo) just called and asked if he and Linda (his wife) could take Jacks to the Fishing and Boating Show tomorrow night. (Jacks is wild about fishing and we went fishing with them on their boat last summer...Pastor Terry and Linda also have a step grandson the same age as Jacks...so they are going to take him as well!) HOW SWEET IS THAT? I literally had tears in my eyes and the hugest smile on my face when he called...because I am just so blessed by my Father. He cares so much for us girls...He really does.

OH....Fran (also affectionately known by me as Frannie) gave my very first ever Blogging Award. How sweet is that? Fran is amazing. Most of you who read this blog already know Fran...but if you don't, get over there and meet her, because she is delightful! Thank you Fran, I am honored that you would think of me!

Now it is my turn to give it away. I need to tell you that I have many MUST READ blogs that I visit daily. Thinking of who to give this award to was not a problem, because this woman is so precious! Susan...is so authentic. She is writing about her journey in becoming THIS girl...and it is beautifully refreshing. I am so attracted to real Christians. She is it siestas! So Susan...thank you for being so honest and raw on your blog...and letting me see that I am not alone in many of the issues that I face! I adore you!

Today and Tomorrow...

Today I took Laura to the airport. We had an amazing visit. I am honored she came to see us! She is an incredible woman. She is working out her salvation there on her college campus and is focused on becoming closer to the Father. We had such a special time last night, we were up VERY late and just talked and listened. I am so convinced that relationships matter most. We had such a rich time together, and I am better for it!

I cried as I drove away from the airport. Parting scenes are so tough for me. I just LOVE my book girls so much. They are precious. What God did when he put them on our doorstep was something I can't fully wrap my brain around...but I am so deeply moved by His gifts!

Tomorrow morning I am off to Children's Hospital to be with my twin brother and his wife as they sit in the waiting room as their little boy has his heart fixed. I was at Tristan's delivery back in July and he is so very sweet. He is having a hole in his heart repaired. If you think about it, we would appreciate prayers! I believe that he will be fine.

I must go to bed...the late night from yesterday is kicking my behind.

Worth It All

This is the anthem for today! Deep down there are things we all question. I have a deep appreciation of God's sovereignty, I trust Him. Sometimes it is okay to tell Him "I don't get where you are coming from here God, but I trust You." Ultimately, I believe it will all be worth it. Deep down in the depths of who I am, I know my God, I believe His word and as I put my hope in Him I understand with my finite mind that it will all be worth it. My God has never left. He is my breath, He is my counsel and He is in control.


Rita Springer-Worth It All

Downward Spiral...

****EDITED AT BOTTOM****

This time of the year has been hard for me. I can't understand why, but for the past five or six years I have just had a terrible time during the months of January and February.

Remember my book girls? Well Sunday I went to the airport to pick up Laura because she is visiting us for a few days. As much as I adore her and am honored that she would desire to come and spend a few days of her break from school with us, I am feeling myself slipping into sadness. I am not sure if it because having her here is bringing up the bittersweet end to the summer, or if it is just knowing we have to say goodbye again.

I have some big things going on in my family right now. I want to keep it private out of respect for the people involved, it just isn't my business to share, so I wont. Just pray if you feel so led.

Anyway, I have to go, I will be back later girls...


I am back. Sorry this post seems vague. I am okay, really. Here is what seems to happen.

For some odd reason I begin to wake up in the middle of the night. Usually around 3:00am. This happens night after night. My days then get very long and I end up on a crazy sleep schedule. I usually lose my appetite...I have already lost about 10 lbs. Then it seems like a sadness comes over me that I find hard to shake.

This morning I decided to combat it with a few strategic moves.

First...I downloaded some new worship music.

Second...I signed up for some pod casts of sound teachings by some respected Pastors.

Third...I got on my face. Poured it out to the Lord.

That is my battle plan. Fill my time/mind with worship and the Word. And stay on my face.

That about does it. But thank you for praying. My heart is sad for my family, I will fill you in at the appropriate time, but it is big stuff and heart stuff. It is taking me back to days that the Lord has healed me of, but because I gave my heart to Jesus pretty early I was spared of so much that my siblings weren't. It is heart wrenching for me to see them have to go through this stuff, I know there is much searching going on.

I appreciate you, my beloved Siestas, for praying. Seriously.

A Month of Prayer

I am participating in our Church's "Month of Prayer". Every January we have a month of prayer. To some it means fasting. To some it means waking up early to go to the church to pray. To me it means recalibrating myself.

Recently my life has become too busy. I have not made it a priority to journal. I have relished in the extra sleep instead of waking up early to pray. I have not made my prayer life a proirity...so I made a committment to the month of prayer and so far it has been great! (All three days!)

To me, prayer is like going home.

As I have been journaling, my heart has been wreaked for my family. I believe this year will be a defining year for us. My prayer is that we would make incredible strides in our relationships. First, our individual relationships with the Lord. It is the cry of my heart that my children would serve the Lord joyfully! Second, that our relationships with one another would deepen, especially the relationships between my kids. I want so badly for them to treat eachother well and to prefer one another. Lastly, I pray that our relationships with the people around us grow and that we will look for opportunity to serve the incredible people He has placed along our path!


If there is one thing I have learned through greiving the loss of my Dad and the loss of Pauls parents, it is this. The things that truly matter are not tangible. The best thing I can do with my tenure on this planet is to treat people well. To love people. To make sure the people I am blessed to have in my world, know that I treasure them. Sometimes I do this well, and sometimes I stink at it...but it is the driving force of my life. It is what I think about at night, when I am in the stillness of my home. "Have I treated my family well today?" "Have I let them know how much I love them?" "Have I demonstrated to them the mercy and grace and love of the Father?"

I have so far to go. I am thankful for each new day that I get to try again!

Here's the thing. My life isn't perfect. I get down. I have bouts of major irritation. I blow it with my kids. I choose to serve myself instead of my husband. I know I have miles and miles to go until I will arrive. (That was supposed to be funny, I am aware that I will never truly arrive!)

But...

I am so grateful that I get to try every single new day God gives me. I seriously look at my husband and kids and wonder how in the world I got so blessed to have them.

Can I be completely honest with you right now?

I haven't always been this way.

A few years back, before we lost our Dads, I was wretched. I was motivated by my own desires to teach and serve in the body of Christ, that I resented the fact that I was a bored housewife. I went through the motions, but I did it out of obligation. I loved my husband and kids, but I honestly loved myself more.

Then I prayed.

God showed up, and rocked my world.

I asked Him to give me HIS heart for my husband. I asked Him to give me HIS heart for my children.

God's heart is revealed in the character of Jesus. Jesus came to love and serve.

To me it was a very simple revelation. But it brought a revolutionary change to my heart.

Now I can truly say, whatever happens in ministry will be wonderful, but my first ministry is right here. I am in a place of such contentment. I am not striving for places to speak, for activities to be involved in. I am at such peace. It is a gift. This life He has given me...it is a gift.