I am still in a daze. A heavy daze. I am hoping to emerge from it tomorrow as I plan to do nothing! I have a pool date set for 9:30 but I think I may have to cancel. Tonight is the first night I've been in my own home not preparing for the next big activity! I am going to bed and I hope I can roll out in the morning early enough to get into the Word before the children arise!!
My goal for tomorrow is to down load the hundreds of pictures we've taken this past week. Yes, the festivities have been going on for a whole week!!
All my love...
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Four Days...
Is it truly here, Lindsey's wedding and Jan's 60th?? All the details are in order. All the plans have been made. I have checked and rechecked. I have just a few follow-up/confirmation calls to make then it is showtime! Our final count is 74 people.
Tracey and my Dad have both recently informed me that thunderstorms are in the forecast for Monday evening!! Let's pray that God will hold off until after Monday evening.
I'll post pictures of Addie as a flower girl, Traeton as an usher/bulletin boy and Eli sporting the smallest tuxedo I've ever seen as soon as I can.
Tracey and my Dad have both recently informed me that thunderstorms are in the forecast for Monday evening!! Let's pray that God will hold off until after Monday evening.
I'll post pictures of Addie as a flower girl, Traeton as an usher/bulletin boy and Eli sporting the smallest tuxedo I've ever seen as soon as I can.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Spoken To...
Have you recently spoken advice to anyone? I have. It seems as if I am always speaking advice to someone, especially my children. Well this week God spoke to me... This is not abnormal, God speaks to me all the time through His Word, through promptings in my heart, through others, through things that happen to cross my path, there are several ways God speaks to me.
But this one is different. This talkin' to from the Lord is sticking with me pretty firm. As I go through my days this message is lingering in my mind and in my heart. These are the lectures that change hearts, but only hearts that are willing to be changed. Praise Him for His relentlessness.
Todd and I are participating in a read-through-the-Bible-in-a-year program with our Sunday school class. I am embarassed to say that I have yet to read though the Bible cover-to-cover. I guess there is a season for everything and this is my 'read-through-the-Bible' season. This week I finished Job, all 42 chapters of Job.
The book of Job has raised several questions and issues for me. In some ways I admit I am more confused about God's ways now than I was before reading Job. But I know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, and Job deeply loved God, so I know that even though I may not understand several things in the book of Job God's goodness is at work.
In a very short synopsis the book of Job is about a man who is fully devoted to God. God allows Satan to wreak havoc on this man's life guarenteeing that Job's devotion would not change regardless what hell Satan brought into his life. Through Job's sufferings three friends rallied by his side. They came and they sat and they offered advice...
Eliphaz...Zophar...Bildad... Friends??
Each of these men came from far distances during Job's deepest sufferings. Each man listened to Job's pleas to God and claims to innocence. Then each man took his turn to offer advice to Job explaining why they thought this suffering had befallen him.
Eliphaz - "You are supposed to be a wise man, and yet you give us all this foolish talk. You are nothing but a windbag. It isn't right to speak so foolishly.... Have you no fear of God, no reverence for him? Your sins are telling your mouth what to say. Your words are based on clever deception. But why should I condem you? Your own mouth does!" Job 15:2-6
Zophar - "Shouldn't someone answer this torrent of words? Is a person proved innocent just by talking a lot? Should I remain silent while you babble on? When you mock God, shouldn't someone make you ashamed? You claim, 'my teaching is pure,' and 'I am clean in the sight of God.' If only God would speak; if only he would tell you what he thinks! If only he would tell you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom is not a simple matter. Listen! God is doubtless punishing you far less than you deserve!" Job 2-6
Bildad - "How long before you stop talking? Speak sense if you want us to answer! Do you think we are cattle? Do you think we have no intelligence?" Job 18:2-3
What is so disturbing to me is that each man truly believed he was giving Job sound advice. Several times these men spoke 'for God' telling Job exactly what God was thinking and why this calamity came upon him. While much of what they were saying about God's laws and God's character were true I believe they were wrongly applying it to Job's situation.
How often I do the same... I have my opinion, I have scripture that I feel applies to a certain situation so I spout it out. Have I sought God's direction, sometimes, not always. Most of the time when advice is given it is in the heart of the conversation, the moment at hand. It is quite disruptive to the flow of a conversation to say, 'hmmm, I really don't know what God would say about that, let me pray on it and I will get back to you." But I believe we should be doing this a lot more than we do, seek the Lord.
I am not saying it is wrong to advise our brothers and sisters in Christ. The Word tells us to do so. All I am saying is that I am guilty of preaching of my own accord. I must be ever so careful when giving counsel to my family and friends. Have I first sought God before I give counsel or am I 'torturing them, trying to break them with my words'? Job 19:2
But this one is different. This talkin' to from the Lord is sticking with me pretty firm. As I go through my days this message is lingering in my mind and in my heart. These are the lectures that change hearts, but only hearts that are willing to be changed. Praise Him for His relentlessness.
Todd and I are participating in a read-through-the-Bible-in-a-year program with our Sunday school class. I am embarassed to say that I have yet to read though the Bible cover-to-cover. I guess there is a season for everything and this is my 'read-through-the-Bible' season. This week I finished Job, all 42 chapters of Job.
The book of Job has raised several questions and issues for me. In some ways I admit I am more confused about God's ways now than I was before reading Job. But I know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, and Job deeply loved God, so I know that even though I may not understand several things in the book of Job God's goodness is at work.
In a very short synopsis the book of Job is about a man who is fully devoted to God. God allows Satan to wreak havoc on this man's life guarenteeing that Job's devotion would not change regardless what hell Satan brought into his life. Through Job's sufferings three friends rallied by his side. They came and they sat and they offered advice...
Eliphaz...Zophar...Bildad... Friends??
Each of these men came from far distances during Job's deepest sufferings. Each man listened to Job's pleas to God and claims to innocence. Then each man took his turn to offer advice to Job explaining why they thought this suffering had befallen him.
Eliphaz - "You are supposed to be a wise man, and yet you give us all this foolish talk. You are nothing but a windbag. It isn't right to speak so foolishly.... Have you no fear of God, no reverence for him? Your sins are telling your mouth what to say. Your words are based on clever deception. But why should I condem you? Your own mouth does!" Job 15:2-6
Zophar - "Shouldn't someone answer this torrent of words? Is a person proved innocent just by talking a lot? Should I remain silent while you babble on? When you mock God, shouldn't someone make you ashamed? You claim, 'my teaching is pure,' and 'I am clean in the sight of God.' If only God would speak; if only he would tell you what he thinks! If only he would tell you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom is not a simple matter. Listen! God is doubtless punishing you far less than you deserve!" Job 2-6
Bildad - "How long before you stop talking? Speak sense if you want us to answer! Do you think we are cattle? Do you think we have no intelligence?" Job 18:2-3
What is so disturbing to me is that each man truly believed he was giving Job sound advice. Several times these men spoke 'for God' telling Job exactly what God was thinking and why this calamity came upon him. While much of what they were saying about God's laws and God's character were true I believe they were wrongly applying it to Job's situation.
How often I do the same... I have my opinion, I have scripture that I feel applies to a certain situation so I spout it out. Have I sought God's direction, sometimes, not always. Most of the time when advice is given it is in the heart of the conversation, the moment at hand. It is quite disruptive to the flow of a conversation to say, 'hmmm, I really don't know what God would say about that, let me pray on it and I will get back to you." But I believe we should be doing this a lot more than we do, seek the Lord.
I am not saying it is wrong to advise our brothers and sisters in Christ. The Word tells us to do so. All I am saying is that I am guilty of preaching of my own accord. I must be ever so careful when giving counsel to my family and friends. Have I first sought God before I give counsel or am I 'torturing them, trying to break them with my words'? Job 19:2
Friday, June 6, 2008
Summer Vacation is Awesome!
It has already been one full week since Trae graduated from kindergarten! I absolutely love having him around! We have had a blast this week. He has been a huge help around the house, he has really begun to grow up, sniff, sniff. With that said he has brought in a lot more 'activity' as well. Having him back in the house means a lot more slamming doors as he runs outside, then inside, then outside, then inside. It also means a lot more kid messes in the kitchen as he loves to help himself to snacks, breakfast and lunch which is usually chocolate milk or strawberry milk.
I am going to post some pictures of our first week of summer break. I'll start with kindergarten graduation. Next I'll post pictures of the ice cream party we had in the cul-de-sac for all the children who finished school for summer break. It was such a simple thing to do, put up a card table, buy some ice cream and then each family brought out any toppings they had on hand. The kids absolutely loved it. Some of the sundaes looked delicious and others looked repulsive there was so much junk on them. Every kid ate to his fill though.
And today we took the children roller skating at Skate City!! They had itty-bitty little skates for Elias and Addison. They were so cute. I have pics but I really can't upload them since Eli is waking from his nap and is not happy at all, wonder if he had a nightmare?!?!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Twelve days...
It is so true that the older you get the faster time flies. It seems like Lindsey just got engaged and set her wedding date for nearly 1 1/2 years out. Well in ten days her wedding day will be here! Incredible! When Todd and I met and began dating Lindsey was only 12 years old. Now she is all grown up ready to make a family of her own.
Her wedding weekend is also Father's Day weekend and her Mother's 60th birthday that very next Monday, two days later. So that this monumental birthday was not overlooked during a busy wedding weekend Todd and I offered to plan and host her birthday party at our home.
Since all the extended family will be in town for the wedding we'll be able to include everyone from far and near. We are getting anxious for the big birthday bash in just twelve days!! She chose to have a fajita bar, her favorite. So we've added a margarita machine, also her favorite. I have all the rentals reserved, the entertainment lined up, the invitations out and R.s.v.p.s in. I haven't counted the list lately but I am sure we're pushing 70 or 80.
Todd and I have been working endlessly in the yard re-mulching, weeding, transplanting, reseeding dead spots in the lawn and the list goes on. I believe we are nearly there. I have a few planters to fill with flowers and our new garden was just finished this week so the children and I have to get some vegetables in the fresh soil!! This is one of my favorite things - vegetable gardens, a berry patches of course. Our berry patch is on the other side of the yard. This year we put in several new strawberry plants, a blackberry bush and a raspberry bush. I've been looking high and low for a blueberry bush but haven't seen one in a while.
The children are awaiting their Quality Time so I better not keep them waiting.
Her wedding weekend is also Father's Day weekend and her Mother's 60th birthday that very next Monday, two days later. So that this monumental birthday was not overlooked during a busy wedding weekend Todd and I offered to plan and host her birthday party at our home.
Since all the extended family will be in town for the wedding we'll be able to include everyone from far and near. We are getting anxious for the big birthday bash in just twelve days!! She chose to have a fajita bar, her favorite. So we've added a margarita machine, also her favorite. I have all the rentals reserved, the entertainment lined up, the invitations out and R.s.v.p.s in. I haven't counted the list lately but I am sure we're pushing 70 or 80.
Todd and I have been working endlessly in the yard re-mulching, weeding, transplanting, reseeding dead spots in the lawn and the list goes on. I believe we are nearly there. I have a few planters to fill with flowers and our new garden was just finished this week so the children and I have to get some vegetables in the fresh soil!! This is one of my favorite things - vegetable gardens, a berry patches of course. Our berry patch is on the other side of the yard. This year we put in several new strawberry plants, a blackberry bush and a raspberry bush. I've been looking high and low for a blueberry bush but haven't seen one in a while.
The children are awaiting their Quality Time so I better not keep them waiting.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Confirmed
We finally got the results back from California and yes, Eli has chicken pox immunity. This confirms that he indeed had CP!
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